Izuku gazed at the small business card in his hand. His thumb trailed over its smooth surface and carefully traced its print. The lettering was a fine crimson and caught Izuku's eye. There was a small smile inching across his face and the expression tugged at his outermost freckles. The number across the bottom seemed to call his name, but he stopped himself from punching it into the home phone and bothering the only person willing to give him a shot.

.....

Days had passed since Yagi met the young Midoriya, and he couldn't get the boy out of his mind. The child's familiar mop of green and energetic eyes. Izuku's eyes were what astonished him the most. They were soft and kind, yet stern. Few men let alone children have a burning desire to be great, but out of anyone Yagi had seen, Izuku's fire burnt with the most vigor.

Yagi let out a breath. The warm air tickled the bottom of his nose as he intently studied the thick binder on his desk. The black leather was ripping from its overload of papers. He ran a finger down the side of the organizer and against its many tabs. He stopped when he reached the green tab and opened the binder. Inside of it was everything he had on each hopeful for the new program, but at the moment he was on Izuku Midoriya's tab. Yagi needed to review everything on the boy if he was going to pitch him to the board. The man let out an exhausted yawn and rubbed his face. He let out a huff and began to mutter under his breath what was on the laminated papers on his desk. "Inko Midoriya alive and present, meanwhile Hisashi Midoriya is missing in action." Yagi looked up at a graduation photo on his desk and glued his eyes to the man his arm was resting on. The man's grassy hair flowed with the strong winds that day. Yagi shook his head and tried his best to focus on the task at hand. He needed to win over the room, but how could he do such a thing. They wanted a safe pick that has little to no chance of blowing up in their face, and Izuku wasn't that.

.....

Izuku held an apple in his hands and looked at it with curiosity. He watched as its red skin sparkled and studied its few imperfections carefully. He raised the fruit and took a bite out of it. A loud crunch was followed by a sweet taste dancing along his tongue. The sugary nectar streamed from his mouth and down the side of his chin. Izuku held the fruit in front of him and loosed up from a moment. He felt his quirk began to surge and a few sparks began to bounce off of his skin. He focused on the apple in his grasp and tried to direct his quirk into it. Izuku watched as it began to vibrate and in mere seconds it exploded. The innereds of the apple splattered across the kitchen and the whiplash for Izuku's quirk sent him flying into the living room. He slammed into the back of the couch and winced. He placed a hand on the back of his head and sniffed as he felt a warm leak from his nose. He ran a single finger under it and wiped away the blood. He looked at the excrete and let out a disappointed exhale. He had to get better, but there was only one way.

.....
Yagi paced around the office with his hands gripping his small waist. He was gritting his teeth in annoyance and forced out horse breaths."Toshinori take a seat," suggested a rodent like creature sitting behind a desk.  The desk was littered with small trinkets with little meaning to anyone but its owner, and photographs from U.A.'s most famous class ever that included the like of Endeavor, All Might, Eraserhead, and even a few lesser known heroes. Nezu placed his small paws on the desk as he looked towards Yagi. Nezu was small in stature and his appearance made him seem harmless. His snowy fur seemed untarnishable and his button like eyes could be described as adorable. The head of U.A. paid little attention to the other hero sitting in his office.

Aizawa crossed his arms and glared at the surface of Nezu's desk. He was slumped backwards in his chair and the man's face was deadpan. Nezu's worry wasn't with Eraserhead at moment, but instead Yagi who was visibly frustrated.

Yagi glanced to the mouse like man and let out a baffled laugh. He raised a hand and pointed a finger to Nezu and then quickly to Aizawa."You both are making a mistake !"

Aizawa looked at Toshinori and rolled his dark eyes."You and this damn kid. Obviously, no-one else can see it and that's probably for a reason; he's an accident waiting to happen."Yagi bit the inside of his cheek and looked away." You know I'm right, don't you ?"

"He's not wrong," said Nezu."Midoriya had the lowest probability of finding success in the program."

Yagi chucked,"You and your damn math. Those calculations don't mean a damn thing when we're talking about stuff like this ! You people don't look below the surface and that's the issue; you just see what the sheet says, but not the kid !"

"And what exactly has he shown you ?", countered Aizawa."What words did he tell you that assured you he'd be a great hero, or is it something else entirely, is it his damn name ?"

Nezu said,"He'd never let something so personal cloud his judgment. Toshinori can be emotional, but he wouldn't allow personal ties to come between a child's chance at chasing their dream."

Yagi's face rested in the palms of his hands as he muttered,"Thank you."

"However, I am struggling to see it with Midoriya."

Yagi pulled his hand from his face and raised them into the air in annoyance."Are you being serious ! How can you not see it with him ? If it was up to me he would've been at the top of the board."

Aizawa let out a laugh."Oh, that's comical, you really think Midoriya should've been that high ?"

"Without a doubt."

"Over Bakugo and Todoroki, Hell he shouldn't have even been over Uraraka !"

Yagi turned and looked at Aizawa,"Don't try acting like you agreed with the final spot either. I know you're angry that Ikason didn't get it."

"Damn right I'm mad ! That kid is special but because his quirk is scary people don't appreciate him."

Yagi chuckled,"Is that what you tell yourself, because that isn't close to the truth ? The  real reason he wasn't chosen was because of character concerns."

"Ch-Character concerns ? The kid just needs a little guidance is all, just like Bakugo."

"Ikason was unstable Aizawa," said Nezu."The child's record showed many outburst that resulted in innocents being harmed and the boy's background doesn't help him."

"Are you trying to tell me because he doesn't have a Mommy or Daddy he can't be a hero ?"

"No, not at all, but for other varying reasons he failed to take the spot."

Yagi shook his head and began to battle with his blond hair."Yet the board managed to vote him a head of Midoriya, that baffles me."

Nezu looked Yagi in the eyes and gave him his explanation on the matter."Ikason was decided against because of character flaws and Midoriya was voted against because there are two many glaring issues. The boy has an unpredictable quirk that could hurt not only himself but also his tendency to act based off of emotions. Simply put, Izuku Midoriya has no business in U.A."

.....

A slender man stood at the bottom of a short stone stairwell and played with a blade in his hands. The sharp tip of the blade pierced his fingertip and drew blood. The crimson liquid trailed down his pale hands and onto the iron of the blade. His chaotic eyes followed the blood and a small, psychotic grin began to etch across his face. His web like eyes would shift as he began to activate his quirk. The man  slowly lifted his head and his strange eyes shifted to the grand door at the top of the staircase. He continued to cut his fingertips as he asked with mild annoyance,"Where the hell is he ?"

A man sitting on the staircase looked down at him and rolled his vibrant orange eyes. The man was adorned in just a pair of black slacks and let out  fiery puff. The cigar resting between his lips caught a flame and bounced as he spoke."If it was up to me I'd burn you to a crisp for being so restless. A man with nothing to his name has no right to rush Hirota."

"What are you his mut ?"

The man on the staircase burst into flames and shouted,"Why I oughta-" He stopped himself as he heard the heavy door behind creak open. The sound echoed throughout the dark chamber and caught the attention of everyone. The man on the ground floor continued to play with the blade in his hand and chuckled,"So the legend is a man after all ?"

"Of course he is you buffoon !" The blazing man felt a hand lightly press his shoulder. His quirk began to ease and the fire engulfing his body faded away.

"There's no need to let him ruffle your feathers Kasami; He's not a worry of yours." Kasami turned his head and looked at the tall man behind him. Hirota's olive face was wrinkled and the red tips of his long hair fell over his small eyebrows and rested above his bloody eyes. Hirota took his hand from Kasami and to his own side. He looked to the man at the bottom of the staircase and began to walk down the steps. The tall man's steps were slow as he worked his way down and despite his signs of age the man still carried himself high. Hirtoa stopped as he came inches from his guest and looked into the man's psychotic eyes."Kakuro, you are a wildcard."

Kakuro's short purple hair barely kissed his brow as he looked to the taller man. His web like eyes rotated again and a thick cloud bursted around him, engulfind both him and Hirota. he  lifted the blade in his hand and planned on taking a jab to Hirtoa but he froze. Kasami watched with a sly grin as red sparks revealed themselves even through the foggy wall. The mist slowly dissipated and revealed was Hirota holding up a single hand. His right hand illuminated a bright red and his eyes deep crimson had began show more signs of life. Kakuro was frozen in place and grimaced as he felt his body weakening. His arms trembled as he tried to break the hold on him and became drenched with sweat as he struggled.

"You underestimated me because of my current form," said Hirota with a furrowed brow."Usually I would kill someone without hesitation for such trickery and cowardness, but you are of use to me." Hirota angled his fingers as he increased the strength of his quirk and the man's wrinkled skin began to slowly smooth."Do you understand that I could kill you without breaking a sweat ? All you are is an insect I've decided is worth my time, so it would be in your best interest to not squander such an opportunity or i'll have to squash you like I 've done to every other obstacle that has stood in my way." Kakuro gritted his teeth in response."I will take that as a yes." Hirota then released the thin man and the worn Kakuro fell to his knees. The man knelt on the ground for seconds until he felt energy rush back into his body.

Kakuro gazed up to the man standing over him and curriousy morphed his eyebrows as he witnessed the wrinkles return to Hirota. Hirota played with the cuffs of his robe and cleared his throat."Now you see why I need your help. Kakuro I want you to do something for me, and if you are to complete the task without any complications you will be paid handsomely." Hirota finally looked from his wrist and to Kakuro who was in the midst of standing up."I need you to find powerful men and women and bring them here."

Kakuro sheathed his blade and grinned,"Sounds exhilarating."

"This isn't some game !", shouted Kasami.

Kakuro ignored Kasami and asked with a smile,"Why me, couldn't you do this yourself all powerful Lord Hirota ?"

"I don't find your mocking humorous, but I'll fancy you with an answer because you deserve the truth if you'll be cooperating with me." The dimly lit chamber grew quite as the explanation was awaited."Despite the power of my quirk it is not perfect; it has limitations and drains my body when I use it, and because of this I must drain powerful people of their power to sustain myself."

"So you're an im-"

"Hirota did you just relay private information like that to a stranger ! What if he decides to use the against you and reveals it to enemies of us !"

"You shouldn't have such innocent worries," said Hirota." If he shows me even a glimmer of disobedience then I will kill him without hesitation."

Kakuro gazed into Hirota's eyes as he explained,"I came here to kill you; I thought it would be a fun, exciting challenge, but this sounds much better, however I am wondering if I can still toy with my prey ? "

Hirota let out a low chuckle," Your chaos is amusing."

A man sprinted down a hallway and spun as he avoided a cold wall. He tumbled to the ground and recovered by pushing his hand against the floor. He gasped as he continued his run and when he ran through an opened door shouted,"Sir, Sir, Sir !"

Hirota turned his head and looked curiously to a hall by him and Kakuro."It better be urgent if you're interrupting me."

The man placed two hands on his knees and gasped for air."I-I-It is... I h-have a message for you."

"And what is it ?"

"I think name would be a better word sir. T-There was a boy trying to enlist in the new U.A. program and his name is... Midoriya."

.....

Yagi sat in his office and looked at the phone resting on his desk. The man frowned as he let out a sigh and slumped his shoulders. He reached a hand to his neck and undid the tire wrapped around his collar. He grabbed the red accessory and tossed it behind himself and onto the floor. The man placed his face into his hands and groaned. He had failed Izuku and his old friend. He wanted nothing more than to be there for the boy but wasn't able to do it, and now he had to call the boy and break the news to him.

Yagi let out a breath as he reached for the phone on his desk. The man ran his thumb along it's screen and worked his way to the Midoriyas' residence residing in his contacts. He clicked on the tab and pulled his phone to his ear. His heart ached as he listened to each ring.

Izuku laid in his bed and anxiously rolled in circles. He had waited all day for something from Mr. Yagi but nothing had come, or that was the case until the home phone began to ring. Izuku reacted to the sound by rolling off of his bed and scurried across the carpeted floor. He ran through this cracked door and zipped into the kitchen of his home. The boy dogged his mother and grabbed the phone. Izuku gasped,"He-Hello ?"

Inko slid a ceramic lab into the blazing oven as she asked," Who is it sweetie ?"

"Ahh help young Midoriya it is Mr. Yagi," answered the man on the other end of the call.

Izuku pulled his head from the phone and explained,"It's Mr. Yagi."

"Oh !", squeaked Inko."Is it about U.A. ?"

"Probably. Hey Mr. Yagi, why are you calling ?"

The middle-aged man nearly choked at the mention of U.A. He waited a second to regain his composure and gave the boy an answer."Yes, it is about that."

A small grin beamed across Izuku's face but it quickly lost its glimer. The grim tone in Yagi's voice worried the boy and gave him an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Yagi let out a huff and delved into what had transpired earlier."Today was the day when the Board decided to vote on the thirty children that would be allowed into the program; it went much like I expected and the final spot came between you and two other boys." Yagi let out a heartfelt apology,"I'm so sorry Izuku, but they wouldn't vote you into that spot."  Yagi could feel his eyes growing damp and his throat thickening."I-I tried to argue for you but they wouldn't listen; they thought you were too much of a variable."

Izuku felt a lump in his throat and tried speaking but he couldn't muster anything, so instead he focused on the tile floor. His emerald eyes lost their shine and his face grew pale.
"I'm so, so sorry."

"It's not your fault; I wasn't good enough," said Izuku in hopes of easing the man's conscious.

"You can't blame yourself Midoriya. I promise you I'll get you on at another school and there you'll get the teaching you deserve."

Izuku looked up from the tile floor and clinched the hand that did not occupy the phone. He looked down at it as green electricity popped from it."No, I'm going to get stronger Mr. Yagi and I'll find my way into U.A. I can promise you that. I may not have been good enough this time, but I'll never come in second place ever again."

"Mido-"

"It's okay Mr. Yagi, go and worry about someone else. Right now I'm not worth your time, but trust me one day I will be."

"Midory-" This time Yagi was cut off by the ending of the call.

Izuku returned the phone to where it had been minutes ago and took a deep breath. His goal had changed; he no longer just wanted to be a hero, but also prove everyone that had ever doubted him wrong.

Inko looked with sad eyes and whispered,"It's okay Izuku."

"I know it is Mom, because it will never happen again. I'm going to make it into U.A. and show everyone the mistake they made." Izuku raised his head and gritted his teeth as he proclaimed,"I'll show them it should've been me instead of Kacchan !"