Class 1-A, along with a few from Class 1-B, sat on the couches, arms crossed and chins cupped as they all stared curiously at the girl standing before them.

"Wait, why can't we just tell them who she is?" Midoriya asked, a little puzzled.

"Because someone wanted to make a dramatic reveal," Jirou replied with a shrug.

"I thought it was meant to test our classmates' deductive skills!" Iida added, giving an approving nod.

Jirou smirked. "Hmm, maybe it is. So, who do you think will figure it out first?"

"Yaoyorozu," Iida answered confidently, chopping his hand through the air. "With her intelligence and sharp analytical skills, she'll deduce it before anyone else."

Jirou tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Ashido is her best friend. I think she'll recognize her right away."

Midoriya tilted his head, a little unsure. "Uh... maybe Shoji? No particular reason-I just can't think of anyone else."

Meanwhile, Kaminari leaned forward, grinning at the girl. "So, who's this hot new babe?" He gave her a wink and flashed a grin. "Maybe I can show you around campus. How about it, cutie?"

Toru rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help a small smile. As Kaminari leaned closer, though, he noticed her backing away in visible disgust, crossing her arms defensively.

"Ugh," she muttered, wrinkling her nose.

Kaminari blinked, staring in shock as realization hit him. "W-Wait... H-Hagakure!?" His jaw dropped. "The gorgeous, hot invisible girl is... visible?!"

All eyes turned to the girl as she flashed a bright smile and threw up two peace signs. "Yep, that's me!" she announced, clearly enjoying the stunned expressions around her.

Everyone gasped, exchanging looks of surprise. Kirishima let out a low whistle. "Woah, Hagakure, you look awesome!"

Blushing slightly, Toru laughed, visibly thrilled. "I know, right? This is crazy... but in a good way!"

...

"Toru!?" Ashido gasped, rushing over to her friend and pulling her into a tight hug. "Girl, what happened? How are you visible?! You look so freaking gorgeous!"

Hagakure hugged her back, grinning. "Mina, thanks! I kinda hoped you'd recognize me first since, y'know, best friends and all."

Everyone slowly processed the transformation, taking in the sight of their previously invisible classmate.

"Hagakure? Wow, you look so pretty! I'm so jealous," Uraraka said, giving her an admiring look.

"Wait, I thought you were always invisible!?"

Hagakure laughed. "Yep, it's me!" She glanced over at Kaminari, raising an eyebrow. "Though I am kinda surprised that Kaminari figured it out first."

"Yeah, how did dunce face put that together?" Jirou said, twirling one of her jacks.

Kaminari puffed out his chest, pointing a thumb to himself. "Guess I'm just that good!"

Everyone else just rolled their eyes, chuckling.

Tokoyami stepped forward, studying Hagakure with interest. "So... how come you can turn visible now?"

"Quirk awakening, maybe?" Kuroiro suggested, intrigued.

Yanagi chimed in, "We did just go through an intense ordeal, so maybe all that stress and tension pushed her quirk to a new limit."

Midoriya nodded thoughtfully. "That could be it. Sometimes, extreme conditions or even life-threatening situations trigger a quirk evolution, making them stronger or changing how they work."

"Wait, so anyone could have a quirk awakening? Awesome!" Kaminari and Tsubaraba both exclaimed.

"It sounds like a quick way to power up!" Kaminari said, getting in Kuroiro and Tokoyami's faces. "So, how do I get one?"

Yanagi cut in bluntly, "You'd have to be in a life-or-death situation."

Kaminari's face went blank as he turned pale. "On second thought, I'm good. Not worth the risk!"

"Wise decision," Tokoyami muttered. "Though, I admit, I'm curious what my quirk awakening might look like."

"Whatever it is, this is amazing!" Hagakure said, practically glowing. "And the best part? You wanna know what it is?" She leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"You don't have to run around butt naked?" Setsuna teased, causing a wave of giggles as Hagakure turned pink with embarrassment.

"I meant I could finally have an actual hero costume!" Hagakure said, her excitement bubbling over.

Tsubaraba's eyes widened as he connected the dots. "Wait... so all this time, you've been... oh my..."

"How sinful," Ibara murmured, covering her mouth in shock.

Midoriya tilted his head thoughtfully. "If you can make your clothes invisible, could you maybe do the same with other people?"

Everyone turned to Hagakure, who glanced at her hands with curiosity before hesitantly placing one on Ashido's shoulder.

"C'mon, Toru! Imagine all the things we could do if we were both invisible!" Ashido encouraged with a grin.

For a moment, parts of Ashido faded from view. But Hagakure's concentration wavered, and she was soon breathing heavily. "Sorry, Mina... it's harder than I thought."

Ashido gave her a reassuring pat on the back. "Hey, no big deal! That was pretty awesome."

Iida, looking concerned, rubbed his chin. "I think it would be wise to see Recovery Girl."

Hagakure looked confused, and Midoriya nodded in agreement. "I think so too. We don't know exactly what's going on with your quirk."

"But I feel fine! And I wanna see what else I can do!" Hagakure protested.

Ashido jumped in, throwing her fist into the air. "Yeah, let her have her moment! She's totally rocking it!"

"But Midoriya and Iida are right," Yaoyorozu said gently. "It's best to consult Recovery Girl, just to be sure."

Hagakure and Ashido exchanged disappointed looks, but then a spark lit up in Jirou's eyes as she got an idea.

"Besides," Jirou added with a smirk, "Recovery Girl will need to update your quirk registry. You know what that means? Official costume time."

Hagakure's face brightened as she beamed with excitement. "Really? I hadn't thought of that!"

Ibara, shaking her head, muttered, "Trickery is a foul move," to which Jirou just shrugged.

"Hey, I wasn't completely lying," Jirou replied with a grin.

...

Midoriya, Iida, Uraraka, Ashido, Yaoyorozu, and Jirou were escorting Hagakure to Recovery Girl after an accident. On the way, they bumped into Mr. Aizawa.

"Problem child and friends. Shouldn't you all be studying or training?" Aizawa asked in his usual monotone, before noticing the unfamiliar girl in the group. He squinted. "Who's this?"

"Hey, Mr. Aizawa!" the girl chirped, flashing a peace sign. Recognizing her voice, Aizawa's eyes narrowed.

"Hagakure?" he asked, looking puzzled.

She grinned. "Yep!"

Aizawa turned to Midoriya with suspicion. "Did you do this?"

Midoriya flinched. "What? No! Why would I...?"

Aizawa cut him off with a sigh as Toru's form suddenly vanished along with her clothes. "So you're headed to Recovery Girl to make sure she's okay. Good. Once that's handled, head to Ground Beta for training before homeroom."

The group nodded in unison. ''Yes, sir."

"Not having a proper hero costume is completely impractical. And unethical," Aizawa stated.

"Then why didn't you say anything before?" they all protested.

Aizawa shrugged. "Because commenting on a student's outfit is borderline sexual harassment. And unlike Midnight I can't get away with saying inappropriate things to students. I don't like the idea of my students, like Hagakure or Yaoyorozu, wearing such revealing or unprotected clothing."

"Oh... wow."

"But don't worry about it. Midoriya is actually heading to I-Island next weekend to work with their scientists on materials that can make costumes both protective and flexible."

"HE IS?!" the group chorused, turning to Midoriya in shock.

Midoriya did a double-take. "I AM?!"

Aizawa sighed, crossing his arms. "I take it All Might didn't tell you?"

Midoriya shook his head, looking bewildered. Aizawa muttered something about "that blonde..." and then composed himself. "Yes, Midoriya. You'll be visiting I-Island to meet David Shield. He's been informed about your... hoodie situation, and he's interested. You'll get training time there too-think of it as a way for U.A. to apologize for recent troubles."

Midoriya managed a small, surprised smile. "Wow..."

"Lucky!" Hagakure pouted. "I-Island is, like, the most advanced place in the world for tech and science!"

As they resumed their walk, Momo looked thoughtful. "Speaking of I-Island... isn't it possible that a creator of powerful support items is there?"

"Huh? Why would you think that?" Izuku asked, curious.

"Well," Momo continued thoughtfully, "the doctors couldn't remove that device from your wrist, right? From what we overheard, they couldn't even put a scratch on it. It seemed unaffected by quirks... and everything else." She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Even the material itself doesn't seem to be anything we recognize."

Ashido leaned in, intrigued. "Yeah, they couldn't even make a dent in it. They tried acid, quirks, the whole shabang!"

"Whoever made that thing must be some genius," Jirou added. "Maybe they're on I-Island?"

Izuku glanced down at the Omnitrix. "Uh... I don't think so." Izuku began to enter his own mind as he thought about the Omnitrix.

'Honestly, I don't even know who the creator is. Sometimes I wonder why they made it. Was it meant to help aliens understand each other or... something else?'

"Earth to Midoriya!" Jirou snapped her fingers in front of his face, breaking him from his thoughts.

"Oh, sorry! Honestly, I gave up trying to remove it ages ago. I don't even think about it anymore." Izuku added, choosing his words carefully. The truth of the Omnitrix's origins was something he wasn't ready to share.

"Does it get itchy?" Uraraka asked, her head tilted in curiosity.

Izuku blinked, surprised. "Huh?"

"I mean, since you wear it all the time, isn't the skin underneath itchy?" she clarified, making him chuckle.

"Hahaha! Nope, not itchy at all," he said, laughing at the unexpected question, while Jirou tried to hold back a grin.

Ashido burst out laughing. "I... I can't... Hahaha!"

...

Recovery Girl was examining Hagakure as her classmates waited anxiously outside.

"Well, from what I can see, you're perfectly healthy," Recovery Girl said, giving the newly-visible girl a reassuring smile.

"Recovery Girl, what happened to my quirk?" Hagakure asked. The older woman brought out her clipboard, pondering the situation.

"It's not exactly a quirk awakening," she began. "Your quirk seems to have evolved in some way. You may have gained other abilities related to your invisibility, but I'm not entirely sure yet."

Recovery Girl scribbled something on a slip of paper. "Here you go, dear. Head over to the grounding gym to explore your powers further. Come back later, and I'll update your quirk registry. Your hero costume may take a day or two to redesign."

...

Hagakure nodded and left the infirmary to join her classmates. A few minutes later, Aizawa gathered everyone, curious to see if Hagakure's evolution had any similarities with Midoriya's "invisibility" form. Since Midoriya had a ghostly alien transformation, Aizawa decided to use him as a comparison.

"Alright, Midoriya. Transform into... what did you call it?" Aizawa asked.

"Ghostfreak," Midoriya replied.

"Right. Turn into that and see if you can demonstrate some similar abilities. Hagakure, watch closely," Aizawa said, taking a sip of his coffee.

Midoriya looked around the group. "Any volunteers?"

Kaminari eagerly raised his hand, but Aizawa immediately cut him off. "Any volunteers who aren't Kaminari."

"What? Why?!" Kaminari protested.

"We all know why," Hagakure said sharply, her tone making it clear she still hadn't forgiven him for previous incidents.

Kaminari shrank back, sulking, while Uraraka smirked. "Guess she's still mad about the whole trying to grope her huh?"

"I'm not mad, I'm just not going to have him near me," Toru said.

Tokoyami stepped forward. "I'll volunteer. You've spoken of this form with such caution, Midoriya. I'd like to see this creature firsthand."

With a sigh, Midoriya activated the Omnitrix. He scrolled through his options, stopping on the spectral figure he needed. A green light flashed as he transformed.

"GHOSTFREAK!" the alien's rasping voice echoed, sending shivers through the air as he floated above the ground.

Kaminari immediately screamed, hiding behind Iida's leg as he trembled uncontrollably. Ashido, visibly disturbed, clung tightly to Uraraka, who looked equally unsettled despite having seen the form before. Yaoyorozu took an involuntary step back, her expression tense and wary.

"Spooky..." Yanagi murmured, her eyes wide with intrigue rather than fear.

"AAAAHH!" Kaminari wailed, gripping Iida's leg as if his life depended on it.

"G-G-Ghostfreak... s-seems like an accurate name," Ashido stammered, clutching Uraraka, whose own hands trembled slightly.

"S-Scary..." Hagakure whispered, hiding behind Jirou, who was equally shaken.

"We're supposed to be pro heroes in training! We shouldn't show fear!" Iida declared, though his voice quivered.

"Well said, Iida," Aizawa replied, though even he seemed unnerved. 'Ectonurites are inherently unsettling, but this... This just feels malicious.'

Jirou, glancing down, quickly pointed out, "Iida, your legs are shaking."

Iida looked down, realizing his legs were trembling against his own words of bravery, and stiffened to regain composure.

Yanagi stepped closer, smiling slightly. "Spooky," she repeated, looking up at Ghostfreak. "How come you have chains on in that form? And why are they broken?"

Ghostfreak paused, glancing down at his broken chains with curiosity. "Huh? I don't know how that happened."

He floated over to Tokoyami, placing a spectral hand on his shoulder. "Pay close attention," he said, casting a look at Hagakure, who nodded and placed her hand on Ashido's shoulder, mirroring Tokoyami's stance.

Ghostfreak inhaled deeply, his form starting to waver and dissolve as he began to fade from sight, taking Tokoyami with him. "Breathe in, let yourself become invisible," he instructed. "Let it flow naturally, like water, until it envelops you both like a blanket."

In moments, Tokoyami and Ghostfreak vanished completely. A voice floated through the air-it was Dark Shadow. "Hmm, so this is what it feels like to be invisible, a little weird."

"A strange sensation," Tokoyami murmured in agreement, marveling at his newfound invisibility.

Hagakure nodded and placed her hand on Ashido, beginning to channel the same technique. Slowly, as she followed Izuku's guidance, she and Ashido began to disappear from view. Within a minute, Ashido was entirely invisible, shielded by Hagakure's Quirk. However, Hagakure's heavy breathing filled the silence, and when she finally let go, the two reappeared-except for Toru, who remained invisible save for her clothes, visibly exhausted.

"Turning others invisible is...straining," Hagakure panted, catching her breath.

"It'd be wise to train it further," Aizawa advised, watching thoughtfully. "If you can cloak your friends and allies, it'll give you all a significant advantage in combat."

"Yeah!" Ghostfreak added, his eerie, disembodied voice sending a chill through the group. "Close-combat fighters could get the jump on villains!"

...

Even though they knew it was Izuku, there was something unnerving about Ghostfreak's presence. He felt menacing and dangerous, like a hidden stalker waiting to pounce. His aura alone was enough to keep everyone on edge.

"Dekiru, could you...turn back?" Uraraka asked, shifting uncomfortably. "You're kinda creeping us out."

From out of nowhere, Tokoyami's voice floated in the air, invisible and just as haunting. "Revelry in the dark..."

Jirou flinched as she heard Dark Shadow whisper something to Ghostfreak, who responded with a low, chilling chuckle. "Heheheh..."

A shiver went around the group, and Yanagi stifled a girlish giggle, clearly amused by their reactions.

"Dekiru!" Uraraka scolded, giving him a stern look.

"S-Sorry," Ghostfreak replied, the hint of guilt in his voice as he dissolved his spectral form and transformed back to his normal self.

"Couldn't help myself," Izuku said sheepishly, scratching his head. Ashido and Uraraka pouted, folding their arms in disappointment, though their eyes sparkled with a bit of playful relief.

Dark Shadow gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up, clearly impressed.

Jirou jabbed her earphone jacks into his arm, frowning in frustration. "You know I hate creepy things, Mophead!"

Izuku winced. "Sorry, Jirou... I didn't mean to spook you all."

The girl admittedly wanted to jab her jacks in his ear.

"Alright get ready for class." Aizawa said with a clap gesturing for them to leave.

...

"Alright, everyone, pay attention!" Tenya exclaimed, standing at the front of the classroom. "Take your seats! Homeroom is about to begin!"

"You're the only one who's not in their seat," Kyouka teased, causing a wave of snickers to ripple through the class.

"Why don't you take a seat, Iida?" another student chimed in.

"Morning." A sudden voice from the door turned everyone's attention as Aizawa walked in, now free of his bandages. Izuku's eyes widened in surprise-he'd seen Aizawa wrapped up in them just that morning.

"Mr. Aizawa, you don't have your bandages anymore. That's good news," Tsuyu pointed out.

"The old lady went overboard with her treatment today, and I have the sense not to argue with a woman wielding a giant cane," Aizawa replied, scratching at his scar.

"On the plus side, that scar looks pretty badass," Kaminari added, earning him a deadpan look from their teacher.

"Today, we'll be discussing the sports festival," Aizawa continued, making the class tense up in anticipation.

"Wait... is it being canceled?" Kirishima whispered.

"Oh, no," Momo murmured.

But Aizawa held up a hand, gesturing toward the door as Mineta walked in, an excited grin on his face.

"Minoru Mineta has returned!" he announced, though he got little more than irritated glares from several classmates before he took his seat.

Aizawa's expression didn't change. "He's back. Get over it. Now, as I was saying..." The class settled down again, the matter quickly brushed aside.

"Normally, the sports festival is divided by year groups in separate stadiums, and most spectators focus on the third years-they're more experienced and put on a better show," Aizawa explained.

Kirishima shrugged. "Makes sense. I usually watched the third years more too."

"And second years get some attention from pros since they're still developing," Jirou added.

"This year, however, we'll be doing things differently," Aizawa continued. "Each year will compete on a different day, but all events will be held in one stadium. This allows pro heroes to focus on one place and maximizes security."

The students perked up at this news as Aizawa went on.

"This is a crucial event. UA needs to show that our security measures are sound. At least, that's what I've been told," he said flatly, glancing at Izuku. "We're aware that after the USJ incident, the media will be watching. And after Midoriya stepped up to save the day, the pros are eager to see him in action."

Izuku shifted awkwardly at the attention, looking away. Momo glanced over at him, her expression thoughtful. 'Midoriya saved us all that day... And with him breaking All Might's previous record I would imagine their pros will surely have their sights on him...' She sighed softly, resting her chin in her hand as she looked at him thoughtfully.

'He's so selfless and brave. She felt a warmth rise in her chest. It's no wonder the pros are watching him-he really deserves it.' Momo felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Izuku seemed to sense her gaze and glanced over in confusion, causing her to quickly look away, pretending she hadn't been staring.

'Must be my imagination,' Izuku thought, turning back around.

...

"Compared to previous years, they're seriously boosting the police presence-five times more, and with only one stadium to protect instead of three, villains would be foolish to try anything," Aizawa explained, scanning the room and meeting the eyes of several students.

"Our sports festival is your best chance to showcase your quirks and skills. Most of the country will be watching, and with the attention on just one stadium, you first-years will have a rare spotlight that previous years haven't had."

"This still doesn't feel like a good idea," Mineta muttered, clutching the edge of his desk with a nervous expression. "We shouldn't be worrying about some festival."

Aizawa gave a slight shake of his head. "The UA Sports Festival is one of the biggest events in Japan. We used to view the Olympics as the pinnacle of sports. But as you know, that event has shrunk significantly, leaving the UA Sports Festival as the prime stage."

"All the top heroes in Japan will be watching," Momo added, sitting up straighter. "They'll definitely be scouting for promising recruits for their agencies."

"Heh, they'll be looking to take us on as sidekicks once we graduate," Kaminari said with a smirk, snapping his fingers and sending a small spark of electricity into the air. "Guess I'll need to put on a show."

"Just remember," Kyoka interjected, giving him a sideways glance, "a lot of those sidekicks never make it out on their own. They end up stuck as sidekicks forever. That'll be you if you're not careful, scatterbrain."

Aizawa nodded, continuing, "You might gain experience and even some popularity if you're picked by a big-name hero. But this is a limited window. Show the pros what you're made of, and you'll build a future for yourself. This opportunity only comes once a year-and the opportunity you have been given only once in a lifetime. If you want to be pro heroes, this is an event you can't afford to miss."

...

"Now for the final part," Aizawa said, his voice level but carrying an air of importance. "We'll be hosting a few special guests."

"Guests?" the class echoed, exchanging curious glances.

"Not specifically for the first years," Aizawa continued, "but it's worth noting that S.A.C.T. will be in attendance."

The class fell silent, then erupted in shock.

"Holy crap!" Sero shouted, looking around with wide eyes.

"N-No way! They're really coming to watch the sports festival?" Mineta squeaked, visibly paling.

A dangerous grin stretched across Bakugou's face, his eyes glinting with excitement.

Others looked around, puzzled. "Hold on-who are they, and why is everyone freaking out?" Kyouka asked, her brow furrowed.

"S.A.C.T. is an organization that monitors individuals with quirks of extreme power or potential for threat," Aizawa explained, his tone grave. "They review people's backgrounds, quirks, and skills to assess any risks they might pose."

"They only get involved when someone has enough power to be a possible Number One Hero-or worse, a serious villain," Aizawa went on. "They're there to make sure no one with too much power goes unchecked."

"W-Whoa..." several students murmured.

Bakugou's grin widened. "So, basically, they think someone here could become dangerous enough to take on All Might... or even worse." He clenched his fists in excitement, his eyes gleaming.

"Exactly. It's rare for them to intervene directly," Aizawa added, "but they'll be here to observe, though I doubt anyone here should be too concerned."

...

[Lunch Time]

It was currently lunchtime, and some of the students had joined their classmates from Class 1-B, who had formed their own groups.

"Man, those villains attacking the USJ sucked..." Kirishima said with an excited tone, a large grin on his face. "But I'm seriously pumped!"

"If we show our stuff here, it'll be a huge step toward becoming pro heroes," Sero chimed in, crossing his arms and nodding in agreement. "We've got to go all out!"

"Yeah! And we'll have an entire stadium watching us! Oh man, I need to push my training to the extreme!" Tetsutetsu said, clenching his fists with enthusiasm.

Kamakiri nodded vigorously. "This just gives us even more reason to push ourselves and win!"

Meanwhile, Izuku was heading to lunch with Ochako, Tsuyu, Iida, Itsuka, and the rest of his friend group. "Man, everyone is getting excited," he remarked. "Guess Vlad King told you guys the same thing, huh?"

"Are you not excited, Midoriya-chan?" Tsuyu asked, tilting her head.

"Well, yeah, of course I am-" Izuku started, but was cut off as a familiar voice boomed from the door.

"I HAVE ARRIVED... TO EAT LUNCH!" All Might announced dramatically as he dashed into the group, causing everyone to tense up.

"Young Midoriya, would you care to join me?" he asked, beaming at Izuku.

"Pfft!" Ochako and Itsuka struggled to hold back their laughter.

"He's like a total schoolgirl," both girls whispered to each other, stifling giggles.

"Sure thing, All Might," Izuku replied, a grin spreading across his face. He excused himself, and as he walked away with All Might, the girls waved goodbye, heading toward the cafeteria with their own excitement.

...

Izuku followed All Might into a small, quiet meeting room. A cozy table was set with tea and an assortment of snacks, and All Might poured a cup for Izuku, who accepted it gratefully as they sat down.

"So, is there a reason you called me here, All Might?" Izuku asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.

All Might cleared his throat, a serious expression on his face. "Young Midoriya, I wanted to discuss the upcoming Sports Festival-and to let you know that your training will continue this afternoon. We'll need to step it up."

Izuku's face broke into an excited grin. "Really? That's incredible! I actually had a few questions about One For All. There's this new move I want to try-something that might work even in human form, if I adjust it right..." His words quickly spilled into muttering as he became engrossed in his ideas.

A light chop to his head made him pause. "Focus," All Might said, a slight smile on his face.

"Right! Sorry!" Izuku winced, rubbing his head, but he quickly straightened up, ready to listen.

All Might's gaze grew solemn. "Listen, Midoriya... I'm down to about two hours and forty-five minutes with One For All now."

Izuku's eyes widened in shock. "Two hours? That's... that's fifteen minutes shorter than last time!"

All Might nodded slowly, a quiet resignation in his expression. "Yes, my boy. My time to serve as the Symbol of Peace-to be All Might, the Number One Hero-grows shorter every day. Each battle, each challenge, it takes a toll on me." He looked up at Izuku, his blue eyes intense, and Izuku felt his breath catch from the sheer gravity in All Might's gaze.

"That's why someone needs to step up and be ready to carry the torch," All Might said, his tone filled with purpose. "Someone who can bring hope to people even in the darkest times, someone who can stand tall when I no longer can." He paused, softening his voice as he looked at Izuku. "They don't need someone to be exactly like me... they need someone who can soar higher, reach further than I ever could. That's why I chose you, Izuku Midoriya. I believe in you. I want you to be the one to succeed me and to bring hope to the people who need it most."

Izuku's heart raced as he listened, feeling a mixture of pride and awe.

"The Sports Festival is a perfect stage," All Might continued. "Especially after recent events, it's an opportunity for people to see what you're capable of. You'll be able to show them who you are-and that they can believe in you."

Izuku tilted his head slightly, a bit confused. "What do you mean, All Might?"

All Might leaned forward, his eyes shining with pride. "Look at what you've done in just a year, Young Midoriya. You're the boy with a quirk unlike any other, the one who broke a record I set years ago by tripling my score!" He chuckled softly, seeing Izuku's cheeks flush.

"And," All Might continued, his voice deepening with admiration, "you're also the one who stood against villains at the USJ. You were brave enough to fight when others would have run, and you've already begun to inspire your classmates and others around you. Now, you have the chance to show the entire world what kind of hero you'll become."

Izuku clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his mentor's words.

...

"Izuku followed All Might's gaze, feeling the heavy atmosphere settle around them. The room was quiet as All Might took a deep breath, his tone turning both intense and filled with encouragement.

"Everyone will have their eyes on you, Young Midoriya," All Might began, his voice steady and powerful. "You fought and defeated the Nomu, a creature engineered specifically to kill me. You saved your classmates, our sister class, and your teachers. When you were on the brink of collapse, you found the strength to come back, refusing to give up." His voice softened, admiration clear in his tone. "Everyone in the Sports Festival arena will be watching you, waiting to see what kind of hero you are."

All Might leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "With all that in mind... Izuku Midoriya, I want you to step onto that stage and proudly announce, I AM HERE!"

Izuku's eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat.

All Might continued, his voice strong yet filled with warmth. "Reveal yourself to the world with pride as my successor-the young man chosen to take up my mantle. You've already sent a clear message to the villains by standing your ground and forcing them back. Now, this is your chance to tell the world what they can expect from the next Number One Hero."

Izuku's breath grew shallow as anxiety pooled in his stomach. "Being revealed... as All Might's successor?" The weight of those words settled on him like an unmovable mountain, and his hands trembled. His fingers dug into his thighs as he tried to process it.

Could he really fill that role? Just a year ago, he'd been quirkless, the boy everyone picked on. Now he was expected to become a symbol of hope for the world, to step into the shoes of the Number One Hero?

But as he looked up, he met All Might's unwavering blue eyes, full of determination and pride. That look alone made Izuku's resolve strengthen, and he gave a small, shaky smile.

His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to take a steadying breath, steeling his nerves. "I'll do it. I'll stand up in that arena and tell the world... I am here."

All Might's face broke into a wide smile, pride shining in his eyes.

Izuku clenched his fists, gathering every ounce of courage he could muster. "I'll win the Sports Festival, I'll come out on top... and I'll tell the world that I am here!" His voice wavered with lingering doubt, but he pushed it down. He knew All Might's time was running out; he had to step up.

He pushed that voice in his said that he wasn't ready. All Might's time is running out he needed to step up. He needed to be... He clenched his fist unable to think of the answer.

...

"Izuku hesitated, then spoke up, trying to lighten the mood. "Oh, by the way, All Might..." he began, scratching his head. "I... I've been having these weird dreams."

All Might raised an eyebrow, curious. "Weird dreams? Young Midoriya, I'm flattered you feel comfortable sharing your..."

"N-Not that kind of dream!" Izuku yelped, his face turning red.

All Might chuckled, but his amusement faded as Izuku's expression grew more serious.

"I... I had a dream about my dad," Izuku admitted softly, looking down at his tea. All Might froze, his expression sharpening.

"It felt like I actually talked to him. We had a real conversation. I know it sounds crazy, but I could feel One For All coursing through me while I spoke to him," Izuku said, his brow furrowed in confusion.

All Might stared at Izuku, trying to process what he was hearing.

"That's not all," Izuku continued. "I saw... shadows, maybe eight or nine figures. They were like silhouettes, but one of them looked like you, All Might. Do you think... Do you think One For All somehow saved me that day at USJ?" He looked up, his green eyes wide with wonder. "Like maybe the past wielders stepped in? But... if that's true, why would my dad be there?"

All Might's face turned pale as a ghost, his eyes darting nervously. "S-S-Spooky! I'm a g-ghost?!" he asked, sounding more unsettled than usual.

Izuku's jaw dropped. "What?! I thought you'd have some answers!''

All Might scratched his head, trying to gather his thoughts."I... I've had similar dreams before, Midoriya. I think it's the traces of the previous users-fragments of them left behind in One For All when they passed it on. They're... echoes, if you will. Don't worry too much about it."

"That doesn't explain why I saw my dad, though," Izuku replied, his confusion growing.

All Might sighed, offering a somewhat vague explanation. "You were pretty close to death's door that day. Sometimes, the world works in mysterious ways, and our minds bring forth strange visions in moments like that. I've even dreamed about my old master from time to time."

Izuku looked down thoughtfully, then remembered something else." Actually... there's one more dream. This one... it was really scary."

All Might raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued."Scary? How so?"

Izuku shuddered as he recalled it. "There was a pair of red eyes. I can still see them as if it really happened... He told me to be afraid. He said he would retrieve his Omnitrix and... that he'd kill me," Izuku swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat, "just like he killed my father."

All Might's face went from pale to ashen, though he tried to hide the flicker of alarm in his eyes. Izuku caught it, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"All Might... are you okay?" Izuku asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "You seem... I don't know, afraid."

All Might forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine, Young Midoriya. Just... not used to all these spooky things. Let's, uh, leave the ghost stories for Halloween, alright?"

The two of them sat in silence, the weight of Izuku's words hanging in the air as they quietly sipped their tea, both of them deep in thought about what these dreams might mean.

...

''To think he saw Hisashi...' All Might mused, feeling an unexpected pang of unease.'But how? Hisashi only had One For All for a short time before passing it on. Could it be that the quirk left some trace of him behind? One For All is transferred through DNA, so maybe there's something still lingering because they're family...'

His thoughts shifted to a darker realization. 'But the real problem is that he's having dreams about Vilgax,' he thought, narrowing his eyes. 'When I first took on One For All, I had nightmares of All For One, haunting me before I ever faced him in battle. Could... Young Midoriya's vision of Vilgax be a warning of something terrible to come?'

He glanced over at Izuku, who was quietly sipping his tea, oblivious to his mentor's concerns. 'Every great hero has that moment when their body moves without hesitation, on their own... But they are tales... of some heroes who are plagued by nightmares of future enemies, who will test their strength and resolve like never before...'

...

Izuku's friends quickly stepped into the cafeteria line up after parting ways with greenhaired Omnitrix wielder. The teens happily chatted away.

"I am quite curious what All Might want with sir Midoriya." Shishida said he had caught the pro wanting to speak with him when he was meeting with Iida.

"Maybe he noticed how Midoriya's manliness and wanted to talk to him their quirks are kinda similar..." Tetsutetsu said getting raised eyebrows from everyone.

"I mean his Four Arms form, those two are pretty much the exact same in terms of abilities. Just Four Arms has you know Four Arms..." Tetsutetsu clarified getting agreed nodded, it was no secret Four Arms and All Might were similar despite appearance they both had similar quirks especially when Midoriya used the red electricity over his body it was practically identical.

Tsuyu put a finger to her chin."It does make sense Four Arms and All Might are pretty similar, they both can generate massive wind pressure with just punches alone."

"Oh maybe he wanted to thank him for saving us when he couldn't make it." Iida said this made Yui perk up a bit.

"By the way does anyone know why All Might wasn't in class?" Yui asked getting confused looks from everyone."I mean what could have the number one hero so busy he couldn't make it to a class I know he solved some cases when he made his way to school but that doesn't explain it."

Kendo just shrugged."He's the number one hero guy probably had an interview or make a wish kid, who knows." Kendo shrugged.

'Midoriya and All Might huh?' Todoroki thought to himself.

...

As Hero Class ended for the day, Izuku began to unpack his bag, his mind racing with All Might's words.

'I need to tell everyone I'm here?' he thought, the weight of his responsibilities settling heavily on his shoulders. 'All Might really wants everyone to know I'm his successor...' He sighed, feeling a mix of pride and anxiety. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the familiar pink fluff approaching him.

"Hehehe..." Mina giggled, sneaking up behind him. Before Izuku could react, she wrapped her arms around his torso in a tight embrace. "Surprise hug!" she exclaimed, her bright smile radiating warmth as she playfully rubbed her chest against his back, sending shivers racing up his spine.

Izuku's face flushed a deep crimson. "A-Ashido?!"

She released him, hands on her hips, her grin unwavering. "Hey, Midoriya! You looked so gloomy, so I thought a surprise would wipe that frown off your face. And look! It worked!" She beamed, her cheerful energy infectious, causing Izuku to blush even more.

"So, what were you thinking about?" Mina asked, perching herself on his desk, her curiosity piqued.

Izuku hesitated, glancing down at his hands. "H-Huh? Oh, um..." He struggled to find the right words, but then remembered something that had been on his mind. "Hey, Ashido, remember yesterday when you dodged those falling debris?"

"Huh?" Mina tilted her head, trying to recall the moment.

"Uh, when you went over to save Bakugou. The way you moved, how you weaved through the debris... It was amazing! What kind of training did you do to get that flexible?" Izuku asked, genuinely impressed.

"Oh, that? That's just dancing," Mina replied, waving it off as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

"Dancing?" Izuku echoed, eyebrows raised in surprise.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I find that dancing helps me loosen up my movements. And with my hot bod," she teased, striking a playful pose, "I pretty much use it to my advantage."

Izuku chuckled, a bit shy but intrigued. "Really? I wish I could move like that."

Mina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Great! I'll teach you! We can have dance practice right here! It'll be fun!" She leaned closer, her infectious enthusiasm making Izuku's heart race even faster.

..

"W-What?!" Izuku stammered, his eyes wide as he noticed Mina's face turning a soft lilac.

"Well... if you really want to learn," she said, her confidence wavering slightly, "we could train together. I can teach you some dance moves to help you loosen up, and uh... you could show me whatever you've got..." She blushed, her enthusiasm clashing with a hint of shyness that left Izuku a bit confused.

"Uh... sure, but I'm as nimble as Diamondhead," Izuku replied, trying to play it cool, but Mina raised an eyebrow. She had seen him fight without his aliens, and she remembered how flexible he could be. He was nimble even without his form.

"You're totally pulling my leg! I've seen you fight-you're flexible as heck!" Mina challenged, crossing her arms playfully.

"T-Trust me, when I dance, I'm terrible and stiff as a board," Izuku insisted, his face reddening.

"No way! That's just your lack of confidence talking," Ashido shot back, determined to encourage him.

Izuku blushed deeper. "No... trust me, I'm really bad at it."

With her arms folded, Mina leaned closer, a playful smile on her lips. "Prove it! Break a move."

"Huh? Wait, like now?" Izuku blinked in surprise.

"Uh, yeah, obviously! When it comes to your opinion of yourself, it's kind of moot," she said, her tone teasing yet sincere.

"H-Hey, that's mean!" Izuku protested, flustered.

Mina shrugged with a smirk. "Depends-are you as awesome as I know you are?"

Izuku's face burned. "I-I'm not that-" He was cut off when Mina pressed a finger against his mouth.

"Exactly! Your point is moot. You're awesome, and that's just a fact. You're smart as hell, and you come up with these crazy ideas to get out of tough situations. It's so cool when you're not stuck in your head. So when I say your opinion is moot, it's because you're the only doofus who doesn't see how awesome you really are!" Mina's passionate words made Izuku's heart race as he processed her encouragement, leaving him both flattered and bashfully speechless.

"You and Bakugou are the only people who don't think you're freaking awesome, but he's your number one hater, so he's supposed to hate you," Ashido said, a grin spreading across her face, making Izuku chuckle.

"Now dance!" she commanded, her excitement palpable.

Izuku took a deep breath and broke into some moves. To his dismay, he was stiff and rigid, his usual fluidity in combat nowhere to be found. It was staggering to see someone who could casually backflip mid-air and execute insane martial arts moves look so clumsy.

Mina's eyes widened, and she quickly covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Her shoulders shook as she fought to contain it, but the effort was in vain. "Oh my god..." she gasped, her laughter breaking through as she bit her lip, her face flushing a deep lilac. "Pfft!"

"I told you I was bad," Izuku said, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"That just means I have work to do! Now, Izuku Midoriya, I am your dance instructor! Mina proclaimed dramatically, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she struggled to keep a straight face.

Their laughter echoed through the room, and Mina could feel a pang of warmth in her chest as she watched him, the silly moment creating a bond between them. A few girls nearby glanced over, feeling a bittersweet ache at the sight of their playful exchange, wishing they could share in the joy that lit up Izuku's face.

...

Izuku, now transformed into Four Arms, stood towering over most, his red, four-armed form radiating raw, unbridled power. His thick, muscular frame was like living armor, with bulging biceps and a chest broad as a wall. He dug two of his massive hands into the ground, stabilizing himself as he prepared to strike.

With a powerful roar, he launched forward, his other two fists clenched tightly, delivering an 8% punch aimed straight at All Might. His knuckles met All Might's raised forearms, and the resulting impact sent a shockwave through the training grounds. All Might gritted his teeth as he was forced back, his feet digging trenches into the earth beneath him as he skidded, the ground buckling and cracking under the sheer force.

The pro hero coughed, feeling the lingering ache of the blow. "The power behind that punch is... terrifying," he muttered under his breath. 'No surprise, though. Tetramands are naturally powerhouses. With One For All amplifying that strength... even 8% is monstrous.' He thought to himself.

Four Arms straightened, breathing heavily, his golden eyes narrowing as he tried to gauge All Might's next move.

"Nice work, young Midoriya," All Might praised, shaking off the ache. "But when you're in a fistfight and it comes down to a contest of strength, you don't always have to meet brute force with brute force."

Four Arms furrowed his brow, his massive hands balling up as he tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Before he could fully process All Might's words, the hero suddenly disappeared from his sight, his immense speed making him a blur. Four Arms only had a moment to react before he felt All Might's powerful arm coiling around his neck from behind, tightening in a hold that squeezed his throat like a vice.

The sudden pressure made him choke, his breath struggling against All Might's grip. His four hands immediately went to pry the arm away, but All Might's grip held firm.

"Sometimes," All Might grunted, his voice close to Four Arms' ear, "strength isn't about landing the biggest punch. Use your enhanced power in other ways-think of it as more than just a weapon for brute force."

With a final squeeze, All Might released his hold, and Four Arms staggered forward, coughing as he sucked in air, his muscular chest heaving. His throat ached from the pressure, and he shot All Might a look of newfound respect.

All Might grinned, dusting off his hands. "Power is about control, young Midoriya. Knowing when to use it is as important as knowing how much to use."

...

In a large puff of smoke, All Might reverted to his skinny form as Toshinori Yagi, coughing and wiping a bit of blood from his mouth. Nearby, Four Arms transformed back into Izuku in a green flash.

"You okay, All Might?" Izuku asked nervously, his concern evident.

All Might waved him off. "I may be old, young Midoriya, but I'm not made of glass," he said, though he rubbed his arm. "That punch of yours did sting a little. Be careful when using One For All with Four Arms. Not to brag, but I'm pretty durable." He briefly puffed up into his muscle form before relaxing again.

"Wait, so you're saying I should hold back?" Izuku asked, grabbing a bottle of water.

"As Four Arms, yes. Unless you want to turn someone into red mist," All Might replied. Izuku went pale at the thought.

Shuddering, Izuku nodded. "Got it… I won't use One For All with Four Arms."

"I didn't say not to use it, just to be cautious," All Might clarified. "One For All amplifies your transformations immensely—almost too much, in my opinion."

"So there are forms I should avoid using with One For All, then? Like Echo Echo?" Izuku asked thoughtfully.

All Might nodded. "Exactly. Just one Echo Echo can create massive destruction with a sonic attack. If you duplicate yourself and amplify it with One For All… well, you'd blow out the eardrums of everyone around."

Izuku grimaced. "Understood. I should probably label which forms to avoid using with One For All." He took a sip of water, pausing as he thought back to their recent fight.

"Actually, speaking of Echo Echo, I've been working on a new technique with One For All," Izuku said, pulling out his notebook. "I tried it as Echo Echo, but it worked only because of his durable lungs and vocal cords."

"No risk, no reward, young Midoriya," All Might encouraged. "I assume you've been thinking this over during your recovery?"

Izuku nodded, flipping to a page of notes. "So… you know how I can channel One For All throughout my body?"

"Midoriya, I had that quirk for more than forty years," All Might chuckled. "I think I know how it works."

"R-Right! So, if I could apply One For All to my internal organs…" Izuku began, noticing the curious yet wary look All Might gave him.

"Hypothetically, if I took a cue from Echo Echo, I could use One For All in my lungs to create a sonic wave—a powerful roar that could generate a shockwave. What do you think?: he asked, glancing up at his mentor.

All Might stared at his protégé in shock before smacking his forehead and spitting out blood. "Damn it! Why didn't I think of that?"

Izuku nervously stammered, "S-So, you think it's possible?"

All Might grinned, impressed. "It could work. With how One For All functions, it sounds plausible."

Izuku nodded, turning toward the wall. He took a deep breath, focusing the green electricity and red energy lines around his chest.

"Wait—what will happen if—" All Might tried to stop him, but it was too late.

With a crackle of energy, Izuku let out a powerful roar. The shockwave, though small, blasted him backward, slamming him into the wall and cracking it behind him.

All Might rushed to his side. "Young Midoriya! Are you okay?"

Izuku raised a shaky thumbs-up. "I'm okay…" A stray rock fell from the cracked wall, landing squarely on his head.

"Less okay," he groaned in pain.

...

With bandages wrapped around his body, Izuku winced as he walked away from Recovery Girl's infirmary. "All Might didn't hold back, did he?" he thought, feeling the lingering ache from their intense training session.

As he glanced back, the faint sound of Recovery Girl's voice carried through the door, still scolding All Might with impressive intensity. "Sorry, All Might," Izuku thought, managing a sheepish smile.

He resumed his slow walk down the hall, biting back the pain with each step. "Good thing I've been working on my stamina," he mused. "Recovery Girl healed me up; I should be back to full strength by morning... but I'll need to refine my new move. I still need to train my vocal cords and-"

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Midoriya!"

Turning, Izuku saw a familiar face jogging toward him, purple eyes wide with concern.

"Mineta?" Izuku said, surprised.

...

Few Minutes Later

"Mineta..." Izuku murmured, pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes shut in exasperation.

"Why did you hand me... porn?" Izuku opened his eyes, staring at the stack of explicit magazines sitting on the steps beside him.

Mineta sat down next to him, surprisingly thoughtful, an introspective look crossing his face.

"Run away to safety while Tsu and I go save Aizawa and become the quivering coward, or do some quick soul-searching, find whatever courage I have left, and stop being a pervert for five minutes," he said, more to himself than to Izuku.

He took a breath. "I've been thinking... a lot, actually." His tone was serious, more sincere than Izuku had ever heard it.

"First, I want to apologize to you and to the girls for... well, for how I've acted. All the perversion, the cowardice... it was really uncool of me," Mineta said, bowing his head with uncharacteristic humility.

He hesitated, then added, "I owe Yanagi the biggest apology, honestly, but since I'm not allowed anywhere near her, I was hoping maybe you could tell her how sorry I am." His voice softened. "She deserves to know I'm serious."

Izuku blinked, taken aback by this side of Mineta. "This... this is a lot coming from you, Mineta," he said quietly.

Mineta nodded, giving a sad chuckle. "I've been looking at this hero thing all wrong. I thought it was about being cool, impressing everyone. But to a villain who wants to kill you... being cool doesn't matter."

"That should've been obvious," Izuku thought, glancing sideways at him.

"If I'm honest, I wanted to be a hero to get the girls' attention," Mineta admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Growing up, I was always the shortest guy, the weird one that people avoided. Girls just... don't go for guys like me, you know? I thought maybe being a hero could change that."

He sighed, casting a glance down the hall. "And then you've got guys like Todoroki, Bakugou. They can act however they want, and girls still flock to them. They've got these awesome quirks, and everyone thinks they're cool and good-looking. It... it just made me jealous, man."

Izuku looked at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice.

...

""I thought it was unfair. How come they get away with so much? Just 'cause they're good-looking? Or 'cause their quirks are super cool and flashy?" Mineta asked, his tone heavy with frustration. "Like, Todoroki can totally brush a girl off with one cold stare, and they're ready to drop their panties! And Bakugou? He's an absolute jerk, but it's not like girls don't look at him anyway. In this world, if you've got the right quirk, the looks, the status... you can get away with anything you want." Mineta's gaze dropped, his expression clouded as he spoke. "They have everything I thought you needed to be a hero... and I thought maybe being like that was my only chance, too."

Izuku listened quietly, something tightening in his chest as he remembered his own past. He recalled how the girls at Aldera would glance at him with disgust, whispering behind his back or outright calling him names: "creep," "gross," "quirkless weirdo"-every cruel word they could think of. His muttering had always freaked people out, he was never the tallest or the strongest, and even though he'd tried to be polite, helpful, and kind, it didn't seem to matter. Every girl he crossed paths with just reminded him that he was a "loser," that he'd "never get a girlfriend," and that he was "creepy just for existing."

And then there was Bakugou. Bakugou could insult people without a second thought, calling girls by whatever nickname he felt like, often harsh or degrading, and they still looked at him with admiration. Heck, even when he'd use his quirk on Izuku to put him "in his place," people would excuse it. "Oh, Izuku probably deserved it." "Bakugou's just reminding him he can't be a hero, for his own good."

Izuku clenched his fist, feeling both sympathy for Mineta and a twinge of bitterness toward those memories.

"So... I wanted to thank you." Mineta's voice cut into his thoughts, soft but sincere.

"Huh?" Izuku looked up, a bit surprised.

Mineta gave a small, nervous smile. "I said thanks. You gave me a reality check that I really needed." He took a deep, shuddering breath. "I used to think I wanted to be a hero just to get girls to notice me. I wanted to be that 'cool guy' everyone looked up to. But now, I see... that shouldn't be what it's about. I don't want to be seen as some cowardly perv who doesn't belong here. I want to be a hero who can face his fears, who's more than just a joke everyone rolls their eyes at."

Izuku felt his expression soften, caught off guard by Mineta's honesty.

"I know how people see me," Mineta continued, looking down at his hands. "They think I don't belong here, and maybe they're right... but I'm still gonna try. I'm gonna aim to be a hero, not just to look 'cool' or for girls, but so people will see I'm more than some weak, pathetic wimp. I want to be a hero who isn't afraid anymore." He looked up, eyes shining with determination and vulnerability. "A hero... kind of like you."

Izuku felt his heart clench. The way Mineta was opening up, the way he admitted his fears and insecurities, was something he hadn't expected.

"When people first saw you, they didn't think you'd last, right? They all thought you'd bomb the entrance exam, but you made them eat those words," Mineta added, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice. "You're not flashy or trying to be someone else. You're just as scared as everyone else even but you always push through and never give up despite being so scared!

Izuku looked down before speaking." I... I kinda get what you're going through... I've never been the most popular with girls if I'm being honest."

Mineta looked surprised at that. "Really? But Uraraka and Kendo seem to really like you."

"Back in middleschool I was kinda the guy if you did date you would be a walking embarrassment." Izuku said with some shame. "Bakugou was always the top guy and everyone just went towards him... He had an awesome quirk and his ambition just couldn't help but people fawn over him"

"He could say anything, do anything and everyone just brushed him off, but if I said the wrong thing everyone would quickly remind me how much of a loser I am, it felt like I could never do right while Kacchan could do no wrong" Izuku sighed. "It sucks... I know the feeling."

"So if you can try to keep your hands of the girls, and not be so creepy every 5 minute I'm sure you'll be having girls chasing you,

Mineta chuckled." I'll try... I may have a few slip cups and there... But I'll keep my hands to himself. "Mineta said as he clenched his fist in determination with a new found goal." But... I'll become a hero. "

...

As Izuku watched Mineta leave U.A., he eventually made his way back to Heights Alliance. Along the path, he noticed All Might heading toward the staff apartments, currently in his skinny form and sporting a few fresh bandages.

"Young Midoriya," All Might called, walking over to him. Izuku raised an eyebrow, noticing the bandages. "Guess Recovery Girl didn't hold back on him," he thought.

"I've been thinking about your new move," All Might began. "For now, it's probably best if you stick around 8% of your full power."

"This could turn into a solid super move," All Might continued. "An ace up your sleeve for the Sports Festival. You'd have a good chance of catching someone off-guard-pros often need that edge to secure a win."

"But with the Omnitrix, I can probably catch anyone by surprise," Izuku pointed out.

All Might chuckled. "True, but in your normal form, people might underestimate you. Most won't expect as much when you're not transformed, and that kind of miscalculation could tip the scales in your favor."

Izuku nodded, understanding the strategy.

"Back to the main point," All Might continued. "To make this work, you'll need to strengthen some key muscles-specifically your throat, vocal cords, and lungs."

Izuku tilted his head. "Do you have any tips on how I can do that?"

All Might grinned. "You're going to need to learn how to sing."

Izuku's expression went blank as he processed those words.

...

Bakugou grumbled as he re-entered U.A., irritated as ever. He'd been banned from the U.A. training facilities for a month due to that "reckless" attack during the Battle Trial, forcing him to commute to less equipped training centers. It was an inconvenience, but he was determined. "Doesn't matter where I train," he muttered to himself, fists clenched. "I'll still beat Deku and show all these idiots that I'm the best."

Just ahead, Todoroki was also making his way toward Heights Alliance. Their eyes met briefly-a tense, silent acknowledgment-before Todoroki looked away and kept walking, unbothered. Bakugou scoffed in annoyance, refusing to be the one to break the silence as they continued side by side.

As they walked, a familiar voice drifted over from nearby.

"Oh, by the way, how much of your Quirk can you use?" the voice asked casually.

The two ignored it at first, not recognizing the skinny figure of All Might in his weakened form.

"Oh, I'm still only using around 8%," Izuku replied from further down the path, loud enough for them to overhear.

Bakugou and Todoroki froze, eyes widening as Izuku's words sank in, their pupils shrinking in shock.

"Recovery Girl told me not to push it any higher yet," Izuku continued, oblivious to the two behind him. "But honestly, I haven't needed to use more so far."

Bakugou's jaw tightened, his grip on his backpack straps so fierce his knuckles turned white. Todoroki's gaze hardened, his mind racing. The two stood there, eavesdropping in stunned silence.

...

"Hm, you should eventually find out what your true limit is. It's been a while since..." All Might trailed off, years of hiding One For All making him instinctively cautious. He felt an odd sense that someone was listening. Glancing around, he noticed a faint sting of unease in the back of his mind but quickly dismissed it.

"Forget it, Young Midoriya," he continued. "When you have the time, see if you can handle a higher percentage of your Quirk. Don't get too comfortable with just 8%-eventually, you're going to have to push beyond that." All Might gave him a firm nod. "Anyway, you should head back to the dorms."

"Alright," Izuku replied, turning to make his way back. As he did, All Might cast a quick glance around the area, noticing two shadows standing motionless in the distance.

Bakugou and Todoroki stood frozen, each of them processing what they had overheard. Both wore expressions of shock as memories flashed through their minds: Bakugou recalled the monstrous strength of Izuku's Four Arms form and the lightning-fast speed of Fasttrack, so fast that he seemed invisible to the naked eye. Todoroki remembered the intense flames Izuku had summoned with Heatblast, each blazing image replaying vividly in his mind.

"You're telling me he can do all of that...without even using half of his full power? Not even a quarter?" Todoroki thought, fists clenching at his sides. "All that power, speed, strength...and it's only a fraction of what he's capable of?"

Todoroki felt a tremor run through him before he steadied himself. "Why would he limit himself so much? Arrogance?" He shook his head. "No, Midoriya has no concept of self-pride or arrogance." As he continued toward class, his mind raced. "He wouldn't assume he could defeat everyone with just 8%...his Quirk must have a serious drawback," he reasoned. "That's why he's holding back. Maybe, like that damn bastard, using over 8% has severe consequences for him."

A plan began to form in Todoroki's mind, his eyes narrowing. "If I can push him to give his all, I might be able to beat him when he's vulnerable, whatever that backlash is... That could be my best shot at winning."

But he hesitated, reconsidering. "At just 8%, he's breaking the sound barrier, creating massive flames... Forcing him to go all out could be dangerous. I might not even be able to handle one hit." He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the risk. "It's a gamble," he admitted to himself, "but right now, it's the best plan I have against Midoriya."

Bakugou stood rooted to the spot, shell-shocked, his pupils shrunk as he processed what he'd overheard. '8%...' The number echoed in his mind, and his face twisted into a snarl, his fists clenching so hard his nails bit into his palms. He was trembling now, not with fear, but with pure, simmering rage.

'That bastard...'His jaw tightened as his breath came faster, teeth grinding together as his anger surged.'"Does he really think I'm so far beneath him that he doesn't even need half of his damn power?!'

His fists shook as his body tensed, barely containing the fury building inside him. 'That little shit's looking down on me like I'm one of these worthless extras!" His eyes were wild, his face twisted with indignation. "I'll make him regret it. I'll beat him down until he's forced to give me everything he's got. He'll give me one hundred percent-or I'll kill him trying!'

...

As Midoriya headed to his room, he paused, remembering something. He took a deep breath, then made his way to the elevator and up to the girls' floor. Stepping out, he glanced around nervously. "Alright... I need to learn to sing. And she's really into music..." He groaned, face flushing. "She's definitely going to make fun of me."

A voice called out from behind a door. "Who is it?"

"It's Midoriya," he said, sounding a bit unsure.

There was a loud thump, followed by a muffled "Ow!" A second later, the door opened, revealing Jirou rubbing her head with a slight wince. "Green Bean? Wh-What are you doing up here?" she asked, leaning casually against the door.

"Uh, well, I kinda... wanted to see you," he mumbled, looking away shyly, which made her raise an eyebrow and blush slightly herself.

"Yeah? What's up?" she replied, still trying to play it cool.

Izuku fidgeted, face going beet red. "C-Could you, um... maybe teach me how to s-sing?"

Jirou's expression went blank for a moment before she burst out laughing. "Pfft! Hahaha! Oh my god, Green Bean, you're trying to be a hero and a pop star now?" She doubled over, clutching her sides as she slid down the doorframe, her laughter filling the hallway.

Izuku's face somehow turned even redder. He scratched the back of his neck, clearly flustered as Jirou's laughter finally started to calm, turning into a few residual chuckles. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she stood back up, grinning at him.

"Okay, so why exactly do you need to learn to sing?" she asked, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, still smirking.

"Well... I'm working on this new move, and I heard that singing could help strengthen my throat muscles," he admitted, trying to sound serious, though his embarrassment was obvious.

Jirou gave a nod, lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Oh, I see. Sure, I'll help. But just so you know, I am definitely going to make fun of you for this."

Izuku let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I kinda figured."

She watched him, a small blush rising to her cheeks as something gnawed at her. She had seen him chatting with Ashido more lately, and a part of her felt like she wanted to get a little more time with him too. She hesitated, then looked down, twirling one of her jacks in her fingers.

"Hey, uh..." she started.

Izuku tilted his head, noticing her sudden change in demeanor. "Yeah? What's up?"

"Well, since I'm helping you out, maybe you could, you know, help me with my training too?" she said, still not meeting his eyes. "Without my speakers, I've been wanting to work on my stamina... and strength. I thought maybe you could give me a hand or, uh, come up with a plan or something."

Izuku's expression brightened. "Of course! I could use Brainstorm to come up with an ideal training plan for you. It might help with your stamina and strength, though it probably won't be too drastic."

Jirou smiled, her usual confidence back. "Awesome, Green Bean. How about we start tomorrow morning? I know you usually do your routine then."

Izuku chuckled. "Fair warning, it might be a little intense."

"Pssh, I can handle it," Jirou shot back with a grin. Then she looked him over, her eyes gleaming with her usual mischief. "Now, get out of here before anyone gets the wrong idea."

Izuku's face flushed as he backed away. "Uh, right! Good night, Jirou!"

"Night, Green!" she called after him, shaking her head with a smile as he disappeared down the hall.

...

As Izuku waved goodbye and headed for the elevator, he suddenly heard a soft whisper in his ear.

"Midori."

He quickly turned around, but there was no one there. Before he could react, Hagakure popped up right in front of him, her mischievous grin evident.

"Boo!"

Izuku yelped in surprise, clutching his chest. His heart raced from the shock. From down the hall, Kyouka peeked out of her room, smirking as she watched his reaction.

"Was that really necessary?" Kyouka asked dryly, raising an eyebrow.

Hagakure chuckled. "Yes! Remember what he pulled with Ghostfreak?" she shot back, glancing at Kyouka with a playful wink.

Kyouka paused for a second, then nodded. "Hmm, good point."

Izuku, still catching his breath, shook his head. "H-Hagakure, I apologized for that already..."

Hagakure seemed to soften a little, her demeanor shifting as she flickered in and out of visibility. "Well... me and some of the others are going shopping at the mall on Monday after school," she began, sounding a bit more nervous. "We're just waiting for the weekend to get everyone's funds..." She trailed off, peeking at him with a hopeful expression. "...If you wanted to join us?"

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Monday? After school?"

Hagakure's nervousness quickly faded as her enthusiasm kicked in. "Yeah! It'll be fun, and we'd really love for you to come along!" Her voice was full of excitement.

Izuku hesitated, thinking about it. "I'm not sure... I've got a lot to handle."

Hagakure's eyes widened slightly, her voice taking on a more pleading tone. "Please, Midoriya? It would mean a lot to all of us if you came. It wouldn't be the same without you!"

"Please! Now that I'm visible, I can actually buy makeup and stuff! Jirou and Uraraka are already coming, and Iida, Kirishima, Ashido, and Kaminari are coming too!"

Izuku hesitated, his eyes darting to her, unsure. "I'm not sure..."

Hagakure's voice softened, a slight blush coloring her face as she nervously flickered in and out of visibility. "Look, I've been invisible for most of my life... and, well, I was kinda hoping that..." Her voice trailed off as she began to disappear again, her words faint but still carrying weight. "I was hoping you'd, y'know, let me hold your hand... and, uh, show me off a little."

Izuku blinked, still processing what she was saying. His face reddened as he tried to wrap his head around it.

"Nobody really sees me, or... even with my boyfriend," Hagakure continued, her voice a little quieter now, as if unsure. "I kinda was invisible, so, like... he couldn't really show me off, y'know? I know it sounds vain, but... I just want to be seen. Even if it's just a little." Her words faltered, and as she spoke, her body turned completely invisible, a deep blush spreading across her invisible face.

Izuku blinked, his mind racing. "D-Do you mean like a boyfriend-?"

"N-No! Nothing like that!" Hagakure immediately waved her arms, her voice flustered. "I just... want you to, I dunno, pretend like I'm your girlfriend, maybe? Show me off a bit, since, well, you're you. It wouldn't hurt, right?" Her voice dropped in embarrassment as she nervously fiddled with her hands, still mostly invisible. "I mean... You broke All Might's record and saved everyone at the USJ... It'd be nice if, you know, you showed me off just a little."

Izuku's face turned an even deeper shade of red, but he could tell there was more to her words than she was letting on. He stood there, a bit stunned by how genuine her feelings seemed, though she never outright said anything about them.

Jirou couldn't help but feel sympathy for Hagakure as she nervously fidgeted, her invisible form betraying her shy vulnerability. Izuku, his face a deep shade of red, finally nodded in response.

"F-Fine..." he muttered, clearly flustered.

Before he could process what was happening, Hagakure suddenly appeared in front of him, wrapping her arms around him tightly in a warm, affectionate hug. Her head snuggled into his chest, making him flush even more.

"Thanks, Midoriya..." she mumbled, a hint of relief in her voice, as she pulled away just slightly, still holding onto him.

Kyouka, watching from a distance, couldn't help but comment, "Plus, the guys are coming to get some equipment or something."

Izuku perked up, eager to learn more. "Like heavy-weight equipment?"

"Uh, yeah," Kyouka answered nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders. "Something like that."

Midoriya seemed visibly more excited at the prospect. "That sounds pretty cool!"

With a final wave to the two girls, Izuku made his way toward the elevator, his excitement building as he headed off. Hagakure and Kyouka waved back, watching him go.

"See you later, Midoriya!" Kyouka called out with a smirk.

Hagakure's face lit up with a grin, still feeling the warmth of their brief moment together. "See you!"

[Next Morning]

Jirou collapsed onto the couch, her body limp and drained. She let out a pained groan, her face contorted in exhaustion.

"This is hell..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

With great effort, she lifted her head, shooting a venomous glare at Midoriya. "I hate you," she spat, her eyes blazing with resentment.

Midoriya's attempt at placation only fueled her ire. "Aw, c'mon Jirou, you don't mean that... R-Right."

Jirou's face buried into the couch, her voice muffled but fierce. "Don't. Finish. That. Sentence."

Her body shuddered, muscles screaming in protest. Every fiber of her being ached, as if she'd pushed herself to the brink of collapse.

"Why would you do this to me?" she moaned, her voice cracking with desperation. "I thought we were friends!"

Yaoyorozu's concerned query only made Jirou's face twist in anguish. "What happened to you!?"

Jirou's response was a tortured whisper. "Midoriya... happened."

...

The group's gaze swung to Midoriya, whose face transformed into a deep crimson.

Setsuna's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "I did see him go up to your dorm room," she said, her voice dripping with drama.

"Oh no, did our green Broccoli Boy take sweet, innocent Jirou's innocence?" Setsuna exclaimed, her tone theatrical.

Midoriya's eyes widened in horror. "Wh-What? N-No, I didn't!" He stumbled backward, his face aflame.

Ibara's expression turned stern. "Such acts are sinful and should only be done after marriage!"

Iida rushed to Midoriya's defense. "Midoriya would never do such acts! He's not capable of that!"

Ashido teased, "Midori, you perv! I thought it was suspicious when you went to Jirou's room!"

Midoriya's pleas grew desperate. "I-I didn't, Jirou, p-please tell them!"

Jirou's weak voice cut through the chaos. "I... can't feel my legs," she groaned out, her tone strained.

Midoriya's face drained of color, his eyes wide in horror at her words. The girls, once in a lively conversation, were now frozen, staring at him with blank expressions. Even Setsuna and Ashido, who had been teasing just moments ago, fell silent, their eyes locked on Midoriya.

Uraraka's eyes widened, her expression full of concern. "Jirou...?"

"Wow, Midoriya, I had no idea you were..." Setsuna trailed off, glancing down at his crotch with a mischievous grin. "... Like that."

Midoriya's face turned beet red, panic spreading across his features. "N-No! It's not like that!" He stammered, his hands waving in front of him defensively.

Kaminari, who had been observing, couldn't hold back a teasing comment. "I know our school promotes going Plus Ultra on everything, but... wow," he said with a hint of jealousy in his voice, clearly trying to lighten the mood, but his words only made Midoriya more embarrassed.

Midoriya slumped, mortified. "Can't you clear things up, please?!"

Jirou, still grimacing in discomfort, groaned again. "No, suffer," she said, her tone sarcastic but tinged with pain. Midoriya gasped in horror, his heart racing alongside the other students, all of whom were looking at him with a mix of concern and disbelief.

Ibara looked ready to faint, her face pale and wide-eyed. Setsuna, however, couldn't contain herself and burst into laughter, doubling over as she found the situation unexpectedly hilarious. Meanwhile, Iida and Yaoyorozu were both scolding Midoriya for his "irresponsibility."

After a few minutes of explaining the situation while having breakfast, the tension began to ease.

"So you guys were just training?" Kirishima asked, genuinely confused but curious.

"Yeah, she asked me to make a training regimen for her, so I used Brainstorm's quirk... and well..." Midoriya gestured toward Jirou, who was now eating breakfast, her legs propped up on a cushion while Setsuna massaged her sore muscles.

"If the training is that brutal, maybe I should join in!" Kirishima exclaimed, his excitement building.

Midoriya sighed, trying to rein in his embarrassment. "Oh, that's awesome, but Brainstorm can make a regimen for all of us, sure. But he won't go easy on you, and if you're not prepared for it, I don't recommend it."

"We can totally handle it!" Kirishima said, his enthusiasm never wavering.

"It would be beneficial," Iida added, adjusting his glasses with a nod of agreement.

"And this training will also improve our quirks?" Shoji asked, his voice steady. Midoriya nodded confidently.

"The training regimen is tailored to your body and your quirks. Each one will be different, designed specifically for you. By the time of the sports festival, you'll see the full benefits."

Jirou groaned, her expression both exhausted and pained. "Warning, you're going to hate Midoriya after this."

"It can't be that bad," Sero said with a shrug, trying to remain optimistic.

Jirou gave him a deadpan stare. "I was also naive," she replied, rubbing her sore legs as she took another bite of breakfast.

To everyone's surprise, Midoriya began handing out the training regimens, one by one.

"Woah, dude, when did you have time to make this?!" Ashido asked, her voice full of genuine surprise.

"Brainstorm predicted you'd ask after seeing Jirou, so I made it beforehand," Midoriya explained, offering a sheepish smile.

"Wait a minute," Kaminari interrupted, looking around. "Where are Bakugou and Todoroki?"

"Bakugou would rather die than get help from me," Midoriya replied with a sigh. "Todoroki, well... he's been training by himself. Plus, I don't think he'd want to join in anyway."

"I guess that makes sense," Kaminari muttered, shrugging.

...

[Monday: After school]

Hagakure, Jirou, Midoriya, Ochako, Ashido-who insisted on tagging along-Tenya, Kaminari, and Kirishima all headed to the mall. Mina, however, stood slightly apart from the group, her arms crossed tightly and a small pout on her face as she watched Hagakure and Midoriya walk arm in arm. She didn't want to admit it, but the closeness between them made her uncomfortable, and the knot in her stomach grew tighter with every step they took together.

"I-Is th-this really necessary?" Midoriya stammered, clearly out of his element.

"You promised you'd show me off, now stop complaining!" Hagakure shot back, her voice playfully firm, though her pout was undeniably cute.

Jirou and Ochako exchanged quick glances, both silently acknowledging their own simmering jealousy. However, after hearing Hagakure's explanation and seeing how genuinely happy it made her, they couldn't help but soften. Ochako pushed her feelings aside, trying to focus on the fun of the trip, while Jirou merely shrugged it off, pretending it didn't bother her.

"Lucky bastard. How come you didn't ask me?" Kaminari grumbled, his voice teasing as he shot a sideways glance at Izuku.

"Because Midoriya wouldn't hit on another girl!" Hagakure responded, making everyone chuckle.

"Ojiro was my first choice, no offense, guys," Hagakure added casually, Iida waved it off with a polite smile.

"None taken," he said with a small chuckle. "But I'm curious-why Midoriya out of all of us?"

Toru-still walking with Midoriya-blushed furiously at the attention. "I-I don't know," she stammered. "I just... wanted to be close to him, is all."

Ochako, unable to resist teasing her friend a little, grinned mischievously. "You could've asked Iida, you know. Being the son of Ingenium makes him pretty famous," she said, all the while trying to ignore the gnawing jealousy creeping up on her as she watched Hagakure and Midoriya getting closer.

"Yeah, and why didn't you ask Todoroki?" Mina added with a sly grin. "I thought you had a super-duper crush on him, after all."

Hagakure's cheeks reddened. "N-No, don't!" she protested, sneaking a glance at Izuku, who didn't seem to react to the idea of her liking Todoroki. A strange twist of disappointment knotted in her stomach at his indifference.

"I was actually going to ask Iida first, but you and Uraraka look like you've got something going on," she said, glancing between them. Iida and Uraraka exchanged a look before laughing.

"Uraraka's a great friend, but I'm dedicated to my hero studies. A relationship would not be... beneficial," Iida declared, making a chopping motion with his hand.

"Yeah, just friends! Nothing more," Uraraka added with a shrug, though her smile was a little forced.

Mina slumped. "Seriously? Does anyone have a crush on a guy? Mama needs some romance drama," she sighed dramatically.

Izuku, walking close to Hagakure, blushed fiercely. Be cool, be cool, be co- His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, sharp pain in his head. He winced and instinctively scanned the crowd.'

'That feeling again... 'he thought, as the ache persisted. Without realizing it, he slipped out of Hagakure's arm, who had been silently watching him.

"Huh? Really?" Hagakure tilted her head, glancing between him and Uraraka. "Because you always act flustered when she's around, like super happy. The only other person who could be making you that nervous would be... Midoriya," she said with realization.

Uraraka quickly brushed her hair behind her ear, glancing at Midoriya, who was staring intently into the crowd, oblivious to her gaze.

"Uh, guys? Mind waiting here a sec?" Izuku asked, sheepish. Not waiting for an answer, he quickly darted into the crowd.

"Hey, wait up, Dekiru!" Ochako called after him, watching him disappear.

Izuku sprinted down the winding alleys, the sharp, stabbing pain in his head growing with each step, like a needle guiding him somewhere he couldn't see. The narrow streets twisted around him, flanked by weathered buildings that loomed close, their faded facades bearing signs of age and neglect. Neon signs hummed softly above, casting faint glows against the afternoon sky, while stray cables crisscrossed overhead like tangled webs.

He pushed forward, heart pounding, dodging stray bicycles and discarded boxes as he made his way past shuttered storefronts.

The pain in his head pulsed with each turn, like a silent alarm urging him onward, sharper each time he hesitated. Finally, it began to ease, settling into a dull ache as he found himself in a quiet, deserted corner of the city.

Izuku stopped to catch his breath, glancing around cautiously. His gaze fixed on two figures up ahead, cloaked in long, medieval-like robes that brushed the ground, their faces hidden by iron masks shaped in tragic theatrical expressions. He quickly ducked behind a wall, pressing himself against the rough surface, straining to listen.

"Huh... are you sure?" one of the men murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"Rumor has it the Omnitrix is on Earth," the other replied, his tone laced with excitement and dread.

Izuku's attention sharpened instantly, his heart beating faster.

Hugging the wall, he peeked around the corner, watching as the two figures continued their conversation.

"I heard it was only a rumor... but the king will surely be pleased," the first figure added, voice low and reverent.

'The Omnitrix... how do they know about it?' Izuku muttered under his breath, slipping into the shadows as he quietly followed the two men.

One of them spoke, his voice low but clear. ''From what we've gathered, it was here on Earth. Though it seems the device has left this world, if our readings are right."

'That must be Tetrax,' Izuku thought, recalling how Tetrax had promised to redirect the signal to keep the Omnitrix hidden.

"To think it was once within reach at U.A.," the other man grumbled. "No matter - it would have been impossible to retrieve back then, anyway. We should head back to the outpost. Those mutants have been causing trouble again."

The two men drifted out of earshot, leaving Izuku deep in thought. "The Knight's outpost? Didn't Hagakure mention that place?" he murmured. If he could find a way in, maybe he'd learn more about the Omnitrix. Perhaps even unlock new transformations.

Suddenly, he heard a shout. "Midoriya!"

Startled, Izuku turned around to see his friends racing toward him.

"The heck, Green? Why did you run off like that?" Jirou asked, panting slightly as she caught up.

"S-Sorry..." Izuku mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Where'd you disappear to, Midoriya? As hero students, it's not safe to separate from the group," Iida lectured, adjusting his glasses sternly.

"Yeah, man, you had this weird look on your face," Kaminari added, raising an eyebrow.

"You looked totally freaked out. What's got you so rattled?" Mina chimed in, concern crossing her face.

Izuku stammered, "I was... uh, just looking for something. But, um... nevermind." Swiftly trying to dodge further questions, he moved closer to Hagakure, looping his arm through hers.

Surprisingly, Hagakure quickly pulled her arm free. "Actually, forget it! You don't have to, like, show me off or anything. Let's just... hang out, okay?"

"Huh? But yesterday you seemed really excited about it," Izuku replied, looking at her in confusion. His eyes drifted to Ochako, who was staring at the ground, an uncertain look on her face.

Hagakure glanced at Ochako before shrugging. "It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it," she said, her voice a bit softer than usual.

"Uh... okay," Izuku replied, still visibly confused.

As they resumed walking toward the mall, everyone around him fell into casual conversation. After a few moments, Izuku leaned toward Toru, speaking quietly. "Oh, by the way... I have a favor to ask."

"Hm? What is it, Midori?" Toru asked, glancing at Izuku.

"I was kinda wondering if you could show me where you live," Izuku said. The other girls felt a slight pang when he said that, and Toru's face instantly turned a deep shade of red.

"W-What?!" Toru exclaimed, her surprise clear in her voice.

"Yeah, I was curious about the Knights outpost you mentioned," Izuku continued, his flustered expression quickly turning into genuine confusion. "I just think it sounds interesting."

"Huh? Why would you want to go there?" Hagakure asked, raising an eyebrow. "Those guys are total nutjobs."

"Well, they seem really interesting, and uh... I'm kind of an alien nerd, so I want to see what they're all about," Izuku explained, not entirely lying.

"Aw, dude, no way!" Mina said, grinning. "I mean, you do call your forms aliens, after all."

"Hm? O-Okay, that seems a little weird," Hagakure said, her voice unsure. "But, uh, we can go later, after the mall or something."

Toru looked at the group, glancing briefly at Ochako, whose expression was unreadable, before nodding. "Alright. We'll go later," she said, her voice softening a bit.

"Mind if I tag along?" Kaminari asked, his usual grin plastered on his face.

"Anything to get out of doing homework," Kaminari muttered under his breath.

"And you wonder why I call you an idiot," Jirou remarked, causing Kaminari to slump in defeat.

Toru's gaze lingered on Ochako for a moment, her smile subtly softer. "Sure, Kaminari," she said. "But let's focus on the mall first, alright? What about you Jirou?"

"I don't mind coming, though it might be boring as hell," Kyouka said, shrugging. "Besides, I got all my homework done anyway, and I've got nothing better to do."

"I have to get back to Midoriya's training regimen," Iida said, adjusting his glasses as he stood firm.

"I need to get back to training as well," Kirishima added with a grin, cracking his knuckles.

Uraraka glanced at Hagakure, her face turning bright red with embarrassment. Does she know? she thought, her mind racing.

"I would, but... I'm, like, super busy and have so much homework, yeah!" Ochako blurted out, clearly lying, though it was obvious to anyone around her.

"Aw, man, I'd love to, but I've got to do some Ecto-Plasm math work. The guy's gonna kill me if I don't," Mina whined, looking as if she were about to collapse from the thought of more work.

...

Time skip.

"What do you mean I have to go clothes shopping?!" Izuku asked, his voice full of shock.

"Wait, why am I part of this?" Kaminari chimed in, confusion spreading across his face.

"Well, Midoriya needs a serious wardrobe change," Hagakure said, gesturing to his T-shirt, which had an overly casual design.

"I kinda like Midoriya's shirts. They're pretty funny," Kaminari commented, eyeing the T-shirt.

"My point exactly," Hagakure replied with a mischievous smile.

Izuku suddenly sank into a dark aura of despair, his shoulders slumping as he stared at the ground.

"Well, I still have money from my wrestling tournament, but I was planning to use it to buy more All Might merch," Izuku said, only to be met with deadpan stares from everyone around him.

"Midoriya, no offense, but we've seen your room," Iida said, adjusting his glasses. "There's, uh, such a thing as too much."

"Yeah, Dekiru, you can't just use all your money for All Might stuff! We know you love the guy, but..." Uraraka trailed off, shaking her head.

"Hm, I guess so. I'll get some training materials and other things," Izuku said, reluctantly agreeing.

"And some new clothes!" Hagakure exclaimed, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him toward the clothing store, with Uraraka following behind.

"Do we really have to do this? It's so embarrassing," Kyouka muttered, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

"C'mon, Jirou, it'll be fun!" Kaminari said, grinning widely.

The scene transitioned into a montage of the group trying on different outfits. Hagakure took pictures as they modeled their clothes. First, they tried on suits. Uraraka looked like a super spy in a sleek, fitted outfit. Iida kept it simple with a normal, smart suit.

Kaminari, somehow, looked surprisingly cool, pulling off the look effortlessly. Mina, as always, looked amazing, rocking a Men in Black-inspired outfit and making playful references. Everyone laughed and joked, enjoying the experience despite their initial reluctance.

...

Izuku sat alone at a table in the bustling food court, keeping an eye on his friends' belongings. The girls had all headed to the bathroom together, Iida was off helping a lost child find his mother, and Kirishima and Kaminari were grabbing snacks for everyone. For now, he had a rare moment of quiet and sipped his smoothie, letting his thoughts wander.

'I wonder who those guys were? How do they know about the Omnitrix? he mused, a hint of worry crossing his mind. Tetrax did warn me that people might come after it. Maybe I should wear a hoodie to hide it better.'

Just then, a voice cut through the noise, sending a chill down his spine. "Wait, is that Midoriya?" The familiar tone triggered a wave of unease. His body tensed, his eyes widening as a dull ache pulsed in his head-a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

He turned and saw them: Takara Naomi and Naoko Kawai, two classmates who had once delighted in what they called "practical jokes" at his expense. But it didn't end there. Standing beside them were more familiar faces-and, worst of all, Ishida Shimida. Now a third-year, Ishida had been his biggest tormentor in middle school, the one who'd tormented him almost worse than Kacchan had.

Izuku felt a sting of memories rushing back-like the time Ishida stole his shoes and lunch money, leaving him barefoot and hungry after school, then took it further by tying those shoes to an electrical pole, laughing because they were the only pair that didn't hurt his feet. A few days later, Kevin had intervened, making sure Ishida regretted it, but the memory still stung.

Izuku took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool. Stay calm, he told himself, gripping his smoothie tighter.

"Dude, no way!"

"Deku." Ishida's cold, mocking voice sliced through the air as he stepped in front of Izuku.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite punching bag," he sneered, chewing gum with a lazy smirk. He blew a bubble, letting it pop as his friends snickered behind him.

"My gosh, Izzy! It's been so long... Do you still write in that creepy notebook of yours?" Takara taunted, prompting a round of laughter from the group. But Izuku remained steady, his gaze unwavering as he looked back at his former tormentors. These weren't villains like Shigaraki or even Nomu-just bullies. And this time, he felt no need to flinch.

"Quirkless freak in the flesh!" Ishida added, letting a small spark of electricity crackle in his palm as a threat.

"And look here, no Levin to protect him." Ishida's eyes drifted over to the shopping bags on the table, a gleam of opportunity in his gaze. "Looks like Deku got me some new clothes. How thoughtful. Guess I'll just take-"

His hand stretched toward the bags, but before he could grab one, Izuku slapped it away, his expression hardening as he glared up at Ishida. "Don't touch them."

The entire group went silent, taken aback by his firm tone and the defiance in his eyes. Takara and Naoko, who had once offered a half-hearted apology after Izuku saved their lives, exchanged uncertain glances. This wasn't the timid, stammering boy they remembered-the one who used to shrink away, hide his tears, and tremble under Ishida's words.

Instead, Izuku stood strong, his gaze cold and steady. There was no stutter, no quivering. He simply held his ground, daring them to make the next move.

"Oh, does Deku think he can actually stand up to us?" Ishida sneered, sparks of electricity crackling in his palm as he raised it menacingly. With a smirk, he glanced up at the security cameras, which flickered before going dead. "Can't have any evidence now, can we, Deku?" he said with a twisted grin.

Izuku rose from his seat, his expression calm but unwavering, defiance burning in his eyes. Ishida chuckled at the sight, barely able to believe the audacity. "Why don't you be a good, worthless Deku and step aside... along with our new bags."

Naomi, standing beside Ishida, snickered as she glanced over the bags. "Ooh, I think I saw a nice sweater in there. Be a dear and fetch that for me, won't you?" she taunted with a sweet but mocking tone.

Izuku's expression didn't falter. "No."

The group stared, momentarily taken aback, then grinned. The thought of putting the "useless" Deku back in his place was too tempting.

"Oh yeah?" Ishida taunted, taking a step closer, his smirk widening. "And what exactly are you gonna do about it, Deku?"

A boy with who was bold laughed, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Seriously? He thinks he can talk back now? This'll be good."

Naomi leaned in, her tone dripping with mockery. "Look, Deku, just because you're trying to act tough doesn't mean you are. Last I checked, you were still nothing without a quirk."

Naoko added, "I say we teach him a lesson, show him where he really belongs. It's about time someone knocked him back down."

Yubi shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Izuku and Ishida. "Uh... maybe we should just leave him alone," he muttered, almost nervously, his tone enough to catch Ishida's attention.

Ishida's glare snapped to Yubi, his eyes narrowing as he raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong, Yubi? Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for the freak now?"

Yubi hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "It's... not that, it's just... you never know, right? People change..."

Naomi rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "Please, Yubi, it's Deku. Nothing's changed about him, and you know it."

"He's not the same quirkless kid he used to be! He took on Kevin and actually won-and he got first place in the U.A. entrance exam!" Yubi said, glancing nervously at the others. "Going up against him would be really dumb."

A chorus of shocked whispers broke out among the group.

"Wait, seriously?"

"First place? Are we talking about the same Midoriya?"

Someone with slicked-back hair leaned in, frowning. "So that's why the principal gave him and Bakugou some kind of award thing? I thought it was just another one of Bakugou's victories..."

But Ishida only laughed louder, his voice echoing through the food court. "HAHAHA! Oh, you actually believe that garbage?! This Deku made it into U.A.? Please!" He folded his arms, shaking his head in mock pity. "He couldn't make it into a school full of pets."

A quiet voice suddenly interrupted, drawing attention. "He saved my life from Kevin," said a girl with short, messy hair, her gaze darting away as some of them looked at her in surprise. "We should... just leave him alone."

Naomi sneered. "What? You're telling me Deku pulled off some rescue mission? I get Kevin scared you, but you don't have to make up hero stories about this loser."

The girl's expression wavered but didn't drop. "I'm serious! He really did. And... when the USJ attack happened, his name was all over the news."

A tall, lanky guy with a baseball cap gave a low whistle. "Whoa. That Midoriya was this Midoriya? I thought it was just some other kid with a similar name..."

"Didn't he single-handedly take on villains?" asked another, eyeing Izuku with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "They say he stopped a bunch of pros from getting killed. Even Bakugou barely made it out!"

A girl with red-tipped hair scoffed, arms crossed. "Please, that can't be true. If Deku was some big-shot hero, we would've known by now."

Ishida smirked, his gaze narrowing. "What, you think he's just hiding it? You guys are insane if you think Deku took on villains." He stepped up to Izuku, a spark of electricity dancing between his fingers, his grin widening. "Look, he's still the worthless, quirkless runt who used to flinch at every little thing."

The group leaned in, some of them snickering, others watching with a hint of uncertainty.

"Besides," Ishida added, a wicked gleam in his eye, "I've got my provisional hero license now. Makes it perfectly legal to use my quirk on anyone who needs a reminder of their place." The electricity flared, casting eerie blue light across his face. "So why don't you be a good little Deku and pass over those bags, huh?"

Izuku didn't flinch, his eyes steely as he met Ishida's gaze. His hand slowly moved towards the Omnitrix, readying himself as the air grew thick with tension.

Naomi stepped forward, her smirk widening. "C'mon, Deku, why don't you grab me a new sweater from the bag? You should feel honored to be useful for once."

Another guy with spiky hair chimed in with a sneer, "Oh yeah, get one for me too. It's not like you're good for much else."

...

"Back the hell off!" Jirou snapped, stepping between Izuku and the others, her glare cutting through the tension like a knife.

One of Ishida's group took a surprised step back. "Whoa... Aren't you guys U.A. students?"

Naomi's eyes widened as she processed what was happening. Recognition flashed across her face as she remembered the news about the USJ attack. She'd seen these students standing alongside Bakugou... If they were with Deku, did that mean he was actually the Izuku Midoriya from U.A.? No way-that couldn't be right. He was worthless. What would U.A. first-years be doing with him?

Ishida's group started looking at each other, their arrogance starting to crack. One of them, a guy with a shaved head, looked between Izuku and his friends, his eyes widening. "Wait a second... This is the Midoriya from the news, isn't it? The one who fought at the USJ?"

"No way..." one of the girls muttered, eyes darting between Izuku and the others. "The one who helped save All Might? That's him?"

"Yeah, and didn't they say he fought off those villains single-handedly?" another added. "And saved Bakugou, of all people?"

Ishida's grin faltered. "Wait a minute..." His eyes narrowed as he took a closer look at Izuku, trying to piece it together. "You're telling me this... loser made it into U.A.?"

"Dekiru, are you okay?" Uraraka asked, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Kirishima folded his arms, eyeing the group with steely resolve. "Ganging up on Midobro is a really bad idea."

Naomi forced a smile, trying to recover. "Oh, don't worry. We were just catching up with an old friend here," she said, her tone sickly sweet. "Deku is our old classmate, after all. No need for you guys to get involved in our... little reunion."

Ishida chuckled darkly, never breaking his gaze from Izuku. Izuku's stance was defiant, his eyes narrowed in a way that suggested he wouldn't back down. "Yeah... We're just gonna teach him a little lesson."

"Well, he's our classmate now. And our friend," Mina cut in, stepping forward with a fierce look. "So yeah, that makes it our problem too."

A ripple of fear passed through the group, each of them exchanging uneasy glances. If these U.A. students were standing by Deku's side, then maybe... maybe the rumors about Izuku Midoriya were all true. Ishida's smug smile faltered, and a few of his friends began to edge backward.

Naomi forced a laugh, trying to play it off. "You must be mistaken... Deku's nothing special-"

"Listen here, stuck-up bitch," Jirou said, her tone harsh and cutting.

Naomi's face hardened instantly, eyes narrowing with lethal intent. She wasn't backing down.

"I know exactly what kind of girl you are," Jirou continued, voice laced with pure disdain. "You're that girl, huh? The one who thinks that if she climbs on the biggest, most powerful guy's dick, she'll get everything she wants. Stepping on everyone else just to feel important."

Naomi's jaw clenched tightly, her fists balled in frustration. But Jirou wasn't finished yet.

Jirou crossed her arms, her expression unfazed, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "You're the definition of shallow. Using what little you have to get ahead, thinking you can coast by without ever earning real respect."

Naomi's glare deepened, her anger simmering. "How dare you?" she hissed through gritted teeth.

Jirou held her ground, standing tall, eyes cold and relentless. "Truth cuts, huh?" she said, her voice low and mocking. "Must sting when it comes from someone who actually doesn't need to sleep their way to the top."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Naomi's eyes burned with fury, but Jirou didn't back down. The entire group could feel the heat of their clash, a silent battle brewing in the tense space between them.

...

The tension in the air was thick after Kyouka's words, and Naomi's fury only grew as she glared at the group.

"The hell is your problem, flat chest?" Naomi spat at Jirou, her expression venomous.

Jirou didn't flinch, her stance firm and unyielding. "You threatened my friend, so now we have a problem. And you, Green Menace-if your sorry excuse for a boyfriend thinks he's tough, his face is only one a mother could love." She smirked. "Actually, it already looks like that."

The group snickered at Jirou's sharp tongue, the sting of her words cutting through the tension.

Takara Naomi stepped forward, her eyes full of disdain. "Please, this worthless Deku?" She scoffed, her voice dripping with mockery. "I don't know how he even got into U.A., let alone the Hero Course! How much did he pay you? What does he have on you? Is it the creepy notes? Did he threaten you, or is that just his creepy charm?"

Izuku's stomach twisted painfully at the mention of the notes, but he kept his gaze lowered, trying to ignore the cruel words.

"I refuse to believe it!" Naomi continued, her voice rising with disbelief. "There's no way someone like him could get into U.A.! What, did you get paid off? Is he blackmailing you? I bet that's how he roped you into this. We'll protect you, don't worry. Just tell us what he did!"

Mina's expression faltered for a moment, her smile still bright but tinged with uncertainty. She stepped forward with her usual optimism, trying to find a peaceful resolution. "Look, I don't know what your problem with Midoriya is, but there's no reason to keep picking on him, okay?" she said, her voice full of energy, as though all it would take was a smile and a kind word to change things.

"I've seen this before! Back at school, some bullies were picking on one of my friends, but we all just sat down and talked things out, and they ended up being friends. Maybe we could do the same? It's not too late to fix things, right?"

Kirishima, ever the optimist, jumped in to support her. "Yeah! We don't need to fight! You guys were classmates with Midoriya, right? We're friends with Bakugou too, and I'm sure he wouldn't want you picking fights with Midoriya."

But the mood wasn't lightening. The group exchanged incredulous looks as they noticed the severity of the situation.

Yubi gave Kirishima a pointed look, clearly questioning his naivety. Even Ishida raised an eyebrow, his gaze saying Are you seriously that clueless?

Naomi scoffed, clearly unamused. "You really think you can fix this by talking it out? Do you even know who you're dealing with?"

Mina's smile wavered, but she still held onto her belief in the power of kindness, even if it was starting to seem more out of place by the second.

"Look, girl," Mina said, trying to stay positive. "I don't know what happened between you and Midoriya, but you don't have to keep this up. We can all leave here peacefully, right?"

"Wow, you really know nothing about Bakugou," Ishida sneered, his palms crackling with energy as he flexed his fingers. "Anyways, it's time I put this Deku in his place. See, Deku doesn't even have a dad."

The words echoed, and rounds of mocking chuckles rippled through Ishida's group. Naomi barely held back a snicker, clearly enjoying the tension she was creating. But Izuku's glare intensified, his eyes narrowing, a deep well of anger swirling beneath the surface. His fist clenched tight, causing his knuckles to whiten.

"I need to teach Deku lessons his dad couldn't," Ishida added, his voice full of malicious intent. He stepped forward, aiming to press his advantage.

"Don't," Izuku warned, his voice low and chilling. The air around them grew heavy, and the tension escalated. Ishida hesitated, feeling a sudden weight of power radiating from Izuku. In that moment, the room seemed to shift, as a small shockwave burst from Izuku's body, knocking tables and chairs back with a force that sent ripples through the group.

The electricity sparked in green arcs around Izuku, his eyes glowing a toxic, unnerving shade of green.

Ishida and his group stumbled back instinctively, their eyes wide with horror. They had never seen the "useless Deku" react like this before. This wasn't the shy, powerless kid they'd tormented for years. This was something entirely different. Something terrifying.

Izuku's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Talk about my dad again," he growled, his glare burning into Ishida, "and I'll make you regret it."

Kyouka smirked, clearly impressed by the change in Izuku, while Kirishima couldn't help but voice his admiration, his usual loud enthusiasm now tempered with awe. "Man, that's so damn manly!" he said, his voice tinged with excitement.

But it was Iida who noticed the subtle, yet undeniable shift in the atmosphere. His eyes flickered to the group of bullies who had been tormenting Izuku for years, and he saw it-the absolute fear in their eyes. They weren't just scared anymore; they were terrified.

'I knew Midoriya's power was intimidating, but this...' Iida thought, his mind racing as he realized just how much danger they were all in. He could feel it in his gut: Izuku wasn't someone they could mess with anymore.

"Y-you... You have a quirk?" Naomi stammered, her voice shaking as she finally spoke, unable to keep the disbelief from her words.

The group's faces were pale, their arrogance crumbling, replaced with fear and uncertainty. For the first time in years, they realized they had underestimated the boy they'd bullied so relentlessly. Izuku Midoriya wasn't just a harmless "Deku" anymore. He was a force to be reckoned with.

And they were all too aware of it now.

"That means the rumors about you breaking All Might's record... You killed someone... Turned them to ash," one of Ishida's group said, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Naomi scoffed, glaring at Izuku. "How... How the hell do you have a quirk, Deku?"

Ochako's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the tension. "Don't. Call. Him. That."

Naomi turned to her with an icy stare. "Don't call him what?"

"His name's not 'Deku'," Uraraka shot back, her tone firm. "Don't you dare call him that. He hates it."

The words hung in the air, and the tension deepened. If the rumors were true, the students in Ishida's group could now feel it-the fear, the weight of power they hadn't expected.

Ishida's smirk faded, his expression turning into a cold, calculating one. Naomi, however, wasn't about to back down. "What, are you his girlfriend now?" she sneered. "You actually like this... this loser?"

Ochako's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment, but she stood her ground. "You don't get to talk about Dekiru like that!" she snapped, her voice cutting like a knife.

The silence that followed was deafening. Naomi's harsh words seemed to fall flat now, as she realized just how badly she'd misjudged the situation.

"Deku, you're really just going to let her talk to me like that? After everything we've been through? I mean, I was your first girlfriend," Naomi said, her tone almost sickly sweet, as if she were speaking of some long-lost love.

Midoriya's friends stared, eyes widening in disbelief. "Wh-What?" Ochako stammered, glancing at Izuku.

"You were his first girlfriend?" Hagakure echoed in horror, eyes darting between Naomi and Izuku.

Jirou glanced at Izuku, her voice cautious. "Midoriya?"

Izuku remained silent, his gaze distant, not denying anything.

Naomi continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Of course, I was. Though, your creepy note-taking and the way you stuttered... Ugh, so annoying. And let's not forget your unrealistic goal of becoming a hero." She chuckled bitterly. "Are you serious about him? A hero? I'm sorry, but-"

"Shut up!" Ochako cut her off, her voice shaking with fury. "You don't get to talk about Dekiru like that!"

The group froze, surprised to see Ochako stand up for him, her face flushed with anger. Only Kevin seemed unmoved by the sudden shift in the atmosphere, while the others exchanged unsure glances.

Ochako, her hands clenched into fists, took a step forward. "His stuttering's adorable-it's proof of how much he thinks things through. And the way he talks about heroes, about his dreams-it's something I never get tired of hearing. You think he's unrealistic? What have you been living under? He's the guy who shattered All Might's record! And as for your precious Bakugou?" Ochako's voice rose, the words practically spilling out in a rush.

"Dekiru wiped the floor with him during our first hero training!"

She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, but she wasn't done. "Honestly, you're not even worthy of being his friend, let alone his first girlfriend." Ochako stood tall, glaring at Naomi, her heart pounding but full of conviction.

A stunned silence followed. Izuku, wide-eyed, couldn't believe what just happened. Jirou and Hagakure exchanged looks of disbelief. Naomi, however, just narrowed her eyes and turned to Yubi, her voice cold. "Do as you always do, and show them why he's beneath everyone."

"Nah, I'm good," Yubi said, raising his arm defensively, eyes narrowing at Ishida and the others.

"WHAT!?" Naomi spat, disbelief thick in her voice.

Yubi shrugged, unfazed. "Look, I saw first-hand how he beat Kevin fucking Levin. Yeah, I'm not looking to get my face rearranged. I like my face. I like not having broken bones." He waved a dismissive hand. "I'm not fighting him."

"A-Are you scared?" Naomi sneered, her voice mocking.

"Terrified," Yubi shot back with a smirk. "He turned the thing that was supposed to kill All Might into ash! I have a finger quirk-what the hell am I supposed to do? Point at him?" Yubi let out a sarcastic laugh.

Kirishima and Kaminari did their best to hold in their chuckles, while Jirou just snorted. Hagakure, unable to contain herself, burst out laughing.

"Tch," Ishida clicked his tongue, eyes narrowing at Yubi before focusing back on Izuku. "I'll show you why I'm better than this Deku," he sneered, crackling electricity surging in his palms as he walked toward the boy, trying to intimidate him.

"Can't believe these losers actually stuck up for you, Deku!" Ishida scoffed, turning his attention to the group. "And you got this bitch by your side?" He smirked, looking at Ochako with disdain. "Let's see what you can do, Deku. I'm ready for a few rounds-me and you."

Fear gripped the rest of the group. They didn't want Midoriya to start fighting. If the rumors were true, they knew he could be dangerous. They had heard about bullied kids turning on their tormentors-and Izuku had a quirk. A powerful one.

"Hey, Ishida, maybe let's not, okay?" one of them spoke up, his voice shaky.

"Yeah, let's just leave De-I mean, Midoriya alone," another girl added, her words trembling.

"Yeah... And if Midoriya starts fighting, we'll report you, Midoriya," a nervous voice piped up from the back of the group.

"Report him?!" Ashido shouted, her face flushed with anger. "You guys started this!"

Naomi's lips curled into a dark smile. "Look at their numbers. We have more people, and their cameras are out. Ishida has a license-we can just say..." She feigned a gasp, her voice dripping with mock fear. "Oh no, this violent Izuku Midoriya started fighting like some villain. Ishida had to step in and save us."

The rest of Izuku's group widened their eyes in shock. One For All was still swirling around Izuku, the energy crackling, while Ishida's hands sparked like a storm on the verge of breaking. Bystanders, noticing the tension, began to murmur, their eyes locked on Midoriya. The whispers grew louder.

"Holy shit... Isn't that... Izuku Midoriya?" one bystander said, his voice filled with awe.

"Wait, the kid who killed the Nomu guy?" another voice asked, disbelieving. "The one who broke All Might's record and beat the Nomu meant to kill All Might?!"

"Holy shit, that's him..." A third bystander muttered, clearly shocked. "I heard he was poisoned enough to kill 10,000 pro heroes-and shrugged it off like nothing. Woke up the next day like it was nothing."

Ishida's glare intensified as the murmurs spread through the crowd. The last thing he needed was a crowd watching, but he knew Midoriya's weakness. If he could just get him to attack, he could turn everything around. The witnesses would only confirm what he said. He just had to provoke him.

...

Izuku gave a heavy sigh, shaking his head before narrowing his eyes at Ishida. "You know what... you're not worth it."

The room went quiet as Izuku grabbed his bags and walked past Ishida, his One For All aura fading, but the cold weight of his words lingered in the air. Kirishima, Kaminari, and the others watched in stunned silence, unable to look away as their friend stood taller than they had ever seen before.

Izuku's voice was sharp, full of disgust. "You're a third-year student with a hero license, and you're still resorting to bullying? That's pathetic."

Ochako silently handed him a napkin, a soft, proud smile forming on her face as she watched Izuku stand up for himself. His words were measured, but they cut deep.

"You and Naomi are still the same bullies you were in middle school, tormenting others just to feel better about yourselves. I used to be scared of you, but now... I kinda feel sorry for you."

Izuku's gaze pierced through Ishida and Naomi, his words like daggers. "You're both just... sad."

Jirou and Uraraka exchanged proud glances, the weight of Izuku's growth settling in as they saw him take control of the situation.

Without another word, Izuku turned his back to them, his tone quiet but firm. "Let's go, guys."

The group continued to walk away, but the air was thick with the lingering tension. Ishida's face twisted with rage, his fists clenched at his sides, though he knew better than to challenge Izuku now. Naomi, on the other hand, stood frozen, her expression unreadable, but her mind was racing. How dare he? How dare Deku-the boy she humiliated, the boy she discarded-stand up to her like this?

Her hands trembled, her entire body shaking with fury as her anger boiled over. He called her sad? Pathetic? She could barely process it. Her fists clenched, her body practically vibrating with rage.

Before they could walk any further, a sharp voice rang out. "Wait!"

Izuku stopped, turning slightly as Naomi's cold glare landed on Uraraka. "Uraraka, right?" she sneered, her eyes full of venom, making the brunette flinch back a step. A twisted smile crept onto Naomi's face. "You and Deku will be at the Sports Festival, won't you?"

Uraraka hesitated, her unease clear, but she answered, "Yeah, why?"

Naomi's smile widened, the malice in her words unmistakable. "I'll make sure your old 'friends' from Aldrea will be there to watch Deku fail-completely fail-at the Sports Festival."

Ishida chuckled darkly, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "It'll be fun watching Kacchan destroy you, man. Midoriya, getting beaten down? Man, I miss those days."

"Ha!" someone from the background snickered. "I bet he won't even make it past the first event!"

Another voice joined in, mocking, "Oh, please. He'll make a complete fool of himself. I can't wait to see it firsthand!"

Naomi's eyes gleamed with vicious satisfaction. "You're nothing. You'll always be nothing. Your so-called friends will watch you fail at the Sports Festival. And Bakugou will be there, too-watching as he beats you into the ground, where someone like you belongs."

She turned her gaze back to Uraraka, her voice cold and dripping with scorn. "And Uraraka-when you see him fall, make sure you use the appropriate name for him."

Izuku clenched his jaw, but he didn't respond. The group continued walking, leaving Naomi's taunts hanging in the air, but her words stung, lingering like poison.

Uraraka shot Naomi a knowing smile, her voice dripping with defiance. "Oh, I will. Dekiru's his name, and I'll be using it from now on-now and forever."

Naomi's glare deepened, but she pressed on. "Oh, since you got first in the entrance exam, I suppose you'll be doing the student pledge, am I right?"

A girl from the background snorted, a cruel laugh escaping her lips. "Remember our English lesson? He puked all over himself! Man, this year is going to be hilarious!"

Ishida couldn't help but chime in with a wicked grin. "Hey, Naomi, make sure to get front-row seats. This is gonna be good."

Midoriya just sighed, his patience wearing thin as he prepared to walk away.

Iida stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. "Midoriya may not give the most splendid speech, but he'll surprise you. He knows he has nothing to prove, but I won't sit idly by while you mock my friend."

Kyouka crossed her arms, her expression cool but intense. "If you're only coming to watch him fail, I'd seriously advise you not to. You'll be thoroughly disappointed."

Kaminari grinned, the cocky confidence in his voice evident. "Man, I wish I had my camera right now. Seeing your faces is priceless!"

With a mocking smile, Hagakure added, "With that, we'll be leaving. Hope you don't mind wasting your money!"

As the group started to walk away, Naomi's voice rang out one last time, dripping with condescension. "See you at the Sports Festival, Izzy!" She blew a kiss in the air, her grin wide and mocking.

... ...

Time-skip.

"What the hell is their problem?" Jirou seethed, clenching her fists in anger. "I seriously hate bullies. Who the hell acts like that?"

"Yeah, and one of them even has a hero license!" Mina added, exasperated. "We could've been the ones in trouble if things got out of hand!"

"Why would anyone treat you like that, Midoriya?" Hagakure asked, genuinely confused. "You're like… the nicest person we know."

Uraraka nodded, crossing her arms. "Yeah, seriously. You're one of the sweetest people around. What's their deal?"

Izuku hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's… complicated." His mind raced, thinking, I can't let them know I was quirkless back then. They'll just feel sorry for me, and that's the last thing I want.

Iida, however, was frowning thoughtfully, piecing things together. Memories from their past encounters with Bakugou flashed in his mind, specifically the way he'd once shouted, "That quirkless loser could never get a better score than me!"

"I've been changing forms... it only appeared recently…"

Iida squinted, raising a hand to his chin, concern darkening his expression. He'd heard enough today to start feeling uneasy.

"Midoriya," Iida said carefully, "those people… they wouldn't happen to be friends of Bakugou's, would they?"

Izuku flinched slightly but nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah… they used to be Kacchan's friends."

Jirou scoffed, a hint of a snarl in her voice. "Why am I not surprised?"

Kirishima frowned, glancing at her. "Wait, what's that supposed to mean?"

Jirou crossed her arms, a hard edge in her tone. "I can recognize a bully a mile away and guess whose ass those jerks were kissing while he isn't here?" Jirou spat.

"Look, Jirou, I know you don't like Bakugou, but implying he's a bully? I mean, Kirishima stands by him, so he can't be that bad," Ashido said, shrugging.

Jirou scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, right, because the guy totally didn't almost blow Midoriya to pieces during our first battle trial."

Izuku watched quietly, noticing the flash of anger in her eyes. This wasn't just irritation—she seemed like someone who had a personal history with bullies. 'She did mention standing up for a quirkless kid. Maybe… she's been through something similar?'

Iida adjusted his glasses, nodding thoughtfully. "She's got a point. Bakugou certainly seemed… a bit too eager to go all-out against Midoriya."

"Bakugou probably just figured Midoriya could take it," Kirishima cut in, trying to keep things balanced. "I mean, they've known each other forever. He probably knew Midoriya could handle his explosions, so he didn't hold back."

Ashido nodded. "Exactly. I mean, even if those jerks bullied him, it's not like they could do anything serious, right? We're talking about Midori here—he's practically invincible!"

Jirou looked frustrated but couldn't deny it. As far as she'd seen, Midoriya was unstoppable—a force of nature in every sense.

Ochako nodded, siding with Mina and Kirishima. "And if there was really something going on, Dekiru would tell us… right, Dekiru?" She looked at Izuku, her eyes trusting.

Izuku forced a smile, trying not to look flustered. "Uh… yeah, of course!" he replied, though a hint of unease slipped through.

Jirou's eyes still flickered with irritation, but she took a breath, looking Izuku straight in the eye. "Right, you and Bakugou are totally 'rivals,'" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I mean, look at you and Iida, right? You're both aiming to be the fastest in class, but even though you're competing, you help each other, and there's actual respect between you two. Isn't that what a rivalry should be?"

Izuku scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, of course," he said, a little unsure.

Iida nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Any true rivalry is built on mutual respect. That's why I strive to improve myself—not just for my own growth, but so I'm not a burden on you, Midoriya. I think all of us feel that way."

Jirou rolled her eyes. "Right, respect. And Bakugou totally respects Midoriya, huh? He doesn't degrade him every chance he gets. Yeah, 'respect' is screaming insults and trying to convince him he doesn't belong here."

The group fell silent, shifting uncomfortably at the truth in her words. Hagakure, who had been avoiding the tension, looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"She's got a point. That's not just bad sportsmanship. It's… not even basic human decency," Iida added, frowning deeply.

"Exactly! Bakugou's the only one who never even thanked Midoriya for saving us at the USJ," Hagakure pointed out, her voice quiet but firm. "I mean, even Monoma from Class 1-B managed to show some appreciation, and he's… well, Monoma."

Ochako tried to lighten the mood, not losing her usual bubbly optimism. "Look, I get it. Bakugou's… intense, but he sees Dekiru as a rival just like the rest of us. He just wants to beat him fair and square!"

Iida, who had been thinking carefully, finally spoke up, his expression thoughtful. "Not entirely true."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Ochako asked, turning to him with a curious look.

"If you think about it, Bakugou doesn't want to beat Midoriya because he sees him as a rival or respects him as a worthy opponent," Iida said, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully. "From the way he talks about Midoriya, it seems he just wants to crush him to feed his superiority complex."

"His exact words were 'I was supposed to be number one,' and 'I'll prove I'm the strongest, the real number one,'" Iida added, his voice echoing Bakugou's tone.

"And you all heard how he talked about Midoriya after the USJ attack, right?" Hagakure pointed out. "He called him worthless, and acted like it didn't make any sense that Midoriya was able to take down the Nomu and save us."

Izuku shifted uncomfortably. "I mean, that's just… how things have always been between us. I know me and Kacchan won't ever be close friends, but I'm fine with it. That's just how it is."

Ochako tilted her head, trying to look supportive. "Well, if Dekiru says it's okay, then maybe we should just leave it alone and not dig too deep into their relationship."

Jirou cut in sharply. "Uh, no."

"E-Eh?!" Ochako blinked in surprise.

"Midoriya," Jirou continued firmly, "he calls you useless, worthless, and goes out of his way to hurt you. Just because it's always been that way doesn't mean it's okay." Her gaze held Izuku's, and he flinched slightly under her stare.

Jirou softened, but her tone stayed serious. "If Bakugou treated any of us like he treats you, would you just let it go?"

"N-No, but that's different—" Izuku stammered, but was cut off.

"You stutter, you're always a nervous wreck, and you seem scared of everything around you, especially Bakugou. That all points to the signs of a bully and his victim," Jirou said, her voice cold and sharp. The words hung in the air, making everyone freeze in place.

Ochako looked taken aback, her eyes wide in surprise.

"C-C'mon, Jirou... Look, I know Bakugou is an asshole, but he isn't a bully. How could the guy bully Midoriya?" Kaminari interjected, his voice full of disbelief.

"Yeah, you're just... overreacting," Ashido said, struggling to find the right words.

Iida and Hagakure exchanged uncertain glances. Iida didn't believe U.A. would ever accept a bully into their ranks, but then again, Bakugou was here. Hagakure didn't like the guy either—he was an asshole—but Jirou's words were starting to make her think.

Kirishima, who had been quiet up until now, clenched his fists, his expression turning serious. "Hold on a second, I get where you're coming from, Jirou, but Bakugou is not a bully," Kirishima said, his voice a little more forceful than usual.

"Yeah, he's rough around the edges, but he's not the type to break someone down like that."

""Are you serious?!" Jirou's voice was sharp with anger. "He literally yelled that Midoriya cheated, has called him useless, worthless so many times I've lost count, and that's just in the past few weeks! Are you forgetting that he tried to pick a fight with him right after he got out of the hospital?" she demanded, her voice rising. The tension in the air was thick, and everyone fell silent, feeling the weight of her words.

Kaminari opened his mouth, but no words came out. He hadn't considered the depth of what Jirou was saying.

"Yeah, that's..." Kirishima muttered, clearly uncomfortable. He couldn't deny the truth in Jirou's words, but defending Bakugou was something he wasn't sure how to do in this situation.

Jirou clenched her fists, frustration boiling over. "I don't know—there are all different kinds of bullying, Kaminari! Maybe Bakugou said something—posted mean things, who knows?" She shook her head, her tone softer but filled with confusion.

Despite what she felt, part of her knew that it didn't make sense. Izuku was powerful, too strong to be pushed around by Bakugou. Bakugou didn't seem like the type to mock someone behind their back.

"I don't know, maybe she's right, guys," Hagakure added quietly, her voice thoughtful as she considered what Jirou had said.

Iida, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke, his brow furrowed. "I honestly don't believe they would accept a bully into this fine establishment, especially with our goal to become heroes. Maybe we should bring this up to the teachers," he suggested, trying to offer a solution that could clear the air.

"W-What?!" Izuku exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. He hadn't expected anyone to suggest something like that. "You... you want to tell the teachers?"

Everyone turned to him, their eyes filled with surprise. They weren't sure if he was more shocked by the suggestion itself or by the fact that it was even being considered.

"L-Look guys, I know Bakugou isn't the best guy around, but he's working on being a hero, and he really could be a great one," Izuku stammered, trying to keep things calm. "I don't want to mess that up by—let's just keep what happened here to ourselves."

Everyone froze, eyes wide in disbelief at his words.

"No." Iida's response was immediate, firm, and resolute.

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by Iida's sudden refusal.

"Midoriya, you are my friend. A person with a license threatened you," Iida continued, his voice unwavering. "He wanted to cause you harm to satisfy whatever twisted desire he has. I cannot, in good conscience, ignore that. I will be informing U.A. immediately. He showed off his license, and I got the name Ishida Shimida."

Izuku flinched. If U.A. started looking into Ishida, it wouldn't be long before they connected the dots and found out about Bakugou's involvement in Aldrea—or worse, all the suspicions that had been buried.

"Kacchan might get into a lot of trouble if U.A. starts digging into Ishida," Izuku pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. "Can't you just let this slide for his sake?"

"No." Iida's voice was unyielding. "If Bakugou gets into trouble, then that's his problem. He will have to face whatever consequences come his way."

Izuku's heart sank, but before he could respond, Jirou cut in.

"Usually, Iida, your whole 'stick to the rules' thing is annoying as hell, but right now? I'm loving it," Jirou said with a determined look. "And I'm with him. I'm telling the teachers what happened."

"Sorry, Midoriya..." Hagakure added with an apologetic expression, her voice soft. "But the guy might come after you again."

Izuku's panic surged as he opened his mouth to protest, but Jirou's voice cut through the air, loud and firm.

"I don't care what you say, Green," Jirou said, her eyes flashing with conviction. "Fuck Bakugou. He's an asshole, and if telling the teachers about this Ishida guy gets him in trouble, then so be it. He deserves it."

Izuku could see the determination in her eyes, the same resolve burning in Iida's. With a defeated sigh, he slumped his shoulders, knowing he couldn't change their minds.

Ashido, Kirishima, and Ochako exchanged uneasy glances, the tension in the air palpable. Jirou, her expression serious, turned her gaze toward Izuku.

"I'm not going to speculate about whatever messed-up relationship you and Bakugou have," she began, her voice uncharacteristically soft yet firm. "But we're friends, and I want you to be honest with me. What kind of relationship do you and Bakugou really have? It's clearly not friendship... and definitely not rivals. There's something else, and I need to hear it from you."

Izuku took a step back, caught off guard by the intensity in her voice and the sympathetic look she gave him. He felt his heart race, a nervous knot forming in his stomach.

Kyouka studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing in thought, before sighing.

"You said you wanted to check out that Knight Outpost, right?" she asked, her tone light as though trying to shift the mood.

Izuku, seizing the opportunity to divert the conversation, quickly nodded. "Uh, yes! That's right! Uh, Hagakure, your place is just a few blocks away, right?"

Hagakure gave a small nod. "Yeah, it's close."

"Great!" Izuku said a little too quickly. "Uraraka, do you mind taking these back to their dorms?"

Ochako smiled. "No problem!" she said, effortlessly floating the bags as she, Kirishima, and Iida moved to gather their things.

Izuku began walking in the direction of the Knight Outpost, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from the topic at hand. His mind raced, and his heart pounded with a mix of relief and anxiety.

Kyouka's voice followed him, calm but firm. "Sure, we'll still go… but when we're done, we're talking about this."

Izuku flinched, his steps faltering for a moment as he silently cursed himself. The weight of her words lingered in the air, and his mind raced as he silently panicked, already dreading the conversation that was inevitably waiting for him.

Jirou, Kaminari, Midoriya, and Hagakure all headed toward the Knight's outpost, the one the guys with iron masks had mentioned.

"Midoriya, why do you want us to meet up with these lunatics again?" Hagakure asked, giving the green-haired boy a puzzled look.

"Look, you know I'm all about the whole alien thing, so when I heard about this, I figured it was worth checking out," Midoriya replied, continuing to walk ahead with his usual enthusiasm.

Hagakure groaned. "It's not like they're going to let us in. Well, maybe you and Kaminari, but definitely not me and Jirou."

"Oh? They don't allow girls or something?" Kaminari asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"No, just people with obvious mutations," Hagakure explained, her tone a little irritated.

"Hagakure, but you're visible," Kyouka pointed out, an amused smirk forming on her face.

The invisible girl seemed to facepalm. "Crap, I forgot!" Hagakure muttered, flustered.

"Don't worry about me," Jirou said with a smirk, pulling her hoodie up to cover her ears. "I've mastered hiding my jacks. I figured something like this might happen, especially with how you described them."

Izuku grabbed a hoodie from his bag and pulled it on, the red fabric hiding the Omnitrix on his wrist.

"How'd you master hiding your jacks?" Hagakure asked, curious. Kyouka immediately blushed, clearly flustered.

"B-Back in middle school, I liked this guy, but I heard he didn't like people with mutant-type quirks," Kyouka said, her voice trailing off. "I was a dumb kid back then, and I really liked him, so..." She tugged at the strings of her hoodie, trying to cover her face.

Everyone seemed to understand. "I get it. I've done some dumb things to get a girl's attention, too," Kaminari admitted, shrugging.

"Yeah, same here," Hagakure added, nodding.

Midoriya just nodded, a little curious. "So, did you end up getting the guy?"

Jirou sighed deeply. "No... he told me I wasn't his type. Later, I found out, with my quirk, that he didn't like me because I wasn't... uh, developed like the other girls."

"WHAT?!" Kaminari and Midoriya exclaimed in unison.

"What a total idiot!" Kaminari said, shaking his head.

Midoriya frowned. "That's such a dumb thing to say, Jirou. You're definitely pretty just the way you are."

"Yeah, like Midoriya said, you're as beautiful and hot as Yaoyorozu," Hagakure said with a teasing grin. Midoriya and Jirou both blushed, with Jirou quickly hiding her face in embarrassment.

"I-I-I said it in the heat of the moment, but... I meant it," Izuku stammered, looking flustered. Jirou smiled warmly at him, her embarrassment softening.

...

"Alright, before Midoriya makes a Kaminari of himself, let's go!" Kyouka said with a smirk, drawing a chuckle from Hagakure.

Kaminari, still processing, blinked a few times before realizing what she meant. "Oh! I get it now!" He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

As the group continued walking, Midoriya inhaled sharply, his eyes fixed on the looming four-story building ahead. It wasn't the tallest or the most run-down building, but there was something about it that felt intimidating. The structure stood like a silent sentinel, its windows dark, and the overall aura of the place made it seem like it was watching them.

At the front of the building stood a podium, and on it, a figure clad in chain armor, dirty robes, and an iron mask. A belt hung loosely around his waist, a holster for a pistol barely visible beneath his tunic. His posture was rigid, almost regal, as if he believed himself to be more than just a man-an embodiment of something greater.

Kaminari swallowed nervously. "Uh... are we sure about this?" His voice wavered as he stared up at the imposing building, his eyes wide with uncertainty.

The figure on the podium suddenly raised his voice, his words sharp and full of conviction. "The history you have been told was a lie! Tetramands built the pyramids! Ectonrites walk in the human skin of people! Quirks are not gifts! The only people to survive will be quirkless! They will carry on the human race!"

Jirou rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath with sarcasm, "Charming. Talking to this guy is going to be such a joy." She exchanged a quiet, amused glance with Hagakure, who chuckled in response.

The figure continued, his tone growing more fervent. "All of you have been corrupted by these mutations. These curses! Placed on you by the devil himself, Daigon! Your mothers and fathers, your sisters and brothers, your daughters and sons-all of you have been tainted by Daigon's curse! Learn to repress the evil that Daigon has inflicted upon you! The Knights will be your salvation!"

Jirou's hands clenched into fists, biting her tongue to hold back any snide comments.

...

"Kyouka, be cool. Green wants to know what this place is about," Jirou said, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

Kaminari, ever the clown, twirled a finger next to his head, making a little mocking gesture, which earned him a playful jab from Jirou.

The group stared at the man on the podium, trying to make sense of his ramblings. Pedestrians nearby seemed to deliberately avoid getting too close to the spectacle, walking quickly past as if trying to avoid attention.

Suddenly, the man on the podium pointed directly at Midoriya, his finger accusatory. "You! Are you another critic of Forever Knight's? You are not welcome! You and your disrespectful friends! We, the Knights, won't allow you to stop us from spreading our message. Those who are wise will heed our warnings!"

Jirou leaned closer to Midoriya, whispering in his ear, "I saw someone try to leave earlier-he just kissed the guy's ass, and he let him go."

"Yeah, I get it," Midoriya whispered back, his nerves mounting. He cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice steady.

"N-No, that's not it!" Midoriya suddenly shouted, his voice louder than intended. "My friends and I... we want to, uh... heed your warnings. I'm... uneducated. I want to learn what to avoid!"

The other three glanced at each other and then, with a shared look of uncertainty, kneeled beside him.

"Way to go with the ass-kissing," Kaminari whispered under his breath, earning a sharp glance from Jirou.

The man stepped down from the podium, his gaze shifting to each of the teens with an appraising look. He paused, inspecting them one by one, taking his time.

"Your hair colors... they are highly unusual," he said, his voice heavy with judgment. "They remind me of the residual effects of the evil curse they call quirks."

The four teens exchanged confused glances, their minds reeling. 'Our... hair?' they all thought in disbelief. 'The guy has a problem with our hair?!'

...

"Uh... Noo! This is the residue of an evil curse. However, it was expelled long ago! We, the foolish ones, have been forever marked by it. It is how I know we must heed the call. Oh, great one!" Kaminari's voice was heavy with exaggerated reverence, causing a cringe from Hagakure. Jirou, struggling to keep her composure, had to stifle a laugh.

"God, he's so bad at this!" Kyouka thought to herself, unable to suppress the rolling eye.

"Truly?" the man asked, his voice thick with suspicion.

The four teens nodded in unison, trying to keep the ruse going.

"Then we must not dawdle! Hurry inside! The front desk, Brother Kobi, will guide you. May you finally purge your souls of the last traces of evil that have plagued your children!" The knight spread his arms dramatically toward the double doors with a flourish.

With a mutual understanding, they nodded back. Hagakure gave Kaminari a subtle fist pump while Jirou patted Midoriya on the back.

"Infiltration complete," Kaminari whispered, the excitement in his voice barely contained.

"Oh, by the way," the knight suddenly called out, his voice turning colder, "Do any of you have a hearing quirk?"

The four teens froze, their faces going pale as they exchanged panicked glances. All eyes landed on Jirou.

"Oh, uh, n-no. Why?" Kyouka quickly answered, trying to sound casual.

"Hm. No reason. Just trying to make polite conversation," the knight replied, though his tone carried a hint of suspicion.

The four teens were left wondering what exactly he meant by that, but with no time to dwell on it, they quickly moved past him.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The interior of the building was in stark contrast to its modern surroundings. The architecture had a distinct medieval flair, as if they'd stepped back in time. Wood paneling covered the walls, and heavy beams supported the ceiling, all contributing to a vintage, almost Victorian-era aesthetic. However, modern technology, like discreet lights embedded into the walls, reminded them that this place wasn't quite stuck in the past.

They walked deeper into the building, and in the corner of the large entry hall, they saw another masked figure leaning casually against a desk, his presence as imposing as the knight they'd just encountered.

Kaminari leaned toward Midoriya, whispering under his breath, "You know you're gonna owe us big time for this, right?"

Midoriya nodded sheepishly. "I'll make sure you're compensated for your actions, Kaminari."

"Tell them Sergeant Mikami granted you passage," the knight added as the four made their way further inside.

They all nodded and walked through the grand hall, still uncertain about what they'd gotten themselves into, but determined to see this infiltration through.

...

"Hello? Sergeant Mikami sent us in," Hagakure called out, her voice echoing slightly in the stone-like interior. The man behind the desk, presumably Kobi, looked up sharply, his eyes narrowing as he studied their group, lingering on their hair for a moment longer than necessary.

"To what end?" Kobi asked cautiously, his voice a mixture of suspicion and authority.

"To..." Kaminari began, but was immediately cut off by Kyouka, who stepped forward with dramatic flair.

"Learn. We want to understand the threats that our naive and ignorant brains are unaware of," she said, bowing low, and Midoriya swore he saw the slightest smirk tug at Kobi's lips.

"Ah, I see," Kobi murmured, his gaze flicking to each of them. "You seek knowledge... good, good. That will serve you well."

Midoriya, his curiosity piqued, couldn't help but ask, "You also mentioned that aliens and quirks were somehow connected?"

Kobi's expression darkened, and he leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if about to share a grave secret. "Of course. These abilities, these so-called quirks, are nothing more than a curse. A plague upon humanity, masquerading as gifts."

He paused for a moment, letting the words hang in the air like a heavy fog. The teenagers exchanged nervous glances, trying to process his words.

"The world has allowed you to believe you were 'gifted' these abilities by God himself," Kobi continued, his tone almost mocking. "But the truth is far darker. I frequently saw an invisible girl walk past here..."

The mention of the invisible girl made the four teens stiffen. They exchanged tense glances, sweat beading on their foreheads.

"Do you think she's ever seen her own face? Do you think she knows what she looks like? Why would God, in His infinite wisdom, refuse to let her or anyone else see themselves? What sin did she commit to deserve such a curse?" Kobi's voice was seething with contempt.

The four teens remained silent, a chill creeping up their spines.

Kobi stood and paced slightly, his voice growing more intense. "These misguided souls believe that this is some form of 'natural evolution,' that they are becoming superior beings. But no! These so-called gifts are nothing but curses that have infected humanity, and I, too, am burdened by this curse." He spat the word 'curse' like it was venom. "It's a shame that the few untainted souls, the ones who are not afflicted, are slowly dwindling."

He stopped, turning to face them fully. "Our plan to save humanity lies in the quirkless. We must reproduce only with the quirkless, to ensure that the human race does not perish under the weight of these 'abilities'. It is our only hope."

"Wait, you're making it sound like you want to breed the quirkless like sheep!" Jirou exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief and disgust.

Kobi's lips twisted into a grim smile. "You could call it that if you wish, but it is the only way to ensure the survival of humanity. We must rid ourselves of this plague before it destroys us all. The singularity is closing in, and soon there will be no escape."

The room grew colder, and Midoriya, who had once been quirkless, felt a sharp sting of anger at Kobi's words.

...

"Alright, what about those who have been drastically altered by the, uh, curses? You know, permanently?" Kyouka asked, her voice steady but with an edge of uncertainty.

Kobi's expression hardened, and he stood abruptly, his posture rigid with conviction. "We do not have the authority to do what is right," he bit out, his voice laced with contempt. "They must be put down. The Daigon's curse has infected them beyond salvation. They are a danger to the rest of the populace, and they will be eradicated to protect the greater good."

The words hit the group like a punch to the gut. The silence in the room was thick with tension. Midoriya unconsciously shifted closer to Kyouka, who, to his surprise, reached out and grasped his hand, her fingers trembling slightly in fear.

"Hold up, but you said something about an invisible girl, so..." Kaminari stammered, trying to make sense of it all.

Kobi's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes glinting with an unsettling fervor. "Yes, she will need to be put down alongside her family, of course," he said with a chilling calmness, as if discussing an inevitable fate.

'This son of a bitch!' Hagakure thought, her fists clenching at her sides as she struggled to keep her composure, the urge to strike the man mounting with every word he spoke.

The air seemed to grow heavier as the teenagers exchanged wide-eyed glances, each of them shuddering at the horrifying implications of Kobi's ideology. What could they possibly do if they had the authority he spoke of?

Kobi's gaze swept over them one last time, his tone suddenly shifting to a cold, businesslike detachment. "I'm afraid I have some very important documents to attend to, children. There is a library on the second floor. You may spend your time there, but do not stray any further than that floor." He paused, his eyes narrowing with an almost predatory glint. "If you do... there will be consequences."

The chill in his voice sent a shiver down their spines. His words weren't a warning-they were a threat.

"Somehow, I get the feeling we should do as he says," Kaminari muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with unease.

The group nodded, the weight of Kobi's warning pressing heavily on them. Without another word, they turned and made their way toward the massive staircase, their footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence. As soon as they were out of earshot.

...

"Okay, these guys are insane!" Kyouka exclaimed in a hushed tone, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Tell me about it," Hagakure responded, shaking her head. "Honestly, I'm kinda glad we came here. At least now I can warn my family to steer clear of this place. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Maybe we should leave..." Midoriya suggested, unease creeping into his voice.

"What? No way, dude!" Kaminari shot back with a grin. "We've come this far, we can't back out now!"

"Yeah, but if they catch Jirou..." Midoriya's worry was clear.

"What are they gonna do?" Kaminari shrugged. "We've got Hagakure. She can make us all invisible, and then we can just slip away."

"And Kaminari can literally electrocute them if things go wrong. And you... well, you've got that whole hero thing going on," Hagakure added, giving Midoriya a reassuring nudge.

"B-But..." Midoriya stammered, still unsure.

"Midoriya, I'm telling you, this feels like a manga! Like the heroes sneak into a forbidden, impenetrable fortress and uncover all these dark secrets! I say we push forward!" Kaminari said, raising his hand in excitement. Kyouka nodded in agreement.

"I wanna see what's going on too," Hagakure chimed in. "We might find something that could help take this place down."

Midoriya looked around at his friends, all of them determined. With a resigned sigh, he said, "Seems like I'm outvoted. Let's go."

The group made their way up the stairs, their footsteps heavy with anticipation. After a few minutes, they reached the second floor. They quickly located the right door, their hearts racing as they prepared to uncover whatever secrets lay beyond.

...

Looking inside revealed a library of decent size-not too large, but not too small either. It was modest in scale, with shelves neatly organized alphabetically, making it surprisingly easy to navigate.

"Aw, man, I came here to escape homework, not dive into a library!" Kaminari groaned, dragging his feet as he half-heartedly skimmed through a book. But after a few moments, something caught his attention, and to everyone's surprise, he was actually... invested?

"Woah, check this out!" Kaminari said, his voice rising with curiosity. "Apparently, the Daigon was some Cthulhu-like creature. It came to our universe under the guise of wanting to help Earth, but it turns out it was here to enslave the planet, along with the rest of the universe!" he continued, flipping through the pages eagerly.

"Huh? Kaminari's actually reading a book that doesn't fry his brain? Gasp! Are you actually learning something?" Kyouka teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Shut up, Kyouka," Kaminari muttered, not missing a beat.

"Huh? You guys ever hear about the Battle of Japan?" Kaminari asked, his voice now carrying a more serious tone.

"The one where old-school heroes and villains teamed up to take down some unstoppable force?" Hagakure asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought that was just a myth or something."

"Yeah, well, to these Knights, it's not just a myth. Apparently, there was some guy they called a 'Time Walker,' who claimed to be looking for a 'Ben Tennyson' from this world. The crazy part? There's no Ben Tennyson here. The Knights searched the entire Earth but couldn't find him. The Time Walker concluded that Ben must've taken a different form... but he's still out there, and they believe he'll eventually wield the... something-something," Kaminari said, gesturing vaguely as he flipped through the book again.

"Wait, so now we're talking about some time traveler looking for a guy who doesn't even exist here? This is getting weirder by the second," Kyouka murmured.

"Something?" Hagakure asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's redacted," Kaminari said, flipping the page with a shrug.

"But the Time Walker said, 'They may not be a Ben Tennyson, but I can feel his presence. He will be born, and that's when I'll rise, and my people will take over this world.'" Kaminari finished reading, setting the book down.

"Kinda creepy," Midoriya muttered, feeling a slight headache coming on. He also couldn't shake the feeling that his wrist was aching more than usual.

Midoriya glanced at the book he had been reading, his expression changing as he turned the pages. "Huh?!"

"What is it?" Jirou asked, stepping closer with curiosity.

"Well, this guy... kinda looks like my-no, wait. That's my doctor from when I was a kid! I'm sure of it!"

"Doctor?" Hagakure asked, tilting her head.

"The guy who told me what my quirk was when I was four years old," Midoriya explained, his voice tinged with bitterness. 'You don't forget the guy who basically crushed your dreams without a second thought.'

"Midoriya, this picture is, like, 200 years old," Hagakure pointed out, noticing the small print on the bottom of the page. "It even says he's deceased."

"I wonder who the white-haired guy next to him is," Hagakure said, her voice lowering with a hint of unease. "Just looking at his picture is making me feel... anxious. Like something's not right."

Midoriya read on, his eyes scanning the text. "Apparently, the Knights deemed him a traitor and a demon lord. He would frequently converse with a... Daigon imposter."

Midoriya closed the book, his fingers lingering on the edges as something in his mind urged him to take it. It was like a voice inside him was screaming, Take it! Take the photo! The urge was overwhelming, but he hesitated, unsure why he felt so drawn to it.

"Midoriya? You okay?" Hagakure asked, noticing the distant look in his eyes.

He snapped out of it and reluctantly set the book back on the shelf, though part of him was still desperate to grab the photo. Something in his gut told him it was important, but he couldn't understand why.

...

"Wait!" Jirou said, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the sounds within the building. Sweat began to bead on her forehead.

"Guys... I think... I hear someone screaming for help," Kyouka said, her voice trembling, causing chills to run down the spines of the others.

A moment of stunned silence passed, the weight of the situation settling in. Then, suddenly, a loud BANG echoed through the hallway. Midoriya jumped at the noise, his heart racing. Kaminari, reacting on instinct, crackled with electricity. Jirou pointed her jacks at the door, her body tense.

"Shh!" Jirou hissed, gesturing for everyone to be silent. "Kaminari, guard the door. If these guys see my jacks, we're pretty much screwed," she whispered urgently.

Kaminari nodded, positioning himself in front of the door, his eyes scanning for any movement.

Kyouka lowered her jacks to the floor, focusing as she began to relay the conversation between two men back to her friends.

"-Seriously! This building's not what it used to be! The Knights aren't what they used to be!" The voice of Mimaki was harsh and frustrated as he berated one of the Knights.

"I can only apologize so much. If you wish to continue berating me, feel free, but later. Can we please get back to what we were talking about?" a calmer voice replied.

"Of course," Mimaki grumbled. "As predicted, the Kraaho has proven difficult to talk to."

The teenagers froze in place, each of them holding their breath as they listened.

"We've tried every method we could think of. Even moved him out of sight, placed him on the third floor so we could use our strongest methods. But this vermin always persists." The calm voice seemed resigned.

"We need to find the location they call 'Undertown' so we can rid ourselves of these vermin once and for all."

"If we can get into 'Undertown,' we might be able to find the technology we need. Only then can we truly end this dragon's existence."

"Still, if he refuses to speak, our persistence will prevail. And even if it doesn't, we can take solace in knowing we'll have eradicated one more alien from this world," Mimaki said, his voice cold and devoid of any empathy.

The teenagers exchanged horrified glances, their hearts sinking as they realized the full weight of the situation.

"Crap..." The collective thought rang in their minds as they realized how deep they were in.

"Brothers! Do not speak of such matters so freely right now!" Kobi's voice rang out, sharp and filled with irritation. "We may have allowed the children in, but only because we must use every avenue to convince people and purge the beings that have infiltrated our world!"

"Of course," Mimaki replied, his tone cold but measured. "But we must keep our voices down. Enoch is currently with Kraaho, making the vermin speak."

"Yes, yes..." Kobi murmured in agreement, but his voice trailed off.

Suddenly, a loud BANG! echoed through the building, followed by the sound of glass shattering and men fighting. The noise quickly escalated into a struggle, and then, silence.

"What was that?!" Kyouka's voice was tense, her instincts kicking in as she signaled to the group.

Without hesitation, Kyouka unplugged her jacks from the floor, eyes wide. "This is bad... these guys are crazy!"

"Are they torturing someone right now?" Hagakure asked, her voice full of fear. "Wh-What do we do?"

"We save them!" Both Kyouka and Midoriya said in unison, their voices firm with determination.

"What?! Are you crazy?!" Kaminari protested, his hands raised in disbelief. "Midoriya, you just got out of the hospital! Now you want to fight these guys?"

"I-I can't just stand by knowing someone is being tortured-maybe even killed!" Midoriya's voice was tight with resolve, his fists clenched at his sides. His quirk flared with the urgency of his words.

"Can't we call the pros or something?" Hagakure asked, her voice shaking slightly as she pulled out her phone. Kaminari quickly followed suit, but after a moment of fumbling with his device, he cursed under his breath.

"Damn it," Kaminari muttered, looking at his phone, which was showing no signal. "We're cut off from the outside."

Just then, the door creaked open, and the group immediately tensed, ready for anything. The figure that entered was panting heavily, her breaths shallow but desperate. Her eyes locked onto the group, her golden irises flashing briefly in the dim light.

Kaminari's heart skipped a beat as he saw her-a pink-skinned girl in a winter outfit, clearly exhausted. Her eyes met his, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow. She blushed deeply upon seeing him, but her gaze quickly shifted to the green haired boy, the Omnitrix on his wrist.

"Y-You're him, aren't you? The boy who found the Omnitrix?" The girl asked, her voice trembling with both desperation and recognition.

The tension in the room thickened, and the four teens exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what this new arrival meant.

She staggered toward the group, her movements unsteady, and the blood dripping from her shoulder left a dark trail behind her. Her face was pale, but her eyes-wide with fear and urgency-were locked onto Midoriya. Without hesitation, she bowed deeply to the four teenagers, clearly overwhelmed.

"Please... help me save my father!" she pleaded, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. Her body trembled, and it was clear she had been through a battle of her own. "I've tried going to the pros... and the police... but they didn't believe me! Please, please, I need help!"

Kaminari, without a second thought, stepped forward. His expression was soft yet determined as he gently took her hands in his, his heart pounding with empathy. He looked into her eyes, searching for the sincerity and fear that was clear in her face.

"Of course," Kaminari said, his voice steady. "We'll help you. Just... tell us everything. What happened? What do you need us to do?"

...

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