Chapter Text
Toji’s first step into the U.A. training grounds was met with wary glances. Students paused mid-exercise, their curious eyes lingering on the unfamiliar, imposing figure. Whispers spread like wildfire, fueled by both awe and suspicion.
“Who’s that?”
“Another pro hero?”
“He doesn’t look like one…”
Toji ignored the stares, his sharp gaze scanning the grounds. The air here was charged with energy, the kind born of ambition and endless competition.
It reminded him of battlefields—except here, the participants were young, hopeful, and fighting to prove themselves rather than survive.
“Midoriya,” Toji said, his voice cutting through the murmurs. “What now?”
Izuku hesitated, clearly caught off guard by Toji’s bluntness. “W-Well, usually new students—or guests—show their skills in the training arena. It’s a chance to, um, assess your abilities.”
Toji snorted. “Assess, huh? Who’s the lucky kid going to ‘assess’ me?”
Before Izuku could respond, a brash voice rang out from the crowd.
“You think you’re hot stuff, huh?”
A blonde boy with an explosive demeanor stepped forward, his palms crackling with sparks. Katsuki Bakugo’s eyes gleamed with unrestrained aggression as he sized up Toji.
“Bakugo,” Izuku stammered, stepping between them. “He’s not—”
“Shut up, Deku!” Bakugo snapped, shoving Izuku aside. “If this guy wants to waltz into our school, he’d better prove he’s worth the attention.”
Toji raised an eyebrow, amused. “You’re volunteering?”
“Damn right I am.” Bakugo’s grin widened. “I’ll wipe that smug look off your face, old man.”
Toji smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Hope you’ve got good health insurance, kid.”
The training arena was a massive, open space designed to accommodate quirk users of all types. Students and even a few pro heroes gathered to watch the showdown. The air buzzed with anticipation.
“Are you sure about this?” Izuku whispered, his worry palpable.
Toji glanced at him, smirking. “Relax, kid. I’ll go easy on him.”
From across the arena, Bakugo’s fiery blasts illuminated his figure. He looked like a predator stalking prey, his energy barely contained.
“All right, you two,” the referee—a hero with a clipboard—announced. “This is a friendly spar. No lethal force. Begin!”
The instant the signal sounded, Bakugo launched himself forward with an explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the arena.
“DIE!” Bakugo roared, his hands blazing as he hurled a barrage of explosive strikes at Toji.
Toji moved like a shadow, sidestepping each blast with calculated precision. The sheer speed of his movements left Bakugo’s attacks striking only empty air.
D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E , D O N ' T C O P Y , D O N ' T R E P O S T , D O N ' T P L A G I A R I Z E , D O N ' T T R A N S L A T E ,
“You done yet?” Toji taunted, dodging another explosion.
Bakugo growled in frustration, his attacks growing wilder. He unleashed a massive blast, aiming to corner Toji.
But Toji wasn’t cornered.
In a blur, he closed the distance between them, grabbing Bakugo’s wrist mid-attack. His grip was like iron, and Bakugo’s explosion fizzled out in his palm.
“What the—” Bakugo’s eyes widened as Toji twisted his arm, forcing him to the ground with almost effortless strength.
The crowd gasped.
“Lesson one,” Toji said, his voice calm but laced with menace. “Stop wasting energy. Flashy moves won’t win fights.”
He released Bakugo, who scrambled back, his pride wounded more than his body.
“You bastard!” Bakugo snarled, his hands lighting up again.
“Enough!” A new voice cut through the tension.
Everyone turned to see Shota Aizawa, Eraserhead, stepping into the arena. His scarf whipped around him as his quirk erased Bakugo’s flames.
“That’s enough from both of you,” Aizawa said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Bakugo, stand down.”
“Tch,” Bakugo muttered, glaring daggers at Toji before retreating.
“And you,” Aizawa turned to Toji, his gaze unflinching. “What exactly are you trying to prove here?”
Toji shrugged. “The kid asked for it. I delivered.”
Aizawa sighed, rubbing his temples. “This isn’t a playground. If you’re going to be here, you’ll follow the rules. Got it?”
Toji smirked but gave a curt nod. “Sure. Whatever you say, boss.”
Later, as the crowd dispersed, Izuku approached Toji hesitantly.
“That was… incredible,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “I’ve never seen anyone handle Bakugo like that.”
Toji leaned against a wall, his arms crossed. “He’s got potential. But he’s too hot-headed. A fight’s won in here first.” He tapped his temple.
Izuku nodded, filing the advice away. “So… what now?”
Toji looked at the boy thoughtfully. He’d come to this world with no direction, no purpose. But something about Izuku’s determination—the same spark he’d once seen in Megumi—made him reconsider.
“I guess I stick around,” Toji said finally. “For now.”
Izuku’s face lit up. “Really? That’s great!”
“Don’t get too excited, kid,” Toji said, smirking. “I’m not here to play hero. But if someone steps out of line…” He glanced toward the arena where Bakugo had disappeared. “I’ll handle it.”
In the distance, All Might watched from the shadows, a pensive look on his face.
To be continued.