My first day as an intern was a success.
After stopping that guy Gran Torino ordered me to, we continued stopping minor crimes until twelve midnight.
It was a whole Spider-Man vibe, taking care of the little guy and all that, though without the old ladies asking for directions.
I met some police officers when I had to give them my reports, and I took a picture with one of them.
Although I kept watch over the alleys the whole time, there was no trace of Stain. Whenever I had the chance to talk to the criminals while Gran Torino was busy with the officers, I interrogated them.
But none were willing to give me information about Stain. Some had no connection to him, and others simply weren't willing to reveal information about the villain who was making their criminal lives easier by killing heroes.
Basically, I was wasting my time with useless people.
.....
Right now, I'm having a light training session with Gran Torino.
It's a reflex practice so I don't have to depend on my "Spider-Sense." I can't do anything physical while I'm on patrol, as that's inefficient.
And much less so today. After all, if my memories don't fail me, I should find Stain tonight.
"What's wrong, brat?" Gran Torino asks me, momentarily stopping the training.
"Nothing, it's nothing. I was thinking about today's patrols," I respond as I cut off the flow of One For All to take a break.
"You shouldn't overthink it. You never know what kind of crimes you might encounter out there. You saw it in Hosu yesterday."
"Yes, of course, but why is Hosu so dangerous? I understand there's no place without crime, but Hosu is more dangerous than some prefectures."
"There are areas in Japan, or prefectures as they call them, where the crime rates are much higher than in other areas.
Musutafu, for example, has the lowest crime rate in all of Japan, but for a simple reason: It's full of heroes.
You have the best hero academy right there, and now All Might teaches classes in it. Causing trouble in Musutafu is an invitation to be safely arrested... unless you attack UA. You can attack it wherever you please, and no one will stop you until the damage is already done.
But Hosu, on the other hand, has a rather high crime rate, and that goes back long before Stain and his hunt.
It's not too complicated to connect the dots and notice how much the hero society is quite lost, so to speak.
It's these small details that ultimately led to the Jaku war between heroes and villains."
"Listen, brat, this society isn't as heroic as they present it." Even Gran Torino admits it. "Hosu is an example of that. When I told you to be prepared for anything, it was precisely for these things... Not all heroes are heroes, and there's not much people like you or me can do for now."
He suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Maybe, when you become the best hero of this generation and all that, you can make a change... I don't like to pin my hopes on you, kid. Not because you're someone who can't be trusted, but you have a lot on your plate, and it shouldn't be that way."
Change society? I can try, I guess, but I don't know if I'm capable of such a thing... Politics is a bitch.
But it's worth a try. After all, isn't that what a hero does? Give their best to help others.
"Don't worry, Gran Torino. I'll do my best, as I have been for a while now, and I will try," I said, smiling, and returned the squeeze on my shoulder. "I don't want to burden a kid with such responsibilities either, so I'll take care of fulfilling those goals... and if I don't succeed, then I'll trust in the next generations."
"Good. One can't expect less from a hero-in-training of your caliber."
Propelling himself with his Quirk, he grabbed my suit's briefcase and threw it at me.
By instinct, I caught the briefcase with one of my Blackwhips and placed it beside me.
Gran Torino commented with a smirk, "Excellent reaction. I've taught you well... too well, I'd say."
He made a reference without even knowing it!
"Put on the suit. Hosu doesn't clean itself, boy."
It's time to catch Stain.
.....
As we were on our way to Hosu by bullet train, I took the trouble to send messages to Iida.
I knew I wouldn't achieve anything, but I needed an excuse for any unwanted questions they might ask me later.
I kept the Danger Sense active at all times to anticipate the appearance of the Nomu on the train, and for a moment, I thought my memories were wrong.
But that thought died as quickly as it came.
The Danger Sense activated abruptly, and I managed to see the flying Nomu about to crash into us.
And seeing a super-developed homunculus about to crash into you is not entertaining.
"EVERYONE DOWN!" I caught all the people in the line of danger with my Blackwhips and dragged them to my position.
The Nomu crashed into the train, and the panic screams were not long in coming.
Gran Torino reacted quickly and launched himself at the beast to confront it and get it off the train.
"Listen, Flashkicker! I, Gran Torino, authorize you to use your Quirk freely!" And with those words, he shot out of the bullet train along with the Nomu.
I have the permission, and I have the ability.
I just need to find Stain.
I quickly used One For All to get the people off the bullet train and, using Blackwhips, I kept it stable.
I simulated a spider web with the Whips so that the people who hadn't gotten off yet could do so on their own.
Imitating Spider-Man is really practical.
Once most of the people were on solid ground, I increased the percentage of One For All to be able to place the train back on the tracks.
I didn't want to cause a derailment or worse.
I made the Blackwhips disappear once it was correctly placed on the tracks... or what was left of them.
I gave a quick look at the bullet train in case anyone was trapped, and upon not noticing anyone, I descended to where the civilians were.
"Is everyone okay?!" I need to make sure the civilians are safe before I go and confront Stain.
Responsibilities first.
"Y-yes, I think so," a civilian from the many in front of me replied.
"Perfect! Listen, it's not safe to stay on the streets! Seek shelter in the nearby buildings! If possible, try to make it a fire or police station!"
If it were up to me, I'd guide them to a safe place myself, but I have to save Iida from his pathetic attempt at revenge.
"I need to help the rest of the people in the vicinity, so I have to go!" I activated One For All at 15% and prepared to jump to the nearest building.
"Wait!" the same civilian from a moment ago shouted at me. He was a man with strange ears that resembled a rabbit's... a simpler version of Mirko's Quirk, perhaps.
"We want to thank you! You saved us all!" At his words, some bowed, and many others smiled at me.
"Yes! Thank you very much, hero!"
"I saw you at the Sports Festival! I knew you were amazing!"
And so many more people joined the chorus of thanks towards me.
This hero thing... is quite comforting, to be honest.
Now I understand why Spider-Man made sure to take care of the neighborhood and all that.
Seeing the grateful looks on people's faces and knowing that it was your good deeds that caused it is incredible.
If I had reincarnated as someone else who didn't have the responsibilities I have for wielding One For All, I would have definitely lived just to be able to appreciate these kinds of moments.
"You have nothing to thank me for! I just did the right thing, and anyone else in my place could have done it!" I assured them with a smile on my face once everyone had calmed down.
Remembering that I had to look for Stain, I prepared to leave.
But I noticed that one of the civilians was recording.
That gave me an idea.
"Are you recording live?!" I questioned the guy with some urgency.
"Y-yes! It's live!"
Perfect.
"Alright, bring the camera closer!" Once he did, I looked straight at the camera and spoke.
"I am Izuku Midoriya, hero-in-training! I'm sure you're already aware, but Hosu is under attack! I strongly urge you not to leave your homes, and if that's not the case, seek shelter! Thank you for listening!"
Without saying anything else, I took a powered leap with One For All and went in search of Iida.
I started jumping from building to building. At times, I used Blackwhips to propel myself towards more distant and complicated structures to access.
There was too much chaos in the streets. I had to stop to apprehend the criminals who were trying to take advantage of the generalized chaos.
In the canon, Izuku claims he found Stain because he looked through alleys, but an exact location is never mentioned.
I'm working blind here.
(At this rate, I might not achieve anything.)
I increased One For All to 20% to be able to cover more ground in the shortest time possible.
Fortunately for me, in one of the many alleys I was checking, I found him.
The hero Native was injured along with Iida.
Both were paralyzed by Stain.
(I can't afford to face Stain. His Quirk is dangerous, and his skills even more so.)
I increased One For All to 30% and leaned on a building parallel to them.
One jump, one hit, and one victory.
That's all I have, and all I need.
(I have to do this right.)
I let myself fall from the building and placed my feet on the walls, starting to gain momentum. I jumped to kick Stain from behind.
Thanks to the extreme power of One For All, my momentum was immense.
The building's windows cracked, and some shattered.
That sound alerted those around. Stain tried to turn his head to see what all the commotion was, but it was too late.
In less than a second, my kick connected with the Hero Killer.
His back cracked from my kick, and he was sent flying into a dumpster.
I did a full spin in the air and landed on my feet. One For All was still flowing at 30%, and the Danger Sense was on high alert.
...But nothing happened.
Cautiously, and ignoring the words of Iida and Native, I approached Stain.
Moving some trash bags that had been scattered by the blow, I saw him.
He was knocked out, no doubt. The dumpster had a large dent, clearly from the impact of Stain's head.
I defeated the Hero Killer without having to face him. Not bad.
I saw a rope near the dumpster, and if memory serves me right... wasn't it Todoroki who tied him up with a rope? Trash is full of surprises.
I quickly cut the rope into two equal parts. With one part, I made a knot on his hands, and with the other, his feet.
After that, I removed all the knives and other bladed weapons I could find superficially.
I didn't want him awake and ready to kill me.
As soon as I finished my check, I called Gran Torino along with the police.
The former was not happy that I was getting into so much trouble, and the officers confirmed that they were already sending help for Native.
"Thanks for your help, young man. You handled the situation very well and didn't get involved in an unnecessary conflict," the latter commented.
"I recognize you from the Sports Festival... Izuku Midoriya. Do you have permission from your superior to use your Quirk?"
"Yes, I do. The professional hero Gran Torino vouches for me, and I have his authorization to use my Quirk."
Approaching Iida, I inspected the wound on one of his legs. The knife was still stuck in it, so the wound was "safe" for the moment.
"You got hit more than you hit, Iida."
My words were not answered. Iida gave me a furious look.
"Why?! Why?! I didn't ask for your help, Midoriya! This was my revenge! How could you...!"
Without letting him finish shouting, I slapped him to shut him up.
I took a deep breath for a moment and calmed my nerves.
I didn't lose control of my actions because of Stain; I certainly won't do it over a tantrum from Iida.
"First things first, I saved your ass because that's what a hero does. He gets involved where he's not called," I raised my index finger to emphasize my point, then I raised my middle finger. "Second, you didn't ask for my help, but I don't care. UA can't deal with the death of another student, even if it's due to the student's own stupidity." And finally, I raised my ring finger. "And third, your revenge? I find it curious that you say that, because it seems like you're fighting in the name of your brother... Let me ask you something, Iida. Did your brother ask you to do this? Did he ask you to go out and hunt Stain in his name? In the name of Ingenium?"
I lowered my mask and looked him in the face. The seriousness on my face was enough for him to look away.
I waited for his answer for a full minute, but upon not getting anything, I decided to speak again.
"Exactly. You're on this stupid crusade for someone who didn't ask for it in the first place. Tell me something, Iida, who do you think you are to seek revenge in the name of others? Are you Batman? Because I don't think you are."
I grabbed him by the armor and forced him to look into my eyes.
"You were lucky today, Iida, very lucky. But luck, like everything in this life, has a limit. Reflect on your actions and grow up, elite brat."
Releasing him abruptly, I let him fall back to the ground and headed towards the hero Native, passing one of his hands over my shoulder so he could lean on me.
I quickly got him out of the alley where several patrol cars were waiting for us, along with an ambulance.
I handed Native over to receive medical attention while the officers entered the alley to do the same with Iida.
Seeing that the wounded were already being treated, I went back into the alley and dragged Stain out.
The reactions were not long in coming.
Surprise flooded the faces of the officers and civilians present. Some mentioned in low voices how I was the winner of the Sports Festival and that's why I was able to defeat Stain; others mentioned that they saw my message through the live broadcast.
Anyway, it's been a long night.
I have to give the police report and...
"When will the day come that you stop getting into trouble, you damn brat!"
Forget it, the night isn't over yet... What's worse than facing Stain?... Yes, an angry Gran Torino.
God have mercy on my new soul.
...
Author's Note:
Hey.
Did you enjoy the chapter?
With this chapter, there's only one more to close the internship arc and move on to the summer exams.
I mentioned Hosu's crime rate because I find it curious how all that works in MHA. In Japan itself, there are places much less safe than others, and that's even with the constant presence of All Might. I don't want to imagine what the rest of the world is like.
I love writing interactions between the MC and Gran Torino. At first, I didn't think about the importance of Gran Torino, but now it's very different.
Gran Torino is the best character I've worked on in this story, along with the MC.
I think the scene of people being thankful for being saved was necessary.
The MC comes from our world, and the hero stereotype is very different from that of MHA. The fact that people recognize his help makes him understand where the desire to help comes from and why many heroes like Spider-Man (my favorite for how well he represents the hero and his qualities) enjoy doing good.
With the passage of time, I want the MC to learn more and end up loving being a hero and not just being one because he's Izuku Midoriya and is obligated to do so.
I never thought about writing a battle against Stain. The MC has 30% control over One For All, and that's a lot.
Stain doesn't have a super speed or super reflexes Quirk, so for an average human, the MC at this point is faster than their own visual capacity, and if you add the element of surprise to that, then...
Stain didn't stand a chance.
And finally, Iida was a jackass. His way of acting when seeking revenge and how he even got angry when he received help was quite annoying.
Iida is a good character, but in that arc, he stood out for acting like a fool.
The next chapter will be, as I already wrote, the last of the internships and will feature the MC doing more normal things for a hero.
Being a friendly neighborhood and all that.
See you.