Softening

Boom. The ring lurched violently. Cracks spread across the floor like a spiderweb, then widened at once.

The entire stage began to collapse.

Dust rose in a heavy cloud.

That was the force of Yuto's quake.

Even the commentary booth shook from the aftershock. Present Mic clung to his chair, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Everyone knows this move by now! Yuto has triggered another massive quake with his Quirk! U.A. High School is shaking again!"

The spectators gripped their seats.

Even after seeing it before, Yuto's power still felt unreal.

"He caused another earthquake."

"This is supposed to be a school tournament."

"How is Honenuki supposed to survive that?"

"Yuto really knows how to use his Quirk."

The ring had nearly become rubble in a single move.

If this continued, Honenuki would be swallowed by the destruction.

But Juzo Honenuki was smiling.

"Yuto Kanzaki," he said, voice carrying through the dust, "your power really is incredible. You use your Quirk better than almost anyone I have ever seen."

His eyes sharpened. "But you still lose this match."

The audience went quiet. Honenuki continued, "I told you. I studied you. The Obstacle Race. The Cavalry Battle. Monoma. Bakugo. I've replayed every fight you've had in this festival in my head."

He lifted one foot.

"To most people, you look like a well-rounded hero student. Strength, mobility, swordsmanship, judgment, charisma. No obvious weaknesses."

The smile on his face deepened. "And honestly, that's true. You don't have an obvious weakness. Unfortunately for you, my Quirk counters yours."

Present Mic leaned forward. "Honenuki says his Quirk counters Yuto's!"

All eyes returned to the stage. Honenuki activated Softening.

The change began beneath his feet and spread outward at frightening speed. The broken stone softened.

The ground turned unstable and swamp-like.

In seconds, the stage had become a dark swamp.

Yuto's quake lost its bite.

Without a hard surface to carry the impact, the destructive force dispersed into the softened ground.

Honenuki laughed. "Do you see it now? This is Quirk compatibility. Your earthquakes don't work properly against me. I can soften the terrain before your power destroys it." He spread his arms.

"And your swordsmanship won't work either."

His body sank into the swamp until only the upper half remained visible.

The ring vanished beneath the dark, unstable surface.

Yuto's feet also began to sink.

The soft ground clung to him, pulling at his legs and limiting his movement.

If he stayed there too long, he could be trapped before he had a chance to recover.

Present Mic shouted, "What a reversal! Honenuki's Softening has turned the battlefield into a swamp and neutralized Yuto's earthquake attacks! This reminds me of Yaoyorozu against Tokoyami, but now Yuto is the one being countered!"

The spectators stared in disbelief.

Yuto was being pushed back. Not overpowered.

Countered.

"Is Yuto going to lose?"

"His Quirk is useless if the ground is softened."

"That's exactly how Yaoyorozu beat Tokoyami. A bad matchup can decide everything."

"Honenuki really prepared for him."

"I wanted to see Yuto against Todoroki."

Across the stadium, Class 1-A went tense.

For the first time, Yuto looked as if he had been forced into a truly poor position.

The swamp had swallowed him up to his thighs.

Still, his expression did not change. His eyes were calm.

Cold. Sharp.

He drew two swords. Wado Ichimonji rested in his right hand.

Sandai Kitetsu rested in his left.

The blades flashed across the ruined ring.

Some spectators held their breath.

Was it over?

No.

It was only beginning.

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