"On the surface, most battles with villains take place outdoors. However, according to statistical data, the probability of villains appearing indoors is actually much higher!"
All Might's booming voice echoed through the classroom.
"Incarceration, house arrest, underground transactions—in a society where Heroes are nearly everywhere, the truly cunning villains always choose to hide in the shadows! Today, you will be divided into a Hero team and a Villain team and conduct a 2v2 indoor combat simulation!"
"Huh? Are we skipping basic training?" Asui Tsuyu asked from the side. Normally, the first class would involve physical conditioning to help everyone adapt.
"No," All Might replied seriously. "This is training for mastering the basics! This time, you won't be facing mindless robots that fall apart when hit. You'll be facing villains who can think, plan, and adapt!"
"How will victory be determined?" Yaoyorozu Momo immediately grasped the key point.
"So… blowing up the building doesn't count as losing, right?" Igarashi Masata asked innocently.
"Can we just beat the other side directly?!" Bakugo Katsuki snapped impatiently.
"There won't be extra conditions like Aizawa-sensei threatening expulsion again, right…?" Uraraka Ochaco asked cautiously.
"And how exactly will teams be assigned?" Iida Tenya asked with utmost seriousness.
"Do you think my cape looks handsome~?"—There was a traitor among them.
All Might froze for a moment under the barrage of questions. He decisively pulled out a prepared note and began reading word-for-word.
"Ahem! Listen carefully! The scenario is as follows: the Villain team has hidden a 'nuclear weapon' inside the base! The Hero team must retrieve the weapon or apprehend the villains within the time limit. The Villain team must protect the weapon or capture the Heroes!"
"It's like Heroes versus kidnappers in American movies!" All Might concluded proudly.
The students collectively fell silent.
"Isn't this a copyright issue…?" several of them thought at the same time.
"As for team assignments—lottery!" All Might announced, reaching into an inexplicable pocket of space and drawing two balls.
"The first match!Hero Team: Midoriya Izuku, Asui Tsuyu!Villain Team: Bakugo Katsuki, Iida Tenya!"
Midoriya and Bakugo both froze. After a brief moment of surprise, Bakugo's face twisted into something feral.
"Bakugo, Iida," All Might reminded them seriously, "you must think like villains during this exercise—but don't go too far."
The rest of the class had already moved to the observation room, watching and learning from the upcoming fight.
Teacher… Bakugo doesn't need to 'think like' a villain, Masata thought. He already looks like one.
"Damn useless nerd…" Bakugo growled. "So you really do have a Quirk… You've been lying to me this whole time!"
On the Hero side—
"Asui, what's your Quirk?" Midoriya asked shyly. "We should understand each other first and plan accordingly."
"Just call me Tsuyu, Izuku-chan," Asui replied calmly. "My Quirk is Frog. I can basically do anything a frog can do. Your Quirk is physical enhancement, right?"
"More or less," Midoriya admitted seriously. "But I can't control it well yet. I can't rely on it freely… so I'll have to depend on strategy and teamwork."
"…I have an idea," Tsuyu said after a moment, leaning in to whisper.
"All units ready!" All Might's voice sounded through the headset."Battle—begin!"
Inside the dim training building—
Midoriya crouched alone in the corridor, patiently waiting.
"I've confirmed it," Tsuyu's voice came through the earpiece. "The 'nuclear weapon' is located in the largest room at the center of the building."
"Copy that," Midoriya replied.
Straightening up, he clenched his fists.
"Since the location wasn't what the villains expected, Phase One is complete… Now it's my turn."
"First—"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Midoriya suddenly slammed his fists into the wall, creating an enormous racket.
Not long after—
"I found you, Deku!" Bakugo's furious voice rang out from around the corner.
Hook successful.
If I were the villain, Bakugo would charge me head-on immediately, Midoriya thought.
Facing Bakugo's ferocious glare, Midoriya slowly assumed a combat stance.
"Hah? What kind of stupid pose is that?!" Bakugo snarled. "Do you think we're playing house?!"
Explosions erupted from Bakugo's palms as he launched himself forward.
Midoriya stood his ground—until the last instant.
Just as Bakugo reached him, Midoriya twisted sideways, locked Bakugo's right arm, pivoted his body, and slammed him over his shoulder.
Bakugo crashed hard into the floor.
The pain made his eyes widen.
"You… figured me out?!" he spat.
Panting heavily, Midoriya stared down at him.
"You always attack from the right first when you think you've won," Midoriya said firmly."I analyzed the Heroes I admire… and wrote everything down. Even the notebook you blew up."
"I'm not the useless kid who does nothing anymore!"
"Shut up!" Bakugo roared, rage overflowing. "Who do you think you are, looking down on me?!"
He exploded forward again—
—but Midoriya turned and ran.
"Damn it! Stop running!" Bakugo howled, blasting after him.
Explosions tore through the corridor as Midoriya darted through corners and obstacles, narrowly avoiding each attack.
Here… this should be the spot, Midoriya thought, comparing his position to the map in his mind.
His eyes burned with resolve.