Aizawa tiredly stared at the screen in front of him, frowning at what he saw. He was not displeased at what had been captured; no, the displeasure was with himself. He was known as a stern and exacting teacher, something people didn't expect because of his lazy demeanor. He also prided himself on giving his students what they needed, on ensuring their time at UA maximized their talents and prepared them for the dangerous path ahead.
This video told a different story. And to his everlasting shame, he wouldn't have checked it if not for All Might losing control of his classroom and allowing Midoriya's secrets spilling out and causing a small panic, one the Symbol of Peace took seriously enough to suggest the students needed morning and afternoon training sessions.
Curious why All Might would be so adamant, the man recommended he watch the footage of Uzumaki training his son. Aizawa did. He watched a child shed self-imposed limiters, likely stemming from negative experiences. He watched a decently trained but amateurish fighter getting polished into someone pros may struggle with. And he saw that those improvements had nothing to do with anything he'd learned in class.
It wasn't a great shock that Uzumaki could offer insights into his son's abilities that the rest wouldn't have but this wasn't simply about Midoriya's quirk. It was about his psychology. After his initial viewing of the recordings, Aizawa dug into Midoriya's file. There was a history of bullying, then a record of schoolyard fights. Administrators made note that Midoriya didn't start them but rarely dedicated himself to backing down.
Aizawa quickly did the math, knowing that Midoriya struggled with anxiety in social situations. He probably lacked deescalation skills so he couldn't deflect nor talk his bullies down. What he could do was assert his boundaries and then punish those that transgressed. That gave Aizawa something he could focus on, though Hound Dog would be a superior choice as he was experienced with dramaturgy. He'd also need to get with Uzumaki to get some idea of his son's abilities, upper limit, or all around training suggestions.
Aizawa sighed before taking a sip from his insulated mug. A potential issue with crafting a lesson plan that better suited Midoriya, when he was clearly ahead of his class physically, was that it would seem like favoritism. The reality was the exact opposite and he'd be willing to explain it to his class or other detractors; once. Multiple times would be irrational and if some of his students were too adamant that it was unfair he'd simply show them the door.
Unbeknownst to the once-secret Uzumaki about the future changes ahead, he had a more immediate issue to deal with. "So, you're him," a boy Izuku had never met said. The blond had a look about him, one Izuku was all too familiar with. Smug, combative, and an all-around jerk. You didn't have people try, try, to bully you for years without recognizing the type. A type he didn't willingly interact with, a type he was in no mood to deal with.
It wasn't that his day had started off poorly or anything, he was still riding high from his flight lessons and the exhilaration of creating so many figures (he preferred to not think of them as bombs).
He didn't want to deal with this boy nor any of his tag alongs; which felt like most of 1B. He seriously wondered why they couldn't have left a note, it'd be equally as effective. Izuku slouched his shoulders and prepared to move forward. He couldn't imagine attending UA and being overly concerned about him. There were pro heroes here. Midnight was here, a dark voice whispered. He repressed a giggle that threatened to come out.
Hormones had been kicking his butt lately, even more than his dad, and he'd been noticing girls a lot. And they were everywhere!
"I thought he'd be taller," another boy said.
'I've never thought about you at all,' Izuku mused..
"What was that?" the boy yelled.
Izuku blinked in mild surprise, he must have said that aloud. That wasn't good.
"Now, now, Tetsu," the blond began, "we can't expect the Prince to pay attention to us lowly commoners. Not until we make him, that is. Consider yourself on notice, Prince. We were going to declare war on all you 1A frauds but we'll be paying special attention to you."
"I really don't care. Now, if you'd excuse-"
"Why are all these extras blocking our door? And why are you letting them, nerd?" Katsuki growled.
"You should beware, Katsuki only knows how to solve problems through belligerence or explosions."
Izuku could hear Katsuki almost choke on his rage but it was the blond in front of him who spoke first, "Oh my, Prince, do you have such a low opinion of all UA students? I'm going to enjoy knocking you off that perch."
"First, my name is Izuku Midoriya. Either one is fine so I leave it to you to pick. Secondly, you've delivered your message and have, apparently, run out of things to say.. Finally, I'm not cute enough to warrant this much attention so for the last time move." He perked up a little at having delivered that line. Maybe not something All Might would say but his dad certainly would.
"Don't sell yourself short, Midori!" Ashido-san yelled from the back which shattered any kind of menace he'd been able to project. He looked back to see the rest of 1A now in attendance and realized they must have all looked like idiots.
"Monoma, we didn't agree to come here for this," a redheaded girl said. Midoriya wondered why she'd only spoken up now. "Look, friendly rivalry is one thing but no one is declaring war and Uzumaki-sensei is really cool so we have no issue with you, Midoriya-kun. We're leaving, now"
While the class departed, Izuku tried to get back to that place he inhabited last night, the sense of serenity and freedom. The weightlessness of soaring, of just being in the moment. His attempt was thwarted by a squawk from behind. Turning, he saw Uraraka about to fall and without a moment's hesitation he scooped her up in a bridal carry. Izuku, faintly, heard Iida admonishing Ashido but his focus was on the brown eyes staring up at him.
"Make kissy faces with your girlfriend later," Katsuki bellowed, causing Izuku and Uraraka to go red as he sat her down. She whispered a quick thank you as they entered the classroom.
"Guess that makes us even," Izuku responded. She looked at him in confusion for a second before the memory of the Entrance Exam came back, causing her to smile and nod. Everyone took their seats and prepared for the day while Izuku recalled how nice Uraraka felt in his arms.
"Rei Todoroki, please," Naruto asked. He ignored the initial reaction, the receptionist clearly startled that the, formerly, most wanted man on the planet was in front of her. If he came dressed as Knightfall it'd be a completely different reaction and it made Naruto wonder if everyone was kinda dumb. At least she had the sense to check the approved visitors list and see he'd been added at the patient's request.
He was buzzed in and guided toward his destination with more looks seeming to weigh the likelihood he was there for some nefarious purpose. He'd roll his eyes if he thought it'd be taken in the spirit it was given. At no point was he simply destroying things for the sake, these people just believed whatever boogeyman tales governments crafted regardless of the evidence.
"Please don't upset her," the meek nurse said.
"Oh, ok. I was but if it's against your medical recommendation I'll act like I wasn't raised by wolves." The woman ran off and Naruto did roll his eyes at that. A series of knocks were answered with permission to enter. Naruto entered to see Rei sitting at a small table near the window, fresh flowers at home in a soft green vase. She beckoned him to the table and he took the seat across from her.
The conversation started with polite greetings and small talk. Naruto could tell she was building toward something but he was in no rush. Either what was directly outside of her window lost its luster or she'd finally built up enough nerve. Placing both hands, palms down, on the table, she bowed her head.
"I-I can't thank you enough for what you've done for Touya-kun," she said, choking up. "I couldn't be there for him like he needed, he suffered so much and I just watched. B-but, you saved him and he seems so much better for your influence."
"Todoroki-san, please, this isn't necessary. Helping Touya and watching him grow has been a sincere pleasure. Besides, I did what I wanted someone to do for me when I was his age."
"W-were you cast out of your home, too?"
"More like shunned," he said but didn't go into details. "Touya really deserves the credit, the best teacher can't conquer an unwilling student. He was open to the experience when he could have been closed off and untrusting."
"Instead, he was a boy going on grand adventures. In his letters, I could tell how much he admired you and how happy he was."
"He wasn't always so happy when it was time to do his school work but I was hardly the most studious child," Naruto said and the two shared a quick laugh.
"Still, he's become a fine, young man; something I had little to do with."
"You were brave enough to give your son an alternative, to trust a relative stranger. You were also a key element of his drive. Touya wants you to have a life outside of these walls, Todoroki-san."
Her eyes began to water as she contemplated her response. Naruto looked on in silence, not wanting to rush or stifle the woman. "I'm not sure I deserve that. I was weak, unforgivably so."
"The funny thing about forgiveness is, we don't get to decide when others grant it to us. And strength can come from those around us. Even I created an organization and word has it, I'm pretty strong." The Todoroki matriarch laughed at Naruto's faux humility. "Todoroki-san, give yourself permission to live again and whatever trials may come you'll have the support of Touya and all who care about him." She nodded as the tears streamed down her delicate features. Having said his words, Naruto said his goodbyes and headed out.
"What are you doing here, Uzumaki!?" Endeavor asked when Naruto reached the front entrance.
"When someone is walking through a door going from inside to out we call that leaving, dear boy. Leaving," Naruto explained, as if he were talking to a rather simple child.
"Don't get smart with me," the taller man demanded. "Why were you talking to my wife?"
"That was between her and me. Leave Rei-san be. She doesn't need some gorilla getting her upset."
"Rei-san? Don't be so familiar with my wife!" Endeavor shouted, scaring much of the staff as flames emitted from him.
"First, be more worried about my fists getting familiar with your face. Secondly, keep a civil tone with me. Remember, matchstick, I'm neither impressed nor intimidated by you and I'll put hands on a little hero for getting out of line with me. Now, I know you're going to run back there and grill her over what we discussed."
"Do you intend to block me?"
"No, but you better not upset her. If word of such gets back to me that you have," Naruto paused to exhale, "buddy, consequences will be coming and I won't be nice like I've been in the past."
"Your arrogance knows no bounds, Uzumaki. You take one son, you encourage Shoto to disrespect me and you have clandestine meetings with my wife. You involve yourself in my personal matters and have the audacity to warn me? Maybe you should be more careful."
"I'm going to stop you there because this sounds like a ramp up to you threatening my family and I really might kill you the next time you do that so let's leave it at this, pretend to be a decent human being for your wife's sake." Endeavor's response was stifled by the ringing of the phone. Short but clearly important, the Uzumaki promised to be there immediately and then vanished before the number-two hero's eyes.
With a few hand signs Naruto was in his Knightfall uniform, he loathed to call it a costume. He arrived to see Touya alone with another man. "This him?" he asked as he strided down the alleyway.
"Yep. Said he was going to go on an epic killing spree if the one who defeated All Might didn't show up and face him."
"An epic killing spree?" Nauto asked in mild amusement. "Not an average killing spree?"
"One for the ages, Sensei; one for the ages."
"Ok, I'm here. How do you want to do this?" Naruto asked the younger man.
"...We're gonna fight."
"Of course, lad," Naruto responded. "But before that is there anything you want to say? We won't be speaking much after we start so if you've got some grand monologue or something now would be the time."
"Well… I'm Muscular-"
"I'm pretty cut, too. Is that why you want to fight?"
"Grr, my name is Muscular and I'm as strong as All Might. But he's a hero so he doesn't fight with no restrictions. I do and that's why I'll win and then I'll kill your sidekick for being an obnoxious, boot-licking troll."
"Now, now, don't rile up my associate. He burns hot. I'd hate for you to receive his parting gift before you got your moment with me," Naruto relayed. It was clear to the villain he wasn't being taken seriously but allowed his confusion to take primacy.
"Parting gift?" Muscular asked.
"Yea. A part of you over here, a part of you over there. You get it. Now, what do we have on Muscular?" he asked Touya.
"L.B. just sent something through. Villain wanted for several murders, including the Water Hose Duo."
"They were weak and I'm tired of waiting!" Muscular shouted. He activated his quirk and charged at the man proclaimed to be the strongest on the planet. Every fiber of his being anticipated a good fight as he finally had someone worthy of ki-
"Wow, one shot and he's already out," Touya snarked while placing the quirk suppressing cuffs on the felled villain..
"He might be strong, and I stress might, but he clearly never cultivated his martial intellect. All the muscle in the world won't save you from a concussion if you lead with your chin."
"Well said, Sensei. Now, on to more important matters; did you hit it off with my mom?"
"Touya," Naruto said in exasperation.
"What? I'm just asking." Naruto rolled his eyes, picking up the downed villain and then turning to Touya.
"I'm going to drop this idiot at the nearest cop shop. You should worry more about your own love life. For one with such little game, I'd hate for your minimal skills to atrophy."
"I got skills, Sensei," Touya defended to himself, his teacher disappearing on him. As if to reiterate for his own benefit, "I've got skills." Faintly he heard, "no, you don't" off in the distance.
Izuku diligently made his way to his assigned location. He didn't understand why All Might didn't give him a teammate but couldn't bring himself to ask. No team was told what the others were doing in this life-size mock up of an urban district, everyone simply departed when handed their slip of paper. Izuku found the plain looking building, multistories of concrete and window glass. His end point was on the second floor so he darted inside and up the stairs. The interior room had a single light swaying softly as shadows danced on the walls. He walked over to the display, the only thing in the room besides the light fixture. He picked the card up and immediately everything went pear-shaped.
"All, be advised; Izuku Midoriya is a suspected traitor. Crimes include selling information on the black market and assassinations of high-valued informants. Capture at all costs," All Might's voice boomed through the PA system. Izuku looked at the message on the card.
Young Midoriya, you have been falsely accused of traitorous actions. Your fellow heroes will pursue you relentlessly. Three participants have the evidence of your innocence. You must find them (cards similar to this) and return to the meeting area without being captured. Remember most of these are innocent heroes, so even as you fight for yourself you must show restraint.
Izuku, briefly, wondered if it were wise to do an exercise where he was falsely accused by heroes when that exact thing happened to his dad. He chose to believe this was random and not his idol (and instructor) being intentionally cruel. With that dilemma settled, Izuku forced himself to remain still. His body was ready to dart off but that'd be a mistake. The USJ incident and him foolishly challenging his dad demonstrated that. He needed a plan. Not a perfect plan but something to direct his actions.
First he had to start with what he knew. There were nine teams at various locations. Three had the objective though he currently had no way to know who. He knew the pairs, knew their quirks and personalities. Next, were the unknowns.
Direct engagement with every team wasn't mandated but until he had more information it may be necessary. He didn't know if each team had a way to contact others or had limitations on their movements. All Might hadn't announced where he was but with Koda, Shoji, and Jirou they had a versatile array of trackers. Add in Yaoyorozu-san, and she could add further complications. Iida would also be hard to avoid if he were heading a search. Finally, he had to assess his assets.
He had superior strength and speed, even with his restriction seals active (as this was training). He had ten throwing knives/daggers (as his mom wouldn't let him learn how to throw kunai nor shuriken out of fear of them "putting an eye out"). His escrima sticks were strapped, one to each leg. Ten smoke pellets were secured in a storage seal grafted on his right, green arm guard.
Izuku didn't know that his hero uniform was a stylized version of the ANBU. Whereas they were gray over black, Izuku was draped in green, except for his black pants. The traditional flak jacket was replaced with a sleeveless carbon fiber gilet (woven to provide similar protection as kevlar). Continuing, he had capture tape but was only given enough for three people at most. He had his gloves that gave him full control of his bakuton and some explosive clay already in a pouch hanging from his lower back. He had his various jutsu as well.
His mind was going at super speeds as he put all the variables together. He decided he needed to take the sensors out, first and then Iida. It was fortunate none of those people were teamed with Katsuki or Todoroki-san. If this were a real situation, he'd likely try to hide as much as he can so outside of his named targets he'd try to move in the shadows. Todoroki and Katsuki, as the heavy-hitters and most noticeable quirk users were to be avoided if possible or dealt with quickly if not.
Utilizing a trick he developed himself, Izuku challenged a low voltage surge to his hands and began to brush his hair back. What started as an untamed mop soon straightened to mimic his mom's texture. He pulled a hair tie from his gilet pocket to hold his newly formed pony-tail and raised the hood.
'Breathe, think, move,' he thought before summoning three earth style shadow clones. Each Midoriya took off in separate directions as he prepared to tackle this latest challenge.
"Howitzer Impact!," the audience heard the scream of the UA student and watched the impressive, to most, explosion that resulted from it. Inko turned into Naruto not enjoying the violence. Naruto wasn't thrilled that the kids had something similar to the Chunin Exams, even if it were much muted, nor did he take pleasure in watching his students seriously fight each other for entertainment.
"My, my, my; what a violent young man," someone said from a lower row of the stadium seating.
"He's a thug," a diminutive, feminine voice rejoined.
"Oh great, a future Endeavor," a third speaker added.
"Touya-kun!," Rei admonished.
"Sorry mother. I meant, Oh great! A future Endeavor!," he restated.
"Touya," this came from Naruto.
"Ok, I'll stop. But seriously, what's this kid's deal?"
"He's a little shit." Touya cackled at that, Naruto smiled silently but could hear a snicker from Inko.
"How can you call yourself a lady while using such language?"
Lady Nagant scoffed. It was her primary duty to guard the little gem so she knows how often that Katsuki boy tried to antagonize him. She believed children were innocent, that the dark things she'd done in her life were so they'd never touch those most worthy of protection but there were days she wanted to pop the brat's head and be done with it.
"You go by Gentle and yet your job is training the associates which mostly includes hitting them with a stick while they bounce around like hapless meat sacks."
"He's a gentleman," La Brava, head of IT, defended.
While the trio bickered, Inko spoke softly to Naruto, "I hope your other student, Uraraka-chan, will be alright. I think Izu is sweet on her though he'd never admit to me."
"I'm sure she'll be ok. If it were too bad, Chiyo would call me." Inko nodded, placated by his assurances and the audience turned their attention to the next match.
"Touya-kun, it's Shoto-kun!" Rei said in excitement.
"Let's go little bro!" Touya cheered and almost knocked over the popcorn. An associate entered the auditorium and handed Naruto a slip of paper. He awaited word, leaving after getting a stiff nod. Naruto sighed as he reread the piece of intel.
"Something wrong?" Inko asked.
"There may be a situation in Hosu I have to deal with," he said, getting everyone's attention.
"The Hero Killer?" Touya asked.
"He attacked Ingenium, my source didn't know the full extent of the injuries but they were bad. Guess we know why Tenya dropped out from the tourney. Gentle, after this ends, get word to his agency and his family. Let them know we'll assist in whatever way we can."
"Will do," Gentle affirmed. Naruto thanked him and hoped it would be enough to stymie any foolish thoughts running through Tenya's head. The boy was straight as an arrow and had never experienced real adversity. He'd hate for it to break him or lead him down the wrong path.
Izuku watched as Uraraka came to, squinting at the bright light being flashed in each eye. She looked over to him and smiled. Izuku returned the gesture before barely dodging a cane.
"I don't have time to watch you moon over her, Midoriya."
"Sorry, Recovery Girl-Sensei."
"You did good getting her here. She didn't have any signs of concussion nor spinal damage but hastily carrying her over instead of using the stretcher may have exacerbated what injuries she did have." The august hero turned to her patient. "You had some fractures and soft tissue damage from the explosions. I healed them but may I recommend you not run at explosions in the future?" Uraraka nodded and the woman departed for her break.
"You were really good," Izuku complimented with all sincerity.
"Just not good enough," she lamented but Izuku shook his head.
"That last attack he used? It was because he had to. Katsuki is too arrogant to go for his trump card just to show off. You boxed him in and he had no choice."
"Thank you, Midoriya. I still wish I won, though, so you'd have to give me a rematch."
"Anytime," he said. Her response was a yawn so he said, "I'm going to let you rest and go watch the rest of the round. I think Yaoyorozu-san is trying to organize a get-together after it ends so maybe we can hang out." She nodded, eyes closed. Izuku bet she was asleep before he got out the door. He silently made his way to the cafeteria, thankful that the participants were focused on the fight or otherwise engaged.
Well, most of them.
"What are you doing here, nerd?" Katsuki asked through bites of his lunch. Izuku elected to ignore him, instead walking to the counter and getting a selection of nigiri, tempura green beans, and edamame. He sat down as far away from Katsuki as he could, which just happened to be across from a blonde girl he'd never seen before. She appeared to be his age but was dressed professionally, black jacket over a white dress shirt and a black pencil skirt to match.
"Um, d-do you mind?" he asked.
"Of course not!," she all but chirped.
"Midoriya Izuku," he introduced.
"No one fucking cares, Deku," Katsuki said, grinning viciously as he did. Izuku tensed, fighting his normal reaction. He couldn't, not again and Katsuki wasn't worth it. But this simply emboldened him. Katsuki marched down, grin never leaving his face. "Today, all eyes are on me, Deku. Not some arrogant, liar who didn't even compete. ME!" He shouted the last part as he propped a foot on one of the attached seats.
"And the world will finally right itself. Me on top, you ignored. No shitty extras running to you for protection, no one to stop my climb to the top. You'll be what you always were; a shitty, fucking, DEK-" Izuku tracked her movements but was startled by her swiftness and fluidity. Katsuki was on his knees, karambit to his throat and ten times more shocked than Izuku was.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to introduce myself, Izuku-kun. I'm Toga Himiko and I'm your new bodyguard."
Yo so to be clear there was a time skip between the exercise and the sports festival (I'm not writing all three rounds or you'll never get another update. I just have to be honest with myself.) Next update we jump around and you see why Izuku can't compete and why you probably shouldn't deny him things when his papa is around.
I do have a question though, if you read MHA fanfic then why do they give Izuku powers and decide it means they have to make it a soft crossover? So many "Izuku has the speed force" or "Izuku has spider powers" and instead of just letting that conceit rock they make Izuku Barry Allen or Peter Parker. It's weird, right? Cuz Naruto writers, we just jack shit and keep it moving. Idk, just an observation.