The U.A. Sports Festival Final was about to begin.
The entire stadium was shaking with anticipation.
The announcers could barely contain their excitement.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME FOR THE FINAL MATCH!"
The two strongest competitors had fought their way to the top.
On one side: Reiji Kurobane, the terrifying wildcard, the one who had dominated every fight without breaking a sweat.
On the other: Bakugo Katsuki, the furious powerhouse, burning with rage and ambition.
This wasn't just a fight.
This was a declaration of who was the strongest.
The Fighters Enter the Arena
Reiji stepped onto the battlefield, golden eyes gleaming.
His smirk was calm, confident. Unshaken.
Across from him, Bakugo stormed onto the field, his teeth clenched, explosions already flickering in his palms.
His eyes burned with fury.
[Finally. Finally, I get to crush you.]
Reiji noticed his trembling hands.
Not from fear.
From pure, uncontrollable rage.
Reiji chuckled. "Tch. You look ready to explode."
Bakugo's body twitched.
"Shut the hell up."
Reiji grinned. "Make me."
The Final Battle Begins
Midnight raised her hand, voice dripping with excitement.
"BEGIN!"
BOOM!
Bakugo attacked instantly, blasting himself forward at insane speed.
His explosive fist tore through the air, aimed straight for Reiji's skull.
But—
Reiji vanished.
A burst of Hellfire erupted, leaving only empty space where he had been.
Bakugo's fist slammed into the ground, causing a massive explosion.
"WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO?!"
Then—
A voice behind him.
"Right here."
Bakugo's eyes widened.
Before he could react—
CRACK!
Reiji's flaming knee smashed into his ribs, sending him flying across the battlefield.
BOOOOM!
Bakugo skidded to a stop, coughing.
His body ached.
His rage burned hotter.
"YOU DAMN BASTARD—"
BOOM!
He launched himself forward again, but this time—
Reiji met him head-on.
The two collided in the center of the battlefield, fists and explosions tearing through the air.
Each strike sent shockwaves through the stadium.
Each clash ignited the ground beneath them.
Neither backed down.
Neither slowed.
It was pure carnage.
The fight was becoming brutal.
Bakugo's relentless explosions forced Reiji to stay on the move, teleporting between bursts of Hellfire.
But Bakugo was adapting.
Every time Reiji teleported, Bakugo was already moving to counter.
Their movements were becoming a dangerous dance of speed, power, and fury.
Then—Bakugo saw his chance.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!!"
He spun violently, his explosions creating a tornado of fire and destruction.
Reiji narrowed his eyes.
[That's a good move.]
The spiraling explosion engulfed the battlefield, tearing apart the ground in its wake.
The crowd screamed.
"THAT'S IT! BAKUGO'S GOING ALL IN!"
But then—
FWOOOOOOM!
A pillar of Hellfire erupted from the center of the storm.
The tornado of explosions was consumed instantly.
And when the fire cleared—
Reiji stood there.
Untouched.
His golden eyes burned like a demon's.
Bakugo's breath hitched.
[No. No, no, no—]
Reiji tilted his head.
"That was your strongest move?"
Bakugo froze.
Then—
Reiji vanished.
Bakugo's instincts screamed.
[BEHIND ME—]
But he was too slow.
BOOM!
A Hellfire-coated punch slammed into his back, sending him flying.
His body hit the ground, bouncing twice.
He tried to move.
But then—
A shadow loomed over him.
Reiji stood above him, golden eyes cold.
"This is over."
Bakugo gritted his teeth.
[No. I can't lose. I can't—]
His vision blurred.
His body refused to move.
And then—
The buzzer rang.
Winner: Reiji Kurobane
The crowd erupted in chaos.
Present Mic was shouting in disbelief.
"HE DID IT! REIJI WINS! HE WINS THE SPORTS FESTIVAL!"
Reiji exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
[That was fun.]
He glanced down at Bakugo, who was still shaking, fists clenched against the dirt.
"You lost."
Bakugo's body trembled.
He wanted to scream.
To fight more.
But he couldn't move.
Reiji smirked.
"Get stronger."
Then, without another word, he walked away.
Not long after, the remaining students gathered on the podium for the closing ceremony.
Reiji stood in the center, gold medal around his neck.
To his right, Bakugo, seething with rage, still trembling from his defeat.
To his left, Todoroki, arms crossed, deep in thought.
All Might stepped forward, his usual bright grin in place.
"CONGRATULATIONS, YOUNG HEROES!"
The crowd erupted again.
But as All Might handed Reiji the trophy, their gazes met.
For a split second, Reiji saw it.
The brief flicker of concern in All Might's eyes.
As if he was trying to figure him out.
Reiji grinned.
[You're not sure what to make of me, huh?]
He took the trophy without hesitation.
All Might smiled wider. "You've shown incredible strength, young Kurobane. But remember—true heroes are not just strong, but just."
Reiji chuckled.
"Of course, Number One."
But in his golden eyes, there was no agreement.
Only amusement.
Far away, in a dark hideout, a screen played the footage of Reiji's fights.
Shigaraki leaned forward, watching intently.
"…This guy is interesting."
Kurogiri nodded. "He's powerful. And unlike the others, he doesn't hesitate."
Shigaraki's lips curled into a dangerous grin.
"I want him."
Kurogiri tilted his head. "To eliminate?"
Shigaraki chuckled.
"No."
"To recruit."
That night, Reiji stood alone, looking out over Musutafu's city skyline.
His golden eyes flickered, thoughts swirling in his mind.
[This was just the beginning.]
He could feel it.
The heroes were watching him.
The villains were curious about him.
And the world?
It didn't know what to do with him.
Reiji exhaled, smirking.
"Good."
Let them wonder.
Because soon enough…
They would all know exactly who he was.
End of Chapter 18
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