First-Person – Kenjiro's Perspective
Winning the Cavalry Battle should've felt like a triumph. Like a damn victory parade.
But as I walked through the cold, echoing tunnels beneath the stadium, my team's cheers still fading behind me, it didn't feel like much at all. I should've been amped. I should've been soaking it in. Instead, I couldn't stop thinking about Todoroki.
Or more specifically… his fire.
He'd finally used it. Finally let go of whatever emotional leash he had on that left side. I'd waited for it all match, watched him hold back like he always did, like he wanted to lose. Until I forced his hand.
I grinned to myself, flexing the soreness out of my shoulders. About damn time.
The finals were going to be hell—and I couldn't wait.
Then I felt it before I saw it. A shift in the air. The sudden weight of heat like a sunbeam cutting through winter.
A shadow fell across the tunnel floor.
"Sasaki Kenjiro."
I stopped walking. I already knew the voice. Already felt the weight of his presence.
Enji Todoroki.Endeavor.
The man practically radiated intensity. His frame filled the narrow hallway like a furnace crammed into a cage, flames licking at his jawline, eyes gleaming like steel straight from the forge. He looked at me like I was a tool. A hammer, maybe. Something meant to shape metal.
"You," he said, voice like gravel soaked in kerosene, "have my thanks."
I blinked. Of all the things I expected him to say, gratitude wasn't on the list.
I tilted my head, arms folding. "For what? Kicking your son off my shoulders?"
He didn't flinch. His nostrils flared, but his voice remained level. "For forcing him to use his left side. You've done what no one else has."
Ah. That.
I leaned against the concrete wall, keeping my smirk restrained. "Yeah, well. He was wasting half his power. Even I couldn't ignore that."
Endeavor stepped closer. I didn't back down. I never back down.
"You will continue to be his stepping stone," he said. "Push him further. Drive him to overcome me."
A laugh barked out of me, harsh and sharp. "Stepping stone? That's rich. I'm not a rock he walks over—I'm the mountain he's got to climb."
His flames surged briefly, mirroring his irritation.
"Arrogant brat."
"Realistic," I corrected, stepping forward so we were nearly nose to nose "If Shoto wants to beat me, he's gonna have to fight for it. Not because you want him to. Not because of your ego trip or redemption fantasy. Because he chooses to."
I walked past him, letting the heat roll off my back.
"Don't get it twisted," I added. "I'm not doing this for you."
He didn't move. But his voice followed me, low and warning.
"You'll regret underestimating him."
I didn't even turn around.
Doubt it.
Third-Person – Shoto & Izuku
The deeper they went into the tunnels, the colder it got.
Izuku Midoriya shivered as frost began to collect along the walls. Shoto Todoroki walked ahead of him in silence, his pace precise, unyielding. He hadn't said a word since pulling Izuku aside after the battle. The rest of their class was heading to the food stalls. They were heading into the dark.
"Uh, Todoroki?" Izuku finally asked, voice tentative. "Don't you think we should get lunch before the next event? They said we've only got a little—"
Shoto didn't respond.
Izuku's nerves spiked. He'd seen Todoroki like this before—quiet, intense, his entire body language coiled like a spring. But this was different. More… personal.
They turned a corner, and Shoto stopped abruptly.
Izuku nearly bumped into him.
"You," Todoroki said, voice as flat and cold as his right side, "your power. During the Cavalry Battle."
Izuku froze. His mouth suddenly dry.
Shoto turned slowly, his mismatched eyes unreadable. "It was just like All Might's."
The words hit like a gut punch. No. No no no—
"W-what?" Izuku stammered, backing a step away. "N-no! It's—it's just a Quirk enhancement! Strength Quirks aren't that rare, really! I mean, there's Power Loader and Rikiya Yotsubashi and—"
"You're All Might's secret love child," Todoroki said, deadpan.
Izuku's face turned crimson. "WHAT?! NO! That's—not even remotely—!"
"I'm joking," Shoto said, but there was no humor in his voice. Only focus. "But it doesn't matter. Whether it's a gift, a secret, or something else… I'll still defeat you."
He raised his left hand. Fire bloomed from his palm, casting flickering shadows along the hallway walls.
"I'm the son of Endeavor. The Number Two Hero. My father spent years trying to create the perfect successor. Someone who could surpass even All Might."
The fire flared, then died just as quickly as he lowered his hand.
"I rejected that dream. Rejected him. But now…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…maybe surpassing All Might isn't about becoming a copy of him. Maybe it's about becoming something more."
Izuku's heart pounded so hard he could feel it in his throat. Todoroki didn't know everything—there was no way—but he knew enough. Enough to be dangerous.
Before Izuku could say anything, the stadium intercom buzzed to life overhead.
"ATTENTION PARTICIPANTS! FINAL ROUND MATCHES BEGIN IN FIFTEEN MINUTES! RETURN TO THE MAIN STADIUM IMMEDIATELY!"
Shoto stared at him for a beat longer. Then, he turned to leave.
"This isn't over," he said over his shoulder.
Izuku stood frozen for several seconds, staring at the path he'd just taken, brain whirling with implications.
He knows. Not everything… but enough.
And now he's using both sides.
He swallowed hard and finally turned to follow, nerves like live wires under his skin.
Final round's coming. And this time, no one's holding back.