Chapter 16: A Fashion Statement

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Begining of Chapter

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-Previous day. Ryomens mission-

The ground near the Fukui nuclear plant sizzled with residual electricity and a thick and heavy atmosphere.

Hajime Kashimo stood, skin glowing faintly with blue sparks, muscles coiled like a spring. His teeth gritted with pure excitement.

While upset about Sukuna dismissing him, he was still excited being able to face him.

"I've waited years for this kind of thrill, my goal to beat You!" Kashimo growled, stepping forward.

Sukuna said nothing.

His gaze flicked toward the scorched corpses sprawled across the battlefield, then at the blue-haired man.

"…You think you're different,"

Sukuna finally said, voice calm but heavy like a blade sliding from its sheath. "You think you're worthy."

Kashimo's body burst with crackling force, forming a spear of condensed electricity in his hand.

"No, I know I'm worthy to fight you. You're the only one left that might give me what I want!"

The air exploded as Kashimo vanished from sight, reappearing mid-air above Sukuna.

"Jibaku Raijin!" he roared, launching a downward thrust with his spear.

The spear grazed Ryomens clothing as he shifted his stance to dodge it.

And from that, he responded instantly.

A slash tore through the air aimed at Kashimo's midsection.

Kashimo twisted mid-air, his left side grazing the slash, flesh peeling back as blood splattered across the ground. Still, his smile never faltered.

"Cleave" was the name of Ryomen Saturos quirk. It grants him the ability to manipulate space to a certain degree to create devastating slashes that can cut through most defences.

The harder he concentrates to build it up, the stronger the slash becomes.

Kashimos landed a few meters back clutching his abdomen as the electric spear in his hands disappeared.

He created electricity and clutched his wound, cauterising the wound.

"Haha… that's what I'm talking about!" as he let out a laugh, more electricity crackling in his hands.

"You laugh like a lunatic." Sukuna said, walking forward slowly, not bothering to rush.

'He's fast... must be boosting his speed with that electricity.'

Kashimo lunged forward, faster than before his electricity now forming claws around his hands.

A furious, but rather short exchange followed.

Sparks versus slashes.

Kashimo's fists crashed into Sukuna's arms, jolting the right-hand man's limbs back, static blowing apart chunks of the ground.

'His clothing... this isn't bur...-'

Before Kashimo could finish that thought, a painful punch was thrown at his abdomen, targeting the wound he has.

Kashimo tried jumping back to retreat, just as Ryomen grabbed his foot and slammed him into the ground before pointing at him as 2 slashes appeared on his leg, nearly severing it.

Kashimo screamed put in pain through gritted teeth, trying his best to channel the electricity onto his legs to cauterising his wound.

Ryomen look at this and turned away, scoffing at the performance of him pulling his phone out from his coat.

Just as he dialled it was answered.

"Is the problem contained?"

"He will be brought in alive... might need a few stitches."

Ryomen chuckled before heating static increase and turning around.

Kashimo had his knees bent, clothing bloody with cuts as electricity was jumping all over his body, glowing brighter as Kashimo let out a scream.

Using the pain and pleasure of the battle to fuel himself for this final move.

His ultimate.

"Sukuna! This is my best output I can do!..."

Kashimo yelled out, arcs of electricity jumping around his body, even hitting the area around him as Ryomen stood a few meters away.

He looked at this then gave a smirk.

"On second thought. No, he was eliminated." He said before he put the phone away and taking a deep breath.

"Kashimo... While this fight was short. You've entertained me. Be proud."

He lifted his hand, instead of the usual finger gun, it was a flat hand as he lifted it.

'That's... that's his second move... I knew i couldn't beat him but for him to use this...' were the thoughts running through Kashimo's head.

"I'll make sure you go back with scars!" Kashimo yelled as electricity started collectively coating around his body before he screamed as a battle cry.

'RAIGOS DO-...'

His left arm started falling apart into perfectly cut cubes.

The move was cancelled, he looked down at his missing arm and seeing the cubes of it.

He looked at Rymon as he gave a final smile.

Meanwhile Sukuna stood there with his hand out stretching.

"Cleave."

The rumble underneath him was destroyed, and the last thing Ryomen saw of Kashimo, was his smiling face, and his body cut and reduced to cubical chunks of flesh.

Sukuna then looked at the bloody and dirty bits of the concrete and a bloody leg being the only limb intact.

He then turned around and make another call.

"We're done. Call the clean up crew."

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Present day U.A

The class just entered the changing rooms. Aizawa and All Might waiting outside the building, waiting to escort them to the training grounds.

Meanwhile, inside the building, one by one they came out, each one in their own unique and intriguing designs.

Wanting to impress others or show off.

From Iidas Knight looks, to Toru Hagakures... simple gloves and shoes.

Bakugo walked out the changing rooms, looking at them all before laughing at the rest.

"You all look horrible."

Bakugo's own outfit was a combat-ready hero costume designed to enhance his Explosion Quirk.

A few of them groaned as he said that, wanting him to just be quiet.

"Is everyone here?" Iida asked them.

"Wait... Gojo isn't ou-..."

Just as Uraraka was about to finish his sentence, Gojo walked out of the changing rooms.

He wears a loose, open white haori-style jacket over a black shirt with a high collar.

He had on white, wide-legged pants that tapered at his ankles, resembling hakama pants. A black cloth belt tied around his waist, finishing his look.

He wore sleek black slip-on shoes that keep the look minimal and functional.

Gojo took his glasses off and put them in one of his pockets as the stood there, one hand in his pocket with the other limp at his side.

"All ready."

The class looked at him, some impressive while overs questioning the design.

"Whoa, Gojo, that's a pretty sweet design, like a traditional Japanese style, respect man!" Kirishima shouted.

"I mean, where's the actual outfit... this is kinda like..."

Kaminari trying to figure out the words to phrase it.

"Is this what a real hero would wear, you look like a damn model blue eyes!" Bakugo shouted.

While comments and questions where thrown at Gojo, he simply signed and shook his head.

"It's functional, it's perfect for fighting, and looks good for the public. Plus, who would wear spandex, capes, make up and... well I'll stop there."

A lot of them had their pride shot at, and far in the distance, as All Might was standing with Aizawa waiting for them outside the building, he felt his pride was hit by something.

"Right, come on young aspiring heroes, your training awaits!" Iida shouted, trying to mimic All Mights voice as he began walking, leading them all to the grounds.

"So uh, Gojo... You're looking very good in that..." Uraraka told Gojo as they walked behind the class in their usual group, consisting of Midoriya and Momo with them.

"I must say, while not traditional compared to others hero costumes, you're is unique and actually goes with the points you made."

Momo said looking up and down to get the full image of his outfit.

Gojo then looked down at Momos outfit, raising an eyebrow before thinking to himself.

'Must be a Midnight fan... just when I was starting to think she was actually nice... at least her Quirk is something.'

"I will say, Uraraka, your outfit is pretty sweet and cute. Really matches you." Gojo shot her a smile.

Uraraka eyes lingered on his smile before she shook her, head hiding her face as he laughed.

Midoriya looked at their interaction and couldn't help but think.

'They're just friends... but why do I feel...-'

"Oh Midoriya the look you have... that's an interesting look." Gojo said as his head was now turned to him.

"O-oh thanks Gojo, I came up with this the moment I was accepted!"

He replied back to him smiling.

"Well, are you guys ready for today's practical training, with All Might himself!" Kirishima yelled as he joined their conversations.

"I'm very sure Midoriya is ready, break a leg greenie." Gojo said with a sly smirk.

Bakugos loud laugh rang through, some either smiling or laughing. Then one or two a bit offended at the joke he made.

"Hey now come on, it's funny, I bet even Mister Emo Torodoki can agree."

A few chuckles went by again, Torodokis face turned to slight annoyance before he relaxed.

The class started walking, eventually. Meeting All Might and Aizawa outside the building.

"My, my. What wonderful costumes you all have. It warms my heart seeing the dedication in you aspiring heroes." All Might said with a smile.

"You all look decent. Let's go." Was the response Aizawa gave before he started walking, entering the training grounds.

Some feeling a but offended by the lack of compliments by Aizawa, then again realising, that they were in the wrong to assume he would care.

As they all followed, All Might looked around at each ones outfit.

Some he was impressed with, others were a bit questionable, but all in all he liked what he saw.

"Young Gojo, is this truly your hero outfit?" All Might asked, now walking besides Gojo, ahead of the group as the rest were chatting behind them.

"It's functional, simple yet efficient and will be a good look for the public." He replied.

All Might nodded his head, understanding his train of thought.

"I must say, impressive... but I still think a cape would be a good lo-..."

"No."

"Okay."

Was the quick responses followed by that. As a awkward silence was between them, at least for All Might.

'Well, he seems like he's no harm, his class interaction was something... that slight ego he showed with Bakugo though...'

He looked at Gojo one last time before he walked ahead to catch up with Aizawa.

'I sure hope he was just playing around... but perhaps the rest will show him that he isnt the one with the strongest quirk...'

Oh how wrong that was, as it this training exercise would do the exact opposite.

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End of Chapter

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