Chapter 4: Potential
A day had passed since everything began. Lying on his bed, Kaito stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. His mind was occupied with countless plans—strategies for survival, ways to increase his power, and how to best utilize his new abilities. The world he found himself in was unforgiving, and strength was the only true currency.
"This world doesn't care about the weak. If I can't keep up, I'll be crushed." His fingers curled into a fist as he exhaled sharply.
He turned his head slightly, staring at the corner of the room. "What's my next move? Training is a given, but where do I even start? Should I prioritize endurance first?"
...
"System, display our powers," he commanded as he thought about his complicated powers.
Almost instantly, a translucent screen materialized before him, its glow illuminating the dim surroundings. His eyes scanned the contents, focusing on the description of his newfound abilities.
{AN: Yes, I tweaked the rinnegan a bit. After all, I'm not giving mc an insta kill ability like being able to pull souls out, whether through their head or tounge.}
- - -
[Rinnegan – Ocular Quirk]Description: A rare and powerful ocular ability that grants the user enhanced perception of energy. This quirk allows the user to see the flow of energy around them, detecting movements and power sources with unmatched clarity. Additionally, it comes with seven distinct abilities:
Deva Path – Grants the power to manipulate attractive and repulsive forces, allowing control over objects and enemies within a certain range.
Asura Path – Enables bodily augmentation with mechanized limbs, weaponry, and armor, increasing combat effectiveness.
Human Path – Allows the user to read an individual's memory by placing a hand over their head. This ability also grants the power to expel a person's astral form, rendering their physical body temporarily limp as long as their astral form is outside their body.
Animal Path – Provides the capability to summon various creatures. This can include summoning individuals as long as certain conditions are met.
Preta Path – Grants the ability to absorb energy-based attacks, nullifying their effects. However, it cannot absorb energy that are inside the body..
Naraka Path – Calls upon the King of Hell, which weakens enemies by applying a debuff and enforces absolute truth by preventing anyone from lying within its influence.
Outer Path – Allows the user to resurrect the dead at a significant cost. It also provides the ability to generate black rods that function as energy transmitters. By embedding these rods into others, the user can share their energy and potentially control the revived or disrupt enemies.
- - -
Reading through the screen, Kaito exhaled sharply. The abilities he possessed were without a doubt, powerful. With proper mastery, he could rise to unimaginable heights. However, he clenched his fists, reminded of the harsh reality—just because he had access to these powers didn't mean he could wield them proficiently. His body wasn't used to the strain, and forcing abilities beyond his limits could lead to dangerous consequences. He needed to build his endurance, refine his control, and gradually strengthen his body before he could truly make use of these god-like abilities.
He then shifted his focus to Konan's abilities, and the system promptly displayed her skill set.
- - -
[Paper Bomb Manipulation]Description: Konan possesses a unique quirk that allows her to control paper with precision. She can alter its physical properties and even integrate it into her own body for increased versatility. Her abilities include:
Paper Control – She can freely manipulate paper, shaping it into various constructs.
Body Transformation – Grants her the capability to dissolve her body into paper, enhancing mobility and evasion.
Physical Alteration – She can modify the properties of paper, making it stronger or thinner at will, or change it's color and shape.
Explosive Paper – By touching a piece of paper, she can convert it into a paper bomb, which detonates upon her command.
- - -
Reading through the abilities, he nodded. Both he and Konan were equipped with extraordinary power. But like him, her body had yet to be conditioned to endure their full might. The knowledge of what they could become was exhilarating, but it also meant they had an arduous road ahead. Training was inevitable.
As Kaito continued to thinks about it, he soon closed his eyes and massaged his temples, trying to process everything. His thoughts swirled in an endless loop of strategy, survival, and power. The sheer magnitude of what lay ahead weighed heavily on him, but dwelling on it wouldn't change anything.
With a quiet exhale, he pushed himself up from the bed.
"No point in overthinking if I'm not even capable of handling the basics."
He extended his right arm, focusing on his quirk. A faint hum filled the air as his eyes turned purple and his flesh shifted, metal plates forming over his skin. His fingers fused together, elongating and sharpening into the sleek edge of a mechanical blade.
For a moment, he marveled at it. The weight, the structure—it felt natural yet foreign, as if his mind remembered something his body did not. Then, the strain hit him. His muscles ached, his breath grew heavier, and he could feel his stamina rapidly depleting.
"Damn… just this much is already draining me?"
His jaw tightened as he retracted the weaponized limb, watching as his hand returned to normal along with his eyes. He sighed, sitting back down.
His gaze drifted toward the window, where the sun cast its light over the city. A thought crossed his mind—one that had been lingering ever since he arrived in this world.
UA High… the best hero academy in Japan.
From his body's memories, he knew about the entrance exams. The General Studies course only required a written test, and judging by his intelligence, he was confident he could pass with ease. "Maybe even get a scholarship," he mused. But the Hero Course was an entirely different challenge.
"The practical exam… students need to showcase their quirks in combat situations" He tapped his fingers against the mattress. "If I had more time, I could've worked on my Asura Path's mechanical body to give me an advantage in the physical trial... Maybe even Shinra Tensei my way there..." The thought of blasting through the exam with raw power was tempting.
But then, reality settled in.
He sighed. "Not that it matters. The deadline for applicants already ended." He had missed his chance.
For a brief moment, frustration bubbled up inside him. The Hero Course would have been an ideal opportunity to start, to train with the best, and to increase his chances of achieving his goals. But what was done was done. There was no point in regretting things he couldn't change.
Standing up once more, he clenched his fists. "If I can't enter UA through the Hero Course now, I'll find another way." There was still one thing he needed to take care of.
"Before anything else, I need to register my quirk. If I'm planning to become a hero, that's a given..."
With that, he grabbed his coat and made his way toward the door.
A few minutes later, he walked along the dimly lit sidewalk, hands in his pockets, his mind drifting as he took in the sights of the city. The rays of the sum did little to ease the annoyance bubbling inside him.
"Of all the things I could've inherited, why did it have to be a crappy financial situation?" He let out a quiet sigh. Unlike most people his age, he didn't even have a touchscreen phone. In this world, where technology was so advanced, it felt ridiculous to be stuck without one.
"If I had a decent phone, I could just register my quirk online instead of going through all this hassle." He clicked his tongue in irritation. A few taps on a screen, and he'd be done. No need to walk, no need to deal with government offices or wait in line.
Then, another thought struck him. "Wait… what about a library?" If he could get access to a computer there, he might be able to register without making this annoying trip.
The idea was tempting, but he quickly dismissed it. "Nah, that'd take even more time. I'd have to go out of my way". He barely had enough patience for this errand as it was. Going to a library would just make things slower.
With that, he exhaled and kept moving forward, determined to get this over with as soon as possible.
As he continued walking, his eyes flicked toward the scenery around him. Eventually, he found himself passing by a beach, and for a moment, he almost ignored it—until something felt off.
"Wait…" He slowed his steps, eyes narrowing in confusion. "Wasn't this place supposed to be a dump?"
His memories from his new body told him that this beach had been filthy—covered in abandoned appliances, broken furniture, and all sorts of junk. But now, it was almost spotless. Only some piece of trash in sight.
As he processed this, his gaze landed on two figures. One was a green-haired boy, lifting and moving pieces of debris. The other was an extremely thin man, standing nearby with his arms crossed, observing the boy.
Seeing this, his eyebrows furrowed as he studied the boy more closely. "That guy… he looks familiar." He thought. There was something about the messy green hair, the freckles, and the determined look on his face that tugged at his memory. So, he activated the rinnegan to get a clearer look.
Then as his eyes turned purple, it hit him.
His eyes widened slightly. "No way… That's Izuku Midoriya."
Recognition settled in like a shock to his system. That boy wasn't just some random kid—he was the protagonist of My Hero Academia.
The realization made him freeze for a split second before he forced himself to calm down. "Alright, no need to freak out."
Although he hadn't watched My Hero Academia in his previous life, he had experienced a few spoilers here and there. That was enough for him to recognize the main character, Izuku Midoriya, and his supposed mentor—All Might.
His eyes flicked back to the skinny man standing nearby. "That must be All Might… or at least his true form." He vaguely remembered a TikTok edit he had seen once—something about Izuku, a fat woman who seemed to be his mom, and a ridiculously thin man.
Thinking about that, an idea popped into his head. "Maybe I should ask for advice on body training?" If All Might was training Izuku, then there was no doubt he knew what he was doing. A few tips from the Symbol of Peace himself could give him a major boost.
But then he imagined the scenario in his head—
Izuku, sweating as he lifted another piece of junk, with All Might standing behind him, arms crossed in approval. Then, out of nowhere, a completely random guy walks up to them and asks, "Hey, can you guys give me tips on improving my body?"
…
"Yeah, no. That sounds so weird."
The thought alone made him cringe. He was basically a stranger to them. Barging in like that would just make things awkward. "Not happening."
With that, he shook off the idea and continued walking, sighing as he thought about how dumb that would've been.
As he brushed off the thought of approaching All Might and Midoriya, he let out a small sigh and continued walking, pushing the encounter to the back of his mind. There was no point in dwelling on it. Right now, he had more important things to do.
The streets bustled with life as he made his way toward the registration office. The distant sounds of car horns, passing conversations, and the occasional ringing of a bicycle bell filled the air. The sun hung high, casting long shadows on the pavement. He weaved through the crowd, his mind still somewhat occupied by the events of the day.
His thoughts drifted as time passed. First, he considered his financial struggles again—how annoying it was that he couldn't even afford a proper phone. Then, he thought about UA, about how his most likely shot to get insider information was to try and gert in through the general studies and then get promoted to the hero course, and what that meant for his future. He needed to control his power. He needed resources. Without those, getting true peace was almost impossible.
Eventually, his surroundings changed. The bustling streets thinned out, replaced by a more structured area with government buildings. The Quirk Registration Office stood ahead, a modest but well-maintained facility. He took a deep breath, shaking off his idle thoughts. This was the first step in solidifying his identity in this world.
With steady steps, he entered the building. The cool air-conditioning greeted him immediately, a stark contrast to the heat outside. The faint sound of murmured conversations and the tapping of keyboards filled the room. He approached the reception area, where several people were waiting for their turn.
Minutes passed, then a voice finally called out:
"Next."
...
Soon he heard the voice again.
"Next"
...
And again.
"Next"
...
Until it was finally his turn.
"Next"
Hearing the call, he stepped forward and entered the room. The office was plain, with a desk positioned near the center. Behind it sat a woman working on a computer, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard. She barely glanced up at first, but when she did, she gave him a polite smile.
"Good afternoon. Satoshi Yamamoto right?"
"Yes, that's me." Kaito, or rather, Satoshi spoke.
"Great, let's get started then, how can I help you today?" The lady spoke bubbly.
"I'd like to register my quirk," Kaito/Satoshi replied simply.
At that, the woman stopped typing and gave him a more thorough look, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. A hint of curiosity flashed across her face before she tilted her head.
"A late bloomer?" she asked.
He nodded, keeping his expression neutral.
Her lips curved into a warm smile. "Well, congratulations! That must've been quite the surprise, huh?"
He simply nodded again, not really in the mood to talk about it.
"Alright then, let's get started," she said, turning back to her screen. "Can you describe your quirk for me? Name, abilities, limitations—everything you know."