MHA: The Hero With the Sun (HIATUS)

With the Cavalry Battle concluded, the arena buzzed with anticipation as the next stage of the U.A. Sports Festival was announced. Midnight took the stage once again, her enthusiastic voice cutting through the cheers of the crowd.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for—the one-on-one battles!"

Kenji sat with his classmates in the waiting area, his arms resting on his knees. The exhaustion from the previous events lingered, but so did the determination to prove himself. Around him, the atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension as the matchups for the next round were revealed on the massive stadium screen.

The Rules of Engagement

Midnight's voice echoed through the arena as the rules appeared on the screen. "Each match will be a one-on-one showdown! The goal is to either incapacitate your opponent, force them out of the ring, or make them surrender. As always, do your best—but remember to stay within the bounds of safety!"

The announcement was met with roars from the audience. Kenji scanned the list of names and found his matchup: Kenji Saito vs. Ibara Shiozaki (Class 1-B).

Ibara Shiozaki—a student known for her grace and formidable Quirk, Vines. Kenji had seen glimpses of her abilities during training sessions, and he knew she was a strong opponent.

"Looks like you're up against Ibara," Momo said, leaning over to look at the screen.

Kenji nodded. "Yeah. Her Quirk is no joke. I'll need to stay on the move if I want to avoid getting tangled up."

"You've got this," Momo reassured him. "Just remember to use the arena to your advantage."

First Match: Kenji vs. Ibara

As Kenji stepped into the ring, the crowd's cheers washed over him. Clad only in his U.A. P.E. uniform, he felt a certain freedom of movement without the weight of his hero suit. Across from him stood Ibara, her serene expression a stark contrast to the intensity of the arena. Her long green vines coiled around her like a living shield, ready to strike at any moment.

Present Mic's voice rang out: "AND IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE CLASS 1-A'S SOLAR SENSATION—KENJI SAITO! AND IN THE OTHER, THE GRACEFUL BUT DEADLY VINE MASTER FROM CLASS 1-B—IBARA SHIOZAKI!"

Kenji took a deep breath, the warmth of the sun above fueling his Quirk. The energy coursed through his veins, steady and reassuring.

"Ready?" Midnight called, raising her whip. "BEGIN!"

Ibara wasted no time, sending a wave of vines toward Kenji. He dodged to the side, firing a quick burst of light from his palm to disorient her. The flash wasn't strong enough to blind her completely, but it bought him a few seconds to close the distance.

"You rely heavily on your light, don't you?" Ibara said, her voice calm as she redirected her vines. "But I'm not so easily blinded."

Kenji smirked. "Good. Makes this more fun."

He leaped into the air, twisting mid-flight to avoid a cluster of vines snapping toward him. Landing on the edge of the ring, he charged his palms with light, releasing a dazzling burst that illuminated the entire arena.

Ibara shielded her eyes with her vines, but Kenji was already moving, using the distraction to get behind her. He aimed a low-intensity flash at her feet, forcing her to stumble back.

"Clever," she admitted, recovering quickly. "But I'm not done yet."

Her vines surged forward, forming a protective dome around her. Kenji skidded to a stop, assessing the situation.

"She's forcing me to come to her," he thought. "If I try to get in close, I'll be tangled for sure."

Kenji shifted tactics. Holding his ground, he began to charge energy in his hands, the glow intensifying with each passing second.

"What are you planning, Kenji?" Ibara asked, her voice still steady.

"Why don't you find out?" he replied, releasing a concentrated beam of light aimed at the ground near her feet. The resulting shockwave disrupted her stance, and Kenji seized the opportunity, sprinting forward and landing a clean strike on her shield of vines.

The force of the blow pushed Ibara back, but she quickly recovered, her vines lashing out in a sweeping arc. Kenji leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.

A Clever Finish

As the battle dragged on, Kenji noticed a pattern in Ibara's movements. She favored using her vines to block direct attacks, leaving her vulnerable to lateral maneuvers.

Capitalizing on this, Kenji feigned a frontal assault, charging straight toward her. As expected, her vines moved to intercept him, forming a thick barrier. At the last second, he veered to the right, using a burst of light to propel himself sideways.

Before Ibara could adjust, Kenji landed behind her, his palm glowing with stored energy. He released a quick flash, just enough to momentarily disorient her. Using the opening, he swept her legs out from under her, sending her tumbling to the ground.

Ibara's vines flailed but couldn't regain their footing in time. Midnight raised her hand.

"WINNER: KENJI SAITO!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Kenji helped Ibara to her feet.

"Well done," she said with a small smile. "You were strategic and adaptable. A true hero in the making."

"Thanks," Kenji replied, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "You were incredible, too. Your control over your Quirk is amazing."

The Next Round Awaits

Back in the waiting area, Kenji received congratulations from his classmates.

"You were awesome out there!" Kirishima said, slapping him on the back.

"Thanks," Kenji replied, grinning. "But that was just the first round. The real challenges are still ahead."

As the next matches began, Kenji sat with Momo, watching his classmates compete. Each battle showcased unique quirks and strategies, a testament to the diverse talents of U.A.'s students.

But Kenji's focus remained on the upcoming rounds. He knew the next opponents would be even tougher, and he was determined to rise to the challenge.

Word Count: ~1,242