MHA: A hunter in the world of heroes

Killua and Shoto climbed the stairs toward their class, the roar of the crowd buzzing around them. The tension from their recent matches still lingered in the air. Killua's hands were stuffed in his pockets, his usual calm demeanor hiding the electricity still buzzing in his veins from his fight with Shiozaki. Shoto, on the other hand, was quieter than usual, eyes downcast as he followed behind.

The two finally reached the Class 1-A section, where their classmates were gathered. Shoto's eyes scanned the area, noting the chaotic energy around them. Just as he was about to settle into his seat, something caught his attention.

The railing in front of him—bent, cracked, and unmistakably out of place.

"...Did someone fight here too?" Shoto asked, frowning as he ran his hand along the broken metal.

Killua, who had been about to sit down, froze. His silver hair fell over his eyes as he stared blankly at the damage, his mouth forming a thin line.

Shoto raised an eyebrow. "This... doesn't look normal."

"I may have... gotten a little carried away," Killua muttered, glancing to the side, avoiding Shoto's gaze.

Shoto's eyes widened. "You did this?"

Killua's ears twitched, his face turning into a half-hearted grin. "I wasn't exactly in a 'calm' mood after... you know, things."

Shoto blinked, then looked back at the mangled railing. "You broke it unconsciously?"

"Yeah... It's not that big of a deal. I can't always control it when I'm mad." Killua's face was a mixture of amusement and self-annoyance. "I'll probably get a bill for it later."

Shoto tilted his head slightly. "That's dangerous. You should—"

"—Not tell anyone?" Killua interrupted, flashing a smirk. "Don't worry, it's fine."

But despite the humor, Shoto noticed the tension in Killua's posture. Something was off.

"You were really angry back there, huh?"

Killua's grin faltered slightly, his silver eyes narrowing. "Yeah. Let's just say watching you fight stirred up a lot of things."

"Was it something I did?"

Killua snorted and shook his head, sitting down and slouching in his seat. "Nah, not you. Just... life."

Shoto sat next to him, still staring at the broken railing. "You should really get that checked. Uncontrolled quirks can lead to—"

"—Chaos? Destruction?" Killua raised an eyebrow. "I know."

Shoto's serious expression softened, and he leaned back in his seat. "I'm serious."

"I know you are." Killua's tone shifted, a bit more thoughtful now. "But hey, at least it wasn't my friend's face I broke."

Shoto blinked, unsure whether to laugh or feel concerned. The moment hung between them, lighthearted but with an edge of seriousness neither could quite shake off.

"...Next time, just aim for a punching bag," Shoto suggested, his tone half-joking, half-genuine.

Killua leaned back, chuckling softly. "Noted."

Before either Shoto or Killua could say more, a familiar voice cut through the din. "Yo, Killua, Todoroki!" Kirishima bounded over, his usual wide grin plastered across his face. "That fight with Shiozaki was intense, man! You took her so fast."

Killua shrugged nonchalantly, brushing his hair back. "Yeah, i wasn't exactly in the right state of mind at the moment." he mumbled

"Yeah, we noticed," Kaminari chimed in as he flopped down into a seat next to Kirishima. "Dude, you practically fried her. I thought Bakugo was the only one in our class with that kind of intensity."

Katsuki, who was lounging nearby, scoffed at the mention of his name. "Tch. Killua isn't exactly a pushover." While there was grudging respect in Katsuki's tone, there was also worry.

"I know what you mean, Bakugo," Yaoyorozu added, walking up with Iida in tow. "That lightning... it was on a completely different level." She turned to Killua, her expression concerned. "But are you okay? You seemed... off."

Killua's face softened slightly at the genuine concern in Yaoyorozu's voice, but he quickly covered it with a grin. "I'm fine. Just... got in the zone."

"The zone?!" Iida's arm chopped through the air, his brows furrowed in disapproval. "I understand that strategy and focus are key, but your level of intensity seemed almost... excessive. Do you usually fight with such ferocity?"

Killua sighed, leaning back in his seat. "No, some shit happened and I flipped. Obviously, I regret it but there's nothing I can do about it now. Let's just drop it"

Yaoyorozu exchanged a glance with Iida, both of them clearly concerned but unsure how to press the issue.

"At least you didn't have to deal with Deku screaming the entire time." Katsuki rolled his eyes, kicking his feet up. "That idiot just wouldn't stop pestering Todoroki to use his fire." 

Shoto tensed slightly, his gaze flickering toward Killua, who met his eyes with a knowing look. The memory of their conversation about Shoto's father hung between them, unspoken but heavy.

"That fight was... something else," Kaminari said, breaking the tension. "The way Midoriya kept pushing, though... it was kinda scary."

Yaoyorozu nodded. "Midoriya's determination is incredible. He practically destroyed himself to get through to Todoroki."

Shoto's gaze dropped to his lap, his hands clenched into fists. "He forced me to use the fire," he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for the others to hear.

Kirishima gave him a reassuring slap on the back, not noticing the tension. "Yeah, man! And it looked awesome! That ice and fire combo was epic!"

But Killua, noticing Shoto's discomfort, shot Kirishima a sharp look. "It wasn't exactly a good thing," he said coolly. "Shoto didn't want to use that fire."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. Even Katsuki seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

"Still," Yaoyorozu said gently, trying to bring the conversation back to a more positive note, "it's your quirk, Todoroki. I don't know exactly what happened, but to me, it looked like... you were reclaiming it."

Shoto blinked, his gaze shifting to Yaoyorozu. "Reclaiming it?"

She smiled softly. "It's yours. Not your father's."

Killua leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees as he eyed Shoto. "She's right, you know. It's your power, not his. Don't let it weigh you down." His voice, though casual, carried an undercurrent of understanding.

Shoto stared at Killua for a moment before nodding, the weight on his shoulders lifting just a little.

Katsuki, clearly uncomfortable with all the emotional talk, crossed his arms and let out a loud "Tch. You guys are getting soft. I'm here to win. You better bring that same fire to the finals, Todoroki—or I'll make sure you regret it."

Shoto smirked slightly. "We'll see about that."

"Now hold on a minute, Sho has to beat me in order to fight you," Killua said with a grin, his sharp eyes glinting mischievously.

Silence fell over the group as they processed Killua's statement. The idea of Shoto having to face Killua hadn't really sunk in until that moment. The air grew thick, and everyone seemed to realize at the same time: Killua was, without a doubt, the strongest in their class.

Shoto cursed under his breath, barely audible, but it was enough to earn wide-eyed stares from the others. Shoto Todoroki—stoic, composed, and unflappable—cursing? That was something new.

"Did... did Todoroki just swear?" Kaminari blurted out, his jaw practically hitting the floor.

"Holy crap, he did," Kirishima added, his eyes going from Killua to Shoto like he was watching some epic showdown unfold. "That's when you know things are serious."

Even Katsuki looked mildly impressed, though he quickly masked it with a loud scoff. "Finally! Someone gets it. You're screwed, half-and-half."

Shoto shot Katsuki a glare but didn't bother responding. Instead, he turned to Killua, the weight of his words still hanging in the air. "I hadn't forgotten," Shoto said quietly. "I know how strong you are."

Killua's grin faltered for a moment as he caught the seriousness in Shoto's gaze. "Sho, don't look at me like that. I'm not the one who's been holding back this whole time," he teased, but there was a hint of tension in his voice, like he knew their inevitable fight wouldn't be so easy to joke about.

"I'm not so sure about that." Katsuki said with a grimace.

Yaoyorozu cleared her throat, trying to break the tension that had settled over them. "It's true though, isn't it? Killua, you've always been ahead of us. It's just... something we never really said out loud."

"Yeah," Kaminari added, leaning forward, "you've got this vibe, like nothing phases you. No offense, man, but it's kinda scary how easily you take people down."

Killua scratched the back of his head, looking surprisingly nervous for someone who had just been crowned the unspoken powerhouse of the class. "It's not like I try to be scary... It's just how I was raised." he said his voice holding a bitter tone.

Iida's hand shot up in his signature serious pose. "While it's true that Killua possesses immense strength and skill, it's equally important that we do not place undue pressure on him!"

"Yeah, what he said," Kirishima nodded enthusiastically. "I mean, we're all strong in our own way, right? But Killua's just... I don't know, on another level sometimes."

Shoto sighed. "That's exactly what I'm worried about."

The rest of Class 1-A exchanged glances. This wasn't just about strength anymore. There was something deeper, something unspoken between Shoto and Killua.

Yaoyorozu, ever perceptive, leaned forward. "Todoroki, do you really think you can win?"

Shoto glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not sure. But I'm going to try."

Killua chuckled softly, though there was no malice in it. "Don't worry, Sho. You're going to do just fine."

Katsuki, clearly fed up with the dramatic tone, rolled his eyes. "Great. Can we skip the touchy-feely stuff? Just smash each other's faces in already."

Kaminari laughed nervously, while Kirishima elbowed him lightly. "Dude, you're missing the point."

Kirishima scratched his head, his curiosity finally bubbling over. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask, but... what's up with the railing?" His voice was full of confusion as he gestured toward the mangled metal in front of Killua.

Shoto glanced at Killua, suppressing a grin, while Killua leaned back and sighed dramatically. "Ah, that."

Everyone's attention shifted back to the broken railing, and Killua felt all eyes on him once again. He could practically sense the mix of confusion and concern swirling in the air.

"I kind of... broke it," Killua admitted, his tone casual, as if he hadn't just revealed something completely insane.

"Kind of?" Kaminari asked, eyebrows shooting up. "Dude, you wrecked that thing!"

"Yeah, seriously!" Kirishima added, looking at the warped metal with something bordering on admiration. "How'd you even do that?"

Killua shrugged. "I was a little... frustrated. It wasn't a big deal."

Shoto shot him a side-eye. "You nearly crushed it, Kill."

Yaoyorozu, ever the practical one, crossed her arms. "That kind of damage takes serious force, Killua. You really didn't notice?"

Killua gave her a sheepish grin. "I guess I wasn't really thinking about it at the time. My mind was... elsewhere."

"You mean you weren't paying attention at all?" Kaminari asked incredulously. "How can someone accidentally break a steel railing?"

Killua's grin widened. "It happens."

Katsuki, who had been listening with an amused smirk, finally spoke up. "You mean you got so pissed off you didn't even realize you were crushing it. Typical."

Killua shot him a look but didn't deny it.

"Honestly, you need to be more careful," Yaoyorozu scolded, her voice laced with concern. "What if someone had been leaning on it? That kind of strength—"

"—Could get someone hurt. I know," Killua finished for her, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I'll be more careful next time."

Shoto, who had been watching the conversation with mild amusement, suddenly sighed. "You're just lucky the school hasn't noticed it yet."

Kirishima whistled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Man, if they find out you did this, they'll probably make you pay for it!"

"Or worse," Kaminari added, "you'll get detention for wrecking school property."

Killua groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great, as if I need another reason for the teachers to watch me like a hawk." Everyone gave him puzzled glances "Being a teacher's kid means everyone in the faculty knows and gossips about you" he said with a defeated tone.

Katsuki snorted. "Good luck explaining that one, Aizawa-Sensei will be ecstatic."

"I'm not explaining anything. If no one notices, I'll just walk away, problem solved."

Yaoyorozu sighed, clearly unimpressed with Killua's approach to the situation. "You really think no one's going to notice a broken railing?"

Killua smirked, leaning forward. "Let's hope they're too busy watching the fights to care."

The group chuckled, and fell in mindless conversation. Just as their conversation picked up, a loud voice echoed through the stands.

"YOOO, KILLUA!"

Killua sighed, recognizing the voice before he even looked up. Present Mic was waving wildly from the entrance to the stands, causing quite a commotion. "Come on down, buddy! You're needed in the announcer's lounge!"

Killua's eyebrow twitched. "Great. Just what I needed—attention."

Kaminari chuckled. "Sounds like you're getting called to the principal's office."

Killua snorted "More like Dad's office."

Yaoyorozu frowned. "I wonder why they need you now."

Shoto glanced over at Killua with mild concern, but Killua just shrugged. "No clue, but knowing Mic, it's probably something dramatic."

"Better you than me, Killua," Kirishima added with a grin.

With a wave to his classmates, Killua got up and followed Present Mic. As they made their way to the announcer's lounge, Killua glanced up at the loud hero. "What's this about?"

Present Mic toned down his usual booming voice. "Shota wants to talk to you. He's worried about your fight with Shiozaki. You know how he gets when he thinks you're going too far."

Killua frowned. "Great."

They reached the lounge, and as soon as Killua stepped inside, he saw Shota sitting in the corner, arms crossed, his usual tired expression even more serious than usual.

"Thanks, Mic," Shota said without looking up. Present Mic gave Killua a quick pat on the shoulder before heading back to his post.

Shota motioned for Killua to sit down. "Take a seat."

Killua flopped into the chair, crossing his arms and waiting for the inevitable scolding. "You're here about the Shiozaki fight, aren't you?"

Shota narrowed his eyes. "You were... different. You fought her like it wasn't even a match, just something you needed to get over with. What's going on?"

Killua leaned back, looking up at the ceiling, trying to find the right words. "I didn't flip. Not really. I was just... angry."

Shota's frown deepened. "At what?"

Killua stayed silent for a moment, then sighed. "At Shoto's dad. Endeavor."

That got Shota's full attention. "Go on."

Killua looked down, his voice quieter than usual. "Shoto opened up to Midoriya about his family. I overheard him talking about how his dad treated him—like a tool. And it hit too close to home. Made me... mad."

Shota remained quiet, waiting for Killua to continue.

"I confronted Endeavor after that. Told him exactly what I thought of him. He's not a hero—he's just a bully with power. He uses Shoto to chase his stupid rivalry with All Might. It's disgusting."

Shota's eyes softened slightly, though his face remained unreadable. "And you're worried about Shoto."

"Of course I am," Killua replied, his voice tight. "He's my friend. I don't want him to feel like he has to live up to his dad's expectations. I know what that's like, and it's messed up."

Shota leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not concerned about Endeavor right now. I'm concerned about you. You've been carrying this anger for a while, and it's bleeding into your fights."

Killua glanced at him, his expression conflicted. "I didn't mean to go that far in the fight. I just... I guess I lost control for a second."

Shota sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're strong, Killua. But that strength can be dangerous if you don't keep it in check. I'm not telling you to suppress your emotions, but I need you to be aware of them. Especially when you're fighting."

Killua shifted in his seat, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. "I didn't flip, Dad. I was still in control."

Shota's gaze softened at the word "Dad," but he didn't let up. "Maybe. But I've seen what happens when you let your anger take over. I'm not going to let that happen again."

Killua clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them. "I'll be more careful."

Shota nodded, his tone more reassuring now. "Good. And as for Shoto... be there for him. But don't take on his burdens as your own. You've got enough to deal with."

Killua smirked slightly. "That's a lot easier said than done."

Shota gave a small smile. "I know. But you'll figure it out."

With that, the tension eased between them. Killua got up to leave, but before he walked out, he glanced back at Shota. "Thanks for checking on me. I'm... okay."

Shota nodded. "I know."

Killua had barely sat down when Shoto leaned over, his voice low so the others wouldn't hear. "What happened?"

Killua sighed, glancing over at Shoto. "Dad wanted to check on me. He thought I flipped during my fight with Shiozaki."

Shoto raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"

"Nah. I was angry, sure, but I had it under control." Killua paused, a slight frown crossing his face. "He was worried I'd lose it like... before with Nomu."

Shoto nodded, understanding the unspoken weight behind Killua's words. "You told him about Endeavor?"

"Yeah," Killua muttered, leaning back in his seat. "Told him what I thought of that hypocrite. He's not a hero, not the way people think. I can't stand how he uses you."

Shoto's eyes flickered with something Killua couldn't quite place—gratitude, maybe, or understanding. "Thanks," Shoto said quietly, and that was enough for now.

The sound of Present Mic's voice announcing the next match pulled their attention back to the stadium. "ALRIGHT, FOLKS! NEXT UP, IT'S THE EXPLOSIVE KATSUKI BAKUGO VERSUS THE SHADOW FUMIKAGE TOKOYAMI!"

Killua watched as the two fighters stepped into the ring. Katsuki looked as explosive as ever, his confident smirk plastered across his face, while Tokoyami stood calmly, his shadowy companion, Dark Shadow, looming behind him.

"This'll be interesting," Killua said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Tokoyami's strong, but Katsuki's no joke."

Shoto nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Tokoyami's quirk is powerful, but in broad daylight and against a light emitting quirk... Bakugo has the upper hand."

Killua hummed in agreement. "Katsuki's smart. He'll figure that out pretty fast."

The signal for the match to begin rang out, and just as expected, Katsuki wasted no time. He charged forward, explosions sparking from his hands as he blasted toward Tokoyami. Dark Shadow moved to intercept, its massive form blocking Katsuki's path, but Katsuki grinned, twisting in midair and launching himself upward.

"He's testing him," Killua muttered, his eyes sharp as he tracked Katsuki's movements. "Trying to see how Dark Shadow reacts."

Shoto watched closely, his brow furrowing. "If Tokoyami doesn't close the gap quickly, Katsuki will take control of the fight."

Tokoyami, keeping his cool, commanded Dark Shadow to strike, and the shadowy figure lunged toward Katsuki with incredible speed. But Killua noticed it immediately—Dark Shadow was sluggish, its power not as fierce as it had been in previous matches.

Katsuki noticed it too.

"Too slow!" Katsuki yelled, using an explosion to propel himself past Dark Shadow and straight at Tokoyami. His hand crackled with energy as he unleashed an explosion point-blank.

Tokoyami barely managed to avoid a direct hit, Dark Shadow moving in to shield him, but Katsuki's strategy was clear now. He wasn't aiming for Tokoyami—he was aiming for Dark Shadow.

"He's figured it out," Killua said, crossing his arms. "Dark Shadow's weakness. The brighter it gets, the weaker it becomes."

Shoto nodded, his gaze intense. "Tokoyami's in trouble."

The match continued, but the outcome was becoming more and more obvious. Katsuki wasn't just overpowering Tokoyami—he was systematically exploiting Dark Shadow's weakness.

Tokoyami tried to counter, sending Dark Shadow on the offensive, but each time, Katsuki used his explosions to maneuver around it, keeping himself alight. With each passing minute, Dark Shadow grew smaller, its movements slower and less aggressive.

"It's not like Katsuki's fight with Ochako," Killua remarked, glancing at Shoto. "That one had more back-and-forth. Tokoyami's strong, but this fight's over."

"Yeah," Shoto agreed. "It's not like Midoriya's fight with me either. Bakugo's not giving him any room to turn the tables."

Finally, Katsuki saw his opening. With Dark Shadow weakened and Tokoyami backed into a corner, Katsuki blasted forward, his palm glowing with a fierce explosion. Dark Shadow tried to shield Tokoyami, but it was too slow. Katsuki's explosion connected, sending Tokoyami sprawling across the arena.

"AND THAT'S IT!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers. "KATSUKI BAKUGO TAKES THE WIN!"

Killua leaned back in his seat, his sharp eyes still fixed on Katsuki as the crowd cheered. "Katsuki was smart. He figured out Tokoyami's weakness fast and didn't give him any chances. But it wasn't as intense as his other matches."

Shoto nodded thoughtfully. "Or as our fights. There was no emotional drive behind it."

Killua chuckled. "Yeah, exactly. Katsuki wanted to win, but there wasn't anything personal about this one. No drama. No struggle. Just strategy."

The two friends watched as Katsuki stood in the center of the arena, arms crossed, basking in the cheers of the crowd. Tokoyami, while defeated, stood up and bowed respectfully, showing his sportsmanship.

Shoto glanced over at Killua. "It's not the same as facing someone like Midoriya."

Killua nodded, his gaze distant for a moment. "No. And it's not the same as facing someone like you either, Sho."

Shoto smirked. "We'll see soon enough."

As the crowd settled, the two of them got up exiting the stands and making their own way towards the stadium. 

The stadium erupted in cheers as Killua and Shoto stepped into the arena. Their eyes met a silent understanding passing between them. This wasn't just a fight—it was a test of their abilities and their friendship.

"You ready, Sho?" Killua called out, a hint of a smirk on his face.

Shoto nodded, his mismatched eyes filled with determination. 

As Present Mic's voice boomed, signaling the start of the match, both fighters sprang into action. Shoto's right side frosted over as he sent a massive wave of ice surging towards Killua. But Killua was ready, his body crackling with electricity as he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the frozen onslaught.

"That all you got?" Killua taunted playfully, his hands sparking with energy.

Shoto's response came in the form of another ice attack, this time from a different angle. Killua leaped high, his agility on full display as he somersaulted over the ice wall. Mid-flip, he unleashed his thunderbolt, destroying the Shoto's iceberg and forcing him to create an ice shield.

The crowd gasped as Killua landed mere feet from Shoto, their eyes locked in intense focus. For a moment, neither moved.

Then, in a blur of motion, they clashed. Shoto's ice met Killua's electricity in a dazzling display of power. Steam hissed and crackled as their elements collided, neither giving an inch.

"Come on, you can do better than that, Sho," Killua grinned, pushing harder against Shoto's defenses.

Shoto smirked back, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. "So can you."

Suddenly, Shoto's left side ignited, flames roaring to life. The sudden burst of heat caught Killua off guard, forcing him to retreat. The audience cheered even louder at the display of fire and ice.

Killua's eyes widened, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're using your left side! I'm proud of you, Sho!"

Shoto nodded, his expression a mix of determination and gratitude. "Thanks to you and Midoriya. Now, let's see how you handle this!"

A powerful attack of fire and ice spiraled toward Killua, the heat and cold, two opposite elements blending together forming an awe-striking display of power. Killua's smile was full of teeth, electricity dancing around him.

In a flash of blue light, Killua's Godspeed activated. He moved with incredible speed, weaving through Shoto's attack. He was a blur as he closed in on Shoto.

Shoto, realizing the danger, created a massive ice wall between them. But Killua was ready. With a powerful punch, he shattered the ice, sending crystalline shards flying everywhere, earning gasps from the crowd.

Their eyes met once more as Killua broke through, his hand crackling with energy. In that split second, a wordless exchange passed between them—one full of trust and respect.

Killua's lightning-charged palm struck Shoto's chest, the force of the blow sending him sliding backwards. Shoto gritted his teeth, desperately trying to maintain his footing as he skidded across the arena floor. His eyes widened as he saw the edge of the boundary approaching.

With a final burst of effort, Shoto attempted to plant his foot and stabilize himself, but it was too late. His heel crossed the line just as he came to a stop, both feet firmly on the ground but outside the designated fighting area.

For a moment, the stadium fell silent. Then, Midnight's voice rang out clear and decisive: "Todoroki is out of bounds! Killua wins the match!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, but Killua's focus remained on Shoto. He jogged over to his friend, a mix of excitement and concern on his face.

"You okay, Sho?"

Shoto nodded, his breath coming in heavy pants but he was steading straight. Despite the loss, a small smile played on his lips. "Yeah. That was... intense, Kill."

Killua grinned, extending a hand which Shoto clasped firmly. "You weren't so bad yourself. That fire and ice combo? Seriously cool."

As they walked off the arena together, the cheers of the crowd faded into the background. 

Shoto glanced at Killua. "Next time, I won't lose."

Killua chuckled. "Looking forward to it, Sho. Now, let's get you to Recovery Girl."

With that, the two friends left the arena.