MHA: SHADOWS IN UA

The weight of the bulletproof vest settled over my shoulders, heavier than I expected.

I adjusted the straps, tightening them across my chest as I watched the officers around me do the same.

Kenji was checking his gear with practiced ease, fastening his holster while chatting with one of the other detectives.

The room was alive with activity—officers securing weapons, adjusting radios, and making last-minute checks.

I glanced at Ruki, who was double-checking my vest like I was a kid getting ready for school.

His brows were furrowed, his hands tugging at the straps as if they'd magically loosened since the last time he checked.

"Dad, I got it," I said, trying to sound confident but respectful.

He gave me a sharp look before sighing. "You're just an observer, Azaria. That means no stepping in. No unnecessary risks."

I nodded. "I know."

He wasn't convinced. "No, I don't think you do." His hands tightened slightly on my shoulders. "I mean it. You stay behind me, behind the officers. You see something, you let us handle it. Understood?"

"Understood," I repeated, trying not to sound annoyed.

Ruki studied my face for a second longer before exhaling sharply and muttering something under his breath.

Then he walked off to talk to another officer, leaving me alone with Kenji.

He finished tightening his vest before giving me a once-over, then leaned against a nearby table, giving me that familiar, easygoing smile.

"So," he said, crossing his arms, "how's it feel? Wearing that vest, standing in a room full of officers about to head out?"

I shrugged. "I mean... it's a little weird. Part of me is curious, but another part of me knows I probably shouldn't be here. Like I'm in way over my head."

Kenji chuckled. "It's normal to feel that way. Even the veterans feel it sometimes. It's not just about being prepared physically. It's about being ready to face whatever comes next, even if it's something you never saw coming."

He gave me a curious look. "So... since you're planning to be a hero one day, who's your favourite?"

Favourite hero?

Yeah, I don't have one.

Thinking back, I've never really supported any character except Midoriya even though I was usually annoyed and irritated by his personality.

Not saying the heroes weren't cool for me but I wasn't really impressed by all what they did.

But if there was someone who I could actually say was cool enough for me as a hero, it would definitely be...

"All Might"

For some reason, it didn't sound right coming out from my mouth.

Kenji raised an eyebrow, looking more amused than surprised. "Ah, the big guy himself. Why him?"

I hesitated, trying to make it sound like I actually put some thought into this. "I mean... he's strong and fearless. And he's, like, the symbol of peace, right? Makes people feel safe just by being there. I would say he's the ideal hero."

Kenji nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. "Yeah... that's what makes him special. It's not just his strength—it's the way he makes people feel. The way he carries the weight of everyone's fear so they don't have to."

I didn't really know what to say to that, so I just nodded along.

Kenji glanced at the door where a few officers were filing out. "You know... heroes and cops aren't that different. People look to both for protection and peace of mind. But there's one big difference—heroes get to be symbols. They're larger than life, something people can look up to when they're scared. Cops... we're just people doing a job. We don't get to be symbols—we just get the blame when things go south."

He looked back at me, his expression serious but not harsh. "If you really want to be a hero, Azaria, remember this: it's not just about being strong. It's about being someone people can believe in, someone who doesn't just save lives but gives them hope. That's what makes All Might more than just a strong guy in a flashy suit. It's the way he never let the world see him fall apart."

I swallowed, not really sure how to respond. There was truth to that.

Being a hero wasn't just about saving the day, it was about living up to an ideal that people needed.

I nodded slowly, keeping my expression neutral. I knew he meant well.

I knew he was giving me the kind of advice he probably wished someone had given him when he started.

But it didn't hit the way it was supposed to. Maybe because I knew I was just playing a role.

I wasn't here to give people hope or make them feel safe.

I was here to follow orders, to manipulate, to do what I was told and keep myself and my parents alive.

It was almost funny, in a twisted way. Kenji talking about being a symbol while I was the furthest thing from it.

I couldn't help but wonder if he'd look at me the same way if he knew what I was really doing here.

Kenji gave me a light nudge on the shoulder and straightened up. "Don't overthink about it, alright? No one's born knowing how to be a hero. You figure it out as you go."

"Yeah... I guess so," I replied, giving him a quick nod.

As he walked away, I let out a quiet breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

***

As the officers finished gearing up and headed out, I kept a low profile, blending into the cluster of uniforms.

The plan was straightforward, a raid on a suspected hideout for an underground villain group. Nothing flashy, just get in, secure the area, and arrest anyone who put up a fight.

My dad was barking out orders, his tone sharp and efficient.

Even with the tension hanging thick in the air, he moved like a man who had done this a thousand times before.

I found myself watching him more than I intended to. Sometimes I forgot just how serious he could get.

At home, he was chill and funny, more of a dad than a cop.

But here... he was every bit the seasoned detective. I wasn't sure if it was impressive or just unnerving.

Kenji caught my eye and gave me a quick nod. I mirrored it without thinking, trying to look as casual as possible.

He didn't seem nervous at all, just calm and prepared, like this was routine.

I wondered how many times he'd done this, how many times he'd walked into danger without a second thought.

We loaded into the vehicles, and I found myself in the back of a squad car with Kenji driving and my dad in the passenger seat.

The radio crackled with updates and chatter from other units. I kept my hands on my knees, tapping my fingers in a slow rhythm to keep my thoughts from spiraling.

Kenji glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "You good back there?"

I gave a half-hearted smile. "Yeah. Just... thinking about how this is my first time on something like this."

He let out a short laugh. "Yeah, well, first time's always weird. Your brain tries to convince you a thousand things will go wrong, and your stomach's doing backflips. Just gotta focus on what you can control."

My eyes wandered to the cityscape passing by outside the window. The city lights illuminated the dark sky.

It was almost too peaceful, like the city had no idea what was about to go down.

Kenji kept talking, his tone almost conversational. "You know, I used to be the same. First raid I went on, I was so damn tense I couldn't stop shaking. Kept thinking about every worst-case scenario—hostages, ambushes, even bombs. But when it actually started, all that overthinking just... shut off. My body moved on instinct, and before I knew it, we had the place secure."

I raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like some next-level mental discipline."

He laughed again. "Nah, it's more like your brain gets tired of freaking out and just goes, 'Screw it, let's get this over with.'" He glanced back at me again. "You seem pretty calm, though. I guess that's a good trait to have. Not many can stay chill when they're about to walk into the unknown."

I gave a small shrug. "Maybe I'm just too dumb to freak out."

Kenji snorted. "Doubt that. You got a sharp look in your eyes. Reminds me of your old man when he was younger."

I didn't respond, just kept my gaze out the window. I actually do think I'm being overestimated by Kenji.

My mind went to the case as curiosity was gnawing at me. This wasn't a canon event, nothing I recognized from the story I knew.

Part of me was weirdly excited to see how it played out, like I was watching a movie I couldn't predict.

The radio crackled again, and my dad spoke into it, confirming our position. We were close now, the tension in the car thickened, and Kenji's smile faded, his expression hardening into something more professional.

He glanced back at me one last time. "Just stick close and keep your head down, alright? Don't do anything reckless. You're not a hero yet."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without sounding sarcastic.

The convoy slowed to a stop, and I could hear the other units getting into position.

My dad gave me a quick look before stepping out and signaling for me to stay put. Kenji exited next, giving me a small nod of reassurance.

The sound of shuffling feet and hushed voices filled the air as the officers moved into formation.

My dad stood near the front, giving hand signals to coordinate the approach. Kenji moved with quiet efficiency, staying just behind my dad, his expression focused and intense.

I stayed put in the vehicle, leaning slightly forward to watch through the windshield, my pulse drumming a steady rhythm in my ears.

The air felt thick with tension, like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.

The gnawing curiosity didn't let up. I couldn't help but want to see how this unscripted event would play out.

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A/N: I do apologize for the lack of chapters recently, I was busy with something personal so it took a bit of time, apologies

This arc is an original one, purely created to show Azaria fight, although like any arc there would be an impact to the overall storyline but that was the main reason it was made.

I personally thought it was bad not to show the main character seriously fight in the first few chapters. Hope you like it though.

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• if you like the story, please leave a review.

• kindly push the story forward with your power stones.