Chapter 5: USJ
Chapter Text
Krillin couldn't fathom how things had taken such an unexpected turn. The day was supposed to be peaceful and tranquil, a visit to USJ filled with learning, fun, and camaraderie. But the reality was starkly different, far from what they had all anticipated. Instead of a day of enrichment, Krillin found himself facing off against a monstrous adversary in a one-on-one battle. It was a situation that defied all expectations, and he was left grappling with the 'how' and 'why' of it all.
As he stood there, squared off with the colossal creature, Krillin's focus sharpened, and he instinctively assumed the combat stance he had learned so well from Master Roshi. His young eyes remained steady, unwavering, as they met the piercing gaze of the immense monster. His breath remained calm and controlled, a stark contrast to the tumultuous turn of events that had brought them to this point.
Krillin's mind raced, pondering the chain of events that had brought them to this pivotal moment. He also mulled over the tactical plan he had to enact, the strategy that would be essential to bring down this formidable foe and protect the newfound classmates he had met only days prior.
—-
Early that day, Krillin found himself among the other students in his class. While he hadn't formed particularly close bonds with anyone yet, he usually occupied a more reserved space in the background of their interactions. The diminutive monk observed his classmates, many of whom had already forged friendships from the early days of their time at UA High School. They huddled together in small groups, sharing laughter and kind words.
Krillin leaned back in his seat, gazing out of the window, his thoughts turning to his dear friend, Goku. The longing for Goku's presence was legit, and he missed his best friend more than he could express. In his mind's eye, he could almost hear Goku's encouraging words, the familiar voice telling him that he was doing a fantastic job and that he had the strength to face any challenge that came his way.
Krillin refocused on the present moment, realizing he was somewhat isolated in this diverse group. He understood that he was different, a bit of an odd duck compared to everyone else. However, he didn't let that bother him too much. Instead, he decided to direct his attention to the outside world as the bus began its journey. The trip was relatively short, and Krillin managed to catch a brief nap during the ride.
As he stirred awake and saw the other students disembarking from the bus, Krillin followed suit. He took in the surroundings within the USJ, impressed by the intricate setups designed for various rescue training scenarios. It was a stark departure from his typical combat-oriented training, and the novelty of it piqued his interest.
Krillin kept to the back of the group, silently observing the different areas and the challenges they represented, each meant to simulate environments and situations heroes might encounter. He marveled at the intricacy of the designs.
When the host, a unique-looking hero by the name of Thirteen, arrived and explained that this was a test or training exercise to hone their abilities in using quirks to save lives, Krillin couldn't help but feel somewhat out of place due to his lack of a quirk. Nevertheless, he kept his silence, determined to contribute in any way he could. He didn't want to disrupt the proceedings any further, given the unconventional circumstances that had already brought him to this world.
As Thirteen concluded their speech, Krillin and the other students noticed a sudden portal opening, and a multitude of people emerged from it. There was an unsettling vibe about them, and it became evident that they were not here with good intentions.
"Hey, wasn't All Might supposed to be here?" one of the newcomers grumbled, voicing their disappointment.
Thirteen immediately sprang into action, calling out orders to protect the students and urging everyone to group up. They also tried to contact UA for backup. However, amidst the commotion, Thirteen noticed that one student had failed to heed their instructions.
Krillin wasted no time and darted forward, his incredible speed catching one of the villains off guard. With a swift and precise punch followed by a powerful kick, he sent the assailant hurtling through the air, creating a small impact crater upon landing.
Shota Aizawa observed Krillin's actions, and though there was a hint of surprise, he recognized that the young warrior had demonstrated similar prowess during the exam. With a nod, Shota joined the fray, and Krillin, displaying his agility and combat skills, nimbly evaded the enemies' attacks. The two of them fought effectively against the overwhelming numbers, standing their ground as they defended the students from the threat that had unexpectedly arisen.
"Who are you, kid? It's like you're playing this game with a cheat code or something," Tomura commented, his gaze locked on the peculiar, noseless student who fought with the skill of a seasoned pro hero.
By this point, the other students had been scattered, leaving only Krillin and Aizawa to face off against the menacing foes. The two of them more than held their own, seamlessly working together as they battled their way through the group of underlings. These adversaries lacked any substantial training, and Aizawa's quirk nullification ability proved invaluable. It left the opponents vulnerable, allowing Krillin to capitalize on their defenses and render them incapacitated in various creative ways. Things felt like they were going well, that they could defeat these guys and then handle the boss. That was until something changed the status quo. Just when it seemed they had the situation under control, a grotesque and menacing creature, known as a Nomu, emerged, threatening to change the course of the battle.
—-
In the present moment, Krillin found himself face to face with the grotesque and seemingly illogical creature, the Nomu. He understood that Aizawa had to deal with the main enemy, Tomura, and that left him to confront this inhuman monstrosity.
With a sense of determination, Krillin decided that going all out was the only way to tackle this seemingly impervious opponent. He launched himself at the Nomu, landing a powerful strike to its chest. However, the damage seemed to be absorbed or canceled in some mysterious way. Krillin quickly evaded a retaliatory punch aimed at his right side, leaping back and assessing his opponent.
The Nomu was a perplexing adversary, able to endure damage and operate without any discernible logic. Krillin knew that his advantage lay in his speed, agility, and combat skills. With resolute determination, he continued to press his assault, delivering strikes while remaining vigilant, ready to adapt to the unpredictable nature of this formidable opponent.
Krillin's experience in battle served him well as he circled the Nomu, launching attacks from various angles. In this particular instance, he struck from the rear with such speed that he left an afterimage, which momentarily deceived the Nomu. This left the creature vulnerable to a powerful kick to the back, followed by a series of rapid punches and kicks that pummeled its side.
The Nomu seemed almost impervious, with the attacks causing no apparent damage. Nonetheless, Krillin remained undaunted. He was well-versed in facing formidable foes, having trained and sparred with Goku, Master Roshi, and other powerful warriors. The Nomu, while physically imposing, displayed a lack of complexity in its fighting style. Its sheer resilience and ability to absorb blows made it more akin to a living punching bag than a formidable adversary.
Krillin continued his relentless assault, understanding that the key was to accumulate damage over time. Each strike took its toll on the Nomu, and Krillin aimed to push the limits of the creature's durability in the hopes of finding a way to overcome this enigmatic opponent. Movement, unpredictability, knowing how to fight using his mind and body as one kept the short fighter out of danger from the larger foe.
"You're a tough one, but kind of slow you know," Krillin said with a grin as he had an idea, what to do, go all out and figure out what he could hit him with. It wasn't like he had to hold back against him at that moment. Plus, he could see other students starting to arrive from other areas. That meant if he let this fight go on, they might try to jump in and put themselves in danger too. He knew one of them most likely would rush forward, challenge the monster and cause a problem. One he would have to risk himself potentially to help them with. It just threw the dynamics of the fight off, in a way that wasn't necessarily good.
Krillin charged forward, determined to execute his plan against the formidable foe. With incredible speed, he created afterimages, confounding the Nomu with doppelgangers both in front and behind it. He then moved swiftly, positioning his hands by his side as he smirked and gazed upward, readying himself.
"Kame...hame...ha."
With those words, the mighty technique of the Turtle Hermit school burst forth, manifesting as a powerful energy beam that collided with the monstrous adversary. The Kamehameha surged through the Nomu's defenses, forcing the creature backward and then propelling it upward and out of the enclosed space within the USJ, as if it were receiving a one-way ticket out.
The exertion had consumed a significant amount of Krillin's energy, but he didn't let it show. As other students began to arrive, Krillin found himself slightly fatigued, but his resolve remained unwavering. Before he could further assess the situation, Kurogiri, the portal-manipulating villain, used the remaining villains as bait, successfully whisking Tomura and himself away from the area via warp, leaving Krillin and the other students to regain control of the situation.
With the arrival of the pro hero teachers, the battle came to an official close. Krillin, his energy spent from the intense struggle, found a quiet place to sit down and recover. Despite his central role in winning the day's battle, he was content to fade into the background, recognizing that every student had played a vital role in overcoming the unexpected threat. The shared victory was a testament to their collective effort and resilience in the face of danger.
Aizawa approached Krillin, his gaze resting on the young warrior who had displayed remarkable prowess in the battle. "So, anyhow, impressive work, kid," Aizawa acknowledged, his tone a mixture of approval and contemplation. The fact that Krillin, at the age of fourteen, possessed such formidable power was both impressive and slightly unnerving, as it hinted at the immense potential he held for his future as a hero.
Krillin modestly scratched his head and offered a humble nod in response to Aizawa's compliment. "Thanks, Aizawa-sensei," he replied, his youthful enthusiasm still shining through. While he appreciated the recognition, he was also aware that he had a long journey ahead, and the events at USJ served as a reminder of the challenges he would face in his pursuit of becoming a hero.
Krillin was acutely aware that, amidst the chaos of the battle, much of his actions had gone unnoticed by his fellow students. They had yet to discover the full extent of his abilities, particularly the powerful Kamehameha he had unleashed to send the Nomu packing. However, Aizawa had been observant, recognizing the young warrior's capabilities and his selfless dedication to doing what was right, regardless of personal recognition.
As Aizawa contemplated these qualities, he saw the potential in Krillin's future as a hero. The pro hero also pondered the idea of sharing some of his own skills and techniques, such as the capture bindings, with the young martial artist. Aizawa recognized Krillin as a skilled fighter and believed that providing some guidance could be beneficial for the boy's development as a hero.
