Amidst the labyrinthine alleyways at the heart of the city, a hidden switch had been cleverly concealed between the bricks of ancient masonry, waiting for someone to press it and reveal the secret passage. Once pressed, a door would swing open with a creak, inviting the person to descend a metal staircase spiralling down into the dark depths. Those who dared to follow it would find themselves in a long and narrow corridor, illuminated by an eerie glow, leading them to the heart of 'The Market'. This place was known only to a select few, a hidden sanctuary for the assassins who worked in the shadows of Musutafu. It used to be one of many such places, but now it was the last one standing - and barely so.
The wear and tear inside the building was evidence of the years of neglect suffered by both the building and the clandestine organisation. The lights flickered and buzzed, barely illuminating the darkness. The walls were cracked and crumbling, revealing the bare concrete underneath, and the murals that once adorned them were faded and chipped, losing their colour and detail. Diner walked into this forsaken underworld, feeling a mixture of shame, rage, and pain. Her face was pink from the blood dripping from her head wound, as well as from the humiliation she had just experienced.
With fiery indignation, Diner tore off the red wig she was wearing for her assignments, revealing the raven-black hair beneath, and hurled the wig onto a makeshift wooden crate that doubled as a table. Her intention was to retreat to the private quarters where the meagre furnishings offered little comfort but privacy, allowing her to tend to both her physical and emotional wounds. However, before she could make her escape, the air was filled with the distinct sound of harsh, rhythmic clapping.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Well, well, well, look who has decided to grace us with her presence once again," a woman with long, pink hair extending in a gradual curve from the back of her head spoke, perched atop a towering metal storage unit. Her voice dripped with equal parts sarcasm and arrogance, relishing in the opportunity to belittle Diner. "Seems like our newbie has returned from yet another 'phenomenal' mission!"
With a graceful leap, the woman descended from her perch, landing in front of Diner with eerie silence. Her piercing gaze locked onto Diner's face as she lifted the wounded assassin's chin with a single, gloved finger, examining the injuries with an air of dismissiveness. She tsked in disapproval before flicking Diner's head away, casting off any concern. Diner spoke no words, but her expression said everything.
The long-haired woman ran her tongue over her teeth, a gesture brimming with subtle malice. "You should clean up that mess before you become an even bigger disappointment," she taunted, turning on her heel and striking an exaggerated pose with both hands behind her head. "If you're lucky, you might find Barbershop around here somewhere. He probably has some first aid supplies for you! Or maybe you'd prefer to bleed out right here. Your choice, really."
"That's enough, Museum," a commanding voice, weathered by age and experience, resounded from the background of the chamber, instantly asserting its authority over the situation.
Museum's tone transformed in an instant, where derision and vitriol once resided, sweetness and rainbows took their place. She adopted an innocent demeanour, her voice tinged with a saccharine quality. "Oh, High Street, I was just kindly telling little Diner here about the best place to tend to that nasty injury of hers!" Her words carried a distinct air of insincerity.
"I said, that's enough now." The elderly gentleman, towering over Diner with an imposing presence, interrupted with a voice that demanded attention. His casual attire belied the strength and wisdom that emanated from him. His bushy moustache and balding head added character to his weathered face, which told tales of a hard upbringing and a life filled with harder experiences. Despite his imposing appearance, his smile exuded a surprising comfort. "Go help Barbershop plan for the next assignment, go on."
Museum, with a short and seemingly sincere bow, hurriedly scurried away into the depths of The Market, vanishing. Diner acknowledged the older man with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Master High Street," she offered politely.
High Street laughed once, a sound that held both a hint of harshness and a touch of affection. "I am no one's master, Diner. We don't believe in those titles anymore. We're all working towards the same goal, as equals." His voice carried a wisdom that seemed to transcend his physical appearance. With a gentle inclination, he leaned down, his weathered hands carefully moving Diner's hair away from the cut on the side of her head. The wound looked painful and angry, but she remained stoic, refusing to show any signs of discomfort. Except, perhaps, the pain that gnawed at her wounded ego.
"We should get this cleaned," High Street remarked.
Before long, he had procured a damp towel and began to dab at the injury with meticulous care and attention. "Now, Diner, I would like to hear your post-mission report, if you don't mind."
"The target was located at the high school. I lured him to an unpopulated area and disabled the communication networks to minimise interference. The confrontation proved to be more challenging than anticipated. His quirk nullified my own, forcing me to retreat into the cover of the trees. He was fast, and a formidable hand-to-hand combatant."
"Diner," High Street interjected, his voice assuming a stern, almost parental tone. "Did you conduct any research on Shota Aizawa before embarking on this mission?"
The rookie assassin hesitated for a moment. "I... Time was of the essence, and I believed it was better to strike early and swiftly, without delving into extensive research."
High Street's expression turned grave, a mixture of concern and disappointment etched across his face. "Knowledge is power. A thorough understanding of your target's capabilities is crucial for your success and safety. You must remember that haste can sometimes lead to costly mistakes."
Diner, feeling a pang of regret for her impulsive actions, replied with a sombre tone, "Yes, Master High Street." She couldn't help but notice a fleeting sigh escaping High Street's lips, hinting at an unspoken disdain for the title she had attributed to him.
As High Street prepared to stitch the wound on Diner's head, he glanced at the injury, his eyes lingering for a moment before he spoke again. "Was Aizawa the one responsible for this?" His eyes shifted to the gash, now being tended to with a steady hand.
"No," Diner responded, a trace of bitterness lacing her words. "There were students... heroics students, I believe. One with a precision aiming ability, while the other had a transformative quirk. They seemed inexperienced and unsure, which made them reckless."
High Street nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "These heroics schools often prioritise the 'might makes right' philosophy, neglecting the importance of restraint and control. It's no wonder they struggled to dial back their power." Focusing intently on his task, he skillfully completed the stitches, his movements precise and practised. "Diner, if you were to come face-to-face with either of these students again, would you recognize them?"
Diner's response was uncertain. "Perhaps."
"I'll inform Barbershop," High Street replied with a determined tone. "We'll gather a comprehensive list of the current hero students at UA to keep an eye on things. But for now, I don't see the need to escalate any further."
"And Aizawa?" Diner asked.
High Street's countenance remained serious as he contemplated the question. "The vision involving Aizawa is still pending, yet to be realised. But for the time being, I want you to rest and recuperate. The others can handle things." With a gentle touch, he moved a lock of hair away from behind Diner's ear, covering the stitched wound with care.
"Thank you, Master."
With a mixture of affection and insistence, he gently corrected her once more, "Diner, my dear, I am not your master. We are comrades, equals on this treacherous journey we undertake together."
—
The sun-drenched playing field at UA High, situated in the centre of a number of buildings designed for specific combat purposes, buzzed with anticipation. The class of 1-A was awaiting the arrival of their regular combat instructor, Eraserhead. Just then, a figure appeared on the scene with a burst of shocking energy, it was All Might, exuding his trademark gusto!
"Hello students! I am here… To teach you how to fight!"
Reiko Yanagi, her delicate features showing concern for her teacher, hesitantly brushed her hair out of her eyes and voiced her apprehensions softly, "I thought this class was with Eraserhead? Has a dark fate befallen our tutor..?"
"A dark fate?!" The symbol of peace widened his eyes in shock before quickly regaining his composure. From behind the back of his hand, he said in an enigmatic tone "Your usual teacher is taking the week off, for secret hero business."
Kirishima, a beacon of unwavering enthusiasm, couldn't contain his excitement. His fist shot up into the air as he exclaimed, "Woah, super manly!
With a theatrical flourish, All Might gestured towards an electronic board next to him. "Behold, my young heroes! On this super special electronic board, you shall find your name alongside your training partner for today's exercise!" he announced. "If any issues arise, please..." All Might struck another incredible pose, as if channelling the very essence of heroism, "Don't hesitate to bring them to my attention!"
The board shimmered to life, displaying a list of combat team-ups for the morning's exercise. All Might proceeded to provide a detailed explanation for each combination of students.
"Ashido versus Todoroki!" All Might's voice rang out, catching the attention of the two students. "Your mission, young Ashido, is to acclimate your acid to colder temperatures! And young Todoroki, I'd like you to focus on practising your dodging and evasion techniques against a long-range fighter!" The students exchanged glances, a mix of focus and curiosity shining in their eyes as they absorbed their unique objectives.
Next, All Might's booming voice announced, "Jiro versus Kaminari!" Jiro and Kaminari turned their attention towards their instructor, eager to hear the challenge that awaited them.
"The aim of the game this time is stealth!" All Might continued, "Young Kaminari, I would like you to work on lowering the output of your electricity to prevent Jiro here from detecting you with her earphone jacks! Jiro, your goal is to find and incapacitate him without suffering any shocks!" The two students nodded, eager to begin. All Might added, "You'll both be using Stealth Building B for this task, so make the most of it!"
All Might's voice boomed again. "Iida versus Sero!" he announced, directing the attention of the two students towards him. "Young Iida, your speed and reflexes are becoming remarkable, but you still need to work on ground-to-air combat. Young Sero, the opposite applies to you! I'd like you both to practise your agility and versatility! Remember, the goal of today's class is to learn from your classmates and grow stronger together!" The students exchanged a glance, a shared drive to push their limits evident in their expressions.
"Asui versus Shoji!" he exclaimed, focusing his attention on the two individuals. "Young Shoji, your ability to attack from multiple angles at once is the perfect training exercise for young Asui! Practise your dodging and countering, and strive to improve your reaction times and combat adaptability!"
Moving on to the next pair, All Might announced. "Uraraka versus Kodai!" directing his attention to the two students. "Young Kodai, the effects of zero gravity should present a unique challenge for you! Develop new techniques to counteract its influence and improve your control over your quirk. Uraraka, this training will help you learn how to deal with opponents who utilise a multitude of projectiles. Let's see you increase the limit of how many objects your quirk can affect at once!" Uraraka and Kodai shared determined looks, eager to rise above the challenges that awaited them.
"All right, Kirishima versus Fukidashi!" All Might declared, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Young Kirishima, I want you to train your ability to adapt to unpredictable situations and continue fighting even when faced with unconventional attacks!" All Might continued, "Young Fukidashi, your greatest weapon is your imagination and your ability to improvise! Take this training opportunity to push the boundaries of your creativity and let your quirks shine!" With their spirits fueled by their mentor's encouragement, Kirishima and Fukidashi were fully prepared to engage in a battle that would test their resilience and resourcefulness.
As the list of combat pairings continued, All Might's attention turned to Yanagi and Komori. "Yanagi versus Komori!" he announced with a grin. "I'd like the two of you to train your abilities to maintain focus! Both of you possess a wonderful knack for distraction, but I'd like to see how you fare when placed on the opposite side of the table!" All Might's words intrigued Yanagi and Komori. "You'll both be fighting in Apartment Building A," he added, with some excitement. "It's fully furnished, providing ample opportunities for you to utilise your quirks strategically!"
"Bondo versus Tsunotori!" he proclaimed next. "Young Bondo, I want you to help young Tsunotori learn how to deal with limited mobility. Additionally, this training will be excellent for you to learn how to counter a long-range attacker!" All Might turned his attention to Tsunotori. "I'm aware that you're currently capable of controlling six of your horns at a time, let's see you pump those numbers up and unlock your full potential!"
"Shishida versus Yaoyorozu!" All Might announced, turning his attention to the two students. Shishida's muscles tensed in anticipation, while Yaoyorozu's analytical mind raced with strategies. "Young Shishida, your strength is undoubtedly a great boon," All Might began. "However, you need training in knowing when not to rush in blindly." Shishida nodded, recognizing the importance of control and strategy in battle.
All Might's eyes then shifted to Yaoyorozu. "Young Yaoyorozu, I challenge you not to defeat your opponent, but to capture him! Build traps and tricks to ensnare your foe!" All Might declared. "Also, your training will be a little different to the others, I expect to see no physical injuries!" He held up a small sheet of glitter stickers, each one representing a marker of success. "Young Shishida, your task is to learn to control the beast within. Attach each of these small glitter stickers to Yaoyorozu, without causing any harm to her person, and you shall emerge victorious!" A combination of commitment and creativity filled them, as Shishida and Yaoyorozu prepared to face each other in a test of strength, strategy, and control.
Finally, All Might's gaze settled upon Awase, the last student on the list. "Last but not least, young Awase," he exclaimed, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Your combat opponent is... ME! Use the full extent of twin impact against me, trust me, I CAN TAKE IT!" The words hung in the air, causing a stir of surprise and anticipation among the students. All Might's daring challenge to face him head-on invigorated Awase, who took a deep breath, ready to unleash the full extent of his quirk against the symbol of peace himself.
"You all have fifteen minutes of preparation, and I have one last announcement to make! Today we'll be joined by the members of support class 1-H. They'll be watching your fights to see what improvements or additions can be made to your costumes, so give them a good show!"
—
The support students of 1-H found themselves taking a well-deserved break on a cosy hill nearby the training ground as All Might explained the training to his class. They were sprawled out, basking in the warm rays of the sun and relishing a few precious moments of relaxation.
Akari Hana was spilling the beans on the latest rumours and gossip she'd picked up about the upcoming sports festival. Animatedly, she said, "I heard, in the first round, they're giving everyone swords! Then everyone fights until there's only one person left, Battle Royale style!"
Miki Yamashita raised an eyebrow sceptically, and interjected, "Hold on a sec, Hana. How would they even score that?" Yawning and struggling to stifle it, she added, "I mean, it sounds a bit far-fetched, don't you think?"
"Maybe they could use fake swords with sensors, so they can detect who got hit and how hard," Izuku suggested. "Or maybe they could use paint swords, so they can see who got stained the most."
"That sounds boring!" Mei said, rolling her eyes. "It would be more fun if the swords were real and had engines! You could rev them up like a chainsaw and cut through anything!" She made a slashing motion with her hands, making a loud vroom sound.
Kuri joined the conversation with his own rumour. "One of the seniors told me there's going to be a cavalry battle in the second round. You have to form teams of four and ride on someone's back. And then you have to collect bandanas from other teams that have different point values."
The rest of the students laughed, dismissing the idea as too ridiculous, but were abruptly halted as Mei eagerly called their attention back to reality. "Hey, look alive everyone, the heroes are back." With renewed energy, the support class quickly scrambled off the ground. Amidst the commotion, Hana let out an unexpected fiery sneeze, narrowly missing Kazutani with a sizzling fireball. After a slight pause, they all started laughing again.
The hero students of Class 1-A were now in full costume, had discussed training strategies with their partners and were ready to battle.
The support students of Class 1-H were now fully caffeinated, notebooks and tablet computers on hand, and ready to criticise some children's costume design choices.
Plus Ultra.