Chapter 19
Izuku stared at the massive metallic gate looming before him, part of an equally colossal wall that encircled the arena designated for him. A large 'C' in bright yellow was emblazoned at the top of the gate, boldly marking his assigned city.
A bus had ferried the candidates to their designated 'Cities' for the second phase of the Entrance Exam. While Izuku found himself in city 'C', Iida had been sent to city 'A'. He had heard whispers that U.A. boasted an expansive campus, but standing here, it felt overwhelming and almost ridiculous. How could they possibly have not one, but seven arenas, each capable of hosting a small town, all within their grounds?
They had all been instructed to change into comfortable clothing for the physical round. Izuku had chosen his gym attire, the same outfit he wore during exercising sessions with Nemuri. It consisted of a green jacket adorned with white stripes along the shoulders and matching green pants with white stripes running down the sides. His feet were clad in white and blue sports shoes. In contrast, Iida had opted for Somei's gym clothes, a sleek blue jumpsuit that hugged his form.
Izuku's custom-made sunglasses shielded his eyes. It often led people to mistakenly believe he was blind. Even during their way here, candidates had approached him to help him. He had to clarify that he could see perfectly well, sharing a few laughs with those who approached him. This misunderstanding was a common occurrence in his daily life at this point; his sunglasses always sparked assumptions that he was sightless, when in truth, he perceived far more than most.
"ALRIGHT BOYS AND GIRLS!" Present Mic's voice thundered through the air, electrifying the atmosphere. Izuku glanced up, noticing several speakers affixed to the gate's frame, amplifying the Pro-Hero's exuberance. "THE SECOND ROUND OF THE ENTRANCE EXAM IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! ARE YOU GUYS READY?! GIVE ME A YEAH!"
Unfortunately, as had happened many times that day, the crowd remained silent, ignoring the enthusiastic call of the poor Pro-Hero.
"Now, if you all are ready," Present Mic continued, undeterred by the lack of response. "Let me tell you, there will be plenty of surprises in this exam. Many invigilators will be watching you throughout this entire round. We will judge you for who you are and how true a Hero you can be. So, do your best, boys and girls! Now... READY, SET—"
Izuku didn't hesitate for a moment longer. He dropped into an Olympic sprinter's stance, his right leg stretched fully behind him while his left leg bent up to his chest.
"—GO!"
With a powerful push, he dashed toward the city gate, slipping through just as it opened wide enough for one person. He was already past the threshold before the gate had fully parted.
Meanwhile, the other candidates stood frozen, caught in a moment of uncertainty, unsure of what to do next. Present Mic's booming voice jolted them back to reality.
"What are you guys waiting for? That guy just jumped in! GO! GO! GO!"
His words sliced through the air, breaking the spell of hesitation. The candidates sprang into action, rushing toward the city as the gates swung open wide, eager to follow in Izuku's wake.
"Quite the enthusiastic candidate, eh?" Nezu remarked, observing Izuku sprint through the gate almost as soon as Present Mic announced the start of the exam. He couldn't deny his intrigue in witnessing the 'Night Crawler' in action after four years of honing his quirk.
Midnight stifled a giggle at Nezu's playful act of ignorance. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. She could not wait to watch Izuku effortlessly breeze through this round. This round was practically tailor-made for someone like him.
"Green hair...?" Power Loader noted, his gaze fixed on Izuku. He turned to Midnight, curiosity evident in his expression. "Is that supposed to be your nephew, Midnight?"
Midnight beamed, her pride swelling in her chest as she met Power Loader's gaze. "Of course, he is," she replied, her smile wide and infectious.
"Just so we are clear," Ectoplasm interjected, casting a neutral glance at Midnight. "You haven't told him anything about the exam, right?"
Midnight frowned, annoyance flickering across her features. She huffed, crossing her arms. "Who do you think I am?" she retorted, her irritation palpable as she bristled at the suggestion of facilitating cheating. "And just so you know, my nephew doesn't need any kind of help to ace this exam."
"Hey, he's made contact with the obstacles," Power Loader announced, directing everyone's gaze to the screen.
Off to the side, away from the other faculty members, two figures stood—All Might and Eraser Head. Both were engrossed in the screens, but their reasons for watching so intently were worlds apart.
Izuku rushed through the gates, appearing in the city almost in the blink of an eye. He looked around, noting the eerie emptiness that surrounded him. Maybe the robots are deeper, he thought, as he began to dash further into the city, this time at a more controlled speed. It was only when he turned the first corner that he saw something that made his eyes go wide and heart race.
Before him stood a man and a woman, huddled together in fear. A nervous sweat broke out on his forehead as he approached them quickly.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Izuku called out, stepping closer.
The couple turned to face him, terror etched across their features. "We don't know," replied the man, trembling. "We were sleeping in our houses, and suddenly we are here. We have no idea what is going on."
"Please! Are you here to save us?" the woman pleaded, her eyes wide with desperation.
"What?" Izuku exclaimed, confusion washing over him. What were these two talking about? Why were civilians here in the first place? There was no way U.A. was kidnapping people and dropping them at the test sites, right?
However, he couldn't question them any further as a shadow suddenly loomed over them. Izuku turned around to find a 3-pointer aiming its gun directly at them.
"Target confirmed," the bot announced in a chilling tone.
Izuku's eyes narrowed, his heart racing as he glanced back at the couple, who huddled together and were trembling in fear. He felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. The villain bot's gun flared with ominous energy, and he knew they had to act fast.
And then, the bot fired. The energy blast shot toward Izuku with terrifying speed, exploding when it was only an inch away from him and enveloping the area in a massive cloud of dust and dark smoke, consuming Izuku and the couple completely.
In the invigilator's room, everyone except Nezu and Midnight stared at the screen, their eyes wide with dread as they braced for the worst.
"Shit!" Power Loader cursed, his voice rising in panic. "Stop the damn exam! We already have a casualty," he shouted, frustration boiling over. "I knew this was a bad idea."
Midnight, however, wore a discreet smirk. They weren't ready to witness the true extent of what Izuku was capable of.
"Wait, look," Ectoplasm exclaimed, pointing at the screen with growing excitement.
Everyone looked at the screen, their expressions shifting from fear to amazement, their eyes widening in disbelief.
As the dark smoke began to dissipate in City 'C', it slowly revealed Izuku, completely unharmed, his right hand raised with his index and middle fingers crossed. The couple behind him stood just as untouched, their eyes wide with astonishment as they stared at Izuku's back.
"I don't exactly know what U.A. is thinking here," said Izuku. His voice was firm and laced with irritation. "But I can clearly say that I am not liking it one bit."
Without wasting another moment, Izuku sprang into action, launching himself at the 3-pointer. He landed on its head, his fingers digging deep into the weapon, ripping it from the bot's body with a fierce determination. With a powerful leap, he hurled the gun back at the villain bot, the impact causing a spectacular explosion.
Izuku landed gracefully on the ground and approached the civilians. "Are you guys alright?" he asked gently, concern etched on his face.
The couple nodded shakily. "Y-Yeah," the man stammered, quivering from shock and fear. They rose to their feet and looked at Izuku. "We will go and see if we can find any clear ground," he added. "Please, my friend, you need to help the others around here."
Izuku's eyes widened in horror and confusion. "There are others?" he asked.
"Yes," the woman replied urgently. "There were others with us, but we went our separate ways after we woke up. Please! You need to save them as well."
"Tell them to go deeper into the city," urged the man. "We will find shelter there. The bots should be less frequent in that area."
Izuku nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at him. "I will go with you," he suggested, but the man shook his head vehemently.
"NO! You need to save the others! Please!" The man's insistence took Izuku by surprise.
"Alright, I will," Izuku agreed, though the whirlwind of confusion in his mind made it hard to focus. "Please be careful," he added, concern creeping into his voice.
The couple nodded, exchanging a determined glance before turning and rushing away, their figures quickly disappearing into the haze of the city.
Izuku watched the couple disappear into the distance, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over him. He felt uneasy about letting them run off alone. Maybe he should follow them, just to be sure they were safe. But what troubled him even more was the question of why civilians were in a place like this. What was U.A. trying to accomplish? There was no way they would be cruel enough to kidnap people from their homes and drop them here without a second thought, right?
Gulping dryly, he steeled himself to follow after the couple, determined to ensure their safety. But just as he took a step forward, multiple villain bots materialized before him, blocking his path. "Well, damn," he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling up inside him.
"I guess we underestimated the kid," Ectoplasm remarked, an impressed look on his face as he watched the boy emerge unscathed from the bot's attack.
Power Loader whistled in awe when Izuku ripped the gun from the bot's head and hurled it back, causing an explosion. "Damn, ruthless as well."
"What is his quirk, Midnight?" Snipe asked, glancing over at her with curiosity.
Midnight's grin was infectious as she turned her head toward Snipe. "Not telling ya," she replied playfully, winking at the Pro-Hero mischievously.
Izuku was having the time of his life as he launched himself at another 1-pointer from the top of a 2-pointer. With a swift motion, he grabbed the 1-pointer by its side and dropped to the ground, spinning and hurling it toward a nearby building. The 1-pointer crashed into the structure, exploding on impact, the blast echoing through the desolate field.
This was the tenth 1-pointer he had taken down, yet more kept appearing as if summoned from thin air. He glanced to his right, where another street unfolded, revealing other candidates locked in fierce battles. Civilians scrambled to escape the chaos, desperately seeking safety. All around him, some candidates fought against the villain bots while others worked tirelessly to help the civilians flee the turmoil.
Izuku's mind raced, searching for meaning in the exam. There was no way U.A. would be so cruel without reason. Shaking his head, he dismissed the thoughts. There was no point in dwelling on the why. His priority was clear: he needed to help as many civilians as possible escape the chaos. After that, if time allowed, he could take on some villain bots. How hard could that possibly be?
However, he soon found himself surrounded by three more villain bots, prompting an exasperated sigh to escape his lips. Just as he prepared to leap into action, a figure shot past him, launching themselves at one of the 2-pointers. Izuku watched in wide-eyed amazement as a spiky, red-haired boy plunged his hands into the bot's head, causing it to malfunction and topple over. The boy maintained his grip as he leaped to the ground, then sent the bot crashing into another one nearby.
"You alright, dude?" asked the red-haired boy, turning to Izuku. Sweat glistened on his forehead.
Izuku nodded slowly, still taken aback by the unexpected rescue. "Yeah," he replied.
"Be careful, alright," the boy said, flashing a thumbs-up before darting away to continue the fight.
Chuckling at the absurdity of the situation, Izuku turned left down an empty street, eager to find more civilians in need of help. He decided to leave the other candidates to handle the chaos on the other side.
As he sprinted down the street, Izuku spotted a man trapped inside an overturned car. Without hesitation, he rushed over and knelt beside the vehicle. "Hey," he called out to the man in the driver's seat. "You alright? Can you get out?"
The man turned to him, surprisingly unscathed despite the car's battered condition. A sense of unease washed over Izuku; something felt off. He helped the man out of the car, steadying him as he regained his footing.
"You can stand?" Izuku asked, disbelief coloring his voice.
"Yes," the man replied, panting heavily. "Thankfully, I was unharmed."
"Alright," Izuku said, urgency creeping into his tone. "Head deeper into the city. The other civilians are going that way."
"Thank you," the man said, offering a grateful nod before moving away.
Suddenly, a 3-pointer materialized out of nowhere, looming ominously over them.
"Go, go, go!" Izuku urged, giving the man a gentle push to hurry him along.
"Be safe, kid," the man called back as he dashed away, leaving Izuku to face the impending threat.
Izuku turned to face the 3-pointer, now flanked by two more of its kind. The leading bot flared its gun, aiming directly at him before firing without warning.
With a surge of adrenaline, Izuku evaded the energy blast effortlessly, twisting his body to dodge the attack, which detonated against the ground with a resounding impact. Seizing the moment, he charged at the leading bot, driving his fist straight through its chest. Grabbing the tangled wires inside for leverage, he transformed the bot into an improvised weapon, using it to strike the two other 3-pointers that had closed in around him.
With a powerful heave, he hurled the damaged bot a couple of meters away, watching as it collided with another 3-pointer, resulting in a another explosion that lit up the battlefield.
"Quite the lively crop we have this year, huh?" Snipe commented watching one of the televisions that displayed a boy with multiple arms standing on the roof of a building.
"True. A lot of them have quite the flashy quirks", Present Mic pointed out, watching a blue-haired boy running very fast and smashing robots with powerful kicks. "Hey, isn't that the Iida kid?"
"Yeah," Power Loader confirmed, "he's Tensei's brother." He chuckled watching the boy carry two civilians on his shoulder and rush away.
"Huh! Kid seemed a bit too strict for my liking," Present Mic commented. "But I guess he has what it takes to be a hero."
"Hm. There are quite a few creative ones too," Cementoss said looking at the screens displaying a girl with brown hair and round blush marks on her cheeks, a girl with purple hair and long earlobes, and a practically invisible girl.
"Impressive, indeed," Snipe said looking at the screens.
The brown-haired girl was using her quirk to clear fallen villain bots from the path creating a path for the civilians. The purple-haired one was using her jack-like earlobes to create vibrations and damage the robots. And the invisible girl had found the 'stop' buttons on the robots and was using them to gather points. All of them, however, were using as many opportunities as they could find to help the civilians away from all the chaos around them.
"We have quite the explosive one here too," Vlad King said, pointing at another screen.
The screen displayed a boy with ash-blonde hair standing over a 3-pointer, his hands cackling with small explosions.
"So, an explosion-type quirk, huh?" Midnight commented watching the boy. "Quite an interesting quirk for a Hero."
They all were impressed once again as the explosion boy used his little explosions to free a civilian from under some rubble and help them away from the destruction.
"Seems good enough," Midnight added with a shrug.
There were other kids who were impressing them just as much. There was a red-haired kid who was going around attacking bots that were trying to attack the 'civilians'. Midnight and All Might were actually quite impressed with the boy because he had jumped without hesitation to save another candidate. There was a pink-skinned girl spitting acid from her hands and melting bots that came into her reach. Another candidate, who had a mutant-type quirk and appeared to be a yeti or something, was smashing bots with each other and using his body to protect civilians.
"This year really is an interesting one," Nezu commented, his eyes fixed on Izuku.
Izuku launched himself at another 2-pointer, his legs outstretched as he delivered a powerful kick that sent the bot spinning out of control, crashing into two more—a 1-pointer and 2-pointer respectively. The impact cleared a path for four civilians to escape to safety.
Despite the exam's mounting frustrations, Izuku felt a rush of exhilaration as he fought the bots. It was liberating to unleash his quirks without restraint, a feeling he had longed for during the times he had been forced to hold back. U.A. had given him the chance to use his abilities fully once again, and he was determined to make the most of it.
With renewed vigor, Izuku dashed toward a cluster of bots threatening a group of civilians. Three 1-pointers and one 3-pointer loomed menacingly. He leaped onto the back of the 3-pointer, digging his hands into its head. With a swift maneuver, he aimed the bot's gun at one of the 1-pointers just as it began to fire. The shots rang out, taking down the 1-pointers in an instant.
In one fluid motion, he ripped the gun from the bot's head and brought it crashing down onto the 3-pointer, sending it crumpling to the ground.
But Izuku wasn't finished yet. He hurled the detached gun at another 3-pointer, watching as it crashed into a nearby building with a satisfying thud.
"Get to safety, now!" Izuku commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos and spurring the civilians into action. He turned just in time to see two more civilians cornered by two 2-pointers and one 1-pointer.
Without a moment's hesitation, Izuku sprang into action. He ripped a light pole from the ground, feeling its weight in his hands as he charged toward the threat. He leaped behind the back of the 1-pointer, swinging the light pole like a baseball bat. The impact sent the bot flying into one of the 2-pointers, taking them both out in a loud collision.
With a swift adjustment, he gripped the light pole like a javelin and launched it at the last remaining 2-pointer taking it out instantly.
"Come on! Get going," Izuku urged, watching as the two civilians sprinted away to safety, their escape igniting a fire of determination within him.
"What the hell is this kid's quirk?" Present Mic exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched Midnight's nephew effortlessly sink another three-pointer. "It's almost like he's smashing pebbles."
"If he had a strength-based quirk, that would explain his remarkable power," Power Loader commented, though the frown he wore was invisible behind his visor.
"Then how do you explain his speed?" Vlad King interjected, his brow furrowing. "That's quite extraordinary in itself. He's as fast as the Iida kid."
Snipe turned his gaze to Midnight, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "What is his quirk, Midnight?" he pressed.
"I can't tell you guys," Midnight replied, a hint of regret in her voice. She knew her answer would disappoint her colleagues, but revealing Izuku's quirks was not an option. "You can ask him yourself once he becomes our student."
"For real?" Present Mic frowned, visibly frustrated. He turned to Nezu, his excitement bubbling over. "Hey, Principal! Come on, tell her to spill the beans about the kid's quirk."
"What are you asking for?" Snipe retorted. "You should know about his quirk. You have known the boy for four years!"
Present Mic chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "I forgot to ask."
Vlad King looked at Aizawa and asked, "What about you?"
Aizawa shrugged his shoulder. "No idea."
"I actually agree with Midnight," Nezu said, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Ask him yourself if he becomes a student here."
"Speaking of which," Ectoplasm chimed in, glancing at Nezu with curiosity. "Who has gathered the highest points so far?"
Nezu hummed thoughtfully as he glanced down at a tablet. "Sixty villain points."
"Sixty?!" Present Mic exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. The room fell silent, everyone staring at Nezu in shock.
"Who is it?" Vlad King asked, leaning forward in anticipation.
"Izuku Midoriya," Nezu replied.
"Holy shit!" Power Loader whistled, clearly impressed. "That's fast. They still have fifteen more minutes left."
"He also has one hundred civilian points," Nezu added, his tone light but the weight of the information heavy.
A stunned silence enveloped the invigilator's room after Nezu's revelation, until Present Mic shattered it with a loud "WHAT" that echoed off the walls.
"One hundred sixty combined points already," Snipe remarked, his voice strained with disbelief. "That's simply unreal. He's already broken the previous record of one hundred fifty-nine points. And there are still fifteen minutes left."
While everyone buzzed about the phenomenal performance of Midnight's nephew, Eraser Head stared blankly at the screen, where Izuku was effortlessly dispatching another wave of villain bots, racking up points on his already impressive tally. There was something unsettling about the boy that ate at him. He felt a strange familiarity in Izuku's fighting style, as if he had witnessed it somewhere before, but the details eluded him—when, where, and who. Unlike the other candidates, who displayed a certain sloppiness in their techniques, this kid fought with a precision that was almost uncanny.
While everyone was fixated on Izuku's impressive combat abilities, All Might was drawn more towards his rescue attempts. They were kind of sloppy but compared to other students, he was the most proactive when it came to saving civilians. Other candidates were busy fighting the bots and would help civilians in between. Izuku was completely opposite. He was busy saving civilians and defeated any villain bots that came to harm them.
From the corner of his eyes, All Might noticed Eraser Head watching intently. "You alright, Eraser Head?" he asked, pulling Eraser Head from his reverie.
Eraser Head glanced at his fellow teacher from the corner of his eye, offering a small nod in response, but he remained silent, lost in thought.
Izuku delivered another powerful punch, sending a 2-pointer spinning before it crashed to the ground. He let out a weary huff, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in. He had to have taken down at least forty of these villain bots, yet they just kept coming. How many resources was U.A. willing to expend for this exam?
But a realization had struck him not long ago. U.A. had intentionally placed civilians in the arena, and it wasn't out of cruelty. No, the true challenge lay not in defeating the villain bots but in rescuing the civilians. Points were awarded to candidates who could evade the bots for a reason. The focus was on saving lives while ensuring the civilians remained unharmed amidst the chaos of the bots' relentless attacks.
The clearest sign of this test was that none of the villain bots were actually attacking the civilians. Instead, they merely aimed their weapons at them. It was only when he approached the bots that they would activate their guns, a warning of sorts.
At this point, Izuku felt that the civilians U.A. had placed in the arena were either hired actors or already part of the institution. He had to hand it to U.A.; it was a clever tactic to use civilians in the exam to evaluate potential students. This reasoning became even more apparent when he considered how the exam was designed to be more 'candidate-friendly.' U.A. wasn't expecting them to annihilate the villain bots. They want to see just how heroic their hearts truly are. What an incredible Hero School U.A. is!
In hindsight, Izuku realized he should have figured this out much sooner. He felt foolish to think that U.A. would actually drop unsuspecting civilians into the chaos of such a violent test. He shook his head in disappointment, feeling a bit rusty. Just as he was about to change direction, a loud crackling sound erupted from his right, accompanied by a blinding flash of light. He blinked, his sunglasses shielding his eyes from the glare, and turned to see a spiky, bright blonde-haired boy strutting in a circle, his fingers mimicking a gun. The boy's erratic steps were accompanied by five 2-pointers laying on the ground around him.
A frown creased Izuku's brow as he observed the boy's bizarre antics. "What's wrong with him?" he muttered under his breath. Curious, he decided to approach the boy. Leaping down from the robot he had just taken down, he rushed toward the blonde-haired boy. "Hey!" he called out, raising his voice to cut through the chaos. "You alright, buddy?"
"Wheeee~" the boy moaned, his eyes glazed over as he continued to spin in circles.
"I guess he's experiencing a quirk backlash," Izuku murmured, pulling his glasses down slightly to get a better look at the boy. His eyes quickly processed information about the kid's quirk, revealing it to be electric-based. It seemed that his quirk had temporarily fried his brain. "I need to get this guy to safety."
Just then, metallic crinkling noises reached his ears. Reacting instinctively, Izuku lunged at the boy, pushing him to the ground and shielding him with his own body just as a bot fired a shot in their direction. His Infinity activated, absorbing the impact of the blast and protecting them. He glanced back, spotting four bots hovering ominously above them, their weapons aimed menacingly.
"Nice," Present Mic grinned, clearly impressed by Izuku's heroic display.
"He's got potential," Snipe commented, nodding in approval as he watched the scene unfold on the screen. Everyone in the room shared his sentiment, their eyes glued to the action.
All Might himself was captivated, his eyes gleaming with hope and fascination as he observed the boy's bravery.
Aizawa remained silent, his gaze fixed on the screen. Though he wouldn't voice it, he recognized the boy's immense potential.
Midnight smiled proudly, confident that Izuku would impress everyone present.
Nezu chuckled happily, the reason for his amusement left unspoken, but no one questioned his joy.
An uncharacteristic sneer twisted Izuku's face as he prepared to leap at the villain bots, but before he could make his move, someone else beat him to it. A shadow loomed over him, and he watched with a frown as a dark-haired boy descended onto the frontmost bot. Izuku's eyes widened in shock as the boy maniacally dismantled the bot, tearing through its metallic casing, wires, and internal components with wild abandon. Without missing a beat, he shifted his focus to the other bots, leaping onto them and ripping them apart in the same frenzied manner.
Izuku quickly activated his Infinity again, using it to deflect a bot that was hurled his way by the boy's reckless assault. "HEY!" Izuku roared in frustration. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Huh?" The dark-haired boy turned to Izuku, his expression one of visible disgust. "What was that, you dumbass?" he growled back, irritation lacing his words.
"What the hell was that?" Izuku shot back, glaring at the dark-haired boy. "Are you trying to injure the others?"
The boy paused, wide-eyed for a moment, before erupting into maniacal laughter. "HAHAHA! If those idiots get hurt so easily, then maybe they don't deserve to be here in the first place!"
Fueled by anger, Izuku shot up and grabbed the boy by his collar, shaking him roughly. "What the hell does that mean?" he roared, his own fury shimmering in his eyes. "We're here to become heroes, not villains!"
The boy swatted Izuku's hand away, his expression unreadable. His narrowed eyes locked onto Izuku's rage-filled ones. "If they can't protect themselves, how will they protect others?" he huffed, turning away. "But I can't expect some weakling like you to understand that." With that, he rushed off, leaving a stunned Izuku staring after him, wide-eyed and bewildered.
"And some are really...rough," Vlad King commented.
They felt uncomfortable hearing the dark-haired boy's words to Izuku.
"I mean… I understand his sentiment," Snipe said uncomfortably. "But it feels...wrong."
"Yeah, he failed in my opinion," Present Mic said, his voice filled with distaste. Everyone in the room nodded agreeing with Present Mic's stance.
Izuku's hands clenched tightly into fists, his body trembling with anger. What kind of candidates were aspiring to be heroes these days? Guys like these didn't belong in Hero schools; they should be in juvenile centers instead. But then again, did he really have the right to question anyone's intentions for wanting to be a Hero?
Releasing a long sigh he turned back to the blonde-haired boy, who still seemed to be suffering from quirk backlash. Izuku closed the distance between them and hoisted the boy onto his shoulders, ensuring he was securely balanced. With a determined look, he dashed into the city, seeking a safe place for the boy. The number of villain bots lurking near the city walls was far greater than in the inner parts, and he needed to act fast.
Izuku sprinted through the chaos, skillfully dodging villain bots that lurked in his path. In this part of the arena, several candidates were engaged in fierce battles against the bots, clearing a way for other candidates and civilians to push deeper into safety. He felt a surge of admiration for those who had banded together to help the civilians escape the battlefield. Had they grasped the true purpose of the test, or were they simply acting from the goodness of their hearts? He would never know.
"Hey, green-haired boy!" a voice called from a distance.
Izuku skidded to a halt, his heels digging into the concrete road. He turned to see a girl with short purple hair waving her hands at him, standing in front of a café.
"Over here," she beckoned again.
Understanding her signal, Izuku dashed toward her. "Hey," he greeted as he approached. "Are the civilians here?"
"Yes," the girl replied, leading him inside the café. "They've gathered here with other injured candidates."
"There are injured candidates?" Izuku asked, following closely behind her.
"Unfortunately, yes," she said, pushing open the café door and allowing Izuku to step inside.
Once Izuku stepped inside, his eyes widened in horror. The café was filled with civilians and candidates alike. He quickly scanned the room, noting that some civilians appeared unharmed, but a lot of them bore scratches and cuts. Some candidates were tending to the injured civilians, while others needed treatment for their own wounds.
Was he wrong about the test? Was U.A. actually putting civilians and candidates in harm's way? Shouldn't that land them in court, facing criminal charges? Was this the reason U.A. had them sign non-disclosure forms? To shield their actions from scrutiny?
Something felt deeply off. Nemuri wouldn't be part of an institution that would allow such cruelty. He believed in her integrity. So why was this happening? Why were they inflicting harm on civilians? Why were they putting candidates at risk? What were they trying to achieve with this twisted test? The questions swirled in his mind, each one more troubling than the last.
"Hey, green," the girl called from his side, pulling him out of his thoughts. "You alright? You started muttering creepily all of a sudden...in some weird language."
"Huh?" Izuku felt a flush of embarrassment creep across his cheeks. "I-I'm sorry. I have a bad habit of muttering when I get too excited or nervous."
"Oh..." The girl gave him a curious look. "Are you autistic?"
"...I don't know?" Izuku replied after a moment of hesitation.
The girl looked at him skeptically as if not believing his words. "Lay the guy down on the floor," she instructed.
Izuku followed her instruction, gently placing the boy from his shoulders onto the floor, ensuring he was comfortable. The boy seemed to have lost consciousness on the way.
"Is he alright?" the girl asked, checking the boy for any signs of injury. "He doesn't look hurt."
"Quirk backlash," Izuku explained. "I'm Izuku Midoriya, by the way."
"Kyoka Jirou," the girl introduced herself, not bothering to make eye contact.
"How long have you been here?" Izuku asked as he stood up and glanced around the room.
"Not long," Jirou replied, rising to her feet as well. "I just brought a few civilians here."
The two of them stepped out of the café, greeted by an oddly quiet street. The other candidates, who had been battling or evading the villain bots just moments ago, now looked confused and relieved by the sudden absence of danger, many of them dropping to the ground with heavy sighs of relief.
Izuku had a bad feeling. He didn't like the calmness in the streets. His instincts screamed at him that something worse was about to happen. But what? What was happening was already bad. How much worse could it get?
"It's quiet," Jirou commented in a hushed tone.
Izuku nodded uncomfortably. He stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye, noticing for the first time that her earlobes were shaped like earphone jacks. He almost let out an impressed whistle as he watched her left earlobe extend downward, resembling a snake with the jack embedding itself into the ground.
"Something's coming," she said after a moment of concentration, a note of dread creeping into her voice. "Something big."
"Five minutes left," Present Mic called out, glancing at Nezu.
"I guess it's time," the Principal replied, his right paw hovering over a red button. "Let the chaos begin!" he announced, pressing the button with a decisive flourish.
For a brief moment, the arena stood still, bathed in the warm glow of late afternoon sunlight. However, the tranquility was shattered when a faint tremor rattled the ground, like a distant echo reverberating through the ground. Jirou's earlobe shot up from the earth, urgency etched across her features. "We need to evacuate," she urged, but it was already too late.
The ground began to hum, a low, ominous sound that rattled the soles of everyone in the arena. Izuku nudged his glasses down his nose, staring intently at the pavement over them. His eyes gleamed intensely as he forced himself to see beyond the asphalt. His heart raced as he caught a glimpse of something massive lurking beneath the surface.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the pavement, catching everyone off guard. The asphalt buckled and heaved, as if something powerful was clawing its way up from the depths below.
And then it emerged.
The 100-pointer.
A deafening roar of metal colliding with metal shattered the stillness of the arena. Concrete and asphalt buckled beneath the strain. The ground cracked open with a sound like thunder as the colossal metallic monolith shot up from the depths below. Dirt and shattered concrete erupted into the air as the bot's head broke through, its single eye gleaming an ominous red.
A nearby building crumbled like a child's toy, reduced to rubble in an instant as the gigantic villain tore through it, sending a cloud of dust and smoke billowing into the sky.
Izuku stared wide-eyed at the towering structure, its sheer size dwarfing everything else in the arena. It was a sight that could be seen from every corner. He glanced to his right and saw Jirou had fallen to the ground, her knees trembling as she gazed at the monolith, fear etched across her face.
And then the screams erupted, leading into even more chaos in the arena. Civilians and candidates scrambled in every direction, panic gripping them at the sight of the villain bot. The horrifying experience from earlier had already shaken their confidence, giving them a harsh taste of what real hero work entailed.
Iida stood frozen, his gaze locked onto the towering metallic monolith that loomed ominously before him. What kind of madness had U.A. descended into, allowing such a monstrous creation to be unleashed in an arena teeming with inexperienced candidates?
Panic erupted around him as fellow students screamed and scrambled, desperately trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the menacing villain bot. Iida understood all too well that confronting this mechanical beast was futile. Just as he prepared to pivot on his heels and activate the engines in his legs for a swift escape, a piercing cry cut through the chaos.
"HELP ME!"
The desperate plea sliced through the cacophony of terror, reaching Iida's ears with alarming clarity. His head snapped toward the source of the voice, and through the throng of panicked bodies, he spotted a black-haired girl trapped beneath a pile of debris. Time seemed to slow as dread washed over him; she was in grave danger.
Before he could process his next move, the giant villain bot began its relentless advance, its cold metal frame shifting ominously in her direction.
There was no way U.A. would allow a girl to be crushed under the weight of that monstrous bot, right? Surely, there had to be some kind of system in place that would enable the machine to detect her presence. Iida tried to convince himself that saving her was unnecessary because U.A. would never let any harm come to its candidates.
But then, memories from the exam flooded his mind; images of villain bots attacking candidates with ruthless efficiency, the cries of injured civilians mingling with those of his fellow students. He recalled the non-disclosure forms they had all signed before entering this chaotic trial, a stark reminder that safety was not guaranteed.
A chill gripped Iida's heart as he faced a harsh reality: U.A. might not be as benevolent as it claimed to be, despite its reputation as the greatest hero academy in the country. Panic surged within him; what could he possibly do? He was just one candidate among many, and no one else seemed willing to help the girl trapped beneath the debris.
Then, a distant memory flickered to life in his mind, echoing the words of his dear friend.
"Why wait for a hero to arrive when you can be one yourself? Isn't that what we're striving to be, Iida?"
Those words resonated deeply within him, spoken during a moment when Izuku had helped a little girl retrieve her balloon from a tree. At the time, they had seemed trivial and even somewhat absurd, a poorly timed joke even. But now... now those very words ignited a spark of determination within him, fortifying his resolve.
With newfound confidence surging through him, Iida's engines roared to life as he shifted into third gear. Without wasting another precious second, he launched himself toward the girl trapped beneath the debris, his legs propelling him forward with incredible speed. In just six heart-pounding seconds, he reached her side. The robot was still far enough away that he felt a surge of hope; there was still time to help her escape and carry her to safety.
The girl's head turned to Iida, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. Kneeling on one knee beside her, Iida spoke as gently as he could, striving to mask the panic that churned within him. "I will lift the debris. Try to pull your leg out, okay?"
She nodded silently, a flicker of hope crossing her face.
Iida's gaze shifted to the small concrete slab pinning her down, probably a small part of a nearby building that had crumbled under the chaos. He couldn't shake the feeling that her leg or ankle might be broken beneath it. Gritting his teeth, he dug his fingers under the heavy slab, straining with all his might to lift it. But it refused to budge; its weight was overwhelming. He tried again, desperate for even a slight elevation that would allow her to free herself, but his efforts were in vain.
"Let me help," came a voice from behind him. It was a girl's voice filled with urgency and determination.
Iida looked up to see the brown-haired girl with permanent blush marks on her cheeks sprinting toward them, her expression filled with worry. She knelt opposite him, fingertips stuck together, palms slightly apart. Her eyes fluttered shut as she concentrated before they snapped open, and she separated her hands before reaching out to touch the debris.
To Iida's astonishment and relief, the moment her fingers made contact, the heavy slab became as light as a feather. With newfound ease, he flung it aside, freeing the black-haired girl from her entrapment. "Can you feel your leg?" he asked anxiously.
The dark-haired girl shook her head slowly. "Sorry, I can't," she replied.
"I figured that," Iida said softly. Without hesitation, he lifted her onto his back in a piggyback style and turned his attention to the other girl who was now on all fours, slumped over in exhaustion. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he asked, "Are you alright, miss?"
"N-No," she stammered, cheeks puffing up as she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a wave of nausea and prevent herself from puking.
Iida felt a sweatdrop form at his temple. He quickly adjusted the dark-haired girl so that she nestled securely under his right arm while pulling the brown-haired girl close under his left arm. With both girls now carefully positioned for support and safety, Iida's engines roared back to life as he dashed away from the looming threat of the bot that was mere meters away from crushing them.
"That Iida kid is damn heroic," Power Loader acknowledged with a impressed smile on his face. "Just like his brother."
"True that," Ectoplasm agreed with an acknowledging nod.
"Guess his brother had a good influence on him," Present Mic commented.
"Can't discount that brown-haired girl either," Midnight pointed out, a proud smile on her face. "Without her, the Iida kid would not have been able to save the other girl."
"EVERYONE!" Izuku's voice thundered, cutting through the din. "CALM DOWN!"
But his words fell on deaf ears. People collided with one another, candidates shoving others aside in their desperate bid to escape, while civilians pushed past candidates, eager to flee first.
Izuku watched helplessly as the scene spiraled into chaos, fully aware that a stampede was imminent. He quickly turned toward Jirou, who was huddled on the ground, her knees drawn up to her chest. Pushing through the throng of panicked bodies, he made his way to her side.
"Hey," he called urgently, kneeling beside her. "Hey! Jirou! Get a hold of yourself!"
"I-I can't," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I-I can't feel my legs."
She's gone into shock, Izuku thought in worry. The events of the day must have taken a toll on her. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he said, going to pick up the girl.
"Wait, that boy... and the injured people inside," the girl said, her voice cutting through Izuku's thoughts.
He blinked, suddenly remembering them. How could he have forgotten? A drop of nervous sweat trickled down his forehead as he glanced back over his shoulder. He could easily outpace the bot and reach the arena's edge without breaking a sweat. But what about the injured candidates and civilians? They wouldn't be able to escape like him and would inevitably be crushed beneath the bot's wheels.
A part of Izuku—the logical side—told him that U.A. would never allow such a disaster to happen. But another part—the emotional side—couldn't shake the feeling that it was wrong to leave their fates in the hands of U.A. What if they lost control of the bot? What if something went horribly wrong at the last moment?
Izuku shut his eyes tightly, frustration boiling within him. Too much frustration at this point. He couldn't just stand by and let fate decide. He couldn't sit idly and watch as chaos unfolded. He needed to take action, to ensure everyone's safety. And in that moment, he knew exactly what he had to do.
"What are we going to do?" Jirou asked, her voice trembling with fear.
"I—" Izuku's lips pursed into a thin line. He glanced over his shoulder at the approaching robot. There was definitely something he could do.
"You know what? Leave! Save yourself!" Jirou cried desperately.
Izuku's head snapped towards her. "What?"
"U.A. won't let any harm fall on the candidates," she said. But even Izuku could hear the doubt in her voice. "You should go! Save yourself! You don't have to—"
Her desperate plea was abruptly cut off when Izuku, out of nowhere, booped her on the nose, catching her completely by surprise. He followed it up with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," he said, his voice calm and soothing despite the chaos around them. "I'll take care of everything."
"Huh?" Jirou stared at Izuku, wide-eyed, confusion flickering in her gaze. "What do you mean?"
Izuku took off his glasses and held it out for the girl. "Can you hold on to that for me?"
Jirou stared at the glasses, confused, before she accepted them.
He rose wordlessly to his feet, standing tall and resolute. He turned and began making his way toward the towering villain bot fearlessly.
"Hey!" Jirou called out, her voice laced with confusion and apprehension. "GREEN! Where are you going? What are you doing?"
Izuku glanced back at her over his shoulder, his reassuring smile never diminishing even for a second. "Jirou. Don't worry. Everything will be alright," he said calmly. "I'm here, aren't I?"
Jirou was left speechless by his words. How could he remain so composed in a situation like this? Why wasn't he panicking like everyone else? Was this what having nerves of steel did to a person? She watched as the green-haired boy turned back toward the villain bot, each step filled with unwavering determination.
And then the bot moved, its tank-like wheels groaning under its immense weight.
"Midoriya!" Jirou shouted desperately. "Stop! Don't do anything stupid, you idiot!"
But Izuku didn't stop. Instead, his pace quickened with each stride until he was sprinting toward the monstrous machine.
"Looks like your nephew has a death wish, Midnight," Power Loader remarked, watching as Midnight's nephew strode confidently toward the 100-pointer. Since its inception, no one had ever managed to even scratch the surface of the bot. There was no way the kid was seriously considering taking it on head-to-head.
"Should we stop the bot, Principal?" Present Mic asked, concern etched on his face.
"You guys," Midnight's voice drew everyone's attention. A knowing smirk played on her lips. "Just watch."
The bot locked onto him, its massive eye honing in on his running form. Candidates and civilians alike halted, watching in horror as they believed the boy was racing toward his own demise.
The 100-pointer raised its arm high, preparing to bring it down with ruthless force. Its enormous hand crashed against the ground, obliterating everything beneath its weight. A colossal cloud of dust and smoke engulfed the area.
Jirou's eyes widened in horror and her hands tightened around Midoriya's glasses. She had just witnessed him being crushed by the bot's hand. This couldn't be happening. U.A. wouldn't allow something like this, would they? Panic surged within her as tears welled up, her hands flying to cover her mouth to stifle a cry. She had just watched someone be crushed to death, and she was barely out of reach of that monstrous hand. The expressions of horror mirrored on the faces of the other candidates and civilians.
But then, something extraordinary occurred that sent shockwaves through the crowd.
The gigantic hand of the monolithic villain bot crumpled under an invisible force. The sound of metal being crushed echoed throughout the arena, sending chills down everyone's spines.
In the invigilator's room, Nezu cackled maniacally, thoroughly entertained by the unfolding scene. He had never anticipated that an Entrance Examination could be so exhilarating.
Midnight's smirk widened even further, if that was even possible.
Everyone else, except for Eraser Head, watched the events in City 'C' with wide eyes, captivated by the spectacle before them.
The once-mighty hand of the monolithic villain bot lay crushed, now resembling a thin pipe. From the swirling cloud of smoke and dust, Izuku emerged unscathed, his determination burning bright. He raced up the pipe-like hand, his eyes narrowed and locked onto the villain bot's face.
The bot raised its other hand, aiming to crush Izuku once more. But in a breathtaking display of athleticism, Izuku leaped and twisted his body, slipping through the gap between the bot's fingers. The bot's left hand slammed down onto its right arm, crushing the thin appendage in an instant.
Yet Izuku was already atop the robot's head. The bot attempted to crush him again, bringing its left hand down on its own head with lethal intent. But Izuku had anticipated this move from the bot. He used the incoming hand as leverage to propel himself high into the air. He twisted mid-flight, positioning himself upside down, palms facing the bot.
"Quirk Amplification: Blue!"
"Hey, watch this," Power Loader said, pressing a button on Nezu's desk.
The screen displaying City 'C' shifted to infrared. Everyone, including Nezu and Midnight, felt their eyes widen in astonishment at the sight unfolding before them.
"I would have never known if my helmet didn't constantly display infrared," Power Loader remarked, his excitement palpable.
Invisible to the naked eye, a bluish sphere the size of a car materialized just above the bot's head.
Metal groaned, the sound reverberating throughout the arena.
One plate from the top of the bot's head came loose, pulled toward the invisible sphere as if drawn by an unseen force. Then more plates followed suit, until the entire head of the bot was wrenched from its body. The moment it made contact with the invisible sphere, the head was crushed into a compact mass. More body parts were torn away, drawn toward the sphere and crushed, forming a swirling mass of scrap metal.
Everyone in the city watched in awe and disbelief as the villain bot, which had seemed invincible just moments ago, was dismantled by a single boy. Its dismembered parts floated in a metallic sphere, suspended in the air like a trophy of triumph.
"Holy... shit..." Present Mic cursed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"This is..." Snipe stammered, struggling to find the words.
"Unbelievable," Vlad King added, as if completing Snipe's thought.
"What the hell is this?" someone in the crowd gasped, awe evident in their voice. They gulped, visibly sweating from the display of power.
Now, hovering over the buildings in the arena, a massive sphere of scrap metal hung suspended in the air. It slowly descended, a loud clang echoing through the city as it struck the ground. The metallic sphere shattered, forming a towering mountain of twisted metal.
Izuku landed gracefully atop the heap, the setting sun casting a radiant glow behind him, illuminating his figure like a halo.
Candidates and civilians stared in disbelief, the sun's light giving him an almost divine aura. It was as if they were gazing upon Buddha himself.
With deliberate care, Izuku made his way down the mountain of scrap, gliding smoothly toward an awestruck Jirou. She stared at him, wide-eyed and mouth agape in shock, as he squatted before her. A bright smile spread across his face as he said, "What did I say? Everything would be alright, right?" His voice brimmed with confidence and a hint of amusement.
His eyes squinted and began fluttering. "Can I get my glasses back? My eyes kinda itch."
Loud horns blared through the arena, followed by Present Mic's booming voice echoing over the speakers. "AND WITH THAT, THE ENTRANCE EXAMS COME TO AN END! WOOHOO!"
Suddenly, more bots materialized over every city where candidates had been deployed for the test. The tops of their heads flickered with light before a holographic image of a raccoon-shaped humanoid appeared above the cities.
"Welcome, young candidates," the hologram greeted in a cheerful tone. "Am I a dog? Am I a raccoon? Who cares? Because I am the Principal of U.A., Nezu!"
Izuku watched intently, knowing that Nezu's appearance meant they would all receive some form of explanation regarding this part of the Entrance Examination.
"First of all, let me congratulate all of you for performing exceptionally well," Nezu said excitedly. "It has been some time since I've witnessed such a lively second portion of the Entrance Examination. Many of you exceeded our expectations, while some fell short. But that's just life. Now, I know you have questions. How can U.A. be so cruel as to put civilians inside the arenas during such a violent examination? How can U.A. be so cruel as to injure the candidates? Don't worry. All those you see injured were part of our prestigious institution. They often assist the Third Years in training and help us with the Entrance Examination."
Izuku's head whipped toward the injured candidates, who were waving their hands and laughing. They were even chatting with other injured 'candidates'. "I knew it," he muttered under his breath. There was no way U.A. would harm innocent civilians or candidates.
"These people are professionals at getting injured and finding themselves in unusual situations," Nezu said with a hint of humor. "So, please give them a big round of applause."
However, no one clapped. A heavy silence blanketed City 'C', with the real candidates casting glares at the fake civilians and candidates, keeping their distance. The impostors laughed awkwardly, sensing the negative energy radiating from those around them.
"The test was never about defeating as many villains as you could," Nezu continued. "Our aim was to see whether you had what it took to become a Hero or not. I must say we are impressed by this year's performance. So many of you displayed the hearts of true Heroes. After today's display, we at U.A. know that even if you do not find a place here, you will find a place somewhere else. And to the boy who destroyed the 100-pointer, congratulations on being the first person in our history to do so. Now, our medical bots will assess any injuries that need attention. I wish all of you a pleasant day. Your results will be delivered in a week's time. Until then, let's all hope for the best."
Izuku heaved a sigh of relief as he made his way toward the exit of U.A. High School. The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and gold, a breathtaking backdrop to the end of a long day. All around him, candidates who had come to take part in the Entrance Examination for the prestigious Hero institute were making their way home, their chatter filling the air.
As he strolled down the pavement, Izuku felt a multitude of eyes on him, a palpable weight of attention that sent a shiver down his spine. He could almost hear the whispers swirling around him, snippets of conversation that hinted at his recent triumph. It was likely that the candidates from his arena were eagerly recounting the moment he had destroyed the 100-pointer, a feat that had never been accomplished in U.A.'s history. It did not help that Nezu decided to announce his achievement to all the candidates in every arena.
Spotting Iida waiting for him at the gate, a smile blossomed on Izuku's face, brightening his features. He waved enthusiastically, calling out, "Iida!"
Iida turned at the sound of his name, his expression shifting to one of recognition as he waved back. "Midoriya," he greeted, adjusting his spectacles with a stoic flick. "Let me guess, you're the boy the Principal was talking about, right?"
Izuku came to a halt before Iida, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, a nervous habit that always seemed to surface in moments like this. "Yeah, I was," he admitted, letting out an awkward chuckle that barely masked his embarrassment. "How did your exam go, by the way?"
"Could have gone better," Iida replied, frustration evident in his face. "I did not expect U.A. to throw fake civilians and candidates into the arena. It hit me after the Principal's announcement that U.A. was handing out points for evading the villain bots."
"Yeah," Izuku agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "It was a bit confusing at first, but I guess it makes sense from their perspective. They were probably assessing how many candidates prioritized saving civilians over just racking up points."
"Hey, green!"
Izuku whipped around at the sound of the familiar voice, spotting Jirou and the blonde boy he had rescued during the exam jogging toward them. "Jirou," he greeted, offering a nod of acknowledgment.
"I was trying to find you everywhere," she said, coming to a stop in front of Izuku and Iida. "Blondie here wanted to talk to you." She pointed a thumb in the boy's direction.
Izuku turned his attention to the blonde boy as he waited for him to speak, eager to hear what was on his mind.
"Uh..." the blonde boy rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish gesture that hinted at his nervousness. "I heard from him that you saved me—"
"Who the hell are you calling 'him'?" Jirou interjected, her glare hard. If looks could kill, the boy would have been incinerated by her fiery gaze.
"Huh? You, of course," the boy replied, tilting his head in confusion, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and innocence.
"Blud," Izuku said, placing a reassuring hand on the blonde's shoulder. "He's a she," he clarified gently, hoping to ease the tension.
The blonde's eyes widened in shock as he turned back to Jirou, disbelief etched across his features. "You're a girl?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in astonishment. "I knew it! You seemed way too pretty to be a boy, anyway."
"Smooth," Izuku chimed in lightly from the side, a playful grin spreading across his face as he nodded approvingly at the blonde's unexpected compliment.
Jirou's cheeks flushed a bright crimson. "W-What the hell, dude? D-Don't go saying such t-things," she stammered.
"Oh, by the way," the blonde said, his demeanor shifting as he smiled brightly, the awkward moment forgotten in an instant. "I am Denki Kaminari. Nice to meet you guys!"
"Kyoka Jirou," Jirou introduced herself, her eyes averted, the blush still lingering on her cheeks.
"Tenya Iida," Iida added with a respectful nod, his posture straightening as he introduced himself.
"Izuku Midoriya," Izuku said, offering a soft smile that radiated warmth and friendliness.
"Izuku?" A voice, laced with disbelief, muttered from behind Kaminari, catching them all off guard and sending a ripple of surprise through the group.
Kaminari shifted slightly, allowing Izuku to peer around him. As his gaze fell upon the newcomer, Izuku's eyes widened in shock. There stood a boy with spiky ash-blonde hair, clad in lanky clothing that seemed to hang off him in a way that only added to his striking presence. Izuku could never forget that face, a visage etched into his memory. The recognition hit him like a bolt of lightning, electrifying the air around them.
Only one word escaped his lips, a whisper filled with astonishment and nostalgia as he stared at the equally wide-eyed ash-blonde-haired boy. "Kacchan...?"
Katsuki took a step toward Izuku, who mirrored his movement. With tentative strides, they closed the gap between them, standing just a few feet apart.
"Izuku...?" Katsuki murmured, his eyes wide with disbelief, as if he were seeing a ghost. "You're alive?"
"Should I not be?" Izuku quipped, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere that hung between them.
In a sudden rush of emotion, Katsuki pulled Izuku into a tight embrace, catching him off guard. Jirou, Denki, and Iida watched with a mix of curiosity and surprise as the two boys interacted.
"I am so glad," Katsuki said, his voice thick with emotion, cracking under the weight of his relief. "I am so glad you're alive."