Today had started off so well for Izumi, breakfast with her mom while talking about U.A and how different the teaching style was from her uncles and the ISAHF bases they had used, it was a refreshing difference honestly. Meeting teenagers her age and not young adults actively aiming to become ISAHF heroes, but just normal heroes for their country of origin.
This had been followed by her meeting up with Tenya and Ochaco on the walk from the train station, one of the things about the commute she had figured out early on would be a massive pain, mostly thanks to her wings taking up more space on public transport, if it wasn't against the law Izumi would have quite happily flown above the city to reach the station and meet her friends.
Yet now some annoying brunette woman was shoving a microphone into her face firing off questions about All-Might, practically demanding answers about what it was like to be taught by him and how it felt seeing him in front of the class. Before either of her friends could answer the woman's questions Izumi shoved past her forcing her to stumble back into the gaggle of reporters that were crowding the entrance to U.A, before fixing them all with a cold glare.
"Do you have written consent from both our legal guardians to accost us and demand information about a privately run institute?" Izumi all but demanded her cold gaze fixed specifically at the brunette woman, reporters and the news were something Izumi had grown to hold in contempt as they could never leave well enough alone and would twist anything into a story for the sack of their ratings.
The brunette woman stuttered and stammered under Izumi's gaze for a few moments, taken back by the sheer level of disgust in the young teenager's eyes. If she didn't know any better she'd have thought it was from being near a news reporter, but that was crazy heroes needed the weekly new cycle to stay relevant and popular. "The public has a right to know, and who better to ask than his stude…"
"Then they can read about the staff on U.A's official website," Izumi cut the woman, her glaring never lessoning as she turned moving towards the entrance gate both Tenya and Ochaco following behind, "As opposed to getting the information from you vultures."
"Hey wait!" The brunette reporter hastily screamed reaching out grabbing Izumi by the arm before she could cross the entrance's threshold, "We just want one small statement that's all."
Izumi slowly turned her head back to the brunette her face unreadable, her voice flat and toneless, "what is your name? And what network do you work for?"
The reporter blinked in confusion, "Why?"
"So I know what news outlet and reporter I'll be filing assault charges against," her words left no room for misinterpretation, leaving the brunette once again stunned as Izumi wrenched her arm free of the older woman's grip.
"You are interrupting our classes," The tired voice of Shota rung out over the silence that had fallen after Izumi's threat, "And manhandling our students, leave." While he had originally intended to be more polite to the assembled mass of reporters, after seeing one of them try to forcibly stop one of his students, in particular, Shota was not inclined to.
Without missing the chance Izumi continued past the entrance gate turning her back to the assembled reporters only hearing them slowly start to kick up a fuss as one of them tried to cross the entrance only to have the massive multi-layered security gate slam shut on them.
"Are you okay?" Ochaco asked a concerned look on her face as she walked beside Izumi, "you got a little aggressive back there."
Izumi turned and smiled at Ochaco to try and alleviate her friends' worry, "Yer I'm fine, I just don't like the media."
"They provide a noble service to people, by searching out and portraying the facts and information of any all situations that the public need to know about," Tenya spoke, not understanding Izumi's dislike for the media, "They allow the public a glimpse at the work done by heroes from the safety of their homes, an essential part of society."
"No Tenya they don't," Izumi bit back, flicking her gaze towards him, "They only care about getting ratings, producing a story that makes the investors happy and will twist any situation to suit the story they want to tell. They can turn a selfless hero who willingly stood his ground against a threat to civilian life when he was already critically wounded into a selfish glory hound by just changing the facts."
A silence fell over the three as Ochaco and Tenya looked towards each other both concerned at Izumi's sharp tone towards the media, both wondering if something had happened to negatively colour her opinion.
Shota likewise had overheard Izumi as he had walked past the three of them on his way towards the staff lounge, her opinion towards the media didn't surprise him much if his logical assumption about how the girl had been taught to handle her quirk was true. Anyone raised and trained by the ISAHF would have an unmistakable negative opinion of the press, considering the ISAHF did not typically capture the villains they were often brought in the deal with.
It was not something Shota saw the need to change, a hero that was more concerned about their media appearance was not a hero you wanted at any situation, be it a villain attack of a rescue operation so he couldn't find fault with that. But what he could find fault with wasn't heor but how Toshinori had handled the battle training, using a random lot drawing to decide who was paired up and which pairs battled was the height of idiocy and had resulted in the one thing he'd told the blond buffoon to not allow to happen, happen.
After spending a fair bit of team explaining to the blonde idiot why what had done had been the height of stupidity, which had landed one student with several broken ribs a concussion and a broken arm, while the other had needed his eyes thoroughly rinsed out and checked for lasting damage Shota had finally watched the battles trail recordings.
He had been honestly shocked by how quickly and level of brutal efficiency Izumi and Mina had taken down Katsuki and Shoto in, he knew full well the plan was all Izumi's work but Mina had followed along with it perfectly. It was a shocking surprise as the pink-skinned and haired girl had only just managed to pass the written exam to make it into the hero course, so perhaps Izumi would prove to be a positive influence on her.
Shota had also observed how Izumi had not once used the more lethal part of her quirk on Shoto during her takedown of the boy only resorting, to what Higari had identified as an 'Electromagnetic Launcher' to blow open the ice blocking entry and her machine gun rounds to likewise blow apart ice pillars she couldn't dodge. The level of tactical thinking and foresight that would have taken was beyond impressive and showed Izumi was not a student he needed to worry about in a practical sense.
Her brutality however still was, as the injuries, she'd inflicted on Shoto while non-lethal still excessive for a training exercise. While she'd kept things relatively safe if her kick had any more power behind it then Shoto would have suffered far more than broken bones.
Clearing his head as he entered the teacher's lounge only to grab the stack of evaluation grades and offer a wave to the staff in the lounge Shota was stopped by the sound of Nezu's voice.
"Ah Aizawa I have some good news," Nezu spoke as he turned around on a swivel chair a cup of tea in hand, "I was able to get a meeting set up with Miss Midoriya's mother, she will be just as the sixth period ends tomorrow."
"I'll make sure I am available sir," Shota tiredly responded as Nezu gave him a single nod in return.
The results collected Shota made his way to his classroom, pleasantly surprised by the fact his students took less than three seconds to quiet down and look towards the front. "Good work with Yesterday's battle training," not even bothering with a good morning as it would be a waste of time Shota placed the stack of papers on his desk, "I have looked over your grades and evaluations, some of you performed above expectations while others did not." Shota turned to look towards Shoto, "Todoroki by only using half your quirk you are limiting yourself work on that and learn to work with your partner that goes for you as well Bakugo." He moved his gaze towards the scowling blonde before moving it to Izumi, "Midoriya good planning and team but in future try not to leave your fellow students needing a long stay in the nurse's office." Slowly moving on to offer similar advice to every student.
"With that out of the way, not homeroom business," he watched as most of the class gained worried expressions, "Sorry to spring this all on you so suddenly but today you'll need to," he paused briefly hiding his smile at how a third of the class began dreading his next words, likely thinking it was a pop-quiz, "Pick a class president, I don't care how you do it just decide quickly and don't bother me."
Slowly slinking back down behind the desk at the front of the class and crawling into his sleeping bag, Shota listened as the class devolved into all trying to claim the president position only to be stopped by Tenya saying they should vote. A logical idea pity everyone would only vote for themselves completely undermining the point of a vote, that was until he heard Izumi say she wouldn't want the position.
"I would rather follow someone who can lead," her response to the various students clamouring as to why she didn't want the position.
With the shock of her not wanting the position dying down Shota slowly rose from behind the desk, watching as they took the vote before Izumi tallied up the score and placed the results on the desk in front of him. He wasn't shocked by the result of the vote, considering Izumi had no desire for it. "So your president is Iida and your vice president is Yaoyorozu," Shota yawned slowly standing up and climbing out of his sleeping bag. "Now all of you get moving the bells about to go."
It wasn't until the final twenty minutes of lunch that caused something of interest and concern to happen, the reporters crowding around the outside of the gate had managed to breach the school grounds and make a nuisance of themselves and cause panic to the student body. Had it not been for the quick thinking of Tenya and Izumi things would have spiralled out of control.
While the rest of the school went about the final two periods of class, Shota, Nezu, Chiyo Shuzenji and Thirteen examined the remains of the main gate. Something had disintegrated it into dust, it was disturbing that someone had managed to do this and not trigger the security system until the reporters had crossed the threshold.
"Someone did this deliberately, no reporter would think to try something like this," Nezu stated, rolling some of the rubble between his paw, "As some declaration of war or a simple distraction?"
"The computer system wasn't accessed, neither were any students hurt outside of some minor scrapes in the panic at lunch," Chiyo answer rubbing her chin in confusion likewise unable to make heads or tails of the ruined gate.
"Either way we should keep our guard up," Shota spoke turning to look at Thirteen, "I'll be joining you for tomorrow's rescue training as an extra precaution," Getting a nod in response he turned back looking over the rubble, this was a concern many groups would have jumped at a chance to steal information from U.A but none had, what could have been the reason for the breach.
The following day Shota had arrived only to be informed Toshinori was running late, this didn't surprise him much in all likelihood the man was performing 'heroics' on his commute that while respectable was detrimental to the education of the students.
"Today we'll be performing rescue training, so it is your choice as to whether or not you wear your costumes, some of them are ill-suited for this activity," Shota yawned opening the back wall for the hero costumes and much like Toshinori he also noticed the number one costume slot was missing, this didn't surprise him as Toshinori had told him Izumi was using the ISAHF training suit she'd taken the entrance exam in, not an illogical thing really as the training suit would be easily replaceable as opposed to a hero costume. "We will be heading to a remote facility for the training by bus, so get ready and meet at the bus."
It did not take that long for the class to get ready and make their way down to the bus, the only thing that slowed them down was Tenya trying to have everyone sit in their assigned class seats which due to three members of the class having mutation quirks made that impractical at best. Shota however just slumped across the front seat and listened to the conversations his students were here having, the one between Tsuyu and Izumi being one he was most interested in.
"I normally speak what's on my mind," Tsuyu spoke, turning to face the green-haired girl with a smile on her face. "You quirk is similar to the villain Archange."
Izumi turned to Tsuyu raising an eyebrow on confusion, "And?"
"Archange? I've never heard of that villain," Eijiro spoke up rubbing the side of his head in confusion.
"Not surprising his reach never made it to Japan," Izumi spoke shrugging before noticing the looks on most of the class wanting her to elaborating, "Archange was from the Republic of Belarus, through his actions the villain group 'Free Europa Meta Movement' gained significant holdings and influence across most of Europe. His quirk was simply called 'Sky Dominance' and with it, he remained untouchable in the skies by nearly every hero who tried to stand before him. Only by luck did a combined force of All-Might and some of the first wave ISAHF heroes bring him down."
"Dam a villain taking multiple heroes to stop, he must have been tough," Hanta whistled as several other students nodded.
"But yes Asui, while my quirk is similar to his, it is only we both share the mutations of a classic fighter jet." Izumi clarified staring at the frog quirked girl.
"Call me Tsuyu," She croaked smiling back at Izumi.
"Still your quirk is perfect for heroics Midoriya," Eijiro gave her a thumbs up, "Flashy and powerful unlike my hardening," Eijiro held out an arm and activated his quirk the surface turning rocky, "Only really good in a fight and not all that flashy."
"Then don't aim to be a flashy hero," Izumi shrugged, earning more confused looks. "If you are a flashy hero your weaknesses will be glaringly obvious and villains will pick up on that, your quirk is enough to go pro thanks to its reliability and with some planning it'll be an advantage in most situations. Or you could aim for the ISAHF."
"Huh," Eijiro rubbed his chin in thought, "Never thought about it like that. Thanks, Midoriya"
"I have been meaning to ask," Teyna spoke up pointing at the ISAHF logo and lettering on Izumi's jacket, "What is the ISAHF?" His question drew everyone's attention.
"The ISAHF is the 'Independent States Allied Hero Force', a multinational hero force that doesn't partake in localised heroic actions but step in to stop threats on a global scale," Izumi explained looking around at her classmates, "They are not for everyone."
"How do you know so much about them Izumi?" Ochaco asked her curiosity about her friend's knowledge getting the better of her.
"Well my uncle is one of their most well-known heroes," Izumi shrugged, "And he helped me learn how to use my quirk without it being dangerous to other people."
"So powerhouses are something the ISAHF would look for as well?" Eirjio asked earning a nod in response, "So Todoroki and Bakugo would be the type of heroes the ISAHF would look at then? Cus they have perfect quirks to be pros."
"Not really," Izumi replied turning her gaze towards the angrily scowling blonde and stoic two-toned boy, "Neither has the attitude the ISAHF would want in their heroes."
"Is it because Bakugo is so unhinged he'd never be popular?" Tsuyu asked, tapping a finger on her chin.
"THE FUCK DID YOU SAY FROG-FACE!" Katsuki screamed nearly vaulting over the seat, small explosions sparking from his hands in rage.
"Jesus dude calm down," Denki exclaimed scooting away from the seat Katsuki had gripped, "I mean we just met you and you're proving you have a personality like a sack of trash."
Before Katsuki could erupt with anger the bus came to a stop, jostling the students about. With a groan of exertion, Shota rose from the front seat turning to face the class, "We're here, everyone off the bus and Bakugo don't destroy U.A property outside of obstacles in the training grounds."
Ignoring the blonde boys angrily growling Shota dismounted the bus watching as his students followed behind, he'd spent the bus ride listening to their group convocation and the interesting information it had dropped. He'd heard of Archange before, the fact that one man had brought the entire combined might of Europe's heroes to their knees and the biggest problem child of his class had a similar quirk was not comforting.
Leading his class into the large circular building Shota heard some of them gasp in excitement as they looked out across the varying training fields. "Welcome to the US," Shota lazily gestured out over the various training fields.
"We're at Universal Studios Japan?!" Denki exclaimed in surprised a bright expression on his face.
"You really think the Universal Studios is inside the U.A campus?" Kyoka deadpanned staring at the blonde boy, completely taken back by his statement trying to process what he had said.
"This is the 'Unforeseen Simulation Joint' seven different disaster zones built to facilitate rescue training in a controlled environment," The tinned female voice of Thirteen echoed from the stairs leading down into the central plaza, "A facility I designed and built to simulate every possible disaster and accident that could occur." Coming to a stop at the top of the stairs Thirteen looked out across the assembled students before turning to Shota.
"Thirteen where is All-Might?" Shota asked glancing around tiredly trying to spot any sign of the tall blonde symbol of peace.
"He's resting back in the staff room," Thirteen replied holding up three fingers, "He seems to have hit his limit during the morning commute."
Shota just stared at Thirteen, his eyes darkening slightly at the space heroes words, of course, the blonde idiot had run out his time on his way into work not even considering how it would look to the students when he was meant to be teaching heroics. "Of course he did," Shota sighed rubbing his eyes in frustration, "Pulling something like this is beyond irrational, we'll have to get started regardless."
"Before we begin I'd like to offer one or two points to the students." Thirteen turned towards the students before starting to advise on the dangers of quirks.
While Thirteen began her explanation Shota began to tune her out, focusing on the ambience coming from the simulation zones. The noise was soothing allowing Shota to clear his thoughts for the upcoming training exercise, it was only interrupted by a tearing sound filtering up from the central plaza.
Turning his gaze towards the central plaza Shota saw a small swirling purple and black dot started to form, as the dot formed slowly it began to expand in size almost as if being pulled open. With rising dread, Shota saw a hand force the swirling dot wider before a lanky figured stepped threw before being followed by a horde of others.
"EVERYONE GET BACK!" Shota roared pointing towards the door as he pulled his combat goggles onto his face, somehow villains had managed to breach inside the U.A's walls and of all the places they chose the USJ right, "THIRTEEN PROTECT THE STUDENTS!" Glancing down at the large mass of villains Shota studied them, most were just common thugs only present for the numbers but the ones in the back struck him as the ring leaders.
A lanky blue-haired man wearing a costume made from hands, likely the ring leader by the way he was standing and the figures positioned around him like a guard detail a target to definitely bring in for questioning. It was the four other figures that held his interest more, the first was a large purple-skinned bird beaked man the holder of a strength quirk but the disturbing thing was not only his exposed brain but how eerily still he was.
While the purple-skinned giant was disturbing for what he was able to bring to bear and the sign of little to no high mental function, it was the three short identical-looking girls at truly worried him. Metallic blue hair in twin tails flicked in the breeze as their heads and piercing golden eyes snapped around watching the air, upon their foreheads sat a tattooed number each number different almost like an identification mark. It wasn't hard for Shota to make out the numbers upon each of the girl's foreheads, 'zero-seven' 'two-nine' and 'four-zero', those numbers worried him it made him think those girls were only a small part of a larger grouping.
Considering they had angular armoured sections covering their bodies and sharp angular wings that looks like his classes problem child, whatever those three girls were they could prove a threat to his students just like the entire mod of villains.
He'd have to be quick and keep their attention on him to let the students escape and warn the rest of the U.A staff, it was his job first and foremost as a hero.