Chapter Text
The Hero Commission. The center where thousands of heroes are regulated and registered each year; here you can begin or end your heroic career.
The important thing now is on the top floor, in the meeting room. Seated there are the president of the heroes' commission and the prime minister of Japan, both surrounded by bodyguards and other renowned figures in their field. Also included, however controversial it may seem, is the Top 10 list of heroes and all the directors of hero schools in Japan.
Why would so many important people be in one place, you might ask?
Because of the other figure in the room, the one who was talking to them.
"Ah, so all the important figures in Japan are here, huh?" He commented as he lifted his feet onto his seat, so that his assistant could then seat him correctly. "But anyway, let's not waste any more time, because this is gold, so I'll get straight to the point."
"Heroism in Japan never reached a decent level."
"Hmph," Endeavor snorted, then let out a laugh. "They should have informed us that instead of an important meeting, we were about to hear a clown."
Most people, after giving the other person a dirty look, nodded in agreement with Endeavor's words.
"Haha, let's listen to what this kid has to say, although I think we'd agree on the same thing, Endeavor." All Might Express, turning towards the solitary person
"As I said before being interrupted, heroism in Japan does not reach global standards. Our society is so blinded by heroes that not only do they idolize them as figures outside the legal order, but they also mass-produce them."
"I don't think I can find anything wrong with that; if anything, I see it as a positive thing that the figure of the hero is so well regarded." Nezu replied.
"And certainly the heroes and their culture have greatly helped the Japanese economy in a wide variety of markets." The economy minister said.
"Besides helping to regulate the crime rate and protect the country itself, or would you prefer them to be a private army like Germany 2145 or Australia 2210?" The president of the heroes' association commented
"No, but certainly our culture has been lost. Tell me, how many of those mass-produced heroes are of a sufficient level to not be considered 'sidekicks'?" He replied "Or how many of them end up quitting, either because public relations pays more, the job overwhelmed them, they didn't use their quirk correctly in a specific situacion, or a villain simply outsmarted them?"
"Those are numbers that you shouldn't know." The president of the heroes' commission replied
"Really? Well, the numbers are public, they should notify the public relations manager," he said while touching his tablet and two articles appeared on the screen. "Last year the Hero Commission announced that the number of heroes reached 153,823 in total that year; this year it was announced that 153,843 were registered."
"And what does that have to do with what you mentioned? It's also proof that the number of heroes is increasing." The president said
"Are you telling me that only 20 heroes managed to register in a year? Or are you trying to hide the fact that 480 heroes died throughout the year and were replaced by student heroes? That's taking into account that the association distinguishes sidekicks from real heroes."
"And wouldn't that be a problem to discuss with the government, or are our educational institutions also being questioned?" Nezu said, picking up on certain hint
"That's right, as I said, 480 heroes dead, 70% of them newly enrolled students, not counting the sidekicks. Where I think you, the UA, are experts at creating." He said this while hurling a defiant turd at the director. "Or will you deny that those students who don't belong to the acclaimed 'big three' simply have an 80% chance of becoming sidekicks?"
"And we're proud that those you call sidekicks mostly manage to surpass professional heroes in their fields." Nezu said with annoyance
"Oh yeah, sure, then... why aren't they here in the first place?" The person smiled maliciously, their gaze filled with darkness. "Of course, if the teacher is mediocre, you can't expect the student to surpass him."
Nezu took a deep breath; he wouldn't let himself be swayed by the words of a madman who only seemed to want to anger him.
"The good thing is that they can create their own winning trio, unlike the poor copy that calls itself kebutsubu" She commented while covering her mouth and hiding her laughter"Now that they've implemented the residences, it's a home for mediocre people in every sense of the word."
Nezu could hear the principal of Kebutsubu clench her fists under the table, enduring the man's nonsense.
"Hmm, you talk a lot and throw around a lot of data, but I don't see you proposing a supposed solution to your made-up problem." Interrupt All Might "What I see here is a young man who was denied his desire to be a hero and grew up resentful, believing he could do better than the entire Japanese system." He commented as his gaze hardened while he looked at the person sitting in the chair."Or perhaps you're simply projecting your failures and wanting to see if what happened to you was okay, isn't that right, Jinpachi Ego? "
Ego's face darkened as he stared at All Might
"To be honest, when you debuted as a hero I had high expectations of you, but when I heard you retired and started monologuing about the uselessness of heroes, I knew something was wrong." Some of the older heroes opened their eyes, remembering the young heroic promise, while the younger ones didn't seem to understand. "Grow up already, you're 40 years old and you still believe that everyone in that accident is to blame because they weren't up to the task"
" Oh, do you really think I'm still upset about it? I knew it a long time ago; that day inspired me to create this project, All Might. Or perhaps it's also the fact that your hero schedule has been reduced from 12 hours a day to just 3 in the last 6 years" All Might looked at Ego in surprise as he continued talking "Oh, perhaps in the last 10 years there have been more than 382 incidents of collateral damage from Endeavour's fire, complaints about Yoroi Musha's lateness or Hawks' lack of professionalism among several others"
"These are things that we, the association of heroes, should regulate," the president replied. "It's no business of a civilian to interfere in how we manage heroes."
"The prime minister already saw it, didn't he?" Ego's gaze shifted towards himself, and with him, everyone else in the room.
"Madam President, Nezu, All Might, and everyone here, are those statements true?" I ask, observing everyone present, clenching their fists"I know I can't demand anything from the hero schools, but Madam President, you should have informed me of the casualties among our heroes, and All Might. You are the symbol of our nation, are you already thinking about retiring?"
Most remained silent in response to the prime minister's words. Although in front of them Ego smiled smugly
"It's true that I was thinking about retiring, but I didn't think it was necessary./" The hero was interrupted by the minister
"YOUR presence is what keeps Japan's crime rate below 30%!!!" claimed "Something of that magnitude should have been reported to me!" Annoyed, the prime minister turned his gaze to Ego "Do you think you can create a figure on the level of All Might with your program?"
"Clearly, if you let me start now, in a few years I will see the glorious fruits." Ego adjusted his glasses as the emptiness in his eyes revealed his satisfaction.
"Well, if you can't give me quick results, I won't need you. We need to start preparing someone to take All Might's place in case of any problems." He replied
The room stared in astonishment as the prime minister changed his mind so quickly, but then they felt an aura coming from Ego's side.
"Is that so?" he said, his smile widening even further. "What if, in a year, I present you with a group of students who can be at the level of average heroes?"
"Hmm, arrogant to think you could train a hero like that in such a short time. At UA it takes us three years and even then we're pressed for time." Nezu replied, already annoyed by Ego's nonsense.
"Let's make a bet, Nezu." Ego said "We begin our recruitment a year in advance, then those I train that year will face yours at your sports festival." He said arrogantly "If my diamonds in the rough crush the SSS+ tier hero academy, then that will prove I'm right, won't it?"
"Each academy" - silence filled the room as the Prime Minister spoke - "you can choose 20 students who can easily counter the AU, but not all the academies, If you truly have a method for forging heroes in one year, then the first year of heroics at each academy shouldn't be a problem, right?" The minister asked, turning his gaze to Nezu."It's not that I want to take over your schools and grounds. But I would like to ask Nezu to put aside his other classes and admit the other hero schools."
Other directors turned to look at Nezu with a smile, which Nezu returned. For the first time, Nezu empathized with other humans. No one had the right to criticize his methods, which took him years to perfect in order to create excellent heroes, and he wouldn't let anyone trample on him or his companions.
"I think if my fellow directors and I agree on anything, it's that we can prove that this stupid joke is just that, by collaborating together. I believe that the general, support, and business classes will understand that we cannot allow anyone to trample on our future heroes of Japan."
"So it's clear, in a few months the start of the school year will be brought forward so that... What is the name of your project?".
"BLUE LOCK"
"In order for Blue Lock to recruit and train its students alongside the other schools, this time will be considered their final school year, requiring both hero schools and Blue Lock to teach in place of that year that students are losing. Then they will face all the other hero schools in the country at the UA sports festival; if they win, they will become an official establishment of Japan. If they lose, Blue Lock will be dismantled and its history recorded to prevent any such incident from happening again. Understood? "
"Crystal clear, Mr. Prime Minister," Nezu replied. "We will show you that the heroism we teach is not mediocre."
"I understand, Mr. Prime Minister," Ego replied. "I'll start preparing some good wine to celebrate your downfall, schools of mediocrity."
When everyone was about to leave, the prime minister spoke."President of the Hero Association, All Might, I'll send for them in a few days.... I need to discuss certain matters with both of you."
When it was announced that hero schools would be bringing forward their academic year so that some promising students could finish their high school there, Izuku didn't hesitate to apply to UA. Perhaps if he could get into UA sooner, it might be easier for him to achieve his dream.
Or so it seemed until he received the email.
[For: izuku midoriya]
[By: UA administration]
Dear Izuku Midoriya, it is our regret to inform you that you do not meet the requirements to apply for an early admission to UA.
This program is designed for those who have a quirk and want to develop it as soon as possible to get the best results.Therefore, his Quirkless state makes him incapable of applying for this position.
Even so, we won't deny that we hope you, along with many other young Japanese people, will join us in the regular UA program, supporting us in General, Support, or Business, among many other options.
With sorrow but with hope that he will join us later:
UA administration
We regret to inform you that your application for Kebustubus heroe's course, must be denied, as your Quirkless status makes you ineligible to apply for a place
Unfortunately, the Quirkless status you assume makes you an ineligible candidate for the application
And yet he continued sending applications, one after another, hoping that at least one hero school would accept him.
But it wasn't like that; they all started with the same cheap excuses, claiming that in her current state she couldn't enter and that they should wait for her in other courses.
He spent that afternoon crying at his desk, frustrated by each rejection.
The UA removes its 'No Quirkles' policy from its registration, lie. Kebustubu's new anti-discrimination policy, a lie.
Lie
LIe
LIE
LIE
LIE!
One after another, every school that claimed he could be a hero, ultimately lied to him.
Or so he thought.
"Alright class, the letters with the results of the early year applications have arrived, let's see who got in!! "Exclaimed his teacher as he opened the envelopes and began to call out.
Something that made Izuku feel good, even though he wouldn't admit it, was that all his classmates had been rejected. Except for HIM, of course.
"Ha, look stupid Deku, Advanced Course Application accepted, what does yours say huh?" Bakugo's mocking smile really hurt him, but even more hurt was that letter that said he had been accepted
He was lucky that his application was rejected when he submitted it and it was sent to him by email; He couldn't stand receiving not only rejected applications but also receiving them in front of everyone.
"Wait, this is one of... MIDORIYA'S?!" Izuku was shocked, then saw the teacher even more shocked. "And it's being accepted?!"
Izuku remained silent, along with the rest of the class. He slowly stood up and took the letter in his hands.
"Blue Lock considers Izuku Midoriya a worthy applicant and approves his advanced coursework within Blue Lock. Open the envelope for more information."
Those few words in the letter puzzled him; he didn't remember sending an application to any school with that name.
Looking at the reverse of the envelope, he only saw a blue pentagon and writing in large letters
BLUE LOCK