That afternoon, Izuku and Gran Torino sat in the run-down apartment, drinking tea and eating taiyaki.
"Do you know what your weakness is right now?" Gran Torino asked after a sip of tea.
"Yeah. The tea isn't very good."
"That's not what I meant!"
"If you're asking about One For All," Izuku said, tracing the rim of his cup with a finger, "then my issue is that I don't have enough finishing moves. Once opponents figure me out, it's easy for them to counter me. I'm not at All Might's level yet."
Gran Torino nodded. "Your control is already excellent. What you lack is technique. And that only comes from real fights. Starting tomorrow, I'll take you to other cities for proper work studies."
He took another sip. "This tea's not bad."
"I'm glad you like it," Izuku said, lifting his own cup. It still wasn't quite as good as the tea he was used to.
They finished the taiyaki quickly. Izuku gathered the dishes and went to wash them while Gran Torino settled onto the sofa and turned on the TV.
"…In today's top story, the Hero Killer remains at large. Sixteen heroes have been killed or injured. Police analysts believe the suspect, Stain, may move toward smaller cities such as Hosu. Authorities are advising increased patrols…"
At the sink, Izuku paused.
Iida's brother was attacked by Stain… and Iida is doing his work study in Hosu right now.
He frowned slightly, uneasy.
"Hey! Put my show back on! It's time for cartoons!" Gran Torino snapped, nearly slamming the remote.
"Calm down, Sensei," Izuku said. "I saved your favorite shows."
He pulled out his phone, opened the video, and handed it over.
Gran Torino clicked his tongue but accepted it. "At least you're prepared."
Izuku returned to the sink.
I wonder how everyone else is doing.
—
At that moment, Shoto Todoroki was working at Endeavor's agency.
He had chosen to train there despite his strained relationship with his father. For now, gaining experience mattered more.
"Shoto!"
A barrage of ice spikes shot forward, pinning a rampaging villain to the wall. Todoroki shook the frost from his hand. That made three groups he had taken down.
"Young Todoroki, your Quirk is incredibly effective," said the fire-based hero working alongside him, finishing off another opponent.
"Don't call me that," Todoroki replied flatly. "If not for blood, I wouldn't acknowledge him as my father."
His hand brushed the burn scar on his left cheek.
The other hero fell silent, choosing not to press further.
"Shoto," came Endeavor's voice. "Leave this to the police. We're moving on."
"…Right."
Todoroki turned, expression calm but distant.
I wonder how Izuku's doing.
—
Elsewhere, Katsuki Bakugo was on patrol with Best Jeanist.
His hair had once again been smoothed flat.
"As a member of this agency, presentation matters," Best Jeanist said, adjusting his cuffs as they walked through a busy street. "We cannot have someone hotheaded representing us. Even All Might carries himself with approachability. If you intend to surpass him, you must do better."
Bakugo walked behind him, scowling.
This guy never shuts up.
People greeted Best Jeanist as they passed, a few children whispering nearby.
"Hey, who's that behind him? He looks weird."
"Maybe he's a villain Best Jeanist caught."
The kids spoke without lowering their voices.
Bakugo's eye twitched, irritation building as he kept walking.