[5] Shifting Sands

Seven months of relentless training had transformed me. I stood before the mirror, barely recognizing the reflection staring back. Gone was the scrawny, wide-eyed kid. In his place stood a young man, 187 cm of lean muscle and quiet intensity.

The beach was nearly clear now, a testament to my dedication. All Might's proud grin grew wider with each passing day, though I could see the confusion in his eyes. I was progressing faster than he'd anticipated, pushing beyond what should have been possible for a "quirkless" teenager.

If only he knew.

My quirk had continued to evolve, each new adaptation bringing me closer to the power I craved:

{QUIRK EVOLUTION STATUS}

Current Adaptations:

- Enhanced Strength (Lv. 4)

- Accelerated Healing (Lv. 3)

- Improved Stamina (Lv. 3)

- Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 2)

- Heightened Senses (Lv. 1)

Evolution Progress: 35%

Next Potential Adaptation: Mind-Body Synchronization

I smirked at the screen. Mind-Body Synchronization? Now that sounded promising.

My phone buzzed, breaking my concentration. Mom's name flashed on the screen. I answered, a warmth spreading through my chest that I'd long since stopped trying to suppress.

"Hey Mom, what's up?"

"Izuku! Are you on your way home? Remember, the Bakugos are coming over for dinner tonight."

I cursed under my breath. I'd forgotten about that little social obligation.

"Right, sorry. I got caught up at the dojo. I'm heading back now."

"Okay, honey. Please hurry. And... try to be nice to Katsuki, alright? I know things have been different between you two lately."

I suppressed a snort. Different was an understatement. Bakugo had been a mix of confusion and grudging respect ever since our confrontation months ago. His ego was still adjusting to the new me, the version of Izuku who refused to back down.

"I'll be on my best behavior," I promised, the lie slipping easily off my tongue.

"That's my boy. See you soon!"

I hung up, quickening my pace. The idea of an evening with the Bakugos was about as appealing as gargling glass, but it was a necessary evil. Maintaining the facade of normalcy was crucial, especially with U.A.'s entrance exam looming on the horizon.

I arrived home to find Mom in a flurry of activity, putting the finishing touches on what smelled like katsudon. She beamed when she saw me, pulling me into a quick hug.

"There you are! Go get cleaned up, they'll be here any minute."

I nodded, heading to my room to change. As I pulled on a clean shirt, I caught sight of my hero analysis notebooks stacked neatly on the desk. Another piece of my carefully crafted image - the eager fanboy, obsessed with quirks and heroes.

I can't wait to shed this personality when I get to U.A.

The doorbell rang just as I emerged from my room. Mom answered, her voice warm with genuine pleasure as she greeted the Bakugos. I plastered on my best "good son" smile and joined them in the living room.

Mitsuki Bakugo, loud and brash, immediately zeroed in on me. "Holy shit, Izuku! You've shot up like a fucking weed!"

"Mitsuki!" Mom chided, but there was no real heat in it. She was used to her friend's colorful language by now.

I rubbed the back of my neck, feigning embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I hit a growth spurt."

Mitsuki's eyes narrowed slightly, taking in my changed physique. "And you've been working out, huh? Getting ready for U.A.?"

I nodded, maintaining my humble facade. "Just trying to give myself the best chance possible, Mrs. Bakugo."

"Mrs. Bakugo?" Mitsuki scoffed. "What happened to Auntie Mitsuki? Don't tell me you've gotten too big for that now, you little shit."

"Sorry, Auntie."

Masaru Bakugo, quiet as always, offered me a small smile. "It's very admirable, Izuku. I'm sure you'll do well."

And then there was Katsuki. He stood slightly apart from his parents, hands shoved deep in his pockets, eyeing me?

"Deku," he grunted, the old nickname lacking its usual venom.

"Kacchan," I replied evenly, it was the name my… predecessor called him in my memories. "It's been a while."

An awkward silence fell, broken by Mom clapping her hands together. "Well, why don't we all sit down? Dinner's ready!"

We gathered around the table, an undercurrent of tension thrumming beneath the clatter of dishes. I could feel Bakugo's eyes on me, assessing, calculating.

Mitsuki, bless her lack of social graces, dove right in. "So, Izuku, Inko tells me you've been training your ass off for U.A. You really think you can make it in without a quirk?"

I saw Mom tense, but I maintained my composure. "I'm certainly going to try my best, Auntie Mitsuki. I know it's a long shot, but I figure it's worth giving it everything I've got."

To my surprise, it was Bakugo who spoke up. "It's not impossible," he grudgingly admitted. "The nerd's been busting his ass at that dojo every day. He might actually have a shot."

Ah, so that's who's presence I felt following me two months ago.

Mitsuki's eyebrows shot up. "Well, would you look at that. A compliment from Katsuki? Hell must be freezing over." She turned to me, grinning. "You know, after he saw you going to that dojo every day two months ago, this little brat demanded we sign him up for martial arts too. Said he couldn't let you get ahead of him."

"You promised to keep that a secret old hag!" Bakugo growled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

"Is that right, Kacchan? How's that going for you?"

Bakugo met my eyes, a familiar fire burning in his gaze. "I'm catching up, Deku. Don't think you've got any kind of advantage."

"I see."

The rest of the meal passed with Mitsuki's boisterous stories, punctuated by Bakugo's grumbles and Masaru's quiet interjections. I played my part, laughing at the right moments, sharing sanitized versions of my training experiences.

As the Bakugos prepared to leave, Mitsuki pulled me aside. "Listen, kid," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "I don't know what lit a fire under your ass these past few months, but keep it burning. You've got something special, quirk or no quirk."

I blinked, genuinely touched by her words. "Thanks, Auntie Mitsuki. That means a lot."

She ruffled my hair affectionately before turning to say her goodbyes to Mom. As they left, Bakugo paused at the door, fixing me with an intense stare.

"Just... don't you dare embarrass our high school, you hear me?" he growled.

I nodded, understanding the unspoken message.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied.

As the door closed behind them, I let out a long breath. Mom turned to me, a mix of pride and concern on her face. "Are you okay, sweetie? That must have been... intense."

I forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Mom. Really. It was actually... not as bad as I expected."

She pulled me into a hug, and I allowed myself to relax into her embrace. "I'm so proud of you, Izuku," she murmured. "You've grown so much, and not just physically. The way you handled yourself tonight... you're becoming a fine young man."

A lump formed in my throat, unbidden and unwelcome. I swallowed hard, pushing down the surge of emotion. "Thanks, Mom. I couldn't have done it without your support."

As I lay in bed that night, sleep eluding me, I reflected on the evening's events. The dynamic with Bakugo had shifted, evolving into something I hadn't anticipated. A rivalry, yes, but one built on mutual respect rather than pure animosity.

It was... interesting. Potentially useful, even. Having Bakugo as a rival rather than an enemy could open up new possibilities, new avenues for advancing my plans.

The game was evolving, becoming more complex, more challenging.

Good. I'd always enjoyed a challenge.

The cool morning breeze caressed my skin as I stood shirtless on the now pristine beach. Ten months of blood, sweat, and strategic planning had transformed this once garbage-strewn shoreline into a gleaming expanse of sand. The rising sun painted the horizon in hues of orange and pink, a fitting backdrop for what was about to transpire.

I closed my eyes, focusing inward. The familiar blue screen materialized in my mind's eye:

{QUIRK EVOLUTION STATUS}

Current Adaptations:

Enhanced Strength (Lv. 5)

Accelerated Healing (Lv. 4)

Improved Stamina (Lv. 4)

Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 3)

Heightened Senses (Lv. 2)

Mind-Body Synchronization (Lv. 2)

Heat Resistance (Lv. 2)

Cold Resistance (Lv. 2)

Kinetic Energy Absorption (Lv. 1)

Evolution Progress: 15%

Next Potential Adaptation: Unknown

My quirk had evolved far beyond my initial expectations. I focused on each adaptation, analyzing their capabilities and limitations:

Enhanced Strength (Lv. 5)

Description: Your physical strength exceeds that of a peak human athlete.

Current Capabilities:

Can lift up to 500 kg with maximum effort

Punches can shatter concrete

Limitations:

Still far below the strength of specialized strength-enhancement quirks

Extended use causes significant fatigue

Accelerated Healing (Lv. 4)

Description: Your body heals injuries at a remarkably accelerated rate.

Current Capabilities:

Minor wounds heal within minutes

Broken bones mend in days instead of weeks

Limitations:

Cannot regenerate lost limbs or organs

Severe injuries still require medical attention

Improved Stamina (Lv. 4)

Description: Your endurance and energy reserves are greatly enhanced.

Current Capabilities:

Can perform intense physical activity for hours without rest

Recover from exhaustion much faster than normal

Limitations:

Still subject to normal human limits of sleep deprivation

Extreme exertion can still lead to burnout

Enhanced Reflexes (Lv. 3)

Description: Your reaction time and motor control are significantly improved.

Current Capabilities:

Can dodge fast-moving projectiles

Perform complex physical maneuvers with ease

Limitations:

Still limited by physical speed and strength

Can be overwhelmed by multiple simultaneous threats

Heightened Senses (Lv. 2)

Description: Your sensory perception is sharper than average.

Current Capabilities:

Enhanced visual acuity and low-light vision

Improved hearing range and sensitivity

Limitations:

Can be overwhelmed by sensory overload

Not on par with specialized sensory quirks

Mind-Body Synchronization (Lv. 2)

Description: Improved connection between mental commands and physical responses.

Current Capabilities:

Faster learning of physical skills

Better control over autonomous bodily functions (heart rate, adrenaline release)

Limitations:

Does not grant new knowledge or skills

Mental fatigue can still impact physical performance

Heat Resistance (Lv. 2)

Description: Increased tolerance to high temperatures.

Current Capabilities:

Can withstand temperatures up to 150°C for short periods

Reduced risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration

Limitations:

Not immune to severe burns or extreme heat

Effectiveness decreases with prolonged exposure

Cold Resistance (Lv. 2)

Description: Increased tolerance to low temperatures.

Current Capabilities:

Can function normally in temperatures as low as -20°C

Reduced risk of hypothermia and frostbite

Limitations:

Not immune to extreme cold or flash freezing

Effectiveness decreases with prolonged exposure

Kinetic Energy Absorption (Lv. 1)

Description: Ability to absorb and redirect kinetic energy from impacts.

Current Capabilities:

Can reduce damage from falls and blunt impacts

Slightly enhance striking power by redirecting absorbed energy

Limitations:

Cannot absorb energy from cuts or piercing attacks

Limited storage capacity for absorbed energy

I opened my eyes, a slow smile spreading across my face. Each adaptation, each new capability, brought me one step closer to my ultimate goal. The power to reshape this world was growing within me, evolving with every challenge I overcame.

The sound of footsteps on sand broke through my reverie. I turned to see All Might approaching, his signature grin impossibly wide even in his deflated form.

"Young Midoriya!" he called out, his voice filled with pride. "Look at what you've accomplished!"

I allowed myself a modest smile, playing the part of the humble student. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance, All Might."

He waved off my praise, gesturing expansively at the clean beach. "This was all you, my boy. When we started this journey, I thought it would take you the full ten months to clear the section of this beach. But you've gone above and beyond, transforming the entire shoreline!"

All Might pulled out his phone, swiping through to show me a before picture of the trash-covered beach. The contrast with the current pristine state was stark.

"The changes were more drastic than I anticipated," All Might continued, his voice tinged with wonder. "It's as if your body was filled with untapped potential, just waiting to be unleashed through this hellish training."

If only he knew how right he was.

"I've pushed myself to the limit every day," I said, infusing my voice with determination.

All Might's grin softened into a genuine smile. "And you have, young Midoriya. You've shown a spirit of heroism that goes beyond mere quirks or physical abilities." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Which is why I believe you're ready for the next step."

This was it. The moment I'd been waiting for.

All Might's body suddenly swelled, steam billowing around him as he transformed into his heroic form. He reached up and plucked a single strand of hair from his head.

"Eat this," he said, holding out the hair.

I blinked, genuinely taken aback. "Excuse me?"