Chapter 16
Aizawa sighed as he sat on a couch that had been pulled to one side of a coffee table, a steaming mug of the hot liquid sitting directly in front of him. For a moment, he just sat there in what must have been an uncomfortable silence for his hosts as he watched the steam slowly rise. Then, after a moment, he looked up at the three sitting across from him on a different couch.
As the tired pro hero reached down to take a sip of his coffee, he began to analyze each member of the Bakugo household. Starting with the man who had given him his drink and was now seated on the far right: Masaru Bakugo. The man seemed a little out of place within this home. With brown brown hair that was spiky, similar to his son's, and wearing glasses, he seemed to be the most passive of the lot. When they had been first introduced, he had been quiet and simply polite as possible. Surprising as Aizawa would have expected something like this more from a parent at the Midoriya residence, given what he had seen of the boy.
Then, Aizawa's eyes shifted towards the woman sitting on the far left: Mitsuki Bakugo. Oh, he could believe that the blonde woman was the mother of his problem child. After allowing Aizawa inside, she began to scream for her son to come down and help set up the living room for guests. When the problem child refused with an insult, the two started up a screaming match with Mitsuki hitting the bomber boy upside the head several times while the two traded insults. However, unlike her son, she was able to show Aizawa courtesy and apologize for their behavior.
Then there was Katsuki. When the problem child had finally come down the stairs, he looked like a sulking child. When he noticed who their guest was, the teen's body went rigid before seeming to ignore the man. No greeting or anything else, just helping his mother set everything up before sitting on the couch while being unwilling to look at Aizawa at all.
As the pro hero finished his sip, he took one last stock of his hosts. While the faces of the parents were pleasant, he could tell by how stiff they were that there was fear lurking just underneath the surface. Which was understandable as it was already the second day of school and they had their son's homeroom teacher dropping by. A teacher who also happened to be a pro hero and was clearly not holding back cheers of praise for their boy. Yeah, anyone in this situation would be nervous.
"Thank you for inviting me into your home," began Aizawa after setting down the mug. "Forgive me for not reaching out to you and scheduling a proper meeting time, but I felt that this matter should be dealt with sooner rather than later."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all," said Masura, waving both his hands as sweat began to appear on his brow. "Something important must of happened for you to come all the way out here."
"I see. So your son hasn't informed either of you on what happened," replied Aizawa, his gaze shifting briefly to look at his problem child. He could clearly see the explosive teen tensing while his eyes hardened, but still refused to look at the man. Honestly, he had expected this from the teen. Either due to shame or embarrassment, he had chosen to keep silent about the events of the day. "Very well then, I shall inform you. Today was your son's first heroic lesson: a combat simulation with other students. He, along with his teammate Ida, faced off against a team consisting of Midoriya and Uraraka." The man paused briefly, noticing how the parents' eyes widened at this information, while Bakugo began to grit his teeth even more. "During the exercise, your son unleashed an explosion with the help of his support gear with the intent to deal serious harm to Midoriya."
"Is that why Inko?" began Mitsuki, color draining from her face. Clearly she had had at least some contact with the other boy's mother, though she didn't know all the details. This was because Aizawa had believed it best not to inform the woman about which student had done this, focusing their conversation more on the fact that Midoriya had been hurt and was getting treated. The last thing he wanted to get into at that moment was playing the blame game. At least not while her son was being tended to. Now that he was out of the danger zone, well, he would be happy to give her a full rundown of the events should she request it.
"Tch," commented Katsuki, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Deku would have been fine if he dodged."
"Damn brat," growled Mitsuki, some of the color returning to her face as she smacked her son upside the head.
"What? It's true!" yelled Katsuki, lifting his head up to glare at his mother. "Besides, how bad could it have been? He managed to finish the exercise and was fine when I saw him after school."
"Oh, he did try to dodge," replied Aizawa, his eyes narrowing at the callous way the teen spoke. "In fact, according to him, he was trying to get out of the way when the blast hit him. Due to the nature of his quirk, the explosion you unleashed upon him severely distorted his insides. I should know, I was there when our school's nurse showed the X-rays. Had it not been for the hard work of Recovery Girl, we would be having a much different conversation right now at the local police department." For a moment, the problem child opened his mouth as if ready to argue the point. But as it became his turn to lose color, not a sound came from his open mouth.
"U.A. is willing to take some of the blame for this accident," continued Aizawa. "It was one of our instructors who failed to check the functions of your son's support equipment as well as not noticing the state Midoriya was in. Something that pushed Midoriya into thinking he was expected to finish the exercise despite the amount of pain he was in, while making his injuries worse. With that said, your son was still the person who had requested that support gear with the intention of having something to make his explosions more powerful. And, knowing that, used it on a fellow classmate. Afterward, he showed no remorse. Not even checking to see if Midoriya was alright."
Aizawa then paused, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "But, if that was all there was to this, I wouldn't have felt the need to see you tonight. I would have just scheduled a meeting at a later date to discuss this," he added. After tapping on the screen a few times, he then set his phone on the table, showing he had pulled up an audio file which began to play.
"Kacchan," came Midoriya's voice. "You always start a fight with a big right hook. I know because I've watched you for years. I've been analyzing heroes and how they fight for years, taking notes. Including you! It was all in that notebook you burned and threw out the window the day I was kidnapped!"
Upon hearing all this, the problem child seemed to have gone so pale he might as well be a ghost.
"'You always start a fight with a big right hook.'," repeated Aizawa, his eyes briefly moving down to look at the phone. "Makes me wonder how many times he's seen it. That, as well as wondering how many times he was on the receiving end. Add in the fact that he claimed you destroyed his property by burning it paints a pretty dark picture." Aizawa then lifted his head to see that Katsuki's eyes were wide with fear. And while it was barely noticeable, Aizawa could see the explosive teen shaking his head no.
"Are you saying that Katsuki," began Mitsuki, but found it hard to finish her sentence. Honestly, Aizawa didn't blame her. It was hard for any parent to utter those words, making the situation all the more real.
"Midoriya has not come forward to directly accuse your son," said Aizawa, briefly looking at the woman as his gaze shifted towards the problem child once more. Without breaking eye contact, the man reached into his suit jacket to pull out a document, which he then placed on the coffee table. "With that said, his behavior since setting foot onto U.A. grounds supports my theory. Earlier today, during lunch, your son caused a scene within the lunchroom that caused the hero in the vicinity to get involved. What you have there is a written statement by the hero, stating that Bakugo was the instigator in the event. We also have camera footage, showing that he went over to Midoriya's table to begin screaming at him. Before that, on his first day, Katsuki became so irate that he tried to attack Midoriya in front of the entire class. All because Midoriya outperformed him in the fifty-meter dash."
"T-That's…that's not," Katsuki managed to say, his pupils now tiny as he stared at the man. However, the boy's father placed a hand on his shoulder, getting him to stop.
"There is more," continued Aizawa as he reached for his phone once more. As soon as it was in his hand, the man began tapping away at it. "Normally, our security system signals a silent alarm when a fight has been detected. But only when it becomes physical. So, acting on a hunch, I used a facial recognition program with our security footage achieve to see if there were any other issues with your son that we might have missed. This was what I found."
The entire Bakugo family looked on with fear as Aizawa set the phone back on the table, angling it so that they would be able to watch the altercation unfold. The video started with the problem child standing near the entrance of the school wearing his middle school uniform. At first, it looked like he was doing nothing other than shooting death glares at every other student who passed him by. Then, his demeanor changed when Midoriya appeared on the screen. Aizawa's less problematic student stood there, clearly nervous as he looked at Katsuki, while the real problem child grew more agitated. The blonde then approached Midoriya, saying something. While there was no audio, Aizawa could read his lips. The explosive teen was telling Midoriya to leave or else. And it was clear to everyone by the look in Katsuki's eyes as well as his posture that he meant the green-haired boy harm. Thankfully, the situation was averted due to the sudden appearance of Uraraka who then took Midoriya away.
"This was taken back before the entrance exam," clarified Aizawa once the video had ended, pocketing the phone. "What I have laid out before you is a backwards timeline of the events we are aware of. Multiple times, your son has acted aggressively towards one student in particular without any provocation. Then, when he was put into a situation where violence would be allowed, it resulted in disaster. Needless to say, this is not the behavior any school would find acceptable."
Aizawa paused, picking up his coffee to take a sip. As he did, the man took stock of the Bakugo family. All three were silent, looks of fear in their eyes as they processed everything the man had laid out before them. There was no 'my son would never do such a thing' or any of the other defenses that he usually heard from parents in this situation. No, they knew what he was capable of nor were they blind to his anger issues. It's just that they believed he wouldn't do anything brash that would cause him to lose his chance at going to U.A. Perhaps aided by the fact that, according to his file, he had never been disciplined back in Aldera.
Upon thinking of Aldera, a hum escaped Aizawa's throat as he pondered his problem child's time at that middle school. Had the boy been smarter back then, bullying Midoriya when no one was looking? That it was only recently that whatever self-control he had snapped, that he could no longer hold it back? Or was it that the school had turned a blind eye to the issue for years? In Aizawa's honest opinion, based on how the boy acted, he would put his money on the latter. That Aldera was an environment where he would unleash his more destructive tendencies without repercussions and allowing him to walk around everywhere else with no one else the wiser. It would explain why he believed that attacking Midoriya like he did on that first day would be met with no interference. And why Lunch Rush could tell he was surprised that someone was disciplining him.
Well, whatever the case, his problem child was now in the real world, with the family understanding the consequences. No more so than said problem child. He, like his parents, knew that if he got kicked out of the hero course, it would mean the end of his hero career. No other school would touch him, not even the shadiest ones out there.
Finally, Masura spoke. "So, what does this mean for our son?" he asked, his voice practically screaming that he feared the answer. At the same time, Mitsuki glanced over at a very pale Katsuki.
Aizawa put down the mug. "I'm going to be frank with you, I have expelled students for far less than what your son has done in such a short amount of time," he said, his words causing tears to appear in Katsuki's eyes. "Your son's potential as a hero has drastically dropped. I have shared my concerns with Principal Nezu to which he agrees. All Might has also chimed in, bringing up his own doubts on the matter of your son's continued enrollment. But, with that said, he doesn't have zero potential." As soon as he said that last part, the breath that the entire family had been holding was suddenly released.
While the tension the family had been feeling lessened, the man went back to his own thoughts. He was well aware that should anyone who knew Bakugo within the hero course heard about this, they would assume that he was not expelling the boy because he feared making the teen a villain. Honestly, that was utter nonsense. If he thought for one moment that this kid would become a villain, why would he delay expelling him and allowing him more time within the school to get more training? Training that he could use to his advantage later on? No, the more rational course of action would have been to expel him as soon as possible while he was still weak and inexperienced so that any low-ranking pro could handle him. At the same time informing the local heroes to keep an eye on him. Perhaps even contacting the Hero Public Safety Commission to keep tabs on the boy moving forward. The truth was that Aizawa had been honest about why they were keeping him in the school. His potential was not zero.
"I-I'm not getting kicked out," breathed the problem child, seeming unable to help himself.
"Only because, as I said, you're potential hasn't reached zero. That as well as the fact that we are partially to blame for the most recent incident," stated Aizawa coldly, his tone causing the family to freeze up. "But that doesn't mean you won't be punished. You are being given a one-day suspension. During that time, I want a detailed essay on the mistakes you made during the battle trail exercise as well as ways to improve in the future. I also want a ten-page essay on excessive violence in heroing laws with the penalties involved. Both are to be on my desk before the start of class when you return. If it's not there before the bell rings, I won't bother asking for them. I will have you escorted off of school grounds while your hero costume is destroyed. Furthermore, if I feel that either report is lacking in content, fails to convey the seriousness of the subject matter, or contains insults and swearing, then you will be expelled as well. Do you understand?"
Mitsuki opened her mouth, no doubt ready to say that her son did. However, Katsuki spoke first. "I get it," he said while lowering his head in defeat. For a moment, Aizawa eyed him as some of that sulking child energy seemed to return to him. Like he felt he was being punished for nothing. But, it was far less than when the man had first walked through the door, so that was something.
"There is more," continued Aizawa. "Starting when you return to school, you will be attending therapy sessions with Hound Dog three days a week. Unless there is a family emergency or the like, you will be in his office. We are also considering revoking your right to give the opening speech at the Sports Festival."
At that, Katsuki's head snapped up and he looked ready to jump to his feet. "You can't do that!" he shouted, his hands gripping his legs. "I earned that right!"
"You have not shown the level of maturity required to give a speech that will be heard by people all over the world," responded Aizawa, his voice firm and signaling that the teen was not helping his case with that outburst. "It would also be a bad showing on our part if we allowed a student who has behaved in such a manner to be given such an opportunity. Luckily for you, there is still time before the event. That both myself, as your homeroom teacher, and Principal Nezu will use to deliberate on whether or not you deserve this honor."
What Aizawa chose not to say was that Hound Dog would be included in those discussions. The reason? He wanted to see what the problem child would do. There was a good chance that he would show up at the guidance counselor's office just to show up, grunting and being difficult without any real reflection on his part. There was also the chance that Bakugo would just play along, telling Hound Dog what he thought the pro hero wanted to hear while being unaware that said hero could sniff out when a student wasn't being truthful. Though the latter was highly unlikely given how proud the problem child was. But, if the teen put in a good, solid effort, then that would go a long way toward showing that he was maturing. It was all up to him.
"Since we are on the topic of the Sports Festival, there is one final thing I want to make very clear," added Aizawa, his eyes becoming very harsh. "As it stands right now, if I see anyone else who would be a good fit for the hero program, then you will be the one losing your seat. You won't be expelled, but instead will be shipped off to General Studies. Believe me, with the training and real-world experiences you will be missing out on, as well as the fact that your second and third year teachers will know why you were removed, getting back into the hero program will be next to impossible."
With that, Aizawa said everything he needed to say. So, after thanking the adults in the room for the coffee and giving up their time, the man rose. Now standing, Aizawa gave one last look at his student, their eyes meeting for what he hoped would be the last time that night. That look told him more than the problem child probably knew. Inside those orbs was a burning anger and defiance, clearly wanting to say something before the man left. Perhaps now that the shock of Aizawa's visit, accusations, and potential expulsion was over, he wanted to launch some feeble justification for his actions. Something that Aizawa had no interest in. He had heard the teen's angry rant during the exercise as well as the blonde's accusations that Midoriya was lying about having a sister. If he thought that either of those were grounds for acting the way he had, then his potential really would hit zero.
Thankfully, despite the look in his eyes, the teen held his tongue. Perhaps he realized that the subject was closed and whatever he said would only be pushing his luck. Maybe he realized now how little power he had in this situation. Whatever the reason, the boy was quiet. If he continued to think before he acted, then the teen would have a better chance at a promising future.
-x-
As Aizawa was leaving the Bakugo residence, Todoroki sat in his room looking out his window with an open palm holding his head in place. His mismatched eyes took in the sight of the garden behind his family's home, seeming to watch the shadows as they glided across it with the passing of the clouds and the moon's light. However, despite the eerie beauty that lay before him, Todoroki's thoughts were focused on his classmates.
Being completely honest with himself, most of them were barely worth noticing as their quirks and training were simply inferior to his own. Though there were some noticeable exceptions. One of those was his fellow recommended student: Yaoyorozu. The girl's mind was sharp and analytical, with a quirk that had the potential to aid her in almost any given situation. It was how she managed to get first place in the quirk assessment competition yesterday. Today, however, he saw her biggest flaw: combat. Instead of using her quirk to create the objects she needed to incomposite the hero team, she instead locked herself in the room with that perverted teammate she was stuck with. The only reason she won her exercise was because the other team lacked the ability, power, and foresight to use any other entrances. Or making one via breaking down a wall. Should they ever be paired against each other, Todoroki knew that he would win with his ice.
Just above her was Bakugo. From what Todoroki had seen over the last two days, the teen had both power and combat experience. Neither of which were close to his own, of course. If Todoroki had to guess, his explosive classmate gained his experience fighting in the streets. Most likely those backstreet brawls he had heard his father speak of in passing. It honestly wouldn't surprise him if he were the one who took down that gang a year ago, leaving their leader naked in the streets for the police to pick up. As for power, he used his explosions well. He knew how to use them to both move across the battlefield as well as in conjunction with his fights. It was impressive, but when compared to Todoroki, he had simply been the biggest fish in a small pond. Meanwhile, Todoroki was the one dealing with a massive shark on a daily basis. In time, Bakugo would close the gap. Or, at the very least, try.
Then there were the only two who could actually stand in his way: Yoarashi and Midoriya.
Like Yaoyorozu, Yoarashi had been at the recommendation exam. Though it was odd to have three of the students there in a single classroom. But it was what it was. What the teen was more focused on was the teen's skills. Yoarashi had been the only one to keep pace with Todoroki throughout the entire exam, showing that he was skilled with his quirk. Those skills were doubly proven when Yoarashi took part in the exercise today. The wind user had been paired up with Kirishima on the villain team, though the hardening user barely made any significant impact. Using his quirk, Yoarashi turned the building into a massive wind chamber, which either made tracking into the building difficult or blew them out entirely. The fact that he could use his quirk for so long without any real issues was a problem for Todoroki. That, along with his ability to fly and his superior physical strength, would make him an obstacle in the dual-haired boy's quest.
Finally, there was Midoriya. His green-haired classmate seemed to have an all-purpose quirk. In terms of pure power output and on a fundamental level, Todoroki's ice should have put him above Midoriya. While teleportation, firing energy blasts, and flight were decent quirks individually, it became a different matter altogether when they were combined into a single person. So much so that Todoroki had to wonder why Midoriya didn't get in on recommendation as well. And that was just on his classmates' first day. Today, he noticed something that in the battle against Bakugo that went overshadowed due to Midoriya displaying new aspects of his quirk: he had been trained to fight. As someone who had been trained in high-powered quirk combat since he was little, he could see that Midoriya had experience in fighting another person. This style looked haphazard, but that could be due to him being new to it or that was the way it was meant to appear. When that is combined with all of his other little skills, it made an obstacle that Todoroki knew he couldn't overlook.
With that said, he wouldn't let them interfere with his goal. He would take the number one spot using only his mother's ice. He would do that all in defiance of the man who had tormented him for his own ambitions. Yes, to see the look of failure on that man's face, knowing that everything he had done had been in vain, nothing would get in the boy's way.
-x-
"I hoped I have made myself clear," finished Inko, hands on her hips as she looked down at her son. Standing in the living room, Inko was wearing one of her new outfits: a white sweater with extra puffy sleeves along with jeans. As she stood there, almost emanating a dark aura, Ryoko stood in the doorframe with Ryo-Ohki on her head, watching the scene before her with a blank expression. Clearly not willing to come to the aid of her little brother's help on this one.
"Yes m-mom," stammered Izuku, positioned on the couch somewhere between sitting on it and looking like he would slide off it at any moment. Still in his school uniform, the teen looked like he had been put through the ringer once more. This was because, before he had gotten home, Ryoko had put him through a more intense training. How long the ordeal had been, he had no idea as after a while all the explosions, screaming, and physical labor just blurred together. The only interruption in all of it was whenever he made a mistake, Ryoko was triply hard on him. By the time she felt satisfied with her work, Izuku could literally see his soul exiting his mouth.
Then, when he finally got back home, it was his mother's turn to scold him. She made sure to let him know how worried she was, nearly leaving work early and calling up his father. The only reason she hadn't done so was because Ryoko had stopped her. Then came the guilt trip, demanding to know what he was thinking, risking his life so recklessly. Wanting to know if he ever considered how she felt, hearing that her only son was in the hospital. Her words drove stakes into his heart while guilt ate away at him. So much so that the teen became dehydrated due to the amount of tears he unleashed, with Kyo putting buckets on the floor to prevent any flooding from occurring in Uraraka's apartment.
With that said, he watched as his mother gave one final nod before moving closer to envelop her son in a warm hug.
"I'm just glad my baby boy is ok," she whispered, her anger vanishing as if it had never been there.
"Just remember: you can't get the treasure if you die in the planning stages," added Ryoko, her voice going back to its normally carefree tone after hours of holding anger. Hearing that, Izuku fought not to roll his eyes. Though he smiled, understanding her phrasing.
As Inko broke the embrace and headed back into the kitchen to finish making dinner, Izuku kept his eyes on his sister who remained where she was. As he did, he thought more about what had happened today. He didn't want a repeat of that accident. To cause his mother to worry like that. To make Ryoko that upset over his actions. Nor did he want Kyo or Uraraka to cry. After everything that had happened, he knew the best way was to not be as reckless. So, while the aftereffects of Bakugo's attack had taken him by surprise, he could be smarter with his moves going forward. Only that wasn't good enough for him. He needed more options than just don't phase through an attack.
"Ryoko," he said at last, a determined look in his gaze. "I…I don't want to have to go through that again. Are there any other powers that might help me?"
For a moment, Ryoko stared at him in silence before folding her arms across her chest and closing her eyes. "Yeah, there are other abilities that you haven't unlocked," she answered. "But you're not ready to learn them yet."
"What?" cried Izuku, literally flying out on his seat as he stared at his sister. "But, what if I need them in the future. Shouldn't I-"
"No!" stated Ryoko firmly, opening up a single eye which gave her a menacing appearance. "You have only just started to get the hang of your basic abilities. Sure, you can use them but you're a long ways away from mastering them. Remember back when we were first training your finger beam? Well, you still need time to charge and can't fire multiple shots in a row like I did." She then opened her other eye, looking at him seriously. "These other abilities are no joke. They require mastery with your basic powers to even have a chance at learning them. And, even then, most of my people can't do them. They also come at higher levels of risk vs reward. If what happened today is any indication, well, they'll do you more harm than good. You just need to get a little more experience."
For a moment, Izuku just floated there as he stared at the space pirate in disbelief. Slowly, he looked over at Ryo-Ohki for help only to find the cabbit shaking her head with eyes that said 'it's her call so don't look at me.'
Then, his shoulders slumped in defeat before heading to his room to begin his homework. After all, there was really nothing he could do. If Ryoko said that he needed to master the abilities he already had before he could even consider learning these new ones then he really didn't have much of a choice. Even if he still wanted to try, he had no idea what these other powers were so trying to learn them on his own was a no-go. All he could do was put his trust in Ryoko and get better as quickly as possible.
-x-
As she watched Izuku float into his room with a look of utter depression on his face, Ryoko felt her own shoulders slump before almost comedically falling to the floor. When her little brother had asked about the more advanced abilities, there was a part of her that wanted to throw caution to the wind. To just say 'heck yeah, let's get started'. However, the image of a woman lying in bed showing signs of severe malnutrition appeared in her head. A state that Ryoko knew she had been in for decades, all because she took one of the stupidest risks and refused to learn her lesson.
While thinking about it, she dragged herself to the kitchen where she took her normal seat. God, did she hate having to be the responsible one here. But she knew she had to be. The only reason she could act the way she was now was because she had prepared herself. And she needed to do the same for Izuku.
Suddenly, her teacup was placed in front of her filled with the warm liquid. Looking up, she saw that Inko was still at the stove working away. No doubt she had used her quirk to give her the drink.
"I heard what you told Izuku," began Inko. "Are…Are they really that dangerous?"
Ryoko winced at the question before picking up her tea and taking a quick sip. "They can be," she began slowly while setting down her cup. "A few of them will just leave Izuku drained. Might not seem too bad, but if he wants to use it in a combat situation, it'll leave him a sitting duck. But the bigger ones, they're on a whole other level. If something goes wrong…he'll never be the same. Not even my own people can recover."
After saying this, the space pirate looked up at the face of Inko. The formerly plump woman was now staring at Ryoko with a look of horror on her face nearly equal to the one she had earlier when she heard her son had had an accident. And Ryoko just looked back at her. She knew hearing this now was just hitting the older woman harder. Knew that the motherly instincts that Ryoko had come to appreciate over the last year were screaming alarm sirens in her head. That she could have done played the extent of the negatives, laughing them off like they were some sort of joke. But, she couldn't.
"And you're going to teach these skills to Izuku?" asked Inko, fear still evident on her face. In return, Ryoko looked away before a thoughtful look appeared on her own face. Leaning back in her seat, she took another long sip of her tea followed by giving Inko her most smug look.
"In time," she said, her words causing the older woman to grasp at her sweater. But, she continued. "When he's ready. I have plans to take Izuku out into space after all. No way I'm letting him injure himself like that before that happens."
Perhaps it was the words she had chosen. Or maybe it was the confident way in which she acted. Or maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, her feelings got through to Inko, causing the elder Midoriya to relax, smiling as she went back to cooking.
-x-
Meanwhile, Izuku sat at his desk within his room. Before him were several items. The first was his laptop, which was currently open to his email account. Next to it was a notebook that already had some small notes written in it. Inside, he had written the name and quirk of each of his classmates, giving five pages between each in order to write his notes. However, this wasn't for the discussion 1-A would be having tomorrow. No, this was for his own use. And he had named this notebook 'Hero to Villain Analysis For the Worst Future: 1-A'.
Licking his lips, Izuku went to the backside of the front cover to begin writing.
Should any of my friends and classmates find this, I hope you can forgive me, he wrote. In my heart, I know that all of you care too much about becoming heroes to ever turn your back on it. With that said, I am writing this both in preparation for the upcoming Sports Festival as well as a worst-case scenario. Please know that before using anything mentioned inside this book, I will do everything in my power to prevent you from walking down the wrong path. I know we have not known each other for too long at this point, but you are all some of the best people I have ever met in a single room. And it is my hope that we will all become great heroes together.
Threat level is to be determined by the following factors: the abilities of myself, how they compare to my opponent, and how well their abilities can exploit my currently known weaknesses. These weaknesses are not limited to simply those of my quirk, but my own personal flaws.
Feeling his guilt subside a little for writing this, he went to the message from Mr. Aizawa containing several video files to begin writing. As he watched, Midoriya went through the notebook, turning through the pages to find each of his classmates.
Name: Yuga Aoyama
Quirk: Naval Laser
Threat: Medium
Overview: Aoyama is a bit of a mixed bag from what I have seen personally, though at this point, I have only known him for two days. He appears confident, but that is just the surface level that I have witnessed. He appears to value appearance over practicality. Flash over substance. It is reflected in his costume, seeming to care more about its appearance and getting frustrated when it got damaged by accident. However, that could be that he took a lot of pride in designing it and was excited to wear it on the first day.
In terms of combat, he is rather one-note. He prefers to fight from a distance, firing his Naval Laser, which, on its surface, is a powerful quirk. Especially against me. As I understand it, should I be in a phase state when this attack hits me it will cause serious damage to my insides. He is also one of the few students with a powerful long-range attack.
However, this is where his downsides come into play. At all times he must wear a belt which helps keep his quirk in check. Apparently, without it, he will be unable to stop firing his laser. This is made all the worse for him as firing off his quirk causes stomach pains if he fires it for longer than a couple of seconds. What's more, he seems unused to or is unwilling to engage in close-range combat.
If we should ever have to fight, there are several ways to take him down. One method would be a battle of attrition through ranged attacks. While Aoyama seems to have better aim for long-distance fights when compared to me, his weakness makes it certain that I can outlast him. If I can send a barrage of attacks at him, get him to keep firing his laser in response, eventually his stomach pain will render him unable to battle. The best place to use this method would be outside where I can have the greater mobility to dodge. However, this method would be the most drawn-out and needlessly complicated, as there are superior ways to take him down. If I can get close enough and engage him in hand-to-hand combat, I am confident I will come out the victor. The reason? Aoyama needs to manually activate his belt in order to fire his beam. By getting up close and pressing the attack, I can capture or defeat him before he ever gets the chance to activate his support device. Another option would be to teleport behind him. In his current state, Aoyama can only fire at things directly in front of him. Teleportation exploits this weakness, allowing me to render a powerful attack in his blind spot. Is this cowardly? Perhaps. But if I have to choose between being accused as a coward and saving lives it's a no-brainer. The final method, and most cruel, would be to cut the belt off. With his laser firing out of control, the pain will hit him harder and faster. It will be my hope that he passes out due to the pain.
Name: Mina Ashido
Quirk: Acid
Threat: Medium
Overview: Out of everyone in the class, Ashido seems like the least likely to ever become a villain. From what I have witnessed firsthand, she is a very open and bubbly person. What's more, she possesses a trait that first drew me into heroism: her smile. Since meeting her, I have witnessed her messing up several times, only to then flash everyone around her that smile. While it is nowhere on the same level as All Might's, that, along with her upbeat personality, is something that will draw people in and reassure them when things get bad. With all that said, if she ever went down the wrong path, it is possible that she could use those same traits to gather others around a villainous cause.
In terms of combat, Ashido is an interesting threat. Her quirk allows her to secrete acid from any part of her body, though she seems to prefer using her hands and feet. Ashido can clearly control the acidity of the chemicals she creates, making them anywhere from being powerful enough to melt your skin off in an instant or as powerful as lemon juice. I have seen the acid used to help her slide around as if she were ice skating, granting her increased movement. I have also seen her launching globs of acid from her hands. Along with these tricks, she has a very flexible body, which she displayed in her battle trail match. While her fighting style is basic, she possesses enough strength to make her a threat. With all of these skills combined, she is deadly. I am honestly relieved she does not have a 'toxic personality'.
Kyo just smacked me for making that pun. I thought it was clever.
In regards to her weaknesses, I have noticed a few. The most obvious is that her laid-back nature can cause her to not pay attention to her surroundings. One example of this was during the battle trail where her acid landed on Aoyama's cape, damaging it. She also caused damages to the walls and floors, creating a tripping hazard not just for the villains but also for her and her teammate. This is something that can be exploited. I have also mentioned that her fighting style is basic, more instinctive punches, kicks, and flaying than anything else. Finally, there is her quirk. I noticed that while she does seem to have some resistance to it (she can, after all, hold it in her hands), she is not immune. How much she can make at a time is unknown.
Dealing with her would be challenging. The thing I am least worried about is her throwing her acid at me as I am all but certain that I can phase through it with little difficulty as its too solid. However, since she can create the acid from anywhere on her person, dealing with her close range would be too dangerous. If she manages to coat her entire body in acid when I'm punching her, I won't have the time needed to phase through her and get burned. Also, phasing is a conscious effort not automatic. So, if I don't activate it in time or she launches a surprise attack, then I will be in serious trouble. This leaves long-range and my own sneak attacks as my best options. All of my energy-based attacks, minus my sword, have a greater range as she is currently limited to throwing the acid. Also, depending on the situation, I might be able to trick her into melting or damaging key spots on the battlefield in order to take her down.
Name: Tsuyu Asui
Quirk: Frog
Threat: Low
Overview: Asui, or Tsu as she prefers to be called, is the hardest to get a read on. Judging on her mutation, her frog features makes it difficult for her to properly express herself. I will say that she seems pleasant. She also seems to have a more level head on her, equal to Uraraka if not greater.
I need to be honest, her quirk is amazing! Having the abilities of a frog gives her an amazing number of uses. The most obvious is her ability to leap around, though right now I don't know how far she can go in a single leap. Then there is her tongue, which I noticed has an impressive length to it as well as some powerful force behind it. I would not like to be hit with it. Of course, she also has the ability to stick to walls. This will make moving through difficult terrains much easier as well as allowing her to attack from above. As of right now, this is all I know about her. I would like to speculate that she might be capable of sweating some sort of poison, but until I see some evidence I will only proceed with caution.
Going by this, I am making the assumption that she also has the weaknesses of a frog as well. If things get too hot or dry, it will hamper her abilities. The same goes for it becoming too cold. I have heard that frogs hibernate in the winter, so maybe something like that happens to her. As for her combat abilities, she seems to have only two preferred methods. The first is to get up close and kick her opponents with her powerful legs. The second is to use one of her powerful leaps in order to tackle her opponents. Very straightforward and, once you understand this, can be avoided. I believe that, given what I have stated above, that she can also use her tongue as well in combat. Perhaps she prefers not to or just didn't want to in this situation. In the end, her style of combat is primarily leg-based.
Should I ever have to fight Tsu or she becomes a villain, the only way I can see myself losing is if I let down my guard. If she tried using her tongue at me or leaping for a tackle my options are phasing, teleporting, and flying. Once I'm out of the way, I can launch a counterattack. Should I ever get caught by her tongue, I would like to see how it would react to a figure beam. I am familiar with the force behind it thanks to all my training with Ryoko, but have yet to see how it would react to a muscle directly. Also, using this attack will be safer than any of my other energy attacks and would provide me a chance to inflict a potentially debilitating injury on her. Should I be in this position and she has become an irrideemable villain, the use of my sword will be advised. If the fight is in the water, where her quirk is most likely best suited, I will need to move the fight to a more suitable area. Maybe I should visit a desert just so I can teleport there?
Name: Tenya Ida
Quirk: Engine
Threat: Low
Overview: I feel bad for ranking someone I consider a friend so low. Both Ida and Uraraka are two of the first friends I have made since Ryoko came into my life. I respect Ida a lot, not just because he comes from a heroic family, but the way he looks up to his brother. I can see that he takes heroing even more seriously than I do…along with everything else. However, I need to be objective in this. Ida is a driven person, putting that drive into making sure his family will be proud of him and that he succeeds. What I fear is what would happen should he use that same drive for something else. For example, what would happen when the system that he respects fails him? Let's say, in the future, he captured a villain who caused serious damage. He followed the rules to the letter, brought in the villain along with a mountain of evidence, and later found out that said villain was being let off. I worry that something like this might shake the foundation of everything Ida believes in, causing him to act rashly and make some bad decisions. Or what would happen if someone like his father or brother (both heroes) were hurt or killed?
Ida's quirk is, as stated above, called Engine. This is because he has engines in his legs, allowing him to move faster. His full speed is unknown at the moment, but I am aware that he needs time in order to switch gears and move faster. Using the force generated by his speed, it would allow his punches to have more of an impact or just run through obstacles.
His weaknesses are varied, with most of them being personal ones that I have noticed. In terms of his quirk, he seems to have trouble making quirk turns. He also, like I mentioned before, needs time in order to shift to a higher speed. Both can be exploited. But his biggest weakness is a lack of flexibility. Ida takes everything seriously, following the letter of the rule very carefully. Also, if our first meeting is any indication, he is quick to make assumptions. Though I will admit that this has toned down.
Should I ever have to fight my friend, I have options. Teleportation will allow me to get in close, preventing him from gaining any momentum when the fight starts. I can also phase up from the earth, grabbing his legs as I fly upward to knock him down. There is one thing I'd like to try: terrain destruction. If I fly above and blast the surrounding area, I can alter the field in such a way that Ida will be constantly tripping over himself. One wrong footing while going at high speeds will, at the very least, cause him to injure himself. However, should the need arise, there is one option left. One that I will only use as a last resort: cutting his legs off. I hate even writing this, but it would be the most effective way to prevent him from using his quirk should he become a villain. I just hope that the Ida I know now understands why.
Name: Ochaco Uraraka
Quirk: Zero Gravity
Threat: Low
Overview: Again, I really hate having to rank Uraraka so low because I honestly think she is amazing. She's so bright and cheerful and cute! She has one of the most realistic reasons to become a hero: helping her family. That's just amazing! She's going out there, making money to support the people she loves while also helping others. That right there makes her a hero! I also just enjoy talking to her, being near her. It just feels nice. Once again, though, I need to be objective. If something happened to derail her hero career or if something happened to her family, then it might tempt her into villainy. Either for the money or to get revenge.
I am honestly fascinated by her quirk. Zero Gravity seems simple at first glance, removing the effects of gravity from whatever she touches with all five pads on one of her hands. To some, making things appear weightless may seem like a useless quirk. However, in truth, the objects still maintain their mass. It just allows Uraraka to, lets say, pick up a stone pillar weighing a ton and use it as a bat against a villain. In terms of a fighting style, she is lacking at the moment. But, what she does have is something really amazing: tenacity! Based on the footage I got from our battle, Uraraka just continued to dodge and power through everything that Ida sent her way. She never gave up.
Her weaknesses are there. The biggest one that I know about is what happens when she reaches her limit. For some reason, using her quirk causes her stomach to get upset. She can push herself more than Aoyama, but when she goes past her weight limit or uses her quirk for too long without a break, she will vomit. Interestingly, her vomit is rainbow colored. Also, as of right now, she is limited in using her quirk on herself to any real effect other than making herself float. It's useful, and with her support equipmen,t it allows her to move around better, but that's its limitation. And while she has a great indomitable will, against someone who is better skilled in combat, she will be defeated.
Should the day ever come when I will need to fight her, there are two things I will refuse to implement. The first is a psychological attack. I believe that if I insult her family, mock them during a fight, it would mess her up in some way. At best, causing her to go into a blind rage and attacking me relentlessly, while leaving her more open to counterattack. At worst, she would try to ignore it and make sloppy mistakes. This feels low and unheroic. The second, should she ever become a villain, would be to cut off her hands. Again, I refuse to do this to her. Instead, I will face her like anyone else. While she can lift just about anything, even throwing a semi-truck at me, my ability to phase through any object or simply teleporting away will make this a moot issue. Removing my gravity is pointless as I can fly. My finger beams will stun her, even adding to her discomfort while my other abilities will overwhelm her faster.
Name: Mashirao Ojiro
Quirk: Tail
Threat: Medium
Overview: If I am considered 'plain', then Ojiro can be described as 'average'. That's what I get when I see him. From what I have seen, nothing other than his tail really sticks out. He's a calm person who seems, as of my two days spending time with him in class, to just go along with everything. He really hasn't done anything of note. Still, he was able to make it into U.A. I have heard that there are people who are strong, so much so that they don't feel the need to broadcast it. It seems hard for me to believe that after spending so much time with Kacchan. But he might be that type of person.
His quick is pretty self-explanatory: he has a tail. A thick, muscular tail that looks like it alone can shatter rocks. I have heard that he is skilled in the martial arts. While I have yet to witness this, as his feet were frozen to the ground during his battle trail, I have spent enough time with Ryoko to pick up on certain things. Well, that and the fact that he wears a gi,
In close range, I believe Ojiro is very powerful. His weakness lies in long to medium-range combat. He lacks any means to counterattack, only dodging. His strength, while impressive, is primarily focused in his tail. But even that is outclassed by several other members in our class. At least, as far as I can see. (Thanks a lot, Todoroki.)
Should I ever need to deal with Ojiro, close-quarter combat is an iffy situation. I will be able to phase through all of his blows, but that will only be possible if I can react in time. While my body is tougher than what it used to be, as evident by the attack of the one-pointer robot, I am unaware of how Ojiro compares to it. So, if I misjudge his strength or he gets the drop on me, my only option will be to phase away or teleport. The key to taking him out will be to use long-range attacks, either hitting him or his surroundings to cause a collapse. If he should ever become a villain, cutting off his tail will end the problem. Sure, he might just pick it up and try to hit me with it, but I'm sure both the shock and blood loss will prevail in the end.
Name: Denki Kaminari
Quirk: Electrification
Threat: Medium
Overview: Kaminari, from what I have seen, seems to be one of those 'cool' people I have heard about. He's pretty easy going and laid back, cracking jokes. He also seems like the type who will mess with others, but in a good-natured way. Though, now that I think about it, he might also be a bit of a pervert as I saw him and Mineta hanging out and staring at the girls in my class. Thankfully he's not as bad, not allowing that one bad trait to dominate his life. Wait, was he hitting on Uraraka when she came in today?
Kaminari has a highly in-demand quirk: Electrification. The details are still not all known to me, but he seems to be able to generate electrical energy naturally, surrounding his body with it and then releasing it. Powerful? Yes, a hundred percent yes. There is a high chance that phasing won't protect me from the attack. And, if he hits me when I'm solid, I'll either be knocked out or incapacitated.
What prevents Kaminari from being a higher threat are his current weaknesses. One, he has no fighting skills. During his battle trail, he used his electricity to do all the work. Two, when he releases his electricity, he can not send it in a specific direction. It just goes in every direction, hitting friend and foe alike. Third, and most importantly, after giving a large enough blast, he fries his brain and becomes dumb. Beyond that, he has no physical enhancements that I have noticed.
Sorry, Kaminari, but beating you will be simple at this point. All I need to do it get you to unleash your quirk one time and teleport away. The most effective way to do this will be to get in close, close enough to press you and cause you to panic. Once I see the sparks around your body, an indicator of when you're about to use your quirk, I teleport away. Then, while you're in your dumb state, a single punch should knock you out. Should he ever get support gear to help manage this weakness, aim for that first. Or I could just blast him in the gut as soon as I see him, not giving him a chance to charge up.
Name: Eijiro Kirishima
Quirk: Hardening
Threat: High
Overview: Kirishima seems like a very cool person. Like Ashido, he seems to always be smiling and is super confident. But unlike another person that I know, this confidence doesn't include cockiness. So far, he hasn't boasted about how much better he will be than the rest of us nor has he put anyone down. He's headstrong and whenever he calls something 'manly' its to be taken as a compliment. He's one of those people you really can't see becoming a villain. Though maybe if it was for a cause he truly believed in, something he felt was right and failed to explain it to everyone else, then maybe.
Hardening is a very impressive quirk. Basically, it allows Kirishima to harden his body. He seems to be able to control how tough he can make himself depending on the situation. I've so far seen his skin growing slightly more rigid to appearing more rock-like. It makes him the ideal shield to protect others. But, he can also be a sword. Somehow, when he hardens his body, he also gains superhuman strength! It almost feels like I'm looking at a mini All Might! Does he have a dual quirk or is there some sort of mechanism that is tied into his hardening? Whatever the case is, it's impressive.
Kirishima doesn't have many weaknesses that I can exploit. At least, none that I have seen. The only one that he has is that, when he uses his superior strength, his arms begin to crack. That's it. Maybe he has difficulty controlling that aspect of his quirk, the power inside him damaging his body whenever he uses it. Other than that, he doesn't seem to get a speed boost when he is in his hardened state.
Defeating Kirishima will be difficult as there are still a number of factors that I am unaware of. Does he have a fighting style? What is the amount of force I will need in order to break his hardened body? I could try blasting him from a distance, but if none of my energy attacks will be able to break through that skin of his, then close-range combat is my only option. And by that, I mean my sword. It can cut through the metal skin of the zero pointer, which had to have very thick and sturdy plating in order to move, given its size. If that doesn't work, I can try blasting him at key weak points. Like firing a finger beam into his mouth when it's open or aiming for the eyes. My last option would be to keep dodging, letting his injuries pile up when he is using that super strength of his. But how long can I hold out? All it will take is one slip-up on my part and I'm down.
Name: Koji Koda
Quirk: Anivoice
Threat: low
Overview: Koda is a silent person. Though it doesn't seem to be because he dislikes us or anything like that, just that he seems shy. He opened up to Kyo much faster than the other guys, making me think he prefers the company of animals to other people. Or it might be because he's a heteromorph. I'm aware they can be bullied harshly; the more inhuman they appear the worse it gets for them. I know what it's like to be bullied for, well, how you were born. Maybe we could become friends?
Anivoice is a quirk that allows Koda to talk to animals. This is great for scouting out an area, especially in the wild, giving him the potential to be a great search and rescue hero. He could ask the local wildlife if they spotted his targets or enlist them to help him cover more ground. He could also ask other animals for help.
His biggest flaws are his personality and his reliance on animals. Koda is very timid and I get the feeling that he would need to mentally prepare himself for a fight. If this is true, he will lose time and will be cowering for a while as the villain gains the advantage, And, as the fight progresses, animals will flee the scene causing him to lose his backup. Maybe he could talk to bugs, but if there's not enough of them around, the villain isn't afraid of them, or if their quirk allows them to destroy the bugs in an instant, then it won't be much use.
Koda's quirk feels very situational, making a plan to defeat his very straightforward. First, create a number of explosions using my energy attacks to drive away any animals before the battle starts. Then attack him, making sure to knock the air out of his lungs in order to ensure he can't speak. I could also mitigate any advantage he could have via flight, flying over land-based animals he might summon. Birds will still be an issue and, if they begin to peck me, I can just teleport away from them before blasting Koda.
Name: Inasa Yoarashi
Quirk: Whirlwind
Threat: High
Overview: While I have not known Yoarashi as long as I have Ida and Uraraka, I consider him to be one of my friends. If I had to describe him in a single word, it would be passionate. More than once, he has brought up how certain things get his blood running hot or its 'hot-blooded' in a similar manner as Kirishima. It's during those moments that I can see real excitement in his eyes before he either begins talking louder or goes a little overboard. But, its that same passion that causes him to make odd choices. The one I am still trying to figure out is why he turned down his chance to get in via recommendation.
Yoarashi has amazing control over his quirk: Whirlwind. Air manipulation is not something you find every day and his mastery over it is insane. Using it, he can fly around the field for as long as I can at a much faster speed. To add to that, he can create powerful currents of air that can knock people down or blow them away. There is a good chance that, if someone used a projectile weapon or quirk against him, he could use his quirk to deflect it or send it back to its owner. He's also pretty strong.
So far, I have yet to see any weakness I can truly exploit. Like I mentioned earlier, his passion causes him to make mistakes but that's it. Meaning the more intensely I fight him, the more excited he'll likely become. From there, I'll need to wait and find an opening.
This is one of those fights I'm most nervous about. We can both fly, meaning neither of us will have the high ground. Yoarashi is faster, meaning he can fly circles around me. But I can teleport. I can fire my energy attacks, but there is a chance he can deflect them and then fire back with an air current that I will have to dodge. We're both strong physically, but he's the stronger. I believe the deciding factor in this confrontation is who can use their skills the most effectively. Right now, it might be Yoarashi. I will have to keep up my own training and figure out a way to improve before that happens. If I face him in a fight before the Sports Festival, then I can get a better gauge on his abilities.
Name: Mezo Shoji
Quirk: Dupli-Arms
Threat: Medium
Overview: Shoji is another heteromorph. For some reason, he wears a mask over the lower portion of his face and uses his quirk to talk to people. I'm a little worried about what might be under there. But, other than that, I don't really know much about him. But I get the feeling that he's a really good guy and will go on to do great things.
Dupli-Arms is an odd quirk. Simply put, his arms are like tentacles that he can transform into other parts of his body. A good example of this is sprouting ears at the end with enhanced hearing to find his target. Which is what he did during his battle trail. Given how they move around, he could even attach an eye to the end of one and snake it around corners and the like. These arms also seem to give him enhanced strength as was the case in the grip strength test.
The weakness in Dupli-Arms is pretty straightforward: it's all in his arms. I heard some people comparing him to an octopus so maybe he can regenerate those limbs, but even if he can, he will still be in pain. There is also the possibility that, when he has attached an enhanced ear or eye to the end of his tentacles that it will create a weakness. Like uses loud sounds that he is not prepared for or a bright light when he has an eye there. Then there is the rest of his body which I don't believe shares the same properties of his arms.
When fighting Shoji, I need to keep my eyes on his arms. If he can increase the muscle mass in them, all it will take is one punch if I fail to avoid it. What's more, he can create additional eye stalks, allowing him to see all around him, meaning I won't be able to teleport to his blind spot. But there is one spot that I might have a chance at: his legs. If I can phase through the ground right underneath him, I can strike at one or both before he realizes I'm down there. This should allow me to gain the upper hand. Of course, there is the chance that his enhanced hearing brought forth by his quick will allow him to hear me as I phase through the ground. If that's the case, rapid teleportation to appear in various places around him and rain energy shots would be the ideal approach. Cutting off his arms is a last-ditch effort, only to be used should he ever become a villain.
Name: Kyoka Jiro
Quirk: Earphone Jack
Threat: Low
Overview: Out of all my classmates, she seems the most aloof. I honestly don't know all that much about her as a person, other than appearing bored most of the time and making snarky comments. Maybe she just doesn't like talking to other people or her comments are some sort of deflection. But, from what I have seen, she is taking her role as a hero-in-training seriously.
Earphone Jack is an interesting quirk. From what I have seen, those cords dangling from her ears can insert themselves into just about anything to pick up sounds and other vibrations. It's how she and Kaminari found the villain team in their battle trail, by having her insert her jacks into the wall. She also has support gear that can turn this trait into a weapon. She can attach her jacks into her boots, which have speakers in them, sending out blast waves of sound towards her opponents. Right now, I'm only guessing, but I believe the source of the sound is the beating of her heart.
Her weaknesses are many. Those jacks look very fragile, making me wonder what would happen if they were cut. Would she be unable to use her quirk until they were healed or would the bleeding increase? And while she will be able to hear the vibrations of her foes, she lacks the power to make good use of this information. In fact, the only weapons she has are her boots. Nothing to help her in close-range combat or if she were surrounded by all sides. If her hope is to take out her opponents using sound waves from a distance, then she will need better equipment.
Taking her down as she is right now is a simple task. If I aim any of my long-range attacks at her boots, at worst I will damage them, causing her to lose her only means of attack. At best, there will be secondary explosions that will either take her out of the exercise or make her unable to move due to the pain. She might be able to stab me with her jacks, but I can phase through them with ease. Furthermore, I will have a speed and strength advantage. Should she ever become a villain, cutting off her jacks will eliminate any threat she could ever pose.
Name: Hanta Sero
Quirk: Tape
Threat: low
Overview: Sero seems to be the type who will call someone out while making a joke. In that way, he's a bit like Kaminari minus the slight perversion. He just seems like a good-natured guy who is trying his best. I will need more time to get a better sense of who he is as a person beyond this.
Tape is very simplistic. He has tape dispensers in his elbow joints, allowing him to launch tape from them. Using his tape, he can bind structures and people together or lay down traps. In this way, he's a bit like Mineta. While I haven't seen it yet, it is possible that he can use his quirk to swing from building to building like the ancient hero Spider-Man. But, other than that, I have not seen any other great feats.
The weaknesses of this quirk are pretty obvious. It only works against you if you're not paying attention and allow it to stick to you where, depending on how you get stuck, can either slow you down or just cause an inconvenience. For example, if it just got stuck to your side, you could just send a second pulling it off. If you step on it, then you will need time prying your shoes or boots off of it. It only really becomes a problem when it is wrapped around you.
When facing Sero, he poses very little threat. Flight and teleportation reduce the risk of stepping on the tape and getting caught in a trap. If he does manage to wrap me up, I can just phase through it. If I can't for some reason, I can create my sword to cut through it or use any of my other ranged attacks to catch him off guard.
Name: Fumikage Tokoyami
Quirk: Dark Shadow
Threat: Medium
Overview: It is possible that Tokoyami is what they call an Edgelord, though I have never met one before so I don't really know. He is another heteromorph, having the head of a blackbird or raven. While he doesn't talk all that much, he usually makes sure that it's an impactful statement. Something you would expect a wise mentor to say. I guess he's just a serious person like Ida, but in a different way. He doesn't seem to worry about the little things, like sitting on a desk like Ida would.
Then there is his other half: Dark Shadow. I have only heard of sentient quirks before and this is the first time meeting one. Like the name suggests, Dark Shadow is a creature composed of shadows that can move about on its own. It can stretch itself pretty far from Tokoyami, extending clawed hands to fight or capture his target with great strength. He also seems to be a bit more relaxed than Tokoyami, enjoying the time he can come out and train with us. Maybe this is what Tokoyami is feeling on the inside? Do they share a telepathic link like me and Kyo? If so, why would Tokoyami need to call out Dark Shadow when they start a fight? I have so many questions!
So far, any weaknesses that Dark Shadow might have can only be speculated. Since it is a creature of shadows, light might be the key to defeating it. Meaning things like my sword will be effective as it emits light. However, there is a more pressing weakness: Tokoyami himself. It is clear that Tokoyami has Dark Shadow do all the heavy lifting. During the quirk assessment test, he just stood there while Dark Shadow did all the tests that it could do. From what I could see, Tokoyami's muscle mass is about where I was early on in Ryoko's training. Better than others, but not by much. And since he relies on Dark Shadow to do all the fighting, it makes it unlikely that he knows how to fight himself.
When fighting Tokoyami, it would be best to avoid facing Dark Shadow altogether. Yes, I could fend him off with my sword, but I don't know what would happen should he be able to block my attacks. All I would be doing is exerting energy that could be better used in dealing with the main target: Tokoyami. By teleporting to his location while Dark Shadow is away, I believe a powerful blow to the gut will be enough to take him out. Or phasing from the ground, grabbing his legs, spinning him around in the air before launching him like what Ryoko did to me last Tuesday.
Name: Shoto Todoroki
Quirk: Half-Cold Half-Hot (?)
Threat: Possibly Medium
Overview: Cold and stoic are the two words that come to mind when I see Todoroki. He has the same last name as the number two hero, Endeavor, leading me to believe that they are related despite how different their quirks are. The fact that he is the other recommended student in our class helps support this theory. From what I have seen of him so far, he appears confident in his skills. So such so that he believes he won't need help or assistance.
While his quirk is called Half-Cold Half-Hot, I have only seen the cold part that allows him to create large amounts of ice. In this aspect, the amount of control he has is impressive and almost frightening. He can create a layer of ice along all the walls and floors of a building instantly, freezing people in place. He can also create massive pillars of ice to launch himself through the air or generate it in a manner to propel him faster than he can run. As for the hot part, all I have seen is him touching the ice to melt it.
While he has a great amount of power and control over his ice, Todoroki has flaws. One thing that I have noticed is that he tends to use a massive wave of ice in order to finish the fight as quickly as possible. While this could be considered him doing his best to be effective, it's still a bit too 'showy' for my tastes. It might also be because he doesn't like prolonged fights as it might give away some sort of weakness. I remember Dad telling me once that using his quirk too much dried out his throat due to rapidly reduced moisture. I also did some research stating that overheating is common among most people with fire-related quirks. Perhaps the opposite is true with ice quirk users, that their bodies begin to cool down faster the more they use their quirk. But, if that's the case, couldn't Todoroki warm himself up using the other attribute of his quirk? Another weakness is that Todoroki himself is unused to fighting. Most of the time he is motionless, just standing there letting his ice do all the work. Again, this could be due to the fact that no one so far has been able to dodge his ice, making it so that the need to be prepared for close-range combat is unnecessary. Or maybe he has a trick up his sleeve.
Simply put, his quirk poses little to no threat to me. Flight, teleportation, and phases all render his quirk moot as I have a number of ways to dodge it. From there, I have a number of ways to counterattack him. Energy blasts and finger beams will make great long-distance strikes, even blowing up the surrounding ice to create a fog to obscure his vision. Or I can engage him at close range. I just need to be careful. If he ever learns to generate fire and use it like a flamethrower, getting in close will become more of a challenge.
Name: Taru Hagakure
Quirk: Invisibility
Threat: Medium
Overview: Hagakure is a nice person. She sounds super cheerful and bubbly, quickly taking the spot of Ashido's best friend. Though given her costume (or lack thereof), fighting her will make me feel uncomfortable. I just don't want to hit something I shouldn't!
Invisibility is something I wished I had on my really bad days before meeting Ryoko. Just fading into the background so no one could see me. But that isn't how Hagakure's quirk works. It seems to be active all the time, making her body invisible. Though despite this, she is one of the most expressive members in the class. No doubt having to go above and beyond in order to make up for people not being able to see her. Her strength lies in her stealth.
With that said, her weakness lies in two key areas. The first is that the more she wishes to remain unseen, the more clothes she needs to take off. Yes, she has to be completely naked. In this state, the very environment around her becomes her enemy. If it becomes too cold, she will begin to freeze faster. If there are anything like shards of metal on the floor her feet will get cut up. She is very much exposed with no means of defending herself. On top of that, she isn't all that physically strong, as the only one to do worse than her in the quirk assessment test was Mineta. Overall, her physical abilities are just slightly above where I was before meeting Ryoko.
Fighting Hagakure will be tricky. I know myself well enough to know that I'll have a hard time fighting a naked girl. I…I don't want to punch something that will make me feel dirty, and the chances of an accidental groping are way too high for my liking. And while she isn't stronger than me and my body is much tougher thanks to Ryoko's training, if I let down my guard for her to get in one or more surprise attacks, I will be in bad shape. So to counter all of this I need to be smart. Start off by either blasting my surroundings in order to create a dust cloud or damage to floor. I should be able to see her as she moves through the debris or hear the rubble moving. And if I can see/hear her, I can beat her.
Name: Katsuki Bakugo
Quirk: Explosion
Threat: High
Overview: Kacchan is the person in my class I know the best. Seeing as I have written down much about what I know about him in my other notebook, I don't feel the need to repeat it here. However, with that said, there are some things that do stick out to me now that we are in High School. Kacchan seems to be losing some of his confidence. That or he is just not as used to others challenging him and not backing down when he yells at them. I can tell that there are some people who want to be his friend, like Kirishima, but right now that relationship is one-sided. As for everyone else, he is not as well-liked as he was back in Middle School.
Explosion is a powerful quirk that I am very familiar with, as it has been used on me for many years. Kacchan produces nitroglycerine on his palms, which he can then ignite, creating various-sized explosions. The more he sweats, the more easily he can make explosions. On top of this, he knows how to use his quirk in combat. Like when he grabbed me before creating several smaller explosions to spin us around, and finally pinning me to a wall. He can also use his quirk to launch himself over a short distance. Perhaps a series of rapid-fire explosions might allow him to fly.
Kacchan is strong, but I do know a few of his weaknesses. Though he will deny them if they are brought up. The first is that, while he can force himself to produce a large amount of nitroglycerine, it takes a toll on his arms, causing them to shake and feel numb for a short amount of time. Also, he does not have an infinite amount of sweat. It is true that the longer a fight goes on, the more he will sweat, making it easier for him to produce his explosions. However, this also means that he will become closer to dehydrating. Though that will take a while. His biggest weakness is his anger, which is a near-constant. It can cause him to lash out and lose focus on his goal, like what happened both yesterday and today.
My fight with Kacchan has shown me one of my own weaknesses: phasing through explosions. I am still unaware if just any explosion will cause that level of damage or if it was because of the force used due to the amount of sweat Kacchan had collected. With no current means of safely testing this I remain unsure. At the very least I should minimize the amount of time I avoid using that ability when confronting him, if not avoiding it altogether.
After my talk with Ryoko, I understand what she meant. Unlike me, Ryoko can use most of her abilities almost instantly and on rapid repeat. I have seen her use her finger beams to shoot several cans on seemingly one charge. I have also witnessed her being able to fire several dozen of the more high-speed energy blasts, creating a bally of attacks which is harder to dodge and can deal significantly more damage. I have gotten better at flight and teleporting, but phasing still requires me to make that mental effort. There is still a lag, a moment where I need to activate it. I need to do my best to improve in these areas as well as better my own fighting ability in close-range combat.
My fight with Kacchan, despite what he thinks, was not a win for me. I lost the battle as I was on the ground in pain, barely able to fight back. The only reason he thinks that is because I took a risk that paid off. But, that does not mean that I didn't learn anything from that fight. While parts of the plan I used can not be used a second time, like making him think my aim is off, I have a better understanding on what I can do to him and others like him. Going forward, my plan is to keep him on edge. Teleporting in front of him mid-swing so he doesn't have time to put up his guard or appear in a spot where his guard is down. He won't be able to react fully in time. I should also take out his support gear as soon as possible, blowing it up before he can use it to blow me up. And, should he ever become a villain, cutting off his hands will eliminate him as a threat and prevent him from harming others.
Name: Minaru Mineta
Quirk: Pop Off
Threat: Nonexistent
Overview: Mineta is the class pervert. He spends more time checking out the girls than actually working on his own improvement. More than once, I have caught him staring at a girl's butt or breasts, drooling as he did so. If there is anyone in the class who would become a villain, it would be him. Though he would not be a top-tier villain like in the old comic books. He would be a throwaway villain, like in those old mangas where the small, creepy pervert is jumping from rooftop to rooftop stealing bras and panties. Though I think in his case, he'll take it a step further.
Pop Off is a useful quirk in its own right. The balls on Minesta's head can be pulled off with ease, instantly regrowing so that he can throw. This appears to be unassuming, which might be the point, as they stick to whatever they touch. The only exception is Mineta himself, who seems to be able to bounce off of them.
Once you know this, the surprise wears off. These balls can be destroyed and avoided, only becoming a threat when you are surrounded by them. Then, there is Mineta himself. Whenever he is put in a situation with a girl, he loses all focus on what's in front of him and instead begins to drool over the girl. I strongly believe that, should he ever be placed in a life-or-death situation, he may take the opportunity to grope the girl as a last act before his 'death'. He is also very weak, coming in at the bottom of the quirk assessment test. He is also a major coward. During the battle trail, he let Yaoyorozu do all the work. And, when the heroes came, he hid in the back of the room begging for his teammate to save him. After that, he began to just throw his balls in a panic.
Should we ever have to fight each other, I do not see how Mineta could pose an issue for me. I can phase through those balls, either while they're in mid-air or if one somehow gets stuck to me. I can also fly over any that are on the ground or teleport away from them. The closer I get to Mineta, the more he will panic. Physically, I have the greater strength and fighting ability. I will still keep my guard up in case he has something up his sleeve, but as of right now I can end the fight quickly before moving on.
Name: Momo Yaoyorozu
Quirk: Creation
Threat: Medium
Overview: Yaoyorozu is the other recommended student in our class. She gives off shelter-rich girl vibes. Not that that is a knock against her or anything. Just that she seems to hold herself more prim and proper with us in a similar manner as how Ida is stiff at time when he wishes to uphold our school's honor. She also has a bit more of a polite manner of speaking, using hand gestures more often. I can also tell that she is smart, as, during classes, she was always the first to raise her hand and got every question right. In fact, she gave such detailed answers that our teachers looked shocked!
Creation seems like one of the ultimate quirks, something I would expect from someone who got into the school via recommendation. It allows the user to create anything she wants from her body. The only limit or rule that I know of is that she can only create non-organic matter. Meaning she can't create life, which would be creepy if she could. However, the other rules remain a mystery to me. Does she need to perfectly envision the object she wants to create or is it something else? What is the fuel she needs? My money is her fat/lipid cells, using them in a similar manner as Fat Gum. With her intelligence, she can create what she needs for whatever situation she is in.
Her weaknesses is something I noticed while watching her over the last couple of days. The first is that she seems to prefer overly complicated methods to solve a situation. Then, if something goes wrong, she has no backup plan as it appears that she put all her eggs into one basket. It just feels like she leaves no wiggle room. Also, she seems to like cannons a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Maybe it's because she can easily imagine how to make them or something, but they are all a one-shot and done deal. They are also heavy and hard to move. Finally, while she can make just about anything, it's highly doubtful that she is proficient in using everything.
Facing Yaoyorozu will be a little bit tricky. If we were ever to face each other, she would no doubt remember what happened in the battle trail and do her best to recreate the situation that put me down. Or, a simpler solution, create a flamethrower and use it against me. My objective will need to be to destroy as many of her creations as quickly as possible. To break through them using my sword and energy attacks. Keep her on the back foot, not giving her time to think. Make her panic. What makes this plan tricky is that, if I'm going into an area where she has already fortified herself, I will not be aware of all the traps she has laid before me.
Name: Hitoshi Shinso
Quirk: Brainwashing
Threat: Low
Overview: While not a member of 1-A, I believe that he belongs there and I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring him to the hero course. Like me, no one ever believed that he would be a hero. In fact, they believed in the opposite thinking that he would be a villain due to what his quirk is. I have looked into the quirks of many heroes in my life and what always matters is how they are used. All quirks can be used to hurt, steal, and cause harm to our society. Mt. Lady, for example, has the potential to crush people at will and destroy buildings. But she doesn't. Instead, she is out there trying to help people.
Brainwashing is a powerful quirk in its own right. All Shinso has to do is get someone to answer him or talk back to him, and then he can control them. Having had this quirk used on me twice now, I can only describe it as an out-of-body experience. I was aware of what was going on, but helpless to do anything other than what I was told. However, I will note that while under control, the only things I could do seemed to be simple tasks.
While this is a powerful quirk, Shinso isn't unbeatable. For starters, once you know how his quirk works then you know to remain quiet when dealing with him. This means that, once Shinso becomes a pro, it will be harder for him to operate. He might have to go the underground hero route. Another weakness is that a person can be snapped out of this trace-like state. A slight blow seems to be enough to break control, making it so that Shinso will need to reestablish it. This will make fighting against large groups more difficult. Finally, Shinso is not all that strong right now. I am working to fix it, but it will take time.
Since I know what Shinso is capable of, there are two conditions that he will need to meet in order to defeat me. The first, and most important, will be to remove Kyo from the equation. As long as he is near me, he can snap me out of his control. The second will be to take me by surprise. Since I know how his quirk works, he will need to disguise his voice or misdirect me in some manner in order to gain control. Unless he can pull this off, I should be able to win every fight.
Additionally, I'd like to take a moment to think of some pro heroes Shinso should seek for an internship. Off the top of my head, there are two pros out there that will do him some good who are not employed at our school. The first is Gang Orcha. If there is any pro out there who knows what Shinso is going through, as he is the top hero who looks like a villain according to recent polls, it would be him. Studying under him would likely help Shinso 'own' what others call a villainous quirk. The second would be Sir Nighteye. Ok, maybe this is my All Might fanboy nature talking, but I believe it would be helpful. Both of them have quirks that are non-combative, and Sir Nighteye is a pro who works a lot in investigative work. Meaning he could help Shinso with reading people and the like.
-x-
As Izuku continued to write down his notes, something far more sinister was occurring.
In a seemingly rundown warehouse, the sludge villain known as Yamada opened the sliding steel door, causing nearly every head in the room to turn and look at them. There were dozens of them, criminals who had managed to stay in the shadows and avoid capture from the high number of heroes, with more gathering here each day. When Yamada looked inside, he saw that his fellow League members had tensed, ready in chase he was some random hero. And it was only when he saw them relaxing did he entered along with his guests.
The people behind him were a sorry lot: Ink Drop and the members of his gang that had not abandoned him after he had been defeated and left naked on the streets by some random crazy woman. Now all that was left were three, a small handful left of what had once been an impressive gang. lead a small group of new recruits. This group was all that remained of the gang held by Ink Drop, a handful compared to what it had once been. And none of them looked like they would be much help. There was one guy with red spikes coming out of his skull. Then there was another who had lens for eyes. The only one who looked like he would be able to help was the last one who had lobster-like arms.
As they moved, Yamada glanced behind him to see the reactions of the newest members of the League of Villains. Ink Drop was looking around at all the other criminals they had gathered, a look of glee appearing on his face. No doubt imagining the damage they could do to U.A. with this many villains. But the other three, they seemed to huddle closer together. Clearly they were nervous.
Soon, they reached the other side of the room where a couch lay. On it was a man covered in severed hands. And behind the man were two additional figures. One was a man shrouded in dark mist with glowing yellow eyes. Yamada had seen this figure before and he seemed to follow around the hand guy like a shadow. But the other person there caused Yamada to stumble a bit as he was new. This person was a monster. A giant who looked like he was made of muscles, a beak for a mouth that still contained a number of jagged teeth, and an exposed brain. It's eyes lacked any intelligence, but there was something about it that caused Yamada to hesitate in approaching. Still, the sludge villain steeled himself.
After all, he needed to formally introduce the people he had brought in to help the League.