Chapter 44 - Hero Foundation Course 5

The people-watching was taken by surprise from the clever diversion of creating a fake bomb to let their opponents catch off guard. 

Bakugou wouldn't have come up with this kind of roundabout plan if he were a bit more incorporating. Perhaps in another timeline.

"Interesting, they weren't planning on beating them head-on, rather distracting them long enough until time runs out."

Iida commented. It was only logical as their main goal wasn't to fight the hero rather protect the bomb inside the building.

"Man, they thought it through!"

Kirishima added while raising his fist.

"But in the end, this may be a scenario where they may have lost the battle but won the war."

Tokoyami Fumikage gave his opinion seeing that Bakugou knew he would be unable to defeat Izuku in a one-on-one battle but planned to win the round instead. 

"That is right! When in this kind of situation you must know the stake at hand!! Pros would always find themselves where they are required to decide."

AllMight added. He was quite impressed that the usual brash and violent person would come up with this kind of decision. It was fortunate he didn't have a severe inferiority complex. 

The student nodded at their teacher's insight, making a mental note about the task. 

"Still there are only a few minutes left before time runs out. Do you still think Midoriya has a chance of winning?"

Sato commented unsure how the round would turn out only to hear someone giggle.

"Is there something that matters, Jiro?"

Tsuyu tilted her head in confusion at the earphone girl.

"Well, time isn't an issue for Izuku...when he takes it seriously."

She proceeded to point at the screen where the dust gradually subsided allowing them to see what's going on.

.....

Toru screamed upon seeing Izuku blasted by a huge explosion head-on. She was trying to sneak to the bomb only for it to be a diversion where the real bomb is hidden from the above floor. 

She felt useless, unable to do anything besides watch in horror to see her teammate take the hit. 

"Forgive me for this but I must restrain you."

Ibara said before some of her vines that were detached began to move and wrapped around Toru who was unable to react quick enough. 

She was restrained by the vines being helpless in the situation. It was clear that the winner was their opponent and they had lost the game.

Toru turned her attention to Bakugou who was still in the same position as he had. The dust cloud covered the result and worried about Izuku.

"How long do you keep acting, Deku?"

Bakugou said, still grinning as the dust finally revealed Izuku unharmed with his armor shimmering in golden light. Izuku frowned within his helmet, slightly disappointed at the result of their fight. 

'I was holding back to test myself but it seems you have improved quite a bit. That plan of yours took me by surprise.'

Izuku hardly tried using his power and had been fighting him with nothing more than 10% of his One For All and didn't use Speed Force. However, time was running out after their little spar.

'Damn when it was getting good.'

He sighed at his helmet before his whole body shrouded in a multitude of lightning and everything became a blur. 

Izuku swiftly moved where everything was still and took the privilege to slam his fist into Bakugou using the same kinetic energy he absorbed from his attack. 

He uses the suit effect to redistribute the forces. Izuku wasn't worried about Bakugou as his body had grown tougher than a normal person. 

Bakugou knew his friends more than anyone else which is why he understood it was his loss. Nevertheless, he didn't let it get to his goal of getting stronger and better.

The speedster finished off Bakugou, turning his attention to Toru running his way before jumping to rescue her. He removes the vines afterward continued by trying to find the bomb easily finding it at the too floor.

"Alright, you're safe now. Jeez, I didn't expect him to take me by surprise."

A loud bang could be heard slamming into the wall while Toru confused from what she was seeing. Izuku removes his helmet to look at Toru.

"Sorry for making you worried there earlier."

"What just happened? Where are we?? I thought you were knocked out from the blast!?"

Toru was frantic after remembering she was at the room full of dust and Debris to another room being held by Izuku. 

"I used my quirk to finish them off and arrive here where the real bomb is held."

Izuku pointed at the huge dummy bomb behind her. She realizes that they have won but is disheartened to be unable to contribute by one bit.

"Toru if you think you are a burden then don't. Your quirk just wasn't up against our opponent and would have another opportunity to shine."

He gave a simple encouragement that Toru calmed down by his words and beaming smile.

"You're right, next time I'll work harder and better."

"That's what I like to hear. Anyways after our class we'll head to support class immediately okay?"

Toru finally realized that Izuku was carrying her in a bridal way and naked causing her to severely blush. Fortunately, Izuku is unable to see her flustered face. 

...

Everyone, we're dumbstruck at the scene after Jiro pointed at the screen. They hardly see anything and only witness a streak of lightning before seeing Bakugou slammed into the wall and Toru was nowhere to be seen.

It was over in a flash when Izuku and Toru reappear from where the bomb was located causing few to blink and rub their eye.

"How in actual hell!? Did he just teleport!?"

Denki was baffled and confused from the turn of events.

"No, I think he just moves so fast that it appears to be a blur to us."

Commented by the octopus armed student, Mezou Shoji. 

Meanwhile, the half cold and hot, Shoto Todoroki watched in silence with his hand clenched tightly that it would bleed. 

"He's been holding back this whole time!?"

Kirishima exclaimed.

"That's just a habit of his when fighting. He tends to hold back in case of severely hurting his opponent as well as testing himself."

Momo explained.

"If he didn't hold back then it would have been over in less than a second."

Itsuka added with a bit of pride hidden in her words.

"My gosh! We're lucky that we won't be fighting Midori!"

Mina exclaimed and everybody nodded in agreement. 

"I already guessed Midori-chan to be strong but not this strong."

Tsuyu commented while putting her index finger on her lips.

"But don't underestimate my little pumpkin! He's also holding back and I'm not saying this because he's my boyfriend but as warning you just in case you belittle him."

Camie gave her thoughts and everyone agreed with her. While everyone was giving their comments, AllMight finally decided to announce the winner.

"The Bomb had been captured, The heroes had won!"

....

Within the Monitor Room, Izuku and Toru along with Ibara came back to their classmate. Bakugou had been sent to the nurse's office to get treated.

"All right, now that we're all gathered here once more, who can tell me who was the VIP here?"

AllMight voices boomed across the room. The early participants were lined up with a multitude of emotions. Izuku remained calm, a bit worried about Toru and overdoing his attack toward Bakugou to Toru still embarrassed from early on while Ibara was praying for Bakugou's safety and asking forgiveness.

"Midori/Midoriya/Izu!?

"Incorrect, Yes, Young Kendo!?"

"What!? How can that be?? Izuku won the round though!?"

Seri commented in shock.

Everyone was taken aback from the answer of the number one hero. They thought Izuku was the one who did the best job in the round.

"The reason why Bakugou is the one who did the best job is due to his clever plan with the help of Miss Shiozaki covering the whole area enabling Izu's team to move easily and search the place. Though, the explosive from earlier wasn't necessary but would be effective against anyone else. Further, the diversion of a fake bomb was a clever way to waste enough time for them to win. Izu had been careless and didn't take the round seriously. If he had then he wouldn't have wasted as much as he did."