[34] All Rounder

(Kata POV – Kata's Room)

'I need to prepare for the internship.'

My abilities are already enough to breeze through, but my physical strength is still lacking. Not that I necessarily need it, but it would leave a good impression on Rumi—and serve as a contingency if, for some reason, I can't use my quirk.

Highly unlikely, but complacency is a dangerous mindset. Why ignore an opportunity to get stronger if I can?

I sit comfortably on my bed and focus.

'I'll start at the cellular level.'

Enhancing my body with Telekinesis is complex. I would need to apply force internally, reinforce structures, and improve efficiency. But I want to go deeper—down to the very building blocks of my biology.

If using Telekinetically Enhanced Condition can boost my base strength, so I should focus on that first.

My consciousness divides, spreading my awareness across the different cell castes in my body. Some enhancements apply to all cells, like optimizing mitochondria for perfect ATP conversion, eliminating waste inefficiencies, and preventing telomere degradation to halt cellular aging.

For muscle cells, I restructure the fibers into nanostructured proteins—stronger than steel yet flexible, each strand more durable than carbon nanotubes.

For nerve cells, I refine the myelin sheaths, increasing signal transmission speed to near-instantaneous levels.

For red blood cells, I extend their lifespan and enhance hemoglobin's oxygen-carrying capacity.

For stem cells, I accelerate differentiation and increase their production rate, ensuring rapid recovery and adaptation.

Every type of cell undergoes targeted refinement, optimized for maximum efficiency. The entire process takes about an hour, and the effects are immediate as my body feels lighter and stronger.

'But I'm not done yet. Next, I'll focus on my genes.'

Good thing I don't have to worry about dying, or I wouldn't even attempt this.

With my understanding of genetics, I start by removing useless or detrimental gene sequences by deleting mutations in TP53 that could lead to cancer and suppressing the P21 gene to allow unrestricted cellular regeneration.

Then, I turn to enhancement.

I deactivate the MSTN gene, which limits muscle growth, and enhance genes responsible for strength, endurance, and metabolism.

I integrate DIO2, optimising my energy consumption and metabolism.

I tweak OPN1MW and OPN1SW, expanding my vision into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums.

The changes are endless—enhanced strength, stamina, disease immunity, and accelerated healing. The deeper I go, the more potential I unlock.

This process takes longer, about three hours of methodical modification, mainly because my existing knowledge hit a roadblock, forcing me to experiment, testing new optimizations on my own cells in real time.

By the time I finish, my body is something far beyond that of a regular human.

'Now, for the final step.'

I step out of my room and head to the kitchen, preparing a massive spread of food to fuel the next stage.

As I eat, I direct my telekinesis inward, refining my body's structure even further. I increase my bone density and restructure them to be stronger and more durable.

My muscles become hyper-efficient, as the fibres are compressed and restructured into denser and much stronger versions of themselves. I even increase the number of nerve endings per muscle strand for heightened control.

The transformation is unmistakable.

My height increases to 6'2". My muscles compact, shedding unnecessary bulk while increasing raw power. My body is now a masterpiece of efficiency. It's denser, faster and stronger.

I exhale slowly, feeling the raw potential coursing through me.

(Image Here)

I observe my body in detail, satisfied with the transformation. The change is noticeable, but not enough to draw unnecessary attention.

With my school uniform on, I'll just seem a little taller, a little leaner. Nothing that screams unnatural.

My gaze drifts down, locking onto the scars and burns that decorate my skin. A mural of pain, carelessly etched into me by hands long since buried.

'Should I remove them?'

They've been with me for so long that I wonder if I'd even recognize myself without them.

Liam's words echo in my mind.

"If I don't heal what hurt me, I'll bleed on those who never cut me."

A quiet sigh escapes me.

These scars… they are proof. Proof of the suffering I endured. Proof of the injustices I faced. Proof of every moment where the world turned a blind eye to my plight. My fist clenches against the counter—wood shattering beneath my grip—but the sound barely registers.

'We tend to hold onto pain far longer than we should... when it's the last thing we have left of something we love.'

I pause, the thought hitting deeper than I expected.

Then, a hollow chuckle slips from my lips as my hand slowly loosens.

'I understand now.'

I wasn't just holding onto the pain. I was holding onto the last part of myself that still cared. The part that still wanted to trust in others. To believe in people. To love. To be loved.

And that terrifies me.

My heart pounds—like I'm standing at the edge of a cliff, like one wrong step will send me plummeting into a place I can't climb out of.

I built these scars into a cage. Not just to keep people out—but to keep me contained.

Because if I open up—if I reach out—and they break me again? If they prove that nothing ever truly changes?

'That the people I thought would stand by me will abandon me again…'

Then maybe the only thing left of me will be the part I've been ignoring.

The part that hates the world. That wants to return everything it gave me.

'And I wouldn't stop myself.'

The thought is quiet. Cold. And so, so easy to accept.

'I have the power to do it. No one could stop me…'

But that's not what I want.

I exhale, forcing my body to relax, forcing myself to take the leap of faith.

'I care about them. Denial won't change that.'

Images of my classmates and friends flicker through my mind. A few more vivid. A few warmer than the rest.

'I believe I can trust them.'

I think it not just to affirm the idea—but to convince myself.

My Quirk activates. Scars fade and burns vanish as my skin smooths over like they were never there. It happens so effortlessly that the moment adjust feels meaningless.

'Fixing my scars won't magically change anything.'

But it's the first step of many to come.

And right now, that's enough.

(Kata POV – Tama Region, Forest)

Over the last few days, I had tested my new physique. The results weren't disappointing.

In terms of raw strength, I could casually lift 10 tons, with a max nearing 50 tons, which is a bit weaker than 20% OFA Izuku.

In terms of speed, my casual movement hovered around 30m/s, but at max effort, I could reach 200m/s. That made me faster than most, though I'd still lose to speed quirks like Ida's or Gran Torino's.

As for striking power, a casual punch could shatter concrete, and at full force, I could demolish a small building, which is slightly weaker weaker than 100% Izuku's casual punches.

But endurance? That's where I excelled.

With my body fortified, I could tank a lot of damage and likely fight for days without rest. Explosions and large calliber bullets would injure me, but I'd survive, while bladed weapons and small-caliber guns are useless against me.

Against most Pro Heroes, I'd hold my own. But I would probably lose against the top-tier one like All Might and 100% OFA Izuku.

'But that's just my physical strength.' I mused over that fact as I followed the path through the forest.

The day after optimizing my body, I developed Telekinetically Enhanced Condition, saturating my cells with Telekinetic Energy and infusing it into them. This amplified their strength and function, granting me a fivefold boost.

The only issue was that I couldn't generate more energy without losing control and destroying my cells.

Still, progress was progress.

'Although, the amount of energy I could generate increased when I improved my body. I'll need to properly quantify it later.'

I had also begun training Physical Force Manipulation, using my radar to visualize forces by tracking molecular movement. By interpreting these as arrows, I could lengthen, twist, or shorten them, allowing me to directly manipulate force itself.

It wasn't perfect yet. Differentiating forces was tricky. But I was getting there.

Stepping into a clearing, I spotted the cabin at the center—my hero costume securely stored in its case.

I walked up to the door, about to knock when it swung open and a kick shot toward my chest.

Reacting instantly, I stepped back, my quirk subtly enhancing the motion. The attack missed, the foot slicing through the space I had just stood.

I met Mirko's sharp, assessing gaze with an neutral expression. I had expected this, and I could sense her behind the door. It would've been a bigger surprise if I had been hit.

"Hello. I'm Kata Okada. I'm here for the Hero Agency Internship." My voice was calm, composed and still monotone.

A slow, toothy grin spread across Mirko's face.

"Heh. Not bad, kid."

She crossed her arms, muscles flexing beneath her sleeveless top.

"You don't disappoint. Call me Mirko. But don't get cocky—" her grin widened dangerously, "I haven't accepted you yet. You'll need to prove you've got what it takes."

I let out a sigh and nod helplessly before stepping to the side, dropping the case with my hero costume. I turn back to her.

"I'm ready. Do you want to fight here or somewhere else?" I ask, tilting my head slightly.

'Not that it matters to me, but I doubt her house would survive.'

(Rumi POV – Forest Clearing)

I narrow my eyes as I watch him. 'The hell's up with this kid?'

He dodged my kick like it was nothing, and now I'm calling him out for a fight, but he's standing there like we're about to take a walk in the park.

He's way too calm. 'Is he looking down on me?'

'Annoying.' But then I grin. 'Doesn't matter. I'll just beat some manners into him.'

"You sure you don't want your hero costume?" I ask, nodding at the case.

He doesn't even hesitate. "No point putting it on for this."

My eye twitches. 'Cocky little—! Yeah, I'm gonna enjoy kicking his face in.'

"Follow me." I don't wait for him before striding off. He follows until we reach a clearing.

I crack my knuckles and roll my shoulders. "Listen up, kid! I'll give you a chance to get ready. I ain't slowing down for ya once we start." My grin sharpens.

But he doesn't react. That same deadpan expression. "No need. You can start whenever."

'This brat—!'

My muscles coil. I lower my stance, feet digging into the dirt. "Alright, kid. Let's see if that confidence of yours is coming from."

Then I blast forward, dirt and leaves whipping into the air behind me.

His body is completely relaxed. No flinching. No shift in stance.

'Does he even realize how fast I'm moving?'

Fine. I'll wake him up.

I spin mid-step, my heel whipping toward his ribs like a bullet. 'Let's see him stay still after this—!'

My foot connects. A shockwave rips through the clearing, sending dust flying.

'That's it.' I frown as I try to retract my leg, already feeling disappointed.

Then the dust clears.

My eyes narrow. My foot isn't on the ground.

He's holding my ankle. One-handed. Like I weigh nothing.

"The fuck?"

His gaze is calm. That annoying, indifferent calm. "I know this isn't your best," he says, voice even. "Try harder before you embarrass yourself."

He's mocking me. 'Oh, you little shit!'

My grin returns, wider than before. "Learn some manners, brat!"

I flex my leg to yank free, but before I can, his muscles tighten with that same eerie precision. His entire body shifts, waist twisting—

'Shit!'

He hurls me high into the air in an instant... then just as quickly, toward the ground.

I throw out my free leg, aiming for his head.

He tilts, just barely dodging.

'Perfect.'

My foot redirects, snapping toward his arm—

Then he lets go.

The sudden loss of resistance throws off my balance, and before I can adjust, I'm flung forward.

I flip mid-air, landing in a crouch as my heels dig into the dirt. I skid back, the earth kicking up behind me.

I stand straight. My muscles hum, my blood pounding through my veins. 'That was strong. Really strong!'

Excitement flares in my chest. My grin stretches wider, baring teeth.

"Heh. Not bad, kid." I crack my neck. "But let's see if you can keep up once I stop playing."