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The Director of the Ministry Of Defense closed the screen that was in front of him, before turning to face Miruko."What can you tell me from what we just saw" He asked, in a stern, almost cold tone of voice."I saved the day" Rumi answered, wearing the same smirk she had wore the whole time the video had been playing, the same that she had been wearing at the time the video was shot too."Your antics and tendency to go all out, disregarding your opponent and the place of which combat is taking place. That was the right answer Miruko" He stated, raising his tone ever so slightly.The bunny girl scoffed, leaning back against her chair, arms spread out and brow raised ever so slightly. "I took hold of the situation, assessed my options and decided that going all out was the right option. ..what the hell do you want me to do? Hold back?"The Director huffed, leaning against the wall. "WE, as in I, the government, the rest of the heroes and the People most importantly, want to know that you won't be tearing up half a block, each time a chase in ongoing. That's what we want you to do"The Director pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. Before he could say more, the sound of a teacup being set gently on the table drew their attention to the small, unassuming figure of Nezu. The principal of UA had been sitting silently in the corner of the room, his paws folded neatly in front of him as he observed the exchange."Rumi" Nezu began, his calm and measured voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "While your skill and bravery are undeniable, I must concur with the Director-your reputation is beginning to suffer.The people are starting to see you not as a hero, but as a loose cannon."The rabbit hero's smirk faltered, just for a moment."So what? I get the job done, don't I? The bad guys lose, the good guys win. Isn't that what matters?"Nezu tilted his head, his ever-present smile remaining eerily pleasant. "It matters, yes. But public trust is fragile, and while your results are admirable, the means by which you achieve them are causing... ripples. I believe the term 'reckless' has been trending on social media in connection to your name for the past three days."Miruko groaned, dragging a hand down her face."Seriously? Social media? Since when do hashtags decide how good of a hero someone is?""Since public perception became one of the pillars that uphold our society" Nezu countered smoothly."We live in a world where heroes must not only act but inspire. And right now, Rumi, you're inspiring fear just as much as hope. That isn't sustainable."The Director crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "Exactly. Which is why we need to repair that image of yours, starting immediately.""And what? You want me to start handing out flowers on patrol?" Rumi snapped, her tone edged with frustration.Nezu chuckled softly, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "Not quite, my dear. But I do have an idea-one that may help you connect with the public and remind everyone that you're more than just a force of nature."Miruko raised an eyebrow, already skeptical."Alright, Nezu. Lay it on me. What's this brilliant idea of yours?"About a sentence and six seconds later, a chair was thrown harshly against the wall, shattering in pieces."Does that answer your proposal?" She scoffed, grabbing another chair that was nearby and sitting on it in reverse, the back side against her chest."Rumi dear you must understand, an internship, one which you will have absolute control over, will do wonders for your image. Imagine it with me, the headlines"Nezu clasped his paws together, undeterred by the destruction. His smile widened as he raised his voice slightly, as if narrating to an invisible audience. " The destruction. Mis smile widened as he lalsed nis voice slightly, as if narrating to an invisible audience. " The Fierce Rabbit Hero Takes Promising Young Hero Under Her Wing!' Or perhaps, 'From Power to Poise: Miruko Trains the Next Generation!' Doesn't that sound delightful?"Rumi's nose twitched in irritation, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Delightful for who? The media? The government? You?" She leaned forward on the chair, glaring at Nezu. "I don't babysit, rodent. Especially not some starry-eyed kid who'll just slow me down."Nezu remained unflinching, sipping his tea calmly."Oh, but I believe I've already found a candidate who won't slow you down. In fact, you might find him. . . intriguing.""The only thing I find intriguing about the new generation is how fucking reliant they are on ours" She swiftly countered, getting off the chair and screeching it around."The Villains invaded the dome in UA, we heroes saved the day, fuck it, they were young. The incident in that forest during UA's training.. that almost ended in an absolute disaster, oh wait it did, a kid got abducted and a heroine lost her powers. Then the 'young heroes' tried to save the kid.. not a need to add to that. Then we had the whole Overhaul thing.We lost another Hero. An actually promising hero lost their quirk"Nezu set his teacup down with a soft clink, his expression still calm but now carrying a hint ofexpression still calm but now carrying a hint of gravity. "You're absolutely correct, Rumi. The younger generation has struggled. But I'd like to remind you that in both the Overhaul incident and the forest, one student in particular was a game changer."The Director stepped forward, his arms crossed, his tone firm. "Midoriya Izuku. He turned the tide in both scenarios, risking life and limb to protect others.In the Ministry's independent research and long-term predictions, we already rank him as the most likely candidate to claim the number one hero spot in the future."Rumi paused, the chair frozen mid-spin as her sharp gaze snapped toward the Director who with the press of a button, pulled up an image of the young, green haired man.He leaned forward slightly, emphasizing his next words. "And as of this moment, Miruko, that boy doesn't just have one quirk. He has two."She huffed, sitting back in the chair and letting out a long, drawn out sigh. "Okay.. he has guts I will give him that. I saw the fight with Overhaul, he took his punches and dished them out as well. But that doesn't mean I want to train him"Nezu let out an uncharacteristic sigh, pushing his now finished tea to the side."Rumi. Your two choices, are these, this internship, this chance to fix up your image a little and swiftly growing hated by the media and the people" He paused for a second, taking a few steps closer to her, standing atop the steel table in the room."I have seen you grow into the fascinating heroine you are today Rumi. I was your principal, as I am for all these kids. Not all of them hold the same potential, just like not all of them did in your generation. But, just like you, they are waiting for that chance to grown into the best they can be-""That doesn't work on me Nezu"The Director sighed once more, slamming his palm against the table. "Okay let's do this my way, you either start an internship, or we take your license under the charge of reckless endangerment of civilians"Rumi blinked, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously as her lips parted in disbelief. "You're joking" She said, her voice low and venomous, the edge of a snarl creeping into her tone. "You're threatening me? With my license? After everything I've done for this country? After all the blood I've spilled, the bones I've broken, the lives I've risked to keep these streets safe?"She stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor as she jabbed an accusatory finger at the Director. "You want to talk about reckless endangerment? How about this: the government dragging their asses while actual villains are out there butchering heroes and terrorizing civilians. Where were you when people like Overhaul were building empires right under your noses, huh?"The Director held her fiery glare without flinching, his own expression carved in stone. "Your accomplishments and dedication to the cause are not under question, Miruko" He said evenly, though his tone carried a sharper edge now. "But you cannot keep ignoring the collateral damage you leave behind. Trust is what holds this society together, and you've been chipping away at it with every reckless, unrestrained decision you make. Civilians are starting to see you as a loose cannon. Headlines are calling you unpredictable, dangerous. You're becoming a liability-and I won't allow that to continue."Rumi's hands curled into fists at her sides, and she took a threatening step closer to him, her body coiled tight with tension. "Liability? You're seriously calling me a-""Yes" the Director interrupted, his voice rising slightly as he leaned forward. "And it's no longer up for debate. You will agree to this internship, or we'll move forward with disciplinary action, including a full suspension of your hero license under the charge of reckless endangerment of civilians."For a moment, the room was suffocatingly silent.Rumi stood frozen, her crimson eyes boring into him as though she was daring him to back down. But the fire in her gaze met an immovable wall.He wasn't bluffing-she knew that now. Her breath hissed between her teeth, her lips curling into a snarl before she turned sharply on her heel, pacing a short circle as her mind raced.When she finally spoke, her voice was lower, simmering with restrained fury. "Fine" She spat, her sharp tone slicing through the tension. "But let me make one thing damn clear-if I'm doing this, it's happening my way. I call the shots. I pick the intern.I set the rules. And if anyone-" She turned sharply, glaring at Nezu, then at the Director "Anyone-tries to twist this into some bullshit PR stunt about me taking in a random fucking kid hero to make myself look softer or whatever, I walk. Got it?"Nezu inclined his head, his expression as calm and composed as ever, though there was a glint of satisfaction in his dark eyes. "Of course, Rumi. I wouldn't expect anything less from you.""Good" She snapped, pulling out the chair she'd discarded earlier and dropping into it with all the grace of a sledgehammer. "Because if I'm stuck doing this, I'm going to make damn sure it's on my terms.And that it's worth my time."The Director finally let out a breath, standing upright again and smoothing down his suit. "That's all we needed to hear" He said, his voice softening ever so slightly. "You'll find this choice won't just benefit your image-it might even surprise you."Rumi shot him a look that could pierce steel but didn't bother responding. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, arms crossed tightly, her jaw set. Deep down, she hated being boxed into a corner, and this felt like just that-an impossible choice forced on her.Still, as much as she hated to admit it, a small part of her was curious. If the "game changer" they were talking about could live up to the hype, maybe-just maybe-this wouldn't be a complete waste of time.That however, she doubted. After all, there were that could take his place.The Following Day. Late In The Afternoon At The Miruko Abode.The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the wide glass panels of Rumi's apartment, casting long golden streaks across the polished wooden floors.The room was clean, almost meticulously so, but carried a distinctly personal touch.A couple of framed posters hung on the walls— images of Miruko mid-action, leaping into chaos with her trademark fearlessness. A shelf near the kitchen housed a row of awards, some trophies gleaming under the subtle light strips running along the wall.Despite the modern design of the space, it felt lived-in, cozy even, the kind of place that balanced strength with comfort.Rumi, however, was anything but comfortable.She paced the length of the room, her bare feet padding softly against the wood. Her crimson eyes flickered with irritation as she ran a hand through her thick white hair, sending it spilling back over her shoulders. She looked every bit the restless predator-shoulders tense, steps sharp, energy barely contained."This is bullshit" She muttered, her voice cutting through the otherwise quiet hum of the city outside."I should be out there doing something useful, not stuck here trying to pick some kid to babysit."Seated on the cream-colored couch across from her, Ryuko Tatsuma barely looked up from the tablet in her hands. Her golden eyes scanned through another file, calm and composed as ever, her tail curling lazily over the side of the couch. She tapped her claws lightly on the screen, scrolling to the next profile."You're not babysitting anyone, Rumi" Ryuko said evenly, her tone far too measured for the fiery woman stomping around the room. "It's called mentoring. You know, helping someone grow?" She glanced up, giving a small smile. "You should try it sometime. It's good for your image and your soul.""Yeah, sure. Real great for my image" Rumi shot back, stopping in her tracks to glare at the files Ryuko was working through. "Because nothing says 'top hero' like hand-holding some kid who probably can't even throw a decent punch."Ryuko raised an eyebrow but didn't bite back, instead sliding the tablet closer to her lap. She'd known Rumi long enough to recognize when she just needed to burn through her frustration before coming around Still, she couldn't help but smirk a little."Well" Ryuko started, holding up the tablet as she flipped to the next page "We've got plenty of options here. Why don't you stop pacing long enough to actually look at them?"Rumi groaned and threw herself into the chair by the kitchen, slumping back like a sulking child. "Fine.Show me what we've got. But I'm telling you now, I'm not picking some soft kid who's gonna cry if I so much as yell at them."Ryuko shot her a smile of understanding, turning the tablet so Miruko can see before the room was filled with the loudest groan a woman could possibly let out. "Rude" Ryuko calmly stated, Miruko shooting her a bratty smile.Her crimson eyes fell on the tablet, immediatly dropping down multiple levels of the pure bunny energy she seemed to run on. "Don't even fucking propose that prick" She stated, Ryuko turning the tablet and looking at her confused."You know thi-" Of course I don't! I just happen to be able to tell that that kid is an absolute push over" She stated, her voice filled with a surprising amount of confidence."I see" The composed draconic woman stated.Ryuko sighed, her claws tapping lightly against the edge of the tablet as she switched to the next file."Alright, how about this one? Third-year student from Shiketsu High. Apparently did pretty well in the provisional licensing exam." She held the screen up, showing a photo of a young man with neatly combed black hair and a polite smile.Rumi's nose scrunched almost immediately. "Polite smile? Nope. Next."Ryuko chuckled, tilting her head as she skimmed through his details. "He ranked top ten in his class.Specializes in defensive barriers.""Pass." Rumi waved a dismissive hand. "I'm not running a daycare for turtles. If someone can't hold their own without hiding behind a shield, they're useless to me."With a resigned hum, Ryuko swiped to the next profile. "Alright then, how about her?" She turned the tablet to show a photo of a girl with bright orange hair tied into a tight bun, her confident smirk and piercing green eyes practically radiating determination.Rumi squinted at the screen, leaning forward slightly as if trying to spot any flaws in the girl's photo."What's her quirk?""Pyrotechnic manipulation," Ryuko explained scrolling down. "She can generate and control small explosions. Apparently, she's got a fiery personality to match."Rumi raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued for a brief moment before shrugging. "Eh. Sounds like she'd blow up half a block just for fun. Can't have two of me running around, now, can we?""Fair enough" Ryuko said with a chuckle, flicking to the next candidate.The third file popped up-a young man with slick blond hair, a flashy grin, and sunglasses perched on his head like he was ready to star in an action movie."He's from Ketsubutsu Academy" Ryuko read."Quirk: Kinetic Amplification. He can redirect momentum to enhance his strikes. Great hand-to-hand combat potential.""Great at looking like a jackass too" Rumi muttered, her crimson eyes narrowing at the screen. "Look at that smug face. He'd spend more time checking his reflection than fighting villains. Next."Ryuko sighed again, shaking her head in amusement as she swiped to the next profile. Her expression softened slightly as she glanced at the screen before tilting the tablet toward Rumi."Alright, this one might be more your speed."The screen displayed Izuku Midoriya, his messy green hair framing wide, earnest eyes. His stats and achievements were neatly listed beneath his profile picture, the most notable being his involvement in the Overhaul operation.Rumi blinked, leaning forward instinctively, her crimson gaze narrowing as she silently studied the file. For once, she didn't immediately dismiss what she saw."So he is the wonder kid we keep hearing about eh?" She remarked, leaning back a little as she adopted a more studious gaze."That he is. Strong, quick, smart, reserved. A complete match on the first two and two worlds apart for the others" Ryuko teased, shooting the tablet to Rumi who caught it with one hand"Funny are we?" She quipped, her eyes falling onto the screen."Look at that.. broken more bones that I had at his age. Dare I say, impressive. Or absolutely fucking ridiculous" She stated, the pace of her talking jumping at the last part as she shot Ryuko a smile."Got good grades. Don't care about the numbers just means I won't have to bust my ass teaching him to listen. Punching and kicking style, right up my alley" The bunny girl said, Ryuko seemingly leaning back against the couch."Found you guy have you?" She asked, the white haired heroine in front of her shaking her head.Rumi shook her head, tossing the tablet onto the couch beside Ryuko. "Nah. Kid's promising, I'll give him that, but I'm not sold. Wonder boy or not, I don't have the patience to deal with someone who's probably gonna bow and apologize every time I tell him to step it up."Ryuko tilted her head knowingly, but didn't press.Instead, she flicked through to the next file. "Alright, let's see if we can find someone who'll pass your impossible standards, Your Majesty."The next candidate popped up— a stocky boy with shaggy brown hair and an expression that screamed"happy to be here." Ryuko cleared her throat, half-reading the details aloud. "Second-year, quirk is'Rock Form.' He can encase himself in stone for defense. Solid, reliable-""Stop. I'm not training a damn boulder" Rumi interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "Next."Ryuko chuckled, already swiping to the next profile."Alright, fine. How about this one?" She turned the screen to reveal a lanky girl with lavender hair, a bright, beaming smile, and a description that started with the word 'enthusiastic!'Rumi's face twisted into something between a grimace and a wince. "That one looks like she'd try to start a book club with the villains. Pass."The tablet lowered as Ryuko gave her a pointed look."Rumi, if you're just gonna tear apart every option-""Because they're all trash, Ryuko" Rumi snapped, throwing her hands up. "They're either too soft, too slow, or too damn friendly. I'm not running a camp for cheerful sidekicks." She let out a long, exaggerated groan, slumping back in her chair and dragging a hand down her face. "Maybe this whole thing's a lost cause."Ryuko sighed, her lips curving into a faint smile as she casually swiped back to Izuku's profile and handed the tablet back. "Then maybe we circle back to the kid you didn't completely hate."Rumi took the tablet reluctantly, staring down at Izuku's picture as if it might change her mind if she glared at it hard enough. "You really think this guy's the answer?"Ryuko shrugged, leaning back on the couch and crossing her arms. "Think about it. You can teach him how to actually use those legs of his-turn all that raw energy into precision. Plus, kid's got heart. If nothing else, I bet he'd soak up everything you throw at him like a sponge."Rumi raised an eyebrow. "And what's he supposed to teach me, huh?"Ryuko smirked knowingly. "Maybe how to walk into a fight with a little less fire in your eyes? Add a touch of water to your wine every now and then?"Rumi scoffed, rolling her eyes as she handed the tablet back. "Yeah, no thanks. Last thing I need is a lecture on restraint from some green bean who probably thinks you can solve everything with a smile and a handshake.""Still" Ryuko added softly, tilting her head as her sharp golden eyes met Rumi's. "He might surprise you."Rumi stayed quiet for a moment, her crimson gaze drifting back to the screen. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she straightened up, brushing her hair away from her face. "Jeez what's with everyone and saying that he 'might surprise me'. Alright, fine. If this is what I'm stuck with... then yeah, Wonder Boy's probably my best bet."She stretched her arms over her head, groaning again. "But he's not a sidekick, Ryuko. If I do this, it's a partnership. And if he slows me down, I'm kicking his ass back to UA so fast, he won't even have time to say sorry."Ryuko smiled faintly, leaning her head against her hand. "Sounds like you've found your guy.""Yeah" Rumi muttered, standing up and cracking her knuckles. "Let's see if he's as good as the hype says he is."Once Again. The Following DayThe loud crack of stone splitting echoed through theUA training ground as Izuku launched himself off a jagged rock, his legs coiled tight with power from One for All. He shot forward like a pinball, ricocheting off a metal beam, twisting midair, and landing hard against a stone wall with a grunt. His boots skidded as he pushed off again, streaking through the field.The wide-open arena bore all the signs of his relentless effort-dust clouds hung in the air, chunks of rubble scattered across the ground, and faint scorch marks dotted the metal surfaces where his body had collided at high speed. Izuku clenched his teeth, his green eyes locked on the chaotic mess of obstacles he'd set up for himself. This was the kind of practice he needed: unpredictable, chaotic, and demanding.But he wasn't perfect yet."Argh!" He groaned as his timing slipped and he smacked into a low steel beam, the force of the hit enough to rattle his ribs. He toppled into the dirt but scrambled up just as fast, muttering to himself"Focus, Izuku. Adjust the angle, don't overextend."Dusting himself off, he grabbed the towel near his feet and dabbed at the sweat dripping down his face, sighing as his muscles burned from exertion. A faint crackle of glass falling from his hair reminded him of the window he'd blasted through earlier, now a gaping hole in the far wall. He winced at the sight."Yeah... definitely not doing that again."He took a moment to breathe, resetting his stance, One for All coursing lightly through his legs. "Alright. Let's go again" He whispered, his determination etched into every line of his face. He leapt, bounding high into the air and streaking through the arena once more.Unbeknownst to him, three figures entered the training ground from the far corner of the room, their footsteps drowned out by the sound of Izuku's powerful movements."At least he's not slacking off" Miruko remarked, standing with her arms crossed, her crimson eyes tracking the green blur darting through the arena. A small smirk tugged at her lips. "I'll give the kid this— he's fast."Beside her, Nezu nodded approvingly, his paws clasped behind his back. "Young Midoriya's work ethic is one of his most admirable traits. He's never one to let an opportunity for improvement slip by."All Might, in his smaller form, gave a proud smile."That's my boy" He said softly, his tone carrying that familiar pride that always seemed to accompany mentions of his protégé.They stood quietly for a few moments, observing as Izuku shot from structure to structure, his movements gradually gaining precision. But then his trajectory shifted-his green eyes caught a flash of movement near the ground, and before he could fully process it, he miscalculated the next leap."Wait, is that—?!"The momentary distraction sent him spiraling off-course, his footing slipping as he crashed spectacularly into the dirt a few feet from where the trio stood. Dust and debris scattered everywhere as he groaned from the impact, his face buried in the ground."Smooth landing" Miruko quipped, smirking down at him.Izuku shot upright almost instantly, brushing himself off at a frantic pace and whipping his head toward the group. His face flushed bright red as he realized who was standing there. "A-All Might! Principal Nezu! A-and you're—!" His gaze snapped to Miruko, his voice catching in his throat.All Might stepped forward with a warm smile, placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Young Midoriya, I'm glad to see you're still hard at work. Let me introduce you properly." He gestured toward Miruko. "This is Rumi Usagiyama, the Rabbit Hero, Miruko. She'll be working with you moving forward."Izuku froze, his wide eyes darting between All Might and Miruko. Miruko? His heart jumped into his throat, his thoughts racing. The Rabbit Hero? One of the top pros in Japan? The same Miruko who's always in the thick of every fight and makes headlines for taking down villains like it's nothing? "W-working with me?" He stammered, barely keeping his voice steady as his brain scrambled to make sense of the situation. He felt the weight of her crimson gaze fall on him, and despite the heat already burning in his face, his spine straightened instinctively.Miruko stepped forward, hands on her hips, looking him over critically. "Yeah, kid. Here's the deal. You're gonna be my partner for this internship. Not my sidekick, not my lackey-my partner. That means if you screw up, you're out. You keep up, maybe I won't regret wasting my time on this."Her words hit him like a freight train. Partner? With her? It felt surreal-like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown. But even as her sharp tone set his nerves on fire, something about the challenge sparked in him. Partner. She wasn't going to coddle him or hold his hand, and while terrifying, it was exactly what he needed.The bluntness of her words made Izuku blink, his brain struggling to process as he frantically straightened himself and bowed deeply. "Y-yes, ma'am! I'll do my best!""Good," She replied curtly, her smirk returning."Let's hope your 'best' is enough to impress me, Wonder Boy."