I paid attention, prepared for any possible scenario. I was open to discussion and wanted a fair agreement for both parties, but before that, I had to set limits.
"I will not accept anything that refers to my death, either spiritually or physically," I anticipated everyone, without hesitation in my voice. That was the first clause. "Much less any kind of mind control or similar shit."
I could negotiate many things, but nothing that would affect who I am. Enough with the philosophical problems that the whole current situation brings.
It was quite difficult to accept this, the fact of being someone "fictitious." If I now allowed spirits to take the reins and control, then all the progress would be in vain.
Maybe they can't even do such a thing, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
"We would never do that. I think you're making wrong assumptions," Yoichi denied, his gaze still fixed, expectant of any presentable change. "Despite everything, we still watch over life. We were heroes at some point. With what right would we go to such an extreme?"
"I don't know, and that's where my distrust lies." I observed each and every one of them. It was foolish to think I could advance without them. Their Quirks were useful, as much as I could expect. "Only you know who I am. You have the same knowledge, same perspective, same of everything. As I see it, there are only two alternatives here..."
"And what would they be?" Hikage questioned, serene despite the tense atmosphere. His voice was capable of attracting the attention of everyone present. He seemed to be important in the group. "Because I consider the thought erroneous. You're leaning to one side or the other without seeing the gray possibilities."
Normally, he would be right, and in any other scenario, I would concede the point, but not here. They could lend their Quirks, just as they could refuse in the opposite case.
So, what would be the middle ground? Would they only provide support in situations that require it? How would they be able to judge such a thing?
"You can provide help or refuse, as simple as that." I shrugged my shoulders, without bothering to delve further into the subject. "I'm sorry, but I can't find other possibilities."
"Why do you consider the negative as a possibility? After all, weren't you the one who during that problematic rescue accepted the new person you were?" Nana pressed on the subject, her arms crossed, seeking to accentuate the opinion she had of him.
"Because I don't have the same pure ideals as Izuku Midoriya. To begin with, I'm not even a hero," I responded in the same way, partly relieved to be brutally honest. I couldn't do such a thing in front of other people. "I've started making my own decisions recently, not following a script as before..."
That's how it was at the beginning. Every action was based on what already existed, or well... should have existed. I felt security in thinking that there was more or less a pre-selected order to occur.
I thought that risking too much was foolish. Why act without a clear objective when I could guide things to a similar result?
Then I would avoid the great crises and... the problem would be solved. It seemed perfect in my head, generating an excessive confidence and arrogance that led to the present.
I was greatly mistaken. I was so many stupid things, and none of them bore good fruit. I have no problem admitting it openly. I thought the world was at my feet, and I paid the price, along with so many others.
"Listen, I... I'm not the right person for this, okay? I act with too much impulsiveness. I think I have the consequences at hand, and that's not the case," I ruffled my hair, being sincere. I wouldn't allow something as banal as pride to ruin things. "I don't even know why I'm here. There are so many good people out there... capable and with true desires to do good, and then..."
Did I feel impotent? Of course. Did I allow that to govern how I lived? Of course not. I detest self-pity.
However, I wanted to express it. I needed to. Only they could fully understand the depth in the expressed words.
It was taking a weight off my shoulders...
"...And then there's me... I thought I would be the best version of the boy before me... I wasn't... Then I tried to be the hero this world needed... I failed... Now... I'm trying to take the right steps. I've resolved every internal problem I felt, and... here I am." I extended my arms, defeated but without bowing my head. I would accept being judged accordingly. "I won't give you the maximum representation of good, nor can I promise illogical mercy... only my complete and dedicated effort."
They remained silent. Unanimously, no one moved their mouth, which made the wait somewhat uncomfortable. But again, I would listen to every criticism and respond accordingly.
"I must say, you're quite a character to observe," the second wielder, that unknown man even to me, commented for the first time.
He approached, at a slow and sure pace, analyzing with those deep, red eyes. The comparison with Bakugō was well-deserved.
He was fucking identical!
And it was scary!
"You arrive, you screw it up excessively, you merge with the soul of the original boy, you change everything, and not on your whim, just out of stupidity..." He placed one of his hands on my shoulder, squeezing lightly, but enough to know what happened. "Many here have doubted you, even feared you. You were like an armed monkey, only one capable of fucking up the whole world."
I didn't know what to think. I was receiving the strangest and most formal sermon of my life, from the unknown subject until... well... I got to live before this.
"However, unlike what you may be imagining, I want you to know something."
His gaze became sharp, worthy of someone with the torturous experience that wielding One For All brings you.
"I am on your side."
I opened my eyes, incredulous beyond belief. Of all those present here, I never expected to hear such a thing from him.
I was grateful, very grateful. A vote of confidence is excellent for motivating the rest.
"...Thanks... Thank you very much," I smiled, relieved in inexplicable ways. This was worth a lot, like a weight off my shoulders.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Second. That tacit agreement that you and the Third formed is not very fair, let's say," Yoichi interrupted any future conversation, calm like a leader before the person who succeeded him. "They have differed completely from the rest."
"And is that wrong? Are we on the wrong side for seeing more in this child than he himself does?" he responded without hesitation, uniform in the same way.
"It's extremist, even for you," Nana contributed, favoring the white-haired man in her complaint.
"Because in him is our definitive victory? Or because, along with the Third, we are aware that this is not a coincidence?" Again, he answered instantly, sure of his beliefs over the rest.
I was confused. I thought the spirits here were clear on how they were going to treat who I am.
"It's a coincidence. Even the affected one knows it."
"So you're telling me that out of all the existences in the world, a supernatural God would specifically act on the Ninth Wielder of One For All...?" Second took several steps, getting closer to the center of the circle. Everyone's attention fell on his figure. "...Offering a person with the necessary knowledge to eradicate our nemesis?"
The theory was... insane. I could barely process what I had heard.
"This is not a coincidence. It is something destined to happen, and this boy here," he pointed at me with his finger, almost like a bad imitation of All Might, "will close the cycle. Not Izuku Midoriya... he will do it."
By the time the words were said, no one dared to question. Perhaps annoyed or contemplative, they seemed to have already discussed the same thing before.
(Destined? That's too complex. Why not empower the original Wielder and be done with it?) It was incredible. I never got to consider the possibility.
I mean, a God already had it planned to make the life I was leading... this? I'd like to laugh so as not to cry.
"There is nothing that can ensure that. His victory is as improbable as any other. Having privileged information has already proven not to work at all," Hikage defended the First, seeking the position of mediator in the conflict.
"But not of the other boy either. What if the original lost? The conflict didn't reach a fruitful solution as far as we know," Second refuted, providing defenses for the point of view he favored.
"I think you're losing the thread of the conversation. We didn't come for this," Daigoro included himself abruptly, irritated by the stupid lack of professionalism he saw.
"I agree with him. There are more important things to attend to," same case for "En." It was easy to notice his lack of neutrality.
Uh... I didn't think my presence would screw up the rest of the wielders so much.
"Attend to what? I think everyone here has forgotten a very important detail..."
The new voice gained power, taking the reins of the debate without even trying. By instinct, we brought our attention to the wielder of it.
And to anyone's obviousness, it came from the Third Wielder.
"...No matter the opinion, at the end of the day, this child has One For All on his side, and with that... absolute control."
The words resonated in the installed silence, being the cause of it and dangerous in nature. No one found a place to counteract that.
"...Absolute control?..." I murmured, repeating the term confusedly. I knew its meaning, but that was precisely what was surprising.
"Your existence gave depth to the power where we are, giving it a consciousness and... control."
No... it couldn't be... it's insane!
"We no longer give shape to One For All. Now it does it on its own. He has authority over every wielder present here, whether we want it or not. And in turn... you rule over everything."
Blinding light hit without care, burning even through my closed eyes. I wanted to raise my hand and feel that cold darkness again, but it was impossible.
I was exhausted, too much so even for someone who had battled. My arms felt like lead, heavy and uncomfortable. I was thirsty, very thirsty, in fact.
What kind of attention was this?
I tried to blink. A grave mistake. Everything was still complicated. The pale, luminescent focus did nothing to ease the situation.
(I wish I were still unconscious,) I thought with great fatigue. I didn't remember being so exhausted. (And this... I hate hospitals.)
When my sense of smell returned, it became quite obvious. No other place on the planet was so sterilized.
I turned my head a little, noticing the much-desired glass of water on the room's table. I could reach it by stretching out my hand, a simple task... but which now seemed impossible.
I had to make a conscious effort to lift my head, forcing my body to sit up straight whether it wanted to or not. My back and arms cracked. It was liberating. That uncomfortable stiffness was slowly fading.
I clenched my fists several times, trying to eliminate the incessant general tingling. I couldn't help but detest how bad I was, weak and without strength.
I was easy prey for any spurned lunatic, something pathetic considering the power that awaits to be released.
"Bah, to hell with it. I'm too thirsty." Impatiently, I opted to shoot a Blackwhip. It was fragile and slow, but much faster than my stupid body. "Yes, this is definitely the best Quirk of all."
The tiny Whip reached the countertop, wrapping around the glass with enough force so it wouldn't fall to the floor.
"Alright... half the job done. Now for the return." I frowned. Really, what a damn complicated task! "Slow and steady, Midoriya... slow and steady..."
It returned at a snail's pace, increasing the eternity that it already was. The transparent container wobbled in response.
And that gave me anxiety! I didn't want to lose the precious water!
But against all odds... the force prevailed successfully.
"I am success." Maintaining care, I managed to hydrate myself as I should, something that was pleasant considering the dryness of my lips.
On the other hand, it seems that the effort employed caught the attention of the staff near the room where I was resting.
Or maybe they were doing periodic checks to verify that I was still alive... Yes, that's more likely.
The head guard that night entered the room, exchanging glances between his clipboard and the person in front of him.
His hospital gown was wrinkled, and the hunched posture he had said a lot. He hadn't rested well in at least a whole day.
"I see you're awake, as expected." Still, he acted professionally, flipping through data that seemed important. "Can you tell me your name?"
"Izuku Midoriya," I answered instantly. The faster I was healthy by the standards, the sooner they would release me.
"Age?"
"Fifteen years old."
"Legal guardian?"
"My mother, Inko Midoriya."
"Do you know what you did before you ended up here?"
"I broke several important laws for society, I saved a classmate from being kidnapped, I fought alongside the Symbol of Peace, and... we won, from what I see."
I shrugged my shoulders. That was a good summary for the most stressful day I've had so far.
"Alright, no memory gaps. That reduces the risk of undetected brain damage." He marked several areas of the sheet, nodding with pleasure at what he had heard. "I'll be honest with you, boy. You've been very lucky. The reports reveal that only your right arm received the worst part, and it's a scar."
At first, I felt panic. I thought that losing the limb was inevitable. But after the end and a quick check, I noticed the simple war mark mentioned.
"Erratic" described it perfectly, starting on the forearm and ending halfway to my wrist. It wasn't remarkable at first glance.
And even if it were, I had nothing to be ashamed of. It's living proof that I survived to tell of the success that came with it.
"I did notice that your tendons looked a bit stiff, and the hospital's history indicates that you have suffered tears in those areas," he continued marking the sheet, without deigning to look to corroborate that I was paying attention. "Tell me, do you have any after-effects from it? Sudden pains, perhaps?"
"No, sir. No discomfort of any kind."
I denied it instantly. I had long since forgotten such damage. If memory serves me right, the Sports Festival was where they last occurred.
"Excellent. Your condition is optimal."
"So... when can I leave?" I had to catch up with many people. I'm aware of how different everything will be from now on, and I want to take the reins of it.
I can't let excessive confidence ruin this. It's almost like a second chance.
"That can't be answered yet, I'm sorry." He tilted his head slightly, finally taking the trouble to make eye contact. "We have clear orders to give you full medical evaluations once you are conscious."
"But you said I'm fine," I replied confusedly. I understood the special attention. I even assumed that All Might was behind it, however...
"And in any other case, that would be enough to give discharge orders. However, they expect and I hope you can understand that such a procedure does not apply here."
"Who expects my understanding?"
"The higher-ups."
The place was a chaos, something shameful for the standard they were supposed to sell... that they were obliged to sell.
She had received reports after reports, all expressing the same thing. She knew the situation by heart as if she had been there, either through testimonies or faithful representations of the event.
She understood the vitality of being precise in their actions. Any misstep would end in a large and difficult-to-close crack. Rather, it would enlarge the existing one.
There is an excess of heroes, she knows. She allowed that in part. Monopolizing the system and the profession was a wise move when the order was executed.
None of them would serve, of course. They only existed to glorify the value of the current and future Top 10 heroes. Besides, people loved them. They offered confidence and security, precisely what would maintain the unanimous civilian support.
They represent society, they are society. The greatest asset a nation can have, and therefore, they need to believe that heroes are vital.
Something they are, of course, but not in the exaggerated quantity that is available in Japan.
She sighed, listening to the tap of her heels on the marbled floor of the institution. No one was able to interfere where she was moving, aware of how dangerous it was to interrupt her path.
The office where she held her position was at the end of the spacious hallway, so she had a complete view of every worker below her.
But no matter where she looked, it would be the same: a nervous chaos of people trying to solve what was perhaps the biggest problem they had ever had.
She crossed the glass door with elegance, walking until she circled the large desk where piles of papers were waiting to be read. Behind her, the window offered a worthy image of the town she partly directed.
She took a seat, separating the sheets she would gladly review later, because now, a task of vital importance had to be attended to.
Her personal computer was turned on, giving her access to the private and dangerous records, hundreds of records on the Japanese heroic forces.
Student, incumbent, or possible future hero prospect. Everything was saved there, stored to control public order in a logical and functional way, without failures or gaps. Nothing of such caliber could exist.
And if the case occurred... someone did the corresponding cleaning.
She scrolled down, looking for a specific one, the one she had to deal with today with meticulous attention. Depending on what she read, she would take a course of action, important at levels that few could understand firsthand.
File No. 150715.
Subject: Izuku Midoriya.
There he was... the star boy to whom everyone was paying so much attention.
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of this chapter/interlude?
Well, here it is, the continuation of this "break," so to speak. When it's anything but that.
Yes, One For All as a separate consciousness has control over the wielders, because in essence, they live within it, and in turn, the MC controls One For All (more like a symbiotic relationship).
When I gave those properties to One For All, I didn't think of this, but in the future, I noticed the advantages and thanked myself for what I had written. This way, the previous wielders can't inhibit the protagonist in any possible way, and I can have him make questionable decisions if I so desire without any problem.
Now, I'm sure the ending is understood by everyone, right? I don't think it's necessary to express who (or rather, who) is giving attention to the MC.
And to close, I want to leave a small manga panel (if I remember correctly, 376) from MHA.
The reason for this? It ends up justifying the speed with which All For One detected that Izuku Midoriya is not, in essence, himself.
So thank you, Horikoshi. You gave logic to something I wrote about a week before the official chapter.
Anyway, take care. See you.