Izuku Midoriya walked along the street, still scribbling notes into his thirteenth notebook as he went.
"If that female giant I saw earlier really had a gigantification-type Quirk, then that would mean…"
Midoriya passed beneath a small bridge culvert. Just as he was about to step out the other side, the manhole cover beneath his feet suddenly erupted, thick streams of dark green sludge bursting out from the cracks.
"Model M invisibility cloak… perfect," a voice muttered.
A massive wave of dark green slime surged straight toward Midoriya.
He turned his head—and saw the sludge rolling down on him like a tidal wave.
An enemy?!
The thought had only just formed when the slime completely engulfed him.
"It's fine. The painful part only lasts forty-five seconds. After that, it'll be nice and easy."
The sludge had unevenly sized eyes and an enormous gaping mouth.
It's an enemy's Quirk!
Midoriya struggled desperately, clawing downward with both hands, trying to pull the slime off himself.
I can't breathe! There's nowhere to brace myself—no leverage at all!
"Don't bother struggling. You can't grab onto it. I'm fluid!"
"Mmph—!"
"You saved my life. You really are kind of a hero, kid. But I never imagined that thing would run all the way into this city…"
Go die!Like hell I will!!I don't care who you are—just die already!!You're supposed to be here to save me!!
Just as Midoriya was sinking into complete despair, a familiar, booming voice rang out.
"Fear not, young man—I am here!"
A powerfully built man smashed the manhole cover flying with a single punch.
That is… All Might!
Midoriya's consciousness began to fade.
I can't believe it… I'm seeing him in person…
With that thought, he slipped into unconsciousness.
A few minutes later, Midoriya was shaken awake by All Might.
"Huh…?"
He sat up abruptly, staring at the hero in front of him, his face lighting up with excitement.
"AAAAH! It's the real thing! I actually met him in person! Wait— I need to get his autograph! Where's my notebook?!"
He scrambled across the ground until he found it—and there it was.
All Might's autograph, already written on the cover.
"AAAAAAH!! All Might's autograph!! I got All Might's autograph!!"
Tears streamed down Midoriya's face as he trembled with joy.
"Sorry about that, kid," All Might said apologetically. "I didn't expect to drag you into a fight with a villain like that. But thanks to you, I was able to capture him."
He held up a plastic soda bottle, inside which the slime villain squirmed helplessly.
"Consider the autograph your compensation. I hope you'll keep cheering me on through the TV."
All Might waved, crouched down, and prepared to leap away.
"Huh? You're leaving already?!"
In a moment of impulse, Midoriya grabbed onto All Might's leg.
They launched straight into the sky.
All Might looked down at the small fan clinging to his thigh, visibly troubled.
"Whoa now, that's a little too enthusiastic! Let go already!"
"If I let go now… I'll die! I'll die!!"
"That is… absolutely true!!"
"There are still so many things… I want to ask you… directly!!"
The wind distorted Midoriya's face and voice beyond recognition.
"Okay, okay! I get it—close your eyes and mouth!"
All Might coughed lightly under his breath.
Damn it! I'm out of time!
A few seconds later, they landed on the rooftop of a tall building.Midoriya quickly released All Might's leg and climbed down—after all, no one could carry over a hundred pounds forever.
"That was terrifying…"
Midoriya's face had gone completely green.
"Honestly, if you'd just asked someone downstairs, they would've let you down safely," All Might snapped, hands on his hips. "I really don't have time to mess around!"
"W-wait! Um—!"
The moment Midoriya heard All Might was about to leave, he blurted out:
"Can someone without a Quirk… become a hero like you?"
All Might froze.
"Without a Quirk…? Ngh—!"
His body suddenly began to tremble.
Unaware of the change, Midoriya lowered his head and continued.
"Maybe it's not just because I don't have a Quirk… but I've always been treated like an idiot… I don't really understand it myself… but I think saving people is an incredibly cool thing…"
He fidgeted with his fingers, then suddenly looked up and shouted:
"Charging in without fear, smiling as you save others—I want to become the greatest hero, just like you!"
The moment he finished speaking, a massive cloud of white steam erupted where All Might had been standing.
In his place now stood a thin, gaunt man.
"AAAAAAAH—?!"
Midoriya felt his image of his idol shatter completely.
"You… deflated?! Huh?! Just now— what?! Seriously?!"
His mind descended into total chaos.
Where did that huge All Might go?!