Morning sunlight streamed into Ren's dorm room as his eyes blinked open. The digital clock beside him read 5:43 AM. He sat up, bare-chested, body slightly glistening from faint moisture. The room was quiet, still, and cold—but he liked it that way.
Today feels strange, he thought.
There was a sense in his gut—not dread exactly, but anticipation. Like something was brewing under the surface, both inside and outside of him.
Ren arrived at Ground Beta long before anyone else. He had special permission from Aizawa to train early, citing personal quirk development.
He stood in front of a water tank brought out by Power Loader's crew. Ten thousand liters of purified water, crystal clear.
Time to test the next phase.
Closing his eyes, Ren stretched out his arms. The familiar pulse of his quirk flared through him—Hydro Core activated, and water spiraled upward from the tank in elegant, smooth ribbons.
The water obeyed easily. He had learned control.
But now he wanted more.
He moved toward the water and stepped inside the tank slowly. His body submerged fully, and he relaxed, holding his breath.
Within the silence and pressure, he focused inward.
He remembered the squirrel—how it had died when he drew the moisture from its body… how a surge of power followed. He hadn't forgotten. He never would.
I became faster, stronger, sharper.
What else can I take? What else can I absorb?
His thoughts flickered to that battle yesterday.
Tokoyami's Dark Shadow moved like an instinct, like emotion had powered it. That made Ren wonder—
Can my quirk react to emotion, too?
He focused now—not on movement, not on pressure—but on memory.
His parents' faces came to mind.
---
Flashback
A small apartment. A quiet evening. Ren—then called Reiji—was 7 years old.
His father, tall and gentle, ruffled his hair.
"Remember, water isn't just strong. It's calm. Let that be your strength too."
His mother smiled, "And you will be a great Hero."
They laughed.
Then the window shattered.
Screams. A villain's laugh. Flames.
And silence.
---
Present
The water around Ren began to churn violently.
Memory triggers flow, he realized.
His chest clenched. The water was reacting to emotion. Not just controlling it—but responding to him on a biological and spiritual level.
Hydro Core wasn't just external manipulation. It was internal evolution.
He opened his eyes inside the tank.
The water was glowing faintly, pulsating like a heartbeat around him.
He lifted his palm.
Absorb.
He focused on the water and drew it into himself—not to control it, but to bind with it.
Suddenly, he felt something shift.
Not just strength. Not just healing.
But clarity.
It was like a fog lifted in his mind. His thoughts became sharper. His breath easier. His body lighter.
The more water I absorb… the more I synchronize with the world around me.
It wasn't a power boost—it was a full-body optimization. A merge with nature.
Then something new sparked.
The vines he brushed against yesterday in the 1-B garden had moisture. And some trace of their essence had stayed in him.
He held out his hand—and to his surprise, the skin on his forearm briefly took on a greenish tint.
A single, small leaf bloomed from his wrist—and vanished a second later.
He stood still.
"…What the hell was that?"
Plant mimicry… even if temporary?
So absorbing water from specific sources might grant adaptive traits…?
---
Later – Cafeteria
Ren sat at the far edge of the room with a small notebook open, scribbling his findings.
[Hydro Core: Notes]
Standard Water Manipulation: Stable
Absorption: Strength + Speed Boost
Healing Factor: x12 natural rate (minor injuries only)
Plant Water Absorption:
Temporary photo-reactive skin
Sunlight enhances recovery and mood
Emotional Recall in water: affects control + mental clarity
Possible Memory-Water Sync? Further Testing Required
"Serious face today," a voice said beside him.
He looked up. Momo Yaoyorozu stood beside his table with a tray, smiling softly.
He shrugged. "Just science."
"Hydro Core science?"
He tilted his head. "Maybe."
She sat without asking. "You're hard to read, you know."
"Good. That keeps it interesting."
She blushed lightly but didn't look away. "You're different than when we first met."
"Everyone has a face they wear," he said. "I just… choose mine."
Momo frowned. "Are you saying the flirt is fake?"
He met her eyes.
"…No. I enjoy flirting. But it's also armor."
She paused. "Armor against what?"
Ren gave a slow smile. "That's a secret for another time."
Momo didn't press, but her gaze lingered, thoughtful.
---
Evening – Dorm Rooftop
Ren stood alone under the stars, letting the night air cool his skin. He pulled out a small metal charm from his pocket—his mother's, now his.
"Tomorrow we go to USJ," he murmured. "I already know what's going to happen."
But I won't act too soon.
I can't reveal what I know—not yet.
And not what I can do. Not until I have to.
His hands glowed faintly with moisture. He clenched his fist, letting the light fade.
"I'll survive. I'll adapt."
He turned, ready to head down.
And just before the door, he whispered into the breeze—
"…And I'll win, Mom."
50 power stone - Og + 1 more chapter.
150 power stone - Og + 2 chapters.
800 Power stone - 6 Chapters Total
2000 power stone - 10 Chapters Total