Looking back, it feels both long and short... Either way, the days passed in a flash.
In that life as a hero, I've heard countless cries for help. Voices crying in pain, groaning in suffering, grieving in sorrow. I've heard all kinds of voices.
Among them were voices hurling anger at me and voices expressing complaints. Considering human weakness, that's unavoidable.
Still, it was the first time I'd been rejected so thoroughly.
"I didn't call you."
"Sigh."
At the sigh that escaped me, Tsukauchi, who'd come to check on me, furrowed his brow.
"What's wrong, All Might? That's an uncharacteristically heavy sigh."
"It's nothing, really."
"It doesn't seem to be about the villains. Is it about being a teacher?"
As expected from Tsukauchi, who I've known for so long.
I didn't expect to be seen through so easily.
Since there was no point hiding it, I told him about the words thrown at me by a student today.
Tsukauchi laughed it off.
"This isn't a laughing matter..."
"Hahaha, well, I suppose you're right. For a hero, popularity is one concern. But for you to worry about such things."
"Of course I worry. I don't know if this incident is directly related to that matter, but at the very least, there are signs of someone's intent behind this incident."
"Was it her? The one who said that?"
Tsukauchi sighed.
"I understand the guilty feelings, but I don't think it's good to remain trapped by them forever."
"What about its origins?"
"Unfortunately, nothing at all. What we learned from investigating is that we don't know anything."
"Which means..."
"An organization capable of doing this, or a big player with those kinds of connections."
As I thought—him.
All For One.
"Listen, All Might. I understand she's special to you. I won't ask about the reasons. Or what happened. But I don't think she hates you."
"That can't be. I'm the one who dragged her into this. It would be strange if she didn't resent me."
"You're so negative sometimes. When you're the Number One Hero All Might, you're so bright. Toshinori Yagi, isn't it?"
"Well, haha, my apologies."
When I laughed, it hurt my wound.
The wound in my side pierced by the black villain.
The power wasn't ordinary.
Plus regeneration abilities that restored lost limbs, shock absorption that even absorbed my power—powerful Quirks. The contradiction of having multiple Quirks. The mysteries are endless, but investigation will reveal more.
More importantly right now—
"Tsukauchi. Should I... leave this place?"
If I'm thinking about her, that's what I should do.
I don't know if it has any meaning at this point, but staying any closer could make her a target.
Maybe there's still time if I act now.
I said that, but unexpectedly, Tsukauchi shook his head.
"You should rest a bit. You're overthinking."
"But..."
"At the very least, you haven't told her anything yet, have you? Then it can wait until after you do."
"Told her? No, I have told her."
"You haven't. Not as a hero, and not as a teacher."
Tsukauchi placed his hand on my shoulder.
"I was against it from the start, you know. You becoming a teacher. Because there was a high chance villains would target you."
"Yes. That conversation..."
"Hear me out, All Might. But seeing you troubled like this, I'm starting to think you becoming a teacher wasn't so bad after all."
"This appearance of mine?"
"Yeah, that pathetic look."
Tsukauchi chuckled, and I found myself laughing too.
"They say parents raise children, and children raise parents, right? Teachers are probably the same."
"Students raising teachers?"
"Exactly. You're making a good face. I'm glad that's the first expression I've seen from you in a while. You look alive. Let's both become adults our students won't laugh at, All Might."
"Tsukauchi."
Adults our students won't laugh at, huh?
"Thank you, Tsukauchi."
"Don't mention it. No need for thanks."
My successor, and her.
Maybe it's okay to think about it a bit more.
Time is limited, true. But rushing the decision probably isn't right.
At the very least, if it were my master...
I saw Tsukauchi off as he returned to his investigation, then sank back into bed. To heal my exhausted body and meet her again as a teacher.
◇◇◇
"Sensei, was that really okay? It was a work specifically adjusted for All Might, wasn't it?"
After cutting the communication with Tomura, the Doctor asked.
He'd been involved in the adjustments too, so he probably had some attachment to it.
"It can't be helped. But I learned he hasn't declined as much as I thought. That's a gain, Doctor."
"Hasn't declined? Really?"
"Of course. Much more than expected."
I'd assumed he'd transferred it to her, so I was caught off guard when that expectation fell through.
But that's all it is.
Nothing significant.
"More importantly, her..."
Much better than I thought.
Interesting use of her Quirk. And she naturally has two Quirks.
I don't want that Quirk itself, but it would be interesting to create a Nomu using it as a base.
However, well, those are skills from training. Even if I made it into a Nomu, I doubt it could move the same way... so who knows?
I'm tempted to try, but I can't be careless.
If I did that, he'd come out.
Tomura is still immature.
In the near future he'll become my replacement, but that's a future matter. The preparation period is still necessary.
"...Speaking of which, sensei, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
There's delight in the Doctor's tone.
Something good must have happened.
"About the villain making waves in the streets lately."
"A villain? That doesn't interest me much."
"Don't say that, sensei. Apparently this one has a Quirk related to blood—"
A Quirk related to blood, huh?
"I see. That is... somewhat interesting. The name?"
"Ah, I believe it was—"
"—Stain."
***
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[10 Advanced Chs]