MHA: Sand Sand Fruit

Seeing the expression of the head teacher of Class B, All Might couldn't help but respond with a wry smile.

"There's nothing we can do about it. In reality, various accidents happen all the time. Only by overcoming such challenges can we truly become Hero(es)."

The head teacher of Class B forced an awkward smile and replied, "All Might, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just praising this kid, Beichuan Akira. He's certainly energetic."

"Really? It's good to be full of energy and spirit," All Might said, his tone calm but firm.

"Yes, yes, absolutely," the head teacher of Class B replied quickly, trying to smooth over his earlier remarks. Internally, he was relieved that All Might didn't press further. Any more, and he might've seemed incompetent as a teacher.

---

On the field, the remaining candidates finally made their way back to the stadium. Midnight, standing tall on the stage, raised her voice to address the students.

"The top 42 will advance to the next round. For those who didn't make it, don't be discouraged! The school has plenty of other opportunities for you to shine."

Her words carried a strange mix of encouragement and amusement, punctuated by her trademark mischievous smile.

"And now, it's time for the main event to begin!" Midnight announced, excitement clear in her tone. "The media will be watching closely, so give it your all!"

The giant screen behind her spun to reveal the title of the next competition: **Horseback Battle**. The moment those words appeared, the students erupted in chatter.

---

"Horseback battle?" Kaminari Denki scratched his head, his confusion evident. "This… isn't really my strong suit."

"Is it a team-based event?" Yaoyorozu Momo asked aloud, her analytical mind already churning.

"It must be. Otherwise, how could it work?" Jiro Kyoka added, narrowing her eyes at the title.

Before they could speculate further, Midnight clapped her hands to regain their attention and began explaining the rules.

"The competition requires contestants to form teams of two to four members, creating a horse formation. The basic rules are like the horseback battles you've played in school—except this time, there's a twist!"

Her grin widened, and she gestured to the screen behind her.

"Each participant will be assigned points based on their ranking in the obstacle course. Those points will determine the total score of the horse. And the most important part? The rider must wear a headband that displays the team's score!"

The students exchanged wary glances as Midnight continued.

"The objective is simple: snatch as many headbands as possible from other teams while protecting your own! The team with the highest score at the end of 15 minutes wins. However," she added with a smirk, "a single headband has a massive value attached to it."

Her words hung in the air for a moment before she delivered the bombshell.

"The rider with the highest score—our first-place finisher—has a headband worth **10 million points**!"

---

"10 million points?!"

The stadium was instantly alive with noise. Students from every class turned their gazes toward Shoto Todoroki, the first-place finisher in the obstacle course. Their eyes gleamed with determination—and greed.

"That's insane," Kaminari muttered, his jaw dropping. "Anyone who gets that headband can jump straight to first place!"

"But it's not going to be easy," Jiro said. "The person wearing it is bound to be targeted by everyone."

"You're right," Yaoyorozu said, her expression thoughtful. "And considering Todoroki's strength, it won't be a simple task."

Meanwhile, a few students whispered among themselves, relieved that Akira hadn't taken first place.

"Imagine if that lunatic got the 10 million-point headband," one murmured. "No one would dare challenge him!"

"Yeah, he'd probably destroy anyone who tried to take it," another added, shivering at the thought.

However, another voice chimed in, raising an even more terrifying possibility.

"What if Todoroki and Akira team up? A 10-million-point dark horse like that would be unstoppable!"

The mere suggestion sent shudders through the group.

---

Midnight wasn't done yet. She raised a finger, signaling for silence as she laid down the remaining rules.

"You'll have 15 minutes to form your teams. Remember, even if your headband is stolen or your team falls apart, you won't be eliminated. So, don't hold back!"

Her smile turned sharp. "That said, any deliberate attacks meant to harm a horse formation or incapacitate players will result in a red card and immediate disqualification. Now, go ahead and form your teams!"

---

The students immediately scattered, frantically searching for teammates.

"In this horse battle, if I team up with Akira, no one will be able to touch our points," Todoroki muttered, analyzing the situation. He glanced toward Akira but quickly frowned.

A swarm of students had already surrounded Akira, eagerly proposing alliances. It seemed everyone had the same idea.

"No way... so fast," Todoroki muttered, his eyebrows furrowing.

Akira, meanwhile, stood at the center of the crowd, his arms crossed and his expression calm.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm," he said, his voice carrying over the noise. "But I'm not just going to team up with anyone. If you want to form a team with me, you'd better bring something to the table."

His words sent a ripple of unease through the group. While everyone wanted to ally with him, they also knew he wasn't someone who'd tolerate weakness.

---

As the time to form teams ticked away, the competition's true nature began to reveal itself—not just a test of strength, but a battle of strategy, trust, and adaptability.

And as always, Akira stood at the center of it all, ready to turn the tides of the game.