All Might raised his hand. "Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded.
"Then—BEGIN!"
The four students burst into motion. Sero launched himself forward, tape whipping around a pipe as he slingshotted ahead. Mina ejected acid beneath her feet and began skating effortlessly across the metal pipes. Ojiro used his tail for balance and propulsion, flipping from beam to beam. Ida, engines roaring, shot through the labyrinth of steel with blinding speed.
For a moment, they were all neck and neck—until Sero swung around a final corner and snatched the rescue point first.
All Might laughed. "Young Sero may have come in first, but I've seen great improvement from all of you! Keep training and prepare well for your upcoming final exams!"
The next groups went quickly, each showing their growth since internships. And before long, only Izuku was left.
He stepped up, rolling his shoulders as All Might approached with something in his hand.
"Now then, Young Midoriya," All Might said, a grin spreading across his face. "Instead of rescuing someone, you'll be chasing this."
He held up a small metallic ball, no bigger than a golf ball. "A group of support students designed it especially for you. It flies fast, maneuvers sharply, and won't be easy to predict. Oh—and you can't just fly above the city to catch it."
The class murmured excitedly, eager to see how Izuku would handle the challenge.
All Might tossed the ball into the distance. "GO!"
Izuku launched forward, a red-and-blue blur weaving through the maze of pipes. The ball darted left, then up, twisting unpredictably. Just as Izuku reached for it, it made a sudden turn—and he smashed through several pipes before bursting out the other side.
The class broke into laughter as the dust settled, but a few seconds later Izuku emerged, brushing himself off before sprinting again.
Momo tilted her head. "Why is he running now instead of flying?"
Ida adjusted his glasses, watching carefully. "He probably finds it easier to make turns with his feet on the ground. Even so, running that fast is incredible!"
Izuku darted around another corner, eyes locked on the target. The ball zipped through a narrow gap—but Izuku anticipated the movement this time. His hand shot out, and with a sharp clack, he caught it mid-flight.
He pressed the small button on its side, deactivating it before walking back to the group. The class erupted into applause.
"That was awesome!" Kaminari cheered.
"Man, he caught it like it was nothing!" Kirishima added.
Izuku smiled sheepishly. "You guys did great too."
All Might nodded approvingly. "Well done, everyone. That concludes today's training! You're dismissed."
Later, as everyone changed back into their uniforms, Sato stretched with a groan. "Man, today's training was brutal."
Kirishima laughed. "Yeah, I've gotta work on my movement. These factory pipes were killer!"
Tokoyami nodded solemnly. "Then improve what you can. A hero adapts to every battlefield."
Meanwhile, Mineta waved Izuku over, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. "Psst, Midoriya! You've gotta see this!" He pointed at a wall poster half-hanging loose. Behind it was a small hole.
"We hit the jackpot! Somebody Shawshanked a hole into the girls' locker room!"
Before anyone could react, Izuku's eyes flashed red. A beam of heat vision shot from his gaze, sealing the hole shut in an instant, molten metal hissing as it cooled.
Mineta's jaw dropped. "Aww, come on, man!"
Izuku sighed, arms crossed. "You're lucky I didn't melt the floor under you too."
The rest of the class burst into laughter as Mineta groaned in defeat.
The next morning, Izuku stretched as he got out of bed, yawning before heading downstairs. The smell of breakfast drifted from the kitchen, and he found his mother sitting on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV.
On-screen, a morning talk show was in full swing. The hosts were animatedly discussing "the importance of heroes having sex appeal." Mount Lady and Midnight were the guests of the day, confidently debating the pros and cons of flashy costumes.
Izuku blinked at the TV, his face turning a faint red.
"Morning, sweetie!" Inko smiled, not noticing his discomfort.
"Morning, Mom," he replied quickly before glancing back at the screen. Midnight was mid-sentence, saying something about "presentation being part of hero work." That was enough for him.
Without another word, Izuku turned toward the kitchen, poured himself a bowl of cereal, ate in silence, and grabbed his bag. "I'll see you after school!" he called before heading out the door.
On his walk to U.A., he spotted Kaminari and Mineta near the gate, deep in conversation.
"Bro, did you see that talk show this morning?" Kaminari whispered excitedly.
"See it? I recorded it!" Mineta said, grinning from ear to ear. "Mount Lady was—"
Izuku immediately cut past them before he could hear another word. Nope. Not starting my day like that.
He headed straight for Class 1-A.
Inside, a few students were already chatting when Aizawa walked in, half-wrapped in his yellow scarf, looking as exhausted as ever. He set down a stack of papers and stood at the podium.
"Alright, listen up. You've got one week left until your final exams," he said, his voice flat but firm. "I trust you're studying diligently, but don't forget the physical portion. The written test is only half of it."
A few groans echoed around the room.
"And one more thing," Aizawa continued. "We'll be doing a summer training camp. Those who fail will have to stay behind for remedial classes. That's all."
With that, he walked out just as quietly as he came in.
The moment the door shut, the room buzzed with anxious energy.
"Wait—final exams already!?" Kaminari panicked.
"Crap, I've barely taken any notes this semester," Mineta groaned.
"With all the attacks and training, who's had time to study?" Jirou muttered.
Izuku stood up, clapping his hands lightly to get everyone's attention. "Hey, we still have a week. If we work together, we can all pass—and then we can all go to the training camp together!"
Ida nodded firmly, standing beside him. "Midoriya is right! We must all give it our utmost effort—"
Before he could finish, Mina leaned over her desk. "Wait, where even are you in the class rankings, Izuku?"
Izuku scratched his cheek modestly. "Uh… I'm number one."
The class went silent. Then—
"What!?" Denki and Mina shouted at once. "That's totally unfair!"
Izuku chuckled sheepishly. "Well, I have a photographic memory… it kinda helps."
"Ugh! Some people get all the gifts," Denki groaned.
Momo smiled softly. "If anyone needs help, I'd be happy to tutor you all. We can study together."
"That's an excellent idea!" Ida said. "A study group would ensure we're all prepared!"
Uraraka raised her hand. "But where should we meet? The dorms might be too noisy."
Izuku thought for a moment, then offered, "You can all come to my place. It's a bit outside the city, but I can fly everyone there."
The class erupted in excitement at the idea.
"No way—flying with Midoriya? That sounds awesome!" Kirishima grinned.
Before the conversation could go further, their next teacher walked in, and everyone scrambled back to their seats.
After class ended, Izuku made his way to the cafeteria, grabbed a tray of food, and sat down with his classmates. As he ate, he looked over to Ida.
"I've gotta admit," Izuku said, stirring his rice absentmindedly, "I'm kinda nervous about the practical exam."
Ida adjusted his glasses, posture perfectly straight as always. "You don't need to worry, Midoriya. Your quirk is powerful enough to handle anything U.A. throws at you. It's the rest of us who should be concerned."
Izuku shook his head. "That's not true, Ida. My quirk might look amazing, but it only seems that way because I've trained constantly to control it. If I ever lost focus, I could kill someone—or even myself. Take my hearing, for example. If I hadn't trained it, the sheer amount of noise I can pick up would've driven me insane. So yeah… it's not as easy as it looks. But thanks for the vote of confidence."
Ida blinked, then bowed slightly. "I see. My apologies if I spoke out of turn."
Izuku smiled. "You don't need to apologize. Anyway, the written exam should be fine. It's based on what we've learned in class, but the practical is still a mystery."
Uraraka leaned in. "You really think it's gonna be that simple?"
Izuku didn't seem to hear her—his mind was already spinning. "It's just driving me crazy not knowing what it's going to be…"
Before anyone could respond, a loud clatter made everyone jump. Behind Izuku, a tray of food had hit the floor.
Everyone turned to see Monoma from Class 1-B glaring at Izuku.
"Monoma?" Izuku said, standing up and walking over to him. "Are you okay?" He extended a hand to help him up.
Monoma slapped it away. "I don't need help from people who only act like heroes when they've got an audience!"
Izuku blinked, taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
"You took down the Hero Killer, didn't you?" Monoma sneered. "And just like the Sports Festival, you weren't happy unless everyone was looking at you."
Izuku's brows furrowed. "I don't know what your problem is, but I don't do any of this for attention or praise. I just want to help people—that's all that matters to me."
Ida stood up beside him, voice firm. "Well said, Midoriya! We should all strive to be heroes who act without selfish motives!"
Before Monoma could reply, a light thwack sounded as someone hit him on the back of the head.
"Monoma, cut it out," said an orange-haired girl, Kendo Itsuka, glaring at him. "That wasn't funny." She turned to Class 1-A and bowed politely. "Sorry about him, everyone. He gets carried away sometimes."
Then she smiled lightly. "Oh, and I overheard you talking about the practical exam. Word is, it's going to be combat against robots—like the entrance exam."
That immediately lifted the tension.
When everyone returned to class, the room buzzed with excitement. Students were already celebrating.
"If it's just robots again, this'll be easy!" Denki grinned.
Mina cheered. "Guess we're all passing the practical, huh?"
Bakugo leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and expression dark. "You idiots shouldn't be celebrating," he muttered. "Doesn't matter if it's robots or real people—you still have to win."
His sharp tone drew everyone's attention.
"Who're you calling idiots!?" Mina and Denki shouted in unison.
Bakugo slammed his palms on the desk. "I said shut up! You morons need to learn to control your quirks! We'll be getting individual scores for the finals, so we'll all see exactly where we stand—and I'll show you how much better I am than all of you!"
With that, he stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the windows.
The class sighed.
Later, as everyone packed up to head home, Izuku turned to the group. "So… who's coming to the study group, and who needs a ride?"
Most of them raised their hands. The only one who didn't was Momo.
"Oh, don't worry," Momo said with a smile. "I can have my family driver take everyone in the limo. It'll be more comfortable."
Most of the class agreed right away—but Mina and Kirishima looked disappointed.
"Aww, man," Mina groaned. "I wanted to go flying with Midoriya!"
"Yeah, same!" Kirishima added.
Izuku chuckled. "I can still fly you two, but I need to head home first to set things up. It'll take about ten minutes total. If you don't mind waiting, I'll come back for you."
They both grinned and agreed.
Izuku flew home, dropped off his things, and headed to the barn. He quickly put together a makeshift table using a few wooden crates and covered it with a clean white sheet. When he was done, he told his parents about the study group and messaged Momo his address so her driver could find the place.
Once everything was ready, he flew back to U.A. and landed by the front gate. Mina and Kirishima were waiting.
"Sorry for the wait," Izuku said. Then, without hesitation, he scooped Mina up bridal-style.
"Wha—!?" Mina's face flushed pink.
"Hold on tight," Izuku said with a small grin, before looking at Kirishima. "You can hop on my back."
Kirishima blushed slightly. "This is… uh, kinda awkward."
Izuku laughed. "Once we're in the air, you can shift around if you want."
Moments later, they lifted off the ground. The wind rushed past them as the city lights faded beneath their feet. Mina gasped at the view, wide-eyed.
"This is amazing!" she shouted.
Izuku smiled as the night sky stretched out before them. "Yeah… it really is."
It didn't take long for Izuku to get home. As they drew closer, he slowed his flight, descending toward the Midoriya family farm. From above, Mina and Kirishima got their first real look at it — green pastures stretching toward the horizon, cows grazing lazily, and chickens darting around the barnyard.
Once he landed, Izuku gently set Mina down while Kirishima hopped off his back, landing with a grin. Mina looked around, taking in the quaint, peaceful atmosphere. "This place is adorable!" she said, watching a few hens run past.
Izuku chuckled. "We'll be studying in the barn later. You can wait here or inside if you'd like — we won't start until everyone else gets here."
Mina and Kirishima chose to stay outside. While they waited, they watched Izuku move about the farm, completing his chores with casual strength — lifting hay bales like they were made of paper and collecting eggs with practiced care. A few minutes later, his mother came outside carrying a tray with a pitcher of juice and a plate of cookies.
When Izuku spotted her, he smiled and went to meet her. Just then, a sleek limo pulled up on the dirt road, and his classmates began stepping out one by one. Izuku waved them over, introducing his mom to everyone. She beamed with pride. "I'm so glad Izuku has made so many wonderful friends," she said warmly.
Once everyone was settled, Izuku led his classmates to the barn. Inside, desks and books were already set up for their study session. Jirō looked around and commented, "You live way out here, huh? Good thing you can fly that fast."
Izuku laughed softly. "Yeah, it definitely helps."
The group studied for a few hours, working through subjects and quizzing each other on key topics. The calm hum of the countryside made it surprisingly relaxing. But elsewhere, across the ocean in the United States — a new story was beginning.
In Central City, night had fallen. The CCPD was in hot pursuit of a bank robber, but this was no ordinary criminal — his quirk let him control the weather. Lightning crackled and hail battered the streets as the officers chased him to the outskirts of town, near a pig farm.
"Get back!" one officer shouted as the villain conjured a swirling tornado, forcing the squad cars to a halt. "Where are the heroes?! What's taking them so long?" another yelled over the wind.
Before anyone could answer, a streak of red lightning blurred past them, circling the tornado at impossible speed until it vanished completely. In the same heartbeat, the figure appeared beside the villain, striking him down before anyone could blink.
The officers moved in, slapping quirk-dampening cuffs on the unconscious criminal. "Thanks for the assist—" one cop began, but another shouted, "Hands up! Don't move!"
The man in red turned his head slightly — and then vanished, speeding back toward the city in a scarlet blur.
"What the hell?!" the first cop said, stunned.
"I just checked the hero registry," another officer replied. "There's no hero with that ability in Central City. He's not registered… he's a vigilante."
"So what?" a third officer muttered. "He's the only one who showed up. We chased this guy for miles and no pro hero helped us. He's a vigilante, yeah — but he saved lives tonight."
The rest of the week passed quickly. Izuku hosted multiple study groups at his home, helping his classmates prepare. Before they knew it, the day of the Final Exams had arrived.
Izuku woke early, nerves twisting in his stomach. His parents noticed immediately. His father put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, son. You'll do great. And even if you don't, we'll still be proud."
His mother smiled softly. "Just remember — you've already come so far."
They hugged him goodbye and watched as Izuku took off into the morning sky, flying toward U.A.
When he landed and walked into class, the room was unusually quiet — everyone was too focused to talk. Izuku quietly took his seat, glancing around at his friends' determined faces. Moments later, Aizawa entered with his usual sleepy expression.
"Hope you're all ready," he said, handing out test packets. "I expect all of you to pass. Remedial classes are… unpleasant."
Three days of exams followed — grueling, exhausting, but manageable thanks to their preparation. When it was over, the entire class sighed with relief.
Mina and Denki cheered, "We survived! Momo, Izuku — thank you guys so much! I think we actually passed!"
But the break didn't last. Aizawa soon had them change into their hero costumes and head to the uninhabited training city. When they arrived, every single U.A. teacher was waiting for them.
Aizawa stepped forward. "Now then, let's begin your final practical exam. Remember — it's possible to fail this test. If you want to go to training camp, don't do anything stupid."
Jirō raised a hand. "Uh, why are all the teachers here?"
Aizawa smirked slightly. "I imagine most of you did some research and think you know what's coming — big robots, right?"
Denki pumped a fist. "Yeah! Those huge metal ones from before!"
But then Nezu popped up from Aizawa's scarf, his eyes gleaming. "Actually, this year will be very different! We've redesigned the final to focus on teamwork and real combat situations. You'll be facing not robots — but us. Your teachers."
The class collectively gasped. Uraraka muttered, "We're fighting… the teachers?"
"That's right," Aizawa confirmed. "Your teams and opponents have already been assigned."
He began reading off the matchups:
Yaoyorozu & Todoroki vs. Aizawa
Midoriya & Bakugo vs. All Might
Sato & Kirishima vs. Cementoss
Tsuyu & Tokoyami vs. Ectoplasm
Iida & Ojiro vs. Power Loader
Uraraka & Aoyama vs. Thirteen
Mina & Denki vs. Nezu
Jirō & Koda vs. Present Mic
Hagakure & Shoji vs. Snipe
Mineta & Sero vs. Midnight
After listing off the teams, Nezu stepped forward, holding a small silver pair of cuffs in his tiny paw.
"To complete the exam," he began, his voice bright but sharp, "you'll have thirty minutes. Your goal is simple — either capture your assigned teacher using these cuffs, or escape the combat stage before time runs out. Either condition counts as a pass!"
He paused, turning toward Izuku and Bakugo. "However… there's one special exception."
The class turned to look at the pair.
"Midoriya and Bakugo," Nezu continued, "since you two possess particularly destructive capabilities, your test will be different. You'll be facing All Might—and your objective isn't just to hold him off."
He pointed to a nearby holographic display that showed dozens of metal silhouettes scattered across the city map.
"While fending off All Might, you'll also be responsible for evacuating these training robots spread throughout the area to the designated safe zones."
A collective gasp went through the class.
Mina raised her hand hesitantly. "Wait… is it really okay for us to just run away if we need to?"
Nezu smiled. "Yep! Escaping is a perfectly valid strategy. Victory doesn't always mean winning the fight."
"Yo!" Present Mic added, grinning widely. "But don't think this'll be anything like the combat training y'all did before. You're up against teachers this time — people way better than you!"
Thirteen nodded. "Indeed. This time, your exam will simulate a real battle scenario. As strange as it may sound… please think of us as villains."
Snipe adjusted his hat and chimed in. "If you come across your enemy and believe you can win, then fight. But—"
Aizawa cut in, his tired eyes narrowing. "—if you're clearly outmatched, the smarter move is to retreat and regroup. Iida, I'm sure you understand that better than anyone."
Iida's expression grew serious as he thought back to Hosu City — to Stain. He clenched his fists and nodded firmly. "I won't make that mistake again. This time, I'll prove I can make the right call… and that I'm worthy of being a hero."
All Might laughed warmly. "Exactly! This test isn't just about strength — it's about decision-making. But you're probably thinking, 'With those rules, we can just run away,' right?"
The students looked at each other uncertainly.
All Might grinned and held up a small metallic band. "That's why the Support Course prepared these ultra-clever accessories for us!"
Present Mic raised a hand dramatically. "Behold — Ultra-Compressed Weights!"
All Might slipped the wristbands on with a metallic click. "These beauties add about half our body weight to our physiques. It's not much," he admitted as his muscles tensed, "but enough to burn stamina and slow us down a bit."
He flexed his arms, chuckling. "Heavier than they look, actually!"
Aizawa stepped forward again. "Alright, you all know the rules. Teams will take the practical exam in the order I call. Each stage is fully prepared. Those not in combat can either observe the matches or strategize with their partners — your choice."
He looked at the list on his clipboard. "First up — Sato and Kirishima versus Cementoss. Everyone else, stand by."
The class split up, forming into their assigned pairs. Some moved toward the viewing area, others began whispering quick battle plans.
Izuku walked over to Bakugo, who was cracking his knuckles impatiently." Izuku said, "just let me finish before you say anything."
Bakugo crossed his arms but didn't interrupt.
"I know you want to fight All Might," Izuku said seriously. "So I'll let you handle him. I'll focus on saving the robots. But—" his eyes hardened "—if it starts getting too much, I'll switch with you."
Bakugo scoffed, glaring at him. "Tch. Don't make me laugh. I'd rather die than have you save me."
Izuku sighed but smiled faintly. "Yeah… I figured you'd say that."
Midoriya walked into the observation area and spotted Recovery Girl sitting comfortably in a chair near the monitors.
She looked up as he entered, sighing. "I've got my work cut out for me today," she muttered, eyeing the lineup of students on the screen.
Before Izuku could reply, Uraraka walked in, waving. "Oh! Izuku, you're watching too? Hi!"
Izuku smiled politely. "Hey. Yeah—it's not like we get many chances to see students fight their teachers in real combat. Besides, Bakugo and I already made our plan… though honestly, I don't have high hopes. We barely get along as it is."
Uraraka chuckled nervously. "I get that. My teammate's, uh… a little preoccupied with himself right now."
Before they could continue, the screen flickered to life, showing a live feed of a training city.
A voice came over the loudspeakers:"Team Sato and Kirishima, practical exam. Ready… go!"
The image zoomed in on Sato and Kirishima sprinting down the empty streets. The mics didn't pick up their conversation clearly, so Izuku focused his hearing, tuning in with his enhanced senses.
Kirishima's voice came through faintly. "So what do you think, bro? We'll definitely get a higher score for capturing instead of running, right?"
Sato nodded, catching his breath. "Makes sense, but—"
Before he could finish, the ground rumbled as Cementoss appeared, slamming his hands into the pavement. Massive concrete walls erupted from the ground, cutting off their path.
Kirishima and Sato jumped back, assuming defensive stances. "He can't move fast," Kirishima called. "Let's break through from the front and shoot for a high score!" He hardened his skin, the sound of stone scraping against stone echoing through the air.
"Got it!" Sato said, already gulping down sugar packs. "Let's do this!"
Cementoss adjusted his glasses and sighed. "A frontal assault, huh? You boys are straightforward if nothing else." He raised both hands, causing another series of concrete barriers to rise in quick succession.
Kirishima roared and drove his fist into the wall. "This is it, Sato!"
Sato followed with a heavy punch, cracking the concrete. Together, the two smashed through wall after wall, inching their way toward Cementoss. Each blow echoed like thunder across the arena.
"Yeah! Go, go, go!" Uraraka cheered from the observation deck, fists clenched in excitement.
But Izuku shook his head. "They can't win like this," he said quietly.
Uraraka blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Izuku leaned forward, watching closely. "Their Quirks are incredible, but they both rely on stamina. They can't maintain that output for long. Cementoss doesn't have that kind of limitation. The longer this goes on, the worse it gets for them."
Uraraka frowned. "That's… not good."
Izuku nodded. "No coincidence they were matched against him. Mr. Aizawa's testing how they handle their weaknesses. If they want to pass, they'll have to recognize those limits—and overcome them."
Recovery Girl smirked and added, "Exactly right. You should remember that for your own test, young man. Think carefully about your compatibility with your opponent."
Down on the field, Kirishima was slowing down, his breathing ragged. "This is never-ending… no matter how many walls we break, he keeps making more!"
"I'm… tired…" Sato muttered, his eyes drooping. "So sleepy…"
"Now's not the time!" Kirishima yelled. "Stay with me, man!"
Cementoss raised another wave of walls, encircling them completely. "You're admirable for pushing this far," he said calmly, "but predictable nonetheless."
The walls closed in like a giant maze, trapping the two inside. Kirishima slammed his fist into one last wall—it barely cracked.
"I'm running outta steam…" he said, collapsing to one knee.
Cementoss placed his hands on the last section of concrete, sealing them inside. "In a real fight, knowing the limits of your body is just as important as strength itself," he lectured. "When your life is on the line, you need to know exactly how far you can push yourself."
The buzzer sounded, marking the end of the match.
the P.A system announced that the exam between kirishima and sato was finished and hear this the class that was spread out all comment on how fast it was and were surprised that kirishima went down
tsuyu and Tokoyami were the next team up they put up a great fight against ectoplasm clone they should good spatial awareness and quick thinking and in the end they managed to cuff one of his body parts the P.A system once again turned on and inform everyone that tsuyu and tokoyami passed there final exam
the next team was ida and ojiro and as the exam began, Ida immediately took command of the strategy, urging Ojiro to stay mobile and use his Quirk to support him from a distance. Power Loader quickly dove underground, using his Quirk to reshape the ground and create sinkholes and collapsing paths to separate the two students.
Ida used his incredible speed to avoid being trapped, but Power Loader's unpredictable tunneling kept him on the defensive. Meanwhile, Ojiro tried to predict Power Loader's movements using vibrations in the ground, calling out directions to warn Ida before attacks hit. The two began syncing their movements, with Ida acting as the spear and Ojiro as the eyes.
Power Loader's strategy was to drag one of them underground and eliminate them before focusing on the other. However, Ida's Recipro Burst allowed him to evade the ambush and counter with a blinding-speed tackle that disrupted Power Loader's tunnel. Ojiro seized the moment to unleash his Quirk—using compact bursts of energy to collapse several tunnels and limit Power Loader's movement options.
Realizing they couldn't overpower their teacher in his element, the duo switched to an escape plan. Ida used his speed to act as a decoy, luring Power Loader away while Ofiro created a controlled cave-in to block pursuit. In the final stretch, Ida carried Ojiro at top speed, blasting through debris and reaching the exit gate just seconds before Power Loader resurfaced and allowing them to pass
the next team was todoroki and momo and From the moment the exam began, Aizawa disappeared into the shadows, immediately erasing Todoroki's Quirk the moment he tried to use it. Both students realized how much the battlefield favored their teacher—Aizawa used his Erasure ability and mobility to keep them constantly on edge, attacking from unpredictable angles and disabling them before they could coordinate.
Todoroki tried to take point and rely on raw power, but with his flames and ice repeatedly sealed, their strategy fell apart. Momo's nerves initially got the better of her, as she hesitated to create large or complex equipment under pressure. Aizawa exploited that hesitation, capturing Todoroki with his scarf and nearly ending the match early.
However, seeing Todoroki in danger reignited Momo's confidence. She quickly crafted a flash grenade and a set of goggles for both of them. She threw the grenade to force Aizawa to break eye contact and release Todoroki. Using the brief opening, Todoroki unleashed an ice wall to create distance and regain control of the field.
With Aizawa's movements momentarily restricted, Momo took command of the plan. She began mass-producing defensive tools—smoke bombs, ropes, and a catapult device designed to slow Aizawa's pursuit. Todoroki provided covering fire with his ice while Momo laid traps and prepared a capture weapon.
When Aizawa reappeared and neutralized Todoroki's flames again, Momo executed her plan: she used one of the cloth ropes to pull down a hidden net launcher she had crafted earlier. Caught off-guard by her quick thinking and coordination with Todoroki, Aizawa was ensnared for a few crucial seconds. Todoroki then used his ice to freeze the net in place, immobilizing their teacher completely.
uraraka and Aoyama were next and As soon as the exam started, Thirteen activated Black Hole at low power to demonstrate how easily the environment could turn lethal. Uraraka and Aoyama were immediately forced into cover, realizing that even the slightest mistake could result in being pulled in. Thirteen's Quirk wasn't used offensively in full force—it was a test of precision, coordination, and control under intense environmental pressure.
Uraraka quickly assessed that they couldn't face Thirteen head-on. Aoyama, however, initially tried to use his Navel Laser to blast through the debris and open a path—but the recoil from his own Quirk and the swirling pull of Black Hole caused his shots to go astray, nearly giving away their position. Thirteen, calm but relentless, began manipulating the airflow and debris to flush them out.
Realizing they were running out of options, Uraraka took command. She came up with a plan to use her Zero Gravity Quirk to make both themselves and the debris weightless, allowing them to move silently and unpredictably above Thirteen's line of sight.
Aoyama was hesitant but agreed, trusting Uraraka's instincts. Together, they floated across the ruined upper levels while Thirteen's black holes sucked in the remaining rubble below. Uraraka then had Aoyama fire his laser at several floating chunks of debris, using the light blasts as distractions to make Thirteen think they were attacking from multiple directions.
When Thirteen turned her focus toward the decoys, Uraraka used her gravity control to drop a section of ceiling debris right behind the hero. The sudden impact created a dust screen that temporarily obscured Thirteen's view. Uraraka and Aoyama used the moment to dash toward the exit, Aoyama firing precise lasers at the ground to propel them faster.
Thirteen managed to recover and activated Black Hole again at medium strength, pulling at the terrain and nearly dragging them back in—but Uraraka released her gravity hold on several large boulders midair, sending them crashing down to block the suction just long enough for her and Aoyama to reach the gate.
As soon as the exam started, Thirteen activated Black Hole at low power to demonstrate how easily the environment could turn lethal. Uraraka and Aoyama were immediately forced into cover, realizing that even the slightest mistake could result in being pulled in. Thirteen's Quirk wasn't used offensively in full force—it was a test of precision, coordination, and control under intense environmental pressure.
Uraraka quickly assessed that they couldn't face Thirteen head-on. Aoyama, however, initially tried to use his Navel Laser to blast through the debris and open a path—but the recoil from his own Quirk and the swirling pull of Black Hole caused his shots to go astray, nearly giving away their position. Thirteen, calm but relentless, began manipulating the airflow and debris to flush them out.
Realizing they were running out of options, Uraraka took command. She came up with a plan to use her Zero Gravity Quirk to make both themselves and the debris weightless, allowing them to move silently and unpredictably above Thirteen's line of sight.
Aoyama was hesitant but agreed, trusting Uraraka's instincts. Together, they floated across the ruined upper levels while Thirteen's black holes sucked in the remaining rubble below. Uraraka then had Aoyama fire his laser at several floating chunks of debris, using the light blasts as distractions to make Thirteen think they were attacking from multiple directions.
When Thirteen turned her focus toward the decoys, Uraraka used her gravity control to drop a section of ceiling debris right behind the hero. The sudden impact created a dust screen that temporarily obscured Thirteen's view. Uraraka and Aoyama used the moment to dash toward the exit, Aoyama firing precise lasers at the ground to propel them faster.
Thirteen managed to recover and activated Black Hole again at medium strength, pulling at the terrain and nearly dragging them back in—but Uraraka released her gravity hold on several large boulders midair, sending them crashing down to block the suction just long enough for her and Aoyama to reach the gate.
koda and jiro were next and The moment the exam began, the air exploded with noise. Present Mic unleashed a wave of sonic power that shook the ground and sent both students tumbling backward. Every time Jirō or Kōda tried to speak or plan, another thunderous "YEEEAAAH!" echoed through the field, making communication nearly impossible.
Kōda, whose Quirk Anivoice allowed him to talk to animals, was paralyzed with fear. The overwhelming sound made it impossible for him to focus or command creatures nearby. Jirō tried to keep him calm, using her Earphone Jacks to sense the source of the sound and locate Mic's position. However, even she struggled to stay steady, since the volume caused painful vibrations through her jacks.
Present Mic kept them on the defensive, using the terrain's echoes to disorient them. But Jirō quickly realized something: the farther they moved into the canyon, the more the sound bounced—making it even stronger. If they wanted to survive, they'd have to turn the environment against him.
Taking the lead, Jirō signaled to Kōda to retreat toward a section of the field with dense rock formations that could act as natural sound barriers. While hiding behind one of them, Jirō formulated a plan. She had Kōda summon burrowing and flying animals — moles to dig small tunnels, and birds to distract Mic from above.
When the birds swarmed around Present Mic, forcing him to split his attention, Jirō used her Heartbeat Distortion to blast a concentrated soundwave directly into the rock walls. The vibrations caused a mini landslide, creating a wall of debris that muffled Mic's next shout.
With his line of sight and acoustics disrupted, Kōda overcame his fear and commanded a massive flock of birds to dive in waves, forcing Mic to cover himself. Jirō used the moment to get closer, jamming her earphone jacks into the ground and sending a bass-heavy vibration pulse that shook the earth around him.
Though they didn't overpower Mic, the combined disruption of sound and movement gave them a short window. Jirō grabbed Kōda's hand and sprinted through a tunnel the moles had dug earlier, emerging near the exit gate. With one final coordinated blast — Jirō using her sound pulse to collapse the tunnel behind them — they sealed the path just long enough to escape and pass.
When the exam began, Snipe wasted no time taking the high ground. Using his Homing Bullets and expert aim, he kept constant pressure on the students from afar. His goal wasn't to hit them directly, but to restrict their movement — every shot forced them into tighter corners, cutting off escape routes.
Hagakure, using her Invisibility, attempted to scout ahead quietly, but Snipe's keen senses and visor technology made sneaking difficult. The moment she made noise or disturbed dust, he fired a warning shot close to her position. Shōji quickly realized that brute strength wouldn't help in this fight — they needed stealth, patience, and coordination.
Using his Dupli-Arms, Shōji spread out sensory organs to detect Snipe's movements from a safe distance. Through vibrations and sound, he could roughly map out Snipe's firing position without exposing himself. Relaying hand signals to Hagakure, they devised a plan: Shōji would act as a decoy, drawing fire, while Hagakure used her invisibility to flank and create an opening.
Snipe caught on fast. When Shōji burst from cover, Snipe adjusted instantly, firing to force him into open ground. But Shōji used his multiple arms to grab nearby debris and raise makeshift shields, while Hagakure quietly slipped behind the buildings.
To mask her movements, Shōji began slamming debris and shouting, creating false noise trails to mislead Snipe's targeting system. Taking advantage of the distraction, Hagakure climbed the rear of a tower and reached a spot just behind the hero. Using a flash grenade she'd borrowed from their gear kit, she tossed it near Snipe's perch, momentarily blinding him.
At that instant, Shōji charged forward with his extended arms, wrapping them around the base of the tower to shake it. Snipe lost balance, giving Hagakure the chance to grab his capture cuffs and slip them onto his wrist while invisible.
At the start of the exam, Mineta and Sero were immediately on edge. Midnight's playful but dangerous demeanor made it hard to gauge how serious the fight would be — until she released her aromatic sleep gas, forcing both students to cover their faces and retreat behind cover.
Sero tried to take charge, using his Tape Quirk to swing around corners and scout for a clear escape route. However, every time he tried to move forward, Midnight would anticipate his path, using her whip and Quirk to block his movements. Her agility and control of the battlefield quickly put the two on the defensive.
Mineta panicked at first, complaining that they were doomed — but Sero encouraged him to focus and use his Pop-Off Quirk creatively. Realizing his sticky orbs could counter Midnight's gas by blocking narrow passages, Mineta began sealing off sections of the street to limit her approach.
Despite that, Midnight still managed to outmaneuver them, using her whip to break open new paths and spread her gas wider. When Sero tried to swing past her directly toward the exit, she caught him midair and nearly knocked him out with her whip. Only Mineta's desperate throw of his sticky balls saved Sero — the projectiles attached to Midnight's sleeve and nearby walls, tangling her movement for a moment.
With Midnight momentarily slowed, Mineta and Sero regrouped behind cover. Sero pointed out that Midnight's Quirk required proximity and air exposure — so if they could restrict her line of sight and move fast, they could make it through.
Mineta then used his orbs to create a sticky barricade between buildings, forcing Midnight to take the longer path around. Sero wrapped his tape around Mineta and launched both of them forward in a desperate swing toward the exit. Midnight broke through the barricade and tried to catch them again, but her whip got snagged on Mineta's orbs.
They barely cleared the gate before the gas overtook them — both collapsing right after crossing the finish line.
Once Mineta crossed the finish line, Izuku blurred out of the observation room, heading straight for the testing area. As he reached the door, he caught Bakugo's death stare — sparks already flaring from his palms.
The doors opened, revealing the mock city. Bakugo strutted down the center street, eyes locked forward.The PA system crackled to life:"Begin!"
Izuku shot off the ground at such speed the cameras struggled to keep up. In the observation room, students blinked in confusion.
"Where did he go?" Sero asked.
Ida pointed at a screen showing the evacuation zone. "There! He's already clearing out the robots!"
One by one, the training bots appeared on the monitors—only to be swiftly dismantled and dropped at the safe zone by Izuku.
But before anyone could comment, a massive blast of air tore down the opposite side of the street, shattering glass, ripping up asphalt, and throwing Bakugo backward.
Then a familiar voice thundered through the dust."Who really cares if I destroy this city?"
All Might stepped into view, his presence shaking the street. Bakugo froze.When did he get here? he thought. And why does he feel so… terrifying?
"All right, heroes!" All Might boomed. "If you think of this as just an exam, you'll regret it. I'm the villain now. Remember that!"
He glanced around. "Where's your teammate, young Bakugo?"
"Don't worry about him," Bakugo snarled. "You're mine!"
Izuku, meanwhile, had finished clearing the bots and now hovered high above the street, watching the clash below.
All Might lunged forward with a booming laugh, but Bakugo reacted fast—raising his arm."FLASH BANG!"A burst of light blinded All Might for a few seconds. Bakugo leapt through the smoke.
"You wanted all I've got, right!?"
All Might grinned. "That wasn't—"
Bakugo's explosion cut him off, blasting All Might in the face. The Symbol of Peace responded instantly, grabbing Bakugo by the head and slamming him into the street.
In the observation room, Tsuyu frowned. "Why isn't Midoriya helping him?"
Aizawa crossed his arms. "He's waiting. Izuku's testing Bakugo—to show him he can't win alone. But…" he sighed. "I doubt Bakugo will accept that."
Bakugo stood, glaring up at All Might. Izuku called down to him."Bakugo! You can't win by yourself—let's do this together!"
"Shut up! I don't need your help!"
Izuku sighed, then vanished in a blur. In an instant, he appeared between Bakugo and All Might, catching All Might's punch mid-swing. His other hand struck upward, sending All Might flying backward.
Bakugo yelled, "What are you doing!? This is my fight!"
Izuku crouched to meet his eyes. "You need to calm down. We have to work together, or we'll fail."
"Like hell I will!" Bakugo barked back.
Izuku exhaled. "Sorry, then." He chopped Bakugo lightly on the neck, knocking him out, and slung him over his shoulder before flying to the evacuation zone.
In the observation room, Mina blinked. "Did he just—knock him out?"
Cementoss nodded. "Midoriya knows Bakugo wouldn't cooperate. He's minimizing collateral damage. Bakugo's explosions are reckless—he could've gotten civilians hurt in a real fight."
Back in the city, Izuku returned to face All Might alone. He rocketed forward and uppercut All Might into the air, following him skyward.
Nezu smiled, pointing at the monitor. "See? Midoriya changed the environment—taking the fight where he can use his power freely and limit property damage. Smart move. But remember, not every fight allows that."
Above the city, the two traded blows—each strike echoing like thunder.All Might's punch sent Izuku plummeting, but Izuku recovered midair and fired twin beams of heat vision. All Might crossed his arms, tanking the blast before vanishing into a cloud.
Izuku tackled him through the mist, driving both of them toward the ground. But All Might clasped his hands together and hammered Izuku's back, slamming him into the pavement.
Izuku groaned, realizing, He's still stronger in experience—even if I'm faster.
He darted to Bakugo, grabbed him, and bolted toward the exit gate—only to find All Might blocking the path. The hero's breathing was heavy; his time was almost up.
Izuku smiled faintly. He lifted a nearby overturned car and hurled it forward as a distraction, using it as cover to speed past. All Might caught the car, glancing at Izuku with pride as he nodded silently.
Izuku passed through the gate and collapsed onto his back, smiling.He'd passed the test—and more importantly, he'd faced some with almost as much strength as him.
The bar smelled of stale beer and cheap smoke. Neon bled through the rain-streaked window, painting the walls sickly purple. Shigaraki sat alone at the back, fingers curled around a photograph from the Sports Festival — that one frame of a red-and-blue streak holding the meteoroid. He stared at it for a long, slow moment, then crushed it in his hand. Paper turned to dust in his palm and scattered across the table.
Kurogiri watched from the shadows, expression unreadable. "Are you curious?" he asked softly, as if testing the temperature of the room.
Shigaraki's laugh was a dry rasp. "Curious." He let the dust fall. "I'm tired of hearing about him." He jabbed a thumb at the table, the motion sharp as a knife.
The door banged open and someone called his name. "Shigaraki!" The newcomer filled the doorway — a tall, wiry man with a grin too wide for his face. He swaggered in like he owned the place: Giran.
"You've been the talk of the town," Giran crowed, sliding onto a stool. "Word on the street is you're about to start something big." He glanced at the table. "Ooh — what's this?" He reached for the dust without asking.
Shigaraki tilted his head but said nothing. He watched Giran's hand turn to ash.
Then the bar's shadowed corner seemed to bulge. A man limned in scars and stitched skin stepped in behind Giran — his face half burned, staples along his jaw. He moved like an animal that's learned to wear a body. "So it's really you," he said, voice a rasp that scraped the air. "I've seen your picture. You're uglier in person." He snorted, then pointed at the last newcomer — a pale girl with eyes that glittered like a cat's, school-uniform sleeves too neat for the scene.
Giran clapped, delighted. "Let me fill you in." He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "This one? Don't let the look fool you. Pretty high-school-girl, right? Adorable. But she's the suspect in a string of deaths — victims bleeding out with no obvious cause. Her name's been kept out of the press." He jabbed a finger at the pale girl. "Togo—introduce yourself."
The girl did so with an easy grin that twisted on the wrong side of her face. "Togo," she sang. "Life's hard. I want to make it easier. I wanna be like Mr. Stain. I wanna kill Mr. Stain. Come on, Handy Man—let me join." Her voice wobbled between childish giggle and something dangerous.
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed. "You've gotta be kidding me." He looked past her, then fixed on the burned man. "Who's the freak?" he demanded.
The burned man folded his arms, unease flickering in his eyes. "Dabi," he said dryly. "I don't do flashy crimes. I just… believe in what Stain preached." His stare was hot and empty. "Call me what you like."
Giran waved a hand like a showman. "She can hold a conversation most days," he said, eager. "And he — well, he's taken Stain's ideology to heart. Useful types."
The burned man — Dabi — swallowed and then added, too calm: "I'll carry out the Hero Killer's will."
Shigaraki's jaw clenched so hard his knuckles blanched. "Is that what I asked?" He pushed the empty glass across the table until it clattered. "Patchwork. Why is everyone so obsessed with Stain? He's all anyone ever talks about." The words were thinly veiled anger.
Kurogiri's presence tightened into a tangible cord of cool. He rose, moving between Shigaraki and the others before the page could turn into violence. "Calm yourself, Tomura," he said in that level, soft voice. "We need numbers. The spotlight we've been handed is an opportunity. If you wish to fulfill your desire, you must grow your ranks, not destroy them at the first attempt."
Shigaraki's fingers twitched — disintegration hovered like a breath. He looked at Togo, at Dabi, then at Giran. For a long moment the room held its breath.
Finally, Shigaraki stood. He didn't say yes. He didn't say no. He pushed his chair back, the legs scraping the floor in a single, sharp sound. "We'll talk about roles later," Kurogiri told the new arrivals, his voice mellower now, businesslike. Shigaraki turned away, shoulders hunched, and left the bar before anyone could press him.
As Shigaraki walked into the rain, Kurogiri watched him go and said quietly to the group, "We will arrange your positions. For now, stay low and be ready." His words carried the weight of orders, ironed flat by experience.