the blue blur of U.A

[A NEW DAWN]

The waves crashed against the rocky shore, their rhythmic pounding a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous week. Somewhere along this unyielding coastline, a boy drifted, half-submerged in the cold embrace of the ocean.

Shinichiro.

His body was battered, his once-vibrant blue hair dulled by saltwater and grime. Blood from his wounds mixed with the brine, painting the water in ghostly streaks of red. Yet, despite it all, his chest rose and fell weakly, each breath a stubborn refusal to surrender.

---

[HORI]

Hori clenched her fists as she sat at the edge of the police station steps, watching reporters buzz around like flies. Their incessant questions were the last thing she cared about.

"Miss Hori," a calm voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see the commissioner standing nearby, his face solemn.

"Have you reconsidered the witness protection offer? It's safer for you and the children to go into hiding until the investigation concludes."

"No." Her voice was firm, her eyes sharp despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "I told you, I'm not going anywhere until Shinichiro is found."

The commissioner sighed. "The search teams have scoured the nearby waters. We've found no trace of him. It's... unlikely that he survived."

"Unlikely isn't impossible," Hori snapped, rising to her feet. "He's out there. I know it."

She turned and stormed off, ignoring the commissioner's resigned expression. The faint click of her boots on the pavement echoed her resolve.

---

[SHINICHIRO]

The world around him was muted, an endless void of darkness. Shinichiro felt weightless, adrift in nothingness.

Yet, within that void, a voice called to him.

"Wake up, boy. You're not done yet."

His eyes fluttered open, the harsh light of a burning fire stabbing into his vision. He winced, groaning as pain rippled through his body.

"Ah, you're alive after all. Tougher than you look."

The voice belonged to a man sitting nearby, his silhouette framed by the fire's glow. He was older, with a weathered face and a thick beard streaked with gray. His piercing eyes studied Shinichiro with curiosity.

"Who...?" Shinichiro rasped, his throat dry and cracked.

"Name's Takeshi," the man said, handing him a tin cup of water. "Found you washed up on the beach. Figured you were dead, but you've got some fight in you."

Shinichiro sipped the water gratefully, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. "How long...?"

"Two days. Lucky you didn't bleed out. What happened, kid?"

Shinichiro hesitated, memories of the facility flashing through his mind—the Nomu, the kids, Hori's terrified face. "I... I need to get back. The others—"

Takeshi raised a hand, stopping him. "Easy there. You're in no condition to go anywhere. Rest first, then we'll talk."

Shinichiro wanted to argue, but his body betrayed him, exhaustion pulling him back into unconsciousness.

---

[MEANWHILE: ALL FOR ONE'S DOMAIN]

The darkened chamber hummed with an oppressive energy. A throne-like chair sat at the center, and on it lounged a figure cloaked in shadow. All For One.

Dr. Giraki knelt before him, trembling under the weight of his master's displeasure.

"You failed me, Gyudai," All For One said, his voice smooth but laced with menace. "Not only did you lose the facility, but the Nomu prototype was destroyed."

"My deepest apologies, Master," Giraki stammered, his forehead pressed to the cold floor. "But Experiment 626—he's more powerful than anticipated. With time, I can—"

"No excuses," All For One interrupted. "Your failure is unacceptable."

He leaned forward, the faint glow of his mask illuminating Giraki's terrified face. "However, this Shinichiro intrigues me. If he survived, I want him found. Alive. He may prove useful."

"Yes, Master," Giraki whispered, his voice trembling.

"And Gyudai," All For One added, his tone dark. "Do not disappoint me again."

---

[HORI AND THE CHILDREN: TRAINING GROUNDS]

Weeks passed, and the children under Hori's care began to rebuild their lives. They were housed in a secure facility funded by Pro Heroes, where counselors and trainers worked tirelessly to help them recover.

Hori, however, had a different focus.

She stood in the training yard, her hands glowing faintly as she summoned her quirk. A rose-colored shield bloomed around her, shimmering like glass. Sweat dripped from her brow as she strained to expand its radius.

"Again," she muttered to herself, pushing harder.

"Don't overdo it," a familiar voice called out.

Hori turned to see a hero approaching, their uniform crisp and imposing. Endeavor.

"You can't help anyone if you burn yourself out," he said gruffly.

"I don't have a choice," Hori shot back, determination blazing in her eyes. "I need to be stronger. For them. For Shinichiro."

Endeavor studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then let me help you. You'll need more than resolve to face what's coming."

---

[SHINICHIRO'S RECOVERY]

Under Takeshi's care, Shinichiro slowly regained his strength. The old man proved to be more than just a fisherman; he was a retired hero, one who had seen the rise and fall of countless battles.

"You've got power, kid," Takeshi said one evening as they trained on the beach. "But power without control is dangerous. You need discipline."

Shinichiro wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from the day's drills. "I don't have time for this. I need to get back to my friends."

"And what good will you be to them if you can't even stand after a fight?" Takeshi countered.

Shinichiro clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "I don't care. I'll keep pushing until I find them."

But why? Why am I doing this? Why do I care about those kids? I don't know any of them so why? Why all this recklessness? Just because I have a speed based quirk doesn't mean I should be reckless!

' No it doesn't '

So why! Why did I risk my life! Why did I risk the life of others! What would I have done if any of them had died! The blame would have been on my head!

' You did what you thought was right at the moment. '

Any of them could've died if they fought that

Nomu!

' But because of your self sacrifice you avoided that. '

But why did I even take that risk?!

' You already know don't you...you feel guilty, that's what's been eating you up. '

........

' Ever since you came to this world you've felt unworthy from the moment your transmigrated you felt it didn't you, the passing of a soul, the moment you entered this body, you felt the leaving of a soul. Every action your taking now is simply a product of your guilt, in your own mind you feel like you killed the boy. '

I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask to be sent to such a dangerous world!! who in their right mind would want to be in a world where danger lurks at every corner! A world where it's own government trains kids into child soldiers!

' You did... '

' Deep down, from the bottom of your heart, you're enjoying this. '

No I didn't want this!

' Sadly it's your new reality, deal with it '

Shinichiro sat down at the beach in silence as he contemplated his dilemma.

Takeshi sighed, placing a hand on the b oy's shoulder. "Then let me help you. Together, we'll make sure you're ready for whatever comes next."

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