Alright so first this chapter was suppose to have the aftermath of the obstacle course and the planning part of the second event. But I didn't like how they flowed, so I'm splitting them up, so this chapter is a little shorter than usual. Second, I will be on the road this coming weekend and will had have a chance to post next Sunday. I will post the following Monday and with being on the road for three days, I hope to get this serious writing in.
Moving on, Last chapter we saw the end of the obstacle course and now we see the reaction to the other parties involved.
As always I do not own MY HERO ACADEMIA or Marvel or any of their characters.
With that let's begin.
Inko was only half listening to the board of directors as they talked about the quarterly income of Sutein Co. Despite there being real income for the company, Inko knew full well that the amount within the folder in front of her was not the real amount, hidden backroom deals, personal expenditures stricken from the record. Then there were black market deals, those had taken some time to find, but Inko was patient. Yet she couldn't just go to the police, someone on the board was bound to find her out, even then Sutein Co was a well-liked company, and to have such a shady underbelly the police wouldn't believe it.
Yet at the moment, none of that managed to Inko, she was only half listening to the meeting. The other half of her attention was listening to the headphone that was in her right ear, which was connected to her phone. She was listening to the highlights of the UA's Sports Festival and it was just reaching the end of the First event. "And the first student back is Gizon Hisahito from Class 1-A." Present Mic announced "And right behind him is Izuku Midoriya from class, hold on, am I reading this right? Izuku Midoirya from Class 1-H, that's the support department. Ladies and gentlemen for the first time in UA history a student from the support department has won second place at the Sports Festival."
Inko smiled and tried to contain herself, Izuku had won, he had gotten second place only to be beaten by one hero crouse student, meaning he had left the other 39 in the dust. As pride swelled in Inko's chest, she let out a semi-quiet, "Yes."
That caught the attention of everyone else in the meeting, who turned to Inko. Chief Director Aki Noa cleared her throat and then asked, "Is there something you would like to add to his meeting, Mrs Midoriya?"
Inko blinked a bit, as in her excitement she had forgotten where she was. She stared back at Chief Director Aki Noa, the worst member of the board. Inko used her happiness over her son to hide her disdain, "Forgive me. I'm listening to UA's Sport Festival and the first year just completed their first event."
The entire board looked at Inko with contempt, until Oki Ran reminded them," Your son is in the support department?" -Inko nodded, "How did he do?"
As Ran asked that question, Inko could see in the other member's eyes, they weren't expecting a decent answer. And why wouldn't they, what could a support student have against a hero student? Inko gave a smug grin and said, "He got second, only a few seconds behind a hero course student."
The board all gave false smiles and Eito Mio asked, "What was the event. It's UA, it must be something challenging."
"Well if you consider fighting against giant robots, a 'bottomless' pit and a minefield challenging, then yes. And Izuku did well to stay in the lead for most of the obstacle course." Inko said.
"Oh, well keep us informed of how well your son does." Chief Director Aki Nio said, already thinking of a plan for how to use Izuku's success to have him intern at Sutein Co and boost their standing within the hero community. While offering him an internship, it would be easier to watch mother and son if they were under the same roof.
Back at UA, the crowd was cheering over the excitement of the course. There had been spectacular moves, amazing comebacks and surprises all around. The only person not completely joining in on the celebration was Toshinori. He was happy for the student, yet with how tired he was, he didn't show much excitement. He was leaning against the railing looking down at the field, Gizon getting first place was no surprise, his quirk just put him a step above his classmates. Yet it was surprising how into it he got, Toshinori was expecting Gizon to leisurely run his way through the different obstacles. And it seemed Izuku Midoriya was the reason for it. After the first meeting with the support student after the USJ, Toshinori hadn't kept too many tabs on him, he was a heroic teacher and he was a support student. They didn't often cross paths, only hearing from Eraserhead and Powerloader when Izuku had gotten into trouble with Hawks. And who could blame Toshinori as he focused rightfully on helping his successor?
But now, Toshinori was wishing he had, as Izuku had come out of nowhere to get second. And just seeing how advanced Izuku's inventions were above everyone else, kind of reminded Toshinori of his old friend David Shield. Even more, Toshinori had to hand it to Izuku, he was a good showman. Though Toshinori knew that there were ropes at the bottom of the pit, his heart still momentarily stopped when Izuku fell into the pit. But then Izuku came flying out and everyone got a good look at Izuku's eyes. Many would see that a fire had been lit under Izuku and that was causing him to do what he did. But Toshinori could tell, it wasn't a firing being lit, it was being fanned.
Izuku Midoriya had something to prove. And was it that fire that had gotten Gizon into the event? It looked like he was taking Izuku's actions as a challenge, as Izuku was trying to prove he could be a hero, was Gizon trying to prove he was better than Izuku? Gizon didn't portray himself as that, so why else had Izuku caught Gizon's attention?
"First and second place did well enough. They conversed their strength until they knew they could gain the upper hand and keep it?" Toshinori was pulled from his thoughts as he heard some students behind him. A group of business students were leaning against the wall and talking amongst themselves.
"But just look at them, they are both kind of plain looking. Second place having it worse." The second business student said, gesturing to Izuku and Gizon.
"True, but first did have that small light showing going on with his quirk. And second place, being from the support course, he's going to have a lot of company looking at him. Present Mic did say that a support student has never won second place before." A third business student said.
"Yes, and look at this equipment. Anyone can see how advanced it is, but the question is what all his equipment can do. Simply make him fly, there are plenty of other heroes and support equipment that can do that. It will be interesting to see what else he can do or is he just a one-trick pony." The first business student said.
Toshinori nervously chuckled, it seemed the business course students were still as cutthroat as ever. Analyzing everything and taking everything into account, but that's not to say they weren't wrong. Toshinori looked back down at Izuku, with his green hair and freckles he didn't stand out among the students with more unique features from their quirks, though anyone with an inventor's mind would know the equipment Izuku was wearing wasn't some that could be brought off the shelf.
Toshinori thought back to the holograms he had seen when he meant Izuku. His focus had been on the villain's suit, but he had seen what Izuku's suit looked like. Toshinori almost wished he had gotten a photo of it to show to David Shield, then David could tell him how advanced it was. Though Izuku might not appreciate that, copyright and all that. Yet if he was planning on wearing the whole suit, the Class 1-A and 1-B had an even bigger surprise coming. And depending on when he put it on, he could easily make a big show out of it. Toshinori laughed a bit, reminiscing on his youth when he always tried to put on a good show when he showed up to a battle, then cringed a bit as he remembered how often it didn't work.
Down on the field, Izuku watched as Gizon walked away to help one of his classmates from a different classmate. And though it was subtle, Izuku didn't like the look Gizon had gotten when Izuku said his repulsors were his father's design. It is judgmental but not in the same way Zeke judged him, what could Gizon possibly be thinking about? Was Gizon thinking that Izuku had only gotten second because of his equipment? Without it would he have never finished, sure Izuku wasn't as fit as the hero course student, but he wouldn't have let that stop him from doing his best. In the end, wasn't that the most important?
Izuku's attention was drawn from his thoughts as he heard Mei's name was announced and his worries quickly disappeared. He turned to look at the finish line, just in time for a blur to tackle him to the ground. Once Izuku's vision cleared he looked up and saw Mei smiling down at him. He took in how exhausted she looked, but how proud she was to have gotten 40th, and it didn't help that the sweat on her arms was making them glisten.
"I can't believe you got second, if you have flown from the start you have gotten first," Mei said as she sat on Izuku's midsection. Her thighs instinctively began squeezing Izuku's side and she managed not to blush at that. Whenever Izuku wore any of his equipment, Mei couldn't help but think of that dream she had.
"Thanks, but I doubt it. Hisahito would have caught up to me anyhow." Izuku said, forcing his eyes to focus on hers, as he knew looking lower would not be gentleman-like. And Inko had made sure to raise the most upstanding gentleman the world had ever seen.
"So what made you suddenly start flying?" Mei asked as she pointed Izuku in the chest. She had seen him jumping into the pit and she had almost yelled her name, the screaming only not coming out because it got stuck in her throat out of fear. But when he reappeared, she couldn't help but cheer his name and then use everyone's confusion to jump forward some spots.
"I realized I was holding myself back. Though I had to wait to prove myself, when I should have been going all out from the beginning, prove myself through everything and I wasn't just a one time kind of thing. And good job yourself you got 40th," Izuku said, shrugging his shoulders.
Mei laughed, jumping up and down a bit.
"Uh, Hatsume. You're making it a little hard to breathe." Izuku said as the wind was knocked out of him. Nor did the location of her butt help Izuku's mind at all, but before his mind could wander to that place, his social awkwardness kicked in. Something Izuku had never been more thankful for than in that moment as it kept his gentlemanly status.
"Are you calling me fat, Izuku Midoirya?" Mei yelled as she stopped bouncing and glared down at Izuku, with a bit of playfulness in her eyes
Izuku's brain restarted and he was able to quickly laugh and say, "No, just your equipment and you're sitting on my lungs." It had been a long time since Izuku had gotten used to Mei's antics such as that, but it didn't help him with the small blush he got on his cheek.
"Good answer," Mei said, as she got off of Izuku and then held her hand out. Izuku accepted Mei's hand and she hauled him to his feet, "So what now Mr Second Place?"
As if to answer her question, Present Mic announced, "Now that all students have passed, we'll be taking a small hour break. After the break the second event will be announced all with placement."
"Come, let's see if we can find my parents and get some food." Mei said, grabbing Izuku's hand and pulling him off the field. In the hallways, Izuku and Mei weaved their way through the growing crowd until they got to the food court. Where they found Mei's parents sitting at a table with a briefcase.
A briefcase they had brought to store Izuku and Mei's equipment, and yet while Mei stored her equipment, Izuku opted to keep his on. He explained it by saying since his equipment had more screws and took longer to slip on and off, he was just going to keep them on for the day. But in reality, in his mind, his equipment gave him power, power to stand up for himself and show the world that he was. And after doing so well with said power, Izuku didn't want to depart with it.
The Hatsume had already bought some food, so Izuku and Mei dug in, happy for the chance to refill their tanks.
"I'm so proud that my daughter is moving to the second round." Mr Hatsume wrapped Mei in a huge bear hug as she tried to stuff her face with noodles. Izuku smiled at the sight, though it made him wish that his mom could be there to congratulate him, but he knew she was listening through her phone. He would probably get a text once she was done with all of her meetings.
"I only got 40th place. It was Izuku that got second." Mei said, trying and struggling to break the hug. Izuku guessed a perk of being an engineer was having massive grip strength, as Mr. Hatsume tightened the hug around his daughter.
"Yes that he did. I'm proud that you managed to get the flight issue taken care of. Though when you jumped down into that hole, I think you nearly gave everyone a heart attack." Mrs. Hatsume said, rubbing Izuku's hair, "Where's your mother?"
"Sorry. I realized I was holding myself back. If I want to be transferred to the hero course, I need to prove myself. I figured doing that was a good way to get everyone's attention." Izuku sheepishly said. He should have figured that out sooner, but it was the first time he had been a part of something like this. So it was natural for him to revert to his isolated younger self, "As for my mother, she's still stuck in Fukuoka."
"Well you most definitely got everyone's attention, especially your stunt with the second obstacle. Afterwards, Present Mic had the jumbotron stay on you and the students from 1-A, the you and the yellow hair pulled ahead and everyone was on the edge of their seats." Hawks said, pulling out a chair and sitting down next to Izuku, "I saw you attack the blonde spiky-haired kid from Class 1-A. Your skills have improved since last week. You must be the Hatsumes'." Hawks looked over at Mr. and Mrs Hatsume, "I've had a chance to see your daughter work in action. I'm no engineer, but your daughter has real talent."
Mr Hatsume's eyes turned to stars, having a chance to talk to such a high-ranking hero, he had been the same with Miroku game in for repair. Luckily for him, he was able to hide behind the amount of stardrum Izuku showed. Some while Mr Hatsume calmed himself down by taking a sip of water Mrs. Hatsume deeply bowed. However, Hawk's smile faltered a bit and he said, "Mind if I borrow Midoriya for a bit."
"Sure." Mei responded, as before her parents were dumbfounded, both still absorbing the praise of the number 3 hero.
"Thanks." Hawks wrapped his arm around Izuku's shoulder and led him away from the crowd. They didn't say anything until they were alone in an empty hallway. At which point Hawks sighed and leaned against the wall, "Well needless to say you're screwed."
Izuku was confused, he had a slow start but he finished in second place. He had overcome the first event and people knew who he was. Izuku tried not to panic at that thought, people knew who he was, not great to have when you're antisocial and an introvert. Yet what could Hawks be talking about?
"What do you mean, I was able to use my training to get second. That's the first time in UA history, Present Mic said so. I'm one step closer to getting transferred and I plan to keep that momentum forward. Show UA I deserve a second chance," Izuku tried to focus on that thought.
"Yes. Congratulations on that, by the way. I'm sure UA will be having a meeting about you and your becoming transferred. But I mean you're screwed in terms of the Hero Public Safety Commission. After Fukuoka, they IDed you and kept a close eye on you, they really want your father's suit. And your stunt at the second obstacle, well, in their eyes that makes you reckless and dangerous to those around you." Hawks said, shaking his head. Anyone who knew Izuku knew that wasn't who he was. It was just the HPSC choosing it to see that way, as that's how they saw Hisashi.
"But I'm not." Izuku said with a huff. Sure his stunt could have been reckless, his equipment could have failed and he could have fallen to the ropes. And dangerous to others, he barely even attacked Bakugo and it was Bakugo, who tried to do even more back to Izuku.
"I know that, but they don't. Not that it matters, anyway you act the HPSC will view it in the way they want to. And because of that" Hawks paused for a bit then continued in an urgent and distressed tone, "Last time they demanded I hand you and your suit over, this time they gave it as a command."
"So, you follow their order or you're stripped of your hero rank," Izuku said, picking on Hawk's tone. Izuku had gotten closer to Hawks, having him as a mentor, but also as one of the first heroes who believed in him. If to save Hawks' career, was Izuku wishing to hand over his suit? Something he had worked so hard to make, that his father had essentially given his life for. But being a hero was only a possibility, having Hawks and Mei as friends that was here and now.
Hawks huffed and drew Izuku out of his thoughts. "Among other things. But don't worry. I'm not going to give you or your armor up. I'm going to talk with Principal Nezu and see if we can get you transferred to the hero course sooner. Since you're in the support department, you don't have as much leeway as the hero students and you're an easy target for the Hero Public Safety Commission." Hawks said.
Izuku nodded his head then shook it, "But I'm not a hero or currently in the hero course. They're the Hero Public Safety Commission, 'hero'. They shouldn't be able to touch me."
"Normally yes, but you still go to UA, a private hero high school and somehow they know you're trying to get transferred. They will fight tooth and nail to keep you there as a support student. They have more freedom with their jurisdiction, as laws surrounding hero students are more exact in wording."
Izuku thought about that for a few seconds. Many support course students from UA were hired at Hero Agencies after graduation. Izuku sighed just another thing for the HPSC to use. However a new question came to mind, he hadn't met Hawks in the best situation. He was typically using his quirk illegally, but it didn't take much for the Hawks to come over and support Izuku.
"Why are you doing all this for me? Back in Fukuoka, there were multiple times you could have turned me over. Even then you stayed for a week to teach me how to fly better. Why are you doing all this for me?" Izuku asked.
Hawks quickly answered, "I have my reasons. Just know when the Sports Festival is done, I'll say my goodbyes and we probably won't be able to meet one-on-one as we have done in the last week." Hawks said, then began to walk away.
"Hey Hawks thanks for all you've done for me." Izuku said before Hawks left his sight.
"No problem kid." Hawks said, then walked away. As he turned the corner, he knew Izuku wouldn't see the next step coming. Hawks had acted like he would never see Izuku again, but that was the last thing Hawks was going to allow. The HPSC were hellbent on getting Hisashi's designs and now with Izuku caught in the middle, he was target #1.
It didn't matter when or how the HPSC would decide to play ball, Hawks was going to be next to Izuku the whole time. So now it is time to make sure that happened and the best way to do that was to coordinate with the person that controlled most of Izuku's schedule.
Hawks pulled out his phone and dialled Principal Nezu. It was quickly picked up and Principal Nezu opened with, "Good Morning Hawks. Are you proud of your student? He's done well to make himself known. I see he's taken his training to heart."
"I am, but that's not why I called. Are you free to talk?" Hawks asked.
A small beep went off and then Principal Nezu said, "I'm free."
"Well, we're screwed. The HPSC isn't going to back down anytime soon, and now they're serious. They're commanding me to bring in Midoriya and his suit." Hawks said as he continued down the empty hallway.
"Does Izuku know of the situation?" Principal Nezu asked with urgency.
"I told him that it was the same thing as last time, just more serious. I didn't mention the blackmail or more importantly, how the HPSC would label Izuku as an enemy of the state. UA would be shown as harboring a national fugitive, destroying its reputation within months. Needless to say, they're serious and are willing to pull out all the bells and whistles at their disposal." Hawks said, glad that Principal Nezu understood the importance of it all.
"Just to get a suit of armor, that won't even work with Midoriya's quirk." Principal Nezu said as if he was musing at a joke. A joke that Hawks understood, Hisashi had the suit, he designed it and built it. But well known to those who knew that Hisashi couldn't find a power source for it to work.
"That's not even half of it, the military is starting to get in on it." Hawks said.
"Now that is a surprise. The military have not been interested in Hisashi's design, so why are they throwing their hat in the ring?" Principal Nezu said, leaving the question of why the military had suddenly left Hisashi alone unspoken. But now it seemed they were once against showing interest and were teaming with the HPSC to get what they wanted.
"Does it really matter? They want the suit. Most likely they want the suit to militarize it and use it in war. With the HPSC and Military working together, there isn't much they can't do. They'll have the support of Japan's government, doubled over. If we don't give them an answer in enough time or an answer that ticks them off, then they're going to send the military from Tartarus to make sure the job is done. They're going to bust down your walls and take the kid's suit." Hawks said walking outside of the stadium and flying into the air to get some distance from the crowd, "We need to talk with Powerloader and Eraserhead about getting Izuku Midoriya to the hero course, there you'll be able to keep a closer eye on him. And it will also cause a bigger issue for the HPSC, when they try to move against him. You fought hard to that as Prinicpal of UA, you would have complete say over what happens with your students, the HPSC won't be able to touch Midoriya until he starts his work studies in the second year. Even then they would have to go through the hero he goes to, and that's just another barrel of monkey, but it would give us time to cover all of our bases."
"That is true. However, Mr Aizawa must also agree to the transfer. We can't force Midoriya upon him and Mr. Aizawa isn't known for doing nice things for his students." Principal Nezu said, laying out their cards. They had to be careful to play their cards right, every day it was becoming more and more clear that more than just Izuku's life and career were at stake in this fight against the HPSC.
"The question is who would you rather anger. The Hero Public Safety Commission or Eraserhead." Hawks pointed out.
Principal Nezu thought about that for a moment. Mr Aizawa was a close friend and had the respect of Principal Nezu, and Hisashi Midoriy did so as well. One of the few Principal Nezu would claim matched his own level of intelligence. And, well Mr. Aizawa was always annoyed at something, and Principal Nezu would hate to give him extra on his plate. At the same time, The HPSC and now the military were making it very clear what they wanted, and though the past had become high-strung, they were now making it clear what they were willing to do to get what they wanted.
So what could Principal Nezu and Hawks do to help Izuku? Principal Nezu looked down at the waiting crowd. Though the heroes were on the government's payroll through the HPSC, the group of interest that held the most power over the heroes was the public. The billboard popularity held a lot for heroes, if they were well-liked and handled fights they were ranked higher and had a chance to be paid more and be able to do brand deals. All of that came from the public opinion on heroes. Maybe Principal Nezu could use that power to serve his own purpose.
Principal Nezu looked down at a UA alumni ring that sat on his middle finger. It had been Hisashi despite not graduating from UA. He had given it to Principal Nezu just a few days before he died. It was supposed to be a meet-up with a black market supplier, yet still, he had given his right to Principal Nezu, making the white rodent think that before he even left Hisashi knew he was going to die.
While the ring in itself was nothing special, the standard gold UA alumni ring with 3 rings around the main emblem to signal support course. Yet to Principal Nezu, it was a reminder of the good Hisashi tried to do with his life. The sacrifice he had made, a life he didn't get to live in order to protect those he most cared about
"I don't think I need to answer that question." Principal Nezu said in a resolute tone.
"Then we have an understanding. Good." Hawks hung up his phone and let out a small sigh. He generally tried to keep away from stuff like this, the HSPC already had a tight leash on him, but Hawks could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Though he knew it was going to get a lot worse before it got any better, "And here I thought this ended when you were lowered to your grave, Hisashi. But I think your kid is going to be an even bigger pain than you were. At least you knew how to lay low."
And that's Chapter 30. Wow 30 Chapter and more to go, and because I couldn't get a stupid idea out of my head. And there more to come. Also I have to say I FINALLY KNOW WHAT TO WITH GIZON HISAHITO. Let me clarify, when I first wrote the USJ, I only had his quirk and a bit of his backstory planned. I continue writing, knowing my subconcious would form everything and I would go back to add what I need to. Sports Festival and Stain Arc, I had his backstory all planned out. Training Camp and Kamino camp, had an inkling of what he is newfound purpose was. But it wasn't until the start of the Overhual arc, That right nearly an entire season with no idea what I was going to doe with Him. But I have finally on landed on what his personal fight was about, meaning I have so much to go back and edit
The first idea I've kept and will use to launch Gizon into his reason to fight, I think I've touched on the first idea or will very soon. For the final 'purpose' I'm pretty proud of it, it's something some other author had hit upon. But I haven't found anyone that has dove into as deep as I'm going to do. So we'll see
Next Chapter is the start of the second event
Next Time: The Cliche Planning Stage.
Review and tell me what you think.
