My Hokuto Academia
AN: 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.
Itatics = Flashback
"Italics" = Speaking in a Different Language
'Italics' = Inner Thoughts
Italics = Flashback
Chapter Thirteen:
The spring break mainly composed of Kensei making Izuku go on daily runs from his house to Korriba Junior High, it was a big distance actually. All in all, it took an hour and 20 minutes.
In each run, Izuku's stamina was increasing, mainly baring on how long the distance is. In fact, he was panting less and less after each run. There was an occasional twist here and there. Some of them involved jumping high enough to reach the roof the school building while others involved shadow-boxing but with a twist: picturing various Pro Heroes and villains they fought, mainly to get a handle on their fighting style.
Pro Heroes such as Fourth Kind and Death Arms were straight-forward strikers, it was a matter of parrying their strikes and getting at their blind-spot.
Pro Heroes such as Ectoplasm and Midnight relied on their Quirks a little more than their combat skills, this was ironic considering that the former excels at close-quarters combat.
He was getting a good handle on their combat styles, mainly on how they fought, but the difficult part? It was finding a blind spot in those whose Quirks are meant to KO enemies instantly such as Midnight's Quirk which emits a sleeping gas.
Izuku still wasn't comfortable with the idea of killing, mind you. However, he had no problem of beating any would-be villain to a pulp, why? He was shedding that naivete, bit by bit. In a fight between a Pro Hero and Villain, there's no such things as honor or fair play, it was the nature of a real-life fight. As a fact, Kensei told him that eye-gouging, low blows, and also dirty strikes were A-okay.
"If Villains won't follow the rules of a fight, why should you? The cameras often capture one aspect of Pro Heroes, that's it."
"True, I can't really argue with that. At the end of the day, the job needs to be done no matter what, right?"
"Exactly."
"You were a vigilante, did criminals really fear you?"
"Truth be told, I haven't paid attention to my reputation. However, I did hear some nicknames they gave me."
"Like what?"
"The Seven Star Demon, Manslayer, Bloodstar, and this one. The Symbol of Fortitude."
"Why did they give you a name like that?" Izuku questioned.
"It was from my time when I faced an infamous villain outfit known as the Terrors. They were less villains and more like an semi-organized outfit of serial killers, was I freaked out? Yes, one of them did. However, they never realized that I still had fears and lived with them. That's the thing about fear, you can either confront them or flinch at them." Kensei responded, giving a mini-story.
The spring break would come as quickly as it went. It was also Izuku Midoriya's final year at Aldera Junior High, plus Bakugo's too.
The Final Year at Aldera Junior High
Things at Aldera Junior High were uneventful to say the least, but it seems that every student was focused on applying to the high school or joining the work-force after they graduate. In fact, the amount of exciting events could be counted on one's hand.
The whole year consisted of the kid training in each afternoon, but the training was upped to an extent. How so? Kensei invited Kouji Sugawara and his immediate family for more sparring against various opponents. They consisted of himself, his son, daughter-in-law, and Itsuka.
This was an interesting snippet.
20XX/05/15
"So your student is aiming for U.A.?" a strong bearded man said.
"Correct, Kouji." Kensei responded.
"My granddaughter is aiming for the same goal, but she's also the type who would pass on other opportunities to others if she feels they deserve it more." Kouji responded, beaming with a bit of pride despite the stern face.
'She sounds like hero material if you ask me.' Izuku said in his thoughts.
"Itsuka also told me that your style has some basis in Karate, is that true?" Izuku asked, getting Kouji's attention.
"Yes, young man. More specifically. It's an synthesis of Okinawan martial arts, Karate, and well, the pressure point system of your master's style."
"Keiraku Hiko?!" said Izuku AND Itsuka.
"It was an interesting encounter, my old master had a habit of trading techniques with a circle of friends. Keiraku Hiko being one of them, but it functioned differently. He claimed it originated from a battlefield style." Kouji explained, giving a small account of it, but the green-haired kid knew there was more to it.
"Seito Gekken AKA West Dipper Lunar Fist." Kensei stated.
"Correct."
"The same style that strikes multiple pressure points over the course of a fight instead of one. In addition, user can make ki simulate the properties of lightning and move at high-end speeds. Am I correct?" Kensei explained.
"Yes, you are. The name of my style is called Gourai-Ryu or its literal translation, Roaring Thunder Style."
"I'm guessing your old master passed?"
"Yes, he was a bit awkward. However, he knew his stuff when it came to bare-handed combat and often warned me to never pick fights."
"Otherwise..." Itsuka asked.
"He would kick my ass. 10 ten times as harder in sparring, let that be a lesson. Never piss off a late-middle aged man who has skill with muscle to back it up."
Itsuka also got to introduce Izuku to her parents, they were a bit intimidating despite the smiles on their faces. He could tell they were strong, not enough to take on his master, but enough to take on Rouga and Carmilla definitely. The father? He had a well-trained muscular frame, combed hair, stubble, and a small slash pattern on his cheek. He mainly wear casual clothes, but Izuku peeked at a sparring shirt with the initials, RJK on the center.
Name? Daitaro Kendo. Semi-Retired Pro Hero and current martial arts instructor at a hybrid martial arts dojo called the Raijuta Kai. Quirk? Impact Fist. It allows him to generate a shockwave at the point of impact, the user's hands grow a few inches as a side effect.
The mother? She was a bit slim in comparison, making people assume she's isn't a fighter, but you know about appearances. She demonstrated a high kick which sliced a wood block. Cleanly. In half. She had orange hair, doll-like face, and was slightly taller than her daughter. She wore a tracksuit, but it took the green kid a minute to recognize her.
Name? Rika Kendo. Hero Name? Twist Fist. Specialty? Close-quarters combat. Quirk? Spring Limbs. It allows her to channel her limbs like launching springs, but the trade-off? Over-use can strain the user's body or some limbs breaking after a period of over-usage. Despite this, she was very capable as a fighter and Pro Heroine.
"Ah, nice to meet you kid. I can tell you're strong from the handshake alone." Daitaro said as he shook Izuku's hand.
"Likewise, sir."
Rika gave Izuku a hug, but also teased him by saying the following snippet.
"You're very polite, I'm surprised you don't have a girlfriend yet." All of that with a smile on her face.
Izuku's face was reddening, then came the stuttering, and others were having this same thought.
'He's so much like an anime protagonist.'
Months would pass, mainly with Izuku training alongside Itsuka and her grandfather. There are times when both kids would take on Kouji in a spar, but here's the thing. The old master's observation skills put the green-haired kid's own to shame, if anything, the amount of times that Itsuka or Izuku even landed a hit on the old master could be counted on one hand.
The techniques that allowed him to prevent or at least reduce every strike attempt?
Aspect Thunder Fist!
Kouji moves at such a high-speed, complete with fist crackling with lightning. The fist was fading in and out, making it difficult for Izuku AND Itsuka to even counter it, let alone dodge it. The both of them were hit, but the old master did pull his punches. It didn't mean it hurt less. The orange-haired girl wasn't too surprised, she knew that her grandfather was strong. Strong enough to take on top-tier martial artists? Definitely. Pro Heroes? The ones who are close-combat specialists definitely, but those who are ranged fighters? She's not entirely sure.
"You two are good, but have room for improvement." Kouji said.
Training would go on, especially into the fall. The temperature would become chillier, windier, and slightly darker at night. There was one day however, it was on a weekend. They just finished a light training session with Itsuka's father and Rouga. There was a surprise encounter with a certain pink-skinned girl...
20XX/10/25
The two were walking, fairly sore after a session.
"I wonder where should we go, considering we have the whole day to ourselves?" Izuku said.
"Hmm... I've heard of the arcade getting a new renovation. Plus it's open, I think."
"Blackwing Arcade? That one, I always wanted to try the new fighting game I heard they're debuting."
"What's it called?"
"Its name? Blood Throne Souls. A fighting game that takes place within an Medieval era, but each fighter has two styles: weapon-based and unarmed."
"So like what? A knight with a morningstar who can switch to bare-handed fighting?"
"Pretty much."
Blackwing Arcade
The whole arcade was loud, but it was a given, knowing it was only the afternoon. All sorts of games were at play: racing games, light gun games, dance games, and the occasional prize game. The kids were fairly overwhelmed, but they were worried if they had enough money to even play one of them. That moment was snapped out by a female's voice.
"Midoriya?"
The green-haired kid turned around, recognizing Ashido.
"Ashido?"
The orange-haired girl put two and two together, verifying that this Ashido girl knows Midoriya. How exactly? Izuku quickly explained, it stemmed from bumping into each other in the train station. However, Ashido added that his teacher saved his mother from a bunch of teen punks with his bare hands. The expression of shock on Itsuka's face did some justice, especially with the type of Quirks the punks had.
"HOLY CRAP! First time here?" Ashido asked.
"Yep." Itsuka and Izuku both answered.
"And you are...?"
"Itsuka. Kendo. Pleased to meet you." the orange-haired girl said, offering a handshake. However, the pink-skinned girl answered it in a hug, complete with Itsuka's surprise. As a whole, the three managed to hit it off. However, Itsuka was a little overwhelmed by how energetic the pink-skinned girl was.
They played all sorts of game, but the one they had their eyes glued to the most was a light-gun game for four players. Its name? Carnival Carnage. The premise? You play a bunch of teenagers who stumbled upon a haunted amusement park by the name of Pandemoniumland, the main enemy? All types. Homicidal mascots, zombie clowns, deformed freaks, and mutated circus animals. The bosses? A total of five, but each one had a brief description.
Dell - A freakishly huge strongman who exclusively uses brute strength alone. He was beaten and abused as a kid, but struck back once going crazy. Once at a distance, he was throwing barrels upon barrels.
Rabbit Hatchet - The homicidal leader of the mascots or is it truly his skin? He wielded twin hatchets for slashing attacks, but its second form? He starts throwing hatchets until needing to replenish it by going into a small cupboard.
The Fixer - The carnival's repairman who's a little too obsessed with keeping things in order, especially if it involves a buzzsaw. He has a three-stage battle which surprised the three. He had a chainsaw staff, but then switched over to a bulldozer as he was getting desperate.
Black Hand Rory - An undead marksman and knife thrower, all coupled with a cowboy motif. Some say he was the greatest shot, but wanted to keep that title for life. He was frustrating because it operated like a showdown. The first shot would make the fight hard or easy.
Samwell Sullivan - The ringmaster supposedly, but he's revealed to be a mechanical puppet. In fact, the twist ending revealed that it was a homicidal spirit who possessed said puppet. Why? He was a failure in life and wanted to achieve something in life.
"Well... that was a thing." Itsuka said in response to the twist.
"I'm surprised by how detailed the graphics are." Izuku stated.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Ashido exclaimed. However, it was less than awesome for the two. Izuku was a little freaked out by two of the bosses while Itsuka got frustrated by attacks she could have avoided.
The first visit to the Blackwing Arcade would end on a good note regardless. Sure, the two got their asses kicked in a light gun game and barely made it, but it was a bonding experience.
Fall would change into Winter, especially with snow coming in. It was also the day of making snowmen, some days were spent inside warming up while others involved making snow angels. December would become January, starting the school year once again. However, this was the last part of the rat race that was middle school.
Winter would eventually warm up into Spring. In fact, the last few days of school would end like this...
20XX/3/05
A classroom in which things have been calm, but it was cut off by the homeroom teacher saying this.
"I have an announcement to make, everyone will graduate this year."
All the kids were excited about this, why? They looked forward to the future, specifically the one where they want to be heroes. Usually, you'd expect them to look down on Izuku at this point, why? He was Quirkless, but now? They treat him like he's one of them, but the green-haired kid keeps his distance reasonably.
"Teach, don't ever group me with these extras." A certain explosive kid exclaimed.
Some of the students were annoyed at this, but the Bakugo quickly shut them up with this snippet.
"Oh, shut up! I'm aiming for U.A."
"Wait, isn't that the toughest to get into?!" one student said.
"I heard their entrance exam is the hardest." another student responded.
Bakugo dispelled any doubt by saying "Oh, please. I aced the mock exam like it was nothing. I'm destined for U.A., the only one at this crappy school to attend there. I will surpass All-Might and no-one else is gonna take that away from me!"
However, a small voice mentioned that Izuku plans on attending U.A.
The explosive kid was set off in five seconds, a new record actually. However, Izuku only flinched for a few seconds and just stared him down.
"Dammit, Deku! You're like a bad itch, no matter how much I scratch you, you keep coming back! Don't you dare think of applying to U.A.! You hear me?!" yelled Bakugo, but Izuku wasn't taking the bait. In fact, Bakugo was becoming all bark in his eyes. Sure, he had a powerful Quirk, but what use is one if you didn't train it?
"I'm also guessing beating my master is also on your agenda too?" said Izuku in a surprisingly snarky tone.
"Oh, just you wait! He's next."
'I get the feeling I'll see Kensei when he's angry if Bakugo meets him again.'
The rest of the day ended with Bakugo and Izuku going their separate ways, but the former was bitter at the fact that Izuku no longer feared him. The feeling provided further incentive to beat Izuku's master and the other two for making the nerd like this.
The Day After School
Kensei was walking with Izuku, mainly having a conversation on their game-plans to apply to U.A.
"I'm guessing Bakugo's so-called grand plan to U.A. was ruined?"
"Yes, he wanted to be the only one to get into U.A. and he wanted to fight you. Again." Izuku emphasized on the last part.
"He's gonna have to get past Rouga and Carmilla. I can assure you, he's not going to win against them. Kid's got a potent Quirk and the drive to be a Pro Hero, but let's be honest here: the fact he seems to view Quirkless in a negative light, look at the way he treats you, it's going to backfire on him."
"Well, there's a full explanation for it. We were young, elementary school-young. He fell into a stream, I offered to help him, his pride thought it was a insult. It's most likely the origin of why he picked on me." Izuku explained, somber about those events.
"It's only the past, we can either be chained by it or move on from it."
Little did they know, a oily substance was following them... but realized it wasn't worth the risk. It need to get away from the Number One Hero and fast.
The two slowed to a stop, realizing they were being watched.
"Kensei. You felt that?"
"Yes, it looks like an intervention is required." the teacher replied, realizing he might have to become HIM once again.
AN: I had to look up the translation for Roaring which was 'Gozen', plus thunder meaning 'raimei', putting certain characters together would make Gourai. I had to rewatch the fight between Kenshiro Kasumi and Yasaka in the Souten no Ken Re:Genesis anime, mainly to get an idea on Seito Gekken could differentiate itself from its successor, Hokuto Shinken.
Yep. We are getting to close to a certain event in the early parts of My Hero Academia. Which means, the UA Entrance Exam will coming in two chapters.
Glossary:
Seito Gekken - The predecessor style to Hokuto Shinken, mainly having the aspect of Keiraku Hiko pressure points. It mainly belonged to the Yuezhi people who serve their god. The contrast? It is a battlefield style, mainly perfect for front-line fighters and hitting multiple pressures instead of just one to end the opponent. It would be merged with Hokuto Soke no Ken to fully create Hokuto Shinken via its founder, Shuken. Its literal translation? West Dipper Lunar Fist. One of its famed or infamous users was a vengeful man by the name of Yasaka.
Hokuto Soke no Ken - The original martial art of the Hokuto Soke bloodline, mainly known to be a feared style in its heyday. However, it wasn't considered enough. It utilizes similar techniques that seem to be predecessors to attacks such as Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken, plus the first ingredient in the creation of Hokuto Shinken. Its literal translation is North Dipper Originator Fist.
Aspect Thunder Fist - A high-speed technique that involves lightning, mainly emitting via the fingers. The user also moves at a high-speed too, almost as if their hands are fading in and out. Like Hokuto Shinken, it attacks by hitting pressure points. It is one of Seito Gekken's devastating techniques. Its original name is called Sorai Ken [Localization Name: Thundering Fist]