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Chapter Text

"Knew that bastard was sketchy the second I laid eyes on him." A woman adorned in rather revealing clothing scoffed, running a soft hand along her bruised eye.

Hibana Shigaraki's day was going less than well, to say the least. Taking a puff of her cigarette, dark clouds of nicotine infused smoke rising to the night sky, the woman took this time to lament about the current situation she found herself in. Working as an escort in this day and age wasn't the most stable job for a woman or anybody to be quite frank, so imagine Hibana's surprise when she finally managed to catch the eye of a potential client. He wasn't a looker by any means, but that didn't matter much to the woman of the night, all she wanted was to make ends meet, and if that meant chatting up some guy going through a midlife crisis, so be it. And so Hibana put her silver tongue to work, and before either of them knew it, the duo were making their way up the stairs of a nearby apartment complex. However, as the two were in the middle of their "session" a woman that Hibana could only assume to be the mans wife came storming through the door of the room, from there Hibana could only recount everything as a blur. Though there was one thing she could remember quite vividly before taking her leave, the evidence of which residing on her face.

"Surprised she didn't try to kill me, I sure as hell would've." Hibana chuckled dryly, winching as she touched her bruise once more.

Looking at her cigarette, her dull blue eyes watching as the embers cascaded down to the pest infested sidewalk, Hibana's mind would begin to wander. Where had she gone wrong? Hibana was fairly smart, with her brains she could have easily landed herself a well paying job, find herself a nice man and, were he willing, start a family and settle down. But no, she spent the better half of her youth partying and socializing in clubs instead working an honest job. And look where that got her, working day to day having to make a living off scrounging around the nearest corner in hopes of finding a client. To think her life could spiral out of control to easily, such a thing almost managed to squeeze a chuckle out of her, almost. Sighing and discarding her smoke to the wayside, making sure to stomp it out. Hibana decided that it was time for her to head home, she had her doubts that anyone would pay for her services at this time of night.

"What a waste of time." Hibana sneered as she took off, the clicking of stilettos following her every step.

"Another shitty night to add to the tally." Hibana scoffed, her eyes locked on the sidewalk.

"You'll do just fine." A conniving voice spoke from behind Hibana.

Whipping her head around instantly, eyes darting as she tried to ascertain if she was indeed hearing things or not, Hibana's eyes would narrow as she continued to scan her environment. Years of working as a prostitute and going through her fair share of traumatic experiences, conditioned Hibana to always keep her head on a swivel, fiends and creeps from all walks of life would love nothing more than to pray on an unsuspecting, lone woman such as herself. Looking around for about a minute or so Hibana, beginning to sense that something was amiss, put a bit of pep in her step as she didn't feel quite right sticking around. Seconds after taking off, Hibana's worries would prove to be in the right place, as before she could even register what was happening, thick branches emerging from an alleyway would wrap around her body and cover her mouth. Squirming and screaming at the top of her lungs, the woman's cries and pleas would be heard by none as she slowly felt the air be expunged from her chest, the branches dragging her back into the alley. The last thing she remember before slipping out of consciousness, a pair of dark beaming red eyes from the darkness.

Dark, disorganized, glum. Those were just a few words that described the facility in which the unconscious body of Hibana Shigaraki could be found. The pungent smell of blood along with a myriad of other scents, permeated throughout the room, splatters of blood coating the wall. And in the center of it all, positioned face up on an operating table was Hibana, a singular ceiling light bearing down on her body, one could only imagine the horrors which had taken place here. Slowly stirring awake, her eyelids fluttering as she struggled to fully awaken herself, Hibana with blurry vision, attempted to get a visual of the void that encompassed her. Attempting to sit up, Hibana's blood would run cold as she found herself unable to move, with sweat quickly starting to accumulate on her skin, Hibana would begin to franticly look down only to have her worst fear come true. She was strapped to the operating table. Hyperventilating Hibana, knowing that trying to free herself would be a fruitless act, screamed for help hoping that somebody, anybody from the outside world could hear her.

"Well aren't you a lively one." A sinister, brooding voice spoke from the abyss.

Honing in on the origin of the voice, Hibana's eyes would widen as she met the gaze of the very same dark red eyes she'd only barely managed to see moments before losing consciousness. Jostling in her restraints Hibana would begin to besiege her presumed kidnapper with an endless wave of questions.

"What do you want?! Why are you doing this to me!?" Hibana hollered, unsure of why anybody would go so far as to kidnap her.

"I'm merely in search of a test subject, were it not you. It would have surely been someone else." The man huffed from the darkness, his red eyes unmoving.

"Did I not pay off my debt?! I know I have no outstanding payments, I'm certain!" Hibana yelled, hoping the situation she was in could be worked out.

"Such a narrow minded individual you are." The man groaned, his eyes shifting to the left before landing on Hibana's form once more.

As Hibana prepared to ask another questioned, she would come to a stop as something peculiar caught her attention. The person's eyes, they were unique to say the least. Aside from their piercing red colour, Hibana noticed that the man seemingly possessed four pupils. One in the center and three that encircled the center pupil, even more strange however was their shape. Instead of a spherical shape, the man's pupils resembled the shape of a tomoe. Like something she'd find at one of the Shinto shrines in Kyoto. Pondering the strange nature of the entire situation, Hibana would closing her eyes and slowly take in a deep breath, allowing the rank smell of the facility she was in to fill her lungs, Hibana would slowly allow her eyes to flap open. The shape of her kidnapper's eyes should be among the last of her worries no matter how much it intrigued her. She'd foolishly allowed her nerved to get the better of her, what she needed to do at this very moment was deduce if escape from this hellish place she found herself in, was within the realm of possibility.

"You still haven't answered my question? What the hell do you want from me!" Hibana yelled, the woman struggling to hold herself together as she stared within those demonic eyes.

"Hm, seeing as you play a part in what is to come. I believe it's only fair that I tell you why you're here, no matter how insignificant it may be in the grand scheme of my plans." The man behind the voice chuckled, his beading eyes vanishing in the abyss.

"Hibana Shigaraki. You along with many others to come, will serve as the catalyst that will usher in a new age of humanity." The man began, Hibana frantically scanning the room, the voice seeming to originate from all around her.

"Ever since the end of the "great" shinobi era, knowledge of which has been lost to history. Humans have been wondering the earth as though they were mere headless chickens, simple children left to wonder a new world to which they had no idea to navigate." Hibana's kidnapper would come to a halt, letting the information to which he willingly divulged, sink in to the poor captive.

"No longer can I watch from the shadows as you all continue to live without guidance, for you are lost sheep in need of a shepherd." The man would bring his exposition to an abrupt stop as he opened his eyes, heavy footsteps echoing throughout the facility.

"I, Madara Uchiha shall adopt the role of shepherd. And you, Hibana Shigaraki will act as the cauldron, from which I will conjure a new world order to be brought forth." Stepping into the light, Hibana felt a chill run up her back as she was finally able to observe the form of the very person responsible for kidnapping her.

Madara Uchiha, to say the man was pale would be an understatement. His skin was deathly white, almost as if he'd been dead for centuries upon centuries, the numerous cracks which covered his face not helping dissuade this assumption. Long, unkept raven black hair ran down his back before stopping at his midriff. Throwing Hibana for a total loop, Madara appeared to be wearing ancient samurai armour or at least something akin to such a thing, to put it simply. The man looked as though he jumped right of out a different timeline. But that couldn't be possible, right? Time travel didn't exist, magic didn't exist, to make herself feel better. Hibana quickly accepted her own self asserted truth, Madara was nothing more than a psychopath hoping to live out his twisted fantasies through the use of her body. Yes, that had to be the case.

"You're a sick piece of shit, ya know that. I don't care for whatever crazy shit is going up in that fucked up head of yours. Now let me go!" Hibana demanded, Madara sighing as he approached her with hands behind his back.

"As I thought. Wasting my breath on the likes of you would be nothing short of a fruitless endeavor." Madara grumbled, placing his gloved hands akimbo to his sides.

"Oh well, whether you choose to be defiant or not is of no difference to me. My will shall be carried out either way." Madara murmured to himself, bringing his left hand over to Hibana's face.

"Get the hell away from me you bastard!" Hibana yelled, struggling in her restraints.

"I've grown tired of your insolence." Madara huffed, his hand now mere inches away from her face.

Widening her eyes, Hibana herself unsure of how her eyes didn't fall out of her head yet, the woman would be forced to leer at Madara's swiftly descending hand, the symbol of a crescent moon located on his palm. Hibana would have little time to examine the symbol further however, as Madara latched his hand onto her face, what would ensue sure to change the course of history forever. For the next 5 minutes or so, Hibana's guttural screams would fil the building as Madara subjected her body to changes thought impossible by any human means. By the five minute mark, Madara's imparting of his own energy to Hibana's being was all but complete, the woman left panting as the pain from the procedure left her barely clinging to conscience.

"You've done well to stay awake for so long, I thought you to be a woman of little integrity. But it seems that even I can be wrong from time to time by the looks of it." Madara laughed dryly, running his cold hand along her cheek as a devilish smirk appeared on his face.

"For what is about to happen next, it is best that you aren't left awake." Madara whispered, leering at Hibana, his eyes glowing as he did so.

For just a moment, Hibana's weary eyes would bulge before shutting altogether, the woman suddenly falling under a deep trance. As Madara stood over Hibana, his mindscape a battlefield of countless thoughts, his attention would be brought back to the waking world by a voice.

"I take it you wish for preparations to go under way?" A robed figure, their slouched posture eclipsed by Madara's height, asked the man.

"Yes, you may begin." Madara said as he began to walk away, the robed figure hobbling over to Hibana's unconscious body.

"I do wonder what revelations my offspring will bring about once they are brought into this world." Madara pondered, looking back at Hibana, the robed figure stripping her of all her clothes.

"I suppose only the hands of time will tell." Madara stated, a wide grin descending on his face, his once red eyes morphing to a purple colour, several curved black lines replacing the three tomoe.

"I can't wait." Madara chuckled dryly, his small laughing fit divulging demented cackling before vanishing into the dark, his sinister eyes disappearing along with him.

On that very day, the world would go through a change that no one could have dared to envisioned. Hibana Shigaraki would be the first human to inherit what the world would call a meta power, later to be dubbed "quirk". A superhuman ability which manifested in the human body, this power sure to break down and restructure many elements of society, humans had thought to be cemented in the roots of history. Hibana's legacy would be shortly lived however, as moments after giving birth to her two children, the woman would succumb her injuries sustained during the process, passing away before ever getting the chance to see the faces of her newborn's. With the onset of her death, Hibana's name would be forgotten by many people, forced to be remembered as just another common street whore that was of no more use after being blessed with child. Her children however, would go on to change Japan for many years to come, the two boys intertwined to forever be two halves of a one whole, the power to bestow power and bring light to even the darkest of days. And the power to steal and subjugate all those who dare oppose their will.

Yet not everyone was given the fortune of receiving such an extraordinary ability, though they reigned in the minority, there were those who did not develop a quirk. As quirks became ever more mainstream, these quirkless individuals would grow to become ridiculed by society. Those who lacked a quirk quickly assuming the role of the bottom dwellers of the new world order. However, even in light of this, knowing that the odds stacked heavily against his favor, there was one boy in particular who strived to become a hero despite many around him telling him it was impossible. Izuku Midoriya.

Making his way back home under the veil of the amber sunlight, Izuku sighed as he thought back to the events that occurred mere minutes ago. Seeing Bakugo, someone he considered to be a longtime friend, be attacked by that sludge villain, stirred something within the depths of the boy's soul. He couldn't sit back and watch as his classmate and friend, despite the objection of the fiery blond, be attacked and simply do nothing about it. Now, of course it was rather foolish for a schoolboy, who lacked a quirk as a matter of fact, to charge headfirst into the jaws of danger. But if he planned on being a hero, standing idle as someone was in a dire moment of need simply couldn't stand no matter how he spun it. By all accounts, Izuku did very little to thwart actions of the villain, were it not for All Might, he too would have fallen victim to the villain. Having this fact be pounded further into his head by the likes of both Kamui woods and Death arms, didn't help sooth the boy's conscious. To top it all off, Bakugo came up to him and, gave it to him straight. Izuku was a quirkless kid that had no right butting his head in a situation where it didn't belong, he should leave the act of saving to the hero's, it wasn't like he changed much anyway.

"Thinking about it yeah, maybe Kacchan's right. I was never cut out to be a hero to begin with." Midoriya thought solemnly as Sakura petals cascaded down around him.

"At least now I can begin looking to the future for a more realistic path to walk down." Izuku sighed, running a had through his green hair.

"I never stood a chance in the first place." He concluded, resuming his walk down the street.

"Just a moment young man." A deep voice spoke from behind Midoriya.

"Huh? Wait a minute!? All Might!" Izuku yelled as he looked behind him.

"It is good to see you again young man." All Might rasped, the number one hero reduced to scrawny state as he stared at Midoriya.

"W-What are you doing here?" Izuku questioned, feeling that something was off. All Might wasn't in his muscle form, but what struck at Izuku the most. He's not emitting his typical boisterous mannerisms.

"I've come to talk with you, young man. For just a moment." All Might huffed, his serious tone catching Izuku off guard.

"Of course! What is it?" Izuku retorted with enthusiasm.

"Firstly, I've come to thank you. Had you not been there. . . to talk to me about your life story on that rooftop, I would have become a hero that's just a shell of what number one is supposed to embody. And for that you have my thanks." All Might concluded, dipping ever so slightly as he locked eyes with Izuku.

"That can't be I-" While attempting to speak up, Izuku would be cut off.

"However, it is only reasonable that I condemn your actions today. Courageous as you were." All Might stated, Izuku's body locking up as he felt his blood go cold.

"What?" Izuku muttered, his voice just barely audible enough All Might to pick up.

"Yes, while what you did to protect your friend was an incredibly noble act, it was a foolish thing nonetheless. Had I not been there, I dread what would've occurred otherwise." All Might would berate, Izuku's hands clutching tightly at the straps of his bag.

"I-I just did what any hero would have done at that moment." Izuku rasped, his eyes beginning to water.

"Again, a very courageous act. But you must realise. . . that you are no hero." All Might grumbled, emphasizing the last part of his sentence.

At that very moment Izuku seized up, the boy trying with all his might to hold back his tears. This couldn't be happening.

"By doing what you did, you endangered not only yours, but the lives of everyone else. Had you chose to simply stand back, I'm sure the other heroes on the scene would have dealt with the threat." All Might sighed, shaking his head as he watched Midoriya's feeble attempt at keeping his emotions at bay.

"You look like a smart kid, you can always join UA's support or business course. I'm sure with your academics that you can excel in either program." All Might puffed, scratching at the back of his head, the sight of Izuku tearing up making him feel awfully uncomfortable.

"You have a good heart, there's little doubt in my mind about that." All Might grumbled turning away from Midoriya, the boy's hiccups making him feel horrible about the situation.

"But you need more than heart if you plan to make it as a hero." All Might spoke as he began to walk away.

"Farewell young man, I truly hope you succeed in whatever career you wish to pursue in the near future." All Might finished, Izuku watching with cloudy vision as All Might grew ever further.

Izuku Midoriya felt a myriad of emotions as he stood in the middle of the street, keeping so much bottled up inside proved to be quite the task, sooner of later his being would reach it's capacity. Yet, with so much feeling swirling around inside him, Izuku would choose to go the unexpected route. Rather than choosing to act out and curse the world, Izuku with a hitched breath simply exhaled, tears streaming down his face. He could scream at the top of his lungs, cry his eyes, hell could let the rage boiling inside of him rise to the surface and take form. However, instead of doing any of that, Izuku with bloodshot eyes continued his stroll. It'd be fine if he didn't return home straight away, right?

In due time the sun would fall beyond the horizon, and in it's place the moon would rise high into the sky, those who happened to be out and about basking in the moonlight. Izuku happened to be one of those people, the boy currently seated on a bench that overlooked a waterway which passed through Musutafu. Gazing at the stary night sky, Izuku's eyes appeared to barren, devoid of any life. Thinking to himself Izuku began to ponder, why wasn't he angry? He'd heard the stories of aspiring hero's turning to villainy after having the prospect of being a hero be shot down by their idol. Instead of doing so, Izuku merely sat in silent contempt, perhaps he had already come to terms with the fact that becoming a hero was not befitting of him. All Might telling him directly reaffirming that very thought, thus mitigating the impact of something that should have been world shattering to the boy.

"Everyone was right. A quirkless nobody like me shouldn't have ever thought of becoming a hero, I was stupid to think so." Izuku thought to himself, the sound of something dripping directing his attention below.

Peering down Izuku's face would slowly contort into a scowl as he looked at the blood covering his hands.

"That's right, I was so disheartened by what All Might said that I barely even noticed that my nails dug into my palms." Midoriya could only sigh as he paced his bloody palms on his knees.

"Maybe Kacchan was right, I might just get a quirk in my next life if I-" Izuku would stop that thought.

"Nah. Mom and dad would be pretty sad if I did that, I don't want to bring them any grief." Izuku hummed, shaking his head at the terrible thought.

"I should probably go home, mom's definitely worried sick about me." Izuku spoke below his breath, oblivious the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps.

"Hello my boy!" A booming voice yelled from behind him.

"All Might?" Izuku said in confusion, shifting his eyes to the origin of the voice.

"Not quite!" A man boomed, snapping a finger at Izuku.

"Who are you and why are you so sweaty?" Izuku questioned as he looked at the man standing behind the bench, the boy instantly taking notice of his bowl haircut and exceedingly bushy eyebrows.

"The names Might Tai! I was just finishing up my nightly 50km jog. What about you, my boy!" Tai yelled, stretching his arms.

"Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you. Also 50km, isn't that a bit much for a jog?" Midoriya spoke with a furrowed brow, bowing his head to the man.

"Well Izuku my boy! When the soul calls for some action, its only right that we oblige and deliver. That's the power of youth!" Tai yelled, his sweaty green jumpsuit glistening in the moonlight.

"Speaking of youth." Tai mused as he placed a hand on the back of the bench, placing his head right next to Midoriya.

"Why do you look so disheartened my boy? You're so young, your eyes should be brimming with youth! You should be out on a jog like me, not sitting on some bench sulking around." Tai bellowed, placing his hands on Izuku's shoulders and shaking him.

"S-Sorry." Izuku remarked, holding his head as he was extraordinarily dizzy.

"So!" Tai yelled, leaping several meters into the air before landing on the bench.

"What has you down my youthful fellow, I'm all ears?" Tai asked Izuku, his bushy eyebrows furrowed.

"Are you sure, I don't want to keep you from your jog." Izuku nervously spoke as he clenched his fists, wincing as his injury quickly reminded him of why he was out here in the first place.

"Nonsense my boy! What type of man would I be if I didn't look out for the younger generation!" Tai affirmed, balling his fist as he looked to the sky with a smile.

"Well, I guess it's fine if I tell you a little bit." Izuku chuckled dryly, scratching the back of his head.

For the next 10 minutes or so, Izuku would begin to tell Tai all about the day he had and what happened with All Might, obviously making sure to keep the revelation of the hero's injury secret. All the while Tai listened, his eyes never leaving Izuku for the entirety of the story

"And that's how I got here now, I just wanted to clear my head a bit before I go home." Izuku concluded, wiping away tears that began to accumulate.

"I see, to be told such a thing by the number one hero no less. I'm sure you're feeling quite angry." Tai nodded, folding his arms as he closed his eyes.

"It's no big deal, really. All Might is just looking out for me is all. I'm sure the last thing he'd want is for me to get hurt because I wanted to be play the role of hero." Izuku spoke in defense of the hero.

"Inexcusable!" Tai boomed, slamming a fist into his open palm, the man's sudden outburst startling Izuku.

"Quirk or no quirk, you should strive to be whatever you so desire!" Tail roared.

"To claim the title as the symbol of peace and at the same time put down the efforts of the youth. For shame!" Tai growled, clenching his fist as he grit his teeth.

"That discredits the very men who came before us! They didn't possess a quirk or any supernatural power, those men who paved the roads of history as we know it. Did so through sheer tenacity and hardwork!" Tai continued, a vein popping up on his forehead as he delved deeper into his speech.

"The emergence of quirks has skewed many folks world views that we seem to forget our humble origins. Nowadays society believes it is a powerful quirk that will bring about the changes necessary, when our ancestors did just the same with only their bear hands and unyielding will!" To say Izuku was enamoured by Tai's words would be an understatement, to say the least.

"Was Rome built via the use of quirks? Nay! Did Napoleon defeat the allied forces of his enemies with a quirk? NAY! It was all through the backbreaking work of man and sheer will!" Tai shouted to the sky as he practically threw himself out of his seat, sweat trickling down his body as though the speech was a workout in and of itself.

"And so I ask you my youthful fellow! Are you going to allow your lack of a quirk to dictate your path in life, or will you cast societal norms aside and etch your rightful place into society as the hero you know you can be! Circumstances be damned!" Tai rounded up his speech with a stalwart finger, pointe directly at Izuku.

Midoriya simply put, was at a loss of words. Here came this man that he hardly even knew for five minutes, barreling into his life while he was at an all time low to offer him advice. Tai didn't have the take the time out of his day to deliver such an invigorating speech to some random moping boy on a bench, yet here he was doing just that. Placing a hand over his chest, the high school boy felling his heart beat at a million miles an hour, Izuku grasped at his shirt as he took to the time to fully digest Tai's words. Was there by any chance that Izuku truly had the chance to become a hero despite his predicament? The statistics spoke for themselves after all. There had never been record of a quirkless individual becoming a hero, going off that alone, Izuku's chances were slim to downright none. Yet, when Izuku looked up at Tai, the man's bushy eyebrows furrowed as he pointed a finger at him, Izuku began to think that maybe, just maybe. He had a chance of achieving of what he's always dreamed of. To become a hero.

"Well my boy!?" Tai yelled once more, his eyes never leaving Izuku's contemplative form.

"yes." Izuku muttered, his head still held low as he twiddled his thumbs.

"What was that!? I don't think that I heard you!" Tai shouted, getting closer to Izuku.

"Yes." Izuku retorted, balling his fists, ignoring the pain rocketing through his arms.

"Oh I didn't know I was dealing with a mute, how unfortunate." Tail sighed, reeling back and folding his arms.

"YES!" Izuku boomed, shooting up to his feet as he glared up to the taller man, his eyes surging with ambition.

"That's a little more like it!" Tai chortled, the man finally taking notice of Izuku's bloody hands.

"What happened here?" Tai said in concern, completely dropping his enthusiastic attitude.

"Huh? O-Oh, I had a little accident you see. It's nothing serious, just a light wound." Izuku laughed anxiously.

"Accident or not, this simply wont do." Tai grumbled as he reached for a pouch that was strapped around his waist.

"The last thing you want, is to get an infection. Hold still for a minute, will you?" Tai harped, retrieving a bundle of bandages from the pouch on his waist. Izuku simply nodding as he watched Tai wrap his hand in the bandage.

Once Tai was done with the first hand he would swiftly move onto Izuku's other hand, methodically wrapping Izuku's hand in the material, making sure the boy wouldn't experience any discomfort whatsoever. With the second hand under wraps, Tai would give Izuku a slap on the back as he was all ready to go.

"With that out the way, I think it's about time that we get you home. I'm sure your folks are worried about you." Tail spoke, a grin on his face as he watched the now reinvigorated Midoriya nod at him.

"Yeah, your right." Izuku muttered to himself, flexing his hand as he grew more accustomed to the bandages.

"Well let us not dilly dally nay further, the night is still young!" Tail yelled, taking off in a random direction.

"But that's not. . . oh well." Izuku huffed, shaking his head.

After noticing that Izuku was no where behind him, Tai would turn around and quickly catch up with Midoriya who was walking towards his home. The first half of the walk would be filled with conversation as they exchanged small bits and pieces about their life. That was when Izuku began to think of something, something he made sure to bring up with Tai.

"Uh, I'm still totally set on being a hero and all. But I don't know the first thing about martial arts or fighting in general." Izuku huffed, scratching lightly at his cheek.

"Is that so." Tai grumbled, rubbing his chin as he tilted his head off to the side.

"I never thought that far into it unfortunately." Midoriya admitted with a sigh.

"Well worry not my boy! For I will gladly take on the role of mentor!" Tai exclaimed, jumping out in front of Izuku and striking a strong pose.

"Huh?" Izuku puffed in disbelief.

"Believe it or not but I've thrown down a bit in my day, so it's fair to say that I know a thing or two when it comes to fighting!" Tai cackled.

"Honestly I'll take whatever help I can get so long as it means I can pass the UA entrance exam, even if its barely a passing grade." Izuku sighed as lowered his head, accidently bumping into Tai.

"Oh trust me my boy, when I'm done with you. You'll be able to pass that exam with flying colors." Tai chuckled, Izuku's body trembling as he felt a rather intimidating aura emit from Tai.

"R-Right, so what can we start?" Izuku asked Tai.

"Slow down now my boy. You need to rest first before you can even think of what lies ahead of us. Though I do love that your eager" Tai said, shaking his head, a wide smirk forming on the side of his lip.

"If you say so." Izuku spoke, his eyes trained straight ahead.

Finishing up their journey, Izuku would finally find his way home. Knocking on the door to his apartment as he along with Tai waited for his mother to answer the door. The boy's eyes would widen as he heard the sound of rapid footsteps approach the door, the doorknob jiggling for only a few seconds before being flung open. As the light from inside the apartment blinded Izuku, he would have little time to process anything as he was enveloped in a tight loving embrace.

"Izuku where on earth were you! You weren't answering any of my calls, you had me worried half to death!" Izuku's mother Inko, cried out as she hugged the boy.

"Sorry mom. I guess I just..." Midoriya's throat would close up as he met eyes with Tai, the older man simply giving him a thumbs up.

"Lost track of time is all." The boy harped as he wrapped his arms around his mothers quivering body, a small smirk descending on his face.

"As long as you're fine all is well." Inko muttered, wiping the tears from her eyes as her gaze landed on Tai.

"Pardon me, but do you know this man Izuku?" The boy's mother inquired, her embrace tightening as she grew suspicious.

"The names Might Tai, I'm young Midoriya's personal trainer." Tai introduced himself, waving at the woman.

"Personal trainer? Izuku what's he talking about?" Inko questioned her son.

"Can we talk about this later mom, today's been really tiring and all I want to do is lie down if you don't mind." Izuku said as he placed his hands on his Inko's shoulders, the woman getting a chance to get a good look at the boy's exhausted physique.

"Alright Izuku, I won't probe any further. But I expect a full explanation as soon as you wake up in the morning, got it mister?" Inko spoke sternly, Midoriya simply nodding as he brought Inko in for another hug.

"You got it, thanks mom." Izuku muttered to his mother, Tai clearing his throat as a simple reminder of his presence to the family.

"I'll leave you two alone." Inko said with a bow, retreating into the confines of the Midoriya household.

With the boy finally returned home, Tai wished not to keep Izuku back any longer, fully aware of the mental toll weighing him down. Biding his time, Tai would begin jotting down an address on a piece of paper, handing it over to Midoriya once finished.

"That's the location of where we'll be training for the next 10 months. If you want to score high on the entrance exam, I've gotta make sure you're in tip top shape!" Tai shouted, covering his mouth mere moments later after realising just how loud he was.

"Make sure you rest up well, you'll need it for tomorrow." Tai mused, pumping his fist to the sky as he turned to take his leave.

As Midoriya watched Tai leave, the boy would clutch at the piece of paper which detailed where he would be training for the next 10 months or so. To believe, is journey to becoming a hero, was set to start at daybreak tomorrow. Yawning, Izuku would begrudgingly have to place his excitement on the backfoot as he groggily made his way over to his room. Today had taken a fair bit out of him, and tomorrow presumably had much more in store for him. Throwing himself on his bed, Izuku would wince as he felt a familiar pain surge through him. Glaring at his bandaged hand, a slight scowl would form on the edge of his lips as he clenched his fist, ignoring the pain. Staring tomorrow he couldn't be the crybaby that so many had come to know him as. Dropping his arm to his side Izuku, laying in his bed staring at the ceiling, would have his mind begin to wonder, some thoughts lingering on the events that led up until this very point in his life.

"I'll show you All Might, Kacchan. I'll become a hero everyone can look up to." Midoriya thought to himself, barely able to keep his eyes open.

"Even without a quirk."

Chapter Text

"That's the bell class. Please remember that all assignments are to be turned in on Friday." Midoriya's teacher announced to the class with an exhausted look.

"Yes Sensei." The class replied as a collective, in a monotone voice.

"Have a good rest of your day students." The teacher responded, falling limp in their chair as a long winded sigh escaped his lips. Watching with dreary eyes as the teenagers spilled out the class in mass.

With the school day closing to an anticipated end, this unlocked a plethora of options for many students now freed from the confines of the school campus. After school Karaoke, an afternoon out with friends at a cafe, or even sitting back and turning on the tv to watch a movie or two. These were just a select few of the activities a student could find themselves participating on after a long day of school. For Izuku Midoriya however this wasn't exactly the case. Izuku didn't have the luxury of spending time after school with his friends, as few in number as they may be, instead this very day signaled the start of a drastic change in the boy's life. Over the course of the next 10 months he'd start his training to becoming a hero, all with the help of bombastic bushy browed man that he'd only come to know as of yesterday. Tai planned to work Izuku to the bone and envisioned that by the end of his training, Izuku would have what it took to pass the UA entrance exam. Taking all of this into account, Izuku didn't have the time to slack about and waste his time with pointless activities, if he truly planned to enroll in the prestigious school for heroes. There wasn't a moment in the waking day he could waste.

Making his way down an unfamiliar street, Izuku could be seen straining his eyes in a vain attempt to read the address Tai had written down.

"Wow." Izuku thought to himself.

"His handwriting his awful, how the heck am I supposed to read anything on this." Izuku would make one last attempt at reading the paper before sighing.

Looking around Izuku would begin to take in the scenery of his surroundings, something striking him as odd as he began to notice something. Where he was currently headed, there was a peculiar lack of housing for as the eye could see. Not once had a single car passed him on his walk towards the school.

"That's a little concerning." Izuku murmured, rubbing his chin as he continued his walk.

For the next ten minutes or so, Izuku would follow the road hoping that held come across something that stuck out. Looking down at the road Izuku, now undoubtedly certain that he'd gotten himself lost, would rub his eyes as he came to a stop ready to turn around. And that's when he saw it. Resting at the side of the road, standing out as a magnificent monument amongst the mundane rural Japanese plains, was a Dojo. Compared to the buildings found in Musutafu, the building looked rather traditional in comparison.

"This has to be the place." Izuku beamed, his eyes shining bright.

Not wanting to waste anytime, Izuku would sprint towards the Dojo, eager to begin his training. Stepping through a Torii gate which lead into the Dojo, Izuku would be blown away as the area's beauty was seeming amplified tenfold. Stepping over a bridge which barely spanned a meter in both length and width, the boy's gaze would be drawn the small stream which ran beneath the bridge, watching as a myriad of unique looking koi swam by. Upon making his way over the bridge Izuku could only marvel at the garden which lay before him, numerous flowers of all sorts blooming in the amber light of the sun, whoever had maintained the plants were doing an exceptional job. After inhaling the pleasant aroma of the floral life, Izuku would swiftly making his way towards the entrance, making sure to take off his shoes before doing so.

Upon stepping into the dojo and closing the sliding door behind him, Izuku would be met with a large open area, tatami mats layering the floor. Izuku would quickly arrive at the conclusion that this was the Dojo's training area, the racks of different training weapons, banners which displayed the kanji of different martial arts, and the training gi lining the walls only helping to cement this fact. Stepping further into the room Izuku's eyes would wonder the room, the boy entranced by its pristine interior, this entire place was a step out of the norm which Izuku had grown so accustomed to. As Izuku scanned the room, taking in the several trinkets and ancient paintings, an object resting upon an alter at the back of the room would grab his attention Everything else within the room quickly falling out of interest. Walking towards it, Izuku could only tilt his head as he studied the peculiar item. It appeared to be a headband of some kind, a worn blue cloth tied into a knot, telling a tale of its own. What stuck out to Izuku the most however, was the metal plate which was found in the middle of the headband, a symbol completely foreign to Izuku etched into the hardened steel.

"Wonder if it belongs to Ta-?" Izuku pondered, his thought process getting derailed as he felt the entire room shake.

"DYNAMIC ENTRY!" A loud voice screamed out.

"Huh!?"

Before he could register anything that happened, Izuku would be sent flying across the room by a kick to the back of the head, spiraling through the air before landing face first on the tatami mats several meters away. A familiar voice speaking out.

"You're late my endearing pupil! Not a good first impression for your first day, not all." Tai sighed, shrugging as he watched Izuku shakily rise to his feet.

"Was that r-really necessary." Izuku stammered, the boy seeing stars as he tried to stabilize himself.

"You never know when a villain is lurking around the corner, you've always got to stay on your toes my dear pupil." Tai pronounced with a booming laugh.

"That was your first of many lessons to come my boy!" Tai howled, trotting over to Izuku.

"Right." Izuku retorted, finally back on his feet only to immediately fall back down as a firm hand met his back.

"Now! Let's not dally any further, put this on so we can get to a roaring start!" Tai shouted, reaching behind his back.

"Ugh, what is it this time." Izuku whimpered, his vision becoming obscured as something covered his face.

Grabbing at the article of clothing to inspect it, Izuku's face slowly began to contort into a mixture of emotions as he tried to process what he was looking. The most prominent emotion being that of confusion. Tai had thrown the boy what appeared to be the jumpsuit he always wore, except this one appeared to be tailored in order to fit his size.

"Are you serious?" Izuku rasped in disbelief.

"I'm always serious my boy." A bright toothy grin forming on his face as he watched Izuku slip into the green jumpsuit.

In a minute's time Izuku would find himself fit snuggly in his new jumpsuit this last article of clothing he would slip on being a pair of orange leg warmers, and much to the boy's surprise, the suit fit his form surprisingly well, almost like a second skin.

"You look amazing Izuku boy! Now, are you ready to begin a 10-month trek through hell!"

"I've already went through the trouble of walking all the way here." Izuku lamented, his eyes momentarily meeting the bandages used to wrap his hands.

"Ready whenever you are sensei!" Midoriya yelled with conviction, tightening the bandages on his hand, Tai smiling at the boy's willingness to train.

"Then let us begin!" Tai roared, placing a hand behind his back, presenting the backside of his other hand to Izuku.

Tilting his head at the gesture, Izuku looking around the room would try to discern what exactly Tai was doing. Studying the stance which Tai had assumed, Izuku's eyes would widen as he soon caught on to what exactly Tai wanted him to do.

"Y-you want me to attack you." Izuku stammered, the ambition he held mere seconds ago crumbling to dust.

"That right my boy! Use the power of youth to clobber me!" Tai exclaimed, enticing his student to attack him.

"You s-sure?" Izuku asked for confirmation only to be yelled at by Tai.

"Of course I'm sure young Midoriya! Now come at me, time is of the utmost essence." Tai concluded with a nod, flashing toothy grin at his student.

Swallowing a lump his throat, Izuku would lock eyes with Tai, the boy's anxious stature a complete contrast to Tai, everything about him exuding confidence. Slapping the sides of his cheeks to snap himself back to reality and focus on the moment at hand, Izuku knew that now was the time to cast any doubt he had within himself to the wayside. If he planned on getting stronger, he couldn't stand idle shaking like a scared child, the core ideology of any true hero is someone who can willingly throw themselves at the slightest sign danger so long as it means others are protected. Heroes don't simply stand by, cowering in a corner as others do the saving for them no, they're proactive and get the job done. However, while taking all of that into account, Izuku knew from the get-go that he was outclassed. Rushing in was most definitely off the table, after all he'd never seen Tai's quirk, the man could have him planted face first on the tatami mat before he even knew it. Something else to take into account was Tai's fighting prowess, he could be trained in a myriad of martial arts and Izuku would be none the wiser. Ruffling his hair at the revelation Izuku found himself at a roadblock, there was simply no information for him to go off, and his notes were certainly of no use.

That's when something clicked, flashes of the feeble attempt at fighting the sludge villain cycling through his head like a roll of film. Clenching his fists, Izuku would nod to himself as he devised a plan, it was a bold move, and he only had one shot. But it was all he could come up with.

"Well young Midoriya? Was that proclamation you made last night just for show or are you going to stick by your word." Tai stated, his pearly white smile having yet to waver.

"Don't worry sensei." Izuku murmured, breaking out into an all out sprint seconds later.

"I never go back on my word!"

"Oh? A frontal attack, how courageous." Tai commemorated the boy.

"But foolish." Tai sneered, his smile shrinking as he watched Izuku inch closer.

Moments before launching an attack however, Izuku while just a few feet away from Tai, reached behind his back and threw his charred notebook at Tai's head, forcing the man to block.

"He's open! I can land a hit!" Izuku though to himself, sending his fist rocketing to Tai's abdomen.

Yet, contrary to Izuku's belief, Tai was far was open. Before he could process what happened, Izuku felt his knees buckle as his legs were swept out from under him all in a matter of seconds. Landing on the tatami mat, Izuku felt all the air be ripped from his lungs as he fell on his back, a short groan exiting his mouth as he was left staring at the ceiling.

"I thought you said you wouldn't block." Izuku spoke, his voice so low it was practically a whisper.

"Last time I check, sweeping the legs didn't count as blocking." Tai snickered, looking down at his winded student.

"Oh." Izuku grunted, deciding not to get up, knowing only pain awaited him if he chose to do so.

"A feint combined with a distraction, that was an exceptionally smart move young man!" Tai bellowed, his laughter filling the room, yet his cheerful expression would vanish as quickly as it appeared.

"But smarts alone won't win you a fight." Tai stated as he pointed a finger at Izuku, his tone serious.

"You believed your opponent to be down and out after one measly move, such a mistake could cost you your life. And that's not all." Tai paused, Izuku bracing himself for the chastising that was just moments away.

"Your speed is abysmal, a tortoise could outpace you if it tried. That attack you threw was also hilariously telegraphed, this isn't a tv show, villains won't just stand there and let you pummel them." Tai concluded, folding his arms as he shook his head.

"It's clear your fighting style needs some serious work among other things." Tai hummed.

"Ya don't say." Izuku muttered, sitting up as he staggered to his feet.

"I believe it's best that we begin with endurance training, you could have the strongest punch in the world. But that won't matter if you tucker yourself out after throwing the first attack."

"Now! Up and at em Kiddo. The fountain of youth still has so much more to give!" Tai yelled, patting Izuku on the back.

Meekly cheering, Izuku would soon find himself trailing behind Tai, the duo making their way out of the dojo and onto the street which it resided beside. Tai had decided that a simple 5km jog would be excellent for a warmup for the events to come.

"Remember to pace yourself my boy. I don't want to bring you home with a sprain ankle." Tai stated as he stretched.

"I'll try my best sensei." Izuku groaned, the boy trying to replicate Tai's stretching.

"Just follow after me and you'll do just fine." Tai chuckled, Izuku simply nodding as he watched Tai take an unorthodox starting position.

"Ready! Go!" Tai shouted, Izuku taking off as soon as he was given the opportunity.

After jogging for a couple meters however, Izuku would notice that Tai was no where near him, looking back Izuku would be utterly confused to see that Tai was still stretching. Shrugging, Izuku would continue his jog down the countryside, his sensei would catch up sooner or later. While running on the side of the road, Izuku would suddenly feel a large gust of wind blow past him, large clouds of dust blocking his eyesight.

"What the heck was that? Did a dust devil blow through." Izuku coughed, swatting away the dirt obscuring his vision.

"Try to keep up my boy!" Tai shouted in the distance.

"Sensei!?" Izuku shouted in confusion, his jaw dropping as he stared dead ahead.

The origin of the disturbance was none other than Tai, the man travelling at blistering speeds managing to streak past Izuku even with a head start, all while doing a handstand.

"To think he said pace yourself." Izuku huffed, resuming his jog as he attempted to catch up to his teacher who was already disappearing into the horizon.

And so, for the next 2 months Tai would subject Izuku to a hellish training regiment, the boisterous, bushy browed sensei, putting the boy through training that served to bolster his resolve and reconstruct it from the ground up. By the end of each grueling session, Izuku felt as though his body had been dragged through mud, the boy even coming to the belief that Tai took enjoyment from seeing his body be pushed to its utter limits. Yet, to say Tai's methods did not yield impressive results would be nothing short of a lie. Izuku's stamina multiplied in ways thought impossible to him. His strength and speed received a significant boost to the point that shattering a cinder block was but a trivial task to him, a considerable step-up factoring in that he nearly broke all the bones in his hand the first time around. As for Inko, the woman found herself growing increasingly worried for the boy's condition, at the end of every day he would turn up home exhausted and famished. The woman would have stepped in and put a stop to her son's visits to Tai had she not seen the positive qualities Izuku had adopted during his duration at the Dojo. From what she'd noticed, the boy was far more confident, though he still retained parts of his social anxiety, it was clear that Izuku was beginning to break out of that shell little by little. So as much as she hated to admit it, Tai was healthy for Izuku. Who was she to deny her son's wants in life? She only wished that Izuku would find a balance between his studies and training, UA's entrance exam also consisted of a written portion after all. At least there was the plus that Tai always made sure to bring her gifts whenever he returned with Izuku, a sort of offering for being an inconvenience to the woman's family time.

In regards to his fighting style, Tai could say without a doubt that Izuku was making steady progress, the man had taken the liberty of introducing Izuku to multiple kinds of martial arts and allowing him to pick what was best suited for him. The aspiring hero would ultimately decide to take up Muay Thai, Wing Chun and Tai's own special form of martial arts, strong fist style. While Izuku was by no means a master in any of these martial arts the boy a novice at best, he certainly showed an adamant stance on learning each of them to the best of his abilities. Speaking of which, the duo currently found themselves locking horns in combat, one of the many sparring sessions they'd engage in over the 2-month period.

"Leaf Hurricane!"

A guttural yell filled the room as Izuku kicked at Tai's head, the boy's sensei blocking and countering with a heavy palm to the chest which would send him hurdling a considerable distance. Holding his chest in pain, Izuku reassessing the situation at hand found himself on the backfoot, something that quickly became commonplace when training against Tai. Both of them were bruised and showing signs of fatigue, though for Izuku he possessed noticeably more bruises than that of his sensei. With his eye swollen and neck bruised, Izuku panted as he tried to catch his breath.

"Villains won't let you rest in a fight! My youthful protege!" Tai boomed, leaping towards Izuku with a fist reeled back.

Dodging to the side just narrowly dodging Tai's punch, said attack leaving a sizeable hole in the tatami mat. Izuku would have no time to counterattack as Tai instantly rebounded, sending his foot careening towards Izuku. Parrying the kick and grabbing hold of his sensei's leg, Izuku retaliated with a jab to Tai's thigh. Before he had the chance to do so however, Tai would lift his other leg off the ground and wrap it around Izuku's neck, taking him by surprise and placing him in a headlock. Forcing both to the ground, Izuku would struggle for several seconds before conceding, accepting that there was no way he could slip out of Tai's inhuman grip.

"Not bad young Midoriya, you had me on my toes!" Tai cackled, jumping to his feet.

"Also, leaf hurricane? That's a new one." Tai chuckled rubbing his forearm, the boy's kick carrying far more power than expected.

"O-Oh right. Well, It's pretty common for heroes to name their attacks, so I that if I planned on becoming a hero, might as well start early." Izuku stammered, hanging his head low in embarrassment.

"Naming your attacks huh." Tai brought himself to a halt, raising a hand to his chin.

"I love it! I might just have to take a page out of your book." Tai boomed, folding his arms as he cackled at the ceiling.

"Really?" Izuku chortled nervously, scratching at his cheek.

"Yes really! Anyway enough of that, that fight was marvelous and I could tell you were brimming with youth!" Tai exclaimed, throwing a thumbs up Izuku's way.

"I still think I have a long way to go." Izuku sniffled, looking down at his hands which were now covered entirely in bandages.

"Of course, and that's nothing to be ashamed of my boy. Humans are constantly growing and striving to surpass their limits, you've also taught me a lot during our sessions." Tai remarked, running a hand through his hair.

"I wasn't half the man I am today 2 months back, you've helped me grow considerably." Tai said with a smirk, placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder.

"Thank you, Midoriya." Tai stated with a wide grin, Izuku feeling flustered as he struggled to find the right words to say.

"Anyway! Enough of this small talk, I'll get some remedies so we can dive right back into training!" Tai yelled with a pat on Izuku's back, rising to his feet and exiting through the sliding door.

Now on his lonesome, Izuku couldn't help but smile at Tai's words, it'd been so long since someone that wasn't his mother or father showed so much appreciation in him. Shaking his head, Izuku's train of thought would be derailed as something shiny caught his attention in the corner of his eye. Turning to face the item of interest, Izuku would furrow a brow as his eyes landed on the headband, his mind returning to when he first arrived at the dojo. He'd remained so engrossed in his training regiment that he forgot all about the headband which had previously piqued his interest.

"That's right, I never got to ask Tai what that thing was all about." Izuku murmured to himself, getting up and walking over to the shrine.

Crossing his legs as he took a seat in front of the shrine, Izuku would fixate his gaze on the headband, something about the item just seemed to intrigue him. During whatever resting time between training sessions, Izuku took the time to ask Tai about the Dojo, his sensei more than happy to oblige in sharing his knowledge. In due time he grew to know many things about the Dojo and the many trinkets residing in its walls, yet none were as great of interest to him nearly as much as this headband. After a few more seconds of dwelling on the subject, Izuku would come to a decision, when Tai returned he'd ask about the headband and its origins. For to long he'd let the headband claw at his mind, his interest with the thing almost a detriment. His time during the next 8 months would be the most pivotal moment in his life, any time spent focusing on something other than training, was time wasted if he planned on passing the entrance exam. Besides, he always liked to learn about history when given the opportunity, a favourite pastime activity for the boy, next to jotting down details surrounding heroes. And so for the next 5 minutes or so Izuku would be sat idle, in front of the shrine as he awaited Tai's eventual return.

"I have returned!" Tai howled, emerging from the other side of the sliding door two bottles in hand, the bombastic teacher tossing one of the herbal remedies at Izuku.

"Hey sensei." Izuku responded, raising his hand and catching the bottled remedy, his eyes never leaving the shrine for even a moment. A testament to his improved reflexes.

"What's the matter my boy?" Tai questioned his only pupil, eyebrow furrowed as he trotted ahead.

"Sensei, over the few weeks I've been here you've taught me so much about the history of this place." Izuku began to speak, using his hand to prop up his head. Tai taking a seat next to the boy as he loaned him his ear.

"My knowledge about traditions, both new and old have expanded so much thanks to you and I couldn't be anymore grateful." Izuku suddenly came to a stop, his eyes landing on the headband.

"You didn't even shy away at the opportunity to share whatever bit of history you knew with. me, and that's why I'm coming to you yet again today." Izuku huffed, Tai's smile wavering ever so slightly as he soon caught on as to what Izuku wanted to ask.

"Where did this headband come from, I've never seen anything like it?" Izuku inquired, finally turning to face his sensei.

For the briefest of moments, Tai's fingers would clamp down on his bottle, the vice like hold placed upon the piece of plastic threatening to cause an explosion. Though lasting not even second, this action would not go unnoticed by Izuku, the boy twiddling his fingers as he began to wonder if he perhaps, found himself treading in unwarranted territory.

"Why bring this up now my boy? I'm not saying I won't tell you what you wish to know, I'm just. . . curious is all." Tai sighed, removing the cap from his bottle before consuming its contents in one gulp. Watching in the corner of his eye as Izuku nodded.

"Ever since I first stepped foot in the dojo this headband, I don't know why. Just seemed to have me in this chokehold of wonder and mystery. I can't really put it in the best of details but-." Izuku paused, squeezing his fists as he leered at the shrine.

"I can't help but feel a sort of connection, like I knew of it from a past life or something. It's kinda stupid I know." Izuku huffed, shaking his head as he tried to align his thoughts. Tai's unknowing seizing up as he listened to the boys every word.

"Well, I should have guessed you would have asked about this relic sooner or later, just didn't assume it would be this soon." Tai hummed, leaning back.

"Listen well Izuku, because what I'm about to tell you is a tale long forgotten by many." Tai puffed, Izuku dividing his attention solely on Tai.

"I don't want to bore you, so i'll try and give it to you the most roundabout way I can." Clearing his throat. Tai would begin to to speak once more.

"Some thousand or so years ago there was a man, his name is now lost to history. It was told that he was a god amongst men and that to lay upon his form would be a monumental feat in and of itself. This man was known as the sage of six paths, and it is thought that from the great sage a new way of life would be brought about. The way of the shinobi." Tai said before coming to a halt.

"Ninjas?" Izuku chuckled, now thoroughly confused.

"Yes my boy. Residing in five great villages, these fierce warriors who were renowned for their fighting prowess and many innovations that we use till this day, once reigned at the top of society for quite some time. Many legends would simultaneously be born and lost to time during this period of history. Some ancient accounts citing that they made use of chakra to wage war against one another." Tai recited the old tale, Izuku's eyes narrowing as he processed his sensei's words.

"This headband belonged to one of those great shinobi's, I don't know who but judging by the wear and tare, they must've been one hell of a warrior." Tai concluded with a smile.

"I don't mean to offend you sensei, but I'm not Buddhist so I don't really believe in the the whole chakra thing." Izuku murmured watching his every word as to not step on any eggshells, scratching the back of his head as he watched Tai lean further back.

"And this thing about shinobi, it sounds like something my mom would have read to me as a bedtime story." Izuku chuckled nervously.

"I can understand where you're coming from Izuku, first time I uncovered this I to found it a little nonsensical." Tai grumbled, closing his eyes. The grown man able to sense the doubt permeating from Izuku.

"Say Izuku my boy. How about we go for a walk?" Tai suddenly stated, taking Izuku by surprise as he rose to his feet.

"S-Sure." The boy quickly answered, following his master.

Exiting through the shoji, Tai and Izuku would trot about the confines of the Dojo's outer compound. Amongst the blazing heat of the midday sun, Sakura petals would litter the ground as the tree was in full bloom this time of year. Admiring the beauty of the garden that encompassed the Dojo, Izuku would find his train of thought thrown in complete disarray as he bumped into Tai's back.

"Ow-" Izuku winced, his bruises from sparring making even the slightest touch hurt tenfold.

"Say my youthful protege, how much do you know about quirks?" Tai asked his student, continuing his trek through the compound.

"About as much as any normal person I'd say. It's said quirks are the next evolutionary step for mankind, superhuman abilities that people can manifest and use in everyday life. From what I can recall, a century ago the first emergence of quirks from the records was said to be in China, and from there it was only a short time before other cases of quirks began to pop up." Izuku recounted, his knowledge of history being put to the test.

Walking up to a pond, large clusters of Koi fish swimming along the waters clear surface, Izuku couldn't help but wonder why his sensei decided now of all times would be ideal to go for a walk. He was always quite adamant in making the most of the day and getting in as much training as possible, and for him to do this was certainly out of the blue. There was also the random pop quiz on the history of quirks, all in all to say his sensei's actions left in dumbfounded would be a rather large understatement. As he pondered what exactly his Tai was trying to get at, the man would begin stretching as though he were in preparation of something.

"Right and right my boy, you really are a smart cookie!" Tai laughed, continuing a set of stretches.

"Now. What If i were to tell you, that there was slight discrepancy in the history of quirks, something not even the world leaders or historians are aware of. And it all has to do with shinobi." Tai mused, performing a few lunges in a tight circle.

Taken aback by his sensei's words, Izuku would find himself at a complete loss as his sensei went on to speak.

"Earth, wind, water, fire and lightning. All of these are pretty common quirks for many people wouldn't you say. Now of course they may slight vary from person to person, but in the end they can mostly be traced back to those five elements, right?" Tai questioned his student, the boy simply nodding his head.

"Shinobi also made use of these elements. From weaving great firestorms that could set an entire city ablaze, to massive waves that could swallow villages, Shinobi made use of those powers. That's right, long before quirks made an appearance, humanity possessed supernatural capabilities, however overtime these powerful arts were forgotten as the rivers of time flowed onward." Tai grumbled, performing one final stretch before straightening his posture.

"And do you know how shinobi were capable of such impressive endeavors my aspiring pupil?" Tai turned to face his student, the boy captivated by every sentence which came from Tai's mouth.

"They borrowed the life energy of everything around them and channeled it, molded it into something which could be used by man. Through mind, body and spirit, it's found within us all, we as human's simply have to dig deep within ourselves to do so. Quirks are a step towards doing so, but its an art that's unrefined, in need of craftsmanship that may bring out the full potential found latent within us all." Tai would bring his speech to a sudden close, and not without another word he would take a step forward towards the pond.

Reaching out preemptively to warn his teacher Izuku would swiftly find his concerns to be of no warrant as Tai, instead of falling in, would seemingly trot along the waters surface. Left in utter awe, Izuku watched in amazement as Tai walked across the pond, the Koi fish below him unbothered by the sudden shadow cast upon the water, as if his presence was nothing of consequence to the creatures. With his hands forming a strange sign, the boy could only watch as Tai made a full trip around the pond's surface, returning in a minute's time, his clothes dry and a large grin on his face.

"Through many trials and tribulations you have proven yourself quite well Izuku. So I believe it is time that we take the next big step in your training." Tai spoke confidently, locking his eyes with Izuku.

"Chakra usage, and training in the ways of the shinobi. This road will be long and arduous, but with your steely determination and quick wits I'm sure you'll turn out just fine." Tai cackled.

"Woah woah woah! Slow down! What are you even talking about!? Chakra, ways of the shinobi?!" Izuku exclaimed, grasping at the sides of his head as his world view was turned upside down.

"You can't be serious! That was probably just your quirk, yeah! Your quirk is weight displacement, gravity manipulation or strength enhancement, something along those lines, that's how you move so fast and hit so hard." Izuku retorted, refusing to have his world view flipped upside down.

"Not at all my boy, I'm quirkless. Just like you." Tai stated bluntly, Izuku feeling a pang in his chest as Tai's words hit him like a freight train.

"What?" Izuku said in disbelief, watching as Tai made his way to dry and land, and eventually him.

"I'm quirkless, that's why I took you under my wing. I saw a bit of myself in you, someone unwanted and feeling a sense of purpose and longing in this world." Tai confided in the boy.

"I wanted you to know, that even without a quirk you could achieve your dreams, circumstances be damned." Tai huffed, kneeling before Izuku.

"I'll be upfront with you Izuku, what I'm about to teach over the next 8 months is something not many who know of it can master, it will leave your body broken and battered beyond measure. Yet, trust me when I say you will come out a man this world will grow to respect. And most importantly, a hero" Tai muttered, placing a lone hand on Izuku's shoulder.

"I'll be passing on the torch of knowledge as my master did for me, to you. And it will be your choice should you choose to do the same or let the legacy end there." Tai finished, rising to his feet.

"I know this is a lot to process so if you wish, we can end training early today and you can go home. After which you can give me your answer and we can sto-"

"No." Izuku stopped Tai.

"Huh?" Tai puffed, taken aback.

"I won't hesitate now when I haven't even began my journey to becoming a hero. Honestly I don't understand much of what you're saying but if it means I can become a hero even without a quirk, I'll do it. No matter the consequences I face." Izuku stated sternly, his gaze burning with passion.

"You're ambitions are strong my boy, there's no doubt about that. But I want you to know just what exactly you're getting into, controlling one's chakra is no game. If you are injured in the process, you and you alone are responsible for what happens to you." Tai iterated.

"I understand sensei, if I hesitate now then that means I've already accepted defeat. And I don't take defeat that easily." Izuku stated with rapport.

Tai would go silent for a few seconds before howling to the sky in immense joy.

"That's a fine Nindo you have there my boy! It's almost enough to make this youthful soul tear up!" Tai boomed, jumping to his feet in happiness.

"Nindo?" Izuku said in confusion, watching as his sensei jumped about.

"Simple! Ones ninja way, the very code they live by." Tai hollered.

"You've got spunk Izuku, so if you truly believe what you said, let's not dally and dive right into training, we've much to learn!" Tai shouted, slamming a fist into his open palm.

"Right!"

With that Izuku's journey to becoming a hero would be set full steam ahead as his training entered its second stage. The long grueling hours of training the boy once previously faced now seemed like nothing more than child's play as Tai subjected Izuku to the harshest training regiment yet. More than ever Inko's worry for the boy grew, she had seen him come back from Tai's Dojo exhausted and sporting some bumps and bruises from time to time. Yet, those moments seemed to pale in comparison now, as it seemed that every day the boy would come home looking as though he had done a marathon through the fiery pits of hell. Izuku himself wondered on occasion if Tai was legitimately out kill him with how harsh he was being when it came to training. Luckily for the Izuku however, as his knowledge in regards to chakra control grew, the boy found that he healed from injuries at a faster rate than normal.

Of course, that only applied to minor cuts and wounds, the hammering he took on a daily basis simply couldn't be healed no matter exceptional he proved to be with chakra control. In spite of this, Izuku pushed on, telling himself each and every step of the way that with each injury he'd grow stronger and adapt. Through a sea of blood, sweat and mostly tears, Izuku's efforts from his training would show more and more with each passing session. That was not all however, considering that some sessions left him far to beaten to train on certain days, Izuku would use that small window of time to study. After all, the entrance exam didn't consist purely of physical feats, there's also a written test that had to be passed. Thankfully, conditioning the mind was a far easier task that whatever hellish routine Tai had planned for Izuku. With his training in full sway the boy would hardly notice the time fly by and before he knew it, the day of the entrance exam to U.A was upon him.

It was about 6:30am in the Midoriya residence, nabbed from the sweet embrace of slumber by the incessant sound of an alarm clock, Inko Midoriya could only groan as she willed herself out of bed. As much as the woman wanted to sleep in, she had a duty to perform so that meant her personal pleasure came last on the long list of responsibilities. Making herself a fresh cup of tea to energize herself for the day ahead Inko's weary eyes would trail over to the clock found hanging on the kitchen wall. Taking note of the time Inko, taking in the pleasant aroma of tea, would finish her cup of tea before making her way over to Izuku's room.

"Today is his big day, I hope he doesn't get himself hurt." Inko thought to herself, placing a hand over her chest as she trotted over to Izuku's room.

Standing in front of Izuku's room, Inko would take a deep breath before moving her hand to knock on the door. Yet, as she found her hand drifting closer to the wooden exterior of the door, Inko would come a stop. The woman hearing the most peculiar of sounds emitting from the room, that being the faintest sound of, grunting? That wasn't all, after each grunt would follow a number, the woman quickly assuming Izuku was counting, why exactly he was doing this. She hadn't the faintest clue.

"598."

"599."

"600."

"What on earth?" Inko thought to herself.

Letting curiosity get the better of her Inko, with a hand on the door knob would push the door to her son's room open. Silently begging that Izuku would forgive her for barging into his room without even a knock. Peeping through the crack in the door, Inko's eyes would widen as she gazed upon the sight before her. With a hand behind his back and the other on the floor Izuku, so early in the morning, with rivers of sweat streaming down his body took on the task of performing one handed push ups, while doing a handstand. If that wasn't all, the boy just to go the extra mile, bit into a dumbbell, putting his teeth's integrity to the test along with the benefit of added weight to the exercise.

"He's certainly taken after his sensei." Inko muttered begrudgingly, sighing as she watched Izuku's body glisten with sweat in the amber light of the morning sun.

"I know you're there mom." Izuku groaned through his teeth, his eyes locked to the floor as he dared not to break concentration.

"Sorry for not knocking Izuku, I just wanted to know how you were doing." Inko laughed nervously, her eyes closed as she felt incredibly embarrassed.

"It's fine mom, am I being to loud?" Izuku inquired, a grunt following every sentence has he continued to work.

"Not at all, I've never seen you up this early. I take it you're excited for the entrance exam?" Inko questioned her son, knowing full well what his answer would be.

"Yup, Just wanted to make sure I got a few reps in before I head off." Izuku spoke with a grunt.

"If that's the case I won't disturb you, I'll make breakfast so you can pass that test with flying colors!" Inko said with a raised voice, her arm held to the ceiling as she adopted a wide smile.

"Thanks mom." The boy retorted, his eyes glued to the floor.

Not wanting to disturb her son any more Inko would take her leave, making sure to close the door behind her as she made her way back to the kitchen. A slight smile on her face as she took note of just how much Izuku had changed over the 10 month period.

"He's so well spoken now." Inko whispered as she placed a hand on her cheek.

Over the course of about half an hour or so, Inko would take to the preparation of breakfast and in due time a full platter of filling nutrients of line the dining table. Before Tai came along Inko was used to cooking in small portions as she typically only had one mouth to be feed but, with the onset of Izuku's training came an increase in appetite. If that wasn't bad enough, heaven forbid Tai stayed for dinner, that man could eat them out of house and home with his hunger. With breakfast done, Inko called down her son, the boy fresh out of the shower now donning his school uniform as he took a seat before immediately scarfing down the food prepared for him. In record time Izuku would finish the entire platter, thanking his mother for the meal before raising to his feet.

"Well mom, I'm off." Izuku mused attempting to put an a cool exterior. However, his mother knew him all to well, the woman telling from a mere look just how eager the boy was.

"Do your best." Inko remarked with a simple grin, Izuku flashing her a smile as he made his way to the front door.

Accompanying Izuku to the front door, Inko would wave the boy goodbye as he took his leave, yet as he opened the door he would be met with a familiar face.

"Hey! What's shacking!!" Tai exclaimed though at a slightly lower volume than usual, not wanting to disturb the neighbouring residents.

"Sensei!"

"Tai? what are you doing here." Inko spoke from behind Izuku her head tilted.

"Well I came to see off my lovely student of course, it almost brings a tear to my eye to think he'll be leaving my tutorage soon." Tai whimpered, shielding his eyes with his elbow.

"But that's just one of the reasons I'm here." Tai chuckled, reaching behind him and retrieving a small black box.

"For you Ms. Midoriya." Tai stated with a large smirk, bowing as he extended the box towards the woman.

"F-For me!" Inko yelped, her face flush as she eyed the black box.

"Of course, a small token for barging into your son's life unannounced." Tai said, Inko with a trembling hand taking hold of the black box.

Swallowing a lump in her throat Inko, looking to Tai one last time for confirmation if she had permission, would shakily grab the top half of the box, prying it open moments later. Folding his arms Izuku couldn't help but smile as he watched his mother's eyes sparkle and shine at the contents of the black box.

"It's beautiful." Inko spoke through a close hand.

"I couldn't possibly accept something so valuable." Inko giggled, reaching into the box and retrieving from it a silver necklace, a jade pendant hanging from it.

"I insist, a trinket of gratitude from me to you." Tai chortled.

"I don't know what to say." Inko hiccupped, enamored by the piece of jewelry, unsure how to reciprocate such a kind gesture.

"A thank you will do me just fine madam." Tai hummed, his trademark smirk beaming bright as ever.

With Inko entranced by the necklace bestowed upon her, Tai's attention would now be set towards Izuku. The boy straightening his posture as his sensei faced him. However, instead of his sensei giving a pep talk for the events to come, Tai with a warm smile on his face would place a hand on Izuku's shoulder.

"As for you kiddo, it's something I made specially for you. A parting gift as you will." Tai remarked as he reached into a pouch on strapped on his waist.

"The fletching has finally sprouted his wings, now it's only a matter of time before he takes to the skies, his months of training finally being put to the test in the outside world." Tai spoke with with a shimmering glare, his grip on Izuku's shoulder loosening

"You've done well to make it far kiddo, from here on out only you can help yourself. I can't be there every step of the way with you anymore. But I'm more than sure you'll do just fine on your own, that tenacious zeal of yours will do you well." Tai huffed, presenting Izuku his gift, the boys eyes bulging.

"So, as a little memento of your time spent training with me, I set aside some time to make this for you." Tai chortled, Izuku shaking as he leered at the gift.

"You've grown into a fine example of ninja and I want the world to know that, even it they haven't the slightest clue what this may represent." Tai mused, dropping the item in Izuku's hands.

The gift that left the boy shook? His very own headband. Similar to the one from the shrine, the differences were very evident however. Instead of the blue cloth, this one possessed a cloth red in color. The most prominent deviation in design however, would be the symbol etched into the metal plate. Rather than the symbol which still remains unknown in origin to Izuku this day, engraved into the steel plate would be the symbol of mythical beast of some kind, baring its teeth. Running a bandage wrapped hand along the engraving, Izuku could only look up at Tai for the unique choice in design.

"A symbol of your ferocious fighting spirit my boy. I'm sure that on this day the sun will shine bright on you." Tai said with a smirk, taking Izuku into a tight embrace moments later.

"Thank you. Sensei." Izuku muttered.

"Do well my boy, I'll be rooting for you." Tai mused, creating space between him and Izuku as he rose to his feet.

"Anyway! I've kept you for long enough as is. Go out there and show them the awesome power of youth!" Tai yelled, placing a hand over his mouth moments later.

"Right."

Stuffing his new headband into his bag, Izuku after making sure everything was squared away bid the adults farewell. And with that Izuku was off, both Inko and Tai watching with a somber look as he embarked on a new journey that would be sure to lead him down an unforeseen path. Hopping off the bus and making the short trek up the hill there Izuku finally stood, the fruits of his labour at last being able to be put to the test. Standing in front of a pair of large gates, the schools signature golden crest hanging above, which welcomed in the new wave of entrees. Izuku steeled his nerves as he took a step forward, his mind a minefield of differing thoughts of the events that lay ahead.

"U.A."

"Here I come."

Chapter Text

To say the morning of the entrance exam to U.A ticked off Katsuki Bakugo would be a rather accurate assessment, the boy was rather livid. Now Katsuki always had a bit of a chip on his shoulders, but after what unfolded 10 months prior with that sludge villain, Bakugo simply never could live it down since then. To make matters even worse, he was saved by a quirkless individual like Deku, the bastard making him look helpless in front of live television. That's what really set him off. Someone with a amazing quirk like him was saved by some loser like Midoriya. And now he had to go U.A with all that's happened, that being said after 10 months some of the heat surrounding the whole situation had died off but without a doubt the incident still lived rent free in a lot of peoples head. Adding on the fact that he had to deal with his mother's shouting early in the morning was already a nightmare in and of it shelf, now he had to ride the bus with people looking at him sideways. What he wouldn't do to tell them to mind their own business unless they wanted a face full of explosions.

Bakugo was a simple shout away from a headache with all the stress he felt and he hated it. The trek up the hill to U.A was quick as he chose to keep his head low, the last thing he wanted to deal with was extra heat on his back. Yet, as Katsuki made his way up the hill and eventually through the gate, he contemplated if a headache would really be the worst thing to deal with as he laid eyes on the biggest loser to walk this earth, Izuku Midoriya. Unbeknownst to the hot-headed blonde, a vein would emerge from the top of his head as he tried to suppress his rage. Yet, as he looked at Midoriya, his stress and need to insult the boy nearly cancelled each other out. Closing his eyes and thinking it over Bakugo simply scoffed as he walked forward, a half assed insult would do him just fine for now. However, as he approached Izuku he couldn't help but take notice of just how different he seemed. Gone was the frail teenager that Bakugo took pleasure in bullying, in his place was a Izuku who had obtained significantly more muscle mass, nothing nearly on the levels of All Might by any means, but it was clear from a first glance that Izuku had bulked up. When in the hell did Izuku get so muscular, the boy was always scrawny last he checked. Gritting his teeth Bakugo's mind subconsciously began to back track to the months prior, and as he dwelled on it. No Izuku was always this buff, at least in the last couple of months. Bakugo was simply to busy wallowing in his defeat to notice Izuku's changes.

That very fact set Bakugo off, almost to the brink of an outburst. To think, while Bakugo was busy thinking of that sludge bastard, Izuku was off training for the entrance exam, that made him furious. However, instead of storming up to Izuku and tormenting him, Bakugo took the time to think, even if Deku looked like a bodybuilder he still would be a quirkless loser. That sheer fact alone would be enough for Bakugo, for now at least. No matter which way the subject was spun, Izuku even if given a century to train couldn't match him in skill. With that, Bakugo continued to march onward Izuku in his way.

"Outta the way Deku." Bakugo snarled, garnering the attention of Izuku who stepped out the way.

"Sorry Kacchan, Didn't see you there." Izuku nervously greeted the boy, scratching the back of his head.

"Get in my way again, and I'll murder you." Bakugo stated bluntly, his eyes monetarily landing on the bandages covering Izuku's arm before returning to the path ahead.

"Right, my bad." Izuku spoke quickly.

"Loser." Bakugo scoffed, stomping past Izuku.

"Hey Kacchan." Izuku called out to the fiery blond, stopping in his tracks.

"Let's do our best. Okay!" Izuku exclaimed, tossing a thumbs up Bakugo's way, who refused to turn and look Izuku in the eye.

"Tsk. Whatever." Bakugo grumbled, continuing onward.

As Bakugo vanished into the grand halls of U.A, Izuku looking down at his wrapped arms, started to tremble as realised just what exactly he'd done. For the first time in a long time, Izuku was able to speak to Bakugo so nonchalantly, as if all that transpired between the two of them never happened in the first place. He didn't even process it himself just what he'd done. Izuku was so use to Tai's straightforwardness that he supposed his sensei's mannerisms had rubbed off on him one way or another. Even so it wasn't like Izuku to be so casual with Bakugo, it was almost out of habit that he grew to be terrified of him. Taking a deep breath Izuku would try his best to forget about Bakugo, he had to focus on the entrance exam, everything else would come after. With a exasperated exhale, Izuku was now ready to press on once more. Now wasn't the time to be sidetracked, he was so close to being a hero and it all started here.

"I take it you're pretty nervous huh?" A cheery voice spoke, snatching Izuku from his conscious.

"W-What." He stammered, shifting his head from side to side before locking eyes with a brown eyed brunette.

"The exam, gotta admit I'm pretty nervous as well." The brunette cooed, placing a finger beneath her lip as she looked to the sky.

"I wonder what the exam's like." The girl thought out loud.

"Y-Yeah." Izuku stammered.

"With how little admissions there are into U.A, I bet the exam is super hard!" The Brunette cheered, Izuku merely gazing at her starry eyed as she rambled on.

"Jeez I'm just so excited, I can't wait to get in there! Don't you agree?" The girl asked, tilting her head Izuku's way.

"H-huh?" Izuku stuttered, diverting his eyes away from the brunette.

"Oh come on where's your game face! We need to be on our A game for this!" The girl exclaimed, flashing a quick smile Izuku's way.

"U-Um yeah, right." Izuku's, his form shrinking under the radiance emanating from her grin.

"Anyway, sorry to bother you. Let's do our best okay!" The brunette giggled before taking her leave.

As he watched the girl disappear into a crowd of people, Izuku was left speechless. No amount of time spent with Tai could prepare him for sudden interactions such as that one. Ruffling his hair in frustration Izuku decided it was best he headed for the room where orientation was being held before he was held up yet again. However, as Izuku found himself taking his first step towards the entrance to the main building, he would stop dead in his tracks. Not moving a single muscle, the boy feeling as though if he were to do so, something horrific would occur. Izuku didn't know how to describe it, the best he could come up with.

"It's l-like a bunch of spiders c-crawling up my back." He stammered.

Yet that wasn't all. It was as if someone was burning a hole through the back of his head via their mere gaze. Simply put Izuku was dumbfounded, he didn't know who in the world could harbour such malicious intent towards him, Bakugo had long since made it into the building so the blonde was out of the question.

"Why do I feel so scared?" Izuku murmured, this new feeling eclipsing all other emotions he felt at that very moment.

Clenching his fist, a long inhale allowing for the circulation of fresh air through his lungs, Izuku with a slightly cooler head began to ponder if he should test fait and peer behind him. That's when it struck him, why was he freezing up in the face of possible danger now? Was all that time spent with Tai for nothing? Braving to test the utmost limits of his body in treacherous tasks day in and day our for 10 months. Gritting his teeth Izuku exhaled as he took on a new thought process, this was simply a test of his courage, would he press on through the face of danger knowing full well the consequences of his actions? Izuku knew in his heart that he had the answer to that conundrum. Breaking free from the shackles of fear Izuku with his foot on a pivot would spin around.

"A hero never backs down in the face of danger."

Yet instead of coming face to face with unimaginable horror, the up and coming hero would be met with nothing but thin air.

Shaken by the unusual Izuku not wanting to stand around to see it was a fluke or not began powering through the large clusters of students and into the hallways, eventually managing to slip into the orientation room. More and more students continuing to pile in as the time for the orientation closed in. Finding himself a seat in one of the elevated rows Izuku noticing that he still had a few minutes of downtime before the ceremony began, took out his notepad. After what happened outside the entrance he definitely needed something to take his mind off the event. Gazing at his notepad Izuku started to think, even during all his time spent training he still found time to jot down whatever he could when given the chance. While cycling through the pages, the boy's eyes would land on a peculiar section within the notepads pages.

'Names for hero moves'

Gliding over the names of the moves which he'd developed during his time spent at the Dojo, it was safe to say Izuku was more than a little excited. He would finally be given the chance to test out his moves on opponents, something he'd trained so long for.

"Should've tossed that thing when I charred it." A brash, condescending voice spoke from the side of Izuku, the boy immediately recognizing just who this voice belonged to.

"I couldn't do that Kacchan, the notes I have in here are years worth of built up work." Izuku huffed, his grip on the notepad increasing as he conversed with Bakugo.

"Is that so? Would be a real shame if it went up in flames." Bakugo chuckled, raising his hand and activating his quirk.

Placing the notepad back into his bag as a precaution, Izuku took a deep breath as he looked away from Bakugo, he knew his threats were empty. Bakugo despite his looks was a smart person and thus wouldn't risk being penalized so early for starting a fight with another examinee. Nevertheless, even when taking that fact into consideration, it didn't make Izuku feel any better. Observing his surrounding Izuku was displeased to see that all the other seats were taken, in other words no matter how much he disliked the matter, Izuku was stuck sitting next to Bakugo. Thankfully before Bakugo could begin tormenting him, the voice of the announcer would grab the attention of everyone in the room.

"To all you examinees tuning in. Welcome to my show today!" On a stage which all the seats overlooked, the form of Present Mic, a teacher and hero at U.A. Let out a yell.

As if on que, many of the light which were off suddenly switched on, casting light on the boisterous announcer.

"It's starting." Izuku murmured, dividing his full attention to Present Mic, the boy putting in all his will not to fanboy over the hero. He had to be Intent on absorbing as much information as possible.

Thankfully, the orientation would go on without a stitch, well excluding Bakugo giving Izuku the stink eye for a majority of it and another student from another school making a scene about some information regarding the test. Speaking about the test, Izuku was absolutely psyched, it was pretty simple from what he gathered. He along with several other examinees would would be placed in a arena which simulated a city where they would have to go through it and immobilize faux villains. Others were worth than their predecessors and depending on how much you could destroy would be the determining factor of ones final grade. Keeping this info in mind as he made his way to the bus which would transport him to the city, Midoriya was thrilled to finally be able to let loose, the boy hardly able to sit still as he sat in the bus. Soon, Izuku would be most at his element, he didn't have to socialize and Bakugo was placed in another section of the city so there was no need to fear interaction with him. Leaning back in his seat thinking of how exhilarating the exam would be, Izuku's enthusiasm would immediately plummet as the same terrible feeling from earlier engulfed his entire being, though not nearly as intense as it was an hour ago. With eyes darting around the bus, scanning the examinees, Izuku gulped as he struggled to pinpoint just where exactly the feeling was originating from.

Izuku would do this for about 5 minutes before deciding it was best to stop after everything began giving him strange looks. As the boy sat in his seat, the boy's heart began to sink as he thought just how out of the ordinary this proved to be. Since training his chakra, Izuku found it rather easy to discern even the smallest of abnormalities in his surroundings. Yet as he shrunk into his seat, trying his best to focus his chakra and hone in on the feeling, it simply didn't work. Sinking into his seat, Izuku let out a sigh, maybe he wasn't as ready as he'd thought he was. Perhaps despite his increase in grit, Izuku still felt nervous about the exam to come. Scratching at his freckles, Izuku closed his eyes.

"What if I'm not cut out for this?" Izuku whispered, placing a hand over his forehead. Doubt beginning to seep in.

Shaking his head Izuku, slapping the sides of his cheeks would throw all such thoughts to the wayside, Now wasn't the time to think such thoughts, he needed to be fully focused for what was to come. Taking a deep breath, Izuku gradually began to steady his mind once more. All Izuku had to do was put his fighting skills to practice, if he did just that, put all the skills he adopted over the months to practice he would do just fine. Stepping out the bus with his green jumpsuit on, Izuku with a large smile on his face, began a few stretches to prepare himself for the road ahead. He was only moments away from engaging in combat with robots that would truly put his grit to the test. Yet in spite of this, the boy didn't waver in confidence, all that time spent with Tai hardened his resolve and reinforced his determination for the road that laid ahead, there was nothing holding him back.

"Looks like someone is rearing to go~"

Pupils dilating Izuku, snapping his head to the side felt his blood run cold as he came face to face with large, bulbous blood red eyes. Reacting Instinctually Izuku would create distance between him and the unknown individual.

"Sorry~ Did I frighten you?" The individual in question spoke in a sly voice, a slight hiss at the end of their sentence.

Hyperventilating, sweat barreling down his face, Izuku felt his heart almost stop as he met eyes with the person in front of him. Immediately going into a analysis mode, the boy started to asses just what he was looking at. Judging from the sizeable bulbous, almost glassy eyes trained on him, four smaller one placed symmetrically above what he could presume were the main set. Izuku was able to quickly deduce in a matter of seconds based off their spider like features, that that he was looking at a heteromorph. Short in stature and presumably female, this point only be driven home by her almost moon-white hair which reached just below her neck and pale skin. Wiping the sweat from his face, Izuku's mind racing at a 100 miles an hour, Izuku thought just who in the world this girl was. And that's when it dawned on him, this was the person responsible for the horrible feeling plaguing him since entering the school gates. Balling his hands into a fist, Izuku would harden his resolve as he glared at the girl, he wanted answers.

"Sorry if this comes off a little impolite, but do I know you?" Izuku questioned the girl, his eyes never leaving her form for the slightest of seconds.

"I'm afraid you don't friend." The girl spoke, opening her mouth which revealed a row of sharp pearly white teeth, sharp fangs glistening as they were introduced to the light.

Furrowing an eyebrow, Izuku's mind was in a frenzy as he stared at the girl, to be frank her spider like features scared him the least as he leered at her. What truly made his hair stand on end was that he couldn't sense her chakra. When around anybody, the boy found it extraordinarily easy to discern any one individual's chakra, even within a fairly large crowd. But as he looked at this girl, he couldn't sense even the faintest trace of chakra emanating from her.

"Is that so, well would you care to enlighten me." Izuku remarked, tightening his stance.

"My my~ how rude. Asking a lady to introduce herself without doing so yourself." The girl mused, bringing what appeared to be, dark sleek, steel plated fingers to her lips.

"...My bad. My name is Izuku Midoriya nice to meet you, and you are?" Izuku retorted, deciding he would play along with her game.

"Kahiru Orochi~ and please the pleasure is all mine." The girl now revealed to be named Kahiru hissed.

"Alright then Orochi. Why have you been following me?" Izuku inquired with narrowed eyes.

"Following you? I've done no such thing?" Kahiru remarked, placing a hand over her chest as though she were offended.

"Don't mess with me, I know you're lying." Izuku snarled, the boy positive that the girl was telling nothing but lies.

"Aren't you rather vulgar, my mother warned me of brutes like you." Kahiru stated placing the back of her hand over her head, staving off the questions thrown her way.

"Stop avoiding the question. What do you want?" Izuku grumbled.

"Why that's a silly question. I'm taking the exam just like you." She giggled.

Taking note of her casual wear she was in, which consisted of gym pants and a t-shirt, Izuku reluctantly was forced to believe her. Nothing about her screamed anything abnormal excluding her lack of Chakra.

"Speaking of which, I'd best head off. My friends are waiting for me~" Kahiru harped with a bow, stepping away from the conversation.

"Until next time~" She cooed, walking toward a crowd of people.

"Hold up, wait!" Izuku shouted reaching out, but by the time he did so the girl had vanished into the crowd.

With Kahiru gone as fast as she'd appeared Izuku was left on his lonesome once more. Grabbing at his hair and crouching into a squat, Izuku groaned as he tried to piece together what happened. Closing his eyes, Izuku sighed as he placed his hands on his knees, he'd found himself doing that a lot lately, questioning things that had transpired in his life. This had only grown worse as time went on and Izuku wish it weren't so, he knew his journey to being a hero would be a bumpy road. But certainly not in this sense. Shaking his head Izuku, after returning to his feet, placed everything on the backburner. Far to much had clouded his mind and who knows how it would affect his performance for the test to come. Taking in a deep breath, clearing his headspace as best as he could Izuku let out a sigh. Perhaps stretching would clear up his mind. After a minute or so of prepping his muscles, Izuku nearly slapped himself in the face for forgetting something so integral, berating himself for almost forgetting such.

Moving his hair out of the way and tying the red cloth behind his head, Izuku with a wide grin on his face adjusted his ninja headband before giving it a flick on the metal part.

"Sensei, mom." Izuku spoke to himself as he looked ahead, a large crowd surrounding the enormous gates which lead to the city.

"It all starts here." Izuku remarked, tightening his bandages.

"Alright, Start!" Present Mic, perched upon a tower yelled from above. Taking everyone besides Izuku by surprise.

"I'll do my best." Izuku thought, running past the crowd as the examinees rushed to begin the exam.

Some distance away from the exam area, this building responsible for monitoring the yearly entrance exam, was U.A's surveillance room. The proctors who weren't on site to assist the students, that mainly being Present Mic, would be posted here, this is where they would overlook the examinees to assess their capabilities. With cameras set up in every nook and cranny of the city, no student's action would go unnoticed by the school. Whether it be how they dealt with intelligence gathering, cooperating with one another or how well they are able to stay calm in a stressful environment. All of these features were overlooked by the teachers along with other U.A officials. Yet, even among these high profile men and women who would play a hand in nurturing the future generation of heroes, there was one individual in particular who stood. With soul piercing blue eyes which invoked just as much hope in the populace as it did fear into the cretins and crime lords of the underworld, locked onto the screen of a monitor, was none other than the symbol of peace himself, All Might. Now, what exactly was the number hero doing at U.A of all places? Surely his time would be better spent patrolling and dishing out justice to the villains that littered Musutafu, you say.

Well it's safe to say that times have changed. You see, with the mortal injury sustained from his fight quite some time ago, the duration in which All Might could spend going about his heroic duties was greatly diminished. This was a fact that Toshinori had come to terms with a while ago, his time of being number one was nearing its end, no matter how much he'd hate to admit it. However, even with all this in mind, Toshinori knew there was much more he could do before considering retirement and passing on the torch of immense, generational power that is one for all. If he couldn't be there physically to protect the people he'd do everything in his power to impart his knowledge into the future generation. Indeed, Toshinori Yagi had taken up the occupation of a teacher at U.A. In part, to teach the upcoming youth of what it means to truly be a hero at least... That's what he told most people.

Those close to him knew that All Might had another ulterior for working at U.A, a motive he wouldn't dare admit to those not within his inner circle. Unfortunately, such a dire secret would have to be kept under wraps, for revealing it would lead to events that could endanger a great many lives. Either way, now that the entrance exam was in full swing, All Might had a front row seat in seeing what the generation to proceed him had to offer. Watching with narrowed eyes as the examinees rushed forward, it was safe to say Toshinori was excited to observe what was in store. Yet, as he scanned the many examinees, his mind racing, a single boy in particular would catch his eye. With mouth left agape and eyes almost bulging out of his head as he glared at the monitor, Toshinori's coworkers would quickly take notice of his change in demeanor.

"Toshinori, are you okay?" Cementoss, another pro hero and teacher at U.A, asked the man.

However, Cementoss's words would fall on deaf ears as All Might appeared to be completely engrossed with scene before him.

"Young man." Toshinori rasped, clutching at his chairs armrests

"Why would you come here." All Might murmured.

Explosions shook the air as numerous sections of the city were engulfed into pure chaos, students from around the country putting their quirks to use in order to pass the entrance exam and hopefully enter U.A. Izuku was no different, the boy going full speed ahead as he scoured the streets for targets. Luckily for him he wouldn't have to search for long as moments later, barreling through a storefront unhindered as pieces of concrete and rebar flew through the air was a villain bot. Coming to a stop, Its red visor gleaming as it searched for a target, the robot would let out a mechanical whir as it locked onto Izuku. He had come into contact with his very first faux villain, a two point as indicated by the number painted on the chassis.

"A two point." Izuku spoke aloud clenching his fist as he continued forward.

"Don't hesitate, strike with precision and execute effectively." Izuku hummed.

"Target locked! Death to all heroes!"

Thrusting its stinger like appendage at Izuku, the boy kicking himself into full gear, would have no issue evading the attack, the stinger missing him entirely and imbedding itself into the ground. Seeing his opportunity, Izuku would go on the offensive as he delivered a swift kick to the steel plated stinger.

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

With neck breaking speeds, Izuku would throw a kick at the stinger. Sparks and chunks of metal would fly through the air as Izuku's attack connected. However, even as the faux villain suffered such a grave loss, the robot would remain unimpeded, slashing at him with its metal claw. Sliding under its claw with exceptional agility, Izuku would unleash another counter attack. Using his entire body as a spring, amassing power through his lower body, Izuku would send the bottom of his foot upward, blasting through and pulverizing the metal claw.

"Leaf Rising Wind!"

With this attack staggering the robot it would allow Izuku to go in for the killing blow. Propelling himself off the ground a few meters into the air, cracking the terrain beneath, Izuku with his leg raised would bring it crashing down on the robots head.

"Leaf drop!"

Sending the bottom of his heel tearing through the metal frame of the robot and into it's inner circuitry, not only would this attack destroy the robot. The surrounding pavement would be shattered, dust and debris alike floating in the air as the sheer force of the kick left a large crack beneath Izuku. Following through with the attack the momentum of which forcing him back, Izuku with his sandals skidding along the rough pavement would come to a stop. Inhaling and exhaling through his nose, the two point laying before him, Izuku would take a few seconds to process what he just did. Using his own fighting prowess, his own physical abilities, Izuku was able to destroy this robot villain with considerable ease. Unable to contain his excitement Izuku would begin to jump up and down in the air, finally. His work had paid off, and he was able to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

"I did it! I actually did it! I can fight!" Izuku shouted, exhilarated at what he was able to accomplish.

"Kid's not half bad." Snipe, pro hero and teacher at U.A whistled, tipping his hat at Izuku's fighting skills.

"I agree. If he can keep this up whoever this young man is just might just complete the exam." Cementoss concurred, watching the screen with intertwined fingers.

While the teachers continued to harp on about the performance of the multiple examinees on screen, All Might's gaze would be soloed in exclusively on Izuku, the number one hero watching as Izuku celebrated his first elimination on the faux villains. Clenching his fist Toshinori for now, decided it was best if he held his tongue, the exam only just started after all. The boy's victory over the Faux villain could have easily been a fluke. Well... That was what All Might hoped was the case.

Jumping with immense joy, Izuku's celebration would be cut short as an explosion which shook the ground garnered his attention, his smile withering away as he remembered the situation he was in.

"Alright Izuku calm down I know this is awesome and all, but I've gotta get back to the exam." Izuku spoke to himself, making sure to keep his excitement in check.

Looking around, Izuku would let out a sigh as he quickly came to the realisation, that there were no robots in his immediate vicinity. Ruffling his hair in annoyance Izuku would swiftly take off in search of more robots.

"I need to rack up as much points as possible!" He grumbled, eyes scanning the buildings around him.

As his eyes landed on a street lamp however, the boy would quickly get an idea. It was clear the ground didn't give the best view over the city, so how about a higher point in the city. Nodding to himself Izuku would set his plan in full swing, switching his direction to the nearest street lamp and gaining some speed. With the towering obstacle in sight, Izuku with his eyes narrowed and heart pumping, would jump for the street lamp, grabbing the section which stuck out and swinging around. After making a full rotation and gaining the momentum needed for the jump, the boy would proceed to hurl himself through the air, wind blowing in his face as he soared. Zipping quite a few stories into the air, Izuku would lock eyes with the roof of a nearby building.

"Stick the landing!" Izuku exclaimed bracing for the roof which was approaching at rapid speed.

Remembering the exercises he went through with Tai, some of which included the man chucking him off the rooves of high-rises without any warning whilst telling him to tuck and roll, Izuku would finally put his months of training to the test. Focusing all of his chakra to the bottom of his feet, Izuku watching the ground approach with each passing second, did just as Tai instructed him thousands of times. In the brief second that his feet met the ground, he would channel all his chakra to his legs, softening the fall and continuing onward as if nothing happened.

"Nailed it!"

Izuku, now perched on top of a water tank for a slightly better view of the city, would begin to scan his surroundings for miles. Explosions along with a myriad of other thunderous noises which eluded to the chaotic state the city was in, sounded off in the distance. Scratching the back of his head, the teen concluded that going where the screams and explosions seemed most plentiful would be the best course of action, as that would be where all the action presided. Knowing he didn't have much time to work with Izuku would take off, jumping from rooftop to rooftop to accelerate his time to arrive on scene. In just a minute's time he would cover impressive ground arriving at epicenter of the fighting, and to say the placed looked like a battlefield would be an understatement. Students scrambled to secure as many points as possible, many of them arguing over who should had possession over a faux villain only for another student to swoop in and secure the points for themselves. From what Izuku could tell there were also some familiar faces as well, most notably of which being the nice girl who approached him at the gate and a guy with glasses. Shaking his head Izuku would put the prospect of conversing with any of them to the back his agenda, he had to secure points. And so he did just that.

Charging the chakra in his legs and leaping off the roof, this would allow for the boy to gain more height than usual. With the wind blowing across his face, eyes searching for the nearest opportunity to accumulate points. Izuku would suddenly set his sights on a trio of one point villains.

"You're mine!" Izuku shouted, landing on the pavement below, the tails of his headband floating behind him.

Knowing points were scarce to come by, Izuku would waste little time securing his place among the top. Cleaving through the first robot's visor with a flying kick, destroying it. Izuku landing on his palms would continue his assault, using his hands to spin himself at incredible speeds before launching his foot at another faux villain, the kick easily bypassing the robot's steel defense and earning yet another point. However, as Izuku rebounded from his attack, the last one pointer would take this as the opportune chance to strike. Speeding over to Izuku, the faux villain in the blink of an eye reeled back it's arm, throwing a devastating strike Izuku's way seconds later, a cloud of dust covering the immediate vicinity as villain seemed to strike true.

Inside the CCTV room, the instructors merely shook their head as they truly believed Izuku to be down and out for the count. All Might nearly jumping out his seat as he watched the screen in suspense.

"Kid had a lot of fire in him, that's for sure. Shame to see he didn't make it far." A sign filled the room, snipe shaking his head watched the screen.

"He did well for what it was worth, but it seems he didn't quite make the cut." Cementoss stated, running his blocky fingers over his just as blocky head.

"Young man...." Toshinori murmured, his eyes not leaving the screen for a second.

"Oh I wouldn't draw any conclusions so early friends." A slightly high pitched voice chirped from one of the seats, a few of the teachers turning to face person which the voice originated from.

Well to say they were a person wasn't the most accurate of statements.

"I wouldn't count our examinee out so early." A large mutated, white rat chuckled. This was none other than the principal of U.A, Principal Nezu.

"Do you have any particular reason for saying that, principal Nezu?" Another teacher interjected, this was none other than Ectoplasm. A rather bizarre looking hero and teacher at U.A.

"Just watch and you'll see my dear subordinates." Nezu giggled, swaying his legs back and forth atop his seat. The teachers watching on the edge of their seats with peaked interest as the dust gradually began to settle.

"Hero successfully terminated, victory to all villains!" The faux villain reported, attempting to pull his arm back only to find it couldn't move an inch.

"Pretty cocky of you to think that I was down for the count." A raspy voice spoke from the dust, the debris finally settling and revealing Izuku.

With his bandaged hand holding onto the villain, the one pointer would have no where to go, Izuku refusing to give leeway like a predator with its teeth digging into the neck of its prey. With an ear to ear grin forming on his lips, Izuku not letting go would bring the back of his hand to the robot's body. Releasing his grip, the one pointer would be sent careening to the right, crashing into a building moments later. Successful in turning a few heads, Izuku wouldn't gloat. Instead he returned to collecting as many points as possible, zoned in on completing the exam.

"That boy who was at the gate?" The brunette from before huffed, exhausted from scoring whatever points she could with her quirk.

And so for the next few minutes, Izuku along with the other exam participants would go about the exam, Izuku using his proficiency in martial arts to secure all the points he could. As the exam went on, tides of faux villains laying siege to the students, it would soon become evident that the participants were starting to tire. Clothing clung to skin as the examinees skin ran slick with sweat, some who couldn't bear to go any further simply collapsing on the ground. Even among the more skilled of the bunch, the burden of excessive use of their quirks was clear. As for Izuku however, the boy was doing just fine, he was having the time of his life in fact. After spending 10 months with Tai, dealing with the faux villains was a trivial matter, the boy hardly sweating as he kicked and punched through groups of robot's at a time.

"That's forty eight!" Izuku yelled, smashing through a three point faux villain.

"Who's next!" Izuku hollered, rearing to have a go at more of the robot's.

But the boy would be met with silence, raising his eyebrow, Izuku's eyes would run a mock, just mere moments ago the area was enshrouded in nonstop chaos. Yet, for whatever reason, it was as if every faux villain had cleared the city, surely they couldn't have all been destroyed? Just as this prospect began to be planted in the minds of the examinees, a loud air shattering boom would snatch the attention of every participant, the teens feeling their hearts drop as the horn blurred through the city.

"Yikes! What the hell was that?!" Izuku gulped, watching as the nearby students were in a frenzy.

It was then, that it appeared. Emerging from behind a building, telephone wires snapping as it's massive green body pushed forward, an enormous hand crushing the roof of a another building, was the last faux villain that had yet to make an appearance, the zero point. With multiple red optics glaring off into the distance, the zero pointer would soon lower it's head, a gleam in the optics as it locked into the cowering students. Leering up, with bulged eyes Izuku barely able to stay on his own two feet, clenched his fist as the humongous robot stared him down.

"Okay, that's b-big!" Izuku exclaimed, sweat permeating from his skin as his mind was split between fight or flight.

As Izuku struggled to come to a decision, caring not for the hordes of the examinees storming pass him, scurrying to run for their lives and escape the robot, a harrowing scream would grab his attention, overshadowing the immediate terror enveloping the area. Staring down the street, Izuku felt his body tense up as he observed the scene before him. With smoke and dust surrounding her, a large piece of rubble trapping her in the path of rampaging faux villain, was the brunette.

"That girl!" Izuku shouted, watching with dilated pupils as struggled and writhed beneath the large piece of rubble.

Bouncing between the slowly advancing zero pointer and the small form of the trapped girl, Izuku adopting a hardened expression would tighten his stance as he felt his hairs stand on end. Acting purely off instinct, his feet moving before he could even process what was happening Izuku casting all of his fears and worries to the wayside, broke out into a mad sprint. Dashing forward at neck breaking speeds, his arms behind his back, huffing and puffing, Izuku clenched his teeth as he pushed his body to the limits, all in an effort to save the girl who had become trapped. However, even while moving at such blistering speeds, the boy wasn't nearly fast even to cover enough ground, he simply lacked the speed for the task at hand.

"I won't make it in time!" His mind a hellscape, Izuku cursed himself as he continued to press on, yet it seemed that no matter how fast he moved, the distance between him and the girl grew no closer.

Gritting his teeth, Izuku began to feel himself himself slow to a crawl, the burden of the girls well being having been placed in his hands, weighing down on the young boys mind. His throat ran dry, fatigue finally began to set in, his chest rising and falling in rapid succession, tears welling up in his eyes. Was this really how he would make his debut as a hero? Unable to save a singular girl. With this possibility plaguing the depths of his inner psyche, a wheeze would escape Izuku's lips as he almost came to a complete stop. Placing a hand over his chest, Izuku felt his heart beat at an alarming rate, what was this feeling? And why in the hell did it have to happen to him now of all times he thought? Leering at girl who still sat trapped beneath the rubble, the zero pointer rolling forward without a care in the world, seemingly intent on squishing the girl beneath its large tracks. Clutching his chest Izuku, dilated pupils gazing off into the horizon, started to think of the possible outcomes.

This was U.A, surely they wouldn't let a student be killed on school grounds? The robot would simply stop moments before it has the chance to crush the girl and she will be safely dragged off to safety. This was what Izuku told himself, a hopeful delusion at best, yet as quick as this idea arose in his mind it would just as quickly be shot down. There were no teachers anywhere close to the city, Present Mic was several miles away at this point so there was a slim chance that he could be of any assistance, so that left only him who could be of any help. As the fleeing students created distance between them and the zero pointer Izuku, lightheaded and breathing exceptionally fast, threatened to pass out, yet as he began to see double, the voice of Tai would resonate in the back of his head.

"Whenever you feel the shackles of doubt tug at your heart, remember my dear protege."

"Channel your chakra and let these words permeate through your mind."

Closing his eyes, Tai's voice growing stronger as he recounted his time spent training with his sensei.

"First Gate." Izuku murmured, his body swelling with energy as he took in a deep breath.

"Gate of opening."

"OPEN!" Izuku let out a rejuvenating shout.

Seemingly catching his second wind, the looming shadow of doubt no longer looming over him like a foul omen, Izuku would charge ahead, the ground underneath him cracking as he pressed onward. The zero pointer, locking onto Izuku's speeding form would attempt to strike him, however the boy would prove to be to fast as he masterfully evaded the strike.

"When opening the first gate, the inhibitions of the mind are no longer of issue."

Weaving through the hail of rubble from the building which was destroyed in the robot's attack, in just moments Izuku would find himself in front of the girl, taking hold of her before yanking her from beneath the rubble and sprinting to safety. With the brunette in his arms, Izuku would take her to a storefront, intent on checking her to see if she had any extensive injuries.

"Are you alright! Are you hurt anywhere!" Izuku huffed, bright green eyes meeting brown eyes.

"I'm fine... thanks." The girl replied, starry eyed.

"Okay, then le-"

"Behind you!" The brunette shrieked in terror.

Recovering from it's failed attack far sooner than anticipated, the zero pointer having rebounded, sent another punch Izuku's way, the boy turning around just in time to notice such. Taking hold of the Brunette once more Izuku, prepared to evade the incoming attack. Thankfully, no action would have to be taken as moments later, descending from atop a nearby building was none other than Kahiru, fingers dancing around one another.

"Weaving art: Charlotte's web!" Throwing out her hands, a large spider web spanning several meters in width, would extend from Kahiru's finger tips, wrapping around the zero pointer's hand.

Successfully covering the robot's hand in web, Kahiru upon landing on the ground would then go on to anchor it to the pavement. Backing away from the zero pointer, a hiss would slip from the arachnid's mouth as she watched the robot come to a near stop, her webs barely managing to hold the robot in place.

"Who the heck are you!?" The brunette screamed.

"That is not of relevance! What is important is that we find a way to deal with this thing, my silk can only restrain it for so long!" Kahiru yelled, her large assortment of eyes scanning the zero pointer up and down.

"You!? What are you doing here!" Izuku bellowed.

"You people with your useless inquiries! Do you have a plan or not, less you want us to die!" Kahiru snapped back at Izuku.

"Like I can come up wi-"

"Watch out!" The brunette suddenly spoke up, cutting off Izuku.

Breaking through the webbing and continuing its attack, the zero pointer would attempt to slam its large hand down to the trio, the three of them narrowly dodging the attack. Finding a brief safe spot in the robot's blind spot, Izuku turning to face Kahiru.

"Can't you just web it up again so we can get away?" Izuku heaved.

"Not an option, its takes quite some time to weave the silk needed for such a grand structure, It's a delicate process." Kahiru mused, the girl preemptively spinning more silk for the events to come.

"Great, just our luck." Izuku sighed, the robot finding them once more.

"Run!" Kahiru shouted, placing her fingertips on the side of a building and scaling it in record time.

"Hey, don't leave us!" Izuku remarked, the shadow of the robot's quickly approaching hand casting him in darkness.

Grabbing the girl's hand and taking her up in his arms, Izuku would manage to successfully evade yet another attack. Running along the sidewalk dipping, ducking and diving beneath an onslaught of colossal sized swipes and strikes, his enhanced speed making this task exceptionally easy. After jumping over the fist, Izuku would momentarily meet eyes with the girl.

"Sorry, guess you're stuck with me!" Izuku spoke with a raised voice, wind blowing through his hair as he stuck the landing.

"Y-You don't have to carry me anymore, I'm feeling way better." The girl stammered, looking up at Izuku.

"Don't want to demean you or anything, but I doubt you can outrun that thing's attacks. Besides, you hardly weigh!" Izuku chuckled, the brunette's face taking on a slight red tint as she averted her eyes.

"Whether you like it or not, you're stuck for the ride." The boy chuckled lightly, sliding under a collapsed street lamp, which laid battered in the road.

For another minute or so Izuku would go about dodging and slipping through the onslaught of relentless attacks from the robot, barely managing to come out unscathed as the zero pointer pursued them. Eyes darting from building to building Izuku, coming to a sudden stop let out a grunt of frustration, all this running wasn't getting him anywhere. Not to mention he didn't know how much time was left on the exam. Looking up at the sky, a small sigh would slip from the cusps of the boy's lips as he peered down at the girl.

"I know this is a bit random but. What's your name?" Izuku suddenly asked the girl, out of the blue, the latter hardly able to string together a sentence as her attention was fully trained on the advancing zero pointer.

"It's U-Uraraka. Uraraka Ochaco, but why's that important! That thing's gaining on us!" The brunette now revealed to be named Uraraka, stammered.

"Well Ochaco, you're about to get front row seats to one heck of a show." Izuku remarked, adjusting his headband as he flashed Uraraka a smirk.

Not given even a second to register what the boy had said, Izuku suddenly knelt down, pushing himself off the ground and into the air moments later. With Uraraka clinging tightly to his chest, Izuku would make for a landing on a roof in close proximity. Cushioning his fall via the use of chakra, Izuku would then gently rest Uraraka on the roof, waving her goodbye as he took off in the direction of the zero pointer. Upon making sure that the girl was out of earshot, Izuku's face would go flush as he struggled to conceal his excitement.

"I definitely sounded cool!" Izuku cheered, hopping from one roof to another.

After watching so many videos of All Might's endeavours, the number one hero always having that beaming smile on his face as he dived into the most dire of situations only to come out top with little to no injuries. It was natural that Izuku would try to emanate the mannerisms of his idle, Tai only reinforcing this idea when Izuku went on tangents about how much he adored the eccentric symbol of peace.

"Much as I dislike the guy, I've gotta admit he embodies the spirit of youth!" Tai roared, ruffling his hair.

"You know what, I'll do you one better." Tai huffed, turning to his student

"Make sure to drop a cool one liner after a heroic save, that'll net you a few points with the ladies." Izuku reminisced about of one of his many sessions with Tai, the boy remembering quite vividly how his sensei erupted in laughter when seeing Izuku turn away with a slight blush.

Shaking his head, a rumble which shook the building he was running across, forced Izuku to return and focus on the task at hand, dealing with the zero pointer. Picking up his running speed, making sure he within close enough distance to go on the attack, Izuku would waste little time charging. Glaring down at Izuku, a loud horn would blare from inside the robot, shaking the air as the sound could be heard for miles. As the two adversaries stared the other down, the faux villain's eight optics would give of a menacing gleam, indicating an incoming attack. Raising it's massive open hand, the robot would bring it crashing down on Izuku intending to crush him.

Far off in the surveillance room, the teachers watching intently as Izuku went head to head with the faux villain, Toshinori was visibly on edge as he watched the events on screen unfold. Tapping his foot aggressively against the tiled floor, Toshinori found himself unable to look away as he hoped for the welfare of Izuku. Perhaps were he more harsh on Izuku, took a more heavy handed approach, the boy would have reconsidered taking the exam. Toshinori in the belief that the boy was merely acting out in defiance to the pro hero's words of advice.

"Why didn't you run when you had the chance." All Might grumbled into closed hands.

Watching with a keen eye as the large hand descended upon him, Izuku would spring into action. Jumping into the air, this would allow for the boy to evade the attack from the zero pointer, the roof he was on moments ago being reduced to rubble under the weight of the hand. Shooting up through the sky like a speeding bullet, slipping through the gaps of it's large metallic fingers Izuku, his teeth clenched reared his fist back. Muscles bulging and the cold city wind slapping him across the face, Izuku would land atop the the very hand which would have smashed him seconds ago. Not wasting any time, Izuku would send his fist crashing into the hard metal frame of the faux villain. A great deal of shock would rifle through Izuku's arm as he struck the zero pointer's arm. A thunderous metallic clang filling the entire city block as Izuku's fist made contact, the boy nearly recoiling in pain as a immense shocking sensation rocketed through his arm.

"It's tough!" Izuku snarled, almost losing his balance as the zero pointer pulled it's arm away from the destroyed building.

"But not invincible." Izuku remarked, taking note of the massive dent which was now present on the zero pointer's arm, courtesy of him.

Knowing the faux villain would do everything within it's power to get him off, Izuku burst out into an all out sprint up to it's head. As suspected the faux villain would quickly make an attempt at removing Izuku, trying to use it's other hand to swat the boy away. With sandal's stomping along the metal frame of the faux villain as he trekked ahead, taking notice of the large hand rapidly approaching him, a frown would briefly emerge on Izuku's face.

"Gotta end this quick." Izuku muttered, taking a glance at his wrapped hand, a red blotch now present on his knuckles.

Scoffing Izuku, raising his fist to his freckled cheek, dragged his knuckles along his skin, transferring the crimson liquid to his face. Eye's narrowed and teeth clamped down on his gums, watching as the hand careened towards him Izuku, assuming a stance which brought him low to the ground, brought himself to a stop.

"Leaf Hurricane!"

Yelling through closed teeth, Izuku would leap off the faux villain's arm. Scraps of metal would sprawl through the air as Izuku easily tore through one of the zero pointer's giant metal fingers. The steel digit landing some distance away from the two combatants. Suspended in the air, the momentum of his kick carrying him several meters above the faux villain's head, this placed the boy in the prime position to attack. Yet, in spite of being in the faux villain's blind spot, Izuku didn't go on the offense, his mind in disarray as he slowly began his descent to the ground.

"I can't deal significant damage as I am now, I'll be here all day trying to crack it, that's time I don't have." Izuku thought.

"Unless..." Izuku murmured, pupils dilating as he watched the zero pointer prepare another attack.

However, even with danger just a few feet away from him, the boy's mind was far off elsewhere. Digging through the vast assortment of memories which he'd built up over the course of his training. As Izuku was left falling through the air, the zero pointer before him ready to send him flying with a devasting haymaker, the young man couldn't help but reminisce about a particular session he'd spent with Tai. Sat in a bed of budding flowers in the dojo's garden, battered and bruised, his joints and muscles alike aching from just even the slightest of movements, Izuku remembered quite keenly just what Tai had taught him that day.

"You've done well to master the gates my boy, and I congratulate you, completing what you just went through isn't an easy task by any mile. Thanks to your efforts alone, you are now able to reap the benefits of your hard work." Tai had stated with a bright grin, observing as Izuku heaved and hurled on the rich soil.

"Some of your predecessors spend years mastering this technique, even I took longer than you when in I was but a cub. However, even in light of such accomplishments, I cannot stress enough just how dangerous this technique is." Izuku remembered how Tai's smirk had vanished in a split second, a telltale sign that his master was serious.

"You must only, and I repeat ONLY! Use this as a last resort, as the strain of using it will leave your body weakened and in need of a extended period of recovery. The pain you feel now is only a fraction of the tribulations your body must go through upon using this technique." Tai retorted, pointing a finger at the downed boy.

"Am I understood!" Tai had shouted, knowing full well Izuku was incapable of answering.

Back to the events at hand Izuku, holding his head low, placed his arms in front of him, forming an X. The very last words of Tai spoken during that training session, playing non stop in Izuku's mind, his sensei's constant hammering of just how integral it was he used it as a last means, almost making him hesitate.

"Yes Tai sensei." Izuku growled, leering intently at the huge fist coming his way.

"I understand!" Izuku shouted, his green hair starting to raise up as he felt energy billow within.

"Time's up!" The booming voice of Present Mic echoed through the city.

"Eh?" Izuku huffed.

Just then a loud buzzer would follow the pro hero's voice, indicating that the entrance exam was in fact over. The zero pointer, which was intent on demolishing Izuku just seconds ago, would return to a passive state, it's gleaming optics seemingly powering off as it's head dropped to the ground. Absolutely baffled and straight dumbfounded, Izuku would look around from side to side, confused and questioning what to do. That was until looking down and realizing he was far to high in the air for his liking, flailing around in the air, Izuku was in a panic was he looked for the nearest building or object which jutted out so he could possibly grab onto it. Yet, much to his utter horror no such thing was in his immediate vicinity. His mind in a frenzy, Izuku let out a scream at the top of his lungs as he was left spiraling to the quickly approaching ground. Unable to reorient himself out of pure shock.

"Why do I have to forget how to do this crap now of all times!" Izuku howled, sweat streaming down his face as the ground came ever closer.

Closing his eyes and accepting that he would be subject to a grizzly end, the boy awaited his demise. Though it would never arrive, as swinging from around a corner via her webs was Kahiru, the girl extending her arm before firing a web at Izuku, wrapping around him and pinning him to a nearby wall. Upside down and the wind snatched from his lungs, Izuku was left in a daze as he tried to regain his focus, the world on an axel as he withheld the urge to vomit. Descending from above, using her webs as a rope, Kahiru with beady eyes trained solely on Izuku, raised a finger up to her lips. The boy still recovering from the fall, watching with askew vision as the girl silently giggled at the pathetic state he was in.

"Just hanging huh, Orochi?" Izuku tried to chuckle, trying his utmost best to make light of the situation.

"Jokes of such caliber are unbefitting of you, Izuku Midoriya." Kahiru giggled, dropping from her web.

"Seeing as your in such a jolly mood, I'm sure you wont mind 'sticking' around a little longer." Kahiru remarked, Izuku groaning as he rolled his eyes.

"You're one to talk." The boy murmured, shaking his head only to stop moments later as he began to feel lightheaded.

"Midoriya!" A high pitched voice yelled from afar, Izuku at first staring at the silhouette in the distance with confusion.

"That girl..." Kahiru hissed, backing away from Izuku.

"Wait? Uraraka!" The boy shouted with joy.

Running up to Izuku who was still webbed to the wall, Uraraka would help free him from the sticky substance, Kahiru watching in silence from the side as she did so. Once freed and back on his feet, Izuku would nearly fall to the ground, Uraraka making sure to assist him in standing up as he caught his breath.

"Thanks for that." Izuku stated with a smile.

"This is nothing! Did you see yourself out there! You were amazing, I've never seen anything like it!" Uraraka exclaimed, starry eyes locked on Izuku's form.

"Oh r-really, it was was no bid deal, I was just makin sure the robot wouldn't hurt anyone else." Izuku stammered, turning his head away bashfully in an attempt to avert his gaze.

"What!? You can't be serious! I couldn't fathom taking on something that huge in my lifetime, but you did it without breaking a sweat!" Uraraka exclaimed, approaching Izuku starry eyed.

"W-Well I wouldn't say I didn't break a sweat." Izuku murmured, his form shrinking as the girl continued to praise him for his efforts.

"Your bout with the obstacle was indeed a sight to behold~" Kahiru chimed in, Izuku nearly dying of a heart attack as he forgot entirely about the girl's presence.

"Well it doesn't matter now. The exam is over so that means we can go home!" Uraraka cheered, throwing her hands up in the air, making her way down the streets seconds later.

Following close behind the girl, Izuku while walking down the street toward the exit, felt a chill go down his spine, looking around the boy felt his heart practically drop as he took notice of the large group of spectators which had accumulated. The crowd having formulated no doubt due to the show which he had put on while fighting the zero pointer. With his form shrinking Izuku would move in ever closer to Uraraka, the girl none the wiser of the large amounts of students watching them. She, simply being to thrilled to leave this day behind her and return home to even bat an eye at the crowd. Among the growing mob of students who'd witnessed the fight was Kahiru, her short height allowing her to go unnoticed. The girl whilst watching the duo head down the street, tuning in to listen in on the opinions of the students surrounding them.

"Did you guys see that? Why in the world would he pick a fight with the obstacle?" A examinee pondered.

"Yeah. That thing could have damn near killed him if he wasn't careful!" A second examinee, this one much louder chimed in.

"I don't know man, he held out against the other faux villains just fine. I'd even say he could have beaten the obstacle had time not ran out." Yet another examinee interjected.

"Dude must have one hell of a quirk to pull that off." One of the examinees stated.

"What, no way. The dude's good but there was no way in hell he stood any chance against that thing." The first examinee spat.

"Wait, isn't that the kid that was talking to himself during the orientation. Surprised he even made it this far!" Once again, a examinee would speak up, an overwhelming majority downplaying Izuku's battle against the faux villain.

"Yeah I don't know about you guys but it definitely looked like he was struggling up there." A examinee stated, many of the others quickly adopting this notion.

"Imbeciles, the whole lot of you." Kahiru hissed, the gossiping students jumping away from her as she startled them.

"Standing near you people makes me sick to my stomach." Kahiru grumbled, slipping away from the crowd.

As Kahiru returned to staring at the now distant form of Uraraka and Izuku, the faint sound of buzzing would divide her attention elsewhere. Looking up to the sky, a grin that would extend to ear from ear to ear revealing a set of sharp, pearly white teeth, would descend upon her maw. The thing that would constitute such a reaction, a mere fly. Extending her hand, the airborne insect would make for a landing, skittering around the digit as it's eyes trained on Kahiru.

"I hope you enjoyed the show friend." Kahiru hissed, running a delicate finger along the back of the fly.

"Give chase to our friend will you? I'm sure there's much to be learned." The girl whispered, the fly taking off moments later.

"Freak." An examinee from the crowd scoffed, puzzled at the interaction.

"As for you." Kahiru muttered her eyes trailing over to Izuku, now nothing more than a dot in the horizon.

"Let's see if you're all he's cracked you up to be."

In the U.A surveillance room, the teachers could be seen stand up from their chairs, each of them leaving one by one, with the exam finished the task of tallying the score would fall upon them. Some decided to stay back and discuss what had happened in the final moments of the exam, specifically in regards to Izuku and his encounter with the zero pointer.

"Saved by the bell huh, that kid's got some luck." Snipe puffed, flicking his hat.

"You say that was luck? I'd say otherwise." Ectoplasm remarked.

"What? You trying to tell me the kid had a way of dealing with the obstacle?" Snipe retorted, leaning back in his chair.

"I agree with Ectoplasm-sama, I'm sure that boy had something up his sleeve. Why else would he be so confident in the face of such danger." Cemetoss chimed in.

"I can't believe this, All Might you hearing this?" Sniped turned to Toshinori, hoping to get someone else to see his viewpoint.

"..."

"All Might?" Snipe spoke once more upon not receiving an answer, Cemetoss and Ectoplasm looking over in worry at All Might's lack of a response.

"Apologies, I have some errands to run." Toshinori would suddenly respond, rising from his chair and making his way to the door.

"I will see you all later." Toshinori stated, not bothering to look his collogues in the eye as he took his leave.

Treading down the hall his fists clenched and head peering to the tiled floor, Toshinori would reach into his pockets for his phone. Today left him with a lot of questions and not enough answers, hopefully in a week's time, he'd get all the answers he needed.