Chapter 29

I never liked Bakugo Katsuki. The name alone ignited a fire in my gut, a smoldering resentment that had simmered since childhood. Watching him bully my younger brother, Izuku, had been a bitter pill to swallow, one that I'd choked down with clenched fists and gritted teeth. But today, in this arena of training and rivalry, I was ready to spit it back out.

The sun hung high, casting an unforgiving light over the training grounds of U.A. High School. The air buzzed with the anticipation of Class 1-A and Class 2-A's sparring matches, a mix of excitement and dread that coiled tightly in my chest. 

"Hey, Anos!" Izuku called, his voice breaking through the haze of my thoughts. He stood a few paces away, a nervous energy radiating from him. "Who do you have?"

"Bakugo," I replied, letting a smirk slip onto my face. "And you?"

"Diamond," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with apprehension.

I laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. Diamond Kaminari was known for her sweet demeanor, but in combat, she transformed into a tempest of lightning and ferocity. "Good luck, bro. You're going to need it."

As I scanned the training grounds, the atmosphere crackled with tension. Aizawa, our stoic instructor, called us to order, his tired eyes sweeping over the assembled students. One by one, the matches began, each fight a testament to our training and resolve.

The first bout was between Mina and Hannah, a classmate of mine. They circled each other like predators, and when the fight broke out, it was a whirlwind of color and sound. Hannah, usually polite and soft-spoken, unleashed a barrage of attacks that left us all gasping. With a swift maneuver, she landed a decisive blow, sending Mina sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers as Hannah stood victorious, a fierce grin on her face.

Next up was Katsume, Bakugo's older brother and my best friend, against Kirishima Eijiro. The two charged at each other with reckless abandon, their quirks colliding in a dazzling display of power. I watched with bated breath, my heart racing as the fight reached its peak. Katsume, with his tenacity and strength, ultimately claimed victory, but not without a fierce struggle.

Then came Denki against Tensei Iida, an electrifying match that left us all on edge. It was hard to determine a winner as both boys pushed themselves to their limits, their quirks flaring wildly, until they both collapsed, panting and spent. 

And now, it was time for Izuku and Diamond. My stomach twisted as I watched them step into the ring. The tension thickened, a palpable force that made it hard to breathe. Diamond was a storm, her quirk crackling with energy as she faced my brother, who was still finding his footing with One For All. 

With a shout, the fight began, and I felt the world blur around me. Diamond unleashed a torrent of lightning bolts, each one a deadly promise. Izuku dodged and weaved, his movements precise, but I could see the strain on his face. He was trying to keep up, to harness the power that surged within him, but Diamond was relentless. 

The crowd held its breath as the fight escalated, each moment more heart-stopping than the last. I could feel my pulse quicken, a drumbeat of fear and hope. Then, in a moment that felt like eternity, Izuku found his footing, channeling the power of his quirk with newfound determination. He countered with a strike that caught Diamond off guard, and in a stunning twist, he emerged victorious.

The cheers erupted around me, but my focus was already shifting. I stepped forward, heart pounding in my chest, as I faced Bakugo. The air crackled with tension, a storm brewing between us. 

"Ready?" he sneered, his explosive personality radiating from him like a furnace. 

"Always," I replied, my voice low and steady. 

The world fell away as we squared off, and in that moment, it was just him and me, two opposing forces ready to clash. As the signal to begin echoed through the arena, I felt the weight of expectations pressing down on me. This was more than just a fight; it was a reckoning. 

With a deep breath, I unleashed the power of my past, ready to show Bakugo—and everyone else—just what I was made of.