Hello, everyone, and let us officially commence a mercifully shorter new arc after the nearly back-to-back powerhouses that were the Hokkaido and Eri Arcs; with the Remedial Course Arc! I ended up getting a sadly late start on writing this chapter, so this is literally a photo finish for me to get it all done in time for regular upload time. I hope you all enjoy it.

I would like to thank you all for your continued readership and patronage; alongside my beta readers Mizu and Jonny, and all the contributing fan-artists out there on DA: Syyndev, Akane Kahomi, AliceKuroCross, Suki-Chan2509, effasempai, Eliza-Frost and Yumake. Here's hoping there will be more to add to the list as time goes on. If anyone out there would like to contribute artwork of their own out there, do please feel free to PM me here and let me know, I'd be more than happy to see what any of you have in mind.

My Hero Academia is the property of Kouhei Horikoshi and Shonen Jump. I only own my original characters and the original events surrounding them.

A/N: [[]] indicates that characters are contextually speaking Russian.

Chapter 103

A Step Forward

(Шаг Вперед)

University Hospital, Saturday, September 13th

It had immediately become apparent when Tunguska had finally regained consciousness, just how heavily immobilized his body now was, all but completely cocooned in casts, slings and bandages; the most prominent of which obscuring half his eyesight, as his right eye was completely bandaged over. This made the regular blur that usually came with coming out from under anesthesia that much more insufferable.

Fortunately, though, that annoyance he initially felt dimmed when, as his vision finally began to clear, he spotted the unmistakable figure of Toshinori Yagi watching over him from the doorway to his hospital room; his gaunt face as unreadable as ever, until he started to actually smile when their gazes met. "Welcome back, Oleg-san. You've been out for quite some time, but after Aizawa-san had told me how badly you and Kirishima-shonen had gotten hurt during your mission, I can't really say I'm surprised."

"Toshinori-san…when did you get here? How…how is everyone?" Naturally, Tunguska's voice was bone dry and strained, prompting Toshinori to immediately hand him a glass of water from the nearby stand next to his hospital bed. However, even as he tried to maintain even this faint of a smile, his sunken eyes betrayed so much more emotions at once; none of them positive.

"I've only been here for about an hour by now. It was Bubble Girl-san who wanted me here…because of…what happened to…"

The building pain evident in Toshinori's voice made it more than obvious to Tunguska, just what he'd truly come here for, and with that came his own share of painful memories of all that had ultimately happened in the last minutes of their mission. Meeting eyes, Tunguska felt his heart go out to his close friend at his side.

"Of course. I'm so sorry, Toshinori-san. I know it's hardly the same thing as what you're going through…but I know how much it can hurt, losing a sidekick. It's like losing a child, a best friend…a brother, even. I wish I knew what else to say."

Toshinori had to suck in a deep breath to keep from breaking down into tears like he had in front of Sir Nighteye shortly before. "The fact you can empathize with it at all is enough, Oleg-san. Thank you. I know I've said it before, but I am sorry that you'd lost your sidekick so long before as well; especially the way you did. It does indeed hurt, knowing Nighteye can't go on as a Hero anymore without his Quirk…but in the grand scheme of things, I'm fortunate. I may have lost my old sidekick…but I still have my old friend there, willing to stand at my side again after all this time. It's almost funny, how ironic it is that it took losing his Quirk for him to finally regain that Hero's sense of hope, and for us to come together once more…and I know I have Midoriya-shonen, Togata-shonen, you and everyone else who fought alongside him today to thank for making that possible. Thank you, Oleg-san."

With those thanks being given, Tunguska could let out a deeply relieved sigh, knowing that Nighteye was indeed going to be okay, and that he and Toshinori had actually managed to reconcile. He honestly felt a hint of envy that he didn't get the chance to witness such a moving scene with his own eyes. "So…I take it that the fact you're in as good spirits as you are, all things considered, means that everyone's ultimately going to pull through?"

To his further relief, Toshinori gave a single confirming nod as he pulled up a nearby chair. "That's right. Recovery Girl really pushed herself to the edge, treating every single one of your injuries, all of you. She couldn't stick around, though; she, Vlad King-san and Nezu-san are heading up to Hokkaido the moment the rail tunnel is up and running again. It sounds like Bezpalov-shonen and his friends had quite the experience of their own as well…but they too have succeeded. You both are going to have quite the stories to tell each other when you all finally return to Yuuei. Thankfully, that's going to be much sooner than you might've expected. With her help, Recovery Girl says you'll all be in good enough shape to leave first thing tomorrow…well, except for Togata-shonen. With Nighteye having to abdicate his position in his own Agency with the loss of his Quirk, some decisions need to be made of what's to become of it and his sidekicks as a result. Once that's settled, he'll be able to return just the same as everyone else."

While it was quite disheartening to think of just what Mirio had to be silently going through with the loss of his mentor, Tunguska's mind just as quickly raced to that of Ochako, Tsuyu and Nejire. They had lost Ryukyu in the worst possible sense of the word by comparison; there was no doubt in his mind that their anguish had to be a thousand times worse already. "What about malenkie Uraraka, Asui and Hadou? What's to become of them without Ryukyu-san to teach them?"

To this, Toshinori bowed his head in regret, sighing shakily. "I honestly don't know just yet. They're both helping the police to secure the scene of the mission, as well as to assess the damages and potential casualties as a result of Midoriya-shonen's battle with Chisaki Kai. It's still too soon for any such decisions regarding their internship futures to be made. The fact they're sticking to their duties, despite that pain, is as promising a sign as we can ask for in regards to them right now."

Realizing this was as good an answer as he was going to get, Tunguska let out a defeated sigh, hating the fact he couldn't be there for his two first-year students and their senior in this incredibly painful time for them all. "Alright…the confidence with which you said that we'd all be recovered enough to return to Yuuei tomorrow tells me that malenkii Kirishima is going to be alright…but that doesn't make the fact that I allowed him to get as injured as he did, hurt any less. That boy has looked up to me more than anyone all year, and I ultimately needed him to step into the fray to help me, and it very easily could've ended up killing him.

"Him, Nighteye-san, Ryukyu-san…this whole mission ended up being so damn close. If I can admit something to you right now, Toshinori-san…I wish I could just see and speak to Kolya again, just to hear his voice and know he's alright. Ever since the Provisional License and Pro Hero License Exams, it feels like we've hardly had any time to spend together as a family anymore. If I'd died out there today…I wouldn't even be able to remember what the last words I'd said to him would be."

There was no hiding the emotional anguish in Tunguska's voice as he tried so hard to fight back his oncoming tears of regret. Seeing this, Toshinori hurriedly handed him a tissue box for his relief. "I understand, Oleg-san. But don't forget, the mission is over, and you're still alive, as is Bezpalov-shonen. You're going to get to see each other again, so let these feelings of yours help you to try and close some of that distance between you and your son again. I have no doubts he would want the same thing if he's had anything of a close call as you all have today. I can just feel it. The bond you already have as father and son is too strong fundamentally to be broken by something like lack of time spent together."

Dabbing away at the tears in his one exposed eye, Tunguska was eventually able to reply: "Thank you, Toshinori-san…I know it's a simple kind of platitude, but it does really help. I'm going to do that, you know. The moment I see Kolya again, safe and sound, I'm going to repair that bridge between us, no matter what. Now…is there anything else noteworthy I missed while I was asleep?"

At this, Toshinori sat up straight once more, but Tunguska could still feel a troubled enough air about him as his eyes focused on the unseen horizon that was the future. "Yes, actually. I recently got a phone call from Gran Torino, somewhere out in the countryside. I know he was supposed to be part of this mission with the rest of you, but since he has also been a part of the investigation into the League of Villains for all this time, they'd recently obtained a lead they couldn't afford to pass up on, hence his absence from here. You see, he and Naomasa-san…they…*gasp*…they've actually managed to capture Kurogiri."

This particular news had Tunguska's one eye open wide with disbelief; a disbelief that quickly turned to further relief. "Then the League of Villains has just lost one of their biggest advantages. They can't warp across vast distances just like that anymore. Thank God."

However, just saying the name out loud nearly made Tunguska jolt and upset his injuries where he lay, as his eye frantically met the visibly surprised Toshinori's. "Oh my God, how could I forget?! Toshinori-san, we've got a serious problem! Not only were some of the League of Villains members present at the Hassaikai base, but Vukodlak was there as well, working with them! He's the reason malenkii Kirishima and I ended up so bad. All of his old wounds have been healed, and he's wielding a multitude of new Quirks I know for a fact he never had before! Chisaki Kai absorbing him and his Quirks was what allowed him to destroy Ryukyu-san in the first place!"

The sheer panic edging Tunguska's words was almost overwhelming, even for Toshinori. But the more he listened, the more his prominent brow furrowed in troubled thought. "Considering Vukodlak and All For One were sent to the same Villain prison, and with what you're saying about him running with the League and possessing multiple new Quirks, then it only makes sense that All For One would be directly responsible. How he's managed to store more than one Quirk in Vukodlak in the first place without having to turn him into a Nomu is distressing enough. He must be in possession of at least one incredibly rare gene the same as All For One, that allows him to possess more than one Quirk without ill-effect. But more than that; if All For One has somehow managed a strategy with Shigaraki Tomura and his colleagues to be able to facilitate and cover Vukodlak's escape without us or the authorities being informed of it first thing…damn him, even under the highest security, he's still proving craftier than even I expected."

Squaring his shoulders and breathing deep in preparation, Toshinori met Tunguska's equally determined gaze. "As soon as all of your injuries are fully healed, Oleg-san, and our investigation resources are back up and running in full; we'll head to Tartarus and question All For One personally. This and the League's recent movements need to be brought to the police and all other Hero Agencies and schools' attention as soon as possible."

However, Tunguska's focus was momentarily put off by his friend's specific choice of words, matched by the fluctuation in the rhythmic beeping of his vital signs. "What do you mean 'when our investigation resources are back up and running'? What have you not told me, Toshinori-san?"

Toshinori could feel his blood go cold, and Tunguska quickly felt the same, as he struggled to answer: "While we may have been able to take away the advantage Kurogiri gave the League…they may just gain a whole other advantage in his place, if not even worse. Shortly after they managed to apprehend him, they nearly got wiped out by something Gran Torino could only describe as a walking natural disaster, some behemoth that Kurogiri referred to as…Gigantomachia. He and Naomasa barely managed to escape with Kurogiri in tow, and nearly half their police support was wiped out from the onset…and by the time backup arrived, the creature had disappeared without a trace, with nearly half the mountain he'd been hiding in completely destroyed. There's no way of knowing where he could have possibly gone now."

The idea of such a creature roaming around with no eyes on him, and apparently being in league with All For One, left both men deeply shaken up, especially when Tunguska eventually asked: "The way you talk about it…you've never heard of that Villain having such a pawn before, have you, Toshinori-san?"

A solemn shaking of Toshinori's head was all he could answer with at first. "No…I haven't; and that's what worries me more than anything."

Nothing more needed to be said between the two from here on. They knew they were on the exact same page. Word of these developments needed to get to Yuuei, and from there to the rest of the Heroes across the country and to every Agency and police station all over. The League of Villains was already a serious threat, and Vukodlak was already a very formidable opponent. Now that he'd joined forces and been given a multitude of new abilities that could make his combat and infiltration effectiveness skyrocket; there was no more room for second guessing or doubt. Serious changes needed to be made for the security of Yuuei and its students, first and foremost. Then, the true work towards trying to neutralize their threat could finally begin, one way or another.

Present Day, Sunday, September 21st

Over the past week and even up until this very moment, riding the bus to the Remedial Training Center with All Might, Shoto and Bakugo; Tunguska had never been able to truly stop himself from thinking about everything he and his friend had discussed in that hospital room back then. Whenever he wasn't looking at his own reflection in the window at his permanently damaged right eye, he was simply gazing at the passing horizon, completely lost within his restless worries.

"Oleg-san, are you hearing me?" Thankfully, Toshinori's voice ultimately managed to break through for the first time in what felt like hours, even though it hadn't been nearly so long since they'd ultimately left Yuuei for the day. As Tunguska shook his head to try and get back in the present, Toshinori let out a tired sigh of his own. "Well, I suppose it doesn't make sense to ask if you heard me. What has you acting so distant today? Don't tell me you still haven't gotten around to talking to your son yet."

To his approval, though, Tunguska hurriedly shook his head; a smile of relief upon his bearded face. "No, no, nothing like that. In fact, I'd almost want to think you've got a Foresight Quirk of your own, Toshinori-san. Kolya was actually the one to break the ice and talk about us rebuilding our bridges last night before me. It's so hard to imagine there once would've been a time he never would've been able to be so forward, even with me."

Looking back to the passing cityscapes outside, Tunguska's voice dropped in worry. "No, I just haven't been able to stop thinking about everything we talked about that day in the hospital after the Hassaikai mission. With the League of Villains actually attacking Chisaki Kai and taking all his experiments and his lieutenants; I just haven't been able to stop worrying. I mean, what else could they be taking them all for, if not to try and make them into more super-powerful Nomus to send after us or anyone else?"

Toshinori brought a contemplative hand to his own chin, grumbling in acknowledgment of his foreign friend's many justifiable worries. "You're not wrong to think of such things. I honestly haven't been able to stop, myself. But even if we both may be shouldering the responsibility of chaperoning Todoroki-shonen and Bakugo-shonen; I still need you present here with us in every way you can. I know Bakugo-shonen may never willingly admit it, but the fact is that those boys need your guidance just as much as mine or any of the other teachers back at Yuuei, alright?"

Tunguska gave no sign of resistance to Toshinori's attempt at redirection, especially as he knew it wouldn't be much longer before they would finally reach their destination. Besides, even if Shoto and Bakugo weren't directly involved here; the foreign Pro Hero knew he could very well use the distraction to get his mind off of the countless unknown dangers brewing out there, even if just for a few hours.

It took no time at all once their bus had finally arrived at the building serving as the Remedial Training Center, for Tunguska and Toshinori to bid Bakugo and Shoto farewells and good luck on their days training, before just as quickly making their way for the stairwell that would take them up to the bleachers overlooking the entire training ground.

What neither man had counted on, however, was for the Russian exclamation of disbelief that greeted them the moment they had reached said floor: [[OH MY GOD! OLEG—I MEAN, TUNGUSKA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!]]

Tunguska and Toshinori both instinctively jolted, but the large Russian was immediately blown away when he saw three foreigners rushing over to him from across the room leading out to the bleachers: two men and one woman, one quite old with a long grey beard, and the others clearly a young adult couple, and a very familiar one to Tunguska especially, once he got a good look at the husband with semi-long blonde hair and porcelain-like complexion, who was currently looking up at Tunguska alongside his equally glowing wife as though he were looking upon an angel on Earth.

[[Alexei Igorovich? And I must assume this to be your wife? This is such a surprise, I never expected to see you out this way!]] However, Tunguska's own surprise paled in the face of the young couple's own enthusiasm, as Alexei's wife, Sasha, eagerly answered: [[Please, forgive us, Tunguska…but before I let myself get too emotional, I just have so much to thank you for before anything else! Not only saving my dear husband's life back in Vladivostok, but then even convincing him to take us and our baby Valera to this country where he could live in safety. That's already more than we could ever be able to thank you enough for!]]

Already, the pretty young woman was starting to give way to her emotional tears of gratitude, which Alexei quickly and dutifully tended to, while the smiling old man at their side; who had been translating for Toshinori's sake the entire time already; stepped forward, looking to Tunguska and Toshinori alike; unable to help looking just the slightest bit star-struck all the while. "And it's more than just allowing this lovely family a chance at a better life that we all must thank you for, Tunguska. First, allow me to introduce myself, gentlemen: Leonid Viktorovich Briner. I would like to personally thank you, All Might-san, for having taken Tunguska and his son into the arms of this country, so that boy could grow into the splendid Hero he's already proven himself to be. And let me thank you, Tunguska, for having raised such a courageous and good-hearted son as Solovei. Without him, I don't dare to imagine what could have become of our town of Gagaringrad; or even Mother Russia herself at this very moment."

Where Tunguska had at first been blown away by the return of such an unexpected familiar face as Alexei's; he and Toshinori both were now utterly speechless at the mutual realization of just who the old man addressing them truly was. All at once, Tunguska's chest was swelling with untold fatherly pride, to hear Leonid speak of Nikolay so sincerely. "Thank you for saying so, Leonid Viktorovich…but it's really All Might-san and my fellow teachers at Yuuei Academy you should be thanking, if not Kolya himself, and his friends. They've all helped him to become the Hero he is just as much, if not even more so. I can hardly take any kind of credit. I know Kolya would love to be able to see you all and your town with his own eyes again someday, to see how you're all faring. He and his classmates and friends have told us everything about what happened up there, how everything had gone down." [[Speaking of which; Alexei Igorovich, how is your boy Valera Alexeevich doing since the whole incident? No child so young should have to have experienced such a traumatic event so personally. I can only begin to imagine the toll it would have taken.]]

To his and Toshinori's surprise, though; neither of the parents looked to be as shaken as they'd expected; knowing what they did of what the couple's son had gone through. In fact, they both looked to be utterly overwhelmed with a pride of their own, as Alexei answered: [[I don't know where on Earth our Valera got it from…but for such a young boy, he's managed to bounce back from what happened better than I ever could have expected.]]

[[That's right; in fact, he's already started talking about how he wants to become a Hero just like Solovei and his friends when he grows up. That's why we moved out here from Gagaringrad and enrolled him in a local school, so he could grow up in an environment much more embracing of Quirks and Heroes altogether, with children his own age. He's already managed to start making friends like it was the most natural thing in the world.]] Sasha likewise sounded so overwhelmingly proud of their child the more she spoke, trying to blink away her tears all the while.

Once more tending to his wife, Alexei went on: [[As it turns out, Valera's preschool is actually partnered with some kind of organization dedicated to aiding in Hero training, and they've been selected to help participate in whatever test is going on here today. That's why we're here to oversee everything with all the other people here, including his teacher.]] With that, Alexei motioned his thumb across the room behind him to an especially kind-looking young woman who looked to have a multitude of colorful flowers for hair, looking out the nearby window overlooking the training grounds; very much looking the part of a preschool teacher.

Finally, Toshinori managed to find the room to actually get a word in himself: "For your boy to have managed to adjust to a whole new learning environment and become a participant in something like in such short time, and not be overwhelmed; it sounds like he'll develop some truly impressive Hero potential, if you don't mind me saying so already. The language barrier isn't proving an issue for him, I'm understanding?"

To this, Leonid let out a wry chuckle. "That's why I'm here and not sitting at home, managing the minor goings on in Gagaringrad. Valera Alexeevich still needs a little help in adjusting fully, so I've been making a point of coming down early each day before he leaves for school and applying my Linguistic Quirk on him for just that little bit of time. It'll help him learn to speak and think in Japanese like a natural in due time. The way this lovely couple tells it, it's already working wonders for the little tyke."

Before another word could be said, though, a musical electronic chime suddenly sounded from speakers mounted across the ceiling. "Attention, all officials and approved onlookers, today's training is set to begin in ten minutes. Please take your seats in the bleachers area."

With that, the doors leading to the bleachers finally unlocked, and everyone began eagerly making their way out; Alexei, Sasha and Leonid all eagerly expressing their gratitude to the two Heroes on their way out, as well as expressing a wish for them to sit with them once the time came, leaving both men quite flustered at such an unexpected and nostalgic encounter, in Tunguska's case.

"Well, I suppose we also ought to—"ALL MIGHT! COPYCAT!"

Toshinori was swiftly cut off by an unmistakable but unexpected bellowing of restrained spite from the very same stairs they had just ascended. Looking back, he and Tunguska were met by the towering and fire-covered form of an especially impatient-looking Endeavor; his eyes glaring daggers into both men before him. "I shouldn't even be surprised you'd one day come here with your knock-off glued at your hip, Former Number One."

Tunguska was momentarily at a loss of what to say, while Toshinori let out a sigh of what sounded like exasperation. "Endeavor. I'm honestly the one who's surprised. I didn't think you'd be able to get away from working nearly this often now that you're the new Number One, just to watch Todoroki-shonen's training; especially with news of the League of Villains acting out again so recently."

Tunguska had already been half-prepared by now to just be completely nudged out of the conversation entirely between the two men; hence why it made him nearly jolt in place when he looked to see the Flame Hero's menacing eyes were for once completely focused on him. "You'd be right, but once I heard who was to be chaperoning Shoto with you today, I needed to make a special exception. Much like you before, there's something I've been meaning to have a little talk with your…imitator about. Come."

With no further word, Endeavor made a beeline outside to the bleachers; the flames around his face, hands and feet refusing to dim in their intensity, and thus leaving Tunguska and Toshinori both completely flabbergasted, and with no choice but to follow after him. As cosmic levels of luck would've had it, the spot they ultimately ended up seating themselves at, just happened to be right near where Alexei, Sasha and Leonid had chosen as well; although the foreign trio was very quick to be intimidated by Endeavor's presence alone, even if he paid them no more mind than he would have an insect.

Down below, the eleven remedial course students from several different Hero schools finally began to step out from the doors lining the training grounds, approaching the edge of it, and all adorned in their respective Hero costumes. Leading the foray, naturally, were Bakugo and Shoto; both boys instinctively eyeing the bleachers above, and easily zeroing in on their two teachers, accompanied by the glaring fiery glow of Shoto's father, much to his silent and well-hidden chagrin.

And following closely at both their sides, were the two Shiketsu High students that were the ever physically enthusiastic, gauntlet, cape and burgundy jacket-adorned Inasa Yoarashi, sticking close to Shoto and completely ignorant of his annoyance at the fact; and the light brown-haired, full and glossy-lipped, and leather catsuit and white cufflink-wearing beauty that was the (this time proven genuine) Camie Utsushimi; absentmindedly keeping pace at Bakugo's side, and likewise ignorant of his abrasive atmosphere all around, as hers and Inasa's eyes were likewise naturally drawn to the bleachers.

"Hmm, I recognize that skinny guy up there; that's All Might, right? And I saw that fiery grumpy extra-looking guy too online; he's the new Number One, I think. But who's that big bulky foreign-looking man up there? He's totes new." Camie's summation of the three Pro Heroes above was as straightforward and airheaded in its innocence as could possibly be. In a way, it perfectly countered alongside Inasa's instinctive enthusiasm in answering her directionless curiosity:

"Utsushimi, you really don't recognize him!? Don't you remember from watching that huge fight on TV the night before All Might retired!? That's Tunguska, the new returned Pro Hero from Russia who's working with Fatgum, and at Yuuei as a teacher with All Might now! He used to be the Number One Hero back in Russia a long ways back! Man, three Number One Heroes, sitting in a row like that?! I can just feel the burning hot energy all the way from here! Did I tell you I actually got to fight alongside his son with Todoroki back at the Provisional Exams?! That guy's got a real burning energy to him, too! That's why we gotta make sure we burn just as strong; right, guys?!"

Shoto couldn't even bring himself to roll his eyes at Inasa's naturally overwhelming and far-too-forward energy, even if his answering showed no such signs of distaste, but rather his typical straightforward bluntness: "Bezpalov and several of our classmates did recently manage to save a whole town of Russian refugees up in Hokkaido last Saturday, in case you weren't already aware. I suppose such a sentiment of yours isn't entirely unfounded. I'm guessing those other foreigners up there with them may somehow be connected to that. The old man looks quite similar to someone he described."

The way Inasa's whole body came to a frozen stillness once Shoto's words sank in, was almost cartoonish in how abrupt it was, as was his immediate return to his excited demeanor: "No kidding, Todoroki?! You're serious?! Man, that just burns, it's so bright! Just to be expected of someone in Yuuei's Class 1-A, and coming straight from a Number One Hero, right?! I can't wait to see what you'll be able to do when the time comes! It might even be hotter than Endeavor himself! Maybe even hotter than all three of those Heroes up there, combined!"

However, Inasa's rambling and Shoto's explaining had all long since started falling on deaf ears, as the mention of Tunguska having a son was what finally made a switch of remembrance flip in Camie's head, as her already gorgeous face lit up with excitement. "Oooh, yeah, I remember! He's the dad of that total cutie foreign boy from the Sports Festival, right?! What was his name again? Niko, Miko, something like that? Aww, I'm so jelly of you, Yoarashi, for really real! You actually got to meet and talk to him in person?! Hey, if his dad's here, do you think he might be here, too? Hey, Todoroki, Bakugo, you wouldn't mind maybe slipping me his digits or maybe giving him mine when you see him next, would you? No, wait, that'd be, like, off-the-charts supes weird to suddenly get a totally rando girl's number out of nowhere, right?"

Finally, Bakugo's simmering frustration at Camie's incessant chatter reached its boiling point, as he swiftly snapped at her: "WOULD YOU SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT PEOPLE THAT AREN'T EVEN HERE AND FOCUS ALREADY?!"

All the while, all the talk between the students below never even reached the Heroes' ears, as the moment they had taken their seats, and Tunguska had seen how Endeavor's aura prevented his three fellow Russians from even working up the courage to speak; he immediately decided to break the already uncomfortable tension: "So, what exactly was it you wanted to talk to me about, Endeavor-san? If it's any kinds of pointers about being a Number One Hero, I'm afraid you'd be better served asking All Might instead."

Endeavor's fires never grew, but the frustration lining every fiber of his being certainly did, especially when Toshinori took that chance to awkwardly chime in: "Actually, I understand how easy it could be to have missed the details, but Endeavor actually did come to me the first time around about that, as he mentioned."

As Endeavor fiercely interjected; his hawk-like gaze never left his son before him: "I'll admit you carried yourself quite well during that battle in the Kamino Ward, despite your injuries…but pure Heroics isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, Tunguska; so don't make any more assumptions, understand? I actually wanted to see if you…*sigh*…might be able to help clarify something I've been trying to figure out that All Might himself suggested; the last we spoke. It's in regards to…to…*grumble*…figuring out exactly what kind of Number One Hero I want to be."

The fact that Endeavor was actually referring to him by name was shocking enough; but to actually hear him admit something so unexpected had Tunguska doing a double take to make sure he wasn't hearing things, and the fact his reaction was so outwardly obvious only made the Flame Hero's frustrated sneer that much more fierce. "You heard me, now stop making a scene! For years, All Might's example was the only thing I had to focus on when it came to one day becoming a Number One Hero in his place."

To this, Tunguska and Toshinori shared a momentary glance of bewilderment, with the scrawny former Pro giving a clueless shrug of the shoulders, similarly at a loss of what to possibly say. Finally, Tunguska just went with the only natural answer: "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but if you've looked at my track record for how I'd ended up leaving things back home, then you'd know already that I'm not a good person to ask for Number One Hero pointers, again. The best thing I could possibly suggest for you is to take a moment and think about exactly what kind of Hero you'd want to be for your children, first and foremost."

But to this, Endeavor's frustration turned into a simmering bitterness as he kept watching his son begrudgingly commingle with his fellow trainees. "That's something far easier said than done. Shoto's siblings have already grown well beyond the need for my protection, and he himself may have finally grown past his childish stubbornness when it comes to using my share of his Quirk…but there's still an insurmountable divide between us even beyond that. The boy barely speaks to me as it is, but the last time I came here to show him my support, and told him how I was planning to go about becoming a worthwhile Number One Hero for him, the only thing he said to me was that I should take a page out of you and your son's book if I wanted there to be any hope of anything substantial between us.

"At first, I thought he was just being stubborn and spiteful as always. I honestly don't know what you could possibly tell me that I don't already know when it comes to being a Hero or a father…but the more I think about it, the more I realize this infuriating seedling of doubt has taken root."

A momentary glance on Endeavor's part gave him slight pause, as he saw a flicker of what looked like recognition flash across Tunguska's eyes. "You know…I think I may actually understand what malenkii Todoroki was referring to then…assuming you do actually want to hear it, of course."

However, before Endeavor could actually give an answer one way or the other; the atmosphere in the entirety of the training center changed, as the students below were all suddenly being addressed from across the training grounds by none other than the sharp-dressed bipedal killer whale Hero that was Gang Orca.

"Looks like these last several days of hellish training have been paying off for you remedials after all! You've all been showing slow but sure signs of improvement in all the skills you'd sorely been lacking in from the start, whether it was raw power and the discipline with which to exercise it, achieving the speed with which to make difficult decisions and properly act, strategizing prowess, or simply being able to communicate and connect with your hearts to others! As your instructor, it's only natural for me to say that I'm proud of how far you guppies have come…at least, that'll be the case once I see how you all fare with today's special training, because today will be the day we see how well you all utilize everything we've taught you! Observe the screen!"

At Gang Orca's instruction, everyone in the room turned towards a single large monitor mounted on a distant wall. With the push of a button, it suddenly turned on, revealing what looked to be a fully functioning miniature city-scape just outside this very building.

"We have volunteers from multiple Hero training-based organizations occupying this city diorama outside, for this will be your training ground today, and we will all be observing your actions through the multiple cameras set up at every single corner. You may find this very similar to the second round of your original Provisional License Exams, but the way things work here are going to be considerably different. This time, instead of simply focusing on fighting off Villains and saving civilians from a disaster site; your jobs will be to neutralize as many of the Villain incidents we will be activating throughout the training ground at random, as quickly and as efficiently as possible, so as to keep them from causing any considerable damage, or putting the civilians in danger. Needless to say, if they do end up in a state of danger, it will be up to you to rescue them. A Hero's very first responsibility is to protect civilians from danger altogether, not simply rescue them once the damage is done. This will require careful strategizing, on-the-fly reaction time, and especially restraint of your more devastating Quirks in consideration for the people you're meant to be protecting."

Everyone, not just the trainees themselves, could just feel the growing weight of pressure and expectation setting upon their shoulders once they understood what it was they were supposed to do today; that realization leaving Shoto looking especially determined in the eyes, Camie visibly excited, and Inasa and Bakugo both practically ready to jump at the chance for some action. Observing this demeanor among the youngsters, Gang Orca continued: "There is one more detail I should inform you of before we begin, though: much like the Provisional Exam, you all will be getting scored throughout based on the effectiveness of your actions and how well you're able to protect or save the people you end up near when an incident occurs! However, the trainee among you who earns the lowest number of points will be subject to an extra training lesson of our choice after this one concludes; a remedial among remedials, if you will! Let that serve as incentive for you all to exercise everything you've learned up until now to the best of your abilities! Now then: let today's remedial Course Training begin!"

With that announcement, a large bay door across the training ground suddenly opened up, and with a single electronic alarm signaling the start of training, the eleven remedial students hurriedly went rushing out the other side onto the miniaturized city-scape standing tall behind the training center; every one of them soon easily spotted on multiple cameras, once the several other monitors lining the ceiling flickered to life, leaving everyone in the bleachers watching in full attention.

As a number of different incidents with the assigned fake Villains already began to unfold on multiple screens, with several of the trainees immediately flying into action; Tunguska knew now was as good an opportunity as ever to finally pick up where he had left off, when addressing Endeavor's previous concerns. "Let me clarify what I meant before anything else, Endeavor-san. The way I've come to understand it, every Number One Hero is completely different in just what motivates them to get to that level. All Might's told me more than once that his was the desire to take the anxiety off of everyone's faces and help them learn to truly smile again. And if what I've understood from you the first time we met at the Sports Festival is correct, then your motivation was simply to become the strongest Number One Hero ever.

"For me, my motivation back then was because I'd already come from a long line of sequential Number One Heroes back in Russia, so I felt I had an insurmountable obligation to fill the shoes they had left for me: those of a national symbol for all of Russia to gather behind in the face of adversity. My own father especially liked using that one with me when I was little. I had my share of moments where I doubted I would ever be able to do that, of course. But in time, after more than a few especially…well, very painful hurdles, there was a period where I felt like I'd actually accomplished just what I'd set out to do from the beginning. I felt I'd done my forefathers' legacies proud, and with all the praise, admiration and respect from so many of my countrymen I received…I'd foolishly let that blind me into thinking that I inherently could never fail, even if regretful choices had to be made in the heat of battle along the way."

Endeavor only sparingly took his eyes off the screens portraying Shoto in action, keeping his arms crossed in a silent display of impatience, as if to simply tell Tunguska to get to his point. When he heard the shakiness with which the Russian Hero breathed in to continue, though; the Flame Hero was finally driven to actually look upon the man next to him for more than just those passing glances, in a show that he now truly had Endeavor's attention.

"But when the Siberian Flash happened, when I'd been left with literally no other choice if I was going to be able to save the day again…and when I saw and heard just how much my actions had destroyed the lives of so many people all over; not the least of which including me and Kolya; the shame I felt was nothing short of suffocating, and I forced myself to carry that growing weight in silence for far too long…and along the way, I'd even lost the familial love of my own son in similar silence, and never even allowed myself to realize or accept it, until he'd all but shouted it right in my face, after we had come out here to start over."

Now, where Tunguska had previously been trying to keep himself from getting far too emotional for the sakes of everyone around them, now he was finally able to start sitting up tall and powerful again, much like Endeavor himself, as he finished: "It was only when I finally understood exactly what I had to do, and express the reality and guilt of what I'd done out loud, and accept the responsibility for it all to him, and he in turn having confessed all the feelings he hadn't been able to before…that was when it finally felt like that weight around my neck had been lifted, and I could actually breathe again…and we've all seen that it did the very same thing for Kolya, as well. It was from there, that the bridge between us that had so long ago been burned behind my back, had finally begun to repair. Even if my son and I haven't been able to spend as much time together as I would've hoped after we'd both gotten our Hero Licenses…I know that the connection is still there, waiting to be rejuvenated back to its full strength. I feel as though that, among so many other things, is what's helped Kolya grow into the Hero he is today…and it could very well do the same for you and your son, if you were both willing to try."

Now that Tunguska had reached what he understood to be his point, Endeavor once more turned his eye back to the screens lining the indoor training ground, watching with a silent and furrowed gaze as Shoto was visibly making quick work of every Villain he came across, with Inasa once more flying in at his side; both boys easily combining their respective Quirks, including both halves of Shoto's, to neutralize each target before they could even begin to start attacking whatever civilians were visible.

On the other hand, Tunguska was likewise watching the screens showing Bakugo in action, and his display was far less promising. Even after having been in Remedial Training for this long; his approach was still just as abrasive and overly aggressive as it had ever been. He was so ready to just charge headlong into the heat of battle, he wasn't paying any mind to the pockets of civilians he was ultimately leaving wide open to further Villain attacks in his rush, ultimately leaving Camie to use her own Glamour Quirk with her breath to try and distract the targets, so that she and whatever other remedial students were around could take them down much more safely.

Finally, a deep intake of breath with another menacing grumble of annoyance from Endeavor, forced Tunguska to look his way, and see that, even despite his constant angry gaze; the Flame Hero did indeed look to actually be thinking about everything he'd just been told; his flaming arms firmly crossed over his broad chest. "So what exactly are you suggesting: that I get on my knees, go over everything I've done for Shoto's sake to him, beg forgiveness and hope for the best? Because if so; then this truly was a waste of all our time. Unlike you, who already had the benefit of knowing the things you had done were wrong, and thus could pour out your guilt so much more easily, I've never considered the things I did to help make that boy as strong as he is to be wrong. From the beginning, for him and his siblings, I gave everything I had to make them all the best they could possibly be and more…and Shoto knows it very well. The boy is too damned intuitive when it comes to me, for something as simple as an admission of guilt or an apology to mean anything to him…because we both know it would be false."

But to this, Tunguska answered with unexpected assuredness: "But see, there it is: you're falling into the exact same trap as you did with All Might; following too closely in either of our footsteps, instead of simply forging your own individual path as a Number One Hero. Imitating his propensity for smiling, or my natural air of boisterousness, just wouldn't be you. I'm only telling you what I did in order to repair my relationship with my son, and how that ultimately helped me to figure out exactly what kind of Hero I wanted to be from now on. You're completely free to do whatever you want with whatever advice either of us has given you; or you can simply choose to ignore it all and do whatever you feel is best. All I'm saying is that we; not just as Heroes, but as fathers; have a duty to protect our children first and foremost.

"Maybe; and this is only a maybe; you could just take a little time to really think about just what kind of Hero any one of your children would want or need to protect them if things got too dangerous, even for them. Perhaps from there, you could be able to find that elusive first step towards becoming the Number One Hero you most want to be, in the end. But that's only my opinion, and nothing more."

Tunguska had nothing more to say from there; and to his and Toshinori's surprise and relief alike; neither did Endeavor, who instead simply spent the rest of the training time with his arms still crossed, closely observing Shoto and thinking hard of just what Tunguska had suggested to him all the while.

After nearly an hour, the last of the Villain targets in the city-scape training ground had been neutralized, and the electric alarm rang once more to signify the end of the training exercise. Within minutes, as the monitors all shut off, all eleven trainees made their return to the interior training ground, where Gang Orca was still patiently awaiting them to form an orderly line.

Nobody dared to say a word as the Killer Whale Hero looked the young Heroes over repeatedly, and then looking over their accumulated scores. Finally, with a thundering clap of his hands, he'd rendered what little noise there was to complete silence as he made his announcement at last: "Well, I'm pleased to see that many of you have indeed taken all of the lessons we've been imparting unto you over this Remedial Course so far to heart. Nearly all of you have managed to keep the damage to the city, and the risk to the civilians, as close to its bare minimum as humanly possible, through the combination of your open-mindedness to teamwork, utilizing your own Quirks carefully and efficiently with haste, and always keeping the safety of the people at the forefront of your minds. Well done, to you…well, most of you, at least."

The tension in the air had already become unbearably thick, as Gang Orca's gaze, and soon those of every single person in the room, fell upon Bakugo; already hunching his shoulders and sneering in preparation to fight back. "Unfortunately, as I said, there was inevitably going to be someone with a lowest score…and I sadly can't say I'm entirely surprised that this title falls to you, Bakugo Katsuki! Your control and mastery of your Quirk in battle is undeniable, as is your natural-born boldness and its potential to inspire others to follow you…but you once again lack the discipline and kindheartedness that a Hero is meant to possess, so that people will look up to them. Your aggression and the inherently volatile nature of your Quirk, left multiple people in your area of the training ground vulnerable to extensive danger, not least of all from yourself. Carrying on the way you are right now, you are on the fast track to losing civilians that could otherwise have easily been saved from danger…and unfortunately, that is why you will have to be the student who now has to partake in the secondary training today. Please accompany the staff to the room designated for this backup course, and you will receive your instructions. Everyone else, you all may have ultimately passed today, but your responsibilities here don't end there. You will be assisting in the cleanup duty of what damage has been done to the training ground in the meantime."

Bakugo's expected ear-piercing shouting tirade never came, as he instead defiantly tucked his fists into his pockets and begrudgingly followed the two suited individuals waiting at one of the doors, while the rest of his fellow trainees just as quickly made their way back outside to repair the damages done over the course of their own training.

All the while, Tunguska and Toshinori both watched this disappointing display with heavy sighs tumbling out their mouths once Bakugo was no longer in sight. While the boy kept showing extensive promise in some areas; in others, he was still just as lacking as he had been from the start of the year.

Before either teacher could say anything, though; they found themselves likewise being approached by men in similar suits, with others even approaching Leonid, Alexei, Sasha, and the flower-headed preschool teacher just a little ways away. "Forgive us for the intrusion, everyone; but could you please accompany us to the viewing room? As personal connections to both subjects of the secondary training, it's only right that you all attend."

Nobody asked any questions on their way further and further down, to the point they all simply knew they had be in the basement level of the training center. Within minutes, they all found themselves standing in what looked like one of those observation rooms meant to overlook police interrogations, as there was a single two-way mirror on the wall opposite from them, where a single middle-aged, semi-long-haired and utterly exhausted looking man, Yokumiru Mera, sat at attention, looking in on an elongated and dark room on the other side. At that very same moment, one door on one end of that same room opened, through which Bakugo apprehensively stepped in alone.

"Excuse us, but what exactly is the basis for Bakugo-shonen's backup training?" Toshinori asked Mera once the door behind them closed.

Never taking his eyes off the troublesome young trainee behind the glass, Mera answered for all of his expected fellow observers: "You all have no need to worry, this is nothing like a CQC test or anything of the like. We have all of our volunteers randomly inserted into different sections of the training ground, and monitor which trainees end up going there over the course of the training session itself. Once the test is over and their scores are finalized, we pick one or two of the volunteers placed in those areas at random, to participate in this specific test."

The moment Mera explained this, Tunguska and Toshinori both could feel the air around Alexei and Sasha go deathly cold, as the young mother clutched her husband's sleeve anxiously. [[Alexei…if they called us down here to watch this; that must mean they picked our Valera to participate. We both saw how volatile that boy's Quirk is, not to mention how quick to anger he is. How can we possibly think he's in no danger?"

As though to specifically answer her question, the intercom suddenly sprang to life in this room and the one Bakugo was still standing in, in his bristling impatience, and Mera proceeded to speak into the microphone steadily: "Welcome to your backup training session, young hot-blooded guppy. This may prove to be your chance to really show just what all you've learned thus far."

With the push of a single nearby button, the other side of the room suddenly lit up, and as both foreign parents gasped with surprise, Bakugo now found himself standing before a tiny foreign child with messy blonde hair, covered in what looked like dust and tiny specks of rubble, currently babbling and crying over a motionless and bloody old woman lying before him, as he kept desperately trying to shake her back to consciousness.

Thankfully, Mera could just as easily feel the air growing around the two parents behind him, as he kept his fingers off the button to activate his microphone, addressing them both from over his shoulder: "You all don't need to worry. No matter the age of our chosen volunteers, we always make sure to let them know this is all just an act for the trainees; letting them know what they should say, how to behave and all that. Your boy is perfectly fine. Besides, with what his teacher has said about how quickly he's already managed to connect with his classmates in so little time after what you've all gone through, I believe he may be even better suited to something like this than most children his age."

It was hard to tell if his words were actually calming Alexei and his wife, but Mera couldn't afford to wait any longer to find out, as he once more spoke into his mic: "Anyone with a Quirk can exercise its pure strength and power and go around calling themselves Heroes, but it's the heart that is the most divining factor of them all. You've proven yourself by now to have the physicality part of it all down. But now it's time to really show your mettle, through the content of your true character.

"It's a fact many of us don't like to acknowledge in this society of ours, but the sad truth is that there has never been a single Hero, no matter how great, who has always managed to save every single person who has ever needed their help. Inevitably, at some point down the long and arduous road of a Hero's career, there will be that one person they simply could not save in time, no matter the reasons or circumstances. Such failures can either be taken to heart and help strengthen your resolve that much more, or it can eat away at your spirit and ultimately break you. It's time to show us, and perhaps even yourself, just which one you are.

"Your objective here is to try and speak earnestly and reassuringly to a couple of the people your recklessness prevented you from protecting or saving. Heroes need to be able to calm and heal the hearts and minds of people at any given moment, but especially those of their admiring and impressionable young followers that will one day take the reins of the future. If you can manage to pull this off, starting now, you can still redeem yourself for this day's training. Begin."

With that, Bakugo's whole physical demeanor seemed to go completely rigid, like he was just getting ready to squat down into his usual battle-ready fighting stance, while at the same time, Valera's crying only seemed to grow further in hysterics, soon lifting his head so he could finally see the single young Hero student approaching him apprehensively. "P-p-p-please…please help…Mr. Hero, help! M-my…m-m-my…g-g-*sob*my grandma, she…she's not moving! Help make her better, please!"

As Tunguska, Toshinori, Leonid, Alexei, Sasha and Valera's preschool teacher all observed every moment between the little boy and Bakugo alongside Mera; so too was Bakugo himself closely taking in everything about the dirty sobbing child in front of him and the bloody old woman lying between them. The kid was definitely foreign, he could tell that much even before being given the rundown for this training. What caught his attention, however, was that the thick accent lining the boy's Japanese was instantly recognizable, as it sounded very close to the accent Nikolay's Japanese was always lined with.

Taking that into consideration, alongside the three foreigners he'd seen sitting with Tunguska and Toshinori in the bleachers, and then comparing at least two of their appearances to some of the descriptions of people given by Nikolay and the others that had been in Hokkaido with him; a spark of subtle realization lit up in Bakugo's head, finally bringing his slow and hesitant approach to a stop, as he squared himself up, readying himself to finally break the increasingly tense silence between himself and Valera, ultimately taking a huge leap of faith on his sense of intuition.

"First, why don't you stop with all the sobbing and take a minute to breathe? You're not a baby anymore; crying for help isn't gonna magically make all your problems go away!"

The sheer bluntness of such an abrasive opening statement from Bakugo had nearly floored everyone in attendance, leaving Valera visibly shocked silent, and Tunguska, Toshinori, Mera and everyone else in complete disbelief at the hotheaded young Hero's choice of approach.

But Bakugo was far from done once he realized he'd effectively gotten the boy before him to quiet down and listen. "Listen, kid; I've heard a lot about you from…someone else not here we don't need to dwell on; especially about what that Quirk of yours can do. If your granny there is really in as bad a shape as you say she is; then why not use that Quirk to make her all better yourself? You've got the tool you need to fix the problem right at your fingertips, right?"

Valera clearly looked to be trying to think of how to answer such a question, and Bakugo's attention was so thoroughly fixed on him, he never once knew how many eyes were watching his every move, how many ears were listening to his every word. Among them, Tunguska frankly couldn't believe that Bakugo had actually been listening to Nikolay's Hokkaido story thoroughly enough to actually associate the little foreign boy with all the other foreigners with him in the bleachers, and thus put it all together just by the appearance and the accent alone.

Finally, Valera managed to start nervously answering: "I…I-I shouldn't. My-my mama and papa…they said…*hic*…they said I shouldn't…use my Quirk. I…I think I make people…act bad when I make them get up again. This big man back home…he was nice to everyone…then he fell down and really hurt. The big boys and girls, they asked me to make him all better…and when I did, he…the nice big man started doing really bad things. I don't wanna make people bad with my Quirk. I wanna be a Hero and do good things for people, like the nice big boys and girls that saved me; like you."

Bakugo, miraculously, didn't sneer in his typical disinterest or disgust as Valera made his fears known as best a boy his age could. When he was sure the child had said all he could think to, the explosive young Hero sucked in a clearly aggravated breath through his grinding teeth. "Look, kid, not everybody's wired the same right out the gate, you understand? You're just a single step above a mindless baby, there's no way you could know for sure what that guy was like before. Hell, for all you know, he could've had his wires crossed from the start, and you bringing him back just made it that much worse. That doesn't mean everybody's like that. The ones that are, are the ones that eventually become Villains, the very Villains Heroes like me are there to beat the crap out of for the sake of people like you who can't do anything for themselves, and not just because you're still little. But if the fact this happened to one person you used your Quirk on, is gonna scare you this much, and make you not wanna use it, then what kind of Hero could you possibly hope to be when you grow up?"

This question clearly hit hard for Valera, as the little boy was now looking down to the old woman on the floor, and then to his own tiny hands, before clenching them into tiny balled fists and stubbornly met Bakugo's intense gaze. "I wanna be a Hero that's all big and strong and helps people not get hurt, like Solovei and all his friends…or like you, Mr. Hero! But…my Quirk doesn't make bad guys go away. It just makes things that don't feel good, feel better and get back up."

Then, to the surprise of everyone, even himself, Bakugo suddenly closed much more of the distance, and actually knelt down so he left Valera no choice but to meet his eyes head-on. "With that kind of attitude, you're gonna end up being a pretty pathetic Hero, you little rugrat! You wanna know how real Heroes act? It doesn't matter worth a crap what their Quirks are, they still go out there and they take on any asshole dumb enough to try and cause trouble, and they do whatever they have to in order to win and save the day! That's what Heroes like All Might do, and that's what I'm gonna do…and if you just suck up that fear you're feeling, tell it to shut its damn mouth, and keep putting your body and your Quirk through the wringer to get yourself stronger; then you just might end up being that kind of Hero one day, too! But not if you're too scared to even try! If you let yourself fall into that kind of state, then the incredible power your Quirk gives you…is completely wasted."

To Bakugo's silent surprise, Valera didn't look to be anywhere near ready to start just crying again. As far as he was concerned, that was one of the best signs he could've asked for that the kid was actually taking his words into consideration. And at the same time, within the observation room, Tunguska, Toshinori and Leonid were all similarly left speechless at what they had just seen transpire, especially when Mera was momentarily drawn from the unfolding scene, when several monitors lining the side of the room began sending out a multitude of beeps and chimes, forcing him over to observe for himself. "Incredible. All the sensors we have set up in that room to observe the brainwaves, heart rates, stress levels and vitals of the volunteers…they're all completely stabilized from where we'd asked that boy to get himself at the start. Bakugo-kun, he…I don't know how it's possible, but…he actually did it, exactly what he was specified to do. He passed the one-on-one communication test."

Naturally, Valera's parents were both completely shocked that their little boy had taken Bakugo's abrasive and foul-mouthed approach at a pep talk and motivational speech so astoundingly well. And at the same time, even as they voiced their shock to Leonid; Tunguska and Toshinori both felt an incredible swelling of pride in their chests. "Well, that's likely one of the biggest pleasant surprises I've seen in quite some time. Bakugo-shonen really did learn from all of these lessons, hasn't he?"

Crossing his arms proudly over his chest, Tunguska couldn't help but similarly smile alongside his friend. "Indeed he has. At the start, he thought raw power was all it took to make a worthwhile Hero. The boy is finally proving himself."

It wasn't very long after Bakugo had been informed he'd passed the backup test, that soon it was time for all of the remedial course students to finally start heading back to their respective schools. As Bakugo and Shoto re-emerged back in their Yuuei uniforms; both boys still found themselves being closely followed by the similarly re-dressed Inasa and Camie, who were both closely observing their every move and hint in their body language and expressions.

"Hey, Bakugo, you really can't throw us a bone here?! What was the backup training lesson like?! Did they put you through something real burning, like a one-man death gauntlet?!" "Yeah, you don't look nearly as pouty or fuming mad as when you left. Did you actually manage to do something right today?"

It was easy for Bakugo to initially ignore both Shiketsu High students' constant prodding and passing commentary, keeping his face screwed tight with that impatient sneer with his fists in his pockets. But by the time they were finally stepping out the front doors to where their respective busses were waiting for them, he finally gave a deeply grumbled answer: "You really wanna find out so bad, then lower your own game and find out yourselves next time. Heroes can go ahead talking people up all they want, but that doesn't mean it works on everybody so easy. That's why I gotta keep getting stronger. Maybe then I can be the first Hero that breaks that stupid shitty curse and stops incidents like that, that need all that talking, from happening in the first damn place."

Of course, Bakugo's follow-up grumbling was mainly meant as a motivator for himself to keep pushing himself as hard as he could possibly go; as it went completely over the easily-excited Inasa and just-as-easily-distracted Camie's heads; as both of them immediately made a beeline for Tunguska and Toshinori the moment they'd seen them before the Yuuei Academy bus, catching both adults completely by surprise.

"ALL MIGHT, TUNGUSKA, IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO FINALLY MEET YOU BOTH HERE IN PERSON! I HOPE MY DISPLAY WASN'T UNDERWHELMING FOR EITHER OF YOU, BEING NUMBER ONES BEFORE LIKE YOU WERE! I CAN ONLY HOPE TO BECOME A HERO THAT BURNS AS BRIGHT AND HOT AS YOU BOTH HAVE! CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE MY SINCEREST GREETINGS AND WISHES OF GOOD LUCK TO YOUR STUDENTS AT YUUEI FOR ME?! HEARING WHAT SO MANY OF THEM HAVE RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED, IT'S ONLY RIGHT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE MY RESPECT AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL OF IT!"

"Seriously, Yoarashi, tone it down before you lose your voice again. You don't have to be so extra all the time, for realsies." The moment Camie had to step in to make Inasa take a step back from overwhelming both Heroes with his forward nature; the overly enthusiastic Shiketsu boy was already expressing his sincerest apologies while leaving the dent in the sidewalk with his forehead to prove it.

And while he was doing this; Camie herself had an especially bubbly and excited smile on her glossy lips as she took the chance to close the distance and hurriedly scribble something on a tiny piece of paper before all-but forcing it into a dumbstruck Tunguska's hand. "Sorry for the rush, but you're, like, totes the dad of that super-cute foreign Yuuei boy from the Sports Festival, right? I know this is totally not the blasé normal way of doing it, but could you please give that to him for me when you see him next? I'm supes bummed I didn't get to see him at the actual License Exam and all, but maybe this could make up for it."

Camie was so oblivious to just how awkward and uncomfortable her own forwardness was making Tunguska especially feel, as he couldn't even think to answer anything she was saying in regards to Nikolay. By the time the sounds had even started to come back up his throat, she was already happily taking her leave with an enthusiastic smile and wave to Bakugo and Shoto, nearly having to drag Inasa along behind her towards the Shiketsu High bus, all the while.

With that, it finally felt like they would all be able to at last start making their way back home; Shoto about to take the lead before Bakugo began impatiently stomping his own way onboard.

"SHOTOOOO!"

The sudden echoing and authoritative boom of Endeavor's voice shattered the otherwise peaceful air around the Yuuei bus, as Shoto begrudgingly came to a stop, looking back disdainfully to see his father standing tall and stern just mere feet behind him; his inescapable and intimidating gaze almost literally burning into him.

Finally, only turning halfway back as a physical sign of all the attention he was willing to grant his father now of all times, Shoto bluntly answered: "What do you want? Should you really be spending your time as the new Number One, watching my every move more than you already have?"

It was impossible to tell if Shoto's attitude was having any kind of an effect on Endeavor inside, as he never softened his naturally fierce and fiery demeanor. For a few incredibly tense moments, father and son could only stare each other down…before, without build up or warning, the Flame Hero bluntly asked: "Tell me, Shoto: what kind of Hero is it that you find yourself admiring? What kind of Hero would you have ever wanted to save you if need be?"

Tunguska and Toshinori were both nearly bowled over by the fact that Endeavor was actually following through on the Russian Pro Hero's advice so soon, and so outwardly forward. But even their surprise paled in comparison to Shoto's; who could only momentarily look up at his father like he'd truly lost his mind to be asking such an out-of-nowhere question of him.

But, just like everything else involving his father, Shoto's surprise quickly returned to that lifelong bitterness, as his once widened eyes narrowed with impatience and distaste. "What's the point, asking me something like that? From the beginning, you always trained me and my siblings to be strong enough to where we would never even need to be saved by anyone."

With that and nothing more needing to be said, Shoto turned back to continue the rest of the way to the bus with a determined energy in his step, leaving Endeavor visibly frustrated at having been denied his first-step towards real Number One Hero self-discovery.

However, it was a momentary glance to Tunguska and Toshinori; and seeing the subsequent subtle smiles and nods of approval from the watchful Heroes; that managed to actually slightly quell the fire burning fiercely in his heart.

From Pro Heroes to one another, and from one father to another; the smiles on both their faces communicated so much to Endeavor on a fundamental level; primarily stating to him: 'You're trying…and your son knows it, now.'

And in its own way, that was enough of an incentive for the Flame Hero, the new Number One Hero in Japan, to not give up on this new approach just yet; as evidenced as he gave only the slightest of acknowledging nods to his peers, before turning his back to them and finally taking his leave; more than ready to continue on this way towards finally figuring out exactly what kind of Number One he himself truly wanted to be, for his children and everyone else out there.

And there it is, everyone, the new chapter of the week. I hope you all enjoyed it!

Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control are forcing me out of state the next weekend, so there is sadly not going to be a new chapter next week. But, all things permitting, we'll be back on track with the next chapter wrapping up the Remedial Course Arc on Saturday, 12/10!

Until then, I hope you all take good care of yourselves and enjoy life, and I will see you all then. I hope you're all looking forward to it!