MHA: SHADOWS IN UA

There's that saying that clothes make a man

At first, it sounds superficial, but there's truth in it.

Clothes aren't just fabric stitched together; they define a man's presence, shape perception, and influence behavior.

A sharp suit commands respect.

A uniform instills authority.

Even casual wear tells a story—carefree, calculated, or indifferent.

Clothing is a silent language, speaking before a word is even uttered.

For heroes, it's even more than that. A costume isn't just an outfit—it's an extension of identity.

A symbol.

A weapon.

It amplifies strengths, conceals weaknesses and creates an image burned into the minds of those who see it.

All Might's bold colors radiate hope.

Aizawa's minimalistic gear embodies practicality.

Endeavor's flames scream dominance.

A hero's costume isn't just what they wear. It's what they become.

They give off an aura before a word is spoken.

Some scream justice, some intimidation.

Some look like they came straight out of a fashion catalog, and others…

Standing in a personal changing room, I opened the box.

…and others make you look like you crawled out of a nightmare.

Black.

That was the first thing I noticed. No flashy or unnecessary details.

Just a full, deep black that absorbed light rather than reflected it.

A dry, bitter chuckle escaped me before I could stop it.

'Yeah. This will definitely help me stay unnoticed.'

If someone wanted me to blend in, they had a pretty twisted sense of humor.

I could already hear Hizashi's voice hyping it up

"This is the perfect look for you, kid! This is so cool! Absolutely dripping with style! You look like a real man!!"

Kurogiri probably would be nodding along like it was some masterful strategic decision.

The mask sat at the top. I picked it up, turning it over in my hands.

It was solid, smooth to the touch, and designed to fit snugly over my entire face.

There were no loose straps hanging from the sides; instead, it had a secure fastening at the back that would lock it in place.

The eye covers were made of reflective black lenses, polished like obsidian.

They weren't narrow or shaped to look aggressive, just simple and full, giving off nothing in return.

No pupils, no expression—just a dark mirror for anyone who looked into them.

The lower part of the mask extended down the neck, blending seamlessly with the high collar of the jacket.

It wasn't a tight fit but rather a layered design, allowing movement without exposing any skin.

Then there was the mouthpiece. It was built into the mask itself—thin, interlocking plates arranged in the shape of teeth.

Not exaggerated, not monstrous, just a subtle, unnatural grin.

One that didn't change. Didn't shift. A face locked in permanent silence.

I turned it over in my hands. It was well-made, I'd give them that.

It was sturdy, breathable, functional. But c'mon now.

'They really expect me to walk around in this?'

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips.

The jacket came next. Long-sleeved, durable, with a high collar that stopped just below the chin.

It wasn't stiff but had a natural weight to it. Practical, easy to move in.

And, of course, it only made the mask stand out more.

The pants and boots matched—fitted for movement, blending everything together into one seamless image.

The gloves were simple.

No extra padding, no unnecessary detailing, just a clean, fitted design.

They covered the hands completely, blending in with the rest of the outfit.

I could already picture it.

Me, stepping into ground beta looking like I was about to rob a bank instead of train to be a hero.

All Might could send me back right?

I couldn't help but shake my head, they really went all in on this.

I exhaled, running my hand over the fabric one last time before grabbing the mask again.

I pressed it against my face, securing the hidden locks at the back.

The lenses adjusted to the light immediately, keeping my vision clear.

No warmth, no emotion. Just a weird mask staring back at me from a mirror's reflection.

It was like someone took a look at every hero costume ever designed and thought, let's do the opposite.

"Number Eleven, kindly make your way to Ground Beta."

A robotic voice echoed in the room, calling me out to the ground.

I didn't want to do this but I have to.

The door opened and I was met with silence, I thought I would at least see someone before getting to Ground Beta.

Isn't that even better though?

Putting my hands in my pockets, I shrugged as I made my way to Ground Beta.

***

The moment Midoriya stepped into the training facility, the energy in the air was unmistakable.

The class was buzzing—not about All Might, but about something else entirely.

"Man, that's intense..."

"Is he serious with that look?"

"Doesn't that give off more of a villain vibe…?"

"Is he actually allowed to wear that?"

I could hear them. They weren't exactly whispering.

Standing there with my hands in my pockets, I kept my posture relaxed, as if I didn't notice or care about the stares.

I hadn't talked since we got here, but honestly, I didn't need to. My costume did all the talking for me.

It was one thing seeing it in the mirror. Another thing standing in front of a crowd in broad daylight.

If the goal was stealth, this was the worst way to achieve it.

I sighed through my nose. Hizashi and Kurogiri really did me dirty with this one.

Still, I didn't acknowledge the stares. No eye contact, no comments. Just silence.

Some tried to be subtle about it, sneaking quick glances my way.

Uraraka, for one, was outright whispering to Ida while side-eyeing me.

Bakugo gave a glance, scoffed, and looked away like he couldn't be bothered.

All Might, either ignoring the tension or completely missing it, clapped his hands together.

"Now then! It's time for the battle trial!"

He went over the rules—hero team versus villain team, objective-based combat, a taste of real combat experience. Pretty standard setup.

I stood near the back, hands in my pockets, listening as he pulled the team assignments from the box.

"First up… Team A—Izuku Midoriya and Ochaco Uraraka!"

I glanced over at Midoriya. His face was flushed red as he was awkwardly responding to Uraraka.

"And they will be facing Team D—Katsuki Bakugo and Tenya Iida!"

I didn't have to look to know Bakugo's reaction. The growl was enough.

All Might continued, pulling more names.

"Team B—Shoto Todoroki and Shoji Mezo!"

Todoroki, as expected, looked completely unbothered. Shoji gave a small nod.

"Team I—Mashirao Ojiro and Toru Hagakure

Hagakure fist-pumped the air while Ojito gave his usual calm smile in response.

The names kept rolling in. I only half-listened, catching glimpses of reactions, some excited while some nervous.

Then—

"Team F will be… Koji Koda and Azaria Arashi."

I blinked once and turned my head slightly toward my teammate.

Koda.

The guy was stiff, hands pressed together like he was trying to shrink into himself.

He gave me a small nod, eyes darting away the moment I met them.

"...."

Not like I was expecting much, I know he's that shy plus he was in the same team with Sato.

Well, no issues here.....I guess.

"And you two will be up against…" All Might continued, drawing the next pair.

"Team C, Momo Yaoyorozu and Minoru Mineta!"

———

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