Rimuru, the Hero Copy Cat

Chapter 2

Izuku POV

The next day, Rimuru and I sat under the shade of a tree during lunch break. My mind was still spinning from everything she'd told me yesterday about my supposed quirk. I'd spent half the night flipping through my notebooks, trying to see if there was some truth to her claims. The idea that I had a quirk all along—it didn't seem real.

Rimuru, on the other hand, seemed completely unbothered as she bit into her sandwich. She caught my nervous glance and smirked.

"Still thinking about it, huh?" she asked, her tone teasing.

"Of course!" I blurted. "If what you're saying is true... I don't even know where to begin. How does it even work? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

She shrugged, taking another bite before answering. "To be fair, I only figured it out recently. But now that I've connected the dots, it makes a lot of sense."

I frowned. "But what does it mean? If I really have this... Analytical Appraisal quirk, why does it feel like I'm just me? I've never done anything special with it."

Rimuru leaned back, looking up at the sky thoughtfully. "That's the thing about quirks like yours—they don't announce themselves. They don't come with explosions or lasers. They're quiet, subtle, but just as powerful if you know how to use them."

She turned to me, her blue eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something deeper. "And besides... I might have used your quirk a lot, Izuku."

My eyes widened. "Wait—what? What do you mean?"

Rimuru smirked, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "I mean, my quirk, Analytical Copy Cat, lets me analyze and use other quirks, right? But it doesn't work in isolation. I need information to really make it effective. And guess where I get most of my information from?"

I blinked, stunned. "From me?"

She nodded, grinning. "Exactly. Your quirk is like a cheat sheet for everything. When I analyze a quirk, I get the basic blueprint—how it works, its strengths and weaknesses. But with your help? I can take it so much further. Your notes, your insights, your instinct for figuring out how things work... it's like adding another layer to my own quirk."

I stared at her, speechless. "So, you're saying my quirk helps your quirk?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Rimuru admitted. "And that's just the beginning. With your quirk, I don't just analyze quirks—I can figure out fighting styles, tactics, weaknesses, strengths, and even what's best for a situation. You're like a walking strategy guide."

Her words were overwhelming. I didn't know whether to feel flattered or confused. "But... how does that make me a hero? If it's only useful for other people..."

"Who said it's only useful for other people?" Rimuru interrupted, her tone serious. "You're not seeing the big picture, Izuku. Your quirk isn't about throwing punches or blasting villains. It's about seeing what no one else sees, knowing what no one else knows. That's a power most heroes would kill for."

I looked down at my hands, her words sinking in. Could she really be right? Could this strange, invisible quirk of mine be something that could make me more than just "quirkless"?

Rimuru leaned back against the tree, her voice softer now. "Look, I get it. You've spent your whole life being told you can't be a hero. But the truth is, you've already been one in so many ways. You just haven't realized it yet."

I clenched my fists, determination starting to build in my chest. If what Rimuru said was true, then maybe—just maybe—there was a path forward for me after all.

"What do I do now?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and hope.

Rimuru smiled, her expression warm but calculating. "First, you trust yourself. And second... you start training that incredible brain of yours. If you're going to be a hero, Izuku, you're going to be the kind that changes everything."

Her words lit a fire inside me. For the first time, I felt like there was a real chance I could make my dream come true.

And I wasn't going to waste it.

The sun was warm overhead as Rimuru and I started walking home. I was still buzzing from our earlier conversation, my thoughts racing with all the possibilities she'd opened up for me. Could my quirk really be something that could change my future? The idea felt too big to grasp, but with Rimuru by my side, I was starting to believe it.

I was about to ask her another question when Rimuru suddenly stopped. Her entire demeanor shifted in an instant—her usual laid-back expression hardened into something sharp and focused.

"Rimuru?" I asked nervously.

She didn't answer. Instead, she grabbed my arm and yanked me closer, her blue eyes scanning the area like she was reading something only she could see. Then, without warning, she slammed her hand into the ground.

Before I could react, the earth beneath us gave way, and we fell into a narrow, makeshift tunnel. I barely had time to let out a yelp before we hit the bottom.

"Stay still," Rimuru whispered, her voice barely audible but firm. She pressed a finger to her lips, her gaze flickering upward.

My heart was pounding as I tried to make sense of what just happened. "Rimuru, what—"

"Shh!" she hissed, leaning closer. "We have villains above us. Don't make a sound."

Villains?! My blood ran cold. I froze, straining my ears to catch anything from above. At first, there was nothing but the muffled sounds of the city, but then I heard it—a low, gruff voice speaking in clipped tones.

"Did you see anyone?"

"No, but we can't take chances. Boss said to keep this area clear."

Another voice chimed in, this one lighter but just as menacing. "Relax. Who's going to notice us out here? We'll be done before anyone shows up."

I felt my stomach twist. These weren't just random people—they were up to something dangerous.

I turned to Rimuru, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do we do?"

Rimuru's eyes narrowed. She was completely calm, like she'd already planned out ten different scenarios in her head. She leaned in close, her voice steady.

"We wait. If they move on, we stay hidden. If they come this way..." She paused, her gaze sharpening. "Then I'll handle it."

Her confidence was reassuring, but I couldn't help the wave of panic rising in my chest. "But what if—"

"Izuku," she cut me off, her tone firm but not unkind. "Trust me."

I nodded, swallowing hard. I'd seen Rimuru in action before—she wasn't just confident, she was capable. Still, I couldn't stop the fear creeping in.

The voices above grew louder for a moment, and then they started to fade. I held my breath, waiting for Rimuru to signal that it was safe.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she exhaled softly and looked at me. "They're moving away. Let's give it a minute before we surface."

I nodded, my heart still racing. As we waited, I couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Rimuru had reacted. She didn't just have a plan—she'd executed it flawlessly, creating this hiding spot in seconds.

When she finally deemed it safe, Rimuru climbed out of the hole first, scanning the area before helping me up. The street looked normal, but there was an unsettling tension in the air.

"What were they doing here?" I asked, my voice shaky.

Rimuru's expression darkened. "Nothing good. They mentioned a boss, which means this isn't random." She turned to me, her gaze serious. "You okay?"

I nodded, even though my legs were still a little wobbly. "Yeah. Thanks for... you know, saving me."

She smirked, her usual confidence returning. "What are friends for?"

But as we walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning of something much bigger—and much more dangerous.