A particularly large piece of debris hit near an elderly woman, who in fear held the child she was carrying closer. She mumbled trembling words, trying and failing to calm the infant.
The crying resonated over them, dominating my ears as I watched them. I tried... I really tried to help them. But there was something, intangible and strange, that stopped me from doing so.
Perhaps it was the pain of others? The presence of true suffering? Or the shock of falling under the fact that I am really in a war zone?
I don't know, nor was I willing to understand it, not now at least.
I swallowed, trying to contain the nausea that suddenly assaulted my throat, like a storm at its sudden peak. It was disgusting. My whole body felt cold, a sharp understanding of the real danger I had put myself in.
I felt the brush of the firm fabric of the suit, moving in the dust-laden wind that covered the environment, causing my skin to goosebump. I wanted, no, rather, I needed to help.
If only...
"Careful, ma'am. Let me help you, please." Gang Orca gently approached the affected, carefully taking their shoulders and leading each of them away from it all.
The action, as simple and obvious as it was, had an impact on me, bringing up a basic question.
(What the hell am I doing?) The train of emotions I was feeling returned to its starting point: anger. (Every person here is helping and giving their all... everyone except me, clearly.)
Clenching my fists, I turned my head, observing how the League was trying to exterminate Gran Torino, who in his best efforts was trying to take advantage of the open space and the surrounding debris.
A little further away, All Might continued to attack the Symbol of Evil relentlessly, knowing well that if he gave him space, there would be problems. An action that his counterpart noticed, failing to gain distance for it.
If each of them was trying... then it was my duty to do the same.
One For All expanded again, covering every muscle with energy in its purest state. Lightning crackled from the accumulation of emotions that flowed into anger, silencing the environment and fixing its gaze on a single objective.
I shifted my feet into a running position, kicking up dust from the contact and cracks from the metal sole. The ambient noise hid the facts, allowing me to maintain neutrality on both sides.
With just one movement, I was already in motion, having closed the distance instantly and hitting the first target I found.
(Smash!) The punch connected with Dabi's jaw, who, without reacting, ended up being sent far away.
The clash of his body with the ground resonated in everyone's ears, momentarily stopping the combat between the almost-retired hero and the novice villains.
Without stopping my momentum, I continued the race, approaching Compress this time to hit him in the same way. My left fist rose in a sign of attack, alerting the theatrical villain.
"I'm sorry, young man! I can't allow such a thing!" From his trench coat, he pulled out a marble, filled with probably some defensive weapon.
But before it even shone to show what it hid, I opened my hand, extending each finger without any fear.
(You taught me this trick, second-rate magician.) A Blackwhip shot out from each one, snatching the small ball and restricting the use of his limbs.
Without further ado, I kicked his ribs, regulating the force behind it so as not to kill him, but to take him out of the game.
Two clones of Twice jumped on my back, trying to hold back the fluid movement I had. But a well-placed kick from Gran Torino destroyed them both on the spot.
"Good job, boy!" Using his Quirk, he ended up flanking the blind spot I had. "I'll take care of the one with the hammer. His Quirk is more annoying than expected."
"Sounds perfect to me." Accepting, I moved on to the next enemy, the combination of Toga and Spinner protecting themselves.
"I'll finish you, for stopping Stain's crusade!" The mutant unsheathed the sword he was carrying, easily approaching to try to land a cut.
"Don't blame me for someone whose stupid ideology had shortcomings." Covering my hand up to my forearm with Whips, I deflected each cut, astonishing the villain at how his weapon had no effect.
"That's very cruel. You should respect the thoughts of others," Toga imitated her companion's action, using a knife aimed at the chest.
Independently, I kept both of them under control, moving fully to the defensive to be able to form a quick, single-blow strategy.
Tilting my head, I narrowly avoided being beheaded alive. Small strands of hair fell, not having the same luck. I took advantage of that action to take Spinner's arm, using it as a shield for Toga's cut.
"Ahg!" Blood gushed from the depth of the cut I should have received.
"I'm sorry! It wasn't aimed at...!" Toga tried to apologize, but I didn't let her, sending a punch with my free hand to her neck.
Her throat closed from the unexpected attack, and she began to cough and tear up because of it.
"Be quiet." Without hesitation, I hit her again, a direct punch to the center of her face that ended up breaking her nose.
The lack of air, combined with the fracture, caused her to fall unconscious.
"T-Toga..." Astonished by the negative turn of events, Spinner whispered, guilt taking over him for how his companion ended up.
"Don't feel so sorry. You'll end up the same way." Holding the injured arm, I forced it down, raising my knee an instant later to end up breaking it.
Before Spinner could even scream, I shot a Blackwhip, acting as a muzzle to muffle the sound.
"Tell me... is your dear Stain worth all the pain you're feeling?" The question remained unanswered. The villain was in a state of complete shock. "Yeah, I thought so."
Without a second glance, I let the invalid mutant fall, leaving him next to Toga on the rubble of the once-Nomu warehouse.
I contemplated how fast it all was. In brief moments, three members of the League were dispatched, without the need to use the maximum power I kept under control.
I would have been proud at another time, but now, with anger predominating over thought... I only felt morbid satisfaction.
A portal formed behind me. In it, two clones shot out to kill me, both with their palms extended to leave nothing but dust in the process.
And just like the first time, a Whip for each one was born to destroy them, without the need to turn around to react.
"Shigaraki, the same trick won't work twice." I gave him a half-glance, kicking the unconscious villains under me far away.
Gran Torino opted to land at that moment, inspecting the state of each defeated enemy.
"Don't you think you went too far with them?" He wasn't angry, but he wasn't proud either. He presented simple neutrality.
"Maybe... I'll have time to reflect on it later." I would never do it. Compared to what they would one day cause, I was quite kind. "Take care of Twice. I can handle the rest."
"Fine, but try to neutralize Kurogiri first. Without his portals, they can do little."
"Sounds like a plan." Nodding, I headed towards the successor of All For One, each step feeling like lead in the process.
With speed, I managed to get close enough to Shigaraki, but I didn't attack him directly, opting to wrap Kurogiri's neck with Blackwhips to keep him immobilized.
I wanted to repeat the action against Tomura, knowing well that without his Quirk, he could do little to harm the situation. But before I could even achieve that, the dangerous Symbol appeared in front of us, his formal attire torn in several areas from All Might's punches.
Without even moving, he caused a strong pressure against me. I felt the jolts against the earth as I rolled on the ground. My chest contracted in pain from being the epicenter of the attack.
"Stop, stop. You're acting too hastily." Pretending to be a peacemaker, he raised his arms. I was sure that under that mask, he was smiling mockingly. "I can't allow you to stop Tomura's path so soon. The time will come for you to cross paths definitively."
From his hands, he used two Quirks in conjunction, with "Rivet Stab" and "Forced Activation" being the chosen ones.
Black thorns with red lines moved towards Kurogiri, all under the watchful gaze of those around him.
Gran Torino was the first to move to attack him, using the momentum to try to kick the hand that was performing the union of Gifts. We both knew that nothing would be achieved by such a method, so despite the pain, I decided to provide support by placing my hands on the arid ground.
The Blackwhips shot out like roots, trying to impale the Symbol of Evil. I held nothing back with the technique. I knew the status of power the man handled and how stupid it would be to hold back.
Unfortunately, nothing worked. He protected himself by forming a dome with the surrounding pressure, something that screwed up any last-minute stop.
(This worked with All Might... thinking about it, where did that man go?) I felt a slight fear at the thought that maybe he was already dead, but I instantly discarded it. (No, they would be gloating if that were the case.)
Besides, Toshinori was strong. I trusted in the fighting spirit that man had.
"We'll see each other, Tomura, under better circumstances, I hope," All For One said goodbye in the same way, having pushed each member through small portals. Only the retreat of his successor remained.
"So it will be, Sensei... so it will be." The alluded one didn't create dramas, nodding in farewell before looking at my face one last time. "The same goes for you, Midoriya. When the time comes, only one will come out alive."
Turning, he left, being swallowed by the black mist that served as transport, clearing the battle zone in a big way.
"Fuck you, Shigaraki... just... fuck you," I insulted between gasps, spitting on the ground out of the impotence I felt.
Leaning on one knee, I observed the dangerous villain, the first final boss of all the shit this world had to offer, standing as if the battle was already written in stone.
Like a man sure of his destiny.
"Come on, boy, up. This is no time to rest." Gran Torino held me by the shoulders, helping to stabilize my posture despite the brief dizziness that assaulted me.
"He's still inexperienced. He's not ready to take the place that rightfully belongs to him," All For One casually began to explain, as if his words were an important verse. "I have offered him everything a young man like him could need, and it has borne fruit."
He shook the sleeves of his attire, stopping at the folds on each side to adjust the gold buttons that were there.
"But... his true progress was born thanks to the side of good. Ironic, isn't it? Good and evil helping each other." He directed his gaze at us, at least I assumed so considering the mask he was wearing. "Don't you think so, Izuku Midoriya?"
Hearing that name... my name... was never so disgusting, all because of who dared to pronounce it.
"I don't see where the 'mutual' part is, unless being a spoiled useless person falls into the category."
I snorted in mockery. I really wasn't in a position to do such a thing. But damn it, I couldn't deny the annoyance that was welling up in me.
"Oh, that's simple perspective," the fun tinged his voice, like a teacher correcting a particularly foolish student. "Tomura may not have operated with an approach as... direct as yours..."
I smiled at that. That beating is still as satisfying as I remember.
"...However, he gave you a purpose, right? Thanks to my successor. You... grew, in a way that few people manage to do."
"You think so?" Raising an eyebrow, I questioned him. I had to praise the accuracies in his analysis, but also its flaws.
"I do, firmly."
"Great, because you're very wrong."
"Excuse me?" The curious tone was almost funny. In any other person, it would have been laughable.
Not in a super-powerful manipulative psychopath.
"Shigaraki didn't give me a purpose, only reasons... He reinforced what I already had, complementing that with a more complete perspective." I spat on the ground, noticing the blood in my saliva. "To summarize... your spoiled brat only justified my beliefs, making me strong in the process."
"I see, they're not so distin..."
"However, you are the piece I was missing." I interrupted his response, squaring my shoulders to convey the confidence I felt. "Because by facing you here and now, telling you all this and... accepting your cruelty, I can cross that imaginary limit. The self-imposed fear that thinking about the presence you could have brought."
One For All was excited by the response, making so much energy flow to the point of thinking I wouldn't be able to handle it.
"You, All For One, are the last step I needed to reach the top. And guess what?..."
I'm more than ready to ascend.
"Great words. Let's see if you can back them up." His posture didn't falter, nor did his voice. He just waited for the next attack.
And I wouldn't be long in giving it to him.
The power overflowed, allowing me to be on par with him in just a blink. The dust rising behind the previous trail, with my fist rising to strike the villain's chin.
"Detroit Smash!" The pressure of the punch slightly moved the Symbol of Evil, who took a step back after the release of energy.
His mask was slightly cracked, which caused a strange astonishment in him, laughing at the curious damage received.
"Well... that was a fantastic punch. If I hadn't been prepared beforehand, it would have even left a mark." He extended an arm, stretching each finger as if it were a warm-up. "Now it's my turn."
The danger sensor exploded in warnings, screaming of an imminent danger to me. But not even that allowed for any kind of reaction.
Even faster than I had ever achieved at maximum speeds, All For One was in front, a single step separating each of us and raising his arm... he struck.
An incredibly simple punch, but whose pain was unreal.
I could only fall to my knees, supporting each hand in a vain attempt to calm my mind to focus on what was important. My knees touched the cold ground, trembling in response to what had happened.
"If we have to compare, I'd say you hit with enough force to compete with 75% of All Might. Maybe a little more if you put your mind to it."
Before he could even answer, the villain was forced to stop a kick aimed at his head, as if such an attack could really affect him.
"Sorahiko, I'm surprised. Years pass, and you're still tied to this whole dilemma," he was condescending, reminiscing about the more than one hundred years he had been alive.
"You're no one to say that, you long-lived bastard." Using the other free leg, he freed himself, kicking enough to fall into a backflip.
Without hesitation, he held me by the suit, jumping to a position away from the villain who so easily turned the situation against the ropes.
"Tell me... how many Quirks have you stolen to live so long?"
"Enough, without a doubt."
"And you still look horrible. Nana would be delighted to see you in your current state."
"I'm still alive. She's not."
I observed them both, exchanging glances at each answer given. They almost seemed like old acquaintances who hate each other too much for their own good.
(Where is All Might?) The thought was worrying. Gran Torino probably had the same ideas. (That's why he's trying to buy time, right?)
My master made signs with his finger, urging me to look at the surrounding environment. Something I did without hesitation, noticing the silence that surrounded us. I hadn't taken it into account, but... it was empty. There were no civilians left trapped in the crossfire, at least not in sight.
(I get it now. With his speed, removing debris and people is child's play.) I smiled. I would also buy time. "You've fallen very low, having to mock a woman who can no longer defend herself."
"Oh, but believe me, at the time, she was quite problematic." His voice remained flat. No matter what they said, it affected him little. "All of you, the wielders of that power, are annoying."
"Well, having a stalker like you, it's impossible not to act this way." A doubt arose in my head. I had forgotten it, but I wanted to express it. "Why don't you reveal it?"
I went straight to the point. He would know what I was talking about.
"What do you think you're doing?" Gran Torino whispered harshly beside me. He also understood what I was trying to find out.
"Understanding the terrain I'm in." I didn't look at him, my attention focused on the villain.
He remained silent. I hated that mask he wore. It blocked his expression, and what was worse... there wasn't much on the scarred face he had either.
"You're the first to ask that. I congratulate you, Izuku Midoriya. You've surpassed the brain that your predecessor has." Sarcasm. Everything is a game for him. "Tell me something... can you see any media attention on us?"
The counter-question made me check the surroundings again, from the surrounding crater to the sky full of dust, and as I assumed, there was nothing around us. No news helicopters or vans with broadcasting equipment.
"I'm releasing an electromagnetic pulse at this moment, interrupting any possible communication other than ours. An excellent use for this Quirk." Without waiting for an answer, he began to explain, flattering his actions in the process as the egocentric personality he had dictated. "I'm sure you'll understand how vital One For All is, more than anyone, I dare say."
All Might landed behind us. The sound of his arrival betraying that it was no longer necessary to buy time. But even the Symbol of Peace found himself paying attention.
"I could announce to the world the power you possess, explain how it works, and wait for society to slowly consume you in its desire for control."
Gran Torino snorted. He couldn't deny that the dangerous man's vision of society wasn't too far off. He has lived long enough to see it with his own eyes.
"But that would only cause chaos, something not very convenient in the long run for me..."
He took a general look at what surrounded us, exemplifying the damage in the area to reinforce his point.
"Isn't that what you do? Cause chaos with your presence?" All Might growled, annoyed. He hated the villain through and through.
"There you're mistaken, hero. I generate a controlled chaos. Every point is foreseen on the game board, and I can contain it successfully." His voice became even more mocking, if that was possible. He enjoyed feeding the Symbol's anger. "But if the world knew about One For All... I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to foresee what would happen, and that, whether you like it or not, is negative for both parties."
All Might and Gran Torino remained silent, their faces unreadable to whoever looked at them. This conversation had a huge weight for them, one that I wasn't able to understand.
(He really is a villain to be feared.) No matter how much I thought about it, imagining a scenario where I had a strategic advantage against All For One seemed impossible to me. "So... that's your reason? You'd rather not have my power in exchange for no one knowing of its existence?"
I had to grant him his reasoning. It was intelligent, despite how much it limited one's options.
"Correct. That leads us precisely to you. It was incredibly simple to discover your place as the Ninth Wielder, the easiest, I must say." The attention of both adults turned towards me, approaching to protect me in an almost possessive way. "A boy with exceptional physical abilities and working in a team with Sorahiko Torino. That description was exactly the same one I got of All Might at the time."
What a surprise. The USJ being the center of all the problems...
(If I could go back in time, I would definitely give that event more importance.) It hurt to see how every negative situation was linked to that moment.
Suddenly, he clapped, instantly putting everyone on alert. Something that amused him greatly. He loved having control of the situation.
"Anyway, I think I've revealed enough, don't you think? I'm the only one providing conversation." The pressure he emanated increased greatly, marking a final point for the interlude of the combat.
"You're right. We've given you enough advantage," All Might replied, completely serious, taking a step forward to assume the role of leader. "Young Midoriya, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to face all this."
"Withdraw those apologies. I'm here by my own choice, willing to fight for what is right..." I bent my knees slightly, supporting a large part of my weight on my dominant leg so as not to lose balance. "Besides, this is my power. I agreed to inherit it, and that includes the consequences. I am your successor, All Might. Never forget that."
"Heh, what guts. He learned something good from you, Toshinori," Gran Torino nodded in our direction, pride shining in his gaze. "Show these old men the reasons why they should retire."
The Symbol of Peace smiled in response, and that was enough to imitate his action, completely inspired by the optimistic attitude that a few simple words could bring.
"Master... Young Midoriya... thank you." The honest sincerity penetrated to the soul, giving more reasons to fight.
Because that was the relief of a burdened man, who has carried more weight on his shoulders than anyone should.
(Master... thank you for teaching me to smile, even in the worst of times.) He clenched his fists, feeling the last embers of the power that was once his flow. One that, fortunately, was in the best possible hands. "Go beyond your limits! Plus Ultra!"
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
So... another chapter of this curious story, getting closer and closer to the round 50. What a pride.
I wanted to catch up with the other stories, but I already had this chapter in draft, so it seemed right to finish it first and then work on the others. Besides, it was worth it to commemorate the 200k reads, a unique event that I announced on my dashboard.
It's a number too high that I didn't expect to reach. I would go into details, but I'll save it for the final Author's Note or in case I do a "Q&A."
I tried not to have everything boil down to combat, combat, and more combat. I wanted to give the great All For One dialogues and delve a little into some of the reasons I feel the character has for doing things the way he does.
On the other hand, I've thought a lot about the future chapters and so on. As I mentioned a while ago, this arc is a separate point for practically everything. I want to form a new path that adapts to the canon, but manipulating that in different ways.
It's complicated to explain, but it more or less boils down to the fact that despite having pre-established events, these will change as much as possible without losing logic in the process, since it's time to see how much the snowball caused by the MC and his meddling has grown.
If all goes well, great things are coming.
Anyway, take care. See you.
PD: I updated chapter 3 of this story, just some minor changes, but I did it. Seriously, I needed to change some words there.