---
"Hey, that Quirk of yours… it really sounds amazing," Midoriya said, eyes wide as he scribbled notes in a green-covered notebook titled Hero Analysis for the Future, Vol. 13.
Rei blinked. "You're… writing my Quirk down?"
"Uh, yeah!" Midoriya said, visibly nervous. "It's part of my hobby! I—I mean, research! I analyze different hero Quirks to understand how they function. You said you convert stamina into kinetic energy, right? That's like… internal combustion, maybe?"
Rei forced a smile. "Sure. Something like that."
System, he called silently. I thought no one in this world could sense chakra.
Host's "Quirk explanation" is dangerously close to the concept of chakra flow. Continued exposure to certain individuals may raise suspicion.
Rei glanced at Midoriya, who was now muttering something about friction coefficients and internal energy builds.
"…This kid's either a genius or insane."
Yes.
---
Later That Afternoon – U.A. Seminar Training Floor
The gymnasium had been cleared for live demonstrations. Present Mic stood on a raised platform, voice booming from every speaker in a one-block radius.
"ALRIGHT FUTURE HEROES! TIME FOR OUR OPEN FLOOR POWER DEMOS! WHO'S FIRST?!"
One by one, hopeful students stepped forward to show off. Exploding sweat. Shadow tendrils. Armor skin. The crowd cheered, some quirks more impressive than others.
Rei stood at the back of the line, trying not to be noticed.
Then came the words he dreaded.
"You in the hoodie!" Present Mic pointed at him, mic echoing like a war horn. "Come show us what you've got!"
Rei froze.
System, he whispered mentally. What do I do?!
Initiating Emergency Cover Protocol.
---
[NINJA SUBSYSTEM ACTIVATED]
Technique Unlocked: Chakra Pulse Strike (Low-Level Taijutsu Style)
Channel chakra through a basic strike to enhance its kinetic output.
Optional visual feedback: minor burst of wind or impact force.
Recommended Output: 8% strength (non-lethal, Quirk-like appearance).
---
Rei sighed. "Fine. I'm coming."
He walked onto the floor, hands in his pockets. Dozens of students watched from the edges.
"So!" Present Mic said, grinning. "Name and Quirk?"
"Rei. I call it… Internal Pressure," he said calmly. "I can channel stamina into explosive strikes. But only short bursts."
"Let's see it!"
Rei looked around, then walked to a concrete test dummy—basically a reinforced pillar with target zones.
He exhaled slowly.
Focusing chakra into his right palm, he stepped forward and struck the side of the dummy. A loud thud rang out, followed by a thin shockwave of dust erupting from the point of impact.
The crowd gasped.
Small cracks spread across the dummy.
"Holy crap…" someone muttered.
Rei wiped his hand on his pants and stepped back, face calm, but his heart racing.
System, he whispered, you owe me.
You performed adequately. Reward pending upon safe extraction.
---
Unknown to Rei — From the Observation Deck Above
A pair of tired, narrowed eyes watched the display. Eraserhead, AKA Shota Aizawa, leaned against the railing.
"That strike…" he muttered.
Behind him, Present Mic chuckled. "Pretty cool, right?"
Aizawa didn't reply. He kept watching Rei walk off the floor and fade into the crowd.
"…No Quirk signature," Aizawa said under his breath. "Just raw force."
---
Later That Night – Ramen Shop Backroom
Rei threw himself onto the futon.
"System. You there?"
Online.
"I'm never doing that again."
Mission Complete: Stage Performance
Reward: Basic Ninja Tool Pouch Acquired.
Contains 6 kunai, 10 shuriken, chakra-sealed scroll, and smoke pellets.
"…Wait," Rei sat up. "I have ninja tools now?"
You are a shinobi. Start acting like one.
He grinned. "You know, I'd almost say thank you."
Host may thank me by completing the next mission:
---
[SIDE MISSION UNLOCKED]
Title: Paper Trail
Objective: Forge a valid identity, including education records, birth certificate, and guardian profile.
Reward: Access to U.A. Registration Portal
Optional Bonus: Trick a Pro Hero into signing a referral letter
Penalty for Failure: Immediate system deactivation (jk… unless?)
---
Rei groaned. "I am NOT hacking a government database!"
Host has Henge Jutsu. Use it. Be creative. Forge the persona.
---
Day 2 – The Identity Hustle
Rei spent the next morning disguised as a civil worker, sneaking into an old records office. Henge'd as a thirty-something desk clerk with a sleepy face and coffee in hand, he sifted through stacks of paper.
He used chakra to quickly write in data: fake birthday, fake parents, even a "tragic backstory" involving a villain attack that destroyed his home city.
"Boom. Classic orphan origin story," he muttered. "Pulls the heartstrings."
He copied it all onto a USB stick, then spent the afternoon in a net café uploading it to the U.A. public registry system under a new alias: Rei Arashi.
The final step? A recommendation.
---
Day 3 – The Meeting
Rei waited outside a small hero agency: Sonic Boom Hero: Present Mic's Office.
He knocked.
"Yo!" Present Mic opened the door, shades on. "Kid from the demo, right? Rei, was it?"
"Yeah. I'm trying to get into U.A. But I missed the normal recommendation cycle. I was wondering… if you'd write me a letter of support?"
Mic rubbed his chin.
"Well, I was impressed with your Quirk. You got good control, nice showmanship. Got a real quiet fire about you."
Rei didn't smile, but his eyes flickered with restrained relief.
"I train every day," he said simply. "And I want to be a hero. Even if I'm a little… unorthodox."
Mic grinned.
"That's what makes a Pro stand out. I'll send the letter myself."
---
Mission Complete: Paper Trail
Reward: Access Granted to U.A. Application System
Bonus Unlocked:
System Upgrade Tree Now Available.
Choose 1 Path:
Ninjutsu Expansion: Unlock elemental mastery options
Taijutsu Expansion: Unlock Gated Limit Training
---
Rei stared at the screen in his mind.
"…Now we're talking."
He didn't hesitate.
Selected: Taijutsu Expansion.
---