It's been a while! I do apologize for the long update time.
As much as I had been wanting to write there was so much family issues that had kept me from updating quickly.
There is still a lot of stuff I am having to deal with, but I'm happy to have this new chapter up for you all.
I will be dumping a whole lot of info in these next chapters.
Also just to warn you there are a lot of time jumping back and forth in this chapter, but it's relevant for the way the story is being told.
I'm labeling when each moment takes place so hopefully there will be no confusion of what's happening.
Chapter 12: Castle's Crumbling Part 3
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Monday after Sports Festival
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The classroom was once again lit with excitement that Monday morning, everyone was talking about the Sports Festival, it was all anyone could talk about. They all worked so hard to showcase their strength and determination to prove they all had what it takes to be a Pro Hero. Many of their class were in the finals, it narrowed down to Bakugo and Todoroki and in the end Katsuki did as he had claimed from the start of the competition; he won. However, by the end of the festival it all felt hollow because of what occurred afterward.
Bakugo glanced to the vacant seat that which belonged to Iida. He had left during the festival when news of his older brother's attack had reached him and apparently he wasn't coming back to class that day either. The class understood why Iida wasn't there, they just couldn't understand why Bakugo was in such a foul mood even after winning the Sports Festival.
It wasn't long before All Might entered the room, "Good morning class!" he greeted the students in which they all returned the gesture, "I hope you all had a good rest after the Sports Festival! Everyone did an amazing job of making your marks as future Pro Heroes." He stated with a nod. "For today you will be presenting your assignment. I wanted you to work on this during the week of training because simply put; 'a motive is the drive of a hero'. The reasons behind your choices, your beliefs, help make you into the hero you will become. Now who would like to volunteer to go first?"
The class all had things to say, their reasons for becoming a Pro. Katsuki zoned out for the most part as he had already heard his classmates talk about their answers while they were outside of school or between classes. With his chin in his hand he stared out the window, this assignment had been a bother for the blonde from the start; it made him think of him constantly, but after the Sports Festival it was something he couldn't ignore anymore.
"Young Bakugo." broke into his little world and red eyes glanced to his teacher, "It's your turn."
A grunt was his response first, "My reason is to be Number One." he stated in a tone that made him sound like it should have been obvious, hearing quite a few of his classmates groan at his answer he took in a breath, "That's what I would have said, if things were different..." he added and that in turn gained the class's full attention. He straightened in his seat and frowned a bit, this was going to be hard, but All Might convinced him that he needed to rely more on others. "My motivation for becoming a hero is Midoriya... Midoriya Izuku and he... he was taken from us when we were six..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Day Before the Sports Festival
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This meeting with the League of Villains was a bit messy to say the least. The chaos that irrupted after the unveiling of Stain's partnership with Karasu was still looming within the room like smoke from an unchecked fire and Shigaraki was the one that felt the heat of his mistake. It showed by the constant itching of his neck. After the initial planning was finish All for One wanted to speak with Overhaul. He dismissed Shigaraki and the rest to be able to talk more comfortably. Overhaul did the same, except he kept Chronostasis with him.
The Shie Hassaikai lead the group of villains into the courtyard of their estate. Karasu and Stain walking ahead of the rest, Stain's strides matched Karasu's, his posture was in alert ready to reach for his weapons at a moment's notice and it was clear that he was ready to protect the smaller form of Karasu from any potential dangers. Shigaraki's hateful glare never leaving the damned little bird that kept leveling up faster than he did.
Once they all reached the courtyard, the Yakuza members spread out, keeping their guard up still with these League members, it wasn't like they had earned any of their trust and many of them were unsavory.
Muscle, who stood with the rest of the notoriously evil and unhinged members of the League, glared at all of them. He never was fond of Yakuza, organized criminals pretending to be more noble than the 'common criminals' it pissed him off. He could also care less about all this, but as his sights landed on the kid with the plague mask his glare narrowed. From what he had witnessed so far the kid was the center of attention, he didn't look special to him, then again no one was special to him. The only thing that saved Karasu in his eyes was how he made a lot of dangerous friends. To have the Hero Killer in his pocket that was impressive. Yet there was something about the kid, maybe it was the way he carried himself, maybe it was how everyone in the Yakuza seemed to be protective, listened and followed his command without question even if he wasn't the apparent Boss, but there was just something about Karasu in general that made him feel like he was more dangerous than any of them realized, he didn't like it.
Karasu's sensors alerted him to the lizard quirked man approaching them and turned to watch as the green skinned villain cautiously or rather nervously walked up. His sights, though, were focused on Stain and he seemed to be taking a breath in as he gathered courage before speaking up, "It's really an honor to be standing in your presence Stain. My name is Spinner."
Stain side glanced to Spinner, giving him acknowledgement, but not saying anything. It seemed to be enough for the lizard quirked villain, Karasu could see the excitement and fanboyism bursting from his entire being.
Spinner then looked over his shoulder towards Shigaraki and frowned, "I only joined the League because I was under the assumption that you were a part of it." He stated.
"So now that you know the truth, what will you do?" Karasu asked curiously when Spinner toward back to them.
Suddenly he felt his arm being tugged on, he turned to see arms wrapped around his own which was then pressed against the blonde girl's chest, "I'm Himiko Toga. I'd like to join your group, pretty please? Not fair that you get to have Stainy all for yourself~" she said. He blushed madly; he hadn't been this close to a girl other than Eri so he was grateful for the full coverage of his mask.
"Uh—"
"Hey! I was going to say something to that extent!" Spinner complained.
Stain found the scene a bit comical really. Though Izuku's mask covered his face completely, Stain knew the kid well enough to know how awkward as hell he must be feeling. The girl clung to the young Yakuza though he attempted to acquire some distance to no avail. The Hero Killer then took notice of Shigaraki's approach towards them, it wasn't like they were being quiet with their conversation. Stain readied himself to protect Karasu.
"As much as I appreciate the offer, I'm sure Shigaraki needs you more than I do." He admitted as he surprised the girl by slipping from her grasp, but catching her before she fell to the ground.
Shigaraki stopped his motion and stared at the teen. He wasn't trying to take his players away? He wasn't trying to establish dominance between them. His eyes narrowed, no, he was. In his own quiet and much more calculative way. Karasu looked right at him. There was an air around the teen that Shigaraki never noticed about him before.
That was when another of the League spoke up, the one with the scars, "The name's Dabi. And I might have decided to join the League, I did so because I follow Stain's ideals." he stated as his turquoise eyes glanced over to Shigaraki who merely continued to glare. "I'll wait a while before I decide who I want to follow." he added with a shrug as if he really didn't care. Karasu had a feeling that wasn't the case, he also had a suspicion about this Dabi character, but he'd have to look into it to confirm.
"Well I can't follow someone who blatantly lied to my face." Spinner stated as he crossed his arms.
"I'm sure Shigaraki had his reasons." A tall large red-head stated as they walked up to the group. Looking down to Karasu the person smirked, "Karasu was it? Well, you can call me Magne or Big Sis if you would like." she introduced herself. "Why don't you take your mask off? I'd like to see what you look like under all that gear." She asked curiously.
His smile reached his eyes as he turned his attention to Magne, "My apologies Big Sis, but I'm not supposed to reveal my identity to anyone outside of the family." He answered lightly.
Magne smiled wide at the fact that he actually called her 'Big Sis' it made her happy, yet at the same time disappointed that he wouldn't unmask himself. She supposed she would have to gain his trust eventually.
He wasn't sure if Magne was aware or not, but her questions she was directing to Karasu had given Shigaraki time to think over his own questions to the Yakuza teen. "Family really means a lot to you doesn't it?" he questioned finally. Shigaraki's family was gone, but when he did have them he remembered that he loved them.
Karasu nodded, "It does. The Yakuza had taken me in as one of their own when I had nothing but my name, they've become my family and everything I do is for the betterment of my family." he answered with certainty, "So, Shigaraki-san, here's my question for you. What do you fight for?"
The question struck him. What did he fight for? Obviously, the three that were ready to rip his face off fought for the ideals that Stain strived for. The other criminal villains fought for themselves.
"When you have a drive and the conviction to stick to it, people will usually follow." Karasu added and it was like clarity struck him. It was so simple, so basic, that he never even thought about it. He now saw what his Sensei was trying to get him to see in Karasu.
All for One studied the two Yakuza before him. He had already infiltrated their minds; it wasn't difficult for him. It was as simple as breathing. Overhaul's mind was so easily read, he saw the obsession he had with Karasu, the absolute possessiveness he felt toward the teen. It amused the old villain. "I'd like to start by saying you've done an excellent job in raising the young man that is Karasu. I assume that he was raised within your care seeing how devoted he is to you."
Kai's eyes were cold, he knew that he was baiting him. "I don't see how any of this should matter to you."
"Because I know the truth of Midoriya Izuku. It's all there," he replied as he tapped the side of his helmet, "In your mind." All for One chuckled at his flash of anger, it reminded him of his apprentice, "I was curious at first, you see I've acquired this mind reading quirk decades ago so I know how to use it to my full advantage. Which was why I was intrigued at how difficult it was to see within his, so much so that he was able to tell what I was doing."
Eye twitches, "What's your point?"
"You've used your quirk on him. Multiple times if your memories serve me right." The air became still. All for One knew he hit a nerve. "He obviously has no idea, otherwise I have a feeling he would not be so loyal to you."
Kai rose from his seat. His heart was pounding loudly in his ears, how the hell did he not notice that a quirk was being used on him. If not for Chronostasis being there he was sure he would have done something reckless within this moment. "What do you want for your silence?" he had to swallow his anger and pride in order to even have a hope to salvage this mess.
"I just want what's best for Izuku, just as I do with Tomura." He started, "Let him go to the Sports Festival. He'll be able to create current analysis profiles for the students going to U.A." he stated his demand.
Overhaul stared at the man. His fist clenched and trembling with his pent up anger. "Go to the Sports Festival? With all those disease infested people? I would never allow him to participate in that. He'll analyze the videos after it's done just as he's done for years." he denied.
All for One shook his head, "He must go to observe. Those recordings never give enough data, and you know that." He pressed, "We cannot have another failure like the first attack. Which is why I need the two of them to work together. Tomaru is a wonderful apprentice, but he needs someone that can keep him focused. Izuku is that someone. In fact, he may be even better suited for what I have planned."
"Better suited? Izuku is going to be what I want him to be."
"Your possessiveness is going to be your downfall." All for One warned as he rose from his seat, Overhaul followed his motion. "I do hope we've come to an understanding."
"Yes. As long as your end of the deal continues." Kai replies, trying his best not to sound as defeated as he felt. There wasn't much he could do against the Legendary villain All for One.
"Then let us hope this will be our last face-to-face meeting," All for One stated as Kurogiri's portal manifested behind the villain. He walked through it, leaving Kai to heavily sit back into his chair.
His body shook with anger, "They're doing this to spite me."
Kurono looked to his Boss, "You have to endure, Izuku won't leave you. As long as you make sure you're there to support him." He advised. Satisfied to see Kai nodding in agreement.
"He'll stay with me as long as he doesn't know the truth, but now that HE knows it, the ease of keeping it secret is no longer a luxury. I have to be even more careful."
When Kai and Kurono returned to the estate's private courtyard they were greeted by the Yakuza, Kai was relieved to see there were no members of the League there. Izuku was out of his Karasu persona and was talking with Rappa and Stain before he noticed Kai's presence.
"Kacchan!" he called out with a bright smile that only made his angry disposition dissipate into a calm and more relaxed state.
"What happened with the riffraff that Shigaraki brought?" he questioned as he looked around. He could practically feel his skin crawl at the idea that diseased filled street rats had been here, he would need to have the area cleaned.
"They left through Kurogiri's portal quirk. Three of his new members insisted to join our organization instead," Izuku replied though he left out the part that they were more interested in being a part of Izuku's group in general, he didn't want to get Kai more upset than he already was, "but I had them go along with Shiga-san until we could completely trust them."
Kai could taste the bile that rose in his throat at the nickname Izuku gave Shigaraki. He could still here All for One's warning about his possessiveness, but he really didn't care. Izuku was his, he found him, he raised him, and he was going to make sure Izuku stayed with him and no one else.
"What did All for One want to talk about?" Izuku asked curiously.
"We came up with your next assignment." He replied which made everyone in ear shot interested. "You'll be analyzing the Sports Festival."
Izuku rose an eyebrow questioningly, "I do that every year."
"In person this time."
Silence hung around them. Izuku's eyes widened, mouth slightly gaped open behind his cloth mask. Was he for real?
"I don't exactly care for the idea, but the recordings never give enough data on all of the students." He stated, "With you there, you'll be able to take more detailed notes about the hero class students."
It was real. He didn't suppress the sheer excitement, jumping from his seat for joy and hugged Kai tightly with quickly spoken thank yous and excitement about all the stuff that he would be able to get to see and do there as he ran off inside to get himself ready for tomorrow. Unaware of leaving behind a frozen Kai back at the courtyard was a frozen Kai. The members of the yakuza held back their amusement of their Boss's flustered and shocked look before he glared at everyone once he composed himself and grumbled incoherently walking inside. When he was gone laughter filled the courtyard.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Day of the Sports Festival
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Absolute excitement exuded his entire being that morning. He straightened his long sleeve shirt and adjusted his cloth mask as he stepped out into the living room. Seeing Eri running toward him he knelt down and embraced the sweet girl into his arms picking her up as he stood. "I won't be gone too long Eri-chan," he promised the girl who clung to him like he was going to disappear, like all of this was going to disappear.
"You have everything ready?" Kai asked as he looked up from the couch.
Izuku gave a nod, "Of course, I'll just have to activate my gear once I'm inside." He answered.
"Good. Shin will accompany you."
Izuku pouted, "Eh? Shin? Why?" he asked, not that he didn't like Shin, but he wasn't exactly his favorite person, he always drained the fun out of everything.
"Since Stain will be in a different city on his own mission, you will need someone to watch out for you. I trust Shin to do just that." Kai replied.
Shin, on cue, entered the room wearing civilian clothing along with a white cloth mask, "The car is ready." He stated as he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. He turned his attention to Kai, "I will not let you down sir." He stated in a serious manner.
The ride there was quiet. Shin would steal a glance at him through the rearview mirror, "We are only there for the information. Once the competition is finished, we will be returning to the compound. No detours. Understood?"
"But what about the festival stuff like games booths and food vendors? Can't we check that out too?" he questioned.
"No, those booths are filthy, and Kai would have my head if I allowed you to participate in such fruitless endeavors." He replied and Izuku crossed his arms and huffed, "This isn't about having fun. It's your mission, treat it as such. And stop sticking your tongue out at me, it's very impolite."
"Has anyone told you how much of a stick-in-the-mud you are?"
"Many times."
"Well, you don't need to use your quirk to know it's true."
The rest of the ride was silent after that. Once they reached the point of seeing the grand hero school Izuku couldn't help but gawk at it. The infamous U.A. where many of the greatest heroes started, it really was a sight to behold. The entrance was filled with people as they filtered into the inner grounds of the campus. There were more people there than he ever thought possible.
"Try not to mingle, they are unclean."
'uuuggghh, he sounds just like Kacchan.' He thought as they walked through the gates after they had gone through the bag checks. He could hear the news reporters chatting in the background about tighter security since the last attack from villains. The young yakuza was just grateful that his equipment was practically sown into his clothing and didn't cause the alarms to go off, he loved his tech.
Once within the festivities he did find himself avoiding too much contact with those around them finding the number of people there almost overwhelming. He glanced to his side where Shin walked along with him then to the food stands that people lined up for, "It smells so good… can't we buy something to eat?"
Shin frowned, "I already told you no." he stated firmly.
Izuku sighed, if it had been anyone else they would have allowed him to explore the Festival, but this was Shin. The man apparently never cared for him, he strictly followed Kai. So if Kai didn't want Izuku to do something Shin was the one to enforce it. He followed Shin into the 1-year's stadium, glancing back every once in a while, to the food booths that were so popular.
This hadn't gone unnoticed apparently. Mt. Lady and Kamuri Woods weren't too far away when Izuku asked to get something from the stand. Mt. Lady though was happily eating her free takoyaki order Kamuri approached the stand again and paid for another order. It really steamed him to see someone being denied something so simple like this.
He looked around, "hey did you see where that kid went?" He asked Death Arms who pointed towards the stage for the first years. He thanked him and took off in that direction.
Izuku sighed again as they sat down. All those good food smells had gotten him hungry. Shin glanced to him for a moment, "I'm not as easy to manipulate as the other lesser members. So you can stop acting like a child and do what you are supposed to." He stated.
"I don't manipulate. I leave that to you and Kacchan." He huffed, "and I really am hungry now so thanks."
"Well that's good then."
They both turned to see a Pro Hero approaching them. Izuku knew him to be one of the new rising stars. "Kamuri Woods!" He breathed with a smile, but Shin did not look as enthused to see him.
"Heh, nice to see a fan." He then held out the plate of covered food. "I know your dad said no, but a festival isn't complete without trying some of the food here." He offered.
Izuku's eyes widened. He went out of his way to get him this. Green eyes glanced around, not noticing any extra cameras or anything then looked back to Shin and smirked, "yeah dad, can I?" He stabbed at the other.
Shin's eyes narrowed at Izuku. He knew he was playing it up. Then he glared at the hero, "I told him no. You should have respected my decision as his guardian." He stated harshly. "But you did go out of your way. So I suppose I can't deny your offer for him." He added.
Kamuri Woods felt that verbal jab at him from the older man. Yeah, he could have ignored them, but his hero instincts told him not to. He was happy to see the kid taking the plate, the look on his face as he opened the lid was worth it. "Hey, it's a festival, cut loose a little and let the kid be a kid. Enjoy." He said as he turned to walk away.
"Thank you!" He heard the kid and raised his hand in acknowledgement heading for the exit to rejoin Mt. Lady and Death Arms.
"You deny your manipulative behavior, but it's clear as day." Shin stated as Izuku pulled down his cloth mask and took a not so careful bite of the takoyaki and beamed with delight.
Within the 1st year participant waiting room, the class were amping themselves up for the competition. Bakugo low key watched them all, they were no longer classmates, he had to think of them as his enemies right now. They stood in his way to the top, of getting closer to his goal. "Bakugo." He heard Half n Half address him in his usual stern tone. He looks up from his seat, red eyes focused on the dual ones. Todoroki stood beside him, stoic and unmoved by Katsuki's threatening gaze. "What do you want?"
"Looking at things objectively, I'm stronger than you." He stated without change to his expression.
Within a second Katsuki stood up, the chair falling back with a clatter. "The hell did you just say?" He growled.
"Objectively speaking, I am stronger than you." He repeated. "but you are also the person I need to defeat in this tournament." He stated. "I wouldn't have thought about it before, but with All Might's interest in you I can't risk underestimating you either." He went on explaining.
Bakugo clenched his teeth and gripped his fists tightly, his anger rising as Todoroki spoke. The others in the class held their breaths, then a hand rested on Katsuki's shoulder.
"Picking fights right before the competition isn't very manly." Kirishima stated with a strained smile. Katsuki knew what he was doing, he wanted to defuse the situation.
He shrugged his hand off his shoulder then took a defying step forward, "Listen here IcyHot. You don't know a fucking thing about me." He growled, "And you've already made a fatal mistake and that's pissing me off. I'll make sure you'll be the one looking up from the side lines as I win. You want a war, you'll get one."
Kirishima stared at his blond classmate, he already thought that Bakugo was the manliest out of everyone, but seeing him like this truly unafraid of the obvious threat that Todoroki is. It just confirmed his admiration of his friend. "You guys remember that we will be going back to school together after this right?"
Todoroki turned, "we aren't here to make friends." He stated as he walked towards the exit.
Katsuki glared after him before looking over to Kirishima. "I'm here to win. If I hurt anyone's feelings they'll just have to get over it."
The Sports Festival began. The crowd cheered and Izuku cheered along despite Shin trying to get him to settle down. However Izuku was too into the moment, with the lively commentator that was Present Mic and the showcasing of the 1st year students Izuku was all in all just excited.
Classes A through K paraded out into the arena. Green eyes scanned around the students. It was funny to him. How interested villains seemed to be in the kids.
"The future of current society ultimately falls onto the shoulders of these students once they graduate" he remembered Stain mentioning the previous night. "To make them believe they don't have a giant target on their heads is irresponsible and egotistical." Izuku had to agree now, cameras were everywhere, the whole festival would be televised throughout the nation, the world even. How they never found the flaw in this event boggled his mind.
When Pro Hero Midnight came to the stage the crowd went wild with hoots and whistles, Izuku's shy gaze averted. Red faced at the fact that someone would dress so provocatively for a school event he busied himself with studying the mass number of students standing around the stage. That's when she called forth the top ranked student to speak.
Izuku tilted his head slightly at the teen, this was their top hero student? Not Todoroki? "Bakugo?" he muttered under his breath as a sharp pain jolted through his head. Sitting back down he pressed his palms against his eyes to help ease the tension.
Shin was on him quick. "What's wrong?" He questioned with concern.
"I'm fine." Izuku muttered, "Just overdid myself is all..." he added as he straightened up as the throbbing started to dissipate.
"Well stop. You can't afford to get sick over this." He chastised, "I'm still surprised that he even allowed you to come here, with all the filth around you. Perhaps we should leave-"
"I said I'm fine." he snapped through the dulling pain, unknown to him he had surprised Shin, "No need to go Kacchan on me." He huffed with obvious aggravation. By the time he shooed Shin off of him the blond teen had taken the stage and mic. The crowd was silent and the student body seemed to be on edge. Izuku gazed at the blond, he seemed familiar, though he had no clue why.
"I'm going to win." Katsuki stated to which the students all booed around him. Izuku's emerald eyes were fixed on him, he was so confident in himself it surprised the young yakuza. "Don't like it, then show me you can do better." He added as his red eyes glared down at the student body. Many of the booing students quieted down after that, but Izuku heard the message. 'Fight me with all you got.' This Katsuki character seemed to be setting the fire to the students, he wanted the challenge, and he was going to beat them with everything he had.
"Wow… he's amazing." Izuku spoke out loud.
It was Shin's turn to huff, "That loudmouth?" he scoffed, "He looks like a Pomeranian trying to establish dominance. Nothing amazing about him."
Izuku sneered at Shin's comment, "That's not what I mean."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile within the hideout of the League of Villains
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I don't get why you had him go to this festival." Shigaraki muttered as he scratched at his neck while his eyes were fixed on the screen of the tv. The Sports Festival's opening was playing on. It wasn't like they couldn't watch the news for their information.
Another tv screen was static but the voice that came through it was none other than All for One. "I am securing an opportunity for you."
Shigaraki furrowed his brows and itched a little more, "Is this about what you and that obnoxious bird were talking about alone?" He questioned.
"Yes." He replied, "Under any other circumstance Karasu would have analyzed the students like you are currently. Though the guise of having better intel is a perk to the plan I have set into motion. Chisaki's hold on the boy is tangled within a web of lies that he's made sure Karasu doesn't remember." he explained.
Shigaraki fingers stopped their itching, "Brainwashing? Wow, the creep is lower than I had originally pegged him." he grumbled out.
"Chisaki is a possessive man Tomaru. He's taken years to mold the boy into what he wanted, into Karasu. I'm sure that you now see the wasted potential if he was to continue to serve his current holder." he replied, "Revealing the truth that Chisaki refuses to give him will surely break the bond that the two share."
Shigaraki listened to his mentor, "Which means I have a chance of taking that pompous ass's best player and adding him to my roster, including Stain."
Throughout the Obstacle Race and the Cavalry Battle Izuku had used many of his nanotech equipment to get up close and record many of the key students without detection. All the while his own analytical mind was breaking down each student as he watched from the screens. He had to admit that it seemed Class 1-A in general had the advantage here. They were quick to react, barely a glimpse of hesitation in any of their moves, it's no wonder the League wanted to make sure no detail was lost.
He did find other students other than Class A interesting. And though Class B had many potential hero students, he felt they were more careful with their next steps forward mainly because they lacked the experience the other hero class had to go through. Students outside of the hero courses were subpar at best, except for one. A purple haired teen that came out of the General Studies caught his attention, Hitoshi Shinso. No one else seemed to have taken notice, but Izuku did, the student was using his quirk on the others around him. A mind controlling quirk of some kind and he wanted to know more. Another was a pink haired girl from the Support Class, Mei Hatsume, with her gadgets that she used to successfully run through the Obstacle Race and the Cavalry Battle.
Katsuki Bakugo had won the Obstacle Race making him the main target of the Cavalry Battle and in the end his team ended up in second place while Todoroki's team stole the Battle.
Present Mic announced an hour break for lunch and so the students were ready for the next round. From the moment the crowds began moving is when Izuku disappeared from Shin's sight. He glanced left and right, already the panic set in, "Izuku?" he called out as he moved along with the crowd, 'Damn it! That boy will be the death of me.' he thought as he continued to search for the mess of green hair.
Izuku meanwhile walked casually along the outside of the stadium, grinning from under his cloth mask at the fact that he had slipped away. Not that he wanted to cause trouble, but he didn't need Shin hovering over him like that, it felt way too confining in an already enclosed space.
"I don't think spectators are allowed in this area." He turned his head to the side and blinked when he realized he was staring right at Todoroki.
"Oops, guess I was lost in thought." Izuku replied sheepishly. "You're Todoroki, Shoto! You're doing really great in the competition considering…" he added.
Shoto's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Considering what?" he questioned.
"That you're holding yourself back. I've only seen you use one side of your quirk." Izuku answered honestly.
Heterochromia eyes stared into Emerald ones. It was hard for Izuku to peg just what was going through the other's mind, it was kind of awkward if he was honest.
"I refuse to use my father's quirk." He stated and that peaked Izuku's curiosity again. "I plan to win with just my right side. To show him that I won't be his tool."
Izuku frowned he knew enough of Endeavor's background to know that the Number Two Pro Hero wasn't a good man no matter his status in society. "But it's your quirk. Not his." Izuku pointed out. There was strained silence between the two and Izuku glanced to the ground, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, it's not my place."
"No… it's not, but I appreciate it. I didn't think about it that simply." He replied as he gazed down to his left hand. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Huh, oh, I'm—" wait, should I give my actual name? I don't think Kacchan would be too happy about that, so, "just a fan."
Shoto's intense gaze studied the stranger before him. He never really intended to start up a conversation when he confronted him, but there was something about the other teen that made it, easy. Perhaps it was because the other seemed so calm around him, sure he praised his name at first, but the fanfare only lasted a few moments. When he called himself a fan he found it a bit odd, what was the problem in giving his name. He was about to question him about it, but thought against it when he heard someone approaching. He turned his attention to his fellow classmates.
"Todoroki-kun!" she called out as they approached them, Izuku recognized her as Uraraka Ochako and the male was walked along with her was Iida Tenya, the younger brother of Stain's target. The brown hair girl smiled widely to her classmate, "You were really great on the first two rounds!" she complimented with enthusiasm. Her attention was caught by Izuku and she tilted her head with curiosity. "Oh? Is this a friend of yours?" she asked. Noticing his expensive looking outfit she assumed he was from a high-class family, not that she was really judging him, she was just observant. Plus Shoto didn't like to talk a lot especially with new people.
Izuku smiled and was about to answer when Todoroki did instead, "Yes, but he was about to leave." He answered. Izuku was a bit surprised by that remark, he was being claimed as a friend? He didn't know why, but that just made him extremely happy.
"Right. Well, I'll be cheering you on from the stands." he said as he turned to make his leave.
"Oh! You should meet up with us afterwards! We all planned on enjoying the festival games before heading back home." Uraraka suggested with high hopes.
Izuku hummed a bit as he looked back to the students. "Maybe."
Of course All for One knows the truth of Izuku, what kind of Super Villain would he be if he didn't, but what truly are his intentions other than watching as Kai's perfect little world shatters to un-mendable pieces? Guess you'll have to wait and see.
