MHA; Natsu Dragneel!

**Chapter 23: Run!**

The arena was a cauldron of tension, the air so thick with anticipation it felt as though the entire stadium was holding its breath. The students stood in disciplined rows, their uniforms crisp and their expressions a mosaic of determination, anxiety, and raw ambition. The crowd, usually a roaring sea of noise, had fallen into an eerie silence, their collective gaze fixed on the figure of Midnight as she stepped forward, her presence commanding the attention of everyone present. Her voice, sharp and clear, cut through the stillness like a whip.

"Welcome, competitors," she began, her tone both sultry and authoritative. "The U.A. Sports Festival is not just a test of strength, but of wit, strategy, and resolve. Today, you will prove whether you have what it takes to stand among the elite. The first event will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Listen carefully."

The students leaned in, their focus razor-sharp. Even the audience, perched high in the stands, seemed to lean forward as one, their chatter reduced to a faint hum. The weight of the moment pressed down on the arena, a palpable force that made the air feel heavier, the lights brighter, the stakes impossibly higher.

Midnight's explanation of the first event—a grueling obstacle race—was met with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The course, she revealed, would be a gauntlet of traps, challenges, and surprises designed to push the students to their limits. But before the race could begin, there was one more tradition to uphold.

"Now," Midnight announced, her voice rising with theatrical flair, "it is time for the opening remarks. And who better to deliver them than the student who scored the highest in the practical entrance exam—Natsu Dragneel!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs of surprise and curiosity. Natsu, standing among his classmates, blinked in momentary confusion before his trademark grin spread across his face. He stepped forward, his movements relaxed and confident, as if the weight of the spotlight was nothing to him. Behind him, Bakugo's jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists. "Why him?" he muttered under his breath, his crimson eyes burning with frustration. While Bakugo had secured the highest overall score by excelling in both the written and practical exams, Natsu's performance in the battle against the robots had been nothing short of legendary—even if his academic results left much to be desired.

As Natsu approached the wooden platform, the murmurs from the crowd grew louder. Whispers of disbelief and curiosity rippled through the stands. "Is that… a cat?" someone asked, pointing at Happy, who floated beside Natsu with a mischievous grin. "A floating cat? What kind of quirk is that?" another voice chimed in. Happy, ever the cheeky companion, stuck out his tongue. "No need to worry, Natsu. Everyone's gonna laugh at you either way," he teased.

Natsu, unfazed, stepped up to the microphone. For a brief moment, he paused, his eyes scanning the sea of faces before him. Then, in his usual clear and booming voice, he declared, "I can't wait for some awesome fights in this festival! Bring it on with all you've got!"

The arena erupted—not in cheers, but in a chorus of angry shouts and indignant cries. The students from Class 1-B, in particular, were incensed. Tetsutetsu, his metallic fists clenched, shouted, "Who does he think he is?!" Meanwhile, the members of Class 1-A exchanged knowing glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation. Yaoyorozu sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I knew he'd say something like that," she muttered. Iida and Midoriya, standing nearby, shared quiet smiles, already accustomed to Natsu's unorthodox approach.

As Natsu made his way back to his spot, Happy floated beside him, grinning ear to ear. "Looks like you made quite the impression, Natsu. Those students from the other classes are giving you death stares." Natsu's grin only widened. "That just makes it more fun," he replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Standing among his classmates again, Natsu was met with a mix of reactions. Mina Ashido, ever the playful one, couldn't resist teasing him. "You know you'll have to deal with the consequences, right?" she said, her pink skin glowing with amusement. Mineta, on the other hand, was less enthusiastic. "Thanks to you, we're officially public enemy number one now," he muttered, his voice tinged with nervousness.

Before the tension could escalate further, Bakugo stepped forward, his explosive energy crackling in the air. "Only the weak-hearted should be scared," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. He extended his hand toward Natsu, his palm crackling with tiny explosions. "I'll blast you out of this festival!" he declared, his crimson eyes locked onto Natsu's.

Natsu's grin didn't waver. If anything, it grew wider. "Bring it on," he replied, his voice brimming with confidence. The two stood there for a moment, their rivalry palpable, the air between them charged with unspoken challenges.

Midnight, sensing the rising tension, clapped her hands sharply, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Alright, enough of that!" she shouted. "It's time for the first game: the obstacle race!" The students immediately quieted down, their focus shifting to Midnight as she explained the rules. "You will all be racing through a course filled with traps and obstacles," she said, gesturing toward the narrow entrance. "You'll start there."

The entrance, a tight squeeze for the large number of competitors, was clearly designed to create chaos from the very beginning. As the students lined up, the arena fell into a heavy silence once more—the calm before the storm. Each competitor stood ready, their faces a mixture of determination and anxiety, their minds racing with strategies and plans.

Yamada, the commentator, suddenly broke the silence with his booming voice. "Let the obstacle race begin!" The arena exploded with cheers, the energy skyrocketing as the students surged forward.

Natsu, grinning wildly, was ready to leap into action. A fiery circle appeared beneath him, his quirk flaring to life. "Finally! Let the fun begin!" he shouted. But before he could move, a sharp elbow slammed into his face, knocking him off balance and sending him stumbling back into the thick crowd. "What the…?" he muttered, disoriented, as the students around him jostled for space. The entrance was quickly becoming a bottleneck, the sheer number of competitors making it impossible to pass through easily.

The students groaned and pushed, frustration etched across their faces. "Move!" one shouted. Another screamed, "We're all stuck!" Natsu, wedged between two larger students, rubbed his cheek. "What's going on?" he grumbled, trying to see over the crowd.

Suddenly, the sound of roaring flames filled the air. A familiar voice, cold and determined, rang out above the chaos. "In order to surpass myself, I had to kill my old self." Todoroki, surrounded by a swirling blaze, shot forward like a missile, soaring over the heads of the other students, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.

Natsu's eyes widened in shock. "Another fire user?" he murmured, his expression filled with surprise. Around him, the students gasped in amazement as Todoroki effortlessly flew past them, the first to break free from the chaos. It was the first time many had seen him use his flames so openly.

In the stands, Endeavor smirked, pride gleaming in his eyes. "As expected from my son. That's how you start a festival," he muttered under his breath.

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