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The air was thick with anticipation as the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows over U.A. High School. The school grounds were unusually quiet, the calm before the storm of students who would soon flood the halls, all vying for their shot at becoming professional heroes. But within the recommendation room, a different kind of storm was brewing.
Principal Nezu, the small but incredibly intelligent creature who helmed the prestigious academy, sat at the head of a long table. Around him were U.A.'s finest teachers, each a titan in their own right. There was Midnight, the R-rated hero, exuded a playful yet dangerous energy. Present as well were Cementoss, who sat silently, his stone face unreadable, and a few other teachers, including Present Mic, who was oddly subdued for once.
The topic of discussion was the upcoming Entrance Exams and the exceptional students who had been recommended by various Pro Heroes. Principal Nezu, always the strategist, was keen on analyzing the potential of these young prodigies.
"We've received quite a few promising recommendations this year," Nezu began, his voice a mix of curiosity and excitement. "Some of them could very well shake the foundation of what we consider to be the best in our academy."
Midnight leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Do tell, Nezu. Who's caught your eye this time?"
Nezu clicked a button, and a large screen at the front of the room flickered to life, displaying the profiles of several students. "We have a range of talents this year. From prodigies to those with quirks so powerful they border on the dangerous."
Cementoss nodded thoughtfully. "We need to ensure their training is rigorous. The villains are still out there, and we can't afford to be complacent."
Snipe, added, "Quirks are only as strong as the person wielding them. I'm more interested in their discipline, their ability to adapt under pressure."
Present Mic, though quiet, couldn't help but chime in. "Yeah! And they've got to have heart! Without that, all the power in the world is useless!"
As the teachers continued their discussion, the door to the recommendation room creaked open, drawing all eyes to the entrance. Three figures stepped through the doorway: Aizawa leading the way, followed by a tall, muscular figure that everyone recognized as All Might in his bulky form. Trailing behind them was a young boy with striking white hair, his expression calm and distant.
All Might, in his signature booming voice, greeted the room. "Ah, my esteemed colleagues! I've brought someone special today!"
The teachers exchanged curious glances as All Might moved aside, revealing the boy more fully. He was dressed casually but with an air of coolness that made him stand out. A black Nike hoodie hugged his muscular frame, the sleeves rolled up slightly to reveal toned forearms. Around his neck hung a pair of wireless headphones, and his feet were adorned with sleek, matching black Nike kicks. His white hair was slightly tousled, giving him a look of effortless style, while his piercing green eyes scanned the room with a calculating gaze.
Before All Might could say anything more, Izuku brushed past him, his face indifferent. He walked to the side, finding a spot that allowed him to observe without being the center of attention.
Aizawa sighed, rubbing his temples. "Let's not make a spectacle of this," he muttered, though it was clear he knew better than to stop All Might when he was excited.
As All Might began to introduce Izuku, the door at the back of the room opened slightly, revealing two female figures. One was a striking young woman with long, crimson hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of fire. Her eyes were cold, calculating, the kind of gaze that could freeze a room. She was none other than the daughter of Endeavor, the current Number Two Hero. Her uniform was immaculate, the U.A. badge gleaming on her chest.
Beside her sat another girl, almost identical in age but vastly different in appearance. Her hair was a lemon-green, a stark contrast to the darker tones of her friend. She had a mysterious aura about her, one that was accentuated by the fact that her face was partially obscured by shadows. But despite the obscurity, there was something eerily familiar about her features.
The crimson-haired girl noticed the sudden tension in her friend and leaned in. "Something wrong?" she asked, her voice cool and even.
The green-haired girl hesitated, her eyes locked on the boy across the room. "It's nothing," she finally said, forcing a smile. "Just thought I recognized someone."
Meanwhile, Midnight, ever the provocateur, smirked as she eyed Izuku. "Well, well, isn't he a cute one? You sure he's old enough to be here?" she teased.
Aizawa shot her a glare. "Leave him alone, Midnight. Trust me, you don't want to provoke him. Behind that face lies a demon."
This statement piqued Midnight's curiosity, but before she could press further, the scene shifted to a flashback.
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Flashback: Yagi Residence, a Few Days Ago
Izuku stood in the kitchen, his gaze locked on the fridge door. All Might, in his civilian form as Toshinori Yagi, was seated at the table with Aizawa, the two of them deep in discussion about hero work and the latest incidents involving villains.
All Might was animated, his hands moving as he spoke. "And then, I told him, 'You can't just punch your way out of every situation! Sometimes you need a strategy!' But you know how stubborn Endeavor can be."
Aizawa grunted in agreement, his face as impassive as ever. "Endeavor is a brute, but he gets the job done. Still, someone needs to keep him in check."
As the two heroes conversed, Izuku's expression darkened. He had gone to the fridge to retrieve his favorite treat: a carton of milk he had specifically placed there. But as he opened the door, his mood shifted from casual to deadly serious.
"Where... is... my... milk?" Izuku's voice was low, dangerous. It was a tone neither All Might nor Aizawa had heard from him before.
All Might, oblivious at first, continued talking, but Aizawa noticed the shift in atmosphere. He turned to Izuku, who was now standing in the middle of the kitchen, sparks of energy crackling around him.
"Where is my milk?" Izuku repeated, his eyes narrowing. The temperature in the room seemed to drop as the air grew heavy with tension.
All Might finally noticed the shift and looked over, his eyes widening at the sight of the usually calm boy now radiating an ominous energy. "Uh, Izuku... we can always get more milk..."
But Izuku wasn't listening. His voice dropped to a near whisper, laced with venom. "Where... is... my... milk?"
Suddenly, the room was filled with a loud crack as the energy around Izuku intensified, causing the entire apartment to shake. All Might and Aizawa both stood up, ready to intervene if necessary, but before they could react, the carton of milk fell from the top shelf of the fridge and rolled to Izuku's feet.
He looked down, his energy dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. Bending down, he picked up the carton, dusted it off, and opened it to take a sip. As if nothing had happened, he walked over to the table and sat down, completely ignoring the stunned expressions on the two Pro Heroes' faces.
All Might and Aizawa exchanged a look, silently agreeing never to touch Izuku's milk again.
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Flashback Ends
Midnight, who had been lost in thought during the flashback, shivered slightly as she recalled the fearsome energy that lurked behind Izuku's calm exterior. "On second thought," she muttered to herself, "I'll pass on provoking that one."
Principal Nezu chuckled softly, his small frame vibrating with amusement. "It seems you've taken on quite the child, All Might."
All Might scratched the back of his head sheepishly, not noticing how Izuku was lost in his own thoughts. The large screen at the front of the room now displayed various students who had scored the highest in the practical exams. Among them was a spiky blonde-haired boy with an intense glare, caught mid-battle with a training robot.
Izuku's gaze zeroed in on the boy, his mind racing as memories flooded back. The explosions, the shouting, the constant taunting...
"DIEEEEE!!!" *BOOM!!!*
The boy on the screen was none other than his former best friend and longtime bully, Katsuki Bakugou.
Izuku's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white from the force of his grip. The years of torment, the scars both physical and emotional, all came rushing back with a vengeance. He remembered Bakugou's smirk, the way he always seemed to be looking down on him, the way he'd declared himself better than everyone else. The pain of those memories made his blood boil, but Izuku forced himself to remain calm, even as the old anger simmered beneath the surface.
All Might, oblivious to the internal struggle within his adopted son, continued to chat with the teachers. But Aizawa noticed the shift in Izuku's demeanor and followed his line of sight to the screen.
"Bakugou''.....