Ashes to Ashes, Power to Power: Chapter 3.3

My body ached as I followed Toga past the thick black curtain that separated the main gym from a secluded area, the air feeling a bit heavier as the clanging of weights faded into a low hum.

It was replaced by the dull rhythm of something striking a target over and over again as the hallway led to a reinforced training chamber lined with reinforced walls, heavy mats and equipment that looked military-grade.

In the centre of it all, moving with sharp movements that landed clean decisive punches and kicks against the human-sized dummy stood a man I recognized instantly.

His spiky black hair was slightly matted with his sweat and his eyes were sharp with chiseled features hardened from combat as his hands and elbows landed heavily against the dummy.

However, what I recognized was the long scarf around his shoulder that he didn't use as he hopped into the air and landed a spinning kick to the head of the dummy that sent it flying off to the side.

"Is that who I think it is?", I asked Toga, who smirked and leaned in close with a nod.

"Yep, that's who you think it is."

'Shota Aizawa AKA Eraserhead, the man with arguably one of the most broken Quirks in this world that isn't One For All or All For One,' I thought with an excited smirk as the man landed, finally turning his head to us. I blinked as I watched him scan my entire body in an instant and realized just how strong the guy is.

'Wait, why the hell is a guy like him hanging out with a girl like Toga? Is she actually not a villain in this world? Am I just being a bit cautious here?'

"You brought me a stray, Toga?", His voice was flat and Toga grinned as she crossed her arms.

"Not a stray. More like...Okay, he is a stray, but he's a stray with potential. He made it through your circuit without stopping once."

"Hmph, that's a start", He muttered and I stepped forward as Toga looked at me with a knowing smirk.

"Kevin Nagatomo, sir. I'm here because I want to be something more."

"Why here? There are easier gyms, easier paths. Why come here?", He asked as he walked slowly towards me and I forced myself to not flinch as I held his unflinching gaze.

"Because this place doesn't sell dreams. It kills the weak-willed and sharpens those who are left."

"You're not wrong, but you're also not ready."

"Then make me ready", I surprised myself with my response as I held his gaze and there was a long silence before he finally turned away and walked to the corner of the room, grabbing a black duffel bag and tossing it to my feet.

"Tomorrow. 6 AM sharp. Wear something you don't mind bleeding in."

"Ooh~ He likes you~!", Toga clapped her hands with an excited squeal and I picked up the bag with a smile as Aizawa shook his head.

"Quiet. As for you, if you're late, you're out. If you hesitate, you're done. If you lie, I'll know."

"No lies. No hesitation and be on time. Got it", I nodded and he gestured for me to leave, but not before I caught him muttering one last thing.

"Let's see if the world breaks you...or if you're really made for this."

"So, how do you feel now that you're a member of the gym?"

"Sore and aching everywhere", I answered with a deadpan stare as I threw the bag over my shoulder and smirked as she giggled with a shrug.

"Hey, that's your fault, not mine. You could have quit any time you wanted."

"And disappoint a sadist like you? I knew the pain that awaited me if I failed would have been far worse than the pain I'm in now."

"True. You would be squealing by now", She answered with a nod and I rolled my eyes while walking past the shocked people looking at me.

"Would that be good squealing or bad squealing?"

"Who knows? You'll have to wait and see. Anyway, see you tomorrow at 5 AM."

"I thought Aizawa said 6?", I asked with a raised eyebrow as I hooked the bag to the back of my bike, throwing my jacket in said bag and zipping it up.

"Ha! Aizawa said that to see if you would be eager to learn or come at a later time and disappoint him. If I can give you some advice, come early and he'll go easy on you."

"How much of what you said is the truth?", I asked and rolled my eyes as she giggled and shrugged.

"Like I said, you'll have to wait and see. Bye~", She waved and I had to take a few moments to admire the bounce of her ass in those shorts before putting my helmet on with a smirk as she looked over her shoulder with a giggle.

I then laughed as she yelped when I turned my beauty on, lifting up my visor to wink at her glare before snapping it down before I kicked up the stand and took off.

'Man, this was a pretty good day for me...Wait, I forgot to train my Quirk. Shit!'

A/N: And here we are with a few changes to the story.

Toga is older because having a 16 year old girl dating a 22 year old guy would feel kind of weird but not at the same time, but she is still the same. I just have a few things planned to change her backstory to keep her the same sadistic bloodsucking maniac she was in canon.

Also, Aizawa now owns an All-Might themed gym named Mighty Gym?...Huh, who knew?

Next chapter: Preparing for Test, Quirk Training and Beatdowns.

As always, read , enjoy, review and until the next one...

Ba-Bye~!!