Chapter 5 Enter the Tiger
Izuku silently sat on a public train. He had just gotten off school. His earplugs had no sound; he just wanted absolute silence to think. He was wearing his green tracksuit and writing in his notebook. Right now, he was trying to set a workout plan. He was no expert at such things, but it was good to start.
It was extraordinary no one at school bullied him anymore, but that also meant they wouldn't go near him either ever since Ohma had knocked out Bakugou with that kick. Everyone thought that Izuku hired a hitman to beat up his bully when that was far from the truth.
However, Izuku found himself more lost in his thoughts about Shinshinkai. If he had failed to get in, he would try again at another place, but still, the reason why he chose it was because of one man. It was the master of the Dojo that had truly gained his attention. This man was a legend; he had only heard such strange rumors. Izuku almost had to go into the dark web. Thankfully, finding a small-time newspaper reporter interviewed and documented the martial arts master's life.
If anyone read this article today, it would be so easy for them to say how crazy the reporter sounded. Izuku quickly figured out that this man had the same amazement as him. It was the way he wrote his articles.
The legend that Izuku found to be so amazing. He was Doppo Orochi. A Man said to break stone with his fists alone. The master who could kill a Siberian tiger with a single karate chop. All this was accomplished by a man dubbed the god of war. The young quirkless teen didn't want to believe in it. It sounded just too crazy.
"Well, if the stories are true, I hope he's a good teacher,"
The train had stopped, and Izuku had got off, he was able to find the address of the Shinshinkai online pretty easily. Nothing Google Maps couldn't accomplish. Walking down the steps out of the station, his eyes widened in shock. There was a thirteen-story bundling, dwarfing the others near it, but that's not what had captured his attention, on the building's brick side wall was a painting of a muscular bald man wearing a karate gi and black belt, karate chopping a tiger, bringing its head down to the floor while it's body was in the air. Izuku gulped; it didn't feel like he was looking at something to boast some ego but documentation of a legendary moment.
He knew this was the right spot now, all he had to do was enter the belly of the tiger.
He stood in front of the front of the glass door. Shaking nervously, gripping at his backpack straps, he was here to understand how to fight, to fight with a technique that would put him one step closer to Ohma, yet he was afraid.
It was the same feeling when he first walked into that alleyway. Overwhelmed by the power of others who dedicated their life to fighting. He stared at the open sign and took his first step. His fingers gripped the handle, and was about to open the door. When suddenly, the feeling of being grabbed shocked him.
It wasn't rough or scary. It had this calm warmth to it, almost cheering him on. Izuku spun around only to see no one was there. He felt spooked, almost as if his mind was playing a trick on him. Standing there with a confused face, he didn't know what to say.
He looked around the streets to see no one out of the ordinary.
"What was that?" He thought. Izuku was lost in thought trying to figure out what happened. Unfortunately, so lost in his mind. He didn't realize that someone was approaching the door.
"You're going to hold that door handle all day?" He asked
Izuku turned to his right. He was a young man, very lean and muscular, his eyes were green and had wavy spiked hair; his hair and eyebrows were both bleached and white, telling Izuku this person was a delinquent. He wore a red Red dress shirt and, overall white undershirt. With a gold chain necklace, white pants, and some black loafers.
The teen quickly answered, seeing how this person was glaring at him.
"Oh, sorry, here you go," Izuku opened the door, letting the man in. Izuku could feel that overwhelming aura of countless warriors. He gulped, but the other just walked in. Izuku quickly followed behind and took a seat in the waiting room. The front desk behind it had a door, so Izuku assumed the person who was supposed to be there was running a quick errand.
The other man stood there with his arms crossed. Izuku could tell he looked very annoyed. So he didn't want to bother him. He paid more attention to his surroundings, noticing the pictures on the walls. Many of them looked to be graduating. However, his eyes quickly recognized some of the people in the picture shaking hands with one man.
It was obvious that the muscular shaved man, with wide body proportions, was Doppo Orochi; and he was just as intimidating in his photos but the hand he was shaking was a pro hero he recognized.
Gang Orca, Selkie, Onima, Gunhead, and the list could go on forever. Izuku was amazed but his eyes went down the list he stopped when he didn't know the individual. It looked to be a very old photo, as even in the frame it showed signs of wear and tear.
It was strange that Doppo looked to be more calm in this one, he had his arm over another person. His hair was longer, almost covering his face; except a smile was able to be seen. He was extremely lean and muscular and wore a karate gi. The strange thing was that the person's hair color was the exact shade of green as his.
"Hey, what's looking at?" Izuku nearly jumped out of his skin when the other person was right near him. He jumped back a bit, but the delinquent didn't seem to be fazed by his reaction.
"Oh, well it's just a lot of these people are pro-heroes, which is strange because this doesn't seem like a quirk training facility, it's only martial arts," Izuku pointed out. The delinquent was astonished that he didn't realize it sooner.
"Hey you're right, I do recognize some of these guys. They're not on the billboards, but still, that's impressive," He glanced at Izuku and gave an impressed smile. "You got good eyes kid, what's your name?"
"I'm Izuku Midoriya, it's nice to meet you," He said politely.
"Geez, I wonder why goodie two shoes kid is doing here, I guess it's time for me to introduce myself," The delinquent smiled and proudly pointed his thumb at himself.
"I'm Koga Narushima, so what a kid like you doing at a place like this," He asked. Izuku awkwardly scratches the back of his head. Knowing he was still wearing his school uniform.
"Well, it's sort of a funny story, I came here wanting to learn how to fight," Izuku said. Koga laughed a bit and brought him down to the teen. He was much taller than Izuku.
"Fine then but don't you think, you should start at a club at school before going to one of these big shots, you're gonna get yourself killed," Koga said calmly. The steel gaze he put on Izuku didn't faze him.
"Well, I don't want to go there, I need to go to where the action is, it's sort of trial by fire for me," Izuku said. Koga smirked at the young man and slapped his back. The boy almost fell forward. However
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, some real fucking grit to you," Koga said. He smirked at Izuku, pushing his hair to the side.
"Just don't get in my way, okay," Koga informed as he walked to the front desk. Izuku nodded but followed behind.
The door opened as a man walked through the door. He wore blue jeans and a black T-shirt that still didn't cover his abs too well. The muscles were poking out of a shirt. He stood over six feet tall. He had a black flat top, thick eyebrows, and gray eyes. Having a very calm outward demeanor.
He was incredibly well-built, and Izukh could feel that powerful warrior Aura coming off him. When Izuku saw his muscle definition, he couldn't argue with it. Not an ounce of perfection in his bulky yet lean form. It was amazing and he admired the hard work that was displayed in front of him.
"Uh, I wasn't expecting anybody, how the hell did you get in here,"
Izuku and Kota both looked confused. Koga pointed his thumb behind him to the door.
"The door was unlocked," He said simply. Izuku also wanted to chime in.
"Also, you don't show your schedule outside or anywhere, so I just thought you were open on the weekdays," Izuku said. The man shook his head and agitatedly moved his lower jaw.
"Well, I'm gonna have to talk with the janitor tomorrow, so what with you two, why are you here?" He asked. Koga smirked and was about to answer rudely when Izuku answered before him. He apologetically bows to the man.
"I'm so sorry. I thought your building was open. I wanted to study at the Shinshinkai Dojo, so allow me to introduce myself. I'm Izuku Midoriya," Politely introducing himself and stating his intentions. The man nodded at Izuku and then glanced at Koga.
"And you are?"
Koga gave a cocky smile that settled on the man. His eyes darken with a sense of dread. "Guess you can say I'm here to be part of this dojo too, but I doubt this place is anything special. Honestly, I could give a rat's ass whatever this place is. I just heard there was a dojo nearby, and I had to know what it was,"
The man narrowed his eyes on him. The way Koga spoke had stirred something in him. The man cast a glare at Koga, cutting into him. Koga didn't take the hint whatsoever and still had that prideful expression on his face. Exposing it to a place that he did not care about.
"So what the deal with painting outside it's kind of lame, don't you think?"
Izuku gasped at Koga, mocking a place that shouldn't have ever been insulted in the first place. The amount of arrogance was jaw-dropping.
The man smirked and looked at the two with an amused smile.
"So I have one asking humbly, while the other is entirely disrespectful, to join this Dojo," He scratched his chin, looking up to the ceiling, trying to think of something. "Hmm, I have an idea why don't you two follow me,"
Koga smirked as they followed the man behind the door.
"I'm going to show how bullshit this place is and save that kid some time by proving this place is just a shame. Technique is for losers! It's all about being stronger!"
Izuku didn't know why, but following this man felt strange. He could have sworn he had seen him before but wasn't sure where.
The man led them up one flight of stairs, he opened a door and walked into the room. Koga and Izuku followed suit only to be led into a large empty room. The fluorescent lights flickered on. Being that there is a lack of windows. The wooden board walls were old, and covering most of the floor was a blue padded mat. The same one that most martial arts dojo use.
The man took off his shoes and socks, slowly walking to the front of them, standing in the middle of the training mat.
"Now allow me to introduce myself. I'm Katsumi. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I have to say this. Master Doppo Orochi is currently busy with new students, Shinshinkai won't be accepting any new students until next year,"
Both Koga and Izuku froze at the words, Izuku felt bumped but knew he could try somewhere else if he wasn't going to train up the best, well he would go to the next one and see if they would take him. Koga let out a tired sigh, thinking that a big place like this would be packed with new people. Izuku was about to politely bow, but Koga raised his fist, preparing to show a very disrespectful gesture. However, Katsumi spoke first.
"But I have a proposition for you two," Confidently, holding his hips. Koga and Izuku found themselves listening to the man. Katsumi smirked, seeing how he had hooked their attention.
"Alright, good, you see, I'm a master at this dojo, but frankly. I know that I'm not the best at everything. You see, I was hoping to start teaching some new students. A new batch to give me some perspective, maybe it will open my eyes to things I didn't even notice. Maybe it's a sign of fate that you came here today, That's if you can pass my test,"
Izuku thought this was a perfect opportunity. Koga, on the other hand, mockingly laughed, and his glare cut into Katsumi. He wanted to get into Katsumi's face, and before he could take the first step, a small, tight grip held his left coat jacket. Koga turned to his right, seeing Izuku trying to put on a brave front but looking more upset than intimidating.
"You're shoes take them off before going on the mat," Izuku said. Koga glared right at Izuku, looming over him, smacking away the grip. Izuku wouldn't dare get into this fight, but right now, the honor of martial arts would not be soiled by some hothead-tempered delinquent. Koga glared at him, bearing his mad grin like a feral animal. Izuku kept his eyes down but still stood firm.
"You got something you wanna say bitch!" Koga yelled.
"I don't know how to fight, but I do know that it's one of the most disrespectful things to put your dirty shoes on this mat," Izuku said. Katsumi watched the boy with a stunned face, for being purely novice, that was a true thing to say.
Koga was about to shout at Izuku but halted himself and snickered. He took off his shoes and socks and threw them to the side. He stepped on the mat with his bare feet. He looked over his shoulder with a sarcastic front.
"Happy?"
Izuku smiled and politely nodded his head.
"Yes, thank you,"
Koga gawked at how unfazed Izuku was, shaking off the little argument. Then he glared at Katsumi, thinking that his little offer was belittling.
"Why should I take your offer, It's clear as day that you're just trying to make yourself look better so you'll get a fancy position in this tacky dump of a Dojo," Koga said, getting into Katsumi's face but was remotely unfazed. Izuku didn't care for Koga's words and found them to be ridiculous.
"Hmm, but you haven't heard what my test is, aren't you a little curious?"
Koga gritted his teeth and stuck his hand in his pocket. Making some space between them while still having a frustrated face.
"I'm sure it's some bullshit like testing our abilities only for you to knock us down. Like that's going to happen,"
Katsumi's calm smirk vanished, replaced with a stern, blank face. Izuku felt that the kind person that was in this room vanished, now replaced with a very dangerous man. Koga noticed as well and got into a defensive position, raising his arms, reading for a punch.
"All you have to do is just knock me down once, that's it," He said. Koga slowly walked to Katsumi with a cocky smirk.
"Oh really, is that it?"
"Well, you get a shot, and Izuku over there as well," Katsumi smiled and calmly stood. There was a strange cockiness in the way he peeked at Koga.
"Just let me know when you're ready,"
Silence begins to fill the air. The young teen was watching the two, and they began to stare at each other. His eyes were just trying to watch what would happen next, picking up any of the slightest movement. It was then Koga was the first to move as he tried to deliver an uppercut, only for the attack to be blocked by a fast hand that caught the punch.
Koga felt his punch collide with the skin of the hand, but any force was nulled by the muscles on Katsumi's fingers.
"That's a rookie mistake," Katsumi then shot a quick jab into Koga's side, making him hunch over in pain. Katsumi's slowly. Izuku gasped at the man's speed.
Koga pushed through the pain, throwing his knee up and aiming for Katsumi's groin. However, the calm man stopped the attack by delivering a swift punch at the leg that was trying to strike him.
Koga yelled in pain as the punch halted the kick and sent a humongous wave of pain throughout his leg. He gritted his teeth and threw a punch at his head. Izuku quickly watched the fight and couldn't help but shout for Koga.
"Don't he'll counter it!" Izuku yelled. Koga didn't listen and moved in with his fist. It was then a swift strike slammed into his lower chest. The punch threw him across the room until his back hit the wall.
Koga tried to get up, but he failed miserably. The breath coming from his mouth was ragged, and his eyes stared at Katsumi, who stood in his stance calmly. Refusing to give in, he slowly stood up, boring his fist out.
"You think you're technique makes you powerful? It's all about strength, nothing more or less,"
Katsumi proudly stoically removed himself from his stance to stand calmly. "So how about a challenge to that belief, I'll stand completely still I want you to come at me with any attack you can think of, and I'll take it deal,"
Koga grinned his teeth, that sure look was starting to piss him off. He would take down this privileged dick with his cheap shot like no other. Howling, he ran toward Katsumi, making the same attack on his head.
Katsumi blocked the same way and was about to counter it again, Koga smiled and ducked under his arm, trying to go for another uppercut. Katsumi glanced down as the fist was inches away from his jaw.
"I got you now, you cocky son of bitch!" Koga thought until he felt his body was falling backward. A large amount of pain spread across his chest like wildfire as he stared at the ceiling. Izuku's gaping eyes and mouth had watched what had happened. In this battle where speed determines the winner, Koga already had his punch so close to Katsumi that he might as well have been aiming for the Statue of Liberty, Katsumi had struck Koga's chest before the punch could make contact.
If Izuku hadn't caught it at that moment, he would have missed it. Koga's head reluctantly looked at the man who struck him.
"You fuck, you had quirk the entire time," Koga slurred out. Katsumi's smirk quickly vanished, and glared at Koga.
"No, I don't. I've been able to move that fast, not because of a quirk. The man who's standing before you right now is powerless. You see when I was younger, I was incredibly strong, but I never had a quirk. I've had to work my entire life to get where I am right now to hone and focus on my skills. If you think I need a quirk to keep up with me, then you better get out because I don't waste my time on wineries,"
Koga was speechless and didn't know what to say. It was then that Katsumi heard the sound of shoes hitting the wooden floor. Izuku now stood barefoot and looked at the mat with a determined front. Katsumi smirked, now cutting a glance into Koga.
"You mind getting off the mat, I think your turn is up," Katsumi stared at Izuku, who looked at the mat. Koga slowly got up and thought Izuku stood no chance whatsoever but he slouched up and lay down on the wooden floor looking at Izuku. Taking deep breaths trying to ease the pain.
"This is definitely out of your league, you know that, right?"
Izuku laughed at the comment he turned around, looked back at Koga, and bowed his head. Thanking him in some manner.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I want to try,"
Koga froze at the words, hearing how innocent the tone of voice was. To the delinquent, he watched as a young boy was walking into the jaws of a terrifying beast, and yet he was so calm that it boggled his mind.
The lack of fear within Izuku's stance almost felt like he was ready for this moment. Koga watched in awe, hoping this kid didn't get killed.
Izuku took one step onto the mat and felt something off, the bottom of his feet could feel small tiny dents in the mat. Bringing his other foot, Izuku felt a rush go throughout his body, the feeling of being surrounded by so many flooded his mind as he looked closer at the dents in the mat, realizing these weren't just due to poor maintenance but scars from previous battles here as he could already see the people being thrown on the floor the fist hitting the walls and imagining the monsters that stood in this room. Izuku's eyes were filled with wonder as his breath was taken away.
"What's he doing, looks like he's seeing a spectacle!"
Katsumi calmly walked to Izuku and put a hand on his shoulder. It was firm but didn't show any signs of hostility.
"Izuku, is this your first time being in a dojo and being on a mat?"
Izuku snapped out of that reality and was brought back to face Katsumi, who cast a gentle face at the young man.
"Un sorry, yeah this is my first time on the mat," He answered awkwardly. Katsumi smiled and nodded at him. Taking his stance in the middle.
"You can feel it, can't you? All the people before here who left their mark on this room, you can't help but feel like those battles are still going on," He described, which the young high schooler couldn't help but agree.
"Yeah, you're right, sorry I got carried away,"
Katsumi raised his hand, making a sigh that he wasn't offended at all. Possibly he was cherishing this moment right now not many people understood the raw emotion and determination that went into martial arts and karate. To see an outsider so new to the concept appreciate it was marvelous.
"Take your time, Izuku. Be honored that you are allowed to step on this mat. The same mat that the people before you fought on,"
Izuku allowed himself to indulge in his imagination, feeling those punches and throws. Hearing the sound of them slamming on the mat, smelling the intensity of blood, and sweat making an aroma of adrenaline. Exploring it, and finding it to be relaxing, this wasn't a fight to the death, but controlled violence, and it was beautiful watching people put their souls and hearts into an art that ultimately described who they were.
Koga understood as well, and in his younger years of learning martial arts, he remembered that same feeling as well.
Izuku slowly opened his eyes and looked at Katsumi, nodding at him. "I'm ready,"
"Good, now come at me. I'll go a little easier on you since this is your first time, but it will be the last, do you understand?" He asked. Izuku bowed and found himself smiling.
"Of course, thank you for the opportunity," Izuku said, gazing up at the man he was going to try and knock down. He wouldn't just go in blind trying to get in a hit. He needs to be smarter than that.
Izuku began to circle Katsumi's circle to follow his opponent while not leaving his stance. Izuku watched as the master's feet did not cross each other at all, not giving a moment to attack. Izuku had his guard up and his eyes trying to find the slightest detail to be an advantage for him.
So far, he found none in his stance, so Izuku had the idea to drag it out.
"I can't use big open attacks like the heroes, you don't have that power, I need to be fast and strike hard," Izuku rushed in low, keeping his guard up, and correctly held his fist. His fist aimed for Katsumi's midsection.
Katsumi's right hand went to grab Izuku's sleeve. However, shifted his body weight to throw his other fist right at his opponent's head. Katsumi then stepped into Izuku, slamming his shoulder into Izuku's chest and launching him to the floor. Rolling away from Katsumi, the boy was able to stop himself by slamming his hand on the mat to break the motion. Then he jolted up precariously, finding the air in his lungs again.
"Not bad study your opponent, but you should be aware of your opponents just as capable of studying you," Katsumi informed Izuku, he nodded, listening to every word, the man said.
Koga was a bit stunned. Knowing this was a young man's first time on the mat, who's being very calm, he still remembered the first time he ever practiced martial arts and how stressful it was. Seeing Izuku just go out there with no experience whatsoever was weird; Izuku looked so relaxed on the mat that it was like some supernatural force was coddling him.
Izuku got into his defensive stance again and slowly approached Katsumi at the front.
"Oh, this is a different change of pace, most rookies would try and do the same thing over and over again until they got it right," Katsumi said out loud. Izuku only focused on his opponent and tried to pass the Katsumi test.
Without hesitation, he jolted toward Katsumi, looking out for any attacks coming his way, aiming to grab one of his legs and throw it off balance. Izuku ducked and tried to grab his leg, only for Katsumi to step back, making Izuku fall forward.
The young teen glanced up, seeing that his position made him the ultimate karate-breaking board as his back was entirely exposed to Katsumi, who capitalized on the young man's mistake and delivered a powerful blow to the middle of his back, slamming him face-first with the floor.
Katsumi then grabbed the back of Izuku's tracksuit collar and threw him on his rear. Katsumi still stands in his fighting position. Looking at the young who weekly got up again, still trying to fight.
"Izuku!"
The young nervously stood still as if he had done something wrong.
"Y-Yes?"
"When fighting, reason and logic also apply to a battle. Sometimes, the simplest choices are the most effective. Never forget that," Izuku took the advice and nodded, Izuku was going to take the next step when he suddenly stopped.
Koga watched as well, wondering why Izuku had halted in his steps. The young teen's eyes
Without warning, Izuku ran toward Katsumi, trying to strike at him, but was countered and thrown across the ground. It was only then the young teen got up again and ran towards him and tried to strike him in the head only to be roughly punched away in the right thigh and tossed over the shoulder.
Then Izuku got and tried, again and again, and again and again, each style different from the last attack, aiming for a different spot; there was almost no rhythm at all to his punches.
Koga watched as this young man kept drawing himself against the wall. He didn't like it as much, Katsumi himself being confused as well, not understanding what this child was doing. Izuku, this time, got a little closer, only for the attack to be countered with another punch.
Izuku lay sprawled out on the ground as his face started to swell. Koga grits his teeth while his fingernails dig into his hand.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO DO CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S TEN TIMES STRONGER THAN YOU! YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED!" Koga yelled.
Izuku weakly smiled and looked at Konga with a calm front, nowhere near showing any mockery whatsoever, but just trying to make the person who shouted at him calm down.
"It's okay, Koga, I figured it out, don't worry," Izuku said. Then he calmly looked at Katsumi and dropped his smile for a calm front.
Katsumi glanced at Izuku and could see that look in his eyes. It said; I'm right here, now prepared to go down.
Izuku ran toward the master of martial arts in the same stance he took like all the others. Izuku threw his punch only for Katsumi to swerve it and was about to deliver a counterattack when Izuku fell backward and grabbed the fist that tried to knock him down.
Katsumi's eyes widened in surprise, seeing how Izuku planned the attack. Koga was gasping, seeing a child with little to no experience being able to grab onto a master sleeve.
Koga had only one word to describe this moment.
"This is fucking awesome!"
Izuku then gripped his teeth and tried to use momentum and his weight falling over to pull down Katsumi. He had worked hard for this plan, and he knew it would work.
He gripped the sleeve and tugged with all of his strength. Then he tried to pull on the sleeve again, this time, the arm was stiff, and the weight behind it did not want to move. Izuku glanced at Katsumi's swing as he stood motionless, unfazed by the attack, the plan would have worked if it went for a minor issue.
Izuku was extremely weak and lacked muscles. Koga stood with a deadpan face and slapped his forehead. All this suspense toppled over to a stupid plot.
Izuku let out a sigh and let go of Katsumi, knowing it was pointless. He sat down on the floor and disappointingly looked down at the mat.
"I-i-i surrender," Izuku said, bowing to a superior combatant. Katsumi smiled and laughed joyfully.
He then sat down and cast a glance at Koga for him to join them in this circle. Reluctantly, he let out a sigh and sat by Izuku, who still held his head. Seeing how the kid was bumped out, he awkwardly patted his back.
"It's all right. It was a cool idea. You're just…" Koga tailed off in a sentence, not sure how to politely say it.
"Weak,"
"I was going to say a lack of muscles, but weak is good. It's a good word," Koga said. However, he couldn't help but think about the beating he took just to get to that point in the fight. That was some crazy dedication.
"You are weak," Katsumi said with a plain face, making Izuku lower his head. Koga was going to quickly respond to the man's accusation when the master martial artist began to smile. "But you're also a genius!"
Izuku raised his head at the teacher, gasping at the praise. Koga scratches his head, not understanding what the man meant. I mean, how could you call someone a genius when that person was constantly throwing themselves against the barricade?
"I wasn't sure how you were reading me, but I had to keep changing my counterattack, how did you do it," Katsumi asked. Izuku looked at the mat and awkwardly scratched his head.
"The mat, every time I kept falling, it felt like the dents were perfectly holding the vital spots where I fell, so there was a big pattern on the floor for me to understand. I just had to keep fighting to see how each one worked, and eventually, you would've used the same one twice," Izuku said. Katsumi had an astonished complexion. Koga was completely speechless at how complicated that answer was.
"And you have never had any fighting experience whatsoever,"
"No, I've gotten beaten up a lot when I was younger, but I guess today I started paying attention to the way I fell," Izuku answered.
"What the hell is up with this kid? That's crazy!" Koga thought, shocked at what he heard.
Katsumi immediately stood up, having a serious front, looking at the two with calm poise.
"I've made my decision. You two are officially my students!"
"WHAT!" both of them said in unison. Koga felt like he got his ass kicked for no reason.
"Sir, but we failed your test!" pointed out, which Koga snickered at.
"Exactly I didn't want you to succeed. I needed to see what I was dealing with, and I liked what I saw from both of you. Listen, you can call me master from today. I will teach you all that I know of karate. While you can help me see things from a different perspective, am I understood,"
Izuku felt an overwhelming feeling of joy as his eyes began to tear up, and he looked up at the man who accepted him.
"Really dude, cut the waterworks, they make us look lame," Koga said. Izuku wiped his eyes with a sleeve.
"Sorry, they just keep coming!" Izuku answers. Katsumi then offered his hand to the two of them to get up. Izuku took it, but Koga waved off and stood up.
"I want to see you tomorrow, we'll meet again in the afternoon, in the same place," Katsumi instructed them. Then he glanced at both of them.
"Koga, you are a warrior who values strength rather than technique or skill, I can see great potential within you,"
Koga was surprised I was able to read them like a book like that. "How did you-" Koga was cut off by Katsumi.
"Because I've seen people like you a hundred times, I'm gonna do something about it,"
Koga was quiet, unsure of what to say. The master's gaze soon shifted to Izuku, standing ready for criticism.
"Izuku, you are truly impressive by your method. You were able to figure out an impossible situation, but right now. I am going to force you through difficult task after difficult task, and I am doing this because I can see the potential that you have, you were gifted with brains but not the power to back it up, which I think Koga could help with,"
Koga was a bit stunned but wasn't one to show people around. It couldn't possibly be hard to show someone how to lift and build muscle.
"Who are you exactly? I'm not gonna complain that I'm gonna be learning under here, but at the same time. How do we know you're not just pulling cloth over our eyes?" Koga asked. Wondering just how much power this person had within the dojo.
"That's simple my name is Katsumi Orochi, and my father is Doppo Orochi, I came here to pick up my house keys,"
This sudden declaration made both of them gasp in surprise.
"Wait, hold the phone, you're the son of the dude who karate-chopped a tiger to death!" Koga asked. Katsumi nodded and smiled at the man.
"Yep, that's my adoptive father, but still, he is a legend," Katsumi said. He walked to the middle of the mat and then slowly got into a stance. His legs are straight, and his right arm is cocked back.
"Watch me closely. This is called Seiken, and I want you two to practice it," Katsumi held steady and stuck out his straight punch, using the momentum from his waist to hit harder in the air. His fist stayed there in the air, but Izuku and Koga could feel the intense aura coming off it. Katsumi glanced at them, inviting them to at least try.
Izuku and Koga immediately got into the stance and exactly did his move, Izuku then felt the motion, the feeling of the technique that could finally be output with the fist that he gripped so hard. This was the power technique. A tool used to climb the ladder of power.
People in this world are not created equal, but that does not mean that they were able to climb up and even out of the odds. Izuku did it again, feeling his fist cut through the air. He glanced at his hand with an astonished expression. Koga did the same but could feel the difference, instead of just throwing a punch wildly at someone's head, he could feel that power being directed at one point.
Katsumi nodded and crossed his arms approvingly. There was little to no correction required with both of their stances, fast learners were always appreciated.
"I want you two to practice those hundred times a day, understand that this will only approve overtime,"
Izuku nodded. "Yes sir- sorry, I mean yes, master!"
Koga rolled his eyes. "Suck up, still not a bad form,"
"Right, I'll see you later just make sure you practice," Katsumi said as he began to get ready to leave. Koga had an irritated face.
"Hold on a minute, I know you were holding back with Izuku, but I could tell you were pulling your punches with me, so what's the big idea, think we can't take it," Koga asked. Izuku went to Koga's side and looked at the delinquent.
"I'm sure he had his reason, what would you learn if you were just going all out in the beginning?" Izuku said. Koga ignored Izuku and still kept his stare at Katsumi.
"Still, I want to see what you're truly capable of,"
Katsumi stood quietly and took a deep breath. Koga cocky smacked, thinking that he possibly had one over him.
"Oh, he thinks he's too good for us. How good is he gonna think he is when I say I'm gonna quit the dojo the moment I join? That should take him down a peg from his high horse!" Koga thought. This is time to prove that this kung fu prodigy wasn't all that.
"Take a step back," Katsumi said. Koga paused at the man's words.
"What?"
Katsumi had a stone-cold expression. Koga gulped as he felt really small right now. as if he had challenged a titan. Izuku felt the same and quickly pulled Koga back a step off and didn't resist. Katsumi got into the same stance, but he was holding his punch back.
"What the hell is he doing? It just looks like the same punch, but it feels so different," Koga thought.
SNAP!
Izuku and Koga felt an ear-piercing snap. At the same time, a humongous wave of air had pushed over them. Izuku eyes were wide as dinner plates while Koga gasped at the sight.
Izuku was speechless. He knew what happened. It's just his eyes couldn't help but think it was true.
"No way, that's impossible, how did he do that, he's got no quirk, but he was still able to accomplish that, this guy is a freaking monster," Koga thought.
"He just threw a punch that broke the sound barrier!" Izuku gasped. Katsumi saw how awestruck they were and smirked at them.
"I didn't go all out because if I did, you all would've been dead," Katsumi then grabbed his bag and pulled out a pair of keys.
"You better get out of here, you two I don't wanna lock you up for the entire day," Katsumi said. Izuku and Koga ran out of there, making sure they would be gone. Katsumi looked at the pair with a satisfied pose. This was his chance to pass his techniques to the next finally.
After an hour of running, the two eventually stopped at a park. Trying to catch their breaths, or more so Izuku was dry heaving up a storm. After a couple of minutes, they both ended up sitting on a bench watching the sun.
Koga sat on a bench and looked at Izuku with a confused face.
"I don't get you," Koga said to Izuku. The young teen looked at Koga. This was the first time he found someone to be intimidating, but he was calm.
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked. Koga had a befuddled face, how could Izuku not see the answer right before him?
"Are you serious? You're like, A fourteen-year-old and fighting someone who could kill you with just one hit. Shouldn't you be at a club or hanging out with friends?" Koga asked. Izuku lowered his head at the question.
"I don't have any friends," Izuku said sadly. Koga found himself stumped on his words. The delinquent scratches his head, thinking that it is a sore subject. Izuku looked at the sun and let out an exhausted sigh.
"Koga, I'm quirkless, and you know what I wanted to be for the longest time was… I wanted to be a hero for as long as I can remember. But everyone told me to give up on my dreams to face reality. I love my mother, but even she had to apologize for my circumstances, and someone who I recently looked up to told me the same thing, you have gotta be realistic… So how the hell was I supposed to live?" Izuku asked. Koga listened to his story and found it to be sad. Izuku's sad face dissipated when he looked at his hand and formed a fist.
"However, the same day, I met someone. He showed me that my fists had potential. He said that I had strength. I want to surpass that man and become a hero. Because I want to," Izuku said in unwavering determination. Koga couldn't help but admire the young man's dedication, finding it to be inspirational. Koga stood up over Izuku and held his head down. A slight shadow I've scored this top face. Izuku expected some harsh words instead, the delinquent looked at the teen and, with grudging respect, nodded at him.
"I get it. I know what it's like to be picked on because you have nothing. So come on, let's take on this crazy world, that's right, just us against the world! Let's do it!" Koga shouted. The green-haired teen was a little speechless. It was so strange to have another person near his age. Finally, look at him not as a problem but as a person. Izuku smiled and nodded, putting his fist out, wanting a fist bump.
Koga gladly bumped his fist as the two found a new respect for each other. Izuku's stomach began to growl, timidly peeking at Koga.
"Did you want to get lunch?" He asked. Koga smirked and put his hands in his pocket.
"Yeah, sounds good, I think there's a boss burger around here," Koga then began to walk towards the direction where he thought the restaurant was. Izuku followed suit. "Now, since we got introductions out of the way, I gotta ask who the guy who fought you is?"
"Ohma Tokita, he's sort of a friend rival," Izuku said, who crashed into Koga's back and suddenly stopped.
"Uh, Koga, are you okay," Izuku walked around his friend, seeing he had a very intense, angry smirk on his face.
"You don't say!" Then his eyes went to Izuku as he flinched at the intense stare.
"Izuku, you won't believe this, but that asshole beat me up too!" Koga yelled. Izuku let out a gasp.
"WHAT!"
"Me and that son of a bitch have some unfinished business. You wanna help me take him on Izuku!"
Notes: I hope you guys liked this chapter. Koga is from Kengan Omega, so if you guys are wondering, then you should check it out. It's really good. Also, Izuku's first fighting technique shall be karate, from the baki verse. I've always loved Shinshinkai. They should get some love, too. Don't worry, Izuku will learn other styles, but first, he needs the basics. Now that I've answered that, I should say that street fighter characters are coming soon, so don't worry about that. So anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter and I hope you enjoyed it. See you next time.