ShuraZero
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Chapter 19: Training on the Beach
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 22:31:24 +0000 UTCThe damp sand felt cool beneath his feet as the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Izuku, hands on his hips, watched his three training partners spread out across the deserted beach. The need for discretion was paramount; with Toga in their group, a traditional dojo was out of the question. Their makeshift training ground was this stretch of sand and waves, a space where they could focus on the essentials: self-defense adapted to their unique abilities.
“Alright,” Izuku began, his voice carrying clearly over the gentle murmur of the sea. “We can’t go to a dojo, and we all know why: Toga’s still a fugitive. So we’ll train here, adapting the techniques to what each of you can do naturally. No elegant karate moves or elaborate katas. Pure survival.”
Ochako, who had been stretching her arms with a focused expression, spoke first. “My Zero Gravity is great for moving objects, but if someone gets close and grabs me… I’m not exactly the strongest in a close-quarters fight.”
Momo, adjusting her high ponytail with an automatic motion, added: “My Creation is incredibly versatile, I can generate almost anything. But, as we discussed at the cafe, complex objects take time. In a hand-to-hand fight, a one-second delay can be fatal.”
Toga, who had been drawing a playful heart in the sand with the tip of her knife, looked up with a lopsided grin. “And I’m fast, sure. But without fresh blood, my Quirk is… well, just a pretty disguise. I can’t rely on that in a direct fight.”
Izuku nodded, scribbling quick notes in his notebook. “Exactly. So here’s the plan: Ochako, we’ll work on using Zero Gravity to create improvised shields. Floating objects to block attacks or projectiles to keep attackers at a distance. Momo, we’ll focus on the creation speed of simple but effective defensive items. Quick templates for shields, staffs, whatever’s necessary. And Toga, we’ll use your incredible agility to dodge and disorient. We’ll keep working on that voice imitation without blood as a distraction tool. Ready to sweat?”
A chorus of affirmations, some more enthusiastic than others, answered his question. The sun continued to sink, casting long shadows across the sand as the training began.
Izuku rotated between them, dedicating individualized time to each one. With Ochako, he focused on the defensive application of her Quirk. Momo, wielding a wooden staff she had created almost instantly, launched simulated attacks.
“Ochako, float three small rocks in front of you! Use them to block the staff!” Izuku shouted. “That’s it! Now move, dodge the next one!”
“It’s harder than it looks! They’re not heavy, but controlling them is tricky!” Ochako panted, her forehead beaded with sweat as she struggled to keep the three small projectiles in position.
“I know, but you’re using your fine control, not your brute strength! Think about guiding them, not lifting them! One more! Block! Good! Now, dodge to the right!”
Next was Momo’s turn. Izuku threw shells and pieces of driftwood he had collected from the beach at her.
“Create a small, sturdy shield! Think ‘compact shield,’ visualize it completely! Now!”
Momo closed her eyes, concentrating, and in just under two seconds, a gleaming metal disk appeared in her hand.
“One point eight seconds! You’re improving! Now, use it to deflect that shell! Quick!”
The shell hit the shield with a sharp clack.
“Excellent! Now a staff! Mental templates, Yaoyorozu, mental templates!”
Momo was breathing heavily, but her movements grew more fluid as familiarity with the drills set in.
Finally, Izuku worked with Toga. The blonde girl moved with cat-like agility, dodging the staffs Izuku threw and the rocks that Ochako, now controlling her Zero Gravity with greater skill, levitated erratically.
“Dodge left! Good! Now, as you move, use Ochako’s voice!”
Toga grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief. She dodged a staff that grazed her shoulder and, in a perfect imitation of Ochako’s voice, cried out: “Deku, help me!”
Her own sharp laugh broke the illusion an instant later. “It’s so fun to do that! We could get into so much trouble!”
“It’s perfect! Your speed and your ability to disorient are your greatest strengths right now! Again! Dodge the rock, then the voice!”
Toga leaped and moved like a ghost, her knife glinting dangerously with every turn. Her control of Ochako’s voice, though limited to a few seconds, was becoming more and more precise.
As the sun finally touched the horizon, Izuku’s phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his mom.
“Hello, Mom?” he answered, his voice slightly breathless.
“Izuku, sweetie! Are you still training with the girls?”
“Yeah, Mom. We’re at the beach. Ochako, Momo, and… Toga are here.”
Before he could add anything else, Toga leaned over his shoulder and shouted into the phone: “Hi, Izuku’s mom! I’m Toga! Your son is a really tough coach, but he’s fun!”
Izuku put a hand to his forehead in embarrassment, while Ochako and Momo stared at each other, wide-eyed. Inko’s voice, after a brief pause, replied with a disarming warmth: “Oh, hello, Toga-chan! How sweet! Izuku has told me about his new friends. Why don’t you all come over for dinner when you’re finished? I’ve made katsudon and I always make extra.”
Ochako looked at Izuku in disbelief. “Dinner? With a wanted fugitive? At your house?”
“This will be… interesting,” Momo muttered to herself, though her expression made her concern clear.
Toga, however, handed the phone back to Izuku, looking delighted. “Of course! Thank you so much! We’ll bring dessert!”
Izuku sighed, putting his phone away. The night would definitely be one to remember. The sun had completely disappeared, leaving behind a clear, starry sky. He looked at his peculiar team, exhausted, covered in sand and sweat, and despite the ache in his own muscles, he couldn't help but think that, as strange as the situation was, they were exactly where they needed to be
