Chapter 4 New friends and resolve
Izuku and his new friend Takumi Fujiwara or as he called him Taku, had become quite close over the past year they had been classmates. He was seated right beside Izuku in the back of the class and when the two started talking it turned out that they shared a lot in common. Taku was also a bit of a nerd but not in the same way Izuku was, more like a super genius kind of nerd. His quirk Process, was a mutation type that allows his brain to process a lot of information really quickly and retain it, allowing him to learn the most difficult of things very fast. He once told Izuku of how after reading a book on advanced engineering and artificial intelligence in less than an hour, he built a little robot whose sole purpose was to pass butter and pour syrup on his pancakes. And that was just one of many things he has built, from a drone to deliver him lunch from the best eatery in Tokyo, to his own private monoplane. He came from a very wealthy family as his father was the head of the company that controlled all of Japan's internet services and his mother was a successful actress who starred in some of the biggest films of the last decade. Taku was usually at home alone with his grandfather whom he shared his quirk with who introduced him to inventing and was a renown inventor himself. He chose to attend public school in the hopes of making friends, not that he needed the education thanks to his quirk.
The two boys walk down the street headed to school, after seeing a villain act up downtown Izuku insisted that they had to watch the fight. Taku didn't want to at first until he saw the literal giant booty of Mt. Lady, this was turning into a good mourning.
"Yo Izu, how's the training coming along?"
"It's going great, I feel really good Taku. The U.A entrance exam is in ten months and I feel I'll do great. I feel so much stronger, so much more in control and just all around peaceful."
"Good to know, who would have thought that a quirkless anomaly like you could even exist in this world."
"I truly just feel like it's just my effort paying off."
Still having some time, they make their way to a newsstand and Izuku buys a hero magazine. " Hey, the new interview with All Might is in here!" he said excitedly.
"You ever think that All Might just recycles the same lines in his interviews?" Taku asked. "I mean I've seen enough to realise that the media tends to ask him the same questions, they just reword them differently."
Izuku chuckles and looks at his friend, "Well there is some truth to that, there isn't really anything bad the media has had to say about All Might, he is everyone's hero."
"Everyone's hero, that sounds like the name of a movie, 1,000 yen says that'll be the name of his bio flick." Throwing his arm over Izuku's shoulder, "Well we'll see who everyone's hero is once you go pro Mr One….Punch Man!"
"Please don't call me that." The green boy said, slightly annoyed.
"May as well embrace the name bro because I swear the name you want won't be the name that sticks."
"Deku doesn't have to stick because it won't even be there". Came a voice that made Taku's pleasant expression change. Turning around they both saw Bakugo, Tesaki and Hashiga coming their way.
"Didn't know that eavesdropping was one of your favorite pastimes Bakugo?" Taku said, clearly not wanting the blonde near him
"You idiots are loud and you're in front of me, by the way don't walk ahead of me loser."
"Ok, couple things, first, my grades are way better than yours and I'm smarter than you so how am I an idiot? Second, if I'm standing in front of you you're going the wrong way as the school is behind you, and third, I'm both smarter, richer, more popular, likable, talented and better looking than you so how am I the loser?"
The blonde grit his teeth like he was about to explode before Izuku stepped in, "Come on you two it's too early in the morning and there is no need for any of this. How are you three doing this morning?"
"Shut up Deku!" Bakugo yelled before walking past the green boy to the news stand, and at that same moment he sensed something coming towards him, reacting purely on instinct he swats it away.
Ow! Came the pained the voice of Tesaki as he retracted the long finger that was just a moment ago reaching for his magazine.
"What were you doing?" Izuku asked the hurt boy.
"I was trying to see what you've got there, I think you broke my finger." he responded, still nursing his finger.
Izuku looked at the boy with a raised eyebrow, "And that's how you ask? And sorry for that, it was a reflex. If you had asked me like a normal person I would have said that it's a hero mag, the most recent interview with All Might is in here as well as some new heroes." he said with a smile.
"Don't tell me you still want to be a hero Midoriya?" Hashiga asked mockingly
"Why wouldn't I? It's my dream and it's what I've been training for all these years for." Izuku responded calmly, still wearing a smile.
"I mean with Katsuki it makes sense but you still don't have a quirk. It doesn't matter what training you've done, they'll never let you in the hero course without a quirk."
Izuku locks eyes with the other boy before speaking, Hashiga, are you just saying that because you don't think you could be a hero if you were quirkless? Everything I've done requires some serious effort, I've gone to levels most sane people wouldn't attempt. I remember when we were little we all wanted to be heroes but how many of you would try if you didn't have a quirk or regardless of what your quirk was?"
The other boy's looked at him in shock, Hashiga took a deep breath, "Some of us accepted reality Midoriya, you should do the same before you get hurt."
"Thanks for the concern but I've come too far to give up now." he ended his sentence and he and Taku continued to walk to school all the while the ash blonde listening from behind them couldn't even speak.
At the Rising Sky Dojo
Michiko Tabihara speaks on the phone with an unknown person, "Yes, I will be there this afternoon. I have other engagements to address this morning so I won't be there until later so just let her know, and one last thing I plan on bringing my top disciple with me that won't be an issue will it? Yes, it's a boy, and I've been training him longer than her and can attest to his character. Ok then we'll see you this evening." She hangs up.
"This is gonna be fun." she says with a mischievous grin
"So you're really gonna do this?" came the voice of her older brother.
Turning to face him, "Of course why not? I think those two would be a good fit for each other, and they would look so good together. Hell, as their teacher, who would be better to know than me?" She said with glee.
Keizo chuckled, "Well your matchmaking magic isn't perfect you know.
No no no you can't blame your divorce on my matching skills, after I get you together your on your own." She retorted.
Keizo raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on his heart, "Damn, low blow! He said dramatically
"You started it.
Aldera junior high
"Ok your all third years, so it's time to start thinking about your futures. I could pass out some career aptitude test's, but who am I kidding I know you all wanna go to the hero trek!" The moment these words left his lips every student in the class began to show off their quirks, " alright settle down everyone you know your not allowed to use your quirks at school."
"Teach, don't lump me in with these bunch of losers. I'm the real deal but the rest will be lucky to end up side kicks to some busted D-lister." Said an arrogant Katsuki Bakugo.
"You think you're better than us Katsuki?!" said one of the students. "Bring it on, I'll take you all on." He said the smug blonde.
The teacher upon looking at his board of the schools the students were interested in going decided to speak, "You want to go to U.A right Bakugo?"
This question shocked the whole class as many of them were surprised that he was trying for the national school. It was the best hero school in the country and it had a 0.2 acceptance rate, it was impossible to get in.
"U.A is the only pace worthy of me extras, I aced all the mock test and im the only one from this crappy school that has a chance of getting in, Ill surpass All Might and be the richest hero of all time! And it starts with U.A High!
"Yeah, didn't you want to go to U.A to Midoriya?" These words stunning the blonde in his gloating.
"Yes sir, that is the plan. Izuku said with a smile. His smile and confidence didn't fade even when the entire class minus Taku burst into laughter.
"Eat shit Deku!" Bakugo roared as he slammed an explosion on Izuku's desk, breaking the top in two. The greenette didn't flinch at all from this, only giving a serious look. "Why would you do that?"
"Where the hell do you get off putting yourself on the same level as me!" He mocked with a sneer, this clearly another attempt to get Izuku to fight.
"My wanting to go to U.A has nothing to do with you, it's where I've always wanted to go, it's where All Might went and I will too." He said calmly, shocking the whole class. But it only infuriated the explosive teen.
"Really! You're worse than the rest of these extra's, screw having a weak ass quirk you don't even have a quirk, you could never hang with best you quirkless loser!" he roared and the laughter of the class died a little bit.
Looking up at the explosion boy who was still standing on his desk, "So you say, but I won't know anything until I try now will I. And will you please get off my desk Kacchan? That's not safe or sanitary. His calm tone again shocked the class and pissed off the blonde. Tiny explosions started to appear in bakugo's hands, he was about to attack the greenette when.
"Alright that's enough, Bakugo get back in your seat." The teacher said in a stern voice, the blonde did it though it was clear he was on the verge of exploding.
After classes ended
"Hey you wanna go to karaoke?" One of the girls in the class asked Takumi.
"Sorry but not today, I got this new invention I'm working on with my grandpa but you're welcome to come if you want?" As this conversation was going down Izuku was looking through his phone seeing that the fight from this morning had made the news. He jotted a few notes down in his hero journal and was about to pack up to leave when he was blocked by bakugo and his cronies.
"Our conversation from earlier isn't over deku?" He said, quickly snatching his notebook.
"Wait, that was a conversation? I thought it was just another cheap attempt to stroke your ego?"
The other boys looked at the journal bakugo had statched, "Hero notes for my future, wow really Midoriya!" Higashi said as they all began to laugh.
"Whatever, there's nothing wrong with being well rounded, Kacchan please give that back." Izuku said, outstretching a hand. The blonde boy looked him dead in his eyes before slamming the notebook between his palms, burning it."Why, would you do that?!" Izuku said in a shocked irritated voice, the blonde still having said nothing and making eye contact again, tosses the book out of an open window. The greenette looks at him with a face of shock and pointing his arms at the window in an animated fashion, "Really! Who does that?!" He says before going to the window and seeing his book landed in the koi fish pond outside. He sighs a deep breath before turning to the blonde, "You wanna tell me why you just turned my dreams into fish food?"
"You know what they say about all the top heroes? What they all had in common? They all showed promise during their school days. I was the first and only to come from this second rate middle school, and I want the term U.A graduate to go along with It. Then people will start talking about me like that, they'll know I'm legit, the next big thing, so you see deku, forget about U.A." He ended this sentence with an attempt to touch Izuku's shoulder but he swatted it away.
"I've heard enough. So what you're saying is that I should give up on my dreams and disregard all the hard work I've put in just because your ego needs me to?" The other boy only glared at his response, "It is admirable that you want to be mentioned in the same breath as every other top hero Kacchan it really is, but what would make for an even better story? How about a quirkless kid whose dreams were constantly stomped in the dirt but with unending hard work, optimism and determination he became a fearless hero greater than any of those with quirks. I like the potential stories about him a lot better, so sorry, but I'm going to U.A, I'm going to be the best hero I can be, and i'm going to help a lot of people. And if that bothers you it's the embodiment of a personal problem." He said, not once breaking eye contact from the blonde who's arrogant smirk turned into a scowl of pure rage. He walked past the green boy but stopped at the door with his still shocked cronies behind him.
"Tch, get this through your fucking head nerd. A quirkless deku like you can never be a hero so stay out of my way and quit messing with me before I kill you. U.A will never accept a quirkless failure like you when they can have someone like me. But if you want a shot I know of a way you can get in, try taking a swan dive off the roof and hope you're born with a quirk in your next life." His last statement carried an air of smugness. The greenette took in his words and though knowing this was just another sad attempt to provoke him to fight, a part of him wanted to let it slide like with most atrocities that came from his mouth, but not with these. Turning around to face the explosion teen, "Yeah, what? He smugly said, his hand forming little explosions.
"You said earlier you were going to be a hero and surpass All Might, but what hero would say that to someone?" His green eyes piercing Bakugo's soul. The deplorable words that come out of your mouth on a daily basis maybe you're the one who should forget about U.A, make that the hero course in general." he started walking towards the blonde, eye's unflinching. "You have a strong, flashy quirk but you're the furthest thing from a hero. Here's some advice of my own, give it up Katsuki Bakugo, because with that villainous personality of yours even if you make it in i'm certain you'll just get kicked out." He was now standing in front of the other boy, the shocked expression on his face spoke volumes, Bakugo had nothing to say, "Now excuse me I have to go get my book." He said leaving the stunned boys in the classroom.
Making it to the pond outside, finding the koi fish nibbling on his notebook, "It tastes that good huh guys? Ok give it here." He joked as takes his notebook from the fish. And begins walking to the dojo, he decides to take an alternate route so as to not potentially run into Bakugo after school. He was crossing under a bridge when he heard a rumbling sound and he sensed malice. The rumbling came from a sew cover that just burst open and a liquid form came out. He noticed a pair of eyes in the liquid and it hit him that this was a person with a liquid mutation quirk.
"Ah, a perfect body, I can tell just from looking at you that your strong, I'm gonna need your body kid, so just give it up before HE shows up,"
"He?" Izuku thought.
The villain shot several tentacles of sludge at Izuku but he merely adjusted his body to dodge them as the sludge was way too slow. "Just who are you running from? And what did you do to have what I can only assume is a hero chasing you? Izuku asked as the villain retracted his tentacles.
"Why the hell does that matter?" The villain roared as he lunged at Izuku but he did a butterfly flip with the villain completely missing him. When Izuku landed the same sewer cover burst open to reveal a man, he was wearing a white shirt with green cargo pants but he was someone Izuku knew all too well, speaking his iconic line. "Fear not citizen you're safe now, because I AM HERE. Detroit, Smash! The villain quickly dissipates from the force of All Might's attack; he quickly and thoroughly collects the villain in a water bottle.
"Good job staying calm young man, this villain had given a bunch of pros a hard time earlier today, but you kept your head. He said, flashing his toothy smile.
"Thank you for the praise, I've had some good mental training." Izuku responded as humbly as possible.
All Might was preparing to leave but Izuku had to see where he stood on something. "Hey All Might, can I ask you something?"
Sure, I believe I can spare a minute or two, what is it?
"Well the thing is, Can you be a hero if you're quirkless? I've always wanted to be one, I still believe I can be and I've been working most of my life for that goal. People love to mock and berate me just for trying because I'm just a normal kid. So can I be a hero like you even if I don't have a quirk?"
All Might took a moment to ponder his words, and the look in the young mans eyes tells him that he really wants him to say yes. But, growing up quirkless himself and having the same dream of being a hero he couldn't help but think what would he be if he hadn't met his master and received his power. The many years of being a pro had taught him that it is a very dangerous place, and not a place for someone without some power to defend themselves.
"Young man, I'm going to be straight with you. The world of heroics is very dangerous and without a quirk of you own I don't think it would be best for you to be in it, I'm sorry. It's okay to dream, and I can tell from looking at you that you've worked hard, but realistically you can only get so far when you're facing a powerful villain with a strong quirk. You should look for another career path. I have to get this villain to the police, take care." He said before jumping away, leaving a green haired middle school boy standing there. He wasn't too shocked to hear All Might's words but to hear them come from his hero made it sting more than anything his peers had said or done. He desperately wanted to scream in the direction of the hero that he was wrong and that he would make it happen but he remained silent. Of all the times his dreams had been rejected, crushed or just stomped in the dirt this had hurt the most.
Forcing a smile on his face one thought entered his mind "Just watch All Might."
Dragging his feet to the dojo he finds Michiko waiting for him at the entrance with a gym bag.
"What took you so long?"
"Just got caught up in a few things on my way here." He answered
Michiko looked at her student and sensing the sad state he was trying to hide only replied with "Uh huh" with a raised eyebrow. "Well anyway we're going to do a special kind of training today so we're headed to the train station."
Izuku raised an eyebrow, "The train station, where are we going?"
"Questions for later let's go"
The master and student walked to the train station and got on just in time, luckily there weren't too many people on the train so they were able to sit down and enjoy their ride. It would be about an hour till they got to their destination, the master was on her phone and Izuku was in thought, he was clearly sad about something and his sensei decided to address it. "Ok spit it out, what's bothering you?" Demanding an answer from her disciple, "I met All Might on the way to the dojo, I bumped into a villain he was chasing."
"I figured you'd be more ecstatic having met your hero what happened?"
"I asked him if I could be a hero without a quirk?" Michiko dropped her expression knowing where he was going with this, "I see."
"Well, so what Izuku! Drop the sadness right now, you know that All Might, just like any other idiot who has doubted you, is just speaking from a place of ignorance."
Izuku cupped his hands together, "I know that it's just, having my hero be another to denounce my dream just hurts differently you know."
"Yeah, When someone you idolize doesn't acknowledge you it can sting, I know what that's like. Still, none of that matters." This made Izuku look at her, "Both Keizo and I have believed in you from day one and more importantly you believed in yourself, that, more than any other factor, has made you what you are today, so screw All Might."
Izuku couldn't help but feel warm at his master's words, "Pretty sure you can't say anything bad about All Might." He said jokingly.
"Just making a point."
They went silent for a few minutes before the student chose to speak again. "So where are we going anyway? You never said."
"Oh, we're headed to a place just outside Aichi prefecture, you're going to be my assistant while training another student."
"I didn't know you gave lessons outside the dojo."
"I usually don't, but the money to train this particular student was so good I couldn't pass it up."
"Was it just the money?"
"At first yes, but if i'm being perfectly honest this student had a well of natural talent that I just had to bring out, unlike you, this student was a natural genius in everything I had to teach." She said, the pride in her voice at every word. "My second best disciple next to you."
The train had arrived at the station, upon exiting they began walking to their destination. "So how long have you been training this particular student? Izuku asked.
"I have been coming here 2-3 times a week for the past 5 years, I usually come in the mornings but I had some business today, so we're here in the evening."
They continue walking until they come across a road with a brick fence that covers several city blocks, they walk further along the road until they come across a huge gate with an intercom. The master walks up and presses a button. "Yo, I'm here, you wanna open the gate for me?" "Hello madam, it's good to see that you have arrived, and I assume the young man with you is the one you mentioned earlier?" Said a male voice from the intercom. "Yes, this is my number one disciple now open the gate please."
The huge gate slowly opened allowing the two to walk through and pass the gate was another road that led somewhere.
"So, I assume this student is very wealthy, just who are they anyway? Izuku asked.
Michiko was walking in front of him, the student's name is Yaoyorozu, and as I said earlier we've been training together for the past five years."
"What disciplines did you teach?"
"Leopard and dragon style kung fu, pressure point fighting, bojutsu, kenjutsu and Wushu, I also threw in the speed technique because why not."
Izuku was taken aback by all the training Yaoyorozu had done over the past five years and he was now eager to meet and test himself against his sibling student. " Wow, with all that he must be really powerful."
Michiko, catching his words, chuckled a bit. He? Oh I didn't mention it earlier? Yaoyorozu is a girl, the same age as you actually." She ended this sentence with a devilish grin that Izuku didn't see.
"And here we are!" She stated, Izuku looking forward as a giant mansion that resembled a palace finally came into view. The place was huge, being the kind of house you only read about in books and someone like him was about to enter it. His shock still reeling, his teacher encouraged him that the first time is always a shock, and makes you realize how poor you are. He wasn't too thrown off actually as it was only a bit bigger than taku's house which he had been to many times, and if it was anything like Taku's place then it would be bigger if there was a lab somewhere under the house.
Upon reaching the front door and ringing the bell they were greeted by a tall man dressed in a black suit, he had brown hair and was wearing glasses, his eyes were also closed for some reason.
"Hello Saikawa, good to see you, this is my top disciple. Is my other student ready?"
The man spoke, never opening his eyes, "Yes, the mistress is currently waiting for you doing warm up exercises in your usual training spot in the garden".
"Thank you, let's go Izuku", she beckoned her disciple. Pointing in the direction of the nearest bathroom Izuku changed into the outfit his teacher had brought for him, it was the outfit he usually wore when training in wing chun, after changing and meeting his sensei in the living room. The two walked through the house giving Izuku an idea on just how big the place was and even more so wandering what kind of person this Yaoyorozu was. Walking to the back of the house going past the pool area they finally make it to the garden, all around them there were hedges trimmed in the shape of various figures. And all the way at the end was a clearing with lots of space in and the center was a girl. She was going through various motions and techniques, her movements were so fluid and smooth, from the distance away they were, he could spot no flaw in her technique. As they got closer he began to take in the full figure of the girl in front of them, and she was absolutely breathtaking. Her hair was in a spiky ponytail with a blade of hair that ran down the right side of her face, her eyes were cat like and onyx in color making her face stunning. Her chest and overall figure were curvy and maturely developed, made evident from the outfit she was wearing, a kung fu outfit with a red short sleeve top, black pants and tai chi slippers. Finally noticing the two approaching the girl finished her last set of movements, taking a breath and addressing her sensei.
"Hello sensei, I just wanted to warm up before we began our lesson." The girl stated, bowing her head.
Michiko and Izuku finally step into the clearing, "That's perfectly fine Momo, and I can see your technique has improved a bit. And also this is my number one disciple, he'll be assisting us in our training today." she said, ending this with a hard pat on Izuku's back as if to say introduce yourself.
"H-hello, m-my name is Izuku Midoriya, it's nice to m-meet you." He mentally cursed himself for stuttering, something he hasn't done in a very long time, and with his friendship with Taku who is popular with girls, he has been able to talk to many girls at school and the dojo that he has found attractive. But this girl, she was by far the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
"It's nice to meet you as well, My name is Momo Yaoyorozu, thank you for coming today and since you're sensei's top disciple I hope to learn a lot from you." She said, giving a welcoming smile.
The master watched the first iteration between her top two student's and thought, "That went about as well as I expected." Clapping her hands together, "Okay. Momo, we'll get to our weapons training later but my reason for bringing Izuku here was so you could spar with him. You've gotten too comfortable just facing me so I figured testing yourself against someone else who is also the same age as you would give you a new perspective."
Momo nodded, accepting her teacher's words, "I understand sensei."
"Izuku, you're the best test for her that I could think of to decide her training in the time we have left, so take this seriously."
"Ok master." He said rearing to go.
A mischievous grin formed on the older woman's lips, "And don't hold back or go easy on her just because she's pretty."
Izuku's face suddenly turned beet red, ' R-right!"
They both step into the circle of the clearing, they both get into their respective forms, a wind blows by as they eye each other. Momo strikes first, coming at him at sonic speed, her right leopard fist comes for his face but he deflects, he counters with a left punch but she pops it away. They go into a dance of striking, dodging and countering for about a minute, Momo, after dodging one of Izuku's right punches grabs his arm, spinning and throwing him the boy skids when he lands and before Izuku can recover momo is already flying at him and kicks him twice, using her second kick to jump off of him. Landing she comes back but Izuku is ready, Momo unleasheshes quick strike after strike, Izuku dodges and deflects them all, catching momo's right wrist he spins her hitting her side with a barrage of hard punches before tossing her away. Momo flips back up looking for her opponent but he is nowhere to be seen as her feet are swept from under her. She falls forward, her ample breast cushioning her fall somewhat and turning around to see Izuku there, she flips back up and charges again. Momo's movements were fierce, quick and precise, every attack she threw was a blur of blinding speed and power, but they were nothing Izuku couldn't handle. Their spar lasted over an hour and not once was momo ever able to touch Izuku after the kicks she landed, he was too fast, his defense and reflexes was too good and his attacks had far more power behind them than her own. Momo went for a kick that Izuku blocks then he quickly drops and sweeps her for what has to be the fifth time today, Momo get's back up, going for strikes to Izuku's face and body, all get dodged or deflected, deflecting one of Izuku's counters Momo takes this chance to strike his face but izuku catches it, tossing it away with enough force that Momo rears to the left, he takes this moment to unleash a palm strike to Momo's cheek.
She spins in the air before hitting the ground. The sensei finally decides to call it.
"Very good kids, I think we're done with this portion for today. Momo, I don't think I need to tell you what you need to improve on?"
Momo picked herself off the ground for what seemed like the one hundredth time today, the look of defeat evident on her face. "No sensei."
"Uhhh!" Michiko sgroaned as she walked towards her student, making eye contact with the sulking girl before slamming her hands against her cheeks making them mushy. "Relax little girl. Honestly I knew you had no chance of beating Izuku, I wanted this to teach you that though you're a very special, talented person it will only get you so far. I know the pressure to succeed can be daunting, and when you're put in that bubble of being special then suddenly things don't go your way it means you're not special anymore. But in spite of that, always remember there is always someone better, someone stronger, someone who may be working ten times harder than you are just to keep up with and eclipse my natural talent. So never become complacent with your current effort. "She ended that statement looking right at Izuku.
"Yesh sensei! Momo said with mushy cheeks and new fire clear in her eyes.
"Now that that's over, make me a sword." She beckoned her student.
"Yes Ma'am." Momo did just as her sensei said, the green boy still watching was in shock after seeing a sheath come from the girl's hand growing more and more to reveal a katana. Michiko unsheathed the sword, slightly grazing it along her finger. "Nice and sharp as always, now make yours and we can get started."
Momo did as she was told and produced a katana, the quirk nerd was impressed and he had to know. "Yaoyorozu, do you mind telling me what your quirk is?"
Looking at the boy she responded, "My quirk is called Creation, using the lipids in my body I can create any non living item as long as I understand the molecular structure."
The boy was amazed, his mind running though all the possibilities of such a power. "Wow, your quirk is incredible! There are so many things you can do with that, they seem almost boundless!"
The girl turned her head as her cheeks grew a shade of pink, "Thank you."
Michiko smiled, "Yeah, Momo has a pretty impressive quirk with the patience and brains to work it. But it'll take more than that to be a good hero." She said, putting strong emphasis on the word hero.
"Wait, you want to be a hero?" Izuku asked excitedly. "Yes, that's why I have been training with Tabihara sensei."
"Yeah, I guess I should have figured that, what school do you want to go to?"
"My goal is to attend U.A, I'll be taking the recommendation exam in nine months." She excitedly said with a smile.
"That's great, I actually plan on going to U.A too. I'll be taking the entrance exam in ten months though, since we're sibling students it would be really great if we were classmates." He smiled at her happily and hoped for a chance to get to better know the girl.
"Yes, I'd like that Midoriya." she responded, her cheeks still a shade of pink.
Unbeknownst to the two teens a sly smile spread across the face of their teacher, "Alright my little dumplings save all that for later. For now, Momo lets begin.
Izuku watched as The two women practiced various sword swings and numerous sword forms, Momo, while not nearly as skilled as Michiko, it was clear she was used to swinging a sword, sensei had her make several objects for cutting and in a similar drill for the speed technique she tossed them, testing momo to cut them several times before they hit the ground. They also tested how many times momo could swing her sword in one second. Sensei said that the mark of a master swordsman is being able to cut anything numerous if not dozens of times over in a second, being able to perform the flying blade technique and to cut without damaging, that's the criteria for a master swordsman.
"Ok Momo, give it a shot."
The black haired girl gets in a stance for Iaijutsu quickly drawing her sword; she performs ten slashes in one full second before resheething her sword.
"That was good, relatively speaking, I know where to take your training for U.A from here. Did you ever get around to cutting through steel?"
"No Ma'am." The girl responded slightly ashamed.
"Well why the hell not Momo, this has been your biggest struggle for months now." Asked the annoyed teacher.
"Well, it's just that, I'm having trouble finding a metal suitable for cutting through steel."
Michiko had to hesitate from slapping her student."Not this crap again! How many times do I have to say a special material is irrelevant." She lets out a deep sigh. "Come with me, come on Izuku." She beckoned both of her students as they began to walk back to the house. Making it to the backdoor to find Saikawa waiting for them. "Saikawa, please get me a kitchen knife, a cutting board and a daikon radish please." The butler lowered his head. "Yes ma,am", walking to the kitchen Michiko addresses Momo, "Momo, you know what your biggest problem is? You still don't believe that anything is possible. You've seen me swing a sword 100 times in a second, disintegrate a tree by cutting it and slice a small mountain in half with a air slash but your still too damn rational", they make their way to the giant kitchen and Saikawa places the daikon radish on a cutting board with a kitchen knife next to it, "let me shatter your illusions once again." Taking the kitchen knife she delivers one swift slice to the radish cutting it in half, "now be amazed", she said before picking up the halves of the radish and putting them together and somehow they reattached as if they were never severed. Taking it in his hands, "Wait, that's incredible, how is that even possible?" Izuku exclaimed while inspecting the vegetable, Momo taking it from him also inspected it,"Yes sensei, this is truly remarkable, how did you do it?"
Michiko smiled at her students' awe and curiosity, "so you're impressed now, good now give it back to me." Momo did as she was told and the sensei put the radish back on the cutting board, reaching behind herself she pulled out the concealed tanto she keeps on her and just like before cut the radish in half and put it back together. The students look on still impressed, "Momo, please make me a knife, I don't care what the metal is." Nodding, Momo produces a stainless steel knife from her hand that the master once again uses to cut the vegetable in half and reattach it.
"This is called the perfect slice. I cut the radish without damaging the cellular structure or a single fiber. That's how I was able to reattach it even though it had clearly been severed, and I did this with three different blades, why do you think that is?" This question largely aimed at Momo, both the students pondered the question for a moment then the answer came to the greenette. "Because it's you. Your skills are just as strong no matter what the blade is." She smiled at his answer, "that was almost right on the money Izuku, I probably could have done that with a rice spoon, I was able to perfectly slice a radish with three different blades because in my hands they are just as strong as me, no different from any of my swords. Remember Momo, a weapon is an extension of yourself, if you are wielding a weapon to gain power you can never be it's master, rather you must master your own body first, the strength of a weapon starts and ends with you."
"I understand sensei, I'll do my best." She said determined,
"Good, because if you bring up special materials again I will slap you! Now learn how to cut steel, and I better not find a single crack on the blade!" She yelled.
Momo in her shooken state could only bow for sympathy "Yes ma'am!
Checking her phone Michiko saw that their training was up for today, but before leaving decided to be an instigator."Momo, is your mother around? I wanted to speak with her about some things."
"She may be in the library."
"Noted." The master said before walking out of the room, leaving the two teens to talk.
They sat in silence for a moment before the boy decided to speak,"So, today was your first time training with someone who wasn't sensei, what did you think of it?"
"Honestly when I was told that she was going to bring her best student I was a little nervous, I've never sparred with anyone besides her and since I'm such a novice compared to her I wasn't sure how I would compare to her best student. You were incredible Midoriya, just how long have you been training with sensei?"
"It's been seven years of grueling hard work, but I loved every minute of it, even though there were times when I felt I would die." He said with a faint smile remembering his training.
"Wait, DIE? Is the training at the dojo really that difficult?"
"It's definitely a tough place, but to be truly strong you have to be willing to go to a place most sane people wouldn't, not to sound conceited but I was."
"I can tell you have put in much effort to be what you are today, I'm sure your skills will make you a fine hero."
"That is definitely the plan, It's my dream, when I first saw the video of All Might's debut I knew what I wanted to be, I believed in myself, my mom believed in me and I found two wonderful teachers who believed in me, now I just have to keep preparing and walk through that door." He looked at her with a charming smile and she smiled back at him. "Why do you want to be a hero, Yaoyorozu?"
"I just want to help others. Whether it be protecting, rescuing, or just lending a helping hand I want to help people and see them smile however I can." She said with passion.
"Well when you can make anything I'm sure you'll be really great at it."
"Thank you, but I've still got work to do. I learned a lot for our spar earlier but I only touched you twice, after that it was just me hitting the ground for an hour." she said annoyed by the memory
"Well…I don't mind but if it's ok with you I would gladly come back and help you out."
"Really? You wouldn't mind?"
"No, I mean we're sibling students, we're both aiming for the same goal so we should help each other out right." He said, trying to hide his blush.
"That is a good idea. Let's chase our dreams together and support each other, right Midoriya?" Her eyes connected with his, "Right!" The boy replied.
The two talked for a while longer about heroes, some of their hobbies and interests. The two exchange numbers and continue talking about themselves and their vibe is going great, much to the delight of their teacher listening from the next room completely hiding her presence. She finally decided it was time to leave With Momo and Saikawa walking them to the door.
"Ok my sweet little peach, remember what I said, master your body."
"I will sensei." She said with a bow.
"Yeah, this was a good day, and it can only get better." The boy exclaimed. The master and student began to walk away, the boy looking back and raising a hand "I'll be in touch Yaoyorozu."
The girl waved back, "I look forward to it Midoriya."
As the master and student headed down the road to the gate behind them Saikawa spoke, "That was a nice young man."
"Yes, he was." She said almost giddy.
"You and Momo seemed to hit it off pretty well." Michiko said nudging her student
"Yeah, despite what happened earlier with All Might, this was a good day, thank you for bringing me sensei."
"I figured an afternoon with a pretty girl would turn your whole mood around, glad it worked out." She said with a sly grin as she walked behind him.
"It's not just that she's pretty, she's smart, caring, strong, she wants to be a hero and go to the same school I do, I don't have many friends especially female friends so it's a good change of pace." He said, his smile never fading.
His female master behind him could only chuckle to herself and the success of her plan, the seeds had been planted and operation Izumomo is a go.
Chapter 5 ONE
Izuku was happy, really happy, he was in a really good place in his life. His new friendship with momo was going great, it's been five months since they met and they never went a week without calling or texting each other. On weekends Izuku would go to her house for training or sometimes just to hang out, Izuku even introduced momo to parkour, his morning runs can get pretty repetitive even if he takes several different routes adding parkour adds a new level of difficulty and excitement. These runs were always so much fun just the two of them jumping from roof to roof joking and competing with each other. He really enjoyed spending time with Momo and just being around her, she had become a good friend to him even more so by the fact that though she was shocked at first she didn't care whatsoever that he was quirkless, which he couldn't express how much that meant to him.
Izuku had also sent in his U.A application far ahead of time so it was one less thing to worry about, he was certain he would get in, his grades were the best in his year next to Taku so he wasn't too worried about the written portion of the test. Every week he gets stronger and faster, and his control over his incredible strength improves, his masters continue to put him through the ringer and the results speak for themselves. His spars with both of them are the best thing he could ask for as they hone his skills to a fine precision. After seeing Michiko train momo in the sword he was interested in learning basic swordsmanship, however not in the typical way. He had long since learned how to use chops to slice clean through paper, wood and even rock as if his hand were a blade. Using his hands as blades he invented a new style which he dubbed the iai sword.
Classes at Aldera Junior High were wrapping up for the day and students were preparing to leave. Izuku finds Taku down the hall towards the exit talking with a girl, Mutsumi Akiyoshi. She was a cute girl with long brown hair with bangs covering her forehead and brown eyes. She was in the same year as them but in a different class and it was common knowledge she had a crush on Taku, when the greynette saw him he turned from his girl, "hey Izu, off to see your girl?"
"Come on Taku, you know she's just a good friend, not my girl, and to answer your question no, I have to head home first then I'm going to the dojo."
"Ok then, hey you wanna go for a flight this weekend? I made some improvements to the Tornado." Taku asked, excited to show his friend.
"Sure, we can do it this Saturday but after my training." Izuku replied.
Mutsumi hearing this whole exchange decided to speak up "Wait, what do you mean by flight? Does your family have a private plane or something?" She asked genuinely curious.
Taku looked back at her with a duh face, "Well obviously we have a private plane but I'm talking about my personally made plane, It's called The Tornado!" He said with pride.
The brunette looked at him with a pouty face, "And when were you going to tell me this or offer me a flight?"
"When I felt like it." He said and smiled sarcastically.
The girl started to playfully hit him for this remark, Izuku could only smile at this madness before taking off, "Talk to you later Taku."
Izuku had to head back home to grab something before heading to the dojo, just before his classes ended he got a text from his mother telling him he got a letter from U.A in the mail. He wasn't sure what it could be about but he was anxious to get home and check it out then head to the dojo. Arriving home he found his mother in the living room watching TV drinking tea. "Welcome home sweetie, I left your letter on the table with the rest of the mail." She stated happily.
"Thanks mom, I'll check this out then I'm going to the dojo." He picked up the U.A letter amongst the mail and went to his room and closed the door behind him.
"Ok let's see what this is."After fiddling with the paper for a moment he was finally able to open it and pulled out the letter and began to read it, his heart sank with every line.
Dear Mr Midoriya
We have received your application for the hero course at U.A Highschool, while we are very impressed at your academic achievements, we are sad to inform you that we do not feel it would be in the best interest of yourself or our institution for you to pursue the hero course. You are more than welcome to apply for our general studies department in which we are certain that you will excel, but with your quirkless status, it would not be prudent for you to take our entrance exam. I'm sure that this must be upsetting, but we must consider the health and safety of all of our applicants. You are an amazing student and you will succeed in any career you choose but unfortunately heroics isn't one of them. We wish you nothing but the best.
Sincerely, Principle Nezu
Izuku put the letter down on his desk and just sat in the room with a numb expression, his head lowered, his mouth slightly opened and the look in his eyes was one of pain. The memories of the past seven years came flooding in, the day he met his masters, all the hours he put in to learn his disciplines, all the times he kept pushing himself despite the agony of everyday, the cracking of his bones and the coughing of blood, and him leveling a wood with a single punch. He also remembered all the times his peers had mocked him for his dream, all the laughing, all the insults, and him smiling through it all because they could never make him doubt himself or his dream. Then he remembered meeting All Might, "The world of heroics is very dangerous and without a quirk of your own I don't think it would be best for you to be it. You should look for another career path."
And now he is dealing with this, once again his dreams are being denied and stomped in the dirt by the same school he has spent all these years training to go to, because according to them he and his effort will never be good enough.
Still sitting in the silence of his room, all of his thoughts came to a head when a single tear slid down his right cheek, and then another came down his left.
"Why?...Why, does it always have to be like this? Why, does everyone always have to be like this?" He said in a shallow voice. "I'm quirkless, I'll never have the power that others do, I know that, they don't think I Know that! I worked so hard, and come so far, but they're not even gonna give me a chance to try! This superhuman society, I know I'm not a part of it and I'll never be but, I can still help people, I can still use my skills for others, I can still be….a hero." There was a knock on the door and Inko let herself in.
"Everything ok Izuku?" She asked but immediately paused upon seeing her son's tears, "What's wrong?" Her son didn't answer, only handing her the letter that just wrecked him. She read the letter and had tears of her own when she finished, she pulled her son into a hug, "I'm so sorry Izuku."
"It's ok mom." He said in a shallow voice as he welcomed her hug.
The two stayed like this for about a minute before they separated, " What are you gonna do now? Inko asked. "I'm not sure, I guess I'll have to apply somewhere else, but I have to get to the dojo." He said before putting the letter in his pocket and heading to the door, "I'm here for you if you need anything. The mother said. "I know mom, thank you, I'll be back later."
Izuku dragged his feet all the way to the dojo, his rejection weighing heavily on his mind. He walks in to find Michiko on the far end of the property practicing sword swings, while he would prefer to talk to Keizo in a moment like this but he was busy training other students on the other side and he just really needed the guidance of one of his masters. Michiko was standing in front of a wooden post in a battoujutsu stance, she swung her sword and in the span of one full second performed 100 slashes disintegrating the post and sheathing her sword. She looks to see her favorite student approaching her with a numb expression and eyes that screamed sadness and hurt.
"What's wrong Izuku?" She asked, her eyes meeting his with concern.
The boy let out a sigh, "It looks like I won't be headed to U.A after all, master."
The brunette raised an eyebrow at his words."And why not."
"Bladent discrimination it looks like." He ended this statement by handing her the letter, she takes it and reads it, her face shifting to one of anger upon finishing it.
"Those hypocritical BASTARDS! How dare they! Looking out for you and the institution is a bunch of crap, plus ultra my ass! You know what Izuku, wait right here, I'll be back in an hour." She finished and walked to the dojo and walked back out with a carrying bag for her sword and put it in. This snaps the boy out of his depressed state, "Wait master where are you going!" He asked slightly horrified about what she might do. "I am off to cut the U.A faculty for this level of disrespect, wanna come?"
The greenette was now terrified for all of the U.A staff, "Wait, I'm sad about this but you can't kill them! Please stop!" The boy begged.
"This isn't just about you Izuku, they insulted you and by extension US! Who the hell are they to say your effort will never be good enough when we're the ones who trained you! Don't worry I promise it will be painless. She said as she started to walk to the front gate.
The greenette was visibly scared for what his master was about to do, so he did the only rational thing he could do. He grabbed his sensei by the waist and picked her up. "What! Put me down Izuku, They're gonna paaaay!" she screamed as Izuku carried her to Keizo who was just finishing his class. "And what fresh madness is this?" He asked jokingly at his sister trying to free herself from the grasp of his best student.
"Master, please help me!" Izuku begged.
After finally managing to calm his sister down all three are sitting in the main house living room. "So now does one of you want to give me the full story of why you wanted to kill the faculty at U.A?" He said in a stern voice. Izuku was the one to step up and handed him the letter that set his sister off, Taking it and reading Keizo's normally warm pleasant expression clearly changed to one of anger. "I see, so you've basically been barred from taking the entrance exams because of your lack of a quirk." Izuku nodded "Yes master."
"And you were going to punish them because of this." He said looking at his currently mopping sister.
Keizo takes a deep breath before speaking again, "Normally this would have the making of a good lawsuit but U.A is a special school, so technically they can do this, it must hurt to be singled out like this once again Izuku, especially from your dream school."
"Yeah, this hurts, alot. I worked so hard, I know I can do it but they're not gonna let me try because they say I'll never be good enough. I've gone Plus Ultra everyday for eight years but that doesn't matter because I can't show that, can I? It's so frustrating! All I want is to help people, I want them to feel safe because I did something good for them. But... as far as this world built on quirks is concerned, someone like me is useless." He looks up at Keizo trying to fight back his tears."Master, what should I do?"
Keizo and Michiko both looked at their hurt disciple, the look in his eyes and his question very reminiscent of when he asked Michiko to train him. Keizo, while normally always having a response and a pillar of wisdom and confidence for his student had no easy answer, Izuku's dream was out of his reach and it wasn't his fault he couldn't tell him to give up on it after he had worked so hard. He also knew first hand just how painful even the thought of giving up on your dreams can be, and to actually give up is a pain worse than death.
"Izuku, I don't have a clear answer for you. But, you need to make a decision."
The greenette locked eyes with his master. "So you're saying I should give up on my dream." He asked, scared of the answer.
"I didn't say that, if you give up on your dream you'll experience pain far greater than you do now. You should take some time and think about what you'll do next. I suggest finding something to take your mind off heroics, try getting involved in community service or taking on a personal project."
"Like what?"
This time it was Michiko who perked up. "Hey, how about you clean Dagobah Municipal beach? The place used to be beautiful back in the day but now it's an illegal trash dump, it would make for some good light training and you'd be doing something good for the community."
Keizo raised a finger to his chin at his sister's words. "I like that, it's definitely a good idea, see if cleaning the beach will give you some clarity."
Izuku took in his master's advice, once again grateful for all that they have been to him. "Thank you masters. I'll go over there after training today."
Michiko smiled at him before jumping up. " Alright! Let's go kiddo, let's get you stronger and blow off some steam."
After training that day at around sunset Izuku was at the beach and just as his master said this place was a dump. It would almost certainly be beautiful if you got rid of the trash, there were tv's, washing machines. Refrigerators and even whole cars out here. Taking a look at the mountains of trash that litters the beach he got to work, he started by picking up huge piles and taking them to the front for the garbage company to pick it up. For some of the larger things he would just crush them which was incredibly easy. After an hour it had gotten dark and he decided to call it a day, leaving a huge pile of trash to be picked up.
Walking back home through the dark streets of the city. He walks along thinking about the events of today, cleaning the beach hadn't helped him to find direction but it was only the first day. He wanted to tell Taku about all this but some things are better said in person, and whatever he chose to do he was certain Taku would have his back. There aren't too many people walking around and he doesn't see any heroes around. There was a brown haired woman walking in front of him and he was brought out of his thoughts when she suddenly rose off the ground and was violently pulled into an alley by an invisible force.
"What the?" Was Izuku's only thought before rushing to look down the alley he sees the woman still off the ground pinned against a wall and a man wearing a black face mask and a jacket with an object he quickly registered as a knife in his left hand about to stab her. He pulls his arm back and on pure impulse Izuku bursts down the alley grabbing the man's arm in mid trust. "What do you think you're doing!" The teenage boy demanded.
The man was clearly shocked that someone else had arrived so fast and had such a bone breaking grip, the boy's interference made him drop the woman, making him mad. " So you came to play too kid?" He ended these words by dropping the knife and making a gesture with his right ring and index finger and the knife came flying diagonally at the boy's face. The teen let go of the his arm, jumping back to avoid the knife, but the knife stops in mid air and comes flying down at the boy, it was too slow and Izuku merely cocked his head to the left with the blade missing him again but he noticed the blade attempting to flank him. But to the shock of the attacker he grabbed the knife at the blade and with a gentle squeeze shattered it.
"What the hell! Your quirk an arm enhancer or something?" The man asked.
"My quirk isn't the issue here, why are you doing this?" Izuku demanded again.
The man looked at the teen with a sinister grin. "I'm playing a game."
"A game!" He exclaimed, shocked and becoming angry.
"Yep, it's my favorite game, I snatch the first person I see and stab em, looks like today I got two for the price of one." He said, clearly excited.
Hearing his words Izuku remembers a news report he saw a few days ago about several people who had been severely stabbed multiple times over the past few weeks, one of them even died. You… You're the serial stabber!"
The man smiled at hearing this, "so you've heard of me? Does that mean I'm becoming famous?"
Izuku gets in his stance."Well fame is going to be short-lived because this is as far as you go!"
"Okay kid game on!" After this declaration he made gestures with his hands and six concealed knives came from his jacket and levitated around him.
With one gesture from his hands all the knives came flying at Izuku at speed most would consider fast, but not too fast for his eyes as he skillfully dodged and deflected the knives that came at him. His training with Michiko had long since taught him to defend against a bladed weapon and with his perfect seikuken this was child's play. After a minute a perfectly defending against the onslaught he notice the knives were slowing down and when he swatted one away it took longer for it to come back, He could also see that the man was visibly stressed then his quirk nerdness begane to analyze. "He's slowing down. Maybe it's mental fatigue, him having to control the movements of so many items has got to be mentally taxing, let's test this out." He thought.
Izuku swats away a knife aiming for his chest then grabs the handle of one coming for the right side of his throat with his right hand and uses it to knock away two more knives, he shifts his body to the left to dodge one that was about to pierce his left lower back and grabbing it as well. Using the two knives to easily knock away the other four, he took this opening to throw one of the knives to the right side off the man's head, missing him on purpose but making him react, he jumped to the side and was met with Izuku in his face. The teen unleashed a dozen blurring punches to the stabber's face and chest, ending the barrage with a uppercut to the chin, grabbing his arm and delivering a chop to the neck, he spins before pulling him over his shoulder and slamming him hard, still holding his arm he bends it at the elbow able to break it if need be.
Cough, cough, came from the down stabber, the air clearly knocked out of him. "What the hell just happened?" He said through the pain and the struggle for air.
"You lost, it's over." Izuku said, turning to the woman who was crouched against a wall, both shock and fear clearly evident in her eyes. "You ok now miss?" He said, giving her a warm assuring smile.
A tear started to fall down her eye. "Yes, thanks to you!" She said, her thankful smile warming Izuku's heart.
The boy nodded. "Would you please call the police, I've got this handled."
The woman nodded and then left to go do it leaving the two males in the alley. "So you wanna tell me why you chose to hurt people in your free time."
"He didn't respond, only making a gesture with his free hand and two knives came flying at Izuku. He looks up and sees the blades coming and punches the man in the face knocking him out and the knives falling. "So that's how it is, you just did this because you wanted to and for some reason it was fun. I hope you can learn and find a way to be a better person."
The police and several heroes arrived about five minutes later the stabber was taken into custody and both the woman and Izuku gave their statements. Despite the good deed he'd done both the pros and police took the time out to lecture him about his reckless actions.
"That was a reckless stunt you pulled, kid." Death Arms said.
"You may have won but you still could have been killed. You should have run to find the nearest hero, not rush to confront a murderer." Said Kamui Woods.
"But there weren't any pros around, there wasn't any time to think or look for help. I saw someone in danger so I helped them. How is that a problem?"
"It's a problem because vigilantism is a crime, and we can't condone illegal quirk use." Came the stern voice of a man in a brown trenchcoat and fedora. "I am detective Naomasa."
"I'm quirkless sir. I don't have a quirk to break the law with." He said looking at the three men, his words unflinching.
The three men were all in shock from his words, the serial stabber they have been trying to catch for weeks was stopped by a quirkless boy. "Well...That's all the more reason you shouldn't have gotten involved." Said Death Arms in a bewildered tone.
"If I didn't she may have died. I couldn't just leave it to chance when I was right there to help, so what if I'm quirkless if someone needs help you help them isn't that just natural?"
This time it was the detective that spoke up this time. "Look kid, you have a point, but we have laws in place and pro heroes trained and certified to handle situations like this. We cannot condone civilians taking the law into their own hands, nothing wrong with being a good samaritan but you should leave it to the professionals."
"But what if no pro is around? What if the victim dies? What if the villain gets away and hurts more people? What does that say about you if you help someone and you don't? There are too many what if's detective and I don't need that on my conscience, I'm sorry."
Naomasa let out a deep sigh. "Look kid, I hear where you're coming from but we have to maintain law and order. we're going to overlook this this time just don't let it happen again." The detective finished, walking back to his car he decided to give the woman a ride back to her home but not before she thanked her profusely. She then gave him a card for the cafe that she owned and asked him to swing by for some cake on the house. He also learned that her name was Nanomi Kaibara.
The cops offered him a ride home but he declined it, he needed to be alone with his thoughts. He saved her, he literally saved someone today. Sure it may have been some back alley villain but it was way too easy, he reacted quickly, stopped the villain with ease and his smile made her feel safe. Just this afternoon he got a letter from his dream school saying he would never be good enough, that his effort was pointless, well he proved today that it wasn't. It was clearly more than enough. You can't be a hero without a quirk, a sentiment he has had to fight against ever since he was diagnosed as quirkless, a sentiment that U.A agrees with but that won't stop him. He was determined to be the hero he wanted to be, he just needed a chance to show that a quirk means nothing when you work hard.
"Since U.A is off the table I'll just have to apply somewhere else. I'll try Shiketsu, it's program rivals U.A's, Ketsubutsu High and Isamu Academy. Surely one of them will let me in without a quirk." He smiled at his thoughts, optimism unwavering.
One week later
"Why?" Was Izuku's only thought as he looked down at the three rejection letters on his desk that basically reiterate what the U.A letter said. All of them saying that it wouldn't be in the best interest of the school or him to allow him to participate in the entrance exam. You can't be a hero without a quirk, is apparently a sentiment shared by the hero academia itself, not just U.A. He felt so good a week ago, he was able to use his skills to help someone, to save a life, and even though these schools say it's impossible he knows it isn't. He knew this could happen but still, his dream has constantly been stepped in the dirt and no one has ever cared how much that hurts, and he can't get a chance to attain his dream because THEY won't open the door. He decided that he needs some air so he goes down to dagobah beach. He finished clearing all the trash yesterday and the beach was beautiful just as Michiko had said. He walks onto the sand, there arent any people out here and he just takes in the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, just like the stream that ran through his training spot in the woods the sound was very tranquil and it allowed him to clear his mind. His mind shows flashes of all pain that has come with him wanting to be a quirkless hero, the mockery of his peers, the rejection from All Might, and the rejection from the hero academia. All of these memories were making him mad then one popped in that soothed him. His smiling face asking Nonami if she was ok after he pinned the stabber, and her thankful smiling face.
"I have to take my dream into my own hands, I will become the greatest hero I can possibly be." He said, ending this declaration by looking at his open right hand before making a fist. "I can do this, I know I can!" He said before getting into his stance and cocking back his fist, he throws a strong punch with the shockwave parting the ocean by at least 100 meters and creating walls of water that reached for the sky going far beyond the horizon. The greenette turned around, not bothering to wait and see the ocean come back to normal. He had made his decision and he needed to speak with his masters.
He made it to the dojo and was sitting in the main house in front of his masters
"So you've made up your mind about this." Keizo asked in a stern voice.
"Yes master." The student responded
"Well I support you all the way kiddo!" Michiko chimed in giving him an assuring smile.
"I'll be honest Izuku, I don't fully support this decision. I understand that doing this may be the only way to realistically achieve your dream but you're risking your future if this goes aerie."
"I know master and I've considered that, but, if I just throw away my dream without taking it with my own hands I'll never get over it and it will haunt me forever. I'll be careful, I'm just asking you to trust and believe in me." He said meeting the older man's eyes.
Keizo couldn't help but smile and let out a little chuckle. " What kind of question is that? If I didn't already trust and believe in you you wouldn't be my disciple. While I don't fully support it, I have no doubt that you will use your strength on the right path, and as your master it's my responsibility to watchover and guide you on this path. Never forget no matter how far you go a student will always be a student." He finished with a warm, welcoming smile.
Izuku raises his head and looks at both his masters. The memories of the past eight years training together came flooding in his mind, from the day he started all the way up to this moment. Tears began to build in his eyes. "Masters, thank you!" His voice flowed with gratitude.
"So you really gonna do this? Like seriously?" Asked an excited Takumi Fujiwara.
"Yes, this is the only way I can attain my dream." Izuku answered
"Sweet, then let me help you out."
"How so?" the grenette asked
"Let me be your sidekick, but instead of fighting I handle the technical stuff, I can make you a bomb ass suit and everything." The grey haired boy exclaimed
"I'm not sure I want you to get involved Taku, I'm already going to be breaking the law. I don't want to see you drag in my mess."
"One you're not dragging me into anything, two, you're my friend and I want to help you and three, the hero academia flat out discriminated against you. Izu, You're a physical anomaly unlike anything this world built on quirks could have imagined, you're the kindest, most humble person I know and you want to use your gifts solely to help others, I want to see what you'll become! Will you let me?"
Izuku was shocked. He had no idea his friend had thought so highly of him. Ever since the day they met the two had always been cool towards each other, though he was quirkless Taku never changed on him even after discovering the crazy things he could do. Izuku even willingly went to Taku's house to do some tests and both Taku and his grandfather were both amazed by the quirkless anomaly. His bond with Taku was one that he deeply valued. "Ok, you can be my sidekick/designer/techy." He said, giving his friend a warm smile.
"Yes you won't regret this bro! So do you have a costume design or…?"
Izuku was walking up to the front door of Taku's family mansion after the guards at the front gate let him in. He rings the doorbell and in ten seconds the door is opened revealing his grey haired friend. "Welcome bro, it's good that you came, me and grandpa finished your suit and I think you're gonna freaking love it. Hey mom, Izu's here!"
"I'm coming Takumi relax." Came the voice of his mother and renowned actress Megami Fujiwara, she was average height, had orange blonde hair, blue eyes and a curvy figure. Taku clearly took after his dad. They walked through the house to a hallway that only had one door, Taku types in some numbers on a keypad, then places a hand a palm reader, then a little scanner pops out the wall which Taku puts his eyes to, then he goes to a mic, "FUJI-MODE." The moment these words are accepted two machine gun torrents drop from the ceiling with infrared beams pointed at Izuku. "And guest." After this the door opens up to reveal an elevator and all three hop in. Taku hits the bottom button and off they go.
The elevator opens up to reveal a giant warehouse of a laboratory all around there are experiments straight out of a science fic, but the icing on the cake was a supercomputer straight down the way. Taku walks them to the left side of the lab that was darkly lit, where they could see a large glass display with several chairs and sitting one one of those chairs was Taku's grandfather Chuntaro Fujiwara. He was tall, had grey hair that spiked back, and brown eyes with a confident smile. "Welcome family, Midoriya, Glad you came to see my newest design." He said with pride. All three sit down in the chairs and all eyes are focused on the display.
A door opens on the edge of the display and a manikin comes out wearing a black cowl mask covering the face and neck only exposing the mouth and had white eyelids. a green jumpsuit with black lines going down the arms, legs and across the waist. There was a red belt and black gloves with red lines on them and black boots.
"So at first glance what do you think?" The elder Fujiwara asked.
"It came out even better than I hoped it would!" Exclaimed an excited Izuku.
"Good to know, because I made this suit specifically for you. It's my first hero costume so I want it to impress." He presses a button and the manikin moved down the display and their chairs moved as well. "The fabric is made of a special alloy I myself invented, it's very breathable and should provide maximum mobility." The display suddenly burst into a sea of flames. "It can also withstand the heat of over 1000 degrees." The flames in the display died out with the suit unaffected, then machine gun torrents dropped down and pelted it with bullets. "It's completely bulletproof and blade proof. I was going to make it indestructible but seeing as how you already are, virtually speaking I figured it would be redundant so I skipped it. And it's machine washable, most costumes aren't like that so it's a new feature." He gave Izuku a prideful smile, clearly satisfied with his work.
"It's great Mr. Fujiwara! This is way more than I asked for thank you!" The green boy exclaimed.
Chuntaro only smiled."I'm glad you like it but we're still not done yet, the most important feature, your mask. You wanna take this one Takumi?"
"Sure grandpa, listen up Izu. Your cowl while bulletproof comes with a special designed radio able to intercept police scanners and even the faintest of distress signals. That's going to be invaluable, just you wait. It also comes with scanners able to spot human figures even through solid walls, it's like a combo of x-ray and infrared vision. The mask is durable and it will help you keep communications especially when you have this." He ended this remark by handing Izuku a smartphone, this is a phone grandpa and I but mostly me personally built, consider it your hero phone. It runs on our private server so there is almost no chance of any calls being tracked. So when you take down a baddie or rescue someone you can call the cops for clean up duty without stress."
"And the final piece of the puzzle is this right here, this happens to be indestructible." Chuntaro said while holding up a thin, black rectangular smartwatch. "Put this on whatever wrist you feel comfortable with."
Izuku took the watch and put it on his right wrist. "Ok, now what?"
"Look for the folder labeled dream, then hit the suit app, then press the button on the side."
Izuku did just as he was told and after hitting the button his body was enveloped in a green light for a moment he felt naked with the exception of his underwear, but then it felt like he had clothes again. He was wearing the suit. Chuntaro was right, it really was breathable, it really put strong emphasis on his muscular body.
"Wow, this is amazing." Izuku said as he did some punches and kicks. "I feel great in this, It feels like I'm wearing nothing at all." He said as he posed. "I can see perfectly!"
"I'm glad to see you like it, but you still can't leave here with it yet." Said megami
The boy looked at the women through his mesh lenses, raising an eyebrow. "You have a secret identity now Midoriya, keeping that secret is gonna take more than just not saying anything" Said the woman.
"She means you gotta disguise your voice man." I actually asked her if she could help you with that because that would be an easy way to identify you. We could have just made your mask cover your whole face but then people wouldn't see your smile. And who better to ask than one of the best actresses in the country?" Taku stated.
His mother smiled happy to hear this praise. "He's right Midoriya, you must learn to disguise your voice, when you wear this suit you're essentially playing a role.
Izuku nodded and accepted that they were right. He and megami begane different vocal exercises and Izuku went through several voices before he was certain of the voice he wanted. He wanted to sound strong, confident, smooth, and most of all brave and heroic. He and megami practiced this for over an hour and to the shock of everyone he got it down so quickly, he could speak and hold full conversations in his hero voice. He sounded like a real man with no trace of his typical tone or speech patterns, if you didn't know it was him behind the mask you really wouldn't know. Either Izuku was just really good at impressions or Megami was the world's greatest impressionist teacher.
Pressing the button on the watch his body is enveloped in green once again and he's back in his regular clothes. "Thank you all so much. I can't put into words just how much this means to me" He said bowing to the Fujiwara family.
"If you want to thank us, do it by becoming a great hero" Chuntaro told the boy with a smile
Megami perked up, remembering she never asked before."What is your name hero?"
Izuku raises his head facing the family that had helped him so much, and are also a part of the small group of people that believe in him.
"My name is ONE."