"Thank you... sensei," the green-haired boy responded, wincing in pain as he tried to rise. Upon seeing the shinobi's outstretched hand, he smiled, accepting the help to stand up.
"Well done, Deku-kun!" shouted a smiling Ochako, applauding the fight her friend gave. This was echoed by several others who witnessed the battle. In response, the embarrassed green-haired boy simply appreciated the praise.
"Is it okay for us to let that boy be trained by him?" Mirko asked doubtfully as she stood with the other pro heroes.
"Principal Nezu and All Might told me to give Midoriya some space, since he has shown incredible progress under the Uzumaki's teachings," Aizawa replied calmly, standing bored with his hands in his pockets.
"Seeing that the Uzumaki focuses on hand-to-hand combat, I have no complaints about him training him," Tiger said seriously. Observing the shinobi's fighting style, he knew the boy was very well trained; his strength, speed, and technique far surpassed most.
"I wonder where he learned... this dangerous way of fighting?" Ryukyu asked curiously. She had seen hundreds of young people skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but nothing like the Uzumaki, who didn't even seem to exert much effort in his extreme training.
"I don't know, but it's impressive," Pixie-bob said with a bright smile, raising her thumbs in approval at the teenager's fighting style. "Plus, look at those muscles and those scars, he's a real warrior!"
"You're right!" several could only sigh at the behavior of Mt. Lady and Pixie-bob, who seemed to be on the same page regarding their thoughts on the teenager.
"I'm confused," drawing the attention of several, Mandalay watched as the shinobi helped Midoriya walk to a bench where he could rest. He even took the trouble to bring him something to eat and drink. "The boy is just cold and serious, maybe a little gloomy, but he has good chemistry with the other students and has strong bonds with some of them," she questioned, observing how the shinobi was now approached by the girl Todoroki and Shiozaki to have breakfast with them. He even smiled weakly, but he was doing it. "It's not like I imagined," she finally admitted, scratching her head in confusion.
"And how did you imagine it?" asked Ragdoll curiously, sharing the same doubts as their group leader.
"According to the file, he was described as someone who was violent, with a harsh and hateful attitude, and even dangerous... perhaps national security exaggerated a bit," she said hesitantly, crossing her arms.
"Killing a giant and even a chicken monster makes you a threat," Mirko continued to stare harshly at the Uzumaki as she spoke.
"But it was only those two incidents; then he acted like a true hero," jumping to the defense of the shinobi, Mt. Lady locked gazes with Mirko. "Maybe he's not a saint, but he's proven himself as a genuine hero. That title goes beyond just following rules or attending an academy. Being a hero means being there to help whoever needs it, and he's already done it many times," she said seriously to the blonde who confronted her, but Mirko only snorted.
"Think about what lets you sleep at night," saying that, she separated from the group, with an idea in mind.
…..
Shiori was still sipping tea at a table next to Naruto. Normally, she would be happier for his company, but it was difficult when the religious girl sat across from her, chatting pleasantly with Naruto.
"Don't you think tea is good? Drinking too much coffee can be harmful," said the vine-haired teenager, preparing tea for herself and the others at the table—Momo, Shiori, and Tsuyu.
"It's not a bad idea, Uzumaki-chan. Tea is more relaxing and helps you focus," commented Tsuyu, thanking Ibara for the offered cup.
"It keeps me calm. I need coffee," shrugged the shinobi, continuing to sip his drink. "Plus, I haven't had a drop of alcohol in almost 48 hours," he admitted regretfully, taking another sip.
"Oh, really?!" Momo asked hopefully. "That's wonderful! It's the first step to a better life." The other girls nodded in agreement. "But... why this sudden change?" she asked curiously, resting her tea cup on the table as she looked at Naruto, followed by everyone else at the table.
"I... I just felt like I needed a change, that's all," Naruto replied softly, his gaze drifting, but he noticed Ibara holding his right hand tightly.
"I'm proud and happy for you," Ibara said with a bright smile, lovingly holding Naruto's hand, causing him to tense for a moment before relaxing and returning the smile.
"Thank you…"
"I'm happy for you too, Naruto-kun," Shiori said, gripping Naruto's left hand tightly, her intense gaze making the other girls uncomfortable.
"Yes..." Naruto raised an eyebrow, noticing the layer of ice covering their hands. Despite her determination, he gently thanked Shiori and released her hand, reaching for a knife to chip away at the ice.
"It's nice of you... thank you, Shiori-chan," echoed in Shiori's mind, a smile forming on her lips as Naruto worked to free her hand from the ice. "Shiori-chan..." she repeated the name to herself, realizing she was the only one addressed with "-chan" unlike the others. Glancing at Ibara, she locked eyes with her.
"Why are you looking at me like that? And that smile?" Restless, Ibara felt Todoroki's scrutinizing gaze. Seeing their hands still joined, she couldn't help but feel unsettled.
"I'll help you, Naruto." Momo created a lighter with a large nozzle, releasing a flame to slowly melt the ice. Lost in her thoughts, she mused, "Seems like Naruto and Shiozaki-san have a closer chemistry than I thought. It's frustrating..." She knew she was far from establishing a relationship like theirs. "Naruto, could you do me a favor?" Drawing his attention, she made eye contact with him.
"Which?" Now calmer without the layer of ice, Naruto focused on the black-haired girl, who seemed determined to speak.
"I know I don't have a strength-increasing quirk, but I'd like your help in developing a fighting style that suits me," she said eagerly, awaiting his response, which was met with Naruto's nod. "Thank you!"
"I also want your support in my development, Naruto-kun," Shiori's gaze remained fixed on Naruto, who sighed heavily and nodded again.
"Today will be a long day," Naruto thought regretfully, looking at the table. However, he reflexively caught a plastic cup, surprising everyone, their attention turning to a smiling Mirko.
"Good reflexes, but I'm sorry to interrupt your chat about conquests with those kids," she said mockingly, walking over to where Naruto was seated.
"Conquest?!" both Ibara and Momo exclaimed, offended, glaring at the rabbit heroine.
"Conquest?" Shiori mused, her cheeks flushing slightly. The pro-hero's comment didn't seem to faze her, unlike the other two girls who were visibly embarrassed. Before they could respond, Naruto lazily rose from his seat and directed his gaze towards the heroine.
"I don't see them as conquests, Mirko. I consider them my friends, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't make comments like that again," Naruto said seriously, standing to face the heroine, who only smirked mockingly.
"Oh, such a pretty boy," the dark-skinned woman remarked, looking up slightly to meet Naruto's gaze. "Perhaps everyone here is blind to see you as a ruthless killer who once decapitated another. Pity the devil who slayed the Nomu with his sword, once a human... you're no hero."
"Like you? Jumping from one place to another in a playboy bunny costume, beating up the 'bad guys,'" Naruto interrupted with a deep voice and a hard look, remaining calm. "You're not the only one who knows about the other, Mirko, or rather, Usagiyama Rumi, a young 26-year-old heroine who has risen to be in the top 6 as the best heroine in the country, with a long list of achievements that involve killing criminals and villains to send them to jail. How heroic, don't you think?" With that question, Naruto crouched down to look directly into the eyes of the dark-haired woman who remained firm. "Being in the middle of those people who cheer you and admire you, enjoying being at the top, being a great heroine... how hypocritical."
"Uzumaki-" Mt. Lady stopped Ryukyu from intervening, and the same went for Aizawa, who glanced at all his students. The Pussycats also stopped what they were doing to listen to the discussion that was becoming increasingly dangerous.
"Hypocrite?" The fury in Mirko's eyes burned, with a vein throbbing in her forehead as she resisted the urge to hit Naruto.
"I've read enough about you to know that you work independently, without being in a department, because according to you, teamwork is for weak people... I've never heard anything more stupid." With a short sigh, the blonde shook his head. "Where I come from... we know that unity is strength, because with the help of many, I have managed to get here and be as strong as I am now. Ever heard it said that the strong take care of themselves... but the strongest are able to take care of their comrades? It's a childish saying, but hey, don't you believe it?" Smiling mockingly, he turned his back on the rabbit woman to walk away. "You're not a heroine, just a bully who wears a disguise, who enjoys being stronger than others and pretends to be a heroine as an excuse to use herself as a sack." Boxing the villains..."
"You..." In a burst of speed, Mirko grabbed the collar of Naruto's jacket to glare at him. "I'm going to crush you like the trash you are!"
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there as I have already uploaded advance Chapters there.
PAT REON I'D:- Skythe ]