A.N: I apologize, first and foremost. Things are a little bit hectic regarding my final exam on Friday and my ability to travel back to University, and my schedule has gotten tighter as a result. This chapter isn't really worthy of us breaking to the 100 FOLLOWERS, HOLY SHIT YOU'RE ALL INSANE. I love you guys (and gorls, don't me) and thank you for getting me as far as I have. I'll do my best to continue bringing this story up as high as it can go. Onto Reviews!
ChernoAlpha117: Indeed, there is always more to fighting than simple Quirks! Again not to spoil anything that'll happen later down the line, but your example of All Might developing Izuku's body rather than developing any actually fighting technique becomes pretty important later on. Kendo does get a costume upgrade, but I'm loathe to get rid of the trenchcoat. It's like a cape, but a jacket. Credit is due though, you've actually got a pretty close resemblance of what I've got planned. Regarding Knuckleduster, they would ABSOLUTELY make good friends. In terms of the fight or flight instinct, I am also a firm believer in that, I've actually experienced it once. It's not as limit-breaking as it sounds, but there IS a noticeable increase in overall performance. Thanks you again for the support!
StandUpKeepMovingForward: Glad you liked the chapter dude! I've got a pretty cool set of ideas going for Musha, and I'm sure you all are gonna enjoy that. Thanks again my man!
SkeenTheDream: Glad you liked the chapter as per usual my man! You're right in saying that there's gonna be a setup for the Lurkers, however, I can't have Edgeshot in U.A at this current point in time, seeing as this takes place ten years before the current canon, and that would make him between 23/24 years old. Still... that's only in U.A. Outside as a current pro-hero is a different story all together ;D. Admittedly, I kinda want to check out Nobunaga Concerto based on your reaction alone XD. Once more, thank you for the support my dude!
MANGOLYFE: I really appreciate the love dude, I'll make sure that this story stays awesome!
JJKR: To be honest, it's best to try and understand the audience. Consider the first part of the previous chapter me teasing said audience XD
Ragnas Bredvolts: Ayyee, glad you like the direction I'm going with the character's evolution! I honestly love fics where someone plays around more creatively with what appears to be a simple enough power and helps the character grow in an incredible way. Hope you continue to love the story, because shit gets CRAZY. You have a glorious day too, my dude!
Juance-Sahim: You're definitely not wrong in saying that, and to be honest, it does sound pretty silly when you say it like that XD. Though, the point I was trying to drive home was that ultimately this is still Kendo Rappa, and that while it does make more sense for him to return home, this is about him taking a sense of agency by choosing not to return, similar to his origin in the proper Canon. However, this time it's influenced in a more heroic light. Hope that explanation makes sense!
LewtonSpoons: Geez dude, a day? Damn, I gotta pump these out more consistently now XD. Still, glad you like it man!
And with all that said, onto the show!
Rumble, Young Man Rumble!
Chapter 27
Let the internship begin!
"You know, it's kinda funny," Kendo sighed, leaning back on the seat, "Never thought that I'd ever get a kickass girlfriend like you. Nor did I think I'd have to spend a week away almost right after."
"Mmm," Rumi hummed, leaning into his chest. "Fate's a bitch."
Both of them had chosen their offers and their applications went off without a hitch. By Wednesday afternoon, they would be settled in their respective agencies and ready to learn. Away from each other. While they both knew that this was inevitable, it was still a bit disheartening for the new couple. The park had become something of a special place for the two of them, hence why they were here now in the evening. The orange sky and the setting sun had certainly helped them relax after some training.
"Don't go eyein' up other girls just because I'm not there, you hear me?" She growled, half-threatening. Kendo couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in shock for a moment as he realized something, seeing the hidden seriousness in her eyes.
"…you're jealous?"
She kissed her teeth and shyly looked away. "So what if I am?" Kendo burst into laughter, Rumi's face heating up more. "Watch your damn mouth!" She barked, elbowing him in the ribs hard to try and hide her embarrassment. One coughing fit later, Kendo managed to calm down before he decided to surprise Rumi. He scooped her up in his arms, the poor girl yelping as she found herself suddenly in his lap and staring right up at his grinning face.
"Rumi, sorry to burst your bubble, but I've only got eyes for you," He said lowly, her stomach fluttering at the look he was giving her. "Ain't no random girl gonna change that, you hear me?" Rumi snickered at that, hiding her face in his chest.
"How'd I know you're gonna keep that promise, huh?" She asked, growling playfully. "I'm… pretty confident in my own looks, but you're already a lady-killer with those looks of yours." She felt a hand on her chin gently guide her face away from his chest, and all of a sudden, she felt a warm pair of lips press against her own. Surprised at first, she melted into it with a content sigh, the two of them at complete peace in the sunset light. After a while, they gently parted, a warm smile on Kendo's face.
"I'm yours, Rumi," He said simply.
"You better be," She grumbled, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. "…I'm gonna miss you." He wrapped his arms around her, kissing one of her ears.
"Me too Usagi," He sighed. "Me too."
…
"God I miss her," He muttered under his breath. The train ride wasn't going to be for much longer, three minutes at most. Despite that, if felt like it was dragging on for eternity. Kendo didn't take into account just how much he'd miss Rumi. He already missed holding her, he missed that brash attitude, he missed the shy smile whenever they kissed. "Holy shit I miss her."
'Mm,' The other him grumbled in an equally displeased tone, 'She's something else.'
"No arguments there," Kendo sighed, his eyes darting up to see the station getting closer. "Finally here. Shit's gonna get interesting." Grabbing his suitcase, he pulled his hoodie up to ensure that he wasn't recognized before making his way out. "Alright, his Agency ain't too far from here…" Indeed, it wasn't exactly hard for Kendo to find, the young man eventually finding himself at the squeaky-clean entrance of Sir Nighteye's agency. Or rather…
"All Might's Headquarters…" He muttered, unable to stop the giant grin on his face. "Time to see what's in store for me, All Might's number two!" Pushing past the doors, he made his way to the front desk, where a fairly tall lady with light-blue skin and hair was sitting. Seeing the large boy walk in, she look up, curious until he put his hoodie down.
"Ah, you're Kendo Rappa, the intern!" She greeted, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Nighteye is actually waiting in his office for you, down the hallway and at the very end of the hallway. Your own room is already prepared, it's the second to last room on the right. Feel free to enter whenever you're ready."
"Oh, uh, thanks."
Making his way down the hallway, he felt more and more excited. Still, he calmed himself down as he reached the large wooden doors, knocking.
"Come in," A straight-laced, stone-cold voice drifted through, and Kendo entered. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: true, everything in the office was neatly organised, cleaned until shining. It was very much a reflection of the man behind the desk: shockingly tall and lankly-looking, the glasses, combed dark-green hair (with a yellow streak, surprisingly) and the grey suit made him feel like an ordinary salaryman. Yet, what made Kendo outright laugh was the deep contrasts of that strict image: the silly pink and blue polka-dot tie, and the sheer, overwhelming amount of All Might-based merchandise found on every corner of the room. An All Might mat, a cardboard cut-out, dozens of posters, and hundreds of books placed in shelves off to the side.
Nighteye's lips quirked into a small smile at the relaxed laughing of the boy in front of him. "You find something humorous about me, young man?"
"Haha, sort of!" Kendo chuckled, "I'd done some research on you and I pretty much expected you to be straight-laced, but can't say I was expecting you to be… uh…"
"A fanboy?" He supplied. Kendo gave him a dead stare.
"With all due respect sir," Kendo said, "This is almost batshit insane levels of obsession. God, if there was a competition based on who had more merch, I'm pretty sure you'd win by default because you already bought out everything."
At that, Nighteye stifled a chuckled of his own. Admittedly, he quite liked Kendo's first impression. The boy was a bit brash and blunt, but in turn he was easy to approach despite his intimidating stature. Not to mention, from the reports that he had read on the boy before the Tournament, something about him seemed slightly different from before. He seemed a bit more relaxed, more mellowed out, mature even.
"Well then, it's going to be a pleasure working with you. Please, take a seat." Nighteye said, holding out a hand. Kendo took it and they firmly shook before the boy sat down, relaxed but polite. "Now, I must ask you a question or two. Why do you think I sent you an offer?"
"To be honest, I have no clue," Kendo chuckled, bashfully scratching his neck. "…but what I can say is that I'm grateful for your offer. You helped All Might refine his own Super-moves and even create new ones, so I'm interested as hell to see what you've got in store for me. I'm hoping that I can become strong enough to All Might's level one day."
Nighteye raised a brow at that. "You believe that I can elevate you to become another All Might?"
"Another… pfft, nah!" Kendo laughed. "I'm not trying to be All Might. I just wanna become strong in my own way and surpass him like that."
'Oddly naïve,' Nighteye thought, 'But quite mature at the same time.'
"A good answer," Nighteye concluded. "Finally, how do you think I can help you grow as a hero? To be more specific, what can I do to improve your abilities?"
"Oh, that one's pretty easy," Kendo replied. "When it comes to improving on something, there ain't anyone better than you. You helped refine All Might's moves and even went on to commission the Air-Pressure Armour."
"That armour was cumbersome and didn't work in the end," Nighteye pointed out.
"True, but that's only because All Might was too strong for it," Kendo fired back. "You don't show it, and almost nobody notices it… but you've got a taste of fight-IQ, don't you?" Again, Nighteye was surprised.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?"
"Everyone who knows calls you the brains behind All Might," Kendo stated, "Which is true. But, I've had a hunch about you since I found out who you were. Now that I'm sitting right in front of you, I'm pretty sure of myself now. That suit of yours ain't form-fitting, it just looks like it, right? I know for a fact that you're hiding a body built for fighting under there. You don't get that kind of fight-IQ by sitting on the side-lines."
"…" Quickly, Nighteye was beginning to realize something about the boy. He couldn't put a finger or a name on it just yet, but it was getting there. He smiled, standing up. "You're quite interesting, young man. I'm glad that I sent out that offer. However, in order for me to properly help you improve, I'll need a more… accurate representation of your current abilities." For a moment, Kendo sat there, a bit confused before realisation sparked through his eyes. A grin spit his face as he also stood up, gently placing the chair back.
"So, you wanna fight, too?"
Nighteye chuckled, "In essence, yes. All you need to do is land a single hit on me in order to win."
"Cool. I can do that."
In an instant, he dashed back with his hands up in a tight guard, blood thrumming through his veins. "Let's rumble!"
…
Rumi entered the shockingly Japanese-styled building. 'So this is Yoroi Musha's Agency, huh? Can't say that I'm too surprised at the décor…' Her mind drifted off as she went on auto-pilot as she met the secretary and was guided to her room. 'I wonder how Kendo is doing? Does he miss me? I miss him.'
"Sensei Musha is waiting for you in the main dojo," The secretary said, "He would like to meet with you as soon as possible."
"Mm," She hummed idly nodding her head as she placed her stuff away. She made her way over to what appeared to be a giant hall, tatami -mats lining the floor and an armoured figure sitting in the very centre of the room. Orange eyes opened to stare right at her, her focus sharpening instantly.
"Miss Usagiyama," His deep voice reverberated through the room, a small shiver going up her spine. He was strong, as expected of the current number 5th ranked hero. "Please, have a seat," He motioned towards a cushion in front of him. For some reason, Rumi found it hard to talk, silently making her way over to sit in front of the Armoured Warrior. "Why are you here?"
"…I beg your pardon?" Rumi asked, taken aback for a moment.
"For what reason do you sit in front of me?" He asked. "What makes you believe that you're here now?"
"…" Putting on a brave face after a moment, she grinned. "I mean, it's pretty obvious ain't it?" She replied. "You say my performance, saw how strong I was, and wanted to take me under your wing, right?" His silence allowed her to continue. "I'm pretty sure that I've peaked with my own training. If I can learn from you, then I'll be able to reach the next level."
"There appears to be a form of motivation," He noted.
"Y-yeah…" Her face flushed a bit and she couldn't hold back a bashful grin. "I've… I've got someone important to me. I might've had the win over them last time, but it'll take everything I've got to level up with him. He's already getting stronger, and I won't fall behind. It's… it's the least I can do for him."
The hero sat in silence for some time, Rumi growing slightly uncomfortable under the pressure the man was exuding. Out of nowhere, he suddenly stood, utterly quiet despite the heavy armour he wore. Rumi watched him, curious until he suddenly opened up his hand. Quickly, a beautiful katana seemed to sprout from his very skin, a construct made of pure metal down to the very handle before he raised it high, looming over Rumi. Her senses screamed and she dove out of the way just as a sharp *FSHH* sliced through the air. Rolling to her feet she looked back to see that Musha's blade had sliced clean through the floor, the man pulling out and pointing it at her.
"You are weak, young, and foolish," He stated simply, "However, I am almost sure that I am right to take you in. You have potential, if somewhat faint. Show me that you are worth my time, Rumi Usagiyama."
Normally, people would be more terrified of the daunting foe that stood in front of them. Was Rumi scared? Yes. However…
"Oh, thank God!" She laughed, slipping into her fighting-stance. "This is waaay more my speed! All I gotta do is fight you, right? Then I don't care who you are, or what your rank is! Let's roll, old man Musha!"
"I'm aged, not old," He grumbled before the two launched themselves at each other.
(To Be Continued…)
A.N: Cliffhanger... ya'll probably hate me XD. Regardless though, keep your eyes out for the next chapter! Thank you all once again for helping me reach over 100 Follows, this is the first time I've ever had that much success in any story of mine, and I couldn't have gotten here without you. Hope you all enjoyed this one, so peace out!