Hello, Ningen!

Remember...I could've chosen Frieza and then been swarmed with racist comments.

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A Past Encounter Remembered

As Bakugo continued down the street, Kuro's parting words gnawed at him. The straight path isn't the only path. What was he trying to say? Bakugo's frustration mounted until he couldn't take it anymore. He spun around and jogged to catch up with Kuro, his irritation bubbling over.

As he approached, Bakugo's mind drifted back to the first time they had met. It had been on a day much like this one and in this very neighborhood.

Bakugo had been wandering around, killing time, when he noticed a kid helping some people move in. At first, it seemed like a normal scene—just a teenager lending a hand. But there was something different about the way Kuro was working.

Kuro wasn't just helping; he was training. Bakugo had noticed the way Kuro carried the boxes, switching up his grip, and engaging different muscles with each load, almost as if he were following some kind of routine. It was intriguing, to see someone else who valued strength and conditioning as much as he did.

Naturally, Bakugo's competitive instincts kicked in. He challenged Kuro on the spot, eager to test his strength against this new rival. But that day, Bakugo had lost—badly. Kuro was strong, deceptively so, and the loss stung. But what infuriated Bakugo even more was Kuro's attitude.

Gone was the helpful, selfless demeanor he had shown while assisting the neighbors. Instead, Bakugo was met with a different side of Kuro—a side dripping with arrogance and a god complex so infuriating that it made Bakugo's blood boil.1

"It was inevitable you lost," Kuro had said, his voice laced with condescension. "You are fighting a god, you know?"

Bakugo had clenched his fists, trying to keep his temper in check as Kuro continued.

"Bakugo Katsuki, you were amazing. To harm a god is no small feat," Kuro added his tone somehow both mocking and sincere.

And then, when Bakugo came back for a rematch, determined to prove himself, Kuro had only smiled that infuriating smile and said, "Oh? Back again? Mortals are amusing."

It was that kind of talk that Bakugo hated more than anything. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much closer he got to winning, Kuro would always maintain that smug attitude.

It was as if no matter what Bakugo did, Kuro was always a step ahead, always out of reach. And the worst part? Bakugo didn't know much about Kuro beyond these sparring matches. He had only ever come over to fight, to push himself, to get stronger.

But now, with Kuro's cryptic words still echoing in his mind, Bakugo wanted answers.

Finally catching up, Bakugo called out, "Oi, Kuro!"

Kuro turned, a faint smile on his lips as he saw Bakugo approaching. "Ah, Bakugo. Decided to grace me with your presence again, have you?"

Bakugo ignored the comment, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell did you mean earlier? About the straight path not being the only path?"

Kuro tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Hmm? Did I say something like that? You must have misheard."

Bakugo's scowl deepened. He hated being toyed with, and Kuro's nonchalant attitude only fueled his anger. "Don't play dumb with me, Kuro. You know exactly what you said. Now drop the act and explain yourself."

Kuro's smile widened, but there was something sharper behind it, something calculating. "Act? Who says it's an act, Bakugo? This is just how I am. A god speaks with authority, after all."

Bakugo clenched his fists, fighting the urge to punch that smug look off Kuro's face. He knew from experience that Kuro wasn't just talking big—he could back it up. And Bakugo was here for answers, not another fight. Not yet, at least.

Kuro seemed to sense Bakugo's internal struggle and leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "So, tell me, Bakugo. Have you come to challenge a god again? It would be quite the accomplishment, you know. Not many can say they've fought me more than once and lived to tell the tale."

Bakugo gritted his teeth, the urge to punch Kuro almost overwhelming. But instead, he forced himself to focus. There was something he needed to know, something more important than satisfying his pride in this moment. "What would you do," Bakugo began, his voice low and intense, "if you had a stubborn friend who was hell-bent on doing something that would get them killed?"

Kuro raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation. For a moment, he was silent, contemplating Bakugo's question. Then, with a slight smirk, he replied, "Ah, so you're finally ready to accept the wisdom of a god. Very well, Bakugo. I'll humor you."

Bakugo clenched his fists, barely holding back the impulse to lash out. He reminded himself why he was here, why he was asking this in the first place. It wasn't about him—it was about Izuku, that stupid, stubborn idiot who refused to back down.

Kuro's eyes glinted with amusement as he saw Bakugo's struggle. "If I had a friend like that," he said slowly, savoring the moment, "I'd let them walk their path. But I'd make sure they knew the consequences. After all, a god doesn't force mortals to obey. He simply shows them the way... and lets them decide if they're brave—or foolish—enough to follow it."

Bakugo glared at Kuro, not entirely satisfied with the answer. "And if they don't listen?"

Kuro's smile softened, but the arrogance never left his eyes. "Then they fall, Bakugo. And it's up to them to get back up—or stay down. But you... you're not asking about them, are you? You're asking about yourself. About whether you're doing the right thing by trying to stop them."

Bakugo opened his mouth to retort but found himself hesitating. Kuro's words hit closer to the mark than he wanted to admit.

Kuro chuckled softly. "Take it from a god, Bakugo. Sometimes the straight path isn't the only path. Sometimes... you have to let others choose their way, even if it's not the one you would choose for them. But if you're strong enough, you can be there when they fall. And maybe—just maybe—they'll finally see things your way."

Bakugo stared at Kuro, the words sinking in deeper than he expected. He didn't want to admit it, but there was something in what Kuro said that resonated with him. He was about to respond when Kuro suddenly clapped him on the shoulder, his usual grin returning.

"Now, enough of this serious talk. What do you say, Bakugo? Care to challenge a god once more? It would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day."

Bakugo's fist clenched tighter, his knuckles white. He was tempted, oh so tempted, to take Kuro up on the offer. But instead, he took a deep breath and stepped back, forcing himself to stay focused.

"Not today," Bakugo muttered, his voice tense. "But don't think I'm backing down. I'll be back."

Kuro chuckled, waving him off as if dismissing a minor annoyance. "I look forward to it, mortal. Remember, the gods always watch over their chosen ones."

With that, Bakugo turned and walked away, his mind still churning with everything Kuro had said. As much as he hated to admit it, he was thinking. 

Kuro who stood there, smiled until suddenly realizing and then his usual demeanour came out, "Hey, Katsuki~! I'm having dinner, and you're invited!" Running after Bakugo who heard that and decided he wasn't enduring that attitude.

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[Autherl Yo.

So, I'm expecting everyone to hate how Kuro talks and someone to wonder if I'm not sure about his personality, about that. I am, it's just, that people don't have just 1 side, and multi-faceted personalities are the usual.

Kurokami Tenshin[Egotistical].

Bakugo Katsuki.

Izuku Midoriya.

That's new characters introduced.]