I returned home without rushing, entering the same way I had escaped in the first place. A first glance made it clear that Mom hadn't entered the room to check, which was a positive thing; otherwise, I would have a lot of explaining to do.
Relieved, I released One For All, crossed through the window, and walked until I was in front of the mirror on the wall. I was greeted by a tired reflection, but one not overcome by the recent adversity. I gave a lopsided smile, noticing the few bruises and cuts that adorned my body; they were tiny, easy to hide from the rest.
I shed those clothes, choosing a dark, long-sleeved shirt. Any wounds were immediately hidden, a process I repeated by choosing pants of the same color. With that done, I made my way to the bathroom, wanting to wash my face and get rid of the remaining dirt.
-(With Bakugo not causing problems anytime soon, I have one less mess on my hands. Besides...)- I turned on the faucet, feeling the cold liquid cool both my hands. -(...His words weren't wrong. If someone like him can see the hidden agenda, then the reaction of others will be less than pretty.)-
I hoped All Might could cover any questions or comments that arose from that. I could only keep the license hidden for a certain amount of time; when the corresponding exams arrived, I would have to come up with a great story to hide the reality.
That story wouldn't involve corruption... if I'm lucky...
Water splashed my face, dripping through some strands of hair and washing away the excess dirt I carried. I turned off the faucet, dried everything, and went back to rest. Lying on a comfortable (and expensive) mattress was perfect. I could feel every muscle sinking into the cotton, urging me to close my eyes until it hurt not to open them.
I really... loved to sleep...
-You have done a good job.
Too bad others didn't feel the same.
-(I'm aware of that... Second User.)- I kept my eyes closed, although I knew for a fact that the man's spirit was resting against one of the room's walls.
Possessing One For All offered that superior awareness; I knew exactly when something changed within it. And at that precise moment, the change was very clear.
-The others don't entirely agree with the decision you made.- His voice seemed like an echo, distant and near at the same time, coming and going between empty spaces.
-(It's understandable; neither position has the opportunity to act as neutral ground.)- I still doubted that decision, thinking of alternative paths and routes. However, I couldn't go back; that would be cowardly.
-If you were a hero, maybe, but they... they aren't capable of see that you are not a hero...- The words, raw in their nature, caused me to open my eyes.
He was stating something quite interesting.
-...At least not the type of hero they consider correct, and that's where the mistake lies.- He stood up, uncrossing his arms to walk to the edge of the bed. -You understand the conflict in a different way, intimately and personally. That detail makes you perfect to put an end to it.
I chose to get out of bed, any fatigue disappearing as a result of the man and his less-than-assertive comments. Seriously, now I was curious about what I might hear soon.
-Explain yourself better,- I murmured under my breath, observing the diffuse and ghostly silhouette of the Second User. He retained that calculating gaze with which I first met him, distinguishing himself greatly from the rest. -And don't take this the wrong way, but... you're the only one whose thinking is in my favor. Why is that? The other users barely accept that I exist.
He raised both eyebrows in response, not understanding the reason for the initial question. He seemed less than interested in elaborating, simply assuming he was right.
-Because you have good ideas, they're just... poorly implemented.- He frowned, annoyed at something beyond our mutual control. For a spirit, he had more presence than many living people. -Gaining allies in the government... Avoiding shitty bureaucratic enemies? Few have the patience to choose that path.
I looked up slightly, not believing that someone would see that decision in a good light. Even Gran Torino showed how disappointed he was after finding out.
So... seeing support in him was spectacular. I hadn't formed a complete opinion of the man, but... he only gains positive points every time he speaks.
-Still, you could have pushed more, you could have demanded greater freedoms, you could have made it clear who would control whom.- The annoyance made sense; he was frustrated witnessing "good decisions" made by halves, full of avoidable consequences.
-Control? Harsh words for a hero. Aren't they supposed to prophesy about freedom and just, good morals?- I commented with sarcasm. It was nice to hear someone being honest and avoiding sugarcoating everything.
I loved heroes; they had a unique, fantastical air. However... sometimes... the feigned, pure will was annoying. In public, I could understand it, but later... was it really so hard to see reality?
Too much positivity was unbearable, while on the other hand, too much crap all at once wasn't appreciated either.
-Tell that to a soldier and wait for his reaction; it'll be one of a kind.- Second smiled, a closed-lipped smile that seemed tiny, almost nonexistent. -Therein lies the difference between the rest and us. They live learning to be heroes, while we must act as survivors.
The words were harsh, but not false. Everyone had roles to fulfill, perhaps simpler, perhaps not, and in the end... I got the worst part.
Still, thanks to receiving life's cruel blow, I obtained something better. Power. The innate ability to surpass anyone with just brute force. Before, I would have considered it unfair; now... it was hard to understand how I had lived in weakness for so long.
I loved strengthening my body every day, feeling progression and improvement, that personal satisfaction unattainable for many. Yes, being powerful was unique, and I would never change it.
-You are not here by your own choice. You don't act because you feel like it. No, you do it that way because you don't have many alternatives.- I found pure reason in his words, tilting my head to listen to the man express with words something I had only reflected on in my mind. -You fight other people's wars, you suffer in the name of other people, you act for and because of other people. Do you know what that makes you?
Oh, of course.
-A soldier.
-Exactly.
Silence reigned, a witness to the exchange, maintaining a calm where there shouldn't be any. No one would think such a situation was occurring amidst the terrifying and constant quiet.
-I will not be a mentor to you, nor a friend. I will be an ally, and it's time you understand that.- He walked until we were face to face. Cold and indifferent, but confident and sure. -Rookie mistakes, mentors, senseless nonsense. At the beginning? I could understand it. Now? I think you've had enough learning.
I swallowed, meeting his gaze. Second understood things in a different way; he was direct, intelligent, and employed guerrilla tactics very well. He didn't have extreme strength, only survival skills.
And... no one evaded the great All For One for so long with few abilities in that area.
I had never thought about it, but... he could be the one from whom I get the best guidance. Not by playing the hero, nor as a misunderstood villain. Simply... correctly.
-You're right... and I'm sorry.- I lowered my head, accepting my just blame. I didn't feel shame for it; in fact, I considered it a relief to be able to truly say it. -Even when I think I'm doing things right... they're still half-measures.
Pure energy coursed through every inch of my body, overshadowing the cold guilt to offer a unique and invigorating warmth. One For All was speaking, using its own means to protect the psycho-physical integrity of its User.
It was... how many times had I said it? Heh, it didn't matter... It was incredible.
Second noticed this better than anyone, offering a rare but careful smile.
-Don't beat yourself up over it either. That fight against the Bakugo boy was excellent. You made it very clear how things would be, highlighting facts and pointing out truths. I want that attitude at all times.- He extended both arms, wanting to encompass the entire room but falling short. However, the message he wished to convey was easily understood.
I have multiple factors in my favor, I just have to...
-...stop playing around. Show the world how powerful a soldier in hero's clothing is.- For the first time since I left the hospital, pure, unbridled emotion flowed, generating perhaps... the biggest smile this young face allowed. -Don't control the pieces on the chessboard; destroy that board and subdue those who deserve it. No one dictates a soldier's moves, only his own morals.
Shit... what kind of twisted and patriotic heroism was I witnessing? It was fantastic! It felt so...!
...So much like how I wish I could act in the face of most real problems...
-Past, present, future. You know them all, you have them all following in your footsteps. Don't let anything or anyone hold you back, transmigrator. The world has become a giant game board...- His figure disappeared, leaving behind a brief, pure white smoke that was easy to mold, nothing like the man of firm beliefs who had been there.
I had to sit on the bed again, not knowing when I had gotten into that position in the first place. I was breathing rapidly, feeling my heart pound, like a giant drum standing out in a grand festive march. I wanted to laugh, to scream, to leave the house and train until I succumbed in pain.
One For All accompanied the feeling, happy to see its partner in the same condition. It was a pure and well-formed power, offering more loyalty than any other conscious being. My hands trembled, not due to the energizing energy coursing through my veins.
I wanted to start as soon as possible... I needed... to start as soon as possible...
I wanted a new beginning... Now I have it.
He parked the truck, hearing the engine silence its assembly of parts and mechanisms. He knew every sound perfectly, a product of years of caring for the champion that had offered him so many calm journeys.
He never particularly enjoyed sports or luxury vehicles, perhaps because they were too flashy and he... stood out without trying. The United States had offered hundreds of lessons, but none compared to the great acquisition he made in those days.
Now, retired and all, his greatest desire was to see his young successor triumph. Then... he would take long road trips.
If only things were a little easier...
He left the vehicle, making sure his hat covered the large, listless blond mop of hair he had. He was still careful about who he was in the real world, especially with the kind of talks that would soon occur.
Walking, he entered the place that had cleanly earned his appreciation, one somewhat worn yet still homely. Of all the possibilities... he never thought of a gym as a comfort zone. Funny, perhaps, considering the time he had dedicated to such facilities.
When he crossed the threshold, he enjoyed the faint, opaque color he glimpsed, which allowed the sun's rays in but limited how much light could enter. Small dust particles peeked through the image, offering an unintentional calm and serenity.
He smiled, relaxed in the comfortable atmosphere he knew was there for him. He just wanted to have some coffee and look at the training equipment, reminiscing about old times with pure nostalgia.
However, an unmistakable sound filled every corner of the place, a resounding and powerful one. He knew it perfectly; he lived off it in a way (he wasn't proud of that statement). Heading towards the origin, his intuitions were confirmed: someone was training.
No, not someone. It was Midoriya Izuku, the person succeeding his mantle and... with whom he had pending conversations.
But for a few brief moments, all that detail was set aside, as a spectacular image took shape before his eyes. He had seen the boy train many times, punching that bag into oblivion. And yet, he couldn't formulate words capable of equating those moments with the current one.
Every punch, every movement of his feet, every anticipation to match the proximity of the lifeless object. Everything took on a different magic, as if he had the best boxer in history in front of him, giving a practical lesson. Guiding the fight with fists and not words, repeating formulas while originating new ones. Simple repetition becoming novel, exact patterns solving different situations.
It was...
It was impressive.
Joy, curiosity, and pride; he found every feeling at the same time. He wanted to get closer just to see the great figure that (ironically) came from a boy up close.
-One, two... one, two... one, two...- Midoriya muttered constantly, focused and swift as would be expected of someone whose figure aspired to it.
His "Shoot Style" reflected that, combining the pure force behind a kick with the agile movement of an Olympic runner. When he faced the Symbol of Evil, he had imitated that style; it was brief, but enough to show him the kind of raw power the Ninth brought with him.
-(At the rate he's going and with his natural control of One For All, he'll only need a few months to surpass the great All Might from the other day.)- From his perspective, the boy's improvement was unreal. Going from having a lot of power without control to controlling abilities foreign to it is a giant leap.
He himself had mastered it from the first moments, yet it was a physical matter; he possessed the necessary qualities at the right time. He didn't need additional effort or anything similar.
-All Might... It's good to see you.- The boy's voice brought him back to the real world, reminding him that he was standing like a fool in an empty gym. -I didn't expect to see you so soon.
Their eyes met, deep blue against emerald green. If he could feel any more impressed, then the extra confidence in his young successor's eyes would be the cause. He had a different air about him, more relaxed, as if he had reached a general understanding of any internal and/or external conflict.
-Young Midoriya, how have you been?- He chose to ask the obvious question, having a greater interest in knowing the boy's current state. He understood the difficulty of the new world he had to face and the possible consequences.
He wouldn't be surprised to hear about issues related to anxiety or stress; they were very recurrent when high-risk and high-exposure jobs were involved. Heroism brought those factors, to a lesser or greater extent depending on the present moments, but the risk resided there.
-Uh... amazing, actually.- He watched the boy wipe his face with a towel near the punching bag. His voice, despite being muffled by the now-damp cloth, showed apparent tranquility. -I wanted to call you, but... some matters came up.
He laughed under his breath, giving him a knowing look that he chose not to fully understand. It reminded him of a certain incident before the Sports Festival.
And for the sake of his own integrity, he would steer the conversation away from that.
-I understand, these have been complicated days.- He himself had been in press conferences, smiling and affirming that everything would be fine, as if he didn't feel the problems coming minute by minute. He hated lying, but sometimes... it was necessary. -I've also needed to talk to you.
Any amusement was set aside, giving way to the boy's natural curiosity. Without saying much, he tilted his head slightly, crossed his arms, and a tiny smile appeared.
-Really?...- Young Midoriya questioned, intrigued, with his eyes narrowed and his gaze fixed on him. For a moment, he could have sworn he heard suspicion under the interrogative tone. -Then I'm all ears.
Perhaps... they had already told him what he needed to say?
-Director Nezu wishes to see you,- he expressed all the same, noticing the slight surprise that accompanied the boy. He tensed his arms before allowing them to relax, an action corresponding to involuntary nervousness.
Why the discomfort? He found no reason to fear the chimera. Yes, he was unsettling at times, but he did it in jest, playing with whoever was present. Besides, Young Midoriya had only spoken with him once, at least as far as he knew.
-Nezu... What could he possibly need now?- The murmur resonated with pure warning, and this time he really didn't like it. His protégé was showing uncommon signs of apathy, and worse, against good people.
He could understand it when they talked about Villains; a cautious man was worth two. However, being wary of trustworthy people, that wasn't right. In the worst-case scenario, he could be facing a dangerous case of stress, a product of the battle that had happened some time ago.
Or worse still... All For One had managed to plant seeds of mistrust in the Ninth User.
So, against any innate trust he felt... he decided to ask.
-Young Midoriya... Is everything... really all right?
I tilted my head, confused by the repeated declaration. Was everything all right? Of course it was. There were problems to solve, but they were slowly finding solutions. Any other definition of "all right" would be too ambitious for a person in the heroic field.
Being in the eye of the storm causes situations of that nature. You can't ignore such things, only seek practical solutions whose results affect the surrounding environment as little as possible.
But now I had a new addition to the path I've been following, another, harsher perspective, but not for that reason severe or unjust. It was important to be comfortable with the way one acts; otherwise, it causes internal conflicts that hinder one's actions.
That dilemma had ruined much of who I really was. I knew that being a comic book hero wasn't on the table; I simply didn't have the necessary characteristics for it. Nor being an anti-hero or a villain. I wanted... to do good, that's it, avoiding drama or stupid things that generated more unnecessary problems.
The Second User offered an alternative, and more importantly... he showed that even within his mistakes, he had some successes.
So yes, I was fine.
-Of course, All Might. After all...- I released a certain percentage of One For All into my right hand, raising the limb to simulate a certain classic pose. -I am here.
I clenched my fist, smiling with confidence and courage. I wasn't making that reference just because; I really wanted to get rid of the man's doubts, something I knew I could achieve by playing with his lack of attention.
-HAHA! Good answer!- Toshinori responded as I expected, laughing and giving a proud thumbs-up. However, oblivious to the thoughts I was having... he still retained a certain doubt. -I trust you, young man. Don't forget that.
Those last words resonated differently, carrying greater importance and depth. They almost sounded like the words of a dead man.
Something that... would never happen.
I had decided it.
-Likewise, All Might. You are a person more than worthy of trust.- I walked to his side, stretching my muscles after training all day. At first, I exercised out of obligation; now... I loved doing it. -If you give me a few moments, I can shower so we can go to the academy.
I wanted to get Nezu out of the way quickly. Any reason for him to ask for my presence only meant one more step in some elaborate and complex scheme. Besides, I hated how he acted behind everyone's back; he had no right to reveal the existence of One For All. However, he did, explaining everything to Aizawa-sensei.
That rat played dirty and never entered the battlefield, so one had to take each of his actions with a grain of salt.
-I have no problem, young man. Take all the time you need.- All Might accepted the request, patting my shoulder for me to head to the showers. Seeing the wait time, he moved to sit on the corner of the ring. -By the way... how long have you been training?
-Well... it was four hours of deep meditation and... three of pure boxing... That would be seven hours.- I replied as I walked away, missing the stupefied and ridiculous expression on the former number one's face.
-It's only two o'clock... He's been training since seven in the morning!
The sound of intense flames covered any other surrounding noise, flooding his thoughts with annoyance at the repetitive development of the man he called father. He had been aware that day of the current situation, knowing quickly and intuitively that such a thing was going to happen.
"The Battle of Kamino," as everyone called it, was (and still is) a giant change in the perception of heroes, both for his generation and the one before it. That natural trust in heroes became waning, complicated... even suspicious.
The number one hero closed a cycle, great heroes proved they didn't have what it took to bear that title, and a student was crowned the leader of the heroism that was about to reign. These factors hit all at once, under a less than pleasant situation, bringing with them the forced advancement of simple thinking.
When he looked at Midoriya, his conflicted gaze and less-than-pleasant tone, he knew immediately how things would change. He found no reason to declare him guilty, because to do so would be to fail the purest teachings that playing the hero brought.
However... he wanted to believe the same with respect to his father.
Enji Todoroki, Endeavor, the eternal number two. He hated every nickname just for being linked to the man. No one deserved to help others while being so cruel to their inner circle. He always believed that factor wouldn't change, and boy, how wrong he was.
By law, he was now the one who could proudly call himself "Number One." Above any other determining factor... that position had a name and a surname.
Yes, Endeavor lost the battle before he even knew it existed, a fact sufficient to enrage the least sensible man.
He expected screams, attacks, cold indifference to the family sphere that was so broken, but none of that happened. Instead, a deep desperation struck the professional hero, leading him to live only for training and work.
In a single day... he saw the flame of hatred and envy dim, taking with it entire years of tears, desperation, and pain.
He slid open the entrance to the personal gym. Pure smoke and soot assaulted his nose, letting him know that something had been burned amidst so much unhealthy practice.
In front of him, kneeling, with sweat dripping from every part of his body and his muscles trembling, Endeavor lay surrendered. Defeated by the body's natural limit, a ceiling that, if it was ever surpassed, he had never witnessed.
He thought carefully about his next words. He didn't really know why he was there. He just found the need to express something, without recognizing firsthand what that "something" was.
-You're a disgrace.- It was natural, a deep, personal instinct, buried for years in silence. As soon as the opportunity arose, it revealed itself.
Now... all that was left was to hear what he would answer. Perhaps furious, perhaps not. For someone capable of reading people, he was now at a loss as to what was in front of him.
-I know.- Dull and weak, adjectives contrary to the vivacious strength of the fire that characterized the flame hero. His head did not rise, finding the tatami mat on the floor interesting.
It was novel, giving him confidence in himself and allowing him to continue the verbal assault he felt was right to carry out.
-So many years, so much hatred... so much envy. You came far, far enough to hurt us selfishly and mercilessly.- The natural coldness brought a stark contrast to the emotional torrent he carried inside, cutting just as deeply, if not more so, into the one who needed to hear every word. -All for what...? For nothing. You achieved nothing, you didn't even find the position you longed for.
He pointed to the walls, stained and cracked, a result of the anger discharged over years of intense, senseless pain. A perfect representation of every Todoroki present, alive or not.
-Mom is wounded on emotional and psychological levels, a prisoner of an eternal torment caused by you. Fuyumi struggles to create a healthy family environment, little aware of the impossible longing you made her believe in. Natsuo... he... I don't need to express how much he hates you.- Enji didn't lift his head; he had little dignity left, or perhaps he was just too pathetic. -In this house, each and every one of us has something basic to share... the consequences of your disgusting attitude.
Logic returned after spitting out those words, as cold as his tone and with greater mental weight. For the first time, he had been honest with the man he had declared he hated multiple times, the one who had hurt the person he was until he became someone negative and insensitive.
And against all odds... he didn't enjoy it.
He backed away until he touched the wall behind him. No emotion was filtered, but inside, the story declared something else. Without adding anything, he began to walk away. He expected nothing from it, and that's what happened.
Clean silence answered the muted tone of the mid-afternoon, sealing a predictable and delayed moment, whose outcome had grown in size with each passing year. If the Todoroki family ever had a chance to repair itself...
It was lost in that short conversation.
Author's Note:
Hey.
So... yes, I updated on time.
Honestly, in this one, I managed to add every perspective I wanted to show. The MC with the Second User, All Might, and Shoto Todoroki.
Besides, I need to work with Endeavor; there are many possible interactions between him and our protagonist. Which in turn will provide some good development.
It's the first time I've included a perspective from Shoto (at least that I can remember). I did it following the same pattern I used with Izuku and Shigaraki, having them both share a mutual development at the same time.
That way, every time they cross paths, there will be a backstory that makes them interesting.
This story stopped focusing only on the protagonist a while ago; now all characters count as important, enriching the lore and allowing me to explore any desired concept.
Working with the Second is incredible. I've decided to create a more serious, reserved, and simple attitude for him, using the logical concept of survival. Second trusts the protagonist, sees the logic he's pursuing, and recognizes his rookie mistakes.
All Might serves as the MC's spiritual and sentimental mentor, giving him just values for the world he lives in (which he didn't have at the beginning). Gran Torino portrays the realistic side of the boy, teaching him to protect himself and others in the process.
But the Second is the third face; he is the one who knows and accepts the selfish and even cruel attitude the protagonist has towards people like Shigaraki, without seeing compassion or a desire to help him.
Thus, in this way, the protagonist is complete in every important and vital aspect, avoiding irrelevant conflicts for the path he is following.
Not bad, right? When I thought of it, I knew it would work, but I didn't have faith I could pull it off properly.
All of this is complemented by One For All, since I gave it its own consciousness (Something no other author has done to this day). That's the most original idea I've had, and it only works perfectly in this work because I guided things to fit that way.
In another context and situation, giving life to One For All would turn out very badly; it only makes sense when you consider kill you haha.
See you.