Chereads / Crimson Eyes in a Quirked World / Chapter 15 - CR and Hero Name

Chapter 15 - CR and Hero Name

Fifteen days had passed since the quirk assessment, and Class 1-A had fallen into a steady rhythm. The students were sitting in their seats when Aizawa walked in, his usual sleepy expression and unkempt appearance unchanged. His gaze swept across the room as he addressed them.

"There's something important you all have to do," he said in his typically dry, monotone voice. Everyone in the class immediately straightened up, listening intently, expecting something significant.

Itachi, sitting by the window, watched Aizawa closely. What could it be? he wondered. His mind briefly darted to possible scenarios—training, missions, or even a new challenge for the class to tackle.

After a brief pause, Aizawa continued, "You all have to select the Class Representative."

The room visibly deflated, tension evaporating as if the collective expectation had been punctured. Sweatdrops seemed to appear on everyone's faces. Itachi sighed inwardly. That's it? I was expecting something more serious...

Aizawa, sensing their reactions, added impatiently, "You don't have the whole day. Just select someone and get it over with." He slumped into his chair, muttering to himself, "Next time, I'm definitely getting a new sleeping bag."

Immediately, the room descended into chaos. Students began arguing over who should be the Class Representative. Keigo, lounging casually in his seat, grinned. "I vote for myself," he teased, flashing his usual carefree smile.

Yu Takeyama smirked confidently. "I think I'd make a great Class Rep, so you all should just vote for me."

Rumi scoffed, folding her arms. "As if we're going to let you take charge," she retorted.

Yu glared. "What did you just say?!"

Before the argument could escalate, Itachi gently placed a hand on Rumi's shoulder, shaking his head calmly. She blinked, looking up at him before giving a nod and relaxing. Keigo, amused, teased, "Oh my, Itachi's scary when he wants to be."

Yu tsked, turning away in frustration.

Amid the commotion, Ryuko Tatsuma stood up, her presence instantly commanding the room. Her dragon-like features gave her a natural aura of leadership. "Alright, everyone! Calm down," she said firmly. "Let's settle this fairly—no self-votes. Agreed?"

The class murmured in agreement. Each student grabbed a chit of paper, writing down the name of the classmate they thought best suited for the role. After collecting all the votes, Ryuko stood before the box, counting them out loud.

"Seven votes for Itachi Yaoyorozu, four for me, and three for Yu Takeyama," she announced. Ryuko smiled warmly. " Yaoyorozu-kun is our Class Representative, and I'll be the Vice Representative."

Itachi let out a quiet sigh. Great, he thought. Now even more attention.

Keigo shot him a playful grin from across the room. "Looks like you're stuck with it, bro."

Itachi's eyes shifted toward Yu Takeyama, catching the brief flash of annoyance in her expression. He sighed inwardly again before speaking up. "Takeyama-san," he called out, his voice calm. "Would you prefer to be the Class Representative?"

The entire class turned to Yu, surprised by Itachi's offer. She blinked in confusion, as if not sure she'd heard him right. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

"I'm asking if you'd like to take the position," Itachi repeated evenly, his tone giving nothing away.

Ryuko frowned slightly. "But the majority voted for you, Yaoyorozu-kun."

Itachi gave her a small nod. "I understand, but I'm not interested in the attention that comes with being Class Rep. It's too much of a distraction."

Keigo smirked knowingly. "You'll never change, huh?"

Itachi gave a small smile, turning back to Yu. "So, Takeyama-san, would you like to take this opportunity?"

Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, her pride flaring. "I don't want it handed to me," she said sharply. "If I'm going to be Class Representative, I'll earn it myself. Don't think I need your sympathy."

Itachi held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "Understood. But thank you for considering it."

Yu crossed her arms, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks as she muttered, "Thanks for the offer, though."

Ryuko clapped her hands together, breaking the slight tension. "Well then, it's settled. Itachi Yaoyorozu is our Class Representative!"

Itachi gave a small nod of acknowledgment, his expression calm and composed as usual. "Thanks," he said softly, though he couldn't shake the feeling that this role would only make things more complicated for him.

Five days later, the air in the classroom buzzed with excitement. Everyone had been anticipating this moment—the day they would choose their hero names. The door slid open with a soft creak, and in sauntered Midnight, her presence commanding the attention of the entire class.

"Good morning, darlings," she purred, her voice a velvety tease as she leaned casually against the front of the desk. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and a knowing smile tugged at her lips. "Today... we're going to decide something very special. Your hero names."

The students shifted in their seats, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Midnight let her words hang in the air for a moment, her gaze slowly sweeping across the room, savoring the tension. "Choosing a hero name is no small task," she continued, her tone oozing with seductive authority. "It defines you. It's the name that will echo through history, the name villains will fear… and the one your allies will trust. So, make it count."

She walked down the aisle, her steps deliberate and slow, letting her presence settle over them like a silken veil. The students could feel her intensity, the weight of her words sinking in.

Rumi was the first to step up, her voice confident as she declared her name: "Mirko. Because I'm always the first one to rush in, kicking my way through any obstacle." Midnight nodded approvingly, a smirk playing on her lips.

Next was Ryuko. "Ryukyu. A name that reflects the might of a dragon, a symbol of power and protection."

As the students continued, each name revealed something personal. Anan Kurose chose Thirteen, embracing the mystery and calm she brought to situations. Tensei Iida boldly introduced himself as Ingenium, honoring the hero legacy in his family with pride. Kaoruko Awata playfully named herself Bubble Girl, laughing as she described how bubbles weren't just fun—they could trap or protect.

Moe Kamiji came next. "My name is Burning'," she said, grinning wildly. "Because I bring the heat, literally." The class chuckled, but Midnight gave her an approving look. "Fiery and passionate, just like you."

Then Masaki Mizushima stepped forward, speaking with quiet resolve. "I've chosen Manual as my hero name." Midnight seemed impressed, nodding slowly as Masaki returned to his seat.

Keigo Takami approached next, casually twirling a feather from his wings. "I'm going with Hawks," he said, flashing a grin. "It's quick, sharp, and I like the sound of it." Midnight gave him a playful wink, clearly enjoying his easygoing nature.

Midnight clapped her hands together, her nails tapping rhythmically as she did. "Lovely, lovely," she purred, her approval laced with intrigue. Then her eyes turned to Itachi, who had been silent up until now.

"And you, darling?" she asked, her voice dropping an octave, full of curious desire. "What will the world call you?"

Itachi stood, his posture calm but resolute. "Aegis," he said firmly, meeting her gaze. "A name that stands for protection—like a shield that guards against all harm."

For a moment, Midnight's gaze lingered on him, her lips curling into a slow, seductive smile. "Aegis…" she repeated, tasting the name like a fine wine. "Strong. Solid. Protective. I like it." Her eyes sparkled as she approved the name with a sultry wink, sending a shiver down Itachi's spine. "You all have made your choices," she said, turning back to the class, her voice like a low, tantalizing hum. "Names that will define your legacy. Let's see if you can live up to them."

The class exhaled in unison as Midnight glided out of the room, leaving behind an air of mystery and excitement. The students, now with their new identities, couldn't help but feel the weight—and thrill—of what lay ahead.

Time skip for 6 months.

After the exams, UA High was gearing up for the Sports Festival. The excitement was palpable in Class 1-A, with everyone buzzing about the upcoming event. As they sat in the classroom, the conversation quickly turned toward preparation.

Rumi, ever the bold one, leaned forward in her seat. "Hey guys, you know the Sports Festival is coming up, right? So, Class Rep," she said, turning to Itachi Yaoyorozu, "what's the plan? Any ideas?"

The room grew quiet as all eyes focused on Itachi. He sighed, feeling the weight of his title pressing on him. "I don't know… Just try your best, I guess," he replied, his voice calm but unsure.

Keigo snickered, leaning back in his chair with a sarcasm. "Wow, bro, real motivational. You should write speeches."

Itachi sighed again, his gaze steady. "Don't expect motivation if I don't know what to say."

Anan, one of their quieter classmates, spoke up. "How about we train together? Get ready as a team?"

Tensai nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that could really help us push each other."

Ryuko, always up for a challenge, smiled. "I like that idea. Count me in."

Yu Takeyama perked up. "Don't forget about me!" she added with a grin.

Keigo, unable to resist teasing her, laughed. "Oh, we could never forget the giant in the room."

Yu shot him a look, and the class gave him really! look, except for Keigo, who scratched his head awkwardly. "Was that too much?"

Itachi nodded, deadpan. "Yes."

More laughter erupted, and Keigo shrugged. "Alright, alright. But seriously, training together isn't a bad idea. What do you think, Itachi?"

Itachi gave a slight nod. "Yeah, it sounds good."

Rumi grinned. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, we meet at the UA gym for some serious training."

Everyone agreed, nodding in unison, their spirits high with anticipation.

The next day, the entire group gathered in the gym, dressed in their training gear and ready to push themselves to the limit. The energy in the air was electrifying. Each student focused on their individual strengths, pushing their quirks and bodies to new extremes.

Itachi was focused on his workout, silently observing his classmates as they trained. As he lifted weights and practiced his own exercises, he kept an eye on the others, assessing their progress. From the corner of his eye, he noticed someone by the entrance. Turning his head, he saw Aizawa-sensei watching them quietly.

"Aizawa-sensei," Itachi called out, his calm voice breaking the rhythm of the gym.

Everyone turned, startled by Aizawa's sudden appearance. He stood there with his usual tired expression, arms crossed.

"Takami," Aizawa said, his voice sharp but nonchalant. "You shouldn't rely on your wings so much. Diversify your skills."

Keigo straightened up, looking serious for once. "Yes, sir."

Aizawa's gaze swept over the rest of the class. "Remember, the Sports Festival is important. People will be watching you—heroes, agencies, the entire world. Make sure you're ready. Keep up the good work."

The entire class nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Hai, sensei!"

Aizawa, satisfied, pulled out his sleeping bag and dropped to the floor, preparing for a nap. "Carry on with your training," he mumbled before zipping himself into the bag.

A collective sweatdrop fell over the class, but they shrugged it off, accustomed to Aizawa's ways.

Itachi, meanwhile, was deep in thought, his mind racing as he continued his workout. I used Susano'o during the test, he mused. I've already shown my genjutsu abilities… but what about Amaterasu? Should I reveal it during the festival? Or keep it hidden for now?

He glanced around at his classmates, all working hard, pushing their limits. He sighed, shaking his head. No, it's not the right time. I'll keep it a secret for now.

With that decision made, Itachi returned to his exercises, quietly observing and contemplating the future challenges ahead.

After a while, Itachi sat down, catching his breath from the intense workout. As he rested, his sharp eyes moved across the gym, watching his classmates push themselves in their training. Each one of them had their quirks, their unique abilities, and Itachi couldn't help but analyze them.

His gaze first landed on Rumi, who was focusing intensely on her legs, performing powerful jumps and squats. Itachi's lips curved slightly in a knowing smile. Of course, he thought. She's mainly working on her legs. That's natural for her quirk. A rabbit's legs are its greatest strength—built for speed and incredible jumps.

Next, he turned his attention to Ryuko, who had fully transformed into her dragon form. Her massive wings flapped gently as she tested her strength in that state. Her quirk is impressive, Itachi mused. She can fully transform into a dragon or just partially enhance certain body parts. Versatile and powerful.

His gaze shifted to Yu Takeyama, who was surprisingly standing idle, observing others but not actively training. Itachi's sharp mind quickly understood. She's conserving her energy. A giant transformation takes a toll. She's likely waiting for a moment when she can go all out without destroying the gym.

Then his eyes fell on Anan, her quirk catching his attention more than the others. She was practicing using her black hole ability, but only through her pinky finger, carefully controlling its range. That's a dangerously powerful quirk, Itachi thought, narrowing his eyes. If she isn't careful, she could make someone disappear entirely. But using her pinky to activate it? That's clever—it must help her focus on keeping it controlled.

Next, he glanced over at Moe Kamiji, watching her swing her hair around like a whip. Her hair length… it's increasing. That's the nature of her quirk, but if she can grow it fast enough, she could be even more dangerous. An idea began forming in Itachi's mind, thinking of how she could further use that advantage.

He shifted his focus to Kaoruko, who was trapping a rock inside one of her bubbles. Interesting… her bubbles are much stronger than they look, he thought. Not just fragile spheres—if used properly, she could trap even powerful opponents inside those bubbles.

His attention was drawn to Masaki Mizushima, who was quietly training in the corner, controlling water with careful precision. Itachi watched him for a moment, observing how Masaki manipulated the liquid. He thought, "He's not just manipulating the water... If he wants, he can be very dangerous." Water is versatile and adaptable.

Finally, Itachi's eyes landed on Iida. The boy was running at top speed, his engines roaring as he sprinted laps around the gym. Why is he running in circles? Itachi wondered. Then, as he observed closer, he realized Iida was training his endurance, pushing his legs to go faster and for longer periods of time. That's his style, I suppose. Straightforward, relentless. Itachi sighed quietly, his curiosity sated for now.

As he stood up, stretching his muscles, he noticed Aizawa watching them all from the corner, his expression unreadable. However, a faint smirk tugged at the edge of Aizawa's lips as he glanced at Itachi. So, you've been paying attention, sensei? Itachi thought to himself, amused.

Aizawa's smirk deepened, as if reading Itachi's mind. He muttered under his breath, My favorite student…

Itachi approached his classmates, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, everyone," he said softly. They all paused their training and turned their attention toward him. "I have a few suggestions, if you don't mind."

Keigo, leaning against a nearby wall, smirked and waved his hand lazily. "Ah man, just spit it out already. I bet it'll be something useful."

Itachi smiled slightly and turned his gaze toward Iida first. "Iida, I noticed you've been running laps. But... have you ever thought about using your engines for something other than just speed?"

Iida blinked in confusion, his arms stiff at his sides as he processed the question. "What do you mean? My quirk is built for running. That's what I'm training for."

Keigo couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Sounds like a meme. 'Why are you running?'" he said, trying to imitate a popular phrase, earning a small sweatdrop from Itachi.

Itachi sighed. "I mean, why only run in circles? Your quirk isn't just for running. Have you thought about using it for something like kicking?"

Iida's eyes widened in realization. "A kick... using my engines?" He looked down at his legs, his thoughts racing. "I never considered that... It could deliver a much more powerful strike."

Itachi nodded. "If you time it right, it might turn into a devastating attack."

Iida bowed slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Yaoyorozu! I'll work on it."

Next, Itachi turned to Anan Kurosu. "Kurosu-san, I noticed you activate your quirk using your pinky finger. Is that for focus, or is it necessary for activation?"

Anan nodded. "Yes, it's a focus thing. I can use any finger to activate the black hole, but the fewer fingers I use, the smaller and less dense the black hole."

Itachi nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But what will you do if an opponent gets too close? Your quirk is powerful, but dangerous in close quarters."

Anan's eyes grew serious as she considered the question. "I... haven't thought about that."

"You need to think about either mastering hand-to-hand combat or having extremely precise control over your quirk," Itachi advised. "But the second option is risky. One mistake, and you could wipe out everything around you."

Anan nodded slowly, taking his advice to heart. "You're right. I'll work on my close-combat skills."

Itachi smiled. "Glad to help."

He then turned to Moe Kamiji. "Kamiji, your hair extends to a certain length, right?"

Moe nodded, flicking her fiery strands. "Yeah, it grows pretty fast. Why?"

Itachi hesitated for a moment, making sure his suggestion wouldn't offend her. "Do you ever cut it?"

Moe blinked in confusion, as did everyone else. She shook her head. "No, I don't need to. It's made of fire, so I just let it grow and burn."

Itachi's eyes glinted with an idea. "If it grows that quickly, could you use your hair to form a fireball and throw it? It might increase its destructive power."

Moe's eyes lit up with excitement. "A fireball? I've never tried that!" She quickly extended her hair, forming a small orb of fire at the end, then threw it across the gym. It exploded with more force than her usual attacks.

"Wow! It worked!" Moe exclaimed. "Thanks, Itachi. That was genius!"

Itachi gave a small nod, satisfied with the result. "I'm glad I could help."

Itachi then turned his attention to Ryuko. "Tatsuma-san," he began, "you can transform fully into a dragon, but have you ever tried partial transformations? Like turning just your hand into a wing, or something like that?"

Ryuko pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I can't do partial transformations. My quirk only allows me to fully transform into a dragon."

Itachi nodded thoughtfully. "That's fine. Your quirk is already incredibly strong. Plus, it enhances your physical abilities significantly."

Then, he looked at Yu Takeyama. "Takeyama-san, I've noticed that you always grow to about 82 feet. Have you ever tried transforming into a smaller version, like 40 or 30 feet?"

Yu's eyes widened in surprise. "I've never tried. Every time I use my quirk, I grow to my full size."

Itachi smiled. "Why not try it now?"

Yu blinked nervously. "But this gym... it might not be able to handle it."

Keigo, leaning against a wall with his trademark smirk, chimed in. "This place is probably around 40 feet tall. You might be able to make it work."

Yu raised an eyebrow. "Are you even listening, Keigo?"

Itachi turned to Aizawa, seeking permission. "Aizawa-sensei?"

Aizawa, lying in his sleeping bag as usual, shrugged nonchalantly. "Do whatever you want. I don't get paid enough to deal with this."

The whole group sweatdropped at his indifferent response, but Itachi simply nodded. "Alright, Takeyama-san, try to control your size. Focus on growing smaller than usual."

Yu hesitated, but nodded. "Alright... I'll try."

As she activated her quirk, her body began to grow, but this time, she focused hard, trying to limit her size. The ceiling creaked as her head touched the roof, causing some concern among the group, but they quickly rallied behind her, cheering her on.

"You can do it!" they shouted, encouraging her.

Yu focused harder, her expression tense, until finally, she managed to stop growing at around half her usual size. She opened her eyes and looked around, realizing she had succeeded.

"Look! I'm only half as big as usual!" she exclaimed.

The group burst into cheers and applause. "Wow, that's incredible!" one of them said. "Great job, Takeyama-san!"

Itachi gave her an approving nod. "Well done, Takeyama-san. That was impressive."

Blushing slightly, Yu deactivated her quirk and shrunk back to normal size. "Thank you, Yaoyorozu-kun," she said with a small smile.

Itachi nodded with a small smile and turned next to Kaoruko. "Kaoruko-san, I saw you using your bubbles to trap rocks earlier."

Kaoruko nodded. "Yeah, that's part of what my bubbles can do."

"What else can they do?" Itachi asked.

"I can make them smell sweet or foul, depending on what I need."

Itachi thought for a moment. "You could use that in close combat. If you make a small foul-smelling bubble and release it near your opponent's nose, it could distract them long enough for you to trap them. Or, you could use a sweet-smelling bubble to irritate their eyes, forcing them to close them. It would give you a significant advantage, especially if your opponent relies on sight like I do."

Kaoruko's eyes widened in realization. "That's... actually a great idea! I never thought about using my bubbles that way."

Itachi gave her a small smile. "Glad I could help."

With renewed confidence, Kaoruko smiled back. "Thank you, Itachi. I'll keep that in mind." She walked off, looking eager to try out the new strategy.

He approached Masaki. "Mizushima-san, your quirk is water-based, correct?"

Masaki looked up and nodded. "Yeah, I can control and manipulate water."

Itachi's gaze was steady. "Have you thought about using the water to control your environment more? For example, turning the ground slippery or creating mist to obscure vision? Or Using water from humans … or using groundwater, water shields, etc…"

Masaki's eyes lit up as he processed the idea. "I hadn't considered that, but it makes sense! I could change the battlefield to my advantage."

Itachi gave a small smile. "Exactly. Your quirk is powerful, but don't just think about offense—consider how to change the conditions in your favor."

Masaki nodded, gratitude clear in his expression. "I will. Thanks, Yaoyorozu."

The atmosphere shifted as everyone seemed more energized and inspired by the new ideas, ready to push their training even further. Aizawa, still in the corner, gave a faint smirk, having observed everything. Not bad, Yaoyorozu, he thought, as he pulled his sleeping bag closer.

After three days, the U.A. Sports Festival finally began. The event was held in a massive, oval-shaped stadium with three floors and multiple large screens broadcasting the action live to the world. Security had been heightened, with pro heroes stationed everywhere, ensuring the event ran smoothly. The anticipation was electric—this was the moment everyone had been waiting for.