Chapter II:
That fateful day
Hello, dear readers.
I'm glad you all loved this reboot, so thanks a lot. Now, for those asking about the Buu Arc, I hopefully will write it. But it won't take place until at least May of Age 774, after the end of the Final Act in the manga that takes place in the same year in April. So sorry Buu fans, you'll have to wait.
But don't worry. The story won't end there. We'll keep going to Dragon Ball Super and beyond! Also, as I said in the original story's announcement, there'll be a Marvel x DC crossover in Universe 6, so expect to have crossovers between the two fictions in the future.
Plus, I'll focus more on the next ten months before entering U.A. and how Gohan and Izuku trained during them, 'cause there' s a lot of surprises that await the heroes in that period.
Lastly, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
I do not own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, or Boku no Hero Academia.
Deku. That name and the source of it made Izuku wince and freeze in his place. His face was pale fearing the upcoming. He knew that since Gohan was moving to his school - and probably his class - this year, he'll definitely meet with his old childhood friend, but he wished it won't happen today.
When he returned to reality, he found that the two of them have already been surrounded by three goons from his class, one of them he recognized almost immediately.
"H-H-Hi there... Kacchan..."
Katsuki Bakugo a.k.a. The Explosive boy. Izuku's former best friend from their childhood, and his number one bully nowadays. Dressed in a black shirt and pants alongside a pair of white sporty shoes, and with his notable fierce scowl on his face, the ash-blonde-haired teenager and his two friends (more like his minions) stared at the only person they didn't expect to meet today but were more than glad to find him. They also looked at the strange guest they found with him. Katsuki smiled at the thought.
Two nerds with one explosion.
"Well look who finally crawled out of his hideout and decided to show himself again," mocked the blonde, throwing the ice cream off Izuku's hand and onto his clothes. "What the hell is this supposed to be, Deku? An ice cream date with your boyfriend?"
"Guess you've finally found yourself one of your peers, haven't you?" The first boy insulted.
"Guess a Quirkless nerd will only date another Quirkless nerd like him. Isn't the power of love magnificent?" Joined the second goon.
Sadly for the poor guys, they didn't know they were dealing with an angry Saiyan right now.
"That's enough!" Gohan yelled, his outburst surprised the three to the point that each took a step back. The teenager's voice then turned into a calmer yet still furious tone. "Look, I have no idea who you are or what's your deal with my friend, but keep this in mind: I hate the likes of you. So, I'm gonna give you the option to leave this instant and we can forget everything. Otherwise, you'll have to face the consequences."
At this moment, the Half-Saiyan was expecting the three goons to leave them calmly, fearing his dark tone. Instead, he was met with their hysterical laughter, finding his short speech even dumber than Deku's idea of a Quirkless Hero.
Never mind. Not the first time someone underestimated him and then regretted it.
"Oh my god! This is hilarious."
"Yeah, dude! He thinks he's like one of those anime characters who try to scare their enemies with a look!"
Even Bakugo himself, despite his serious nature, couldn't sustain his laughter. "Alright, boys. That's enough. Now is time we get to serious talk." The ash blonde placed a hand on Son's shoulder, a villainous smile on his face. Then, all five could notice the smoke that was emerging from his hand. Horrified, Izuku realized that his "friend" was attempting to use his Explosion Quirk on Gohan. He attempted to stop him but was stopped by Katsuki's minions who strained him in his place from both his arms.
"Kacchan, that's enough!" Izuku cried, his eyes sobbing. "Please! Gohan has nothing to-"
"Shut the hell up, Deku!" Katsuki yelled in anger. "Don't think you're getting out of this alive. I'm still planning to kick your shitty ass for escaping your punishment, yesterday. Now, as for you. He said that your name is Gohan, hasn't he? Seems as if your parents were living in starvation to name their f***ing son after some food. But hey, here's some good news buddy: despite you standing up to me, I'll spare you for the day as long as you leave your boyfriend behind. As you could tell, we have some unfinished business with him. But keep this in mind: this is my area. I rule here, and you're nothing but a mere slave. Of course, unless you had something cool to offer me. So, do we have an understanding?"
At this instant, if Gohan's blood wasn't already boiling inside of his veins from the way they treated him and his friend, then it already is now after this bastard slapped him on the face, his Quirk still active, and cursed. "Get the hell out of here."
Don't kill him, Gohan, he thought. Remember the lessons Mister Piccolo gave you.
He took a deep breath and looked to his right and his left. There was no one here to call. No Hero, no adult. He used his Ki sense and didn't find anyone near them in a forty-meter radius. Only the five of them alone.
"Hey, if you're looking for someone to help you, then don't waste your time. It's either you go or you die."
This time, Gohan found his comment funny, unlike the previous ones, and chuckled. "Help? I'm not looking for help. I'm just making sure that no one is here to witness me using my power."
Slap!
Before what he said could sink into any of the four's minds, Gohan returned the slap to Bakugo stronger than the one he received. A very powerful slap to the point that it literally sent the explosive kid flying over sixty feet away 'till he crashed into one of the trees and fell unconscious to the ground.
The other three - including Izuku - were at a loss for words for this immense power and how Katsuki was down with a single blow. But it wasn't over yet.
Using his super speed, Gohan appeared behind the two goons in the blink of an eye and grabbed them by their necks, putting a lot of strength on them that they dropped Izuku in conclusion.
The two slowly turned their face, and when they did, they froze in fear.
They were met by a furious Saiyan, giving them a deadly smile. One that would make Bakugo in comparison look friendly. They didn't know why, but they felt as if someone was telling them to not move or they'll lose their lives. They wanted to run, to scream for help, but they couldn't. They were so scared to do so. Even Izuku, who landed on his back on the ground, was at a loss for words in front of this dark side Gohan never showed before.
"Listen, you two," Gohan said, his voice is that of a killer delivering his last speech to his victim before torturing it to death, "Here how things will go: you can leave this place harmlessly, take your unconscious teammate from there, and we can all pretend that none of all of this happened. Or..."
One of them gathered enough courage to ask, yet he kept trembling in fear. "O-O-Or what...?"
Gohan's grip tightened, and the two almost wet their pants from the upcoming. "Or we'll go with option number two, which concludes with you joining that 'Kacchan' guy over there. And keep in mind, that if I ever, EVER, catch you picking on someone, especially Izuku, then there'll be worse consequences than just karate chopping you. So, what do you choose?"
"OPTION NUMBER ONE!" they immediately answered.
The Half-Saiyan finally let go of them, with the two falling to the ground, their eyes still wide. "Good. Now take your friend and inform him of what I've told you. And tell him also to watch his tongue."
"YES, SIR!" Not wasting another second, they quickly ran to their partner, picked him up, and escaped as fast as their feet could run. In the end, the last thing they want is to die young by getting beaten to death.
"Man," Gohan whispered, "First day in the city and I already left a bad impression thanks to them." He gritted his teeth, knowing that those were no doubt the ones who were picking on Izuku in his previous years in Aldera, and maybe there were more. Just the thought of what could've happened to him if they didn't meet today made his rage return. He couldn't believe that during the past years, Izuku was being bullie-
Wait...
Izuku!
The Saiyan looked in front of the bench, finding his friend laying on the ground, the ice cream has melted on his clothes, and his eyes were still wide and horrified from witnessing the face Gohan never showed before. He didn't realize that Kacchan and the others were already gone, nor did he even hear Gohan's warning to them. He stayed like that until his friend approached him and shook him back and forth.
"Izuku! Izuku! Do you hear me!? IZUKU!"
With the last yell, Midoriya returned to reality, having no idea what happened since he fell to the ground. The only thing he remembered... was that terrifying face.
"Hey, you okay? Did you get hurt?" Gohan asked with concern.
"I-I'm fine..." Midoriya responded, "Gohan, may I ask... what did you-"
"Yes, yes. Sorry about that. You didn't have to see my angry face. It's just... I couldn't sustain myself seeing them hurt my friend. But don't worry. I just punched one of them and gave them a warning no more. I guess they learned their lesson now, so no need to worry about them bothering you anymore."
"T-Thanks, I guess." However, knowing Kacchan and how he treats those whom he sees as extras, Midoriya knew that he won't let go that easily. Instead, he'll probably hold a grudge now against Gohan since he defeated him in such a humiliating way. "Gosh, my shirt and pants are now covered in ice cream," he stated sadly.
"Come on," Gohan said, extending a hand to him. Without hesitation, Izuku grabbed it, allowing the hybrid to lift him off the ground. "Say, you wanna another one?"
"No thanks," Midoriya responded, "I need to head to my house to change my clothes." Suddenly, his face lightened up, an idea came to his mind. "Why don't you come with me?"
"Wait, you want me to come to your home? Seriously?" Gohan questioned.
"Why not? If you're moving to Aldera, then we can get to hang out together, like real friends!" Izuku responded. The mere thought of finally having a friend made his heart melt with happiness. For years, he witnessed his peers hanging out together, whether at school or in their spare time, while he, on the other hand, was always the lonely wol- sheep left behind that gets all the beatings and teasing of the angry wolves. However, his smile went as soon as it came. Maybe Gohan wasn't the type to hang out with people. I mean, didn't he say that he lives with his family in isolation on Mount Paozu? He doesn't have the time to hang out with someone. Just having him as a friend is enough.
"But, Gohan," Midoriya completed, looking away, "If you don't want to hang out, I understand. We can just... be friends and keep it simple-"
"Of course I want to!" The hybrid interrupted, surprising Izuku, "That's what friends are for, right? You accepted my treat for ice cream, so I should accept your invitation to visit your home. Well, only if mom agrees with this."
Hearing his words, a wide smile spread on the green-haired male's face, his eyes shining like diamonds, he grabbed the older teen's left arm, pulling him and forcing him to follow his steps.
It took half an hour to reach the apartment. Gohan wasn't sure what to expect. The last time he met Mrs. Midoriya, she was a very sensitive woman who could be affected by the slightest emotional situation. Heck, she even was one step away from crying a river when she witnessed him befriending her little baby. Now, that he - her son's only "true" friend - came back six years later, the entire city might drown in tears.
Izuku rang the doorbell and called, "Mom, it's me. Open the door please." Then, after a few seconds, the door opened.
Gohan was... surprised. Sure, he knew that Izuku's mom could change in six years. But he didn't expect her to get shorter and gain some weight. But who was he to judge? His mentor Piccolo was already a mature adult by the age of three!
"Izuku, dear. You're home!" Inko greeted before turning her attention to the ice cream spot and to the strange teen who accompanied him. "H-How did your clothes get dirty? And who's this boy?"
"Oh, nothing. I just... I just bought an ice cream and dropped it by mistake. I'm sorry." Izuku lied with embarrassment, clearly not wanting his mother to get involved with his bullying issue. He quickly attempted to change the subject. "But most importantly, do you remember my friend Gohan from six years ago at the camp? Well, guess what, here he is!"
The short lady took a moment to observe the hybrid. He changed in height for sure and his haircut is different. But she recognized that face, those eyes, that smile...
It's her baby boy's only friend.
The emotional situation was so strong for her sensitive heart to handle. Her eyelids have already started watering. A shaky smile of happiness for her son formed on her lips.
The Half-Saiyans smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Hi, Mrs. Midoriya. Long time not seen." he greeted. "I'm sorry for coming without an invitation. Izuku is the one who insisted that I should come and join you for lunch. I... I hope you don't mind my presence."
"Nonsense!" she responded instantly, her eyes still so shiny with tears. "A friend of Izuku is a friend to the whole family. Come in, kids. Don't just stand like that at the doorstep."
Without a second of hesitation, Izuku took Gohan's s hand excitedly and pulled in side to the direction of his room. "Thanks, mom! We'll be in my room!" The two entered and closed the door behind them.
Thank God, Inko thought, her heart melting with joy, my little baby won't be alone again!
The moment Gohan entered, the first thing he noticed was all the All Might posters on the walls and his figures on the desk. Heck, the boy even had a carpet with 'ALL MIGHT' written on it with big letters, curtains resembling the American flag, and even All Might puppets on his bed.
The kid really idolized this man.
"You're... still an All Might fan, I see," Gohan remarked awkwardly.
Realizing what he meant, Izuku felt embarrassed about the situation, his face as red as a tomato. Maybe bringing Gohan to his room was a bad idea. "Oh, it's, err, nothing! I just, what can I say... A Hero Otaku! Yes! And All Might happens to be the numb-"
"Izuku, relax!" The Saiyan interrupted. "You don't have to feel ashamed of this. I'm sure you're the only person in the world who's a huge Heroes fan."
"Y-You think so?"
"Of course!" Gohan assured. "I'm more than convinced that somewhere, there's someone who's a Heroes' fan and idolizes a specific hero just like you."
Elsewhere, in another universe
A ten-year-old Pakistani girl was sitting in front of her computer, re-reading her favorite fanfiction: "Captain Marvel vs. Wonder Woman: World War III". She was enjoying every single word of it, despite reading it dozens of times already.
"Achoo," the girl suddenly sneezed.
Strange, she thought. I felt like someone was talking about me.
Back to the story
The green-haired boy sighed, feeling reassured. He didn't have to explain himself to Gohan. Finally, someone understood his obsession. His lips curled into a smile as he sat on the edge of his bed.
"So, you seem to have gotten stronger since the last time we met," Izuku spoke.
"What can I say? Six years is enough to make a difference," Gohan answered, sitting next to the boy. "Now, will you mind explaining to me who those three were? And why did the blonde one call you 'Deku'?"
"Oh, that," the green-haired mumbled, his head low, a sad look on his face. "It's nothing. Just a bunch of my schoolmates. That's their way of teasing."
At that moment, the Half-Saiyan wrapped an arm around Midoriya and pulled him closer to him. "Izuku," he spoke in a soft tone, "We're friends, remember? You can tell me anything that's bothering you, and I promise I won't judge you. Okay?"
Izuku simply nodded in response. He didn't look at Gohan at all. He was too busy considering his suggestion. A part of him doesn't want to share his history with him or anyone. But another part wants to spell what's inside, to express how he feels. Gohan has already met Kacchan, and if that wasn't enough, he slapped him in the face without hesitation. And judging Katsuki, this won't teach him a lesson, but instead will make the hybrid a target for him. Sooner or later, he will find out the truth.
"Listen, now," Son continued, "I'm not forcing you to tell me right now. You can take as lon-"
"His name is Katsuki Bakugou. And he's my old friend."
The Half-Human was not expecting a quick response, so it took him by surprise. But what did he mean by saying he's 'an old friend'? The answer came soon from Izuku, who was still staring at the floor. "Back when I was four, he was my first and best friend. We played together and talked with each other, we even had sleepovers at my house and his from time to time. I even nicknamed him "Kacchan" and I still call him with it to prove that I still consider him to be my best friend.
But then, when his Quirk manifested and mine didn't... When he was gifted with a powerful explosion quirk and I stayed Quirkless... Everything changed. He no longer treated me the same. He told me to give up my dreams of being a hero. He beat me whenever he got the chance to." Midoriya remembered all his memories with his old friend, how he used the brother his mother didn't give birth to, and how it all turned 180 degrees when he got his Quirk and he didn't. He remembered every time he beat the crap out of him and mocked him, belittled him, and looked down at him in disgust. And today, he humiliated him in front of Gohan! He couldn't take it anymore, his eyes burst into tears. "He even nicknamed me 'Deku' as in 'useless'. All because I simply wanted to help others."
The hybrid was listening cautiously to every word that Izuku said and noticed how they were all full of pain and suffering. He couldn't believe what he had to go through in the past ten years all because of his lack of a Quirk. And that boy Katsuki... He mentally swore that if he caught him once more treating Izuku or anyone the same way he did today, he was going to be a dead man. He's clearly someone who, once he got a powerful Quik at a young age, thought that he was above anyone else and believed himself to be a god among men and that everyone else belong under his feet.
God, how he hated that type of monsters.
He held Izuku tighter than earlier, trying his best to comfort him and calm him down. "Shhhh. It's okay. You're safe now. There's nothing to be afraid of." In return, Midoriya had unconsciously buried his face in his warm chest, doing his best to calm down, his arms wrapped around the taller teen's waist. He didn't understand why, but every time he does it when he was sad, he feels calmer and more comfortable. He feels like he's in safe hands that will never let go of him.
They stayed like that for a few minutes until the green-haired teen completely calmed down and let go of Gohan, giving him the chance to speak.
"Izuku," Gohan spoke, "Listen to me. I know I wasn't with you as long as this Bakugo kid was, but you're in fact one of the first friends my age I ever had and so far the best. I care about you. You're one of the few people who see me for who I am and not how strong my Quirk is. I only want the best for you. That's why... I'm asking you to end this friendship with Katsuki."
The younger teen blinked in surprise. He wanted to protest, but the Saiyan stopped him." Before you say anything, I want to understand that as far as you told me, your relationship with him is not 1 friendship at all. If he treats you as you told me just because he has a fancy Quirk and you don't, then he is a bully, Izuku. And what he has done to you today proves it. And it seems to me he only befriends those whom he believes have some good powers. If that's the case then he only sees people for how strong and how popular they are and not who they are inside. And let me tell you this, he's unlucky to not see how great of a person you are."
Midoriya took a moment to let the idea sink into his head. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
"Look, I'm not forcing you to do anything." The hybrid continued. "This is your choice to make. I'm just giving you my advice. Okay?" The boy nodded. "Great. Now I'm gonna leave you to change your shirt. I'll be waiting for you in the living room."
Closing the door behind me, the teen walked his way to the sofa and couldn't but notice the smell of food in the air. He turned his eyes gaze to the kitchen and saw Mrs. Midoriya setting dishes on the table. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Midoriya, may I help you?"
"Oh, aren't you a nice kid," she answered with a smile. "But I can handle it on my own. You're our guest after all."
"Yeah, but I insist on it," Gohan replied, taking some plates from her hands. "Don't worry, I'm used to doing house chores at home. It won't be a problem."
"Oh, ok," she murmured. He's really such a nice and polite boy, unlike that ungrateful son of Mitsuki, she thought, the image of Katsuki in her mind. She didn't hold any grudge against the Bakugo family in general. On the contrary, she and Katsuki's mother Mitsuki were long-term friends and used to hang out together with their kids on weekends. However, her child was a different story.
Ever since his Quirk manifested, the kid had... a huge ego and an unimaginable arrogance inside of him. Always believing he's better than everyone else, that he'll always be on top. He has no respect for anyone, even for his own parents. He can't take it easy if someone beats him in something. And his relationship with Izuku? She doesn't understand why he keeps telling her that they're friends and that this is just Kacchan's why for admiring people.
But Gohan? The kid was just... different. He, like Katsuki, has a powerful Quirk. Maybe even more fascinating than that of Bakugo. Yet he showed nothing but respect and a sense of responsibility in front of them. And she couldn't forget the fact that he saved her baby boy six years ago at the camp.
Not to mention that - according to what Izuku told her back then - Gohan was the only one who truly believed that he can be a Hero. Something not even she had shown to him (which she still regrets 'till now).
She placed a hand on her heart, and a warm smile formed on her lips.
Now that was a boy her son could truly call a friend.
After lunch, Gohan (who has proved to have an appetite that rivals that of Izuku) thanked the Midoriyas for inviting him and asked if Izuku could join him tonight at dinner as a way of returning the favor. The two were confused by his statement. After all, he has just reminded them that he lives at Mount Paozu which is located south of the city at a distance of 115 kilometers! However, Gohan reassured them saying that with his Meta Ability, there is a way.
Meanwhile, inside an old fallen tree branch in the forest, a little rabbit was enjoying his afternoon nap in peace, unaware of the danger approaching. A big, grey wolf tracked his smell and approached the little creature in silence, doing its best not to wake him. As the wolf was nearly one step away from entering the branch and devouring the rabbit mercilessly, luck seemed to be on the rabbit's side today as an unidentified object passed between him and the wolf at an immense speed of one hundred and twenty miles per hour, awaking him in process and scaring the big carnivore, making him escape like a coward. [1]
The object was, in fact, a person. Or to be more precise, two persons. Seeing that he couldn't summon Nimbus or fly in the air for obvious reasons, Gohan had no choice but to carry Izuku on his back and run with him at a limited speed to reach his house before sunset.
It wasn't such a hard task at all for Son. For starters, he is used to holding back in speed, and with his Ki manipulation, he created a protective aura around him and his friend to protect themselves from the dangers that come with super speed. Secondly, the boy's weight felt like nothing. In his current level of strength, the hybrid can handle literally quadrillions of tons pressing on him. [2] Even if he was an average person, Izuku was just so short and light even for someone his age. Carrying him wouldn't be a hard task at all.
Midoriya, on the other hand, was watching his life flashing before his eyes. While Gohan was enjoying the fresh air and the beautiful sight of nature he never got tired of, the green-haired boy was holding tightly to him in fear of letting go. He knew that at this speed if he fell and touched the ground, the least that could happen was his neck getting snapped.
When Gohan told him he was going to carry him all the way here, he thought at first that this was a joke. But when he leaned on his knees and offered him to jump on his back, his expression turned to a face of surprise and then to one of 'Are you serious!?'. The Half-Saiyans had to remind him of his ability to run at super speed and explain that, with the absence of any vehicle, and since someone could see him flying without permission, there was no choice but this. He rejected, refusing to be carried like a little kid, but when his friend insisted, telling him this was the only way they could reach the house in time, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and hop on his back, regretting it the moment Gohan showed his "true" speed. [3]
The fourteen-year-old teen spent most of the trip closing his eyes, praying to be home by now. He couldn't hear his friend calling for him.
"-uku! Izuku! Open your eyes, we're here!"
Slowly, the teen opened his right eye slowly, then opened the other. They were in the middle of a large green field next to a mountain. Not far from them was a dome-shaped house with a more traditional home structure built around it and a hunt a few feet away.
The green-haired male got off his friend's back and observed the area in awe.
"I know. I know. I live in isolation from any modern service." Gohan said. "But we do have internet and phone service, and with my speed, getting to school and hospital isn't so har-"
"It's beautiful." Izuku caught him off guard, surprising him. "I don't care if it does have internet or not. The place represents the beauty of nature! So calm, so peaceful. You don't have to suffer all the noise, smells, and smoke of the city. And I doubt a Villain would even think about coming here." He turned to Gohan and smiled at him with a childish smile. "I love it!"
At this point, the Half-Human has been fighting tears from falling. The words Midogiya said to him meant a lot. For so long, he lived in isolation from society, his only friends were his father's. He never had the chance to make friends his own age. Even when he did, that friendship was for just a day as he had to move on. He was afraid of getting rejected by people.
He can safely say that Izuku is indeed the first friend he has ever made.
However, before Gohan could thank Midoriya for his kind words, their moment was interrupted when a female voice from the house yelled, "Gohan, is that you?"
The hybrid - knowing exactly to whom the voice belonged - turned to its source and replied, "Yes, mom! I'm coming!" He then took Izuku's hand and dragged him along saying, "Come on. I'll get to introduce you to my family."
The Son family, alongside Izuku, were currently sitting in the living room, discussing a topic Midoriya has brought up.
It was such a nice evening for the fourteen-year-old boy. Not just did he get to know his friend better, but he also had the chance to meet his family. His mother, at first, was such a nice woman. The moment Gohan introduced him to her as his friend, she embarrassed him in tears - nearly choking him - and insisted that he joins them for dinner, telling him to bring his mom with him the next time. She reminded him a lot of his mother.
His little brother Goten was such an adorable and cheeky boy. At first, he felt embarrassed when he boldly asked 'Why did you bring a stranger to the house?' but he quickly felt sorry for him when Chi Chi pulled his ear and ordered him to apologize. However, they got to know each other better and even get along at the dinner table when they found out about their shared love for Heroes, especially All Might.
In fact, they were currently discussing a topic about an event concerning Heroes that came to town this year.
"A Heroes' Festival?"
"Yes. Haven't you ever gone to any of them?" Izuku questioned, his eyes sparkling in excitement. "It's one of the greatest events that I've participated in my whole life! There's gonna be everything! From the delicious food to the games with prizes! And the best part is... The top 20 Heroes in Japan will be there! All Might will be there! I mean, sure other Heroes besides them will be there, too, but... ALL MIGHT WILL BE THERE!" The mere thought of meeting his idol at the festival nearly made the boy explode with happiness. Whenever he sees him, it's either on T.V. or from far away in the middle of a huge crowd of fans. He always dreamed of meeting face-to-face. But in fact, if he was ever to meet him, he'll have absolutely no idea what to tell him.
"This sounds fun!" The mother of two commented and turned to her eldest son. "Gohan, why don't you go with Izuku tomorrow to the carnival? I'm sure you'll enjoy it!"
"And why not Goten, mom?" Gohan questioned, "He's more into Heroes. I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Right, buddy?"
"Actually, Gohan, I already got myself a ticket," Goten interrupted sheepishly, confusing his eldest brother, "Did I forget to mention this? Trunks invited me to come with him and I agreed since it's a holiday. Sorry, big brother. I will meet you there but I can't come with you."
"Okay... Then I guess it's only me and you, Izuku."
"That's awesome!" The younger teen cried joyfully. "Trust me, Gohan. You won't regret it. I'll be waiting for you at the gates by nine in the morning. Oh my god! We're gonna have a lot of fun!"
"Geez, buddy. You seem like you're about to explode with happiness," Gohan commented.
"Sorry. I'm just a big fan. I can't hold myself in such an important and rare event." Izuku admitted rubbing the top of his head. "So, what do you say?"
The eldest teen thought for a moment. On one hand, he wasn't such a big fan of Heroes. Not that he disliked them. On the contrary, he respected them for what they do to protect humanity (even though they couldn't do anything at all against the androids), but he didn't read every single article in news mentioning them. These types of festivals weren't really his type. But on the other hand, Izuku was looking forward to this. His mom works tomorrow, and since he clearly doesn't have any other friends besides him, he would undoubtedly attend it alone if he rejected. They finally met again after years, and this could be the chance to strengthen their relationship like before or even more.
Gohan smiled, taking his decision. "Fine, then. I'll meet you tomorrow at the gates by nine."
The green-haired male couldn't hide his happiness and jumped into his best friend's lap, hugging as tight as possible. "Thanks, Gohan! I really mean it! I promise you won't regret this!"
"Any time," the older teen replied, hugging him back. "Just make sure to be there on time."
"I will!" The shorter teen responded. "In fact, it's time for me to go back home. Thanks again for inviting me! And thanks to you too Mrs. Chi Chi and Goten."
"Your welcome, dear. Our house will always be open to you."
"See ya tomorrow, Izuku-san."
With that, Midoriya stood up, put on his shoes and went to the door, ready to head home. However, the moment he opened it, he found himself in the mild of wilderness, with no means of transport nearby.
"I forgot. We're in the mountains," he murmured.
The Half-Saiyan followed him behind. He saw the expression on his face and understood exactly what was going on in his mind. He sighed, "Well, no choice." Then, he placed an arm on Midoriya's back and the other under his legs and so, much to Izuku's surprise and embarrassment, he carried him in his arms bridal style. And before he could make any objections, Gohan spoke first, "I suggest you hold tighter and keep your mouth closed, 'cause we're going to travel twice the speed we used earlier."
Musutafu's Central Park, Monday, March 5th, Age 772/2007, 8:56 a.m.
The Half-Saiyan arrived half an hour earlier than the specified time to drive Goten to Capsule Corps. before anyone could see them on the flying yellow cloud. He stood by the gates, waiting for his best friend to arrive. After a few minutes of waiting, he saw Midoriya's figure from afar waving at him.
"Gohan!" The teen called. He was dressed up in a white T-shirt - with "Plus Ultra!" written on it in Japanese -, blue jeans, and his remarkable red boots. "Sorry... for making you wait..." Midoriya completed, trying to catch his breath. "I didn't... expect you... to be here earlier..."
"Woah, Izuku! Calm down and take a breath!" Gohan said, putting a reassuring hand on his friend's back. "It didn't bother me at all to wait for you. What matters now is that you're here, 'Kay?"
Izuku nodded with a smile, his heart's beating rate slowing. "Okay. Let's get in, now."
The moment they stepped inside, their jaws - especially that of Izuku - nearly dropped in astonishment. The area was filled with all the different types of stores, games, and activities: from the candy booths to the winning prizes. Not to mention the presence of dozens - if not hundreds - of Pro Heroes here and there. Midoriya covered his mouth with both his hands, trying to hide his wide, shaky smile of joy and happiness. Gohan also, despite not being as enthusiastic as his friend, felt the excitement at the first glance. The place was full of licensed Heroes who have experience in crime-fighting life and who could give him some advice for U.A. He did also recognize some of them who either were on the posts and the screens or were also enjoying their time like any normal civilian. There was Crust, Ryukyu, Yoroi Musha, and...
"Yamcha?"
Even if the two haven't met each other for a while, Gohan could still recognize that haircut and that orange gi from afar. The man in question was talking with a woman in her late twenties and early thirties, she had red eyes and brown hair styled in three bangs with red markings below her eyes. Her costume consisted of a red collared top decorated with three straps and a bell, and a large ruffled skirt. Oddly, the woman had a tail dangling from her back and silver cat paws in her hands. The Half-Human couldn't tell if it was a costume or part of her body. But it wasn't a big deal. In the end, he and the rest of his race were born with tails.
The pair turned in the direction of the hybrid. Yamcha, for an instant, was surprised at first, but then his lips curled to a smile when he recognized to whom belonged the voice.
"Gohan!" he called. He walked to the two boys with his partner following him, confused about what was going on.
Izuku also was confused and in disbelief. Yamcha, the Number #29 Hero, for some reason, knew who his friend was.
"Y-You know each other?" The woman and Izuku asked at the same time.
"Izuku," Gohan addressed, "You want an interview with a Hero, don't you? In that case, I introduce you to Yamcha. He was a friend of dad."
It took a moment for the green-haired male to process the information. Then, his mind blew up, denying the truth. Gohan, his friend, knows a Pro Hero and maybe even others! Why hasn't he mentioned this before!? How could he hide such a thing from him? But again, they met for the second time in years just yesterday. They spent most of the time bonding together. It must've slipped his mind.
Meanwhile, the female was piecing things together. These kids - or at least the tall one - know Yamcha. According to him, his dad was a friend to him. And judging by the fact that he referred to their friendship in the simple past, his father might be deceased. Could he be...?
"Yamcha, is this...!?"
The fourth-year-old man nodded in response, knowing what was going on in her mind. "Yes, this is Son Gohan indeed." He then turned back to the two teens. "Gohan, and... the other kid, nice to meet you at the festival."
Izuku had no idea what to say. This was the first time he ever had a conversation with TWO Pro Heroes! The woman also had turned to a state of surprise and astonishment for some reason. The hybrid, on the other hand, had no problem continuing their talk. "Good to see you, too, Yamcha-san. By the way, who's this woman with you?"
"You mean you don't know her/me!?" Midoriya and the brown-haired finally dared to respond, questioning the boy's unawareness of the woman's identity.
Gohan had no idea what was this sudden outburst for. "A-Am I supposed to know?"
"Gohan," Yamcha spoke, getting Son's attention, "I introduce you to the Number #32 Hero in Japan: Shino Sosaki. Also known as Mandalay. And who happens to be... my girlfriend and future fiancé.[4]" He said the last part with a smirk.
Gohan was caught off guard by the statement, his eyes widening in shock. He knew that Yamcha was going to find a mate one day. One day, not today. And then, he recalled what he said a few moments ago and how inappropriate and unpolite his introduction was.
He instantly regretted it and bowed in respect. "I'm sorry for misbehaving, ma'am!" He apologized, sweat dripping from his forehead. "My name is Son Gohan. It's such a pleasure to meet you!"
Izuku instantly followed him, having no idea what to do next. "I-It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Mandalay ma'am!" He spoke loudly, trembling with anxiety and shyness. "My name is I-Izuku Midoriya! I'm a friend of Gohan!"
The Pro Hero, Mandalay, observed the boys' gesture, trying her best to contain her laughter. "Come on now, you two. You don't have to be so sincere. And drop this "ma'am" thing. It's making me feel old. Mandalay or Mrs. Sosaki is good."
Slowly, the two lifted their heads to meet the couple face-to-face. Midoriya was still having a hard time believing that finally got to talk to Pro Heroes personally, while Gohan was sending Yamcha a questionable look, asking for answers.
The scar-faced man chuckled in response and pulled the two teens close to him, wrapping an arm around each of them and dragging them with him, Mandalay following behind. "Come on, guys." He said. "I'll explain everything to you at the table."
A few minutes later at the café
Gohan and Izuku were - to say the least - in an awkward and embarrassing situation. They were currently sitting next to each other at the end of the table, while Yamcha and Sosaki sat together at the other end, sipping their cups of coffee. On their right was the rest of the Wild, Wild, Pussycats: Tiger, Ragdoll, and Pixie-Bob. They were currently sitting with one of the top search and rescue teams in Japan at the same table! And if this wasn't enough, they glanced to their left side, catching a glimpse of Edgeshot, Kamui Woods, and Mount Lady, each enjoying respectively a cup of coffee, some orange juice, and a chocolate crepe. A single word wasn't said at the table.
Finally, Yu decided to break the creepy silence between them. "So, Gohan and Izuku, was it?"
The two silently nodded.
"And Gohan is an old friend of Yamcha while Izuku happens to be his friend."
The two gave a second nod.
"And you happened to visit the festival and by coincidence, you met our partner and his girlfriend on their date. So they invited you to sit with us."
They nodded a third time.
It was then Pixie-Bob's turn to comment. "You know you can simply talk with us like ordinary people, right?"
Yet, the two found it enough to simply nod.
"Come on, now!" Tiger yelled energetically, approaching the teens who backed in fear. "You don't have to act in such a sincere manner like that just because we're Pros. We're also civilians as well. We all came to enjoy the day here! You must take the opportunity to ask us anything you want! ANYTHING!"
"Tiger, I think you're scaring them," Kamui commented from his seat.
"Relax, Shinji," Yamcha reassured, "It's not like he's going to eat them like a... tiger." The last part earned a few laughs from the girls, much to black-haired's amusement. "So, kids," he continued, "how does it feel to sit down and talk with the Pro Heroes? Gohan?"
All eyes then turned to the hybrid, much to his displeasure.
"It's, umm," he replied in exaggeration, "It's... really cool, I guess."
"And what about you, green hair?" Ragdoll asked, catching said boy's attention. "You must've been looking forward to talking with a Pro Hero, right!?"
"Y-Yes, Mrs. Ragdoll!" He responded his face completely as red as a tomato. "I-It's really an honor for me to sit down and have a conversation with all of you! I've read a lot about you and your missions! The Wild, Wild, Pussycats and the Lurkers are two of the top teams in rescuing and capturing villains! I really thank you for-"
"Kid, calm down!" The wooden hero interrupted, cutting Midoriya in his track. "Man, your fanaticism is too much. Say, why don't we both go and bring some crepes? We can talk together along the way."
"W-Wait, you're serious?!"
"Of course," Kamui coolly responded. "Unless you didn't want to hang out with me then I understan-"
"IT'LL BE MY PLEASURE, SIR!" Izuku yelled, jumping from his seat.
"Then that settles it." Shinji then stood up and walked to the short teen, wrapping an arm around him and walking away with him. "Come on. You can tell me more about you."
"Make sure to bring some to the rest of us. You know our tastes." Mandalay called.
"And bring me one as well!" Takeyama yelled. "These chocolate crepes are unlike anything I've tasted before!"
"Fine. But you're all paying me back later."
"No promises!"
With that, Kamui and Izuku disappeared from the eyesight of the group, who turned their attention to the other teen. If the situation wasn't already enough embarrassing, then it definitely was now. The hybrid did his best to keep his coolness and not reveal his panicked face, but anyone could simply notice it on him.
Gohan took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down. "O-Okay. Umm... It's... nice to meet all of you... I... I guess Yamcha-san has told you ab- I MEAN he might have not mentioned me! Not that it is a problem! I'm looking for publicity or fam-"
"Son, relax," Edgeshot spoke with a calm voice that put a stop to the boy's endless speech. "You don't have to be so sincere with us. Even for a Saiyan warrior, your Ki was getting so disturbed, so try to calm it down."
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it." He apologized, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Suddenly, it hit him. His awkwardness flew away and was replaced by shock and disbelief. "Excuse me, what did you just say!?"
"You really did it, Edgeshot!" Tiger yelled in excitement. "If I knew that mentioning his secret was all it needed to make the adrenaline burst in his veins, I would've let it out from the start!" The rest nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, the Half-Saiyan was expressing a mixture of feelings, mainly panic, fear, distress, and disbelief.
How could this be possible!? He thought. How come they all know about my secret identity!? Does one of them have a mind-reading Quirk? Or could it be... When the idea crossed his mind, Gohan stood up, his face turned to one of anger, an aura of fury surrounded him, his hair nearly glowing like a Super Saiyan. He lifted his head and looked at the black-haired man who was sitting at the other end of the table with a murderous look. If looks could kill (which in this case can), Yamcha would've been long dead by now if Gohan wanted to.
Yikes! Edge shot, you idiot! You shouldn't have dropped such a bomb on him! Yamcha knew that he was by now in a situation that he couldn't escape. And clearly from the amused looks on their faces (a cold stare in the ninja's case), his teammates - even his love - weren't willing to stand up for him, either because they knew how strong the kid really is or simply because they wanted to see him suffer. He was all alone by now.
He raised his hands in defense, attempting to calm the Half-Saiyan. "W-Wait, Gohan! It's not what it looks like! Give me ten minutes and I'll explain it all!"
The Half-Human breathed in and out, trying his best to contain his anger. He sat back in his seat, his gaze not leaving the scarred man, gone was his shy tone.
"Explain. Now."
"A Quirkless Hero, you say?"
In the meantime, Kamui Woods was carrying all their orders with a dozen branches thanks to his Quirk: Arbor. The kid did not stop talking all the way about the awesomeness of his power. It didn't bother him the slightest, and in addition, they got to know each other better. Their conversation ended up with Midoriya bringing up how he wills to be a Hero without a Quirk.
"Yes," Izuku responded. "I know it may seem impossible or a fantasy dream. But All Might always says in interviews that if someone is willing to help others, then he'll definitely be a Hero one day. Gohan also supports me on this. He told me that if I trained hard enough, my physical power will reach that of the likes of Present Mic for example. We all know he has a powerful sound-wave Quirk, but he's also skillful and strong in hand-to-hand combat. That's what I'm aiming for."
"Hmm, this actually makes sense," Kamui responded. "People usually speak of our Quirks and their effectiveness, but no one talks about our strength as humans."
"Yeah. That's my point."
A few moments of awkward silence passed between the two until Shinji decided to add something. "You know, kid. We're not that different after all." Izuku noticed the look in his eyes and knew exactly what was coming next. "We both had hard childhoods that made us believe that there's no way we could be heroes one day. I think you understand what I mean since you probably watched that documentary."
"Yes, I guess so." It was true. Nishiya might be a great hero, but he had one of the darkest childhoods ever. His parents were so poor that they couldn't afford to enroll him in a school like the rest of the kids. They were thankful that they could at least buy enough food to feed them. Yet, his parents didn't give up on him. They knew he'll one day be something great. And if wasn't already hard enough for him, he witnessed his parents get murdered in front of his eyes at the age of six by a psychopathic serial killer made of flame who broke into their home at night. The hell did he mean "I won't give the Gardner a chance"!? And the bastard escaped before the Heroes caught him in time. Since then, he was all alone in the streets. He had to work at a young age to earn his living and had to avoid street gangs daily.
He was one step away from being a villain. But thankfully, some officers and Heroes found him during a patrol and saved him just in time, inspiring him to be a Hero.
"I'm sorry about that, sir." Izuku continued. "It must've been hard for you."
"Nah, it's okay. I worked it out already. Past is past. Sure, I had no one when I lost my parents, but now, I have my friends. You also have your friend Gohan now by your side."
"Yeah, I know." He smiled slightly.
"And if anyone bothers you, then he'll have the Lurkers knocking on his door right away," Kamui added.
"T-That won't be needed! I can handle things myself!" Izuku replied nervously. The mere thought of an angry Kacchan blaming him for getting beaten by his friend shook him enough. Pro Heroes will be too much for him to handle.
"Yeah, that's what they all say." Shinji teased.
Back with Gohan
"So, to summarize what's been said, you were approached by Edgeshot to join his team, The Lurkers, since you proved many times to have a speed and a level of strength that rival that of the top ten Pro Heroes." The Saiyan recapped. "You accepted the offer without a second thought, having no idea that he'll search for more information about you in classified archives and police documents.
He discovered that not only you were a pupil of Master Roshi, but experienced the same mysterious Quirk Unleashment that your master and your comrades all experienced according to the files, which draw his attention, and felt that you were hiding something, especially since you appeared in the Cell Games with dad and Piccolo years ago and even during the Saiyan Invasion. So he waited for the right moment to question you and discover the truth.
At that time, your team had a mission in the mountains of the Wild, Wild, Pussycats after an earthquake hit it. You were suspicious that this was the act of a Villain you've been chasing called Atomic who can cause the molecules to vibrate. And while searching, the said villain caused another earthquake that nearly caused the mountain to collapse completely. After you knocked him down in a flash with a surprise attack, you saw that multiple rocks were going to fall on your teammates, the Pussycats, and a kid that was there. So without thinking, you smashed all of them with your bare hands and took everyone to safety before anyone could react. A speed that not even All Might could reach, at least not anymore.
After you made sure everything was fine and the villain was delivered to the police, Edgeshot came clear to you in front of everyone, forcing you to spell the truth."
"Exactly," Yamcha replied. "And honestly, when I think about it, it's kind of rude to investigate peoples' personal lives without their permission. Don't you think, Shinya?"
"I need to always keep an eye on things, Yamcha," Edgeshot responded coolly. "You don't know when a friend will turn out to be your worst enemy."
"Honestly, I'm not against you forcing him to spill the truth to us, but you need to have more faith in us," Yu added. "We're supposed to be a team, remember?"
Shinya gazed at her completely unfazed by her dramatic speech. "Yes. A team I assembled."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" The Mineyama Hero roared.
"It means you could've said 'no' from the beginning if you dislike the way I work."
"Okay, enough of the two of you!" Gohan interrupted, stopping the argument from getting any worse. He took a deep breath, trying to comprehend everything he's been told. He doesn't want to be surrounded by photographers and reporters everywhere he goes, but he realizes that he can't keep the secret from everyone. Some mystery-seekers will discover his truth and he can't do anything about it.
The adults stared at him with worry filled with guilt, especially Yamaha. He knew this was Gohan's secret, not his to share, and yet he exposed him not to one person, but to seven people at once. "Look, Gohan... I'm really sorry and I honestly regret what I've don-"
"It's fine, Yamcha-san," Gohan spoke. "You didn't have any other choice. I understand."
"Come on, don't make a big deal of it. You also did tell someone, haven't you?" Ragdoll teased.
"Wh- No, I didn't."
"Huh?" The answer seemed to confuse everyone at the table. "And what about your friend? The one with green hair who left with Kamui?"
"You mean Izuku? No, I haven't told him. All he knows is that I have a powerful Quirk that allows me to manipulate my energy into strength, speed, flight, and beams. I don't want him to think of me as something else."
"Speaking of the devil, I suggest you change the subject if you don't wanna be exposed. Our delivery team is back," Yu pointed.
Just then, said two have returned to their seats. Kamui handed each one his crepe using his branches. "Well guys, you've got to be thankful that I have a pretty good memory," he said. "Each of you has got the one he asked for. Sorry Gohan, but I didn't know what taste you liked so I brought you chocolate. Hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," he replied, taking his crepe from the branch that leaned to him. "Thank you, Shinji-san." The hybrid's attention was then turned to Izuku who was sitting back in his spot next to him, already enjoying his crepe, and asked him, "So, how did it go?"
"It was awesome!" he answered enthusiastically. Gohan already knew what was coming next. "You won't believe this, Gohan! Not only did I get to hang out with him, but Kamui-san also kept telling me about all his adventures and raids! Like that one time when he solely took down the entire Goblin Squad with little difficulty! Imagine it! It was a fourteen-versus-one, Gohan! FOURTEEN-VERSUS-ONE! Yet he came out of it victorious! "
Yu listened to the boy's speech and gave her partner a smirk. "Guess you found your future sidekick, Kamui." She teased him.
Shinji simply ignored her and turned his focus to Yamcha. "So, I guess you must've had some talk with each other."
Yamcha knew exactly what he meant by that and answered cooly, "Yep, we did. You also seem to have talked quite a lot with the kid, don't you think?"
"Oh, yes, I forgot about that." Midoriya turned to face Gohan with intense interest, his mouth curled into a wide smile. "Did you speak with them at last? If yes, what did you talk about?"
Panicked, the Half-Saiyan said the first thing that crossed his mind. "W-We also were speaking about their adventures in heroic duties." It's not a complete lie, he thought, Yamcha was telling me about the formation of the Lurkers after all.
"That sounds cool!" Midoriya responded. "I'd like to hear it from you later. Of course, if you don't mind."
"Yeah, sure thing, buddy." Gohan watched as his friend returned to devouring his crepe, chocolate covering his mouth. His mind repeated all over again what he discussed earlier.
"Come on, don't make a big deal of it. You also did tell someone, haven't you?"
"Wh- No, I didn't."
"Huh? And what about your friend? The one with green hair who left with Kamui?"
"You mean Izuku? No, I haven't told him. All he knows is that I have a powerful Quirk that allows me to manipulate my energy into strength, speed, flight, and beams. I don't want him to think of me as something else."
The thought of telling Izuku about his true nature, or at least the truth about his powers, crossed his mind. Should I tell him? He thought. Maybe not tell him about my history, but what about Ki? He will finally be a Hero just like he always dreamed to be. He's the only friend that I have now that didn't befriend me in battles and life-or-death situations. Perhaps... Perhaps now's not the time. When the right time comes, I promise to tell him everything.
"Hello? Earth to Gohan."
"W-What?" The hybrid said after he woke up from his thoughts. He was surprised to find the table completely empty, with the only one left with him is Mandalay who was standing right next to him. "Where did everybody go?"
"Weren't you listening?" She replied with a bit of annoyance. "We said that it's time for us to head to the Central Zone. The fans and the rest of the Heroes are waiting there." She then added joyfully, "You and Izuku are invited to come with us as well."
"Huh!?" The Saiyan was taken aback by the sudden news. He wasn't ready to be in the spotlight and surrounded by paparazzi for hanging out with Pro Heroes as if it was a daily activity. "B-B-B-But-"
"Not buts! We ain't taking no for an answer." She exclaimed, dragging him from his right arm. "Come on! You can eat your crepe on the way. We've got to catch up with the others. They're already ahead of us!"
Having no choice, the Saiyan obeyed and followed her, unaware of the two who were watching them from afar.
"Good. They'll get to meet the others there." The first one said.
"Yes. The Universe 7's team will, at last, be formed." The second added, then both of them vanished in the shadows as if they weren't there at all.[5]
[1] Honestly, that's the type of scene that you could find in the Dragon Ball franchise.
[2] Thanks to my friend Chris Bennett on Quora for giving me the calcs of how much weight Ki users can lift.
A Ki user with a Power Level of 40 Million can lift 33 Quadrillion tonnes. In that case, Gohan (who has now a base power of 28 Million) should be able to lift about 23.1 Quadrillion tonnes.
[3] With a base power level of 28 million, Gohan's speed in base form should be 62,499,999.999998 mph, but since he trained under ten times Earth's gravity, I assume he should be at the very least ten times faster: 624,999,999.99998 mph. About 93,19780825178% the speed of light, if not faster. But if his energy aura is as powerful as Burter (which probably is), he'll be able to ignore air density.
Burter - with a PL of 40,000 - was said to be the fastest in the universe, meaning his travel speed is even greater than that of First Form Frieza who has a Power Level of 530,000 (Keep in mind that we're talking about travel speed and not combat speed). So by ignoring air density, Burter is about fifteen times faster than an average person of the same Power Level, and then Goku out-placed him in speed.
In conclusion, Gohan's base form travel speed is between 62,499,999.999998 mph (9.319780825178% the speed of light/Sub-Relativistic+) and 937,499,864.9997 mph (13,979671237767 times fast than light/FTL+).
[4] Thanks to Maximum Rhapsody for giving me the idea.
[5] Just to make things clear, these two aren't Shin and Kibito, nor Beerus and Whis. They are actually their superiors (and they're not Zeno and Grand Priest). It'll all be clear in future chapters.