MHA: Yellow Flash of U.A

Chapter 4

Ryo Namikaze stood at the entrance of his grandfather's dojo, his eyes filled with determination. The recent encounter with the sludge villain, where he'd acted alongside Midoriya, had only intensified his desire to become a hero. With ten months left until the U.A. High entrance exams, he knew he needed to push himself harder than ever before.

His grandfather, a former pro hero, regarded him with a serious expression. "These next ten months are going to be the most challenging of your life," he began, his voice heavy with purpose. "If you truly want to enter U.A. High, you'll need to excel in every aspect—physical, mental, and tactical."

Ryo nodded with resolve. "I understand, Grandpa. I won't waste a single moment."

His training began immediately. His grandfather crafted a grueling regimen that combined intense physical conditioning with advanced Quirk exercises. Every day started before dawn, filled with hours of sparring, running, and agility drills, but his grandfather had even more in store.

"Today, we begin with a technique that's foundational for every great ninja—Shadow Clone Jutsu," his grandfather announced, a knowing smile on his face. "Master this, and your training will advance exponentially."

Ryo watched in awe as his grandfather demonstrated the technique. A puff of smoke appeared, and suddenly, two identical versions of him stood in the dojo.

"This is the art of creating clones," his grandfather explained. "They share your experiences, thoughts, and training. When they disperse, everything they've learned returns to you. But it takes focus. Chakra control. Precision."

Excited but nervous, Ryo closed his eyes and focused, feeling his chakra coursing through his veins. He attempted the jutsu, but his first effort produced only a flickering, faint clone that dissipated almost instantly.

Frustrated, he muttered, "Why can't I get it right? I can feel the chakra, but it's not working..."

"Don't rush it," his grandfather replied calmly. "Feel the flow of your chakra. Control it, guide it. Picture the clone in your mind, as real as you are."

Taking a deep breath, Ryo tried again, concentrating harder this time. To his delight, a more stable clone appeared beside him, its form clear and steady.

"I did it!" Ryo exclaimed, his face brightening. "It's not perfect, but it's better."

His grandfather nodded approvingly. "Good. Now keep practicing. Make another, and another. Soon, it will become second nature."

Over the following weeks, Ryo devoted himself to mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu. He spent hours practicing, creating clones that helped him train while he studied. Each clone took on a different task—one absorbed his textbooks, another drilled physical exercises, while a third refined his Quirk techniques.

As his skills with the clones grew, so did his knowledge. "This is incredible," he thought to himself. "I'm learning so much faster now."

Watching from the sidelines, his grandfather marveled at Ryo's rapid progress. He had always believed in his grandson's potential, but now he saw a prodigy in the making.

Ryo's mastery of the Shadow Clone Jutsu soon led him to another technique: the Rasengan. His grandfather explained its intricacies—a powerful chakra sphere, it required immense control and focus.

"The Rasengan is a sphere of concentrated chakra," he explained. "It's powerful in close combat, but it's not easy to master. You must control the flow of chakra in your hand, keeping it stable while rotating it at high speed."

Ryo's eyes sparkled with excitement. He knew this technique could be a game-changer. He began by forming a small, unstable ball of chakra in his palm, but it burst apart almost immediately, sending a shockwave through the dojo.

"It's... so hard to control..." he gasped, wiping sweat from his brow.

His grandfather nodded. "Remember, Ryo, it's all about control. Use your clones. Let them help you practice."

With his clones assisting him, Ryo observed multiple angles of his Rasengan, refining the technique bit by bit. Gradually, the Rasengan grew more stable, its power more contained. "I'm getting it," he said proudly. "It's almost there."

His grandfather's smile widened. "I knew you would. Keep pushing. Soon, you'll master it."

Ryo also began experimenting with elemental jutsus, starting with Lightning Release. His natural affinity for electricity helped him channel electrical surges and small bolts of lightning. The training was demanding, pushing his chakra endurance and precision to their limits.

"Lightning... it's about speed and impact," Ryo muttered to himself. "I can use this to enhance my Thunder Step."

Next, he tackled Wind Release, manipulating air currents to enhance his movements or create sharp, cutting blades of air. He combined this with his Thunder Step, increasing his speed to new levels.

His grandfather watched with admiration. "You're not just mastering these techniques," he observed. "You're creating your own style. You're a natural, Ryo."

The months flew by, filled with relentless training. Ryo's skills grew at an astonishing rate. He mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu, became proficient with the Rasengan, and developed a versatile set of elemental jutsus. He even started learning the basics of Healing Ninjutsu, using chakra to heal minor wounds—a crucial skill for any hero.

His grandfather beamed with pride. "You've done well, Ryo," he said one evening as they sat by the fire. "You've surpassed my expectations and even your own. Now, go out there and prove yourself."

Ryo felt a swell of confidence as he set off for U.A. High. Walking among the other examinees, he noticed a mix of nerves and determination on their faces. His own confidence radiated from him, drawing curious glances from those around.

He spotted Izuku Midoriya, the boy from the sludge villain incident, and approached him with a friendly smile. "Hey, I remember you. You were brave back there."

Midoriya looked up, a bit startled but then smiled back. "Oh! Hi... yeah, that was a wild day. I'm Izuku Midoriya."

"Ryo Namikaze," he replied with a nod. "Nice to meet you again. Let's give it our best today."

They chatted briefly before heading into the main hall, where Present Mic, the pro hero, explained the rules for the entrance exam.

"Alright, examinees!" Present Mic's voice boomed through the hall. "The exam will test your combat abilities. Defeat different types of robots to score points, but avoid the zero-point robots!"

Ryo listened intently, already strategizing. He noticed a boy with glasses, Tenya Iida, chastising Midoriya for muttering.

Iida turned to Midoriya, his expression stern. "If you're serious about being a hero, you should be paying attention!"

Ryo stepped in, his tone calm but firm. "Hey, ease up. Everyone's nervous here; we're all just trying to focus."

Iida paused, then nodded in acknowledgment before moving away. Ryo glanced at Midoriya, who gave a small, grateful smile.

Outside, the students lined up, waiting for the gates to open. Ryo stood among them, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and determination. "This is it," he thought. "The first real step to becoming a hero."

As the gates began to open, a surge of energy filled the air. Ryo and the other examinees readied themselves, prepared to charge into the test and prove their worth.