Across Japan, the name of the boy who broke the current No. 2 Hero's record in U.A.'s entrance exam echoed through digital media and newspapers. Katsuki Bakugo was no longer just a student with a powerful Quirk—he was someone who, even before donning the uniform of the country's most prestigious hero academy, had already captured national attention.

"Who is Katsuki Bakugo? The Prodigy of the New Generation" was the headline plastered across the front pages of newspapers and websites. Some even revisited the sludge villain incident, where Bakugo was rescued by All Might, to craft a narrative of a boy born destined for greatness.

While the public and the media debated about him, Bakugo sat in his room, focused on sketching his hero costume to submit to U.A.

'Should I keep this? Hmm... no.'

He was essentially designing his winter uniform, maximizing his sweat production. Bakugo decided to forgo his Grenadier Bracers. They'll just get in the way of my agility and reduce the strain on my arms, which will only slow down the strengthening of my body.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"KATSUKI!"

Mitsuki Bakugo stormed in like a hurricane, causing Bakugo to flinch and drag his pencil across the paper, leaving a massive scribble in the middle of his design.

"Shit! No! I've been working on this for 50 minutes!"

"Your fame is already testing my patience! Just today, THREE news stations stopped me on the street asking for interviews with you. YOU, brat!" Mitsuki continued, completely ignoring her son's outburst.

"Patience?!..." he repeated slowly. "I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU HAD SUCH A THING!"

"I'M A VERY CALM AND RATIONAL WOMAN!" she yelled, jabbing a finger in his face. "I should start charging a fee for being your mother! Do you think it's easy dealing with the stupid questions they ask me? 'What was it like raising him?' 'Did you always know he'd be a prodigy?' Oh, if only they knew..."

"Knew what?!" Bakugo crossed his arms in defiance.

"That you were a crybaby brat who blew up anything when you didn't get your way!"

"I WAS A KID!"

"YOU STILL ARE!"

The argument would've probably gone on forever if Masaru hadn't appeared at the door, looking alarmed. "Is everything okay in here?"

"WE'RE GREAT!" they both shouted in unison.

"R-right... because there's a woman downstairs. S-she says she's a reporter," Masaru said, glancing nervously between them.

Mitsuki, already visibly annoyed with the entire situation, just clicked her tongue in frustration and turned to Bakugo, grabbing him by the back of the neck with enough force to lift him from his chair. "You deal with it," she said, shoving him toward the door.

"Fine, just let go of me!"

Mitsuki released him with a light push. "And don't blow anything up, brat."

Bakugo straightened up, adjusted his collar, and headed downstairs. When he reached the living room, he saw a woman with long, light-purple hair parted to the right, full lips, and light-blue skin.

She was dressed formally and had a gentle smile on her face, which widened upon seeing him. "Bakugo Katsuki, correct?" The woman walked up to him and extended her hand. "I'm Kizuki Chitose, executive director of Shoowaysha Publishing. I'd like to have a few words with you."

Bakugo stared at her hand for a few seconds before accepting the handshake with a firm grip. "Fine by me."

Chitose smiled, clearly pleased. "I promise I won't take up too much of your time."

As soon as they separated, Bakugo felt a strange warmth rise through his fingers, only for it to dissipate as it passed through his sweat glands. What did that woman just try to do?

Chitose lost her smile for a brief moment but quickly regained her composure. "Shall we sit?" she suggested, motioning toward the living room.

Bakugo didn't respond, silently walking to an armchair, watching her every move with sharp eyes. He sat down, crossing his arms, while Chitose settled onto the sofa in front of him.

"I'll just turn on the recorder, and we can begin," she announced, placing a small device on the coffee table and pressing a button. A red light blinked, signaling that it was recording.

"Now," she began, "first of all, I'd like to congratulate you on breaking Endeavor's record in U.A.'s entrance exam. It's an incredible achievement, especially considering that he was already exceptional at that time."

Bakugo leaned slightly forward, closing his eyes for a second. 'Looks like it's finally time to use our training, old man.'

When he opened them again, the familiar sharp glint in his red eyes was gone.

"Thank you very much. I'm truly honored to have reached such a milestone," he replied smoothly, his voice eloquent and his smile gentle.

"I'm glad to hear that, Bakugo-kun. It's always inspiring to see young talents acknowledging the importance of their achievements. But tell me, what does this mean to you personally? Do you feel any pressure, being the hottest topic in the country right now?"

Bakugo maintained his smile as he responded. "Surpassing Endeavor is, without a doubt, something that carries a lot of weight. He's a phenomenal hero and a model of hard work and perseverance. For me, this is just the beginning—one step in a long journey to becoming the number one hero."

Chitose leaned forward slightly, intrigued by his words. "Number one hero? Those are some big words, Bakugo-kun."

Bakugo kept his confident posture, his gaze unwavering. "Big words for those who don't have the guts to back them up. For me, it's just a goal."

"So you believe you're already on the right path to that goal so early on? Even with experienced heroes like Endeavor, Hawks, and All Might himself setting such high standards?"

"All Might is the only one that matters on that list. He defined what it means to be number one, and that's what I want to surpass. It's not about disrespecting the others, but about aiming for the true top. Hawks and Endeavor are great, but they're still in the shadow of first place. I won't be."

"Ambitious and determined. Those qualities can take you far, but they can also create enemies along the way. Are you prepared to deal with that?"

"I'm not gonna waste time trying to please everyone. Heroes exist to protect, not to make friends."

The reporter let out a quiet chuckle. "You certainly don't mince words, do you? And since we're on the topic, tell me, Bakugo-kun—what does being a hero mean to you?"

Bakugo remained silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Being a hero means being in the right place at the right time, ready to do what no one else can. It means carrying the weight of protecting people whose names you don't even know and facing what everyone else is afraid of. It's not about fame or recognition. It's about being the strongest, the most reliable... and the first to show up when everything falls apart."

Chitose pressed her lips together. "That's a very pragmatic view—almost cold, I'd say. And yet, very honest." Bringing her hand to the recorder, she stopped the recording. "I think that's enough for today. I'd love to ask more questions, but unfortunately, my time is limited."

"No problem. I really enjoyed the interview," Bakugo replied, keeping his tone polite and controlled. He stood up from the armchair naturally and gestured toward the door. "I'll walk you out."

Chitose raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised by the gesture. "Oh? Quite the gentleman, Bakugo-kun." She stood up, adjusting her blazer, and followed him to the entrance of the house.

As they walked, Chitose's voice took on a sharper, less gentle tone. "I have to admit, I did some research on you before coming for this interview. I must say, I expected something different."

Bakugo glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Like what?"

"Well, for someone with a reputation for being explosive, aggressive, and, let's say, not very diplomatic... you were surprisingly composed."

He scoffed. "If you thought I was gonna scream and throw sparks in your face, sorry to disappoint. I'm not that simple."

"Not at all," Chitose replied. "You showed an interesting side today, something most people wouldn't expect."

Bakugo shrugged, opening the front door for her. "People think whatever they want."

"Thank you for the interview, Bakugo-kun." She stopped at the doorway, turning slightly to face him. "Before I leave, I'd like to ask you a personal question."

Bakugo raised an eyebrow, not expecting her to have anything else to say. "Go ahead."

"Your answer about what it means to be a hero," Chitose resumed. "Some might argue that being a hero isn't just about being the strongest or the most reliable. It's about freeing people from dependency. Inspiring them to solve their own problems, to not need others to protect them."

Bakugo frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

Chitose smirked slightly, as if she had anticipated the question. "You see, Bakugo-kun, you have ambition and focus, which are admirable. But imagine a world where everyone shares that same determination. Where every person is capable of standing up, fighting for themselves, and not needing heroes to protect them. Wouldn't that be a stronger, more united society?"

He remained silent, processing her words. Before he could respond, Chitose continued, cutting off any thoughts he might have voiced. "You don't have to give me an answer now. Think about it until our next meeting."

With an enigmatic smile, she turned around, walking calmly toward the gate. As she neared the exit, she cast one last glance over her shoulder. "I'm sure your path will be as unpredictable as you are, Bakugo-kun. Good luck at U.A."

Without waiting for a reaction, she walked away, the sound of her heels tapping against the ground fading into the distance.

Bakugo remained standing in place, staring after her. After a few minutes, a grave expression took over his face as his brain connected the dots.

'Shit... she's part of the Meta Liberation Army!'

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.