AN: I don't own my hero academia.

Give them a better life

It was a chilly morning, yet the sun greeted the day. Only a few clouds blocked its rays for the mid-day. Something else greeted the day. It could be heard throughout the neighbourhood. Hopefully, no one will call the police. What was an empty and calm neighbourhood, was filled with fiery roars of fire hero. They grew angrier by the second.

"How could you give me the wrong address and not know the right one," Enji screamed in his phone. He was pacing back and forth half a meter away from his vehicle. There were some things he had to say that weren't exactly child friendly. Luckily, his two children were seated safely in the car with the windows were up. Thank goodness for soundproof glass.

Izuku peered out from his seat. Unbuckled and knelt up against the window to watch his father marching in circles. "You think father's, ok?"

"Yeah," Touya answered half convinced. "Can't say the same for All Might."

The Todoroki family was invented to a little party for their sensei/friend Arata. Well, more so a reunion party half turned into a 'thank goodness you're ok' party. Hosted by some of his older students. When they heard what happened they had do a little extra. Arata brought along little Tenko to the event but not All Might. For one the hero had hero duties to attend to. Another was that he simply didn't want the man around. He asked the Todoroki family to come if they wanted to and after much begging from the boys Enji eventually gave in. Which led to the current problem.

Somehow Enji was given the wrong address and now they were in the middle of an unknown area. Far from their destination. Who gave him the wrong address you may ask? Surprisingly, All Might. It all happened when Enji bumped into the hero on patrol. They asked if he was going to attend, and he said yes. That's when the conversation on where the event was going to be held to place. Since it was a little last minute, the venue location changed a few times, but the hero claimed to know it. So, Enji foolishly trusted them with a little assurance from Arata that at least they got the location name correct. Address not so much. Instead, they ended up in a bed and breakfast with a similar name. All Thanks to the number one hero who was currently getting his ears yelled off. The worst part was they were so far away from the actual address that they'll never make it. In short, they spent hours of driving, only to get lost for nothing. Which only added to the flame hero's rage.

Touya sighed while slumping in his seat. They might have had at least a chance to make it if their father didn't decide to pick a fight. He was getting hungry too. What else could go wrong? His eyes trailed to the side when he noticed his little brother acting odd. Their head was still gazing at the window, but their eyes were looking elsewhere from their father. Their little hands clenched while they bit their lower lip. As if debating to do something. Seemed like the debate was over since the child hastily opened the car door and hopped out. "Izuku!" Touya called while following the child.

He chased after his younger brother, and since their father was still arguing it was easy to slip past him. His eyes followed Izuku as they made a sharp turn. He did the same and managed to capture his brother. He made a comment about how they shouldn't run off. He would have scolded the more but the scene before him captured his attention.

There was a group of boys around Touya's age. They were cackling like villains. Lashing out with harsh words as weapons. 'You're a freak', 'you shouldn't be here', 'you belong in garbage like them' and many others. All aimed at one boy who found himself in the middle of the group. His arms up in a boxing position, as he glared at the boys surrounding him. Golden eyes held pure hate. If this wasn't a bullying situation Touya didn't know what one was. As a soon to be hero-in-training he couldn't walk away from the scene.

He told his little brother to stand back while cracking his knuckles. This will be quick. "Knock it off," he yelled as he charged in. His fist set ablaze. It was enough to scare the bullies as they tumbled to make an opening. Touya broke through their line-up. Swiftly, he turned to glare down at the boys while protectively standing in front of their victim. "What do you lot thing you're doing," he said with warning.

Either they were cowards or Touya looked intimidating, but the bullies instantly ran from the flaming scarred boy. They yelled stupid almost cliches like 'you'll regret this' and 'you villain'. How foolish. If they were any in the right, they won't be running like the cowards they were. Ganging up on a kid. Who's the real villain in this situation? Jerks. He then turned to the kid he just saved.

The boy looked beaten up with a cut on the top of his cheek right below his eye. Bruises on his partly exposed chest. His clothes were crumpled and mildly ripped. Even a muddy footprint decorated his long-sleeved button up shirt. However, the boy didn't look grateful. He didn't even say a word of thanks. Instead, he glared at his would-be rescuer with their golden, sharp eyes. Their hair was short but shaggy. Strands brushed every which way. It had a burned brown hue to it. Overall, he looked pretty ordinary. Only thing odd about him was his black mask the cover most of the lower half of his face and white gloves on his hands.

"Are you ok?" Izuku asked as he crouched down to the child.

Smack.

"Don't you dare touch me with those filthy hands," the boy rudely demanded while smacking the smaller boy's scarred arms away.

It awakened a tick inside of Touya, along with a growing need to slap back. Maybe there was a reason why this brat was being picked on. Before the boy could act, his little brother looked at their hands intently.

Izuku then grabbed a bottle of alcohol gel for his scarred hands. The thick liquid brushed against the cracks in his skin making an odd noise. Once he was done, he presented the boy with his hands. "All clean!" A confused look widened in the other boy's eyes as they stared at tiny hands. "Don't worry about my hands' colour. They're burn scars." Izuku pushed further. He didn't have a disease even if that was what his hands looked like. His eyes then softened to worry as he inched closer to the other boy's cheek. "Can I have a look at your cheek? It looks swollen."

It was then the boy relaxed and gave a lazy nod. Smiling, Izuku hurried to dig into a little bag he carried. Searching for some of his medical supplies while Mini Endver's head was popped out from the zip. Hurriedly, Izuku treated the boy's swollen wound with tender care. Humming a sweet little song.

The boy didn't flinch. He just sat down on the pavement allowing the smaller boy to do what they wanted. Even clean up his arms and checked under his shirt. He just didn't allow his mask of no matter much Izuku insisted. Something about not wanting to inhale germs. Now Touya couldn't quite bit his finger on it but something about the boy seemed odd. Maybe it was the way he held themselves. It was so calm. Almost regal. The kid didn't seem like he acted his age.

"Touya! Izuku! What did I say about going out of the car!" They heard their father yell. He would be yelling more if he didn't spot the injured boy his sons found. He grumbled under his breath about why this happened. Hopefully, this time this boy has a family he could return to. He rather not become a foster parent...again.

Thankfully, the kid did have a family to return to. As an adult, Enji thought it was best to escort the child, despite their insistence not to. The boy looked like he would attack if they continued to pester him. The boy eventually gave in when Izuku grabbed their arm. Concerned if the group of bullies would come back again. Soon the child gave in and lead the Todoroki's to their home.

The walk was silent much like the area. It was a peaceful place. Many of the homes were large. Some of which kept an older traditional style. It was almost like walking through time. Morphed painted concerts walls were slowly being replaced by snacked stones. The houses got smaller with outer woodwork exposed and paper doors. The pavement became wider with a few potholes here and there. Despite that, it led to a magnificent building. Much like the Todoroki home, it brimmed with tradition and pride. Dark banners hung from beside it wide red gates. Painted one was a symbol of an eight start louts. It looked familiar.

It didn't' hit the hero right away, but the longer he looked at that symbol the sooner he began to remember what it meant. However, it was too late to go back. They already knocked on the door and called for the people inside. Protectively, he forced his sons behind him. "Boys, stay close to me." Both boys looked up at him confused hoping for answers. They got none.

Suddenly, the gates creaked open, and they were greeted by a rough looking man. A picture definition of a street thug. "What do you want?" He spat with a growl. They were clearly unwanted and Enji had to say the feeling was mutual. Then their eyes land on the boy. "Kai? What the hell kid. Got into another fight."

The boy Kai remained quiet. Only staring at the man blankly while they sighed in disappointment

"Something to be the matter?" Then someone new peered through the gates. It was an older man with shoulder long, silver fox locks. Combed well to shape his head. His overall appearance screamed traditional Japanese l. With grey pants, wooden sandals, a dark navy kimono top and a black Hori coat. A small cast was stitched on either side of his chest. His face was stern, and his grey eyes were wary. The air he carried was a stronger one. The type that commanded respect. His sharp gaze soon landed on the child they brought back. "Kai." He sighed.

Kai stepped forward, losing the calm demure he once had. "They were badmouthing you! I couldn't just let that happen." He tried to explain but only received head shakes from the older man.

"If you ask me those kids were jerks. Ganging on him." Touya spoke up in defence.

"Touya!" Enji yelled back silencing the boy.

This did not seem to bother the old man as his attention turned to the Todoroki family. He meant with the firm expression of the fire hero and his two children peeking out from his legs. Looking up at him curiously. Kindly, he smiled. "I thank you for bringing Kai home safely," he said while bowing respectfully. "If you like I could offer some tea and treats. I insist."

"That sound nice," Izuku peeked out excitedly. Some tea and food sounded after being lost and stuck in the car for hours while his father argued on the phone.

His father didn't agree. "Izuku!" He snapped back at the child with a glare. The sudden bust of anger frightened the boy. Unlike Touya who simply stayed quiet, tears started to swell in Izuku's eyes. The stern yell was so and sudden that it made him whimper. They latched on to their bother for comfort. The sight took the harsh words out from the flame hero's mouth.

It was then Touya took the lead. Unable to stand there silently while his little brother wept in his chest. He hooked an arm under his brother's legs and stepped forwards. "Sorry about my father. He's been groggy all morning. Some tea and sweets sound great." He could feet his father's denial coming but he shot a glare at him. Combined with Izuku's close to tears, Enji couldn't find the strength to fight them as they walked into the lion's den.

Defeated, he shot one last look of warning to the old man and whispered. "No funny business."

If he was going it, might as well work if the situation demanded it.

Enji didn't know how he needed up in this situation. Alone with the old man, they invited his family in. It was all a blur. One moment he was keeping an eagle's eye on his sons. Giving anyone that came near the snake eye while they were escorted through the halls. The next there was a plate of mochi in front of him. Delectably formed pieced of mild sweet chewy delight. While not his absolute favourite type, they were a close runner up. They were captivating. Perfectly, sculpted into delicate places of edible art. Coloured with soft springtime hues. Handcrafted in house. It's one thing to get cheap store-bought mochi. It is another to have artisan quality sweet delights. Crafted with heart. Now just because it looked good doesn't mean it tasted good. He made that mistake before and never again. One should be enough.

That is when it all started. The second it entered his mouth a choir of angels sang around him. Blocking away the outside world. It was just him and the delicate flavours dancing in his mouth. It was…something he will never admit aloud to these people. Once he came back to reality the plate was almost done. There was a half-eaten mochi in his hand, his boys were gone, and he was face to face with the old man. Apparently while he was, ahem, testing little treats his boys went off leaving him alone. Great.

"I didn't peg you as the type to enjoy sweets," the old man said cheerily. "I'm glad. I worked quite hard on this batch." Enji dropped any sign of enjoyment. Returning to their stone-cold expression. The old man lifted their arms up in surrender, "there's no need for you to be on edge. I mean you no harm."

"Like I'll believe the words of a villain." Enji harped.

The old man smiled with pride. He didn't expect to be recognised, but their first meeting was a memorable one. "It's been a long time," he greeted familiarly. "To think that teen that beaten up my men so long ago would become a top-ranked hero."

"Your men deserved the beating." Yes, he knew who the man was. The current head of the Shie Hassaikai Yakuza clan, one of the few remaining clans still active, Daichi Aikyo. Known to many as a cunning villain who always escaped the hands of the law. No matter how much they searched, any evidence of villainous actives was never found. They always toed the line of the law. Twisting it to their favour. They crossed paths once back when he was a teen holding 4 different jobs. He and his men came to his workplace and stirred up trouble. A defining moment in his life since that incident led to him being recruited to U.A.

"Come now you don't need to be so harsh. You can't trace me back to any misconduct. It was Your boss was late on a debt. We came to…remind them," Daichi danced with his words. He only brought his men as an intimidation factor. Looks. But they were young and took in a step further. Harassing the owner's daughter. "Admittedly my boys were overly rough. I would have slapped them if you hadn't." He didn't expect his job to be halted by a mere child. Ferocious like fire, the teen subdued his men in a heartbeat. A mere unconvinced since he got his money returned to him eventually. But that was the past. The same could not be said now. "Besides you should know that we Yakuza have fallen from power."

"Once a villain always a villain."

The old boss let out a sigh. "You say that but." He looked up at the wall, a banner of their family symbol proudly embroidered on it. It used to represent such fear and strength in the past. Now it's a simple decoration targeted by law enforcements. "We haven't done anything 'villainous' for years. We cannot afford to. The power balance in the underground is too little in our favour. We're barely getting by with escort mission and bodyguard positions," he explained solemnly. What was once a great empire was now a rotting kingdom. Many of its people have fled. Those loyal did their best to keep the family afloat. It won't be enough. One day their treasury will deplete if nothing is done. "A few of the old families have already disbanded or attempted reformation. I think it's time for the Shie Hassaikai to fallow."

"You think I'll falter for your sob story." Enji scoffed. He had no reason to listen to this villain. Not back in the past and especially not now. He was a hero. Trained to defeat them. Feeling any sympathy towards them was meaningless. They were nothing but nuisances that will have to be dealt with. One way or another.

Silence befell on Daichi's lips as he sipped his tea. Then he said something unexpected, "that boy of yours. The youngest. He's quirkless correct?" He watched as the hero instantly stiffened. Flaming eyes sharpened. It appeared he may have hit a soft spot, so he chose his words carefully. "It must be hard for him," he stated sounding empathetic. "It was hard for me too when I was his age."

Instantly, Enji eyes widen at the realisation. "You're…"

"You shouldn't be surprised," Daichi Laughed. "I came from an older generation. It was still normal back then. Before I was the fear boss of the Shie Hassaikai. Hard to be afraid of a quirkless man."

To say the hero was shocked was an understatement. He as overheard many tales of the Shie Hassaikai head. An expectational businessman known for his trade skills. A sly tongue that could get him out of any situation. Twisting the law in his favour. That's how he was never caught. It was like the man was one step of the police every time. What was worst was they never knew what his quirk was. It was popular theory it was some sort of charm or mind-reading quirk with the way he ran through police interrogation so smoothly. They never expected him to be quirkless.

For some reason that simple fact tickled, the iron wall guarding the hero's heart was tapped. For a second, he saw the smiling face of his youngest son. "Let's say I believe you. Why haven't you disbanded?"

"Don't even mention that possibility to me," the boss yelled. Their eyes flared with rage. "Do have any idea how many are under my care. I can't abandon them," he proclaimed protectively. Listing a couple of names of their remaining members. They're less the useful quirks and summary of their tough situation. Being rejected and or ridiculed by those outside their family walls. This was the only place they felt safe. He couldn't take that away from them. "Reformation is the only way, but it is an endless uphill battle." He looks over his hands, eyes with regrets. They shook unsteadily. Helpless to do anything. Despite the family going clean that cannot ease everything. "My past and reputation can never be erased or forgotten. No one will trust me or my people. Still, I want to give them a better life."

The blinded rage subsided to confusion. What was Enji supposed to do now as the old boss continued to pour their heart out. "Why are you telling me this?"

The boss smiled at the question, "when I saw you, I thought I saw an opportunity to spill out my woes. Away from the ears of my family. Call me a fool, but out of any hero, I thought you may understand. Haven't you fallen as well? Hero Endeavour."

Enji had to bite back an insult. They dared to compare themselves. A hero and a villain. He'd never admit it but he started to see it. A threat of similarity that could offer sympathy. Perhaps some words of comfort. The hero Endeavour also fell from glory. Not as steep as the fall of the Shie Hassaikai empire, but the results were still the same. Ridicule and distrust form those on the outside. How they laugh at you behind the scenes. Constantly remaining you of your failures. Never letting you forget every last one of them. News anchors, bloggers, even random people from the street. They'll never let it go.

"I suppose I am a fool for believing such. All you heroes are the same," Daichi said with a heavy heart. "No matter what. I will always be a villain." He whispered defeated. "But that doesn't my people should suffer because of it. I can only hope that the new generation can distance themselves from our history enough to make a decent life. All I can do is try to carve a strong enough path towards that life."

It was surreal to hear let alone believe. A villain wanting to go clean. Perhaps he's biased. Being a hero, he only followed one basic pattern. Save civilians, defeat the villain, file the report. Rinse and repeat. There was no need to think any further. The world was a simple black and white, but patches of grey still exist. Like Tenko. By all accounts, the child should have been labelled a villain, but can you truly call a scared child a villain. In another lens what happened to him was a horrible accident. Then there's the hero commission silently pulling the strings behind the scenes for the hero's favour. They would go as far as to rewrite someone's death. Could you really call them advocators for justice if the end justifies the means? What's to say a villain can't try to go clean for their family?

Enji's mind wondered as his eyes soon fell on top of his hand. An idea came to mind. "Did you make this?" He asked holing out the half-eaten mochi. He received a nod in return. "People miss the olden days. It's a popular trend. This could sell for quite a high price if you're savvy enough. A good tourist gimmick too," he said with confidence you'd think he had experience. The hero did in the way after working with many odd jobs in the food industry. Traditional was his forte. That style raked in a lot of tourists as well as older folks when done well. "These sweets are perfect for that market." He said along while playing with the mochi piece. Its soft and squishy exterior felt nice between his rough fingers. "You said your group is having trouble finding jobs outside this place. Then why not create jobs for them." Enji explained further before finally plopping the rest of the treat in his mouth. "Your sob story didn't move me it might move the soft-hearted masses. Still won't be easy."

The boss thought for a bit. The more he did the more it felt possible. "It could work." Taken back, he stared at the hero. He wasn't sure what to expect but this wasn't one of them. After being so prickly this small side tack was a little odd. "Why are you helping me now."

"I'm not." The hero snapped back offended. "I'm simply voicing a thought. What you choose to do with it is your problem. I you do anything suspicious; I will crush you."

The old boss smiled, "you're softer than you look."

"What does that supposed to mean!"

The boss couldn't help but laugh more at the hero's overexaggerated rage. "Very well then. A thought for a thought." He offered. A fair, simple exchange of knowledge. "You're worried about your quirkless son's future. It's written all over your face."

The hero couldn't hide it or deny it. Ever since the day they found out about Izuku's quirkless status he worried for his future. What he can become, what he'll do. Although his worries lessened over the years watching his boy grow. He still worries.

"Listen my words, Endeavour. Support him and push him." The boss advised. He thought back to the days when he was young. The quirkless were common, but that didn't make things easier. Quirks were highly valued in the underworld. Better use to intimate than a small boy that could barely throw a good punch. Despite that, he was expected to lead the family with little hope of success from his peers. "All I ever wanted was support but because of my status, I had to work 10 times to gain it. It made me stronger. People will look down on him. There will be times he'll be overwhelmed. Even threaten. He'll need someone to pick him up when it gets too much. As well as a hash push to make him stronger."

"You act like I don't know that." Enji slashed back harder. "He is my son, and I will never let him fall."

Daichi's smile only grew. It was easy to tell this man deeply cared. "Then your boy has a better start than I had."

AN: I like to start with, this man as no canon name. The original boss of the Shie Hassaikai was just that boss. So, I gave him one. Daichi – meaning big/great as well as wisdom depending on the kanji used. Aikyo – which could mean love and respect or together. Considering the time of character, I'll portray him as I think it fits. Also, it's a personal head canon that this man is quirkless. Mainly to add to Kai's hatred to quirks since he holds his boss on a pedestal.

Now no then welcome Kai. You will be joining the recurring cast. This is a very weird way to introduce him, but this boy is necessary if I every do the U.A sequel. So, I hope you don't mind this pretty awkward first half. Second half will be with the kids.