Chapter-38

"Therefore..." amid the students' murmurs, our attention shifted to a contemplative Yaoyorozu, who gently stroked her chin with her fingertips. "With 42 participants, we'll likely have 10 or 12 teams," she promptly deduced, earning a nod of approval from the professional heroine.

"One approach might be to let someone take your points from the start, reducing the pressure and the need to defend yourself," suggested a stylish girl with pink hair, her skin resembling her hair in hue.

"It's challenging to decide without knowing how the points will be distributed, Mina," replied another slender, dark-haired girl, addressing the pink-haired girl as Mina.

"During the game, it will be a fierce battle where you can employ your Quirks. However, remember it's still a cavalry battle, and attempting to intentionally knock down your opponents will earn you a red card, resulting in immediate elimination," Midnight explained, causing everyone to nod in understanding. Bakugo, however, couldn't help but utter a curse, realizing that his battle plan had been thwarted. "You have fifteen minutes to form your teams, so let's get started," the woman directed, and the screen initiated a countdown from 15, resembling the aftermath of an explosion. Participants immediately began scouting for their potential partners.

It didn't require a genius to notice that the festival participants were distancing themselves from both Midoriya and Uzumaki, the former due to his ten million points and the latter because of his notorious reputation. Naruto sighed, raising a hand to his forehead. "You don't have to worry about it, Naruto-kun. They simply don't know you, and it's unfair to judge you without understanding you," a religious girl next to him spoke, her perpetually innocent and pleasant smile intact. "I'm more than willing to team up with you to show that unity is strength, and I won't take 'no' for an answer," the green-haired girl expressed confidently, clasping her hands together as she looked earnestly at the serious Uzumaki, who couldn't help but smile.

"Isn't it against your beliefs to collaborate with someone like me?" he inquired with a touch of irony, considering the team that was about to form— a devout girl and a blonde with a history of murder charges. It seemed like the start of a dark joke.

"I've told you before, Naruto-kun. I see a good person, and I won't be swayed by the blasphemous words of strangers. What kind of friend would I be if I allowed myself to be influenced by the judgments of others?" Ibara replied this time, her expression turning more serious while she maintained unwavering eye contact with the shinobi.

"You're incredibly pure-hearted..." Naruto sighed, gazing at the girl and resting his right hand briefly on her shoulder before flashing a smile. "That's what I appreciate most about you." He withdrew his hand and turned to see that several groups had already been formed. Even the eccentric girl who had been on his back was now pestering Izuku, who still appeared bashful around members of the opposite sex. "Shall we form a duo?" he contemplated, feeling capable of it. Given the competition, it wouldn't pose a problem for him to deal with them all.

"Yes," the girl responded simply, feeling a pang of sympathy for her friend. She could sense how the entire competition was observing them, and she was the only one who had approached to propose teaming up. "Aren't you bothered by all this?" she wondered when she noticed that the shinobi remained composed and didn't seem to attach great importance to being disregarded and even insulted behind his back. Was he accustomed to this rejection? That question troubled her. Glancing around, she noticed that no one else was approaching, and most teams were already complete, which left her somewhat disappointed in her fellow aspiring heroes.

"Good." Naruto accepted the bandanas provided by Midnight, albeit not without receiving a warning glance from her. Disregarding the heroine's gaze, he took the two bandanas allotted to him. With his 200 points and his partner's 150 from securing a top placement, they held a combined score of 350. Swiftly pivoting on his heel, he approached his sole teammate and handed her the bands, securing them snugly around her neck. "It's time to kick everyone's butts!" he exclaimed, the challenge in his words drawing the attention of everyone present.

"Watch your language!" the vine-haired teenager chided in a hushed tone, her face flushed with embarrassment. She could feel the entire stadium's gaze on her, and the cameras were recording the moment. She hoped her parents weren't watching this on TV.

---

"The second test is about to commence, and the 15-minute period allotted for team formation has elapsed!" Present Mic's booming announcement recaptured the attention of the spectators, who had briefly stretched their legs during the break and were now returning to their seats. They refocused on the blonde presenter with his neck-mounted speakers, reading from a screen listing the various teams formed for this test. "Just take a look at these unique teams! These kids are quite imaginative, seeking balance among their quirks to function effectively as teams! Anything stand out to you, my old buddy?" he inquired, glancing at Eraserhead, who remained silent.

"..." Eraserhead raised an eyebrow beneath his bandages, casting a curious eye on a particular team. Present Mic, noticing his colleague's interest, also directed his gaze toward the same team.

"Speaking of intriguing setups, check this out!" Among the festival's numerous participants, two individuals stood at the far edge of the arena where the cavalry battle would take place. It was none other than Naruto and Ibara, forming a team. Ibara sat atop Naruto's shoulders, her hands resting on a makeshift harness created from her hair, which enveloped the shinobi's torso and shoulders.

"Why do I have to be the rider?" The girl inquired shyly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. Sitting on a boy's shoulders with her thighs near his face was an awkward position for the young heroine. She had used her hair to fashion a secure connection between herself and Naruto to maintain stability.

"Can you lift 70 kilograms on your shoulders, run, and deal with the competition?" Naruto responded analytically, showing no signs of discomfort despite carrying her on his shoulders.