The next morning, Class 1-A settled into a rhythm that blended intense physical training with demanding academic lessons. The first foundational heroics class, held in the sprawling Ground Gamma, pushed their physical limits, forcing them to adapt their Quirks to various simulated urban and disaster zones. They returned to the classroom, sweat-drenched but exhilarated, just as the final bell for the morning classes rang.
As the students caught their breath, Shota Aizawa, their homeroom teacher, shuffled in, his omnipresent eye bags more pronounced than usual. He stood before the class, his posture as perpetually slumped as ever.
"Alright, listen up," Aizawa-sensei droned, his voice flat, but the underlying seriousness was unmistakable. "Today's foundational heroics class will be a bit different. We're going off-campus for some specialized training at the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or USJ."
A ripple of excited whispers went through the class. USJ was a legendary training facility, designed to simulate every conceivable disaster scenario.
"It's a comprehensive training session," Aizawa continued, ignoring the murmurs. "You'll be working on core hero skills, disaster relief, and rescue operations. It's crucial for you to be ready for anything, to handle situations that go beyond simple villain combat."
The students, already buzzing with anticipation, began to chat amongst themselves. "Wow, disaster training!" Kaminari exclaimed. "Sounds intense!"
"I hope we get to use our Quirks for cool rescues!" Mina cheered, already imagining herself in action.
"This is exactly what we need to become true heroes!" Iida declared, his hand chopping the air with renewed vigor.
While his classmates chattered excitedly, Minato remained in his seat, his gaze fixed on the whiteboard but his mind miles away. The USJ, huh?. He knew this was the target of the League of Villains, orchestrated by Shigaraki and Kurogiri, and culminating in the appearance of the Nomu. His calm exterior masked a furiously calculating mind.
He had spent the previous night poring over the strategic information he had gathered about the USJ attack from his previous life's memories and his own recent intelligence gathering. He analyzed Shigaraki's motivations, Kurogiri's teleportation capabilities, and the Nomu's immense power and anti-All Might design.
How do I tackle this? Minato mused, a faint frown creasing his brow.
"Minato-kun? Are you alright?"
A gentle tap on his shoulder broke him from his deep thoughts. He blinked, turning to see Mina Ashido peering at him, her brow furrowed with concern.
"You've been staring at the board for ages," she said, a playful nudge. "Are you thinking about what kind of rescue scenario we'll get?"
Minato offered her a reassuring smile. "Something like that, Mina. Just strategizing how to handle whatever comes our way."
"You're always strategizing!" Kirishima chuckled from his seat nearby. "That's super manly, though!"
After a quick lunch, the students changed into their hero costumes, the vibrant array of designs filling the main hallway. Minato, in his familiar blue jumpsuit with the white haori bearing the kanji for "HOPE," felt a sense of readiness settle over him. He found himself walking alongside Momo Yaoyorozu, who, as Vice President, naturally fell into the role of assisting him.
"Alright everyone, let's move in an orderly fashion!" Momo instructed, her voice clear and authoritative as they approached the bus. "Remember our responsibilities as representatives of U.A.!"
Minato nodded, adding, "No pushing, no running. Maintain formation and follow the instructions." Their combined presence seemed to instill a calm sense of discipline among the excited class, guiding them smoothly onto the waiting bus.
As everyone settled in, the hum of the engine signaled their departure. The topic of conversation quickly shifted from the mundane to the extraordinary: Quirks.
Tsuyu Asui, her chin resting on her hand, her large, observant eyes fixed on Midoriya, croaked, "Midoriya-chan, your Quirk is a lot like All Might's."
Midoriya flinched, his face immediately flushing beet red. He stammered, waving his hands frantically, "N-no, not at all! My Quirk is different! It's, uh... a smashing Quirk!" His denial was painfully unconvincing.
Kirishima leaned forward, frowning. "Nah, Tsuyu, I don't think so. All Might's Quirk is super strong, but it's not like Midoriya's, which seems to break his bones when he uses it. That's kinda scary, actually."
Yuga Aoyama, ever the flamboyant one, twirled his hand, sending a tiny sparkle across the bus. "My Navel Laser is quite cool, no? It is both powerful and... très chic!"
Mina snorted playfully. "Sure, Aoyama-kun, if 'chic' means giving you a tummy ache!"
The bus erupted in good-natured laughter.
"But if we're talking about flashy and strong Quirks," Kaminari interjected, his eyes darting around the bus, "then it's definitely Minato-kun, Todoroki-kun, and Bakugo-kun! You guys are on a whole different level!"
Todoroki merely gave a stoic nod, while Bakugo scoffed, a faint spark crackling from his palms.
Tsuyu, however, remained unimpressed with Bakugo. "Bakugo-chan will never be popular," she stated bluntly, her large eyes blinking slowly.
Bakugo's head snapped around, his face contorting into a mask of pure fury. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU DAMN FROG?!" he roared, explosions popping from his hands. "I'LL BE THE MOST POPULAR HERO EVER! AND BEAT ALL MIGHT, JUST YOU WAIT!"
Tsuyu simply pointed a finger at him, her expression unchanging. "See?"
Another wave of laughter swept through the bus, even Bakugo's bluster couldn't entirely silence it.
After the amusement died down, the curiosity turned to Minato. "Minato-kun," Tsuyu croaked, "since we're talking about Quirks, what exactly is your Quirk? It's so fast and bright, like lightning, but you also seem super strong, and you just kinda... appeared at the gate this morning."
Minato smiled, a casual, almost enigmatic expression. He knew this question would come. "It's a type of energy," he answered vaguely, yet truthfully. "I can generate and channel it throughout my body, enhancing my physical capabilities – speed, strength, durability. It also allows me to lot of things. It's versatile."
The conversation flowed naturally from there, a mix of lighthearted banter, earnest discussions about heroism, and excited speculation about the training. Minato participated, offering a calm perspective when needed, his mind still quietly processing the impending threat. He watched his classmates, these eager, spirited future heroes, unaware of the storm brewing just beyond their destination.
Soon, the bus slowed, then came to a complete stop. Outside the windows, a massive, dome-shaped structure loomed before them – the Unforeseen Simulation Joint. The gateway to their training, and to their first true trial.
The colossal, dome-shaped structure loomed before them, its immense scale dwarfing the bus and the students alike. It was the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, a renowned training facility known for its versatility in simulating natural disasters and urban crises. As the bus pulled to a complete stop, the students erupted in a chorus of awe and excitement.
"Whoa! Look at this place!" Kaminari exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat.
"Is it Universal Studios Japan or something!" Mina shrieked.
Their murmurs of wonder faded as a new figure emerged from the entrance, walking towards them. Clad in a distinctive white astronaut suit, the figure moved with a graceful, almost ethereal quality. Recognition dawned on their faces.
"It's the Space Hero, No. 13!" Midoriya whispered, eyes wide with reverence.
"The master of rescue operations!" Iida added, his hands chopping the air with renewed vigor.
No. 13 reached them, her helmet obscuring her face but her presence radiating warmth and professionalism. "Hello, everyone! I've been waiting for you!" Her voice was gentle, slightly muffled by the helmet. "Welcome to the USJ!"
Aizawa, ever vigilant, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Where's All Might?" he asked, his voice low and raspy. "He was supposed to be here."
"Ah, yes," No. 13 replied, her head tilting slightly. "There was an unexpected fire explosion in the city this morning. He went for rescue operations. He's been working overtime, apparently."
Aizawa grunted, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Understood." He then gestured to the students. "Alright, Thirteen, you have the floor."
No. 13 turned to the eager Class 1-A. "As you know, my Quirk is Black Hole. It allows me to suck up anything and turn it into dust. It's incredibly powerful, and it's used primarily for rescue operations, clearing debris and saving people from dangerous situations." She paused, her head tilting slightly. "But it can also be incredibly dangerous. It's a Quirk that can easily kill." She then elaborated on the dangers of Quirks and the importance of responsible hero work, emphasizing the fine line between saving lives and causing harm.
Her explanation was a sober reminder of the gravity of their chosen path. The students listened intently, their excitement tempered by a newfound respect for the destructive potential of their own abilities.
After No. 13 finished her solemn address, they all filed into the USJ, stepping through its massive entrance. The interior was breathtaking – a vast, open space divided into distinct zones, each simulating a different disaster scenario: a mountainous region, a torrential flood zone, a burning city, a landslide area, and more. It was truly a sight to behold.
"Here, you'll be training in various environments," No. 13 explained, gesturing around the immense dome. "You'll learn how to utilize your Quirks for rescue, how to coordinate, and how to adapt to unexpected situations."
As No. 13 continued her explanation, Aizawa's eyes, ever watchful, darted across the expansive floor. His gaze snagged on a massive dark spot that shimmered unnaturally, like disturbed water. It wasn't part of the simulation. His eyes narrowed, and a cold dread coiled in his gut.
From the swirling darkness, a lanky figure with pale blue hair, covered in disembodied hands, stepped out. Behind him, a crowd of distorted, menacing figures followed, emerging from the portal as if pulled from the abyss itself. Villains. Real ones.
Aizawa's eyes widened, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. "Huddle together and don't move! No. 13, protect the students!"
The students, caught off guard, exchanged confused glances. "Is this part of the training?" Kaminari whispered, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Like a surprise attack simulation?"
Aizawa's eyes, glowing red as he activated his Quirk, swept over them. "This is not a test!" he roared, his voice devoid of its usual weariness, replaced by an urgent, sharp command. "They are real villains!"
A gasp, followed by a surge of terrified murmurs, ripped through the students. The reality of the situation hit them like a physical blow.
"Villains?" Kirishima exclaimed, his skin hardening instinctively. "Let us help, Aizawa-sensei!"
"Yeah, we're hero students!" Bakugo added, sparks already flying from his palms. "We can fight!"
"No!" Aizawa's voice was firm, absolute. "You're still students and inexperienced. I will handle this!" He began to pull his binding cloth around his neck, preparing for combat.
"But, Aizawa-sensei!" Midoriya cried out, his voice filled with concern. "Your Quirk, Erasure, works best one-on-one! Against a crowd like this, it's not suited for facing all of them at the same time!"
Aizawa's eyes flashed, a grim determination in their depths. "No pro hero is a one-trick pony. Stay safe!" With those words, he launched himself from their position, a black blur hurtling towards the invading villains. His binding cloth snaked out, wrapping around multiple targets, slamming them together, his martial arts skills devastatingly effective even without his Quirk active.
Shigaraki, the lanky villain, scratched at his neck, his voice raspy. "Where's All Might, Kurogiri? He's supposed to be here. This is his class, isn't it?"
Kurogiri, the mist-like villain with the visible metal armor, shifted his form. "According to the schedule we acquired, he should be. Perhaps he was delayed."
Aizawa's head snapped up, his eyes widening in realization as he slammed a villain's head into the ground. "I knew it! That commotion at the gate yesterday was just a distraction!"
Shigaraki's eyes, visible through the hand on his face, narrowed. "Will he come if some of his precious students... are dead?" he rasped, a chilling malice in his voice.
"NO!" Aizawa roared, his blood running cold at the implication.
Before Aizawa could react, Kurogiri's mist form expanded, engulfing the central plaza. "I apologize for the inconvenience," his calm, ethereal voice resonated throughout the dome. "But our mission is to eliminate All Might. And if his students are collateral damage... so be it." He disappeared, reappearing in a swirling vortex right behind the huddled students and No. 13.
"No! Get back!" No. 13 screamed, reacting instantly. She aimed her arm at Kurogiri, activating her Black Hole Quirk, a vortex of destructive energy beginning to form.
However, before her Quirk could fully deploy, Bakugo and Kirishima, acting on pure, reckless instinct, lunged forward. "GET OUTTA HERE, MIST GUY!" Bakugo roared, explosions propelling him. Kirishima's arm hardened. Their attack passed harmlessly through Kurogiri's mist form, doing no damage but momentarily distracting him.
It was enough. No. 13's Black Hole had already been activated. Kurogiri, seeing the attack coming, quickly opened a portal directly in front of Thirteen's outstretched arm. The powerful vortex of her Quirk was instantly sucked into her own portal, only to be reflected back out, striking her full force. Thirteen screamed, her astronaut suit tearing as her body was ripped and pulled by her own destructive power. She collapsed, severely injured, smoke rising from her form.
Chaos erupted anew among the students. Iida, the class representative, was frozen, his mind scrambling for a plan, for a way to lead them. Minato, however, saw the critical window. With Thirteen down and Aizawa fighting alone, their only hope was to get a message to the outside.
"Iida!" Minato's voice cut through the terrified screams, sharp and urgent. "Run! Get to the main building! Bring backup! Now!"
Iida hesitated, his internal debate visible on his face. "But... as a future hero, my place is here, protecting my classmates!"
Minato didn't waste another second. He knew Iida's rigid sense of duty would keep him from acting decisively. With a sudden, explosive burst of his speed, Minato was behind Iida. Before the taller boy could react, Minato grabbed him firmly, winding up with all his might.
"Sorry, Iida!" Minato shouted, and with a powerful heave, he threw Iida with incredible force directly towards the entrance of the USJ.
Iida let out a startled cry as he soared through the air. His engine Quirk instinctively activated, his calves blazing, allowing him to stabilize himself in mid-air and adjust his trajectory. He saw the open entrance, the only way out. Realizing the urgency, he slammed his feet against the ground upon landing and, with a powerful roar, activated his full speed, sprinting towards the main U.A. building.
As Iida made his desperate escape, Kurogiri, seeing his plan to trap them foiled by Minato's unexpected action, rapidly expanded his portals. He opened multiple warp gates beneath the remaining students, spreading them across the various zones of the USJ. It happened in a blink. Students screamed as they were engulfed by the dark mist, appearing in different disaster zones.
Minato, seeing the warp gates open, made a split-second decision. He knew what Kurogiri was doing. He could have intervened, could have tried to stop the warping, perhaps even attempted to pull everyone back to a central location. But a strategic thought flashed through his mind: This dispersal, though dangerous, will force my classmates to adapt, to push their Quirks, to grow faster. It's a trial by fire. And it will divide the villains, making Aizawa's job easier. He allowed it to happen, knowing this ordeal, they would survive, and this would be invaluable for their growth.
When the swirling mist cleared, Minato found himself in the Mountain Zone of the USJ. Beside him, blinking in confusion, were Kaminari, Jiro, and Momo. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, mimicking rocky slopes, and scattered groups of villains were already converging on their position, drawn by the sudden arrival.
Minato's gaze hardened. He quickly surveyed the approaching villains, assessing their numbers and Quirks. There were at least a two dozen, a mix of thugs with various mutation or minor emitter Quirks.
Without a word, Minato quickly took out one of his three-pronged kunai, the familiar weight a comfort in his hand. He gripped it tightly, his posture shifting into a battle-ready stance.
He turned to his friends, his eyes sharp and serious. "Listen," Minato said, his voice low and firm, overriding their lingering shock. "I will take half of them. You three keep the other half busy." He met each of their eyes, conveying absolute confidence. "After I finish them, I'll be back to help you. Don't engage them head-on unless absolutely necessary. Focus on defense and evasion until I return."
Before they could fully process his words or question him, Minato flung his kunai towards the densest group of approaching villains.
Then, with a yellow flash, he was gone.