A year had passed since Izuku had started his intense training with Aguilar and Star and Stripe. At 13 years old, Izuku had managed to significantly improve his control over the wind, although he knew he still had a lot to learn. On this occasion, he was at a charity event in a coastal city in the United States with Aguilar. The atmosphere on the beach was relaxed, with a warm sea breeze and the sound of the waves accompanying the bustle of activities.
The charity event had been organized by Monarch Inc. in collaboration with several companies and hero agencies. There were food stalls, games for children, and an area where heroes demonstrated their abilities for entertainment and fundraising. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the construction of shelters and the improvement of infrastructure in areas prone to natural disasters.
Izuku, wearing a Monarch Inc. T-shirt and a pair of shorts, walked alongside Aguilar, who was greeting various acquaintances. "Look! Isn't that him?" a group of nearby people could be heard murmuring. "It's the kid from the mall!" said a woman, pointing discreetly at Izuku.
Izuku felt the eyes of several people on him, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the sudden attention. He turned to Aguilar for guidance, but his mentor only smiled at him. "You've become famous, Izuku. It's normal for people to recognize you," Aguilar said, patting him on the back. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to this," Izuku admitted, nervously scratching the back of his neck. "Hey, you're the kid who saved everyone at the mall, right?" A hero in a red and gold suit approached, offering his hand with a wide smile. Izuku shook it, somewhat surprised by the enthusiasm. "Uh, yeah, that's me..." Izuku replied modestly. "I'm Thunderstrike. I was on the other side of the city that day, but I heard all about what you did. You're incredible for someone so young," the hero commented, patting him on the shoulder. "Thanks, but I didn't do it alone," said Izuku, glancing sideways at Aguilar. "Humility, that's important too," Thunderstrike smiled and then added. "Keep it up, kid. Maybe one day we'll fight side by side." Izuku nodded, feeling a mix of pride and responsibility.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble, a subtle movement at first, but it quickly intensified. People on the beach started to panic, while heroes and security personnel tried to maintain order. "Izuku, stay alert!" exclaimed Aguilar, taking his position.
The tremor ceased as quickly as it had begun, but a murmur of worry spread through the crowd. Some heroes launched themselves into the sky, using their quirks to assess the situation from above. "Tsunami!" screamed one of the flying heroes in despair.
The beach instantly transformed into chaos as people tried to flee to higher ground. From the horizon, a gigantic wave, much larger than any hero had anticipated, was advancing with unstoppable force towards the coast. "Come on, Izuku! We need to help stop that!" Aguilar ordered, activating his wind quirk to begin forming a barrier against the wave.
Izuku nodded, feeling adrenaline rush through him. The sound of the ocean roaring towards them was deafening, and the magnitude of the tsunami threatened to wipe out everything in its path. Aguilar quickly positioned himself, extending his arms towards the approaching wave. The air around him began to swirl in a controlled vortex, lifting sand and water in spirals as the wind barrier took shape. "Star and Stripe! We need your strength here!" Aguilar shouted, not taking his eyes off the sea.
In the distance, Star and Stripe rose into the air, her figure standing out against the gray sky. With a firm gesture, she thrust her hand forward, invoking her powerful ability to manipulate the laws of physics. An invisible but powerful energy surrounded the wave, trying to slow its advance. The tension on her face showed how difficult it was to contain such a massive force. "It's not going to be enough!" muttered Star and Stripe, gritting her teeth as she struggled to maintain her control over the tsunami.
Several heroes joined the effort. Aqua Flare, with her quirk of controlling water, tried to divert part of the wave, separating it into smaller currents. However, the magnitude of the wave overwhelmed her. Her face showed a mix of concentration and worry, knowing that every second counted to save lives. Thunderstrike and other high-ranking heroes also entered the fray. Thunderstrike raised his hammer to the sky, summoning a lightning bolt that split the air with a deafening roar. The bolt struck the surface of the sea, creating an explosion of steam and foam that momentarily slowed the wave's advance, but only managed to gain a few moments. Crimson Charge, a hero specializing in creating energy barriers, positioned himself at the front of the line, alongside Aguilar and Izuku. With a shout of effort, he generated a glowing dome that covered part of the coast, trying to protect the civilians who had not yet managed to evacuate. However, cracks in his barrier began to appear almost immediately, revealing the overwhelming force of the tsunami.
Izuku, for his part, took a deep breath and focused all his concentration on his quirk. He felt the pressure of the situation, but also a fierce determination. He joined Aguilar in creating the wind barrier, his energy combining with his mentor's. The gusts intensified, rising like an invisible wall against the wave. "Don't stop, Izuku! Keep pushing!" exclaimed Aguilar, his voice firm despite the obvious effort.
The young hero-in-training clenched his fists, striving to maintain control over the growing windstorm they were creating. But the wave continued to advance, unstoppable, despite all their combined efforts. The water began to hit the barrier, rising in columns that threatened to overwhelm them. "It's too strong!" shouted Aqua Flare, as her control over the currents began to fail. Star and Stripe redoubled her efforts, creating an additional force field that enveloped part of the wave. However, even her power, which could alter reality itself, seemed unable to completely stop the fury of nature at that moment.
Izuku felt exhaustion beginning to take hold of him. The wind around his body was starting to spin out of control, reflecting his internal struggle to maintain focus. But just when it seemed that all was lost, the wind barrier gave way, and the wave crashed onto the coast with devastating force.
The water hit with a roar that shook the earth, dragging heroes and civilians alike. Izuku felt his body lifted from the ground and thrown backward, the roar of the water filling his ears. Everything turned into confusion and chaos as the current engulfed him. In that moment, something within his quirk resurfaced.
Submerged in the vastness of the water, Izuku felt an unexpected connection to his surroundings. The panic he had felt was replaced by a deep calm. The waves ceased to be a threat and became an extension of his being. The energy he had felt for so long, focused on the wind, adapted to the aquatic currents around him.
He extended his hands, feeling the water respond to his will. Instead of resisting, it began to flow with him, molding it, controlling it. The tsunami, which had previously seemed indomitable, began to yield to his influence. The water split, slowing down and diverting in different directions, as if guided by an invisible hand.
From the shore, the heroes who had been swept away by the wave watched in amazement as the force of the tsunami diminished. Star and Stripe, exhausted but aware of the change in the tide, looked at Aguilar, who had already noticed the awakening of Izuku's new power. "Is his quirk still changing...?" Aguilar said, with a mixture of astonishment.
Izuku, with a determined face and eyes closed in concentration, managed to divert the course of the wave. Although he couldn't stop it completely, he significantly reduced its impact, allowing the heroes on the shore to regain control and assist in rescuing the civilians.
Izuku was submerged in the tumultuous ocean, the current dragging him towards the bottom, but his senses were focused on the immense figure that was thrashing in the depths. The megalodon, a colossal prehistoric shark, was struggling in a frenzy of panic. Its erratic movements generated violent currents that extended towards the coast, amplifying the disaster that the tsunami had already caused.
As Izuku struggled to maintain control amidst the turbulence, he felt the water around him vibrate with a different energy, an energy that he himself had begun to awaken. His quirk, which had until now been limited to the wind, seemed to resonate with the power of water. It was as if the ocean was responding to his will, but in a more subtle, more alive way.
With each stroke, Izuku got closer to the megalodon. The shark, a beast that dominated the ocean, was now lost in its own terror, unable to control the power that normally granted it its quirk. As Izuku approached, the water became denser, the pressure increased, and the currents swirled with greater force, but he did not retreat. He knew he had to calm the creature before the situation worsened.
Finally, he found himself face to face with the megalodon. The shark's eyes, huge and filled with terror, fixed on his. Izuku felt a deep and primal connection, as if the ocean itself united them in that moment. He knew he couldn't speak to it in words, but he understood that his quirk, now linked to the water, could communicate what he needed to convey.
He closed his eyes and focused his energy on the flow of water, feeling how every cell in his body tuned into the currents that surrounded him. Water was not just an element; it was an extension of his being, a manifestation of his will. He let that will flow towards the shark, projecting calm and serenity.
The shark, which had been swimming frantically, began to slow down its movements. Izuku, maintaining his concentration, used gentle gestures to direct the flow of water around the shark, creating a bubble of tranquility in the midst of the chaos. The creature, feeling the peace emanating from Izuku, began to relax. Its breathing, which had previously been agitated and uncontrolled, became slower, deeper.
Izuku opened his eyes and saw how the terror in the shark's eyes faded. Now, in its place, there was a glimmer of understanding. The shark recognized that it was no longer alone in its panic, that someone shared its anguish and was willing to help. Izuku extended a hand towards the creature, and although he did not physically touch it, the gesture seemed to be enough.
The shark stopped, floating in the water as its large fins moved gently, allowing the currents to calm around it. The immense force it had previously unleashed was now contained, channeled in a more controlled manner. Izuku could feel that the crisis had passed, but he did not allow himself to let his guard down.
He maintained his concentration, guiding the shark towards deeper waters, away from the coast and the chaos it had caused. The shark followed him docilely, its quirk now in harmony with the environment instead of fighting against it. Izuku felt a wave of relief, not only for having calmed the creature, but also for having managed to control his own quirk in a way he had never anticipated.
As they advanced towards the open ocean, Izuku looked one last time at the shark's eyes, and he knew he had achieved something significant. The creature, which had been the source of so much fear, was now at peace. With the shark finally safe in the depths, Izuku turned his attention to the survivors, knowing that his work was not yet finished.
Izuku opened his eyes and saw how the terror in the shark's eyes faded. Now, in its place, there was a glimmer of understanding. The shark recognized that it was no longer alone in its panic, that someone shared its anguish and was willing to help. Izuku extended a hand towards the creature, and although he did not physically touch it, the gesture seemed to be enough.
The shark stopped, floating in the water as its large fins moved gently, allowing the currents to calm around it. The immense force it had previously unleashed was now contained, channeled in a more controlled manner. Izuku could feel that the crisis had passed, but he did not allow himself to let his guard down.
He maintained his concentration, guiding the shark towards deeper waters, away from the coast and the chaos it had caused. The shark followed him docilely, its quirk now in harmony with the environment instead of fighting against it. Izuku felt a wave of relief, not only for having calmed the creature, but also for having managed to control his own quirk in a way he had never anticipated.
As they advanced towards the open ocean, Izuku looked one last time at the shark's eyes, and he knew he had achieved something significant. The creature, which had been the source of so much fear, was now at peace. With the shark finally safe in the depths, Izuku turned his attention to the survivors, knowing that his work was not yet finished.
Izuku, still submerged in the depths of the ocean, felt exhaustion in every fiber of his being, but he knew he couldn't stop. He had managed to calm the shark and prevent an even greater disaster, but now his mission was to save the people who were still trapped in the water, many of whom were in imminent danger.
Izuku emerged to the surface, taking a deep breath of the salty air as his eyes searched desperately for signs of life among the waves. Around him, the scene was chaotic: floating debris from the beach structures, distant shouts, and the sound of helicopters that were already beginning to fly over the area. Several flying heroes like Skywave and Windrider were diving into the water, picking up survivors they managed to spot from the sky. "Help! Please!" the anguished cry of a woman struggling to stay afloat could be heard, waving her arms desperately.
Izuku didn't hesitate. With a speed he barely controlled, he moved the water under his feet, propelling himself towards the woman. He reached her side in a matter of seconds, wrapping his arm around her as he created a whirlpool beneath them to keep them afloat. "Calm down, you're safe now!" he told her in a firm voice, trying to instill calm in her as he carried her towards the shore. On the way, he passed another man who was trying to swim but was clearly exhausted. Without thinking, Izuku extended his free hand, creating a current that gently pushed him towards the safety of the shore.
In the distance, Star and Stripe and Aguilar were working as a team, directing the heroes and coordinating rescue efforts. Aguilar, with his wind quirk, created controlled gusts that pushed survivors towards the shore, while Star and Stripe, using her "New Order" quirk, established temporary rules in the area to calm the waves and keep the water as calm as possible. "Izuku, over here!" Aguilar shouted when he saw him approaching with the woman on his back.
Izuku left her on the shore, where paramedics and other heroes were ready to assist her, and without wasting time, he jumped back into the water. On his way, he spotted a group of people clinging to a broken board, most of them conscious but visibly exhausted. One of them, a small child, seemed to be unconscious, his body barely supported by a man who was struggling not to let go.
Izuku approached quickly, feeling his quirk respond almost instinctively to the flow of water. With a gentle movement of his hands, he created a current under the board that pushed it towards a safer place. Then, he focused his attention on the unconscious child, using his quirk to stabilize the water around him and prevent him from sinking. "You have to stay calm! I'll take you all to shore!" he assured them as he created a controlled whirlpool that gently pushed them towards the shore. As they advanced, he made sure that no one lost their grip on the board.
Meanwhile, the other heroes were also mobilizing. Windrider, with his ability to manipulate air currents, created tunnels of wind that pushed survivors towards the coast. Skywave, with his mastery of sound waves, used his quirk to amplify calls for help and guide rescue teams to those most in need.
Izuku, after taking the group to a safe place, noticed a body floating in the distance, motionless. His heart skipped a beat; that person was in immediate danger. Without thinking twice, he concentrated all his energy on the water, creating a powerful current that took him directly to the body.
When he arrived, he saw that it was a young man, unconscious and pale. Izuku lifted him carefully, supporting him against his chest as he tried to revive him. Using his quirk, he stabilized the water beneath them to prevent them both from being dragged away. "Hang on, please!" Izuku murmured, pressing both hands on the man's chest, hoping to see some sign of life.
As he did this, he felt the presence of another hero beside him. It was Tidalwave, a hero with a quirk related to water control, who had arrived to assist in the rescue. With his power, Tidalwave calmed the surrounding waters, making the surface more stable. "You've got him, Midoriya!" Tidalwave said firmly, helping Izuku stay calm.
Finally, after a few moments that seemed like an eternity, the man coughed, expelling water from his lungs and beginning to breathe again. Izuku let out a sigh of relief, holding him firmly as Tidalwave guided them back to shore.
As the sun began to set, the tsunami disaster was being brought under control. The heroes had managed to save many people, but the situation was still critical. Even so, Izuku's courage and determination, along with the collective effort of the heroes, had made a big difference.
When everyone was finally safe, Izuku fell to his knees in the sand, exhausted but satisfied. He knew he had given his best, and although he still didn't fully understand his new power, he had managed to use it to save lives. Star and Stripe and Aguilar approached him, both with expressions of pride on their faces. "You did well, Izuku," Aguilar said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You helped save them all."
Izuku looked up at Aguilar, panting as he tried to catch his breath. The weight of the situation, the intensity of the rescue, and the enormous amount of power he had had to channel left him exhausted, but Aguilar's words filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. "Thank you..." Izuku managed to say, with a tired smile on his face. "I couldn't have done it without your help... or the help of the other heroes."
As they talked, some of the heroes who had participated in the rescue approached, their expressions a mix of amazement and respect. Windrider was the first to speak. "Hey, mall kid, what was that?" he asked with a smile, still breathing heavily after his own effort. "You don't see someone your age handle a situation like that every day." Skywave, who had been coordinating the search for survivors from the sky, also approached, her tone more serious but no less admiring. "We were on the brink of disaster, and your intervention was decisive. Next time, I hope to have you on my side in a similar disaster."
Izuku, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened, could only nod humbly. The words of the heroes, those he had admired for so long, meant the world to him. He felt a wave of gratitude and renewed determination, knowing that every moment of training, every sacrifice, was worth it.
Some of the rescued civilians also began to approach, still wet and trembling, but with expressions of gratitude on their faces. An elderly woman, who had been swept away by the current but rescued by Izuku, approached with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, young man... thank you for saving my life..." she said in a broken voice, squeezing Izuku's hands with gratitude. Izuku leaned slightly towards her, his expression full of warmth. "I'm glad you're safe."
Izuku watched as the crowd began to disperse slowly, now that the immediate danger had passed. There were still many people to attend to, some injured, others in shock, and some rescuers struggling to help those who were still trapped in the water or in the most affected areas.
"There's still a lot to do," Izuku murmured, looking towards the horizon where the sea was beginning to calm, although the aftermath of the disaster was still felt on the coast. Aguilar nodded beside him, his gaze fixed on the chaos that was slowly organizing itself. The rescue teams and heroes were still on the move, trying to coordinate evacuation efforts and care for the injured.
"That's true, but you made a big difference today," Aguilar replied. "And now, Izuku, you must learn to use this new side of your quirk more consciously. This is the perfect time to practice a little more, now that you have a sense of what it's like to control water."
Izuku nodded, aware that although he had managed to stop part of the tsunami, his control over the aquatic side of his quirk was still inexperienced. His muscles were still tense from the effort, but he had learned that true growth occurred when he was at his lowest energy point, in those moments when he had to push himself beyond his limits. "I'm going to try," Izuku said, looking back at the sea before turning to find a quieter place to train without interfering with the rescue efforts. Aguilar watched as Izuku walked away towards a small pond formed by the tide, a haven of water still calm after the storm. At a safe distance from the chaos of the beach, Izuku crouched in front of the water, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, trying to feel the flow and nature of the water around him, just as he had learned to do with the wind.
The first attempts were clumsy, the water barely responding to his gestures, moving erratically as if resisting his control. But Izuku, accustomed to challenges, did not give up. He began to move his hands slowly, guiding the flow of water with more precision. Small whirlpools formed around him, spinning in a spiral, as he tried to replicate the sensations he had experienced during the confrontation with the megalodon. Gradually, the water began to yield, moving according to his will. Izuku managed to make a small current follow the movement of his hands, guiding it in different directions and making it rise gently in the air. It was clear that he did not yet have full control, but he was improving rapidly. "It's like the wind, but... different," Izuku murmured to himself. "It's not as fast or unpredictable, but it's more... fluid, more constant." As he continued to practice, several heroes and civilians passing through the area watched him in silence, impressed by Izuku's dedication even after the titanic effort he had made. "This kid is incredible..." commented one of the rescuers, stopping for a moment to observe. "
Yes, he's the kid from the mall, right? He's not just strong, he's also persistent," added another hero, admiring Izuku's ability to never give up. Izuku, oblivious to the comments around him, remained focused on his training. Finally, after several minutes of practice, he felt his energy beginning to drain. He let the water return to its natural state and collapsed on the ground, panting but satisfied with his progress. "You're doing well, Izuku," said Aguilar, who had approached silently. "But remember that control doesn't just depend on brute force. Water, like wind, flows better when you let it follow its natural course. You can't force it." Izuku nodded, still catching his breath. "I know, I just... need more practice." Aguilar smiled and patted him on the back. "And you will. But for now, you've done enough. Rest, because we'll have more work tomorrow."