Third Person - POV
The next day, the bell for lunch had long since rung, its final chime echoing through the hallowed halls of U.A. High. In Classroom 1-A, a low hum of anticipation filled the air. Students, having just finished their midday meal, were settled into their seats, some chatting quietly, others reviewing notes from the morning's academic classes. They waited, eager and curious, for the next phase of their hero training. The Quirk Apprehension Test had been a shocking, exhilarating introduction, and everyone wondered what their homeroom teacher, the enigmatic Shota Aizawa, had planned for the afternoon.
Suddenly, the large classroom door burst open with a dramatic flourish. A figure, impossibly large and radiating an aura of pure heroism, filled the doorway. It was All Might, in his muscular, true form, a wide, confident grin plastered across his face.
"I AM HERE!" All Might boomed, his voice echoing through the room, instantly silencing all chatter and drawing every eye. "Coming through the door like a normal person!"
A collective gasp, followed by a surge of excited murmurs, swept through the class.
"It's All Might!" Kaminari exclaimed, practically vibrating in his seat.
"He's really teaching us!" Mina shrieked, her pink skin glowing with excitement.
All Might strode to the front of the classroom, his presence filling the space. "Welcome, future heroes! I am your Foundational Heroics instructor for this afternoon! And for today's lesson, we will be diving straight into... Battle Training!"
A wave of excited shouts and cheers erupted. This was what they had all been waiting for.
"But first," All Might continued, gesturing dramatically to a wall of numbered cases that had seemingly appeared behind him, "these were designed for you to go along with your 'Quirks' in the field and the way you designed! In other words, your hero costumes!"
The class erupted again, this time with even louder, more fervent exclamations of delight. Each student's eyes widened, a mixture of awe and eager anticipation on their faces as they gazed at the cases. This was the moment they had all dreamed of, the physical manifestation of their heroic aspirations.
"Get yourselves changed and meet me at Ground Beta!" All Might announced, his grin widening. "The battlefield awaits!"
A chaotic, joyous scramble ensued as students rushed to grab their designated cases. The boys' changing room was a whirlwind of activity, filled with excited chatter and the rustle of new fabric. Each student, with varying degrees of modesty, peeled off their school uniforms to don the suits they had meticulously designed months ago.
Minato retrieved his case, a quiet sense of anticipation settling over him. He unlatched it, revealing a costume that was both familiar and subtly altered. It was indeed the same dress as in the Naruto anime, a sleek, dark blue jumpsuit with orange trim, reminiscent of the Fourth Hokage's iconic attire. Over it, a pristine white haori, typically worn by Hokage, lay folded. He slipped on the jumpsuit, its material surprisingly flexible and durable, designed to accommodate powerful movements. Then, he donned the white overcoat. His eyes scanned the back, and there, instead of the kanji for "Fourth Hokage" (四代目火影), was a single, bold kanji: "HOPE" (希望). It was a personal touch, a subtle nod to his true mission in this world. The design was perfect – recognizable enough to be cool, but distinct enough to be his own. It was a blend of his past and his present, a silent promise of the future he sought to build.
Across the room, Izuku Midoriya nervously unzipped his own case. His costume was a black combat suit with green accents, bulky and somewhat reminiscent of a Batman suit excpet for the mask. It was clearly designed with a powerful, full-body Quirk in mind, tight fitting to his body.
Bakugo, meanwhile, had already exploded into his costume, a formidable, spiky-gauntleted design that perfectly matched his aggressive Quirk. Kirishima's suit was sleeveless, designed to show off his hardening capabilities, while Mina's was sleek and agile, perfect for her acidic movements. Each costume was a unique reflection of its wearer's Quirk and personality, a vibrant tapestry of individuality.
Once everyone was changed, they emerged from the changing rooms, a dazzling array of nascent heroes. The vibrant colors and unique designs of their costumes filled the air with a palpable sense of excitement and determination.
All Might stood at the center of Ground Beta, a vast, urban training ground even larger and more complex than the one used for the entrance exam. He surveyed the newly costumed students, his grin widening.
"Looking good, everyone!" All Might boomed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "You all look like true heroes! Every one of your Quirks is shining through in your designs! Now, let's get down to business!"
He then began to explain the rules of the Battle Trial.
"This exercise will be a two-on-two team battle!" All Might announced, gesturing to the simulated city around them. "One team will be the 'Heroes,' and the other will be the 'Villains'! The Villains will be guarding a nuclear weapon hidden somewhere in the building. The Heroes' objective is to either capture the Villains or secure the weapon within the time limit! The Villains' objective is to either protect the weapon until the time runs out, or capture the Heroes! Think of it as a real-world scenario!"
A murmur of excited understanding rippled through the class. This was a true test of strategy, teamwork, and Quirk application.
"To determine teams and roles, we'll draw lots!" All Might declared, holding up a box. "Random pairings are key to understanding how to work with different Quirks!"
The students lined up, each drawing a small slip of paper from the box. Minato reached in, his fingers brushing against several slips, and pulled one out. He unfolded it. "Team A."
He looked around. Who would be his partner? His eyes scanned the faces. His gaze landed on Momo Yaoyorozu, who was also holding a slip marked "Team A." She met his eyes with a polite, intelligent smile.
"Looks like we're partners, Minato-kun," Momo said, her voice calm and composed.
"Indeed, Yaoyorozu-san," Minato replied, a flicker of approval in his eyes. Momo's Creation Quirk, combined with her sharp intellect, made her an excellent strategic partner.
All Might continued to call out the pairs. "Team B, Midoriya and Uraraka! Team C, Bakugo and Iida!"
A tense silence fell over the class as Bakugo and Midoriya's names were called in the same team. Bakugo's eyes immediately narrowed, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he glared at Midoriya. Midoriya, meanwhile, visibly flinched, his face paling slightly. The rivalry between them was already palpable.
"Team D, Kaminari and Jiro!" All Might announced.
Minato glanced at his slip again. Team A. Momo and him. Their opponents would be Kaminari and Jiro. An interesting matchup. Kaminari's raw electrical power and Jiro's sensory and shockwave abilities. It would require careful planning.
"Alright, first up!" All Might's voice boomed, cutting through the murmurs. "Team B as Heroes, and Team C as Villains! Everyone else, head to the observation room!"
The class quickly moved, leaving Midoriya, Uraraka, Bakugo, and Iida at the center of Ground Beta. The tension between Midoriya and Bakugo was thick enough to cut with a knife.
The first battle began.
Midoriya vs. Bakugo: The First Clash
As All Might gave the signal, Bakugo exploded forward, a furious, determined expression on his face. He didn't waste a second, immediately targeting Midoriya. "DEKU! I'M GONNA CRUSH YOU!"
Midoriya didn't get flustered, and stood his ground. He knew Bakugo's fighting style, his explosive temper. He had to be strategic. He had to win without relying on One For All, not yet. His body, still unused to the immense power, couldn't handle it without severe repercussions.
The initial phase of the battle was a brutal display of Bakugo's raw power and Midoriya's tactical defense. Bakugo launched a series of powerful explosions, tearing through the building, forcing Midoriya to constantly dodge and weave. Midoriya, relying on his years of meticulous hero analysis and his training in CQC in the local gym, moved with agility, narrowly avoiding each blast. He used the environment to his advantage, ducking behind pillars and through doorways, trying to bait Bakugo into a disadvantageous position.
"Uraraka-san!" Midoriya shouted, his voice strained as he narrowly avoided a powerful explosion that ripped through a wall beside him. "Go for the bomb! I'll handle Kacchan!"
Uraraka, understanding the urgency, nodded. "Right! Good luck, Deku!" She used her Zero Gravity Quirk to lighten herself, leaping through the building, aiming for the higher floors where the bomb was likely located.
Bakugo, however, was single-minded. His explosions continued to hammer Midoriya, pushing him further and further back. "STOP RUNNING, DEKU! FIGHT ME!"
Midoriya's analytical mind raced. He couldn't match Bakugo's power. Not head-on. Not yet. He needed a plan, a way to create an opening for Uraraka. He remembered All Might's words, his own desperate desire to prove himself.
The fight escalated. Bakugo, frustrated by Midoriya's evasiveness, began to unleash larger, more devastating explosions. His temper, a volatile Quirk in itself, was reaching its boiling point. He cornered Midoriya in a narrow corridor, his gauntlets charged, preparing for a massive, decisive blow.
"This is it, Deku!" Bakugo roared, his face contorted with rage. "I'm ending this!"
Midoriya knew he had only one option left. It was risky. It would hurt. But it was the only way to create the necessary distraction. He channeled One For All into his right arm, the green lightning crackling around it, a terrifying surge of power.
"SMASH!" Midoriya screamed, unleashing a concentrated punch upwards, not at Bakugo, but at the ceiling above them.
The force was immense. A colossal shockwave ripped through the building, tearing through multiple floors, creating a massive hole directly above them. The sheer concussive force of the blast sent Bakugo reeling backward, momentarily disoriented and thrown off balance.
The cost was immediate and brutal. Midoriya's arm, unable to withstand the full power of One For All, twisted unnaturally. A sickening crack echoed through the corridor, and his arm hung limp, broken and mangled. He gasped, a cry of pain tearing from his throat, but his eyes, though filled with agony, held a fierce triumph.
Uraraka, who had been making her way through the upper floors, felt the tremor of the blast. She saw the gaping hole in the ceiling, the debris falling. It was her chance. She used her Quirk, leaping across the newly created opening, and landed directly on the bomb.
"I secured the weapon!" Uraraka's voice echoed through the comms, breathless but triumphant.
"HERO TEAM WINS!" All Might's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, signaling the end of the match.
The battle had concluded, but the aftermath was grim. Midoriya lay slumped against a wall, his arm a mangled mess, panting from pain and exertion. Bakugo, though defeated, was shaking with a furious, almost primal rage, unable to comprehend how Midoriya had managed to pull off such a feat. Iida, ever the analyst, stood beside the bomb, meticulously dissecting the strategy, even in defeat.
In the observation room, the teachers were silent, a mix of awe and concern on their faces. All Might, however, felt a surge of pride, tinged with worry. Young Midoriya... he truly embodies the spirit of a hero. But at what cost?
Midoriya was quickly attended to by Recovery Girl, who had been waiting in the infirmary. He was taken away, his arm already beginning to heal under her Quirk, but the pain and the lesson learned were etched on his face.
All Might, his voice regaining its usual booming quality, announced the next match. "Alright, listeners! That was an... explosive start! Next up, our third battle! Team A as Heroes, and Team D as Villains! Minato Namikaze and Momo Yaoyorozu versus Denki Kaminari and Kyoka Jiro! Head to Battle Center B!"
My turn. I exchanged a brief, confident glance with Momo. The stage was set.