Present Mic: “Why are they just standing there?!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M1vQ9Z2iW
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?
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Gm0xMwYe
But those with a keen eye could see what was really going on.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mo5NVTUIK
Jiro: “What are they doing?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAlAbAA8JV
Kirishima: “Are they sizing each other up or something?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9yTWQT4yf
Bakugo: “Look at the stage, dumbass.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO45c14xxo
Surprisingly, Bakugo was the one to point out the truth of the match.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR0kUxeelE
Kirishima: “Oh.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALRamM5HtT
Kiri: “Strong.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFxz6q37pU
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jZ836QWIg
Izuku: “One of them has to give.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesktvdHb5b
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBlkvSDt12
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGjJdYLm7U
Sabrina: “Lock.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5nuSLk8vL
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuw6kFNYjj
But Kaoru was one of those that could break it, given time.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFqVxD2FCy
Sabrina: “I will admit, you have grown stronger.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIdh4rni90
Kaoru: “I had to! If I want to surpass Tornado one day.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLoLZuXsot
With a grunt, Kaoru focuses on the psychic shell trapping her and tears it apart. Free, she charged Sabrina while engulfed in pink light.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE22I0YKJpm
Kaoru: “Have you gotten any better at close quarters?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle534ZU0qT
Sabrina: “Unneeded.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8S2rWv1j0
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWSMriScSd
Kaoru: “Ugh.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uysvDqwMT
Sabrina: “If this was a real battle, I would have shrunk you down to doll-size by now.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAZNMsbxIY
Kaoru: “Like heck! That wouldn’t work on me again!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sNFqCFbDh
To prove it, Kaoru unleashed her psychic might in the form of a pink flash grenade.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZijV81ViS
Blinded, Sabrina’s wind hammers collapsed and allowed for Kaoru to counter with-
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOBUwVtuE8
Kaoru: “Psychic Drill Crusher!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTgZW37HU5
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3fzb74Lao
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLlUbAXD1q
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V2oE0w67J
Green energy crackles to life around her outstretched hands. A second later, the energy erupts into Psi-Whips.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLasCr7MK7W
Present Mic: “Would you look at that, folks!? Kanto shows us another psychic ability, this one much more flashy!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnKsQ25rZx
Kaoru: “Finally deciding to take this a bit more seriously?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzmgmGRZMF
Sabrina: “You’re worthy of it.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLhfqhMbHf
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplj8EbOL58
But as this dance continued, something strange was happening. Sabrina was starting to laugh.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoapONQBZE
Those in the know, knew why.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8TxjZTyH9
Aoi: “Oh no.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIUpUlhP2b
Shiho: “She’s getting carried away again.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWExL7A9Ame
With each close dodge from Kaoru and each crack of the whip, Sabrina’s laugh increased. Before long, she snapped.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ498Vgn31Mk
Sabrina: “Hahahaha! Dance, Kaoru, dance for me! HAHAHA!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3i4SjkBJH
The audience was stunned. The usually cool and calm Sabrina was crackling like some madwoman.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFchW9aXUTn
Present Mic: “Whoa, didn’t expect that! Is this still safe for the children in the audience?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoF7v9mSVy
Midnight, on the other hand.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I6Z0IhOeE
Midnight: “Nice!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Sp5ChLiv
She gives a thumbs-up in approval. She finally met a fellow dom, at least one in the making.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo90EnQhbZ6
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M0JfViyc3
Sabrina: “Ahem, sorry, that was… unprofessional of me.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAukKGER0U
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyA1coR91r
Kaoru: “Contain yourself! This is not the time or place for that!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ2GvZO2fW
‘Huh?! Doesn’t that imply there is a time and place for it?!’
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFA47xE767
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFc0ypUFH
Kaoru: “W-Wait! N-No! We’re not like that!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6UZaCd8Ze
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYOzfHkwnJ
Kaoru: ‘Shoot!’
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAsvKcth9m
Suddenly, the whip electrified and shocked Kaoru.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH1P90Jydj
Kaoru: “Gah!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2suUsL23S
Before Kaoru could let go, the other whip wrapped around her, increasing the voltage.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtSaEiFKuy
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn4any40Zx
But Sabrina saw that coming. A second before Kaoru unleashed her energy, Sabrina broke apart the whip into wisps of energy.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs5CGzRaAn
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpxnqufhmF
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRadhwlWvYl
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhM4VztMXK
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvLYrN1rCh
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.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bKKUQ7rNP
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyn4UX9GCu
Kaoru: “You want a tornado? Fine! I was saving this for when I fought her brother, but you asked for it! Ruby Twister!!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8zuuA25rR
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR0Zdmd6ng
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!?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRDD7ebXcf
The other esper wasn’t worried.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfI7lu3soU
Sabrina: “It’s good, but it has a fatal weakness. As I expected.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsha2LQDyMf
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2HoOQ7asJ
Quickly, Sabrina creates her whips again. But this time, she lets them lie lifeless near the twister. Eventually, the twister took them into itself.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34I4mMFRew
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq3O6GLcip
But it will take time to fully wrap around, time Sabrina may not have. She can already feel herself being drawn in.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldx78PJlJG
Present Mic: “It’s going to be close!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV66Y1iySTB
Sweat drips down Sabrina’s face as the twister closes in. But after a few seconds, she smiles. It’s ready.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4FOJQZs2A
Sabrina: “Game over, Kaoru.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRO8cR4h3z
Instantly, the ruby twister became green and electrified. The resulting thunderous explosion was greater than even Kaminari’s.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p2ZUvNEwr
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8awAf4ogDJ
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwW1e4leX2
Midnight: “Kaoru is knocked out! Sabrina advances!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB0rOUEX0x
The crowd erupts in excitement; this tournament is turning out to be one of the best.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOc7PsEmj3
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Rkxtmw05
All that matters is taking care of one of the only friends she has ever had.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj61YMNgBBA
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRzea77GfU
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq2SvQsdc1
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqkA0TSx0V
But will their forming strategies be enough?
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZOw2ILJ07
However, they shouldn’t look so far ahead just yet. They both have matches before that.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGctsXoEfPG
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0bHhqYiz1
Fubuki: “So, big sis, what do you think of your number one fan?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcyT3kDuE0
Tatsumaki: “Hmph, she has to spin to do what we do. I’m not that impressed.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3utPWWyr3
Fubuki: “Why am I not surprised?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFygIiEGkW
Inko: “But Tatsu, maybe she would be a good pick for an intern?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcFRxzhIrc
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.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYAJC65oWS
Fubuki: “You wouldn’t say that if Izu or Tae wanted to intern.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhkAqxLpLS
Tatsumaki: “… That’s different. They’re family.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjz1Id7dut
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.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgz2JZQnDZ
Tatsumaki: “… Hmph. I’m getting some water.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBkzLZAlF7
Fubuki: “And conversation over.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIx4sablVQ
Proven by Tatsumaki floating out the door.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru52a3OrLR
Inko: “Haha. She’ll come around. Besides, those villains must have given up and left the city if Tatu hasn’t found them yet.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2OCTaB3b9
Fubuki: “… I hope you’re right.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9N0xum3ju
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0fqRgDaZv
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnklKemAHoE
So the last round was Izuku vs Shiho. Another psychic battle that people were excited to see after being hyped by the last one.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKwyNu7EV5
The results, however, were anything but exciting.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoZoYbXOvd
Shiho: “I surrender.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C2Uzk0BRZ
…
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qbs8N8b9q
…
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pMjvzpFbq
Everyone: “HUH!?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCy2An3rLB
Izuku: “R-Really?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAIMS1EPYt
Shiho: “I know I won’t win. You’re similar to Kaoru, and I never beat her in a 1v1. It only makes sense.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkepsd45LYH
Izuku: “But… you could still try.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGl5MyYywU
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.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNy4k6NOES
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC1vxKC1kK
It sickens him.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2P2AtvaK
Izuku: “No, even then you should fight. That’s what a real hero should do.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pLmwUljqN
His words and glare were enough to make even Shiho’s eyes widen. Before his words can sink in, Midnight calls the match.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2osPP0u8H
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxOsSpX5Oi
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.’
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhe70lIfx8
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKePOqpkoK
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBowjO6zio0
Bakugo vs Ida.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVMG8QcpG5
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdRbCBD7nn
Ida: “How shameful! To lose to him!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsppaX6hBV4
Izuku: “You did good though, Ida!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Pc8IRzzG
Kiri: “Bomb boy good fighter. Unfortunately.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCw4QpHxTc
Uraraka: “Yeah, he seemed even more focused than usual. No crazy smile.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oiGjeaE5f
Izuku: “Considering who his next match is, I understand.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfl64OPAox
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.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcl8Bn5sha
Uraraka: “Why?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxEhEnMaHQ
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-”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5xwSdzSxb
Just then Ida’s body started vibrating.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQaPFzIawp
Izuku & Uraraka: “Uwah! What the heck is that?!”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoJFl0pumn
Ida: “It’s my phone.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BlNxtk0aB
Izuku: “Your phone? Phew.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrngXffMv1e
Ida left to see who was calling him. Meanwhile, the three remaining sat in silence. Why? Because the next match was Izuku vs Kiri.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdDO20iebp
Uraraka: “Um… I’m rooting for you both.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKiw9W04Lj
Izuku: “T-Thanks.”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjx7I9hcyK
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.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgidEgensE0
Like his other half was drifting away.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQRPFDO9w7
Without a word, Kiri got up and headed for the stage.
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9SGetw2Cx
Uraraka: “Is something wrong with Tae?”
79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRkY3JftpD
Izuku: “… I don’t know. But I plan to find out.”
ns216.73.216.25da2
