Chapter Thirtythree - Best Jeanist; Best Duo
"To put it quite frankly, I believe you both are lost causes."
Izuku gasped at how blunt the #4 Hero Best Jeanist was. He and Bakugo were standing before him inside the agency, with other Heroes who worked at the agency standing behind them, all of whom were neatly groomed and stylish.
Best Jeanist looked the two of them over and sighed, running a hand along the high collar of his denim dress shirt, which matched the rest of his attire that was, of course, all about a denim and blue jeans motif.
"You just like to cause problems, huh All Might."
All Might, who had tried to sneak off knowing he wouldn't be free from the harsh words of Best Jeanist, froze and turned, smiling brightly.
"I-I have no idea what you mean, haha!"
Best Jeanist wagged a finger, and the briefcase that held the costume Mei had created flew out of Izuku's hands, right into the Hero's hand.
"I've been brought two troublemakers, and you're expecting what?" Best Jeanist eyed the #1 Hero narrowly. "For me to fix them?"
Bakugo scoffed. "The hell you mean? You were interested in me so I picked you because you're a high ranking Hero!"
"A big mistake on your part," Best Jeanist spoke. He set the briefcase behind his desk, and Izuku watched, conflicted as he didn't want to do anything to ruin this opportunity. "It's true I decided to express interest in you both, but now I can see just how much work it'll take."
H-He's scary… But that's to be expected of someone who strives for perfection! Izuku thought, recalling what he used to see of Best Jeanist on TV and in documentaries.
While Izuku could still admire the Hero before them for who he was and what he had accomplished, Bakugo was getting ticked off, which, as always, negated any further thoughts on the matter.
"You're dead fuckin' wrong if you think—" As Bakugo took a step forward, Best Jeanist squeezed a hand, and suddenly the fibers that were all around the room in tapestry and materials flew in, binding Bakugo tightly, making him gasp out.
"Let me get this straight— Heros and Villains are cut from the same cloth," Best Jeanist began. He pointed to the boys before him. "You're both here to watch me, because I'll show you what makes a Hero."
As the three stood in silence for a moment, the air full of tension, there was suddenly a creaaaaaak and everyone turned to look towards the back of the room.
"Oh, I uh…" All Might had tried to open the door slowly. Seeing he had been caught, the large Hero suddenly booked it, yelling over his shoulder, "Alright, good luck!"
"If you've been watching him as your example, then maybe that explains a few things," Best Jeanist commented.
"You talk big for a stupid pretty boy, but what the hell do you think you can teach us better than All Might," Bakugo spat.
"Well, all of my recent recruits have been perfect little angels," the man replied, running a comb through his neat hair. "Seeing how you both fought during the festival, I know I have a lot more to teach you than anyone else."
Izuku politely bowed. "P-Please take us under your wing then!"
"At least someone has a little decency," Best Jeanist commented.
This made Bakugo growl and start to try and fight against the threads holding him in place.
"Don't even acknowledge that stupid Quirkless bas—"
Making a bundle of threads form over Bakugo's mouth, Best Jeanist walked back to his desk, gazing out the window as the blonde boy thrashed around in silent anger.
"I don't know what you're doing with a Hero costume that hasn't been approved," Best Jeanist stated, directed at Izuku. "But if you want it back, then you'll have to show me you can learn."
Izuku gulped, gazing at the briefcase the Hero had confiscated nearly immediately. I can't believe I lost it already! I'm sorry Mei!
"Y-Yes sir!"
The first day of Best Jeanist's internship started with what the Hero referred to as an, "Image Tidy-Up."
They had no idea what he meant exactly, until he sat Bakugo down and quickly snipped and styled his hair in a new way, which made Izuku have to hold a hand over his mouth to stop himself from full on laughing.
"This is much more presentable," Best Jeanist stated.
Bakugo's eyebrow was twitching as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His usually wild, spiky hair had been tamed into a clean and smooth cut swayed to one side.
"What… the… hell… is this…?"
"Image is a big part of Hero work—"
"But what the hell was wrong with my image?!" Bakugo jumped up onto the chair angrily, making small explosions pop up from his hands.
Best Jeanist ignored him and turned away, snapping and making threads come out from his outfit, taking Bakugo's feet out from under him and making him hit the floor hard. He looked at Izuku, a hand to his face in contemplation.
"The innocent look you have works well for someone whose Quirkless," Best Jeanist stated. "But what do you plan to do to stand out?"
Stand out? I guess I'd never thought about it…
As if reading his mind, Best Jeanist continued, "You've probably never even considered it. Without a Quirk of your own, you need to rely more heavily on the impression you leave on others."
Bakugo was getting up to his feet, seething with anger, when Best Jeanist wagged a finger without looking, making a thread from Bakugo's costume attach to his hand as he pulled him forward. He then put a hand on Bakugo's shoulder, his other hand waving slowly as if presenting him to Izuku.
"On the flip side, one can just me remembered for having a powerful Quirk, but then who are you? Just a power?"
Bakugo scowled and smacked Best Jeanist's hand away. "Stop manhandling me!"
In the next few moments, Bakugo found himself hanging upside down from the ceiling, constricted by threads and thrashing around violently as he silently cursed the Hero.
"Midoriya, I'll put it simply— I don't believe you can achieve much as you are now," Best Jeanist stated.
"But… I—"
"But in the end, since they're leaving it up to me," Best Jeanist interrupted him. "You'll have to show me you can make yourself known, without just being reckless."
Haven't I already done that? Izuku wondered just what the Hero was getting at. His feats during the assault on U.A were never reported to the media, but he had made a big splash at the Sports Festival. What exactly was he missing?
An image all my own…?
Best Jeanist walked past Izuku and snapped his fingers, the threads releasing Bakugo who fell to the ground.
"We're going on patrol," Best Jeanist stated. "Hurry up now."
"Why the hell didn't this nerd have to change his hair?!"
Bakugo had asked several similar questions angrily as they walked the streets, and Best Jeanist largely ignored them. As they went, several people noticed Best Jeanist and happily cheered him on, which he replied with polite waves.
"A Hero's patrol is an important duty. It reminds the public that we are here," Best Jeanist explained. "We Heroes are the fabric that ties society together in times of turmoil."
Izuku felt a bit awkward as he followed, lagging a bit behind the two partially because Bakugo would yell at him if he got close, the other part that he was wearing his school uniform while the others were in their Hero costumes, which felt a little awkward.
Like he said, I've got to earn that costume! I'll put everything aside that I think I know and watch.
A group of kids were excited to see Best Jeanist passing by. They then noticed Bakugo and one of them pointed.
"Hey! It's… that guy from TV!"
Bakugo stopped, letting out a sigh, not very into the fact that people were recognizing him from the Sports Festival now after he had won.
"Oh yeah! The super angry dude! He's totally like a villain," one of the kids said with a snicker. "He's all like— 'Grrrrr, kaboom!'"
This made Bakugo snap, his hair suddenly poofing back to its normal messy and spiky manner, as he turned to them angrily.
"What the hell did you say?! Why don't you say that a lil closer huh?"
The little kids gasped and began to tear up. Izuku moved towards them, glaring at Bakugo.
"Hey! They're just kids," Izuku said. He then smiled at them. "Don't mind his temper. He's really strong otherwise! He'll be a Hero protecting you all before you know it."
The kid who had spoken first looked from Izuku to Bakugo then back, nodding and wiping tears away.
"I-I see… Thank you, stranger."
Izuku froze as the kids happily waved at Best Jeanist and Bakugo before running away.
S-Stranger…?
It was true that Izuku was wearing his U.A school uniform and not a distinct Hero costume, but he figured that they might be able to recognize him from the festival as well.
"Do you understand now?" Izuku looked up as Best Jeanist approached him. The Hero then looked to Bakugo. "Despite your change in style, he was recognized and you were not. Why is that?"
"I… I don't know," Izuku admitted, looking away, ashamed.
"Do you know?" Best Jeanist pointed to Bakugo.
"Tch, I don't fuckin' care," Bakugo answered, looking away. "Is it because he's a Quirkless dweeb?"
Best Jeanist sighed. "At this moment in time, Midoriya is nobody. Just another identity amongst the millions of others in Japan. And this is exactly why."
Izuku looked up at the Hero as Best Jeanist pointed at him.
"Bakugo is proud to a fault, but this leaves a unique impression. You wish to be like All Might, however," Best Jeanist explained. "It is obvious in the way you act and fight with reluctant yet reckless abandon."
Izuku looked down shamefully, tightening his fists. "O-Of course I want to be like All Might! That's been my dream since—"
"And how many other kids out there aspire to do the same," Best Jeanist interrupted, turning away and combing through his hair. "If you wish to be a Hero, then continue to follow me. Otherwise if you only wish to become All Might Junior, then you're free to go."
As the Hero walked off, Bakugo shoved his hands into his pockets and followed, still peeved from everything that was happening.
Izuku hesitated. His whole life he had worshipped and praised the #1 Hero, aspiring to become like him one day. Even after meeting his idol and learning his secret, Izuku was never disillusioned, still seeing him as the greatest Hero ever—
No, that's not true..!
His eyes widened with realization. There were several people whom he could now look up to and admire, all of whom came from different walks of life and held different strengths and aspirations, yet they were all so unique:
All Might, the symbol of peace who held the country on his back and fought on despite a growing weakness.
Paper Mache, a hero who was willing to lead and defend others even on foreign soil, til the moment he took his last breath defending Izuku.
Todoroki, who stood tall and fought on despite a sad loneliness that Izuku could feel lingering below the surface. His powers that held so much emotion behind them...
Bakugo, the loud and proud boy who strived for greatness and proved time and time again that he was capable of obtaining his goals, despite his very explosive and easily hated personality.
Who am I then? Izuku wondered to himself. He recalled the Entrance Exams where he fought alone and pulled through despite mounting odds. Then the way he had stood against a deadly threat in the school gymnasium, knowing it very well could have led to his end… And then the battles of the Sports Festival where he said loud and proud that he was going to become a Hero...
There was no direct correlation between those he admired. They didn't all fit one single thread.
I've nearly conquered doubt and my Quirklessness, but I'm missing an identity..? What do I want to become?
"Izuku…. Izuku I'm so sorry!"
Izuku took a step forward. His contemplative face softened a bit as he smiled.
Right… That.
Izuku remembered how sad his mother was when he returned from the Sports Festival, the way she showered him with love and affection and spouted all of her worried thoughts to him. She was very emotional like that, but it saddened him to think that she was worried for his safety that whole time. It reminded him of when he was first told he was Quirkless, and how she wept with him and apologized as though it was her fault. Izuku realized that he was being reckless while striving to succeed, and had never even considered what the repercussions of that might be.
My recklessness has been causing grief for others, and I never even stopped to consider it…
Taking a deep breath, Izuku took in the gentle breeze that was rolling over him.
I'm going to become…
Izuku began to jog after the other two who had gotten a bit ahead of him.
Someone you won't have to worry about, Mom..!
Meanwhile….
While Heroes were working and being nurtured into becoming greater, the plans of villains broiled in the shadows as the infamous Hero Killer, Stain, was swept away to the League of Villains hideout, where he met face-to-face with Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri.
"So, you want to add me to your numbers? No matter what you want to accomplish, it is necessary to have conviction and desire— Those without it will be weeded out, this is how the world works."
Shortly after Stain's arrival, Shigaraki was lying back on the floor, pinned down as the Hero Killer held a knife through his shoulder.
"That is why it's ended up this way," Stain finished.
"Ah… that's too hard… Kurogiri, send this guy back," Shigaraki spoke with a bit of a raspy voice.
The misty villain was frozen behind the bar of the hideout, his hands on the wood as he trembled slightly from trying to move.
"I… can't move," Kurogiri stated. "It must be the Hero Killer's quirk."
Stain narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Shigaraki. "The world is overrun with fake Heroes and Villains who wave their powers around idly. They should all be purged."
"Hey hey… You sure talk a lot," Shigaraki spoke through gritted teeth. He suddenly reached up with his right hand, grasping the knife's blade, which surprised Stain. "Convictions? I don't have anything as grand as that."
The knife began to turn a rusted color, before Shigaraki crushed it to dust.
"If I had something like that… Yes… It would be that one, All Might," Shigaraki said, a large grin could be seen behind the hand that was attached to his face. "I want to crush this society that can worship trash like that!"
Stain was suddenly taken aback by this. As Shigaraki reached up towards him, Stain jumped back, taking out another knife from the many he had all over his person and getting into a battle-ready pose.
"My old wounds almost healed up," Shigaraki stated as he stood and held his arm out, bleeding a lot from being stabbed in the shoulder. He began to scratch furiously at his neck with his left hand. "Will you take responsibility for this?!"
Stain lowered his guard a bit. "I see, so that's who you are."
"Eh..?"
"Our goals oppose each other. Yet at the same time we agree upon one thing," Stain stated.
"The present society must be destroyed."
The end of the first day came before the two students knew it. Their patrol with Best Jeanist didn't yield much excitement, but the Hero insisted that was a good thing, giving them more insight into why they did it in the first place.
Izuku and Bakugo both had many public outbursts and exchanges of words, though mostly coming from Bakugo, which Best Jeanist tried to end, but there seemed to be no easy way for them to get along.
"Normally I would insist on plenty of rest and recuperation," Best Jeanist stated as the sky turned dark to welcome nighttime. He was sitting at his desk, the two interns standing before him. "But you both require a different approach."
Best Jeanist stood from his desk and walked across the main room of the agency, taking a chair and sitting in it, facing them. He then lifted a hand and moved it, suddenly sending threads across the room from both sides, emerging from various different places til they left very little movement room between where he was and where Izuku and Bakugo were standing.
"You can either stay in that small area and become closer friends, or you can cross and prove you've already learned something," Best Jeanist stated. He moved a hand up along his collar, fibers rising and covering his whole head. "Either way, I'm going to be sleeping soundly. Feel free to try as you wish."
"Finally, somethin' I can just fuckin destroy," Bakugo said with a smirk.
"Kacchan wai—"
Bakugo threw his right hand forward, making an explosion that snapped many of the threads. He smiled wickedly and triumphantly, but the severed threads suddenly reformed and flew back at him, hitting him and close-lining him, making him flip and fall onto the floor hard.
"Don't destroy any of the decor either, or else you'll suffer consequences," Best Jeanist spoke again, muffled from within his thread cocoon over his head.
"D-Dammit…" Bakugo slowly got up, scowling. "The hell's the point of this?!"
"You both will leave this internship as a close duo," Best Jeanist explained. "Whether that closeness forms now or later, it is up to you to decide."
"Ehh? Like hell that'll happen!"
Bakugo began to throw his hands forward rapidly, making tons of explosions, continuing it so the strands of thread didn't have time to reform before being blasted again. Izuku held his ears, wincing a bit as the constant loud explosions indoors were deafening.
Eventually, a thread snapped in quickly, hitting Bakugo hard across the face and sending him flying back against the wall, leaving a bruise on his face.
"Kacchan!" Izuku moved closer to him, but he scowled and pushed him away.
"Go sit in the fuckin' corner or something," Bakugo growled at him. "I can get through—"
Izuku sighed. "I-I think I understand… the point of this is that we can't win."
"What? Like we're goddamn kids in timeout or something?!"
Bakugo approached the threads again. Izuku stood and reached out to him.
"W-Wait! It might hurt you even worse this time," Izuku said.
"Don't talk down to me you bastard, I swear…" Bakugo flexed his hands, readying himself. "Everyone is insane around here!"
Knowing he needed to do something before Bakugo just got hurt again, Izuku stepped forward and simply touched one of the threads as a test. There then was a SNAP as a thread lashed out and hit him in the face much like what happened to Bakugo, sending him tumbling back.
"Owowowow—" Izuku held his face, feeling a stinging pain from the hit.
Bakugo looked at Izuku and lowered his hands, sitting on the floor and letting out a huff of frustration.
"That was pretty satisfying," Bakugo muttered, feeling a bit of content at seeing Izuku get hurt. "I won't play this stupid game anymore. I'm going to sleep. I swear I picked the wrong place…"
Bakugo laid back and closed his eyes as his angry mutters began to subside. Izuku sat up and looked at him.
Just going to sleep kind of defeats the point…
Izuku knew it wasn't just Bakugo's fault though. They were very different in the ways they acted and what they strived towards. He had put all of his feelings about his old friend into that punch he'd thrown at the end of the Sports Festival, but even then, he felt like Bakugo was far away from him.
"Hey.. Kacchan—"
"Don't say shit, I swear I'll kill you," Bakugo interrupted. "Just stay over there!"
Izuku closed his mouth and turned away bitterly.
R-Right… It's only the first day, anyways…
As the boys settled in for an awkward night, they never noticed that Best Jeanist had slipped away, leaving his costume in his place while he went to get his beauty rest.
Not far off, in the midst of Hosu City, a troubled Iida Tenya was taking part in his internship. But his mind wasn't focusing on his studies or his surroundings, he only thought about one thing-
Revenge.
To Be Continued
Next Chapter: The Red Thread of Fate (Stain Arc)