-Chapter 7: Balance and Meditation: Countdown to the Festival-
The next day came, when most of UA was empty due to no classes that day in the afternoon, Nezu waits patiently in his office. Knock knock.
"Hello?" Nezu says. He knew who it was, since Toshinori had told him beforehand.
"Hello, it's me, Son Goku," Goku replies. He still felt the burning shame of yesterday.
"Excellent timing, my boy, have a seat and help yourself to some tea," He opens the door and shows him a seat with a cup of hot tea. "So, what's been on your mind?"
"The whole USJ fiasco..." Goku replies a but hushly.
"Ah, yes. I heard about that. In fact, the whole school has. You fought off Shigaraki and his Nomu while disobeying your teachers' orders to get out." Nezu sips his tea.
"Mm hm..." Goku nods, sipping his tea.
"Have you ever heard of Plato and the Republic, Goku?" Nezu asks him.
"No, I can't say I have," Goku replies in an embarrassed way.
"Plato had said in this allegorical dialogue, using Socrates as a character, that the Human Soul is split into four parts: Wisdom, Bravery, and Temperance, which all correlates back into the greater virtue of Justice. And in every being, they allocate parts of themselves into these Virtues." Nezu explained. "From what I've heard, you were courageous, but you're left out temperance, and that overcame your wisdom."
"If I hadn't stopped the Villains from attacking, what would have I done?" Goku asked, Nezu feeling the minor frustrations within the boy as he simply smiled.
"Goku, my boy, they would be fine, if not a little worse for wear, especially with Todoroki and Bakugou helping All Might out when he most needed it! Though I must say that your tremendous martial arts skill and power absolutely reduced Aizawa's potential injuries. They were worried sick because you had so much bravery, you disallowed yourself the wisdom and temperance that would allow you a certain chance to live another day. And it would have been a grave injustice to have you die," Nezu's words were getting through to his student.
"Hmm... when you put it that way, it kind of makes sense, though how do I allow myself to be tempered and wizened in the face of danger?" Goku questioned. Even as a kid, he was self-sacrificing since he was so sure his strength would beat out much of the minor Villains.
"That is... a difficult answer for your question, because you're built differently from your peers. But you aren't so different from All Might. He's always put his life on the line to make sure others will come out safe. However, the difference between him and you is that he's obtained experience as a Pro Hero, and he knows when he needs help." Nezu explained.
"Man... You're right, though I've been feeling a burning sensation within my soul. When they attacked Aizawa and All Might, getting close to killing them, I felt something snap inside me. It didn't care about survival, it cared only to make its enemies stop." Goku said.
"Oh?" Nezu was surprised at the amount of headway he was making with him. With others, he has to pry out that info. However, Goku's just outright opening his own book and showing him his issues! "I think I know exactly what you should do."
"Hmm? Really?" Goku said, surprised.
"Yes! I think you should meditate your emotions, try and tap into that primal state, without being consumed by its desires. Learn to coexist with it as trees have with us, or tarantulas have with the frogs." Nezu requested. The Saiyan thought about it, an epiphany had sprouted in him, and Nezu can see it in his eye. "Just don't tell Tsuyu about that last analogy. She might have arachnophobia."
"Yeah, I think that'll be for the best. Thanks for your help, Principal Nezu! But before I go, I have one last thing I feel the need to say," he chimed.
"And what would that be?" Nezu tilted his head.
"After the attack on the USJ, I feel... a weird tinge in my body. Like if I could hold my hand out, I can focus it onto a point," Goku demonstrated, as he hold out his hand, and some focus on his hand, a light blue energy orb started to concentrate. Nezu looks at the orb in intrigue.
"Most interesting!" Nezu muses to himself as he looks at the energy. "Nothing in your Quirk Registry profile had said anything about this power! All it said was that you had a monkey's tail and that you were more muscular than a normal child at that age." The ball explodes, though the worst that happens is that Nezu and Goku are covered in soot, the surrounding environment isn't harmed at all from the explosion.
"Sorry, Principal! I was thinking about Bakugou's explosions!" He said, on his knees in forgiveness. His accidental victim simply laughed and shook his fur to clean himself.
"That is quite powerful control over yourself, indeed! It felt only like a light slap! Though how intriguing you mentioned that you thought of Bakugou's Quirk when the ball exploded. It's not exactly a power copy Quirk like Neito Monoma of Class 1-B, but your body internalized your peers' Quirks and attempted to replicate it using its own power," Nezu noted, getting a notepad and writing about it.
"Huh, what's that about?" Goku wondered.
"Perhaps this aura of power you felt at the USJ and your newfound powers are one and the same, they just manifested in a different manner depending on your situation," Nezu explained. "It's remarkably similar to another Quirk I worked with. Though instead of being exclusively locked to your body, your power seems to manifest both in your body through your martial arts techniques and out of your body through these energy orbs or that aura."
"Really? W-wow... I had felt tinges of it, though until USJ, I couldn't really use it! It just felt out of reach..." the Saiyan bemoaned.
"It seems that the point you used it was when you went through significant trauma," the principal went on. "Though I must say, the orb's color looked similar to the fire breath Yokoi said he encountered when he fought a Great Ape. But unlike that creature, you now seem to be able to conjure this energy whenever you like. For better or for worse, whatever that Nomu did to you, it pushed your body far enough that it unlocked that energy for you to use. However, I would not recommend you go out and fight just to attain more of this power. Just relax and have fun tomorrow! You still got more than two weeks until the big day comes by!" he said.
"Oh, right, the Sports Festival!" Goku said with glee, Nezu nods gingerly.
"Just remember to meditate and try to be in touch with yourself tonight, okay? I'll tell Mr. Aizawa you're clear to join in with your Class and of our meeting." Nezu smiled softly.
"Awesome! Thanks for everything, Principal Nezu!" Goku said as he waved goodbye.
"It was great to get to know you better, Son Goku! You're welcome here anytime!" He replied, waving as Goku excused himself.
That night, as a part of his training regiment, Son Goku started to meditate. His memories zoom by, as he cleared his thoughts. He starts to see a vision of himself, but as the giant ape from long ago, as it glares down at him with its ruby red eyes, exuding power from every inch of its body.
"Kakarot... I am your true self, I am the strength you hold back," the Ape spoke, growling in its speech.
"Perhaps you are, but you are too reckless for me to use that strength without injuring others," Goku replied, his words echoing as its face twisted into a cruel grimmace.
"Without me, you would have died to that Nomu. Without that other power, you are nothing more than an ill chimp," the Ape taunted.
"You are right, without it, I would have likely been killed by the Nomu..." Goku admits, the Ape smiling. "However, I am Son Goku, my strength is my own, and I will not give in to the rage!" The ape is taken aback by this defiance, and then laughs.
"You are hilarious. However, I will give you this. Your spirit is strong, stronger than I'll ever be. I will not lend you my full strength just yet, these Earthlings will not withstand such an assault. But there will be a time where you'll need me. And it may be sooner than you think. Farewell, Kakarot," The Ape growled.
Soon, it disappears into the void and all that's left is Goku in a sea of darkness. Everywhere, everything, an emptiness that is tranquil. But why did the Ape call them "Earthlings"? Isn't he an Earthling himself? However, before he can probe deeper into the question, he heard an echo, not one from the inside, but one from the outside.
"Goku..." A voice echoes. "...Goku...?" It keeps on coming. Goku's eyes twitch slightly, the meditation being disrupted.
"Hey, Goku, your dinner's getting cold!" Gohan yells, as he opens the door. He sees Goku dressed in his gi, floating as the books and various objects also float in place. Soon, he looks at his father, and immediately felt sheepish, the books and himself falling to the ground.
"Sorry, Dad! I was meditating and I had completely forgotten about dinner!" He sheepishly goes downstairs in a hurry.
"Heh... That's certainly my Goku, alright," Gohan teased to himself, going back downstairs alongside his son. Of course he heard from Nezu what Goku had done, and while he's disappointed, he can't help but be proud of his son for being able to fight for the sake of his teacher's safety and that he's taking the steps necessary to help control himself. Mikai, out of scared concern for her son's well being, grounded Goku for a few days, mostly just having a 9 PM curfew.
The day after next, classes at UA have resumed, having rested from the USJ. Before Goku entered the classroom, a left hand touches his right shoulder. It was Mr. Aizawa, and while he's still bandaged up, he's able to move freely.
"Toshinori and I've read what Nezu wrote down about you, Son Goku. And we're glad you went to him as we suggested, but I am concerned about this new power of yours. Have you found a way to tap into it without becoming berserk?" Aizawa asked.
"I've taken up meditation to help focus this power, and I can make these energy balls in my hand!" Goku said cheerfully, demonstrating the energy ball thing. Aizawa nodded with content. "However, I don't think I'd be able to tap into that angry form yet, that one that allowed me to fight that Nomu with All Might. That being said, I had felt an energy awaken in me, and I feel like I can manipulate it to my will!"
"I am pleased with this news and your attempts to develop yourself, but if you can, try to train yourself to acclimate to that other form while retaining your higher reasoning. Thank you again for your help with the USJ, I've held onto you for long enough," Aizawa said, letting Goku go.
He goes in, everyone looking at him. Much to the Saiyan's shock, the body was cheerful and happy, as they were busy talking about Goku's actions at the USJ and how he had protected Aizawa and All Might, and while Iida was a bit more scolding over his rulebreaking, no one aside from Yaoyorozu really paid attention. However, a look in her eye mentally told Goku that she's thankful for his assistance that day. Some of them startled with how just powerful their classmate is, being able to fight toe-to-toe with the No. 1 Hero, a few were nervous feeling his aura. Regardless, the majority felt relief when he came back. Despite that monstrous power boiling within him, he still feels approachable.
"Hmph, so you're the one that punched that Nomu away along with All Might," Todoroki said, with coldness in his voice. "That'll just make you a bigger target when the Sports Festival comes."
"Hey, Goku!" Midoriya said, approaching his friend with a smile on his face. "How did your meeting with Principal Nezu go?"
"Oh, Midoriya! Yeah, it went fantastic! He was understanding and helped me find out about meditation," Goku said, chipper as ever.
"That's great!" Midoriya was gonna speak more, but then he hushed up as Aizawa entered. Some of the students mumbled about how injured he looked and how he shouldn't be teaching right now.
"That's enough irrationality for today, class," Aizawa says. Despite his injuries, the class can still feel his glare. "In a couple of weeks, the Sports Festival will commence. I suggest that you all take your training seriously on your free time, because no one will hold back. That goes double for you, Todoroki, and it goes tenfold for you, Goku," Aizawa singled them out. Seeing Goku squirm a little is enough proof that he's got the message.
The student body looked energized at the announcement, if a bit more weary due to the USJ Incident. Bakugou in particular has a wide grin. Finally, a chance to right a wrong! To show that loser Deku and his pet monkey the error of their ways!
Their day went on as normal, there was a lunch where Midoriya was away by All Might, but that was mostly it. However, there were a lot of wayward stares from the other classes directed at Goku, making the Saiyan feel very uncomfortable. He didn't do it just because he felt like it, nor did he want fame. He just moved on his instinct to save his teachers and friends from a gristly fate. Of course, Tenya still doesn't trust Goku, even having Uraraka scuffle away from him.
"Ignore them, Goku. They aren't worth the headache," Jirou said, approaching him to eat with him.
"It feels like so many daggers pointing towards me, it's pretty hard to ignore," he replied, a bit distressed.
"They don't know how it felt being attacked by Villains. Besides, you helped Kaminari, Momo, and me out because of that shout you made. Turns out the guy who blocked out the comms was in the Mountain Zone with the three of us and he resisted Kaminari's electricity." Here, her voice starts breaking down into half sobs. "Poor dumbass was then taken hostage, and I tried to blow the guy away, but he saw through our talking...! Then after that shout, he started to run away, putting down Kaminari...! Thank you for saving that dumbass and us, Goku...!" Goku had felt sad now, remembering that roar. It was so primal, so bestial. He was running on rage when that form was out.
"W-wait... I... saved you guys with that Villain... with my awful roaring...?" He asked. Jirou stopped her crying and nodded, calming herself down.
"You did, Goku. I'm not going to say it was pleasant hearing you of all people roar like Brain Johnson of AC/DC frenzied into a bloody rage, but that Villain had his will melted to zero. I wish I could have spoken in your favor when Aizawa-sensei and All Might dragged you away." She said with disappointment written on her face.
"I needed that detention, Jirou. Otherwise, I don't think I would ever want to use that power again." Goku replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Fair enough. Regardless, I am in your debt for what you've done. Even if that transformation is scary to you, out of all the people in our class, I know you can control it," she affirmed, a small smile forming.
"If I may add on to the discussion, Goku, All Might spoke positively about you, even after that incident. And I'm glad you only had to go to Nezu for a day," Momo came over.
"See? I knew I wasn't the only one who thought so. And seeing you're still here, it seems you even got the principal all warmed up. You're in good hands, Goku," the punk rocker joked. The Saiyan found the courage to smile again after that and to focus on the two-week spot between now and the Festival.
For the rest of the day, everything went well. His classmates aside from Tenya hadn't thought any lower of him -though even he will eventually be confortable with being associated with Goku- and he had some help with Jirou revealing her side of the story. Though tomorrow, he needs to start tapping into that power. That energy he created from his hands. And what better way than a cheese-filled training montage?
AN: Originally, this was going to be from after the USJ to just before the Sports Festival, but I wanted Momo to actually have a moment where she learns some Karate. Not to say that she isn't strong in canon, but considering how much of a monster Goku is in a real fight, it would make no sense to have her study like in canon, yet somehow still be able to stand up to his attacks. So in Chapter 7.1, she gets her own montage segment where she trains with a Martial Arts instructor. One that is a bit hard, for sure, but not an absolute jerk within reason. Still wholly unrealistic, don't get me wrong, but better than "well-bam, suddenly after two weeks she's Kale".