Chapter 23: The Warrior's Path
The silence on the dirt field was absolute.
The heavy moments after Zoro had neutralized Bakugo made everyone focus entirely on their tests. Nobody wanted to get in the swordsman's way.
Once the final student finished the side-steps, Aizawa pressed a button on a small remote. A large holographic projection lit up in the air above the dirt track, displaying a list of twenty names.
"The total scores are a reflection of your performance in all the tests," Aizawa explained lazily, his fingers tapping on his clipboard. "Look for yourselves."
Zoro looked at the glowing board.
1- Momo Yaoyorozu
2- Shoto Todoroki
3- Roronoa Zoro
4- Katsuki Bakugo
...
20- Izuku Midoriya
Zoro scoffed. He had completely bombed the side-step test and the distance run, but maxing out the grip strength and the softball throw had easily secured him the third spot.
Bakugo stared at the number '4' next to his name. Then he looked at the number '3'. His teeth ground together so hard his jaw ached, but for the first time in his life, he didn't yell. He didn't cause an explosion. He just stared at his own shaking hands. The extra without a Quirk had outscored him. And the swordsman had completely paralyzed him with a look. His absolute pride was shattered. He needed to get stronger. Fast.
Meanwhile, Midoriya looked at the absolute bottom of the list. Number twenty. Despair washed over him. He had failed.
"By the way," Aizawa added, flashing a creepy, unsettling smile. "I lied about the expulsion."
The entire class froze.
"It was a logical deception," Aizawa continued, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I needed to draw out your absolute best limits. Welcome to U.A. High."
"W-What?!" Midoriya yelled, his soul practically leaving his body.
"Of course it was a lie," Yaoyorozu sighed, shaking her head. "It was quite obvious if you just thought it through."
Zoro stretched his neck, hearing a satisfying pop. Tricking kids to make them work hard? What a weird school.
The rest of the day was filled with basic orientation and getting their syllabuses. Zoro spent most of it sleeping. He wasn't interested in school rules.
The next afternoon arrived quickly. It was time for Hero Basic Training.
The classroom was quiet until heavy, rapid footsteps echoed from the hallway.
"I AM..." a booming, iconic voice echoed.
The massive door swung open violently.
"...COMING THROUGH THE DOOR LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!" All Might roared, striking a ridiculous pose in his Silver Age hero costume.
The class erupted in cheers.
"It's All Might!" Kaminari yelled in excitement.
"Wow, he really is a teacher here!" Kirishima added.
Zoro opened one eye, looking at the massive, smiling muscle-man at the front of the room. His single eye narrowed in deep thought.
Wait a minute... I know this guy, Zoro thought, his mind quickly flashing back. He's the exact same guy who was watching Midoriya clean up that trash-filled beach before the entrance exam. So this is the number one hero? And now he's our teacher?
Zoro shifted his gaze to Midoriya, who was looking at All Might with pure admiration. The kid who had absolutely no power suddenly gets a destructive Quirk, and the number one hero was secretly training him... that's no coincidence. Zoro smirked slightly. The pieces were falling into place, but he kept his deductions to himself.
"Welcome to the most important class in U.A. High!" All Might announced, his booming voice echoing off the walls. "Here, you will learn the basics of being a pro! And today's activity is... BATTLE TRAINING!"
Bakugo's head snapped up, a violent, eager grin returning to his face.
"And to go with your first battle," All Might pointed to the wall. Massive mechanical panels slid open, revealing twenty metallic slots. Only nineteen suitcases carrying the students' seat numbers were visible. One slot was empty. "Costumes! Made based on your Quirk registrations and personal requests!"
"Wait, only 19 suitcases?" All Might boomed, counting the glowing slots. He checked his clipboard. "Roronoa Zoro... student number 3. You submitted a waiver?"
Aizawa, who was standing sleepily by the door, nodded. "Student number 3 registered as 'Quirkless' and explicitly declined the costume support. He stated he already had his own."
"Excellent!" All Might smiled broadly. "Confidence in your own skin! I love it! The rest of you, get changed and meet me at Ground Beta!"
Zoro watched the others grab their cases. He didn't need flashy gear provided by a school. He just needed his swords.
Ten minutes later, the heavy metal doors of Ground Beta slowly opened.
All Might stood proudly in the center of the fake city, watching his students walk out into the sunlight. They all looked completely different. Midoriya in his green suit, Bakugo in his grenade gauntlets, and Iida in his full mechanical armor.
But All Might's eyes immediately locked onto the swordsman stepping out from the back of the group. Zoro had kept his word, and he looked like a true warrior from a forgotten era.
Zoro was wearing a simple, clean white shirt with three undone buttons at the top, emphasizing his muscular neck. Below that, he wore black trousers and heavy boots, held together by his distinctive green haramaki. The three swords rested securely on his hip. Tied firmly around his left bicep was his signature black bandana, and hanging from his left ear were three gold earrings that looked like tiny, intricate swords. He looked dangerous, efficient, and completely focused.
"They say the clothes make the man, young ladies and gentlemen!" All Might announced, sizing up his class. "Be aware... from now on, you are heroes! Now, let's draw the lots for the two-on-two indoor battles!"
Zoro rested his hand on his swords, his sharp eye scanning the fake buildings.
A real fight, Zoro thought, his blood starting to pump. Let's see what these kids are really made of.
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