After the events of the USJ, students had the remainder of the week off to recover from the experience. They were heavily encouraged to not share what they went through with anyone else but their parents and of therapists, for fear of the League going after them.
Izuku had found himself pampered and borderline quarantined at the Midoriya home, his parents worrying sick about him in spite of it all. Komeko was elated her big brother was alright and seemed to pick up on Izuku's 'strong dislike' for Champion and Tomura, drawing pictures of him beating them up and taking every opportunity to mark them as 'meanies' whenever she saw their pictures or heard their names,
Armade had made a call to her mother about the attack, but had otherwise remained vigil and unmoved in her guarding of the family; something that both worried Izuku but made him rest easier.
Katsuki and Kirby were annoyed with the request to stay silent, but understood the reasoning. With their free time, Kirby had tried in vain to find information on some of the League members while Katsuki called up Zeff to ask if he'd give him a refresher.
Ben had been kept and pampered on my a worried Midnight, which he didn't really mind; his mother being an underground hero meant she often worked odd hours, so he welcomed time with her. She had let him out for a brief chat with Izuku over their contact with Tomura that day
Dorothy and Maetal grounded the Seraphim while remarking in pride of them, as had Dr. Vegapunk when he gave them a call. Meanwhile, Pilar had gone, in Rebecca's words; 'boarderline Liam Neeson' hunting down clues on the League.
"They may not have been aiming for Becky, but NO. ONE. MESSES. WITH. MY. Family."
He had so far come up empty, although a 'psudeo pal' of his, Giran, did say that if he proved himself, he might be able to arrange a call.
Marco had retreated in days long meditation, working on better understanding his powers, including those of the very mask he wore. The others couldn't be sure of his progress, but the small smiles he made during said meditation and a tear or two gave them the impression he may have made some sort of contact with his parents, so that was a plus.
Hilda and Rosa had decided to try their hand at meditation as well, with some results they kept hidden for now.
Penny had similarly been kept at home by her father, but she was at least to call the others.
DEVIL
Currently, the teachers at UA are in a meeting with Detective Tsukauchi. A few representatives of some of the facilities that were close allies with UA were there as well, such as the SCP Foundation, the S-Rankers, and even some of the lower members of the Heroic Public Safety Committee.
"It's a good thing that the students of Class 1-A were able to get a signal out to help despite the sabotage those villains made." Depestilous, the representative for the SCP Foundation and a trusted friend of All-Might said.
"Still, we must address the situation and how the students of Class 1-C, without prompting from any of their teachers, moved to the USJ in order to provide assistance." An agent from the HPSC said.
"While I understand it can be counted as vigilantism, if it wasn't for them, things would have gotten much uglier." Nedzu pointed out.
"Be that as it may, the HPSC still views this as unsanctioned." The agent addressed. "And trust me, THEY were very adamant about getting the details on one of your students...Izuku Midoriya."
This made everyone tense, especially in regards to Izuku. Nedzu felt his fur bristle, it seemed those five old fools were already setting their eyes on Izuku in particular. It made sense, given the origin of his powers.
"If the HPSC has any issues, they can take it up with me," Toshinori said firmly. "I was there to supervise them as their teacher, after all."
"Yes, and that's why they aren't being given a harsher judgment." The agent nodded. "Still, the higher-ups insisted that they be barred from the Sports Festival...except for Midoriya."
"And what do they want exactly with my cousin? Why is he getting special treatment?" Tatsumaki, the #2 S-Ranker asked.
Indeed, the OTHER #2 hero (in the eyes of some) was maternally related to Izuku; being Inko's niece through her sister. Tatsumaki had yet to properly reunite with or introduce herself to Izuku: Being one of, if not the most powerful telepath on the planet, she kept to herself while keeping an eye on her family for their protection…especially when she'd learnt three years too late what happened to her aunt's then only child. THAT discovery had led to her beginning to ignore summons from the HPSC and do her own thing, whether it was fighting off international threats or sitting in at UA or other school meetings.
So, as one could guess, she was thoroughly annoyed that the HPSC was once again meddling in her family's affairs, especially since they'd had no problem with Izuku and his crew helping to bring down Overhaul.
"They want to gauge just what kind of power he has. However, some of us at the HPSC would like to see the other students of Class 1-C show their mettle as well. So if you have a plan, Mr. Principal...surprise me." The agent said before standing up. "Good day."
The HPSC agents left the office. Tatsumaki just clicked her tongue in annoyance while Nedzu shook his head, already having some plans in mind to help Class 1-C participate in the Sports Festival.
"Thank goodness the HPSC sent some reasonable members here tonight," Aizawa grumbled. "But still, there's another issue to address..."
"Indeed..." Depestilous addressed. "The students of both 1-A and 1-C have already been given bounties on the Cross Guild."
Everyone grimaced, the Cross Guild was a sort of bounty guild that gauged the notoriety of Pro Heroes, Vigilantes, Pirates, and Villains. It was set up as a way to challenge those who thought they could be courageous or strong enough to defeat certain individuals in any of those four groups. Normally, Hero Students got their bounties around their Third Year, but this was something else.
"That just means the Villains will have more incentive to consider them dangerous...which means they might be prime targets." Aizawa grimly noted.
"And that means we have to push them harder than ever to be prepared for what comes next," Nedzu affirmed.
DEVIL
After the meeting had been adjourned, Toshinori stayed behind to have a private meeting with Nedzu.
"Is there an issue, sir?"
"Toshi, I should tell you... A lipid panel of Young Tokoutoya's blood was performed. It seems [Optimal Conditon] is multi-faceted."
Toshinori looked up in interest. "How do you mean? Are you saying it does more than heal her wounds or keep her physically fit?"
"The regeneration goes all the way down to the genetic level. Her very DNA is being repaired faster than the free radicals can damage it. Her immune system is supercharged, creating antibodies for any pathogen the second a new one enters her bloodstream. Cancer cells die off before they can fully gestate." Nedzu explained. "To be frank, Toshi... You couldn't have picked a more perfect vessel for [One For All]. Her Quirk is designed to maintain a perfect state of health."
"Which means she could handle any other Quirk if he ever got a new one," Toshinori said before his eyes widened in realization. "She could unlock all of them! All the various Quirks attached to [One For All]!"
Nedzu smiled. "Indeed. And she already showed her awakening of [Danger Sense] and [Smokescreen]. I have a feeling she will be the one to fully master [One For All]."
DEVIL
The very next day, Toshinori, in his normal skinny form but looking much healthier than before, was talking with his students along with Nedzu. Naturally, they were upset about a few things.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T FUCKING PARTICIPATE IN THE SPORTS FESTIVAL?!" Katsuki barked, his voice shaking the entire school.
"...Scream loud, kaachan. I don't think they heard you in Skypeida." Yaato grumbled.
"Oy! Only Deku calls me that, Ban-hands!"
"AHEM!" Kazuya coughed into his fist, then pointed at their prinicipal.
"Please continue, sir." Ben motioned.
"The HPSC currently considers most of you loose cannons. However, the higher-ups are still having Midoriya participate to gauge his power." Nedzu frowned. "But fear not, my students. I already have a plan in mind to make sure you all participate!"
"Oh, thank goodness!" Lilique breathed in relief.
"Don't keep us in suspense, Mr. Principal! What is it?" Rosa asked.
Nedzu smirked. "I'm glad you asked, Young Meihei! You see, every Sports Festival ends with a tournament after the two qualifier games are done. However, a few trusted associates in the HPSC have agreed to pull some strings so that the tournament is instead...an exhibition contest!"
"Exhibition contest?" Ben asked.
"Yes, each and every one of you will face an opponent of your choosing, even those who may not have made it past the qualifying rounds!" Nedzu grinned. "That way, everyone will have the chance to shine!"
"Good to hear!" Marco smiled, Click chirping happily.
"Had me worried for a second there, Teach," Katsuki smirked. "I'm gonna kick some ass!"
"However, there's something else we need to address. Do any of you know about the Cross Guild?" Toshinori asked.
Izuku, the Seraphrim, Rebecca and Marco nodded their heads before the Symbol of Peace sighed and turned to Nedzu, gesturing for him to show them. The chimera nodded grimly and booted up a holographic screen to show that everyone in both Class 1-A and 1-C had bounties.
"Holy crap..." Rebecca whispered.
"Yes, apparently, the Cross Guild has recognized your exploits at the USJ. They have already set up small bounties for you and they will only continue to grow the more notoriety you obtain." Nedzu explained. "It's a grim reminder of the challenges heroes must face, villains and other adversaries who will do anything in their power to defeat or even kill you to obtain the bounties or simply bragging rights."
Everyone in Class 1-C looked at each other. It was true all of them knew what they were signing up for but to be recognized by the Cross Guild so early? It was truly shocking.
However, Izuku stood up with a determined glare.
"We'll keep on fighting. We'll grow stronger together and soon, we'll become a crew so mighty, not even the bravest villain will even think to try and claim our bounties!"
Unknown to the boy, as he spoke, the hints of pressure swept the room; a pressure that was daring, intimidating…but in his current company? Inspiring and empowering as well.
Nedzu and Toshinori chuckled as one by one, the other students rose up as well. Ben just groaned as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Eh, what the hell, I already had a bounty on me as the Quirk Judge anyway."
"That's the spirit, my students!" Toshinori smiled proudly. "Smiling even in the face of danger. You're taking after yours truly day after day!"
Izuku couldn't help but swell in pride at the praise his idol gave him while the other students looked at each other and nodded. No matter what challenges came from this, they'd handle it together, as the mightiest crew of Heroes/Pirates that ever lived.
DEVIL
"So...anything we can help you with?" Koby asked as he and the rest of Class 1-A had just finished school for the day and were about to head out, only to see a horde of students in front of their classroom door.
"Are they here to hold us hostage?!" Minoru cried in panic. "I knew it! The villains are already onto us! Kaminari, Sero, open the windows!"
Kyoka jabbed the midget in the eyes.
"Relax, you idiot. They're clearly students."
"Can you not crowd us, please?" Uta asked. "I understand I have a lot of fans here but people need space, alright?"
"So, these are the famous students of Class 1-A." A bored voice drawled as everyone saw a young man with spiky indigo hair and dark circles under his eyes come out of the crowd. "I've been hearing you guys and the students in the new Class 1-C Hero Course are already getting lots of attention.'
"Um...nice to meet you." Koby said, offering his hand. "I'm Koby, Class Rep of 1-A. And you are?"
The boy looked surprised before accepting the handshake. "Hitoshi Shinso, General Ed. It's nice to see that you aren't a bunch of egomaniacs like I first suspected."
"Anything we can do for ya, Hun?" Ellie asked, a hand on her hip.
"Nothing much, just here to make a declaration of war," Hitoshi explained. "See, I wanted to be in the Hero Course but I failed the Entrance Exam and had to settle for General Ed. However, if I can perform well enough, I might possibly get a chance to get into the Hero Course."
"And you're planning on taking one of our spots, huh?" Yamato asked. "Well, you better give it your all...because we ain't leaving without a fight."
"It would be wise to be prepared. Even if Class 1C did help save us, we're not a bunch of pushovers who will keel over to your whims." N pointed out.
Hitoshi smirked. "Well then, challenge accepted."
"Well, look who it is..."
Hitoshi perked an eyebrow as he turned to see a smug-looking blonde with periwinkle eyes walking in. Some of the students of 1-A recognized him as Monoma Neito from Class 1-B.
"Can we help you now?" Uta asked with a frown, wanting to get home and start working on a new song. "Did you need something?"
"And just why do you think I'd need anything from clowns like you?" Monoma scoffed.
"Mostly because you were with everyone else scouting out the competition." Yamato grunted.
Monoma grinned. "Oh, is this your homeroom? I thought it was the garbage room where I can dump out my class' trash."
"Then where's your garbage?" Carrot asked with genuine curiosity.
"What?"
"You said you had trash, so where is it?" Eijirou asked.
Monoma grit his teeth in frustration as the targets of his bane stifled chuckles.
"How about we start over? I'm Monoma Neito and I'm here on behalf of the clearly superior Class 1-B to declare that we will crush you!"
"Well, so did Shinso here. You're not special." Kyouka shrugged, Hitoshi actually nodding in agreement.
"Do you have anything else to say or are you just gonna stand there and make an ass out of yourself?" Sero asked.
Monoma groweld lowly. He had hoped to instill fear into the students of Class 1-A and put them in their place, knowing that Class 1-B would outshine them in the Sports Festival, but here they were, undermining his words.
"You should probably do what they ask. You ARE making an ass of yourself." Hitoshi dryly said before turning and leaving, the other students slowly breaking off as well.
"Of course, how rude of me. It was truly an honor to meet the prestigious Class 1-A." Monoma snarked, venom dripping off every word before storming away.
"Sheesh, what was his deal?" Rikidou asked.
"Well. Hopefully he leaves Class 1C alone." Ochacko mused. "I mean, no offense to any of us, but…"
"Yeah, they;d fold him in twane for that sort of attitude." Momo mused, already imaging Bakura delivering a humorous beatdown the blonde…prick was the right word, yes?
Mina then slid beside Ochako with a knowing smirk on her face.
"Are you worrying about ALL of Class 1C, or just a tattooed green haired hunk with freckles?" She asked, delighting in Ochako's embarrassed blush and fumbled words.
DEVIL
"What, you have bounties now?!" Vivi gasped as she and Inasa had come by after school to hang out with their fellow Recommendation Students, except for Shoto, who simply left without another word.
"Yes, it's very troubling," Momo said, sighed as she looked over Bakura, Himiko and the other girls' bounty posters. "I knew about the Cross Guild from my parents but I never imagined I'd have a bounty only as a First-Year."
"And yet your class and Class 1-C are rising up to the challenge with hot-blooded courage!" Inasa pointed out. "Truly you are more than passionate heroes!"
"Still, we'll need to watch our backs from now on," Yamato grumbled. "Who knows what kind of jumpy upstart will try taking advantage in an attempt to get the spoils of war for themself."
"Ah, most of the villains roaming these parts are small potatoes anyway." Nia brushed off. "We can handle it easily. Right, Mipha?"
Mipha nodded. "Izuku is very clear that with all of us working together, we'll become a crew even more notorious and feared than Gol D. Roger's."
"That's quite a claim," Inasa noted. "But a hot-blooded declaration of war on the whole world is one I can respect!"
"See why I like this guy?" Makoto smirked as he joined Insana in a one-armed hug with Ben and Yaato.
"Also, sorry about Monoma from earlier, you guys." Juuzo Honenuki of Class 1-B said to Momo, Yamato, and N. "Ever since the school year started, he's got this glamorous idea about Class 1-B becoming the stars over Class 1-A this time around."
"It's alright, Honenuki. He was merely a nuisance to us earlier, nothing more." Momo said.
"Right now, we need to be prepared for the Sports Festival." Bakara pointed out. "All of us will need to be at the top of our game in order to show the world we deserve to be at UA."
"You got that right, sister!" Setsuna Tokage of Class 1-B grinned.
"I look forward to seeing what Hilda can do..." N mused to himself, looking off in the distance.
DEVIL
Ochako was just sitting by the lake, skipping some stones and humming to herself. She was excited for the Sports Festival to be sure, but then her mind began to wander as she recalled her original reason for becoming a Hero:
Her parents, exhausted as they were from working back to back triple shifts, had taken her to a parade, where several local heroes made an appearance. The sight of these brave, hardworking, costumed people instantly washed away the exhaustion her parents had been feeling and her parents especially looked truly happy to see them.
And in that moment, seeing her parents so happy and relaxed? Six year old Ochako Uraraka knew what she wanted to be; her dreams of taking Uraraka Construction to the stars were now on the back burner:
She'd become a hero. And not just a dime a dozen hero, mind you. No, she'd be like the ones her parents idolized, who saved and warmed hearts, alleviated fears and put everyone at ease.
And her parents, Go and Kasumi, had then worked even harder so she had the chance, caring for naught but their little girl's happiness. But in an age were so many Quirks can do the work of many workers? It was hard.
Then a year ago, it all changed.
First, a beautiful woman in fur clothing with blonde hair had commissioned the Urarakas to build a beachside manor. And not long after that, Hisashi Midoriya, seeing their quality work, hired them to build his Mega Entertainment Center.
Two jobs.
That was all it took to take them out of the red and probably have them set for life, with landscaping contracts and other businesses lining up for modest upgrades. Gou and Kasumi were now well rested, able to have breakfast and dinner with their daughter and fully listening to her adventures and classes, delighting in every moment as Ochako was.
"Ocha-chan!"
Ochako found herself pulled out of her thoughts by a delightful squeal and a hug around her waist. Looking down, she spied Komeko Midoriya, beaming happily at her.
"Oh, hi Komeko!" Ochako smiled, gently kneeling down to high-five the girl as she then saw that, as she'd suspected, her big brother and friend Eri were nearby. The little unicorn shyly waved at Ochako, remembering her from the Mega Center. "Hi, Izuku!"
The green haired boy smiled sheepishly, not expecting to see Ochako here but delighted to see her anyways….and knowing his crew would tease him for thinking that, as would his parents when Komeko revealed it.
"H-Hi, Ochako." He managed, inwardly demanding why it was harder to talk to Ochako when he could so easily talk with Kohaku, Sumiko, Rebecca and everyone else?!
"Babysitting?" Ochako guessed, pointing to the two little girls, now playing tag.
"Sort of: Hilda had run a quick errand and didn't want Eri bored." Izuku explained. "And well…Komeko can be…"
"Adorably demanding?"
"….One way of putting it." Izuku mused, his Observation Haki then spying Hilda watching the scene from nearby and making motions for him to speak more. "D-do you live around here?"
"Sort of." Ochako confessed. "You see, before your dad hired my folks, a friend who owns a building they built offered me a free semester. So, as my folks work on moving in, yeah."
Izuku smiled, grateful Ochako was surrounded by kind and helpful people.
"Hey, um, Izuku?" Ochako asked. "Can I ask you something?"
Izuku nodded.
"How…how do deal with the Wanted Posters?" She asked. "I mean, there's been no trouble yet and going over the other most wanted our bounties our pocket change, but…"
Izuku's eyes softened.
"Well…" He tried to choose his words carefully. "I mean…I spent most of my childhood training on a remote island, surrounded by people stronger than me who encouraged me to grow and become strong alongside them, right after I was called Quirkless. With those kinds of people and being away from my parents for so long? I guess I just started living in the moment until I was somewhat close to the level of my mentors and friends. And now that I'm back? I see so many people who want to help and I want to help them."
He took a breath
"I…I'm sorry, I don't have an answer."
Despite it all, Ochako smiled.
"I think I get what you're trying to say." She said, then spied Hilda. "Well, looks like you're about to be a free boy and I still got to get dinner going…"
"You're welcome to come over if you like!" Izuku hurriedly, then clamped his mouth. "I-I mean…if you'd like."
Ochako, Eri, Hilda and Komeko smiled warmly at that, the littlest Midoriya grabbing her brother and Ochako by the hand and then dragging them home, waving goodbye to Eri as she did so.
"…Is Ochako going to marry Izuku?" Eri asked Hilda, her sister just smiling and shrugging as they headed home.
Knightmare Lord A/N:
Izuku's Crew have their first bounties for their actions at the USJ and it seems the Sports Festival will be playing very differently coming soon! We also get to meet Hitoshi for the first time!