My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder

-Narrator's POV-

The night air was heavy with tension, the hospital's exterior lights casting long, pale beams across the quiet street. Kirishima shifted his weight, arms folded as he glanced at Todoroki, whose expression was as unreadable as ever. Kaminari stood nearby, leaning against a lamppost, the distant hum of the city filling the silence between them.

"Do you think she'll come?" Kirishima asked, voice low but hopeful. Before Todoroki could answer, the sound of footsteps caught their attention. Yaoyorozu appeared from around the corner, her hair disheveled but her eyes resolute. Beside her, Midoriya walked with a limp, the determined look on his face defying his condition. They reached the small gathering, exchanging tense nods.

"What's your answer?" Kaminari asked, breaking the silence. Yaoyorozu exhaled, glancing between her classmates before speaking, "I wi-"

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension, sharp and filled with disapproval. "So, you're really going through with it?"

Everyone turned to see Ilda standing a few steps away, his usually composed demeanor now cracked with frustration. His glasses caught the light, reflecting his furrowed brow and tightly set jaw.

"Ilda." Midoriya began, only for Ilda to raise a hand.

"No, Midoriya, listen. We cannot repeat the same mistakes I made," Ilda's voice wavered with emotion.

"Going after Stain nearly cost me everything, and now you of all people, the ones who helped me when I was imprudent, are now planning to go after villains, against orders? Have you learned nothing from what happened to me?!"

Kirishima clenched his fists, eyes narrowing. "We're not doing this to prove anything or for revenge. We're doing this because Bakugou needs us!"

"And because we can't sit and wait," Todoroki added, his calm voice cutting through the tension like ice. "We know the risks."

"Knowing the risks doesn't make it right!" Ilda's voice rose. "This isn't heroism; this is reckless desperation. We have teachers, pro heroes—"

"And they're not moving fast enough," Kaminari interjected, stepping forward with a hardened look in his eyes. "You were at the camp, Ilda. You saw what it was like when everything fell apart. Waiting for the pros didn't save Ragdoll or stopped them from taking Bakugou."

Yaoyorozu took a deep breath, stepping between them. "This isn't just about breaking the rules. It's about doing what we believe is necessary. We're not acting out of anger or spite. We're acting because we want to become heroes, and heroes don't stand by when their friends are taken. Which is why you guys can count on me."

Ilda's shoulders slumped slightly, the conviction in his friends' voices making his resolve falter. He glanced at each of them, eyes landing on Midoriya, who met his gaze with silent determination.

Midoriya finally spoke, softly but firmly. "Ilda, we're not the same as we were back then. We've learned. We're doing this because it's the right thing, even if it's not the easy thing."

Ilda's fists unclenched, and a storm of emotions crossed his face—anger, worry, and reluctant understanding.

Ilda closed his eyes and took a trembling breath before nodding. The weight in the air seemed to shift as the group understood that, though fractured, they were united by the same cause.

The silence that followed was heavy, the group's resolve tested by the lingering disapproval on Ilda's face. But then, as if coming to a decision, Ilda stepped forward, his usual rigidity softened by the concern etched in his expression.

"It seems we couldn't reach a consensus." He began, eyes locking with each of his classmates. "Then I'm coming too."

Kaminari's brows raised in surprise, and Kirishima's mouth fell open slightly. Even Todoroki's neutral expression showed a flicker of surprise.

...

As the group was moving, Yaoyorozu didn't seemed convinced. "Honestly, Ilda... Your reasoning to join the group is not very convincing."

Ilda pushed up his glasses, the light catching on the lenses as he exhaled slowly. "Because if you're going to defy the rules, someone needs to make sure you don't go too far. I won't let you throw yourselves into the same reckless chaos that almost cost me everything." His voice wavered, but the conviction in his words was clear. "I will act as a watcher. I'll make sure we don't confront the villains head-on."

His reasoning is sound, even Kaminari, who has been so far at the forefront of this plan, understands the reality they're in. If the villains are half as strong or even stronger than the Nomu he faced at the forest, they have absolutely no chance in a direct assault.

"The same goes for me." Yaoyorozu said, her doubts maybe quelled.

"Rescuing Bakugou is professional work. Looking at it objectively, we don't need to do anything. The plan is risky because I know how you feel about it. Don't forget this."

As the rest of the group nodded in agreement and continued on their way, it was clear they in fact did not understand what they're in for. A rescue without a fight will be near impossible.

As the night deepened, they stood ready to face the unknown, their path dangerous and uncertain but marked by their will.

...

The train hummed quietly as it sped through the dimly lit night, the sound of metal on tracks filling the silence between them. The group sat scattered across a few seats, tension palpable, eyes focused but troubled.

Yaoyorozu held her tracking device close, eyes narrowed in concentration as the faint beeping sound indicated the location of the tracker she'd planted. She glanced at her teammates.

"The signal's coordinates will take us toward Kamino Ward. It's likely that's where they're holding Bakugou."

A weight settled over everyone at the mention of the location. Kirishima leaned forward, clasping his hands together as he looked at each of them in turn.

"I was talking to Uraraka earlier." He began, breaking the silence. "She and the rest of the class were trying to talk us out of it. And well, she said something about how Bakugou might feel… About being rescued. How he might see it as being humiliated."

The statement hung in the air for a moment, its implication hitting harder than any villain's strike. Kaminari's jaw tightened, his gaze drifting out the window as the city lights flashed by in a blur. The idea was painful, but it was also Bakugou. Prideful, fierce, and unyielding, even when trapped.

Todoroki's voice cut through the silence, calm but insistent. "Just so we are clear..." His gaze swept the group, his eyes searching for any hesitation. "... You guys know what we're doing is egoistical and that no one wanted us to do it in the first place, right? If any of you wants to bail, there's still time."

Midoriya nodded solemnly, already weighed by guilt and determination. Kirishima clenched his fist, a small smile forming despite the seriousness. "I do." He said firmly.

"Bakugou would do the same for any of us, even if he'd never admit it."

Yaoyorozu met Todoroki's eyes. "We've come this far. I don't intend to turn back now."

Kaminari looked at his friends, feeling the gravity of their shared purpose settle in his chest. "No one gets left behind." He said quietly but firmly. "No matter what it takes, we will bring him back."

Todoroki took in their faces, the expressions that answered his question. He gave a subtle nod. "Then let's do this."

The train continued its course, carrying them toward the unknown, their resolve cemented by the silent promises they made to themselves and to each other.

...

Kamino ward. It's bustling with people even at a time like this, the main adult crowd is busying themselves at the various entertainment sites available amidst the noisy, neon-lit streets. The city buzzed with life, a sharp contrast to the somber mission that brought us there.

Yaoyorozu was quick to spot Kirishima's anxious energy, his fists already clenching as if he was ready to charge into battle.

"Wait, Kirishima!" Yaoyorozu said firmly. "From now one, we need to take absolute care. The villains can recognize us. We can be attacked at any moment."

"Understood! Secret operation!" Midoriya, although he has his moments, he's still a naive kid. Crossing his arms like a ninja, he's going to create attention.

Yaoyorozu's serious expression softened as she pointed across the street at a brightly lit store, its sign reading Donki in vibrant letters.

...

Kaminari raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he sees Midoriya leaving the dressing room. "Disguises? Are we undercover agents now?"

"Yes, exactly. There's our solution." Yaoyorozu reappeared, adjusting the summer dress. Her look was completed with oversized sunglasses that made her seem like she was about to attend a garden party instead of infiltrating enemy territory. "This will do." She said with a nod, trying to maintain her composure while the rest of the group grinned at one another.

I couldn't help but chuckle, I can feel the tension easing for the first time in hours. I reached for a denim jacket with patches sewn all over it, pairing it with sunglasses and a bandana wrapped around his forehead. "If we're going incognito, we might as well look cool doing it." I said, striking a mock pose.

They all shared a moment, the absurdity of their appearance and the flicker of laughter in their eyes briefly making them feel like ordinary teenagers on a silly outing. The seriousness of their mission hadn't waned, but this brief pause reminded them of who they were fighting for: Their friend.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Kaminari asked, tilting his sunglasses down to look over them.

Kirishima pumped his fist into the air. "Ready as we'll ever be!"

With disguises set, they stepped back into the thrumming night of Kamino, their mission looming but their spirits momentarily lifted by shared determination and camaraderie.

As the group stepped out of Donki, their eyes adjusting to the bright lights of Kamino's streets once again, Todoroki turned to Yaoyorozu, the question already forming on his lips.

"Yaoyorozu." Todoroki began. "Why didn't you just use your quirk to create the disguises?"

Yaoyorozu pushed her oversized sunglasses up the bridge of her nose and exhaled softly, momentarily averting her gaze. "T-This would be against the rules!" She admitted. "If I did whatever I want... The m-money flow... Yes! As a citizen of this nation, yes, I need to up the flow of money to the economy!"

Todoroki's brows softened slightly, taking in their reasoning. He gave a small nod, eyes shifting to the crowded streets ahead. "I see. Good thinking, Yaoyorozu."

Kirishima is nodding as realization dawned on him. "She just wanted an excuse to enter the store, right?"

"Yep." The rich girl wants the whole suburbs deluxe experience.

I glanced at the group, feeling the weight of the mission press down again, even after our lighthearted moment inside Donki. "Alright, we've got our disguises. Now we just need to move and keep a low profile."

With that, the team set off down the bustling streets of Kamino, the city's lights flickering like distant stars against the dark backdrop of the mission.

...

-Kaminari's POV

"U.A! It's U.A" Someone recognized us?! No... A bystander is not looking at us, but at the large display screens mounted on the side of a high-rise building, casting a stark light over the street. The faces of Principal Nezu, Aizawa-sensei, and Vlad King appeared, framed by the press conference backdrop, drawing our attention..

Yaoyorozu's breath caught as she glanced up, the usually composed principal looking grim. Aizawa-sensei stood with a steely gaze, his eyes carrying a rare intensity, while Vlad King crossed his arms, his expression hardened.

...

"—In light of recent events, we want to reassure the public that we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety of our students and to bring our captured student, Bakugou Katsuki, back home." Nezu's voice echoed through the street.

The crowd around us murmured, whispers of concern and doubt intertwining with words of reassurance.

This is bullshit, they're trying to push the blame solely on them. How easy public opinion changes as each jab from a reporter strucks them. This is bad, the situation is worsening.

Aizawa-sensei leaned toward the microphone, his voice cold and composed. "We trust in the heroes working tirelessly to solve this situation. We urge everyone to remain calm and vigilant."

Kirishima's jaw tightened, and he muttered. "They got Aizawa-sensei in a bad spot."

I look for Todoroki, his eyes stayed glued to the screen, maybe searching Aizawa-sensei's face for a sign of hidden meaning. The tension grew, I'm grappling with the dual weight of knowing our teachers were on edge while we were about to break the rules ourselves.

Yaoyorozu spoke softly, as if afraid to interrupt the moment. "They're doing everything they can… But we can't just wait. Let's go."

She's right. The press conference, intended to soothe and maintain order, only served as a reminder of why we are here—to do what others couldn't, or wouldn't.

"We'll get him back." Kaminari said, voice low but fierce. The words hung between them like a promise as the crowd around them continued to watch the broadcast, unaware of the young heroes hidden in plain sight, ready to defy the odds.