Chapter Text
"We'll be having all of you participate in a special exercise!" The principal of UA High, Nezu, stood on a stage. The entire first year hero course sat there in anticipation. A special exercise, even in the top hero school, was a rare occurrence.
Both Heroics classes were excited for this special exercise. One student in particular was pumped - determination flowing through her.
Uraraka Ochako was like many of the hero hopefuls in her class, as she had a goal in mind she was out to reach. Only two of her classmates knew about her goals, and she was hoping that she could work with them in this special exercise.
"We have this particular special event take place during the end of each Fall to test everything you have learned over the first two semesters and your eventful Summers." Nezu explained, making the audience wait in anticipation.
"Are you excited, Uraraka-san?" A familiar voice called next to her. She turned with a bright smile that matched the sun towards the boy she held deep feelings for, and spoke.
"Of course I'm excited Deku-kun! I wonder what it is." Uraraka whispered to Deku when suddenly the Principal continued.
"We will have our annual Heroes vs Yakuza exercise!" Nezu smiled proudly. Though he was shocked when no one seemed excited.
No one reacted until a tall, blue haired boy raised his hands waiting to be called on. Luckily, the Principal decided to answer her friend's question. "Have a question Iida?"
"Sir what is a Yakuza?" Suddenly it dawned on her that the Yakuza generally didn't exist anymore - her first, and possibly last, encounter with a Yakuza family was with the Shie Hassaikai.
"I see. It seems like most of you are not aware of the criminals that used to rule Japan from the shadows for centuries. A Yakuza is a criminal organization that deals with many illegal activities, depending on how they run their operations. They nearly became extinct after the rise of All Might" Nezu explained, making everyone stare in disbelief that such a feat was possible. Almost wiping out an entire brand of criminals? Impossible! Though, it was All Might...
Another student from their sister class spoke up with his hand raised. "If they’re extinct, then why are we learning about them?"
" Were Extinct, young man. Recently we discovered a few rising crimes related to Yakuza encounters." Nezu showed a few symbols - one she instantly recognized as the Shie Hassaikai. ' They’re rising again. ' She thought, cold fear gripping her chest.
"That's not all, as dealing with a Yakuza organization is extremely dangerous and isn't anything like a bank robbery or a serial killer. You could theoretically take down a drug ring or two, but a Yakuza family works bigger than that, as they deal with many departments in the underworld." Nezu spoke in a serious tone that gave the message out to everyone listening.
Stepping down, a teacher with yellow hair wearing a ridiculous amount of leather walked up to the stage, taking the spotlight. "CAN I GET A HEEEY!!!"
"..."
Sighing, the teacher started speaking about the exercise. "As you can all tell, this is a team exercise, so everyone is allowed to pick sides. Isn't that exciting!?" Present Mic grinned, making a few people nod with excitement. Mainly Uraraka, since she wanted to team up with Izuku in particular.
"However! We must tell you that the winning team will receive extra credit and let's say… a special reward for those who want to have that nice bonus after taking down a major threat." This had everyone excited about the sudden idea of the mysterious prize.
"It's good to see you are all excited for this, listeners! So, let's roll that wheel to see who would be the Commander and Protector of your city!!!" A giant wheel displayed on a screen and spun similarly to how it did at the Sports Festival, making everyone perch on the edge of their seats in anticipation of who the chosen Protector would be.
Once it stopped, everyone gasped in awe at the face that was suddenly on the screen.
"URARAKA OCHAKO! THE GRAVITY HERO, URAVITY!!!!"
Ochako squealed in surprise as everyone gave her a round of applause for being the chosen commander to defeat the Yakuza. "I got it! Deku I'm commander!"
"I'm so happy for you Uraraka-san!" Deku smiled, giving her a thumbs up in his attempt to encourage her.
"AND WHO WOULD BE THE EVIL BOSS SET TO DESTROY THE HEROES?! IT IS...!" The wheel spun again, and people weren't that excited about possibly being a villain, but everyone was still curious on who it was going to be.
The wheel stopped and everyone turned towards the green haired boy sitting next to her.
"MIDORIYA IZUKU!!!"
He was shocked - and probably nervous - from suddenly having all eyes shift to him; the others scoping out the villain of the exercise. He turned towards her nervously, and spoke in a soft voice. "I guess we aren't going to be on the same team, huh, Uraraka-san?"
"It's ok, Deku, I'm sure you’ll do great!" She gave a small smile, unsure of how to help her friend not take the exercise seriously.
Thankfully Mic came to the rescue and started speaking up again. "Now that we have our two leaders, I will say that whatever side you choose, you cannot switch after you vote. This exercise will take place in a far off training sight called Ground Alpha, and the event will be five days long. Make sure to pack for a week's supply of necessities!"
"Five days? That is a long time." Iida commented in a thinking pose.
"Step up and enter the booth in a calm manner, no peeking to see if one group has more than the other, or pairing up with friends." Mic announced as Aizawa and Snipe strolled in with two boxes and a set of curtains.
While everyone was making it to the booths, both Deku and her walked towards Nezu and asked a few questions. "Principal Nezu, we have a few questions for this exercise?"
"Yes, I was gonna tell you after the votes but now is perfect as any. So what do you want to know first?" Nezu asked, turning towards Ochako.
"First off: what our objectives sir?" Ochako asked, determination in her eyes.
"Ah yes, all the heroes have to do is catch all the Yakuza members before the fifth day to secure your victory. As for the Yakuza, you simply have to take the Heroes out of commission, this could mostly be done by killing them off." Nezu explained, and both leaders were horrified by the Yakuza's way of winning.
Deku, being the worry wart he is, decided to ask an important question. "How is ‘death’ in this exercise determined?”
"Quite simply! If a Hero falls unconscious in battle by the hands of a villain they are considered defenseless, resulting in death. However, there are other options you can come up with as the best option for effective kills is using paintball guns. Each shot would be analyzed by the gun expert Snipe to determine if it was a kill shot." Nezu explained, making both of them sigh in relief that they don't have to severely hurt each other.
"Okay, but what about classes?" She asked hoping this planning won't interfere with her studies.
"They will be put on hold until after the exercise as you will have to focus on plans, training, and teams to help run your agency." Nezu informed her. Deku was about to speak up when the Voice Hero started speaking again.
"All the votes have been cast, so let us see who would be on whose team!" Turning towards the projector Ochako was shocked at what she saw.
There were no volunteers for the Yakuza team. Everyone decided to join the Hero team instead, leaving Deku by himself.
Everyone was shocked at the one-sided team up, but there was one person more shocked than everyone in the room.
Turning towards the green haired boy, what Ochako saw made her heart ache. She witnessed betrayal across his face, as he looked down in shame. "Deku?" She called softly.
"Um, isn't this a bit unfair?" Mic asked Nezu in an unsure tone.
"Ah, yes I guess I would have to make-" He didn't get to finish as someone spoke up.
"No." Everyone turned to stare in shock at the green haired boy glaring at the principal with fiery rage in his eyes.
"No? But Midoriya this is unfair." The blond tried to reason with the kid.
"Life is unfair, it's up to us to counteract that." Deku spoke up as Ochako had flashbacks to the first day of school. Turning around, she was met with her wide-eyed homeroom teacher.
"Mr. Midoriya, surely you don't wish to face all the students? You would be a-" Nezu didn't get to finish again as Deku cut him off.
"I'm sure sir. If they want to stay on the safe side and leave me alone to fight a losing battle, then let them." He spoke up, gaining a few guilty looks from his peers.
"Little listener, you will be outcasted and-" Mic shut up when the boy glared at him with pure determination in his eyes.
"This isn't the first time, but this will definitely be the last time I'm outcast again. Let me prove myself that I can win this war. Besides, heroes often are outnumbered in real life." Deku spoke with such anger and determination that Ochako was scared of what was going through her friend's head.
Looking around, she wasn't the only one. Many of her peers had worried faces, and some even grinning at the easy win.
Nezu stared at Deku for a long time, until he fixed his collar and turned towards the crowd. "Congratulations on joining your respective teams and please make sure to give it your all! A real Plus Ultra performance!"
"Principal Nezu, you can't be serious!" Ochako asked incredulously, staring at the dog/rat/bear as if he actually grew a second head.
"Young Midoriya wished to fight you all his own way. I will allow him. All you have to worry about is capturing him, young Uraraka. It should be fairly easy with much resources and manpower on your side." Principal Nezu spoke while walking towards Deku, both chatting and turning to walk away.
Before he was out of the stage, he turned towards her giving a small smile as he shouted giving a thumbs up. "LET'S DO OUR BEST!"
Ochako didn't know how to feel about fighting her crush in an impossible situation for him. However, she didn't want to disappoint him so she gave a shaky thumbs up for him too.
She wondered who would win, the young heroine with the world backing her up, or the young Yakuza outcast by society.