I hope that everyone is doing well. But, something that I should tell you all is that I had a lot of fun with this chapter but do know this...don't overcomplicate it. I hope that you all enjoy my chapter and have an amazing day.
Chapter 22: Too Many Emotions
THE NEXT DAY
Izuku was in his Mindspace with Chase after such a long time creating a new quirk. Now yes, he had been here nearly every other day, but he hadn't thought of a quirk that could be useful. Not until now anyway.
The quirk was in the process of being created and was something Izuku called Scorchguard.
Izuku stood there, watching as fiery tendrils of energy swirled around him, taking shape in his mental projection. Chase, his ever-present guide, stood beside him with arms crossed, a smirk on his face.
"Where did this idea come from then?" he asked curiously.
Izuku smirked, "Well you see. One of the most common natural disasters is fires, burning buildings, or something similar to that. Scorchguard will allow me to be not only immune to fire and flames but also absorb thermal energy and be used for later. Not to mention it will naturally build up over time so I can use this in battle, but you never know. Pretty simplistic but creating a quirk doesn't have to be the most overpowered thing ever. This can be very useful at times. I got the idea from seeing Todoroki putting out some fires with him using his ice and thought why not have something that can absorb the flames? The range on this quirk is somewhat far. Plus, it might evolve at some point. Who knows?" said Izuku shrugging off the flames around him.
"That is actually what I wanted to show you, sir," said Chase flipping through a screen. It should all 10 of Izuku's quirks so far and One for All being in the middle. It was branching out to one of his quirks.
Cell Surge.
Chase pressed the screen as he showed him up closer. "Sir, One for All, is somewhat evolving Cell Surge. It appears it is making the rate at which you heal people about as quirk as Recovery Girls. Granted, it isn't like that now, but it will be at some point assuming over the next few days. It isn't affecting your own healing rate though. That will likely be the same."
"So, you're saying that my healing ability for others is going to become nearly as fast as Recovery Girl's?" Izuku asked, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Yeah, it will but because you negated the stamina drain when making Cell Surge it is just a better version of her quirk Heal. It's a win-win. Plus, you won't get sick like last time when it was evolving your other One for All quirks," he said zooming the screen back out.
Izuku smiled. "That's good news on both ends. I guess it will be slower on evolving since this is the first time in a month since that happened but either way. Thanks again for your help, Chase. I appreciate it."
"Of course, sir. Though I think you should go back because I think someone is at your door right now knocking at it," he said as it cut to the real world with him sleeping on his bed.
"Oh…thanks Chase. See you later, then," he said waving as he started to fade out of his Mindspace.
Izuku slowly opened his eyes, the remnants of the Mindspace still lingering in his consciousness. He rubbed his eyes, sitting up from his bed and stretching his arms above his head. The familiar weight of the conversation with Chase still buzzed in his mind, especially the exciting development of Scorchguard and the improvements to his healing abilities through Cell Surge. With a contented sigh, he swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood up.
The soft knock at the door drew his attention. The rhythmic sound echoed in his dorm room, cutting through his thoughts. He glanced at the clock—still early. Who could it be at this hour?
He walked over to the door, the floor creaking slightly under his weight. The knock came again, a little more insistent this time.
Izuku hesitated for a moment before he opened the door, revealing Momo standing there. She wore her usual confident expression, though her brows were furrowed slightly, as though she had something on her mind. Her long dark hair framed her face, and she was dressed in casual attire, likely just waking up herself.
"Morning, Izuku," Momo greeted with a small smile, though her tone had an edge of urgency. "Sorry to wake you, but I needed to talk to you about something."
Izuku blinked, still a bit groggy. "Oh, hey Momo. What's up?" he asked, stepping aside to let her in. He noticed the small frown on her face and her slightly tense posture. Momo was rarely this serious unless it was something important.
"I know that it is Sunday, but Aizawa-sensei said he needs to see you and me in his office. Something about meeting with the President and Vice President before tomorrow. I am not too sure about what though," she said trying to lean against the door and look somewhat cool and relaxed but failing to do so.
Izuku's grogginess faded in an instant. If Aizawa-sensei wanted to see them on a Sunday—especially with the President and Vice President involved—it had to be something serious. He quickly ran a hand through his messy green hair, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.
"Did he say when we need to be there?" Izuku asked, stepping aside as Momo entered his dorm room fully.
"No, just that it was important and to meet him as soon as possible." Momo sighed, shifting slightly as she crossed her arms. "I was going to wait a little longer to come get you, but I figured you'd want time to wake up before heading out."
Izuku chuckled lightly. "Well, I appreciate that." He turned toward his dresser, quickly grabbing a fresh uniform and heading to the bathroom to change. Within a few minutes, he was dressed and ready, tightening the red tie around his neck before stepping out. "Alright, let's go."
The two of them left his dorm, walking through the quiet hallways of Heights Alliance. Most of their classmates were either still asleep or lounging in their rooms, taking full advantage of the rare day off. The crisp morning air greeted them as they stepped outside, the sun casting a golden glow over U.A.
Momo glanced at Izuku as they walked. "Any idea what this might be about?"
Izuku shook his head. "Not really, but if it involves us, it has to be something big. But, I am not too sure what for."
Momo placed her hands behind her back interlocking them as she looked at one of her green-haired friends with curiosity.
"So…uh…you said you hung out with Kyoka yesterday…why did she ask you to hang out?" she asked trying to be casual about the whole thing.
Izuku looked forward not noticing she was prying to what happened. "Well…she asked me to hang out where it was like a date but not a date but then not like hanging out in a group. I wasn't too sure why she was so nervous though. It was just hanging out," he said. He then blushed horribly thinking about the two kisses Jiro had given him yesterday. He couldn't just tell Momo about those.
Momo's brow furrowed slightly as she processed Izuku's words. A small hint of jealousy flickered behind her eyes, though she quickly masked it with a more neutral expression. She tilted her head slightly, trying to appear casual as she kept pace with Izuku.
"Hmm... So, Kyoka asked you to hang out like that?" she repeated her voice light but with an underlying sharpness. "That's a bit... unusual, don't you think?"
Izuku, still a bit lost in his thoughts, nodded as he tried to recall the details of his time with Jiro. "Yeah, it was kind of strange, now that I think about it. She seemed really nervous about it, and I couldn't figure out why. It was just... us hanging out." He scratched the back of his neck, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Nothing special, really."
Momo's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched him, trying to gauge his reaction. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Of course, she knew Izuku wasn't the type to pick up on romantic cues, but it still stung to hear him describe what could have been something more special as so casual.
"So, it wasn't... romantic at all, then?" Momo asked, her voice was a little too sweet. "Just a casual hangout?"
Izuku blinked at her, a bit thrown off by the question. "Yeah, that's what I thought. I mean, she didn't say anything about it being a date; she just wanted to hang out. We got some food and talked about random stuff. Nothing too serious."
Momo's hands tightened slightly behind her back, her fingers interlacing a bit too tightly as she tried to maintain her composure. "Mm-hmm, I see... nothing serious." She paused for a moment, then added, "But you must have had a good time, if you're still thinking about it."
"Oh my gosh yeah, it was so much fun. We went to eat, to the mall, played mini-golf and we tied, went to a photo booth and came back. It was a super fun day," he said happily. "It was nice to relax a bit."
Momo tried to smile, but the tightening in her chest only seemed to grow with every word Izuku spoke. She forced herself to keep walking beside him, trying to act casual, but her mind was racing. It sounded like Jiro had planned something special, something that Izuku was completely oblivious to. Meanwhile, she was standing here, feeling her heart sink with every passing second.
Izuku was too innocent to understand the meaning behind what he was saying, but the little details—the mini-golf, the photo booth, the way he talked about the day so fondly—made Momo's jealousy flare up in a way she couldn't ignore anymore.
"That sounds... really fun," Momo said, her voice a little too sharp as she tried to control the surge of emotions bubbling up. "It's nice you had such a great time with her. Sounds like you two really hit it off."
"Yeah, it was," he said smiling at her rubbing his neck. The sun was starting to come up now and they were a little bit away from Aizawa's office.
"So…did she do…anything," she asked.
Izuku blinked, tilting his head slightly at Momo's question. "Did she do anything?" he repeated as if trying to figure out what she meant.
Momo kept her expression composed, though her heart pounded against her ribs. "You know… like, did she say something… or do something out of the ordinary?" She kept her voice light as if she were merely curious, but deep down, she already feared the answer.
Izuku's face immediately flushed red as the memory of Kyoka's kisses flashed through his mind. He quickly turned his gaze forward, rubbing the back of his head with a nervous chuckle. "Uh… n-no! Yeah, no she didn't," he said rubbing his eyes.
"Really…she did nothing?" she asked leaning closer to him.
"Yep, nothing at all…just hanging out, ya know," he said as they were in front of the door to the U.A. entrance building and started to walk to the teacher's offices.
Momo watched Izuku carefully, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly at his nervous behavior. He was a terrible liar—anyone who spent enough time around him would notice the way he rubbed the back of his head or averted his gaze when he wasn't telling the full truth. And right now, he was doing both.
"Mm-hmm," she murmured, her voice carrying a note of suspicion. "You're acting awfully nervous for someone who says nothing happened."
Izuku let out a weak chuckle, still avoiding her gaze. "N-no, really! It was just, uh, normal hanging out! You know how Jiro is—she's cool, laid back… nothing weird at all!"
Momo tilted her head slightly, stepping in front of Izuku as they reached the hallway leading to Aizawa's office. She placed a hand on her hip, her expression unreadable. She was about to say something when Aizawa turned the corner and saw them. "Oh, you two are here already. Good. I can sleep sooner. Come on in," he said gesturing to them.
Izuku and Momo stepped into Aizawa's office, the door clicking shut behind them. The room was dimly lit, with stacks of paperwork neatly organized on the desk. Aizawa sat in his chair, arms folded, his ever-present exhaustion evident in his half-lidded eyes. Despite that, there was something different about his expression—something almost approving.
He leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly. "Izuku, Momo," he began, his voice calm but firm. "As President and Vice President of Class 1-A, I want to say… good job."
Izuku blinked in surprise, exchanging a glance with Momo, who also looked taken aback. It wasn't often that Aizawa offered direct praise. In fact, it was almost unheard of.
"Uh… thank you, Sensei," Izuku said, rubbing the back of his head, still somewhat flustered from the conversation with Momo earlier.
Momo straightened up, regaining her composed demeanor. "We're honored, Sensei," she said with a polite nod. "But… may I ask what specifically prompted this?"
Aizawa sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You two have handled more than your fair share of responsibilities, balancing class leadership, training, and personal growth. I've been watching closely. You've both made solid decisions, kept your classmates in line, and managed stressful situations without losing focus. I know it seems rather weird but be proud of your effort to make yourselves and others better."
"Oh, well thank you sensei. But we are just following your example. I don't think I've done that much," said Izuku rather embarrassedly.
Aizawa gave a small, knowing smile. "Izuku, you always underestimate yourself. That kind of humility is admirable, but don't let it blind you to your own progress. You've grown a lot since the beginning of the year and so has Yaoyorozu. Leadership isn't just about making decisions; it's about setting an example, and you two have done just that."
Momo felt warmth spread through her chest at Aizawa's words. As someone who constantly sought improvement, recognition from her mentor meant a great deal. She cast a glance at Izuku, who still looked a little flustered, but she could tell he appreciated the words just as much.
Aizawa leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Now, onto more pressing matters. The reason I called you here isn't just for praise. We will be on Rescue training at the USJ tomorrow and I would like for you two to be the leaders of Teams of 10 in total with you included on there. I know you may have doubts about the USJ incident but do not worry as there will be many more teachers there this time. Extra protection. Yaoyorozu will lead one. Izuku will lead the other. Then there is Class B leadership as well. I believe that Itsuka will be one as she is the President of Class B and then there is Inori as the other with her being the Vice President," he said sliding the papers over to the two of them.
"As you look at the papers you will see that all the teams will be randomized, and the four teams will have 5 students from Class A and 5 from Class B making it so that you all will need even more teamwork as you may not be acquainted with some Class B students. I just was told to prepare you for this so you will be ready."
"Yes sir," said Momo and Izuku at the same time.
Aizawa watched them for a moment, his tired eyes scanning their expressions as they absorbed the information. He could see the gears turning in their heads, especially in Momo's case. She was always quick to analyze any situation given to her, and even now, she was likely thinking about the best ways to organize and lead her team efficiently. Izuku, on the other hand, looked a little surprised but determined, as he always did when presented with a challenge.
"Good," Aizawa finally said, leaning back in his chair again. "The teams will be posted later tomorrow. This exercise isn't just about physical ability but leadership, teamwork, and adapting to new situations. You two, along with Itsuka and Inori, are responsible for setting the tone for each team."
Izuku nodded quickly. "We won't let you down, Sensei!"
Momo gave a small but confident smile. "We'll do our best to make sure everything runs smoothly."
Aizawa let out a small sigh, rubbing his eyes. "I expect nothing less. That's all I needed to go over with you two. You're dismissed."
As Izuku and Momo turned to leave, Aizawa spoke up one last time, his voice was a little softer than usual. "And Yagi, Yaoyorozu… try to relax a little before tomorrow. I know how you both are, and overthinking will only make things harder. Trust yourselves."
They both blinked in surprise but nodded before heading out of the office.
Once they were in the hallway, Izuku let out a deep breath, stretching his arms behind his head. "Wow, tomorrow's gonna be intense. Should be fun though," he said smiling.
"Speaking of fun," Momo began, her voice lighter than it had been earlier, though still tinged with a trace of the tension that lingered. She stepped a little closer to him, her tone trying to sound casual, "Aizawa said we should relax a bit before the training tomorrow. So, we should probably take his advice, right?"
Izuku blinked at her, clearly surprised. "Yeah, that sounds good," he said, nodding. "I guess we should take it easy today, huh?"
Momo gave him a small, almost playful smile. "Exactly. It's not every day we get a break." She tilted her head slightly, eyes glancing toward the empty hallway. "How about we grab some lunch and just... hang out for a bit? You know, just to clear our minds before tomorrow."
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish but ultimately agreeing. "Sure, that sounds nice."
As they walked toward the cafeteria, Momo tried her best to act casual, but inside, her heart was racing. Being around Izuku always made her feel this way—nervous, excited, a little giddy. It was a strange sensation that she couldn't quite place. She knew that he was oblivious to the way she felt, but it was still hard to ignore the little sparks of joy whenever he smiled or laughed.
And yet, the shadow of jealousy still lingered, the thought of Jiro spending time with him gnawing at her. Now yes, Jiro has done that before. But, this felt different. Odd if you will. She hadn't meant to let it show, but she couldn't help the flutter of frustration that rose within her whenever she thought of how comfortable Izuku had been with Jiro. She had always prided herself on being composed, but today, all of those walls felt a little shakier.
It was still super early, but the cafeteria opened up at 5 AM so this would be fine.
As they entered the cafeteria, the warm smell of food hit them immediately. The place was quiet this early, with only a few other students scattered at tables. Momo grabbed a tray and gestured for Izuku to follow her.
"Anything in particular you're in the mood for?" she asked casually, trying to keep her tone light.
Izuku glanced over the selection, his usual indecisiveness showing. "Hmm, I guess I'll just grab some eggs and toast for now," he said with a shrug.
"Good choice," Momo said, grabbing her own tray. "I think I'll go for the salad. Something light."
They made their way to a table by the window, a quiet spot away from the few other early risers. As they sat down, Momo caught herself staring at Izuku for a moment longer than usual. He was already eating, his eyes focused on his food, but she couldn't help but notice the way his brow furrowed in concentration as he chewed. It was one of those small things she'd always found endearing, even though she tried not to think about it too much.
"Oh, Momo, I should tell you. I have dope news," he said happily.
"Did you say dope?" she said giggling.
Izuku chuckled at Momo's reaction. "Yeah, I guess I did," he said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "But seriously, you're gonna love this. I am an honorary Support Course Student. Now, Power Loader noticed that I made the Formuband, Sound Gauntlets Mark II, and Volt Vanguards and said that I should join the Support Course to some extent. I am not a full-time member, but I am able to go there and work on projects if I have time. I won't have any assignment due or anything like that, but I can use the resources there to help build stuff."
Momo's eyes widened in surprise, her fork hovering in midair. "Wait, really? That's amazing!"
"Yeah, it's awesome," he said taking a bite of his toast.
Momo smiled, genuinely impressed by Izuku's news. She had always admired his ingenuity, but hearing that Power Loader recognized him for his work in the Support Course was a huge accomplishment. She felt a surge of pride for him, knowing how much he'd worked to get to this point. Still, the feeling of jealousy lingered at the back of her mind, overshadowing her excitement just a bit.
"That's seriously incredible, Izuku," she said, setting her fork down to give him her full attention. "I know how much you love working on gadgets and inventions. This is definitely a huge step forward for you."
Izuku grinned, clearly proud of himself, but still slightly modest about it. "Thanks, Momo. It's been a lot of trial and error, but it feels good to be recognized for it."
Momo nodded thoughtfully, then pushed her salad around her plate for a moment. "It's great that you're able to work on projects there. I can only imagine what kind of things you'll come up with next."
"Yeah, I've got some ideas for new designs," Izuku said, his voice picking up as he became more animated. "But I'll have to make sure I balance it with everything else going on. Between training, the leadership stuff for the rescue mission tomorrow, and now this, it's going to be pretty busy."
"I have no doubt you'll manage," Momo said with a reassuring smile. "You always do."
Izuku blushed a little at the compliment, scratching his head. "Well, I try my best. I mean, with everything we've been learning, I can't afford to slack off. Plus, we're all in this together, right?"
Momo's smile softened, feeling the warmth spread through her chest. She appreciated his optimism and drive, and she knew he genuinely cared about everyone around him. He had a way of making people feel like they were all part of something bigger, even when things got tough.
They soon got done eating and were walking back to the dorms. They were silent most of the way until Izuku opened the door for the two of them to walk in. Momo decided to speak her mind hoping Izuku would say yes.
"Say, if we are supposed to relax, would you like to hangout?" she said twirling her hair slightly.
Her heart thudded in her chest, waiting for his response, trying not to come off as too forward. After all, they had been close friends for quite some time, and while their bond was strong, she wasn't entirely sure how Izuku would respond to this kind of invitation.
He finally seemed to settle on the idea, his eyes lighting up a little with the prospect of relaxing for a change. "Okay, yeah! That sounds great. It's not like we get much time for ourselves lately."
Momo's heart skipped a beat at his eagerness, and she smiled, trying to keep things light. "Exactly! No training, no responsibilities... just us hanging out. I think we both need it."
Izuku nodded, looking like he agreed more than he had originally let on. "Yeah... We could watch a movie or something? Or maybe we could go for a walk, get some fresh air... or, I don't know, whatever works." His enthusiasm was endearing, and Momo appreciated that he wasn't backing out, despite his usual tendency to overthink.
"I think a movie would be nice," Momo suggested.
"Sounds good. Where at?" he asked.
"My room," she said pulling him up the stairs.
"Wait what?!" he asked blushing.
Momo smiled teasingly as she glanced over her shoulder at Izuku, her hand still on the stair railing. "Well, yeah, I mean, we're not going to a theater or anything. It's just easier in my room. More private."
Izuku looked like he was about to say something but stopped himself. The slight blush on his cheeks deepened as he caught up to her. "Right, yeah, that makes sense," he said with a nervous chuckle. "Okay, yeah, I guess that works."
They got to her room and she went to her TV and started to shuffle through the movies. "You want action or something," she asked looking over her shoulder.
"Sure, that works," as he sat on the floor at the foot of her bed. She placed a movie in and looked at him and chuckled pulling over a couch in the corner. Izuku quickly got up and moved out of the way. "You can sit on this you know," she said putting it where he was sitting.
Izuku hesitated for a second before nodding, still a little flustered. "Oh! Yeah, uh, thanks, Momo." He took a seat on the couch, shifting slightly as he tried to get comfortable. Momo sat down beside him, grabbed a remote and starting the movie.
As the opening credits rolled, Momo found herself sneaking glances at Izuku. He had a focused look on his face, completely absorbed in the screen. She smiled softly to herself. Even during something as simple as watching a movie, Izuku gave it his full attention. It was one of the many things she admired about him.
About twenty minutes into the film, a particularly intense action scene played out, and Izuku leaned forward slightly, clearly engrossed. Momo chuckled at his reaction. "You really get into these kinds of movies, huh?" she said turning a little bit to lean into him as she looked like she was trying to watch the movie better.
Izuku's cheeks blushed a faint pink but continued to watch the movie as her back rest on his upper arm.
Momo, on the other hand, was keenly aware of how close they were, but she didn't move away. She told herself it was just because the couch was small, and it made sense to sit comfortably. Still, a small part of her enjoyed being near Izuku like this. It felt natural, even if her heart was beating faster than normal.
Izuku scrunched himself a little bit in himself trying to keep his mind on the movie, but it was hard too. He had one thought in his mind. Women are…interesting to say the least.
WITH ICHIRO YAGI
Ichiro looked at the rising sun and sighed. He was sitting on a bench in a park about a mile away from U.A. He hadn't stopped thinking the past two weeks about…everything. To put it simply he thought about school, training to be heroes, internships, his mom, his dad, but especially about Inori and Izuku.
Inori. Where the hell did, he start? It was like she was distancing herself from him even if they were in the same class. It's like she was drifting more and more to his younger brother. Then there was that whole thing where she said she was going to stop showing their power to Izuku and to assert it over him. He felt their bond as siblings were slowly drifting apart. Now, Ichiro wasn't stupid, he realized that he fucked up. Was he willing to admit that to anyone? No. Because he is someone who realizes everyone messes up, and you move on from those mess-ups. His mom and dad talk about all the time that Inori stopped harassing Izuku and bullying him….but… technically he did too. And he was called a disappointment by his father for being aggressive…for being…strong. He didn't get it. If this was a town-destroying villain…would the villain hold back…no... plain and simple. So, he didn't hold back against Ibara. That is why he did that. But to be called a disappointment by his father for it. It was…hurtful.
Then there was Izuku. His name left a displeasure in his mouth like no other. Izuku gets a quirk and now all of a sudden, he is a big shot around campus…literally. He saw Izuku on nearly three television broadcasts, and nearly the entire time, he was walking by on his patrol for Best Jeanist at the internship. Nearly everything was about Izuku now. Whether it was his family, his friends, the fame, the glory, the popularity…everything.
Ichiro clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he thought about it more. Every time he turned a corner, it was Izuku this, Izuku that. The golden boy of U.A. now, the prodigy who came out of nowhere with a powerful quirk, a strong work ethic, and the admiration of their classmates. Ichiro wasn't blind. He saw how people looked at Izuku now. The admiration, the respect—hell, even the damn teachers seemed to put him on a pedestal.
And what about him? He was Ichiro Yagi, son of All Might, damn it! He was supposed to be strong, supposed to be a future top hero, and supposed to carry on the legacy of the Symbol of Peace. But no, all everyone seemed to care about now was Izuku. The kid who had been quirkless just a year ago. The kid who used to be bullied by them—by him. The kid who suddenly got handed a quirk and was now surpassing everyone left and right.
It made his blood boil.
He trained every single day, pushed himself to the brink, took every hit, every setback, and kept moving forward. He didn't have some miracle quirk fall into his lap. He had to earn everything with blood, sweat, and sheer force of will. But did anyone care? No. All they saw was how amazing Izuku was now.
It was unfair.
The situation at hand was. Not his quirk. Impact Drive was remarkable in every way. He had been refining it even more lately. He has essentially mastered Level 7 Impact. He had just unlocked Level 8. It made his movements even stronger, faster, and better in every way. There was no limit to the levels he had. He had to keep surpassing his brother in every way and break through his limits. To show them he wasn't to be left behind and forgotten. He would make sure he wouldn't be ignored.
He sighed taking a deep breath and moving some blonde hair out of the way of his ears. He would have to cut it soon. He looked to his left to see an older gentleman sitting next to him. Ichiro deadpanned.
"Out of the all the fucking benches in the world. You sit here," he thought shaking his head.
The older gentleman adjusted his glasses slightly as he turned his head to Ichiro and nodded at him.
"Lovely morning so far isn't it," he said happily. Ichiro turned his head slightly to the old man and noticed that he was bald with round glasses and had a very…poofy mustache. Looked like someone took two paintbrushes and took the bristles off of them. It was of a shorter stature a little bit of a fat body but before he could speak the man spoke again.
"Hey, I know you from the Sports Festival. Ichiro Yagi right," he said sticking out his hand to him.
"Yes sir, that is me," said Ichiro surprised that someone recognized him.
Ichiro hesitated for a moment before shaking the old man's hand, feeling the firm grip despite the man's seemingly frail appearance. The stranger gave a small nod, adjusting his glasses as he leaned back on the bench.
"You fought well," said the old man. "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am doctor Kyudai Garaki. Pleasure to meet you," he said smiling slightly.
Ichiro's eyes narrowed slightly at the name. Kyudai Garaki. It rang a bell somewhere deep in his mind, but he couldn't place it. He studied the older man for a moment, noting his calm demeanor, the way he sat slightly hunched, yet exuded a quiet confidence.
"Pleasure to meet you too," Ichiro said slowly, still shaking off his irritation. He leaned back against the bench, crossing his arms. "So, what brings you to a random park bench this early in the morning, doctor?"
Garaki chuckled. "Oh, I enjoy morning walks. They help clear the mind. And parks like these… well, they hold history. People come here to think, to reflect. Some come to escape their problems, others to find answers." He turned to Ichiro with a knowing look. "You strike me as someone searching for something."
Ichiro scoffed. "Tch. That obvious, huh?" He clenched his fists, tapping his foot against the ground. "I'm just… tired of being overlooked. Tired of being in someone else's shadow. I train my ass off, I push myself harder than anyone, and yet—" His voice tightened with frustration. "None of it matters. Actually, I am sorry, I shouldn't be spilling this on you."
Garaki waved a dismissive hand, his smile unwavering. "Nonsense, my boy. Sometimes, it helps to speak your mind to someone who will listen. But we can talk about something else if you would like," His voice was warm, almost grandfatherly, but something about it made Ichiro uneasy.
"How about you pick the topic, old man? I need to cool off. Give me a fresh take," Ichiro said sitting up and turning to him.
Garaki smirked as if he had something great to talk about. "You ever heard of the Quirk Singularity Theory?" he asked.
Ichiro nodded at him, "Yeah, I have. It's a bit complicated though. Basically, some guy came up with the idea that after quirks were becoming more and more common in society, they were starting to do one of three things. The first option was that the child who has the same quirk as one of his parents would have a stronger version of said quirk. The second option was the quirks of the two parents would combine or merge with each other, making a stronger quirk. The third option was a child would have a mutated quirk with incredible power. That's the gist of it though," he said taking in a breath after the explanation.
Garaki nodded, adjusting his glasses. "That's more or less the gist of it, yes. But, what most don't understand is the true implications of this theory. Some believe it to be an inevitable path we're heading toward. The constant evolution of quirks… it's not just about getting stronger." He glanced at Ichiro. "It's about the potential for quirks to evolve in ways we can't predict."
Ichiro raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "So, you think quirks could get… out of control?"
"Not out of control," Garaki replied, his tone turning more serious. "But rather, they could reach a point where individuals possess abilities so far beyond what we consider 'normal' that society as a whole may struggle to keep up." He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. "What happens when the gap between heroes and villains becomes insurmountable? When a single individual with a singular quirk could overpower entire armies, control nations, or reshape the world itself?"
Ichiro felt a shiver run down his spine, the weight of Garaki's words settling on him. "That sounds like a recipe for disaster. But if people learn to control it better. We could make society better."
Garaki laughed, "I like you kid, and the way you think. Listen though. Here is my card with my location on it. If or when you want to see me, press the button on the card and it will notify me when you want to see me. Press it if you want to have help with your power or want power," he said shaking Ichiro's hand.
Ichiro stared at the card in Garaki's hand, the strange device glinting in the sunlight. It was simple enough—just a small, unassuming piece of paper. But as Garaki handed it to him, Ichiro felt a strange weight behind it with a small button on it. The way the doctor spoke, the calm confidence in his voice, felt like he was offering more than just a card. He was offering something deeper, something that went beyond the surface.
"Help with my power, or power itself?" Ichiro muttered under his breath as he took the card. The words didn't quite sit right with him, and yet, he couldn't ignore the curiosity creeping into his mind. What exactly did Garaki mean by that?
"Thanks," Ichiro said, still processing the odd offer. He hesitated for a moment, then slipped the card into his pocket. "I'll keep it in mind. Not sure I'll be looking for power anytime soon, but it's… good to know there's someone out there who thinks differently."
Garaki's smile widened a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Take your time, Ichiro. I'm not in a rush. The world is changing, and you'll need to decide how you want to move forward. If you ever feel the need to step beyond your current limitations, don't hesitate to reach out." He leaned back, looking at the sky with a thoughtful expression, almost as though he were speaking to himself. "It's not just about growing stronger, after all. It's about transcending what's possible."
Ichiro stood up slowly, his thoughts swirling. "I'll think about it," he said, offering Garaki a nod. He was tired of being in this park, tired of the uncertainty gnawing at him. He needed answers, something to push him forward. The thought of Garaki's offer, though strange, lingered in his mind.
Garaki simply nodded, still sitting on the bench with a quiet, knowing smile. "I'll be here when you're ready."
Ichiro turned and walked away, his mind spinning with possibilities. The weight of the conversation still felt heavy on his shoulders. It wasn't just about training harder anymore. It wasn't just about getting stronger for the sake of it. There was something more to all of this, Garaki understood that Ichiro hadn't fully grasped yet.
As Ichiro walked through the park, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. It wasn't just his quirk or his training, it was something deeper, a seed planted in his mind. The potential for more. The possibility of breaking free from the limits that had held him back for so long. He didn't know what Garaki had been hinting at, but there was one thing he was sure of: he couldn't ignore the path that was now laid before him.
BACK WITH IZUKU AND MOMO
The movie had ended, and Momo was playing with her hair as she leaned into Izuku for comfort. Izuku on the other hand was…well…folding in on himself because a girl…was leaning against him. A lot.
Not to mention the fact that Jiro had been very…open with him yesterday. He was a wreck of emotions right now and wasn't sure how to feel. He was sure she could feel his heartbeat through his jacket.
"Don't freak out, don't freak out, this is normal, this is fine," he repeated in his head like a mantra. "We're classmates. Friends. Friends lean on each other after movies all the time. It's just... normal friend stuff."
But it wasn't helping. Especially not when her hand brushed lightly against his arm as she adjusted her position, drawing a small, involuntary eep from him.
Momo looked up slightly, brows knitting with concern. "Are you okay, Izuku?" she asked, her voice soft, the room dimly lit by the television's glow.
"I-I'm fine! Yep! Totally fine! Great, actually!" he stammered, doing a terrible job of concealing the fact that he was dying inside. "Just, uh, still processing the movie, that's all! Dragons, right? So many dragons!"
Momo blinked at him, clearly a little confused by his enthusiasm about dragons, but nodded. "Yes… the final fight scene was quite intense. The main character's sacrifice was… noble."
"Very noble!" Izuku agreed too quickly. "Super noble. I mean, jumping into the pit of fire without hesitation? That's real hero stuff right there. Not that I'd recommend it, I mean, obviously—unless you're flameproof, which most people aren't, statistically speaking, but—yeah."
He was spiraling.
Momo smiled faintly, turning her head back to the screen. "You're very passionate about heroism. It's one of the things I admire about you."
Izuku short-circuited.
"Ah—I—thank you?!" he squeaked, not sure where to look, opting to stare directly ahead at the television like it held all the secrets of the universe.
And yet, despite the chaos raging inside him, he didn't move away. He couldn't. Not when she was so close, and warm, and the smell of her shampoo was doing weird things to his ability to think rationally. She shifted again—closer this time—and Izuku let out the tiniest squeak of breath, praying she didn't notice.
Izuku stretched his arms as he attempted to get up. "Well…thank Momo, for having me watch a movie with you. It was fun."
He stood a little too quickly, nearly tripping over the edge of the coffee table, but caught himself before it turned into a full-blown disaster. Momo followed his movement with her eyes, not getting up just yet. Her gaze lingered, thoughtful.
"I'm glad you came," she said warmly. "I've… actually been wanting to spend time with you like this for a while."
Izuku froze, mid-reach for his backpack. "Oh… really?"
She nodded, standing slowly. "Yes. You're always so kind and hardworking. I admire you, Izuku. Not just because you're strong, but because you're... genuine." Her voice dipped gently as she clasped her hands together in front of her.
Izuku's mouth opened and closed like a fish. He wasn't sure what to do with this information. Or where to put his hands. Or how to breathe, apparently. "Thank you, Momo. That really means a lot coming from you."
Momo smiled softly at him, her expression unreadable for a moment, and then she took a small step closer.
"Before you go…" she said gently, her voice just above a whisper, "I have something to give you."
Izuku blinked. "Something to… give me?"
He looked around like she might suddenly produce a gift bag from under the couch or hand him a secret hero training manual. "You didn't have to get me anything, really! I mean, I should be the one bringing snacks or…"
And then she leaned forward, slowly, gently—and kissed his cheek.
It was light. Barely there. But it froze him in place.
Her lips lingered for just a second before she pulled back, eyes meeting him with an almost shy smile. "There," she said. "Just… something small. To thank you for today."
Izuku was completely, entirely red now. Steam might as well have been coming out of his ears. Two girls. Two girls kissed him on the cheeks in two days. What. The. Fuck.
"I…thank you," he stammered, words crumbling into useless syllables as his brain failed to reboot.
Momo just giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear and stepping back a little to give him space. "I'll see you tomorrow, Izuku."
"Y-yeah! Tomorrow! Totally! Tomorrow exists! Yes!" he squeaked, practically grabbing his backpack like it was a lifeline. And then he walked out of the room waving at her before she shut the door. As he walked down the hallway, Jiro had her door open and saw Izuku rush by.
Jiro looked down at the hall to see Izuku walk into his room which made her confused. That was when Momo opened hers and she was smiling a very large smile on her face. The two girls looked up and looked at each other in their eyes and stared. Momo's feelings of jealousy arose back in her, and she got slightly defensive.
"So, rumor is you "hung out" with Izuku yesterday?" said Momo leaning against the door and putting up air quotes.
Jiro furrowed her brow in confusion. "Yeah, why's that?" she asked, arms crossing in a casual motion, but her eyes were sharp, scanning Momo like she was trying to read more than just her words.
Momo shrugged, still leaning against the doorframe with an air of forced nonchalance. "No reason. Just… curious." There was a pause—just a little too long to be comfortable.
Jiro tilted her head, her earjacks swaying ever so slightly. "You don't strike me as the just curious type, Momo."
Momo's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she straightened up. "Well, you and Izuku seem… close. And I suppose I just wanted to know where things stood."
Jiro narrowed her eyes. "Where things stood?"
The air between them started to shift, no longer just awkward, it was a slow, deliberate tension. Not hostile. But definitely not friendly.
Momo clasped her hands behind her back, posture perfect, expression composed. "I'm just making sure we're not… stepping on each other's toes, that's all."
Jiro raised an eyebrow, an amused smile creeping up. "You think I'm stepping on your toes?"
"I didn't say that," Momo replied evenly. "But I believe clarity is important when feelings are involved."
Jiro's smirk turned sharper. "Well then… maybe you should've clarified your own feelings before today."
Momo blinked. The hit landed, and it showed for just a second before she recovered. "Perhaps. But I'm not too late."
Jiro didn't reply immediately. She just leaned a little farther out of her doorway, glancing down the hallway where Izuku had disappeared.
Her jaw tensed, but her voice stayed level. "Guess we'll see."
They held eye contact. Neither girl backed down. And then, without another word, Momo slowly closed her door, the click of it shutting a little louder than necessary.
Jiro stood there for a few seconds, biting the inside of her cheek.
"Great," she muttered under her breath, stepping back inside.
THE NEXT DAY
Classes 1-A and 1-B were standing in the USJ awaiting orders from their teachers. Mr. Aizawa walked up to the forty students and cleared his throat to speak. Vlad King stood off to his side.
"Alright, kids. Listen up. Today there will be an exercise involving rescue as you know. We will divide you all up into four groups with ten people in each group. 5 being from Class A and the other five being Class B. The leaders of said groups are Izuku Yagi, Momo Yaoyorozu, Itsuka Kendo, and Inori Yagi. You will listen to the orders provided by your team leader. No questions asked. Now, we have 6 teachers here today including myself, Vlad King, 13, All Might, Midnight, and Cementoss for extra protection as we know what happened last time. Now get into your groups," he said reading out the names.
Izuku's team was very interesting. He had himself, Mashirao Ojiro, Tsuyu Asui, Hanta Sero, and Toru Hagakure for Class A, and from Class B were Ichiro, Tetsutetsu, Yui Kodai, Setsuna Tokage, and Juzo Hunenuki. Solid team all around and Izuku was going to do his best to lead him in the rescue exercise.
Aizawa soon spoke once more after everyone was assembled, "Now that we are in teams here is how it will work. Team Izuku and Team Inori will be in the Fire Zone. Each team will alternate who will be the people needing to be rescued. Team Izuku will go first in rescuing those who need it. Then it will flip. You will all be given cards of what "injuries" you will have, and the heroes will try to figure it out. Pretty simple. Also," said Aizawa inhaling some air before speaking.
"Team Itsuka and Team Momo will be in the Ruins Zone. Now, that is all. You may go to your designated area. As I said there are a total of six teachers and 3 will be in each zone in case something happens," said Aizawa as the teams parted ways. Izuku looked to his left to see Ichiro was being guarded and he sighed. He was hoping that their difference could be put to the side for the time being. The dumb thing is that it shouldn't even be Ichiro being mad, it should be the other way around.
"All right, team," Izuku said, turning to face his group with a focused expression. "We're in the Fire Zone, so expect thick smoke, debris, high temperatures, and fake injuries. Remember, we're treating this like a real emergency. Prioritize locating and evaluating the injured, securing the area, and evacuating civilians. Team Inori will be the ones we're rescuing this round."
They all nodded. Ojiro cracked his knuckles, Tsuyu adjusted her goggles, and Sero flexed his arms with a grin.
"Let's go, ribbit," Tsuyu said calmly. "Time to show them what we've got."
"YEAH!" Tetsutetsu bellowed, pounding his chest. "We're gonna save the hell outta those dummies—I mean people—I mean our classmates!"
Izuku couldn't help a chuckle. Even in a fake disaster zone, Tetsutetsu was full of unfiltered energy.
As they entered the Fire Zone, the heat hit them immediately. Simulated fires blazed behind reinforced walls, the ceiling above cracked and sagged ominously. Smoking machines created a thick haze that made visibility almost impossible without goggles.
Thankfully, he could feel Scorchguard at work.
"Alright, Setsuna. Split yourself and use your senses to see where the others are at," he said. Ichiro looked at Izuku and called out to him.
"What if we have Sero or Asui get up to a vantage point and see from above? Get a good look at things," he said coughing a couple of times. Izuku looked back and said it like it was. "That wouldn't be the smartest. Hot air rises as well as smoke. That would harm Sero more than it would help. Not to mention Tsu is at a disadvantage because she has her frog quirk from the flames."
Ichiro frowned then scoffed. "Alright fine, fuck what I have to say then," as the group continued to run forward.
Izuku heard Ichiro's muttered curse loud and clear but didn't respond. There wasn't time to let that frustration sink in when lives, fake or not, were depending on them. He focused on the mission and kept moving.
"Setsuna?" he called. "Anything?"
"Yeah, there are two civilians trapped under the rubble on the left of us here. There is one in this burning building and two calling out for help to the right of us," she said pointing with her separated hands.
Izuku nodded and called out to her, "Nice work Setsuna. Alright listen up, Tetsutetsu, Kodai, Ojiro. Go to the ones under the rubble. Kodai can make the rubble smaller with her quirk to you two can pick up the injured if need be. Toru, Hunenuki, and Asui go to the right and find those two. The rest of us keep moving forward.
"The rest of us keep moving forward. We'll check out that burning building," Izuku said, his tone firm as he motioned for Ichiro and Sero to follow him and Setsuna. "Stay low and don't breathe in too deeply if you can help it. Let's go."
The heat intensified with every step toward the building. Izuku's boots crunched on broken glass and scorched concrete, the distant cries of their classmates echoing through the simulated inferno. This wasn't real—but it felt real.
Sero let out a low whistle as they neared the structure. "Man, they really went all out this time. That blaze looks intense."
"Good," Izuku said without looking back. "We train in hard mode, so the real thing doesn't take us by surprise. Stand back, you guys…I've been working on this," he said still his hands out to the burning building.
Izuku activated Scorchguard and the intense flames started to swirl in his direction. He started to absorb the flames, shocking the three of them.
"What the fuck?!" asked Ichiro out loud. "When the hell were you able to do this?" he asked shocked with his voice laced with jealousy.
"My quirk can store, use, build up, and even absorb certain energies. I found out this is one of them," he said concentrating on the burning building as the flames started to dwindle.
The fire continued to die as Izuku concentrated, Scorchguard flaring along his skin like a shield of golden light. The once-raging inferno began to dim, revealing more of the building's crumbling interior. Sero covered his mouth, eyes wide with amazement, while Ichiro stared at Izuku, jaw clenched tight.
"Izuku…" Sero murmured. "That's insane. Like, next level."
Izuku gritted his teeth, his arms trembling slightly as he absorbed the last of the surrounding fire from the structure's entry point. "Thanks. But save the praise for later. Let's get inside."
The team moved quickly. Izuku led the way into the damaged building, Setsuna's floating parts keeping watch for unstable debris. Smoke still clung to the walls like ghosts, but the worst of the blaze was gone—thanks to him. They pushed into the main hallway, careful not to step on loose wires or jagged rubble.
That's when they heard it.
A soft voice—strained, muffled. "H-Help…"
Izuku's eyes widened. "Someone's in here! Setsuna—where?"
She nodded sharply. "Up ahead, second room on the left. Sounds like she's pinned."
Izuku didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, the others close behind. He kicked in the weakened door and coughed as a wave of residual heat hit him. Through the haze, he saw her.
Jiro.
She was half-buried beneath a collapsed support beam, sweat rolling down her brow, her hero costume scuffed and torn at the shoulder. She looked up, eyes widening the moment she saw him.
"Izuku…?" she whispered, relief washing over her features.
He knelt beside her instantly. "Don't move. We're getting you out."
Ichiro and Sero rushed in behind him. "We've got to lift that beam," said Sero, already positioning himself.
"I got it," said Ichiro lifting the beam easily as Sero pulled out Jiro. Izuku blushed at the faint memory of the kiss but put it to the side.
"Are you ok? What hurts," he asked. Jiro for her part acted fairly well and showed her leg that was bruised with makeup for added effect.
"It hurts. My leg," she said as Izuku looked at it. He activated Cell Surge and pretended to heal her to play only with exercise.
"Alright, you are safe now and we are here. Sero. Carry her back to the checkpoint. She is likely to exhausted based on the smoke in this room and won't be able to move much," he said firmly.
Sero nodded and carefully lifted Jiro into his arms, cradling her protectively. "Got her. I'll be fast, but careful."
"Good," Izuku said, glancing once more at Jiro, whose expression softened in Sero's arms. "Stay alert on the way back."
Sero nodded again and dashed off, ducking low to avoid falling debris, leaving Izuku, Setsuna, and Ichiro behind. As the flames fully died down, the building groaned ominously, like it was angry the fire had left. The simulation wasn't letting up.
Ichiro let out a breath and cracked his knuckles. "So… absorbing fire now, huh?" he asked, still clearly salty from earlier. "You going to start eating ice next?"
Izuku didn't take the bait. "If I could, I would," he said curtly, eyes scanning the smoky corridor. "Let's move. We're not done yet."
"2 CIVILIANS RESUCED," said the speaker in the fire dome.
Setsuna hovered her detached eyes toward the ceiling. "I sense another one down the street."
"5 CIVILIANS RESUCED," said the speaker again.
Izuku's eyes narrowed. "Down the street? That means outside the current building zone."
"Right," Setsuna replied, her limbs already floating toward the exit. "North side. Could be someone collapsed from smoke inhalation or stuck under the wreckage."
Ichiro huffed, flicking ash from his sleeve. "Great. Because this wasn't enough of a sweat already."
"We split," Izuku decided quickly. "Ichiro and I will check it out. Setsuna, stay here and scout the remaining areas of this structure. Make sure no one's missed."
Setsuna saluted with a floating arm. "Got it, boss."
The two boys sprinted out of the ruined building, feet crunching over broken glass and scorched concrete. The simulated city street beyond was hazy with residual smoke, glowing with red embers scattered across the pavement like fireflies from hell. Sirens blared in the distance—more part of the training simulation than actual emergency cues.
"7 CIVILIANS RESCUED," the dome's speaker blared overhead.
Izuku and Ichiro made their way through the destruction of the simulated city street, debris littering the ground, and the air thick with smoke and the smell of burning wreckage. The fire dome was relentless, the scenario designed to push them to their limits. Izuku's breath came in shallow gasps as he scanned the area, every sense on high alert. The speaker's constant announcements reminded him that they couldn't afford to waste time.
"8 CIVILIANS RESCUED," the speaker announced as they neared the intersection ahead.
"You see anything," he asked Ichiro.
Ichiro shook his head, his brow furrowed as he scanned the street. "Nothing yet. But we're getting close." He wiped the sweat from his forehead, eyes darting from building to building, his pace unwavering despite the heat and the smoke.
They continued to jog as they heard a faint noise. "Help!" They both recognized the voice as Inori.
"9 CIVILIANS RESCUED," the speaker blared from overhead, the announcement jarring in the otherwise silent street.
"We are coming!" called out Ichiro.
They ran around the corner and were surprised to see Inori was the last "civilian" before the exercise would be over. They ran over to her, and she called out in pain. "My back, it hurts so much,": she said not acting all that good. You couldn't be good at everything, I guess. Acting was not in Inori's repertoire.
"Alright, Ichiro let's lift," he said grabbing some of the rebar and concrete. They lifted the concrete chunks off of their sister easily and Izuku bent down activating Cell Surge as if she was actually hurt. After a moment he looked down at her and said, "You are healed. We will get you out now," he said bending over to pick her up.
"Do you want me to carry her," asked Ichiro.
"No, I got it," said Izuku as he looked at his brother confused.
Ichiro scoffed and shook his head. "Oh yeah, that's right. You fucking got to have all the glory," he said jogging ahead.
Izuku bent down picked up Inori in a bridal style and started to jog with her in his arms. She sighs. "You two arguing?" she asks crossing her arms.
"Yes," he said as he jumped over the same powerline from earlier. "Oi, Ichiro!" yelled out Inori. "Quit arguing with Izuku!" she called out as he turned his head slightly.
Ichiro threw up his arms. "Lovely. I just love getting blamed for everything that isn't my fucking fault. This is the shit I am talking about. It's like the past couple of months we blame everything on fucking Ichiro for no reason. I swear to God, the Statue of Liberty could be on fire, and I would get blamed for it," he said as he kept jogging.
The three of them exited the smoky corridor and onto the scorched street, just as the fire dome's final announcement echoed across the sky.
"10 CIVILIANS RESCUED. SIMULATION COMPLETE."
A high-pitched chime rang out through the simulation zone, signaling the end of the exercise. The surrounding flames abruptly blinked out like someone had snuffed the world's largest candle, leaving behind a landscape of steaming concrete and melted signage. What was once an inferno had become a dim, eerie scene of aftermath. Artificial smoke still drifted through the air in lazy wisps, the heat lingering on the pavement under their feet.
Izuku sighed as he was setting down Inori. "Well, now we have to wait for the next turn."
Izuku set Inori gently down, still holding onto her despite the relief from the complete simulation. His muscles ached from the exertion, but he couldn't let his guard down. The air was thick with the stench of burnt wood and melted plastic, but he forced his mind to stay focused. The team had done well—ten civilians rescued, after all. They had a few more turns of this and they would be done.
3 HOURS LATER
As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the rescue simulation, the atmosphere in the locker room was a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The students of Class 1-A and 1-B were changing out of their scorched, soot-streaked uniforms, the weight of their tasks still fresh on their minds.
Izuku sat on a bench, wiping the sweat from his brow as he changed into his casual clothes. His body ached from the exertion, but he could feel a sense of pride swelling within him. They'd rescued ten civilians in that chaotic simulation, a solid performance for the first round.
"That was insane," Sero commented as he pulled off his costume and tossed it into his locker. His usual grin was a little strained, his muscles obviously sore from the physical demands of the day. "You're a monster with that fire absorption, Izuku. I didn't know you could pull something like that off."
"Yeah well…never know until you try," he said shrugging. "Today took a lot out of us though. Doing nearly 4 hours of Rescue training I mean."
Izuku sat back against the locker room wall, letting the cool air wash over him as he listened to his classmates chatting around him. His mind was still buzzing from the intensity of the simulation. His body ached in places he hadn't realized existed, but the sense of accomplishment was undeniable. They had come through the simulation well, and the knowledge that they'd helped save lives – even in a controlled environment – gave him a new kind of pride.
"I thought we were gonna lose a few of the civilians at one point," Todoroki said, his voice surprisingly light despite his usual reserved nature. He was sitting with his legs stretched out, his uniform already off, his silver-white hair falling over his eyes.
"No kidding. I swear to God I couldn't find anyone for like 15 minutes," said Kaminari.
"That's what I felt like to, but we done and we can relax now. Anyone up for a Mortal Kombat tournament when we get back?" asked Mineta looking around.
"I wouldn't mind," said Shoji, his multiple arms already folding away his uniform with methodical ease. "As long as we get food first. I'm starving."
"Seconded," Ojiro added, tugging on a hoodie over his head. "I could eat a whole buffet."
The girls' locker room was a bit more subdued than the boys', though the sense of accomplishment still lingered in the air. They had just completed the same rescue simulation, and while they hadn't rescued as many civilians as the boys had, they had still done their part.
"Man, that was intense," Ochaco said as she pulled off her costume, trying to shake the tension from her shoulders. "I thought I was going to fall flat on my face when that building started collapsing."
"Tell me about it," Momo agreed, her hair damp and slicked back from sweat. "I've never had to use my quirk in such a chaotic environment before. It was all about quick thinking."
"Yeah, and I was getting tired of carrying that one guy around," Tsuyu added with a sigh, pulling her frog-like boots off. "I swear, he wasn't as heavy as he looked at first. But after a while... ugh."
Kyoka let out a small groan as she sat down on the bench, gingerly rubbing at a forming bruise on her upper arm. "You'd think with all our training, we'd be used to this kind of pressure by now."
"Simulation or not, it was real enough," Mina said, flopping onto the bench next to her, her usually vibrant pink hair plastered to her forehead. "Smoke, fire, screaming... and that dummy baby I had to save? I almost cried when I dropped it the first time."
Ochaco gave her a sympathetic look. "I didn't even know there was a baby in my section until it started making noise. I thought it was a siren or something at first."
"I heard that," Momo said, pulling a clean towel from her locker. "They wanted to test our ability to adapt and prioritize under stress. Civilians, pets, children, collapsing buildings... it was all part of the setup."
"Guys I am starving right now can we hurry up, I feel like I could eat a horse," said Toru whining.
"I second that," Mina said, dramatically clutching her stomach. "All that adrenaline burned through every ounce of sugar I had left in me. I need food before I start chewing on my own arm."
"I think we all earned a big meal," Ochaco said with a laugh, grabbing her towel and heading toward the showers. "Let's finish up and meet in the cafeteria?"
"Deal," Kyoka mumbled as she stood, still rubbing her sore arm. "But if they're out of katsudon again, I might riot."
TWO HOURS LATER
It was a little past 10 pm and Izuku was tired. He lay in bed thinking about a few things, one thing being about being kissed. It didn't leave his mind, and it was super hard to get out. He just wanted to get some sleep so he could be ready for tomorrow.
Inori was in the same bet. She was sound asleep in her room as she tossed and turned. Having a somewhat nice dream.
Ichiro on the other hand was fiddling with what Garaki had given him. He really was half tempted to press the button on it. His emotions were battling against each other. Power. He could use power to show people that they would be safe. To show that everything would be ok. To show that he was here. People needed an idol in their life, and he was going to be that idol. But he still didn't want to hit the button.
That was when memories started to flood his head again.
"I am disappointed in you Ichiro," said his father.
"Please Ichiro. I want my family to be whole again. It's disappointing at this point," said his mother.
"Ichiro. Grow up. I am trying to improve my relationship with Izuku. I hate that you don't fucking care about him. I am disappointed you don't care."
Disappointment. That was all they saw in him now. Izuku never said anything like that. But the fact he sits here in U.A. is parading himself around like he is the best. It fucking disgusted him. He doesn't give a damn about doing this for his family now. No. He would do something for himself for once. Hell, he even told his father to give Inori One for All because he didn't deserve it, but he was a disappointment to them.
He hit the button on the card and nothing happened at first. Then a black goo started to come out of his mouth, and it slowly evolved him. Soon he was teleported to a large lab area as he looked around. Ichiro stood in the dimly lit lab, blinking as his vision adjusted to the eerie glow of blinking machinery. The cold air wasn't just physical—it felt like it seeped into his bones. He reached up, wiping some of the black residue from the corners of his mouth with a grunt, his breathing heavy. That… teleportation? Warping? Whatever it was, it felt wrong. Like something had tugged at his very soul and ripped him through the fabric of space.
But now he was here.
Tall glass tubes lined the walls, some filled with murky fluid, others cracked or shattered. Wires dangled like vines from the ceiling. It felt like a place where secrets were born, and horrors were built. He turned his head to see Garaki, standing near a console, typing something in with his gloved fingers.
"Welcome," the old doctor said without turning around. "You pressed the button, Ichiro. That means you're ready—ready to take the next step."
Ichiro frowned. "This place… what is it?"
"My lab," Garaki replied calmly. "Hidden, secure, and built for purpose. The things we do here... well, let's just say they don't make the evening news." He turned to Ichiro now, partly shadowed by the low-hanging lights. "But that doesn't matter. You're not here to question morality. You're here for power. Real power."
Ichiro clenched his fists. "I didn't say I wanted anything shady. I don't want to be some villain."
"Villain?" Garaki laughed, not cruelly, but with amusement, like a teacher humored by a naive student. "No, no, Ichiro. I don't deal with heroes or villains. That's a child's game. I deal in potential."
The word echoed in Ichiro's mind.
He heard a man cough from behind a chair as the chair turned around slowly. Ichiro looked to see the man had a mouth but no eyes or nose and no hair. He was severely scared everywhere. Ichiro looked at him curiously.
Garaki walked beside All for One and cleared his throat to continue. "He will give you some power."
"Power..." the rasping voice came, low and ancient, like the creaking of a door that hadn't been opened in centuries. "That's what you desire, isn't it?"
Ichiro didn't speak. He swallowed hard and nodded.
The figure leaned forward, the dim lights casting jagged shadows across the ruined terrain of his face. "You're angry. You feel betrayed. Forgotten. Cast into your brother's shadow… yet your heart burns with the need to be seen—to be understood."
Ichiro stiffened.
"Don't be afraid," the figure said, voice like gravel scraping against stone. "I once felt the same. I, too, was born with strength, only to be scorned by the world's so-called order. But I chose not to kneel."
Garaki stepped back as the chair slowly rose. Mechanical supports hissed and clicked as the man stood to his full height—taller than Ichiro expected. Despite his ruined form, the aura that came off him was suffocating. Heavy. Dense with menace and promise.
"This world is ruled by perception," he continued. "They crown heroes and label villains not by their actions, but by their roles in society's farce. What you seek, Ichiro Yagi, is freedom from that lie."
Ichiro's heart thudded in his chest. He could feel it. The truth behind those words. The bitterness of it all.
"I'm not doing this to hurt people," Ichiro finally said. "I just… I want to be strong enough so that no one can ignore me again."
All for One gave a slow nod. "You are not the first with that desire. But unlike many… you have the will to act on it. That is why you are worthy. From what I can tell. Your body is strong enough to handle many quirks. I would like to give you one," he said reaching out his hand to him.
Ichiro slowly looked at the man not knowing it was All for One and started to walk closer to him. "I have something to complement Impact Drive very nicely," the ancient man said. "Something that will allow you to channel that kinetic force into more than just brute strength. Precision. Control. Destruction—on your terms."
"I call it Force Redirect." Garaki chimed in from behind them. "It's an old quirk, harvested from a deceased user years ago. Never made it to the registry. Quite rare. Think of it like a conduit—you absorb kinetic energy from movement, impacts, or momentum, and then redirect it to anywhere in your body, or even project it outward."
Ichiro's eyes widened slightly. "So… I could use the energy from running, or from a hit, and launch it back?"
"Exactly," All for One said, the grin on his ruined mouth subtle, but visible. "Pair that with Impact Drive, and you'll become a weapon of momentum. Every move you make will build your strength. Every strike they land only makes you hit harder. You will be a storm—self-sustaining and ever-growing."
Ichiro's breath caught in his throat. That power. That kind of control. He didn't want to just hurt people—he wanted to show them. Show them what they overlooked. Show them what they lost when they decided he wasn't enough.
He reached out slowly, hesitating only inches away from All for One's hand. "Then let's do it." Ichiro's face touched his hand, and he could feel the power coursing through him. In a matter of seconds, it was complete, and he felt…better.
"I have given you power, Hero. Now good luck," said All for One turning around once more as a Warp Gate opened up from Ichiro's feet and teleported him to the gates of U.A.
"Are you sure that was wise?" asked Kurogiri. "Not that I am questioning you but why give him power."
All for One chuckled. "Because I have some chess pieces that I would like to fall into place. To…be helpful…if you know what I mean. It will only be a matter of time before that boy comes to the palm of my hand," he said smiling as he couldn't wait for that day to come.
At U.A. there was something going on without young heroes. Inori and Izuku's faces were strained in their sleep as they tossed and turned. They were hearing voices, and it felt like they were burning right now.
"Users...of...One for All," said a calm voice. "The balance...is shifting...something...is coming...prepare...train...be ready...to protect those who you love and cherish."
Izuku and Inori opened their eyes to see they were in a plain that was swirling with black, red, and a bunch of other colors. Izuku looked around and realized that this was where he met a few of the users already. Izuku looked at Inori who was shocked to see him there.
"Izuku what is this," she asks somewhat scared.
"I don't know," he said looking around and the voice came again.
"One for All is...unifying," said the melodic voice.
"Users...ninth...and tenth...," said the calm voice. "You must be ready...something is...slipping...from you...from everyone...and if you do not help this something...they will...be...evil."
"Who are you talking about," asked Izuku seeing a vision appear before him as everything swirled around him. "I cannot say...I am too weak right now...you both must train...become stronger...One for All is bonding between you two...becoming stronger than anticipated. Just know...you must help them...you must be there for them...they haven't...changed...not yet...but they need help...you must help. Otherwise, calamity will be upon us."
"What does this mean?!" shouted a confused Inori.
"It means...you two must be the light at the end of the tunnel...Japan...no...the world needs beacons of hope...we are about to enter an era of dusk and despair. Be people's light and hope. We will be waiting," said the calm voice as the two of them awoke with a scare as they both sat up in their beds. Izuku was rubbing his face wondering what the hell was that. Inori had other thoughts. Who was this person that needed help? And what the hell does Izuku have to do with the power of One for All?