Aizawa let out a tired grunt as he walked towards the Juvenile Detention Center in downtown Mustafu. He had hoped that he wouldn't have to do any more visits after spending the morning seeing potential students for UA. In fact, he had already unpacked his favorite yellow sleeping bag after lunch.

Then Principal Nezu called and informed him of an interesting applicant, a Juvenile Delinquent that was well known in the area if the police reports were to be believed. "My head's already hurting," he grumbled as he entered the building. "This kid'll be a problem-child, I'm sure of it." he stopped at the front desk, a thick sheet of bullet-proof glass separating the officer from him; his eyes flickered to the three cameras in the lobby, then to the heavy metal door set into the wall beside the window.

"Hmph…" he knocked on the glass until the officer turned on the intercom. "My name's Shouta Aizawa," he said, "I'm here to speak with the JDC Administrator, about one of your...wards."

"Yes, sir. Go ahead and have a seat. Captain Tatsumoto will be with you momentarily," the officer said with a bored drawl.

Aizawa felt his eye twitch as he moved to sit in one of the wooden chairs that lined the walls. He pulled out the file on the boy and began looking through it. "Several counts of assault, truancy, and vandalism… Why do you want this kid in UA, Nezu?" he closed the file as the metal door opened and a man with beer gut stepped out. He was dressed in a fairly decent dress shirt and slacks, and his arms still held an impressive amount of muscle. He was bald, with a neatly trimmed goatee that was specked with silver hair.

"Mr. Aizawa," he greeted, his voice deep and quiet as he bowed respectfully to the off-duty hero, "thank you for coming in on such short notice."

Aizawa returned the bow, "UA is always willing to go the extra step for applicants who show promise."

Tatsumoto nodded. "Let us have this conversation in my office," he says, turning back around and entering the metal door. Aizawa followed closely behind him, looking around the long hallways. He watched as small groups of teenagers in gray jumpsuits walked down the halls, being escorted by officers from one spot to another. Several doors lining the walls were open, revealing entire dorms lined with metal bunks and a few metal tables bolted into the ground. Most of the boys in the facility were talking in hushed whispers at the tables, half watching the tv mounted on the wall inside of a metal and glass box. They climbed two flights of stairs, showing similar views on each floor until they reached a heavy metal door with a small window in it.

"Here we are," Tatsumoto said, unlocking his office door and inviting Aizawa in, who noted the window that showed what looked like a rec yard. "I know what you're thinking, Erasure," Tatsumoto began as he closed the door behind them and took a seat behind his desk, motioning to one of the brown leather chairs sitting in front of him. Aizawa sat down as he once again pulled the file, "and while I'm sure you've seen his profile and record, I want to assure you that those days are behind him."

"It still raises some concerns," Aizawa said, "the last charge was barely a few weeks ago in this very facility-"

"-the boys in this facility are all volatile, and you can see in the court brief that it was ruled as self defense," he leaned forward, "the boy he fought was attempting to run the pod he was in. He was taking peoples' commissary against their will...guess he bit off more than he could chew."

"It seems that way…" Aizawa sighed, "his file says he's been in and out of this facility since he was five?"

Tatsumoto sighed. "Yes. I'll never forget that first stay of his…" he muttered, "a boy of five getting brought in after he admits to killing his father." he shakes his head, "self defense after the bastard killed his mother, and then went for him, he stayed here for a week before the cops dropped the charges and placed him in foster care."

Aizawa's eyes widened at the explanation. "Poor kid…" he muttered, "I'm guessing that this is probably the root of the reason that he's been back here since?"

"Partly...the other part is the people he hung around, not only in here but at school...to put it simply he became friends with delinquents, and followed their lead; although he's always been respectful to staff, his relationship with others his age-and almost all of his foster families-usually lead to one or more spectacular brawl."

"His file says he's been in and out of foster care? Could you elaborate on that?"

"The trauma he went through as a child, paired with his newfound disdain for parental figures, made it difficult for any foster family to connect with him; he's ran away from almost every single foster home he's been in, for a while he was almost exclusively living on the street until he was busted for tagging a building alongside a few others when he was eleven, That's when he was sent to a more...strict family."

"Strict?"

Tatsumoto nodded, "the Jones family in Saitama were known for turning problem children like him into success stories. The state believed they would be the best answer to his problems...he burned their house down eight months after they took him in."

"That deviates from every other charge he's ever had." Aizawa started, "why would he suddenly turn to arson? And why against that specific family?"

"We didn't find out ourselves until the end of that year when he took a tumble down a flight of stairs." Tatsumoto grunted, "the medical staff that we have here found scars, whip marks from belts and switches,brands seared into his back...it took the doctor about two hours to get the story from him; apparently the Joneses were devout Christians, and saw his quirk and resulting attitude as a sign that the devil was in him, and acted accordingly, they're lucky the kid didn't just burn down the house with them in it."

"Hmmm...what about the last foster home? It says there was an incident that landed him here once more and landed his foster parent in Tartarus."

"Ah yes, I was actually sad to hear this report." He grimaced, "Iroh Sawron, he became a foster about four years ago, and had several smaller children under his care before the kid went to him three years ago; We didn't hear anything about him for the entirety of those three years until about a month ago; turns out Sawron is the Notorious Dragon of the West."

"Of the Caldera Syndicate?" Aizawa asked in surprise, "how did that get past the background check?"

"It seems the man never used his real name in any of his illegal dealings, hell, he was the only one in that group that was never arrested until now. Cops found out from an anonymous tip and raided the house."

"Did he try to fight his way out? Is that why-"

"No, that's not why he's back." Tatsumoto said abruptly, "Sawron surrendered peacefully, didn't even raise his voice to the officers...The kid tried to fight back until Sawron told him not too; the authorities only arrested the kid because he had activated his quirk, but they're just waiting on the judge to sign some paperwork to release him from here."

Aizawa huffed, he was resisting cops just a month ago… "is there something different this time around? From what I'm hearing it doesn't seem like he would be UA material."

"You don't mince words do you?" Tatsumoto asked dryly, "you know, I was once a regular in these walls, and now here i am, a retired hero and administrator." He stood and walked around the desk, sitting on side of it as he stared out the window towards the juveniles in the rec yard playing basketball, "this time around I can tell the boy is different, he's no longer looking for and trying to start fights, he has been much more courteous to his peers and has taken to focusing on academics, his anger issues and violent tendencies have been curved for the most part."

Aizawa quirked an eyebrow, "what do you think prompted this turn around?"

"In my honest opinion, I believe it was Sawron himself who helped him turn a new leaf, their quirks are similar, VERY similar, and Sawron may have used this to connect with him and train him."

"Do you think Sawron was trying to conscript him?"

Tatsumoto actually laughed at this, "the Caldera Syndicate has been inactive for over a decade." he chuckled, "and evidence shows that it was Sawron himself who helped turn the lights off on it. The man was, for lack of a better word, retired. No, I believe that Sawron saw this boy, and wanted to stop him from continuing down the same path he did."

"You seem to have an awful lot of respect for a 'retired' supervillain."

Tatsumoto shrugged, "I have talked with him before, when checking in on his ward a few times." he leans back, crossing his arm, "Is there...any questions you would like to ask?"

"...his quirk," Aizawa began, leaning forward, "it's labeled as 'fire manipulation', could you shed some more light on it?"

Tatsumoto nodded, looking at Aizawa, "fire manipulation, or fire bending as he has taken to calling it, he can produce flames from his hands, feet and mouth, and can control fire around him to an extent. His control varied for most of his time here, though this last stay has shown he has increased his control over it."

"How much is 'increased'?" Aizawa asked.

"During a class on Quirk usage he was able to produce flames that were almost cold to the touch." he chuckled, "never thought I would feel a room temperature fire…" he stood up fully, staring at Aizawa, "Would you like to meet him?"

Aizawa sighed and stood up, "Yes, if it's possible."

Tatsumoto smiled and stood, "follow me."

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"He is currently in a segregated block due to the fight he had participated in." Tatsumoto explained as they walked into the block in question, eight rooms lined the walls, all of them heavy metal with meal slots built into them, "he is being pulled off restrictions tomorrow, though he has requested to stay in his seg cell, apparently it helps him focus."

Aizawa nodded as they stopped by a door labeled with a large black '4', Tatsumoto unlocked the door, "Midoriya," Tatsumoto greeted as he opened the door, "you have a visitor."

Aizawa stepped into the doorway, his eyes scanning the spartan room, from the made up bed to the simply wooden desk where the boy in question was sitting.

Dressed in the same jumpsuit as everyone else, the boy had the top zipped down and tied around his waist, a simple white shirt hid several different scars that trailed up into the sleeve, he was a healthy skinny, with lean defined muscles and long curly green hair, the boy looked up at Aizawa, then looked down. Aizawa noted the papers on the desk and the pen in his hand.

"Hello," Aizawa began, "i'm Shouta Aizawa, I'm a teacher at UA."

"Hello sir.' Midoriya greeted quietly, keeping his eyes averted. "I-it's a pleasure to meet you…"

Aizawa looked at Tatsumoto, who motions to the bed, with a sigh Aizawa steps in fully, "May I?" he asks the boy, who looks up slightly before looking back down.

"Go ahead." he muttered.

Aizawa sits down and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, "I was sent here to speak with you about possible enrollment to UA," Aizawa begins as he watches Izuku begin to tap his pen against the table, leg bouncing as the boy kept looking from Aizawa back down to the floor, "you did put an application in, didn't you?"

"Y-yes sir." Izuku mumbled, forcing himself to look up at Aizawa, "I...I want to be a hero, to turn my life around and...and help others like me."

"I see...and why should we give you a chance? Your criminal history alone would exempt you from most hero schools. Not to mention the notes on your anger management problems."

Izuku chuckled humorlessly, "these last four years have taken a lot of my anger out of me…" he mumbles, looking down at his calloused hands, "I'm not the Delinquent who skips school to look for fights...truthfully I want to avoid them at all cost...but what's the point of having my quirk if I can't help others?"

Aizawa nods slightly, 'what can you tell me about your time with Iroh Sawron?" he asks.

Immediately Izuku perked up, "you mean Uncle Iroh, that's what he told everyone to call him." he said with a sincere smile and a warm light in his eyes as he reminisces of the past, "all honesty my stay with him was the best time of my life. He was like an eccentric uncle, giving everyone who stopped by his tea shop wisdom and advice; he was able to teach me how to properly use my firebending-it's what we call our quirks" he explained quickly, "at least thats the name of the fighting style; he used it to teach me how to control my temper and fire...he's the reason I want to be a hero…"

Aizawa slowly stood up, making Izuku flinch slightly, "thank you for your time, Midoriya." Aizawa said.

"Thank you for speaking with me Mr. Aizawa." Izuku said, giving a small bow.

Aizawa turned and walked out of the cell, Tatsumoto gave Izuku an encouraging nod as he closed the door and locked it, "what do you think?" he asked as he caught up with Aizawa.

Aizawa didn't say anything until they stepped out of the block, "do you have a room where I can make a quick phone call?" he asks.

Tatsumoto grinned, "you can use my office."

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A few hours later.

Izuku was in a daze as he walked out of the JDC, an old yellow backpack hanging off one shoulder and a duffle bag in his hand; now dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans as he followed Aizawa into the lobby.

"Good luck Midoriya!" one of the officers called out to him from the door, several others joining him.

"Show them what you can do!"

"Don't let them psyche you out!"

"Can't wait to see your debut kid!"

"You definitely have a lot of people rooting for you Young Midoriya." Tatsumoto chuckled as he followed the boy and Aizawa to the waiting car, "I hope to see you going far."

"T-t-thank you Captain Tatsumoto." Izuku stuttered, giving him a small bow as Tatsumoto laughs.

"Take care of yourself kid." Tatsumoto said, giving Aizawa a respectful nod before walking back into the building.

"Lets get going." Aizawa said, stepping into the drivers side while Izuku quickly got into the passenger side. "Thanks to Principal Nezu your release paperwork was pushed through." Aizawa began as he started the car and began driving, "understand that this chance he is extending to you is a one time thing. If you mess it up, you won't be getting another one."

"Y-yes sir." Izuku said.

"You'll be staying at an Apartment that is contracted through UA for students who are from out of town and need a place to stay; You'll have your own apartment so long as housing doesn't require you to have a roommate. This is where you'll be staying until the UA entrance exam; rent and utility free, and, depending on the students needs, grants a small stipend for groceries, if you pass then you will continue to stay there, if not, you'll be re-entered into the foster system."

"Yes sir." Izuku mumbled as he looked down.

"You're free to come and go as you please." Aizawa continued on, "but be mindful that this complex is home to no less than five heroes, including me, if there's any indication that you're running amok in the streets then you'll be kicked out and your chance of going to UA will be over."

"I promise I won't throw this chance away, thank you Mr. Aizawa."

Aizawa grunted as he pulls into a small, gated, apartment complex; three buildings in all surrounding a small park with a pool, he scans an ID card to open the gate and continues in, "follow me." he says, stepping out of the car and heading towards the center building, Izuku quickly following. They climb up to the third floor and stops at the fifth apartment, "apartment 34C" he says, handing Izuku a key card, 'That key card opens your door, and the gate, Do. Not. Lose it."

"Y-yes sir." Izuku says as he unlocks the door and steps in, looking over the medium sized, sparsely furnished, apartment, his hands running over the linoleum counter as he steps down a hallway just across from the front door.

"I'll leave you to it." Aizawa says, stepping out of the apartment and closing the door behind him.

Izuku barely notices Aizawa leaving as he opened one of the four doors in the hallway, coming into what was probably the main bedroom, with a simple full sized bed and generic sheets and comforter, and a wooden desk not unlike the one he had at the JDC, "a room all to myself with no one around to search it randomly…" Izuku mumbles as he sits down on the bed, "this is heaven…"

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The next day

Aizawa slowly walked towards his apartment, forcing himself to keep his eyes open as he sluggishly searched his pocket for his key card, mentally chewing out Midoriya for causing so much paperwork as well as the meeting he had to attend that morning.

"If and when he passes his guardianship will be transferred to his homeroom teacher." Nezu stated to Aizawa as well as the other teachers in the room, "though I have my doubts he will fail, if he does then he will be placed back in foster care, is everyone understanding?"

Aizawa sighed as he opened his door, stopping himself from walking in as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, he looked over and grunts as he sees Midoriya running on the concrete sidewalk that circled the apartments; slick with sweat and struggling to keep his breaths even, he looked like he had been hard at work for a while. "At least he's taking the preparation seriously…" Aizawa muttered as he stepped into his apartment, closing the door without a look back.

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A month later.

Izuku controlled his breathing as he went through his Katas, keeping all of his muscles tensed as he moved from one form to another as he thought about the last month of his life.

In all honesty, it was strange to have as much freedom as he did, most of his foster homes had enforced a strict curfew and punished anyone who broke it harshly; but here he was free to stay out as late as he wanted, with only a tired glare from Aizawa to make him think about coming home earlier.

It usually worked.

It was also unnerving how many heroes were in this area, even in Iroh's shop, they were situated in a less than nice neighborhood and only saw a hero if a chase moved there; But here, with five heroes living in the apartments and several more stopping by to visit, he was hard pressed to find a day where there were no heroes around.

Not that he wanted the heroes out of the area, It just made him nervous that they would harass him; which, thankfully, they didn't.

He was also surprised at the attention that Aizawa gave him, for the first two weeks the man was standoffish and seemed to hate him, though he did give him some tips to help regulate his breathing when running. about two weeks back he had gone from watching him from the walkway of the second floor, to watching him from a nearby bench, giving comments and tips on his forms or asking what he was writing in his journal in between workouts, by now Izuku was more or less used to Aizawas presence.

"You're stiff."

Izuku jumped and whirled around, standing in a defensive stance as he stared at Aizawa, who was standing in a tank top and shorts, arms crossed. "You need to loosen up, if you're stiff it'll make your movements jerky and easily readable."

"Oh...right…" Izuku muttered as he relaxed, "do you have to sneak up on me?"

"I don't, you just don't pay attention." Aizawa says, looking at the sun slowly slipping down towards the horizon, "I heard you were volunteering at a beach clean up."

"O-oh, yeah, I was walking by it and saw just how much trash was on it; so I started cleaning up what I could...I guess word got around and more people began showing up."

"hmm...I take it you're not going out there today?"

"Oh no, today I need to focus on my kata's." Izuku said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, "it can't just be strength training."

"You're right…" Aizawa agreed, looking back at the boy, "what are those forms you're using?"

"My forms? Oh! It's the fighting style that Uncle made up." Izuku said with a grin, "he always told me that it's the fire inside that makes my temper so volatile. And taught me these forms to help relax my mind. Meditating also helps...but these kata's also help me fight with my fire."

"It does huh? Would you like to spar?"

"I..uh a-a-are y-you sure t-t-that's a good i-idea?" Izuku asks worriedly as he looks around the apartment complex.

"It'll be fine, neither of us will use our quirks." he says, getting into a fighting stance.

"O-okay…" Izuku says, getting into a defensive stance; reactively dodging Aizawa's opening jabs and blocking a roundhouse, he throws a few punches of his own, putting Aizawa on the defensive. It ends when Aizawa gets a hard jab in on Izuku's side, making the boy drop his guard and leaving him open to another kick from Aizawa that sends him sprawling.

"You need to use a little aggression in your fighting style." Aizawa said, "Passively waiting to counter attacks leaves too many openings, go on the offense."

"R-right."

"Lets go again."

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Forty minutes later.

Izuku was gasping for breath as he once again landed on his back, but unlike the first time where he simply laid down, he used his arms and shoulders to regain his feet and pressed another attack at Aizawa, this time with an axle kick that was followed up with a few roundhouses.

Aizawa barrely flinched as he tanked the attacks and grabbed Izuku's leg, flipping him over his back and slamming him into the grass. "Better, you're actually pressing attacks and taking what advantages you can. But you're throwing caution to the wind and not planning out your attacks. You need to keep a level head in a fight."

"Yes sir." Izuku sighed as he sat up.

Aizawa looked to the horizon, noting how far the sun had dipped, 'lets call it a day." he says, holding a hand out to Izuku, who gratefully takes the hand and stands up. "You hungry?"

"Uh..yeah," izuku said cautiously, feeling confusion when Aizawa began walking away.

"There's a Ramen stand not too far from here that's pretty good. Lets go."

Izuku blinked, then smiled, "yeah, sure." he says, running to catch up with Aizawa, the two walked in a companionable silence until they got closer to the ramen stand.

"You keep training like this and you'll be ready for the entrance exam." Aizawa said quietly, "keep up the good work."

"Yes sir." Izuku says with a determined expression, giving the man a wider smile, "Thank you for your help."

Aizawa puts his hands into his pockets, staring straight ahead, "don't mention it kid, now let's get some cold drinks while we wait for our food."