Resurgence: From the ashes we shall arise!

Eichi sat at the desk, the documents spread out in front of him like a battlefield map. His eyes scanned every line, every word, committing the details of his cover story to memory again and again. "Born and raised in Tsurui, Hokkaido. Orphaned at a young age. Raised in a small, rural community. Quirk: Enhanced Strength." He muttered the words under his breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, that'll fool everyone."

He tossed the papers back into the box and leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. The room felt suffocating, as if the walls closing in on him. He wasn't used to this—being trapped in a place that felt so... normal. It was unsettling, like wearing a mask that didn't quite fit.

The papers detailed the laws of this country, along with the education system. No killing, even as a pro hero, even if the situation demanded it. He saw it as foolish. A society that adhered to such rules and regulations, with their abhorrent obsession with human life, was doomed to collapse. What about those massacred? Was the perpetrator given a chance to redeem himself? What about the victims? Were they expected to forgive and forget?

Such injustice breeds hatred, and with it comes conflict. Human nature is always prone to evil if things became a shitshow and anarchy prevails. After all, those so-called villains are prone to doing it again if they are not threatened by the prospect of death.

Let's also not talk about the logistics of keeping said criminals in prisons. As more and more criminals filled the prisons, the more money they cost, and the lesser the sentences to keep the country from going into a deficit.

The cost to sentence someone to death is higher? How in the fuck does that make sense? Eichi deduced that because of laws placed to respect human life, the cost to bury someone is higher, as the estate for cemeteries is high, especially with the cost of living.

All of that he saw as nothing more than delusional. Why not just cremate and scatter the ashes? A criminal doesn't deserve mercy. Yes, a robber and a pickpocket can't be compared to murderers and rapists. However, when even the latter are given leniency, how can this society keep peace any longer?

However, Eichi decided to stop such thinking. If he kept it up, especially when the population wasn't expected to defend themselves against evil, it wouldn't end.

Madness, madness, and stupidity, thought Eichi as he clicked his tongue.

The academy books in the box explained how to augment one's Quirk, detailing the curriculum and the various tests students would face. As Eichi read through them, the similarities to the shinobi system were impossible to ignore. The annual school festival, for instance, was described as a grand event where students showcased their skills in front of pro heroes, agencies, and the public. To Eichi, it was nothing more than a flashier version of the Chunin Exams—a high-stakes tournament where young shinobi proved their worth and climbed the ranks.

The practical tests, where students were evaluated on combat abilities, teamwork, and problem-solving, reminded him of the Genin tests administered by Jonin instructors. Even the written exams and monthly physical assessments mirrored the rigorous academic and physical training of the shinobi academy. The only difference was the packaging: here, it was all wrapped in heroic ideals and public spectacle.

"So, this is their version of it," Eichi muttered, his tone dry. "Dress it up in capes and call it justice, but it's the same game. Just with more rules."

The parallels didn't end there. The hero system, much like the shinobi system, was built on hierarchy and control. Students were groomed to follow orders, to fit into a structure that prioritized image over practicality. The emphasis on non-lethal methods, the strict regulations, the obsession with public perception—it all felt like a fragile facade, one that could crumble under the slightest pressure.

Eichi leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. The more he thought about it, the more he saw the cracks in the system. A society that refused to make hard choices, that clung to ideals at the expense of practicality, was one that invited chaos. And chaos, as he knew all too well, was where people like him thrived.

His gaze drifted to the window, where the last rays of sunlight were fading into twilight. Time went fast, huh? The campus was quiet now, the students likely gathered in the common area for dinner. He could almost hear the faint hum of conversation and laughter, a sound that felt alien to him. He didn't belong here, among these people who lived in a world of heroes and quirks. He belonged in the battlefield, where the only rules were survival and strength.

But he didn't have a choice. Not if he wanted to stay under the radar. Not if he wanted to find the heir and ensure his safety. He had to play along, at least for now.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He froze, his body tensing as his hand instinctively went to his side—where a kunai would have been, if he still had one. He forced himself to relax and walked over to the door, opening it just enough to see who was there.

It was Kaina, her bright smile as persistent as ever. "Hey! Just wanted to check on you. How's the room? Need anything?"

Eichi stared at her for a moment. "No. I'm fine."

Kaina nodded, though her smile faltered slightly. "Alright. Well, dinner's in about an hour. It's a good chance to meet your classmates. You should come down."

Eichi's response was immediate and blunt. "I'm not hungry."

Kaina hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond. "Oh. I see, if you change your mind, you know where to find us." She gave him a small wave before turning and walking down the hallway.

Eichi closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a long breath. He didn't have time for this. He didn't have time for small talk, for fake smiles, for... whatever this was. He needed to focus. He needed to find a way out of this shithole.

He needed to find a way to contact his countrymen—if any of them were still alive. He needed to gather information about this world, about the people in it. And he needed to find out if the heir was in a safe environment, no matter what it took.

The room might be his for now, but it wasn't home. It never would be.

---

Later that night.

The common area was alive with the chatter of students, the clinking of utensils, and the occasional burst of laughter. Kaina sat at one of the tables, her eyes occasionally flicking toward the stairs. She had hoped Eichi would come down, but so far, there was no sign of him. Her thoughts kept drifting back to their earlier interaction. His cold demeanor, the way he carried himself—it wasn't just shyness or awkwardness. It was something deeper, something darker. And that scar on his face... it didn't look like an accident. It looked like it came from a fight, maybe even an assault. What had he been through to end up here?

She also couldn't help but notice his hands when he had opened the door earlier. They were calloused and scarred, the hands of someone who had seen hard days, not the hands of a typical teenager. It only added to the mystery surrounding him.

"Hey, Kaina," one of her classmates called out. "Who's the new guy? He looked... intense."

Kaina sighed, her smile fading slightly. "That's Eichi. He's... adjusting. Give him some time."

The classmate nodded, though their expression was skeptical. "Alright. But he's in Class C-1, right?"

Kaina didn't respond, her gaze returning to the stairs. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Eichi than met the eye. And if Mr. Director was involved, it was only a matter of time before things got... complicated. Nezu didn't just take in random students, especially ones with scars and attitudes like Eichi's. There was a story there, one she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

But for now, all she could do was give him space and hope he'd come around. Whatever his deal was, he was here now, and that meant he was part of U.A. Whether he liked it or not.

---

Eichi's room

After much patience, stood and walked over to the window, peering out into the night. The campus was quiet, the students likely settling in for the evening. Perfect. He needed to move now, while everyone was distracted.

Eichi formed a series of hand seals—nine in total—his movements slightly slower than usual. He wasn't an expert in the Camouflage Jutsu, having only picked it up from a Konoha shinobi during his genin days, but it would have to do. As he completed the final seal, his body began to blend into the surroundings, his form becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye.

He slipped out of the window, landing silently on the ground below. The cool night air brushed against his skin as he moved toward the perimeter wall. He paused, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of security. In his old world, the Uzushio Fuinjutsu Department had developed intricate detection seals to prevent intruders. He needed to know if this world had something similar.

After a few moments of observation, he spotted a faint glow along the wall—some kind of energy barrier or sensor. It wasn't as advanced as the seals he was used to, but it was enough to detect intruders. He couldn't risk triggering it.

Eichi formed another set of hand seals, this time for the Hidden in the Dirt Jutsu. His body began to sink into the ground, the earth parting around him as if it were water. He moved slowly, carefully, until he was completely submerged. The barrier above him didn't react as he passed beneath it, and within moments, he was on the other side.

He emerged from the ground a short distance away, his camouflage still active. The city stretched out before him, its lights glowing in the distance. He needed to move quickly.

Before leaving, Eichi formed one more set of hand seals, creating a Shadow Clone to take his place in the dorm. The clone nodded silently before disappearing into the night, heading back to the room. It wouldn't hold up under close scrutiny, but it would buy him some time.

---

Eichi moved through the streets, his form still camouflaged. The city was alive with activity, even at night. People walked the sidewalks, cars sped by, and the occasional hero patrolled the area. It was a stark contrast to the quiet of the U.A. campus.

As he walked, he observed the people around him, taking note of their behavior and the technology they used. He needed to blend in, and that meant understanding how this world worked. He spotted a man distracted by his phone and slipped past him, his hand brushing against the man's pocket. A moment later, he had a small wad of cash. It wasn't much, but it would do.

Eichi continued walking until he found a library. The building was closed for the night, but that didn't stop him. Once inside, he made his way to the technology section, his eyes scanning the shelves for anything that could help him.

He found a book on modern devices and flipped through it quickly. It didn't take long for him to figure out how to use the phone the detective had gifted him. He powered it on, his fingers moving swiftly as he navigated the menus. It was a simple device, but it would be useful for gathering information.

Eichi spent the next hour researching, the more he learned, the more he realized how different it was from his own. But he didn't have time to dwell on that. He needed to focus on moping up the rest of any information.

By the time he left the library, the night was deep, and the streets were quieter. He made his way back to U.A. The shadow clone would dissolve soon, and he needed to be back before anyone noticed he was gone.

As he slipped back into his room, the clone disappeared in a puff of smoke.

---

Eichi stood outside the door to Class C-1, his expression unreadable. The hallway was bustling with students, their chatter filling the air as they made their way to their respective classrooms. He could feel their eyes on him, their curiosity already starting to annoy him. 

The door slid open, and the teacher—a tall man with a stern expression—gestured for him to enter. "Class, we have a new student joining us today. This is Eichi Uzuchi. Please make him feel welcome."

Eichi stepped into the room, his eyes observing the faces of his new classmates. They were a mixed group, some looking curious, others indifferent, and a few openly hostile. He didn't care. He wasn't here to make friends.

The teacher gestured to an empty seat near the back of the room. "Eichi, you can take that seat. We'll start the lesson shortly."

Eichi nodded and made his way to the desk.

 As he sat down, he could feel the weight of their stares, but he didn't react. He kept his expression neutral, his gaze fixed on the front of the room.

The teacher began the lesson, but Eichi's mind was elsewhere. He needed more information, to figure out if individuals were sighted wearing the issued Uzuchio clothes—if anyone. 

During Break

When the bell rang, signaling the start of break, Eichi stayed in his seat, his eyes scanning the room as the other students began to chat and move around. A few of them glanced in his direction, but none approached him. 

However, one student—a boy with spiky blond hair and a confident grin—walked over to his desk. "Hey, new guy. I'm Kenta. Welcome to Class C-1."

Eichi looked up at him, his expression unreadable. "Thanks a lot."

Kenta's grin didn't falter. "So, where are you from? I heard you're from Hokkaido. That's pretty far, huh?"

Eichi's response was curt. "Yup."

Kenta raised an eyebrow, clearly not used to being brushed off so easily. "Alright, tough guy. Just trying to be friendly."

Eichi didn't respond, his gaze shifting back to the front of the room. Kenta shrugged and walked away, muttering something under his breath that Eichi didn't bother to catch.

A few moments later, another student approached—a girl with short black hair and a serious expression. "Hey. I'm Aiko. Don't mind Kenta. He's just... like that."

Eichi glanced at her, his expression still neutral. "Roger that."

Aiko hesitated, clearly unsure how to proceed. "So... what's your Quirk? If you don't mind me asking."

Eichi's response was immediate and blunt. "Enhanced Strength."

Aiko nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's cool. Maybe we can spar sometime. I'm in the martial arts club."

"Yeah, sure. I'll think about it." Eichi responded, his gaze shifting back to the front of the room. Aiko sighed and walked away, joining a group of students near the window.

---

Lunchtime

When lunchtime arrived, Eichi stayed in the classroom, pulling out a small bento box he had prepared earlier. He wasn't interested in joining the others in the cafeteria. The less attention he drew to himself, the better.

However, his solitude didn't last long. Kaina appeared in the doorway, her bright smile as persistent as ever. "Hey, Eichi! Why are you sitting here all alone? Come join us in the cafeteria!"

Eichi didn't look up from his food. "I'm fine here."

Kaina's smile faltered slightly, but she didn't give up. "Come on, it'll be fun! You can't just sit here by yourself every day."

Eichi's response was immediate and blunt. "Bet."

Kaina hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond. Finally, she sighed and walked away, leaving Eichi alone once more.

---

After school

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Eichi gathered his things and made his way to the door. He needed to get back to his room and plan his next move. But as he stepped into the hallway, he found Kaina waiting for him.

"Hey, Eichi," she said, her tone softer than usual. "I just wanted to say... if you ever need anything, you can talk to me. I know it's not easy being the new guy, but you don't have to do it alone."

Eichi stared at her for a moment. He didn't have time for this. He didn't have time for friendships or small talk. But he also knew that refusing her outright might draw more attention to himself. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Fine. I'll join you."

Kaina's face lit up, her smile genuine this time. "Great! We're meeting up in the courtyard. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone."

Eichi followed her, his mind already working on a plan. As they approached the restrooms, he stopped. "I need to use the toilet. I'll catch up."

Kaina nodded. "Alright, don't take too long!"

Once inside the restroom, Eichi quickly formed a series of hand seals. A moment later, a shadow clone appeared beside him, its expression as neutral as his own. "Stay with them. Listen. Report back later," Eichi ordered.

The clone nodded silently and left the restroom, heading toward the courtyard to join Kaina and her friends. Eichi, meanwhile, waited a few moments before slipping out the window.

Outside the Academy

Eichi moved through the shadows, his form blending into the surroundings as he activated the Camouflage Jutsu. The campus was quiet, most of the students either in the courtyard or heading home.

Once again, he used the Hidden in the Dirt Jutsu to bypass the barrier, his body sinking into the ground deep enough and emerging on the other side.

Eichi's first stop was the black market. He had heard rumors of its existence during his brief time in the city, and he needed to see if it was real. If he could commission weapons or gather information, it would be worth the risk.

He moved through the streets, his form still camouflaged. The city was alive with activity, even as the sun began to set. People walked the sidewalks, cars sped by, and the occasional hero patrolled the area.

After some time, he found what he was looking for—a nondescript building in a quieter part of the city. The entrance was guarded by two burly men, their expressions stern. Eichi observed them for a moment before slipping inside through a side entrance and changing his height using a genjutsu.

One thing he had noticed since arriving in this world was that everyone had chakra in their bodies. However, unlike in his old world, where chakra signatures were unique to each individual, people here seemed to share similar chakra patterns if they possessed the same type of power. It was an odd quirk of this world, but it made genjutsu surprisingly effective. And sure enough, it worked.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of smoke and sweat. The black market was a chaotic mix of stalls and shadowy figures, each one offering something illicit. Eichi moved through the crowd, his eyes scanning for anything useful.

One thing struck him as odd. For all the ethics and morals this society preached, their black market wasn't hard to find. In his old world, black markets were hidden, accessible only to those with insider knowledge. Here, it seemed almost... casual. It was a strange contrast, one that made him question the true nature of this world's so-called heroes.

He found a stall selling weapons and approached the vendor, a grizzled man with a scar running down his cheek. "I need something custom," Eichi said, his voice low.

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Custom, huh? What're you looking for?"

Eichi described what he needed—a set of kunai and shuriken, specially designed to be decently weighted for higher leverage when thrown and durable enough to withstand heavy use. The man nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can do that. But it'll cost you."

Eichi handed over the cash he had pickpocketed over the two times he escaped the school, along with a few extra bills as a deposit. "I'll be back in a week."

The man nodded, pocketing the money. "You got it."

Eichi moved on, his next stop a stall selling information. He approached the vendor, a wiry man with a sly grin. "I need a list of known heroes. Their quirks, strengths, weaknesses. Everything."

The man's grin widened. "That's some sensitive info. It'll cost you."

Eichi frowned. He wasn't dumb enough to believe that the so-called "top heroes" were anything more than glorified police. In his world, shinobi kept their abilities hidden, their true strengths a mystery until the moment they were needed. Here, it seemed heroes flaunted their powers, their quirks public knowledge. Any hidden cards they might have were likely irrelevant, given the lack of diversity in a single individual.

Still, he wasn't about to risk using his phone or any other digital device to gather information. The moment he had read about "cybersecurity" in one of the library books, he knew there was a chance he could be monitored. Traditional methods were safer, even if they came at a cost.

Thus, even if it was a scam, he wouldn't object, after all, most citizens are glued to their phone, and the money couldn't be traced to him.

Eichi handed over more cash, his expression unreadable. "Make it quick."

The man nodded, pulling out a small notebook and scribbling down the information. "Here you go. Everything you need to know about the top heroes in the city."

---

Back at the academy

The shadow clone sat quietly in the courtyard, surrounded by Kaina and her friends. The group was lively, their chatter filled with gossip and laughter. The clone didn't speak much, its presence almost blending into the background as it listened.

"So, what do you think of the new guy?" one of the girls murmured, glancing at the clone.

Kaina shrugged, her tone light but thoughtful. "He's... different. Quiet. I think he's just trying to figure things out."

Another boy, with spiky orange hair and a cocky grin, leaned back in his seat. "Different, huh? More like weird. Did you see the way he just stares at people? Like he's sizing them up or something."

Kaina shot him a look. "Give him a break, Kenta. Not everyone's as loud as you."

The group laughed, and the clone remained silent, its gaze fixed on the ground.

The conversation shifted to other topics—upcoming exams, the latest hero news, and who was dating who. The clone absorbed it all, filing away the details. Some of it was useless chatter, but there were snippets of information that could prove valuable. A mention of a teacher's quirks, a rumor about a student's family connections, a casual remark about security measures around the school.

Kaina glanced at the clone occasionally, her expression softening. "You okay, Eichi? You've been quiet."

The clone looked up, its tone flat. "I'm fine."

Kaina hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond. "You sure? You don't have to just sit there. You can join in, you know."

The clone shrugged. "Not much to say, after all, most of what you talk about are things I wasn't involved with."

Kenta snorted, leaning forward with a smirk. "Yeah, or maybe he's just too cool for us. What do you think, new guy? You too good for small talk?"

The clone didn't react, its expression unchanging. "Not interested."

Kenta raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Touchy, huh?"

Kaina shot him another look before turning back to the clone. "Ignore him. He's just messing around. But seriously, if you ever want to talk or... I don't know, hang out or something, you can. We don't bite."

The clone nodded, its response short. "Noted."

Kaina sighed, clearly frustrated but trying to stay patient. "You're really hard to read, you know that?"

The clone tilted its head slightly, as if considering her words. "I'm just not used to this kind of thing."

Kaina's expression softened, and she leaned in a little. "Well, you don't have to figure it all out at once. Just... try to relax, okay? We're not going to bite."

The clone gave a small nod, its gaze shifting back to the ground. The conversation around them continued, the group's energy undiminished. But Kaina kept glancing at the clone, her expression a mix of concern and determination. She wasn't going to let this go easily.

Kenta, noticing her attention, nudged her with his elbow. "You're really hung up on this guy, huh? What's the deal?"

Kaina shrugged, her tone casual but her eyes still on the clone. "I just think there's more to him than he's letting on. And I want to know what it is."

Kenta chuckled, shaking his head. "You're too nice for your own good, Kaina. But hey, if you're that curious, maybe you should just ask him straight out."

Kaina considered this for a moment before turning back to the clone. "Eichi, can I ask you something?"

The clone looked up. "You can ask."

Kaina took a deep breath, her tone serious. "Why are you really here? I mean, you don't seem like the type to just... blend in. So what's your deal?"

The clone hesitated, the first sign of uncertainty it had shown. "That's a complicated question."

Kaina leaned forward, her eyes searching his. "Try me."

The clone met her gaze, its voice low. "Let's just say... things led to another, and here I am."

Kaina raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with the vague answer. "Things led to another? That's it? You're not exactly giving me much to work with here."

The clone shrugged, its tone neutral. "It's the truth. Sometimes shit just... happens."

Kenta chuckled, shaking his head. "You sure you're not a poet or something? 'Things led to another'—real profound, man."

Kaina rolled her eyes at Kenta but didn't let the comment slide. She turned back to the clone, her curiosity sharper now. "Okay, but seriously, Eichi. 'Things led to another' doesn't exactly explain how you ended up here. This is the most prestigious hero school in the world. People don't just stumble into this place. So, what gives?"

"It's not that complicated," it said finally, its tone measured. "I had the grades, passed the entrance exam, and here I am. Same as everyone else."

Kaina tilted her head, her gaze narrowing slightly. "Yeah, but most people don't act like they've been dropped here from another planet. You don't talk much, you don't seem to care about anything we're into, and you've got this... I don't know, detached vibe. Like you're here, but not really here. So, what's the deal? Did you even want to come to this school, or was it someone else's idea?"

The clone hesitated, caught off guard by her perceptiveness. It hadn't expected her to dig this deep. "It's not that simple," it said after a beat, choosing its words carefully. "I had my reasons. Let's just leave it at that."

Kenta leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Reasons, huh? Sounds shady. You running from something? Or someone?"

The clone's expression didn't change, but its tone grew firmer. "I'm not running from anything. I'm here to learn, same as you."

Kaina crossed her arms, clearly not satisfied. "Okay, but if you're here to learn, why do you act like you're above it all? You don't join in, you don't talk much, and you're always just... watching. It's like you're here for something else entirely."

The clone met her gaze, its voice steady. "Maybe I'm just not used to this kind of environment. Not everyone grows up dreaming about being a hero, you know."

Kaina blinked, surprised by the response. "Wait, so you're saying you didn't want to be a hero? Then why are you here?"

The clone shrugged, its tone casual but deliberate. "Like I said, things led to another. Sometimes life takes you places you didn't expect. This just happens to be one of them."

Kenta let out a low whistle. "Man, this guy's full of mysteries. Next thing you know, he's gonna tell us he's secretly an assassin waiting for the right moment or something."

The clone didn't react, but Kaina's eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn't buying the vague answers, but she also knew pushing too hard would only make him shut down more. "Alright, fine," she said, relenting for now. "But if you're here, you might as well make the most of it. You don't have to be so... closed off all the time."

The clone nodded, its expression softening just a fraction. "I'll keep that in mind."

Kaina sighed, clearly frustrated but trying to stay patient. "You're impossible, you know that?"

The clone didn't respond, its gaze drifting back to the ground. The group's conversation shifted to lighter topics, but Kaina kept glancing at the clone, her curiosity far from satisfied. She wasn't sure why, but something about Eichi bothered her—not in a bad way, but in a way that made her want to figure him out. And she wasn't going to stop trying anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the clone remained silent, its mind working quietly. It had given just enough to satisfy Kaina for now, but it knew she wasn't the type to let things go. For the moment, though, it had done its job. It had gathered what it needed, and the real Eichi was already elsewhere, moving forward with his plans. The clone would dissolve soon, its purpose fulfilled—but for now, it played its part, blending in just enough to avoid suspicion.