Izuku Yagi: The Catalyst of Change

by TheUlitmate1

Izuku Yagi, neglected and pushed around, believed to be quirkless, finally gets a quirk that gives him unreal abilities. His quirk, known as Synthesist, allows him to create quirks. With this power, he chooses to prove those that doubted him wrong. Will this lead to stronger enemies or something worse. Multiple what if scenarios

24. Chapter 24: Two Heroes Part I

I made a last-minute decision to have the Two Heroes movie in here rather than just go straight to the Forest Camp part because it will be good for development between characters. I hope that you all have a great day, and I hope that you all enjoy my story.

Chapter 24: Two Heroes Part I

It was about 4 o'clock now, and Ichiro and Izuku were outside in an open training field. It was the fight that Izuku said he agreed to, and he wanted to know more of his intentions as to why Ichiro wanted to fight him. Mr. Aizawa stood off to the side in case things got too much to handle.

The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows over the field. A light breeze rustled the grass, and the faint sound of distant birdsong only made the tension in the air more pronounced. Izuku adjusted the gloves on his hands, taking a steady breath.

"Ichiro," he said calmly. "You said you wanted to spar. So, let's get going with this," said Izuku as he took off his jacket to reveal a black tank top.

"Time to show you what I can do," Ichiro said, popping his shoulder.

Aizawa looked between the two of them and sighed. "Alright, you two, no overdoing it. I don't need you all to hurt yourselves and shit. I'll stop it if it gets too much or when I think you can't handle it." He looked at Izuku and sighed. He knew that the relationship between the two was more than most would handle with siblings, and he hoped this would go well.

Ichiro and Izuku stood about ten feet apart, muscles taut, eyes locked. The air between them felt charged—not just with anticipation, but something heavier, something unspoken. This wasn't just a friendly sparring match.

Izuku clenched his fists at his sides, his fingers flexing. This isn't about pride. It's about understanding. He reminded himself of that as he lowered into his stance, knees slightly bent, prepared for anything.

Ichiro cracked his neck and let out a short breath. "I've been waiting for this," he said, his tone unreadable.

"With Force Redirect. I can increase my power a lot more. I have a great understanding now of the power and combine that with Impact 8 from Impact Drive for a split second and I can unleash devastating blows. Time to show you I am strong," he thought getting into a stance.

---

This is for reference for Ichiro's Levels of Impact in comparison to One for All percentages in terms of speed and strength alike.

Impact Level 1: 1% of One for All

Impact Level 2: 4% of One for All

Impact Level 3: 8% of One for All

Impact Level 4: 12% of One for All

Impact Level 5: 15% of One for All

Impact Level 6: 20% of One for All

Impact Level 7: 25% of One for All

Impact Level 8: 35% of One for All

I should also say that with Force Redirect as of this second. Ichiro can increase his power output largely. When he unleashes the blows that he has stored up it adds about 5% increase to whatever level of impact he is using. Remember this is for just right now since he has only had it for such as short time.

For example, if he uses Impact Level 8, which is 35% of One for All, then Force Redirect. It adds 5% to make it 40%. Simple enough.

---

Ichiro now had a yellowish lightning that encompassed him, dancing across his arms and shoulders like a controlled storm. The energy pulsed in rhythm with his breathing, and each step he took toward Izuku seemed to hum with growing power.

Izuku narrowed his eyes. He could feel it—the tension in the air thickening, the weight of Ichiro's presence increasing with each passing second. This wasn't just sparring anymore. It was something deeper. A declaration.

The grass around Ichiro's feet stirred unnaturally, blown not by the breeze but by the raw pressure of his aura. Izuku adjusted his stance slightly. His instincts told him this was going to get serious fast.

"Alright… start," said Aizawa.

Ichiro launched himself at Izuku.

In an instant, the air between them seemed to explode as Ichiro closed the distance with a burst of yellow lightning trailing behind him. Izuku activated Eagle Eyes and Full Cowling at 30%, his green electricity flaring to live along his limbs as he leaned into his stance, ready for the impact.

He's fast… faster than I expected, Izuku thought, tracking Ichiro's movement with razor-sharp precision. Even so, he barely managed to cross his arms in front of his chest before Ichiro's punch landed.

Impact Level 5.

The blow struck like a sledgehammer. The force pushed Izuku back a good ten feet, sliding across the grass but still on his feet. His arms throbbed from the contact, but he held firm.

Ichiro didn't pause. The moment his feet hit the ground, he pivoted and dashed forward again, his body flickering with yellow lightning. Izuku activated Danger Sense on instinct, sidestepping the next punch and countering with a quick jab to Ichiro's ribs.

Ichiro twisted his torso just enough to reduce the blow, then spun on his heel and brought his leg up into a high roundhouse kick.

Impact Level 6.

Izuku blocked with his forearm, the shock traveling down his arm as the two separated briefly. The air around them sizzled with energy.

Aizawa stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, watching with sharp eyes. They're both holding back. But not by much.

"You've gotten stronger," Izuku said, panting slightly. "A lot stronger. Since the Sports Festival."

Ichiro darted forward again, and Izuku met him head-on. Fists collided midair.

Impact Level 7 vs. 30% Full Cowling.

The explosion of force cracked the earth beneath them, dust and dirt flying in all directions. Their bodies blurred with speed as they exchanged blows in rapid succession—each punch, each kick, each movement a calculated dance of strength and technique.

Ichiro ducked low, sweeping Izuku's legs, forcing him to backflip to regain distance. Izuku landed softly and activated One for All to 40%. Ichiro was a hell of a lot stronger now. He remembers when he was so pissed at him for giving Ibara a concussion that he embarrassed him.

Ichiro got tired of this and powered level 8 to his legs to launch forward. He activated it into his hands with a big impact his fist collided with Izuku's making a huge wind pressurized dome around them from the impact. Aizawa stood off to the side examining them.

"God damn, they are strong. Looks like they are letting lose a bit more. Let's go for a few more minutes. They should be fine," he said to himself as Izuku flicked three of his fingers sending a huge gust of wind toward Ichiro.

Izuku's fingers crackled with energy as he sent a blast of wind toward Ichiro, the gust cutting through the air with intense force. The wind whipped around Ichiro, pushing him back, but his lightning aura flared in response, stabilizing his stance and allowing him to push through the pressure. His eyes locked onto Izuku, his expression focused, determined. He wasn't going to give up. Not now.

Izuku narrowed his eyes, noticing the determination in Ichiro's stance. His older brother was getting serious, and so was he. With a swift motion, he adjusted his footing, summoning the full power of One for All at 50%. His body crackled with electricity, green lightning arcing over his limbs. The ground beneath him trembled slightly from the sheer power coursing through him.

"Let's take it up a notch," Izuku muttered under his breath.

Ichiro responded immediately. He had already activated Force Redirect at 40% with Impact Level 8—this was his strongest form. The yellow lightning that surrounded him blazed brighter as he took off, his muscles coiling like a spring. His speed was almost beyond human, and the ground cracked beneath his feet with each stride as he closed the distance between them in an instant.

Izuku moved to intercept, but Ichiro was too fast. A punch, reinforced by the full force of Impact Level 8 and Force Redirect, slammed into his chest, sending him crashing back several meters. The shockwave reverberated through his body, rattling his bones and forcing the air from his lungs. He could feel the pain radiating from the impact, but it wasn't enough to stop him.

With a grunt, Izuku pushed himself up, his body already healing from the blow. His green electricity surged to life once again as he steadied himself. He wasn't going to let Ichiro think he had the upper hand. Not now, not ever.

Ichiro's next move was fast, calculated, and precise. He wasn't just attacking anymore—he was testing Izuku's limits, pushing him to the edge. His leg whipped out, aimed at Izuku's side in a sweeping arc, forcing Izuku to dodge. The movement was so swift that it created a gust of wind, forcing Izuku to lean backward just to avoid the blow.

Izuku leaped back, launching himself into the air, and he twisted his body mid-flight to avoid the follow-up punch from Ichiro's outstretched hand. The force of the punch created a loud crack, the sound of air being displaced by sheer power.

"Gotta stay ahead of him," Izuku muttered under his breath.

Izuku cocked his fist back activating Jolt, Zephyr Rush, and Full Cowling to 50%. He had worked on this move for a while, and he couldn't wait to use it. Lightning, wind, and the power of One for All coursed through him as he sent the punch forward.

"Lightning Storm Smash!" he yelled, punching the air.

Izuku's fist shot forward with explosive force, the combination of lightning, wind, and One for All sending a shockwave through the air. The ground beneath him trembled as the gusts intensified, and the crackling surge of electricity arced through the field, creating a momentary flash of blinding light. The air seemed to hum with raw power as the punch collided with the atmosphere, using a tremendous explosion that sent a ripple across the entire training ground.

Ichiro, despite the overwhelming intensity of the attack, was ready. His yellow lightning flared even brighter as he activated his own force, bracing himself for the impact. The air around him warped, creating a barrier of raw energy as he took the brunt of the blow. The force of Izuku's Lightning Storm SMASH collided with Ichiro's defenses, sending a massive shockwave through the area. Dust and debris exploded in all directions, the ground cracking beneath their feet.

For a moment, everything went quiet, the storm of energy dissipating into the air. Izuku, panting heavily, watched as Ichiro stood firm in the middle of the field, a slight tremble in his stance but otherwise unfazed. The force of Izuku's attack had left a deep crater in the ground, but Ichiro was still standing tall, his yellow lightning sparking around him in a controlled storm.

"Impressive," Ichiro said, his voice steady despite the obvious exertion. "But you're going to have to do better than that."

The electricity around the two brothers stopped circulating as they both breathed heavily. Aizawa started to walk over to the two of them with his red eyes glowing showing his quirk was active on the two of them.

Ichiro grinned despite his fatigue, his yellow lightning flickering out from his body, but his breathing was ragged, his chest heaving as he took deep breaths. "He's right, though. I needed to see if I was really ready. If I could keep up with him. Guess I'm not too far off." He shot Izuku a sideways glance, his smile a little more genuine now.

Izuku exhaled deeply, his own power beginning to ebb, the crackling electricity fading from his body as he relaxed. "I've definitely gotten stronger since the Sports Festival," Izuku said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I wasn't sure how strong you've become, but now... now I see just how much you've improved."

"Be honest," said Ichiro wiping a bead of sweat from his head as he looked to his little brother. "How much were you holding back?"

"I would say I was holding back by a little bit. I swear," he said lying hoping Ichiro would buy it. He knew that if he said he was holding back big time he would be pissed at him for doing so but he didn't want to end the fight one punch and have Ichiro be even more pissed at him than he already was. However, he did have him use 50% Full Cowling, Jolt, and Zephyr Rush at the same time. Granted, Ichiro looked a little…fried at the moment but he withstood it. Barely.

Ichiro raised an eyebrow, still eyeing Izuku with a mixture of admiration and suspicion. "Holding back? I don't believe that for a second. You're way too careful when you're serious. But hey, if you think that's enough to keep me from pushing further, I guess I'll just have to see it for myself."

Izuku felt his chest tighten. He had to admit, Ichiro's comment stung a little. They were brothers, but that didn't mean Ichiro would hold back the way others might. Their bond was deep, but their rivalry was just as strong. The last thing Izuku wanted was to disappoint Ichiro, especially after seeing how far he'd come.

Aizawa's voice cut through the tension like a sharp knife. "Enough. Both of you are pushing it, but I'm still standing here, and if I have to step in, I will." His red eyes glowed with warning. "You've done enough for now. Take a breather, you're both overdoing it."

Izuku turned his gaze to his instructor, who stood near the edge of the field, watching them with a scrutinizing expression. Aizawa wasn't just there to ensure they didn't kill each other; he was keeping an eye on their stamina, tracking how their bodies responded to the immense power they were unleashing.

"I think we're good," Ichiro said, lowering his fists and letting out a long, controlled breath. His yellow lightning slowly flickered out of existence, his body no longer crackling with electricity. He still looked like he had a lot left in him, but his exhaustion was undeniable. Sweat drenched his hair, and his chest rose and fell with the effort of catching his breath.

Izuku followed suit, lowering his stance and releasing the tense energy from his body. His green lightning faded just as Ichiro's did, and he shook out his arms, feeling the residual electricity dissipate. His heart was still pounding in his chest, but he was thankful to have made it through the exchange relatively unscathed.

"That was something," Izuku said, a grin slowly spreading across his face as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "You've definitely got me on my toes now, Ichiro. I didn't expect you to hit that hard."

Ichiro flashed him a smug grin, though his eyes still held that spark of competition. "You didn't expect me to get this strong, huh? I've been training every damn day. I'm not the same guy you faced in the Sports Festival." His voice carried the weight of the unspoken truth. Ichiro had grown, not just physically but mentally, and it was clear that their rivalry wasn't just a game for him—it was his way of testing himself, of proving that he could be as strong as Izuku.

"Here wait Ichiro," he said placing a hand on him. Cell Surge had activated and within a few seconds, he was fully healed. Izuku would let his healing factor work the rest since he could use it on himself.

"Oh, thanks," he said looking at his hands and body.

"Yeah, sure. Thanks for facilitating the fight Aizawa-sensei so that no one did anything stupid," he said looking at Ichiro though he didn't see.

"Yeah, sure, no problem," Aizawa said, his voice flat but carrying a certain tone of approval. "Way to be smart about it. I wasn't sure if you two were going to take it this far, but you held back enough that I didn't have to step in." He paused for a beat, making sure his words landed before continuing. "Though next time, maybe don't take it to the extreme just for the sake of testing your limits. You've still got a lot to work on. Now go on with your day. There is something I need to plan out for tomorrow so, enjoy the rest of the day," he said turning around to leave.

"Sounds good," said Izuku turning to leave as well back to the dorms. Ichiro looked at him and stopped him for a second. "Hey," he said.

Izuku turned around and said what's up, "Thank you…for sparring with me."

"Oh yeah," he said. "Maybe we could do it some other time," Izuku said smiling slightly.

"I'd like that, maybe we will at the training camp," he said shrugging.

By the time Izuku reached the dormitory, the afternoon sun was dipping low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the campus. His body still buzzed with adrenaline, but his mind was already racing through the techniques and moves they'd exchanged. He had learned a lot from sparring with Ichiro today—more than he had anticipated.

He jumped onto the couch and sighed. He felt like he was doing this every day now. Get everything done and then fall on the couch for 15 minutes then eat something. He closed his eyes and something he his face that felt like paper. It was a paper airplane that hit him, and he sighed knowing this was Mineta messing with him. He looked at it and it said from Bakugo.

Now he was confused.

He looked up to one of the balconies and saw him there looking down at him. Izuku opened up the plane to see this was a letter. He looked at the words and started to read it.

The reason why I was willing to work with you is because I'm sorry. Sorry for everything. I am not good with emotions and shit so that is all you are going to get out of me…for now anyway. I wouldn't have been able to say this in person. Hound Dog's been helping me with a bunch of stuff. That's the big reason why. Don't think I still won't call everyone out on their shit though. And don't think I know that you are still mad at me and don't trust me. I'm not stupid, but know I'm trying.

Izuku stared at the letter in stunned silence, the neatly folded paper trembling slightly in his hand. For a moment, he just blinked, not entirely sure if he had read it right.

Bakugo... apologizing?

He looked up again at the balcony, but Bakugo was already gone, retreating into the shadows of the dorm hall like he hadn't just thrown a bombshell directly at Izuku's chest. The words on the paper felt heavy—clumsy, short, but real.

Izuku folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket, still not fully processing what had just happened. He flopped back against the couch again, the adrenaline from the sparring finally beginning to fade. Between Ichiro's growth and Bakugo's apology, today turned out to be a day full of surprises.

THE NEXT DAY

Izuku, Shoto, Bakugo, and Iida were changing in the locker room after their little heroics class. Bakugo was ranting about how dumb it was.

"Why the hell would they have a romance between the villain with someone else who was in the store. That shit is dumb as fuck," he said throwing his outfit in the costume suitcase.

Iida took his plating off as he looked over at Bakugo. "Believe it or not, that happens a lot more than you think it does."

"Yeah, but the fact that Izuku solved it that quickly and made sure that All Might was tied up even though we thought he committed suicide was smart," said Todoroki.

Bakugo scoffed, kicking the edge of his locker shut with a loud clang. "Smart or not, it was weird. Like—what kind of villain fakes their death and falls in love in the middle of a heist? That's some soap opera shit."

Izuku chuckled under his breath, pulling his shirt over his head. "Well, sometimes the best way to distract a crowd is emotion. A villain using a fake romance to twist the story actually makes sense if you think about it."

Bakugo whipped his head toward him. "Don't start with your analysis voice, nerd."

Shoto raised a brow. "He's not wrong. Manipulating emotions is a classic strategy in espionage and villain psychology. Besides, didn't you cry during that one documentary where the pro-hero retired and adopted a dog?"

"I did not cry, half-and-half bastard!"

Iida, halfway into neatly folding his uniform, sighed. "Let's not start arguing about crying over dogs. We're supposed to be maturing as young men—heroes, even."

Izuku smiled faintly, watching the banter play out like it always had. But something was different today. The tension that usually buzzed between him and Bakugo softened just enough to notice. He glanced briefly at his pants pocket, where the letter was still folded. Its weight hadn't been left.

"Alright, see you guys later. I need to get ready for a vacation before we have that forest camp," he said, walking out of the locker room.

"Bye," said Shoto, pulling a shirt over himself.

"Yeah, I am going to get going too," said Izuku.

"Catch you later," said Shoto.

"Yes, goodbye, Izuku," Iida said, waving as Izuku stepped out of the locker room.

The hallway outside the locker room was quiet, and the hum of fluorescent lights overhead was the only sound accompanying Izuku as he walked. His bag slung over one shoulder, he let out a slow breath, trying to shake the lingering adrenaline of the day. The heroics class had been intense, but the real thing rattling in his chest wasn't the exercise—it was Bakugo's letter. Still folded neatly in his pocket, still weighing him down like a secret.

He stopped by the vending machines near the dorm stairwell and got a juice. Something simple. Sweet. Something that didn't demand thought. The soft clunk of the bottle dropping into the dispenser startled him more than he expected.

He felt his phone buzz, knowing that it was like Jiro, Momo, or someone else along those lines. He pulled out his phone, and it was his dad. He answered the phone and held it with his shoulder as he opened his drink.

"Hello?" asked Izuku.

"Oh yeah, kid. I was going to ask you something," said Toshinori.

"Yeah, what is it?" he asked, taking a drink from his tea.

"Well, I was invited to go somewhere by an old friend. Do you remember Uncle Dave and Melissa?" he asked him on the other end.

Izuku continued to walk to the dorms as he nodded. "Yeah, I do. We were in Los Angeles on a visit with them when Ichiro, Inori, and I were like 3 or 4 years old."

"Yeah, that's them. Well, I got an invite to the I-Expo on I-Island, and I wanted to invite you and you siblings with me," he said as Izuku rounded the corner to see his father outside on the phone.

Izuku pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at it for a second, then laughed under his breath. "You're literally right here."

Toshinori chuckled, ending the call. "Well, it's more dramatic this way."

Izuku jogged up to him, shaking his head. "You seriously still do this?"

"Old habits," Toshinori replied with a grin. "And I thought it'd be cooler if I just appeared out of nowhere. Hero flair and all."

"You didn't appear. You parked, walked around the corner, and called me."

"Still counts," he said with a wink.

Izuku shook his head, but there was affection in the exasperation. "So, what's the deal with the invite? I-Island is... a big deal."

Toshinori's face turned serious, though the smile never quite left his eyes. "It is. Dave reached out last minute. He and Melissa are helping host a private preview of the new exhibits ahead of the actual I-Expo. There's going to be some new tech demonstrations, support gear showcases, and—" he lowered his voice, glancing around, "—some classified prototype stuff that even U.A. hasn't seen yet."

Izuku blinked. "Whoa."

"Exactly," Toshinori said. "It's exclusive and... well, security's going to be tight. But Dave pulled some strings. I told him I wanted to bring you and your siblings along."

Izuku tilted his head. "Melissa must've been the one to vouch for us, huh?"

"Probably," Toshinori admitted with a grin. "She's excited to see you again. Said you were adorable when you were four."

Izuku sighed deeply. This would be slightly awkward because this was before…everything happened with his family, and there were bound to be questions. At least his father was involving him with stuff now.

"She is like two years older than us, you know. I can't be that adorable still," he said plainly. Izuku opened his juice and took a sip, feeling the slight sting of carbonation tingle on his tongue. "So, when are we supposed to leave? I thought we had a bit of time before the next break."

"That's the thing," Toshinori said, his voice dipping lower again. "We have to leave tonight."

Izuku froze mid-sip. "Wait—what?"

"I know, I know, it's sudden," Toshinori said quickly, raising his hands in defense. "But there's a private jet leaving from the nearest UA-associated airstrip. Dave arranged it to avoid press interference. If we go now, we'll arrive by morning and still have a full two days to explore before the preview begins."

Izuku blinked. "That's... very sudden. Like, 'drop-everything-and-run' kind of sudden."

"I figured it would be a good surprise!" Toshinori said with an awkward smile, then quickly added, "But don't worry, I already talked with Principal Nezu and your teachers. Since it's technically tied to hero studies and professional networking, it counts as an educational leave."

Izuku stared at him for a beat before sighing. "Well, I guess it's fine when a lot of people are on a short trip right now anyway."

Izuku ran a hand through his hair, still processing the suddenness of the invitation. He glanced around the quiet hallway, the steady hum of the lights above the only noise, then looked back at his father.

"Okay, but seriously, you couldn't have given me a little more warning?" Izuku chuckled lightly, his mind already racing. "I mean, I was planning on getting some rest before the camp... and now we're hopping on a jet?"

Toshinori grinned sheepishly, "I know, I know. It's a lot, but when the opportunity comes knocking, you take it. And, let's be honest, it's not every day you get to visit I-Island, especially with the kind of stuff they'll be unveiling there."

Izuku let out a long sigh, giving his dad a skeptical look. "I get it, it's huge, and... it's probably going to be amazing. But it's still a lot to process in like... five minutes."

"That's the spirit," Toshinori said with a playful nudge. "Besides, you and your siblings haven't been on an adventure in a while, right?"

Izuku thought back to their last family trip—before everything had shifted with the onset of his quirk, before their lives had changed. A trip to the beach years ago, before the quirks became so complicated and dangerous. He smiled softly at the memory.

"Yeah," he said, still smiling, "I guess it's been a while."

Toshinori's grin softened, and he placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "This is a chance to make new memories, Izuku. I'm proud of you. I know it's all been a lot lately, but you're growing into a fine young man. And... if I'm honest, it's nice to be able to do something like this with you now. It's not just about the hero stuff—it's about us. About family."

Izuku nodded, feeling the warmth in his chest. He'd spent so much time in his own head lately, worrying about his future, about what kind of hero he would be. But moments like this reminded him of the people who were still here, supporting him—his dad, his friends, his siblings. Maybe it was okay to take a step back, even if just for a moment.

"Alright," Izuku said, with a nod of resolve, "let's do it. Let's go."

"That's the spirit!" Toshinori exclaimed, his voice brightening. "We've got a lot to see, and a lot to talk about on the way."

Izuku smiled again. "I'm guessing this isn't going to be all tech demos and hero talk, huh?"

"Probably not, but you never know. Go get packed quickly. Ichiro and Inori are packing to make it quick," he said.

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Wait—they already knew about this?"

Toshinori rubbed the back of his neck with a guilty smile. "Well, I told them like 15 minutes ago, so it's not that bad."

"Seriously," said Izuku, giving his dad a deadpan look. "Well. I did get the email like two hours ago, so don't blame me," he said, scratching his head.

"Alright fine. I'll go pack for a few days," he said, walking into the dorms.

He reached his room and paused for a second before pushing open the door.

His room was organized, not because he was naturally neat, but because it helped calm his thoughts. Still, a few notebooks were scattered across the desk—battle theory notes, quirk analysis charts, and sketches of custom hero gear. He glanced at them, torn between the desire to bring one and the knowledge that he'd probably be too busy to crack it open.

Grabbing his suitcase from the closet, he popped it open on his bed and started tossing in essentials: a few changes of clothes, toiletries, a phone charger, and a travel-sized bottle of hair gel. He added his hero costume, just in case. You never knew when trouble might show up.

He paused in front of his shelf of All Might memorabilia—some of it from his childhood, others from more recent events. He smiled at a tiny figurine of his dad in his prime form and shook his head. Still hard to believe he is that guy.

Then came a knock.

"You decent?" Inori's voice rang from the other side of the door, teasing as always.

"Yeah, come in," he replied, zipping up the toiletries pouch.

The door opened and Inori poked her head in, her long black ponytail swishing over her shoulder. She was already dressed in travel clothes—sneakers, joggers, and a light jacket. "You pack fast."

"I pack prepared," he corrected.

She gave him a mock salute and stepped in. "Ichiro's already bragging about trying out the tech at the Expo. You know how he gets."

"Yes, he tries to flirt with everything that moves and doesn't move. Thank God he isn't like Mineta, though. I can guarantee that Melissa is going to get flirted with by him," said Izuku, walking out of the room.

Inori laughed, closing the door behind them as they walked down the hall together. "Yeah, he already asked me if it was too soon to bring cologne. Like, seriously. He hasn't even met her yet, and he's acting like he's in a romantic drama."

Izuku groaned. "Well, at least he means well. Just... let's hope she doesn't get creeped out. Melissa's too nice to shut someone down brutally."

"She can handle herself," Inori said with a grin. "And if not, I'll do it for her."

They rounded the corner to the common area, where Ichiro was already waiting by the couch, lounging back with his duffel bag beside him. His red-tinted sunglasses were perched on his forehead, his signature half-cocky smirk already in place.

"About time, you two," Ichiro called out, rising to his feet. "Was beginning to think you'd miss the jet."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "You knew for fifteen minutes. Don't get cocky."

"I'm not cocky," Ichiro said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'm prepared. Plus, you don't rush greatness."

Inori rolled her eyes. "Greatness, huh? You tripped on your shoelaces this morning."

Ichiro paused dramatically. "That was a strategic misstep to keep expectations low."

Izuku snorted as they exited the dorm and made their way to the sleek UA van that was idling by the curb. Toshinori stood beside it, chatting with the driver, his long coat billowing gently in the wind. The night was clear, the air crisp with early spring coolness.

As they approached, Toshinori turned and gave them a broad smile. "Excellent. Everyone ready?"

"Packed and mildly traumatized by Ichiro's ego, but yes," Inori said with a shrug.

"Glad to hear it," Toshinori said, opening the van's sliding door. "Come on, let's get moving. The jet's waiting."

Ichiro leaned forward from the backseat, propping his arms on the headrest between Izuku and Inori. "Alright, over-under on who ends up causing an international incident."

"Ichiro," Inori said immediately.

"No faith in your older brother, huh?"

"I love you, but you flirt like a loose firework."

Toshinori chuckled from the front. "Let's try not to get banned from the most advanced tech island in the world, alright?"

Izuku smiled at himself. Despite the chaos and last-minute nature of it all, this felt... right. Like a step forward, not just for himself, but for them as a family. Even if things weren't perfect, even if there were still pieces to fix, they were trying. They were together. That counted for something.

They reached the airstrip in less than an hour, the private jet gleaming under the floodlights. It was sleek, modern, with subtle U.A. insignias near the tail. A few staff members greeted them with polite bows and helped with the luggage.

"Man, this is fancy," Ichiro whispered, clearly impressed.

Toshinori clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't touch anything shiny unless you want to get yelled at in six different languages."

As they boarded, Izuku took a breath and glanced back at the van, at the dark silhouette of the city beyond the airstrip. Then he followed the others up the steps and into the cabin.

Inside, the jet was even more impressive. Polished floors, plush seating, and large screens built into the walls. Snacks were already laid out, and the lights dimmed gently as they settled in.

"This is nicer than my room," Inori muttered, slouching into a leather seat.

"Can we just live here?" Ichiro asked.

"You'd eat all the snacks in a day," Inori replied, sitting across from them. "Then you'd be sad."

"I like snacks, sue me," he said, pouting.

Toshinori stepped in last, his frame just barely fitting in the narrow doorway before he settled into a seat near the front. "Alright, we'll be taking off in a few. Buckle in and enjoy the ride."

As the engines roared to life, Izuku felt the familiar tug of gravity shift as they ascended into the night sky. He pressed his forehead lightly to the window, watching the world grow smaller beneath them.

Inori leaned over to Ichiro, who was about to put his headphones in. "How about we don't fight at all on this trip. Does that work for you?" she said plainly.

Ichiro put his arms up slightly, sighing. "God damn it woman I haven't done shit today," he said annoyed.

"You know what I mean, you fuck," she said pointedly at him. Toshinori looked at his two oldest and sighed. "Quit cussing you two," he said sternly, leaning back into his seat.

Ichiro huffed in annoyance, crossing his arms. "Get out of my ass, Inori. I don't want to deal with you blaming me for stuff that I didn't even do," he said, putting on headphones.

Inori narrowed her eyes at him but didn't say anything right away. Instead, she reclined her seat a little and crossed her legs, arms folded over her chest. "Just don't start anything and we won't have a problem," she muttered, glancing toward the window.

The next couple of hours went by without a hitch. Izuku looked over to his two sleeping siblings as he looked up at the ceiling. He would hope this trip would be smooth sailing between the three of them. Inori would be fine as she has shown him, she can be chill. Ichiro was a maybe, but he wouldn't worry too much about that.

Izuku started to chuckle when Toshinori looked over at him. "You still not sleeping, kid?" he said, glancing at him.

"No, I was thinking about when we were younger, and Inori copied her hair like Melissa's. She said that because they were blonde, they were related. Last good memory before things turn to garbage," he said more quietly at that last part.

Toshinori sighed as he looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah…I…yeah, well. I told David you know," he said. Izuku turned one eye to him, a little surprised.

"Seriously."

"Yeah, I did. When everything happened a few months ago. I told everyone I knew. I am not going to sit behind a wall and say I didn't do it or not take accountability for it. I told everyone I knew that they were close to me. Though I know that I will be surprising David when I show up. I got an email from Melissa," he said honestly.

Izuku leaned back in his seat, letting Toshinori's words sink in. The soft hum of the jet engines was the only sound filling with the brief silence between them. Outside, the moonlight painted the clouds in soft silver, drifting like slow-moving waves beneath them.

"You told them everything?" Izuku asked, his voice quiet but steady.

Toshinori nodded. "I owed them that. David especially. He… he didn't take it well. Can't blame him. But he appreciated the honesty, even if it hurt. Said it would've hurt more if he found out from someone else."

Izuku looked down at his hands, turning one palm upward. His fingers curled inward slowly, thoughtful. "It still feels strange sometimes. Like I'm supposed to be mad at you, but I don't even know how anymore."

"That's okay," Toshinori said gently. "You don't need to figure it all out at once. None of you do."

The sound of Ichiro lightly snoring from the other side of the cabin made Izuku smirk. "You sure about that? I think he's figured out how to snore like a truck already."

Toshinori chuckled. "He always did make his presence known. Even as a baby, he was loud. You were the quiet one, always observing. And Inori… well, she was born with a mission."

"Yeah, mission: bully the boys," Izuku said with a grin.

"Mission accomplished," Toshinori added, a ghost of a laugh in his voice.

They lapsed into a more comfortable silence. Izuku leaned his head against the padded wall of the jet and glanced over at his siblings again. Inori's arms were still crossed as she slept, mouth slightly open. Ichiro had kicked one leg onto the seat beside him, headphones half slipping off one ear. It was messy, imperfect—but it was theirs.

"Do you think Melissa will be weird about all of this?" Izuku asked suddenly. "Us coming, I mean. After everything with you… with All Might… with the family stuff? I mean, we haven't seen here since we were like 4 years old. It's been 11 years now."

Toshinori didn't answer right away. He folded his hands together and stared forward, the soft lighting of the cabin casting shadows across his face. His eyes, weathered with years of burden and memory, lingered somewhere distant—perhaps in the past, or maybe in the worry of the future.

"She'll be surprised," he said finally. "But I don't think she'll be weird. Melissa's grown into someone strong. Independent. Maybe more than I ever realized. She might not have all the answers, but she's never turned away from the truth."

Izuku nodded, processing that. "Still feels like we're dropping into her world out of nowhere."

"You are," Toshinori admitted. "But that world… it's as much yours as hers, Izuku. I made a lot of choices—some good, some I'll never forgive myself for—but keeping you kids away from her wasn't about shame. It was about protection. From the media. From politics. From me. I didn't want your lives to be dictated by my name or my mistakes."

Izuku was quiet. The words weren't unfamiliar. Toshinori had said things like this before, especially in recent months. But it was different now, hearing it in the calm of the sky, with no cameras or tension between them.

"I used to want to be just like you," Izuku said softly, watching the reflection of the moon in the window. "Now I think I want to be better."

"That was always the plan," he said softly, adjusting his seat. "Try to get some sleep, kid. We should get there by 8 A.M. It is 1:37 A.M. right now, so just try to get some energy recoupment," he said closing his eyes.

Izuku gave a soft hum in response, but his eyes stayed open for a little while longer. The quiet rhythm of the jet, the occasional shift of his siblings in their sleep, and Toshinori's steady breathing created a strange sense of peace. It was the kind of calm that made him feel like he could finally breathe—not the kind that said everything was fine, but the kind that said they were on their way to something better.

Eventually, he closed his eyes.

---

The soft chime of the seatbelt warning woke him a few hours later. The sky outside was slowly shifting from deep indigo to a lighter hue, tinged with pink at the edges—the telltale signs of dawn approaching. Izuku blinked a few times before sitting up, rolling the crick out of his neck. Inori was already awake, quietly sipping a bottle of water, and Ichiro was groggily rubbing his eyes with a hoodie half over his head.

"You look like a gremlin," Inori muttered, not quite mean but not particularly soft either.

Ichiro groaned. "Morning to you, too, sunshine."

Toshinori gave a light stretch and checked the time. "We'll be landing in twenty minutes. Make sure your things are gathered."

Ichiro slumped back. "Time flies when you're unconscious."

The jet began its gentle descent, and outside the window, the sea sparkled beneath the morning light, surrounding the pristine, high-tech sprawl of I-Island. The towers gleamed like mirrors, light bouncing off solar panels and shimmering across the water. It was breathtaking—like something out of a dream or a science fiction novel. Even Inori, normally unimpressed by the spectacle, leaned closer to the window with a small, thoughtful smile.

"I forget that this was just a small island when we were kids. Now it is a sprawling place full of technology from lots of expansion. You don't even need permits for your quirks here," said Inori happily.

Izuku nodded in agreement, the view of I-Island sprawling before him. It was incredible to think how much it had grown in just over a decade. As a child, he remembered the small, quiet island with only a few notable buildings—mostly research labs, maybe a couple of residential areas. But now, looking at the city from above, it was clear that I-Island had transformed into something much larger, more advanced, and even more important to the world.

"Yeah, the way they've made it work here, with all the quirks and the regulations—well, it's like nothing else in the world," Izuku said, his voice a mixture of awe and respect. His mind drifted back to the days when his own quirk was still something to be feared, when he didn't have control over it, and the fear of hurting someone was always in the back of his mind.

"Plus, everything's so connected," Inori added, her voice filled with quiet admiration. "They don't just allow quirks here, they've figured out how to make them work with technology in ways most people couldn't even dream of. It's almost like a utopia, in some ways."

"I'm sure not everyone here sees it that way," Ichiro mumbled, still half asleep, as he rubbed his face. "There's gotta be a dark side to all this, right? There always is."

"True," Toshinori replied, his voice carrying a quiet weight of experience. "Everything has its flaws. And this place, like any other, has its problems. But I-Island has always been a place where people can push the boundaries of what's possible, where even the most dangerous quirks are managed, and where science and human ingenuity collide in ways that could change the world. Oh…and before I forget, change into your hero costumes for me. Heroes in training, you know," he said.

"Oh yeah," said Ichiro, sitting up quickly to go to a room to change. "Alright, give us like five minutes," said Inori as the three siblings went their separate ways. The three all put on costumes, and they all had been modified since the last time they had seen them. Izuku was the last to come out and he took a good look at his siblings.

Inori had her hair up into a ponytail like usual. She now had a somewhat black base for the costume with silver lining on most of it to have accents that popped out. It was a semi-tight body suit, but not too tight to leave some breathing room. She had black and silver combat boots, mixing in a utility beat used for the storage of medicine. She had fingerless black gloves and silver gloves to complement her look. She didn't need much, considering her quirk was simplistic. It was a very powerful telekinetic quirk.

Ichiro's costume has evolved over the past few months. The base was a deep royal blue, accented by black sections along his sides and lower legs. Prominently displayed on his chest were two gold lightning bolts crossing in an X—his personal symbol of strength and impact, as well as the symbol being on his back. White trim ran along his arms and shoulders, with subtle touches of gold on his boots, belt, and gloves, giving the outfit a refined, energetic look without being flashy. His support gear included reinforced gloves with impact-dampening tech, reducing strain during powerful blows, and sturdy boots designed for shock absorption during high-speed landings. His utility belt carried essentials like medkits, stimulants, and comm tech.

Izuku's updated costume reflects his growth as a hero, combining practicality with his powerful combat style. The base of the suit is forest green, symbolizing his deep connection to his roots and determination, with white and silver accents running along the arms, chest, and sides for a sleek, modern look. Black sections are subtly integrated into the sides and lower back for added reinforcement and comfort. His combat steel boots are designed for high-impact resistance, with shock-absorbing soles for high-speed landings and extra protection around the toe and heel. His Air Force gloves are lightweight yet reinforced, providing protection and enhancing his striking power while minimizing strain. His utility belt carries essential supplies like medkits and stimulants, ensuring he's always prepared. The reinforced sleeves provide extra protection during combat, especially when blocking or grappling, making the overall design not only visually striking but highly functional for his heroic work.

As Izuku stepped out into the cabin, now fully dressed in his updated hero costume, he felt a moment of clarity. The fabric clung securely, designed for ease of movement but fortified where it needed to be. The gentle weight of his utility belt sat at his waist, a familiar sensation, and the reinforced gloves gave his hands a sense of purpose. His eyes drifted to his siblings, each standing tall and ready. This—this felt right.

"You both look sharp," Izuku said, nodding to them with a small grin.

"You don't look half bad yourself," Inori replied, adjusting the fit of her gloves. "Still rocking the green, huh?"

"It's tradition," Izuku said with a smirk. "Oh, uh, I don't think we have told each other's heroes' names yet," he said, looking at them.

Inori nodded, "Oh yeah, I guess I forgot. My hero name is Mentalis," she said, gesturing to himself.

"The hero name I have is 'Impervious,'" said Ichiro, grabbing his drink.

"What's yours?" asked Inori as the plane was getting closer to the ground. "My hero code name is…Deku," he said simply.

Ichiro went wide-eyed and spat his drink out while Inori gasped. "Why the fuck would you make your hero's name that," asked Inori grabbing his collar. That name left a bad taste in her mouth after using it for so long to call her brother that.

"Because…why not. I wanted a name that was used so negatively to be used in a positive light," he said, smiling.

"Damn, idiot," she said letting him go walking away. Ichiro coughed a couple of times to get the water out of his throat. He didn't say anything, but the silence was enough to know it was an awkward shift. Toshinori walked back in his hero outfit and started to transform into his buff form. The three of them looked confused, but before they could ask, Toshinori spoke to them.

"Sorry, you three. I need to stay in my buff form for the majority of the time that we are here for obvious reasons," he said calmly as the plane finally touched the ground.

The door to the private jet hissed open with a faint rush of pressurized air, revealing the sleek arrival platform of I-Island's central hub. Cool morning light bathed the walkway in golden hues, and a soft breeze teased at the edges of their cloaks and capes. Izuku stepped out first, followed by his siblings and then Toshinori, now in full All Might form, tall and imposing as ever. The sight of him standing proudly again brought a strange mix of comfort and tension to Izuku's chest.

As the group stepped onto the sleek platform, the first thing that hit them was how clean everything was—no dirt, no grime, no out-of-place object. Everything gleamed with futuristic polish, from the walkway beneath their boots to the levitating transport shuttles gliding silently in the distance. Holographic signs lit the way in multiple languages, and the air smelled faintly of sea breeze and ionized tech.

"I forgot how spotless this place is," Inori muttered, adjusting her gloves and glancing around. "You could probably eat off the floor and still get cleaner than back home."

"It's a little freaky, honestly," Ichiro said, rubbing the back of his head. "Feels like a sci-fi movie."

Before Izuku could respond, a murmur rippled through the surrounding plaza.

"Wait…is that—?"

"No way, that's All Might!"

People started flooding in from the sides of the plaza—researchers, visitors, even a few younger interns in lab coats all rushing toward the group. Cameras flashed, phones went up, and excited voices rose into a frenzy. The once serene walkway turned into a chaotic wave of awe-struck fans and reporters, most of whom were fixated on the towering figure of Toshinori Yagi in his iconic All Might form.

"All Might! Is it really you?"

"Are you here to tour the labs? A surprise mission?!"

"Can we get a photo?!"

Toshinori raised one hand in his signature thumbs-up pose, flashing a radiant smile that made his eyes crinkle. "I am here on a peaceful visit, my friends! Thank you for your warmth!" he called out with practiced ease.

Security drones hovered overhead, already beginning to usher the crowd into more organized rows. Izuku, Inori, and Ichiro instinctively stepped to the side of the path, standing shoulder to shoulder just out of the spotlight.

"Well… there it is," Ichiro said under his breath. "The All Might effect."

Inori huffed, arms crossed. "Kind of hard to walk around casually when your dad's a global symbol of peace."

Izuku watched Toshinori for a moment, his smile wistful. "Could you imagine how bad it would be if everyone around the world knew he had a family and children?" he said to them quietly.

Inori snorted, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder. "We'd never get a moment of peace. Paparazzi in the trees. Drones in our windows. Fans breaking into the backyard just to take selfies with our laundry."

Ichiro chuckled. "Sounds like a nightmare."

Izuku remained quiet, his gaze fixed on Toshinori as the older man continued to speak with the press, effortlessly slipping into his role like a well-worn glove. After an hour, All Might was done with the paparazzi, and now they were walking around. They heard a bouncing noise and looked up some stairs to see a blonde-haired woman with glasses smiling happily towards them.

"Uncle Might!" called out the woman, and she jumped off the pogo into his arms.

The blonde-haired woman landed gracefully in Toshinori's arms, the pogo contraption bouncing harmlessly away as she wrapped him in a tight hug. Her glasses slid slightly down her nose, but the joy on her face was unmistakable.

"Melissa," Toshinori said with a gentle chuckle, his strong arms holding her up with ease before setting her back on her feet. "It's been too long."

"Way too long," she replied, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear. "And you—" she glanced up and down at him, narrowing her eyes slightly, "It's about time you showed up."

Toshinori smiled gently, his eyes glimmering with a mix of affection and guilt. "I know, Melissa. Life's been… complicated."

Melissa gave him a playful yet meaningful punch to the arm. "You're always complicated, Uncle Might. But I'm glad you're here now. You came at the perfect time—there's a ton happening on I-Island this week."

She turned to the trio behind him, pushing her glasses up. "Wow! I haven't seen you all since we were much younger. Let's see. Inori is you because I remember we have the same hair and stuff," she said, smiling and hugging her.

Inori blinked as Melissa pulled her into a warm, slightly overenthusiastic hug. "Yep, still got the energy of a rocket," she mumbled, half-smiling as she returned it.

Melissa beamed, her arms wrapped tight before stepping back. "You're taller than I remember! And definitely way cooler. And—wait, is that Ichiro?"

Ichiro gave a sheepish wave. "Uh, hey."

"No way! You got so tall! I remember when you were like—" she gestured vaguely at knee-height, "—tiny and always running after Izuku with chocolate on your face."

Ichiro groaned, immediately covering his face with one hand. "We are only two years apart, woman. Please don't bring that up."

Melissa laughed. "No promises." Then her gaze settled on Izuku, and her expression softened into something warmer. "The only one with green hair and green eyes. You still somewhat quiet like the last time we met?"

Izuku shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes but not always. Good to see you after all this time, Melissa," he said, smiling.

Melissa returned the smile with one of her own, bright and earnest. "Good to see you too, Izuku. You've grown so much. You even carry yourself more like Uncle Might now—less like a shy bean and more like a... hero."

Izuku chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've been trying."

Melissa tilted her head, observing the trio with curious delight. "Well, you're all just in time. I was on my way to check out the Innovation Pavilion. Some crazy new support gear is being demoed today, and I've got front-row passes. But first, I want Uncle Might to see Dad since it's been a while."

Toshinori chuckled at Melissa's mention of her father, and his smile softened even further. "I suppose I've kept him waiting long enough."

Melissa's eyes twinkled mischievously. "That's one way of putting it. Come on, let's go. I'm sure Dad is dying to catch up with you." She waved over her shoulder, signaling for the group to follow.

Izuku, Inori, and Ichiro followed along, their footsteps echoing through the sleek, modern hallways as they made their way deeper into the heart of I-Island's tech hub. Melissa led them toward a high-security wing of the facility; the walls lined with heavy glass windows that provided access to various labs and testing rooms.

"Alright, the testing room that dad is in should be right…here," she said, standing outside for her to push a button.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a vast, immaculate testing chamber lit by soft blue-white lights embedded in the ceiling. Inside, a middle-aged man in a sleek lab coat stood beside a suspended mechanical frame. Tools levitated around him in orderly formation, occasionally zipping forward at his silent command thanks to a set of support gloves he wore. The man didn't immediately notice them as he scribbled a note on a transparent display that hovered midair.

"Dad!" Melissa called, stepping inside. Her voice echoed slightly in the large chamber.

David Shield looked up instantly, his sharp blue eyes softening behind his rectangular glasses. A wide grin spread across his face as he immediately put down his work and strode toward them, arms open.

"Toshinori!" His voice cracked slightly from emotion as he pulled his daughter into a quick hug before turning to the towering figure just behind her.

"It's been far too long," David said, his voice thick with familiarity as he clapped Toshinori on the shoulder. "You still look like you could wrestle a mountain."

"HAHAHAHA, I definitely can," he said, giving a thumbs up. Melissa slowly started to push the three future heroes out and she said, "Let's give them some time to catch up," she said smiling.

The trio—Izuku, Inori, and Ichiro—nodded and followed Melissa quietly as she led them out of the testing chamber. The soft hiss of the door sliding shut behind them signaled a bubble of privacy forming around the two old friends inside. Even through the thick glass, the warmth between David and Toshinori was still visible, two men bonded by years of collaboration and shared trials.

"Man," Ichiro muttered as they walked down the corridor, "I didn't realize how emotional this trip would be. I figured I-Island would just be tech showcases and cool gadgets."

Melissa smiled, linking her hands behind her back as she walked in front of them. "It's both, actually. Tech is awesome, but a lot of what drives it is relationships. People who care, people with history. You'd be surprised how much that matters in innovation."

Inori glanced at one of the labs they passed, where a prototype mech suit hovered weightlessly inside a magnetic testing field. "Well, that's a poetic way to put it," she said dryly, then glanced toward Melissa. "So… what's the story with you and all this? Are you head of the R division now or something?"

Melissa laughed. "Not quite. I'm more like the bridge between departments. I help coordinate between support gear engineers, quirk researchers, and hero liaisons. Kind of like a jack-of-all-trades. Dad says I inherited his love of multitasking." She paused, smirking. "And his tendency to forget meals when I get hyper-focused. That's pretty bad for being 17, though. I mean I just finished the semester, and I have a couple more semesters before I graduate and turn 18."

Inori raised an eyebrow. "Still a student? With everything you're doing, I thought you already had three degrees and a Nobel Prize by now."

Melissa laughed. "Not yet! Give me a few more years. I'm fast-tracking, though. Dad pulled some strings to let me take on more hands-on research earlier than most students. And I guess growing up on I-Island gave me a head start. I was tinkering with prototypes while most kids were still trying to figure out how to ride bikes."

"It's fun, actually," Melissa said, her tone genuine. "I get to help design gear that saves lives, makes heroes more efficient, and sometimes even gives people with difficult quirks a shot at control. It's more than just tech—it's hope."

Izuku nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's what support items should be. Tools that help heroes become their best selves. They can make all the difference."

Melissa gave him a proud look. "Exactly. That's why I'm so glad you are all here. There's a demonstration later tonight in the Innovation Pavilion—top-tier gear, cutting-edge designs. You'll get to see what the next generation of hero tech looks like. And maybe even test some of it yourselves, if the engineers are feeling generous. Let's go look at some with my early access pass."

Melissa led the trio through a biometric checkpoint, where a scanning pad recognized her identity and granted them access to a sleek elevator with glowing blue lights and a faint hum of energy. As the doors slid shut, the interior lit up with a soft white glow, and Melissa tapped a panel on the side.

"I love this elevator," she said with a grin. "Runs on magneto-gravity. Zero friction, zero noise, and it's insanely fast."

Seconds later, the doors opened with a soft chime to reveal a dazzling floor of I-Island most guests didn't have access to. The Innovation Pavilion stretched before them—an enormous, high-ceilinged space filled with interactive exhibits, suspended prototypes, and winding walkways above and below the main floor. Holographic blueprints floated beside life-sized support items while small drones zipped overhead like metallic birds.

Inori let out a low whistle. "Okay… this is way cooler than I imagined."

Melissa chuckled. "Welcome to nerd paradise."

They stepped onto the catwalk, which offered a perfect view of the expansive space. Beneath them, engineers, designers, and researchers bustled between workstations. Large support suits gleamed under display lights, and test zones had padded dummies rigged with sensors for impact simulations. Floating screens streamed live test footage of gear in action—some in controlled labs, others in training zones across the world.

Melissa stopped at a console and swiped her access card. A circular hologram rose up, showing the schematics of a gauntlet-like device with intricate circuitry lining its shell.

"This," she said, turning toward the group, "is the Vanguard Mk. III. Designed for heroes with explosive or unstable quirks." Izuku looked at it and turned to Melissa.

"How do they keep the energy contained? They must have a lot of storage somewhere, so the energy doesn't displace," Izuku said, stepping closer to the hologram and leaning in. "Also, this looks like they've incorporated a refraction lattice—see those ridges along the conduit lines? That's not just armor—it's redirecting the excess force through a focused outlet. That has to be how they stabilize it. Otherwise, the user would probably lose an arm the first time they activated it."

Melissa's eyes sparkled. "No way you know what you're talking about?! That's so cool! Wow, I'm impressed. You're spot on. The lattice helps reroute pressure through specially treated micro-conductors that act as dampeners. That inner lining is made from a new composite—we call it Synthera-9. It's incredibly durable and adaptive. And you're right, energy displacement was our biggest issue with the previous models."

Izuku nodded rapidly, clearly in his element now. "Synthera-9, huh? That's the compound with the high kinetic flex index, right? I remember reading about it in a research paper last year—it reacts to energy input in real-time. It's like an artificial muscle, kind of. You can modulate output just by adjusting pressure."

Melissa laughed. "You read that paper? That was a restricted submission! Who let you see that?"

"I have a few friends in hero support," Izuku replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "And, uh… I kind of subscribe to a bunch of obscure journals. It helps to keep up, you know?"

While the two nerded out, Inori and Ichiro stood a few steps behind, staring at the complex hologram like it were written in a foreign language.

Inori crossed her arms. "So… we've officially lost them."

Ichiro sighed. "Yup. They are speaking a whole different language. 'Flex index'? 'Refraction lattice'? Man, I'm just trying not to touch anything expensive."

"Same," Inori muttered, glancing around as a floating drone drifted by overhead with a soft hum. "I mean, I get that this stuff is important, but I'm more of a 'blow it up and ask questions later' kind of girl."

Ichiro chuckled. "This is cool stuff though," he said looking around.

Melissa and Izuku moved deeper into the Innovation Pavilion, practically buzzing with shared excitement. Their conversation flowed like electricity through a circuit—fast, focused, and full of sparks.

They stopped at another station where a series of floating blueprints cycled through midair, each displaying a different type of mobility-enhancing support gear. One showed lightweight boots with retractable stabilizers; another displayed a full-body suit designed for high-altitude maneuvering.

"Ooh, this is the Aether Stride project," Melissa said, typing a quick command into the panel. The hologram shifted to display a sleek, aerodynamic pair of boots with glowing stabilizer vents on the heel and arch. "These are designed for speed-type heroes who need aerial support but don't want the bulk of jetpacks."

Izuku leaned in. "Looks like they're using gyroscopic regulators for midair balance. And those micro-thrusters—are those plasma-based?"

"Not quite plasma," Melissa said, tapping to expand the schematic. "They use compressed ionized gas with a ceramic flow nozzle. That way they don't overheat, and they can control lift in micro-bursts. It's quieter than a standard propulsion system, too—perfect for stealth ops."

Izuku grinned. "That's brilliant. Most speed-based heroes struggle with directional control once airborne. This would solve that without compromising agility on the ground."

Melissa nodded, her expression proud. "Exactly. We designed it to shift automatically based on muscle impulse sensors in the calf. The moment you angle your leg; the vents adjust output to match. We're even experimenting with adaptive tread that changes surface grip in real time."

"Do you get to test all this stuff yourself?" Izuku asked, awe in his voice.

Melissa beamed. "Sometimes. I've got a Level Three trial license for non-combat prototypes. I've been helping debug the system by running through obstacle zones with the engineers. It's kind of like being a temporary sidekick, honestly."

They moved to the next station, where a mannequin was outfitted in a metallic, mesh-like suit. The outer shell shimmered with soft blue light as the holo-display labeled it: Aegis Skin: Reactive Combat Mesh (Prototype Phase III).

"This one's insane," Melissa said, hands on her hips. "The suit is made from a hybrid nanofiber alloy that hardens upon kinetic impact. Basically, the more you get hit, the stronger it becomes for a short window. It's not armor in the traditional sense—it's more like a living barrier."

Izuku's eyes widened. "So, it adjusts on the fly? How's the latency? There has to be a millisecond gap before the material reacts."

"About 0.09 seconds in the current version," Melissa replied. "We're trying to shave that down, but that's fast enough to block small arms fire. Anything slower than a punch from someone like Rappa? It'll hold. Against someone like Mirko, though…" She trailed off, grimacing.

"It would need reinforcement layering. Maybe integrating a kinetic storage system like the old ShockGuard designs?" Izuku offered.

Melissa tilted her head. "Hmm… That's a good idea. Transfer the stored energy into a temporary shield burst. Like a defensive pulse."

"You could reroute the impact force through fiber-conductive lattices along the arms or legs," Izuku continued, getting more animated. "Convert it into a controlled shockwave or momentum assist. Maybe even use it for counterstrikes."

Melissa was already typing furiously into her wristpad. "You might've just solved one of our major issues with Phase III testing," she said with a laugh. "You're not even part of the design team and you're contributing like a pro!"

Behind them, Inori and Ichiro trailed along slowly, marveling at the exhibits and trying to look like they understood what was going on. A mechanical drone swooped low toward Ichiro, scanning his silhouette with a soft beep.

Ichiro flinched. "Whoa! Uh, am I being analyzed?"

Melissa turned her head. "Oh, don't worry, that's just Atlas. He's programmed to detect body type and quirk pattern residuals. He's mapping your potential compatibility with some of the support gear on display."

"Great," Inori muttered, eying the drone warily. "So, this place is watching us."

"Only passively!" Melissa was reassured. "None of it is stored unless you authorize it. They're just trying to pair heroes with the best-suited tools. Think of it like a support gear dating app."

"Yeah, let me just swipe right on shock-absorbing boots," said Ichiro, chuckling with the others joining in. Ichiro couldn't help but feel off about the whole thing though. Deep down he still felt…behind.

Melissa and Izuku continued to move through the Innovation Pavilion, their conversation only slowing slightly as they marveled at each new invention and prototype. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the duo couldn't help but laugh together over the clever solutions they were uncovering.

"This stuff is incredible," Izuku said, his eyes still wide. "I just… I never realized how much goes into making hero gear. There's so much thought behind every little piece!"

"I know, right?" Melissa beamed. "It's all about helping heroes be the best they can be. Sometimes it's the little details that make the biggest difference."

As they continued exploring, a familiar voice broke through their conversation.

"Well, well, looks like you two are having a blast."

Izuku turned, and there stood Ochaco, Jiro, and Momo, all three of them sporting jealous expressions on their faces. Izuku looked at them with a big smile. "No way! This is where you guys went on vacation?"

"Yeah, no duh bro," said Jiro, twirling her Earphone Jacks, annoyed. Ichiro and Inori came into view, and they saw the others.

"Who is this," asked Momo a bit annoyed though it was more in her tone than on her face.

Izuku blinked at Momo's question, looking between her and Melissa. "Oh! This is Melissa Shield," he said quickly. "She's the one showing us around. Her dad helped design the original All Might support gear! But, Melissa, this here is Momo Yaoyorozu. This here is Kyoka Jiro, and finally, this is Ochaco Uraraka. We are all in the same class and stuff," he said, oblivious to the jealousy in the air.

Melissa smiled warmly and gave a polite wave. "Nice to meet you all. I've heard about your class from Izuku—he's talked about how amazing everyone is."

Momo gave a soft nod, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Pleasure," she said, though her tone still had that faint edge. She subtly glanced between Melissa and Izuku, her brow twitching just a little.

"Nice to meet you," said Jiro, crossing her arms, standing next to Izuku. "Yeah, good to meet you," said Ochaco.

Melissa didn't miss the shift in energy, but she kept her smile intact. "Izuku's been a huge help today. Honestly, he might've saved our research team weeks of testing with one suggestion."

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, laughing. "I just blurted out what came to mind. You're the one doing the real work, Melissa."

Momo's brow arched slightly. He really doesn't get it, she thought. "You've always had a good eye for gear," she said aloud, her voice calm but measured. "But it's good to hear you've made yourself useful."

Inori let out a low whistle under her breath and nudged Ichiro. "Yikes. Tension levels rising."

Ichiro blinked. "Wait, they're mad at Izuku?"

Inori gave him a sideways look. "No, dummy. They're mad at Melissa. It's what women do. They get jealous sometimes," she said plainly.

"Truly the most fascinating of creatures," he said, narrating it like some wildlife photographer.

Inori snorted at Ichiro's dramatic tone. "You sound like you're filming a nature documentary. Next, you'll be whispering about the elusive jealous women in their natural habitat."

Ichiro adjusted his stance mock-seriously. "Observe the apex female as she asserts emotional dominance through passive-aggressive remarks and subtle hair flips."

"Shut up," Inori muttered with a grin, elbowing him.

A few minutes later, they were all taking a break outside on the patio of the place. Izuku looked over to Momo and Jiro with curiosity. "Wait, so how the heck did you guys get here then. Where did you get the tickets?"

"Well, my parents were supposed to go with me, but plans came up, and she said I could take two of my friends to the early access pass," said Momo, gesturing to Uraraka and Jiro. "These two won in rock, paper, scissors against all the girls in our class."

"Oh man," Izuku laughed, glancing at Uraraka and Jiro. "So it came down to fate, huh?"

"More like sheer determination," Jiro said, smirking. "I've never thrown paper with such conviction in my life."

Uraraka giggled beside her. "It was intense. Hagakure tried to psych me out, and Mina was doing this weird dance the whole time."

"I'm surprised Tsuyu didn't win," Inori chimed in, sipping a cold drink from the vending machine nearby. "She seems like the quiet type who dominates at that kind of thing."

"She was in the final four," Uraraka said. "But Momo was the one who held the deciding match. Said she didn't want to show favoritism."

Momo nodded primly, though her arms were still crossed. "It was only fair."

"Still," Izuku said, eyes twinkling, "what a coincidence that we all ended up here."

"Oh yeah, I agree," said Kaminari, setting down some drinks. Mineta followed suit behind him. "You guys are here too?" asked Jiro.

Kaminari set the tray down with a grin, pushing a cold soda toward Jiro. "Man, I thought we'd be the only ones from Class 1-A here. Small world, huh?"

"Wait, wait, you two got in too?" Ochaco asked, blinking. "How?"

"We two are working as waiters so that we can get into the early access pass and stuff," said Kaminari, setting down a few more drinks.

"We two are working as waiters so that we can get into the early access pass and stuff," said Kaminari, setting down a few more drinks.

Mineta puffed out his chest. "Yep! We might be serving snacks and cleaning tables, but it's all worth it for a glimpse of that sweet, sweet tech!" His eyes sparkled as he scanned the area, clearly looking for something—or someone.

"More like hoping for a glimpse of some 'sweet sweet' engineers," Jiro muttered under her breath.

"Guilty as charged," Mineta grinned shamelessly.

"Still," Kaminari went on, "the work's not bad. They gave us some backstage passes and even let us check out a few inventions during break. Some of it's crazy. Like, there's a belt that auto-adjusts your center of gravity based on terrain and motion. It made me feel like I was floating."

"That sounds amazing!" Izuku leaned forward, fascinated.

"Oi! OOOOOIII! Kaminari! Mineta! You two need to be doing your jobs," said Iida running at them full speed.

Kaminari nearly dropped one of the sodas at the sound of Iida's voice barreling toward them. Everyone turned in unison, just in time to see Tenya Iida, in a crisp formal vest over his usual hero attire, skidding to a halt beside them, steam practically coming off his glasses.

"Iida?" Jiro blinked. "You're here too?!"

"You got in as a waiter too?" asked Kaminari, baffled.

Iida straightened up, adjusting his glasses with practiced precision. "Not exactly. The Iida family was invited to this convention due to our longstanding support of technological innovation. However, my older brother and parents were unfortunately called away for a last-minute business conference overseas. As such, I volunteered to attend in their place, representing the Iida name with the utmost integrity!"

Everyone just stared for a moment.

"So…" Mineta leaned in. "You're not here as a waiter?"

"I chose to take on temporary staff responsibilities in order to better understand the working structure of large-scale tech exhibitions!" Iida said proudly. "It is an enriching and humbling experience!"

"Holy crap, everyone is here," Izuku said to himself. That was when they heard an explosion in the distance, and it came from an arena.

The group jolted at the distant boom, eyes snapping toward the source of the sound.

"What the heck was that?" Ochaco asked, already starting to hover a few inches off the ground in reflex.

Izuku turned toward the blast and pointed. "It came from over there! I think it's one of the arena attractions. Come on!"

Without hesitation, the large group from Class 1-A and their friends hustled across the exhibition grounds, weaving through crowds of guests and tech booths. The further they went, the louder the crowd's cheering became.

Finally, they rounded a corner and arrived at the Villain Attack challenge arena—an elaborate setup with terrain mimicking a ruined city street. Large villain-shaped bots were strewn around the arena floor, smoke curling from their wrecked forms. On the big display screen above the arena, the name "Eijiro Kirishima" flashed with a timer: 33.28 seconds — 8th Place.

"Yo! Kirishima crushed it!" Kaminari whistled. "Top ten!"

"Hey! You guys made it!" he shouted, waving one arm while wiping sweat from his brow with the other. "Hope that was cool enough for you!"

"That was awesome, Red Riot!" Izuku called back.

But just as everyone relaxed, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.

"NEXT PARTICIPANT: KATSUKI BAKUGO!"

"GO!"

BOOM! The first villain bot's head was blown clean off. Bakugo rocketed from bot to bot, explosions detonating around him with surgical precision. He weaved through the battlefield like a raging comet, eyes narrowed, lips twisted into a snarl.

"Fifteen seconds and counting," the announcer commented. "Can he break the record?"

BOOM—BOOM—CRASH.

Final bot down.

The timer froze on the screen: 15.02 seconds — 1st Place.

"HOLY CRAP," Kaminari gasped. "He just destroyed the record!"

The crowd roared in a frenzy. Even the event staff looked shocked.

"Explosive... and elegant," Momo murmured, reluctantly impressed.

Katsuki, breathing heavily but practically glowing with pride, looked up at the scoreboard, then at the audience—and his gaze landed directly on Izuku.

Uh-oh.

In one powerful leap, Bakugo launched himself up into the stands. Spectators ducked and screamed as he landed in front of the Class 1-A group with a thunderous THUD.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, IZUKU?!" Bakugo shouted, jabbing a finger in Izuku's face.

"Just chilling out with class and some fam. What's up with you?" he asked normally. Ichiro and Inori came around the corner.

"You seriously just happened to show up here? Like some damn happy accident?"

Izuku raised his hands calmly, trying to keep things level. "Yes? That's literally what I said. I didn't even know you were here until—like—just now."

Bakugo scowled, arms crossed, still catching his breath from his record-shattering run. "Hmph. Figures. The second I break a record; you're lurking around with your nerd face and stupid notebook eyes."

Ichiro hopped down to the game and smirked. "That's where I come in, Kacchan," he said, cracking his knuckles.

"Tch. Alright fine. If all three of you are here, I guess it's different," he said grumbling under his breath.

Ichiro activated his quirks and smirked. "I'll break this record," he said as he looked to the announcer.

"GO!" she yelled, and Ichiro was off. He was a blur of yellow lightning as he bounced around. Soon, the race was over, and he landed back at the bottom.

Kaminari's jaw hit the floor. "Seven point five seconds?! Dude! That's not even human!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, processing the sheer absurdity of the time displayed on the screen:
7.51 seconds — NEW RECORD.
Then chaos erupted. Screams, cheers, gasps—people stood up from their seats, many grabbing their phones to replay the run on the event app, trying to comprehend what just happened.

Ichiro stood at the center of the scorched arena, smoke rising around him like a battlefield phantom. His chest rose and fell, and although he didn't look winded, he casually rolled his shoulders like he hadn't broken a sweat. A smirk played on his lips as he looked back over his shoulder.

"Damn it, I'm not used to my new speeds yet. I should have been faster," Ichiro said to himself.

Bakugo, meanwhile, looked like someone had just set his pride on fire. His hands twitched as tiny crackles of explosions popped in his palms. "Tch—THE HELL DID HE EVEN DO?! Not that I'm surprised. I'm just pissed he broke my record."

"Dibs on next," said Izuku, hopping over the bar, and Bakugo growling.

"You should give up now, nerd," called out. Izuku activated Full Cowling alongside Jolt and smiled. He got this.

The crowd, still electrified from Ichiro's run, gasped in surprise. Cameras swiveled, zooming in on Izuku as he stepped onto the platform, the green glow of Full Cowling flickering across his limbs.

"Yeesh, now it's a family competition," Inori muttered.

He looked up at the obstacle course of villain bots. "Analyze. Prioritize. Move," he whispered. "One shot."

"GO!"

Izuku vanished.

To the naked eye, he simply disappeared.

The first bot exploded—cleanly shattered by a concentrated flick of wind pressure.

A flash of green lightning danced across the arena.

BOOM. CRACK. SMASH.

The bots didn't stand a chance.

From one edge to the other, he moved like a flash of nature's fury. Barely touching the ground, he pinballed from target to target with the grace of a dancer and the precision of a trained sniper. Villain bots were torn apart before their targeting systems even had a chance to lock onto him.

People didn't scream this time—they just gawked. In stunned, disbelieving awe.

One final burst of force cracked through the smoke and debris like a cannon shot.

Izuku landed in a crouch, a shockwave pulsing outward from his point of impact.

The timer froze: 2.26 seconds — NEW RECORD.

For a heartbeat, it was quiet.

And then pandemonium.

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ON MY FUCKING CHEST!" yelled Bakugo.

"I couldn't even see him," whispered Uraraka, eyes still wide, floating a few centimeters off the ground without realizing. "He was just… gone."

Ichiro just started at his younger brother, realizing something. He held back. He held back in the fight that he had with him a couple of days ago. It. Pissed. Him. Off. He would talk to him about it later. Not now.

"Damn it. Let me have one thing," Bakugo growled, steam practically rising off him as his palms flared with restless heat.

"Apparently not today," Jiro murmured under her breath.

Before anyone else could react, a calm but firm voice came over the arena loudspeakers:
"Next participant: SHOTO TODOROKI!"

All heads swiveled.

Todoroki stepped forward from the other side of the arena. He wasn't in the stands—he'd been quietly waiting his turn. Arms at his sides, eyes cool and unreadable, he glanced briefly at the scoreboard, then at Izuku, who had just stepped off the platform.

Their eyes met.

Izuku gave him a small, respectful nod. No cockiness, no challenge. Just a silent understanding between rivals.

Todoroki gave a barely perceptible nod back before turning toward the starting line.

Bakugo squinted. "Wait, he's here too?! What is this, some kind of stupid Class 1-A reunion tour?!"

"You good, bro?" Kirishima chuckled. "You're looking a little... fragile."

"I will blow your face off."

The announcer cleared her throat. "Mr. Todoroki, ready?"

Todoroki took a breath, planted his feet, and stretched out one hand. A thin layer of frost spread beneath his boots, crackling along the ground like creeping ivy. His left hand flickered with a soft ember's glow.

"Let's begin," he said.

"GO!"

He moved.

Ice exploded outward from under his feet, propelling him forward like a rocket sled. His right side unleashed a frosty path, launching him into the air. With a pivot mid-flight, he twisted and fired an arc of searing flame at the first bot—FOOM—melting its head clean off in a single strike.

From that moment, the arena turned into a storm.

He skated across pillars of ice, freezing bots solid in rapid succession, then melting them into slag with back-to-back blasts of superheated fire. Each transition was instant, fluid—like the world was moving in slow motion and Todoroki had mastered its rhythm.

Where Izuku had danced and Ichiro had surged, Todoroki flowed—a living balance of destruction and elegance.

Ten seconds.

Todoroki spiraled up a ramp of ice, flame coiling around his body as he tore through two bots at once with a single arc of fire.

Twelve seconds.

The last bot lunged—and he flash-froze it in place before crushing it with a blast of fire that shattered the sculpture like glass.

He landed, smoke drifting from one shoulder, steam rising from his opposite side.

The timer beeped and froze.

14 seconds even — 3rd Place.

Bakugo was speechless.

Momo's eyes widened. "He beat Bakugo... by a full second."

"I—" Bakugo's jaw locked, nostrils flaring like a bull's. "I NEED TO DO IT AGAIN."

"Don't embarrass yourself," Todoroki said calmly as he walked past Bakugo. "You got your fireworks. I got results."

"YOU FUCKING BITCH," he yelled lunging at him. "Dude, calm down," said Kirishima, trying to calm down his friend.

Melissa Shield stood off to the side with a small, amused smile. Her arms were crossed, eyes scanning across Class 1-A with quiet appreciation. "This class... they really are something else."

Beside her, one of the Pro Heroes assigned to security glanced at the leaderboard and shook his head in disbelief. "At this rate, they're gonna break every benchmark we've ever had."

And while the crowd roared and the stadium basked in the triumphs of the young heroes, far from the arena's warmth and noise, a different kind of event was unfolding.

Elsewhere, near the island docks

A sleek, black SUV pulled up to a hidden hangar tucked away from the public view. Its driver, a tall man with short platinum hair and an all-black suit, stepped out and answered a buzzing phone.

"They've arrived," he said coolly, no trace of emotion in his voice.

On the other end of the line, a deep, electronically distorted voice replied, "And the package?"

"Delivered. No interference. Their security didn't even blink."

"Excellent."

The man looked toward the horizon where the stadium lights still sparkled. "All Might's here. Confirmed."

A pause. Then a low chuckle filtered through the phone. "Let him be. We have countermeasures in place."

The man raised an eyebrow. "You're confident."

"We've prepared for this moment for years," the voice replied. "Let the Symbol of Peace watch his precious students shine. While he's distracted... we move."

The line clicked off.

The man turned to the other occupants of the vehicle—five individuals dressed in inconspicuous civilian wear, but each one of them radiated menace. One cleaned a strange metal claw with a cloth. Another played with a vial of glowing fluid.

"Move out," the leader ordered.

WITH DAVID SHIELD AND ALL MIGHT

Toshinori lay back in David Shield's private medical bay, wires gently attached to his chest as a complex scanning machine hummed beside him. Holographic readouts pulsed across the screen above, sending biometric data directly to David's personal lab terminal.

David Shield frowned as he reviewed the results, his expression gradually shifting from concern to horror. "These readings are... Toshinori, your Quirk levels have plummeted. They're drastically lower than the last scan. This isn't just deterioration—it's collapse."

Toshinori pulled off the monitoring nodes with a grimace and slid off the table, clutching his side slightly as he stood. "I've taken some hits. It's to be expected."

David turned, eyes sharp with concern. "Don't give me that. This isn't just wear and tear—this is something else entirely. What happened to you, Toshinori? What are you not telling me?"

The silence between them stretched. Toshinori looked away, jaw tense. He didn't want to say it. Couldn't. Not about One For All. Not about its transfer. Not yet.

"I'm fine," he finally said. "I'm still here. The Symbol of Peace is still alive."

David looked at him, incredulously. "But for how long, Toshinori? You told the world you'd protect it. What happens when you can't?"

Toshinori placed a firm hand on David's shoulder, his voice soft but unwavering. "Then someone else will. I've prepared for that day."

David stared at him. Someone else. That phrase echoed with far more weight than Toshinori was letting on.

"Just try to take it easy, Toshi. It says here, as of right this second, you can be All Might for 2 hours a day," he said sadly.

"I know. But, I will need to make the most of it," he said calmly. David sighed as he looked to his old friend. There was only so much time before All Might would be put to rest.

"Thank you, Dave, I will meet you at the party in a bit. I am going to rest for a bit, then go there," said Toshinori before transforming back to All Might. "See you soon."

WITH IZUKU AND THE OTHERS

"Everyone! Reminder!" he said, pausing to breathe. "Please be at the central plaza by 6:30 p.m. sharp! The party begins at seven, and formal attire is mandatory! Don't be late!"

"Got it!" Kaminari gave a salute.

"I'll be early, I swear!" said Mineta, already pulling out his phone to look for a suit rental app.

"Excellent!" Iida said with a nod before marching away to remind the next group.

As students began to disperse, returning to their dorms or prepping for the evening, Melissa turned to Izuku, who had been chatting quietly with Uraraka and Tsuyu nearby.

"Hey, Izuku," she called. "Mind coming with me for a bit? There's something I want to show you."

Izuku blinked, looking a little surprised. "Uh—sure! Yeah, of course."

Uraraka gave him a playful elbow. "Try not to get wrapped up in lab stuff and miss the party."

"No promises," Izuku said sheepishly, following Melissa toward her private lab wing.

WITH MELISSA AND IZUKU

"I've been working on this for a while now," Melissa said, moving toward a reinforced case in the corner of the lab. She tapped a code into the lock, and with a soft hiss, it opened to reveal a sleek, red-and-silver gauntlet nested within cushioned foam.

Izuku leaned in, eyes wide.

"I thought you might be the one who could make the most use of it," Melissa continued. "From what I've seen—your power is volatile, but it's incredible. The stress on your body is... well, frankly, terrifying. So I designed this for a school project. A prototype. But I want you to have it."

She gently lifted the device from its case and handed it to him.

"I call it the Full Gauntlet."

Izuku stared at it in awe. It wasn't bulky like support gear often was. It was clean, efficient—made with purpose.

"This is support equipment?" he asked, carefully rotating it in his hands. "It looks... amazing."

Melissa nodded, stepping beside him. "It's designed to help reinforce your joints and absorb recoil when you activate your Quirk. I haven't tested it under real combat conditions, but in simulations, it significantly reduces muscular strain and bone stress from sudden force application."

Izuku blinked, still trying to process it. "You made this? Just for me?"

Melissa smiled. "I didn't start out making it for you, but... well, once I saw the kind of damage your power causes you, I couldn't ignore it."

He looked down at the gauntlet, fingers brushing over its surface. "Thank you. Really. This could help so much."

"But remember," she said gently, "this isn't a replacement for learning control. It's just a buffer—something to help until you're strong enough on your own. Got it?"

"Got it," he nodded. "I'll train harder than ever. This will give me the chance to push a little further, a little safer."

A sudden buzz cut through the moment—Izuku's phone vibrating violently on the nearby desk.

He picked it up and saw a message from Iida, written in full caps.

Iida: 6:23! WHERE ARE YOU?! THE PLAZA!

"Oh no!" Izuku yelped. "The party!"

Melissa laughed. "Go! I'll meet you guys down there!"

Izuku scrambled to grab his things, carefully packing the Full Gauntlet back into its protective case and throwing it into his bag. "Thanks again!"

"See you in a few, Izuku!" she called out to him as he ran off to go and change.

Izuku rushed into the room that his siblings and he were staying in, and he sighed, pulling out his suit. Ichiro turned the corner and called out to him.

"You were holding back against me, weren't you? Not just a little bit, but a lot, right?" he asked calmly.

"What's up?" asked Izuku as he started pulling off his shirt.

Izuku froze mid-motion, his shirt halfway over his head. Slowly, he pulled it off the rest of the way and turned to face Ichiro, his face caught somewhere between guilt and hesitation.

"I… yeah," Izuku admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "A little."

Ichiro narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because I didn't want to pummel you. Ichiro, I mean this wholeheartedly. You are strong. You are so strong that you are in the top three in the first years of Class A and B. But if I were to fight you full out, no holding back. You will be sent to the hospital. I wasn't doing it out of pity…I was doing it because I am not going to do that," he said quietly.

Ichiro stood there, silent. His expression didn't shift immediately, but something in his eyes seemed to flicker—uncertainty, pride, frustration, maybe all three tangled together.

"You think I can't take it?" Ichiro asked, his voice quiet but edged.

Izuku stepped forward, his voice steady and gentle. "No. I didn't say that."

"Then what is it then?" he said, growling slightly from anger.

"Why the hell are you getting mad?" Izuku asked, confused.

Ichiro took a step back, fists clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened, eyes flashing with the kind of frustration that had clearly been building for a while.

"Because I wanted to fight you," Ichiro said, his voice sharp and low. "Not some version of you that's pulling his punches."

"I wasn't—" Izuku stopped himself, biting back a sigh. "Okay. I was. But it wasn't about doubting you. It was about protecting you."

"I don't need your protection!" Ichiro snapped. "I've trained just as hard as you. Maybe not with the same Quirk, or the same power level, but that doesn't mean I'm weak! It doesn't mean I can't handle a real fight! You know that too!"

"God damn it Ichiro. I don't want to fight right before we have this party. I thought we were getting along just fine but forgive me for not wanting to beat my brother's ass. There is a point when it is training and when it is harming."

Ichiro's mouth twitched at Izuku's words, and for a moment, it looked like he was going to say something sharp in return. But instead, he just stood there, chest rising and falling with the slow burn of unresolved emotion.

"This is the shit that I mean. You think…no…you know that you are better than I, and you still treat me like I can't handle it. How am I supposed to be better when this is what I get in return?" he said, yelling at him.

Izuku came around the corner shirtless pissed. "You should be lucky I am even talking to you after all you did to me…all these fucking years," he yelled back snapping at him.

"That fact that one of the people who is at fault is trying to blame the guy who didn't do shit is so stupid! That's gaslighting and narcissistic as hell! I am sorry, I don't want to beat my siblings because they beat me for years! I don't want to be like that!" he yelled back at him.

Ichiro flinched like Izuku had physically struck him, his face twisting with something ugly and raw. For a long moment, neither of them said anything; the air between them crackled with too many years of unspoken anger and resentment.

"I thought we were getting better damn it. Ichiro, I thought we were getting better. Now it is back to the disappointment of you blaming me for something that I shouldn't even be getting blamed for," he said calmly, backing down.

Disappointment. There was that word again.

Ichiro was called a disappointment once more. From his mother, then his father, then his sister, and now his younger brother.

Ichiro looked down and turned around. "Whatever. Don't hold back against me again. I'm going to be with Dad at the party. Inori is down there too. See you in a bit," he said, shutting the door behind him.

Izuku stared at the door long after it closed, the click of the latch echoing louder than it should have in the silence. The anger in his chest simmered down, leaving only the bitter aftertaste of regret. He sat heavily on the edge of the bed, running his hand through his hair and letting out a shaky sigh.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, staring at the floor.

This wasn't how today was supposed to go. They'd been doing better—actually laughing together, sparring without tension, even talking about things they used to avoid. But just like that, years of buried hurt clawed their way back up.

No. This wasn't his fault. He wasn't going to let this hold him down. Not anymore. Years of dealing with Inori and Ichiro abusing him were not his fault. He finished putting on his three-piece suit and walked over to the elevator. It was 6:40, and he knew he was late, but it was fine. He was going to meet up with his friends right before.

Izuku hurriedly stepped into the elevator, the soft chime signaling his arrival. His mind still swirled with the aftermath of the fight with Ichiro, but he pushed it aside. Tonight wasn't about that. Tonight was about moving forward, about being with his friends, enjoying the party, and making sure he didn't ruin anything else.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Izuku stepped out, his jet-black three-piece suit immaculate. His shoes clicked against the polished floor as he moved quickly toward the central tower's grand entrance, where the festivities were being held.

As he approached, he spotted Momo and Jiro entering the reception hall, their elegant forms catching the light of the crystal chandeliers overhead. Momo was dressed in a stunning navy blue gown, the fabric flowing gracefully around her as she walked, while Jiro wore a sleek black dress with silver accents that highlighted her piercing gaze. Both of them were like visions from another world, their presence drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Izuku paused for a moment, admiring their elegance. He took a deep breath, gathering his composure. They were his friends, and they deserved his full attention tonight.

"You both look absolutely lovely," Izuku said, his smile genuine. His voice was warm, and it carried the sincerity of his words.

Momo smiled, her cheeks tinged with a bit of pink at the compliment. "Thank you, Izuku. You look very handsome yourself," she replied.

Jiro gave a small smirk, adjusting her earrings. "I'd say you're the one who cleaned up well, Izuku."

Izuku's cheeks flushed slightly, but he shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Just trying to match the level of class in this room."

The three of them shared a brief laugh before continuing toward the reception hall. As they entered, the room was abuzz with conversation. Shiny silver trays of hors d'oeuvres passed by on the arms of servers, and soft music played in the background, setting a peaceful, celebratory atmosphere.

Izuku spotted Tenya, Shoto, Kaminari, and Mineta standing near the drinks table. Tenya, dressed in a sharp navy suit, looked a little impatient, while Shoto, wearing a more reserved dark green tuxedo, stood beside him. Denki and Minoru, however, were practically bouncing with energy, both looking at the ladies with wide grins.

"Hey, guys!" Izuku called out, walking over to join them.

"Ah, Izuku! You made it!" Tenya said, his voice a little higher than usual as he greeted his friend. He was holding his phone, which he'd been checking intermittently. "You look… excellent, by the way. But I'm having trouble getting a hold of Katsuki and Eijiro. They left their phones behind, and they've gotten lost trying to find the reception hall."

"That's not surprising," Izuku said with a small chuckle. "They probably got distracted on their way here."

Shoto glanced at Tenya's phone. "You'd think they could at least try using landmarks. This building isn't that big."

Tenya shook his head. "They're too stubborn to ask for directions. I'll give it a little more time, but if they don't show up soon, I'll have to get someone to help track them down."

Kaminari grinned mischievously. "Maybe they're off having a secret training session or something. Knowing them, they probably think showing up fashionably late is a part of the hero image."

As the group continued chatting, the soft melody from the string quartet shifted into a more upbeat rhythm, and the atmosphere in the hall grew warmer, more alive. Just then, the grand doors of the reception hall opened again with a gentle sweep, drawing a few glances from those nearby.

Izuku turned instinctively—and there they were.

Ochaco Uraraka and Melissa Shield walked in side by side, both radiant in their own unique ways.

Ochaco wore a soft rose-colored dress that shimmered slightly under the chandelier light. It hugged her form gently before flowing down in elegant layers that swirled with each step she took. Her hair was styled up in a graceful twist with a few loose strands framing her smiling face.

Melissa, in contrast, wore a shimmering gold gown with a structured bodice and a flowing skirt, her blonde hair cascading in gentle waves over one shoulder. Her confident posture and warm expression turned heads immediately as she entered.

Izuku froze for a moment, his breath catching slightly—not from nerves, but from sheer admiration.

He stepped forward with a warm smile, his voice sincere as always. "You both look lovely as well."

Ochaco blushed instantly, her eyes wide before she gave a soft, bashful laugh. "Aww, thanks, Deku! You look really sharp tonight."

Melissa beamed. "You're looking great too, Izuku. That suit suits you perfectly." She gave him a playful wink.

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin, a faint red tint coloring his cheeks. "Thanks… I just didn't want to be the only one dragging the vibe down."

"You? Never," Ochaco said with a soft smile, stepping a little closer. "You clean up pretty well, you know."

"Yeah," Melissa added, nudging his arm playfully. "Don't be so modest. You're practically glowing."

IN THE BANQUET WITH ICHIRO, INORI, AND ALL MIGHT

In the glittering reception hall on the second floor, Ichiro stood stiffly near the far wall, a glass of sparkling cider in hand, his sharp tuxedo doing little to hide the storm brewing inside him. Inori, dressed in a crimson dress with gold trim that shimmered like firelight, stood a few feet away, talking with one of the expo representatives. All Might, in full hero attire despite the formal setting, stood near the podium with David Shield, smiling and waving to the attending crowd of heroes, scientists, and international guests.

The party was in full swing—laughter, clinking glasses, and gentle classical music danced through the room.

But suddenly, the lights flickered.

Then, they went out.

A loud alarm blared through the hall, cutting the atmosphere like a blade. Bright red emergency lights bathed the room in pulses of warning. The once elegant and serene atmosphere snapped into pure panic.

"Warning: Lockdown Initiated. All access points have been sealed. Please remain in your current location."

A mechanical voice echoed from hidden speakers, and a loud clang reverberated through the walls as the central tower sealed itself off from the outside world.

All Might's head shot up, eyes narrowing. "Everyone, remain calm!" he shouted, stepping forward—only to be cut off as the side doors burst open with a violent crash.

Wolfram entered, flanked by a squad of masked henchmen. Each one was heavily armed, their weapons gleaming under the emergency lights.

"Evening, everyone," Wolfram announced, his voice amplified by a voice-modulator. "Lovely party. Hate to ruin the mood, but we'll be taking over from here."

Gasps echoed throughout the hall. Panic began to ripple as the crowd pressed back, away from the intruders.

Before any of them could act, metallic restraints shot up from the floor—bond shots designed to disable even the strongest heroes. Like whips, they coiled around All Might's legs and arms, pinning him in place.

"All Might!" David cried, but he too was quickly subdued, tackled by two of Wolfram's men.

"I'd suggest no heroics," Wolfram continued coolly. "These security bots were built to neutralize Pro Heroes. We've already overridden the I-Island systems. So, play nice."

Ichiro and Inori both dove to act, but within moments, they too were restrained—coils snaking up their legs and torsos before slamming them against the wall. Inori let out a furious grunt as her dress tore slightly from the impact.

"Ugh—damn it!" Ichiro hissed.

Wolfram approached All Might with a mocking bow. "The Symbol of Peace… so predictable. So easy."

All Might's face twisted into a rare expression of rage, struggling against the restraints. "You won't get away with this!"

"Oh, I already have," Wolfram grinned. "Now, you're all going to be our guests for the night… and if anyone steps out of line—well, let's just say the bots are more than happy to clean up the mess."

MEANWHILE…WITH THE U.A. STUDENTS

Back in the lower level of the tower, Izuku stood frozen as the emergency lights began to flash.

Everyone's phones buzzed uselessly—No Signal.

"What's going on?" Kaminari asked, flipping his phone toward the ceiling. "I can't even ping the network."

Tenya's expression had shifted into focused urgency. "This is a lockdown. The central tower's been sealed from the outside."

Mineta's eyes widened. "You don't think it's… villains, do you?!"

Izuku clenched his fists. His mind raced, recalling the party, the guests, All Might. He turned sharply toward the others. "All Might is at the party. That's where we need to go."

Jiro's eyes narrowed. "Wait—you think he's in danger?"

"If something's going down… he'll be the first target," Shoto said calmly, though a sharp edge had entered his voice.

Tenya nodded. "Then we must find a way to reach the second floor. Even if the elevators are disabled, there must be a maintenance stairwell or emergency route."

Momo stepped forward, already pulling up a layout of the tower from her device's cache. "I downloaded a copy of the tower's structure earlier for reference. There's a service stairwell on the west side of this floor."

"Let's move," Izuku said, eyes sharp and determined. "Whoever this is...we are not letting them do this."

The group sprang into action, sprinting down the hallway as alarms continued to blare through the sealed tower. Izuku could only hope that this was a test, but knowing his luck. This would be far from it.