𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 086

CHAPTER 86: Unlocking Potential

The next day when night had fallen over U.A., the training room was lit by the occasional flash of explosions. You stood off to the side, arms crossed as you watched Katsuki throw blasts toward Izuku, who scrambled to dodge, his breathing strained but focused. All Might called out to Katsuki, his voice stern, reminding him of their goal: to push Izuku to his limits safely, not to trigger another uncontrollable outburst.

Izuku steadied himself, still wary, feeling for any hint of Blackwhip's presence. The dark tendrils that had erupted the last time were nowhere to be found. Realizing it had been locked away for now, a slight relief washed over his face. You released a breath you didn't realize you were holding, glad to see him free from the dangerous flare-up.

---

Earlier, the three of you—Izuku, Katsuki, and you—had been called into a private training room by All Might. Izuku had blinked in surprise upon seeing both you and Katsuki waiting there, but All Might's expression had left no room for doubt: this was serious.

"Since both Bakugo and Mizushima now know the truth about One For All," All Might said, his voice calm but firm, "it's only right they're part of this conversation."

Izuku nodded slowly, still clearly processing the weight of everything he'd learned. His fingers twitched nervously at his sides. You stepped forward, offering a reassuring look as if to silently say We’re in this together.

At All Might’s urging, Izuku began to recount what happened during the match—his voice tentative at first, then steadier. He described the overwhelming sensation of Blackwhip erupting from within him, not like something he activated intentionally, but as if the power had chosen that moment to emerge.

"It wasn’t like when I channel One For All normally," Izuku explained, glancing at Katsuki. "It was wild—angry even. I wasn’t in control of it. It was like someone else was."

Katsuki narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms. "So it acted on its own? That’s not just a new move, that’s something else entirely."

You nodded, stepping in to help bridge the gap. "All Might said it wasn’t a fluke. That what Izuku experienced was one of the past users’ Quirks... awakening. He said One For All stores the Quirks and wills of those who had it before. They're all still in there."

Katsuki's eyes flicked toward you sharply, his mind clearly racing to connect the dots. "So you’re telling me he’s got multiple Quirks now?"

"Not yet," All Might said softly from the sidelines. "But the potential is there. It’s beginning. What you saw with Blackwhip… that was just the start."

Katsuki looked at Izuku as if truly seeing him for the first time—his expression unreadable for a moment. Then his brows furrowed.

"That’s insane," he muttered. "So you’ve got this ticking time bomb of power inside you, and you’ve barely scratched the surface."

"That’s why I have to learn control," Izuku said quietly, more to himself than anyone. "This power... it’s not just mine. It’s ours. And if I can’t master it, I’ll let all of them down."

Katsuki scoffed, the sound sharp in the silence. "Sentimental garbage." He stepped closer, jabbing a finger at Izuku’s chest. "If you're gonna carry the weight of all those freaks inside you, you damn well better be strong enough to handle it. And if you're not..." he clenched a fist, sparks crackling at his knuckles, "I'll beat it into you."

The words should’ve felt like an insult, but there was something fierce—and oddly supportive—burning in Katsuki’s eyes.

You stepped beside Izuku, standing your ground. "He’s not alone in this, Katsuki. And if pushing him is your way of helping, then fine. Just don’t forget that we’re all trying to understand this. This power... it’s evolving in ways even All Might didn’t expect."

Katsuki’s mouth tightened, but he didn’t argue.

---

The next morning, you found out, both you and Izuku had been summoned to meet with Eraser Head near the teacher's dorms. When you arrived, you saw Mirio standing beside Eri, who hid behind him, glancing nervously at Neito. Mirio gave her a reassuring smile, but when Neito began his flamboyant explanation of being misunderstood, Eri's nervousness returned. You stifled a chuckle as Mirio leaned over, quietly telling Eri, "He's just...part of the 'bad side of U.A.'"

Eraser Head finally stepped in, nodding at you and Izuku before explaining his request for Neito to join. "We wanted to see if Monoma could copy Eri's Quirk as a safety precaution," he said. "In case it ever activates uncontrollably, we'd have someone who could guide her in its usage."

Neito took a deep breath, reaching out and concentrating as he used Copy on Eri's Rewind Quirk. A moment passed, and then he exhaled, looking to Eraser Head with a solemn expression. "It's a blank," he admitted. "I can copy the essence of a Quirk, but not what's stockpiled in it." He then glanced at Izuku with a slight smirk. "Good thing for some of you, or else I might be too much to handle."

Izuku's mind wandered, considering how some Quirks required a buildup of resources-like Fat Gum's fat or the power in Eri's Rewind. This discovery brought him a degree of comfort. As you listened, you could see a flicker of doubt in Eri's expression. She looked down, murmuring, "I wish I didn't have this power... It's caused so much trouble."

Izuku's voice softened, and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Eri, your power saved me. Think of it like a knife: it can be dangerous, but it can also be used to make amazing things." His eyes shone with sincerity. "Your power is a gift."

You stepped closer, crouching slightly to meet Eri’s eyes. "You know what I think?" you said gently, offering her a warm smile. "You’re braver than most people here. You’ve carried something scary and still found the strength to smile. That makes you incredible. You don’t have to master your quirk all at once. You just have to believe in the good it can do. And we’ll be here to help you, every step of the way."

You ruffled her hair with a soft laugh, but then wrapped her in a brief, warm hug—one filled with silent reassurance. Eri looked up at you with wide eyes, and slowly, a small but genuine smile broke through.

"Then...I'll do my best," she whispered.

---

As snow began to fall, the members of Class 1-A noticed from their dorm windows, celebrating the first winter's snow in various ways. Katsuki and Shoto were off at their provisional license exams, but that didn't stop the rest of the class from enjoying the moment.

Later that night, Katsuki and Shoto returned, visibly exhausted but victorious. The moment they stepped through the dorm doors, the class erupted in cheers and congratulations, bringing an involuntary smile to your face. Izuku practically bounced up to Katsuki, congratulating him, "Now we can all work together as heroes!"

Katsuki's face twisted in irritation. "Don't look down on me, Deku!" he snapped.

Denki laughed, teasing Katsuki. "Hey, now you're a real hero, Bakugo! Guess you couldn't leave us behind forever!"

The class's laughter and banter filled the room, a reminder of how much you'd all grown together.

You stepped up beside Denki, arms crossed and a mock-serious expression on your face. “So… you didn’t blow up the exam site this time? I’m impressed.”

The class burst into laughter again as Katsuki gave you a glare sharp enough to melt the snow outside.

You just shrugged with a smirk. “What? I’m just proud of you, Blasty McBoom. You’re finally legal… hero-wise, I mean.”

Hanta nearly choked on his drink from laughter while Ejiro patted Katsuki on the back, howling, “She got you good, bro!”

“Damn extras…” Katsuki grumbled, but the twitch of his lips gave him away—he was secretly enjoying the moment.

Even Shoto cracked a small smile as the chaos continued, warmth radiating in the dorms despite the winter chill outside.

---

A/N: Word Count: ~1425, this chapter really dives into the mystery of One For All and the evolving power within Izuku, as well as the challenges it brings not only to him but to his friends too. I wanted to capture the mix of pride, concern, and excitement everyone feels as they face these new revelations together, especially with Eri's journey and the class's growth.

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