Chapter 4: From Frying Pan into the Fire
After such an exciting first day class 1A we're looking forward to the next day.
And boy were they disappointed.
Lecture after lecture, lesson after lesson, it felt never ending, it felt as if they were in some type of purgatory... that was, until their last lesson of the day.
—1A homeroom—
As everyone was recovering from their last lecture on 'The historical significance of comic book heroes on the modern hero', trying not to disturb Aizawa who was asleep, as well as discussing their potential majors, Jiro heard something.
"No freakin' way". She exclaimed in surprise catching everyone's attention.
"What is is Jiro"? Mina asked curiously.
"Hold on I hear him too". Shoji stated with wide eyes.
"Him who dude"? Kaminari asked.
Before any answers could be given, the answer burst through the door.
"I... am... standing in the doorway like a normal person"! All Might bellows whilst hanging in the doorway in the most awkward way possible.
"Wait! All Might is going to be teaching us heroics? That's so manly"! Kirishima cried out.
"Yeah man! He's even wearing is silver age costume"! Kaminari joined in excitedly.
"Grreeaat... just great". Izuku thought to himself having not forgiven the hero for what he said to him.
"I am here... to teach Foundational Heroics! In this class, we will be pushing all of you to your limits so that you can learn the basics of being a Hero. We'll be here after lunch every day, sometimes only with me, while other times we'll have another of your teachers assisting! This class also has the most units per semester. So slacking off we'll see you quickly losing your spot in the Hero Course"! The Number One Hero warned the class. The blonde man held a card in his hand.
Upon the card was written the phrase, 'Combat Training', which immediately caused a certain explosive blonde to perk up with a toothy grin.
"However, before the class starts. You'll be needing these"! All Might states as he reveals a small remote and pushes a button.
Several panels exited from the wall on the far side of the room. Each panel contained five metal cases labeled from one to twenty, matching the student's seating numbers
"COSTUMES"! The class all cried out at once, excluding the obvious ones who didn't.
"I've always agreed with the saying, 'clothes make the man', but in this case it's, 'the costume makes the hero'"! All Might stated getting a chuckle out of Izuku as he remembered the old rumours from his old world about Watchdogman and how he never removed his dog costume.
"Now my young wards, dawn your heroic threads and meet me at Gamma field". All Might bellowed as he vanished in the blink of an eye.
The class immediately collected their costumes and began making their ways towards the changing rooms.
—Gamma field—
Izuku was the first to arrive at the field observation room, and he kinda wished he stayed back to avoid the awkward tension with with teacher.
His costume wasn't anything special, just the same outfit he wore when he took the entrance exam, with a few differences. The shirts was now dark green instead of black, he wore a belt of many things that had numerous pouches contains field supplies, and his flats now had metal soles to enhance kicking power.
When he arrived he saw All Might was the only person in the room the tension between them was at awkward levels, however, it was the hero that broke it first.
"It's nice to see that you made it into UA young Midoriya". All Might states trying to start a conversation.
Izuku ignored him.
"Listen... when this class is over, I... I want to talk to you... about what I said. I want to... to make things right, and avoid this, frankly, crushing tension between us". All Might asked hoping to right his wrongs.
"... Ok". Izuku replied causing the hero to smile gently.
Just then everyone else began entering the room.
They all had costumes that fit their abilities, however some made Izuku question his classmate's intelligence. Practically none of them had any type of armour on, hell Momo was half naked and Hagakure was naked except for some gloves and boots, none of them had weapons to aid their abilities other than Bakugo, and none of them had any field supplies.
"Looks like I'll be taking a lot of notes today". Izuku thought to himself as All Might began to explain the exercise.
He explained how the exercise would be two vs two matches between a villain team held up in a mock building guarding a 'nuclear device', and a hero team who start outside the building. Both teams would have 10 minutes to concoct a strategy. The matches would end either when either side was defeated or if the heroes managed to touch 'nuclear device'.
Tsu then asked how teams would be decided and All Might stated it would be through name pulls.
This caused Iida it ask why it was random and not assigned. Izuku then answers for the hero, stating that hero's didn't always get to choose their allies. Iida found the answer acceptable and apologised for interrupting.
The name pulling then began.
(Teams are the same as in canon)
When Ochaco was paired up with Izuku she beamed at him kindly, and he returned with his own sunny smile.
Meanwhile, Bakugo, who's been paired with Iida, also smiled albeit sadistically as he mind was flooded with violent thoughts.
Izuku caught this grin and gave his classmate a smug smile. It was once again time to school this blonde blasting in combat 101.
—Training grounds—
"So... Midoriya, you got a plan". Ochaco asked as the two of them studied the given map of the villain base.
"Yes actually. See Bakugo's been challenging me to fights since we were 4-years old and holds a grudge. He'll be coming after me exclusively, I plan to use that tunnel vision to let you slip past and locate Iida with bomb. I'll best Bakugo and back you up as soon as I can. That sound alright with you"? Izuku explains.
"Hell yeah, let's crush this test"! Ochaco replied with significant enthusiasm.
"Oh... by the why Ururaka. Are those boots... comfortable". Izuku asked referring to her heeled boots.
"Not really, the costume as a whole is fine, if a bit too skintight. But these boots just aren't my style. Why'd you ask"? She replied as Izuku mentally noted her opinion for later.
"No matter. Just something for later. Anyway we should probably get ready, we've got 30 seconds until we're allowed to enter". He replied.
As soon as the two of them entered Izuku's senses picked Bakugo's explosions. He guess they make up three flights of stairs before the blonde intercepted them. He relayed this information to Ururaka and they pressed on.
Then suddenly, right on schedule, as they turned a corner...
KABOOOOMMMM!!
... A wild Bakugo appeared.
Thankfully for our heroes Izuku predicted the attack and moved himself and Ururaka out the way in advance, meaning the surprise attack completely missed.
"Don't dodge Deku! Take the beating you deserve, you quirkless fuck"! Bakugo shouted.
Izuku said nothing in reply, instead he gestured to Uraraka to go round the blonde and find Iida, and much in the same why he predicted Bakugo tunnelled in on him, letting Ururaka slip past completely undetected. He then noticed that Bakugo was still talking.
"I wont hurt enough that the match is called off, but just under that". The blonde threatened.
"Really, cause the last time I checked for as long as we've known each other you've never managed to beat me". Izuku replied calmly luring his opponent in a trap.
"YOU FUCK! I'M GONNA KILL YOU"! Bakugo yelled spitting everywhere as he used his explosions to launch himself at Izuku.
The blonde initially attempted to use a fake out attack by blasting forward only to change direction and try to attack from behind, only for Izuku to causally dodge the onslaught of explosions.
The blonde then attempted a full frontal assault letting off large explosions which enveloped Izuku. Bakugo grinned maliciously at his perceived victory, however...
As the smoke cleared it was reveal that not only as Izuku completely unharmed, but he had begun his counterattack. He'd used a variant of his Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist to gather the energy of the explosions around his fist by creating a vortex, he then shot towards the blonde faster than the eye could see and punched him in the face with his own explosive attack.
Bakugo was sent flying into a stone pillar, however, he did manage to recover and stand back up rather injured.
"If that's the best attack you've got Bakugo then I have woefully overestimated the strength of your quirk". Izuku taunted as he walked forward.
"You ain't seen nothing yet Deku... NOW DIE"! Bakugo replied as he launched into another attack.
—Observation deck—
Meanwhile, the class was spectating the fight and they were floored by how Izuku had total control over the it.
"What kind of martial arts are those, they're insane"? Ojiro asks a little jealous of Midoriya's technique.
"I don't know dude, but they are super manly"! Kirishima responds as they watch Izuku cut through stone without touching it.
"How the hell did he do that? He can cut things without touching them, are we sure this guys quirkless"? Mineta asks utterly terrified of his classmate.
"From the way the space around him appears to warp it seems as though he's using the speed of his wrists rotation to bend the wind to create a razor sharp spiral to cut things. Through how he can do that without a quirk is beyond my knowledge". Yaoyorozu answers hoping to ask Midoriya about it later.
As the students discussed their classmates anomalous abilities, All Might too watched with awe.
"Why was I such a fool? With his technique alongside the power of One For All I can't think of anything that could stop him. Damnit Toshinori why'd you have to go say those stupid hypocritical things, now I've lost a perfect candidate to be my successor. I just hope he can forgive me". All Might thinks to himself as he watches young Midoriya throw young Bakugo around like a ragdoll.
"His techniques are truly impressive and alien, but my ice should easily be able to overwhelm them". Todoroki thought to himself as he analysed his future competition.
"Hey guys... why is Bakugo... laughing"? Hagakure asked pointing at the blonde.
—Training grounds—
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I've won Deku"! Bakugo declares through a swollen jaw.
"And hows that? You've yet to land a hit on me, your left eye is swollen shut, and I've busted 7 of your ribs. That sounds like you've lost to me". Izuku replies casually having already figured out the blondes plan.
"I know you know how my quirk works you stalker, so I'm gonna assume what these gauntlets are for". Bakugo states.
"Their purpose is to store your explosive sweat for larger and more devastating attacks, yeah I figured that out as soon as I saw them". Izuku replied confidently pissing off the blonde.
"SHUT UP YOU QUIRKLESS BASTARD, AND DIE"! Bakugo yelled as he tried his right gauntlet and prepared to fire.
"Young Bakugo that attack might kill him"! All might shouted over the intercom trying to plead with the blondes sense of right, unfortunately Bakugo had none too use.
"He'll be fine if he dodges". Bakugo replies as he took aim and hooked his finger round the gauntlets release pin.
"Midoriya, I've found Iida. He's three floors up in the in the east corner of the building, but he's spotted me". Ururaka chimed in over the communication devices they'd been given.
"Good work partner, keep him there and get clear, I'm sending a payload". Izuku replied as he focused on Bakugo.
"DIE"! He screamed.
But before he could pull the pin Izuku was suddenly crouched in front of him, in a panic he aimed the gauntlet down completely forgetting how close the explosions range was to him now.
SHRAKAKOOOOMMMM!!!
A truly tremendous explosion was launched at Izuku, but he countered. He musted all his strength and skill and parried the attacks momentum reversing it back at Bakugo.
The explosion launched the blonde through three floors and into the bomb room immediately knocking him unconscious and giving both Ochako and Iida a real scare.
However, Ochaco recovered quicker than Iida, unfortunate she was on the other side of the room from the bomb and he was faster than her. Her only choice was to risk is all and run for it. So she did.
Ochaco took sprinting towards the bomb and Iida began to intercept, however, just before he could tackle her, a wave of terror enveloped him similar to how he felt when he tried to talk to Midoriya at the entrance exam, this feeling caused him falter and let Ochaco slip past him and touch the bomb.
'Hero team wins'! All Might bellowed over the intercom.
—Observation deck—
When the teams, sans Bakugo who was taken to medical, returned to the observation deck they were congratulated by their classmates and complimented on their skills, especially by Kirishima whose enthusiasm seemed to be infinite.
All Might then asked the class who the matches MVP was, and Momo raised her hand first. She explained that it was Midoriya as he came up with the plan, held off Bakugo, and gave Ururaka an opening to win the match. No one fought her on this sand it was articulated better than All Might could ever so he began to move on until someone piped up.
"Hey Midoriya, what kind of martial arts were those they looked crazy". Mina asked causing everyone to look at Izuku.
"Yeah man they looked awesome, what'd you call'm"? Kirishima asked enthusiastically. Yup infinite.
Izuku then put on his smug her face and replied.
"Well I have access to a bevy of techniques, but the ones you saw where my Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist and Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist". He replied as everyone marvelled at the names.
"Those are the sickest names I've ever heard Green". Jiro stated and everyone agreed.
"But... how do they work? From what I saw you can somehow deflect and redirect attacks as well as cut things suing the wind, but how do you do that without a quirk"? Yaoyarozu asked curiously.
"It's rather simple really...". He replied as everyone moved in to listen.
"It's a secret". He stated causing Mina to boo him.
"Alright, alright, that wasn't the answer you wanted. But if you do want to know, join me after the exercise and I'll talk". Izuku replied with an ominous smile.
After that things moved along nicely.
The next match was Todoroki and Shoji vs Ojiro and Hagakure.
When the match started Izuku produced a notebook seemingly from thin air. When asked about it he insisted it'd been on his person the whole time.
The matches got off to a rough start with Todoroki freezing the entire building instantly, nabbing an immediate win, but was harshly criticised afterwards but he didn't seem to care like it didn't matter do something.
Beyond that however, all the matches went smoothly and soon the exercise was over and the class was dismissed.
Afterwards All Might again had sped off at incredible speeds. Izuku then told his classmates that he had something to do and that if they wanted to learn about his martial arts then they should wait for him at the main gate.
—All Mights office—
After getting changed back into his university uniform Izuku found his way to All mights office with some assistance from Cementoss. When he entered he saw All Might sitting at a desk waiting for him. As he looked around the room was rather spartan, it showed how All Might had only just become teacher at the school, in fact the only thing in their that looked to belong to the hero was a picture of himself in his first costume.
"Ah, young Midoriya, you're here. Please close the door behind you, I have something important to talk to you about". All Might stated as he erupted in steam remaking his true form and began to cough.
"You okay"? Izuku asked.
"I'm alright young Midoriya, just not the spring chicken I use to be. But my failing health isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, it's about me failing you". He replied getting Izuku's attention.
The hero then rose from his desk and approached the young man, before assuming the dogeza position.
"I'm sorry". He stated catching Izuku off guard.
"I'm sorry for what I said to you that day by the outflow pipe, it was shortsighted and hypocritical of me to say those things to you. You don't have to forgive me, just know that I am truly sorry". Yagi declared as he hoped for a positive answer but fully prepared to be rejected.
This whole situation had thrown Izuku through a loop, the number 1 hero and symbol of peace was currently bowing before him begging his forgiveness. But there was one word in his confession that didn't make sense to him, 'hypocritical', why were his words hypocritical?
"All Might... Yagi, please stand up you shouldn't need doing things like this. What would the press say". Izuku expressed as pulled the man to his feet.
"They'd properly assume you where my son or something". Yagi replied in a joking tone and a smile.
"True. But hey, what did you mean by your words being hypocritical"? Izuku asked casing Yagi to stare into space before collecting himself.
"Young Midoriya, let me tell you a story of two brothers". Yagi stated as he prepared to tell the story.
The next few minutes of Izuku life were intense and unbelievable, somehow even more unbelievable than him being reincarnated by God from his former life as a hero hunter.
Yagi told him a story, he told him of two brothers at the dawn of quirks, how the younger was powerless, but the older brother had a quick let him steal and gift abilities to others will and how the older brother became a king of crime and the Lord of villainy. How the younger brother opposed his older brother but had no power to do so and that's in pity the older brother had gifted his sibling a stockpile ability and that it had merged with the younger brothers true transfer ability that have been hidden away, which should became an ability called One For All. This quirk had one goal to destroy the older brother who are taking the name of his quirk All For One his villainess moniker. It took countless sacrifices another eight generations of heroes there was over nearly 2 centuries to do it but last All Might himself had finally done it, he'd killed all the ones with his bare hands with the villains viscous greymatter of seeping through his fingers and the villains flattened skull at the cost of the hero's intestinal tract and left lung. By the end of the story Izuku was floored, he'd known that quirks could be all toyed but this was on a whole other level.
"So that's why you've been slowing down recently. Your body is so injured that it can't withstand this OFA quirk for long". Izuku blurted out.
"Indeed, which is why I've recently began looking a successor. AFO may be gone now, but there will always be more men like him, monsters and fools who want to rule the world". Yagi replied as he looked Izuku in the yes and Izuku caught on.
"You... want me... to inherit your power... why? And I still don't see how this makes you a hypocrite."? Izuku asked bewildered.
"Because, young Midoriya, I too was quirkless before my master offered me the power of OFA. She took a chance with me as I should have with you when we met, but I was blinded by my fear and anxiety. As for why I'm offering you the power, well to be honest it's because of your skill and that impossible strength of yours, in combination with OFA, you'd surpass me in days". Yagi explained hoping the young man old accept.
"I'm flattered Yagi I really am... but I'll have to decline". Izuku replied confusing Yagi.
"May I ask why"? Yagi asked.
"I plan to become a symbol of Hope for people like me, without quirks and those with weak quirks, and I can't in good conscience preach that anyone can be a strong or be a hero with or without a quirk, if I'm secretly using your weird super-quirk". Izuku replied honestly.
"I understand completely young Midoriya. It seems as though fate has other plans for you, and even though you rejected my power I'll still support that dream of yours as much as I can". Yagi replied vigorously.
"Thanks Yagi Sensei, and hey, even though I'm not taking the power, that doesn't mean I can't help you find and train your successor". Izuku responded kindly.
"That would be much appreciated my boy. Now hurry along, your friends are surely waiting for you at the gate". Yagi states causing Izuku to whip his head towards the clock and dash off.
"Oh to be young like that again". Yagi thought to himself as he relaxed.
—UA gate—
As Izuku walked to the front gate he was deep in thought as he mentally relived the experience he'd just had.
"Hey Midoriya, you good? What took you so long"? A familiar voice calls out snapping him to attention.
It was Kirishima and he wasn't alone, along with him was Iida, Yaoyarozu, Jiro, Mineta, Ojiro, and Ururaka.
"Huh, oh yeah, Present Mic just wanted me explain something to him about someone I wrote during his lecture". Izuku replied with a smile as he approached them.
"Hope you guys weren't waiting too long". He states.
"Nah, just over 10 minutes, not too long Green". Jiro replied.
"So, you gonna tell us about those cool martial arts of yours". Ojiro asked hoping to learn more about his techniques.
"I will, however, not here. I've got a secret spot I train in. If you guys don't need to be anywhere right now I'll take you there". He replies confusing his friends.
"Where is this 'secret spot' you speak of Midoriya"? Iida asked stiffly.
"About 15 kilometres in that direction. Don't worry I wont you run it like me, well take public transport". Izuku replied causing kirishima to double-take.
"You run 15 kilometres to get home"? He asked.
"1o kilometres actually, the other 5 are from my house to the location". Izuku cleared up.
"That's so freakin' manly! Kirishima cried out as they began their walk to the train station.
—Secret spot—
After a short train ride and a 3 kilometre walk the group all found themselves in Izuku's secret spot in the forest.
His training ground was nothing special, just a few apparatus made of carved wood in a clearing.
"So this is where you trained those techniques"? Ojiro asked as he saw serval tress that looked to have had circles carved through them.
"Yup". Izuku replied.
"Alright Green we're here so spill, how the hell do those martial arts work"? Jiro demanded.
"Alright then, if you insist. My martial arts where taught to me by my old master Bang, who's sadly no longer with us, and their specifically made to be anti-human". Izuku explained scoring his friends with the phrase 'anti-human'.
"Anti-human martial arts, that sounds incredibly dangerous' Yaoyarozu points out with Iida agreeing wholeheartedly.
"They are which is why only a select few know of their existence. Would you like a demonstration"? Izuku replied offering a first hand look at his abilities.
"What do you mean by 'demonstration' Midoriya"? Ochaco asked trepidatiously.
"All of you against me... with your quirks". Izuku states hocking his entourage.
"Why are you making this offer dude"? Mineta asked terrified of the potential outcome.
"From what I observed in the battle trial only half of you know the basics of fighting, and whether you plan to be a rescue hero, a detective hero, an underground hero, and especially a front line hero, you need to know how to fight beyond just haymakers and kicks". Izuku explains somewhat brushing their egos.
"Alright bro you're on". Kirishima replies accepting the challenge as he hardens up.
"What about the rest of you? You guys in". Izuku asks as the group all look at one another and nod.
"We accept your challenge Midoriya". Momo replies as she produces a quaterstaff.
The others all spread out and surround him on every side.
"Huh, this reminds me of hen I fought Death Gatling and his group in the forest". Izuku thought to himself as the group move in for the attack.
The 'fight' as it were did not last long. Izuku dodged all of Mineta's balls and bested him with a single kick, he deflected Iida's kick into Kirishima who ate dirt, he parried Momo's staff swings with ease and snapped the it before gut shot punching her, he caught Ururaka as she attempted to remove his gravity and threw her into Jiro taking them both out, having recovered Kirishima tired again alongside Ojiro and they tried to double team him but he redirected their attacks at one another before impacting them both in the chest. The whole fight took 57 seconds.
"See what I mean". Izuku states as his friends recover from the whooping he just gave them.
"Yeah, we understood you were strong day one, doesn't mean you to had prove it so... painfully". Jiro replied as he nursed her chest and ego.
"Midoriya, whilst lessons in humility are necessary to be a hero, I don't fully understand why you had to be so rough". Iida asked as he helped Kirishima to his feet.
"I was rough so I could properly gauge your guys abilities, it let me see what you were capable of". He replied.
"Ok why did you need your know that then"? Momo asked as she produced basic medical supplies to aid her friends.
"So I can help you guys train". He relied with smile.
"What"? They asked simultaneously.
"Listen, things are going to change soon, and they're going to get bad, call it a hunch, but we need heroes capable of actually fighting not just posing for the camera. You gigs wanted to learn about my martial arts, what better way than to actually leant how to use them. So what'd'ya say"? Izuku explained vaguely.
The group then all looked at one another again before turning back to Izuku, as Ururaka stepped forward.
"We're in". She replied valiantly as they all smiled at him.
Things were about to get a whole lot more interesting around UA.