No. 1 Hero: All MightAge: UnknownQuirk: Unknown
He appeared in the hero world with dazzling flair, and through overwhelming strength secured unshakable popularity. Since the day he debuted, villain activity rates had dropped year after year. His very existence functioned as a deterrent. In every sense of the word, he became the Symbol of Peace.
And that man said to the Quirkless boy standing before him—
"You will become a HERO!"
At that moment, Izuku Midoriya's mind was flooded with every sneer and insult he had endured over the past ten-plus years.
"You're Quirkless—what right do you have to stand on the same stage as me?""Hahaha, Midoriya? No way!!""You should just give up already…"
Those thoughts had once surged like a rising tide, drowning Izuku completely.But now, like the sea pulling back, they burst forth through his tear ducts instead.
I've always wanted someone to say that to me!And the one saying it is the hero I admire most!! Is there anything more shocking than that…?!
There was.
"If it's you, then you're qualified to inherit my power!"
All Might spread his arms wide and looked down at Izuku, who was kneeling on the ground, crying uncontrollably.
"Eh…?"
Izuku stared at All Might in complete confusion.
"What kind of face is that?!" All Might barked. "This is a proposal!! The real topic only starts now!! Listen carefully, young man…!"
"I'll ask you plainly! Do you want to accept my power?!"
He shouted the words while coughing up blood.
Power…? What is All Might talking about…?
"When it comes to my Quirk," All Might said, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth,"Photo magazines often label it as 'Super Strength' or 'Enhancement,' and during interviews I usually dodge the question with jokes."
He lifted the two long tufts of hair framing his face.
"Because the Symbol of Peace, All Might, must appear to be a hero born that way."
"But my Quirk… is something passed on, like a sacred flame."
"Passed… on…?" Izuku's entire worldview cracked.
"That's right! And now, it's your turn."
"W–wait… please wait a second…" Izuku's thoughts were in total chaos.
"All Might's Quirk is practically one of the seven wonders of the world. People debate it nonstop—online, on TV, everywhere. But… inheriting it? No one's ever talked about that. There's never been any confirmation that a Quirk like that exists. I mean, Quirks are supposed to be innate traits, physical characteristics you're born with, right? From a fundamental standpoint, this doesn't make any sense at all—"
Izuku spiraled into rapid-fire muttering.
"Stop rejecting it so fast! NONSENSE!"All Might finally cut him off.
"I've hidden many things—but I never lie!"
"A Quirk that allows the transfer of Quirks… that is the Quirk I inherited! Its name is—ONE FOR ALL."
"One… For… All…"
"One person nurtures power, then passes it on to the next, who strengthens it further—A crystallization of countless cries for help and acts of bravery intertwined into a single force!!!"
"Something that incredible… why give it to someone like me—"
All Might extended his hand.
"I've been searching for a successor. And I believe that if it's you… then it's worth entrusting."
"You may be Quirkless, just a boy who loves heroes—But you were more heroic than anyone else there!!"
Tears welled up again at the corners of Izuku's eyes.
"Well, the final decision is yours," All Might said more gently. "So? What will you do?"
Izuku lifted his head and wiped his tears with his sleeve.
After telling me all this… after trusting me with such a huge secret…Is there a reason to refuse? No. There isn't. There can't be.
"Then… please take care of me!"
Izuku wiped away the last of his tears and looked up with a resolute expression.
"An instant answer—just as I expected!"All Might grinned broadly.
All Might didn't give Izuku the power immediately. Izuku still needed training.But they exchanged phone numbers so they could stay in contact.
On the way home, Izuku remained in an almost unreal state of excitement.
The moment he opened the door, Inko Midoriya stood there holding a cake.
"Mom… what's this…?"
"Happy birthday, Izuku!"
"But my birthday isn't until later—"
"I'm celebrating it early. Aren't I a good mom?"
"That's great! Thanks, Mom!"
In truth, the cake was a spontaneous purchase.On her way home from grocery shopping, Inko had seen a live broadcast of All Might rescuing two middle school students. With her sharp eyes, she recognized her own child on the screen.
She couldn't think of how else to calm Izuku's unstable emotions—then she noticed a cake shop.
So she bought a Black Forest cake, one both she and Izuku loved.
They happily finished dinner and the cake together.Seeing Izuku so energetic and emotionally stable, Inko finally relaxed.
"To catch up to All Might… starting tomorrow, I need to train even harder!"
Izuku spoke as he revised his training plan.
"The weighted plates for speed training need to be attached immediately. Maybe I should tie two sandbags to each leg. Two on my arms too. Add more weights to my torso, and then—"
He kept revising the plan late into the night.Any pro hero who saw the finished schedule would probably shout that it was outright abuse.
"Next… the diary."
After finishing the plan, Izuku pulled his diary out from under his pillow.
February 10th:Today I saved (crossed out)… today I met All Might. His autograph is seriously amazing!!
He continued writing.
Yeah. I really do want to become a HERO.U.A. High School—just wait for me!
Satisfied, Izuku closed the diary, hugged it to his chest, and fell asleep.
The next day, when Izuku came home, his entire tracksuit was soaked through with sweat.
"Mom, I'm heading out."
"Be careful on the way!"
During class, Izuku took notes while secretly training his strength.With sandbags tied to his arms, he squeezed the hand gripper so hard his face visibly twisted.
"Did Mom make less food today? I should remind her to pack bigger lunches tomorrow."
Even after finishing his bento, Izuku still felt hungry.
"But without a knife now… how should I train?"
He searched on his phone and finally found a method that suited him.
"Martial arts… fists and kicks?""That actually sounds perfect for my future self. Let's do it."
Holding his phone, Izuku headed toward the school rooftop.
"Oh—right! I still haven't done yesterday's twenty sets of push-ups."
"I'll do those first… then start training."