Rescue Race

The days following the Hosu incident saw Class 1-A slowly return to their normal routines, though the undercurrents of their intense experiences lingered. The morning after the terrifying events in Hosu, the classroom felt strangely subdued, a stark contrast to the usual energetic chatter.

Before Aizawa-sensei entered, Tenya Iida, his arm still bandaged, walked purposefully towards Minato's desk. His posture was rigid, his expression earnest. He bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincere regret. "Minato-kun, I... I want to apologize. For my reckless actions in Hosu. I allowed my personal feelings of revenge to cloud my judgment, to consume me. It was unheroic, and it put both Midoriya and Native in grave danger, forcing you to intervene." He looked up, his eyes firm. "I promise you, I will not be consumed by revenge in the future. I will strive to be a hero who acts with logic and self-control, always."

Minato offered a calm, understanding nod. "It's okay, Iida-kun. What matters is that you understand the mistake and you're willing to learn from it. That's the mark of a true hero, to acknowledge flaws and strive for improvement."

Iida's shoulders relaxed slightly, a visible weight lifted from him. He then turned and, with the same earnestness, approached Midoriya's desk, offering a similar heartfelt apology for his recklessness and the danger he had caused. Midoriya, ever empathetic, readily accepted.

Soon after, Aizawa-sensei entered, his usual tired demeanor seemingly unaffected by the recent chaos. He began the class as usual, going through the daily lessons, the quiet professionalism a grounding force for the students who had just faced real-world danger.

As the morning classes concluded, Aizawa cleared his throat. "Alright, listen up," he drawled, gaining the class's attention. "For today's heroics lesson, you guys will be conducting a practical test on the field. It will be overseen by All Might."

A ripple of excitement went through the class. Practical tests were always dynamic and thrilling, a chance to apply their Quirks in a more realistic setting.

After Aizawa dismissed them for lunch, the students made their way to the cafeteria, their conversations buzzing with speculation about what kind of test All Might would have in store for them. Post-lunch, the locker rooms were filled with the rustle of fabric as everyone eagerly changed into their hero costumes, ready for action.

From the locker rooms, they made their way to Field Gamma, one of U.A.'s specialized training grounds. It was an intricate, sprawling complex filled with towering structures, narrow alleyways, and precarious platforms, designed to mimic a dense urban environment that had been ravaged by disaster. Debris was scattered everywhere, and various hazards were simulated throughout.

Waiting for them in the center of this simulated chaos was All Might, standing tall and beaming. He looked at the assembled Class 1-A students, his iconic smile radiating confidence.

"WELCOME, YOUNG HEROES!" All Might boomed, his voice echoing through the vast facility. "WELCOME TO FIELD GAMMA! I trust you're all ready to get your hero on!"

He then clarified the day's objective. "Today, we're doing a rescue training race!"

A student piped up, "Shouldn't the USJ already provide that kind of training, All Might-sensei?"

All Might chuckled. "A good question! The USJ is primarily designed for disasters, teaching you how to handle large-scale catastrophes. This area, however, is specifically made for rescue missions. It's designed with interlocking factory structures, like a maze or a labyrinth. It's about navigating complex environments to find those in need. Think of it as a specialized search-and-rescue operation in a confined, hazardous space."

He continued, laying out the rules. "Here's the scenario: I'll go inside from the center. Once I'm in position, I'll send out a distress signal. You'll start from the border of the field. Your goal is simple: the first person to reach and rescue me wins!"

The class was then divided into teams, adding a competitive edge to the rescue exercise. Each team would go through the maze one at a time, their progress timed and observed.

Finally, it was Minato's team's turn. His teammates for this particular race were Tenya Iida, Izuku Midoriya, and Yuga Aoyama. A formidable quartet, each with unique abilities.

"ALRIGHT, TEAM! YOUR RACE STARTS NOW!" Present Mic's voice blared over the loudspeakers.

"GO!"

Minato didn't waste a second. His body immediately flared with the vibrant, crackling blue of his Lightning Chakra Mode. He bolted forward, an unyielding streak of pure speed. Right beside him, Midoriya surged ahead, his body radiating the familiar green lightning of One For All: Full Cowl at 25%. He was pushing his limits, a determined grimace on his face, trying to keep pace with the fastest student in the class. Iida and Aoyama, though fast in their own right, were instantly left behind, already looking like they were in a different race.

From the observation deck, the other students watched in awe. "Whoa! Look at Midoriya go!" Kaminari exclaimed, genuinely surprised. "He's almost as fast as Minato!"

Mina Ashido bounced on the balls of her feet. "Seriously! His green lightning is so much brighter now! He's really improving!"

Bakugo Katsuki, leaning against the railing, scoffed, but his eyes were glued to the screen showing Midoriya's furious pace. Damn Deku... he's really catching up to that bastard's speed now. What the hell is he doing? 

Ochako Uraraka cheered, "Go, Deku! You can do it!" Her heart swelled with pride watching her friend's incredible progress.

Minato and Midoriya were neck and neck, a blur of blue and green, weaving through the initial turns of the labyrinthine factory structures. The ground trembled beneath their enhanced footsteps. They ducked under pipes, vaulted over overturned machinery, their eyes peeled for the path to All Might.

However, Minato possessed a unique advantage in this environment. As they approached a towering, sheer wall that would force Midoriya to find an an opening or a path around, Minato, leveraging his Chakra, performed a feat Midoriya couldn't. With a smooth, seamless motion, he ran straight up the vertical surface, his feet adhering to the wall as if it were flat ground. He ran directly over obstacles that would have forced Midoriya to take a detour or slow down to navigate.

While Midoriya, despite his incredible speed, had to constantly look out for the correct route, calculating angles and searching for openings through the maze, Minato simply took the most direct line, whether it was across a floor, up a wall, or even across a ceiling. His Chakra-enhanced wall-running cut valuable seconds off his time, allowing him to bypass complex sections of the labyrinth.

He heard Midoriya's grunts of exertion, the distant sounds of his powerful jumps and dashes, as the green-clad hero navigated the treacherous terrain below. But Minato was already several dozen meters ahead, his blue aura a shimmering beacon through the factory dust.

Minato focused his speed, covering the last few meters in an instant. He arrived before All Might, triumphant.

" I rescue you, All Might-sensei!" Minato declared, standing tall.

All Might chuckled, a proud smile on his face. "Indeed, Young Namikaze! You found me! You are the winner!"

Moments later, Midoriya burst into the clearing, panting, his body still crackling with One For All. He saw Minato standing beside All Might and slumped slightly, though a respectful smile touched his lips. "You... you got me again, Minato-san," he gasped, impressed despite his defeat.

Minato simply smiled back, a friendly nod acknowledging Midoriya's impressive effort. The race had been close, a testament to Midoriya's incredible growth, but Minato's unique abilities had given him the edge in this specific challenge.