Chapter 49 - The Resolve To Be a Hero
"Battle start!"
Koji released twelve birds to go in pairs to each of the six floors to scout and await their return. Izuku isn't worried about the time limit as they have more than enough. He was also curious to see what Momo could create to combat his quirk and wouldn't mind giving her more time.
"Have you seen Tokoyami's quirk in action, Koji?" Izuku asked.
He knew from Tokoyami that dark shadow is a troublesome quirk to deal with but wanted to see it with his own eyes.
It is capable of doing anything from defense to offense and has enough power to do both with excellence. Momo blocking the windows helps boost its power so Izuku wonders how strong it currently is.
"I have seen it in its docile state, but even then it's capable of flight," Koji said, highlighting the biggest advantage dark shadow has over everyone.
"When we go in, don't follow me and direct most of the birds into Momo so she won't be able to use her quirk," Izuku said and continuing before Koji could ask, "Momo will most likely make paralyzing gas or the sort so you'll be down if you go in, the birds are fine since it's merely a distraction "
Another advantage of Dark Shadow is its independence over its user, meaning even if in that scenario, Izuku tore the mask off of Tokoyami, Dark Shadow will still be able to move and attack.
The quickest way for Izuku to win is to go in, repulse all of Momo's creations, be it traps or gas bombs in one go, take Tokoyami's gas mask off, and push him off the building.
Izuku didn't know if dark shadow could save him since it could fly, but either way, that would be too cruel to show everyone. Especially when they were playing the hero. Izuku needed to think of a more acceptable way of winning.
'Let's try fighting it head-on first. I want to test my new weapon,' Izuku thought, playing around with his blunt sword. Even if its edges are crippled, it still weighs enough to inflict serious injury and can be a good first battle experience for Izuku.
"They're both on the top floor, Izuku-kun," Koji said. Only three birds managed to return while the rest were incapacitated in some form by Momo's creations.
"Izuku-kun, I don't like using animals this way," Just as the two were about to go in, Koji suddenly said, petting one of the birds who looked tired.
He felt bad after seeing what he had asked the birds to do. Even though he knew their lives weren't threatened, it was because this was a trial battle. Had this been real, every single one would've already died.
Izuku shrugged at Koji's statement. He could understand where it came from but couldn't sympathize, even if he loved animals as well.
Izuku gestured to Koji who followed him inside as he talked, "You know Koji, you've been dealt a bad hand.
"Your compassion for animals is high, yet you're forced to sacrifice them to be a hero," Izuku said, causing Koji, who knew of the fact long ago, to feel down. He kept sidelining the fact for so long now, but the time to face it had come.
"I don't fault you for being so, but Aizawa-sensei will expel you if you show these weaknesses," Izuku said.
Although he had little interaction with Aizawa, Izuku believed he would be pissed at someone like Koji who had even less conviction to be a hero to even use his quirk.
Soon, while Koji kept silent the whole way, Izuku took the last step before they arrived at the darkest floor. Izuku peeked inside and could barely make sight of anything. The room was darker than he thought.
"So, what will you do?" Izuku turned to Koji. He stopped mincing his words as he got tired of seeing Koji's flip-flop mind and said, "Will you keep twiddling your thumbs and play with your rabbit at home,
or will you be a hero?"
~~~~~
"That's kinda harsh," Mina, who heard Izuku's last words to Koji said. Everyone had been watching the two pairs' every movement and comms and although watching Momo and Tokoyami prepare was fun, they did not expect Izuku and Koji to have such deep conversation.
To some degree, everyone could relate to Koji's dilemma. They couldn't decide what they would do in Koji's situation but even so, Mina felt Izuku was too blunt with it.
"No, young Mina," All Might said, to the surprise of everyone, "Young Midoriya is correct on both ends. Aizawa would hate to see Koji this way, and being a hero requires sacrifice, be it time, relationship, or anything,"
He looked at everyone who had varying conflicted feelings and continued, "In the future, you heroes would need to make such decisions. It's better to finish these worries and choices while we have the luxury to do so. While I wouldn't spring the question up as young Midoriya did, I would like everyone to keep this thought in mind. Are you prepared to make these sacrifices?"
"HAAA?!" Bakugou shouted from the back, feeling pissed at the gloomy atmosphere, "OF COURSE WE ARE! WE'RE HERE TO BE PRO HEROES FOR FUCKS SAKE!"
All Might showed a thumbs up to Bakugou and nodded, "Great, Young Bakugou! To have thought it through clearly this early is commendable!" He said, "But please do refrain from using too much profanity,"
Bakugou's shout had woken up most of the class. He was crude, but ultimately right, they were here to learn to be the best, and without having the resolve to make sacrifices, how can they reach such heights?
Although she now understood Izuku's intention, Mina still wasn't happy with his delivery and thought to confront him with it. "But still, isn't it bad for Izuku to break it out to Koda-kun like that? What if he's down after that?"
"Don't worry young Mina," All Might said and looked at the screen. A smile formed as his super hearing caught Koji's second wind, "Our friend here is stronger than you think,"