Chapter 110: Chapter 20
The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Midoriya household, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Izuku, sporting a physique far more filled out than it had been just a few months ago, devoured his breakfast with gusto. A double helping of eggs, rice, and grilled fish disappeared in record time, fueling the intense training regimen All Might had prescribed.
Inko Midoriya watched her son with a mixture of pride and concern. His appetite was a but concerning, but she felt immense joy seeing him so driven, a stark contrast to the dejected boy he once was. The TV played softly in the background, the morning news droning about various incidents and hero spotlights.
Suddenly, the tone shifted, and a familiar image flashed across the screen: Kamen Rider. Footage played of the vigilante battling Kamui Woods, Tidal, Siren, and even the powerhouse Mirko. The report highlighted his mysterious powers, the strange creatures he summoned, and the ongoing debate about his methods.
Izuku's eyes widened, his fork pausing mid-air. He became completely engrossed, his analytical mind kicking into overdrive. Kamen Rider… what's his Quirk? He watched, fixated on the display. He uses cards… some kind of summoning ability?
The dragon, the crab… they didn't look like any Quirks he'd ever seen. And that fighting style, the way he moved… efficient, brutal, and focused.
"He seems to have multiple abilities," Izuku muttered, almost unconsciously. Summoning, enhanced strength, agility… is it multiple quirks? No, that's not possible. Everyone only has one. He shook his head slightly, dismissing the thought.
Inko, sensing her son's intense focus, gently placed a hand on his arm. "Izu, dear, remember to chew properly. You don't want to choke."
Izuku startled, blinking and snapping back to reality. "Ah, sorry, Mom!" He quickly finished the last of his meal, a sheepish grin on his face. "Thanks for breakfast! It was amazing, as always."
He stood, grabbing his backpack and heading for the door. "Gotta get going! All Might is probably waiting for me."
"Be careful, Izuku!" Inko called after him, her voice filled with affection. "And try not to get into any trouble!"
Izuku laughed, waving over his shoulder. "I'll do my best, Mom! See you later!" He was out the door and heading toward Takoba Municipal Beach Park, his mind still buzzing with questions about the enigmatic Kamen Rider.
The salty air hit Izuku as he arrived at Takoba Municipal Beach Park. Though considerable progress had been made, mounds of discarded appliances, twisted metal, and plastic still littered the sand. The sheer volume was daunting, but Izuku was not deterred. He stretched, feeling the satisfying pull in his muscles, a tangible sign of his growth.
Only a few months remained before the U.A. entrance exam. The pressure was immense, but his resolve was firmer. As he began hauling a rusted refrigerator toward the designated scrap pile, Kamen Rider crossed his thoughts. The news reports painted a grim picture: a vigilante, a killer, an outlaw. But something about it didn't sit right.
Is he a hero or a villain? Izuku pondered, grunting with effort as he heaved the refrigerator onto a makeshift cart. He saved those people from Inferno… but the news said he kills villains.
The concept of a hero who took lives was unsettling. It went against everything All Might stood for, everything Izuku aspired to be. Maybe he has a reason? He mused. But that doesn't give him the right to take a life.
He continued his work, the physical strain a welcome distraction from the swirling questions. Sweat beaded on his brow, and his muscles burned, but he pressed on, driven by an unshakeable determination. Each discarded item represented a step closer to his dream, a symbol of the strength he was building, both physical and mental.
The sound of rhythmic footsteps broke through his concentration. Glancing up, he saw a figure jogging along the shoreline, a lean, athletic man with an easy stride. There was something familiar about him.
As the jogger drew closer, Izuku's eyes widened in recognition.
The man waved, calling out, "Hey, you're the kid from the Sludge Villain incident, right?"
Izuku, surprised, straightened up, wiping his hands on his pants. "Oh! Yes, that's me. I'm Izuku Midoriya."
The jogger stopped, a friendly smile on his face. "Ace," he said, extending a hand. "Ace Ukiyo."
Izuku shook his hand, a surge of nervous energy coursing through him. He wasn't used to talking to people, especially not someone so… put together. "It's nice to meet you, Ace. What brings you here?"
Ace shrugged, gesturing toward the beach with a sweeping motion. "Just my morning run. Couldn't help but notice you were working hard. Why are you cleaning this beach?"
Izuku's face flushed, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm training. I want to go to U.A. and become a Pro Hero."
"U.A., huh?" Ace replied, his eyes gleaming with understanding.
Suddenly, a cacophony erupted in Ace's mind.
What's with this kid? He's all scrawny and nerdy! Momotaros barked.
Hush, Momo. He's just a kid with a dream, Urataros countered smoothly.
He's working hard. That's admirable, Kintaros rumbled approvingly.
He's nice! Can we be friends with him? Ryutaros chimed in excitedly.
Ace sighed internally. Not now, Ryutaros.
He glanced at Izuku, seeing the raw ambition burning in his eyes. It reminded him of himself, not so long ago, stepping into a world far bigger and stranger than he could have imagined. Being a Kamen Rider, he reflected, wasn't all flashy battles and heroic poses. There were tough calls, sacrifices, and constant struggle to balance responsibility with his own sense of right and wrong. It was living his dream, sure, but a dream tempered by harsh reality.
"That's great," Ace said, his voice tinged with sincerity. "It's not easy, but it's worth it." He paused, considering his words carefully. "I'm kind of living my dream, too, in a way. It's not always what I expected, but I'm learning as I go. You will as well. You're already putting in the work and effort, so it's not going to be difficult."
He smiled encouragingly, offering a simple but genuine sentiment. "Good luck, Izuku. I'm sure you'll do great."
Izuku's eyes widened, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Thank you! I'll do my best!" He seemed to stand a little taller, his shoulders squared with renewed purpose.
Suddenly, Momotaros' voice boomed in Ace's mind, cutting through the quiet moment. Oi, Ace! I smell something… Imagin!
Ace's head snapped up, his senses on high alert. Where? He asked, his thoughts racing.
Close, Real close! Momotaros exclaimed, his excitement palpable.
Ace turned back to Izuku, his expression shifting to one of urgency. "Well, I better get going. I have some business to take care of."
He clapped Izuku on the shoulder, offering a final word of encouragement. "Keep working hard. You've got this."
Before Izuku could respond, Ace had already started to move, breaking into a sprint down the beach. With a final wave goodbye, he was gone.
Izuku watched him disappear, a whirlwind of motion and purpose. A warm sensation filled him, a surge of confidence fueled by Ace's unexpected encouragement. It wasn't just platitudes; he saw genuine conviction in the man's eyes, a shared understanding of what it meant to chase a dream.
Resuming his work, Izuku attacked the trash pile with renewed vigor. Ace's words echoed in his mind, a reminder that hardship was inevitable, but the rewards were immeasurable. He vowed to push himself even harder, to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of becoming a hero.
Occasionally, he glanced in the direction that Ace had disappeared, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Who was he? What kind of "business" required such urgent departure? Was he a Pro Hero?
He pushed the thoughts aside, refocusing on the task. Whatever Ace was, his words had struck a chord. Muscles screaming, breath ragged, Izuku hauled another tire onto the pile, his eyes burning with determination. U.A. High was waiting, and he would be ready.
***
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