---
The training grounds roared with energy.
Three weeks before the U.A. Sports Festival, every student from Class 1-A—and even 1-B—was pushing their limits. Teachers had assigned personal regimens tailored to each student's growth. And Ron?
He had to train… everything.
Ron stood alone at Training Ground Gamma, switching through quirks in rapid succession.
Engine. Explosion. Half-Cold Half-Hot. One For All.
His body glowed with raw energy.
The Copy System had advanced even further—he could now toggle quirks like tabs in a browser, layering them in bursts. But his goal wasn't brute strength.
It was control.
"Focus," Ron muttered, propelling himself forward with Engine, launching a mid-air explosion for direction, then freezing the ground beneath him before landing.
He skidded into a clean stop. His control had improved. But his heart pounded.
"One For All is still the hardest," he whispered.
Even at 10%, it stressed his body. The regeneration quirk helped, healing the strain… but it didn't remove the pain.
He needed to be more efficient.
---
Meanwhile, on the other end of the facility…
Bakugo, fists crackling, blasted his training robot into pieces. Watching him was Todoroki, his expression unreadable.
"He's training harder than usual," Todoroki said.
Bakugo scoffed. "He thinks he can beat me just 'cause he's got my quirk and Deku's power."
"You're scared."
"What did you say?" Bakugo turned, glaring.
"You're scared. He's unpredictable. He doesn't use quirks the way we do."
Todoroki narrowed his eyes. "You saw what he did at USJ. That wasn't luck."
Bakugo gritted his teeth. "I don't care how many quirks he has. At the festival… I'll prove I'm better."
---
Back at Ground Gamma, Ron was approached by Aizawa.
"You've mastered five quirks already?" he asked, tone flat.
"Six. Super Regeneration too," Ron replied, catching his breath.
Aizawa nodded. "You're becoming a threat."
Ron didn't flinch. "I'm on your side."
"For now."
Ron tilted his head. "You don't trust me?"
"I trust you're dangerous," Aizawa said bluntly. "The school won't protect you if you go rogue."
Ron smiled faintly. "Then I'll protect the school."
Aizawa stared a moment longer, then turned. "Don't show all your cards at the festival. Someone's always watching."
---
That night, in the League of Villains hideout…
Shigaraki stared at Ron's photo pinned to the wall.
"U.A. is flaunting their golden child."
Kurogiri hovered beside him. "Do you wish to intervene?"
"No," All For One's voice echoed through a speaker. "Let him rise. Let him show the world how strong he is."
A pause.
"Because when we break him… the fall will be spectacular."
---
> [System Alert:]
– Rival Status: Bakugo [High Threat]
– Rival Status: Todoroki [Unpredictable]
– Event Proximity: 17 Days
– New Passive: Quirk Layering (Unlocked)
– Warning: System Stress Detected (Monitor One For All Usage)
Ron closed the window, arms crossed as he looked up at the moon.
"They're coming for me. Heroes, villains, the world..."
He smirked.
"Let them come."
---