(A/N: Formatting reminder: "Dialogue heard through a sound system." ... "PRESENT MIC'S DIALOGUE HEARD THROUGH A SOUND SYSTEM." )
...
"WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT? THE MATCH WAS OVER IN SECONDS! THAT STAFF MADE BY MIDORIYA TOOK THE BRUNT OF KAMINARI'S ATTACK! TALK ABOUT STICK-ING IT TO 'EM!"
"You are insufferable. But yes, Midoriya's counter measures against Kaminari's Quirk were simple and effective. It goes to show that a powerful Quirk isn't everything."
"AND LOOK! MIDORIYA ONCE AGAIN WANTS TO HELP HIS OPPONENT TO MAKE SURE HE'S OKAY! TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WITH HERO MATERIAL!"
Hero material, huh? Toshinori thought to himself as he looked down at the field while he sat in the teacher seats in his smaller form. Sunken blue eyes tracking the head of unruly green curls as Midoriya helped lead the incapacitated Kaminari off the field.
He had met the boy about a year ago, saving him from the Sludge Villain that had managed to slip away from the Number One Hero. Though not for long. Thankfully he had made it in time before the Villain could drown the poor boy in his clutches. Unthankfully, he was low on time to remain in his muscle form and had to get out of there quickly.
When the boy had grabbed onto his leg as he leapt away, it was…unexpected. Not to mention reckless. The boy could have gotten seriously hurt! Though it did bring the man's attention to the slipping bottles in his pockets. It would have been bad if the Villain had gotten away from him again to wreak more havoc.
Another innocent could have been attacked!
Toshinori had managed to land them safely on a roof a fair distance away. At the time, he knew he was even closer to his limit and had to get out of there fast. However, he couldn't help but take pause at the question the boy had asked.
'E-even if I don't have a Quirk, d-do you think I can be a Hero like you?!'
It was desperate and clearly had taken all of the boy's courage to say. Or blurt out really. As the boy continued to talk of his motives, Toshinori felt that his time was finally up and he shrank to his smaller form in a shroud of steam. But he did nothing to leave as he was deep in thought. The question was sudden and revealing. The boy was Quirkless and wanted to be a Hero.
A Hero like me, huh?
No one but a fair few knew this, but Toshinori didn't always have a Quirk. In fact, up until near the end of junior high school, he had been, in fact, Quirkless himself. With the dream of becoming a Hero, one that would act as a pillar of support for society. A goal he was able to reach as he now stood as the Symbol of Peace.
But this was a goal reached by way of a Quirk. A very special Quirk that was passed down to him by his predecessor, Shimura Nana. A Quirk by the name of One For All. A truly unique Quirk that could stockpile powers and be passed on through DNA to another person but could never be taken by force. Although it could be forcibly given.
One For All was the reason Toshinori was able to be the Hero he had dreamed of becoming. With the strength that One For All gave him, he was able to shoot up through the ranks and become the Number One Hero. He fought Villains and saved innocents with it. Brought the people a sense of safety because of it. Something that wouldn't have been possible without it. Which was why he had answered the way he did.
'The life of a Pro Hero is one of risk and danger. Without a Quirk, can one become a Hero like me? It pains me to say this, but I must say no, I don't think it's possible.'
It was harsh and he regretted saying it so bluntly, but it was a truth that needed to be said. Because Toshinori knew. He had been there. The Quirkless child who wished to become a Hero. The boy was in the same place he had been. But life can be cruel which was evident that once again someone with the urge to help didn't have the power to fulfill those wishes.
So, with a heavy heart, Toshinori spoke his truth and advised the boy to choose another path. After all, being a Pro Hero wasn't the only way to be a hero to others. Police, firefighters, doctors, nurses…they are all heroes in their own way. And for the boy, it would not do to dwell on impossible dreams.
The Number One Hero didn't see the boy again until a few days into the school year during 1-A's Battle Training. Boy, had that been stressful. At first, Toshinori had thought he had revealed his smaller form to another random child again, only for it to be the same child as before. A child named Midoriya Izuku.
Our first meeting had been so fast, I never did catch his name before.
Midoriya had been quick to calm him down and reassure him that his secret was still safe. That had been a relief. It was also a relief to see that the boy had taken his advice to choose a different course. Becoming a Support Engineer would also be a good way to be a hero in his own way. On top of that, his analysis was quite insightful and would be useful to Heroes, inventors, and strategists alike.
Working with the boy was easy. Especially since the student already knew of his smaller form so Toshinori didn't have to keep up appearances once class was finished. Being able to, as the boy said, 'deflate' was a relief at the end of a long training exercise. Plus, with how Midoriya helped to keep his secret, the man had no qualms about sharing his civilian name or personal phone number with the boy.
The fact that the boy had been involved with the attack at the USJ was…unfortunate. He wasn't a Hero-in-training and shouldn't have been in that kind of dangerous situation to begin with. But Midoriya had been smart and sheltered himself and another student in the Control Hub, while also putting his analysis skills to good use by helping the Hero Course students as well as Toshinori himself.
There is more than one way to be heroic. By focusing on protecting himself and others, he allowed the Heroes and Heroes-in-training to do their work.
However, Yamada's comment on 'Hero' material started an itch in the back of the Number One Hero's brain. It was small, barely noticeable, but it was there. Toshinori had found himself drawn again and again to that head of green curls throughout the first two rounds. The boy hadn't been aiming for first place in either round, focusing instead on helping those around him while also showing what his Support Items could do.
Those shoes remind me of something, but I can't quite place what, Toshinori thought, as a subtle subconscious shiver ran down his spine. I'll have to ask young Midoriya about them after the Sports Festival.
The want to help others was a good trait for a Hero to have. After all, bottom line that is what Heroes do. Help others. And Midoriya had made it clear that was one of his goals in the first two rounds over placing in first. Something that Toshinori had the feeling the boy could have done easily which grew more and more apparent as he observed.
While aiming for the top is a goal one should strive towards to raise the spirit of soceity, the desire to help others is a very strong basis for a Hero.
And now, here the boy was, the first winner in the first stage of the one-on-one battles of the third round. Midoriya was quick on his feet in assessing the situation and acted accordingly. Using his analysis skills and Support Items to bring him victory. Then, after winning, his focus was on helping his opponent immediately after the fight. The boy had the makings of a great Hero. If only he had…
Wait…
Like lightning striking, an epiphany ignited in his mind as the itch in the back of his mind grew exponentially in intensity.
What if…what if the boy did have a Quirk? What if he had my Quirk?
Toshinori had been looking for a successor for a while now. That was in fact the entire point of him teaching at UA and the reason he agreed to Nezu's mad idea of him becoming a teacher. Him! A teacher! He may have years and years of experience as a Hero, but that doesn't mean he knows how to teach others how to be one.
Sunken blue eyes looked down into the arena, watching as they prepared for the next match but not really paying attention as his mind wondered. The idea of possibly giving One For All to the boy was new and still only the beginnings of one at that. And the was a decision the man didn't and wouldn't take lightly. Finding a worthy successor was a difficult and important task.
Not to mention that even if I did offer One For All, that doesn't necessarily mean he will accept it.
The Symbol of Peace shook his head at that with a small smile, thinking a rejection was unlikely. One For All was an amazing and powerful Quirk to have with a long history of Heroes using it for the greater good. Toshinori felt that if someone with the strong desire to be a Hero couldn't possibly turn down receiving One For All.
Down below, the field was finally ready for the next match and Midoriya was long gone. But blue eyes stayed tracked to where the teen had left. The idea was merely a seedling, freshly planted in his mind. Toshinori still wanted to wait to find the one worthy to take on the honorable burden that is One For All, but the idea of maybe possibly choosing this boy was intriguing. The man felt connected to him in some way.
After all…I was once Quirkless too.
Toshinori had no concrete plans as of yet, but he would continue to watch Midoriya's progress in the finals. Because maybe…just maybe his wait for a worthy successor was over. Only time would tell.
...
As soon as the match was over, Izuku followed the medical robots through the halls to the school's nurse's office. He knew Kaminari would be fine in the school nurse's hands, but he wanted to see for sure himself. This would be the first time he had stepped into the nurse's office since starting at UA. The group reached their destination in no time and Kaminari was deposited on one of the beds.
"Oh my. What do we have here?" an elder sounding female voice called out.
"This is Kaminari Denki from Class 1-A," Izuku explained, focusing on the other boy. "His Quirk is Electrification and he has a tendency to overload himself." Then he turned to the voice and squeaked out, "Wait, you're the Youthful Heroine Recovery Girl!"
I know Present Mic mentioned that she was working at UA, but this is my first time to the nurse's office. This is so cool!
"That I am, young man," the nurse chuckled. "And you are?"
"O-oh, I'm Midoriya Izuku," he said with a bow and a smile. "I'm a first year i-in the Support Course in Class 1-H. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you as well, Midoriya-kun," Recovery Girl replied with her own bow. "You already know me as Recovery Girl, but my name is Shuuzenji Chiyo. So, what can you tell me of his condition?"
"W-well he has an Emitter-type Quirk for electricity," Izuku starts off nervously, but calms down as he continues and looks down at the other boy. "And I've witnessed several times that when he goes for a full-blown attack that meets or exceeds his limit, he tends to 'short-circuit' himself. Something that I think could be detrimental to his health over time. I don't know why anyone hasn't addressed this before but the effect of the electricity on the human brain is something to be concerned about. Even on those with Electric Quirks. I worry that if he continues using his quirk this way, it could harm him in the long run."
"I will add this to his health records and insist the Support Department work on a way to aid in this strong Quirk side effect" Shuuzenji stated as she made a note on her clipboard. "Have you noticed any others?"
With how much and how long Izuku has been analyzing Quirks, he knew that no Quirk was perfect and each had some kind of draw back or weakness. So, he stuck to the most concerning side effects he had noticed for now and could bring up any others at a different time. They were still in the midst of the Sports Festival after all.
For Class 1-A, besides Kaminari's draw back, Izuku brought up Uraraka and Aoyama becoming queasy or having stomach issues when they overuse their quirks. He described what he had noticed about when Todoroki would use his ice side too much and his thoughts on the natural counterbalance the bi-color teen's Quirk most likely had, but didn't go into why the other refused to use his left side. He also mentioned Tsuyu's probable weakness to extreme temperatures given her frog-like features. Like she had said during the USJ attack, fire and frogs don't mix well and most likely not with the cold either.
For Class 1-B, Izuku couldn't think of as many glaring issues as the class's Quirks were pretty well rounded. If anything, Tetsutetsu could use a more iron based diet if the greenette's suspicions of the grey-haired boy's Quirk was fueled by what he ate like Yaoyorozu or Satou. Overuse of Tsubaraba's Solid Air could lead to lightheadedness and that he should practice breathing exercises. And despite getting in on Recommendation, Tokage's Lizard Tail Splitter Quirk allowed her to split her body into parts, but having to regenerated too many destroyed pieces could be exhausting over time.
"I-I have some other observations, but th-they can wait until after the festival," Izuku said as he finished his spark notes version of his concerns.
"Thank you for your insight, Midoriya-kun," Recovery Girl said, taking more notes on her clipboard to add later. "Some of those I've noticed as well and will see to. Each student's health is my top priority after all. However, I can only observe so much from the after math. It's helpful to have some eyes on the field." She gave him a wink.
Izuku blushed at the compliment as the Heroine made her way to the bed. After a check of Kaminari's vitals and any other injures besides the overloading, Shuuzenji puckered her lips and planted a kiss on the electric user's forehead. The effects were immediate as dumb-looking expression on Kaminari's face faded and was replaced with a restive one as the nurse's Quirk did its job.
Recovery Girl's Heal Quirk is so cool! She has the ability to speed up and amplify the natural healing process of the human body through physical contact by giving the injured person a kiss. I wonder if it can only be applied by a kiss or if another form of physical contact would work. With her Quirk, she can heal injuries ranging from bruises to lacerations to broken bones. But because her Quirk is fueled by the life force of the recipient, she has to be careful how much healing she does at one time. Otherwise, the recipient has the potential of draining too much energy at once and could die. This is probably why she is able to control the amount of healing she deals out rather than healing all injuries automatically. Or is this an ability she developed from training and studying medicine.
"Your observations are quite insightful," Recovery Girl said, giggling a little as he blushed having mumbled aloud. Again. "Might you be this Hiro-kun I've heard of?"
"Wha-," Izuku sputtered, cheeks growing more red. "I…uh…y-yeah…"
"No need to be embarrassed, dear," Recovery Girl assures with a smile and a pat on the shoulder. "I've heard many good things about you. Your analysis is exceptional and your assistance in training has been very helpful across departments. Not to mention your actions at USJ that helped prevent many injuries."
Not used to all the compliments, Izuku found himself a blushing mess and was hiding his face with his hands.
"I wonder if you ever had any interest in first aid or EMT work," Recovery Girl commented, looking at him curiously.
That broke Izuku out of his flustered state though his face was still noticeably pink.
"F-first aid? EMT?" he asked, peeking through his fingers. "Well, yeah, I mean that would be a useful skill for a, um…"
"For a Hero?" Shuuzenji offered with a warm smile.
"Y-yeah…" He lowered his hands while he timidly looked away.
"Do you want to be a Hero, Midoriya-kun?" the Heroine asked.
Izuku was too nervous to answer and simply nodded while avoiding eye contact. As the school nurse, she would know his Quirk Status and doctors in the past had not been…kind to him.
"Well then, with your brains and clear desire to help others…" She gestured toward the unconscious boy on the bed. "…then I think you'll make a great Hero."
Green eyes shot up in shock, still not used to people actually believing in him like this. "You r-really think so?"
"Yes, I do," Shuuzenji stated firmly. "I know you may have had a hard time in the past, but I have seen my fair share of Heroes through the years with Quirks not considered 'right' for the job. Even my own wasn't seen as such as Heal is a non-combative Quirk. But the Quirk does not make the Hero. Aizawa-kun had his own struggles at the beginning and yet he is a Pro Hero. After all, his Quirk merely…"
"…levels the field to a Quirkless one," Izuku said without thinking before he stopped and apologized. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"That's quite alright, dear," Shuuzenji chuckled, patting his shoulder again. "But, yes, you're right. So, don't go doubting yourself. Anyway, if you would like, I'd be more than happy to show you some simple first aid."
"R-really? You actually want t-to teach me first aid?" Izuku asked in surprise.
"Only if you're interested, Midoriya-kun," Shuuzenji replied. "As a start at least, then we could move on to more advance EMT training if you wish to continue. I know you have a pretty full schedule with being in the Support Course and your own personal training. Not to mention being Principal Nezu's personal student." She gave him another wink. "But I can talk to your teachers and figure something out. Perhaps the first twenty minutes after lunch a couple days a week would work."
"If…if you could, that would be amazing, Recovery Girl!" Izuku chirped, excited to have yet another new thing to learn that would help him be a Hero. Another step towards his dream.
"Please call me Shuuzenji, dear," the Heroine said, smiling warmly at his enthusiasm.
"Thank you very much, Shuuzenji-sensei," Izuku said with a bow.
"Not yet, but I'm sure we can figure something out," Shuuzenji responded with a chuckle at his enthusiasm. "Now run along. You're still in the running for the one-on-ones. I know you want to do your best, but I would rather not see you in here with anything more serious than a scratch, you hear me?"
"Yes, Shuuzenji-sensei," Izuku said, nervously scratching his head. He hadn't even injured himself yet and she was already scolding him. "I guess, uh, I hope not to see you later?"
Recovery Girl chuckled again as she shooed him out the door. Izuku thanked Shuuzenji for her time and her services, bowing before leaving for the 1-H stands.
When Izuku arrived at the seats for 1-H, Mei was easy to pick out from the crowd. One, because she was his friend and her pink hair stood out, but also, she was the only one other than him still decked out in Support Items. Since the others in 1-H as well as the rest of the Support Course were no longer in the running, they had already returned their inventions to their boxes to be brought back to the studio later.
"Hey, it's Midoriya!" one of the other 1-H students called out, noticing he had arrived.
"Midoriya! You were awesome!"
"Congrats, Midoriya!"
"Way to represent the Support Course!"
So many of the other 1-H students were calling out congratulations and encouragements as Izuku walked over to sit next to Mei. He bashfully accepted their thanks with a shy smile, still not used to this kind of attention from his peers. But the change was nice from what he had experienced in his past.
"Welcome back, Hero-kun!" Mei cheered as he sat beside her. "Congrats on showing off some of your babies!"
Of course, that's what she's most focused on, Izuku thought as he chuckled. "Thanks, Mei-chan. You'll be able to do that too soon."
"You betcha!" Mei exclaimed with her mad scientist smile. "I'm going to show all of my precious babies to those Support Companies scouting for the next generation of geniuses. They're not going to know what hit them!"
I will always admire her passion for Support.
"You sure will," Izuku replied with a warm smile. "And it's nice that Iida seemed to want to help you show them off."
"Uh…heh heh, yeah," Mei replied, turning her away to look out of at the field. "He is."
What was that reaction about?
Before Izuku could ask Mei what she meant, Present Mic began to announce the next match which turned his focus down to the field.
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! AFTER THAT SHOCKINGLY QUICK FIRST MATCH, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME ACTION WITH THE SECOND! YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF DOING A DOUBLE TAKE 'CAUSE THIS GUY CAN PACK A PUNCH! IT'S SHOUDA NIRENGENKI IN THE HERO COURSE!"
From one tunnel came out a boy of average height, ice-blue hair, and a round face. His expression looked unsure but he smiled up at where Class 1-B was cheering him on loudly.
Hmm…Shouda Nirengenki. His Quirk is called Twin Impact. When attacking, at the site of any initial impact, his Quirk allows him to apply a second impact at that same site but with several times more strength than the initial blow. He can use it on people and objects and can initiate the second impact from a distance. However, the initial impact would need to be at close range and he has no weapons to use in this fight. So, he'll need to get closer to his opponent to use his Quirk. Which might be difficult since…
"VERSUS! WATCH WHAT YOU SAY OR SHE'LL MELT YOUR FACE OFF! IT'S ASHIDO MINA ALSO IN THE HERO COURSE!"
Out of the other tunnel came Ashido sporting a pink smile, pink peace signs, and a head of pink unruly curls.
Ashido Mina. Her Quirk is called Acid. She can produce a corrosive acid-like liquid from her skin and can adjust the solubility and viscosity as desired. Her skin has a natural resistance to her own acid, but she still has a limit for how long she can produce it before the resistance isn't enough. From what I've observed, she uses it mainly offensively, but can also unitize it to help with her mobility.
Both opponents made their way across the grass to the concrete ring in the middle. The crowd was cheering in anticipation for an exciting match.
Both of them are close combat fighters. However, Ashido-san has somewhat of an advantage that Shouda-kun does not. She can use her acid as a weapon both up close or far away by throwing it. While he has no weapon and must make physical contact first before his Quirk can be applied. Shouda-kun will have to get in close, but also be mindful of her acidic attacks. While Ashido-san will have to dodge his fists, though her flexibility and quick reflexes should help with that.
The two Hero students stood across from each other under the watchful eyes of Midnight and Cementoss. Ashido looked confident while Shouda appeared determined. Neither was going to go easy on the other.
"READY? BEGIN!"
Shouda Nirengenki VS Ashido Mina
Upon the start of the match, Shouda ran toward Ashido and aimed a fist at her which she dodged with ease. He tried to aim another but had to dodge himself as she threw a fist full of acid at him. The attack missed and landed on the ground behind the pale haired boy.
Huh. Ashido-san's attack missed, but a pool of acid could work in her favor as an obstacle for her opponent. Like an acid land trap.
Shouda backed up a bit, seeming to assess the situation and likely trying to form another plan of attack. Which he then implemented by not punching at his opponent and instead at the ground. There were sounds of confusion from the crowd at the action, but a murmur of surprise spread as the fighting ring began to shake.
Oh! Shouda-kun is using his Twin Impact to make a sort of earthquake effect! That's so smart!
With the ground moving beneath her, Ashido's balance was put off a bit but her reflexes were quick to adjust. While she was distracted by trying to keep herself up, Shouda dove in for an attack. But again, she managed to dodge the fist aimed at her and threw more acid from her hand while also shooting more from her feet which she used to 'slip' away.
The fight continued in this manner for a while. Shouda tried to distract Ashido with his mini earthquakes and then attempted to get in close. To which she would dodge and produce more acid. As time passed, more and more of the arena was covered in her acid leaving less and less space for Shouda to punch let alone stand. In the end, the boy found himself stuck near the edge of the ring. Ashido took advantage and skated towards him on her acid while aiming another hand full at him. There was nothing else he could do to dodge but to step over the line.
"Shouda is out of bounds!" Midnight announced. "Ashido will be advancing!"
The crowd cheered as the pair left the field and the work to repair the ring began immediately to remove all of the acid. As the restoration was in progress, everyone in the stadium were waiting in anticipation for the next match. Including Izuku himself. Todoroki would be up next after all and the greenette was looking forward to supporting and watching his friend fight.
I wonder how Todoroki-kun is going to use his ice this time, Izuku wondered to himself. I know he has a lot of versatility with it and so can be unpredictable in a fight. I still wish he would use his fire, but he's about as stubborn as I am about becoming a Hero. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
...
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Notes extension: post/636957392092987392/chapter-43-sports-festival-an-inkling-and-an