MHA; Natsu Dragneel!

**Chapter 7: The Battle Begins**

The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays bathing the UA Academy courtyard in a warm, autumnal glow. Crisp leaves, painted in hues of amber and crimson, danced across the ground, carried by a gentle breeze. The students of Class 1-A stood tall and resplendent in their hero costumes, each outfit a vivid reflection of their personalities and quirks. The air was electric with anticipation, a tangible energy that seemed to hum in the space between them. Their eyes were locked on All Might, who stood before them like a beacon of strength and inspiration, his booming voice announcing the first combatants.

Bakugo's face twisted into a sneer, his crimson eyes blazing with a mixture of hatred and jealousy as they locked onto Midoriya. The tension between them was palpable, a storm brewing beneath the surface. Memories of their shared past—of rivalry, resentment, and unspoken words—flashed between them like lightning. Midoriya felt the weight of Bakugo's glare like a physical force, his stomach churning with unease. But that weight was momentarily lifted when a light tap on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.

"Hey, Deku! We're on the same team! Isn't that amazing?" Uraraka's cheerful voice cut through the tension, her bright smile like a ray of sunshine. Her optimism was infectious, and Midoriya couldn't help but smile in return, though his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Uraraka-san… Yes, it's really great," Midoriya stammered, his nervous energy spilling out as he fumbled for the right words.

Uraraka clenched her fist with determination, her eyes sparkling with resolve. "We're going to give it our all! Heroes don't lose!"

Midoriya nodded, his heart steadying at her encouragement. "Right. We'll do our best."

Meanwhile, inside the classroom, Aizawa stood with his usual stoic expression, his tired eyes fixed on Natsu with thinly veiled irritation. His capture weapon hung loosely around his neck, and his slouched posture betrayed his exhaustion. Yet, his gaze was sharp, piercing through Natsu's carefree demeanor. "You've got a lot of nerve showing up late on your second day. What are you, a slacker who got too comfortable with his job and forgot he could be fired?"

Natsu grinned, unfazed by the reprimand, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "There was nothing I could do. A weird villain showed up in my dreams, and I couldn't wake up until I'd kicked his ass."

*Bam!*

Aizawa smacked Natsu on the head in a comedic slap, the sound echoing through the room. He turned away with a sigh, his voice dripping with exasperation. "That's the best excuse you've got?"

Natsu rubbed the spot where he'd been hit, still grinning. "It's not an excuse. It's the truth."

Happy, who had been floating nearby, raised a paw in support, his wide eyes earnest. "It's true. He was being obnoxious all night long. Natsu usually doesn't have such long, intense dreams, but this one went on and on."

Aizawa, unimpressed, let out a deep sigh and pulled a silver case from behind his desk. The number "17" was printed in bold green on its side. "I don't care about your dreams. Just get out there. You still have time."

Natsu's grin widened as he took the case, his excitement barely contained. "Thanks, Aizawa-sensei!"

As Natsu dashed down the hallway, with Happy flying alongside him, Aizawa watched them go. A rare, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips as he thought to himself: *Salamander… He's the only student who asked for his hero name to be engraved on his costume. The fact that he's already chosen his name shows his clear sense of self. He doesn't hesitate, doesn't make excuses. He's blunt, reckless, and strong. Natsu Dragneel… no, Salamander. You have the potential to become a true hero.*

Aizawa's gaze softened as he stared out of the window, the sunlight streaming in and casting long shadows across the floor. "Heroes are always late, after all…" he murmured to himself.

---

The hallways of the Academy stretched ahead of Natsu as he sprinted, the air rushing past him. The sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls, a rhythmic drumbeat of urgency. Happy kept pace beside him, flying just above his shoulder, his small wings flapping furiously.

"By the way," Happy piped up, looking at Natsu curiously, "you've never shown me your hero costume before. Is this finally the moment I get to see it?"

Natsu's grin broadened, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Yeah, today's the day. You'll see it. It suits me perfectly."

As they rushed onward, Happy's thoughts wandered, a small smile forming on his face. *Natsu's always so upbeat and positive, but today… today he seems even more excited than usual. Just seeing him like this makes me smile.*

---

In the observation room, located in one of the buildings overlooking the Beta training city, the students watched the battle unfold on the monitors. Shock rippled through the room as they saw Midoriya lying on the ground, battered and bruised, having just claimed a hard-fought victory over Bakugo. Despite his triumph, Midoriya was in rough shape, while Bakugo, furious but physically unscathed, radiated raw anger.

"Man, that was brutal," Mineta muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "Midoriya… you're really something."

"I can't believe it," Yaoyorozu whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "What drives him to push himself like this?"

"It's hard to watch fights like these," Jiro added, her voice filled with empathy.

Kaminari nodded, his eyes still glued to the screen. "Midoriya knew he wouldn't come out unscathed. Either his quirk would break him, or Bakugo would beat him down. But he didn't back down. He used his power even knowing the cost. That takes serious guts."

"Yeah, that's pretty manly," Kirishima agreed, admiration in his voice.

"But to keep getting hurt like this…" Mina Ashido frowned, her concern evident. "Maybe Aizawa-sensei was right. Maybe Midoriya isn't cut out to be a hero…"

The murmurs of the students filled the room, each grappling with their own thoughts. All Might, who had been listening quietly, wanted to shift the focus to the next battle. But before he could speak, a voice from the doorway interrupted.

"What right do you have to criticize someone who's giving everything they have to become a hero?"

All eyes turned to the entrance, where the sound of footsteps approached. Natsu appeared, his black-and-gold hero costume standing out like a beacon of confidence. The elegant, intricate design of his outfit, inspired by ancient Eastern and Ottoman influences, gave him a regal, yet fierce appearance. His black jacket was emblazoned with the word "Salamander" in bold, gold letters over his heart. Happy perched proudly on his head, his small form a stark contrast to Natsu's commanding presence.

"If you think what Midoriya is doing is wrong, then maybe you're in the wrong place," Natsu declared, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

The students stared in silence, their previous judgments hanging in the air. Natsu clenched his fist, his expression intense. "Instead of feeling sorry for Midoriya, you should feel sorry for yourselves. If you're not willing to sacrifice something like he is, then you're just in this for the fame."

His words hit hard, casting a somber shadow over the room. Each student processed the weight of Natsu's statement, reflecting on their own motivations.

Todoroki, standing with his arms crossed, broke the silence. His half-frozen body gleamed with ice as he addressed Natsu, his voice calm but laced with challenge. "His recklessness will make him a victim before he's a hero. And what about you, Salamander? Do you have an excuse for being late?"

Natsu smirked, locking eyes with Todoroki. "I don't need excuses. I showed up just in time to give you a good beating. Come at me, 'chosen one.'"

Tension filled the room, the weight of Natsu's words thick in the air. After a brief, charged silence, All Might clapped his hands, his booming voice breaking the tension.

"The second match: Team Todoroki versus Team Natsu… starts now!"

..

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