The last rays of the sun faintly illuminated the sidewalk I was walking on, giving the place a really beautiful image that, if it weren't for the fact that I'm heading towards a possible death, I wouldn't be enjoying.
It's strange, how in moments of extreme tension, one can appreciate the small details that the world continuously offers.
(Facing a not-so-old two-hundred-year-old man also has a lot to do with it.) Looking at the notification bar on my phone, I noticed several unread messages, from the "Big Three" to one from... (Nezu? What does the mouse want this time?) I frowned in distrust at that, opting to increase the volume of the music my headphones were playing to analyze the message.
"Observe the next announcement we will make. Many of your doubts will be clarified."
What twisted game had I gotten myself into? I knew that in essence, by revealing my ability to detect prior dangers, like the Camp, my role would be extremely high.
I still hadn't discussed with Aizawa the fact that he knows about One For All, and I hoped not to do so soon. I don't have the same trust with the man as the original Izuku. In fact, I must be the student he has the least connection with.
Unlike the rest, I never asked for his help in practices. I kept my ideas to myself and eliminated any doubts I had before I could delve into them.
It was regrettable, considering that the Eraser Hero is not a bad person, but my unconscious actions put me on his bad side several times.
The attack on the U.S.J. and my "unstable actions," the media coverage of the internships, and of course, the Summer Camp.
I would try to improve my relationship with Aizawa, especially now that I was involved with the whole secret of One For All.
(I'll start by apologizing, even if I don't really mean it.) Calmly, I crossed to the next avenue, releasing a very light charge of power to warm my body against the now cold night. (I should have brought more than just a jacket.)
The contemplation I was in was interrupted by the vibration of the phone in my pocket, indicating that a call was being received.
Without bothering to take it out, I pressed the "hands-free" button on my headphones, waiting for the person on the other end of the line to say the first word.
"Midoriya?" Kirishima's voice came from the other side, extremely calm despite how loud he usually is.
"That's me. Don't misuse the last name." I looked at some shop windows as I responded, noticing some truly futuristic items in relation to my old world.
Seriously, since when were the shoes from "Back to the Future II" invented? My geek dream is literally on the other side of the display case.
"Where are you? We're waiting for you at the hospital entrance." In the background, some murmurs could be heard, probably Iida complaining about how bad an idea his plan was in general.
It had only been ten minutes since I had gotten off the train, being in the last peak hours of the afternoon for Musutafu. The flow of people was considerably less, and the quiet sidewalks showed it.
"I'm about seven blocks away. I won't be long." I stopped at the crosswalk, waiting for the vehicles to pass. A child was beside me, holding his mother's hand and looking at my face with curiosity.
"Alright, that's great. We'll be waiting, Midoriya." The call ended there, returning the quiet music to my ears.
Noticing that the child's gaze was still fixed on me, I turned my face to see him too. His mother was too distracted talking to another woman to catch our exchange.
The boy in question didn't have a remarkable appearance. His features vaguely reminded me of Momo, mostly because of his calm gaze despite the interest he had behind it.
Of course, the completely generic black hair and eyes helped with the similarities, but you get the point.
And above all, he showed no mutations that would reveal any type of Quirk.
"Do you need something?" I asked politely, trying to smile friendly and not look like a kidnapper in the process.
"I saw you on television." His words were released with a great childish curiosity. There was no fanaticism or hatred in them.
Just... curiosity, perhaps the best quality a child can have.
"In fact, I'm sure that was me. Did he have a hero costume with red and black parts?" I doubted the boy knew me from the Sports Festival. Everyone had their eye on me due to the Hosu attack and the great free publicity I did for myself.
Quietly, I stopped the music I was listening to. The boy spoke quite softly, and the general noise of the streets diminished it even more.
"That's right. Mom told me you were a hero, but... are you really?" he questioned, leaning towards me, his voice still conveying nothing but curiosity, with neutrality separated only by that fact.
It was strange. Not many children act so calmly and politely.
"Technically? Not yet. I'm more of a 'Hero in training'." The crosswalk finally let us pass, and we began to walk again. "But there are times when you have to act as if you were a full hero. That day is a good example of that." I didn't see any harm in complementing the answer. I didn't expect the child to understand every word, after all.
"I see... We can't always be what we are. There will be times when we'll have to give more than we should for different established goods." He followed my idea without any problems, adding a meaning to close the topic satisfactorily.
Okay... what kind of genius child did I just run into?
Could that level of understanding, combined with his curious and calm tone, be due to his reasoning ability? Or did he just get it right by pure luck?
"You gave a very good and compact definition of what I wanted to convey. You have an enviable brain." I kept the astonishment to myself, choosing to treat the boy as an equal. "What's your name?"
If I was in front of a genius child, I was definitely going to find out his name. You never know how far he can go with the right people around him.
"Heikō Tensai."
"A pleasure to formally meet you. I'm Izuku Midoriya, but you already know that." The now-recognized Heikō nodded his head, stopping to look at me after the whole conversation we had.
And of course, his mother decided that was the ideal moment to notice that her son was talking to a stranger.
Although it could be due to the fact that the woman beside her was no longer there...
"Heikō, who are you talking to?" Her face went from the child to me with exactly the same amount of curiosity as the boy.
(Seems to run in the family.) Smiling again, I prepared to introduce myself again. "I'm..."
"Izuku Midoriya, the hero boy who was on television." This time, there was some astonishment in the tone of voice used. She recognized the acts that made me popular better.
"He has super strength, Mom, although it's not very noticeable when you look at him in person." That was a hard blow to my self-esteem, but I forgave him for being a naive child.
Intelligent, but a child nonetheless.
"That wasn't nice, son. Apologize properly." His mother, of course, scolded him, putting her hand perhaps a little too hard on the boy's shoulder.
And is that a tail sticking out threateningly from her back?... What a Quirk.
"There's nothing to apologize for. It's better to surprise the enemy than to be surprised by them later, after all." I wish villains were so naive.
The conversation continued calmly from that point, making my way to the hospital where they were waiting for me more entertaining.
Conversing with a strange, intelligent boy and his kind mother was perhaps the most fun thing the day could have offered me.
Or what's left of it, of course.
(I even took a picture with him and everything, although I hope that doesn't become a constant in the future.) It was really fun, the complete opposite of what I expected from such activities.
That still doesn't make my interest in being famous increase, but at least it makes it more bearable.
Anyway, I had already arrived at the hospital. I could see Iida, Kirishima, Todoroki, and Yaoyorozu sitting on a bench.
Curious. As I recall, Iida was one of the last to arrive. It seems I really took longer than expected.
"What's up, guys? Did I keep you waiting too long?" Without bothering to announce myself, I stood in front of them, surprising Eijiro but not the rest.
"Not too long, but you could have hurried," Shoto replied honestly, standing up to start the journey. "Anyway, since we're all here, I think it's best we go."
"Yeah! We should do that before Yaoyorozu changes her mind!" With renewed spirits and abandoning his surprise, Kirishima followed.
"Don't say that about me! Despite how absurd the plan is, I...!" Momo exclaimed instantly, between embarrassed and hurt. Her gaze was down despite the strong tone of voice she used. "...I want to save my classmate."
When she looked up, a great determination was seen in her, something that won the complete admiration of Eijiro.
"You're super manly, Yaoyorozu!" The boy had his fists clenched with excitement, smiling as hard as his face allowed.
"In fact, you have a very respectable courage, Yaoyorozu." However, it was those words used by Shoto that truly made the girl smile.
It seems things were going better than expected between those two.
(And best of all, I didn't have to do almost anything.) I nodded with pride at my correct lack of forced action in this clear situation. "Alright, if everything is cleared up, I think we should get going."
Feeling that things were already in motion, I wanted to start the rescue mission. I wanted to take advantage of the high optimism that the group in general had.
But of course, not everything goes my way when it should.
And that was shown in the form of Iida grabbing my shoulder with one of his free hands.
What the hell was wrong with him now?
"Why, Midoriya? Why does it have to be you guys? Was nothing learned after my hunt for Stain?" His grip on my shoulder tightened, giving me the cue that this was really personal. "Why do you want to make my same mistake? It's too much!" He was frustrated, with everyone in general, but... more with himself.
Being clever, I slipped out of the grip I was in, positioning myself face to face to make things clear.
I understood his annoyance. Hell, I even supported it! Bakugo wasn't worth that much, for God's sake!
But he didn't understand that if this didn't happen, things could or could not take an even darker turn than they were already taking. Slowly, everything was becoming part of a new route that, unfortunately, I couldn't foresee.
And in any other situation, in the skin of a completely different person, I would have undoubtedly rejected this rescue in favor of my safety.
But that wasn't the case. Besides, you can't cry over what's already in motion, only adapt and complete it in the best possible way.
"What are you talking about?" Kirishima took a step forward, clearly surprised by his friend's change in behavior.
Todoroki, of course, stopped his advance, shaking his head to let him know that this was beyond his understanding.
"We are still minors... U.A. is in a terrible position. Taking that into account, who will be responsible for your actions? Don't you understand?!" Anger was quickly making its way into his voice.
That was my cue to speak.
"You're partly right, Iida. We're harming many by doing this, breaking rules, and in general... being everything we were taught to avoid being." I took a step forward, squaring my posture to reveal the well-founded confidence I had within me. "I understand you're frustrated, even disappointed in us, but..."
The words, just like in the original timeline, were cut off, with a punch directed at me being the cause.
But unlike that timeline, I wouldn't take it for free.
Without bothering to move, I caught the punch directed at my face, channeling One For All throughout my body. Faint sparks flickered all over my being.
The seriousness in the gaze I directed at him was, without a doubt, a good example of superiority and control.
"Those who don't follow the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades... are worse than trash."
I released his arm with a slight push, causing him to stagger back from the movement.
His gaze showed surprise at what had happened, not expecting me to have actually stopped that punch and, even worse, to have given my point of view on it.
Of course, I didn't accept Bakugo as a friend. I wouldn't today, tomorrow, or for the rest of my life, but if I was leading a rescue, I would do it correctly.
"When this is all over, you can express your feelings about what happened here and now, but until that happens, you only have two alternatives." I stopped the flow of power that was running through my body. I wasn't looking for trouble with the law... yet. "You either help as you should, contribute useful ideas, or... you leave right now. You choose." The firm tone of voice, accompanied by the fixed gaze he was receiving, made him hesitate.
A small silence lingered at that, only the white noise of the surroundings maintaining consistency throughout the wait.
"I... I will help you, but without fighting." Defeated, he accepted the terms, and I had to actively avoid smiling at what I heard.
If only you knew what was about to happen...
"Excellent. Now, let's get a move on. Let's not waste any more time than necessary." I began to walk towards where I presumed we should move, and since no one stopped me, I assume I was on the right route.
"Midoriya is too manly..." Although the whisper behind me didn't go unnoticed.
Heh, again, be proud, Kakashi. You're a true example.
"Aren't you bored yet, flat-face?" The mockery from the brat was as boring as the last one.
At the beginning, it had merit. He wanted to play the friendly villain and offered him a place in his powerful League of Villains.
Well... not so powerful, but it was a work in progress.
He had to follow Sensei's orders, so taking drastic measures against Katsuki Bakugo was still forbidden, and besides, it wasn't worth the effort.
Yes, the brat showed a curious and respectable value for his disgusting heroic ideals as predicted, something that didn't please him too much but didn't bother him either.
The problem was that... he didn't know how to continue "trying" to manipulate the boy. He was the leader and couldn't just leave the room without another word.
Even if that's what he wanted to do, considering that the rest followed that example.
"No, in fact, I feel really motivated to want to bring you to the villains' side." He wouldn't deny how satisfying it would be to achieve such a thing. The blow to society in general excited him greatly. "I'm just thinking about the right approach."
Naturally, when someone isn't willing to follow you, you have to force them. It's a natural law that Sensei didn't hesitate to instill in him.
If legitimate loyalty is not an option... a chain adjusted to the neck will do.
"Think? Only idiots think so much. That's why you fail as a villain." The explosive brat didn't seem nervous about saying those words. In fact, he had an exaggerated confidence at his feet. "If a hero acts less by thinking about his moves! What do you think happens?! They lose the battle!"
The raw emotion with which Bakugo said those words amused him quite a bit. There were so many flaws in his logic...
"But if you were right, you wouldn't be here in the first place, right?" He leaned his body forward, moving away from the comfortable armrest he was on. "My planning put you at my mercy. What does that say about all your logic?"
He was grateful not to be wearing the hand that usually covered his face, as the mocking smile he wore infuriated the boy to no end.
"I'm only here because I want to be! When you least expect it, I'll break free and destroy you all! You can't defeat the future Number One!" A manic expression appeared on Katsuki Bakugo's face, worthy of a villain and yet...
Gifted to heroic idealism... Disappointing.
"You're more pathetic than I expected." The words came out on their own, highlighting how boring everything had quickly become.
"What did you say, you trash?! I'll kill you!"
And there he was, exploding temperamentally over a simple comment with no real value.
The boy had severe self-esteem issues.
He preferred to have to argue face to face with Midoriya, even if everything in him screamed that the boy was hiding too much.
Because at least he could maintain a stable conversation, the complete opposite of Bakugo. Curious, considering that the records showed they knew each other previously.
(And what if... I try a different approach? Treating him directly doesn't work. His ego protects him too much.) Didn't it hurt heroes to lose loved ones? He should try that way.
"I'll kill your parents, brat," he decided not to beat around the bush. "Maybe that will motivate you to follow me."
"You... you'll kill them?" To his surprise, Katsuki laughed, mockingly and apathetically. "How will you do that with the heroes so alert?! Don't be an idiot, hand psychopath! Making me the main focus of your actions guaranteed the safety of the rest!"
That was... something with sense.
"Maybe they are safe, but what about the rest? Not everyone has guaranteed protection." He didn't abandon his posture. That would be admitting defeat, and he could go to hell before doing such a thing.
"The rest? There's no such thing on the path to greatness. The few extras who have approached me can defend themselves." Arrogant, but true. The explosive brat didn't have many acquaintances.
"Don't hold them in such high esteem. Not even your master could stand my Nomus. Midoriya is the only one who has shown to be capable, along with All Might, to achieve such..." His words didn't get to be completed, as an even darker look from the kidnapped made him shut up.
"Don't mention that Deku bastard! He's nothing more than trash!" The anger was completely genuine, a burning hatred whose accumulation was shown in just two sentences.
Oh, so Midoriya seemed to be a point of tension for the explosion boy?
He could already feel the growing smile on his worn face. The opening he was looking for wasn't so hard to find after all.
"Deku, you say? That's a curious nickname for someone with his skill level. Some say it's like seeing All Might in his youth." As expected, his words had the desired effect. Katsuki's pupils dilated with annoyance. "You know, if he were here... he would have already escaped successfully."
That was the last straw.
"That bastard wouldn't...!" But of course, he wasn't interested in hearing the explosion boy's answer, so without thinking too much, he punched him in the abdomen, being careful not to turn him to dust in the process.
Saliva fell from the unexpected blow. Bakugo writhed in pain, not foreseeing such a move.
Since he arrived, no one had hit him. It seemed that despite being the hostage, he had some immunity... He just discovered the contrary.
"Izuku Midoriya could have escaped, stopped, and dismantled my entire League of Villains with relative ease. You, on the other hand, have done nothing but praise your own figure at all times." Calmly, he took him by the hair, with his pinky finger carefully away out of habit. "You are not powerful, you will not be the Number One, and most importantly... no one will recognize your efforts in life, Katsuki Bakugo."
The hand that was left went to the boy's face, landing another solid punch that easily broke his nose.
He was enjoying it, he wasn't going to deny it. Truly acting like a villain, without the need to take too drastic actions, manipulating the target without them noticing...
...He liked it...
"We kidnapped you because we saw utility in you. Your attitude was worthy of a villain, but we were clearly mistaken. You are useless." He took a seat again, calming the growing excitement he felt at the path everything was taking.
He just had to choose his next words a little more carefully and...
"Master Tomura." Kurogiri made an appearance, completely breaking the atmosphere he had so carefully created.
He felt a lot of annoyance for that. His subordinate had just ruined everything.
"What is it, Kurogiri?" But he didn't let this be seen in his tone, maintaining neutrality in his tone and posture.
"The news. I'm sure you'll be interested in what you're about to hear." Without waiting for an answer, the purple mist turned on the television they had in the bar, placing it on high volume and showing a news channel.
Why the hell would Kurogiri show him a report?
Or so he thought until a small podium was seen, revealing the clandestine hero Eraserhead sitting next to Vlad King and... the principal of U.A. Academy.
Clearly, the press conference had been going on for a good while, with the rat who ran the academy narrating a clearly scripted message.
But that wasn't what caused surprise in him, but the words that followed all of that.
"...But despite everything, we are faithfully grateful to one of our star students, one whose devotion to heroism has allowed us to stand firm in our positions... That's right, I'm talking about..."
His eyes opened in comprehension. He didn't believe it was possible. It shouldn't be possible in the first place!
And yet, a cruel and honest laugh erupted from him. The paradigm shift making him feel excited for how everything was developing masterfully.
"Izuku Midoriya."
And at that instant, in another part of the city, while an illegal mission to rescue Katsuki Bakugo was being carried out, the aforementioned center of the message was surprised in the same way.
"What the hell?!"
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
Yes, again, it's been like a month since the last update, and the excuse is more of the same, so I'm going to skip all that.
The point of forming Bakugo's rescue is quite boring to write but fundamental at the same time, as it's a prelude to many things in this work.
As much as it is to go step by step through each moment and play with Shigaraki's perspective until finally reaching the great All For One. I know it may seem tedious, and I understand, but in the end, it will be worth it... or so I hope.
After this arc, several things will be altered. I have a few ideas in my head that, to be functional, must happen from now on and not later.
And officially, this story has a separator for scene changes, something it badly needed.
That's courtesy of my good author and friend Tempest_Yaoyorozu... Now I owe him an IzuMomo fic xD.
Anyway, take care. See you.