Positioned beside Mina, everyone's attention shifts toward All Might as he outlines the day's exercise. The assignment is simple yet engaging—we're to pair up, forming teams of two, sometimes three, given the odd number my arrival presents. Despite my intention to merely shadow Izuku, All Might insists on my active participation in the lesson, believing it beneficial for the 'young heroes-in-training.'

As teams begin to form, All Might's booming voice closes the distance. "Mando, you're on Izuku's team," he declares, eyes alight with infectious enthusiasm. Izuku, in turn, looks momentarily taken aback before his features settle into an expression ripe with happiness and a spark of hopeful anticipation. I can't help but respond with a smile, concealed though it is behind the stoic facade of my helmet. I tilt my head in his direction, acknowledging his mixed reaction.

Beside him, Uraraka's energy is palpable as she jumps with joy, the sound of her clapping hands filling the air. "Yay, we got Mando!" she exclaims, the cheer in her voice unmistakable.

On the other end of the spectrum, Bakugo's voice cuts through the excitement with a scoff. His brash words are laced with dismissive confidence. "Don't brag about it. I'm sure she's nothing special, and even with her on your team, you won't win."

Unaffected by the taunt, the new-formed trio—myself, Izuku, and Uraraka—share a moment of understanding. Bakugo's doubt only serves to solidify our resolve. This training session isn't about proving individual worth but about cooperating and leveraging each other's unique strengths—quirk or no quirk.

At All Might's command, we surged into the mock cityscape. Bakugo's team had assumed the role of villains, snaring our mission in a web of rivalry and challenge. As a Mandalorian, the role of a hero wasn't one I'd expected to play, yet here I was, my silver armor catching shards of sunlight that stole through scattered breaches in the building's facade.

We pressed into a tight enclave, shadows casting over us like cloaks. Izuku, the strategist of our makeshift unit, pivoted towards Uraraka and myself, a plan painting its way into existence on his features. Unbeknownst to him, observant, amethyst eyes peered from behind the visor, taking in every detail.

"Okay, so, here's the deal," Izuku began, his words punctuated by the weight of contemplation. "Kacchan... he doesn't exactly like me, so he will target me first. I know, Mando, you're here to safeguard me, but Uraraka—she needs your protection more than I do."

Uraraka's scowl unfurled as Izuku rapidly gestured, a bid to mollify. "N-not that you're weak or anything," he backpedaled, his statement threading the air with apprehension.

My laughter, slightly distorted through the vocoder, bounced softly off the walls—a gesture of levity in the tense prelude to our mock showdown. "Relax, Izuku," I responded, imbuing my tone with reassurance. We were a team, and beyond quirks or martial prowess, it was our unity that would define us in this trial by fire.

I pivoted the T-shaped visor of my helmet towards Izuku, my voice descending into a growl laden with unyielding resolve. "But if I hear you scream, I'll come running, no matter if it's against the rules or anything. I don't give a damn about those things," I said firmly.

Izuku swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper, "O-okay."

With a reassuring pat on Izuku's shoulder, I rose to full height and nodded for Uraraka to follow me. We stuck close to the walls, our presence mere whispers against the concrete as we navigated through the training course, vigilantly avoiding the gaze of Bakugo's team.

Suddenly, an explosion ricocheted through the compound, jarring all my senses to high alert. A blast of heat licked at my back, and I was on my feet in an instant, twisting to face the threat. Gloved hands reached for the blaster holstered at my hip, eyes locking onto the smirking visage of Bakugo.

"Not so tough now, huh, Mando?" he taunted, confidence swelling with each word.

Beneath my helmet, I blinked, the blaster unwaveringly aimed at him. Why isn't he going after Izuku? Does he despise him that much? The thought flashed through my mind as I ushered Uraraka behind me with a rasping command, "Run."

She obeyed without hesitation, her form disappearing into the fray, while I stood firm, the Mandalorian armor as my bulwark, ready to face whatever Bakugo had planned.

Bakugo scoffs, a scornful 'tch' escaping his lips as he reveals his palms, small explosions popping there menacingly. "What, no clever remarks against me, hmm? Think you're too good to fight against me, is that it? Did Deku send you away from the real battle just to spare you?" The smirk on his face wavers, "Aren't you his protector?" he sneers.

I hiss, leveling my blaster up as the voice of All Might rings sharp in my ear, "Real weapons aren't allowed, you know that, Mando!" I block him out, firing a shot that ricochets off the ceiling, a harmless blast to startle more than harm. The sudden explosive sound causes Bakugo to start, and I seize the moment of distraction to close in on him.

Suddenly, the tables have turned. He isn't as imposing up close, his usual confidence undercut by the unexpectedness of my approach. He no longer has the upper hand. The playing field has been leveled, and the real challenge begins.

"You know nothing of the adversaries I've faced just to survive, Bakugo. You know nothing of the nightmares I've ended, the sights of people shredded beneath the claws of beasts far mightier than humanity itself," I proclaim, halting only a few inches from him. My helmet conceals my gaze, but I can feel the intensity of our standoff — his body heat clashes against the cool resolve of my armor.

"You're nothing compared to them. And compared to Izuku — I care about him because he's shown me true respect, something no other being has offered me, other than my own clan," I continue, the blaster now aimed directly at his chest. Although set to stun, the shot would be enough to jolt him to his core, "So don't stand there claiming I'm not worthy of battling you. Izuku paired me with Uraraka because he's smart. He knows when and where I'm most needed." A smirk curls unseen under my helmet as I lean in, the gleam of my armor piercing through the dim light. "But you? You don't know what I am."

BANG!

The shot from the blaster is swift; it resounds through the room, the decision made and acted upon before Bakugo can even react. His expression falters, crumbling into surprise as the stun takes effect. His body lurches forward, and I step in, catching him in my arms to prevent him from crashing against the unforgiving stone below us.

Gently, I lower him against the wall, ensuring his head rests softly against my armored gauntlet. "Sleep well, Bakugo Katsuki," I murmur, a touch of respect lining my voice despite the confrontation.

Rising to my feet, I secure the blaster back in its holster and make my exit. Behind me, Bakugo remains silent, the lesson learned laying silently beside him. The class watches, a mixture of astonishment and newfound regard painting their young faces.

What would Aizawa say? That would be a question for another moment. For now, Mando has made a statement that won't soon be forgotten.