Zoro recently just got out of school earlier than usual. Normally he would head straight to the dojo and train, but Zoro decided that he'd stop by his home first for a quick snack before training his energy away for the day and go home.

On his way home, he passed by the playground near their apartment. He gave it a passing glance and proceeded to go home. After a few seconds, Zoro came rushing back to the playground when he processed just what and who he saw. The dark green hair on the ground has him rushing to it.

When Zoro got to where Izuku was, the sight got him seeing red and felt himself wanting to go on a rampage. Zoro looked around the playground to see who's responsible for this but found none. Before he gives who did this a piece of his mind, Zoro knelt down and shook Izuku.

Izuku was looking up at the sky and didn't even notice his brother next to him. It's when Zoro lifted him up and carried him home that he realized that his big brother has him and carrying him home.

"Nii-chan?"

"Don't worry, we're almost home." Zoro said putting a hand on his head for comfort. Izuku decided to just go with the flow and bury his head in Zoro's neck.

When they got home, Inko was still at work so Zoro put Izuku on a chair in the kitchen and he rummaged through the fridge for ice. When he got an ice tray, Zoro hurriedly grabbed a plastic bag and put the ice there. Zoro approached Izuku and put the makeshift ice bag on the biggest bruise or probably a burn he could see.

Zoro took Izuku's hand and placed it on the ice bag implying for him to hold it there which he did. Zoro carried a chair and set it in front of Izuku so when he sat down he's face to face with his little brother. "What happened?" he asked with the calmest voice he could muster. Which is him asking through gritted teeth and dark eyes.

The sight has him fearing what his brother will do to Kacchan and the others. Izuku took his time to think about how he'll explain the situation. "Uhm…there was this kid," Izuku fidgeted in his seat "and there were other kids bothering him so…"Izuku took a deep breath "I had to do something! That's what a hero would do!"

Zoro only looked at Izuku and figured he won't get any other answer from him so he sighed and settled for another question. "Who were the kids?"

Izuku visibly flinched at the question which didn't escape Zoro's eyes. "You know them." It was more of a statement than a question "Who?"

Izuku squealed at the threatening aura his brother was emitting but Izuku stood his ground "I'm not telling!"

His response surprised Zoro but he kept at it "Why not?"

Izuku jumped down from the chair and stood straight. "This is something I'll have to settle for myself."

Zoro could see the determination in his eyes and decided to let it go for now. "Fine, but when things get out of hand I'm stepping in."

Izuku smiled and hugged his big brother a hug that Zoro happily returned. During the hug, they slowly felt cold liquid on their feet prompting them to looking down. Looks like during their talk, Izuku dropped the ice Zoro prepared and was now melting. Looks like Izuku dropped it sometime during their conversation.

The brothers exchanged a look and looked down again before running around the kitchen, frantically looking for stuff to clean the mess with. That's how Inko came home to a scene where her sons were mopping up the kitchen floor. She'll ask later when they're finished; she'll start prepping for dinner in the meantime.

The Midoriyas were peacefully eating dinner when Inko decided to ask "So uh…what happened."

Izuku stiffened at the question but Zoro remained composed. The older green haired sibling thoroughly chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth before responding "Found Izuku at the playground bruised, probably fell from the swing so I helped him ice it."

Technically a half truth but it was sufficient explanation and it made sense to Inko. She looked at her younger son "Let me see, dear." She asked wanting to see if he truly is fine.

Izuku showed the bruise on his leg where it's not as bad "I'm fine now, nii-chan took great care of me!" Inko smiled at that reassured that her boys have each other's backs.

As they were eating, the television that was left on for them started broadcasting a kendo tournament on the news announcing the champion. The news has Inko thinking. "Zoro, would you want to enter a tournament like that?"

"Hmm?" Zoro looked up to the TV to look at what she was referring to. Zoro observed the highlights that were currently playing. "I can face tougher opponents there?"

"Well…" Inko's mind wandered to the adults in the dojo he's training at and thinks they're far more skilled than the people shown on TV and how Zoro can easily best every single one of them. "You'll only be facing opponents the same age as you."

Zoro looked back at the TV that's showing a replay of a match where the fighters appeared to be the same age as him and observed them with a judging eye. Inko sweatdropped at that, she's not a swordsman herself but from observing her son's and the dojo's skills even she could tell that her son's skills were way beyond others in his age group.

"No thanks." He said going back to his dinner.

'I figured' Inko thought. She ruffled her son's hair and gave his temple a kiss "Alright then. But do tell me if you need anything."

At that Zoro looked up at his mom bright eyed and cheeks puffed full of food. "Except for heavier weights." Zoro deflated at that but still went back to eating. "When you get older those will be your birthday gift."

She should've brought Zoro with her shopping. She was holding her end of the promise when she said she'd buy him weights when he's older. Zoro was already in his first year in middle school and he's already turning 13 so this will be her gift. These heavy weights she can't even lift and was dragging home.

It was supposed to be a surprise but to her luck, Zoro ran into her as he was going home from the dojo. "You okay mom?" he asked rushing towards her to lend a helping hand.

"Yes yes honey, I'm fine let me just." Inko tried lifting the bags but struggled to do so. Not only are her groceries in there, but the extremely heavy weights sure are making it impossible for her.

As she was busy with the bags, Zoro was able to sneak up on her and easily lifted every single bag she has. This surprised her since the weights were heavier from his usual ones. "Woah these are heavy what are in these?"

"W-well…" Zoro rummaged through the bags and found his gift and looked at it with shiny eyes. "I guess it'll be an early birthday gift."

Inko admired her son's happy face before record scratching played in her head. "You sure are lifting those weights as if they're nothing huh."

"Oh I've lifted heavie-" Zoro paused and looked at his mom "Heavy…rocks at the dojo?" His mother was now giving him a look. Zoro held her gaze for a while before bolting to their home.

"Zoro!" Inko exclaimed running after him.

Izuku was on his way to his home from school when he passed a building that has katanas displayed and Izuku found himself smushing his face against the glass to get a good look at the blades.

"Interested in swords kid?" a woman's voice asked. Izuku looked at her and saw a short haired woman with glasses looking at him.

"Oh no, I was just admiring." The kid brought his attention back to the display his face shining in admiration as he imagined his brother using the swords in display. His brother only has one sword right now and he really looks cool using it. He could only imagine what he would look like if he uses fully fledged swords with his three sword style and not just training ones.

His train of thought was interrupted by giggling. The woman crouched down and next to him. "You sure you don't want one?"

"N-no…well not for me at least."

"Hm?"

Izuku fiddled with the bottom of his uniform feeling shy. "My big brother has his birthday coming up, and I couldn't think of getting him anything else other than swords."

"Why so?"

"My big brother wants to be the greatest swordsman! And he promised that he'll be a great hero alongside me!" Izuku said to the lady with bright eyes.

The woman almost found herself squealing by how cute the kid is but she composed herself. "I look forward to seeing how your brother and you will be in the future."

"Mn!"

The woman looked at the shop and identified it as something that is trustworthy. "Wanna go look around?"

"Huh, but I don't have the money to buy any."

"No harm with just window shopping."

When the two entered the shop, the owner looked at the kid in caution but the woman reassured him that he'll behave.

Izuku is not very knowledgeable when it comes to swords, but he knows the basic because of his brother. But all those flew out of his mind as he admired all the cool looking ones moving from display to another his mind just picturing his brother wielding every single one and deciding which one would be the coolest but his fun was trampled when he got a glimpse of the prices.

The little kid found a pile of swords in the corner with signs surrounding it being the cheapest in the store. Maybe he could find a decent one here. He doesn't have the money for it but maybe he could save some for it.

As he ruffled through different ones, the woman approached him "Find anything interesting?"

Izuku lifted his head from the pile with a sword in his hand "Hm? Ah no just looking through." He said looking at the sword in his hand.

"Is that so-AAAHHHH." The woman screamed catching him and the owner in surprise. The lady took the sword that was in his hand and looked at it closely and opening it a little looking at the blade. "This is the Sandai Kitetsu! A grade sword that has survived even time!" she whipped her head towards the owner "I'll take it!"

The owner who was taken aback with her behaviour, immediately rang her up and the two were outside the shop with her holding the sword and Izuku still processing what he witnessed.

She gave a nervous laugh and scratched the back of her head "Sorry about that, I tend to get riled up when it comes to legendary swords."

"That's a legendary sword?!" he asked in surprise

"Yep!" she crouched down and let him look at the blade. "There are even rumors that it's cursed."

"Woah!" Izuku held his hand out about to ask her to take a look at it but the sword was placed on his hand "Huh?"

The lady smiled "I just remembered I don't have any room in my home for one more katana, I like collecting them you see."

"But miss, I can't-"

"Your brother is gonna be the greatest swordsman correct? Well it's only fitting that he has a good sword to be with him. And I don't mind a future hero having something like this."

Izuku gave a wide smile "Thank you very much miss!" Izuku looked at the sword "This and the Wado Ichimonji will be the weapon of the future greatest swordsman!"

"W-w-wa-WADO ICHIMONJI?!" She exclaimed in surprise.

"Y-your brother has THE Wado Ichimonji?!"

"Yes! The Master of the dojo he's in gave it to him! Isn't it cool! He's the best student there beating even the adults."

"Quite the brother you got there."

"TASHIGI!" a deep voice called surprising the two.

Izuku looked at the man that called out and saw a muscular man and somehow Izuku's mind concluded that "Miss are you and him a hero?"

"Huh? Oh we're not, but we're part of the marines."

"That's so cool!"

"I'm off now. Good luck in you and your brother alright?"

Izuku nodded furiously, displaying his enthusiasm. Izuku hugged the sword close to him as he watched the nice lady walk away. He hopes she can recognize Zoro when he's a hero. She'll definitely love the hero he'll become.

And with that Izuku bolted to his room and hid his gift under his bed. He looked at the direction he hid it and was brimming with excitement to giving it to Zoro.

Days have passed and the Zoro's birthday is around the corner. Inko and Izuku were arguably more excited than the birthday boy himself. Though he's very much looking forward what his family has prepared for him.

Izuku excitedly cleaned up his desk and go back home to check his gift for Zoro and make sure it's fine. That was an excuse he just likes looking at it and imagining his brother's surprised face for it.

He was too preoccupied in his excitement that he failed to notice a group of boys tailing him. When he got near an alleyway, someone called out "Deku!"

Izuku didn't even get the chance to look at the caller and was shoved in said alleyway having him smash into the hard dumpster. When he came to, he saw his childhood friend looking down on him.

"K-kacchan." He mumbled but he was able to hear it prompting him to go into action.

Bakugo slammed his hand next to Izuku's head and let out an explosion there. "What's got someone as useless as you skipping happily on your way home?"

"N-none of your business!" He tried to raise his voice at him but found himself still stuttering and cursing himself for that.

"Huh?" Bakugo grabbed the collar of Izuku's uniform. "I wonder if what you're smiling about is some useless hero you fixated on. Finally moved on from All Might?"

Something snapped in Izuku with that statement. To him he already considers his brother his hero and for Bakugo to call him useless well…Izuku took hold of Bakugo's wrist and gripped it as hard as he could.

Now Izuku wouldn't say he's as strong as his big brother, but still it's Zoro who taught him. The grip strength surprised the blond making him let go of Izuku, but Izuku held on to his wrist.

"Hey, let go!" Bakugo demanded pulling his hand away but Izuku's grip didn't budge and remained firm.

"Kacchan," Izuku tightened his grip further and that made Bakugo flinch since it was starting to hurt. "He's not a useless hero, and you know what." Izuku took a deep breath and shouted "And I'm definitely not useless! I'm going to be THE NUMBER ONE HERO!" Izuku exclaimed before pushing Kacchan with all his might and running away from that alleyway.

Great now his mood is down. No matter, mom's delicious dinner will definitely cheer him up. And so he tried not to look shaken by the time he got home. Judging by the reaction of his family, he figured he was able to hide the fact that he was basically jumped earlier.

He was doing great until it was bed time. Izuku was bathing himself before going to bed. Unfortunately he forgot his towel so he called for someone who was available "Nii-chan! Could you get my towel!"

"Get it yourself!" Zoro called back.

Izuku watched his door and as he expected, Zoro came in with a towel in hand and throwing it on his face. Izuku laughed at the gesture and started to step out of the tub.

"What the hell happened?!" Zoro pointed at Izuku's back.

Izuku was genuinely confused so he peeked at his back and found a large bruise there 'Ah so that's why it still hurt.' Izuku observed in his mind.

"Ah I-I fell on school."

"No no no that definitely didn't come from a fall. Let me take a look."

"I'm fine!" Izuku exclaimed stepping back. He noticed that he's acting suspicious and cleared his throat and relaxed his body "I'm fine" he said again in a more lax tone. "It looks much worse than it is. No need to worry." He claimed and ran to his room and locking the door.

Zoro did say he'll step in when things get out of hand. And this clearly is the case. So he settled that he would follow Izuku home tomorrow. He hopes it's not as bad as he expected.

The green haired older sibling is now currently waiting a ways away from the gate of Izuku's school keeping an eye out for him. Zoro checked the time and right on cue, the bell could be heard ringing. He put all his focus on spotting Izuku and it didn't take long for him to spot the freckled kid.

When Izuku was a few paces away, Zoro started following him. Zoro tensed when he saw a group of kids made their way towards Izuku with a clear purpose in their stride. It wasn't a surprise to him when the group decided to corner Izuku in an alleyway.

He ran up and decided to listen in first before stepping in.

"Deku, grew yourself some balls huh?"

"What do you want Kacchan?"

Zoro was surprised by that. 'Wasn't Kacchan that kid that could make explosions from his hand?' Zoro hasn't seen the kid but it was news to him that he ended up being Izuku's tormentor.

The sound of explosion from the alleyway washed away any sliver of doubt in his mind. "You're talking back now you quirkless Deku?!"

"…Oh…so that's why huh." Zoro mumbled to himself before slowly walking to the entrance of the alley.

The group of kids all flinched when they felt something behind them and they all simultaneously turned their head to the entrance and gulped at the person blocking the way and emitting a very intimidating aura suffocating everyone in there. Izuku himself even felt scared a little.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" Zoro asked with a calm and deep voice, but everyone could hear the rage hidden in his voice.

One of the kids with Bakugo stuttered out "W-were not scared of y-you! Bakugo here has beaten kids older than us! Just try it jerk!"

"Oh" Zoro started walking up to the group "Is that so?"

The kids sticking to Bakugo were now shaking, Bakugo himself was too but he shook it off and jumped towards Zoro his hand outstretched ready to attack. Zoro with ease, grabbed Bakugo's wrist and tripped him up leaving him on the ground kneeling Zoro gripping his wrist.

"Hey now, what are you attacking for, I haven't done anything. I could just be a concerned person checking on a group of kids."

"Then what the hell are you doing here?" he asked cautiously trying to pry his hand away from him. The grip somehow reminded him of what happened the other day.

"You happened to have business with my little brother over there," Zoro cocked his head on Izuku's direction "and as his brother it's my job to look out for him. So imagine my surprise when I heard explosions and someone degrading him all because he didn't have a quirk." Zoro tightened his grip on his wrist.

"Hnng!" that was hurt very much unlike Izuku's, There was much more strength behind it.

"Care to explain yourself?" Zoro looked down on the kid who just discriminated against his brother.

Bakugo couldn't let go of his pride, decided to ignore the older kid "Oi Izuku, did you go crying to your older brother? You sure are a Deku hu-" he wasn't able to finish what he was saying when he was picked up by the scruff of his shirt and was thrown to the wall. "Agh!" he slid down the wall and ended up on the floor.

"Nii-chan stop!" Izuku ran to Zoro hugging his arm to stop him from doing anything more "That's enough please! I'm fine!"

"Give me a minute here Izuku." Zoro said not taking his eyes off Bakugo who was looking at him with fear now that it was clear to him he was no match for Zoro.

"No! This is too much! No more!"

"People like him need a reality check." Zoro raised the hand that Izuku wasn't holding back and raised it to a fist.

"No!"

Zoro punched his fist next to Bakugo's head who only looked on with fear. He looked at the fist that purposely missed and his eyes widened when there was a huge crater left and the hand was perfectly fine. Neither blood nor any bruise. The punch was able to leave a light scratch on his cheek which he only noticed when he felt something warm run down his cheek and found out it was blood.

"Zoro nii-san!" Izuku called out but his attention was kept on Bakugo.

"Did you think that was a quirk?"

Bakugo for some reason could sense that it was pure strength and strength alone so he shook his head no.

"Who do you think is stronger between the two of us?"

Bakugo gulped "Y-you are."

"Do you think Izuku needs a quirk to do that?"

Bakugo thought back to the time where he felt Izuku's grip kept him from pulling away. And once again, Bakugo shook his head no.

"Leave him alone, because it's not me who'll sit back and take whatever you dish out." Zoro turned his head to Izuku "Right?"

Izuku only watched the conversation take place. He didn't really have anything to say so he only reached for his bag and fished out the first aid kit he always has on him and handed it to Kacchan. "Treat that wound on your cheek." He said before reaching for his brother's hand and pulled him away from the alley and on the way home.

The walk back was silent until Izuku asked "Wasn't that a little too much? I could have talked to him."

"Did it work before?"

Izuku stayed silent at that. Zoro sighed and draped an arm around him "I guess that applies to a lot of situations, but that's not always the case."

Izuku only looked down realizing there is some truth to that. "He was your friend right?"

Izuku nodded in agreement "I still want him to be."

"That'll be your decision. But make sure to put him in his place when that attitude of his rears its head. If not he'll get more than that scratch on his cheek."

Izuku laughed at that, but he can't help but feel a little sad that Bakugo wouldn't want to interact with him anymore…now that he thinks about it, it was basically what happened when he found out he's quirkless. He'll think about that some other time.

He'll have to think about that some other time since his big brother will be one year older in a few days!

Zoro was currently practicing his swings at the dojo before Koushiro approached his most skilled student "Why don't you go home early for today, Zoro?"

"Huh? Why?" he asked not stopping from swinging.

"It's your birthday isn't it?"

"Ah" that had Zoro stop and turned his head slowly to his teacher

"Go on."

Zoro bowed and rushed out to his home. Zoro ran back home and was greeted by the delicious sound of multiple dishes being cooked. "I'm home!"

"The man of the hour has arrived!" Inko said from the kitchen

"Nii-chan, nii-chan look! Our gifts are in the living room!" his little brother grabbed him towards the couch and made him sit there.

"You got me something?"

"Yes!"

"Looking forward to it." Zoro ruffled his hair.

"Dinner's ready boys!"

At the dinner table, Inko handed her son a heaping pile of white rice in a big bowl and surrounded him with different dishes to accompany it. She wasn't sure if it's only her son's appetite or if he genuinely loved white rice, but she's glad that he loves everything.

The three Midoriyas enjoyed their dinner and with a mocha cake that she got. She quickly learned her son's dislike for chocolate and was not too fond of any sweets early on so she got the smallest cake in the event that Zoro didn't want to partake in it, there wouldn't be too much for her and Izuku to eat.

"Happy 13th birthday, Zoro!" Inko lit the candle on the cake "Make a wish!"

Zoro playfully rolled his eyes with a smirk but still closed his eyes and blew the candle which is then followed by he small claps of his brother. Inko gave him the first slice of cake.

Zoro took a bite and not to Inko's surprise, her son didn't have much of a reaction. After his bite, he then fed a bite to his brother who has been eyeing the cake the whole time. Zoro would take another bite then feed one to Izuku until the slice on his plate was no longer.

"Gift time!" Izuku exclaimed with the side of his mouth still having traces of icing and running off.

"Izuku wait!" Inko ran after her son with a napkin in hand.

Izuku picked up his gift and held it out to Zoro. "Open it! Open it!" he said bouncing on his feet.

Zoro gratefully took the box from his little brother and settled on the floor to open it. Inko looked on curiously wondering what her little son got for his older brother.

Zoro carefully lifted the cover of the box and was met with the sight of the last thing he expected. It was a sword and just by looking at it, he could tell that it wasn't just any other sword, it felt…cursed. Zoro smirked at the discovery.

"AAAHHH! IZUKU WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU GET A KATANA!"

"Oh! A nice lady marine gave it to me."

Inko put a hand on her chest, just what were her sons. Inko held her breath as her son unsheathed the sword and held it up in the light with Zoro observing it. Now she's witnessed her son handle the sword given to him and she usually would admire him as he cleaned the sword with elegant and practiced hands. But this sword gave a different feeling. It's as if she could feel how sharp the sword is even from the distance.

"I like it." He said with a smirk.

The whole time Zoro was admiring the sword, Izuku was admiring his big brother. You could practically see sparkles floating around him. "Nii-chan, the lady marine told me the sword is called Sandai Kitetsu! Isn't that cool!"

Zoro tested a few slashes with it getting a feel of it. "Sandai Kitetsu." He repeated testing the name "How fitting."

Inko was now sitting down on the couch a little pale. First her younger son managed to get a hold of a sword which now belonged to her eldest son and the sword was named Oni piercer. Her sons were truly different.

As the night kept getting later, the three of them decided to start cleaning up. Zoro was quick to put his newest sword on display along with his Wado Ichimonji in his room standing back and admiring his treasured weapons. He quickly went back down and helped Izuku and Inko to cleaning up the dishes.

As they busied themselves, an unexpected knock startled them.

"I'll get it!" Izuku volunteered and rushed to the door.

Zoro decided to follow him because someone knocking at this time in the night sure isn't suspicious. When he got to the door, he saw Izuku talking to someone and when he walked closer, he saw the angry blond he confronted the other day.

Once the two kids noticed he was there, Bakugo straightened his posture in attention. "Zoro nii-san please teach me your ways!"

"Hah? And who are you calling nii-san?!"

Bakugo looked him in the eye and said "I've reflected upon my actions and I was wrong please teach me!"

Zoro felt his eye twitch as he looked at the brat. "No."

"What?!" the kid asked in confusion and in slight anger.

"I'm not teaching you."

"Please! I'll do anything just give me a chance!"

Zoro stood firm while he thought it over. When he made up his mind, Zoro made his way to the kid standing tall in front of him and looking down "Apologize."

Judging by the kid's eyes, Zoro expected for him to refuse. But to his surprise,, he saw the kid literally swallow his pride and walk towards Izuku who was watching everything unfold with his wide eyes. And his already wide eyes widened even more when Bakugo bowed a full 90 degree.

"I-I'm…very…sorry."

Zoro tried to hold in his laughter when he saw the kid shaking, from what he doesn't know but it's still funny. He took a deep breath and returned to his serious self and looked at Izuku as if asking him to decide what he wants to do.

He was silent for a bit but eventually, "I forgive you."

Bakugo looked up in surprise but then turned his attention back to Zoro waiting for his answer.

"Hmm" Zoro closed his eyes to think about it. "If you can ask for forgiveness, then you can ask Izuku to teach you too."

"Huh?" both Izuku and Bakugo expressed.

"Izuku is already ahead of you and it would be fitting he teach you what he's learned."

Bakugo was even more visibly shaking but he still faced the green haired kid and asked "Izuku can y-you t…t-teach me?" he drawled out.

Izuku, still very surprised only said "Sure."

"Pfft HAHAHAHAHA" Zoro cackled at the scene.

"What the hell do you think is funny?!"

Zoro kept laughing and ignored him.

"Zoro, Izuku what's taking so long?" Inko went to the door and was surprised to see Bakugo "Katsuki! What brings you here? Does your mother you're here?"

"Uuh…"

"I'm calling her."

Zoro slapped Bakugo's back making him stumble into their home further in "Come on in you brat!"

Both Izuku and Bakugo were stunned in silence and followed the older boy. They noticed Inko talking to someone on the phone but they just kept following him all the way to his room.

Unlike Izuku's room, Zoro's room wasn't littered with posters or merch. There was a large space where he has his swords displayed, a desk, his bed, and his gi hanging on the wall waiting for it to be worn again.

Zoro took out two mats and set them in place asking the two of them to sit there which they obediently did. Zoro went and fetched his katana cleaning kit and the Sandai Kitetsu.

He sat in front of the two and set both the kit and sword in front of him. "I really appreciate your gift Izuku, but I do wonder when was the last time this sword was cleaned."

Izuku beamed in excitement, he's always heard about him needing to clean his sword but he's never witnessed it before. Bakugo remained silent and watched as Zoro started.

He opened the cleaning kit with contained some kind of stick, two different colored cloths, puffy thing on a stick, a bottle, and a tissue of some kind. The two tilted their head curious as how it will be used.

Zoro lifted the sword in front of him and bowed to it paying respects to it and its previous owners. Zoro took the stick and poked a clear spot on the hilt of the sword and not long after Zoro pulled something out and held it in front of the two "This is the mekugi, basically it retains the blade to the hilt." He explained.

Izuku's hands were vibrating wishing he had his notebook to write everything down.

Zoro placed the mekugi on the kit in front of him before pulling the sword out of the scabbard. Zoro held the sword at an angle with his left hand and used his right fist to strike his left hand and the action caused the blade to pop out of the handle.

"Woah" the two said in fascination as they watched him take the blade out of the hilt and place it beside him.

Zoro took one of the cloth in the kit and carefully wiped the bottom of the blade and then along the rest of the blade in a smooth motion. Zoro then took the puffy thing on a stick and held it up. "This has uchiko powder in it. It's ground up polishing stones and when applied to blades it maintains the finish." He then carefully patted it along the blade Izuku and Bakugo watching in fascination as puffs of powder appeared as he does so.

Zoro then took the other cloth and used it to fan away the larger uchiko particles before using the cloth to wipe it down with him patting away the cloth to remove the excess powder and wiping again. Zoro angled the blade and observed it.

He figured that the blade wasn't used as much before repeating the application of the powder and wiping multiple times until he is satisfied. The repeated steps has Bakugo bored but little Izuku was very invested in the whole thing.

Once it was up to Zoro's standards, he then poured oil on the tissue in his kit and brushed a thin layer on his sword checking if it has just right coating of oil. He then proceeded to return the blade to the hilt tapping the bottom to set it in place before placing the mekugi back and eventually sheathing the sword.

"I'm excited to use this soon."

"Nii-chan that was so cool!"

Zoro chuckled at that "It's just cleaning Izuku."

"But you make it look so cool!" Zoro blushed at that.

"So do you use two swords or you just like collecting them?" Bakugo asked

Zoro only looked at him before smirking "Wouldn't you like to know."

Before he could lash out Inko peeked her head in the room and said "Katsuki, your mom told me you could stay over."

Izuku brightened at that "Kacchan you have to see my notes about you. We can get you started on your own training using that information and your feedback! Come on!"

Bakugo was about to refuse but the look Zoro gave him has him giving in. This event here served as the catalyst of many more sleepovers and family dinners of two families to come.

Two years has passed and Bakugo was re-evaluating what he got himself into when he heard loud knocking on his house at 5 in the morning. The eight year old dragged himself off his bed and walked to the front door and was greeted by two green heads dressed up and waiting for him.

"Wakey-wakey brat." Zoro said with a smirk.

Bakugo only groaned and went back in to get dressed, ever since he witnessed the older guy a boulder with one hand as a workout. Okay him scaring him into leaving Izuku alone. Not to mention he's a great teacher, albeit his training containing some torment in it.

His respect for him just rose as soon as he saw just how hard working he is and his drive to achieve his goal. He's gonna need people like that when he wants to be the number 1 hero.

When Bakugo got out, he looked at his rival to the number one spot before they got on their usual jogging route. As they jogged, Bakugo looked at the older kid who was a few paces away. The blond ran up and caught up to him, now running to keep up beside him, he could also hear Izuku following him.

"Zo-nii!"

"I'M NOT YOUR ZO-NII!"

Bakugo only ignored him just as he has the last two years, "This is your last year in middle school right?"

"Huh? What of it?"

Izuku spoke up when he caught up "You're gonna go to UA right, right?!"

"At this point UA is the only hero school I know cause of you."

"Hah! If anyone will get into UA it'll be aniki and me!" Bakugo declared

"Hey what about me!?" Izuku interrupted

"As if you could catch up to us." The resounding 'bonk' could be heard when Zoro smacked him on the head.

"You're the one who needs to catch up!"

He only grumbled in response. And their jog returned to its silent status, their heavy breathing the only thing they could hear. "Oh! Hey Zo-nii!"

"STOP WITH THE ZO-NII!"

"The old hag wants us to have dinner with you finishing middle school."

It was Zoro's turn to grumble "There's no need for that."

"I'll tell mom." Izuku intercepted

"I wasn't talking to you!"

Bonk! "Don't talk to him like that!"

As the three were running back, Zoro and Izuku were lightly breathing while Bakugo was panting 'Okay maybe I need to catch up to them a little more.' he thought.

The next time Bakugo opened the door, it was of three green heads. He stepped aside to let them in and cringed when he heard his mom squeal at seeing the visiting family.

"Inko! Welcome back!" Mitsuki ran to her good friend giving her a big hug. She then turned her attention to the two kids "Hello there little cutie" she said and ruffled Izuku's hair earning her a giggle.

Mitsuki looked at Zoro and admired him "Look how you've grown!" she then hugged him and pulled away looking at him "I remember being there for your mom when she had you. You were so tiny!" she squeezed Zoro's cheeks and he just let it happen to be polite "Now you're on your way to high school!"

She then pushed them onto the living room "Sit sit, dinner's almost ready you guys wait here. OI BRAT GET THEM SOMETHING!"

"Ah there's no need, we'll just wait for dinner." Inko said

"Ah is that so alright then, but make yourself at home, feel free to ask for anything." Mitsuki went back to the kitchen with her husband and went back into work.

And as luck would have it, Zoro found himself thirsty. He headed for the kitchen and asked "Auntie could I get a drink from your fridge?"

"Go on ahead!"

And so he did, opening the fridge and looking for something to drink. He saw cans and figured they must be soda. The brand was unfamiliar, but he won't mind tasting a new one. When he opened it, it gave the familiar sound but a little different. Zoro gave it a test sip and find himself liking it and downed the whole can with a resounding burp at the end.

The couple in the kitchen laughed at the sound. Zoro took another can and opened it and proceeded to down it. "You sure enjoyed it huh-ZORO!" Mitsuki ran to the fifteen year old and snatched the can from him scanning it.

Zoro and Masaru looked on with confusion "You just drank beer Zoro!" causing her husband to sputter. "I thought we took it off the fridge!"

"I thought so too!"

Inko walked into the kitchen curious about the commotion "Is everything alright?"

"Your son accidentally just drank beer!"

Inko visibly paled.

It was that incident Zoro came to like alcoholic beverages. Shame he couldn't drink anymore until he legally can.