Chapter-30

He had to be better; all his teammates were training hard, and he couldn't be an exception. Tomorrow marked the beginning of the sports festival, a crucial day where he needed to shine, to declare to the world, "Here I am!" and show everyone what he was capable of. The symbol of peace, All Might, had entrusted him with this task, and he couldn't afford to fail. This was his chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a hero.

Izuku was well aware of the many obstacles he had to overcome and the strong competitors like Kacchan, Todoroki-san, and Uzumaki-san. He needed to train relentlessly to match their strength.

With a final cry of effort, Izuku completed his 10-kilometer run along the beach without stopping. It was the same route he had trained on with All Might. The number one hero was absent these days, as security for the upcoming festival was paramount.

After the run, the exhausted teenager caught his breath. He wore a green sweatshirt over a white t-shirt, dark sports pants, and his signature red sneakers. Taking a moment to rest, he gazed at the horizon where the sun was slowly rising, painting the dawn sky.

"Izuku is already rested," he almost jumped in surprise at the voice. Turning around, he spotted his classmate, Uzumaki Naruto, sitting just a few meters away on a raised concrete block amidst the sand, in a lotus position.

"Hello, Uzumaki-san!" Izuku greeted nervously, standing up stiffly to acknowledge the blonde teenager, who remained impassive while staring out at the sea.

"Call me Naruto. I'm tired of being so formal at that academy, and I don't want to do it here either," the shinobi spoke calmly, remaining in his meditative position. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again to resume his meditation.

"Okay... Naruto," Izuku replied with uncertainty, approaching the teenager with marks on his cheeks. When he got closer, he observed Naruto's trance-like state with curiosity. "It seems your training method involves meditation, not just seeking enlightenment, but also mental and physical training. Your muscles are tense, and it looks like you're pushing yourself to the extreme. Is this how you achieve such strength? Pushing your muscles beyond their limits?" Naruto's eyebrow twitched in irritation at the constant whispers from the green-haired teenager beside him.

"Izuku..." he growled softly, pulling the freckled boy back from his contemplative thoughts. Sighing, Naruto regarded the teenager with curiosity. "Do you always train at this time of day?" He inquired, relinquishing his training. He had been meditating for almost six hours, stimulating his muscles for strength. Training this way was challenging, but in his current condition, he had limitations. They were watching him, and his body had not fully recovered.

"Yes," Izuku answered, blinking in confusion. He looked at Naruto with curiosity. "I wake up at 5:00 AM every day to train. I head home at 8:00 AM to get ready and then go to the academy at 9:00 AM. After classes, I continue training from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM... I do it as much as I can every day," he explained earnestly, never missing a day of training since inheriting One for All.

Naruto maintained his serious, analytical expression but couldn't help feeling a degree of respect for the determined boy. He then asked, "Your Quirk is from All Might, right?" His question left Deku flabbergasted.

"Who told you?!" Izuku exclaimed in shock, not expecting his closely guarded secret to be revealed.

"You just did," Naruto responded with a sly smile. He stood up and jumped down onto the sand as the sun slowly rose, marking the start of a new day. "There's a lanky guy, not to mention a skeleton, hanging around the academy. His appearance bears a striking resemblance to All Might – his hair, dark eyes, and pupils. Plus, both All Might and this guy have talked to you a lot. It's suspicious... I've got two theories. Either you're All Might's child, but that's unlikely considering your vast aesthetic and physical differences. Or somehow, the Symbol of Peace passed part of its power to you. I honestly didn't know quirks could be transferred..." Naruto's analysis left the boy in front almost having a cardiac arrest. Naruto sighed and began to walk away from the green-haired boy.

"If it's such a secret, you should be more careful. We all have our secrets, Midoriya, and I'm not one to reveal them," he said as he prepared to leave. However, he heard Izuku following behind him.

"Wait!... Why are you saying this? I thought you would be resentful for what they did... don't take it the wrong way, but this secret could be valuable to you. Why not use it?" Strangely, Deku spoke with gravity and seriousness, abandoning his usual shy and undervalued demeanor, emphasizing the importance of this secret.

Coming to a complete stop, Uzumaki turned to face the green-haired teenager. "Because I understand the potential harm this secret could cause. All Might isn't just a hero; he's a symbol, an ideal that many aspire to, including yourself. He's your inspiration, your idol. You want to be like him, to save people with a smile. His mere presence makes villains cower and hide. Can you imagine what would happen if the Symbol of Peace appeared as a frail, skeletal figure on death's doorstep?"

The question sent a shiver down Deku's spine, and he swallowed hard. It was a question he hoped would never be answered.

"The entire society would crumble. Chaos and countless deaths would ensue as villains, emboldened by his weakness, run rampant. You and I both know that for every hero, there are at least a hundred people who wouldn't hesitate to take their place. We'd revert to the time when quirks were just emerging, only now, with 90% of the world's population possessing powers they shouldn't have. It would be a war with no winners, only losses." A tense silence enveloped both teenagers as they exchanged looks.

Two vastly different individuals, yet sharing the same ultimate goal: saving people so they could have a future. "Naruto..." Midoriya leaned forward, his head bowed. "I know I'm practically useless once I unleash an attack, and I can't keep losing my limbs or fingers in fights that don't guarantee victory. I know you have two quirks, like Todoroki-san, you can manipulate electricity and enhance your body for incredible speed and strength. I'm asking for your help. Please, help me become better!" He finished with a firm plea, remaining bowed in anticipation of Naruto's response.

Still standing on the sand, Naruto looked at the freckled boy. He could've chosen to ignore him and continue on his way, especially when training someone who could self-destruct using their power. "Where's the fun in it if it's too easy?" With his right arm, still recovering beneath his sweatshirt, he moved it to confirm that it was functional but still sore. He cracked his neck with a shake of his head and sighed. "Alright... I'll give you some advice and guidance to help you unlock your potential. Follow me." Turning his back to the eager young hero, he began to walk, closely followed by Deku.