Izuku and Kushina faced each other, ready for one last sparring session of the day. This time, Izuku had decided to challenge himself by not using his quirk.

"Ready, Midoriya?" Kushina asked, her eyes focused and determined.

"Ready," Izuku replied, adopting a defensive stance.

They launched into action, their movements fluid and precise. Kushina's strikes were swift and powerful, each blow requiring all of Izuku's focus and skill to block or evade. Despite not using his quirk, Izuku moved with newfound confidence, his training evident in every motion.

Izuku ducked under a high kick and parried a series of rapid punches. He countered with a quick jab to Kushina's side, causing her to take a step back. Sensing an opportunity, he pressed forward with a combination of punches and kicks, each one pushing her further on the defensive.

Kushina, however, was relentless. She recovered quickly, her movements becoming a blur of attacks. Izuku managed to block and dodge most of her strikes, but she was faster and more experienced. A feint to the left followed by a swift kick to his midsection knocked the wind out of him. He staggered but remained standing, determined to keep fighting.

With a final burst of speed, Kushina delivered a low sweep that took Izuku's legs out from under him. He fell to the ground, panting and exhausted, but with a look of satisfaction on his face. He had put up a good fight, better than ever before.

Kushina extended a hand to help him up, a proud smile playing on her lips. "You did great, Izuku. You're really getting good without your quirk."

Izuku took her hand and got to his feet, breathing heavily but smiling. "Thanks, Kushina. I've been working hard."

Kushina nodded, her expression serious but encouraging. "Now you just need more practice to include your quirk in fights without putting yourself in harm's way. You've got the skills; you just need to integrate them better."

Izuku nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I will. Thanks, Kushina."

They stood there for a moment, the bond between them stronger than ever. Each sparring session, each challenge, brought them closer to their goals of becoming true heroes. With Kushina's guidance and his own unwavering resolve, Izuku knew he was on the right path.

Izuku and Kushina wrapped up the intense training session. Their breaths were heavy, and sweat glistened on their brows, but there was a sense of satisfaction in the air. They had pushed each other hard, preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

Izuku wiped his face with a towel and turned to Kushina. "Hey, Kushina, did you finish all the paperwork for the hero course? The deadline's coming up soon."

Kushina hesitated for a moment, her expression shifting from one of determination to something more apprehensive. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Actually, Izuku, there's something I need to tell you."

Izuku's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

Kushina looked away for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I'm not entering the hero course... at least not right away."

Izuku's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why not?"

Kushina sighed, her gaze meeting his. "I know this might seem sudden, but I've been thinking about it a lot. I was offered a recommendation spot for the hero course through some of my parents' old friends. But after considering it, I decided to start in the General Education course and then transfer to the hero course later."

Izuku was taken aback, struggling to process her words. "But why, Kushina? You've trained so hard for this."

Kushina nodded, her expression serious. "I know, and I still want to be a hero. But I feel that starting in Gen Ed will give me a more rounded education. I want to experience different aspects of U.A. and make sure I'm fully prepared. It's a decision I made after a lot of thought."

Izuku was silent for a moment, trying to absorb the news. He respected Kushina immensely, and her decision, though surprising, made sense in its own way. "I... I understand, Kushina. It's just... I didn't expect this."

Kushina gave him a small, reassuring smile. "I know. It wasn't an easy decision. But I think it's the right one for me. And I'll still be there at U.A. We'll still train together and work towards our goals."

Izuku felt a mixture of emotions—surprise, respect, and a bit of sadness at the thought of not having Kushina by his side in the hero course from the start. But he knew that this was her path, and he had to support her. "I respect your decision, Kushina. I know you'll excel no matter where you start. And we'll make it to the hero course together."

Kushina's smile widened, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "Thanks, Izuku. That means a lot. We'll both get there, one step at a time."

As they packed up their gear and headed home, the bond between them felt stronger than ever. They were on different paths, but their ultimate goal remained the same. Together, they would overcome any obstacles and become the heroes they aspired to be.

Kushina then got back into position for another spar as Izuku did the same

--

The sun was casting a warm glow over the streets as Izuku and Kushina walked home after their intense training session. The exhaustion from their workout was evident, but so was their determination. They chatted about their goals and the upcoming entrance exams for U.A., their excitement palpable.

"Today was tough," Kushina remarked, stretching her arms. "But we're getting stronger every day."

Izuku nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, I can feel it. We're going to make it into U.A., I know it."

As they turned a corner, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a horrifying sight. A massive, slimy sludge villain emerged from the shadows, its grotesque form undulating menacingly. The villain's eyes locked onto them, and it lunged forward with a guttural roar.

Instinctively, Izuku activated his quirk, shrinking himself and Kushina just in time to dodge the initial attack. They rolled to safety, regaining their normal sizes and preparing to fight back.

"We've got to be careful," Izuku said, his eyes focused on the villain. "Stay behind me."

Kushina smirked, her fists clenched. "I don't think so. We do this together."

Just as they were about to engage, a powerful gust of wind blew through the alleyway. Out of nowhere, All Might appeared, his larger-than-life presence dominating the scene. With a single, mighty punch, he scattered the sludge villain, its form splattering harmlessly against the walls.

"Don't worry, citizens! I am here!" All Might declared, his booming voice filled with confidence.

Izuku watched in awe as All Might expertly gathered the remnants of the sludge villain and sealed them into a bottle. His eyes lit up with an idea—perhaps he could use his quirk to capture villains in a similar fashion. The thought filled him with excitement and possibility.

All Might turned to Izuku and Kushina, his smile broad and reassuring. "You two were very brave. You must have some great quirks if you weren't afraid of that villain at all."

Kushina's expression darkened slightly at his words. She crossed her arms, clearly put off by the implication that their bravery was solely due to quirks. "Yeah, thanks," she replied curtly.

Izuku, noticing Kushina's reaction, tried to bridge the gap. "Th-Thank you, All Might! You were amazing!"

All Might gave them a thumbs-up before tucking the bottle into his pocket. "Stay safe, young heroes!" he called out before leaping into the air, his powerful legs propelling him high above the city.

As All Might disappeared into the distance, neither Izuku nor Kushina noticed the bottle slipping from his pocket, tumbling unnoticed to the ground below. They stood there for a moment, absorbing the incredible encounter.

"Did that really just happen?" Izuku asked, his voice filled with awe.

Kushina's expression softened slightly, but she still seemed annoyed. "Yeah, it did. But it takes more than having a quirk to be brave."

Izuku nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "You're right. But still, I think I've got a new idea for my quirk."

Kushina raised an eyebrow, curious despite herself. "Oh yeah? What is it?"

Izuku grinned. "I think I can capture villains, just like All Might did with the sludge villain."

As they continued their walk home, the excitement of the encounter with All Might fueled their determination even further. They knew that their journey was just beginning, and with each step, they were closer to achieving their dreams of becoming heroes.

But unbeknownst to them, the sludge villain's bottle lay forgotten on the ground, a potential threat waiting to be discovered.

--

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the bustling streets. Izuku and Kushina, still energized from their earlier training session, walked through the city, discussing their strategies and plans for the upcoming U.A. exams. The streets were crowded, filled with the usual hustle and bustle of city life.

Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a loud commotion. A crowd had gathered, and panicked voices filled the air. Izuku's heart raced as he and Kushina pushed their way to the front, their eyes widening at the sight before them. The sludge villain from earlier had reemerged, and this time, it had ensnared Katsuki Bakugo, who was struggling violently within its grasp.

The so-called heroes stood around, looking hesitant and unsure, their faces masked of indecision. Izuku felt a surge of frustration and determination. Without a second thought, he grabbed Kushina's hand and activated his quirk, shrinking them both to a minuscule size. They slipped through the crowd unnoticed, darting forward with a sense of urgency.

As they neared the villain, Izuku released his quirk, returning Kushina to her normal size while he remained small and perched on her shoulder. "Let's do this," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise.

Kushina nodded, her eyes steely with resolve. She sprinted forward, dodging the explosive blasts from Katsuki's trapped form. In one fluid motion, she leaped into the air, aiming a powerful punch at the sludge villain's eye. Simultaneously, Izuku jumped off her shoulder, delivering a precise punch to the other eye.

The villain recoiled, its grip on Katsuki loosening momentarily. Kushina landed gracefully, taking a step back with Izuku back on her shoulder, both of them poised for the next move.

"He's weakened," Kushina observed, but her voice was tense. The sludge villain, though damaged, began to thrash violently, hurling tentacles of sludge in all directions.

The crowd gasped as the villain's attacks became more erratic. Kushina dodged a tentacle that lashed out towards her, while Izuku shrank down and leaped from her shoulder, darting around the villain's body to avoid the flying debris.

"We need to keep him distracted!" Kushina shouted, her fists clenched.

Izuku nodded, using his small size to dart in and out of the villain's reach, delivering quick punches and kicks. The villain roared in frustration, its movements growing more frenzied with each hit.

Kushina seized the opportunity, rushing forward to land a powerful kick to the villain's midsection. The impact caused the villain to stagger, but it quickly retaliated, swinging a massive tentacle towards her. She barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side and coming up in a defensive stance.

Izuku, seeing an opening, grew back to his normal size and aimed a kick at the villain's core. The sludge villain howled in pain, its grip on Katsuki weakening further. For a moment, it seemed like they might be able to defeat it.

But then, the villain lashed out with renewed fury, sending a barrage of sludge tentacles flying towards them. Kushina was forced to backflip out of harm's way, while Izuku shrank again to avoid the attack.

"We need to keep him off balance!" Izuku yelled, his voice high-pitched from his tiny form.

Kushina nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. She launched herself at the villain again, this time aiming for its vulnerable spots. Her fists and feet were a blur of motion, each strike precise and powerful. Izuku joined her, using his quirk to dart in and out, landing blows wherever he could.

Just as the situation seemed to be escalating beyond their control, a thunderous bang echoed through the air. All-Might landed between the villain and the pair, his presence commanding and powerful. "Don't worry, young heroes! I am here!" he declared, his voice resonating with authority.

With a single, mighty punch, All-Might shattered the sludge villain, scattering its remains and freeing Katsuki. The explosive youth fell to the ground, breathing heavily, his eyes wide with shock and relief.

Izuku and Kushina watched as All-Might stood tall, the remnants of the villain dispersing in the wind. The crowd erupted in cheers, their faith in heroes restored.

Katsuki slowly got to his feet, his breaths ragged. He looked at Izuku and Kushina, his usual scowl softened by an unspoken gratitude. For a brief moment, his eyes conveyed a mix of thanks and a hint of respect.

"Bakugo, are you okay?" Izuku asked, stepping forward.

Katsuki didn't respond immediately. He dusted himself off, his pride wounded but intact. With a huff, he turned away, his voice gruff. "I'm fine. I didn't need your help."

Izuku and Kushina exchanged a glance, understanding the complexities of Katsuki's pride. They knew he would never openly admit his gratitude, but the look in his eyes was enough.

All-Might approached them, a broad smile on his face. "You two were incredible. Brave and quick-thinking. You showed real hero potential."

Izuku's heart swelled with pride, and he couldn't help but grin. "Thank you, All-Might. We just did what we had to."

Kushina nodded, her expression serious but satisfied. "Yeah. We couldn't just stand by."

All-Might gave them a thumbs-up before turning to address the crowd and the gathered heroes. As the excitement began to die down, Izuku and Kushina felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had faced a real threat and emerged stronger, their bond as friends and future heroes more solid than ever.

As they walked away from the scene, the cheers and applause still ringing in their ears, they knew that their journey was just beginning. The path to becoming true heroes was fraught with challenges, but they were ready to face them together.

--

Later that evening, after Kushina had gone home, Izuku found himself walking through the quiet streets, his mind buzzing with the day's events. The encounter with the sludge villain and All Might's words of encouragement had left him feeling exhilarated yet contemplative.

As he neared his neighborhood, he saw a familiar figure leaning against a lamppost, bathed in the orange glow of the streetlights. Katsuki Bakugo stood there, his usual scowl etched on his face.

"Kacchan?" Izuku called out, surprised to see his old friend and rival.

Katsuki looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Deku," he greeted tersely.

Izuku walked closer, sensing that Katsuki had something on his mind. "What are you doing here?"

Katsuki pushed off the lamppost and stepped towards Izuku, his expression unreadable. "You and that girl, Kushina," he began, his voice low and intense. "You still planning to go to U.A.?"

Izuku nodded, his heart pounding. "Yeah, we are. We've been training hard for it."

Katsuki scoffed lightly, a bitter edge to his laugh. "You think you can actually make it in? U.A.'s no joke, Deku."

"I know," Izuku replied, his voice steady. "But we believe in ourselves. We're going to give it everything we've got."

Katsuki turned his back to Izuku, taking a few steps away. For a moment, it seemed like the conversation was over, but then he stopped and looked back over his shoulder.

"At least you two won't slow me down like my so called friends," he said, his tone dismissive yet lacking its usual venom.

Izuku watched as Katsuki continued to walk away, his words hanging in the air. There was something different in the way Katsuki had spoken—less contempt and more a grudging acknowledgment of their efforts.

"Thanks, Kacchan," Izuku called out, his voice filled with a mix of determination and gratitude. "We won't."

Katsuki didn't respond, his figure gradually disappearing into the night. Izuku stood there for a moment, contemplating the brief exchange. It wasn't an open admission of respect, but it was something. For Katsuki, it was as close to a compliment as he might ever get.

As Izuku resumed his walk home, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path to U.A. was daunting, but he wasn't alone. With Kushina by his side and the fire of their shared dreams burning brightly, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The encounter with Katsuki, the fight with the sludge villain, and All Might's encouragement—all of it strengthened his resolve. They were on the right path, and nothing would deter them from becoming the heroes they aspired to be.

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