Shoto's Ice

The final exploded into motion. Shoto Todoroki attacked first.

His frost-covered hand pressed against the ground.

A bone-deep cold surged across the ring. Ice raced toward Yuto.

Boom. Boom. Boom. Several enormous ice formations rose from the stage, each thirty to forty meters tall. In a flash, seven or eight ice mountains surrounded Yuto and sealed him inside a frozen prison.

The temperature across the stadium dropped sharply.

Even Midnight, standing near the ring as the referee, was caught by the edge of the attack and had half her body frozen in place. The spectators shivered.

Their breath came out in white mist.

Frost clung to faces, seats, and railings.

Todoroki had opened with the full force of his ice. His opponent was Yuto.

He could not afford to be careless.

Present Mic's teeth chattered as he commentated. "Todoroki opens by freezing the entire field! Several massive ice formations have trapped Yuto inside! This is the power of Endeavor's son, one of the greatest talents in this year's class!"

In the stands, people hugged themselves against the cold.

"Watching this tournament is rough. First earthquakes, then waves, now winter."

"Todoroki came in hard from the start."

"He's facing Yuto. Of course he did."

"Can Yuto handle it?"

"This is the final. It should be close."

Midoriya scribbled in his notebook, eyes fixed on the ice. "Todoroki is strong. His Quirk is Half-Cold Half-Hot, but he still hasn't used his fire side. Yuto will win, but..."

Ochaco shouted with everything she had. "Yuu-kun, come on!"

Momo's expression stayed composed, but her heart was tight.

Shinso, watching from nearby, clicked his tongue. "What's that guy doing? Why hasn't he moved?"

Monoma crossed his arms. "That's what he does. He lets people show their best, then crushes them and learns from the fight."

Honenuki nodded. "Look at his waist."

The others followed his gaze. Three swords.

Yuto now carried three blades.

The realization startled more than one student.

Two Sword Style was already difficult enough.

Three swords?

How was he supposed to use the third?

In the reserved viewing area, Endeavor finally showed a hint of satisfaction.

"Shoto is still rebelling and refusing to use fire," he said, "but his progress is clear."

All Might watched the ice. "Yuto's progress is what surprises me more. Some people have the kind of potential that can change everything."

Endeavor snorted. "Shoto can win this match without using fire."

All Might shook his head. "If Young Todoroki refuses to use fire, his chance is zero."

Endeavor's eyes narrowed. "You're as arrogant as ever. Shoto is the masterpiece I created. He can't lose."

All Might's expression changed slightly. "A masterpiece? He is your son."

Endeavor ignored the rebuke. "Then answer this. The way Shoto is fighting now, what are his chances?"

All Might thought of USJ.

He thought of the battles Yuto had already fought. He answered honestly.

"Still zero."

Endeavor's face darkened. "What?" Before he could say more, the ice prison trembled.

Yuto's voice came from within.

"Todoroki."

Cracks spread through the ice.

"Is this your strength?"

His tone was cold.

"Too weak."

Yuto struck the air.

"Air Shatter."

The sound of breaking glass rang again and again.

Cracks shot through the enormous ice formations. Then the mountains exploded.

All of them. The frozen prison shattered into fragments and water, flooding the arena floor in seconds.

Yuto stood in the middle of the ruined ice, unharmed. He looked at Todoroki.

"You're too weak like this."

The crowd went silent. Yuto continued, "Against you, I don't even need my swords." Todoroki's eyes narrowed.

"If you stand on this stage and refuse to give everything, why are you here? Everyone else fought with everything they had. Bakugo. Honenuki. Kirishima. Midoriya. Yaoyorozu. All of them."

His gaze sharpened. "You're refusing to use fire because you want to deny your father. In a fight like this, that's a joke."

Todoroki's expression flickered. "You don't understand what I went through."

"Maybe not," Yuto said. "But if that is the mindset you bring into this match, then you have already lost."

He raised both hands and struck the air again.

Crack. The air around him fractured.

"Tremor: Tidal Wave."

The water from Todoroki's shattered ice surged.

It rose higher and higher, gathering into a violent wave inside the stadium. The audience stared.

Was Yuto really creating a tidal wave here?

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