MHA: Sand Sand Fruit

Since this battle was to test Bakugo's limits, Akira had no intention of using his full power or elemental abilities. This wasn't a fight for survival but a sparring match, and Akira had to be mindful of controlling his strength. A single careless move could lead to severe consequences, something he wanted to avoid.

The thought left him frowning, a slight headache forming. He never liked holding back, but it was necessary in this scenario.

"Are you ready? I'm coming!" Bakugo's voice cut through Akira's thoughts, laced with the same brash confidence as always.

"Just come at me," Akira replied calmly, positioning himself without moving much.

With a loud yell, Bakugo charged forward, his speed significantly faster than before, evidence of his rigorous training. Jumping high into the air, black smoke crackled from his palms.

"Big Bang Explosion!" Bakugo roared, clapping his hands together as a concentrated burst of golden energy exploded toward Akira.

Unfazed, Akira casually raised his right hand. In response, the ground surged upward, forming a dense wall of sand. The explosion hit the barrier head-on, scattering sand and smoke into the air with a deafening *boom*.

As the smoke cleared, Bakugo suddenly reappeared behind Akira, aiming a kick at his back. Akira caught his foot with ease, his hand like a vice grip.

Without hesitation, Akira swung Bakugo around and slammed him into the ground with a resounding *thud*. The force cracked the ground beneath Bakugo and knocked the wind out of him.

"Pfft!" Bakugo spat, coughing as he quickly scrambled to his feet, wary of a follow-up attack.

"You're getting sloppy," Akira remarked, his tone calm but slightly mocking.

Bakugo grinned through the pain, sparks already forming in his hands. "Shut up! You're gonna eat those words!"

In an instant, rows of sand spikes shot toward Bakugo. Reacting quickly, he blasted them apart with a series of rapid explosions, each blast sending black smoke and sand flying.

"I've been wanting to teach you a lesson for a while, Bakugo," Akira said, his voice carrying a sharp edge.

"Is that so? Good! Because I've been dying to take you down!" Bakugo yelled, his grin feral.

Before Bakugo could fully recover, Akira closed the distance in the blink of an eye. His speed was so overwhelming that Bakugo's eyes widened in shock, unable to react in time.

Akira's kick landed squarely on Bakugo's side, sending him flying across the training ground. Bakugo tumbled along the ground, only stopping when he collided with a large rock. Dust and debris billowed around him as he coughed and groaned.

"Ahhh!" Bakugo roared as he blasted himself back to his feet, his palms crackling with energy. Charging forward, he unleashed a relentless flurry of explosions, each one aimed directly at Akira.

However, none of his attacks hit. Akira effortlessly weaved through the onslaught, his movements fluid and calculated. Beads of sweat began forming on Bakugo's forehead as frustration mounted.

"You've got power, Bakugo, but your physical combat skills are too weak," Akira commented, his voice calm but firm.

Without warning, Akira's right hand, now coated in a dark sheen of Armament Haki, struck Bakugo squarely in the stomach. The impact sent Bakugo flying backward once again, skidding across the ground before slamming into another obstacle.

"Pfft!" Bakugo spat out blood as he struggled to his feet, his body trembling. The gap in strength between them was undeniable, but his pride refused to let him quit.

He glanced at Todoroki, who was watching the fight with a composed expression. The sight only fueled his determination.

"That guy's strength... it's probably around the same as mine," Bakugo muttered, clenching his fists. His attention shifted back to Akira.

"If I can't win with brute force, then I'll use *that* move!"

Bakugo charged at Akira once more, this time leaping into the air. Sparks began swirling in his palms, forming a rapidly growing vortex of energy.

"[Durian Cannon: Big Bang!]" Bakugo roared, unleashing a massive, concentrated explosion aimed directly at Akira.

The ground shook violently as the attack surged forward, engulfing everything in its path with a blinding light and deafening roar. Akira, standing his ground, watched the attack with mild interest.

"Not bad," Akira muttered, raising his hand as the sand around him began to swirl protectively. The impact was imminent.