In the wake of showing his prowess during Aizawa's final practical trial, Midoriya becomes the center of attention: Uraraka and Iida are impressed (if concerned about his injury), while Bakugo is incensed at the prospect that this supposedly quirkless nerd had been holding back his quirk for as long as he knew him. Just as he is about to lash out, however, he is stopped by Aizawa, who then reveals that he never intended to expel anyone over the trial: the threat of expulsion was meant to serve as motivation to coax the students into giving their all. This comes as a great relief to Midoriya, who ranked last among his classmates and feared having his dreams cut short.
All Might is displeased with Aizawa over his ruthless teaching methods, knowing that he had once expelled an entire class for falling short of his standards. Aizawa explains that Midoriya had barely passed his expectations, and that if he also falls short, he would have no compunctions of expelling him. Meanwhile, Midoriya recovers with the help of Recovery Girl, and at the end of classes for the day, walks home with Uraraka and Iida, who have become his friends.
The next day, classes proceed as normal until the time comes to learn under All Might. The class is taken to a training field. For this practical exercise, the students are divided up into ten teams of two students each, with half of those teams representing "heroes" and the other "villains". The "hero" team is tasked with defeating the "villain" team, either by capturing the "villains" or tagging a prop bomb to disarm it; while the "villain" team is tasked with capturing the "heroes" or protecting the prop bomb until time ran out.
After each student draws their lots, Midoriya finds himself on the same "hero" team as Uraraka, to his delight. To his dismay, however, he has to go up against Bakugo on the "villain" team, along with Iida.
When the exercise begins, Bakugo goes on the offensive. Midoriya, however, manages to evade and counter Bakugo's attack, having taken notes on his former friend-turned-bully and knowing how he would start the fight. Midoriya takes his stand against Bakugo, for he is no longer the same "Defenseless Izuku"!
Tropes:
- Affectionate Nickname: After learning why Izuku is frequently called "Deku" by Katsuki, Ochacho thinks it would be better suited as a hero name if defined differently. By the end, Izuku vows to make "Deku" more hero worthy.
- Cast from Stamina: Recovery Girl explains that her Healing Factor Quirk doesn't necessarily just heal someone, but instead encourages a hero's enhanced stamina to fuel up and take care of injuries on its own. She warns Izuku that depending on her too much will cause his stamina to drain, and he'll end up dying from using his power instead.
- Cheap Costume: Unlike most of Class 1-A,Izuku's first costume was handmade my his mother, as a way to make up for not being supportive enough for him. All Might notes how painfully obvious Izuku's mask is as a homage to him, referencing his hair and signature smile.
- Dynamic Entry: All Might enters Class 1A in his heroic fashion. However, he simply enters through the door like any normal person, albeit hammy.
- I Lied: After Izuku gets last place in the fitness tests, Aizawa goes on to claim that he was lying about expelling someone in that position, claiming that it was to motivate everybody to give it their all.
- However, a conversation with All Might afterward implies that Aizawa was preparing to expel Izuku, but balked when he realized the kid truly did have potential.
- Irony: Katsuki being on the "Villain" team can't be any more ironic. While he wants to be a hero, his overall attitude and animosity towards Izuku is like that of a villain with a grudge.
- Oh, Crap!: Already on Katsuki's bad side, Izuku now has to face him during the training exercise.
- Overly-Nervous Flop Sweat: Izuku becomes so nervous before the practical he actually starts to sweat through his suit.
- Power at a Price: Aizawa's Quirk allows him to disable other people's Quirks just by looking at them, but it only stays active until he blinks. As a result, he has seemingly perpetual dry eye.
- Secret Test of Character: Aizawa claims that he was lying about expelling whoever ended up in last place so Class 1-A would be motivated to give it their all. Subverted later on, when it turns out that Aizawa was planning on expelling Izuku before his lob throw proved he did have potential.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Izuku ends up getting last place in spite of his epic performance in the Lob Throw, due to his broken finger rendering him unable to pass the rest of the tests.
