Chapter 9: Intentions

U.A. was closed the following day after the USJ attack. It was probably done to give the students some downtime and the teachers time to go over the attack. It wasn't so simple though, not everyone could relax. Tanso couldn't get the attack out of his head. There were just too many things to think about. The two biggest that were constantly on his mind was Shigaraki and the abyss.

Shigaraki was just a man child with a powerful toy. There's no way he was able to bioengineer a weapon of that calibre. This attack also wasn't a one of thing, Shigaraki will be back and probably with something or someone stronger than Nomu. Tanso will have to watch his back from now on.

As for the abyss, when to put it simply, the abyss became a problem shortly after it awakened in him 2 years ago. He swore not to use it unless it became absolutely necessary. It was also the only way he could think of defeating Nomu. It acts like a prison. Inside there is nothing, no light, no darkness. It's mentally taxing and Tanso can only stand it for thirty seconds. Nomu should be fine, it has no mind of its own, so it shouldn't break.

Tanso rested on his bed, a sling for his right arm hanging off his neck while that same arm rested on his chest. In his left hand was a manga with his father as the main character. His father was ecstatic when he was approached with the offer to have his very own manga produced. The one he held was the manga that introduced Jurassic King's sidekick, a sidekick that looks almost exactly like Tanso. Even his quirk was similar, with him wielding the abyss against their foes.

The manga came out a little bit after Tanso decided not to use his quirk. And the person that usually handles this manga was his father's boss, so it's no secret what this manga meant. They were using him for profit.

The sidekick himself was afraid of his own quirk, but Jurrasic King helped him master it. It annoyed Tanso as they don't know what his quirk truly is. It's a monster not to be trifled with. He can barely keep it under control. Meanwhile, they think it's just a change of mind. Like it's just his mindset that makes it evil. He'd know if it was.

As much as he hates this issue of the manga. He can't help but go back to it. It's almost like his father is speaking directly to him, something he missed profusely.

Tanso closed the book and put his free arm over his eyes, sighing as he did. "It just aint that easy… My quirk is pure evil. It cannot be controlled."

The next day was a surprise. Class 1-A was talking about how they were on T.V. for the villain attack. Some were excited while others took a more realistic approach to their appearances, stating it was the attack the public were interested in.

Tanso didn't care about his appearance, as he was too busy thinking about the attack. Maybe he missed something? He was taken out of his thinking as Mr Aizawa came through the door, looking like a recently reanimated mummy. The bandage wrapped teacher was a surprise but was not THE surprise. The surprise came as Aizawa brought to their attention, the U.A. sports festival.

One again the class was excited, but some had reservations about doing the sports festival so close to the Incident.

"What if they attack when we're all in one place?" Ojiro asked Mr Aizawa.

"I don't think that will be an issue." Tanso was quick to interject before Aizawa could say anything.

Kaminari looked back at Tanso, "What do you mean?"

"Think about it. The villains were after All Might and hoped to isolate him at the USJ. They also had a weapon designed specifically to take him out." Tanso explained. "Not only will the festival have hundreds if not thousands of attendees, both civs and pros. They no longer have their weapon or minions. We'll be fine."

"Kazuki is right. We'll even be beefing up security as a deterrent. You will all be safe." Aizawa calmed the class through his muffled voice. "Hosting the sports festival will be us saying that we will not fear villains and that we have it under control."

"Well, as long as you're sure." Said Kaminari.

Aizawa then explained how the festival is important for the class when they graduate. How getting scouted by top heroes is a great chance to prove yourself and possibly become a sidekick for them in the future. Having a place in society after school is important. Aizawa then dismissed the class.

A few hours later and Cementos's class was over. Kirishima, Tanso, Sero and Ashido were chatting about the upcoming festival.

"Man, I'm pumped for this festival!" Kirishima threw his fist into the air.

"We put on a good show and we're basically on the road to being pros!" Sero elbowed Kirihima in a joyful manner.

"This is going to be so fun!" Ashido was swinging her legs over the cabinets in excitement.

"The festival will be a good way to get my ideals out there." Tanso spoke, leaning back in his chair.

"Ideals?" Sero asked. "You're not more interested in getting scouted?" He tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"I'm not getting into the hero biz for fame or money. All I want is to save people without a second thought and inspire others to do the same." Tanso explained.

"What do you mean?" Ashido asked him.

Tanso sighed and stopped leaning back in his chair. "I want to become that type of hero that is a hero for the sole purpose of saving a life. The reason I wish to climb the ranks is to inspire others to redefine what it means to be a hero. Inspire others to forgo selfish desires when being a hero. To do that, I will become The Undefeated Superhero: Undefeatable. But if need be, I'll abandon that dream to save someone."

"What do you mean by abandoning your dream?" Ashido did not like what Tanso was implying. She however, did not get her answer. As Uraraka suddenly shouted out.

"I SAID I'M GONNA DO MY BEST!" She yelled with a fist in the air.

"Uh… Sure, kickass Uraraka." Tanso hesitantly cheered.

Later during lunch, Tanso was on his way back to the cafeteria after going to the bathroom. When he heard Midoriya, Iida and Uraraka talking. Tanso was going to walk past them but what he heard made him stop.

"Uraraka, What made you want to become a pro hero?" Midoriya asked.

"Well about that." Uraraka answered, "I'm kinda doing it for the money."

"For the money? You want to be a hero so you can get rich?" Midoriya was surprised at her answer.

Uraraka began furiously rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "If we're cutting to the chase then yeah." She then began to apologise to her two friends, "I'm sorry if it sounds greedy! You two have such admirable motivations. I hope you don't think less of me now."

Iida was quick to respond, "not at all! Your goal is to support your well being, which is a perfectly admirable ambition to have!"

"Mmhuh! It's just kinda surprising." Midoriya added.

"As it should be." Tanso made himself known.

Midoriya, Iida and Uraraka were shocked to see him here. They were more shocked at the not so friendly face he wore. Sure, Tanso's face wasn't known for being friendly. It was mostly known for being stoic, only sometimes wearing a smile. But this wasn't his usual stoic expression. It was disappointment and anger in one.

"A hero should never save someone for monetary gain. I'm disappointed in you, Uraraka." Tanso words cut surprisingly deep, causing Uraraka to lower her head in shame, even spawning a few tears.

Iida and Midoriya were quick to go to her side and comfort their friend. "That was uncalled for, Kazuki." Iida scolded him, "Uraraka's ambition is perfectly reasonable!"

"Sure, for someone who aint a hero. You want to earn money, get a job. Work your way up the chain of command, I've heard that's a whole different battle." His cold eyes dug into both Midoriya and Iida. "A hero's one and only thought while saving someone should be that person's life and only their life. Would you want to put your life in the hands of someone who only sees you as a pile of yen?"

"Uraraka would never see anyone like that!" Midoriya defended her.

"Sure she doesn't." Tanso then turned and began to walk away. Now he'll be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Bakugo and Mineta were bad enough, now there's Uraraka. Possibly the most gentle girl in the class. As Tanso walked away, he could hear Uraraka beginning to sob. He's also sure he heard Uraraka faintly apologise to him. He stopped in his place, failing to turn around, he just listened.

"I'm sorry." She rubbed her eyes as Midoriya and Iida comforted their now crying friend. "It's just that my family is flat broke." Tanso's ears perked up. "We've fallen on hard times and I just wish to give them an easy life. I'm sorry if it offends you but-but-" A loud whack suddenly rang through the hall. Uraraka looked up through her teary eyes to see Tanso with his fist in his cheek.

"Stupid, fucking, prick." He mumbled to himself. As Tanso turned around to face the three, they noticed that he had a split lip. He began walking back towards the three of them. Midoriya and Iida acted as a shield for their friend. They didn't expect Tanso to suddenly bow. "Uraraka, I'm sorry. Truly I am. I came to a conclusion before knowing the whole story. You did not deserve that at all. I despise those who become heroes for money and fame. But It seems I failed to take into account what that money and fame is for. It appears I have a lot to learn in something I thought I knew perfectly."

Uraraka was understandably confused at the 180 Tanso had just done. She wiped away her tears. "It's… ok." She was still clearly upset.

"No, it's not. What I did was inexcusable and It hurt you. It was unbecoming of a hero." Tanso stood straight to look her in the eyes. "As an apology, I will do any one thing you ask of me. Even if that thing is sabotaging myself at the sports festival."

"Wait, hold on!"

"You can call upon it whenever and it shall not expire. You have my word that I will follow any command within my power."

"Kazuki!" Uraraka shouted. Tanso stopped and listened. "You don't need to go that far for an apology. I understand and forgive you." Those red, puffy, tear stained eyes that he caused now sat upon a slightly smiling face. It hurts Tanso, knowing that she has already forgiven him for what he did.

"The offer will stay for however long it takes you to use it. So don't be afraid to. I believe in equal punishment. I.e You abuse, you deserve to be abused. So, once again, I'm sorry." Tanso bowed one last time.

"I'm not going to ask you to hurt yourself for me." Uraraka got herself to his height, making sure that smile was always in his view. Not meaning to hurt him with it.

"As you wish." Tanso scratched the back of his head. He then turned to both Iida and Midoriya, bowing to both and apologising. "I'm sorry to you two as well."

"It's ok." Midoriya replied.

"As long as you learn from it." Iida stated as he karate chopped the air.

"I Should get going now." Tanso then left, feeling terrible for what he did. Little did he know, his homeroom teacher has eaves dropping the whole time.

It was now 15:20 (03:20 pm) Most of the school had finished their lessons for the day. 1-A was just about to move on to their final lesson but were stopped at the doorway to their classroom as it had been blocked by other students from all around the school. Mostly first years.

The class was confused at the sudden intrusion into their school life. "Their scouting out the competition, idiots. We're the class that survived a real villain attack." Bakugo began explaining as he walked towards the exit. "They want to see us with their own eyes." He then began addressing the crowd, "at least now you know what a future pro looks like. Now move it, extras."

"So this is class 1-A?" A boy with messy purple hair and sleep deprived eyes began pushing his way to the front. "I heard you guys were impressive, but you just sound like an ass. Is everyone in the hero course delusional or just you" That last part was addressed to Bakugo specifically.

"Huh!" Bakugo scowled.

"How sad to come here and find a bunch of egomaniacs. I wanted to be in the hero course, but like many others here I was forced to choose a different track. Such is life. I didn't cut it the first time around, but I have another chance. If any of us do well in the sports festival, the teachers can decide to transfer us to the hero course. And they'll have to transfer people out to make room"

Tanso was just quietly watching, but could easily sense the hostility and jealousy in that guy's voice.

"Scouting the competition? Maybe some of my peers are, but I'm here to let you know that if you don't bring your best, I'll steal your spot right from under you. Consider this a declaration of war."

For a brief second there was silence as everyone took in what that guy said. I was then interrupted by some dude with strange eyelashes. "HEY YOU! I'M FROM CLASS 1-B NEXT DOOR TO YOU! WE HEARD YOU FOUGHT SOME VILLAINS, AND I CAME TO SEE IF THAT WAS TRUE! BUT YOU'RE JUST A BUNCH OF BRATS WHO THINK YOUR BETTER THAN US!"

'More enemies, huh. Way to go dipshit Bakugo.'

Bakugo began to leave, completely ignoring the crown and the 1-Being. Kirishima wasn't appreciative of him just leaving. "Dude, where're you going? You gotta say something! It's your fault they're all hating on us, Bakugo!"

Bakugo stopped and looked back at Kirishima, "these people don't matter. The only thing that's important is that I beat them." He then left.

Kirishima clenched his fist as a tear sat in his eyelid. "I hate how that was such a manly exit."

"You think?" Tanso asked him, "if you ask me, he was just an ass."

"But he wasn't wrong." Tokoyami said, "we have to beat them."

"That, I agree with." Tanso looked straight at the crowd blocking the exit. Intent on winning the festival and proving that his way of thinking is the only way a hero should.

The next two weeks consisted of training for everyone. Tanso however received a call about three quarters into his training. It was the detective from before. He has everything ready for the extraction of Nomu.