Chapter 21 - Lighting the Flame
"Alright! The surgery's all finished now!" Chopper stated, "If you don't mind, I'd like to test a new medicine I've concocted using Recovery Girl's spit as a sample… if it doesn't work, it should do no harm to-"
"You don't have to explain it, Chopper. I trust you." Izuku remarked with a smile, which Chopper returned.
Taking a vial out of his medicine pocket, Chopper popped off the cap and dumped the substance inside of it onto Izuku's arm.
"Ow! That's hot!" Izuku stated, as he shook his arm in pain… but then he realized, he could move his arm!
"Wow… that's amazing…" Izuku noted, "My arms are good as new! Not only that… but I barely feel any fatigue! How'd you make this, Chopper?!"
"Simple! By utilizing Recovery Girl's spit and quirk as a sample, I found a way to make it into something that spreads on the skin." Chopper explained, "I then found a way to increase the effectiveness of the dosage with a sort of steroid… and combine that with the fact that Recovery Girl's quirk is applied on a smaller area, and you aren't feeling as fatigued! The only drawback I've hypothesized is that the body should get used to this serum over time, so it can't be used in excess."
"Wow… I knew it before, but you're amazing, Chopper!" Izuku cheered at the boy, as Chopper began dancing and doing his usual routine when he gets complimented.
"The boy is truly second to none when it comes to his mind." Recovery Girl stated, "He can heal more injuries than even me… and he doesn't even have a quirk designed for doing so."
"Oh no… too many compliments!" Chopper thought, "My brain… it can't handle this!"
Suddenly, a miniature explosion occurred from Chopper's brain, as from too many compliments, he had self-destructed.
"Still… make sure not to move around too much." Recovery Girl noted, "While Chopper's medicine is amazing… there's no telling what the side effects will be, especially if you over utilize your muscles again in a short timeframe."
"Thank you both for all your help." Izuku said with a smile.
"It's our job, don't worry about it." Recovery Girl replied, "But… I do regret to inform you that while I can't change the mind of Doctor Chopper, I myself refuse to heal this sort of injury from you from now on. This self-destruction of yours is no way to live... you have to start finding other ways to manage."
Izuku nodded his head, "Right."
"Izuku…" All Might stated, now in an isolated hallway with the boy, as Chopper had run ahead to buy some cotton candy.
"Yeah, All Might?" Izuku replied.
"I didn't ask earlier… but that sort of black-ish energy you awakened earlier… that was another quirk from One for All, correct?" All Might inferred. Once Izuku nodded his head, the pro hero continued, "I have never experienced such a phenomenon before… but I've done some research on the past wielders of One for All."
"And what'd you find?"
"Well… strangely enough, the quirks you've awakened are the only ones which, strangely enough, seemed to have been completely erased from history." All Might stated, as Izuku was scared, "What I mean by this is that unlike the other records… these seem erased intentionally… and I think both you and I know why that is."
"The World Government…" Izuku muttered, "My quirks… the past wielders, Hikage Shinomori, and… ah, I never learnt the other one's name! But, uh, they told me that their quirks utilize the Colors of Observation and Armament… which seem to be related to Haki."
"Hm… so they utilize a power which neither of us seem to have any clue about…" All Might noted, "At some point, I think we should return to the Sabaody Archipelago. This… Haki… I believe it may give us a clue as to just how the quirkless residents of the Grand Line are so powerful."
Izuku paused for a moment… returning to the Sabaody Archipelago, huh? He had never considered doing so, and the thought of it momentarily terrified him. It was a place that he associated with pure hopelessness… but… if he wanted to be a hero…
"Are you alright, kid?" All Might questioned with a hint of panic, "I know that place was hard on you, but-"
"No… it's alright, All Might!" Izuku interjected, before smiling, "Let's go back! It's better that we act on this lead than not!"
All Might smiled at his pupil.
"You've matured a lot, kid." All Might stated, "But… I do have one more lead for you regarding two quirks you're likely to unlock soon."
"Two more?" Izuku questioned, as he created a small tendril of Blackwhip in front of him, "These quirks… I feel so blessed to even have just yours."
Recalling what the former owner of Blackwhip had said to him, Izuku smiled. The past wielders of One for All were on his side.
"I just can't help but get this warm feeling inside when I think about just how much of a gift One for All has been to me… but I know I have a responsibility to get even stronger!" Izuku vowed, "With these powers... I won't give up!"
"Seems you're taking your fated confrontation with All for One seriously." All Might stated, referring to a previous conversation he had with Izuku after he finished training with Gran Torino and created One for All's Full Cowling technique (read Chapter 59 of My Hero Academia or watch Episode 33 for a greater explanation of Izuku and All Might's discussion about AFO), "But… allow me to tell you about the quirks which you will be endowed with."
"Ah, sorry for cutting you off!" Izuku muttered, "Please do!"
"Both are rather simply named… The first is En Tayutai's 'Smokescreen'. Quite simply, it allows you to generate a Smokescreen from your body." All Might stated, "The second is from my predecessor, Nana Shimura. Her quirk was formerly, 'Float', which allows the user to not only float, but freely maneuver in midair."
"...Makes sense why they were chosen then." Izuku stated, looking down at his hand, "Earlier users… their quirks must have been chosen based on power, when the strength of One for All was weaker. But as One for All got stronger, it was naturally granted to those who had quirks that had less value on offense, and more value on the support front… almost makes me sad I didn't have any quirk to add on…"
"Well… you know, I too was quirkless when I inherited One for All." All Might noted, as Izuku was shocked.
"You were?!"
"Yes… I'm surprised I never brought it up until now." All Might said, "You reminded me a lot of how I was back when I was your age… but, don't think nepotism is the only reason you got as far as you did. In my heart of hearts, I believe there is something special in you and you alone… the fact that it is only now that the past wielders of One for All reveal themselves is proof of that."
"...Conqueror's Haki."
"Pardon?"
"The reason that they awakened… It was because of my 'Conqueror's Haki'." Izuku revealed, "I guess… that's another thing we'll have to find out about when we get down to Sabaody, right?"
All Might smiled, "Of course, kid."
Capturing their focus, the voice of Present Mic could be heard at the end of the hallway Izuku and All Might stayed within.
"Well, the tournament's still not over, Young Midoriya." All Might stated, "Let's get back to the arena before the next match begins."
"Yes sir!" Izuku replied, walking forwards momentarily, before turning back around, "And... about Sabaody..."
Izuku looked down at the ground. All Might questioned what was going through Izuku's mind, but he looked up and flashed a smile at his mentor.
"Let's go tonight!"
Izuku had made his way back out to the arena. He presently had his arms over the railing with existed preventing passerby from falling onto the arena of the Sports Festival. As no match was presently occurring, Izuku was alone with his thoughts.
"THE ARENA'S CONSTRUCTION IS JUST ABOUT FINISHED FOLKS!" Present Mic announced, "LET'S GIVE A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO CEMENTOSS FOR ALL THE EXTRA WORK HE'S BEEN PUTTING IN! YEAH!"
"Midoriya…" a voice from Izuku remarked.
When Izuku turned around, he found to be none other than Katsuki Bakugo.
"Oh… Kacchan…" Izuku began, not sure what to follow up with.
"Those moves you put out against me… they weren't bad." Katsuki stated, as he himself began to look out at the arena, "But… they're also too predictable. That ain't even mentioning the fact that you still need to get better control of your borrowed power."
Izuku took a moment to process just what Katsuki was saying.
"Wait, are you-" Izuku began, as Katsuki scoffed.
"Don't get used to it."
Izuku's face remained idle for a moment, processing that which Katsuki stated, as he shared his own notes with him.
"Thanks for the tips." Izuku replied, "You were really good out there as well… and had me on the ropes the entire fight. The only tip I can give you is to have better foresight. Uh… what I mean is that there were far too many times you relied on instinct in order to dodge my attacks, and when that didn't work, you got hit hard afterwards. Against someone with better stamina, you would've lost in the long run."
"Tch, sounds like you were grasping at straws for that one." Katsuki scoffed, smirking as he did so.
"Yeah… but I figured it was only fair I gave you something of equal value to the advice you gave me."
"Heh… fair enough."
A silence greeted the both of them for a moment, which was afterwards broken by Katsuki.
"Midoriya…" he began, "For the person I was in the past, I want to apologize more formally this time… it wasn't fair of me to act the way I did to you, especially when you treated me with nothing but kindness."
Katsuki then turned himself towards a surprised Izuku, who he bowed down to.
"I... don't expect your forgiveness, but I just want you to know that I was wrong." Katsuki stated, "I was a jackass, and don't want you to think that you were as worthless as I thought. You're strong... strong enough to get the number one heroes eyes on you, and soon enough, you'll be stronger than even me."
Katsuki choked on his words for a moment before continuing.
"I hope... you can accept my apology, and grow stronger because of it!" Katsuki shouted.
After that, Katsuki held his head down for a moment. Shocked by Katsuki's sudden apology, Izuku contemplated how he should respond for a moment.
"If that's how you feel, Kacchan…" Izuku began, extending his hand forwards, "Let's start over, and be friends!"
Katsuki raised his head after Izuku said this, with an unfamiliar expression to the latter of the two boys appearing on the former's face; an expression of thankfulness and awe. This expression was only present for a moment however, as the moment later, Katsuki's normal expression, a cocky smirk, returned.
"You sure you wanna push your luck that far?"
"Ah, well, it might be a bit cocky... but yeah! I think I do!" Izuku replied.
"Then…" Katsuki began, "I've got a new move I've been cooking up, Deku. Help me with it sometime, will ya?"
Izuku returned Katsuki a smile, "Will do, Kacchan!"
Katsuki began to walk away after asking that question, and put a hand behind his back to say 'goodbye' wordlessly. Izuku maintained the smile he had from before.
"Kacchan… has really grown."
"THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED PATIENCE!" Present Mic shouted over the intercom, "NOW, WE'RE ONTO THE SEMI-FINALS! ONLY THREE MORE BATTLES BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT IS COMPLETE… SO LET'S SEE WHAT THESE FOLKS HAVE IN STORE!"
Present Mic then cleared his throat.
"FOR THE LAST ROUND… WE'VE DECIDED TO SHUFFLE AROUND THE BRACKET IN LIGHT OF… RECENT EVENTS…" Present Mic noted, "SO THIS NEXT MATCH WILL NOT BE BETWEEN MOMO YAOYOROZU AND TENYA IDA… BUT TENYA IDA AND SHOTO TODOROKI! GIVE IT UP FOR THESE TWO COMPETITORS, BOTH FROM ELITE FAMILIES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT!"
While Present Mic didn't say it, the bracket was changed because Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki were to fight in the round after this one originally. Considering both Shoto and Katsuki had destroyed the arena in their respective second round matches, the U.A. staff figured that they'd switch around the matchups just so that Cementoss wouldn't have to put in overtime.
Shoto Todoroki versus Tenya Ida is a matchup which occurred in Chapter 41 / Episode 24 of MHA. Please refer to that chapter / episode if you'd like to see the match. This is like the least creative way I could put this here, but I'd rather not tread ground that's already been treaded.
"OUR NEXT MATCH IS ONE BETWEEN TWO PRODIGIES IN THEIR OWN RIGHTS! LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR KATSUKI BAKUGO AND MOMO YAOYOROZU!"
"READY?!"
"Creation, eh?" Katsuki commented, staring at the nervous Momo, "Let's see what you can do with it."
"START!"
The instant the match started, Katsuki propelled himself upwards using an Explosion, and then used another to shoot down at the girl.
"He's going to use gravity to add to his power!" Momo thought, quickly creating a shield in order to block Katsuki's blow. Katsuki, however, had seen this coming a mile away, and used the momentum and an Explosion to knock away Yaoyorozu's shield effortlessly, "W-what?!"
"Just like Deku… you're too predictable." Katsuki noted, as he landed on the ground beside the defenseless Yaoyorozu, "If this is the only way you're using your quirk… then maybe you're not the genius you're cracked up to be."
Yaoyorozu's mind was scrambled in the next moment, as she hesitated. This gave Katsuki the perfect opportunity to hit Yaoyorozu with an explosion, which sent her rocketing to the other side of the arena… but, not out of bounds.
"Prove me wrong." Katsuki ordered, as he slowly approached Yaoyorozu.
"Prove him- what am I supposed to do?!" Yaoyorozu thought, as she began to hyperventilate, "Stay calm… and think! But about what?!"
Katsuki continued to approach Yaoyorozu, as when he was close enough he shouted, "TIMES UP," and began to rush his way towards her with Explosions. He then grabbed her, and rocketed into the sky.
"Can't think of a way to dampen my Explosions then, huh?!" Katsuki yelled at Momo, as he rocketed towards the center of the arena, throwing Momo off of his shoulder and onto the ground below.
"Dampen his… wait a minute!" Momo thought, coming to a breakthrough.
In midair, Momo quickly created a glider, as Katsuki made his way to the ground, looking up at Momo.
"So… she's come up with something."
"AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, BAKUGO HASN'T TAKEN THIS OPPORTUNITY TO KNOCK YAOYOROZU OUT OF THE RING!" Present Mic shouted, "JUST WHAT COULD HE BE THINKING?!"
Momo then utilized her glider to stall herself in midair, as she then began to create something out of her stomach… something big.
"This is risky… but, I have to try something!"
Suddenly, coming out of Momo's chest a moment later was a massive geyser of water. Katsuki was shocked, as in an instant, the boy was coated with water.
"OH?! AND IT SEEMS THAT YAOYOROZU'S HIT Katsuki WITH A SUDDEN GEYSER OF WATER!" Present Mic announced, "WILL HE REGRET HIS DECISION TO GIVE MOMO YAOYOROZU A CHANCE SUCH AS THIS?!"
"Follow up!" Momo thought, as she angled her glider downwards onto Katsuki, who currently had his vision blocked off since he had to close his eyes to make sure water didn't get in them. This allowed her to easily crash into Katsuki, and try to push him with her glider's built up momentum out of the arena, "Almost there… I can do this…"
"OH?! AND WHAT'S THIS?! IT SEEMS THAT YAOYOROZU'S ALMOST GOT BAKUGO OUT OF BOUNDS?!" Present Mic shouted, flabbergasted, "IS THIS THE END FOR OUR EXPLOSIVE COMPATRIOT?!"
"Not bad…" Katsuki stated, shocking Momo as the boy nearly instantaneously got out of her grip, and flipped over her, "There's a reason you're the top of our class, but let me give you a piece of advice: no good hero only relies on their quirk."
With a kick to the girl's back, Momo Yaoyorozu was sent out of bounds.
"Aw, man… IT SEEMS MOMO YAOYOROZU IS OUT OF BOUNDS! THIS MEANS THAT KATSUKI BAKUGO MOVES ON TO THE FINAL ROUND! THAT MEANS OUR FINAL MATCH WILL BE SHOTO TODOROKI VERSUS KATSUKI BAKUGO!"
"I lost…" Momo muttered.
"You weren't half bad… that last stunt of yours would have taken out most of our other classmates if they had my quirk." Katsuki commented, facing towards Momo, "Refine your power, and you'll be fine."
"Wait… in the middle of the round, he had the opportunity to knock me out… is he… helping me?" Momo questioned, "Um… Thank you?"
"Hmph." Katsuki muttered, as he turned around and went to prepare for his final match.
"So then, it's those two…" Ryuko muttered, "I wonder how this match is gonna go…"
"Just observe for now… we'll learn enough about them soon enough." Ida noted, as in an instant, he began to vibrate intensely.
"Huh?!" the group around Ida sounded, as Chopper questioned, "Ida, are you alright?! Do you need a Doctor- wait… do you need ME?!"
"No, it's just my phone." Ida stated.
"Oh thank goodness…" Chopper replied, sighing a sigh of relief.
"Oh… it's mother!" Ida noted, "Excuse me, I believe I need to take this."
"Okay, we'll save your spot!" Izuku called out to the fleeing Ida.
"Hello, mother… I lost." Ida began, "I apologize if I've disappointed you…"
"No! This isn't about that Tenya…" the voice on the phone declared in a shaky and gloomy tone, "Stay calm and listen to me… it's Tensei… a villain got him!"
Ida's body froze.
"...What?"
In Contestant Prep Room 2, Todoroki sat at a table. He thought about his previous match with Ryuko… and the traumas of the past that caused him to think the way he did prior to that.
"Before my fight with her… I never thought about it." Todoroki thought, "Mother… I-"
Suddenly, a loud kick could be heard from the door… as none other than Katsuki had entered it.
"Huh?" Katsuki exclaimed, as he questioned, "Why are you… ah crap! This is Prep Room 2!"
Todoroki looked up at Katsuki, and then back down into nothingness. Katsuki, somewhat annoyed by Todoroki's actions, but also curious as to how he formulated his reaction, and what was different about his fight with Ryuko.
"You alright, icy-hot?" Katsuki questioned, approaching where Todoroki was sitting.
"...Just have a lot to think about."
"Care to…" Katsuki flinched at what he was about to say, but figured it was the best way to proceed nonetheless, "let me in on any of it?"
"...Not particularly."
"Wha- this guy!" Katsuki thought, as he turned around and stormed off, "Fine! Be that way… just make sure that it doesn't interfere with our match… I won't accept any less than an absolute victory against you!"
Walking out of the room, Katsuki craved a match that pushed him as much as his match against Midoriya... but whether Todoroki would be able to return the favor was a different story. He looked at his left hand, and questioned just what he could do.
"AT LAST… WE'VE ARRIVED AT THE FINALS, WHERE THE BEST AMONG U.A.'S FIRST YEARS WILL BE DECIDED!" Present Mic announced, "IT'S THE FINAL MATCH… WITH THE GENIUS PRODIGY Katsuki BAKUGO FIGHTING AGAINST THE HALF HOT AND HALF COLD SHOTO TODOROKI! LET'S NOT LET ANOTHER MOMENT GO BY... READY?! START!"
The instant the match began, Todoroki unleashed a massive ice wall against Katsuki… but to his surprise, Katsuki completely expected this.
"Moves like that ain't gonna work on me!" Katsuki stated, now directly in front of Todoroki. Todoroki wasn't quite sure how Katsuki moved, but it seemed he had used Shave the instant the match.
Todoroki flinched due to Katsuki's sudden approach, and Katsuki smirked. He grabbed Todoroki by the left side of his shirt, and spun him around, throwing him to the outside of the arena, propelling him with an explosion.
"Brutal..." Momo thought, recalling her own fight against Katsuki, "I suppose he was holding back on me after all."
In order to prevent a ring out, Todoroki quickly constructed a path of ice behind him, skating around the out of bounds zone. Katsuki didn't let up for a moment however, as he propelled himself towards Todoroki with an explosion from his left hand, and aimed another at his opponent's own left side.
Katsuki threw his hand forwards with all his might, but Todoroki dodged the attack, grabbing Katsuki's hand.
"Use it!" Endeavor thought aloud from the audience, as the in turmoil Todoroki hesitated.
"Even a moment's hesitation…" Katsuki stated, launching his feet and palms at Todoroki and exploding them, "IS TOO MUCH WHEN YOU'RE FIGHTING AGAINST ME!"
Both Katsuki and Todoroki were sent flying back from this attack. Katsuki used his explosions to stabilize himself, falling back into the arena. Todoroki used another ice wall to stop himself, this time propping himself in place.
"What?! Am I not good enough for your fire or something?!" Katsuki shouted, as Todoroki retaliated with a wall of ice. Katsuki seemed to have disappeared for a moment, but he broke through the wall in only a second, "You think HALF of your power is good enough to beat me?! You saw my fight with Deku, right? That ain't gonna cut it!"
"It's not that simple!" Todoroki retaliated, as he attempted to create two walls of ice around Katsuki to crush him, but Katsuki merely propelled himself upwards to dodge.
"Yeah?! Seemed pretty simple in your match against Matoi!" Katsuki shouted at Todoroki, as he shot two explosions behind himself, "Whatever… don't blame me for what happens next!"
Katsuki then shot himself to the ground, and stopped holding back for just a moment. He utilized Shave, and hit Todoroki in the stomach with only his fist, but the speed of the blow still caused the Todoroki to recoil in pain regardless.
"If you're not gonna give it your all… then why are you even here?!" Katsuki shouted at Todoroki, as the latter of the two boys shot backwards, almost going out of bounds.
"Because I… wanna be a hero…" Todoroki shouted, as he created an ice pillar below himself, causing himself to shoot upwards. He then created an ice path below himself, and began shooting back towards the arena.
"Then act like one! DON'T ACCEPT ANY LESS THAN AN ABSOLUTE VICTORY!" Katsuki shouted, as he rocketed up towards Todoroki.
"I'm sorry Bakugo…" Todoroki stated, "But since that fight with Matoi… where I forgot all about my father… I haven't been able to discern what's right and what's wrong…"
"His father?" Katsuki thought, as he aimed an explosion at the path in front of Todoroki. With its destruction, Todoroki fell through it, and was forced to create an ice path to lead himself back into the arena, but he still took damage from falling from the height he did.
"Icy-hot… I might not know what your family has gone through…" Katsuki stated, "But if you hate your old man so much… think of all the people you're doing a disservice by holding back!"
"..."
"This next attack…" Katsuki began, as he shot himself to the other side of the arena, "I'm gonna put my all into it. Whatever happens after that… don't blame me."
Katsuki then shot himself upwards and into the air, as he began spinning around rapidly… beginning to gain momentum for his strongest attack.
"Todoroki! What the hell are you doing?!" Ryuko shouted from the stands, returning life to Shoto's eyes, "Don't lose!"
"Matoi…" Katsuki stated, looking back at her, before smirking as he approached Shoto.
In an instant, flames began to erupt from Todoroki's left side.
"That's it, icy hot!" Katsuki stated, as he shouted, "HOWITZER…"
A determination filled Shoto's eyes for a moment… but then, he recalled his father yet again… and Todoroki's heart wavered.
"IMPACT!"
A massive explosion filled the stadium, completely overpowering the flames which Todoroki bore a moment before. Despite this, Katsuki's smile had disappeared, and now, he wore a frown.
"He snuffed out his flames…"
"BAKUGO'S USED THAT SAME ATTACK HE'S USED TO DEFEAT MIDORIYA TWO ROUNDS AGO!" Present Mic announced, "BUT TODOROKI DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE USED THE ATTACK HE USED TWO ROUNDS AGO HIMSELF… IN THE END, IT SEEMS HE COULDN'T KEEP UP THE HEAT!"
As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that from Katsuki's blast, Todoroki was completely knocked out.
"...You idiot." Katsuki said.
"Todoroki is knocked out!" Midnight announced, "So Bakugo is the winner!"
"THAT CONCLUDES OUR CONTEST! IT SEEMS THE WINNER OF U.A.'S FIRST YEAR SPORTS FESTIVAL IS KATSUKI BAKUGO OF CLASS A!"
"Now let's move on to the awards ceremony!" Midnight announced, as three of the four semi-finalists stood on the podiums before the intense crowd that watched the Sports Festival… those three were Katsuki Bakugo in first, Shoto Todoroki in second, and Momo Yaoyorozu in third.
"Tenya Ida was also in third place alongside Momo Yaoyorozu, but, he had to leave early due to a family emergency. We hope you understand!"
"What a shame, after how pumped up he was." Tsuyu commented.
"Ida… he looks up to his brother like I look up to All Might and Luffy…" Izuku thought, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost them… I hope his brother's alright."
"Now for the medals… and presenting them is…" Midnight began, as the Number One hero of Japan took over.
"I am…" All Might shouted, as Midnight cut him off,
"Japan's Number One hero, All Might!"
"...here with the medals!"
All Might pulled a bronze medal out from his utility belt, and presented it to Momo Yaoyorozu.
"Congratulations, Yaoyorozu! Your quirk and intelligence were incredible to see on the big stage!"
"You flatter me…" Momo commented.
"If you can learn to strengthen your improvisation abilities, and your own physical strength on top of that, you have the makings of a great hero."
"Thank you, All Might." Momo replied, as All Might began to approach Shoto Todoroki. Momo looked over at Katsuki, and thought, "Isn't that… What Katsuki tried to tell me as well?"
"Todoroki, kid. Congratulations." All Might stated, awarding Todoroki with the silver medal, "You held back. You didn't use your left side in the final match. Was there a reason for that?"
"It was my match against Matoi… after it, I think I've lost my way." Todoroki admitted, "I've always wanted to be a hero like you… but, it's not like I can just forget and get over things. That's not enough. I have something to settle first."
"...That's a new look I'm seeing on your face." All Might commented, "Say no more. Whatever you must settle, I'm sure you will be able to."
After hugging Todoroki, All Might then turned his attention to Katsuki.
"And Katsuki… you've grown a lot in the short time I've known you." All Might stated, "In all your fights… you radiated the energy of an experienced pro. Even I have nothing that I believe I can teach you when it comes to the realm of battle."
"Hah, don't sugarcoat it, All Might." Katsuki stated, smirking, "Cause I ain't gonna accept any trophies or trinkets until I surpass you, and become the number one hero!"
"Hahaha! You're an ambitious one, Young Katsuki!" All Might laughed, "Despite that aforementioned pledge, I still hope you can take this medal. You've earned it!"
All Might attempted to put the medal around Katsuki's neck, but Katsuki snatched it from him before he could. All Might scoffed at the boy, as Katsuki merely smirked in return.
"As you all witnessed today, everyone here today has the potential to be standing here at the top tomorrow!" All Might shouted, "Competition, encouragement, pushing each other to climb higher and higher! The sprouts of today will become the heroes of tomorrow… and in honor of them, join me in one final cheer… everyone with me now! Three, two, one…"
"PLUS ULTRA!" The crowd cheered.
"THANKS FOR THE HARD WORK!" All Might interjected, speaking over the bewildered crowd, "O-oh… that- PLUS ULTRA!"
After the Sports Festival had ended, the students of U.A. began to trickle back into their classes. The rest of the day was a sort of free period, with teachers giving their last notices of the day to their students at the very end of it.
"In light of the festival, you'll have tomorrow and the day after that off from school." Aizawa told his class, "Scouting reports and other such things from pros will be waiting for you after your break. So, look forward to them while you spend your time off."
Aizawa breathed in, as the atmosphere of the room remained serious.
"You're all gonna start receiving serious attention from this point. Don't let it get to your head, and do your best!" Aizawa asserted, "Alright… that's it. Class dismissed."
"Alright!" Mina cheered, as all the students of Class 1-A began getting up together.
Izuku Midoriya looked down below his desk, and picked up his school bag. While it was true that he didn't win, he still believed the event was a success nonetheless.
"Oh… Midoriya." Aizawa nonchalantly remarked, as the boy looked up at his teacher, "If you don't mind, I want you to stay behind after class for a few… I've got something to ask you."
"Ah, okay then! About what?" Izuku stated, "All Might should be waiting for me at the front gate… better give him a text beforehand if this'll take a while!"
"I'll tell you in a minute… just give me a second to get something out of my desk."
"Huh? Alright then." Izuku then looked down at his phone, and began drafting a message to All Might, sending it to him a moment later.
A moment later, the classroom was completely empty. Once it was, Izuku looked up from his phone, and the sight he saw in front of him caused his face to morph into one of shock.
Aizawa was holding a bounty poster, the kind which the Marines gave to criminals from the Blue Sea… but, the more pressing detail was the subject of the bounty: the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy, worth four hundred million berries.
"This guy here's an infamous pirate, goes by the name of Monkey D. Luffy." Aizawa stated, looking at Izuku's surprised face, "Judging by your shocked reaction, as well as the fact that you were copying his moves earlier… I'd take it that you know him."
The tone of the conversation had changed to Izuku. What he thought would be an innocent talk with his teacher had changed into something far, far worse.
"I checked your records, and saw that you went to the same elementary school as Monkey for a few weeks." Aizawa noted, "But beyond that… your casual usage of Shave, one of the six powers, your knowledge and usage of Haki, and your overall familiarity with pirates when talking with Chopper, a former member of Luffy's crew, mind you… can you think of a single good reason why you'd know all of that?"
"W-well-"
"As a former West Blue Naval Base Captain, let me tell you what I think, Izuku Midoriya." Aizawa stated, "I think you're from the Grand Line, and have been involved with piracy. You wanna explain your story?"
Izuku paused for a moment, and began to visibly shake, "No! I can't tell him about Sabaody! That'd only make him a target too... this whole thing is already a mess… I can't make it worse! But then… what can I do?!"
A continued silence filled the air. Deciding to pressure Izuku more, Aizawa continued.
"Don't wanna talk, huh?" Aizawa noted, "Well… if you don't, this evidence could already be used to expel you. That extends to Chopper as well, and maybe even Bakugo, seeing as there's no way to know if your elementary school records were really truthful. Beyond just expulsion, each of you would also be facing direct punishment from the World Gover-"
"NO!" Izuku yelled out upon hearing that. Aizawa might've not known what he had just threatened Izuku with, but the execution of Katsuki or Chopper... Izuku couldn't let that happen.
"Then start talking." Aizawa swiftly responded.
A million and one thoughts penetrated Izuku's head. He didn't want to involve Aizawa… but everyone else… Izuku made up his mind.
"What if I told you…" Izuku began, "That there's an island underneath Japan, where even slavery is treated as completely normal?"
NEXT ARC SYNOPSIS / SNEAK PEAK
Next time on Kill One Hero, even more people from the Seven Continents begin to gain knowledge of just what happens within the Grand Line... but, there are consequences for these actions.
Not much is known about what will come next, but one thing's for sure: a fierce clash between the Marines and All Might is to occur.
Join us next time on Kill One Hero, where the first fully original arc in this Fanfic, the Fajesta Arc, will begin!