Chapter 311: Piston Engine—Turbo Injection!

Bakug's roar echoed throughout the arena, leaving passersby who weren't familiar with him dumbfounded. Some even speculated whether he and the others had a particularly bad relationship.

However, Kaminari and the rest, already used to Bakugo's temper, paid him no mind and instead focused their attention on Iida Tenya, who had just emerged from the exit below.

"Hey, from this angle, Iida kinda looks like a Skarmory," Kaminari quipped.

"It really does!" Kyoka nodded in agreement.

"So, how will this temporary challenger fare? Let's wait and see!" The host, clad in a cheerleader-style skirt, shouted excitedly.

"Kaminari-kun, I wonder if you still remember what I told you back then?"

Iida crouched into a textbook-perfect starting position, just like a professional Olympic sprinter. But at that moment, his mind drifted back to the Sports Festival.

"Kaminari-kun!!"

"Bet everything on me! Challenge you! Defeat you!"

"And finally... surpass you!!"

Then, the memory shifted, bringing him back to a conversation with his older brother, who sat in a wheelchair.

"Iida, it seems like your loss at the Sports Festival was a heavy blow to you."

"I'm sorry, brother. I didn't just lose—I lost in the very areas I'm supposed to excel at: speed and endurance. I've shamed our family..."

"So, you started overexerting your engines, didn't you? You doubled down on your physical training, pushing yourself harder. But in doing so, you've also grown a lot."

"Yes. I must become stronger. Only then can I be worthy of inheriting the title of Ingenium in the future!"

"Then, I think it's time I told you something."

"Told me what?"

"The secret to engine tuning."

"Specifically, a training method where you remove your leg's [exhaust pipes]. Once the old [exhaust pipes] are removed, new ones with greater load capacity will grow back in their place."

"This is a unique technique passed down through generations in our Iida family, starting with our grandfather. Its purpose? To reach those in need of help even faster."

"But be warned—the process is agonizing. The pain is worse than having your fingers broken off."

"Still, if you want to run faster, this method will not only significantly increase the horsepower of your piston engine but also reduce the energy consumption required to sustain it."

"However, the level of improvement depends entirely on your physical fitness. The enhanced duration might be five minutes, seven minutes, or even ten."

"So, does that mean I can continuously improve my Quirk just by repeatedly removing my [exhaust pipes]?"

"No. If your body hasn't significantly developed, then no matter how many times you remove them in a short period, you won't see any improvement."

"That's why we usually wait several months, or even a full year before undergoing the process again, ensuring our physical fitness has progressed enough to make it worthwhile."

"And remember, everyone has different physical limits. Once you reach your peak potential, all you can do is maintain that level. Don't fantasize about reaching the speed of light—that's impossible." His brother chuckled.

When the flood of memories ended, the host's voice rang out again, hoarse with excitement.

"Ready to go! Heroes—attack the villains! Ready—GO!"

"Five minutes!!"

"In these five minutes, no one can stop my charge! No one!!!"

The very next second, the twelve exhaust pipes on the back of Iida's legs erupted in a violent burst of blue flames!

"New Finishing Move!"

"Piston Engine—Turbo Injection!"

Boom!

With a deafening jet-like roar, Iida shot forward, just like during his charge at Kaminari during the Sports Festival. He became a streak of blue light, moving so fast that only an afterimage remained!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

No one could tell how long the light lasted. The only thing the audience could barely perceive was the rapid series of metal-shattering impacts.

"He's so fast!"

"And much more agile than before!" Kaminari was shocked as he watched the light-blue silhouette streak through the air.

"What kind of training did Iida go through? This speed is definitely greater than my high-voltage mode!"

"When he used this technique before, he struggled with turning. But now, every movement is smooth—his maneuverability has caught up with High Voltage Mode!

After comparing their abilities, Kaminari realized that the only advantage his technique had was in raw electrical power.

"It seems that speed-based Quirks really do outclass electricity-based ones when it comes to sheer velocity..." he sighed.

Shuaa—

Soon, the blue light dragged a blazing trail of flames back to the starting line, and Iida reappeared in everyone's view.

Of course, the above description was somewhat exaggerated.

"Ten... fourteen seconds!"

"This is insane! He's broken the record again!"

"First place!!!"

The host's announcement set off a wave of astonished gasps, and the atmosphere instantly became electric with excitement.

"Amazing... absolutely amazing!" Melissa grabbed the railing, staring in awe at Iida as he walked back.

"Are they really just students?"

At the same time, Bakugo, seeing his record broken, clenched his teeth in frustration and roared again, his face contorted with anger.

"Dammit!!"

"I want another shot at this!"

But this time, Kaminari walked over and calmly said, "It's either my turn or Midoriya's next. If you want to go again, wait until we're done."

"What did you say, you damn sparky bastard?!" Bakugo growled, gripping the railing harder as he glared at Kaminari.

But Kaminari didn't back down like Midoriya Izuku usually did. Instead, he met Bakugo's fierce gaze head-on with unwavering calm.

Come on, seriously? You think I'm afraid of Bakugo Katsuki?

The tense atmosphere made Kyoka and the others exchange worried glances.

Then—

Boom!

An unexpected explosion echoed through the arena, followed by an icy gust of wind that instantly silenced the commotion.

"Todoroki!" Mineta pointed toward the rock formation, which had now been completely encased in ice.

"Whoa!! Incredible! Amazing! Absolutely incredible!!" The host shouted in excitement again.

"Ten... fourteen seconds! Another fourteen-second record!!"

"A tie for first place!"

However, Todoroki, still covered in frost, frowned when he heard the result. He exhaled a misty breath and muttered, "So the time it takes for me to create an ice field at full power… is equal to Iida's maximum movement speed?"

That wasn't something to celebrate. Because if his attack took fourteen seconds to deploy, then that meant, if Iida was prepared, he could completely evade it.

Boom!!

Bakugo suddenly blasted into the air again, shooting toward Todoroki with a furious expression.

"You half-and-half bastard!!"

Watching the scene unfold, Kaminari clicked his tongue in boredom. Then he turned to Midoriya and asked, "So, you first or me?"

There was no way Midoriya was still at the same level he was during the Sports Festival.

"Uh..." Midoriya hesitated.

(To be continued.)

***

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