Bakugo slams his palm against the metal gate to U.A.’s arena, sweat already itching under his gauntlets. Overhead, the loudspeakers roar his name alongside the rest of Class 1-A. He pushes forward, teeth bared, catching a glimpse of the glittering stadium filled with tens of thousands, plus the millions watching at home. Midoriya is three paces behind, clutching his notebook, eyes wide with nerves and resolve. Kirishima slaps Bakugo’s shoulder, grinning, but Bakugo shrugs him off, never breaking stride. Todoroki’s silhouette waits at the tunnel’s end, cold and unreadable. The sunlight hits like a challenge as Bakugo steps onto the field, pulse pounding. The world is watching. He flexes his hands, feeling the familiar tingle of nitroglycerin sweat. This is it, the real proving ground. He shouts, voice cracking like an explosion:
“Move, extras. I’m taking the top!”
The crowd erupts. The gauntlet has been thrown.