Chapter 6: Karma: Thy name is chaos!

Aizawa groaned as he woke up to the ding of another notification on his phone. The notifications had been ringing for more than 2 hours, constantly now. It was nearly midnight! Aizawa couldn't comprehend what could have been happening now. He was going to sleep early and wake up late since tomorrow was a weekend, but instead, here he was trying to ignore his notifications. It couldn't have been anything important since no one had called him for his help yet, but Aizawa knew that it might be related to a case or something. Grudgingly, he reached for his phone. He hissed as its brightness nearly blinded his eyes. After having fixed the brightness levels, he checked his notifications.

Aizawa's eye twitched as he saw most of the notifications were from online forums or news portals that he used to browse, only in search of clues for cases or major news like the emerging of a new villain or major villain fights. He nearly screamed in anger when he saw that all the notifications were just about an article. For all he knew, the public was just reading a new 'fascinating' article about fashion or something else that wasn't worth his interest. He was just about to throw the phone across the room and go back to sleep when a message popped up on his screen from Yamada.

There were only two words sent, Read this, along with an attachment which Aizawa suspected to be the article that was circulating online. The forums had been calling it, 'The article,' while talking about it so he didn't know what it was about. But now that Hizashi had sent him the original article along with the title, he became interested in it. He opened the article and read:

How far does quirk discrimination go?

By Storm & Chaos

Every human is equal in the eyes of the law. But is every human equal in the eyes of humans themselves? If you asked someone this question, they would disagree and proclaim that they believe each human is equal. However, the proverbial, 'Actions speak louder than words,' comes to mind in response to this answer. Indeed many people speak about fairness but in reality, their actions are hypocritical. You might be thinking that there are already laws to curb quirk discrimination, but what about when the cases get swept under the rug or the cases don't seem like quirk discrimination?

Quirk discrimination laws came into being less than 2 decades ago. The main reason these laws were made, was because mutant quirks were discriminated against much like racial discrimination. Nowadays, such discrimination does not exist. However, this is not the only type of quirk discrimination. What about the classification of quirks? Is this not discrimination. What about the quirkless?

The word, 'quirkless' seems alien in modern society. Yet, 20% of the population in Japan itself is quirkless! Granted much of this percentage is prevalent in the older generation, but, 7% of the younger population is quirkless. To a normal observer, this may not seem like a problem. After all, quirks are not that handy in daily life unless you are a hero or you have a quirk license to use your quirk to help you in business purposes. In everyday life, it's just cool to have and wouldn't make a difference. That's what many people believe. But, do you really think this is possible, when even in the past, discrimination always came from the core beliefs that if you are different or weaker, you will be discriminated against? And in the world of quirks, do you think having a quirk would not produce a superiority complex over the quirkless when people are often thought to be inferior due to the color of their skin?

As said before, 7% of the quirkless population are young, meaning their ages range from 16-35. The government doesn't take into account those who are quirkless and younger because there are often late quirk developers. So, the number of quirkless is undoubtedly higher in reality. Even among adults, people with stronger quirks often taunt those with younger ones. Scientists have proven long ago that children will imitate the behavior they see in adults. Therefore, it seems idiotic to presume that those with stronger quirks will never bully those with weaker ones, let alone those without a quirk.

What about the covert discriminations? What about when adults refuse to help those with weaker quirks while claiming they do so because those with so-called, 'weaker quirks' might get hurt. Many dojos or combat training clubs refuse to take in those with weak quirks. Why? Because they do not want to lose the prestige of training children with strong quirks. They believe that those with strong quirks are more likely to become successful. So, they turn away those who they deem have weaker quirks. On the off chance that they do take in someone quirkless or someone with a weak quirk, they are used as a pebble, a stepping stone for the 'strong.' Do we want the next generation of heroes to be such that they do not care as long as they are strong? Because, if we carry on like this, what will be the difference between heroes and villains? Will it be society who judges who villains are just like they judge which quirk is heroic and which one is villainous?

Society is the reason why many villains form. A boy who is bullied to have a villainous quirk might choose to go down the route of being a villain simply because he was always told he was a villain by peers. The idea of classifying a quirk as heroic or villainous is not alien to anyone. While many choose not to speak about it outright, they have surely thought of it sometimes. Telepathic quirks are often called villainous because they can control people or interfere with their minds. Yet, Mandalay of the Wild Wild pussycat is one example of a hero with a telepathic quirk. It is a human themselves who decides how to use their quirk. Therefore, it is also unfortunately true that their mind can be swayed by people calling them a villain because of their quirk. It is also unjust to classify a quirk by comparing its similarity with a hero's quirk or a villain's. A good example is the villain, Twice, and UA's teacher, Ectoplasm. Both of them have quirks that allow them to make clones of themselves but one allowed society to change how he wanted to use his quirk while one still fought to become a hero.

While we do have quirk discrimination laws, they are only useful on the base level of offering equal rights to everyone. Actions speak otherwise as many people continue to discriminate against weak quirks and the quirkless. Most people have witnessed this differential treatment but few have thought of it as discrimination and even fewer have ever thought of its impact on the entire society. Is this the legacy that we as a society want to leave behind? Are we going to let this situation fester until it blows up in our face?

Aizawa massaged his forehead after he finished reading the article. He could see why everyone was in an uproar about the article. It had highlighted society's error in the way they were classifying quirks and how people are raising their children to essentially become the definition of villain nowadays.

So what do you think?

A message from Present-mic appeared on his phone.

The writer has highlighted the issues but most of the society won't agree.

Are you kidding? Have you seen the news?

...

Of course not, who am I asking. The thing is the writers brought quirk-discrimination in this too. Quirk discrimination is still fresh in everyone's minds. So, they just added
fuel to a fire that was winding down. Everyone is suuupeeeer mad about quirk classification now.

Not to mention there will be huge madness when parents figure out that their children are getting discriminated against and bullied at school.

Exactly. But, I don't think people will do much to help those who have already turned into villains cuz of society. 😓

Knowing the rat, he will be interested in this. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote it under an alias. How is the majority of the public reacting tho? Not the media coverage.

It's still too early to tell but the reaction is very welcoming in favor of the article.
Most people on the forum agree that quirks shouldn't be classified like this. Many of them are even sharing their own stories of quirk-induced bullying.

It's... bad.
You should go through it. The forums won't be so bad for you right now bcuz everyone's
serious. It's too strenuous to explain too.

Fine. See you tomorrow. I'm going to ask Nedzu if he had anything to do with this too.

ok

Aizawa closed the messaging app and headed over to the forums to follow up on Mic's advice. As soon as he entered, Aizawa immediately knew two things:

1) He's going to have a headache tomorrow.
2) The chaos isn't going to die down soon and it will lead to a lot of things.

Next morning

"Some of the sentences have been added. None of ours have been deleted though. Yagi-sensei's friend wanted to prove one or two of his points too,"

"They are good points though," Izuku replied.

Watanabe nodded, "Didn't say they weren't. Damn the forums are on fire." He commented.

Izuku nodded, "Yeah, I didn't think it would be so... Chaotic!"

"Not a bad thing. I think Yagi-sensei knew something like this would happen considering he gave us the day off" Watanabe replied.

"Hmm, perhaps. He is the number one for a reason. Most of the newspapers and media are using our article as firepower too,"

"Well duh, look at these headlines:

Quirk discrimination: Secretive impact on everyday life. Are we raising villains? What are heroes? Quirk classification, why it must be abolished.

The list goes on. People on the forums are sharing their own stories of quirk discrimination and how they were subject to quirk bullying. Someone even brought up how hero schools are also doing quirk discrimination by allowing their exams to be suited for only those with stronger quirks! Seriously who did Yagi-sensei send our article to?"

"Who knows. Maybe Yagi-sensei edited it himself?" Izuku asked.

"No, he has no reason to lie to us about sending our article to someone else."

Izuku nodded slowly, "Hey, look at this! Even heroes are getting ambushed!"

"What, really!?" Watanabe asked excitedly and rushed to Izuku to see.

"Yeah, see, a footage of Endeavour getting cornered and being interviewed is circulating on the special forum for the article."

"I don't think he said anything nice" Watanabe pointed out seeing the angry and insulting comments about the video.

Izuku sweatdropped seeing some of the comments, "It can't be that bad! He's the number 2 hero!"

"So? He ain't a saint just cuz he's number 2. Look at the amount of accidental civilian deaths he has!"

"Let's just watch," Izuku interrupted knowing he was fighting a losing debate. He clicked on the video and the sound started.

The reporters rushed towards Endeavour who seemed to be looking like restraining himself from burning them. "Endeavour, Endeavour!" The reporters mobbed the pro hero who had no way of escaping.

"What do you want?" The hero said gruffly with barely restrained anger in his voice. Undeterred one of the reporters asked, "Have you seen the article on quirk discrimination that has been circulating online?"

Endeavour nodded with an arrogant grunt.

"What did you think of it? What are your views on the problems addressed?" Another reporter asked.

"Huh? What do you mean? There are NO problems with the way things are, got it!?"

The reporter who asked the question stepped back embarrassed at being insulted by the number two hero. But, another reporter stepped forward, "Most of Japan would disagree with you!" she said sternly, "Would you care to explain why you think there are no problems which the article has pointed out?"

Endeavor's fire grew redder as he answered, "Heroes need to be strong. The strongest will rise. People with weak quirks will only be a liability on the field! Obviously a hero-wannabe with a weak quirk must have written this article to get attention. He should be apprehended and punished for this!" The pro hero said and pushed through the stunned crowd.

The clip ended as the sound of outraged reporters started while Endeavour flew off.

"Why that dipshitting, nitwit of an ass-" Watanabe started when Natsume popped her head in, "WHAT WAS THAT!?" She threatened.

"N-nothing mom!" Watanabe quickly replied.

"Really, because I could have sworn I heard you curse. Are you lying to me too?" she asked with a sweet tone and smile.

"W-we were just seeing Endeavour's interview," Izuku said.

Instantly Natsume's face changed. Her face grew angry, "Now don't listen to that idiot, both of you! He doesn't know what he was talking about! You can both become strong and good heroes!" She said with an encouraging smile. Both cousins nodded happily. "Now, Watanabe, if I hear you utter a curse again,"

"I WON'T" he screamed in fear.

"Good!" Natsume said and left, closing the door behind her. Watanabe let out a sigh of relief. "Aunt Natsume's scary," Izuku said.

Watanabe shook his head, "You haven't even seen the worst," he told his cousin and smirked inwardly, "Phase 2 is going better than I imagined," Watanabe whispered to himself.

"What was that?"

"Nothing,"

Meanwhile at UA

Aizawa sat at his table drinking his coffee enjoying the silence of the staffroom. He wasn't late but the staffroom was still empty. He knew the reason why and decided to enjoy the few blissful moments of silence that would be available before his colleagues would start arriving.

The silence was short-lived as the door crashed open. Aizawa winced as Mic's loud voice poured in, "Damn mass media! Why can't we accuse them of trespassing!?"

"That's not a very wise choice. The media just wants hero opinions on the article," Thirteen replied calmly.

"We both know they only want our opinions to increase newspaper sales. They don't care about just presenting our opinions to the public." Vlad king replied gruffly.

"True, but personally, I want to talk about the article," Snipe said.

"In front of the reporters?" Vlad asked, eye raised.

"Of course not!"

"We can just talk about it here. It's a weekend anyway. We are only here to prepare things for the students." Thirteen replied.

"By the way, HOW ON EARTH DID YOU GET HERE SO FAST, AIZAWA?" Midnight screamed.

Aizawa clasped his hands over his ears, "Unlike you all, I am better at stealth,"

"Haha, as if. It's only because you don't look like a hero, and more like a hobo," Mic teased.

Aizawa growled and got up from his seat. "Oi, that was just a joke. Where are you going?" Mic called after his friend.

"Chat with Nedzu," Aizawa replied and swiftly closed the door behind him before anyone could comment. He walked through the hall, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He turned right and met the door of Nedzu's room. He took a deep breath, knowing he might not even get an answer. He entered the room and came face to face with a smirking Nedzu who was pouring tea into two cups.

"I see you were expecting me," Aizawa said.

"No, I was expecting someone, not you specifically," Nedzu replied.

"That's why you made my favorite tea?" Aizawa asked dryly.

"I said I knew someone would come. However, logically I knew to expect you to come first." Nedzu said motioning for him to take a seat.

"Of course you did," he muttered and sat down, taking a sip of his tea.

"So, how may I help you?" Nedzu asked cheerfully.

"You know why,"

"It could be for multiple reasons,"

"The article," Aizawa said through gritted teeth. He had always hated Nedzu's roundabout ways.

"Which one? There are countless articles you know?"

"The one that's gone viral. The one about quirk discrimination, did you write it?" Aizawa demanded.

Nedzu calmly sipped his tea before replying, "No, not really,"

Aizawa's eyes narrowed but he didn't reply.

"May I ask why?"

"Seemed like something you would do. If you really didn't this stranger has a lot of potential."

Nedzu smirked, "How do you know the writers might not be middle-aged,"

"They might be. That doesn't mean they don't have potential. I'd rather teach these two writers even if they are 70 years old rather than teach my class,"

"Ah yes, I had gotten your documents to expel all of your students. May I ask the reason for expelling this new batch?"

"They think that just because they have gotten into UA, they can become pros without doing any work," Aizawa growled.

"Same as the last batch then." Nedzu sighed, "That's two batches now then. Hopefully next year, the batch will be better,"

Aizawa nodded in reply, "I'll get going then,"

"No more questions?" Nedzu asked amused.

"I am sure you will be giving a press conference soon and you'll share your views then. Asking about your views now will simply be a waste of time." Aizawa replied finishing his tea. He got up, opened the door. Just as he was about to close the door behind him, Nedzu interrupted. "Aizawa."

Aizawa looked back at Nedzu questioningly. Nedzu's eyes gleamed, "If I am correct, you were bullied too because your quirk was not flashy and was said to be 'villainous', right?"

Aizawa nodded slowly, "Your point?"

"Did your teachers help you?", Nedzu asked sipping tea.

Aizawa raised his eyebrow, "You know they didn't. What exactly are you planning?"

Nedzu's feral grin grew wider and his eyes shone more chaotically, "Nothing. Nothing at all."

"What has you so thoughtful?", Mic asked as Aizawa entered the staff room. "Thinking about what the article has implicitly pointed out but everyone missed," Aizawa answered as he helped himself to a mug of coffee. " And that is?", Vlad asked confused.

"If bullying students with weaker quirks still exist, what makes you think the behavior of the teachers has changed?" The staff room fell into silence at those words. The teachers fell into a deep thought at the words. Aizawa sipped his coffee with glee at his colleagues' reactions. He could see why Nedzu liked being so sadistic. It was very satisfying. He could already see Mic ranting about this perspective everywhere. Aizawa gulped down the rest of his coffee. Perhaps just this once, he would help along the chaos even if it gave him a headache.