Chapter 14

As Izuku and Bakugou left the principal's office, an awkward silence hung between them. The events of the day weighed heavily on Izuku's mind, and she knew she needed to address what had happened.

"Kacchan," Izuku started hesitantly, "I'm really sorry for losing control like that. I didn't mean to go berserk."

Bakugou glared at her, his usual scowl in place. "Yeah, you better be sorry, Deku. But if you think this changes anything, you're wrong."

Izuku shook her head. "I know it doesn't change our past, but I wanted you to know that I'm working on controlling this power. Next time, I'll be ready to face you with full strength and control."

Bakugou's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, it looked like he might explode again. But instead, he gave a short, sharp nod. "Good. Because I won't accept anything less than your best. Next time we fight, I want to see what you're really made of."

Izuku smiled slightly, appreciating the begrudging respect in his words. "Deal."

With that, they parted ways, heading home in different directions. As Izuku walked, her mind raced. She had a week off to recover, but that also meant she would miss the USJ training exercise. Her heart sank as she realized the implications.

"If I'm not there during the USJ attack, things could go horribly wrong," Izuku thought. "Without me, my classmates might be in even more danger. I have to tell them..."

The weight of her knowledge pressed down on her. She knew she had to come up with a plan. Her mind raced through possibilities, trying to find a solution that would allow her to protect her friends without breaking the rules.

By the time she reached home, she was determined to figure something out. She couldn't let her absence cause harm to her classmates. As she walked through the door, her resolve was stronger than ever.

Izuku's mother and sister welcomed her home with enthusiasm, but they quickly noticed her subdued mood.

"Welcome home, Izuku! How was your day?" Her mother asked, smiling warmly.

"It was... eventful," Izuku replied, trying to keep her worries from showing.

Her sister, Eri, looked up at her with wide eyes. "Did you fight bad guys today, big sis?"

Izuku chuckled softly, ruffling Eri's hair. "Something like that. But right now, I just need to rest."

Her mother nodded, sensing that Izuku needed some space. "Alright, sweetheart. Dinner will be ready soon. Just let us know if you need anything."

As Izuku went to her room, she couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at her. She needed to find a way to protect her friends during the USJ attack, even if she wasn't allowed to be there. She sat at her desk, staring at the All Might posters on her wall, and began to formulate a plan.

There wasn't any.

Even if she warns them, there will still be some risk. Reluctantly, she picked her phone.

"All Might…"

"What is it, Young Midoriya?"

"I have something to tell you… about the future…"

"...I am listening."

Shigaraki took a deliberate sip from the glass, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Kurogiri?"

"Yes, Shigaraki?" Kurogiri responded, diligently wiping a glass with a pristine napkin.

"I think Sensei's plan on attacking UA is flawed," Shigaraki stated, taking another sip and savoring the taste.

"Oh?" Kurogiri stopped mid-wipe, puzzled. "Can you elaborate?"

"Think about it," Shigaraki said, swirling the ice in his glass before plucking a cube out. He examined it with a critical eye. "Almost a year ago, Chisaki was found guilty of inhuman experiments. But—"

"He wasn't apprehended by a Pro Hero, police officer, or investigator," Kurogiri interjected, connecting the dots.

"Exactly," Shigaraki said, watching the ice cube begin to melt. "It was a regular teenage girl-turned-boy, strong enough to do this." He crushed the ice cube in his palm.

Kurogiri nodded and pulled up a picture on a tablet, showing Shigaraki an image of a completely devastated neighborhood. "She scored top in the entrance exam and is now a student in the hero course at UA."

"If she can effortlessly defeat someone like Chisaki and cause such destruction," Shigaraki mused, "then a single Nomu, maybe, just maybe, isn't enough."

"Well done, Tomura!" A voice crackled to life from a monitor, drawing their attention. "I was testing if you were smart enough to see the flaw in this plan."

"Really?" Shigaraki's tone was deadpan, skeptical.

"Indeed. Izuku Midoriya is the successor to One For All," the voice continued.

"How?"

"From what my spies have gathered, I'm certain her power is super strength and speed, akin to All Might's. She can even change her size, just like him. She's been seen with All Might numerous times," All For One's voice added. "Their connection is clear. She's been training with him, learning from him. Plus, they she, along with her mother and that little girl, was treated in UA. Therefore, confronting two One For All holders simultaneously is unwise."

"So we cancel the plan?" Shigaraki asked, frustration edging his voice.

"Don't be so disheartened, Tomura. There will be plenty of opportunities. You can make a move after the sports festival. But now is not the time. For now, just sit back and strategize on how to defeat your new nemesis…"

With that, the monitor screen went dark.

Shigaraki froze, the last words echoing in his mind. "My... nemesis?" He stood motionless for a moment before bursting into maniacal laughter. Kurogiri raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Shigaraki's reaction.

"A new player in the game with a cheat skill! Ha-ha-ha!" Shigaraki's laughter subsided as he turned to Kurogiri. "How fast can you hack into Izuku Midoriya's phone and computer?"

"I am not an expert, but it will probably take a few days," Kurogiri replied.

"Then get an expert!" Shigaraki shouted, his voice tinged with urgency. "She is my nemesis, damn it!"

Kurogiri nodded, turning on the tablet and opening YouTube. He typed in "Gentle Criminal," and the channel appeared at the top of the search results. He clicked on it, navigating to the description section where an email address was listed.

"A girl named La Brava should be able to do it easily," Kurogiri said, noting the contact information.

Shigaraki's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Perfect. Contact her immediately. We need every advantage we can get."

Kurogiri nodded, already composing an email. As Shigaraki paced the room, he couldn't help but feel a twisted excitement. Izuku Midoriya, the new wielder of One For All, had become his personal target. And he would stop at nothing to bring her down.

TBC