Chapter 1: The Boy Who Stood
"Settle down, class!" the teacher barked over the chatter of Aldera High School's third-years. "This is your final year, so it's time to start thinking seriously about your futures." He set a stack of career sheets on his desk, then smirked and tossed a few into the air. "Who am I kidding? You all want to be heroes!"
The room erupted with cheers and quirks flashing everywhere—confettie flew, eyeballs popped out of someone's socket, even a kid levitating his desk for show. Only three students didn't join in.
The teacher sighed. "Now, now, you all know it's illegal to use quirks without a license—"
"Don't lump me in with these extras, Teach."
The interruption came from a boy lounging in his chair with his feet on the desk. He was of average height with a lean, muscular build honed by years of confidence and training. Spiky ash-blond hair framed a sharp face with crimson eyes that practically radiated arrogance. His name was Katsuki Bakugo, and everyone in the room knew better than to cross him. His explosive quirk was as volatile as his temper, and he carried himself like the world already belonged to him.
"These losers would be lucky to make sidekicks for some C-list hack," Bakugo sneered, sparks crackling faintly from his palm.
"Hey, Bakugo, what's your problem?!" someone shouted.
Bakugo only grinned wider.
"Ah, Bakugo Katsuki," the teacher said, flipping through a page. "It says here you applied for U.A University."
Gasps filled the room.
"U.A? That's impossible to get into!"
Bakugo puffed his chest out. "That's right! I aced the mock exams without breaking a sweat. I'll be the only one from this dump who makes it. Then I'll be the number one hero—the richest, the strongest, more famous than All Might himself!" His laughter rang out, smug and sharp.
The class whispered in awe. As much as his attitude grated them, no one doubted him. His Explosion quirk was incredible, and he dominated both academics and athletics. Only one student could rival him physically.
"Midoriya Izuku," the teacher continued, "you applied for U.A as well, didn't you?"
The room fell silent. Every head turned toward the back.
At one of the rear desks sat a boy hunched over a notebook, as though trying to disappear into it. Izuku was short for his age, with a slim build that lacked muscle. His mop of unruly dark-green curls framed a face dotted with freckles across his cheeks. His eyes, a softer shade of green, held a spark of determination—but right now they were downcast, avoiding every gaze. He had no quirk, and in this society, that label alone defined him.
Then the laughter began.
"Seriously? Deku in the hero course?"
"Don't make me laugh—he's quirkless!"
Bakugo's chair screeched against the floor as he stood, small pops sparking in his palm. "DDDEKU!" he roared, stomping toward Izuku's desk. "You think you can compete with me? U.A would never accept a quirkless nobody like you!" He raised his hand, ready to blast.
But before it landed, a tanned hand shot out and clamped around his wrist.
Bakugo snarled. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Whiskers?!" His eyes flicked up to the mop of wild crimson-red hair, and his smirk widened. "Or should I say Tomato-head?"
The classroom froze.
The hand belonged to Uzumaki Naruto, the last of the three who hadn't shown off earlier. Tall and broad-shouldered, with sun-kissed skin and unruly spikey crimson-red hair, Naruto stood like a wall between Bakugo and Izuku. The whisker-like marks on his cheeks deepened as his jaw clenched. His piercing blue eyes—so much like his late father's—burned with icy resolve.
"It's Uzumaki to you," he said evenly, voice like frost. "And if you don't back off and leave my friend alone, you'll have to deal with me."
For a tense moment, red eyes clashed with blue. Sparks hissed in Bakugo's palm. But Naruto didn't flinch.
With a click of his tongue, Bakugo yanked his wrist free. "Tch. Whatever. He's not worth my time." He stormed back to his desk, grumbling.
Naruto exhaled, tension fading, and slid into the seat beside Izuku. He propped his feet up on his desk and smirked at the freckled boy.
"Thanks, Na-chan." Izuku whispered.
"No problem, Izzy-kun." Naruto's tone softened, though his eyes stayed sharp. "But you've gotta start standing up for yourself. Heroes don't curl up when things get tough."
"I know," Izuku mumbled, fiddling with his pencil. "But… Kacchan's scary."
Naruto sighed and gave a small nod. He knew. Once, the three of them had been inseparable, their mothers close friends. But when Bakugo's quirk manifested, his ego swelled, and his friendship with Izuku cracked. Naruto had been caught in the middle—until he chose his side.
And since then, he'd been Izuku's shield.
The rest of the day dragged by, lessons blurring together until the final bell rang. Students poured out of the classroom in noisy clusters, buzzing about their futures.
Naruto stretched with a groan, rolling his shoulders until his joints popped. His crimson hair caught the fading afternoon sunlight as he stood. "Finally," he muttered, reaching for his bag.
Beside him, Izuku carefully packed his notebooks, though he left one journal open. His handwriting scrawled furiously across the page, sketching out hero notes.
Naruto glanced down and smirked. "Still working on that thing, Izzy-kun?"
Izuku gave a sheepish laugh. "Y-yeah. Just one more entry. Go on ahead, I'll meet you at the front."
Naruto nodded. He knew better than to interrupt Izuku when he was in his zone. "Alright, don't take too long."
He slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out into the hall. His locker wasn't far, and after grabbing what he needed, he started back toward the front entrance. But then—
A voice.
Mocking, cruel.
"…If you want a quirk so badly, why don't you take a swan dive off the roof and pray you get one in the next life?"
Naruto froze. His fists clenched, nails biting into his palm. That voice belonged to Bakugo.
He turned on his heel, anger boiling in his gut, and stormed back toward the classroom.
Inside, Izuku stood cornered at his desk, shoulders hunched, clutching his backpack like a lifeline. Bakugo loomed over him, red eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. Two of his cronies flanked him—one heavyset with a square jaw, the other tall and lanky with long, flexible fingers twitching restlessly.
Bakugo snorted at his own words while his lackeys chuckled behind him. "Pathetic. Thinking you can be a hero. You'll die before you ever make it into U.A."
"Care to repeat that, you red-eyed bastard?"
The laughter cut off instantly.
Every head turned toward the door, where Naruto stood. His bag slid from his shoulder with a dull thud against the floor. His whisker-marked face was shadowed by fury, his blue eyes hard as steel.
Bakugo sneered, sparks crackling in his palm. "Tch. Of course it's you, Tomatoe-head. Always playing bodyguard. You planning to fight me over this useless Deku again?"
Naruto stepped forward, shoulders squared. "Say whatever the hell you want about me, Baka-go. But lay one finger on Izuku, and you'll regret it."
"Big talk," Bakugo growled. He jerked his chin at his lackeys. "Get him."
The heavyset boy lunged first, aiming to tackle Naruto. Naruto slid aside effortlessly and chopped the back of his neck, sending him sprawling. The lanky one struck next, his fingers elongating like whips. Naruto ducked and weaved, crimson hair flashing as he sidestepped every strike. When the boy overextended, Naruto caught his wrist, twisted, and slammed a sharp headbutt into his nose. Blood sprayed, and the lanky teen collapsed with a groan.
Naruto barely had time to duck before a blast of heat seared overhead. He rolled forward as Bakugo lunged, explosions lighting his palms.
Naruto swept his leg low, knocking Bakugo off balance. The blond hit the floor, but rolled to his feet with a snarl. "You're dead, Uzumaki!" He swung a vicious right hook, palm sparking.
Naruto caught his wrist mid-swing and pivoted, flipping Bakugo over his shoulder and into his dazed crony. The pair hit the floor in a tangled heap.
For a heartbeat, the room was silent except for Izuku's uneven breathing.
Bakugo shoved himself up, hair mussed and eyes blazing. He took one look at Naruto—still standing tall in front of Izuku, fists raised—and scowled. Heavy footsteps echoed from the hall.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue and backed toward the door. "You got lucky, Tomato-head. Next time, I'll make sure you're the one groveling." He shot Izuku a final glare. "And you—don't think Whiskers here can protect you forever."
With that, Bakugo stormed out, dragging his lackeys with him.
Naruto kept his eyes on the door until he was sure Bakugo wasn't coming back. Only then did his posture relax. He turned to Izuku, who was trembling, clutching his backpack to his chest.
"Are you alright?" Naruto asked softly.
Izuku nodded, though he avoided Naruto's gaze. Without another word he left the room. Naruto sighed, grabbed his own bag, and followed.
Outside, Izuku stopped near the koi pond, staring at the water. His precious hero journal floated half-burnt, the koi nibbling at the edges.
"Stupid fish," Izuku muttered, snatching it from the water. He shook the pages out, trying in vain to salvage them.
Naruto frowned. "…Izuku. About what that bastard said—"
"He's right, Naruto!" Izuku's voice cracked. He bowed his head, green curls shadowing his eyes. "How can a useless Deku like me ever hope to get into U.A? Maybe I should just take his advice and jum—"
The rest was cut off by Naruto's fist snapping across his face, dropping him to the ground.
"Don't you even think about it, Izuku!" Naruto barked, fists trembling. "Who cares what that asshole thinks? You're better than him!"
Izuku blinked up, tears brimming. "But… he's right. I'm quirkless. My mom doesn't even believe in me…"
Naruto's anger softened into raw determination. He crouched, gripping Izuku by the shoulders and forcing him to meet his eyes.
"But I believe in you," Naruto said fiercely. "You want to save people—not for glory, not for money, but because it's the right thing to do. That makes you a real hero, Izuku. More than most."
Izuku's breath hitched.
Naruto's voice grew gentler. "You've already proven it. Remember that day at the park? You stood up to Ka-chan when he mocked me about my parents. You didn't care that you were scared. You stood between me and him anyway. That was courage. That was a hero."
Izuku's eyes widened as the memory came rushing back—the day he'd stood trembling, fists clenched, facing down three bullies for his crying friend.
Naruto squeezed his shoulders. "That's who you are, Izzy. My hero. And you don't need a quirk to prove it."
For a long moment, Izuku stared at him. Then tears spilled down his cheeks—not of despair this time, but of relief. A laugh bubbled out, shaky but real.
Naruto grinned and helped him up. "So quit with this Deku crap. You're not the kid who can't do anything. You're the one who can. Dekiru. That's who you are."
"…Dekiru…" Izuku whispered, smiling through his tears.
"Damn right." Naruto smirked, slinging an arm over his shoulder. "Now come on. I've got a dojo to get to, and you've got training to plan out."
The two walked off together, the pond rippling in their wake.
The walk home was quiet at first. Naruto kept sneaking glances at Izuku, making sure his friend's spirits hadn't been shattered by Bakugo's cruelty. Izuku clutched his ruined notebook against his chest, still damp from the koi pond, but there was the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips.
Naruto let that reassure him.
They cut through the long pedestrian tunnel under the street, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly off the concrete. The air was cool, carrying a faint metallic tang.
Izuku flipped open his soaked journal with a sigh. Most of the pages stuck together in a warped mess. "A lot of this is ruined…"
Naruto shoved his hands into his pockets. "You're still gonna rewrite it, aren't you?"
Izuku blinked, then gave a sheepish laugh. "O-of course. I can't just give up. Heroes don't quit just because of a setback, right?"
Naruto smirked. "That's the Izzy I know. Honestly, you're more obsessed with heroes than half the people out there."
Izuku's green eyes lit up, even through his exhaustion. "Can you blame me? All Might, Best Jeanist, Ryukyu, Mirko… they save lives every day. They're everything I want to be."
Naruto turned his head slightly, his crimson hair falling into his eyes. "Then you will be. Quirk or no quirk. You've got more heart than any of them."
Izuku's breath caught, startled by the sincerity. His mouth opened—maybe to argue, maybe to thank him—but before he could speak—
BOOM!
The manhole cover behind them shot sky-high with a metallic clang.
A wave of foul-smelling sludge erupted upward, splattering across the tunnel. The stench was overwhelming—rot, sewage, and something acrid that burned the nose. The amorphous green slime writhed into a towering shape, bubbling and pulsing with a sickly glow.
"Well, well…" a gravelly voice oozed from the creature itself. Yellow eyes blinked open inside the mass, glowing with cruel amusement. "Two perfect little hosts. A strong one…" tendrils shot toward Naruto, "…and a disposable one."
Izuku froze. His body screamed at him to run, but terror rooted him in place.
Naruto reacted instantly, shoving Izuku behind him. "Run, Izzy!"
But tendrils lashed out faster than either of them expected. They coiled around their arms and legs, hoisting both teens into the air like dolls. The monster's wet laughter echoed in the tunnel.
"No use struggling," it hissed, slime wrapping tighter. "Once I'm inside, you'll make an excellent disguise."
Naruto grit his teeth, thrashing against the restraints. His crimson hair clung to his forehead with sweat as his whisker-marked face contorted with rage. "Like hell I'm letting sewer trash take me down!"
The sludge forced itself over Naruto's mouth. The taste was acrid, burning his throat. In defiance, he bit down hard. His teeth sank into the gelatinous mass, tearing free a chunk he spat out with disgust. His fury only grew.
His blue eyes flicked toward Izuku.
Izuku was barely breathing, the slime creeping over his face. His green eyes were wide with terror—and then dulled with resignation. His body slumped.
This is it… he thought bitterly. I'm going to die. Sorry, Mom. Sorry, Naruto… I guess I was never meant to—
"No!"
Naruto's roar rattled the tunnel. A surge of strength tore through him as he ripped free of the tendrils. He hit the ground, rolled, then launched himself at Izuku. With a desperate tackle, he ripped his friend free of the slime's grip.
Izuku collapsed to the floor, coughing violently as sludge poured from his mouth.
Naruto planted himself in front of him, fists raised, body trembling but unyielding. "You want him, you'll have to go through me!"
The sludge villain reared back, amused. "A wild one, aren't you? Good. I like it when they fight." Dozens of slimy tendrils lashed out at once.
Naruto braced himself, ready to fight until his last breath.
And then—
A thunderous thud shook the tunnel. Air rushed like a storm as a massive figure leaped from the manhole, landing between the boys and the villain.
Seven feet tall. Muscles like carved stone. Blond hair swept upward into two sharp tufts. A shadow fell across his face, but his piercing blue eyes gleamed with unshakable resolve.
The greatest hero in Japan had arrived.
"Fear not, citizens!" boomed a voice that filled the tunnel with power. "For I—am here!"
All Might.
The sludge villain screeched in panic. "Damn you! Stay out of this!"
All Might drew back a fist, the sheer pressure of his presence crushing the air around him.
"Texas… SMASH!"
The punch never touched the villain. The force of it alone generated a shockwave that splattered the sludge across the tunnel walls, leaving only twitching scraps behind.
Silence followed.
Naruto lowered his fists slowly, staring in awe. His heart thundered—not with fear, but exhilaration. "Incredible…" he breathed.
Izuku staggered to his feet, green eyes wide and shining with pure admiration. "It's really him…" His whole body trembled. "All Might. The Symbol of Peace…"
Naruto smirked faintly at his friend's expression, then turned toward the towering hero.
All Might straightened to his full height, brushing slime from his gloves. He reached for an empty soda bottle, scooping the unconscious remains of the villain inside. Only then did he face the boys with a reassuring grin.
"Apologies for the scare," All Might said, his voice deep but warm. "Villains like this usually don't get far, but the sewers can be… slippery. No need to worry—you two are safe now."
Naruto let out a breath, shoulders easing. "Thanks, All Might. We owe you one."
"Yeah! Thank you!" Izuku blurted. He scrambled for his bag, fumbling with the zipper before pulling out his half-ruined notebook. His hands trembled as he held it out. "C-could I… please… have your autograph?"
Naruto chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as his friend all but shoved the book forward.
All Might's booming laugh echoed in the tunnel. "Of course, young man. Anything for my fans!"
All Might's marker scrawled across the ruined page of Izuku's notebook with practiced flair. He even added a small sketch of his signature smile before handing it back.
"There you are, young man," he said warmly. "Treasure it well."
Izuku clutched the notebook to his chest like it was a sacred relic. His freckled cheeks flushed pink as his eyes shone brighter than ever. "Th-thank you, All Might! This… this is the greatest moment of my life!"
Naruto chuckled, crossing his arms. "Careful, Izzy, you're about five seconds away from proposing to him."
"I-I am not!" Izuku squeaked, holding the notebook even tighter.
All Might laughed, the sound booming and larger-than-life. "Haha! I'm always grateful to have such passionate fans!"
But then his smile wavered, almost imperceptibly. He glanced down at the soda bottle, slime villain sloshing inside. His massive shoulders shifted as though a weight pressed on them. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must deliver this villain to the authorities. Duty calls!"
He tucked the bottle under one arm and crouched, preparing to leap.
Naruto waved casually, a relaxed grin on his face. "No worries, All Might. Thanks again. You really saved our asses back there."
All Might chuckled again, though this time it felt a little strained. "It was nothing, my boy. Nothing at all."
"C'mon, Izzy," Naruto said, turning toward the tunnel's exit. "We've gotta hurry. My aunt's gonna kill me if I'm late to the dojo again." He slung his bag over his shoulder, already imagining the lecture. "You too—you can finally learn something that'll keep Baka-go off your back."
Izuku hesitated. His notebook trembled in his hands. A question had been burning in his chest since he was four—one that he couldn't ignore.
His eyes locked on All Might's towering frame. This was his chance. Maybe his only one.
He tightened his grip on the notebook, heart hammering. If I don't ask now, I'll regret it forever.
"All Might—!"
But the hero was already leaping.
Without thinking, Izuku lunged forward. His arms wrapped around All Might's leg just as he launched himself skyward.
"W-wait!" Izuku screamed, clinging desperately as the ground dropped away beneath him.
All Might's eyes bulged in shock mid-leap. "Young man?! What are you doing?!"
Back on the ground, Naruto skidded to a stop. His jaw dropped as his best friend rocketed into the sky, dangling like a flag from All Might's leg.
"…Izzy, what the actual hell?!" Naruto yelled, his voice echoing down the tunnel as he threw his hands in the air. "You couldn't wait five minutes?!"
His shout faded as the two figures disappeared over the rooftops.
Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Unbelievable. That idiot's gonna get himself killed one day."
He shook his head, adjusted his bag, and started toward the dojo. "Better not make me late for practice, Izzy… or my aunt's gonna make me run laps for your dumbass."
Naruto tore through the streets, crimson hair whipping behind him as his sharp blue eyes darted from rooftop to rooftop.
"Izzy! Where the hell did you land?!" he shouted, startling pedestrians as he barreled past.
He skidded around a corner, nearly bowling over a cyclist. "Sorry! Emergency!"
Vaulting a fence, sprinting across a yard, cutting through traffic—none of it mattered. No matter where he looked, there was no sign of Izuku. Just the empty skyline above.
Naruto ground his teeth, chest heaving. "Damn it… Hang on, Izzy. Don't do anything stupid until I find you."
—
Meanwhile, All Might landed with a heavy thud on a rooftop, Izuku still clinging to his leg like a terrified barnacle. He crouched low, ensuring the boy wasn't flung off, then stood tall again.
"Good grief, young man!" All Might boomed, his deep voice filling the rooftop. "That was reckless! You could have been seriously hurt pulling a stunt like that!"
Izuku staggered back, panting, but refused to let go of the moment. "S-sorry! I just… I couldn't let you go yet!"
All Might sighed, brushing his gloves off. "Well, what's done is done. But I really must be going—"
"Wait!" Izuku blurted, louder than he meant. His green eyes widened, tears stinging the corners. "Please… I have to know something!"
All Might tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his piercing gaze. "…Go on."
The words tumbled out of Izuku in a rush, raw and unpolished.
"All my life I've dreamed of being a hero. Not for fame, not for money—I just… I want to help people. To smile like you do, and make others feel safe. But I don't have a quirk. Everyone tells me it's impossible. Even my mom… even she told me maybe I should give up." His voice cracked at that.
He clenched his ruined notebook against his chest, fingers trembling. "But Naruto—he believes in me. He's always believed in me. That's been enough to keep me going. But now I need to hear it from you—from the greatest hero in the world. Can I still be a hero, even without a quirk?"
All Might's smile faltered. His massive frame loomed like a titan, but faint tendrils of white steam curled from his shoulders.
Izuku blinked. "…All Might?"
Then his eyes widened in horror.
The great hero's body was shrinking. Muscles deflated like air hissing from a balloon. Steam poured off his skin in heavy waves.
When it cleared, the man before Izuku was unrecognizable—thin, bony, almost frail. His eyes were sunken, his posture slouched. A jagged scar stretched across his side like a canyon carved into flesh.
Izuku stumbled back, his heart pounding. "…You're… you're not…?"
All Might coughed into his fist, his voice raspier now. "…This is my true form. The price of an old wound. I can only maintain my power for about three hours a day." He gave a wry smile. "The rest of the time, I'm just a shell of a man."
The rooftop was silent, the weight of truth pressing heavy.
Izuku's throat worked, his eyes wide and glassy. "…So what about me? My question?"
All Might's gaze softened, but his words were firm.
"Listen well, young man. Without a quirk, you cannot be a hero."
The world collapsed around Izuku.
His heart dropped into his stomach. His breath came shallow, ragged. That single word—no—echoed in his skull like a death knell.
All Might kept speaking, but Izuku didn't hear. His voice warped, muffled, fading into static. Other voices replaced it. Cruel, familiar, inescapable.
Bakugo's snarl: "You're useless, Deku. Always have been. You'll die before you ever make it to U.A."
A classmate's cackle: "Look at him—thinking he belongs with real heroes. What a joke."
A teacher's cold dismissal: "Stop pretending, Midoriya. You'll never be anything but a liability."
Bakugo again, venom dripping: "If you really want a quirk, then jump off the roof. Maybe you'll be useful in your next life."
And his mother's broken sob: "I'm sorry, Izuku… I wish you could be a hero. But I just want you to be safe. Please stop dreaming…"
Each word was a blade, cutting deeper than the last.
Izuku clutched his notebook, fingers digging so hard the paper crumpled. Tears streamed unchecked down his face, smearing the bold scrawl of All Might's autograph.
They were right. They were all right. I'll never be enough.
All Might's real words went unheard:
"…not like the rest of them. That doesn't mean it's impossible. Quirk or no quirk, you must train. Forge your body into a weapon. Sharpen your mind. Strengthen your spirit. That is the only way forward. You have a hero's heart, and that is rare… but heart alone is not enough."
Izuku's mind didn't absorb any of it. Only the first part remained, echoing louder than the rest.
Without a quirk, you cannot be a hero.
That was all he heard.
All Might gave a regretful nod, mistaking Izuku's silence for understanding. "I'm sorry. That's the truth as I see it."
He turned toward the rooftop stairwell, his thin frame shadowed against the setting sun. "I must be off. Farewell, young man."
His footsteps faded, leaving Izuku alone.
The silence was suffocating.
His knees buckled, sending him crashing to the rooftop. Shoulders shaking, tears pouring freely, Izuku let his notebook slip from his trembling hands. It landed face-up, the ink bleeding into the page.
And for the first time, Midoriya Izuku—the boy who dreamed of saving people with a smile—believed that dream was dead.
—
Elsewhere, Bakugo stalked down an alley with his two lackeys trailing behind. His crimson eyes still burned with fury, sparks snapping in his palms as he ranted.
"Can you believe that damn Tomato-head? Always sticking his nose in my business! Protecting that useless Deku like he's worth a damn!" He slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a scorched handprint. "One of these days, I'll shut both of them up for good."
The heavyset lackey chuckled nervously. "Y-yeah, Bakugo, they're nothing compared to you."
"Damn right they're not," Bakugo snarled. "That quirkless nerd should've dropped dead years ago. And Uzumaki? He thinks a few punches in a dojo make him special? He's nothing. I'm the only one getting into U.A. I'll be the number one hero, and those losers will—"
His foot kicked something hard.
"Huh?" He glanced down. A soda bottle rolled lazily across the ground. He sneered. "Trash." With a vicious kick, he sent it clattering against the wall.
The bottle cracked.
Green sludge seeped out, bubbling, reforming.
Bakugo's eyes widened as the bottle burst open, spilling the familiar grotesque figure onto the alley floor.
"Well, well, what luck…" the sludge villain hissed, its yellow eyes narrowing. "A perfect vessel, and I've already seen your quirk in action…"
Before Bakugo could react, tendrils shot out, wrapping around his arms and legs. His explosions went off in panic, filling the alley with smoke and firelight as his scream tore through the night.
"GET THE HELL OFF ME—!"