MHA: The Hero With the Sun (HIATUS)

Kenji returned to the waiting area, his body aching but his spirits high after the victory. His classmates greeted him with a mixture of cheers and words of encouragement. Even Bakugo, leaning against the far wall, offered a curt nod in acknowledgment, though his trademark scowl didn't waver.

"Kenji, that was amazing!" Ochaco said, practically bouncing with excitement. "The way you used your light against his steel—it was so smart!"

"Yeah, man!" Kirishima added, clapping Kenji on the shoulder. "You and Tetsutetsu put on one heck of a show! Super manly!"

Kenji chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, guys. It was tough, though. Tetsutetsu's no joke."

Momo stepped forward, offering him a bottle of water. "You handled it well, Kenji. Your strategy was impressive—targeting his heat tolerance was a brilliant move."

"Thanks, Momo," Kenji said, accepting the water. "I've been working on thinking a few steps ahead. Still, I'm not sure I'll have enough in the tank for the next round."

"You will," she said confidently. "Just remember to pace yourself."

The supportive atmosphere in the waiting area was interrupted by a loud scoff.

"Don't get too comfortable, Saito," Bakugo said, his voice sharp. "You're not gonna last long if you keep pulling punches."

Kenji turned to face him, his amber eyes meeting Bakugo's fiery gaze. "Pulling punches? I think I've been holding my own just fine."

Bakugo pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "That steel idiot wasn't even close to your level. If you want to be a real hero, you'd better stop messing around and go all out."

Kenji's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Todoroki spoke up.

"Bakugo's right about one thing," he said, his tone even. "The next rounds will be harder. If you're not prepared to give it everything, you won't make it."

Kenji exhaled slowly, the weight of their words sinking in. "Don't worry. I'm not planning on holding anything back."

The tension in the room eased slightly as the conversation shifted to the next round. The students who had yet to fight prepared themselves, while those who had already advanced strategized quietly.

The Semifinal Match: Kenji vs. Shoto Todoroki

Kenji's heart raced as he stepped into the arena once again. This time, his opponent was Shoto Todoroki, the enigmatic prodigy who had dominated his earlier matches with a combination of ice and fire.

As they faced each other in the ring, Todoroki's expression was calm, almost unreadable.

"I've been watching your matches," Todoroki said. "You're strong, Saito. But this won't be easy for you."

Kenji smirked, shifting into a ready stance. "Wouldn't want it to be. Let's see what you've got."

Midnight raised her arm. "Semifinal match: Kenji Saito versus Shoto Todoroki! Begin!"

Todoroki wasted no time, launching a massive wave of ice toward Kenji. The freezing air stung Kenji's skin as he leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Okay, no time to hesitate," Kenji muttered, activating Sunflare. He generated a concentrated orb of light in his palm and hurled it at Todoroki, aiming to disrupt his focus.

The orb exploded in a dazzling flash, but Todoroki countered with a wall of ice, shielding himself from the blinding light.

Kenji dashed forward, using the cover of the fading light to close the distance. He unleashed a flurry of quick strikes, each one aimed at breaking through Todoroki's defenses.

Todoroki responded with precision, using small bursts of fire to keep Kenji at bay while preparing another ice attack. The arena became a battlefield of light and frost, the air shimmering with heat and freezing mist.

Kenji knew he couldn't afford a prolonged fight—Todoroki's Quirk gave him incredible versatility, and Kenji's energy reserves were limited.

He decided to take a risk. Channeling the sunlight he'd absorbed earlier, he created a brilliant flare of light that filled the arena, blinding not just Todoroki but the audience as well.

"Now!" Kenji thought, sprinting toward Todoroki. He focused all his energy into a single, powerful strike aimed at Todoroki's midsection.

The impact landed, forcing Todoroki to stumble back, but he recovered quickly, his expression determined. Without warning, he unleashed a wave of fire that surrounded the arena, melting the remnants of the ice and forcing Kenji to retreat.

"You're good," Todoroki said, his voice steady. "But you're holding back, aren't you? Why?"

Kenji froze, caught off guard by the question.

"You're not using your full strength," Todoroki continued. "If you want to win, you'll need to give it everything."

Kenji clenched his fists, Todoroki's words echoing in his mind. He thought back to the USJ attack, to the moments where holding back hadn't been an option.

"You're right," Kenji said, his voice firm. "No more holding back."

Drawing on every ounce of his energy, Kenji unleashed a radiant burst of light, enveloping the entire arena in a golden glow. Todoroki raised an ice shield to protect himself, but the sheer intensity of the light began to crack the barrier.

Kenji charged forward, his movements swift and precise, as he prepared to land the final blow.

Word Count: ~1,219