When Dabi woke Naoki up, the bed was cooled down, meaning Dabi hadn't been in it for a bit, but, that was explained with the breakfast set out on the coffee table, alongside more of the same tea from the night before.

"Eat up. After we both missed meals yesterday skipping isn't an especially good idea... I can't believe I forgot about dinner..." Dabi instructed. It was just past 06:45.

--

"Alright, that's it for class today. There's only one week left before your final exams begin." Aizawa ended, tapping the stack of papers to hs desk as he continued, "I'm sure you're studying constantly, right? Don't forget to keep training, the written exam is only one element. There's also the practical portion to worry about. Good luck." The teacher left the classroom, the class freaking out as soon as the door was shut.

Denki was 20th in the midterms, Mina 19th. Aoyama was at 17th, but seemingly unconcerned with the low grade. Hanta was 17th, Tooru was in 16th, Eijiro at 15th, Fumikage at 14th, and Ochaco held 13th, whilst Rikido held 12th, Koji ranked 11th...

Alternatively, Momo was in 1st, Tenya in 2nd, Katsuki at 3rd, Midoriya had 4th, and Shouto ranked 5th. Naoki was close behind at 6th, Tsuyu was in 7th, Kyouka at 8th, Masashirao held 9th, with Shouji following up in 10th.

Izuku cheered the stun gun and pinky on, Tenya also trying, while Shouto made a different remark.

"It's pretty hard to fail if you just pay attention in class, isn't it?."

"Hey, don't worry about it you two. I can catch you up to speed on the important topics if you'd like." Momo offered, unaware of how much the rest of the class would eat up her offer. Denki and Mina already thanking her, as Momo continued. "I'm afraid I won't be of much help on the practical, though..." Shouto and Naoki both looked toward her, surprised by that reaction.

Kyouka asked for assistance on Quadratic formulas, spurring Naoki to try and speak up as well, but wes overcut before being heard. Hanta begged next, classical japanese killing his grades, while Masashirao asked to partake as well, stating he was falling behind a bit.

Momo returned to excitement, accidentally humbly bragging, as Kirishima remarked interest in joining them as well, Katsuk's response threatening to beat the lessons into Kirishima's skull, and Kirishima surprisingly not taken aback by it, sparking Naoki's curiosity. He'd already decided to sit back and stay out of the fuss.

"Naoki, you ranked 6th, right? Are you struggling or anything?" Kirishima bounced the concern off of the absent-minded raven.

"Ah - Oh... Yeah, j-just a bit... Things involving my Quirk come easily, but... Certain other things, not so much... But, I've also been taking classes outside the regular curriculum thanks to Nezu-san, so that's part of it as well..." Naoki admitted, left hand rubbing the back of his neck alongside his closed-eyed grin.

"Wait - Seriously? Since when? How do you even manage that atop the other classes and everything else going on?" Denki asked, Naoki finding himself center of attention.

"It's just four online courses, and I go in to work-study after summer vacation, though, only two a week, and for two hours at a time... It'll be a bit difficult to juggle, but I'll manage... Nezu-san arranged it during the sports festival, even though I didn't bring it up or ask until right before our internships... They're supposed to help me improve some things I struggle with that most people learn in childhood... Which is why I struggle..."

"HA! You can't even compete with me on that, huh? You always came in second, and late too, in juniour high, now you're not even top-five!" Katsuki mocked, arrogance pouring from him as he sat cocky in his desk.

"On the other hand, Katsu-san... I also caught up to that grade in the first trimester and a half... You know... What takes most people years to learn... Took me a few months. Try not being an arrogant, cocky ass so much... You aren't going to cut it to being a hero if everyone thinks you're a jerk right from the get-go..." Naoki returned, eyes narrowed at the blonde.

"Why you..." Katsuki began, boiling more as Naoki pulled out his phone, eyes flickering wide for a second before tucking it away, continuing as if he'd not heard Katsuki.

"Anyway, I should be okay. Luckily, Aoi-san has been willing to help me with both training and studying. And, Izumi, he asked me to thank you again, and... He's not... He's better from the other night when all that crap happened... Idiot didn't even tell me he was sick... Thankfully I was able to help speed up his recovery last night... Though, he was less than happy about it!" Naoki admitted, a cheery smile across his face as he chuckled.

Naoki caught Bakugou's added aggression. The blonde was obviously reeling.

The Hell! That fucker was sick and still pulled that shit... So... Effortlessly... Just how strong is he?! And Naoki gets the fucker all to himself! Fucking Private instruction!?

"Oh yeah! Naoki! You're awfully... I don't know... You're oddly relaxed today! SO~ Did anything happen last night? Hmmm~" Mina asked, leaning her elbows on the desk Naoki was seated in.

"Huh? O-Oh... N-No..." Naoki answered, his cheeks as red as his right eye.

Luckily, the next class was started, and Naoki wasn't pressured afterwards, relieved by it.

--

Soon enough, Lunch came around. Naoki ate with Shouto, Ochaco, Izuku, Tenya, Tsu and Tooru. Naoki and Shouto both ate cold soba, Shouto eying the meal, not having seen Naoki eat it before, well, during school. In the past, Naoki loved it just as much as Shouto... And... him... Shouto thought as Izuku spoke up.

"I'm kinda scared about the practical. I have no idea what it's gonna be." Izuku stated.

"Hard to believe they'd give us anything too crazy." Tenya replied as they all dug in.

"The written exam questions will all be stuff from class, so I should at least be able to do those." Izuku added.

"Do you really think it's going to be that simple?" Ochaco asked, worried.

"It's driving me nuts. I just wanna know what they'll have us doing." Izuku continued, followed by Tooru.

"It's a comprehensive test of everything we've learned this year." The invisible girl explained.

"Yep, and that's about all we could get Aizawa to tell us." Tsu affirmed.

"Okay, so then it'll be about combat training, and rescue training - Oh and basic training." Ochaco assessed.

"We can't just study. We have to stay in great physical shape-" Izuku was cut off, the narcissistic blonde Monoma from 1-B smacking his elbow into Izuku's head, catching Naoki's attention immediately.

"Oh~ Sorry. Your head's so big that it's hard to miss." The blonde sneered.

"You're from class 1-B - um - Monoma, right? That really hurt..." Izuku tried to be polite as the blonde spoke condescendingly.

"I heard you guys stumbled across the Hero Killer. Just like in the sports festival, class 1-A isn't happy unless they're the center of attention. But you do realise you're not in the spotlight because people think you're good heroes-" He was earning varying expressions from the table, and Naoki was two words away from giving the brat a mouthful of his own. "It's just that you keep getting into so much trouble." His aura darkened, gaze fixed on Izuku, and flickering to Naoki as he continued, watching the raven's eyes each time he glanced, as if waiting for a change in their colour. "Here's food for thought - Someday the rest of us might get caught up in your mess, and then-" Naoki vanished from view, popping up right behind the blonde, who still spoke a few words before he seemed to notice Naoki's absence.

"Ne~ Monoma-chin... At least some of us can handle ourselves around someone like Stain, and don't act like prats or bully others. So, you want food for thought, huh? I can give you a mouthful of it. Hit Izumi again, and I'll return the force right back to you, even and fair." Naoki warned, seeing the slight flinch of the blonde, who turned to face him, same shit-grin as just a second ago.

"Oh really? As I see it, you're just a copycat of me riding All Might's tailcoat to get into class 1-A. Borrower? Ha! More like copycat!" Monoma tried to throw Naoki off.

"Oh? So, then~ Want to try copying my Quirk? I bet you'd end up destroying yourself first time you tried to use Ricochet, and end up exsanguinated any time you use Blood Tempter. Time Reversal isn't child's play either, and... Someone without knowledge on how to combine them, using these-" He held up a hand, displaying the azure flames. "Ends up crispy... Erasure, though... That one's fairly simple once you get the hang of it..." Naoki finished, releasing the flames before his final words. Naoki saw Monoma's eyes light up.

"You're just a delicate little glass cannon. You talk all high and mighty, but you end up hurt worse than your opponents every time you fight..." He locked eyes with Naoki, smirking as he saw Naoki's eye change. He continued, surprised none of the other group Naoki ate with had intervened yet. "You know something... Your classmates probably all either hate you, or are scared of you... But... I just noticed... You meet the Hero Killer, and suddenly start wearing a red scarf right after? You must look up to the murderer, after all, his blood runs - OOF!" He was struck over the head, rather sharply, Itsuka catching his tray and him as he slumped, followed by Shinsou's tired voice ringing out.

"Geeze. You just don't know when to stop." He faced Naoki while Itsuka spoke to the rest of the table. "Naoki, my father was having trouble getting ahold of you after the other night, so wanted me to remind you to get your check-up in before summer vacation so he can get the results sent out in time... This guy just reminded me, being so loud." There were two drastically different conversations going on, and Naoki wouldn't be lying if he said he was focused halfway between each one.

"Oh... Thanks. I forgot I was supposed to do that... Also, my phone was kinda decayed, so I-Can I give you my new number? Oh, I could just-" Naoki was interrupted, Hitoshi holding out his phone for Naoki to enter the new number.

"I'll get it to him. Well, I'm going back-" Hitoshi began, cut off by Naoki's question, the rest of the group tuning in at hearing Naoki's semi-frantic question.

"Hitoshi! Can... Um... Do you want to go with me to a vet office? There's a kitten I've been meaning to check up on, and... You and Hajime-san both... Like cats..." Naoki trailed off, nervousness swallowing any confidence he may have had.

With a wide, toothy grin, Hitoshi replied, "Sure, why not. So long as that boyfriend of yours doesn't get steamy." Hitoshi teased.

Naoki went red. "Ah - He usually doesn't get that way... But, maybe I can get him to tag along so he's not liable to get... Upset?" Naoki questioned, not entirely sure what Hitoshi had meant by 'steamy.'

"Fine by me. Send me the date and time, I'll be there." Hitoshi mused, walking away, rubbing his neck.

"Well, whaddya know, never woulda figured you liked guy - OOF!" Monoma was KO'd by the orange haired big sister of her class, for a second time, hanging limply from her grasp again.

"That's not funny, Monoma! You heard what happened to Iida, and then start sticking your nose in other's business and picking fun at Kirahara, mocking him more for something like that... Chill out!" She lectured, losing patience for the blonde. "I apologise for him. I'm pretty sure there's a hole where his heart should be." Izuku was still wide-eyed, so much going on in such a short time, while Itsuka continued. "So, I was listening. I know you're all worried about what's going to be on the big final practical. I heard it's going to be combat against robots, like the entrance exam." She was bombarded with questions, answering the biggest question. "One of my friends who's a few grades up filled me in. I know - cheating - But, oh well." Izuku began muttering as Naoki resumed eating, having taken his seat when she began speaking, and his thoughts swarming about how Monoma would have figured out about the transfusion.

"What kind of idiot are you, Kendo? You just gave away our whole strategic advantage! This was our chance to finally pull ahead of that class full of idiots-" Any further words the blonde may have said were abruptly cut off, as Itsuka's hand met his neck, fully outing him from consciousness.

"They're not the idiots!" She exclaimed, dragging him away, leaving Izuku and Tenya staring after he, Naoki still working through his cold soba.

"Hey, Ki... About what Mina asked earlier... Nothing actually happened between you and your boyfriend, right?" Shouto asked, subtle enough that the other tablemates weren't tuned in.

"He was a lot more clingy and cuddly than usual, but, he gets like that after I get hurt... And it's not a bad thing, nor anything to complain about... But, I think he's pretty unsettled with how I was... Injured... J-Just... Never been kissed like that." Naoki explained, short-handed, and cutting out soooo much that happened alongside the kiss.

"I see... So, your memories... Were you able to sort them out?" Shouto asked, this time, as they were shedding their lunch trays and now moving back to class.

"Yeah. I remembered quite a bit... Natsan, Fuyu-nee... Rei-kaa-san... She was in alot of them... But the most... Who I saw the most... Was..." Naoki trailed off, his face displaying a bit of pain, but, other emotions alongside it, Shouto doubletaking at the three defined colours in his eye -silver, blue and lavender, as they reached the classroom. Shouto was still shocked from that, but able to guess from that, who had been on the red raven's mind still more than curious now, though.

--

Back in the classroom, Denki and Mina were ecstatic about fighting robots, and Izuku looked determined, more so than Naoki had seen in a long time. Guess, All Might filled him in on All For One... Though, I wonder what else was said... Izumi's been a little off... Especially, well, specifically when it comes to me...

"It doesn't matter if its robots or actual people." Katsuki began, drawing the eyes of the class as he spoke. "Why are you morons so excited?" He asked, followed by Denki's ignorant outburst.

"Hey! Who're you calling a moron?"

"SHUT UP! YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO CONTROL YOUR QUIRK! YA GOT IT?!" He turned his gaze to his biggest opponents, one at a time. "Hey! Deku! I don't know what's going on with your power, but I saw the way you're using it now, and I want you to know... It's seriously pissing me off." A few other classmates referenced how Izuku was moving during the race as Katsuki continued. "I won't have an other half-assed win like at the festival. We'll be getting individual scores during the upcoming finals - New Rankings. So we'll all know exactly where we're standing. I'll show you how much better I am!" He pointed a finger at Izuku, moving it to point at Shouto and Naoki as he continued, "And Todoroki - I'll kill you too!" Then he snapped to glare at Naoki, angered further by the ice-blue eye that was so much like the blue flames the red raven used. "And Eyepatch! I'll slaughter you. I'm going to show that bastard he shouldn't mess with me again! You getting personal training isn't going to help you beat me, you hear! I'll make that crispy freak regret how much time he's wasted his with you! If he wants to train someone, then he shouldn't bother with a pathetic weakling like you!" He challenged, as if daring Naoki to speak, for the excuse to blow him a new hole in his side.

"I get it now... You're livid that even sick, he still subbed you in an instant..." Naoki muttered, rubbing his chin, and thinking aloud, aware the blonde was now enraged further, but, he only charged out of the classroom, slamming the door as he left, making it bounce back a few inches before closing.

The class was tense, silent, until Kirishima spoke up. "Been a while since I seen him that worked up..."

Fumikage also spoke out. "Think it's impatience... Or hatred."

Aizawa, unknown to the class, was outside the room, listening to the entire conversation, making notes.

Bakugou... You're getting worse than I thought... And Naoki... Your behaviour changes just since the incident with Shigaraki last week are disconcerting... I'll need to keep an eye on you better... Though... You're far less tense or intimidated around others as before... Bakugou being the near sole exception...

He had grown suspicious of the company Naoki kept, and how the man calling himself 'Aoi' wasn influencing his student, especially since he seemed to be driving a wedge between Naoki and All Might.

Back in the classroom, Naoki shuffled over to Shouto, "Shou-san? I was wondering... A-Aoi-san thought it would be better if I asked a classmate to help me catch up in the subjects I'm behind in... So I wanted to ask if you would be willing?" Naoki asked.

"If you want my advice, Ki, you should join Yaoyarozu's group. She does hold the highest ranks for that. What are you doing for training? I take it you'll be getting that covered by Aoi?" Shouto answered.

"Uh - Yeah. But, I also discussed doing something outside just training with him. He's amazing with a lot, but I shouldn't just learn from him. Experience plays a big part... Kinda like when I interned with Manual. I learned how Ricochet interfaces differently with water... So there, I'm at a bit of a loss too... But I also know... From memories that training with you probably would not be the best if I want to avoid... You know..." Naoki explained.

Shouto, though, chuckled a small bit at that, surprising Izuku who was monitoring the class, but had been watching Naoki and Shouto talk.

"When you remind me of that, it makes me want to do it even more just to spite him." Shouto explained. "Imagine how he'd react to that. We should do it. No way he'd risk angering All Might by lashing out at you. And besides, I want to see how you're managing that fire Quirk. I may be able to give you some tips for it, though... It will give me an advantage over you in the practical." Shouto offered, giving Naoki a glance to gauge his reaction at the last part.

"I don't know, I think if anything, this will level the playing field. You have a lot more experience with your Quirks than I do, even after getting some memories back..." Naoki said, implying Shouto was already in the advantage, and by helping Naoki, they'd give each other a better edge, even against one another.

"Good point." Shouto answered, another small laugh, drawing more attention.

"Man you two are pretty close. That's obvious now more than before." Kirishima announced. "No one else but Midoriya gets much reaction out of Todoroki."

"Oh, Eijiro... That's... Um... Remember when I got the door and wall treatment the other day? Well, I got a whole slew of memories back... And I..." He trailed off, glancing to Shouto, who gave a small smile as he shrugged and finished.

"Naoki lived with us for a while during our childhoods. So, all my siblings knew him, same with my mom. He's kinda like a brother in that sense. It was just over three years though... After that is when he disappeared. I doubt many people saw him until All Might, and I don't really know what happened anymore... Did you get any of the memories from then back?" Shouto asked, ignoring the stunned eyes around the room.

"No... Just a lot about Nat-san, Fuyu-nee, Rei-kaa-san and... Touya. I had a lot more filled in about you, but most were pretty scattered, and focused on Touya... But they gave me a pretty good timeline to a certain point." Naoki explained, the class not missing how his eye colour flickered silver, a new colour to them, when a single name left him each time it did.

Shouto sighed, a bit of a sadness coming over him at hearing that name, and knowing Naoki now remembered it, but, may not be aware of what happened to his elder brother.

Most of the class dwindled away, though Izuku remained closer. Class was dismissed, so they could go when they felt like it.

--

From there, alongside classes, Naoki spent a lot of time outside school training with Dabi, reguarding his Quirk, but, that weekend, he and Shouto, joined by Izuku to Naoki's surprise, met at the green's house to study, planning to work on the practical applications during the coming day.

It was good to see Inko, and she was happy to see Naoki. Naoki picked up on something between Izuku and Shouto he'd missed before, given they weren't as carefree during class. It seemed Shouto came over rather frequently, and Izuku and Shouto were closer than it seemed in class.

They brought different emotions to each other, Izuku brightening Shouto's demeanour, the bi-coloured smiling and laughing enough that it was contagious.

Izuku really was a happy bundle of joy, a bright, gentle and comforting light to those around him. Something Shouto really needed, and seemed to enjoy as much as Izuku enjoyed the kinship.

Shouto and Naoki gave Izuku a pretty good run-down of their shared past, earning several long minutes of the green's mutterings, which neither of them seemed to mind, and didn't interrupt, just listening and giving small replies of understanding. When Izuku finished, realising they both did the same thing, and he wasn't yelled at, but fully allowed to spill his info-dump, they all shared a laugh.

It was a good weekend, Naoki kept in touch with Dabi, just letting him know the basics out of respect, but struggling with how to even start a conversation with Toshinori. After their next class, Naoki rode the bus with Hitoshi and Dabi tagging along to see Hajime Shinso for the check-up he was due, explaining to Dabi that he was supposed to get it done before summer break so the doctor could send them out to be analysed and filed by a scientist friend of All Might's who was trying to learn how to help Naoki with his Quirk. For the most part, though, Dabi let Naoki and Hitoshi chat and was more there as escourt and his own unwillingness to let Naoki wander without him, Izuku, or All Might incase Shigaraki decided to come after him again.

The check-up complete, Naoki and Dabi headed home, Naoki giving farewells to Hitoshi and Hajime, also requesting Hajime's permission to take Hitoshi to see the kitten before the training camp, using it as a chance to also invite Dabi, who was actually chill with Naoki going, and rather excited to have been asked to join. Then, even more pleased when it became a larger group idea, including Izuku, Shouto, and a few others from his class.

Dabi told Naoki later he was actually glad to get the chance, not only to meet a few more classmates of Naoki's, but to get an oppourtunity to check up on Shouto without it being weird or stalkery, since it was a group activity. On the other hand, Kirishima was also invited, and had planned to try and use it as a chance to help smoothe things between Bakugou and the other classmates over, without informing either group that was his plan. They ended up leaving it an open-end plan so they could go other places and have others join, Dabi surprised Naoki was so agreeable to so many people and places being possible.

--

After three days of written exams that were killer for some, easier for others, and nothing more than a thought for a few, it came time for the practical.

Aizawa had the entirety of Class 1-A meet outside the training grounds, before giving the run-down for the practical portion of the finals. To the shock of the students, the teachers from U.A. were also gathered with their Homeroom teacher.

"Now then, let's begin the last test. Remember. It's possible to fail this final. If you wanna go to camp, then don't make any stupid mistakes." Aizawa began.

"Uh... Why are all the teachers here?" Kyouko asked.

"I expect many of you have gathered information and have some idea of what you'll be faced with today-" The tired man was cut off, Denki and Mina excited about the robots and their assurances they'd get to go to the training camp.

Nezu, though, burst that little pipe dream as he crawled out of Aizawa's scarf to speak. "Actually this year's test will be completely different for various reasons."

Some classmates were put off, stunned or taken aback. Naoki, though, had figured as soon as the concept of robots was put out. After all the villain attacks, adding in his dad's condition, and the likelihood he was back, they weren't likely to use the same old tests. They had to look to the future and prepare their students for it. Settling for mindless machines would help no one in the long run.

"The tests now have a new focus. There will be hero work, of course, but teamwork and combat between actual people. So, what does that mean for you?" The rat pointed to the class before him, "You students will be working together in pairs and your opponents will be one of our esteemed U.A. teachers!" The rat announced, dooming a good portion of their class's moods, but, leaving Naoki questioning how this would play for him. The only person he personally had issues with was Katsuki... But he wasn't sure about who disliked him... That was something he struggled with...

Even as this ran through his mind in a few short seconds, he still listened in to the continued instructions and explanations.

"Additionally, your partners and opponents have already been chosen. They were determined at my discretion based on various factors including fighting style, grades, and interpersonal relationships. First Naoki and Todoroki are a team - against me.

Then we have Midoriya paired with Bakugou. And their opponent is-" Aizawa paused as a giant dropped from the sky, landing before them.

"I am Here! To Fight!" All Might asserted as both Izuku and Katsuki responded, the same words, just different tones. "You're going to have to work together -boys. If you want to win."

--

"With the implied connection between the Hero Killer: Stain and the League of Villains, it's possible criminals everywhere will become much bolder." Nezu reasoned.

"It'd be best if we start could preparin' for that before it happens. As a school, we should be takin' every precaution. If fights against villains are gonna continue to intensify in the future, then havin the kids fight against robots ain't practical. Originally, we'd use em to avoid complaints about people gettin' injured at the entrance exams. But they're just no challengin' enough." Snipe added.

"We can ignore the complaints. Let people say whatever they want." Aizawa countered.

"This sounds like it could be problematic." Midnight put in, followed by Cementos's addition to the discussion.

"I understand why you want to change the exam, but having students fight us? Even if they're in teams of two - is that a good idea?"

"Yeah. I think it's a bit unfair." 13 added.

"If we went too easily, we won't be able to give them actual grades, yo." Present Mic argued.

"Of course if we could take that into consideration and give the students an advantage." Snipe suggested.

"Principal, what are you thinking?" Aizawa asked the rat next to him at the conference table.

"I believe I agree. We need to change the practical exam to reflect the current times. How do we ensure the students aren't put in life-threatening situations? The answer is simple. We must push them. We make sure that they're as strong as possible." Nezu assessed.

"That makes sense." Midnight agreed, followed by 13's second agreement.

"Right. Then let's talk about the teams. First - Todoroki. He's doing quite well generally speaking, but relies too much on brute force. And my initial idea was Yaoyarozu... Yaoyarozu is an all arounder, but lacks the ability to make spur of the moment decisions and apply them. My plan was to erase their Quirks and take advantage of their weaknesses. But-" Aizawa began, being cut off.

"I think putting Naoki against you alongside Todoroki would be better. It hits both their fighting styles and the interpersonal relations. There is a past between them, yes, but they both still struggle with how that past - both with them as individuals, and teammates - should affect them now. Additionally, they both rely heavily on their Quirks, and Naoki is always allowing himself to be injured for others's sakes. And on top of that, they both also use multi-faceted Quirks and in combination. How they respond to having that taken and their weaknesses used against them could be to their learning advantage." Midnight pointed out.

"I have considered that, which is why I decided to go with that. Additionally, he may never hint this or show it, but while Ricochet is his best Quirk, it also wears him out the fastest and most thoroughly. If he combines it to continually use alongside Erasure, his stamina will be eaten rather quickly. I noticed this during the festival and what I could asses during the attack on the USJ. His stamina dropped significantly quicker after he borrowed Erasure. I thought - at first - it was solely from adding a new Quirk to his arsenal, but, at the festival was when I noticed it. He refrains from using Erasure because of how much it drains his stamina. Since he's able to increase its effectiveness with his other Quirks, it acts like a tub with a hole punched out of the side. The more Quirks he combines, the bigger that hole gets, and until he's able to fully recover, he can't make that hole any smaller, so it keeps flowing.

He's an intelligent kid when it comes to his own body and Quirks, so I doubt he's missed this. Secondly, this is something he has a habit of telling people he's close to, though I don't think anyone really grasps how difficult using Ricochet is because of this, and exactly how this plays in to his using Ricochet properly and safely. He has to calculate nearly everything involved with using his vectors, manipulating others, or creating new ones from scratch to use it safely for everyone there.

But, this level of thought process isn't normal for most people, having so much information running through his head for so long, and how he doesn't really manage his thinking well anyways, so he tends to overthink everything, even the smallest thing he comes across that bugs or intrigues him. I suspect this may be linked to his insomniac tendencies.

But, recently, I've noticed his classwork tends to suffer when he seems more stressed. I looked back through his past work even at Aldera and the same thing is there all over. Things he does perfectly fine with in other cases, suddenly turn up wrong on tests, papers, so it makes sense this would play out in his calculations with Ricochet, they tend to be off.

And, while physical pain is something he reacts so little to, I've noticed he constantly carries low-grade painkillers and migraine medicine. Its not hard to tell when he's leaving the classroom to take some. The way he does it is the exact same every time. Habitual. So, my connection is that he gets headaches and migraines rather frequently, and quite easily, from stress, from the constant processing using his Quirk. Either one leads to the same thing.

So, given all of that, he has very obvious weaknesses. And I intend to use them. His relationship and past with Todoroki makes everything between them complicated in a different sense than some other students.

Outside Ricochet, though, his other Quirks are actually pretty limited. Time Manipulation isn't liable to help him against most villains who have ranged attack styles, and Blood Tempter has so many risks, some he seems to forget about and struggle with.

The real wild card with Noaki is that fire Quirk he picked up from this 'Aoi'. It seems whoever that man is is incredibly experienced with using a fire Quirk, yet ensures the way Naoki uses it is built to Naoki's already present battle style, and is also safe for Naoki when it seems to leave him with some drawbacks. This gives me the feeling he's also skilled in strategy and how others Quirks work, able to find the most ideal way to interact with them. Be it to help them or - possibly to defeat them. Naoki has been learning from and gaining exposure to the same mindset, which he could use as an asset, but lacks the self-confidence to use that. It is different from Yaoyarozu, who had it, but lost it. Naoki doesn't seem to have ever had it. That is an incredibly dangerous weakness, because it isn't all he lacks that every other student has.

So, the first team will be Todoroki and Naoki. And the plan is generally the same, but... Naoki's weakness here is that he'll have time to think. In that sense, him having this time is going to increase how much he is overthinking, already processing everything involving the exam he'll be in.

Todoroki has a good concept of who Naoki was, but, if he doesn't stop Naoki's overthinking, make him focus, or try to strategise to learn Naoki's worries, and try to understand who Naoki is now, it will hinder them.

Naoki lacks confidence, as much as he tries to hide it in combat. He always has a plan, but unless he is able to put confidence in it by chipping away at his opponent's will and their own confidence, he doesn't think his plan will work and is reluctant to use it.

He'll feel obliged by his past with Todoroki, and end up relying almost entirely on Todoroki because he can't believe in himself - unless Todoroki can pick up on this and realise what it means for their team - that is.

For better or worse, Todoroki doesn't hesitate, and will have the mindset that he will have this in the bag because he is with someone he knew fairly well at one point. They both need to learn how to open up and communicate.

Naoki needs to learn to trust himself, because while that mental processing is a weakness, it's also one of his greatest assets if he can learn to realise his plans are worth putting his own confidence in. At the USJ, he realised Shigaraki was akin to a manchild and used that to his advantage, but he also realised right away that the person who decayed the U.A. Barrier was most likely among that group. From there, he assessed everyone there to narrow it down, and, inevitably realised Shigaraki was the Decay user, right in time to keep me from meeting that Quirk personally.

If they don't get to the point of communicating properly before the match, their success will be hindered from the start." Aizawa assessed, surprising All Might how much he had read into Naoki, things he didn't even notice. He had also analysed a great deal about Aoi, and how his teaching Naoki would influence Naoki - intentionally or not.

"Continuing on. Next - for Midoriya and Bakugou. I'm leaving them to you, All Might. In their case, I didn't pair them based on ability or classwork. I went with relationships again. I know you've got a soft spot for Midoriya that's different from Naoki. Please ensure they learn something."

After his explanation of the teams, there was a pause in anticipation for any more. When it seemed like there wasn't any, Midnight spoke up, her focus on Naoki again.

"That all works great for the majority of the students, but... What about Naoki? Even as he is, he's already quite capable, just lacking experience and real-life application against villains, even against most of us, he'd have little trouble." All Might's brow twitched at the mentioning of Naoki again from Midnight. "Even against you, Eraser, I still feel it's not going to push him enough.

"Capable, yes, but Naoki is also severely lacking in basics everyone else has from time spent about in the world. Putting him against someone he's already familiar with, but, who has also had copious amounts of time to study him, and teamed with someone he is close to and fond of - who also has his own pile of issues in the past - is going to test them both on a number of levels. Reflecting the current times can also be applied to individual students, and both their Quirks and their natures as people." Aizawa explained. "And, I have an alternative back up in the case this doesn't push him enough, but for now, this should be enough."

--

"And now - Let's announce the teams and the teachers they'll be fighting in order!" Nezu began.

First would be Eijiro and Rikido against Cementos. Second was Tsuyu and Fumikage against Ectoplasm. Third was Tenya and Oojiro versus Power Loader. Fourth was between Aizawa and Shouto, alongside Naoki. The fifth match was Aoyama and Uraraka versus 13. Sixth was Mina and Denki against their worst possible match - Nezu. The seventh was a match between the team of Koji and Kyouka and Present Mic, while Eighth was Tooru and Shouji facing Snipe. The ninth was Momo and Hanta against Midnight, and the last was All Might facing Izuku and Katsuki.

"But that's not hardly fair! Any team with someone with Naoki's skill is going to win... He can just vanish and leave..." Mina complained, not wrong. "Plus teaming him with a powerhouse like Todoroki - that's soo unfair!" She added.

"Whether it's fair or not is besides the point. Besides, all of you would be foolish to take this for anything less than us trying to kill you. They were teamed and place for a reason. Also, Naoki-" Aizawa looked to the tensed student he called out and ever so spectacularly singled out. "Using Ricochet to conceal your presence will not be allowed. Use this as a chance to gain experience, not continue using a mastered tactic to get out of the experience you can get. You have been lucky so far, but luck won't always save you, so use every chance you can to get experience, since you are well versed with your Quirk as it is." Aizawa finished, eyes not leaving Naoki's as he blatantly singled him out even further, earning an even more murderous glare from Katsuki.

Nezu continued. "To complete the exam, you'll have thirty minutes. In order to win, your objective is to put these handcuffs on your teacher, or you can win if one of you manages to escape from the combat stage."

"So we've either got to capture the teacher or run away. It's basically like the combat training." Denki analysed.

"Yeah, but is it really okay to just jet?" Mina asked.

"Yep." Nezu answered.

"It's gonna be much different than that combat training y'all went through earlier. Afterall, you're up against people wayyy better than you" Present Mic explained.

"Better? Really? Wait - Aren't you just the announcer?" Kyouka asked Present Mic.

"Hey! Watch yo mouth girl. Have some respect." He barked back, obviously offended at her questioning his ability.

"This time, your exam will be very similar to a real battle. As strange as it is, please think of us as villains." 13 advised.

"Assumin' you come across your enemy, if you think you can win against them, then fight. However-" Snipe continued.

"In instances where you're outmatched it would be smarter to run away and find help. Todoroki, Iida, Midoriya, Naoki. I'm sure the four of you understand." Aizawa finished.

All four thought back to what their teacher was referring to, Tenya and Midoriya giving verbal responses, Naoki and Shouto simply replaying the events through their heads, Naoki's also including what happened with Shigaraki and the other instances he'd run in to trouble.

"So we fight to win - or run to win." Izuku summarised.

"That's right! Its a test of your decision making skills, but with these rules, you're probably thinking your only real choice is to flee. That's why the support course made these super clever accessories for us." All Might continued, pulling out metal bracelets that were ultra compressed weights. "These babies will add about half our body weight to our physiques. Its not much, but it will eat up our stamina and make it harder for us to move around." He explained, locking a bunch of them to his arms and legs as he spoke, Naoki's worry showing in his eye colour, which was not unnoticed by the No. 1 Pro. "Oh shoot. These are heavier than I though... We had a contest to come up with the design, and young Hatsume ended up winning it." Both Izuku and Naoki were cheering for her on that, she really was amazing and completely brilliant.

Katsuki, though was displeased. "You think we'll need a handicap to win against you? Well, think again."

All Might let out a mirthy laugh, a glint glowing in his cerulean eyes. "This'll be fun." He returned at Katsuki's words.

"Let's begin. The teams will take the practical exam in the order you were called. We have a stage prepared for you. Sato, Kirishima - you're up." The two responded in a hardy 'Yessir!' as their teachers began departing. "Those waiting their turn to fight can either watch the exams or try to strategise together with your team. That's all. Let's go."

Naoki sighed, confusion building at why he was against Aizawa, who knew full well Naoki had already borrowed his Erasure, leaving him panicked at what the man had up his sleeve, or what he had figured out.

"Ki? Hey?" Naoki snapped to attention at Shouto's hand clasping his shoulder.

"Huh? Oh... Shou-san... Were you wanting to watch or strategise?" Naoki asked.

"I think this is something we'll have a pretty good handle on. Between the two of us, he won't have it easy." Shouto answered. "So, are you wanting to go monitor the other matches?"

Naoki returned the question with a nod, following after Izuku. Ochaco also ended up there, since Aoyama was occupied with himself.

Izuku assessed the match between Cementos and Kirishima's teaming with Rikido. He gleaned the students were pitted against teachers they especially would have a tough time with.

Kirishima and Rikido were both KO'd in pretty short order. With Izuku's assessment, Naoki's brain was scrambling to make sense of why he was against Aizawa... And with Shouto. He had no personal issues with Shouto... So that wasn't... Shouldn't be the reason, so why? Shouto was also confident they would win, but what if Aizawa had some knowledge, some trick, some plan to make it difficult that Naoki couldn't see.

His mind was going so fast, trying to make head or tails of the reasoning. To make sense of any of it that Tenya and Oojiro were on the screen before he knew it. His attention called to it when Shouto clapped his shoulder. "You ready, Ki? We should head down."

Nodding as he tried to settle his thoughts down, he couldn't stop from chewing on the insides of his mouth in anxiety.