The week of the school trip arrived faster than Denki expected.
Early Saturday morning, he and his parents boarded one of the many large buses lined up in front of the school.
Children from the entire year level piled in with backpacks, snacks, and loud excitement.
Denki sat next to his parents at first, half-listening as everyone chattered about roller coasters, hotel pools, and the ‘quirky animals’ they’d get to see.
The destination was a little over two hours away—completely paid for by the school thanks to a ridiculous stroke of luck: their principal had somehow won a major discount and hotel package through a random lottery ticket.
Denki still wasn’t sure whether that was fate or down right ridiculous, but it worked in their favor.
When they finally arrived, the students and families unloaded at the entrance of a large hotel connected by a walkway to the amusement park.
From the building alone, Denki could tell the principal’s ‘lucky ticket’ was probably worth more than their entire school yearly budget.
The teachers gave their usual warnings, rules, and reminders—but everyone was too excited to listen.
Pro heroes patrolled the entire area, which made the school more relaxed about letting kids roam.
Villains almost never attacked this place anyway.
Something about amusement parks and mutated wildlife didn’t appeal to them.
Once they checked into the hotel, Denki’s parents gave him permission to go off with Mina and Kirishima for the day.
“Stay safe, call us if anything happens” his mom reminded.
He gave a thumbs-up he absolutely did not mean.
Denki, Mina, and Kirishima sprinted into the amusement park the moment they were released.
They rode roller coasters that twisted sideways and launched them skyward.
Mina screamed the entire time.
Kirishima screamed only during the drop and then pretended he didn’t.
Denki pretended not to
They played carnival games, Mina winning plushies through sheer chaos energy.
Kirishima tried to win a strength test challenge but cracked the plastic mallet instead.
Denki beat a claw machine six times in a row, despite having never touched it before.
“Dude!” Kirishima groaned “How are you so good at everything?!”
Denki shrugged “Electric intuition?”
They ran around until sunset, laughing, eating too much junk food, going on more rides than they could count, and generally just having a fun time.
They made plans to meet up again the next morning for the wildlife section of the tour.
Except Denki already had something else in mind
That night, Denki lay awake in the hotel bed while his parents snored.
He stared at the ceiling, electricity buzzing faintly through his fingertips.
A whole reserve of awakened, quirk-enhanced animals.
Different physiologies.
Different energies.
Different environments.
Perfect for training.
Extremely dangerous.
Perfectly dangerous.
He’d spent the whole day pretending to be a normal kid on a school trip.
But night was when the real planning started.
Denki reached over and pulled his phone from under the pillow.
A few taps later, he was scrolling through the notes and files he’d secretly gathered weeks before the trip—records, leaks, and published reports about the restricted section of the wildlife reserve.
The area tourists and students were never allowed to see
He swiped through the list, mentally reviewing each one:
Quirked Animal Notes — Restricted Zone
1.
Razorclaw Grizzly
— A species of brown bear mutated by a quirk that massively increases the size, sharpness, and durability of its claws.
— Claws can slice through even the toughest trees
— Aggressive
— Often sleeps during the day, mostly active during dawn and dusk
(Stay away! Got it)
⸻
2.
Iron-Antler Moose
— A large moose species with a quirk causing its antlers to grow into dense metallic structures
— Antlers can weigh up to 200 kg but moose shows no mobility issues
— Known to charge at large trees and boulders •most likely to test its horn’s durability•
— Territorial during breeding seasons
Denki considered that for a moment
(If one charges me, can I redirect the momentum? Maybe test cowboy lightning riding?)
⸻
3.
Hyper-Stinger Wasp Colonies
— Nest clusters capable of firing hardened stingers like bullets
— Each stinger regenerates within minutes
— The queen’s venom is corrosive
— Territorial if disturbed
He stared at that one for a long time
(Nope. Avoid. Absolutely avoid.)
⸻
4.
Diamondhide Boars
— Boar species with quirk-induced tough skin plates, which are believed to be tough as diamonds.
Quirk is always active
— Impact-based fighters
— Underbelly is unaffected by the quirk
5.
Shadow-Fox Packs
— Small foxes that are capable of merging with shadows when completely still
— Ambush predators
— Hunts in packs
(Would I be able to see one in there?)
⸻
He rolled onto his side, thinking through it all.
The restricted zone wasn’t just dangerous—it was basically a natural combat arena full of unpredictable, quirk-enhanced wildlife.
Perfect for sharpening his reflexes, electric sensing, stamina, terrain awareness…
And maybe a few experiments he couldn’t risk anywhere else.
But he needed a method to train.
Otherwise he’d just be running around risking his life without gaining anything meaningful.
He couldn’t just wing it like how Garp threw Luffy into jungles, ravines, even making him fight an ape when he was just a kid.
Granted people of the One Piece world are physically insane, but he himself has strengthened his body to the point even he doesn’t know his own limits.
He knows he’s already much faster and stronger than regular adults—maybe even some low to mid tier heroes and villains.
But that was the problem: he wasn’t completely sure how strong he really was.
Denki needed to know where his strength actually stood instead of continuing to grow blindly.
Sure, he could go to a quirk-specialized gym or get a private trainer to spar with.
But that wouldn’t push him to his absolute limit.
It would always be a safe, controlled environment.
And if he wanted to grow stronger—truly stronger—he needed to do it fast, even if it meant using methods most people would call insane.
Because he knew what was coming in just a few short years.
Villains who wouldn’t care if he died
The media being twisted and controlled to confuse and destabilize the public
Entire armies lying in wait, preparing to strike
Even the changes that might happen because of his own interference
He had already started messing with the MLA.
Even if it was something small
He could stop—could
But it was like the saying goes:
“There’s nothing like getting stronger than by risking your life!”
~~~~~~~
The next morning, the entire grade was buzzing with excitement as they walked toward the wildlife reserve’s visitor area.
Teachers led the way, parents followed behind, and half the kids were already arguing about which animals they hoped to see
Denki however, had a different mission
He grabbed Mina and Kirishima by their sleeves and quietly pulled them out of the crowd, slipping behind a large display board about ‘Quirk Ecosystems of Japan’
Mina raised a brow “Uh, Denki? Why are we hiding like we committed tax fraud?”
Denki put a finger to his lips.
“Shh. This is important”
Kirishima blinked “Are you about to explain how you’ve been cheating at video games?”
Denki inhaled deeply
“Okay… so I need the two of you to cover for me when I jump the gate to the wildlife reserve”
Both of his friends snapped to attention
“NOPE” Mina said immediately
“Bro” Kirishima added with a worried face, “Man are you good in the head?… please tell me this is one of your jokes”
Denki shook his head with the seriousness of someone discussing global conspiracy
“I’m going in”
“In where?” Mina demanded
He pointed toward the forest
“Deeper into the reserve”
Mina slapped a hand over her face.
“Oh my god—HE’S LOST IT”
Kirishima looked like he wanted to melt into the grass.
“Bro, people don’t go in there. That’s why they have a giant fence around the entire forest, so whatever’s in THERE doesn’t come out”
Denki spoke quickly, hands waving.
“Look, look—I have a plan. A really good one! And I just need you two to say I was doing research or got lost or helping an old lady cross the street— or something—anything until I get back”
“No” Mina shut down instantly.
“Nope. No thank you. No deal. Absolutely not.”
“I’ll do your report” Denki tried.
“No”
“I’ll do BOTH your reports”
Mina crossed her arms “Tempting. Very tempting. But no.”
“I’ll buy you snacks for a month”
Her eye twitched
Denki leaned closer.
“Limited-edition roller-coaster-themed roller-blades—”
Mina stomped her foot so hard the display board shook
“DENKI. NO. You’re not bribing your way into the forest of death!”
Denki exhaled through his nose “I’m not bribing—I’m negotiating”
“Well, NEGOTIATION DENIED!”
They glared at each other
Mina’s eyes narrowed
Denki’s electricity buzzed faintly with determination
Neither of them blinked
It was a silent standoff
A battle of wills Get faster updates on g.com.
Two stubborn middle schoolers attempting psychic warfare
Kirishima stood between them, sweating bullets
Finally, he snapped
“O-OKAY I’LL COVER FOR YOU JUST—JUST STOP LOOKING AT EACH OTHER LIKE THAT IT’S SCARY!”
Both heads whipped toward him
Denki lit up—literally and figuratively
“YES! Thank you Kiri! You’re a lifesaver! A hero! A legend! A man among men!”
Kirishima’s soul left his body “I regret everything”
Mina stared at him, betrayed
“Kiri… really?”
He winced.
“I’m sorry! You two were… scary!”
Mina lowered her head then after a few seconds threw her arms up in defeat
“FINE. FINE! I’ll help too! But only because I don’t want to get in trouble. And if you DO die, I’m telling everyone this was Kirishima’s idea”
“What!?”
Denki beamed, bouncing on his heels.
“Great! Teamwork! Awesome! Now all we have to do is—”
Mina grabbed his face with both hands and squished them
“IF YOU DIE—SO HELP ME—I WILL FIND YOUR GHOST AND YELL AT YOU FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY”
“Mmph—got it—(I won’t)—”
She released him with a huff then grabbed Kirishima’s hand and dragged him towards the rest of the group
Kirishima sighed, exhausted “Man…
this is gonna be such a NOT normal field trip’
Denki grinned
“For you guys maybe. For me…? It’s going to be amazing”
The class finally reached the entrance of the wildlife reserve’s public area: a long, fenced walkway leading into the first observation zone.
Teachers counted heads, parents took pictures, kids buzzed with excitement
Mina and Kirishima stood on either side of Denki like two anxious security guards watching their most problematic client
Mina elbowed him “Last chance to NOT do something insane”
Denki gave a thumbs-up “I hear you”
“That wasn’t a yes”
“Wasn’t a no either”
Kirishima groaned, already dreading everything
As the group stepped into the viewing area—lush trees, peculiar quirked birds hopping around, and vibrant insect clusters—Denki subtly slowed his pace.
Mina and Kirishima matched it automatically
“Okay” Denki said quietly, “you two know the plan”
Mina sighed “Yeah. Distract the teachers. Be loud. Act like overly excited kids”
“So… be us?” Kirishima said weakly
“Exactly” Denki grinned
The three stopped near a decorative information board just before the cameras began their sweep
Denki flicked two fingers
Bzt…
Every camera within twenty meters glitched at once—static, freezing, for the next thirty seconds
Mina and Kirishima jolted
“D-Denki! That’s illegal!” Mina hissed
“Only if I get caught”
“STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!”
But Denki was already backing away
The group ahead was distracted, teachers discussing maps, parents wrangling kids…
perfect
“Okay” Denki whispered, “get loud”
Mina inhaled—then suddenly shrieked
“OH MY GOD KIRI LOOK A GIANT SPIDER—NO WAIT THAT’S A SQUIRREL—NO ITS A CUTE LITTLE BLUE BUNNY—AAAAA!”
Kirishima followed up with the most dramatic manly gasp known to mankind
“WHAT?! WHERE?!”
The entire section of the group turned toward them
Denki grinned.
Perfect.
Without another word, he slipped sideways between two bushes and headed straight for the tall metal security fence marking the boundary between the safe zone and quirked animal infested forest
He crouched, electricity flowing through his legs
Bzt!
With a low surge, he jumped—hands gripping the metal frame—and climbed in seconds, vaulting over the top and landing silently on the other side
Birds with shimmering wing patterns scattered overhead.
Strange insects crawled over roots that pulsed faintly with glowing spots.
The wind carried scents of danger and mystery
Denki stood still, letting his electric field unfurl like a net
He felt everything
Every rustle
Every heartbeat
Every shift of air
A slow grin spread across his face
“Yeah… this is perfect”
Lightning crackled faintly off his skin, coating his body like a thin armor.
His muscles tightened, senses sharpened, and the world lit up in pulsing energy signatures
Then—
BOOM!
He launched forward