(Kata POV – Training City)
I push my worries aside for the moment. Not because I don't care, but simply because thinking about it won't change anything.
'They've definitely done something to mess with my quirk.' I think, exhaling slowly. 'But whatever they did, I'll find out soon enough.'
I'm genuinely impressed, since making my quirk immune to such things was something I took great measures to ensure.
But for now, I focus on Aizawa's explanation of the exam.
Each team has thirty minutes to either capture the teacher with a pair of special handcuffs, or have one teammate escape through a designated gate. Either method allows you to pass the exam.
The point is simple. We should treat the teachers like real villains in order to simulate real battle conditions as closely as possible. Regardless, they won't really hold back against us… much.
To make things "fair," every teacher will wear ultra-compressed weights courtesy of Mei, that add fifty percent of their body weight to restrict movements, while significantly draining their stamina.
'Fair, they call it.'
I glance at All Might, who's standing beside me with that impossibly bright grin, and sigh inwardly.
'Yeah, fair… shouldn't they use the weights I got last time?' I think in distaste.
And apparently, All Might isn't even required to wear them when fighting me.
'So I'm the final boss, huh?' I groan internally. 'You can't even tell us about the exam in advance, but you're getting as much prep time as you need to fight me.'
Aizawa's voice fades into the background as I process the rest. There'll be nine exams, all happening simultaneously across the city, each on a different stage so we don't interfere with each other.
One by one, groups are assigned their teachers and sent off on separate buses. The noise dies down until it's just me, standing in the clearing as the last vehicle disappears down the road.
The only teacher left is All Might.
I raise an eyebrow at him. "I assume there are… alternate arrangements for me?" I ask dryly, which makes him cough awkwardly before replying.
"Ahaha! Yes, well! Our battle will take place after everyone else finishes theirs." He says, scratching his cheek.
I stare flatly. "Is there not enough space?"
He sighs, deflating just a little. "Principal Nezu was worried that our match might… disrupt the other exams."
'So… we'd level the entire city?'
I nod slowly, not arguing, since it makes sense. If the All Might is genuinely taking this seriously, then it's better not to risk collateral damage.
Still…
'I'm not sure this whole city will be enough.' I muse.
Maybe it would've, if whatever All Might did wasn't disrupting my quirk, given how easily I could win.
All Might claps his hands together suddenly, snapping me from my thoughts. "In the meantime! Why don't we head to the monitoring room and watch the others?"
He then flashes his signature grin. "There's also someone there who wants to meet you!"
His tone is just a bit too cheerful… more so than normal, like he's waiting for my reaction, despite not telling me who.
I narrow my eyes slightly. 'That confirms why All Might's invisible to my radar.'
The possibilities narrow down to a single individual who could successfully temper with my quirk.
I sigh, but a small smile tugs at my lips anyway.
'I get it, though.'
If she's really here…
All Might's grin widens as if he's already reading my thoughts.
"She's excited to meet you, young man!"
'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't too.' I admit inwardly, a flicker of genuine anticipation sparking through me.
After all, she's one of my favorite heroes for numerous reasons. The main being…
'She's badass.'
(Cathleen Bate [Stars & Stripes] POV – Monitoring Room)
I sit with my arms crossed, one leg casually over the other as I watch the live feeds flicker across the monitors. Each shows a team of U.A. students who'll face off against a pro hero.
It's fascinating stuff, sure. But it's not why I'm here.
No, my focus is on one name in particular… the same one that somehow got All Might and Principal Nezu to personally call me halfway across the world.
"We'd like your help running a special case for one of our students." Nezu had said, voice cheerful as always.
"His quirk's... unusual. We need help neutralizing its effects on me, so we can test him properly." All Might had added.
At the time, even my superiors were skeptical… until they heard the student's name.
"Kata Okada…" I murmur, tapping a finger against my armrest. "Just what kind of kid are you?"
The door hisses open behind me.
"Yeah, that'd be me." A calm, even voice replies.
I turn, brows lifting.
All Might steps in first with a full grin, and bright eyes. Behind him walks a boy with snow-white hair, blood-red eyes, and a posture you only see in soldiers or top heroes. Quiet confidence.
He's young, but there's a steady air about him. Almost like he's got everything under control.
'So this is the kid everyone's warning me about.' I think.
"It's nice to meet you." he says politely, bowing slightly. "I'm a huge fan."
That catches me off guard.
Most Japanese students only have eyes for All Might, and honestly? Can't blame them. Still, hearing that I'm someone's favorite from across the ocean… it feels good!
His tone isn't giddy or excited. It's composed, almost formal. But I can tell he means it. There's sincerity in the way he looks at me, like he's studying someone he already respects.
Behind him, All Might freezes mid-step. His grin falters.
"You… you actually have a hero you admire?" He blurts, like someone just told him the sky turned purple.
I can't help the snort that escapes me. "Why wouldn't he?" I say at the same time Kata deadpans, "Why wouldn't I?"
For a split second, there's silence… then I burst out laughing, hand on my hip. Even Kata's mouth forms a small smile.
All Might looks between us, still baffled. "Kata never mentioned admiring anyone before! I just assumed—"
"That his favourite had to be you?" I tease, folding my arms and giving him a playful grin. "Guess you were wrong, huh?"
All Might scratches the back of his neck, flustered. "Well, uh, I suppose even the most stoic students can surprise us! I'm actually glad he has a role model he looks up to."
Kata rolls his eyes at All Might's statement, before turning his attention back to me. "I have respect for strength and conviction. And you…" He says to me, his voice steady and calm. "Represent both."
For once, I'm the one blinking. Compliments don't usually throw me off, but there's something matter-of-fact about how he says it. It's as though he genuinely believes it to be a fact that needs no justification.
"…You've got a way with words, kid." I chuckle. "Careful, I might start blushing."
That earns the faintest smirk from him.
'Still, I wonder why he says that about me, and not All Might.' I ponder, before deciding it doesn't matter.
"All right," I say, stepping forward and offering a hand. "Name's Cathleen Bate, or Stars & Stripes if you prefer my hero name. I've heard a lot about you, Kata. Figured I'd see what the fuss is about."
He shakes my hand firmly, unbothered by the strength of my grip. "The honor's mine, Cathleen."
That gets me. There's respect there. It's not hero-worship… just mutual recognition.
All Might, however, looks like he's watching two aliens interact in a foreign language.
I shoot him a grin. "You okay there, big guy? You look like you just saw a ghost."
He clears his throat. "I just… didn't expect Kata to be this excited! He's even smiling!"
Kata hums quietly. "You make it sound like I never do."
"Because you don't!" All Might exclaims.
Kata just shrugs his shoulders, brushing it off. "Maybe you just haven't given me a reason to."
The room falls silent for a heartbeat before I laugh again, shaking my head. "Oh, I like you, kid."
Then his tone softens slightly. "Actually, could I ask you for an autograph?"
"Anything for a fan!" I grin. "Do you have something I can sign on?"
Kata nods, pulling a pen and notepad from thin air.
My eyebrows rise. "Huh. Handy trick you've got there."
He doesn't comment, just offers a small nod as I sign. The look in his eyes is thoughtful and observant, but I see a glimmer of satisfaction beneath it all.
When I hand the note back, he makes it disappear once more.
"Thank you." He says quietly.
I grin, crossing my arms again. "You're welcome, soldier. Now let's see if you can live up to all that hype I've been hearing."
All Might chuckles, finally recovering his grin. "Oh, you'll see plenty soon enough!"
Somehow, Kata remains unperturbed, despite me having used a Rule to effectively neutralize his quirk.
'I wonder why he's so confident. He should know what's happened.' I think excitedly.
Either way…
'I can't wait to see what he's made of!' I grin.
(Kata POV – Monitoring Room)
I lean back in my chair, eyes flicking between the dozen screens displaying the start of the practical exams.
For once, I'm thankful to Nezu. If not for him, I might've never met Cathleen in person.
She might've died before I met her, sacrificing herself for the sake of showing how powerful Shigaraki will become.
But for now she's alive.
I exhale softly. She's one of the few heroes I genuinely admire.
Not because of her strength, though her quirk, New Order, is absurdly overpowered, but because of her conviction. When she saw how dangerous Shigaraki had become, she didn't hesitate. She risked her life and career to stop him.
Unlike most heroes, she was willing to kill the threat and save more lives. I admire those principles.
Still, admiration doesn't mean trust.
Even now, I can feel the rule she applied to All Might. I assume it makes him immune to Telekinesis in general.
'Good thing I already accounted for that.' I think, watching her reflection in the monitor glass. I never expected her to attack me, but it would've been stupid not to prepare for the possibility.
She can't instakill me with my preparations, and because of that, if a fight broke out… I'd win.
'Although, I hope it doesn't come to that, nor is it likely to.'
That's why I trained the last two weeks like my life depended on it. Because someday, it might.
'Anyway… time to see how everyone else is doing.'
On the monitors, the exams are already underway.
The assignment being as follows:
Nezu vs Ashido & Kaminari
Thirteen vs Aoyama & Uraraka
Present Mic vs Koda & Jiro
Aizawa vs Yaoyorozu & Todoroki
Ectoplasm vs Asui & Tokoyami
Midnight vs Sero & Ojiro
Snipe vs Hagakure & Shoji
Cementoss vs Sato & Kirishima
Nagant vs Midoriya & Bakugo
All Might vs Okada
It's almost identical to canon, except Bakugo and Midoriya are up against Nagant, and Mineta's position was taken by Ojiro.
Cathleen leans forward, arms crossed, eyes glinting with interest. "You think any of them will surprise us?"
"Maybe." I answer casually. "I'm sure most of them will manage to pull through and pass, even against pros."
Her lips curl into a smirk. "Let's see if that's true."
(Mina POV – Training City)
"This'll be a piece of cake!" Kaminari shouts, sparks dancing between his fingers. "The principal's like, a hamster with a doctorate!"
"Exactly!" I twirl the capture cuffs around my finger, grinning. "In and out, we slap these on him, and boom! We pass!"
We high-five, hyped and grinning—
—and the ground explodes beneath us.
"WOAH!" I scream, diving forward as metal pipes crash down in a mechanical avalanche, smashing where we'd just stood.
Dust fills the air as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest.
"What the hell—!?" Kaminari yells, ducking under a falling steel beam. "He's not even here!"
"Run!" I shout, grabbing his arm as the floor gives way again.
Nezu's voice hums through hidden speakers, cheerful and terrifyingly calm. "Excellent reflexes, you two! But perhaps you've forgotten… heroes must think, not just react."
The city shifts like it's alive. Buildings creak, walls collapse, roads turn into dead ends.
"Where's the exit?!" Kaminari gasps.
I spin, trying to orient myself, but everything looks different. The area is now unrecognisable, and out orientation was lost as we ran for our lives. We're quite literally become trapped in the maze forming before our eyes.
Every time we find a path forward, debris seals it off again. We're trapped inside a moving puzzle.
"He's herding us." I realize, panting.
Kaminari growls, electricity crackling. "If I find him, I'll—"
Another tower collapses, cutting him off.
We don't even see Nezu once.
By the time the timer runs out, we're still running — nowhere near the gate.
Nezu's voice chimes softly through the speakers again. "A valuable lesson: victory isn't always about strength, but foresight. Do remember that, Miss Ashido, Mister Kaminari."
I drop to my knees, breathing hard. "I hate that rat so much."
Kaminari groans beside me. "Same."
(Jiro POV – Training City, Woods)
"HEEEEYYYYY!!!"
Present Mic's voice detonates through the forest, making the trees shake.
I cry out, clutching my ears. "Aaaagh—!" The sound feels like it's revertebrating through my skull.
Beside me, Koda flinches so hard he nearly collapses. His hands tremble, mouth opening soundlessly.
"Come on, Koda!" I shout, my voice barely audible over the echo. "We can't get close! He's too loud!"
Mic's laughter booms like thunder. "C'mon, kids! You gotta project your souls! Don't hold back!"
I grit my teeth, tears stinging my eyes. My ears are bleeding, literally bleeding, and Koda's frozen in terror.
"Think, think—" I mutter, mind racing. My earjacks throb painfully, as my quirk is at a huge disadvantage against Present Mic. "We can't outrun him—"
I glance at Koda again. "Hey! You can talk to insects, right?!"
He blinks at me, wide-eyed.
"I know you hate bugs." I shout, "But if we want to pass, I need you to talk to all of them!"
He hesitates, then swallows hard and drops to his knees, hands pressed into the dirt, as he begins speaking rapidly as insects gather around.
There's a pause…
Then the forest moves.
Mic's next shout booms throughout the forest.
"WHA—AAAGH—!" He screams, followed by the sound of the crawling, skittering wave of insects that engulf him.
Then silence.
Just the sound of rustling leaves and my ragged breathing.
Koda's shaking like a leaf, pale as paper. I grab his wrist and pull him up.
"You did it." I say quietly. "You actually did it."
He nods weakly. I can tell he's holding back a scream.
We limp toward the exit in silence, stepping carefully around the unconscious Pro Hero now covered in beetles.
I let out a shaky laugh. "I don't care what anyone says, Koda. You're the MVP today."
And he manages a small, nervous smile.
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you today? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So, yeah... It's not the full thing. Funny enough, I wrote the summaries initially in Kata's POV (since it's have been hard doing a summary in their individual POVs), and to be honest... I just wasn't happy. It somehow felt rushed (which it is when it's like that), and overall just felt wrong. So, I have up on that, and rewrite these 2 (since they were first), and am rewriting the rest as well.
All things considered, I think this is what works best. I'll keep it brief, but it has some life, and it helps anyone who hasn't watched the anime (or manga), to this point. That, and my clipboard goes to 3.5k or something, and if be copy pasting the chapter twice each time🤣. So yeah, that's why I didn't finish all the fights this chapter. I'll continue like this, so anyone not interested can also skip the next chapter (when it comes out) since they're quite similar to canon already, with a few tweaks from me.
As for other things... How was Cathleen's impression? I think it ended up quite well, and was kinda in character, based on what I know of her. She's actually my favourite hero. A hero who didn't stop fighting even in death🤣. And one who actually went for the kill without hesitation, or hate (as in All Might's case). So yeah, I deeply respect her. And I guess Kata does too.
It's not just me projecting my feelings (would I be wrong for that though? 😭), but Kata's read the manga, and I'm sure, with his personality and experience, does admire her. They're quite similar, except she's kind and heroic (I guess Kata is too, just to Eri though), and does what's necessary (a murder).
And... Everyone guessed wrong last chapter 🤣. It wasn't Mei. It was S&S. And I know I mentioned him having thought up a countermeasure... And never mentioning what it is... That's in purpose. It won't be revealed till much later, so you can just forget about it for now, and remember when the time comes😀.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
So yeah... That's all from me. Hope you all have a wonderful day/night!
Edit: I forgot to mention... I'm thinking of reducing the harem to 6 people. Momo, Mina, Mikro, Himiko, Toru, Nejire. Removing Midnight, Fuyumi, and Mei as love interests. They'd still be involved, just not romantically what do you guys think?