Present Mic: “Why are they just standing there?!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFD3zmkAxv
The match has started, but the two fighters refuse to budge an inch. Nearly everyone was confused and bored. Did these two not want to fight?
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekFZiBShKg
But those with a keen eye could see what was really going on.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrhWpgVKhB
Jiro: “What are they doing?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg5EMqu47K
Kirishima: “Are they sizing each other up or something?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR2f2QRKnk
Bakugo: “Look at the stage, dumbass.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxsZs1MgQx
Surprisingly, Bakugo was the one to point out the truth of the match.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJLVUNF5m0
Kirishima: “Oh.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJrbhvHM6r
Kiri: “Strong.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcBjz2VCrn
The ground beneath their feet was cracking as they tried to push the other out of the ring. At the moment, Sabrina was the one being pushed back. If only by a few inches.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ817UuYod0g
Izuku: “One of them has to give.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshGV05p3gq
Correct. At this rate, Sabrina would lose. Yeah, it would take a few hours, but she would be pushed off the stage. The psychic arm wrestle was over; time to actually battle.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4cJZFZOrn
Sacrificing a moment of focus, Sabrina commanded the ground beneath Kaoru to swallow her leg. This caused Sabrina to stumble back a few feet, but it also broke Kaoru’s focus.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq3A9QFIGr
Sabrina: “Lock.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cVix8Nbau
And just like that, Kaoru was frozen in place. Sabrina’s psychic hold was truly one of the strongest. Nearly impossible to break through with sheer will alone.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0K4BoYzLS
But Kaoru was one of those that could break it, given time.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJsRJURqdS
Sabrina: “I will admit, you have grown stronger.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ6MBaJRDq
Kaoru: “I had to! If I want to surpass Tornado one day.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh98cKb2Fx3
With a grunt, Kaoru focuses on the psychic shell trapping her and tears it apart. Free, she charged Sabrina while engulfed in pink light.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB8mBUxmaR
Kaoru: “Have you gotten any better at close quarters?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUpex7gRWB
Sabrina: “Unneeded.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAxwM9p8e3
Using the air itself as a hammer, she slammed two against Kaoru’s sides. She caught them with her own power, but that leaves her front open. Taking the chance, Sabrina grabs Kaoru’s shirt and tightens it around her body.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVUR5Fe0wb
Kaoru: “Ugh.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99WsNgEyez
Sabrina: “If this was a real battle, I would have shrunk you down to doll-size by now.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvE9NdtY5d
Kaoru: “Like heck! That wouldn’t work on me again!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAO1QeAmYP
To prove it, Kaoru unleashed her psychic might in the form of a pink flash grenade.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPInrsCFmn
Blinded, Sabrina’s wind hammers collapsed and allowed for Kaoru to counter with-
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHaBjIgdsq
Kaoru: “Psychic Drill Crusher!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2cVdxn4Ww
The rolling uppercut sends Sabrina high into the air. Kaoru follows Sabrina into the sky, prepared to knock her out of the ring. Sabrina righted herself in time to clash once more with Kaoru’s psychic might.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW4SLNm69Y
Before the clash can last too long, Sabrina’s eyes glow red. A hand of earth erupts from the stage to grab Kaoru from behind.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0MlLVuM1J
Caught off guard, Kaoru is dragged back to the ground, where Sabrina had more of a chance at victory. But Kaoru quickly broke out of it, but not fast enough to prevent Sabrina from returning to the ground and preparing her first trump card.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw6DtPQXpd
Green energy crackles to life around her outstretched hands. A second later, the energy erupts into Psi-Whips.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23gJD61QfU
Present Mic: “Would you look at that, folks!? Kanto shows us another psychic ability, this one much more flashy!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgFUehBXtC
Kaoru: “Finally deciding to take this a bit more seriously?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUifSc8eFk
Sabrina: “You’re worthy of it.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q7tUNg4Ww
The esper twirls around her electrified whips before cracking it at Kaoru. With little choice, the red esper dodged the assault, ducking and weaving out of the storm.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM4h7AFkru
But as this dance continued, something strange was happening. Sabrina was starting to laugh.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XV5VmpXde
Those in the know, knew why.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn82zkj1bN
Aoi: “Oh no.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkG4J0LazF
Shiho: “She’s getting carried away again.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7N7baWst3
With each close dodge from Kaoru and each crack of the whip, Sabrina’s laugh increased. Before long, she snapped.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjTnbvmiSU
Sabrina: “Hahahaha! Dance, Kaoru, dance for me! HAHAHA!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmctG551rdZ
The audience was stunned. The usually cool and calm Sabrina was crackling like some madwoman.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB6z6E6atB
Present Mic: “Whoa, didn’t expect that! Is this still safe for the children in the audience?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJyBdbMeL6
Midnight, on the other hand.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnHBC4NMNW
Midnight: “Nice!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WYceOICu4
She gives a thumbs-up in approval. She finally met a fellow dom, at least one in the making.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCF1JVWUcc
It took a few seconds for Sabrina to collect herself and realize where she was. Stopping the assault, she coughed into her hand in embarrassment.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKZHGpXrA3
Sabrina: “Ahem, sorry, that was… unprofessional of me.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcbzmDr3xA
Unguarded, Sabrina fell victim to a pebble being thrown at her forehead. The force was enough to snap her head back in a somewhat comical way.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOBPkt27Eb
Kaoru: “Contain yourself! This is not the time or place for that!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnrDna6CxI
‘Huh?! Doesn’t that imply there is a time and place for it?!’
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECywCrPTJk
Many in the audience couldn’t help but imagine the implications of that statement. You didn’t need to be an esper to understand what everyone is thinking.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkBT53skCu
Kaoru: “W-Wait! N-No! We’re not like that!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfuUCma8Xy
Wanting to pay her back, Sabrina returned her focus to the battle. This time Kaoru didn’t dodge but instinctively grabbed the whip with her hand.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nII9bZWNO
Kaoru: ‘Shoot!’
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6cIt2yFhn
Suddenly, the whip electrified and shocked Kaoru.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l3GTSmQBb
Kaoru: “Gah!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4eulTHnAg
Before Kaoru could let go, the other whip wrapped around her, increasing the voltage.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz0CK8fjJE
The esper screamed in pain and was close to passing out. But Kaoru would not go out like that; she prepared to unleash another burst of power to break out.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt59pVTwElO
But Sabrina saw that coming. A second before Kaoru unleashed her energy, Sabrina broke apart the whip into wisps of energy.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLh5UmkykO
Kaoru’s burst was nothing but a waste of energy, something the young esper was running out of. Keeping up the pressure, Sabrina manipulated the energy wisps, turning them into three green lightning spears.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKxKfw8ch
Kaoru barely dodged the descending blades with a backflip. But she wasn’t safe yet. Sabrina gathered the blades back to her and reformed them into her whip. But instead of two, she formed it into one large one. This one was enough to cover nearly the whole stage, and so she swung the beast at Kaoru.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7M2ef7wFb
Deciding to keep to the ground and conserve energy, Kaoru ran forward and slid beneath the whip. While doing that, she gathered the rubble created by Sabrina’s previous assault and sent it at her opponent.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJtJ9ocJSX
Sabrina had to dismiss the whip to properly block the storm of rubble. This gave Kaoru the chance to close the distance and punch Sabrina’s psychic shield. A shield that was cracking.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyO1ze6U88
Sabrina: “Heh, you fight more like All Might instead of Tornado. Are you sure you aren’t trying to impress him instead? You do like older men after all.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ4NYimqUa
Kaoru blushed, and her attack lost some of its strength. Using that opening, Sabrina electrified her hands and tried to palm strike Kaoru. Not completely off guard, she was able to jump away.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSMCk1WYmN
Kaoru: “You want a tornado? Fine! I was saving this for when I fought her brother, but you asked for it! Ruby Twister!!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxiN5FP9LB
The red esper quickly twirled around, dragging in wind and rubble to create a crimson tornado. One slowly taking up space and closing in on Sabrina.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEWhMbVUiU
Present Mic: “What a fight so far, folks! A fast-paced psychic exchange! But it seems Sabrina is in trouble! What can she do against a move inspired by the Tornado of Terror!?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbnVIx5s2o
The other esper wasn’t worried.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dr3jfiESr
Sabrina: “It’s good, but it has a fatal weakness. As I expected.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z8vNuztmy
Kaoru’s control over objects is not as precise as Tatsumaki’s, so she can’t just create a tornado on the spot. She has to spin and draw in the debris and air into her mini-cyclone. But she’s taking in everything, unable to tell what she is letting in while spinning like that. Perfect for a Trojan horse.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnpytFTmMj
Quickly, Sabrina creates her whips again. But this time, she lets them lie lifeless near the twister. Eventually, the twister took them into itself.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRc0H0pYey
But that won’t be enough. Sabrina fed more energy into the whips but didn’t move them so as to not tip Kaoru off. As she does this, the whips’ length increases, allowing it to continue circling around the twister.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMol8rQSEPo
But it will take time to fully wrap around, time Sabrina may not have. She can already feel herself being drawn in.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lgn4Pe8ei
Present Mic: “It’s going to be close!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasPZYUq8Wx
Sweat drips down Sabrina’s face as the twister closes in. But after a few seconds, she smiles. It’s ready.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cSxowfrjp
Sabrina: “Game over, Kaoru.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWpoWom4Xr
Instantly, the ruby twister became green and electrified. The resulting thunderous explosion was greater than even Kaminari’s.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97c7Hx9qmy
Many had to close their eyes due to how bright it was. But all things must come to an end; when the sound of a thousand birds stopped, the result was clear.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIuNZzIcKj
Kaoru was on the ground, her body lightly smoking, but her life wasn’t in danger. As proven by her eyes being comical swirls, she was only knocked out.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2GKVVAgUn
Midnight: “Kaoru is knocked out! Sabrina advances!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97CeizB7X6
The crowd erupts in excitement; this tournament is turning out to be one of the best.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdX6pCSONN
Sabrina wipes the sweat off her head and takes a steadying breath before walking towards Kaoru. She picks her friend up in a bridal carry. Something that is sure to spread rumors. But she didn’t care.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTw46ayRt4
All that matters is taking care of one of the only friends she has ever had.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBqFTVTAh9
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FsFShVXwd
Both Bakugo and Izuku looked at the fight with focused gazes. Izuku was quickly writing down all he could about his opponents while Bakugo took mental notes.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I4kWwu89y
It was a lucky break that they didn’t have to face both Kaoru and Sabrina. Thanks to this match, they also have a good idea of what Sabrina can do.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7QP8mCCtJ
But will their forming strategies be enough?
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSyHmTiae5
However, they shouldn’t look so far ahead just yet. They both have matches before that.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJOsn6aSTJ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ihKOp21FO
Fubuki: “So, big sis, what do you think of your number one fan?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUq8bncZL7
Tatsumaki: “Hmph, she has to spin to do what we do. I’m not that impressed.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdnJYzgP6v
Fubuki: “Why am I not surprised?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzkOE4mFmU
Inko: “But Tatsu, maybe she would be a good pick for an intern?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Aqvfe5MB
Tatsumaki: “No way. That’s nothing but a waste of time, especially now. I could use that time spent on some intern hunting those villains.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw09EuyJnR
Fubuki: “You wouldn’t say that if Izu or Tae wanted to intern.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxdeEeWRpv
Tatsumaki: “… That’s different. They’re family.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuE5aGkCmW
Inko: “Sweetie, part of the job of being a hero is nurturing the next generation. That Akashi girl could be a great hero if you helped her.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMCqpnGkqk
Tatsumaki: “… Hmph. I’m getting some water.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigdPylGBjQ
Fubuki: “And conversation over.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h0cP3FvMy
Proven by Tatsumaki floating out the door.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lj706wPDa
Inko: “Haha. She’ll come around. Besides, those villains must have given up and left the city if Tatu hasn’t found them yet.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI3OjDg5G7
Fubuki: “… I hope you’re right.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrDfxvZ7sI
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR7AAcqcmi
After the stage was repaired again, it was time for the last match of round two. Due to the number of contestants, the one who started out the round has to fight again.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVEsqc8Om7
So the last round was Izuku vs Shiho. Another psychic battle that people were excited to see after being hyped by the last one.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNGLpHkNbp
The results, however, were anything but exciting.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2TD40Qxgi
Shiho: “I surrender.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDgzM4pL4e
…
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuYkgs6KSD
…
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi3D3b9X3I
Everyone: “HUH!?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8edw8QMsO
Izuku: “R-Really?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CIE7bkegs
Shiho: “I know I won’t win. You’re similar to Kaoru, and I never beat her in a 1v1. It only makes sense.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QL1GCM10o
Izuku: “But… you could still try.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY0ABINR5P
Shiho: “I don’t think so. It’s the same in real hero work. If you face a villain that you’re not suited for, you wait for a hero who is, while protecting who you can.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5nzIzEe1z
The boy’s eyes twitch when her words bring back to mind the time when Kacchan almost died. Those ‘heroes’ did nothing, content watching a boy die until another hero comes in.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t8lK2W89b
It sickens him.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhamVT8Kkvs
Izuku: “No, even then you should fight. That’s what a real hero should do.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3tuUNZn0z
His words and glare were enough to make even Shiho’s eyes widen. Before his words can sink in, Midnight calls the match.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXDrLIFbRi
Not sparing her another look, Izuku turned around and left. Shiho, however, thought about his words and wondered if she was in the wrong. But in the end, she shook her hand as she remembered events that prove the contrary.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu4TsLIy2o
Shiho: ‘No, he’s wrong. What good would your death solve? Getting in the way when you can’t help will just make things worse.’
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0twhrdT71
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXMRUx5Yk5
And so time passed, and the third round was upon them. Due to Izuku having gone already, even if Shiho surrendered, Bakugo was selected to headline the third round.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlG0WR3Lyu
Bakugo vs Ida.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0TjMT3Kyg
A quick and explosive match that ended with Bakugo’s victory. If only barely. Ida’s speed was impressive, but Bakugo’s explosions and battle senses enable him to blast Ida out of the ring with a large explosion.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUyrz50HpT
Ida: “How shameful! To lose to him!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJITo5kMU9
Izuku: “You did good though, Ida!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0XmSCZ8Yc
Kiri: “Bomb boy good fighter. Unfortunately.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BBuMcEURn
Uraraka: “Yeah, he seemed even more focused than usual. No crazy smile.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCPXjsgYMa
Izuku: “Considering who his next match is, I understand.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fgJzgZOgW
Ida: “Kanto, a tough match indeed. I’m ashamed to say, but I think Bakugo may have a better chance of winning than if I faced her.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecg1xA6gEw
Uraraka: “Why?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPLUABz4b5
Ida: “I can only use Recipro Burst for ten seconds, and that might be my only way to escape her lock. She could stall me until the ten seconds were-”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgcEbaRNY2
Just then Ida’s body started vibrating.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs29gHWFEG
Izuku & Uraraka: “Uwah! What the heck is that?!”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyvdwP8Mut
Ida: “It’s my phone.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Uon17Wlc
Izuku: “Your phone? Phew.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHwdZu6ubd
Ida left to see who was calling him. Meanwhile, the three remaining sat in silence. Why? Because the next match was Izuku vs Kiri.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0t0cW3cBk
Uraraka: “Um… I’m rooting for you both.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZqyKGkzXB
Izuku: “T-Thanks.”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOVanxTNOg
There was still a distance between him and Kiri. One he didn’t know how to fix. In fact, the distance was growing, and it… hurt.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYeiHQMeBT
Like his other half was drifting away.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh74Ewrc30b
Without a word, Kiri got up and headed for the stage.
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3ysAmWMeh
Uraraka: “Is something wrong with Tae?”
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfosO1sRU4
Izuku: “… I don’t know. But I plan to find out.”
ns216.73.216.93da2
