Disclaimer:- I do not own Naruto or Boku no hero academia!
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Chapter 2
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In morning time the sun was shining bright in Musutafu town, people were going on their usual business, streets was packed with vehicles and pedestal.
It was cheerful morning, the cherry blossom were booming, that painted a rather calm and peaceful picture of the town.
Naruto was walking towards the school, he was garbed in all black typical Japanese school uniform, from shirt to pants , he was carrying his school bag on his shoulder.
He had spoken to his adoptive family last week and told them about his wish to join U.A and proceed to tell them he had suddenly discovered he had quirk, which is just like video game glitch so he called it glitch. He didn't tell them about his other quirk because it would cause unnecessary problem for him.
They not-so-surprisingly took it with great joy. No one suspect him to be hiding something and they were rather happy that he thought about choosing Hero course. In this society being a hero is seen as great honor, so of course they were supportive of his decision. For them, the boy who always wants to lead a normal boring school life was finally motivated to do something big was something very surprising and joyful event.
He was calmly walking on side of road just like everyone else when he heard it.
Crash!
Some guys with quirk to become big was going berserk over train line, he was destroying nearby building and roads.
Some peoples were gathered near the scene merrily watched the incident with interest while police were trying to stop them from getting neat the big guy.
Crash!
The big guy destroyed the electric tower, which fell towards the masses on sidewalk, but before it could fall on them a hero came towards the electric tower and catch it before it could harm anyone.
Instead of running away people began to cheer for Hero with great joy.
"Oh! It's Death arms!"
The hero in front of them was 'punching hero', who was rather famous for serving justice with his great physical strength and punch as obviously the name suggest.
He grit his teeth to hold down the rather heavy tower.
Some people began to admire and took out their phone to take some picture. Child and adult alike. They push the police mans to take a closer picture.
"Everyone stay back, this is Dangerous!" But a line of water suddenly shot in front of them and blocked their path.
"Backdraft is here, too" Someone from crowd shouted
It was another hero, The rescue specialist, Backdraft. He was famous for again as the name suggest in rescue missions.
He can manipulate water into solid form which come out of hose attached to his arm.
But instead to them Naruto attention was on Big guy who went out of control, he was still thrashing around the railway line. It seems his quirk was turning into giant monster. Which was amazing in sense but it looks like the guy couldn't fully control it.
It's kind of waste
"So why is he out of control like this? What did he do?" a stranger beside him asked a question, it wasn't directed towards him but to whole crowd in general.
"He stole someone bag and went out of control when he was cornered!"
Naruto glanced towards his back, when he felt a familiar presence excitingly looking over crowd towards the snatcher guy.
"Good morning, Midoriya!" Naruto greeted the excited boy in front of him, who stopped looking towards villain to look at him.
The boy in question was his classmate, he has green colored hair, and freckles on his cheeks, and he was wearing the same uniform as him.
"O-Oh good morning Naruto-kun, you are here too!" Midoriya greeted back with smile as he saw the blonde.
Naruto nodded towards him but didn't said anything else, Midoriya was looking really excited at the opportunity of watching pro hero duking out with villain in live, so he kept quiet, as not to disturb him and began to watch just like every other citizen along with green haired kid.
Midoriya is probably the biggest heroes fan boy he would ever know in his lifetime. Ask him anything about heroes and he will answer it with so much enthusiasm that he would practically glow without even having a quirk like that.
Unfortunately he was the only quirkiness student in their class including Naruto himself (Or at least that's what everyone believe it to be). Because of that they get along rather well.
Naruto wasn't proud to admit it but he got no friend except for Midoriya, even then he wasn't really that close to him. it's not like he never wanted to make a friend but it's just hard to hold the conversation with his classmate who won't show any interest in a quirkless student like him, sure some girls tried to ask in out because they thought he looks cool but they would get bored with him when he couldn't lead the conversation towards fun topic and something like that.
In today's society having the ability to hold the interesting topic with classmates can greatly impact their social standing within class.
And being the guy with no particular talent or quirk, able to hold fun conversation was really high hurdle for him pass.
He's not a good host to lead the conversation. So he had to rely on others for that topic and being a heroes otaku, Midoriya never has any problem in leading the conversation and he just go along with him and listen to him giving him information about heroes. Be it their rescues mission or their social life he was always up-to-date with any public information.
"…I wish I could make some friends" Naruto involuntarily muttered to himself. It would be nice having some friends,
In 10 months he will apply to U.A as per the instruction of Hawks, but sadly Midoriya despite wanting to, couldn't attend U.A since he got no quirk and then he will have to start all over again to make some new friends. If possible he wanted at least 1-2 friends.
Friends?
That word might sound strange coming from him but he genuinely wanted to enjoy his youth while he still can, just like any other normal high school student.
While it might seems insignificant thing to others but to him it's a great privilege to even think like that! To choose how to live on his own, who to interact with and with whom to make friends with.
Those with freedom to do as they wish can't understand his reasoning.
Human being are creatures who likes to learn, it's their instinct. It can't be helped if they want to experience different things like that.
By the way, Midoriya was the one who provided him the Fan base site of Hawks and also his quirk details. So in a sense he's been rather useful.
There were not running late, so they still have lot of time to spare, so he decided to watch the confrontation from back just like everybody else.
Villains attack these days has become rather regular activity. It's like every single days some kind of incident happened all over the city.
Quick rise of Quirk manifesting has led humanity to become unbalanced, the crime rate increased along with quirk, almost 80% population these days have some kind of quirk.
And that led to rise of demand for peoples who can keep those with ill intention in check, called Heroes.
Their jobs goes for recuse people in need, stop Villains and solve day to day crimes and peoples problem.
"Kya! Kamui! All the best!" couple of loud shrink from girls near him resonated through the crowd.
Midoriya pushed through the crowd to see what's going on, he looked up to see a man with wood like body jumped over civilians and approach the big guy to stop him.
"The young and talented rising star, Kamui wood!" Midoriya exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
He saw Kamui jumped over the side railing on the rail track when a big hand crashed over the spot he was standing on. Quickly growing his wood hand like rope he grabbed the electric pole over the railway track as he avoided another attempt by big guy to catch him.
"Midoriya your fanboying is showing off again" Naruto said from sideline. Just as he said it, he saw Midoriya blush in embarrassment, he had a habit of fanboying over anything hero related without thinking of his surrounding, and he had yet to overcome this flaw of his.
"Sorry, sorry!" Midoriya slightly lowered his head but was still watching the fight intentionally.
"You! You are otaku, aren't you?" Apparently the old man beside them were listening to their conversation smiled as he pointed towards blushing Midoriya.
Like being said before Midoriya still had to overcome his habit of muttering about heroes in public.
It's not that uncommon to come across peoples like Midoriya these days, who are really enthusiastic hero otaku, but still what separate them from Midoriya is that he dreams to be a hero just like All might, so in pursuit of his goals he's been writing bunch of hero analysis book consist even some of the famous and powerful heroes, along with rookies and Weak or supportive type heroes.
His books are useful to give information about heroes that you usually wouldn't find in internet. Like how to beat them? What's their specialty? Their weakness? Their Special moves? What strategy will be useful against whom? And whatnot.
It wasn't foolproof information but still it was better than what you can find on internet.
It's really a shame that he don't have quirk or he could have a chance to become a great hero.
But it's also blessing in disguise, if he can see that from Naruto's perspective. Not like he's gonna say that Midoriya's face. Who more than anyone else longs to have a quirk of his own.
"Oh! Oh! Here it comes!" Midoriya exclaimed in excitement as he saw Kamui wood grow his arm to make web prison sort made of wood.
"Pre-emptive-binding-Lacquered chain-prison!" Midoriya shouted alongside Kamui-wood as he grew the woods from his hand towards the big villain.
That was one ridiculous long name for attack.
Naruto shook his head at unnecessity of that name, what's the benefit of shouting the name of your move if everyone already knows about it?
Plus what if the guy in front of you already know about your attack and proceed to counter it with his own means.
He saw just as the wood prison was about to capture him.
"Canyon Cannon!"
Suddenly a blonde big women dropped kicked villain in chin rather hard. Knocking him out instantly as he fell towards road.
And by big blonde women, he meant like building like big blonde women, she was of that same size as the villain guy.
"Huh?"
Apparently her sudden appearance shocked everyone including the Heroes present in the scene!
Did she jumped the gun in rush? Or did she abandon their plan to deal with villain personally without consulting them first to get the fame.
Judging by the place where her kicked send him and the reaction of heroes, it's seems to be later.
But regardless she dealt with him without much damage to surrounding. So that was plus point to her in public view.
The ground shook a little when she jumped down to road.
He saw bunch of people quickly began to took picture of her with excitement and heavy blush on their face.
"OH here it is! Here it is!"
Click* Click* Click*
And the reason was really oblivious. It wasn't because she was hero, No, it was because of her clothes and big butt that was showing splendidly in her skin tight costume which was leaving very little to imagination.
He had to wonder isn't that uncomfortable to wear such thing in public? Or maybe she wore the suit specifically to…
"Today's the day of my debut. My name is Mt. Lady" She turn around to give them seducing smile and winked as she struck out her ass "Pleasure to make your ass-quiantance"
Yep!
It was all to get public attention. She has no problem with her skintight suit!
It's not hard to imagine that in near future she will rise in hero ranking really fast with that quirk and personality.
But her quirk is not suited to fight inside city. If something were to go wrong, she might do more damage to the city than to protect it from. So it was counter-productive type of quirk depend on how she use it.
He saw from the corner of his eyes Midoriya again began to scribble really fast all the details he have on person right now in his book "Gigantification, huh? It's an amazing quirk, she looks like she will be popular in no time, but thinking about the damage to the city that'll go hand in hand with that it's use might be limited" he was furiously muttering to himself while he was writing.
Midoriya came to same conclusion as blonde after watching her fight just one time.
He got really sharp sense for things like these. It really is a shame he's quirkless.
"Midoriya, I'm going ahead!" Naruto called him, knowing he will want to spent some more time watching the new hero and would want to watch her for a bit more.
Midoriya glanced from his book and waved him off with nod and smile.
Naruto saw as he was leaving, other heroes were ignored in favored of interviewing Mt. Lady, the rookie hero, they probably aren't too happy that their credit and productiveness was stolen from them by rookie hero.
They might be heroes but they also want to adore by public for their hard work.
To be fair, they were in right too! If it weren't for them, damage would have been much worse than just a couple of destroyed pavement of rail track.
But people just like Flashy hero more. It just can't be helped.
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[Aldera Junior high]
Naruto was seating in his seat as he boringly looked out of his windows as their teacher was talking to them about their future.
He sits on the first bench of window side, while Midoriya sits in back side of class. So they can only talk during lunch time or in free period.
It sucks that he had no one to talk to except for Midoriya. But still he was grateful of that fact!
"Since you're all third years, it's time for you to think seriously about your future! Here I'm handling out your handouts for your future plan now, but….." Teacher stopped to give a dramatic flare while everyone in classroom activated their quirk.
"You're all pretty much planning to go into hero course, right?" Teacher happily announced.
"YES!" Class animously roared.
"Yes you all have wonderful quirks! But using your powers at school is against the rules!" Their teacher began to praise the class who was still in uproar as every student raised their hand to show they wanted to join hero course. Midoriya included.
Writing about you future plans in handouts provided by school was just formal thing, if some wishes to be, they can fill any kind of information regarding what they want to do in future.
There is no obligation to follow what you have wrote in handouts, some people writes unrealistic dream of their inside those handouts. While some seriously fill it with clear goal in mind, and those who are left don't really have any idea what they want to do in future so they write whatever they want.
Handouts are provided by school for the purpose of inspiring and guiding student towards their goal. Even Naruto had to write about his plan for future. So he had also submitted his application after his confrontation with Hawks
"Teach! Don't lump us all in same group" Spoke a student whose feet were raised in the bench since the start of class.
The name of Student was Katsuki Bakugo, he was the boy with most amazing quirk out of everyone in this school. He was known throughout the school for his arrogant and bullish attitude.
The very fact that his feet were on his desk since the start of the class spoke the volume of his dominance even over everyone in class.
"I'm not gonna be struck at the bottom with the rest of these rejects" He spoke with haughty attitude and smirk on his face.
Rest of class exploded in anger over what he just said about them.
"Shut up extras!" Bakugo as if mocking them said with grin on his face. His narcissism wasn't unknown fact but still class felt insulted at what he just said.
"Oh, if I remember correctly, you want to go U.A high, right, Bakugo?" Teacher read his handout with impressed expression on his face.
"U.A.? That National school?! With acceptance rate to be about 0.2%?" Everyone in the class showed surprised expression on their face.
Naruto had to wonder though why are they acting as of this is the first time they have been hearing this? Bakugo had repeatedly said though out the middle school that he's going to Join U.A and surpass All might someday to become top hero.
"That's exactly why you guys are just extras!" Bakugo exclaimed and jumped on his bench with smirk "I aced the mock test! I'm the only one at this school who could possibly get into U.A. I will definitely surpass All might! My name will inscribed on the list of top earners!" Bakugo screamed with glee. While his classmates looked at him with awe and envy.
Honestly what he was saying wasn't unrealistic, he got very impressive quirk, he's smart too, Naruto has no doubt that Bakugo can make a top hero, U.A is not idiot, they could easily see that Bakugo has potential to be the very best.
But he can never catch upto All might with his attitude! Of that Naruto was one hundred percent sure, unless he change his personality that is. Hero ranking is determined by hero's overall evacuation including their behavior and persona.
"Oh yeah, Midoriya and Mizutani wanted to go to U.A, too, right?"
Bakugo froze in mid shout after teachers words.
So yeah! He had filled his handouts plan for future by Writing he wants to join U.A. and the main reason for writing that was…
Katsuki Bakugo!
Why? Because Naruto already knew that Bakugo has ability and power to join prestigious school like U.A and given his personality and ambition he would never let him live in peace if he know that someone from his school manage to get into that National school even more so if it's a quirkless student like him. So he acted with that in mind and filled the handouts with honesty so that he won't be surprised by his sudden appearance in U.A.
Teacher's words were followed by silence as everyone looked between Naruto and Deku, before they burst out laughing as if teacher had said something funnier.
Naruto didn't need to look behind him to see Midoriya looking at him with surprise, Even peoples who were laughing at him was surprised.
Naruto never showed any enthusiasm towards becoming hero unlike Midoriya, so it came as really big shock to them, that loner of the class actually wanted to become hero.
"Huh? Midoriya and Loner? No way!" Peoples laugh didn't subdue a bit.
"Midoriya you can't get into the hero course just by studying!" someone said.
Naruto looked from the corner of his eyes to see Midoriya looked from him to everyone with anxiety and worried look on his face.
"T-They got rid of that rule! There is just no precedent that I won't be accepted" Midoriya stood up startled and hastily tried to defend himself.
It seems his sudden behavior shifted everyone attention towards himself. No one was looking at him. Midoriya should know that people tends to hammer the nail that stood out the most and in their case, Midoriya by panicking and defending himself become that nail.
Naruto was grateful to him for doing that even if it wasn't intentional, means some eyes on him will lessen, he knew that Midoriya would write the same thing as him in handouts but he still wasn't 100% sure that he will, because some people tends to hide what they want to do if there ambition was really high to avoid embarrassment if don't succeed.
BooOM
Midoriya bench lightly exploded, it didn't harm the bench but it was still enough to send him flying out of his seat. The source of explosion was Katsuki Bakugo, the bully of the class.
Naruto instead of looking at them looked at the bench, he knew that Bakugo if wanted to, he could have exploded the bench to little pieces without any problem. But the fact that he caused such small explosion without damaging the school property even a little bit, spoke the volume of his control over his quirk.
There's no doubt that Bakugo will grow to be strong in near future.
"Deku! You're below rejects! What do you think a quirkless like you can do?" Bakugo shouted towards clearly afraid Midoriya who was cowering in fear "You think you can stand at the same platform as me?!"
Bakugo and Midoriya were childhood friends, so Midoriya declaring that he will join U.A same as Bakugo must have rubbed him wrong way, his attention was towards Midoriya but it will soon shifted towards himself.
Naruto glanced from them to Teacher who had indifferent look on his face, he's gonna sit this out just like always, Bakugo is treated like a celebrity in this school due to his quirk, faculty of this school has high hopes from him, if he enters U.A, the most prestigious school of country their school statues will also increase. And because of that teachers always overlook his behavior unless he does something really extreme that might tarnish the school reputation they won't lift a finger to stop him.
"W-Wait Kacchan! It's not like I'm trying to compete with you or anything! P-Please Believe me" Midoriya backed off towards wall, he was trying get away from Bakugo's grip.
"It's just that it's been my goal ever since I was little….and well…I won't know unless I try…so…"
"Whaddaya mean, unless you try?! Are you taking test for fun?! What the hell you can do?! You're quirkless!" Bakugo words hit Midoriya like bomb as he looked away in shame.
"And you!" Bakugo attention shifted towards Naruto who was quietly observing the situation unfolding, his shout suddenly garnished everyone attention towards blonde even Midoriya looked at him with surprised "You think a quirkless loner loser has a chance to even get into that school? You are even worse that Deku!" Bakugo words were justified. Naruto who never showed any interest in anything, whose grades were mediocre at best, so his social standing in class was even lower than Midoriya in overall aspect.
By the way 'Loner loser' was the nickname Bakugo and his friends came up for him
"Don't think your pretty face can take a quirkless like you to U.A" Bakugo marched towards his bench and grabbed his collar.
All the others boys in class snicker at the insult thrown at him, it was no surprise to him because he knew he was target of the their jealousy, they all had quirks and ability to communicate really well unlike him but in looks department they always fell really short if they compare to him.
Even then some girls were snickering at the insult while some who likes him for his looks simply looked towards him worryingly.
Bakugo was looking at him with anger, he was expecting him defend himself like Deku.
There are numbers of way to deal with bullies, simplest one's are, don't show them your weakness but at the same time don't fight back, and even if you do fight back always make sure not to do it strongly to rub them in wrong way, and most importantly always agrees with them.
Because no one remembers the peoples who agrees with them, if you fight back they will fight back to suppress you even more.
For example if one day a bald man with spectacles just suddenly went around and say "Hey you know what would be good idea? If we were independent country"
And everybody would be like "yeah alright!" and went along with him then he would be simply known as Mohanchand Karamdas but because everybody opposed him and he had to fight back today's he is known as Mahatama Gandhi to the whole world.
He's kind of like Inspiration to Naruto because how he won his country's freedom without violence, but it's not like he will follow his footsteps. He's no Gandhi! And he had no intention of fighting back here.
Not with fists nor with words!
"I'm not really aiming for it seriously, I mean isn't the handouts are just for formalities anyway, so I just wrote whatever comes to my mind!" Naruto answered him without any hesitation, he didn't oppose him and at the same time didn't show him weakness, some people tends to have unrealistic goal which is beyond their scope, so it wasn't anything to get suspicious over it.
"Don't joke with me! Do you think it's all fun for a quirkless like you to even think about applying for U.A just like Deku?" Somehow his words infuriate Bakugo even more.
Bakugo knows Midoriya obsession with heroes and his reason to want to become a hero, so it must have come as even bigger shock to him if unmotivated student like Naruto suddenly decided to become hero, much more so because it's his own choice of school to apply was same as Bakugo.
"Well I already know U.A is above my league, so I set my hurdle way above so atleast I can join some lower hero course school" It was not unusual thing to say either.
As if satisfied with his answer Bakugo let go of his collar and sneer at him "You're quirkless! No hero school will accept you no matter how low!" He said in disgust.
Naruto watched him going back to his seat, he waited until he sat on his bench. He didn't reveal his plan to everyone about joining U.A just because he wanted Bakugo to know about his intention to join.
No, he also had other motives as well like explaining to Bakugo that he had Quirk so he won't pester him in U.A.
It was his setup plan for future with Katsuki Bakugo in mind he might have to bear some level of bullying for couple of days but it will help him in future.
That being said he has no intention to take any bullying, he will avoid him as much as possible even now.
"I have a quirk!" Naruto said to him just when Bakugo sat down on his bench.
Bakugo won't take his time to walk over to him again if he already sat down on his seat one time "What did you say? You loner loser!" As if his words were bomb, Bakugo exploded his hands in small fire sparkles in warning.
He wasn't the only one, everyone in class was watching him with shock, Naruto didn't need to watch behind him to see Midoriya shocked expression.
"I said I have a quirk, I just learned how to use it few days ago by accident! It's called Glitch!" Naruto said as he proceed to throw his eraser in the air, everybody watched just as eraser come towards his palm but then it slipped right through his palm as his palm glitches a little.
"W-What!"
"It passed through his arm!"
Class went into uproar, everyone was surprised by his quirk and he can guess no one was more surprised by this then Midoriya.
He can already tell from Midoriya expression he wants to question him about how he activated his quirk. It was well known fact people rarely develop their quirks in teen years. So for him to develop it this late would be rare fact. Midoriya no doubt have somehow ignited the flames of his hope to getting quirk after seeing him demonstrate his quirk.
He had no choice but to kill the little bit of hope left inside Midoriya if he wants to avoid further attention of everyone from school. Even if Midoriya feels betrayed it can't be helped.
"Well I had this quirk for a long time but never really knew how to use it until now, it only activates when I concentrate like, really hard and it's hard to maintain my quirk for even short period of time, otherwise it won't work, I didn't tell anyone because it's like almost like not having a quirk if you can't even use it! It's embarrassing to not being able to use it at will, plus I thought everyone would think I'm liar if said I have quirk and couldn't use it!"
He lied!
Insecurities is same as weakness
It was bullshit lie anyone can tell that, but the fact he told them about his inability to use his quirk and how humiliating it would be if everyone thought he's been lying seems to win over most of them.
But not Bakugo "You've been lying to me!" he shouted, well he's been lying to everyone didn't register in Bakugo's mind! "You think you're such a big shot who can join U.A just because you can pass some eraser from your hand! Fight me! I will destroy you!" His visage turn dark.
Bakugo really hates it when his inferior lies about some sort of ability unknown to him no matter how insignificant.
Naruto gaze flickered towards his teacher for a second, a student is directly challenging another student to fight with quirks and he still not gonna take any action towards that, so much for using quirks against school policy!
He had to defend himself!
"Spare me Bakugo, I don't want to be your punching bag!" Naruto called out to him "Everyone knows you have the best Quirk and brains in whole school years, plus I'm way inferior to you in every way, it will only stain your name if you will fight me, and I don't want to fight someone as strong you"
Other option about avoiding bullying is to praise the bully! It's not guaranteed option either.
Bully will become happy with praise and will leave you alone.
Bully will get irritated with you for not fighting back and will leave you alone.
Hearing his praise Bully will try to bully you more often seeing you held him in high regards and will make you his lackey to do all his chores.
Honestly he wanted to avoid 3rd option. Hearing loner praising him Bakugo expression was of between both 1st and 2nd.
He look satisfied that extra like him knows his place and at the same time he was irritated at him for not fighting back and even considering going to same school as him even after knowing the difference between them.
It looks like the real problem will arise during their meeting in U.A. of that he had no doubt.
Naruto gaze slightly fickled towards his only friend, Midoriya must have felt betrayed that he hide the fact that he had quirk from him. They always get along really well because both of them were loner and had no quirks, but now that has changed when he showed them his ability.
He don't want to lose his only talking partner in this school but it can't be helped if Midoriya came to hate him too.
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The bell of school rang signaling the end of their school. Naruto quickly stuff all his things inside his bag and moved towards the exit of the class.
He was sure Midoriya wants to ask him about his quirk but that wasn't the problem.
During the class he could see that Bakugo didn't looked happy, he was glaring at him and he must have wanted to convey his message to him by beating him up or by threating him. He didn't either of those.
He don't want to fight if it can be avoided. So he will evaded them until they will get bored of him and leave him alone.
So he quickly left the classroom, he knew that Midoriya wanted talk to him about his quirk but that can wait.
"H-Hey wait up! Mizutani!" One of Bakugo lackey called out but Naruto was already out of class. He was one of many boys who hates him simply because of his looks.
Running behind him Lackey went out of class too, only to see Mop of blonde hair was nowhere to be seen "W-Where did he go?" He spoke in confusion.
In midst of student blonde was nowhere to be seen "Hey Bakugo, he left!" Lackey called out to explosion boy.
"Forget about him, I will deal with him later!" Bakugo stood up from his bench with smile and walked towards his next target.
Midoriya looked upset when he saw Naruto left the class without even glancing his way, he sigh before a smile came on his face as he looked at his hero analysis book.
His curiosity and ire at Naruto for hiding his ability was temporary vanished when he remembered about today's event. He still has to note down the details about new hero Mt. Lady.
Just as he was about to stuff his Hero analysis book inside his bag, someone forcefully snatched it.
Midoriya looked up to see demon like face of smiling Bakugo who had his hero analysis book on his grip.
And his smile was malicious!
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Naruto walked through the hall of school building, he was walking specifically towards one section of school.
Library!
His friend list was rather sort (Almost non-existence) so he had no other means but to spend most of his free time by reading as many book as possible, it's not like he forced himself to read, he just really likes to read a lot of books, it's like talking to someone of way past, he can read their thought process, their point of view and lots of other things.
Book is essence of author!
He even has his own shelf full of books in his room back home.
He wanted to return his last book to rent a new one, he walked towards old Librarian lady and showed her his library card and returned his last book and moved towards historical fiction section.
After searching though some book he finally found what he was looking for "Why do they always do this?" Naruto muttered in slight annoyance. The book was placed in non-organized manner probably by some student, so it took some time to find it.
The book in question was named Joseph Knight written by James Robertson.
It was story about struggle of enslaved African man named Joseph knight and his struggle to freedom. A truly master piece!
He really loves books like this!
After checking the content and everything inside the book to see the list of patrons he quickly registered the book with Librarian who gave him sweet smile.
"Again with the same genre! This is the 7th book that you registered this week of this genre" She smiled as she looked over the list of patrons "Hmm…. looks like you're the only one who read these kind of books these days!" She shakes her head at the fact that only one name was registered in list of Patrons and it was her own.
Kids these days are lot more fascinated by real life hero and magazines than by books.
"Do you have any recommendations?" Naruto asked in curiosity, Librarian lady has practically read every single book in library, so she always recommends him some really good books every time he visits. Every single book recommended by her was really good.
"Not today, finished this book and I will tell you" She smiled at him and handed him the book after registering it in her entry.
He had almost read every single book recommended by her, she was running out of recommendation for him.
"Thank you and have a nice day!" Naruto politely bowed and left the library.
He walked some distance away from library, after passing through corridors and entrance of school building he saw it.
Midoriya's book was floating in small fish pond near walkway. He picked up the book to see the book was slightly burned and tattered.
"So he shifted his target from me to Midoriya, huh?" It wasn't hard to guess what happened after he left the classroom. Bakugo must have done the same thing to Midoriya that he was planning to do with him.
Naruto felt a presence behind him only to see it was Midoriya
"N-Naruto-kun? You didn't left?" Midoriya looked at him with surprise, since school ended most of the student left the school while those in club tends stay to do some club activity.
As he was in Go-home-club Midoriya was surprised to see him staying this late in school.
"Here" Naruto handed him his drenched in water book back to him.
Midoriya had defeat look on his face, it was really easy to see he was feeling really discouraged. Bakugo must have said something awful to him and being powerless that he is, he must be feeling very angry at himself and possibly at Naruto for hiding about his quirk as well.
Plus he was sure Midoriya has lots of question for him too.
"Midoriya, do you hate me for hiding that fact that I had quirk?" Naruto decided to asked him directly.
"W-What?" His sudden question startled Midoriya as he looked loss for words.
"I won't hold it against you if you do" he could understand that if Midoriya wants to distance himself from him for lying to him.
"I-I N-no, I don't hate you" Midoriya gibber for a second before he regain his composer and answered honestly.
"Thank you" Naruto was genuinely thankful of that fact "But you still can't accept it, right?" he asked again.
"W-Well I was mad at first but I think it's more of like jealousy!" Midoriya answerd with his head lowered in shame "I'm sorry…. I shouldn't think like that….it's just I'm kind of envious of you and frustrated at myself...why I wasn't born with quirk like everyone else?" Midoriya face looked like he was in pain. Now that his only quirkless friend turn out to have a quirk, he was the only student left in class without any quirk.
Naruto was sure if he asked him that question some other time his answer would have been different but the defeated look on his face told him truth he wanted to hide inside.
"Did Bakugo say something to you?" just as he said that Midoriya averted his eyes and looked towards ground, but didn't said anything.
Because it didn't need to be said! Naruto could tell at glance as he looked towards Midoriya right shoulder where his uniform was slightly burned, that Bakugo threatened him to drop his dream of becoming hero.
"…Naruto-kun…do you also think that I'm stupid for wanting to become a hero?...Even though I'm quirkless!" Midoriya asked the question which must have been plagued his mind after Bakugo's bullying session.
Naruto looked Midoriya in eye. It would be mercy to tell him to drop his dream of becoming hero and he should looked towards future which is more reachable to student like him.
If Midoriya continue in his path to aim of becoming hero, he will self-destruct in future when he will see the bigger reality of this world.
The era of quirk is very cruel! While some people use their power to commit crimes while other use it for the good of people in general.
Then there's people like Midoriya who born without any quirk, powerless but ambitious to do great! To help people. Midoriya is type of person who will lay his life on line to save someone without second thought. He was not 100% percent sure that Midoriya will do that, but he his instinct told him so and his instinct rarely betrays him.
While there are also people like himself, who had power but no ambition to use it for anything else other than to defend themselves. He won't lift a finger to save anyone if it will cause him harm in anyway or won't benefit him in future.
On contrast Midoriya and Naruto are polar opposite of each other in a sense
One with great power but no ambition and other with no power but with great ambition!
Regardless Midoriya was looking at him, expecting an answer, so he said statistically what will help him in future "….Yeah! I also think you should think about future which is more reachable to you" Naruto gave him his honest answer.
Anything less than his honest response won't help him and even Midoriya could tell that much if he retorts to lying and saying he shouldn't give up.
"….I see" MIdoriya gaze lowered as he stared at the ground and shuffle his drenched book inside his bag without saying anything.
His response got him down but it looks like he still wasn't convinced with his answer, because he's been ridiculed his whole life about being quirkless, Midoriya has built up resistance of sort towards response like his, even though his head was down there was still a little spark of determination inside his eyes that clearly says that 'i can do it if i try!'.
He can respect him for his strong will, but it will only take him so far without any power in these superpower society.
"However….it's not my place to tell you what you can do and what you cannot" Just as he said that Midoriya jerked his head upwards and looked at him with surprise.
"Eh?!"
" 'No man is by nature the property of another' is simple yet a really famous quote from this book and I really like it!" Naruto showed him the book he just registered from library, Midoriya was still looking at him in shock "What you want to do is upto you, you're the only one who can make the best of what you have…..no one has any right to tell you what you can and cannot do...even if you end up regretting to walk the path you are going to choose, I think it's better to regret it after choosing the path of your own choice"
There's this saying that he had read in some book which says 'if people are given freedom to choose, they always choose wrong' which is pretty much true, but still if someone asked him if he has to choose between what's guaranteed to be right for him or freedom to choose what's right for him then he will pick freedom to choose any day.
"Peoples can only guide you and tell you what's best for you, but in the end it's upto you to decided, right? I'm not telling you to abandon your dream nor am I telling you to pursue them, I'm bystander in your life because you're the one to that make that final choice"
Naruto said what he honestly felt from his bottom of heart, its different matter if he can make a hero or not? Just because no one has become hero without quirk doesn't mean that no one will in future. Beside there's always first of everything.
People used to believe that no man can ever reach moon but someone did for the first time and changed that belief.
Humanity has continued to prove throughout history that what once thought to be impossible can become possible.
But still Midoriya chance of becoming hero was zero to none, but who's he to say that? Its Midoriya freedom to choose his route which will determine his future.
If he ended up choosing wrong then it will be his own responsibility.
Naruto looked up to see Midoriya eyes were beginning to water at what he just said, He tried to wipe it away by the sleeves of his uniform but couldn't stop the leaking of his tears.
This might be first time in his life that someone close to him said something like that knowing about his quirklessness. Just a moment ago in class he was told to commit suicide so he might born with quirk in his next life by Bakugo and even before that he's always been ridiculed by his own classmates and friends for long time, even his own mom told him to give up on his dream when they find out he will never have quirk, because of that Naruto words were effecting him much more than they should be. It was simple words of telling him that he had freedom of choice but to Izuku it felt like he's been given a lifeline at that moment.
"T-Thank…you!" Midoriya head was down as his eyes watered.
Naruto silently stood there right beside him not knowing what to do? Or what to say? He just stood beside him as Midoriya wept for sometime to get out all the frustration he had built up until that moment.
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After his heartfelt talk with Midoriya he left him to visit hospital and after his visit to hospital Naruto walked towards his house, his adopted grandfather was recovering well and will be dismissed from hospital in some days. So that was good news for his family.
But it would mean he will have to take his adopted grandfather tsundere attitude all day, it's not like he hate him or anything, but His tsundere attitude really frustrates him to no end, why can't he be honest with himself and admit it openly? The reason he refuse to call him Ji-chan or grandpa was also his tsundere attitude. He irritates the hell out of him with his tsundere-ness.
The bakery of Mizutani household came into his view and he let out a small sigh, today was really handful, he just hopes that Bakugo will leave him alone forever, it would be great if Bakugo fails the entrance exam it will save him lot of hassle but that's not going to happen.
Bakugo despite his bullish attitude and rude behavior he is really strong and smart for kid his age. He stood at the top of class in every field, be it sports or studies, he takes his motive to become hero very seriously so there was almost no chance that he won't be accepted in U.A. It would be different matter if they evaluate you by your personality then there's a chance that Bakugo will fail, but he had read the process of examination and nothing like that was mention in instruction of examination process.
Well if only by some miraculous reason he dropped out of exam then it would be great!
Like some monster take over his body or he end up in some kind of accident just the night before exam!
Who is he kidding? That's never gonna happen!
Chime
He opened the door to shop to saw his Obba-san was not present in counter and some customers were eating peaceful in their respective table.
He spotted his adoptive older brother seriously studying in one of chair, books were laid out in front of him as he quickly took notes from his reference books.
He is twin brother of kei, despite born at the same time their facial structure were different, he stood at the same height as Kei, he has black spiky hair with light complex skin, at first glance he looked like serious hardworking student, He goes to different school than Kei, he was garbed in casual clothes.
He was also ambitious student and wants to become C.A of some international firm. He had some really big dreams and he also work very hard to see that his dream come true one day.
"Akito still doing your assignment? But why are you sitting here? And where's Yui obaa-san" Naruto said as he walked towards his bench.
At the mention of his name he looked towards him with exasperated look on his face "Naruto? Welcome home" he greeted him tiredly before he took a long heavy sigh "The reason I'm sitting here is Kei and Obaa-san!" He spoke with annoyance.
"What did they do?" He asked in curiosity he could understand kei but Yui Obaa-san? That just doesn't fit the image.
"See for yourself!" He spoke with sigh and went back to his assignment.
Not disturbing him, he silently made his way towards the door that separate their house and shop.
Did Hawks come to visit him again? If so then why Akito is sitting inside their shop instead of his room.
Hawks has made his hobby to visit them every few often, if he was irritated with him then Naruto didn't let anyone see it, but he absolutely had no problem with him coming to their home.
The only thing he was up against was the unwanted attraction Hawks appearance that might bring to their shop and then it indirectly to him.
But Hawks is smart and knows how to come without seen by anyone with the help of his sensing power wings. So he always make sure to drop by without seen by anyone.
Naruto slide the door of living room, only to see the last thing he was expecting to see.
"You got to be kidding me!" Naruto inaudibly muttered to himself in shock.
Now it makes sense why Akito was studying in shop instead of living room. He can't possibly concentrate with all these commotion.
"Look! Younger brother is here too!" Hawks smiled as he saw the god-smacked face of blonde.
"Oh! Naruto look, isn't he the cutest thing on the planet?!" Kei practically run towards him with full speed holding the source of Naruto shocked expression.
"Look how cutely he's looking at you Naruto-chan" Yui commented with warm smile on her old face.
The source of his shocked expression was a dog!
The same dog he saved the other day.
He was tilting his head cutely from side to side to look at him with curiosity.
How did he got here? He was sure to left him in park far away from his house.
Unless….
"Takami-chan gifted us this puppy, he's very sweet boy" Yui smiled at Hawks who scratched the back of his head as if he was embarrassed with her praised but Naruto knows better.
When he saved that puppy Hawks was watching him, so it's only natural that would also know about where he had left the puppy.
"It's nothing like that, I just like this shop and wanted to pay you back somehow for the hospitality you always show me!"
"Thank you!" Kei practically jumped at him.
Apparently he asked her the other day if she likes the puppy and she being the dog lover she obviously said yes and today it seems like he gifted her the puppy he promised.
Kei placed the dog on ground when he walk towards Naruto to sniff him, as if recognizing him from before Puppy madly began to shake his tail and was cutely growling at him.
Puppy recognized him as the guy who saved him as began to jump towards him happily.
Bark!
"Oh Look! he likes you Naruto-chan" Yui and Kei showed a little surprised face at the sudden energetic response of puppy towards Naruto.
Puppy come towards his feet and began to snuggle himself in his pants.
"I'm Jealous! Why he doesn't show me that much fondness?" Kei looked at him with slight envious face, puppy didn't showed that kind of affection towards anyone but him.
"Naruto-chan will you take care of him? He looks really attached to you" His obaa-san asked with smile. He couldn't possibly refuse her with that look on her face.
No one in this household can refuse her when she asked them like that!
Naruto simply nodded and bend towards puppy to get better look at him.
It won't really be problem for him to look after puppy since he always had the most free time, as Kei is the social butterfly of their house so most of the time she play outside with her friends and Akito being the bookworm always glued to his book. They helped out with house and shop chores too but they won't be able to help take care of him.
It will be upto him to look after puppy now. He might have to cut some of his training and reading time because of this puppy
What a pain!
Naruto looked from puppy to Hawks who had embarrassed smile on his face, but to Naruto it looked anything but that.
He's mocking him!
He just won't stop meddling with his life
While he wants to avoid that scenario as much as possible, he just can't wait for the day when that group will contact him again and he will use Hawks as sacrifice to save himself.
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The end!!
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first of all I want to clarify something here. Naruto is not empathyless in this fanfic. he wants to live just like every other kids. he takes action with calculations which will benefit him in someway!
you will find our in later chapter why I made him the way he is!
please leave a long nice reviews. no flames unless it's suggestions or some kind questions
Bye!!