The next morning...
"What? You want to come to the office with me?"
Yuta nearly spat out the milk he was drinking in surprise, his eyes wide as he stared at Akira.
Akira quickly waved his hands in defense. "Dad, it's not what you think! I don't want to join your work or anything. I just want to use the training equipment at your office to practice. That's all."
Yuta tilted his head, still looking skeptical.
Akira pressed on, determined. "I've seen the training grounds there. The equipment isn't the best, but it's usable. There's still time before I graduate and can properly apply to be a Hero, so I don't want to waste that time sitting around."
Yuta sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I get it, but your studies are important, Akira. You can't neglect school if you want to get into a proper Hero academy. Otherwise, how will you even qualify to become a Hero?"
Akira's expression faltered. His shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment. Seeing this, Yuta softened and quickly offered a compromise.
"Alright, how about this? After school, you can come to the office and use the training ground. That way, your studies won't suffer, and you'll still have time to train. Sound good?"
Akira perked up, nodding firmly. "Got it! Thanks, Dad!"
---
That afternoon...
As soon as school ended, Akira headed straight to the Hero Office. However, things didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped. Yuta had left on a mission, leaving Akira to deal with the other staff on his own.
"Use our training facilities? What do you take this office for? Your personal playground?" grumbled Mitsui, one of the senior Heroes. His arms were crossed, and his tone was laced with disdain. "Your dad is your dad. You're just his kid. Don't expect special treatment."
"Mitsui, don't be so harsh," another Hero, Yamada, interjected, his tone calm but firm. "It's a good thing that the kid wants to train. We don't even use the facility that often. Besides, he's Yuta's son. It wouldn't hurt to show him some guidance."
Mitsui scoffed. "Rules are rules. There's nothing in the manual saying we have to accommodate Hero kids, even if they're Yuta's. If we make exceptions, where does it stop?"
"Don't be petty just because you have a grudge against his father," Yamada retorted, stepping forward to stand beside Akira.
"I'm not petty!" Mitsui snapped, glaring at Yamada. "But if this kid wants to use the training grounds, he'll have to get through me first!"
Akira, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up. "I'll do it."
Yamada looked at him, startled. "What? Are you serious?"
"I am," Akira said calmly, meeting Mitsui's eyes. "If passing your challenge is what it takes, then I'm ready."
Mitsui smirked. "Fine. See that line over there?" He pointed to a mark on the ground. "All you have to do is cross it while I'm standing in your way. Think you can handle that, kid?"
"Fair enough," Akira replied, already stepping into position.
---
The challenge began.
Akira dashed forward with a burst of speed.
Mitsui sneered. "Just as I thought. All brawn, no brain." He clenched his fist, his Quirk activating. His body expanded slightly, muscles swelling as his skin hardened like iron.
With a single punch, Mitsui aimed to knock Akira back. "You're going to regret rushing in like that!"
Akira's eyes narrowed. In a swift motion, he backflipped mid-run, narrowly avoiding the punch.
Mitsui raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Not bad for a rookie. But you'll have to do better than dodging."
"Change the challenge," Akira said, his voice steady. "If this is all about brute strength, I won't get anywhere."
Mitsui laughed mockingly. "Alright, fine! Here's the new deal: if you can withstand three of my moves and still stay standing, I'll let you use the training grounds."
"No," Akira interrupted, his tone sharp. "You misunderstand. I'm not here to endure—I'm here to win. My goal isn't just to get past you; it's to knock you down."
Mitsui blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. "Knock me down? You're ambitious, I'll give you that. But ambition without power is just foolishness. I'll even let you have ten moves. Go ahead, kid."
Akira didn't reply. Instead, he stepped forward, his hands transforming into grains of sand. The sand swirled and condensed into sharp spikes, their edges glinting ominously.
As the spikes solidified, a dark sheen covered them—Armament Haki.
Mitsui's laughter faded, replaced by a frown. "What the...?"
"Bang!"
Akira's punch connected with Mitsui's abdomen. The spike pierced through Mitsui's reinforced skin, drawing blood.
"Pfft!" Mitsui coughed up a mouthful of blood, staggering backward. His eyes were wide with shock.
"What... is this kid? How could he—?" Mitsui's mind raced. "I strengthened my entire body with my Quirk, and yet he broke through it like it was nothing!"
Yamada, who had been watching from the sidelines, was equally stunned. "Unbelievable... Yuta's son is already this strong?"
Akira lowered his arm, the sand dissolving back into his hand. He stood tall, meeting Mitsui's stunned gaze. "So, do I get to use the training grounds now?"
For the first time, Mitsui was at a loss for words.