Battle Trial 1

*First-Person POV – Sasaki Kenjiro*

Battle Trials tomorrow.

The thought lingers in my mind as I sit through another mundane lecture on hero ethics. I know how this goes. Teams of two, heroes versus villains, a fake bomb to secure or defend. Basic stuff.

But knowing doesn't make it any less… annoying.

Because here's the thing—I've seen this play out before. In another life, through a screen, with my little sister bouncing beside me, gushing about how cool All Might was. Back then, it was just a story. Now?

Now I'm in it.

And I know exactly what's coming.

Midoriya and Bakugou's explosive showdown. The near-disaster of Deku's first real attempt at One For All. The moment All Might realizes he might've handed a nuclear warhead to a kid who still flinches at loud noises.

Fun.

But here's the real question—do I let it happen like canon? Or do I change things?

A pencil taps against my desk. I glance to my left, where Midoriya is scribbling notes like his life depends on it, muttering under his breath about "Quirk synergy" and "team dynamics."

 predictable.

And predictability is a luxury I can't afford. Not when Nezu's probably already running algorithms on my combat data. Not when Aizawa's watching me like I'm a time bomb.

I need to play this smart.

---

The final bell rings, and the class erupts into chatter. I stretch, rolling my shoulders as I stand.

"Hey, Sasaki!" Uraraka bounces over, her grin wide. "A bunch of us are heading to the cafeteria. Wanna come?"

Iida chops the air beside her. "It would be beneficial to discuss today's lessons while they're still fresh in our minds!"

Midoriya hovers behind them, looking like he's debating whether to bolt or pass out. "Y-yeah! Um. If you're not busy, I mean—"

I shrug. "Sure. Why not?"

Midoriya's eyes light up like I just handed him a signed All Might poster.

---

The cafeteria is packed, but we snag a table near the window. Uraraka immediately dives into her katsudon like she's been starving for weeks.

"So," she says between bites, "what do you think our first real hero training will be like?"

Iida adjusts his glasses. "Given UA's reputation, I expect rigorous physical and tactical assessments!"

Midoriya opens his mouth—probably to unleash a mutter storm—but hesitates when he catches my gaze.

I take a sip of my drink. "Battle Trials."

They blink.

"Wait, really?" Uraraka tilts her head. "How do you know?"

Because I've seen this episode.

I smirk. "Educated guess. UA's all about throwing us into the deep end. What better way to test us than simulated combat?"

Midoriya's fingers twitch like he's resisting the urge to scribble this down. "That… makes a lot of sense, actually."

Iida nods sharply. "An excellent hypothesis! We should prepare accordingly!"

Uraraka pumps her fist. "I call teaming up with Sasaki! No offense, Midoriya, but I wanna be on the winning team."

Midoriya laughs nervously. "N-none taken!"

I lean back, watching them. This is too easy.

Befriending the main cast. Blending in. Playing the role of the aloof but reliable powerhouse.

Just like I planned.

---

Next Day

All Might bursts through the classroom door like a blonde tornado, his signature grin on full display.

"I AM… COMING THROUGH THE DOOR LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!"

The class erupts into cheers. Even Iida's arm-chopping reaches dangerous velocities.

All Might strikes a pose. "TODAY, WE BEGIN FOUNDATIONAL HEROICS! AND FOR YOUR FIRST TRIAL…" He whips out a flashcard. "THE TRIAL OF BATTLE!"

Called it.

Murmurs ripple through the class. Kirishima leans over. "Dude, you were right!"

I shrug. "Told you."

All Might continues. "YOU'LL BE PAIRED INTO TEAMS OF TWO—HEROES VERSUS VILLAINS! THE HERO TEAM MUST EITHER CAPTURE THE VILLAINS OR SECURE THE BOMB! THE VILLAIN TEAM MUST DEFEND IT!"

Bakugou's grin is feral. "Finally."

All Might claps his hands. "NOW! CHANGE INTO YOUR COSTUMES AND MEET ME AT TRAINING GROUND BETA!"

The class scrambles to their feet, buzzing with excitement. As we file out, Bakugou shoves past Midoriya, his shoulder knocking him into the wall.

"Outta my way, Deku," he snarls.

Midoriya doesn't flinch. Progress.

I catch Bakugou's eye as I pass. "You're gonna pop a blood vessel if you keep scowling like that."

His hands spark. "SHUT IT, MOCHI FREAK."

Charming.

[Locker Room]

The locker room is chaos. Kaminari's trying (and failing) to get his belt to work. Kirishima's flexing in the mirror, admiring his spiky costume. Mineta's being… Mineta.

I open my locker, pulling out my hero costume.

Black compression armor with dark red accents. Fingerless gloves reinforced with mochi-hardened knuckles. A sleek, half-cape that wouldn't impede movement.

Simple. Efficient. Deadly.

Iida adjusts his helmet beside me. "Your costume is quite practical, Sasaki!"

I smirk. "Yours is… loud."

His armor is ridiculous, but he beams like I just complimented him. "Thank you! It honors my brother's legacy!"

Midoriya struggles with his… abomination of a costume. "Why is the mask so tight—? Ghk!"

I sigh, reaching over to yank it off for him. "Breathe, Midoriya."

He gasps. "Th-thanks!"

Bakugou scoffs from across the room, already dressed in his grenade-themed gear. "Can't even put on your own damn costume. Pathetic."

Kirishima elbows him. "C'mon, man, be cool!"

"I AM COOL."

I roll my eyes. This is gonna be a long year.

[Training Ground Beta]

We step out into the mock cityscape, our costumes gleaming under the afternoon sun. All Might stands at the center, his cape billowing dramatically.

"WELCOME, YOUNG HEROES! TODAY, YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP INTO LEGEND!"

I crack my knuckles.

Let's see how this goes.

******

All Might claps his massive hands together, the sound echoing through the observation room.

"THE SCENARIO IS SIMPLE! VILLAINS HAVE HIDDEN A NUCLEAR WEAPON IN THEIR HIDEOUT! HEROES MUST EITHER CAPTURE THE VILLAINS OR SECURE THE WEAPON BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!"

Mina raises her hand. "What counts as capturing?"

"EITHER WRAPPING THEM IN THIS CAPTURE TAPE OR IMMOBILIZING THEM TO THE POINT THEY CAN'T CONTINUE!" All Might holds up a roll of what looks like glorified duct tape.

Kaminari snorts. "So, like, punching them really hard works too?"

"VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE YOUR FIRST OPTION, YOUNG KAMINARI!"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Tell that to Bakugou.

All Might pulls out a lottery box. "TEAMS WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM! HERO AND VILLAIN ROLES WILL BE ASSIGNED ACCORDINGLY!"

The class shuffles forward, one by one, to draw their lots.

I pull mine.

Team E.

I glance around to see who my partner is—

Kyoka Jiro

---

All Might's voice booms over the speakers.

"FOR THE FIRST MATCH… TEAM A (HEROES) VERSUS TEAM D (VILLAINS)!"

Midoriya pales. Uraraka squeaks.

Bakugou's grin is downright feral.

Iida stiffens beside me. "This is… unexpected."

I snort. "No, it's rigged."

All Might blinks at me through the monitor. "EH?"

I wave him off. "Nothing."

But seriously. Of all the possible matchups, it's this one? Either Nezu's fucking with us, or the universe has a sick sense of humor.

The rest of the class files into the observation room as Midoriya, Uraraka, Bakugou, and Iida head to their starting positions.

Kirishima elbows me. "You think Midoriya stands a chance? Bakugou's crazy strong."

I smirk. "You'd be surprised."

---

The screens flicker to life, showing four separate feeds—one for each participant.

Midoriya's muttering up a storm, his fingers twitching. Uraraka looks nervous but determined.

Bakugou is seething. Static practically crackles off him.

Iida, ever the perfectionist, is already mapping out defense strategies.

Jiro plugs her earphone jack into the console, letting us hear the comms.

Bakugou's voice snarls through the speakers: "I'M GOING AFTER DEKU. YOU JUST GUARD THE BOMB, FOUR-EYES."

Iida's indignant squawk is priceless. "That is not how teamwork functions!"

Uraraka's voice, tinny but determined: "Midoriya, what's the plan?"

Midoriya hesitates—then, quietly: "We… we stick to the original strategy. But be ready to adapt."

Kaminari whistles. "Damn, Midoriya actually sounds kinda confident."

I lean forward, resting my chin on my palm.

This is where it gets interesting.

---

The moment the start buzzer sounds, Bakugou launches himself down the hallway like a missile, explosions propelling him forward.

Midoriya doesn't flinch.

Green lightning crackles across his skin—7% One For All—as he sidesteps Bakugou's opening blast.

The explosion tears a hole in the wall behind him, but Midoriya's already moving, his movements sharp, controlled.

"He's gotten better," I note.

Bakugou's eyes widen—just for a split second—before his fury redoubles. "SINCE WHEN COULD YOU DODGE ME, DEKU?!"

Midoriya doesn't answer. He feints left, then ducks under Bakugou's swing, landing a sharp kick to his ribs.

Bakugou stumbles back—actually stumbles—and the observation room erupts.

"HOLY SHIT!" Kirishima yells.

Kaminari's jaw is on the floor. "Since when was Midoriya that fast?!"

I smirk. "You have no idea."

On another screen, Uraraka is sneaking through the upper floors, avoiding Iida's patrols. She's lighter on her feet than I expected, using her Quirk to float over creaky floorboards.

Iida, meanwhile, is muttering to himself about "optimal defense routes" like a robot.

All Might's voice crackles over the comms: "REMEMBER, THIS IS A TRAINING EXERCISE! EXCESSIVE FORCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!"

Bakugou, predictably, ignores him.

"DON'T THINK YOU'VE WON JUST 'CAUSE YOU GOT A LUCKY HIT, DEKU!"

His next explosion is bigger—wild, uncontrolled. Midoriya barely dodges, the blast scorching the side of his costume.

Uraraka's voice, panicked: "Midoriya! Status?"

Midoriya grits his teeth. "I'm fine! Stick to the plan!"

"Plan?" Bakugou snarls. "YOU THINK YOUR LITTLE PLANS MATTER?!"

He lunges again—

And Midoriya counters.

A flicker of green energy, a twist of his body, and suddenly Bakugou's own momentum is being used against him. Midoriya flips him over his shoulder, slamming him into the ground hard enough to crack the floor.

The observation room goes silent.

Even I raise an eyebrow.

"Okay. That's new."

---

Bakugou isn't down for long. He's back on his feet in seconds, but something's changed. His usual rage is… sharper. More focused.

"You've been hiding this," he growls. "All this time. Playing the weak, Quirkless loser. And now you think you can show me up?"

Midoriya meets his gaze. "I wasn't hiding. I was learning."

Bakugou's hands spark. "SHUT UP!"

He attacks again, but this time, Midoriya isn't just dodging—he's fighting back.

7% One For All isn't enough to overpower Bakugou's raw firepower, but it's enough to keep up. To match him.

Blow for blow.

Dodge for dodge.

Uraraka's voice cuts through the tension: "Midoriya! Now!"

Midoriya feints—Bakugou takes the bait—and suddenly Uraraka is dropping from the ceiling, her fingers brushing Bakugou's shoulder.

"Release!"

Bakugou floats, his feet leaving the ground. His eyes widen. "WHAT THE—?!"

Midoriya doesn't hesitate. He punches upward, sending Bakugou careening into the ceiling—

And Midoriya is already gone, sprinting down the hallway at full speed.

"Uraraka! Keep him busy!"

Bakugou snarls, twisting midair to blast himself back down—

But Uraraka is already there, slapping her hands together.

"Release!"

Bakugou drops like a stone, crashing into the floor.

He recovers instantly, but—

"TOO SLOW!" Uraraka grins, already backflipping out of reach.

Meanwhile—

Midoriya bursts into the bomb room, where Iida stands guard.

Iida's engines rev. "I won't let you—!"

Midoriya doesn't stop.

He leaps, tucking into a roll as Iida's kick slices the air where his head had been—

And slaps his palm against the bomb.

"HERO TEAM WINS!" All Might's voice booms.

Silence.

Then—

"NO THEY FUCKING DON'T!" Bakugou blasts himself, aiming straight for Midoriya's face—

All Might moves.

One second he's in the observation room. The next, he's there, his massive hand catching Bakugou's wrist mid-strike.

"THAT'S ENOUGH, YOUNG BAKUGOU."

The room is dead silent.

Bakugou's breathing is ragged, his teeth bared like a cornered animal.

Midoriya is panting, his fists still clenched.

Uraraka looks like she's about to pass out.

Iida, who never even got to fight but was outrun by Midoriya, just stares.

And me?

I grin.

"Now the real fun begins."

******

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