Challenge!

As the participants for the next round were announced, complaints rang out.

"Why do we have to be given charity? Shouldn't he be disqualified for excessive force or something?" Honenuki asked.

"Yeah! That is too much! He took all of our headbands. The only reason he couldn't take team Tsuyu's headband is because they swallowed it. Which they should be disqualified for too! The headbands are supposed to remain seen!" Ibara complained.

"I want a rematch! Let me have a go at the bastard! I'll kill him alive!" Bakugo screamed.

"I don't want your pity. Bakugo is right. We deserve a rematch! Haru-san cheated by projecting his eyes on the stadium walls. That goes out of bounds!" Shoto said.

Others joined in on the rematch agenda too, as their shouts resounded across the stadium.

Deku on the other hand, just stood in place shellshocked at the curbstomping I had just dealt them all.

"Now, now. Hold on...." Midnight tried to calm them down, to no avail.

I sighed. These people are in desperate need some good asswhooping.

I walked over Midnight.

"Midnight-sensei, if you don't mind can I say something?" I said pointing to the mic.

"Sure, I suppose." She replied.

I climbed the podium again and took over the mic.

"Now listen here you little shits!" I said with a loud and stern voice.

"I won fair and square. Whatever I did was within the bounds and the rules. And so did Tsuyu. We were allowed to use our quirks within the stadium, to protect the headbands. Swallowing stuff is part of Tsuyu's quirk, Frog.

Therefore, Tsuyu hasn't done anything wrong." I said, nodding at Tsuyu, who nodded back in appreciation.

"As for me. Whatever I say will not convince you sore losers from bitching about it.

I could say that Shoto's use of his ice wall that clearly crossed the boundary of the obstacle race track when he froze the zero pointers, should disqualify him. Shiozaki's vines also crossed the same boundary when by passing the zero pointers. Honenuki's softening that slowed down the other competitors by the minefield also spread out of bounds, as you can see by the three trees that sunk into the ground right by it. If you insist that I be disqualified for projecting my eyes onto the stadium walls then so should you." I scolded.

"But that won't stop you, so here is another proposal. I will fight any of you from the top 16 participants, all at once in the arena. I won't even project my eyes outside the bounds of the arena. And if you manage to push me out of bounds, I'll admit defeat. Of course the same goes for you. If I push any of you out of bounds, you will be considered defeated and will no longer fight me. Would you like that?" I asked.

Suddenly their mood shifted, like an unexpected breeze on a hot summer day.

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"Let's do it, ya bastard!"

"Yes."

Came the replies. As I turned to Midnight.

"Can we do this Midnight-sensei?" I asked.

"It's not the usual fare for the sports festival. But then again this isn't the usual sports festival either. And it's very youthful~ So alright! I'll ..... allow it!" She said.

"Great!" I said, "But I have one condition. For all of you. If you participate and lose, you'll have to refuse all scouting offers for the next whole year. Naturally, I'll do the same. So, are you brave enough to rise up to challenge?"

"What a bold proposal from Shikimori Haru! What is he thinking? Can he win?" Mic's annoying voice sounded out over the speakers.

"Haru is certainly confident in his chances. But I get the feeling he is hoping that the risk of the bargain will reduce the number of participants. As it stands though, he will be proven thoroughly wrong." Aizawa-sensei commented.

Now there weren't so many enthusiastic responses as the mood dulled again. The offer was fair. They couldn't say anything about that.

Still, nine people stepped forward.

"I'll do it." Said Shoto.

"Sure. Just don't come crying when you lose!" Honenuki said, stepping forward.

"Why not?" Shiozaki replied.

"I'm not afraid to lose, because I won't!" Bakugo said.

Deku stepped forward without a word as did Iida.

"How bold of you. And after you warned me against it too?" Shinso mocked.

"If that is my fate...." Tokoyami muttered.

"Get ready to be crushed class A idiot!" Monoma cackled.

"Very well then! Let's do it. Cementoss-sensei, if you will?" I said.

Cementoss nodded and walked over creating a stage 11m by 11m and 1 meter tall.

As we waited for it to dry, the others clustered together deciding on a strategy.

I pretended not to hear them of course.

Not that it was worth it either.

Bakugo and Monoma refused to cooperate.

As for the rest, Deku was the primary planner.

And his best plan? Blinding me and attacking from above.

Pathetic!

I expected more from the guy I trained for two whole years.

Once the stage was completed, it was time to D-d-d-d-d-duel!

Monoma came up to me and offered a handshake.

"Let's have a great fight!" He said, with an uncharacteristically warm smile.

"Yeah. Sure." I said, without shaking his hand.

"C'mon man. Don't leave me hanging." he said, wiggling his hand.

"Yeah no. You probably have some touch based quirk. I may look like an idiot but I am not that stupid." I said.

Now, I knew all about his quirk. But it's best he doesn't know that, so that I can use him as a stepping stone to greatness. I had a plan especially made for him and a trance program with his name on it. And when it comes to fruition, it would be glorius!

Mwahahahahaha!