NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Kikidori Vs. Bakugo
The training grounds of UA were alive with energy. Class 1-A had gathered for a special combat training session, and everyone was eager to showcase their skills. Aizawa-sensei had paired the students off into sparring partners, and one matchup immediately caught everyone's attention.
Kikidori vs. Bakugo.
The tension between the two had always been palpable. While Kikidori remained calm and collected, Bakugo's fiery temper and brash personality clashed with Kikidori's quiet demeanor. Bakugo, of course, saw Kikidori's stoicism as a challenge, and today, he was determined to prove who was the strongest.
The rest of the class gathered around the sparring ring, eager to watch the showdown.
"This is gonna be good," Kaminari said, leaning forward with excitement.
"I hope they don't destroy the place," Jiro muttered, though her eyes were glued to the scene.
Bakugo cracked his knuckles, his signature smirk plastered across his face. "Alright, you creepy little loner. Let's see what you've got."
Kikidori didn't respond. He simply stepped into the ring, his heterochromatic eyes fixed on Bakugo.
"Don't underestimate him, Bakugo," Kirishima warned from the sidelines. "Kikidori's quirk isn't something to mess with."
"Tch. I don't care about his quirk," Bakugo snapped. "I'll blow him away before he even gets a chance to use it."
Aizawa stepped forward, his usual bored expression in place. "Alright, you two. This is a sparring match, not a street fight. No permanent injuries. Understood?"
Both boys nodded.
"Good. Begin."
The moment the words left Aizawa's mouth, Bakugo exploded forward, his palms igniting with a deafening *BOOM*. He launched himself straight at Kikidori, aiming to end the fight quickly.
But Kikidori was ready.
With a calm step to the side, Kikidori dodged Bakugo's initial strike, his sharp reflexes on full display. Bakugo landed and spun around, firing off another explosion. Kikidori raised his hand, his eyes glowing faintly as his quirk activated.
For a split second, Bakugo hesitated. The air around him grew heavy, and he felt an eerie sense of dread creeping in. Shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, shapes forming into something unrecognizable but undeniably terrifying.
"Not this time!" Bakugo roared, shaking off the effects of the quirk with sheer willpower. He charged again, his palms sparking.
Kikidori didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. With a precise movement, he aimed a palm strike at Bakugo's chest. Bakugo blocked it with his forearm, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
The fight became a blur of motion. Bakugo's explosive attacks lit up the ring, while Kikidori dodged and countered with calculated precision. His movements were smooth and efficient, each strike designed to exploit Bakugo's over-aggression.
But Bakugo wasn't backing down.
"You think you're so tough, huh?!" Bakugo shouted, launching himself into the air. "Let's see you handle this!"
He unleashed a massive explosion, the shockwave shaking the ground. Kikidori reacted instantly, using the force of the blast to propel himself backward and out of harm's way. As the dust settled, Kikidori's glowing eyes locked onto Bakugo once more.
"You're predictable," Kikidori said quietly, his voice calm but cutting.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Bakugo roared, his anger flaring even more.
The two clashed again, their movements faster and more intense. Kikidori managed to graze Bakugo with his quirk a few times, causing brief moments of hesitation, but Bakugo's raw power and determination kept him in the fight.
The rest of the class watched in awe, their heads whipping back and forth as the two fighters refused to give in.
"This is insane," Kaminari said, his jaw hanging open.
"They're both giving it everything they've got," Tsuyu added, her tone serious.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Aizawa stepped in.
"Enough," he said, his voice firm. "The match is over."
Both boys stopped, breathing heavily as they glared at each other. The ring was scarred with scorch marks and cracks, a testament to the intensity of the fight.
"So… who won?" Mina asked, leaning forward.
Aizawa glanced at the two of them. "It's a tie."
"What?!" Bakugo yelled, his frustration evident.
Kikidori didn't react. He simply turned and walked out of the ring, his usual calm demeanor intact despite the intense battle.
"Don't think this is over, Kikidori!" Bakugo shouted after him. "Next time, I'll wipe the floor with you!"
Kikidori didn't look back. "We'll see."
As he left the training grounds, the rest of the class couldn't stop talking about the match. It was clear to everyone that Kikidori wasn't someone to underestimate—and neither was Bakugo.
For now, though, the rivalry between the two was far from over.
End of Chapter 8