"Yaoyorozu's… father?" Izuku mumbled, his claws lowering. Despite the man's declaration, Izuku did not see any similarities between the two.

Aside from the color of their hair and eyes, Izuku saw no physical resemblance, and he certainly saw no emotional resemblance. Yaoyorozu's intelligent and caring eyes spoke of warmth and comfort, whereas the man claiming to be her father had the cold, calculating eyes of a killer. Actually, that told him all he needed to know. If what Yaoyorozu had told him was true, and he doubted it to be false, then those eyes were confirmation of his identity.

"As far as I'm concerned, you can get lost."

"Oh?" The man asked, giving Izuku a straight stare, "You'd speak so disrespectfully to not only your elder, but your girlfriend's father?"

Izuku returned the threat with a smirk, "You'd speak so disrespectfully to a superior?" He let out a tiny bit of his Shadow Pulse, turning the man's legs to jelly and forcing him to fall to his knees.

"Izuku…" Yaoyorozu began, her eyes dark, "Everyone. Leave."

"Momo… just let the Shadows throw him-"

"Leave." She snapped, and that was enough to get the message across. Both Mirio and Ryukyu, who were still strangers to this history, immediately gave up on intervening and walked back to the hallways that held the bedrooms.

Izuku sighed, "You came here for a reason, so make sure the least you do is treat her with respect," Then, he strolled out, following his fellow hosts. "Nakir, retreat to my Shadow for now."

"My Liege?"

"She truly wants to be left alone with him. If you're there, then I'm being dishonest about leaving the room."

"Yes, my Liege."

Yaoyorozu began removing her coat, revealing her new Hero outfit. It was a bit less erotic, more like a sports bra and spandex shorts than just a leotard. "I'm serious. Why are you here?"

Yaoyorozu's father, Fumihiro, shakily stood from the floor, "C-Can a father not come to visit his…" He trailed off as the look on his daughter's face interrupted him, "No… I suppose that answer wouldn't suffice." He took a look around the luxurious penthouse, almost nostalgically. "You grew up in a place not too dissimilar to-"

"Enough," Yaoyorozu commanded, "I didn't let Izuku throw you out because I wanted to deal with you personally, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable of throwing you out myself. Out with it."

"Hmm, that boy's had quite the effect on you. You never used to be so confident… Well, I guess I should get down to business."

"Yeah, you should."

Fumihiro spun back around to face his daughter, "Your mother's in the hospital. She's fallen ill with the Eternal Slumber. And she's already reached the final stage of the disease."

Yaoyorozu fell silent for a moment, then shook her head with a bitter smile and scoffed, "Of course. You're not even here for me…"

"That's your response? Your mother's in the hospital and it's all about you?"

"Yeah… it's selfish… but I don't care. If it was you in the hospital, I might've felt worried, or even sad."

"Me?"

Yaoyorozu rolled her eyes, "It's not like I'm overly fond of either of you, you both had your own ideas of how to use me, turn me into a tool for your own gain… but at the very least it felt like I was doing something useful… when you were training me to make all those rare compounds. When I was with mom, I was just an object for her to marry away, to increase the scope of your company."

"And the boy?" Fumihiro asked, "Are you just not an object to him?"

"How could yo-"

"He's a National-Rank and has an army that could flatten the world. You're just an A-Rank. You're obviously of no use to him in battle, so it must just be your appeal."

Yaoyorozu didn't even know what to say, her body was frozen in place, overwhelmed with so much rage she felt like she could tear the world apart. But at the same time… she couldn't respond. Being confronted with such a statement… it was overwhelming.

"You mortal scum," A voice blurted out, "I should incinerate you on the spot for speaking to my host like that."

"C-Correnic?"

Fumihiro raised an eyebrow, "Wha…" Awe tinged his voice as he laid his eyes on a shape of pure light.

Yaoyorozu hadn't even noticed the god using her Quirk and her own powers to create a temporary body. It strolled up to the man and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, lifting him slightly off his feet, "My brother asked one thing of you. To treat her with respect. Follow that rule, or you'll really see the power of a god."

"B-Broth- god…" Fumihiro trailed off, "Yes… I understand now."

Correnic set down the man and backed up, her body already dissolving into motes of light, all of which flowed back into Yaoyorozu.

"I-I was too hasty, it seems you really would be an asset to him," Yaoyorozu's father said, realizing his daughter's power.

Yaoyorozu just scowled, "You really don't understand anything about us." She gestured towards the door, "I thought you were a businessman, but you came in here, asking for something impossible, for nothing. Not to mention insulting myself and my family."

"I figured the joy at saving your mother from being a vegetable would be that nothing."

"What have you guys ever done to deserve my help like this? What made you think you could come here like nothing ever happened between us and ask me for help with an incurable disease?"

"We're the reason you exist, we birthed you, we gave you a house to grow up in-"

"And treated me like a tool the whole time. You tried to use me for your own gains. That's not the actions of a father," Yaoyorozu declared, recalling the time she'd spent with Hisashi. If she didn't know him and was to pass him on the street, she might've been a little scared of him to be honest. Izuku's father had a rough stubble, deep, almost dark eyes, and an aura that could kill lesser beings. And yet, everything he did was out of love for his family. He'd lost ten years with them and because of that, he did everything in his power to spend every waking moment being with them, showing them how much he loved them. The man had so much love to give that he even accepted strangers to his family without a second thought and showered them with the same love.

She thought about how Izuku, Miruko, and Nejire all treated Eri. Their eyes, even the brasher and less expressive Miruko, all lighted up whenever they saw her. It wasn't some pitied love either. It wasn't because Eri had such a tough early life. It was genuinely because they loved her and she returned that love with her own smile. This was a family. This is what Yaoyorozu should've grown up with. It wasn't transactional love… it was just love.

"When you figure out why I belong in this family… more than I belong with my own parents… then… I'll help you cure mom."

Fumihiro squinted, "You really don't care?"

"No… I do care… but first I want you to care." She once again gestured for the door, "It's not something you learn in one day, so please, leave me with my family."

For a moment, something akin to regret shone in the man's eyes, but it was gone so fast, Yaoyorozu wondered if it was even there to begin with. "We've obviously hurt you in the past," He said, opening the door, "But try to imagine the hurt you're causing me and your mother." Then, he slammed the door behind him.

Yaoyorozu looked down, she knew it was a pathetic attempt to guilt trip her, but it unfortunately had some bite to it. So, in order to distract her thoughts, she turned inwards, towards Correnic, "I didn't know you were capable of manifesting like that."

"Neither was I. Your Quirk truly is amazing."

Yaoyorozu smiled, "Despite what just happened Correnic… I'm happy… because you stood up to protect me. Maybe I was wrong about you. You may not be a heartless god after all."

"I-It's not like that at all. I was just protecting our pride as a Host and as a Ruler. Besides, what kinda compliment is that? Calling me heartless?!"

Yaoyorozu giggled, "I had no idea you were such a tsundere."

"W-What? F-Forget that. I can sense another question in your mind, what is it?"

Yaoyorozu once again giggled at the god's sudden antics, but allowed her to change the subject, "You said that your brother asked one thing of my father… were you talking about Izuku… no, Ashborn?"

"...He's a Monarch. He fought for the Absolute Being even though that bastard was using us for his own enjoyment. He even fought to kill us Rulers on a few occasions. But unlike Razar… Ashborn… he wasn't being cold and calculating about it. We'd taken something from him, something that he loved and he was upset. He's still an idiot, but now he's chosen someone to take his place, someone to succeed him so he can finally rest and cast aside his anger. I don't think Izuku Midoriya is a bad choice. Even gods of Death can fight for life."

The two went silent and Yaoyorozu began finally letting the entire situation sink in. The more and more she thought, the more she sat there, the worse the pressure in her heart became. But this time, Correnic had no words to save her, no odd personality traits to distract her. She showed that she cared, however, she was still immortal, there was no way she could understand someone's heart so easily.

Thankfully, she wasn't alone in this house. Someone sat on the couch next to her and pulled her into a warm hug. It didn't have the romantic tension of Izuku's hugs and it was too big of a hug to be one of the girls. She knew who it was.

"I'm sorry, Yaomomo, but I couldn't help but eavesdrop. A daughter should never have to hear those things from her father." Hisashi said, holding her close and gently patting the back of her head. "You're not a bad person. You've done nothing wrong. You've just been put in a tough situation."

Tears began leaking from Yaoyorozu's eyes as she balled her hands into fists and held them close to her heart. "T-Thank… y-y-you."

As she sat there, silently crying, she was thankful that it was Hisashi to come to her first. She loved Izuku, more than anything, and he loved her right back. So did Eri. But right now, she just wanted the warm embrace of a father. She wanted to cry like she was still a little girl and let out all the frustration she felt over her relationship with her parents.

Hisashi had to resist the urge to wipe away his own tears as he continued to hold the girl, "Dammit Izuku, isn't this your job?" He thought jokingly, "Though… I suppose I can't blame ya either. Nejire-Chan's burns, Ryukyu's depression, Mirio's guilt… Everyone needs love, but not everyone can get it. These Rulers… they're gods ain't they?" Hisashi sighed, "Why can't you fools just make everyone happy?"

After just a few minutes, Yaoyorozu's tears stopped and she pulled away from the hug, wiping at her eyes. "T-T-T-Thank you, M-M-Mister Midoriya," She blubbered, generating a tissue to blow her nose into. "I-I'm sorry for crying all over you…"

But Hisashi just gave a good-natured chuckle and said, "I love giving hugs. After ten years… any human contact feels comforting. If you want a shoulder to cry on, you don't just have to rely on my son. Hell, you're practically a Midoriya now! Our family is here for you!" He hitched his thumb at his chest, "You can even call me Dad!"

"Er… I-I think I'll stick with just Mister Midoriya for now… thank you though… really."


Three Days Later:

Izuku was antsy, and a little more than despondent. Yaoyorozu was dealing well with her father's sudden visit, Nejire was staying with Izuku twenty-four seven to treat the pain of her burns, and Mirio and Ryukyu had left two days earlier with the help of a Gate. They said they were going back to the South Pole, back to Razar's palace.

"We're going to look for more artifacts and… we need an empty place to vent," Ryukyu had said, "I don't have anyone left to talk to."

Izuku wanted to offer to be that person, but he felt like it would sound shallow. He wasn't the person she wanted to talk to. With any luck, they'd be able to work out their frustrations with this.

"We'll return in time for the Gate here. Use our Grand-Marshals to contact us if anything in its opening changes." Mirio clarified. He opened a Gate, but just before he could leave, Masamune popped up out of Izuku's Shadow.

"My Liege! Myself and the rest of the Seraph Makers wish to accompany them!"

"Huh? Why?"

"We wish to reconstruct the destroyed Bastion… for our Liege! We know that our Liege already has a place to call home, but in the event of an emergency, we believe it would be prudent to have a defensible position for my Liege's important ones."

Izuku tilted his head and looked around. The penthouse was spacious and a wonder to live in. However, it was unsafe compared to that fortress. It would be nice to have a place to evacuate Eri, his parents, and his sister to. "I agree with your sentiment. You may go with them."

All at once, four-thousand Shadows flowed from Izuku into Ryukyu and Mirio. Then, they passed through the Gate and it closed behind them.

Back in the present, Izuku was walking hand-in-hand with Nejire down the hallway from the bedrooms to the kitchen, where Yaoyorozu and Miruko were making some lunch. He stopped suddenly at Sakura's door and pulled briefly away from Nejire, "Just a second."

He knocked on her door, getting only a low mumble in response. He opened the door, revealing his sister sitting at her desk, staring at the bright screen of her computer in the dark room. She had deep bags under her eyes and a hunched back.

Izuku hadn't been sure of what exactly happened, but recently, Sakura had fallen into a slump. She never left her room and only stared at the computer or slept. His best guess was that the attack on her school and the physical trauma she'd felt had been suppressed until recently. The attack on I-Island must've scared her bad enough to bring back those memories and send her into a depression.

"Hey, we're having lunch… do you want to come join us?"

"..." She sat silently for a moment, ceasing the typing on her keyboard, "...C-Could you just bring it in here?"

Izuku sighed inwardly, "Sure thing."


"Sakura?" Izuku pushed the door open, only to see that Sakura was now in bed, sound asleep. He smiled and set down her food on the nightstand, not being able to help noticing that her computer was still on. He went over to turn it off, but stopped halfway to the power button.

Izuku did his best not to pry too deeply into her personal life, however, she spent so much time on the computer nowadays, that he was just a tad bit curious about what she was doing. So, with a tiny bit of guilt in his heart, he looked up to the display.

'Braving The Monsters'

It seemed to be some sort of support forums for Villain attack survivors. It felt odd to him that she would resort to this. His mom and dad offered her therapy repeatedly and spent plenty of time with her. Did she really not feel comfortable sharing these with the family?

'prideking: I just got back from the South Pole Raid. I couldn't sleep last night. I'm supposed to be an S-Rank and I got stabbed in the chest like a total weakling. I had to be saved by those damn Shadows. I can't stop thinking about it, how weak I am.'

'SakuraTree: I know how you feel. My school was attacked a while back. This guy grabbed me by the throat and nearly killed me. I couldn't do anything.'

Izuku's frown deepened, "It's all because of me… they're always after me and people get hurt. Masamune was right to want to rebuild Razar's Bastion… I need somewhere safer to protect them all." He stood to leave, "Arkas, please remain in her Shadow." The Celestial Mercenary slipped into Sakura's darkness, giving Izuku a bit of peace of mind. A Grand-Marshal was nothing to mess with. He rested a gentle hand on his sister's back, "It's my fault… but I won't let it happen again. You… mom, dad, Eri… Nejire. I won't let anyone hurt you again… Any of you. When this world is free from the Monarchs, you'll never have to feel scared again. I'll make sure of it. I'll kill them all."

Just then, he felt a strong pulse of energy from the kitchen. It came from his Shadows, so he wasn't panicked, but the curiosity of the situation drew him away from his sister's room and back into the kitchen.

Once there, he was confused to see Lucifer holding both the Genesis Blade and the Lance of Longinus. Igris was standing between him and Tatsuya, who was complaining to the Celestial Spearman, "Hey! You can't just take it from me! Our Liege gave me that! You may be a Grand-Marshal, but that doesn't mean you can just do whatever! You tried to kill our Liege after all!"

"Enough!" Igris said, holding back the General Grade Angel, "This is no way for us Soldiers to behave!"

Izuku took Nejire's hand as he reintroduced himself. The room was staring at the three Shadows like they were children arguing. "What's going on?"

Tatsuya spun around, "Ah… My Liege!" He kneeled, "This… Shadow… has taken my Lance right out of my hands!"

Izuku looked back up to Lucifer, "Why'd you take it?"

"My Liege, I apologize for causing a ruckus, but this Lance is my other Divine Weapon."

"Divine Weapon?"

Nakir popped up from Yaoyorozu's Shadow, "Indeed. With the proper time and energy, weapons can be created and linked to their wielder, making them leagues more powerful. Typically, you can only link one, but Lucifer managed to link two to his soul. It's why he is the second strongest of us Grand-Marshals."

"If it's your other Divine Weapon, then why didn't you take it on I-Island? You took the Genesis Blade after all."

"I was… confused. I had just woken and the intense energies filling the battlefield obscured my other weapon."

Izuku quickly checked the stat boxes for the Genesis Blade and the Lance of Longinus. Both of their attack stats had increased drastically, into one-thousand each, proving that both were indeed Lucifer's weapons. It made sense. After all, he was a Celestial Spearman, he needed some sort of lance to fit that title and spearmen occasionally carried sheathed swords to fight with.

"Sorry Tatsuya. I'll have Nakir make you something else." Then he tilted his head, "Speaking of… Nakir, could you make one of those Divine Weapons and link it to Igris? Or Beru?"

"With the help of my kind, it will surely be possible for Beru."

"But not Igris?"

"As mentioned, it is typically only possible to be linked to one Divine Weapon. Igris already is linked to one. He is simply not in possession of it."

Izuku was taken aback, "He has one? How?"

Igris looked just as confused as Nakir continued, "I cannot be certain. I only know that the link between him and his weapon… leads to the Gate in Tokyo."