Sweat glistens and drips from Izuku's furrowed brow as he restlessly strikes the wooden dummy. His hands are tightly wrapped in dirty, white tape. Pausing to catch his breath, he steadies himself before delivering another powerful strike. Every moment spent in the chamber feels suffocating, the oppressive aura gnawing at his senses. The Hideout looms large around him, precisely as it had during the Initiation. The memories are relentless, but he forces them back, focusing on the task.

Izuku's fists connect with the wooden dummy again and again, the impact sending jolts of pain up his arms. The rhythm of his strikes is harsh and unforgiving, a desperate attempt to clear his mind. But no matter how hard he hits, the thoughts keep coming—memories of his brother, the blood, the dead of the Uchiha. They won't leave him alone.

His knuckles start to bleed through the tape, the pain becoming a dull, numbing throb. But he doesn't stop. He can't stop. He needs to keep going and push through the noise in his head. The strikes come faster, more erratic, as his frustration builds. He wants to feel something other than the chaos in his mind—something he can control.

The wooden dummy shatters with one final, furious blow, splintering into pieces that scatter across the chamber. Izuku stands there, breathing hard, his chest heaving as he stares at the wreckage. The silence that follows is deafening, the only sound his own ragged breaths.

Before he can fully process what he's done, the door to the chamber creaks open, and Akira steps inside. His eyes take in the scene—the broken dummy, the blood on Izuku's hands—and he frowns

"Midoriya," Akira says softly, stepping closer. "What are you doing to yourself?"

Izuku doesn't answer right away. He wipes the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, smearing blood across his face. His body trembles with exhaustion

"Training," Izuku replies, his voice hoarse. "I need to be ready. I can't afford to be weak."

Akira studies him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Izuku knows he doesn't fully trust Akira—how could he? But they share a common enemy, and that's enough for now.

"You can't train yourself into the ground," Akira says, "You're no good to anyone if you destroy yourself in the process."

Izuku shakes his head, pushing past the pain in his hands and chest. "I don't have a choice. I need to be stronger. I need to be ready for when the time comes."

Akira sighs, "I understand your drive, Midoriya. But there's a difference between training and self-destruction. You have to find that balance."

Izuku doesn't respond, his mind already drifting back to his goal. "Have you set up everything?" he asks, changing the subject.

Akira nods, though there's a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Yes. The computers are up and running. Everything we need to track Itachi and gather intel is in place. But Midoriya, you need to pace yourself."

Izuku walks over to where Akira has set up the equipment. A series of screens display various feeds, maps, and data. It's all there, laid out before him. But as he stares at the screens, his thoughts keep drifting back to the plan that gnaws at him every time he closes his eyes.

"I know you're worried," Izuku says quietly, still staring at the data. "But I have to do this. I must use everything I have, every resource, to strengthen. To be ready."

Akira steps up beside him, his gaze also fixed on the screens. "And what about UA? You're going to be there soon. Are you ready for that?"

Izuku clenches his fists, feeling the sting of the open wounds on his knuckles. "UA is just another tool," he says, his voice steady. "I'll use their resources and training to get what I need. To prepare for what's coming."

Akira hesitates before speaking again. "You know, Midoriya, UA is more than just a means to an end. You could—"

"I don't plan on making friends if that's what you're thinking," Izuku interrupts, "Especially not with Katsuki there. I know All Might had me automatically enrolled just to keep an eye on me. I didn't even have to take the entrance exam. Do you think that's fair? Does he trust me not to make it on my own? Does he think I'm weak, like I'm actually quirkless? I'm not. You shouldn't worry either. I've spent years trying to hide, but I'll be fine. All Might hasn't told me the specifics yet, but I doubt he'll put me in a hero class. It'll be too noticeable."

Akira glances at him, a mixture of concern and resignation in his eyes. "I just want you to be careful, Izuku. You're walking a dangerous path."

Izuku nods, though his mind is already elsewhere, focused on the goal ahead. "You don't need to keep acting like a counselor. I know it's dangerous, but it's my only path."

Akira doesn't push the matter further. He knows better than to try and change Izuku's mind when he's this determined. Instead, he sighs and returns to the screens, beginning to go over the plan again.

Akira's fingers glide across the keyboard, adding more files and images to the monitors. The dim light from the screens casts shadows across his face, making him look older and more worn down. Izuku stands beside him, his eyes locked on the data, but his mind still buzzes with thoughts that refuse to settle.

"As far as we know," Akira begins, his voice steady as he points to a map of the city, "Itachi's movements have been sporadic, but we've managed to narrow down a few locations where he's been spotted in the last few months. These are places he's likely to return to. We'll need to monitor them closely."

Izuku nods, barely hearing the words. His focus is split, half on the task at hand, half on the gnawing feeling in his chest—the pressure to get stronger, to be ready when the moment comes.

"We'll also need to keep an eye on UA," Akira continues, bringing up a schematic of the school. "It's a fortress, really, but if that white-haired guy knows who you are, and from what you tell me, he might try something. You'll have to be on guard at all times."

"I will be," Izuku says, his voice firm. "I won't let him catch me off guard. Not again. Last time was my fault. I will never let anything like that happen again."

Akira doesn't look convinced, but he doesn't argue. Instead, he pulls up a new set of files—dossiers on some of the key players at UA. "You'll need to familiarize yourself with these people. Even if you're not in the hero course, you'll be interacting with them. It's important to know who they are and their capabilities."

Izuku scans the profiles—names, faces, quirks. Katsuki Bakugou's face flashes on the screen for a moment. He doesn't know how to feel about him. He was a huge help when he first became 'Midoriya,' but he's become a nuisance. He might be a problem if he decides to fight him to prove he's finally stronger. Katsuki is a distraction, nothing more. The real target, the real enemy, is still out there.

"I'll learn what I need to," Izuku says, his voice cold, detached. "But I won't get involved with them."

Izuku's words hung in the air. He had no intention of forming bonds or friendships at UA, not when his true mission loomed ever closer. The faces on the screen were just obstacles, distractions that could pull him away from what truly mattered.

Akira nodded, his fingers still moving across the keyboard. "I understand your mindset, Izuku. But remember, isolation has its dangers, too. You may think you can handle everything alone, but even the strongest warriors know when to seek allies. Just... just keep that in mind."

Izuku didn't respond. The thought of relying on others felt foreign. He had been alone for so long, relying on nothing but his own strength. The idea of letting someone else in, even just as a tactical ally, was something he wasn't ready to entertain. He couldn't afford to show weakness. The only people he can really let his guard down are Inko and Akane. They make him feel like an actual teenage kid, at least for a while, anyway. When it is all over, he'll tell them everything. That's what they deserve.

"There's one more thing we need to discuss, Midoriya. It's about All Might."

Izuku's gaze snapped to Akira, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about him?"

Akira hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You said it yourself—All Might had you enrolled at UA without the entrance exam. He's been watching over you, guiding you. But you need to remember that he's also a symbol. A symbol of justice, of heroism. And that means he will be watching your every move, especially now that you're at UA."

Izuku nodded slowly, understanding the implication. "You think he'll try to stop me?"

Akira shook his head. "Not directly, no. But he might interfere in ways you don't expect. He cares about you, Izuku, and that means he's going to try to protect you, even if it means getting in the way of your plans."

Izuku clenched his fists, feeling the sting of his wounded knuckles. "I won't let him. I appreciate what he's done for me, but this is my fight. I have to see it through, no matter what."

Akira studied him for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "I won't argue with you on that. Just be careful. All Might is powerful, but he's also deeply tied to the hero society you're going to be a part of. If he catches wind of what you're planning, it could complicate things."

Izuku's eyes hardened. "I know. I'll keep my distance and do what needs to be done without drawing too much attention. But if it comes down to it... I won't let him stop me."

Akira didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned back to the screens, pulling up more data—this time, a series of surveillance footage from various locations around the city. "We've managed to track some of Itachi's movements, but he's elusive. He knows how to stay hidden, how to cover his tracks. But we're getting closer, Izuku. We're getting closer to finding him."

Izuku stared at the footage, his eyes scanning the blurry images, looking for any sign of his brother. Each frame was a reminder of how far he still had to go, how much stronger he needed to become. But it was also a reminder of why he was doing this—why he couldn't afford to let anything, or anyone, stand in his way.

"We'll find him," Izuku said, his voice filled with cold determination. "And when we do, I'll be ready."

Akira nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, we will. But remember, Izuku—this isn't just about finding him. It's about surviving the encounter. Itachi is dangerous, far more dangerous than anyone else you've faced. You need to be prepared for that."

Izuku's fists tightened, and the pain in his knuckles was a distant memory. "I'm ready. I've been ready for years."

Akira glanced at him, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "I believe you. But don't let your anger cloud your judgment. Itachi... he's not just a villain. He's your brother. That complicates things."

Izuku's expression darkened, his eyes blazing with the intensity of his emotions. "He stopped being my brother the night he murdered our clan. He's nothing to me now but a target."

Why does he care? Izuku had been hiding away for years, and then came Akira. He confronted Izuku with insanity, practically begging him to kill Itachi. Izuku hopes Akira isn't getting sympathetic.

"Anyway, Akira, I wanted to ask how you got so good at computers."

Akira looked away from the data he was pouring over, leaning back into his chair and staring at the ceiling. "I have several degrees, Midoriya: cyberwarfare, Computer Science, Cryptology, Psychology, Human Science, and others. I used to work for the HPSC; they required a man of many talents like me."

Izuku raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "The HPSC? So you were one of them?"

Akira nodded, his gaze distant as if recalling memories he'd rather forget. "Yes, I was. But I wasn't just a cog in their machine, Midoriya. I was good at what I did—too good, perhaps. They trusted me with secrets, with tasks that most people wouldn't even know existed. But I saw things, learned things that made me question everything."

Izuku studied Akira, trying to gauge the truth behind his words. "And that's why you left?"

A bitter smile crossed Akira's face. "You don't just leave the HPSC, Izuku. Not unless they decide you're no longer useful or you manage to disappear completely. I had my reasons, reasons I can't share just yet. But just know Itachi made it personal. He's the reason why I have that scar across my chest. He ruined what I loved. So, I'll make sure he'll die for what he did."

Akira's eyes bore into Izuku's, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. Izuku could see the pain etched in the older man's face, the depth of his grudge against Itachi. It was a look Izuku recognized well—a look of someone who had lost everything and had nothing left to live for except revenge.

But before Izuku could respond, Akira's expression softened. "Midoriya, you've done enough for today. You need to rest."

Izuku opened his mouth to protest, his mind still buzzing with the need to keep moving and to keep preparing, but Akira shook his head, cutting him off. "No, you need to rest. You can't afford to burn out before the real fight even begins. Go home, get some sleep, and come back tomorrow with a clear head."

Izuku hesitated, the urge to keep pushing himself gnawing at him. But deep down, he knew Akira was right. He had been running on fumes for days, driven by nothing but sheer willpower and a burning desire for vengeance. If he didn't take a step back, even for a moment, he risked making a mistake—one that could cost him everything.

"Alright," Izuku finally conceded, his voice low and reluctant. "I'll head home. But I'm not stopping for long."

Akira nodded, a small smile of approval tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That's all I'm asking. Get some rest, and we'll pick this up tomorrow."

Izuku turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Akira's voice stopped him one last time. "And Midoriya... don't forget why you're doing this. Remember your goal, but don't let it consume you."

Izuku didn't respond, merely nodding in acknowledgment before stepping out into the corridor. The darkness of the Hideout seemed to close in around him. But he pushed them aside, focusing instead on getting home.

The journey home was quiet. The city streets were nearly deserted as Izuku made his way through the familiar routes. His mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Itachi and the plans he and Akira had laid out, but an undercurrent of exhaustion pulled at him, urging him to rest.

By the time he reached his house, the sky had darkened, the moon casting a pale glow over the quiet neighborhood. He slipped inside, careful not to make any noise as he moved through the dimly lit hallways.

Once in his room, Izuku didn't bother with the bed. Instead, he settled onto the floor, crossing his legs and closing his eyes. He focused on his slow and steady breathing as he slipped into a state of meditation.

He stayed like that for hours, the night slipping away as he lost himself in his thoughts. The first light of dawn crept through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. But Izuku didn't move as he gently fell asleep.

Finally, as the sun began to rise, Izuku opened his eyes. The day had arrived—the last day of school before summer break. The last normal day Izuku would have.

ACT 1 COMPLETED

COMMENCE ACT 2