I supposed I should say this now but every few chapters that I do. I will be doing somewhat of a filler chapter. It isn't necessarily filler, but it is somewhat because it isn't like it was in the main story. Other than that, I hope you all have a great day and enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 15: First Years Helper
A FEW HOURS LATER WITH IZUKU
Izuku sighed as he was writing down in his journal about his friend's and classmates' quirks. Recovery Girl had told him too not to train today and only for today, but it was killing not to do so. He understood that he had to be sure he would be fine but still. It was a bit annoying. While everyone else was working out or working on their quirk he felt a bit out of it and was working on everyone's quirk analysis for Class 1-A and Class 1-B.
He smirked a bit at his talk with his sensei earlier. With him protecting Aizawa, he asked him to stay after for a…quick…chat.
FLASHBACK
Mr. Aizawa adjusted his arm sling as he sighed looking at his problematic student. It wasn't even a week yet and he was a pain in the ass already.
"Listen, Izuku Yagi. Firstly, I would personally like to thank you for protecting your classmates and even myself when I wasn't strong enough to do the job. You also saved me from further injury," he said holding up his injured arm.
Izuku shifted awkwardly in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just did what anyone else would have done, Sensei," he said with a small smile.
Aizawa sighed, already feeling a headache forming. "That's the problem, Yagi. Not everyone would have thrown themselves into danger like that without hesitation. You're reckless."
Aizawa continued, his tired eyes narrowing. "I don't want to discourage your instincts, but if you keep jumping into fights without thinking, you're going to get yourself killed. You should have waited for backup instead of charging in like you did."
Izuku sighed as he stood up from his seat. "Yes, I get that. But I will not stand by and watch the sensei that I just got less than a week ago get beat to a bloody pulp from that Nomu. You said it yourself; you would have been hurt much worse. You probably would've looked like a mummy like I did for a bit," he said trying to prove his point.
Aizawa's sharp eyes narrowed further, his lips pressing into a thin line. The kid had guts; he'd give him that. But guts without caution got people killed.
"You think this is a joke?" Aizawa snapped, his voice low but carrying the weight of authority that made even the boldest students pause.
Izuku stiffened, his confident façade cracking just a little. "No, Sensei. I'm serious. But what was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch? Why are we arguing anyway? You quite literally would have done the same thing if it was anyone else in the same situation. The truth is I am glad I was able to step in and save you. Not to mention the only reason I hurt myself was because my body can't use the full power of one of my quirks yet. I have no regrets about protecting you and my classmates, sensei. I would do it again," he said staring at him without trying to waver.
Aizawa's jaw clenched, his sharp gaze locking with Izuku's unwavering eyes. The kid wasn't backing down—not out of arrogance, but sheer conviction. It was infuriating and impressive all at once.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of," Aizawa muttered, his voice quieter now but no less intense. He leaned forward slightly, resting his good arm on the desk, his injured one held tightly against his chest. "You say you have no regrets, but what happens when your luck runs out?"
"The same thing could be said for you, sensei. No offense but you didn't exactly deny what I said," said Izuku looking away from him not wanting to see his eyes.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed even further; his gaze sharp enough to cut steel. Izuku wasn't wrong, but he had to realize he was 15 years old, not some man in his early 30s who had years of experience firsthand like himself.
"Listen, kid," Aizawa muttered, standing up and slowly making his way around the desk, wincing slightly as his injured arm throbbed with each movement. He stopped in front of Izuku, placing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder with his good arm. It wasn't harsh—not a reprimand—but a grounding gesture, one that carried the weight of everything Aizawa wanted to say but struggled to put into words.
For a brief moment, Aizawa just stared at him, studying the defiant yet sincere green eyes that refused to waver. That stubbornness, that fire—it reminded him of himself when he was younger. But it was also the very thing that had nearly gotten him killed more times than he cared to count.
"You're not wrong," Aizawa finally admitted, his voice quieter now, almost as if he was letting down a barrier. "But you're not right either."
Izuku blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Aizawa sighed heavily, running a hand through his messy black hair. "It means being a hero isn't just about saving people in the heat of the moment. It's about surviving long enough to keep saving them. Every choice you make has consequences—not just for you, but for the people around you. It's about finding a balance."
Izuku's brows furrowed. He wanted to argue, to push back like he always did, but something about Aizawa's tone made him pause. This wasn't just another lecture. This was personal.
"I've lost people because I thought exactly like you do now," Aizawa continued, his eyes distant for a moment, as if looking at ghosts only he could see. "Friends. Teammates. They were brave, strong, and full of that same conviction I see in you. But bravery without caution? It's just recklessness with a nice label."
The room grew heavy with silence, the weight of Aizawa's words settled over them both. Izuku swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. He'd never thought about it like that—not really. He always saw the glory, the heroism, the act of saving people. But what about the aftermath? What about the heroes who didn't come back?
"…I don't want to lose any more students," Aizawa admitted quietly, his grip on Izuku's shoulder tightening just a fraction. That hit harder than any scolding could have.
Izuku's breath hitched slightly, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't used to hearing things like that—from anyone, really. His whole life had been about proving himself, pushing forward, trying to be enough. But here was Aizawa, not just as a teacher but as someone who genuinely cared.
"…I'm sorry," Izuku whispered after a moment, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
Aizawa released his shoulder, stepping back and waving dismissively. "Tch. I'm not worried. You're just too much of a pain in the ass to let die."
Izuku laughed softly at that, the tension in the room easing just a little. "Right. Got it. I'll try not to be that much of a pain."
Aizawa smirked slightly, shaking his head. "Too late for that."
They stood there for a moment longer before Aizawa gestured toward the door. "Go. Get some rest. And don't even think about sneaking in extra training. Recovery Girl's orders."
Izuku groaned playfully. "She's scarier than you when she's mad, you know."
"You're not wrong."
Izuku grabbed his notebook from the desk, tucking it under his arm. But before he left, he paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "Thanks, Sensei… for everything." Aizawa just nodded, his expression unreadable, but his eyes were softer than usual.
FLASHBACK END
He never took Aizawa to have a soft side, but his face showed he had lost people many times over. He took his advice to heart and would use that for the future. He continued to write about his classmates when he heard a boom right next to him, scaring him and making him jump up. He looked to see Pony smiling at him setting down her books about Japanese.
"Pony!" Izuku gasped, clutching his chest dramatically, though a sheepish grin crept onto his face. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
Pony tilted her head, clearly amused, her bright eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sorry, Izuku! I didn't mean to scare you. I guess I don't know my own strength when I drop things." She let out a light laugh, her accent soft but noticeable as she continued to adjust her books. "Speaking of which are you able to help me with my Japanese?"
"Sure! I'd be happy to help," Izuku replied, sliding his notebook aside to make room.
Pony beamed and quickly pulled out a textbook along with a small notebook filled with her handwritten notes. "Thanks, Izuku! I've been trying to get better at writing kanji, but some of them are really tricky. I keep mixing them up."
Izuku chuckled softly. "Yeah, kanji can be pretty tough. But once you get the patterns down, it gets easier. Which ones are giving you trouble?"
For the next hour, Izuku sat with Pony, patiently guiding her through the intricacies of the Japanese language. His notebook lay forgotten to the side, replaced by a shared focus on Pony's textbook and notes.
"Say, you said you knew English because your dad went to the U.S. for a number of years," she asked making sure.
"Yeah, he was there for a few years like 30 years ago and learned English. He passed it onto me and my siblings and that's how we know it. I know a few more languages though," he said as he corrected her mistake in the kanji she was writing.
Pony's eyes lit up with curiosity as she set her pencil down. "Wait, really? Do you really know more languages? That's so cool! What other languages do you speak?"
Izuku chuckled, scratching the back of his head modestly. "Well, aside from Japanese and English, I know Mandarin, French, Spanish, and Korean fluently."
Pony stared at him in awe, her mouth slightly open. "That's so impressive. I can barely manage Japanese, and you're juggling all of that?"
Izuku shrugged, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "I guess I've always liked learning new things. Plus, it helps with hero work, you know?"
"Yeah, that will be awesome for you," she said writing her kanji once more. "Say Pony, this might be weird but are you related to Cow Lady? I have a few more questions for you after that?"
"Oh my gosh! You really know about her? Yeah, I am, she is my aunt. She is a big reason I want to be a pro-hero!" she said excitedly.
Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "No way, she's your aunt? That's amazing! I've heard of her before—she's one of the most unique heroes out there in the United States. Her quirk is so interesting!"
Pony's face lit up with pride. "Yeah! She's always been a huge inspiration to me. Growing up, she'd tell me all these stories about her experiences as a pro-hero, and that's what got me into wanting to do the same thing. I've always admired her strength and how she's able to stay calm in such intense situations. What were the other questions you had for me?"
"Well, it is about you quirk Horn Cannon. I understand the mechanics of your quirk and I was wondering if I could help you improve it," he said clicking his mechanical pencil. "If you couldn't tell I am a nerd."
Pony giggled, clearly entertained by Izuku's self-deprecating remark. "A nerd, huh? Well, if you've got ideas to help me improve, I'm all ears! I've always wanted to be able to control my quirk better."
Izuku smiled, flipping through his notes. "Okay, well, based on what I know about your quirk, Horn Cannon works by generating a massive burst of energy from the horns on your head, right?" he asked, looking up for confirmation. Pony nodded, tapping the side of her head where two horns protruded, their smooth surface gleaming slightly in the light.
"Yeah, that's the essence of it. I can only control two at a time though, otherwise, it makes me really exhausted, and all that fancy stuff," she said.
"What I was thinking is pretty simple, but you could just increase the number of pairs of horns you are shooting so that it just gradually goes up. Think about it like this. Do you know Hawks? He is able to control every feather he has and that makes him very versatile. Think of it like you could be able to use 20 sets of horns all at once with the right training," said Izuku.
Pony's eyes sparkled with interest as Izuku spoke. "Wait, so you're saying I could control multiple pairs of horns at once, like, twenty at a time? That sounds incredible! But how do I even begin to do that without getting exhausted?"
Izuku chuckled softly, adjusting his glasses. "It's definitely a lot to take in, but I think it could work with practice. First, we need to build your endurance. You already know how to manage two horns, right? So, the next step would be working on progressively adding more, but in small bursts. You would gradually build up the strength to handle multiple sets without wearing yourself out. Like muscle training, but for your quirk."
Pony furrowed her brow, trying to imagine the process. "Hmm, okay. I think I get it, but how do I make sure I'm not overdoing it? I don't want to collapse after every training session."
"Well, it's all about pacing yourself and learning your limits. You'll start small, with three pairs, and see how you feel. After each attempt, take a rest and see how your body reacts. Your quirk is essentially an extension of your physical stamina, so you'll need to listen to your body," Izuku explained. He scratched his head thoughtfully. "But that's not all. I also think there's something you can do with the way your horns generate the energy."
Pony nodded as she stared at Izuku, smiling warmly at him. Without warning, she picked him up into a hug, lifting him off his feet. "Thanks so much, Izuku. I really appreciate it. I'll need to work on this as soon as I can."
Izuku was once again surprised by her strength as she held him in the air. His face flushed red as he nervously tried to wave his hands. "W-Wait, Pony! It's really no big deal! You don't have to!"
"Shh," Pony said softly, laughing as she gently set him back down, still grinning from ear to ear. "It's just a hug, silly! You've helped me a lot, and I'm really grateful for it." She tapped him on the shoulder playfully. "Besides, it's not every day I get advice from a genius like you."
Izuku blinked, still a bit stunned by her enthusiasm. "Genius? I'm not a genius, I just… I mean, I really like thinking about quirks and how to improve them. I just—"
Pony laughed again, cutting him off. "You're humble too! I like that about you." She paused, her expression softening as she looked at him more seriously. "You know, not a lot of people would take the time to help me like this. They probably think I can figure things out on my own because of my quirk, but you actually sat down and listened. I really appreciate that, Izuku."
"Well, I was happy to help," he said scratching the back of his neck.
Kosei Tsuburaba looked over to them and was curious about the other Yagi triplet. Ichiro was cocky while Inori was quiet so maybe Izuku was also different. He could use help with his quirk too.
He walked over to Izuku with some confidence as he went up to him. "Hey other Yagi triplet," he said getting his attention.
"What's up…uh…Tsuburaba right?" asked Izuku. Kosei nodded as he looked at him. "I didn't mean to listen, but you were giving Pony ideas for her quirk so I was wondering if you could give me ideas on Solid Air if you have it," he asked.
Izuku looked at Pony who nodded to him and smiled at Kosei. "Uh, sure. If Solid Air is about to create platforms, barriers, and walls that are super strong. My advice is you should, obviously, train your lungs, which is common sense. But I would like to see if you can train enough to create weapons from your breath. It would be a lot more helpful if you could create a sword, spear, or even axe. Or better yet see if you can throw the platforms you make."
Kosei's eyes widened with curiosity, and he crossed his arms as he processed Izuku's suggestion. "Weapons made out of air, huh? That's something I hadn't really considered. I usually just focus on using my quirk for defense or getting a good foothold when I'm jumping around. But I like the idea of making something offensive."
Izuku nodded, his enthusiasm building. "Exactly! Your quirk has a lot of untapped potential, and it's all about rethinking how you use it. You've got strong platforms and walls, so why not take it a step further? If you can learn to manipulate your breath to create more solid constructs, you could even make tools or weapons that are just as effective as anything made of metal. It's like sculpting with air."
Kosei scratched his chin, clearly intrigued. "So, you're saying that instead of just thinking of Solid Air as a defensive quirk, I could turn it into something offensive, too?"
"Yeah, pretty much," replied Izuku.
"Man, that would be insane," Kosei muttered, his eyes now gleaming with excitement. "A sword made of solid air… it'd be so light, but at the same time, super strong. I could use it for long-range attacks, too, right? If I can control how the air flows, I could make a spear or even a long-range blade. Thanks, dude I appreciate it."
Izuku smiled, glad to see Kosei so excited. "No problem! I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. Just take it one step at a time and experiment with your control. Start small and build up."
As Kosei walked off to start his training, several members from both Class 1-A and 1-B had been watching from a distance, intrigued by the conversation. The idea of developing new ways to use their quirks was a topic that always fascinated them, and Izuku, being the natural problem-solver he was, seemed like the perfect person to offer advice.
Izuku helped several people over the course of the next hour. If he had to keep track, he talked to Pony, Kosei, Mina, Mineta, Tetsutetsu, Reiko, Kaminari, and even Kinoko who was really shy with him.
Each student came up to him with a unique question or request for help with their quirks, and Izuku eagerly offered whatever advice he could, always trying to help them push their abilities to the next level. It makes him feel…good. Helping others get stronger. With all of this help he was doing it reminded him of something. After he was done helping Kinoko he ran the stairs to his room to get something he had made for Jiro. He pulled out the item and was proud of his creation as he walked to Jiro's room. He knew she was training her Earphone Jack's by playing darts and figured not to walk in but now it was as good a time as any.
He knocked on her door holding the box he had been waiting expecting. Jiro opened the door with her Earphone Jack and smiled at Izuku.
Jiro arched an eyebrow, her usual laid-back expression softening with curiosity as she noticed the box in Izuku's hands. "Oh, hey, Izuku. What's up?" she asked, pulling one of her earphone jacks back from the doorframe where it had been listening for any disturbances. Her sharp eyes darted from his face to the small, neatly wrapped package he was clutching.
"Hey, Kyoka! Uh, sorry to bother you while you're training. I, um, I made something for you."
Jiro's interest was visibly piqued. She leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms casually, though there was a subtle gleam in her eyes. "Oh yeah? What's in the box?"
"Something awesome," he said as she let him in the room. "And what is this thing that is awesome," she asked as tossed some stuff out of the way trying to have him see the displaced dirty clothes on the floor.
"Something I made for you," he said with her hitting him. "Would you just tell me already?" she asked wanting to know already.
He set the box down on the table she had in her room and brought it out to show gloves. "These are your Sound Gauntlets Mark 2," he said handing it to her.
She turned the gloves over in her hands, inspecting every detail. The craftsmanship was precise, the materials were lightweight yet durable. "Sound Gauntlets Mark 2, huh? These look way more advanced than the ones I've been using. Wait where is the plug-in for my jacks and why are there extended sleeves," she asked examining the black soft material
Izuku smiled as he leaned against a dresser. "That's the best part. You don't need your Earphone jacks anymore. So, I was thinking about something. You said that you can use your heartbeat to create a frequency. So, what I thought of was this." he said helping her with the gloves as he pulled sleeves over her forearm.
"So, here's the deal," Izuku began, his voice laced with excitement. "Mark 1 was bulky and full of metal and all that, but Mark 2 is lightweight and has very minimal bulk to it. The sleeves are embedded with conductive fibers that sync directly with your muscle movements and, more importantly, your heartbeat. I added micro-sensors that detect the subtle vibrations from your pulse, converting them into energy you can channel through the gloves without needing to plug in your Earphone Jacks. You are able to do this because you have something called a brachial artery that runs down your arm and arteries are connecting to the heart, so, yeah. Thus, you do not need to plug your Jack's to help you anymore. You could use these gloves as well as the amps in your legs at the same time to help you in battles and all that."
"So… you're telling me these gloves can amplify my quirk just by syncing with my heartbeat?" Jiro asked, still in awe.
"Yes, ma'am. I could do the same for the amps on your legs eventually," he said leaning on the way.
The fabric had a sleek, matte finish, almost like a second skin, with subtle red accents woven into the seams and circuitry lines. The contrast between the deep black and vibrant crimson gave the gloves an edgy, stylish look—perfectly matching her punk-rock aesthetic. Thin, crimson lines traced intricate patterns across the back of her hands, branching out like veins of energy that pulsed faintly when she activated her quirk.
"These look badass, I like the fingerless gloves idea," Jiro muttered, rotating her wrists to see how the light caught the red accents. The crimson wasn't just painted on; it seemed to glow slightly when she focused her heartbeat, following the flow of energy through the micro-sensors embedded within. It wasn't overwhelming—just enough to give the gloves an electrifying, dynamic vibe as if they were alive with power.
Izuku, still lingering by the door, smiled sheepishly. "I thought the red would suit you. It complements your hero costume, you know? Plus, the color's not just for looks. The red lines are conductive fibers that help channel your sound waves more efficiently. They guide the energy flow, reducing feedback and stabilizing output when you're using high-frequency attacks."
Jirō's eyes lit up even more. "So, they're not just cool—they're functional too?"
"Exactly," Izuku said, his grin widening. "Form and function."
She chuckled softly, clearly impressed. "You really thought of everything, huh?"
"I am a proud nerd," he said as he touched her arm sleeves, and showed her the gloves. "These are comfy too," he said.
Jiro flexed her fingers, feeling how seamlessly the gloves moved with her. The snug fit was perfect—not too tight, not too loose. She clenched her fists and released, the material stretching smoothly without any resistance.
"This is seriously amazing, Izuku," she said, her voice quieter now, but filled with genuine appreciation.
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinting slightly. "I'm just glad you like them. I wanted to make something that wouldn't just enhance your quirk but also feel natural—like an extension of you, instead of just another piece of gear."
Jiro's gaze softened at his words. "You really are a nerd," she muttered playfully, before giving his arm a light punch.
He laughed, rocking slightly from the impact. "Guilty as charged."
She focused again on the gloves, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So, how do I activate them?"
Izuku perked up, his excitement returning. "Oh, that's easy. Just channel your heartbeat like you normally would, but instead of sending the vibrations through your Earphone Jacks, think of them traveling through your hands. The micro-sensors will pick up on the changes in rhythm and convert them into an amplified output from the brachial artery."
Jiro nodded, taking a steady breath as she let her quirk flow naturally. A soft, thrumming sensation pulsed through her hands, and the crimson lines on the gloves responded instantly, glowing faintly in sync with her heartbeat.
Her eyes widened. "Whoa… that's insane."
Izuku grinned. "Try a small sound burst."
Jiro lifted her hand and focused, sending a controlled shockwave forward. The gloves absorbed the vibrations and emitted a sharp, concentrated soundwave that cracked the air but didn't scatter wildly like usual. The energy was focused, more precise.
Jiro let out a low whistle. "That's… so much cleaner than before. I barely put any effort into that."
"Yeah, the idea is you use these for a bit and after a while see if you can use the attacks without the gloves and go from there," he said. Jiro looked at him fondly. "You know I must repay you for this right? This is all so…much…in a good way. I need to pay you back for this?"
Izuku waved his hand dismissively. "No need for repayment. Just go out there and keep being awesome, Kyoka."
"Dude, stop being humble and let me repay you," she said deadpanning.
Izuku scratched his head, trying to suppress the slight blush that crept up his neck. "Really, Kyoka, I'm just happy you like the gloves. You're the one who's going to make them shine. I don't need anything in return."
"Ok, but I will repay you. Besides, buddy I am starting to think that you are giving me special treatment," she said leaning towards him.
Izuku's face turned an even deeper shade of red at her words, his heart pounding a little faster than usual. He could feel the heat rise in his cheeks as he stammered, "I-I'm not giving you special treatment, I swear! I made something for Momo and Kaminari too! It's just—"
Jiro raised an eyebrow, her playful grin widening as she crossed her arms. "Oh, really?" she said, tilting her head slightly. "You're not giving me special treatment when you go out of your way to make me custom gloves that enhance my quirk?" Her tone was teasing, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes, clearly enjoying seeing Izuku flustered.
Izuku put his hands over his face in embarrassment. "Can't I just do something for someone I care about without being teased?" he said his voice muffled by his hands.
Jiro couldn't help but chuckle at Izuku's reaction, her grin softening as she watched him try to hide behind his hands.
"I'm just messing with you, Izuku," she said with a light chuckle, nudging his shoulder gently.
Izuku slowly lowered his hands from his face, still blushing, but now with a small, sheepish smile. "You're mean, Kyoka," he mumbled, though there was no real bite behind his words.
"Oh, come on. I am not that bad," she said hugging him tightly. "I genuinely do appreciate the gift. You are a certified nerd."
Jiro, sensing his hesitation, chuckled softly and pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. "You're really not good at accepting compliments, are you?" she teased, her tone light and warm, but there was a hint of fondness in her eyes.
Izuku scratched the back of his neck, still flustered but now trying to ease his discomfort with a sheepish laugh. "I guess not," he admitted, his voice a little quieter than usual.
Jiro smiled softly at him, her arms crossing as she tilted her head slightly. "Well, I think you should start focusing a little on yourself too. You deserve to be appreciated." She paused, her gaze softening further. "I mean, it's not every day a nerd like you makes custom gear for people. You really do go above and beyond."
Izuku chuckled as he looked at Jiro, "Yeah, I guess. Well…that was all I wanted to show you. I need to go give Kaminari and Momo their things," he said trying to shuffle away from her.
Jiro raised an eyebrow, clearly not ready to let him go just yet. "Oh, so now you're trying to escape, huh?" she said, her teasing tone back in full force. "Don't think I'll let you off that easy. You still haven't answered my question about repaying you."
"Huh. What was that noise? Must've been the wind," Izuku said trying not to laugh.
Jiro rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "Don't you Skyrim me! You can't just pretend you didn't hear me. I'm serious, Izuku. You've gone out of your way to help me, and I want to show my gratitude." She took a step forward, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You'll just keep dodging me, won't you?"
Izuku stumbled back slightly, his face flushing even deeper. "I—uh—I'm not dodging, I just—really, there's nothing to repay! It was no big deal, I promise!"
Jiro chuckled, clearly enjoying every second of his flustered state. "No way, no way. I'm not buying it. You're too humble for your own good, you know that?"
"Alright fine. You can repay me but don't spend anything like a billion dollars or something like that," he said caving in.
Jiro smirked as she watched her go to the door. "Ok, I'll try not to. Thanks again Izuku, you da best."
"No problem, ma'am," he said saluting her awkwardly before shuffling out of the room. Izuku sighed as he wiped his face and knocked on Momo's door holding her gadget.
Izuku took a deep breath, trying to steady himself after Jiro's relentless teasing. His face was still warm, but he shook it off as he focused on the task at hand. He had spent so much time fine-tuning Momo's gadget, making sure it would complement her quirk perfectly. He just hoped she'd like it.
A moment later, the door opened to reveal Momo, her expression shifting to pleasant surprise when she saw Izuku standing there. "Oh, Izuku! What brings you here?" she asked, stepping aside to let him in.
Izuku held out the sleek bracelet he had crafted. "I, uh, made this for you," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
He opened the box to show a slim bracelet-like band and handed it to her. "This is called the FormuBand. In a nutshell, it allows you to scan an object and shows you the chemical and structural needs in order to make it easier for you to do stuff on the field.
Momo's eyes lit up with genuine curiosity as she gently took the FormuBand from Izuku's hands. The sleek, metallic finish glimmered under the dorm room's soft lighting, its streamlined design clearly crafted with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. She carefully fastened it around her wrist, feeling the light yet durable material adjust snugly.
"This is… incredible," Momo breathed, running her fingers over the subtle engravings along the band's surface. "You designed this just for me?"
Izuku scratched the back of his neck, his face tinged with pink. "Y-Yeah. I thought it could help you optimize your quirk, especially during high-pressure situations. It scans objects, breaks down their components, and provides you with detailed chemical structures. That way, you don't have to rely solely on memory—you'll have real-time data."
Momo tapped the small, embedded screen, and a soft blue light flickered to life. A simple interface appeared, displaying icons for scanning, data analysis, and material logs. She pointed her wrist at the wooden desk nearby, and within seconds, a holographic projection displayed the composition: cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose—complete with structural diagrams.
Her eyes widened in awe. "This… This will change everything for me," she whispered. "Izuku, this is beyond thoughtful. It's—scientifically brilliant!" She looked up, her expression softening with gratitude. "You always think of ways to help others. I really appreciate it," she said hugging him tightly.
Izuku rubbed his neck again, the compliment making him fidget nervously as he hugged her back. "I just… wanted to support you. I know how hard you work, and if this makes things even a little easier, then it's worth it."
"Well, I am grateful I'll be sure to repay in return for this incredible device and no buts," she said letting go of him.
Izuku chuckled nervously, knowing better than to argue when Momo had that determined look in her eyes. "Alright, alright," he conceded, holding up his hands in surrender.
"I can't wait to use this," she said excitedly as she started to jump around in excitement. "I'll let you get used to it," he said with a small smile, stepping back toward the door.
But before he could fully turn the handle, Momo's voice stopped him. "Wait, Izuku!"
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. Momo was still standing in the middle of her room, the FormuBand gleaming on her wrist. Her face was flushed slightly, though whether from excitement or something else, Izuku couldn't tell.
"Would you… like to stay for a bit?" she asked, her tone softer now, the confident edge from earlier replaced with a hint of shyness. "Maybe help me figure out all its functions?"
Izuku blinked, surprised by the invitation. "Oh, sure! If you want me to."
Momo smiled warmly, gesturing for him to come back inside. Izuku's heart did a nervous flip as he stepped in, closing the door behind him.
They both sat down at her small desk, the FormuBand resting on her wrist like it belonged there. Izuku leaned in slightly, pointing to the sleek interface. "So, uh, this icon here is for scanning. You can aim it at any object, and it'll break down the chemical composition in real-time. If you tap this one, it stores the data for future reference—kind of like a library for quick access during battles."
Momo followed his instructions carefully, her fingers gliding over the smooth surface of the device. "It's so intuitive," she murmured, genuinely impressed. "Did you design the software interface too?"
Izuku nodded shyly. "Yeah. I wanted it to be simple enough to use under pressure but still detailed enough to be useful. Guess you could say this was…creative."
Momo paused, her fingers hovering over the FormuBand's sleek interface. Slowly, she turned her head to look at him, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Did you just make a pun… about my quirk?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, though her tone was filled with light-hearted amusement.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Izuku replied quickly, his face turning an even deeper shade of red as he avoided Momo's amused gaze.
"Well, about time you started using puns on me instead of Tokoyami," she said scanning a lamp nearby.
Momo chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She was always so composed, always so poised, yet moments like these—when she let down her guard—reminded him of how human she truly was. It was a rare glimpse into her more relaxed side, and it made his heart race even faster.
"You're adorable when you get all flustered," Momo said, her teasing tone gentle and affectionate. She continued to tap on the FormuBand, her fingers moving with ease as she explored the various functions he had explained.
"Ok, Momo is that all you needed help with," he said not wanting to look at her.
Momo noticed the way Izuku was avoiding her gaze, and her teasing smile softened. She knew she had embarrassed him a little, but it was all in good fun. Still, there was something endearing about the way he got flustered around her. She could tell he wasn't quite used to these kinds of interactions, and it made her heart ache with a gentle fondness.
"Hey, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," Momo said, her tone shifting slightly to a more sincere one. She turned her attention back to the FormuBand, tapping the screen a few more times to test out its functionality. "I just wanted to make sure I understood everything."
Izuku blinked, realizing she wasn't trying to tease him anymore. He looked up at her, his nervousness still present but slowly subsiding. "No, it's fine! Really. I'm just not used to, you know, spending time like this with you." His words came out in a rush, and he immediately regretted them. He was rambling again.
Momo looked at him, her expression softening even more. "I understand," she said gently. "You're not the only one who's not used to it." She paused for a moment, as if considering something, before speaking again. "But, you know, Izuku… I enjoy these moments with you. More than you might realize."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat at her words, and he stared at her in surprise. His breath caught in his throat as he tried to make sense of what she was saying. "Y-You do?"
Momo gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Of course I do. I mean, we don't get to spend a lot of time like this, but I always look forward to moments when I can just be myself with you. When you're not analyzing things or trying to be the hero."
Izuku felt the weight of her words settle in his chest. He was always so focused on doing what was right, so intent on helping everyone around him that he often forgot to take a step back and just enjoy the moments that mattered—like now. Like sitting here with Momo, talking about something as simple as the FormuBand and its features, yet feeling the connection between them grow stronger.
"Thanks, Momo," he said quietly, his voice thick with gratitude. "I… I really appreciate that."
"I think that was all I had Izuku," she said smiling at him. "You should go give your gadget to Kaminari before it's too late."
"Right. I should probably go," he said, his voice soft but tinged with a lingering warmth. "Thanks for letting me help, Momo. I'm glad I could assist with the FormuBand. If you need anything else, just let me know."
Momo smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling with that familiar mixture of intelligence and kindness that he admired so much. "Of course, Izuku. You're always welcome here." There was a subtle yet genuine affection in her words, and it made Izuku's heart race again. He wasn't sure what it was, but something in the air between them felt different now—more open, more comfortable.
As he reached the door, he paused and turned back around. "You, uh, you'll be okay with the FormuBand?" he asked, still not entirely sure if there was anything else he could explain.
Momo gave him a confident nod, her smile widening. "I think I'll manage. But I'll call you if I need any more tips."
Izuku felt his cheeks flush slightly, but he nodded back. "Okay, great. I'll… I'll see you around then?"
"Definitely," Momo replied, her voice soft but assured.
Izuku shut her door and sighed pulling out the third and final gadget. Kaminari was on the third floor, so he had to make a trip to the floor above him.
Brushing off his flustered feeling from Momo and Jiro he up the stairs to go to Kaminari's room and give him his gadget. Izuku was honestly surprised that this stuff came easy to him, but he would do anything to make sure everyone succeeded.
He reached the third floor and walked down the corridor toward Kaminari's room. Izuku knocked gently on Kaminari's door, his heart still beating a little too fast for his liking.
A few moments passed before the door swung open, revealing Kaminari in his usual laid-back, somewhat disheveled state. His hair was sticking up in all directions, and he wore a wide grin, clearly in a better mood than usual. "Hey, Yagi! What's up?" Kaminari greeted, stepping back to allow Izuku inside.
"Oh, well I noticed and heard from some people that your quirk has a side effect of electricity going everywhere, right? Such as needing to touch someone to electrify them," he asked wanting to verify.
Kaminari blinked at Izuku for a moment, clearly surprised by the question. His grin didn't falter, though, and he scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, that's right. My quirk, Electrification, can cause a little chaos if I'm not careful. It's like a constant charge, and when I'm in a high-energy state, it can sometimes affect the people around me unless I really concentrate on controlling it. I can't exactly turn it off at will, but I've gotten better at keeping it in check." He chuckled sheepishly. "Still, I've zapped a few people by accident."
"Then I would like to help you with these," he said opening the box to show black gloves. "I call these the Volt Vanguards. Do you want me to explain the dumbed-down version of these or the super smart version?" asked Izuku looking at him.
Kaminari's eyes widened as Izuku pulled out the black gloves from the box. He looked at them for a moment, then back at Izuku, a mixture of curiosity and amusement in his gaze. "Volt Vanguards, huh? Sounds pretty cool already." He scratched his chin, giving Izuku a playful smirk. "Well, since you're the genius behind this, hit me with the super smart version. I'm sure I'll appreciate the details more."
Izuku's face lit up with excitement, his earlier nervousness momentarily forgotten. He took a step forward, carefully holding the gloves in both hands as he began to explain. "Alright, so these are designed to help you control the flow of electricity more precisely. The Volt Vanguards are lined with conductive mesh that works in tandem with your quirk. They channel your electricity into specific pathways, essentially acting as a control system for your power. Instead of just letting the electricity go wherever it pleases, these gloves give you more control over where it goes and how it spreads using them in streams or in lightning bolts."
Kaminari's eyes widened as Izuku continued to explain. "Wait, so I can literally control how my electricity moves now? I can make it go where I want, and like, decide if I want a small zap or a full-on bolt?" he asked, a mix of excitement and disbelief in his voice.
"Yeah! Though this is only for your hands and arms," Izuku responded, his voice growing more enthusiastic. "The conductive mesh inside the gloves is designed to guide the electrical current. When you activate your quirk, the mesh directs the flow of electricity into the desired pathway, which allows you to target specific areas, whether that's a small spark or a full discharge. This means you won't accidentally hit anyone around you with a stray bolt. You can actually choose the intensity of the charge by adjusting the pressure you apply with your fingers. The harder you press, the stronger the charge."
Kaminari's grin widened, and he rubbed his hands together as if testing them out. "Man, this is crazy. I can actually control the zapping? That's gonna make things way easier. I don't even know how many times I've fried my classmates in middle school when I got too excited."
Izuku chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek. "Yeah, I figured you'd appreciate that part but remember that you can still overload. I couldn't figure a way around that. You never know. You might be able to control your quirk without them."
"That's perfectly fine dude don't worry about that; besides, this is so dope," he said putting them on. They were black with yellow accents and that typical fingerless glove that Izuku had made for Jiro on her Sound Gauntlets.
Kaminari pulled the gloves on with a wide grin, the yellow accents popping against the sleek black fabric. He flexed his fingers and immediately felt a subtle tingling sensation as the conductive mesh inside began to react with his quirk. His eyes widened in wonder as he concentrated on the gloves, testing their limits. "Whoa, I can feel it already. It's like the electricity's… flowing differently." He paused, taking a few moments to adjust and experiment with the gloves. "Okay, okay, I gotta try this out."
"Just try it out on me," said Izuku stepping out into the hallway.
"Huh?" asked Kaminari really confused.
"Kaminari. One of my powers is being able to be resistant to all electrical attacks," he said showing Jolt to prove his point.
"Oh yeah. I forgot," he said walking with him to the middle of the hallway.
Izuku led the way into the middle of the hallway, standing a few feet in front of Kaminari. His nerves were steady now, knowing that his resistance to electrical attacks would keep him safe. Kaminari, still a little surprised, adjusted the Volt Vanguards on his hands and took a deep breath. "Alright, here we go. I've gotta test this out if I'm gonna get the hang of it." He flashed Izuku a quick grin. "You're sure you're gonna be fine, right?"
Izuku nodded confidently. "I'm sure."
Kaminari raised his eyebrows, smirking. He focused on his hands, feeling the gloves settle against his skin, the conductive mesh reacting to his quirk with every small movement of his fingers. He could feel the surge of power building in his body, and with a deep breath, he extended his hand forward toward Izuku.
The first spark came quickly—just a tiny jolt of electricity flickering from his fingertips. It wasn't much, but Kaminari was still getting used to the precision of the gloves. He clenched his hand into a fist and pressed his fingers together more deliberately, trying to focus the energy. The spark intensified into a steady stream of controlled electricity that flowed in a straight line toward Izuku.
Izuku stood still, feeling the electricity as it hit his skin, but it didn't even cause a twitch. The energy crackled harmlessly against his body, and he grinned at Kaminari. "It's working, right? I barely feel anything."
Kaminari couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, it's not exactly like I'm trying to fry you, but it's a good sign that it's all going in the right direction. I feel like I can control it more with each try." He concentrated a little harder, the flow of electricity becoming more intense, but still, it was perfectly timed and controlled.
"Try increasing the pressure a little more," Izuku suggested, his voice calm and encouraging. "You'll be able to generate a stronger charge that way."
Kaminari raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? I don't want to blast you or anything."
Izuku chuckled. "Don't worry. Trust me. You won't hurt me."
"What the heck are you two doing?" asked Toru stepping out of the hallway. Izuku looked to see Toru in the motion of tapping her foot with Mina and Reiko poking their heads out.
"Nothing," said Kaminari in a compromising position aiming the glove at Izuku.
"We are doing some stuff," said Izuku making them curious.
"What kind of stuff?" asked Mina poking her head out further.
Kaminari lowered his hands slightly, laughing nervously. "Uh, just some light quirk testing. You know, hero stuff."
Mina stepped fully into the hallway, her hands on her hips and a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Hero stuff? Looks more like 'trying to zap your friend' stuff."
Izuku shrugged, unfazed. "It's for control training. Kaminari's new gloves—Volt Vanguards—help channel his electricity more efficiently. I'm helping him test their limits."
Reiko, ever the observant one, narrowed her eyes slightly. "So, you're the guinea pig?"
"Technically, yes," Izuku replied with a smile. "But I'm the perfect candidate since I'm resistant to electrical attacks."
Toru giggled, her invisible form becoming more noticeable with the shimmer of her gloves. "Well, if you're handing out shock therapy, I wanna watch!"
Mina bounced on her heels. "Same! Actually, I wanna see how strong these gloves really are. Kaminari, think you can hit Izuku with full power?"
Kaminari's grin faltered. "Full power? Uh… I mean… that's kind of risky."
Izuku waved off his concern. "It's fine. I can handle it." Kaminari charged up his attack, pointing at his Volt Vanguards squarely at Izuku. "1.3 million volts," he announced, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and tension. The gloves hummed with energy, yellow accents glowing brighter as sparks danced wildly around his fingertips.
With a sharp inhale, Kaminari unleashed the full force of his attack.
Multiple streams of concentrated lightning burst from his gloves, crackling violently as they surged toward Izuku. The hallway lit up with intense flashes of yellow, casting long shadows against the walls. The roar of electricity was deafening, like a thunderstorm trapped in a confined space.
Izuku stood his ground, his body tensing slightly as the electric currents slammed into him. Sparks exploded around his silhouette, but true to his word, he didn't flinch. His quirk absorbed the energy effortlessly, the raw power dissipating harmlessly across his skin. A faint grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he raised a hand, signaling Kaminari to keep going.
Kaminari stood frozen, his arms still partially raised, sparks faintly flickering from the fingertips of his Volt Vanguards. His once-confident grin had melted into that familiar, vacant expression—wide-eyed with a goofy smile plastered across his face. His posture slumped slightly, and he wobbled on his feet like someone who'd just spun around too many times.
Izuku sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as he walked over. "Okay… yeah. You went and fried your brain, man."
Mina burst into laughter, doubling over as she clutched her stomach. "Oh no, he's got the look again! Classic Kaminari!"
Toru giggled too, her gloves clapping together with excitement. "It's like he never learns, huh?"
Kaminari's head tilted slightly, his grin unwavering. "Pudding tastes like… thunder," he mumbled, then burst into a weak, aimless giggle.
Mina's laughter hit a new pitch. "Oh my gosh! What does that even mean?!"
Izuku chuckled softly despite his concern. "Yep. He's definitely scrambled."
Izuku crouched beside Kaminari, shaking his head with a small, amused sigh. "Man, I told you not to overdo it."
Kaminari's goofy grin remained, his eyes glazed with a blank yet oddly satisfied expression. "Thunder pudding… is mine," he mumbled dreamily, his voice trailing off into soft giggles.
Mina couldn't control her laughter anymore. She was practically on the floor, tears streaming down her face. "Thunder pudding—I'm never letting you live this down!"
Toru snorted, leaning against the wall for support. "We've got to write that down somewhere. Like, on a plaque or something."
Izuku, though amused, gave Kaminari light taps on his cheek. "Hey, Kaminari, focus. You okay in there?"
Kaminari blinked slowly, his vacant grin faltering slightly. He squinted, as if trying to reboot his brain. "Uh… yeah… wait… where's the pudding?"
Izuku sighed, fighting the smile creeping onto his face. "There's no pudding, man. You just zapped yourself silly."
Kaminari blinked a few more times, trying to process what Izuku said. "No pudding?" His eyes darted around, confused and lost. "But… but… I'm pretty sure I saw it... it was right here..." His hand reached out, groping the air as if searching for the elusive treat. His tongue stuck out in concentration as he flailed his arms.
Mina wiped away the tears from her eyes, still laughing. "I can't—" she gasped between laughs, "—believe you're like this. Thunder pudding, Kaminari, really?" She managed to catch her breath, but the image of her friend, so utterly out of it, was just too much to handle.
Izuku shook his head, giving a sigh of both exasperation and affection. "You really did a number on yourself this time. That was a bit of all of our faults." He gently tapped Kaminari's shoulder, trying to steer him back to reality. "Just relax, okay? I've got you." Izuku pulled up his sleeve as he placed his hand on Kaminari's head as he concentrated on it.
"What are you doing Yagi?" asked Reiko calmly as she put her hand on Izuku's arm.
Izuku looked up at Reiko, who had approached quietly, her usual calm demeanor slightly more concerned than usual. He gave a small shrug, trying to keep things under control. "I'm trying to use my quirk to heal him."
It took a few more seconds before a faint green glow was emanating around his head. Izuku's wasn't sure Cell Surge would work but with how it was working thus far he was fine with it.
"You can heal people as well?" she asked calmly once more as Toru and Mina got around the two boys.
"Yeah, I can, I have a faster healing rate from the stockpiled energy in my body, but I can also heal others. It isn't as good as Recovery Girl's, but Kaminari will be good to go soon," he said.
"That still is impressive Yagi," Reiko said bending down to examine the gloves. "So, you are a genius, fighter, inventor, and healer? Quite the impressive list," she said as Kaminari was starting to come around.
Kaminari sat up, still swaying a little, but there was a growing sense of clarity in his eyes. He looked at Izuku, his grin turning into a more genuine smile. "Man, I can't believe you just... healed me like that. And... no pudding? That's... well, I'm kinda disappointed, but I'll take not being brain-fried."
Izuku gave him a small chuckle, brushing the hair out of his face. "I think we can all agree that you've had your fill of brain-frying for today."
"Yeah. I think I am going to stop testing these bad boys for today," he said taking them off. "Thank you Izuku. I appreciate the Volt Vanguards. I think I am going to go to my room to chill out. Sorry, for disturbing you girls."
Izuku scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry about that girls."
Mina waved her hand dismissively, still giggling. "Are you kidding? This was the best thing I've seen all day. Thunder pudding! I'm framing that moment in my brain forever."
Toru nodded enthusiastically. "You know we are never letting you live this down, right?"
Kaminari slumped as he walked into his room. "I have no idea what you guys are talking about."
Izuku groaned, though the smile tugging at the corners of his lips betrayed his amusement. "You two are going to scar him for life."
Reiko, ever composed, simply tilted her head. "Or motivate him to become stronger—so he can live it down."
"That's one way to look at it," Izuku muttered, shaking his head fondly. "Maybe we should just chill out on the name Thunder Pudding for a bit. That would be like me calling Ashido, Purple Slime or something?"
"Hey now I am pink, thank you very much," she said glaring at Izuku.
"That was point," said Izuku.
"I'm about to show you the point in a second," she said holding up her fist as Izuku shuffled behind Reiko making sure to hold her by the shoulders for protection.
Reiko, ever the calm one, raised an eyebrow at the playful threat but didn't seem too worried. "You should probably save your energy for something more productive, Ashido. You might not want to waste all your fight on Yagi here. What is with you hiding behind every time something happens anyway?"
Izuku grinned sheepishly, keeping a hand on Reiko's shoulder as if to shield himself from the imaginary incoming punch. "Yeah, I'll keep my distance. I'm not trying to make it onto your bad side, Ashido. I'm just kidding around. To answer your question Yanagi it is because you are the closest."
Mina, still chuckling, gave Izuku a knowing look. "You'd better watch out. You know how she gets when you bring up the slime thing."
"Alright fine," Izuku said backing away from them. "But, I am going to get going."
Izuku gave a final wave to everyone before he turned, making his way toward the door. He had a lot on his mind, but the events of the day had already given him enough to think about. Kaminari's incident with his quirk had definitely been a reminder that they all needed to be more careful in their training. Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, Izuku knew they had to focus on what they were going to make through the upcoming challenges.
FAST FORWARD: 2 DAYS UNTIL THE SPORTS FESTIVAL
Izuku laid back one of the chairs in his room as he wrote in his book about everything he had done with training over the course of 12 days. It had been exhausting, but he managed to squeeze in six hours of training every day, balancing it alongside his classes. His body ached, but the progress he had made was undeniable.
He had focused on refining the evolved versions of Blackwhip, Fa Jin, and Danger Sense. Blackwhip had been the easiest to train, as it was a quirk that could be actively practiced and refined. After extensive effort, he had finally learned how to split the tendrils into two, each with three base tendrils extending from them. This gave him significantly more control in combat, allowing him to restrain multiple opponents at once or adjust his grip strength based on the situation. He also practiced quick retraction techniques, ensuring he could move through the air with more fluidity. He could use 6 total base tendrils, but only 3 that were split from the base. It was a complicated and powerful quirk that needed mastery.
Jolt was something he was proud of the most though as he now found out how to transfer his energy from Jolt to objects….even people.
The first time he managed to transfer Jolt into an object was purely accidental. During a sparring session with Iida, Izuku had thrown a small training weight to simulate a distraction. Just as it left his hand, the weight shot forward with a burst of unexpected speed, crashing into the wall with enough force to leave a dent. It startled both of them, but it also sparked an idea. If he could control that transfer, it could become an incredible tactical advantage.
Over the next few days, he dedicated part of his training to perfecting this technique. He learned that by focusing his intent and channeling energy through points of contact, he could "charge" objects with Jolt's energy. The results didn't vary much but with how fast he was moving he could hypothetically have people react at the same time he was while he was moving superspeed.
The real breakthrough, however, came when he managed to transfer Jolt into a person. It happened during a team exercise with Uraraka and Tokoyami. Uraraka had been struggling to dodge an incoming attack, and without thinking, Izuku reached out, his hand brushing against her shoulder. A surge of Jolt's energy transferred into her, enhancing her reflexes just enough for her to evade the strike. Granted it was only for a second but that meant if he continuously did it that would mean he could have everyone who is touching him move at superspeed with him.
Izuku couldn't contain his excitement. If he could master Jolt's energy transfer, he wouldn't just be fast—his entire team could move at speeds that rivaled his own. The applications were limitless.
One for All had improved slightly but it was barely noticeable. He had improved from 50% to the 52-55% range. He was sure he wasn't going to push his limit unless necessary. Pushing himself to go to 75% and even 80%; that hurt like a motherfucker. He landed over 225+ blows on that Nomu and went over his limit even if it was a bit did a lot of damage over a short time. He had to be careful from now on for himself and his friend's sake.
As Izuku scribbled notes furiously into his book, detailing every new breakthrough and limitation. As he finished writing what he needed to. He looked out the window wondering what the sports festival would bring. He hoped to be noticed by some of the top agency to help further his training and experience.
His grip on his notebook tightened.
No matter what happened at the Sports Festival, he would give it everything he had.
Failure wasn't an option.
WITH ICHIRO
Ichiro panted as he wiped sweat from his brow for what felt like the thousandth time. He had been working on his Levels of Impact for the past few weeks, and his progress had increased tremendously. What once seemed impossible was now within reach—he had fully mastered the fifth level, something that had taken him months of grueling effort. But more than that, he had unlocked a seventh level of Impact, something he hadn't even thought possible before.
Impact Level 7. The idea alone sent shivers down his spine. If Impact Level 6 had left him drained and vulnerable after use, then Level 7 was in an entirely different league. It pushed his body past every limit he thought he had, amplifying his strength, speed, and endurance to a point that felt almost unreal. But the price was steep—every time he activated it, he felt his muscles scream in protest, his bones threatening to give out under the sheer force. It was like igniting a flame that could burn out at any moment.
But he had done it. He had reached a new peak.
He remembered years ago that he thought the fifth level was his peak, but he keeps breaking through his limit.
"I need to beat him," he said to himself as he threw another punch. "I need to beat Izuku. He needs to be hit off of his high horse."
He had to beat his brother. He needed to do it. If he lost to him…
He couldn't accept that. He wouldn't accept that.
With trembling arms, Ichiro forced himself to stand. His entire body protested, but he refused to stop. He wasn't done. He still had more to give.
"Again," he muttered, dragging himself back into position.
He would keep going until he couldn't move. Until his body gave out. Until he could activate Impact Level 7 and stay in that form long enough to compete with the best.
Because if he wanted to take down his brother…
He had to become something more than just strong.
He had to become unstoppable.
This is for reference for Ichiro's Levels of Impact in comparison to One for All percentages in terms of speed and strength alike.
Impact Level 1: 1% of One for All
Impact Level 2: 4% of One for All
Impact Level 3: 8% of One for All
Impact Level 4: 12% of One for All
Impact Level 5: 15% of One for All
Impact Level 6: 20% of One for All
Impact Level 7: 25% of One for All