A low rumble fills the room, a gentle almost hypnotic jazz tune. It always gave him comfort, this was his escape, his own sanctuary. Here, the expectations of his master nor his future never weighed on his mind. He has memories of RPGs and platformers on the TV, and that soft jazz. Always with the soft jazz.

"Tomura."

And then like a weight being dropped, the rumble stops. The memories fade. All there is now, is here.

"I'm here, Sensei."

The TV stays silent for a second, almost as if it was pondering Tomura's very existence. He always was terrified that one day his Sensei would wisen up, and realize that he wasn't worthy. That all that time was wasted; he'd be left alone again. But, somehow, someway that day never came.

"Good good. How's planning coming along?"

All for One knew already, of course. Kurogiri would report earnestly whenever needed, but Tomura doesn't need to know. All for One needed his successor to be able to plan for himself after all.

"It's going ok, Sensei. I'm worried about our firepower. The NPC's we're bringing with us aren't leveled enough to fight an endgame boss like All Might."

The TV stays silent for a moment longer than Tomura knows how to handle. However, the pleasant rumble that comes from it is more than enough to sate his worry.

"Hmmm, yes indeed. All Might is above the common fodder...ah! I know just what must be done. I'll have to talk with the good doctor about this!"

And the TV goes back to being quiet a second later. His hands begin to shake and he smiles a large crooked grin.

"D'ya hear that Kurogiri? Sensei was proud of me!"

The Nomu turned butler nods in return, but doesn't reply; knowing that the young heir apparent was simply talking at him and not with him. Seeing the young master go back to his happy muttering, Kurogiri turns his attention back to the same mug he's been cleaning about as long as he remembers. This bar was given to him years ago, and yet it still feels like yesterday. Whether that's due to nostalgia or his muddled brain stem is hard for him to discern. All he knows is, his Sensei has been there for him as long as he can remember. He's provided and let him live a relative life of relaxation, and if all he wants in return is some babysitting… Well, Kurogiri can think of about a million worst things he could be doing with his time.

\/

Tomura steps out from one of Kurogiri's portals into Kamino Ward. His family firmly in place, he takes a breath of fresh air. Whilst the bar may be nostalgic comfort, he needs the air from time to time. Refills the ol' mana bar, if you will. He walks to coordinates that Kuro relayed to him from Sensei, ignoring the distant pang of sadness that came when the man was too busy to speak with him. He makes it to a warehouse and absently notes that the moon is in full swing at the top of the sky. Putting his hand to a seemingly random panel, Tomura activates his quirk. (1) Smiling as the panel decays away to see a keypad, he inputs the code. The door opens and Tomura steps into the warehouse; vats of Nomu line the entire warehouse. Number 241 is the one Sensei said to grab, and that's exactly what Tomura will do.

"This Nomu is still relatively new Shigaraki, you'll need to collar it. Teach it to listen to you, and only you."

A part of him had wanted to ask why he needed to prove himself to some tool, but his Sensei was being so generous already. The last thing the decay user wanted to do was question his Sensei. He walks over to a keypad on the side wall, entering 241 into it causes the vat to emit gas and sink into the floor. Tomura smiles and pushes another button, a door opens and in a second he too sinks into the floor.

/\

Tomura dodges back, looking in just complete wonder as the Nomu (whom he has now nicknamed Lug) punches a hole into the floor. Chattering, the Nomu teleports to in front of Shigaraki his arm cocked back for another punch. Tomura tsks and utilizing his smaller stature, allows the punch to sail past harmlessly. He then grabs the extended arm's wrist and decays all of his hand. Lug tilts his head and chatters again, before cackling as the hand regrows. The decay user knows all of it's abilities already, but still instant regeneration is a sight to behold. Tomura grins however; not an iota of fear on his face. Curling his fingers, he goes back on the offensive.

\/

An hour later Tomura sits on the floor, exhausted. He had decayed Lug's body too many times to count, and it eventually had lost its luster. The damn thing is curled up next to him like a dog waiting for a treat now though. Seems like collared was the right word, and though it's annoying Tomura understands the need for this. He was bored though, and he's gonna be bored for a bit longer still. They have to wait for Sensei's spy to confirm a place where All Might will for sure be. It might be in a day, and it might be in a month. Hopefully it doesn't take too long, otherwise Tomura will get more bored.

And that just is a bad thing for everyone involved.

The panel has to be replaced now, it isn't tailored to Tomura's quirk or anything like that! Shigaraki is just a bit of an ass.

Chapter 2: Black

END