1.3 Million Volts

The spectators turned in surprise. "Is that Yuto?"

"Why are you so confident in someone whose Quirk we haven't even seen?"

"You're strong, but that does not mean your classmate is."

"Right. We admit you are strong, but Midoriya looks Quirkless."

The audience argued back immediately.

"Kaminari's Quirk is a powerful electric discharge. No matter how you look at it, he is stronger than Midoriya."

"I'm putting one hundred thousand yen on Kaminari right now."

Even Midoriya lacked confidence. "Yuto, it's fine."

Every time Midoriya used his Quirk, he injured himself badly. His body could not handle the backlash.

Tsuyu nodded slightly. "I'll be honest. I don't like Midoriya-chan's chances either. His weakness is instability. Every time he uses his Quirk, he gets hurt."

Kirishima agreed. "Yeah. Midoriya fights even more recklessly than Bakugo. He throws everything into every battle, and that is not good for his body. Not everyone can harden their whole body like me."

After hearing everyone say that, Midoriya lowered his head as if he had done something wrong.

"Sorry for causing trouble."

Yuto understood Midoriya's potential. He began thinking about how best to guide him.

Then Present Mic's voice rang out from the commentary booth.

"All right! The second match has ended. With overwhelming strength, Todoroki eliminated Ochaco Uraraka in one minute. Uraraka showed incredible determination, but against absolute power, she could not quite break through."

The stadium answered with thunderous cheers. "Todoroki is amazing!"

"Go all the way to the finals and fight Yuto!"

"I want to see Todoroki versus Yuto!"

"Todoroki still has not used his fire. I want to see him go all out."

Ochaco versus Todoroki had ended exactly as most people expected.

After the match, Ochaco returned to Yuto looking dejected.

Yuto gently stroked her brown hair. "You worked hard. You will become an amazing hero someday."

"But I lost."

"Heroes aren't judged only by wins and losses. What matters is the heart that pushes through difficulty to save others. Your parents must be proud after seeing how hard you fought on television."

Ochaco's cheeks warmed. "Thank you, Yuu-kun. My parents called me just now and said the same thing. I will keep working hard."

"Good."

Present Mic continued. "In thirty minutes, we will begin the third match. Another Class 1-A battle. Izuku Midoriya versus Denki Kaminari. A student whose Quirk remains unknown faces our human stun gun, Kaminari. This should be interesting. Aizawa, what do you think?"

Aizawa's voice was flat. "During the Quirk Apprehension Test, I almost expelled Midoriya. He does not understand his own Quirk, and every time he fights, his whole body ends up injured. Last time, Yuto saved him. This match will be another evaluation. If Midoriya's performance does not satisfy me, I will still expel him."

Present Mic coughed awkwardly. "You're as strict as ever, Aizawa. No wonder you once expelled an entire class." The audience gasped.

"U.A. really is strict."

"Of course it is. It's the strongest hero school in the country."

"That's Eraser Head, Shota Aizawa. He once expelled an entire class without blinking."

"Now I feel bad for Midoriya. Could he really reach the final round and then get expelled after the match?"

"If he does not have a Quirk he can use, he won't last at U.A."

Everyone was talking about the upcoming battle.

Soon, Yuto and Midoriya moved to a quiet corner.

They talked for a long time.

As Yuto coached him, Midoriya somehow became even more nervous. His body trembled, and cold sweat broke out across his skin.

No one in the venue thought he had a chance. No one except Yuto.

Yuto said, "You're learning this later than you should, but you've still improved. You're starting to get some control over your power."

Midoriya froze. "Yuto... no, it is still unstable. If I perform badly, Aizawa-sensei will still expel me."

"Imagine it carefully," Yuto said. "When you strike, think of an egg in a microwave. Keep that image in your mind. With your current body, you can probably use about five percent of your power. Focus that five percent into your fist, then release it."

He paused. "Everything has to happen step by step. You have to build control one step at a time. A power like that has too much force behind it to control all at once."

Midoriya nodded. "I understand, Yuto. I will try."

Yuto continued, "When you feel afraid or uneasy, face it with a smile. Even if the whole world doubts you, do what you can and prove them wrong." His voice became steady.

"Remember, you're someone I believe in."

Midoriya looked at him with open admiration and nodded hard. "Yuto, I'll keep working hard."

"It's time. Go get ready."

"Yes, Yuto!"

Half an hour later, the arena came alive again.

The crowd cheered as the third match began.

Midoriya and Kaminari stepped into the ring.

Present Mic shouted, "The third match is here! Denki Kaminari, Quirk: Electrification, versus Izuku Midoriya, whose Quirk remains unknown because he has not used it in the Sports Festival yet."

The audience began commenting at once.

"I still don't know how Midoriya made it this far."

"Does he even have a Quirk? He looks weak."

"Yuto seemed to believe in him."

"Yuto just gave him advice too. But being strong does not mean he has perfect judgment."

On the stage, Kaminari scratched his cheek lazily.

"Sorry, Midoriya. I know losing might get you expelled, but I'm not planning to hold back. At most, I will buy you a meal afterward or something."

For once, determination appeared clearly in Midoriya's eyes. Yuto believed in him.

How could he lose?

"Kaminari," he said, "I'm going to win this match."

Kaminari grinned. "This match is going to end instantly."

Electricity sparked across his body.

In a flash, yellow current spread over the entire stage.

The glare forced the audience to squint.

The electricity surged violently across the ring.

Kaminari shouted, "Indiscriminate Shock 1.3 Million Volts!"

The arena exploded with yellow light.

That was 1.3 million volts.

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