The Path to Pro Hero

The tension in Ground Delta evaporated as Principal Nezu announced the result, signaling the end of the grueling match. The U.A. teachers quickly descended from the observation room, their faces a mixture of awe and respect. They gathered around Minato, a chorus of congratulations erupting.

"Indeed, Young Namikaze," All Might said, now in his scrawny form, still a bit breathless. He clapped a hand on Minato's shoulder. "You performed beyond all expectations. Truly, a hero of exceptional caliber."

Principal Nezu approached, his wide smile conveying his satisfaction. "Minato-kun, that was an utterly captivating performance. You have proven yourself, without a doubt. I will be making some preparations on my end, liaising with the Hero Public Safety Commission. Expect a message from me very soon regarding your official Hero Licensing Exam."

Minato nodded, a quiet sense of accomplishment settling over him. "Thank you, Principal Nezu. I appreciate the opportunity."

The next day, true to his word, Principal Nezu immediately went to work. He made several high-level calls to the Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC). Engaging in intense negotiations, Nezu presented Minato's case, outlining his unprecedented abilities, his exceptional performance in real-world emergencies, and the urgent need for heroes of his unique skillset in the face of rising threats. He emphasized the comprehensive nature of U.A.'s assessment, including the rigorous, personalized final exam against All Might. After much deliberation and reviewing extensive data provided by Nezu, the HPSC, recognizing the extraordinary circumstances and Minato's undeniable potential, agreed to the expedited Hero Licensing Test for a first-year student.

A week later, the day of Minato's official Hero Licensing Test arrived. It was conducted under strict HPSC supervision, a condensed but comprehensive series of practical and theoretical evaluations designed to assess a hero's readiness for professional work. For Minato, who had faced actual villains and possessed a wealth of combat and rescue experience from his previous life, the test proved to be less of a challenge and more of a formality. He breezed through it, his performance flawless.

Just two days after his exam, the news broke. Pop star Minato Namikaze was officially declared a Pro Hero. His chosen hero name, Yellow Flash, was unveiled to the public, a fitting tribute to his blinding speed and signature aura. He was issued his official hero license, a symbol of his newly granted authority to protect and serve.

The very next day, Yellow Flash began patrolling the streets of Mustafu. He wasn't just patrolling; he was a force of nature. One moment, he was apprehending a gang of low-level villains attempting a robbery in the downtown core, the next he was saving a cat from a tall tree on the outskirts of the city. He rescued citizens trapped in a minor building collapse, efficiently directed emergency services, and even prevented a car pile-up with his incredible speed and foresight. He was seen all over, responding to emergencies with unprecedented efficiency. News reports, social media, and word-of-mouth spread his name like wildfire. In a shockingly short amount of time, the name Yellow Flash of Mustafu was known throughout Japan, a new, blazing star in the firmament of Pro Heroes.

Meanwhile, back at U.A., the news of Minato's early graduation and official debut as a Pro Hero sent shockwaves through Class 1-A. Their reactions were varied, reflecting their individual personalities and relationships with Minato.

Izuku Midoriya was perhaps the most complex. He felt an immense swell of pride for his friend, knowing Minato had achieved something truly extraordinary. But beneath that pride was a familiar twinge of inadequacy, a quiet push to work even harder to catch up. He saw Minato's success as both an inspiration and a challenge. "Minato-san... he really did it," Midoriya murmured to himself, his hand clenching into a fist. "I have to keep working hard too!"

Katsuki Bakugo, surprisingly, wasn't just furious. There was a raw, undeniable flicker of grudging respect in his eyes, quickly masked by his usual scowl. "That damn Flash! He actually went and did it! Hmph. Just means I'll have to get my license even faster to show him who's number one!" His competitive spirit was stoked to a fever pitch.

Tenya Iida was filled with a mix of awe and renewed determination. "Minato-kun's graduation is a testament to his unparalleled abilities and unwavering dedication! It serves as an exemplary benchmark for all of us! I must redouble my efforts to uphold the standards of a true hero!" he declared with a flurry of hand chops.

Shoto Todoroki simply nodded when he heard the news. "Minato is strong. It's not surprising. He was always far ahead. This makes sense." His quiet respect was evident, a clear acknowledgment of Minato's exceptional talent.

Momo Yaoyorozu beamed with pride. "Oh, I knew Minato-kun would succeed! He's so incredibly talented and dedicated! It's wonderful to see his efforts recognized so quickly!" She felt a swell of warmth, remembering their study session and his impromptu concert.

Ochako Uraraka clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "That's so awesome! Minato-kun's already a Pro Hero! It's so motivating!"

Kirishima Eijiro grinned widely. "Man, Minato's so manly! Becoming a Pro so fast! That's just awesome! It makes me wanna train even harder!"

Kaminari Denki and Mina Ashido looked at each other, then slumped comically. "He passed so easily, and we're still stressing about the written exams!" Kaminari whined. "But seriously, that's incredible! Go, Minato!" Mina cheered, shaking her head in disbelief.

Kyoka Jiro merely smirked, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She had known he was on another level after playing with him. "Figured. He's got the chops for it."

The rest of the class shared similar sentiments: congratulations, inspiration, and a renewed sense of urgency to push themselves harder. Minato's meteoric rise was a powerful motivator, a tangible example of the heights they could reach.

With Minato officially graduated and now a full-fledged Pro Hero, Class 1-A proceeded with their academic year as planned. As summer arrived, the students of Class 1-A, having successfully navigated their final exams (some by the skin of their teeth), were whisked away to their much-anticipated summer training camp. Without Minato's presence, the atmosphere was different, but his recent graduation continued to serve as a powerful, albeit absent, source of motivation.

Meanwhile, Minato, now the Yellow Flash of Mustafu, was engrossed in his new life as a Pro Hero. His days were a whirlwind of patrolling, responding to distress calls, and making a tangible difference in the lives of ordinary citizens. The workload was immense, but the satisfaction was immeasurable.

One particularly night, as he was swiftly navigating the rooftops of Mustafu, his hero phone vibrated with an incoming call. He deftly caught it mid-stride.