The Hero.

I wonder if people realize who I've been teasing this entire time.

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That was Class 1-A's first Halloween.

Izuku Midoriya stirred awake, his eyes slowly adjusting to the morning light filtering through a small, rectangular window. He rubbed his face groggily and murmured, "…That was a nice dream…" It wasn't often he dreamed so vividly about past events, but the memory of Class 1-A's Halloween celebration from just last month was still fresh in his mind. The laughter, the costumes, and the warmth of being surrounded by friends—those were things worth reliving, even if only in his dreams.

Yawning, Izuku sat up and swung his legs over the side of the guest bed, feeling the soft carpet beneath his feet. The room wasn't exactly luxurious, but it had a homey feel, with plain walls and minimal decoration. It was nothing like a hotel suite; rather, this was the current residence of the retired Pro Hero, Gran Torino. Izuku had been staying here for his Hero Recommendations training, under the watchful and occasionally irritable eye of his mentor.

Getting dressed in a simple training outfit, Izuku made his way into the small, utilitarian washroom. He washed his face, the cold water jolting his senses fully awake, and brushed his teeth. When he stepped back out into the main room, he took a moment to look around. The place was simple but full of history. Gran Torino might not have been a household name to many, but he was the man who had trained the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might. That alone had been reason enough for Izuku to choose him as his mentor.

Izuku moved to the center of the living room, settling himself cross-legged on the old but comfortable carpet. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he focused on the core of his power: One For All. He could feel the energy pulse through his body, like an electric current waiting to be harnessed. He began to raise the percentage of power, cautiously but determinedly.

"4%… 7%… 8%…" He could feel the familiar hum coursing through his muscles, veins, and bones. One For All was a force he still had to wrestle with daily, and he treated it with the utmost respect. Pushing his limit carefully, he managed to stabilize at a new threshold. "So it's around 9% of One For All now," he muttered to himself, feeling a swell of determination. He still had a long way to go. Others, like Kirishima, had already shown amazing feats of strength, and Izuku was keenly aware of how much he needed to improve. But that was okay. Progress was progress, even if it was slow. He didn't expect to surpass the efforts of everyone around him in a single year. The important thing was that he could fight, struggle, and improve—one step at a time.

The sound of a door creaking open pulled him from his thoughts. The air seemed to change, and Izuku knew exactly who had entered. A rather short, elderly man in a white and yellow Hero Costume shuffled into the room, his expression as gruff and unreadable as ever. Gran Torino's eyes scanned Izuku with a mixture of scrutiny and something like approval—though it was hard to tell with him.

"Hmm… you've gotten this far already?" Gran Torino murmured, his voice rough yet thoughtful. The old hero was holding a grocery bag, and it looked almost comical in his hands. But Izuku had learned never to underestimate the deceptively frail-looking man.

Izuku scrambled to his feet, his posture straightening immediately. "Yes, sir! I've stabilized at around 8%, and I can push to 9%, though anything beyond that still causes too much strain."

Gran Torino set the bag down with a huff. "Well, that's annoying," he grumbled. "I was planning on slowing your training down, but it seems you're just as much of a pain as Toshinori…" His complaint was half-hearted, but his eyes had a spark of pride buried in their usual cantankerous glare. The old hero moved about the room with shuffling, tired steps, but Izuku knew better. Despite his act, Gran Torino could move faster than lightning when he wanted to. Even with 15% of One For All, Izuku was certain he'd still struggle to keep up.

"So, are we going somewhere?" Izuku asked, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in his voice. He picked up the small suitcase by the wall, the one that held his hero suit, ready for action whenever Gran Torino deemed it necessary.

Gran Torino didn't answer right away. He paused, fishing his phone out of his pocket and peering at it with a furrowed brow. "Hmm, something like that," he muttered. His bony fingers tapped at the screen, and Izuku caught a glimpse of the destination Gran Torino was buying tickets for.

Hosu City.

Izuku's heart skipped a beat. There had been talk among heroes about the rising danger in Hosu, whispers of trouble brewing that had even pro heroes on edge. Was this why they were heading there? Was it for training, or something more?

Gran Torino snapped his phone shut and looked up at Izuku. "Don't just stand there, kid. We've got work to do," he said, his voice gruff but his eyes sharp as ever.

Izuku swallowed his nervousness, the suitcase feeling heavier in his grip. He nodded firmly. "Yes, sir!"

As they moved toward the door, a subtle tension settled in the air, one that felt both like the calm before a storm and the promise of something Izuku was both eager and anxious to face. Whatever awaited him in Hosu City, he would be ready—or at least, he would give it everything he had.

...

Izuku and Gran Torino sat side by side on the train, the rhythmic clacking of the tracks below blending into the steady hum of passengers' conversations. The countryside was blurring past the windows, a streak of green and blue under the pale sky. Izuku, still in his training outfit, took a moment to check his phone, grateful for the little slice of normalcy it offered.

It was strange, in a way, to think about how his life had changed. Just a year ago, he wouldn't have imagined himself surrounded by so many friends. People who genuinely cared about him and who he, in turn, wanted to protect. The thought made him smile. He snapped a quick selfie with Gran Torino, who was scowling and looking anywhere but at the camera, and sent it to his mother. Heading to Hosu City with Gran Torino, Mom! Don't worry—I'm fine! It felt good to keep her updated, even if he knew she worried endlessly.

Then, he opened up the Class 1-A group chat. Instantly, a flood of messages, photos, and emojis filled his screen. His classmates were making the most of their internships, and the chat was alive with updates.

"Wow… seems like everyone's doing amazing things," he said to himself, a mixture of pride and a twinge of envy creeping into his voice. He scrolled through the pictures. Momo Yaoyorozu had posted a photo of her grand estate, and it looked like most of the class had gathered there for a weekend training session. The pristine gardens, glistening pool, and high ceilings made it look more like a resort than a house.

Izuku chuckled. Trust Momo to make training look elegant. Then, there was Ochaco Uraraka, looking fierce and determined at Gunhead's Agency. She'd attached a short video clip of herself performing a series of martial arts moves, her strikes sharp and precise. Izuku shivered slightly, imagining her newfound strength. He knew that if she ever teamed up with Kurokami Tenshin, the class president and a martial arts enthusiast, they'd be a terrifying force to reckon with.

The next picture made him grin: Eijiro Kirishima, Mashirao Ojiro, and Mezo Shoji were working out in what looked like an intense, hero-level gym. If he remembered correctly, they were interning under the fierce Rabbit Hero, Mirko. The gym was full of heavy equipment and training dummies, and the three of them were sweating buckets. Man, I wish I looked as strong as they do… Izuku thought. Despite his lean but fit frame, he couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.

His scrolling halted as he saw a photo of Shoto Todoroki, Katsuki Bakugo, and Kurokami Tenshin standing in front of a bustling urban street. His eyes widened. Wait, they're in Hosu City too? He frowned thoughtfully. It was a curious coincidence. Maybe fate had a way of pulling them all into the same place, but he couldn't dwell on it too long.

Gran Torino, who had been observing Izuku with a bemused expression, rolled his eyes. "The internet plagues the mind," he muttered, a hint of grumpiness in his voice. Izuku put his phone down, a little sheepish.

"Sorry, sir," Izuku replied, scratching the back of his head. But before Gran Torino could reply, his expression hardened, and he leaned forward sharply, eyes narrowing at something beyond the window.

Izuku turned his head just in time to see a blur—a figure, almost too fast to track, hurtling toward the train. In an instant, Gran Torino sprang into action, moving with a speed that defied his elderly appearance. "Kid, get ready!" he barked, shoving Izuku to the side. With a burst of motion, he kicked several nearby passengers out of harm's way just as—

CRASH!

The train door was wrenched clean off, a screeching noise of metal on metal splitting the air. Shards of glass scattered like dangerous confetti, and a yellow-skinned monster with ragged wings and a grotesquely exposed brain burst into the compartment. Its eyes glared wildly, and it let out a guttural, animalistic roar that sent shivers down Izuku's spine. The creature was horrifying, with sinewy limbs and veins that pulsed visibly across its exposed flesh.

Gran Torino didn't hesitate. With a powerful kick, he launched himself forward, striking the monster with enough force to send it flying out of the train. His white and yellow hero costume blurred with the sheer speed of his movement, and he landed expertly, crouched and poised for the next attack.

"Kid!" Gran Torino yelled, his voice slicing through the chaos. "Get down there and alert everyone! I'll handle the train!" The old hero's eyes were steely and focused, and his movements carried the confidence of a veteran who'd seen countless battles.

Izuku swallowed hard, adrenaline flooding his system. "Got it, sir!" he shouted back. He ran to the edge of the gaping hole in the side of the train, heart pounding. Below him was a steep fall, the ground blurring by at breakneck speed. This was not ideal.

He clenched his fists, reminding himself of the training he had endured. One For All. Just trust it, he told himself. All he had to do was control his descent, slow himself enough that he wouldn't shatter his legs on impact. One For All would boost his durability, but only if he balanced it correctly.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied his resolve. This is no time to be scared. People are counting on you, he thought, and then he jumped. The wind roared in his ears as he fell, and he channeled One For All into his legs. 8%, steady… steady… He adjusted mid-air, spreading his arms to stabilize himself. He aimed for a clear spot on the ground, ready to roll on impact if needed.

The ground loomed closer, and for a split second, Izuku braced himself. Please hold… One For All coursed through him, bracing his limbs. He was ready to hit the ground running—literally.

This was the beginning of a new test, one that would challenge everything he had trained for. Hosu City was about to become a battlefield, and Izuku knew that he would have to rise to meet it.

...

Izuku Midoriya hit the ground with a bone-jarring crash, the impact forming a crater around him as dust and debris billowed into the air. He lay there for a split second, dazed, the world spinning slightly. Slowly, he pulled himself up, wincing at the bruises already forming on his arms and legs. "Oh… I'm alive…" he muttered, half in disbelief, testing his limbs to make sure nothing was broken. Thankfully, the train hadn't been that high above ground, and he had managed to slow his fall with One For All. Bruised, but nothing I can't handle.

Stumbling out of the crater, he took in his surroundings. The city streets of Hosu were in chaos, crawling with monsters. Creatures that matched the description of Nomu were everywhere, in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Some had electric blue skin, rippling with muscle, while others were yellow and had grotesque, membranous wings. A few even came in other shades, each more terrifying than the last. The air smelled of burning concrete and ozone, and distant screams mixed with the cacophony of destruction.

Izuku took a shaky breath, clenching his fists. Whew… you've got this! he told himself, trying to summon every ounce of courage he had. Green electricity crackled over his body as he activated One For All, the energy dancing along his limbs like sparks of determination. He needed to act quickly.

Spotting a blue-skinned Nomu rampaging nearby, Izuku darted forward. He delivered a tentative kick to its side, only to realize with horror that the monster barely flinched. The Nomu turned, swinging a massive fist at him. Izuku barely dodged, the wind from the punch brushing against his cheek. They're strong, just like at USJ. Gritting his teeth, he maneuvered behind the creature and channeled his strength, leaping into the air. With all his might, he brought his leg down in an axe kick, aiming for the Nomu's exposed brain. The impact cracked the creature's skull, and with a shudder, the Nomu crumpled to the ground, motionless.

Izuku stood there, breathing hard, staring at the lifeless body. I… I killed it. The thought was jarring, almost surreal. His hands trembled slightly. Heroes were supposed to save lives, but he had just taken one. Even if it was a monster, the action felt heavy, as if the weight of what he had done settled over his shoulders. Was this really what heroes do? Can I just say it was a monster and had to be stopped? That reasoning felt like an excuse, a way to avoid confronting the reality of his actions.

A sudden smack on his shoulder jolted him out of his spiraling thoughts. Shoto Todoroki stood next to him, his expression as stoic and composed as ever. "Apologies for interrupting your deep contemplation," he said dryly, "but I require your assistance, Midoriya."

Izuku blinked, snapping out of it. "Yeah… sorry. I'm here. What's the situation?" He fell into step beside Todoroki, the two of them quickly moving to neutralize more threats and evacuate any nearby civilians.

"These things are called Nomu, just like the ones we faced at the USJ," Todoroki explained, his mismatched eyes cold but focused. He raised a hand and released a stream of ice, encasing a group of rampaging Nomu in a glittering, crystalline prison. "But this time, they come in different types. Blue ones are purely physical, yellow ones can fly, and the rest vary by color and abilities. They're not as strong as the black Nomu from before, but they're still incredibly dangerous."

"I see…" Izuku murmured, using his enhanced speed to guide a family out of the area. "But there are so many of them. We can't handle this efficiently unless we find a way to herd them into one place."

Todoroki nodded, his breath misting in the cold air he had just created. "That's the plan. We just need to set up speakers to broadcast a specific frequency." He gestured toward the direction of the city center. "Kurokami is working on it now."

Meanwhile, in the middle of a wide, circular intersection, Kurokami Tenshin was crouched over a series of large speakers, his fingers deftly connecting wires and configuring a computer. Despite his small frame and childish demeanor, Kurokami was surprisingly skilled with technology. As a Hero Course student, he had taken an additional course in the Support Department, earning a reputation for clever inventions and strategic thinking. His usual playful expression was gone, replaced by the focused look of someone on a mission.

"Alright… just a bit more…" he murmured, sweat beading on his forehead. His black hair, usually neat, was tousled from stress. Kurokami, Bakugo, and Todoroki had been interning at Endeavor's Hero Agency, and when the Nomu attack started, Kurokami had quickly put a plan into action. This was his chance to test an experimental device he'd developed—a sort of "dog whistle" for Nomu. If it worked, the frequency would lure all the monsters into this one area, creating a "crunch zone" where the heroes could concentrate their efforts.

Kurokami wiped his brow and muttered to himself, "It's not easy broadcasting a signal over an entire city, but… that's what heroes do, right?" His voice was strained, but there was a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

Elsewhere in Hosu City, a group of Nomu barreled through the streets, chasing after a terrified crowd of civilians. Their roars echoed off the buildings, and panic surged through the air like a living thing. Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted, consuming the Nomu in a flash of orange light and smoke. The creatures were blown apart, and as the dust settled, Bakugo Katsuki emerged from the chaos, a fierce grin on his face.

"What are you waiting for?" he shouted at the stunned civilians. "Run that way!" He pointed toward a safe exit, and the crowd, jolted into action, scrambled to safety.

Bakugo walked over to a nearby wall, yanking out a small, black circular device from his pocket. It was a signal amplifier—one of the tools Kurokami had asked him to plant around the city to strengthen the frequency of the "Nomu whistle." He slapped it onto the wall, where it began to blink and hum.

He glanced around at the carnage, scowling. "Just five minutes, and it's already this bad?" he muttered, shaking his head. The situation was spiraling out of control fast, and every second counted.

With a burst of explosions, Bakugo launched himself into the air, trailing smoke and sparks behind him. The dwarf is handling the bait, he thought, referring to Kurokami with his usual disdain. Icyhot is busy evacuating civilians. That left him and Endeavor to focus on one thing: Nomu elimination.

His eyes narrowed, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Fine by me. He clenched his fists, palms crackling with volatile energy. Let's blow these bastards to pieces.

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[Auther: Sorry, your beloved Auther-Chan has to deal with life but I've returned after a...3-day wait, I think...]