Toshi knew he'd stepped in it. He should have done something, anything, to stop Young Bakugo's tirade. He was glad Young Midoriya hadn't hit his classmate but Toshi wouldn't have had it in him to blame the once-hidden-Uzumaki if he had. Now, his class looked upon him for answers to questions they weren't able to construct. The reveal must have felt monumental and yet they didn't know how to categorize it, contextualize it. They'd just been told some of the biggest news of their lives and they had no real way to understand it.
Or so he thought. But his attention was grabbed by one student in particular. The small one, Young Mineta. The boy was quivering, literally quivering in his seat with a well of unshed tears in his eyes. He was gripped with terror and even his voice broke as he tried to speak.
"Trap!" he yelled nonsensically as if every third word was lost to fear. "He… you! Sports! Trap!" he continued to screech.
"Young Mineta please calm down so we can understand you," Toshi requested but the boy started to hyperventilate.
"One month, sports festival! Trap!"Minoru forced out.
"Oh, shit," Kaminari said as if he made sense of Mineta's words. "We're going to get devoured. The little guy is right, All Might-sensei, this is a trap!"
"Neither of you are making sense," Kirishima said. "What trap? Why are we going to get devoured and by who?"
"Midoriya!" Mineta yelled. "The Sports Festival is in a month and there is always a single elimination tournament for the final round. Do you know what they call Uzumaki-sensei in the West?" Mineta shrieked
"King of the Beasts," Yaoyorozu supplied. Toshi facepalmed when she answered. That wasn't helpful.
"A man who has never lost to a hero nor villain no matter how many they sent! And we're supposed to face his prince! We're going to die!"
"That is most inappropriate," Iida exclaimed as he made a chopping motion. "Midoriya has been nothing but a kind and considerate classmate while Uzumaki-sensei has been a fair and engaging instructor. We have no reason nor any right to cast these aspersions. Furthermore, their private lives are not fodder for gossip. Supportive classmates would be more concerned about the blow up between him and Bakugo-san."
"Well put, Young Iida!" All Might complimented and silently thanked the boy's timely intervention. "What you have learned today is a shock, I will not pretend otherwise but please remember that Young Midoriya is a trusted classmate."
"Trusted nothing, he's been sandbagging us!" Mineta countered, clawing at his face. "He's going to embarrass us on television and I'll never get a girlfriend with anything above a B-cup!"
Toshi had the deep urge to yeet the small boy. Professional ethics and general prohibitions against harming children stayed his hand. But the desire was there and it was strong. "Young Mineta," the Symbol of Peace began, "that concern is inappropriate and unworthy of a future hero. Furthermore, the Sports Festival is weeks away. If you are concerned about your showing then train more before and after school. Ask your teachers for tips to further your progress. I know it may seem daunting on top of your preexisting training but it'll be worth it!"
The Number-One-Hero looked upon his class, most having blank faces. He just couldn't get a grip on his class today. Why were they looking at him like that?
"Were we supposed to be training before and after school?" Sero asked the students nearby. The blood drained from Toshi's face. They hadn't been training before and after school? That's what those facilities were for. When he was preparing to take One for All he tried to squeeze in as much time to improve himself as he could. The top ranked hero then thought of some of the training sessions he'd observed between Naruto, his student, and Midoriya.
As much as he hadn't wanted to allow suspicion of a classmate to permeate his charges, he'd seen the changes from just four weeks of Naruto's intensive regimen. It pained him to do so, even only to himself, but Young Mineta was right. Most of 1A wouldn't be able to stand up to Midoriya and Naruto may have been planning to send a message. He needed to get with Eraser and Vlad King or those kids were just being fed to a green-haired buzzsaw.
"Finally," he said between labored breaths, sword a hair's width away from touching skin. The only thing stopping him from closing the distance is the sword pointed in his direction equally close to tasting his flesh. "Jiraiya's bullshit philosophy neutered you. I needed the real you back, the one that was just as hungry for power as I was." His blade was knocked back and he took the opportunity to create some distance.
"We aren't doing this," Naruto bit back. "I'd have a thousand conversations with my friend but you aren't him, not anymore." Naruto was mildly surprised at the disgust Sasuke showed at his words.
"I'm the best friend you've ever had. Those bonds you value so much all want you to be less than what you are. I'm asking you to rule with me. None of them could stop us, we're the only weapons they have against each other."
"Two seventeen year olds, I'm sure we have it all figured out."
"We have the strength, the rest will come with time."
Naruto shook his head. He meant it when he said he wasn't here for a debate. Sasuke had gone too far. He saw the recognition in the Uchiha's mismatched eyes.
"It didn't have to be like this," both ninja said. No more words were uttered as the two clashed, the only sounds were that of the highest level of combat. In one exchange the two managed to knock the swords out of each other's hands, each ending up with the other man.
Sasuke threw through Naruto's katana like a spear, Naruto flung Sasuke's chokuto like a shuriken as both ran toward the other. They each gripped their swords at the same time starting their swings. Sasuke's blade crackled with lightning, piercing power unmatched. But Naruto was just a little faster, swinging motion a little tighter and his blade was enhanced and extended with wind.
Naruto watched with relief and the most profound sadness when Sasuke's body dropped, head following in short order. It was Omoi who found him after the duel, Naruto standing silently in the aftermath.
"We found her, Naruto. We found Sakura," Omoi said. Months, it'd been months since he'd seen here. Since Sasuke ambushed him and took her. Naruto nodded but could tell there was more. "There's no easy way to say this but she's,"
"Naruto!" a yell brought him back, the water having long turned cold. He grabbed his towel and wrapped up, utilizing Son's chakra to dry himself off.
"Inko, what's wrong?" he asked as he stepped outside the bathroom only covered at the waist.
"Oh, that's just unfucking fair," a newly awake Mitsuki said from the couch. Naruto decided to not pay her any attention but Inko couldn't seem to ignore the bait and admonished her friend.
"You need to get dressed, the Principal called and said he needed to speak to us."
"What happened?"
"My brat and Izuku got into it; Masaru just texted me the same."
Naruto nodded and stepped into the bedroom, utilizing his speed he was changed and returned in what must have seemed like a blink to Inko and Mitsuki, though Inko was used to his quick changes. Opting for more casual wear, blue chinos and a black, v-neck t-shirt. "I'm ready," he said. He didn't need Kurama's ability to sense the tension. Whatever had been between their sons had obviously strained their friendship. He hoped this wouldn't add further pressure. The trio departed, deciding to catch a train over. He didn't offer to teleport as Inko absolutely didn't like it.
Shoto kept glancing over to his brother as the two drove back home. He had very few solid memories of Touya as Endeavor kept him sequestered for training until Endeavor decided Shoto would be his victim of choice. He felt lacking, he had very little to say. Of course, he was curious as to how he survived and where he'd been but everyone would. But what was it that he could say to his older brother that would be wholly unique to him?
Besides, from the look of things, Touya had completely healed from his quirk going haywire. Did it really matter where he'd been? He'd gotten free of Endeavor, something Shoto didn't begrudge him. Would prying do any good? Would Touya even want to talk about what he'd gone through? It may be too personal for brothers largely in name only.
They could talk about training. That had been quite different from anything he'd done previously. No quirks, just reading body language, anticipating, and dodging the projectile. Shoto wouldn't normally treat a game of dodgeball as training but Touya and Midoriya had been quite intense, so much so he found himself mimicking their dispositions.
Deep in contemplation, Shoto wasn't paying attention when he felt Touya mush his hair. The twin quirk user looked over to his brother, greeted with a smile for his trouble. "You seem to be thinking really hard over there. What's on your mind?"
"I'm curious about where you've been and how you met Uzumaki-sensei," Shoto stated, Touya's question giving him permission to return to his usual bluntness.
"Where have I been? Might be faster to say where I haven't. Been on every continent but Antartica and I'm not looking forward to going there. How I met Sensei," Shoto watched Touya grow silent as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. The youngest Todoroki wondered if he'd made a mistake. "I was training alone and my quirk went haywire. That caused a sequence of events that left me in a bad place. I was angry, Shoto. I wanted to hurt people, I wanted to shame Endeavor… I just wanted the world to burn.
It was an accident, bumping into Sensei, he just happened to be in Japan to check on Izuku and his mom. First thing he said to me was, "someone so tiny shouldn't be projecting so much hate," and I snapped. I tried to attack him," Touya laughed boisterously at that. "Strongest creature on the planet and I thought my little quirk was going to reach him."
"What did he do?"
"He critiqued my technique and gave me tips. When I started to lose control he somehow stopped my fire. By the end, I was so exhausted I could barely stand and I figured he'd just leave but he invited me to lunch. I don't know why but I said yes. And we'd do that every day for two weeks. Me attacking, him being untouchable and then he'd buy me lunch and slowly I started opening up.
He told me about a friend of his who lost his family to people he trusted and how it eventually broke him. He said he could see I was at a crossroads, a point where I'd make a decision that could change the rest of my life. He said he couldn't take my hate from me, only I could truly resolve that but he could teach me how to channel it, show me how to do good with what people would label bad. He contacted mom and she gave me permission; I've basically been his ward from then on."
"Mom knew where you were?" Shoto asked in shock
"Yes, and by keeping it a secret she saved me. She also suffered for it, so please don't hold it against her. I can't stress how bad of a place I was in. And not just mentally, the burns and the scars my quirk caused would have never healed without Sensei's intervention."
Shoto nodded but remained silent for the rest of the ride. When they arrived at the house, Touya followed behind Shoto and the younger brother got the impression he was being used as a shield. Shoto didn't get a chance to unlock the door as Fuyumi met them there.
"Hey, Shoto-kun, the driver sai-," her statement stalled as she got a good look at the man with him. Her eyes started to water and her body shook as clasped her hands together. "T-touya?" she asked softly and he nodded. In a blink she'd engulfed Touya in a hug while shouting for Natsuo to come to the door. Upon his arrival, he was struck with disbelief but promptly joined the hug once he was sure. Shoto watched as Fuyumi and Natsuo tried to compose themselves.
They were much less shy about posing questions to Touya. He assured them he'd provide answers but requested they go somewhere else, a spur-of-the-moment outing. The two agreed while dawning the largest smiles on their faces and Shoto wondered if this was what family was supposed to feel like.
Izuku Midoriya, if anyone ever paid attention, was clearly put on Earth to mock Katsuki Bakugo. He was a lion that wore the trappings of lambs. The stutter, the anxiousness, all the mannerisms that got him dubbed the class cinnamon roll were an act that no one bothered to see through. No one but Katsuki himself. How did he come to this conclusion?
First, was how Izuku was much stronger than he let on. When Katsuki tried to show those extras in middle school who was the real number one, Izuku always intervened. He knew it would wear Katsuki's patience but he did it anyway and when Katsuki fought back, Izuku unleashed a burst of violence that always put Katsuki on his ass. He wasn't anti-bullying, he was just doing it in a way that let him hide in plain sight.
Secondly, he constantly stood in the way of Katsuki's well-deserved glory. Out scoring him on the entrance exams was incredibly infuriating. They were in separate sections so he didn't see, and didn't know Izuku had beaten him until the first day when Aizawa-sensei said as much. He wanted to blast his stupid face right then but held off, only for Izuku to beat him again during the quirk assessment. Then there was the USJ where he saw the look of respect their teachers, actual pro heroes, shot him for standing up to Uzumaki.
He wasn't even in any danger! His shitty, old man wasn't going to harm him so it isn't brave just because Izuku didn't know that!
Finally, Izuku mocked Katsuki's very definition of what it meant to be a hero. A hero beat villains. They refused to lose, they didn't lose. All Might didn't lose except for one notable exception. And that exception's son made Katsuki lose. But All Might favored him even knowing he was Uzumaki's son, even with his show of weakness and his manipulations. Deku came from a villain, acted like a villain but was praised for. Katsuki might be brash and abrasive but he was honest. You knew where you stood. Izuku pretended to be meek to get people to underestimate him so he could capitalize on it later.
If required, Katsuki could give a tight fifteen minute presentation on his issues with Izuku so why did he sit in silence when Principal Nezu asked him just that? Because his problems were obvious and if the pros didn't want to pay attention that was on them. He already knew how to fix Izuku, how to return him to his status as a Deku. Katsuki just had to win and never stop.
"Answer him, brat" Mitsuki growled from behind as his father remained silent.
"No, that's fine, Mrs. Bakugo. In truth, I don't need to know the heart of the issue, only that it will never be a disruptive element in my classrooms again. We train heroes here and heroes do not berate their comrades nor do they strike them out of anger," the animal hybrid said.
"W-what will be Izuku's punishment?" Inko asked.
"Given the context, I am willing to let this go. Emotions were heightened and secrets were revealed that should have not come out in the middle of class; as All Might shares in some of the responsibility we can forgive this youthful indiscretion as long as it doesn't happen again. Now, if I may have a word with Midoriya-kun in private, you are excused." Five people departed as the now less nervous verdette stayed seated.
"You can relax, Midoriya-kun, I'm not here to hector you further. Just to say this, we are training heroes and heroes are not cowards. It is good you stood up for yourself but maybe try using your words in the future, yes?"
"I-i've never been g-great with my words, Principal."
"Ah, and yet as a hero you will be expected to give commands or offer clear directions to sidekicks, comrades, victims and villains so treat this as a learning opportunity. I have no doubt you'll be a wonderful hero, Midoriya-kun but you'll have to actually interact with people so they know it too."
"Hai, thank you, Principal."
"You're welcome, my boy, now scoot. I have other matters to attend to."
Izuku's exit from Nezu's office was met with two hands pinching either side of his cheek, a sensation he hadn't been subjected to in quite awhile. "You're getting big, cute face!" Aunty Mitsuki cooed.
"Sweetie, please release the boy, he's getting too old for that," Masaru suggested. She seemed reluctant but did release him, mushing his hair as a follow up.
"Sorry about my brat, I don't know where he gets his sour disposition from but maybe an occasional pop in the mouth will help."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, OLD HAG?"
"I SAID YOU ARE A SHITTY KID WHO NEEDS A BOP!" she yelled back.
"I better get them home before this escalates," Masaru lamented, herding the two explosive personalities to his car. The remaining trio watched as the Bakugos departed. Izuku felt relieved he wasn't going to lose his spot at UA but it didn't mean he was home free.
"Uhm…," he started, nerves attempting to get the better of him, "am I in trouble?"
"No," Inko answered swiftly. "I told you to stand up for yourself and not let anyone call you Deku," she explained.
"I'm sorry, what?" his dad asked, looking none too pleased.
"It's fine, Naruto. They tried to bully him and put that label on him but he showed them." Inko informed him in an uncharacteristically firm manner.
"Y-yea, it's fine."
"You know it's not true, right? Because things like that, they can seep into you and take root without realizing it. You aren't useless," his dad stated, hands on his shoulders. "I have no doubt you will one day be the greatest hero this world has ever seen but even if you were only Izuku Midoriya you'd be more than I could ever have wished because you're my son."
Izuku closed his eyes and nodded, not daring to meet his father's gaze nor wanting to show the unshed tears. He knew his dad loved him, understood why he couldn't be there but still there were moments when it really hit him; he had a dad. And like his mom, he believed in him unequivocally.
"Hey, I have an idea!" his dad announced to lighten the mood. Izuku still didn't trust his voice but he felt composed enough to look at him. "Why not come see the agency now that it's finally done? We can make an evening of it."
"I'd like that," Izuku muttered.
Enji lumbered into a dark, quiet house. He didn't bother calling for anyone, it was clear none of his children were home. His rigid posture now relaxed slightly as he, tiredly, made his way to the kitchen. 'Nothing,' he thought as he saw an empty stove top, oven, and microwave. He felt his body heat up in annoyance. Fuyumi usually made dinner. She didn't have to but she'd done it so often he'd grown accustomed to it. To Enji's mind, if she were going out she could have told him as much so he could make alternative plans.
It struck him as ungrateful. He worked harder than any hero, even the precious Symbol of Peace, and he couldn't come home to a hot meal? Couldn't be alerted that he wouldn't? No greeting after a hard day? Nothing? He did too much to constantly be subjected to ingratitude. No one appreciated him properly.
The number two hero clenched his fist, seething anger threatening to become more. He didn't ask for much. He worked hard and deserved to have that acknowledged. So what if he went to extremes to surpass All Might? Wasn't that better than simply kneeling to his innate superiority? Yes, he was hard on Shoto and distant from the rest. Greatness didn't happen by accident, didn't occur without sacrifice. And as he looked around the tidy kitchen, Enji saw that his efforts didn't even net him a hot meal after a long day.
Enji heard a car pulling up and assumed it was Fuyumi returning. 'Good,' he thought. She needed to be brought to account, made to justify her actions. Was this house he provided not enough? A lifetime of financial security? The best skills, connections to any occupation she wanted? Were all these gifts not worth a bit of dinner? As he stormed to the door, he intended to find out.
Mind in a rage fueled haze, Enji barely noticed his two sons once he stepped outside. His focus was on his daughter wantonly hugging some man he'd never seen, whose face was currently obscured by her actions. "Fuyumi, get in the house!" he commanded as he stood tall, arms folded. He saw her jump just a little and took a small amount of pleasure in knowing it wouldn't take much to get her back in line.
"Don't talk to her like that," an equally stern voice commanded. Enji felt his quirk begging to be unleashed at the arrogance, until. He finally took a look at the boy, nay, young man. Features too similar to him and Rei, bi-chromatic hair color like Fuyumi and Shoto.
"Touya," he whispered, anger vacating his mind as swiftly as it emerged.
"Endeavor," he answered neutrally but Enji was too experienced to not read his body language. He was ready to attack him. Even as bullheaded as he could be, Enji couldn't ignore the profound comment on his parenting.
"You three get in the house, I need to speak to your brother."
"Or don't and come with me. Trust me, you haven't known what fresh air truly is until you're no longer under his control."
"It's fine, Touya-kun," Fuyumi said. "Things aren't how they were."
"Oh, and he didn't storm out here like some wild beast? No, Endeavor stays Endeavor. I couldn't do anything about it then but I'm more than capable now," Touya said as he emitted twin blue flames from his gloved hands with seemingly no issues.
"That won't be necessary, Touya. I've made mistakes, with all of you but now there's time."
"Not interested. Besides, I'll be busy helping cement a new number one hero."
Enji frowned at the knife twisting. "Who?"
"Why, my sensei of course: Uzumaki Naruto."
"That criminal!" Enji roared, anger peaking again. "I won't allow it."
"I'm a grown man, I don't need your permission. Besides, if you want to know where I've been and how I survived they have the same answer. And you know what, Endeavor, he's already a better man than you could ever be but I'll enjoy watching him make heroes like you obsolete."
Enji stood there in disbelief, paying no mind to Touya's departure nor the containers of food Fuyumi placed in his hands. His only thoughts were of Uzumaki Naruto, the villain that manipulated his son. He swore he'd pay the Uzumaki back and end his influence permanently.
"Flight changes things," Naruto said as he stared up at the stars. "Even with the amazing things my people could do, flight was rare and it was well after the war before I fully appreciated it. I don't know what it is, maybe it's breaking the immutable laws of nature, or truly defying gravity. Whatever it is, few things can change your perspective like the ability to fly." He smiled toothily at his son who was balancing on a clay hawk.
"Is this really ok?" Izuku asked. Quirk usage laws were quite strict, even if he didn't technically have a quirk he doubted the authorities would appreciate that technicality.
"I've zoned my building and gotten the necessary permits to teach flight in the surrounding airspace. Besides, even if I hadn't, there aren't that many heroes that could stop you. I doubt any could keep up in the sky. What's your top speed, now? Mach three?" Izuku nodded, not always able to fully believe his own powers. He was fast and strong, and only increasing in each.
"Ok, now remember, you created this so you have a connection so don't overthink it just feel how you want to move, relax your stance as if you were riding a surfboard-"
"I've never been surfing," Izuku interjected.
"Oh, well if you want to this weekend we can find a beach with some killer waves, bruh and totally shred!"
Izuku laughed, quickly reconciling the perception of Uzumaki Naruto with the reality that his dad was a giant dork. Still, he bent his knees, evened his weight between his two feet and willed the clay construct to move. What he hadn't done was will it to move slowly causing the explosive bird to take off and Izuku to scream his head off.
If he'd been thinking rationally, Izuku would have simply willed it to slow down but he was so startled he kept thinking he wanted down, which caused the bird to dive bomb and where once he was high above any neighboring rooftops, he was quickly descending into a thicket of concrete and glass. Purely on instinct he made his conveyance swerve from a crash landing but Izuku was still close enough to graze the roof with his fingers.
In the briefest of moments, Izuku took a deep breath. He was reacting blindly, panicking. It was similar to what happened in class, he let the moment define his response instead of taking control. As another building came hurtling into view he thought about the path he desired and his creation acquiesced. He thought to slightly increase his elevation and a soft incline was adopted. This wasn't happening to him, he wasn't passive. Heroes react but also take control of situations.
As his perception caught up, as the shock of his takeoff withered away, Izuku began to embrace this new sensation. Turns became easier, his stance more intuitive. Before he knew it, he was having fun. It was a short flight, no more than five minutes before he returned to his dad, the man greeting him with a knowing smile. Izuku could only match it. Flying really was different and it was awesome.
Izuku has the Bakuton or Explosion Release. Why? IDK, his daddy got perfect chakra so stuff happens. Long time, no see. My bad. I still love you tho.
If you think I'm being too hard on Endeavor then fair warning now, it won't get better. Being good at a thing doesn't justify abuse no matter how many people pretend to like your Pirate movies. Yea, I said it.