MHA: A hunter in the world of heroes

The pre-match tension filled the air as students moved through the tunnels beneath the U.A. arena, preparing themselves mentally and physically for the upcoming battles. Midoriya walked toward the waiting area, his thoughts spinning, heart pounding with nervous energy. His match with Todoroki was fast approaching, and the weight of it—facing someone with such overwhelming power—was starting to bear down on him.

As he turned a corner, he saw Todoroki leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, eyes cold and distant as always. His two-toned hair hung slightly over his eyes, but even in the shadows, the intensity of his gaze could be felt. Izuku hesitated but finally stepped forward, knowing this would be his last chance to speak with him before their match.

Before Midoriya could say anything, Todoroki spoke first. "Midoriya," he said flatly, without looking up, "I'm going to beat you."

The bluntness of Todoroki's statement made him pause, but there was something beneath those words—something heavier. Midoriya frowned. "Todoroki, why do you—"

"Do you know why I only use my ice?" Todoroki interrupted, straightening up and facing Midoriya fully now. "Why I refuse to use the fire side of my quirk?"

Midoriya shook his head, genuinely curious.

"My father, Endeavor... he's the reason. Everything I do is to spite him."

Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise. 'Endeavor? The Number Two Hero?'

"My old man... he's always been obsessed with surpassing All Might. He couldn't do it, so he made it his mission to create someone who could. I was raised as a tool for that purpose, and nothing more." Todoroki's voice was calm, but the underlying anger was unmistakable. "I'm not going to use his power in this fight. I'll defeat you with my mother's power, the ice—because I'm nothing like him."

Unbeknownst to both of them, someone else was nearby, listening.

Killua's ears rang with Shoto's words, they kept repeating inside his head. He had been walking down the tunnel, walking back after his conversation with Katsuki, just ahead when he overheard the conversation. He paused, hiding in the shadows, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in everything Shoto said. Killua knew Shoto well—they had grown close over time, they had a silent understanding. But Shoto had never opened up about his family, about the true extent of what had shaped him. Just like Killua hadn't, he promised he would one day, but hearing his friend opening up to Midoriya... he felt a jolt of jealousy. Was he so unreliable?

He ferociously shook his head to get rid of thoughts like that.

Hearing the conversation the pieces started falling into place. The icy demeanor, the refusal to use fire, the distant, almost mechanical way Shoto spoke of his father. Killua's hands curled into fists as the truth sank in. He knew all along, after all, they were -in a way- similar.

The anger bubbling inside Killua was unlike anything he'd felt in a long time. Normally, he kept a cool head, but Shoto was his friend—his only real friend in this strange new world. The thought of Endeavor, with his self-righteous ambition, using his friend as a pawn, disgusted Killua. At least his parents had the decency to be upfront about it, not hiding under the pretense of a good Samaritan. He bit his lip, trying to keep calm.

But then something else crossed his mind and suddenly he lost all traces of logic. He felt the jolts of electricity in his hands, dancing with his anger as their guide 'Endeavor's here...'

Without thinking twice, Killua turned on his heel and stalked off down the hall, his heart pounding with fury. He had no plan—just the overwhelming need to confront Endeavor and tell him exactly what he thought of him.

As he reached the VIP section of the stadium, he saw the towering figure of Endeavor. Flames danced subtly around the pro hero's broad frame. He was watching something in the distance when Killua approached, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, head slightly lowered, his silver hair casting a sharp shadow over his eyes.

Endeavor glanced down at the boy approaching him. He remembered him from before standing close to his son, before flipping him on. "You... you're Shoto's friend, aren't you? the one with no manners"

Killua stopped a few feet from the man, glaring up at him. "Yeah, that's me," he replied, his voice low and dripping with venom.

The pro hero raised an eyebrow, sensing the hostility but not backing down. The boy was talented, too talented, and he was impressed with his power, he tried to hide a smirk 'he would be the perfect stepping stone for Shoto' he thought, outwardly he said "What do you want, kid?"

Killua's fingers twitched in his pockets, the urge to just rip this hypocrites heart out strong. He wanted to lash out, but he restrained himself, instead fixing Endeavor with a glare that could cut steel. "You're not much of a hero, are you?" he spat, venom dripping off of him.

Endeavor's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"

"I said," Killua continued, stepping closer, "that for someone who's supposed to be a 'hero,' you seem to care more about your own ego than your own son." His voice was filled with disgust as he emphasized the last word. "You messed him up. All because you want to beat All Might. It's pathetic."

For a moment, there was silence, the tension between them crackling like static in the air.

Endeavor's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides, but he didn't respond right away. There was something in the boy's tone—a knowing, dangerous sharpness that was unsettling.

"You don't know anything about me or my family," Endeavor finally growled, his voice low and menacing. "Shoto is my legacy, and I've trained him to be the best."

Killua let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Your 'legacy'? Is that what you call it? You turned your son into a tool for your stupid one-sided rivalry with All Might. You don't deserve to be called his father." He paused, then added coldly, "In fact, you don't deserve to be called a hero."

Endeavor's flames flared slightly as his temper rose, but Killua didn't flinch. He was used to intimidation—no one could scare him, least of all this pathetic man. If anything, the sight of Endeavor getting riled up only fueled his own anger.

Killua's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned to walk away, but before he left, he threw one last remark over his shoulder. "You should be ashamed. Shoto deserves better than someone like you."

With that, Killua walked off, leaving Endeavor standing there, fuming but silent.

Killua's heart raced as he disappeared into the tunnels, his fists still clenched tightly in silent fury. He knew Shoto would have to face his father on his own terms, but at least for now, Killua had made it clear—Endeavor was nothing but a failure in his eyes.

And as he neared the stadium again, his resolve hardened. He was going to be there for Todoroki, no matter what, even if his worry was unwanted or if Shoto's trust in him was as thin as a layer of ice. After all, that's what friends did.

_________________________________________

Killua leaned against the railing of the stands, eyes locked on the arena below. The roars of the crowd swirled around him, but he barely heard them. His focus was entirely on the two figures standing in the center of the stadium.

He had been expecting this match ever since he saw the tournament bracket. Shoto was strong, one of the strongest here, and he knew Midoriya wouldn't go down easily. But even with all that anticipation, a nagging feeling had settled in Killua's chest. Ever since overhearing Shoto's conversation with Midoriya earlier, a conversation that revealed more than Killua had ever known about Shoto's family, his mind had been spinning. And then there was the encounter with Endeavor, the memory of which still set Killua's teeth on edge.

"That bastard," Killua muttered under his breath, thinking about Endeavor. How could someone like him even call himself a hero? To treat his own son like a tool, a pawn to fulfill some insane rivalry with All Might—it made Killua's blood boil.

The match was about to begin, and as Shoto squared off against Midoriya, Killua's fists clenched. He could tell from Shoto's stance, from the tightness in his movements, that something was wrong. He wasn't fighting just to win—he was fighting a battle inside his own head, against a father who had cast an enormous shadow over his life. He knew the feeling very well, all the voices swimming in his head, his father and mother shaping him into an assassin, his oldest brother manipulating him, yeah, he was very familiar with that eternal cycle.

The signal rang out.

Shoto was the first to attack, as expected. A massive wave of ice exploded from the ground, heading straight for Midoriya with terrifying speed. Killua's sharp eyes tracked every movement—he could see how controlled, how precise his friend was with his ice. But there was something more than just skill in that attack. There was anger. Resentment.

Midoriya dodged, smashing the ice with an impressive burst of strength from One For All. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but Killua didn't flinch. His silver eyes were fixed on Shoto, watching him closely. His expression was as cold as ever, but Killua knew better now. He knew what lay beneath that icy facade.

'He's only using his ice' Killua thought, gritting his teeth. 'He's still holding back. Still refusing to use HIS fire.'

Killua's gaze flicked to the stands, where Endeavor was watching from his VIP seat. Even from a distance, Killua could feel the weight of Endeavor's presence, the way his eyes bored into Shoto's every move. It made him sick.

Midoriya wasn't backing down. In fact, he was pushing harder with every passing second, breaking through Todoroki's ice attacks with sheer willpower, his body taking more damage each time. Killua's eyes narrowed. 'This guy is crazy,' he thought, watching as Midoriya smashed his already-battered arm against another wave of ice. The guy was practically destroying his own body just to make a point. And then it clicked for Killua—Midoriya wasn't fighting just to win either. He was fighting for his friend.

Killua's brows furrowed. He wasn't used to seeing someone go to such lengths for a friend, especially not in the middle of a fight where they should be trying to win. But Midoriya kept yelling, kept shouting for Shoto to use his fire, to fight with everything he had. Killua grinned, sure he disliked the guy, but right now he was fighting for his friend. He knew he was biased towards Midoriya, reminding him of Gon with his green hair, but as people, they were too different and that stung. Seeing his best friend's face to a stranger. He wanted to give him a chance, he just didn't know how to move on from the pain.

"Why won't you use your fire, Todoroki?! It's your power, not his!" Midoriya's voice rang out, it was only thanks to his training he was able to hear their conversation.

Killua tensed. He had always suspected something was off with Shoto's reluctance to use the fire half of his quirk, but he hadn't understood the full extent of it until now. Shoto was rejecting his fire not because he didn't want to win, but because it was a symbol of his father. That much was clear now. If he had the same ability as Ilumi he would do the same.

Killua's grip tightened on the railing, squeezing it and leaving hand dents, he didn't care, he watched as the ice attacks grew fiercer, but the hesitation in Shoto's movements was becoming more and more apparent. He was holding back. He didn't want to win this way, not if it meant giving in to his father's expectations. And yet, Midoriya wouldn't stop pushing him, wouldn't stop calling him out.

'This Midoriya guy… he's stubborn. He's putting his body on the line to get through to Shoto,' Killua thought. 'Idiot… But maybe that's what Shoto needs right now.'

Then it happened. The moment Killua had been waiting for—no, dreading.

Shoto froze mid-attack, the ice around him shimmering, and something shifted. His face tightened, his eyes darkened with the weight of Midoriya's words. And then, with a surge of heat that almost made Killua take a step back, flames erupted from Shoto's left side. The crowd gasped. The intensity of the fire was undeniable, blazing like a star against the ice.

Killua's heart sank, even as he understood what was happening. Shoto had finally unleashed his fire, but not because he wanted to. Midoriya had forced him to confront the very thing he'd been running from his whole life.

"This is what I didn't want," Killua muttered, watching the flames dance around Todoroki. "I didn't want him to feel like he had to use that damn fire."

And yet, as Killua's eyes swept over Shoto's face, he noticed the simmering anger. Killua didn't think it was directed towards Midoriya but towards himself. Shoto's eyes were dark, filled with anger but also hesitant. They held despise towards his own element. Killua felt the railing break under his tight hold, he forced himself to breathe. With every passing second he hated Endeavor more and more. Still, he did notice a wave of relief passing through Shoto, his stance relaxed as he felt the familiar heat of his flames.

'Maybe this is what he needed all along' Killua realized, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and frustration. That bubble of self-hatred he had buried a long time ago started to resurface. 'I'm a horrible friend, I couldn't even help my friend with his inner struggle, one that's so painfully familiar.'

The next few moments passed in a blur of fire and ice, Shoto unleashing his full power for the first time in the tournament. Midoriya, though battered and barely standing, refused to back down, pushing himself to the brink of destruction just to prove a point.

And then, the final clash. Ice and fire collided in a storm of power, the ground beneath them shattering, the sky above them filled with steam and debris. Killua's sharp instincts took over, and he instinctively ducked, shielding his eyes from the blast as the shockwave rocked the stadium.

When the dust finally settled, Killua's heart was racing. He looked down at the battlefield, where Shoto was passed out in a barrier made of ice, within the limits of the battlefield. Midoriya was down, on the other side, unconscious, outside of the limits.

Killua exhaled slowly. Shoto had won, but that wasn't what mattered to him. What mattered was that Shoto had taken a step toward breaking free from the chains that had bound him for so long. It wasn't a full victory—Killua knew the battle with his father and himself would continue—but this was the first real crack in the wall.

"Midoriya," Killua murmured to himself, a small bitter smirk forming on his lips. "You really helped him out." He was happy for his friend, but he was bitter, bitter that he wasn't the one that helped him. Bitter because he wasn't trustworthy enough.

As the crowd roared and the announcer declared Shoto the winner, Killua's eyes flicked back to the stands, where Endeavor sat. The Pro Hero's expression was unreadable, but Killua didn't care. He had already made it clear what he thought of Endeavor earlier. This fight wasn't for Endeavor. It was for Shoto.

Hopefully, Shoto was finally starting to see that he didn't have to live in his father's shadow anymore.

"Good job, Shoto," Killua whispered under his breath, his heart steadying. "You're starting to see it, aren't you? That power—it's yours. Not his."

With that, Killua pushed away from the broken railing, his hands stuffed in his pockets, and headed toward the exit, leaving behind the roaring crowd. His smile lost a little bit of the bitterness.

Shoto Todoroki was on his way to becoming his own person.

_________________________________________

The crowd buzzed with excitement, but Killua barely registered the noise. His mind was elsewhere, simmering with the lingering frustration from his confrontation with Endeavor. The encounter had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and even now, as he stepped into the ring for his own match, his fingers twitched with a barely restrained urge to lash out. It was dangerous, he had to control himself.

Across from him stood Shiozaki, a student from Class 1-B. She was calm, her hands clasped in front of her as she bowed slightly, her vine-like hair swaying gently behind her like living tendrils. Her serene demeanor contrasted starkly with Killua's darkened aura, his usually calm expression hardened into something far more dangerous. That girl also defeated Wendy. It felt like his anger was a raging volcano. All it took was the explosion, and then utter disaster.

Shiozaki's voice was soft but confident as she spoke, "I do not wish to harm you, Zoldyck-san. I hope we can fight with grace and respect for one another."

Killua didn't respond. He wasn't here for a respectful match. Not after everything that had happened. His thoughts were still clouded with anger—anger at Endeavor, anger at the way Shoto had been forced to use his fire, anger at how everything seemed so twisted in this world of heroes but his furry was directed at himself, he was pissed at how useless he felt, anger at his inability to help his friend. He wasn't like them. He wasn't a hero, he could never be. He didn't follow their rules.

The referee signaled the start of the match, and Shiozaki immediately raised her arms, her vine-like hair growing and spreading rapidly. The plants surged toward Killua like snakes, attempting to entangle him in their grasp. Shiozaki's quirk, -Vine-, was powerful and versatile. She had a way of using it that kept her opponents at a distance, restraining them before they could even react.

But Killua wasn't just any opponent.

In an instant, he vanished.

The crowd gasped as Killua disappeared from sight, moving with a speed that few could follow. One second he was standing in front of Shiozaki, and the next, he was behind her. His movements were so swift and fluid that it was almost as if he hadn't moved at all.

Shiozaki's eyes widened in surprise, her vines lashing out in every direction, trying to catch him. But Killua was already one step ahead. With a quick, precise motion, he reached out and grabbed one of the vines, pulling it taut before leaping into the air, flipping over Shiozaki's head, and landing effortlessly on the other side.

Before she could react, Killua unleashed a series of sharp, electrical shocks through the vines, his electricity crackling through the air. Shiozaki gasped, her body momentarily seizing up as the electricity coursed through her vines and into her.

But Killua wasn't finished.

"Is this all you've got?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low and dangerous. His blue lightning flickered around his body, illuminating his silver hair and cold, calculating eyes. There was no mercy in his gaze, only a relentless determination to end this fight as quickly as possible.

Shiozaki struggled to regain control, her vines thrashing wildly as she tried to pull them back. But Killua gave her no time to recover. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, his hand glowing with electricity as he reached out and grabbed one of the thicker vines coiling around her.

"You should have stayed out of my way," he whispered, his voice barely audible, but dripping with the anger he hadn't yet been able to shake.

Without warning, he sent another jolt of electricity through the vine, this one far stronger than the last. Shiozaki cried out, her body convulsing as the shock overwhelmed her. The crowd fell silent, watching in stunned awe as Killua methodically dismantled his opponent's defenses with ruthless efficiency.

But Killua wasn't done yet.

With a swift motion, he yanked the vine forward, pulling Shiozaki off balance and sending her stumbling toward him. In a flash, he appeared in front of her, his fist already cocked back. The strike wasn't brutal, but it was fast and precise, hitting her square in the abdomen. Shiozaki gasped, the wind knocked out of her as she crumpled to the ground, her vines falling limp around her.

The match was over.

Killua stood over her, breathing heavily, his fists still crackling with residual electricity. His eyes were hard, his anger not yet fully spent. He had won, but there was no satisfaction in it. This wasn't a victory—it was just a release, a way to channel the rage that had been building inside him since his encounter with Endeavor.

The referee quickly called the match, signaling Killua's victory. The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and uneasy murmurs. It had been a swift, merciless battle, over in less than a minute. The spectators could feel the tension in the air, the sharpness of Killua's presence that lingered long after the fight had ended.

Shiozaki, still on the ground, looked up at him with wide eyes. There was no anger in her gaze, no resentment—only a deep understanding of the difference in their strength. She struggled to get up, trembling from the effort, she bowed her head slightly, acknowledging her defeat with grace.

But Killua didn't return the gesture. His eyes flicked toward the stands, scanning the crowd until they landed on Endeavor. The Pro Hero was watching, his expression unreadable, but Killua could feel his eyes on him. The sight only fueled Killua's anger further, his lips curling into a sneer.

'This isn't over,' Killua thought, glaring at Endeavor. 'Not by a long shot.'

His eyes swept over the crowd landing on the stands of class 1-B. That's when he saw her, she had a shocked expression, her brown eyes were wide with disbelief.

Sundenly he felt ashamed, he immediately looked away from Wendy, not able to face her. He was ashamed at his lack of control.

Wordlessly he walked over the bowed girl, she stood straight, still trembling from the effort. Without a word he snaked her hand around his shoulder, she seemed to accept his silent apology.

'I'm sorry' he whispered, she just smiled at him.

Without another word, they turned and walked out of the arena. The crowd's cheers faded into the background as he left the stadium, his mind still churning with thoughts of Shoto, Endeavor, and his failure.

As he walked through the tunnel, away from the noise and the lights, Killua felt no pride in his victory. The battle had been nothing more than an outlet for his frustration, a brief distraction from the larger war raging inside him.

But one thing was clear—he wouldn't let anyone, not Endeavor, not this world of heroes, hurt the few people he cared about.

_________________________________________

The soft hum of medical equipment was the only sound in the otherwise quiet infirmary. Killua sat beside Shoto's bed, his gaze fixed on the unconscious figure of his friend. Using both his fire and ice had pushed him to his limits, and now he lay here, motionless, recovering from the strain.

Killua's legs were crossed, his arms resting lazily over the back of the chair. But even with his relaxed posture, his mind was far from at ease. His thoughts swirled, not just about the match, but everything else that weighed on him. He still hadn't fully shaken off the anger from earlier, the boiling rage at the way Shoto had been treated by his own father. The frustration still simmered under his skin, like a barely contained storm.

A commotion from the nearby tv broke through his thoughts. The match between Eijiro and Katsuki was raging on, and though Killua wasn't fully paying attention, the sounds of Katsuki's aggressive attacks and Eijiro's indomitable defense echoed from the screen mounted on the wall.

'Katsuki's going to win,' Killua thought absently. It was clear from the relentless fury Katsuki was unleashing on his opponent. Still, his eyes remained fixed on Shoto's face, the steady rise and fall of his chest reassuring him that his friend was healing.

Then, a groan.

Killua's head snapped toward the sound. Shoto stirred, his eyes fluttering open slowly as he groaned again, his body still heavy from exhaustion.

"Finally awake, huh?" Killua's voice was soft, but his relief was palpable.

Shoto blinked, his mismatched eyes focusing on Killua. It took him a moment to register where he was. "The match...?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.

"You won," Killua replied, leaning back in his chair. "Midoriya's fine. He woke up a few minutes ago. But you... your body took a heavy toll, quirk overuse."

Shoto didn't respond right away. He sat up slightly, wincing as his body protested the movement. His eyes drifted toward the screen, where Katsuki was closing in on Einjiro with an explosive onslaught. The match was nearing its conclusion, but Shoto's mind wasn't on the fight.

Instead, there was a heaviness in the air, one that Killua could feel. Shoto's usual calm, stoic expression was tinged with something else—a deep sadness that ran far deeper than just the strain of the battle.

"Killua..." Shoto began, his voice soft but serious. He paused, as if gathering the strength to continue. "There's something I need to tell you."

Killua shifted in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could tell from the tone in Shoto's voice that this wasn't going to be easy. But he said nothing, letting Shoto find his words.

"My family... my father..." Shoto's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, and Killua remained silent, his eyes unwavering. "I haven't told you everything. You're my friend, but I've kept so much hidden."

Shoto swallowed, his gaze falling to his hands. "My father, Endeavor... he's been trying to make me into something—someone I don't want to be. He's obsessed with surpassing All Might, and I'm... I'm his tool for that."

Killua listened, his heart tightening. It was so much worse while looking at his friend, it made it all the more real, made the weight of it all even heavier.

"I have three siblings," Shoto continued, his voice quieter now. "But my older brother... he died. He was supposed to be the one to surpass All Might, but he couldn't handle the training. It destroyed him. His own quirk killed him, burned him to a crisp" His hands clenched into fists. "After that, my father turned to me."

Killua's eyes softened, understanding the pain behind those words. It reminded him too much of his own past—his own family's expectations.

"The training..." Shoto's voice hitched slightly. "It was brutal. My father pushed me to use my fire, even when I didn't want to. My mother... she couldn't handle it. She couldn't handle seeing me suffer, seeing me turn into him."

Killua's gaze darkened. He knew what was coming.

"One day, she snapped," Shoto said, his voice barely above a whisper. "She poured boiling water on my face, trying to burn away the part of me that reminded her of him." His hand unconsciously touched the scar over his left eye. "She's in the hospital now. She's been there ever since."

For a long moment, the room was silent. Killua stared at Shoto, his heart pounding in his chest. The weight of his friend's confession hung in the air, heavy and painful.

"I tell you this, Killua," Shoto said, looking up at him, "because I know you're not ready to talk. About your past, your family. But when you are, I want you to know... I'll be here to listen. You don't have to go through it alone."

Killua's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected this—Shoto opening up so completely. He hadn't expected to feel the tightness in his chest, the urge to say something, anything in return.

For a moment, he remained silent, the weight of his own memories pressing down on him. His family, his past... they were things he rarely spoke about. But here, now, with Shoto... maybe he could.

Killua took a deep breath. "You're right," he said quietly. "I haven't told you everything either."

Shoto looked at him, his gaze steady but full of understanding.

"I was born into a family of assassins," Killua began, his voice low but steady. "The Zoldyck family. My parents... they raised me to be a killer. They trained me from the moment I could walk. Tortured me, manipulated me... all to turn me into the perfect assassin."

Shoto's eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, letting Killua continue.

"My oldest brother, Illumi... he was the worst. He used to control me, put these needles in my head to make sure I couldn't run away, couldn't disobey." Killua's fists clenched at the memory, his nails digging into his palm, unconsciously sharp and drawing blood.

"But there was one person who saved me. My little sister, Alluka. She's... different. She has -had- this power, a dangerous one, but she used it to help me. She made a wish to send me here, where our family could never reach me." Killua's voice faltered, his eyes darkening. "But that wish... it cost her. It turned her into dust, and she died right in front of me. Her..." His voice wobble, tears gathering in his eyes. " She had the power to make wishes true, her wish, my freedom cost her her life."

Shoto's eyes softened, a mixture of shock and empathy in his gaze.

"She sacrificed herself to save me," Killua whispered, his voice breaking even more. "And now... she's gone." He finally allowed a couple of tears to stream down his face, Shoto grabbed his hand, reminding him, he was there for him.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of their confessions hung between them, raw and painful, but also... freeing. They had shared their deepest scars, their most painful memories, and in doing so, had found a bond even stronger than before.

Shoto reached out, placing a hand on Killua's shoulder. "Thank you," he said softly. "For trusting me with that."

Killua nodded, his throat tight. "Same to you."

As the silence settled once more, the two friends sat together in the infirmary, the weight of their pasts no longer as heavy, knowing that, at least now, they didn't have to carry it alone.

They watched as the battle between Iida and Tokoyami started, their presence a silent comfort for both of them.