Chapter 30: Train To Fight, Fight To Train?
This will go over how everyone will train and stuff.
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As the meeting wound down and the atmosphere in the room grew less intense, Detective Tsukauchi wrapped up the final points of the briefing, covering less critical matters related to security protocols and post-incident reports. The attendees began to disperse, the weight of the discussion still lingering in their minds.
A few minutes later, the room cleared out. Endeavor, however, noticed something off about All Might. It wasn't just the normal air of his rival's usual cheerfulness masking deeper thoughts; there was something else, something different. Deciding it was worth confronting, Endeavor walked up to him, his presence as commanding as ever.
"All Might," Endeavor said bluntly, his voice cutting through the residual noise of the room. All Might turned to greet him with his characteristic wide smile and energetic demeanor, "Ah! Endeavor, my friend! How are—"
"Cut it," Endeavor interjected, his fiery eyes narrowing. "What's wrong with you?"
All Might hesitated for a moment. He glanced around the room to make sure there were no lingering ears or stray eyes. Could he trust Endeavor with this? They weren't exactly friends, but Endeavor's son was involved in the same dangers as his protégé, so keeping things from him wouldn't be wise. Besides, despite their competitive relationship, Endeavor wasn't one to betray sensitive information.
Finally, All Might let out a sigh, his smile fading as he leaned in slightly. His voice dropped to a more serious tone. "Listen, Endeavor... One of the six students involved in that USJ incident—I've taken a special interest in them."
Endeavor's brow furrowed at that. He crossed his arms and remained silent, listening closely. It didn't take much to guess where this was going. In Endeavor's mind, if All Might had taken an interest in a student, it was no small matter. The implication was clear—this was All Might's disciple.
"And?" Endeavor asked, his tone neutral but edged with curiosity and a hint of annoyance. "What about them?"
All Might looked down, choosing his words carefully. "I'm trying to keep them under wraps, but with the way things are escalating… they might be forced into the spotlight sooner than I'd like. What I'm asking is—could you help me keep them off the radar? I'd appreciate it if you could... keep this quiet."
There was a moment of silence as Endeavor digested the request. The Number Two Hero stared at All Might for a second longer, eyes sharp, weighing the importance of this ask. The rivalry between them was fierce, and yet, for once, Endeavor understood the weight behind All Might's words. He wasn't just talking about any student; this was about someone he was personally invested in, just as Shoto was for Endeavor.
Endeavor finally turned, walking toward the exit without a word for a brief moment, before muttering, "I'm not some kid who doesn't understand secrecy. Your 'interest' is safe with me."
With that, he left the room, his footsteps echoing as he exited. All Might watched him go, feeling a small sense of relief. As much as they were rivals, there was an unspoken understanding between them, especially when it came to their protégés.
"Nice to see people can still be trusted," All Might muttered to himself. He paused for a moment, remembering something suddenly.
"Oh, right! Young Midoriya!"
Realizing he had forgotten about Izuku's earlier call, All Might quickly pulled out his phone, preparing to return the call and see what his young protégé had wanted to discuss.
The line connected, and Midoriya's anxious voice came through almost immediately.
"Young Midoriya, I apologize for cutting you off earlier. There was something urgent happening."
"All Might!" Midoriya sounded slightly breathless, as though he had been waiting by the phone. "No, it's okay! I just—there's something I need to tell you about the USJ incident."
"Go on," All Might encouraged, sensing that Midoriya was trying to explain something important.
Midoriya took a deep breath before continuing. "When I punched the Nomu, I used One For All, but... my arm didn't break like it normally does."
All Might's heart skipped a beat, his brows furrowing. "Your arm didn't break?" That was strange. Every time Midoriya had used his quirk at full power before, his body had suffered immediate backlash due to the immense strain.
Midoriya continued, "Yeah. I mean, I still injured it—it hurt a lot—but it wasn't... completely shattered. I've been trying to figure it out since, and I think maybe I'm starting to understand One For All better, but I wanted to know if you've experienced anything like this."
All Might rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's an interesting development, Young Midoriya. Your body may be gradually adapting to the power, learning how to handle it better with each use. In time, you might be able to access One For All without harming yourself at all."
Midoriya's excitement was palpable even through the phone. "Really? So I'm getting closer to controlling it?"
"Indeed. But be careful. Even if you're showing signs of improvement, you need to remain cautious. One For All is an incredible power, but it demands respect."
"I understand, All Might," Midoriya replied earnestly. "I'll keep training hard for the Sports Festival and focus on learning to control it even better."
All Might smiled despite himself. Midoriya's determination was unshakable, and that was one of the reasons he had chosen him as his successor. "Good. Keep pushing forward, Young Midoriya. But don't forget to rest when you need it. The Sports Festival will be a big opportunity for you and your classmates, but remember it's not just about showing off your quirk. It's about strategy, teamwork, and most importantly, character."
"I won't let you down, All Might!" Midoriya said, his voice brimming with resolve.
As the call ended, All Might stood for a moment, lost in thought. Midoriya was improving, adapting to the power in ways even All Might hadn't fully expected. But with the looming threat of All For One and the League of Villains, All Might couldn't shake the feeling that things would only get more dangerous from here.
And with the Sports Festival approaching, the entire world would soon be watching.
"Stay strong, Young Midoriya," All Might muttered to himself. "The real tests are yet to come."
...
Tenya Iida was seated at his desk, deep in study as usual. Though the upcoming Sports Festival loomed large on the horizon, Iida remained committed to balancing both academics and physical training. The festival might showcase their quirks, but he believed school was still the top priority. His focus was interrupted when Ochaco Uraraka approached, wearing her usual bright smile.
"Iida!" she called out, grabbing his attention.
Iida turned from his notebook, adjusting his glasses. "Ah, Uraraka! Do you need assistance with something?"
Ochaco hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've been thinking... about ways to improve my quirk, and Kirishima said you might be the best person to help me out. You know, since you're so good at analyzing stuff!"
Iida's face brightened. Finally! His role as Class Vice President was being acknowledged. "Of course!" he replied with enthusiasm. "I'd be more than happy to assist you. Come with me—I have an idea."
Curious, Ochaco followed Iida down the hall until they reached a mostly empty gym. Iida stood before the large doors and gestured for her to open them. "Go on, open it. You'll understand soon enough."
With a slight push, Ochaco opened the door, and her eyes widened in shock. Inside, it looked like pure chaos. Eijiro Kirishima was being repeatedly struck by Kurokami, laughing as he blocked most of the blows with his hardening quirk. A few meters away, Bakugo was locked in a heated brawl with Fumikage Tokoyami, their quirks clashing as Bakugo's explosions were countered by Tokoyami's Dark Shadow. Off to the side, Minoru Mineta and Denki Kaminari were being overwhelmed by the nimble strikes of Mashirao Ojiro and his tail.
Iida stood proudly next to Ochaco, his arms crossed. "You see, Uraraka, while some of the class chooses to focus on studying—such as Yaoyorozu and myself—these boys prefer to... 'challenge' each other, testing their quirks and physical limits."
Ochaco blinked, still processing the intensity of what she was seeing. "This is... insane!" she exclaimed.
Iida gave a formal nod. "Indeed, but it's excellent training in its own right. If you'd like, you're welcome to join them. After all, the best way to improve is through direct experience."
Ochaco watched the chaotic battle unfolding before her. Her heart raced as she considered jumping into the fray, and for a moment, nerves began to get the better of her. But then, she smacked her cheeks with both hands, steeling herself.
"Okay!" she said with determination. "I'm gonna do it!"
Iida smiled approvingly as he removed his blazer and neatly set it aside. "Good! The Sports Festival is coming soon, and we must all do our best to improve. I'll join you!" With that, Iida charged forward, his Engine quirk roaring to life as he dashed straight into the ongoing sparring match.
Ochaco took a deep breath and followed after him, diving into the mess. As she leaped in, she aimed to float Kirishima, though she quickly realized his Hardening quirk made him too heavy to lift easily. Instead, she ducked low, avoiding a punch from Kuro and quickly improvising her approach. Bakugo caught sight of her entrance and smirked. "You sure you can handle this, Kirby?" he taunted, earning a playful eye roll from Ochaco.
...
"training," a scene quite different from the boys' chaotic sparring. Momo Yaoyorozu sat perched on Tsuyu Asui's back as Tsuyu, sweat dripping from her forehead, struggled to push herself up from the ground for yet another agonizing push-up. Momo's sharp voice echoed throughout the gym, her usual calm and collected tone replaced with an authoritative bark.
"Is that all you've got, girls? The boys have already moved on to physical training, at least try not to slow them down!" Momo's tone was firm, but there was a certain excitement in her voice like she was relishing this sudden role of taskmaster.
Kyoka Jirou, seated nearby, was reluctantly lifting small weights with her earjacks. She gave a sideways glance at Mina Ashido, who was busy filling container after container with her acid, carefully controlling the amount so it didn't eat through them. Jirou grimaced, her earjacks twitching under the strain. "Is it just me," Jirou muttered, "or is Yaoyorozu a little too into being a coach today?"
Mina, her arms trembling as she filled another container with acid, chuckled weakly. "You think? She's in full-on drill sergeant mode."
Nearby, Toru Hagakure practiced her stealth training, slipping in and out of sight as Mezo Shoji used his Dupli-Arms to scan the area for her. Invisible as always, Toru managed to dodge one of Shoji's outstretched hands by a hair's breadth, her quiet voice echoing with a hint of amusement. "I don't know, she seems fine to me."
Momo strolled by Mina, pausing just long enough to create yet another container for her to fill with acid. Mina groaned but kept working, while Momo delivered what she no doubt thought was an inspiring pep talk.
"You're doing great, Ashido. Just think of how much stronger you'll be after this!" she said with a bright, encouraging smile, oblivious to the pain etched across Mina's face.
Momo then turned her attention back to Tsuyu, who was panting heavily under her weight. Tsuyu's arms wobbled as she struggled to complete yet another push-up. "Ribbit... Y-Yaoyorozu, could you maybe... get off? Ribbit... Please?"
Momo, still laser-focused on the training, didn't seem to hear her. She was already thinking ahead, wondering if perhaps she should reward the girls for their hard work. Maybe I should bake them a cake... she mused, her mind wandering for a moment, completely detached from the reality of Tsuyu's impending collapse under her.
Kyoka, still struggling with her tiny weights, glanced around the room, taking in the bizarre scene. "Yup, definitely too into it."
...
As Izuku Midoriya walked alongside Shoto Todoroki, his mind was spinning with uncertainty. The two had agreed to train together, but Izuku hadn't fully understood what that would entail. He glanced at Shoto, whose expression remained as unreadable as ever.
"Do we have a destination?" Izuku asked, his voice carrying a mix of nervousness and curiosity.
Shoto gave a short nod. "Yeah, but it's a bit of a walk."
Izuku's anticipation only grew as they continued through a wooded area, the sound of trickling water from a nearby stream filling the silence between them. The path became more rugged, leading them over rocks and through a dense patch of forest. Then, as they emerged into a wide, rocky clearing, Izuku froze.
In the middle of the clearing, locked in a fierce sparring session, were Katsuki Bakugo and Eijiro Kirishima. Their fists collided with sharp intensity, the sound of their battle echoing across the clearing. Kirishima, in his hardened form, was holding his own, but Bakugo's relentless barrage of explosions kept him on the defensive. It was a scene of pure, raw power.
Izuku's heart sank. He hadn't expected to run into Bakugo, not here, not now. The tension between them was still unresolved, and despite the progress he'd made since joining UA, he still hadn't come clean about One For All. The weight of that secret hung heavily over their fractured friendship. He clenched his fists, unsure how this encounter would unfold.
Shoto, oblivious to Izuku's inner turmoil, glanced at the sparring match before turning to him. "To get stronger, we need to face opponents stronger than us."
Izuku swallowed hard as they walked down toward the rocky battlefield. As they approached, Kirishima noticed them first, pausing to give them a friendly wave.
"Hey, Todoroki! Midoriya! You're just in time!" Kirishima grinned, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. Despite the brutal workout, his enthusiasm never faltered.
Bakugo, however, turned sharply to see who had arrived. The moment his gaze landed on Izuku, the air grew noticeably heavier. The previous lighthearted sparring energy was gone, replaced by a charged atmosphere.
For a second, Bakugo's face remained unreadable, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Izuku. There was no explosion of anger, no shouting like before, but the unspoken tension between them was palpable.
Bakugo spoke first, his voice cold but steady. "Don't hold back, Deku."
Izuku felt a lump form in his throat. Bakugo wasn't saying it like a friend inviting someone to spar. It was a challenge, a reminder of the complicated history between them. Still, Bakugo wasn't the type to ignore a fight. Not when he could prove his strength again.
Shoto, seemingly unaware of the dynamic between them, casually took off his blazer and folded it neatly on the side. His tone was calm, but the intensity in his eyes showed his readiness. "Let's get started."
Izuku stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of Bakugo's words and the expectations around him. He knew there was no avoiding this confrontation, but could he focus on the training with everything left unsaid?
Still, he tightened his grip and stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Bakugo didn't say another word, but his glare spoke volumes. Izuku knew this wasn't just training—it was something more personal for Bakugo, a chance to reaffirm the superiority he'd always claimed over Izuku.
Kirishima, sensing the awkward tension, scratched his head. "Uh, well, good luck, Midoriya. Bakugo's in a real mood today."
Shoto, ever composed, looked between Izuku and Bakugo. "We'll rotate partners. First, I'll spar with Bakugo. Midoriya, you can train with Kirishima."
Bakugo clicked his tongue. "Fine. Just don't get in my way."
Izuku nodded, silently relieved to have a little time before facing Bakugo directly. But deep down, he knew that confrontation was coming. For now, he turned toward Kirishima, who was already pumped up and ready.
"Let's see what you've got, Midoriya!" Kirishima's enthusiasm was contagious, but Izuku could still feel Bakugo's eyes boring into him from across the clearing.
As Kirishima and Izuku squared off, Bakugo turned to face Shoto, explosions already crackling in his palms. "I'm not holding back, Icy Hot."
"Good," Shoto responded, ice creeping up his right arm. "Neither am I."
The training session had begun, but the unresolved tension between Bakugo and Izuku loomed in the background, waiting for its moment to explode.
...
Momo Yaoyorozu was pacing back and forth, her mind racing with worry. She glanced over at the grand display of treats, snacks, and perfectly arranged platters. It was almost as if she had rented out an entire bakery, an extravagant spread that seemed far beyond what most would consider normal for a simple gathering.
Tenya Iida, already standing nearby, noticed her distress. Adjusting his glasses, he asked in his usual formal tone, "Yaoyorozu, what seems to be troubling you?"
Momo paused mid-step, wringing her hands together nervously. "Iida, do you think... this is too much? I mean, I gave everyone the day off—my maids, butlers—just so it wouldn't be too overwhelming, but maybe this is still... a bit excessive?"
Iida turned his head to survey the lavish spread once more, his expression remaining as neutral as possible, though he inwardly marveled at the sheer magnitude of it all. From the elaborate cakes and pastries to the delicate sandwiches and perfectly arranged fruits, the table looked like something from a grand event. Still, after spending so much time around Kuro and his antics, Iida had developed a strong tolerance for the bizarre.
With a reassuring nod, he responded, "I assure you, this is quite acceptable. You've put effort into ensuring everyone will have a good time. There's no need for concern. Our classmates will appreciate your hospitality."
Momo let out a small sigh of relief, though her nervousness didn't fully disappear. "You're right, Iida. I just... I want everyone to have a good time. I hope it's not too formal."
As if on cue, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of their classmates. Usually, her staff would have answered the door, but today was different. Momo had specifically given them all the day off to avoid overwhelming her friends with the usual high-society treatment. She wanted this gathering to feel more casual, more relaxed.
Taking a deep breath, she hurried to the door and opened it, revealing a lively group of her classmates, chatting and laughing as they gathered at her doorstep.
Mashirao Ojiro, Rikido Sato, Hanta Sero, Yuga Aoyama, Fumikage Tokoyami, Toru Hagakure, Mezo Shoji, Denki Kaminari, Minoru Mineta, Koji Koda, Tsuyu Asui, Mina Ashido, Ochaco Uraraka, and Kyoka Jirou all greeted her with smiles and excitement.
Momo greeted them with a warm smile, still feeling a bit jittery but doing her best to maintain her composure. "Welcome, everyone! Please, come in."
As they filed into her expansive living room, the students couldn't help but be awed by the sheer size of Momo's home, even without the usual staff presence. The luxurious interior was spacious and elegantly designed, but Momo had intentionally set up the food and gathering area to feel cozy and inviting.
Mina Ashido immediately ran over to the snack table, her eyes sparkling. "Whoa, Yaoyorozu! Did you bake all of this yourself?"
Momo chuckled nervously. "Well, not exactly... I had some help preparing the food, but I did make a few things."
"Of course you did," Kyoka Jirou said with a smirk as she eyed the spread. "This looks more like a banquet than a class get-together."
Denki Kaminari grabbed a few snacks and popped them into his mouth before grinning at Momo. "This is awesome, Yaoyorozu! Totally outdid yourself."
"Thank you!" Momo beamed, feeling her nerves ease slightly at their compliments. "Please, make yourselves comfortable!"
As the students mingled, laughed, and dug into the food, Ochaco Uraraka nudged Tsuyu Asui and whispered, "I can't believe this is her house. It's like something out of a movie."
Tsuyu, in her usual calm tone, responded, "Ribbit. It's definitely different from what I'm used to."
Meanwhile, Minoru Mineta was gaping at the luxurious surroundings. "This place is like a palace. Yaoyorozu really is loaded!"
Momo overheard and, though slightly embarrassed, smiled politely. "I just want everyone to feel at home."
Shoji, who rarely spoke, offered a quiet nod of approval. "It's impressive. Thank you for hosting us."
The atmosphere began to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Students were scattered around, chatting in groups and enjoying the food. Iida took it upon himself to ensure the group stayed on task, attempting to organize a few activities to balance out the more laid-back atmosphere. He gently reminded everyone that while this was a time for relaxation, it could also be productive.
Momo, who had finally started to relax, joined in the conversations, happy to see that her efforts had paid off. Despite the lavish surroundings, the atmosphere was lighthearted, and her classmates seemed to be having a genuinely good time.
For now, everything seemed to be going smoothly, and Momo couldn't have been more relieved.1