The observation room of U.A. High hummed with electric anticipation. Dozens of high-resolution monitors lined the walls, each showing a different sector of the massive training arena. The entrance exam was in full swing, and chaos reigned. Explosions flared, lightning surged, mechanical shrieks echoed, and young aspiring heroes dashed, leapt, and roared with everything they had.
Principal Nezu sat perched comfortably in his cushioned chair, a cup of chamomile tea nestled between his paws. His eyes sparkled with a wicked kind of joy as he sipped. "This year's batch… is glorious. So much raw power. So much potential. So much chaos." He chuckled, tail flicking. "I do love chaos."
Midnight smirked, draping an arm across the back of her chair. "Chaos is part of the curriculum, after all. If they can't handle this, how will they survive villains?"
Cementoss, arms like slabs of concrete, leaned closer to one of the screens. His brow furrowed. "Sector B… That explosion just now—was that Bakugou?"
"Yeah," grunted Aizawa, aka Eraserhead, standing with his arms crossed near the front. His eyes barely blinked as they tracked the volatile blonde across the battlefield. "That kid's been detonating everything in sight since the gates opened. Total aggression."
The screen zoomed in on Katsuki Bakugou, a blur of motion and rage. He hurled himself across the terrain, blasting robots apart with deafening detonations. Smoke and fire chased every step he took, his hands constantly glowing, ready to strike.
"Impressive," Power Loader muttered, tapping furiously at a tablet. "No support gear and still that efficient? Tactical movement, tight angles, minimal wasted energy."
Snipe tilted his cowboy hat back. "It's not just raw power. Look how he aims. He's not just blowing things up—he's targeting weak points. That's battlefield awareness, buried under all that anger."
"But that ego..." Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "He's not fighting to prove himself. He's fighting because he thinks he's already won. That overconfidence could cost him."
From the shadows in the corner of the room, All Might, in his lean, skeletal form, stood silently. His scarf was pulled high around his neck, eyes fixed on the screen. "Bakugou's strong. Very strong. But his heart…" he said softly, "it's not in the right place. Not yet."
Across the room, another screen came to life with a sudden flare of blue light. The Zero-Pointer was towering over the arena in Sector C, crushing debris beneath its massive treads.
Onscreen, Izuku Midoriya was breathing heavily, eyes wide yet sharp as he stared up at the giant. Around him, other examinees fled in terror—but Midoriya stood his ground.
"Midoriya…" All Might's whisper was almost reverent.
They watched as he threw his bag aside and dashed forward without hesitation. One For All surged through him like an erupting star. He launched into the air, fist glowing with energy, and smashed into the Zero-Pointer's head.
The impact was cataclysmic. The robot crumpled, sparking and groaning as it collapsed in a heap.
Gasps rippled across the observation room.
"That power..." Cementoss whispered.
"But… he was registered as quirkless," Power Loader said, scrolling rapidly through Midoriya's file. "Where the hell did that come from?!"
All Might didn't speak. But the barely-contained pride in his smile spoke volumes.
Nezu turned his head slowly. "Interesting, isn't it? A quirk awakening… or something else entirely?"
"He broke his arm," Aizawa said flatly. "Power like that with limited control? It's a miracle he's even conscious."
Midnight's eyes narrowed. "But the intent behind it… that wasn't for points. That was to save someone."
All Might clenched a fist. "That's what being a hero means."
Another monitor shifted to Sector D, where the screen was bathed in purple lightning.
There, moving like a storm given form, was Shin Karasuma.
His body pulsed with arcs of crackling energy—violet bolts danced along his arms and legs as he tore through robots with thunderous blows. His expression was calm. Focused. Deadly.
"He's not shouting," Snipe noted. "Not celebrating. Not even breathing hard. Kid's just… working."
"Those are strength-enhanced strikes," murmured Cementoss. "He's using the lightning to supercharge his body. Like a human capacitor."
Aizawa nodded. "And look at his rhythm. He's not reacting to the robots—he's anticipating them. Like he's memorized the whole course."
Nezu tapped his teacup. "Or perhaps… he's not just talented. He's experienced."
"Karasuma," All Might said slowly, "has been training in secret. More than anyone knows. I saw him once, in the old training field near Dagobah Beach. Alone. Focused. For hours."
"And that control," Power Loader added. "It's rare to see someone that young use power like his without collateral damage. He's surgical."
"Watch his eyes," Aizawa said quietly. "He's not just seeing enemies. He's analyzing the field. Strategizing. This isn't an exam to him. It's preparation."
The next feeds jumped to Shin's teammates—Yuki Takamine, Toma Nishida, and Shiro Hanabusa.
Yuki exploded onto the screen in a blur of pink and gold. Her spiky strawberry-blonde hair bounced with every stomp, and her shout echoed across the arena.
"BOOM VOICE!"
A sonic shockwave burst from her mouth, flattening two robots mid-charge and sending debris flying.
"She's wild," Midnight laughed. "I love her."
"She's a walking riot," Snipe said, grinning. "But she's got control. She hit the sonic frequency just right—clean takedown without hurting nearby civilians."
Toma Nishida appeared on a different screen, posture lazy, eyes half-lidded… and yet, his movements were uncanny. As seconds ticked by, his strikes grew faster, heavier. He yawned—then caught a flying two-pointer and flung it over a building.
"His quirk's unique," Power Loader said, intrigued. "Sleep deprivation linked to strength increase?"
Nezu chuckled. "The more tired he gets, the stronger he becomes. A delightful paradox."
Shiro Hanabusa, in contrast, flickered like a ghost.
He moved unseen through shadows, disappearing from one spot and reappearing behind a robot. A tap to the back of the neck—instant deactivation. Another blink—and he was gone again.
"Stealth-based," murmured Aizawa. "Quirk called Glasswalk. Invisibility with time limits."
"Reminds me of a pro I used to work with," Snipe said thoughtfully. "Kid's smooth. Patient."
As the feeds rotated back, Midnight leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "What a crew."
Nezu nodded, ears perked. "A chaotic hurricane. And yet… look closer. Watch their paths. Shin's at the center. The calm in the storm. They orbit around him without even realizing it."
"Natural leadership," Snipe observed.
All Might crossed his arms. "And he's watching Midoriya. Just like Midoriya's chasing him."
"Rivalry?" Midnight asked.
"No," All Might replied. "Something better. Mutual growth. They'll push each other to be stronger."
"And Bakugou?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
The room went quiet for a beat.
All Might's gaze hardened. "He's chasing something else. He wants to be the best… for himself. Midoriya wants to save people. Shin…"
Aizawa's voice was low, finishing the thought: "...wants to surpass everyone. Quietly."
The room fell silent for a moment as the screens flickered.
Nezu lifted his cup in a toast. "To the next generation."
"God help the villains," Midnight said, smirking.
"And us," Aizawa muttered. "Because these kids are going to turn everything upside down."
*******
Few days later
A soft chime echoed through the Karasuma household, subtle and almost ceremonial. Shin sat quietly on the edge of his bed, steam still rising from his damp hair. A towel hung around his neck, his muscles aching slightly from the evening's training session. Before him sat the envelope—crisp, embossed with the golden emblem of U.A. High. It was heavier than it looked. Heavy with meaning. Heavy with fate.
He exhaled slowly, then tore the seal with practiced fingers. Inside was a sleek, silvery hologram disc. He set it on his desk, pressing the activation node.
Click.
A burst of static, then the unmistakable voice of the Number One Hero.
"HELLO, YOUNG SHIN!" All Might boomed, his larger-than-life grin lighting up the projection. "Let me begin with a hearty CONGRATULATIONS!"
Shin raised a brow, curiosity flickering across his sharp features.
All Might chuckled, a rare moment of genuine pride crossing his face. "Not only did you pass the U.A. Entrance Exam—you completely shattered every record we had!"
Shin blinked.
"You ranked first place overall," All Might continued, his voice tinged with awe. "You earned the highest villain points, the highest rescue points, and the most technically flawless performance since the exam system began."
There was a pause, just long enough for the words to settle.
"Your power. Your control. Your instincts. But above all—your heart. You acted like a true hero. And I, for one, cannot wait to see what you become. Welcome to U.A., Shin Karasuma."
The projection faded, leaving behind silence.
And then—
"YAAAAAA!!!"
The shout nearly rattled the walls. Shin's phone buzzed wildly on the desk. He sighed, picked it up, and joined the chaotic video call.
Yuki Takamine was practically bouncing off the walls of her room. Her spiky strawberry-blonde hair was a mess, and her face was lit with pure glee. "I GOT IN! I FREAKING GOT IN! HERO COURSE, BABY! WOOOO!"
Shiro Hanabusa, cool as ever, adjusted his camera with meticulous precision. "I got in as well. No surprises there."
Toma Nishida appeared slouched on his bed, half in uniform, his tie draped over one shoulder. "Didn't even get to finish opening the envelope. My cat sat on it. Still made it in."
"SHIN!" Yuki's face filled the screen. "TELL ME YOU GOT IN!"
Shin, calm as a glacier, nodded. "I got in. First place. Broke all the records."
The room went dead silent.
Then exploded.
"WHAAAAAAAAT?!" Yuki shrieked. "ARE YOU EVEN HUMAN?! FIRST PLACE?! HOW?!"
Shiro chuckled softly. "Told you. He's a monster in disguise."
Toma gave a lazy clap. "Congrats, dude. Try not to blow up the school in week one."
Ping.
A new face joined the call.
Izuku Midoriya's face appeared, flushed and breathless. His eyes sparkled with tears and disbelief. "Guys… I got in. I GOT IN!"
Yuki screamed again, louder than before. "YESSSSS! LET'S GO, DEKU!!!"
Shiro nodded solemnly. "Well earned. Welcome to the squad."
"See? I told you we'd all be in together," Toma said, rubbing his eyes.
Shin gave a rare, gentle smile. "Nice job, Izuku. You earned it."
Midoriya laughed nervously, wiping his eyes. "I couldn't have done it without you guys. Seriously. Thank you."
They lingered in that moment, five future heroes suspended in digital connection, warmed by the shared knowledge that they'd made it. That their futures had just begun.
Yuki broke the silence. "Okay. Celebration time! Ramen. No arguments. I want something spicy and giant-sized!"
"It's midnight," Shiro said, deadpan.
"So? Ramen is eternal."
"I second the motion," Toma muttered, already reaching for his blanket. "But I'm eating in my dreams."
"Thirded," Izuku said with a sheepish grin. "Though... maybe just a quiet bowl. My mom's already asleep."
"I'll bring lightning-shaped fishcakes," Shin added dryly.
"YES!" Yuki fist-pumped. "Team Tradition starts now!"
---
Elsewhere in the Bakugou household, the air trembled.
BOOM!
An explosion echoed from the upper floor.
Bakugou's mother didn't flinch. She simply sipped her tea with a tired expression. "He must've just found out someone beat his score."
---
Back in his room, Shin watched the call slowly dissolve into sleepy chaos. Toma had fallen asleep mid-sentence. Yuki was already planning group outfits. Shiro had muted the entire group. Midoriya looked ready to cry again at any moment.
And yet, in the center of it all, Shin sat still.
Lightning flickered across his fingertips, soft and controlled.
His gaze turned toward the window, where U.A.'s towering spires were just visible in the distance.
He whispered to himself, more promise than words: "Let's see what comes next."
And in the distance, thunder rolled.