Paths Less Traveled

A week had passed since Kai's unconventional "training" at the gym. He stood before the towering gates of U.A. University, now transformed. His once lanky frame had filled out, muscles subtly rippling under his uniform. His shoulders were broader, arms toned and strong, giving him a far more confident stance. Even his hair seemed to have more volume, a slightly wild look that matched the sharpness in his eyes.

As Kai took a deep breath, preparing himself for the entrance exam, his mind wandered back to Dagobah Beach just a few days prior.

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The sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the waves. Kai was running along the beach to absorb some ocean energy and complete his kilometer runs. As he quietly absorbed the ambient energy around him, a voice interrupted his focus.

"Hey, are you... training here too?"

Kai turned to see a man with messy green hair tied in a bun and bright, determined eyes—Midoriya Izuku, also known as Deku, the mentee of the legendary All Might.

Kai nodded. "Yeah, something like that."

Midoriya smiled sheepishly. "I come here all the time to train. It was a mess a while back, but... pushing myself here really helped me improve. You look like you've been working hard, too."

Kai gave a small, appreciative nod but noticed the anxious glint in Midoriya's eyes. The pressure to pass the U.A. entrance exam must've been intense for him. They were both aiming for the same goal, but without control of a Quirk as powerful as All Might's, Kai figured he could use some help, just a little.

"You're doing the heroics practical exam, right?" Kai asked.

Midoriya nodded, the weight of his thoughts clear on his face. "Yeah, I've been preparing, but… it's still nerve-wracking."

Kai glanced at his gym bag, excitement bubbling up as he considered his plan. He rummaged through it, pulling out a small, round fruit with an odd texture. It wasn't anything like the Devil Fruit that gave him his powers—this one was subtler, a minor fruit he had kept just for this moment. It wouldn't change someone's life forever, but it would give Midoriya a temporary boost, just what he needed.

"Here, take this," Kai said, handing the fruit to Deku.

Midoriya blinked, staring at the fruit with confusion. "What's this?"

"It's something small that can give you a bit of an edge during the exam. Nothing crazy, just enough to help. Consider it… a good luck charm."

Midoriya hesitated but gratefully accepted the fruit. "Thank you, Kai. I appreciate it."

"No problem, man. Just eat it before the practical, and you'll be golden." Kai flashed a cheerful smile. "I wish you the best of luck. See you at U.A.!"

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As Kai walked through the illustrious halls of U.A. University, he considered the fruit he'd given Izuku.

Fruit Level: 5

Name: Confidence Surge

Ability: Temporarily heightens the user's self-assurance and decisiveness, increasing combat effectiveness and allowing for quicker, more confident actions.

Duration: 30 Minutes

Cooldown: 24 Hours

Kai felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. He hoped the fruit would help Deku overcome his hesitations and make the most of his abilities. After all, he had seen firsthand how much potential lay beneath that shy exterior.

With a determined smile, he straightened his back and prepared for the entrance exam. Today would be a day of challenges, and he was ready to give it his all.

Kai reached the exam hall assigned on his ticket and saw that he was the first one to arrive, so he sat down in the back and waited for people to trickle in while looking for anyone familiar. The massive doors of the exam hall creaked open, and a figure stepped inside, instantly drawing attention from the gathered students. He stood tall, exuding a quiet confidence that set him apart from the rest. His striking hair was a unique blend—white on one side, deep crimson on the other—falling just above his sharp features.

His mismatched eyes—one icy blue and the other a warm brown—glanced around the room with a steady intensity. He wore a beige hoodie and blue jeans, an outfit that radiated confidence in his abilities. He scanned the rows of desks, taking in the various setups for the exam, before choosing a seat near the front.

Kai watched him closely, intrigued by the newcomer's focused presence. There was something about the way he carried himself—his posture, his gaze—that suggested a fierce determination. As the young man settled in, fingers lightly tapping on the desk, Kai couldn't shake the feeling that something was incredibly wrong. "Fenn," Kai said, voice quiet but with a hint of steel. "Why is Shoto Todoroki applying for the support course?"

Fenn materialized on Kai's desk, settling into a tiny recliner. "You're curious about him, huh?"

Kai nodded, eyes still on Todoroki. "Yeah. Why is he here in the Support Course instead of pursuing heroics?"

Fenn's expression turned serious. "Well, Japan recently passed the Vigilante Revision Act. It allows vigilantes to become heroes if they complete a specialized course at a hero school. When Touya Todoroki became the vigilante Dabi, he was caught and ended up at U.A. for his revision courses."

Kai's brow furrowed. "So that's why he's here?"

"Exactly. After that, Nezu figured out his identity and prosecuted Endeavor for his past crimes. It was a lot for Shoto to handle. So, he decided he wanted to help people, but on his own terms, not as a traditional hero."

Kai processed this, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. "So, he's looking for a way to make a difference without the pressure of being a top-tier hero."

"Right," Fenn confirmed. "He's carving out his own path."

With this new context, Kai's perspective shifted, and he felt a twinge of respect for the young man at the front. Maybe Shoto was navigating a complex world just like the rest of them.