Back in Aldera kindergarten, rumors about Izuku being quirkless were already circulating. Katsuki especially took great interest on this rumor:
"Is it true Midoriya? Are you quirkless?" Several kindergarten pupils asked:
"Yes I am, so what?" Izuku neutrally admitted, causimg a minor upheaval upon them:
"You heard it, he is quirkless!" A girl shouted:
"Don't touch him, you may lose your quirks!" A boy said:
"He is a quirkless freak, stay away from him!" Another boy said, near the verge of panic. Izuku expected some panic with his admission, but this? These children are really morons, he hopes Katsuki will be smarter. Izuku concluded, thanks to the internet, that the Quirk Emergence didn't only give quirks to the people but also improved their bodies and minds. The new human race is stronger, faster, tougher, smarter, more durabpe and matures slightly faster than the average pre-quirk human. Even Izuku, despite his quirklessness, possesses a body capable of withstanding a quirk due to both his parents possessing quirks. Too bad that human stupidity still persists:
"You know, if someone reads the kanji of your name backwards, it translates to Deku. A fitting name for someone as useless as the quirkless nobody you are." Katsuki, his jealousy in full force, finally found one thing in which he is superior to Izuku. Having a good quirk while Izuku has none:
"I hate that name, don't call me that ever again."
Izuku calmly demanded:
"Or else what Deku? What can a quirkless freak like you do anyways?" Katsuki started popping the nitroglycerine produced by his quirk on his hands in a threatening display of force. It smelled like burnt sugar:
"Why don't you keep pushing and find out?" Izuku warned. Katsuki along with his 2 lackeys, a fat one with red demon-like wings and one who could elongate his fingers, laughed at this:
"Hey Katsuki, looks like quirkless Deku will cry to his mommy for us being mean." The boy with the red wings taunted. Izuku's eyes went cold, his stare took a scary look. The 3 boys felt a sudden chill in the air. Not a quirk, just genuine intimidation emanating from Izuku. The greenette approach the winged boy and whispered to his ear:
"Call me Deku... one more time." Izuku's voice was cold, but clear and steady. Despite his fear, the boy whispered 'Deku', receiving a knee to his fat belly and clutching his stomach while rolling in pain:
"Anyone else who wants to try his luck?" Credit where credit is due, Katsuki and the boy with the extendable fingers actually charged forward. A bold but misguided attempt at establishing themselves as superior to Izuku. Katsuki received a broken nose and finger boy 2 broken fingers. Izuku didn't stay unscathed, having a few scratches and burn marks too. Suffice to say, the teachers didn't take the event lightly and called Izuku's and Katsuki's parents, the other 2 boys ran away, too aftaid of Izuku.
"Okay boys, enough roughhousing, your parents will arrive soon." A female teacher said, her expression worried as she treated Katsuki's injuries while Izuku refused and treated his own bruises and burns himself. Inko arrived and was scared when she saw Izuku all bandaged up. Mitsuki was also worried as she saw Katsuki with a broken nose:
"What happened boys? Did someone beat you up?" Inko asked:
"Who did this, I will kick their asses!" Mitsuki declared:
"No need for such drastic measures auntie Mitsuki. It was me, Kacchan and 2 others who got in a fight. They kept calling me quirkless and didn't stop even after telling them twice. So I beat them up as punishment." Izuku confessed, shocking his mother and honorary aunt:
"Y... you? Why my dear boy? Why would you do this?" Inko was in the verge of crying while Mitsuki was chuckling, as she considered beat downs a suitable punishment for bullying:
"I had to mom, Katsuki was mean and unwilling to listen, so I forced him to understand that his behavior to me was harmful to me." Izuku simply explained. Katsuki was sulking quietly while Izuku was talking, nursing his nose:
"Is that true brat? Did you bully Izuku? He called me once saying that the kindergarten was praising your quirk too much, giving you a big head. What did you do?" Mitsuki asked:
"AAAHH, IT'S ALL IZUKU THIS AND IZUKU THAT, I AM SICK OF IT!" Katsuki verbally exploded. Izuku, along with Inko and Mitsuki understood why however. Katsuki is jealous of Izuku. Even though the green haired boy is quirkless he had his way of earning everyone's admiration. And Katsuki was envious of the attention and respect:
"Kacchan..." Izuku started:
"NO, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM A QUIRKLESS NOBODY LIKE YOU!" The blonde shouted again. Before his mother could slap him for his misbehavior however, Izuku held her hand, shaking his head:
"No auntie, no need to hit him, just let him talk. What is your issue Katsuki?" Katsuki launched a rant of how Izuku is so perfect, so intelligent, so mature and charismatic, of how he does almost everything effortlessly while Katsuki can't reach him. The blond said how glad he is that he finally surpassed Izuku at something by having a good quirk while Izuku has none. While he didn't admit it, Katsuki was jealous and even a bit afraid that he wasn't good enough. Izuku hugged Katsuki:
"Kacchan, listen well to what I have to tell you. You have talent and drive, You are like a brother to me. You have parents who love you and my mother loves you too. You don't need to prove your worth to any of us. If you really have something to prove to others, I suggest you train, exercise and study if you truly want to improve yourself, just like I do. Having a good quirk, or in my case a sharp mind, is only half the work. The other half is all about effort." Izuku gave his speech. The 3 women inside cooed with adoration as they saw Katsuki accept the hug, even though he didn't return it. Inko's heart swelled with pride as she saw her son comfort Katsuki in his own way. It is almost like her baby boy is already a man, not that she would ever treat him as anything less than her son. That day would solidify the friendship between Izuku and Katsuki. The Midoriyas and the Bakugos greeted each other goodbye and left for their respective homes, Inko and Mitsuki with smiles on their faces, Katsuli with newfound respect and Izuku thanking the internet for teaching him basic self defence techniques.
Later the same day, Midoriya Residence
Izuku is now back home and surfing the
internet. Ever since he learned how to use the computer and the internet, he has been using it to expand his considerable knowledge on electronics, physics and science in general. Not only that, but he decided to research other fields too, not only scientific but about combat and espionage too:
"Look at these idiots, all smiles and no skill. These... heroes are supposed to be our protectors? The elite peacekeepers that keep us safe? These amateurs care more for showing off to the cameras, relying on raw power more than technique. Even All Might and Endeavor cause collateral damage yet the people cheer them on." Izuku stopped watching the hero videos and focused back on his own. True knowledge and skill lies mostly in books and training videos. Izuku already learned Defendu from the internet, which he used to great effect against Katsuki and his cronies, but he wants more. One weird thing that Izuku noticed is that some lessons come easier to Izuku, like he saw them before. Still, it doesn't really matter, Izuku gains knowledge and knowledge is real power, far greater than any quirk in existance. Also, possessing greater intelligence than average is not enough, Izuku knows he gas to put the on the effort. For something that he has no control over, the world seems to shun him, just because he lacks a quirk. While Izuku has his family, the rest of the world will not coddle him. It's not just a matter of expanding his knowledge, Izuku knows he has to become knowledgable and wise enough to not only survive in this survive, but thrive.
22 April 2335, Aldera Kindergarten
It's the second, and last, year of kindergarten for Izuku and Katsuki. The 2, despite being more or less avoided by their peers, are far ahead compared to the others. Stronger, smarter, more mature and their sibling like relationship is worthy of envy. While Katsuki is the brawn, Izuku is the brains, despite both of them having both in abudance for their age. Katsuki no longer cares about praises and platitudes, but he does want to become a hero, the best hero there is. Izuku on the other hand made his disinterest of pursuing a carrer in heroics quite clear, yet he swore that he will help Katsuki become a great hero. The 2 have been training together ever since their little heart to heart, much to the amusement of Inko, Mitsuki and Masaru. The Midoriya matriarch watching her son do splits while the Bakugos see how their own kid breaks planks with his strikes is both amusing and inspiring, like martial artists. Izuku and Bakugo already have some muscle definition, which they are both proud of. Inko and Mitsuki already dream of them having girlfriends, giving them grandkids and having their own families. While Izuku takes it in stride, Katsuki says he doesn't have time for such rubbish. Back to school, Izuku and Katsuki are about to leave:
"Hey Kacchan, we are taking a little detour today." Izuku stated:
"What the hell for Izuchan?" Ever since the beating, Katsuki didn't dare call Izuku Deku, ever again. He settled for Izuchan instead, as he doesn't know what else to call him:
"A little training session in the nearby forest. So, are you in or do you worry about what mommy is going to say?" Izuku taunted, making a tick mark appear over his explosive friend's head:
"Fine, let's go." He grumbled and followed. The 2 friends went in the forest near the kindergarten. Izuku showed a clearing with plenty of different training equipment. Some weights, monkey bars, a jungle gym, tires, some balancing beams and a rope bridge:
"Hoooooly shit." Katsuki uttered in wonder:
"You like?" Izuki smirked:
"No. I love. But where did you get all this stuff from? Did you build this place alone?" Katsuki wondered:
"Yep, I built this all myself. As for the materials, I found them on Takoba municipal beach, you know that illegal junkyard." Izuku explained. Katsuki always knew that his green haired friend is good at repairs and fixing stuff, but building an entire forest gym? He will use that thing to train himself to its limit. The 2 friends started with stretches and a warmup. Then they tied tires to their backs with ropes and jogged while pulling them:
"Come on, pull like you mean it Kacchan."
Izuku encouraged:
"Hngh, I am pulling. Try and keep up Izuchan." Katsuki taunted. After pulling tires, they started doing team sit-ups. At each sit-up, one of the boys threw a heavy rubber ball to the other, rinse and repeat. Then followed practice on the balancing beam, climbing the jungle gym, pull-ups, running and they finished with some extra push-ups:
"Whew, not that was an intense workout." Katsuki ignited his sweat with his quirk to remove the sweat quickly:
"The first of many to come Kacchan. I may not want to become a hero, but I will help you all along the way." Izuku said, surprising Katsuki:
"Wait, what? Why the hell don't you want to become a hero? It is the coolest profession there is." The blonde countered:
"Well yes, it is a cool profession, but I want something else. I want to become an inventor. Making equipment, fixing things, inventing new stuff. Not only for heroes but for the general piblic too. While you are the hero, I will be your support gear maker, what do you think Kacchan?" Izuku asked:
"Yeah, why not? Being a support gear inventor sounds pretty cool too. But you are going to UA you hear? I will not accept anything less than the best." Katsuki warned as he put his index finger on Izuku's chest:
"Of course I aim for the top Kacchan. Besides, you see what I just made here at 5 years of age. Do you want to see what else I made?" Izuku asked. He went and revealed something covered under a tarp. It was a bathtub on wheels, with an engine strapped on the front, a steering wheel, various buttons, pedals and signal lights:
"That's a bathtub." Katsuki dumbly stated:
"Oh no, it is a motorised bathtub. A vehicle made by yours truly. Just take a look at this beauty. It's clean, tested, ready and most importantly..." Izuku grinned as he opened a compartment:
"... it comes with a mini fridge, equipped with all anyone needs to slake his thirst and satisfy his hunger after 2 long hours of training." The greenette revealed bottles of water and energy bars. He threw a bottle and 2 bars to Katsuki, which the blonde happily took:
"Okay I admit, it is kinda impressive." The explosive blonde said as he happily chewed his energy bars and drank his water:
"Then come on, get in. It is getting late and our mothers are waiting." Izuku showed Katsuki the back seat:
"You crazy, I'm not getting in this death trap."
The blonde refused:
"Suit yourself then and go on foot. See how long it will take you." Izuku started up the motor of the bathtub. Katsuki groaned and seated himself on the rear of the bathtub, fastening his safety belt and wearing the helmet provided by Izuku:
"Hey, you don't have a driver's license." Katsuki remembered:
"You don't need a license to drive a bathtub Kacchan." Izuku grinned, making his friend grin too. Then he started the motor and started driving towards Adlera kindergarten, where Inko and Mitsuki were waiting for them. Suffice to say the parents weren't really happy that their boys were late, but quickly changed their minds when they saw Izuku's makeshift vehicle:
"What is this? Did you build this Izuku?" Inko was bemused at the sight of Izuku and Katsuki driving a literal bathtub on wheels:
"From scratch mom. It's pretty cool is it not?" Izuku smiled:
"Where were you 2 brats anyway?" Mitsuki asked. Izuku and Katsuki explained how they were training and using their own training grounds and equipment, showing their small yet noticeable gains:
"Awww, aren't you just the most adorable little man?" Inko scooped Izuku in her hug while cooing. Mitsuki did the same with her son:
"Hey, let me go you hag!" The others only laughed, knowing that Katsuki secretly liked being hugged.
30 July 2335, Midoriya Residence
Izuku and Katsuki are together in Izuku's room. More like laboratory and living accomodations. Izuku's room right side has a desk, a chair, various tools, a computer, several devices, protective equipment, various parts and stacks of papers, all in a chaotic form of organisation. The left side is an actual living space with a bed, a closet with clothes and several Pre Quirk wars propaganda posters of various countries and alliances:
"You know Izuchan, sometimes I think you are like these posters you have all over your room, a relic of a bygone era, a historical artifact." Katsuki's taunt didn't have any bite in it, it was merely the way he talked occasionally:
"We all have to start from somewhere Kacchan. Besides, these posters remind me of how brave humans were before quirks. Have you seen any Pre Quirk war videos?" Izuku asked. The 5 year old inventor payed great respect to the ancestors, the humans who had the courage to charge into certain death without superpowers, those who carved their own paths with only their wits and guts:
"Why would I see this old shit? Hero videos are more interesting and fun. Okay, sure, I admit that many heroes care only about fame and money while others have all the grace of a drunken rhino, as you put it, but they are still entertaining." Katsuki defended his opinion. Out of all heroes, he respects All Might the most. Not due to the fact that he smiles and brings hope to the people, but due to his power and ability to intimidate villains with his mere existence:
"Because that 'old shit' as you call it is the history of our ancestors, those who had the bravery and audacity to challenge fate even at the cost of their lives. That's what a hero is supposed to be, someone who stands ready to do the right thing no matter the cost." Izuku explained. Katsuki looked at the posters again. He only understood the japanese and some of the english ones but he got the gist of them. True, these posters have the ability to tempt people to do what must be done. Catchy slogans, strong poses, shows of glory and such:
"Tch, whatever. Show me what you've got." Katsuki relented. So, the 2 friends started watching videos in Vtube. Izuku started with World War 1. Truly, it took great courage and strength of will to charge against an enemy trench through gunfire, mud, razor wire, artillery and poison gas. Katsuki can count on only one hand how many heroes actually have the nerve to do such a thing. Then followed videos and documentaries of World War 2. The tanks, the machine guns, the flamethrowers, it was like the entire world was on fire. Especially the parts of the war in the Pacific, where Japan fought against the United States of America. Fierce battle across various islands, sea battles and then... the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. No one taught this kind of history at school today. Many other wars in between WW2 AND WW3 and for last, footage of World War 3 where the destructive creativity of man was shown in full once again. Missiles, energy satellites, lasers, armored vehicles, camouflage fields and soldiers as far as the eye could see. Katsuki was speechless by the end:
"Okay... that was kinda intense." He confessed:
"And the technologies Kacchan. Far superior to what we have today. A lot of it was lost during the Quirk Wars they told us about at school. The Quirk Emergence begun at 2105 while the 3 Quirk Wars happened between 2120 to 2200. Imagine the sheet loss during these times. We had hydrogen, now we use gas again, we had quantum computers, now we are back at microchip processors. Only I-Island and UA possess technology more advanced than what we have right now and it still pales in comparison to the old tech." Izuku explained:
"Come on, don't be such a sour puss. Besides, you are smart enough to rebuild most of that crap anyway." Katsuki encouraged:
"Thank you, but I am not that intelligent. Not yet at least. Who knows, when the time comes and I join the UA support department and maybe travel to I-Island, I may bring a golden age for science." Izuku said:
"Yeah, I will be the world's greatest hero, you will be the world's greatest inventor." Katsuki and Izuku high fived. Despite their youth, both children are ambitious and determined to make their mark upon the world. Too bad someone had to spoil the moment:
"Sorry to interrupt my dearies, but dinner is ready. I made katsudon today." Inko announced, smiling despite seeing how Katsuki pouts and Izuku sighs. While Izuku loves his mom and likes katsudon, he doesn't like having these moments spoiled. Mitsuki and Masaru were also there, eating their own portions already. Overall, they were all like a big, happy family:
"I want more chili flakes in my katsudon auntie Inko." Katsuki half demanded, half asked.
1 April 2336, Bakugo Residence
The first day of primary school came and Katsuki is dressed in his school uniform:
"Awww, you are just adorable Katsuki. Let me take pictures." Mitsuki brought her phone up to take them. Katsuki, thanks to Izuku's constant efforts, became more quiet and less aggressive:
"Come on, enough pictures already." He whined. Mitsuki just hugged her son and kissed his forehead, eliciting grumbles. She is so glad that Izuku and Inko are such good influences to him, their calm natures enough to mellow out her little firecracker:
"But you are so handsome. You already have abs and muscles thanks to Izuku's training. As you grow up all the ladies will be attracted to you like moths to a flame." Mitsuki was already fantasizing about her son having a girlfriend, getting married and giving her grandkids. Pity that Katsuki's temper still flares out due to his short fuse:
"STOP IT ALREADY YOU HAG!" Katsuki exploded. Mitsuki however saw a slight blush on his cheeks, so she slapped his head very slightly as she gave a hearty chuckle. The doorbell rang, indicating that the Midoriyas have arrived. Mitsuki ipened the door and saw them both, mother and son:
"Hey Inko, thanks for taking the kids to school this time." The blonde mother, being a fashion model, was busy at strange hours from time to time. Inko worked mostly from noon to evening, sometimes longer due to being a nurse:
"No worries Mitsuki, I am on leave for 2 weeks and I will take the kids to school for the time. You don't need yo worry about a think." Inko waved her of. Due to Izuku's and Katsuki's friendship, the families grew really close, treating each other as one of their own:
"And look at you Izuku, you are downright handsome, yes you are." Mitsuki softly praised Izuku:
"Thank you auntie, you are very beautiful today too, like always." Izuku smiled and kissed the back of her hand, like a gentleman, making her blush slightly. Masaru, who was watching, chuckled at seeing Izuku's charm at work once again, Inko chuckled as she too was subject to Izuku's manners many times before. Sure, he may have taken some of Katsuki's tendency to swear, but he only does so from time to time:
"Izuchan, will you fucking stop flirting with my mother?" Katsuki asked slightly exasperated:
"It's not flirting Kacchan, I merely inow beauty when I see it and how to pay the proper respect. Plus it is good practice for when I get a girlfriend." Izuku stated, earning a delighted squeal from Inko, a delighted giggle from Mitsuki, a chuckle from Masaru and a punch on the shoulder by Katsuki:
"Only you, nobody else." Katsuki said as the 2 boys moved to enter Inko's car. Mitsuki and Masaru stood on yhe doorstep as they saw the children leave:
"I am fairly certain that Izuku will never stop showing affection in his own unique way." Masaru laughed:
"Well, he is right, I am beautiful and you know it too. Hey, we still have about 15 minutes, how about we spend them correctly?" Mitsuki hugged her husband and fluttered her eyes suggestively:
"Well ahhh..." Masaru, being the quiet and reserved one, was swiftly hushed by his wife:
"Shhh, just a few cuddles and kisses, no need to give Katsuki a sibling." She shut the door and the 2 moved to the living room, not forgetting to put a timer so that they won't be late. Meanwhile, Inko reach the school after a 5 minute drive:
"Okay boys, be good and stay out of trouble." She waved with a smile and left. Izuku and Katsuki moved for the first day lessons, which were dull and boring for them. Katsuki was easily 2 classes ahead while Izuku was already at high school or above level, speaking several languages and his mechanical and engineering skills were already equivalent to many professionals. While both of them could skip a few classes forward, there is little reason to do so. They are aiming for UA and there is no gain if they skip a grade or two. The class was more or less as expected. Loud until the teacher came. She started with greetings, introductions and all the jazz. Unfortunately, the teacher announced that Izuku was quirkless, telling the others to be careful with him. So, for the next 6 years, Izuku will have to deal with teachers who pity him and possible bullies. Not too much trouble, but annoying nonetheless. Izuku and Katsuki would quickly establish themeselves as top dogs at school, the ash blonde with his explosive quirk, the greenette with his brilliant mind. Both of the will continue studying at their own pace and training at Izuku's forest gym, which he moved to a location closer to the new school.
Later the same day, Forest close to Aldera Primary School
Izuku and Katsuki are in the forest gym, once again wiping the sweat and dust from yet another rigorous 1 hour training. While the people after the Quirk Emergence are born stronger, faster, tougher and smarter than those before quirks came, Izuku and Katsuki are still children, nowhere near fully developed yet:
"So, everyone is stronger, faster, smarter and tougher ever since quirks came, regardless of quirk?" Katsuki asked:
"Exactly Kacchan. This applies for all humans, quirkless included. As both my parents have quirks, I too am built to support a quirk, whether I have one or not." Izuku explained:
"So, like a stronger vessel but yours is empty, right?" Katsuki stated:
"That is a good analogy, yes. True quirkless people who lack both a strengthened body and a quirk don't really exist anymore." Izuku finished:
"If only those idiotic teachers and other extras could see this, understand this." Katsuki muttered in annoyance. It was usual for the 2 kids to have some higher level talks from time to time, mostly with Izuku starting them due to his intelligence, perspective and tendency to research the internet for anything that might interest him:
"Don't be too hard on them Kacchan. They just don't want to learn better, they prefer to play it safe, not wanting to have their entire worldview flipped upside down. It may be cowardly but not every human is brave." Izuku, ever the diplomat, reasoned with Katsuki:
"Yeah, yeah, these extras could be my future fans and rescue targets and all that. But it's boring as fuck being the one who saves Izuchan. Heroes are supposed to be the ones who take down villains, it is up to rescue heroes and services to do the boring stuff." Katsuki explained:
"If you follow that line of thought you will end up as Endeavor, the No 2 hero. All Might may solve fewer cases than him, but he saves people as much as he smashes villains." While Izuku didn't particularly like heroes, he still researches and studies them, their quirks and their methods. The wise man has a spherical perception of the world and his surroundings after all. And despite heroes being too flashy for Izuku's tastes, there are still heroes who are effective. Also, there are the underground heroes, those who work away from the spotlight, relying more on skill rather than power. Izuku and Katsuki alike respect these heroes:
"Yeah right, that's who you are Mr Right. Everything you say is right. You and that big brain of yours always knows what is right." Katsuki answered in the usual sarcastic way he uses when he admits defeat:
"Okay, break time is over. Let's train a bit more. You still can't beat me when sparring quirkless."
Izuku taunted, making the blonde firecracker grin. While Katsuki moved fast and hit aggressively, Izuku used an adaptable style of combat which relied on learning from the opponents moves, dodging and blocking their strikes, making them lose their balance and then striking hard:
"Not only a nerd bit also a fighter. Forget about not having a quirk, if you had one you would be ruling the world by age 10." Katsuki bluntly said:
"Thanks Kacchan, but you cannot break my focus." Izuku swept Katsuki's legs, nearly making him drop. Katsuki retaliated with a flurry of punches and kicks the tried to grapple with Izuku, using his slightly greater height and weight. The greenette however was more nimble and avoided being grappled, kicking Katsuki in the gut. The blonde however persisted, his toughness great, thanks to both his explosive quirk and the endurance he gained sparring and training with Izuku for nearly a year now:
"Well, it appears to be a draw." Izuku announced as both friends were too tired after 20 minutes of sparring and no clear winner:
"Okay, but I will get you next time, you hear?" Katsuki challenged. Both friends wiped themselves clean with the towels provided by Izuku, drank water and ate their energy bars to replenish nutrients:
"Hey, check this out Kacchan." Izuku flexed his arms, showing the muscles developing. There was no trace of baby fat on the body, only his face still has the appearance of a child:
"Impressive, but I am better." Katsuki also flexed, his body slightly taller, bigger and more muscular:
"We are like Shaolin monks, don't you think? Training from a young age to reach our goals, becoming better every day." Izuku unleashed his inner philosopher:
"Come on, don't get all wise old man to me, it gets boring after a while. Anyway, it is my turn to drive us back." Katsuki went and strapped himself to the driver's seat of Izuku's motorised bathtub:
"You know, one day I will build a small helicopter for us to commute with. Nothing shows the middle finger better than having a helicopter." Izuku expressed his thoughts. Katsuki rolled his eyes.