The green bunny and the silver tiger

by orphan_account

Summary:

In a world where everyone is born with a superpower, those without a Quirk are often cast aside, left to struggle in a society built for the strong. Izuku Midoriya, one of the Quirkless, is a homeless teenager fighting against the odds to survive. With nothing but his resolve and a burning desire to save others, he steps into the shadows as a vigilante.

But fate has a different path for him. Pushed deeper into darkness, Izuku finds himself crossing paths with some of the most dangerous figures in the world—villains, criminals, and monsters. As he is drawn into their violent world, he begins to build a new family, one rooted in destruction and chaos. In a life where his dreams of heroism are constantly crushed, Izuku must navigate a dangerous new reality where the line between hero and villain is blurred, and survival is the only rule.

Notes:

This is my first fanfiction so tell me if there anything you would like me to write about at the end of every chapter I would have a few questions that you can answer for the future of the story

Chapter 1: A family forged in Shadows

It was the end of a long, rainy day when Hisashi and Inko returned to their modest hotel on the outskirts of the city. They had just come back from an exciting yet exhausting trip to America, and every step they took beneath the dim glow of the streetlights felt heavy with fatigue. The rain-slicked streets reflected the pale light, and a chilly breeze whispered through the air. Their hotel was small and temporary—a place to stay while they waited to move into their new house, which they had recently placed a down payment on.

As they approached a bridge not far from the hotel, a sound made them pause. It wasn’t the rhythmic drip of rain from the leaves or the distant hum of traffic—it was something much more human. A soft, broken sob echoed through the night, the kind of crying that came from a place of deep, raw hurt. Compelled by concern, they looked around. At first, they saw no one. But the sobs continued, and Hisashi followed the sound down a narrow path that led beneath the bridge.

There, in the shadows, they found a young boy huddled on the cold, damp concrete. He couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old. His messy light blue hair clung to his face, and his crimson eyes were wide with fear. He clutched his hands to his chest like he was trying to hold himself together. He was trembling—partly from the cold, but more from fear, pain, and a crushing loneliness.

Inko’s heart broke at the sight. She slowly knelt down and extended her hands, careful not to frighten him further.

"Hey there," she said gently, her voice as soft and warm as a blanket. "What’s your name, sweetheart?"

The boy didn’t answer right away. He had been hiding for days, overlooked by countless passersby. Trust was a luxury he could no longer afford. But there was something different about this couple. Something kind. Something safe.

"Tenko Shimura," he whispered, so faintly they almost missed it.

Hisashi leaned closer. "What was that?"

"My name... is Tenko Shimura," he repeated, this time a bit louder.

Just saying his name felt like reclaiming a piece of himself. Hisashi and Inko didn’t judge or pressure him. They simply introduced themselves and assured him they meant no harm—they only wanted to help.

"Would you be okay telling us what happened?" Hisashi asked gently.

Tenko’s eyes filled with panic. His throat tightened as if the truth would burn on the way out. Would they still want to help if they knew? Would they leave him too? But there was a quiet strength in their presence, a sense of safety he hadn’t felt in a long time.

"I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to... I didn’t mean to..." he whispered, scratching at his neck in a futile attempt to escape the storm raging inside.

"It’s not your fault," Inko said firmly, without hesitation.

Tenko looked at her in disbelief. She wasn’t afraid. She didn’t back away. And slowly, he began to tell them everything—his dreams of becoming a hero, the harsh punishments from his father, the warmth of his mother and sister, and the photo of a grandmother he had never been allowed to speak of. Then he spoke of the day everything changed—the day his quirk manifested uncontrollably, and his family vanished with a touch.

His family—gone. And no one had come to help.

Until now.

Hisashi and Inko exchanged a look full of unspoken understanding. Inko reached into her bag and offered Tenko a pair of gloves.

"Would you like to come with us, Tenko?" she asked, her voice steady and full of compassion.

Tenko nodded, his voice barely audible. "Yes... I-I do."

She smiled warmly. "We’re glad to have you."

Tears flowed freely down Tenko’s cheeks. Her words felt like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. The icy grip around his heart began to thaw.

"It’s not your fault," Inko repeated. "You were scared and overwhelmed. But that doesn’t make you a monster. From now on, you won’t be alone. We’ll help you heal."

The shaking slowed. The itching eased. Inko gently brushed the hair from his face, and Tenko fell asleep in her arms—for the first time in what felt like forever, he slept in peace.

When Tenko awoke, he wasn’t under the bridge anymore. He was in a warm, clean bed. His hands were wrapped in soft gloves, and the air carried a quiet comfort. Panic surged for a moment—until he saw them.

Hisashi and Inko.

---

Inko sat beside the bed and handed him a warm drink. "This is for you."

Tenko took it with both hands, letting the heat calm him. "Thank you."

Hisashi smiled. "We’d like to tell you more about us, if that’s okay. We want you to feel safe here."

Tenko nodded quietly.

"Our last name isn’t really Midoriya," Hisashi began. "It’s Shigaraki."

Inko added, "When we got married, we decided to use my last name."

She took a deep breath. "We’ve already bought a house in Musutafu. It has room for five people. And Tenko... we’d like to adopt you. Officially."

Tenko’s eyes widened. Adoption? They didn’t just want to help—they wanted to be his family.

"If you say yes, you could become Tenko Midoriya," Inko said gently. "But only if you want to. There’s no pressure."

Hisashi added, "If you’d rather go to an orphanage, we understand. You’d be safe there, too. But if you choose to stay, there’s more."

Inko placed a hand on her belly and smiled.

"I’m five months pregnant. In a few months, you’d have a baby brother."

Tenko’s thoughts raced. A real family. Could he really have that again?

"You have time to think about it," Hisashi said. "We’ll be here at the hotel for two more days. Whatever you decide, we’ll support you."

"We just want what’s best for you," Inko added.

And Tenko believed them. They weren’t here out of pity. They genuinely cared.

"If you stay," Hisashi continued, "we can start the adoption process next week. I know a lawyer who can help."

Inko gently took his hand. "We’ve always wanted children. Coming back to Japan was supposed to be a fresh start. And then we met you. If you’re open to it, we’d love for you to be our son."

Tenko’s heart beat faster. He didn’t want to be alone anymore.

"We want you to have a little brother," Inko said. "You deserve love. You don’t have to be afraid."

He looked at both of them. They had found him. They had stayed.

"I... I..."

When Inko reached for his cup, Tenko flinched.

"Mom, don’t."

The word escaped before he could stop it.

Inko paused, then smiled. "Yes, Tenko?"

"I was just reaching for your cup," she explained. "But I’ll stay right here if you want me to."

She didn’t recoil. She didn’t reject him. It felt... right.

"Can I... Can I call you Mom?"

"Of course, honey. You can."

Hisashi’s voice was gentle. "Does that mean you want to stay with us?"

Tears welled in Tenko’s eyes. "Yes. You came for me. You didn’t have to—but you did. I want to stay."

Inko’s smile deepened. "We’ll make it happen."

"Do you have any questions?" she asked.

Tenko looked down and then up again. "What’s my baby brother’s name?"

"Izuku. Izuku Midoriya."

Tenko smiled. "That’s a good name."

"Thank you, son," Inko said warmly.

Hisashi stood, already dialing his phone. "I’ll call my friend about the adoption. We’ll start right away."

They hadn’t turned away. They weren’t afraid of him. They had truly seen him—and they had chosen him.

And now, Tenko chose them too.

Chapter 2: A Home for the Unnamed

It had been two days since Tenko met Mr. and Mrs.—no, Mom and Dad. He still didn’t fully understand why they had taken him in or what they saw in him. How could people be so kind?

They spoke of things he didn’t quite grasp—something about a honeymoon, America, and changing their names. They promised to explain everything when the time was right, and Tenko trusted them.

Although it had only been two days, Tenko hadn’t asked many questions or done much. Still, somehow, they already knew his favorite color, his birthday, and even the foods he liked. They made sure no one asked him questions he wasn’t ready to answer. They even took him to the doctor to make sure he was okay after living on the streets for so long.

When they met with Dad’s lawyer friend, he had asked where they had found Tenko. They told him they had just taken in an orphan, carefully leaving out the details of what had happened to his family. They said they did it because they knew it made Tenko uncomfortable—and he was grateful. They always thought of him first when making decisions.

They also made sure no one found out about the incident. They said some people could be cruel and might blacklist him, labeling him as having a "villainous" quirk. Tenko understood why people might think that. He had once believed it too—until he met Mom and Dad.

Now, he knew there was no such thing as a villainous quirk. There were only villainous people.

Mom and Dad had told him that he would make mistakes, but that was okay. He could learn from them. After all, he was a kid—it was normal to make mistakes.

Now, they were standing in front of their new home—or apartment, he supposed. They had promised to paint his room his favorite color: blue. Tenko really liked sky blue; it was calming. They even promised to add an accent wall, get him books so he could learn, and take him to a specialist to help with his quirk.

Tenko wasn’t sure if his birth parents would have done that for him.

But Mom and Dad had.

And he was happy with them.

He just hoped nothing would change.

Inko and Hisashi were so glad they could help Tenko. He was a good kid who had been through so much. He trusted them now, and they didn’t want to break that trust. He had a hard time believing in people, and they didn’t want to overwhelm him. Yet, they worried—if they waited too long to tell him the truth, he might never fully understand.

The reason they had to change his name from Shigaraki to Midoriya was because Hisashi’s name carried a dark history. At the end of the day, Hisashi had been a villain—All For One. And Inko… she had been an assassin, working for the U.S. government to take down corrupt officials during their time in America. But now that they were back in Japan, Inko planned to work as a nurse, which meant neither of them would be home much.

They were grateful, however, that their little one would have a big brother to look out for him. They weren’t sure how their child would react to their past, but to them, they had done what they had to do. To him, however, the heroes he had once admired might now seem like villains.

One evening, as they prepared for a family discussion, Hisashi called softly, “Honey, do you mind coming down?”

“Right away,” Inko’s voice floated down the hallway.

Hisashi watched as she descended the stairs, her expression calm but questioning. “Is there something you want to say?” he asked.

Inko hesitated before speaking. “I think we should tell Tenko about us.” Her voice was steady, though there was a slight tremble beneath it. “We’re not hiding, and neither of us plans to continue our… previous work. I’ve always known that even when I married you, you couldn’t just erase your past—not in the way the world sees it. But to me, you’re my husband. I think we should tell him now, before he’s forced to wonder or doubt.”

Hisashi exhaled slowly, nodding. “I was just thinking the same thing, honey. He should know now rather than later.”

Before either of them could say more, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. Tenko appeared, beaming. “Mom! I finished setting up my room! I really like the bed—it’s so soft!”

A small smile tugged at Hisashi’s lips. Tenko looked so happy. But the moment didn’t last—his grin wavered as he noticed them sitting on the couch, their expressions serious.

“Mom? Dad? Did something happen?” His voice wavered slightly.

Inko was the first to respond, her tone warm and reassuring. “No, baby, nothing’s wrong. But your dad and I have something important to tell you. Come sit down.”

Tenko hesitated before stepping forward and taking the seat across from them. His eyes flickered between Inko and Hisashi, waiting.

Glancing at Inko once more, Hisashi took a deep breath and spoke. “Before we sign the papers to make everything official, there’s something we need to share about our past. Our work before we came back to Japan… it wasn’t exactly legal. Your mom worked as an assassin, and I operated in the black market. To the law, we were considered villains.”

He let the words settle, watching Tenko’s face closely for any sign of fear, confusion, or rejection.

“We understand if this is too much for you,” Hisashi continued. “If you want to leave or tell someone about us, we won’t hold it against you. But we wanted you to know—before you become our official son—who we used to be.”

Inko’s voice cut in, calm but firm. “I’m not continuing my work as an assassin. Once my maternity leave is over, I’ll be working as a nurse, which means I’ll often be away. Your dad still has some business to handle—nothing as horrible as murder, just old connections in the black market. Society may label us as villains, but we did what we had to do. We want you to know the truth because you chose to be part of our lives.”

Silence stretched between them. Hisashi could see the gears turning in Tenko’s mind as he processed everything.

Finally, Tenko spoke. “Does this mean… there are more people like me? People that society sees as villains, or… diseases?”

His words hit Hisashi like a blow to the chest. The hurt in Tenko’s eyes, the quiet understanding in his voice—it was too much for a child to carry. But still, Tenko continued.

“I do want to stay with you. I understand what you did. I know society isn’t as great as I thought. The heroes… they weren’t the ones who saved me—you did. I don’t mind being called a villain if it means I can stay with you. Please… don’t make me go.”

A lump formed in Hisashi’s throat. He turned to Inko, and she met his gaze, her expression mirroring the same mixture of relief and sorrow he felt.

She leaned toward Tenko, her voice soft but certain. “You’re not going anywhere, Tenko. You’re part of our family now—always.”

Tenko’s eyes brightened, determination replacing hesitation. “I want to do something to show I care about staying here with you both.”

Inko smiled at him, pride evident in her expression. “If that’s what you want, I’m sure Dad has a few ideas, too.”

Hisashi glanced up from the book he had been absentmindedly holding, his gaze meeting Tenko’s. “Actually, I think your mom’s idea is great. We could even work on something for the baby’s room too—if you’re up for it.”

Inko nodded, her excitement growing. “I can go out today and pick up some materials—cardboard, string, and other creative supplies. We’ll make pictures, drawings… decorate the walls next to the living room or in the hallway. I hope you’re okay with leaving a little space for your baby brother.”

The conversation shifted to something lighter, even playful. Inko smirked. “Well then, you two can go pick up the crib we ordered from Ikea and assemble it. I’ll head out to buy some dye, string, cardboard—everything we need. By the way, what color should we go with? It’s a baby boy.”

Tenko grinned. “Let’s go with forest green, like Mama’s hair. And can you buy a few frames too? I want to put pictures in them.”

Hisashi chuckled, nodding. “Of course, dear. Frames and colors, all set.” Then he turned to Inko with a raised brow. “But wait, what are you going to do, love?”

She laughed as she stood, already slipping on her coat. “Well, Dad, while you’re out getting supplies, I’m going to pick up a few other things for the baby’s room. We could use some bookshelves, a desk, and a nice rug so the little one can crawl around.”

Tenko laughed at her enthusiasm. “Okay, Mama, you can come down now,” he teased.

Inko stared at the baby checklist on her phone, her eyes widening with every item she read aloud. "Okay, so we need a crib, a changing mat, a dresser, a nursing chair... a laundry basket, and… diapers. So many diapers. And don’t forget a lampshade, a rug, a mobile, toys—oh, and a stuffed animal!" She groaned, leaning back on the couch. "How are we going to get all this before the baby comes? There’s no way we can fit it all into three and a half months!"

Hisashi raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face. "Well, if we don’t have time, I guess the baby will have to sleep in the laundry basket," he said with a wink.

Tenko, who had been quietly sitting on the floor, looked up with wide eyes. "Wait… you’re seriously going to make the baby sleep in the laundry basket?"

Hisashi burst out laughing. "No, no! It was a joke! But hey, if the baby’s anything like you, it’ll probably sleep anywhere."

Tenko scrunched his nose, looking skeptical. "That sounds like a terrible idea."

Inko joined in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, you’re right. I can just picture it now—‘Baby’s first laundry basket nap!’ We’ll be legends."

Hisashi nudged Tenko. "And then we can give the baby socks as toys. They’re very educational. Just ask any toddler."

Tenko’s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Socks as toys? That sounds cool, actually. Can I have some too?"

Inko put a hand on her forehead dramatically. "We’re doomed."

Hisashi chuckled, pulling her into a hug. "Come on, we’ve got three and a half months. We’ve got the essentials covered. Besides, Tenko’s right—what else could be more educational than socks?"

Tenko jumped up, looking excited. "A sock rug?! That sounds awesome!"

Inko buried her face in her hands, but she was clearly holding back laughter. "You two are impossible."

Hisashi wrapped his arm around her, grinning. "But I’m your impossible."

Chapter 3: the first for a child

Three and a half months passed faster than any of them expected.

Tenko had helped paint the baby’s room—forest green with soft ivory trim—and had insisted on adding a mobile he made himself: paper stars, string, and a bit of glitter. He said it was to “catch dreams before they fall.” Inko cried when she saw it.

The baby’s name had been chosen months in advance: Izuku.

Now, the hospital room was quiet, except for the steady beeping of machines and the occasional shuffle of nurses outside the door. Hisashi sat beside the bed, one hand gripping Inko’s, the other clutching a small baby blanket they’d brought from home. His face was pale and tense, but his eyes never left hers.

“You’re doing amazing,” he whispered as another contraction passed.

Inko gave him a half-hearted glare between breaths. “Say that again after you’ve pushed a human out of your body.”

Tenko sat curled up in a chair near the window, gripping his knees to his chest. He didn’t say much. He had been quiet since the early morning when Inko’s water broke, and they rushed to the hospital. Hisashi had offered to let him stay home, but Tenko refused. He didn’t want to miss the moment his baby brother came into the world.

Hours passed.

And then, finally, a cry broke through the air.

It was sharp and raw and alive.

Tenko flinched at first—but then his eyes widened. He stared at the tiny bundle the nurse gently handed to Inko, who cradled him with a look of awe that not even exhaustion could dim.

Hisashi, completely undone, kissed the top of her head and whispered something no one else could hear.

Tenko slowly approached, his movements tentative. Inko looked up and smiled softly.

“Come meet your brother.”

Tenko peered down into the blanket. The baby’s hair was already dark and wild, his cheeks pink and scrunched up, and his fists flailed with the strength of a tiny warrior.

“He’s… small,” Tenko whispered.

Inko laughed gently. “You were small once, too.”

Hisashi leaned closer. “Want to hold him?”

Tenko hesitated, then slowly nodded. He sat on the edge of the bed as Hisashi guided the baby into his arms. Tenko’s entire body tensed for a moment—he remembered what his hands could do, what they had done—but Hisashi placed soft gloves over his hands earlier, just in case. Just for peace of mind.

Izuku blinked up at him with sleepy, unfocused eyes. Then he yawned.

Tenko stared down at his little brother for a long moment before whispering, “Hey, baby… I’m your big brother.”

Inko watched the two of them, her heart full.

Hisashi smiled and gently squeezed her hand. “We did it.”

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “He has two people to protect him now.”

Tenko leaned closer to Izuku, his voice steady and low. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Ever.”

---

Izuku grew fast.

At one year old, he was already crawling at full speed and babbling endlessly—mostly to Tenko, who took it as a sacred duty to translate the nonsense into full monologues. ("He said he wants more applesauce and also a dragon. Not a toy dragon, a real one.")

Tenko, now six years old, had become fiercely protective. He had nightmares sometimes, but he always checked on Izuku after waking up—just to make sure he was still breathing, still safe. He never told Inko or Hisashi about the dreams, but they noticed the way he lingered in the baby’s doorway some nights, silent as a shadow.

By the time Izuku was three, he followed Tenko everywhere like a duckling. His first word after “Mama” and “Dada” was “Tenko.” Not “brother,” not “nii-chan”—just his name, spoken with giggles and glee. Tenko pretended to be annoyed, but he smiled every time.

“I think I’m his favorite,” he’d say smugly, arms crossed.

“You earned it,” Hisashi replied one evening as they cleaned up after dinner. “You’re his hero.”

Tenko paused at that. He didn’t say anything, but his chest ached—not with sadness, but with something too big and unfamiliar to name.

Izuku was different from him. He was bright and sunny, always smiling, always asking questions. He loved to read, loved to draw, and especially loved capes. He said he wanted to be a hero someday. The kind who saved people with words and hugs and cool gadgets.

Tenko didn’t know what to say to that. He didn't want Izuku to grow up and see the world the way he had seen it—cold, unforgiving, cruel to those who didn’t fit in.

But he didn’t stop him from dreaming, either.

When Izuku’s quirk failed to show up at four, he was crushed. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he sat curled in Tenko’s lap, whispering, “Maybe I’m not meant to be a hero.”

Tenko hugged him tightly, holding his breath against the sharp memory of his own childhood.

“You don’t need a quirk to be a hero,” he said. “Mom and Dad saved me without using theirs. And you? You already saved me more times than I can count.”

Izuku sniffled. “But I didn’t do anything…”

Tenko smiled sadly. “You were born. That was enough.”

Later that night, Inko quietly told Hisashi that Tenko was finally healing. Slowly, but surely. His voice was different now—softer, more hopeful. Like he was beginning to believe he belonged.

Years passed.

Izuku grew taller, louder, funnier. Tenko, now a teenager, took to teaching him how to defend himself—not just with fists, but with words. How to see through lies. How to stay kind without being naïve. He never called it “training,” but that’s what it was.

Izuku would always grin afterward and say, “Big Bro Sensei is the best!” and Tenko would roll his eyes but secretly write it down in his notebook later like it was gospel.

He didn’t know what the future held.

He didn’t know if their past would come for them, or if his own darkness would ever fully fade. But he knew this:

He would walk beside Izuku through whatever came next.

Because family wasn’t about blood.

It was about choosing each other—every single day.

---

But life, especially for people with pasts like theirs, rarely follows a peaceful script.

Izuku was born into love and safety. But that safety didn’t last.

It ended on a quiet winter afternoon, years later, with one phone call.

There had been a villain attack at Hisashi's workplace—nothing new in a world teetering between heroism and chaos. But this one was different. It was personal.

Tenko had gone with Dad that day. Just a quick visit, a shared lunch between father and son. Neither of them came home.

All that remained was smoke, rubble, and a burned phone recovered from the wreckage. Inko never spoke of what the police said. But Izuku heard enough through the thin walls of their apartment: "No survivors."

Chapter 4: Shattered Foundations

Summary:

Izuku's already crumbling world starts to crumble even more until he has to go and build a new world for himself

The mumbling at school never stopped. The staring never stopped. The bullying never stopped. The world never stopped.

Even though my world was crumbling, Dad and Ten-nii are gone. They’re officially dead. Mom is constantly at work. She taught me how to cook, and she cleans the house. I do the laundry and most of the chores—washing the dishes, cleaning my room, taking out the trash. Sometimes, I even make her breakfast or pack some kind of lunch for her to take to work.

I know it’s hard on her, and I want to help.

Big Brother always wanted to help too.

The more I thought about Dad and Big Brother’s death, the less I wanted to be a hero.

I started searching online and found communities that help people dealing with discrimination because of their quirks. I took up extra learning—programming, hacking, law, history, and filming. I even learned a little bit of binary. I studied underground heroes, what legally makes someone a villain, and the existence of vigilantes—people who do a hero’s job without a license, using their quirks.

I even took an IQ test. I was told my score was above average. But every time I did well on exams, getting an A+ or a perfect score, people assumed I was cheating. So I started answering questions wrong on purpose, lowering my grades just enough to avoid suspicion and an automatic F.

Honestly, it feels like the world itself is trying to destroy my future. And no matter what, I don’t really know what to do.

---

For everyone else, it was just another day. For me, it was a memory.

It had been exactly one year since Dad and Big Brother left home and never came back.

While Mom went to the graveyard, I walked outside. I didn’t want to visit their graves today—it felt wrong. I know they’re not coming back, but I just can’t accept it.

I was heading to the store to grab some burn cream. The burns Katsuki had been giving me lately were pretty bad. Thankfully, they didn’t leave any scars.

When I entered the grocery store, I went straight to the medicine section. I picked up some painkillers and burn cream, but on my way to the cashier, I noticed a small basket filled with notebooks. They were on discount—only 25 yen each. I decided to take five. I don’t think Mom would notice.

After paying, I grabbed a pen and wrote on the cover: Analysis for the Future—Quirk Analysis. On the back page, I wrote my name so that if I lost it, someone would know who it belonged to.

Without hesitation, I started writing my first quirk entry. It was about a relatively new hero—Present Mic. His quirk’s name: Voice.

---

Present Mic

Present Mic is a pro hero and has a very loud, energetic personality, often speaking like a radio host.

Quirk: Voice

Present Mic’s Voice quirk allows him to amplify his voice to incredibly high decibels, strong enough to create shockwaves that can physically push back enemies or cause them to become disoriented. His voice attacks can cause temporary deafness and even pain, depending on how loud he gets.

• Maximum Volume: The highest recorded volume for his quirk is unknown, but it’s strong enough to be felt from long distances and damage eardrums.
• Range: His quirk is best at medium to long-range combat, as his sound waves can travel over large areas.
• Directional Control: Unlike a normal voice, Present Mic can focus his sound waves in a specific direction, preventing unnecessary damage to allies.
• Non-lethal Power: While powerful, his quirk is mainly used for crowd control rather than direct attacks.

Strengths:

• Long-Range Offense: His voice can reach and incapacitate opponents from a distance, reducing the need for close combat.
• Wide Area of Effect: His soundwaves spread over large areas, making it useful for dealing with multiple enemies at once.
• Disruptive Power: The shockwaves of his voice can disorient, deafen, and even knock down enemies, making it hard for them to fight back.
• Tactical Advantage: His quirk is non-lethal, which makes it good for crowd control and hostage situations without unnecessary casualties.
• Enhanced Equipment: His hero costume includes a speaker system, likely enhancing his vocal power and control.
• Strong Endurance: Since his quirk relies on his vocal cords, he has trained them to withstand extended use, making him capable of prolonged battles.

Weaknesses:

• neffective Against Soundproofing:

  • Enemies with sound-blocking quirks or technology can negate or reduce his attacks.
  • Special earplugs can also counter his ability.

• Lack of Close Combat Skills:

  • If enemies get too close, Present Mic doesn’t have strong physical combat abilities to fight back.
  • His attacks rely mostly on range, so he is at a disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat.

• Strain on Vocal Cords:

  • Overuse can lead to damage or fatigue, making his voice weaker.
  • Prolonged shouting may cause hoarseness, limiting his abilities.

• Collateral Damage:

  • His quirk affects everyone in range, including allies and bystanders.

    He has to be careful when using it in crowded areas.

     

Combat Style

Present Mic primarily fights using sound-based attacks, relying on distance and area-of-effect disruption.

• Long-Range Suppression:
• • • • He keeps enemies at a distance using powerful shockwaves from his voice.
      • He can attack multiple enemies at once, causing temporary deafness and confusion.

    • Hit-and-Run Tactics:

      • Because his quirk can be draining, he may use quick bursts of attacks and reposition himself.

    • Support Role:

      • In a team fight, Present Mic works best as a disruptor, breaking enemy formations, and providing intel and communication to his allies.

    • Hero Equipment:

      • His speaker system (on his shoulders) may help control and direct his voice better for more 

Potential Upgrades for Present Mic’s Quirk and Combat Abilities

Alternative Fighting Style – "Silent Mode"

What if Present Mic didn’t always rely on loud attacks? A stealth-based version of his quirk could make him even more dangerous.

🔹 Silent Sonic Waves

• Instead of loud, obvious attacks, he could develop a silent frequency that causes internal vibrations, knocking enemies unconscious without sound.
• Could also allow for silent takedowns in stealth missions.

🔹 Vibration Suppression

• He could learn to cancel out sounds, making him an anti-stealth hero who prevents enemies from sneaking up.

Equipment Upgrades – High-Tech Support Gear

Present Mic’s hero costume already includes speakers, but these could be enhanced for better functionality.

🔹 Directional Sound Cannons (Portable)

• A wearable speaker system that allows him to fire soundwaves in specific directions rather than affecting a whole area.
• This could be useful in urban environments where he needs to avoid civilian damage.

🔹 Tactical Headset with Sound Filters

• A headset that blocks out harmful frequencies, preventing enemies from using sound attacks against him.
• Could also be used for long-range communication, making him a better support hero.

🔹 Quirk-Enhancing Gloves (Sonic Amplification)

• Special gloves that channel his quirk through his hands, allowing him to strike with shockwaves.
• Could also redirect sound energy for more precise attacks.

Combat Upgrades – Close-Range Fighting & Defense

Since his biggest weakness is close-quarters combat, Present Mic should develop better self-defense skills.

🔹 Sound-Enhanced Combat Style (Sonic Strikes)

• His shockwaves could be channeled into melee attacks (like a "Sonic Punch" that knocks enemies back).
• Vibration-infused strikes could weaken enemy armor or weapons.

🔹 Martial Arts Training

• Learning basic self-defense (like kickboxing or judo) would help him counter enemies who get too close.
• If he combines this with his sound-based attacks, he could create stunning or knockback effects while fighting.

🔹 Sound Dampening Suit

• His hero costume could be upgraded with shock-absorbing materials to lessen sound-related recoil on his own body.
• Could also protect him from other sound-based attacks

---

And my pen died. Great. Guess I'll have to grab a new one from my drawer. But this is pretty fun... I wonder if I can do more heroes? Maybe I could even try analyzing my mom’s quirk. Yeah, I'll do her next time.

Izuku’s footsteps echoed softly on the cracked pavement, the only sound in the still night air. The city, once a place of hope and adventure, now felt cold and distant. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, his breath misting in the chill of the evening. The streetlights flickered sporadically, casting eerie shadows on the broken sidewalks, and the faint hum of distant traffic seemed muffled in the emptiness around him.

The world felt heavy tonight—too quiet. The vibrant sounds of the bustling city had faded into the background of his mind, leaving only the harsh reality of his surroundings. As he walked deeper into the alleyways and narrow streets, the smell of trash mixed with the sour tang of old cigarette smoke. Abandoned carts and cardboard boxes piled high along the sides of the roads, their contents spilling out in a disorganized mess.

A figure huddled near a dumpster, wrapped in layers of worn clothing, eyes downcast as a tremor ran through their body. Izuku glanced at them, unsure of whether to approach. The homeless were a regular sight in these parts of the city, each face telling a silent story of struggle and survival. A twinge of guilt twisted in his chest, but he continued walking, unsure of how to help.

“Hey, kid,” a rough voice called out from the shadows, startling him. Izuku froze, his heart thudding in his chest. He turned, trying to locate the source of the voice.

From the darkness emerged a figure—a man with a cruel grin, his face obscured by the hood of a tattered jacket. Villains. Izuku’s mind immediately went on alert, the warning bells ringing in his head. This part of the city was dangerous, and he knew better than to engage with anyone like this.

The man took a step forward, his movements slow and calculated. “Lost, are we? This isn’t the place for kids like you. Better turn around, or things could get… ugly.” His eyes glinted with malice, and his hand twitched, fingers crackling with some sort of power.

Izuku’s stomach tightened, but he stood his ground. The part of him that used to be a hero—brimming with dreams and courage—flickered to life in the darkness. Even without a quirk, he couldn’t let the city—his city—sink any lower.

He swallowed his fear and met the villain’s gaze. “I’m not lost. I’m just walking.”

The villain chuckled darkly, stepping closer. “Walking into trouble, more like it. This is our turf now.”

Just then, a loud crash sounded from behind them, the unmistakable sound of something breaking. A group of ragtag figures appeared from the alley ahead, their movements jerky and erratic. More villains—this group looked like they’d been scavenging for whatever they could find, their clothes torn and stained. They weren’t just criminals; they were survivors of the city’s underbelly, living off what they could take from the weak.

Izuku’s eyes darted between them, his heart racing. The world had changed so much since he was a kid—heroes once ruled the streets, keeping everyone safe. Now, it felt like chaos was slowly creeping into every corner of the city. The people who needed help were left behind, lost in the shadows.

The villain in front of him grinned wider, sensing Izuku’s hesitation. “What’s a powerless little kid like you going to do, huh?”

Izuku’s breath caught in his throat, his mind racing for a way out. But deep down, he knew he wasn’t in the same place he once was. No quirk, no backup. The world felt too big, too dangerous.

“Just go,” Izuku said quietly, stepping back slowly, trying to keep his voice steady. “I don’t want any trouble.”

The villain’s grin faltered slightly, but he didn’t back down. "You're not in charge here, kid."

Before the tension could escalate any further, a distant siren wailed through the night, breaking the stillness and forcing the villains to pause. They exchanged glances, clearly reluctant but unwilling to risk drawing too much attention. Slowly, they melted back into the shadows from which they came, leaving Izuku standing alone again, his pulse still hammering in his chest.

He let out a shaky breath and continued his walk, his mind heavy with thoughts of the city’s decline. Homeless people, villains, trash—it all felt like a twisted reflection of what he had once hoped for the future. He had always wanted to be a symbol of hope, a beacon for others, but now the world seemed so much darker, so much more broken.

The wind rustled through the alleys as he walked further into the night, the haunting melody of "Dark Side of the City" playing softly in his mind. Maybe he couldn’t change everything right now, but in the silence of the night, he promised himself he wouldn’t give up. Not yet.

---

Quirk: Attraction

Ability: Inko's quirk grants her the ability to attract small objects toward her. In this analysis, we’ll expand on the idea that the quirk can be used to attract and manipulate internal organs, potentially on a larger scale.

Strengths

1. Control of Internal Organs:

   • Precision: Inko could control internal organs with great precision. This means she could, for example, pull the heart slightly to one side to induce cardiac failure, or twist a lung to cause suffocation.
   • Invisible Attacks: Since the organs and internal structures are targeted directly, there would be no obvious signs of external damage, making the attack highly covert. There are no bruises, cuts, or wounds, so the victim would not realize they’ve been targeted until it’s too late.

2. Tactical Advantage:

   • Remote Manipulation: If trained, Inko could extend the range of her quirk to influence targets from a distance. This allows her to engage multiple targets or strike from a safe location, without having to physically touch them.
   • Internal Displacement: The manipulation of organs could also be used strategically to disable a target by displacing vital organs, such as causing organ rupture, displacing the intestines, or damaging the heart or brain without external signs of violence.

3. Versatility in Attacks:

   • Variable Effect: Inko can adjust the intensity of her attacks. She can go from subtle manipulation (slight shifting of organs) to more extreme actions like causing organs to rupture or stop functioning entirely. This versatility makes her a highly unpredictable threat.

4. Stealth:

   • Since the quirk targets internal structures, there is no immediate external evidence of the attack. This makes her an ideal candidate for surprise strikes, particularly in hostile or crowded environments where detecting the source of an attack would be nearly impossible.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Range (Initially):

   • Inko would likely need to train extensively to increase the range of her quirk. At first, her influence might only extend a few feet, making her effective only in close-quarters combat or situations where she’s in close proximity to her target.
   • Range limitation: At larger distances, the effectiveness of the quirk would decrease, especially when trying to control multiple targets simultaneously.

2. Physical and Mental Strain:

   • The more complex or forceful the manipulation, the more strain it would place on Inko’s body. The quirk likely demands significant concentration, and controlling the movement of internal organs could be mentally taxing, leading to fatigue.
   • Control Over Multiple Targets: Controlling more than one person at a time would be more difficult. While Inko could target an individual’s organs with precision, managing several targets at once might stretch her mental focus, potentially reducing the overall efficiency of her attacks.

3. Size and Weight Limitations:

   • The quirk could have limitations in terms of the size and weight of what can be attracted. Initially, Inko might only be able to affect smaller, lighter organs or objects. Larger, heavier organs or objects may require more energy or concentration to manipulate.
   • Physical Size of the Target: Inko would be less effective against larger beings, such as mutants or large creatures with internal organs that are significantly more difficult to control.

4. Vulnerability During Action:

   • During the manipulation of internal organs, Inko might not be able to defend herself effectively. Her quirk requires full concentration and may leave her vulnerable to attacks while she focuses on manipulating a target’s body.
   • Focus on Internal Manipulation: She may struggle to defend herself if opponents learn to attack her directly while she’s using her quirk.

Capabilities

1. Internal Organ Control:

   • Inko’s quirk could allow her to manipulate a person’s organs with great precision, moving them around within their body or twisting them. This could be used to cause internal damage, such as rupturing organs, causing heart failure, or inducing internal bleeding.
   • Targeting Vital Organs: By manipulating organs such as the heart, lungs, or brain, Inko could render her targets unconscious or cause them to die swiftly. She could also target digestive organs or blood vessels to incapacitate her target in various ways.

2. Attraction of Objects:

   • Inko might be able to increase the range of her quirk to attract objects as well. While this could be beneficial for combat (e.g., pulling weapons or shields), the real power lies in her ability to use it in a medical or battle context, such as extracting or adjusting the position of organs.

3. Manipulation of Body Fluids:

   • It’s possible that Inko could also have some control over blood flow or bodily fluids, pulling them from a target’s body to cause blood loss or disrupt their internal processes. For instance, she could manipulate a person's veins, leading to severe hemorrhaging or even making them faint from blood pressure manipulation.

Potential

1. Increased Range and Control:

   • With further training, Inko could extend her range, allowing her to influence larger or multiple targets. She could increase the size and weight of the objects she can manipulate, allowing for more advanced forms of control over a person’s organs or bodily structures.
   • Enhanced Power: She could learn to manipulate heavier, denser objects or even larger body parts, like bones or muscle mass, with enough focus and experience.

2. Longer Duration and Endurance:

   • Over time, Inko could increase her endurance to manipulate organs or bodies for longer durations without physical or mental strain. This could allow for sustained control in prolonged confrontations or assassinations.

3. Complexity and Detail:

   • Inko could develop the ability to manipulate more complex body functions, such as controlling individual cells or fine-tuning the processes of digestion or circulation. She could use these smaller, more detailed manipulations to cause very specific outcomes, from inducing convulsions to stifling the healing of wounds.

4. Enhanced Stealth Operations:

• With training, Inko could become a more effective covert operative, using her quirk to silently disable or eliminate threats from a distance without leaving a trace of what happened. This would make her a highly efficient and elusive threat in situations requiring subtlety and precision.

---

I didn’t want to feel weak ever again. I didn’t want to be someone constantly in need of saving, just another helpless civilian for heroes to protect. I refused to be the villain’s bait, the fragile piece on the board always waiting for rescue. If I wanted to change, I had to start somewhere.

So I did.

It began with stretching, pushing my body in ways it wasn’t used to. Every morning, every night. Then lifting—anything heavy enough to strain my muscles but not enough to break me. The gym became a second home, my sanctuary. My body protested at first, screaming with soreness, but I welcomed the pain. It meant I was growing, transforming into someone who wouldn’t need saving.

Then I found the beach.

It wasn’t the kind you’d see in postcards. This one was covered in debris, the shoreline swallowed by mountains of discarded things—metal scraps, rusted appliances, broken furniture. A graveyard of forgotten objects.

I started sorting through the wreckage. Metal in one pile, smaller objects in another, furniture in a third. It was tedious, exhausting work, but there was something oddly satisfying about making sense of the chaos.

That’s when I found them—old mechanical parts, discarded but not beyond repair. A pair of battered headphones caught my eye. The casing was cracked, and the circuitry was fried, but I recognized a jamming system embedded within. Whoever owned these before had modified them, turning an ordinary accessory into something more. The wires needed replacing, and the sound output was a mess, but if I could fix them, I’d have noise-canceling headphones—ones I rebuilt with my own hands.

I scavenged more parts, found an old vehicle that had been left to rot, and stripped it for anything usable. I studied, tested, failed, and tried again. Until finally—the headphones worked. A small victory.

---

Katsuki Bakugo’s Quirk – Explosion

Quirk Type: Emitter

Capabilities & Functionality:

Bakugo’s Quirk allows him to secrete a nitroglycerin-like substance from the sweat glands on his palms and ignite it at will, creating explosions. The more he sweats, the stronger the explosions become. His explosive abilities grant him exceptional offensive and mobility advantages.

Strengths:

• Explosive Power: Can generate massive concussive blasts, dealing heavy damage to enemies and the environment.
• Mobility: Uses controlled explosions to propel himself in mid-air, effectively granting him enhanced agility and speed.
• Close & Long-Range Combat: Can unleash small, rapid explosions for close combat or larger, concentrated blasts for long-range attacks.
• Refined Control: Over time, he has developed precise control over his explosions, allowing him to create directional bursts, stun enemies, and even deflect attacks.

Weaknesses:

• Sweat Dependence: His explosions are fueled by sweat, meaning his Quirk weakens in cold environments or if he is dehydrated.
• Recoil & Overuse: Large-scale explosions cause strain on his arms and hands, potentially leading to injury.
• Friendly Fire Risk: Without control, his explosions can cause collateral damage to allies and surroundings.

Potential & Growth:

With further training, Bakugo could:

• Develop stronger concentrated blasts that rival heavy artillery.
• Create controlled shockwaves to counterbalance attacks or shield himself.
• Master non-lethal explosion techniques for tactical restraint.
• Improve heat resistance to withstand prolonged Quirk use.

---

I was writing in my notebook, carefully sketching out diagrams of different quirk factors I’d been analyzing. Today’s focus: muscle augmentation quirks and their limitations. I was just finishing a note about joint strain when the notebook was ripped from my hands.

I didn’t even need to look up.

Katsuki.

I exhaled sharply, standing up before he could say anything. "Give it back." My voice was firm, even. No shaking.

Katsuki flipped through the pages with a scoff, his usual smirk plastered across his face. "The hell is this?" His eyes scanned the notes, brows furrowing. "Are you—are you seriously writing about quirks, nerd? What, you trying to study your way into getting one?"

A few of our classmates chuckled nearby, but I ignored them. My focus was on him.

I stepped forward. "I said give it back."

He looked up, tilting his head like he was daring me. "Or what?"

I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed for it. He jerked his arm up, but I wasn’t letting him just hold it over my head like I was some helpless kid. Before he could react, I grabbed his wrist with both hands and twisted it just enough to make him flinch.

His smirk faltered.

I yanked the notebook free and took a step back, keeping my eyes on him. "I don’t need a quirk to take something back when it’s mine."

For a second, there was silence. The small crowd of students watching didn’t laugh this time.

Katsuki stared at me. His eye twitched. Then, his hands crackled.

I barely had time to react before an explosion went off right in front of me, forcing me to stumble back. The blast didn't hit me directly, but the heat seared the air, and the force alone knocked me off my feet.

I hit the floor hard, my notebook slipping from my grip.

Before I could push myself up, Katsuki was towering over me, shoulders tense, his face twisted in something I didn’t quite recognize—frustration? Annoyance?

Or something worse.

He grabbed the front of my uniform and yanked me up, bringing my face inches from his. I could smell the faint scent of smoke on his breath. "You really think you can pull that crap with me, Deku?" His voice was low, dangerous. His palm sparked again, right next to my cheek. "You don’t get to act tough. Not when I can put you back in your place anytime I want."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to look away. Not to flinch.

Because even though I couldn’t fight back against his quirk… I wouldn’t let him break me.

Not anymore.

Katsuki watched me for another second, then clicked his tongue in annoyance and shoved me back down. "Stay in your damn lane, nerd," he muttered before storming off.

I stayed on the ground for a moment, fingers curling into fists as I tried to slow my breathing.

Then I reached for my notebook again.

I wasn’t going to stop. Not because of him.

---

Endeavor's Quirk: Hellflame

Quirk Name: Hellflame
Type: Emitter
User: Enji Todoroki (Endeavor)

Capabilities & Strengths:

🔥 Extreme Firepower: Hellflame allows Endeavor to generate and manipulate fire at incredibly high temperatures. His flames are intense enough to melt metal, incinerate enemies, and cause large-scale destruction.

🔥 Versatility in Combat: He can release fire in different forms, such as fireballs, concentrated streams, waves of flame, and area-wide bursts. His adaptability allows him to switch between long-range attacks and close-quarters combat.

🔥 Mobility Enhancement: Endeavor uses his flames to propel himself at high speeds, enabling quick dashes, mid-air maneuverability, and even flight-like movement.

🔥 Resistance to Fire & Heat: His quirk grants him a high tolerance to heat, making him immune to his own flames and giving him an edge against other fire-based attacks.

🔥 Superhuman Physicality: Even without his quirk, Endeavor is physically imposing—strong, fast, and durable. With Hellflame, he enhances his power even further.

Weaknesses & Limitations:

❄️ Overheating: The biggest drawback of Hellflame is that Endeavor's body isn’t completely resistant to the effects of prolonged quirk usage. Extended use causes his body to overheat, slowing him down and potentially incapacitating him.

❄️ Lack of Subtlety: Fire-based quirks are difficult to control in delicate situations—he can’t use his flames without risking collateral damage. This makes him less effective in rescue scenarios where precision is needed.

❄️ Counters & Weak Matchups: Water, ice, and cold-based quirks can neutralize or weaken Hellflame. If his fire is suppressed, he’s forced to rely on pure physical ability.

❄️ High Energy Consumption: The stronger the attack, the more stamina it drains. Large-scale fire attacks can exhaust him if used in rapid succession.

Potential & Mastery:

🔥 Blue Flames Potential: If he pushed himself further, Endeavor could potentially generate blue flames, which burn hotter than his usual fire. However, it would likely push his overheating problem to the extreme.

🔥 Controlled Combustion: With finer control, he could learn to use precise bursts of heat rather than just raw power, making him a better rescue hero rather than just a destructive force.

🔥 Endurance Training: If he could further increase his heat resistance, he might be able to extend his quirk usage for longer battles.

🔥 Fusion with Physical Combat: He already incorporates brute strength with Hellflame, but refining his fighting style—such as combining fire with tactical grappling or strikes—could make him deadlier at close range.

---

I was running home—it was getting late. I had spent too much time writing in my notebook, completely losing track of time. I probably wouldn't have even noticed if it weren’t for my phone buzzing in my pocket. Mom.

I ignored the first call and ran faster. I’d pick up when I got home. But then, my phone rang again.

That’s when I finally answered.

"Mom—"

I turned the corner.

My breath caught in my throat.

Our apartment building was on fire.

Flames roared, swallowing the upper floors, thick smoke billowing into the night sky. A crowd had gathered—some screaming, some watching in horror. My legs moved before my mind could catch up, carrying me straight toward the wreckage.

I shoved past people, my voice raw and desperate. "Did anyone see my mom?! She's short, with green hair and green eyes—please, has anyone seen her?!"

Blank stares. Shaking heads.

My chest tightened. No, no, no.

"What happened?!" I demanded.

Someone muttered, "A villain ran through here. Endeavor was chasing him."

Another spoke up, voice laced with bitterness. "He used some huge fire attack. Burned the whole building down with it."

I didn’t wait to hear more. I just ran.

No one stopped me—maybe I was too fast, or maybe no one cared. Either way, I wasn’t thinking.

I just ran inside.

Heat slammed into me like a wall, thick smoke clawing at my throat, burning my lungs. Fire curled along the walls, consuming everything in its path. The floors groaned under my weight, threatening to collapse.

I didn’t care.

I sprinted up the stairs, dodging falling debris. Flames licked at my arms. The building was crumbling.

"Mom?!" My voice cracked, barely audible over the roaring fire.

No answer.

The ceiling above me groaned—a split second later, it collapsed.

I barely jumped back in time, my heart slamming against my ribs.

Where was she?

She was nowhere to be found. The smoke was getting thicker, making it hard to breathe. Then, my survival instinct kicked in. My shirt was catching fire, so I immediately ripped it off. I dropped to the ground, crawling toward the window. Without thinking, I leapt through it and landed on a dumpster in an alley below.

I hit the ground hard but didn’t stop. I just kept running. I didn’t know where I was going, just that I couldn’t be there anymore.

I was officially alone. Mom. Dad. Big Brother. Everyone… gone.

Chapter 5: From Ashes to Dust

Izuku had multiple options, but none of them seemed good. One option was to go to school and eventually enter the system—probably being adopted, or constantly moving between foster homes. He might even end up in an orphanage. The other option was to stay on the streets. He didn’t have any family left, so that would mean standing alone, likely staying homeless with no education, or somehow finding a way to teach himself.

At first, both options seemed terrible. The system wasn’t kind to people with weak or villainous quirks, and with him being quirkless, things would only be worse. That pretty much removed the first option.

The second option was to stay on the streets, but that came with its own dangers. He had no way to defend himself—no weapons, no food, no money. The only thing he had was what was on his back. He’d be forced to stay in dark alleyways, a dangerous situation in itself. The streets were full of villains, thieves, and other threats. Staying out there would be risky, and there was no guarantee of survival.

But the more he thought about it, there was one place he could go—a place where people threw away all sorts of things, a place that could be turned into something useful. It was a small hill, not very tall, but it had a cave in it, and that would be big enough for him. The cave wasn’t much, but it was a place to call his own.

He could scavenge through the piles of trash, find materials, and fix things up. Maybe he could even sell them for enough money to buy food and clothes. He might be able to make a computer out of spare parts. With that, he could teach himself. Online school.

Going to the beach seemed like the best option. It wasn’t ideal, but it was a place where he could survive, find what he needed, and maybe, just maybe, build something better for himself.

---

It was dark, the middle of the night. According to the TV, it was around 11:00 p.m. He made his way toward the beach, finally reaching the small hill with the cave. Once inside, he gathered some leaves and sand, clearing away most of the stones from the ground to make a makeshift bed. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough for one night.

He lay down, the cool air brushing against his skin, and decided he would sleep here for now.

---

If being in a cave had one advantage, it was that Izuku could sleep as much as he wanted without the sun shining in his eyes. Still, the ground warmed up a lot, so he ended up waking fairly early, judging by the position of the sun in the sky.

But that just meant more time to get to work. He went to the piles he had gathered not too long ago, searching for all the mechanical parts and small metal scraps he needed to make himself a better bed. Sleeping on the ground was definitely going to give him back pain.

Notebook Name: Survival Materials

• A large plank of wood—any type, as long as it can keep him off the ground.
• Thin metal, joints, and screws—always useful.
• Any type of fabric.
• Rope or sturdy wires—could be used to tie things together.
• Plastic sheets or tarp—for covering the cave entrance or making a makeshift roof.
• Glass or broken mirrors—might be useful for signaling or crafting something.
• Buckets or containers—for collecting rainwater.
• Old clothes—could be used for warmth or padding.
• Anything sharp—like scrap metal, which could be reshaped into tools.

Half of today was dedicated to searching around. While scavenging, he came across a bunch of old plastic buckets—the kind used at construction sites to collect debris. Nearby, he found several discarded plastic chutes, the type attached to high scaffolding to funnel trash down into large containers.

Despite being worn out, the chutes were still sturdy—not too sturdy, but just enough that he could cut them apart with something sharp. Luckily, he found a few rusted knives and some metal scraps, which he used to slice the plastic into more manageable pieces. Now, he had extra materials—both plastic and metal. Putting them into a basket of sorts he found, he placed the load inside his cave.

Now, he was looking for those panel wood things you can find almost in any craft store. To his surprise, he found a large stash of them—half cut, half used. He also came across broken mattresses, springs, and even an old laser toy

Some bolts, wire string, and metal wire were found. He took four stakes and folded them into the ground inside the cave. On top of them, he used the ruined metal scraps he found, layering them carefully. He added a sheet of wood, then some broken mattresses, and topped it all with fabric. In the end, he had himself a bed—much better than he expected, honestly.

He also tried building himself a desk. He got a ruined computer chair, a headboard, and even some fake sheets and dyes so he could close up the cave and make it more secure. No one would be able to enter without him knowing. There was even a case he found, filled with mechanical parts, which he started to use to put together an old computer. He didn’t have a screen, mouse, or keyboard yet, but getting the PC to work was the first step.

By the end of the day, he had set up a mini office with a half-broken, half-working computer, a shattered amount of glass and tinted glass, a set of swords, knives, and daggers, and a brand-new wardrobe full of clothes. They were hot off the front, but he would have to sew them up. He also found an old fox mask—the ears were broken, so he replaced them with clay. The new ears were a bit longer, sharper, and thinner, resembling those of a bunny.

The bed was comfortable enough, and falling asleep felt just great at that moment.

---

Izuku was getting into the rhythm of this new life. The next day came with its own set of challenges—yesterday had been about furniture and safety, but now it was time to focus on food and water. He weighed his options: scavenging through trash or selling some of the parts he could repair. Selling sounded like a better choice.

The first three hours of the morning were spent fixing up old parts he had found. By 9:30 a.m., he headed to the closest mechanic shop, selling everything he had managed to repair. He walked away with a decent amount of money—10,500 yen.

Afterward, he made his way to the bakery for some freshly baked bread, then swung by the local market to pick up fish and vegetables. With the rest of his cash, he grabbed a few cooking essentials: a pan, a kitchen knife, and a cutting board. A solid haul for the day.

Everything was packed neatly into a tiny bag as Izuku made his way back home. He got everything prepared: a salad with some salmon on the side, a piece of bread, milk, and an apple. The rest of the food was set aside for the week.

But today, he was planning something a little different. He decided to grab the hoodie he had found in the trash, washed it in the sea with some soap he had found, and put on the fox mask he had repaired. He grabbed a flashlight, a sword, two pairs of daggers, and a knife before heading into the dark alleyways. The shadows were his next destination.

The afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow on the empty alleyways. Izuku walked through the shadowy spaces of the city, a slight sigh escaping his lips as he adjusted the fox mask with bunny-like ears on his face.

Izuku's footsteps echoed lightly as he turned a corner, only to stop dead in his tracks. Ahead of him, a couple of thugs were cornering a young man, their menacing voices cutting through the quiet of the alley.

“C’mon, just hand it over, and maybe we won’t have to hurt you,” one thug sneered, brandishing a rusted knife.

“I’m not giving you anything,” the young man stammered, backing up against the wall, panic clear in his voice. "Just leave me alone!"

Izuku watched for a moment, weighing his options. He wasn’t trying to be some caped hero, but there was something about seeing someone helpless like that that stirred something in him.

Before the thugs could make another move, Izuku stepped forward, pulling his hood lower. "Hey! Leave him alone."

The thugs turned, and one of them smirked. “What do we have here? A bunny with a mask? You think you can do anything about this?”

Izuku smiled lightly behind his mask. He wasn’t here for recognition, and his lack of a quirk would probably make them underestimate him even more.

The first thug lunged at him with the knife, but Izuku was already sidestepping, moving with agility that caught the thug off guard. His foot swept out, knocking the thug off balance, sending him stumbling to the ground.

The second thug, now more wary, came at Izuku with a crowbar, swinging wildly. Izuku dodged and ducked, narrowly missing the impact. It was a close call, but he was fast enough to slide under the thug’s guard. He grabbed the crowbar mid-swing and twisted it out of the thug’s hand with a quick yank.

The thugs, now realizing they had underestimated the “bunny,” began to retreat, backing away slowly. The first thug scrambled to his feet, his knife raised defensively. Izuku didn’t give them a chance to regroup, rushing forward with a sharp kick that sent the knife flying out of the thug’s hand and into the shadows.

“Not so tough now, are we?” Izuku said, his voice cool but with a playful edge, as he watched the two villains back off, their bravado evaporating in the face of someone they clearly hadn’t expected to fight back.

The thugs turned and fled down the alley, disappearing into the city’s maze of streets.

Izuku glanced at the young man, who was still standing there, eyes wide with surprise. “You alright?”

The man blinked, his gaze shifting from the thugs’ retreating figures to Izuku. “Y-yeah… thanks. I didn’t think anyone would show up.”

Izuku shrugged, pulling his mask higher over his face, the bunny ears standing tall. “No problem. Just stay safe next time. People like that are around all over.”

The man nodded, still a bit shaken. “You—uh, you saved me. But... are you—?”

Izuku turned to leave, feeling the all-too-familiar sting of being misunderstood. “Just a guy,” he muttered under his breath.

---

Izuku hadn't expected to find himself in that situation, but whatever. He’d figure out where the gang and criminal groups were hanging around so he could avoid those places. He wasn’t exactly planning on playing the hero, but it seemed he kicked pretty well when the time came. Now, though, he had his own survival to think about. It was time to get back to the basics—furniture and gathering more ruined parts to repair.

---

Quirk: Erasure

Erasure allows Eraser Head to nullify the quirks of anyone he looks at directly in the eyes. This includes both the quirks of his opponents and allies, meaning he has to be very cautious when using it in combat situations to avoid affecting his team.

Strengths of Erasure

1. Versatile Utility: Erasure is incredibly versatile, as it can negate any quirk that relies on a physical manifestation, such as fire breathing, enhanced strength, or energy blasts. This makes it a powerful counter against many types of quirk-based threats.

2. Combat Control: By nullifying an enemy's quirk, Eraser Head can immediately level the playing field in a fight, even against stronger opponents. This gives him an advantage against villains who rely heavily on their quirks for their fighting style.

3. Tactical Advantage: Eraser Head doesn't have to fight directly. By erasing the quirks of his enemies, he can control a battle without needing to overpower them physically. He can neutralize threats and allow his allies to deal with the rest.

4. Prevention of Escalation: Erasure is useful in stopping a quirk-based escalation during missions. For example, if someone tries to use their quirk to escape or attack others, Aizawa can erase it, preventing further damage.

5. Induces Quick Decisions: In a fight, since quirk use can be nullified, he forces his opponents to use their physical abilities or intelligence in ways they aren't accustomed to, often putting them at a disadvantage.

Weaknesses of Erasure

1. Requires Constant Eye Contact: Aizawa's quirk only works as long as he maintains eye contact with his target. If he looks away—whether it's to blink, turn his head, or be distracted—the quirk is immediately nullified, meaning he loses control of the situation until he can regain focus.

2. Physical and Mental Strain: Keeping his eyes open and focused for extended periods is physically exhausting. Aizawa tends to tire quickly when using his quirk for long stretches, as it demands a lot of concentration and mental energy. This is why he’s often seen using goggles or other methods to help him manage his quirk in stressful situations.

3. Ineffective Against Certain Quirks: While Erasure is powerful, it doesn’t work on every quirk. For example, quirks that are passive or do not have a direct physical manifestation (like Mind Reading or Teleportation) can still function even if Aizawa nullifies the user's active abilities. Similarly, quirkless individuals are unaffected by his power.

4. Limited Range: The quirk only affects those within his line of sight, meaning anyone who manages to get out of his view or is too far away can avoid the effect.

5. Dependence on His Eyes: Since Eraser Head’s quirk depends entirely on eye contact, it can be easily countered by enemies who can obscure his vision, blind him, or distract him. This leaves him vulnerable to quick, unpredictable attacks.

Fighting Style

Eraser Head is a highly skilled fighter, and his fighting style reflects his careful, strategic mindset and his quirk’s utility. He combines his quirk with physical combat to create a unique and effective approach to battle.

1. Strategic Fighter: Eraser Head doesn't charge into battle head-on like some heroes. He’s more of a tactician. He carefully analyzes the situation, looking for openings where he can erase an opponent's quirk and disable their abilities before striking.

2. Martial Arts: Aizawa is highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and has a martial arts background. He uses his quirk to cancel out any quirks his opponents use, then takes advantage of his physical combat skills to subdue them. He’s quick, precise, and very good at immobilizing opponents using grapples, throws, and joint locks.

3. Defensive Playstyle: Aizawa is an excellent defensive fighter, prioritizing evasion and blocking over direct attacks. He will often dodge attacks, waiting for his opponent to exhaust themselves or make a mistake before striking. This makes him a very tough opponent to get a hit on, especially since he can nullify their quirks during the exchange.

4. Endurance: His fighting style also revolves around his ability to outlast opponents. He is used to long battles where both he and his enemy are worn down by the environment and the pressure of the fight. His experience as a teacher has honed his ability to read people, making him aware of when an opponent is tiring or when their patience is wearing thin.

5. Adaptability: One of Eraser Head’s strongest traits is his ability to adapt to almost any fight. He quickly adjusts his approach based on his opponent's quirks or fighting style. This adaptability allows him to keep up with even the most powerful or unpredictable enemies.

---

Life slowly started to take on a routine. He made a list, keeping track of everything he needed to continue decorating his home, which was turning out to be more than just a cave—it had a curtain to keep anyone from noticing he was living there. He gathered materials and repaired broken parts once a week, then sold the repaired items to a mechanic. With the money, he bought food, water, and vegetables. Sometimes, he would spend it on necessities like a new backpack, clothes, or a sewing kit.

The biggest change lately, though, was that at night, he would catch up on his online schoolwork after managing to repair the old computer. Apparently, the beach still had free Wi-Fi as long as you were in the area. Thanks to that, he was able to keep up with high school—though he was slowly starting to drift from it. Instead, he began looking into extra licenses, using YouTube and other online resources to learn things on his own.

But that routine was starting to get boring, so he decided to add something new. At night, he would put on a utility belt, gather his knives and daggers, and train in parkour—jumping from building to building. That’s when he first heard about Eraser Head, the underground hero. Honestly, if he had known about him sooner, Eraser Head might have become his favorite hero. Izuku had been hearing rumors about a new vigilante, moving from city to city, and currently staying in the area. The idea piqued his interest, especially since he felt a certain kinship with this mysterious figure.

And that wish didn’t take long to come true. One night, while patrolling the city, a white figure jumped out at him out of nowhere. "Hello there," a young, feminine voice chimed. "So you're the bunny I've been hearing about. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Chapter 6: The Birth Of A Vigilante Duo

Summary:

Izuku encounters a mysterious white-clad figure named Tiger, who surprises him with their knowledge of his past. Tiger recognizes him as Midoriya Izuku, the boy thought to have died in a fire during a villain incident. As they talk, Tiger reveals that they have been watching Izuku for a while, ensuring he wasn’t a vigilante—only to discover he’s been living in a cave, scavenging and repairing mechanical parts to survive.

Notes:

I just realized we got over 100 hits thank you so much and if anybody noticed yes it did take me longer to update this chapter it's longer

Izuku stared at the white-clad figure in shock. Where had they come from? How had he not noticed them before?

"Ah, right—sorry if I surprised you," the figure said casually. "I'm Tiger. Yeah, I know—I'm super white. White hair, white clothes, silver accents… so yeah, sorry if you don’t recognize me. I know I’m not that popular around here."

They tilted their head slightly before continuing, "This is your area, right? Wait, no—you’re not a vigilante. Just a guy. That’s what you said the first time you saved someone."

Izuku tensed.

"Yeah," Tiger added, smirking. "I talked with them. They’re pretty proud of you."

"No, I do recognize you. I've actually been wanting to meet you for a while."

"Really? Aw, what a surprise!" Tiger grinned. "Didn’t expect anybody around here to know me. But I guess you are the type to gather information. I’ve been watching you for a while, actually. Noticed you running around, so I followed you—just to make sure you weren’t up to anything suspicious, you know, vigilante stuff. And then I saw you leaving that beach… that weird cave in the hill." Tiger paused. "It’s pretty small. You’re homeless, huh? Most likely. Sorry for my rambling."

"Yeah, no worries. I ramble too, whether I'm talking to people or just to myself. So—why did you want to meet me?"

"Right, right." Tiger nodded. "Well, I wanted to meet you because… you kinda look like a kid I recognize from the news. A kid who supposedly died. There was that fight, the one where villains were being chased around, and the building caught fire—Endeavor’s flames, right?"

Izuku stiffened.

"Midoriya Izuku," Tiger said, watching his reaction. "You disappeared that long ago. Your father, big brother, and mom… they were all said to have died at different points. Your mom was even officially declared dead."

Tiger hesitated, then sighed. "She’s… not alive, is she?"

The silence stretched between them.

"Yeah," Tiger murmured, looking away. "Thought so. Sorry. Touchy subject."

Izuku narrowed his eyes. "So, you wanted to meet me because I'm running around gathering information for my own survival… and because you recognized me?" He crossed his arms. "I can’t really blame you. If I thought someone was dead and then suddenly saw them running around looking exactly like the person from the news, I’d probably do the same."

Tiger chuckled. "Fair enough on that one. Also, one more thing—you’re really jumpy."

"Yeah, well… I’m not really good at watching my surroundings properly." Izuku shrugged. "I’m not used to fighting. I can defend myself, sure, just… not used to people following me around."

Tiger smirked. "Touché."

"So, why did you want to meet me? I'm surprised you even know who I am," Tiger asked curiously.

Izuku hesitated for a moment before replying, "I may or may not have started getting interested in vigilantes… and I wanted to know what it was like. Stuff along those lines. So, I figured I’d ask someone who seems to be around my age—super young, but still managing to run around. I thought maybe I could learn something from you."

Tiger smirked. "Well then, to make up for the inconvenience of me stalking you and finding you earlier, I’ll give you some information on what it's like to be a young vigilante. And since you clearly need it, I’ll throw in some combat lessons too."

"Touché."

---

Tiger crossed her arms, tilting her head. "So, you live in a cave on a beach full of trash? Honestly, that's better than most homeless people I know. How do you make money for food? Or do you just fish from the ocean?"

Izuku shook his head. "No, I scavenge for mechanical parts, repair them using my hands and whatever broken tools I can find, then sell them to mechanics. That usually gets me enough money for food and water."

Tiger raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That's smart. I never would've thought of that. I didn't even know this cave existed."

Izuku gave a small, nostalgic smile. "Before I became an orphan and ended up homeless, I used to come here to clean up the place, hoping to find parts I could use for my hobby."

Tiger grinned. "That doesn't sound weird at all—that sounds awesome! By the way, you never told me what your quirk is. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

Izuku hesitated. "I can already tell yours is a mutation-type quirk that makes you look like a tiger—or at least gives you tiger-like features. You literally have ears and a tail." He shifted uncomfortably. "And… I don’t feel comfortable saying mine."

Tiger's expression softened, but she didn’t let up. "Is it considered villainous or weak?" She flicked her tail. "And for the record, my quirk isn’t technically mutation-based. I do have a mutation in my brain, but that’s not the main part of my quirk." Her gaze turned serious. "As long as it won’t interfere with combat training or any other training I’m putting you through, it’s fine if you don’t want to tell me. But if it will get in the way… you better tell me now."

Izuku sighed. "It doesn’t give me any abilities or have any negative effects, and no, it’s not a villainous or weak quirk. It’s just… I don’t know."

Tiger’s eyes widened. "Wait… don’t tell me you’re quirkless." She immediately covered her mouth. "Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have said that." She waved her hands frantically. "If you are, it’s totally fine! Actually, it’s pretty cool. There are so many things you can do while staying completely legal just because you don’t have a quirk!"

Izuku hesitated before speaking. "I know vigilantism is described as people using their quirks to do heroic deeds, but there’s a reason it’s like that. Still… I could technically fight anyone and not have to explain anything about self-defense, since I don’t have a quirk. But most people see me as… wait, you don’t see me as weak or useless?" His voice lowered. "My family always looked at me with guilt."

Tiger scoffed. "First of all, no. It doesn’t make you useless or weak. A quirk is just a tool, and just because you don’t have one doesn’t mean you’re any less capable than anyone else. Second, everyone who thinks you are is a stupid ass motherf— well, you get the point. And third," she crossed her arms, "if your family looked at you with guilt, it’s probably because they felt helpless, not because they saw you as weak. At least, that’s how I think family works."

Izuku blinked. "You really think that?"

"Of course," Tiger said firmly. Then, after a moment, she added, "Let me tell you a secret. I’ve been trying to set up an orphanage—or, well, get people to help rebuild an abandoned one—for kids who’ve been kicked out, kids who are homeless, kids with villainous quirks, or even quirkless kids like you. I want to give them a real chance, help them get what they need to be just like everybody else. I want them to be able to defend themselves. But…" she sighed, "I can’t do it alone, and it kinda sucks. That’s why I’ve been running all over the place, trying to find people who can help me. I haven’t had much luck, but… maybe if I keep trying, I’ll find people who will. Maybe it’ll all be worth it."

“You really want to help people that much? I mean, if you're anywhere near my age, you're supposed to be in an orphanage too—or maybe just in middle school or elementary school. I’m not sure, but you know what? Let’s make a deal.”

“What kind of deal? I’m not hurting anyone.”

“No, no, nothing like that. Just a deal where you help me become a vigilante, train me, and in return, I hope you rebuild the orphanage and maybe even find some kids and people to help you. But there’s a catch—we have to be honest with each other. I’m not dealing with another trust issue.”

“Wait, you mean if I help, you’ll help me, so we both reach our goals? Be honest with each other and help each other? That sounds way too good to be true. And the only catch is that we have to be honest?” Tiger asked cautiously, not looking like she trusted this.

“Yeah, that’s the only catch,” Izuku confirmed. “We use fake names, we help each other, and we’re honest with one another.”

---

“Okay, do you have a piece of paper and a pen? I need to write down the things I need to teach you. We might be here for a few months, actually. If you’re interested in each other, I should probably tell you my real name is Alice. My Quirk allows me to connect to the world like it's a video game and change reality—everything using binary code or any coding that can go over my computer. Except it’s about 10 times more complicated because I have to make sure nothing breaks.”                                                                                                                                              “Oh, and let me add one more catch to the deal. We’re going to train together, and I’ll help you become a vigilante, but we’re doing this on the run. Meaning, we’ll be jumping from one place to another until we get back to Tokyo—or, well, the outskirts of Tokyo. There’s a place I’ve been meaning to take care of, and I think it’ll be a great help. You said we’d help one another, so what do you say? Still in for the deal?”

“Just let me get a bean bag. I need to gather some things. I still want my notebooks, some of my computers, and stuff.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll come here tomorrow night, so pack your things, and we’ll get moving. Deal?”

“Deal. It’s a pleasure to work with you, Alice. Let’s call each other Tiger and Bunny. We’ll get used to it, and that way, nobody else will know who we really are. Yes, deal.”

“See you tomorrow.”

---

Izuku was freaking out. He had just made a deal with a vigilante. A deal. And now, he was most likely going to spend who knows how long with them, traveling to a location he knew nothing about. Why had he agreed to this? Why had he even tried to make a deal in the first place? He hadn’t meant to—he had panicked!

Okay, calm down. Calm down. Think about this strategically, with logic and sense.

First, he had made a deal with a real vigilante, and they were going to train him—most likely in everything related to vigilantism. That was good.

Second, they were heading to some unknown location on the outskirts of Tokyo. And they were leaving tomorrow night. That was bad. He didn’t have enough time to prepare. Not that he actually needed much preparation, but still.

The good thing was, he wouldn’t be living in this place anymore. He was leaving. That was a good thing. Living in a pile of trash? Bad. Being with someone he would most likely end up trusting, someone who was actually willing to help him? Good.

Okay. This was good. This was a good situation.

Alright. Time to pack a bag.

Okay, I have my old bag. I found it and repaired it, so I’ll use that. It has a lot of compartments—it’s a camping bag. Speaking of camping, I should probably get a sleeping bag.

Alright, time to pack.

Packing list:

• My five notebooks
• Sleeping bag
• Hoodie
• Extra clothes
• My computer
• Headphones
• Mask
• Five sets of socks
• Big metal water bottle
• Any food that will last (I still have that bag of rice)
• An extra pair of shoes (I have the ones I’m wearing now)
• Boots—I should probably take some
• My knives, sword, and two daggers
• Repair tools

Okay, that’s a full bag. I’m done.

Now what? I have until tomorrow night. That means I have the whole morning, and I need to adjust my sleep schedule. Since I’ll be awake mostly at night from now on, I should get some extra sleep while I still can.

---

Alright, I should double-check what I have and see if I can gather anything else before I leave. I don’t know how long I’ll be out there, and running out of supplies isn’t an option.

Priority list:

• More food – Something lightweight but long-lasting. Canned food, dried meat, energy bars—anything that won’t spoil too fast.
• First aid kit – If I get injured, I can’t rely on hospitals. Bandages, disinfectant, painkillers—I need to be prepared.
• Extra batteries or a portable charger – My computer and other electronics won’t be useful if they die.
• More water – My bottle is good, but I should see if I can get a second one or at least a water filter.
• Rope or paracord – Useful for all kinds of situations.
• Cash – If I can find a way to get some, it’ll be useful in emergencies.

I’ll check around and see what I can scavenge or trade for. Anything extra could make all the difference once I’m out there.

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the beach, its light creeping into the entrance of Izuku’s cave. The rhythmic crash of the waves filled the quiet space, a sound he had grown accustomed to over the months.

Tonight, he would leave. But until then, he had work to do.

Izuku glanced at his packed bag, checking over everything one last time. His sleeping bag was rolled up and strapped to the side, his computer and headphones safely tucked away, and his blades were secured. His clothes, mask, and repair tools were in place. He had his full bag of rice, but that was it.

No other food. No rope. No cash.

He ran a hand through his messy green hair, exhaling slowly. “Alright… priorities.”

 

Izuku tightened the straps of his bag and stepped out of the cave, the scent of salt and damp earth clinging to the morning air. The waves crashed steadily behind him, their rhythm familiar, almost comforting.

First, money.

His pockets were empty, which meant he had to make some fast. The junk piles near the edge of the city were his best bet. People threw away all sorts of things—broken appliances, old phones, damaged gadgets. If he was lucky, he’d find something repairable.

Navigating through the alleys, he kept his head low, slipping into an area where the city dumped its unwanted scraps. His fingers worked quickly, digging through rusted metal and cracked plastic. After nearly an hour, he had enough—a busted circuit board, a half-functional wristwatch, and a few other small parts. Not much, but he could make it work.

Hurrying back to his cave, he set up his tools. His hands moved with practiced ease, rewiring, soldering, patching up connections. When he was done, he had a couple of small, working items. Not perfect, but good enough to sell.

Next stop—the market.

The backstreets were the best place to make quick deals. He found a familiar vendor, an old electronics dealer who never asked questions. After a bit of haggling, Izuku walked away with just enough money for some cheap canned food—beans, tuna, and a couple of instant noodle packs. It wasn’t much, but it would keep him going.

Now, rope.

That part was trickier. He scanned the streets as he moved, keeping an eye out for anything discarded. Eventually, in a forgotten alley, he spotted what he needed—an old, abandoned tarp tied down with some thick rope. The knots were tight, but with some effort, he managed to pry them loose. The rope was worn but still strong enough for what he needed.

With everything secured, he made his way back as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The cave felt smaller than before, the weight of what came next pressing down on him.

Izuku glanced at his packed bag, at the food stacked beside it, and let out a slow breath.

This was it.

---

Izuku turned around, startled by the voice behind him. He wasn’t expecting company just yet, especially not when he was so wrapped up in his thoughts. He gave a sheepish smile and adjusted the straps of his bag.

"Hi, Tiger. Huh, what is that?" he asked, pointing to the piece of paper in her hand.

Tiger didn’t even glance at him as she held the paper out of his view. "I told you, I have so much planned for us. I need to write it down. No, you don't get to see it. Yes, it’s not torturous or hard. Yes, it’s also very necessary if you want to be a vigilante."

Izuku raised an eyebrow at the cryptic response. "Necessary? Uh, alright, I trust you."

Tiger smiled as she glanced down at her paper, then back at him. "Is that... headphones?" she asked, looking at the ones hanging around his neck. "Well, I thought I might need to get you some, but it turns out I’ll just need to modify these."

"Modify?" Izuku blinked, confused.

"Yeah, I’ll connect them to the system I already created," Tiger explained matter-of-factly. "That way, we can listen to the same thing."

Izuku frowned, still unsure. "Listen to the same thing? What do you mean, like, exercise advice from the headphones or something?"

"No, you silly bunny," Tiger chuckled, tapping her foot impatiently. "What I meant is so we never get in each other's way. So we can communicate with one another, no matter where we are. I’ll turn these headphones into earpieces with microphones. They'll still function as headphones, but they’ll connect to a system I built using my quirk, and the music will play through them. It helps us stay in sync—so we don’t accidentally mess things up or get in each other’s way when we're out there. It takes years to learn, but music is the best solution for coordination."

Izuku nodded slowly, trying to process the explanation. "That’s... pretty clever, actually."

"Right?" she grinned, then motioned to the large bag slung over her shoulder. "Oh, and I have a bag full of food—mostly canned food, so it doesn’t expire. I checked. We’ll be moving at night most of the time, so we won’t be able to use trains or cars. Everything’s on foot. It’ll take us about two weeks to reach the outskirts of Tokyo. That’s the place we need to get to. Don’t worry about supplies like food, water, or anything like that—we’ll be fine. I’ve got a bunker waiting there. It’s stocked up with everything we’ll need. It’s sustainable, too. We’ll also have a way to earn money and get more resources if we need them."

Izuku’s eyes widened as he took in the details. "Two weeks? That’s... a lot of walking. But I guess if you’ve planned everything out, we’ll be fine."

"Yeah," she said with a smirk. "And what do you have, bunny? Is that a camping bag?"

Izuku nodded, pulling his bag around to show her. "Well, I have food, a first aid kit, portable chargers, my laptop, some cash, rope, a bunch of notebooks, a sleeping bag, extra clothes, my mask, socks, a water bottle, extra boots, my knife, my sword, and my two daggers. Oh, and some repair tools."

Tiger’s smile widened as she took in the list. "Well, you’re certainly prepared, bunny."

Izuku gave a small laugh, feeling a little more reassured now that she’d seen everything. "I try to be... I didn’t want to leave anything behind."

"Good," she said, tapping her chin. "We’ll need all of it. And remember, if things get rough, just stay focused. We have a lot to do and even more to learn."

Izuku nodded, his resolve hardening. "I’m ready. Let’s do this."

Tiger’s grin widened, and she pulled him Out of the cave and Into The Dark Night of the streets

---

Izuku listened intently as Tiger outlined their plan for the next few weeks. His heart raced with anticipation, but he knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.

"Okay, first things first," Tiger started, her eyes narrowing as she gave him a serious look. "We’re going to be building you up physically. Before I can teach you martial arts, I need you to be able to land without hurting yourself, be able to take your own body weight using only your hands and feet—separately, of course. You need to be flexible enough to do a split."

Izuku blinked, a bit confused. "A split? You mean... literally?"

"No, not literally," Tiger said, shaking her head with a grin. "I mean flexible enough to bend your legs in ways that make landing or moving easier. You need to be able to handle the kind of movements we’re going to make without injuring yourself."

Izuku swallowed. This was going to be a challenge, but he didn’t have any other choice. He had to keep up.

"I’ll start with the basics. I’m not expecting miracles, but I do expect you to put in the effort. The first thing we’re going to work on is strength—your hands, your feet, your legs, your core. Everything’s connected. Once your body’s built up enough, we’ll move on to combat and some other tricks that will help us in the field. That’s when the real training starts."

Izuku nodded, his hands gripping the straps of his bag. "I’m ready. How do we start?"

"Good," Tiger said with a determined look. "Let’s begin with something simple. Start with push-ups, but not regular ones. I want you to practice using your hands and feet—alternate between pushing with your hands and with your feet, so you're supporting your own weight as evenly as possible. We’ll go slow at first, but we need to build that strength."

Izuku dropped down to the sand, feeling the warmth beneath him as he positioned himself. His hands were steady, but the thought of doing this for an extended period made him nervous. Tiger gave him a brief smile.

"Don’t worry. It’ll hurt at first, but that’s normal. We’ll take it slow and build up your endurance. After that, we’ll work on your flexibility and landing technique."

As Izuku began the first set of hand-foot push-ups, he focused on the rhythm. The movements weren’t easy, but he could feel the muscles in his arms and legs start to burn. It was painful, but he gritted his teeth and kept pushing.

Tiger stood nearby, watching closely. "Good. Keep your balance. Don’t let your form slip."

Izuku’s breathing grew heavier, but he managed to keep going, each set feeling like an eternity. After a while, he finally collapsed on the sand, breathing heavily.

"Okay, that’s enough for now," Tiger said, walking over to him with a bottle of water. "Take a break. When you’re ready, we’ll move on to the next exercise."

Izuku drank deeply, trying to steady his breathing. This was just the beginning, but he could feel the strength starting to build within him. No matter how difficult it got, he wouldn’t back down. He had a goal, and nothing was going to stop him.

"Alright, let’s keep going," he said, determination in his voice.

Tiger smiled, offering him a hand to help him up. "That’s the spirit. You’re going to be a great vigilante, Bunny. But remember, it’s not just about strength. It’s about how we move, how we react."

Izuku nodded. This was just the start of a long road ahead, but he was ready to walk it.

Izuku listened carefully as Tiger laid out their plan. It was intense, but it made sense given their situation. They needed to get out of Musutafu as soon as possible, and since they would be traveling mostly at night, their schedule had to shift accordingly.

"Alright, so since we’re going to be moving at night, we’ll do our exercises in the morning," Tiger explained, rolling up her sleeves. "Right now, our priority is getting out of Musutafu. We’ll be walking for about nine hours a night, with breaks spaced out so we’re overall moving for twelve hours. During those breaks, we’ll take some time to train with whatever materials we have. That leaves six hours for sleep, which means we’ll be sleeping in the afternoon."

Izuku absorbed the information, mentally adjusting to the plan. "So, we train in the morning, move at night, take breaks for additional training, and sleep in the afternoon," he repeated, making sure he understood.

"Exactly," Tiger confirmed. "It’s going to be exhausting, but if we do it right, we’ll be out of Musutafu in no time, and you’ll be way stronger by the time we get where we’re going."

Izuku tightened the straps of his bag. It was a lot to take in, but he was ready. "Got it. When do we start?"

Tiger smirked. "Right now. Let’s go, Bunny. We’ve got a long road ahead of us."

---

Izuku wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stretched his arms. The summer heat hadn’t been kind, and the exhaustion of walking all night was starting to settle into his bones. But every time he started to slow down, Tiger was right there—matching his pace, training alongside him, sometimes even doing a harder version of the exercise just to push him further.

It was both motivating and frustrating. She wasn’t going easy on him, not one bit.

They had left Musutafu about an hour ago, and despite his aching muscles, Izuku felt a strange sense of freedom. No more hiding in his cave, no more scrounging for scraps. Just the open road and the weight of his packed bag pressing against his shoulders. Based on the food Tiger had brought, they had enough to last them the full two weeks, assuming they rationed properly.

As the sun rose higher, Tiger clapped her hands together. “Alright, Bunny, now it’s time for flexibility training. We’re going to be doing a lot of stretching—and a lot of falling.”

Izuku blinked. “Falling?”

She grinned. “Yep. You’re going to learn how to fall properly so you don’t break anything when you hit the ground. And after that, we’ll work on your flexibility. If you’re going to be a vigilante, you need to be able to move like one.”

Izuku exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “Alright… let’s do this.”

Tiger smirked. “That’s the spirit. Now, first lesson—how to hit the ground without dying.”

The grassy hills stretched out before them, bathed in the dim light of the rising sun. Tall trees lined sections of the area, casting long shadows over the open space. It was quiet, except for the distant rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Tiger turned to Izuku with a smirk, hands on her hips. “Alright, Izuku. First lesson—landing safely. If you screw this up, you’ll break something, and I really don’t feel like carrying you the rest of the way.”

Izuku swallowed and nodded, watching as she stepped onto a small incline. Tiger crouched slightly and pushed off, flipping forward off the hill’s edge. As she landed, she bent her knees, touching down on the balls of her feet before tucking her shoulder in and rolling diagonally across her back. She came up smoothly onto her feet, barely disturbed by the motion.

“See that?” she said, turning back to him. “Always roll diagonally. You want to spread the impact across your back, not just slam into the ground. And never land stiff—bend your knees, land on the balls of your feet, and let the roll take the rest of the force.”

Izuku nodded again, eyes darting between her and the small drop in front of him. He inhaled, stepping up to the same incline. It wasn’t too high, but it was enough to make his stomach twist with hesitation.

Tiger rolled her eyes. “Come on, Izuku, just do it. I’ll jump with you.” Without waiting for his response, she stepped beside him. “On three. One… two… three!”

She leaped, and Izuku followed, mimicking her form as best he could. His feet touched down—too stiffly. He hit the ground harder than expected and fumbled his roll, tumbling sideways instead of smoothly over his back.

Tiger snorted, already back on her feet. “Okay, not bad, but also not great. Try again.”

They repeated the jump, over and over, with Tiger beside him every time. Each attempt, she corrected his posture, pointed out his mistakes, and made him redo the roll until he got it right. By the tenth try, his body moved with more instinct, the impact no longer jarring. By the twentieth, he was finally landing with control, rolling smoothly across his back and coming up on his feet without stumbling.

Tiger landed beside him one last time, nodding approvingly. “Better.” Then she stretched her arms over her head. “Alright, I’m done babysitting. Keep practicing. I’ll be down here stretching while you work on making that second nature.”

With that, she dropped into a split on the grass, casually watching as Izuku climbed back up the incline for another round.

---

Izuku huffed, brushing dirt off his hoodie as he walked back toward her. His legs ached, and his arms were starting to feel the strain of all the repeated rolls, but at least he wasn’t crashing into the ground like a ragdoll anymore.

Tiger smirked, stretching her arms behind her head. “Are you done over there? I’m seriously surprised you didn’t know how to do this before. Weren’t you already jumping from building to building? What were you planning to do if you fell?” She shook her head with a teasing grin. “You’re a dangerous little guy, you know that?”

Izuku sighed, crossing his arms. “I didn’t plan on falling,” he muttered.

She snorted. “Yeah, well, now you won’t die if you do.”

He rolled his eyes but couldn’t argue with that.

Tiger clapped her hands together. “Alright, warm-ups, then stretches, then we take a break. And during that break, we’re going to talk.”

Izuku blinked. “Talk?”

“Yeah, you know, like normal human beings?” she said, smirking. “If we’re going to trust each other and keep doing this, we at least need to know each other’s favorite color or something.”

Izuku let out a breathless chuckle despite himself. “Got it, Tiger.”

Izuku tilted his head. “Play a game? What do you mean?”

Tiger grinned, dropping into a sitting position on the grass. “We can either play Two Truths, One Lie, or we can play a question game. Each of us takes turns asking one question, and we have to answer honestly. But we can only ask one question at a time, and then it’s the other person’s turn.”

Izuku hesitated, then sat down across from her. “So, I either have to figure out if you’re lying, or we just… trade secrets?”

“Basically.” Tiger shrugged. “It’s more fun than just listing off facts about ourselves, right?”

He thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s play the question game.”

Tiger’s grin widened. “Good choice, Bunny. I’ll start.” She leaned forward slightly. “What’s your favorite color?”

Izuku smiled a little. “My favorite color is green.”

Tiger nodded. “Figured as much, Bunny.”

“Alright, my turn,” Izuku said. “What’s your favorite color?”

“My favorite color is red—but not just any red. Not that Valentine’s Day, romantic kind of red. I mean crimson. Dark red.”

Izuku hummed, filing that information away. “Alright, my turn… How old are you? Or, if you’d rather, when’s your birthday?”

“I’m ten,” Tiger said easily. “Birthday’s May 7th. You?”

“Same age,” Izuku replied. “July 15th.”

Tiger grinned. “Neat. Now, my turn again. What’s your Quirk?”

Izuku stiffened for a second before exhaling. “I… don’t have one.”

There was a brief pause before Tiger shrugged. “Okay.”

Izuku blinked. “That’s it?”

Tiger tilted her head. “Yeah? What, you think I was gonna make fun of you or something?” She scoffed. “That’d be dumb. You’re doing all this training, jumping off stuff without knowing how to land, running headfirst into vigilantism—and you’re doing it all Quirkless.” She smirked. “That just makes you a different kind of badass.”

Izuku wasn’t sure what to say to that.

Tiger stretched her arms behind her head. “Alright, my turn again—what’s your next question?”

Izuku hesitated before asking, “What’s your Quirk?”

Tiger’s smirk widened. “It’s called World System.”

Izuku tilted his head. “World System?”

She nodded. “Yup. I can change reality like it's a video game—but I have to rewrite everything in code. Different areas have different coding languages, but they all follow the same rule: everything runs on a binary system. Meaning, I know binary, and I know how to code in binary.”

Izuku’s eyes widened. “That sounds insanely powerful.”

Tiger crossed her arms. “It is, but it’s also really dangerous. If I make one wrong change—one wrong line of code—the whole world could collapse in on itself. Gravity would spiral out of control, and the planet could literally explode.” She tapped her temple. “So, yeah. I have to be very careful with it.”

Izuku swallowed. “That’s… terrifying.”

Tiger grinned. “Eh, don’t worry. I haven’t messed up yet.” She flicked one of her tiger-like ears. “As you can see, though, I have used it for things like this. I created a sort of ‘skin system’—it lets me change my appearance or give myself different abilities. People assume it’s a different Quirk altogether, but it’s just me modifying the code of reality to suit my needs.”

Izuku took a moment to process that. “So… you can literally reprogram yourself?”

Tiger nodded. “Yup. But only within reason. I can’t just make myself god-tier or anything—it still follows logical structures. If I break those, everything goes boom.”

Izuku exhaled. “Okay… yeah. That’s definitely one of the coolest Quirks I’ve ever heard of.”

Tiger smirked. “I know.”

Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright, your turn to ask a question.”

Tiger tapped her chin, pretending to think. Then she smirked. "Alright, Bunny—why exactly do you wanna be a vigilante?"

Izuku hesitated. That was… a big question. He could’ve gone with the easy answer—justice, wanting to help people, fixing a broken system—but that wasn’t the full truth.

He exhaled, staring at the ground for a second before looking up. “Because… I want to prove that I can.”

Tiger raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

“I spent my whole life being told I couldn’t be a hero. That I wasn’t enough. That I’d never be strong enough, fast enough, good enough.” Izuku clenched his fists. “I believed it for a long time. But now? I want to prove them wrong. I want to show them—and myself—that I can do this. That I don’t need a Quirk to stand up for what’s right.”

Tiger watched him for a moment before nodding. “Solid answer.”

Izuku blinked. “That’s it?”

Tiger grinned. “What, you want me to get all emotional and deep about it? It’s your reason, Bunny. If it’s strong enough to keep you going when things get hard, then it’s a good enough reason for me.”

Izuku smiled slightly. “Thanks, Tiger.”

She stretched. “Alright, next question.

"Tiger, why do you want to be a vigilante? And how are you already so strong and skilled at it, even though we're the same age?"

 "Well, for a reason similar to yours. My city was literally burned down by heroes, the government, and the Hero Safety Commission. I wanted to stand up for myself. I don’t want people to go through what I did, and I want to bring down discrimination. The system is trash, so I'm not going to be a hero. I'm not a villain either—I don’t want people to be afraid of me. Being a vigilante is the best choice."

"You know what? I asked you some really difficult questions, and you answered them honestly. So, you get one more question, Bunny."

Izuku hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Do you have any family alive?” His voice was softer this time, careful.

Tiger took a deep breath before continuing, her voice steady but laced with bitterness.

"I only ever had a mother. She died in childbirth, so it was just me. I grew up in the slums—an area the government didn’t care about. There were villains on the outskirts, sure, but most people were just trying to survive. Then, one day, a group of villains ran through the city—seven of them. Just passing through to get to their hideout.”

She clenched her fists.

"The Hero Safety Commission decided that meant the whole city was full of villains. Just because we didn’t have a proper safety system, they labeled all of us as criminals and threats. So they sent people like Endeavor, All Might… and even their own operatives. That young blonde guy with red wings—he couldn’t be much older than us—was there too." Her jaw tightened. “And they weren’t there to help. They were sent to kill.”

Izuku felt his breath hitch.

Tiger’s tail flicked behind her, tense. “They burned the whole city to the ground. Anyone who ran was treated as an enemy. Anyone who fought back was ‘proving their guilt.’ No one was spared. No one.” Her voice shook slightly before she forced it back into control. “They didn’t see people. They saw a problem to erase.”

Izuku’s grip tightened around his knees, anger bubbling in his chest.

Tiger exhaled through her nose. “I survived because of my quirk. I hid, rewrote some things to keep myself off their radar. And when it was over, I was alone.” She finally looked at him, her crimson eyes sharp. “That’s why I’m a vigilante. Because the system doesn’t care who it kills, so long as it stays in control.”

Izuku swallowed hard. He knew hero society was flawed, but this? This was worse than anything he could have imagined.

Tiger stood up abruptly, stretching her arms. “Alright, that’s enough heavy talk. You got your extra question, Bunny. Now, back to work.”

Izuku nodded, but the fire in his chest didn’t fade. If anything, it burned hotter.

Tiger stretched, rolling her shoulders before flopping onto the grass with a sigh. “Alright, Bunny. That heavy talk of ours took a while. It’s afternoon now, which means it’s time to sleep.”

Izuku blinked, still reeling from everything she had told him. He wasn’t sure how she could just switch like that, but then again, maybe she had to. Maybe if she let it weigh on her all the time, she’d never move forward.

She glanced at him, smirking. “Don’t overthink it. We need rest if we’re gonna keep this up. Twelve hours of walking, six hours of training, six hours of sleep—you agreed to the plan.”

He sighed, rubbing his face before laying back beside her. “I know. It’s just… a lot.”

Tiger hummed in agreement, tucking her arms behind her head. “Yeah, well. Life’s a lot.”

The grass was soft beneath them, and the sound of the wind rustling through the trees was oddly calming. Despite the weight in his chest, exhaustion was creeping in fast.

Tiger yawned. “Get comfy, Bunny. We’ve got another long night ahead of us.”

Izuku closed his eyes, letting the steady rhythm of her breathing pull him into sleep.

Notes:

"Hey! I’m making a playlist of songs that Tiger and Izuku listen to. If you have any recommendations, drop them in the comments!"

Chapter 7: Vigilante’s Upgrade

The sun had only just begun to set. Tiger was the one who woke me up. I looked around, trying to see where she was, only to find her next to my bag. "What else are you doing there?" I asked. "Hey, Tiger, good morning—or good night. What are you doing?"

"Okay, I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy. I was just looking for a pen and pencil because you were progressing faster than I expected. Also, since you needed to be learning things, I thought you already knew, so I wanted to come up with a new plan. You mentioned you had books, so I assumed you had a pen in the bag. Sorry, I searched and grabbed the first notebook I saw, and I kind of read your Quirk analysis."

"Yeah, that’s fine, I guess. Just next time, wake me up to ask for a pen or paper. You know what? I’ll just give you one of my notebooks. I have a plan for each one of them. And why are you making it sound like I just read the way to explode the world?"

"First off, you’re really smart and good at this analysis thing. Second, how did you get so much information about Eraserhead? He's an underground hero, mostly hanging around Tokyo, but I guess he was near you when you started writing based on… yeah, but still, that’s impressive. He doesn’t even show his Quirk that much. I know it’s something to do with erasing Quirks, but I didn’t know how. That’s really impressive. And is Inko your mom? Were you in a dark situation or mood when you wrote this? That’s not what I would usually think about when writing about a friend of mine who’s just a civilian."

"Yeah, I was in a bad mood when I wrote about my mom. It wasn’t that long after my dad and big brother died. Thanks. I just did it as a hobby to get my mind off things. I didn’t realize I was good at it."

"Good, you’re amazing. People would pay so much for this type of information."

"Okay, I guess if you’re going to give me a notebook, I should probably tell you what I’m planning to do with the plan."

"Okay, first things first: We’re staying on the same schedule as when the sun sets. We’re going to walk for 9 hours, with breaks in between, which adds up to 12 hours. Then, we’ll have 6 hours of training, and after that, we’ll sleep for 6 hours in the afternoon."

"Second, I need to build you up. You don’t have enough muscle, so I’m not going to give you specific food to make you taller, but I will make sure you’re healthy. I don’t know what you ate when you were homeless, but I’m not letting that continue, even if it was healthy. I want you in the best shape possible."

"And third, now that I know you’re so smart, instead of just sitting around during breaks, I’m going to make you write about the Quirks I know."

"Isn't that much? You know what? I’ll be more than fine with that, as long as you actually give me a proper plan. I don’t want to just do what you tell me without understanding. You need to explain from now on."

"No problem, it was already part of my plan. For every exercise from now on, I’ll be explaining what type of muscles and situations we’re working on. But it’s not even time for that yet. You don’t need to get ready right now, so get your bag. I already fixed all the mess I made. Grab your sleeping bag and camping gear, get it set up, and we’re going to move. I don’t want us running into any trouble. By the time we get to a populated city, I want us to be able to do some vigilante work. And by that, I mean upgrading our stuff. This is not acceptable," Tiger said, pointing at me.

---

It was our first break in a while. We had been walking for 2 hours, and now it was time for our first 15-minute break.

"Okay, just as I said, I’m going to give you a bit of an explanation first about the Quirk. After that, I want you to write as much as you possibly can, based on what you know and understand. Got it, Bunny?"

"Yes, Tiger. So, what’s it all about? Can I get some water?"

"Of course," Tiger said, handing him a water bottle. "Okay, so the Quirk is considered weak, but I don’t think so. I want to see what you can do with it. The main function is that the person becomes slightly brighter than most people, creating a weird light around them—like they’re a magnet for light orbs, making them glow strangely at night. With enough training, the glow becomes small—only about a millimeter long. This means, with enough training, they can control how far away the light is from them and how close it is. What do you think? What are the weaknesses, the strengths, and the potential of this Quirk?"

Strengths of the Quirk:

1. Increased Visibility/Light Manipulation:
   The ability to generate a light source, especially in dark environments, could be extremely useful in low-light situations. This Quirk could provide practical advantages in rescue missions, emergency situations, or even combat where visibility is key.

2. Control Over Light:
   As the user trains and improves, they gain better control over the distance of their glow. This allows for precision, such as focusing the light to a specific area or dimming it for stealth. With enough control, they could manipulate the light to fit various needs, whether to distract enemies or create illuminating pathways.

3. Unique Stealth Potential:
   While the Quirk creates light, its subtlety—when controlled—could offer opportunities for stealth. The user could make the light very small or even direct it to areas where they don't want attention, turning it into a tool for clever evasion or misdirection.

4. Psychological Impact:
   The glow might have an aesthetic effect on others, making the user appear otherworldly or supernatural, which could be used strategically in intimidation or simply to garner attention when needed.

Weaknesses of the Quirk:

1. Limited Control and Small Size:
   At its base level, the Quirk is only effective at a very small range (just a millimeter). The user will need a significant amount of training to expand its range and influence. Without mastery, it might be difficult to use in combat situations or to provide large-scale illumination.

2. Energy Drain:
   Light-based powers, depending on the control required, could potentially drain the user's energy quickly. Maintaining a glowing effect could be exhausting, especially if it's sustained for long periods. This would force the user to focus on maintaining their energy and stamina.

3. Limited Offensive Use:
   While light can be useful for visibility or psychological effects, this Quirk doesn’t seem to have a clear offensive application. The user may struggle to use the light offensively unless they develop new ways to harness or intensify it (like creating blinding flashes or concentrated beams).

4. Disruptive in Daylight:
   The Quirk’s usefulness might be greatly diminished during the day or in well-lit areas, where the user’s glow would be nearly invisible. It’s most effective at night or in dark environments, which limits its versatility depending on the time of day or the setting.

Potential of the Quirk:

1. Mastery Over Light:
   With significant training, the user could evolve this Quirk into something much more powerful. They could control the intensity, range, and even direction of the light, eventually using it as a potent tool for stealth, distraction, or guiding others through dark spaces.

2. Offensive and Defensive Variations:
   By refining the Quirk, the user could potentially create blinding bursts of light to disorient opponents or use focused light for cutting or burning effects. The range and strength of the light could be increased over time to make it more useful in battle.

3. Integration with Other Quirks:
   If the user has or gains another complementary Quirk, they could combine them. For instance, blending light manipulation with speed or agility could allow for swift evasive maneuvers, dazzling foes while staying out of their reach.

4. Potential for Team Utility:
   In a group setting, this Quirk could have utility beyond the individual. It could be used to signal or guide others, blind opponents to create openings for teammates, or act as a makeshift flashlight for nighttime missions.

Conclusion:

While this Quirk seems relatively weak at first glance, with sufficient training and mastery, it holds vast potential. It could evolve into something much more versatile and effective, especially in situations where control, stealth, and illumination are necessary. However, the user will need to overcome its initial limitations and focus on improving their control, range, and ability to manipulate the light for offensive purposes. With time, this Quirk could become an incredibly valuable asset.

 

"So you're telling me you got all of that from just what I said? I'm impressed."

"Yeah, but it takes a while. If I could see it in action, I’d probably be able to give a more accurate analysis."

"Well, you’re right about one thing—it did take a while. We’re out of break now. Come on, we have to keep going."

---

"The sun was coming up. You know what that means—time for training."

Tiger stretched, her eyes glinting with determination. "Today, I decided we’re going to focus a bit more on flexibility. You’re already doing pretty well with the basics, but the terrain we’ve been on isn’t exactly ideal for the next type of parkour I’m planning to train you on."

She smiled confidently at Izuku. "I’m going to make you so flexible, you’ll be able to jump like a pro athlete. Let’s get to it."

Izuku nodded, feeling both nervous and excited for what was coming next. "Okay, Tiger... Let’s do it."

Tiger stood tall, pointing toward the horizon where the first rays of sunlight were stretching across the sky. "Alright, first things first, warm-up. Touch your toes, get those muscles loose," she instructed, her voice steady and serious. "Then we’ll move into sit-ups. You know the drill."

Izuku nodded, already bending forward to touch his toes, stretching out his legs and back. He could feel the tightness in his muscles, but he was determined to push through. After a few seconds, he straightened up and dropped to the ground, getting ready for sit-ups.

After a quick warm-up to get the blood flowing, Tiger led Izuku into Deep Breathing and Relaxation. "Focus on your breath," she instructed, her voice calm and steady. Izuku closed his eyes, taking deep breaths, feeling the tension start to melt away.

Once they were both settled, Tiger transitioned them into Pigeon Pose, guiding Izuku to bring one knee forward while extending his other leg behind him. "Feel the stretch in your hips. Don’t rush it," she said, watching closely as Izuku followed her lead.

Next, Tiger had him move into Neck Stretches, gently dropping his ear toward each shoulder and then turning his head slowly side to side. "You hold a lot of tension in your neck, so loosen it up," she encouraged.

From there, they moved into Cobra Stretch, and Tiger demonstrated how to arch the back while keeping the elbows slightly bent. "This one’s for your back," she said, watching as Izuku mirrored her movement.

They flowed into the Butterfly Stretch next. Tiger pushed her knees toward the floor, and Izuku followed, leaning forward a bit to deepen the stretch in his inner thighs. "Remember to breathe deeply," she reminded him.

"Now, Child’s Pose," Tiger called out as she sat back on her heels, stretching her arms forward and sinking her chest toward the floor. Izuku followed suit, feeling a sense of calm as he let go of the exertion from their previous exercises.

"Time for Cat-Cow Stretch," Tiger instructed. She moved fluidly between arching and rounding her back, and Izuku copied her movements. The stretch helped loosen up his spine, making him feel more fluid.

Then, they did the Forward Fold. Tiger slowly bent forward, reaching for her toes, while Izuku stretched down, letting his head hang. "This one’s great for your hamstrings," Tiger said, holding the position for a few breaths.

Next came the Hip Flexor Stretch, with Tiger in a deep lunge position, pushing her hips forward. "Hips are key, Izuku. Stretch them out well," she said, watching him follow her lead.

Finally, they finished with a Hamstring Stretch. Tiger sat with one leg extended and reached forward. "Hold this, and really feel the stretch in the back of your legs," she instructed, ensuring Izuku got the most out of it.

Tiger looked at Izuku with a grin. "Okay, now that we’re done with the warm-ups and stretches, it’s time to get into the real deal. Today, we’re working on balance and strength, starting with handstands. Can you do handstands, or anything like headstands, where your legs are in the air and your body weight is on your hands?"

Izuku hesitated. "I don’t know, I’ve never really tried."

Tiger chuckled. "Well, then it’s about time. Let me show you how it’s done." She stepped into the center of the training area, positioned herself, and in one smooth motion, kicked her legs up into a perfect handstand, her body straight and balanced upside down. She held it effortlessly for a moment before lowering herself back down. "As you can see, it’s not that bad once you get the hang of it," she said, offering Izuku a grin.

"Now, you try it. Get into position and kick your legs up, trying to stay balanced on your hands. I’m here to spot you if you need it," she reassured him.

Izuku, nervous but determined, positioned himself on the ground, his palms pressing into the floor. He gave a few hesitant kicks, trying to find his balance. Tiger watched closely but didn't intervene yet. "Focus on your core and make sure your arms are strong. Keep your body aligned."

Izuku wobbled at first, but after a few attempts, he managed to hold a shaky handstand for a few seconds. "Not bad, but you can do better," Tiger said. "Let’s work on stabilizing you before we move on to the next step."

After a few more tries, Tiger smiled and added, "Alright, you’ve got the basic idea down. Now we’re going to take it up a notch. We’re going to practice some high kicks next. This will help you build power and control, which will be key for those handstands."

She demonstrated a few high kicks, her leg shooting straight into the air, her balance unshaken. "Try to kick your leg as high as you can while keeping your torso steady. Use your arms for balance, and don’t be afraid to get a little more height with your kicks."

Izuku nodded, feeling the rush of adrenaline. "Alright, I’ll give it my best shot!" He focused on his legs, using his core strength and balance to execute each high kick with more confidence.

"Alright, Izuku," Tiger said, her eyes sharp and focused, "we’ve warmed up and worked on balance, but now we’re going to push you even further. We’re heading to the tree right over there. Time for some muscle-ups."

Izuku nodded, a bit tired from all the previous work, but determined. "What exactly is a muscle-up?" he asked.

Tiger grinned, walking toward the tree. "I’ll show you. Muscle-ups are a combination of a pull-up and a dip. It’s a full-body movement where you use your arms and core to pull yourself up over a bar or tree branch. It’s not easy, but it’ll build your strength, especially in your upper body."

She positioned herself under the tree branch, grabbed it with both hands, and pulled herself up into a perfect muscle-up. Her body moved fluidly, and she easily transitioned over the bar. "See? You pull up, then push your chest over, and then dip yourself up until your elbows are locked out. Now, your turn."

Izuku, a little unsure but eager to try, stepped under the tree branch and gripped it. He pulled with all his might, straining, but didn’t quite make it over the bar. Tiger nodded in approval despite his struggle. "You’ve got the strength, but you’ll need more technique. Keep your core tight, swing your legs a bit for momentum, and focus on pushing yourself up, not just pulling. Let’s try again."

They practiced for hours, with Tiger guiding Izuku each time he struggled. Her patience paid off, as Izuku gradually improved, his movements more fluid with each attempt. After a long session, Tiger finally called it. "Alright, that’s enough for today. You’re getting the hang of it. Now, we’re moving on."

Izuku was out of breath but felt accomplished. "Thanks, Tiger. That was tough."

Tiger grinned. "It’s supposed to be. Now that we’ve got some strength training in, it’s time for the next lesson: combat tactics." She led him over to a patch of grass and crouched down. "In every battle, there are weak points. And you need to know how to target them, especially when you’re facing someone with a powerful Quirk. Let’s talk biology for a bit."

Izuku sat down, ready to listen. Tiger began explaining key points of the human body, showing him where pressure points and weak spots were—places like the neck, joints, and pressure points in the legs and arms. "When you’re facing an opponent, the goal isn’t always to overpower them. It’s about using your knowledge of their body and your surroundings to your advantage."

She demonstrated by quickly targeting an area on her own arm, pointing out how even a small, precise hit could disable someone temporarily. "If you can strike with precision, you’ll be able to weaken your enemy without wasting energy."

Izuku’s mind raced as he absorbed the information. "So, it’s not just about brute strength. It’s about knowing where to hit and how to disable them fast?"

"Exactly," Tiger said, nodding. "Now, let’s take this to the next level. If we have time, I’ll teach you some awareness techniques. Combat isn’t just about what’s in front of you; it’s about understanding your environment and reading the situation."

As the training session continued, Tiger emphasized the importance of situational awareness—how to listen to your surroundings, observe your opponent’s body language, and make decisions based on your environment. She moved from one point of interest to another, discussing how to recognize dangers, avoid traps, and anticipate attacks.

"Alright, Izuku, time’s up for today," Tiger said, glancing at the sky as the sun began to set. "We won’t have time for the awareness training today, but we’ve got 15 minutes left before we hit the sack, so I’m going to teach you something pretty interesting."

Izuku, tired but still alert, sat down on the ground, eager for whatever lesson Tiger had in mind. "I’m all ears, Tiger," he said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Tiger settled down next to him, taking a deep breath. "This last lesson is going to be about... mental resilience."

Izuku tilted his head, curious. "Mental resilience? What’s that?"

Tiger smiled. "It’s the ability to keep your mind strong, even when you’re physically or emotionally drained. In this world, you can have all the power and skill in the world, but if your mind gives up, you’re done. I want to teach you how to keep going, no matter how tough things get."

Izuku nodded, understanding the importance. "So it’s like... not giving up when things get hard?"

"Exactly," Tiger said. "Mental resilience is all about staying calm under pressure, finding strength when you feel like you’ve got nothing left, and pushing forward when you can’t see the finish line."

She looked at him seriously. "This is something that takes practice. It’s easy to train your body, but it’s harder to train your mind. One of the best ways to do this is through visualization and positive reinforcement. Whenever you’re feeling defeated, try to visualize yourself overcoming whatever obstacle you’re facing. Picture yourself succeeding, even if it seems impossible."

Izuku took it all in, nodding thoughtfully. "So, whenever things get tough, I should just think of myself pushing through it, like a victory in my mind?"

"Exactly," Tiger said. "Another thing that’s crucial for mental resilience is knowing that failure doesn’t mean you’re done. It’s just a lesson. If you fail, learn from it, and get back up. Every time you do, your mental strength grows."

She stood up, motioning for Izuku to do the same. "Alright, we’re going to do a quick exercise before we head to bed. Close your eyes for a moment."

Izuku followed her instructions, shutting his eyes and focusing on his breath. Tiger’s voice came softly, "Now, I want you to think of a time when you felt defeated. It could be anything—maybe something in the past, or something that worries you about the future. Picture it in your mind."

Izuku did as told, recalling the moments in his life where he felt the most hopeless. Tiger continued, "Now, I want you to imagine that moment again, but this time, you’re not giving up. You’re overcoming it. You’re getting past the challenge with confidence. See yourself pushing through. See yourself succeeding."

Izuku took a deep breath, visualizing the scene in his mind. He pictured himself, standing tall, overcoming the obstacles with strength. The mental image felt empowering.

"Good," Tiger said after a moment. "Keep practicing that every time you feel defeated. Remember that you have the power to change the outcome in your mind, and that can carry you through any tough situation."

Izuku opened his eyes, feeling a little lighter, a little stronger. "Thanks, Tiger. That actually felt... kind of comforting."

Tiger smiled, patting him on the back. "Mental resilience is just as important as physical strength, Izuku. You’re doing great. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow’s another day of training."

---

The sun was just beginning to rise as Tiger and Izuku finished their long walk, the quiet farmland stretching out before them. The air was cool, the ground still damp from the dew, and Izuku was already feeling the strain from their hours of walking through the night.

Tiger, with her white hair flowing behind her like a streak of moonlight, turned to him. Her red eyes glowed with the fire of her purpose.

"Alright, Bunny, it’s time to train. Don’t think too much, just follow my moves and feel the flow."

Izuku wiped his brow and nodded. "I’m ready."

Tiger moved into a fighting stance, her movements fluid and controlled. She began a series of strikes and defensive maneuvers, each one sharp and precise. She moved like water—quick and unstoppable.

"Focus on your stance, Bunny. If you don’t have your base, nothing else will work."

Izuku tried to mimic her, but his first attempt was stiff, his balance off. Tiger was beside him in a heartbeat, adjusting his posture with practiced ease.

"Tighter, Bunny. Control your energy."

Izuku nodded, focusing on her words, and tried again. This time, his movements were more grounded, his strikes more precise.

"Better. Now, keep that form."

---

After walking through the night and getting some rest in the afternoon, the sun had just barely risen by the time Tiger and Izuku set off again. They were near a stretch of fallen logs and stone walls, the perfect place for parkour training.

"Alright, Bunny, today we focus on parkour. Don’t hesitate—just move with the environment. Use what’s around you."

With a quick leap, Tiger dashed towards a stone wall, scaling it with grace. She landed softly on the other side, offering Izuku a brief glance.

"It’s about momentum, Bunny. You fight the wall, and you lose. You move with it, and you conquer it."

Izuku stepped up, running toward the wall with determination, but his foot slipped as he tried to scale it. Tiger was there in an instant, her hand on his shoulder.

"Don’t think about it too much. Just feel the wall and move with it."

Izuku nodded and tried again, feeling the momentum shift. This time, he managed to get over the wall, landing in a roll that felt surprisingly smooth.

"Good, Bunny. Keep it up. With each try, you’ll get better."

---

The next morning, after their walk and rest, Tiger and Izuku found themselves surrounded by low walls and crates—perfect for vaulting practice. The sun was up, casting a warm glow over their training ground.

"Vaulting is all about speed, Bunny. Don’t worry about how high you jump. It’s about how fast you clear an obstacle."

Tiger sprinted toward a low crate, effortlessly clearing it with a smooth arc. Izuku followed her lead, but his first attempt was slow, and he stumbled over the crate.

Tiger approached, her voice calm but firm. "It’s not about height; it’s about lightness and speed. Try again."

Izuku sprinted at the crate, focusing on the speed rather than the height. This time, his movement was smoother, and he cleared the crate without hesitation.

"There you go. It’s all in the timing."

---

By now, after their usual long walk through the night, they had found themselves in a dense forest with uneven, rocky terrain. Tiger and Izuku paused for a moment to catch their breath. The sun had just risen, and Tiger’s eyes scanned the area like a hawk.

"Today, Bunny, we work on situational awareness. The key to survival is knowing your surroundings before something catches you off guard."

She crouched, examining the forest floor, her sharp red eyes noticing the slightest of disturbances.

"Do you see it? The grass here is bent, and these footprints are fresh. Someone passed through here recently."

Izuku crouched beside her, inspecting the ground closely. "I didn’t notice it at first, but now I see it. Someone’s definitely been here."

Tiger nodded. "Good. Stay alert. If you sense something’s wrong, trust your gut. It could save your life."

They spent the rest of the morning practicing awareness as they moved through the forest, constantly analyzing the ground, the air, and the trees for any signs of danger.

"Keep your senses sharp, Bunny. The more you practice, the easier it becomes."

---

After their usual walk and rest, Tiger and Izuku were in a clearing filled with boulders. The morning sun shone brightly, casting long shadows as they began strength training.

"Strength isn’t just about raw power, Bunny. It’s about control. The better you control your body, the stronger you become."

She walked toward one of the large boulders and crouched, easily lifting it with her entire body. Izuku stepped forward, inspecting the rock before attempting to lift it.

He gripped it tightly but found the weight heavier than he expected. His arms shook slightly as he struggled to lift it. Tiger was immediately at his side, guiding him.

"Use your legs, Bunny. Your arms aren’t enough. Get low, drive with your whole body."

Izuku bent his knees, planting his feet firmly, and tried again. This time, with Tiger’s guidance, he managed to lift the rock a few inches.

"Good. Now you’re using your body to its fullest."

---

On the sixth morning, after walking and resting, Tiger and Izuku moved to a more open area, filled with a variety of obstacles.

"Alright, Bunny, today is about combining everything we’ve worked on. Don’t overthink it. Just move with what you’ve learned."

She ran ahead, leaping over fallen trees, vaulting over stone walls, and climbing boulders with fluid ease. Izuku followed, pushing himself harder with each obstacle. His movements were faster, smoother than before, and each leap felt more instinctive.

"See? You’re getting faster. Don’t hesitate. Keep moving like you’ve done before."

By the time they reached the edge of the farmland, Izuku was panting, but his confidence was growing with every step. He had come a long way.

---

After a grueling week of intense training, Tiger and Izuku found themselves nearing the edge of a major city: Shibuya. The towering buildings and winding alleyways loomed ahead, signaling a sharp turn in their journey. The open fields, the cliffs, and the isolated landscapes that had been their training ground for the past week were now behind them. Now, the real challenge was about to begin.

As the first rays of light broke through the early morning sky, Tiger stopped, glancing over at Izuku. Her sharp red eyes locked onto his, her usual calm, controlled demeanor giving way to a rare but serious tone.

"Okay, Bunny, listen up," she started, her voice steady but filled with intent. "You’re very strong now. The training has been going well, and over the last week, I’ve pushed you hard. You’ve come a long way. You should be able to stand on your own in a fight, even against quirked opponents."

Izuku wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. This was it—the moment they’d been training for.

Tiger looked out toward the distant city skyline. "But remember, I’ve kept things controlled because you said you wanted to be a vigilante. And now, we’re officially heading into a populated area."

Her gaze was serious, her expression sharp. "The trip from now on is going to be much shorter, but it’ll be far more dangerous. We’re no longer going to have the open fields with a lot of space. From here on out, it’s narrow alleyways, buildings, and packed streets. It's going to be like hunting in a jungle of concrete. You'll need to be aware of every shadow, every corner."

Izuku took a deep breath, his muscles still sore from their training but his resolve hardening. He nodded, listening carefully as Tiger continued.

"The vigilantes in Shibuya are more active, and they’re not always easy to spot. You’ll have to be quick, sharp, and ready for anything. This isn't about brute strength anymore—it’s about control and strategy. Don’t be fooled by the city’s buzz. The biggest threats could be the ones in plain sight."

Tiger took a step closer, her voice lowering but gaining a certain edge. "There are a few things you need to know about the area. Shibuya’s packed with people, yes, but there are also a lot of those hidden alleyways where danger can come from anywhere. Watch your back, trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate."

She pointed toward the horizon, where the edge of Shibuya’s massive urban sprawl met the distant hills. "The vigilante scene in Shibuya is unpredictable. You’ll be tested more than ever now. But you've trained for this, Bunny. Just remember what I’ve taught you—always think ahead, never rush in without a plan."

Izuku tightened his fists, his determination swelling. "I’m ready, Tiger. I won’t let you down."

Tiger gave him a brief nod, her expression softening for just a moment. "I know you will. You’re stronger than you think."

She turned and began walking toward the city, her footsteps light but purposeful. Izuku followed closely behind, his mind racing with everything she had said. He wasn’t just walking into Shibuya now; he was stepping into a battleground—one that would test all the skills he had acquired.

"Let’s go, Bunny," she called over her shoulder, her voice steady as ever. "Shibuya’s right around the corner."

And with that, they entered the maze of urban streets, where the true test of Izuku’s abilities—and his resolve—would begin.

---

As they walked deeper into Shibuya’s bustling streets, the weight of what Tiger had said began to sink in. They had been training hard, pushing their limits, but this—this was the real deal. The real vigilante work.

Tiger glanced over at Izuku as they maneuvered through the crowd. Her white hair swayed slightly in the breeze, the intensity in her red eyes unrelenting.

"Alright, Bunny," she began, her tone serious. "Now, it’s time for your official vigilante training."

Izuku blinked, his mind still processing the shift from the training fields to the city. "Wait… What we were doing until now wasn’t vigilante training?"

Tiger shook her head slightly, her expression stern but thoughtful. "Yes and no. What we’ve done until now has been foundation work, the physical and mental prep. But being a vigilante isn’t just about fighting or parkour. It’s about surviving, adapting, and gathering information."

Izuku nodded, following her as she moved quickly through the streets. The sound of city life was buzzing around them, people everywhere—yet Tiger moved with a calculated purpose, her eyes scanning every corner, every face, every shadow.

Tiger continued, her pace never slowing. "Vigilantes can’t always be on the run. But they’re constantly equipped—always ready with weapons, armor, and most importantly, information. That’s the next step in your training."

Izuku’s brows furrowed, intrigued but slightly confused. "So… what do you mean? How do we get all that?"

Tiger smirked slightly, clearly pleased with his curiosity. "I’m going to show you how to find the black market, Bunny. There are places in this city that are hidden in plain sight, little alleyways that seem to dead-end for no reason, but that’s exactly where you’ll find a lot of useful stuff."

Izuku’s eyes widened. "Wait, are you saying we’re going to find weapons?"

Tiger shot him a quick glance. "Not just weapons. You’ll learn how to find armor, supplies, and even information. But here’s the thing—you won’t just waltz into a shop and buy whatever you need. That’s not how it works."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "So how do we get what we need?"

Tiger slowed her pace, glancing at him with a knowing look. "Bars. That’s where you’ll find the info, Bunny. The people who run them? They know everything that’s going on in the city. They’re the ones who’ll be able to tell you where the deals are, what’s available, and who to trust. But, here’s the catch—most of those places won’t let you just walk in and make purchases. You’ve got to earn their trust. And that’s where the real work begins."

Izuku was processing the information as they passed by a few nondescript buildings. "Wait, so we’re not just working with other vigilantes?"

Tiger smirked again. "Not exactly. We’ll be paying them, and they’ll be paying us. I already have my own vigilante outfit, and it’s hidden in the area we’re heading to. But you? You’re still wearing a hoodie and cargo pants, with that festival bunny mask. Not exactly the most intimidating look."

Izuku looked down at his outfit, self-conscious. The hoodie and mask felt more like something for a costume than a true vigilante uniform.

Tiger patted his back. "No worries. We’ll be upgrading that soon. You’re gonna need something that fits the part if you want to blend in. Come on, follow me. We need to find an abandoned building so I can teach you how to use this map to locate the black market."

Izuku’s heart started to race. This was getting serious now—no more training in the open fields or wide spaces. This was real, and it was happening fast. He followed Tiger closely as they navigated the streets of Shibuya, the noise and chaos of the city becoming the backdrop for their new world—one that would soon be his as well.

Tiger led him down a narrow alley, then stopped and turned to face him. "We’ll start by learning how to recognize hidden areas that most people miss. That’s where you’ll find what you need—the black market, secret spots, places hiding in plain sight. They might look like ordinary buildings, but they’re not."

She handed him a small, worn map, the edges frayed. Tiger leaned in close as she traced a line on the map with her finger. "Now, your job is to learn how to read this. There’s no easy way to do it. These places change. Some might be obvious, others? They’ll be disguised. The trick is knowing what’s out of place, what doesn’t quite add up."

Izuku nodded, his focus sharpened as he looked over the map. "Got it. I’ll start looking for the details."

Tiger stepped back, her red eyes gleaming in the dim light of the alley. "Good. Remember, Bunny—being a vigilante isn’t just about fighting. It’s about gathering information and knowing where to look. This map is your first step."

She gave him a sharp look, her voice low but intense. "Let's get to work."

And with that, the real mission began. The hunt for the hidden black market—and for the knowledge that would shape Izuku into the vigilante he was destined to become.

---

As Tiger and Izuku walked down the bustling streets of Shibuya, the noise of the city faded slightly as Tiger suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing. She gestured subtly toward a coffee shop ahead of them.

"Hey, Bunny, look there," she said, pointing toward the small, seemingly innocuous coffee shop nestled between two larger buildings.

Izuku followed her gaze, scanning the shop. It looked like any other coffee shop—people casually sipping their drinks, the faint hum of a coffee machine in the background, the smell of fresh beans in the air. It didn't stand out much at all.

"What about it? Do you think they're doing something illegal? Should we report them?" Izuku asked, not quite understanding the focus on a seemingly ordinary place.

Tiger shook her head with a soft chuckle. "No, no, Bunny. We don’t report things like that." Her eyes continued to watch the coffee shop with an unsettling calm. "I’ve calculated it. This place might look small, but it’s actually a front for something much bigger."

Izuku blinked, taken aback. "You think they’re hiding something?"

Tiger gave a quick, serious nod. "Exactly. I checked the area using some of the nearby cameras. There's definitely a secret room in the back, but there’s no obvious way in." She paused, letting the information hang in the air. "What do you think that means?"

Izuku furrowed his brows, trying to piece it together. "That they have a weird storage room or that they’re using the space to sell something on the black market?"

Tiger smiled, the kind of smile that showed approval, but also the flicker of something darker in her eyes. "Close, but not exactly. This place is a coffee shop, so it’s busy. People come and go all the time. If someone slips to the side for a quick cup and never comes back, nobody would notice. It’s the perfect cover for a hidden bar."

Izuku's eyes widened. "A bar? Like, a black market bar?"

Tiger gave him a sharp, confirming look. "Not just any bar. I’m talking about an information bar. A place where people come to exchange info—criminals, vigilantes, all kinds of shady folks. And we’re going to see how you handle your first one."

Izuku’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. "Wait, you want me to go in there?"

Tiger gave a small nod. "Exactly. You’re going to slip in, get a tiny letter or note. It’s subtle. You can’t make it obvious, and you can’t cause a scene. Your job is to blend in and gather information, Bunny."

She leaned closer, her voice lowering to a whisper, almost like a warning. "I’ve already scouted it out. Just watch your step, stay cool, and don’t blow our cover. This is your first test—don’t mess it up."

Izuku nodded quickly, adrenaline flooding through him. "Got it. I won’t let you down."

Tiger gave him a brief, approving nod. "Good. Let’s see how you do. I’ll be nearby, watching."

With a final glance at the coffee shop, Tiger stepped back, blending into the shadows of the nearby alleyway. Izuku took a deep breath and started to walk toward the door of the coffee shop, his mind racing with the realization of how much was riding on this moment. He was about to step into a world of secrets, and he had to be careful—every move counted.

Izuku took a deep breath as he stepped into the coffee shop, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. He waited in line, his heart racing with anticipation. His eyes casually scanned the room, but his attention was focused on the person standing in front of him. A tall man, wearing a loose jacket, was placing an order.

Izuku subtly observed his belt, his instincts sharpening as he noticed the small bulge of a weapon. His mind quickly cataloged the details—this wasn’t just a regular customer. He listened closely to the interaction between the man and the cashier.

"Hello, what would you like to drink?" the cashier asked, her tone polite but professional.

The man replied with a calm, almost rehearsed tone. "I’d like a coffee with cream and three ice cubes."

The cashier nodded and turned to prepare the drink, but Izuku’s sharp eyes caught the brief, almost imperceptible motion of the cashier slipping a small note into the coffee cup before handing it over to the man.

Izuku’s heart skipped a beat. This was it. The kind of secret exchange Tiger had warned him about. He needed to stay cool. Tiger had said to gather information without causing a scene, and this was his first real chance.

The man walked away, sipping his drink, completely unaware of Izuku’s quiet observations. Izuku’s turn came quickly, and he stepped up to the counter, maintaining his calm demeanor.

"Hello, I’d like two black coffees," Izuku said, his voice steady but not too loud. "One with cream and the other one with three ice cubes."

The cashier, a woman with a slightly bored expression, glanced at him for a moment before repeating the order and quickly preparing the drinks. But as she handed the coffee to Izuku, she leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering, just enough for him to hear. "Right away, sir. Be careful, suspicious-looking types have been around lately."

Izuku nodded, trying to mask his nerves, and took the coffee. The moment he stepped outside, he glanced at the cup carefully. There it was—a tiny, folded note wedged between the lid and the edge of the cup.

He didn’t hesitate. Slipping the note into his pocket, Izuku quickly exited the coffee shop and looked around. He spotted Tiger, hidden in the shadows just across the street, her red eyes gleaming with quiet anticipation.

Izuku approached her and handed over the note with a quiet whisper. "Here. It says ‘186.’”

Tiger quickly glanced at the note, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she nodded, looking around the area.

"Good. Let's go," she said, her voice low and controlled. She motioned for him to follow, leading him down a narrow alleyway.

Izuku felt a sense of urgency in her steps, and he followed closely behind. The alley was dim, cluttered with trash cans and the faint smell of the city’s forgotten corners. As they neared a dumpster at the end of the alley, Tiger pointed to a small door hidden behind it, barely noticeable against the wall.

"There. Small door next to the trash can behind the dumpster," she whispered. "This is it. Give me the note, and let’s get inside."

Izuku handed over the note again, his heart thumping in his chest. He was about to enter a hidden world, and he knew there was no turning back now.

Tiger glanced at him once, then pulled the note from his hand. "Put your mask on," she added, her tone now sharp and serious.

Izuku immediately complied, pulling his festival mask over his face. His heart was racing, his palms slightly sweaty as he stood in front of the tiny door, waiting for Tiger to lead him through.

Tiger knocked softly, and the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. The atmosphere inside was thick with the scent of tobacco and the quiet murmurs of low voices. They were inside now—the real work was about to begin.

As Tiger stepped forward, she handed the note to a large man standing next to the door. He studied it briefly, his eyes scanning the paper before glancing up at the two of them. His gaze lingered on Izuku for a moment, sizing him up, but after a tense second, he nodded, stepped aside, and opened the door with a creak.

Inside, the atmosphere immediately changed. It was clear they had entered a different world entirely. The space was dimly lit, with the soft hum of conversation mixing with the clinking of glasses and the occasional laughter of patrons. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke, and the glow from the neon lights flickered, casting strange shadows across the worn wooden bar. A variety of drinks lined the counter, and several people were huddled in groups, exchanging murmurs and glances. A few faces turned toward the newcomers but quickly looked away, sensing nothing too out of the ordinary.

Tiger wasted no time. She pulled her white hair into a bun, her movements swift and practiced. Without a word, she strode toward the bar, her posture confident. Izuku followed, his mind still buzzing with adrenaline, trying to look casual despite the intensity of the situation.

She reached the bartender, a middle-aged man with a rugged face and a scruffy beard. He gave Tiger a once-over before asking with a neutral tone, "You are around here? Haven’t seen you before. How did you find this place?"

Tiger sat down on a stool and motioned for Izuku to sit next to her. She leaned slightly forward, her eyes scanning the man, reading him like a book. "We know where to look. My friend here," she gestured to Izuku, "has information. We want to sell it. We’re looking for a few specific things, and we know where to find them. Just tell us where we need to pay."

The bartender raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. He leaned forward a bit, sensing the potential value of this exchange. "What number?"

Tiger didn’t hesitate. "186."

The bartender’s expression shifted slightly, as if a lightbulb had gone off in his mind. He gave a small nod. "If you’re looking to sell info on underground heroes, there’s an abandoned building on the west side of the city. Looks like a warehouse. It’s next to a nice bridge. They’ve been hiding out there for a while. If you can tell them anything useful about underground heroes, I’ll get you what you need. Maybe even more, depending on the information."

Izuku’s mind whirred as he processed the information. An abandoned warehouse near a bridge—underground heroes, materials, and payment. They were selling information, not buying. This was a valuable lead. But before he could dwell on it, Tiger interrupted his thoughts.

"Thank you, sir," she said smoothly. Then, with a flash of a smile, she added, "Oh, and do you have any juice? I’d like an orange one, and my friend here would like grape."

The bartender’s face softened slightly, and he chuckled at the request. "Right away," he said with a smile, moving to prepare the drinks. Izuku relaxed slightly, though the tension in his chest still lingered. He glanced around the bar, realizing that this place was not just a hub for criminals and vigilantes, but a place where information and deals were made in the shadows.

As the bartender returned with their drinks, Tiger gave Izuku a knowing look.

---

Tiger leaned in closer to Izuku, her red eyes gleaming with a hint of anticipation. Her voice dropped to a near whisper, as though the walls themselves might be listening. "Bunny, what information do you have on Pro Heroes? Specifically underground ones. We’re talking about people like Eraserhead, Cobra, Toxic Spine, and Hydrokinesis. These are all underground heroes in the area, and if you know anything about them, we can sell it for a pretty high price."

Izuku’s thoughts raced. He had never really considered how much value his knowledge of Pro Heroes could hold. His training with Tiger had sharpened his awareness, but now, it seemed like this wasn’t just about physical strength. It was about gathering intel, the kind that could be sold to the highest bidder in these shadowy markets.

He swallowed, thinking carefully. “I… I know Eraserhead, he’s a Pro Hero. He works with the police, but he’s not often seen on the big cases, more of a behind-the-scenes guy. He’s a master at disabling quirks, neutralizing powers for short periods. He’s dangerous if you try to go up against him.”

Izuku paused for a second, trying to remember more about the others. “Cobra’s pretty elusive. I’ve only heard rumors. Some say he can control snakes, others say he uses venom to incapacitate his opponents. As for Toxic Spine, I know he's got some sort of weaponized quirk that involves turning his spine into toxic darts. Not much more than that, though. Hydrokinesis, on the other hand, is pretty dangerous. They can control water, use it to drown or create barriers of ice. They're hard to track, but I’ve heard whispers of their involvement in a few underground rescue operations.”

Tiger nodded, her eyes glinting with interest. “That’s solid, Bunny. If we can get more specifics, like where they’ve been seen or who they’ve been helping, that’ll push the price up. But for now, this is good.”

She leaned back, her tone turning calculating. “This kind of information could be worth a lot to the right people. The underground market thrives on knowledge, and these heroes? They're worth a pretty penny. Just remember—selling information like this is a tightrope. Don’t get too attached to any of it. The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes.”

Izuku nodded, trying to absorb it all. He never imagined that the people he once saw as the shining symbols of justice could be sold as commodities in a world so different from the one he’d grown up in.

Tiger stood up from the stool, giving him a quick nod. “Let’s get moving. We have a lot of work to do.”

As she led the way out of the bar, Izuku couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation sink in. What had seemed like an exciting adventure was now a treacherous game of secrets and deception. And as he followed Tiger through the dimly lit streets.

Tiger fixed her gaze on Izuku, her tone sharp and focused as she quickly spoke. "Bunny, we have 20 minutes. I’ll give you any information I know about the underground heroes in the area. I need you to create a list of all their weaknesses, their training, and their combat styles. This is what will get us enough to get your new custom and a few other things. Start with Hydrokinesis."

Izuku nodded, his mind racing. He scribbled down the details she gave him and began analyzing them for anything that could be useful in the upcoming sale of information.

---

Hydrokinesis - Water Manipulation (Contaminated Water)

• Combat Style: Relies heavily on using contaminated water, giving him control over various water sources, but only within specific environments like polluted rivers, sewage, or places with industrial waste.
• Strengths: Can manipulate water to create barriers, traps, or offensive attacks like water blasts or sharp, ice-like formations. He uses his environment to enhance his abilities, often staying close to polluted water sources where his powers are strongest.
• Weaknesses:
  • Environmental Dependency: Hydrokinesis is highly dependent on the environment—without contaminated water, his power is significantly weaker. He won’t leave areas with polluted water sources, as he needs that to fuel his abilities.
  • Limited Range: His control is usually only effective within a close radius of the contaminated water source. Once you move out of this zone, his power drops dramatically.
  • Vulnerable to Purification: Any action or technology that can purify or neutralize the water around him, such as creating purified water or filtering systems, will severely hinder his abilities.
  • Comfort Zone Limitation: He doesn’t venture far from polluted areas. If you force him out of his comfort zone—such as in clean, uncontaminated places—he becomes highly weakened and loses control of his power.

Counter-Tactics:

• Locate a Clean Area: You can force him out of his comfort zone by taking him to clean areas or places without contaminated water sources. Use the environment against him by disrupting his connection to his water source.
• Use Purification Devices: If you have access to any form of purification devices or technology, it can significantly limit his range and his ability to use contaminated water for offense or defense.
• Quick Attacks from a Distance: If you can keep him at a distance where he cannot access any contaminated water, long-range or elemental attacks could neutralize his ability to control water.

It was officially midnight when Tiger and Izuku stepped into the abandoned warehouse. The atmosphere was dark and tense, with five mutation-type quirk users in sight—each possessing animal-related traits. Their eyes locked onto Tiger and Izuku as the pair entered, ready for the deal.

Izuku handed a piece of paper to Tiger after completing his analysis. She gave it a quick glance, nodding in approval before tucking it away. As she stood before the dealers, she remained calm and sharp, her gaze scanning the room filled with weapons, suits of armor, and various gear. Izuku could tell she was already calculating the best possible items to grab and how much they could get in return.

The head dealer—a man with a thick, unrecognizable accent—looked them over. "You’re coming from the bar. That means you have information about underground heroes. Tell me what you need."

Tiger gave him a quick nod. "We need a hoodie, a full-face mask, the two swords leaning on the armor there, the armor itself with the utility belt, and the spray paint."

She slowly slid the paper across the table. "This is the payment."

The dealer passed the gear over, but there was an unexpected addition—an extra scythe and a bo staff.

Tiger accepted the gear smoothly, her sharp eyes assessing the additional weapons. The extra scythe and bo staff were unanticipated but appreciated. More was always better in their line of work.

"Thank you," Tiger said coolly, her voice steady. "Appreciate doing business."

After finishing the deal, they stepped out of the abandoned building and climbed onto a nearby rooftop to check out their gear.

"Why didn’t we check the gear beforehand? And what’s the spray paint for?" Izuku asked, inspecting the items they’d received.

Tiger crossed her arms. "Okay, one of the main rules when dealing: never check the goods in front of the dealer. You can do it with your eyes, sure, but don’t make it obvious. It’s considered disrespectful. Only the dealer gets to inspect what he's giving away and the payment."

She held up the can of spray paint with a smirk. "And this? This is because I’m about to make you very green."

Izuku was now wearing a dark green and black hoodie with light metal armor woven between the fabric for added protection. His short combat boots had neon green accents scattered across them, standing out in the dim light. He carried a green staff, paired with black cargo pants that had an abundance of pockets, and a simple white utility belt.

His mask, however, had received the biggest upgrade. It now covered his entire face, featuring LED lights around the mouth area and ears. The ears extended slightly beyond the hood, with magnets embedded behind them to ensure the hood never fell out of place.

"So, what do you think?" Tiger asked.

Izuku adjusted his gear, testing the fit. "Comfortable and well-protected. The utility belt and cargo pants have plenty of space for all my tools—first aid, water bottles, extra snacks, my two daggers, extra knives, and even armor shielding for my swords. I really like it."

He glanced at her outfit. "What about you, though? Don’t you need any upgrades? Is what you're wearing fine?"

"Yeah, it’s fine for now," Tiger replied with a shrug. "It's definitely bolder than my usual outfit. I usually wear a lot more black, but this works for now. Even though it's just chainmail with fabric on top—well, if you can even call it fabric. It's basically a crop top, cargo pants, and high boots. I wasn’t exactly expecting to take a giant trip or do anything outside my usual area."

She crossed her arms. "And one more thing—always pay the exact amount you need. Never more. They won’t always be so generous as to throw in extra things. This time, that was on me since I couldn’t tweak what you gave me, and I didn’t ask for anything extra. But remember, it’s not a trick. Always ask for exactly what you want."

"Yes, Tiger."

"Good. Now, I’m going to give you a quick lesson on how to use that gear—to climb things and knock people out. It’s not that difficult, pretty much the same training we did with the branches and your sword, so it shouldn’t be a problem. After that, we’ll keep moving toward our goal—the outskirts of Tokyo."

---

They were walking just outside of Shibuya, the city lights fading behind them as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon.

"Okay, normally I wouldn’t do this, but…" Tiger hesitated before continuing. "Instead of training, we’re going to keep walking. The earlier we get there, the better. We’ll find a safe place to sleep for the afternoon, and after that, we should have about two more days before we reach the outskirts of Tokyo."

Izuku stretched his arms. "I mean, walking is technically training, so I don’t see a problem with that. Sure—on one condition. We play the question game."

"You don’t need to make it a game if you just want to ask something," Tiger said with a smirk. "But sure, go ahead."

"Alright, where exactly are we going? And why?"

"By the outskirts of Tokyo, I mean the literal border between Tokyo and the port by the sea," she explained. "There’s a place I used to live before… well, before the incident. I’m going to rebuild it. It’s also a safe zone because it’s considered my area—Tiger’s area. No one comes there. It’s a secure place for most, and there’s even a bunker underground."

She glanced at Izuku. "That’s where you come in. I need your help. Not with the physical labor—I’ve got that covered—but with the planning, statistics, and technical stuff. I need to make sure this isn’t just some giant farmland with a bunch of animals and no people. If I want to turn it into a real refuge, I need the underground base finished first."

Izuku blinked. "Wait… do you mean we’re actually going to—"

"Yes," Tiger interrupted with a grin. "We’re going to build a proper safe house. And you, Bunny, are going to help me keep it running as the new vigilante."

Izuku was silent for a moment before nodding. "Thanks. I was actually kind of worried, you know? Scared that you’d just help me for a bit and then leave. But I’m glad we made this deal."

Tiger smiled softly. "I wonder if this is what a family feels like—just… trusting each other."

Izuku chuckled. "Yeah. That’s what a good family is. Alise."

---

The early morning air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of the bay as Tiger and Izuku moved through the quiet backstreets of Meguro. The city behind them was waking up, but here, in the shadowed alleyways and forgotten roads, the world still felt asleep.

Tiger walked a few steps ahead, her movements fluid, practiced. Izuku, now used to matching her pace, followed closely. His new gear—combat-ready but flexible—moved silently against his body.

"Alright, Bunny," Tiger muttered under her breath, keeping her voice low. "First target—a mechanic shop near Gotanda. Rumors say some underground heroes pass through there for custom jobs. Keep your hood low, listen more than you talk."

Izuku nodded, adjusting his full-face mask. "Got it. What’s our cover?"

"Simple," Tiger said. "We're just travelers looking for work. If anyone asks, we’re trying to make some cash fixing things."

They reached Meguro River, its surface reflecting the neon remnants of Tokyo’s skyline. No one was around. The sound of flowing water masked their footsteps, letting them pass unseen.

Checkpoint: Gotanda

The shop was tucked between an old factory and a closed ramen stall, its neon sign flickering weakly. Inside, a burly man with grease-stained hands worked on a customized motorcycle, its parts modified far beyond anything legal.

Tiger took the lead, stepping into the dimly lit space. Izuku hung back, scanning the walls filled with old tools, scrap parts, and a few weapons disguised as machinery.

The mechanic barely looked up. "You lost?"

"Looking for work," Tiger replied smoothly. "We can repair things. No questions asked."

The man snorted. "That so? You don’t look like the usual types."

Izuku's gaze flickered to a half-finished helmet on the counter, its reinforced frame and concealed visor screaming vigilante gear.

"We learn fast," he said simply.

The mechanic studied them, then grunted. "If you’re serious, come back tonight. There’s a guy looking for extra hands. Might have something for you."

Tiger gave a nod, already turning toward the door. Izuku followed, slipping into the morning light.

"That was quick," he murmured.

"No need to linger," Tiger muttered back. "Let’s keep moving. Next stop—Shinagawa’s docks. More people talk when they’re tired and unloading cargo."

Izuku took one last glance at the shop before falling into step beside her.

As the sun climbed higher, Izuku and Tiger continued their journey, sticking to the quieter backstreets and hidden walkways. They avoided main roads, blending in with the early workers and stragglers drifting through Shinagawa’s industrial zones. The scent of saltwater thickened in the air as they neared the docks, where cargo ships groaned under the weight of international shipments.

Tiger paused behind a stack of shipping crates, tilting her head slightly. “Hear that?”

Izuku listened. Over the usual hum of dock workers shouting and machinery clanking, he picked up something… off. A conversation, hushed but tense, drifting from the other side of the stacked containers.

“…shipment’s late. Boss ain’t gonna like that.”

“Tell him we had to change the route. Too many eyes on the usual one.”

Tiger raised an eyebrow at Izuku, mouthing, Underground transport?

Izuku nodded. Smuggling, black-market goods, or something worse—either way, this could be useful.

Moving carefully, they crept closer, using the shadows of the crates for cover. Izuku’s new boots barely made a sound, a welcome upgrade from his old, worn-out sneakers. The voices grew clearer.

“…safehouse near Shinagawa Station. Lay low until the heat dies down.”

Izuku’s mind was already working. A safehouse? If underground heroes or criminals were involved, it could be a goldmine of information.

Tiger tapped his shoulder lightly. “Enough. We’ve got what we need.”

They slipped away before anyone noticed them, vanishing into the maze of steel containers.

By the time late afternoon rolled in, Izuku was exhausted. They had spent hours gathering information—listening in on conversations, noting patterns in security patrols, mapping escape routes.

Tiger, however, was still full of energy. “One last stop before nightfall,” she announced. “We need to find a good place to crash before we head back to that mechanic shop.”

Izuku adjusted his mask. “Somewhere out of sight?”

She smirked. “Obviously.”

They eventually found a forgotten storage unit near the edge of a train yard, half-buried under rusted metal sheets. Inside, it was dusty but dry. Good enough.

Izuku collapsed onto an old tarp, stretching out his sore muscles.

Tiger sat cross-legged nearby, sharpening one of her daggers. “So, Bunny. What’s your take on today?”

Izuku exhaled, staring at the darkening sky. “We learned a lot. That safehouse could be important. And the mechanic… I think he knows more than he lets on.”

“Exactly,” Tiger said. “Which means tonight, we go back—and we see just how much he’s willing to say.”

Night was falling fast, and the city’s underground world was beginning to stir. Their real work was just about to begin.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, and Tokyo’s outskirts were slowly coming alive with a different kind of energy. Streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows as Izuku and Tiger navigated the winding alleyways of an old industrial sector near the docks. The smell of gasoline, saltwater, and rust filled the air.

Izuku’s mind replayed the day’s findings—the safehouse near Shinagawa Station, the late shipment, the mechanic who might know more. Information was coming together like puzzle pieces, and it wouldn’t be long before they saw the full picture.

“Alright,” Tiger said, leading them toward a rundown mechanic shop. "Time to see if our friend is willing to talk."

They arrived at a small, dimly lit garage, half-hidden between two warehouses. The neon sign above the entrance buzzed faintly, the letters barely visible from years of neglect.

Tiger knocked twice before pushing the door open.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of oil and burnt metal. An older man with dark goggles and a scar running down his forearm was hunched over a workbench, tinkering with a mechanical arm.

He didn’t even look up. “Didn’t think you’d come back so soon, kid.”

Tiger leaned against the counter, smirking. “What can I say? I just love good company.”

The mechanic snorted, setting his tools aside. “You don’t come here for company. You come here for information.” He glanced at Izuku, eyeing his new gear. “I see you put that stuff to good use.”

Izuku nodded. "Fits well. Now... about that safehouse near Shinagawa?"

The mechanic’s jaw tensed. “You hear too much for your own good.”

Tiger chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, we get that a lot.”

A long silence followed before the mechanic sighed. He wiped his hands on a rag, then motioned for them to follow him to the back.

Through a hidden doorway in the storage room, they descended into a dimly lit basement, the walls lined with old blueprints and maps. Some were marked with symbols and notes, detailing routes, hideouts, and supply chains.

Izuku’s eyes scanned the information greedily. This was bigger than just smuggling weapons—this was an entire underground network.

The mechanic leaned against a crate. "That safehouse? It’s not just a hideout. It's a supply point for black-market dealers, vigilantes, and anyone who wants to stay off the radar. People pass through there all the time, picking up gear, selling intel, laying low."

Izuku processed this quickly. "So, if we want more information, we go there and listen."

"Exactly." The mechanic tossed a small key toward Tiger. "You'll need this if you don’t want to get shot on sight."

Tiger caught it effortlessly, inspecting the worn metal. “Appreciate it.”

The mechanic exhaled, rubbing his temples. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but be careful. You two might be sharp, but this world doesn’t play fair.”

Tiger grinned. “Neither do we.”

By the time they stepped out of the mechanic’s shop, the city was a different beast. Neon lights reflected off puddles from a recent rain, and the quiet hum of daytime activity had given way to the distant echoes of motorcycles, hushed deals in dark alleys, and the low bass of underground clubs.

Izuku pulled his hood lower over his face, adjusting his mask. “We should move quickly. The longer we wait, the more likely we’ll miss something important.”

Tiger adjusted her gear. “Agreed. If we're lucky, we’ll get in, pick up intel, and get out before anyone notices.”

They disappeared into the winding streets, shadows moving within shadows, heading straight for the safehouse near Shinagawa Station.

Tonight, they weren’t just gathering information.

They were stepping deeper into the underworld than ever before.

The safehouse was hidden beneath an old storage facility near Shinagawa Station. From the outside, it looked abandoned—its walls covered in faded graffiti, rusting metal doors hanging loosely from their hinges. But as Tiger and Izuku stepped through a side entrance, slipping past a hidden scanner, they found themselves descending a narrow staircase into a dimly lit underground market.

The air was thick with the scent of metal, sweat, and distant cigarette smoke. Conversations overlapped in a low murmur, vendors selling everything from stolen tech to forged identification cards. Screens flickered against the concrete walls, displaying black-market requests, bounty listings, and encrypted messages.

Izuku’s sharp eyes darted between huddled groups and lone figures, already analyzing potential threats. Tiger, on the other hand, walked with the casual confidence of someone who had been here before.

That was when it happened.

A man at a nearby booth—scarred, wearing a half-mask—turned toward them. His amber eyes widened in recognition before narrowing.

“Oi. No way.” His voice carried just enough to make a few heads turn. “That’s the Vigilante of the Outskirts.”

Silence crept into the room as more people turned. Some muttered amongst themselves. Others stepped back instinctively.

A woman with cybernetic arms, seated near a pile of scrap, smirked. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Tiger. Thought you only prowled the borders.”

Tiger exhaled through her nose, tilting her head slightly. Not hostile… yet.

“Needed a change of scenery,” she replied smoothly, her red eyes flicking between the growing crowd.

A man in the back scoffed, crossing his arms. “You keep a lot of people outta Tokyo. Ain’t exactly good for business.”

Izuku subtly adjusted his stance, fingers brushing against one of his hidden daggers. If this turned into a fight, it would be messy.

Tiger just shrugged. “Yeah, well. If they can’t survive outside Tokyo, they don’t belong inside it.”

The cybernetic woman laughed. “Same blunt attitude as always.” She leaned back, eyeing Izuku. “And who’s the green one? Got yourself an apprentice?”

Izuku didn’t react, but Tiger smirked. “More of a business partner.”

The murmurs continued for a moment longer, but eventually, the tension in the room eased. If anything, Tiger’s reputation had earned them some level of respect—or, at the very least, wariness.

They approached a small, secluded counter manned by a thin man with silver piercings, his eyes darting between them with intrigue. His setup was simple: an old laptop, several monitors, and a network of encrypted files behind him.

“Information?” he asked, tapping against the desk.

Tiger pulled a small USB drive from her pocket, placing it on the counter. “We got recent activity on underground heroes, safe zones outside Tokyo, and a few movements from the big guys.”

The man hummed, picking it up. “And what do you want in return?”

Izuku spoke this time. “Shipment schedules. Specifically, weapon shipments moving through the city ports.”

The dealer smirked, tapping away at his keyboard. “You two don’t play around.”

Minutes passed in silence as he worked. Tiger and Izuku kept their backs to the counter, watching the room. A few people were still stealing glances their way, but no one looked brave or reckless enough to start trouble.

Finally, the dealer pulled out a small drive, sliding it across the counter.

“Careful with this,” he murmured. “Some of these shipments? They don’t just belong to local dealers. There are bigger players involved.”

Tiger pocketed the drive. “Noted.”

They didn’t linger. With their trade complete, the duo turned and walked toward the exit.

By the time they emerged from the underground, the night had fully settled in. The streets above were quieter, the neon glow reflecting off damp pavement.

Izuku exhaled, adjusting his hood and mask. “They recognized you fast.”

Tiger clicked her tongue. “Yeah. Not surprising. This was a risk, but we needed the info.”

Izuku pulled out the new drive, turning it between his fingers. “So… we’ve got shipment schedules now. What’s next?”

The sky was a dull gray as Tiger and Izuku moved through the less patrolled side streets of the city, avoiding major surveillance zones. The streets were quiet, the hum of distant traffic the only real noise. Izuku’s mind raced through Tiger’s plan.

Giving information to the police wasn’t something he had considered before. He had assumed they would operate entirely in the shadows, but now? Now she was talking about making him a big shot, someone with enough credibility that the right people might actually start listening.

“Alright, Bunny,” Tiger started, slowing her pace. “Here’s how this works. We’re not just dumping this intel and running—we’re planting a seed. A reputation. If you wanna be more than just another faceless vigilante, we need someone in the police to trust you.”

Izuku adjusted his mask. “And you?”

Tiger smirked. “Oh, I’m a lost cause. They won’t trust me.”

He frowned. “That’s not—”

She waved a hand. “Relax. That’s not a bad thing. I work in the shadows, keep the filth from crawling too close to my area. But you? You can be more than just a ghost. You need to be something bigger.”

Izuku exhaled, considering that.

“So. We give them big intel—something the cops want, but are too afraid or too underfunded to handle. That gets you in their good books,” Tiger continued, tapping the drive in her palm.

Izuku nodded. “And you think this intel is enough?”

Tiger grinned. “Oh, Bunny. This isn’t just enough—this is a damn goldmine.”

The meeting point was a side alley near an old ramen shop—neutral ground. The person they were meeting? Detective Sakamoto, a cop known for taking vigilante intel seriously. He had a reputation for actually using the information given to him instead of sweeping it under the rug.

The man arrived alone, wearing a long coat, hands in his pockets. His dark, tired eyes scanned the area before landing on them.

“You better hope this isn’t a waste of my time,” he muttered.

Tiger leaned casually against the alley wall. “Would I do that?”

Sakamoto shot her a glare. “Yes.”

Izuku stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment. Without hesitation, he handed over the drive. “It’s detailed info on some of the hardest-to-hit operations in the city. Major drug dealers, smuggling rings, and corrupt businesses linked to underground networks.”

Sakamoto took the drive but didn’t pocket it immediately. Instead, he studied Izuku. “And why are you giving me this?”

Izuku exhaled, steadying his voice. “Because we’re not the bad guys.”

The detective stared at him for a moment longer before huffing out a breath. “You got a name, kid?”

Izuku hesitated, then straightened his posture. “…Green Bunny.”

Sakamoto raised a brow. “Dumb name.”

Tiger snickered. “Right? That’s what I said.”

Izuku groaned.

Sakamoto sighed, finally pocketing the drive. “I’ll look into it. But if this is real—if this leads to major busts—you better be ready for the consequences.”

Izuku stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Sakamoto frowned. “Your name gets tied to something this big? People notice. And not just the cops.” He narrowed his eyes. “The underworld is gonna start hating you.”

Tiger nudged Izuku. “Told you, Bunny. Big shot.”

Sakamoto shook his head. “I’ll be in touch.” He turned, disappearing back into the streets, leaving Izuku and Tiger standing in the dim alleyway.

Izuku clenched his fists, a fire sparking in his chest.

This was only the beginning.

---

Tiger and Izuku step into the vast, desolate field, where the remnants of an old industrial area meet the quiet, eerie silence of abandonment. The land is littered with heaps of burnt trash, broken furniture, and scattered, crumbling structures. These buildings, once functional and filled with life, are now hollowed-out shells, their jagged edges creating dark silhouettes against the overcast sky.

Faint, swirling wisps of smoke still rise from some of the larger piles of debris, the remains of a fire that had long ago consumed whatever it could. The ground is uneven, with cracks running deep into the earth and sporadic patches of ash scattered across the dirt. Old, half-melted signs hang from the remains of structures, their messages unreadable, but their presence unsettling.

A cold wind carries the faint sounds of distant machinery from the nearby port, a low hum that barely breaks through the oppressive silence. Graffiti, once vibrant, now faded and cracked, decorates the walls of the buildings, telling stories of rebellion and forgotten lives.

Every step on the charred ground seems to echo louder than it should, as if the very place itself is watching. The remnants of shattered glass glitter faintly beneath their footfalls, each piece a tiny mirror reflecting the bleakness of the surroundings.

The space feels expansive yet claustrophobic, as if the vast emptiness somehow holds secrets—secrets that remain hidden beneath the debris, waiting for someone daring enough to uncover them.

Silver Tiger grinned as she gazed over the field, her silver eyes scanning the remnants of the old world around them. Her voice carried a certain pride as she spoke.

“This bunny is my home, and if you want, it’s going to be yours too. You see that giant plank of trash metal over there?” She pointed to a large, rusted piece of metal sticking out from the pile of debris. “If you lift that, there’s a ladder hidden beneath. It leads down to a massive bunker I built. The whole place is super safe, and that's where I'm going to rebuild the undercity. But... I need your help with the architects and all the technical stuff.”

Izuku blinked in surprise, his eyes widening as she spoke. The idea of a secret underground place for rebuilding the world felt both thrilling and overwhelming. “You built all that yourself?” he asked in awe.

Silver Tiger nodded, pulling out a nearly full notebook from her bag. "I have one notebook left that isn't full of something." She opened it, revealing the title scrawled across the first page: Underground Rebuild. “From now on, that’s the name of the notebook. First things first, farming culture. We’re going to have giant fish tanks, massive fields full of food, and a small barn."

Izuku’s excitement grew as he imagined the possibilities. “That’s amazing, Silver Tiger! It sounds like a real self-sustaining world down there. But... how are we going to make sure everything survives without sunlight?”

Silver Tiger smiled, a hint of mystery in her gaze. “That’s where my quirk comes in. I was able to create a special metal. It generates light using electricity, mimicking the sun. It’s not as hot as the surface of the sun, but it’s warm enough to give off the light needed for plants to grow and even provide enough UV and vitamin D.”

Izuku’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “That’s brilliant! You really thought of everything.”

Silver Tiger chuckled, her voice laced with determination. “Not everything yet, Bunny. I still need your help to bring it all to life. Let’s get to work.”

---

The first week passed in a blur of hard work, creativity, and a sense of purpose that pulsed through the air in the dim light of Silver Tiger’s underground bunker. The large, abandoned field above was just a starting point, but beneath the earth, things were taking shape.

Silver Tiger and Izuku worked in sync, their minds constantly turning with new ideas. Izuku, fueled by a mix of excitement and curiosity, helped Silver Tiger map out designs, using his natural problem-solving ability to assist with technical aspects. They sketched plans for the undercity—an entire ecosystem capable of sustaining life.

Each day was a series of trial and error. They worked together to install the fish tanks, which would soon be stocked with creatures that would thrive in their own artificial environment. They designed the metal framework for the fields of food, ensuring everything could grow in perfect conditions. The barn, a small yet sturdy structure, began to take form, ready to house the animals they would bring in soon.

Izuku marveled at Silver Tiger's ingenuity, especially with her quirk. The light-creating metal she’d invented was a game-changer. It cast a soft, warm glow through the underground space, creating an environment that seemed to pulse with life, even in the absence of the sun. The fish tanks thrived in their controlled, artificial ecosystems, and the plants they planted began to sprout within days, their roots twisting in the nutrient-rich soil.

But the work wasn’t easy. There were times when the complexity of their tasks seemed too much to handle, especially when the systems they built didn’t quite work as expected. Still, every failure became a lesson, and the pair of them kept pushing forward, each small victory building their hope for what this new world could become.

Izuku learned quickly that this wasn’t just about rebuilding a place—it was about reimagining everything. How they grew food. How they powered their world. How they made it all sustainable, safe, and alive.

By the end of the week, the first sections of their undercity were beginning to resemble something real—an oasis of life underground. But they both knew there was still so much to do. The fish were still missing, the seeds were only beginning to sprout, and the animals still hadn’t arrived.

Yet, despite the weight of it all, there was an undeniable feeling of hope. Something new was being built from the ground up—literally—and it was just the beginning.

As Silver Tiger wiped her brow, she turned to Izuku with a grin. "Not bad for a week’s work, huh? We’ve got a long way to go, but this place is starting to feel like home.”

 

"But now it’s vigilante time. Let me just put on my actual costume, and in between breaks while you were asleep, I upgraded your costume. Here, let me show you."

 

Izuku couldn’t help but be impressed as he looked at Alise, realizing just how much care she had put into preparing her outfit. Every part of her clothes had been carefully chosen, reflecting her meticulous attention to detail.

His own costume, once a source of frustration, now felt surprisingly effective. He had upgraded his gear, ditching the bulky swords for a more practical setup: one sidearm and a compact staff. His utility belt, still carrying two Duggars, wrapped securely around him, offering both function and comfort. His full-body mask and hoodie completed the ensemble, providing a much-needed balance of comfort and readiness. It felt different this time—less about the fight and more about being prepared for whatever came next.

Alise’s tone was serious as she spoke, her eyes sharp with focus. "So, Green Bunny, you think we’re ready for some vigilante work? The orphanage and residential area are built, everything’s in place—even the animals on the farms. It's all set for people to move in. But to make it safer, I’m going to gather a group of criminal vigilantes and homeless individuals to live above us. That way, we'll have extra protection."

She gave him a pointed look. "As for you, I need you to gather intel on orphanages—how they're run, how the kids are treated. Once you’ve got the info, I’ll make sure to rescue them. It’s time to get to work."

Chapter 8: Rebuilding the city of the outcast

Bunny handed Tiger the list, his expression focused. "Here, Tiger. This is a list of all the orphanages within a 10-block radius. I checked them out, and none of them are good. They're all super discriminatory and abusive, not just to the kids but to some of the workers too."

Tiger scanned the list, her gaze hardening as she processed the details. "Okay, so the management’s bad. Do you have a list of—"

Before she could finish, Bunny cut in. "A list of every worker who's decent enough, someone who hasn’t discriminated, and their quirks."

Tiger gave him a approving nod. "Good job, Bunny." She sat back slightly, her mind racing with the information. "While you were gathering that, I’ve been working on the undercity—the entire underground section. We need everything to be in place before the residents move in. If you look behind that wall, there’s a glass ceiling that leads straight to the underground greenhouse." She paused, looking over at him. "I’ve got more people coming in—bars, gyms, warehouses, small factories. Someone even requested an art studio with a glass ceiling, replacing the greenhouse's glass floor. They'll be here in less than a week, and all the materials are ready for everything they need."

Tiger's eyes narrowed with determination. "Everything’s falling into place. We just need to keep this momentum."

Just as anticipated, all the people who had received their invitations began to arrive. They started building their own structures above ground, their personal styles taking shape as they set up their spaces. Meanwhile, the workers from the orphanages—those who had been on the list—also showed up, and began renovating the orphanages below ground to suit their own tastes. All the materials they needed had already been prepared and piled up for them, and everything seemed to be going smoothly with no major issues.

As night fell, Tiger and Bunny knew it was time to take matters into their own hands for a little bit of targeted destruction. They had plans to make their presence known in a way that couldn’t be ignored. With the preparations in place, it was the perfect moment for a bit of strategic arson.

Tiger set the plan in motion, carefully spreading flammable trash around the orphanages, each pile soaked with a bit of gasoline. The children were already waiting at the central road, ready to move. The workers were already settled in their new homes, the space secure. "In five minutes, the children will gather everyone together," she said, her voice low but filled with purpose. "The others are already sleeping inside the orphanages that will burn."

Bunny nodded, his expression cold. "Great. I’ll go get the kids." He paused for a moment, then took the lighter from Tiger, the weight of it familiar in his hand.

Tiger’s eyes met his, filled with a fiery determination. "Let those abusers burn in hell."

With that, Bunny headed toward the central road, ready to lead the children into place. It was time to deliver the justice they’d been waiting for.

Midnight struck, and every single pile of flammable trash was set ablaze. The orphanages that had once been a prison for these children now burned, the flames licking the sky. The children, who had once endured the abuse, stood in awe and relief, watching as the buildings crumbled. Their freedom was palpable in the smoke-filled air.

Once the fires were raging, the children gathered themselves, no longer bound by the horrors of the past. They made their way down to the undercity, where they would find safety and care. Each child was placed in the orphanage best suited to their needs—whether they needed to learn more about their abilities, gain better control, or receive extra attention for mental or emotional wounds. Every child found a place where they could heal, grow, and be safe.

As the night burned on, there was a quiet satisfaction in the air—a deep, unspoken sense of justice. The scent of the flames mixed with the feeling of liberation, a clear message that the cycle of abuse had finally been broken.

---

The night wasn’t kind to everyone. At Tokyo Central Police Station, the tension was palpable. Eraserhead stood quietly beside the police chief as the latter’s frustration grew.

"What do you mean every single orphanage around the outskirts of Tokyo was set ablaze at midnight? All the children are missing, half the workers are gone, and the rest—managers and all—are burned alive inside their own buildings?!" the police chief shouted, slamming his fist on the desk in front of the officer giving the report.

The officer, trying to remain calm, nodded. "Exactly as it sounds, sir. We don’t know who did it yet, but we’re already looking for clues. One thing we did notice…" He hesitated before continuing, aware of the gravity of his words. "There’s been an uptick in activity towards a section of the city—what used to be the city of villains. It seems like people, especially criminals and former villains, are moving there. The place is being rebuilt, and there are a lot of them."

The room went silent for a moment. Eraserhead’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts racing. The growing movement of villains and criminals in the old city—could it be the same people who orchestrated the destruction? Was it part of some larger plan? The pieces were starting to fit together, but only just. The question was: how deep did this go?

Eraserhead stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative, cutting through the tension in the room. "I’ll take on the responsibility of investigating the current rebuild of the city," he said, his eyes scanning the room, offering a sense of control and direction. "I understand how critical this is, and I’ll make sure we have a better understanding of what’s happening there."

His presence seemed to settle the atmosphere slightly. The police chief nodded, grateful for Eraserhead’s support. "Good. We need someone who can get to the bottom of this quickly," the chief muttered, turning back to the officer. "Keep me updated on any new leads."

Eraserhead gave a slight nod, his expression stoic. He knew this was no ordinary case—there were dangerous forces at play, and the people involved were far more calculating than they appeared. The city of villains was rebuilding, but why? And who was behind this new movement? Eraserhead had a feeling the answers were more complicated than they seemed.

The next day, Eraserhead made his way to the rebuilt section of the once-burned city, observing large groups of people working to erect foundations and scaffolding. It was a chaotic, yet strangely organized scene. As he approached a small group of workers taking materials from a massive pile, he couldn’t help but wonder who was behind this operation.

"Excuse me," Eraserhead called, his voice steady as he addressed the workers. "Would you guys happen to know what you’re building here? And did you get permission to be taking materials?"

One of the workers scoffed, clearly irritated by his presence. "What, are you some sort of hero?" he shot back. "We don’t like dealing with you guys. You always come around here and burn our things down." The worker pointed off in the distance. "We got permission from the landowner, if you really need to know. See those two over there?" He gestured toward two figures standing in the distance, one dressed in mostly black and white, the other in black and green. "Those guys gave us permission. They even have a certificate that proves they own the land around here, certified by the government. If you have any questions, go ask them."

Eraserhead’s eyes narrowed as he studied the two figures in the distance. Something about their presence felt off, but he couldn’t deny the legitimacy of the certificate. Still, his instincts told him there was more to this than met the eye. He needed to approach this carefully and get more information.

Without a word, Eraserhead made his way toward the figures, ready to confront whoever was behind this operation.

Eraserhead approached the two figures, sensing the tension in the air. The one dressed in black and white, who spoke first, greeted him with a surprising familiarity.

"What a surprise," the figure said with a smirk. "Didn't expect the legendary Eraserhead to be coming around. It's a pleasure to meet you. I’m Silver Tiger, and this is my partner, Green Bunny."

Eraserhead narrowed his eyes, still cautious. "Can you show me the certificate that proves you own this land?" he asked, his voice steady.

Before he could finish, Silver Tiger swiftly pulled out the certificate and presented it to him. "Oh, and if you’re asking how we know you… well, everyone has their secrets," she added cryptically. "Any other questions, or can you leave?" Bunny, standing beside her, sounded irritated.

Eraserhead took a moment to absorb the information before responding, his tone sharp. "Yes, actually, I have one more question. You don’t know what happened to the orphanages around here, do you?"

Silver Tiger and Bunny exchanged a glance before Tiger spoke again, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. "Actually, we do. The orphanages were burned down by the children, along with a group of villains and vigilantes from around the area. They teamed up and set every single one on fire after we gave them the information about the abusive management."

Bunny crossed his arms, his expression unamused. "Don’t worry, though. We made sure all the decent workers and children are safe. They’ve all been moved to new orphanages that treat them better, with no discrimination."

Eraserhead took in the information, his mind racing. While the burning of the orphanages seemed extreme, it was clear that the children and workers were no longer under the abusive management's control. But the question still lingered—who were these two really, and what were they planning next?

Eraserhead’s eyes narrowed as he examined the certificate. "Are you guys new? This certificate of yours was only placed and agreed upon a month ago. Why would you even buy this place?" His suspicion was palpable, and he was starting to piece things together—something wasn’t quite right.

Silver Tiger smirked at his words, clearly enjoying the tension. "Suspicious, aren’t we?" she teased. "But if you must know, it's the cheapest area around, and the best place to gather outcasts. Come back in less than a year, and the place will be much better. You won’t even be able to enter the main city." She gestured to the distant wall they were building up. "We’re the ones constructing it. Once it's finished, anyone who tries to come through without a proper agreement from us will be considered a trespasser."

Bunny stood silently, his arms crossed, clearly on edge as he waited for Eraserhead’s next move. It was clear that this was more than just a rebuilding project—it was a statement. They were marking their territory and setting up boundaries, and it was becoming evident that they were no longer just a group of outcasts; they were building something much bigger, with their own rules and a new form of order.

Eraserhead stood tall, his expression firm but controlled. "I guess I will," he said, his voice calm. "But I must warn you, I will have to report everything I find out to the main police station in Tokyo."

Silver Tiger’s smirk remained, unfazed. "They already know most of the information," she replied smoothly. "They just never did anything about it."

Bunny, who had been silent up until now, jumped in, his tone sharp. "No, we don’t mind."

Tiger’s gaze turned more sinister as she spoke, her words carrying a weight of finality. "Oh, and give them a warning this time. We’re vigilantes, and we’re very much going to turn this place up."

The air between them thickened with tension as Eraserhead realized just how deep this situation went. These two weren’t just rebuilding a city—they were creating a new world order, one that would challenge everything the police had tried to enforce. The balance of power was shifting, and it was clear that they were ready to fight for their territory.

---

Eraserhead walked into the Tokyo Central Police Station, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He made his way directly to the chief's office, knowing the weight of the information he was about to drop.

The chief looked up from his desk as Eraserhead entered, his face tense with anticipation. "You’ve got something to report, Eraserhead?" the chief asked, his voice already thick with concern.

Eraserhead nodded, stepping forward and setting down a file in front of the chief. "Everything I found out about the situation in the old city... the rebuild, the people behind it, and what they’re planning."

The chief opened the file and scanned the contents as Eraserhead spoke.

"They’ve got a certificate proving they own the land. They’ve been building up an entire area with the help of criminals, outcasts, and vigilantes. They're constructing walls around the place, planning to make it a closed-off city. They’ve already started marking boundaries, and once it’s finished, anyone who tries to enter without their permission will be considered a trespasser." Eraserhead paused, watching the chief carefully. "I spoke to two of the main figures behind it—Silver Tiger and Green Bunny. They made it clear that they’re in control, and they’ve got the support of some very dangerous people."

The chief’s face grew darker with each word. "And you think they’re building something more dangerous than just a new home for outcasts?"

Eraserhead nodded grimly. "They’re planning a new order. They’ve already burned the orphanages down to the ground, and the children are safe, but this isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about taking control. They’re not following any rules."

The chief leaned back in his chair, clearly weighing the information. "We need to handle this carefully. You’re right. This goes beyond what we’ve seen so far. If we don’t stop them now, it could spiral out of control."

Eraserhead’s gaze hardened. "We can’t afford to wait."

The chief gave a slow nod, his mind already working through the steps. "I’ll mobilize a task force, but we’ll need more intel before we make a move. Can we trust the information you’ve given us?"

Eraserhead didn’t hesitate. "Yes. But you need to move quickly before they close off any more ground. And don’t underestimate them—they’ve got a plan, and they’re playing a long game."

The chief stood, his expression now filled with determination. "I’ll get on it right away. You’ve done your part, Eraserhead. We’ll handle the rest."

Eraserhead gave a final nod before turning to leave, knowing the next steps would be crucial. The pressure was on, and it was only a matter of time before they’d have to face what Silver Tiger and Green Bunny were really building.

---

Bunny’s voice was filled with excitement as he turned to Tiger, grinning. "Oh my God, I just met Eraserhead face to face!" he said, practically bouncing with energy.

Tiger laughed, her voice a mix of disbelief and thrill. "Honestly, same! I’m freaking out too! I did not expect him to be here, but I’m so happy. If he’s on the case, that just makes this whole thing way more fun and way more interesting!"

She paused, her expression shifting to something more focused. "But we should probably get those walls up," she added, turning her attention to the project. "Let me show you all the progress I did on the ground. Everybody’s asleep right now, so you won’t be able to see how people are moving around, but it’s pretty cool in my opinion."

With a snap of her fingers, the illusion of an unfinished wall expanded around them, growing into towering walls that stretched high into the sky. Neon lights flickered on, casting a surreal glow across the area, while electrical wires buzzed with energy—just enough to give anyone a shock if they got too close.

The massive gate loomed ahead, an imposing metal structure with an automatic system. "You’ll have to show a card," Tiger explained with a sly smile, "before these doors open up. We made sure they’re equipped with an automatic lock that collapses into the ground for full security."

As she continued her explanation, even more sections of the area came into view, hidden under illusions. Foundations for new buildings were already laid out, ready for whatever came next. "And underground..." Tiger’s voice dropped lower, a hint of dark amusement in her tone. "Let’s just say there’s already a giant group waiting for them."

Bunny’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is gonna be a lot more interesting than we thought, huh?"

Tiger smirked, watching the walls and foundations flicker with a sense of pride. "You have no idea, Bunny. This is only the beginning."

The underground area was a world of its own, a bustling, vibrant space that felt both futuristic and gritty. As Bunny and Tiger descended deeper, they walked down what resembled a main street, its floor lined with tracks that gave it the feel of an old train rail, but it was far more than that. Above, plants hung from the ceilings, their vines and leaves sprawling in an intricate, almost organic pattern. These weren’t just decorations; the ceilings were designed to act as greenhouses, growing food to sustain everyone living down here.

The streets were alive with cyberpunk-themed houses and buildings, each with a unique flair—bright neon lights, metal facades, and holographic signs flickering in every direction. The atmosphere felt electric, an underworld of creativity and rebellion, where the rules of the outside world didn’t apply. It was chaotic yet controlled, a place for the misfits and the forgotten to carve out their own piece of life.

At the far end of the street, Bunny and Tiger could see a towering glass building. It stood out against the neon and metal, almost like a beacon of hope in a sea of urban decay. It was the main greenhouse, the heart of the underground community. It housed not only plants but also fish, an integral part of their self-sustaining system. The glass walls glimmered in the dim light, offering a glimpse into the living space within.

As they continued down the street, they passed more buildings, each with multiple floors, and the faint hum of life echoed from within. The orphanages were on the other side, nestled just behind the main greenhouse. The buildings were carefully designed to keep the children safe and secure, away from the chaos of the outside world. This underground city was becoming more than just a hideout—it was turning into a thriving, self-sustaining community, with every corner carefully planned to ensure survival and comfort.

Bunny looked around, taking it all in. "It’s incredible," he muttered, almost in awe of the progress they’d made.

Tiger smiled, her pride in their work clear. "It’s just the beginning. There’s so much more we can do here. This place is ours now."

---

The police officer rushed into the chief's office, his face tense with urgency. "Chief, sir, we have a problem!"

The police chief, clearly irritated, didn't look up from the papers on his desk. "Can't you see we're in the middle of making a plan to take down the rebuilding of the outcast city?" he replied sharply.

But the officer's tone was urgent. "No, that’s exactly the problem! Out of nowhere, when we scouted the area, we saw a bunch of new buildings—including a giant wall and a gate—suddenly appear. It’s like it just materialized out of thin air! We can’t figure out how they did it. There’s no way in, and the worst part is, there’s a lot of people inside—armed and ready for a fight. If anyone tries to get in without their permission, it’ll be a problem."

The chief’s expression turned serious, and he set down the papers he was holding. "What do you mean it ‘just appeared’? There’s no way they could’ve built all that so quickly. Are you telling me the entire perimeter’s been blocked off?"

"Yes, sir," the officer confirmed, his voice tight. "It’s all fortified. The wall’s up, and the gate’s solid. We couldn’t find any signs of construction, no workers, nothing. It's like it was just… there."

The chief ran a hand through his hair, frustration building. "They must be prepared for us to show up. This changes everything. If they have that kind of control, it won’t be just about taking down a few buildings anymore. We need a new approach, something we weren’t expecting."

He turned back to the officer, his tone growing serious. "Get the team ready. We need to find out who’s behind this, and fast. If they’ve got that kind of power, we might be facing more than just a group of outcasts."

"Yes, sir"

The tension in the room was palpable as Eraserhead, leading a group of underground heroes, walked into the police station. His voice was low but firm. "What’s wrong with your calling us right before midnight?" He was clearly not in the mood for delay.

The police chief shot him a frustrated glance. "The hour shouldn’t really be that important right now, sir," he replied. "The vigilantes... a wall and a fortified gate appeared, what seems to be out of nowhere. My latest report confirms that there are people inside, and they’re more than ready for a fight if anyone tries to get through."

Eraserhead narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, the exact same place we were supposed to raid tomorrow is now completely fortified?"

The officer who had been giving the report stepped forward, his voice tense. "Exactly. For better or for worse, we found out how people are getting in and out. Everyone has a card with their name on it. They put it on a scanner next to the gate, and the gate opens and closes immediately after they get through. We tried sneaking in multiple times, even tried stealing cards, but they didn’t work."

"That could only be the work of a quirk," Eraserhead muttered, crossing his arms. "Probably something illusion-based, considering the sudden appearance of the wall and gate. But there’s no way they had enough materials to build this in such a short time. I was there a month ago, and it was just an empty lot."

The police chief stood tall, watching Eraserhead closely. "So what do we do now? They’re prepared for us."

Eraserhead’s expression hardened as he spoke. "I’ll try to get in. I already know who we’re dealing with, and I don’t need to waste time. You come with me, and we’ll scout the area. We can’t keep deciding what to do. If we wait any longer, they’ll only get stronger." He motioned for the team of underground heroes to follow.

The police chief nodded, his resolve firming up. "Let’s go. But be careful. If they’re already that prepared, we can’t afford to make mistakes."

With that, the small group, led by Eraserhead, made their way out into the night, ready to uncover the truth about the fortified city that had appeared out of nowhere.

As the group of heroes and officers approached the massive wall, they began hearing a strange, almost playful voice echoing through the night. The words were faint at first, but soon became clear:

"Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run. Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run..."

It was Silver Tiger, and the sinister smile on her face was unmistakable. She stood atop the wall, her figure illuminated by the faint glow of the neon lights, waiting for them.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to come here," Tiger called down, her voice laced with amusement. "Didn't expect a whole group, to be honest. Well, not a group of police officers and underground heroes... a larger group with a bit more of a big hit. I guess you’re more prepared than I thought. Don’t worry, though, as long as you don’t step inside the walls, we won’t touch you."

The group froze, unsure how to respond. They hadn’t expected this level of defiance.

A voice rang out from behind them, catching everyone by surprise.

"We?" The voice belonged to Green Bunny, who had silently appeared at their backs. The glint of a sword could be seen in his hand as he stood ready, a firm stance that showed he was prepared for anything. His eyes were cold, and his posture suggested that he wouldn’t hesitate to strike if they made the wrong move.

Silver Tiger's smile only widened as she continued, her voice dripping with confidence. "Need I remind you that we own the land? Everything we're doing here is perfectly legal. You don’t have any evidence that we’ve done anything illegal, aside from your assumptions. So, why don’t you mind telling us what you’re really here for? Or exactly why you thought you could just waltz right in?"

The tension in the air grew thick. Eraserhead and the police chief exchanged wary looks. They had no evidence that could stand up in court, and no real reason to accuse the vigilantes of anything beyond suspicion. Yet, the situation felt far from resolved.

Eraserhead took a step forward, his expression firm but measured. "We’re here to investigate what’s happening," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "We know something’s going on, and we’re not backing down just because you claim ownership."

Green Bunny’s eyes flickered, his grip tightening on the hilt of the sword. "You should," he muttered coldly, his tone carrying the weight of a threat.

The silence hung in the air, the two sides locked in a tense stand-off. The heroes, officers, and vigilantes were all on edge, waiting for the next move.

The low-ranked police officer’s voice cut through the tense silence, full of arrogance. "Or what? You think you can intimidate us with these illusions? You barely have any abilities. The only thing you’ve got going for you is tricks. We could easily defeat you."

Silver Tiger's eyes narrowed, her smile turning into a cold, dangerous grin. "Is that so?" she asked, her voice low, the edge of menace sharpening. "You think illusions are all we have? You underestimate us, and that's your mistake."

Green Bunny, standing next to her, let out a soft chuckle, though his expression remained steely. His sword remained gripped tightly in his hand, ready for action at the slightest provocation. "You should be careful about who you call low-ranked," he said, his voice calm but carrying an unspoken threat. "It’s not always the rank that makes someone dangerous."

Silver Tiger took a step forward, her presence intimidating as she addressed the officer directly. "You think a few illusions and some tricks will be easy to take down? You’re mistaken. This isn't a game. We didn’t come here to just ‘defeat’ you. We came here to do something much bigger, and whether you like it or not, you’re in our way."

The officer, now visibly nervous despite his earlier bravado, took a step back, realizing the danger in his words. But his pride wouldn’t let him back down entirely.

"I’m just saying, you’re overconfident. We can take you down," the officer muttered, still trying to stand tall, but his voice lacked the conviction it had earlier.

Silver Tiger tilted her head, eyeing him like a predator observing its prey. "Keep talking," she said, "And we’ll see how well you handle reality when it shifts beneath your feet."

Eraserhead, having listened to the exchange, stepped forward with a warning in his voice. "Enough. If you’re going to act, then act. Otherwise, we’ll be on our way."

The standoff continued, both sides tense, the air thick with the promise of conflict. It was clear that no one was willing to back down, and the next move would determine how the night would unfold.

Before anyone could react, Silver Tiger's tail shot out with surprising speed, wrapping around the low-ranked officer's midsection. In an instant, she swung him up into the air and then slammed him hard into the ground, the sickening crack of his nose breaking echoing through the night. The officer let out a muffled scream of pain, clutching his face as blood poured from his broken nose.

Silver Tiger stood over him, her expression cold, her tail still coiled around the officer’s legs like a vice. "This," she said with a sinister calm, "is a warning."

Her voice cut through the tension like a blade, and she turned to face Eraserhead and the rest of the group. "You come to our place with ignorance, and this is what happens. Nobody comes here without consequences. Nobody." She paused, her eyes locking onto Eraserhead, a dark warning in her gaze. "You’ll know how pain feels if you step any closer."

Green Bunny, still standing with his sword in hand, stepped forward slightly, his eyes scanning the group, making sure no one else would dare to make a move. "You were warned," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Leave, or face the wrath of the undercity."

Eraserhead stood there for a moment, taking in the scene. He could feel the weight of Silver Tiger’s threat, and though he was no stranger to confrontation, he knew this wasn’t just a matter of brute force. This was a battle of wits, of control over the territory. He exchanged a glance with the police officers behind him, seeing the mix of hesitation and fear on their faces.

With a deep breath, Eraserhead finally spoke, his voice level and firm. "We’ll leave," he said, his eyes never leaving Silver Tiger. "But don’t mistake our retreat for surrender. This isn’t over."

Tiger’s tail loosened from the officer, who was now clutching his bloodied face, groaning in pain. She stepped back with a graceful, almost casual movement, the same sinister smile on her face.

"Good choice," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Consider yourselves lucky, then. Get your people out of here before things get even more... uncomfortable."

Green Bunny flicked the tip of his sword, the faint gleam of steel in the moonlight. "Next time, you won’t be so fortunate."

Eraserhead didn't say another word as he turned, signaling for the others to follow. The police officers quickly began to retreat, their pride wounded, but knowing better than to push their luck further.

---

Green Bunny raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "So you used your quirk, the one that lets you control everything like it’s a game, to spy on the police? That's actually hilarious," he said with a laugh. "But hey, it worked. So, what's the progress with the greenhouse and everything?"

Silver Tiger nodded, a proud smirk crossing her face. "Perfectly. The greenhouse is thriving. It’s already feeding a lot of people. I got in touch with a large group of outcasts—criminals, homeless people—and they’ve all come here. They’re working hard, and things are moving faster than we anticipated. Plus, I managed to get more materials from that shipment that crashed last week. Now we’ve got enough to finish the upper city."

Green Bunny crossed his arms, his grin widening. "Upper city is one thing, but what about the lower city? The real work begins there, right?"

Silver Tiger’s eyes gleamed with determination. "Exactly. We’ve finished the first level, and now we’re going lower. That's where the less... legal activities are going to happen. We’re building a place for villains to stay, keeping everything contained. We’ve got the warehouses ready, stocked with real weapons this time—not just food and materials. When everything’s in place, no one’s going to mess with us. We’ll have everything we need right under the surface."

Green Bunny leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "You really think this is going to work? You’re talking about a whole city for outcasts, criminals, and villains."

Silver Tiger’s smile turned serious. "It’s going to work. This city will be a place for everyone that doesn’t fit into the rest of the world. We’ll build something better, something no one can tear down."

Green Bunny nodded thoughtfully. "I like the sound of that."

---

"What the hell, Chief? You said you only sent trained officers!" a frustrated Eraserhead yelled. "Yet one of them, no matter how well-trained they are, decided to confront a group of vigilantes headfirst without knowing what their capabilities were. I'm actually glad he got his nose broken. You’re not? I'm taking this under my agency, and I’ll be handling the investigation into Silver Tiger, Green Bunny, and their undercity by myself. Thank you."

To say Eraserhead was irritated was an understatement. He made his way back to his apartment, hoping to clear his mind, only to find something unexpected in his mailbox. Inside was a card with his real name, hero name, agency, age, and quirk written on it. Flipping it over, he found a message on the back:

"Entrance Card to the Undercity."

The card would allow him access, but it also had a date printed on it—either an expiration date or the moment it would become active.

Great. His headache just got a lot worse.

---

Weeks passed before Eraserhead finally decided to visit the Undercity.

That night, he made his way to the gate, noticing two new small buildings on either side. Each had officers—or rather, guards—stationed inside. As he approached, one of the guards immediately asked him to show his card. He complied, holding it up, and the guard's expression shifted to brief surprise before pressing a button that opened the gate.

Stepping inside, Eraserhead took in his surroundings. Among the crowd, he spotted Silver Tiger and Green Bunny, dressed casually but still wearing their signature hoodies and masks. Green Bunny’s mask, in particular, looked as if it had never been removed.

As he approached, they greeted him with a friendly smile—something he hadn’t expected.

'Surprising', he thought to himself.

"Hi, Eraserhead. Took you long enough," Tiger said with a smirk. "I sent you that card weeks ago—personally put it in your mailbox, by the way. You really need to upgrade that thing. Way too easy to break into."

Eraserhead sighed, already feeling a headache coming on. "Why did you want me here?" he asked, irritation clear in his tone.

"We figured it would take you a while to finally show up," Bunny chimed in. "So by the time you did, we wanted the second layer of the Undercity to be finished."

Seeing the slight confusion on Eraserhead's face, Tiger decided to elaborate. "Let me explain. What you're standing in right now is the upper area—buildings, residential spaces, homeless shelters, and small warehouses for food and construction materials. Below us is the next layer—more residential areas for vigilantes and permanent residents, orphanages, work placements, a fishery for sustainable food, and our greenhouse."

"And beneath that?" Eraserhead asked, already suspecting the answer.

"The newest addition—the criminal sector," Bunny replied smoothly. "It’s a space for underground heroes, certain vigilantes, and select villains to gather, trade information, and... conduct business. But only those we trust to keep things from turning into chaos are allowed in. There are also residential spaces, hotels, and permanent housing for anyone who wants to stay long-term."

Eraserhead crossed his arms. "And you think this is sustainable?"

"We know it is," Tiger corrected, smiling confidently.

"It's already been running for a while—about two weeks now," Tiger said proudly. "Pretty impressive, right? Also, on the first level—well, technically, minus one—we have a lot of buildings set up for people like law enforcement. Their job is to maintain order, make sure no one is being abused, distribute food, check on workers, and provide free healthcare.

"As long as someone is working here or living here permanently, they get everything for free. Any underage kids have to go to school. Once they graduate, they either continue their education or get placed in jobs that best fit their skills. For most people, this place is a paradise, Eraserhead. And since you're our favorite underground hero, we figured you'd be the best addition to the underground hero network.

"Oh, and for the villain sector on minus two, we thought you might need a clearer breakdown," Tiger added. "Right now, we're standing on level zero. Everything below here is in the negatives. Sorry if it wasn’t obvious, but—we’re kids."

Eraserhead pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to process everything. "So what you’re telling me… is that two wanted vigilantes—who, I now find out, are children—are just trying to build a city for outcasts?" He sighed. "You do realize I’m going to have to bring you in, right?"

Bunny chuckled. "We get that. But on one condition—not inside the city. Outside, do what you want, but here? This is our home. We’ve been building it for nearly a year now, and we’re not letting it fall apart because of some official red tape."

Tiger grinned. "Actually, let me put it another way. You come here, gather all the information you want—about vigilantes, villains, underground dealings—as long as you follow our rules while you're here. Deal?"

Eraserhead rubbed his temples. He could already feel the migraine forming.

"…Deal."

---

Eraserhead moved quickly, his footsteps nearly silent as he descended into the underground city.
He entered a small bar nestled within Minus 2, a place that was somehow always full—people drinking, talking, playing chess. Some faces were familiar, but most were new. As he stepped inside, a few people spared him a glance before returning to their business. However, those who recognized him knew exactly who he was.

One of them approached him with an easy smirk.

"You're Eraserhead, right? Glad you could join us. Any specific reason?" The man tilted his head before adding, "Oh, I should probably introduce myself. You can call me Toxic. It's because of my quirk—it creates poisons, but I don’t really control when it comes out or what type it is." He gave a light shrug. "Anyway, enough chit-chat. I introduced myself, now it's your turn."

Eraserhead crossed his arms. "Eraserhead. Underground hero. But I’m guessing you already knew that. I’m here because Silver Tiger and Green Bunny decided I should be the first underground hero to be part of their little city."

Toxic chuckled. "Don’t dismiss those kids so easily. They’re doing a hell of a job. You might not realize it, but a lot of people you know—villains included—are more than considering staying here for good. The crime and homelessness rates around this area are dropping fast. More than one percent a day."

Eraserhead blinked, genuinely surprised. "Really? I didn’t expect it to work that quickly… or even that well."

Toxic leaned against the bar, his expression thoughtful. "I’m planning to stay here too. I’ve got a family—kids. Here, they’d be safer than anywhere else. My quirk is dangerous without proper training, and most schools don’t offer that. But the schools here? They do. And more. I can make sure my wife and kids are safe while I earn a living. I can bartend, work security, even gather information. Hell, I could even keep being a villain if I wanted to—though, for the first time, I don’t have to." He let out a short laugh. "Never thought I’d see the day where I could just… live freely and choose my own path."

Eraserhead exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… I guess the kids really are doing something good here." He glanced at Toxic. "Hey, what do you say to a drink? My treat."

Toxic grinned. "Thanks. Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back with information on the drug dealers."

Eraserhead smirked. "Now that sounds like a deal."

---

Eraserhead continued his visits, checking on the homeless, handing out food, and quietly buying necessities for those in need. Over time, he gathered a few familiar faces—villains and vigilantes alike—who frequented the bar. He became a regular. Even the bartender had warmed up to him, and they shared casual conversations over drinks.

He picked up free bits of information here and there, though most of it was just people asking where to find supplies or sharing how much they loved living in the city. It was strange to hear villains, people who had once lived in the shadows, talking about stability, security, and even a future.

He started speaking more and more with Silver Tiger and Green Bunny. They were good kids, that much was clear. But they carried a lot of trauma and an ugly past, judging by the way they moved and the choices they made. Not that he expected anything different.

Honestly, thank god they’re here, he thought. Maybe I can make a difference too. Maybe I can help kids like them before they end up on the streets or worse.

That thought stuck with him, enough that he spoke to Nezu and eventually took a job at U.A. as a teacher. Maybe, in his own way, he could help shape a better society.

That was two months ago.

Two months of talking about teaching, of figuring out how to manage kids who could throw fireballs or control the wind. He even picked up some advice from parents who dropped by the bar. He was getting used to the underground city, to the people, to the rhythm of life here.

And then, today happened.

"Hey, Eraser. Good to see you. The usual?" the bartender asked as he stepped in.

"Yeah, the usual."

"Did you hear the rumors?" one of the patrons beside him asked.

Eraserhead sighed. "Which one? I’ve been hearing a lot."

"The one about Silver Tiger and Green Bunny. It’s official—they’re heading outside the city as vigilantes. Isn’t that exciting? They’re going to be gathering people and helping outside of here. That’s great, isn’t it?"

Eraserhead nearly choked on his drink. "Yeah, that’s—wait, what?!"

His brain short-circuited. No. No, this is bad. If they’re outside the city, I’m going to have to chase them down. And I really don’t want to do that.

"They’ve been doing a good job," he muttered, rubbing his temples.

The bartender chuckled. "You know the drill. What happens inside the city stays inside the city. But once they step out… well, that’s on you."

"Besides," another patron added, grinning, "even if you do catch them, they’ll just escape. And even if they don’t, there are enough people here to keep things running. Maybe not as smoothly as those two, but still. You’ve got at least two days before you have to start chasing them. Enjoy them while you can."

"And then what?" Eraserhead deadpanned.

The patron smirked. "Then you can start chasing children in the middle of the night. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?"

Eraserhead let out a slow, suffering sigh. "Those little vigilante brats are going to be the death of me, aren’t they?"

---

Bunny practically bounced on his feet, eyes shining with excitement. "Tiger! I'm so excited!" he exclaimed, grabbing her hands and jumping up and down. "We're finally getting some work outside the city! I love this place, but after so long, it feels so cramped!"

Tiger smirked, crossing her arms. "Yeah, I’m excited too. It’s been a while since I’ve been out there." She gave him a once-over. "I got your suit ready. Everything still okay from the last time we used it?"

Bunny grinned, nodding. "You bet! No way I’d let something that good break or glitch out on me."

Tiger cracked her knuckles, eyes glinting with determination. "Then the second that clock hits midnight... we’re outta here."

The moment they left the city behind, the difference was impossible to ignore. Fewer eyes tracked their movements, fewer voices filled the air, but the scent—that was worse. The air here carried a heavy, unclean weight, a mixture of rust, decay, and something unnatural lurking beneath it all.

Bunny wrinkled his nose. “Ugh, I think I liked the noise better.”

Tiger didn’t respond immediately, only narrowing her eyes as they moved. Hopping between buildings, they scanned the streets below, searching. For what, they didn’t know yet—trouble, danger, someone in need. Whatever came first.

The dim streetlights flickered beneath them, casting long shadows. Most windows were dark, but a few still glowed—a sign that not everyone had given up on this place.

Bunny landed silently on the edge of a rooftop, crouching low. “Nothing yet,” he murmured, scanning the streets. “Kinda eerie, don’t you think?”

Tiger landed beside him, her expression unreadable. “Eerie means something’s coming.”

And just as she said it, a noise echoed in the distance. A sharp, metallic crash.

Both of them tensed.

Bunny grinned. “Told you I attract opportunity.”

Tiger rolled her eyes. “Let’s go.”

They took off without hesitation, moving toward the sound.

Below them, a group of thugs had cornered two women, their laughter echoing through the empty streets. One yanked a purse from trembling hands, while another shoved one of the women to the ground, making her cry out in pain. The others just stood there, watching, grinning.

Bunny and Tiger didn’t hesitate.

In one swift motion, they drew their swords, the steel catching the faint glow of the streetlights. No words were needed. They dropped from the rooftop like shadows, hitting the ground with silent precision.

The thugs barely had time to react before Bunny’s blade slammed into the nearest one—not the sharp side, but the flat, unyielding steel. The impact sent the man flying into a pile of garbage bags with a pained grunt.

Tiger moved like a phantom, her sword striking another in the ribs with calculated force. The man crumpled, gasping for air.

The others finally snapped out of their shock, pulling out knives and bats, but it didn’t matter. They weren’t facing ordinary fighters.

Bunny dodged a sloppy swing, slipping behind his attacker and bringing the black side of his sword down hard against the back of the thug’s knees. A sharp yell filled the air as the man collapsed.

Tiger, meanwhile, caught a bat mid-swing with her blade, twisting it out of the thug’s grip before slamming the hilt of her sword into his gut. He doubled over, wheezing.

One by one, they all hit the ground, groaning in pain. None of them would forget this night.

Bunny rested his sword on his shoulder, smirking. “Bet you wish you stuck to being vigilantes. At least those guys get some dignity.”

Tiger exhaled, flicking her blade downward. "They’re lucky we’re in a good mood."

The two women scrambled to their feet, clutching each other in shock. Bunny turned to them with a reassuring smile. “You okay?”

One of them nodded shakily. "T-Thank you..."

Bunny sighed, pulling out his communicator. “Alright, time to do the boring part.”

Tiger crossed her arms, watching the thugs groan on the ground. “Better than letting them crawl away.”

Bunny pressed a quick-dial button, disguising his voice with a filter. “Hey, got a nice little package for you on 5th and Bay Street. A bunch of lowlifes who thought stealing purses was a good idea.”

The operator on the other end barely had time to respond before he hung up.

Tiger raised an eyebrow. “You could at least wait for confirmation.”

Bunny grinned. “Please, like they’d ignore an anonymous tip about a bunch of beaten-up criminals gift-wrapped for them?”

Sure enough, in the distance, the faint sound of sirens cut through the night.

Tiger smirked. “Let’s get moving.”

With one last glance at the scene below, the two disappeared into the shadows, their work for the night far from over.

The night blurred into a cycle of justice—spotting trouble, striking fast, leaving criminals groaning in the streets before slipping away into the shadows. Bunny and Tiger moved like ghosts, hopping between rooftops, their blades only ever showing the black side.

But just as Bunny landed on the next rooftop, a sudden movement caught his eye.

Something shot toward him—fast.

His instincts kicked in, and he twisted mid-air, barely dodging as a cloth-like material whipped past where his arm had been.

Tiger landed beside him, her sword already half-drawn. "What was that?"

Bunny turned, his sharp green eyes scanning the darkness. And then they saw him.

Eraserhead.

He stood on the opposite rooftop, his capture weapon still coiled and ready, his gaze cold and unreadable beneath his goggles. His messy black hair shifted slightly in the wind, and even from this distance, they could feel the weight of his presence.

A pro hero.

Bunny smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Well… didn’t expect to run into a legend tonight."

Tiger narrowed her eyes. "This isn’t good."

Eraserhead didn’t move, but his voice carried across the rooftop. "You two have been busy."

Bunny chuckled, tapping his sword against his shoulder. "Oh, you know, just some late-night community service."

Eraserhead wasn’t amused. "You’re interfering with official hero work."

Tiger tensed, ready for whatever came next.

Bunny? He just grinned wider. "So… does that mean you're here to fight us?"

Eraserhead sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Yes, sadly. You went out of your city, and we both know the same rule—what’s in the city stays in the city. But you broke that rule, which means I have to do my job and catch you."

Tiger turned to Bunny, muttering under her breath, "At least he’s following the rules we set." Her red eyes flicked back to the pro hero, calculating. "But I don’t really feel like fighting him…"

Bunny caught on immediately, his smirk turning mischievous. "Agreed."

Before Eraserhead could react, they moved.

In a blur of motion, Tiger and Bunny pivoted on their heels and booked it straight into the shadows, vanishing into the darkness between rooftops.

Eraserhead’s capture weapon lashed out, but it caught nothing but empty air. He narrowed his eyes, already giving chase, but even he had to admit—they were fast.

Bunny’s laugh echoed faintly in the distance. "Maybe next time, Eraserhead!"

Tiger rolled her eyes, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him forward. "Less talking, more running!"

And just like that, they disappeared into the night.

Bunny stretched his arms behind his head, still grinning. “That was so much fun—and hilarious! We took down, what, twenty-five wannabe criminals? Got six people to move into the city for a fresh start, gathered solid intel on the local police…” He shot Tiger a smug look. “I’d say that’s a win.”

Tiger smirked, nodding. “Recap checks out.”

The two moved swiftly through the quiet outskirts, their steps light as they approached the city gates. The towering security system hummed softly, scanning their movements before they flashed their ID cards. A soft beep confirmed their clearance, and the gates slid open.

The guards at the entrance, familiar with their late-night excursions, greeted them with knowing smirks.

“Welcome back,” one of them said. “Another successful night?”

Bunny grinned, flipping his card between his fingers. “You already know.”

Tiger simply nodded, stepping past as the warm city lights embraced them once more. Back home, back where they belonged—until the next mission called.

Chapter 9: The family of the unnamed

After Bunny and Tiger successfully escaped, Eraserhead let out a long sigh and made his way back to the underground city. It was late—too late for him to still be awake, but dealing with those two never failed to drain his energy.

As usual, he ended up at the bar. The place was lively, filled with people drinking, playing chess, and chatting about everything from business to the latest gossip. A few gave him the usual nod of acknowledgment, while others—mainly those who recognized him—smirked knowingly. He was a regular now, and they had all gotten used to seeing him here.

Slumping onto a barstool, he ran a hand through his hair and groaned. "Teaching kids to be heroes is exhausting," he muttered. "Especially when they all act the same—reckless, stubborn, and convinced they’re the smartest person in the room."

The bartender chuckled. "Rough day, huh?"

"You have no idea," Eraserhead sighed, rubbing his temples. "Chasing those two down is bad enough, but now they’re out there running around, thinking they’re untouchable. And I have to be the one to clean up after them."

A few of the patrons laughed. "Come on, you like them. Admit it," one teased.

"Like them? They’re a pain in my ass," Eraserhead shot back. "And the worst part is, they’re actually good at what they do."

"Sounds like you’re proud."

Eraserhead rolled his eyes. "I didn’t say that."

Just as the bartender poured him another drink, the bar’s door creaked open. A familiar figure stepped in, the hood of her jacket pulled low over her face, but there was no mistaking her.

Silver Tiger.

The room went quiet for half a second before the usual murmur of conversation picked up again. Most of the patrons knew better than to react too strongly when someone like her walked in.

Eraserhead turned in his seat, leveling her with a tired stare. "You have some nerve showing up here after running me in circles all day."

Tiger smirked, casually making her way to the counter. "Come on, old man. You didn’t really think we’d leave without checking in, did you?"

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "The usual?"

She nodded. "Yeah, and one for him too. He looks like he needs it."

Eraserhead sighed. "What do you want, Tiger?"

Eraserhead sighed, already bracing himself for whatever nonsense was about to come out of her mouth.

"Sadly for both of us, I didn’t come here for you," Tiger said, leaning against the bar. "Oh, and if you're worried—no, I’m not drinking alcohol. I know my limits, and I follow the rules when it comes to that. Anything else, though?" She shrugged. "Well, let's just say I bend the rules when needed."

Eraserhead raised an eyebrow. "And here I was, thinking you were a model citizen."

She snorted. "Not even close."

Her gaze flicked toward the back of the bar, where dim lights flickered unevenly. Her expression turned more serious. "I actually came to check on a problem. Something’s been acting up back there. Figured I’d fix it while I’m here—and grab a drink or two for me and Bunny."

The bartender hummed in approval, already grabbing her usual. "Not a bad way to multitask."

Eraserhead crossed his arms. "So, let me get this straight. You came here to fix a light and pick up drinks?"

"Yep."

"You expect me to believe that’s all?"

Tiger let out a short laugh before turning to face him fully. "Honey, I built this city from the ground up. Every single piece of mud, stone, and steel beneath this place? I dug it. I brought in the materials. I brought in the people. I made this place what it is. So yeah, I do expect you to believe me when I say I’m here to fix some damn lights."

She smirked, grabbing the drink the bartender set down for her. "And while I’m at it, I’m celebrating. First time out on a mission beyond the city—it went well, and that’s worth a toast."

Eraserhead huffed, shaking his head. "You really are something else, you know that?"

Tiger grinned. "And yet, you’re still here listening."

Eraserhead exhaled slowly, swirling his drink in his hand before glancing at Tiger. "So, we’re talking business and whatever I want to hear from you? Why don’t I hear from you first?"

Tiger smirked. "Already did. Now it’s your turn." She took a sip of her drink before tilting her head. "Heard you’ve been teaching at U.A. lately. Also heard some interesting rumors about you complaining nonstop—something about all your students being useless and absolutely horrible?"

Eraserhead let out a dry chuckle. "People really love to exaggerate, don’t they?"

Tiger shrugged. "Dunno, sounds pretty believable to me. Word is, you expelled half your class." She leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity. "I’m interested—what exactly are you expecting from them that they’re constantly disappointing you?"

Eraserhead sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It’s not that they’re disappointing me. It’s that they don’t understand what being a hero actually means. They think it’s all about power, flashy moves, and popularity. Half of them don’t have the mindset to survive in this line of work, and the other half don’t take it seriously until it’s too late."

Tiger raised an eyebrow. "So, what? You’re breaking them down until only the strongest ones are left?"

"No," he muttered. "I’m weeding out the ones who aren’t ready to be heroes. If they can’t handle the reality of this job, I’d rather they figure that out now instead of dying because no one ever told them the truth."

Tiger was quiet for a moment before letting out a low whistle. "Damn. Brutal, but I get it.

Eraserhead took a slow sip of his drink, staring at Tiger with that unreadable, tired expression of his. “You really think it’s that simple?”

Tiger shrugged. “I think you started this whole thing because you wanted to help kids and change the future. And honestly? I appreciate that. Makes me feel kinda proud of myself, seeing someone like you actually giving a damn.”

Eraserhead scoffed. “Don’t get used to it.”

“But here’s the thing,” she continued, ignoring him. “You’re comparing these kids to people who had nothing to lose—people who had to take everything just to survive. Maybe try comparing them to kids who actually have a future. The ones who are just trying to risk something for the first time in their lives.”

Eraserhead frowned, but she kept going.

“Give them a few months before you expel them next time. Or, I don’t know, make them take an actual test. If they don’t put in the effort at all—no matter how good or bad they are—then you’ve got your answer. Check their official results, see if they’re really worth your time. And if not, maybe just transfer them somewhere else instead of throwing them out completely.”

She leaned forward, tapping a finger on the bar. “Like, take them off the hero course and put them in general education instead. That way, they still have a chance. They still have to work for it if they really want to be heroes.”

Eraserhead sighed, rubbing his temple. “You think I haven’t considered that?”

“Maybe, maybe not. But last I checked—wasn’t your whole thing that you got transferred from general studies to the hero course because you killed it at the Sports Festival?”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

She smirked. “So if you got that chance, why shouldn’t they?”

Eraserhead exhaled through his nose, giving her a tired but sharp look. “You know, for a vigilante, you sure seem pretty interested in how I teach.”

Tiger took a sip of her drink, not even bothering to deny it. “It might not look like it, but this whole place? The reason it even exists? It’s because Bunny and I both suffered under bad heroes and a bad society. One that acts like everything is black and white—like there’s only good and evil, and if you don’t fit neatly into either, then nobody gives a damn about you.”

Her eyes flickered with something more serious, more personal. “If you can help bring even a few more real heroes into the future, ones that actually deserve the title, it’d mean a lot. Not just to me, but to everyone here.”

She set her glass down with a quiet clink. “Especially the kids growing up in the orphanages. They deserve to see what a real hero looks like. Not just someone in a shiny costume, but someone who actually gives a damn.”

Eraserhead didn’t say anything at first. He just studied her, his gaze unreadable.

Then, after a long moment, he sighed and took another sip of his drink. “…You really don’t know how to let things go, do you?”

Tiger smirked. “Nope.”

Eraserhead shook his head, rubbing his temple. “You’re a real pain, you know that?”

Tiger just grinned. “Took you this long to figure that out?”

The bartender chuckled as he wiped down a glass. “She’s got a point, Eraser. You’ve been coming here for months—should’ve seen it sooner.”

Eraserhead sighed, taking another sip of his drink. “I get what you’re saying. But you have to understand, I can’t go easy on them. The hero course isn’t a place for people who might be able to cut it. If they’re not willing to put in the work, they don’t belong there.”

“I get that,” Tiger said, nodding. “But like I told you before, you’re comparing them to people who had nothing to lose. You’ve spent so much time around vigilantes, villains, and underground fighters that you expect kids—privileged kids, at that—to be just as hardened as the ones who had to claw their way up from nothing.”

Eraserhead didn’t respond right away.

She leaned forward, tapping the bar. “Look, I’m not saying you should hold their hands. I’m saying maybe give them time to prove themselves before deciding they aren’t worth it. Make them take a real test—one that forces them to show effort, not just results. If they still don’t try, then kick them out. But at least give them a chance to realize what’s at stake.”

She took another sip of her drink, watching him over the rim. “After all, wasn’t your shot at the hero course a second chance?”

Eraserhead narrowed his eyes. “…You’ve been digging.”

“Not digging. Just listening.” She smirked. “People talk when you know where to listen.”

For a moment, there was silence between them. The bar continued on around them—laughter, murmured conversations, the occasional clatter of dice hitting a table. But between them, it was just quiet understanding.

Finally, Eraserhead let out a long breath. “…I’ll think about it.”

Tiger grinned. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

She downed the rest of her drink in one go, then stood up, stretching. “Well, I’ve got a broken light to fix and a Bunny to check on. Try not to drink yourself into a coma, yeah?”

Eraserhead waved her off, already tired again. “Go. Before I actually decide to arrest you.”

She snickered, heading toward the back. “See you around, Sensei.”

Eraserhead rolled his eyes but couldn’t fight the small smirk tugging at his lips.

Damn vigilantes.

---

Eraserhead let out a long, exhausted sigh as he stepped into his apartment. It was 3:00 a.m., and he had to be up in less than three hours to teach at U.A.

Why did I ever agree to this?

He knew why. Those damn vigilantes were giving him too much hope for the future.

Shrugging off his coat, he rubbed his temples and kicked off his shoes, already dreading the morning ahead. But the moment he looked up, he realized he wasn’t alone.

There, sprawled across the couch, was a familiar sight—tall, blonde, and absolutely impossible to miss. Over-the-top accessories, a flashy aesthetic that completely clashed with the dim lighting of the apartment, and a soft snore that filled the quiet space.

Hizashi Yamada. Present Mic.

Eraserhead sighed again, softer this time.

Walking over, he crouched beside the couch, taking in the sight of his boyfriend completely knocked out, an arm flung over his face. The guy must’ve come over late and crashed while waiting for him.

Shouta shook his head. Idiot.

Still, despite his exhaustion, he felt a small, tired smile creep onto his face. He reached out, brushing a few strands of hair from Hizashi’s forehead before muttering, “You’re gonna wreck your neck sleeping like that.”

Hizashi stirred slightly, grumbling something incoherent before shifting, but he didn’t wake up.

Shouta debated waking him properly but ultimately sighed, giving in to his own exhaustion. Instead, he grabbed the nearest blanket, draped it over Hizashi, and let himself collapse onto the couch beside him.

He’d regret it in the morning. But for now, with his boyfriend snoring beside him and a few rare, quiet moments of peace, he figured he could afford to rest—just for a little while.

Aizawa barely had time to scarf down his breakfast before he was called to Nezu’s office. He hadn’t even made it to his first class yet, and already, his day was off to an exhausting start.

Waiting for him inside was none other than the police chief of the outskirts of Tokyo. Great.

He sighed, rubbing his temples as he stepped in. "This better be important."

The police chief greeted him with a knowing smirk. "Aizawa, good to see you. You look like you’re still tired from last night."

Aizawa slumped into the chair across from Nezu’s desk. "If you already know what happened, why am I here?"

"You’re here," the police chief started, folding his arms, "because you didn’t catch those damn vigilantes—Bunny and Tiger. Last night, they were finally outside the city, in a place we could actually get to, and you still didn’t bring them in."

Aizawa exhaled slowly through his nose. Here we go. "I tried to. They’re faster and stronger than they look. And more importantly, they’re kids. Slippery ones."

The police chief scoffed. "Kids or not, they’re still vigilantes. They’re gathering resources, recruiting people—we don’t know what they’re planning, and you had the perfect opportunity to put an end to it."

Aizawa stared at him, unimpressed. "And then what? Throw them in jail? You really think that’ll fix the problem?"

The police chief narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying, Aizawa?"

"I’m saying that those two have already done more good for the people in that city than any of us have," Aizawa said, tone flat but firm. "I don’t like the way they do things. I don’t approve of them running around unsupervised. But you can’t ignore the fact that they’ve built something real. And that people believe in it."

Nezu sipped his tea, watching the exchange with amusement but saying nothing.

The police chief let out a frustrated breath, shaking his head. "That’s exactly the problem. People shouldn’t believe in vigilantes."

Aizawa leaned back, expression unreadable. "Then maybe you should ask yourself why they do."

The room fell into silence for a few tense moments. The police chief’s jaw tightened, but Aizawa didn’t back down. He simply stared, waiting.

Finally, the chief let out a tired sigh and sank into the chair across from him. “Damn it, Aizawa. You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t see what’s happening?” He ran a hand down his face, looking more exhausted than frustrated now. “Crime rates are down. The underground city is stable. Hell, even some villains are turning over a new leaf. But we can’t just ignore the law.”

Aizawa crossed his arms. “Then do something about it that doesn’t involve throwing them into a cell.”

Nezu chuckled softly, finally speaking up. “It seems you’re both at an impasse. Silver Tiger and Green Bunny are an anomaly—something unprecedented. If we simply treat them as criminals, we may create even bigger problems.”

The police chief exhaled sharply. “So what do you suggest? We just let them run wild?”

“No,” Aizawa said, “but maybe we give them rules. Guidelines. If they’re willing to play by them, maybe we don’t have to be enemies.”

The chief gave him a skeptical look. “And if they refuse?”

Aizawa rubbed his temples. “Then I’ll deal with it.”

“You sure about that?” The chief leaned forward, eyes sharp. “Because I’m hearing rumors that you’re getting too comfortable in that city. That you’re spending too much time with those vigilantes.”

Aizawa smirked, unimpressed. “You saying I’m corrupt?”

The chief scoffed. “I’m saying you’re getting attached. And that makes things complicated.”

Aizawa didn’t deny it. He had spent too much time down there. Seen too many people just trying to survive. People who had been abandoned by the same system that was now demanding he drag Tiger and Bunny into a cell.

But that didn’t mean he was on their side either.

He sighed, standing up. “I’ll talk to them.”

The chief blinked. “Wait—you think they’ll listen to you?”

Aizawa grabbed his capture weapon, wrapping it loosely around his shoulders. “They’re brats, but they’re not stupid. If we give them a chance to work with us, they might take it.”

Nezu nodded approvingly. “An interesting proposal. You have my support, Aizawa.”

The chief muttered under his breath before reluctantly standing as well. “Fine. But if this blows up in your face, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Aizawa turned to leave, already dreading the conversation he was about to have with those two.

They’re not gonna make this easy, are they?

---

"Hi, Eraser. How are you doing?" asked Toxic. They’d been talking since the first time Eraserhead had visited. Toxic was the first person he’d met at the bar. "Something wrong? You look anxious," they asked.

"Yeah, actually. My boss and the police chief want to set proper rules around the city, as far as I understand, and I'm the only one currently in contact with both inside and out."

"Well, I have some good news for you," Toxic replied. "If you want to find someone who can actually help you with the rules, Silver Tiger is working on a building right at the end of the road. As far as I understand, it's supposed to be a karaoke bar/office. They don’t actually serve alcohol, so if you want to talk with her, you can go there."

"Thank you, Toxic. That’s actually really helpful."

"No problem. Just make sure to continue visiting, and do us a little favor—make sure the place stays up."

"Will do," Eraserhead reassured them as he made his way to the constructing building at the end of the road—the karaoke office.

As Eraserhead made his way around the building, he spotted Silver Tiger walking around, giving orders and making sure all the structures were set up correctly.

"Hi, Tiger. I have some business to discuss with you. It's not about your work, technically, but it has to do with the police chief."

Silver Tiger turned around. "Oh, hi, Eraserhead. Don't worry, I've already set aside some time for you. I'll be ready in 30 minutes. You can meet me in my office above ground. If you want, you can go right now—Green Bunny is already there."

Eraserhead made his way to the office above ground, where he knew Green Bunny would be.

"Why do you always have to be so early?" Green Bunny asked. "Do you want to wait for Tiger, or should we just get to work?"

"I’ll get to work," Eraserhead replied. "But I also know she knows the most about the actual inner workings of the city. She was the one who built everything here—literally, by hand. I know you're helpful, but…"

"Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m offended or something," Green Bunny said, cutting him off. "I just told her the technical stuff; she did most of the work. But if you want, I can give you a piece of paper with all the rules of the city that we’re working on implementing as we go. There’s actually going to be a meeting next week with the civilians and everyone who’s going to be staying. The list of rules will be posted near the gate from then on. If you’d like, I can give you a copy—multiple, if you want—so you can run it by your superiors and read it yourself."

"Yeah, that would be much appreciated," Eraserhead replied.

Entry Rule: Only people who have been interviewed and accepted by Silver Tiger can enter the city using a card that can be identified through a scan at the front gate. Special entry can only be granted directly by either Silver Tiger or Green Bunny to the guards.

City Rules:

1. All information found inside the city cannot leave the city.
2. Everyone is treated equally. No one is above anyone else, and all must follow the rules equally.
3. Everything inside the city is free for insiders. Trade and information marketing can happen within the city, but anything outside level 2 must be paid for with either money or outside information. The information should be provided to the guards when leaving the city.
4. Whatever you do outside the city does not affect the rules inside the city. Whether you are a villain, vigilante, hero, or just a civilian, it does not matter or influence the law inside the city.
5. You must follow the instructions of the guards and teachers in the area. They will take action if you break any of the rules above.

Civilians' Rules:

1. Underage children must be taken care of by an adult, whether that be through an orphanage, their parents, or guardians. If they are willing, they will also be provided with education.
2. Everyone above the age of consent must study to find a job they are capable of and enjoy before beginning work. No matter what the job is, everyone will receive an equal amount of survivability.
3. Everyone gets equal food, shelter, and disposable income, regardless of their job or age. If there is a specific reason for inequality, changes will be made and the individual will be assigned to Hospitality Care.
4. All medicine and hospital care is free.

Just as Eraserhead finished reading the rules, Silver Tiger entered the office.

"Hey, Eraser, I see you're reading the rules," Silver Tiger said.

"Yeah, can I take a copy for my supervisors?" Eraserhead asked.

"Sure, no problem," Bunny replied.

After reading the rules, Eraserhead paused for a moment. "Is there anything you think we should change to avoid any potential issues? The area above ground counts as private property, belonging to Silver Tiger under the name, and is governed by the Wild organization. The sections below ground, the Undercity, are public spaces, but the only way to enter them is through a private area. With all that in mind, do you have any adjustments you'd suggest?" Tiger asked.

"I don’t think there’s anything that needs to be changed," Eraserhead said. "The rules seem fair to everyone. Though, the rule that says you're not responsible for anything that happens outside the city might cause some tension with the Hero Safety Commission. That's definitely going to get under their skin."

"Well, that's their problem, not mine," Silver Tiger said with a shrug. "Legally, they can't do anything."

---

The next morning, Eraserhead made his way back to his principal’s office, already aware that the police chief would be there. He handed them both a few copies of the rules and explained that these rules would be in effect, with the government issues spanning across the entire city. He also informed them that the rules had already been approved by the Japanese government and would become official in less than a week.

As Eraserhead handed over the copies of the rules, the police chief flipped through them, nodding as he skimmed the pages.

“These look pretty solid,” the chief said, his tone neutral but approving. “You’ve got everything covered, and the government backing is a good step. It should smooth things over, at least for now.”

“That's the idea,” Eraserhead replied, leaning against the desk. “There’s a lot of tension out there, but this will give the city a proper foundation. People will understand the structure, and hopefully, it’ll bring more order.”

The principal, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. "But you're aware of the complications this might cause, right? The Hero Safety Commission isn’t going to be happy about the control that Silver Tiger and Green Bunny have over the city."

“I’m aware,” Eraserhead replied, his voice calm. "But it’s their city, and the rules are in place. The government signed off on this, so as far as I'm concerned, it's legally sound. If they want to contest it, they'll have to go through the proper channels."

The police chief frowned slightly. “And that’s the problem. The Hero Safety Commission doesn’t like waiting for things to go through the channels—they prefer acting first. But for now, this is a solid move. We’ll work with it.”

Eraserhead nodded, his arms crossed. “Exactly. For now, it’s in place. I’m just here to make sure it stays that way. And that no one tries to undermine it.”

A silence settled between them before the chief broke it with a sigh. “We’ll see how long that lasts, but I’ll make sure our department is on board with the process. Just keep me in the loop if anything changes.”

“I will,” Eraserhead replied. "Let’s just hope the rest of the city’s residents can follow the rules without too much conflict."

---

And follow the rules they did. No one even tried to run into the city after committing a crime to escape the police. They were fully aware that the city was a safe zone—a sanctuary—and they didn’t abuse it. Many vigilantes lived there simply because it was the best way to survive. People, even those around the age of 20, with remarkable intelligence and a deep understanding of society, came and settled in the city. It wasn’t like they were cut off from the outside world. The crime rate, homelessness, and unemployment rate all decreased by over 10% in the last month. The area spanning five blocks around the city had zero homelessness, zero crime, and zero unemployment.

Even the Hero Safety Commission signed a public agreement, officially recognizing the Undercity as a legitimate city. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Silver Tiger and Green Bunny had their own routine, too—once a week, they would leave the city and spend the whole week outside, doing their vigilante work, often singing songs and enjoying their freedom.

"Hey, Bunny, not to overthink it, but I've got a couple of thoughts. First, isn’t your mask getting a bit old? I’m not saying you need to replace it, but we've been out running around a lot lately, and you never take it off. I’m sure if you did, no one would recognize you."

Bunny chuckled. "I appreciate the concern, but I like the anonymity it gives me. Besides, I've never actually seen you without your skin, Tiger."

Tiger's smile softened. "That's true—I always keep it on. In fact, I've never really shown you my real face without it."

Bunny raised an eyebrow. "Really? I've always wondered what you'd look like without it."

Tiger hesitated for a moment before replying, "I still prefer to keep myself unrecognizable in public. But thanks to all the upgrades we’ve made to it—and the rest of our gear—it’s a lot more comfortable now. I do take it off when I'm alone, just not in front of people."

Bunny thought for a second, then said, "You know what? How about tomorrow we both change things up a bit—let’s go unmasked. You, without your skin, and me without my mask. We could head to the center of Tokyo near UA, hit up a karaoke bar, meet some people, and just enjoy ourselves."

Tiger's eyes lit up. "That sounds like a refreshing change. Alright, it's a plan. See you tomorrow, Bunny."

Bunny grinned. "Looking forward to it, Tiger."

Tomorrow night arrived, and Izuku, now known as Green Bunny, stood outside the city, waiting for Alise. However, instead of her, a girl emerged, waving at him.

She had wavy red hair, big green eyes, and was dressed in clothes Izuku was used to seeing on Tiger.

"Wait, don’t tell me..." Izuku began, his eyes widening.

"Hi, Izuku!" the girl called, her voice cheerful. "Are you ready to go? We might need some really nice people there."

Izuku blinked in surprise. "You're... you're not Tiger, are you?"

The girl flashed him a playful smile. "Nope! I’m just... well, I’m not exactly new, but yeah, this is me. No skin, just me. And don't worry about the shortness; I'm sure it'll be fine. As for my appearance—don’t act like you aren’t used to it by now. I know I’m pretty."

Izuku was a bit taken aback, but quickly smiled. "You really are full of surprises, huh?"

"Well, you know how it goes," she said with a wink. "Come on, let's get going. Tonight’s all about fun."

Izuku and Alise made their way to the train station, the cool evening air brushing against their faces as they walked in sync, their steps in no particular rush. They were both excited about what the night would bring, especially since their destination was the infamous karaoke bar near UA that had received mixed, but mostly positive, reviews from students.

The train ride was a quiet one, filled with the sound of soft murmurs and the occasional clink of coins as people paid for their tickets. Izuku kept stealing glances at Alise, still not quite used to seeing her without her usual skin. Her wavy red hair framed her face, her green eyes glimmering with excitement.

"So, I hear this karaoke bar is a hotspot for UA students. The reviews say it’s the place to go for a night of fun," Izuku said, breaking the silence.

Alise grinned. "Oh, you’ll see. I have a feeling you’re going to be surprised. It's a mix of serious talent and total chaos in there. Just try not to get stage fright when you sing, okay?"

Izuku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Stage fright? I—I’m not sure about singing in front of a crowd."

Alise raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "You’ve fought in battles, saved lives, and survived near-death situations. But karaoke? That’s where you draw the line?"

Izuku's face flushed. "Okay, okay, you win. But only if you’re going to sing with me."

"Deal," Alise said, her voice carrying a tone of playful challenge. "We’ll see if you’re still worried once the music starts."

The train soon arrived at the UA station, and the two of them got off, walking toward their destination with a newfound energy. The night was young, and they were about to make some unforgettable memories at the infamous karaoke bar.

They made their way inside, got the room card, and started walking. The dimly lit hallway was alive with the muffled sounds of singing and laughter. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting playful shadows as Alice and Izuku exchanged grins.

Sliding open the door to their private karaoke room, they were greeted by a cozy setup—plush seating, a sleek karaoke machine, and a table stocked with snacks and drinks. Izuku flopped onto the couch, grabbing the remote as he scrolled through the song list with a smirk.

“So, what’s first?” he asked. “Classic rock? Pop? Or are we going full anime openings?”

Alice leaned against the table, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Obviously, we start with something dramatic. Gotta set the mood.”

Izuku scrolled through the song list, his fingers pausing over a few options. He glanced at Alice with a smirk. "Alright, dramatic it is. But if we're going dramatic, we’re going all in."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

Without answering, Izuku selected a song, and as soon as the opening notes played, Alice recognized it instantly. A mix of laughter and excitement lit up her face as she grabbed one of the microphones.

"You're really making me sing this, huh?" she teased.

Izuku leaned back with a grin. "Of course. No backing out now, Tiger."

The lyrics appeared on the screen, but before she started singing, Alice turned to Izuku. "Hey, who's your favorite artist or band? Mine is Derivakat."

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Oh, uh… that’s a tough one." He thought for a moment, then smiled. "I guess it depends on my mood, but I do like songs that tell a good story."

Alice nodded approvingly. "Good answer. Alright, now back to the song!"

She took a deep breath, stepping forward as the music built up. The energy in the room shifted as their voices blended into the melody.

By the time they finished, they were both breathless, laughter spilling out between them. Alice flopped onto the couch beside Izuku, handing him the mic. "Your turn, Bunny. Impress me."

Izuku chuckled, shaking his head as he scrolled through the options again. "Alright, but if I embarrass myself, you're not allowed to laugh."

Alice smirked. "No promises."

With a dramatic sigh, Izuku selected a song and stood up, mic in hand. As the melody started, he closed his eyes for a second, then began to sing.

And to Alice’s surprise… he was actually good.

Tonight was fun.

---

The next day, Alice and Izuku returned to work, the usual hum of the undercity filling the air as they made their way through the narrow streets. The undercity was a place of power, but the rules were clear—you don’t leave it alone. They are the bosses.

Just as Izuku was about to settle into his usual routine, his phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message from Alice.

"Hey, Bunny. Called Tiger. We have a visit in an hour or so around Kamino Ward. They say someone will be waiting for us at the train station. You need to get ready."

Izuku quickly typed a reply. "No problem, Tiger. But suddenly, we're meeting with someone? Are they a big shot or something? We don’t usually meet with people, and if we do, it’s inside the city."

A moment later, the response came through, Alice's voice clear and sharp. "Nothing too major. Just a little suspicious about them. I don’t trust them enough to let them into the city, but I trust them enough for us to meet. So get ready. We're not going in our vigilante outfits—get a proper suit."

Izuku raised an eyebrow, his fingers stopping over the keys for a second. Alice never liked meeting outsiders unless it was absolutely necessary, and her instinct for caution was sharp. But the mention of a "suit" made him pause.

"Got it. A suit, huh?" Izuku muttered to himself as he quickly prepared, thoughts racing through his mind. Who could this be? And why didn’t Alice want them inside the city?

A few minutes later, he emerged, fully suited up, a crisp black suit replacing his usual outfit. It wasn’t often he got to wear something so formal, and he felt a bit out of place—still, he knew that the appearance mattered, especially in situations like this.

“Ready, Bunny?” Alice asked as she walked toward him, adjusting her own suit jacket with a sharp precision.

Izuku nodded, his usual carefree attitude replaced with a quiet intensity. “Let’s see who these people are.”

It was late at night, and the train station was bustling with a few late-night travelers. Tiger and Bunny made their way through the crowds, scanning the area for the person they were supposed to meet. They spotted him standing near the exit, a figure surrounded by a faint purple mist.

Tiger kept her eyes on him, staying alert but not acting suspicious. "That's him, Bunny," she muttered, a quiet tension in her voice.

Bunny glanced at her, unsure. "Are we sure about this, Tiger?"

"We don’t have a choice. He's just a worker for the person we're actually meeting. But I don’t trust him completely."

They approached the figure, who didn’t seem to notice them until they were close. His eyes flickered toward them, but he remained calm.

"You're late,," Tiger said coldly, keeping her distance but not making a move to attack.

The man nodded, unfazed. "Apologies. The boss is waiting."

Bunny and Tiger exchanged a glance, both of them aware of the situation but still cautious. They didn’t fully trust him, but they knew he wasn’t their main concern. They had a bigger meeting ahead.

"Lead the way," Tiger said, her voice steady.

The man nodded again and began to walk, with Tiger and Bunny following close behind. They kept their eyes on him, ready for anything, but at least for now, they were just going along with it.

As they moved through the station, they finally reached a quiet alleyway, away from the crowds. The figure stopped and turned toward them. Without a word, he opened a portal, the swirling purple mist expanding and forming into a doorway.

"After you," he said, his voice calm and steady.

Tiger glanced at Bunny, giving him a slight nod before stepping toward the portal. Bunny followed closely behind, his senses still on high alert as they crossed the threshold into the unknown.

The portal led them into a dimly lit bar. A young teenager sat on one of the bar stools, light gray-blue hair falling over his face, barely hiding the sharp red eyes beneath. He looked around sixteen.

He turned toward them. "Hello, Silver Tiger, Green Bunny. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Tomura Shigaraki. I’m very glad you decided to come. I sincerely apologize that Kurogiri was late to pick you up."

"No need to worry about such unimportant things. We’re here and on time in the end," Tiger reassured him. Her voice was steady, but there was an edge to it. "Is there anything you’d like to say before the meeting starts?" It almost sounded like an interrogation.

"Nothing at all. Please, take a seat."

Tiger was the first to sit, Bunny following suit. As they settled in, Tiger gave Bunny a brief look—one that didn’t need words. He understood immediately. Someone was watching them.

Tiger leaned back slightly, eyes locked onto Shigaraki. "So, Shigaraki, what is it you wanted to speak with us about?"

Bunny remained quiet, but his posture stayed alert. Whatever this was about, it wasn’t just a casual conversation.

Shigaraki tilted his head, a faint smirk forming. "Straight to the point, huh? I like that." His fingers tapped against the counter. "I have a proposal. One that could be beneficial for all of us."

Tiger didn’t react, waiting for him to continue. Bunny stole a quick glance around the bar, subtly keeping track of their surroundings.

"Tell me," Tiger said coolly. "Why should we care?"

Shigaraki chuckled, resting his chin on his palm. "Because if you hear me out, you might just find that we’re not so different."

The air between them grew heavier. Tiger stayed unreadable, but her fingers tapped once against the table—a silent signal to Bunny.

She was listening, but she wasn’t convinced. Not yet.

Shigaraki let the silence linger before continuing. "I've been watching you two for a while. Silver Tiger and Green Bunny—big names in the underground, yet you don’t play by the usual rules. You’ve built something different, something even the strongest in this world struggle to control." He leaned forward, his red eyes gleaming from beneath his hair. "And I respect that."

Tiger didn’t react. "Flattery isn’t an answer. Get to the point."

Shigaraki chuckled. "Fine. I want an alliance."

Bunny’s eyes narrowed slightly. Tiger didn’t move, didn’t blink.

Shigaraki continued, his tone casual but purposeful. "You keep your city, your rules, your little safe haven. I won’t interfere with that. In return, you work with me when the time comes."

Tiger finally tilted her head. "And what exactly does 'working with you' entail?"

Shigaraki's fingers twitched on the counter. "When I decide to change this world, I’ll need people who can think beyond the hero system. People who aren’t afraid to rewrite the rules." He smirked. "You know a thing or two about that, don’t you?"

Bunny didn’t like how he said that. It was too knowing. Tiger remained calm, but he knew she was already breaking down every possible angle, every potential consequence.

"You assume we’d even consider this," Tiger said smoothly.

"You came here, didn’t you?" Shigaraki countered. "That means you’re at least willing to listen."

Tiger tapped her fingers against the counter again—another signal. This was dangerous territory. But she wasn’t walking away. Not yet.

Tiger rested her elbow on the table, fingers tapping lightly against the surface. "Talk. But first, answer me this—why is there a guy who literally has a potato for a head sitting next to a woman, probably in her thirties, with green hair? They're watching us through a screen, and I’m pretty sure it’s connected to the TV behind you. Care to explain?"

Shigaraki visibly stiffened, his red eyes widening slightly before narrowing. "How did you know they were watching us?"

Tiger gave a small, unreadable smile. "I have my ways."

Shigaraki exhaled sharply, scratching his neck. "Fine. If you must know, the 'Potato Head' is my adoptive dad, and the woman next to him is his wife." His fingers twitched slightly. "I don’t know how you figured that out, but yeah, they’re watching. Making sure you don’t try anything." He leaned back. "You don’t trust us, and they don’t trust you. But I was willing to convince them to let me speak with you first."

He met Tiger’s gaze. "Are you willing to listen now?"

Tiger glanced at Bunny for a brief second before turning back to Shigaraki. "Yes. Continue."

Shigaraki smirked slightly, though the tension in his posture hadn’t faded. "Good. Now, where was I?" He tapped his fingers against the counter, thinking for a second. "Right—an alliance."

Tiger leaned back in her seat, her expression unreadable. "And what exactly do you bring to the table, Shigaraki?"

His smirk widened. "Power. Influence. Connections you don’t have." He gestured around the bar. "You’ve built a city that thrives outside the law, a place where people who don’t fit into society’s little boxes can survive. But survival isn’t enough, is it? You want something bigger. A world where people like us don’t have to hide."

Bunny narrowed his eyes. "And you think you’re the one to make that happen?"

Shigaraki chuckled. "I know I am. But I don’t need to convince you of that right now. I just need you to consider it."

Tiger crossed her arms. "Consider what? Helping you tear down a system that barely holds itself together?"

Shigaraki tilted his head. "It’s already falling apart. I’m just speeding up the process. The question is—will you stand on the sidelines, or will you make sure you’re the ones rewriting the rules when it’s over?"

There was a beat of silence. Tiger exchanged another glance with Bunny, both of them weighing their options. They weren’t impulsive. They never agreed to anything without thinking five steps ahead.

Shigaraki watched them, amused. "You don’t have to answer now. I’ll give you time. But know this—I’m not your enemy. At least, I don’t have to be."

Tiger tapped the table again, signaling that she had heard enough. "We’ll think about it."

Shigaraki grinned. "That’s all I ask."

The atmosphere remained tense, but the conversation had reached its natural pause. Tiger and Bunny weren’t committing to anything—but they weren’t walking away either. And Shigaraki knew that was more than enough.

Tiger stood up, adjusting her gloves. "Before we leave, I have a question."

Shigaraki raised an eyebrow.

"You might not have been aware of this, but the reason the city has been growing so quickly is because there are a lot of people in need. We were already planning on rebuilding society from the inside out." She met his gaze. "We’ll think about your offer. But next time we meet,

Shigaraki’s smirk faltered for a brief moment before he chuckled, fingers drumming against the counter. "You’re sharp. I figured you were doing more than just giving people a place to hide, but rebuilding society? That’s ambitious."

Tiger stood up, Bunny following her lead. "It’s necessary. The world’s already breaking apart—we’re just making sure there’s something left when it’s done."

Shigaraki hummed in thought, then nodded. "Fair enough. I won’t rush you for an answer, but I’ll be expecting one eventually."

Tiger tilted her head slightly. "And next time we meet, I’d like to meet that 'relative' of yours. Him and his wife."

Shigaraki’s fingers twitched. "You really want to meet him?"

"I don’t ask twice," Tiger said simply.

Shigaraki studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Alright. Next time, I’ll arrange it."

With that, Tiger turned toward Bunny, giving a subtle nod. They had what they came for. Without another word, they walked toward the alleyway, where their exit awaited.

---

Bunny walked beside Tiger as they made their way through the alleyway, the weight of the conversation lingering between them. "Tiger?" he asked, his voice unsure. "Why do you want to meet them? And can we really trust them? You know I’m not that great with all the big-shot negotiations and things. I kind of got the gist, but... I’m still a bit lost on the last part."

Tiger sighed softly, her mind still processing everything. "Okay, let me recap it for you. Basically, there’s a big shot with a 'potato head,' who’s the adoptive dad of the guy we just met. The woman with him? I think I recognize her from somewhere on the news. That’s why I want to meet them. They both look powerful and dangerous. No, I don’t exactly trust them or the guy we just met—but they have true goals, and they’re honest. That’s more than I can say about most."

Bunny gave her a puzzled look. "Tiger, I trust you, but... what do you mean you recognize the woman from the news? Is she like some kind of big shot or an influencer or something?"

Tiger hesitated before responding, her expression darkening slightly. "Bunny, do you remember how we met or why I was looking for you?"

Bunny blinked, a flash of memory crossing his face. "Yeah, you were looking for me because I look like that kid you saw on TV—the one who was supposed to be dead, but then... I started running around and causing confusion, so you started following me to make sure I wasn’t getting into trouble." His eyes widened as realization hit. "Oh!! You think that woman might also be... dead?"

Tiger stopped walking for a moment, her eyes meeting Bunny’s. "Bunny, I don’t want you to take it the wrong way or get your hopes up, but... that woman looked identical to the woman I saw on the news. The same time I saw you. The only other person who died in that fire, the one you supposedly died in, was your mother. And that woman looked exactly like her—just older. Based on what I saw, it’s hard to ignore."

A heavy silence hung in the air between them. Bunny’s thoughts swirled, his heart pounding as he processed everything.

Bunny shook his head, his voice unsteady. "Tiger, you're not saying that you think—no. There's no way. There is no way my mother is alive. I ran into the fire, I couldn't find her. There were pillars and debris everywhere—there's no way she survived. She was declared dead, just like… me."

Tiger stayed quiet for a moment before responding, her voice steady. "I'm saying exactly what you think. I didn’t want to say it because I don’t want to get your hopes up. But I also kind of recognize the Potato Head. If I’m remembering right, he fought All Might back in the day. If my calculations are right, it was around when you were seven."

Bunny’s expression twisted, trying to make sense of it all. "My dad and my adoptive big brother—just to be more specific—died in an accident against a villain when I was seven."

Tiger exhaled, looking straight ahead. "Bunny… I don’t know how to say this, but I might be starting to trust them more. Because they might just be your dead family. If you match the details, they all add up. But let’s stay calm. We’ll meet them, and if we have any stronger suspicions when we do, we’ll take off your mask. That way, there’s a high chance they recognize you. That’s the best way to handle this. It’s not like I can do much to change how you look—your information is private, but we can’t exactly manipulate much beyond that."

Bunny let out a hollow chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, now I don’t know what to laugh about more—the fact that I just, in theory, met my brother after five years, or that my dad now has a potato for a head. Is that an injury or something? Actually… am I supposed to cry?"

Tiger smirked slightly. "Yes, let’s cry and laugh at the same time on our way back to the city. I’ll set up a meeting as soon as possible."

Bunny sighed. "Great."

---

Bunny paced the length of their apartment for what had to be the hundredth time that morning. His hands fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie, his nails digging into the fabric. Every thought that passed through his mind made his stomach twist. What if Tiger was wrong? What if she was right? What if they were dangerous? What if they weren’t? What if his mother really was alive? What if—

"Bunny," Tiger’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. She was lounging on the couch, phone pressed to her ear, waiting on hold. She barely looked up at him as she spoke. "If you keep pacing like that, you’re gonna burn a hole in the floor."

"I can’t help it," Bunny muttered. "You just dropped something insane on me, and now I’m supposed to wait? Just… wait?"

Tiger finally turned to him, unimpressed. "Yes. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. Now shut up, I need to focus."

Bunny groaned, running a hand through his hair. He slumped into the chair across from her, bouncing his leg restlessly as she continued her calls.

Bunny was jittery the entire morning, barely touching his food. He kept his phone in his hand, checking it even though he wasn’t expecting any messages. Tiger, on the other hand, was completely calm, scrolling through her contacts while sipping her tea.

"Any updates?" Bunny asked for the fifth time in the past hour.

Tiger sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I already told you, this stuff takes time. These people don’t just pick up on the first ring and say, ‘Oh sure, let’s meet tomorrow!’ I have to convince them. Negotiate. And frankly, your anxiety is not making this easier."

"Well, excuse me for being nervous about possibly meeting my dead mother and a guy with a literal potato for a head!"

"That’s fair," Tiger admitted. "Still, chill. Go train or something. Punch things. Maybe take a nap."

Bunny groaned but didn’t argue. He knew she was right, but that didn’t make the waiting any easier.

Bunny was practically vibrating with nerves by this point. He barely slept the night before, and the exhaustion was starting to catch up with him. He found himself zoning out mid-thought, only to snap back when Tiger’s voice cut through the air.

"Alright, I got us a meeting."

Bunny’s head snapped toward her so fast it almost hurt. "You did?! When?!"

Tiger smirked. "Tomorrow night."

His stomach twisted into knots. "Oh, great. That gives me just enough time to completely lose my mind before then."

Tiger rolled her eyes. "You’re gonna be fine. Just stick with me, and we’ll see what happens."

Bunny exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah… sure. No big deal. Just a life-changing conversation waiting for me."

Tiger chuckled. "Exactly. Now, try not to pass out before we even get there."

Bunny groaned, already regretting everything about this.

Bunny rubbed his eyes, still groggy from sleep, as he stepped closer to the desk where Tiger was printing stacks of documents. His brows furrowed at the sight of the neatly organized papers, some filled with notes, others containing old reports and images.

"Tiger, what is this for?" he asked, voice still thick with sleep.

Tiger barely glanced up, focused on stacking the pages. "Oh, hey, Bunny. Nothing much. Just the usual—you know how your anxiety likes to drag me into anxiety-inducing situations? So I decided to take as many precautions as possible."

Bunny blinked. "Precautions for what exactly?"

She sighed, tapping a pen against the table. "For the meeting. I’ve written down all the reasoning behind why we think they might be your supposedly dead family. If they don't believe the documents, I listed what kind of proof we're planning to use. Also included worst-case scenarios because, well, better safe than sorry."

Bunny stared at the pile of documents. "You really went all in on this, huh?"

"My suspicions have been growing more and more, so I started writing everything down." Tiger finally looked up, her red eyes sharp with focus. "If they are your family, you deserve to know. If they're not, then we need to figure out why they look so damn similar and what game they’re playing."

Bunny hesitated, glancing at the pages again. "And if they are my family? What then?"

Tiger leaned back in her chair. "Then that’s up to you."

---

Case File: Family Connection Evidence

Subject: Bunny (Identity Concealed)
Claim: Shigaraki, 'Potato Head,' and the green-haired woman are likely Bunny's lost family.

I. Case Background

• Bunny was presumed dead in a fire as a child, along with his mother.
• He survived but was left without known family.
• Tiger and Bunny recently encountered individuals with identities that match suspiciously well.

II. ‘Potato Head’ as Bunny’s Father

Physical & Temporal Clues:

• Sustained his injury and became 'Potato Head' at the same time Bunny’s father and brother were declared deceased or missing.
• Had a confrontation with All Might about five years ago, aligning with Bunny’s dad’s disappearance.
• Involved in villain activity near Bunny’s childhood home.

III. The Green-Haired Woman as Bunny’s Mother

Visual Match:

• Hair, face, and demeanor match Bunny’s mother from old footage.
• Looks nearly identical to the woman reported in the same news broadcast as Bunny, identified as his mother.

Survival Possibility:

• If Bunny survived, she might have too.
• Her presence with ‘Potato Head’ suggests she was hidden or protected.

IV. Shigaraki as Bunny’s Brother

Age & Timeline:

• Matches Bunny’s supposed deceased brother’s age.
• If alive, he would be the same age as Shigaraki.

Physical Similarities:

• Shigaraki and Bunny’s brother share notable physical features.

Organization’s Role:

• ‘Potato Head’ gathering children suggests he may have taken in Bunny’s brother.

V. Next Steps

1. Planned Face-to-Face Meeting:

   • Tiger and Bunny have arranged a direct meeting with all three individuals.
   • This will allow for observation of reactions and possible personal confirmation.

2. Showing Bunny’s Face:

   • Bunny will reveal his face to gauge their reactions and determine if they recognize him.

3. DNA Test Confirmation:

   • If suspicions remain strong, Tiger and Bunny plan to obtain DNA samples for testing.
   • This will provide concrete proof of any familial ties.

4. Behavioral Observation & Additional Evidence Collection:

   • They will take note of their mannerisms, speech patterns, and emotional reactions.
   • Any inconsistencies or confirmations will be documented.

---

he bar was dimly lit, the hum of quiet conversations filling the space. Tiger and Bunny stepped inside, their eyes scanning the room until they landed on the three figures waiting for them. Bunny’s breath caught in his throat as he finally saw what Tiger had seen before.

The old woman—the one Tiger had pointed out on the security feed—looked identical to his mother.

His mind raced. It wasn’t just a resemblance. Every feature, from the shape of her eyes to the gentle curve of her face, was the same. For the first time since this whole mess began, he fully understood why Tiger's suspicions had grown so strong.

The silence stretched for a moment before Shigaraki leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "So, you've been eager to meet with us," he said, voice slow and measured. "I'm assuming you've been thinking about my alliance."

Tiger remained standing, hands in her pockets, while Bunny swallowed hard, forcing himself to focus.

"Yes, we have," Tiger answered. "But that's not the only reason we're here. You might not know this—actually, I should probably assume you don’t—but Bunny was declared dead two years ago. A fire. His mother was also reported dead in that same fire."

Shigaraki narrowed his eyes slightly. "And?"

"Since our last meeting, we did some research," Tiger continued, her tone even. "The people I saw on the cameras—the ones watching us? The woman caught our attention. She looks identical to Bunny’s mother, Inko Midoriya."

The room went still.

Bunny forced himself to breathe, his fists clenching at his sides. "Is she?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is she really my mother?"

The room was thick with silence.

Potato Head and the older woman stared at each other, processing Tiger’s words. Even Shigaraki, who always seemed unimpressed by everything, was watching them closely, waiting for their reaction.

Bunny took a slow breath, steadying himself. "We understand if you don’t believe us," he continued. His voice was firm, but there was something raw beneath it. "That’s why we brought documents. Everything we found—every piece of evidence that led us here. And if that’s not enough…"

He hesitated, fingers twitching at his side before he forced himself to look directly at them.

"I’m willing to take my mask off," he said quietly. "If that’s what it takes to prove that I’m Izuku Midoriya."

Tomura’s confusion twisted into a sudden, visceral grief, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His voice broke as he screamed, raw and desperate, “You think you can imitate him? Pretend to be my brother?” His words were laced with pain, the grief of losing someone he cared about surfacing in an explosive outburst. “He died two years ago! There’s no way you’re him!”

The older woman, still silent, was now hunched over documents, flipping through them rapidly, her hands shaking. The men standing beside her were no longer as composed as before; their faces reflected the same heart-wrenching grief, and it was clear they were processing something they hadn’t expected to hear.

Bunny remained quiet for a long moment, watching the scene unfold before him. He could feel the sting of Tomura’s words, but he knew—deep down—that this was part of it. This was part of the truth that no one had fully embraced yet. Slowly, he reached up, pulling the mask from his face once again, this time with more force, as though trying to rid himself of any lingering doubts.

"You found a shirt… half-burnt. The left sleeve gone," Bunny started, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow. “I ran in after asking anyone around if they’d seen my mother.” He paused, the memory still vivid in his mind, the chaos and the fear, the images of the burning building. He could see it all again, like a fresh wound opening. "I know that, because... that was me. I was there."

He inhaled deeply before continuing. "When I ran in, I was looking for you, Mom, but I couldn’t find you. There were pillars and rubble everywhere, crushing everything, and I couldn't breathe. I immediately took off my shirt because it started to catch on fire. And then I jumped out the window. I didn't know what else to do."

As he spoke, his voice softened, the raw pain slipping through. His face, still freckled and familiar, held a faint, undeniable resemblance to the person they were all mourning. His green eyes glinted with the red of old, unshed tears, and the strands of black and white mixed in his hair added to the haunting familiarity of the story he told.

For a moment, no one spoke. The weight of his words, the truth of it all, hung heavy in the air. Tomura’s grief seemed to morph into something else, something like disbelief, mixed with the sting of old wounds.

The older woman finally stopped reading the documents, looking up slowly, her eyes flickering between Bunny and Tomura. The silence in the room became suffocating.

The words fell from Bunny’s lips before he could stop them, a rush of thoughts that had been building for years now spilling out. He didn't know why it felt so important to say them, but he had to.

“Ten-nii…” he said softly, his voice breaking slightly as he mentioned his older brother. “And I’m guessing Potato Head is Dad, right? You both went on a job and never came back. They said you were killed in a villain fight, that the villain was fighting All Might. I always knew... and Tiger confirmed it. You were working in the black market with villains. I'm guessing that injury came from your fight with All Might, and you were too injured to come back. Ten-nii didn’t have a way back without Dad.”

Inko’s face paled, her hand trembling as she pulled it back from reaching toward Bunny. She looked at him with a mixture of horror and disbelief, as if hearing those words had unlocked something she wasn’t ready to face. Her voice was quiet, almost lost in the weight of it all.

"How do you… know all of that?" she whispered, her words shaky. "How do you know about that? That we were involved with the black market… and the fight with All Might... and everything after?"

Tomura remained eerily still, his eyes now narrowed as he processed what Bunny had said. The anger had faded, replaced by something colder, more calculating. But the grief still hung in the air around him, like a storm waiting to break.

Bunny’s green eyes met Inko’s, and he could see the heartbreak, the confusion in them. She had always been told that her family had been lost forever. And now here he was, standing before her—alive, but broken, carrying the truth of a life she couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

“I never wanted to know it like this,” Bunny said, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. “But the truth, Mom... it’s been so long. I’ve had to live with it. I don’t know how we can fix this, but I just need you to know that I’m here.”

Tomura’s gaze flickered between the two of them, his lips curling into something that wasn’t quite a sneer. "This... doesn’t make any sense," he muttered under his breath. "None of it does."

The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, as Bunny stood there, exposed—caught between two worlds that had never quite made sense to him, trying to make sense of the wreckage that had been left behind.

Inko finally stepped back, wiping her tears away with trembling hands. "Izuku… I never wanted you to know this. I never wanted any of this for you," she whispered, the regret in her voice clear. "I couldn’t protect you from it. I couldn’t even protect myself."

“Mom, what do you mean?”

This time, it was Potato Head who answered.

“I am Hisashi, and my villain name is All For One,” he began. “Your mom and I met when she was assigned to assassinate me. She wasn’t really an assassin, though, and after a long talk, I decided to take her out on a date. We became a couple, got married, and for our honeymoon, we moved to America. We stayed there for four years, continuing our criminal work. I kept a relatively low profile for what I usually did, mostly working behind the scenes in the black market.

“When you were on the way, your mom was five months pregnant. We decided to move back to Japan while we were staying in a hotel, waiting for our house to be ready. During that time, we found your older brother, Tenko. We adopted him, and he moved in with us. He used to have light blue hair and red eyes. His red eyes stayed, but his hair eventually went back to black. You never saw him with the light blue hair because it was a side effect of his quirk.

“At one point, your brother and I went on a job together, and All Might recognized me. We had a fight. I’m technically his nemesis. I was heavily injured during the battle, and that’s how I ended up with the ‘Potato Head,’ as you call it. By the time I could get in contact with your mother again, we had already been assumed dead. I sent some of my friends, villains, to pick up your mom, but they were found by Endeavor. We were about to get your mom, but we thought you had died the same day.”

The room was warmer now, the tension that had weighed down on everyone for so long beginning to lift. Bunny sat in the corner, watching as the family around him slowly found their rhythm, as if no time had passed at all. Inko, her hands still trembling but no longer with the weight of grief, had pulled out a worn photo album. The edges of the pages were frayed, but each photo told a story that had been tucked away for far too long.

“Look at this one,” Inko said softly, turning the page to reveal a picture of a young Bunny, barely a toddler, sitting on Hisashi’s lap, grinning as he held up a toy car. “You were always so excited to play with those. We couldn’t get you to stop, no matter how hard we tried.”

Hisashi chuckled, his voice low and full of warmth. “And this one…” He pointed to a picture of a family picnic, everyone laughing as Bunny tried to run but ended up tripping over his own feet. “You looked like you were about to take off running at full speed, and then boom, down you went. You were always so determined, even back then.”

Bunny’s cheeks flushed, but a small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. “I don’t remember that,” he muttered, though his voice carried a hint of affection for the memory.

Inko smiled softly, her eyes glistening with a bittersweet joy. “You were so small, always full of energy. You’d run circles around everyone.”

Tenko, now a bit older and quieter, leaned over to peer at the photos. “You never did stop running,” he said, his voice dry but affectionate. “Even when we were kids, you were always in a hurry to get somewhere. I guess some things never change.”

“Guess not,” Bunny replied, his tone light. For a moment, it felt like everything was back to the way it should have been—the family together, sharing stories, laughing over memories that no longer felt lost.

Inko glanced over at Tenko, her smile softening. “And you,” she said, gently nudging him. “Always so serious. You didn’t like having your picture taken. I remember the first time you smiled for a camera—It took us forever to convince you.”

Tenko shrugged, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Guess I had my reasons,” he muttered, though it was clear he didn’t mind so much now.

Hisashi laughed, his voice full of warmth. “You were always so stubborn, Tenko. Just like your brother.” He gave Bunny a teasing look. “You’ve been a handful since the day you were born.”

Bunny grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was just... curious.”

The easy banter continued as they flipped through the album, lost in the moment of simply being together. The world outside seemed so distant, and for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.

Tiger, sitting quietly in the corner, watched them with a rare, soft smile on her face. She had expected to feel more like an outsider in this moment, but the bond between them was undeniable, the love palpable in the air. She had always respected this family from a distance, but now, seeing them together like this—it was clear just how strong they were.

The conversation moved on, the family recounting silly stories from their past, sharing jokes and teasing each other in a way that felt natural, like they had never been apart.

At some point, Bunny glanced over at Tiger, finally realizing she hadn’t spoken in a while. “Hey, Tiger,” he said, his voice soft, but it carried a genuine warmth. “You okay?”

Tiger blinked, momentarily pulled out of her thoughts. She had forgotten, for just a moment, that she wasn’t part of the family—forgotten that she wasn’t supposed to be intruding. “Yeah,” she said, her voice steady. “Just… enjoying the moment.”

Bunny smiled, and for a brief moment, it almost felt like Tiger was a part of this too, caught up in the simple joy of family.

Inko’s eyes welled with tears She glanced over at Tiger, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and emotion. “You’ve done so much for him,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You’ve been his support when we couldn’t be there. And you didn’t even know him. We thought we had lost him. I can’t thank you enough.”

Tiger, sitting quietly and listening, felt the weight of those words. Her red eyes softened, and for a moment, she couldn’t speak. She looked down at her hands, her usual sharp, controlled demeanor slipping into something more vulnerable. The gratitude in Inko’s voice was almost overwhelming, and she wasn’t used to being the one thanked for something so personal, so deeply felt.

“You don’t need to worry, ma’am,” Tiger finally said, her voice low but gentle, almost tender. She met Inko’s gaze, her eyes softening as she spoke. “I had a great time with Izuku. He’s a smart kid, I can tell. He grew up well.”

Inko’s eyes brightened at the praise, though her expression remained filled with gratitude. “I just... I never wanted him to feel alone,” she murmured.

Tiger gave a small nod. “You have a great mom,” she continued, her voice firm but caring. “And an intelligent brother.” She glanced at Tenko, offering him a small, almost playful smile. “Always scared of him, though,” she added with a hint of humor, though there was a warmth behind it. She could see the bond between the siblings, even if they were still finding their way through all of this.

Inko chuckled, wiping at her eyes as she tried to keep herself composed. “He’s a bit of a handful sometimes, but I’m proud of him.”

Tiger’s expression softened even more, the familiar steely walls she always held up slowly crumbling as she spoke again. “He taught me what a family is supposed to feel like,” she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. “I never had one, so... you really shouldn’t thank me. I’m thankful just to have met him in the first place. He... he made me understand what it means to be cared for.”

The words hung in the air, and for a long moment, there was nothing but a quiet understanding between them. Inko reached out, her hand gentle but sincere. “Thank you,” she said again, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you for being there when we couldn’t. Thank you for helping him become the person he is today.”

Tiger’s gaze softened as she looked at Bunny, her eyes lingering on him for a moment. He met her gaze, his expression filled with unspoken gratitude, and for once, there was no tension, no fear, just a sense of peace in the quiet between them.

“You’re welcome,” Tiger said simply, and though the words were few, they held everything she couldn’t say.

“Bunny—no, Izuku…” Tiger started, her voice softer than usual, with a vulnerability that was rare for her. She hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I understand now, more than ever. If you don’t want to stay as my partner, I understand. Family comes first. You’ve taught me that. If you want to be with them to catch up on all the years you’ve missed, I understand.”

There was a brief pause as Tiger looked at him, her eyes steady. “If you want, as a thank you for being such a good partner, a good friend, like a brother… I’d like to offer you and your family a place in the Undercity. It’s a safe place, and I know it well. I think your father would have appreciated the medical efforts we can provide.”

Bunny opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Tiger added, “But Izuku… I’m not trying to take you away from them.”

Izuku stared at Tiger, conflicted. His gaze shifted from her to Inko and Hisashi, his mind racing with thoughts of the family he’d thought lost to him forever.

“It’s fine,” she said quietly, her voice shaky but firm. “I understand. This is your family. There are more important things. You should be with them.”

she exhaled, trying to calm the nerves that had been stirred by the weight of the decision. “You can call me if you want. I can give you more tips. We can meet up for arcade or karaoke nights. We can stay friends if you want, but we don’t have to. I’m sorry… I’m rambling.”

Tenko's voice broke through the quiet, the words soft yet sincere. "Personally, I wouldn’t mind having a little sister. What do you think, Mom? Dad?" His gaze shifted to his parents, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "She took care of our little boy when we couldn’t. And she’s more than willing to sacrifice everything for him. I think… you should go to the Undercity."

Inko looked at her son, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and thoughtfulness. Hisashi, too, remained quiet, mulling over Tenko's suggestion.

"I can set up the cameras and things from the old station or lab to your new place in the city," Tenko continued. "That way, we can stay connected. I can still continue my work, and you’ll be closer to Izuku. You’ll be able to watch over him. It's the least we can do after everything Tiger’s done for him."

Inko placed a hand over her heart, visibly touched by Tenko’s words. She hadn’t expected him to speak like this, with such understanding and compassion. Hisashi, too, seemed to reflect on the idea, his gaze lingering on the family dynamics that were unfolding in front of him.

"Don’t worry, I’m not planning on leaving you," Tenko added, his tone gentle but firm. "I just think Tiger deserves this. She’s been more of a sister to Izuku when he needed one than I was. And I don’t want her to feel like we felt when we thought we lost him. It’s not fair that she had to work so hard to keep him grounded, help him, make him stronger, even when they’re the same age. And now that we’ve found him again… I don’t think it’s fair to just take him away from her."

Inko’s eyes softened with emotion as she listened to Tenko, a weight lifting from her shoulders. She could see the love Tenko had for Izuku, and for Tiger, too. It was clear that Tenko wasn’t simply concerned about keeping his family together, but about making sure everyone was where they needed to be to heal and grow.

"So, we can move into the Undercity," Tenko concluded. "We can live in a big family with Tiger and Izuku. I’ll come visit, just like I always do. And I’ll continue to work here at the bar."

Inko looked at Hisashi, who had remained silent throughout Tenko’s explanation, before speaking softly. "I think that’s a good idea, dear," she said, her voice laced with a quiet certainty. "We’d be able to be close to Izuku, and Tiger’s done so much for him. She’s like family already. I wouldn’t mind."

Hisashi, usually reserved and often distant, finally nodded in agreement. "I think, as long as Tiger isn’t too crazy, I won’t mind either. And I’d gladly appreciate the medical treatment you can offer. It would mean I could spend more time with my family, and that’s all I really want."

The room fell into a quiet calm as they all processed what had been said. For the first time in years, it felt like they were all moving toward something positive, a future where they could heal together.

Izuku watched it all unfold, a weight lifting from his chest. The family he had once thought lost to him was now here, accepting his new reality, and maybe even giving him the chance to rebuild something he’d never fully known. And for Tiger, as she sat quietly observing, there was a warmth in her chest, a sense that she had done something right by being here for him. The family, flawed as they might be, was beginning to take shape once more.

It felt like a new chapter was starting, and this time, maybe they could all move forward, together.

---

The move was a mix of excitement and nostalgia. As the family packed everything up from the old house, it felt like a chapter closing, but they all knew they were heading toward something better. No longer confined to an apartment, they had found a spacious five-bedroom house. It wasn’t just a house—it was their home, one filled with possibilities and room for everyone to grow, heal, and reconnect.

They worked together to move everything into the house, the process smooth despite the heaviness of the past that lingered. The rooms were filled with laughter and chatter as the furniture was placed and the walls took on fresh coats of paint. There were sections for everything—Dad’s room, which had been customized with all the medical equipment he needed, a space he could truly make his own. Mom took charge of setting up the medical side, handling the complexities with her usual care and determination. It was clear she had become the backbone of the family's well-being.

The kitchen was the heart of the home, and it was carefully arranged with all the items they needed to cook and share meals together. The living room came next, where the family took great care in picking out furniture that felt comfortable and inviting, each piece reflecting their unique tastes and personalities. There was even a wall gallery that held treasured photos—some old, some new. Among the pictures was a framed shot of Alice and Izuku from the day they first trained together. It felt like a distant memory now, but it was a reminder of the growth they’d both gone through, and the bond that had formed between them.

One of the bedrooms was transformed into a karaoke and movie theater. Though the space was small, it was perfect. It could barely fit six people, but they didn’t need anything more. The large screen was set up for movie nights, and the karaoke machine was ready for impromptu performances. It was a space for fun, for laughter, for the family to unwind and bond. It felt like the perfect escape after the days of hard work and unpacking.

Alice and Izuku had moved out of their old apartment, too. They settled into a comfortable space in the house, bringing all their belongings with them. Their things were scattered across their new room, and there was a sense of contentment in the air. They had finally built something lasting, a home full of memories waiting to be made.

As a special touch, the house also featured a basement that doubled as a bunker, outfitted with everything the children might need for their work—whether it was a place to study, train, or store all their equipment. It wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was a base, a sanctuary, and a symbol of the new life they were creating together.

With everything in place, the family settled in, the sounds of their laughter and conversations echoing through the house. It wasn’t perfect—there were still old wounds to heal, and the weight of the past would never fully disappear—but in that house, for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were truly together. The pieces were finally falling into place, and it felt right.

---

"So, am I supposed to call you 'big brother' or 'Ten-nii' from now on?" Tiger asked. "I mean, we’re planning on being business partners now, right?"

Tomura looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Wait, really? You mean it? You’re great as a business partner, but we never really discussed it or anything. I think that’d be awesome and super helpful."

"Yep, I’ll help you," she said. "We can be business partners, but only on one condition: you need to tell me what to call you—'big brother' or 'Ten-nii'. Also, why is your current name 'Tomura Shigaraki'? Like, I get that the family name will be mine now... I can’t believe I just said that. I’m so excited! I don’t have a problem with the family name, but what happened to your first name?"

Tomura sighed. "It’s my villain name. That way, no one knows who I really am."

Tiger smirked. "That’s a boring villain name. But I can’t say much—my name’s Silver Tiger, and my partner here... sorry, my brother here... his name’s Green Bunny. Honestly, we don’t have much of an ego with the names."

"Okay then, business partner or little sister, you can call me Ten-nii. But what I need from you is a list—lots of people—to work under me or with me. Can you get that together?"

Tiger nodded. "Of course. Don’t worry, it’ll be done like a check. But I’ll need to know what kind of people you need for each mission, so I can send you the right ones."

"Hey, kids! No business talk in the house. If you want to talk business, take it outside."

The room fell into a brief silence before everyone chuckled.

"Yes, mom," Tomura muttered, giving Inko a playful grin as he leaned back in his chair.

Tiger rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Sorry, mom," she said, matching his tone.

Bunny, sitting beside them, let out a soft laugh. "Guess we better take it outside then," he added, giving a mock salute.

Inko chuckled softly. "Good. Now, you can talk all the business you want, but not in my house!"

Hisashi grinned. "I’m with Inko on this one. Family time is family time."

With that, the atmosphere lightened, and everyone settled in, the weight of business momentarily forgotten in the warmth of home.

---

"Hey guys, want to do a roll call? Name, age, quirk, and three random things about you," Alise suggested, looking around the room.

"Sounds fun," Inko said, stretching. "Come on, everybody, to the table."

"Alright, I guess I'll start," Alise said, sitting up straight. "My name is Alise Shigaraki, I'm 12, and my quirk is called World System. My favorite color is crimson red, my favorite food is curry, and my vigilante name is Silver Tiger."

Tenko smirked. "Alright, my turn. My name is Tenko Shigaraki, I'm 16, and my quirk is Decay. My favorite food is chicken soup, my favorite color is sky blue, and my villain name is Tomura."

Inko smiled warmly before speaking. "My name is Inko Midoriya, I’m 42, and my quirk is Attraction of Small Objects—basically, I can pull small things toward me. My favorite food is homemade katsudon, my favorite color is soft green, and I love sewing in my free time."

All For One chuckled as the attention turned to him. "I suppose I’ll go next. My name is Hisashi Shigaraki, but you may know me as Dad. I’m 148, and my quirk is All For One—I can steal and transfer quirks. My favorite food is a well-cooked steak, my favorite color is black, and I collect antique books in my spare time."

Izuku blinked. "Wait, All For One allows you to take and give quirks? That's overpowered."

For a second, the entire family—except for Alise—froze.

Izuku frowned. "Guys? Is something wrong? You all look like you just realized something super important that you should have said much earlier but completely forgot about because you were too caught up in the moment."

Tenko turned to Alise. "We kind of did forget something super important. Like super important—something literally life-changing for Izuku here."

Izuku’s stomach dropped. "What is it?"

Hisashi exhaled. "Alright… Back when you were around three years old, we discovered your quirk. It was too dangerous for a child to have. To the point where it could have gotten you killed. So, without telling you, your mother and I decided that I should take your quirk. That’s why we always looked so guilty when you found out you were quirkless."

Alise's eyes narrowed. "Okay… That’s fine, I might understand if nobody discriminated against him or made his life harder because of it. But what was his quirk to begin with?"

Inko hesitated before answering. "It was… a strange combination of Attraction and All For One. It allowed him to control people’s quirks from afar as long as he could see them."

Tenko nodded. "He also had the ability to do exactly what All For One does—except he didn’t have a range limit. As long as he could see someone, he could take their quirk. We were worried that, because of my quirk, he might accidentally make me—or someone else—hurt people without realizing it. It was way too strong for a child, so Dad, Mom, and I decided it was best to wait until he turned ten and just say he was a late bloomer… But we never got the chance. And now… we’re two years too late."

Izuku and Alise exchanged a look before speaking in unison.

"Then just fix it. Give him his quirk back now, teach him how to use it properly, and spend time with him."

Hisashi leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin as he considered their words. "It's not that simple," he finally said. "Izuku’s quirk was powerful, yes, but returning it isn't as easy as just handing it back. There are risks involved—physical, mental, and even genetic. Quirks, especially ones that have been removed, don't always settle back into the body the same way."

Izuku crossed his arms. "I don’t care about the risks. You took it from me without asking, and I spent my whole life believing I was worthless because of it. If there's even a chance I can have it back, I want it."

Hisashi sighed. "I understand. But you also need to understand that your body has adapted to being quirkless for over a decade. Giving it back might not be a smooth process."

Alise rolled her eyes. "You're making it sound like some huge crisis, but let's be real. You have my brother’s quirk. You can give it back, and I can help stabilize it."

Tenko raised an eyebrow. "How?"

"World System," Alise answered simply. "I can modify how the quirk reintegrates. If there’s an issue, I can rewrite it."

Hisashi looked intrigued. "You’d be willing to do that?"

Alise scoffed. "Of course. Izuku’s my brother. I’m not letting some unstable quirk transfer mess him up."

Izuku glanced between them, feeling a mix of emotions. This was happening fast—too fast. He'd gone from believing he was quirkless to finding out he once had an overpowered ability and that his family had kept it from him. Now they were talking about giving it back, just like that.

Hisashi seemed to sense his hesitation. "Take some time to think about it, Izuku. This isn't a decision you should make lightly."

Izuku shook his head. "No. I already know what I want. I want my quirk back."

Inko reached out and squeezed his hand. "Alright. But if we're doing this, we're doing it safely. As a family."

Alise smirked. "Then let’s get started."

Hisashi nodded, standing up. “Alright. If we're doing this, we need to prepare. We’ll need a controlled environment, medical equipment in case anything goes wrong, and, of course, Alise monitoring the transfer to stabilize the process.”

Alise stretched her arms. “No problem. I’ll set up a coding framework to smooth out the reintegration.”

Tenko tilted his head. “You can actually rewrite quirks?”

Alise grinned. “I can rewrite anything as long as it’s connected to a system. And quirks? They run on a biological system that I can modify—if I have enough data. That’s why I’ll need to monitor everything in real-time.”

Izuku clenched his fists, his heart pounding. He had spent years believing he was quirkless, being told he wasn’t enough. And now? He was about to get back the power that had been his all along.

Inko smiled gently at him. “Sweetheart, are you sure? No one is forcing you. You can take your time—”

“No,” Izuku interrupted, shaking his head. “I want this. I need to know who I was supposed to be.”

Hisashi nodded. “Then let’s get started.”

The room they chose was part of the Undercity’s medical facility—a private, reinforced space filled with advanced equipment. Alise had set up multiple monitors, each one displaying lines of binary code alongside Izuku’s biometric data.

Tenko leaned against the wall, watching. “So how’s this gonna work? Dad just hands the quirk back?”

Hisashi smirked. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”

He stepped forward and placed a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “I’ll transfer the quirk, but your body might reject it at first. That’s where Alise comes in—she’ll stabilize the process in real-time.”

Alise cracked her knuckles. “I’ll make sure it sticks. Just don’t freak out if reality glitches for a second.”

Izuku took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Hisashi’s eyes glowed faintly as his quirk activated. A rush of energy filled the room as the transfer began. Izuku gasped, his body locking up as something deep inside him shifted. It was like fire spreading through his veins, a power that had been lost suddenly waking up.

Alise’s fingers flew across her holographic keyboard. “I’ve got you, Bunny. Just hold on.”

The screens flickered, data scrolling rapidly as Alise adjusted the reintegration. Hisashi’s expression tightened in concentration as he carefully guided the power back into Izuku.

Then—

A pulse of energy erupted from Izuku, and for a brief moment, his eyes glowed.

Alise’s screen pinged. “Reintegration complete.”

Izuku staggered, panting, as he slowly looked at his hands. He could feel it. The power humming beneath his skin, waiting to be used.

Hisashi smirked. “Welcome back, son.”

Izuku took a shaky breath, still adjusting to the sensation of power running through his body. He clenched his fists, then relaxed them, feeling the strange but familiar energy settle within him.

Alise grinned. “So, Bunny, what’s the first thing you want to do with your quirk back?”

Izuku hesitated, glancing around at his family. Inko looked relieved but concerned, Hisashi seemed proud, and Tenko… well, Tenko was smirking like he was waiting for Izuku to do something cool.

“I…” Izuku trailed off, then straightened. “I want to test it. See what I can do.”

Tenko snorted. “Figured. You’ve got that ‘I need to analyze everything’ look again.”

Alise smirked. “Alright, test run it is. But let’s be smart about this. We’ll head to the underground training room—no accidents in the living room.”

Inko sighed. “Please.”

Hisashi chuckled. “Alright then. Let’s see what my son is truly capable of.”

Izuku’s heart pounded in anticipation. This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for.

The underground training room was larger than Izuku expected. Reinforced walls, sparring equipment, and even a few holographic dummies lined the space. The air was cool, the lighting dim except for the glow of monitors displaying different combat data. It was obvious this place had been built for serious training.

Alise rolled her shoulders, already excited. “Alright, Bunny, show us what you got.”

Izuku took a deep breath and focused. His quirk was back—his real quirk. His gaze landed on Tenko first. He stretched his fingers slightly, and suddenly, he could feel the Decay quirk as if it were an extension of himself.

Tenko stiffened, feeling the light pull. “Whoa—”

Izuku immediately cut the connection, his heart racing. “Did that work? Did I actually—?”

Tenko flexed his hand, staring at it. His quirk was still intact, but for a second, he had felt something shift. “Yeah, you definitely touched my quirk, but you didn’t take it.”

Izuku took a deep breath. "Let me try again," he said, focusing.

This time, he succeeded. The sensation of Decay rushing through his veins felt strange—unnatural. He looked at his brother and immediately returned the quirk, not wanting to hold onto it any longer. But now, something felt different. His storage had expanded, yet it felt... empty.

"Something wrong?" Alise asked, watching him carefully.

Izuku shook his head slightly. "Not much. It just feels like I unlocked a new slot in a video game, and now it feels empty because there's nothing there."

Hisashi nodded in understanding. "Yeah, that's kind of how All For One works. It's hungry. The more you use it, the more it upgrades itself. Now, instead of taking a quirk, try controlling someone’s quirk instead."

Izuku turned to his mother, hesitating for a moment. "Sorry, Mom," he said before forcibly activating her quirk.

A small string from the ground floated toward Inko as if drawn by an invisible force.

Tenko raised an eyebrow. "Well, that worked on the first try."

Inko blinked as the string floated into her hand. She turned it over, testing the pull of her quirk before glancing at Izuku. “That was… weird,” she admitted. “I could feel my quirk activating, but I wasn’t the one using it.”

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, it felt weird on my end too. Like I was borrowing it, but at the same time, it was still yours.”

Hisashi chuckled. “That’s because you’re not actually taking it—just manipulating it. With practice, you’ll be able to fine-tune the level of control, maybe even push a quirk beyond its normal limits.”

Alise grinned. “That’s pretty cool. Kinda like hacking into the code of a quirk and running commands remotely.”

Tenko crossed his arms. “Alright, but what about limitations? Does he have a time limit? A range limit?”

Izuku frowned. “I don’t know yet. I didn’t feel like I was straining, but I also wasn’t trying anything complicated.”

Hisashi nodded. “Then let’s test that next. Try controlling a quirk from across the room.”

Izuku turned to Tenko, who immediately raised his hands. “Nope. Not me. Not happening.”

Alise smirked. “Coward.”

Tenko scowled. “I’d rather not accidentally decay the floor and drop us all into the basement, thanks.”

Inko sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it again. Just be careful, sweetheart.”

Izuku nodded, concentrating on her quirk again. This time, he took a step back, moving to the other side of the room before activating it. The same string on the floor lifted, hovering toward her hand.

Alise watched closely. “No noticeable delay. That’s promising.”

Tenko tapped his fingers against the table. “Try moving something heavier.”

Izuku spotted a book on the counter and focused on it. Inko’s quirk wasn’t made for lifting heavy things, but with a little effort, he managed to make it slide a few inches.

Inko gasped softly. “That’s more than I can usually do.”

Hisashi smiled, pleased. “It seems like your ability doesn’t just control quirks—it amplifies them.”

Alise grinned. “So, not only can he borrow quirks, but he can boost them? That’s broken.”

Tenko let out a low whistle. “Yeah, no kidding. If he’d kept this quirk as a kid, he probably would’ve been unstoppable by now.”

Izuku swallowed, staring at his hands. “So… what do we do next?”

Hisashi’s smile widened. “Now, we train you to master it.”

Izuku took a deep breath, steadying himself. The idea of training his newly returned quirk was both exciting and terrifying. He had spent most of his life believing he was quirkless, only to find out that his parents had taken his ability away to protect him. Now, he had a power that could rival All For One himself, and that thought alone sent a shiver down his spine.

Alise nudged him. “Hey, don’t overthink it. You’re not the same kid you were back then. You have me, Tenko, and your parents to help you figure this out.”

Izuku nodded slowly. “Right. So, where do we start?”

Hisashi stroked his chin. “The best way to understand your quirk is through trial and error. We already know you can manipulate quirks at a distance and that you can amplify their effects. Now, we should test how many quirks you can control at once.”

Inko raised a hand. “I’ll volunteer again. But maybe we should have a second person, just to see if Izuku can manage multiple quirks.”

Tenko sighed. “Fine. I’ll help too. But if I accidentally decay something, it’s on him.” He jabbed a thumb at Izuku.

Izuku swallowed. “Noted.”

Alise smirked. “This is gonna be fun.”

Steadying himself, Izuku focused on both Inko and Tenko. He reached out mentally, feeling for their quirks. Inko’s felt gentle, like a steady pull on a string, while Tenko’s was wild, chaotic, like a beast trying to break free.

Slowly, he activated them both.

The string in Inko’s hand floated up again, while at the same time, Tenko’s fingers twitched involuntarily. A faint cracking sound echoed in the room as a small part of the wooden table began to break apart.

Izuku gasped and immediately let go, the decay stopping before it could spread.

“Whoa,” Tenko muttered, staring at the slight damage. “That was way too easy for you.”

Izuku exhaled, wiping sweat from his forehead. “That… was intense.”

Hisashi’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Fascinating. You’re not just activating quirks—you’re linking with them. You feel their nature as you control them, don’t you?”

Izuku hesitated before nodding. “Yeah… it’s like I can sense their quirks as if they’re extensions of myself.”

Alise whistled. “So, you’re basically a living command console. You don’t just take quirks—you run them.”

Inko frowned slightly. “But that also means he needs a lot of control. If he had activated Tenko’s quirk at full power, the whole table—or worse, the floor—could’ve been destroyed.”

Tenko groaned. “Great. So he is broken.”

Izuku sighed. “I don’t want to be overpowered. I just… I want to learn how to use this responsibly.”

Hisashi smiled. “That’s why we’re training. And I think I know the perfect way to push your limits.”

Alise grinned. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”

Izuku, on the other hand, had a sinking feeling that his training was about to get a lot harder.

Alise tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought. "We should name your quirk properly. Calling it ‘All For One but better’ doesn’t sound right."

Tenko snorted. "Yeah, too long. Needs something cooler."

Izuku hesitated. "I never really thought about naming it. I mean… I just got it back."

Hisashi leaned forward. "Names are important. They define how people perceive a power, and more importantly, how you perceive it. Your quirk isn’t exactly the same as mine anymore. It’s changed."

Alise grinned. "Well, let’s break it down. My quirk, World System, lets me change reality like I’m editing a game. It’s all about rewriting the code of the world and bending the rules to my advantage."

Izuku nodded. "Right. And mine lets me take, store, and control quirks at will, as long as I can see the person. It’s like… managing a whole system of quirks at once."

Alise’s eyes sparkled. "Like a Quirk Administrator?"

Tenko smirked. "Or a Game Master?"

Izuku thought about it, rolling the words around in his head. "Game Master sounds a little dramatic..."

Hisashi chuckled. "You are managing abilities like a skill tree, though. Something along those lines would fit."

Alise snapped her fingers. "What about Void Draw Quirk? It describes how you pull quirks, kind of like a vacuum or a ‘draw’ system, with the ‘Void’ referring to the empty space it leaves when you take them."

Izuku considered it, then smiled. "Void Draw Quirk... I like it."

Tenko leaned back. "Alright, so now we have World System and Void Draw Quirk. Overpowered duo confirmed."

Alise grinned. "We were already overpowered."

Hisashi smirked. "Now the real question is—how well do these two quirks work together?"

Izuku and Alise exchanged a look.

Alise cracked her knuckles. "Let’s find out."

The tension in the room shifted as Izuku and Alise stood up, their eyes locked with determination. Hisashi leaned back in his chair, watching them with quiet amusement, while Tenko remained casual, his arms folded.

Alise raised an eyebrow. "Ready, Bunny?"

Izuku nodded, his heart pounding slightly from the anticipation. "Ready."

Alise tilted her head. "Alright, let’s test the synergy then. You know the drill. I’ll use my World System, and you try pulling quirks with Void Draw Quirk. We'll see what happens when they combine."

Tenko stretched lazily. "This is gonna be interesting."

Izuku focused, mentally reaching out for the quirks around him, trying to grasp one. His vision sharpened, and as he scanned the room, his focus honed in on Alise. He could feel her quirk—the World System—twisting the very fabric of reality, and it almost felt like he could reach into it and pull it into himself.

He extended his hand, and with an effort, pulled at the strings of her quirk.

For a split second, the world seemed to glitch—everything around him froze as if a digital filter had been applied. Alise's quirk resisted at first, but then it came to him, flowing through his body, filling the empty space that had once been void. The feeling was strange. Her quirk had a sort of... command over reality, and with Void Draw Quirk, he was able to feel the rules of her reality bending in his hands.

He could feel the power shifting inside him, and with a sudden burst of energy, he released it.

Alise blinked, looking around as the world snapped back into place. "Huh... interesting. You didn’t just pull the quirk—you altered the environment with it, like it was part of your system too."

Izuku stared at his hands, his mind racing with what had just happened. "That was... unexpected. It felt like I was editing something, just like you do. But it was... different. Like I could actually make changes, not just store things."

Hisashi grinned, leaning forward. "That’s the power of Void Draw Quirk combined with World System. You’re not just pulling quirks; you’re pulling and adapting them to your reality. Think of it like modifying a file in a system—you’re changing the coding to fit you."

Tenko chuckled. "Now that’s a combo. You two are gonna break the system at this rate."

Alise smiled slyly. "Let’s not get too cocky, Tenko. We need to make sure the power doesn’t get out of control."

Izuku felt the weight of her words but didn’t let the concern overshadow his excitement. "I think we’ve just found a way to work together. We can control the rules, bend reality, and change how things work."

Tenko’s smirk grew. "Well, then, business partners, huh? Let’s see how this turns out."

Izuku and Alise exchanged a glance, both grinning.

"We’ve only just begun," Alise said.

And with that, the room filled with a quiet sense of anticipation, knowing that they had unlocked something powerful, and the road ahead was going to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Chapter 10: The origins of Akita

Notes:

For this chapter, I need to ask for help from my mom. She's much better at catching up on things—I’m way too much of an introvert. So, I wanted to thank her for all the ideas that were used in this chapter.

and Thank you for finding this fanfiction! I'm not even on episode one of the anime, yet there are already over 300 hits.

It felt like any other end of the week. Dinner was ready, the warm scent of home-cooked food filling the air. Mom had just finished cooking, and Dad, in his wheelchair, rolled up to the table. Everyone settled in, the familiar rhythm of their routine bringing a quiet sense of comfort.

As always, it was Dad who started the conversation.

“So, any updates on work? You know, your mom and I—well, mostly me—are stuck here with nothing exciting going on. I could use a good story or two.”

The siblings exchanged a glance before one of them smirked.

“Well,” one of them said, “I guess we can give you a few stories from today.”

Alise leaned back in her chair, resting her elbow on the table as she spoke. “I started visiting the orphanages again. I've been helping the quirkless with self-defense classes, taught a few kids how to cook, and even helped some of the girls make Valentine’s Day cards for each other. There were a few troublesome quirks, but I managed to help them get better control.”

Mom smiled as she passed the serving dish around. “That’s wonderful, Alise. Those kids must really look up to you.”

Dad nodded, tapping his fingers on the table. “Teaching kids self-defense, cooking, and even crafting? Sounds like you’re running a whole school over there.”

Alise smirked. “Well, someone has to make sure they grow up knowing how to take care of themselves.”

Izuku set down his fork and leaned forward slightly. “I’ve been training and experimenting more with my new quirk. There’s still a lot to figure out, but I’m making progress. Right now, I’m looking for a few bartenders to help me refine it, and I have one trainer—he usually works with kids—helping me with the more technical stuff. I’m getting a lot better. I can even close my eyes and completely sense other people’s powers now. And I’m starting to recognize them just by looking at someone.”

Mom blinked. “You can do that just by looking at them?”

Dad let out a low whistle. “That’s impressive. Sounds like you’re getting the hang of it faster than I expected.”

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s still a work in progress, but yeah, it’s getting easier.”

Mom reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’m proud of you both. You’re doing amazing things.”

Dad grinned. “Now, tell me, did anything actually exciting happen today? Any chaos? Funny stories? I need something to make up for the dull life of sitting at home.”

Alise and Izuku exchanged a look before Alise chuckled. “Oh, we’ve got a few stories for you.”

Alise took a sip of her drink before setting it down. “Alright, let’s see… Oh, there was this kid today, maybe seven or eight, who insisted he didn’t need my self-defense lessons because he already had a quirk.” She smirked, resting her chin on her hand. “He was convinced his quirk made him invincible.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “And was it?”

Izuku snorted. “Not even close.”

Alise shook her head, grinning. “He had a small force field quirk, but it only lasted about half a second. He thought it made him untouchable, so he kept trying to charge at people, thinking he’d bounce right off them.”

Mom sighed, setting down her fork. “Oh, that poor child.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Alise said. “I showed him how to actually use it properly. By the end of the lesson, he wasn’t getting knocked on his butt anymore.”

Dad chuckled. “Sounds like you saved him from learning the hard way.”

Izuku leaned back in his chair. “Speaking of people learning things the hard way, I saw someone today who really shouldn’t have been behind a bar.”

Mom gave him a questioning look. “Oh?”

Izuku nodded. “Yeah. One of the bartenders I was considering turned out to have zero experience. I mean, he tried to mix a drink and nearly set the counter on fire.”

Dad let out a loud laugh. “What was he trying to make, a Molotov cocktail?”

“Something with a flame effect,” Izuku said, shaking his head. “But he misjudged the alcohol percentage and, well... let’s just say the fire alarms went off.”

Mom covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Please tell me no one got hurt.”

“No injuries,” Izuku assured her. “Just a lot of embarrassment and one very scorched countertop.”

Alise smirked. “And did you hire him?”

Izuku shot her a look. “Absolutely not.”

Dad wiped a tear from his eye from laughing. “Well, I’d say that’s plenty of excitement for one day.”

Mom shook her head with a smile. “I swear, every time you two come home, it’s like hearing stories from another world.”

Alise shrugged. “We just know how to keep life interesting.”

Izuku lifted his glass slightly. “To another eventful day.”

Dad raised his own in response. “And to hoping tomorrow is just as entertaining.”

Mom sighed playfully. “Or maybe a little less eventful.”

As the laughter died down, Alise glanced at Izuku and then shifted her gaze to the other side of the table, where Tenko had been quietly listening to their stories. He hadn’t said much, as usual, but his presence always added a subtle warmth to the dinner table.

“Well, Tenko,” Alise said with a teasing smile, “you’ve been awfully quiet. Anything exciting happen today?”

Tenko shrugged slightly, his usual expression of calm curiosity taking over. “Nothing too wild. I just helped out at the shelter again.” He hesitated, like he was holding something back. “There was this kid… kept talking about wanting to find his parents. I don’t know if he’ll ever really understand the situation, but he kept asking questions about his future.”

Dad’s expression softened, his tone turning more serious. “That’s a tough one.”

“Yeah,” Tenko continued, his voice a little more distant, “it was hard to answer him. I mean, I don’t even know where I fit into all this, sometimes. I can’t really tell him everything about… well, you know.”

Alise nodded gently. “You don’t have to. Not every kid needs to know the full story right away.”

Izuku smiled softly at Tenko. “You’re doing a good job. Helping those kids the way you do—it matters.”

Tenko gave a small, appreciative nod. “Thanks, but… sometimes I wonder if it’s enough.”

Mom reached over and placed a hand on his. “You’re making a difference, Tenko. You always have.”

The table fell into a quiet moment for a beat, everyone soaking in the unspoken understanding between them. Then, Alise leaned back, breaking the silence with a smirk.

“Alright, enough of the serious talk. I’m starting to feel like we’re in one of those emotional movies.”

Izuku laughed, pushing his empty plate away. “Yeah, let’s save the deep talks for later. We’ve got a whole weekend ahead of us, after all.”

Tenko’s lips quirked into a tiny smile, and even though he didn’t say much more, the warmth at the table seemed to settle over him, just like it did with everyone else.

---

Alise stretched and glanced over at the living room.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I think it’s time for a little fun. How about we do karaoke tonight?”

Mom raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Karaoke? You know, last time we did that, someone—” she shot a look at Izuku “—decided it was a good idea to sing that song.”

Izuku groaned, his cheeks reddening slightly. “I said I was sorry! I just didn’t realize the lyrics were so... complicated.”

Dad chuckled. “Complicated? You mangled the lyrics, son. I think you’re better off sticking to what you know.”

Izuku’s face went even redder, but he couldn’t help laughing along. “Okay, okay, I get it. No more experimental songs.”

Alise stood up, offering a dramatic bow. “Well then, I shall lead by example. Get ready for some quality performance.”

Mom laughed. “As long as you don’t start an actual performance again, we’re good.”

Tenko, who had been mostly quiet, gave a small smile and shrugged. “Sure. I could use some distraction.”

Izuku grinned, glancing around at everyone. “Alright, but we’re doing this right. No holding back.”

Dad stood, pushing himself up with a chuckle. “I can already tell this is going to be interesting. I just hope we don’t break the microphone this time.”

The living room was buzzing with excitement as the karaoke machine kicked into gear. The first to step up was Alise, with a mischievous grin. She grabbed the mic, ready to show off her confidence. The opening notes of “Firework” by Katy Perry rang out, and Alise didn’t hesitate, her voice powerful as she hit every note with ease.

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag...”

Her voice soared, and the family couldn’t help but watch in admiration. Alise moved around the room with a sense of authority, her performance just as captivating as her usual persona. By the end, she threw her arms out wide, finishing the last note with a dramatic flair.

“Okay, okay,” Izuku chuckled. “I’m not even sure I can follow that.”

Mom laughed, clapping. “You’re right. That was impressive.”

Alise grinned, stepping aside as she gestured for someone else to take the stage. “Alright, someone else take the spotlight before I get too used to this.”

Izuku, after a few nervous glances, was pushed up by the family’s encouragement. “Fine, fine,” he muttered, taking the mic. The opening chords of “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons began, and Izuku jumped in. He wasn’t the most confident singer, but the song felt right.

“Look out for yourself!”

Izuku’s voice shook at first, but as the chorus hit, he found his rhythm. His nervousness faded as the beat picked up, and he sang with passion, completely losing himself in the song’s drive and energy. By the end, he had a determined look on his face, even as the family cheered.

“Not bad, Bunny,” Alise teased, winking at him.

Izuku shrugged, clearly proud of himself. “Better than last time, right?”

Then it was Tenko’s turn, and he hesitated, his eyes flicking toward the mic like it was something unfamiliar. But after a moment, he stepped up, picking a song that seemed far softer than the others. The familiar haunting melody of “Hallelujah” began to play.

At first, his voice was low and quiet, but as he continued, it gained strength, reverberating through the room. There was a sadness in his tone, something deeper than the others, but also a beauty. His performance was raw, each note full of emotion, making the room fall silent as they listened.

By the time he finished, the room felt almost reverent, as if the weight of the song hung in the air.

Mom’s eyes shimmered with emotion, and Dad gave him an approving nod. “That was... something else, kid.”

Tenko barely nodded, stepping away from the mic, but the small smile he gave was a sign of quiet pride.

“Your turn, Dad,” Alise said, pushing her chair back.

Dad shot her a playful look. “Oh, no way. I’m just here to support you guys.”

“Come on, you can’t leave it like that,” Izuku insisted. “One song, just one!”

After a bit of encouragement, Dad finally agreed, and the opening notes of “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond filled the room.

Izuku and Alise laughed as Dad took the mic with all the enthusiasm of someone about to start a party. His voice was shaky at first, but as the song progressed, he threw himself into it, his energy infectious. By the chorus, everyone was joining in, singing along with Dad as if they were at a concert.

“Sweet Caroline...”

They all sang together, laughing and clapping as they went through the song. It didn’t matter that Dad wasn’t the most polished singer—it was the joy in the moment that made it memorable.

Finally, Mom decided to close out the night. She stepped up, smiling gently as she chose “Imagine” by John Lennon. Her voice was soft and steady, every word imbued with a peaceful sincerity.

“Imagine there’s no heaven…”

The song echoed through the house, and the family fell silent, caught in the gravity of her voice. It was a contrast to the chaos of the night, but it felt just right. By the time she reached the final verse, the family couldn’t help but join in softly, creating an unspoken unity among them.

As the song ended, Mom smiled at them all. “Thank you. That was… perfect.”

Alise laughed softly. “You’re the best singer here, no doubt.”

Izuku grinned. “Agreed. That was beautiful.”

“Alright,” Dad said, clapping his hands together. “This was a lot more fun than I expected. But now, we need a breather—who’s up for some snacks?”

The group laughed, the evening winding down, but the memories of their karaoke night would stick with them, bringing a lightness to their hearts. No matter what happened, nights like these made everything feel a little bit easier.

After a few rounds of upbeat songs, Alise looked over at Izuku, her eyes gleaming.

“Hey, Izuku, how about we do a duet?”

Izuku blinked in surprise. “A duet? What song?”

Alise’s smile was playful as she clicked a few buttons on the karaoke machine. The opening notes of “Rewrite the Stars” began to play.

“Oh, this one. The Greatest Showman,” Alise said, with a wink. “You know it, right?”

Izuku, a bit taken aback but excited, nodded. “Sure! Let’s do it!”

Alise took the lead with a confident tone, her voice strong and clear as she began singing:

“You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep sayin' our hands are tied”

Izuku smiled, catching her rhythm and jumping into his part:

“You claim it's not in the cards
And fate is pullin' you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?”

Alise’s eyes sparkled as she sang her part, her voice full of emotion:

“What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find”

Izuku, getting more into it, chimed in:

“It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
So why don't we rewrite the stars?
Maybe the world could be ours
Tonight”

The playful back-and-forth continued as they both sang, caught up in the duet. Alise leaned into the emotional weight of the song as she softened her voice for the next part:

“You think it's easy
You think I don't wanna run to you
But there are mountains
And there are doors that we can't walk through”

Izuku followed, his voice tinged with frustration, a hint of the challenge he faces with his quirkless state:

“I know you're wondering why because we're able to be
Just you and me within these walls
But when we go outside, you're gonna wake up and see
That it was hopeless after all”

Alise stepped back as she harmonized with Izuku, their voices blending beautifully:

“No one can rewrite the stars
How can you say you'll be mine?
Everything keeps us apart
And I'm not the one you were meant to find”

Izuku, his tone growing more insistent, joined her with conviction:

“It's not up to you
It's not up to me
When everyone tells us what we can be
How can we rewrite the stars?
Say that the world can be ours
Tonight”

They harmonized, their voices blending effortlessly, as they reached the climax of the song:

“All I want is to fly with you
All I want is to fall with you
So just give me all of you
It feels impossible
It's not impossible
Is it impossible?
Say that it's possible”

With a soft, passionate look exchanged between them, they sang the final part in perfect unison, their voices echoing in the room:

“How do we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine?
Nothing can keep us apart
'Cause you are the one I was meant to find
It's up to you
And it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
And why don't we rewrite the stars?
Changing the world to be ours
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
But I can't have you
We're bound to break and my hands are tied”

The song ended with the final, heartfelt note hanging in the air. They both stepped back, a little breathless but smiling. The family clapped, some a bit misty-eyed, caught up in the emotional delivery.

“That was amazing,” Izuku said, his voice soft with a bit of disbelief. “We nailed it.”

Alise gave him a proud grin, clearly enjoying the chemistry they had during the performance. “Told you. Karaoke’s all about going all in.”

Mom wiped a tear from her eye. “That was beautiful, you two. You both really brought something special to it.”

Dad laughed, still clapping. “Well, that was certainly one way to end karaoke night. You two are dangerous when you team up.”

---

Alise, Izuku, and Tenko gathered near the door. They’d made a plan the night before, and today was the day they’d follow through.

“Alright, let’s go,” Alise said, grabbing her jacket and heading out the door. “I’m excited to see what this new arcade is all about. First one in the city, right?”

Izuku nodded, adjusting his own jacket. “Yeah, it's right next to the bar Eraserhead usually goes to. It’s about time something like this opened up here.”

Tenko, who had been unusually quiet, stood in the corner of the room, fidgeting slightly with his hands. The arcade was a new experience for him, and he wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But Alise’s excitement seemed to rub off on him, and a small glimmer of curiosity sparked in his eyes.

“Are you coming with us, Tenko?” Izuku asked, noticing the hesitation.

Tenko gave a small nod, glancing up. “Yeah, I’ll come. Just never been to an arcade before.”

“Don’t worry,” Alise said with a reassuring smile. “It’s all fun and games. You’ll love it.”

With that, the three of them set off down the street, chatting about the games they hoped to find at the arcade. Izuku mentioned a few old-school ones he used to play when he was younger, while Alise was more interested in seeing the newest virtual reality setups. Tenko didn’t say much, but he couldn’t help but listen, feeling a strange sense of belonging in their conversation.

As they walked toward the arcade, they saw the neon lights of the building shining brightly through the windows. The arcade’s entrance was large and colorful, with bright signs advertising the latest games and prizes. It looked like the kind of place that might hold all sorts of new adventures, and it didn’t take long before the trio entered, the sound of electronic music and arcade machines greeting them.

The first thing that hit them was the noise—beeps, music, and the clatter of buttons being pressed. The arcade was bustling with kids and teens, their faces lit up by the colorful screens of the machines.

“I knew it was going to be big, but this place is massive,” Alise remarked, eyes wide as she scanned the room.

Izuku grinned. “I think I’m going to start with the claw machine,” he said, already heading toward the row of machines with plush prizes dangling from their claws.

Tenko trailed behind, still taking it all in. He watched Izuku approach the claw machine and felt a pang of nervousness. But as he looked around, he noticed how carefree everyone else seemed, how simple it all was. It was just fun. A lot different from the kind of life he was used to.

A small voice came from beside him. “Want to try the racing game?”

It was Alise, holding up a coin for one of the racing game machines. Tenko hesitated for a moment, then took it from her, feeling the weight of the decision.

“Alright, I’ll give it a shot,” he said quietly, and they both walked toward the machine.

Izuku turned around to see them heading for the racing game, then quickly called out, “Hey, don’t leave me behind!” He jogged over to join them, grabbing a second coin.

Together, the trio slid into the racing seats, strapping themselves in. The game began, and the sound of engines roaring filled the air. Alise was first to react, her hands on the steering wheel, grinning with determination. Izuku was close behind, trying to match her speed, while Tenko fumbled slightly with the controls, still getting the hang of it.

“This is awesome!” Izuku cheered as they sped around the track, a competitive edge in his voice.

Alise smirked, glancing at him. “You’re not going to beat me that easily, Bunny.”

Tenko was focused on the road ahead, trying to keep up with their pace. He wasn’t sure why, but the thrill of the game made his heart race. By the end of the round, Alise was in the lead, but Izuku was right on her tail.

“You won,” Tenko said quietly, looking at her screen. “That was fun.”

Alise shot him a grin, pleased with the win. “See? Told you.” She turned to Izuku. “Alright, your turn. I’m going to try out that virtual reality game next.”

They spent the next few hours hopping from game to game, with each one more exciting than the last. Tenko had never realized how much fun an arcade could be, especially when surrounded by people who actually understood the value of having a good time. As the sun began to set outside, they found themselves sitting on the edge of the arcade, sipping soda and chatting.

“Alright, next time we’re coming back for that giant prize claw machine,” Izuku said, eyes sparkling with determination. “I’m not leaving until I win something.”

“I’m in,” Alise said with a playful wink. “But only if you’re ready to lose.”

Tenko smiled to himself, a little more comfortable now, feeling like a part of something real. “Yeah, next time. I’m ready.”

The trio headed out of the arcade as the evening grew darker, each of them carrying a bag of small prizes they’d won along the way.

Alise gave them both a look of satisfaction. “Now, how about we grab dinner on the way home? I’m starving after all that excitement.”

Izuku nodded enthusiastically. “You read my mind.”

And with that, they made their way down the street, already planning their next trip to the arcade.

---

It was like any other trip. They had spent a whole week outside the city, their usual routine, when they ran into a giant group of villains—at least a dozen, if not more—just in the middle of a building.

'We're going to fight all of them at once, aren't we?' Bunny asked.

"Yes, we are. Time to get to work,"

Tiger and Bunny unmuted their headphones, and the playlist started playing.

Bite my tongue, bide my time
Wearing a warning sign
Wait 'til the world is mine

Tiger jumped onto the ceiling like a spider before swinging down and kicking two guys in the head.

Bunny disappeared quietly into the shadows, reappearing to use his dagger, knocking out three guys by striking the backs of their necks.

You should see me in a crown
I'm gonna run this nothing town
Watch me make 'em bow
One by one by one
One by one by...

No matter how many times Tiger and Bunny knocked them out, the villains kept getting back up. They needed something bigger, but how could they signal each other without screaming it out loud?

That’s when something clicked. Tiger had an idea for how to make sure Bunny knew when to duck or dodge, without actually saying it.

"You should see me in a crown", Tiger sang out.

Bunny was confused for a second, then it clicked. He responded, "Your silence is my favorite sound," before disappearing back into the darkness.

Tiger unleashed a giant shockwave with her sword, knocking every single villain to the ground.

After knocking them all out, they tied up the villains and sent an anonymous tip to the police. As soon as they started hearing sirens, they made their way back to the city—of course, after leaving a note that said:

~Silver Tiger and Green Bunny
Giving you a sweet gift.

---

Three years later...

The city, now mostly underground, had transformed in ways that were hard to fully grasp. What began as a refuge for those in need—a place for criminals, vigilantes, the homeless, and the neglected—had slowly grown into its own world beneath the surface. It wasn’t a bustling metropolis by any means. The undercity, as they called it, was quiet, a maze of shadows and hidden spaces where the majority of its residents stayed out of sight. People weren’t just hiding; they were living—just out of reach from the rest of the world above.

Strict entry rules had kept it from becoming overcrowded. Only those who passed the rigorous tests were allowed in. For the most part, the undercity was sparse, with most of its population staying hidden within the buildings or deep in its labyrinthine streets. It felt like a quiet, secret place—a city of whispers.

But beneath the silence, there was life. The people had adapted, finding their way within the rules, even if the city was still far from perfect. What had started out of necessity had slowly become something more—a community, not without its problems, but one that was growing and learning.

Tiger and Bunny had watched it all unfold. It had been three years since they had reunited with their family—Mom, Dad, and Ten-nii—and in that time, the undercity had become their home. It wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs.

They had each other, and they had the people they fought to protect. The trust they’d built had only strengthened over the years. Even in this quiet, strange new world, there was a sense of belonging, and with every day, they found new reasons to stay and protect what they'd helped build.

It was their usual dinner when, suddenly, Dad started a conversation.

"So, you all remember that massive injury I got that hasn't fully healed yet? At least I have my eyes, mouth, some of my hair, and my face shape back. Thanks, Alice, for that."

"No problem. And yes, we all remember why and how you got that injury. All Might nearly blew up your face—not literally, but close enough. You want to say something about him? Is it about his Quirk? Because I’ve been thinking about it too. We have to do something, otherwise it’ll just keep getting stronger over time."

"Actually, that’s exactly what your dad and I have been thinking. We need to find a way to take One For All from All Might. Any ideas?"

"Actually, I have one," Izuku started. "He’s going to be looking for an apprentice or successor soon—most likely someone heroic, someone who doesn’t care about anything except everyone’s safety, not popularity, and someone who wants to help people. If we can figure out who he meets and give One For All to them, that means we can manipulate them, make them one of us, or even make the Quirk disappear forever."

"Okay, that’s a good idea, with one problem," Tenko corrected. "We’ll never know where he is. Yes, we can recognize him, even in his deflated form, but it’ll be suspicious if we’re constantly chasing him around the country, and he doesn’t seem to stay in one place."

"Actually," Alice interrupted, "I have the solution. In the new year, he’s going to be teaching at UA, most likely to find an apprentice or successor and teach the new generation of heroes. Meaning he’ll be in Musutafu. I can create an incident there and get someone to play the hero. That way, All Might would just give them his Quirk after some training, and we’ll have everything set up. That person might even need to go to UA."

This time, the whole family turned to look at Izuku.

"Why are you all looking at me?" he asked. "Oh yeah, I guess I’m the best candidate. I can easily play the part since I’m Quirkless—I’d get sympathy much more easily. Alright, fine, I’ll do it."

"Okay, here’s a list of things we’re going to need, Izuku. And I’m guessing I’m going to be involved too, from the look in your eyes, Mom. We’re going to be heading to UA, meaning we’ll need to take advantage of these fake schools, but I’m sure Dad has enough connections for that. Next—disguises. Izuku, how do you want to look?"

Izuku thought for a second. "Something bland. Probably brown hair, half buzz cut, brown eyes, and a face similar to Tenko’s."

"Okay, that works. Next, me. I’ll go with long black hair, small sharp features, and blue eyes."

"Alright, I can make all of that happen with my Quirk."

"Now," Tiger said, looking at the others, "now’s when the real work begins."

---

Izuku walked down the street in his disguise, his steps slow and deliberate. He had to play the role of a fearful, ambitious, and naive Quirkless boy, someone who looked like he could be easily overlooked. His expression was soft, eyes wide with uncertainty, the perfect image of vulnerability.

At some point, he would make his way to the tunnel where the slime villain would attack him. He had to make sure he was captured, the villain’s slime seizing him before All Might would arrive. It had to look real.

Once captured, he’d have to ask a stupid question, something filled with emotion, a backstory of desperation and longing. "What does it feel like to have a Quirk?" or something along those lines—something to draw All Might’s attention and spark the connection. It had to be convincing.

Far off, Alice watched from a hidden vantage point, making sure nothing went wrong. She was ready to step in if things took a turn, but for now, Izuku had to make it look real. Every move, every word, was part of the plan.

 

Izuku, using his fake name Akita, was walking through a tunnel. He could hear the Slime villain coming, but he had to act like he didn’t notice. He walked until the villain captured him, saying, "You will make a great vessel."

Izuku stood still, not even fighting. That’s when he saw a yellow right bigger rush through him, screaming, "Texas Smash!"

Silently, the Slime evaporated, and All Might’s attack sent Akita and the Slime villain flying. If Izuku had been a normal civilian, he most likely would have died. That’s what reckless looks like. How the hell is this reckless All Might, the number one hero? It would have killed someone.

Akita played passed out, getting slapped by All Might until he woke up. "Screamed," trying to act as surprised and frightened as possible.

"Oh good, I’m glad you’re okay. Sorry about getting you caught up in my villain fight. I don’t usually make mistakes like that, but I was in high spirits on my day off in a new place," All Might said before starting to laugh.

"I captured him safely," he said, showing a bottle full of slime. That was not a good idea. That would easily fall off and break. How stupid can he get? thought Akita to himself.

But he didn’t show it. Instead, his face had the look of a fanboy—surprised and not scared. To be fair, he felt like a good actor right now.

But before he could think about praising himself any further, All Might turned around and said, "I’ve got to go," and was about to jump off. Akita immediately clung to his pants leg, and All Might and him flew up.

"Get off of me! This is dangerous!" All Might tried to push Akita off until Akita said, "If I let go now, I’ll die. I’ll fall and die."

All Might came down and landed on top of a building. Akita started to play the fearful kid who almost got killed, acting like he didn’t know how to land. He did, but he couldn’t show it. He acted shy and started saying, "I have a question to ask you, All Might. Do you...?" But before he could finish, suddenly a bunch of smoke and steam started coming out of All Might—he was deflating.

Akita acted like he hadn’t seen it yet, looking down at the ground and mumbling, "I always wanted to be a hero, but everybody always says I can’t. I get this all the time at school... I just wanted to ask if I could be a hero, saving people..." His voice trailed off as he flashed a fearless smile. He then looked up, seeing a skeleton-looking blonde. How careless can All Might be, showing himself to a stranger? Izuku thought to himself, but only internally. On the outside, he looked surprised and concerned. He was really getting good at acting.

You could hear coughing coming from the cloud of steam and smoke. Izuku screamed, acting surprised. "You're deflating? Wait... up until now? Huh... fake? A fake?! You're so skinny!" Akita acted surprised.

"I am All Might..." said the skeleton before immediately starting to spit out blood.

"You know how the guys at the pool are always flexing and posturing? It’s like that," explained All Might.

Akita made a disbelieving face before All Might continued, "Make sure you don’t cry about it online, even accidentally." He showed Akita a giant scar that looked like a nuclear bomb had exploded on his chest. Why is he showing that to a kid? Akita thought to himself.

"It’s an injury I got from an enemy attack seven years ago. Half of my respiratory organs were destroyed, and I lost my whole stomach. I’ve become emaciated from repeated surgeries and the aftereffects. Right now, I can only work as a hero for about 3 hours a day."

"It can’t be," Akita said in disbelief. "Five years ago, was that when you fought Toxic Chainsaw?"

"You’re well informed," answered All Might. "But a punk like that couldn’t defeat me. The best fight wasn’t made public to the world. I asked that it not be made public. I wanted to save people with a smile. So, what did you want to ask?"

"Right," Akita continued. "I wanted to ask if somebody quirkless can be a hero, saving people with a smile like you." He had to act naive, like he didn’t know the answer. It was yes, but the hero would never say that—they wanted the glory for themselves.

"Pros are always risking their lives. I can’t simply say you can become a hero even without power. So if you're asking me honestly, no, I don’t think you can become a hero without power. If you want to help people, then you could also consider becoming a police officer. They are often the ones who get villains delivered to their doorsteps, but that is also a fine occupation," All Might said before heading down the building.

Akita acted depressed, but when All Might wasn’t looking, a sinister grin grew on his face.

Akita made his way down the building. By now, the Slime villain should have escaped. He made sure the bottle fell when he grabbed All Might’s leg. Like clockwork, he started hearing explosions and screams. He ran toward the commotion, only to see... was that his childhood friend, the one who bullied him? Wow, unlucky.

Katsuki Bakugo was captured and being suffocated by the Slime villain. Akita ran through the crowd after seeing that none of the heroes around were doing anything. "We need backup! None of us have the right power for the villain!"

Akita threw his backpack at the villain's eye, giving Bakugo enough time to breathe. Just in time, All Might punched the Slime villain, defeating it once again—this time for good.

Akita was getting scolded by a few heroes, even though he had run into danger to help a civilian while they did nothing. He stayed quiet; he had to stick to the plan.

After the scolding, he made his way back to where his old home would have been, acting like he lived around there. That was when he was startled by none other than the deflated All Might.

All Might immediately started to speak. "Young man, I came with thanks, a correction, and a suggestion. If you hadn’t been there, if you hadn’t told me about your life, I... I would've turned into a guy in a body suit who was all talk. Thank you."

Akita immediately started defending All Might, saying things like, "I got in the way of your work, and I said all those impertinent things, even though I am quirkless."

"That's right," cut in All Might. "It was because it was none other than the timid, quirkless you at the scene that I was able to act. Top heroes have stories about them from their school days. Most of the stories have one thing in common—their bodies moved before they had a chance to think."

Akita started to act emotional, like he was about to cry, with watery eyes.

"That was true for you too, wasn’t it?" All Might sounded like a question, but it was definitely not. "You can become a hero," he continued, explaining everything about One For All and that he could give Akita his quirk. The plan worked perfectly. Akita—no, Bunny—was now the successor of One For All while having All For One and being the son of All For One. What an interesting turn of events, he thought to himself.

Chapter 11: Roaring lies of The unfair entrance exam

Summary:

Yes, if anyone noticed, I am naming the chapters after the episode titles from the anime.

The room was dimly lit, the faint hum of machinery in the background as they sat around the table. A long day of work behind them, it was time for a mission report.

Tenko leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "So, how did the mission go? Did you succeed, or do we need more time?"

"The plan worked perfectly," Alice reported, a smirk tugging at her lips. "He didn’t suspect a thing. Didn’t even notice I was watching. And gotta say he’s super reckless."

"Yeah," Izuku added, shaking his head. "I was playing the completely naive and defensive kid, and he just—trusted me. Showed me an injury that would make most people pass out. Told me his secrets. It was almost too easy. And get this—he tried to push me off his leg while we were meeting. If I were normal, that would’ve killed me."

Tenko scoffed. "Seriously? That’s just dumb."

"Not just that," Izuku continued. "When he blew that slime away, he could’ve easily killed me if I didn’t have fast reflexes. He never even thought about it. How stupid do you have to be?"

A soft laugh came from across the table. Inko, arms crossed, let out a long sigh. "That’s the Number One Hero for you. Sometimes I really wish I could assassinate him."

Tenko smirked. "One—that’s my job. Two—if you’re serious, I can get you in on it."

Hisashi leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So, did he give you One For All already, or is there something else?"

Izuku shook his head. "No, I don’t have it yet." He continued the report. "First, he wants to train me at Dagoba Municipal Beach Park, which just so happens to be the exact same beach I stayed at when I was homeless for… I don’t know, a year? A few months? I’m not sure. Half of that place is already cleaned, and everything is organized. I just need to sort everything into recycling or trash." He scoffed. "Which is such a waste, honestly. Most of the stuff there is perfectly fine and could be used again, but no—it's trash, so it has to be thrown away."

Alice hummed in thought. "Yeah, I remember that," she reminisced. "That’s why I kind of made you mine, right? You took me there when we made the deal about you coming with me. Oh, that was such a good time. What was that, three years ago by now?" She glanced at him. "Do you think he’ll ever find the cave you stayed in?"

Izuku shook his head. "I highly doubt it. And even if he does, there’s nothing there anymore. I checked before the mission. It's just a bit of a nostalgic spot for me now."

The family exchanged looks before nodding in unison.

"Understandable."

---

two days later...

All Might wiped the sweat from his brow as he watched Akita haul another broken refrigerator toward the truck like it was nothing. The sheer physical strength the boy possessed was beyond impressive. It was no wonder he wanted to be a hero. From what All Might had seen, Akita worked incredibly hard. What he didn’t know, of course, was that the boy standing before him wasn’t just some hopeful future hero. He was Green Bunny, the vigilante who roamed the city at night—and the son of his greatest nemesis.

But that secret remained hidden.

On paper, Akita had an older brother named Mito and a twin sister named Sayori. In reality, they were Tenko and Alise, perfectly disguised under the legal identities of the Quinton family's foster and adoptive children. The paperwork was airtight. Officially, the Quinton family consisted of one biological child, one foster child, and one adopted child—an ideal cover.

All Might had never met any of them.

Not yet, at least.

He had made it clear that he only wanted to meet them after passing One For All onto Akita. He wanted to focus on the successor first, ensure the transfer was successful, and then, perhaps, he would take a look at the family supporting the young man he had chosen.

For now, though, Akita continued working, lifting and moving debris with ease, while All Might observed, unaware of the layers of deception carefully woven around him.

"Young Akita, you want to go to U.A., right?" All Might asked.

"Yeah. My foster sister, Sayori, and I are planning to go together. I told her I’ve been training by cleaning up the beach—nothing else. Everyone's been hoping I'm a late bloomer, so I don’t think suspicion about me suddenly developing a Quirk will be too high. I’ve always wanted to go to U.A., and I’ve worked hard for it."

"But I’ve told you before," All Might said, his tone more serious. "It’s not something you can do without a Quirk. It’s sad, but that’s reality. And U.A. has the hardest hero course to get into. In other words, you’ll have to become a proper vessel for One for All before the ten months are up. That’s where this comes in."

He held up a few sheets of paper, the wind snapping them around in his grip.

"I came up with this—'Aim to Pass: The American Dream Plan.' It’s a training regimen designed to help you finish cleaning up the beach. You’ll need to follow it in every aspect of your life—even your sleep schedule is included."

He gave Akita a knowing look. "Frankly, this is a super intense schedule. Can you handle it?"

Akita offered an unsteady smile. "Of course. I have to work many times harder than anyone else… or else I won’t make it."

All Might grinned, clapping Akita on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, young man! If you can stick to this schedule, then by the time the entrance exam comes around, you’ll be in peak condition."

Akita took the papers and scanned them over quickly. The schedule was grueling—intense physical training, strict meal plans, barely enough sleep—but it was nothing he hadn’t already been through before. In a way, it was almost amusing. If only All Might knew how much of his life had already been built on pushing past his limits.

He folded the papers neatly. "I'll get started right away," he said. "No time to waste, right?"

"Exactly!" All Might laughed, before giving him a more serious look. "Listen, Akita, this isn’t just about cleaning up trash or getting stronger. One For All is a responsibility. It’s a power that must be passed on carefully. You must prove you are worthy of it, not just in strength, but in heart."

Akita nodded, keeping his expression steady even as his thoughts raced. He really doesn’t know who I am.

"Right," he said. "I’ll prove it."

To All Might’s surprise, Akita finished cleaning the entire beach—perfectly organized—in just seven months, leaving him with three extra months before the entrance exam.

He even cleaned beyond the area I assigned him… seriously? All Might thought, staring in shock at the now-spotless beach. Not just the designated training area, but everything—there wasn’t even a speck of dust left. He had finished way ahead of schedule and far beyond expectations.

When Akita arrived that morning, All Might greeted him with an approving nod. "Good work."

All Might pulled a strand of hair from his head before speaking. "This is something I was once told, something you’ve likely heard before: luck and recognition are different in essence. Take that to heart."

He held the hair up, swinging it slightly. "This is the power you’ve earned through your own effort." He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone shifting. "Now, eat this."

Akita looked confused, his expression full of hesitation and unease. "Why... why now?"

"It doesn't matter what it is," All Might said, his voice firm. "As long as you take my DNA. Eat it, and you’ll inherit One For All."

Akita, still uncertain, complied without another word, swallowing the hair.

"Call me when you feel it running through your muscles," All Might said after Akita ate the hair. "Then we’ll start quirk training."

---

At dinner that night, they had a small celebration—they had just gained One For All.

Izuku gave a full recap of the seven months he had been training with All Might. They all shared a hearty laugh about the meager training their kids had received at the orphanage compared to the much more difficult physical training the others in the city had been doing. It wasn’t just that it was more intense, but it was also unbalanced. Thankfully, they made sure Akita didn’t follow that regimen.

“So, we should update your quirk legally after a doctor’s visit,” said Alice. “We’ll say you’re a late bloomer, and that the trigger was harsh physical training—stress on the muscles activated it.”

Izuku blinked. “What are we going to name it?”

Alice’s eyes lit up with intensity. “We can’t just call it 'superpower' or 'One For All.' What are we going to name it?” she asked, her tone completely serious—as if it were the most important thing in the world. For her, it certainly felt that way at that moment.

“How about ‘Kinetic Muscle Up’?” Tenko suggested. “Or does anyone have a better name?”

They all looked at each other, shaking their heads. “No, we don’t,” Izuku said, before nodding. “Then ‘Kinetic Muscle Up’ it is.”

Actually, Alice jumped in. “Wait, I have a better idea: ‘Physics Storage.’ We don’t know how much your quirk will grow because of your natural ability, and the fact that it’s been passed through multiple users might affect it—especially with that spirit quirk you picked up two years ago. So, ‘Physics Storage’ covers everything, just in case something unexpected happens. It’s the safest bet.”

Tenko paused for a moment before nodding. “You know what? You’re right. I agree.”

---

“Well, Izuku,” Alice said, “it’s time for quirk training. First things first: let’s activate it. But not here—let’s head to the training ground.”

They made their way to the training ground, an open area where hopefully nothing could go wrong.

“Alright, you know the drill,” Alice said. “Try and activate it.”

Izuku nodded and focused, but activating the quirk proved more difficult than usual. ‘Physics Storage’ was sitting perfectly in his body—most likely better than it did for most people—but it felt so distant, so out of reach, that it was hard to tap into. He had to force it out, and when he finally succeeded, the strain was too much. He nearly broke his hand in the process.

“Okay, okay, Izuku, are you alright? What happened?” Alice asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Yeah, Alice, I’m fine. It was just a lot of strain on the body. Let me try again.”

Izuku focused again, activating 'Physics Storage' once more—but this time, slower. He moved it inside his body like navigating a maze, bringing it closer to his Void Draw quirk. For a moment, the two quirks seemed to clash, fighting against each other. But soon, they settled down, and he was able to pull a massive amount of energy into his hand. He knew it was too much, so he spread the energy across his whole body, carefully calculating how much he could handle. Barely 17%, but it was enough.

He activated it, and small green and red lightning sparked and spread out across his body. As he moved, his body felt impossibly light, his muscles impossibly strong. It was as if every single part of him was pulsing with raw power.

“That’s One For All… no, ‘Physics Storage,’” Izuku muttered, amazed by the sensation.

---

Akita held up the phone, speaking to All Might. “The quirk has awakened, and it’s working. I’ve officially updated it legally after the doctor’s visit. It’s now listed as ‘Physics Storage’ in my records. They marked me as a late bloomer, with the quirk triggering because of harsh physical training and muscle strain. The quirk itself is defined as the ability to throw out kinetic energy that can be used in any way physics allows energy to move—solid, gas, or even a small combination of both, along with liquid to move like waves of fabric. They didn’t know exactly what would happen, so they wrote it down just in case.”

“That’s great, Akita,” All Might said, his voice warm with approval. “Actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. How has your family been? I’d like to meet your sister. After all, we only have two months to train for One For All—or, as you now call it, Physics Storage. If you two train together, that would be very helpful for your progress, and I’m sure she’d enjoy it as well—training with her brother.”

“No problem,” Akita replied. “Where would you like to meet?”

“At the beach, young man. Bring your sister.”

Izuku and Alice made their way to the beach, disguised as Akita and Sayori.

Sayori smiled politely, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I wanted to thank you for training my brother. Our parents are very happy he’s finally awakened his quirk. He told me he wants to train us for the two months before the UA entrance exam, and I agreed immediately. That would be most appreciated. I should probably tell you about my quirk. I call it ‘Hologram Connection.’ It allows me to connect to anything electronic and control it, even if just slightly.”

All Might smiled back warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Sayori. I’ve heard a lot about you from Akita. And yes, I’d love to train you. Your quirk is a wonderful gift, and I’m sure you’ll need the training—especially since it’s not exactly a physical quirk.”

Two months of intense quirk training passed by quickly—much more quickly than anyone had expected. The days seemed to blur together as Akita, Sayori, and All Might worked relentlessly, refining their control, pushing their limits, and growing stronger with each passing day. Every evening, their muscles would ache, their minds would be exhausted, but they always came back the next day, determined to improve.

Now, the day had arrived. It was time for the UA entrance exam.

 

Sayori and Akita made their way to U.A. today for the entrance exam. They had studied hard—probably harder than necessary. Their goal was to appear as average as possible, make minimal connections, and avoid standing out too much. Just enough to pass as typical hero hopefuls.

Upon entering the test room, they found themselves in a large lecture hall with rows of desks, each labeled with a name. Unfortunately, they were seated on opposite sides of the room, preventing them from speaking during the test.

The written portion of the exam was simple for them. They didn't need to hold back much, so they answered about 80% of the questions correctly, while intentionally giving only partially correct answers on the remaining 20%.

Then, Present Mic entered the room. The lights brightened as he stepped onto the podium, his energy resembling that of a radio show host.

"For all of you examinee listeners tuning in—welcome to my show! Everybody say hey!"

Silence washed over the room. The awkwardness was almost palpable.

Unfazed, Present Mic continued, "What a refined response! Now, let's quickly go over the details of the practical exam. Are you ready?"

Once again, silence filled the room.

Present Mic continued his explanation.

"You listeners will be conducting a ten-minute mock urban battle. You can bring whatever you want with you!" As he spoke, the screen behind him changed, displaying a map.

"After the preliminary operation, you’ll each be assigned to a specific battle center, okay?"

Silence filled the room before murmurs spread among the examinees. Some were whispering, So basically, they won’t let us work with our friends, huh?

Unfazed as always, Present Mic continued. "Three different types of fake villains are stationed in each battle center. You’ll earn points based on their level of difficulty. Your goal, dear listeners, is to use your quirks to immobilize the fake villains and earn points. Of course, attacking other examinees or engaging in any unheroic actions is strictly forbidden!"

Suddenly, a boy in glasses stood up from the back of the room. "May I ask a question?"

The spotlight turned to him as he pointed to the printouts they had received. "According to these, there are four types of villains. If this is a misprint, then U.A.—the most prominent hero school in Japan—should be ashamed of such a foolish mistake! We examinees are here to be molded into excellent heroes!"

Present Mic grinned. "Okay, okay! Examinee number 7111, thanks for the great message!"

He gestured to the screen as it shifted again. "The fourth type of villain is worth zero points. That guy’s an obstacle, so to speak. There’s one in every battle center, and it’ll go crazy in narrow spaces. It’s not impossible to defeat, but there’s no reason to, either. I recommend you listeners try to avoid it!"

Examinee 7111 sat back down, the light above him fading. "Thank you very much," he said.

Murmurs filled the room again. I see… it’s like an obstacle you avoid in video games, huh? someone muttered. This whole thing feels like a game.

Present Mic clapped his hands together. "Alright then! That’s all for the explanation. Examinees, make your final preparations and head to your battle centers!"

"A true hero is someone who overcomes life's misfortunes and continues to push forward—going beyond, Plus Ultra!"

Sayori and Akita met outside the lecture hall.

"Akita, what zone did you get?"

"I got Zone B."

"Same here," Sayori replied. "Well then, let's go."

"Do you need anything?" Akita asked.

"No. This time, I’m planning on only using my normal things—no weapons attached."

---

Sayori and Akita were standing outside Zone B, scanning the crowd. They recognized the boy who had asked the question in the lecture hall earlier, though he, like them, didn’t stand out.

"You hear that?" someone murmured from the crowd. "What is this? It's like a city! They have more than one zone on school grounds—U.A. is amazing!"

Before Present Mic could even speak, Akita and Sayori were already running toward the gate, which was just beginning to open. They rushed in, each taking down five robots in quick succession.

They jumped onto a building to scout the area. They needed to get at least 45 points to make sure they passed the exam—villain points, that is. They also planned to score a few secret rescue points. They had done enough research to know where they could get those.

The other examinees watched in amazement as the two of them worked efficiently, not wanting to waste any time.

It took Akita and Sayori exactly five minutes to reach 45 points. Just as they turned into an alley, they spotted a purple-haired boy looking anxious. They exchanged a glance and immediately knew they were going to help him.

"Hey, purple-head, something wrong? You look anxious," Sayori called out as they approached the boy.

The boy mumbled to himself, likely not even realizing they were there. "I know they gave people with physically strong quirks an advantage, but this exam is completely rigged..."

"What’s your quirk?" Akita asked.

The purple-haired boy turned around in surprise, then calmed himself down. "My quirk is Brainwashing. I need a verbal response from my target, but the robots don’t exactly have brains to brainwash, so my quirk is useless here."

Akita thought for a moment, then spoke up. "Why don’t you brainwash me and Sayori? From now on, every point we get will be split. We’ll talk to the teachers afterward and tell them we gave you permission to use your quirk on us. That way, all the points we get from now on will be shared. Every robot I destroy, you get half the points, and every robot Sayori destroys, you’ll get half of those, too. That way, you might be able to pass, and you’re right—this exam is super rigged. The only reason I was able to get enough points was because of years of physical training, and my quirk works on robots. But we don’t have time to explain—just do it, okay?"

The purple-haired boy seemed confused at first. "My name is Hitoshi Shinso. What are your names?"

Akita nodded. "My name is Akita."

Sayori followed, "My name is Sayori."

Immediately, the world seemed to become foggy as Shinso issued the command to start taking down robots.

The routine continued, with Sayori and Akita destroying robots and earning points. Shinso received half of the points from each one. As the time ticked down, they suddenly heard a sound that felt like an earthquake.

The giant robot had appeared. Akita and Sayori, momentarily snapped out of the brainwashing, looked up at it. Panic spread through the crowd as everyone started running. Akita and Sayori considered running as well, but then they saw a girl trapped under some rubble.

Sayori immediately started running toward the robot, climbing up its leg and attempting to take control of it as quickly as possible. Akita activated his Physics Storage at 15%, leaping as far as he could toward the girl. He cleared the rubble from around her, helping her to her feet, though she couldn’t walk.

Sayori gave Akita a thumbs-up from afar, signaling that she had control over the robot. Akita jumped at the same time the robot stopped moving, and with one powerful punch to its head, he destroyed it.

That’s when the loudspeaker announced, "Time’s up! The exam is finished—10 minutes are up!"

Recovery Girl appeared out of nowhere, helping the girl who was trapped under the rubble with her ankle and offering everyone some gummies.

Sayori and Akita scanned the area for the purple-haired boy, eventually finding him by the outside gate.

"Hi, Shinso, right?" Akita called out. "We’ll go talk to the teacher so we can get your points and let them know we allowed you to use your quirk on us."

Shinso nodded gratefully. "Yeah, I’d appreciate that."

They walked outside of U.A. toward the train station when Sayori turned to Shinso.

"Hey, do you want to give us your phone number? We can still talk after school, even if we’re not in the same class. We could hang out or chat after hours and stuff."

Shinso nodded. "Sure, let me just save your number. So, you’re Sayori, and he’s Akita, right? No problem."

Then, he hesitated before continuing, "I wanted to thank you, and I also have a question. Well, multiple ones. Why did you help me? Why did you trust me to brainwash you? And what are your quirks?"

Sayori smiled and replied, "Okay, first: We wanted to help you because you deserve it. The exam was rigged, and you deserved the chance to pass. Second: We trusted you because you seemed genuine, and you needed help. We figured we could break out of it if anything went wrong. Plus, you’re trying to be a hero—you can’t be that bad of a person. Third: My quirk is Hologram Connection. I can connect to different electronics, anything that runs on electricity. I can control them, but I need to be close enough to get good control, so I just need to make physical contact with the robots."

Shinso nodded, taking in her explanation.

Akita added, "And the same goes for me. Oh, and my quirk is Physics Storage. I can store energy and use it in any way physics allows energy to be used. It’s pretty versatile, but I have to store a lot of it. If I use too much energy at once, though, it’ll break every bone in my body and make my limbs explode."

Shinso blinked, looking impressed. "Wow. That sounds intense."

"Yeah," Akita said, nodding.

"Well then, thank you for trusting me, and thank you for helping me. Thanks for explaining your quirks and giving me your numbers. I hope we meet again in class," Shinso said with a small, appreciative smile.

Alice and Izuku made their way back home—or rather, to the small apartment they were staying in while attending U.A. As soon as they returned from the entrance exam, they immediately called their family.

"So, how did it go? Was it difficult, or was it too easy?" their dad asked.

"Did you make any friends?" their mom chimed in.

"Who was the meanest person around?" Ten-nii asked eagerly.

Alice answered first. "It was fine, Dad. Pretty easy, actually. We had to slow down a bit, or we would have stood out too much. So, I guess you could say it was easy. We were definitely overprepared, but that’s better than being underprepared."

Izuku added, "As for the meanest person? Probably the guy who interrupted the whole lecture hall just to ask a stupid question—he assumed there was a misprint instead of thinking for a second."

"And I guess we did make a friend," Alice continued. "We met someone and got his phone number after helping him during the exam. We made sure to get 45 points each before helping, so we weren’t in any danger of failing. It was five minutes into a ten-minute exam, so we had plenty of time."

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, so don’t worry, Dad. We exchanged numbers in case we end up in different classes. His quirk is brainwashing, which is really strong, but not exactly great for fighting robots."

"That sounds like a super unfair entrance exam," Ten-nii commented. "What if your quirk doesn’t work on robots? What if it’s based on support items? Or what if it’s something like brainwashing? That’s a mental power! And not just that—robots have really thick ‘skin,’ or, well, metal. They’re way harder to defeat than normal thugs. That’s completely unfair and biased!"

"Yeah, we know, Ten-nii. That’s why we helped," Alice replied. "Anyway, we’ll call you back in a week when we get the letter from U.A."

"Bye-bye!"

---

One week later…

"Akita, we have mail! And it’s pretty heavy—I think it’s from U.A.!"

"I’m coming, Sayori! Don’t open it without me!"

"I won’t… if you come fast enough."

They sat down together, carefully opening the envelope. Instead of a letter, a hologram disc fell into their hands.

"You go first, Akita," Sayori said.

Akita clicked the disc, and suddenly, a booming voice filled the room.

"I am here… as a projection!" All Might’s image appeared in the hologram. "I had some paperwork that took time, so I couldn’t contact you earlier. I’m sorry! But I have good news—you passed the exam with a 90% success rate! You earned 57 villain points and 60 rescue points. Come, young Akita… this is your Hero Academia!"

Akita let out a breath. "Okay, I succeeded… and 60 rescue points? That’s a lot more than I expected." He grinned. "Your turn, Sayori."

Sayori clicked her disc, and instead of All Might, Principal Nezu’s face appeared.

"Am I a mouse? A bear? A dog? It doesn’t matter, because I am the principal of U.A.! Sayori Quinton, you passed the written exam with a 92%, and in the practical exam, you earned 62 villain points and 57 rescue points. Congratulations! Welcome to your Hero Academia!"

Sayori stared at the hologram before glancing at Akita. "Wait—you got All Might, and I got Principal Nezu? Shouldn’t All Might be setting his priorities straight if he’s going to be a teacher?" She shook her head with a chuckle. "Whatever, let’s check what class we’re in."

"Three… two… one…"

"1-A!"

They grinned at each other. "Let’s call our new friend and see if he got in!"

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hi, Shinso! Do you have any news to share?"

"Yeah, actually, I do," Shinso said. "I got into the hero course at U.A.—thanks to you guys, by the way."

"That’s amazing!" Sayori exclaimed. "And don’t sell yourself short—it was your own effort that got you in! Also, we’re in the hero course too."

"Wait—what class are you in?"

"1-A!"

"No way! Same here!"

"Let’s go! We’re in the same class!" Akita said, excited.

"Well done, Shinso," Sayori added. "We’ll see you on the first day!"

"Yeah, see you then."

"Have a good day!"

"You too."

---

"Wait… both Quinton siblings got first and second place?"

"Yep. And they even helped others. They assisted a kid whose Quirk—brainwashing—was useless against robots, which is how they ended up with more than 45 points. Looks like they were planning to stop there, but they chose to help him, giving him half their extra points and making sure he passed. And on top of that, they earned a massive amount of rescue points by taking down the Zero Pointer. Both of them got over 55 rescue points, and when you add everything up, their combined villain and rescue points are over 100."

The U.A. teachers were impressed—even Eraserhead, despite his usual indifference. While their combat ability in the practical exam was notable, it was their balanced performance in both the practical and written exams that stood out. They had ranked the highest in the written portion as well.

"It almost seems like they were holding back," Eraserhead muttered. "Probably due to personal reasons. One of them is adopted, and the other is in foster care under the same family. That kind of background could mean they’ve learned not to stand out too much."

Midnight smirked. "You’re really thinking this through, Eraser? You don’t usually take this much interest in the first years."

"They’re going to be in my class," he replied flatly. "Just don’t expect them to open up quickly."

Notes:

Izuku gained control over One for All so quickly mainly because of his experience working with children with troublesome Quirks, thanks to Alice. He is highly intelligent and thinks both inside and outside the box, allowing him to adapt faster. Since he already had a built body, he was able to clean the beach more quickly, which meant he received One for All earlier. As a result, by the time of his exam, he had better control over it. I just wanted to clarify that I have my reasoning for this decision.

alise- 92% V-62 R-57 all- 119 #1
izuku 90% V-57 R-60 all- 117 #2

Chapter 12: Before the Break of the Silent Storm

Sayori, Akita, and Shinso decided to meet at the train station before heading to UA together for their first day in Class 1-A. It took them some time to find the classroom, but when they did, they were met with a massive door—at least two and a half meters tall and about a meter wide.

Opening the door, they found two people arguing.

A blue-haired boy with gray eyes and glasses—the same guy who had interrupted the lecture hall—was in their class. He was arguing with a blonde, red-eyed student—Izuku’s childhood friend and bully. What was his name again? Right, Bakugo.

The argument was over Bakugo having his feet on the desk.

"Don’t you think that’s disrespectful to the UA upperclassmen and the people who made these desks?" the blue-haired boy said, moving with robotic-like precision.

Bakugo, on the other hand, scoffed and called him a side character before asking what junior high he came from.

“What a great start to the day,” Sayori muttered, making the rest of the classroom turn to look at them.

"And are we all just going to ignore the guy behind the desk?" Sayori asked, glancing toward the sleeping bag-like figure.

Akita just nodded in agreement.

The blue-haired boy quickly approached them. "I am from Somei Private Academy. My name is Tenya Iida."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sayori Quinton, and this is my brother, Akita Quinton. Our friend here is Hitoshi Shinso," Sayori introduced them.

"We hope not every day is going to be like this," Akita added, glancing at the figure under the desk, already having a good idea of what was going on but choosing to ignore it.

A voice from behind them spoke up. "Hey, you're number one and number two, right? You're the girl with 119 points, and you're her brother—the guy with 117 points. How did you get so many?"

They turned around to see a girl with short brown hair, a round face, and brown eyes—the same girl Akita had saved from the zero-pointer.

"Yeah, that's them," Shinso confirmed. Then, noticing Sayori and Akita's confused expressions, he added, "Judging by their faces, they didn’t even realize they got first and second place."

"They really helped me during the exam, so I get it..." he mumbled the last part.

Before Sayori or Akita could react, they quickly dragged Shinso to an open seat. Just then, the yellow caterpillar-like figure behind the desk stood up.

"Go somewhere else if you want to play at being friends," the yellow caterpillar-like figure spoke up, startling everyone except Sayori and Akita. The man in the sleeping bag seemed to notice their lack of reaction.

"This is the hero course," he continued before unzipping the sleeping bag, revealing a tired-looking man with messy black hair. He took a sip from a juice pouch before speaking again.

"It took you eight seconds to be quiet. Time is limited. You kids aren’t rational enough."

His tone was flat, emotionless.

"I'm your homeroom teacher, Shota Aizawa. Nice to meet you," he said in a deadpan voice.

If Akita and Sayori weren’t already used to that kind of tone, they might have been unsettled.

"It’s kind of sudden, but put these on and head to the training field," Aizawa said, pulling out a set of UA training uniforms. 

After changing into their uniforms, the students gathered outside, where their homeroom teacher informed them they would be having a Quirk Assessment Test.

A chorus of surprised voices filled the air.

"The entrance ceremony…" Uraraka, the brown-haired girl, asked hesitantly.

"You’re here to become heroes. You don’t have time for such lenient events," Aizawa replied flatly. "UA’s defining trait is how unrestricted its traditions are. That applies to how teachers run their classes, too."

He glanced over the group.

"You’ve all been doing physical fitness tests since junior high, right? But those tests never allowed the use of Quirks. The country still relies on averages taken from students without using them. It’s not rational. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education continues to procrastinate. Sayori, you finished at the top of the practical exam, correct?"

Sayori straightened at the sudden mention of her name.

"In junior high, what was your best result for the softball throw?" Aizawa asked.

"Eighty-four meters, sir," she answered confidently.

"Then try doing it with your Quirk," Aizawa instructed, tossing her a softball.

"You can do whatever you want, as long as you stay in the circle," Aizawa explained as Sayori stepped into the designated spot on the ground.

"Hurry up. Give it all you’ve got."

Sayori stretched slightly before swinging her arm back, then threw the softball as hard as she could. The result: 125 meters.

The rest of the classmates either looked impressed or disappointed.

Aizawa turned to Sayori. "Mind explaining to the rest of your classmates why your softball throw result is so high—and so low—and why you didn’t use your Quirk?"

Sayori nodded. "If I used my Quirk, we wouldn’t know the real result. My ability allows me to connect to electronics and control them, but it's not exactly a physically strong ability. At least my softball throw is above average."

The class, now fully impressed, started murmuring among themselves.

"Without a Quirk, she got that high?"

“What’s this? This looks fun!”

And let’s just say, whoever said that made a mistake.

"It looks fun, huh?" Suddenly, a dark aura began to emanate from their homeroom teacher.

"You have three years to become a hero. Will you have an attitude like this the whole time?" Aizawa's voice grew colder. "All right. Whoever comes in last place in all eight tests will be judged to have no potential... and will be punished with expulsion."

"Huh?!" The entire class screamed in disbelief.

"Welcome to UA's Hero Course."

Test Results:

Test 1: 50m Dash

• Sayori: 4 seconds
• Akita: 2.5 seconds
• Shinso: 5.3 seconds

Test 2: Grip Strength

• Sayori: 240 kg
• Akita: 520 kg
• Shinso: 40 kg

Test 3: Standing Long Jump

• Sayori: 15 m
• Akita: 25 m
• Shinso: 7.3 m

Test 4: Repeated Side Steps

• Sayori: 136
• Akita: 278
• Shinso: 65

Test 5: Ball Throw

• Sayori: 125 m
• Akita: 1200 m
• Shinso: 72 m

Test 6: Sit-Ups

• Sayori: 96
• Akita: 324
• Shinso: 45

Test 7: Seated Toe-Touch

• Sayori: 100
• Akita: 100
• Shinso: 89

Test 8: Long Distance Run

• Sayori: 5.3 min
• Akita: 2.5 min
• Shinso: 8.7 min

The results were finalized:

• 1st Place: Akita Quinton
• 2nd Place: Sayori Quinton
• 3rd Place: Momo Yaoyorozu
• 4th Place: Shoto Todoroki
• 5th Place: Katsuki Bakugo

...and so on, with the last place being Toru Hagakure. Shinso ended up in 11th place.

The tension in the class field was thick, and before anyone could react further, their homeroom teacher, Aizawa, burst their bubble.

"By the way, I was lying about the expulsion," he stated nonchalantly.

Sayori spoke up with a raised eyebrow, unfazed. "You aren’t fooling me. Last year, you expelled your whole class in the first month. Expulsion isn’t something you’d use as an empty threat." She paused, noticing the surprised looks from everyone around her. "If you're trying to rattle us, you're wasting your time. You are willing to expel some of us if we don't show enough potential, aren't you?"

"Sayori, what are you talking about?" someone asked.

She shrugged, unfazed. "I do my research. I asked Present Mic."

"His hero name is Eraserhead," Sayori continued, "He and Present Mic were in the same class when they learned here at UA. So, yeah, I just asked him about Eraserhead since he's going to be my teacher. I said, 'Hey, do you know anything about Eraserhead?' and he just told me, 'Oh yeah, he expelled his whole class last year in the first month.' So, yeah, I do my research. Rule number one: never go somewhere without doing your research. You’ll get overwhelmed, you’ll be phased, and you’ll regret it."

Sayori finished with a confident nod.

"Sayori, thank you for telling everybody that I expelled my whole class last year," Eraserhead spoke up, his voice dry as usual. "And she’s right. I don’t know why Present Mic told you that, but she’s right. Good job on doing your research. And you and Akita both noticed me in the classroom, didn’t you?"

Akita and Sayori glanced at each other before nodding.

"Yeah," Akita answered. "A giant caterpillar that’s actually just a yellow sleeping bag will draw our attention, even if you're under a table. I don’t know why nobody else noticed you, but it was so weird, we kind of just... ignored it."

After the test, the day quickly came to an end. Sayori and Akita made their way back home, the exhaustion of the day weighing on them. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, they had one thing on their minds—getting some rest before the next day.

---

The next day, Sayori and Akita met Shinsou at the bus station before heading to class, just like yesterday. They decided they would eat lunch together as well.

For the first half of the day, they focused on regular summer school subjects—English, math, history—until lunchtime arrived. As they sat around the table, two students joined them. One was Momo Yaoyorozu, who insisted they call her "Momo," and the other was the quiet and seemingly unbothered Shoto Todoroki, who simply asked to be called "Shoto."

After exchanging phone numbers, they returned to class. The second half of the day was about to begin, and with it, their basic hero training.

“I am coming through the door like a normal person!”

That was the only introduction they got from All Might before the class erupted into murmurs.

"It’s All Might!"
"Wow, he really is a teacher!"
"That’s a costume from the Silver Age, isn’t it?"
"The style is so different—it gives me goosebumps!"

Ignoring the whispers, All Might strode to the podium at the front of the class. Without bothering to introduce himself (not like he needed to), he jumped straight into the lesson.

“I teach Hero Basic Training. This is a subject where you’ll train in various ways to learn the fundamentals of being a hero. You’ll get the most utility out of this subject, so let’s get right into it! Today’s lesson: combat training.”

The class murmured in awe.

“To go with that, you’ll need these!” He pointed to the far wall, where compartments with numbers on them began popping open. “Your hero costumes, made based on the quirk registrations and requests you sent in before school started.”

As the students made their way to the changing rooms, Sayori and Akita exchanged a glance, both recalling their discussion about how they had planned their hero costumes.

As they sat together, sketching out ideas for their hero costumes, Akita tapped his pencil against the table. "We need to come up with designs that have no connection to our vigilante outfits—no silver, no green, and no red. Any ideas?"

Sayori leaned back, thinking. "I’ve got one for myself and one for you. Since I’m going to fake an electricity-based quirk, I should go for a cyberpunk style. Lots of black, with purple accents running along my body like wires. A hoodie with no extra attachments, maybe some headphone-like gear connected to it. Something that makes it seem like I can ‘plug in’ to electrical devices. That way, it enhances the idea that my quirk has limited range."

Akita nodded. "That makes sense. And what about me?"

Sayori smirked. "You need something completely different from anything animal-related. Something more scientific—steampunk, or even futuristic. Since you're playing the role of Akita, the determined, intelligent kid who’s always wanted to be a hero, your costume should reflect that ambition."

Akita thought for a moment before grinning. "How about a high turtleneck with a lot of extra details? Belts, high pockets, knee guards, or bands around my arms and legs. The main color could be a vibrant blue, layered over a black base costume. A small gas mask and a no-back hoodie to top it off."

Sayori crossed her arms. "So, we’re going with purple and blue?"

Akita nodded. "Yeah. That should work."

                                                                                                                          white as blue

 

As they stepped into Ground Beta in their new hero costumes, both Sayori and Akita felt an odd sense of discomfort. They were too used to their Silver Tiger and Green Bunny outfits—these new ones felt unnatural, leaving them feeling strangely exposed. Still, they had to play their roles, acting like they were just inexperienced kids unsure of what they needed in a hero costume. Keeping up that act was going to be exhausting.

Sayori glanced around at the rest of their classmates, her critical mind already analyzing their choices. Most of the costumes were either too flashy and impractical or downright unusable. Some were so over-the-top that she wondered how they expected to fight in them, while others were so poorly designed they offered no protection at all. Let’s just hope they get the chance to upgrade along the way, she thought.

"Wow, Sayori, Akita—you must’ve put a lot of thought into your costumes! They look really comfortable and functional," one of their classmates commented.

Sayori gave a small nod, while Akita simply smiled in response. Meanwhile, others in the class were clearly struggling with their designs, shifting uncomfortably in stiff or ill-fitting suits.

Once everyone was lined up, All Might took center stage. "Now, it’s time for combat training!" he announced.

"Sir!" Iida raised his hand. He was completely covered in heavy armor—practical for protection, sure, but stiff and restricting. Not the best choice, Sayori noted. "Since this is the same battle center from the entrance exam, will we be conducting urban battles again?"

"No!" All Might boomed. "We’re moving ahead two steps. Most villain fights take place outside, but if you look at the numbers, villains actually appear indoors more frequently—impersonation, house arrests, backroom deals. In a society filled with heroes, truly intelligent villains hide in the shadows. For this class, you’ll be splitting into villains and heroes, fighting in two-on-two indoor battles!"

Sayori raised her hand. "Sir, aren’t we going to do warm-ups or at least some basic combat training before jumping straight into fights?"

"This is real battle training," All Might replied with a grin. "The best way to understand the basics is through experience!"

The class immediately erupted with questions.

"How will we determine wins and losses?"
"Can we pick our teams already?"
"Will the punishment be expulsion, like with Mr. Aizawa?"
"How are the teams being split up?"
"Isn’t this kind of crazy?"

"Now, now, listen up!" All Might tried to calm them, pulling out a piece of paper that looked comically small in his massive hands. A script? Sayori noted with amusement.

"The scenario is this: Villains have hidden a nuclear weapon somewhere in their hideout. The heroes must locate and secure the weapon within the time limit, or capture the villains. The villains must either protect the weapon for the full duration or capture the heroes before they can succeed. Teams and opponents will be determined by drawing lots!"

"Shouldn’t something this important be decided less haphazardly?" Iida protested.

Before All Might could respond, Akita spoke up. "Probably because heroes often have to form last-minute teams with people from other agencies," he reasoned. "It makes sense to train for that kind of situation."

All Might beamed. "Exactly!"

With that, the class prepared for the lottery draw, excitement and nerves running high.

Team A: Quinton Sayori and Quinton Akita
Team B: Hitoshi Shinso and Shoto Todoroki
Team C: Katsuki Bakugo and Ochaco Uraraka
Team D: Tenya Iida and Yuga Aoyama
Team E: Momo Yaoyorozu and Denki Kaminari
Team F: Kyoka Jiro and Hanta Sero
Team G: Mezo Shoji and Eijiro Kirishima
Team H: Mina Ashido and Rikido Sato
Team I: Fumikage Tokoyami and Koji Koda
Team J: Kyoka Jiro and Mezo Shoji

the battels:

1.  J VS I
2. B VS E
3. A VS C
4. G VS D
5. F VS H

 

Team J vs Team I

The first battle was straightforward. Team J lacked proper communication and battle experience. They were skilled at scouting, but that became a disadvantage against a team that excelled at overwhelming their opponents. Team I, with Dark Shadow and a swarm of animals flooding the building, made navigation nearly impossible for Team J. Disoriented and outmatched, they were quickly found by Dark Shadow, who secured the bomb.

Winner: Fumikage Tokoyami and Koji Koda
Loser: Kyoka Jiro and Mezo Shoji

 

Team B vs Team E

The second battle ended just as quickly. Ice spread through the entire building, restricting movement, while well-placed electricity attacks left Team E struggling to fight back. With limited options, Team E couldn’t counter effectively, allowing Team B to secure the bomb with ease.

Winner: Hitoshi Shinso and Shoto Todoroki
Loser: Momo Yaoyorozu and Denki Kaminari

 

Team A vs Team C

The third fight was where things got interesting. Team A, the siblings, played the villains, while Team C, the friends, played the heroes. However, Team C lacked teamwork, making them easy targets.

Sayori: "Okay, which plan are we going with—full-on villain mode or just playing heroes?"
Akita: "We could go with acting or turn it into a hide-and-seek game."
Sayori: "What do you think I’m going to say?"
Akita: "We’re going to blow every single plan they have right in their faces, aren’t we?"
Sayori: grinning "You know it! Let’s go!"

Sayori: "I’ll hide the bomb in the basement behind a bunch of crates. You create as much noise and obstruction as possible on the third floor."
Akita: "Sounds good. If we run into any of them individually, we’ll capture them without disqualifying them. Got it?"
Sayori: "Got it."

As Sayori finished hiding the bomb, Akita was already making noise on the third floor. The timer started, and the heroes rushed in. Sayori quietly slipped out of the basement, ensuring no one saw her. She tapped into the building’s security cameras, connecting through the wires embedded in her costume, watching the heroes’ movements. Once certain the coast was clear, she locked the basement door behind her.

Meanwhile, Bakugo charged straight for the first floor, leaving his teammate behind. Sayori took advantage of this, sneaking up behind Uraraka and capturing her in a tight headlock. She looped a thin wire around her neck—not enough to disqualify her, but enough to ensure she couldn’t call for help. Silently, she tied Uraraka up and made her way toward the third floor, where she could hear fighting.

Akita was holding off Bakugo, dodging his explosive attacks with ease. "Too easy," he muttered. Then, hearing footsteps in the hallway, he moved swiftly toward the entrance.

Bakugo spun around just in time to see his teammate restrained, a wire pressed to her neck.

Bakugo: "Let her go, you extras!" he shouted in rage.

Seizing the opportunity, Sayori loosened her grip, just enough for Akita to step in and fully capture Uraraka. This time, the announcement rang out—Ochaco Uraraka captured.

Before Bakugo could react, he was already caught in the capture band.

Winner: Quinton Sayori and Quinton Akita
Loser: Katsuki Bakugo and Ochaco Uraraka

 

Team G vs Team D

This match was a battle of endurance. Team G, with Shoji’s multiple arms and Kirishima’s hardening, had excellent defense, while Team D relied on speed and precision. Iida tried to use his speed to rush past them, but Shoji’s adaptability allowed him to intercept. Kirishima held off Iida’s attacks, preventing him from reaching the bomb, while Shoji restrained Aoyama before he could use his laser effectively. With their opponents neutralized, Team G secured the bomb.

Winner: Mezo Shoji and Eijiro Kirishima
Loser: Tenya Iida and Yuga Aoyama

 

Team F vs Team H

This fight was all about strategy. Team H had raw power—Mina’s acid and Sato’s strength—but Team F relied on agility and teamwork. Jiro used her sound waves to locate their opponents while Sero set traps using his tape. Mina’s acid melted through some obstacles, but Sero’s quick maneuvering kept her from advancing. Eventually, Jiro and Sero worked together to isolate Sato, forcing Mina into a disadvantageous position. With their opponents restrained, Team F claimed the bomb.

Winner: Kyoka Jiro and Hanta Sero
Loser: Mina Ashido and Rikido Sato

---

At the end of the last class that day, just as Sayori and Akita were about to head out, their classmates suddenly scattered around them.

"Oh my god, you two were amazing!" someone exclaimed. "Your teamwork was incredible—you can really tell you’re siblings!"

"Akita, you did a great job dodging!" another added.

"Honestly, our fights were kind of boring compared to yours," one of the students admitted. "Yours was so interesting—you really went all out playing the villains!"

A red-haired boy stepped forward with a grin. "I’m Eijiro Kirishima! We thought maybe we could go over the training together right now," he said, gesturing to the student beside him who had tape dispensers in his elbows.

"I’m Hanta Sero," the other introduced himself.

"I’m Yuga Aoyama—"

"I’m Mina Ashido!"

"I’m Tsuyu Asui, but call me Tsu," the frog-like girl added.

"I’m Sato," another student chimed in.

Sayori and Akita exchanged a quick glance before Sayori spoke up. "We’re Sayori and Akita, but we really have to go. We don’t have time to go over the training right now, but we can exchange phone numbers and talk later."

After exchanging numbers, they quickly made their way to the train station. They had to hurry—after all, they needed to report everything to their family.

Once inside their small studio apartment, they wasted no time. Akita powered up the laptop, making sure it was connected off-grid so it couldn’t be tracked. They opened Discord and started a call with their big brother—their best way to communicate with him at the moment.

Ring, ring, ring, ring.

The call connected, and Tenko’s voice came through. "Alice, Izuku! I’m so glad you answered. Let me just get Mom and Dad on the line."

A moment later, a familiar voice chimed in. "Hi, guys! How was school?" their mother asked.

"Well, well," Sayori and Akita started together before Sayori continued, "a few things. One, I couldn’t get much information without getting noticed. I need some sort of distraction. All Might working at U.A. might be a good one once the press finds out, but we need something bigger. Once we do, I can give you the exact date and time to go to the USJ, Tenko. But I don’t think All Might will actually be there right away—he’ll most likely show up as backup. You got my list, right?"

"I did," Tenko confirmed. "Did you make sure all the right people got the invitations, and that the ones you don’t want there know to stay away?"

"I did. Don’t worry. The people I don’t want to come got a warning, and all the trash I wanted to dispose of got the message that the League of Villains is recruiting to take down All Might with a ‘secret weapon’ after breaking into the USJ. So you don’t have to worry. I just need you to create a distraction—probably tomorrow, okay?"

"No problem, Alise."

Their mother’s voice came through again. "So, how was school in general?"

"Boring," Izuku answered flatly. "I mean, we already know everything they could possibly teach us. And the teacher for the actual heroics class is All Might, which means he's horrible at what he’s doing. He’s just pitting us against each other in the most random ways. He has no training as a teacher, so the classes are terrible. But at least we have Eraserhead as our homeroom teacher."

"That’s great, sweetheart! Isn’t he your favorite hero?" their father asked.

"Yes, he is, Mom," both Sayori and Akita answered in unison.

---

The next day, Sayori and Akita were on their way to school from the train station, arriving an hour early—well before classes actually started.

As they approached the gates, they saw a large crowd of reporters with cameras and microphones, swarming the entrance. They were bombarding the teachers with questions about All Might being a U.A. teacher, trying to get any sort of response.

Despite their persistence, none of them dared to cross the school’s actual boundaries. The security system was well known—if they tried to push past the gates, the defense mechanisms would activate, and they’d be forcefully ejected before the police even had to get involved.

Sayori glanced at Akita. "Well, looks like our distraction worked faster than expected."

Akita smirked. "Yeah. Now let’s see how the school handles it."

With that, they made their way inside, slipping past the commotion unnoticed.

They made their way to the classroom, taking their seats while keeping an eye on the scene outside. From the windows, they watched as more of their classmates and teachers arrived, most ignoring the reporters entirely.

One particular reporter was growing visibly frustrated, pacing near the gate and repeatedly trying to push for answers from the passing teachers. Then, just ten minutes before class was set to begin, one of the reporters stepped too close to the gate—triggering U.A.'s security system.

With a mechanical whir, the barrier activated, sealing off the entrance and cutting off any chance of further intrusion.

Sayori took this as her cue. Quietly, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to Tenko.

Sayori: You’re up. Be there around lunchtime. Make it quick.

Tenko’s reply came instantly.

Tenko: Got it. I'll take care of it.

That was all she needed. Once Tenko disintegrated the front gate, the chaos would be enough to let her slip into the school’s network unnoticed. With all the teachers distracted, she’d have just enough time to access the security cameras and dig into the information hidden inside the Teachers' Lounge.

But for now, they had to play the role of normal students.

The bell rang, signaling the start of homeroom. Sayori leaned back in her seat as their homeroom teacher, Aizawa, entered the room.

"Alright, settle down," he muttered, voice as tired as ever. "Homeroom’s starting."

"Good work on yesterday’s combat training. I saw the video and results," Aizawa said. "Sayori, Akita—great job acting like villains. Good strategy using your opponents’ weaknesses."

He continued, "Now, let's get down to homeroom business. Sorry, I didn’t realize this was today, but you’ll need to decide on a class representative."

The class, which had tensed up at first, visibly relaxed.

Suddenly, students started jumping up, shouting that they wanted to be the class rep. Normally, people would avoid extra responsibilities, but at a hero school, it was a different story—everyone wanted to do it to gain credit. The classroom quickly turned chaotic, with students excitedly calling out their own names.

That was until Iida’s voice boomed across the room.

"Silence, please!" He stood tall, one hand raised dramatically. "This is a job with serious responsibility, a role that requires leading others. It’s not something to be taken lightly or chosen simply because one wants it. A class representative must earn the trust of their peers. If we truly want to be fair, we should hold an election."

Some students questioned the idea.

"But we barely know each other."

"How are we supposed to vote when we’ve only been classmates for a few days?"

Despite the concerns, the class eventually agreed, and Iida turned to Aizawa. "Sensei, would it be acceptable to use a voting system?"

Aizawa, already halfway zipped into his yellow sleeping bag, simply muttered, "Do whatever you want. Just decide before homeroom ends."

With that, the election took place.

Momo won with four votes. Sayori came in second with two votes, while the rest of the class either had one vote or none.

Sayori immediately raised her hand. "Can I give the deputy class rep position to someone else?"

Aizawa barely looked up. "Sure. Who?"

"I’d like to give it to Iida. He seems the most suited for the role," she said.

The class murmured in agreement. Iida, who had been so passionate about the position, looked momentarily surprised. Adjusting his glasses, he straightened up and gave a firm nod.

"I appreciate the trust, Sayori. I will take this responsibility seriously!" he declared with his usual formal demeanor.

Aizawa, still curled up in his sleeping bag, barely acknowledged the decision. "Fine. That’s settled. Now, stay quiet until the bell rings."

With that, homeroom was officially over.

They were sitting at lunch with their usual group when it finally happened—what Sayori and Akita had been waiting for.

An alarm blared through the cafeteria.

"There has been a Level 3 security breach. All students must evacuate outdoors calmly."

Panic erupted. The entire lunchroom—and likely the whole school—descended into chaos as students scrambled toward the exits, all trying to escape at the same time.

Sayori signaled to Akita, a subtle gesture to let him know she was about to use World System. She needed him to watch over her.

As soon as she connected to the school's electrical network, her consciousness expanded, linking with the signals flowing through the system. In less than a minute, she had accessed every digital document stored on the school’s computers. Using the security cameras, she scanned and recorded all the physical documents in the teachers’ lounge. She gathered everything she needed about the USJ and instantly sent it to Mom, Dad, and Tenko.

When Sayori came back to consciousness, the first thing she and Akita noticed was the mess around them—students desperately pushing toward the single cafeteria exit, creating a bottleneck that only made things worse. People were being shoved, knocked down, and trampled. Someone was bound to get seriously hurt.

Sayori and Akita exchanged a glance. Without hesitation, Sayori ran toward the nearest emergency electrical panel while Akita pushed his way through the crowd, heading straight for the exit sign.

Leaping up, Akita grabbed onto the sign, catching everyone's attention. "CALM DOWN!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the panic.

The moment all eyes were on him, Sayori seized the opportunity. Connecting to the school's intercom system, she broadcasted her voice across the entire building.

"Everyone, please remain calm. Return to your activities. The breach was caused by the press—reporters have broken into the school. The teachers are already handling the situation. If anyone was injured in the chaos, please make sure they are taken to Recovery Girl immediately. Again, it was only the press. There is no danger. Remain calm and return to your activities."

As her voice echoed through the school, the panic slowly subsided. The stampede at the exit began to ease, students hesitating before gradually dispersing back into the cafeteria.

Crisis averted.

---

The school day had come to an end. All their classes were over, and there had been no special lessons—probably because most teachers were busy investigating the earlier incident.

It was during their last class when Aizawa spoke up.

"Sayori, Akita, stay after class. Nezu wants to have a word with you."

The rest of their classmates packed up and made their way home while the two exchanged a quick glance before following their teacher toward the principal’s office.

On the way, Sayori asked, "Are we in trouble?"

Aizawa barely spared them a glance. "Maybe. That depends on your answers and what the principal decides."

When they entered the office, they sat down in the chairs next to the table, with their teacher standing behind them.

Nezu sat across from them, his usual cheerful yet unreadable expression in place.

"Am I a mouse? Am I a bear? It doesn’t matter, because I’m the principal of U.A., Miss and Mr. Quinton." He clasped his paws together. "We received reports about your actions during the incident, and we’d like to ask a few questions. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. In fact, we greatly appreciate how you helped resolve the situation."

He tilted his head slightly, eyes sharp despite his friendly tone.

"That said, we’d like to hear your firsthand account. No teachers were present at the time, and most of our information comes from other students. Akita, would you like to start?"

Akita took a deep breath before beginning.

"Well, I guess I should start from the beginning. It was lunchtime, and Sayori and I were sitting with Shoto and Momo when we heard the Level 3 security breach alarm. Everyone immediately panicked, trying to rush out all at once. We stayed in our seats because we noticed a bottleneck forming in the hallway—it was chaos."

He leaned back slightly. "So we talked for a bit and came up with a plan. I would get everyone’s attention so they’d actually listen when Sayori spoke through the intercom. I jumped onto the exit sign above the main doors, which I was able to do thanks to my Quirk, and yelled for everyone to calm down. Once I had their attention, Sayori used the intercom to reassure them."

Nezu nodded. "Thank you, Akita. Sayori, would you mind sharing your perspective, especially the parts we couldn’t hear from him?"

Sayori crossed her arms. "I assume you don’t know exactly how my Quirk works, so I’ll explain. It allows me to see signals between electronic devices and follow them from one source to another. So, I traced the signals to an electric source, touched it, and basically connected myself to the main power grid of the school. That gave me access to the intercom system above the cafeteria."

She met Nezu’s gaze. "From there, I spoke through the intercom, letting everyone know it was just reporters who had broken in. I told them to stay calm and, if anyone was injured, to go to Recovery Girl. Once they heard that, the situation de-escalated."

Nezu smiled, his expression warm yet calculating.

"Thank you very much, Akita and Sayori. We appreciate what you’ve done. However, next time, please try to remain calm and find a teacher if possible."

His ears twitched slightly as he continued. "I understand that in this situation, that wasn’t an option. There were no teachers present, and we were all preoccupied with the reporters outside. Hopefully, an incident like this won’t happen again, as we are already investigating the breach. But if something similar does occur, and no teachers are available, please report to your class representative."

"Yes, Nezu, sir," both Sayori and Akita responded in unison.

Nezu nodded. "No problem. You’re free to go—enjoy the rest of your day."

With that, Aizawa gestured for them to leave. The two stood up, giving one last glance at the principal before stepping out of the office.

Alice and Izuku quickly made their way home. Once they arrived, Alice started making dinner while Izuku set up a call with their brother. By the time they had Mom and Dad on the line, dinner was already halfway done.

"Akita, Sayori, how's it been? How did it go?" their mom asked.

"Give us the full report," Dad added. "And don’t worry, we received all the documents you sent. We’ll update you on what we found after you tell us your side."

"Okay, well, thank you, big brother. Everything went smoothly," Sayori replied. "There was a Level 3 security breach alarm, and the whole place freaked out. While I was unconscious, connecting to the school's electricity and camera zones, I gathered all the documents and sent them to you immediately. After that, we helped a few students and even made sure we had a solid alibi. No one suspects us, and we even got a little pep talk from the principal and our teacher."

"What about you, Dad, Mom? What did you find in the documents I sent?"

"From the camera footage, we figured out when All Might will be on campus," their dad explained. "From the schedules left on the desk, we also confirmed when you two are going to the U.S.A. But here’s the real surprise—tomorrow, you’ll be heading to the U.S.J. with your homeroom teacher, All Might, and you’ll be meeting Hero Thirteen there. That’s pretty much everything. What do you two think?"

Sayori crossed her arms. "I think this is great. We’ll be able to manipulate the situation, make sure no one important gets hurt, and let the villains get taken down. But if All Might is going to be there along with our homeroom teacher, it means his time limit might be an issue. If I’m guessing right, that means he’ll most likely run out of time and won’t be able to recover quickly. He could end up being late… or not show up at all. So, big brother, you’re going to have to put on an act."

"Speaking of that, Ten-nii, did you get in contact with everyone I sent invitations to? Are they in place and ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I did," Tenko responded. "We already have a group and a meetup spot at an independent warehouse. They don’t suspect a thing. We even got some extras. We told them we have a secret weapon to take down All Might. I also checked the documents Sayori sent and double-checked the role I’ll need to play."

"Well, I guess that’s it for today. Enjoy your dinner, and you’ll all see each other tomorrow. Don’t forget to give us a report when it’s over," their dad reminded them.

"Yes, Dad," they answered in unison.

As the call ended, the house settled into a comfortable quiet. The smell of dinner filled the air as Alice set the plates on the table. Izuku grabbed the utensils, placing them down before sitting across from her.

For a moment, they just ate in silence. The day's events lingered in their minds, but neither felt the need to speak about them—at least not right now.

Alice finally broke the silence. "Tomorrow’s going to be a long day."

Izuku nodded, swallowing a bite of food. "Yeah. But we’re ready."

She smirked. "Of course we are."

Chapter 13: The start for the school traitors

For everyone else, it seemed like just another normal day at school after the chaos of the previous day. But for Sayori and Akita, today was a job—a big one. An exciting one. And they had to play their roles perfectly.

They made their way to the train, met their friends at U.A.'s station, and headed to class as if nothing was out of the ordinary. But they had seen the news. They knew All Might had already spent over an hour and a half just commuting to school. He wasn’t going to make it to the USJ on time—if he even made it at all.

But for now, that didn’t matter. Right now, they were just two students at U.A., playing the part of wannabe heroes.

In Hero Basic Training, their teacher, Aizawa, stood in front of the class.

"For today’s lesson, we’ll have three instructors—All Might, myself, and one more," he announced.

“What are we doing today?” Sero asked.

Aizawa pulled out a card and held it up. One word was printed on it: Rescue.

"Disasters, shipwrecks, and everything in between," he said. "It's rescue training."

The class immediately started mumbling amongst themselves until Aizawa cut them off.

"Hey, I’m not done."

Everyone immediately quieted down as he continued.

"You can decide whether or not to wear your costume this time," he said. "Some costumes might limit your abilities, so keep that in mind."

As he spoke, compartments in the walls opened, revealing their hero costumes.

"The training will take place off-campus, so we’ll be taking a bus. Now, get ready."

The class split off to change, with most students choosing to wear their hero costumes—including Sayori and Akita.

Outside, Momo quickly took charge, instructing everyone to form an orderly line to board the bus without causing a bottleneck. Iida tried to organize them based on their student numbers, but he was clearly disappointed when he realized the bus seating wasn’t arranged as expected.

Sayori and Akita ended up sitting next to Tsuyu Asui, the frog-like girl.

As the bus rumbled forward, Tsuyu spoke up. "I say whatever comes to mind, Akita."

Akita turned to her. "Yeah, Asui?"

"Call me Tsu."

"Alright, Tsu. What’s up?"

"Your Quirk is like All Might’s."

Sayori and Akita exchanged glances before chuckling.

"They might look similar, but they’re actually completely different," Akita explained. "My Quirk is a dormant type, meaning it only appeared recently—a few months before the entrance exam. Instead of just reinforcing my muscles like All Might’s seems to, my Quirk builds up kinetic energy inside my body, letting me use it in different ways. Right now, I can only enhance my physical abilities, but if I push too far, I could seriously injure myself."

Sayori smirked. "Don’t forget to mention that time you nearly broke a bone. Or how every time you use your Quirk, red and blue sparks appear around you."

"Yeah," Akita sighed. "So, while it might look similar to All Might’s at a glance, it actually works in a completely different way."

Their conversation caught the attention of the entire bus.

"What do you mean your Quirk was dormant?" Shoto suddenly asked.

This time, Momo answered. "A dormant Quirk means it doesn’t manifest at the usual age of four but instead awakens later due to specific circumstances. Some people unlock their Quirks through repeated actions, like cooking or singing. Others awaken them due to extreme stress or physical strain."

She turned back to Akita. "So, what triggered yours?"

Akita leaned back slightly. "Well, I was quirkless until a few months before the entrance exam. But I’d been training hard for it, exhausting my muscles and building a lot of energy. Pushing my body to its limits is what finally triggered my Quirk."

"But it sounds nice to have a simple enhancement-type Quirk," Kirishima said. "You can do a lot of flashy stuff. My Hardening is strong, but it’s not exactly the flashiest ability out there."

"It doesn’t matter how flashy it is," Sayori cut in, her voice growing sharper with irritation. "As long as it’s useful, that’s what matters."

"Yeah, but you have to think about popularity as a hero too, you know?" Kirishima added.

"No, actually, I don’t," Sayori replied firmly. "I’m aiming to be an underground hero, so popularity isn’t something I care about. My Quirk would be great for intelligence-based heroes like Nezu or Nighteye. And besides, there are plenty of areas where heroes are needed that don’t make the news. Take the beach Akita trained at—filled with garbage, surrounded by alleys where you can hear mugging every night. But no big-name heroes ever went there. Why? Because no flashy villains were making a scene, so it wasn’t ‘newsworthy.’

"It doesn’t matter what kind of Quirk you have. What matters is what you do with it. There’s no such thing as a ‘hero Quirk’ or a ‘villain Quirk.’ A Quirk is just a tool. A chef and a murderer both use knives—one to make food, the other to kill. The tool doesn’t define them, their actions do."

Bakugo scoffed. "Tch. If you’re not popular, you’re never gonna be the number one hero. You gotta be flashy, and you need a real hero Quirk. There are villainous Quirks, and that’s just how it is.

"And your brother?" He leaned forward, eyes filled with challenge. "He’s a joke. You’re telling me he got the number one spot on the entrance exam, but he didn’t even have a Quirk until a few months before? That’s bullshit. What was he training for, anyway? Sounds like he could’ve been a hero even without his Quirk—he just got lucky. But I’ll be number one, and he’ll be eating my dust."

The entire bus fell silent. Sayori was about to stand up, her hands clenched into fists, when Aizawa’s voice cut through the tension from the front of the bus.

"Bakugo. Detention for a week."

Bakugo flinched but didn’t say anything.

"A quirk is just a tool," Aizawa continued, his tone cold and sharp. "Anyone can be a hero, no matter what their Quirk is. I didn’t think I’d have to teach this lesson to you all, but clearly, I do." His eyes narrowed. "And Bakugo, one more word from you, and you’ll be seeing the principal for suspension—maybe even expulsion. On top of that, once we get back, I’ll be reviewing your school history. If I find any records of bullying, you’ll be transferred to General Studies. Consider this your final warning."

Aizawa’s gaze swept over the rest of the class. "And that goes for all of you. I don’t want to hear anyone discriminating against others for things they can’t control—appearance, Quirk, ability, past, or family. That kind of mindset has no place here. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir!" the class answered in unison.

"Good," Aizawa said, leaning back against his seat. "Now get ready. We’re here."

The bus slowed to a stop, and through the windows, they could see the enormous dome-shaped facility ahead

Everyone stepped out of the bus and gathered in front of the massive dome-shaped building.

Standing before them was a hero clad in what looked like an astronaut suit. Their voice came through the helmet, warm and welcoming.

"I’ve been waiting for you all!"

It was Space Hero: Thirteen, the renowned rescue hero known for saving countless lives in disaster scenarios.

“Let’s head inside without delay,” they said, gesturing toward the entrance.

"We look forward to working with you!"

“Wow, it looks just like the USJ!” someone remarked.

Inside, the class took in the massive facility. There were areas simulating a shipwreck, a landslide, a fire, a windstorm, and an earthquake.

“This is a training ground I designed with various accident and disaster scenarios,” Thirteen explained. “It’s called the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or USJ for short.”

Aizawa glanced around before asking, “Thirteen, where is All Might? He was supposed to meet us here.”

Thirteen leaned in slightly and whispered, “About that... It looks like he overworked himself on his way to school and ran out of time.” They held up three fingers as they spoke.

Thirteen then straightened up and addressed the class. “Before we begin, I’d like to say a few things. Maybe one thing… or two… or three… or four… or five… or six… or seven…”

A few students chuckled before Thirteen continued.

“I’m sure you’re all aware of my Quirk, Black Hole. I can suck up anything and turn it into dust. I’ve used it to save many lives in disaster situations. However, my Quirk is also incredibly dangerous—it can just as easily kill.”

Thirteen scanned the group. “Some of you have quirks like that, too, don’t you?”

“In a superhuman society, personal quirks are strictly regulated, so at first glance, this might not seem like an issue. But please do not forget: there are many quirks that can take a life with just one wrong step.”

“With Aizawa’s physical fitness test, you discovered the possibilities hidden within your quirks. With All Might’s combat training, you experienced the dangers of using those abilities against each other.”

“This class is a fresh start. You will learn how to use your quirks to save lives. Your powers are not meant to harm—they are meant to help.”

“I hope you leave here with a clear understanding of that.”

Thirteen took a small bow. “That is all. Thank you for listening.”

Suddenly, Sayori started looking around the dome, her eyes darting from one spot to another.

Aizawa noticed her reaction and turned toward her. “Something wrong?”

Sayori hesitated before responding. “I don’t know if it’s necessarily wrong, but… I just noticed that every single electrical signal stopped going toward the outlets. Instead, they’re circling around us—” She paused, her expression tightening. “Now they’re heading toward the door—”

BOOM!

The doors locked shut, the lights flickered, and strange noises echoed through the massive facility.

Sayori’s breath hitched. She quickly scanned the area, trying to detect any signal escaping the building—but there was nothing. Every single electronic pulse was trapped, swirling around them.

Then, at the center of the dome, near the fountain, a purple portal tore open.

Dark figures poured out—dozens, maybe even a hundred.

“Wow… is this like the entrance exam, where the test starts before we even notice?” Kirishima asked, a hint of nervous excitement in his voice.

“Don’t move,” Aizawa ordered sharply. “Those are villains.”

The entire class froze, their excitement turning to horror as realization set in. Aizawa adjusted his yellow goggles, stepping forward. He was ready for a fight.

“Stay put. Don’t you dare move from here.”

A voice drifted from the portal, calm yet sinister.

“Thirteen and Eraserhead, huh? The teacher schedule we got said All Might was supposed to be here too.”

Aizawa narrowed his eyes. “So the trespassing the other day… that was your doing.”

His grip on his capture weapon tightened as he braced himself.

"Where is he? I went through all the trouble of bringing this entire crowd here, too—all Might, the symbol of peace. I can’t believe he’s not here. I wonder if he would come if I murdered a few of the children." A blue-haired young boy—or man, maybe a teenager—wasn’t exactly tall. His face was covered by a strange gas mask, and he wore a simple black T-shirt with matching black pants. He looked like the leader of the group, and it seemed his target was All Might.

“No, wait, there’s no way they could have gotten into a hero school,” said one of the students in disbelief.

“What about the trespasser sensors?” asked Momo.

“We have them, of course, but…”

“Did they only appear here, or are they around the whole school?” asked Shoto. “Either way, if the sensors aren’t reporting, that means they have someone with a Quirk who can do that. An isolated area separate from the main campus, at a time when a class is supposed to be here… They might be fools, but they’re not dumb.”

“One thing’s for sure, though,” said Sayori. “Every single electric signal is either running in circles, staying in one place, or jumping straight into the ground. That means we have no way to communicate with anyone outside. The door is shut and should be able to keep people in and out, but right now, it’s working against us. We’re going to have a very difficult time getting out of here. The electric source seems to be shutting off as well, so most likely, they’re using the emergency electricity source.”

“Hey, Sayori,” Aizawa asked, “Do you think you could send some sort of signal from here? Maybe a small signal or something to get out of here?”

“I mean, I might be able to, but it would be as small as a fly, and it’s probably not going to reach far. However, if I can connect the main power source to the closest one connected to the main campus, I might be able to. But with the signals running in circles, I won’t be able to find it like I usually would using my Quirk.

That’s the long answer. The short answer? No, not without help.”

“Kaminari, Sayori—try to contact the school with your Quirks,” Aizawa instructed.

“Yes, sir!” they responded in unison, immediately focusing on their task.

Sayori hesitated before glancing at their teacher. “What about you? Are you fighting them alone?”

Her voice held genuine concern. “Even if you erase their Quirks, there are too many of them. You’ll get overwhelmed and exhausted while the rest just pile on.”

Aizawa didn’t flinch. “If you want to be a hero, you can’t rely on just one trick.” He adjusted his goggles, already preparing to leap into action. “And you’re all just kids. I’ll handle this. Listen to Thirteen and evacuate.”

Eraserhead immediately leaped down from the stairs onto the main platform, his scarf lashing out and wrapping around three villains. With their Quirks erased, he slammed them into the ground, knocking them out. Another villain with a mutation-type Quirk swung at him, but Aizawa ducked and delivered a sharp punch to the face. Before he could catch his breath, two more enemies lunged at him from behind. Without hesitation, he grabbed the first attacker with his scarf, swinging him into the other two and sending them all crashing to the floor.

The villains fumbled, clearly not expecting such overwhelming resistance.

While Eraserhead fought, the rest of the class turned and sprinted toward the entrance gate. It was locked, but with enough students possessing strong physical Quirks, breaking through seemed possible.

Before they could reach it, a massive purple portal materialized in their path. A distorted voice echoed from within:

"I won’t let you through. Nice to meet you. We are the League of Villains. It may be ill-mannered of us, but we have invited ourselves into the home of heroes—U.A. High School—in order to witness the symbol of peace, All Might, take his last breath."

Sayori and Akita exchanged a glance. They knew Kurogiri was good at keeping up appearances, but something about his voice… At least he was getting the point across without making it too suspicious.

Their thoughts were cut short when Thirteen prepared to attack, only for Bakugo and Kirishima to charge at the purple figure first.

A huge explosion followed, sending thick smoke billowing through the area. Bakugo’s voice rang out in frustration.

"You think we’ll just let you do that?! We’re taking you down!"

The purple mist around Kurogiri swirled, reforming into a solid structure as he responded.

"Even if you are just students, you are U.A.’s golden eggs—the next generation of heroes. But my job isn’t to defeat you. It’s to scatter you, so you won’t be able to escape."

Immediately, a massive dome of mist expanded outward, swallowing up everything in its path. Before the students could react, portals activated, pulling them into different areas of the training facility. Only four students managed to escape, along with Hero Thirteen.

ayori and Akita found themselves in the Shipwreck Zone, surrounded by wrecked boats and murky waters. Tsu stood beside them, scanning the area. Below, in the dark waters, villains with aquatic Quirks circled like sharks, waiting for their prey.

Tsu turned to Akita. "So, Rabbit, what’s the plan to get out of here?"

Sayori studied their surroundings. "From what I can see, I might be able to drain the water. If we can do that, we could make our way through the bottom of the pool to the edge."

Akita frowned. "I don’t know if that’s the best idea. These guys have abilities designed for water combat. If we drain the water but it isn’t immediate, they’ll attack us before we can react. Right now, they’re hesitating because they don’t know our Quirks. If the water drains instantly, the boat we’re standing on will crash to the ground, and we’ll probably get hurt. Our best bet is to get rid of the villains first, then figure out our escape. Whether we drain the water, swim, or jump, we need to clear the area before making a move."

Tsu nodded. "Okay, sounds like a plan, Rabbit. But how do we fight them without wrecking the boat and hurting ourselves? I mean, I guess we can damage the boat, but that would be risky. Any ideas?"

Sayori smirked. "I’ve got one. Akita, use your built-up kinetic energy to create a whirlpool. That’ll suck them into the center and keep them from attacking. Meanwhile, I’ll use the ship’s electrical system. There’s an energy source below deck, probably for the water systems. If I can overload it, I can electrify the water while they’re trapped in the whirlpool. The charge should be strong enough to knock them out. Then, you and Tsu can carry me over to the shore. Sound good?"

Akita cracked his knuckles. "Sounds solid."

Tsu gave a thumbs-up. "Alright, let’s do it."

"Three… Two… One—go!"

Sayori dashed below deck, weaving through narrow corridors to find the power source. Akita leaped into the air and flicked his fingers, sending a massive force into the water. A swirling whirlpool formed, pulling every villain into its center. The boat, too heavy to be affected, stayed afloat.

Tsu reacted instantly, using her frog tongue to snatch Akita midair and pull him safely back onto the deck. Below, Sayori yanked out several exposed electrical cords, sparks flying as she tore them free.

With a sharp crack, she threw the live wires into the water.

Electricity surged through the whirlpool, causing the villains trapped inside to seize up and collapse, their bodies falling limp from the overload.

Sayori sprinted back to the deck, jumping onto Akita’s back. Without hesitation, Tsu grabbed Akita and leaped across the water. With one powerful bound, they landed safely on shore, leaving the Shipwreck Zone behind.

"Okay, then what now, Rabbit?" Tsu asked, glancing between Sayori and Akita.

Sayori crossed her arms, thinking. "We have three options. One, we help Aizawa-sensei fight the main group of villains in the plaza. Two, we help our classmates escape from their zones. Or three, we go back to the main station near the front gate and support the group fighting that purple warp guy." She looked toward the entrance, where a battle still raged. "We could also stay put and wait for the heroes, but considering these villains seriously think they can take down All Might, and how many of them are here… staying in one place for too long isn’t a risk we should take."

Akita nodded. "In my opinion, we should go help Aizawa-sensei. He specializes in taking down small groups, but he can’t hold out for long. It’s already been five minutes—his Quirk requires him to keep his eyes open, which means he can’t blink without resetting it. The longer the fight drags on, the more exhausted he gets. And with that many enemies swarming him in the plaza, the best-case scenario is him getting knocked out. Worst-case?" He hesitated. "He could die. We need to back him up."

No further discussion was needed. The three took off toward the main plaza, arriving just in time to see Aizawa facing off against the blue-haired leader of the villains. The man was counting numbers under his breath, rushing toward Aizawa with eerie precision.

Aizawa jumped to dodge, his hair falling—his Quirk deactivated. Before he could react, the villain landed behind him, flattening his hand and striking him hard on the back of the neck. Aizawa collapsed.

Tsu, Sayori, and Akita didn’t hesitate. They moved immediately.

Tsu dashed toward their fallen teacher, while Sayori and Akita flanked her, forming a protective barrier. The blue-haired villain stepped back next to what looked like a massive, monstrous figure—but there was no time to analyze it. The other villains around them charged in, forcing Sayori and Akita into combat.

One by one, they knocked their enemies out.

Tsu wrapped her tongue around Aizawa and, with a powerful leap, escaped toward the main gate, leaving Sayori and Akita behind.

A small smirk appeared on Sayori and Akita’s faces.

They didn’t need to hold back anymore.

Akita’s quirk-stealing abilities flared to life, stripping the villains of their powers before launching them toward the massive Nomu.

The monstrous creature suddenly turned on the villains, tearing through them with mindless ferocity. Akita controlled the Nomu, commanding it to rampage through the plaza, crushing skulls as it ran.

Sayori and Akita’s gazes snapped upward, locking onto the blue-haired villain.

They recognized him.

Ten-ni.

He wore a gas mask, putting on a show of frustration, screaming orders to “control” the Nomu. But Sayori and Akita knew better.

He wasn’t actually trying to stop them.

He was acting.

And he was doing a damn good job.

Tenko, Izuku, and Alise exchanged a single look.

Without a word, Sayori and Akita took off toward the front gate. The main plaza and surrounding areas were littered with fallen villains—either dead at the hands of the Nomu or incapacitated. The blue-haired leader had already regained control of the monstrous creature, but it no longer mattered.

Akita pushed forward, reaching the gate just in time to see Iida sprinting out.

Sayori immediately followed after him, using her quirk to reconnect the jammed signal inside the facility back to the main campus.

The SOS signal was sent.

Less than a minute later, All Might was already inside the building.

Izuku watched, his expression blank. For once, he wasn’t smiling.

The blue-haired leader wasted no time. He sent the Nomu charging toward All Might. The battle was brutal but short. The villain ranted about the Nomu's absorption and shock resistance, claiming All Might would have to go all out to defeat it.

And he did.

With a single, full-power punch, All Might sent the Nomu flying through the dome, disappearing into the unknown.

But no one was prepared for what happened next.

All Might staggered, his breathing uneven. And then—in front of everyone—his body began transforming back.

Silence fell.

For a brief, agonizing moment, Tenko tensed. Would he have to kill the Number One Hero here and now?

But before any of them had to make a decision, Tenko bought time.

He ranted, voice filled with forced frustration, calling heroes cheaters, liars, and fakes. He played his role well—so well that no one noticed the smirk hidden beneath his mask.

And then—the rest of the U.A. heroes arrived.

The warp villain acted immediately, grabbing the blue-haired leader and vanishing in a swirl of dark mist.

It was over.

The only thing left was for Sayori and Akita to handle the inevitable interrogation.

The lie detector detective would question them, but it wouldn't be a problem. With World System and Void-Draw, answering truthfully—while only revealing what they wanted—would be simple.

As the remaining students evacuated, the U.A. heroes ensured everyone was safely escorted outside. Just as All Might transformed back into his weakened state, the teachers shielded him from view.

Everyone was accounted for—either in ambulances, with the police, or under medical evaluation.

All villains—except for the blue-haired leader and the warp villain—had been captured. Nearly half were dead, likely due to the Nomu’s rampage.

With the crisis over, it was time for the students to be questioned.

They stood in line outside USJ, facing the police officers waiting for them. Leading the case was a detective Alise immediately recognized—the Lie Detector Detective.

He was the one gathering reports on each group’s actions, ensuring everyone understood the full situation.

“Let’s have the students return to their classroom for now. We won’t be questioning them right away anyway, right?” the detective said to the other officers.

“Detective, what about Mr. Aizawa?” Tsuyu asked.

The detective glanced at his notes. “He has a severe concussion, likely from hitting his head on the concrete. Fortunately, there’s no permanent brain damage. However, his eyes may suffer from overuse strain due to extended quirk activation. That’s all I’ve been told so far.”

“What about 13?” Mina chimed in.

“13’s injuries were serious—particularly the damage to their back and arms—but nothing permanent. Recovery will take time, but in the end, they’ll be fine. No brain damage or life-threatening wounds.”

He looked over the rest of the group. “Most of you are physically fine, aside from exhaustion and minor injuries. The biggest concern is overuse of quirks, particularly cases of overload or overcharge. As for the villains—half were found dead, likely from the Nomu's rampage. We’ve captured every remaining one, including the Nomu itself… except for the blue-haired leader and the warp villain. They escaped before we could reach them.”

---

The students sat in their classroom, waiting. Their substitute teacher, Present Mic, stood at the front, addressing them.

"You’ll be going out one by one to be questioned by the detective," he explained. "I understand this experience may have been traumatic, and based on your answers, we'll get a better understanding of the situation so we can handle it properly."

He glanced around, his usual energy toned down. "If any of you show signs of distress, you’ll be sent to Hound Dog for therapy. And don’t worry—therapy doesn’t make you weak. All pro heroes have to go through it after traumatic events."

The reassurance helped ease some tension in the room.

For the rest of the waiting time, the students talked, worked on puzzles, and played board games, trying to distract themselves. Eventually, Akita was called first.

He stepped out of the classroom and followed the detective into a small office beside the room. This detective, likely the lead investigator, motioned for him to sit before beginning.

"Legally, I have to inform you that I have a Lie Detector Quirk. It allows me to determine whether you’re telling the truth or lying. Before we start, I’ll ask a few basic questions to confirm your identity, and then we’ll move on to the events at USJ."

Akita nodded.

"First question—what’s your name?"

"My name is Akita Quinton." (True.)

"How old are you?"

"I’m 15 years old." (True.)

"What is your Quirk?"

"Physics Storage." (Lie.)
"It allows me to store up kinetic energy and use it in different ways." (True.)

The detective noted the discrepancy but didn’t comment.

"Alright, can you tell me what happened today at USJ?"

Akita took a deep breath. "Well, at first, I didn’t even know we were going there. We were told it was a basic hero training session and had to switch into either our costumes or PE uniforms before getting on the bus. The ride was normal—we just talked until we arrived.

"Mr. Aizawa told us we had arrived, and we entered the dome, where 13 introduced herself. But then… the lights started flickering, the doors shut, and a purple portal appeared in the main plaza." (True.)

The detective nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Villains started appearing, and Mr. Aizawa ordered us to stay put before rushing down to fight them. My classmates and I ran for the front gate to escape, but the warp villain appeared in front of us, saying he couldn’t let us leave. The next thing we knew, he had scattered us across USJ.

"I was holding onto my sister, Sayori, at the time, so we both ended up together—along with Tsuyu—on a boat in the Shipwreck Zone.

"We quickly realized that the villains surrounding the water didn’t know our Quirks, which was why they hadn’t attacked yet. So, we came up with a plan. I created a whirlpool while Tsuyu used her tongue to pull me back to the deck. At the same time, Sayori electrified the water, knocking out all the villains. Then, Tsuyu and I carried Sayori and jumped to shore." (True.)

The detective raised an eyebrow. "That lines up. We found about twenty villains in the Shipwreck Zone, soaked, hair standing on end, with residual electricity in the water. Continue."

Akita nodded. "After that, we debated what to do. Staying put felt too dangerous with so many villains running around, but we also didn’t know where the others had been scattered.

"We figured most of our classmates could handle themselves, so we decided to head to the main plaza to help Mr. Aizawa. His Quirk isn’t suited for prolonged combat, especially against large groups, so we were worried.

"And we were right—by the time we got there, he was already knocked out." (True.)

Akita’s fists clenched slightly as he recalled the moment.

"Tsuyu grabbed Aizawa while Sayori and I protected her from the villains. She ran for the front gate while we stayed behind, holding them off. Then, suddenly, that… monster lost control and went on a rampage. That’s when we ran too." (True.)

"When we reached the front gate, Lide had already opened it and was running outside. I went to the group that had gathered there, while Sayori ran out to send an SOS using her Quirk. Less than a minute later, All Might arrived and took down the monster. I assume you know the rest from there." (True.)

The detective tapped his pen against the table, then asked the final question.

"Did you know how the villains found out about today’s training?"

"No, sir. I had no idea this was going to happen. I didn’t know anything about it, or who was coming. I didn’t even know we were going to USJ until we got there." (True.)

The detective nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Alright, that’s all. You can head back to class. Tell Sayori she’s up next."

"Yes, sir." Akita stood, straightening his uniform before heading back.

Sayori stepped into the small office, her expression calm but guarded. The detective, sitting behind the desk, gestured for her to take a seat.

 

"Before we begin, I have to inform you that I have a Lie Detector Quirk," he said, his voice steady. "It allows me to determine whether you're telling the truth or not. I'll start with a few simple questions to verify your identity, and then we’ll go over the events at USJ."

Sayori nodded.

"What’s your name?"

"My name is Sayori Quinton." (True.)

"How old are you?"

"I’m 15 years old." (True.)

"What is your Quirk?"

"Hologram Connection." (True.)

She elaborated, "It allows me to connect to different electronic systems through physical touch. I can also see electric signals in the air to locate their main source, but my range is limited. That’s why I wasn’t able to access the main comms during the incident." (True.)

The detective made a note before continuing.

"Alright, can you tell me what happened today at USJ?"

Sayori took a breath. "Well, we started the lesson with basic hero training. We were told to change into either our PE uniforms or hero costumes and then board the bus. On the way, we talked about each other’s Quirks. When we arrived, we were greeted by 13, but that’s when I noticed something strange." (True.)

The detective nodded. "Strange how?"

"The electric signals inside the dome were behaving abnormally. Usually, they move randomly, but suddenly, they started staying in place, tracking straight to the ground, or circling around the dome." (True.)

"Did you mention this to anyone?"

"Yes, Aizawa-sensei noticed my reaction and asked me what was wrong. I started explaining, but before I could finish, the doors shut, and the lights started flickering." (True.)

The detective made a note. "Why weren’t you able to contact the main campus? Did you choose not to?"

Sayori shook her head. "No, I wasn’t able to. We were too far away, and my range is limited. The USJ had no buildings connected to the main power grid, so I couldn’t access a strong enough signal. On top of that, an electric disturbance quirk was interfering with everything inside the dome. That’s why, when the doors finally opened at the end, I was able to send an SOS. The message was pre-programmed, so I just had to locate it and send it quickly." (True.)

The detective raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"

"No." (Lie.)

His expression didn’t change, but he didn’t push. "Alright. Continue."

"After the villains appeared, we ran toward the gate with the rest of the class, but we were separated into different zones. Akita and I held onto each other, so we ended up in the Shipwreck Zone with Tsuyu. We came up with a plan—Akita created a whirlpool, and I used the ship's electrical system to electrify the water, knocking the villains out." (True.)

"After that, we decided to head to the main plaza. Staying in one place felt unsafe, and even now, I think it was the best decision. When we arrived, we saw that Aizawa-sensei was unconscious. Tsuyu carried him while Akita and I protected them. That’s when the Nomu went on a rampage, and we ran for the gate. When I saw it was open, I ran outside and sent the SOS." (True.)

Sayori paused before adding, "Oh, one more thing. The blue-haired leader—the Warp villain called him Tomura Shigaraki when he arrived at the main plaza." (True.)

The detective’s expression sharpened. "Is that all the information you have?"

"Yes." (True.)

The detective leaned back slightly. "Alright. Thank you for your cooperation, Sayori. Please send in Bakugo next."

Sayori nodded and stood, exiting the room to get the next student.

---

The school day had ended, and Sayori and Akita made their way home quickly. They had a mission report to give to their parents. As soon as they stepped inside, Alice started cooking dinner while Izuku contacted their parents and older brother.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

The call was picked up at the exact same time by all three. Alice placed the food in front of herself and Izuku just as their father’s voice came through, already questioning them.

"So, Alice, Izuku, how did it go?" their mother asked, her tone cheerful despite the serious conversation.

Alice responded first. "Everything went according to plan. We arrived perfectly on time, and All Might wasn’t there until after the SOS signal was sent. He was most likely already on his way, but he arrived with perfect timing. Half the trash we planned to dispose of is gone. As far as I’m aware, they had no useful information. None of the students were injured, and Eraserhead suffered only minimal injuries—he’ll be back on his feet in less than a week."

Their father hummed in approval before shifting focus. "Tenko, how did things go on your end?"

Tenko’s voice came through smoothly. "Everything went well. Every group leader we invited showed up, and those who got the warning but didn’t come weren’t worth keeping around anyway. That means zero casualties on our side. In my opinion, Kurogiri and I played our roles well—everything followed the plan. Nothing unexpected happened, except All Might running out of time faster than we predicted. He nearly exposed himself, so I had to act like a man-child to cover for him. We revealed my villain name, and everything was pushed into investigation. All the trash we needed to dispose of is either dead or in jail. So, overall, I’d say a very successful operation. How did the investigation go on your end?"

Izuku leaned back slightly, his tone casual but precise. "It was simple. We were right about our assumptions, and we controlled the questions just as planned. I was able to manipulate the detective’s Quirk against him, and Alice controlled her own biology to ensure he couldn’t tell if she was lying. We gave him the same information the rest of the students knew, plus big bro’s villain name. During the incident, I also took the chance to steal as many Quirks as possible from the villain trash and stash them into the Nomu—enough that it would seem like the overload was the reason for its rampage. That should make it clear to the public that All For One is still active, and they won’t be able to pull much useful information from the Nomu."

Their father chuckled. "Then Operation ‘Take the Trash Out’—still don’t like the name—was a success. Better than expected. If anything happens, report to us immediately. Visit as soon as possible." His voice softened slightly. "By the way, I’m getting healthier. I might even be able to fight you guys when you visit, so get ready for a little training. I might also start joining your mother on a few of her trips. Speaking of which, Alice, Izuku—she’ll be taking care of that reporter who was giving you trouble at school. Good job to all of you. I’ll be sending your allowance soon."

"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom," the two said in unison as the call ended.

---

Night had fallen.

Izuku and Alice were asleep in their studio apartment. Tenko was resting in the small convenience room next to the bar, making it his temporary base of operations for now.

Meanwhile, Hisashi sat at his desk, connected to an oxygen machine—the only support he still needed. Papers were scattered in front of him as he worked through reports on the market surrounding the Undercity.

But Inko had a job to do tonight.

A very particular job. One she never thought she would return to after becoming a nurse.

To the world, Inko Midoriya was a kind woman. A nurse with an extraordinary ability to calm people down. A dedicated mother with a strong moral compass and a loving family.

But her family knew the truth.

They knew about String Puppeteer.

A once-feared assassin, now nothing more than a myth to those who whispered about her in the shadows. But tonight, the Puppeteer had a special target.

A certain reporter had been getting too close, asking too many questions, twisting the truth, and feeding the public false information. Inko couldn’t allow her to keep interfering with her family. The woman had to be dealt with.

Inko made her way to the office building where the reporter was staying. Being a nurse had its advantages—she knew human biology inside and out. She knew exactly how to make a death look natural. A simple rib collapse, leading to a heart attack.

Climbing up to the window, she peered inside. There lay her target, asleep, mumbling about truth and fairness. Inko didn’t care. In a few moments, the woman’s fight for the truth would be over.

Quietly opening the window latch, Inko slipped inside. With a flick of her fingers, her Quirk activated.

Strings—thin, invisible—latched onto the woman’s ribs. Slowly, precisely, she pulled them inward. The woman stirred, her breath hitching, her body trying to fight against the unseen force. Inko held steady.

A gasp. A sharp, pained inhale. The woman’s eyes fluttered open, panic setting in—

Before she could react, Inko yanked hard on her heart.

A single, high-pitched scream. Then—silence.

The Puppeteer moved quickly, double-checking her work before erasing any evidence. She scattered fake clues, leading investigators toward a few local gangsters known to operate in the area. By the time morning came, the authorities would have an easy explanation for the death.

Satisfied, Inko slipped away into the night.

Her job was done.

Chapter 14: unforeseen behind the scenes

The day after the USJ attack.

All the hero course teachers were gathered in a secure meeting room, the tension palpable. The atmosphere was quiet, heavy, as they listened to the report from the lead detective in charge of the investigation.

The detective stood at the front of the room, arms crossed behind his back, a stern expression on his face as he addressed the gathered heroes.

“From the interrogation of the captured villains and the testimonies of the students, we’ve been able to confirm a few names connected to the incident,” he began.

He placed several photos on the table—screenshots from surveillance, sketches, and scribbled notes.

“The creature, the large bioengineered being that fought All Might, has been confirmed to go by the name Nomu. Every villain we questioned referred to it as such. It was bred for power and appears to have multiple Quirks, though we still don’t know how that’s possible.”

He flipped to the next file.

“The individual giving orders during the attack was identified as Tomura Shigaraki. He appeared to be the ringleader—every one of the villains stated he was their main contact and the person overseeing the mission. None of them were able—or willing—to provide details beyond that, only that they were under strict instruction not to question his orders.”

The detective's gaze hardened. “Several students overheard the other villains referring to him directly by name during the battle. That’s how we were able to confirm his identity.”

He tapped another photo—an image taken from the aftermath, a blur of smoky purple.

“As for the teleporter—the one made of mist—Kurogiri. This one is trickier. Based on what we’ve observed and what the students reported, we’re currently assuming Kurogiri is either another variant of a Nomu or something similar—possibly an artificial being or someone heavily mutated. There was no emotion, no hesitation, only precise obedience and efficient execution. That, too, matches what the students told us.”

The room fell quiet again, the weight of the information settling on each hero’s shoulders. The detective finally closed the folder with a soft snap.

“That’s all we have for now. The students’ quick thinking helped confirm identities we might not have gotten otherwise."

The detective gave a nod and stepped back slightly, folding his arms as he motioned to Principal Nezu, who stood at the far end of the room with several documents laid out in front of him. The small creature adjusted his tie and smiled politely, though his eyes betrayed a sharp, analytical intensity.

“Thank you, Detective. Now then,” Nezu began, walking over to the projection screen with a stack of encoded documents in paw. “Based on what Eraser Head and our analysis team have uncovered, the situation goes much deeper than just an attack.”

He pressed a button, and seven scanned documents appeared on the screen, each with strange symbols, inconsistent phrasing, and what initially appeared to be general orders for chaos.

“These papers were found on the captured villains. At first glance, they appear to be normal instructions on when and where to meet—possibly even fakes to throw off suspicion. However, upon further inspection, they share a specific cipher—one that only appears if you apply a frequency-based decryption method. It’s not common. Quite old, actually. But once unlocked…”

Nezu flipped to the next slide.

“…a message appears. A warning. Hidden between the lines of their supposed objectives.”

The screen now displayed a phrase—clearly decrypted—with faint red markings highlighting the pattern. On every page, there is a random word that is slightly different. If you scan it under a UV light, it appears that lemon juice was used to write over those words.

The hidden wording in each of the seven documents reads:
"We are taking out the trash of human beings."

It appears that the whole attack was meant to lure a lot of small-time villains—or powerful villains with poor morals—into one place, and leave them either dead or captured by the police. This may also explain why certain groups were given warnings not to join—likely from the same source who wrote the encoded information.

It has been confirmed that the person handing out these papers remains unknown. We are still unsure whether they were working with the League of Villains or acting independently.

The room remained silent for several long seconds, everyone processing the implications. The idea that the attack had a dual purpose—and was possibly manipulated by a third party—left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Midnight leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “So we’re looking at the possibility that someone used the League of Villains as pawns to eliminate unstable elements in the underworld?”

Nezu gave a small nod. “It’s a strong possibility. We can’t confirm their true motives, but the language used in the hidden message is deliberate. ‘Taking out the trash of human beings’—this was personal. Calculated. Not just chaos for chaos’ sake.”

Snipe crossed his arms, jaw tight. “And the ones who got warned not to show up… That means this person, or group, has enough reach to contact underground players directly. Possibly even more influence than the League.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Nezu said calmly. “Someone wanted a clean-up job without drawing suspicion. What better way than to stage it under the guise of a villain attack and let the heroes do the rest?”

Present Mic frowned, his usual energy subdued. “So what now? What do we do with this information?”

“We watch,” Nezu replied. “We gather data. Whoever did this left just enough breadcrumbs to be noticed by those paying attention. That means they want to be seen—but only from the corner of your eye. They’re careful. Strategic. But eventually, everyone makes a mistake.”

The detective shifted slightly, turning to face Aizawa. “There’s one more thing we were hoping to ask of you.”

Aizawa raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“We believe the undercity might hold additional information,” Nezu explained. “There’s only so much we can pull from the surface. If someone there was passing warnings or orchestrating parts of this behind the scenes, we need a better understanding of how they operate. You have the kind of discretion and experience required for that environment.”

But Aizawa shook his head before the principal even finished. “No.”

Nezu tilted his head. “May I ask why?”

“It’s not that simple,” Aizawa said. His voice remained flat but firm. “I’ve worked too many years keeping my name off certain lists. The undercity isn’t like above. They have their own structure. Their own laws. Their own rules.”

He looked around the room, meeting eyes. “Setting foot down there as a pro hero—especially as myself—would violate a boundary. One that, if crossed, makes negotiations and information gathering impossible in the future. No one talks if they think they’re being infiltrated. We’d lose more than we gain.”

The detective seemed dissatisfied but didn’t press. Nezu gave a slow nod, accepting the answer.

“That’s fair,” the principal said. “Then we’ll look into alternative ways—quiet ones. For now, we keep eyes open and hands off.”

Aizawa nodded once, arms crossed.

---

Two days after the USJ attack.

It was around 8 p.m. when Eraser made his way to the usual bar tucked away in the undercity. The place was dim, quiet, and just out of sight enough to avoid the wrong kind of attention. He slid onto a stool, nodding to the bartender, and found himself seated next to Toxic a regular

"Hey, Eraserhead. It's been a while," Toxic said, eyeing him with a casual glance. "Something happen? You don’t usually show up looking this depressed. Problems with your class? Or is it something else?" He sipped his drink

Eraser let out a tired breath. “Just the incident from two days ago. It’s been... stressful. The police and Principal Nezu wanted me to come here, try to dig up some info.”

Toxic raised a brow. “And you told them?”

“I told them exactly what you just said—what’s said down here stays here. Meaning if I do hear anything, I can’t really use it. So there’s no point.”

“You mean that attack on the USJ?” Toxic leaned back against the bar. “I heard a few people were giving out warnings not to show up at the meetup. Someone might be able to help you, though.”

“I might be able to help,” came a calm voice from the entrance.

Both men turned.

It was Silver Tiger.

“Tiger, it’s been a while,” the bartender said with a smirk as she walked in. “Didn’t expect to see you in a bar—especially not with that karaoke place open across the street. You never come here anymore.”

Tiger stepped fully inside, letting the door swing shut behind her. “I heard something’s been going on and figured I’d gather some information. A few notes have been running around the city—it’s kind of my job to know what’s happening in my own streets.” She glanced toward the bar, spotting Eraser. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Eraser. Thought you had a bar outside the city you liked to visit. Or is this your spot now?”

Eraser gave a half-shrug. “Thankfully, your city’s nice to visit. I don’t really have a place outside anymore. So yeah… this is the one for me now. Plus, Toxic here’s easy to talk to.”

Tiger smiled slightly. “Glad to hear you two are still getting along after all these years. If I remember right, Toxic was the first person you spoke to when you came here, wasn’t he? Pretty sure that’s what made you a regular.”

“Don’t flatter me,” Toxic said, sipping his drink without looking over. “I’m sure he would've become a regular either way. I’m not that charming.”

“Oh well,” Tiger said with a light laugh. “I was just about to check in with the bartender here for some notes, but if you two have anything to share… I’m listening.”

Eraser let his fingers curl around the glass in front of him, the amber liquid untouched. The bar’s low hum gave him space to think before he finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm.

“There was an attack,” he said.

Tiger leaned on the counter beside him, arms crossed loosely. Toxic raised a brow but said nothing, waiting.

“USJ,” Eraser continued. “Training facility. Students were supposed to be doing rescue exercises... standard stuff. Villains warped in mid-session—close to three hundred of them, not including the main group.”

Toxic gave a low whistle. “That’s not a small job.”

“It wasn’t,” Eraser replied. “Most of the attackers were handled, but the real problem was the leaders. Shigaraki showed up. So did Kurogiri.”

Tiger narrowed her eyes slightly. “What was the goal?”

“Hard to say for sure. Officially? They were after All Might. But dragging that many bodies into a training site full of kids feels reckless, even for them. They weren’t expecting resistance from the students.”

“Did the kids get hurt?” Tiger asked, voice a little sharper now.

“Some,” Eraser said. “Nothing fatal. A few serious injuries, but they pulled through. No casualties. Which, all things considered, is a miracle.”

Toxic leaned back in his seat. “Sounds like a warning shot. Or bait.”

“Or both,” Eraser said. “It’s being handled. Nezu’s locking things down tight, and the department’s doing their digging. I'm not here to ask questions—I already told them I wouldn’t be dragging the undercity into this.”

Tiger nodded. “Good. Because what’s inside the city stays inside.”

“I know,” Eraser said. “Just figured you should be aware of the ripple. If you feel anything shift down here, now you know where the wave started.”

Tiger glanced toward the entrance briefly, then looked back. “If you’re being that honest, then let me be honest too.”

She leaned in slightly, voice low. “I’ve been gathering information myself. People have been getting warnings not to follow the League of Villains—very specific ones. What’s concerning is that some of the people I knew—the ones who usually cause trouble—decided to go anyway. No matter how many warnings others gave them. And apparently… they never got the warning letters. Not like the rest.”

She exhaled slowly. “They went. They got arrested. Luckily, no one officially registered as a resident of the undercity or holding a visitor’s card was caught in it. But I’ve been tracking things since. Someone gave me a lead. Something about ‘taking out the trash of human beings.’ Sound familiar?”

“Taking out the trash was apparently the name of the plan or something,” Eraser said. “It was also a sign made for the heroes, hidden in the text of the operation. It contained different details for the villain, like the location and what they had to do. On paper, there was a secret message written in Lemon.”

“That’s a really old way of hiding text,” Toxic muttered, his voice low as he sipped his drink.

Tiger leaned in slightly, her gaze sharp. “That’s really useful. Wait a second, now that I think about it... Do you have a question for me? Just ask one, and if I can answer it, I’ll let you take that information outside the city. You can report it to the police—or your co-workers, or whoever.”

Eraser seemed to think it over for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, that would be useful.” He took a breath, then asked, “You mentioned that people you knew were caught or killed during the incident. Who exactly were they, and how did you know them?”

Tiger’s eyes narrowed slightly as she considered the question. “How I knew them?” She paused, then continued, her voice thoughtful. “Now that you mention it, I actually knew them differently than I usually know people. Most people I know from the undercity are either ones I’ve met and have been allowed inside—either with a visitor card or after providing enough information to the guards. Or they’re citizens.” She glanced at Eraser, her eyes cool and assessing. “But all the people who were caught, killed, or even went to the incident... they were troublemakers. People who, for the most part, weren’t even allowed to visit the city or be near the perimeter.”

Eraser raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you think somebody from the undercity was the one sending out the messages warning people not to come?”

Tiger’s gaze turned sharp, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. “That actually would make sense.” She exhaled slowly, her mind already working through the implications. “I’ll investigate it and get back to you. Probably tomorrow.”

---

three days after the USJ attack.

News Report on the USJ Attack

an armed attack took place at the USJ, a facility located within U.A. High School in Musutafu. The assault, believed to have been orchestrated by members of the notorious League of Villains, was led by a known criminal figure and his associate. The villains' apparent goal was to target the number one hero, All Might, although, in the process, several aspiring young heroes became embroiled in the attack.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 AM when the group infiltrated the USJ complex, using a unique Quirk to bypass security undetected. Once inside, the villains initiated their assault, causing widespread panic and significant damage to the facility's training areas. Their presence was initially unnoticed by security, who were caught off guard by the villains' use of advanced Quirk-related technology.

In terms of casualties, several students from U.A. High School sustained injuries during the attack. While the injuries ranged from minor bruises to more severe trauma, fortunately, none are believed to be life-threatening at this time. The heroic efforts of several students, however, helped mitigate the situation before more harm could be done.

Following the attack, the U.A. security team, in close cooperation with local law enforcement, has launched a full investigation. Authorities are working to gather evidence, including witness statements, video footage, and forensic analysis, to piece together the full details of the event and to track down any remaining members of the League of Villains.

As of now, law enforcement reports that all 272 villains not affiliated with the core group of the League of Villains have either been taken into custody or killed during the attack.

We will continue to bring you updates as this story develops.

 

The attack on the USJ had spread across the news, and by the end of the day, everyone was aware of what had happened. Despite the chaos and fear that could have easily taken over, the tension remained surprisingly low, thanks in large part to the swift cooperation of the students. They had provided the police with valuable information, helping to paint a clearer picture of the events that transpired.

Later that day, parents of the first-year students in the U.A. Hero Course received emails from the school. The message was straightforward: in light of the attack, each parent was required to sign a consent form allowing their children to be monitored and photographed. The consent was necessary for security reasons, to ensure the students' safety in case of any future threats.

Every parent signed the form without hesitation. The school, understanding the need for caution, wasted no time. By that afternoon, a complete set of photographs of each first-year student from the Hero Course was sent out to the public. These images of Class 1-A, including their faces and personal details, were broadcast on every major news channel. It was an unsettling but necessary measure—one that put the students in the spotlight for reasons none of them had asked for.

Though the students had handled the situation with composure, there was no denying the new level of scrutiny they would now face. It was a constant reminder that their lives as aspiring heroes would never be as simple or as private as they once imagined.

 

Eraserhead sat at his desk, quietly sorting through reports and assisting Principal Nezu with security upgrades for the upcoming Sports Festival. The paperwork was endless, but his focus remained sharp until his phone buzzed.

He picked it up without much thought. “Hello, who’s speaking?”

A young voice came through the line, one he recognized immediately.

“Hello, Eraserhead. I was going to give you a report today so I’ve got one for you now. Want to meet in person, or would you rather get it through text or voice message?”

“I prefer we meet in person,” Eraserhead replied.

“I’ll be there in the afternoon. No problem.”
Click.

Tiger hung up without another word.

Eraserhead lowered the phone, already piecing things together in his head. He turned to Nezu, who was seated comfortably across from him with his ever-present calm.

“Nezu, remember when you asked me to see if I could gather information from the Undercity?”

Nezu’s ears twitched, and he tilted his head. “Of course.”

“I couldn’t. But I met someone there who’s willing to give me information—outside the Undercity—so I can pass it to you.”

Nezu’s eyes sparkled with interest, his smile widening as if it had been waiting for good news all morning. “Splendid!”

 

Eraserhead arrived near the Undercity just after 2 p.m., the air already heavy with the quiet hum of distant activity. As he approached the outer wall of Dander City, he spotted Tiger sitting casually atop the stone ledge, her legs swinging over the edge. She was humming to herself in a soft, almost eerie tune.

“Run, rabbit, run, rabbit, run, run, run…”

She looked down just in time to see him land gracefully below, her red eyes lighting up with a spark of recognition. Without a word, she raised one hand and waved him forward, the other gripping a thin, weathered file.

Eraserhead followed her silently, trailing behind as she led him along the outskirts. They walked until they reached a small, half-hidden cabin nestled near the edge of the wall. It looked abandoned from the outside, but Tiger pushed the door open with ease, stepping inside like it was familiar territory.

Once they were both in and the door was closed, she turned and held up the file.

“Okay,” she said calmly. “I learned a few things.”

Her expression was unreadable, but there was a faint edge in her voice—a seriousness beneath the usual casual tone.

“What would you like to know first?”

“Names,” Eraserhead said plainly, stepping further into the room. “I’d like to have names.”

Tiger leaned her shoulder against the wall, crossing one leg over the other as she glanced down at the file in her hand. “Okay, Eraser."

Her tone shifted slightly, not quite teasing, but lighter

like she was trying to keep the conversation from growing too heavy too fast.

“The only thing I can offer you right now isn’t exactly names. But I did look into it, all of it. Every person involved in the incident—I checked. None of them were from the Undercity. Not a single one sent the notes.” She flicked the edge of the file with her finger. “However… they did receive them. The notes were passed along to certain individuals with instructions to distribute them further. And a few people I know from outside the city—Masujisu, Tokyo—received letters too. Invitations.”

Eraserhead said nothing, only narrowed his eyes.

Tiger pushed off the wall. “I checked thoroughly. No one from the Undercity had any confirmed connection to anyone who caused the USJ incident. It’s… concerning, I know. But that’s all I can offer right now.”

She walked to a small, cracked table and set the file down.

“There’s another thing,” she added. “You might already know this, but not everyone is allowed into the Undercity. It’s not as open as people think. There’s a system.”

Eraserhead tilted his head slightly. “Go on.”

“To get in, you need a visitor card—like the one you have. You show it to the guards, they scan it, and you’re allowed in. But if you don’t have a card, you get questioned. If they allow you, you’re given a temporary pass. You have to fill it out with all your personal info. It limits how long you can stay, and how far you can go. Kind of like a zoo,” she added, voice flat, “except it’s an actual city.”

She paused, eyes scanning his face before continuing.

“I asked the guards to show me the records. Every single person who tried to enter the Undercity and was denied—because of bad information, shady backgrounds, reputation issues—all of them, every one, ended up either caught or killed during the USJ incident.”

Eraserhead’s expression barely shifted, but his silence deepened.

Tiger lowered her voice a notch. “The only ones who weren’t caught or killed were people who didn’t show up at all. And those? The only reason they weren’t allowed into the city was stuff like curfew violations, or being underage. Nothing serious.”

The room settled into a quiet stillness.

“Okay,” Eraserhead finally said. “Thank you for your information. It’ll be used well.”

Tiger gave a slight nod, her face unreadable as always.

Just as Tiger went to turn around and head back to the Undercity, he stopped her with a simple question.

"I heard that you and Bunny purchased the island around your seashore."

 

"Yeah," she replied casually. "Me and Bunny decided to expand a little. That was the best place for it. Or… do you have a problem with it?"

"No, I was just curious. After all, I don’t really know what you’re planning to put there."

Tiger shrugged lightly. "Mostly to expand. More civilians are trying to move here, so we’re going to expand the residential area—and the factories for energy, water, electricity… all the essentials."

Eraserhead nodded slowly, absorbing every word.

---

First day back at school after the USJ attack

This time, the reporters never made it to the school. Sayori and Akita didn’t have to deal with any of them—the media had already gotten most of their information from the police report a few days ago, so they were left alone. Well, that and the most annoying reporter had suffered a heart attack, which made the news.

Either way, once they made it to class, they sat down quietly. It didn’t take long—less than five minutes—before murmurs started spreading among the students.

"Hey, did you watch the news a couple days ago? That was weird, seeing our faces on the screen. Well… most of our faces, anyway. Everything they showed felt so filtered."

"It’s hard to stand out while being invisible," someone muttered. "But yeah, apparently our parents had to sign some kind of waiver so we could even be shown. Probably because of the whole USJ thing."

"I actually talked with a couple of upperclassmen," another student chimed in. "They said parents usually only get a notice when it’s time for the Sports Festival. UA has their own broadcast channels, so they need permission ahead of time. But apparently, this time around, they had parents sign the media waiver at the start of the year. That’s what let them show us on public news early—normally, that only happens during second year."

"But all the channels made a big deal out of it, don’t you think?"

"Of course they did. It’s UA. And on top of that, pro heroes getting attacked by villains during the first year? What else would you expect?"

"Yeah, but just imagine what would've happened if the teachers hadn’t gotten there fast enough. All Might thankfully showed up right on time. Otherwise, I don’t think any of us would’ve survived that monster… thing. What did they call it? A Nomu?"

"That’s what the villains called it, yeah. So I guess that’s the name. It literally started attacking the other villains and went on a rampage. Honestly, as much as I hate saying this, it’s a good thing the villains were able to take control of their own monster. That thing could’ve killed everyone."

"Everyone, quiet down," instructed their homeroom teacher, Aizawa. "We have important things to discuss."

The class immediately went tense. The last time he’d said something like that, they were almost expelled.

"First things first," he continued. "Don’t let the popularity, or whatever you want to call it, get to your heads. We have more important things to worry about. That attack is behind us. The UA Sports Festival is coming up, and you all need to make yourselves known."

A wave of excitement rippled through the class. A few students cheered, calling it a “normal school event,” while others quickly shushed them.

"Is it really okay to have the Sports Festival so soon after the villains broke in?" someone asked.

"There’s no need to worry," Aizawa replied calmly. "Security will be increased. We can’t afford to show weakness. UA can take care of itself, and we don’t fear threats like that. It was nothing more than a small incident. The UA Sports Festival is a major event—on the same level as the Olympics in terms of importance. Canceling it isn’t an option."

"For you hero students," Aizawa added, his tone sharp, "the Sports Festival is an even bigger event. Pro Heroes will be watching you—evaluating your potential for internships. You need to make a strong impression."

He let the silence stretch before continuing.

"If you fail miserably, someone from the General Education Department could take your spot. And if that happens, you’ll either be expelled or transferred to General Studies. So don’t slack off."

The end-of-class bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. Everyone was still buzzing with excitement about the upcoming Sports Festival.

"Akita, I need to talk to you. Mind having lunch with me?" All Might’s familiar voice called out as he gently pushed through the crowd to reach him.

"Of course, no problem. Is it okay if I go, guys?" Akita asked his friends.

"Yeah, no problem," one of them replied with a nod.

All Might led Akita to a quieter corner of the lunch area. "Okay, I really need you to make a strong impression during the Sports Festival," he said seriously. "This is an important event. You need to show everyone that you're here for a reason—and that no matter what happens to me in the future, there will be a next Symbol of Peace. Understood?"

"Yes, All Might."

"Good. Now go enjoy your lunch with your friends. And if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me or your teacher."

The rest of the school day passed quickly. But at 5:00 p.m., when the final class ended, leaving the building became a challenge. Students from the other education tracks—especially those hoping to transfer into the Hero Course—crowded the hallway. A few from Class 1-B even created a complete bottleneck in front of the classroom door.

“What are you all doing here?” Mina Ashido asked, stepping forward with a frown. “We want to leave, and you’re kind of creating a bottleneck. We can’t exactly leave if you’re all blocking the way.”

“What do you think they’re doing?” Bakugo growled from behind her. “They’re scoping out the competition. Every damn class heard we survived a villain attack. Now all these extras who couldn’t make it into the Hero Course the first time are out here trying to find weaknesses.”

“Hey, hey!” one student from Class 1-B called out. “I’m just from the class next door! I came to hear about what happened—don’t get so full of yourselves!”

“Everyone shut the hell up!” Sayori suddenly shouted, her voice cutting sharply through the noise. “That includes you, Bakugo!”

The hall went dead silent.

“First of all, let me make one thing perfectly clear,” she snapped, eyes burning with frustration. “We didn’t choose to be attacked. We didn’t choose to end up on the news, and we sure as hell didn’t choose who passed or failed the entrance exams.”

“Second of all, sizing up your competition is one thing, but maybe—just maybe—you should be spending your time actually training. UA’s training grounds are open to everyone right now, aren’t they? So go use them if you actually want a shot at beating us.”

Her voice stayed steady, sharp with confidence.

“Because while we were getting hands-on instruction from real pro heroes, most of you were being told to stick to academics and wait your turn. If you're from Class 1-B and think you're here to scout us like we’re some flashy fame-hungry idiots—wake up. We're not in this for the spotlight. We're in this because we earned our place.”

She glared at the crowd, taking a step forward.

“So instead of standing around trying to intimidate us, how about you focus on improving yourselves? We’ll settle it at the Sports Festival. Do your best—because we’re sure as hell going to do ours. Now get out of the way. Some of us have places to be.”

The day of the U.A. Sports Festival arrived, and the entire school was buzzing with energy. The tension in the air was thick, excitement and nerves mixing like static on everyone’s skin.

Each class made their way to their designated locker rooms, The halls echoed with footsteps, cheers from the crowd already audible through the walls. U.A. High was practically vibrating with anticipation. costumes, checking gear, tightening gloves, and mentally preparing for what was ahead. This wasn’t just a school event—it was their chance to be seen. By heroes. By agencies. By the entire nation.

This was where futures could change.
Inside the locker rooms, students were slipping into their costumes, checking gear, tightening gloves, and mentally preparing for what was ahead. This wasn’t just a school event—it was their chance to be seen. By heroes. By agencies. By the entire nation.

This was where futures could change.

Chapter 15: U.A. Class 1-A Observations – Pre-Sports Festival

Summary:

flier ep

📒 Entry #001 – Katsuki Bakugo

Quirk: Explosion

• Sweats a nitroglycerin-like substance from his palms and detonates it at will.

• Strong enough to blast enemies or launch himself through the air.

• Can adjust size and direction with precision. Likely has high Quirk control.

• Doesn’t seem to experience recoil or damage from his own explosions.

Appearance & Personality:

• Ash-blonde spiky hair, sharp red eyes. Strong, lean build.

• Extremely aggressive and competitive. Explosive temper matches his Quirk.

• Very confident in his abilities—sometimes to a fault.

• Despite temper, he’s analytical and quick-thinking in battle.

---

📒 Entry #002 – Shoto Todoroki

Quirk: Half-Cold Half-Hot

• Right side emits ice, left side emits fire.

• Can create large-scale ice structures instantly—used mainly ice so far.

• Fire power unknown (as of now), possibly related to family issues.

• Ice use can cause frostbite on his body if overused.

Appearance & Personality:

• Two-toned hair: white on right, red on left. Heterochromia: one gray, one turquoise eye.

• Very calm and collected. Quiet, but observant.

• Has a cool demeanor but seems to carry emotional weight.

• Keeps distance from others, but clearly intelligent and powerful.

---

📒 Entry #003 – Ochaco Uraraka

Quirk: Zero Gravity

• Touching objects with all five fingers makes them float.

• She can cancel the effect by pressing her fingertips together.

• Gets nauseous if she uses it too much.

• Currently focuses on mobility and rescue with her Quirk.

Appearance & Personality:

• Short brown hair, round face, soft features.

• Cheerful, kind, and outgoing. Honest and hardworking.

• Empathetic—thinks about people’s situations.

• Motivated by helping her family financially.

---

📒 Entry #004 – Tenya Iida

Quirk: Engine

• Has engines in his calves that give him bursts of speed.

• Needs fuel—uses orange juice to replenish power.

• Very fast in straight lines, best at charging, chasing, or dodging.

Appearance & Personality:

• Tall and muscular, with short dark blue hair and glasses.

• Extremely disciplined, polite, and proper.

• Tries to uphold justice—very rules-focused.

• Takes responsibility seriously and leads by example.

---

📒 Entry #005 – Eijiro Kirishima

Quirk: Hardening

• Can harden his body to become nearly indestructible.

• Useful for both offense (punching, tackling) and defense.

• Can endure powerful blows—hardening seems to get stronger with resolve.

Appearance & Personality:

• Spiky red hair, shark-like teeth. Muscular, confident posture.

• Outgoing, friendly, and straightforward.

• Loves “manliness” and bravery.

• Loyal, especially to people he respects.

---

📒 Entry #006 – Denki Kaminari

Quirk: Electrification

• Emits electricity from his body.

• Effective in close-mid range combat.

• If he exceeds his wattage limit, he short-circuits and becomes dazed.

• Discharge spreads in all directions—hard to control precisely (so far).

Appearance & Personality:

• Blonde, lightning-shaped bangs, casual style.

• Very sociable and fun-loving.

• Tries hard but often goofs around.

• Friendly and easy to talk to, but needs more control over his Quirk.

---

📒 Entry #007 – Momo Yaoyorozu

Quirk: Creation

• Can create non-living matter from her skin using body lipids.

• Needs detailed knowledge of chemical structures.

• Bigger objects require more skin exposure and stamina.

• Requires high intelligence and preparation.

Appearance & Personality:

• Tall, elegant, with long black hair in a ponytail.

• Very intelligent and calm. Speaks formally.

• Sometimes insecure, but a natural strategist and planner.

• Tries to lead with logic and grace.

---

📒 Entry #008 – Fumikage Tokoyami

Quirk: Dark Shadow

• Shadow-like creature emerges from his body and fights independently.

• Strong and versatile—can attack, shield, or grab.

• Weaker in bright light, stronger in darkness (but harder to control).

• Can communicate with it.

Appearance & Personality:

• Bird head, black feathers, wears cloak-like clothes.

• Calm, stoic, and mature.

• Has a poetic, mysterious way of speaking.

• Deeply introspective, values control and balance.

---

📒 Entry #009 – Tsuyu Asui

Quirk: Frog

• Has the abilities of a frog: long tongue (up to 20 meters), wall-climbing, swimming, jumping, etc.

• Can secrete a sticky mucus and camouflage (not fully confirmed yet).

• Extremely versatile, especially in rescue and mobility.

Appearance & Personality:

• Green hair in a bow shape, wide eyes, calm expression.

• Speaks plainly and honestly—calls things as she sees them.

• Calm under pressure. Loyal, reliable in a group.

• Doesn’t talk much, but thoughtful and sincere.

---

📒 Entry #010 – Mina Ashido

Quirk: Acid

• Secretes a corrosive liquid from her skin.

• Can change thickness and acidity, good for melting or skating across surfaces.

• Still learning to control flow and direction.

Appearance & Personality:

• Pink skin and eyes, curly pink hair, horns on her head.

• Fun-loving, bubbly, and expressive.

• Very social, enjoys dancing and joking.

• Brings energy and positivity to team settings.

---

📒 Entry #011 – Kyoka Jiro

Quirk: Earphone Jack

• Earpiece jacks can be plugged into surfaces to hear distant sounds or project soundwaves.

• Can amplify her heartbeat into sonic attacks.

• Good for stealth, recon, and close-range stun.

Appearance & Personality:

• Short, dark purple hair. Dresses in punk style.

• Quiet, witty, and cool under pressure.

• Enjoys music and plays guitar.

• Observant, useful in group planning.

---

📒 Entry #012 – Mezo Shoji

Quirk: Dupli-Arms

• Arms extending from his shoulders can replicate other body parts (eyes, ears, mouths).

• Perfect for scouting or communication.

• Very strong physically—good for defense and rescue.

Appearance & Personality:

• Tall, muscular, and masked. Arms are long and webbed.

• Quiet, serious, and deeply loyal.

• Selfless and focused on team safety.

• A natural protector.

---

📒 Entry #013 – Koji Koda

Quirk: Anivoice

• Can communicate with animals using his voice.

• Works on any species nearby—range uncertain.

• Strong potential in scouting or support roles.

Appearance & Personality:

• Round stone-like head, silent and gentle.

• Shy and avoids attention.

• Has deep empathy for all living things.

• Supportive and kind, even without words.

---

📒 Entry #014 – Rikido Sato

Quirk: Sugar Rush

• Converts sugar into strength. For every 10g of sugar, he gains 3 minutes of power.

• Stronger than average, but needs snacks to maintain stamina.

• After effects include drowsiness and energy crash.

Appearance & Personality:

• Big frame, short brown hair. Looks tough, but smiles often.

• Kind-hearted and team-oriented.

• Works hard and never complains.

• Always shares snacks—literal and emotional support!

---

📒 Entry #015 – Yuga Aoyama

Quirk: Navel Laser

• Fires a laser from his belly button.

• High energy output, but hurts his stomach if used too long.

• So far used in bursts only. Still training his stamina.

Appearance & Personality:

• Blonde, dramatic, always sparkly.

• Speaks in a theatrical, formal way.

• Wants to be noticed—feels insecure beneath the flash.

• Surprisingly thoughtful when serious.

---

📒 Entry #016 – Toru Hagakure

Quirk: Invisibility

• Her entire body is invisible—passive Quirk.

• Can’t turn it off (yet).

• Could be perfect for stealth if she trains martial arts or uses gear.

Appearance & Personality:

• Only visible parts are gloves and uniform. Voice is cheerful.

• Playful, upbeat, and very friendly.

• Tends to be overlooked—literally and socially.

• Quick to join conversations and keeps up morale.

---

📒 Entry #017 – Hanta Sero

Quirk: Tape

• Shoots tape-like strips from his elbows.

• Can swing, trap opponents, or block attacks.

• Great for mobility and capture.

• Tape seems strong and stretchy—unconfirmed material.

Appearance & Personality:

• Black hair, sharp teeth, easy-going smile.

• Chill, helpful, and quick-witted.

• Cracks jokes under pressure.

• Tactically minded, works well with others.

---

📒 Entry #018 – Hitoshi Shinso

Quirk: Brainwashing

• Can control someone who responds verbally to him.

• Doesn’t work unless the person replies directly.

• Only one person at a time—breaks if Shinso is knocked out.

• Still working on stamina and combat readiness.

Appearance & Personality:

• Messy purple hair, tired-looking eyes. Wears dark clothes.

• Quiet, focused, and serious about proving himself.

• Felt judged for his Quirk but still works hard.

• Has something to prove—really determined.

Chapter 16: Champions of the Festival

In Class 1-A’s locker room, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The students dressed in their standard U.A. sports uniforms—no hero costumes allowed. It was a rule designed to keep things fair across departments. No advantage for the Hero Course over General Studies, Support, or Business.

Everyone was focused. Some stretched in silence, others ran strategies in their heads.

Todoroki

alm and composed as always, and made a beeline for Akita.

"Akita."

Akita turned toward him. "Yes, Shoto? What is it?"

The locker room went still. Conversations halted. All eyes drifted to them.

Todoroki’s tone was cool, analytical—void of emotion.

"Looking at things from a theoretical and objective standpoint… I believe I’m stronger than you," he said plainly. "However, I’ve noticed All Might has his eye on you. I’m not going to pry into your connection with him. I just want you to know—I’m going to beat you."

“Whoa,” Kaminari muttered from the side, tension snapping in the air. “Strongest in the class calling his shot…”

Before the room could process, Bakugo’s voice exploded like a grenade.

“Huh?! Strongest in the class? You’re joking, you damn half-and-half bastard! You’re not even close!” Bakugo stood up, slamming his palm into the locker, a light spark popping from his skin. “I’m the one who’s gonna be the Number One Hero!”

"Guys, please," Sayori said, loud enough to cut through the chaos. Her voice was sharp, commanding. “Can we all just shut up for one minute? Thank you.”

She turned to Todoroki with an unshakable calm.

“Todoroki Shoto. Let me make one thing very clear. Based on my calculations—which are as accurate as a machine—Akita is going to win first place.”

Bakugo opened his mouth, but she shot him a glare.

“I don’t even want you to start, Bakugo. Don’t worry, Shoto, you’ll come in second. Not that close, but still a decent effort. I’ll be third.”

She then smirked at Bakugo, eyes gleaming with challenge.

“And Bakugo? I’m going to beat your ass so hard, you won’t even make it into the top four.”

The silence that followed was electric.

Challenge accepted.

---

“HEY, HEY, HEYYYY!!”
Present Mic’s voice boomed through the stadium speakers, nearly shaking the stands. “WELCOME TO THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!! One of the BIGGEST events of the year and your favorite time to cheer, scream, and witness the future of hero society in action!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, the noise like a wave crashing over the arena.

“AND NOW—ENTERING THE FIELD—THE FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS!!”

The massive doors slid open.

“First up—give it up for the class that survived a villain attack just ONE MONTH into school! The class that turned the world’s eyes on U.A.! That’s right, it’s the rising stars—CLASS 1-A!!”

The stadium roared as Class 1-A marched onto the field, heads high, tension thick. Cameras zoomed in. The name "1-A" was already making headlines.

“Next up, don’t sleep on them! They’ve got grit, drive, and a serious chip on their shoulder—CLASS 1-B!! The other Hero Course class, ready to prove they’re not in anyone’s shadow!”

1-B followed with just as much energy, some students waving, others glaring with determination.

“Coming in strong—we’ve got the minds, the dreamers, the planners: General Studies Classes C, D, and E! These students weren’t put in the Hero Course, but don’t count them out!”

The cheers changed to mixed curiosity and polite applause.

“Support Course Classes F, G, and H! These are the tech wizards behind every great hero—get ready to see what they can do without being behind the scenes!”

Some of them rolled in proudly with high-tech gear strapped to their belts, smiling wide.

“And last but not least—Business Course Classes I, J, and K! Future managers, strategists, and brand-builders of our hero world! They’ll be watching and learning—maybe even scouting!”

The final wave of students entered, some adjusting their glasses, others eyeing the competition with cold calculation.

“AND THAT’S OUR LINEUP!!” Present Mic shouted. “Let’s hear it for our FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS!! Let the festival… BEGIN!!”

Every first-year student at U.A. stood in perfectly organized lines across the stadium floor, their uniforms crisp, expressions focused. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, tension, and pride. Up on the central stage stood Midnight, gleaming in her usual commanding presence, high heels clicking against the platform as she raised a hand.

“Welcome to the U.A. Sports Festival!” she announced, her voice echoing across the massive stadium. “This year, I’ll be serving as the referee for our first-year events—and now, to begin, we have a student representative from Class 1-A to give the opening speech... Sayori Quinton!”

The crowd murmured, many whispering about the name they hadn’t heard before. Sayori stepped forward from the front row of Class 1-A, her posture calm, her face unreadable. She ascended the stage and took the microphone from Midnight with quiet confidence.

She looked out over the sea of students, then up into the stands packed with spectators.

“Welcome, everyone.” Her voice was firm but warm. “I hope this year’s sports festival is as entertaining for you as it is important to us.”

She paused a moment, letting her eyes scan the stadium, then continued.

“But before we begin, I want to make something clear. Every single one of us standing here today is trying to prove something—to ourselves, and to all of you. Some of us want to be heroes. Some of us want to change our futures. Some of us are just trying to be seen.”

Her tone didn’t waver, but something heavy sat beneath her words.

“Not all of us will win. That’s the truth. Not everyone can stand at the top—but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Because even if you don’t win... if you show something real—strength, spirit, determination—you have achieved something.”

She gripped the mic tighter.

“Some of us are here to show the world the next generation of heroes. Some of us are here to prove that General Studies students belong on this stage. Some want their inventions to change the future. We’re all fighting for something.”

Another pause. Her voice dropped to a quieter but more powerful note.

“If you give it your all and walk off that field with nothing left to prove—then you’ve already won.”

She gave a small, sharp nod.

“Now—let’s show everyone what our future looks like. Let’s begin.”

The crowd erupted into applause, some rising to their feet, others whispering excitedly at her words.

Sayori stepped back, returning the mic to Midnight and descending the stairs with her head high.

The stadium was still roaring from applause as Sayori returned to the line of students, slipping back into her place beside Bunny and Tiger. Her expression remained unreadable, but her fingers twitched slightly—just once—before folding behind her back.

In the stands, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Was she from Class 1-A? I’ve never heard of her before,” one spectator whispered to another.

“She’s got presence, though,” someone replied. “Didn’t even flinch. Spoke like a pro.”

“A lot more mature than I expected from a first-year.”

Up in the VIP box, a few Pro Heroes were exchanging glances.

Endeavor remained quiet, his eyes fixed not on Sayori—but on Todoroki.

in the booth Eraserhead narrowed his eyes slightly, while Present Mic gave a low whistle.

“She’s got fire,” he muttered. “Kinda gave me chills.”

“Wow,” Kaminari muttered under his breath. “Okay, that wasn’t just a speech. That was like… a challenge to everyone.”

Jirou nodded, arms crossed. “She made it about more than just heroes. I didn’t expect that from her.”

Bakugo scoffed. “Tch. Whatever. Words don’t mean shit unless you prove them.”

But he didn’t look as dismissive as his voice tried to sound.

Todoroki glanced at Sayori, thoughtful. “She’s right, though. Everyone here has something to prove.”

From Class 1-B’s side, Monoma clicked his tongue. “Trying to act like she’s the voice of the people. We’ll see how well she speaks when she’s flat on her back.”

Beside him, Kendo frowned slightly. “I think she was being honest. That wasn’t about grandstanding.”

In General Studies, nothing was said But for the first time that morning, yes weren’t on the Pro Heroes in the VIP booth—they were on Sayori.

Akita chuckled under his breath, nervous and proud at the same time. “You just took the whole stadium by the throat.”

Sayori shrugged. “Somebody had to say it.”

Midnight raised her arm dramatically, flashing a grin that matched the excitement in the air.

“Now, let’s get started right away!” she shouted, her voice booming across the stadium.

Behind her, a massive digital screen lit up. “The first game is what we call... the qualifier!” she announced.

The screen changed, and a large virtual wheel appeared—its colorful sections labeled with different possible events: Obstacle Race, Cavalry Battle, Quirk Tag, Maze Run, and more.

“Let’s roll the wheel and see what this year has in store for our first-years!”

With a loud click, the wheel began spinning. Each section flashed by in a blur, the tension rising with every passing second. Students leaned forward instinctively, eyes glued to the screen. The crowd murmured louder, energy building like static.

Click… click… click…

Slower now, the wheel started losing momentum.

Click… click…

And finally—

“Obstacle Race!”

The title flashed across the screen in bold letters. Fireworks erupted behind the display, and Midnight clapped her hands excitedly.

“There you have it! First-years—get ready!” she declared. “This race will test your agility, creativity, reflexes, and how well you can handle chaos.”

The students began shifting, stretching again, some cracking their knuckles or adjusting their shoes.

“Make your way to the starting tunnel! This obstacle course stretches all around the stadium's perimeter. The top 42 finishers will move on. The rest—thank you for playing!”

Midnight grinned.

“Let the race begin!”

The moment Midnight gave the signal, everyone dashed for the tunnel at once. The narrow space quickly became a bottleneck, bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder, elbows flying, some students getting shoved, others nearly trampled as chaos erupted in the scramble to be first.

"Well, of course!" Present Mic laughed over the speakers. "Obstacle Race begins with… Obstacle Zero: The Bottleneck Tunnel! One of the oldest tricks in the book—designed to separate the fast from the smart!"
The crowd roared with laughter and anticipation as students pushed forward like a pack of wild animals.

From the commentary box, Present Mic leaned forward, his tone suddenly shifting.
"Now, I did mention there are a few to watch out for this year…”

Just as he spoke, Todoroki moved.

Ice exploded from his right foot, freezing the ground beneath dozens of students. The frozen surface spread rapidly, locking many competitors in place with slippery floors or rising ice walls.

But not everyone was caught.

Above the chaos, Akita was already bouncing off the walls, agile and quick, his movements sharp and calculated. Behind him, Sayori followed, mimicking his path but at a slower pace, avoiding the ice with practiced ease. Their movements were synchronized, purposeful—almost like they’d practiced this together.

Most of Class 1-A and a few sharp students from other departments had managed to avoid being frozen entirely, jumping aside or leaping over the spreading frost.

Present Mic grinned.
“First, let me introduce the Quinton siblings—Akita and Sayori! Second and first place in this year’s entrance exam. Don’t let their quiet reputations fool you—both have impressive abilities, but what’s more impressive is how little they actually rely on them. Strategy, adaptability, and raw athleticism. This is gonna be fun!”

Just as the students who hadn’t been frozen or crushed were regaining their momentum, the ground trembled.

Massive shadows loomed ahead.

From the far side of the track, a wave of giant robots—the same kind used during the entrance exam—began stomping toward the students, blocking their path with thunderous steps and mechanical groans.

“Oh-ho! Would you look at this?!” Present Mic’s voice boomed with excitement. “Looks like Obstacle #1 is rolling in to say hello! Give it up for our robotic villains! They're here to crush dreams and test nerves!” 

Gasps rippled through the crowd as the robots closed in. Students scattered, some turning to flee, others preparing to fight.

At the front of the pack, Akita and Sayori exchanged a glance.

Without a word, Sayori dropped to one knee, her hand slamming against the ground. Blue lines flickered across her skin as her Quirk activated—an immediate connection formed between her and the machines.

One by one, the robots froze in place. Joints locked. Heads tilted. Their red sensors dimmed.

Silent. Deactivated.

Akita didn’t wait. The moment the robots stalled, he was on the move, sprinting across the still metal bodies. Sayori was right behind him, scaling the frozen giants like they were stepping stones.

“Would you look at that!” Present Mic practically sang. “Sayori Quinton just shut down the entire mechanical army with a single touch! Her Quirk gives her control over nearby machines—and with Akita right beside her, they’re cutting through like it’s nothing!”

More students began to follow, racing over the inert robots while they had the chance.

In the commentator booth, Aizawa leaned toward the mic, his voice calm but pointed.
“Sayori’s Quirk has a range limit. Once they move out of her zone of influence, those robots will reactivate. The smart ones are taking advantage now. Hero Course, General Studies, Support… this is their window.” 

Just as the rest of the students tried to follow, the robots twitched.

One by one, their eyes flickered back to red.

Sayori’s control had reached its limit.

With a loud clank, a massive robot collapsed forward, knocking two students aside. Others roared back to life, arms swinging and feet stomping, returning to the attack.

Screams erupted as chaos broke out. Only Class 1-A, five General Studies students, and two from Support Course had managed to slip past before the robots rebooted.

“Whoa, whoa, WHOA!” Present Mic yelled into the mic. “Looks like the first obstacle wasn’t so friendly after all! The robots are BACK and crankier than ever!”

The camera zoomed in on the front runners.

“Let’s give a big thanks to Sayori Quinton for giving as many of her fellow students a chance as possible—but now it’s up to everyone to survive!”

High above, drones followed the leaders.

“In first place—we’ve got Akita Quinton, slicing through the course like a pro!”
“Right behind him is Shoto Todoroki, cool as ever—literally!”
“Third place: Sayori, still keeping pace despite the drain on her Quirk.”
“And in fourth—it’s the explosion maniac himself, Katsuki Bakugo!”

The four were now racing neck-and-neck toward the second obstacle: The Fall—a long stretch of broken platforms suspended over a deep canyon, swaying dangerously in the wind.

Each step could mean a leap forward… or a plummet to the bottom.

“Looks like things are about to go from bad to worse!” Present Mic shouted. “Let’s see how our top contenders handle... THE FALL!”

Todoroki was the first to act. Calm and precise, he reached out and froze a path across the ropes, forming a slick bridge of ice. He slid across with perfect balance, barely slowing.

Bakugo didn't even bother with the ropes. With a yell, he launched himself into the air, using rapid-fire explosions to fly, zigzagging from rope to rope like a fiery comet.

Akita sprinted straight at the edge—and leapt. One jump covered an entire third of the course. He landed hard, then jumped again, making enormous bounds that defied logic. His control over momentum was razor-sharp, and he moved like a projectile with perfect aim.

Sayori, however, had a different strategy. She touched the ground—and the ropes suddenly twisted and swayed, violently shaking beneath anyone trying to cross.

With the field thrown into chaos behind her, Sayori reached a midpoint, grabbed one of the main ropes, and swung it like a lasso. Looping the far edge, she ran along the side of the wall, then pulled herself up in one powerful motion, flipping onto the last platform with a grin.

All four front-runners cleared the Fall with style, making it look effortless.

Meanwhile, back along the rope line—

General Studies students were wobbling and clinging to whatever they could. Some fell, caught by the safety nets below, while others pushed forward, determined not to quit.

Class 1-A showed their training. Uraraka used her Zero Gravity to float herself across. Iida boosted forward in blurts of speed. Sero swung from rope to rope with tape.

Support Course students? They activated gadgets, jetpacks, grappling hooks, drones—you name it, they used it.

Present Mic’s voice boomed through the stadium, barely containing his excitement.

“WOAH! Would you look at that! Our top four are blazing ahead—but we’ve got a new challenger entering the mix!”

From the chaos of the ropes, Hitoshi Shinsō emerged—cool, calm, and calculating. He had mimicked Sayori’s tactic. 

“Shinsō from Hero Course now in fifth place!"

But the top five weren’t slowing down.

Ahead of them loomed the final challenge:
The Minefield.

A wide stretch of dusty terrain scattered with landmines—harmless in terms of injury, but powerful enough to throw contestants into the air, disorient them, or worse… knock them back in the rankings.

“Now, don’t panic!” Present Mic shouted. “They’re not real landmines, but step on the wrong one and you’ll be flying, folks! Confusion is the real weapon here!”

Akita skidded to a halt at the edge of the minefield. His eyes scanned the ground.

Boom.

Someone behind triggered a mine and went flying.

He crouched, slammed his hands into the earth, then jumped straight up—launching himself across a quarter of the field.

Shoto, analytical as always, froze the ground in front of him, watching carefully as ice formed safely over pressure points, revealing which spots were safe by where the frost broke. It was slow but safe and smart.

Bakugo? He didn’t care. BOOM—BOOM—BOOM! Explosions behind him kept him in the air, his smirk wild. He let off an extra-large blast behind him, sending a shockwave that dislodged half the mines around him in a chain reaction, clearing part of the field in a storm of smoke and debris.

Sayori, still a few steps behind, touched the earth and paused. A second later, a glowing network of signals lit up across the minefield, showing the audience—and her—the entire mine layout. She charged forward, weaving through the danger like she’d mapped it herself.

Shinsō, now running close behind, kept his eyes locked ahead. No fear. He wasn’t the fastest—but he was relentless.

“And that’s it! The final stretch!” Present Mic roared. “Only one can take first, but these five are giving us a show!”

As the dust settled and the roaring from the landmine section faded, the stadium erupted with cheers. All eyes were on the finish line as the top five came charging forward.

“AND FIRST PLACE GOES TO—AKITA QUINTON!!” Present Mic bellowed, his voice nearly cracking the stadium speakers. “Explosive power, strategic movement, and terrifying efficiency—this guy didn’t just run the course, he crushed it!”

Akita didn’t even look back. He crossed the finish line with a focused expression, breathing steady, posture calm—as if he hadn’t just dominated every obstacle in front of the entire nation.

“SECOND PLACE—SHOTO TODOROKI!!”
“Cool-headed as ever—literally! Todoroki’s precision with his ice gave him the edge, but just couldn’t quite catch Akita!”

Shoto crossed quietly behind him, eyes narrowing just slightly in thought.

“THIRD PLACE—SAYORI QUINTON!!”
“She carried her whole class over the robot zone, broke physics with a rope trick in the fall section, and mapped out an entire minefield—someone give this girl a medal already!”

Sayori shot a look to her brother, smirking. He nodded back without needing words.

“FOURTH PLACE—KATSUKI BAKUGO!!”
“Loud, proud, and kaboomin’! You know he’s not happy about being fourth, but he made sure everyone behind him had to eat his smoke!”

Bakugo stormed across the line with clenched fists, growling to himself. “Tch. Damn extras.”

“AND FIFTH PLACE—HITOSHI SHINSO!!”
"This kid’s got brains, guts, and a Quirk to watch out for! Let’s go, Shinsō!”

The stadium erupted. The audience was on their feet now, chanting, shouting, watching history unfold.

Midnight stepped forward, smiling wide. “Top five are confirmed! The qualifiers continue until the time limit’s up! Everyone else move it!”

Aizawa arms crossed, expression neutral, “Akita’s instincts are polished. Sayori’s utility application is elite-level already. Todoroki’s in control. And Shinsō… he’s showing results. This class is growing faster than expected.”

Nezu, analyzing from the tower with stacks of data “If this pattern continues, Class 1-A will not only dominate the Sports Festival—they’ll redefine how we evaluate first-years.”

"YEEEEEAAAH! The first obstacle race is DONE and DUSTED! But let's not forget—only 42 students made it through! And boy, did they make us SWEAT! Let's break down the finishers after our top five!"

"Coming in hot in 6th place is the Rocket Engine himself—TENYA IIDA! With that speed and that precision, it’s no surprise he cut through the fall zone like a bullet train!"

"In 7th place, the Froppy queen—TSUYU ASUI! Cool under pressure and hopping across chaos like it’s a lily pad picnic!"

"And let’s give it up for MOMO YAOYOROZU, inventing her way into 8th place with that grappling hook masterstroke—rich, brilliant, and graceful!"

"TOKOYAMI glided in next, Shadow-Bird style, followed by SERO swinging like a pro—those two stuck together like a buddy cop duo in a horror movie!"

"JIRŌ, MINA, and KIRISHIMA came powering through next—tough, wild, and with dance moves I’m hoping someone got on camera!"

"And would you believe it—DENKI KAMINARI shock-blasted his way into the final qualifying spots, after temporarily turning his brain into fried tofu! BUT HE MADE IT!"

"And shoutout to the SUPPORT COURSE students—Power Suit Girl with Jet Knees and Hoverboard Boy zipped in with creative tech and raw guts!"

All 42 students stood scattered across the stadium grounds, catching their breath from the intense obstacle race. Midnight stepped onto the stage again, clipboard in hand, her voice calm but unmistakably firm.

“Alright, students,” she began, “you know what comes next.”

A few students glanced at each other knowingly.

“It’s the Cavalry Battle.”

The tension rose in the air.

“But,” Midnight continued, smirking slightly, “this year’s version has a twist.”

That got their attention. More heads turned. Conversations paused.

“You’ll form teams of two to four people—how you build your team is up to you. One of you will be the rider. The rest will support.”

She raised her clipboard.

“Now, the point system. This time, it’s based on your placement in the obstacle race. Forty-second place starts with five points. Every position above that adds five more. That means forty-first place is worth ten. Fortieth, fifteen. And so on.”

Murmurs broke out among the students. Some were already doing mental math, calculating who had which worth.

Then Midnight added the twist.

“And to make it more interesting… First place will be worth ten million points.”

Silence.

Eyes turned to Akita.

“You have ten minutes to form your teams,” Midnight said. “That’s all.”

She turned and walked off the stage, leaving the students to deal with the fallout.

The ten-minute countdown had begun, and most students scrambled across the stadium, trying to form their ideal teams. Sayori and Akita stood together near the edge of the field, already forming a pair—but finding others to join was proving… complicated. Too many points meant too much attention.

First and third place? Together?

No one wanted that kind of target on their back.

Just as Sayori turned to scan the field for options, a blur of motion skidded to a stop in front of them—Hatsume Mei, practically buzzing with excitement.

“Hey! You two are the Quinton siblings, right?” she grinned. “Okay, good, you’re sitting on ten million points and I’ve got babies to show off. I’m joining your squad.”

She didn’t wait for a reply.

“Great!”

Sayori blinked. “Wait—”

Too late. Hatsume was already rooting through her case of inventions.

As that whirlwind of enthusiasm unfolded, Sayori stepped away and made a direct beeline to Hitoshi Shinso, standing silently to the side. One quick exchange and a sharp, convincing glance later, he agreed to join. 

Sayori took charge. 

“Alright, we need a strategy. First—who should ride?”

She looked at Shinso. “I think it should be you. Your Quirk works best when people focus on you, and the rest of us are more physically capable of carrying someone.”

Shinso nodded quietly, no objections.

“Great. Next, Hatsume—go over your… ‘babies.’ We need to see what we can use and how to show them off.”

Hatsume practically glowed. “I knew I liked you guys. This is going to be so much fun! After the Sports Festival, we’re going to be best friends. I just know it.”

Sayori smiled slightly. “Quick question—can I link to your inventions? Keep the batteries going and improve control?”

“Ohhh, you can do that? Perfect! Yes, yes, absolutely. You are amazing.”

Sayori nodded. “I’ll keep them powered and stable.”

Hatsume crouched and began pulling out her gear.

“Okay! Here’s what I brought:

• A jetpack rope, inspired by this anime I loved as a kid.

• Electric stun staff—great for defense.

• Compact grappling hooks.

• Magnetic gloves for holding onto teammates or metal targets.”

Akita studied the gear. “I’ve got an idea. We use Hatsume’s tech to launch Shinso as high up as possible. That keeps us out of reach. The rest of us form a stable platform.”

Sayori nodded. “I’ll be left-back. Akita up front for kicks. Hatsume right-back. Shinso holds the electric staff for defense. If anyone gets close—just brainwash them and send them away. Nothing more. We’re here to stall, not end the match in one move.”

Everyone agreed.

The moment the final second of the ten-minute countdown passed, they were locked in—ready.

Team Quinton stood at the starting line, 10 million points riding on their shoulders.

And all eyes were about to be on them.

Total Points: 10,000,490

Midnight’s heels clicked against the stadium floor as she raised her mic with a confident smirk, her voice echoing across the arena.

“And now that all our brave contenders have chosen their partners and formed their ultimate squads—let the formations begin!”

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the teams assembled under the bright stadium lights.

🟢 Team Bakugo snapped into position fast—Bakugo clearly the rider, standing fierce and loud atop Kirishima, Kaminari, and Mina, who were already bracing themselves for a wild ride.

🔵 Team Quinton looked more strategic than aggressive. Shinso climbed up into the rider's position as planned, focused and calm. Sayori gave a nod to Akita and Hatsume, her fingers brushing the gear connected to her teammates as they all subtly synced up.

🔴 Team Todoroki was all precision. Todoroki, riding with an icy focus, looked ahead while Uraraka, Iida, and Tokoyami coordinated their movements like clockwork.

🟡 Team Monoma carried a theatrical flair—Monoma pointing dramatically like he was already winning, while Yaoyorozu, Tetsutetsu, and Ibara followed his gestures in sync, despite mild visible irritation from Momo.

🟣 Team Kendo lined up quickly, Kendo already commanding her team with a calm authority. Kinoko, Yui, and Kojiro moved with a mix of confidence and quiet strategy.

⚫ Team Shishida was brute force and quiet resolve. Jurota, larger than most, took the front while Reiko and Hiryu took their sides, the air around them charged with readiness.

⚪ Team Honenuki had a steady, calculating presence. Honenuki, grinning, stood ready as Sen and Togaru locked into position, their eyes sharp.

🟤 Team Tokage was all unpredictable energy. Setsuna, already split into parts and reattaching, was setting the tone, with Manga shouting sound effects and Kosei helping stabilize the team.

🟠 Team Awase looked more composed than expected. Pony adjusted her horns, Awase checked his gear, and Shoda cracked his neck. Quiet, but ready.

Midnight smiled wider as she raised her crop high above her head.

“Everyone ready? Because it’s time to find out—who can survive ten million points on their head? Cavalry Battle… Begin!”

"Looks like Quinton’s got company, but will they be able to escape the storm coming at them?"

A quick adjustment from Team Quinton—a rapid descent that cut through the air like a knife—"And just like that, they’re outta here! Look at that, folks! The sheer precision of this team is something else!"

The tension was rising, but just when it looked like the other teams were closing in, Akita’s voice rang out, cool and commanding: "Hold on." The next moment? BOOM! He launched them all into the air, a jet-fueled leap that sent them sailing past their pursuers. "AND THERE THEY GO! A MASTERCLASS IN ESCAPE RIGHT THERE! Quinton’s outta sight, leaving everyone else eating their dust!"

But it wasn’t over yet. With one final burst, Team Quinton soared across the field, cutting through the air as if they were born to fly. "Folks, this is it. They’re reaching the finish line!" Present Mic’s voice cracked with excitement. "No one’s catching them now! What a move! What a team! THIS IS IT!"

And just like that, they landed—perfectly, without a hitch, as the chaos behind them settled into confusion. The other teams were still tangled in the aftermath of their failed pursuit.

"Time’s up!" Midnight’s whistle rang out, and the entire stadium held its breath.

"And there you have it, folks! Team Quinton has secured the victory in the Cavalry Battle! What a performance! What an escape!" Present Mic yelled, his voice booming through the stadium as the crowd erupted into applause. "They’ve turned the battlefield into their own playground! Absolutely unreal!"

Bakugo, Todoroki, Monoma, and every other competitor were left to pick up the pieces of their broken chase, but Team Quinton stood tall—victorious. The crowd roared as the adrenaline of the battle continued to pulse through the stadium, and for one team, the victory was theirs to claim.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE RESULTS ARE IN! AFTER A NON-STOP, EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT BATTLE ROYALE IN THE SKY, ON THE GROUND, AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN..."

"TAKING THE NUMBER ONE SPOT WITH A SKY-HIGH ESCAPE AND UNREAL TEAMWORK..."

TEAM QUINTON!!
"These kids turned strategy into an art form! From aerial maneuvers to coordinated defense—THEY. NAILED. IT!"

"IN SECOND PLACE, BLASTING THEIR WAY THROUGH LIKE A FIREWORK FINALE..."

TEAM BAKUGO!!
"With explosions, aggression, and raw power, they weren’t going down without a fight! KABOOM!"

"FREEZING INTO THIRD PLACE WITH STYLE, CONTROL, AND ICE-COLD PRECISION..."

TEAM TODOROKI!!
"Cool under pressure, dominant on the battlefield, but just a few points short of the top!"

"AND IN FOURTH PLACE, WITH UNDENIABLE ENERGY AND SHEER DETERMINATION..."

TEAM MONOMA!!
"They pushed through with full force, giving everyone a run for their money!"

"FOLKS, THAT WAS A CAVALRY BATTLE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS! STAY TUNED, ‘CAUSE THE FESTIVAL IS JUST GETTING STARTED!"

---

It was lunch break when Shoto approached Akita just outside the stadium. The crowds were still buzzing from the Cavalry Battle, but this part of the grounds, near the path that led toward the locker rooms, was quiet.

“Hey,” Shoto said, keeping his voice even. “Do you have a minute? I wanted to talk.”

Akita glanced at him, then nodded. “Sure.”

They walked together toward a small corner near the changing rooms, away from the noise. Once they reached a quieter spot, Akita leaned back against the wall and looked at him.

“So, Shoto, what did you want to talk about?”

Shoto paused for a moment, then asked, “You and Sayori… you’re really close siblings, aren’t you?"

Akita nodded. “I guess you could say that. We’re not related by blood, though. Technically, we’re not even siblings legally.”

Shoto blinked. “What do you mean? I thought you guys were siblings. You even have the same last name.”

Akita let out a quiet breath. “Yeah, that’s true. But the story’s a little more complicated than that. We both have an older brother Mito. He’s our parents’ biological child. I was adopted, and Sayori… she’s still in foster care.”

He looked off toward the path behind Shoto. “She didn’t have a last name when she came to live with us. It made things hard—signing up for school and all that. So she chose to use our parents’ last name. I took it too when I was adopted. But biologically? We’re not related.”

Shoto was quiet for a moment, processing what Akita had said. His eyes narrowed slightly—not in anger, just in thought.

“I didn’t know that,” he admitted. “You all… seem like a real family.”

Akita gave a small shrug. “We are. Just not in the usual way.”

There was a pause before Shoto spoke again. “That’s not a bad thing. It’s kind of… admirable, honestly. I’ve seen families that look perfect from the outside but feel completely broken on the inside. You guys—Sayori, Mito, you—you act like you actually care about each other.”

Akita looked at him, brow raised. “We do. It wasn’t always easy, but we’ve been through a lot together.”

Shoto nodded slowly, his voice quieter. “It shows.”

Akita studied him. “Why are you asking about this, anyway?”

Shoto hesitated, glancing off to the side. “I guess I was just… curious. You and Sayori fought like hell out there to protect each other. Not for points, not for show. That kind of trust isn’t something I’ve seen very often.”

He looked back, more serious now. “It made me think about what kind of person I am. What kind of teammate. What kind of… brother.”

Akita blinked. “Shoto, I didn’t know you had siblings.”

“Yeah, I don’t really talk about them,” Shoto replied. “I have an older sister. An older brother. And… another brother, but he’s gone. That’s not why I came to talk to you, though.”

He paused, then added, “Actually, what you just explained makes this easier to bring up.”

Akita tilted his head. “Bring up what?”

“That move you used during the Cavalry Battle,” Shoto said. “The one where you leapt across the field with that burst of strength. It felt familiar. Like something I saw back at USJ… when All Might went all out.”

Akita stared at him.

“I have to ask,” Shoto continued, face unreadable. “Are you All Might’s secret love child or something?”

If Akita had been drinking something, he would’ve spat it out. “What?! No! Me and All Might aren’t related—at all.”

Shoto gave him a look that said Really?

Akita sighed. “I know who my biological parents were. They died when I was three. I don’t remember much, but I would’ve known if All Might was my dad. Trust me. He’s not.”

“…Huh,” Shoto said, still eyeing him suspiciously. “You just… moved like him.”

“I train a lot,” Akita muttered, crossing his arms. “And I had to learn to survive without a Quirk before I got adopted. Maybe I picked up some habits watching him, but that’s it.”

Shoto gave a small nod, thoughtful again. “Alright. I believe you.”

“Now that you’ve asked your question,” Akita said, “I’ve got one too. Well… I didn’t have it until we started talking, but—when you said your brother was gone… did you mean he died?”
He paused. “What was home like for you?”

Shoto was quiet. The question hung in the air, heavy, but not unkind.
“My home life…” he started, then looked down. “It explains a lot, I guess.”

He didn’t wait for Akita to respond.

“Do you know what a Quirk marriage is?”

Akita’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t speak.

Shoto continued. “My father—Endeavor—he bought my mother from her parents. Not literally, but close enough. Married her for her Quirk. Ice and fire. He wanted a child strong enough to surpass All Might.”

His voice was low. Bitter.

“I heard her once, talking to a friend on the phone. Said her life at home was hell. Said when she looked at me, especially my left side, she saw him—my father. I walked in while she was making tea. She saw me and… she poured boiling water on me.”

Akita’s eyes widened slightly, and his gaze instinctively dropped to Shoto’s scar.

“That’s how I got this,” Shoto said flatly. “She ended up in a hospital after that. A mental hospital. And… I guess I owe you an apology too. I picked a fight with you because I thought you were connected to All Might. I wanted to prove I could beat someone like him. Without using his power. Without using my father’s fire. Just… my mother’s ice.”

Akita was quiet for a moment, taking it all in.

“Is that why you asked us to call you by your first name instead of Todoroki? Because you don’t want to be associated with Endeavor?”

Shoto nodded once. “Yeah.”

Akita looked at him seriously. “Shoto… I’m not going to get into your business. I won’t pretend to understand your situation—like Sayori said during the opening speech, we all have our own stories.”

He leaned back slightly. “But just so you know… when you’re trying to prove something—whether it’s to yourself or to the world there are always going to be people who want to tear down what you hate just as much as you do. Not because they hate it, but because you do.”

There was a beat of silence before Akita stood up.

“I hope things get better for you.”

With that, Akita turned and left the cafeteria to meet up with his friends, leaving Shoto behind in quiet reflection.

---

Sixteen contestants stood in a row under the bright midday sun, the crowd roaring around them as they faced the stage. Midnight stood before them on a platform of solid concrete—newly constructed during the lunch break while everyone was resting or preparing for what came next.

“And now,” she said, voice carrying through the stadium, “we’ve reached the final stage of the U.A. Sports Festival!”

The noise from the crowd swelled again as the spotlight focused on her.

“For this round, we’ll be holding one-on-one battles! That’s right—classic, intense, knock-out matches!”

The contestants straightened up, a mix of anticipation and nerves in the air.

“The matchups have been determined randomly, but fair and square—based on your placement during the Cavalry Battle!”

Midnight waved her hand toward the screen overhead as the bracket flickered to life, displaying the sixteen final contestants and the first round of pairings.

“These are your matchups!”

The giant screen above the stadium lit up with bold, glowing text as the crowd leaned forward, buzzing with excitement.

Midnight raised her whip and pointed dramatically toward the display.
“Here are the matchups for the final round!”

The brackets appeared, each name drawing its own reaction from the crowd:

🟥 Match 1: Shoto Todoroki vs Eijiro Kirishima
🟩 Match 2: Fumikage Tokoyami vs Mina Ashido
🟦 Match 3: Tenya Iida vs Mei Hatsume
🟨 Match 4: Hitoshi Shinso vs Denki Kaminari
🟪 Match 5: Neito Monoma vs Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
🟫 Match 6: Akita Quinton vs Momo Yaoyorozu
🟧 Match 7: Katsuki Bakugo vs Ibara Shiozaki
🟨 Match 8: Sayori Quinton vs Ochaco Uraraka

Midnight smiled, her voice practically dancing across the stadium.
"Get ready, everyone! You’ve fought hard to get this far—but now it’s a battle of strength, strategy, and spirit! Let’s see who’s got what it takes!"

---

The stadium hummed with anticipation as the first two contestants made their way to the reinforced concrete stage. The bright lights reflected off Kirishima’s wide, confident grin, his energy infectious as he bounced on his heels, loosening up for the fight. Across from him stood Todoroki, his posture unwavering, calm as always. His left side glowed faintly with the eerie chill that began to radiate from him, an unmistakable sign of the power contained within.

Present Mic's voice boomed over the loudspeaker, his usual enthusiasm matching the charged atmosphere. "And we’re kicking things off, folks! First battle of the day! The unbreakable force, Kirishima, versus the ice-cold Todoroki! What a matchup!”

The audience buzzed, ready for the spectacle. Midnight, ever the composed referee, raised her whip. “Ready… Begin!”

Without wasting a second, Kirishima launched himself forward, his body already coated in the familiar hardening effect as he surged toward Todoroki with a battle cry. “Come on, Todoroki! Let’s go head-to-head!”

Todoroki, however, didn’t engage immediately. He stood still, his eyes never leaving Kirishima’s form as a wave of frost exploded from his side of the arena. It rushed across the floor with terrifying speed, cracking the concrete beneath it as it spread outward like a freezing storm.

Kirishima didn’t flinch. Instead, he tanked the blast, his body skidding slightly on the ice but still charging forward with sheer momentum. “You’ll have to do better than that!” he shouted over the din of the crowd, smashing through the ice pillars that began to rise up around him.

But Todoroki was playing a different game—one of precision and patience. He wasn’t trying to overpower Kirishima. He was studying him, calculating his every move. Kirishima leapt over a particularly large column of ice, only for Todoroki to send a burst of cold air from behind him, catching him off guard. Ice formed quickly, arcing upward to trap Kirishima in a perfect cage.

“Damn it—!” Kirishima gritted his teeth, struggling against the freezing bind that locked his legs in place, his arms too slow to break free.

Todoroki took a step forward, his eyes cold but focused. The ice continued to snake up from the ground, swiftly constricting around Kirishima’s body. It was methodical, efficient—he wasn’t just trying to win; he was making a statement.

“I admire your spirit,” Todoroki said quietly, almost too calmly. “But I don’t want to drag this out.”

Another surge of ice erupted, sealing Kirishima’s arms against his sides. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t break free. His body was fully immobilized now, the icy grip too tight to fight against.

Midnight raised her whip again. “Kirishima is immobilized! Winner: Shoto Todoroki!”

---

The crowd fell into a hushed anticipation as the second match was about to begin. The tension in the air was palpable, and the excitement only grew as the next pair of competitors stepped onto the stage.

Tokoyami stood tall, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze, his expression intense and focused. His dark eyes narrowed, surveying the arena, already calculating. Beside him, Ashido bounced lightly on her toes, her energy infectious, a wide grin spreading across her face. She was the picture of confidence, her stance ready for anything that came her way.

Present Mic’s voice boomed over the loudspeakers, charging up the atmosphere. "And here we go, folks! The dark and mysterious Tokoyami Fumikage versus the bubbly and unpredictable Mina Ashido! A battle between shadows and acid—let's see what happens!"

Midnight raised her hand to signal the start of the match. “Begin!”

Ashido moved first, her feet slick with acid as she glided effortlessly across the arena with bursts of speed and precision. In an instant, she launched a glob of acid directly at Tokoyami’s feet, her aim true.

But Tokoyami was prepared. From his back, Dark Shadow erupted, its large, shadowy form swatting the acid aside with a powerful roar that echoed through the arena.

“Stay back,” Tokoyami warned, his voice calm, but firm. He raised a hand, and Dark Shadow lunged forward, a blur of darkness and power.

Ashido grinned wider, clearly unbothered. She ducked and dodged with fluid agility, her movements almost like a dancer on a battlefield. "Come on, bird boy! You’re not gonna win just standing there!" she taunted, her tone light-hearted despite the ferocity of the fight.

She flung more acid at him, this time aiming wide to limit Dark Shadow’s mobility, sending corrosive patches splattering across the floor. The acid hissed and sizzled, eating away at the concrete and restricting Tokoyami’s movements. The shadows underfoot dimmed slightly, a brief advantage for Ashido.

But that, as it turned out, was a mistake.

The moment the shadows grew deeper, Tokoyami’s demeanor shifted. His tone became colder, sharper. “You’ve helped me.”

Dark Shadow responded with a growl, its form swelling, growing larger and more wild in the dimming light. "Now—fall!" Tokoyami’s voice rang out as Dark Shadow lunged forward with inhuman speed.

Ashido tried to react, but she was too slow. Dark Shadow shot forward like a bullet, its massive form too quick to fully evade. The shadow beast slammed into her with a force that sent her crashing across the arena. She skidded to a halt, her breath knocked from her chest as she struggled to regain her footing. The acid trail she’d left behind was now too far out of reach for her to retreat to quickly.

Before she could recover, Dark Shadow was on her again. With a roar, it pinned her to the ground with one massive hand, holding her down with ease.

Present Mic’s voice cut through the silence that followed, his energy undeterred. “And that’s it, folks! Tokoyami Fumikage takes the win with a stunning display of power and control! Mina Ashido fought hard, but it was the shadows that prevailed in the end!”

---

The stadium was buzzing with eager energy as the next match was set to begin. The atmosphere hummed with excitement, the audience eager to see the next contest unfold.

Present Mic’s voice rang out, filling the arena with his signature energy:
“Fully equipped with support items, and ready to show off her brilliant inventions! From the Support Course, it’s Mei Hatsume!”

The crowd cheered as Hatsume confidently walked to her side of the stage, a wide grin on her face. Across from her stood Tenya Iida, his usual stern expression intact. He was adorned with various gadgets, all provided by Hatsume herself, and his posture exuded determination.

Midnight, ever vigilant, raised a brow and addressed the situation with a touch of concern:
“Now, wait a minute! Hero Course students aren’t allowed to use support gear without proper paperwork.”

Iida quickly bowed, his voice filled with earnestness:
“I humbly apologize! However, my heart was moved by my opponent’s generosity. She offered me this equipment so we could have a fair match.”

Midnight’s stern expression softened into a warm smile as she nodded.
“Oh, youth! If both parties agree, it’s within the regulations. Well then, let’s begin the fourth match!”

The buzzer sounded, signaling the start.

Iida was off in an instant, his legs propelling him forward with explosive speed, as if the very air around him was being sliced apart by his movements. His momentum was unstoppable, but Hatsume had anticipated this.

She activated a microphone, speaking clearly for the audience with a hint of pride:
“Isn’t that acceleration wonderful, Iida? Thanks to my babies, your mobility is enhanced!”

Slightly flustered by the attention, Iida maintained his focus. He darted toward her, but Hatsume was ready, demonstrating her gadgets with flair.

“Observe the hydraulic bracers!” she called out, pushing herself backward in an effortless motion, showcasing her ability to evade with ease. The crowd oohed in approval.

Iida gritted his teeth but kept moving, refusing to be discouraged by the display. He tried to close the distance again, but Hatsume wasn’t done yet.

“Behold the Auto-Balancers!” she shouted, activating another gadget that kept her steady and quick on her feet, even when she moved erratically. “They ensure I’m never caught off balance!”

Iida stumbled slightly, nearly losing his footing from the rapid pace, but he quickly regained his balance, his body enhanced by the support gear. His serious expression turned even more intense as he focused on the match.

“Please fight me seriously!” he called out, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.

In response, Hatsume laughed lightly, pulling out yet another gadget from her belt. This time, she aimed a net launcher at him. “This net launcher is perfect for restraining opponents!” she exclaimed as she fired it toward him.

Iida was briefly caught in the net, but with his incredible strength, he tore through it with a roar of effort, determined to press on.

The back-and-forth continued, with Hatsume showcasing more of her gadgets with casual ease. The audience was captivated by the impressive array of inventions, each one more creative than the last.

Finally, Hatsume turned toward the audience and waved with a cheerful smile.
“Thank you all for watching! I believe my babies have been demonstrated effectively,” she said, a twinkle in her eye.

Without a second thought, she casually stepped out of bounds, effectively ending the match.

Midnight, though a bit stunned by the sudden turn of events, quickly called the match:
“Mei Hatsume has left the ring! Tenya Iida advances to the next round!”

Iida, still standing in the center of the ring, looked thoroughly confused. He blinked a few times, taking in the situation before muttering to himself.

“…Was I just part of a commercial?”

The crowd erupted into laughter, and Present Mic couldn't help but join in, his voice booming:
“Looks like Hatsume just made a grand exit, folks! Iida may have won, but that match will certainly be one to remember!”

Eraserhead, ever the observer, merely shook his head from the sidelines. “That’s one way to end a match,” he muttered under his breath.

The energy in the stadium was still high as Iida processed what had just happened, unsure whether to be proud of his victory or simply baffled by the spectacle.

---

The crowd settled, the anticipation thick in the air as the next match was announced.

Present Mic’s voice reverberated throughout the stadium:
“Match four! On one side, we’ve got the electric powerhouse from Class 1-A, Denki Kaminari! And facing him… the dark horse with a sharp mind and sharper tongue—Hitoshi Shinso from Class 1-A!”

The tension in the stadium grew as the two contestants stepped onto the stage. Kaminari bounced on his feet, his signature grin wide and confident. On the other side, Shinso stood with a calm, focused expression, his posture more refined than the audience might have expected. Gone was the student who once faced doubts; Shinso had spent months training—not just in combat but in refining his control over his Quirk, becoming more precise with every step.

Kaminari, ever the extrovert, shot a grin at his opponent. “Let’s give them a show, yeah?”

Shinso nodded quietly, his gaze unwavering.

Midnight raised her hand, signaling the start of the match. “Begin!”

Kaminari wasted no time, firing a bolt of electricity at Shinso. But Shinso was quick, sidestepping with ease. He had worked hard on his agility, and it showed as he closed the distance between them in a fluid, calculated movement. He swiftly swept Kaminari’s legs out from under him with a precise kick.

Kaminari rolled back, trying to regain his balance and distance. “You’re not gonna make this easy, huh?”

Shinso, unfazed, took a slow breath before speaking, his voice calm yet firm.
“You always talk too much, Kaminari.”

Before Kaminari could react, he instinctively responded, “Hey, I’m just being friendly!” The words left his mouth without thinking, but as soon as they did, he froze, his body going rigid.

The crowd gasped in unison as the power of Shinso’s Quirk took hold. His brainwashing had been triggered by Kaminari’s own response.

Shinso approached with deliberate steps, his eyes locked on his frozen classmate. He moved with practiced precision, pushing Kaminari gently toward the edge of the stage. It didn’t take long before Kaminari crossed the line, the match concluded.

Present Mic’s voice rang out, filled with energy and excitement:
“And that’s it! The winner is Hitoshi Shinso!”

As Kaminari blinked back to consciousness, still processing what had just happened, Shinso offered a hand to his frozen classmate.

“Sorry,” Shinso said with a hint of apology in his voice. “That was strategy, not personal.”

Kaminari chuckled, accepting the hand with a grin. “You’re scary, man. But in a good way.”

Shinso smirked slightly, nodding in acknowledgment. Without another word, he walked off the stage, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction.

---

The air shifted as two students from Class 1-B walked onto the stage. Present Mic’s voice carried the energy:

"In this corner, we’ve got the steel-clad strongman of 1-B—Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!"
"And in the other, the Quirk-copying trickster, also from 1-B—Neito Monoma!"

Midnight glanced between the two with curiosity. “Begin!”

Tetsutetsu charged forward with raw power, fists raised and armor glinting under the sun. Monoma grinned, touching Tetsutetsu’s arm just before impact.

“Got it.” He leapt back.

The collision still sent him skidding, but now—Monoma’s skin gleamed metallic. He had copied Tetsutetsu’s Quirk: Steel.

The two clashed in the center of the arena, fists of steel smashing against each other with the sound of thunder. Neither seemed to back down, both gritting their teeth as they traded blow for blow.

“Come on, Monoma!” Tetsutetsu shouted, slamming a punch into Monoma’s side. “You’re just using my Quirk!”

Monoma laughed, even as he staggered back. “And I’m using it better!”

The crowd gasped as Monoma used a surprise feint—ducking low and sweeping Tetsutetsu’s legs with surprising agility. While Tetsutetsu fell, Monoma surged forward with a heavy uppercut, sending his opponent stumbling backward—right out of bounds.

"And that’s it!" Midnight raised her hand. "The winner is Neito Monoma!"

Present Mic hyped up the crowd:
"A hard-hitting mirror match, but Monoma’s got the edge this time!"

Tetsutetsu sat up, groaning. “You’re lucky I held back.”

Monoma grinned, brushing himself off. “Luck had nothing to do with it.”

---

The tension in the air shifted as the two stepped into the ring—both calm, both observant, and both known for their sharp thinking.

Present Mic’s voice echoed:
"And now, two of the brightest tactical minds face off! From Class 1-A—Momo Yaoyorozu! And from the mysterious Quinton family—Akita Quinton!"

Yaoyorozu looked across the stage, eyes steady. Akita gave a short nod, sleeves rolled up slightly. He didn’t look like much of a threat—until he moved.

"Begin!" Midnight called.

Yaoyorozu immediately began creating—a collapsible shield and a staff in quick succession. She knew better than to charge blindly.

Akita, on the other hand, didn’t move forward. He circled slowly, eyes locked on her hands, reading her decisions like they were code.

"You’re not going to attack?" she asked, defensive.

"I'm studying," Akita replied plainly.

She frowned, then lunged with her staff—quick and precise. Akita ducked under the swing, his movement calculated. He stepped forward, landed a palm strike to her side, then rolled away before she could counter.

Rolling back to his feet, Akita sprang forward again, this time faster. He jumped, flipped over Momo in a clean arc, and landed behind her. In the same motion, he grabbed her legs from behind, lifted her off the ground, and flipped her forward—over him and clean past the edge of the arena.

Yaoyorozu hit the ground and skidded, wide-eyed but unharmed.

"Momo Yaoyorozu is out of bounds! The winner is Akita Quinton!" Midnight declared.

The crowd gasped at the speed and fluidity of it. No unnecessary force, just clean, efficient movement. Akita walked over and offered Momo a hand. She took it, still slightly dazed.

---

The crowd hushed as tension spiked across the arena.

Present Mic’s voice exploded across the stadium:
“This one’s gonna be wild, folks! Entering with the fury of a storm—KATSUKI BAKUGO!”
“And his opponent, the calm before the storm, the graceful warrior—IBARA SHIOZAKI!”

Bakugo stormed onto the field like it had already insulted him. His hands popped and cracked with small explosions, jaw clenched, eyes burning.

Shiozaki stepped in quietly, hands folded. She gave a small, polite bow.
“I hope we both walk away without hatred.”

Bakugo scoffed, loud and venomous.
“Tch. Spare me the sermon, vine freak.” He raised a hand, letting a small explosion pop for punctuation. “I’m not here to hold hands—I’m here to crush everyone in my way.”

Midnight raised her whip.
“BEGIN!”

In a flash, Shiozaki’s vines launched like spears, trying to wrap around Bakugo before he could close the distance. It almost worked.

BOOM.

He blasted himself straight into the air with a violent explosion, narrowly dodging the first wave.

“YOU THINK YOU CAN TIE ME DOWN!?” he roared, twisting mid-air and launching a blast at the ground where her vines had anchored. It shattered the stone in a thunderclap of fire and smoke.

Shiozaki tried to maintain composure, her vines weaving a defense around her.
“You have much anger in your heart. I pray—”

“SHUT UP!” Bakugo interrupted with another blast that forced her back. “I don’t need your prayers! I don’t need your pity! I’ll win with my own damn strength!”

He launched himself forward like a missile, tearing through her defenses. Shiozaki managed to trap his ankle mid-air with a vine—only for him to use it to slingshot himself harder into her space.

A brutal explosion rocked her backward.

Shiozaki tried to counter, forming a dome of vines to protect herself. Bakugo landed hard, then unleashed a massive blast at the shield, shredding it open with sheer force.

She staggered.

That’s when he moved.

In three strides, he was in front of her. His palm ignited inches from her chest.
“Outta my ring.”

BOOM.

The controlled explosion hurled her backward, her feet dragging until she hit the outer edge and tumbled over.

“Shiozaki is out of bounds! Bakugo wins!” Midnight shouted.

The crowd went silent for a moment.

Bakugo turned away before they could boo him, growling to himself:
“I don’t care what any of you think. I’ll keep blowing through every last one of you until I’m the last one standing.”

He didn’t celebrate. He didn’t even glance at Shiozaki again.

He just walked off the field, still fuming, sparks trailing from his palms like a fuse that hadn’t finished burning.

---

The arena's atmosphere was electric, and the anticipation grew as the match began. Present Mic's voice echoed through the stadium:

“Time for another battle! In one corner, from Class 1-A, the gravity-defying—OCHACO URARAKA!”
“And in the other, from the Quinton family, known for her ice-cold determination—SAYORI QUINTON!”

Sayori stood in her usual calm and collected stance, her eyes focused, calculating every movement. Meanwhile, Uraraka bounced on her feet, flashing a smile, though the tension was evident in her eyes.

“Ready for this?” Uraraka asked, trying to hide the nerves in her voice.

Sayori gave a small nod. “I’m ready when you are.”

Midnight raised her whip and called the match to begin.
“BEGIN!”

Uraraka immediately launched herself into the air with her Quirk, using her ability to make rocks float and hurling them at Sayori in an attempt to overwhelm her. Sayori ducked and dodged with ease, her eyes tracking every rock with precision, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Uraraka floated higher, pushing her Quirk’s limits in an attempt to stay out of reach, but she knew she couldn’t stay airborne forever. The pressure of gravity always came back. Sayori moved slowly beneath her, watching carefully for the right moment.

As Uraraka hesitated, her stomach beginning to ache from floating for so long, her control faltered. She hadn’t expected the time to go by so quickly, and before she could even attempt to land, Sayori was already under her, fast as a shadow.

In one smooth motion, Sayori grabbed Uraraka by the wrist, lifting her out of the air effortlessly and slamming her into the ground. Uraraka barely had time to react before Sayori was on top of her, twisting her arm behind her back and locking her into an immobilizing position.

With a swift and controlled motion, Sayori pressed her knee into Uraraka’s back, pinning her down firmly.

“I’ve got you,” Sayori said, her tone quiet but resolute.

Uraraka struggled slightly, but the position was too firm, and she couldn’t break free.

“Sayori Quinton wins!” Midnight declared, raising her hand to signal the end of the match.

The crowd erupted into applause, though there was a noticeable respect in the cheers. Uraraka had put up a good fight, but Sayori’s ice-cold precision and control had been too much.

Sayori stood, offering her hand to Uraraka to help her up. “You did well,” she said simply, her expression as calm as ever.

Uraraka took her hand, still a bit dazed. “You’re too fast,” she laughed weakly, still catching her breath. “I didn’t even get a chance.”

Sayori gave a small smile, the slightest hint of warmth in her eyes, before turning to leave the stage.

---

The stadium buzzed with energy as the next match was announced. The crowd was on edge, eager to see the powerhouses of the arena collide.

Present Mic’s voice crackled through the air:
“Round two, Match one! On one side, we have the master of ice, Shoto Todoroki!”

A wave of cheers erupted as Todoroki stepped forward, his icy presence sending a chill through the air. His left side shimmered with cold, his gaze focused and unyielding.

“And on the other side,” Present Mic continued, his voice rising in anticipation, “the student with control over darkness itself—Fumikage Tokoyami!”

The crowd cheered again, this time for the enigmatic Tokoyami, whose shadowy form seemed to almost pulse with an otherworldly energy. Dark Shadow’s presence was already beginning to manifest, growing in size behind Tokoyami, its glowing yellow eyes flashing in the dim light.

Midnight raised her hand, signaling the start of the match. "Begin!"

Without hesitation, Todoroki activated his ice Quirk, sending a sharp wave of frost shooting toward Tokoyami. The ice swept across the floor, aiming to trap him in a freezing barrier.

Tokoyami, with quick reflexes, summoned Dark Shadow to his defense. The creature erupted from his back, blocking the icy surge with a burst of shadowy force. “Dark Shadow! Defend!”

The shadows writhed around him, absorbing the cold impact. Tokoyami’s eyes narrowed, focusing on Todoroki. He wasn’t going to let the match end that easily.

Todoroki advanced, his left side glowing faintly as he stepped closer, but Tokoyami was quick. “Dark Shadow, attack!”

Dark Shadow lunged with a powerful swipe, aiming to knock Todoroki back. The shadow beast’s claws tore through the air, but Todoroki was already prepared. He countered by sending a sheet of ice racing toward Dark Shadow, freezing the space around the creature in a moment of precision.

Tokoyami pulled Dark Shadow back just in time, the shadow beast slipping through the narrowing path of ice. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

Todoroki didn't miss a beat. He created a series of ice barriers to encase Tokoyami, forcing him to retreat. "I’ve seen how you fight. Let’s see if you can handle this."

Tokoyami gritted his teeth, commanding Dark Shadow to move faster. The shadows enveloped him, and Tokoyami used the darkness to blend into his surroundings. The ice barriers couldn’t follow him, but they made it harder for him to find a clear path.

Todoroki was patient. He shifted his stance, eyes scanning for the flicker of movement.

And then, he saw it—the briefest shadow moving against the arena's ice-coated floor. Todoroki’s next move was immediate, sending a wave of ice in the direction of the shadow, freezing the ground in its path.

Tokoyami reacted fast, but not fast enough. The ice spread across his legs, locking him into place. Dark Shadow roared, struggling against the freezing grip, but the ice was too dense.

With Tokoyami unable to move, Todoroki advanced, cold air swirling around him.

Midnight stepped forward and raised her hand, signaling the end of the match. “Tokoyami is immobilized! Winner: Shoto Todoroki!”

The crowd erupted in applause, and Todoroki gave a respectful nod toward his opponent. Tokoyami, though trapped, didn’t look defeated. He simply gave a small, acknowledging nod to Todoroki.

“I’ll be ready next time,” Tokoyami said with a smirk.

Todoroki nodded in return, his expression calm, but the respect was evident. The first match of round two was over.

---

The stadium quieted once again as the next match was announced—one that had the crowd whispering with curiosity.

Present Mic’s voice rang out:
“Round two, match two! On the left, representing Class 1-A with speed that leaves others in the dust—Tenya Iida!”

Iida stepped onto the stage, his posture upright and determined, steam already hissing softly from the mufflers on his calves.

“And on the right, the brain behind the shadows—Hitoshi Shinso!”

Shinso walked out steadily, expression unreadable. The crowd had started to see him differently now—not just as a General Studies transfer, but as a serious threat.

Aizawa’s voice came over the broadcast for context. “Shinso’s shown strong physical growth alongside Quirk precision. He’s been training in capture tactics and quick takedowns. But Iida is fast—very fast.”

Midnight raised her hand. “Begin!”

Iida surged forward in a flash, engines roaring as he went for a clean takedown.

Shinso didn’t move right away. He stood firm, eyes sharp, body low. He didn’t need to be faster—he needed to be smarter.

Iida closed in—and Shinso spoke.

“So, you’re planning to win with just speed?”

Iida’s eyes narrowed, resisting the urge to respond.

Not this time.

But Shinso didn’t stop. “Your Quirk has limits. I’ve studied your fights. You stall out if you don’t finish quickly.”

Still, no answer. Iida gritted his teeth and kept charging, deciding to end it in one go.

Shinso dodged at the last second, barely slipping out of the way. Iida twisted mid-sprint and kicked off the ground, “Impressive reaction speed,” Shinso muttered.

Iida made another dash, mufflers flaring—but Shinso ducked behind an ice wall remnant from the last match. Just enough cover to buy time.

From behind it, Shinso tried again. “You think you’re a true hero already, don’t you?”

The words landed heavier than expected.

And Iida—tense, frustrated—replied without thinking. “I’m doing my best to be worthy of the name!”

The crowd froze. Shinso smiled just slightly.

“That’s all I needed.”

Iida stopped mid-motion, body locked in place—his eyes wide with realization. Brainwashing had activated.

Shinso stepped out from behind the debris and approached carefully. “Sorry, Iida. You almost had me.”

With a gentle push, he moved Iida toward the edge of the arena.

Midnight raised her hand. “Tenya Iida is out of bounds! Winner: Hitoshi Shinso!”

---

The crowd stirred with curiosity as the next round was announced—two students with sharp minds and unpredictable Quirks.

Present Mic’s voice echoed through the stadium:
“Round two, match three! From Class 1-B, it’s the Copycat King himself—Neito Monoma!”

Monoma strutted onto the stage with theatrical flair, arms stretched wide like he was greeting an adoring crowd.
“Let’s see what all the hype is about,” he said with a smirk.

“And from Class 1-A—he’s fast, focused, and full of surprises—Akita Quinton Akita stepped onto the field in stark contrast—quiet, composed. His eyes scanned the arena with clinical calm, posture loose but alert. He looked like someone expecting the fight to be over in seconds.

From the commentator booth, Aizawa’s voice cut in, measured and direct:
“Monoma’s Quirk allows him to copy another person’s Quirk by touch. But there are restrictions—he can only hold one at a time, and activation isn’t always immediate. Against someone like Akita, that could be a serious disadvantage.”

Midnight raised her hand, eyes sharp.
“Begin!”

Monoma moved first, darting in with a smirk.
“Let’s make this interesting, shall we?!”
His fingers stretched toward Akita, aiming for a quick touch.

Akita didn’t flinch. He slipped just out of reach, ducking under Monoma’s hand and sliding to the side with clean, minimal movement.

“You’re not even going to fight back?” Monoma taunted.
“Afraid I’ll copy you?”

Akita’s reply was flat, almost bored.
“No. I just don’t feel like giving you a bunch of broken bones.”

Monoma blinked.
“What?”

Aizawa cut in again, his voice sharper this time.
“Let me clarify. Akita’s Quirk is not something you can use just by copying it. It requires intense, specialized physical training—years of it. If someone without that training tries to activate the ability…” He hesitated for half a second.
“Their muscles would tear. Their bones would fracture—or explode entirely. From the inside.”

A shocked murmur rippled through the crowd. Monoma froze.

“His Quirk doesn’t just enhance muscle strength,” Aizawa continued. “It channels stored kinetic energy through a refined technique. If that energy is misused, or without the body to handle it, it’ll destroy the user from the inside out. Monoma’s Quirk may copy it, but it doesn’t copy the conditioning. This… isn’t the kind of matchup anyone expected.”

On the stage, Monoma had gone pale.
“You’re bluffing.”

Akita tilted his head slightly, unblinking.
“Try it and find out.”

Monoma hesitated. Then surged forward again with a growl of frustration. He reached for contact—and got it. A brush of skin against Akita’s forearm.

For a second, Monoma’s eyes lit up with power.

Then… he staggered.

He clutched his ribs as the copied energy sparked and surged inside him—uncontrolled, untrained.

He fell to one knee, gasping.

Akita stepped back, arms still at his sides. Calm.

Monoma grit his teeth.
“Tch—damn it… I can’t—”

His arms were shaking. The copied Quirk was rejecting him.

Midnight took a cautious step forward.
“Monoma, do you yield?”

Monoma’s pride kept him standing—but only barely.
He gave a shallow nod.
“I yield…”

“Winner: Akita Midoriya!”

The crowd erupted in surprised applause. Akita turned and walked off the stage in silence.

Back in the booth, Present Mic leaned over to Aizawa.
“Okay, so—note to self: Akita’s Quirk is basically a landmine unless you’re him.”

Aizawa just nodded.
“Exactly.”

---

The stadium rumbled with anticipation as two heavy-hitters stepped onto the stage.

Present Mic’s voice boomed:
“Round two, match four! You know him—you fear him—Class 1-A’s explosive prodigy: KATSUKI BAKUGO!”

Bakugo marched onto the field like he owned it. No theatrics—just fury and focus.

“And facing him… the quiet storm from Class 1-A—Sayori Midoriya!”

Sayori walked out slowly, her white hair catching the breeze, red eyes calm but alert. Her stance was still, almost deceptively passive. She didn’t need a dramatic entrance—she brought weight just by being there.

Aizawa’s voice cut in dryly:
“Sayori’s combat style is more calculated than Bakugo’s, but make no mistake—she can hit just as hard. This’ll come down to control and pressure.”

Midnight’s voice rang out:
“Begin!”

BOOM!

Bakugo launched forward like a missile, explosions ripping through the air as he closed the distance in an instant.

But Sayori didn’t flinch.

She dropped low—hands flat against the ground, body sweeping under the blast like a shadow. Her back was the only part of her that didn’t touch the arena. The explosion passed right over her, and in the smoke, Bakugo lost sight of her for just a second.

It was all she needed.

With a burst of movement, she flipped upward.
Her foot slammed into his side—not with reckless force, but with precise intent.

Bakugo stumbled.

Sayori didn't stop. She twisted midair, planting another strike into his other side, sending him hurtling toward the edge.

Bakugo caught himself—just barely—palm lighting up to blast back into the arena.

Sayori was already there.

One more flick of her wrist. A pulse of

energy struck his shoulder at just the right angle—not to harm, but to tilt his balance.

He stepped out. One foot. Just enough.

Midnight raised her hand immediately.
“Katsuki Bakugo is out of bounds! Sayori Midoriya wins!”

Bakugo spun around, disbelief in his eyes. “Tch—what the hell was that?”

Sayori dusted off her hands and answered calmly:
“You thought I’d let your ego drag this out?”
Her

eyes locked onto him.
“I said I’d kick your ass. I meant quickly.”

Bakugo’s hands sparked, but he didn’t follow up.
He just growled, “You got one win. Don’t get cocky.”

Sayori stepped off the stage without even glancing back.

---

The crowd roared—not out of excitement, but confusion, awe, and maybe even a little intimidation.

Present Mic tried to recover with a forced laugh.
“W-WOAH! A lightning-fast victory by Sayori Midoriya! What just happened, folks?! That was less of a fight and more of a—tactical takedown!”

In the stands, reactions were immediate.

Kirishima blinked.
“She didn’t even throw a full punch…”

Mina leaned forward.
“That was terrifying. I love her.”

Jiro muttered, “She didn’t even break a sweat. Bakugo didn’t get one hit in…”

Bakugo stormed past the others, smoke still curling from his palms.
“Shut it.”

Ochaco looked toward the exit of the arena.
“Sayori’s control is unreal. That could’ve been anyone in his place.”

Todoroki narrowed his eyes.
“…She’s dangerous when she makes a promise.”

Present Mic was now trying to calm the crowd, who were shouting theories about the next round.

“OKAY OKAY—Settle down, people! I know what you’re all thinking! We’ve got some BIG matches coming up—but let’s not turn this into a spoiler circus!”

He leaned forward, voice low but energized:
“I see you all murmuring about Todoroki vs. Shinso. Or Quinton vs Quinton

That’s right! Akita vs. Sayori!
“But hey! These matches are strategic—we’re talkin’ brains, quirks, and rivalries all rolled into one!”

Aizawa cut in dryly from the commentary box:
“They’re not rivals. They’re siblings. And this is a combat test. Not a family drama.”

Present Mic shot him a grin.
“C’mon, Eraser—let me hype them a little!”

He turned back to the crowd:
“Anyway! The semi-finals are almost here! Fighters are prepping backstage, medics are working overtime, and—uh—Bakugo’s currently yelling at a vending machine!”

A camera cut briefly to Bakugo kicking the machine before quickly returning to the arena.

Present Mic cleared his throat.
“So stay in your seats and don’t blink, folks—because after the break, it’s time for Shoto Todoroki vs. Hitoshi Shinso! And right after that, the Quinton household’s about to get awkward with Akita vs. Sayori!”

---

In the Pro Heroes VIP section

he observation deck was filled with murmurs, the tension thick as pro heroes and teachers gathered around large screens showing replays of the recent matches. With the second round over and semifinal matches approaching, evaluations were underway. Present were Cementoss, Best Jeanist, Mirko, Endeavor, Fat Gum, Power Loader, Hologram (The Screen Hero), and others, along with a few top 50 pros and UA faculty.

Cementoss: (arms folded) "Monoma got outplayed. That Akita kid was patient and clinical. Didn’t even give him a second of Quirk access. Smart, too. Didn’t let him make contact."

Best Jeanist: (adjusting his collar) "Clean, respectful technique. I appreciate a sharp sense of control. There’s restraint in his movements—he understands balance."

Mirko: (grinning, arms resting on the back of her chair) "Balance? That kid’s a damn tactician. Akita's fast, but he doesn’t rely on it. He thinks on his feet. If I don’t snatch him for internship, I’ll be the idiot." (she slams a fist into her palm) "I want to push that one. Hard."

Power Loader: (grinning) "He fixed a jammed support drone mid-match during a warm-up test. Not a support student, but he gets tech too. Versatile."

Hologram: (hands calmly laced, glowing data-visor over one eye) "And yet he wasn’t even the most interesting display today. Sayori Quinton... That girl has calculation encoded in her stance. She doesn’t waste motion. She disarmed Bakugo with what? One feint? One slip?"

Fat Gum: (chuckling) "She took down Bakugo in under ten seconds. That says a lot. Even if he was running hot-headed, she kept cold."

Endeavor: (snorting) "Bakugo's loss was carelessness. Not worth overanalyzing. That Quinton girl got lucky. She doesn’t have the firepower. Not interested."

Hologram: (glancing over, polite but firm) "Luck doesn’t create openings. Skill does."

Cementoss: (nodding) "Bakugo blasted headlong without reading her. She punished that. Simple as that."

Mirko: (to Hologram) "You thinking of taking her in?"

Hologram: (nods) "Yes. I work best with calculated minds. She reminds me of myself."

Best Jeanist: "Akita versus Sayori in the semifinals. Two strategic types. That'll be worth watching."

Power Loader: "It’s gonna be a chess match disguised as a brawl."

Glacier Fang (Winter Hero): (arms crossed, long coat brushing the floor) "And then there's Shoto. No fire, still dominated. Controlled Tokoyami with pure field awareness and ice zoning. That was methodical. Precise."

Endeavor: (cutting in, sharp tone) "That boy doesn’t need internships. He has me."

Glacier Fang: (calmly but with edge) "He might have your DNA, but he needs a teacher. Not a tyrant."

Endeavor: (scoffs) "You think freezing a few villains gives you the right to lecture me?"

Glacier Fang: (stepping closer) "I think seeing potential you’ve crushed under obsession gives me the right. Shoto needs more than brute force. He needs guidance you can't offer."

Cementoss: (interjects quickly) "Let’s keep this focused. We’re here to mentor, not argue."

Best Jeanist: (sipping tea) "Though I admit, Miss Fang has a point. Shoto’s growth will hinge on whether he defines himself beyond fire and ice."

Glacier Fang: (stepping closer) "I think seeing potential you’ve crushed under obsession gives me the right. Shoto needs more than brute force. He needs guidance you can't offer."

Cementoss: (interjects quickly) "Let’s keep this focused. We’re here to mentor, not argue."

Best Jeanist: (sipping tea) "Though I admit, Miss Fang has a point. Shoto’s growth will hinge on whether he defines himself beyond fire and ice."

Fat Gum: (pointing at the screen) "Momo held her own well, even when she lost. Smart moves, solid constructs. I'd like to take her in. She needs experience in real threat pressure."

Support Hero: Techsmith (Top 30, goggles glowing): "Her ability to adapt her equipment mid-fight is top-tier. She’s on my list too."

Intelligence Hero: Hexmind (Top 40, memory recall Quirk): "Iida's coordination and presence impressed me. He adapts fast when unfamiliar equipment is added. I want to see how he handles real-time strategic pressure."

Power Loader: (gesturing to Hatsume's match) "Mei turned her match into a damn commercial. It was genius."

Techsmith: (laughs) "She sold four new patents during the broadcast. She might be better off in a lab than a field, but she’s got offer letters already."

Underground Hero: Whisper (voice-nullifying Quirk, rarely seen): (voice soft but sharp) "Shinso’s discipline and combat training were evident. His brainwashing is dangerous—but controlled. He’s mine, if he accepts."

Underground Hero: Coil (cord manipulation Quirk): "Not flashy. But if you're building a team that values infiltration and control, Shinso's your guy. He fits below the radar."

Cementoss: (raising a brow) "He beat Kaminari with barely a blow. Made it look effortless."

Endeavor: (scoffing again) "Tricks and talking. That’s not strength."

Hologram: (calmly) "Strength without control is danger. Words can end wars before fists do."

Best Jeanist: "So... the semifinal matchups. Shoto vs Shinso. Sayori vs Akita."

Mirko: (grinning wide) "That second match is gonna be wild. Sayori's a scalpel. Akita's a blade. Let's see who draws blood first."

Fat Gum: "And Shoto vs Shinso... If Shoto slips even once, Shinso might walk him off the edge."

Cementoss: "I expect surprises. These four are unpredictable. That makes them the most dangerous of the bunch."

Hologram: "Exactly. We’re not just scouting talent. We’re watching the next generation of heroes redefine what power really means."

The room fell into thoughtful silence as the screens began playing footage from earlier matches again. Everyone watched, already recalculating strategies, weighing strengths, and choosing who they’d place bets on for semifinals.

---

The stadium settled into silence as the next match was called.

Present Mic: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GET READY FOR A SEMIFINAL THAT COULD FREEZE YOU IN YOUR SEATS — IT’S SHOTO TODOROKI VERSUS HITOSHI SHINSO!"

The camera cuts to the arena, where Todoroki stood calmly, frost drifting from his side. Across from him, Shinso locked eyes with his opponent.

Midnight drops her arm, signaling the start. 

With razor-sharp precision, Shoto launched forward the moment the match began. His eyes swept across the arena, scanning every inch of the platform, calculating distance, wind flow, and Shinso’s position with icy calm. He didn’t waste a second—not on theatrics, not on hesitation.

Shinso, already aware that provoking Shoto verbally was his best shot, began throwing out sharp insults the moment he saw him move. His words weren’t deep, not personal—just enough to try and pull a reaction. “Daddy’s favorite ice cube,” he sneered. “Still scared to burn, huh?” His voice echoed across the stadium, confident, measured—but desperate underneath.

Shoto didn’t flinch. A wave of cold mist billowed from his side as he slammed his foot down, a jagged wall of ice ripping through the floor like a frozen serpent. Shinso rolled to the side, barely avoiding the frost that spiked upward like spears. He kept talking as he moved, trying to time his taunts between gasps for air. “What’s the matter? Afraid to say something without your old man’s approval?”

That was when Shoto raised his right hand—and gently lowered it over his own mouth.

The crowd went still.

In one silent move, Shoto formed a thin, translucent layer of ice over his lower face—an airtight barrier. It was a solution no one had expected. It wasn’t physical contact. It didn’t violate any rules. It just made speaking impossible.

Shinso froze—not physically, but mentally. He realized too late that his greatest weapon was now useless.

Shoto’s advance didn’t slow. He moved like a glacier collapsing with purpose—controlled, unstoppable. Shinso tried to retreat, circle the edge, bait a mistake—but Shoto didn’t give him the chance. With a sweeping motion, a curtain of frost burst across the arena, ice layering thick along the ground. The temperature dropped sharply. Shinso’s feet slipped once—then again—and that was all Shoto needed.

From every direction, jagged pillars of ice shot upward, weaving together like the bars of a prison. Shinso ducked, rolled, even tried leaping over—but Shoto was already one step ahead. The final blow wasn’t loud, wasn’t violent. It was quiet. The cage sealed around Shinso’s legs and arms like frozen chains, locking him in place.

Immobile. Powerless. Silent.

The match ended there, not with a crash, but with the soft crackle of settling ice.

The winner was clear. Shoto Todoroki, unshaken and silent, walked away without a word. 

---

Present Mic’s voice booms over the stadium speakers, his excitement almost tangible.

“YOOOOOOOOO! We’ve got a match coming up that’s gonna leave you on the edge of your seat! It’s time for Sayori Quinton versus Akita Quinton! That’s right, folks—brother and sister, each with their own incredible abilities! Let’s see what happens when these two face off!”

The crowd’s energy spikes, the buzz of anticipation in the air as Present Mic continues.

“First up, let’s talk about Sayori Quinton! With her Quirk, Hologram Connection, she’s a walking conduit of electricity! She can link up to ANY electric or magnetic object within a five-kilometer radius and control it like it’s an extension of her own body! Whether it’s a piece of tech or a massive power grid, you can bet she’ll use it to her advantage. This girl’s all about making connections and taking control! Keep your eyes open—she’s got the moves to back up that brain of hers!”

The crowd cheers for Sayori, and Present Mic raises his voice even higher.

“And on the other side... Akita Quinton! This guy’s a tank with a mind like a steel trap! His Quirk, Physics Storage, lets him build up kinetic energy, turning that raw power into insane physical strength! His blows? They’re gonna hit like a freight train! But it’s not all about brute force for Akita—he’s calculated, and he knows how to use his power as a precise tool. You don’t want to be in his path when he’s unleashed!”

The crowd roars in excitement, and Present Mic’s energy grows even more infectious.

“These two are more than just siblings, folks—they’re forces to be reckoned with. They may have the same last name, but this battle is ALL about individual glory. Let’s see who comes out on top in this family face-off! ARE YOU READY, U.A.?!”

The arena quieted for a moment, the tension rising as the next match prepared to unfold. High above, Present Mic gave one last shout.

“Let’s see what the Quinton kids can do!”

Then his voice faded beneath the crowd’s murmur.

Sayori stepped forward first, calm but alert. Her fingertips lightly brushed the metal wristband she wore—already synced with the stadium’s surrounding tech grid. She didn’t need to move much to feel the current in the air, the hum of electricity bouncing between screens, wires, even the cameras. This arena was her web.

Across from her, Akita rolled his shoulders, steady and patient. His stance was grounded, feet spaced evenly. He didn’t look like much—no glowing lights or visible power—but he didn’t need flash. His Quirk simmered beneath the surface. Every breath, every slow movement, was energy building. Stored. Waiting.

They didn’t glare or taunt. There was no tension between them—just understanding. Sayori knew the weight behind his fists. Akita knew the precision of her control.

They had trained beside each other. Grown up in the same home. And now, they would fight.

Sayori's eyes flicked to the nearby tower screen. It blinked once as her Quirk made contact.

Akita shifted forward.

The buzzer snapped.

The match began.

Neither of them moved right away.

Instead, Sayori and Akita began to slowly circle each other, eyes locked, mirroring each step. No words. No posturing. Just silence and tension coiling between them like a drawn wire. Both knew the other’s rhythm. Both were waiting for the smallest crack in the pattern.

Then—a flick of motion.

A small shockwave burst from Akita’s fingertips, barely audible, but enough of a signal.

Sayori responded instantly. She lunged forward, feet launching her into a quick dash before jumping into a spinning kick aimed straight at the top of his head.

Akita saw it coming at the last second. He dropped low, hands and knees hitting the ground just in time. The kick skimmed past his skull and crashed against his shoulder with a sharp thud, forcing a grunt from his chest.

Even as she landed, he swept his leg across the floor, trying to take hers out from under her.

But Sayori leapt again—barely clearing the sweep—only for Akita to rise with explosive speed, launching upward and twisting to throw a heavy punch toward her midsection.

It struck just below her ribs—off-center, glancing. Not enough to hurt, but enough to knock her balance off.

She was forced back a step, but recovered fast, bracing as Akita charged again, his leg swinging up for a brutal follow-up kick.

Missed.

Sayori had already leapt forward with her own kick, the two strikes clashing mid-air. A sharp crack echoed as shin met shin. The force pushed them both back, landing a few feet apart.

They didn’t speak. Just resumed the circling—eyes sharp, steps steady.

Sayori was the first to change rhythm.

She didn’t wait for another signal—she surged forward, low and fast, aiming a punch at Akita’s gut this time. Not as a finishing blow, but as a test. A distraction.

Akita caught it with his forearm, absorbing the blow with a wince, but he didn’t counter right away. His palm was already humming with stored energy, and the second her punch landed, he slammed his hand into the ground.

The result was immediate—a shallow burst of kinetic shock cracked through the arena floor, rippling the tiles beneath Sayori’s feet. She staggered, footing thrown off.

That half-second was all he needed.

Akita stepped in, shoulder-first, ramming into her and driving her back. Sayori bent with the motion, twisting her body to lessen the impact. She gritted her teeth as her boots slid across the arena.

But she wasn’t down.

Mid-slide, her fingers flicked outward—crackling with current.

The lights overhead dimmed for a second as Sayori tapped into the nearest electrical node in the stadium. Her quirk surged. Static curled up her arms like threads, and a narrow arc of electricity leapt toward Akita’s legs.

Akita jumped back fast—too fast for the arc to fully connect—but his landing was rough. He skidded, stumbled once, but stayed upright.

They froze again.

Breathing heavier now, eyes still locked.

Sayori adjusted her stance, hands open, fingertips sparking faintly as she drew from the power grid around her. Akita rolled his shoulders, the hum of compressed energy pulsing faintly beneath his skin.

No more testing.

The next hit wouldn’t be a warning.

They moved at the same time.

Sayori lunged left, electricity crackling around her limbs, fingertips stretching toward one of the camera poles near the arena wall. Akita darted forward—not to stop her, but to intercept where she would be.

She reached the pole first, connecting mid-sprint. Energy surged up her arm, her hair lifting from the charge, her quirk syncing with the stadium’s systems. The speakers around the arena gave a sharp whine.

Too late.

Akita had already banked his energy. All of it.

He slammed his foot into the ground, hurling himself at her like a missile. The air cracked with the sudden release of stored force—shockwaves trailing behind him like ripples in glass.

Sayori turned, eyes widening.

She barely had time to put up an arm to block.

Akita didn’t aim for her head. He twisted midair, spinning into a shoulder-check that crashed into her core with a bone-deep thud. The charge she held flickered, then died. Her grip on the pole faltered, and her body went airborne, flung back toward the center of the ring.

She landed hard—rolling twice before stopping on her back, breath gone, electricity fizzled out.

The arena was silent.

Sayori twitched, tried to push herself up—

Midnight’s whip cracked in the air.

“STOP! That’s enough!”

The crowd exploded as the dust began to settle. Akita stood near the pole, one hand on his knee, chest rising and falling. His shoulders were tense, arms shaking, but he didn’t move to celebrate.

He just looked at Sayori, waiting to see if she was okay.

Sayori coughed once, gave a weak nod.

Only then did he let out a breath.

Present Mic’s voice came back, booming with pride:
“AND THAT’S A FINISH! THE WINNER—AKITA QUINTON!”

---

The moment Midnight called the match, the stadium erupted with thunderous cheers and murmurs. But beneath the noise, every department had its own quiet storm of thought.

Class 1-A sat in a mixture of stunned silence and admiration. Uraraka blinked. “They weren’t even using their quirks full-on. That was just instinct and connection.”

Iida adjusted his glasses, voice crisp. “That wasn’t brute force. That was coordination, restraint, and timing. Impressive.”

Momo tapped her fingers thoughtfully. “Sayori’s Quirk has serious potential with the right tech—if we could get her better energy access, imagine the battlefield control…”

Bakugo scoffed, arms crossed, but didn’t look away from the arena. “They weren’t messing around. That hit wasn’t luck.”

Class 1-B was even more vocal.

“Kendo, did you see how Sayori flowed with the arena tech? She almost rewired the match in real-time!” Monoma said, trying to hide how impressed he actually was.

“Akita’s control over his Quirk… he didn’t just hit hard. He waited. That’s rare,” Tetsutetsu added, fist clenched in appreciation.

Kendo nodded. “They weren’t trying to beat each other. They were trying to understand each other while fighting. That’s terrifying teamwork.”

The Support Course was already sketching.

Students passed theories back and forth about Sayori’s energy limitations and Akita’s kinetic threshold.

“If she had external batteries—like portable drones or even a wired support rig…” one student said.

“Akita’s Quirk would overheat without proper channeling though. He has to limit himself just to not destroy everything in range.”

Mei Hatsume's eyes sparkled. “Okay! I have seventeen ideas for Sayori’s next support upgrade. Portable battery, electromagnetic gauntlets, maybe even internal capacitors.”

Her partner added, “We could design shockwave stabilizers for Akita. If he releases that much force, we can help him aim it better.”

The Business Course students were furiously typing.

“Joint brand sponsorship,” one whispered. “Sibling-style hero duo. Emphasize the foster family angle, lean into connection and trust themes.”

“Highlight their balance—tech and strength. The human-electric network,” another said, already emailing a mock slogan to the marketing class.

The Pro Heroes’ Section was alive with whispers and sharp glances.

Mirko leaned forward, arms on her knees, grinning. “That’s the kind of ferocity I like. That boy doesn’t flinch when it matters.”

Best Jeanist nodded. “They’re still raw, but the presentation? Pristine. Sayori’s grace under pressure was… elegant.”

Cementoss rubbed his chin. “Akita has the control of a demolitions expert. Not a wasted movement.”

Midnight smiled faintly. “Both would thrive under the right mentorship.”

Endeavor didn’t say anything, just grunted and narrowed his eyes. “They’re not focused enough,” he muttered under his breath, but even he didn’t look away from the screen.

Sir Nighteye, calm in his seat, adjusted his glasses. “They both see the future steps. The fact they didn’t use their full potential shows restraint and patience. I’m interested.”

Hologram, silent until now, finally spoke through a comm-link voice. “I’ve seen what she can do in the city grid. This is just the surface. And him? He doesn't waste a heartbeat.”

The crowd echoed with hushed awe, a few voices standing out among the chatter:

“Did you see her midair pivot?”

“He stored that much force in a single hand?”

“They’re kids? No way.”

And finally, Present Mic’s voice boomed over the speakers, wrapping it all together:

“NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL SIBLING SYNERGY! AKITA TAKES THE WIN—BUT THE WHOLE STADIUM KNOWS: SAYORI’S NOT DONE YET! HERO WORLD, WATCH OUT!”

The cheers erupted once again. But beneath all the noise, there was one clear takeaway:

The Quinton kids had arrived—and every department, every course, every hero, and every agency had just taken notice.

---

The stadium had hardly settled from the last match when the next contenders were already stepping into the ring.

On one side of the field stood Shoto Todoroki, quiet as ever, half-shadowed by frost that trailed lightly behind each footstep. His expression betrayed nothing—cool, unreadable, calculating. Everyone knew his name. Everyone knew his power. Ice and fire, restraint and destruction, all in one body. His previous matches had ended in moments. Precision, pressure, and an overwhelming force of nature.

On the other side stood Akita Quinton, rolling out his shoulders slowly, breath measured, eyes focused. Unlike Shoto, his strength didn’t announce itself in waves of temperature or elemental display. His power built in silence, a slow burn beneath the surface. Physics Storage—the ability to collect and store kinetic energy, then release it with crushing force. His style was timing and tension. He didn’t hit often, but when he did, it was like a wrecking ball moving at full speed.

The two hadn’t spoken once before stepping into the arena. But now, standing across from each other, the weight of the match was thick in the air. Neither underestimated the other. Not anymore.

Akita didn’t move, didn’t even flex. But those who had watched his previous fights could already tell—he was storing energy with each breath, coiling it through his muscles like compressed springsteel.

Shoto exhaled lightly, a small frost tracing his arm. No fire yet. He was still in control. He always was.

High above, Present Mic called out, “NEXT MATCH—THE QUIET STORM VERSUS THE SILENT IMPACT! SHOTO TODOROKI VERSUS AKITA QUINTON! THIS ONE’S GONNA SHAKE THE STADIUM!”

Then, Midnight raised her whip and gave the signal:

“Begin!”

Shoto moved first.

He didn’t charge. He didn’t even stride. His right foot slid forward and, with it, a wave of ice burst across the ground, fast and sharp, meant to box Akita in before he had time to release anything he’d built up.

But Akita had been waiting for that. As the frost reached the edge of his shoes, he burst sideways with a sudden, thunderous step—kinetic energy discharging from the soles of his feet in a tight shockwave. The ice cracked beneath him, shattered into harmless shards. Akita moved like a slingshot let loose, not toward Shoto but around him, circling.

Shoto pivoted fast, another wall of ice rising behind him, blocking Akita’s arc.

Akita didn’t stop. He went through it.

The crowd gasped as he shouldered straight through the thick pillar of ice, particles flying in all directions. He emerged with a low growl, closing the distance fast, a right hook pulling back.

Shoto’s response was immediate. Another ice burst surged from his left hand, forming a jagged ramp that lifted him off the ground and above Akita’s line of attack. He landed on higher terrain he built with his Quirk, already forming more ice beneath his feet to remain elevated and distanced.

From above, he sent a barrage of ice down like daggers—long, sharp, and heavy with intent. Akita’s body shimmered with stored tension. He released a burst of kinetic energy in his legs and leapt backward, the projectiles crashing where he’d stood.

Before Akita’s feet could fully settle, the platform under him shifted—slick with freshly formed ice. He stumbled, not from clumsiness, but because Shoto was already freezing the terrain in subtle layers, trying to slow his footwork and timing.

Akita dropped his hand to the floor, slamming a palm into the ground. The kinetic backlash sent a small ripple beneath the surface, cracking through the ice just enough to regain control.

Shoto responded with a sweeping arc of his arm—ice curling like a tidal wave, rising high and curling inward.

Akita braced, squatted low, and took the force head-on. His arms crossed, momentum stored, and just as the ice wave crashed into him—he released it.

A concussive blast rang out.

The wave shattered. Glittering shards exploded outward. Akita burst through the remnants with a grunt, trying to close the gap again.

But Shoto was waiting. This was his element now. The floor was coated in slick, uneven ice. Every step Akita took was slowed, measured. Every turn met with a wall.

He spun. Another wall.

He pivoted left. Another ramp, climbing upward.

Shoto was building a maze in real time, manipulating the field with every flick of his hand.

Akita growled, slamming both fists into the ground. The quake cracked through several of the constructs, but it wasn’t enough to collapse them all.

From above, Shoto stood silent, half-shrouded in mist from the cold. His breath came out in plumes, his eyes narrowed.

And then he dropped.

A chute of ice formed instantly under his feet. He launched forward, skating down at high speed, a lance of sharpened ice in his right hand.

Akita turned too late.

The ice blade grazed his shoulder, ripping fabric and balance.

Shoto passed him, skated across the field, twisted, and launched another sheet of ice back toward him like a crashing wave.

Akita threw his arms up and absorbed the blow. But he didn’t fall.

Instead, he redirected it—using the force from the impact, he planted a fist into the ice at his feet, turned the buildup into raw propulsion, and launched himself forward like a missile.

He crashed through the ice slope Shoto had built for maneuvering. Shoto flipped back, surprised, but Akita was already there.

He grabbed the edge of Shoto’s coat, twisted, and slammed his body down onto the icy floor.

Shoto's arm raised—another spike formed from beneath—but Akita saw it and struck the ice structure directly, canceling the motion.

Shoto tried to roll, to reset, but Akita used the opening. He planted a palm directly against the platform beneath Shoto and discharged the remainder of his kinetic energy downward.

The shockwave broke the platform open.

Shoto dropped into a pit of fractured tiles and curling mist.

He didn’t rise.

Midnight’s voice rang out over the stadium:

"Todoroki is down! He’s not rising!"

The countdown began.

Akita stood above the crater, chest rising with steady breaths, muscles twitching with fading energy.

"Ten… Nine… Eight…"

Shoto stirred—but didn’t rise. His eyes blinked open. He tried to reach upward, but ice flaked from his fingers.

"Three… Two… One…"

Midnight raised her hand.

“And the winner of the U.A. Sports Festival First-Year Finals is—Akita Quinton of Class 1-A!” Present Mic’s voice boomed across the stadium, riding the wave of electricity that had already begun building in the stands.

The crowd erupted.

Cheering thundered from every direction. Names were shouted. Supporters stood. Students from all departments leaned over rails, clapping or staring in awe. The arena buzzed with energy that refused to settle.

Almost immediately, the news channels picked up the momentum—broadcast vans outside lit up with feeds and commentary, and phones across the country buzzed with notifications. Akita’s name was already trending.

Cameras panned to the stands. Reporters were broadcasting live, voices urgent and excited, throwing out praise and dissecting the final match in real time. Profiles of various students flashed across screens—Sayori’s control, Shoto’s technique, Shinso’s strategy—all getting attention, but the spotlight was on one name now.

Akita Quinton.

---

Every single first-year student stood on a wide platform at the center of the stadium, just in front of the main stage. Behind them, dozens of flashing cameras clicked in rapid bursts, reporters murmuring into microphones, catching every glance and every breath. The lights from the upper stadium dimmed slightly as spotlights focused on the field. The buzz of the crowd settled into anticipation.

Midnight stood center stage, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she raised a mic to her lips.

“All first-year events for this year’s U.A. Sports Festival have officially concluded!” she announced, her voice echoing across the stadium.

At that exact moment, fireworks exploded overhead, bursting in vivid reds, silvers, and golds behind the top stands and cascading behind the students like a moving curtain of celebration.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Then, the center of attention shifted.

Rather than the winners stepping onto different-sized podiums, the three platforms rose up from the ground, dramatically and slowly, drawing the eyes of everyone in the audience.

There were three distinct levels:

The highest was the center—marked 1st place—a solid platform where Akita now stood alone, the wind catching his bangs, the faintest flicker of exhaustion in his eyes, but his posture strong and unwavering.

To his right, on the second-highest podium, labeled 2nd place, stood Shoto Todoroki, arms crossed, his expression unreadable, but his head tilted slightly toward Akita with a silent nod of acknowledgment.

To Akita’s left, the largest in width but lowest in height, was the 3rd place podium—where both Sayori Quinton and Hitoshi Shinso stood. Sayori’s hands rested behind her back, chin held high, while Shinso looked to the side, mildly stunned at the cameras, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

Then— The crowd roared again—a fresh wave of cheers rolling in from all directions.

Because a new figure had just stepped onto the stage.

All Might.

In his usual form, bright, tall, and commanding as ever, he waved once to the audience before heading straight for the podiums.

Midnight chuckled and leaned into her mic with a teasing smile. “Now, now, don’t get too excited. He’s just here to hand out the medals—don’t expect a speech.”

All Might gave a thumbs-up to her in reply, playing along with the show.

“One by one, he’ll be presenting each medal to our top students,” Midnight continued. “Let’s give them the honor they deserve!”

With his usual larger-than-life energy toned down into something gentler, All Might first approached the third place podium. He gently placed a medal around Sayori’s neck, then turned to Shinso and did the same, nodding firmly to each of them with quiet pride.

The audience clapped.

Then he moved to the second place podium. Shoto Todoroki didn’t flinch, didn’t speak, just bowed slightly forward so All Might could place the silver medal over his shoulders.

And finally, All Might stepped up to the top podium, the gold medal in his hands.

He looked at Akita for a moment—just a brief pause—and then slipped the medal around his neck.

No words. Just a nod.

The crowd’s cheers were deafening.

“All of you made this year unforgettable,” Midnight said again over the mic. “But now, let it be known—our champions of the First-Year U.A. Sports Festival are ready for the world!”

Another wave of fireworks burst behind them, lighting the sky in golds and blues as the platform lingered in full view, cameras flashing wildly.

---

By the time the stadium had emptied and the final round of interviews wrapped up, the sun was already sinking low behind the city skyline, casting long shadows across U.A.’s towering walls. The first-year students weren’t ushered back to class—there was no lecture waiting, no debrief to sit through. nstead, they were met by a simple message from their homeroom teachers

“No classes for the next two days. When you return, your internship offers will be waiting—and it’ll be time to choose your hero names. Rest well and come prepared.”

The stadium was empty now—just flickering lights overhead and scattered confetti caught in the wind. Somewhere in the distance, the last of the fireworks crackled faintly, their smoke trailing off into the night.

Akita stood alone near the exit tunnel, his medal still hanging loosely from his neck, slightly crooked. He hadn’t fixed it.

Behind him, Sayori walked up quietly, not saying anything at first. She didn’t need to.

They stood there for a moment, side by side. No crowds, no noise. Just breath and heartbeat and the strange silence that comes after a storm.

“You okay?” she finally asked, her voice quiet.

Akita nodded once. “You?”

Sayori gave a short shrug. “Ribs are sore. Ego’s worse.”

He cracked a smile at that, small but real.

They didn’t speak again. The silence wasn’t awkward—just full of everything that didn’t need to be said. Gratitude. Pride. Respect.

The lights dimmed behind them.

Together, they stepped out of the tunnel and into the night.

Chapter 17: names for heros

Notes:

we do not Tolerate or like bullies This does and will include bakugo
So this is your warning bakugo hate

Two Days After the Sports Festival 

Rain drummed steadily against the windows of Class 1-A’s homeroom, painting streaks across the glass and casting a soft grey hue over the classroom.

"Did you see the replay of Akita punching through Todoroki’s ice pillar?" Kaminari grinned, holding up his phone so everyone nearby could watch. The moment looped again—ice exploding as Akita powered through like a cannonball.

"And Sayori’s aerial kick!" Mina added, her eyes shining. "She looked like she was flying. Honestly, I thought she had him for a second."

On the far side of the room, Iida sat upright, scrolling through his tablet with a furrowed brow. “These coverage pieces are incredibly detailed. They’re analyzing our battle strategies, Quirk efficiency, even our facial reactions during combat…”

Momo nodded beside him. “It’s not just attention. It’s visibility. Hero agencies are definitely watching us now.”

Near the window, Shoto sat quietly, eyes fixed on the rain sliding down the glass. His reflection wavered in the windowpane—cool, distant. Across the classroom, Akita leaned over Sayori’s desk, both of them watching a slow-motion replay on a shared tablet, their final exchange frozen in midair.

“You think this kind of attention’s normal?” Sayori asked, tapping the screen where her mid-air kick hovered right before impact.

Akita shrugged with a small grin. “Not for normal people. But we’re not normal anymore.”

Their eyes met, and for a brief second, the noise of the class faded.

Then the door slid open with a thunk.

Aizawa stepped inside, his hair damp from the rain, clinging to his face in long, tired strands. His gaze swept the room. Instantly, the chatter died.

He dropped a folder onto the podium. “I hope everyone got some rest. You fought hard. Most of you did well.” His tone was flat as usual, but there was the faintest hint of approval under it. “Today, we start preparing your hero names. You’ve had time to think about it—”

But he didn’t finish.

Because the door slammed open again.

Midnight swept into the room like a gust of wind in leather heels and confidence.

“I will be helping you pick your hero names!” she declared, a mischievous grin on her lips. “And I swear, if any of you pick something dumb, you’ll live to regret it. Make it bold. Make it iconic. Or you’ll have hell to pay!”

“Because, for a lot of you,” she began, eyes sweeping over the class, “your hero name will be the first thing society recognizes. It's not just a title—it's a symbol. A brand. And once it’s out there, it sticks.”

She leaned forward slightly, grin widening.

“If you don't think it through, if you pick something silly or half-baked… you will regret it. Trust me—it’s very difficult to change once it's registered. So put real thought into it!”

The class nodded, some students glancing nervously at the papers on their desks where they’d scrawled ideas.

Midnight pointed dramatically across the room toward Aizawa, who sighed heavily in his seat.

“You don’t want to end up like this guy, who picked a name so bad it’s been haunting him ever since!”

Aizawa didn’t even flinch. “It’s functional.”

Midnight laughed. “Functional, sure. Memorable? Absolutely not. Learn from his mistake. I’ll personally be approving your choices, so don’t get too wild—but do get creative.”

Everyone had been handed a small whiteboard and a marker.

"Remember, everyone," Midnight called out from the front of the class, twirling her marker dramatically, "you’re allowed to talk with each other. You’ve got ten minutes to decide—make it count!"

The classroom quickly filled with chatter as students turned to their friends, forming small discussion circles. Sayori and Akita stood up from their seats and made their way over to where Momo and Shoto were sitting—Shinso was already there, flipping his marker between his fingers.

Sayori sat down beside them and sighed, tapping the board with her marker. “Okay, so... I have no clue what to call myself. Any ideas?”

Momo offered a sympathetic smile. “I’ve already settled on mine—Creati—but I can help brainstorm if you’d like.”

“Then let’s start with someone else,” Sayori said, turning to Shoto. “What about you? Got anything?”

Shoto hesitated for a second. “I was just going to go with... Shoto.”

Sayori blinked. “No. Bad idea.”

Shinso raised an eyebrow. “You calling him out?”

Sayori ignored him. “You don’t want to use your real name, especially if you ever want to go undercover or maintain any kind of separation between your personal life and your hero work. Having a persona helps—it protects you.”

Shoto glanced down at his whiteboard. “So… something that represents my ice?”

“Exactly,” Sayori nodded. “You use it in huge, versatile ways. Maybe something powerful and cold… like a glacier?”

“That’s a solid start,” Akita chimed in, leaning over slightly. “But ‘Glacier’ sounds a bit too much like a location or an object. What about Glacius?”

Shoto repeated the name under his breath. Then he nodded.

“I like it.”

Akita turned toward Shinso, resting his chin on the edge of his board. “What about you, Shinso? Got any ideas? Do you even want your name connected to your Quirk? Since, y’know... people still treat it like it's villainous.”

Shinso shrugged, calm but thoughtful. “I want it to be a reference—not a direct connection.”

Sayori tilted her head. “So, something subtle? Like a name that only makes sense if someone really understands your Quirk?”

“Yeah,” Shinso nodded. “Exactly. A silent kind of message.”

Shoto leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Wait—your Quirk is based on speech, right? But when someone’s brainwashed, they can’t talk?”

“That’s right,” Shinso said simply.

Sayori’s eyes lit up. “Then what about... Silencer?”

Everyone paused.

She continued, her tone a little more serious now. “It fits. Not just because of your Quirk, but symbolically. The hero who silences discrimination... silences villains… and does it all without making a scene.”

Shinso stared at her for a second, then looked down at his board. Slowly, he started writing.

“Silencer,” he said, almost testing the weight of it.

A small, approving smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“I like it.”

“It’s just you two now,” Momo said, glancing between Sayori and Akita.

Sayori leaned back in her chair, tapping her marker against her board. “I already know I want to be the information hero. But I haven’t figured out a name yet. I mean, my Quirk lets me connect to electricity, so I feel like it should be related to that—but I also want it to reflect how I help and process information.”

“What if instead of focusing on electricity,” Momo suggested, “you lean into something computer-based?”

“Like... Cyber Wall?” Sayori frowned. “Or maybe Circuit?”

“No,” Momo shook her head slightly, thinking. “I meant more the mechanical side of it—the infrastructure. The part you connect to before the screen.”

“What about Wireframe?” Akita offered.

There was a short pause.

Shinso gave a nod. “That’s a good one.”

Sayori smiled as she wrote it down. “Yeah… Wireframe. The Information Hero.”

“We’ve got two minutes left,” Sayori reminded him, glancing at the clock. “Any ideas, Akita?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. “Well… just like you want to be the Information Hero, I guess I want to be the Kinetic Energy Hero. Or maybe just Energy Hero—something simple that kids can remember.”

Sayori grinned. “I mean, we are siblings. But it’s not just any energy—it’s kinetic. It’s movement. Momentum. Core-level stuff.”

“Right,” Akita nodded. “And I’m always blasting it outward—or focusing it inside. It’s not just strength, it’s stored, built up—controlled.”

Sayori’s eyes lit up. “Wait, I think I’ve got something—what if we call you—”

“Alright, time’s up!” Midnight called out from the front of the room. “Everyone back to your seats!”

Sayori gave Akita a quick, knowing look as they returned to their desks.

“Alright, now that everyone’s had time to think,” Midnight announced, striding confidently to the front of the room, “it’s time to start presenting your hero names! Who wants to go first?”

Aoyama stood immediately, striking a dramatic pose. “I shall be… the Shining Hero: I Can not Stop Twinkling!”

Sayori and Akita exchanged a look. Sayori tried to hold it in, but a laugh burst out. “That’s a sentence, honey. Just go with Twinkle or Sparkle—something people can actually say in a conversation.”

Aoyama blinked, then dramatically considered her words. “Very well! Then I shall be… Twinkle!” He added a sparkling finger point for flair.

Next, Mina practically sprinted up to the front, grinning. “Okay! I’m the Acid Hero: Alien Queen!”

Midnight raised an eyebrow. “Rejected. Sounds too villainous.”

Mina pouted but quickly recovered. “Fine, fine! I’ll go with Pinky!”

Midnight nodded. “Approved.”

After Mina returned to her seat, the rest of the class began stepping forward one by one.

Tenya Iida marched to the front with perfect posture. “I will be taking up my brother’s name. From now on, I am the Turbo Hero: Ingenium!”

A respectful round of applause followed, and even Midnight gave a small nod of approval.

Ochaco Uraraka stepped forward next, her cheeks a bit pink. “I want to help people float above their burdens… so I’m the Gravity Hero: Uravity!”

“A creative play on words. Approved!” Midnight said with a wink.

Denki Kaminari gave a sheepish grin. “I’ll go with Chargebolt! Sounds cool, right?”

“You’ll need that confidence if you want to keep your head out of the static,” Midnight replied. “Approved.”

Eijiro Kirishima pounded his chest. “I’m the Sturdy Hero: Red Riot!”

“Classic. Approved.”

Momo Yaoyorozu approached calmly. “I’ll be the Creation Hero: Creati.”

“Elegant and fitting.”

Fumikage Tokoyami emerged from the shadows. “Tsukuyomi. A god of the night. A fitting reflection of my Quirk.”

Midnight gave him a short bow. “Approved.”

Tsuyu Asui raised her hand slowly. “I’ll go by Froppy. That’s what my friends call me.”

“A little odd, but it suits you.”

Kyoka Jiro tapped the mic with her earjacks. “I’ll be Earphone Jack. Simple.”

“Effective.”

Mezo Shoji stepped up next. “Tentacole.”

“Unique. Approved.”

Koji Koda quietly showed his board: Anima.

“Nice and short.”

Rikido Sato held up his board proudly. “Sugarman.”

“Sweet,” Midnight quipped.

Yuga Aoyama, having already revised his original idea, gave a dramatic twirl. “Twinkle, it is!”

Toru Hagakure’s voice chimed from thin air. “I’ll be the Stealth Hero: Invisible Girl!”

“Fitting. Approved.”

Hanta Sero flashed a grin. “I’m the Tape Hero: Cellophane!”

“That one’s always a crowd-pleaser.”

As the room settled, only five names remained to be announced.

Midnight clapped her hands together. “Alright. That leaves us with Bakugo, Todoroki, Shinso, and our sibling duo, Akita and Sayori. Let’s hear them.”

The next to step up to the podium was Bakugo.

“The Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight,” he declared loudly, wearing a proud, defiant smirk.

Midnight blinked in disbelief, then immediately waved her hand.
“Way too long, way too villainous. That can’t be your hero name. Disapproved.”

“I don’t care what you think. I’m keeping it!” Bakugo barked, practically growling.

From her seat, Sayori muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear,
“You should probably just go with BakaBoom. Since you’re a baka, and the only thing you’re good at is going boom.”

Bakugo turned, glaring.
“You got something to say? Say it to my face.”

Sayori stood up calmly, voice steady but sharp.
“Gladly. You’re an idiot if you think that name’s acceptable. We already crossed the ‘too villainous’ line with Mina’s first attempt, and yours just bulldozes right through it. Not to mention it’s ridiculously long—if someone’s trying to call for help, they won’t have time to say your damn paragraph of a name.”

Bakugo opened his mouth to retort, but Sayori kept going.

“You don’t even have a real identity beyond your Quirk. Everything about you screams violence. You bully people, explode everything around you, and I bet if you weren’t so set on becoming a hero, you’d already have a criminal record. Your ‘name’ sounds like you threw every edgy word you could think of into a blender and hoped for the best. The grammar doesn’t even make sense.”

She crossed her arms.
“So here’s the deal either sit down and come up with a coherent, reasonable name, or start listening to people who actually care about doing this right your classmates, your teachers… and your superiors. Like Midnight.”

The room was dead silent.

Then, from behind Sayori, Shoto spoke up quietly.
“I have an idea. Just shorten what you already said… and call yourself Dynamight.”

Midnight nodded.
“That’s actually a pretty solid hero name. Powerful, simple, and sounds professional.”

All eyes turned back to Bakugo.

“Well, Bakugo? Do you agree to go with Dynamight?”

Bakugo didn’t say anything at first. His eye twitched. Then finally
“…Fine.”

He turned sharply and stomped back to his seat, arms crossed, grumbling the whole way.

Midnight glanced around the room, eyes landing on the quiet student seated by the window.
“Shoto, why don’t you come up next?” she invited with a nod.

Shoto stood from his seat without a word, calm as always. The soft sound of his shoes echoed lightly as he walked to the front, holding his name board in hand. He turned it around for everyone to see.

“The Ice Hero: Glacius,” he stated plainly.

There was a pause then several quiet murmurs of approval from the class. The name suited him. Cold, sharp, and powerful.

Midnight gave a small, approving smile.
“Simple, memorable, and fitting. Approved.”

“Alright, Shinso. You're up.”

Hitoshi stood slowly, calm and unreadable as ever. He walked to the front with steady steps, holding his board under one arm. 

He lifted the board and spoke in a low, confident voice.
“The Silent Hero: Silencer.”

Midnight tapped her chin, then gave a short nod.
“Very fitting. And poetic, in a way. Approved.”

There was a small round of respectful nods and quiet applause.

As Shinso returned to his seat, Kaminari leaned toward him.
“Dude… that’s cold. I like it.”

Shinso gave the faintest smirk.
“That’s the point.”

“Sayori , you’re next.” called Midnight

Sayori stood with her usual calm grace, brushing back a strand of hair as she walked to the front. She held her board confidently

She turned it around for the class to see and spoke clearly:
“The Information Hero: Wireframe.”

A murmur of intrigue rippled through the room.

“Wireframe, huh?” Midnight repeated, a curious smirk playing on her lips. “Not flashy but it sounds sleek. Digital. Structural. Ties in with your Quirk and your support-style tactics. Approved.”

“Akita you’re the last one. Let’s hear it.”

Akita stood and made his way to the front of the classroom, he gripped the edges of his name board.

He stopped at the front, turned to face the class, and took a breath.

“It actually took me a while to think of this,” he began. “I wanted something that connected to energy—because that’s what I fight with. But more than that… it had to mean something personal.
I’ve always fought alongside my sister. We might even become a hero duo in the future.”

He turned the board and revealed it confidently:

“The Kinetic Hero: Blastcore.”

“Blastcore,” Midnight repeated, testing the sound. She smiled, clearly impressed. “Strong, direct, and it makes sense with your Quirk and your style. I like it. Approved.”

Midnight glanced up from her clipboard.
“Okay, does anybody mind coming up and writing all the names on the board?”

“I’ll do it!” Sayori raised her hand and walked to the front confidently.

She picked up the marker and began writing in clean, even lines:

U.A. Students – Class 1-A Hero Names

Shining Hero: Twinkle

Alien Hero: Pinky

Turbo Hero: Ingenium

Gravity Hero: Uravity

Sturdy Hero: Red Riot

Creation Hero: Creati

Shadow Hero: Tsukuyomi

Spring Hero: Froppy

Earphone Hero: Earphone Jack

Sweet Hero: Sugarman

Stealth Hero: Invisible Girl

Tape Hero: Cellophane

Tentacles Hero: Tentacole

Charge Hero: Chargebolt

Ice Hero: Glacius

Explosion Hero: Dynamight (Bakaboom)

Silent Hero: Silencer

Information Hero: Wireframe

Kinetic Hero: Blastcore

As she stepped back to admire the board, a few soft chuckles rose from the class—specifically at the little "Bakaboom" scribbled next to Bakugo's name.

Sayori glanced over her shoulder, smirking, but when Bakugo’s glare intensified, she casually erased the “Bakaboom” with the side of her hand.

“Just a joke,” she said sweetly, stepping away.

Midnight smiled to herself, watching the class settle again

"Okay, I’m done here for today." Midnight stretched dramatically, then glanced down.
"Aizawa, wake up."

A groggy grumble came from under the teacher’s desk where a yellow sleeping bag slowly uncoiled. Shouta Aizawa blinked up, disheveled as ever, looking like a particularly tired caterpillar that had just emerged from a rainy nap.

Without saying a word, he pulled himself upright and stepped over to the podium, eyes scanning the class. Then, with a nod to Midnight, he gestured for her to step aside.

From his capture gear, he pulled a remote and clicked it toward the projector.

A large screen dropped behind him, flickering to life.

A simple message appeared:

"Internship Offers: Incoming…"

At first, every name listed beside the students of Class 1-A sat at zero. A few students shifted nervously in their seats.

Then, with a digital ping, the numbers started climbing.

At first, slowly—then rapidly, as data fed in from all over the country.

Eyes widened.

Mouths dropped.

Gasps echoed around the room.

The list updated live:

Internship Offers – Class 1-A

• Akita Quinton – 3,243

• Shoto Todoroki – 2,561

• Sayori Quinton – 2,134

• Hitoshi Shinso – 2,045

• Tenya Iida – 1,268

• Fumikage Tokoyami – 967

• Ochaco Uraraka – 764

• Momo Yaoyorozu – 538

• Katsuki Bakugo – 365

• Eijiro Kirishima – 286

• Mina Ashido – 163

• Denki Kaminari – 137

• Kyoka Jiro – 84

• Tsuyu Asui – 54

• Mezo Shoji – 0

• Koji Koda – 0

• Rikido Sato – 0

• Yuga Aoyama – 0

• Toru Hagakure – 0

• Hanta Sero – 0

The room buzzed with an electric mixture of joy, shock, and discomfort.

“Over three thousand offers!?” Kaminari yelped, nearly falling out of his chair as he leaned over to see Akita’s name.
“Bro, you broke the whole system!”

Akita rubbed the back of his neck, a little overwhelmed. “Didn’t expect that many.”

Sayori smiled, though she remained calm. “You earned it."

On the other side of the room, Iida’s jaw was clenched—but his eyes sparkled behind his glasses. “This is… encouraging. These numbers reflect real merit!”

Momo, sitting upright with dignity, gave a small nod. “And responsibility. The agencies will expect us to represent U.A. with our choices.”
Though her number wasn’t at the top, she seemed content.

Meanwhile, Kirishima pumped his fist in the air, beaming at his 286 offers.
“I didn’t break a thousand, but I’m not complaining! That’s still hundreds of pro agencies who saw me and thought I had what it takes! That’s manly!”

Mina clutched her cheeks and squealed. “One-sixty-three! I'm gonna explode! I thought I'd get, like, ten!”

Kaminari pouted. “Okay, but thirteen-seven? That’s way below my voltage!”
Jiro elbowed him. “Be glad you made the list at all.”

Across the room, Tsuyu blinked at her 54 offers, then gave a small nod.
“I didn’t stand out, but that’s okay. I’ll just prove myself wherever I go.”

In the corner, Bakugo stared at his number. 365.

Silence.

His hands twitched. Pop-pop. A few explosions cracked from his palms.

“What the hell is this crap?” he growled.

Kirishima looked nervous. “Uh, dude, that’s still a ton..."

“Don’t patronize me!” Bakugo snapped.
“I beat half these damn extras and still ended up behind them! That’s bullshit!”

“Language,” Aizawa muttered from the podium without even looking up.

Bakugo’s glare drifted to Shoto’s name. 2,561.
Then to Akita’s. 3,243.

He clenched his fists tighter.

“Next time,” he muttered. “Next time, I win everything.”

 

Red eyes glowed. Hair floated.

Everyone fell silent as Aizawa activated his Quirk.

He scanned the room, his voice calm but firm.
“First thing—everyone who got zero internship offers, don’t worry. We have agencies lined up that accept anyone from the Hero Course. They’re not tailored to you specifically, but they’ll still give you experience.”

He let that settle before continuing.
“Second—normally, internship offers are more evenly spread out. But because of this year’s... unique situation, I’ll be sitting down one-on-one with some of you to explain why your numbers came out the way they did.”

He paused, letting his eyes land deliberately on Bakugo.

“Third—you’ll each get a list of internships specifically targeted to your strengths, in addition to the general list U.A. receives every year. You’ll choose from both. You have two days.”

He held up a thick book.
“You’ll spend today’s homeroom and Hero Training class reviewing your options. You can discuss it with each other—but no pressuring anyone, and don’t pick an agency just because your friend is going there. Understood?”

There was a chorus of nods and quiet affirmations.

Aizawa walked down the rows, handing out the thick book of general internship offers to each student. Then he dropped a separate stack—internships specifically addressed to individuals—on the desk in front of Akita.

The pile towered over him, nearly blocking him from view.

All six students who had placed at the top of the U.A. Sports Festival faced similar stacks, though none quite as tall as Akita’s.

Clapping his hands once, Aizawa signaled the start of the period.
“Alright. You’ve got until the end of class to discuss and review your internships. Submit your decisions to me by tomorrow. In less than a week, you’ll all be heading out. Be prepared.”

Momo and Shinso made their way toward Akita and Sayori’s desks, carefully helping Shoto carry his towering stack of internship offers along the way.

The four arranged their stacks into a semi-circle, creating a small, focused workspace amid the buzz of the classroom.

“Okay, so,” Sayori began, settling into her seat, “let’s start with you, Momo. Since you have the fewest internship offers, it’ll be the easiest to go through yours first.”

Momo nodded, composed as always. “That makes sense. I’d appreciate the extra eyes, just in case I overlook something strategic.”

Shinso glanced at the top of her list. “Still over five hundred offers. Not exactly a light workload.”

Momo gave a modest smile. “True, but compared to your thousands…” she looked pointedly at Akita and Sayori, “I think I’ll manage.”

Akita chuckled softly, shifting some of the papers so they didn’t spill over. “Let’s just hope the desks hold up.”

Shoto remained quiet, sorting his own stack neatly before glancing toward Momo. “We should make note of overlapping offers too. Agencies might be looking for coordinated teamwork.”

“Good point,” Sayori said, already highlighting names. “Let’s find out which ones match across the board and figure out who’s serious about nurturing potential… and who’s just chasing top names.”

“Hey, Momo—do you have Fat Gum on your list?” Sayori asked, flipping through a few pages.

“Give me a sec…” Momo scanned her stack. “Yes, I do. Why?”

“Well, you kind of have similar requirements,” Sayori explained. “Both your Quirks rely on converting energy from what you eat into usable forms. His is more about storing fat for defense and offense, and yours is creation-based, but it’s still energy conversion. I thought it might be a good fit.”

Momo’s eyes lit up with interest. “That does sound great. Thanks, Sayori. I’ll write it down in my notebook—definitely something to consider.”

She made a neat note in her planner before glancing up. “What about you? What are you looking at?”

“Information and support analysis agencies, mostly,” Sayori replied. “I got over a thousand offers from those groups alone. I’m really grateful, but…” She let out a small sigh. “It’s going to be a lot to sort through.”

Akita raised an eyebrow. “You want help narrowing it down?”

Sayori smiled. “Yes, please.”

Akita leaned over, helping Sayori flip through her stack, his fingers pausing suddenly.
“Hey—wait a minute. Did you see that?”

“See what?” Sayori asked, glancing up.

“In the Independent ‘M’ section,” Akita said, tapping the divider tab.

Sayori flipped quickly, landing on the right section—then froze.

There was only one offer listed.

“Mirko?” she read aloud, eyes wide. “I thought she didn’t offer internships.”

Momo looked up in surprise. “Mirko? The Rabbit Hero? She’s famously solo. I’ve never heard of her taking students.”

“Neither have I,” Sayori murmured, still staring at the offer like it might vanish. “Why would she send one now?”

Akita shrugged, intrigued. “Maybe she saw your Sports Festival footage and changed her mind.”

“Guys, check your own,” Sayori said quickly. “See if any of you have her listed too.”

Everyone in the group began flipping through their stacks.

“I don’t even have an Independent ‘M’ section,” Shoto said, frowning.

“Same here,” added Momo.

“Nothing on my end,” Shinso said, shaking his head.

“I’ve got something,” Akita spoke up, holding up a sheet. “Mirko.”

Sayori blinked. “Okay, that makes sense for you. But I’m seriously confused why she’d offer to me too.”

Akita leaned back, thoughtful. “Maybe because we’re siblings? Or because we worked together so much during the Sports Festival? Except for the one-on-one matches, we were basically a unit.”

“Maybe she sees us as a duo,” Sayori said slowly. “That’s the only thing that makes sense. Because otherwise... I don’t exactly fit her style. Her whole independent, in-your-face, no-nonsense thing? That’s more you, Akita. Not me.”

“I think you should write her down for consideration,” Shinso said, nodding toward Sayori’s offer from Mirko.
“Oh, and by the way—did anyone else get, like, over 1,500 offers from underground heroes? Or is it just me?”

“Just you, buddy,” Akita replied, smirking. “Mine were mostly mainline agencies and a few national ones. Plus Mirko, of course.”

“Yeah,” Sayori chimed in. “Most of mine were from support, analysis, and information-focused agencies. What about the rest of you?”

“I’ve got a mix,” Momo said thoughtfully. “Mostly support and daylight agencies, but about half are underground. A good number of rescue ops, too.”

Shoto nodded. “Mine are mostly rescue-oriented, plus a few seasonal and daylight groups. Nothing too flashy, but solid.”

“I’ve got a weird spread,” Akita added. “Mainline heroes, some overseas and national-level agencies… and then just Mirko under independents.”

Sayori leaned back. “Well, it’s pretty clear now—these offers are tailored. They reflect our specialties and strengths. If nothing else, that means they’re judging us accurately.”

“Exactly,” Shinso agreed. “It’s not just about popularity—it’s about what we’re built for.”

Sayori tilted her head, curious. “So, Shinso—what underground agencies did you get, anyway?”

“I’ve got Wraith Unit, Greyline Division, Black Echo Corps, Veil Protocol, and WhisperNet,” Shinso said, reading them off with a thoughtful expression. “All underground. All intense.”

“Damn,” Akita said, eyebrows raised. “They didn’t hold back with you.”

“What about you?” Shinso asked, turning to Sayori.

Sayori flipped her page and replied, “I’ve got Nighteye, Hologram, Hexmind, and Techsmith—a lot more support and intelligence-focused.”

Momo leaned in. “I’ve heard of Hologram. They’re supposed to be cutting-edge in surveillance coordination.”

“Yeah,” Sayori nodded. “They mostly do recon, tactical support, and long-range monitoring. Honestly, feels like half of these want me as a battlefield coordinator.”

“Hexmind sounds ominous,” Shoto murmured.

“It’s a data-anomaly analysis agency,” Sayori explained. “They break down Quirk behavior patterns across battlefields in real-time and build strategy adjustments on the fly. Very cerebral.”

Akita gave a low whistle. “Yeah, they definitely knew what they were doing when they sorted us.”

Shinso glanced at his list again. “Mine’s all about infiltration and control. No frills. Just get in, get out, get the job done.”

Sayori smiled slightly. “That fits you. Scary efficient.”

“Any recommendations?” Shinso asked, rubbing the back of his neck. He was clearly overwhelmed by the sheer number of agencies in his stack.

Sayori looked up from her own notes. “In my opinion—specifically based on your abilities—I’d go with WhisperNet.”

Shinso raised an eyebrow. “Why them?”

“They specialize in dismantling small affiliations and tracking irregular patrol routes,” Sayori explained. “It’s all written in their section of the internship guide. They operate almost entirely in silence. You’d spend a lot of time on night missions—your insomnia would actually be a plus.”

She tapped the page. “They’re one of the biggest underground agencies. Very selective. From what I’ve read, they rarely even require interviews.”

“That… sounds perfect, actually,” Shinso admitted, making a note.

“I, on the other hand,” Sayori continued, “will probably go with Hologram. We have a similar approach to analysis and strategy. They’re all about information management and coordination. Their agency works with both daylight and underground heroes—and even supports independent heroes with mission logistics.”

“Independent heroes?” Momo asked, intrigued.

“Yeah,” Sayori nodded. “Since independents don’t have fixed patrol routes, Hologram supplies them with rotating assignments, coordinates, intel—stuff like that.”

“I haven’t even heard of Hologram until now,” Momo said.

“Well, they’re not flashy,” Sayori replied, “but if you’ve ever visited the rankings site before the Top 10 announcements, you can read full records. Hologram isn’t popular, but they’re consistent—top-tier stats across the board.”

She flipped her notebook around and showed them a list.
“Thousands of assist credits in villain captures, over 100 leadership roles in large-scale raids, more than 500 rescue assists every year.”

“No wonder they made the Top 50,” Akita said.

“Exactly,” Sayori agreed. “People just don’t vote for them because they’re not out in front. But I’d rather work with someone competent than someone flashy.”

“What about you, Shoto?” Sayori asked, glancing over. “Anything catch your eye?”

Shoto let out a quiet sigh, his gaze still on his list. “I’m… kind of worried. More than half of these internships probably came in just because I’m Endeavor’s son. It’s hard to tell which ones actually want me for me.”

Everyone quieted a little.

He continued, flipping a page. “And over twenty of them specialize in either high-temperature rescues or extreme climate work—some even list a focus on fire or speed. I want to find something that complements my ice side… maybe help cover my weakness to frostbite and cold overuse.”

Sayori leaned over, peering at his sheet. “That’s a smart approach. Any names stand out?”

“Yeah, actually…” Shoto pointed to a name. “Who’s Glacier Fang? Ever heard of them? I’m not sure if they’re here because of my dad again.”

“Let me see,” Sayori said, scooting closer and scanning the name. “Oh! Glacier Fang—the Winter Hero. I’ve seen the name before. Let’s check their stats.”

She quickly opened her phone and tapped through some data.

“Okay, so… only two recorded casualties from property damage. That’s pretty low considering they work mostly in northern cities and harsh mountain zones. Over a thousand rescues a year. Twenty-five large raids. About two hundred villain captures and assists—though it looks like they don’t bother separating direct and assisted takedowns. Probably not high enough volume to matter.”

She paused—and then suddenly burst out laughing.

Shoto blinked. “What? What’s so funny?”

Sayori turned her phone toward him, grinning. “You were worried Glacier Fang might be connected to your dad? Don’t be. They’re apparently huge rivals. There are literal videos of them fighting online. Like, publicly. They reprimand each other during press conferences.”

Shoto’s eyes widened slightly. “Seriously?”

“Dead serious,” Sayori said, still smiling. “Endeavor’s always scolding Glacier Fang for taking too long to apprehend villains. Meanwhile, she drags him for the insane casualty numbers. They go back and forth constantly. So if anything, she probably picked you to spite him.”

"…That actually makes me feel a little better," Shoto muttered. He looked down again at the name. "But what do they actually specialize in?"

"Let’s check," Sayori said, tapping the listing under Glacier Fang’s name. "Here—look at the Quirk explanation."

Hero Name: Glacier Fang
Title: The Winter Hero
Quirk: Winter Ice
Description: Glacier Fang’s Quirk allows her to drastically lower the temperature in her immediate environment, creating dense ice formations and frost effects with rapid precision. She can generate ice from ambient moisture or surface condensation, forming spikes, shields, or manipulating terrain. However, she cannot raise temperatures or insulate herself—prolonged use leads to physical cold damage. To combat this, she uses specially-designed gear to regulate body temperature and prevent frostbite. Her combat style emphasizes aggressive control and battlefield reshaping, freezing enemies in place and cutting off escape routes with sudden blizzards and jagged ice growth.

---

Sayori scrolled further. “Look here—it says she uses gadgets and specialized thermal gear to deal with frostbite risk. Seems like she’s had to manage the exact same kind of weakness you’re dealing with.”

Shoto narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “So she’s already figured out how to overcome it…”

“Exactly,” Sayori said, nodding. “If that’s your main concern, I’d definitely write her down as a serious option. She fits your needs almost too well.”

He gave a small nod, making a note. “Thanks. I’ll keep her high on the list.”

“Okay, everyone—show us your lists so we can talk through them,” Momo instructed, straightening the papers in front of her. “We only have a few minutes before class ends. We’ll need to continue after school, because tomorrow morning we have to submit our final choices.”

Everyone nodded, quickly gathering their notes and stacks.

Momo’s Top Picks:

• Snake Hero: Uwabami

• BMI Hero: Fat Gum

• Dragon Hero: Ryukyu

Sayori’s Top Picks:

• Screen Hero: Hologram

• Rabbit Hero: Mirko

• Dragon Hero: Ryukyu

Shoto’s Top Picks:

• Winter Hero: Glacier Fang

• Rescue Hero: Blizzard

Shinso’s Top Picks:

• Underground Hero: Dark Net

• Underground Hero: WhisperNet

• Underground Hero: Coil

Akita’s Top Picks:

• Independent Hero: Mirko

• Edgeshot

• Present Mic

“Alright, looks like we’ve got a good spread here,” Momo said, scanning the lists. “Different focuses, but all solid choices.”

Akita shrugged, looking at his list. “I’m going for a mix of independent and hero agencies. I need to experience both sides—fieldwork and tactical work. Mirko’s perfect for high-stakes action, and Edgeshot and Present Mic… well, I respect their versatility.”

Sayori nodded. “You’re definitely looking for intensity. Present Mic would be an interesting choice—he’s all about media presence and communication, right?”

Akita grinned. “Exactly. I think I could learn a lot about managing public perception while still focusing on my skills.”

“Well, it looks like we all have our work cut out for us,” Momo said. “Let’s take what we’ve discussed, finalize our picks, and be ready to submit tomorrow.”

 

 

As the final bell rang, students began gathering their things, the air buzzing with excitement over internship choices. Akita slung his bag over one shoulder and turned toward the door where Momo, Shinso, and Shoto were already waiting.

“I’ll walk with you guys,” he said, stretching with a yawn. “I think I’ve had enough hero talk for today.”

Shoto gave a quiet nod. “Same here.”

“Let’s go,” Momo added, clutching her internship folder as they made their way toward the exit.

Just as they reached the door, a familiar booming voice echoed down the hall.

“Akita Quinton!”

Heads turned. All Might stood in the doorway—less radiant than usual, his expression unusually serious.

Akita blinked, halfway through slipping his arm into his jacket. “Yes, All Might?”

“If you could step outside with me for a moment,” All Might said, voice calm but firm.

The group paused, watching curiously as Akita followed the towering hero into the hallway. The door swung shut behind them.

Outside, All Might’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “Young Quinton, I wanted to inform you personally… you’ve received a special internship offer.”

Akita’s brows lifted. “Wait—really? From who?”

All Might hesitated. His usual composure wavered for a moment. “Gran Torino. He was my homeroom teacher back when I was at U.A.”

“Gran Torino?” Akita repeated. “I’ve never heard of him…”

“He prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Keeps to himself,” All Might said. “But he played a crucial role in my early training.” His gaze drifted downward, shadows passing over his face. “And... he knows about One For All.”

The weight of the words settled between them.

Akita straightened. “He knows? Like—everything?”

All Might nodded slowly. “He trained me, after all. He figured it out early on. He’s sharp, relentless, and not one to pull punches.”

A pause.

All Might rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish look—uncharacteristically unsure. “To be honest… he kind of scares me.”

Akita stared. “You’re scared of your old teacher?”

All Might offered a dry smile. “Let’s just say... he has unconventional methods. But if there’s anyone who can push you past your limits—it’s him.”

Back in the classroom, Momo glanced toward the door. “What do you think that was about?”

“Not sure,” Shinso replied. “But from the look on All Might’s face... it wasn’t casual.”

The door clicked open again, and Akita stepped back into the room, his expression thoughtful. He adjusted the strap of his bag, his gaze a little distant.

Momo looked up immediately. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah,” he said, blinking back to the present. “Just… unexpected.”

Shinso raised an eyebrow. “That didn’t look like a casual chat.”

“It wasn’t.” Akita moved to grab the folder he’d left on his desk. “All Might pulled me aside to tell me I got a special internship offer.”

“From who?” Shoto asked, curious.

Akita hesitated for a beat. “Gran Torino.”

“Who?” Shinso asked.

“All Might’s old teacher,” Sayori answered quietly.

Shoto’s eyes narrowed. “Isn’t that… kind of a big deal?”

“Yeah. And All Might looked nervous just mentioning him,” Akita added. “Said he’s got unorthodox methods. That he’s scary.”

Shinso let out a low whistle. “Now I’m curious.”

Sayori leaned forward. “Are you going to accept it?”

“I’m thinking about it. It sounds intense, but if he trained All Might... maybe it’s worth it.”

“You don’t get offers like that for no reason,” Momo said, folding her hands neatly in her lap. “He must’ve seen something in you during the Festival.”

“Guess so,” Akita replied, though his voice carried a hint of doubt.

The group fell into a thoughtful silence before Shinso chuckled dryly.

“Well,” he said, slinging his bag over one shoulder, “I was feeling overwhelmed about my hundred underground offers, but you’ve got a whole mentor legacy thing to deal with. I suddenly feel a lot less stressed.”

Everyone laughed, even Akita.

“Alright, enough hero politics for one day,” Momo said, rising. “Let’s walk home. We can finalize our choices tonight.”

“Yeah,” Akita agreed, exhaling slowly. “Let’s go.”

The four of them stepped out of the classroom together, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway, the sun dipping low behind U.A.'s tall windows. The weight of tomorrow’s choices hung in the air.

---

The sharp clang of the first bell echoed through U.A.'s corridors, followed by the familiar shuffle of chairs and bags as Class 1-A took their seats. Some students looked focused, others still groggy, and a few were vibrating with nervous energy. The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter about internships, late-night decisions, and last-minute changes.

Akita slid into his seat beside Sayori, thumbing through the final version of his internship shortlist. He looked like he hadn’t slept much.

“You okay?” Sayori asked, glancing over.

He nodded. “Yeah. Just double-checking everything. I still can’t believe Mirko actually picked us.”

Momo, poised and composed, reviewed her notes with a quiet sense of finality. “I submitted my choices first thing this morning,” she said to no one in particular.

“You’re so annoyingly prepared,” Kaminari muttered, half-asleep with his head on his desk.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Momo replied, eyes still on the page.

Just as more murmurs filled the room, the door slid open with a heavy shkkt, and Aizawa walked in, his sleeping bag slung over one shoulder and coffee in hand.

“Morning,” he said flatly, already sounding exhausted. “Hope you all made your decisions, because I’m submitting them today. No changes after homeroom ends.”

Several students stiffened at his tone.

“You had one job,” Aizawa added.

He walked to his desk, dropped the sleeping bag with a thud, and turned to face the class.

“I’ll be checking your choices one by one,” he continued. “After that, you’ll be briefed on safety protocols and departure times. You leave in two days. Be ready.”

“Two days!?” Kaminari yelped.

“Do you ever listen?” Jiro sighed.

Aizawa continued, completely unfazed. “This isn’t a school field trip. You’ll be treated as provisional assistants to licensed heroes. Some of you will see real action. Some of you may be benched the entire time. You’re there to learn, not to prove yourselves. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” the class replied in unison.

Aizawa sighed and rubbed his temples.

“Alright… I’ll read out loud who everyone went with. Honestly, I don’t care if you chat about it later—just don’t argue. First up…”

Internship Assignments:

• Katsuki Bakugo: Best Jeanist

• Shoto Todoroki: Glacier Fang

• Ochaco Uraraka: Gunhead

• Tenya Iida: Manual

• Eijiro Kirishima: Fourth Kind

• Denki Kaminari: Kamui Woods

• Momo Yaoyorozu: Fat Gum

• Fumikage Tokoyami: Hawks

• Tsuyu Asui: Selkie

• Mina Ashido: Yoroi Musha

• Kyoka Jiro: Death Arms

• Mezo Shoji: Gang Orca

• Koji Koda: Wash

• Rikido Sato: Shishido

• Yuga Aoyama: Yoroi Musha

• Toru Hagakure: Yoroi Musha

• Hanta Sero: Edgeshot

• Hitoshi Shinso: Whisper

• Akita Quinton: Mirko

• Sayori Quinton: Hologram

As Aizawa finished reading the last names, a mix of excitement, nerves, and surprise rippled through the room.

“Mirko?” Kaminari said, blinking. “Dude, Akita—you’re seriously going with Mirko?”

Akita gave a half-smile. “Guess so. Still doesn’t feel real.”

“You’re going to get wrecked,” Kirishima said, eyes wide. “In a good way! She’s super intense—but man, imagine how strong you’ll be after.”

Sayori tapped her pen against her desk. “I still can’t believe she picked both of us. I thought she didn’t do internships at all.”

Momo leaned over slightly, her expression curious. “You’re both combat-focused. And your teamwork at the Sports Festival was impressive—maybe that’s what caught her eye.”

“I still think it’s weird,” Shinso muttered. “Mirko doesn't even take sidekicks.”

“Well, you got Whisper,” Jiro pointed out. “That’s like underground elite. You’re basically going full stealth mode.”

Shinso shrugged. “Sayori recommended them. Sounds like a good fit.”

“Totally is,” Sayori added. “You’re quiet, calculated, and don’t mind working alone. That’s exactly what they’re looking for.”

“Yo, Shoto,” Kaminari called across the room, “what’s Glacier Fang like?”

Shoto looked up from his sheet, thoughtful. “Cold. Focused. Definitely a specialist. I wanted someone who complements my ice side and helps me deal with the frostbite risks. Apparently, she and my father hate each other, so I’m guessing this wasn’t his idea.”

“That alone makes it a win,” Mina said, snorting.

A few students laughed, easing the tension in the room.

Tokoyami nodded solemnly. “I am honored to work under Hawks. His speed and agility will sharpen my own skills.”

“Meanwhile, I’m just going to learn how to punch people better,” Uraraka said with a sheepish smile. “Gunhead’s style looked super effective.”

“Practical and smart,” Aizawa cut in. “Every agency here was chosen for a reason. If you think you picked wrong, tough. It’s done. You leave in two days.”

He took a long sip of coffee, then looked out at the class.

“Any final words before we move on?”

Koda raised his hand slowly. “...Will we be in pairs or going alone?”

“Depends on the agency,” Aizawa replied. “Some of you will go alone, some might be paired up. You’ll get your detailed assignments after lunch.”

As the bell rang for the next period, the class buzzed again, this time with louder, more excited energy. The reality of the internships had finally sunk in.

“Two days…” Akita murmured, closing his notebook. “Guess we better get ready.”

---

The platform buzzed with early morning activity, the low hum of conversation and the metallic screech of arriving trains weaving together in a sleepy symphony. Class 1-A stood gathered in small clusters, luggage in hand, most of them dressed in casual clothes with duffel bags slung over shoulders.

“Okay,” Iida called out, clipboard in hand as he checked everyone’s name for the third time. “Everyone accounted for, and no one left anything behind, correct?”

“You’ve asked that twice already,” Jiro mumbled, tugging her earbud in. “We’re fine.”

“I just want to ensure we’re..."

“We know,” Kaminari cut in, trying to stifle a yawn. “You’ve made sure like five times. We got it, class rep.”

“Still can’t believe we’re all splitting up for this,” Mina said, bouncing slightly on her heels. “It’s going to be weird not seeing everyone every day.”

“I think that’s the point,” said Momo. “Different heroes, different styles. It’s good for our growth.”

“Speak for yourself,” Uraraka added with a nervous chuckle. “I just hope I don’t get my arms broken"

A whistle pierced the air, and the announcement board flicked over with their train’s arrival time.

Akita stood near the edge of the group, arms crossed, eyes scanning the platform.

“You nervous?” Sayori asked beside him, tugging her hood up slightly against the wind.

“Little bit,” he admitted. “I keep thinking Mirko’s going to throw me into a brick wall as soon as I walk through the door.”

“Only one way to find out,” she said with a grin.

Shoto stood a few feet away, staring down at his phone. “Apparently Glacier Fang sent a car to meet me at the station near her base. Guess I’ll be traveling solo after the train.”

“They must really want to keep you away from your dad’s people,” Shinso muttered, adjusting his backpack. “Smart move.”

The train pulled in with a loud hiss and clatter, brakes grinding against the rails as it slowed to a stop. Doors slid open and the students began boarding in small waves, waving to each other, offering last-minute encouragements.

“Don’t die!” Kirishima shouted jokingly as he climbed in behind Sero.

“Thanks for the emotional support,” Aoyama sniffed, placing a hand on his heart.

“Group A—this car!” Iida pointed. “Group B, to the next one!”

Akita, Sayori, Shinso, Momo, and Shoto ended up in the same car, settling into a section of seats near the back.

As the train began to roll forward, the city slowly drifting past the windows, silence fell over the group—not uncomfortable, but thoughtful. A new chapter had officially begun.

“Everyone ready?” Momo asked quietly.

No one answered immediately.

Then Akita nodded once. “Let’s go see what we’re really made of.”