The last joyful notes of "Happy" faded, leaving the Mustafu Grand Arena buzzing with an almost tangible glow. Minato, radiating pure happiness, took the microphone, his smile wider than ever.
"Wow, Mustafu! You guys really know how to have fun!" he exclaimed, the crowd roaring back its agreement. "Thank you for dancing with me! That was incredible!"
He then shifted his tone slightly, a touch of solemnity entering his voice. "Alright, everyone, this next song will be my last for tonight. After this, the amazing Ban Rei will take the stage!" A wave of applause for the headliner rippled through the audience. "I just want to say how incredibly happy I am to have had this opportunity. It's been an honor to open for such a legendary artist." He bowed slightly. "Thank you, Ban Rei, and your entire team, for having me!"
Minato then looked out at the vast crowd, his expression thoughtful. "This last song is for anyone who's ever dared to dream, anyone who's working hard to make a difference. It's about being remembered, about leaving your mark."
He signaled to the band. The powerful, uplifting opening chords of "Hall of Fame" by The Script filled the arena. The driving beat and inspirational melody immediately shifted the mood once more, from carefree joy to determined aspiration. Minato's voice, now infused with a soaring, anthemic quality, belted out the empowering lyrics.
Yeah, you can be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the King Kong banging on your chest
You can beat the world
You can beat the war
You can talk to God, go banging on his door
You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock (yeah)
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself
Standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame
Many in the crowd were visibly moved. Aspiring heroes stood straighter, their eyes alight with renewed determination. Parents held their children closer, whispering words of encouragement. The lyrics about breaking rocks and moving mountains felt particularly poignant in a world filled with powerful Quirks and heroic aspirations. People were singing along, their voices swelling with a newfound sense of purpose. Some had tears in their eyes, inspired by the young boy on stage reminding them of their own untouched potential.
"He's not just singing, he's telling us to believe in ourselves!" a student exclaimed to their friend, feeling a surge of motivation.
"This kid is going to change the world, I swear it," an older fan muttered, completely captivated.
"I needed to hear this today," a tired pro-hero thought, feeling a spark rekindle within them.
You can go the distance
You can run the mile
You can walk straight through hell with a smile
You can be the hero
You can get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke
Yeah, do it for your people
Do it for your pride
How are you ever gonna know if you never even try?
Do it for your country
Do it for your name
'Cause there's gonna be a day...
When you're standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
Mina, her golden eyes wide, had tears welling up. "Oh my gosh, Minato! He's making me want to train even harder!" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She was swaying, completely lost in the song's empowering message.
Kirishima stood tall, his hardening Quirk tingling faintly. His usual grin was replaced by a look of intense focus and inspiration. "That's... that's the manliest song I've ever heard!" he declared, pumping his fist slowly. "He's telling everyone to be a hero!"
Himiko, her smile still present, had a distant look in her eyes. The song spoke to a different kind of strength, a strength of purpose and self-acceptance. She found herself imagining a future where she could truly be herself, unburdened. A single tear tracked down her cheek, but it was a tear of hope, not sadness. "Minato-kun... he really is amazing."
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame
Be a champion, be a champion, be a champion, be a champion
On the walls of the hall of fame
Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
(Yeah)
Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers
Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Standing in the hall of fame (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame
(Be a champion)
You could be the greatest
You can be the best
(Be a champion)
You can be the King Kong banging on your chest
Rei Todoroki openly shed a few quiet tears, touching her hand to her chest. The song was a balm to her weary spirit, a message of possibility that felt especially directed at her children.
Fuyumi's eyes were bright. "He truly embodies the spirit of a hero, even in his music," she murmured.
Natsuo watched Minato, a thoughtful expression on his face. This song wasn't just catchy; it was powerful.
Touya, usually stoic, felt a strange, unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest. He watched Minato on stage, a boy half his age, commanding an arena with pure, unadulterated passion. The lyrics hit him hard, resonating with the struggle he'd fought and the path he was now building for himself. His jaw was clenched, but his gaze was fixed, a flicker of something akin to admiration in his eyes. He wouldn't admit it aloud, but the song, and Minato's presence, stirred something deep within him.
(Be a champion)
You could beat the world
You could beat the war
(Be a champion)
You could talk to God, go banging on his door
(Be a champion)
You can throw your hands up
(Be a champion)
You can beat the clock (yeah)
You can move a mountain
(Be a champion)
You can break rocks
(Be a champion)
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
(Be a champion)
Dedicate yourself and you gonna find yourself
Standing in the hall of fame
As Minato reached the soaring chorus, the sheer power and hope of the song resonated deeply with the diverse audience.
As the final, resounding notes of "Hall of Fame" echoed and then slowly faded, the arena erupted into a standing ovation. Thousands of people cheered, clapped, and stomped, completely overwhelmed by the emotional journey Minato had taken them on.
Minato stood in the center of the stage, bowing deeply, a heartfelt thank you to the roaring crowd. He then raised his hand in a final wave, his heart full. He walked off the stage, disappearing into the darkness of the wings, the cheers still ringing in his ears.
Moments later, the stage lights shifted, focusing on the main entrance. The crowd roared again as Ban Rei herself walked onto the stage. She was a vision of grace and power, commanding the space instantly. She took the microphone, her legendary presence filling the arena.
"Good evening, Mustafu!" Ban Rei's voice, smooth and resonant, filled the arena. "Thank you all for being here tonight!" She paused, her gaze sweeping the enthusiastic crowd. "And what an incredible start to the evening! A huge round of applause for our amazing opening act, Minato Namikaze!"
The applause intensified once more, a powerful acknowledgment of the young star who had just left the stage.
As Minato stepped off the stage, the roar of the crowd still vibrant in his ears, he was immediately enveloped in the warmth of his parents. Akane pulled him into a tight hug, her eyes shining with pride.
"Minato, that was absolutely incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. "You were magnificent!"
Kenji clapped him firmly on the shoulder, a wide, proud grin on his face. "Son, you commanded that stage! I knew you were talented, but that was something else. You really captivated them."
Minato felt a flush of genuine happiness and a slight exhaustion settling in. "Thanks, Mom, Dad. It was... amazing. The energy was incredible." He could still feel the residual hum of the crowd's excitement in his bones.
Just as Ban Rei's voice filled the arena, greeting the crowd and thanking him, Minato and his parents moved to a small viewing area backstage. From there, they had a perfect vantage point of the massive stage, now bathed in the spectacular lights of Ban Rei's set.
"See?" Akane whispered, gesturing to the distant figure of Ban Rei under the spotlight. "You really set the stage for her. Everyone is so energized."
"She's a legend for a reason," Kenji added, watching the seamless transition. "You held your own, Minato. More than held your own."
Minato leaned against his father, a contented sigh escaping him. Watching Ban Rei perform was a masterclass, and he soaked it all in. He felt a deep satisfaction. He had delivered. He had connected. And for a fleeting moment, as he watched the crowd erupt for Ban Rei, he realized that perhaps, being a hero didn't just mean fighting villains. It could also mean bringing joy, hope, and inspiration to millions through a song. The two paths, music and heroism, didn't feel so separate anymore.