My Hokuto Academia
AN: Yes, I'm aware of Smash of the North Star. A friend actually pointed it out to me, but my story is going down in a different direction. Complete with some OCs inspired by the cast of Hokuto no Ken and Souten no Ken respectively.
Just a fair bit of warning, there will be SPOILERS for both My Hero Academia [Vigilantes too], Hokuto no Ken, and Souten no Ken (and its continuation, Regenesis).
I DO NOT own Hokuto no Ken or My Hero Academia, they belong to their respective creators, Tetsuo Hara, Buronson, and Kohei Horikoshi. Support the official releases, especially of Souten no Ken.
Chapter Seven:
It was Monday noon, everyone at Aldera Junior High was having lunch. Izuku was a little beat up, but it wasn't from any bullying, the workouts he did were physically taxing on him. Some of his classmates who ignored him because of his Quirklessness showed a little concern, it sometimes resulted in a teacher asking if Izuku was alright.
"I'm alright, just intensive martial arts training with my teacher." Izuku said, though it was a part of the whole truth.
The response surprised some of his teachers and classmates too, the latter wondering whom was teaching him. If anything, he sounded like an effective teacher. The rest of the day would proceed as normal, but with another addition: Bakugo and his lackeys not bothering him like they usually do.
'I can't help but think that encounter with Rouga might have changed something in Bakugo.'
The explosive kid did not approach him at all, not even about Kensei. In fact, there was the occasional muttering of 'fuck you' and that's it. This was quite the surprising change and he was still a second-year in middle school. However, he redirected his focus onto midterms which were coming next week.
Tuesday:
Kensei decided to change things up a bit, mainly tutoring Izuku to prep for the midterms. The subject matter? Social Studies and English. The latter wasn't too much of a difficult thing to grasp because as Kensei revealed, his father was multi-lingual: English, Italian, and French were the languages he was most proficient in. Chinese was something he was still working on.
"Huh, well, where is he now?"
"He's up in Sapporo, mainly making his living as a chef at a seaside restaurant. The restaurant was called North Sea's Paradise, I believe."
"Well, that's cool."
"Let's get back on topic."
"Oh, right."
The studying would be going well, if anything, Izuku understood English at a better level in comparison to his classmates. Social Studies was a cake walk actually, especially since Kensei's a social studies teacher.
Wednesday:
Izuku was unfortunately getting pestered by some classmates, call it unwarranted curiosity or misguided intentions, why were they getting concerned at this point? They always left him out because of his Quirklessness and his muttering habits, but now?
"Why the attention now?" questioned Izuku.
"Here's the thing, Izuku. You're different now, don't think we didn't notice you working out and sprinting every now and then." said a classmate, a chubby boy with a Quirk that produces red-orange bat-like wings. Izuku believed his name was Tsubasa, one of Bakugo's lackeys.
"Wait, seriously? That's it? Pretty low, don't you think." responded Izuku.
"I also saw that Bakugo stopped picking on you, what happened? Did you have any part in that?" Tsubasa asked. Izuku somehow knew where this conversation was going. He responded he had nothing to do with that, Tsubasa bought the story for now. The green-haired kid still wondered why the attention, it's not like he gained a Quirk overnight and suddenly, surprise! No longer a burden. He's worthy of attention now?
It actually annoyed him, he did not like the feeling of being a burden. So he had a Quirk, that apparently means they can start treating him like a human being.
The bell rung, which meant this: midterm reviews with Kasumi. Science and mathematics, two subjects he won't have too much issues with.
Kasumi Residence
"I believe something's on your mind, what is it?"
"One of my former bullies."
"And?"
"He wanted to amend relations apparently. So the time he took to tormenting me alongside Kaachan can be swept under the rug apparently, that's veryyyyy insulting." Izuku said, albeit bitingly.
"It either sounds like pity or another sycophant. I wouldn't it get you down, though."
"What are you suggesting?"
"I'm also guessing you have been working out on school grounds, too?" Kensei questioned. "Listen, people like him will always try to find a leader to follow. It's kind of pathetic really, they're limiting their own growth too."
"I guess so..."
"It's pretty pathetic, those are the types who always end up at the bottom. You don't need to concern yourself with those types."
"You know, that cleared things up a bit. I'm ready to get back to studying." Izuku stated, albeit with a smile after.
Thursday:
The final subject being Japanese was fairly easy, it was just a matter of using the right character. There are some things that led into some awkward translations, especially one about passing gas.
Friday:
In a surprise twist, Rouga would pick up Izuku after school. A good majority of Izuku's classmates were surprised by how muscular he looked, but he was recognized fairly quickly. How? It was not Bakugo who exposed him, but a lackey who claimed it's the 'Hellhound of the Underground'. Rouga flinched at it because he was trying to be incognito.
Rouga wore plain a skinny hoodie over his head, but it didn't completely hide his platinum hair.
"Well, I somehow thought this hoodie would at least hide me." Rouga flatly said.
"You have white hair, Rouga. That's pretty hard to hide, plus you being pretty muscular which makes you stand out more." Izuku said, explaining why the disguise didn't work.
"Point taken, kid. Let's go, you spent all this week exercising that brain of yours, now it's time to exercise your muscles." Rouga said while motioning for Izuku to follow him. Little did they know, Bakugo was watching from a safe distance, but he was not going to follow. He did not want a repeat of what happened last time.
Kasumi Residence
"Today, we are going to learn more Karate and Shootboxing." Rouga said. Izuku took his stance, then responded with a small series of jabs which Rouga deflected with the heel of his palm. He followed up with spear-hand strikes (or nukite), mainly sending Izuku back a bit, then a a ridge-hand strike with one hand and a knife-hand strike-
An upwards x-block surprised him, courtesy of Izuku. The kid then followed up with a double-fist punch, then a snap kick which Rouga blocked with a downwards x-block. It was a series of strikes and blocks, plus the occasional counter. Izuku then utilized a snap kick, but the white-haired fighter blocked and caught his leg. Next, he knocked over Izuku by sweep his standing leg.
Rouga helped up Izuku, then stated
"What we both did? The Juji Uke which can be utilized for blocking upwards and downwards attacks. The one I demonstrated is called the Sukui-Uke, the scoop block. Its purpose is to block weak kicks, but also scooping the leg to either knock your opponent over or plan a counter-attack."
"Can blocking lead into other attacks?"
"Definitely. The Juji Uke or X-Block can lead into various counter-attacks. You demonstrated one of them, a double fist punch right after. Other ones include a headbutt with a follow-up punch to the head and this one: the x-block sliding into a grab." Rouga explained as he would demonstrate right now.
Izuku would throw a slow punch, mainly for demonstration purposes. Rouga would go into a X-block, then slides it into a grab, but here's the thing: the latter would slide his arm over the shoulder with his back towards Izuku and no distance between them. In addition, he would start bending it, causing Izuku to flinch.
"If I bent it further, it would break like a twig. In addition, you can throw elbow strikes into the gut. One of many combinations to be honest."
"Are we going to train further?"
"Oh, hell yes. We are going to train in Shootboxing next."
"Isn't it basically Kickboxing?"
"A form of Kickboxing, yes. Here's a bit of history behind the combat sport: It's fairly difficult to pinpoint an actual origin, but the closest thing to one would be the martial arts from Southeast Asia [Indochina], particularly Muay Thai and Muay Boran. Competition-wise? It took place in Japan when a karateka established the outlines of a new sport, combining Karate and Muay Thai. Keep in mind, this took place during the 50's.
The term would be created during the 1960s by a promoter, and the rest would follow. It was popular in Japan, then it reached the US and Europe subsequently. As of today, fighting promotions have different rules when it comes to stand-up fighting, it's why there are so many."
"You said form, how many are we talking about?"
"Quite a few, Izuku.
American Kickboxing - A mixture of Boxing and traditional Karate. Fighters only strike above the waist. 3-10 rounds, 2-3 minutes each, and they forbid clinch fighting, elbows, knees, and some shins.
Points Fighting or Semi-Contact - A variant most similar to Karate, but like the name suggests, it's point-oriented. Punches and kicks are worth one point. 3 rounds, 2-3 minutes each, and one little trait: sweeps are allowed below the ankle. Hook and axe kicks are allowed, but with the sole only.
Freestyle Kickboxing - Less regulations actually, mainly allowing kicks below the waist. Everything's still the same, prohibitions on knees and clinch fighting are there."
"Well, I'm also guessing types like Muay Thai utilizes knees, shins, and elbows. Plus they're allowed to strike below the belt?" Izuku said as he surmised about about Indochinese martial arts.
"Correct. Now, Shoot Boxing. It's an variant of Japanese Kickboxing, mainly allowing the use of submissions such as arm-locks, choke-holds, and wrist-locks. Elbows are forbidden though, but I'm gonna be honest here, kid."
"What is it?"
"Shoot Boxing won't be enough, we will have to add some parts of Muay Thai and San Shou. The latter being Kickboxing from China's military. It's going to be harsher."
The Sparring Room
Izuku and Rouga would take boxing stances, then start with jabs and hook punches. However, the latter tried to perform a sweep but the former raised up his leg to dodge said attack. A second sweep came, taking Izuku by surprise. He fumbled a bit, but recovered as Rouga was prepping for an uppercut. He managed to hit Izuku, but he recovered and went for a feint.
Rouga fell for it, which led to Izuku's real move: leaping roundhouse kick to the head. The former blocked it at the last minute, but it didn't shield him from the whole impact. The wolf-like fighter was reeling from it, leaving Izuku to capitalize on that moment via clinch-hold.
The result was the green-haired kid striking him with his knees. Rouga managed to get out of the hold by punching him in the side, then increase the quantity of punches before Izuku gets his guard up.
The kid would suffer a few punches center-mass before getting the guard up. He then slid to the side of Rouga, mainly aiming for the lower area with jabs and kicks. He then dodges Rouga's responsive attacks, then attempts to end things with a snap kick... until Rouga sways to the side and comes in with an elbow strike to the kid's face.
It connects, knocking him down to the ground. The wolf-like fighter hesitates, realizing he MIGHT have went a bit too far, but Izuku quickly recovered despite his nose bleeding. The spar was starting to develop into a match, an unsanctioned one. The both of them didn't mind this, Rouga needed to keep himself in shape and form while Izuku had to prepare for all sorts of villains that were coming his way, he could not afford to slack.
Izuku nodded as he could still go on, Rouga liked this answer.
"Well, I'm hoping you can survive my special move. One that decided the outcome of each fighter that faced me." Rouga said with a growing smile.
"I'm not quitting now or ever, don't hold back." Izuku stated with a stony resolution.
Rouga got into a Kickboxing stance, waiting for the green-haired kid to get into range. The latter did not take the bait, but instead slid to the side to hit him, but the former was wise to it. In the span of a few seconds, a clash was made. Izuku was hit in the side with a roundhouse kick but Rouga had his cheek punched, courtesy of the green-haired kid.
They both backed away, but Rouga followed up with a series of jabs in order to deprive the chance of Izuku developing a counter-strategy. The green-haired kid surprised him with a left hook, but he let his guard down. It led to a technique refined over and over again...
A cold aura was forming around him, Izuku realized what was going to happen. He tried pulling back, but he wasn't fast eno-
Lone Wolf Ascension Attack!
Rouga dashed forward, elbows out, and then hits Izuku with the right arm, lifting him up and then throwing him in the opposite direction. He then rushed forward, mainly because the previous one was a set-up to his special move, one that he utilized in his career as a underground fighter.
Heavenly Wolf Ice Bullet!
Izuku glimpsed it, but felt a heavy stinging sensation in the chest, like as if a hole was being made in his chest. The resulting force sent him flying to the wall, dazed and close to the point of being KO'ed.
A realization just set in...
"OH! SHIT! I went way too far!" Rouga screamed, emphasis on the last two words. He quickly got some cold water because he was on a time limit.
"WHA!? What did I miss?" Izuku awoke after being splashed with cold water.
"I'm gonna apologize, I went a little too far, especially with utilizing my special move." Rouga said, apologetic in tone.
"I knew front kicks were lethal, but yours is definitely several grad-"
"Wait, you had a chance to see it?" Rouga asked, interrupting Izuku's response.
"Only for a bit, I knew the snap to the knee was the key part." Izuku stated, but it devolved into a mutter-storm which required Rouga to snap his fingers to get him out of the tangent.
"Interesting, very interesting. You were able to glimpse my Ice Bullet, none of my previous opponents weren't able to see it let alone dodge it or block it." Rouga said in an analytical tone.
"Wait, really?" Izuku questioned.
"The snap of the knee makes my kick faster, faster than any of my jabs or even that claw attack that Bakugo was a first-hand witness to." Rouga responded, still in his analytical tone.
"Question, does it end with the big toe or the whole foot?" Izuku stated.
"I like to alternate every now and then, the big toe to ensure my win while the other is meant to soften my opponent's defenses." Rouga said in a matter-of-fact type of tone.
"That definitely left the mark..." Izuku said, now remembering the wincing pain. Plus there was the problem of the bloody nose which slowed down a bit.
The kid would have his wounds and bruises cleaned and bandaged up, mainly to prevent them from getting worse. This would require another cover story to calm his already-worried mother.
Midoriya Residence
To say that Inko Midoriya was constantly worried over her son was understatement, but a bandaged-up Izuku put her worries into overdrive. However, Kensei came up with a believable cover-story: Rouga and Izuku had protective gear on, but they got a little into the spar, turning it into a real-time fight. It somewhat calmed the already-distressed mother, but her son flashed a smile, claiming it was okay.
Kensei then said not to come next week because he should get Midterms out of the way, so he doesn't have anything over his head. However, Rouga stated they will still practice San Shou and Muay Thai once midterms are done.
The green-haired kid nodded with a smile.
AN: Anyone know a BETA Reader yet?
Heavenly Wolf Ice Bullet was inspired by a technique within the martial arts manga, Kengan Omega. It is used by Narushima Koga's first major opponent, Utsubuki Kokuro, it's called Stinger.
Glossary:
Juji-Uke - The downwards cross-block, mainly utilized in blocking lower kicks or overhand strikes. It can lead to multiple attacks afterwards such as a cross attacks, elbow strikes, sucker punches, and choke-holds.
Sukui-Uke - The scoop block, mainly utilized to block weak kicks. At the same time, you can hook the opponent's leg to set up a counter-attack [sweeping move] or knock over your opponent.
Ridge-Hand Strike - A open hand technique in which you hit with the thumb side of the hand. Tuck your thumb into your palm so you don't hurt it when attacking a target.
Lone Wolf Ascension Attack - An attack from Taizan Tenrou Ken's arsenal, mainly originating from Shin Hokuto Musou [or Ken's Rage 2 for the localization]. The user dashes forward with his elbows out. If he reaches an opponent, Rouga impales the opponent on his right arm, then tosses him/her in the opposite direction. The original Japanese is called Korou Shoten Geki [localization name: Lone Wolf's Frenzied Assault].
Heavenly Wolf Ice Bullet - An exclusive move that Rouga utilizes, mainly as a finisher. Ice Bullet is a lethal front kick with all his power concentrated into his big toe or in the case of this spar, the sole of the foot; the key to the technique is the snap of the knee, the resulting speed leaving him with a front kick even faster than a jab. In addition to being coated with aura, it can leave devastating puncture wounds. The literal translation being Heavenly Wolf Ice Bullet and here's my attempt at making a Japanese translation of it: Tenrou Kori Dan.