Chapter 3

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The morning sun painted the city in hues of gold as Ryo Namikaze walked through the lively streets. The discussion about hero courses and future careers from the previous day at school weighed heavily on his mind, making every step feel purposeful. Overhead, he noticed a few pro heroes patrolling, their presence a constant reminder of the world he aspired to be a part of.

One hero spoke with a quiet intensity, "Looks like a calm day so far, but we need to stay sharp."

"Yeah," replied another, their voice edged with vigilance. "You never know when something could happen in a place like this."

The conversation faded as Ryo turned a corner, approaching his school, where the morning air buzzed with chatter. His friends greeted him with eager smiles, their faces bright with anticipation. Aiko asked, "So, Ryo, any new training ideas from your grandfather?"

Ryo nodded, his expression focused. "He's pushing me harder than ever. Says I need to learn to think even faster, make decisions on the fly. It's tough, but I'm getting there."

Kenta chuckled, flashing a grin. "Well, you're already quick, but I guess you can always get faster, huh?"

Ryo laughed, the sound carrying a hint of excitement. "Yeah, there's always room for improvement."

The day moved in a blur of classes and lessons, but Ryo's thoughts drifted to his training, to the path that lay ahead of him. At lunch, as he sat with his friends, their conversation turned to the upcoming hero exams.

"Do you ever get nervous about becoming a hero?" Emi asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Ryo paused for a moment, reflecting. "Of course," he admitted. "But I think that's normal. It's just about what you do with that fear... whether you let it stop you or use it to push yourself forward."

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip by the time Ryo left school, his mind still racing with thoughts of his future. On his way home, he decided to detour through a busy shopping district to pick up some supplies for his training. The streets were crowded with people, the noise of the city enveloping him. Suddenly, he noticed a commotion near a convenience store. People were gathering, their faces a mix of fear and curiosity. Something was wrong.

Climbing onto a nearby ledge to get a better view, Ryo's heart skipped a beat when he saw a monstrous figure made of sludge rampaging through the street, holding a terrified boy hostage. The scene was chaotic; Kamui Woods, Death Arms, and Mt. Lady were there, but they seemed hesitant, discussing strategies and waiting for backup.

"I can't risk using my branches; I might hurt the kid!" Kamui Woods called out, his voice filled with tension.

Mt. Lady frowned, assessing the situation. "If I transform here, I could cause even more damage... What do we do?"

Ryo's pulse quickened. He felt the familiar rush of adrenaline surge through his veins. His instincts told him to act, but he knew the risks. As he calculated his move, he noticed a boy, quirkless but determined, charging toward the villain.

"What is he doing?" Ryo thought, his eyes wide. "He's going to get himself killed... but he's not backing down. I have to help!"

Without hesitation, he leaped down from his vantage point, using Thunder Step to teleport closer to the villain. The heroes, noticing his sudden appearance, turned toward him, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern.

"Kid, get out of here!" Death Arms shouted, his tone urgent. "This isn't a place for you!"

Ryo's face was set with determination. "No, I can help," he replied firmly. "Just give me a chance to distract it!"

The heroes hesitated, then exchanged uncertain glances. Realizing they had few options, they nodded reluctantly.

Kamui Woods called out, "Fine, but be careful! We can't afford to lose anyone else today."

Ryo's mind raced as he quickly assessed the situation. He drew a kunai, marked with a Thunder Seal, and hurled it toward the sludge villain. In a flash, he teleported directly in front of it, just as the quirkless boy threw his bag, blinding the creature momentarily. Channeling his energy, Ryo unleashed a Thunder Strike, sending a bolt of electricity through the villain, stunning it enough to loosen its grip on the hostage.

The sludge villain roared in fury, its voice booming, "You think a kid can stop me?!"

Ryo smirked, feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "No," he replied, "but maybe a few of us can."

At that precise moment, All Might arrived, a powerful force of nature. Inspired by the courage of the two boys, he moved with incredible speed, delivering a single, earth-shattering punch that captured the villain, rendering it powerless.

Applause erupted from the crowd, and the heroes quickly worked to secure the area. Mt. Lady approached Ryo, her expression a mix of admiration and disbelief. "That was reckless, but... brave," she said with a smile. "You've got guts, kid."

Kamui Woods nodded in agreement, adding, "It takes a lot of courage to jump in like that, especially for a middle schooler."

Death Arms looked at them both and then at Ryo, a hint of respect in his eyes. "You kids showed a lot of heart today. Maybe more than some of us."

Ryo felt a wave of pride wash over him, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. This was what he'd been training for—this feeling, this sense of purpose. The path he had chosen felt more certain than ever.

As the chaos settled, Ryo found himself standing beside the quirkless boy, both receiving praise from the crowd and the heroes around them. Ryo extended a hand, a genuine smile on his face. "You were incredible back there. I'm Ryo Namikaze."

The boy returned the smile, shaking his hand firmly. "Izuku Midoriya," he replied. "And thanks... I didn't know if I could really do anything, but I had to try."

"I get that," Ryo nodded, understanding. "Sometimes, trying is all it takes."

All Might approached, his towering figure casting a shadow over them both. His expression was warm, his voice filled with sincerity. "Young men," he began, "today you showed what it means to be a hero. It's not just about power or strength... it's about heart and action."

Ryo felt the weight of All Might's words settle in his chest. This moment, this day, would be a turning point for both of them. They had acted on instinct, driven by the desire to help, and in doing so, they had made all the difference. He looked at Midoriya and saw the same realization dawning in his eyes. The journey ahead was still long, but today, they had taken the first step—together.

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