Ben sat in the cold, sterile interrogation room, the harsh lighting bouncing off the metal table in front of him. His wrists were cuffed—thick, reinforced cuffs that clinked softly every time he shifted in the chair.
The walls were bare, save for the two-way mirror. Ben could feel eyes on him from behind the glass.
He leaned back in his chair, glancing around at the featureless room. "You know," he said dryly, "this really isn’t necessary." His gaze flicked toward the mirror knowingly. "I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than babysit me."
He exhaled heavily, shoulders slumping. "Ah, man," Ben muttered.
The door creaked open with deliberate slowness. In stepped a tall, sharp-eyed figure in a tan overcoat and black suit, green tie tucked neatly in place.
Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi.
He studied Ben for a long moment before stepping inside.
Ben blinked at him than chuckled nervously. "Can we nkt have the silent treatment? I mean, I did save everyone. Y’know... the exploding train?” He gave a weak grin. “Little credit—"
Before he could continue—
“Let him go.”
The voice was soft but firm, cutting clean through the room.
Ben blinked as the small figure of Principal Nezu walked in, calm and composed, ears perked. Despite his size, the room seemed to shift around him.
“Principal Nezu!” Ben perked up. “Uh... hey..."Ben offered sheepishly, giving an awkward smile.
Nezu regarded him with a soft, almost wistful look. There was warmth there, and no small measure of pride… though, beneath it, a glimmer of concern
Tsukauchi’s jaw tightened. He straightened his posture, voice low and firm. "Principal Nezu… with respect, this is official police business.Tsukauchi’s jaw tensed slightly. " The scale of what he can do... how long has he been here? How many Quirks has he shown?” His voice sharpened. “Abilities like his..Tsukauchi’s eyes narrowed. ".. is beyond anything we’ve documented."
Nezu met his gaze evenly. “Detective Tsukauchi, this young man risked his life to save hundreds today. He is a guest in our country and under my personal protection. You know the limits of your authority here.”
Tsukauchi’s frustration finally broke the surface. "His Quirk registry lists him as Quirkless—Quirkless—until five years ago, Nezu. Five years ago. No one just develops a Quirk that advanced—one capable of mimicking multiple abilities—by coincidence. And now, suddenly, he turns up here, in Japan… where you-know-who once operated?"
Nezu gave a slow sigh, shaking his head. "Detective…"
"And on top of that," Tsukauchi pressed, voice hardening, "he’s applying to U.A. Of all places. Especially when All Might—" He caught himself, eyes flicking toward Ben, who gave an awkward smile. "...when you-know-who’s successor will also be attending. I
He straightened. “Principal Nezu, I must insist. You can’t ignore the timing. You can’t tell me this isn’t suspicious."
"No," Nezu cut in, "This boy is under protection—by the United States government, by myself, and by very powerful people who will not take kindly to a teenager with diplomatic immunity being detained without cause. "
He tilted his head slightly. “While I admit his recent... vigilantism is not without concern, may I remind you: in Japan, a person must commit repeated unlawful acts—acts that cause direct harm or substantial property damage—to warrant detainment. To my knowledge, Benjamin Tennyson has done no such thing on our soil.”
Nezu gave a calm smile. “I would advise you, Detective... release him. Before this grows into a far larger issue than either of us would prefer.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Ben swallowed nervously, shifting in his seat. “Ben glanced between them, frowning. “Okay, seriously... can someone explain what I’m being accused of here?”
Nezu gave him a small glance, tone light but layered. “It is nothing you need concern yourself with, Tennyson.” His gaze shifted back to the detective, unflinching. "Now please let go of Tennyson."
"Tch."Tsukauchi said.He stepped forward, unlocking the cuffs with a click. "You’re free to go," he said gruffly. "But don’t think for a second this is over. We’ll be watching."
Ben rubbed his wrists, standing up. "Yeah… figured as much," he muttered under his breath.
Nezu gave a small nod. “Tennyson—let’s be on our way.”
“Yeah... good idea,” Ben muttered, glancing once more at Tsukauchi’s intense stare.
The two of them walked toward the door, with Tsukauchi silently watching from behind, the detective's mind clearly working through the strange series of events that had unfolded.
Outside the room, Nezu pinched the bridge of his snout with a tiny paw, sighing as he began pacing in the hallway. The soft clack of his claws echoed lightly off the polished tile.
“Honestly, Benjamin,” Nezu began, voice calm but edged with exasperation, “rescuing an entire passenger train while in full view of civilians, news cameras, and multiple pro heroes... admirable in intent, yes—but terribly indiscreet.while admirable in intent, has unfortunately brought—"
Ben walked in behind the chimera, his shoulders slouched under the weight of dozens of curious stares. The officers in the station whispered among themselves, their eyes darting between him and Nezu.
"—unwanted attention," Nezu finished, glancing back at him with a pointed look.
Ben rubbed the back of his neck, nerves clear in the sheepish chuckle that escaped him. “Yeah... sorry about that. It’s just—there wasn’t time to think, y’know? That thing was gonna blow. People were trapped. I was the only one fast enough to do something.”
Nezu came to an abrupt stop, turning to face him. “Noble... but reckless. Intent alone is not enough, Benjamin. A hero must act with both heart and foresight.”
Ben winced a little. “Yeah... lesson learned.” He shifted awkwardly. “Sooo... uh... scale of one to ten—how deep am I in it?"
Nezu tilted his head, his beady eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Tell me, how many forms do you currently possess?"
"Uh... about twenty-two?" Ben said hesitantly.
"Multiply that by two," Nezu said with a slight smirk.
Ben blinked. "Oh..." His shoulders slumped further. "Aw, man..."
"Yes, 'oh' indeed," Nezu replied, his tone turning serious as he continued walking. "Do understand, Benjamin, Japan has very strict laws regarding Quirk usage, especially when it comes to heroics. Without a license, what you did today could have easily been interpreted as vigilantism. And in this country, vigilantism is synonymous with villainy in the eyes of the law."
Ben frowned, his usual confidence faltering. "I get it one more acts of unlawful heroism and I can kiss my hero career good bye."
Nezu nodded solemnly. "Precisely. One more incident like this, and your chances of ever obtaining a Hero License here—or anywhere else—will evaporate. You would be forced to give up heroics entirely."
Ben clenched his fists, the thought of abandoning his dream hitting him like a punch to the gut. "I get it... I really do. I’ll be more careful. I promise."
Nezu's expression softened slightly. "Do not despair just yet. You are still eligible to take the Entrance Exam for U.A.'s Hero Course. If you pass, you can train under our guidance, and perhaps we can smooth over the... complications of your current reputation."
Ben let sigh of relief."Thought how strict you guys were you would have rejected me before I had chance."
"True," Nezu interrupted. "And believe me, there are many who would prefer to see you deported rather than sitting in a classroom. However, the situation you intervened in—the bullet train, the armed villains, the near destruction of Endeavor’s agency—has put the Hero Public Safety Commission in a rather awkward position."
Nezu adjusted his tie, a wry smile creeping onto his face. "The HPSC would much rather the public focus on you as the 'hero' who saved lives than on the glaring security lapses that allowed villains to smuggle such an arsenal into the country in the first place. You’ve unwittingly become a convenient distraction."
Ben let out a dry chuckle, the irony not lost on him. "Great. I'm the PR stunt."
Nezu gave him an approving nod. "Precisely! But consider this a blessing in disguise. This is your chance to prove yourself, Benjamin. Use it wisely, or risk losing everything."
Ben looked down at his Omnitrix, his determination hardening. "I won’t screw this up."
"That is the attitude I hope to see," Nezu said with a pleased nod, his small smile reflecting a mix of encouragement and mischief. "Now, I trust you're preparing well for the upcoming exam?"
Ben gave a confident grin, crossing his arms. "You just saw me save a whole train of people. I think my actions speak for themselves."
Nezu chuckled lightly, the sound polite yet knowing. "True, but heroism isn’t just about ability—it’s also about adaptability and foresight. Speaking of which..." His tone shifted to one of cheerful caution. "I would strongly recommend we take the back exit."
One officer snorted as he walked by, a mocking grin on his face. "Kid, if you’ve got any brains, you’ll stay inside. Can’t believe you’re that Ben Tennyson. America must be losing it if some teenager could take down their top heroes."
Ben ignored the snide comment, stepping fully outside—only to be immediately bombarded by a barrage of camera flashes.
FLASH! FLASH! SNAPSNAPSNAPSNAP!
“Wha—ugh! What the hell?!” Ben flinched, throwing up an arm to block the lights. His voice nearly drowned in the rising wave of reporters.
“BEN TENNYSON! OVER HERE!”
"Ah, yes," Nezu said calmly, stepping up beside him, completely unaffected by the media attention. "The media has been... quite insistent since hearing of your exploits. I believe you’ve become quite the celebrity overnight."
Vrrrrrmm... A sleek black car pulled up beside them, its engine humming smoothly.
Nezu gestured to the door. “Come, Benjamin. Let’s make our exit before you accidentally start another press frenzy.”
Ben awkwardly raised a hand, trying to wave at the reporters, but the overwhelming noise and shouting made it impossible to respond. He stumbled toward the car, his face flushed as he followed Nezu, who somehow navigated the endless reporters with perfect ease. Once inside, Ben let out a long breath of relief, the car doors muffling the snap of cameras.
......
Across the street, Detective Tsukauchi stood silently with a lanky man whose skeletal frame seemed to stretch awkwardly under his thin clothing. The man’s sharp, sunken eyes tracked the car as it pulled away.
"So," the skeletal man said, his voice dry and contemplative, "what did you manage to dig up on him?"
Tsukauchi frowned, his brow furrowing as he crossed his arms. "Not much, unfortunately. I couldn’t properly question him. Since he’s an American citizen, he has diplomatic immunity, and Principal Nezu pulled rank. I wasn’t able to press him on anything."
The skeleton man hummed thoughtfully, his hollow eyes fixed on the retreating car. "Do you think he’s connected to... Him?"
His voice dipped slightly, the weight of the implication hanging between them like a dark cloud.
The detective’s jaw tightened as he considered his words carefully. "I don’t have any evidence to suggest it, but... his abilities are unlike anything I’ve seen before. We know All For One wasn’t the only Quirk user capable of amassing multiple abilities, but this kid..." He shook his head. "Even with no proof... I can already tell that kid is going to be a problem. From a few hours ago, he's already shown he won't abide by the laws if it comes to it."
The man let out a long, slow breath, his skeletal hand tapping lightly against his arm. "Extraordinary doesn’t even begin to describe what I saw him do. I’ve been doing this for decades, and I’ve seen all sorts of strange Quirks, but his... it’s like it doesn’t belong. I’m not foolish enough to jump to conclusions, but..." His voice trailed off as his gaze grew darker. "I can’t ignore the feeling I get when he’s around."
Tsukauchi nodded before sighing."First Naruhata now this."
.........
To say Ben Tennyson had become a national icon would be an understatement.
He was an international phenomenon.
Across televisions, streaming feeds, and news apps, one headline blazed:
“MYSTERY VIGILANTE REVEALED: BEN TENNYSON — THE BOY WITH THE WATCH!”
Screens blared across Japan—stations flipping between networks, social media feeds buzzing, YouTube clips surging in the millions—
“BREAKING NEWS: A long-standing mystery may finally be solved! Five years ago, ten strange, heteromorphic vigilantes appeared in America—vanishing as quickly as they came—”
The screen jumped to shaky phone footage:
— Four Arms grappling with Kevin Levin atop the Golden Gate Bridge, the red titan tossing him clear across traffic.
— Heatblast soaring over a raging California wildfire. His fiery arms extended outward, redirecting burning trees away from trapped civilians.
“—Don’t worry! I’m here to help!” the alien form shouted, voice distorted by static as it swooped past a stunned firefighter
Upgrade fused into a police car, steering it safely away from a runaway truck before ejecting himself mid-jump.
Stinkfly carrying four construction workers off a collapsing building.
Cannonbolt shielding a crowd from falling debris during a bank explosion.
Wildvine wrapping up robbers in botanical binds.
Ripjaws diving into toxic water to save a trapped diver.
Ghostfreak phasing into a wall to pull a child out of a burning room.
News anchors debated:
"How many forms does he have?"
"Early reports suggest at least ten distinct transformations—but sources say that number could be much higher."
"Could this be an advanced Multi-Morph Quirk? Or a composite Quirk?"
A respected Quirk analyst weighed in:
"We’ve never seen this level of versatility in a single Quirk. Some speculate it’s a mutation-type with extreme adaptability—combined with a sophisticated support device,"
—the camera zoomed in on the glowing green Omnitrix strapped to Ben’s wrist.
#‘Bro’s got at least 10 forms. How busted is that Quirk?!’
#‘That thing on his wrist—must be some crazy US tech helping control it.’
#‘He’s gotta be running a hybrid Quirk + Support Item build.’
#‘Top Hero material, calling it now.’
.....
When Ben got home, he wasn’t too surprised to see missed voice calls from America—his family had clearly been trying to reach him.
What did surprise him was the sudden video call that lit up his TV the moment he flopped onto the couch.
The screen flickered — and there they were. His parents’ stern faces filled the frame: Sandra with her arms crossed, a look of exasperation practically burning a hole through the screen; Carl standing behind her, rubbing his temples and muttering under his breath; and just off to the side, Lt. Steel, back ramrod straight, jaw clenched, eyes cold.
“Two days,” Sandra began sharply, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. “Two days, Benjamin Kirby Tennyson. You’ve been in Japan for two days— and already you’ve landed on every major news network!” Her glare narrowed. “What were you thinking?!”
Ben winced, sitting up straighter on the couch. “Uh... surprise?”
Carl let out a deep sigh. "Do you have any idea how many calls we’ve gotten from the embassy? A bullet train, Ben! A bullet train! What were you thinking?!"
Sandra threw her hands up. "Honestly, I’m just relieved no one’s suing us. Yet."
Ben tried to offer a weak smile. "To be fair… I didn’t wreck the train or anything—"
“Benjamin.” Sandra’s voice had that don’t-push-it edge to it.
“Alright, alright!” Ben raised his hands in surrender. “I get it. I messed up. But what was I supposed to do? Just stand there while those villains blew the whole thing sky-high?”
That softened his parents’ expressions, but only slightly. Their disappointment lingered beneath their stern demeanor.
Then Steel finally spoke, his tone flat and clipped, like a drill sergeant who’d seen too much. “Intent doesn’t erase consequences, Tennyson.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you have any idea what kind of diplomatic headache you’ve caused? You think Japan’s hero commission was thrilled to have an unlicensed teenager running an unsanctioned op on their turf?”
He shook his head. “You’re lucky Nezu’s pulling weight for you right now. Frankly? You’ve just put yourself under more scrutiny than ever. One wrong move — and you’ll be on every watchlist from here to Washington.”
Ben bristled at that but managed to hold his tongue.
Steel exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. "That said, I’m not the one you need to hear this from. I’ll let him take it from here.”
The screen shifted, and Grandpa Max’s familiar face appeared. Ben’s heart sank further.
"Grandpa?"
Max sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair. "Hello, Ben.” His tone was calm but heavy with disappointment. “What were you thinking, kid?"
Max leaned forward, his expression firm. “You’re right. I probably would’ve. But here’s the thing, Ben: you’re in Japan now. This isn’t Bellwood. It’s a country full of pro heroes whose job is to handle this kind of thing. For once in your life, you’ve got a chance to take a step back and just be a kid. No Omnitrix, no fighting villains. Just Ben Tennyson.”
Ben opened his mouth to argue, but Max raised a hand to silence him.
"But—"
"No buts, Ben," Max interrupted. "You’ve spent enough of your life throwing yourself into danger. How about you spend a little time doing what other teenagers do? Make some friends. Go on a date. Hit the books. You’ve got the rest of your life to play hero, but you only get one chance at being a kid. Don’t waste it."
Ben grumbled.
“Do you understand?” Max’s voice sharpened, brooking no argument.
Ben sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “…Understood.”
Max’s gaze softened again, though his tone remained firm. “Good. Now keep your head down, stay out of trouble, and focus on the entrance exam. You’ve got a chance to do things the right way this time. Don’t waste it.”
The screen went dark, leaving Ben staring at his reflection in the TV. He let out another sigh and muttered to himself, "Aw, man…"
............
Ben slumped on his bed, phone in hand, as the bright screen lit up his tired face. The headline blared in bold letters: "High-Speed Heroics: Ben Tennyson Stops Disaster."
He groaned, already regretting his decision to open the video. As the news clip played, a polished reporter in a crisp suit appeared on the screen, speaking with the kind of forced enthusiasm that made Ben cringe.
"Yesterday afternoon, a bullet train carrying over 1,200 passengers was hijacked in a shocking act of villainy," the reporter announced. "The culprits, reportedly linked to the infamous Overlord, threatened a catastrophic end. However, in an incredible turn of events, an unexpected hero emerged to save the day—American teenager Ben Tennyson."
Ben winced as the screen cut to shaky footage of him mid-rescue, zipping around as XLR8. It was a little blurry, but the Omnitrix’s green glow and the alien’s unmistakable speed were all too clear.
"An outstanding revelation," the reporter continued, "Ben Tennyson, a 15-year-old teenager from America, has been linked to a long-lost vigilante group. For five years, this group, identified by a blackand white symbol resembling an hourglass, operated across the United States before mysteriously vanishing from the public eye. But that mystery has been solved."
"Eyewitnesses describe the scene as something straight out of a movie. Tennyson, using what appears to be a transformation transformed into the infamous vigilante XLR8."
"While his actions may be deemed heroic by some," the reporter's voice continued, "many others, including local authorities, view his methods as reckless. His history as a vigilante, coupled with his apparent disregard for the law, raises concerns about whether or not he should be allowed to pursue a career in heroism."
Ben groaned, tossing his phone onto the bed and burying his face in his pillow. He peeked at the screen again, only to see the rescue video had hit over 100 million views overnight.
"Wow! Over 100 million views already?!" Izuku exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement as he leaned over Ben’s shoulder to see the screen. He was practically glowing, his energy infectious. "That’s incredible, Ben! You saved so many people, and now the whole world is seeing it!"
Ben glanced at him with a half-smile. "Yeah, lucky me..." he muttered, the sarcasm heavy in his tone.
Kyoka, lounging on a beanbag in the corner, had her earbuds loosely hanging around her neck as she scrolled through her phone. She smirked, flicking her thumb across the screen. "You should totally check out the comments, Tennyson. ‘Damn, that kid is fast,’ and—oh, here’s a good one—‘Holy crap, he’s all those vigilantes?!’" She looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Guess the internet’s already figured you out."
Izuku and Kyoka had managed to get in touch with Ben and had come over to discuss his sudden rise to fame. Surprisingly, Kyoka wasn’t nearly as flustered as Izuku was about being at a friend’s house. While Izuku was buzzing with nervous energy, glancing around the room like it was a shrine to heroics, Kyoka lounged casually, her demeanor as unbothered as ever.
Ben groaned again, covering his face with his hands. "Great. That’s exactly what I needed."
Kyoka chuckled, resting her chin on her fist. "Honestly, I don’t get why you’re complaining. You literally outran a bomb on a train. Most people would be milking this for all it’s worth."
Ben groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Most people aren’t already on a government shit list. If I screw up again, I can kiss my hero career goodbye before it even starts."
"Hey, look on the bright side," Kyoka said with a shrug. "Didn’t Principal Nezu say you’ve still got a chance to prove yourself? That’s gotta count for something."
Ben nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I just have to pass the Entrance Exam and not mess up between now and then. At least they’ve managed to keep my apartment’s location a secret, so I’m not dealing with paparazzi outside my window."
"Can’t believe you live here by yourself," Kyoka said, glancing around the apartment. "Lucky."
Ben snorted, leaning back on his bed. "Can’t say I’ve been missing my parents nagging me, that’s for sure."
Izuku, standing awkwardly near the kitchen, glanced at a small pile of dirty dishes on the counter. "Uh... speaking of living on your own, are you, um, managing okay?"
Ben followed his gaze and waved dismissively. "What, the dishes? I was gonna get to those... eventually."
"Eventually, huh?" Kyoka teased, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds like you’re settling into the bachelor lifestyle already. Next step: pizza boxes everywhere and laundry on the couch."
Ben protested"Hey, I like to keep it somewhat clean. I’m not a total slob."
"Debatable," Kyoka quipped, earning a chuckle from Izuku.
Ben rolled his eyes. "So, you're planning on going to U.A. too?"
Jirou flinched slightly, her cheeks tinged a light pink. "I... I mean, yeah... kinda nervous about it," she mumbled, fiddling with her earphone jacks as if the motion could calm her nerves.
"Really? How come?" Ben asked, not bothering to look up from his phone. "Isn't it just a bunch of robots we gotta smash? Sounds simple enough to me."
Jirou deadpanned, narrowing her eyes at him. "Right, says the guy who outran an exploding train and took down a whole car full of villains like it was nothing."
Ben smirked, glancing over at her. "What can I say? Chaos keeps life exciting." He leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "But seriously, don’t stress it. Just hit them hard and fast. Easy."
"H-How do you know it’s going to be robots?" Izuku asked suddenly, his wide, curious eyes locking onto Ben.
Ben raised an eyebrow, finally setting his phone down. "Did my homework," he replied with a shrug. "Checked some forums. The exam’s designed to favor people with Quirks that can blow stuff up or hit hard. If your Quirk isn’t flashy or destructive, you’re gonna have a rough time. A lot of people don’t make the cut because of it."
"That’s... kinda unfair," Jirou muttered, crossing her arms and tilting her head thoughtfully.
"Totally is," Ben agreed. "Like, I read about this guy who could shut down people’s nervous systems. Super OP, right? But even he failed because he couldn’t do squat against the bots."
"Robots, huh?" Jirou murmured, spinning one of her jacks in her fingers. "If I concentrate my heartbeat enough, I could probably short-circuit them."
Izuku cupped his chin, muttering as if the gears in his head were spinning out of control. "If it's robots, then I need to increase my training before the exam." He whipped out his phone, his eyes glued to the All American Dream Plan saved in his notes. "If I could do twice as much—twice the sprints, push-ups—then I'll have to ask Mom for more food to build muscle... If I do all that, maybe I'll get my Quirk in time for the exam, and I should pass relatively easily."
Ben, sitting cross-legged on the couch, raised an eyebrow at the whirlwind of words spilling from Izuku's mouth. He leaned back, still scrolling through his phone. "Sounds like you’re putting all your chips on that Quirk of yours," Ben remarked casually.
"H-Huh?" Izuku froze mid-mutter, clutching his phone. "I-I mean, you just said people with non-flashy Quirks don’t get in, so..." He clenched his fist, his voice lowering. "Being able to use my Quirk is the only way I can pass..."
Ben glanced at him, his expression unreadable, then shook his head and went back to scrolling. "Dude, if you’re banking everything on your Quirk, you’re setting yourself up for failure."
Izuku stiffened like he’d just been hit with a bucket of cold water. He looked down at the floor, his hands tightening into fists as Ben continued.
"You know why most people fail?" Ben asked, setting his phone aside. He gestured lazily with one hand, his tone turning sharp. "Because they all rely too much on their Quirks. The second their powers don’t work the way they want—or don’t work at all—they’re done. They freeze, they panic, and suddenly, it’s like they’re Quirkless. They might as well have handed in the towel the second they started."
Kyoka, who had been quietly observing, tapped one of her earphone jacks against her arm. "I can kinda see that. A lot of people probably don’t bother coming up with backup plans if they think their Quirk can carry them."
"Exactly," Ben said, nodding toward her. "Take someone with a mental Quirk, or one that doesn’t wreck stuff. They get out there, see the big bots, and think, ‘Welp, my Quirk’s useless.’ Then they just flounder. Happens all the time."
Ben let out a dry laugh, leaning forward. "Trust me, coming from a guy who used to have a 10-minute time limit on his powers and had to fight as a regular guy when they ran out... you don’t wanna be the one standing there with no clue what to do when things go wrong."
Izuku’s eyes widened as Ben’s words hit home. He looked back at the plan on his phone, suddenly noticing how much of it revolved around building up his body just to activate his Quirk. There wasn’t much about what to do if his plan fell apart.
......
[Next Day; Dagabah Beach]
Izuku was on the beach, the sun beating down as he dragged a rusted washing machine across the sand. His body was drenched in sweat, his muscles burning with each pull, but he refused to stop. As the machine groaned and scraped against the ground, his mind churned with thoughts of Ben's words.
"You’re setting yourself up for failure if you only rely on your Quirk."
The memory made Izuku grit his teeth, his grip on the rope tightening. Was Tennyson right? he thought, his brows furrowing. Will One For All really not be enough to get me through the exam?
He yanked harder, his feet digging into the sand for leverage. The washing machine lurched forward, leaving deep tracks in its wake. The weight seemed to echo the doubts in his chest, growing heavier with every step.
Ben’s incredulous expression flashed in his mind. "Wait, you’re not even training for combat? How are you gonna handle close quarters if your Quirk doesn’t work?"
The question had haunted him all night. Izuku had scrolled through forums and articles, looking for any clues about the exam’s format. There wasn’t anything about hand-to-hand combat being a focus, but there also wasn’t any guarantee his strategy would work.
He reached the staircase and stopped, panting heavily as he leaned against the machine. His chest heaved, his sweat-drenched shirt sticking to his skin. If I can’t activate One For All in time… if I can’t control it… His fists clenched. No. I’ll make sure it’s enough. But even if it’s not, I’ll find another way.
Izuku straightened, his resolve hardening. He grabbed the rope again, his legs trembling but steady. With a sharp exhale, he began pulling the washing machine up the stairs, his determination outweighing the fatigue.
As Izuku dropped the washing machine with a loud thud, All Might approached him, his trademark grin practically shining in the afternoon sun. "Good job, kid! You're making excellent progress. At this rate, you’ll be ready to receive One For All by the Entrance Exam!" His booming laughter echoed across the beach.
Izuku forced a small smile, wiping sweat from his brow. Sure, I’m getting closer to receiving One For All, he thought, but the excitement he’d once felt had dimmed. The words “by the Entrance Exam” echoed in his mind like a warning bell.
I’ll be getting One For All on the day of the exam? The realization hit harder the more he thought about it. He wouldn’t have a chance to train with it, wouldn’t know how to activate it, let alone control it. All Might’s confidence was reassuring, but the cracks in Izuku’s plan were glaring.
And then there was Ben’s voice ringing in his ears: “Dude, if you’re just gonna use your Quirk, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
Izuku’s stomach twisted with doubt. He’d been so focused on gaining the power that he hadn’t thought beyond it. I don’t know how to fight. I don’t even know if I can use One For All properly when the time comes. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. This is a terrible idea.
"Young Midoriya?" All Might’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Izuku turned toward him, hesitating.
"A-All Might…" His voice came out quieter than he expected. He stared at the sand for a moment before finally meeting his mentor’s gaze. "Will One For All… be enough to pass?"
All Might’s smile faltered, his expression softening with concern. "Is something troubling you, Young Midoriya?"
Izuku swallowed hard. "I-I just… uhm…" He hesitated, his mind racing. Finally, he blurted out, "Maybe we can adjust the American Dream Plan?"
All Might raised a brow. "Adjust it? How so?"
"I-I mean, maybe we could add something… like combat training? Or more than just muscle-building exercises?" Izuku said quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. His hands fidgeted as he spoke. "If I’m going to get into U.A., I-I can’t just rely on One For All. What if I can’t use it during the exam? What if I don’t even know how to make it work?"
All Might’s eyes widened slightly. "Where is this coming from, Young Midoriya?"
Izuku hesitated again before lowering his gaze. "I-it’s just… Tennyson… He said something about powers only taking a hero so far." He looked back up, meeting All Might’s gaze with a nervous but determined expression. "I think he’s right. If I don’t know how to fight or handle myself without a Quirk, then… then I won’t make it, even with One For All."
All Might was silent for a moment, studying Izuku with an unreadable expression. Then, a wide grin spread across his face. "That’s a very mature perspective, Young Midoriya." He rested a hand on Izuku’s shoulder, his tone both serious and encouraging. "Adjusting the plan is a fine idea."
"Though if you want some combat exercises, I could incorporate those into our sessions," All Might said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It’ll require some adjustments to the schedule, of course." He paused, his trademark grin dimming slightly. "But with my busy schedule, we might want to consider looking into a martial arts school for additional training."
Izuku’s eyes lit up as an idea formed in his head. "A-actually, I might know someone who can help with that..." His thoughts drifted to Ben and the way he had taken down Kacchan and his cronies with such ease. If anyone knew how to handle themselves in a fight without relying on a Quirk, it was him.
..............
"You want me to teach you how to fight?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow as he carried a grocery basket through the aisle. His tone was incredulous, though not dismissive.
Izuku jogged slightly next to him, his arms and legs weighed down with training gear. Sweat dripped down his brow, but he didn’t seem to care. He was still brimming with excitement from the new regimen, eager to push himself further.
"Do you have to do that?" Ben asked, nodding toward the weights as he caught a few curious glances from passersby. A small group of girls giggled as they walked by, whispering to each other while occasionally glancing back. Ben gave them an awkward wave before turning back to Izuku.
"Y-yes!" Izuku said eagerly, completely ignoring the stares. "The way you handled Kacchan and his friends... you didn’t even use your Quirk! You have to know some combat techniques."
Ben shrugged, tossing a bottle of juice into his basket. "I mean... yeah, I know a thing or two. But I don’t exactly teach."
"But you could!" Izuku insisted, his green eyes practically glowing with determination. "I know I’ve still got a lot to learn, and if I’m going to get into U.A., I need more than just muscle! Plus," he added quickly, "my All—uh, I mean, Toshinori-sensei said he wouldn’t mind if you trained with me. He even suggested adding combat training to my schedule."
Ben paused, glancing at Izuku as he considered the idea. "Toshinori, huh? The guy seems pretty serious about your progress." He scratched the back of his head. "I guess I could teach you some basics. It wouldn’t hurt to have a sparring partner either."
Izuku’s face lit up with excitement. "Really? You’d do that?"
"Yeah, sure," Ben said, though his tone was casual. He smirked slightly as he added, "But don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re new at this."
"I-I wouldn’t dream of it!" Izuku said quickly, his enthusiasm unwavering.
Ben chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed another item off the shelf. "Alright, then. Let’s get this shopping done first, and we’ll figure out a time to start. But fair warning: you’d better be ready to put in the work."
Izuku nodded eagerly, his mind already racing with possibilities. 'With Ben’s help, I’ll definitely be ready for the Entrance Exam!'
..........
Rex stood at the gates of U.A., the towering building before him radiating a mix of awe and intimidation. Anxiety bubbled beneath the surface, but he shrugged it off with a lopsided grin, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "Alright, no big deal. Just another day being awesome," he muttered, feigning confidence.
As he stood there, a girl with raven-black hair tied into a spiky ponytail strolled by, her posture regal and composed. Beside her walked another girl of average height, her striking dusky green eyes and long, moss-green hair giving her an almost ethereal appearance. The two seemed engrossed in conversation, their footsteps steady as they approached the gates.
Rex straightened, glancing their way as they passed. His smirk grew a little sharper, a glint of mischief flashing in his eyes. "Alright, time to make my mark," he murmured to himself. Stepping through the gates with a swagger in his stride, he tilted his head back to take in the full grandeur of U.A.
"Thrill me," he said under his breath, his signature cocky grin firmly in place.