I Don't Need A Quirk! (May Redo)

Chapter 10: Unstoppable Force vs Daddy Issues

Izuku stood in a quiet corner of the stadium, holding his phone tightly as he listened to Cathleen Bate’s warm, steady voice on the other end. Her tone carried a touch of teasing confidence, the kind he always found reassuring.

Cathleen {playfully}: "I would say good luck, but honestly… do you even need it?"

Izuku chuckled, feeling his nerves ease at her words. She was always his grounding force, making him feel capable, even invincible.

Izuku {smiling}: "I’ll take it, anyway. Just in case."

They shared a small laugh before he reluctantly hung up, tucking his phone away as he turned to leave. Just then, he noticed Todoroki approaching him. His usually calm, stoic expression seemed more intense than usual.

Todoroki {serious}: "Midoriya. I need to talk to you… alone."

Surprised but sensing the importance of his request, Izuku nodded, following Todoroki down a quiet corridor away from the bustling noise of the sports festival. They found a secluded corner, the muffled sounds of the arena fading behind them.

Todoroki paused, gathering his thoughts. There was a tension in his gaze, a weight he had carried for years, hidden behind his usual silent demeanor. After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and controlled.

Todoroki {calm but haunted}: "My mother… she didn’t choose my father. She was sold off to him, in a quirk marriage, as a way to create the 'perfect hero.' My father… Endeavor… he didn’t see us as family. Just tools for his ambition."

Izuku listened intently, noticing the pain in Todoroki’s eyes as he recounted his story.

Todoroki {gaze hardening}: "He trained me like an animal, pushing me beyond my limits until I broke. He wanted me to become his masterpiece, his way to surpass All Might. I was nothing more than an extension of his obsession."

There was a pause as Todoroki’s hand moved to his scar, his fingers lightly brushing it.

Todoroki {voice lowering}: "My mother… she couldn’t take it anymore. She… lost herself. One day, she poured boiling water on my face. This scar… it’s a reminder of everything he did. Of everything I hate."

Izuku remained silent, a deep empathy and understanding in his eyes as he listened to Todoroki’s painful story. He had known about Todoroki’s cold demeanor, his distant attitude, but now it all made sense.

Todoroki {resolute}: "So, when we fight… I’m only using my ice. I won’t rely on the fire my father forced upon me. I’m going to defeat you without it, to prove I don’t need him. I’m strong enough without him."

Izuku considered his words carefully before responding. He knew Todoroki’s resolve, but he could also see the burden he was placing on himself.

Izuku {thoughtful but firm}: "Todoroki… I get where you’re coming from, and I respect everything you’ve been through. But… you’re making a mistake."

Todoroki’s brows furrowed, his gaze narrowing slightly.

Todoroki {defensive}: "What do you mean?"

Izuku took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. He understood that Todoroki’s pain ran deep, but he needed to make him see the bigger picture.

Izuku {calmly, with empathy}: "I get that you hate your father. But choosing to reject a part of yourself because of him… it’s like you’re letting him win. You’re letting him define you, even when you think you’re rebelling against him."

Todoroki’s eyes flashed with anger, though there was a hint of conflict in his expression.

Todoroki {tensely}: "You don’t understand, Midoriya. This is my choice."

Izuku stood his ground, unwavering.

Izuku {firm but gentle}: "Maybe I don’t understand everything you went through, but I do know this: you’re fighting with one hand tied behind your back. You’re holding yourself back, Todoroki. And if you do that, it’s not just in the arena that you’ll fall short. It’ll follow you everywhere."

Todoroki clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he took in Izuku’s words, clearly struggling with his emotions.

Todoroki {upset}: "You have no idea what it’s like…"

Izuku {quietly but firmly}: "You’re right, I don’t. But I do know that holding back won’t make you stronger. You’re powerful, Todoroki, more than you realize. But only when you accept every part of yourself."

Izuku turned to leave, his words lingering in the air between them.

Izuku {walking away, giving a final warning}: "Think about it. Holding back could be your downfall—not just in the arena, but in life."

He walked away, leaving Todoroki alone in the silent corridor. The weight of Izuku’s words hung heavily on Todoroki’s mind, his heart pounding as he tried to process everything he had just heard.

Standing there, alone with his thoughts, Todoroki clenched his fists, grappling with the truth in Izuku’s words. A small flicker of doubt crept into his resolve, and for the first time, he found himself questioning if rejecting his fire was really the path to freedom… or just another form of bondage.

/////

The crowd buzzed with excitement as Izuku Midoriya and Shoto Todoroki took their places in the center of the arena. Both fighters were focused, eyes locked onto each other, each sizing up their opponent. Midnight raised her hand, signaling the start.

Midnight {excitedly}: "Let the match begin!"

Immediately, Todoroki planted his feet down, sending a wave of ice surging across the arena floor toward Izuku. The freezing air crystallized around his feet, spreading rapidly as he attempted to encase him. But Izuku was ready.

With a quick, powerful motion, Izuku swung his arm down, slapping the ice aside as if it were nothing. The ice shattered on impact, fragments scattering across the arena floor as he stood unfazed.

Izuku {thinking, calm but focused}: *He’s really putting his all into this… but this isn’t going to work.*

Undeterred, Todoroki launched another wave of ice, this time even larger, aiming to overwhelm Izuku with sheer volume. The cold surged forward, building higher and wider, determined to trap him. But once again, Izuku raised his arm and swatted it away, the ice shattering instantly under the force of his blow.

The crowd gasped, impressed by Izuku’s raw power as he effortlessly broke through Todoroki’s attacks. But Todoroki wasn’t finished. He gritted his teeth, summoning even more ice, each wave growing more intense, more desperate to encase Izuku.

Todoroki {muttering under his breath}: "I’ll take you down… without using his power…"

But Izuku could sense the fatigue starting to show in Todoroki’s movements. Each attack came slower, the ice forming just a bit more sluggishly. Izuku stood firm, slapping away each wave with increasing ease.

After a few more rounds of the same, Izuku’s expression shifted from focused determination to mild boredom. He sighed, realizing that Todoroki wasn’t going to change his approach.

Izuku {thinking, a bit disappointed}: *This isn’t getting anywhere. He’s too stubborn to see it…*

Izuku stepped forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. Todoroki prepared another ice attack, but before he could fully summon it, Izuku moved. With one fluid motion, he dodged the ice and drove his palm forward, striking Todoroki’s chest with controlled force.

The impact sent Todoroki flying backward, his body skidding across the arena floor. The crowd held its breath as Todoroki struggled to his feet, clearly shaken. Izuku remained calm, his gaze steady as he watched his opponent.

Izuku {calmly}: "Todoroki… stop holding back. You’ll never win like this."

Todoroki clenched his fists, frustration flickering in his eyes as he looked up at Izuku.

Midnight {raising her whip}: "Midoriya is the winner!"