A/N: Based on some ideas that have been swimming in my head lately. This will have more chapters and I will update as soon as can finish them.
...
"Toshinori, the time is now!"
"But I can't just—"
An explosion nearby halted his refusal. Nana's smile tightened to a half-grimace.
"I'm not arguing, my boy," she plucked a hair from her head, "take it now, and go. I can't fight him and protect you at the same time."
"I can fight, Master!"
The earth rumbled. The wall next to Toshinori crashed down, and from the hole Gran Torino shot through the air, whipped his head around, and spotted his two companions.
"There you are! Much anger in that one," he said and gestured with his thumb towards the explosions.
Gran Torino's eyes widened when he saw the hair in Nana's hand and Toshinori's panicked face.
"Nana?"
Her bangs lowered and covered her eyes, "Toshi. Take it."
Toshinori looked at her—his blue eyes which usually blazed with determination were confused.
"Why are you telling me to go? I've been training for this! If I run away now, how can I be a hero? Sure, I'm still quirkless, but I'm strong! I can help!"
"No. Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble. That's what he is. Trouble."
Their world erupted in flames, and they all jumped back. The hair in Nana's hand was released and sucked into the blaze. Nana grabbed her cape and whirled. The force of the sudden shift in air pushed the flames outward and reduced them to embers.
Gran Torino spoke up, "He's almost here. We need to move to a better position."
Toshinori inched forward, ready to join the two heroes. Nana turned to face him once again.
"Take One for All."
Toshinori's jaw set firmly, "After this fight, I will. You said it yourself, this guy is trouble. You should be at full strength."
Nana paused and then smiled softly, "Cheeky kid."
Toshinori's jaw was still set stubbornly as Nana took a step towards him. Perfect. The hairs on Gran Torino's neck stood on end and his eyes shifted between the two.
"Nana, what—"
Nana's smile widened but her eyes betrayed her sadness. She put one hand on Toshinori's shoulder and said, "I believe in you, my boy," and in a flash—faster than the boy could react—she decked him right in the jaw.
Toshinori's world spun and grayed. He heard muffled shouts. Gran Torino. Unknown to Toshinori, Nana lowered him to the ground and cradled his head in her lap.
Nana ignored her partner, tore off her glove and bit into her thumb. She hovered her hand over Toshinori's face and allowed her blood to drip down into his already bleeding mouth.
"Sorry, my boy. It was now or never."
Gran Torino's eyes flashed, "Never? Are you on a suicide mission Nana?!"
Nana's smile did not slip an inch, "I'm being realistic. All for One hasn't moved around like this in ages. He's up to something big, and I can't afford to be backed into a corner without a successor. You know as well as I do that Toshinori cannot handle a fight at this level. He should not be here.
"Take him and go."
"And leave you behind to fight that monster?"
His words were punctuated by a nearby building that groaned and collapsed with a bang.
"Exactly."
Gran Torino opened and closed his mouth. The boy was on the ground semi-conscious, but nonetheless incapacitated. He couldn't go with Nana and leave Toshinori.
Gran Torino yelled and scratched at his hair, "Fine. I'll take the boy. But I'll be back. Don't you dare—"
The words caught in his throat, and he frowned.
Nana swiftly pulled him into a hug and flashed her signature smile, "Take care of him for me."
He forced a smile onto his face and replied, "Don't I always?"
She turned her back, laughed, and disappeared into the smoke and ashes.