Izuku stood before the imposing gates of the prestigious hero academy, U.A. He observed the building calmly; without the excitement any other applicant might feel. After everything he had been through, after all he had faced, this was just another step along his path. His thoughts weren't clouded by nerves or anxiety. He only remembered his mission… and the promise he made to Rei. Rei's youngest son. Although, being the descendant of the second most recognized hero, it was highly likely he had entered through recommendation. He wouldn't see him in the entrance exams, but maybe later in the hero course. He would figure that out when the time came.
As he walked toward the entrance, he spotted Bakugo… and his sister. Quickly, he hid himself, deciding to stay out of sight and let them go first. He had no reason to interact with them right now, even though he missed his sister deeply. He preferred to avoid any possible confrontation—especially if Mrs. Inko was around.
He shook off those thoughts and prepared to enter when, suddenly, a small misstep caused him to trip over a rock. He thought he had fixed that clumsiness long ago. Well, what could he do? At least his face would make a memorable impression for his first day.
—("Well, this isn't ideal…")— he thought resignedly, bracing himself for the impact.
A few seconds passed… nothing? He opened his eyes and noticed he was floating, his face mere inches from the ground. He didn't recall using…
—Are you okay?— said a voice, sweet, gentle, and surprisingly familiar.
He quickly turned his head, and his eyes met those of a young woman with wavy brown hair, longer strands framing her face, fair skin, and naturally flushed cheeks. Her large brown eyes looked at him with curiosity and a hint of concern. That gaze… he knew it well. Izuku felt a slight knot in his throat.
—Ochako...?
The girl blinked, confused.
—Do you know me?
He froze for an instant, realizing his mistake. He quickly stood up and gave a small, calm smile to clear up any misunderstanding.
—Sorry, I think I mistook you for someone else. That wasn't my intention. It's also funny that your name is Ochako. I thought it wasn't very common, but I guess I was wrong. The world sure is interesting, isn't it?— he said calmly.
To his relief, the young woman simply smiled kindly.
—Don't worry. I just wanted to help and apologize for using my quirk without asking first. I thought it would be bad luck if you tripped right before the exam. Maybe you were nervous... I'm a bit nervous too. But anyway, good luck! See you soon!— she said before heading toward the school entrance.
Izuku watched her for a moment, his expression still calm. He had forgotten that she would be in this exam, that they would study together. He knew that she… No, he had to stay focused on his task. There would be time to talk to her later.
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In the written exam, Izuku had no trouble at all. There was nothing he hadn't learned long ago. He finished far too quickly, surprising both the examiner and the other students—especially a boy with glasses who stared at him with suspicion. However, Izuku didn't pay him any mind.
After the written portion, he headed to an auditorium where the explanation for the second test would take place. Luckily, no one was there yet, so he could sit quietly and relax for a moment. To keep himself occupied, he started reading the sheet that contained information about the next phase, curious to see what awaited him.
—Let's see... the test will take place in simulated cities, and we'll have ten minutes to complete it. We'll be separated into different centers depending on our choices, but we won't be with anyone we know to prevent cheating or sabotage. What a shame, it'd be nice to at least see my little sister... though Bakugo would be another story, haha. Each city will have four types of robots with scores ranging from 0 to 3. The zero-point ones are just obstacles, so defeating them isn't necessary... good luck and "PLUS..." yeah, I know the rest.
He sighed, set the papers down on the desk, and leaned on them.
—Well, the others will take a while with the written test... I'll take a nap to calm my nerves.
And just like that, Izuku closed his eyes and fell asleep peacefully. Everything was going relatively well until...
—HEY, YOU! THE CURLY-HAIRED KID! WAKE UP!!
—What...? Where's the alarm? Who died? Wait, I'm the curly-haired kid?— Izuku replied, startled and still half-asleep, completely confused by the situation.
He blinked several times and opened his eyes fully, realizing the auditorium was now packed with participants. They were all looking at him, whispering among themselves—some even laughing at his reaction. The presenter, the Voice Hero Present Mic, stared at him with curiosity, while the same bespectacled boy from before glared at him sternly and pointed in his direction.
—Your lack of respect toward the test, the institution, and above all, your indifference toward the written exam offends those present who truly wish to enter this school! If you think U.A. is an easy path, then get out right now! This school doesn't need slackers like you!—the boy with glasses exclaimed sharply, his expression radiating complete disapproval.
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Izuku looked around, still calm after the scolding, and simply sighed.
—Seriously, no one's ever willing to help when someone falls asleep... I'm sorry, man, didn't mean to bother you. Go ahead, keep complaining and all that...—he said without interest, sitting back down as if the boy's outburst didn't concern him at all.
His attitude only fueled the boy's anger further. For a moment, he seemed about to argue again, but he gave up, choosing instead to refocus on his complaint about the robots and their point assignments.
Izuku knew he had been a little rude to the guy, but he didn't want to draw any more attention to himself—especially after noticing two very familiar faces staring at him in disbelief. One was a green-haired girl who couldn't hide her shock at seeing him there, and the other a walking explosion who looked ready to kill him on the spot.
—("Well, at least my sister knows I kept my promise.")—Izuku thought nervously, realizing that his plan to stay unnoticed had failed spectacularly from the very start.
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They were now at the entrance to the second test, in Battle Center B. Izuku, wearing a blue hoodie, stood before an enormous door. Beyond it stretched a massive cityscape that would serve as the stage for the challenge he was about to face. Seriously, how could they afford all this? The perks of government favoritism, apparently.
As he observed the other participants, he noticed the brown-haired girl from before... Ochaco. She had been assigned to the same area. Izuku thought this might be a good chance to thank her for saving him back then—something he would've liked to do, if not for a hand stopping him mid-step.
It was the boy with glasses. And Izuku already knew what was coming.
—Your insolence will not go unpunished—he said sternly, with a clear tone of irritation.—I can see you don't take anything seriously, and you're nothing but a slacker who doesn't even care about this test. Shameful! Someone like you could never understand the true meaning of excellence. A hero must be disciplined, exemplary, and constantly strive for perfection—just like I do!—he declared proudly, adjusting his glasses as they caught the light with a self-satisfied gleam.—And to prove it, let's make a bet.
—Relax, I was just going to thank that... WAIT…A BET?!— Izuku asked, visibly confused and astonished.
—Yes. We'll compete in this test. The winner will have the right to demand anything from the loser. That way, you'll finally understand the difference between a true hero and... whatever it is you think you are—he proclaimed with an air of grandeur.
Izuku froze in disbelief. Wasn't this guy supposed to be serious?
—Aren't you going to scold me for "supposedly" bothering a participant?—Izuku asked, still confused.
—Of course that would be wrong, but there are more pressing matters. And right now, the most important thing is to show these incompetents how a hero should behave... A hero like me—he said with an unmistakably arrogant tone, puffing out his chest with pride.
—Am I sure I've got the right guy? Who poisoned you?—Izuku muttered to himself, trying to process what was happening. Just how did this guy even make it here...?
Then he noticed the other participants glancing at him and whispering behind his back.
—Isn't that the guy who fell asleep during the presentation?
—Yeah, and he's also the one who almost tripped at the entrance.
—I saw him finish the written exam super fast... He's probably the type who gives up easily.
—Good, that means we don't have to worry about him.
—Lucky us!—they all said in unison.
Izuku quickly realized he had made a terrible first impression. But honestly, he didn't care. Instead of worrying about what others thought, he focused on the boy with glasses. From what he'd seen, the guy was supposed to be fair... yet something about this whole situation didn't add up. Better to deal with it later.
With a determined look, Izuku met his eyes and, smiling slightly, said:
—I accept your challenge... Tenya Iida.
—What...?
—Let's get started!!—Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers.
Iida didn't even have time to respond. In an instant, Izuku dashed toward the city with indescribable speed, the force of his movement bending the metal gate as he passed through it, leaving everyone present in stunned silence.
They really shouldn't have underestimated him.
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Inside a dark room filled with monitors, dozens of live feeds showed the ongoing entrance exam battles. The teachers watched in silence, analyzing each fight with sharp, critical eyes.
Some students clearly stood above the rest. On one screen, a fierce, wild blond was blasting through robots with ruthless explosions, reducing every obstacle in his path to ash. On another, a girl with emerald-green hair unleashed bursts of fire, her flames devouring metal like it was paper.
But when the cameras switched to another zone... the view changed completely. It was pure destruction. The streets of the mock city were littered with the remains of dozens of robots, as if a storm of steel had torn through everything. Barely five minutes had passed, and at least half of the mechanical "villains" had already been reduced to scrap.
One of the teachers frowned and asked for a closer look. When the feed appeared on the main monitor, silence filled the room.
There he was. A green-haired boy, walking calmly through the wreckage, his face serene yet radiating a crushing aura. In front of him, two robots—one level 2 and the other level 3—prepared to charge. The faster one swung a massive steel hook at him, but the boy didn't dodge. He didn't need to. With a simple motion, he caught the metallic fist with one hand, as if it were nothing more than a toy.
A surge of green energy flashed across his body—and from his arms burst what looked like… black tendrils? They slithered out like hungry serpents, wrapping tightly around both robots. With a single pull, he crushed them with overwhelming force, reducing them to scrap in an instant.
The teachers could barely process what they were seeing.
On the screen, the boy looked up, spotting a group of robots gathering ahead. Without hesitation, he extended the tendrils in opposite directions, weaving them into a living web of steel around him. With precise movements, he gathered pieces of wreckage and molded them into two massive armored gauntlets over his fists.
—BOOM!
The first strike was devastating.
The robots erupted into a storm of sparks and twisted metal as Izuku punched through them with inhuman strength. Not even a second later, his next blow shattered three more that tried to flank him. And as if that weren't enough, the tendrils extended again, capturing more machines and compacting them into a massive wrecking ball—which he then swung forward, sweeping through everything in his path.
The teachers were speechless. Every movement he made displayed a lethal blend of instinct, precision, agility, and raw combat experience far beyond what any other examinee had shown. His attacks weren't just powerful—they were deliberate, calculated, as if every action was part of a plan only he could see.
But among all the stunned faces, one stood out—a skinny blond man whose pale face had gone completely still. His eyes were wide open, his disbelief almost tangible.
—Young Himura...—he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.—That quirk... what is it?
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On the battlefield, Izuku tore through the robots, moving with blinding agility thanks to his own Full Cowl at fifty percent. His strikes were sharp and precise, and in a matter of seconds, the machines were reduced to piles of scrap. Yet, he wasn't just focused on destruction—every time he spotted a participant in danger, he stopped to help. He applied first aid, carried them to safety, and then continued his unstoppable streak of points.
After several minutes, Izuku landed on the roof of a building to assess the situation.
—Let's see... if I add the 1, 2, and 3-point bots I took down to my 144 total, that makes... 150. Didn't expect there to be so many,—he muttered, genuinely surprised by the number of robots in the exam.—This just proves how much money this school really has... I'd like to reach 200, but that might mess with the other participants... Hmm, what should I do now?
His thoughts were cut short by a deafening roar. The ground shook beneath his feet, and in the distance, a massive crater split open. From the pit rose a colossal machine—towering, monstrous, its steel body gleaming under the sunlight like a newly awakened metal beast. Its very presence sent waves of panic across the entire field.
The Zero-Point Robot.
Without hesitation, every participant ran for their lives, not daring to look back. Everyone... except Izuku, who remained standing on the rooftop, watching the massive machine with genuine fascination.
—("Wow... what a masterpiece of robotics. Must've cost a fortune to build. It's beautiful, it's fantastic, it's... way too slow")—his expression of awe instantly shifted to one of boredom.—("What a letdown. I could just stay here and see what it does... or I could punch it, walk away, and say it slipped on a banana peel so this test ends faster... No, wait, it's time-based... Ugh, what a dilemma...")
But then, amidst the chaos and panic, something caught his attention. Someone trapped beneath the rubble. His eyes widened in shock the moment he recognized her.
—Uraraka!!
Without a second thought, he leapt from the building, descending at terrifying speed. The moment his feet hit the ground, black tendrils burst from his arms in every direction.
The dark whips shot out like serpents, latching onto debris and surrounding buildings. But their purpose wasn't just to anchor him—it was to stop the colossal machine in its tracks. The tendrils wrapped tightly around the robot's legs and torso, constricting with overwhelming force, gripping the nearby structures and rubble for support.
And then... the metal giant stopped moving. The joints of the massive construct groaned under the tension of its bindings. For the first time, the titan was completely restrained. Chaos itself seemed to pause for a heartbeat. The fleeing students turned in disbelief.
—...Did he stop it?
—No way!
Izuku landed beside Uraraka, still holding the metal behemoth in place with his tendrils. He gave her a calm, reassuring smile.
—Are you alright?—he asked, quickly checking for injuries.
—Watch out!!—the girl screamed.
Izuku looked up and saw the enormous steel fist descending upon them. The shadow engulfed them completely... and then..
—BOOM!
A thunderous explosion of dust and debris shook the ground, obscuring the view from everyone nearby. No one could tell what had happened to Izuku or Uraraka.
But when the smoke cleared... what they saw left them breathless.
Izuku stood tall, his right arm raised, black tendrils coiling around it—and in his hand, he held the giant's fist as if it were nothing.
The metal titan, which should've crushed them effortlessly, was frozen in place, stopped cold by the sheer strength of the green-haired boy. A surge of green and black energy coursed through his body, his feet buried into the pavement from the force, yet his expression radiated absolute confidence.
Izuku clicked his tongue in irritation.
—Tsk... disappointing. I expected it to hit harder. Well... let's end this.
The black tendrils surged from his arm, wrapping around it in dense, pulsing spirals like a living second skin. The energy of One for All coursed through them, glowing with a fierce, vibrant aura. The air around him grew heavier, the ground trembled beneath his feet. Gathering every ounce of power into his fist, Izuku let out a thunderous shout.
—DETROIT SMASH!!
The impact slammed directly into the titan's arm, unleashing a massive shockwave that tore across the entire battlefield.
—CRACK.
The supposedly indestructible metal began to split.
—What...?—a stunned student muttered from afar.
And then…
—BOOOOOOM!
The Zero-Point Robot exploded into millions of fragments, scattering across the city like a hurricane of twisted metal. Not a single recognizable piece remained.
The participants who witnessed the scene were speechless. Some stood frozen with their mouths open, others simply couldn't comprehend what they'd just seen.
But the one most shocked of all... was Izuku himself. He'd really screwed up this time.
—("Crap... I got too excited and triggered that without realizing it...")—he thought, staring at the wreckage spread across the field.—("It mixed with One for All and caused more destruction than using 100% of the quirk. This is way stronger than I expected...")
However, his concern vanished the moment he looked beside him and saw Uraraka, unconscious but unharmed, lying on the ground.
Izuku sighed softly and smiled with tenderness.
—At least no one got hurt...
Carefully, he lifted the debris pinning her down and picked her up in his arms. Without wasting another second, he started heading toward the infirmary to make sure she received proper treatment.
—When he hears about this, he's gonna be way too happy... hahaha.
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Spring start of the school year.
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The early morning was quiet, with a fresh breeze flowing through the deserted streets.
Izuku walked in his U.A. uniform, unhurried, his eyes fixed on the ground, though in truth, he was very excited for his first day. It wasn't a surprise that he had passed the exam. From the beginning, he had been sure of it. What really caught him off guard was the score he had achieved.
He remembered the day he received the envelope with the academy's seal. When he opened it, a hologram of All Might appeared to congratulate him with his usual enthusiasm. His performance in the written exam had been flawless, achieving first place overall. In the physical test… he had caused an unprecedented massacre. 150 villain points and 150 rescue points — he hadn't even known they gave points for saving others. He had broken records, leaving his name engraved in U.A. history. It wasn't something I wanted to have.
He wanted to go unnoticed, to keep a low profile. But his own excitement and adrenaline had betrayed him. He really needed to correct that part of himself.
He also remembered that night when Toshinori called him to meet at the beach. It wasn't just congratulations he wanted to give him. There was something else. The hero was uneasy. He knew that Izuku hadn't had a quirk before receiving One for All. So, how was it possible that he had used something so different?
In the end, Izuku didn't hide it and told him the truth: during the months of training with the quirk, he had wanted to try something different — using anger as a catalyst to increase the quirk's power. He hadn't expected results, but somehow, he awakened something latent within One for All: the quirk of the fifth wielder, "Blackwhip." One for All didn't just accumulate power — it also preserved the quirks of its previous users. During the test, I used this new power to prevent anyone from linking him to Toshinori and a possible connection to his quirk. But now he knew the truth. The quirk wasn't just a legacy of strength — it was a vessel of wills. If one of those gifts had awakened… how many more would emerge over time?
The questions remained under investigation by Toshinori. In any case, it was better to keep them in mind and continue with the progress they had made. The truth would be revealed in time.
As Izuku continued walking through the streets, while passing by an alleyway, a sudden impact stopped him in his tracks. Something — or rather someone — had crashed into him. It was a little girl.
Her messy, bluish-white hair fell in tangled strands almost down to her waist. A small brown horn protruded from her forehead, and her large, bright red eyes, filled with fear, looked up at him pleadingly. Her dress, pale and dirty in color, looked worn out. She was not in good condition.
She clung to him desperately, as if her life depended on it. Izuku felt her body trembling; he had to do something to calm her down.
—What's wrong, little one? Are you okay?—he asked softly, bending down to get a better look at her. When he tried to lift her a little, he noticed how cold her skin was.
—Don't cause trouble for people, Eri.
A deep, calm voice echoed from the alley.
From the shadows, a man emerged with calm steps. Tall and imposing, he had short hair and wore a dark green coat, its thick purple fur flapping in the wind. His face was partially hidden behind a red mask with a design similar to those worn by plague doctors.
Izuku quickly noticed the bandages on the girl's arms and legs, as well as the scars barely visible beneath them. Something didn't add up—neither with her nor with him—and he didn't like it.
—I'm sorry, young man. My daughter is a bit mischievous sometimes and hurts herself while playing. I don't know what to do with her. —said the man, noticing how Izuku was carefully observing the girl's condition.
The laugh that escaped the man's lips sounded forced, devoid of emotion. Izuku glanced at him sideways before replying politely:
—It's alright, sir. Kids can be quite restless these days, especially with their quirks. —He chuckled softly, with a carefree air.
The man tilted his head slightly, intrigued.
—Yes... sometimes one wishes to keep them locked up so they don't cause trouble, don't you think?— His tone was casual, but the intention behind his words was clear.
Izuku kept his smile; he knew perfectly well what was happening, but he didn't want to cause a scene—especially not with the little one in his arms. He hoped all this was just a huge misunderstanding.
—Hahaha, that would be an option, my good man, but... —his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light— that would count as child abuse, which is illegal, if you ask me, sir. Should I call the police?
The atmosphere grew tense immediately. The man remained composed, but behind his mask, his gaze showed a faint hint of irritation.
—Well, I see I'm taking too much of your time, young man. Would you hand my daughter back to me?
—Well, I...
Izuku was about to reply when he felt a strong tug on his uniform. Eri was holding onto him desperately.
—P-please... don't go.
Izuku froze. His eyes widened slightly at the unknown feeling that surrounded him. It was warm, dangerous, and... COMFORTING. A chill ran down his spine, but it wasn't fear. It was something more primal, more intense. He hadn't felt this since... NO!... HE WOULDN'T LET THEM HURT HER!!
His grip on Eri tightened, and his expression hardened. She was his now. And no one... NO ONE WOULD TAKE HER AWAY!!
Izuku looked at her calmly and, in a soft voice, whispered:
—Don't worry... I won't. Just watch.
With a firm movement, he lifted her into his arms.
The man sighed in annoyance.
—Well, I would, but I think we have a problem, sir. That girl shows signs of abuse, something I can't ignore. I can't hand her back without her receiving medical attention. I hope you understand.
Eri trembled in his arms. She knew what would happen to the young man if he kept talking like that. But Izuku didn't move an inch.
The man stayed silent for a few seconds before sighing and stepping forward.
—You know, young man, you're very observant. Why don't we talk in the alley? I'd rather not discuss these things in public.
Izuku nodded, still carrying Eri, refusing to let her go even for a second.
—Taking care of a child is hard. Eri has been very spoiled.
Izuku gently stroked the girl's head.
—I understand. Being a parent takes time, patience, and love. Children should be happy.
The man let out a faint laugh.
—Yes... though sometimes they think they'll become someone important... they really believe it.
His hand moved subtly toward his glove. Eri noticed it and tried to pull away from Izuku's grasp, but he didn't let her go. On the contrary, he held her even tighter.
—You're right. It's difficult. —Izuku smiled, but his voice took on a serious tone—. Why don't you let me keep her for a few days? Maybe I can help her be happier.
The man stopped.
—Boy, I think you don't understand that this...—His voice cut off abruptly.
A shiver ran through the man's entire body. He looked up and saw Izuku standing right in front of him.
The green-haired boy held Eri with one arm, gently covering her eyes and ears. His other hand was extended toward the man.
He couldn't react. A terrifying sensation washed over him, as if he were standing at the edge of an endless abyss—like everything he knew about the world was wrong.
Izuku wasn't smiling, but his voice, deep and dark, echoed through the air in a tone that didn't sound human.
—Who the hell are you...?
—RELEASE... 0.0000001%.
Before the man could process it, an invisible force struck him head-on. There was no physical contact, no warning—just a devastating pressure that sent him flying violently. His body smashed through a wall and vanished into the distance. There was nothing left of him there.
Izuku calmly lowered his hand, then uncovered Eri's eyes and ears.
A shiver ran down Izuku's spine. His breathing grew uneven. Why did those words affect him so much? With trembling hands, yet extreme care, he wrapped his arms around the girl and held her close.
—You're welcome, little Eri... —he whispered, his voice slightly broken as he softly caressed her hair.
And together, they continued their path.
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Two kilometers away from where Izuku was with Eri, the scene was an absolute disaster. In the middle of a shattered street, a man was embedded into a wall—his body lodged in the concrete as if he had been shot there with impossible force. The right half of his torso and his leg were destroyed beyond any hope of recovery; flesh, bone, and blood merged into a grotesque vision of suffering. His eyes, wide open, reflected pure terror. His breathing was erratic, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He couldn't move, couldn't scream—he could barely process what had just happened.
His mind repeated a single question, one that burned in his throat until it finally erupted in a desperate scream filled with panic and agony:
—WHO... WHO THE HELL DID I RUN INTO TODAY?!
His own echo was the last thing he heard before pain and blood loss dragged him into unconsciousness, leaving behind only a crimson pool slowly spreading beneath his mutilated body.
End of Chapter 4.