Chapter 24

For the past few days, Izuku Midoriya had been preparing.

His training had intensified, his notebooks filled with information on his classmates, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. He had observed, noted, and strategized—every move carefully calculated.

Yet, there was still one thing missing.

A true test.

He couldn't simply challenge the strongest students outright. He needed a baseline, a way to measure his current abilities before working his way up. Momo Yaoyorozu, the vice representative, was the perfect choice.

She was intelligent, well-trained, and skilled in battle—but not someone excessively aggressive or overwhelming like Bakugou or Todoroki.

Taking a deep breath, Izuku stood up.

The classroom was still filled with chatter when he walked forward, each step feeling heavier as the weight of his decision settled in.

Then, in front of everyone, he stopped at Momo's desk.

"Miss Momo, I would like to request a duel. Please accept this request of mine."

Silence.

The entire class went dead quiet as heads turned toward them.

Did Izuku just challenge someone to a duel?

This was Midoriya—the same shy, timid, and overly polite guy who rarely ever took the initiative. His words, spoken with an unusual seriousness, caught everyone off guard.

It was something they expected from Bakugou, not him.

Momo blinked in surprise. Her sharp mind quickly processed the situation.

He planned this.

His tone, his posture, even the timing of his request—it was deliberate.

If she refused, it might affect her reputation. After all, as a top student, refusing a challenge from a classmate could be seen as cowardly or dismissive.

Her lips curled into a small, approving smile.

"Didn't think he was this crafty."

Confidence and intelligence—this version of Izuku was far more intriguing.

"Okay," she replied smoothly. "Meet me after school."

A ripple of excitement ran through the class.

Izuku nodded firmly.

"Thank you." Without another word, he returned to his seat.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Bakugou narrowing his eyes, suspicious of this change. Todoroki glanced in his direction, seemingly indifferent, while Iida adjusted his glasses, clearly concerned.

Before he could return to planning, Ochako leaned closer.

"Izuku… did something happen to you?" she asked, her expression filled with curiosity and concern.

Izuku turned to her, his green eyes filled with determination.

"I'm feeling better now." He smiled—not his usual nervous or bashful grin, but one filled with confidence. "Would you like to join me for training?"

Ochako felt her breath catch.

This wasn't the hesitant, self-doubting Izuku she had met on the first day.

This was someone different—stronger, more sure of himself.

She felt her face heat up but quickly nodded. "Of course! But explain first, because I'm really confused."

Izuku chuckled softly. "Alright, after class."

The duel had been set.

And Izuku Midoriya was ready to prove himself.

After school, at the gym grounds designated for sparring battles, Izuku Midoriya stood alone, waiting.

The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows over the battlefield. Around him, a crowd had gathered—his classmates, all expecting a one-sided beatdown.

They weren't wrong to assume it.

Momo Yaoyorozu was strong. She possessed tactical intelligence, exceptional close combat skills, and the ability to create weapons from her body.

Meanwhile, Izuku, in their eyes, was a brawler. A talented one, sure, but one who relied too much on raw effort rather than finesse.

But he had prepared.

'She creates weapons for both close combat and mid-range. Her usual choice is a staff. I need to be faster than her reaction time and end it immediately. No time for chivalry.'

Izuku rolled his shoulders, stretching, preparing his body.

Some of his classmates noticed a difference.

He looked… more solid. Not just physically, but mentally. His stance was different—controlled, confident.

Then, from across the battlefield, Momo stepped forward, clad in her hero costume.

"I apologize for making you wait," she said politely as she approached.

Izuku shook his head.

"No problem. I'm the challenger, so I can't complain. I hope we have a good spar—and no hard feelings afterward."

Momo smiled at his sportsmanship.

"I hope to learn from this. Let's do our best."

Both of them took their positions.

A teacher overseeing the match raised their hand.

"Begin!"

Izuku moved first.

With a single motion, he threw multiple smoke bombs, shrouding the field in thick mist.

Gasps erupted from the audience.

"What the hell?"

"Midoriya isn't fighting normally?"

Momo's eyes widened.

She had expected a head-on charge—Izuku was supposed to be a straightforward fighter.

Instead, he had disappeared.

"Where is he?"

Her instincts screamed at her to prepare. She created a staff, gripping it tightly.

Then—a noise.

Clink!

From the left.

Momo turned sharply, staff raised.

But it was a trap.

Before she could react, Izuku shot out from the right.

He had used a small noise-making device to fake his position.

With his quirk-enhanced legs, he surged forward at an inhuman speed.

The impact slammed into Momo's side, tackling her to the ground.

She hit the dirt, face-first.

Pain flared through her body, the sheer force leaving bruises.

Before she could react—

Cold metal pressed against her neck.

Izuku had mounted her back, pinning her down.

His voice was calm.

"Give up, Miss Momo. I have a knife to your neck."

The realization stunned her.

It wasn't just the loss—it was how quickly it had happened.

Seconds ago, she had been preparing for a prolonged fight.

Now, she was completely subdued.

In a dazed voice, she muttered,

"…I give."

The moment she spoke, Izuku immediately let go.

He stood, stepping back, and offered her a hand.

"Thank you. And sorry for the roughness. I hope you learned from this battle because it was helpful to me."

Momo, still recovering from the shock, took his hand and stood up.

Her expression wasn't one of frustration or anger—it was admiration.

"Don't apologize. This was a battle—we can't avoid getting hurt."

Izuku nodded.

"I'll try to avoid it next time."

Momo smiled, shaking her head.

"You should be proud. You were excellent." Then, with a knowing smirk, she added, "So, who's your next target?"

Izuku blinked.

She had noticed.

"You were looking around the class too much at the start. You weren't just focusing on me, were you?"

Izuku didn't deny it.

They walked together, stepping out of the dissipating smoke screen, revealing themselves to the crowd.

The audience was stunned.

He had won? That fast?

Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire.

Even Bakugou, who had been watching in annoyed curiosity, suddenly tensed.

Izuku looked directly at him.

Then, he pointed.

"Bakugou. You're next."

The crowd exploded in uproar.

Momo chuckled beside him, watching Bakugou's expression twist into pure rage.

Above them, a phone—**suspended by an unseen force—**dropped into Izuku's hands.

He had been recording the entire fight.

With the evidence secured, Izuku turned away, walking off the battlefield.

He had made his declaration.

And there was no turning back.

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the city as Izuku and Ochako walked side by side. The duel had ended, the crowd had dispersed, and the day was finally winding down.

Yet, Ochako's mind was still spinning.

"Izuku…" she finally spoke, breaking the comfortable silence. "That was… so cool!"

Izuku scratched the back of his head, smiling. "I just did what I needed to do."

Ochako puffed up her cheeks. "Don't downplay it! You were so fast and tactical—like, I knew you were smart, but that was next level! You faked her out and just boom! tackled her like a pro wrestler!"

Izuku chuckled. "I had to. Momo's incredibly skilled and adaptable. If I gave her time, she would've countered me. The only way to win was to end it before she could react."

Ochako nodded, impressed.

"But still… it's kinda crazy seeing you like this. You've been acting really different lately." She turned to look at him, her brown eyes filled with curiosity. "Did something happen?"

Izuku was silent for a moment.

Then, he sighed. "It's not like something happened, exactly. It's more like… I realized I couldn't keep hesitating."

"Hesitating?"

He glanced at her, then ahead at the sidewalk.

"I've spent too much time being afraid. Afraid of fighting seriously. Afraid of pushing forward." His fingers clenched into a fist. "But heroes don't have the luxury of holding back. We need to be strong—not just for ourselves, but for others."

Ochako was silent, taking in his words.

Then, she smiled softly.

"…I get it."

Izuku looked at her, surprised. "You do?"

She nodded. "I've felt that too, y'know? When I first got into U.A., I thought just being here was enough. Like, if I kept going with the flow, I'd eventually become a pro hero."

Her smile faded slightly.

"But then I realized… just being here isn't enough. If I don't push myself harder, I'll just get left behind."

Izuku nodded slowly.

Ochako took a deep breath and grinned again. "So, since we're both trying to be better—let's train together!"

Izuku blinked. "…Huh?"

"You asked earlier, right? If I wanted to train with you?" Ochako pumped her fists. "Well, now I really wanna! If we get stronger together, we can reach our goals faster!"

Izuku stared for a second.

Then, he smiled.

"…Alright. Let's train together."

Ochako beamed. "Awesome! But be warned—I won't lose easily!"

Izuku chuckled. "That's what I'm counting on."

The two continued walking, the city lights flickering to life around them.

Their journey was just beginning.

Naruto's Office – A Symphony of Power and Playfulness

Naruto sat in his expansive office, surrounded by glowing seals and intricate formulas as he worked on multiple projects simultaneously. His hands moved with effortless precision, manipulating energy, rewriting genetic codes, and inscribing seals—all while the knowledge of his countless shadow clones poured into him like an unending stream of data.

Perched on his broad shoulders, two miniature figures twirled and danced, their delicate voices filling the air with a mesmerizing song.

Eda and Yodo—tiny, fairy-like versions of his beloved wives—sang in perfect harmony:

"If I told you we could bathe in all the lights,

Would you rise up, come and meet me in the sky?

Would you trust me when you're jumping from the heights?

Would you fall in the name of love?"

Their tiny bodies shimmered with a faint golden aura, gliding through the air like enchanted spirits, their delicate laughter a melody of its own.

Across the room, Kurama sat in a lotus position, his large frame still and serene, as he honed his own immense energy. Despite his meditative state, his ears twitched in mild annoyance at the ongoing performance.

"Why do you listen, when your voice is better?" the great fox muttered, one eye cracking open to peer at his partner.

Naruto, without stopping his work, chuckled. "Who would want to hear his own voice all the time? And isn't this cute?" He lightly patted the tiny versions of his wives, earning delighted giggles from them. "They really are wonderful. My lovely little dolls."

Kurama exhaled through his nose. "I'll just ignore that pointless action. What are you working on now?"

Naruto's hands stilled for a moment as he considered his words. "Hmm, I just replicated something unique from Goku." His fingers danced through the air, adjusting the glowing symbols in front of him. "I managed to integrate a part of his genetic makeup into my system—his Saiyan trait that allows him to grow stronger after near-death experiences."

Kurama frowned. "That won't work on you. You don't even die properly anymore."

Naruto shrugged. "Exactly. But just in case, I want to understand it fully before I pass it along. It's always good to be prepared."

The great fox hummed in thought. "So what do you plan to give him in return?"

Naruto leaned back, arms crossing over his chest. "Goku wouldn't care about something like this—it's not a big deal to him. But I like to keep things fair. I think I'll give him chakra and an Otsutsuki bloodline." He smirked. **"Once he's developed his physical energy further, that boost should increase his power tenfold."

Kurama's eyes glowed with intrigue. "A Saiyan with Otsutsuki blood, huh? That's a terrifying thought."

Naruto only grinned, his eyes flashing. "That's what makes it exciting."

The Children & The Box of Bliss

Kurama's tails twitched. "That wasn't the only thing on your mind, was it?"

Naruto sighed, "No, I was also thinking about how to help the kids. I was cataloging the pills and other enhancement items available for purchase in the system." His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. "There are a lot of useful ones, but some are… extreme. Like the Box of Bliss."

Kurama chuckled darkly. "Who would even be able to afford that thing? Unless you want the kids making an army, I'd leave it alone—oh. Actually…" The fox's grin widened as he recalled its function. "Go for it. They'll love it."

The original Box of Bliss was an ancient artifact designed to bring back the dead—but with a catch. The resurrected would be possessed by a dark spirit, making them mere husks of their former selves. Naruto, however, had modified it.

Now, it had two functions:

Revival with Netherworld Energy:The user could resurrect someone, but they would be imbued with dark powers from the underworld.Enhancement through Extreme Torment:The user could undergo a painful transformation, gaining tremendous power by enduring a mental and physical trial of hellish torment.

Even after Naruto's modifications, the process was still brutal.

Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Only a few people can afford it right now—Goku, Toriko, and Tsuna. But it's useless to them." His mind wandered to another potential user. "Luffy could make good use of it, but I need his scan first."

Kurama smirked. "His crew could use the power boost."

Naruto snapped his fingers. "That settles it. I'll provide Luffy's crew with a one-time-use Box of Bliss." He reached for his phone, his fingers gliding across the screen as he updated the system's marketplace.

A new notification pinged, confirming the addition.

"Done." Naruto leaned back in his chair, watching as his miniature wives continued their playful dancing.

Naruto leaned back in his chair, watching the system updates with satisfaction. The room hummed with energy as the new feature finalized its integration into the system. The anticipation in the air was almost tangible—everyone in the Heroes Chat Group had been waiting for something big, and he had delivered.

He let a small smirk tug at his lips before speaking, his voice carrying the weight of something revolutionary.

"I've added a catalog of items and skills that you can now get from me. Each of you can customize your own page, making it easier to track your progress and what you're interested in acquiring."

That alone was enough to excite the group, but then Naruto dropped the real bombshell.

"And, to top it off, you all now have access to a fully immersive virtual reality game. This isn't just any game—it's a direct connection to my world, allowing you to experience battles firsthand."

Silence.

For a moment, no one said a word, as if they were processing the sheer weight of what Naruto had just offered them.

Then, chaos erupted.

"WHAT?!"

"A FULL VR WORLD?!"

"BASED ON YOUR WORLD?!"

"BRO, YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT?!"

Naruto chuckled at their reactions but continued.

"The virtual world is an exact replica of my homeworld, so be warned—it's dangerous. The battles, the people, the techniques… they're all real in the simulation. It's the closest you'll get to actual combat without risking your lives."

As expected, this only made them even more hyped.

"Holy crap! So we can actually experience what it's like to be a shinobi?!"

"Wait, wait—does that mean we can meet your old self?!"

Naruto grinned knowingly. "Yes. You'll have the chance to encounter my younger self and fight him if you want."

That statement alone sent a wave of shock and excitement through the chat.

"FIGHT THE LEGENDARY NARUTO UZUMAKI?!"

"DOES HE SCALE TO YOUR REAL POWER?"

Naruto shook his head. "No, my past self remains as he was during each era. So if you meet me as a kid, I'll be at my kid-level. If you meet me during the war, I'll be at my war-level. You get the idea."

Kurama smirked. "Bet no one can beat your Hokage version."

Naruto laughed. "We will see."

He then added one last detail.

"The VR system will eventually allow us to fight together, but for now, the connection isn't strong enough. So, for now, you'll have to play alone until I upgrade the multiplayer functionality."

That didn't dampen anyone's spirits—if anything, it only increased their excitement.

"Wait, how do we start?!"

Naruto grinned as he sent out the final notification.

[NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED: SHINOBI VR WORLD]

[Access via the system interface. Good luck.]

As he watched everyone scramble to enter the virtual world, he leaned back and exhaled.

"This should be fun."