"When fighting anyone, always be aware of your opponent. Especially nowadays with over eighty-percent of the world having quirks. Being a Hero means you will have to fight Villains, and not everyone of them can be beaten with just a punch. Sometimes you will need a weapon or tool from a Hero Support company to contend with enemies, never knowing when you just need to swing something at them. Remember to keep your balance, whether you are swinging a sword or a random pipe, balance is key. Hold the shinai in both hands and lift above your head. Slowly move your arms down in a chopping motion, focusing on your shoulders and elbows." Ichigo looked at his new pupil as the boy did as instructed from his new teacher. The doctor was having Izuku learn kendo basics, well as much as the doctor knew anyways. Ichigo intended to make sure Izuku was not just a brawler like his idol was.
So far with the newest addition to his training, Izuku was now into his second week of basic sword movements. The first week was just learning how to set his body into the right stances with the wooden sword replica, the shinai. Now he was mixing in the next portion of training, movement. The doctor was making him repeat the stances for hours on end but Izuku prevailed through it all with his drive to be better. He knew practice made perfect, and that once he learned the basics then the true lessons would begin. With every thrust, every chop, and every time he reset himself, the future Hero forced his body to listen and not give in to his muscles screaming for a rest.
"Good, good, remember the footing! Okuri-ashi is the basics of all footwork within kendo. Use it to probe the ground incase the terrain is unstable, one wrong move could be your last. Slide-step into the next movement, from the side. Either use the more powerful shoulder-elbow strike, of the quicker wrist-elbow strike." Ichigo was impressed that the kid could keep going after the early hours of his normal training.
'Man, who would've thought Dr. Kuro knew how to use a sword? I thought the katana in his office was just a showpiece.' A clear memory of a black katana with red lace on the handle flashed in his mind. It hung behind the doctor at his office. 'I never thought of ever taking up a weapon as a Hero, but he is right, never know when you need to swing something and hit the opponent.'
Izuku's mind started to wander off as he repeated his motions. When the doctor had announced he was the hidden third party to the boys training, Izuku was shocked and then elated. He bombarded the doctor with questions on how he knew what to start with, how he could figure out the newer developments with his Medium abilities, and if the doctor could help him personally. The answers Dr. Kurosaki gave him were both helpful and also unsettling to the child.
Izuku let his body go into auto-pilot as he went through each step and swing repeatedly, while his mind focused on his instructor. Ichigo's soul was always blue and mostly flat, showing he was usually calm and serious, or if it glowed brighter he was happy. But now he saw the colors the doctor hid from the world. Bright crimson and the darkest black were plain as day under all the azure normalcy of the doctor's soul. His once flat aura now exuded small, rigid spikes. Anger and hatred, wishing to be let out on the world around him, but his naturally calm spirit resisted his instincts and kept him stabilized.
-That night, away from the party-
Ichigo had just finished answering Izuku's twentieth question about his involvement and how he can help the Hero-in-training, and he wanted the boy to just shut up. "So Dr. Kuro, with One For All now apart of me, and with my Medium capabilities, I can train to be better, and maybe the power will change me right? I knew I could be a Hero!"
Ichigo sighed, "That's great kiddo, now let's discuss your future plans. What do you-"
"Do you have any tips? Oh! What should I call myself?" Izuku's mind was nowhere in the office.
"Izuku, be quiet and we can-"
"Who should I work under at start or should I make a big debut?"
"You aren't ready for Hero work so calm down and-"
Should I tell my parents? I bet they'd be so shocked and happy about this! I can't wait to go to to U.A. and pass the Hero course and become a true-"
"SHUT UP!!!" Ichigo yelled, silencing Izuku's ramblings. "You are not ready for Hero work! Much less looking for agencies! As you are now, any criminal could kill you!" The older man's words were like a knife, slicing through his words and train of thought, stopping it all. "Whoop-de-doo, you now have a powerful quirk that will make you a Hero, good for you. Does it look like I care about Hero work? News flash, I don't, but I care about you, kid. Your family has become part of mine over the years, that's the only reason why I am helping All Might train you. If it was anyone else besides you or Katsuki, they could figure this shit out on their own." Ichigo sat down in his chair, propping his elbows on the desk and resting his forehead in his palms, covering his face. "Sit, there is much to discuss."
Izuku didn't think twice and immediately sat in the chair opposite the desk. His mind racing at the doctors words. What had he said wrong? Why was Dr. Kuro mad like this? Why was it so hard to breathe? And why did his aura change colors without him realizing?! 'Its still blue, but there's black and red... there's so much of it. I... I can't breathe! My senses are screaming at me to run! He could easily kill me if he wanted to, I can feel it!' And just as fast as the feeling was there, it vanished, allowing the boy to breathe normally once more. Izuku looked at the doctor and saw that his body was encased in a blue shell of aura, shielding the world from the spite underneath.
Taking a deep breath, Ichigo continued. "Before you ask anything, let me say, I am sorry. That must have been overwhelming to you, and you don't deserve my anger nor my scorn." Ichigo took a deep breath, reigning in his aura. The room now felt more normal, but the tension in the air was thick. "I guess you want to know what that was about?" Izuku nodded but kept his lips sealed. "Good, now where to begin." The doctor sighed and closed his eyes to collect his thoughts for a few moments. "How old do you think I am, Izuku?"
This question was not something the boy expected, hoping it was something about the auras he saw and felt, bit answered the doctor as best as he could. "I know you've lead the hospital for over 200 years, Dr. Kuro. But I think you were here longer than that... 40 years maybe? 245 years old at max?"
The doctor, though still giving off the dark feeling, cracked a small smile. "Not bad kid, most just say 'well over 200', but you tried to reason it out. However, you were still off by a good bit, 65 years to be exact. I am 310 years old, Izuku."
The teen look on in astonishment, '310?! Holy crap! Dr. Kurosaki is that old? And he only looks in his 30s? No wonder this hospital can run so smoothly, he's been in the profession longer than some of the books on it have been around!' All the questions Izuku wished to asked died in his throat the moment he saw the doctor's glare. He decided to ask only one question, "Doctor Kurosaki, why is your age apart of this conversation?"
"I've been around longer than almost everyone on this planet, barring a select few. I have seen governments in turmoil, wars over various topics, the rise of quirks, the changes that they brought on. Many doctors, scientists, and historians want to talk to me about everything I've seen, what I remember, and if I have anything from the past in my possession. What none of those people have ever considered is what are the effects a lifetime like mine have on an individual." Ichigo stood from his seat, walking to the windowed wall of his office and looked out over the city. The lights shining brightly in the night sky, illuminating the outlines of people and cars below.
Izuku look puzzled, "The effects?"
Sighing, the doctor turned his attention back to the boy. "Yes, the effects. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, living to an age like mine wears on one's soul. My body is covered in scars, some from minor mishaps, some from accidents that I was lucky to live through, and others due to dangerous situations I found myself in. However, the emotional and mental effects are worse. I have seen loved ones come and go. Seen how families all around, mine included, have forgotten about their ancestors and what they did to help out the future generations. Tell me Izuku, besides fanboys like you and your father, how many people can name off any of the first generation of Heroes?"
"Other than maybe history teachers, I'm not sure?" The greenette was nervous and a bit afraid of his answer.
"Basically no one." Ichigo hissed out, causing the boy to sink deeper into the chair to try and hide. "Even today's Heroes forget the ones who made this all possible. The teachings that we as a whole wanted to pass on have been lost to time. The teachings of Heroes were lost on to the public, and even most of the current Heroes don't hold even a shred of dignity like the First Generation." Ichigo sat on the floor and leaned against the window. He spoke softer, his tone full of sorrow and scorn, "My own family has forgotten my teachings over the generations, Izuku. Only Mitsuki, her family, and her brothers care about me now."
Both were silent for a few moments. One lost in his memories and anger, the other lost in his thoughts and the new knowledge given. 'This is what Dr. Kuro deals with everyday? This scorn and hatred? But why does he keep smiling? Why hasn't he left the hospital yet? Surely more of his descendants care about him besides Kacchan's family and his uncles.' Finally, after ten minutes, the silence was broken. Izuku balled his fists and looked at the man, building up the courage to ask a mew set of questions. "Dr. Kuro, is this really how you feel? Do you hate the world? If you do, why are you still a doctor?"
Ichigo pondered on the question for a bit. Staring off into space, his mind whitling with thoughts. 'Why do I do this? I hate humankind for the most part, so why be a doctor for this long?' His mind whirled around the question over and over for a good minute or two. Flashes of long gone friends and family, bloody nights in the operating room, screams of victims and the cries of the grieving, laughs and smiles of new parents holding their babes, and finally a woman's voice and a promise made rang through his mind. He finally stood up, and walked to the door. "I guess its because even though I hate this world, the young are still innocent. I made a promise a long time ago to help the innocent in need, and I don't make promises I won't keep. Now then", the man looked back at Izuku, a grin masking the pain on his face, "let's return to the party. Best do so before people start wondering where we both have gone to."
-Present-
'I knew he was much, much older than most thought, but I never would've guessed he was hiding his nature to us all. At least he still is thinking for the betterment of society, well mostly.'
The shrill sound of a whistle brought the boy back to his current predicament, kendo practice. He looked around and noticed his teacher beside him. "Good job kid, your body has adapted to the forms well. You even did them all correctly as you drifted off to wherever you went." Ichigo shot the boy a small glare.
Izuku chuckled and looked away sheepishly, "Sorry, sir. At least I got the forms down."
"I'd say 'don't make a habit of it', but between you and your dad, zoning out must be genetic." Ichigo sighed as the duo walked over to the beach benches and sat down. After a few moments of silence he looked to the boy, "The entrance exam is coming up, are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready for anything!" Izuku exclaimed, pumping his fist with a large grin on his face. "I can use 10% of One For All with ease without breaking most bones. Just bruising and fractures for now, unless I over do it."
"To most people, that would sound horrible, but due to your circumstances... I'll allow that issue to stay. Have you figured out how to spread it fully throughout your body?" The doctor asked.
"No, not yet. I'm missing something, a small hint that helps me figure it out. But I can still throw punches and kicks, block, and dodge. With you and All Might teaching me, I know I will be the greatest Hero!" Izuku stood up with a grin, a look of confidence on his face. He started to bounce on his heels despite being tired from his day of training. "I'm so excited to show the world what I can do! With One For All giving me strength, and Soul Sight helping me define friend from foe, I'll become the new Symbol of Peace!"
Ichigo quirked a brow at the enthusiastic boy, "Soul Sight? The hell is that?" This got the boy to settle down for a bit as he smiled at the man.
"All Might said that One For All mutates and adapts any pervious ability the host has. And since my medium ability was a proto-quirk, I thought that it should have a proper name now that its gotten stronger. So I named it Soul Sight. Pretty cool, right?"
"Soul Sight, for a very versatile power? And you gave it a name like that? Man, the god of fanboys must've sent that name to you." Ichigo chuckled before standing up and dusting of his shorts. "What can you see or sense from here, Izuku?"
Izuku closed his eyes and calmed his mind. He stretched his senses to their limits until he zeroed in on a location. "The train station currently has three people, an adult with a child and another adult by themself." That made Ichigo's eyes widen in shock and Izuku decided to shock him more, "I can also see the many various emotions that mix in a person's being, the shapes and colors are amazing to watch and interact. Right now the child is happy and curious, while the parent I'm guessing is happy but also tired. The other adult is more apathetic but hopeful for something. They must all be heading back to the main city." Izuku was now fully focused on the souls he could feel
'This kid... the station is 1km (.6 miles) away... he's adapting well to the power boost, and many would scoff at a measly ten percent power increase, but just that much could be devastating if used right.' The orange haired was interrupted from his inner musings as he felt a wave of power wash over him. Turning to Izuku, Ichigo saw him channeling One For All and saw the raw energy flowing off the teen. Pinkish-red veins of power covered the teens arms as the pressure increased, nearly pushing Ichigo back. Then it was gone, leaving an exhausted youth and surprised doctor in their own thoughts. "Izuku...," the doctor's voice caught his attention and the boy opened his eyes to see the man with a grin on his face, "you are going to own the exams."
It was the final week before the exams, and Izuku was on his last day of training. Over the months the greenette had fought tooth and nail to stay on his grades in class and continue his training with his mentors. His parents supported him, but they also forced him to rest and would scold him when he tried to minimize his already limited window of rest. Now nearing the end of the allotted timeframe, Izuku felt confident he could get in. Maybe not be the best in the exam but definitely take a spot in the Hero classes. We find him at his now designated personal training spot, Dagobah Municipal Beach Park. Shadow sparing was much harder now that he had upped his weights. Now he wore 15 lb (6.8 kg) weights on his wrists and ankles, along with weighted vest that was at 30 lbs (13.6 kg). Totaling to 90 lbs (40 kg), his body felt like solid lead, each punch required Izuku to use all his base strength. The person he was fighting in his mind was ferocious, charging in and giving no room to counter attack, just as Izuku wanted it. He was in his fifteenth duel with this enemy, giving each possible attack a chance to be used and blocked, but every fight started with a hard right hook. He saw the incoming kick from the left, but it was a feint and a power right haymaker almost made contact before Izuku jumped back; crouching down for a swift kick to the shins and taking out his opponent.
Slowly the emerald haired boy stood up and groaned. "God these new weights suck, what's worse is they'll be useless in a week or so after the exam, and then I have to get new ones." He closed his eyes and stretched, feeling some joints pop. God that felt amazing.
He opened his eyes and looked at the ocean in front of him; bluish-green waves rolling in and the gentle salty breeze caressing his face. It wasn't even a year ago that this place was a mess. Old appliances, trash, and machinery had littered the sand under his feet. It was an ecological nightmare, but with Izuku's hard work it had returned to its beautiful glory. Seagulls and tiny birds would litter the beach, small crabs exploring the wet sands. The natural balance of this place was so restored that his mentors said he truly was a 'green hero'; Izuku rolled his eyes to that and kept going about his training that day.
Other things had came with the restoration of the beach, something that Izuku had only picked up on a month ago. Souls. Souls were always easy for Izuku to sense, yet for the past months all he sensed were those of the living. He never questioned why, just figured that no souls had died in the area, or if any had had just moved on. He first noticed when he felt a soul appear out of thin air a few yards from him. It was a fisherman that took no notice of the boy. He just plopped down at a spot a few feet from the water and cast a long line out. Soon after that a few other souls appeared within a week. An elderly woman in a yukata that would watch the sunset, a man that wore a business man that would smoke on the bench in the evening, and a lady that looked like she was in her twenties that came in the noon to enjoy the sun.
Izuku had asked Ichigo why they were showing up now. The doctor's response was simple. "You brought the balance back here, and these souls must have had a strong connection to this place before it was ruined. With the cleanup and peace returned, the could come back and do what they enjoyed while living." With that knowledge Izuku felt happy that he could help the spirits find peace again.
He finished up the day's training with an hour of meditation. While sitting in the cool shade, his mind was adrift in his inner self. Diving deep down to the dark abyss before the brilliant light of One For All met him. The river of power was calming to the boy, he dipped his fingers in and let the energy flow up his arms. This still was the max he was able to take but for now it was enough. After the alarm on his phone went off, Izuku withdrew his hands from the river and opened his eyes, seeing the late evening sun shining on the waves. He noticed the rings of sand that enclosed around him and smiled.
'I know I will figure out this power, but I'm just happy that I have a chance to see my dreams come true.' With those thoughts in mind, Izuku turned and headed out from the beach. The sunset glowed a deep orange on the waters, basking the sands in a perfect scene that many could enjoy. Four sets of eyes took no notice of this view, instead all had watched the ninth holder of One For All leave.
-One week later-
The Midoriya and Bakugo households were both highly active and full of nerves, depending on the individual. It was five in the morning and both teens were getting themselves ready, both we putting on their black school uniform and going though their bags for their practical exam attire. Katsuki had decided that the most practical and 'badass' attire was combat boots, black cargo pants, and a black tank top. Izuku had decided to use his sea-foam green tracksuit and his trusty red shoes.
In the Bakugo residence, four family members were going full steam as usual. Mitsuki and Katsuki were having their daily breakfast tirade. Masaru sipped his coffee and read the paper, and Shizuo had wanted to wish his nephew luck. Now the bartender-turned-bodyguard was regretting that decision as he was on his thirtieth cigarette, the 29 butts jammed into the last of his pancakes. Ichigo would've been there but he had called and told his descendants an emergency had happened and he was needed for the surgery. The doctor had wished Katsuki luck and gave him very encouraging words, "Do you're best, I know you'll pass. Just don't destroy everything." Masaru and Shizuo just listened to the verbal war.
"You little shit! You say thanks to your mother that makes you such a wonderful breakfast!"
"Bite me you hag! Its pancakes and bacon! Its what you make anytime something happens, its not 'wonderful'!"
"THAT'S IT!!! I'm beating your ass now AND when you return!"
"Bring it on BITCH!!!"
Mother and son where trying their best to over power the other. Smoke rising between their hands as they grappled and butted heads. Despite his strength, Katsuki was still only 15, and Mitsuki was a very strong woman. Neither backed down from the other, neither losing any ground. On the other end of the room, both grown men were lost in their respective thoughts.
"Hmm, isn't that interesting." Masuru was reading the latest trends section. "Kasuka has been gaining a lot of attention over in America. Dating a famous model, eating with the top producers", Masuru tilted his head as a plate of scraps flew by him, "and even made a deal to indorse another clothing line. That boy."
Shizuo was a mix of emotions. Angered, confused, curious, and exhausted. 'How the hell can Masaru just... DEAL WITH THIS?!' Shizuo stared at his brother-in-law as if the man just said he was All Might and then flew into the sunset, lost and confused. 'Those two have been doing this for the past thirty minutes and are wrecking the kitchen! Why did I think it was a good idea to wish this brat good luck?' He was tired of the daily bullshit his family put him through. Don't get the man wrong, he loved them, would probably become a Villian is anyone hurt them, but they drove him insane. Though when Kasuka was mentioned, Shizuo was curious as to what the youngest of the Heiwajima siblings was up to. 'Masaru, you better thank God or whoever you pray to that Mitsuki-nee's sweat can mess up Katsuki's, the chemical imbalance keeps him from exploding the place.'
Shizuo's thoughts and the fight between parent and child were interrupted when the normally calm Masaru started laughing. All stopped and looked at the man as he chuckled in his seat. "Kasuka may not have inherited your family's famous temper but he does have the words down", Masaru said after he calmed down. With a grin he read out the line from the paper, "In latest news of famous actor Kasuka Heiwajima, the young man contacted the press for a personal message to be sent out. 'To my nephew Katsuki, kick their asses and make the exam your bitch. Show this world who the next Top Pro Hero is.'"
After a few moments of silence the entire room was filled with laughter. Everyone was picturing Kasuka saying that in his normal soft spoken tone. With those words in mind, Katsuki was even more pumped up then before and decided he wouldn't just come in first for the exam, he was going to dominate it.
Meanwhile at the Midoriya household, the trio were having a different kind of family interaction. Instead of screaming and anger, mother and son were both panicking as they made sure everything was in order. From his practical exam tracksuit to his lucky red shoes, Izuku was double and then triple checking everything. While doing that he was stuffing down a hardy katsudon bowl into his stomach. His mother had thought that giving him his favorite meal as breakfast would not only be good luck, but would invigorate the boy to do his best. Both Inko and Hisashi were proud of their son, seeing him take another step to obtain his dream.
"Izuku, sit down and eat. You need to have food in you to be going at full steam." Hisashi said as he put down his newspaper. He was chuckling as he watched his wife and son scramble around. Izuku had inherited much from both of his parents, many of their friends could attest to that.
The young man sat down and finished his bowl. The savory flavors of the pork and sauce put him at ease while also giving him his much needed energy for the day. "Thanks mom for the amazing meal, I will definitely be in the Hero class!"
Inko smiled and giggled a bit. "If I knew katsudon would make you this motivated, I would have used this to bribe you to clean the house so many times already." Hisashi laughed while Izuku pouted.
After regaining his breath, the patriarch spoke up. "That's a horrible way to trick your son, you know. You need to get him a Hero figurine, or better yet an autograph!" The man chuckled as he watched his son blush in embarrassment. "Don't worry Izuku, if work bribed me like that, I'd be asking for more paperwork."
"Speaking of your work dear, we should thank Doctor Kurosaki properly for his letter." Inko held up a small envelope with a card in it. It was just a blank card but it had Ichigo's handwritten note to Izuku wishing the boy luck in the exam. The parents thought it was a nice gesture to the aspiring Hero since both had formed a familial bond, but Izuku had got a hidden message from the doctor. Without either of his parents noticing, a small note was tucked inside. Izuku found and read it before stuffing it in his pocket.
'Kid, I know you and Katsuki are both gonna do your best on this exam. I don't need to wish either of you luck. We will be waiting for the results. Use your quirk to its fullest.'
Izuku knew the 'we' meant the doctor and All Might, but the note gave him confidence. Well that and some nervous thoughts. Kissing his mother and waving to his father goodbye, the lad rushed out the door to get to the train that would take him to U.A. Highschool. On he train the boy let his mind wander and think, the nerves finally hitting him.
'They are expecting me to pass. Any other time this would feel awesome but right now it feels like the weight if the world is on my shoulders. I can't let them down!' Shaking his head and clenching his fists, Izuku did something he hadn't done for a while.
Instead of using his new found quirk, nor the newer abilities his proto-quirk had gained, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He let the world tune out and cleared his mind. Soon a black and white map formed, nearly an exact model of the city around him, and slowly colored orbs appeared throughout the map around him. This was something the doctor had taught him long ago to center himself when he was nervous. To see the world around him in a different view, not how he perceived it, but how it functioned. Here there were no personal dilemmas, just a map and moving pieces. Each orb was a soul going about its business and Izuku's emerald soul was the center of his personal map.
He opened his eyes with a determined look as the train stopped at his destination. Walking out and a few minutes away, Izuku came to the steps that lead to U.A.'s entrance. Seeing the gigantic building in the shape of of and H on all sides he knew it was time. 'I promised I would make them proud. I will use One For All and Soul Sight to be the next Number One Hero, and this is where it starts.'
