Chapter 15: Internship Begins!

The next morning, I woke up early, greeted all the girls with a "good morning" in the group chat, and then headed to the bathroom to complete my morning routine. Afterward, I made my way to the kitchen to whip up some breakfast. Opening the fridge, though, I quickly realized it was empty, so I teleported to the store, grabbed everything I needed, stocked the fridge, and finally started making my meal.

Once breakfast was done, I got dressed and stepped outside, arriving at the bus stop right in sync with Mina and Toru. Smiling, I greeted them both with a quick good-morning kiss, wrapping an arm around each of their waists as we walked. Soon, the bus pulled up, and we climbed in, finding seats together and passing the time chatting and laughing.

Not long after, Kaminari and Kirishima joined us, taking seats nearby. We exchanged a few quick jokes, keeping the mood light and cheerful. Eventually, though, Kirishima noticed the ring on Mina's finger and said, "Hey, Ashido, did you get yourself a new ring? That looks pretty fancy."

Mina's cheeks turned a bit pink, and she smiled. "Nope, I didn't buy it—it was a gift from Leo. Toru has one too," she added, nudging Toru, who held out her hand to show off her own ring.

Kirishima stared, his eyes widening as he registered the rings on their left ring fingers. "Wait… Leo, did you just propose to them? Already? Man, you work fast! It's barely been a month!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Not just them…"

Kaminari's jaw dropped. "Hold up… No way."

With a grin, I pulled out my phone and showed them the group photo where all the girls were proudly displaying their rings while hugging me. As they stared at the picture, their faces practically turned to stone.

Kaminari was the first to snap out of it, turning to me with a mix of awe and curiosity. "Leo, what's your secret, man?"

I shrugged, still grinning. "Didn't I already tell you?"

Kirishima, snapping out of his own shock, scratched his head. "Wait… You were serious about that? I thought you were kidding!"

I shook my head. "Nope. Completely serious. If you don't believe me, you can ask them." I nodded toward Toru and Mina, who blinked in confusion, not entirely following our conversation. Kirishima leaned toward them, still a bit in disbelief. "Is it true? Were you actually… conquered by his food?"

At that, both Mina and Toru blushed, exchanging a quick, embarrassed look. Toru nodded, stifling a laugh. "It's true. We couldn't resist—Leo's cooking really is that good."

Kaminari and Kirishima exchanged doubtful glances. Sighing, I chuckled, "Let me guess—you still don't believe it. Alright, I'll cook for you both someday. Then you can see for yourselves." They looked intrigued, though still skeptical.

Time flew by as we continued chatting, and before we knew it, we had arrived at the UA stop. We got off the bus and headed toward our classroom, with Toru and Mina beside me. As soon as we walked in, I could feel all eyes turn in our direction. The girls' slight blushes gave away the reason immediately—word of our engagement had clearly spread like wildfire.

The classroom was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. Smiling, I broke the tension with a cheerful, "Good morning, everyone!"

That was all it took. The guys exploded into chatter, asking the same questions that Kaminari and Kirishima had, their eyes wide with shock and curiosity. I went through the whole story again, patiently explaining how it all went down.

In the middle of the excitement, Aizawa entered, cocooned in his sleeping bag as usual. He scanned the room, stopping to look at me and each of the girls. Then, with a casual tone, he said, "First off, congratulations on getting engaged, Leo, Ashido, Hagakure, Yaoyorozu, Uraraka, Asui, and Jiro. It was… unexpected—and a little early—but I hope this won't be a distraction for any of you."

I glanced at the girls, exchanging confident nods. They were as determined as ever.

Aizawa continued, "Now, let's get to today's main focus: internships." He pressed a button on the remote, and the wall slid open, revealing our hero costumes neatly stored. "Though you're technically not allowed to wear your costumes without a license, you may wear them with permission from your hero mentor. So go ahead and grab your suitcases—the bus is already waiting."

After a quick rundown of the internship rules, Aizawa wrapped up. We all filed out of the classroom, suitcases and bags in hand, excitement and anticipation bubbling up for what lay ahead.

Once we reached the ground floor, I led everyone towards the buses. Taking a quick look at the seating, I gestured for everyone to enter and find a spot. I settled into a side seat, the type that ran parallel to the bus wall, and the girls joined me, each sitting right beside me. The rest of the students soon filled up their seats, with other classes piling into their respective buses.

Our respective homeroom teachers boarded soon after, and we began our journey to the station. It didn't take long before we arrived, disembarking and following Aizawa's lead into the station. He stopped us just before the platform, giving us a final check, "All of you have your costumes, right? Remember, they're strictly prohibited in public spaces, but don't lose them. And, be on your best behavior. Now go!"

We split off into groups based on our destinations. I turned to the girls, who took turns saying goodbye with a quick kiss, each one drawing envious glances from the other students. As they headed off, I noticed Ida approaching, looking slightly nervous.

"Leo, do you… have a moment?" he asked hesitantly. "I have a favor to ask."

"Sure, what's up?" I asked, concerned. "You've looked a little off lately. Is everything okay?"

Ida looked down, visibly conflicted, then finally took a deep breath and bowed deeply, surprising me. "Please, Leo… save my brother!"

Startled, I quickly urged him up, "Whoa, no need for that, Ida. Just talk to me. What happened?"

He stood up, visibly relieved to see my willingness to listen. Then he began to explain: on the day of the sports festival, his brother, Ingenium, was patrolling when he encountered the Hero Killer Stain. In an alleyway, he had found Stain brutally killing another hero and had tried to intervene, only to end up outmatched. Ingenium was left crippled waist down and that his career as a hero was over. Ida's voice trembled slightly as he finished, "Recovery Girl said she couldn't help him, and when I thought I was out of options, she suggested I ask you. She said… you might be able to do more than she could. So, please, will you help me?"

"Of course," I answered without hesitation. "I'll do everything I can."

Ida stared at me in disbelief, "Just like that?"

I chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "What do you take me for? You're my friend, Ida, and we're classmates. Helping you and your family during crisis is the least I can do."

His expression softened, his gratitude almost overwhelming him. "Thank you, Leo."

As fate would have it, we were traveling in the same direction, so we boarded the train to Hosu City together.

As we settled into our seats, the train started moving. To pass the time, Ida and I started talking, and he revealed some things I hadn't known. Originally, he had planned to adopt the hero name "Ingenium," carrying on his brother's legacy. But he had ultimately decided against it, feeling unprepared to bear such a responsibility. And I learned why he'd chosen Hosu City for his internship: he wanted revenge on Stain.

Seeing the determined glint in his eyes, I knew persuading him otherwise would be almost impossible. So instead, I said, "If you find yourself in a situation with Stain, don't go charging in alone. I know it's probably futile to ask, but don't risk your life fighting him by yourself."

I took out my phone and quickly created a group chat with all of Class 1-A as members. Looking back at him, I added, "If you ever need help, just post it here in the group."

Ida nodded, finally agreeing to my suggestion, though his resolve remained visible. Soon, we arrived in Hosu, and he led me to the hospital where his brother, Tensei, was admitted. When we walked into the room, I was met with a tough sight. Tensei lay there, connected to what seemed like an endless array of tubes, his body resembling something out of a sci-fi film with all the medical devices hooked up to him.

"Hmmm, this looks tricky," I muttered.

Ida's face fell, thinking that meant I couldn't help. "So… you can't save him either, can you?"

"When did I say that?" I replied with a reassuring grin. "It's tricky because of all the tubes connected to him. If I'm going to heal him, those tubes have to be removed first. But if we just pull them out, I'm not sure he'll survive in his current state. We'll need doctors to remove them as I give the signal, but I doubt they'll listen to a couple of high schoolers."

Ida's mood lifted a bit. "Then how do we get them to listen to us?"

"We can't. But someone else can." I reached out and created a portal to Recovery Girl's office. "Hey, Recovery Girl, can you lend me a hand?"

I explained the situation, and after listening, she smiled warmly. "I'm glad you agreed to help him, Leo. Leave the rest to me." She stepped through the portal and into the hospital, drawing stunned looks from the medical staff as she calmly walked down the corridor from Tensei's room.

A few minutes went by as we waited in the room, and soon we heard a rush of footsteps. A group of doctors and nurses filed in, followed by Recovery Girl. I quickly discussed the treatment plan with the head doctor, explaining the steps needed to ensure Tensei's safe recovery. Then, I looked over at Ida. "Now leave the rest to me," I said. Ida nodded, his relief evident, and stepped out.

Following hospital protocol, they suited me up for the procedure, and I joined the head doctor and a few nurses, who would monitor Tensei's vitals. Once everyone was ready, I placed my palm on Tensei's arm and activated my quirk. As I did, I began a careful assessment of the damage.

His spine was far more damaged than I'd anticipated. Stain's blade had inflicted deep, jagged cuts that severed nerves and fractured vertebrae, leaving a mess of splintered bone and torn tissues. It wasn't just a clean break; it was as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to an intricate mechanism. Rebuilding this would demand precision and focus.

Starting with the worst of the damage, I directed my energy to the shattered vertebrae in his lumbar region, where the spinal cord was nearly severed. Rebuilding each bone fragment from the inside out, I guided the nerve connections with meticulous care to ensure full functionality. With each nerve fiber I regenerated, I checked and re-checked the structure, knowing a mistake here could mean paralysis.

When his spine was fully reconstructed, I turned my attention to the muscles around it, patching torn ligaments and repairing other brutal damage. I gestured to the head doctor, who then began removing the tubes. With each one they pulled, I directed my energy toward any remaining areas of strain, fortifying his body further.

Moving up toward his abdomen, I found several cuts on organs near his stomach. The deeper stabs had left bruises and ruptures in critical areas. I healed each organ from scratch, restoring them even stronger than before. This wasn't just healing; it was an evolution of his body, similar to what I'd done for Midoriya and All Might. Yet this time, I noticed I was even more focused and steady. I could feel my own quirk evolving, adapting with each experience.

(A/N: Had to research again. Can't just write random senseless stuff now could I?)

When I finally finished, I stepped back and checked over Tensei. His breathing was steady, his vitals were stable, and his complexion even held a renewed vigor. His body was not only healed but fortified, made resilient enough to handle far more than before.

After I stepped back, the doctors immediately moved in to conduct their final check-ups. They murmured amongst themselves, clearly impressed by the results. One of them, the head doctor, turned to me with a broad smile. 

"That was extraordinary," he said, shaking my hand firmly. "You've done what modern medicine couldn't. It's nothing short of miraculous." 

Another doctor added, her tone filled with admiration, "If you ever consider a career in medicine, you'd be welcome in any hospital, Leo." 

I chuckled, a bit sheepishly. "I appreciate it, but for now, my focus is on becoming a hero." 

The subtle recruiting attempts continued for a few more minutes before the head doctor concluded, "We'll shift him to a normal ward shortly. His vitals are stable, and the healing is complete. Well done." 

The doctors exited, leaving only Recovery Girl, who gave me a knowing smile. "You've done it again, Leo. You've got a remarkable gift for saving people in ways even I can't." 

I nodded, grateful for her praise, as she left to inform the hospital staff. Not long after, Tensei began to stir, the anesthesia wearing off. His eyelids fluttered open slowly, his gaze sweeping across the room. 

At that moment, Ida burst into the room, barely able to contain himself. "Brother!" he shouted, rushing to Tensei's side. "How do you feel? Can you… can you feel your legs?" 

Tensei blinked in confusion, then focused on his lower body. Slowly, he shifted under the sheets, and his eyes widened. "I… I can feel them. My legs… they're working!" 

Ida's voice cracked with emotion. "Brother, you're back! You're really back!" 

Tensei smiled faintly, though he still looked puzzled. "But how? The doctors said my spine was… beyond repair." 

Finally, his eyes landed on me. "Who's this?" 

Ida turned to me with a mixture of pride and gratitude. "This is Leo, my classmate from UA. He's the one who healed you." 

Tensei's gaze shifted between me and his brother. "You… healed me? How? This is… unbelievable." 

I nodded respectfully. "It's thanks to my Quirk. It took a lot of focus, but I'm glad I could help. Your body's fully restored, though you'll still need therapy to get back into action." 

Tensei's voice softened. "I don't even know what to say… You've given me my life back." 

I raised a hand modestly. "No need for thanks. Just focus on your recovery and getting back to doing what you love." 

We talked for a while longer, with Tensei occasionally marveling at the sensation in his legs. He vowed to undergo therapy with full determination, promising not to waste this second chance. 

Meanwhile, Ida turned to me, his expression firm yet emotional. "Leo… I can't thank you enough. You didn't just save my brother—you've saved me too." 

I tilted my head, curious. "What do you mean?" 

Ida sighed deeply. "I was blinded by revenge. All I could think about was finding Stain and making him pay for what he did. But now… seeing my brother alive, I understand that revenge isn't the answer. I'll focus on my training and becoming the kind of hero my brother can be proud of. If I do encounter Stain, I'll face him as a hero, not a grieving sibling." 

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's the right call, Ida. Stay strong, and remember—if you run into trouble, don't hesitate to call for help. You're not alone." 

Ida nodded with determination. "I promise. I won't waste this internship on revenge." 

After ensuring Tensei was comfortable, I stood to leave. "I should get going. My internship awaits, and I can't keep Mirko waiting." 

At the mention of Mirko, Tensei grinned, his face lighting up with playful amusement despite his earlier exhaustion. "Mirko, huh? Knowing her, you'll either end up inspiring a headline or in a hospital bed right next to mine. That woman doesn't do anything halfway." 

I laughed, shaking my head. "I'll do my best to avoid both outcomes." 

Tensei chuckled softly. "Well, if you do, at least make sure it's for something cool. No getting thrown through a wall by a gang of villains because she decided to test your reflexes." 

With that playful exchange, I turned to Ida one last time. "Remember what I said. Stay safe, and call for backup if you need it." 

Their shared laughter followed me as I left the room, my spirits lighter as I headed towards the station.

After reaching the station, I double-checked the location on my phone. The agency was located in Saitama City, roughly an hour's journey from Hosu. I boarded a train heading in that direction, letting my thoughts wander about what kind of training Mirko had in store for me. 

An hour later, I arrived in Saitama City, stepping out into the bustling station. The city had a mix of urban vibrancy and a more relaxed, suburban charm. I hailed a taxi and provided the address of Mirko's Hero Agency. 

The drive was smooth, and soon, I found myself in front of the agency's building. It was modest compared to some of the more corporate hero agencies, but it exuded a fierce, no-nonsense energy that perfectly matched her reputation. 

After stepping inside and speaking with the hero stationed at the reception desk, I asked if Mirko was available. The receptionist, a cheerful man who seemed accustomed to her unique habits, smiled. "You're Leo, right? She's not here at the moment. Mirko prefers staying in her personal space—a cabin in the forest just behind the agency. Follow the path behind the building, and you'll find it." 

"Got it, thanks," I replied, intrigued by this setup. 

Walking out the back door, I spotted a narrow dirt path leading into the woods. Following it, I soon came upon a small clearing where a quaint wooden hut stood. The structure was rustic but sturdy, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. 

The forest around the cabin was serene, with the late afternoon sun casting dappled shadows on the ground. It felt like the kind of place where someone like Mirko, who thrived on unfiltered strength and freedom, would feel most at home. 

I arrived at the house and knocked on the door. The sound of footsteps echoed inside, and the door swung open to reveal Mirko, standing confidently with her silver hair tied back into a loose bun. Her sharp eyes immediately scanned me.

"You're the Leo, huh?" she said bluntly, her usual no-nonsense tone. "I guess you're here to see if you're worth my time. Well, let's see if you've got what it takes."

I smiled and nodded. "I've handled worse. Let's find out."

Mirko tilted her head, not bothering with any further pleasantries. "Suit up. We're sparring. Let's see what you can do."

With a smirk, I reached into the suitcase I had brought along, pulling out my hero costume. The sleek, tight-fitting design felt familiar as I slipped into it, adjusting my gloves and checking my utility belt. Once I was suited up, I turned to face her, feeling the excitement rise in my chest.

Mirko didn't waste any time. As soon as she saw I was ready, she lunged forward in a blur, her legs snapping out like twin whips, aiming for my head. The first kick missed by a hair as I sidestepped, but the second came in fast, and I barely managed to raise an energy shield just in time to absorb the blow. The force of her kick reverberated through me, pushing me back, but I steadied myself.

Mirko grinned, her excitement palpable. "You're slower than I thought. You're not gonna keep up with me if you just stand there and block," she said, her voice laced with challenge.

I could feel her confidence as she reset her stance, preparing for another strike.

"I'm just warming up," I replied, smirking, and activated my enhancement form. Red arcs of energy crackled around my body, my irises glowing bright red as I focused on increasing my body evenly. With this boost, I felt ready for another round. But Mirko wasn't going to make it easy.

She rushed at me again, her movements impossibly fast. This time, I barely managed to dodge a powerful kick aimed for my ribs. The force of her strike clipped my side, sending a sharp pain through me, but I immediately reinforced my body with my quirk, shaking it off.

"Not bad," I said, a grin on my face despite the hit. "But you'll need to do better than that."

Mirko's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Oh, don't worry, I'll give you everything I've got."

As we clashed again, I realized that even with the enhancement, I was still struggling to fully keep up with Mirko's speed. Her legs were everywhere—kicks aimed at my head, chest, and sides, forcing me to constantly adjust and defend. Every time I thought I'd gotten the timing down, she would change her attack, pushing me back further.

The energy I had poured into the enhancement was starting to show its limits. While my body remained in top shape thanks to my quirk's reinforcement, my reaction time was beginning to fall behind. Mirko was simply too fast.

"Come on, you can do better than this!" she grinned, enjoying herself as she continued her barrage of attacks.

I could feel the stress rising. Despite my enhanced abilities, it wasn't enough to keep pace with someone like Mirko. My quirk had already maximized my abilities, but the true challenge here was the need for quicker reactions.

Then, in the middle of dodging a particularly vicious spinning kick, it clicked. My body surged again with energy, and something in my mind unlocked. I realized that to truly match her, I needed more than just power.

So, I poured more energy into the enhancement once more, but this time, it wasn't just a physical boost—it was a complete evolution in how I channeled my power. The red arcs around me intensified, crackling like a raging storm, and I felt a surge in not only my speed and reaction time but also my overall physical capabilities. My entire body seemed to ascend to a whole new league, operating on an entirely different level.

Mirko's grin widened as she saw me step up my game. "Now you're getting it. Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

With the second enhancement fully unlocked, I could move as fast as she did, my attacks just as swift and unpredictable. Mirko launched herself at me again, and this time, I met her blow head-on, blocking with my arm and redirecting her force with a well-placed energy shield. The shield held strong, undamaged by the power of her kick, and I countered with a quick jab that sent her stumbling back a step.

"Impressive," she said, clearly enjoying the challenge more than ever. "This is the fight I've been waiting for!"

The sounds of our battle had drawn the attention of other heroes in the agency. A few of them had gathered, watching the intense spar with interest. Their murmurs and gasps barely registered in my mind. This fight wasn't about impressing them; it had become a true test of my abilities—a chance to prove to both Mirko and myself that I was more than just a rookie.

Before I could dwell on the thought, Mirko lunged toward me, her movement a blur. "Luna Rush!" she shouted, her voice brimming with exhilaration as she unleashed a fierce barrage of attacks. Her kicks rained down like a relentless storm, faster than most people could even process.

I met her strikes head-on, reinforcing my arms with energy as I blocked and parried each blow. Even as her kicks connected with my energy shields, there wasn't so much as a crack. My quirk, honed to perfection, ensured that my defenses were practically impenetrable.

"Not bad," Mirko said, her eyes alight with excitement. "But you're just blocking. That won't cut it against me!"

Her taunts only fueled my focus. "I'm just letting you have your fun," I replied, smirking.

She grinned wider at the challenge. "Cocky, huh? Let's see if you can back that up!"

With a powerful leap, she soared into the air, twisting her body mid-flight. "Luna Ring!"

Her legs spun in a deadly arc, aiming to overwhelm me with multiple strikes at once. I summoned a wide energy shield above me, absorbing every blow without so much as a tremor. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, but I held my ground.

"You call this a challenge?" I teased, my smirk widening.

"Smartass," she shot back, laughing. "Alright, let's turn it up!"

She sprang high into the air again, this time driving her foot down with devastating force. "Luna Fall!"

The air itself seemed to scream as her kick plummeted toward me like a meteor. I didn't bother dodging. Instead, I raised both hands, forming a dense, glowing energy barrier that caught her attack cleanly. The ground beneath us cracked and cratered under the force, but my shield remained unyielding.

Her eyes widened slightly, though her grin didn't falter. "Now that's more like it!"

The fight intensified. Mirko's speed was unmatched, but my enhanced reaction time allowed me to keep pace. Every clash of our attacks sent shockwaves rippling through the area, drawing the attention of nearby heroes who quickly gathered to watch the spectacle.

"She's really going all out," one hero murmured, eyes wide.

"And he's keeping up?" another added, clearly in awe.

I could feel the weight of their gazes, but my focus never wavered. Mirko's grin only grew wider as she pushed harder, attempting to overwhelm me with her relentless offense.

She closed in again, this time using "Luna Tijeras," trying to lock my head in her powerful legs. I ducked and countered with a burst of energy from my hands, forcing her to disengage.

"Nice try," I said, my tone calm but confident.

She laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "You're tough, rookie. Let's see how long you can last!"

As the fight dragged on, Mirko's movements started to slow ever so slightly. She wasn't exhausted yet, but the signs were starting to show. Meanwhile, my energy surged through me, my quirk keeping my body in peak condition.

"You're really something," she admitted, breathing heavily. "Most people would've been down for the count by now."

"And you're not like anyone I've fought before," I replied. "But…" I stepped forward with a confident smirk, "I can do this all day."

(A/N: Got the reference?)

Her grin faltered for the first time. "You're kidding, right?"

"Not at all," I said, standing firm. "But I am guessing you can't."

She charged at me one final time, her movements still fierce but noticeably less sharp. I met her attack with a perfectly timed counter, sending her skidding back. She dropped to one knee, panting heavily but still smiling.

"That was... something else," she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "You're one hell of a rookie, I'll give you that."

I extended a hand to help her up. "You're not so bad yourself," I said with a grin.

She laughed as she took my hand, pulling herself to her feet. "You've got a lot of nerve, but you've earned my respect. Let's see if you can keep impressing me out there."

The gathered heroes broke into applause, clearly impressed by the display of power and skill. Mirko turned to them with a smirk. "Alright, show's over! Back to work!"

As they dispersed, she glanced at me, her expression still full of energy despite her exhaustion. "Tomorrow, we hit the streets. Don't keep me waiting."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I replied, already looking forward to what comes tomorrow.

Midoriya's Side (Third Person Perspective)

(A/N: Do you guys like these separate perspectives for other characters? Mainly the ones with more contact with Leo, like Kirishima, Midoriya, Kaminari, his girlfriends—oops, fiancées. Let me know in the comments!)

Forty-five minutes from Shinjuku Station, Midoriya was walking along the sidewalk, his muttering already at full throttle. "Gran Torino… How come I've never heard of him before? I searched online, but nothing came up. But whoever he is, if he can make All Might shiver and cower in fear, then he's got to be someone…"

He paused as the building he was heading toward came into view. It was a decrepit, shabby structure that looked like it had seen better days—several decades ago. One strong breeze could probably send it crumbling to the ground, let alone a sneeze from him at Full Cowling (5%). He raised an eyebrow and continued, doubtfully, "...awesome guy!?"

Approaching the door, he inspected it cautiously. The wood was cracked, the paint chipped, and the hinges looked ready to give up on life. "Is this really the location?" he muttered to himself. Swallowing his hesitation, Midoriya gently opened the door, careful not to exert too much force, fearing the whole place would collapse.

"Uh… Gran Torino? I come from U.A. High School. My name is Izuku Midoriya. Pleased to meet you…"

Midoriya's voice trailed off into a scream as his eyes landed on a horrifying sight. A figure was sprawled across the floor, surrounded by what appeared to be blood. "AHHHHHHH! He's dead!!!"

His panicked shout seemed to wake the 'corpse,' as the figure bolted upright and shouted back, "I'M ALIVE!!!"

Midoriya screamed again, this time in shock. "AHHHHHH! HE'S ALIVE!!!" His heart was racing, but he managed to heave a sigh of relief, clutching his chest. "Phew…"

The old man stood up, wobbling slightly as he leaned on a crutch. His appearance was far from impressive: short, wrinkled, and wearing a stained yellow tracksuit. He grumbled to himself, "To slip and fall while carrying ketchup-covered sausage links… how clumsy of me." He then turned his attention to Midoriya, squinting at him. "And who are you?"

Midoriya blinked in confusion before straightening up and answering, "I'm Izuku Midoriya. I come from U.A.—"

"What?" the old man interrupted, tilting his head slightly.

Midoriya repeated himself, this time louder, "I'M IZUKU MIDORIYA! I COME FROM U.A. HIGH SCHOOL!"

Gran Torino grinned slyly, seemingly unaffected by Midoriya's frazzled state. "You're too loud, kid."

Gran Torino soon returned to his goofy demeanor, blinking at Midoriya as if seeing him for the first time. "And who are you again?" he asked, completely straight-faced.

Before Midoriya could respond, Gran Torino comically plopped down on the ketchup-covered floor, smearing the condiment further, and muttered while drooling slightly, "I'd like to eat lunch. Lunch!"

Watching this bizarre display, Midoriya pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered in exasperation, "He was All Might's teacher, so I guessed he'd be old, but this…" His eyes trailed over the ridiculous scene before him. "...Seriously?!"

Gran Torino suddenly perked up and pointed at Midoriya, eyes wide with excitement. "Toshinori!"

Midoriya flinched at the name and quickly corrected, "That's not my name!!"

Still on the floor, Gran Torino kept up his goofy act, not seeming to notice Midoriya's frustration. "Lunch!!" he repeated, drooling a little more.

Internally, Midoriya groaned. 'At any rate, I should call All Might and let him know that his teacher is completely off his rocker.'

Turning away, Midoriya pulled out his phone to call All Might, hoping to get some clarity on his mentor's eccentric behavior. But as he did, Gran Torino—still on the floor, apparently unfazed—got up and casually walked over to the suitcase Midoriya had placed on the side. With swift, practiced movements, he opened it and began inspecting the contents.

His voice was suddenly calm, almost cold, as he spoke. "Fire off an attack and show me your One For All... I'd like to see to what degree you can control it."

Midoriya froze, stunned by the sudden shift in tone. His mind raced, What's with this sudden change?

Gran Torino held up the hero costume, nodding in approval. "Nice suit. Now put it on and come at me."

As Midoriya opened his mouth to respond, Gran Torino immediately reverted to his goofy self, tilting his head and asking with feigned cluelessness, "Who are you again?"

"Woah!!!" Midoriya jumped back in surprise, his eyes wide.

He sighed, his disappointment evident, before replying firmly, "I need to… I need to learn to use this power more effectively. All Might probably doesn't have much time left. Even though Leo healed him, All Might still passed One For All to me. That means he likely can't stay the Symbol of Peace much longer. That's why I don't have time to play with you, sir."

Turning around, Midoriya began walking toward the door, muttering under his breath. 'I'll just find another way to train…'

Gran Torino shot off like a rocket, his small form zipping around the room with surprising speed. After bouncing off the walls three times, he came to an abrupt stop and planted himself on the wall, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Midoriya with a more serious expression.

"Then I will tell you once more," he said firmly, his voice now dripping with authority. "Come at me with everything you've got, you neophyte. The same way you used it in the Sports Festival."

Midoriya blinked, confused, until Gran Torino's next words clarified things. "I expected that justice-obsessed fool, All Might, would be a novice when it comes to teaching, but it looks like my guess was wrong. I saw that you can manage to use some of the power of OFA freely."

Midoriya, slightly flustered and not thinking, blurted out, "Oh, it wasn't All Might who taught me to use it like that, but my classmate Leo."

Gran Torino's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Unbelievable! But expected. That fool All Might is not even as good as one of his students in teaching."

Gran Torino smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "Now then, shall we begin, my ward?"

Midoriya froze for a moment, but then something clicked. 'That same phrasing... same way of playing dumb... this guy is definitely... All Might's teacher.'

Gran Torino's expression softened for a split second before he continued with that same mischievous smile. "Guess he can't watch over you properly. So that means I gotta do it. So put on your costume."

Midoriya nodded and opened the case to find a user's manual tucked inside, detailing the upgrades made to the original suit design. The last line of the manual caught his attention. "Now equipped with enhancements for better durability and mobility. Besides, this suit is way cooler."

Midoriya chuckled lightly to himself as he read the line. "Cool, huh? Well, if you want cool, you have to see Leo's suit…" He trailed off, imagining how sleek and practical Leo's hero suit was. 'Man, I really want one of those. Maybe I can ask him to help design an upgrade for me... but that's for later. A fight awaits me now.'

Leo's Side (First Person Prespective)

As I was about to leave, something came to mind, and I paused before asking, "Say, teacher, where should I stay?"

Mirko, not missing a beat, responded, "Drop the formality, kid. You can call me Mirko or Usagiyama. Also, you can stay at my place—there's a spare room here. But you'll have to handle your own food."

I nodded in understanding, but a thought crossed my mind as I followed Mirko into the house 'This might be temporary... but once she tries my cooking, I'll probably end up handling the meals for both of us.' The idea made me smirk slightly.

Mirko glanced over her shoulder as if sensing my thoughts. "And I'm serious kid, You're on your own for food."

"Sure, sure," I replied lightly, suppressing a small smile. For now, I focused on finding an unoccupied room, though my thoughts lingered on how intriguing this arrangement might become. Her bluntness, her no-nonsense attitude—it added a strange kind of excitement to the days ahead.

As I settled in, my mind wandered to the challenges ahead. The training, the battles, the people I'd meet—everything seemed to be falling into place as if someone were scripting my life with the stroke of a pen. The thought sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Or maybe I was just overthinking it... Still, it was hard to shake the feeling that some unseen force was pulling the strings, setting me up for one of those big, dramatic, and probably tragic plot twists.

(A/N: Unknown to him, his life was really being shaped under a pen—well, my pen. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the chapter! It ended up being slightly longer than I expected, not too much, just another 1000 words. Well, I know most of you won't mind that, right? ...Right?!? Anyway, see you all in the next chapter! I might have some free time on my hands for a while, so expect my regular updates—1 or 2 chapters per week!)