After lunch, Izuku Midoriya returned to the classroom full of excitement.
The afternoon class was Hero Basics, taught by All Might himself—a course focused on developing the fundamentals of being a Hero through practical training.
"I—AM—HERE!"
All Might burst through the door in his Silver Age costume.
"Good afternoon, everyone!"
"Wow, All Might really is a teacher…"
"The vibe feels so different… I'm still trying to process it…"
"Well! You already know what Hero Basics is about, so I won't waste time explaining!"
All Might struck a few dramatic poses before pulling out a sign from his pocket.
BATTLE
"Combat training!"
"Look over here!"
Rows of lockers slid out from the classroom wall.
"These are your Hero Costumes, customized based on the Quirk reports and requests you submitted before enrollment!"
"You have five minutes! Change into your costumes and report to Ground Beta!"
"YES, SIR!!"
Izuku stared at his costume case, slightly confused.
"…Why are there two belts…? I only designed one…"
"…And what are all these extra accessories…?"
"…Did they send the wrong version…?"
He paused.
"…Or…"
"…Is this… the belt from that dream?"
He shook his head.
"…No. Not now. I'll figure it out later."
Two minutes later—
Izuku finished changing and headed to the training ground.
Ground Beta was a simulated urban environment—an abandoned cityscape designed for combat training.
Izuku's costume was primarily green.
His mask featured two protruding "ears," inspired by All Might.
There was a dark red pattern across his chest—his own addition—
And a white marking at his waist.
The rest had been carefully sewn together with help from his mother, Inko Midoriya.
All Might couldn't help but smile.
So simple… and so easy to understand…
"Sir, is this the same location used during the entrance exam?"
"Are we doing urban combat again?"
"Yes—but this time, it's a two-on-two battle!"
"The Hero team must infiltrate the building and secure the 'nuclear weapon.'"
"The Villain team must defend it."
"That's the objective!"
"Now—let's form teams!"
Ten minutes later—
Villain Team: Katsuki Bakugo & Tenya IidaHero Team: Izuku Midoriya & Ochaco Uraraka
Bakugo and Iida took position on the fourth floor, guarding the "nuclear weapon."
Izuku and Uraraka entered from the first floor.
The moment he stepped inside—
Izuku began stretching.
"Midoriya… what are you doing?"
"I'm aiming for a fast victory."
"I'll clear this at forty kilometers per hour."
"…But Bakugo—"
"I have two plans."
"…And I don't intend to lose."
"Three… two… one… BEGIN!"
The instant the signal sounded—
Izuku exploded forward.
Green lightning crackled around his legs as he shot up the stairs at inhuman speed.
In the observation room—
All Might watched closely.
His control improved again…
And… is he still wearing weights?
Within seconds—
Izuku reached the third floor.
At the same time—
Bakugo arrived.
"…Damn it."
"…The one person I didn't want to run into…"
Bakugo launched himself forward with an explosion.
"DEKU!!! DIE!!!"
"AHHH—Kacchan's really mad—retreat! Retreat!!"
Izuku immediately changed direction and ran.
Bakugo gave chase.
Meanwhile—
Uraraka reached the third floor and positioned herself near a window.
"…I hope Midoriya's plan works…"
Suddenly—
Izuku stopped.
He turned and faced Bakugo.
"Kacchan—your Quirk has always been incredible."
Izuku dodged a punch with ease.
His goal wasn't to fight directly—
It was to provoke Bakugo—
To create an opening.
"Your Quirk's not bad either!"
Bakugo snarled, attacking again.
"I still can't control it properly."
Izuku slipped past another strike.
He's faster again…! Damn it…!!
Bakugo's frustration exploded.
He yanked the pin from his grenade gauntlet.
"How about THIS?!"
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion filled the corridor.
Got him…
Still just a useless Deku…
But then—
A green blur burst out of the smoke.
Izuku had narrowly escaped the blast.
Half his mask was destroyed—
Burned away completely—
But he had seized the opportunity.
He crouched—
Lightning surged through his legs—
And he sprinted toward the fourth floor.
"Uraraka! Begin the plan!"
In the observation room—
All Might narrowed his eyes.
It could work…
But it's risky…
Behind him—
Bakugo snapped out of it and gave chase.
I can't let him catch me…
I'll have to use it…
Izuku leapt into the air.
"…Kacchan—I'm sorry!!!"
He raised his right arm—
Lightning surged.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!!!"
Bakugo raised his own hand to strike—
"SMASH!!!"
The shockwave blasted Bakugo backward—
But Izuku's arm was completely wrecked.
"…Was it worth it…?"
Dragging his swollen, purple arm—
Izuku reached the fourth floor.
Iida stood guard.
"Midoriya?! Why are you here alone? Where's Bakugo?"
"He's behind me. He'll be here soon."
"Then I'll stop you here!"
Just as Iida prepared to fight—
The radio crackled.
"Hero team wins!"
"…What?!"
Iida turned—
And saw Uraraka—
Holding the "nuclear weapon."
"…I forgot… there was another opponent…"
He dropped to his knees in defeat.
Izuku's plan had worked perfectly.
He drew both enemies' attention—
Allowing Uraraka to slip in unnoticed and secure the objective.
"…Mission complete…"
"…We did it…"
Izuku smiled weakly—
Then collapsed.
His legs were trembling violently—
His arm was destroyed—
He had pushed One For All far beyond his limits.
"Kacchan!!!"
Bakugo arrived—
And froze—
Staring at Izuku on the ground.
Something inside him cracked.
He… saw through everything…
My strength… my mindset… everything…
"…That punch… even the leftover force was enough…"
"…If he fought seriously…"
Bakugo's breathing became unstable.
He was on the edge of losing control—
Then—
A large hand landed on his shoulder.
It was All Might.
"That's enough, Bakugo."
"It's time for the review."
"Win or lose—you'll both learn from this."
Control Room
"…Alright!"
"All things considered—the MVP of this exercise is… Midoriya!"
"Can anyone explain why?"
"Raise your hand!"
"Sir—I can."
Momo Yaoyorozu raised her hand first.