Chapters 33, 37, 38, 36 under repair
Reparado.
Trip to the Camp
"So, are you and your class going to the summer training camp tomorrow?" Mirio asked curiously.
I was walking with him and Nejire through the halls of U.A. Tamaki was with his agency, from what I'd been told.
"Yeah, but I don't know the location yet. They don't want to leak any information. Still, considering it's a 'training camp,' I have a few ideas." I couldn't tell them we were heading to the forested area protected by the Wild, Wild Pussycats.
That day at the mall, I didn't get the chance to threaten Shigaraki to keep him from trying anything. Actually, I was too furious to even think about it, I grimly recalled the less-than-friendly chat I had with Tomura. I had expected a lot of things from him, but threatening my mother like that wasn't one of them.
"You guys are going to train so hard at the camp! We were so disappointed when we found out we wouldn't get to just enjoy the place," Nejire chimed in with a hint of disappointment, which made me wonder if that part had never been explained to them.
Aizawa had been perfectly clear with us: we were going to train, not to hang out like normal teenagers.
Besides, do 'normal' people even exist in this society? Not even the Quirkless are normal. A society where having powers is the everyday norm has some obvious, uncorrected flaws from the last century. "That's better for me. Training is what I enjoy most these days."
"You even talk like Mirio. Are you sure you're not brothers from different mothers?" The question made the older blond laugh, and he slung an arm around my shoulders.
"That's not possible, Nejire! It's just that Midoriya and I have the right taste in life!" Mirio's exuberance is contagious; you can't help but feel energized when he's around.
"Exactly! Between your theory and Shoto's about me being All Might's son, I don't know which one is more amusing." Shoto being my best friend didn't stop his crazy theories about my lineage. "Seriously, what part of All Might do you see in me? He sees things that clearly aren't there." I shook my head in mock disappointment. Shoto was a good friend... sure, you had to punch him first, but that was just a minor inconvenience.
"Well... Mirio looks like All Might, so if you're brothers from different mothers, my theory would have more of a foundation," Nejire replied, her voice hesitant but more confident in her idea.
"But we're not brothers from another—"
"Izuku Midoriya, please report to Principal Nezu's office immediately." Nezu's voice, cutting through the speakers, interrupted me.
So he took my words seriously. I recalled the private conversation I had with Principal Nezu less than a week ago. "Looks like I'm needed somewhere else. I'll see you guys when I get back from the camp." Without wasting any time, I started heading to the office. An important conversation was about to take place.
"Take care, Midoriya!" Nejire's shout was the last thing I heard before turning the corner. I shot a peace sign back at her over my shoulder.
A few days ago, right after my practical exam, I had requested a private meeting with Nezu. My reason was to warn him about the attack on the camp, just as I had warned Gran Torino about the U.S.J.
I used the excuse of my "Danger Sense" Quirk to express my fears.
That, combined with the "proof" I had used to corroborate my bad feeling about the U.S.J., was enough for him to take my words seriously.
We hadn't reached a conclusion then, but I was sure that was about to change.
Alright... moment of truth. I knocked three times on the principal's door, waiting for permission to enter.
"Come in!" And there was the sharp response I needed.
"Principal Nezu, good afternoon." Doing something I never thought I'd do in my life, I bowed and greeted him formally.
Showing respect to your superiors this way makes no sense. It's awkward and, in a way, disrespectful.
I was raised with the belief that "You should always look people in the eye; it's disrespectful not to," and this custom completely shatters that.
Of all things, why did they choose bowing? Aren't they afraid of premature back problems?
But this isn't my past life anymore. I have no right to complain about these details.
"Good afternoon, Midoriya. Please, have a seat." I complied with the unspoken command without a word. "I'll start by saying it was a wise decision on your part to come to me personally to discuss your 'bad omen.' Telling someone else could have caused... unnecessary inconveniences."
It's incredibly unsettling how subtly yet clearly Nezu expresses his disdain for humans when he gets the chance.
Maybe it's because I'm the result of two different souls fused across time and space, but these things are very obvious to me.
Nezu is the product of who knows how many tests and experiments. It would be more terrifying if he didn't hate us for what was done to him.
Human cruelty knows no bounds; that's as sad as it is true. I wish I could have had a conversation with the God who put me in this new life, to demand an explanation for His inaction regarding our self-destructive tendencies. Bitterness filled me as I recalled the many atrocities humanity has committed. If we were capable of creating concentration camps to kill Jews as if they were cattle, where do we draw the line? Or rather... do we even have a line? I don't think we do, and that terrifies me.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I noticed Nezu had turned on a projector. It showed an image of All Might in his prime. I didn't understand what he was getting at.
"Tell me, Young Midoriya, what do you see here?" A rhetorical question? What was his goal?
"I see All Might... I also see his heroic spirit and... what's expected of me as his successor?" I was genuinely confused. I wanted to discuss the future attack, not debate All Might's legacy.
"Close, but no." My confusion deepened. "What I want you to see is what All Might represents to us—to Japan, and to a part of the world." The image changed. Now, it was a photograph of me, presumably taken by a random pedestrian while I held back the Hosu bullet train with Blackwhip. "This is you. The world's unannounced successor to the Number One Hero, the future torch that will guide the next generations."
This conversation... made no sense at all.
"You did well not to mention this to All Might, for example. He undoubtedly would have chosen to go with you to the camp, spending what little time he has left as a hero. I, on the other hand, am more sensible, logical, and pragmatic. I know what needs to be done to achieve a favorable outcome." Slowly, things started to click into place. "If we lose All Might, society will collapse. And I, as a member of that society, will be affected, along with my precious students."
At least he genuinely cares about his students and subordinates.
Either that, or he's an excellent liar. Which I doubt, because I know how to recognize that type of person.
"I understand that perfectly. What I still don't get is how it connects to my concerns." I've rarely been in a conversation where I wasn't in control since I transmigrated to this world. Not understanding the bigger picture was making me extremely nervous. "I just want my classmates and teachers to be protected."
"And they will be," the principal assured me with a calm smile. He took a moment to sip his tea before continuing. "Present Mic and Midnight will accompany you as additional backup. This will, of course, be communicated through my private channels... I do not wish for an... unexpected information leak, especially after the attempt on your life at the shopping mall."
He knows. He knows there's a spy at U.A.
It was to be expected. With his intellect, he would have figured it out sooner or later.
My conversation with Shigaraki had been kept confidential. Only Detective Tsukauchi has the full, detailed account of what happened.
The others only know the information he and I deemed appropriate to reveal; we didn't want to risk any leaks about the incident.
"I... understand. Thank you for your help with my fears." Bowing again, much to my annoyance, I prepared to leave the room.
This whole conversation left a bad taste in my mouth. Nezu was still hiding things from me, and that put me on higher alert than usual.
"Don't thank me. It's my duty to ensure your well-being," he dismissed my words with a wave of his paw. "You may go now... ah, and Midoriya..."
"Yes, sir?" My hand was already on the doorknob, one move away from leaving.
"You are the next Symbol of this nation. You carry the hopes of many, and... you are going to save more people than you realize." After that enigmatic response, the rodent ignored me, finally allowing me to leave the room.
That was... not what I anticipated. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. And those last words had a double meaning. Nezu isn't some fool in the dark; he's playing his own game with all of us. I tried to remember if the anime had ever shown a similar side to Nezu, but nothing came to mind.
That left me with two possibilities:
One: This world is far deeper than what was shown in the anime and manga, meaning various people will act in ways I've never seen before.
Or two: I'm in a universe that's moderately different from the original story, so various things and/or people have distinct differences.
Whatever the answer...
It wasn't good for me.
"Do you have everything, sweetie?" Mom asked me for the tenth time.
"Hmm, let me think." I pretended to be deep in thought. "Am I in one piece? Yes. Am I amazing? Also yes. Do I have a suitcase that's been checked at least a dozen times? Of course. I think I have everything, Mom."
"Don't tease your mother. I'm just making sure you're properly prepared for your trip." She finally finished tying the tie for my U.A. uniform. "I still don't understand how you can't tie a simple knot."
"It's because you can't see how demonic these things are!" I pointed dramatically at the mirror, gesturing to the clean, neat tie on my shirt. "They're cursed, I tell you!" My performance earned a few laughs from her. That's it. Keep Mom safe, sound, and happy. I mentally patted myself on the back for a job well done.
"Don't you think it's time you head to U.A.? Your teacher doesn't seem like the type who likes to wait." The clock on the wall read 7:00 a.m.
If I use One For All just enough so no one sees me... I'll have plenty of time.
"Yeah, it's time for me to go." I set my suitcase by the door and paused to give my mother a hug. "I'll see you in a month. I'm expecting Katsudon when I get back."
"I'll make it! Say hi to your friend Todoroki for me; he seems like a nice person." Breaking the hug, she opened the door for me. "By the way, Izuku, I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Mom. I love you," I gave her a small but genuine smile.
I hurried down the stairs, and once I was out of sight, I activated One For All. With a single command, power flooded my body.
"Ready to punch some villains?" The flicker I felt in response told me "Yes." "Remember, we'll be meeting the heavy hitters—the ones who will cause trouble until the very end: Dabi, Compress, Spinner, and... Toga... the psycho obsessed with knives and me." One For All's excitement dimmed. I couldn't blame it. Knowing my luck, I'm destined to cross paths with Toga and get her obsessed with me. "Being transmigrated as the protagonist isn't always fun in these cases."
There's not much I can do about it anyway, since the God who put me here has no intention of showing up to explain his reasons. All I can do is keep moving forward.
"It's you and me against the world, buddy." A green streak was all that was left where I had been standing a moment ago. The speed I can handle at this point is absurd. The number of people with speed-based Quirks who can keep up with me is shrinking, and I haven't even reached 100% yet.
"Are you going to listen to music the whole trip, Izuku?" Todoroki asked his seatmate.
"Yep. These trips go by faster with music. Besides..." I pointed a finger behind us, where an argument was brewing between Bakugo and Kaminari.
"Just one tiny explosion, Bakugo!" Denki begged, holding out... a ball of dough?
"Get lost, Dunce Face!" Bakugo shot back, contradicting himself by setting off small explosions in his palms out of sheer annoyance.
"I always charge your phone with my electricity!"
"And that's why the battery life sucks now, you idiot!"
Todoroki's expression shifted from apathetic to completely frigid.
Even he doesn't have the patience for that kind of stupidity. Good to know.
"See my point?" I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
"I do, actually. You don't happen to have a spare pair of earbuds, do you?" I pulled an extra pair from my bag. You never know when you might need a spare. "Thanks, Izuku."
"Anytime, man."
The rest of the drive was a perfect symphony of music, forested landscapes, and the occasional explosion from the back of the bus.
"Alright, everyone off. We're at a rest stop," Aizawa announced with his usual weariness.
So, this is where it starts. As I stepped off the bus, I saw the car parked a little ways ahead. The Wild, Wild Pussycats... what a shitty name.
"Bathroom! I need a bathroom!" Mineta bolted past me, screaming about his desperate need to pee.
I feel you, Mineta... so many times I've gone to the movies and had to hold it just to see the whole film. I started stretching. In a few moments, we'd have to survive the massive forest looming before us.
"I don't get it. Why are we stopping here? There aren't any facilities," Jiro was one of the first to notice the strange location for a rest stop.
"I don't know. Maybe they want us to use the nature that surrounds us?" I replied with fake suspicion, feeding her curiosity.
"That's possible, but pretty unorthodox... By the way, you have great taste in music, Midoriya. I never took you for someone who listens to 'Arctic Monkeys'." She must have been listening to my playlist with her earphone jacks.
"Thanks. If you recognize the band, you must have good taste too. We should share our playlists sometime." Especially since there are new bands in this world that didn't exist in my old one.
"Sounds good to me."
Before our conversation could go any further, Aizawa interrupted.
"Everyone, pay attention." Behind him stood some of the Pussycats and Kota. When did they get here? "These are..."
"With eyes sparkling and full of rock!"
"Cute, cat, and stylin'!"
"Wild, wild..."
"Pussycats!"
Good God... what is this secondhand embarrassment? I wanted to look away during their whole routine. The cringe was just too much. Kota's attitude makes a lot more sense now. With relatives like that, it's hard not to hate everything.
"Alright, youngsters, quick explanation! This entire area is our private property! You can do whatever you want, so don't hold back... and make it to the other side!" Mandalay explained the purpose of our abrupt stop. Many of my classmates were already trying to get back on the bus.
"It's 9:30 now. If you hurry, you could probably make it there around noon." One For All began to stir within me. In a few moments, I'd have to...
"To the bus, quick!" Kirishima yelled as he and several others made a run for it.
But the more sensible ones, like Shoto, Iida, Yaoyorozu, and even Bakugo, stayed put.
We already knew this was inevitable.
"Any kitties who don't make it by 12:30 don't get any lunch!" Mandalay added as an afterthought.
"Sorry, kids, but..." The ground began to tremble violently. "Your summer training camp..." A sudden landslide swept us all off the cliffside and down into the forest below.
"...has just begun."
Author's Note:
Hey.
I always ask what you thought of the chapter, but this time I want to do something different. So, I'm going to ask... how are you all doing? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Or awful? You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
I'll start by explaining that Nezu isn't some secret villain or anything like that. His attitude was my way of portraying the character as I believe he truly is.
Nezu cares for his students, but he is a chimera, a result of experiments conducted by humans. It's clear he would harbor resentment towards them. I'll likely use Nezu more in the future for the story and the changes to come.
I was planning to include the entire journey to the camp in this chapter, but I decided to save it for the next one and combine it with their training sessions. The protagonist is set to awaken another Quirk in this arc, which means extra practice to understand it.
I haven't had much time to write this week, so if you spot any typos in the chapter, please don't hesitate to let me know. I wrote this in a hurry.
I want to close this note by saying thank you for the incredible support. I'm blown away by the number of reads each chapter gets, and the fact that we've reached over 50,000 reads in total is just unreal to me. Those numbers are insane.
Thank you so much for everything. Your support means the world to me, and I hope I can continue to meet your expectations.
I will update again as soon as I can for all of you.
Take care of yourselves. See you next time.