Chapter 33: Reborn in Flames

Chapter 33: Reborn in Flames

The stadium buzzed like a live wire, packed with spectators leaning forward in their seats, breath held in a collective moment of anticipation. Cameras zoomed in from every angle. Pro heroes in the VIP stands sat upright, eyes locked on the tunnel entrances.

"This is it!" someone in the crowd shouted, half-standing. "Harue Dai versus Shoto Todoroki!"

"They're like—already on pro levels, right? This is insane!"

"Forget pro levels," another murmured, eyes wide. "That's Endeavor's son versus a kid who's seems like this whole tournament has been nothing but a walk in the park for him!".

Even among the seasoned heroes, murmurs passed between them.

Above the crowd, the screens flashed dramatic replays of each fighter's path to the semifinals—Harue blazing through his opponents with ease, Todoroki freezing the battlefield into glaciers.

When Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers, announcing the names, the crowd exploded—cheers, gasps, and a few chants already starting up.

Everyone knew.

This wasn't just the next match.

This was the match.

———————-

As Harue stretched his arms and rolled his neck in the waiting tunnel, Kirishima walked up with a wide grin.

"You're gonna smoke him," he said, bumping fists with Harue. "No way he's keeping up with you."

Mina followed right behind, hands on her hips and a confident smirk on her face. "Honestly, I feel bad for Todoroki. He has no idea what's coming."

Harue chuckled, staring at the pink skinned beauty. "I'll keep it entertaining."

As the teens chatted for a bit amongst themselves, the time for the match began.

Harue got up and started walking towards the arena, waving his hand as Mina and Ejiro wished him luck.

Not knowing that he didn't need luck to win.

———————

"Alright, listeners!" Present Mic's voice thundered over the speakers, matching the electric tension in the crowd. "Up next is the most anticipated match of the tournament so far! On one side, the frozen prodigy, the powerhouse with attitude,— SHOTO TODOROKI!"

The crowd erupted as Todoroki stepped into the arena, calm as ever, eyes like ice and fire. He didn't acknowledge the cheers, only focused on the field ahead of him.

"And on the other side — the wildfire himself! The blazing phenom who's set this stage ablaze round after round — HARUE DAI!!"

Flames trailed behind Harue as he walked out, controlled, focused, his body cloaked in gentle flickers of heat. 

From the announcer's booth, Aizawa stood with his arms crossed, his scarf shifting slightly in the breeze as he stared down at the arena.

Harue Dai and Shoto Todoroki were just stepping into position, flames and frost already starting to ripple across the ground.

Beside him, Present Mic was practically bouncing. "This is it! Two of Class 1-A's biggest powerhouses! What do you think, Eraser?"

Aizawa didn't look away from the field. His tone was calm. Blunt. Almost bored — but anyone who knew him could hear the weight behind his words.

"They're dangerous," he said flatly. "Both of them."

"Dangerous?" Present Mic echoed. "You mean strong, right?

"I mean exactly what I said," Aizawa replied. "If either of them lost control here, they could level the stadium. This isn't just raw power — it's potential. The kind that turns into something great… or something reckless."

He narrowed his eyes slightly as Harue's flames surged higher, covering him like a protective cocoon.

"But they're still kids," he added. "Kids trying to figure themselves out in the middle of a battlefield. And that's the real risk."

He watched silently for another moment, then said, "Let's hope they don't forget what they're fighting for."

"Yeah!" Present Mic agreed, practically bouncing. "Two monsters in the making! This could be a future NR.1 Hero semi final — right here!"

Midnight raised her hand. "Begin!"

Todoroki acted first, as expected — ice surged across the arena in a glacial sweep, jagged and fast. Harue flared slightly, melting it in waves as he walked forward.

So slow, Harue thought, eyes flickering gold behind the flames. 

I guess I didn't give enough credit to Iida, he truly was the fastest in the class at this time.

He then swept his arm casually, and a wall of flame melted the oncoming ice like butter in a furnace.

Todoroki launched pillars next, sharper and faster, trying to catch Harue off guard. Harue sidestepped and melted gaps to walk through — controlled and unbothered.

I could end this now, he thought. But that wouldn't be the point.

On the sidelines, Endeavor growled under his breath. His hands clenched tight, steam venting through his costume.

"He's holding back," Endeavor snarled. "And my useless son won't even fight properly. Again. Weak."

His voice was venom to everyone Nearby.

Harue heard every word, even from the field.

He tilted his head at Todoroki. "Still shackled, huh?" His voice was calm, but it cut like a blade. "You don't belong here."

Todoroki's eyes narrowed.

"There are people out here giving everything they've got," Harue continued, walking through another frozen assault, flames gently licking at his skin. "People who bleed, fight, break themselves just to prove they have what it takes. And you—"

He blasted forward, a controlled burst that sent Todoroki skidding.

"—you handicap yourself."

Todoroki grunted, landing and forming a protective wall of ice, but Harue's flame punch shattered it, sending shards flying.

"I feel sorry for you, I truly do, But-" Harue's voice turned cold.

"You really think you're making a statement? You're just insulting everyone who crawled their way into this school."

"Don't act like you know everything just because I told you a little," Todoroki growled.

"I know enough," Harue snapped, raising both arms and erupting into a controlled inferno. "You're so afraid of becoming your father, you've become nothing."

That hit harder than the flames.

Todoroki was breathing heavy now, ice creeping up his right arm as sweat formed on his brow. Harue could see the pain in his eyes — not physical, emotional. And he hated it.

Pathetic, he thought. You've got the power. You've got the pedigree. But no fire in your damn heart.

Another blast from Harue, this one knocking Todoroki clean off his feet and skidding into the cement.

Todoroki slowly pushed himself up. "You're wrong," he said.

"Oh?" Harue raised an eyebrow.

' Did I unlock Talk No Jutsu?' He thought jokingly as he stared ahead.

Todoroki looked up, eyes burning now — not with power, but resolve. "I'm not doing it for him. Not anymore."

The left side of his body ignited.

The fire was there. Full. Blazing. Uncontrolled.

From the stands, Endeavor stood tall, fists trembling. "YES!"

But Harue only smirked.

"Good."

Todoroki didn't respond with words — he shot forward, heat and ice surging together in a perfect storm. Harue matched him step for step, their flames colliding, ice evaporating mid-air, fire churning with every strike.

The crowd was on its feet, roaring in disbelief.

"THIS IS INSANE!" Present Mic bellowed. "Todoroki's finally using both sides — and Harue is answering with power we haven't even seen before!"

From the debris and fire, Harue grinned.

"Glad you woke up."

Todoroki's smirk mirrored his.

And then Harue's body ignited into a new form.

His flames coiled upward, golden and white-hot. Wings of fire burst from his back, feathers like solar flares. His body shimmered with heat so intense the very ground beneath him charred black.

"A Phoenix," Aizawa whispered. "There's more to his quirk that it seems."

Harue's voice echoed through the fire, distorted and powerful. "Let's end this properly."

They launched at each other. Fire and ice, light and shadow. The final clash split the sky in two — a shockwave that shattered stone and scattered the clouds.

And then…

Silence.

Smoke rolled across the field. The scorched earth hissed.

As it cleared, only one figure remained standing — flames gently flickering off his shoulders, steam rising from the cracks in the earth around him.

Harue Dai.

Todoroki lay unconscious just past the boundary line, body scorched but intact, his fire finally spent.

"Winner: HARUE DAI!"

The stadium exploded in noise.

Harue seeing this smiled as he shot into the air.

—————————

High above the stadium, wings of blazing fire carved radiant arcs through the sky as Harue Dai soared in wide circles, his Phoenix form trailing shimmering embers like a comet streaking through daylight. The crowd roared beneath him, their cheers almost drowned out by the crackle of flame and raw energy he left in his wake.

Harue raised a flaming fist in the air, fire flaring outward in a triumphant burst. He wasn't just celebrating the win — he was claiming the sky as his own.

Down in the stands, Endeavor stood at the railing, jaw tight, arms crossed so hard his gloves creaked. His eyes never left Harue.

The boy had won. Again. With power that was overwhelming, awe-inspiring — and not earned.

But even through the bitter fire of his envy, he couldn't ignore what had happened.

Shoto had used his flames.

Finally.

Endeavor's scowl didn't soften, but his eyes flickered with something else — resolve.

"He won't be behind for long," he said quietly. "He'll surpass him. He has to."

Above, Harue banked one last time and descended in a slow spiral, fire trailing like feathers in the wind, landing at the edge of the arena with a smirk — as if he'd heard Endeavor's words… and didn't care.

(AN: I know, I know super cliché, but I wanted to do a cool move and couldn't think of anything better, some guy gave me an idea for the mc to transform into suicide squad diablo's demon form but i thought it was to edgy and not fit for a hero's image seeing as popularity is a big factor in the rankings so i went with the good ol' Phoenix.)