The Strongest Quirk in My Hero Academia

Both the cake and beef were devoured by Akira and Inoue Sakura. Despite her tall yet slender frame, save for some areas that were naturally well-developed, Sakura didn't seem like someone with a big appetite. Yet, she ate all the beef Akira brought back, while Akira had his fill of cake instead.

Akira's fondness for sweets might have been influenced by Sakura, who often bought desserts for him, making his palate accustomed to such indulgences.

After the meal, Akira cleared the table and then joined Sakura in watching a TV drama. It wasn't until after 11 p.m. that Sakura retired to her room for the night.

Once she was asleep, Akira shut off the television and climbed up to the rooftop. This secluded spot was perfect for his cultivation—silent, empty, and free from prying eyes even at such an hour.

With a decisive thought, Akira accessed his system, exchanging 1,000 salvation points for a Qi Training Pill. Swallowing it without hesitation, he immediately activated the Taoist inheritance technique. Spiritual energy swirled around him, condensing like a small funnel and rushing into his body.

Moments later, his cultivation reached the third level of Qi training with ease. Calmly and methodically, he absorbed both the medicinal power and the thin spiritual energy in the air.

By 3 a.m., a roar broke the silence of the night. Akira stood on the rooftop, his expression filled with confidence and vigor. He had successfully broken through to the early stage of the fourth level of Qi training.

With his newly awakened spiritual sense, everything within a ten-meter radius was now perceptible to him, even with his eyes closed. The tiniest movements, like a mosquito's flight, were clear to him.

Moreover, he could now perform techniques like fireballs, water orbs, and even invisibility. These abilities were unlocked early thanks to his prior enlightenment in his previous life. This progress made Akira's heart swell with determination.

Just as he was savoring his newfound power, the system chimed:

**"Congratulations, Host [Thunder God's Return], upgraded to LV4 (50600 experience points required for LV5)."**

Hearing this, Akira's excitement was tempered. Reaching LV5 would require an enormous amount of experience points. Nevertheless, his resolve remained unshaken.

"I can finally implement my next plan," he murmured, looking out over the sleeping city.

---

Meanwhile, in the dim light of another city, a fierce battle unfolded. Manshan, a towering figure standing at 1.9 meters, delivered a devastating punch, knocking his opponent, Miki Tetsuya, to the ground.

Blood spilled from Tetsuya's lips as he stared up at Manshan in terror. Despite being ranked second among the "Five Kings" of Shibuya's underground Heroes, he couldn't withstand even three moves from the hulking figure before him.

Tetsuya's quirk, "Diesel," allowed him to ignite anything he touched, with the flames burning until he willed them to stop. Yet, against Manshan, his quirk was utterly useless.

"You're nothing but a disappointment," Manshan sneered, his voice cold. "Relinquish your position as the second king, or face the consequences."

Terrified, Tetsuya could only nod in submission. He knew he wasn't a match for this man—perhaps even the top-ranked king, Myoujin, wouldn't stand a chance.

Turning to leave, Manshan muttered one last word before disappearing into the shadows.

"Trash."

Humiliated and beaten, Tetsuya lay on the ground, his pride in tatters. Though enraged, he dared not act out. He knew his defeat signaled the end of his reign in the underground arena.

---

The next morning, Akira set off for Shibuya alone. His plan required discretion, so he kept it hidden from his friends Midoriya and Hirano.

His destination was the underground Heroes' venue, but instead of heading for the infamous arena, Akira descended to the third basement level—a bustling casino filled with gamblers from across the nation and even some foreigners.

Exchanging 100,000 yen for chips, Akira found a table hosting a game of poker. This particular table wasn't glamorous, attracting only modest bets, but it suited Akira's purposes perfectly.

The dealer greeted him with a smile. "Welcome, sir. Minimum buy-in here is 100,000 yen."

Without a word, Akira placed his chips on the table, earning a subtle look of disdain from the dealer. With only the bare minimum in chips, Akira didn't appear like much of a gambler.

The first hand began, and Akira examined his cards: 10, Jack, Ace.

It wasn't a strong hand, and a quick scan of the other players' cards using his spiritual sense confirmed it. Two players held better combinations, so Akira folded without hesitation.

His early withdrawal drew smug grins from his opponents. To them, he was just another amateur throwing away money.

But Akira's calm smile betrayed nothing. This was only the beginning. By the end of the day, he intended to win big—not for himself, but to improve Sakura's living conditions. She deserved a better home, one with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and enough space to breathe.

The second round began, and Akira prepared to strike. His newfound powers weren't just for fighting—they could also turn the tables in a casino where even the shrewdest players had no idea who they were up against.