The brief, ten-minute break following Todoroki's defeat felt like an eternity to the buzzing crowd. The stadium's energy was still riding high on the emotional catharsis of Todoroki embracing his fire, and now, the anticipation for the grand finale was almost unbearable. Refreshments were quickly consumed, bathrooms swiftly visited, as everyone scrambled back to their seats, knowing what was coming next.
"ALRIGHT, LISTENERS! THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME!" Present Mic's voice practically vibrated with excitement. "ARE YOU READY FOR THE FINAL BATTLE OF THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL?!"
A resounding, deafening roar of affirmation shook the arena.
"THEN LET'S NOT WASTE ANOTHER SECOND!" Present Mic screamed. "THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! IN THE RED CORNER, THE UNBEATABLE, THE UNTOUCHABLE... NAMIKAZE MINATO!"
Minato calmly walked onto the arena floor, a relaxed smile on his face, acknowledging the massive applause. He radiated an aura of quiet confidence, completely unfazed by the enormity of the moment.
"AND IN THE BLUE CORNER! THE DARK HORSE, THE ONE WHO OVERCAME ALL ODDS... MIDORIYA IZUKU!"
Midoriya, still heavily bruised and battered from his grueling semi-final match against Bakugo, limped slightly as he entered the arena. His uniform was torn, and his arm was visibly swollen, but his eyes burned with an unyielding determination. He was exhausted, but his spirit was unbroken. He faced Minato, his childhood hero, with a gaze that held both reverence and an unwavering will to win.
"These two have proven themselves as the absolute top of their class, if not their generation!" Present Mic continued, his voice overflowing with hype. "One, an undeniable force of nature, mastering both Quirk and martial prowess. The other, an underdog who has defied every expectation, growing exponentially before our very eyes! THIS IS GOING TO BE LEGENDARY!"
Aizawa, surprisingly, sounded calm. "Midoriya has a strong heart. Namikaze has overwhelming skill. A true test of spirit versus mastery."
Minato and Midoriya stood opposite each other. Midoriya took a deep breath, readying himself.
"READY... SET... START!"
As the command echoed, Midoriya immediately launched into action. He activated One For All: Full Cowl at 10%, his body glowing with a faint green aura, veins subtly popping. He lunged forward, not with a single, straightforward attack, but with a fluid, adaptive assault that drew from all types of martial arts forms he had learned and observed.
His opening was a rapid series of Shoot Style kicks, aiming for Minato's midsection and legs, each kick carrying the enhanced force of One For All. Minato, immediately activating his Lightning Chakra Mode, his body shimmering with a vibrant, crackling blue aura, simply sidestepped. His movements were so effortless they seemed almost languid, the air around him distorting slightly from the sheer speed. Midoriya quickly transitioned, spinning into a powerful roundhouse kick that shimmered with green lightning, followed by an immediate shift into a more grappling-oriented stance, attempting to grab Minato's arm and pull him into a close-quarters lock.
Minato, however, was a step ahead. With his Lightning Chakra Mode enhancing his every reaction, he deflected Midoriya's roundhouse with a casual block that felt more like a gentle redirection, absorbing the impact as if it were nothing. As Midoriya tried to grab his arm, Minato merely spun out of reach, his body twisting with impossible grace. The two seemed to dance around each other, a complex, intricate ballet of offense and defense, Minato's blue aura a constant flicker against Midoriya's green.
Midoriya moved with desperate precision, flowing from karate chops to judo throws, attempting to use Minato's momentum against him. He feigned a punch, then dropped low for a sweep kick, aiming for Minato's supporting leg. Minato, with a subtle shift of his weight and a burst of Lightning Chakra-enhanced speed, simply floated over the sweep, his foot never quite touching the ground as Midoriya's leg whistled beneath him.
He's using it fully now, Midoriya thought, gritting his teeth, sweat already beading on his brow despite the cool afternoon air. Even at 10%... he's just too fast. He could feel the immense gap in power, even with his maximum current output of One For All. Minato's movements were so fluid, so economical, his blue aura a constant reminder of his enhanced state. Every one of Midoriya's attacks, though imbued with significant power, was met with a counter that seemed to absorb its force or redirect it harmlessly. It was like punching a shimmering, electric ghost.
Minato, indeed, was just playing with him. His facial expression remained serene, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He wasn't exerting himself, merely responding to Midoriya's movements. He could feel the maximum output of Midoriya's Quirk, a contained strength that, while impressive, was easily manageable for someone of Minato's caliber in Lightning Chakra Mode. He was testing Midoriya, watching his techniques, analyzing his thought process, allowing him to push himself without truly threatening him.
Midoriya, frustrated by his inability to land a single meaningful blow, changed tactics. He burst forward, his green lightning flaring more intensely, aiming for a rapid succession of Detroit Smashes, albeit at 10%. He combined them with agile footwork, trying to overwhelm Minato with sheer volume and speed. He incorporated elements of Capoeira, kicking and dodging, trying to create unexpected angles of attack. He was desperate to find a crack in Minato's impenetrable defense.
Minato, his Lightning Chakra Mode making him appear as a shimmering blue streak, flowed like water around the torrent of green-lightning-infused blows. He didn't block conventionally; he parried, redirected, and evaded by fractions of an inch, his body a blur of effortless motion. Each time Midoriya committed to a heavy strike, Minato would simply shift, leaving Midoriya punching air, his momentum carrying him slightly off balance.
Then, Minato saw it. A subtle twitch in Midoriya's shoulder, a slight hesitation in his foot placement after a particularly powerful Smash that left him marginally overextended. Midoriya, in his eagerness to connect, had pushed his balance just a hair too far forward, his weight momentarily committed to the failed attack.
It was the opening Minato had been waiting for.
In a flash, Minato's hand, glowing with the ethereal blue of his Lightning Chakra Mode, shot out. Not a punch, but a firm, almost gentle grip on Midoriya's outstretched arm. Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise. Before he could react, Minato, leveraging Midoriya's own overextended momentum, executed a swift, almost imperceptible body throw. It wasn't a violent slam; it was a perfectly timed redirection of force, a seamless culmination of their "dance."
Midoriya found himself lifted, spun, and then propelled forward with surprising velocity. His body flew through the air, past the white boundary line that marked the edge of the arena. He landed with a soft thud on the padded ground just outside the ring.
"OUT OF BOUNDS! MINATO NAMIKAZE WINS!" Present Mic's voice soared, ending the match.
The stadium erupted once more. The cheers were deafening, acknowledging Minato's overwhelming victory and Midoriya's valiant, albeit outmatched, effort. Minato stood in the center of the ring, his Lightning Chakra Mode fading, his breathing even. He extended a hand towards Midoriya, who gratefully took it and pulled himself back into the ring, offering Minato a tired but respectful bow.
After a brief medical check for Midoriya, who was deemed exhausted but not critically injured, the stage was set for the awards ceremony. The top four students – Minato Namikaze in first place, Izuku Midoriya in second, Shoto Todoroki in third (having placed higher than Bakugo due to more coherent fighting style in the semi-final despite his loss), and Katsuki Bakugo in fourth – stood on a raised podium, their faces illuminated by the afternoon sun.
Bakugo stood at the fourth-place spot, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, a furious scowl etched on his face. He glared at Midoriya, then at Minato, unable to accept his defeat. Todoroki stood beside Midoriya, his expression calm, a slight look of acceptance replacing his usual stoicism. Midoriya, despite his injuries, radiated quiet pride. And Minato, at the highest point of the podium, simply offered a serene smile to the roaring crowd.
"AND NOW, TO PRESENT THE MEDALS TO OUR INCREDIBLE FINALISTS," Present Mic's voice boomed, "PLEASE WELCOME THE SYMBOL OF PEACE, OUR VERY OWN ... ALL MIGHT!"
A thunderous roar of applause, louder than any before, erupted as All Might, in his muscular form, leaped onto the podium. His smile, though still wide, held a knowing warmth as he looked at the four young heroes.
All Might approached Bakugo first, placing a bronze medal around his neck. "Young Bakugo," he boomed, "you have immense power and an unyielding spirit. Learn to control your temper and channel that drive, and you will be truly great. You will be a hero who stands up for yourself and for others."
Bakugo simply grunted, refusing to meet All Might's gaze.
Next, All Might moved to Todoroki, placing the bronze medal around his neck. "Young Todoroki," he said, his voice softer, "you have shown incredible growth today. The truest strength is not just in your Quirk, but in your heart and in embracing all of yourself. Keep shining with both your fire and your ice."
Todoroki looked at All Might, a flicker of something close to emotion in his heterochromatic eyes, and gave a slight bow of respect.
Then, All Might turned to Midoriya, placing the silver medal around his neck. He clapped Midoriya gently on the back, causing the boy to wince slightly. "Young Midoriya," All Might said, his voice brimming with pride, "you continue to amaze me. Your spirit, your determination, your unwavering desire to save others... that is the heart of a true hero. Keep pushing beyond your limits, but also remember to take care of yourself." He whispered, "You have exceeded even my expectations, my boy."
Midoriya's eyes welled up, overwhelmed by the praise from his idol. "All Might..." he mumbled, barely able to speak.
Finally, All Might turned to Minato, standing tall at the pinnacle of the podium. He placed the gold medal around Minato's neck. "Young Namikaze," All Might boomed, his voice radiating respect, "you have demonstrated unparalleled skill, wisdom, and leadership today. You are a true prodigy, not just in power, but in your ability to inspire and unify. You embody the ideals of heroism in every sense of the word. The future of heroism is bright with you at the forefront."
Minato met All Might's gaze, a genuine, humble smile on his face. "Thank you, All Might-sensei. I'll continue to do my best."
All Might then stepped to the front of the podium, addressing the entire stadium. "STUDENTS! CITIZENS! TODAY, WE HAVE WITNESSED THE DAWN OF A NEW GENERATION OF HEROES!" His voice, filled with his signature booming enthusiasm, reached every corner of the stadium. "EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE YOUNG HEROES HAS DISPLAYED COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND THE UNWAVERING SPIRIT TO PUSH BEYOND THEIR LIMITS! THEY ARE THE FUTURE!"
He paused, a triumphant smile on his face. "THIS SPORTS FESTIVAL IS NOT JUST A COMPETITION. IT IS A PROMISE! A PROMISE THAT THE WORLD WILL ALWAYS HAVE HEROES TO PROTECT IT! A PROMISE THAT JUSTICE WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL! SO, LET US ALL CONTINUE TO SAY IT TOGETHER... PLUS ULTRA!"
The entire stadium roared, "PLUS ULTRA!" Their combined voices shaking the ground, a powerful declaration of hope and ambition.
With a final, majestic wave and his iconic smile, All Might gave a nod to the top four, then turned and leaped gracefully from the podium, his form diminishing into the afternoon sky. He disappeared from view, leaving the four students, their medals glinting in the sun, as the new symbols of the day's triumphant conclusion. The Sports Festival had come to a close, and a new era of heroes was clearly on the rise.