Chereads / My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder / Chapter 30 - Rescue Training.

Chapter 30 - Rescue Training.

I really missed this routine. Professor Aizawa's monotonous voice, the guys' antics, the girls' laughter, all of this was what was missing during my internship with Endeavor. The hero killer's encounter is now a memory, it almost doesn't feel real, but the scars are a reminder that it happened.

...

As each of them spoke about their individual experiences at their respective boarding schools, the spotlight soon turned to us. Despite the official story being altered from reality, our involvement was still acknowledged.

"I believe that no internship will surpass what these four here went through." Sero had to open his mouth, I honestly didn't want the story to leak, but apparently I was on television battling the Nomu with Endeavour and others, and Stain's capture soon made them aware of our involvement.

Soon all eyes were on us. One by one they spoke about what they had seen, some with enthusiasm, others with curiosity. And of course, there were those who even found a certain admiration for the hero killer, Sero again for a change. Ilda stared at him for a second, but soon returned to his old, bossy self.

...

Back to my hero costume for basic hero training, can't say I was expecting to wear it so soon, but it's brand new, as if it had never been cut up by a maniac's sharp blades.

All Might's encouraging voice soon snaps me out of my reverie as he explains today's training: Rescue. We are at the Gamma training camp, a maze of factories and warehouses, we will divide into teams of five, whoever finds All Might first wins, it seems simple enough. Despite strictly warning that damage to buildings should be kept to a minimum by lightly pointing at Bakugou, I never thought he would be this funny.

As we sit waiting for our turn, we can watch on the big screen the first group to go: Midoriya's. He impressed me a lot during our battle against Stain. Always ready to act, he didn't take a single step back, nothing like he used to be when I met him at admission.

The second All Might gave the signal, he charged forward at an absurd speed, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, clearly imitating Bakugou, who was foaming with rage upon realizing it. Definitely was the one who evolved the most over time. Taking everyone by surprise, unexpected comments about such progress make me happy.

...

I jumped the gun. Just like me, Midoriya is still learning the ropes, one slip was all it took and he lost to Sero, who masterfully moved towards All Might, nice and easy.

While his group leaves, I'm readying for my turn.

"You look different Kaminari, looks like the TV star is ready, try not to break a nail." Jirou making fun of me has become as common as being disgusted by Mineta's behavior. It's good to talk to her normally again. Apart from a few text messages, a week without it felt like an eternity.

"Alright, alright, don't suffocate the artist."

"Good luck, Kaminari. We're all eager to see the results of your training." Yaoyorozu... I don't think we've spoken since after the festival. There's another one I missed during my internship, your analytical talent and friendly manner are delightful to be around. "Thank you, Yaomomo." Is all I can say without sounding like a goofball.

...

"Ready... At your stations... Begin!" All Might's booming voice signals our turn. Bakugou wastes no time and uses his explosions to leap from rooftop to rooftop, similar to Midoriya (When in actuality it was Midoriya who imitated Bakugou's movements). Kirishima runs along as fast as he can within his limitations. There is no doubt that this is the perfect time to test what I learned from Endeavor.

I spent the rest of my internship learning to refine this technique, I hope I don't embarrass myself in front of everyone.

You shot all over the place instead of focusing on being good at one field. Know-it-all, mastery of none.

Endeavor's words are sharp, echoing in my head. Since then, I have decided to focus on what I really excel at. The rest will come as a consequence.

The sensation of electricity running beneath my skin is unparalleled, like hot water running down my body after a cold day. Do exactly as he said, let it become an extension of my body, don't condense it, let it flow... Out!

Electricity flowed, covering my body in a visible electrical aura, like a blanket of electricity. Keep it strong but stable, nothing more, nothing less.

Countless therapy sessions have helped me keep my mind clear. Burnin's persistence has borne fruit. Calmness gives space for energy to expand. Ana is no longer the source, but rather the catalyst.

Immersed in electricity, my senses are sharper than ever, as I concentrate, my electroreception now becomes clearer to comprehend. It's as if I'm seeing All Might lantern in the night's darkness, his aura is bright and easy to distinguish.

"There he is." Now let's see if Endeavor's hands-on training paid off.

...

-Narrator's POV-

He took a deep breath, his body humming with raw power as he began to charge his quirk. It was an application he hadn't mastered fully yet, but under Endeavour's watch, he had learned to utilize his electricity not just as an offensive force, but as a means of augmenting his abilities—his own personal electric coil.

The current flowed around him, building rapidly as static crackled in the air. Sparks danced across his skin like golden flames as he adjusted his footing, his muscles tensing with anticipation.

Then, with a flicker of electricity surging beneath him, Kaminari disappeared.

...

Bakugou scowled as he moved through the air, his explosions propelling him forward in blasts of smoke and fire. "Damn Deku, he won't best me!" He growled, blasting a piece of rubble out of his way. He was determined to be the fastest, to prove himself superior.

That was until something blurred past him.

"What the hell?!" Bakugou barked, glancing around in confusion, his eyes narrowing as a flash of yellow zipped by in his peripheral vision. He barely had time to process it, but he knew what it was.

"Kaminari?!"

Kirishima, who had been trying to keep pace, stopped in his tracks, staring in awe as Kaminari disappeared in a burst of lightning. "Whoa, no way!" he exclaimed, impressed but clearly outclassed in this aspect of the race.

Todoroki, on the other hand, simply watched with quiet observation. His eyes flickered with a brief hint of a smile, though he quickly refocused, using his ice to push ahead. "He improved a lot." Todoroki muttered to himself, knowing full well how much effort Raio had put in during their internships.

...

All Might stood within the Training Camp Gamma, surveying the simulated factory zone as his students navigated through it. His sharp eyes followed each of their movements, mentally assessing their individual progress and abilities.

He turned his attention to Kirishima first, noting the boy's unwavering spirit and resilience.

Kirishima's got grit. But in a situation like this, where mobility and speed are key, his quirk leaves him at a disadvantage, All Might thought. He admired the boy's willpower, but even unbreakable skin could only carry him so far without the necessary speed to back it up.

His gaze shifted to Jirou, whose quirk made her well-suited for stealth and reconnaissance. Jirou... she's harder to crack, but her lack of offensive power and the unpredictability of the terrain could trip her up. She has the potential to be an excellent support hero, but this exercise is about more than just staying hidden—it was about swift and decisive action.

As All Might shifted his thoughts to Bakugou, a familiar sense of frustration bubbled up inside him.

Bakugou's explosive power is undeniable, but that temper... He watched as Bakugou stormed through the site, relentless in his pursuit of victory. Always charging ahead, always trying to prove he's the best. Bakugou had raw talent, perhaps even more than most of his classmates, but his obsession with surpassing everyone else, especially Midoriya, was blinding him. He's frustrated, All Might noted. The explosive boy was pushing himself even harder, fueled by the sight of another classmate showing significant growth. He'll get stronger, All Might thought, but he needs to learn that power isn't everything.

Then there were Todoroki and Kaminari. All Might's thoughts grew more serious as he considered the two students who had recently faced a very real threat: the Hero Killer.

Todoroki, All Might mused. The boy had power, both ice and fire at his command. His adaptability was his greatest strength, but it was clear that Todoroki was still coming into his own. He's been through a lot, but he's stronger now—mentally and physically. Yet there was always that lingering worry in All Might's heart, not about Todoroki's abilities, but about his internal struggles, particularly with his father, Endeavour.

And then there was Kaminari.

That boy, All Might thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. Kaminari had always been a bit of an enigma. When he first transferred to U.A., All Might had noticed the raw potential—his quirk was powerful but unpredictable. The fact that Kaminari had survived the encounter with Stain spoke volumes, but All Might wondered if the boy's confidence matched his control. He's tslented, incredibly so. But the trauma still lingers...

The memory of Aizawa's report on Kaminari's mental and emotional progress crossed All Might's mind. He had his doubts—how much had Kaminari truly recovered? How much could he push himself before his quirk spiraled out of control again?

Just as All Might finished his analysis, he felt a sharp gust of wind and the faint hum of electricity in the air. His instinct flared, but before he could react, a voice broke through the chaos behind him.

"All Might, I am here."

Startled, All Might spun around only to see Kaminari standing there, a smile plastered across his face. The boy's eyes crackled with the remnants of his electric charge, and the speed at which he had arrived was nothing short of astounding.

For a moment, All Might's doubt vanished. This speed... Just like his father.

There was no hesitation in Kaminari's posture—no sign of uncertainty. His training with Endeavour had clearly paid off. All Might's expression softened into a smile as he saw the confidence in Kaminari's stance. This was no longer the boy struggling with his inner demons; this was a young hero growing into his own potential.

"Well done, young Kaminari," All Might said, his voice proud but still tinged with surprise. "I didn't even see you coming!"

Before All Might could finish his sentence, the other members heard of the group catching up. Bakugou, Todoroki, Kirishima and Jirou arrived, eyes wide as they stared at Kaminari.

"Dude," Kirishima gasped. "What… was that?"

Todoroki crossed his arms with a grin. "You're like a lightning bolt now." He stood quietly, his heterochromatic eyes watching Kaminari with a slight smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. There was no jealousy or frustration in Todoroki's gaze—just genuine, surprising, happiness for his friend.

Jirou simply shook her head, trying to catch her breath. "When you said you 'leveled up,' you weren't kidding." She had seen Kaminari struggle, had been there when his quirk was unstable and difficult to control. Now, seeing him not just handle his power, but actually thrive, brought a sense of pride.

Bakugou, standing a few feet away, clenched his fists tightly. His crimson eyes flared with frustration as he processed the scene. Yet another person had seemingly shot ahead of him, showing off new abilities that pushed the limits of what they could do. First it was Midoriya and now… Kaminari. He could feel his blood boiling.

"That damn spark plug," Bakugou growled under his breath, his voice barely audible. He gritted his teeth, his fists trembling. "First that damn nerd, and now you? What the hell is going on?"

A fiery explosion crackled in Bakugou's palm as he struggled to contain his frustration. He had always prided himself on being at the top, but this… seeing others grow faster than him gnawed at his pride. Bakugou didn't voice his anger out loud, but it was clear to anyone looking that he wasn't pleased.

As the group began to leave, heading back to the start of the exercise, Kaminari caught Todoroki's eye. The two shared a brief glance—no words exchanged, but a mutual understanding passed between them.

They were both growing, each in their own way.

Bakugou, meanwhile, stormed ahead, his fiery temper barely contained as he shot angry glances in Kaminari and Midoriya's direction. 

Midoriya stared, his notebook in hand. "That… that was incredible. Kaminari improved so much since the sports festival."

Yaoyorozu nodded slightly, her expression calm but pleased. "He's found a way to push himself forward. It's good to see him in control of his power."

Within a week, lightning may be tamed, after all.