This one is more a collection of scenes than anything.
Rated M for torture.
Put in some music scenes from bleach.
Izuku quietly mourned, the young boy softly crying as his mother was laid to rest.
The sickness had been horrible to her, and unfortunately she didn't have the strength to keep forward.
"I love you, Izuku…I'm sorry about what I said…if it makes you happy, then be the best hero you can be…quirkless or not…"
His mother had apparently been a member of the branch family of a clan, she'd provided a great service (of which was still unknown to the young boy) and so they'd offered to adopt him into their clan.
Anything was better than potentially living with Bakugo…the boy had been more ruthless than ever.
"Your mother told us that you wished to become a hero…" the older man, who at first appeared cold but was surprisingly gentle, commented. "Do you still desire to be one?"
Izuku shakily nodded.
"Then you shall undergo training. As a member of our clan however, you will have responsibilities."
Izuku nodded again.
"Very well then, henceforth, you shall be Midoriya Izuku of the Kuchiki Clan."
Ginrei observed with no outward emotion whatsoever as Izuku laughed, having finally discovered his quirk.
He closed his eyes.
'A sword-based sentient quirk…just like your father…'
Ginrei sighed as he looked at Izuku's earnest eyes.
'May you be better than him, young Izuku.'
Seven years later
"Lord Kuchiki…might I ask, where are we going?" A seventeen year old Izuku calmly asked as he walked behind his guardian.
"You may," he replied. "We are heading to the Yaoyorozu estate where you will be officially introduced."
Izuku blinked but outwardly kept his expression calm much to his guardian's pleasure. It had taken quite a bit of training to hone his reactions.
Not to mention the muttering.
"The competition between me and the blood members of the clan…it was for a retainer."
"Indeed. You have grown strong under your training, and the quirk you have discovered is most suited for protection."
"If I am to act as a retainer…then…" Izuku trailed off. His dream had always been to be a hero, although being a retainer would grant him a license to use his quirk in defense of his retainee, it wouldn't be the same.
Izuku sighed softly through his nose.
"No matter, I will perform my duties."
His guardian was pleased.
"You need not worry, Izuku. The reason why you are being selected is not only due to your skill, but also your dedication towards your goal."
They stopped in front of a door.
"The Yaoyorozu heiress has expressed a desire to become a hero. She has been training to apply for U.A. University, much like yourself. Your duties will be in supporting her training and ensuring her protection during her time there."
"I understand."
His guardian knocked against the door and they were bidden to enter.
"Ah, Lord Kuchiki."
"Lord Yaoyorozu, a pleasure to see you again."
"And to you, old friend." the elder Yaoyoruzu greeted as the two clan heads shook hands. "And who is this young fellow?"
Izuku bowed deeply.
"Good afternoon, Lord Yaoyorozu. My name is Midoriya Izuku, of the Kuchiki Clan."
"My, what a polite one. Tell me, young one. I have heard much from my friend Ginrei here, yet I wish to see your skills for myself. Would you mind giving us a demonstration?"
"Of course, Lord Yaoyorozu."
Momo observed the young man in the training room, sparring against one of the body guards, he was…handsome, if a bit plain.
And he certainly had the Kuchiki countenance down to a 'T'.
However, she could also see a certain…passion in his eyes.
"That's enough now, Midoriya," she heard her father call out just as he managed to pin the other man to the ground.
"I'm most impressed, but I've yet to see you use that sword of yours."
Midoriya paused as her father approached with his own blade.
"Might I test your skills?"
Izuku blinked but nodded and drew his sword, a beautiful katana, if rather simple actually. A simple crossguard that looked like a window pane, a bronze guard and lavender-white wrapping.
She blinked.
She shouldn't have.
Midoriya was already bearing on top of the older man, his sword clashing against his as Midoriya attacked.
She gasped as she saw her father actually driven back, the man's eyes widening in surprise at the sheer speed he demonstrated.
From then on, it only became more impressive.
The two danced with flashes of metal and sparks, constantly guarding, probing, or attacking.
Then her father flashed and a cut appeared on Midoriya's cheek.
"First blood."
"Indeed, Lord Yaoyorozu."
He then blurred behind her father and blood splattered against the wooden floor.
"I believe that is second blood, my Lord."
"Hohoho…a cheeky one," her father grinned. "A rarity among your clan, Midoriya…I like it."
He then cocked his head.
"I do believe however, that I have yet to see your quirk."
Momo gasped. That sheer display of speed wasn't his quirk?
Midoriya nodded. Although the law technically prohibited it, nothing would come from this demonstration.
He raised his sword so that it was parallel to him.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
The sword split itself apart, and she could see what appeared to be cherry blossoms floating around the room.
In the blink of an eye, the petals surrounded her father's throat, wrists, knees, and dotted around his chest and abdomen.
Lord Yaoyorozu blinked in surprise.
"Oh dear, I do believe that this is your win, young one…I approve."
Momo blinked. For that one moment, she could see a wild look in Midoriya's eyes as he fought.
Interesting.
"Now then, if my dear daughter could come out of her hiding spot so that I can introduce her."
Momo eeped and shyly approached them.
"Midoriya Izuku, this is my daughter, Yaoyorozu Momo."
Midoriya bowed deeply to her much to her consternation.
She wasn't big on the formalities, hopefully he wasn't so stiff all the time and she could make a new friend.
"It is my honor to meet you, Lady Yaoyorozu."
Hopefully.
"Momo, this is Midoriya Izuku of the Kuchiki Clan. He will be your retainer at U.A. University, quite fortuitous as it is also his desire to become a hero."
"Father, I don't need a retai-wait, you want to become a hero?" she asked him.
Izuku blinked before turning towards his guardian who slightly nodded.
Turning back he spoke.
"Indeed…it is my dream to become a hero, ever since my childhood, Lady Yaoyorozu."
Momo sighed…
"Alright, but I want to state that the whole formality thing has got to go when we're at University…alright?"
Izuku blinked and she had a bad feeling at the sudden glint in his eye.
"Of course…Lady Yaoyorozu."
She deadpanned.
Of course she had to get the one snarky Kuchiki from the entire clan.
"Are you sure you don't want to join me in the recommendation exam, Izuku?" Momo asked her friend. In the year since he'd become her retainer, the two had become close friends though he made sure to respect the proper traditions whenever they were in public.
"Yes, Momo." Izuku calmly replied. "Although it has been offered by Lord Kuchiki and your father, I still desire to prove my own strength."
Momo sighed at her friend, she'd think that after all this time he wouldn't find the need to prove his strength anymore.
But even after all this time, she sometimes felt that she barely knew him, that his innermost thoughts and secrets were still withheld.
And to be fair, they were his, but it did feel like he would get closer before suddenly acting standoffish.
She wondered what affected her friend so much.
"Very well then, I would say good luck, but I know that you'll be the best."
Izuku smiled softly at her, a rare sight due to his upbringing.
"Thank you, Momo."
Izuku calmly walked through the crowd of students, appearing aloof but in reality he was paying attention to all of his competitors and potential classmates.
Many were admittedly weak or lacked the proper disposition to be heroes.
Though there were a few outliers.
A flash of blond hair and an arrogant smirk almost made him freeze.
'I should have expected him to be here…no matter, he is of no consequence.'
He quietly passed by the boy and Bakugo Katsuki was none the wiser.
'Iida Tenya of the Iida Clan. He is certainly…enthusiastic.'
Truthfully, other words were better to describe him, but he refused to entertain them for the moment.
He found it mildly amusing however that Bakugo was right next to him and did not realize who exactly he was sitting with.
Soon enough however, they would move to their own areas.
"Excuse me! Are you allowed to have that sword-huh?" Iida blinked as the other man disappeared from his sight.
"You should not concern yourself with matters that do not involve you."
He gasped and looked behind him, seeing the cold gaze of the other examinee.
(Play Battle Ignition)
"START!"
In the blink of an eye, he was gone again.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR!?"
The crowd of students turned to see Present Mic shouting at them from above.
"THERE'S NOT COUNTDOWNS IN REAL LIFE, GO GO GO! THAT OTHER GUY HAD THE RIGHT IDEA!"
The students scrambled as they charged to get points, meanwhile, Izuku flashed between robots, slicing them to pieces with his sword.
Always calm and collected there was nonetheless a spark in Izuku's eye, the slightest grin as he fought.
This was the first step on his path to becoming a hero.
In another flash, three one-pointers, 4 two-pointers and a three-pointer were bifurcated, their pieces falling to the ground as Izuku appeared once more, sheathing his blade.
"Quite the interesting candidate we have in that battle center…Midoriya Izuku…interesting, he's from the Kuchiki clan."
"He's fast…and good with that sword."
"According to his record, it's necessary for his quirk."
"He's shown the aptitude of a hero, but what about the attitude of one?"
"Let's find out."
A large button would determine everything.
Izuku stumbled as the ground shook and turned to see the giant robot breaking free from a building.
'This must be the zero-pointer Present Mic was talking about.'
He was prepared to leave before seeing the girl trapped beneath the rubble.
He flashed forward as the robot launched its hand forward.
"Scatter…"
Uraraka Ochako gasped in awe as the young man appeared in front of her, pommel in hand as he gazed coldly at the giant robot.
"Senbonzakura."
Bakugo Katsuki seethed as he looked at the scores from the holodisk.
#1 Midoriya Izuku - Kuchiki Clan - Villain Points: 77 Rescue Points: 75 Total: 152
#2 Bakugo Katsuki - Villain Points: 77 Rescue Points: 0 Total: 77
After 6 years…Deku had decided to show his worthless face again and show him up!
HOW!?
It wasn't possible!
And he would find out.
"Izuku."
"Yes, Lord Kuchiki?"
"We are alone, Izuku…you may rest."
Izuku sighed and leaned back slightly.
"Yes, grandfather?"
Ginrei smiled at him, he was proud of the boy and was glad that he'd taken so much after his mother.
Inko Midoriya was Ginrei's adopted daughter and was his pride and joy. However, due to the machinations of the elders of the clan, she'd distanced herself to keep her family safe.
It had left him heartbroken to see her wither away…though he was happy to see his grandson inherit her spirit.
"You've done well. Taking first place in the entrance exam is no small feat. You are well on your way to becoming a blood member of the Kuchiki Clan."
"I am glad." Izuku softly smiled.
Despite Inko being adopted into the clan, she'd never become a blood member thanks to the elder's interference. Ginrei, having no children was thus left without an heir, as such, many of the younger members were now vying to become the successor to the clan head.
Ginrei had hopes that Izuku would be able to take on the role, but he needed to prove himself "irrevocably" to the clan elders.
As it was, he was already well on track to do so by managing to become Momo's retainer which earned him much 'prestige' within the clan by taking on such an important task.
"As you know, male members of the clan wear kenseikan, although you are an adopted member, I have put forth my official consideration of you to be my successor."
Izuku slightly teared up in appreciation, making his grandfather chuckle.
"All these years, and still you inherit your mother's tears."
"Grandfather…"
"Anyway, here," he said as he presented him with a box. Izuku gently took it and opened it, revealing a kenseikan set. "Is your set."
Izuku bowed in respect before applying them into his hair.
"Wear them with pride, Izuku."
"Thank you, grandfather."
The atmosphere then turned solemn.
"There is something else…a responsibility that must now be thrust upon you."
"Izuku! You have kenseikan!" Momo exclaimed as she met up with him at the manor, the two would be departing together for U.A.
"I do…I have been officially put into consideration for the title of Lord Kuchiki's successor."
Momo smiled at him, it was blinding.
"I'm glad."
The two swiftly departed and Izuku was quick to annoy her.
How you may ask?
By being so adamantly formal.
"Izuku…stop walking behind me," Momo growled.
"But Lady Yaoyorozu, it would be so improper." Izuku whispered, making her groan.
He chuckled but as they approached the door, he immediately closed off.
Momo sighed again, hopefully he would learn to be more open with the people they were going to be with these next few years.
Izuku swiftly opened the door and practically glided in.
She wouldn't admit that she was jealous at how easy it was for him to do that.
He held the door open for her and she sighed again as she walked through. It seemed that most of her classmates weren't here yet, then again, they did get here early.
Unfortunately, they were in separate seats, though Momo knew that Izuku would be keeping a constant eye on her.
It was partially aggravating, though she knew that he merely took his duties very seriously.
The door burst open.
"DEKU!"
Now what?
Scene skip
"Alright then! Team A vs. Team D! Go!" All Might called out.
Momo grimaced as she watched the screen. After the debacle the other day during their apprehension exam, she'd finally managed to wear down Izuku and get him to share the story between him and Bakugo.
'Please don't do anything foolish.'
She then took a deep breath and sighed.
"So, who do you think's gonna win, Yaomomo?"
"Yaomomo?" She asked Ashido.
"Yeah, your name's too hard to pronounce, and it's cute! So Yaomomo!"
Momo blinked.
"I like it." she said. "And to answer your question."
She turned to face the screen.
"I have full faith that Izuku will win…in fact, don't even blink or you'll miss it."
"There you are, DEKU!" Bakugo screamed as he burst into the hallway. "I've finally found you! Now I'm going to beat the answers out of you!"
Izuku stared at him dispassionately, infuriating him even more. That samurai getup was getting really annoying, especially with those blank eyes.
"Uraraka. Stay behind me."
"R-right."
"Come on, Deku! Still looking down on me! WHY DON'T YOU SHOW ME THAT SURPRISE QUIRK OF YOURS HUH!? OR WAS IT ALL A LIE!" he screamed as he blasted forward.
The smoke hid things from view, but as he stepped back from his explosion, he noticed that there was nothing left.
"What the-?"
He quickly turned around and saw Izuku standing where he was just a moment earlier with Uraraka behind him, stumbling slightly in nausea.
"What the hell?"
He growled and stepped forward.
A flash of something pink, a puff of wind as something went behind him.
'Was that…a sakura petal?'
He tried to move but found himself struck by a sudden pain.
"You're slow."
He barely noticed Deku to his right, slightly behind him.
"Even when you're falling."
'I…didn't even see him?'
Katsuki collapsed to the ground, blood pouring out of him.
"T-that's a lot of blood…"
"The wounds are nonfatal. He has been eliminated. We must move forward."
Deku turned his back on him and walked away as if he meant nothing.
'Damn you…De…ku…'
USJ
"You villains have separated me from my charge." Izuku said as he raised his blade.
He then flashed forward, sakura petals trailing behind him.
"You will not stand in my way anymore."
Villains were cut down brutally, not even getting a chance to react as Izuku burst forward, searching for his Lady.
He trusted her capabilities, but anything could happen in battle.
As he pushed himself to the utter limit, villains were left screaming in his wake as he cut them down like animals.
He soon found a trail that led to finding her in the courtyard, why she was there he didn't know, but as he saw the large beast he immediately pushed forward and struck.
His sword sliced through its arm and he carried her away along with Aizawa-sensei and dragged Mineta (by the back of his neck) with them.
"Izuku!"
"Are you alright!?" He asked as he skidded along the ground, gently setting her down while tossing the diminutive boy. Aizawa sensei was set down as gently as possible as well.
"Ow!"
"Yes, I'm fine!"
"What are we dealing with?" Izuku asked, ignoring the spikes of pain in his body, he'd definitely pushed himself too hard there.
"That man with the hands, he proclaims that the creature, nomu, is capable of handling All Might!" Momo said as she winced in pain.
His fury knew no bounds upon seeing that.
"Izuku…be careful, that man can disintegrate things with a touch of his quirk and that nomu thing is super strong, fast, and durable!"
Izuku nodded.
More than likely, he'd have to go all out.
"Oh? A new mob?" The hand man said as Izuku flashed over.
'High Speed Regeneration.'
Izuku narrowed his eyes as he saw the beast recover.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
Blood began to spurt out of the beast as Izuku attacked quickly and decisively, but he was unable to do much.
'I should have aimed for the head earlier.'
"Haha, nice try but even with that blade, nomu's regeneration is too much isn't it? Also, scatter, Senbonzakura? Really? You named your attack One Thousand Cherry Blossoms? How pathetic can you get?"
Izuku was immediately annoyed.
As was Senbonzakura.
But he still had another trick under his sleeve.
"Perhaps a thousand blossoms cannot harm nomu…but what about a million?"
"What?"
He wished that he didn't have to show his trump card, but there was no choice.
He would make any sacrifice to protect Momo.
"Be careful, Izuku."
'I will.'
Izuku stuck out his blade before dropping it.
'He dropped his sword?'
(Power to Strive)
"Bankai."
The katana fell into the ground, white ripples appearing as the ground shifted to black.
Ten pairs of large blades began to appear behind him, Izuku nearly crumbling under the pressure that he was exerting on himself but refusing to react as blood trailed down from all the orifices on his head.
"Scatter…"
Shigaraki's eyes actually widened in fear as the shadow of the blades reflected on him.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi." (Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
The swords burst into petals.
The nomu burst into blood.
All Might burst through the doors.
Izuku collapsed.
"IZUKU!"
Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep
Momo sniffed again as she looked down at her friend.
She was one of three people who knew the true extent of his power and how much of a physical and mental strain it took on his body to unleash it.
His bankai was a great and terrible power.
For him to do so…
She nearly broke down again.
It'd been a week and he was still stuck in this damn coma.
"You stupid fool…don't you dare die on me…" she whispered before leaning over and kissing his forehead.
"...I order you not to…" she said as she bowed his head.
"...well…" she gasped as she heard him and looked up to see him barely opening his eyes.
"I can't disobey…My Lady…can I?"
"Izuku!" she said before wrapping him in a hug, making him groan.
"Oh! I'm sorry! Let me call you the nurses!"
Izuku breathed deeply and nodded with a slight grunt.
They'd come in and check him over before letting him rest.
"Are you alright?" he grunted out.
"Tch, yes, you damn fool. I'm fine."
"And everyone else?"
Momo nodded though she was still struggling to control her tears.
"And yet…I've still failed…"
"What?"
"I'm making you cry…" he whispered, making her chuckle and shake her head as she tried to wipe them away.
"Tsk…you damn fool, can't you see these are happy tears?"
Todoroki left after stating his challenge.
And yet, Momo had one of her own.
"Izuku."
He turned to face his friend.
"...Momo."
"Should we face each other in the finals…promise me that you will give me your all. That if I win, it is because of my skills. Not your duty."
The two stared into each other's eyes, and Izuku could see the desperation in them. The need for validation.
Of her own strength.
He wished not to hurt her.
But it was his friend who was asking this of him, not his Lady.
"I promise."
Todoroki had been infuriating honestly.
Izuku couldn't find any sympathy for him.
He was of such an opinion that if you allowed your personal issues to interfere in your hero work, then quite simply you did not deserve to be a hero.
And he stated as such.
"I'll prove it." Todoroki growled. "I'll defeat you with just my ice."
"You will fail. I will ensure that."
With that he turned his back to the boy and quietly left him behind.
Todoroki angrily stared at his opponent.
Midoriya had avoided or cut through every swath of ice with his ridiculous speed and that accursed blade.
He was getting tired and frostbitten.
"Why? Why are you doing this? Did my father pay you off to get in my way? To force me to use his fire?"
Izuku narrowed his eyes.
"Don't be asinine. This is nothing more than me fighting my opponent and your arrogance in thinking that you could possibly be on my level with only half your power. Though this can be called anything but. Use it already, or fall now and fail to become a hero."
"NEVER!" Todoroki roared as he launched another attack only for it to be swiftly cut to pieces.
Todoroki grimaced as he fended off the troublesome pink blades, they were extremely fast and dangerously sharp, cutting his ice waves into pieces before they could even reach Midoriya.
"I already warned you once, Todoroki. I shall not warn you again. Use your fire, or you will not be a hero." Izuku said. The boy's cold stare combined with his longer hair and kenseikan made for a chilling image, but Todoroki was nothing if not stubborn.
"I told you, I refuse to use his power. I'll become the Number One Hero without ever using it!" He boldly declared.
Izuku closed his eyes in disappointment and sighed deeply.
"Very well then. If you will not do what is necessary to save the lives that you will have been entrusted to, then I shall crush you with everything I have and render you incapable of being a hero!" he roared.
The blades returned to their singular sword form and Todoroki tensed at what Izuku would do next.
"You have left me no choice, Todoroki Shoto." He said as he turned his blade upside down.
"I will kill your career, here and now, before it's too late." He finished as he dropped the katana.
(Reminiscence)
'He dropped his sword?'
The sword then seemed to melt in the ground.
"Ban…kai." And a pair of absolutely gigantic blades began to appear behind him.
Todoroki gasped and stepped backwards as their shadows fell over him.
"Scatter."
The blades glowed pink.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Momo observed with slight annoyance. Not even two weeks after getting out of the hospital and he's already using bankai again.
Although at least it was only one pair of blades and not the 10.
She still needed to smack him over the head for that stunt.
"Momo…is this what he did at the USJ?"
Noone had seen the confrontation except for her and Mineta.
"Yes…though he summoned more at the USJ…ten pairs…don't blink, or you'll miss it." She grimly said.
Todoroki was finished.
Todoroki couldn't move, his vision transfixed by the sea of petals around him. It was by sheer instinct that he covered himself in a dome of ice.
A second passed.
The ice shattered to pieces.
Todoroki gave a shuddering gasp as a single trail of blood crawled down from his forehead, going down the left side of his face first before it simply fell down like rivers from a delta.
Blood exploded out of him like a fountain as he collapsed.
The crowd was shocked. Midnight couldn't even speak.
Izuku was silent as he kept his head slightly bowed, his eyes shut.
"Blades rise from the ground with their scattering even more blades than rise. Impossible to know the exact numbers, impossible to even read their path, much less avoid them. Nothing to do but watch, as one watches the wind pass and wait for the blades to pass through you." Izuku began as he walked forward.
"One can do nothing but stand there and be swept away from this world."
He stopped a mere few feet from Todoroki's body.
"Shall I tell you the difference between you and I?"
He received no response.
"It's resolve. You lack the resolve to do what is necessary. To use all of your power to strike down your enemies. To even think that you could be a hero and be entrusted with the lives of others is laughable."
Todoroki shakily raised his head and glared at the other man but he turned his back to him.
"Your weak resolve could never hope to reach me, never. Though I suppose you should be proud," he said as he turned his head. "That even with such weak resolve, you kept true to your vow."
Izuku walked away and Todoroki seethed in fury.
Fire began to lick from his arm.
He passed out.
Izuku vs. Momo
It'd taken a lot of training for her to get to this point.
Her last match with Tokoyami had shaken her and she would have lost had she not retained her wits and fought with light.
She knew that she had a long way to go.
But with this fight, she'd know just how far.
She'd trained with Izuku for the past year, Senbonzakura included.
Creating a staff with blades at the ends out of her body, it had a circular ring in the middle, a special creation of her own design.
"Remember your promise, Izuku."
"I will keep it."
He raised his sword.
"START!"
"Scatter, Senbonza-"
A whip of all things wrapped around his katana, though she knew that she wouldn't be able to yank the blade out of his grasp, that wasn't the purpose of this.
She needed to get close.
She moved forward, the staff spinning in her hand rapidly as she swung, steel meeting steel as the two attacked each other in a frenzied dance.
She grunted as with a brutal horizontal swing he sent her skidding back, but she quickly stopped herself with her staff and leaped forward, not letting him release his blade.
She knew that eventually he would, but she would make him work for it.
In the meantime, she would admit that it was exhilarating, the rush of battle, her blood pumping beneath her skin, her heart roaring in her head.
Then it happened, an opening from a delayed parry and she swung down on his shoulder cutting deep into the flesh.
She could see his eyes widen in pain and more than a little surprise.
He then grinned and flashed back, leaving behind a trail of blood.
During their fight, he'd paid no heed to the words of the crowd, their exclamations, denunciations, nor Eraserhead's reprimands.
All that mattered was the fight.
"You've made me proud, Momo."
"You've trained me better than any other instructor I've ever had," she retorted with a grin.
He softly smiled, ignoring the pain in his shoulder.
"Indeed, I would be most disappointed if you were not able to wound me. Now we can take this battle to the next step."
She nodded.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
She quickly created a small shield, nothing huge, it'd be detrimental to her speed, but it was good for deflecting smaller attacks.
She attacked again, sakura blades now coalescing in front of her to block her attacks.
She had to give it her all so that she could both block and attack.
She knew that he was still holding back, and she didn't dream that he would resort to bankai.
But this…
She could finally see the gap that existed between them.
And that pushed her to be better.
A flurry of blades, a flash of pink, and she's caught in the same trap that held her father over a year ago.
They were both panting but they were also grinning at each other.
Izuku nodded at her.
"I surrender." she declared.
"Y-Yaoyorozu surrenders! Midoriya moves on to the finals!"
"You have done well, Momo. I take great pride in you, My Lady." he gently teased at the end.
She sighed but smiled softly in return.
The final battle.
Izuku would admit that his opponent was a worthy adversary.
Anyone would have to be to defeat Bakugo Katsuki.
'Kirishima Eijiro. Quirk: Atlas. Originally simply a hardening quirk, but an incident last year had him undergo a quirk evolution.'
He would prove dangerous.
But he was also reckless.
His hardening was a solid defense, especially when amplified by that lightning. He recalls hearing that Kirishima had taken a blow from the nomu head on and had come out of it relatively (compared to him) unharmed, still the sheer force of him colliding with the staircase had knocked him out.
And when he focused on just the lightning, his speed was nothing to scoff at, nor the strength of his blows (as bone breaking as they were) when he went all out.
He had the force and temperance of a raging bull-
Izuku had an idea.
But it would involve a bit of trickery, however, in victory, in survival, in life or death, there was no such thing as honor.
He had already released his bankai today, and doing so again would be…detrimental to his health to say the least.
"I've been itchin' to fight ya, Midoriya…you're a hard dude…pause…uh, by that I mean you're hardcore."
Izuku closed his eyes but opened them, choosing to ignore the slip.
"Kirishima Eijiro. You have demonstrated yourself to be a worthy foe. I find myself eager to challenge myself against you."
But at the same time…he didn't want to resort to trickery.
Damn him and his pride, he actually wanted to do this.
"START!"
"CRIMSON-
"Scatter-"
"SMASH!/Senbonzakura."
The world exploded between them.
When the dust faded, blood was trailing down both their arms. Kirishima's armor had shattered across his arm, blood pooling down it in rivers but he still managed to painfully clench his fist.
Izuku grimaced as well, blood trailing down his left arm, sakura blades floating across the wind.
But he was excited.
Not since the nomu had he been pushed so far, though this time with an enemy that was not beyond his reach were it not for a killing blow.
"Truly, you are formidable, Kirishima…" he said as he regathered the petals into one blade before turning and dropping it. "I wish to see more."
"Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Another large pair of blades appeared before scattering.
They swirled around Izuku and then crashed into Kirishima, the latter maximizing his defense as a relentless assault was unleashed on him.
His hardening protected him from most of the assault, but the sheer amount of blades was puncturing through his armor, even with how he was fortifying it.
Lightning surged through his body and he grimaced as he clapped his hands together.
"SMASH!"
The crowd gasped as they saw the thousands of sakura blades scatter to the wind before spiraling around in multiple tendrils.
Kirishima hardened his arms even more, the armor thickening into broad shields which he swung, crimson lightning coursing around his body as he swatted, the blades crashing against his shields and the resulting winds displacing blades.
'I can't keep this up for too long! My armor only gives me so much protection against the backlash!'
Kirishima grunted as he was struck from the front, the blades pushing against him towards the edge but he forced his armor thicken in his legs, digging them in.
'I need to find him within this sea of blades! They're blocking my view!'
He raised his fists up, cranking up the power level.
"TITANIC…SMASH!"
And slammed them into the ground.
The field cratered and exploded and the blades went flying out. It was only due to Izuku's great control that they didn't hit the crowd.
As it was however, two different objectives meant that the shield of petals that he'd created for himself wasn't as strong as he'd like.
Izuku panted as blood trailed down his body, some external, some internal.
Still, he grinned as he saw his opponent.
Kirishima's arms and legs were wrecked, and he could see blood flowing across the jagged spikes on his body.
He fell to his knees, the strain of keeping up his defense being astronomical.
But he refused to stay on them.
"Be proud…Kirishima Eijiro."
(Yamamoto Unreleased)
Kirishima looked up at his opponent whose blood was starting to glow pink before turning into pink fire that became multiple branches that spiraled upward before coalescing into a single point.
The field seemed to darken.
"Behold, you are the first to bear witness to Senbonzakura's truest form, where I abandon all pretense of defense in exchange for offense."
A single pink katana came to life behind Izuku.
Then another.
And another.
And soon an entire row of pink katanas began to float around them in a circle.
"Senkei: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Kirishima gulped, wondering if those katanas sacrificed numbers for power.
"Do not worry, these katanas will not attack you all at once." Izuku reassured him before his hand glowed with pink fire and a katana floated out of the formation before being grasped by him, returning to a normal state.
"I merely wish to finish this…myself."
Kirishima blinked before grinning.
He had an idea.
Concentrating on his right arm, he forced his hardening quirk to work overtime, the growths eventually forming a rocky, jagged spike.
Izuku raised his brow.
"If you truly wish to fight me like a swordsman, then after this festival, would you be opposed to proper training?"
Kirishima grinned again.
"I'd be honored. As it is, I'm already honored that you decided to show me this…it's incomplete right?" he asked.
Izuku nodded.
"What better way to test it than in the frenzy of battle?"
"I couldn't agree more!"
The two charged at each other their weapons clashing as their auras flared pink and red respectively.
Momo observed them calmly.
She was of two opinions.
One, was not (coughinsanelycough) jealous of how Kirishima managed to force Izuku to show a stage of his bankai that she hadn't even known about.
Two, was minorly (read majorly) happy at seeing the sheer amount of satisfaction radiating from Izuku.
Again, she was not jealous however.
But damn if she didn't want to train even more now so that she could face the Senkei.
"Honestly though, Izuku…Massacre Scene? How macabre…"she chuckled.
The two continued fighting with everything they had, but although Kirishima had the greater strength and the two were currently matched in speed, Izuku was far more skilled.
And Kirishima had a harder physical limit.
He collapsed suddenly, his armor literally falling off of him in pieces.
Izuku held him, making sure that he didn't touch the ground. Unheeding of the blood now flooding his clothes.
"You were a wonderful opponent." Izuku declared. "I will take you on as my rival."
Kirishima huffed and smiled. He nodded his head before passing out.
"Midoriya Izuku wins!"
"Here," Momo said as she gave him a white scarf, gently folded and soft to the touch. "A gift for winning the Sports Festival."
"Momo?" Izuku asked as he took the gift, a beautiful white-silver scarf.
"Please…wear it with pride," she said as she smiled softly.
Izuku blinked again and swallowed thickly.
He wrapped the scarf around his neck.
It smelled like her.
She then reached forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
He flushed before delivering one of his own.
She smiled brightly at him.
'What am I doing?' he thought in despair.
"You love her, don't you?" Kirishima asked.
Izuku paused, the sudden question making him nearly stumble.
"You do not-"
"Don't lie to me, Izuku," Eijiro demanded. "I can see it with every look, every word, every action involving her."
Izuku faced away from him.
"My sentiments are inconsequential-"
"The hell they are! You know that Momo cares about you just as much as you do for her, but ever since you guys shared that kiss you've been standoffish and it's hurting her!"
Izuku's shoulders fell.
"I…I want to, Eijiro…but at the moment I can't…not without putting her at risk." Izuku confessed.
Eijiro tilted his head in confusion.
"Although I am a member of the Kuchiki Clan and even a candidate to be Lord Kuchiki's successor, until I have proven myself worthy to the Clan Elders, I am not a blood member of the Clan…as such…I must remain firm in my duties."
Izuku sheathed his sword.
"Momo wishes to be a hero…but on top of those responsibilities, she will also be the successor of the Yaoyorozu Conglomerate and the future head of her Clan…a simple street rat like me" he spat out with a rueful chuckle "…and someone like her? …it would never be allowed. Not when the futures of both our Clans are at stake."
His fist began to tremble as he clenched it.
"She needs someone worthy to stand by her side…someone of noble blood and prestige. Not only to protect the interests of our Clans…but also to protect her from the enemies that exist from within."
Eijiro stared at his friend sadly as he slightly turned his head.
"Do not mistake my lack of action for lack of desire…but until I complete my mission…I cannot act lest I put her in danger."
Eijiro blinked in confusion.
"Your mission?"
Izuku tensed but nodded.
"The only thing that will assure my place as a blood member of the Clan. I must hunt down and defeat its black stain."
Izuku's eyes narrowed.
"Kuchiki Koga. An escaped villain…with his defeat, I will become a blood member, and then I will finally be able to reciprocate everything that she desires and more…and I will apologize for everything I've done to hurt her…" Izuku said as he bowed his head.
Eijiro nodded at him.
He pressed the end call button on his phone, hidden behind his back.
Shaky tears fell down Momo's face as she sat on her bed, phone in hand.
"You…dumbass…"
Ever the protector.
She gave a teary smile.
"All you had to do was say something…baka…"
Hosu
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
"What the-?" Stain hissed as a bunch of sharp objects hit him, drawing blood and pushing him away.
'What was that? I didn't even see anything!'
"Stain. Your reign of terror ends tonight."
"Who are you, boy?" Stain snarled. The surprise attack had left him feeling faint from the bloodloss already accrued.
"Mido-" Iida began. "Senbonzakura! Stop! This is my fight!"
"Silence, Iida." Izuku said scathingly. "Your arrogance in thinking that you could avenge your brother when he was defeated is foolishness of the highest order."
He stalked forward.
"I have already said this to Todoroki. But those who would allow personal matters to interfere with their hero work are unworthy of being heroes."
"...I-"
"You foolishly went on alone, attacking someone above your caliber while ignoring the plight of an injured hero." he lectured while motioning toward Native.
"Midor-"
"Ingenium would be disappointed in you." Izuku finished with a cold glare. Iida's words choked in his throat as he bowed his head.
"...I…I'm sorry…"
"Take this lesson to heart, Iida." he continued, this time his tone got softer. "If we allow our personal feelings to dictate our actions, we not only place ourselves in danger, but also our charges. Use this experience to learn…and be better."
"An admirable sentiment," Stain's voice cut in with a snarl. "You might just be worth sparing, but this child is already corrupted and he will be another sacrifice!"
He roared as he launched forward, blade going for the samurai.
It was blocked by an invisible force but he could feel his sword grinding against something.
'Stain's tactics of using dark alleys has served to his disadvantage. Senbonzakura is only seen due to the light reflecting off the petals.'
Hmm…perhaps he would do well in underground operations as well, a question for Aizawa-sensei.
"What is this?"
"You need not concern yourself, Stain…this will be over in an instant."
"Arrogant boy! I'll-!"
Spurt! KUSSSSHHHH
Stain choked as blood exploded out of him.
He fell down to his knees before falling back, his legs slowly undoing themselves as almost gently fell against the ground.
'How…'
He fell unconscious.
"How did you…?"
"Senbonzakura is invisible to the naked eye…the only reason that people can see it is by the blades reflecting light. A weakness I do not share. In this dark alleyway, it was the perfect scenario for my victory."
"You…defeated him so easily…"
"Hardly. He underestimated me and this was quite literally the perfect location. Were the circumstances different, our battle may have gone differently, especially if he managed to afflict me with his quirk which seems to paralyze people." Izuku explained.
He then ducked down and, with Native's tools, bound Stain before taking the three of them to the end of the alleyway and calling it in.
"Midoriya…how did you know I would be here?" Iida asked, slowly regaining feeling in his body.
"Edgeshot was called in to assist with the hunt alongside Endeavor. Upon the notification that you went missing, I volunteered to look for you."
"And it seems that your mission was a success, Senbonzakura."
Izuku turned and bowed to his sensei, the latter bowing back.
"Most impressive work, if a bit bloody."
"I made sure that the wounds were nonlethal and dressed them appropriately."
"Indeed, and I understand the nature of your quirk. Your control is quite impressive."
"Thank you."
I-Island
Izuku was really, really wishing that he was a blood member right now.
Momo had confronted him and although he cursed Eijiro's duplicity, in the end he was grateful.
Suffice to say that she had knocked some sense into him and thus began their secret relationship.
Apparently it was also very exciting for her, since it reminded her of her romance novels.
As it was, they needed to hide their relationship from the public eye and as such, he could not act out against the scoundrels that were looking at his Momo with such lust in their eyes.
'I really wish I could gouge out their manhoods…or their eyes…or both.'
Still though…at least he got the first dance.
Most of the dances for that matter.
Though the evening could have gone better had it not been for the villains.
"You won't stand in their way!" Izuku roared as Senbonzakura Kageyoshi followed his commands, the blades shearing through the metallic pillars.
As he observed All Might and Kirishima fight however…
'It's…extremely similar…something is not right.'
Summer Camp
"You cannot make me turn, Shigaraki." Izuku said as he glared at the older man.
Izuku had given himself up as the target of the raid on the summer camp, though public opinion was…against him.
Muscular and Moonfish were dead by his hand.
Never before had he been so grateful to Aizawa-sensei for defending him along with Grandfather.
"Oh…I don't want to turn you…I want to break you."
He then grabbed Izuku's right arm, pinky extended.
Izuku gasped, his eyes widening in fear.
"How about we see…just how well you can use that sword with only one arm."
He let his pinky gently fall.
"Agh…gasp…ar-agh…ya…" Izuku choked as he could feel the decay spread.
"Let's see how loud you can scream." Shigaraki smiled.
"Aaah…rrrrrr…" Izuku grit his teeth, nearly cracking them from the force as he tried to keep silent.
He couldn't.
"rrrRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
The door closed.
Izuku walked through the school unheeding to the whispers of those around him.
He had been rescued from Camino thanks to a daring plan with Eijiro, Momo, Iida, and Uraraka.
But he also felt much regret.
All Might had sacrificed his power…his body…
Was it his fault? As everyone was so keen on saying.
'Is it my fault?'
"Did I…end All Might?"
Provisional License Exam
Izuku had become…colder.
Eijiro was worried.
Usually he wasn't the type to go off on his own without even saying a word.
The ground shook as something exploded across the skyline.
"...300 students have been eliminated…another student has passed."
"Izuku…" Eijiro said, guilt eating at him.
"Izuku…" Eijiro said as he grabbed onto his shoulder. "There's something I have to tell you…"
Izuku coldly glared at him and they stayed like that for a moment before nodding.
"Very well."
"Follow me…" Eijiro said as he led him to one of the training grounds.
He knew that Izuku would be pissed.
"What is the meaning of this, Eijiro?" Izuku asked.
"I need you to listen alright…there's a secret I've been keeping from everyone…but…I couldn't let you keep destroying yourself…I need to tell you about All For One…"
Izuku stiffened.
"And One For All."
And he explained…everything.
Including how it wasn't his fault.
"I'm sorry…that I didn't tell you earlier…"
Izuku took a deep breath.
'All this time…'
"Uh…Izuku? Say something, bud?"
"Ban. Kai."
"Well…at least you're back to normal…" Momo sighed as she applied cold cloths to both their foreheads.
"By the way, you're both idiots."
"Love you…too…"
"Manly…blurgh…"
Momo sighed again.
Izuku kicked the moping Eijiro off the ground.
"Damn it, what the hell, Izuku?"
"You failed that little girl. Fine." Izuku said as he grabbed Kirishima's shirt and pulled him up. "But are you going to fix it, or are you going to languish in your failure?"
Eijiro sniffed then rubbed his eyes.
"I…can't do it alone…" he whispered as he bowed his head.
"You damn fool," Izuku said as he hugged him with his one arm.
"Whoever said you needed to do it alone?" Izuku said as he started to break down, mourning for his friend, his brother.
Eijiro clutched his shoulders as he let his walls crumble.
"Red Riot." Senbonzakura called out as he took a step forward. "Go on, find Overhaul and save the girl. I will defeat this man. Such is my mission."
Red Riot gasped as he turned to look at the man, noticing Izuku's particular phrasing.
"Right…I'll leave you to it, Senbonzakura!" Red Riot called as he charged forward.
Soon the three were left alone.
"A silvery-white windflower scarf from the Yaoyorozu Clan…and a kenseikan…is this youngling supposed to be my opponent from the Kuchiki Clan?" Koga mocked as he held the ornate halberd.
"Midoriya Izuku of the Kuchiki Clan, and Kuchiki Ginrei's chosen successor." Izuku declared.
"HA! A street rat! Ginrei really let himself go if he's considering you." Koga sneered.
"You are not worthy to speak my grandfather's name."
Koga laughed.
"Are you planning on locking me away again, little one?"
"No." Izuku coldly declared. "Because of your actions, a kill order has been placed on your head. As Grandfather's successor, it is my duty to cut you down."
Momo gasped as the two launched forward, striking each other with their blades, Koga swinging his halberd with relentless fury, nearly striking Izuku multiple times only for him to dodge by the skin of his teeth.
'Good thing Momo likes polearms so much.'
Izuku knocked Koga backwards, making him skid across the ground before he launched his polearm forward.
Izuku found himself stuck in place, even though he appeared free, looking down he saw that he was caught with shadowy tendrils.
"I've caught your image!"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Scatter. Senbonzakura."
The blades formed a wave and easily sliced through the tendrils before combining and launching towards Koga who managed to spin his halberd forming a shield.
Izuku flashed behind him, breaking his halberd with a single swipe, and cut straight through Koga's back.
He began to fade into black and his eyes widened as he saw Koga ahead of him, perfectly intact.
"You left yourself wide open, boy."
Izuku grunted as the cut tore through his back before he flashed away.
He saw Koga, high in the air, swing down at him.
Blood came out of his shoulder much to his surprise before Koga disappeared and reappeared in front of him.
He flashed away again.
"How…?" Izuku grunted.
"By infecting my adversaries with my energy…I can confuse all of their five senses." Koga grinned as he appeared by Izuku's side.
He swung again and the illusion disappeared.
"Your senses are already in the palm of my hand."
Multiple copies of him began to appear and fade away.
"Had you closed your mind off to me like Ginrei did, I wouldn't have been able to use this skill."
He appeared again in front of him.
"By attacking that girl, you let your guard down-"
"You're wrong."
"Huh?"
"I challenged you with my mind wide open so that I could kill you." Izuku calmly declared. "Had I done so with my mind closed, I may have been able to defeat you, but not kill you."
Koga roared as he charged forward, the two fighting again.
Unfortunately for Izuku, he'd end up overpowered and then trapped.
"How pathetic! To think that this is supposed to be his successor when I was passed over all because of my so-called ambitions!
He charged forward, ready to spear the boy.
"IZUKU!" Momo screamed.
A flash of pink.
And sakura blades blocked the blast.
"What the-? How?"
A phantom samurai appeared before Izuku, glowing pink, dressed in the same armor as him.
"Your senses may be confused, but mine are not. Let me be your eyes and limbs, Izuku."
"Y-you have a soul sword…then you are-"
(Reminiscence)
The trap shattered to pieces as Senbonzakura coalesced back into one blade.
"Your son, yes." Izuku replied.
Koga growled.
"How can you stand to do this? Don't you know what the Kuchiki Clan did to me! YOUR OWN FATHER!" he screamed.
"I care not." Izuku replied. "I have no loyalty to a father who betrayed his clan. To a husband who betrayed my mother. I have no father named Kuchiki Koga."
Koga roared as he pointed his halberd at him.
"Then I'll destroy you AND THAT SWORD!"
"I don't think so." Izuku replied as he dropped his sword.
"Bankai. Senkei: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Koga gasped as he saw them surrounded by four circular rows of pink katanas. Every row spinning in opposite directions.
"Behold, the true form of Senbonzakura. A space that focuses offensive energy for the sole purpose of defeating an enemy. In here, no matter where you are, this blade will find you without fail."
He reached out with his lone arm and grasped a blade.
Koga growled.
"Wherever I am? Arrogant child! Let's test that then!"
They attacked each other once more.
And Izuku was proving superior.
"H-how!? HOW!? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!?"
Izuku turned to face him and Senbonzakura appeared from behind.
"You who fight alone, how could you ever hope to defeat us who fight together? You who sacrificed everything, including the spirit of your sword for a false power, how could you even hope to compare to us, who are of the same soul?"
"Enough of this! I'm the strongest of the Kuchiki Clan, I'll carve my way out of this worthless society and BECOME KING OF A NEW WORLD!"
"Such foolishness."
"What was that!?"
"You still fail to recognize the true meaning of power, both by relying on others and accepting the power that came from your soul."
Koga snapped.
"YOU DARE LECTURE ME, IMPUDENT CHILD! MY POWER IS LIKE NO OTHER! ABSOLUTE POWER THAT HAS NO EQUAL! HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD!"
"It seems there is no use discussing this. Blame your own immaturity for not being able to recognize that your confidence is nothing but arrogance."
He then pointed his sword at Koga.
"Koga. I will now complete my duty as future Head of the Kuchiki Clan. As I have forsworn to do. Honoring the wish of my Grandfather."
All the blades turned to petals.
(Power to Strive)
"Behold, as a former member of the Kuchiki Clan, I have granted you the honor of witnessing my ultimate attack."
The petals swarmed Izuku, forming white wings and half a halo, the sword becoming similar to a bird.
'It's…beautiful…' Momo thought.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. Shukei: Hakuteiken." (Endscape: White Imperial Sword.)
Koga growled before unleashing all his power and concentrating it.
The white aura emanating from Izuku clashed with his as they met, their attacks erupting the underground cavern, exposing the sunlight.
Izuku walked forward before stumbling, being caught by Senbonzakura.
Momo quickly got out of her hiding place and helped support him.
"Thank you for not interfering."
Momo smiled at the two of them.
"You're both so foolish, you know that right?"
"Heh, how your words hurt us, My Lady." the two said at the same time, making her shake her head.
"N-no…this can't be! I can't…I can't…" Koga groaned before collapsing.
Kuchiki Koga was dead.
"Let us find Eijiro."
Eijiro was on a mission. Overhaul was down for now, and Eri's power was going wild.
He needed to find Izuku now.
"I NEED TO FIND SENBONZAKURA NOW!" he roared as he dashed across the sky, breaking everything to keep up with her power.
"I'm here Red Riot, what's the-" Izuku was cut off as Eijiro nearly tackled him.
"MOMO STAY BACK!"
He then grabbed Izuku's shoulder, as light as possible.
It still nearly broke him.
But the yellow energy moved over and Izuku gasped as he suddenly went through the oddest of sensations as his right arm was returned to him.
'Impossible…'
"NOW ERASER!"
Izuku walked out of the Clan meeting room, head raised with pride.
"Now presenting, Kuchiki Izuku!"
His clansmen politely applauded but after making the appropriate niceties walked over to Momo, dipped her and kissed her much to the surprise of all those attending.
Swinging her back up, (she was catatonic) he boldly addressed the crowd.
"I have spoken with Lord and Lady Yaoyorozu and now publicly proclaim my intent to court Yaoyorozu Momo. Any who dare to challenge this claim may face Senbonzakura in combat. Are there any detractors?"
No one spoke up.
"Very well then, if you will excuse us."
They left the room, Izuku half-dragging the catatonic Momo.
Everything was silent.
Then they heard the chuckling.
It was from Ginrei.
"That boy…he's been waiting to do that for quite some time now."
Nabu Island
(Might*U)
"Eijiro…are you sure about this?" Izuku said as he grasped his friend's hand.
"Never been more sure of anything else…Izuku." Eijiro said with a bloody grin.
Blood was shared, the azure dragons exploded.
Two growing pillars of pink and red pierced the sky as they faced Nine.
"We shall fight together, brother."
"Yeah…together."
Izuku dropped his sword.
"Bankai."
This time, boosted by One For All, a thousand pair of blades came up behind him.
"One For All:"
Kirishima's armor thickened to the point that it was impenetrable.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
" Unbreakable!"
And yeah, you can imagine the ass beating that Nine gets there.