Pain.
There isn't a part of my body that doesn't hurt right now. Probably, under the suit, there are only bruises in the process of forming, and that's being kind.
I wanted to stop, catch my breath, and simply halt the abnormal flow of thoughts. But if I do, my muscles will relax, and I don't have that luxury in my favor.
(Inspiring words are not so useful anymore.) I wiped the sweat that was accumulating on my forehead, sticking the dust from the air. (60% is useful, but only up to a certain point.)
I needed to accumulate kinetic energy. With Fa Jin available, I could match All Might. Unfortunately, only time offered that.
And All For One was not being permissive in that aspect.
His figure stood in my vision, far exceeding the height I possessed. His right fist was rising, preparing a perfect punch to take me out of the game.
By instinct, I reacted, tilting my body as the Danger Sense exploded with warnings. The Blackwhips shot directly at the attacking arm, wrapping around it to try to stop it.
Unfortunately, it was impossible. The blow completely cracked the impact zone, generating strong and concentrated gusts of wind in the surroundings.
My body was moved by it, having to firmly plant my feet on the ground to avoid falling on my face.
Dust filtered into my sight, forcing me to close my eyes to avoid irritation. My muscles trembled after each wave received, struggling not to give in to the pressure.
All Might appeared upon noticing what was happening, acting as a protective shield against the complicated situation I was in.
"Young Midoriya!" His blue eyes briefly stopped on me, steely and firm due to the negativity of it all.
He didn't waste much time on that, returning to the villain who was causing so many problems, who remained totally calm, barely affected by the attacks received and ready to return them.
"Don't get too involved. This is a great opportunity for the young student you have," All For One's distorted voice pierced everyone's ears, a truly horrible contrast to the general silence. "You and I are mentors. Wouldn't you be interested in sharing teaching methods?"
He extended a hand, mocking the crudeness of the offer and how All Might would be annoyed.
"I'm not interested. Lowering my level to receive advice from you... that would be pathetic." To everyone's surprise, it was the hero himself who responded with confidence, an arrogant smile forming as each word came out. "Tell me something, All For One... what are your chances of winning?"
I had to make a conscious effort not to lower my guard, stunned by the response I had heard. It was hard to believe that someone like Toshinori Yagi would respond in such a way.
(What does this mean? Those words sound like something I would say... not him.) Gran Torino stood beside me, his suit worn from the combat. The iconic cape was nothing more than tatters joined together.
"How much longer do you think you can keep fighting?" I frowned at the question. Despite the pain, I still had a lot to offer.
It was just that, after all... pain.
Ignoring it is simple. The tolerance for it is not incredibly high, but enough to withstand a battle of such magnitude.
Well, really... what magnitude can be greater than this in the short term?
"Quite a bit. I'm acting with controlled limits," I clenched my fist, the lightning crackling in agreement. "But if you give me time, I can accumulate kinetic energy. With that, the balance will easily be on our side."
If I used the Pseudo 100%, I could exert real value for the combat, without constantly needing protection.
"Kinetic energy? How the hell do you accumulate such a thing?" Gran Torino questioned with doubt, not understanding where such an idea came from.
"Oh... I forgot to tell you... what an idiot," I muttered in reproach. I really had problems with the small details. "Detailed explanation later. All that matters is that I have a new Quirk."
I answered the question, tilting my head slightly to avoid a stray piece of debris. All Might and All For One had resumed combat.
"Tch... We're in a life-or-death combat, and you barely remember to mention such a valuable piece of information." He shook his head, giving the most annoyed look possible. "How much time do you need?"
"Not much. I've been doing it since the combat began, and it's already taking effect," I smiled at him, indicating with my gaze for him to observe my legs. They were trembling, but not from pain or effort. "A few minutes at most, and I'll be ready."
"Alright, you'll have it." He shot off, taking advantage of the Symbol of Peace's distraction to attack by surprise.
(This has to end soon. The media will return eventually, and it would be ideal to go unnoticed.) I didn't want more popularity. There were still problems to deal with, and having the spotlight hindered my actions.
He punched with the greatest force he could accumulate in his fist. There was so much power behind it that he could change the weather if he wanted, and even more. But the monster in front of him stopped it with an open palm, without really trying.
A feat worthy of praise in the hands of another person... but not of him.
"You're weakening. The previous ones were worse," he had the audacity to mock, exasperating him to astronomical levels. "The media won't be long in arriving, All Might. What will you do when that happens? Will you keep up the pace? Or will you reveal to them the haggard man in whom they have been placing their trust?"
He grunted, half from the effort and half in annoyance. He didn't want to admit it, but he was applying all the force he could. He was really at a disadvantage.
"I will stop you, as I have done once before..." The voice that came out of him was firm, with a level of confidence that he may no longer have possessed.
"And then? You can't live only in the present. What will happen when the next dawn comes? How will Japan respond to the new questions it will have?" All For One released a pressure attack, causing them to retreat obligatorily. His wound did not end up within the attack... fortunately. "Who will explain every lie to them? Or rather... how are you going to cover it up with more lies?"
"No one has lied to anyone. We are honest in our desire to protect!" He launched into combat again, sending a right hook easily eluded by the opponent. "Unlike you, you disgusting manipulator."
All For One raised his left hand, which began to slowly crystallize. A dull green emerged, and with it, he struck his face, generating slight cuts from the irregular shape of the mineral.
He staggered slightly, feeling the sting of blood running down his cheek. He tried not to give too much importance to the attack, squaring his stance and attacking directly at the pit of the stomach.
The Symbol of Evil hunched over in response. It was slight but enough to let him know he was on the right track. Thinking about that, he continued with an uppercut, happy to see how the metal mask finally gave way to the siege.
Or at least part of it.
All For One levitated for a few moments, regaining control over his own body in the air. Part of his face was now visible, revealing the annoyed grimace he wore.
"When I took this Quirk, I thought it would be a great success, but I was mistaken." He looked at his own hand, deactivating the power so it would return to its normal color. "It's too limited, simply not useful. I pity the poor devil who was born with such a shameful ability."
To disparage an ignorant civilian in such a way... he was a bastard.
"Even so, you didn't have the right to steal that 'poor devil's' Quirk from him," he growled in annoyance, flexing his legs to attack the Symbol of Evil again.
"You didn't have the right to pass on One For All to such a young boy either, yet you did."
And to have the audacity to recriminate his own actions...
"It's my power! It was granted to me to cultivate it and pass it on like a sacred torch!"
He would never regret it. Giving the world a Ninth Wielder had brought nothing but security.
"With consequences, All Might, a term you don't register in that head of yours. Tell me, was Izuku Midoriya aware of the dangers he would have as a successor? Did you prepare him mentally for it?" He waited for an answer, and when he got simple silence... he let out a laugh in response. "I thought so. Physical conditioning is the most anyone could expect from you."
"At least I was honest with my intentions." He wouldn't give up a moral battle in front of a villain. He was better than that.
"A part of them, you'll say. You filled him with ideas about how he would be the next great 'Symbol of Peace,' taking advantage of his situation of weakness. In other words... you saw yourself reflected in him and knew perfectly which points to hit to get the desired response." All For One applauded after the explanation, slowly and methodically, like a proud father at what his son had achieved. "I congratulate you, All Might. My best tactics fall short in front of you."
He frowned, furious at the misrepresentation of events as pure as those were. He would never do such a thing! Only pride occupied his judgment when he observed the worthy successor that was Izuku Midoriya!
Fortunately, before that pushed him to make a careless blow, Gran Torino made an appearance, kicking the villain from behind and causing him to return to the destroyed ground again.
"Don't fall for his games, Toshinori. I thought you had learned your lesson," he landed beside him, without giving him a second glance as he did so.
"Where is Young Midoriya?" The man came alone. Maybe in the process, he managed to get the boy away from danger.
"Preparing a little trick. You'll see." He was confused by what he had heard. Few "tricks" worked against an enemy like the one they currently had.
However, he nodded. Any question could reveal important information that he was sure would be taken into consideration by the Symbol of Evil.
"Then let's keep the attention on us." He cracked the knuckles of each hand, forcing the remaining embers to continue keeping him powerful. "I won't be able to hold this for long."
"I know. Neither of us is in a condition to prolong things." The old man sighed. He hated being a hero when these cases arose. "But if we win this..."
"It will be definitive." All his hopes were placed there. He fought knowing that the combat decided how things would develop. "There is no room for failure."
The conversation was cut short by the rising of All For One, who showed no signs of having felt that blow, shaking off the expensive suit as he had been doing from the beginning.
"It's rude to exclude someone in that way," he smiled ironically, not at all worried by the veteran's arrival. "And from you of all people, Sorahiko. What a disappointment."
"You're not the one to say that, you disgusting psychopath," the old man spat with venom, not feeling intimidated in the slightest.
"But respect abounds in me."
"So does the number of victims. You have the numbers in the red."
"Blood red... don't forget."
"Enough!" Seeing no point in continuing to exchange words, he launched into a fight, taking a partially destroyed pillar to use as a club. "Succumb to justice, All For One!"
He swung the improvised weapon, seeking to damage the dangerous man's head. That didn't have any effect, as a shield made of pressure intercepted it.
The weak mixture ended up succumbing, leaving nothing more than senseless rubble that raised dust on the ground. The Symbol of Evil smiled, increasing the musculature of his left hand to send a blow of his own, trying to attack where All Might was most exposed...
His wound.
Gran Torino acted on his own, kicking the limb with both legs to divert it from its trajectory, something that worked successfully, barely grazing the hero's personalized suit.
"Thanks!" All Might used it to his advantage, inspired by the ninth wielder to send a kick to the ribs. (My robust build doesn't go with this style, but Young Midoriya uses it for a reason.)
The blow sent the great villain crashing into a particularly large pile of rubble. That didn't hold him for long, but it was enough for both of them to plan momentary strategies.
"Good hit."
"Good diversion."
They praised each other, moving in sync towards All For One, who was already floating. The latter began to send debris, seeking to generate disorientation.
"Mild telekinesis, another worthless waste." The villain hated Quirks of that style, strongly limited and without being able to be used effectively from the beginning.
Gran Torino intercepted the aerial attacks, taking advantage of them to maneuver better in the air. He knew he could do little against someone like the Symbol of Evil. They were in different leagues, after all. His best asset: experience, was also surpassed.
All Might had different thoughts. He recognized that All For One was a force to be feared, but that didn't make him unstoppable. If he could be defeated once, then a second time is possible.
(I'm not at my best, but neither is he.) He had to face him physically. Playing a war of attrition would only lead to failure. So he opted for one of his best moves. "New Hampshire Smash!"
He punched the empty space behind him, using the momentum that only his strength can provide to be on par with the enemy. All the dust in the surroundings cleared at that moment, a key proof of the power exerted.
All For One barely reacted to what he saw, raising an arm to try to stop the next blow he would receive. But it was too late. He had him where he wanted him and would take advantage of that without hesitation. Using his current position, he did a full somersault, sending a punch downwards.
"California Smash!" He smiled. Not even he could counteract a punch of that caliber.
All For One descended brutally to the ground, crashing and forming a large spiderweb-shaped crack. Rocky spikes rose, faithful witnesses of how the earth itself was succumbing.
He was about to make a heroic comment, urging the villain to surrender despite the impossibility of it, but a strong light in the sky stopped the idea.
And upon looking up, he understood where such a thing came from...
(The media is here.) The loud sound produced by the helicopter blades reigned over the war zone. He didn't like it at all. It was dangerous to have civilians nearby, and even worse... (If this is televised... people's reaction may be negative.)
All For One's words had remained in his head, making him fear for what would come in the future without him. With so many questions and few answers to offer, everything would collapse with one misstep.
"What's wrong, All Might? Are you more afraid of the common folk than of your nemesis?" The alluded one stood up, his voice cutting through the surrounding noise without any problem. "Let me guess, you're looking at future possibilities, aren't you?"
"Be quiet... villain," he limited what he wanted to say. It was likely there was no sound transmission to the public, but he still had to be careful.
He had already heard enough degradations from All For One. All he had left to offer was annoyance.
"You know, that doesn't make you very different from me. Maybe we have different executions, but deep down, we work exactly the same," was the exasperating response, tinged with cold sarcasm. "We both get the results we want, don't we?"
Fed up with the deviant comparison, he attacked directly, connecting a direct punch to his rival, who, to everyone's surprise, didn't defend himself. Eluding that, he repeated the action, punching relentlessly until All For One couldn't stay on his feet.
His body fell carelessly to the ground, and yet he didn't stop the assault. He had a golden opportunity in his hands. Letting it go would be stupid from any angle.
And he wanted to deny it, but a part of him, minuscule compared to the rest... enjoyed what he was doing, because he considered it fair to return so much damage with greater violence. He may have advanced over time, but the resentment never went away completely and appeared at the least expected moments.
"Enough!" The voice of his master cut off the dark thoughts, making him stop for a brief moment. "Stop being so impulsive, All Might!"
He opened his eyes. He had quickly fallen into the villain's game, wanting to sell the press such a negative image of the hero.
Not of anyone, no... it was about the Symbol of Peace, and right now... he was breaking every term in that title.
"...Violent... that's the right word... hero..." All For One spat out the words, laughing like a winner claiming the prize that belongs to him.
The carelessness cost him dearly, for without hesitation, he was hit hard, causing him to stumble in a vain attempt not to lose his balance and fall. However, he only wasted time, ending up receiving a pressure attack in the worst possible place.
His wound.
He rolled uncontrollably on the hard and rocky crater where they were, feeling the pebbles scrape every part of him, this time damaging the already affected special fabric that made up his suit.
Sorahiko caught him, having noticed almost instantly the bad situation he had unconsciously caused.
"The image that heroes transmit is always fun. No matter who it is, they're easy to break with the right words." Like a bad loop, things returned to their initial place: the villain standing and them catching their breath.
He felt it was pathetic. While All For One was easily destroying every value he had used to live, damaging everything he had ever believed in, in a single night, he had made everything fail spectacularly.
However, he couldn't stay down. He had to fight. That was his duty, his and no one else's. No one gets this far to give up at the first misplaced step.
And with that in mind... he stood up.
He had a battle to finish.
I felt the power literally overflowing from every fiber of my being. It was incredible, so much contained in so little... No one could face me right now, and that generated confidence.
"However, how did I end up the first time for having that kind of thought?" I shook my head. One humiliation was enough for me to get the point. "Still... it's a lot of power. I could explode, or at least it gives that sensation."
I opened and closed the palms of each hand, observing as if at any moment I would lose the power that flowed non-stop. I thought that maybe that's how the original Izuku had adapted to One For All.
Trying to contain energy that surpassed the physical limits he had.
Carefully, I took a step forward, feeling astonishment as I saw the ground crack and give way to the pressure. It was fantastic, it really was.
I breathed deeply, once and several more times until everything stopped being so... insignificant, because that's how every thought I had felt.
With so much power at my disposal, why the hell was I worried? No one could stop me. It's as simple as that. Whoever has greater strength governs over the rest, imposing their authority without fear of reprisals.
"Don't throw the last few months to the wind. Experiences exist for a reason." I forced logic to reign over desire, remembering that I would find nothing positive at the end of that path. "I would end up as a villain, and I'm much better than that."
Having reaffirmed the values that composed me, I decided to act once and for all. I stretched both hands as far as I could and then...
I clapped without fear of the repercussions... The result was as amazing as it was terrifying.
Absolutely all the dust in the surroundings vanished, as if it had never been there in the first place, followed by a sonic wave so large that it probably covered all of Kamino in the process.
The media over the area had to move away from the epicenter, terrified at the possibility of losing control and crashing.
(Holy shit!) One For All flowed excitedly, not contributing very well to the abandonment of "I'm unstoppable."
It was easy to spot the rest, considering that even All For One didn't say a word about what had happened. So, taking advantage of that, I moved at senseless speeds, cutting the distance in just an instant.
I sent the biggest possible kick to the solar plexus of the Symbol of Evil, feeling the pressure that the simple blow caused. All For One had no chance to defend himself, ending up demolishing what was left of the warehouse after his thunderous fall.
I fell to the ground ungracefully. I had no absolute control over the newly obtained strength. It was too much. I wasn't ready for it.
I remembered for a moment Goku when he reached the state of Super Saiyan God. It felt exactly the same. So much untamed energy, being overflowed by the little control I maintained.
"Th-this doesn't make sense!" I started to cough, trying to appease the incessant tingling that ran through my body. (I was completely wrong! I'm not unstoppable!)
"Calm down, boy. Let us help you." All Might offered a hand, helping me to stand up. "It's a miracle your bones aren't broken."
I smiled dryly. The mere fact that I hadn't exploded was a damn miracle.
"Long story about that. I'll tell you later." I sighed in pain. I was dizzy and wanted to rest. It seemed that all the remaining adrenaline was fading second by second.
"So much spectacle just for that?" Gran Torino mocked lightly, adjusting my back so I would be straight. "Don't slouch. You're complicating the passage of air by doing that."
"I'm sorry. I got carried away by the excitement."
"Impressive! Simply impressive!" The dust cleared, revealing how All For One, full of wounds already in the process of healing, was still standing, having cushioned the blow with various resistance Quirks. "That is undoubtedly worthy of a 'Symbol of Peace'."
I snorted. I still wasn't playing at maximum capacity, but boy, my body was taking a beating.
"He is superior. The purpose of a successor is precisely that: to surpass his predecessors." All Might favored with pride, standing at his full height to face the villain. "Being the Symbol of Peace is my duty, and as long as my spirit lives, that will not change."
All For One hummed in response, suddenly silent, as if he were meditating on what would happen next.
"...In that case, I hope this doesn't diminish your spirit... as I have something to tell you..."
All the imaginary alarms in my head went off instantly. Such a calm and uniform tone after so much battle is never good.
"Shigaraki Tomura is the grandson of Nana Shimura."
Well... shit.
The understanding hit like a bucket of cold water. I had taken that detail for granted, so much so that I instinctively assumed the rest's recognition.
(But they would find out tonight... damn it.) I observed Gran Torino. He had a blank look, without expressing anything that would betray any internal torment. (I hate people who are hard to read.)
"All this time, I had been thinking how much that fact would disturb you," All For One continued to speak, satisfied by the tension he had effortlessly created.
And All Might... he... when I directed my gaze to judge his situation...
It was simply... terrifying.
"Repeat that... All For One."
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
Well, with this, there would only be one more chapter left to finish this combat and start another interlude.
From here, I think I can highlight All For One. I feel he works quite well. He's not perfect, of course, but he fulfills what's necessary. The truth is, I don't have a total understanding of the character. I'm just giving my point of view, and I hope you like it (along with a worthy interpretation, of course).
All Might, on the other hand, I love his personality. It contrasts so much with the great nemesis he has. I could give so many verbal confrontations that the chapter would never end.
As for the MC, well, I don't have much to say. I feel that with Fa Jin or not, using so much power without almost completely mastering the base or having the adequate experience for the case (like the Izuku of the canon after the War between heroes and villains) wouldn't end well. That's why I mentioned Goku Super Saiyan God; I think it's a comparison that is understood.
By the way, what do you think of the new cover?
It was made by fukui_11, and I think it turned out quite well. (If anyone has covers they wish to share, they can do so freely. I receive them with pleasure.)
Leaving that aside, I apologize for the wait, and I say this with sincerity. This story has a lot of support, more than I return with each update.
They could be longer chapters, better worked on, among so many things. But they are not, and that is quite unfair seeing how well-received it is.
I have had the time to write, I just haven't had the desire or ideas. In the end, I'm holding myself back.
So, I apologize. I'm sure other authors would give better results than I do for everything this usually takes.
Anyway, I hope you all have a good Christmas.
Take care. See you.