Reviews answers :
Bosh Joeman, Nacker 15, Dafumanku, Crescentation, and N1cok : Hi everyone and thaks all for yours kinds words. I answer you all in the same time. I hope you'll like this chapter too !
AzurePheonix101 : Hello there ! Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you appreciate seeing Gohan getting a somewhat normal childhood and stepping into the hero role. It's indeed fulfilling to give meaning to his experiences by having him become a hero in this universe. And about Great Saiyaman – while the extravagant poses might not make a comeback, the essence of the character will remain. Keep an eye on this chapter and the ones to follow for more on how Gohan's journey unfolds!
X3Runner : Thank you for your interest! Gohan's strength is indeed an exciting aspect to explore with his continued training. Regarding Gohan having a big brother role with Eri, it's an intriguing idea, but that arc is quite far in the future. Moreover, the story will gradually diverge from the original manga plot after One For All's introduction. I can't reveal much more without major spoilers, but rest assured, if the opportunity arises, I will consider including Eri in the storyline.
Some1call4MR-E : Thank you for your message and your insights! I appreciate your critique and take it into consideration. The story has indeed evolved over several years of publication, and this translation reflects that evolution. Regarding Miss Joke and Aizawa's subplot, it's a secondary element in the narrative at this stage but adds a fun dynamic. As for Bakugo, his storyline begins in this chapter, and things will undoubtedly get complicated. They'll -Gohan and him- have a significant confrontation during the UA Sports Festival. Enjoy the read!
MajorMatt : Thank you for your feedback on the chapter and the translation! Rest assured, I have no intention of nerfing Gohan. In fact, he's significantly more powerful in my story than he is during the Buu arc in Dragon Ball. While he is slightly superior in terms of physical power compared to his canonical version, the major difference lies in his ki control, thanks to extensive meditation. He also adapts quicker and possesses a sharper critical mind than the canonical Gohan. Good read !
Kakathot : Thank you for your kind words and feedback! I'm glad the translation quality meets your expectations, and it's always a challenge to ensure a smooth and natural flow, especially when translating into another language, but I'm doing my best! Regarding Gohan's emotional vulnerability, I appreciate your perspective. If I were to do it over, I might approach his character development with a bit more nuance, but overall, I'm satisfied with the work I did four years ago. Indeed, Gohan's sadness and the process of rebuilding himself are essential for a credible portrayal of his future, especially given the loss of his parents and friends. However, I acknowledge that I might have emphasized his fear a bit too much. I'm delighted you're enjoying the story, and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts. Happy reading!
Chapter 6 : First Day !
Tokyo, early evening, West Tokyo Police Station:
Naomasa Tsukauchi was comfortably seated in his leather chair, reading a new report. It was yet another one concerning that vigilante...
No one could catch a glimpse of him, not at the speed he moved. He was like a flash of lightning, taking down villains before they had a chance to react. All people saw in his wake was a white streak, but before they could even utter a word, the vigilante was gone.
He was Tokyo's vigilante: The White Lightning!
The man or woman was completely unknown to the public, and only their quirk was recognizable. In four years of operation, theorists and investigators had only gathered a handful of clues, and currently, the investigation was at a standstill.
The vigilante wasn't even visible on security cameras, which at best, captured a vague silhouette draped in black. His speed was unmatched, and no professional hero could commit to a long-term investigation.
All Might, the symbol of peace, had been too "busy" lately. The detective knew the reasons for this better than anyone. Moreover, the hero was not firmly opposed to stopping a man who did good, even if he didn't fully abide by the laws.
Endeavor wanted to arrest the vigilante, but the number 2 hero spent most of his time at his main agency in Kyoto. He was in Tokyo only one week per month to check on his capital city agency. Therefore, it was impossible to contact him and ask for his help with the investigation.
Hawks... he was the best hero to aid in the investigation and help Naomasa uncover the vigilante's identity. The winged hero patrolled the city every day, at all hours, but had yet to encounter the vigilante since beginning his career as a pro. Yet, he was working on the case with the detective. Tsukauchi quickly understood why; the hero just wanted to meet someone who could rival him in terms of speed.
Miruko remained on the project because she worked in Tokyo and wanted to confront the mysterious vigilante. However, the investigator hadn't seen her for months.
Other known or underground heroes participated in the search on their own scale, but almost all of them had completely given up after a year or two of searching, deeming the man untraceable and preferring to work on more pressing cases.
They weren't entirely wrong. The White Lightning was formidable, a force the police had been actively seeking for years, to no avail, especially since he currently posed no danger. The heroes certainly saw no interest in wasting time on an investigation like this when they had more urgent cases to resolve.
Naomasa sighed, placing the report on his desk. In the past two months, the man had delivered work of incredible quality, matching that of the professional hero Edgeshot. If only he could find this vigilante, understand his motivations...
Perhaps he could convince him to go pro? Aside from one or two occasional slip-ups, the vigilante had only slightly injured the villains, and his presence had reduced crime by 29% in the capital.
He would make a wonderful pro, but first, he needed to be found. This investigation was his, and Tsukauchi would find out who the vigilante was sooner or later.
He closed the file with a hint of disappointment and placed it on his desk. He grabbed his phone and sent a message to his best friend, wishing him good luck.
A new school year was beginning at UA tomorrow, but Naomasa didn't realize just how much "good luck" would be needed in the coming months…
However, someone at his office door snapped him out of his thoughts. He wasn't expecting anyone, especially not at this hour. Perhaps a villain had been caught and they needed his assistance?
"Come in!"
The door swung open abruptly, revealing a very well-known heroine. Rumi Usagiyama, also known as Miruko, ranked 6th in the last quarter's hero rankings. She wasn't in her hero costume but instead wore a white tracksuit with black stripes down the sides.
Naomasa was surprised; he hadn't expected her to visit his office. Maintaining his professionalism, he smiled and gestured to a seat in front of him. "Good morning, Usagiyama. Please, have a seat."
She sat down promptly, meeting the investigator's gaze directly. "I'm not here for small talk, Tsukauchi."
"I figured as much. What do you need?"
She smirked confidently. "I come with information on 'The White Lightning.'"
This piqued the detective's interest even more. He hadn't seen her for months, and now she came bearing information on their most challenging case? This was indeed excellent news. He grabbed his notebook and a pen.
"Tell me everything."
The next morning, at Aizawa's house.
Gohan woke up groggier than usual, which was not ideal considering this was not the day to be late. He had overexerted himself in his vigilante activities in recent weeks and perhaps should not have gone to bed at two in the morning, especially when his heroic training was set to begin today.
He lazed in bed for a few minutes before finally getting up with effort. He opened his shutters, letting the fresh April air fill his room, enjoying the coolness for a moment before heading to his closet.
There was only one outfit he could and wanted to wear: the UA uniform. The ensemble was simple yet strikingly effective, and certainly more stylish and comfortable than his old middle school's attire. "Former middle school," he corrected himself quickly.
With the uniform in hand, he went to the bathroom for a quick shower. Once done with his routine, he checked his appearance in the mirror. The uniform fit him, albeit snugly, but he had no other option. He had asked Aizawa for a larger size to avoid tightness, but the hero had given him this particular outfit, tailored to accommodate his tail. A very important detail. He would have to wait for a larger size.
His palm tree-like hairstyle complemented the uniform well. He looked sharp, and he knew his mother would be proud if she could see him.
Exiting the bathroom, he descended to the kitchen to find Aizawa asleep in his beloved sleeping bag. The sight elicited a laugh from the teenager, but hunger quickly shifted his focus. Time was short.
He raided the cupboard, devouring whatever food he could find. He was determined not to let his stomach rumble during class, having had enough embarrassment in middle school. Even if Mirio hadn't pointed out it was him, Gohan was pretty sure his old classmates would have teased him.
Speaking of his childhood friend, he was supposed to meet Mirio outside in five minutes. Gohan headed toward the couch, hesitating to wake his sleeping tutor, but knowing that if he didn't, Aizawa would be late for the first class of the year.
And, he didn't want his tutor to make a poor first impression on his future students. So, he approached and gently shook him.
Aizawa's eyes snapped open immediately, glowing dangerously, then softened when he saw Gohan and realized he was safe at home, allowing sleep to take over again. A foolish mistake. He was fully awakened by a second shake.
"You have a class in thirty minutes," the Saiyan informed him, receiving a groan in response. As expected.
Gohan smiled at him and quickly headed for the front door, not wanting to keep his friends waiting too long. He spotted his best friend waiting on the sidewalk, just twenty meters away.
"Hey Mirio."
The blond was beaming that morning. "Hey record-breaker. Tamaki is waiting for us!" he joked, using the new nickname he'd inadvertently coined and then decided to keep, claiming it was an excellent title.
They hurried down the street and soon joined their shy friend. "Hello," Tamaki said, falling into step beside Mirio.
Togata kept up the banter for most of the journey, his smile lighting up their surroundings. A few young women paused to comment on his looks, but that was nothing new, and the three teenagers didn't pay it much mind.
"So, here we go, off to another year!" Mirio exclaimed as the train station came into view. Nejire would be joining them shortly…
Tamaki nodded thoughtfully. "I have a question. Gohan, which class will you be in this year?"
The Saiyan pondered for a few seconds before responding. "I'm in class 1-A."
Togata grinned. "Ah! Just like we were before, right Tamaki? Following in our footsteps?"
Gohan chuckled and scratched his neck. But just as he was about to retort playfully, Tamaki interjected. "So, will you have Eraserhead as your homeroom teacher?"
The blond raised an eyebrow, having not considered that angle. It could be a good source of jest…
"Yes, I think so," Son replied with a slight smile. He knew his tutor's reputation as a teacher but also knew the man behind it for years; he was confident it would be a good year.
"Good luck!" Mirio exclaimed, earning an approving nod from Tamaki and a sheepish laugh from the Saiyan.
"I think it'll be fine."
They waited for Hado to join them, her usual flurry of questions at the ready. She was beaming today, just like everyone else. Going to classes wasn't a punishment for them; they were genuinely excited.
Nejire tapped her chin, her cyan blue eyes meeting Gohan's onyx ones. "Tell me, Gohan, how many students do you think Mr. Aizawa will expel? 1? 2? 3? Maybe the whole class?"
The question startled the young hero-in-training. Aizawa would only expel those he deemed hopeless. It was harsh, but it was better than sending someone unprepared into battle. It made sense. However, the thought of witnessing any of his future classmates being expelled was unsettling.
"Uh… I don't know. I hope none. If they've passed the entrance exam, there shouldn't be any reason for that."
Nejire's joyful smile, as always when she received an answer to her questions, was charming, almost irresistible, though Gohan would never admit it out loud. He enjoyed their conversations; she always had questions, not always interesting, but there were never awkward silences with her.
That's when Gohan remembered something his tutor had mentioned. "Hey Nejire, if you ever need help with the coursework, just let me know."
Tamaki raised an eyebrow. "It's usually supposed to be the other way around. The first-year offering tutoring…" he muttered under his breath, with only Mirio catching it.
They had just passed through the entrance gate when Mirio decided to speak to his brunette friend. "Look at him, making his first attempt after two years."
Amajiki gave him a look of confusion, which slowly morphed into understanding. A new expression crossed his eyes as he observed the two chatting. "Ah," he said simply, unsure what to do with this information. Honestly, he wouldn't mind, but it wasn't his business.
A spark appeared in Togata's eyes, one that Tamaki recognized as his friend's heroic gaze. "We need to help Gohan! You're with me, right?"
Tamaki sighed and watched his friend's enthusiastic smile. Mirio had always been like this, though not many knew it. He loved playing matchmaker, having done it several times in middle school and even in their class, because he enjoyed seeing people happy.
Tamaki was about to say it wasn't his business, but Mirio's smile was so wide, so infectious, he ended up relenting. He couldn't refuse to help, although he wondered what he could possibly do... he wasn't particularly skilled in general, let alone in matters of the heart.
Eventually, he nodded, and Mirio threw an arm around his shoulder, laughing. Classic Mirio!
The quartet finally reached the wing reserved for the hero course aspirants, and the first-year classrooms were the first ones they encountered. A wave of nostalgia hit the trio, reminding them of their middle school days, a fun period in their lives.
1-A… Gohan finally spotted his classroom and noted the size of the door. He couldn't help but comment aloud, "That's a really big door."
Hado quickly replied, "That's because there are some pretty tall people. Like, in our class, we have a guy who's two meters thirty! And that's not even his quirk!" she exclaimed before getting on her tiptoes and stretching her arms high, trying to mimic the height of the person.
Gohan watched her for a few seconds before bursting into laughter, finding her quirky personality endearing. She was very sweet and kind, sometimes a bit (a lot) scatterbrained, but that was part of her charm.
She eventually noticed the boys laughing at her and adopted a mock hurt expression, which only added to the ridiculousness of the scene. She inhaled and puffed out her cheeks while casting a faux stern glance at Son.
Gohan seriously wondered if he had upset her, and a tinge of guilt crept up on him. He immediately stopped laughing, letting only a small smile linger on his lips, because if Gohan wasn't smiling, it was a sign of something serious. "Hey..."
Nejire dropped her feigned expression and burst into a melodious, soft, and always soothing laugh. Hearing her laugh, Gohan realized she was just playing along, so he joined in with his laughter.
Mirio and Tamaki watched the scene unfold, the former clenching his fist in excitement, probably thinking, "This is great!" while Amajiki observed with a tired expression. The interaction between the two had always been so gentle and pure for the past two years, even if things had become a bit different in recent weeks...
The bell rang, interrupting their moment. It was time to head to class. The UA seniors gathered and headed to their classroom at the other end of the hallway. "See you at lunch!" they said before disappearing, leaving Gohan alone in front of his classroom.
He glanced back; there were still about five minutes before Aizawa would arrive. Opening the door, he entered and quickly noticed that almost all the seats were taken. If he had wanted to choose his seat, he shouldn't have spent so much time chatting with his friends.
Gohan extended his senses, scanning the energy signatures of his classmates. He recognized several from the entrance exam. A few meters away, Tenya Iida was arguing with a guy with ash-colored hair, who seemed quite... vulgar and agitated. Gohan could almost feel his disdain and arrogance from where he stood.
Iida noticed the door opening and turned toward the newcomer. He rushed over to Gohan, adjusting his glasses. "Hello, Son. You and the boy with green hair saw the real nature of the exam. I must admit..."
Gohan interrupted him, knowing where this was going. "Ah, that. Well, it's logical, right? A hero is supposed to help people, even if it's not in their favor."
Tenya showed surprise, then something lit up in his eyes, resembling respect, albeit slight. Gohan was glad to make a good first impression.
The engine-powered boy was about to respond when the door opened to reveal the green-haired boy. Iida nodded at Gohan and approached him. "Hello, my name is Iida Tenya."
"I... My name is Izuku Midoriya," he introduced himself, stuttering before recognizing Son a bit further back, who was approaching them.
"Hey," Son simply said as he drew closer. "I'm Son Gohan. How are your legs and arm since the exam?"
The boy seemed surprised that a near-stranger showed concern for him but offered a small smile. "Uh... better! Thanks to you, thank you! If you hadn't stopped my fall..."
Gohan looked at him; indeed, if he hadn't intervened, Midoriya might have sustained far more severe injuries than three broken limbs. But the fact was, he had acted in time and prevented further damage. "Don't mention it! It's nothing!"
The three boys chatted quietly in their corner until the door opened, and the final student of class 1-A revealed their identity.
Ochaco Uraraka, who quickly recognized Midoriya and Son, was the last student to enter. She introduced herself and mimicked Izuku's punch, praising its strength.
During their chat, Gohan sensed a familiar energy approaching the corridor. Wanting to spare his new friends from a potential scolding, he coughed to grab their attention. "Maybe we should take our seats; our teacher should be arriving soon."
They all nodded and seated themselves just in time for Aizawa to enter the room. Silence fell in seconds as everyone's focus shifted to the "sleeping bag caterpillar," as Midoriya whispered.
"Three seconds... that's a respectable score; time is a precious resource. Now, change into your gym uniforms and meet me outside."
Whispers filled the room, but excitement was the dominant emotion as the students wondered about their outdoor activity. Gohan had a good idea of what was in store but remained silent to avoid the barrage of questions about how he knew. He wasn't keen on explaining that yet.
The boys headed to their locker room and quickly changed. Gohan glanced around, waiting for everyone to finish before changing himself, catching a few curious looks. He preferred not to reveal the scars from his battles, some dating back to his fight against Nappa and Vegeta when he was just five.
He wasn't ready for them to see his massive shoulder scar. Maybe in a few weeks, once they knew each other better, but he wasn't eager to delve into his past just yet.
Once in his gym uniform, he joined the other boys, who were eagerly discussing the upcoming test. The atmosphere was mostly cheerful, except for the blond center named Bakugo, who was grumbling and shouting, casting nasty looks at Midoriya. The rest seemed normal, which was a relief.
"Alright," Aizawa announced once they were gathered. "You'll be testing your quirks."
Uraraka expressed her surprise. "Really? What about the opening ceremony?"
Gohan stifled a laugh; his tutor wasn't one for such formalities. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
Aizawa sighed. "UA is known for allowing teachers freedom in their methods. We don't have time for such trivialities. Let's not waste more time and get started. Son, you scored the highest on the entrance exam, catch this ball," he said, pulling a baseball from his pocket. He cast a lengthy look at his adoptive son, signaling that at school, he was his teacher first and tutor second.
"Softball, 50-meter sprint, endurance running, standing long jump, grip strength, lateral movements, upper body strengthening, stretching... you've all done these exercises in middle school, but without your powers. The government hasn't yet taken measures regarding this, which is irrational, but regardless, you'll perform these tests today using your powers."
Gohan quickly grabbed the ball and surveyed the field. It was a standard setup with an athletics track, a sandpit for long jumps, and everything needed for basic physical exercises.
"Step into the circle and don't cross it. Throw the ball without holding back."
His classmates watched him with a mix of apprehension and excitement. Whispers rose, speculating that the exercise would be absolutely awesome and fun, but they didn't quite know their teacher yet.
Gohan walked about fifteen meters to reach the designated circle, ball in hand. He made sure not to step over the line, then took a deep breath. He needed to control himself to avoid creating shockwaves or earthquakes, especially since he didn't want to frighten his classmates on the first day.
A column of white ki energy swirled around Gohan, raging around him as he regulated its flow. The energy then calmed and tightened around him like a shining cloak. Satisfied with adjusting his power to the right level, the Saiyan gripped the ball in his hand. It was time to throw.
He threw the ball with such speed that no one could see his arm move; all they saw was a missile heading towards the stratosphere. The ground around him trembled and cracked, and the noise, akin to a massive explosion, startled several students.
They all watched the baseball disintegrate, burning up as it reached the sky, appearing to their eyes as a tiny fireball in action. "In... Incredible!" exclaimed a female voice, followed by many others.
Eventually, the ball vanished completely, incinerated, and Gohan turned to his tutor with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for destroying the ball..."
Aizawa looked up at him while checking his device, his eyes widening slightly. It was impressive, but again, he had only seen a fraction of his adoptive son's true level during the exam. The little he had witnessed of his level was during their occasional training sessions... "5,123 meters. That's good. Don't worry about the balls; I have plenty more. Join the others now."
Gohan then turned to his classmates to gauge their reactions. Some stepped back slightly as he approached, but most showed great excitement, likely because they were eager to use their powers and try to achieve a good score, perhaps even surpassing his.
"Dude, that was so manly!" exclaimed a young redhead with a wide, predatory smile. Next to him, a young woman with purple skin showed her enthusiasm. "Yeah, that was super cool!"
Gohan scratched the back of his neck and replied with a shy laugh. He was relieved not to have scared them and to have contained his strength sufficiently. "Thanks," he said before joining Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka.
"That was an extraordinary throw," Tenya commented, his hands moving in a robotic fashion. Uraraka nodded vigorously, seemingly having nothing to add.
Izuku gave him a weak smile as he approached, seemingly lost in thought, scribbling notes in his notebook. "Your power is incredible! What was that energy?" he asked as he finished writing a sentence.
Several others turned toward the group, intrigued by the question. The ash-blond gave a nasty look at Midoriya and even Gohan, which puzzled him. He pushed aside these thoughts and focused on his response.
"My power is called 'Energy.' It flows through my body and allows me to do various things. I can increase my physical strength, like I did when throwing the ball, or I can release my energy and make it explode," Gohan explained, omitting the fact that he could also fly.
"That's so cool!" exclaimed a boy with yellow hair and a black streak.
"Dude, it's going to be awesome to use our powers!" another student, with peculiar elbows likely related to his quirk, exclaimed.
Aizawa watched the class's chatter for two minutes before deciding to end it. He needed to make it clear that the hero course was no game. "It's crucial that you understand your own limits. Some of you seem to think this will be 'fun.' Do you think the next three years are going to be enjoyable...? In that case, the student who scores the lowest in points will be expelled from the hero course!"
Silence followed. No one spoke for the next minute as Aizawa let the information sink in. He couldn't in good conscience allow young people to pursue an unattainable dream. That would be far too cruel... They needed to understand that there was no room for play in the hero profession. It was just common sense...
Gohan met his tutor's gaze. It wasn't a total surprise, but he had hoped no one would be expelled on the first day. Perhaps Aizawa would change his mind after the exercise. It wasn't impossible, after all...
It was hard to shatter the dreams of young, enthusiastic individuals, but it would be cruel to let them face a life for which they weren't prepared. Gohan had seen enough people die in battle to understand the necessity of Shota's actions, and in this world, there were no Dragon Balls...
Gohan nodded with determination, understanding the necessity of such an act, yet a part of him still hoped the man would see potential in everyone. Only time would tell...
The classmates reacted differently; some were shocked and panicked like Midoriya, which made sense since his quirk seemed to break his bones if what Gohan had observed during the exam was accurate. Others were determined not to be crushed by the announcement, like Iida, Yaoyorozu, and the white-and-red-haired boy. Even without knowing their quirks, Gohan felt they would make it through the day.
The rest of the others were a mix of various emotions: fear, denial, misunderstanding, courage, and finally determination.
Aizawa was right to administer this test; it would reveal each student's raw capabilities and potential.
Some criticisms reached the teacher's ears, particularly about the test being unfair. Uraraka had specifically mentioned that it was unjust and senseless.
Gohan smiled at his worried classmates, feeling the need to provide an answer. "Aren't injustices what heroes are supposed to fight against? Whether it's villains or even nature, we can't be fully prepared to face them. But what makes a hero is taking each challenge head-on and overcoming it with a big smile!"
All eyes turned to him, and Gohan retracted, scratching his neck and laughing. He couldn't help but offer a comforting and logical response. He had seen plenty of injustices in his short life and agreed with his tutor's viewpoint.
"Well said. UA will constantly test all of you. Today is just the first and the easiest of the challenges. I expect you to exceed expectations, as that's what 'plus ultra' means!"
Everyone grasped the meaning of his words. This was what the first day at the hero academy was all about!
Exercise 1: 50-meter sprint.
Gohan watched his classmates run as fast as they could, trying to surpass their own limits. It was a sight he could only appreciate, and he was glad that most students took their teacher's words to heart.
Behind him, Midoriya watched Iida race against Asui, muttering under his breath. Without even needing to read his energy signature, Son knew his peer was fraught with worry, his legs trembling slightly, as were his lips. His green eyes shone with intense panic, painting a less than flattering picture.
"Midoriya," Gohan said, placing a hand on his shoulder, offering a slight smile.
"Yes?" he responded quickly, too quickly.
"Don't be afraid, just do your best, and everything will be fine! I saw you do well at the exam, and I know you'll do well today too."
Izuku's eyes met his, searching for any trace of irony or mockery, but there was none—only honesty and words of encouragement. "Thank you, Son."
Iida finished his race with a record time of 3.04 seconds, a very impressive number, and even the half-Saiyan was surprised. Few humans could reach such speed, but it was his classmate's forte.
Aizawa nodded, taking mental notes, then decided to call the next students. "Son and Jiro, you're up."
Jiro glanced at her teacher and headed to the track, with Gohan following promptly. The young woman turned to him, remembering how he had helped her during the entrance exam. "I never got the chance to thank you for the tip you gave me at the exam."
Ah, he had completely forgotten, but the gratitude was welcome. "You're welcome. Let's do our best."
She nodded and got into a sprinting stance, while Gohan simply readied himself and controlled the power flowing through his body. After a brief moment of relaxation, he was set.
"Go!"
Instantly, he dashed from his position, barely visible to the human eye, the machine struggling to record his time. "2.11 seconds," announced the robotic voice, while everyone was surprised by the young man's speed.
Gohan observed their reactions. It wasn't bad. They were surprised, but that was all; no fear in their eyes, just a desire to outdo him. That was a good sign. Iida approached him as Jiro just finished her run. "7.55," the machine noted.
"Son, your score is impressive! But I will do better, and I ask you to continue giving your best so that my future success is significant."
"Alright, I'll be waiting!" Gohan replied with a small smile, relieved to see no fear or jealousy in his classmates' eyes. UA truly had an impressive selection this year.
Exercise 2: Strength.
The whole class gathered in the gym, and everyone was given a device to measure strength. The device was simple, featuring a grip handle to estimate grip strength, with the score displayed below.
Gohan grabbed the device in his left hand and stared at it thoughtfully for a moment. This time, he could go a bit more serious since it was just a machine. There was no risk of harming his classmates with a shockwave or earthquake since the device would give in first.
He then crushed the grip... literally. The device counted up to a ton, then gave in, breaking apart and creating a small explosion due to the overload.
Everyone turned to Son, who this time noticed genuine fear in the eyes of some of his classmates. A real fear emanated from a few of them, notably the small boy with purple balls on his head and the one with a stone-like face. They looked at Gohan as if he were an abomination, a monster.
This hurt the young Saiyan more than he thought it would. The last thing he wanted was to instill terror; he wanted to make friends with his new classmates...
Perhaps he should moderate his strength for the next exercises?
Exercise 3: Standing long jump
Everyone performed rather well in the exercise, even if Midoriya hadn't yet revealed his full potential. Uraraka used her power on herself, nearly vomiting in the process. Iida used his muscular legs to jump further. Bakugo utilized his explosions to keep himself airborne.
Overall, the results were impressive for most. Gohan simply leaped forward and deliberately landed three-quarters of the way into the sandpit—he could have easily reached the other end of the campus in one jump, but that would have been overkill, and he didn't want to scare his classmates any more than he had a few minutes ago.
Exercise 4: Extended side steps
The surprise of the exercise was Mineta, who surpassed almost all students with his sticky balls used as springs. Son had to admit it was impressive and inventive, but he focused on mastering his own abilities.
He finished just behind the small boy, chaining his side steps at high speed for several minutes. He could have gone faster and longer, but he didn't want to overdo it, especially after seeing Koda's and Mineta's reactions during the strength exercise. He needed to control himself.
Exercise 5: Softball throw
Since he had already participated as an example, the Saiyan was exempted, allowing him to observe his classmates' powers more calmly. There were incredible abilities, like the heir to the Yaoyorozu family, who could create any object she wished. She created a cannon, no less!
Uraraka set an unthinkable score: infinity. Since she nullified the ball's gravity, all she had to do was throw it, and it would never stop. Her power was far more potent than it initially seemed, the possibilities... it was astounding.
Bakugo also delivered a good performance, despite his fiery temper and insults towards Midoriya, throwing the ball about 700 meters, which was quite good. However, the explosive boy grumbled about anyone who matched or exceeded his score, which was frankly unpleasant.
Iida, Uraraka, and Son were chatting among themselves while Izuku headed to the circle. Bakugo was just a few meters away, glaring contemptuously at the green-haired boy. It was a look he reserved especially for Midoriya, something Gohan quickly noticed; there was something between them.
"Midoriya is struggling, isn't he?" Iida remarked, crossing his arms with a hint of concern on his face.
Bakugo was about to respond but was cut off before he could open his mouth. "He'll manage," Gohan simply said with confidence, believing in his words. The green-haired boy might have appeared scared, but the spark in his eyes was unmistakable. He would succeed.
"And my ass is a chicken! Deku is nothing but a worthless, powerless piece of trash," Katsuki exclaimed before spitting on the ground, startling the group that was talking.
Gohan simply observed in silence. "Worthless piece of trash," this guy clearly lacked respect for Midoriya and insulted him the way Vegeta insulted Goku. It was strange and suspicious, why such hatred towards their classmate? Did he think he was superior from birth?
Son was starting to get tired of him; receiving bad looks behind his back was one thing, but openly insulting Midoriya in front of him was another...!
However, Iida decided to respond before Gohan could get angry. "Powerless? I think you are mistaken, didn't you see what he did during the exam?"
Bakugo glared at Tenya and growled. "What?"
'Deku' stepped up to the circle and held the softball in his hand, then, after a moment of whispering words of encouragement to himself, he decided to give it his all. His entire arm lit up, signaling he was going to use all his power, and across his whole arm.
Gohan watched him throw the ball, uncertain, but he knew Aizawa would step in to stop his throw and erase his power before he could seriously injure himself. And he was right, Eraserhead stopped Midoriya before he could harm himself.
Aizawa then explained to Midoriya why he had erased his quirk, and the entire class learned with astonishment that he was the pro hero Eraserhead. The teacher's words were harsh, very harsh even, but necessary, although he could have explained it with a bit more tact. But again, Aizawa was not a man to mince words.
When he deemed it necessary to say something, he said it. It was a personality trait that Gohan respected but also slightly feared. He felt sorry for the other boy, but someone with the soul of a hero never gives up.
That's what Aizawa was testing; he wanted to know what was in the young man's heart and push him to exceed his limits, to think of a way to use his power that wouldn't maim him.
"He's going to fail," Bakugo said, genuinely believing he had no power that could get him out of this situation.
"I wouldn't worry about him if I were you."
Midoriya tried again, and at the last moment, defied the odds and managed to throw the ball over seven hundred meters. He concentrated his monstrous brute force on his finger alone and propelled the ball at the last moment.
Everyone was surprised by his power usage, and even Gohan showed his astonishment. He had only seen the punch from a distance and knew only the aftermath, but seeing it from just a few meters away was something else.
The power of Izuku's ability shook the ground... it was no small feat. Izuku's energy surged dramatically when he used his power, a significant force, one that Gohan hadn't felt in a long time. The boy had extraordinary hidden potential, and Shota had surely noticed it.
A brief silence fell over the spectators, now accustomed to such displays of power, but they couldn't help but be amazed once again. Uraraka was the first to react, finding it incredible. Iida commented that he found such power strange...
Strange, indeed, it was. From what he knew about quirks, they could cause severe repercussions, but only after abusive use; generally, they weren't dangerous to the user... but in Midoriya's case... it seemed truly abnormal.
As everyone was discussing, an unexpected event occurred. Bakugo Katsuki, who evidently had a grudge against Izuku, suddenly screamed a vulgar insult. Sparks erupted from his palms, and his red eyes shone with a deep bloodlust. That simple moment was enough for Gohan to recognize the potential danger, and it was absolutely out of the question for Katsuki to attack.
The blond created a series of explosions, aiming to propel himself with their blast, but before he could execute his plan, a strong hand grabbed him from behind and slammed him to the ground with brutality.
Bakugo's eyes widened, and he spat out a mix of saliva and blood, trying to get up, but the grip was too strong. "What do you think you're doing?!" Gohan exclaimed as he pinned him down, forcing him to the ground. The Saiyan had, while containing his strength, applied massive physical pressure, using one leg to block the explosive boy's legs, while his two hands restrained his arms.
"Let me go, fucker!" Bakugo yelled as weak explosions still managed to escape his palms. He was driven solely by rage, by hatred, his terrifying red eyes made Gohan tremble with disgust for a moment. He had seen such purely evil looks before, reveling in others' suffering.
The scene lasted only a few seconds, but the entire class was horrified by Bakugo's behavior. It was incomprehensible, why attack a classmate on the first day? What was their story, their problem?
"ENOUGH!"
Aizawa's powerful voice put an end to all the whispers among the students. The teacher grumbled, assessing how his adoptive son had noticed and handled the immediate attack from the first moment. Such a thing should never have happened on the first day of school, in fact, it should never have happened at all.
Gohan finally released the blond and stepped back. Bakugo, cornered, forced himself to calm down, despite the seething rage within him. He growled but ceased all hostile activity, maintaining a shred of sense, Aizawa noted internally.
Shota sighed, realizing he would need to keep an eye on this student. He had potential and good technique, but his character was lacking. Fortunately, at UA, nothing was impossible, and he would handle his case to make him a good hero. "Prepare for the next test."
Uraraka rushed to Midoriya, who was still holding his bloodied finger, and expressed concern for him. Gohan caught his friend's gaze for a second and gave him a brief nod. Midoriya appeared thoughtful but said nothing and readied himself for the last two exercises.
Exercise 6 and 7: Endurance running and stretching.
The last exercises went by quickly and were very easy for everyone. The endurance run went relatively well, and Gohan, annoyed by Bakugo's behavior, took the opportunity to vent. He finished first with ease, maintaining a high speed and consistency throughout the exercise, which did not fail to impress the other students. In his anger, he had abandoned his decision to fully control himself.
Iida and Yaoyorozu stood out during the exercise, Iida because of his remarkable endurance and his quirk that aided him, and Yaoyorozu created a bicycle and used it.
As for the stretching, no one had any particular difficulties, although Ashido Mina stood out. Her agility was impressive!
Once the final exercise was completed, everyone gathered around Aizawa, who was waiting a bit further away. It was time to get the results and conclude a morning full of action. Moreover, it was almost lunchtime, and Gohan was getting impatient.
Gohan had observed his classmates and most of them had good potential; he was happy to be in their class, eager to see them evolve and become great heroes. They seemed to be nice people to spend the next few years with, and the half-Saiyan couldn't help but smile.
After seeing them, he was very confident that all of them would be around for the rest of the year. Since they all had potential, why exclude anyone? Aizawa must think the same way, with his pragmatism.
To his left, Midoriya was trembling slightly, closing his eyes, fearful. The test had not been easy for him, and it was natural, but it had helped establish his current limits and show what he could achieve in the future. However, seeing his injured finger and his expression twisted in fear was not a pleasant sight.
Such a destructive power... he needed to learn to use it very soon if he didn't want to end up disabled. The very idea that someone could be seriously injured by their own power was quite unsettling.
"Here are the results," Aizawa said, using a hologram to reveal the scores.
1st: Gohan Son.
2nd: Momo Yaoyorozu
3rd: Shoto Todoroki
4th: Katsuki Bakugo
.
.
.
20th: Minoru Mineta
21st: Izuku Midoriya
A few exclamations of joy were heard, the relief of not being excluded was too significant.
Izuku Midoriya was devastated, sorrowful, and his eyes took on a glassy hue. It was not good for him to take the last place because he most likely thought he would be excluded. Gohan looked at him and hesitated to share his opinion; he didn't think Midoriya would be excluded because he had potential, and Aizawa wouldn't discard those who have it.
However, it was true that Midoriya needed to improve quickly, as his power was too dangerous. Son wondered if he couldn't help him master his power, as he had helped Mirio with his, admittedly it had taken months, almost a year to achieve, but the blond now had control over his abilities.
So why not help Izuku?
However, before he had time to think further, the teacher decided to intervene. "In fact, no one will be expelled."
A new silence settled in for a few moments, no one knew how to react. The surprise rooted them to the spot.
Aizawa had a slight, mocking laugh. "It was just a 'logical' ruse to get the best out of your abilities!"
Gohan suspected as much, and an even bigger smile spread across his face, what an excuse! He knew that his tutor would have expelled the entire class, as he had done last year, if he hadn't seen any potential. This story of a logical ruse was just a half-truth, meaning in reality that he saw potential in everyone.
Suddenly, Iida, Uraraka, and Midoriya, as well as a handful of others, shouted a big "What?!" in surprise. A good part of the others, however, seemed to accept the professor's acting.
"Seriously, it was obvious. Think about it, it could only be a ruse!" declared a young woman with a certain disdain. Gohan recognized her in a glance, it was Yaoyorozu.
"I don't think so," Son muttered as he scratched his neck.
"Alright," Aizawa declared. "We're done here, head back to class. Midoriya, you're going to the infirmary."
Everyone raised their heads and returned to the classroom, except for Midoriya, who needed to have his finger treated. Aizawa watched his son head towards the class for a few seconds, thoughtful, then sighed. "Was he holding back a lot? I'm almost certain he was careful not to hurt his classmates, but at one point, he completely lowered his power... I'll have to monitor this and act accordingly if he continues in the coming days."
A few hours later:
Gohan opened the door to his house and dropped his bag on the sofa, finally relaxing. The day had been enjoyable, and he was full of hope for the coming months; finally, his life at the superhero high school had begun after so much time.
The young Saiyan headed to his fridge and pulled out a bottle of soda he liked, then returned to the sofa. He flopped down and reflected on everything that had happened.
After his tutor's exercises, there was an hour of class, literature. It was somewhat disconcerting after the exercises, but he didn't complain much; he liked studying. His classmates, however, were quite depressed by such a simple class, though they followed along without making waves.
Gohan found his new classmates quite nice; he hadn't communicated much with them, except for Midoriya, Iida, and Uraraka, but he hoped to have longer conversations with them.
After the literature class, it was lunch break. Objectively, it was the best moment of his day because he reunited with all his friends, and they joked about Aizawa's teaching style. Tamaki was surprised that no one was expelled, Mirio was happy, and Nejire asked a multitude of questions about their powers and what Son thought about them. He answered all the questions, and she smiled, likely noting his responses in her mind.
Then, the afternoon passed in a blur. Son took notes with some detachment; he had known all the lessons for a long time. He spent most of the time daydreaming, then when the bell rang, he left the school premises with his new 1-A friends.
The discussion with them was short but insightful, especially regarding Izuku. Honestly, when the young man announced that 'Deku' was actually an insult, it was enough for Gohan to understand some things about the boy's past with Bakugo.
And it disgusted him. He didn't know the exact details, but he was pretty sure Katsuki and Izuku were not friends. Gohan was intelligent and knew how to connect the dots, especially the obvious ones, and he swore to keep an eye on Bakugo Katsuki.
Midoriya seemed to be a nice guy, shy but with remarkable determination. Bakugo, on the other hand, was a violent megalomaniac who had attacked Midoriya on the very first day of class, using a deeply personal insult.
It didn't take a genius to understand what that meant, but for now, it wasn't his business.
The front door suddenly opened, interrupting his thoughts. "Hello."
Gohan nodded. "Are you okay?"
Shota made a vague nod, his usually stern gaze looking unusually thoughtful. He walked over to the couch and sat down. "What are you cooking tonight?"
The half-Saiyan smiled. "My meat reserves are dwindling, but I think I can whip up something nice!"
"Good. Make extra, we have an unwelcome guest," Shota remarked, looking tired, likely referring to Yamada.
Interestingly, since arriving in this world, the young man started cooking once a week to lighten his tutor's load, but it turned out he was quite good at it, so he ended up cooking several times a week. Like tonight, for example. He usually cooked the meat he had stored from his hunts to have a substantial supply, so there was no need to go out hunting.
"Oh, is Mr. Yamada coming?" he asked cheerfully, happy at the prospect of seeing the man who occasionally crashed at their place. He brought life to the party and told tons of amusing stories; his presence was always welcome.
"No." Aizawa exhaled weakly, a dark aura surrounding him, his features drooping, giving him a ghostly appearance.
"Then who?" he inquired, starting to get slightly worried. Since the entrance exam, his tutor sometimes exhibited such a mood that he initially thought was sullen, but he realized it was actually shyness, embarrassment.
One word was enough to chill the room. "Emi."
Ah, so that was it... the woman had been getting noticeably closer to Shota in recent weeks, and she had even come over for dinner two weeks prior, accompanied by Hizashi.
Gohan liked her; she was kind and fun, always there to tease his tutor. He knew she now taught the second years at UA, and occasionally the third years if needed. So, since she worked at the same high school as the man she pursued so fervently, it wasn't surprising they were growing closer.
According to Present Mic, the two had almost become "something" years ago, but Emi's departure had ended all hope. In reality, Emi and Shota were very close friends as they went on patrols together in Kyoto, sometimes joined by Hizashi, forming a tight-knit group.
Then she left to teach, and Aizawa closed his heart. A few months later, Gohan arrived in this world, and his tutor's life changed drastically. They saw Emi a few times after the amusement park, often during holiday periods, but she never stayed long enough for the flame to reignite.
But now that she was here... was the dying spark turning into a blaze?
"Great. I'll make tonkatsu! I still have plenty of pork left."
Shota nodded, and Gohan took out his pork reserves, enough to feed an entire family for two weeks. He quickly chopped them up and started frying them, as he was accustomed to doing. He was far from being as good a cook as his mother, but he managed well enough.
It was certainly better than his tutor's cooking, who didn't know much beyond instant noodles.
"I'll need to go hunting," Gohan mentioned out loud while he was cooking.
Aizawa, working at the table, looked at him seriously. He was aware of his adoptive son's biological needs but didn't like him going out at night. "You can do it tomorrow evening or the day after; you need rest tonight."
The young man opened the freezer. "Yeah, tomorrow's dinner will be light."
Rest tonight? Why not; he was tired from his lack of sleep over the past few weeks due to his nighttime patrols as a vigilante. Taking a night off from his routine wouldn't hurt.
He continued cooking for the next sixteen minutes until someone knocked on the door. It must be her, late as usual.
Shota got up and opened the door, sweating slightly. "Come in."
"Hi Shota!" she exclaimed as she entered the living room, a broad smile on her face. "Hi Gohan!"
"Good evening!" he replied as he monitored the rice cooking. Dinner would be ready soon.
"Wow, you always make so much! It makes one wonder where it all goes."
Gohan laughed, slightly embarrassed. His insatiable appetite was hard to miss, and he remembered well the surprise on Mirio and Tamaki's faces the first time they ate together.
Once the meal was ready, the young man set the table swiftly, and they sat down to eat.
"I'm surprised you didn't expel any of them. Is my knight in shining armor softening up?" she teased, nudging the grumpy man.
Aizawa finished chewing. "They just have potential; I won't hesitate to expel those who don't."
Emi laughed and Gohan joined in. The rest of the meal went smoothly, filled with simple yet enjoyable conversations, giving the dinner a very warm atmosphere.
Until…
Fukukado suddenly stood up, striking a dramatic pose, surprising everyone, with Shota widening his eyes a bit. "I have a great idea! How about we have a joke contest?!"
Son quickly finished his plate of meat and looked at her, already knowing how bad this joke contest was going to be. A thought crossed his mind, wishing Present Mic was there, but alas, he was not!
Aizawa looked her straight in the eyes and opened his mouth, likely preparing to refuse. "Okay," he declared, stunning everyone at the table. Emi momentarily trembled with excitement, and Gohan stopped eating, thinking he was witnessing a miracle.
"You start!" she exclaimed before pouring herself a bit more red wine.
Why had Shota agreed? He wondered that very moment as he searched for a decent joke, maybe because the sparkle in Emi's eyes had caught him off guard.
He coughed and finally spoke after several seconds of silence. "What do you call a dog with no legs?"
Awkward silence, of course, it had to be dark humor.
"Tell us!"
Shota sighed, seeing that no one had the answer, and finally gave it. "You don't call it, you go get it."
As terrible as the joke was, a genuine burst of laughter crossed the table. One should expect such a grim joke.
Then, it was Emi's turn. "Do you know the story of the bunk bed? It's a stand-up sleep story!"
Only Gohan laughed, Shota was visibly embarrassed. Next, it was the young man's turn, but he didn't really know what to say. Focusing, he searched for the worst jokes from Mirio and Hizashi, then he finally spoke.
"What's green and wears a cape?"
Aizawa sighed, he had heard this one before. "A cucumber pretending to be All Might."
The joke was so bad that they all laughed. The rest of the evening went pleasantly, with a joyful and friendly atmosphere. Emi left a bit later after teasing Shota even more.
Gohan had a great day, and nothing could go wrong, neither today nor later.
As he went to bed, he couldn't imagine what awaited him that week.
A/N : I'm delighted with the reception this story has received in recent weeks and sincerely hope that you, the readers, are enjoying the journey we're on together. Your support and feedback are incredibly valuable to me.
The narrative is evolving significantly, both in terms of impact and the developments that lie ahead. We're about to enter a phase where tension escalates, intense battles and investigative plots become more prominent. Brace yourselves for a surge of adrenaline!
The upcoming chapter will focus on Gohan's relationship with the Big 3, and particularly, the onset of his romance with Nejire. This will be a pivotal moment for Gohan's development, and I'm excited to share it with you. I hope you'll find this evolution as thrilling as I do.
Thank you again for your ongoing support, and stay tuned for the upcoming chapters that, I hope, will continue to immerse you in the rich and dynamic universe we're exploring together. Happy reading to all! Next chapter comming the 7th march because the next french chapter incomming the 8th.