MHA: Super My Hero Record

"Hero Billboard Chart JP"

This chart ranks active heroes based on the number of cases solved, social contributions, and public approval ratings, with results announced twice a year nationwide.

In other words, those who rank higher on this chart are the heroes who have brought the most smiles and peace to people.

And on the day of the first ranking announcement of the year, an unusual situation unfolded at the venue where the rankings were to be announced.

Until now, the heroes themselves had never appeared on stage at the venue. However, following the incident involving the massive meteorite, the Billboard Chart had become highly unstable, and the various stakeholders, taking this matter seriously, had decided to hold this unprecedented announcement event.

The top 10 heroes were already present at the venue.

No. 10 Hero "Yoroi Musha"

No. 9 Hero "Wash"

No. 8 Hero "Crust"

No. 7 Hero "Milko"

No. 6 Hero "Edge Shot"

No. 5 Hero "Best Jeanist"

No. 4 Hero "Hawks"

All of them were carefully selected heroes who had contributed to maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of the people of Japan. As the distinguished heroes took the stage, the central area remained conspicuously empty.

Then, a stage rises from the bottom of the opening.

"Everyone, this week's Hero Billboard Chart was like a storm. Everyone believed and had no doubt that the rankings would be the same as usual, with no major changes."

As the three heroes gradually reveal themselves, the male host's voice trembles.

"Therefore, no one, not a single person, could have imagined this situation! Who could have predicted it? Who could have foreseen it? At least, I couldn't even imagine it in my mind. But it happened... Now, let me introduce them one by one!!"

"No. 3! Flame Hero, 'Endeavor'!!"

A tall man shrouded in flames steps forward. His face is barely visible through the flames, but no one mentions it. There was no way they could.

"No. 2, who had sat in that seat for so long, felt the impact of his fall the hardest. But I, as his fan, want to believe that he will return to No. 2 and go even further!!"

The air grows heavy. Normally, he would never want to appear in public, but he remains here because he cannot ignore what is about to happen.

The air falls silent. Endeavor's introduction is over, and it is finally his turn. The whole of Japan... no, the whole world is watching this moment.

The absolute No. 1, and whoever will take his place.

"...The moment has finally come. To be honest, I can't stop trembling. I've been doing this job for years, but today, please forgive me if I make a rookie mistake."

The male host's voice cracks. Losing his composure due to nerves is an unforgivable mistake for someone with his experience.

But no one blames him. Because everyone is feeling the same way.

"Now, let me introduce him once more. ——No. 2!! The hero, the symbol of peace, 'All Might'!!"

His fist pierces the sky. Recognized by people, recognized by other heroes, even villains couldn't help but acknowledge him, the strongest and greatest hero, All Might. His appearance should have brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch... but it didn't.

There are claps. Cheers and generous praise, but no one dares to speak loudly.

It's clear. Everyone is focused on the hero who once toppled him from the No. 1 spot.

The other heroes on stage are no exception. Meanwhile, two or three who have their eyes on the new No. 1 hero are smirking, waiting for their moment.

"—Finally, we've come this far. The new No. 1 hero who surpassed our symbol of peace, the one who destroyed the giant meteorite, and the mysterious hero supported by people around the world. Despite only being active for a month since going independent, he was virtually unknown until recently."

"No. 1 [Super] Hero!! Go—"

(The text shows an extremely long string of "go"s, suggesting the announcer is having trouble saying the name or it's being drawn out dramatically)

The spotlight focused on a single figure. The man who appeared was slightly shorter than All Might and Endeavor, and the aura he emanated was no different from that of an ordinary hero. What was there to notice about this black-haired hero?

Amidst the skeptical stares of everyone present, the center of attention, Gogeta...

***

(Ah, ah, ah, ah...)

Why am I here? I think it all started with a letter from the Hero Committee.

The people from the Hero Committee seem to judge others harshly, so I was hesitant to even open the letter at first.

Then, a senior who heard about the letter told me to give it a try, so I reluctantly signed the consent form.

Lately, I've been busy with paperwork, so I probably shouldn't have signed without reading it... But you know, the senior was rushing me so much. Thanks to that, I barely understood the contents of the letter.

Then, a few days later, I was brought here by some guys in black suits and ended up at this venue. Senior, you definitely planned this, didn't you? Ah! You just made eye contact with me and looked away so obviously! And you're laughing!

Damn it! I shouldn't have listened to him just because he helped me before! Next time, I'll send him a box of KFC fried chicken!

Ah, why did this happen? I just wanted to continue my peaceful hero activities, live modestly, and devote myself to training...

***

"First of all, congratulations on becoming the No. 1 hero."

"Huh? Ah, thank you."

A woman approaches the stage where the heroes are standing. It seems she had been interviewing each hero one by one, but Gogeta, who had been escaping reality in his mind, didn't notice at all.

He finally noticed when a microphone flew into his field of vision and nervously responded to the beautiful announcer.

Fortunately, no one else pointed it out at the time.

"Your time as a hero is one year and one month, and for that entire year, you served as a sidekick to another hero, correct?"

"Y-yes. I've always been taken care of by my seniors..."

"——————"

(—————————)

"(I bit my tongue!!??)"

What on earth is going on? The pathetic loser dressed as Gogeta actually stumbled over his words in public. Endeavor is speechless, All Might watches with a gentle smile, but the bird and rabbit heroes are about to burst out laughing. What a mess.

The atmosphere in the venue is already filled with laughter, mostly mocking laughter. Online, All Might fans are bashing him relentlessly, and it's already turned into a full-blown online firestorm.

The hosts are trying to salvage the situation, but the guy himself is already beyond help. No matter how strong he is as Gogeta, his true nature is something he inherited from his past life. A person who has never been able to perform in front of thousands of people before is bound to fail.

Soon, no one was interested in him anymore. Yoroi Musha, of course, and even Wash had lost interest and were looking away. Among the many heroes, there was a growing sense of disappointment toward this inexperienced hero.

However, the hosts couldn't just stop now. As they tried to get a coherent comment from Gogeta, who was staring blankly in a mix of tension and denial, by thrusting the microphone at him—

A hero interrupted.

"Excuse me, can I borrow the microphone for a moment?"

"Oh, All Might?"

All Might. Hailed as a symbol of peace, he was the greatest hero, trusted and respected by many people and heroes alike.

No one would dare criticize his impromptu performance.

The announcer, judging that he could get a word from none other than All Might, handed over the microphone he was holding and stepped off the stage. After making sure to give a nod of thanks to the female announcer who had accommodated his whim, he turned back to the person in question, Gogeta.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!! What kind of hero are you?! Who on earth would recognize you as the No. 1 hero with that kind of attitude!?"

"What!?"

The sudden, provocative shout from All Might, whose voice shook the entire venue, caused those around him to tremble.

Of course, it reached Gogeta as well. Though confused by the sudden outburst, Gogeta, having escaped the tense atmosphere, turned his gaze toward the former No. 1.

"Gogeta. Despite your short time as a hero, you've risen to the top of Japan's heroes, whether by luck or skill. From now on, many heroes will aim to surpass you. Of course, I'm one of them."

"Whether you like it or not, you've become a target for everyone, all heroes, and... all villains. That's why I'm asking."

"What does being a hero mean to you?"

"———————"

The pressure was released. It was the genuine pressure from a man who had sat in the No. 1 seat for so long. While many heroes present were taken aback by the aftermath, Gogeta, who was likely feeling it the most, opened his eyes wide in pure surprise.

What does a hero mean to Gogeta? It was something he had probably decided long ago, so in a way, it was only natural that he had arrived at that answer.

"—People are those who surrender."

"—————"

"To malice, violence, power, and an unjust reality. They are crushed and forced to kneel."

All Might listens quietly, without mockery.

"It's normal to feel regret, sadness, pain, and despair, and to give up. That's how it should be, I know."

"But I also know that there are those who can rise up despite that. If there is a condition for becoming a hero, I believe it lies there."

Once, the man had witnessed it. Time and again, formidable foes appeared, monsters that could never be defeated alone. They lost countless times, yet rose again and again. Though they never acknowledged themselves as heroes, to the man, they were the true heroes.

"But reality is ruthless. Every possible obstacle will stand in your way, pushing you back down again. Even so, would you call someone who keeps getting back up a hero?"

All Might asks deliberately. This is necessary. Once you become No. 1, you must bear the weight of that responsibility. The former No. 1 had a reason to do so, even if it meant failing as a hero after less than a year.

To embody the ideal, or to demonstrate it realistically? All Might asks this question from a distance, and whether he knows All Might's intentions or not, Gogeta flashes a defiant smile.

"The wall of reality is destroyed and torn open by the door of possibility. Over and over again. Even if you're covered in mud, crying and sniveling, just get back up and crash into the wall."

"Because beyond the broken wall, there, the invincible one awaits."

Before he realized it, All Might was smiling.

"Then tell me, No. 1 Hero! What will you achieve there!?"

"No matter what I say, in the end, this is all I can say."

Flames rise into the air. Shining brightly, dazzlingly, golden flames enveloped him, and All Might borrowed the microphone again.

"—Open your eyes."

It was a declaration of war against everything. Against everyone watching, against all the heroes, and against all the villains lurking in the shadows. Gogeta had declared war.

The air grows still, and as Gogeta comes to his senses, he reflects on his own words...

(Shit—!! I just blurted out something that sounded cool, and now the mood is ruined!!)

He writhes in agony, then regrets it deeply. He thought he was answering All Might's Zen-like question about what a hero is, but it wasn't an answer at all.

This was the fate of one who had emptied his mind and filled it with nothing but dreams. As the silence in the venue grew heavier, Gogeta seriously considered fleeing, but...

Suddenly, he heard applause. Looking up, he saw All Might clapping his hands. Soon, more people in the venue began to clap as well.

There, among the heroes, were four cat-like heroes.

There was a hero wearing glasses.

There was an elderly hero wearing a yellow scarf.

The heroes on stage, except for Endeavor, seemed to agree with Gogeta's words and clapped enthusiastically.

The applause turned into cheers, and the cheers turned into a storm that crashed down on Gogeta. Then, the cheers exploded, and the previous silence was replaced by a deafening roar.

"You're so cool, Gogeta!"

"I might have become a fan!"

"I feel motivated to try harder too!"

An unexpected turnaround. However, no one blamed him. The crowd was drawn to Gogeta's composed demeanor, which remained unwavering even in the face of All Might's unexpected question, and began to focus their attention on him.

However, Gogeta himself is still in a state of confusion.

(What? What's this cheering? What should I do!?)

Faced with the storm of applause and cheers he's never experienced before, even in his past life, he's once again plunged into panic.

"Come on, respond to everyone, hero! From today, you're the No. 1!"

All Might grabbed Gogeta's arm and raised him toward the sky. The cheers erupted even more, shaking the entire venue.

Faced with an unprecedented experience...

(I don't understand anything anymore.)

Gogeta once again plunged into the sea of escapism.

***

"The invincible, myself."

That day, a young boy stood up. The green-haired boy with curly hair, watching the new No. 1 standing confidently on TV, repeated those words over and over in his mind.

It's okay to fall, it's okay to cry, it's okay to get covered in mud, it's okay to be defeated. As long as you stand up again, that alone makes you a hero.

Of course, he knew it was an idealistic notion. But even so...

"Mom, sorry! I'm going for a run!!"

"Izuku!?"

He couldn't just stand there.

The boy ran. He fell, got up, got hurt, and kept running, even though he knew it was pointless, tears welling up in his eyes.

Because he felt like he had been told that even someone like him, even someone without any special qualities, could become a hero, and that it was okay to believe in himself.

From that day on, the boy graduated from simply admiring others and took his first step forward.

———

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[10 Advanced Chs][7 Chapters/week]