Thud, thud, thud. Inko was not frightened by the sound, it had become her alarm over the last month. Izuku was getting in his early morning workout, one hundred punches with each arm and a hundred kicks with each leg. She thought Naruto was being a bit much. No one trained with wooden posts anymore but he claimed he had and she knew of his life in Konoha so how could she argue? Even when Izuku had to be carried home those first three days the smile never left his face.
As much as it hurt to ask Naruto to stay away she never truly regretted it. She felt bad, second guessed herself constantly but could never fully regret the decision as it kept Izuku safe. But seeing his changes over the last few weeks started to erode her resolve. Her boy seemed lighter, like he met a part of himself and felt complete for the first time. He muttered less, didn't apologize so much and just had a quiet confidence that hadn't always been there.
She tried to fulfill the role of two parents, even doing things she thought Naruto would approve of even if it went against her nature. It wasn't easy to tell her baby to slug another child but she couldn't allow him to be known as Deku. He had much to be proud of, potential greater than any of the brats that teased him and she was not going to stand for his confidence to be eroded. Of course, her instructions strained her relationship with Mitsuki but Inko reasoned that if her friend couldn't control her little bastard of a son then Izuku wouldn't suffer for it.
As the rhythm and the sound of the thuds changed, Inko got out of bed and started breakfast. He wouldn't eat much as the strikes were only the beginning of his workout. Miso soup and soft scrambled eggs were soon prepared and Izuku joined her at the table. He thanked her for the food and the two shared a quiet meal. Ten minutes later, he was off, though she couldn't help asking about his sealing scrolls. He showed that he had them and took off for his morning run to school where he'd workout before showering and changing there.
Inko cleaned up and then walked to her balcony. As she peered outside she cursed herself for not checking the weather. The skies looked foreboding and a storm was clearly on its way. She hoped Izuku got to school before it started. She pulled the vertical blinds to her patio door so she could start her day in earnest.
Touya single handedly straightened out his suit jacket before he entered the building. The receptionist greeted him with a smile and waved him back. A few staff members gave him a small nod or a few words of welcome as he'd become a regular the short time he'd been back in Japan. Once he'd reached his destination he knocked once and waited for permission to enter. It came swiftly and he used his free hand to open the door.
"Hi mom," he said as he handed her the bouquet of Rindou. Rei placed them in her vase as she ushered him in. Her smile was reserved by not as fragile as he remembered it; as he caused it to be. Touya felt two hands grab hold of his and he looked up to see his mom staring at him.
"Where'd you go, Touya-kun?" she asked.
"Nowhere, just lost in thought," he said and laughed. It was fake and if his mom could tell she made no mention of it. "More importantly, how are you? What's new?" the Cremation quirk user questioned.
"I'm well. The days are routine but it's nice here. Your father ensures I have everything I need." Touya vehemently disagreed that Endeavor did anything but lock away his shame so she could rot. He wouldn't voice it, though. He knew it would upset her but one day he'd burn that man alive for sticking her here and everything else he'd ever done.
"Have you seen your siblings yet?" she asked. The hopefulness of her tone hurt.
"Sorry, mom, not yet. I've been working a lot to get the Agency set up and everything." It was a weak excuse as he'd trained with Sensei's son a few times. He just couldn't face them. He was ashamed at having ever been jealous at Shoto and blamed himself, partially, for his burn. His leaving made Endeavor worse and it eventually broke his mom.
"Please, Touya-kun, don't wait too long. They'd want to know you're well and you all need each other." Could they need him? Was Endeavor hurting them now that his favorite target was locked away? Touya willed away the thought. Even if he were, they wouldn't tell mom. Still, she was right, he needed to make his presence known so they knew they weren't under that bastard's thumb. Sensei was a generous employer and Touya had plenty of money. Which led him to make an offer.
"I'll see them today if you agree to move in with me," Touya requested.
"Oh, Touya-kun," she said in fond exasperation, "you're a bachelor and don't need your mother cramping your style. What if you want to bring a girl home?"
"If it were an issue I'd rent a hotel. Besides, my place isn't small. You'd have plenty of room and if you need more I'd find somewhere else. You don't belong here, mom," Touya countered. She looked out the window, lost in her own thoughts from what Touya could tell.
"I do, son."
"Maybe you did because of what that bastard put you through-"
"Touya, please; whatever you think of him he is still your father."
"Uzumaki Naruto has been more of a father to me than Endeavor ever was," Touya responded but kept his voice neutral. He'd never yell at her, not even the hatred he had for Endeavor could make him do that but he wouldn't acknowledge that man as anything but a burden.
"He has his good points," Rei defended weakly. Touya didn't want the visit to devolve nor did he care about Endeavor's good points. "I'll consider it," she said. It took him a moment to realize what she meant.
"You will?" Rei nodded.
"Under one condition; you see your siblings today. All of them."
"You certainly drive a hard bargain but I accept."
"I also want to speak with Mr. Uzumaki in person. I haven't had the chance since I gave him permission to take you out of the country." Touya had known the two met, he even knew why but it was a little surprising she wanted to see him again.
"You're not trying to hit on him are you? I don't mind but he's really taken with the mother of his child." Touya withheld the laugh as his mother blushed furiously at the question.
"What? No, that's not- that's inappropriate, Touya-kun," Rei admonished.
"Sorry, sorry," he said but didn't really mean it. "I'm sure Sensei can come by. Now, for more important matters; where would you like to go once I spring you out of here?" Seeing her smile was worth the visit and the two continued to chat about future plans.
Mina finger drummed on the cafeteria table awaiting for her guests to arrive. Some might call her a busy body but she was just observant and curious. Those were good attributes for a potential hero, or so she thought. Things had been very odd for the last month and that oddness centered on two figures: Mr. Uzumaki and Midoriya Izuku. Mina had no delusions she could figure anything out about her weird instructor but Midoriya should be possible, especially as she wasn't the only one to notice.
Today was about putting together the pieces of the puzzle and going from there. The ladies she invited would be a great help. She half considered inviting some of the boys but they wouldn't notice anything outside of combat or hero training. Well, Bakugo might, she corrected internally but life was too short to voluntarily deal with him. She stopped her impromptu solo when the girls arrived.
"Hi! Thanks for getting here early," Mina greeted.
"It's no problem Ashido but what's this about you made it seem quite serious," Jiro stated.
"This is about the sudden weirdness of one of our classmates, a Midoriya Izuku to be exact. Something's been off since that villain attack and the arrival of Mr. Uzumaki. Most of you have noticed things separately but I want to bring it all together so we can get to the bottom of it."
"Izuku hasn't really been acting differently," Uraraka defended. "And I'm not comfortable gossiping about a friend, Ashido."
"Just listen to the examples before you judge; besides, he may need our help." Mina requested. She knew the two were closer than he was with anyone else in attendance but she failed to predict Uraraka's reaction. Still, her words must have been enough as the pink loving girl nodded.
Mina began by listing the things she noticed, how he came to class tired and sporting a new ache or injury including having to wrap his hands like he'd been in a fight. She also pointed out how he seemed more on edge, something Momo corroborated.
"One day I arrived early to homeroom and Midoriya was already there, fast asleep. I didn't think much about it except after a while I noticed his face kept contorting like he was in discomfort. I thought about waking him up but if it weren't bad enough to stir him I figured it must not be that bad so I went back to my work. Minutes later he jumps out of his chair and flings something that looked like a lightning bolt at the chalkboard. When the lightning dissipated it was a pencil he'd thrown and a fly he'd pierced with startling accuracy."
"Lightning?" Uraraka asked in confusion. Momo nodded and Mina pressed on.
"Ok, Tsu-chan, you're up."
"Well, this happened about a week ago. I was here to do some work in the pool and as I approached I heard Midoriya-chan talking to someone he called Tetsuo. I could hear them both clearly but when I arrived at the pool Midoriya was alone and when asked about the other voice he said his cellphone was too loud. He didn't have a cellphone, ribbit."
"I guess it's my turn," Kyoka said. "During our last hero training exercise, Midoriya used something similar to echolocation to track me, same as I'd done to him. So, I and Sero gave chase but once we reached the corridor he'd been located, it was empty. As we walked past he managed to jump us from behind. I saw it briefly, he'd managed to turn invisible."
Mina smiled as the incidents were too weighty for Ochako to ignore, even if nothing added up. But the acid-quirk-haver said nothing, allowing Hagakure to provide the last example. "I noticed when he returned from the villain attack, Midoriya was carrying something that looked like a photo album. None of us brought backpacks so I doubt he had it with him when we arrived meaning someone gave it to him."
"You think Mr. Uzumaki did?" Uraraka asked. Hagakure said nothing and Momo guessed why.
"If you're nodding, Hagakure-chan, we can't see you."
"Oh, sorry! Yes, I believe Mr. Uzumaki did." Mina smiled at the reactions as the girls began to speculate what it could all mean. She had no firm conclusions but that didn't matter as she'd baited the hook and would have assistance in uncovering the mystery of Midoriya.
"Mitsuki?" Inko questioned as she stood with her door open genuinely confused as to why her former friend was here.
"Care to join a girl for a drink? Ya know, for old time's sake?" Mitsuki asked as she grabbed a bottle of vodka from her purse. Inko didn't have the heart to turn her away so waved her in, collecting two glasses as Mitsuki made her way to the couch.
"So, what brings you by?" Inko asked.
"Day drinking not enough?" Mitsuki asked back.
"We haven't visited each other for years, Mitsuki," Inko replied. She filled the stout, circular glass half full of the clear liquid but frowned slightly. It had been years and all because her son was a terror of a human being. How their sons went from the best of friends to enemies overnight was never something she comprehended. It was as if when his quirk manifested Katsuki awakened a monster gene as well.
"Doesn't mean I haven't missed you. I understand why you created some distance, if the shoe was on the other foot I would have as well." Mitsuki downed her first drink and refilled her glass. "I don't know what to do about that boy. Punishments don't work. If I slapped him upside the head anymore it really would be abuse. Besides, for years he spent most of the day having his ego inflated by students and teachers alike."
"Maybe Masaru could set him straight," Inko suggested. Mitsuki broke out into riotous laughter.
"Many good qualities my husband possesses but being a disciplinarian is not one of them." Inko could only nod. He was a sweet, mild mannered man.
"But enough of my shitty son. Life will humble him soon enough. Or one of his professors."
"The UA staff is widely recognized as qualified so I hope they can, Mitsuki."
"Uh huh," Mitsuki answered with a knowing smile. "So, the years have been quite generous to Naruto. From boyish to mannish without missing a beat. You two banging yet?"
Inko was in the process of drinking so the alcohol went down wrong, burning and causing her to cough uncontrollably. "We… not that it's anyone's business but we aren't having sex, Mitsuki" Inko forced out. As she wiped the tears from her eyes she saw the ash blonde staring at her. "What?"
"What are you waiting on? Your fella is back. If it were me, we'd still be in the bedroom working out my frustrations."
"I've dated," Inko defended weakly.
"And they rarely went past the second date. I get it, he must be a tough act to follow but you don't have to worry about that."
"It isn't that simple. The thing with Naruto is his virtues are also his vices. I believe he'd fight the entire world to protect Izuku and me. The problem is he'd fight the entire world, you understand? He wouldn't give, wouldn't compromise nor back down."
"Oh, the domineering type?" Mitsuki guessed.
"No. But when he believes something is right he can be steadfast. Admirable to a point."
"I'm guessing that point is well before the nation's top ten came to subdue him?" Inko nodded and downed her drink. "Well, maybe a relationship isn't in the cards but that doesn't mean Mr. Penis can't be reintroduced to Miss Vagina."
"Mitsuki!" Inko shouted in embarrassment.
What was once a mildly ominous overcast sky shifted into a major storm in but a blink. As the rain poured down like a roving waterfall it was having a secondary reaction. A rapid shift in barometric pressure along the coast could generate tsunami conditions and this one had, too swiftly for anyone to sufficiently prepare. A hero was needed.
A blur traversed the rocky seas, snatching people off their boats and delivering them landside. It was happening so fast many could barely get a glimpse of their savior. The blur couldn't stop, time was of the essence. The big waves hadn't formed quite yet but he knew they were coming.
After clearing his immediate area Naruto stopped at the coastline. His red haori flapped in the winds of the storm, black flames licking the bottoms of the sleeveless overcoat. He performed a series of hand seals and the Earth Style: Earth Rampart jettisoned from the ground, an instant barrier between the city and the sea. Naruto launched himself back to the ocean just as his earpiece started to ring.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, Sensei, my mom wants to meet with you. It's one of her conditions for leaving the care center."
"That's fine but I'm currently dealing with a tsunami right now, bud, so can this wait?" Naruto formed a tick mark when he heard his apprentice scoff. He ran to where he felt the greatest amount of oceanic activity.
"A mere tsunami isn't that big a deal for you, Sensei. So when can you visit her?"
Naruto briefly thought about when he could but heard an alert that signaled someone was on the other line. "Touya, hold on a sec while I get this," Naruto requested. He clicked over to the other line and then began forming a series of hand seals.
"N-naruto-kun…" a slurring Inko said slowly.
"Hey, Inko-chan, you ok?" Naruto asked. She wasn't much of a drinker when they were together so he hoped she hadn't turned to alcohol because something was wrong.
"I… I have a secret," she whispered.
"What's that?" Naruto asked as a giant whirlpool started to surround him, the energy displacing itself instead of forming into a wave.
"I want chu to bang me."
"Tell him all three holes!" he heard a voice in the background yell.
"Shhh, Mitsu-chan. Hehehe, chu should come over, Naruto-kun."
"I'm taking care of something right now but how about I come right over and we talk."
"About banging?"
It was incredibly difficult not to laugh but even drunk, Naruto wouldn't do something to embarrass Inko. "Sure or whatever else."
"Ok, see you soon," she said and hung up. Naruto clicked over to Touya and apologized for making him hold but his student said it wasn't a problem.
"I can see her tomorrow. Something's up with Inko so I need to check in on her when I'm done with all this." Naruto said. He'd prevented the tsunami from forming but the HUD display in his sunglasses were alerting him to a nearby accident, potential injuries on the scene. Without a second thought he sped back to the coastline and undid his earth jutsu and then departed to the accident.
"Thanks, Sensei. Oh, by the way, if you and my mom hit it off I'm ok with that."
"I'm not even acknowledging that with a response. But I'm going to be preoccupied so can you handle Izuku's training today?"
"Anything in particular you want him to work on?"
"Kinesthetic sense," Naruto replied as he arrived at the accident. A car clipped a power line hard enough to cause it to fall before it sped off, just to t-bone another car . He had to manage the down electrical line and tend to the injured.
"Ooh, target practice for Touya. You mind if I invite another to join in?"
"Nope, that's all you. Now, I really do need to focus."
"Alright Sensei, later."
Class 1-A sat raptured. The weather cancelled their planned hero training. It was fortunate that news of a hero debuting in the storm had found its way into class and that All Might allowed them to watch the coverage. It didn't take long for the class to realize the man in matching midnight blue shirt, pants, black tactical vest and red haori was Mr. Uzumaki.
Many were impressed by his display of his quirk, though it rose questions as to what exactly his quirk was as it seemed so varied. The girls, seeing the variety of skills Mr. Uzumaki was displaying couldn't help but make connections to their classmate, someone who seemed enraptured by seeing his teacher doing hero work. Multiple television crews were used to track the high speed hero and the final found him outside of a bank with several robberies tied in metal wire and unconscious.
"Who are you sir?" she asked and the entire class laughed. A pair of sunglasses couldn't possibly fool people into thinking this was someone other than the most notorious man in the world.
"Oh, you can call me the Thousand Skills Hero: Knightfall." All Might turned off the television after that, much to the protests of several students.
"Do not sulk, fair students! We must now discuss what we can learn from this new hero!" All Might bellowed.
Several of the boys went on and on about how cool Mr. Uzumaki was but Mina sensing it was a good opportunity to turn the heat up on Izuku chimed in. "His quirk is so versatile, more than almost anyone I've ever seen, outside of Midoriya-kun."
"Why… yes, Young Ashido, he does have quite the adaptable quirk. I assume it took a lot of training for him to become so proficient."
"But what could it be? All quirks have a basis, a foundation. I can create things but there are limits." Yaoyorozu said. "What do you think, Midoriya-kun?" she asked. His eyes grew wide when further attention was placed on him. He quickly swiveled his head to see all the girls in class looking at him. Izuku scratched the back of his head, something he did when uncomfortable but also looked to All Might for help. The hero didn't give him any.
"Y-you know, huh?" he asked, almost defeated.
"We only know you've been acting differently, Izuku," Uraraka said.
"What are you talking about?" Kirishima asked.
"These slow broads have finally put together that Uzumaki is Deku's father, obviously!" Bakugo yelled and there was a collective gasp though whatever anxiety Midoriya felt vanished as he stood up, anger visible on his face.
"I told you to never call me that, Katsuki!" he said, fists clenched at his side.
"And what are you going to do, Deku? Thinking you're big shit because that deadbeat returned. You aren't shit, just the castoff of a criminal. He should have left you on a bedsheet where Deku belong."
"That's enough, Young Bakugo!" All Might shouted. He had no idea these two had such a poisonous relationship.
"Why are you defending him? The guy that beat you. And he just waltzes back like he's better! I hate it and his useless son. Go back to sticking leaves on yourself, DEKU."
"I'm so tired of you always talking. Talk, talk, talk. You act like you're leagues above us but in truth the only thing you run here is your mouth. If I'm useless what does that make the person who can't beat me?"
That was enough to get Bakugo on his feet. "You wanna go, bitch?"
"BOTH OF YOU STAND DOWN THIS INSTANT. YOUNG MIDORIYA YOU ARE DISMISSED. YOUNG BAKUGO, GO TO PRINCIPAL NEZU'S OFFICE. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING YOUR BEHAVIOR." None had ever seen the jovial hero so angry and were shocked, all but Midoriya and Bakugo as each were ready to tear into each other. Midoriya left first and once cleared Bakugo departed.
"Excuse me, All Might, can I check on Midoriya?" Shoto asked. The Symbol of Peace nodded. Shoto hurried off to catch up but Midoriya was nowhere to be seen. He was about to lose hope when a young man in a hooded jacket and face mask approached him.
"Looking for someone?" he asked.
"Yes, a classmate. Izuku Midoriya."
"That's lucky, I'm going to meet him to train. Why not join us?" If this had been anywhere else, he wouldn't have but the Ice users trusted UA's security system enough that a random stranger couldn't walk through the courtyard without anyone noticing. So, Shoto agreed and followed. A short walk later, the pair found Izuku. Shoto stared at the destruction of the training facility in mild disbelief. He watched as Midoriya set up another target. When his punch connected the training dummy exploded.
"Nice to see you using your subelement, Izuku," the man said. Midoriya looked up to the pair, an initial fierceness transformed into surprise.
"Uhm, I'm sorry about the mess. Will you be training with me today, Touya-san?" Midoriya asked. Shoto felt cold at hearing that name. It wasn't a common one but it also couldn't be. His older brother died and it was Endeavor's fault. The man removed his hood and mask to reveal white and red streaked hair and a face similar to Natsuo.
"Hey, little brother," Touya greeted. Shoto had so much he wanted to say and with his ping ponging emotions it was near impossible for the normally stoic boy to voice it all. Bereft of the right response he went with the one he thought most pressing.
"Fuyumi is going to kill you." Touya laughed and slapped the youngest Todoroki on the shoulder.
"Why do you think I came to see you first? I'm going to need some protection!" Shoto chuckled softly, thankful Touya and Midoriya paid no attention to the tears falling from his left eye.
Inko clung tightly to Naruto's body as the cool breeze swept past them. She never envied Naruto for his powers. If anything, she felt it a terrible burden and the more he revealed of his history and his home dimension the more resolute she became in her conclusion. He could just about do anything and he had to gain that level of strength to simply survive. Survive the organization of criminals, survive the undead warriors, survive his former best friend. No, she could never be jealous of someone who earned their power through such hardship.
But she really did wish she could fly like he could.
As the two lazily levitated in the sky, him indulging her in one of her favorite activities, she just loved the sensation. She felt so free. Free of her anxiety, free of any preoccupation. Weightless and able to go anywhere. If she had the ability to fly she wasn't sure she'd get much done as she traveled as far as her quirk could take her.
"Will Izu-kun be able to fly, too?" she asked him softly. She might not be able to do this herself but if her son could have this gift then it'd be something she'd treasure all the same.
"When he gets better with his bloodline he'll have his own way to fly."
"Mhmm," she voiced. It was so free here. The worst of the storm had long passed, a little drizzle remained. It was refreshing. And while here she didn't have to ask the questions that had been nagging at her. The very questions that made her keep Naruto at arm's length no matter how much she missed him or wanted him back. Inko cursed herself for allowing her mind to ruin her enjoyment.
"We can go back down now," she said as she hoped to gather her nerv. She needed to know if she was being overly cautious, if these feelings were misplaced. The two landed softly on her balcony and entered the apartment. She closed and located the sliding door and began a breathing exercise to remain calm. Naruto noticed.
"Inko, what's wrong?"
"I need to know what you're hiding, Naruto. I need to know why you're playing along with this hero stuff." She watched him create a privacy barrier, something she'd seen him do a time or two before. He retrieved two manilla folders from a seal on his bicep and gave them to her. Inko parked on her couch andread the files, at first in horror and then in blistering anger.
"The HPSC wanted to use Izuku-kun as a weapon against you?" she asked.
"Yes. And they were willing to kill you to get him isolated. If I hadn't neutralized several of their agents and used their corpses to send a message they may have tried. I've seen how they treat their projects and I was never going to allow that to be Izuku."
"So, why play by their rules?" Inko asked.
"Because this insipid country runs on popularity polls. I'm not just going to be a hero, I'm going to supplant All Might. And when I have the public's support, I'm going to burn the HPSC down by having that very same public turn against them."
"And if that doesn't work?" Inko asked.
"They planned to kill you and turn my son against me. If they don't go softly they'll go hard. There is a lot I can forgive but those aren't on the list."
"But you could have done this at any time? Why wait so long to come back?"
"To gather resources and allies. Gaining that pardon instead of declaring war took some doing. The HPSC, also, isn't my only enemy, a villain known as All for One is, too. He mentally pushed some of those early heroes to target me and while I could have killed him at any point, I didn't have a sense of his organization or his reach. I needed to know my enemies in their entirety and I have that. I know his organization, I know the players with the HPSC. I know their aims, I know their methods."
"If you're going to do this then make sure Izuku is so strong he's out reach for any of these people."
"When I'm done, he'll be the strongest and the best. Unmatched by all, save yours truly." Inko smiled but it wasn't a true reflection of her emotional state. Her son had almost been drafted into a dark game and she would not have been here to protect him. The thought shook her to her core, the only comfort was her knowing Naruto had been protecting them from the shadows. Inko broke from her thoughts when she felt Naruto sit beside her, though had she not the playful nudge would have done the job.
"Hey, Inko-chan?"
"Yes, Naruto-kun?" she asked.
"I know this is all very serious so I won't tell you not to worry but when are we going to set aside some time to discuss your all consuming need to bang me?" Inko did not hesitate to pounce on the insufferable blond, seeking to choke him out even as his laughter boomed throughout the apartment.
