Kai blinked as he looked around, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. He stood on a sidewalk lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals fluttering down like delicate pink snowflakes. Towering skyscrapers gleamed in the sunlight, and bustling crowds moved through the streets of Musutafu, the heart of Japan's hero society. The air hummed with life, tinged with the faint scent of freshly baked bread wafting from a nearby bakery.
Kai glanced at his reflection in a store window. He was ten years old now, with bright blue eyes that seemed to shine unnaturally in the sunlight, and streaks of jet-black hair that fell neatly across his forehead. His clothes were pristine—a white button-up shirt and crisp black slacks that screamed, I come from money. He smirked. "So, reincarnation comes with a glow-up. Nice."
He turned his gaze to the crowd, observing the myriad of people, some of whom casually displayed their quirks. A man passed by with steam hissing from vents in his arms, while a kid hovered a few inches above the ground as she walked. The sheer normalcy of it all sent a thrill down Kai's spine. This was the real world of My Hero Academia.
But his excitement was tempered by the weight of memory. He looked down at his small hands, flexing his fingers as he thought about his old life.
"Well," he said aloud, earning a confused glance from a passerby, "this is definitely an upgrade from flipping burgers and scrubbing ketchup stains off McDonald's floors. Sorry, Ronald, but I think I'll skip the part where I die under a truck this time."
Kai chuckled at his own joke but quickly sobered. His parents' faces flashed through his mind—the warmth in his mother's eyes, the quiet strength in his dad's smile, the way his sister always teased him about his messy hair. They'd never know what had happened to him.
"Don't waste this chance." He clenched his fists, determination surging through him. "I'm not just gonna coast through this life. No slacking off, no regrets. And definitely no existential spirals about anime finales."
He began walking aimlessly, letting the sights and sounds of the city wash over him. Just as he started to wonder what his next move should be, a sudden wave of foreign memories hit him like a freight train.
His parents. They weren't just any parents—they were filthy rich, the kind of wealthy that made him feel like he'd stepped into a K-drama. He remembered sprawling mansions, lavish parties, and a private tutor whose patience was tested daily by his antics. His "new self" had apparently snuck out of the estate earlier that morning to avoid another grueling study session.
Kai groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great. I'm an upper-class brat. I've gone from McDonald's to... I dunno, the kid from Richie Rich? Perfect."
Still, the memories gave him an idea of where he was starting. He wasn't just some random kid in this world—he had resources. The possibilities excited him, but first, there was one thing he absolutely had to try: his quirk.
Kai found a quiet alley and sat cross-legged on the ground, focusing inward. The information about his quirk had come to him naturally, like muscle memory. It was called Stockpile, a power that let him absorb and store any form of energy—be it kinetic, thermal, or even electricity—and release it later in explosive bursts.
"Alright, Stockpile," he muttered. "Show me what you've got."
He started small, tapping the concrete beneath him to build up kinetic energy. A faint tingling sensation spread through his fingertips as the energy pooled within him. He grinned, hopping to his feet and sprinting a few steps before stopping abruptly. The stored energy surged to his legs, propelling him into the air with a leap far higher than any normal ten-year-old could achieve.
He landed with a thud, laughing as he stumbled back to his feet. "Okay, that was cool. Let's kick it up a notch."
Spotting a loose can nearby, Kai gave it a gentle nudge with his foot, stockpiling the kinetic energy. Then, with a flick of his fingers, he unleashed it. The can shot forward like a rocket, slamming into a dumpster with a resounding clang.
"Holy crap!" Kai whispered, his heart pounding. His mind raced with possibilities. Could he store heat from fire? Electricity from a power grid? How much could he stockpile before reaching his limit?
But before he could experiment further, the faint sound of sirens in the distance reminded him he wasn't in some deserted training field. He needed to be careful.
Brushing off his clothes, Kai emerged from the alley with a newfound sense of purpose. "Alright, world," he said under his breath. "Time for Kai 2.0 to make a name for himself. Hero training starts... now."
Kai wandered further down the alley, his mind buzzing with ideas. Stockpiling energy had felt natural, like stretching a long-dormant muscle. If he could store kinetic energy from his movements, what about absorbing impact? He spotted a stack of crates nearby and climbed onto one, hesitating for a moment before jumping off. As he landed, he focused on the force of the impact, willing it into his core. A warm hum coursed through him.
"Okay, that worked," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Now, let's see how much punch I can pack."
He pivoted to face a graffiti-covered wall and threw a punch, releasing the stored energy. The air snapped audibly as his fist connected, and a visible dent appeared in the brick. He staggered back, eyes wide.
"Oh, man," he whispered, flexing his hand. "That's gonna leave a mark—on me or the wall." He shook out his fingers, adrenaline coursing through him.
He began to wonder: could he stockpile energy from things other than his own body? His eyes darted around until he spotted an outdoor vent blasting warm air. Holding his hand over the stream, he tried to absorb the heat. A faint warmth built up inside him, confirming his hunch.
His imagination ran wild. Could he siphon energy from fire during a fight? Absorb a lightning strike and redirect it? The possibilities made his head spin.
What about long-term storage? Could he accumulate small amounts over time, building up a devastating reserve? What if he stored kinetic energy while running, then unleashed it all in one explosive jump? Could he—his thoughts faltered—power a city? That seemed far-fetched, but still, it sparked a grin.
"This quirk's got serious potential," Kai mused. "Now I just need to not blow myself up in the process."
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Ya'll didn't reach the PowerStone goal but the pathetic effort was acknowledged...
20 = 1 extra chapter
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100 = 3 extra chapters
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