MHA: One Above All

Fight SCENE!!!

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Kai groaned as the morning sun streamed through his window, pulling him from his dreams. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and stretched. The air was crisp, and the faint sound of birds chirping outside made it clear: today was sparring day. He hopped out of bed, eager to get started with his usual morning routine.

A quick shower later, Kai stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth. His hair, as unruly as ever, refused to lie flat. "Tch, you'd think after all these years I'd win this battle," he muttered, giving up and letting the streaked black locks fall where they may.

He threw on a training outfit, grabbed a protein bar, and jogged down to the garden for a quick warm-up. Push-ups, squats, stretches—the usual. But his mind wasn't fully on the exercises today. It was already on the spar with Sugihara.

Back in his room, Kai pulled out a notebook. He'd been scribbling down ideas for techniques all week, and now it was time to refine his strategy.

"Alright, Sugihara," he said to himself, flipping through the pages. "You're calm, precise, and you never make a move without thinking ten steps ahead. But you're also predictable in that way."

Kai started sketching out scenarios. His quirk, Stockpile, could store and release energy in various forms. He'd been experimenting with combining types of energy lately. For instance, storing kinetic energy from his movements and releasing it as a burst to enhance his speed or strength mid-fight.

"Maybe I can fake him out," Kai muttered. "Sugihara knows I'll try to use my quirk, but if I mix it with pure hand-to-hand techniques, I might catch him off guard."

He wrote down Kinetic Burst Feint: a quick, explosive dash meant to distract Sugihara while setting up for a follow-up move.

"But what if he expects that?" Kai leaned back, tapping his pen against his chin. "I'll need something versatile."

He scribbled Energy Shield Block. If he could store energy from incoming attacks, he could form a temporary shield to absorb hits. Sugihara's strikes were fast, so having a defensive option might buy him time.

Then he had another thought: What about ranged attacks? He usually fought close-range, but Sugihara might not expect him to release stored energy as a projectile. He jotted down Energy Pulse Shot, a technique to launch bursts of energy at a distance.

Kai grinned. "Man, this quirk really is something else. Sorry, Sugihara, but you're not ready for this."

Next, Kai shifted his focus to martial arts. Over the years, he'd picked up several styles, blending elements of boxing, taekwondo, and judo. He wrote down combinations that could keep Sugihara guessing:

Boxing combos to pressure him up close.Judo throws for when Sugihara tries to counter.High kicks to disrupt his stance.

Kai chuckled, imagining Sugihara's reaction. "Bet you didn't think I'd pull out a roundhouse kick, huh?"

But then he remembered Sugihara's impeccable posture and balance. If there was one thing his butler excelled at, it was staying calm under pressure.

"Alright, so I've got to break his rhythm," Kai muttered. He jotted down Bait and Switch, a move where he'd feint a high attack to draw Sugihara's guard up, then pivot into a low sweep.

Finally, Kai circled everything on his page and wrote in big, bold letters: Stay Unpredictable.

Sugihara would be prepared for straightforward tactics. Kai's key to victory was variety. He needed to mix up his attacks, keep Sugihara on his toes, and adapt on the fly.

Satisfied, Kai closed the notebook and leaned back in his chair. The excitement was building. 

Kai stood, stretching. "Alright, Sugihara. Let's see who's really got what it takes."

Kai sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, a notebook sprawled open in front of him. The pages were filled with scribbles, arrows, and messy diagrams—his battle plans. His face was serious, eyes locked on the page as he tapped a pen against his chin.

"Alright, focus," he muttered. "Sugihara's no joke. I've seen him move like a ghost and hit like a truck. If I go in half-baked, I'm done."

He flipped to a fresh page, writing at the top in bold letters: How to Beat Sugihara.

First, he listed his own strengths:

Stockpile Quirk: Unlimited energy storage and versatile release.Speed: Enhanced bursts from kinetic energy release.Strength: Power up punches and kicks with stored force.Defense: Can absorb and store incoming energy for counters.

"That's a solid list," Kai said, nodding. "But it's all useless if I can't land a hit."

He drew a stick figure representation of Sugihara, adding exaggerated notes around it.

Speed: Quick on his feet, impossible to pin down.Precision: Every move calculated.Experience: Years of practice, probably way more than he lets on.

Kai frowned. "But even Sugihara has to have a weakness... right?"

He thought back to all the times he'd seen Sugihara in action—training sessions, sparring matches with other staff, even mundane tasks where his precision was almost unnatural.

"Okay, first thing's first: Sugihara likes control. He doesn't make a move unless he knows it's the right one." Kai circled the word Control on the page. "If I can disrupt his rhythm, maybe I can force him to slip up."

He wrote down a plan:

Bait and Switch: Use quick feints to draw him into committing early.Randomized Patterns: Never use the same move twice in a row.

"Gotta keep him guessing," Kai muttered.

Next, he considered Sugihara's endurance. "He's fast, but can he keep up a long fight?" Kai jotted down Outlast Him. If he could make Sugihara burn energy while stockpiling his own, he might be able to turn the tide when Sugihara slowed down.

Another thought hit him. Sugihara might be precise, but even precision had its limits. "What if I overwhelm him?" he said, smirking. He wrote:

Energy Barrage: Rapid-fire energy pulses to keep him on defense.

Kai leaned back, staring at the growing list. "Alright, but what about his counters? He's not gonna just stand there and take it."

He knew Sugihara's style relied on turning an opponent's strength against them. If Kai hit too hard without thinking, Sugihara would probably redirect the attack or use his momentum to throw him.

"Fine, no over-committing," Kai said, scribbling Controlled Power underlined three times. He'd have to be smart about when and how much energy to release.

Then he had an idea. "Wait... what if I fake weakness?" He jotted down:

Feign Fatigue: Act like I'm running out of steam to lure him into getting aggressive.

Sugihara might play it safe when he thought Kai was full strength, but if he believed Kai was on the ropes, he might push forward. That's when Kai could hit him with a fully charged counterattack.

Kai grinned. "You're good, Sugihara, but I'm catching up."

Finally, he drew a large circle around the words Adapt and Improvise. No plan survives first contact, and Sugihara would adjust the moment he saw through any strategy. Kai's real edge would come from thinking on his feet.

With his quirk strategies laid out, Kai turned his attention fully to Sugihara's weaknesses.

"Alright, let's think this through," he said, flipping to another page. "Sugihara relies on his brain as much as his body. He's disciplined, which means he probably sticks to habits without even realizing it."

He started listing:

Predictability in Patterns:

Sugihara's precision might mean he prefers efficient, repeatable moves. If Kai could spot those patterns, he'd find openings.

Limited Quirk Defense:

Sugihara wasn't quirked—at least, not that Kai knew. His defense was skill-based, not superhuman. A high-energy attack might slip through his reflexes if timed perfectly.

Overconfidence in Control:

Kai smirked as he wrote this one. Sugihara always acted calm and collected, but there had to be moments where that cool exterior cracked. If Kai could push him into a corner, even Sugihara might panic.

Focus Tunnel:

Sugihara's hyper-focus could backfire if Kai created enough simultaneous threats. While Sugihara dealt with one, another could land.

Kai felt a rush of excitement as he reviewed his notes. His plan wasn't foolproof, but it was layered. He'd mapped out multiple ways to counter Sugihara's strengths and exploit his weaknesses.

He slammed the notebook shut with a confident grin. "Today is gonna be fun."

Kai paced through the lavish halls of his family's estate, the polished floors reflecting his restless energy. His notebook was tucked under one arm, and his other hand ruffled through his already messy hair. Today was the day he'd finally test all his theories against Sugihara. But first, he needed to check in with the bosses—his parents.

He found his father in the study, lounging in a plush leather chair with a thick business journal in hand. The smell of rich coffee filled the air.

"Dad," Kai started, leaning against the doorframe. "Big day today."

His father glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Ah, the spar with Sugihara. You think you're ready?"

Kai smirked. "Ready? I've got strategies on strategies. I've been planning this like a military campaign."

His father chuckled, setting the journal down. "Confidence is good, but don't let it blind you. Sugihara is more experienced, and he's not going to go easy on you."

Kai crossed his arms, pretending to look serious. "No easy mode? Wow, you guys are brutal. Do you not care about your only son's safety?"

"Carefully supervised sparring isn't exactly a death match, Kai," his father said, deadpan. "But if it makes you feel better, we've already doubled the staff's medical training."

Kai laughed. "Good to know you've got such faith in me, Dad."

His father smirked and waved him off. "Go on, I'm sure your mother has some advice too."

Kai left the study and headed to the kitchen, where his mother was flipping through a recipe book. She glanced up when he walked in.

"You're looking focused this morning," she said, giving him a warm smile. "Excited for your spar?"

Kai shrugged, grinning. "Excited might be an understatement. But if you've got any last-minute wisdom to drop, I'm all ears."

His mother chuckled. "Stay grounded, even when you think you've got the upper hand. Sugihara's sharp, and he'll use any mistake against you."

Kai leaned on the counter, mock pouting. "No faith in your son either, huh? What's with this whole 'Sugihara's amazing, Kai better not mess up' energy?"

She laughed, reaching over to tousle his hair. "Oh, we have plenty of faith in you. But Sugihara's not an opponent you can underestimate. Besides," she added, a sly smile forming, "he'll help you grow, even if you lose."

Kai snorted. "Well, I don't plan on losing. But thanks for the motivational speech, Mom."

He grabbed a quick snack and gave his parents a mock salute before heading out to the estate's training grounds.

The sun hung high as Kai arrived at the sparring area, a wide-open space surrounded by dense trees. The air buzzed with energy, and Sugihara was already there, stretching. He stood with his usual composed demeanor, dressed in simple but functional training gear.

Kai jogged over, stopping a few feet away. "You're really going all out, huh?" he said, eyeing Sugihara's focused movements.

Sugihara gave a small, polite smile. "Preparation is key. I assume you've done the same?"

Kai grinned, tapping the side of his head. "You have no idea. I've got a whole playbook ready for you."

Sugihara straightened up, his gaze sharp. "A playbook, you say? I'm flattered, but plans have a tendency to fall apart under pressure."

"Yeah, yeah," Kai said, waving a hand dismissively. "We'll see who's under pressure soon enough. But hey, don't hold back, okay? I want the full Sugihara experience."

Sugihara inclined his head. "As you wish. Just remember, this is as much a test of your adaptability as it is your strength."

Kai nodded, stretching his arms. "Adaptability, strength, brains—I've got it all, man. You're in trouble today."

Sugihara's calm smile didn't waver. "Confidence suits you. Let's see if your execution matches your enthusiasm."

Kai felt his pulse quicken, excitement building with every second. The spar was about to begin, and this was the moment he'd been waiting for.

"Let's make this one for the history books," Kai said, stepping into the center of the training ground.

Sugihara followed, his movements steady and deliberate. "Very well. Show me everything you've learned."

—-------------

Kai stood across from Sugihara, the tension in the air almost tangible. The surrounding trees swayed gently in the breeze, but everything else felt still, locked in anticipation. Kai's hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, energy buzzing beneath his skin. This was it.

Sugihara's stance was calm and balanced, his every movement precise. His expression betrayed nothing—just a serene, almost casual readiness.

"Whenever you're ready," Sugihara said, his voice steady.

Kai smirked. "You asked for it."

In a flash, Kai surged forward, kicking off the ground with a burst of stored kinetic energy. His speed tripled, closing the gap between them in an instant. He threw a feint jab toward Sugihara's left side, aiming to draw his guard.

Sugihara's eyes tracked the movement, his body shifting slightly to the left, just as Kai expected. With lightning reflexes, Kai pivoted mid-motion, dropping low to unleash a sweeping leg kick aimed at Sugihara's knee.

But Sugihara was already a step ahead. He leapt effortlessly over the sweep, landing with a measured grace, then countered with a sharp palm strike toward Kai's chest.

Kai barely had time to react, pulling back and releasing a controlled energy pulse to propel himself out of range. "Alright, alright," he muttered. "You're fast."

Sugihara adjusted his stance, his gaze calm. "You'll need more than speed to catch me off-guard."

Kai grinned. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just getting started."

He rushed in again, this time releasing bursts of energy from his palms in rapid succession, aiming to overwhelm Sugihara with a barrage of force. Each pulse hit the ground, sending up small clouds of dust and forcing Sugihara to maneuver around the blasts.

Sugihara danced through the chaos, his movements fluid and efficient. He dodged left, twisted right, and even used one pulse's force to propel himself into a clean backflip.

"Damn," Kai muttered under his breath, skidding to a stop. Sugihara was playing this perfectly, not wasting a single motion.

Time for Plan B.

Kai crouched, storing every ounce of kinetic energy from his movements and launching upward with a powerful leap. As he soared above Sugihara, he released another pulse from his feet, sending him rocketing down like a missile.

Sugihara's eyes flicked up, and for a split second, Kai thought he had him. But Sugihara sidestepped at the last moment, letting Kai crash into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the area, but Sugihara remained unshaken, already moving in for a counterattack.

Kai rolled to the side just as Sugihara's fist slammed into the ground where his head had been. He quickly popped up, grinning despite himself. "Okay, maybe you're enjoying this a little too much."

Sugihara gave a small smile. "You're pushing me to stay sharp. It's refreshing."

Kai didn't have time to respond as Sugihara launched into a flurry of attacks. A series of punches and kicks came at Kai with blinding speed, each one perfectly aimed to exploit gaps in his defense.

Kai ducked, weaved, and blocked where he could, but Sugihara's precision was relentless. Kai's mind raced. Time for a gamble.

He feigned a stumble, letting Sugihara's next punch connect with his shoulder. The moment Sugihara committed, Kai absorbed the energy from the blow, storing it instantly.

Sugihara's eyes narrowed as he realized the trap, but it was too late. Kai unleashed the stored energy in a point-blank blast, sending Sugihara skidding backward.

For the first time, Sugihara showed a flicker of surprise. "Impressive," he said, brushing dust from his sleeves. "Using my own attack against me."

Kai grinned, breathing hard. "You're not the only one who can adapt."

But Sugihara wasn't done. He adjusted his stance again, this time with a more aggressive edge. "Good. Let's see how far that adaptability goes."

Before Kai could fully recover, Sugihara closed the distance with a speed that made Kai's earlier bursts seem sluggish. A low kick swept toward Kai's legs, forcing him to jump. Sugihara followed immediately with a spinning backfist, and Kai barely managed to block, absorbing the impact.

But Sugihara didn't stop. He pressed the attack, his movements a seamless blend of offense and defense, keeping Kai on the edge. Every time Kai thought he found an opening, Sugihara closed it in an instant, countering with devastating precision.

Kai's mind worked overtime. I need to disrupt his flow again.

He unleashed a high-energy pulse at his feet, creating a dust cloud to obscure Sugihara's vision. Kai then circled around, releasing a series of controlled bursts to force Sugihara to guess his position.

Sugihara didn't hesitate, though. He moved through the cloud with confidence, tracking Kai's energy patterns. The man's instincts were razor-sharp.

Kai emerged from the dust, launching into a spinning kick charged with stored force. Sugihara blocked, but the impact forced him back a step—a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Kai landed, panting but grinning. "You're tough, old man."

Sugihara gave a slight nod. "And you're resourceful. But this fight is far from over."

Kai's adrenaline spiked. "Good. I'm just getting warmed up."

The dust from Kai's last explosive kick was still settling when Sugihara lunged forward. His movements were sharper now, more aggressive, as if he had decided it was time to stop holding back. Kai could feel the shift in the air. His grin widened.

"You're finally turning it up, huh?" Kai said, dodging a rapid punch aimed at his ribs. He retaliated with a high-energy punch of his own, but Sugihara deflected it with a smooth parry, turning the momentum against Kai.

Kai stumbled back slightly but absorbed the impact, storing the energy in his core. "Thanks for the boost," he quipped, before launching a sudden energy-infused uppercut aimed at Sugihara's chin.

Sugihara tilted his head just enough to dodge, but the energy from Kai's attack created a shockwave that ruffled his hair and sent loose pebbles skittering across the ground. "Impressive," Sugihara said, his voice calm but his eyes sharp. "You've come a long way, Kai."

Kai didn't let up. He was starting to find his rhythm, chaining together bursts of stored energy with his attacks. Each strike came faster and harder, forcing Sugihara to stay on the defensive. For the first time, Kai could feel the tide of the fight turning in his favor.

He pressed the advantage, releasing a stored kinetic burst from his legs to close the gap and deliver a flurry of rapid punches. Sugihara blocked and dodged where he could, but a few strikes landed, forcing him to step back.

Kai grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "What's the matter, old man? Feeling the pressure?"

Sugihara exhaled slowly, his stance shifting again. "Pressure is nothing new to me. You're skilled, but fights aren't won on power alone."

With that, Sugihara surged forward with renewed intensity. His strikes were like lightning—precise, fast, and unrelenting. Kai found himself back on the defensive, barely keeping up as Sugihara's attacks rained down. A low kick aimed at his shin forced Kai to jump, and Sugihara immediately followed up with a spinning elbow aimed at Kai's head.

Kai ducked just in time, countering with an energy-infused palm strike aimed at Sugihara's midsection. The impact sent Sugihara sliding back, but he maintained his balance, his eyes never leaving Kai.

"You're relentless," Kai admitted, panting slightly. "But so am I."

Sugihara didn't reply, his focus laser-sharp. He darted in again, feinting a high punch before dropping low for a sweeping leg kick. Kai saw through the feint, leaping over the kick and releasing a burst of stored energy mid-air to propel himself higher. From above, he unleashed a powerful downward kick aimed at Sugihara's shoulder.

Sugihara raised his forearm to block, absorbing the impact with a grunt. The ground beneath him cracked slightly from the force, but he remained standing. "Good adaptation," he said, his voice even.

Kai landed lightly, immediately charging forward with another flurry of attacks. His fists blurred as he alternated between normal strikes and energy-infused ones, keeping Sugihara guessing. Sugihara blocked and parried as best as he could, but Kai's relentless assault was beginning to wear him down.

A particularly strong punch caught Sugihara off-guard, slamming into his shoulder and forcing him back several feet. He winced slightly, rolling his shoulder to shake off the impact. Kai saw his chance.

"Looks like I've got you on the ropes," Kai said, his tone cocky but his eyes focused. He gathered energy into his legs and launched forward, aiming for a decisive blow. His fist crackled with stored energy as he aimed straight for Sugihara's chest.

But Sugihara wasn't done yet. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped the attack, using Kai's momentum against him. Grabbing Kai's arm, he pulled him forward and pivoted, using a well-executed throw to send Kai sprawling to the ground.

Kai hit the dirt hard, the wind briefly knocked out of him. "Okay," he gasped, coughing as he pushed himself up. "That was...sneaky."

Sugihara offered a small smile, his breathing heavier now. "Never underestimate experience."

Kai got to his feet, dusting himself off. His body ached, but he could feel the energy he'd stored during the fight, ready to be unleashed. "Alright," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Round two."

He charged again, mixing his physical strikes with bursts of energy that kept Sugihara on his toes. This time, he was more calculated, aiming to exploit the slight fatigue he could see in Sugihara's movements. His attacks came from unpredictable angles, forcing Sugihara to react quickly.

Sugihara countered with swift, precise strikes, but Kai was adapting faster now. A low energy burst to Sugihara's side forced him to stumble, and Kai capitalized, landing a powerful kick to Sugihara's torso.

Sugihara staggered but managed to stay on his feet. His eyes met Kai's, a flicker of pride mixed with determination. "You've grown strong, Kai," he said. "But let's see if you can maintain that edge."

Kai grinned, his adrenaline pumping. "Bring it on."

The air was electric. Kai and Sugihara stood facing each other, both breathing heavily, sweat dripping from their brows. The training ground, once pristine, was now a mess of cracked earth and scattered debris. Sugihara's calm demeanor had finally begun to show cracks, while Kai's grin grew wider, fueled by the adrenaline and excitement of the fight.

"You've got skill, Sugihara," Kai said, rolling his shoulders. "But I've been saving a few tricks."

Sugihara raised an eyebrow, adjusting his stance. "Show me."

Kai inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a brief moment. He felt the energy he had stored over the fight—every punch he dodged, every step he took, every impact absorbed. It was time to unleash it all.

Kai opened his eyes and launched forward with a burst of speed, far faster than he'd moved before. Sugihara barely had time to react before Kai appeared behind him, feinting a punch but releasing a concentrated shockwave of energy from his palm at point-blank range.

Sugihara stumbled forward, caught off guard by the sudden tactic. But Kai didn't let up.

"You're not the only one who knows how to disrupt balance," Kai said, releasing another shockwave at Sugihara's legs. This time, Sugihara couldn't avoid it. The blast destabilized him, forcing him to drop to one knee.

Sugihara gritted his teeth, but Kai was already planning his next move.

"Think fast!" Kai yelled, launching an energy pulse into the air. The blast arced above them, then exploded in a burst of light, temporarily blinding Sugihara. Kai had calculated this moment perfectly.

He dashed in close, charging his fists with stored kinetic energy. Instead of a direct attack, Kai slammed both hands into the ground, sending a controlled energy wave through it. The ground beneath Sugihara cracked and shifted, throwing off his footing further.

Sugihara recovered quickly, but Kai was relentless. Drawing energy into his legs, Kai propelled himself into a rapid spin, kicking up debris and creating a miniature cyclone of force around them. The swirling energy forced Sugihara to stay defensive, shielding his face and trying to find an opening.

Kai smirked. Time for the finale.

Using the cyclone as cover, Kai shifted tactics. He stored every ounce of rotational energy from his spin and directed it into his fists. When the cyclone dissipated, Sugihara barely had time to see Kai's glowing fists before Kai unleashed a devastating combination of punches, each strike backed by stored rotational force.

The impacts were heavy, forcing Sugihara to retreat step by step. Kai alternated between high and low strikes, keeping Sugihara guessing. Finally, he used a stored burst from his legs to leap into the air, flipping over Sugihara and landing behind him.

Sugihara spun to face him, but Kai was already mid-attack. He released all the stored energy in his arms into one final palm strike, aiming directly at Sugihara's chest. The blast sent Sugihara skidding backward, his feet digging trenches into the ground.

When the dust settled, Sugihara was still standing, though barely. His stance wavered, and his breathing was labored. He raised a hand, signaling his surrender. "Enough," he said, a small smile forming on his lips. "You've won."

Kai stood there, panting, his heart pounding in his chest. He blinked in disbelief for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "I did it!"

Sugihara straightened up, brushing some dirt off his shirt. "You've grown, Kai. That was an excellent use of your quirk. Thinking outside the box, combining your stored energy in creative ways—it's impressive."

Kai chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, well, I've had a great teacher."

Sugihara gave him a nod. "You're ready for more advanced challenges. But remember, strength isn't just about power. It's about control, timing, and knowing when to hold back."

Kai smirked. "Don't worry. I'll keep that in mind. But for now, I'm gonna enjoy this win."

Sugihara laughed softly. "You've earned it. Let's head back. Your parents will want to hear about this."

Kai nodded, feeling a mix of exhaustion and pride. As they walked back toward the house, he couldn't help but replay the fight in his mind, already thinking of new techniques to try.

Kai stumbled into the family estate, his body battered and bruised from the fight with Sugihara. Each step felt like a marathon, and every movement sent a sharp pang through his muscles. His shirt was torn, and his arms were covered in dirt and small cuts.

The butler, Yamada, rushed to his side as soon as he entered. "Master Kai! You're injured!" His voice was filled with concern, but Kai waved him off with a weak smile.

"I'm fine," Kai muttered, though he winced as he tried to shrug off his jacket. "Just a little beat up."

Yamada wasn't having it. "A little beat up? You look like you've gone ten rounds with a bear."

Kai chuckled weakly, leaning on the wall for support. "More like twenty rounds with Sugihara. But hey, I won."

Before Yamada could respond, Kai's mother appeared in the hallway, her usual composed expression replaced by one of worry. "Kai!" she exclaimed, rushing over. "What happened? Were you not careful during your training?"

Kai sighed, his voice tinged with both exhaustion and amusement. "Relax, Mom. It's just a few scratches." He held up his hand before she could interrupt. "Okay, maybe more than a few, but nothing serious. Sugihara made sure I didn't die."

His mother frowned, her eyes scanning his injuries. "You need to stop pushing yourself so hard. Training is important, but so is your health."

Kai grinned despite the pain. "Don't worry. I've got plenty of health left to burn through."

His father entered the scene, arms crossed but a faint smirk on his face. "Looks like someone finally gave you a run for your money."

Kai gave a tired laugh. "More like a sprint. Sugihara's no joke."

His father stepped closer, looking him over. "You should be proud. Winning against him is no small feat. But next time, try not to look like you've been dragged through a battlefield."

"Yeah, yeah," Kai mumbled, letting Yamada guide him to the sitting room. "I'll work on that."

Yamada disappeared briefly and returned with a first aid kit. He began cleaning Kai's wounds with a practiced hand, though he couldn't resist muttering, "You really should think twice before getting yourself this hurt again, Master Kai."

Kai winced as the antiseptic stung his cuts. "You sound just like my mom," he said, smirking. "Next, you'll tell me to eat my veggies and get to bed early."

Yamada gave him a pointed look. "Perhaps I should."

Kai's mother sat beside him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "You're lucky Sugihara knows when to stop. If he hadn't pulled his punches, you could've been in a much worse state."

Kai leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. "Yeah, I could tell he was holding back near the end. He's scary when he's serious."

His father spoke up again, his tone more serious now. "You learned an important lesson today, didn't you? Strength alone isn't enough."

Kai nodded slowly. "Yeah. I realized that during the fight. It's not just about brute force. It's about strategy, control, and knowing how to adapt."

His father smiled, a rare show of approval. "Good. That's what will set you apart."

After Yamada finished patching him up, Kai managed to haul himself to his feet. "I think I need a nap," he said, his voice heavy with fatigue.

His mother stood as well. "You need rest. We'll have some food sent to your room. No arguments."

Kai chuckled. "You won't hear any from me. I'm too tired to argue."

Yamada and his parents watched as Kai shuffled toward the stairs, his usual energy completely drained. As he climbed, he couldn't help but reflect on the fight again. Despite the pain, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He had pushed himself to his limits and come out on top.

—----------

In his room, Kai collapsed onto his bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress. Every muscle ached, and his head felt heavy, but his mind was alive with thoughts. He replayed the fight, analyzing every move, every mistake, and every success.

"Next time," he murmured to himself, his eyes growing heavy, "I'll be even better."

Kai lay sprawled on his bed, the soft hum of the night settling in around him. His body ached, and every breath reminded him of the punishment he'd taken earlier. Despite the exhaustion, his mind was sharp, replaying the fight with Sugihara in vivid detail.

The fight had started as a test of endurance. Kai knew Sugihara was a wall—strong, experienced, and incredibly patient. He'd seen his butler dismantle opponents with calculated precision. Charging in blindly would have been a mistake, so Kai stayed light on his feet, observing Sugihara's movements.

He doesn't waste energy, Kai thought, dodging a quick jab. Every punch has intent.

Sugihara's strikes were sharp and efficient, forcing Kai to constantly shift and adapt. But Kai had a plan. He'd been storing kinetic energy since the first blow. Each dodge, every small impact absorbed, was fuel for his quirk. He just needed the right moment to unleash it.

"Predictable," Sugihara said, smirking as he launched a low sweep. Kai jumped, narrowly avoiding it.

Kai grinned. "Maybe. But predictable can still be useful." As he landed, he released a burst of energy into his legs, launching himself backward and out of range. It wasn't a direct hit, but it gave him space to recalibrate.

Step one: keep him moving, Kai thought. The more he has to react, the more chances I get to strike.

Sugihara followed up with a rapid series of attacks, but Kai was ready. He redirected the energy from each dodge into his arms, preparing for a counter. When Sugihara closed the gap, Kai threw a heavy punch, releasing the stored energy in a controlled blast.

Sugihara blocked it with both arms, sliding back a few feet. He raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Kai didn't let the praise distract him. Instead, he activated his next move: a concentrated shockwave aimed at the ground. The resulting force sent debris flying, creating a smokescreen.

Step two: mess with his vision.

Sugihara wasn't fazed. "Hiding won't help you."

Kai smiled to himself, using the cover to reposition. He absorbed more kinetic energy from his movements, feeling his reserves build. As the dust began to settle, he unleashed a precise energy pulse at Sugihara's left side.

Sugihara dodged, but Kai had anticipated it. He followed up immediately with a low sweep of his own, using stored energy to increase the force. It connected, and Sugihara staggered.

Finally got him off balance, Kai thought. Now, time to push.

He pressed the advantage, alternating between high and low attacks, each one enhanced by his quirk. Sugihara defended well, but Kai noticed something: Sugihara's left arm was starting to lower slightly with each block.

He's focusing too much on conserving energy for offense, Kai realized. That's my opening.

"Getting tired, old man?" Kai taunted, dodging another quick jab.

Sugihara smirked. "You wish."

Kai's heart pounded as he enacted the final part of his plan. He faked a direct punch, then used the stored rotational energy from his previous spins to create a swirling vortex around them. The sudden gusts disoriented Sugihara for a split second—just enough time for Kai to pivot and land a solid energy-infused strike to Sugihara's weakened left side.

Sugihara grunted, forced back. He tried to regain his footing, but Kai didn't let up. He released all the built-up energy in a final, explosive palm strike aimed at Sugihara's chest.

The impact was powerful. Sugihara skidded back, his feet digging into the ground. He finally stopped, breathing heavily. A tense silence followed, broken only by the sound of Kai's own labored breaths.

Sugihara raised a hand, signaling the end. "You win."

Kai smiled to himself in bed, staring at the ceiling. The fight had been grueling, but it proved that his strategies and adaptability worked. His quirk wasn't just about power—it was about timing, creativity, and pushing limits.

"Next time, Sugihara," he murmured, his eyes closing, "I'll make it even harder for you."