Captain Blues: And later has arrived! Time to get onto the new chapter!
My Hero Academia: Two Minds, One Body
Chapter Four
[Streets of Musutafu, Japan (Evening)
POV: Midoriya Izuku]
"I AM HERE!" All-Might exclaimed as he slid out the alleyway before the surprised Izuku.
"All-Might?!" Izuku exclaimed.
"He even has heroic entrance when it comes to surprise us," Uzuki stated with an amused tone.
"YES, IT IS I, ALL-MIGHT!" All-Might exclaimed as he gave a heroic pose, his white shirt straining against his muscles.
"H-How did you get away from everyone?" Izuku questioned. "A-And how did you find m-me?"
"GETTING AWAY FROM THOSE PEOPLE WAS A PIECE OF CAKE!" All-Might answered. "AS WELL AS FIND YOU! WHY, YOU MAY ASK?"
Izuku nodded.
"BECAUSE I AM ALL-MIGH-" Just as All-Might flexed, he deflated back into his skinny-sicker self as blood exploded from his mouth.
"S-So, what are you doing here?" Izuku questioned.
"Well," The sickly man said. "I've come looking for you, Young Man. First, offer my apologies, offer my thanks, and give you an offer you can refuse if you'd like. But first, is there anywhere we can talk that is not in public?"
[Midoriya Residence (Evening)
POV: Toshinori Yagi]
"Mom! I'm home! I have the groceries and a-a guest!" Izuku exclaimed as he motioned for the sickly All-Might to enter his home.
Yagi entered the apartment's hallway and noticed a few pictures of the young man and his mother that were lined up against the wall.
"F-Follow me," Izuku stammered. Yagi nodded and followed Izuku down the hall until they reached the living room, allowing Yagi to look around the area.
"This is it. M-My house," Izuku shyly said.
"It looks cozy," All-Might murmured. "Feels like an actual home."
'Compared to my own,' Yagi thought.
Just then, a middle-aged green-haired woman walked into the living from the kitchen with a bright smile, wearing an All-Might-themed cooking apron and a towel over her shoulder.
Yagi stiffened when he noticed the radiant smile.
"All-Might. I'm counting on you."
Yagi shook his head to drown out the memory.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," Inko said to the young man before she noticed the man behind her. "Hello. I'm Midoriya Inko," The woman introduced with a friendly air.
"Hello. My name is Toshinori Yagi," All-Might or Yagi introduced himself. He noticed that Izuku's eyes widened in realization but for what, he did not know. "I teach Foundational Hero Studies at U.A. It is a pleasure to meet you, Midoriya-san," Yagi continued.
"U.A. Ah, the school Izu-kun recently applied for," Inko stated.
Yagi's eyes widened before he schooled his features and said, "That is correct. I came to talk to Young Midoriya regarding his application."
"I see," Inko murmured. "Izu-kun, why don't you wash up for dinner."
"S-Sure, Mom," Izuku replied before he turned to Yagi.
Yagi gave him a confident smile and a thumbs-up.
Izuku nodded and walked down the hallway, no doubt to his room, leaving him alone with Inko. "Toshinori-san," Inko began.
Yagi could tell that Inko was tense, no doubt about his appearance in their home. "Yagi, please," Yagi interrupted with a faint grin. "I get enough of "Toshinori-san" at the school."
"O-Oh, Okay. Yagi-san," Inko replied.
Yagi could see the tension leaving her slightly and said, "Your son is certainly courageous. I'm sure you heard of his involvement with a villain today."
"N-No. I arrived home from the hospital twenty minutes ago," Inko replied as her eyes began to water. "W-What happened with my son?"
"Today, there was an attack at the Tatooine Shopping District against a villain. Your son stepped in and used his Quirk to try and save a civilian," Yagi explained. "All-Might was there and was able to subdue him. But, it was thanks to your son that the day was saved."
"Q-Quirk? My son d-d-doesn't have a Quirk," Inko explained.
Yagi would have agreed if this happened yesterday, but he was there during the event.
He had run through his 3-hour time limit fighting another villain when he came across the scene at Tatooine. Through the crowd, he saw Young Midoriya.
He was confused when Midoriya cut his palm and caused this blade to appear out of nowhere. "I believed that too, but I saw him," Yagi explained. "He pulled out this odd weapon and used that to hurt the villain."
"T-That cannot be…." Inko murmured before she shouted, "Izu-kun!"
Izuku ran out into the living room, his hair still wet and fresh clothes wet, no doubt having rushed out of the shower when he heard his mother's call. "Y-Yes, Mom?" Izuku asked.
'Excellent response time,' Yagi thought.
"Yagi-san said that he saw you at Tatooine during an attack today," Inko began, her voice wavering as the tears continued to build. "H-He said you helped saved a civilian with your Q-Quirk?"
Izuku looked down at the ground and murmured, "I-I wanted to surprise you about it t-today o-over dinner…."
Inko grabbed Izuku in a tight hug as she wailed, "My Baby Boy has a Quirk!"
Yagi was stunned by the large stream of tears that flew from this woman's eyes.
But still, he couldn't help but smile.
[One Hour Later:
POV: Toshinori Yagi]
"I see, so it was true that you did not have a Quirk until yesterday evening," Yagi said as he swallowed the egg, rice, and fried pork from the bowl. "Wow, the Katsudon is exquisite, Inko-san."
"W-Why thank you, Yagi-san," Inko said with a smile. "This is Izuku's favorite food. I figured I would make it in celebration of discovering his Quirk."
"I-I could eat this any time of the d-day," Izuku chirped out with a mouth full of food.
"Swallow, Young Midoriya," Yagi admonished
Izuku gave a sheepish smile and swallowed his food, and said, "Yeah, it was thanks to my talk with K…Bakugou and you that allowed me to speak to my S-Shadow."
"And here we thought there was a full-proof way of discovering Quirks," Yagi said.
'I'll need to file this away for later,' Yagi thought before his eyes widened. "Wait, so today was your first official day with your Quirk, and you took such a risk?!" Yagi exclaimed.
"I-I had too. It was my fault the villain was there, to begin with," Izuku said with a bowed head. "But even if it wasn't my fault, someone's life was in danger, and I couldn't sit by a-and let that person die waiting for someone more suited to help. Even if that person bullied m-me for so long…."
Yagi nodded in approval.
"Tell me something, Young Midoriya….Even if you were Quirkless like you thought all these years, would you have still risked your life to save that boy?"
Izuku raised his head, allowing Yagi to see the determination that gleamed in the boy's eyes. "Even if I didn't get blessed with this Quirk, even if the villain got free without my involvement, even if it would cause my death, I wouldn't hesitate to save anyone in danger. Not because I want to be a hero, but because It was the right thing to do," Izuku answered.
Yagi could hear the truth in his words and the resolution in his eyes and felt himself smile as he asked, "Tell me something, Young Midoriya. Why did you want to be a hero in the first place?"
"Truthfully, I always wanted to be a hero. First to become just like All-Might," Izuku said. "But after I was told that I was Quirkless, I lost hope…."
"One day, I saw another Quirkless kid like me being bullied by Bakugou and his friends. I thought it was unfair. It wasn't his choice to be Quirkless, just like it hadn't been mine until yesterday, and yet he was bullied because of it. I was terrified, but I stood up to them to protect him. I got beaten up defending him, and boy, d-did it hurt," Izuku said before he let out a shaky laugh.
Yagi could see Inko's eyes watering again as she whispered, "You never told me this…."
"I didn't want you to worry, Mom," Izuku softly replied. "After I was beaten up, the boy I helped thanked me for saving him from Bakugou and his friends. And despite the pain I went through, I was happy to see him safe."
"That day taught me that the world is filled with darkness, both in people we know and people we don't. My own Shadow can attest to that…." Izuku admitted. "It also taught me that wanting to be a hero just because you idolize one is a shallow reason."
"So despite that incident being the day my friendship with Bakugou officially ended, I-I don't look at that day as something terrible. I look at it as the day I finally woke up." Izuku said as he looked at Yagi.
"And with my actions today and the revelations of how my Quirk came to be, my heroic vow has been crystallized into my heart," Izuku said as he thumped his chest. "And that vow is to become the world's Beacon of Light so that I can shine a path to those in need and to wash away the darkness that plagues us all!"
Yagi's eyes widened at those words while Inko hugged her son with tears flying from her eyes.
"Citizens have no one to believe in," Yagi's youthful voice exclaimed in his head. "They need to rely on someone. That's why I want to be the pillar that gives people hope!"
Yagi began to laugh, which caught Izuku and Inko's attention. "So, that's what drives you to become a hero?" Yagi asked. "Quirk or no Quirk, huh?" Yagi began to laugh again. "Young Midoriya. Such funny ideas you have. It sounds crazy. Crazy enough to work."
"Very well then," Yagi said. "Midoriya Inko, what happens in this apartment remains in this apartment."
"W-What do you mean?" Inko asked.
"Midoriya Izuku. You are worthy to inherit my power—the Power of All-Might," Yagi announced.
"W-What?" both Izuku and Inko asked in unison, their voices in shock but clearly for different reasons.
"It is just a suggestion," Yagi continued as he started to dig into his food. "You need to decide whether you want my power or not, Young Midoriya."
"Inherit your power?" Izuku asked.
"I'm so confused," Inko murmured.
"The tabloids called it "Superhuman Strength" and a "Boost," and I constantly dodged the question during interviews with a funny joke because the Symbol of Peace, All-Might, had to be a natural-born hero," Yagi began explaining. "But to you the truth, Midoriya, My Quirk was passed onto me like a sacred torch. And if you are to accept my suggestion, you'd be the next to inherit it."
"T-There's a Quirk that allows others to inherit or pass it on to another user? I mean, it makes sense, considering we don't know a lot about Quirks and how they came to be and what types they are," Izuku mumbled at a fast rate, causing Yagi to glance at Inko.
"H-He does this a lot," Inko said. "A-Also, you seemed to imply that you're All-Might?"
"I am he," Yagi said.
"But All-Might is…No offense…Bigger than you," Inko said.
Yagi chuckled and said, "And you'd be right. Typically, I would not tell anyone other than Young Midoriya but considering the risks he would have with inheriting my Quirk; It would be negligent of me not to speak to you regarding this. But you must promise me that you will not speak of this to anyone."
"I promise," Inko told him with a determined smile.
Yagi could see the honesty in her eyes and gave Inko a smile in response.
It would seem he had gotten lucky with who he decided to inherit One for All.
[POV: Midoriya Izuku]
Izuku could hear Inko and All-Might talking about All-Might's injury, but Izuku was still mumbling to himself regarding the logistics of inheriting a Quirk.
"Izu! Calm down!" Uzuki's voice yelled, catching Izuku by surprise.
'Inheriting a Quirk. I can't believe All-Might is entrusting us with this. It seems impossible, but nothing is impossible when regarding Quirks,' Izuku thought.
"Very True. I can't believe it. But there has to be some risk of inheriting a Quirk while having a Quirk, right? Before we accept, why don't we ask a few questions?" Uzuki suggested.
'I already have a few in mind,' Izuku said.
"Toshinori -san," Izuku exclaimed, causing both Inko and Toshinori to look at him.
"I-I am very curious about this Quirk. Are you able to tell me more about it?" Izuku asked.
"Of course, Young Midoriya," Toshinori answered before he held out his hand. Suddenly, a radiant light exploded from his palm and filled the area with light. "One person cultivates the power, and it passes it on to another person, who also cultivates it, and passes it on. It is the crystallization of power that spins together with the voices of those who need help. This Quirk was crowned "One for All." And it the Quirk that I would pass onto you if you take my suggestion."
The light faded away from his palm. "I've been looking for One for All's successor for a while now, and while there is a top candidate, I finally met someone who embodied everything that I want for a successor. And that is you."
"Me?" Izuku asked.
"My son?" Inko asked.
"Izuku. I was callous in my words to you yesterday. And all through yesterday night and today, I wanted to find you and apologize. It was not only unfair for me to say those words, but it was hypocritical of me as well because as I was in your place when I was named the successor to One for All," Toshinori explained.
"Wait, you were Quirkless too?" Izuku asked.
"I was," Toshinori replied. "Until I inherited One for All. From my teacher, for the exact same reason as you. When I first met you, you were just a Quirkless hero fanboy in my eyes. But seeing you risking your life for someone that bullied and ridiculed you, hearing your past and how you gained your Quirk, and seeing your conviction to uphold your heroic vow, shows me that you are braver than anyone I have ever met and that you have earned the right to be my successor."
"Wow…" Uzuki whispered.
"All-Might…." Izuku whispered.
"But it comes with risks," Toshinori said. "When One For All is transferred, the new user's body is not naturally suited to it as they would be with a Quirk they were born with. In addition, One For All is a lot to handle; if your body can't take the power of One for All, then your chassis could be blown apart. Because of this, if you accept, you will undergo intense and rigorous physical training. Which can be difficult when already balancing a new Quirk."
"I see…." Izuku murmured.
'It seems like it can destroy our bodies if we're not strong enough. But considering that we want to be heroes, we need to train anyways, so if that's the risk, then I'm all in. What about you?' Izuku asked.
"I'm with you. If that is all the risks, then hell, let's do it!" Uzuki exclaimed.
"After careful consideration, I'm in! I will inherit One for All," Izuku said.
"Izu-kun? Are you sure?!" Inko exclaimed. "Y-You heard what he said. Your chassis could be blown apart if you aren't strong enough!"
'Uzu-kun. I've been talking a lot, and I'm a little beat. Mind switching with me?' Izuku asked.
"I see your trick. But lucky for you, I'll do it anyway," Uzuki replied.
'Thank you, Uzu-kun. Gemini: Switch.'
[POV: Mirā Ukuzi]
When Uzuki opened his eyes, the first thing he did was smile at Inko. "Hey! This is the first time we're meeting—the Name's Uzuki. I'm the Shadow/Quirk. Hi, Mom"
Inko and Toshinori blinked before Inko suddenly pulled him into a tight hug. "Oh, my Baby Boy's Shadow! Thank you, thank you for giving my boy his Quirk!"
"H-Hey!" Uzuki exclaimed while Izuku laughed.
'Not funny, Izu!' Uzuki exclaimed in his mind.
"Hey, he's the one that accepted me," Uzuki gingerly replied with a smile. "There would not have been a Quirk without his bravery. And it's that bravery why we want to accept One for All."
Uzuki looked at Toshinori and said, "I overheard everything you said. We know that not being strong enough is not an option anymore. We dealt with this when I awakened as his Quirk. So whatever test you have for this body. We'll knock it out of the park, Toshi-Might."
Toshinori snorted at the nickname and said, "So the Quirk reveals himself and with double down on Izuku's immediate reply. Wonderful! Then I suppose we shouldn't waste any time. Let's eat up because, after this, the real show begins!"
Suddenly, blood flew from the eager Toshinori's mouth, causing Inko to panic. "Yagi-san, are you okay?!" Inko exclaimed as she rushed to help him.
"Uzu-kun? Is it worrying t-that I-I am reminded of Curtis Izumi from F-Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood?" Izuku asked.
'If All-Might is anything like her, I am terrified….' Uzuki replied.
Captain Blues: So it is settled, Izuku gets One for All but how will this handle with Gemini? We'll find out in the future.
Also, people might flame this due to Inko finding out but I explained why Inko was told in this chapter. Considering the risks (And future risks) Izuku would have, it would be stupid for someone to him not to know about it.
And that is all. See you guys next time!