១⎚ᡃ࡚ࠢ࠘﹏𖠣

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05
↳It's another fight night, and the underground ring is buzzing with energy. The crowd's rowdy, shoving and shouting, the air thick with sweat and anticipation. I'm already bruised and battered from earlier rounds, but there's no way I'm backing down now. The prize money tonight is too good to pass up.

As I step into the ring, I catch sight of Kenji in the crowd. His eyes are wide, and he looks more nervous than usual. I give him a quick nod, trying to reassure him. "I got this, Kenji. Don't worry."

My opponent tonight is a hulking brute, all muscle and anger. The bell rings, and we're at it, exchanging blows that rattle my bones. Every hit I take, I give back twice as hard. The crowd's roar fades into the background, and it's just me and the fight.

But then, something changes. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a guy in the audience who doesn't fit in with the usual rough crowd. He's got this intense look, like he's studying every move I make. His eyes follow my every step, every punch. Something about him makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

The fight drags on, brutal and exhausting. I'm running on fumes, but I dig deep, finding that last bit of strength. Finally, with a gut-wrenching roar, I land the knockout punch. My opponent goes down, and the crowd erupts. I'm left standing, barely, but victorious.

As I stumble out of the ring, Kenji rushes to my side. "Y/N, you okay?" he asks, worry etched all over his face.

"Yeah, kiddo. Just another day at the office," I say, ruffling his hair. But I can't shake the feeling of those intense eyes watching me.

Before we can leave, the guy from the crowd steps forward. He's tall, lean, with a serious expression. "You're Y/N Chēnsō, right?" he asks, his voice calm but commanding.

"Who's asking?" I reply, my guard up. You don't survive in this world without being cautious.

"Shinji Nishiya," he says, extending a hand. "But most people know me as Kamui Woods."

I blink, recognizing the name. He's a pro hero, one of the big shots. What the hell is he doing here? "Kamui Woods? What do you want with me?"

"I saw your fight," he says, looking me in the eye. "You've got raw power and an unyielding spirit. But you're wasting it down here."

I snort, crossing my arms. "Yeah, well, it's the only way I know to survive."

"I can help you," he says, his voice sincere. "But if you don't listen to what I have to say, I have to arrest you for illegal quirk usage. The law's pretty strict about these things."

I raise an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Chainsaws and wood don't mix well, huh? You might find your hands full trying to keep me in line."

Shinji raises an eyebrow but doesn't back down. "I'm serious, Y/N. You have potential, but it's not just about raw power. You need control, discipline. Otherwise, you're just asking for trouble."

Kenji's looking between us, his eyes wide with hope. "Y/N, maybe he's right. Maybe this is our chance."

I hesitate, the weight of his words sinking in. I've been fighting for so long, always on my own. Could this be the break I've been waiting for?

"Alright," I say finally, meeting Shinji's gaze. "What do you have in mind?"

Shinji smiles, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Meet me tomorrow morning. We'll talk more then."

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The next morning, Kenji and I head to the address Shinji gave us. It's a proper training facility, a stark contrast to the dingy underground ring I'm used to. Shinji's waiting for us, dressed in his hero gear, looking every bit the pro hero he is.

"Glad you came," he says, leading us inside. "First, let's see what you've got."

He puts me through a series of exercises, testing my strength, agility, and endurance. It's tough, but I push through, determined to prove myself. Kenji watches from the sidelines, his face a mix of awe and excitement.

"You're strong," Shinji says, nodding approvingly. "But strength isn't everything. You need control, discipline."

I wipe the sweat from my brow, nodding. "Yeah, I get that. I'm ready to learn."

For the next few hours, Shinji trains me, showing me techniques and strategies I've never seen before. He's patient, correcting my form, pushing me to my limits but never beyond. It's tough, but for the first time, I feel like I'm really improving. I'm starting to feel like a fuckin' math wiz.

After the training session, we sit down to talk. "Y/N, you've got a lot of potential," Shinji says, looking me in the eye. "But you've also got a lot of anger. You need to channel that into something positive."

I look down, feeling a mix of shame and hope. "I just... I want to protect Kenji. Give him a better life."

Shinji nods, understanding. "And you can. But you need to focus. Train hard. I'll help you, but you have to put in the work."

"I will," I promise, determination burning in my chest. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Over the next few weeks, Shinji trains me every day. It's grueling, but I can feel myself getting stronger, more disciplined. Kenji's always there, cheering me on, his faith in me never wavering.

One day, after a particularly tough session, Shinji pulls me aside. "Y/N, I think you're ready for your first real mission."

My heart skips a beat. "A mission? Like, as a kickass hero?"

He nods, a proud smile on his face. "You've got what it takes. But remember, it's not just about fighting. It's about protecting people, making a difference."

I look at Kenji, his eyes shining with pride. "I'm ready," I say, my voice firm. "Let's do this."

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That night, as I lie in bed, I think about how much has changed. From the dingy underground ring to training with a pro, it feels like a damn dream. But it's real, and for the first time in a long time, I feel hope. For me, and for Kenji.

"We're gonna make it, Kenji," I whisper, watching him sleep. "I promise."

And with Shinji's help, I know we will.

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