"Are you going to the mall?" Todoroki questioned me as we ate in the UA cafeteria.
"The mall? Why would I go to the mall? Did a new game come out that I should know about?" I answered his question with my own.
"Most of us are going to buy the necessary things for the summer camp," he explained to my surprise and recollection.
(The failed trip to the mall, I had forgotten about that event.) One For All reacted to my past memories, causing some light sparks to flash on my fingers. (Shigaraki will question me about Stain's ideology. Should I give him the same answer as Izuku did in the original event?... No, that would be dangerous and stupid. I'd be giving him an even greater reason to kill me and those around me... What a dilemma.)
"So... are you going or not?" my table companion reiterated.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm sorry, Shoto..."
"Shoto? We're calling each other by our first names now?" Right, the Japanese and their rules of respect in speech.
"Yeah? I mean, we're friends, and I don't think there's a problem." It's Todoroki. How much trouble can it cause him?
"I understand. We're friends, Izuku." It sounds strange to hear my name from someone other than Inko.
"Yeah... (I definitely need to make Todoroki less expressionless.)" Taking another bite of my food, I thought a little more about things. The camp attack is practically guaranteed at this point... Another inevitable thing on the list of future problems. "I'll go to the mall, but I don't think I'll buy anything. I'm going to improve, not to camp."
"I share your mentality, but I won't be joining you. I visit Mom whenever I can." Rei Todoroki, the crazy teapot lady. "After the camp, I'd like to have a match with you, if you don't mind, Izuku." The plea in Todoroki's normally stoic tone surprised me greatly, making it impossible for me to say no.
"Sure. We'll have to ask for the required authorization from Mr. Aizawa once the camp is over." Besides, it never hurts to test my skills with someone like Todoroki. "How's your mastery over your fire coming along?"
"I've improved. My flames have become easier to regulate, and I'm able to switch between ice and fire more easily." Just as strong as in the canon. At least this way, I can be sure he won't be killed. "What about you? How much have you improved in advancing your super strength?" It sounds strange to call it that and not One For All.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. I'm capable enough to destroy buildings with a single punch. The usual." The simplicity in my voice caused Todoroki to raise an eyebrow in what I assumed was surprise.
"You can destroy a building as if it were nothing... and that's normal for you?" Is that... envy I hear? Who would have thought? Todoroki is jealous of my progress.
"You can generate icebergs as if it were a natural thing. Don't complain," I pointed at him accusatorially to emphasize my point. "You have incredible powers, but you prefer to complain about the humble boy who emits lightning from his body."
"And has overly convenient Whips."
"Fuck you, Shoto."
"I love you too, Izuku."
"...Be glad you're my friend..."
"You should be the one saying that."
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The shopping mall was quite spectacular, to be honest.
It was full of merchandise of different heroes and products that I'm completely sure didn't exist in my world.
The most curious ones were those that necessarily required people with specific Quirks to be used.
I was one of the first to arrive at the place, and since I was alone, I started to wander around. The technology stores were the most eye-catching, along with the heroic ones.
(A phone capable of projecting manipulable holograms? It's every spy's dream.) I would have asked for the price of such a device, but you didn't have to be a genius to know that I'd have to say goodbye to one of my kidneys to pay for it. (When I'm number one and get paid for practically everything, it will be mine.)
"Midoriya! It's good to see you!" Uraraka appeared beside me, greeting me as if we hadn't seen each other just a day ago. "What are you looking at?" she questioned with curiosity.
"Something I won't be able to afford until at least the next decade," I gave a fake sigh of sadness. "Did you just arrive, Uraraka?"
"Yes! I need some things for the camp." Noticing that we were in the way of people passing by, we started walking towards the water fountain in the center of the place. "Do you know if Bakugo and Todoroki are coming?"
"Bakugo won't. You should have known that from the moment you proposed this idea. Todoroki won't either; he has important things to do." As we approached, I noticed that Iida and the rest of the class were already waiting for us. "Look, the others are already there. Let's go say hi."
Iida scolded us for being "late," forcing us to explain that we had been here before them. Of course, this led Mina Ashido and the rest to think something else.
"Were you two... on a date?" she questioned us with excitement and joy in her voice.
(Oh no, this is the typical embarrassing moment to generate affection for the protagonist.) I can't believe my life is being reduced to this. (I have to nip the problem in the bud. I don't need teenage drama in my life.)
"We weren't. Midoriya and I are just friends," it was to my pleasant surprise that Uraraka answered the question calmly. Without unnecessary stutters or anything similar.
(Did Uraraka... just break the status quo of the average anime?) I had to make a noticeable effort to keep the surprise from showing on my face; I didn't want it to be misinterpreted. (Not spending so much time with them has caused this. Impressive.)
"No date then?" Why is she so disappointed about that? She should get her own private life.
"No, Ashido, no dates," I assured to end the conversation. "How about each of us looks for what we need to buy, and then we meet here again?" I need to be alone. I can't expose them to Shigaraki.
"I agree with Midori-bro!" Kirishima exclaimed.
"Punctuality in these things is essential! I support Midoriya's idea!" Iida also did, in his own way.
"That sounds good to me. Will you come with me, Ochako?" And with Tsuyu's response, one by one, they started to disperse.
Leaving me alone in a shopping mall surrounded by people, waiting for danger to confront it.
Because that is my destiny.
(That sounded incredible for the current situation.) To not seem like an idiot, I started to walk around the same places, being attentive to any hooded person who passed near me. (Just because I'm going to run into Shigaraki doesn't mean I'll let him hold me hostage. If I'm going to do this, we'll both be on equal footing.)
With the mastery that only incessant practice with Gran Torino has given me, I charged One For All to 30% in my thumb and middle finger.
With such an amount of power, I could snap my fingers and produce a noticeable gust of wind.
(Now I just have to wait.) Fortunately for me, I didn't have to do it for too long.
The Danger Sense activated, giving me a warning that something was endangering my safety.
(Breathe, don't lose your cool.) Actively allowing someone to have the necessary position to kill you is not easy; it's terrifying. My whole body demands that I do something, but my mind stops it.
"Don't scream or draw attention. Act natural." Without making a whole show of being a fan of mine, Shigaraki approached, taking my neck, forcing me to walk with him. "I just want to talk, and if you do something stupid... I'll just need to lower one finger to disintegrate you."
That was a good threat... for someone unprepared.
"It's funny, Shigaraki, because... what's faster? Your disintegration? Or the dismemberment of your head?" My hand, which I had previously charged in two fingers with One For All, was near his trachea. I just had to release my thumb, and the pressurized air would decapitate Shigaraki in an instant.
We are both at a stalemate.
"You wouldn't kill me. Heroes don't kill," he assured with conviction in his voice.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that until you believe it. Didn't the U.S.J. teach you anything? Because it personally opened my eyes to several things I was ignoring." Following his lead, we ended up sitting on a bench for two at the fountain. "Do you want to know what one of those things was?" I took his silence and his gaze forward as a pass to continue. "You. The U.S.J. made me realize that as long as you and the pathetic group you're creating live, I won't be able to achieve the goals I've set for myself... not until I see you dead."
For a moment, we were silent. I couldn't know what Shigaraki was thinking because of the hood he was wearing. But I'm sure he was having a big change of perspective from my words.
Not even All For One had prepared him for a hero willing to kill.
"You're disgustingly hateful, Midoriya," he spoke, with malice in his voice.
"I could say the same about you."
"You would have been an excellent villain." Me as a villain? Everyone would die before they realized it. "That's why I need to know, why did people talk so much about Stain and you? I caused an attack in Hosu, released Nomus, generated chaos, and yet... everyone talked about him and you. Why?"
His question is valid. He has no purpose and needs a guide, but I'm not willing to be that person.
"Why should I answer you? Do you think that just because you're threatening me, I'm going to become your moral compass? Don't forget that I only need one movement of my fingers to kill you." The anger in my voice was palpable. I detest his childish way of expecting something from me. "I beat your face in at the U.S.J. because I hate you. I'm threatening you with death because I hate you. Tell me, why should I give you an answer to light your path? Find the answers to your questions on your own damn account like everyone else."
The grip on my neck tightened, but in the same way, my fingers got even closer to his neck.
This can end in two ways: one peacefully, and another taken directly from a gore-style movie.
Still, the best I can hope for is to end peacefully.
There are a lot of people here, too many variables, and I don't want to be in the eye of the storm for killing a villain in self-defense.
Not yet. I need to do many things before I can commit such an act.
"Heh, you're right." Surprise hit me again. What is it with people surprising me today? "I have no reason to look for answers in the person I must kill. Or am I wrong, ninth wielder of One For All?" If he expected any kind of reaction from me at that last part, then he was disappointed.
It was logical to expect that Shigaraki knew about One For All from the beginning.
"Maybe it's time for me to find my own path, form my own group of loyal people, and... end the false peace that these people think they have." How did he come to that conclusion from my words? He's even more twisted than in the canon. "I'll let you go this time, Midoriya, but the next time we meet... I'll kill you, and then I'll go for your disgusting mother... or maybe I'll do it in another order? What do you say?"
(Disgusting trash,) I thought with anger at the idea of Inko being killed by Shigaraki. "If the mere thought of killing my mother crosses that twisted head of yours from now on, I will kill you in the most grotesque way possible. I will make you beg me to die to end the pain."
The hatred in my voice was instinctive. The mere idea of a kind and loving woman like Inko being hurt, or worse, murdered, was unacceptable to me.
I made a promise to the Izuku before me, and protecting his loved ones was a tacit agreement between us.
Words weren't necessary. I would protect them all now that he was no longer at the forefront.
"You're a great enigma, Midoriya." Releasing my neck, he put his hood back on. The One For All in my hand vanished as I watched the back of the psychopath I have as an enemy. "Say hi to All Might for me, please. Tell him that his years of work are about to disappear." Without another word, he disappeared into the crowd.
"Midoriya! Who was that guy?!" Uraraka spoke to me, worried. She was already taking out her phone to call the authorities.
But my mind was on what had happened just a few seconds ago.
That Shigaraki was not the same one I had in my past memories. He was darker, more dangerous, and worst of all... focused.
With just a few of my words, he was able to find a path to follow. He had the audacity to threaten Inko, my own mother, and then play with the fact that he knows about One For All.
I'm not facing a childish adult. I'm facing a real threat that matured sooner rather than later.
There are no more doubts in my head.
I must kill Shigaraki Tomura.
...
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
Originally, I wanted to update during the week, but one of my teachers came and told us, verbatim:
"Guys, seeing as you won't have school attendance on Wednesday, May 18th, because of the census, I've decided that I'm going to evaluate you this Wednesday," all of this said on a Monday.
Meaning I had two days to study.
And it wasn't just a few pages.
No, it was 27 pages.
There's the proof.
So it was two straight days of pure reading to memorize that thing.
And in the end, it was worth it because I passed with a six.
But well, back to the chapter, there's not much to say.
It starts with a chat between Izuku and Shoto, since Todoroki is a thousand times a better friend than Bakugo, and that will be seen in this fic.
Todoroki will be the MC's friend for the rest of the story, and don't rule out the idea that he could be the first person to know about One For All.
The chat with Shigaraki is fundamental because it's my way of showing you that he's not the same villain presented in the anime. This one is more dangerous because of the personal humiliation he received from Izuku.
I've considered making a separate point with which he's going to look really good if it turns out as I wish it would.
Just to close, I wanted to comment on something I've been writing on purpose for a while, and that is the way the MC refers to Inko in his mind.
When he talks to her, he calls her "Mom," but in his mind, she's still Inko.
I did this as a way to show that even though he's a single soul with Izuku, there are still parts of him that remain the same. And it's been from this point (when Shigaraki threatens to kill Inko) that he refers to her as "mother."
"He had the audacity to threaten Inko, my own mother."
It's just a little curiosity that no one has commented on yet, and that's why I wanted to do it myself.
Anyway, take care. See you.