Chapter 44: Gran Torino

Inside a slightly cramped, room. An exhausted Deku could be seen with sweat pouring off his body. His eyes were filled with defeat, as Gran Torino stood on top of him. Planting his oversized yellow boots on the back of Deku's head. A grin crept onto Gran Torino's face as he stepped off Deku's body and spoke.

" In a thousand or so more years maybe you will be able to catch me. " As soon as Gran Torino said this, Deku quickly spoke while standing back up. 

" That just means I will eventually surpass you. Even if it takes a thousand years. " 

" That's the spirit kid. "...

As Gran Torino trained Deku. In the middle of a street, Iida could be seen walking alongside a pro hero wearing a blue costume with a shark fin on the top of his head. This pro hero let out a smile before speaking while glancing back at Iida who was trailing slightly behind him. 

" Yeah. It's been quite hectic here recently. But thank you for choosing our agency. I'm sure you got far better offers from different agencies with higher followers too. But man, I can't believe that Ingenium's little brother is interning with my agency. It's just crazy to even think about. " 

Iida could only nod his head slightly, as his eyes quickly glanced to the sidewalk. As soon as the man mentioned his older brother. Chaotic thoughts filled with anger stormed through Iida's brain. Making his thought process...Cloudly, unreasonable. Iida was here for no other reason but to catch the hero killer.

Praying to find him at Hosu City. But the chances of that happening are low, to say the least. What is the likelihood that Iida would be able to find a villain that has managed to avoid capture after capture? Iida could only let out an almost inaudible sigh before glancing up from the sidewalk, walking behind the pro hero...

Scribble. Scribble. Scribble. 

Hours after, Deku's brief sparring with Gran Torino. The sound of writing could be heard, mixed with the noise of loud snoring coming from Gran Torino. Who was in a deep sleep lying on a bed. With each snore, Deku's writing became faster and faster until he abruptly closed the notebook he was writing in and sighed heavily...

Pov: Deku

I just can't think with his snoring. I need to get some fresh air or something. Slowly, I begin to creep out of the building, walking past Gran Torino and slipping through the door. Entering a dark dirty alleyway, I walk down some stairs, before sitting down on them and reopening my notebook. 

There much better. I can finally think clearly. The problem with One For All is that my body can't take it. It breaks every single time I use it. No matter how hard I train. My arms or legs will always shatter. Maybe it is because, unlike my classmates, I think of my quirk as something to be called upon, instead of using it naturally. 

If I can even use five percent of my quirk. I will be able to move like Kacchan. And maybe even hit as hard Ricolo...Hmm... I wonder what Ricolo would be doing. If he was still here. Someone that talented. Just gone. Like that. 

But pondering on his disappearance won't get me anywhere. If whoever or whatever took Ricolo away...or even killed him. Was able to beat him. It would defeat me as well. So, let's do this. I slowly stand up off the stairs and walk deeper into the alleyway. Before coming to a stop, and glancing up at the nearby roof. Jumping from wall to wall shouldn't be too hard, right?...

Several hours later

" Jeez? What happened to you? " Asked Gran Torino staring at a battered Deku who had massive bags under his eyes.

" I-I just did some training on my yesterday and took it too far. "

Unfortunately for young Midoriya. The task of jumping from wall to wall. Was in fact. Not easy. He had done this for countless hours, and yet. He failed to get on the roof. Gran Torino could not help but let out a hearty chuckle before the sound of a doorbell going off, caught his attention

Making him walk towards the door before coming back with a large cardboard box...

Humming Humming Humming

The sound of a humming. Stemming from a microwave rang out. Deku could be seen exhausted, slumped on a wall, his body shaking. He was barely standing, eyes hazy as Gran Torino could be seen patiently waiting in front of the microwave for his food to finish cooking. 

Deku could only stare at his back before collapsing to the floor, his back siding down the wall before he harshly landed on the ground, in a sitting position. The training was going...Badly, to say the least, Deku had been trying for almost an hour. And yet, he couldn't touch Gran Torino. Deku let out a loud sigh before suddenly Gran Torino spoke.

" Your mind. It's filled with thoughts other than this training..." Gran Torino took a brief break from talking his old mind racing. "You're not trying to be your own person. You're trying to replicate someone else movements. " A silence swept through the room, as Deku glanced down at his palm.

" No. I'm not trying to. It's happening almost naturally. " Deku tightly closed his palm into a fist as he continued to speak. " Ricolo was...well besides All Might. Was the best technical fighter I've ever fought or seen. His movements were perfect. I have watched countless hours of him fighting. Whether it was the fight against me or a fight against someone else. Till the point, where my body is trying to fight like him naturally- Beep Beep Beep 

Before Deku could finish talking the sound of a beeping microwave swept through the room, cutting him off. Gran Torino quickly opened the microwave pulling out a small empty plate. Deku stared at this empty plate confused as Gran Torino gently sat it on a nearby wooden table. 

" Kid. Your problem is this. You're comparing yourself to someone who is a far better fighter. I've only seen brief minutes of that kid fighting and I can say. If it was only hand to hand. He would be a better fighter than myself...But that doesn't mean, he would defeat me in a fight. So, take a look at this empty plate. " Deku eyes were locked onto the plate before Gran Torino spoke slightly yelling.

" No. Stand up and look at it. Walk here. Stand right in front of it. And glare down at it. " Gran Torino pointed down at the floor, as Deku stood up, his legs wobbly, sore from the intense training. He gingerly walked towards the table, stopping, and glaring down at the plate. 

" So? What do you see? " 

" A-A reflection? " Said Deku, staring at the clear white plate. He stared into his eyes, glancing up and down at the plate. Before his brain clicked he spoke once more. 

" I see myself. I see Izuku Midoriya . " 

" Exactly you don't see Ricolo. You see yourself. So? Why focus on him? Comparing yourself to others will only stunt your growth. Make your movements your own. Reflect on your emotions, your senses, make it all your own. "...