Chapter 41: The Rescue Training Race
The midday sun cast a warm glow over Training Ground Gamma, its maze of pipes and platforms stretching into the distance like an industrial jungle. Class 1-A stood gathered near the starting point, stretching and chatting as they waited for their next hero training class.
All Might was nowhere in sight, after showing the way here, he left quickly to register attendance but his arrival was imminent.
"Yo, Harue!" Kirishima's voice rang out, grinning as he gave his friend a once-over. "New threads, huh?"
Heads turned as Harue stepped into view, wearing a sleek new skintight suit — primarily white, with a blue accent tracing sharp, modern lines across his left shoulder. It fit him well, highlighting his lean, athletic build.
"Whoa!" Mina gasped, jogging up beside him, eyes sparkling. "When did you get that done? It's so clean! Kinda gives off superhero anime vibes!"
Kaminari whistled. "That's a huge change from your old one, man."
Sero chuckled. "I was kinda getting used to the bright colors. This one's more… stealthy."
Harue gave a calm shrug, adjusting the collar of the new suit.
"The old one was a little clunky," he said casually. "Too flashy. Didn't really suit my style anymore."
In truth, it looked too much like a Power Ranger suit.
Besides, the marvel rivals suit was way cooler, if only it came to his mind sooner.
Mina bounced beside him, giving him a big thumbs-up. "Well, I love it! You look super hot right now."
Harue smirked a little. "That so?"
Before the conversation could go on, a familiar presence slammed into the ground with a thunderous BOOM.
"I AM HERE!!"
Everyone turned toward the source of the shout as dust billowed from the spot All Might landed. He stood tall and proud, giving his trademark grin and thumbs-up to the class.
"Great to see you all bright and ready! I hope your internships were fruitful!"
The class let out cheers, many still riding the excitement of the week they'd just had. Even the tension from the Hero Killer news seemed to lift a little under the former Number One Hero's energy.
All Might's gaze swept over them — lingering briefly on Midoriya, Iida, and Todoroki before continuing.
"Today, we're going to apply what you've learned in real-world combat training. Let's see if your experiences sharpened your instincts!"
"We'll be conducting a rescue training exercise!" he said, pointing dramatically toward the far end of the zone, where a cluster of assistants from U.A.'s Support Course were prepping the scenario. A few students craned their necks to get a better look.
Iida raised his hand. "Sir, shouldn't these exercises take place somewhere like the U.S.J. facility, specifically designed for disasters?"
All Might waved him off. "Ground Gamma is ideal for this—it simulates collapsed structures and disaster zones! But no damaging the pipes, especially you, Bakugo!"
Bakugo glared. "Yeah, yeah."
All Might glanced at the groups. "First group: Midoriya, Iida, Ojiro, Mina, and Sero—step up!"
That group bounded forward excitedly, happy to finally show their improvements.
——————
Harue stood near the edge, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. Ignoring the chatter of his classmates.
His eyes landed on Mina.
She stood at the start line with her usual energy, stretching and sliding on the acid under her feet. There was a new kind of sharpness in the way she moved—more confident, more precise. She's improved, he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. That internship did her good.
As the match started with the expected lead from Sero and Ida, Harue hummed in interest.
Then movement caught his eye. He turned just in time to see Midoriya explode forward in a burst of speed, green lightning crackling faintly around his limbs as he weaved through the cluttered terrain.
The surprised gasps coming from behind him, telling that the others were quite shocked at what they were seeing.
Harue then narrowed his eyes, studying him.
Full Cowl, he thought. He's getting the hang of it a lot faster now. His control is miles better than it was before the festival. The broccoli-haired boy zigzagged past Iida and Sero, ducked under a beam, and shot upward off a pipe.
Still reckless though…
And just as the thought crossed his mind, Midoriya's foot slipped.
Aaand there it is.
Harue rolled his eyes as Midoriya tumbled forward, slamming awkwardly into a tangle of pipes with a loud crash. From the corner of his eye, he saw Kirishima wince and Kaminari twitch.
"Guess the sparkles come with a price," Harue muttered under his breath.
Up ahead, Sero made it to the beacon first, slapping his hand down with a triumphant grin.
"Yeah! I'm number one this time!" he cheered.
All Might clapped loudly. "Excellent! Great job! That's what I like to see—quick thinking, fast reaction, and strong instincts!"
He then turned to Midoriya and give a wry smile.
Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck as Iida helped him up. Mina jogged over to check on him, all smiles despite the loss. Ojiro gave a quiet nod of respect to Sero.
All Might turned to the rest of the class. "Next group—Kirishima, Kaminari, Asui, Jiro… and Dai!"
Harue exhaled quietly and stepped forward, flames flickering faintly around his shoulders as he walked. He could feel eyes on him—Kirishima's expectant grin, Kaminari's nervousness, even Bakugo's irritated glare from the back.
Let's do this.
————-
[ ALL MIGHT'S POV ]
"Alright!" I called out, clipboard in hand. "Next group—Kirishima, Kaminari, Asui, Jiro… and Dai!"
The selected students stepped forward, limbering up. My eyes lingered on Harue Dai, who rolled his shoulders with a casual confidence. There was no tension in him—just anticipation.
The buzzer rang.
In an instant, Harue's body ignited.
A torrent of fire exploded around him as his entire form became engulfed in flames, radiant and controlled. He launched into the air with an earth-shaking burst, flying over the pipe-laden course with the ease of someone who belonged in the sky.
His trail of fire blazed behind him, cutting through the air like a comet. No hesitation. No adjustment. Just speed and instinct.
The other students had barely left the starting line.
In under thirty seconds, he reached the goal.
Flames simmered down around him as he gently landed, the heat rippling off his skin before vanishing. He cracked a grin, hands sliding into his pockets with nonchalance.
I felt my lips twitch upward.
"Incredible."
Harue had always shown promise—but this was different. He had full mastery over his flame propulsion, not just in short bursts or boosts like most fire users. He wasn't relying on guesswork or brute strength.
He was flying.
True flight—sustained, refined, controlled. It wasn't just speed. It was navigation. Precision. Control in three dimensions.
Endeavor could never do this.
The Number 2 hero—powerful though he was—could only propel himself. No finesse, no gliding, just force. Every motion was an explosion.
But Harue? He floated with ease, twisted midair, controlled descent, burned with balance.
He looked more at home up there than he ever did on the ground.
That meant something.
The new generation wasn't just keeping up. They were surpassing us.
I tightened my grip on the clipboard as the other students followed through the course—Kirishima smashing through pipes, Kaminari slipping in comedic panic, Jiro zipping along cautiously, Tsuyu hopping with practiced grace.
Harue waited at the end, arms crossed, watching quietly.
I couldn't shake the tension in my chest.
Hosu City. The Nomu. Hero Killer Stain.
And now… strange reports of others. Nomu-like creatures. Villain activity stirring.
All For One.
He was still out there. Still pulling strings. The League of Villains didn't come for the students randomly. They were targeting them—for a reason.
And if All For One was truly backing them… then the danger wasn't on the horizon.
It was already here.
I stared at Harue again, who laughed at something Kaminari said. So young. So full of potential.
He had no idea just how dark the road ahead might get.
Midoriya would have to be told. Everything. About One For All. About the truth behind its power—and the man who once nearly destroyed me.
I exhaled slowly, steel settling in my gut.
It's time.
The history of this quirk that we both hold.