Chapter 72 - The Boys of Class 1-A Arrive on I-Island.

"Hi, everyone! Been watching Solo Leveling, and my main waifu Beru has finally arrived. The wait was worth it." 

___________________________________________________________________________________

🌆 I-Island – Arrival Terminal, Late Afternoon

The gentle ding of the airport announcement faded as the terminal's automatic glass doors slid open. A warm coastal breeze immediately swept into the faces of Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, and Eijiro Kirishima, tousling their hair as the three boys stepped outside.

Before them stood the jewel of international hero support innovation: I-Island.

Modern skyscrapers of reinforced chrome and glass stood tall beside lush green courtyards, their geometric design blending science and serenity. Above, flying cars buzzed past on sleek magnetic rails. A soft ambient melody played from unseen speakers, welcoming new arrivals like a theme park greeting its VIP guests.

"Whew… Man," Kirishima said as he stretched his arms over his head, popping his shoulder with a satisfying crack, "is it just me, or is the jet lag hitting like a Quirk-enhanced truck?"

"No." Todoroki's tone was as flat as his expression. His gaze lingered on the horizon, scanning the high-rise towers and the glistening edge of the ocean beyond. His heterochromatic eyes were calm but sharp, like someone silently calculating the heat index and wind direction for fun.

"Tch. Don't lump me in with your soft body, Sh*tty Hair." Bakugo grumbled, pulling his duffle bag higher on his shoulder. "I didn't come here to get emotional over a stupid breeze."

"…We have the same haircut," Kirishima muttered to himself, frowning slightly.

They continued down the wide marble path toward the welcome center—until they turned a corner and stopped dead in their tracks.

There, on a wide promenade lined with flags from around the world, stood a crowd of familiar faces.

Class 1-A.

The whole gang.

Uraraka laughing while dragging a slightly embarrassed Izuku by the wrist. Mina snapping photos beside Yaoyorozu, who tried to pose gracefully but kept getting caught mid-blink. Denki balancing on a decorative fountain rim for some reason. Even Aoyama, who was using a compact mirror to reflect sunlight onto himself.

A banner overhead read "WELCOME YOUNG HEROES!" in bold metallic letters, flanked by hover drones taking photos for social media.

"Oh, sweet!" Kirishima grinned, eyes lighting up. "I was worried we'd be the last ones here—"

But he didn't get to finish.

🚨 Tactical Retreat, Class 1-A Style

"Nope." Bakugo grabbed the back of his shirt collar with one hand.

"Not happening." Todoroki seized his other sleeve.

"W-WAIT, WHAT?!" Kirishima yelped as he was hoisted off the ground like a sack of rice and dragged in the opposite direction.

"Seriously?! I get why Bakugo doesn't wanna deal with people, but you too, Todoroki?!"

"...I don't think I'm emotionally prepared to deal with spontaneous group interaction," Todoroki said calmly.

"Wow. Same," Kirishima muttered, almost grateful before remembering he was being abducted.

Eventually, after ducking through a food court, dodging a tourist drone, and nearly knocking over a woman selling All Might balloons, the trio found themselves in a much quieter part of the island.

🎮 The Side Streets of I-Island

It was still bustling—this was I-Island, after all—but the vibe was different here. Less like a social mixer and more like a theme park arcade district. Neon signs glowed with enticing promises like:

"Test Your Quirk Reaction Time!"

"Hero Costume Gallery"

"Robot Boxing Arena!"

Bakugo was the first to stop. His crimson eyes narrowed at a sleek, domed mini-stadium across the square. A holographic sign hovered above it, letters pulsing in red:

🎯 VILLAIN ATTACK – Hero Combat Simulation

Defeat robotic villain dummies in the shortest time possible.Your score will be broadcast live island-wide.

"Heh…" Bakugo's smile was feral. That glint in his eyes? The one he got when he knew he could prove himself to everyone? Yeah, it was back.

"Hey, Icyhot. Sh*tty Hair."

"What?" Todoroki replied, already eyeing the entrance.

"They're streaming this." Bakugo jerked his chin toward the hologram. "Means every extra from our class'll see it. You get what that means?"

Todoroki looked up at the arena, then nodded once."Public bragging rights."

"Exactly." Bakugo grinned wide. "I get top score, and they'll know who's still on top."

Kirishima, meanwhile, was still recovering from the kidnapping.

"Hold on, guys—we just got off a flight! Can't we like, go to a smoothie bar first or—HEY—HEY!"

Both Bakugo and Todoroki grabbed an arm each again.

"We're making you participate," Todoroki said flatly.

"You'll thank me later when you stop being a coward." Bakugo sneered.

"I'm not a coward! I just—let go—STOP DRAGGING ME LIKE A TODDLER—!"

Kirishima could only flail helplessly as his two fiercest classmates dragged him toward what was clearly going to become a public display of flexing.

"Why can't I have normal friends?" he sighed, slumped in defeat.

Bakugo smirked."Because you suck at picking 'em. Deal with it."

🚨 End Scene – Ready for the Challenge

As the boys neared the simulation entrance, a new message blinked onto the hovering screen:

 | NEXT MATCH BEGINS IN: 10 MINUTES | SLOTS OPEN: 3

🔥 SIGN UP NOW AND PROVE YOUR HERO WORTH! 🔥

The line was short. The adrenaline was building. And the scoreboard?

Still waiting for a champion's name.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

[Auther: Yo, been awhile eh?]