"This is Channel 9 World News, continuing our live coverage of what experts are calling the single greatest act of heroism in recorded history."
The screen split between studio anchors and looping aerial footage of the empty sea where I-Island once stood. Nothing remained but scattered ice fragments and dark water.
"Authorities have confirmed that I-Island detonated safely in the upper atmosphere, preventing a catastrophic loss of life. However—" the anchor paused, visibly swallowing, "—the fate of the hero responsible remains unknown."
The footage changed.
Grainy helicopter video showed a red glow disappearing into the clouds. Then nothing.
"No body has been recovered. No confirmation of survival has been issued."
Across the bottom of the screen, a single line repeated in bold letters:
STATUS OF IZUKU MIDORIYA: UNKNOWN
UNITED STATES – EMERGENCY ADDRESS
The broadcast cut to Washington.
The President of the United States stood behind the podium, flags lined up behind him, his expression grave.
"Tonight, the world witnessed something beyond borders, beyond nations," he said. "A young hero made a choice that saved over one hundred and fifty thousand lives."
He paused.
"The United States recognizes this act as one of unparalleled courage. We have offered full cooperation and support to our allies in Japan and the international hero community. Until we know his condition, we will not speculate—but we will not forget."
Behind him, aides exchanged worried glances.
No one spoke his name.
They didn't need to.
JAPAN – HERO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
In Tokyo, cameras crowded into a packed press room.
At the podium stood the President of the Hero Public Safety Commission—a stern woman with sharp eyes and silver-streaked hair, dressed in black.
"The events at I-Island were unprecedented," she said firmly. "We are coordinating with international agencies to assess the damage, apprehend remaining accomplices, and secure all surviving research data."
A reporter shouted, "What about Midoriya Izuku?!"
The room went silent.
The HPSC President closed her eyes briefly before answering.
"At this time, we have no verified information regarding his condition," she said. "Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Until facts are confirmed, we ask the public to remain calm."
Her hands tightened around the podium.
"But let me be clear," she added. "If he is alive, every resource Japan has will be used to bring him home."
U.A. HIGH SCHOOL – PRESS CONFERENCE
Later that day, Nezu stood before a wall of microphones.
The small principal looked composed as always—but those who knew him could see the strain in his eyes.
"I-Island's evacuation was successful," Nezu said. "This was achieved through cooperation between professional heroes, students, and international allies."
A reporter interrupted. "Principal Nezu, is it true that Izuku Midoriya acted alone at the end?"
Nezu's smile faded.
"Yes," he said quietly. "That is true."
Another voice called out. "Is he alive?"
Nezu paused longer this time.
"…I do not know," he admitted.
Gasps filled the room.
"But I do know this," Nezu continued. "The choice he made embodies the very reason hero society exists. Whether student or symbol, Izuku Midoriya has already changed the world."
No cameras were allowed here.
Inko Midoriya sat on the couch, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. The television flickered silently in front of her, images of the ocean looping again and again.
His father stood by the window, staring outside, unmoving.
"They would tell us," Inko whispered. "If something… they would tell us, right?"
No one answered.
Her phone rested on the table between them.
The phone rang.
It was a sharp, sudden sound that cut through the silence of the Midoriya household like a blade.
Inko gasped and lunged for it so fast that Hisashi barely had time to turn before it was already in her hands. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the phone to her ear.
"H–Hello?" she stammered.
A calm woman's voice answered on the other end. "Hello. I'm calling to ask if this is the Midoriya residence?"
Inko's breath caught in her throat. "Y–Yes. Yes, this is—this is Midoriya," she said, her voice breaking. "M-My son—"
"There's no need to panic," the woman said gently. "My name is Diana. I'm calling because I found Izuku Midoriya."
Inko's knees nearly gave out.
"Is he alive?" she blurted out, the words tumbling over each other. "Is he hurt? Where is he? What happened to him? Please—please tell me he's alive!"
Her voice rose with every question, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the phone like it was the only thing keeping her standing.
Seeing this, Hisashi rushed forward and gently but firmly took the phone from her hands, pulling her into his side. He pressed the speaker button and held the phone between them.
"This is Izuku's father," he said, forcing his voice to stay steady. "Please—can you explain what's going on?"
The woman on the line paused for a moment, then spoke again.
"My name is Diana," she repeated. "Izuku fell from the sky and crash-landed near where I live. When I found him, he was unconscious and severely injured. The device he wears on his wrist—Kelex—activated and called for help. Two autonomous robots arrived shortly after and used a solar-based medical system to heal him."
Inko covered her mouth with both hands, sobbing quietly.
"Is he…?" she whispered.
"He's alive," Diana said clearly. "And he's stable. His injuries were severe, but he is mostly healed now. His body is resting."
Inko collapsed against Hisashi, relief hitting her so hard it felt like her heart might burst.
"Can I talk to him?" she asked desperately. "Please, just let me hear his voice—"
"I'm sorry," Diana replied softly. "He's asleep right now. His body needs time to recover. But I promise you—he's safe."
Hisashi closed his eyes and let out a long, shaking breath.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Thank you for finding him. Please—call us the moment he wakes up."
"I will," Diana assured them.
The call ended.
It took Izuku three full days to wake up.
When he finally did, it wasn't with pain or panic, but with a strange, heavy calm. His eyes fluttered open and immediately he noticed two things that felt very wrong.
First—there were no machines beeping.
Second—this definitely was not a hospital.
He slowly pushed himself upright, blinking as his vision adjusted. The room around him looked ancient, carved from pale stone and gold-veined marble. Tall columns lined the walls, and sheer white curtains stirred gently in a breeze that shouldn't have existed indoors. Sunlight poured in through an open balcony, warm and bright.
"…Where am I?" he muttered.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, wobbling slightly. His body felt weak, like he'd run a marathon and then some, but it didn't hurt. That alone told him something was off.
Then he looked down.
He froze.
"…Oh—!"
He wasn't wearing anything.
His face went instantly red as he scrambled around, panic spiking for an entirely different reason. His eyes landed on a stone dresser nearby, where his hero costume had been neatly folded—clean, repaired, and carefully placed.
"Okay—okay—good—great—" he muttered, grabbing it and pulling it on as fast as his shaky hands would allow.
Once dressed, he exhaled hard and lifted his wrist.
"Kelex," he said quietly. "Where are we?"
The watch face flickered to life, a soft blue glow pulsing as the AI responded.
"Status report: You have been unconscious for seventy-two hours, six minutes," Kelex said calmly. "You are currently located on an unregistered island in the Aegean Sea. The island employs advanced concealment technology combined with non-scientific energy signatures commonly classified as 'magic.'"
Izuku blinked.
"…Magic?" he repeated, then laughed weakly. "Kelex, magic doesn't exist."
There was a pause.
"Correction," Kelex replied. "Magic exists. It is simply incompatible with most modern scientific frameworks and has declined significantly since the emergence of Quirks."
Before Izuku could respond, another voice entered the room.
"Kelex is correct."
Izuku turned sharply.
A tall woman stood near the balcony, her presence calm but unmistakably powerful. She wore elegant armor beneath a flowing white-and-blue dress, her dark hair falling over her shoulders, eyes sharp and kind all at once.
"Magic is very real," she continued, stepping forward. "It's just rare now."
Izuku stiffened out of habit. "Uh—sorry—who are you?"
She smiled faintly. "My name is Diana Prince."
She reached into her pocket and held out a phone. "You've been asleep for three days. Your parents have been worried sick. You should call them."
Izuku raised a hand quickly. "I don't need the phone—Kelex, call home."
The watch chimed, and the call connected almost instantly.
As it rang, Izuku swallowed and looked back at Diana. "Before they pick up… did anyone die?"
Diana shook her head without hesitation. "No. You saved everyone. One hundred percent evacuation. No fatalities. Only minor injuries."
Izuku let out a breath he felt like he'd been holding since the explosion.
The call connected.
"Hello?" Inko's voice came through, cautious and fragile.
"Mom," Izuku said softly.
There was a sharp inhale—and then sobbing.
"Izuku!" she cried. "Oh thank goodness—thank goodness—!"
Hisashi's voice followed, tight with emotion. "You scared us half to death, son."
"I'm sorry," Izuku said immediately. "I'm okay now. I promise."
After a few moments of reassurance, the call ended, leaving the room quiet again.
Izuku finally looked back at Kelex. "Okay. I need you to explain everything. From the moment I fell."
"Yes," Kelex replied. "After lifting I-Island to a safe altitude, your body exceeded sustainable limits. Structural failure occurred. You lost consciousness and fell from the island."
Izuku winced. "Yeah, I figured that part."
"You crash-landed on this island," Kelex continued. "The island is self-concealed from global detection through magical barriers maintained by its inhabitants. Upon impact, your life signs dropped to critical. I initiated an emergency solar restoration protocol and transmitted a distress signal."
Diana folded her arms, listening.
"Two autonomous units from the Fortress of Solitude responded," Kelex said. "They utilized a focused solar amplifier to stabilize and heal your body. Survival probability at the time of landing was estimated at twelve percent."
Izuku went quiet.
"…Twelve," he repeated.
"You survived," Kelex said simply. "Mission success."
Izuku looked out toward the balcony, at the endless blue sea beyond the hidden island. The weight of everything—fear, sacrifice, relief—finally settled in his chest.
Diana led Izuku out of the quiet stone building and into the open air of the island.
As they walked, Izuku couldn't help but stare.
The town was beautiful—white marble paths, golden banners fluttering in the wind, statues of warriors frozen mid-battle—but what struck him most was the people. Everywhere he looked, there were women. Warriors in armor, elders in robes, children laughing and training with wooden spears.
No men. Not a single one.
Izuku slowed his steps, brow furrowing. "Um… Diana? Can I ask something without being rude?"
Diana glanced at him, already knowing the question. "You've noticed."
"Yeah," he said awkwardly. "There's… only women here."
She nodded calmly. "You are the first man to step foot on this island in centuries."
Izuku nearly tripped. "C-Centuries?!"
Diana stopped walking and turned to face him. "This is Themyscira. An island hidden from the world by magic and oath. It is the home of the Amazons."
Izuku swallowed. "O-Okay… but then how are there children? And—you don't look that much older than me."
Diana's expression softened, but she didn't shy away from the truth.
"When ships from the outside world stray too close, Amazons may leave the island," she explained. "They mingle with the world of men to reproduce. If a daughter is born, she is brought back here. If a son is born…"
She paused.
"…he is returned to the world of men, placed into foster care. No male may be raised on this island."
Izuku felt his chest tighten. "That's… harsh."
"It is our law," Diana said quietly. "One born from ancient wounds."
She hesitated, then added, "As for me… I was not born that way."
Izuku blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I was sculpted from clay by my mother," Diana said, lifting her wrists slightly. Thick bronze bracers gleamed in the sunlight. "The gods breathed life into me. I am a demigoddess. When I fully mature, I will ascend to godhood—but these bracers suppress my divinity so I may live as one of my people."
Izuku stopped walking entirely.
"…You were made from clay," he repeated blankly.
"…And you're a future god."
"Yes."
Izuku's jaw dropped so hard it almost hurt.
"O-Okay," he muttered. "That… that makes sense. Somehow."
Diana smiled faintly. "You adapt quickly."
They continued until they reached a grand open courtyard. At its center stood a regal woman seated upon a golden throne, her presence commanding silence without effort. Her armor was older, her eyes sharper, and her posture radiated authority.
Diana knelt. "Mother."
Izuku immediately followed suit, bowing deeply. "Thank you for allowing me to recover here. I owe you my life."
The woman rose.
"I am Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons," she said. "You fought with courage beyond mortal measure, Izuku Midoriya."
She studied him carefully, then continued, "You may never speak of this island. Its existence must remain a secret to mankind."
Izuku nodded without hesitation. "I swear it. On my life."
Hippolyta's gaze softened—just slightly. "You were permitted here only because you fell dying upon our shores. Now that you are healed, you must leave. No man may remain."
"I understand," Izuku said sincerely. "Thank you… for everything."
Later, Diana walked him back toward the cliffs overlooking the sea.
Izuku paused, crouching slightly as he felt the sunlight wash over his skin. He closed his eyes, letting the solar energy soak into every aching cell.
"Thank you," he said. "For saving me."
Diana shook her head. "You saved the world first."
She hesitated, then added with a small smile, "I'll see you again. At U.A. High. After the summer."
Izuku blinked. "Wait—how do you—?"
But she was already stepping back.
He nodded anyway. "I'll… look forward to that."
With that, Izuku launched into the air—but instead of turning toward Japan, he rocketed straight upward.
Higher. Faster.
Clouds vanished beneath him. The sky darkened. The world curved away.
Soon, he was floating in open space, the blue glow of Earth behind him and the blazing sun ahead. He spread his arms slightly and closed his eyes, letting the solar radiation flood him completely.
His cells drank it in.
Healing. Strengthening. Restoring.
Far below, on Earth—
Inside the White House, the President of the United States was buried in paperwork when an aide burst through the door, pale and shaking, clutching a laptop.
"Mr. President," the aide said breathlessly. "You need to see this. Now."
The President frowned. "This better be important."
"It's Izuku Midoriya," the aide said. "He's alive."
The laptop was opened.
The room fell silent.
On the screen was satellite footage—clear, undeniable—showing a lone figure hovering just beyond Earth's atmosphere, suspended in space, calmly bathing in sunlight.
The President leaned forward slowly.
"…My God," he whispered.
The White House briefing room was packed to capacity.
Cameras lined every wall, reporters standing shoulder to shoulder, voices overlapping as the low hum of anticipation filled the air. The seal of the President of the United States loomed behind the podium, and when the doors opened, the room fell into sudden silence.
The President stepped forward, expression grave—but steady.
"Good afternoon," he began. "This emergency press conference is being broadcast worldwide."
Screens behind him flickered to life.
"Over the past several days, the world has watched the aftermath of the I-Island incident with fear, uncertainty, and—most of all—hope. Today, I can confirm what many have been praying for."
He paused, letting the moment breathe.
"Izuku Midoriya is alive."
The room erupted.
Gasps. Shouts. Reporters yelling questions all at once.
The President raised a hand. "Please. Let me finish."
The screen behind him changed, displaying satellite footage—clear, unmistakable. A lone figure hovered in the void of space, the sun blazing behind him. Black hair floated gently, his body suspended as if the universe itself were holding him.
"This footage was captured less than one hour ago," the President continued. "Midoriya's abilities are solar-based. His strength, endurance, and healing are directly tied to exposure to sunlight. After preventing the detonation of I-Island, his body was critically damaged. In order to survive, he ascended beyond Earth's atmosphere to recover."
The video shifted.
Izuku turned in space, eyes opening, light rippling across his body. Then—like a comet—he accelerated.
The feed tracked him as he re-entered Earth's atmosphere, fire screaming around him, a blazing trail carving across the sky.
"He is currently en route to Japan," the President said. "And to be clear—there is no ongoing threat. This is not an act of aggression. This is a hero returning home."
The screen froze on one final image: Izuku Midoriya streaking toward Earth, wrapped in fire from re entire.
When Izuku finally returned home, it wasn't with cheering crowds or flashing cameras—it was with his mother's arms wrapped so tightly around him he could barely breathe.
Inko cried. A lot.
She checked him over again and again, hands hovering like she didn't quite believe he was solid. Hisashi stood nearby, quiet but visibly shaken, placing a firm hand on Izuku's shoulder like he needed to reassure himself his son was really there.
"You're not leaving this house," Inko said through tears, gripping his sleeve, "not for at least a few days."
Izuku didn't argue.He just smiled softly and nodded.
Those days passed quietly. Too quietly, almost. He slept. He ate real meals. He sat outside in the sun, letting its warmth soak into him while Kelex rested silently around his wrist, monitoring his recovery. News still played constantly on TV—analysts arguing, experts speculating—but Izuku didn't watch much of it.
Instead, he texted his friends.
The replies came flooding in.
YOU'RE ALIVE?!DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAINSPACE???I KNEW IT!!!WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE BACK
Reading them made his chest ache in a good way.
And slowly, life returned to something resembling normal.
Summer training camp arrived faster than Izuku expected.
The morning he left, Inko hugged him again—longer this time.
"Call me," she said firmly."I will," Izuku promised.
Then, with a quiet rush of wind, he took off.
He landed a few blocks from the subway entrance, careful not to draw attention. A moment later, Iida jogged up, glasses gleaming in the morning light.
"Midoriya!" ida said, posture stiff but voice warm. "I am pleased to see you in good health."
Izuku laughed. "Yeah. Me too."
They walked the rest of the way together, talking about everything and nothing—the I-Island incident, the training camp rumors, how weird it felt to just… be going back to school.
But as they rounded the final corner, Izuku slowed.
The gates of U.A. were visible—and so were the reporters.
Cameras. Microphones. Vans lined up along the street.
ida stiffened immediately. "Ah—this is highly irregular—!"
But Izuku barely heard him.
Near the gate, standing just off to the side, was a woman holding her son's hand.
The boy looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a heartbeat, everything else faded.
"—That's him!" someone whispered.
The boy broke free and ran.
The press noticed—but something strange happened. They didn't rush in. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe respect. Maybe they'd already seen enough.
Izuku dropped to one knee just as the boy collided with him, wrapping his arms around Izuku's neck.
"Thank you," the boy said, voice small but fierce. "Thank you for saving us."
Izuku hugged him back, careful and gentle.
"You were really brave," Izuku said softly.
The boy pulled back and held something out with both hands.
The cape.
Izuku blinked, then smiled as he accepted it.
"Did it work?" he asked. "The blanket."
The boy nodded enthusiastically. "I wasn't scared anymore."
Izuku's smile wavered—but didn't fade.
"I'm glad," he said.
The boy returned to his mother, who bowed deeply. Izuku bowed back just as deeply.
Then the moment shattered.
"Midoriya! Over here!""Was the sun the key to your survival?""Are you stronger now?""Did you really lift the entire island alone—?"
Microphones surged forward.
ida stepped in front of him immediately. "Please maintain order! This is a school—!"
Izuku sighed.
"Sorry, ida."
Before ida could ask what he meant, Izuku grabbed the back of his uniform collar.
"Midoriya—WAIT—!"
With a sharp crack of air, they were airborne.
Gasps and shouted questions echoed below as Izuku carried them clean over the gate, landing safely inside U.A. grounds.
ida adjusted his glasses, hair disheveled.
"…Please do not do that again without warning."
Izuku laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. Sorry."
They walked into the classroom and took their usual seats, the low buzz of conversation filling the room as more students filtered in. Almost every discussion circled back to the same topic—the press outside, the world watching U.A., and the aftermath of I-Island.
The moment Izuku sat down, that buzz spiked.
Kirishima was the first to rush over. "Dude! You seriously scared us!"Mina followed right behind him. "Do you have any idea how intense that was? Space?! "Uraraka smiled, relief written all over her face. "I'm just glad you're okay, Midoriya."Even Bakugo glanced his way, clicked his tongue, and muttered, "Idiot," which—coming from him—was practically concern.
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, overwhelmed but smiling. "I'm really fine. I promise."
As the bell rang and everyone returned to their seats, a strange quiet settled in. Jiro looked around, then frowned.
"Uh… where's Mineta?"
The door slid open and Aizawa walked in, sleeping bag slung over his shoulders as usual.
"If you haven't noticed," Aizawa said flatly, "Mineta isn't here."
A ripple of confusion spread through the class.
"That's because U.A. has agreed to a long-term student exchange program with the top hero academy in Greece. Mineta has been transferred there for the remainder of the school year."
The room exploded.
"GREECE?!""A whole year?!""Wait, does that mean we're getting someone new?!"
Iida shot his hand up. "Excuse me, Aizawa-sensei, but is it not rather late in the academic year to begin such an exchange?"
Aizawa glanced at him. "Ordinarily, yes. But I've reviewed extensive footage and performance records. This student has been at the top of her class consistently. I believe she'll be a good fit for Class 1-A."
He turned his head toward the door.
"You can come in now."
The door slid open.
A tall girl stepped inside with calm confidence, her posture straight and composed. Sunlight from the windows caught her dark hair and polished armor-like accessories, giving her an almost otherworldly presence.
Mina leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Oh my god, she's gorgeous."Several of the boys froze, faces turning red.
Izuku, however, went completely still.
His eyes widened.
"Diana…?"
The girl smiled warmly and walked to the front of the room.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said. "My name is Diana Prince. I'll be joining Class 1-A as part of a year-long exchange from Olympus Hero Academy."
A few murmurs rippled through the class at the name alone.
"I'm very excited to study at such a legendary school," Diana continued. "I was the top student in my academy, and I hope to learn—and grow—alongside all of you."
Her gaze flicked, just for a moment, toward Izuku. A knowing smile touched her lips.
Izuku swallowed.
…So she really came.
Aizawa led the class out to the parking lot, hands in his pockets as always. Once everyone had gathered, he spoke in his usual tired tone.
"Now that you've made it through the first semester, summer vacation officially begins. But don't get the wrong idea—this won't be months of rest. We're planning to push you all to your limits."
With that, he dismissed them.
The moment he did, the class clustered around Diana, firing off questions from every direction—where she trained, how Olympus Hero Academy worked, what heroes were like overseas. Diana handled it with an easy smile, answering what she could without sounding boastful. After a few minutes, Ida clapped his hands sharply and directed everyone onto the bus.
Izuku took a seat near the middle, and Diana sat beside him. The bus rumbled to life as Aizawa pulled onto the road.
"We'll be on the bus for about an hour," Aizawa said.
He glanced back a moment later and sighed. No one was listening. The students were laughing, talking, and enjoying themselves. He decided to let it go—this was probably their last real chance to relax for a while.
About an hour later, the bus came to a stop. The class filed out, stretching and looking around. Izuku immediately noticed a black car parked off to the side. On instinct, he used his X-ray vision and peeked inside, spotting two adults dressed in cat-themed outfits and a small boy with a permanent frown sitting between them.
Some of his classmates looked around in confusion.
"This doesn't really look like a place for rest," one of them muttered.
"And where's Class B?" another asked.
Aizawa got their attention. "You don't seriously think we stopped just so you could stretch your legs, do you?"
Before anyone could respond, the door of the black car swung open.
"Heya, Eraser!" a cheerful female voice called out.
The two adults struck dramatic poses. "We are the Wild, Wild Pussycats!"
Their over-the-top introduction earned a mix of confusion and polite clapping. Aizawa gestured lazily. "Go on. Say hello."
"Nice to meet you!" the class said in unison.
Mandalay stepped forward and pointed toward the massive ocean of trees stretching as far as the eye could see. "We own all of this land. The summer camp you'll be staying at is at the base of that mountain."
The entire class stared.
That's far, they all thought at once.
Uraraka raised her hand. "If the camp is all the way over there… why did we stop here?"
Tsuyu placed a finger to her lip. "I'm afraid we both already know the answer, ribbit."
Sato frowned. "That can't be right."
Sero laughed nervously. "Let's just get back on the bus."
A lot of the class nodded in agreement.
Mandalay smiled sweetly. "It's currently 9:30 in the morning. If you hurry, you might make it there by noon."
The class froze.
Then panic hit.
Everyone bolted for the bus—everyone except Izuku and Diana. Diana looked energized, eyes shining as she cracked her knuckles, clearly seeing this as a challenge. Izuku, on the other hand, just stood there calmly.
After all, if he really wanted to, he could get there in three seconds. Maybe less.
As the students ran past Aizawa in a rush of panic and shouting, he spoke calmly, almost lazily.
"You really should've guessed," he said. "The training camp has already begun."
Before anyone could process that, Pixie-Bob suddenly leapt in front of them. She slammed her hands into the ground, her quirk activating instantly. The earth responded, dirt and stone rising and rolling like waves. With a powerful shove of moving terrain, the students were swept off their feet and sent tumbling over the cliff and down into the forest below, their screams echoing as branches snapped and leaves exploded outward.
Dust settled at the cliff's edge.
Izuku was still standing there.
Pixie-Bob blinked in surprise, staring at the green-haired boy still calmly in his U.A. uniform, cape fluttering slightly in the breeze. She raised her hands again, ready to use her quirk once more—
"Don't," Aizawa said flatly.
Pixie-Bob paused and looked back at him. "Huh?"
"You wouldn't be able to move him no matter what you did," Aizawa replied, eyes half-lidded.
Izuku turned toward Aizawa. "Do you want me to help the class?"
Aizawa shook his head. "No. I've got other plans for you."
Izuku nodded, accepting that without question. "Then is it alright if I just watch from above?"
Aizawa gave a small nod.
Izuku walked to the edge of the cliff, looked down for a moment, then simply stepped forward—and didn't fall. He began to float, rising smoothly into the air, his figure lifting above the treetops as if gravity had decided to ignore him.
Mandalay walked up beside Aizawa, arms crossed as she watched Izuku ascend. "So that's the boy the news has been obsessing over the last few days," she said. "Is he really as strong as they're saying?"
Aizawa didn't answer right away. "I don't know," he said finally. "We haven't found a way to measure his strength yet."
With that, he turned and headed back onto the bus. The engine roared to life, and moments later, the bus pulled away.
Izuku hovered high above the forest, watching as Diana tore straight through one of Pixie-Bob's massive earth golems. Her fist crashed through hardened soil and stone, sending chunks flying in every direction. Even from the air, he could feel the impact. She moved with confidence and power, carving a clean path forward while the others struggled and adapted below.
After about an hour of watching, Izuku let out a quiet sigh.
"That's enough of that," he muttered.
He turned and shot straight toward the campsite. When he landed, the area was still quiet, the buildings untouched and peaceful under the late afternoon sun. Not long after, Aizawa arrived with the Wild Wild Pussycats. He glanced at Izuku, eyeing him with mild suspicion.
"What are you doing here?" Aizawa asked.
Izuku shrugged. "I got bored watching. They were moving too slow. At their pace it'd be evening by the time they made it here."
Aizawa said nothing, only gave him a tired look.
Izuku's words proved accurate.
The group didn't arrive until evening, stumbling out of the forest looking completely exhausted. Most of Class 1-A looked like they were barely still standing—uniforms dirty, ties loose, breathing heavy. The only exception was Diana, who looked tired but still composed, standing tall as if the trek had barely fazed her.
Pixie-Bob crossed her arms and laughed. "I honestly thought it would take you guys even longer," she said. "But you did way better against my dirt monsters than I expected."
She leaned forward and grinned. "You were seriously amazing—especially you four."
She pointed directly at Ida, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Diana.
Those four straightened slightly, pride flickering across their faces.
At that moment, Izuku stepped out of one of the buildings, already settled in and looking far more rested than anyone else. He smiled and clapped lightly.
"You all did great out there."
Before he could say anything else, Sero snapped his head toward him. "Hey! Why weren't you with us?! We had to go through that hell while you got to relax!"
Izuku laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "If I'd gone with you guys, it would've been a walk in the park. Besides," he added casually, "Aizawa had me doing schoolwork."
Ida adjusted his glasses and looked toward the small boy standing near the Wild Wild Pussycats. "Pixie-Bob," he asked politely, "may I ask what that child is doing here?"
Before Pixie-Bob could answer, Mandalay stepped forward with a gentle smile. "He's my cousin's son. His name is Kota. He'll be staying with us for now."
She rested a hand lightly on the boy's shoulder. "Don't be shy, Kota. Say hello. You're going to be around them for the next week."
Kota only scowled, his permanent frown deepening as he stared at the group of students in their U.A. uniforms.
Ida, ever the gentleman, walked up and bowed slightly. "Hello there. My name is Ida. I'm a student in U.A. High School's Hero Course. It's very nice to meet you."
What he got in return was not a greeting.
Kota's eyes flashed with anger—and without warning, he stepped forward and punched Ida square in the groin.
Ida froze, eyes wide, before collapsing like a felled tree.
"I—IDA?!" several students shouted at once.
Before chaos could fully erupt, Aizawa's voice cut through the noise. "That's enough."
Everyone snapped to attention.
"Get your bags off the bus," Aizawa continued flatly. "Once your things are in your rooms, we'll have dinner in the cafeteria. After that, you can bathe and go to sleep."
He turned and started walking. "Tomorrow, your training begins in earnest. Move."
Groaning and exhausted, the class obeyed.
The next morning, Aizawa gathered the students before the sun had fully risen. Mist hung low over the forest, and the air was cold enough to bite.
"Good morning," Aizawa said, sounding anything but cheerful. "Today, we officially begin the training camp."
The class straightened.
"Our goal is simple," he continued. "Increase your strength and skills exponentially. By the end of this, each of you should be capable of earning a provisional license."
His gaze sharpened. "That license will allow you to face the dangers still festering in the shadows of society. So proceed carefully."
Then, without warning, he tossed a ball straight at Bakugo's head.
"Look alive, Bakugo. Use your quirk. Let's see how much you've improved."
Bakugo caught it with a sharp grin. "Tch. Watch closely."
The class murmured excitedly.
"How far do you think he'll throw it?" one student whispered.
"Maybe a full mile this time," Sero said nervously.
Bakugo blasted off in a burst of explosions, rocketing into the forest. Seconds passed. Then more.
Aizawa calmly held up a device, and a holographic number appeared.
709.6 meters.
The clearing fell silent.
Sero said that's its? kinda disappointing aziawa told them that they have had a single semester at U.A and due to your various experiences all of you have definitely improved but those improvement where mostly been limited to mental prowess and technical skill with a slight increase in stamina thrown in along the way as you can see your quirks really haven't grown that much stronger
After Aizawa finished laying out the plan, the class split up across the forest, each student sent to a different corner of the training grounds to focus on their individual weaknesses.
Bakugo was marched straight to a steaming pit where water boiled violently. Pixie-Bob crossed her arms as she pointed. "Hands in."
Bakugo scowled. "You've gotta be kidding—"
"Now," Aizawa said flatly.
Grinding his teeth, Bakugo plunged his hands into the boiling water. Steam exploded upward as he roared in pain, sweat glands forced into overdrive. The moment he pulled his hands free, Aizawa barked, "Explode."
Bakugo didn't hesitate. A massive blast tore through the clearing, far denser and louder than before. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he skidded back, smoke curling from his palms.
"Again," Aizawa said.
Not far away, Todoroki stood waist-deep in a large reinforced barrel filled with water. His expression was calm, but his breathing was controlled.
"Ice," Aizawa ordered.
Frost spread from Todoroki's right side, freezing the water solid around him.
"Fire."
The ice hissed and shattered as flames surged from his left, rapidly heating the water.
"Again," Aizawa said. "No pauses. You regulate the temperature, not the other way around."
Todoroki nodded, sweat forming as steam filled the air. His body strained, but his control sharpened with each cycle.
At the edge of a cliff, Sero braced himself and fired his tape quirk again and again into the rock face below. Each shot snapped tighter, faster.
"Longer range," Mandalay called out."Faster retraction," Aizawa added without looking up from his notes.
Sero grunted as the tape stretched farther than ever before, vibrating under the strain. His arms burned, but the tape didn't snap.
In a wide clearing, Kirishima planted his feet and hardened his skin until it gleamed like red stone.
"Come at me," he said.
Ojiro stepped forward, tail swaying behind him, eyes focused. He attacked in quick, precise strikes, his tail slamming into Kirishima's hardened torso again and again. Each impact echoed through the trees.
The goal was simple: Ojiro strengthened his tail through constant impact, while Kirishima tested the limits of his hardening and stamina.
After several minutes, Aizawa raised a hand. "Switch."
Ojiro stepped back, breathing hard.
Izuku took his place.
Kirishima grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Uh… you don't have to go all out, man."
Izuku smiled apologetically. "I won't. I promise."
He stepped forward and lightly clenched his fist.
The punch landed squarely in Kirishima's chest.
The shockwave alone blasted dirt and leaves outward in a wide ring. Kirishima skidded backward several feet, boots carving trenches into the ground before he managed to stop himself.
His eyes widened. "…Dude."
Izuku immediately stepped back. "Too much?"
Kirishima laughed, coughing once. "No way! That was perfect! Again—again!"
kinds of different exercises to increase her muscles
Denki was strapped into a reinforced frame, thick insulated cables running from his wrists into a high-capacity battery the size of a generator. Sweat poured down his face as electricity crackled around him.
"Keep it flowing," Aizawa ordered. "No discharge."
Denki gritted his teeth, forcing the current to circulate through his body instead of firing outward. His muscles trembled violently, but the battery gauge kept climbing. The goal was simple: raise his tolerance so he wouldn't short-circuit himself every time he went all out.
Nearby, Kota stood at the edge of a clearing, fists clenched, face red.
"Yell," Mandalay encouraged gently. "As loud as you can."
At first, only a weak shout came out. Then another. And another. Slowly, his voice grew stronger, sharper, carrying farther through the trees. With each shout, faint ripples stirred in the air, his quirk reaching farther than before. The fear in his eyes slowly gave way to frustration—and then determination.
Aoyama stood proudly on a rock, chest thrust forward as his navel laser fired repeatedly into the sky. The beam flickered at first, then steadied.
"Maintain output," Aizawa called. "Even through discomfort."
Aoyama winced, clutching his stomach, but kept firing. Each blast lasted longer than the last, the beam reaching higher and more precise despite the strain.
Deep inside a shadowed cave, Tokoyami stood alone.
Dark Shadow writhed wildly around him, claws scraping against stone walls, its form unstable in the oppressive darkness.
"Calm yourself," Tokoyami commanded, voice steady despite the fear creeping into his chest.
The creature snarled, surged—then slowly obeyed. Control came inch by inch, not through force, but trust.
Uraraka floated several meters above the ground, arms spread as she slowly spun.
"Focus on your breathing," Aizawa said. "Your inner ear has to adapt."
She swallowed hard, face pale, but stayed airborne. The nausea came in waves, yet each minute she endured made the next easier. By the end, she could hover calmly, smiling shakily but proudly.
Ida sprinted through a long forest trail, engines roaring steadily. Sweat streamed down his face, glasses fogged, but his posture never broke.
"One more lap!" he shouted to himself, pushing his legs harder, faster, his stamina steadily climbing.
Asui scaled a sheer cliff face with effortless precision, tongue snapping out to anchor her body while her fingers and legs strained against gravity. Every muscle burned, but her movements stayed smooth and controlled.
"Ribbit… this is tougher than it looks," she muttered, climbing higher.
Sato lifted massive weights again and again, shoveling sweets into his mouth between sets. His body strained under the balance of sugar intake and raw strength, learning to maintain control without crashing afterward.
Beside him, Momo worked nonstop—creating shields, tools, weights, dissolving them and creating new ones again and again. Sweat drenched her uniform as she pushed her limits, shortening the delay between creations, increasing their complexity.
Jiro slammed her earphone jacks into the cliff face, vibrations rippling through the stone.
"Again," Aizawa said.
She adjusted her stance, struck again, and this time the sound echoed deeper, clearer. Each impact refined her control, sharpening the precision of her sonic output.
Next to her, Mina pressed her palm against the rock. Acid bubbled and hissed against the stone, eating into it while her skin remained intact.
"Don't pull away," Pixie-Bob said. "Let your body adapt."
Mina winced—but held firm.
Toru vanished into the forest, silent as a ghost.
Shoji stood still, multiple arms spread, senses heightened.
"I can feel you breathing," he said calmly.
Toru froze, then adjusted her movement, slowing her steps until even the leaves didn't shift. Shoji's brow furrowed as her presence faded almost completely.
At the far end of the training grounds, Diana trained with Tiger. She lifted massive logs, struck reinforced dummies, and ran obstacle courses at speeds that cracked the ground beneath her feet.
Tiger watched closely, impressed. "You're strong already," he said. "But strength isn't just power—it's control."
Diana nodded, tightening her fists. "Then I'll master both."
While the others rotated through their assigned drills, Izuku's training shifted into something far more complex.
When he wasn't trading bone-rattling punches with Kirishima, Pixie-Bob took over. She slammed her hands into the earth, and the ground responded instantly—walls rose, terrain reshaped itself, and massive dirt golems clawed their way free.
"Scenario training," Pixie-Bob announced with a grin. "Real hero work."
The golems didn't rush him all at once. Instead, they acted out situations—one held a struggling hostage, another hid behind a crumbling structure, a third pretended to flee through dense forest terrain.
Izuku hovered just above the ground, eyes glowing faintly as he assessed everything at once: angles, civilians, collateral risk.
"Minimal damage," Aizawa called from the sidelines. "You level the forest, you fail."
Izuku nodded and moved.
He disarmed the first golem in a blur of motion, fingers precise, strength dialed down to fractions of a percent. He pinned another without shattering the ground beneath it, redirected attacks upward into the sky, froze midair to let a "civilian" escape before finishing the fight.
Each scenario escalated—crowded spaces, limited visibility, chained threats—but the result was always the same. The golems fell apart neatly, contained, the forest left almost untouched.
Pixie-Bob whistled. "That control is scary."
Later that afternoon, another group emerged from the tree line.
Class 1-B.
They stopped short when they saw the devastation—and the discipline—on display. Students were scattered across the training grounds, bruised, sweating, exhausted… but still moving.
Vlad King folded his arms, eyes sharp."There's a lot happening at U.A lately," he said. "Not exactly easy to spare extra staff for first-year hero courses."
Aizawa stepped forward, expression unreadable."Based on experience and quirk compatibility, these four were the most logical choice to accelerate growth in a short time frame."
He glanced toward the Wild Wild Pussycats—and Izuku.
"So," Vlad continued, smirking slightly, "Class 1-B will be joining this training camp."
A collective groan echoed through the forest.
The hellish summer camp just got worse.
By nightfall, every student was gathered outside the main lodge. Some sat slumped against the walls. Others lay flat on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
Pixie-Bob and Ragdoll stood near a long bench stacked with ingredients.
"Quick reminder," Pixie-Bob chirped. "From now on, you make your own meals."
Ragdoll pointed cheerfully. "Tonight's menu—curry!"
The response was immediate.
Groans. Complaints. Someone actually whimpered.
Everyone… except Izuku.
And Diana noticed.
She glanced at him, still standing, posture relaxed, barely winded. Sweat clung to her own skin, her training uniform darkened from exertion, a few strands of hair stuck to her face. She wiped her brow and frowned.
"Do you ever get tired?" she asked.
Izuku turned toward her—and immediately froze.
His face went red. He looked away so fast it almost caused a sonic crack.
"I—I mean—uh—"
Diana blinked, then followed his line of sight, realizing part of her top had gone slightly see-through from sweat. She flushed but didn't comment, only crossing her arms with an amused smile.
Izuku cleared his throat. "No. I mean—yes. Sort of. Not really."
The class looked at him.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck."I don't actually need to sleep. Or eat. My body doesn't work that way."
Dead silence.
"I still do both," he added quickly. "Just… to feel normal. To stay human."
No one mocked him. No one joked.
They just stared—some with awe, others with something closer to understanding.
everyone got to work chipping in on something but at the end of the day if this was served in a restaurant it would get sent back 100% of the time but because the where exhausted and hungry they didn't really care
Izuku watched quietly as the students ate, laughter and tired chatter filling the camp. That was when he noticed Kota slip away, small footsteps disappearing into the dark forest.
Izuku didn't say a word. He just stood, then followed—careful, silent, keeping his presence light so the boy wouldn't notice.
Kota didn't stop until he reached a narrow ledge, a small cliff that rested against the side of a much larger drop. He sat down hard, hugging his knees. The forest was quiet out here… except for the soft, traitorous growl of his stomach.
Izuku stepped forward.
"I heard that," he said gently. "Here. I brought some curry."
Kota spun around, eyes wide. "What?! How'd you find this place?!"
Izuku held up the container. "There isn't anywhere in Japan you could hide that I couldn't find," he said honestly. Then he scratched his cheek. "But this time I just followed you. I figured you'd want dinner before it got cold."
"Whatever," Kota snapped, turning away. "I'm fine."
He crossed his arms and huffed."Hmph. Spending your whole life trying to improve your quirk… it's dumb. All heroes do is show off. Get lost!"
Izuku didn't leave.
Instead, he sat down a few steps away, careful not to crowd him. After a moment, he spoke again, softer this time.
"Your parents… they were the Water Hose Heroes, weren't they?"
Kota froze.
He slowly looked back. "Did Mandalay tell you?"
Izuku shook his head. "No. I heard some of it before. I remember the news." His voice dropped. "It was a horrible incident. A few years ago."
"Then go away!" Kota shouted, eyes burning. "Everyone here is crazy! Calling people stupid names like 'hero' and 'villain' and killing each other over it!"
His fists clenched."They're always focused on their quirks—always trying to be stronger, flashier. If my parents hadn't been showing off… they'd still be here!"
Izuku was quiet for a few seconds, the forest only broken by the wind brushing the leaves below the cliff.
"…You're not wrong," he said softly.
"People do show off. Some forget why they started calling themselves heroes in the first place."
He sat down a few steps away, careful not to crowd Kota, and set the container of curry between them.
"But your parents?" Izuku continued, voice steady. "They weren't showing off. They were scared. And tired. And they still went anyway—because someone else was more scared than they were."
Kota clenched his fists.
"They knew they might not come back," Izuku said. "Heroes always do. The difference is… they go anyway."
He looked out over the cliff, not at Kota, giving him space.
"My power lets me lift mountains," Izuku said quietly. "But it doesn't let me save everyone. I train because every second I waste is a second someone else might lose everything."
Then, gently:
"Your parents didn't die because they used their quirks. They died because they loved people they never met."
Izuku pushed the curry a little closer.
"You don't have to like heroes," he said. "You don't have to forgive them. But don't tell yourself they were stupid."
A faint, sad smile.
"They were brave. And that's… a harder thing to be."
kota yelled at him will you just leave me alone already? go away!
After leaving Kota on the cliff, Izuku quietly floated down, the night air brushing past him as he descended. Before streaking back toward camp in a blur that vanished between the trees.
Back at the camp, the students finished their meals, exhaustion finally catching up to them. Laughter was softer now, movements slower.
Not far away, at the edge of the forest, a dark mist swirled.
Kurogiri stepped out first, his warped form solidifying as he opened a portal atop a rocky cliff overlooking the training grounds. One by one, figures emerged from the black fog.
Dabi cracked his neck as he counted."That makes seven of us."
A tall man in a black cloak, his face hidden behind a mask, shifted impatiently. "I don't care about the numbers," he growled. "Just let me loose."
"Shut up and wait," Dabi snapped back. "We're still missing three."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out several small, jagged stones that glowed an eerie green in the darkness. He handed them out one by one.
Toga tilted her head, examining hers with a grin. "Ooo~ what are these for?"
Dabi's eyes narrowed. "Orders from Shigaraki. If you run into Izuku Midoriya, you use these."
The mood shifted instantly.
"For some reason," Dabi continued, "these rocks strip him of his strength and he immobilizes him. Problem is, you've gotta be close for it to work."
He clicked his tongue. "If we had bigger pieces, we wouldn't need to get near him at all. But this stuff's rare. So don't waste it."
The villains melted back into the shadows, waiting.
Morning came too quickly.
The fourth day of training began under the blazing sun, and Pixie-Bob wasted no time ramping things up.
"Alright, you bunch of sleepy heroes!" she shouted as the students gathered around noon. "We're doing a test of courage tonight, so don't slack off now!"
Groans rippled through both Class 1-A and 1-B.
"But don't get the wrong idea," she added with a grin. "The test doesn't start until after sunset. That means you've got a full day of training before then!"
That only made things worse.
The students were split up again, thrown back into brutal exercises designed to push their limits. Sweat soaked through U.A uniforms, muscles burned, and lungs screamed for air. Even veterans like Bakugo and Todoroki were breathing hard by mid-afternoon.
Izuku, meanwhile, moved between groups—sometimes helping, sometimes observing, sometimes stepping in when Pixie-Bob's golems got a little too real. His expression stayed calm, but his eyes were sharp. Ever since last night, a strange unease lingered in the back of his mind.
Diana noticed it.
"You're distracted," she said during a brief water break.
Izuku blinked, then smiled faintly. "Yeah… maybe."
As the sun began its slow descent, long shadows stretched across the forest. The temperature dropped, and the air grew quiet in that unsettling way that came just before nightfall.
Pixie-Bob clapped her hands together, excitement clear on her face.
"Alright, heroes! Training's over for now. Get some food, get changed, and be ready."
Pixie-Bob was practically vibrating with excitement as she faced the gathered students, hands on her hips and a wide grin on her face.
"Alright, kiddos! This is it—the test of courage! Time to see how you handle fear when it comes knocking!"
A mix of nervous laughter and excited chatter spread through the group, but it was cut short when Aizawa stepped forward, scarf shifting slightly as he spoke.
"Not so fast."
The mood dropped instantly.
"It pains me to say this," Aizawa continued in his flat tone, "but the students assigned to remedial classes will be coming with me instead."
A collective groan followed. Several students who had spent every night buried in textbooks under Aizawa's watch looked absolutely crushed.
"You're kidding…" someone muttered.
Aizawa didn't even blink. "You knew the deal."
With that, Aizawa and Vlad King each took charge, herding the unlucky students toward the indoor training facility. The door closed behind them, cutting off the last traces of excitement—and leaving the rest behind.
Pixie-Bob clapped her hands, immediately reclaiming the energy."Alright! For the rest of you, the test is still on!"
She pointed toward the forest, where lanterns glowed faintly between the trees.
"Class 1-B will act as the scarers first. Once they're in position, Class 1-A will enter in pairs—one pair every three minutes."
She held up a small wooden tag." At the far end of the route, there are poles with name tags. Your goal is simple: reach the end and collect yours. No running away, no cheating."
Mandalay's voice echoed gently in their minds. Remember, stay calm and trust your training.
One by one, Class 1-B vanished into the forest, their silhouettes swallowed by the darkness. The woods seemed unnaturally quiet once they were gone.
Then it was Class 1-A's turn.
Pairs began to step into the forest at three-minute intervals, lantern light bobbing between the trees before disappearing into shadow. Nervous whispers faded, replaced by the sounds of rustling leaves and distant calls meant to scare.
Izuku watched silently from the edge.
Pixie-Bob hit the ground hard.
The impact echoed through the clearing, her body skidding across the dirt before going still. For half a second, the world seemed to freeze.
Then panic hit.
The students who hadn't yet entered the forest stumbled backward in shock. Someone screamed her name. Another instinctively raised their guard.
Izuku's eyes snapped wide.
No—this shouldn't be possible.
They had taken precautions. Layers of security. This camp was supposed to be hidden.
I thought they made it so no one could find us…
And then, like a knife twisting in his chest, one name surfaced in his mind.
Kota.
Izuku didn't hesitate.
His vision sharpened instantly, pupils glowing faintly as his senses expanded outward. Heat signatures. Heartbeats. Voices carried on the wind. He filtered through them all at once—students fleeing, heroes engaging, villains laughing—
There.
High above the forest floor. A familiar, small shape tucked away near a rocky outcropping.
Kota's secret base.
Izuku sucked in a breath.
"Found you."
With a thunderous crack, he launched into the air, a red-and-blue blur ripping through the smoke-filled sky as he shot toward the mountainside.
Inside the lodge, Aizawa was mid-lecture when Mandalay's voice exploded into everyone's minds.
Everyone listen carefully. The camp is under attack.
The room erupted into chaos.
Students currently in the forest—return to the cabins immediately. Do not engage. Move as fast as you can.
Aizawa was already moving.
He burst through the doors alongside Vlad King, the night air hitting them like a wall. Blue flames roared in the distance, casting eerie light through the smoke-choked trees.
"Tch—" Aizawa clicked his tongue.
Before he could react, a voice slithered out of the smoke behind him.
"Looks like your concern's got you distracted, Eraser."
A wave of blue fire surged toward him—
—but Vlad King stepped in front without hesitation, blood bursting from his arms as he hardened it into a massive shield. The flames washed over it, scorching but failing to break through.
"Don't turn your back," Vlad growled.
Students sprinted through the forest, coughing as purple mist rolled between the trees.
Momo moved fast, hands flying as she created gas masks on the run.
"Here—take this! And this one—don't breathe the smoke!"
She pressed masks into shaking hands, forcing calm into her voice even as her heart hammered.
Somewhere deeper in the woods, Kota stared in horror as flames licked up tree trunks, ash drifting through the air like black snow.
He backed away slowly—
Kota. Kota, can you hear me?
Mandalay's voice trembled with urgency.
Please come back to camp. Hurry. I'm sorry—I can't come to you.
Kota swallowed hard.
"O-Okay…"
He turned and ran.
His feet pounded against the dirt path as he bolted downhill, tears blurring his vision. Branches scratched at his arms, but he didn't stop.
Then
A shadow stepped into his path.
Kota skidded to a halt.
A tall man stood there, draped in a black coat, his face hidden behind a mask. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
"Well, this is interesting," the man said casually. "I came up here scouting for a nice vantage point…"
He tilted his head.
"And instead I find someone who's not on our list."
His eyes flicked to Kota's hat.
"Nice hat, kid."
Kota screamed and turned to run
but the man moved faster.
In a blur, he landed in front of Kota again, blocking the path with a grin that twisted beneath his mask.
"I think we should have some fun up here."
His quirk activated.
Muscles bulged grotesquely from beneath his skin, swelling, twisting, tearing through fabric as his body expanded into something monstrous. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he raised a massive fist.
Kota froze, terror locking his body in place.
The fist came down—
—and stopped.
A sudden shockwave tore through the air.
Izuku Midoriya stood between them, feet planted firmly into the rock, arm raised.
He caught the blow with an open palm.
The impact sent a blast of wind outward, shredding nearby trees and blasting smoke away in a violent ring. The villain's arm trembled, muscles straining uselessly against an unmoving hand.
"Run," Izuku said, not turning his head. "Don't look back."
Muscular laughed. "You smell strong. Let's see how strong."
He lunged.
Izuku met him head-on.
The impact thundered through the forest. Trees bent from the shockwave, birds scattering as Izuku drove Muscular backward, fists slamming into muscle-packed flesh that refused to give. Izuku followed with a sharp burst of speed, snapping around him as he carried Muscular into the cliff side
—and pain stabbed through his chest.
Something burned. Wrong. Weakening.
Muscular's hand was pressed against him, fingers wrapped around a jagged green crystal embedded in a metal grip.
"Kryptonite," Muscular snarled. "Heard your weak to this stuff."
Izuku screamed as his strength bled away. His grip failed. They slammed into the cliffside, rock exploding as Izuku bounced and crashed down into the forest floor below. He tried to rise—
—and collapsed.
Every breath felt like fire. His vision swam. The world felt heavy, like gravity had doubled just for him.
Muscular landed beside him with a grin. "That all?"
He raised his arm to finish it.
"Kota—" Izuku gasped, forcing his head up.
The boy stood frozen at the cliff edge, tears streaming down his face.
Something inside Izuku snapped into place.
He dragged himself upright, legs shaking, kryptonite radiation searing through him. His powers flickered—strength sputtering, speed sluggish—but his eyes burned with resolve.
"You don't… get past me."
Muscular roared and charged again.
Izuku didn't dodge.
He endured.
Muscular's punches shattered bone and bark alike as Izuku blocked with trembling arms, each hit driving him deeper into the earth. Kryptonite ate at him, stole his strength—but not his will.
Izuku grabbed Muscular's wrist.
With a raw scream, he twisted, ripping the kryptonite free and hurling it into the river below. The pain lessened—just enough.
Muscular didn't have time to react.
Izuku surged forward in a burst of strength, every remaining ounce of strength focused into one punch. Not to kill. Not to destroy.
To stop.
The blow caved Muscular into the cliff face, stone folding around him as he went limp, embedded deep in the rock.
Silence fell.
Izuku barely remained conscious.
As he stood there, pain screaming through every nerve, fragments of sound replayed in his mind—voices he'd caught while flying through the smoke.
"…looking for Bakugo…"
His heart sank.
They're not here just to cause chaos… they have a target.
"Izuku?" Kota's small voice trembled nearby.
Izuku forced his eyes open and turned his head just enough to see him. "Kota… come here."
The boy didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, and Izuku carefully scooped him up, cradling him against his chest. His arms shook violently, strength fading fast, but he clenched his jaw.
"Hold on tight," Izuku whispered.
With the very last of his power, he kicked off the cliff.
The air screamed around them as they shot toward the camp, Izuku's vision dimming at the edges.
As they flew, Kota buried his face against Izuku's chest, his thoughts on what Mandalay said to him after his parents died…
Your mom and dad—the Water Hose heroes… it's true they ended up leaving you behind in this world.
His grip tightened.
But they saved so many lives through their sacrifice. You'll see that one day. You'll meet someone… and then you'll understand why we do this. Someone who will risk their life. Someone who'll be your hero.
Kota's fingers curled into Izuku's torn shirt.
This is what she meant…
Below, the Wild Wild Pussycats and the remaining students looked up as a scream tore through the sky.
"There!" someone shouted.
A blur descended rapidly—
—and then Izuku twisted in midair, turning his back toward the ground, angling his body to shield Kota completely.
He hit like a meteor.
The impact shook the earth, sending a shockwave rippling outward. Trees rattled. Students were thrown off their feet.
"Midoriya!" several voices cried out at once.
Relief washed over them when they saw him—Izuku was back.
If he was here, then everything would be okay.
But as the dust cleared, the relief turned to horror.
Izuku lay motionless in the crater, his shirt torn, skin burned and bruised, breathing shallow. Kota was still protected beneath him, shaken but unharmed.
Mina was the first to reach him.
"Izuku—Izuku, hey, stay with me!"
His eyes fluttered open just enough to focus on her. His lips moved, struggling to form words.
"They're… after… Bakugo…"
Mina stiffened.
"And—" Izuku's voice was barely a whisper now. "Kryptonite…"
Her eyes widened.
She remembered. All of them did. The day Izuku had explained his weakness—how glowing green rocks could drain his strength and leave him helpless.
Then his head fell to the side.
Izuku passed out.
"No—no, no!" Mina snapped, turning sharply. "Mandalay!"
Mandalay's voice answered instantly.
"They're after Bakugo," Mina said urgently.
There was a brief pause—
Understood.
Mandalay's voice rang out across the camp, reaching heroes and students alike.
Villains are targeting Bakugo Katsuki. All heroes, respond accordingly. Students are authorized to use their quirks for self-defense.