MHA; Shikamaru With A System!

**Chapter 9: Zone D**

The U.A. Entrance Exam auditorium was a sprawling, high-ceilinged chamber filled with the nervous energy of over 300 examinees. The air buzzed with anticipation, a palpable tension that seemed to cling to every surface. The walls were lined with banners bearing the U.A. emblem, and the floor gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights. Rows of seats stretched out like a sea, each one occupied by a hopeful future hero, their quirks and personalities as varied as the stars in the sky.

Shikamaru Nara sat near the back, his posture slouched, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his black uniform. His dark, half-lidded eyes scanned the room with a bored expression, though his mind was anything but idle. The chatter around him was a cacophony of voices—some excited, some anxious, some overly confident. He sighed, muttering under his breath, "What a drag…"

The room suddenly fell silent as the doors at the front of the auditorium swung open with a dramatic creak. All eyes turned to the figure striding onto the stage.

**Present Mic**, the Voice Hero, was impossible to miss. His spiky blond hair seemed to defy gravity, and his leather jacket, adorned with speakers, gleamed under the stage lights. His presence was electric, his energy infectious as he grabbed the microphone and shouted, **"HEYYYYY, LISTENERS! WELCOME TO THE U.A. ENTRANCE EXAM!"**

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and nervous murmurs. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but mildly intrigued.

Present Mic's voice boomed through the auditorium as he explained the rules. "YOU'LL BE FACING FOUR TYPES OF ROBOTS IN YOUR DESIGNATED BATTLE CENTERS! THE ONE-POINTERS, TWO-POINTERS, AND THREE-POINTERS ARE YOUR TARGETS! BUT BEWARE—THE ZERO-POINTERS ARE *NOT* WORTH YOUR TIME! THEY'RE BIG, THEY'RE SCARY, AND THEY'LL ONLY SLOW YOU DOWN! AVOID 'EM AT ALL COSTS!"

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. *Zero-pointers?* His mind raced, piecing together the puzzle. *Why would U.A. include a robot that's pointless to fight? Unless… it's not about the points. It's about something else.* A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. *This academy's smarter than it looks. The zero-pointer must be the real test.*

As Present Mic continued his energetic explanation, Shikamaru's gaze drifted across the room, taking in the other examinees.

Izuku Midoriya sat a few rows ahead, muttering feverishly into his notebook. His green curls bounced as he scribbled furiously, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. His uniform was crisp, but his hands trembled slightly.

Katsuki Bakugo, lounged nearby, explosions crackling in his palms. His smirk was feral, his posture radiating arrogance. "EXTRA'S GONNA CRY WHEN I TOP THIS EXAM," he barked, earning glares from those around him.

Tenya Iida adjusted his glasses with robotic precision, his engine-like calves twitching. "THIS IS NO TIME FOR DISORDER! WE MUST ADHERE TO THE RULES!" he declared, chopping the air with his hand.

Ochaco Uraraka hovered near the exit, her round cheeks flushed. She clutched her stomach, muttering, "Don't throw up, don't throw up…"

Minoru Mineta lurked behind a pillar, sweating profusely. "Why's everyone so tall?!" he whined, eyeing the zero-pointer hologram with terror.

Shikamaru's shadow stretched unnaturally long beneath him, a subtle ripple of his Quirk. *Troublesome…*

Present Mic's voice cut through the noise once more. "ALRIGHT, LISTENERS! HEAD TO YOUR DESIGNATED BATTLE CENTERS! YOU'VE GOT TEN MINUTES TO RACK UP THOSE POINTS! PLUS ULTRA!"

The examinees surged toward the exits, their footsteps echoing like thunder. Shikamaru rose slowly, his movements unhurried, and followed the crowd.

He was assigned to **Battle Center D**, a sprawling replica cityscape of crumbling buildings and narrow alleys. The air smelled of concrete dust and ozone, the ground littered with debris. The other examinees in his zone were already buzzing with energy, their quirks on full display.

Shikamaru's gaze swept over his competitors. Midoriya stood nearby, muttering to himself, while Bakugo cracked his knuckles, his explosions popping like firecrackers. Iida revved his engines, and Uraraka floated a piece of rubble experimentally. Mineta, meanwhile, was already hiding behind a mailbox, his sticky balls clutched tightly in his hands.

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The examinees lined up at the entrance to Battle Center D, the massive gates looming before them like the jaws of a beast. The air was thick with tension, each candidate mentally preparing for the chaos to come.

Shikamaru stood at the back of the group, his hands in his pockets, his expression calm but calculating. His eyes flicked to the horizon, where the faint silhouette of a zero-pointer could be seen in the distance. *That's the key,* he thought. *They want to see who's willing to risk it all for the sake of others. Well, I'll play along.*

Behind them, **Ectoplasm**, one of U.A.'s pro heroes, stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the group. "Prepare yourselves," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "The exam begins in moments. Remember, this is not just a test of strength—it's a test of character."

Shikamaru's smirk widened. *Character, huh? Let's see how far that gets me.*

The gates creaked open, and the examinees tensed, their quirks flaring to life. Shikamaru's shadow stretched out behind him, a dark, writhing mass ready to strike.

"BEGIN!"

The gates slammed open, and the examinees surged forward, their footsteps shaking the ground. Shikamaru lingered for a moment, his eyes locked on the zero-pointer in the distance.

*This is where the real test begins.*

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