Hey. Sorry it's been so long since I posted a chapter. I have some issues that will be resolved next month. I'll be able to write more then, but for now, my attention is elsewhere. I'll try to write more.
Chapter 9
"I said no, All Might. My grandson is now in the media's crosshairs, and knowing the No. 1 Pro Hero won't help drive those hyenas away."
All Might frowned.
"Then at least tell me why you're keeping him isolated."
"For his safety. You have to understand that Zuko has spent his entire life here. He rarely ventured into the city. I'd say he avoids people. He has no friends at school because he attends exams there twice a year."
"That's not an answer."
"It's hard to say. You won't get any other answer."
All Might nodded, trying to understand.
"But isn't that a bit harsh? The boy has enormous potential, and keeping him away from his peers will only hinder his development."
Pixie-Bob decided to speak up.
"Zuko... my son has always been different from other children. He wasn't interested in toys. He didn't care about cartoons on TV. Instead, he preferred the news. The only thing that brings him satisfaction is training. I can't explain it to All Might... but that's just how Zuko is."
All Might persisted.
"Isolation can lead to loneliness, and loneliness can lead to suffering. Is Zuko truly happy in this life?"
Iroh smiled sincerely.
"He would have told us about it. Take my word for it."
All Might understood that nothing would come of it. He wasn't happy, but he couldn't do anything without their permission... next year, Zuko would likely be at UA... then he could assess the boy thoroughly.
"I understand... I'll respect your decision... but you can't keep him here forever. People will start asking questions."
Pixie-Bob replied.
"We know. Zuko will be a UA student next year."
"I take it he'll become a Hero Course student?"
Ryuko nodded.
"That's the plan. I know my son, and I know he'll easily secure a spot in the Hero Course."
"I understand... then I apologize for the intrusion..."
All Might stood and bowed.
"Thank you for the tea. It was delicious. Unfortunately, I have to get back to my duties... someone might need my help at any moment."
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Air.... Water.... Earth.... Fire....
Zuko mastered all the elements. Metal and ice posed no challenge for him. He decided to further develop himself in various styles.
He really wanted to learn to fly, but it was currently beyond his understanding of the laws that governed the world of science.
He remembered that Katara had forbidden the study of bloodbending. If he remembered correctly, only a dozen or so years later did a man appear who used bloodbending on Avatar Aang... it didn't end well for the gangster... he lost his power. It would have been a powerful weapon, but he decided not to learn it. He was supposed to be a hero... and besides, the technique itself repulsed him mentally.
Sand was quite easy to master. The real challenge was glass. Whether in one piece, broken, or in the form of a sphere... he had no control over it.
Iroh hadn't taught him lightningbending yet. On the one hand, he understood that it was an exceptionally deadly technique. One wrong move and you could die from using it... that's what the knowledge and common sense of the person he was before... but now he's an adrenaline-fueled teenager... and stupid hormones will tell him stupid things to do.
He didn't notice how these few months had passed. A while ago, his mother had sent the documents to UA... and tomorrow they would go to the city so he could take the entrance exam.
He had the option of skipping the exam with a possible recommendation from the Wild Wild Pussycats, but he's not a loser. He'll earn his own success.
Besides, he knew from the anime that there would be robots in the exam... and robots are made mostly of metal.
He intends to reach the very top of the rankings, surpassing Bakugo.
He never liked that character in anime. People like him should be locked up in mental institutions or juvenile delinquent prisons.
One thing is certain. Zuko would temper Bakugo's behavior, whether he wanted to or not. He knew no amount of talking would help.
He'd just have to beat the shit out of him.
He had to become the most powerful pro hero as quickly as possible. All Might's days were numbered. Izuku would get his quirk, but Zuko couldn't let the fate of the world rest on the shoulders of a troubled teenager.
Okay... he's a teenager too. The difference is that he trained his whole life, while Izuku spent his time dreaming of greatness.
That's why he had to rise to the occasion. He had to be the best. He had to be number one. He devoted his entire life to preparing for battles that would shock this country.
He had a choice. It wasn't like God forced him into anything. He had taken this task upon himself.
Wait... actually... there was no guarantee that Bakugo, Izuku, and the rest would be his age. Just as the members of the Wild Wild Pussycats are older, the members of Class 1A from the anime might be younger.
Oh well... everything will be explained tomorrow.
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Zuko yawned silently in the backseat of the car. He had to get up early to get to his exam. He glanced in the windshield mirror and met his mother's gaze, who was watching him.
"Shouldn't you be looking at the road?"
Pixie-Bob looked away from the road.
"Shouldn't you be stressed or something?"
He just shrugged, closing his eyes and yawning again.
"Yawn... Why? I'm a one-man army. None of you can defeat me alone. Only Iroh can keep up with me."
Pixie-Bob sighed, pulling off the highway toward UA.
"You're overconfident, Zuko. Remember what Grandpa Iroh said: pride comes before a fall."
"Nah. I was able to defend myself against Endeavor. The exam with something like that will be downright boring."
"Zuko..."
"Mom. Thousands of sixteen-year-olds from all over the country will be taking the exams. How many of them would be able to defeat the No. 2 Pro Hero?"
"You didn't defeat him, Zuko."
"You're wrong. Endeavor may not have used 100% of his power, but I didn't fight seriously either. There's no way the exam at UA was harder, otherwise no one would have passed."
Pixie-Bob tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She didn't know what to say. Zuko was right. His confidence reminded him too much of her husband's sister...
"Zuko, it's not about being stronger than everyone else. It's about how you use your quirk."
Zuko couldn't help it and sighed heavily. Pixie-Bob narrowed her eyes at the sound.
"Hey! Don't you dare roll your eyes at your mother!"
"I didn't do it!"
"Liar!"
"You didn't see it!"
"But I know you did it!"
"How so!?"
"Because I know you!"
"I sighed with emotion at what a good mother I have!"
"Don't lie!"
"So you're not a good mother!? You finally admitted it!"
"ZUKOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
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The car stopped at a red light. Zuko decided to take advantage of the situation and get out.
"Hey! What are you doing, Zuko!?"
"Well, I can't let a few thousand teenagers see my mother driving me directly to school. Don't worry, I know where to go. I'll call you when I finish my exam. Bye!"
He closed the door, not allowing his mother to answer, and continued walking.
As he walked toward the UA gate, he twirled a metal ball in his hand. Using a Quirk in public was forbidden, but how could they prove it? He was simply playing with the metal ball... but the metal inside was lifelike.
When he entered the UA grounds, he immediately noticed three anime characters. Bakugo was walking toward the entrance. Izuku tripped over his own foot, but Uraraka saved him from falling.
So his suspicions were confirmed.
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During Present-Mic's presentation about the practical exam, he simply... bowed his head and closed his eyes. He wasn't sleeping, but he was resting. It was one of the few things he remembered well from the anime. Robots, points, and one giant robot worth zero points.
Everything was fine until Iida spoke up. He pointed a finger at Izuku... and then at Zuko.
"...what about you? You came here to sleep? You're a disgrace to this institution!"
Zuko raised his head and looked at him.
"Yes."
Iida blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the answer.
"How dare you! This is an exam for the prestigious UA Academy! You should treat it with respect! Your attitude is unbecoming of a future pro hero!"
Zuko sighed, straightening his back. He yawned dismissively.
"And who are you? A rule-keeper and a fun-wrecker? Mind your own business and leave me alone."
"I... I'm Tenya Iida! And I won't tolerate such disrespect!"
"Great. Then do something about it."
"W... What?"
Zuko stood up. At that moment, the light fell on him.
"I said. Do something about it."
Present Mic clapped his hands.
"YO! Calm down, my listeners! This is neither the time nor the place for fighting! Save your energy for the work!"
Zuko sat down, and Pro Hero continued his lecture. Zuko wasn't listening at all. He was mentally planning his day.
1. Pass the exam.
2. Arcade.
3. Buy a month's supply of sweets, which he'll use up in a week.
It was a good plan. Solid and simple to execute. The light suddenly turned on, and the exam participants stood up. He did the same. They were led to the locker room, where they changed out of their school uniforms and into their sports clothes.
What a relief. Life would be wonderful if Zuko didn't have to wear a school uniform. A black tracksuit with three white stripes on the pants provided comfort and convenience.
He boarded the bus that would take him and the other participants to the exam site. The other teenagers watched him, muttering quietly. He didn't mind one bit.
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Yanagi Reiko was right. She found Zuko at UA. First, she'd seen him challenging another teenager with glasses. Now she was riding the bus with him... well, 'with him' was an understatement. She sat at the very back, and Zuko sat in the middle.
She saw that he shunned people and wasn't afraid to speak his mind. She knew he wasn't heartless. After all, he'd saved her when they'd been taken hostage.
She stared at his back. His head was tilted slightly to the side, his head touching the bus window. Was he... asleep?
People around her whispered that he was arrogant. She thought he was confident because he was strong. Someone who controlled various elements must be strong... and confident.
The bus stopped in front of a large gate, and people began to disembark. Reiko, too, stood up and headed for the exit. She noticed Zuko being the last to leave, stretching as if nothing mattered.
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Zuko stretched and looked at the gate. He tapped his foot on the ground and sensed robots moving through the artificial city. There was a lot of metal all around. He also felt that there was real water in the fire hydrants. The UA had taken care of everything.
Before the gates opened, Zuko was already walking towards them. When the gate began to open, he sprinted towards it. He glanced at the first fire hydrant. He opened it with metalbending. Water shot out under pressure, but he immediately took control of it. He used it as a means of transportation, creating an ice rink under his feet, simultaneously collecting the ice behind him and throwing it forward again.
The exam finally began.
End of Chapter 9