CHAPTER 3: Training Begins
1 MONTH LATER
"And that is another 100 dollars," he said sighing. 100 dollars was enough for a one-month membership at the local gym. Yes, it was local, however, it was a gym with a pool, a track, mixed in with a dojo. It was the real package and why it was so expensive, and he was glad to be going there.
Izuku had managed to secure an online job as a customer support agent for a tech company. It wasn't glamorous work, but it allowed him to contribute financially to his goals while maintaining flexibility with his schedule. He worked a few hours each day after school, answering queries about troubleshooting software issues and helping customers navigate their products. While the work was sometimes repetitive, it gave him a sense of accomplishment. Each paycheck brought him closer to achieving his plans.
Sitting at his small desk, Izuku adjusted his headset and glanced at the queue of support tickets. The first was a customer struggling with a frozen application. He quickly reviewed the troubleshooting script, then typed out a concise, polite response.
"Thank you for reaching out. Here's what you can try to resolve the issue..."
He hit send and moved to the next ticket. Despite the monotony, Izuku approached the job with the same determination he applied to everything else in his life. He saw it as more than just earning money—it was an opportunity to refine his communication skills, practice patience, and strengthen his ability to solve problems under pressure.
By the end of his shift, Izuku leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. It wasn't the most physically demanding work, but staying focused for hours on end was draining in its own way. Still, when he looked at the total earnings in his online account, he felt a swollen feeling of pride. It wasn't just about the money—it was proof of his growing independence.
He had created a schedule with Chase with the best interest in mind and good god did it look like hell.
4 am wake up
4:30 am-7:00 am, 1st gym workout
8 am-3 pm school
3 pm-6 pm work
6 pm-6:15 pm Dinner
6:45 pm-10 pm, 2nd gym workout
10:30 bed and Mindspace studying
Would it be hard? Yes. Was he willing to do it? Absolutely. Izuku sat on his bed, staring at the schedule Chase had meticulously crafted. It was rigorous but it aligned with his goals. If he wanted to become a hero despite the odds stacked against him, he needed to push beyond his limits. He read through it again, committing it to memory before placing it carefully on his desk.
The next morning, his alarm buzzed at 4 a.m., jolting him awake. For a split second, Izuku considered rolling over and stealing a few more moments of rest, but he quickly shook the thought away. He had made a commitment to himself, and if he started slacking now, he'd only be sabotaging his own future. Throwing on his workout clothes, he grabbed a water bottle and headed out the door.
He wasted no time getting into the gym as started to get to work. He did a warmup of 20 pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and crunches and he was ready to go.
Granted he had never really done super physical workouts so had taken some baby steps.
The gym was relatively quiet at this early hour, save for a few other dedicated individuals. Izuku began on the treadmill, setting a moderate pace. His legs burned within the first few minutes, but he reminded himself of why he was doing this. Heroes don't quit. If I can't push past this, how will I ever keep up with villains in the field?
After 20 minutes on the treadmill, he transitioned to weight training. Chase had given him a beginner's guide to proper form and manageable weights to avoid injury. Izuku started with dumbbell curls and bench presses, his arms trembling slightly under the unfamiliar strain. Despite the challenge, he felt an undeniable sense of satisfaction with every rep completed. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he pushed himself further than he ever had before.
By the time he moved on to core exercises, he was already feeling the effects of the morning's work. Planks, Russian twists, and leg raises tested his resolve, but Izuku grit his teeth and kept going. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to stop, but he countered each thought of doubt with images of his future—standing tall as a hero who could save lives and inspire others.
When the clock struck 7 a.m., Izuku finally wrapped up his session. His muscles ached, and his body was drenched in sweat, but he felt an overwhelming sense of pride. He had survived the first step in his grueling journey. As he walked out of the gym, the cool morning air hit him, refreshing his exhausted body. "One step closer," he muttered to himself, a small smile forming on his lips.
The next part of his day proceeded as planned—school. Balancing academics with his new physical regimen was no easy task, but Izuku knew he couldn't afford to let his grades slip. He paid close attention in class, furiously taking notes and mentally organizing his study schedule for the evening. Every now and then, his classmates would notice his slightly tired expression, but none of them commented on it.
By the time school ended, he felt drained but kept his focus sharp. After all, he still had work to do. Logging into his customer support job from his bedroom, Izuku handled each ticket with the same meticulous care as before. The repetitive nature of the work might have deterred others, but Izuku treated it as a mental workout way to sharpen his problem-solving skills and maintain his composure under pressure.
Dinner was brief, as usual, with his family's conversations revolving around Inori and Ichiro's day. Izuku ate in silence, his mind racing with plans for his next workout session. He caught glimpses of his father from across the table, but the calculating, cold intensity in his gaze remained. Toshinori noticed but continued to feign ignorance, a choice that only deepened the tension between them.
After excusing himself, Izuku returned to the gym for his second workout of the day. This time, he focused on different muscle groups to avoid overworking in any one area. He tackled the rowing machine and the squat rack. This place was a lot more at this time, but he didn't mind that. He did feel like he was being watched though. He wasn't sure who was watching him, but it was someone doing it.
He ended the workout and was going to the locker room when someone stopped him.
"Hey, you're Izuku Yagi, right?"
Izuku looked up to see a modestly tall man standing near the locker room entrance. His hair was dark brown, a little messy, but it looked like it had been styled intentionally, with streaks of gray peeking through the edges. He wore a black long-sleeve and sweatpants, his body showing signs of experience with physical activity—muscles not overly bulky but lean and well-defined, a clear indication of someone who had spent years in training. His face was weathered, perhaps by time, but there was something about his presence that commanded respect.
"Yeah, that's me," Izuku replied, his exhaustion making his voice slightly strained. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The man gave him a friendly, knowing smile, though there was an underlying seriousness in his eyes. "I've been watching you for a while. You've been coming in here pretty regularly. Most people would burn out by now, but you... you've got something about you. Discipline. Dedication."
Izuku blinked in surprise, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he shifted his weight nervously. He wasn't used to strangers noticing him like that. "I—uh, I'm just trying to get better. For my goals, you know? This is my schedule," he said showing him.
The man nodded pleasantly, "Ah, yes, I know you are and can see that clearly, but I should introduce myself. My name is Daichi Arai," the man said, extending his hand. Izuku hesitated for a moment before shaking it, feeling the firm grip of someone who had clearly spent years honing their strength.
"I own the dojo that's attached to the fitness center here," Daichi Arai said, gesturing toward the far end of the gym where the dojo's sliding wooden doors stood. "I couldn't help but notice your work ethic. It's not every day I see someone so young pushing themselves so hard. You remind me of someone I used to know."
Izuku looked at Daichi with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Oh, really? Was he a hero?"
Arai chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Not exactly. But he had the heart of one, much like you seem to. Listen, Yagi, I've been around long enough to recognize potential when I see it. You've got a fire in you, but if you're not careful, that fire can burn you out. Training is good, but training smart is better."
Izuku's cheeks turned slightly pink. "I—I'm just trying to catch up. I've got a lot of ground to cover."
Arai nodded knowingly. "I figured as much. That drive of yours is admirable, but if you're serious about achieving your goals, you'll need guidance. Pushing through pain and exhaustion can only take you so far. If you want, I'd be willing to help you. Teach you how to balance your training, refine your technique, and maybe show you a thing or two about martial arts. It's up to you."
The offer caught Izuku off guard. He wasn't sure how to respond at first. He had always been wary of accepting help, especially now that he had decided to forge his path independently. But there was something about Arai's presence—his calm confidence and the wisdom in his eyes—that made Izuku consider the proposition.
"That's... a generous offer," Izuku said cautiously. "But I don't have a lot of money right now. I'm already stretching my budget just to be here."
Arai waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Consider it an investment. I see potential in you, and I'd hate to see it go to waste because of something as trivial as money. All I ask is that you show up ready to learn and give it your all. Deal?"
Izuku hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Deal."
Arai's grin widened. "Good. We'll start tomorrow evening, based on the schedule you showed me. Come by the dojo, and I'll introduce you to the basics. It's not going to be easy, but then again, I think you already know that."
"I do," Izuku replied, his voice firm. "And I'm ready."
The next evening, Izuku stood in front of the dojo's entrance, his nerves tingling with anticipation. He slid open the wooden doors and was greeted by the faint scent of wood polish and the soft light filtering through paper lanterns. The dojo was a stark contrast to the bustling gym—quiet, serene, yet filled with an underlying intensity that made his heart race.
Arai stood in the center of the room, wearing a black martial arts gi with a white belt tied around his waist. "You're on time. That's a good start," he said, gesturing for Izuku to join him.
Izuku stepped onto the polished wooden floor, feeling the cool surface beneath his feet. "What's the first lesson?"
Arai crossed his arms, his expression serious. "The first lesson is understanding your limits and learning how to extend them without breaking. You've got raw determination, but that alone isn't enough. You need control, focus, and adaptability. Today, we'll start with the basics of movement and balance."
"Should we get to know each other first before then?" he asked wondering who this man was.
"Ah, of course," he said sitting in a crisscross position just as Izuku did the same.
Daichi Arai adjusted his posture, sitting straight and exuding a calm yet commanding presence. He looked at Izuku with a small smile. "You're right. It's always good to understand the person you're trusting to teach you. Let me tell you a bit about myself."
Izuku nodded, settling into his seat. He was curious about this man who had taken an interest in him.
"Well, you know my name already, but I am a retired hero who just trains martial arts now. My quirk is Triple Joint. There are people who are double-joint naturally which was me but my quirk added another joint making me triple-jointed. It allows me to extend and manipulate my body in ways most people can't," Arai continued, his voice calm yet infused with an undertone of pride. "I can bend, twist, and maneuver my limbs to an almost impossible degree. It gave me a unique edge in combat situations—dodging attacks, striking from unexpected angles, and even escaping tight spots. But it wasn't just my quirk that defined me as a hero. I worked hard to refine my physical capabilities and tactical skills. A quirk is just a tool; how you use it determines your success."
Izuku leaned forward, intrigued. "So, you were a hero? What happened? Why did you stop?"
Arai's expression softened, a flicker of nostalgia passing over his face. "I was a hero for about fifteen years, operating under the name 'Elastic Shadow.' I specialized in rescue operations and non-lethal takedowns. I even made it to Number 73 on the hero charts, but as time went on, the toll on my body and mind became more apparent. Every fight, every mission, it all adds up. I decided to retire before I hit a point where I couldn't keep up anymore. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one. Now, I focus on teaching others. Passing on what I've learned to people like you."
Izuku nodded, his respect for Arai growing. "That's admirable. I think it's great that you're still helping people in your own way."
Arai chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "You remind me of myself when I was younger. Hungry to prove myself, eager to learn. But let me ask you this, Yagi—why are you doing this? What's driving you to push yourself so hard?"
Izuku hesitated, his gaze dropping to the polished wooden floor. He took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. "I want to catch up. For a long time, I felt like I was always behind—always struggling to prove my worth. I want to change that. I want to be someone who can stand tall, someone who can protect others and make a difference. But I know I can't rely on anyone to hand me the tools to do that. I have to earn it."
Arai nodded thoughtfully; his expression was unreadable, "A noble goal. But let me give you some advice, Izuku. You're right to want to rely on yourself, but don't let that turn into isolation. The world is full of people who can teach you, guide you, and challenge you to grow. You're here now, which means you're already taking a step in the right direction."
Izuku felt a wave of warmth at Arai's words. It wasn't often that someone acknowledged his efforts so directly. "Thank you, Arai-sensei. I won't waste this opportunity."
Arai smiled, standing up and gesturing for Izuku to follow. "Good. Then let's get started. First, I'll assess your natural movement and balance. Take your shoes off and stand in the center of the mat."
Izuku quickly complied, feeling the cool surface of the mat under his feet. Arai circled him, observing his posture and stance with a critical eye.
"Not bad," Arai said after a moment. "You've got a decent foundation. That tells me you've been paying attention to your form during your workouts. But combat isn't about standing still. It's about adapting to ever-changing circumstances. Let's see how you move."
Arai began by walking Izuku through a series of basic simple steps, shifts in weight, and maintaining balance while moving. Though the exercises seemed straightforward, Izuku quickly realized how much focus they required. Every step needed precision, every shift in weight demanded awareness of his center of gravity.
"Your movement is stiff," Arai commented after a while, his tone not unkind but firm. "You're focusing too much on doing it perfectly. That's good in training, but in real scenarios, hesitation can cost you. Try to flow naturally. Don't think—feel."
Izuku nodded, adjusting his approach. He loosened his stance, trying to let the movements come more intuitively. It wasn't perfect, but he could already sense an improvement.
"Better," Arai said with a small nod. "Now, let's add some complexity."
The session progressed with increasingly challenging exercises. Arai introduced basic martial arts stances and transitions, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded and maintaining fluidity. He demonstrated how small adjustments in posture could make a significant difference in balance and power.
"Martial arts isn't just about punching and kicking," Arai explained as he demonstrated a series of sweeping motions. "It's about understanding your body and how it interacts with the world around you. If you can master that, you'll find strength in even the simplest movements."
By the end of the lesson, Izuku was drenched in sweat, his muscles burning from unfamiliar motions. But he felt exhilarated. Each technique, each correction, had opened his eyes to a new dimension of training. This wasn't just about building strength, it was about refining it, channeling it into something precise and effective.
"You did well for your first day," Arai said, clapping a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "But this is only the beginning. If you want to see real progress, you'll need to commit to consistent practice. Are you ready for that?"
Izuku looked up at Arai, his green eyes blazing with determination. "Yes. I'm ready."
Arai grinned. "Good. Then we'll meet here tomorrow. Rest well tonight, Yagi. You've earned it."
As Izuku left the dojo, the cool evening air greeted him once more. His body ached, but his spirit felt lighter than it had been in months. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was truly moving forward. The path ahead was still uncertain, but with Arai's guidance, he knew he wasn't walking it alone.
"One step closer," Izuku muttered to himself, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips as he disappeared into the night.
He got home to everyone in bed, which was about what it was like every night since he had been doing this which was fine with him. He went to the fridge to get some chicken and rice and walked to his room. The unique thing about Mindspace was he was still able to get a full six hours of sleep if he wanted to even when he was in Mindspace because his body was resting. Izuku collected a few quirks from the past month, and he started to see a trend with the quirks that he had stored up. Based on what he was hearing a lot of people firmly believed that they could not be heroes with the quirks that they possessed.
He had a total of 14 storage now and most of them were not trained enough. Granted they were simple such as having long fingers and pulling eyes out of your socket, which was gross in his opinion, but he didn't think of a use for them yet. The kid who had the quirk 'Sparks' was interesting though. It said that the quirk could have gotten much stronger if it was trained constantly but the kid never did anything. It made him wonder how many people with "weak" quirks could be powerful if all they did was train them.
His siblings or parents hadn't caught on to the fact that he was starting to train more and more but nonetheless it still hurt that they didn't believe that he had a quirk now he had thought that someday if he had gotten a quirk that he would have gotten the recognition he needed from his family, but he thought life had other plans.
The bullying hadn't stopped yet and he seriously doubted that it never will, but it irked him to no end that Inori and Ichiro were still doing it to him. He had told himself constantly that there are other people who have it worse than him out there, but it was getting harder and harder to believe every day. He will admit though that with the training he's been doing on his body it was starting to hurt less and less if the kids beat him up, he was grateful for that.
Then there was the thing about One for All and his father being All Might. He hadn't read its profile or contents yet in Mindspace because he was still mad at his father for not telling him or his family. He knew without a doubt that his mother knew who he was, but his siblings likely didn't know either. Now Izuku knew that his neglect could have been much worse, granted it sucked but he could have been thrown out of the house and left on the streets to rot. He knew that he had a roof over his head and meals provided to him but there was no attention whatsoever from his family and at the end of the day neglect is still neglect. He decided that he would push away for now because he and his siblings didn't know of his father's identity.
He had finished eating the meal that he had brought from the fridge and decided to go into his Mindspace once more, he was still mad at his father, but he was curious to read the contents of One for All. He wanted to know what made the man so powerful that he was the number one hero, though he was not sure if he wanted the quirk for his own.
He was soon standing next to Chase as the two of them looked at the screen. Izuku held the book that said "One for All" on the front cover and sighed. "Let's see what we are working with.
he said as he placed the book on the holder, connecting it with the screen.
"One for All," Chase began, reading from the screen, "is a quirk born from the fusion of two abilities: one to stockpile power and another to transfer that power to others. Over generations, it has passed from wielder to wielder, growing stronger with each succession. It's a unique blend of raw strength and inherited will."
Izuku's eyes widened as he absorbed the information. "So... it's not just strength? It carries the legacy of everyone who's ever wielded it?"
"Exactly," Chase replied, pointing at the screen. "Each user has contributed to its growth, both in power and knowledge. But it's more than just physical. It's about ideals—protecting those who can't protect themselves, standing against overwhelming odds."
The screen cut to show the users of One for All. Many of them were heroes Izuku had never heard of before. "This explains why Dad is the strongest, if the quirk can continually stockpile power."
Izuku was analyzing the quirk with fascination now because the overall potential of this quirk is amazing. If he were to implement this into the quirks that he made, they would be much more powerful and would have more use.
Chase smiled as he looked at Izuku with a thoughtful expression. "I see you are thinking about adding this to your quirks," he said.
"It's hard not to when you see this much power with it. But, I am also pissed at my dad right now," he said smiling at the possibilities.
"You need to be careful though. If you are creating a quirk and then add the One for All's potential, then you could damage yourself from the amount of stockpiled power," he said as he generated of pot of tea for Izuku.
Izuku took the cup of tea that Chase had generated for him, the warmth seeping into his hands. He took a slow sip, thinking about Chase's warning. "Yeah, I get it. I can't just dive into this without considering the consequences. But it's hard not to be excited about the potential."
Chase nodded; his expression is more serious now. "It's good that you're excited, but you need to be aware of your limits. One for All may give you more power than you've ever imagined, but power is a double-edged sword," he said.
"Yeah," he said as he looked at Chase. "Say, Chase what are you?" he asked.
"Think of me as an Artificial Intelligence to you quirk Synthesist. I am here to help you with a lot of the complexity of this quirk so that you can learn the quirks you create," he said.
"That makes sense," he said sipping some tea as he investigated the corner of the screen. He hit the screen, and it showed that they were quirks from past users of One for All.
Izuku leaned in closer, his eyes scanning the screen as it displayed a list of quirks from past users of One for All. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. Each user had contributed their own unique ability to the quirk, and it seemed like each of them had made One for All even more formidable than it had been in its previous form. Some of the quirks were powers that Izuku had never even imagined could exist. It was clear that One for All was not just a simple strength-boosting quirk; it was a collection of abilities, each one adding its own flavor to the whole.
He pointed to one of the quirks listed on the screen. "What's this one? 'Float'? It looks... unusual."
Chase's expression softened as he looked at the screen. "Ah, yes. That quirk belonged to one of the former users. It allows the user to float or levitate, defying gravity. It's a quirk that pairs very well with strength, especially in battle, since the user can move freely and avoid attacks. It was a key ability used by the previous wielder of One for All to outmaneuver opponents."
Izuku was amazed. He could already see how powerful it would be to combine a strength-enhancing quirk like One for All with something as versatile as Float. The possibilities were endless.
He scrolled through the rest of the quirks, each one more fascinating than the last. Blackwhip, Smokescreen, Danger Sense, Fa Jin, and Gearshift. All of them were amazing. He was honestly debating on just using the quirks as they were rather than finding a way to make them better because most of them couldn't be made better.
The next few hours in Mindspace were spent nitpicking the quirks to see what he could do with them and if they could be improved. But before they knew it, he had been there for almost five hours, which was about an hour of real-time.
"Alright, Chase, I am going to go to get some actual sleep now as he started to teleport out of Mindspace," he said waving.
"Sounds good sir. Have a good night rest," he said before he teleported out fully.
2 MONTHS LATER
It had been 3 months since he started his training and Izuku couldn't be happier. His skinny frame was slow but surely filling out into a leaner and more muscular one. Arai had taught him quite a bit in martial arts and was glad he was done with some…of the training he had him do.
Arai-sensei had drilled it into his head that flexibility is something every hero should know and every day, there was a minimum of twenty minutes of it.
Izuku rubbed his inner thigh in pain. He still remembered when he had him to the splits for the first time. He felt like he couldn't walk right for weeks but thankfully it barely hurt anymore. His job was also going well for him too. He went from earning 15 dollars an hour to now making 18 dollars an hour which he was all for.
As he walked up to the school, he thought that his progress in academics was going to worsen from his training schedule, but as it turns out, they got better. He went from being in the top 15 in the school to he was now in the top 3 with two of the other students having IQ quirks much stronger than his Brain Boost.
He also found out that anything that he was touching with his body when entering Mindspace he would bring in there. So, he started to bring in multiple books for reading, allowing him more time to learn. He started to read into topics of mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and technology, often using Mindspace to digest the material more quickly. The more he absorbed, the better he became at applying it in real life. His ability to multitask had improved, and he felt his mind growing sharper with each passing day. As much as he enjoyed his physical training, the mental side of his development was equally important. If he could understand the complexities of the quirks he was working with, he could learn to harness them more effectively.
He was almost at class when he was tripped in the hallway. Izuku looked up to see it was Inori, Ichiro, and Bakugo waiting a few doors down from their class.
"Oops," said Bakugo smirking. Izuku just stared at him picked up his things and started to walk to class when he was called out again.
"Don't ignore me you fucker!" yelled out Bakugo.
He kept his head down and continued to walk toward his class, hoping that Bakugo and the others would just let it go. Something that was getting annoying to him was this. He started to stop talking to them unless it was needed. He still told them the same thing, that he was going to be a hero every time they brought it up. As he said before the pain was lessening from their blows which meant that he was getting stronger. Thank God they stopped talking about how he lied about having a quirk.
But Inori wasn't done. She stepped into his path, blocking his way with a smug grin on her face. "What's the matter, Deku? Finally learned how to walk with your head up?" She laughed, and Ichiro snickered behind her.
Izuku could feel his frustration building. The constant teasing and bullying had become an exhausting routine, and though he was getting stronger physically and mentally, it still hurt. He could see them, but he refused to let them see how much their words affected him.
"Move," Izuku muttered, his voice low but firm.
"Oh? You think you're tough now, huh?" she said mockingly with her hands on her hips.
Izuku gritted his teeth slightly and put his hand on Inori's shoulder to surprise her. With a hard push, she was shoved face first into the lockers making a loud thud.
Ichiro and Bakugo were wide-eyed at that. Never in their lives had they seen Izuku lay his hands on someone like that.
"I said to move," he said coldly walking into the classroom. Inori looked at him and saw that he wasn't having it today. She was fine, by all accounts, because it didn't feel like he wanted to hurt her, but it still was an act of aggression.
Inori glared at Izuku as he walked away, her face flushing with embarrassment and anger. She pushed herself off the lockers and stomped after him, but Ichiro grabbed her arm.
"Let it go," he muttered, his eyes still wide with shock. "Let's deal with it later," he said. Inori looked at Izuku as he sat down and gritted her teeth. She would show him who he just messed with.
Izuku didn't pay much attention to the event, but he knew the fact that he just pushed his sister like that meant it was starting to get to him. He didn't think much of it as the rest of the day transpired. He checked out a few more books to read from the library and started to walk out the school grounds. He just zips up his backpack when he was grabbed by the hair and thrown into the alleyway and pushed to the ground.
Izuku landed hard on the rough pavement, his breath leaving him in a sharp gasp. He scrambled to get his bearings and looked up to see Bakugo, Inori, and Ichiro standing over him. The dim light of the alley cast ominous shadows across their faces, amplifying their expressions of anger and disdain.
"You think you're tough now, huh, Deku?" Bakugo sneered, cracking his knuckles as small sparks of his quirk danced across his palms. "You don't get to push Inori like that and walk away."
Izuku stood up slowly pointing at her. "I told her to move."
Inori gritted her teeth as she activated Minds Reach and lifted Izuku off the ground. "You don't just get to do that to me. You need to be taught a listen," she said waving her hand and slamming him face-first into the wall. Izuku felt his nose popped, meaning that it broke.
Izuku gritted his teeth as blood streamed from his nose. The pain was sharp, but it wasn't enough to deter him. Inori slammed him into the other way face first once more breaking it more. Izuku resorted to breathing out of his nose now but still tried to resist. Inori stopped her telekinesis and dropped him down, hitting the ground hard. Izuku tried to get up but was in Inori's grip once more being pinned against the wall.
Ichiro walked over smiling at him. "You know…it pisses me off thinking you get to treat her like that. I thought we were supposed to be siblings," he said activating Impact Drive. You could see that his body was slightly enlarged as he still walked over to Izuku.
Ichiro cocked his fist back, hitting Izuku on the right side of the stomach. There was another pop from his ribs as Izuku had coughed up blood.
Izuku gritted his teeth as blood dripped from his broken nose and his stomach throbbed in pain. Ichiro's punch had knocked the wind out of him, leaving him gasping as he struggled to regain his footing. But Ichiro wasn't finished. He grabbed Izuku by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.
"You think you can just push Inori around and get away with it?" Ichiro growled, his voice low and menacing.
Izuku coughed, spitting blood onto the pavement. His mind was racing, but his body was exhausted from the onslaught. Despite the pain, he managed to glare at Ichiro. "I told her to move," he rasped.
Ichiro's expression twisted with anger, and he raised his fist again. Hitting the wall behind him. "If you do that to our sister or anyone we see as friends. The beatdown will be worse the next time. Understand?" he asked. Izuku nodded at this, and he was dropped down.
Izuku crumpled to the ground, his body screaming in protest as he struggled to breathe. His vision blurred with pain, but he clenched his fists tightly, digging his nails into his palms to keep himself grounded. His ribs ached, his face was throbbing, and his stomach churned from the repeated blows. Still, his resolve remained intact.
Bakugo sneered down at him, the sparks from his palms flickering like small, menacing fireworks. "You're lucky we're letting you off easily this time, Deku," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "But don't think for a second this is over. You pull another stunt like that, and you'll wish you never stepped foot in this school."
Inori stood off to the side, her arms crossed as she glared at Izuku. Her telekinesis had left her breathing slightly heavier than normal, but her anger was far from being exposed. "You're pathetic," she spat. "Trying to act tough when you're nothing but a quirkless loser. You should be grateful we even acknowledge you exist."
Ichiro stepped back, flexing his fingers as if he were itching for another punch. His enlarged muscles from Impact Drive began to shrink as he deactivated his quirk, leaving him towering over Izuku with a look of disgust. "We're supposed to be family, you idiot. But you're nothing more than a stain on our name."
Izuku didn't respond. He didn't trust himself to speak without his voice shaking, and he refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing him break. He slowly pushed himself onto his hands and knees, every movement sending fresh waves of pain through his battered body.
"Pathetic," Bakugo muttered again, turning to walk out of the alley. "Let's go. He's not worth any more of our time."
Inori hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at Izuku one last time. "Stay out of my way, Deku," she said coldly before following Bakugo.
Ichiro lingered for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then he shook his head and walked off without another word, leaving Izuku alone in the dimly lit alley.
Izuku just lay staring at the sky that still had some light out but just enough that it would be sundown in a couple of hours. He coughed up a few more times wiping the blood from his mouth.
"How…are…we supposed to be…family…when they treat…me…like…shit," he said to himself turning over to get up. Izuku was crying slightly from the physical pain and emotional pain.
Izuku struggled to his feet, his body trembling from the effort. Each movement was agonizing, but he forced himself to keep going. The alley felt suffocating, the shadows closing in around him as his mind raced with thoughts of despair and anger. His tears mixed with the blood on his face, dripping onto the pavement below.
He clutched his side, the pain from his broken ribs making it difficult to breathe, let alone walk. His legs wobbled beneath him, threatening to give out at any moment. But Izuku pushed forward, one shaky step at a time, determined to make it home before the sun fully disappeared.
"Screw it, I need a hospital," he said as he started to walk to the nearest one, he could find. He stopped for one second grabbing his nose. He would be damned if he was charged more money than he needed too. With a yelp of pain he fixed his nose and it was back in place.
Izuku winced as he adjusted his grip on his side, trying to keep the sharp pain at bay. He knew he couldn't let himself collapse in the middle of the street—not now. His determination to reach a hospital overrode his embarrassment. The occasional glance from passersby felt like needles, but he refused to acknowledge them.
His thoughts swirled with the events of the day. How did it come to this? he wondered bitterly. The so-called siblings who were supposed to have his back were his greatest tormentors. Bakugo had always been harsh, but Inori and Ichiro's betrayal cut deeper. Family wasn't supposed to hurt you like this, physically or emotionally.
He gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening with each agonizing step. "I can't stay like this forever," he muttered. "I won't."
The faint glow of a neon sign caught his eye—a small urgent care clinic. It wasn't a full hospital, but it would do. Izuku hesitated before entering, his hand trembling as he pushed open the door. The cool, sterile air of the clinic was a stark contrast to the suffocating warmth outside.
A receptionist looked up, her eyes widening at the sight of him. "Oh my—sir, are you okay?!"
Izuku forced a weak smile, though the movement sent a fresh jolt of pain through his face. "I, uh… I need some help," he said, his voice hoarse.
The receptionist hurried to her feet, calling for a nurse. Within moments, Izuku was led into a small examination room. The nurse's questions came rapid-fire, but Izuku struggled to answer, his mind clouded by pain and exhaustion.
"Did someone do this to you?" the nurse asked gently, her eyes scanning his injuries with a mixture of concern and suspicion.
Izuku hesitated. His first instinct was to deny it, to protect the people who had done this—even if they didn't deserve it. "It was... just me getting jumped," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
The nurse didn't look convinced, but she didn't press further. "We'll need to get you cleaned up and take some X-rays to assess the damage," she said.
Izuku nodded, too tired to argue. As the nurse worked, cleaning his wounds and setting up for the scans, his thoughts drifted back to his training. If I were stronger." he said to himself.
When they were finished, the doctor returned with the results. "You've got two fractured ribs, a partially dislocated nose—which you already reset—and some severe bruising across your torso and face. You'll need to avoid heavy physical activity for at least six weeks to allow the ribs to heal properly."
Izuku's heart sank. Six weeks? That was practically an eternity in his world. He couldn't afford to stop training—not when he was already so far behind.
"But there is another option, and you are lucky that there is. There is a lady here that speeds up the recovery of your injuries to where you are good as new," she said making his eyes go wide.
"Recovery Girl is here?" he asked excitedly but yelping in pain from his ribs.
"Ah, I see you know your stuff but yes, she is here. She is on the third floor and I can have her come down to see if she can do it for you."
Izuku's heart raced, a flicker of hope piercing through the pain and exhaustion. Recovery Girl is here? He could hardly believe his luck. If anyone could heal him quickly, it was her.
"Yes, please!" he said, his voice breaking with relief. Despite the sharp pang in his ribs, he sat up straighter, ignoring the nurse's worried glance. "I-I mean… if she has the time."
The nurse smiled softly, recognizing the spark of determination in his eyes. "I'll call her down," she said, leaving the room.
Izuku slumped back against the examination table, his head spinning with possibilities. He could get back to training sooner, strengthen himself, and finally prove that he wasn't as weak as everyone thought. But beneath the optimism, doubt lingered. Would this really be enough to close the gap between him and his tormentors?
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Recovery Girl entered. Her petite frame and kind smile radiated a sense of comfort, though her sharp eyes quickly assessed his injuries with a practiced gaze.
"Goodness, young man, you've been through quite the ordeal," she said, shaking her head. "You're lucky you didn't puncture a lung with those ribs. Now, tell me, what happened?"
Izuku's voice trembled as he spoke, each word strained from the pain in his chest. "I got jumped. That's all."
Recovery Girl narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Hmm. It seems like there's more to the story, but I won't press you if you're not ready to share. Let's focus on getting you healed up first."
She stepped closer, pulling out her signature syringe-like healing device. "This will use a good amount of your stamina, so you'll need to rest afterward. But you'll be good as new in no time."
Izuku nodded eagerly, though his body was still tense from the aches and bruises. "Thank you, ma'am. I really appreciate this."
Recovery Girl smiled kindly, then leaned in to administer her quirk. As her healing energy surged through his body, Izuku winced, feeling a strange warmth spread through his injuries. The pain began to dull, replaced by an odd but welcome fatigue. Within moments, his ribs felt as though they'd never been fractured, and the soreness in his muscles had vanished.
"There," Recovery Girl said, stepping back and wiping her hands on a handkerchief. "You're healed, but you'll still feel drained for a while. Go home, eat something nutritious, and get plenty of rest. Do you have someone to help you?"
Izuku hesitated, the question hitting a sore spot. "No," he admitted quietly, looking down. "I can manage on my own."
Her expression softened, but she didn't push. "All right, young man. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. You've been given another chance to keep going, so don't squander it."
"I won't," Izuku said firmly, his green eyes shining with determination.
"Say, young man, you look familiar," she said looking at him closely. "Have I seen you from somewhere?" she asked.
"I think you have me confused with someone else," said Izuku wondering who she thought he was.
Recovery Girl tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp as she studied him, but she didn't press further. "Hmm, maybe. It's not uncommon for me to see young faces around here. You're certainly a determined one, though. Keep that fire, it'll take you far."
Izuku nodded silently, grateful for her words, though a nagging feeling settled in the back of his mind. He'd felt that same sense of familiarity in her voice, like she had known him long before that moment. But, as he thought about it more, he realized that it didn't matter now. All that mattered was healing, training, and proving to himself that he could become something more.
Recovery Girl gave him one final smile before she turned to leave the room. "Now, get some rest, young man. Don't push yourself too hard. Remember what I said—take care of yourself."
Izuku smiled weakly, the words sticking in his head as he left the clinic, feeling lighter than he had in days. Even though the events with his family had left scars on his heart, the physical pain was now a distant memory, thanks to her healing.
Izuku started to walk home knowing he would be late for supper, but he didn't care too much. He decided to see one night if they cared if he was home or not when they had dinner and not surprised, they didn't say a thing. It hurt him more than they realized but if they didn't care enough to have him at dinner then it wasn't worth it.
As he got home the lights were off, meaning the family was somewhere else right now. He walked into his room where he had gotten two notifications on a screen that only he could see in front of him.
Achievement complete: Apply for a gym membership, get a job, and commit to a consistent workout routine for three months.
Reward: One quirk creation available
This made Izuku smile knowing he could give himself another quirk. The question is what though? He went to his room and entered his Mindspace excited to create a new quirk. When he entered, Chase was already waiting for him ready to create a quirk.
"Here is your tea sir," he said handing it to him.
"Thank you, Chase. Now let us get ready to design my quirk," he said happily. "Right away sir," he said hitting a few buttons on the panel changing he screen.
"Here it is sir. Right now, you have a total of 46 quirks stored in the library. Have you thought about what type of quirk you would like to make?" he asked.
"Well, that is the thing. I currently have Brain Boost which gives me an additional 40 IQ constantly and I don't know where to go from here. What type of quirk would be good to make?" he asked for his opinion.
Chase put a hand to his chin, "Well, there are Defensive quirks, Elemental-based quirks, IQ quirks like you have made, and many more. I am not too sure," he said honestly.
"Alright let me look through the library for a second," he said waving his hand to generate the library before him. Chase had taught him that and he was glad he could use it now. He started to look through his collection of stored quirks and started to list some of them. He looked at One for All and didn't even take a second glance. "Hell no," he said walking past it.
"Let me see here. Explosion wouldn't be good. Jolt is a maybe, I still would like to see what I can do with that," he said to himself. That was when his eyes went wide. The book he picked up said the words 'Heal' on top of it. Izuku smiled and went back to the panel to get to work.
"Chase, I just realized that I possess Recovery Girls quirk Heal. This is a big game changer," he said.
Chase raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the quirk Izuku had just selected. "Heal?" he repeated thoughtfully. "You're correct, sir. That's indeed a game-changer. But why did you grab it?"
"Well, if I am being honest, I do not want to go to the hospital constantly from being beat up so I think it would be a good idea to have a quirk that can Heal me and maybe others," he said quietly.
"Excellent idea sir. How would you like to set the parameters of your new quirk?" he asked as he put the quirk to the screen for him to choose.
"Is there a way to have the quirk heal myself slowly over time but also heal others?" he asked.
"Yes, sir there is. You also have a quirk in storage that you have read in-depth yet," as he snaps his fingers with the book teleporting in his hand," he said showing him. The book was labeled Cellular Stimulation. In essence, the quirk talked about how it could boost the cells of the body to increase the healing process in a positive way and not negatively affect the body.
"That's interesting," Izuku murmured, glancing between the Heal quirk and the new book. "Cellular Stimulation could speed up the healing process. If it enhances the cells of the body to recover faster without causing harm, I think it could work perfectly with Heal."
Chase nodded in agreement. "Exactly, sir. The combination of Heal and Cellular Stimulation could allow for a rapid healing process, not only for you but also for others. You could heal more efficiently and with greater range, and the energy cost might be reduced, as the body will recover on its own more swiftly."
"That would be amazing. Though I would rather have myself place a hand on them to heal them and not kiss them," he said blushing slightly. "Let me make the adjustments and see where it is."
Izuku started to make the adjustments, his fingers moving quickly over the virtual interface. "Alright, I want to be able to place my hand on someone, heal them, and use Cellular Stimulation to speed up the process. But I also need the ability to heal myself without the need to touch myself. I want it to be faster than normal regeneration but also so that I do not get tired myself. Wait…I also want people to not get tired of when I heal them," he said looking at Chase.
Chase nodded thoughtfully as he processed Izuku's request. "Understood, sir. So, you want to heal others by placing your hand on them, using Cellular Stimulation to enhance the healing processing, and being able to heal yourself passively without tiring yourself or others out. That's quite an intricate setup, but it's possible. We can add a passive healing mode that activates when you are injured, healing you gradually without consuming too much energy."
Izuku's fingers hovered over the screen, his eyes scanning the parameters. "Yeah, I like that." Izuku and Chase finished the parameters of the quirk-building process and took a step back to admire their work.
"Alright, what we have is we combined both aspects of the quirks and it is now it is quite the powerful quirk," said Chase analyzing it.
"So, you will be able to regenerate much faster than by normal standards, but we won't know until it is in effect. You will also be able to heal others without draining their stamina like Recovery Girl does but it is much slower and weaker because you are also healing yourself. Just realize that you do not need to heal yourself manually and that it will be a part of you naturally," Chase said sipping some tea. "All that is left for you to do now is name the quirk."
Izuku smiled in thought, "I was thinking Cell Surge."
"Excellent," he said hitting a few more buttons before a swirling vortex of light appeared just as before.
"Just as before sir. Reach out to claim your new quirk Cell Surge," said Chase smiling proudly.
Izuku reached out eagerly, his heart pounding as the swirling vortex of light swirled before him. The colors seemed to dance around his fingers, vibrating with an energy that felt both foreign and familiar at the same time. He extended his hand, focusing his thoughts on the name he'd just chosen—Cell Surge.
The moment his fingers touched the light, he felt a strange, electric pulse run through his body. It was both exhilarating and slightly overwhelming, like his very cells were waking up, stretching and awakening as though they'd been dormant for too long. The light around him seemed to hum with power, before finally dissipating into nothingness, leaving him standing there, still, as if nothing had changed.
"Did it work?" Izuku asked, turning to Chase, his voice filled with curiosity. He didn't feel any different, but there was a subtle shift in the air around him, as though something new was now embedded within him.
Chase, who had been observing the entire process, smiled softly. "It appears so, sir. You've successfully integrated the Cell Surge quirk into your system. You should be able to heal yourself and others now, and it should be far more efficient than before. It also says that your body will heal three times faster than the average body."
"That is awesome. Thanks again for everything Chase," he said bowing.
"It is my pleasure, sir," he said bowing in return.
A new goal appeared in front of Izuku's eyes after they were done bowing to each other.
New requirement: Collect and store 100 quirks in the Quirk Library. 46/100
Reward: One quirk creation available
Izuku nodded, "Simple enough," he said to himself. He smiled at the fact that he was the first to have more than one quirk…to his knowledge anyway.