MHA; Natsu Dragneel!

**Chapter 22: The Festival Begins**

The U.A. Sports Festival stadium was a colossus of modern engineering, a sprawling monument to heroism and ambition. Its towering stands, a sea of vibrant colors and fluttering banners, stretched endlessly into the horizon, packed to the brim with an electrified crowd. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable energy that seemed to hum and crackle like a live wire. Thousands of voices melded into a deafening roar, a symphony of excitement that reverberated through the very bones of the stadium. The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays reflecting off the polished surfaces of the arena, casting a dazzling glow over the spectacle below. The stadium was alive, a living, breathing entity pulsating with the collective heartbeat of its spectators.

At the heart of this grand stage, perched high in the commentator's booth, was Present Mic, the flamboyant voice of U.A. His signature sunglasses gleamed under the stadium lights, and his trademark grin was as wide as ever. He gripped the microphone with theatrical flair, his voice booming across the arena like a thunderclap.

"YEAH! What's up, everybody?!" Present Mic's voice was a tidal wave of enthusiasm, amplified to near-deafening levels by the stadium's state-of-the-art sound system. "Welcome to the U.A. Sports Festival—the ultimate showdown of the next generation of heroes! And joining me today, the man who needs no introduction, the walking bandage, the one and only—Aizawa-sensei!"

The camera panned to Aizawa, who sat slumped in his chair, his face half-hidden beneath layers of bandages. His dark, tired eyes betrayed no emotion, his usual air of indifference undiminished by the spectacle around him. He gave a curt nod, his voice a low, monotone contrast to Mic's exuberance. "Let's get this over with."

Mic, undeterred by Aizawa's lack of enthusiasm, launched into his spiel with unbridled energy. "This year's festival is gonna be WILD, folks! These kids have been through the wringer—villain attacks, near-death experiences, and enough drama to fill a season of a hit TV show! But today? Today's all about showing the world what they're made of! Strength, strategy, heart—this is where the future Symbol of Peace is forged!"

The crowd erupted in a cacophony of cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. Flags waved furiously, and the stands seemed to ripple like a kaleidoscope of colors. Children perched on their parents' shoulders, their eyes wide with wonder, while elderly fans leaned forward in their seats, their faces alight with nostalgia and pride. The U.A. Sports Festival wasn't just an event; it was a cultural phenomenon, a celebration of heroism that transcended generations.

But the spectacle wasn't confined to the stadium. Across Japan, millions tuned in to watch the festival unfold. In bustling city centers, massive screens broadcast the event live, drawing crowds of onlookers who paused in their daily routines to catch a glimpse of the action. In cozy living rooms, families gathered around their TVs, their faces illuminated by the glow of the screen. On trains and buses, commuters huddled around smartphones, their eyes glued to the live stream. The festival was more than a competition; it was a shared experience, a moment of unity in a world that often felt divided.

---

Backstage, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the electric energy of the stadium. The students of Class 1-A sat in a dimly lit room, the distant roar of the crowd a constant reminder of the stakes they faced. The weight of expectation hung heavy in the air, a tangible force that pressed down on their shoulders. This wasn't just a competition; it was their chance to prove themselves, to show the world—and themselves—that they had what it took to be heroes.

Kirishima, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Man, did you hear that crowd? They're going nuts out there!" His voice was cheerful, but the tension in his smile betrayed his nerves. He ran a hand through his spiky red hair, his fingers trembling slightly.

Mineta, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. He had retreated to the corner of the room, his small frame practically hidden beneath a table. His face was pale, and his wide eyes darted around the room like a cornered animal. "This is it," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is where I embarrass myself in front of the entire country. I should've just stayed home."

In the far corner of the room, Todoroki stood apart from the others, his back against the wall. His expression was as stoic as ever, but there was a new intensity in his eyes, a fire that hadn't been there before. His gaze flickered to Natsu, who stood nearby, his usual grin replaced by a look of quiet determination. The two of them had spent the past week training together, pushing each other to their limits. Todoroki had emerged from that training with a renewed sense of purpose, his resolve as unyielding as the ice he wielded.

Bakugo, meanwhile, sprawled lazily across a bench, his feet propped up on the table in front of him. His sharp, crimson eyes scanned the room with a bored expression, his lips curled into a faint smirk. "Tch. This is taking forever. When are they gonna start this thing so I can blow everyone away?"

Sero raised an eyebrow, glancing at Bakugo with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Easy for you to say, man. Not all of us have quirks that can level a building. Some of us actually have to work for it."

Mina, ever the ball of energy, bounced on her heels, her pink skin glowing with excitement. "I can't wait! This is going to be so much fun. I'm ready to show everyone what I can do!"

Before the conversation could continue, the door to the room swung open, and in marched Iida, his posture as rigid and formal as ever. He adjusted his glasses, his voice ringing out with authority. "It's time! Everyone, prepare yourselves—our moment has arrived."

The tension in the room shifted, the nervous energy giving way to a surge of adrenaline. Natsu was the first to spring to his feet, his grin returning in full force. "Finally!" he exclaimed, punching the air with uncontainable excitement. "Let's do this!"

Happy, his loyal companion, fluttered beside him, his tiny wings beating furiously. "Aye, sir!"

As Natsu passed Iida on his way out, he gave him a cheerful grin, his eyes sparkling with determination. Iida, for his part, nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. As Natsu left the room, Iida turned to the rest of the class, his voice firm and commanding. "You're not seriously planning on letting Natsu steal the spotlight, are you?"

The effect was immediate. The anxious expressions on the faces of Kirishima, Kaminari, and the others melted away, replaced by grins of determination. Kirishima cracked his knuckles, his sharp teeth gleaming as he grinned. "No way I'm letting anyone outshine me."

Kaminari shared a glance with Yaoyorozu, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a look of quiet confidence. "Let's show them what we've been working on," he said, his voice steady.

Yaoyorozu nodded, her expression resolute. "We've trained hard for this. Let's make it count."

One by one, the students of Class 1-A steeled themselves for the challenge ahead, their nerves replaced by burning resolve. Together, they began their march down the long hallway that led to the arena, their footsteps echoing in unison.

---

As the students of Class 1-A emerged from the tunnel, the stadium erupted into a deafening crescendo of cheers. The stands seemed to tremble under the force of the crowd's excitement, and all eyes were on them. Present Mic's voice soared over the noise, his words dripping with dramatic flair.

"AND HERE THEY ARE, FOLKS! THE STARS OF U.A.! The students of Class 1-A, the ones who faced the League of Villains at USJ and lived to tell the tale! Our future heroes are right here!"

The crowd's reaction was immediate and overwhelming. They shouted, waved banners, and chanted the names of their favorite students. But one name was on everyone's lips: *Natsu Dragneel*. Ever since the USJ incident, rumors had swirled around him, and now, the spotlight was firmly on the pink-haired hero-in-training.

"Did you hear about him?" one spectator whispered to another, their eyes wide with awe. "They say he's the one who defeated the villains at USJ. He's probably the strongest one here!"

"Yeah, he's the one who made the League of Villains retreat," another added, their voice tinged with admiration. "I've heard he's got insane powers. He's definitely the one to watch."

"All this hype… if anyone's going to win, it's gotta be him."

The students of Class 1-A continued their march to the center of the arena, where they were joined by students from the other classes. The tension in the air was electric as the competitors assembled in front of Midnight, who stood tall as the referee for the event. Her presence was commanding, her whip resting at her side as she surveyed the students with a sharp, calculating gaze.

The stage was set. The U.A. Sports Festival had officially begun, and the world was watching. The first event loomed on the horizon, a test of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower. For the students of Class 1-A, this was their moment to shine, to prove that they were more than just aspiring heroes—they were the future.