My Hero Academia: Graduation

Chapter 43: Facing North

From the moment Shoto whispered bits and pieces of what happened. Where Izuku was left. In his dying breath. Hansuke pledged to himself to find him.

He only told Ochako and Momo once before disappearing.

"Izuku. Snow. North."

Using his Quirk, Hansuke travelled north to every end of the country where snow was on the ground. And yet, everywhere he went, no matter how rural the city or village he found, more purple Loyalists showed up and attacked people.

The boy would notice certain details however: The Loyalists always underestimated the people who stood to defend their homes from the invaders and so it often lead to their defeat at the hands of people with everything from mediocre Quirks, rather impressive but unpracticed Quirks, and simple folks setting traps and fighting with tools, guns, and family heirlooms. Swords.

Northern Japan was very beautiful and rich with tradition. Despite the year-round cold and snow, there were vibrate colors in the gardens and architectural designs in even the smallest off-the-map villages.

Hansuke was raised most of his life in northern Mexico which was often a desert landscape. Still beautiful culture and designs but something he took for granted. But when he was sent to Japan years ago for school, it was a whole new shift that he fell in love with.

And if it weren't for the dire situation, he would have reacted more as a tourist than a young man on a mission. However, that is exactly what he was now.

"If I were Deku-sensei, and I almost died out in the middle of nowhere, where would I go?" He thought to himself.

It wasn't the first time he thought of that. In fact it was the first thing he thought, after a long time under his Quirk in a fit of rage and emotional turmoil. But after a few months, he knew he needed to focus. He knew that hope was not lost. He knew Izuku was still alive, somewhere.

Promethys said Izuku and Shoto perished that day. He wanted hope to die that day. But it didn't. Hansuke refused to give up. It drove him to tears for days, which lead to weeks... But when he cried, he still faced north and ran.

He remembered as a boy, watching the sports festival from his father's home in Mexico. And watching the finals. Young Izuku Midoriya facing off against Shoto Todoroki. Two students and competitors who shocked the audience multiple times that same day. And it all lead to this moment.

Hansuke rocked in his seat on the couch in anticipation.

"Mijo, who are you routing for?" His father asked sitting next to him.

"I like Shoto! He's so cool! He's got cool ice powers that freeze the whole place instantly! It's a guaranteed win for him." He cheered.

"But remember what each of them are fighting for, Han. Each fighter may be competing against each other, but they are all seeking to become heroes. Now what makes a true hero?" His father asked with a wise smile on his face.

"The one willing to put everyone else before himself. I know, Papi. But I'm routing for Todoroki because he's definitely stronger. Morals don't matter in these games. It's just about winning." Hansuke sighed.

"A true hero never forgets why he's acting. He may even need to do something that in the moment is against orders, but still the right thing in the end. You never know." His dad shrugged.

"Yeah, okay, Papi." Hansuke scoffed.

The bell rang, the two young fighters faced off. Shoto unleashed volley after volley of ice after Izuku, who destroyed each one with his fingers. But upon clearer and closer shots, Izuku's fingers were broken after using them.

It confused them, but they kept watching.

After a few minutes of attacking and evading and defending, Izuku stopped and began shouting at his classmate.

"It's your power, Todoroki! It's yours! Your Quirk, not his!"

Hansuke and his father were even more confused, until Shoto's left side suddenly lit up on fire.

The young boy was right. It was a swift and explosive end to the match, with Izuku knocked out entirely. Yet it was very confusing.

"Why would he antagonize him to using his full power and beating him?" Hansuke asked.

His father smiled. "I think there's a history between these boys, especially the fire and ice kid. And I think for a moment, that Midoriya boy helped him overcome an internal struggle."

He pat Hansuke's head. "That's what heroes do."

"That's what heroes do..."

Hansuke sighed, seeing his breath escape his mouth in the cool air as he approached another village deep in the mountains. He snapped his fingers and resumed time as he walked down the stone path through the wide street. There were a few open shops and homes, as well as combinations of both. And just up the hill ahead sat an old Shinto temple.

"Halt!" Someone shouted from one of the homes.

Hansuke turned his head to look and watched a man in a full set of samurai armor march out with a hand on the hilt of his katana still in its sheath. Not to mention, he had an usually attractive and feminine face for a man.

"State your business here!" He ordered.

Hansuke blinked and sighed. "Here we go again. I'm looking for someone who got lost out in the woods. Green hair, pro-hero status. Deku? Ring any bells?"

The samurai wannabe frowned at him. "Who wants to know?"

Hansuke's face lit up. "I do! Is he here?!"

"No! He is hunting with Todo." The man said. "No outsiders are permitted to see any residents here!"

"But he's not a resident here! He suffered a horrible defeat months ago and got lost and I was sent to find him!" Hansuke argued.

"Who sent you?" He asked.

"Ochako Midoriya. Pro-hero Uravity. I'm sure you know her. You guys are a sanctuary, right?" The boy asked.

"Who?" He questioned.

"Uravity?" Hansuke raised an eyebrow.

"Never heard of her. What's become of the outside world. Is the war over yet?" The samurai asked. His questions even sounded like impatient commands.

"War? The war is still going on." Hansuke said. "That's why I'm looking for Deku. For the sake of the earth, please let me see him!"

"NO!" He shouted.

"That is enough, Fuji!" A shrouded man from within the darkened home the baby-faced samurai emerged from shouted. He stood up and stepped out into the light of the overcast day. An elderly man with a long white beard and traditional robes.

"Let me guess, the village elder stereotype?" Hansuke asked, a little too abruptly and loud enough for the man to hear.

He walked up to the young hero in training, then whacked him on the head with his cane.

"OW! Damn, that hurt!" He hissed and rubbed his head.

"Ha!" The samurai mocked, then was quickly disciplined with a strike on his head the same way.

The old man turned from the samurai to Hansuke. "Young man. I am a rice farmer. And I am not the oldest one here. But I do have answers for you. But only if you gain my trust with respect!"

Hansuke sighed and bowed to the man. "Forgive me, senpai."

"That's better. Yes, we had a man long ago stumble into our village....before we received word that the world beyond had fallen." The man explained. "Come." He ordered as he began to walk ahead.