Chapter 27: World's Finest

"Midoriya! Wake up!" Someone shouted as I realized that I was being shaken like a ragdoll. (No. Not that Ragdoll.) My eyes then went wide as I noticed that the person shaking me and who was also yelling at me were one in the same. It was Sudo. Not that I was too surprised to see him. (Since everyone shared a room with another person, and me and Sudo happened to share the same room.) However, what surprised me was the look on his face. Sure, he was prone to get annoyed easily but that wasn't him being annoyed. This was something else. But what?

"Sudo, what's going on?" I asked but before I could get an answer, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of bed. (Thank God I was wearing pajamas.) He then opened the door of our room while pulling me along as my eyes shot wide open.

'Just… what the heck is going on?!' I thought internally with what was surely a dumbfounded look on my face. I checked my phone only to realize that it was only seven in the morning. Normally, I along with most others would be up getting ready for class around this time. But how and why were there so many of us all up and about and creating a huge traffic jam?! But that's exactly what was happening! But even still Sudo pulled me along as we squished by other people in order to pass them by.

'Man! I haven't felt this cramped since that day at UA!' I thought internally while reminiscing regarding the day someone had infiltrated the UA defense barrier which made all the alarms go off! However, this was different! No alarms were going off! Then what was everyone trying to do?! I then realized that the direction everyone was trying to make their way too was the ship's front deck! But what could be there that has my classmates and countless other people in such a frenzy?! But before I knew it, me and Sudo managed to squeeze by and make it to the front deck. And then…

'Whoosh!' A breeze hit me right in the face as my eyes shot wide open at what I was seeing with my own eyes. There was a man on the ocean. But he wasn't swimming. No, he was riding on top a blue whale! My jaw literally dropped as I took in the man's appearance. The man had short brown hair and five o clock shadow. He was also wearing a costume that resembled a wet suit that was green and golden complete with fins and a trident emblem. And in his right hand he was wielding a golden trident while waving at everyone with his left hand.

I knew that without a doubt that this guy was a superhero. His appearance alone was something that someone back in my world would wear to fight crime and save the innocent. However, this guy wasn't one of the heroes in Dawn of the Seven. Just thinking about that movie gave me a headache. Not only that but all of the research I did told me that this guy resigned from the Seven. Which means he might be able to be reasoned with! He might even feel the same way that I do about how the movie was just a soulless cash grab! I've got to talk to him! But before I could-

'WHOOOSH!' The man leaped into the air and landed onto the cruise ship! Just him landing was enough to unleash a gust of wind that knocked several people off their feet! I was caught off guard by the suddenness of it all. If I was him, I would have landed a bit more gracefully so that I wouldn't have knocked any people onto their butts but whatever! I can't waste this chance to talk with one of this world's heroes! But then again…

'How am I supposed to do that while I dressed like this?!' I thought internally as I remembered that I was still in my pajamas! I can't talk to him like this! The only way that I'd be able to talk with him and for everyone to not think I was being suspicious was for me to suit up! But how was I supposed to do that here?! I can't do it out in the open or my secret identity would be instantly revealed!

In the midst of this the superhero whispered 'Thanks for the ride. Be back later, babe.' To the blue whale before it let out an affectionate sound (For whales at least) and proceeded to swim away. He also clumsy dropped his trident into the sea. But I was too busy thinking to notice any of that. And even if I did (Which I want to keep a secret at all costs) I can't because my suit is back in the room me and Sudo were in! (I kept hidden in my backpack so that nobody would touch it. I also trusted Sudo not to go through my things.) But that's beside the point! I've got to make it back to the room before it's too late! But just as I was about to turn around-

"Hello everyone. You probably all know who I am. I'm a pretty big superhero from America. I'd even go as far to say people consider me to be the world's finest superhero. (No one considers him to be that accept himself and aquatic animals.) But if not, my name's The Deep. So, I'm looking for a particular person. I was told that one of you was the superhero that everyone's been crazy about these days. The one that looks like a bunny. Ring any bells? Um… can any of you even understand what I'm saying?" The superhero named The Deep asked with a smile on his face as everyone around me could barely understand what he was saying.

That was because The Deep was speaking English. I have only learned to say certain phrases in English (Mainly due to All Might's influence) And while English was a course that me and my friends took at UA, we were no masters of the language. Much less my classmates who were just learning the language for the first time. But even still I could just barely grasp what he was trying to say. What I knew was that his name was The Deep and that he was looking for a… bunny…

'… OH CRAP! HE MEANS ME!' I screamed internally as I came to that sudden realization. B-But why me?! Was I really that popular?! No… I doubt it. The video that some of the students recorded where I fought the sludge monster only got a few hundred views. So, it wasn't exactly popular. But if that's the case how did some hero in America learn about me all the way in Japan?! No, this wasn't the time for questions. This was the time for action. I had to suit up as the hero Deku!

But how am I supposed to do that with all these people nearby? Even if I manage to make it back to my room, there's a huge chance I will be caught going in as Izuku Midoriya and leaving as the hero! If I'm found out, then my identity is revealed. I can't let that happen. Wait a minute… there's a window in my room! It leads out to sea… but I could put my costume on in my room (Without everyone noticing) Then I could slip out by using the window! Perfect! I can do that! Now all I need is a distraction! But how do I go about creating one… hmm…

'Ah!' But just as I was thinking about a way that would allow me to suit up as Deku and keep my identity a secret in the process, I noticed Horikita. She noticed me as well as our eyes locked with each other. She probably had some idea what I was thinking because she knows my identity and basic English better than most of her peers. I then winked at her with a smile on my face as she looked annoyed for a second before nodding. Horikita tapped on her phone a few times before lifting her arm into the air along with the hand that was holding it. And then…

'Ding! Ding! Ding!' What was unleashed by the phone was a loud ringtone that got everyone's attention focused onto her! Thanks Horikita! That was exactly what I needed! I then zipped by while everyone was too focused on why Horikita was letting her ringtone play at the highest volume possible. Not even thirty seconds later, I made it back into my room and put on my costume over my pajamas. (The feeling was a bit uncomfortable much like the time I wore it under my tracksuit.)

But that was a price I was willing to pay if it kept my identity a secret from the others! I then opened the window in my room and crawled through it!

'WHOOOSH!' What happened next was me falling out of the window before using eight percent of Obliterator to leap off the water and into the sky before landing back onto the ship's front deck. (Gracefully I might add.) I then turned my attention my attention to the crowd with my fists on my hips before saying-

"I'M HERE!" I announced at the crowd of students with a lot of them clapping and shouting it's 'The bunny!' Which caught me off guard to say the least. I then turned my body in the direction of The Deep (So, that I could avoid being more flattered than I already was) who looked at me with a surprised look on his face. He probably didn't expect me to make such an entrance. But then I noticed that his face looked ever so slightly annoyed. Was it just my imagination. Yeah. It must have been. But I was wrong. I didn't know it at the time because unbeknownst to me-

'Is this guy for real? I just showed up on a blue whale and NO ONE clapped for me! But EVERYONE is clapping for him?! This nobody? Oh, I'm so going to enjoy this.' The Deep thought internally before extending his hand toward me and saying, 'Put 'er there, pal!' With a smile on his face. We then shook each other's hands as I genuinely thought I would be able to trust him. However…

… I couldn't be more wrong. Because after shaking his hand for a bit I tried to escape his grip, but he wouldn't loosen it in the slightest.

"U-Uh, um! Y-You can let me go now!" I said with what was certainly an anxious look on my face that was hidden by my mask. But even after what I said he still refused to let go of my hand. And then…

"Sorry. I don't speak Chinese." The Deep replied while his smile grew all the more sinister as warning bells went off in my head! Though it wasn't Danger Sense mind you. But even still, I knew that something was wrong, and I just walked into a trap! But it was then that I heard footsteps approaching me as I looked in the direction of the source of the noise. Only for my eyes to go wide as I noticed someone truly unexpected approaching me! It was-

"B-Brother?!" Suzune muttered with a dumbfounded look on her face. But her brother, Manabu Horikita ignored her. He then took a deep breath while holding the air in and puffing out his cheeks. What happened next was something that I did not see coming in the slightest! Manabu then proceeded to vanish from my line of sight! Except, that was wrong! What was happening was that he phased through the floor! B-But that's impossible! How could he have-

'Togata's Quirk?!' I thought internally with a dumbfounded look of my own as not even a second later, Manabu ascended to the surface and-

'WHAM!' Punched me right in the face! I was so surprised by this turn of events that I couldn't react in time in order to defend myself! I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe the fact that Manabu Horikita, a man who I had viewed as ordinary, had something truly extraordinary. Just…

… How was this possible?

A few weeks ago…

"What I'm about to give you is called a Quirk. But this one here is special. This Quirk, Permeation will allow you to be truly untouchable! Your opponent, the Vigilante, may be stronger and faster than you in every way. But with this power, you will be able to turn the tables, Manabu Horikita!" The Doctor declared with a smile on his face. But that was something that was hard to believe, for Manabu Horikita. He was unconvinced if what the Doctor was saying would come to fruition. But even still-

"Is that so? Fine then. Just give it to me already." Manabu replied with an unamused look on his face while performing a hand gesture that screamed 'Give it to me.' Much to the annoyance of the Doctor.

"You are impatient, aren't you? Fine. Have it your way. But first you must be asleep for the process to be done. I'm going to be giving you some anesthesia. You accept this, don't you?" The Doctor asked while holding a needle near Manabu's arm as the latter nodded.

"Of course, I do. I wouldn't reject this opportunity. After all, I have someone that I must protect no matter what happens to me." Manabu replied with his usual serious look on his face as he thought about his sister Suzune, before being injected with the needle and put to sleep not long afterwards. And then…

"Your turn, Kiyotaka." The Doctor said while snapping his fingers. as the man of the hour opened the door of the closet he was hidden in. Kiyotaka then walked over to Manabu before stopping in place as he towered over him. (Manabu was resting on the hospital bed in the back of the room.) Kiyotaka then put his hand onto Manabu's face while transferring the Quirk Permeation to him by using his own Quirk All For One to do it! But as the process was under way-

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Permeation is a useful ability to have in my arsenal. It would be a waste to use it on him." Kiyotaka spoke what was on his mind as the Doctor chuckled to himself. This made Ayanokoji raise an eyebrow out of surprise but before he could say another word-

"That is true. However, Permeation is something you can live without. That Quirk is the definition of easy to learn but difficult to master. You are much better suited to Quirks that are easy to master AND can pack a wallop! Don't you agree, Kiyotaka?" Doctor Garaki asked with a sadistic grin on his face as Ayanokoji didn't completely understand what he was trying to say. (Mainly because he only used Permeation sparingly. Using only to move between a wall or two in order to get out of situations unnoticed by others.)

But even still, its usefulness didn't come close to Transformation (As well as several other Quirks at his disposal) so Ayanokoji accepted this outcome and relinquished Permeation to Manabu Horikita. And once the process was done, he hid himself back in the closet as Manabu regained consciousness. And then…

"I feel… funny." Manabu admitted as he already felt something different upon awakening. But that was only the half of it. There was something clearly 'different' about him now. And he already knew that must have been because of what he had just received while asleep. Both he and the Doctor knew this.

"Of course you do. Gaining a superpower must feel strange, doesn't it? Well, go on. Test it out. Just make sure to hold your breath." The Doctor replied before holding his breath as a visual reference. But this confused Manabu.

"And… why must I do that exactly?" Manabu asked while making the confusion apparent on his face. But before he could get an answer-

"Just do it already! It will take too long to explain!" The Doctor yelled out with an annoyed look on his face much to Manabu's displeasure.

'And he called me impatient?' Manabu thought internally before clicking his tongue. He then proceeded to do what the Doctor requested him to do. But upon doing so-

'AH!' He gasped internally upon realizing that was falling! Except he wasn't just falling! He was phasing through the bed and the floor too! Manabu could barely grasp what was happening to him because it was something truly spectacular and horrifying at the same time! But just as he was about to let go of the deep breath, he kept inside of him-

'WHOOOSH!' Manabu ascended to the surface as he became tangible with the surface once more. But much to everyone's utmost surprise…

"OH MY GOD! HE'S NAKED!" The students behind him shouted at the top of their lungs with what must have been horrified looks on their faces (With some faces of interest particularly by the girls mixed in) Much to Manabu's annoyance.

'What an annoying superpower!' Manabu thought internally as he couldn't help but blush bright red knowing that he was completely naked in front a bunch of his underclassmen. This wasn't how an upperclassman like him should be acting! Not that he had a choice in the matter. But then again…

"Woah dude! Put some clothes on! I can literally see your dick hanging out!" The Deep commented with an apprehensive look on his face as he was not mentally prepared to be involved in this year's upcoming Herogasm. But to Manabu what The Deep said was a bunch of gibberish that he could just barely understand. But even still, he could grasp what was being said. (Again, albeit barely.)

"You over there! Throw my clothes to me! And don't forget my glasses too!" Manabu demanded as the underclassman wasted no time in tossing Manabu's discarded clothes (And glasses) at him. He then got completely dressed once more while I was witnessing all of this. I then realized that the only possible explanation as to why Horikita's brother had a Quirk all of a sudden was the same reason Sudo's imposter had one! It was all because of the Doctor's meddling! He gave Manabu a Quirk so that he would be able to challenge me in a fight!

Of course, I wouldn't be able to attack Manabu and that was exactly what the Doctor was counting on! My feelings for Horikita and the feelings that she felt for her brother…

… He's using them against me! It would be hard enough to escape from someone who could use Togata's Quirk given the fact that it makes escape all but impossible! But now I have to deal with him AND this superhero from America! The odds are stacked against me more than they ever had been before in this world! Just what the hell am I supposed to do? But just as I thought that I noticed someone stepping forward. And to my utmost surprise, it was Suzune Horikita. I couldn't even say a word, or I would my identity revealed. That's why all I could do was look.

"Suzune. What do you think you are doing? This right here is a battlefield. It has no place for someone without any power such as yourself to infiltrate upon." Manabu declared as he noticed that I was looking at someone and turned his gaze to see his sister slowly approaching them. But her brother's declaration made her stop in place for a moment, before continuing to move forward, much to Manabu's displeasure.

"Suzune. Did you learn listen to a single word I just sa- Manabu spoke but he was cut off before he could finish by his sister.

"I did. Every single word. What you said makes sense and I can't argue with it." Suzune replied with her usual serious look on her face. This made Manabu mutter 'Then why?' While gritting his teeth as he already had suspicions regarding why she was doing this. But before he could say another word, Suzune answered her brother's question.

"Because I reject this! I reject the notion that this hero deserves to be hurt! What exactly has he done to deserve this awful treatment!? That's why I reject all of this! Because all he's ever done and ever wanted to do was save the people in front of him!" Suzune declared as my eyes shot wide open. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Even after knowing Horikita for a few months now, she continues to surprise me. I already knew that she was a good person. But this only proves it even further than I thought was possible. I am proud to have her as a friend.

However, I wasn't the only one who was surprised. Manabu was equally surprised even though he saw this coming from a mile away. He still couldn't believe it. He genuinely thought that his sister had abandoned her fascination with heroes after learning what heroes in this world truly are! But even after learning the bitter truth, she continues to idolize them! That's what Manabu Horikita deduced after knowing his own sister for his entire life. It's also why he had to do something about it.

"Suzune… your hero worship ends here. If you truly believe that this 'hero' doesn't deserve this… then I will expose him for he truly is right here and now!" Manabu declared as he turned his attention away from Horikita and onto me as he reached toward my mask before gripping it tightly!

'Oh crap! He's serious! He really intends to expose me!' I thought internally as he started to peel my mask up revealing my lips. No! I can't let this happen! Not in front of all these people! If they learn who I am, it's all over! Everything that I've tried to protect for be for naught! I have to stop Manabu! But how am I supposed to do that without hurting him?! I can't think of a single way! And if I hurt her brother, I doubt Suzune will ever forgive me! So, what am I supposed to do?! Lose my secret identity or lose my friendship with Horikita?!

I don't want to lose either of them. But… the one I don't want to lose more is… Suzune. She's done so much for me. Even now after knowing who I really am, a person who wasn't born in this world… even then she still believes in me. That's why I must let this happen. Because Horikita is far more important to me than my identity being kept a secret! So, do it Manabu! Reveal my identity! Because no matter what happens next…

… I'LL NEVER BETRAY MY FRIEND! But just as Manabu was about to pull my mask over my nose-

"Please… no more." Suzune quietly begged with tears in her eyes while gripping Manabu's hand! My eyes went wide as I noticed this. I didn't even see this coming because I was so focused on choosing what was more important to me, that I didn't even notice that she closed this distance between us! But even Manabu was just as surprised as he did not expect his sister to defy him! Not in a million years! But even still, that's exactly what she was doing now! That's why he was utterly speechless and couldn't say a word. But the other person had something to say.

"Haah… this is so boring. I mean why do you even want to do this, bro? You know the good ol doc told us that it wasn't time yet for this bunny's identity to be revealed. Well, guess I'll take it from here." The Deep declared before pulling me away from Manabu which broke the latter's grip on my mask. Me, Suzune, and Manabu were all surprised by this turn of events. As well as the fact that The Deep did this with ease. Manabu was pretty strong (For someone in this world.) But by just lightly pulling me away from him, the former lost his hold on me!

But what was far more surprising was the sudden reveal that this superhero was in cahoots with the Doctor! But before I could even say a single word, The Deep clenched his fist while letting go of my arm as my mask covered my face once more. And then…

'BAM!' He slammed his fist right into my stomach! The result was me coughing up blood as I collapsed onto the ground. Suzune and Manabu were both surprised at this sudden turn of events! But it wasn't just them, everyone in attendance was surprised! Of course, this included me as I couldn't wrap my head around this! Why did one of this world's heroes punch me?! Not only that… but his punch hurt way more than any pain I've felt so far in this world. There was no doubt about it… this superhero from America… is strong!

But it wouldn't be much longer until I realized that the real fight had just begun.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: World of Cardboard

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!