Six minutes later—
"No. No. No… they're all going down no matter where I go! At this rate, I won't get a single point!"
Izumi Midoriya panicked.
"Huff… huff… one—I just need one!"
She ran deeper into the mock battleground, her eyes darting to students fighting robots at every turn.
"How?! How can I get a point in this environment?!"
Six minutes had passed, and she still had nothing to show for it—only falling further behind.
Her only hope now was finding a lone robot barely standing.
Just one lucky encounter.
One.
One.
One—
I need to pass this test… I need to make All Might proud!
"In this practical exam, the examinees have not been informed of the number or location of the villains."
Principal Nezu spoke as he observed the students through multiple screens.
"They are given limited time in a vast area—forcing them to compete and venture outward."
"Leaving them to rely on their quirks to the fullest."
The observation room was dim, illuminated by green-tinted monitors.
"The ability to grasp your surroundings and gather information…"
"Mobility that can adapt to different situations…"
"Discernment—the ability to remain calm…"
"And finally…"
"Pure combat capability."
The screens displayed a variety of participants—each showing different strengths.
But for some, the last point drew their attention to a single screen.
A boy swinging between buildings—
A girl on his back, striking robots as they passed.
Points climbed rapidly:
Hikaru Aoyama
Takedowns: 164
Rescues: 23
Ochaco Uraraka
Takedowns: 87
While the girl accumulated points at a steady pace, the boy's total skyrocketed.
His clones spread throughout the mock city—supporting allies, controlling the battlefield, and turning everything in his favor.
"These are the fundamental abilities needed to maintain peace," Principal Nezu said calmly.
"Doesn't this year's group look promising?"
Midnight smiled, still watching the screen.
Her gaze shifted briefly to another panel—showing the same boy earlier with two fox girls, only for their target to be taken down by someone else.
"Tell me—what do you think that boy's quirk is?"
"I've counted cloning, rope manipulation, what looks like healing, and energy shields."
"Isn't that a strange combination?"
"Indeed," Nezu replied, sipping his tea. "Which is why I agree with you."
"This group is quite interesting… even if we exclude that one participant."
At the back, a man approached a control panel.
"Well… we can't be sure just yet."
He pressed a few buttons, flipping open a covered switch.
"Their real test is about to begin."
The mock city trembled.
From the streets to the rooftops—everything shook.
The ground split as a giant awakened from its mechanical slumber—its arms bursting through buildings as it rose.
Its sensors lit up, scanning everything.
Thoom. Thoom.
It stood at full height—colossal—visible to every examinee.
Izumi froze.
Her legs trembled, just like they had when she first encountered a robot.
Its tracks rolled forward, crushing asphalt beneath them.
Rumble. Rumble. Rumble.
Target. Target. Target.
Its systems scanned the dozens of students below.
Its fist pulled back—
BOOOOM!!!
The ground exploded nearby.
Dust filled the air.
Screams followed.
"Haa… haa…"
Izumi trembled.
She tried to move—but it felt like her shoes were glued to the ground.
Why am I shaking…?
"Haa… haa…"
The Zero Pointer raised its arm again.
This isn't what I wanted…
I just needed one… a one-pointer, a two-pointer—something I could beat…
Her instincts screamed at her to run.
Move. Move. Move.
But her legs wouldn't respond.
Why… why am I freezing?!
"Haa… haa…"
There's no point in staying here…
She looked up.
The robot scanned again—
And locked onto her.
Her arms lifted slightly—unconsciously.
She felt it.
The roughness of her palms.
Her fists tightening.
Steady.
Strong.
Izumi's hands were proof of ten months of hard work.
Memories flashed—
The beach.
The trash.
The early mornings.
The endless training.
All leading to one truth:
You can become a hero.
That was it.
Tears streamed down her face.
"If you won't let me move back…"
Her arms lowered slightly—
"Then give me the strength to move forward."
She slammed her foot down.
"Let me run forward… let me keep moving… and never stop!"
Step.
Step.
Step.
Her body moved.
She didn't care about points anymore.
She didn't care about fear.
People were screaming.
They were afraid.
And she couldn't let that stand.
She had to show them—
That she was here!!!
BOOOOOOM—
The ground shattered beneath her leap.
This was the moment Izumi's heroic spirit was born.
The day Deku showed herself to the world.
"SMASSSSSHHH!!"
SHATTER!!!
The world roared with the sound of breaking metal and glass.