Prologue
"...and as a recap for those just joining the broadcast, we begin with the press release from Stark Industries that came earlier this week about its newly-established partnership with I-Island. It represents a massive opportunity for both parties, given that both are still trying to recoup their losses from the "Displacement" that happened in the New Year. For Stark Industries, the partnership is clearly the first step in regaining a foothold in the wider Japanese market in the wake of the loss of their Stark-Fujikawa subsidiary. Although I-Island is a separate nation from the "new" Japan, its companies hold a substantial market share of various sectors there, including hero support equipment and consumer electronics.
As for I-Island, although interest in its advanced technologies has come from around the world, the partnership represents the first significant investment by an outside entity. Although no exact details have been given, reports are saying that Stark Industries intends to invest upwards of $3 billion over the next several years in the floating nation's economy, which has been struggling as of late like the rest of the world economy.
Several days later on April 14, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff held a press conference at the Avengers Tower. Representatives from the United States Hero Management Administration (USHMA) were also present, including Senator Boynton, one of the figures behind its creation. There, they made the major announcement that the Avengers were being rebuilt and transformed into the first officially sanctioned hero team in the United States, or anywhere in the world outside of Japan. According to Stark, he intended to reassemble the same roster that participated in the infamous Battle of New York in 2012, including the likes of Thor and the Hulk. Although there was some apprehension over the Hulk's participation, a representative from the USHMA stated that the matter was being dealt with. New members of the Avengers are to be expected as well. At the moment, it seems that Colonel James Rhodes and Sergeant Samuel Wilson of the United States Air Force will be recruited, given their affiliation with two members of the Avengers.
In addition to that, Senator Boynton also announced that the Avengers will be joining a USHMA delegation to Japan, where they will participate in a conference being held by the Japanese Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC) regarding a worldwide adoption of a hero system. It is believed that several prominent Japanese heroes will take part as well, like All Might, Endeavour, and Hawks..."
Toshinori Yagi, AKA All Might, closed the screen of his phone as he thought over the news from the past week. He was at Takoba beach, on break from hero work as he oversaw his successor's to clear it of its vast trash piles. Although it had only been a little over a week since he started the "Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan", Toshinori could already tell that Izuku Midoriya would not fail in preparing his body to take on One for All. He had been putting in the maximum effort, truly taking the "PLUS ULTRA" motto to heart.
'Young Midoriya's determination to become a hero is impressive,' thought Toshinori, as he watched his pupil haul scrap across the beach. Noticing this, Izuku looked his way with a grin, something that brought out a smirk from him in return. 'I know he'll be a great hero.'
Yet, all this effort would be for naught if Toshinori didn't do his part, too. While Izuku was well on his path to becoming a hero one day, he didn't want the young teen to inherit the current chaos that had enveloped Japan and the rest of the world. The "Displacement", the event that brought transported Japan and I-Island to this world in the New Year, had unsurprisingly left behind near-disastrous consequences worldwide that were felt by nearly everyone. The world was recovering from the loss of its Japan, something that had led to a global economic recession, not to mention the geopolitical games being played by countries attempting to take advantage of the situation. Thankfully, on that end, it seemed that things were on track to get better, at least within a few years.
As for Japan, Toshinori believed that they faced even worse effects. On top of the economic recovery and attempting to re-establish itself on the world stage, it also had to deal with a substantial increase in crime. Part of this was because of villains, both minor and major, coming out of the woodwork. But another reason for it was everyday individuals having to resort to crime to survive, like those who had become unemployed because of the "Displacement". He couldn't help but sympathize with them, and even some of the minor villains, because they had been pushed into doing this by circumstances out of their control. Thinking about how some pro-heroes had handled cases involving that type of villain had infuriated him, as they failed to apply any leniency or understanding in their approach.
'I really have to speak to the HPSC about that. It's the least I can do to make sure that these people get the second chance they deserve.' For his part, Toshinori had already used his clout with the police and government to appeal to the courts for clemency for "villains" fitting that category. Fortunately, he wasn't alone in his beliefs, as others like Hawks had publicly voiced their support for it.
But that aside, Toshinori also knew that he couldn't push himself too hard. As much as he wanted to, he knew that his body was straining under the increased hero work that the past few months had brought him. While he would have usually just endured it before, the situation now was different. 'We'll be lucky to get the crime rate back down in a few months, if not longer.'
Toshinori wasn't an idiot. He was aware of the fact that he had pushed his selfless, self-sacrificial mantra a little too far at times, something that had occasionally cost him dearly. His wounds from his fight with All for One were the biggest testament to this; if he had taken the advice of his colleagues and not fought him alone, then there was a good chance that he would still have some of his organs. 'Dear god, I miss eating food,' he thought sadly. But now, having thought over the matter in the wake of his increased workload, he knew that something had to change for both his own and others' sake. After all, he had a pupil now, someone who would more than likely try to emulate him one-for-one. He didn't want Izuku to go down the same path he did; he certainly deserved better.
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone buzzing in his pocket. Pulling it out, he turned on the screen to see a notification that sent a chill down his spine, one big enough for his successor to notice.
"ALL M- MR. YAGI, ARE YOU OKAY!?" yelled Izuku, concern evident in his voice.
Toshinori shook himself out of his trance and did his best to give a (trembling) thumbs up to reassure the young teen. "I AM OKAY, YOUNG MIDORIYA! PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR WORKOUT!" Izuku merely nodded before continuing his task.
The notification in question was an email from his old mentor, Gran Torino. A recluse, Toshinori nevertheless feared the old man, mostly out of the memories he had of his training with him. This was part of the reason why he didn't speak to him as much as he used to, the other being the disagreement the two had over his decision to continue hero work. Taking a deep breath, he pushed those thoughts aside and began to read the email with apprehension.
RE: I need your help
04/15/2015
Dear Toshinori,
I'm glad that you finally wisened up and reached out to me. We both know how much you're wearing yourself thin; I get that you're always trying to embody the whole "Plus Ultra" mantra, but even you need to take more breaks. That's what Nana would've wanted. Hell, she would probably beat you up over it, you idiot.
That said, it's good to see you finally choose a successor. I'd be more than willing to help you train him if only to get you to take a damn break. Plus, we both know that you're a terrible teacher. I mean, seriously? You're making the kid clear Takoba? I swear, it's as if you're trying to make sure that he won't be ready in time for the entrance exam.
Send me the training plan you've got the kid on. I'll look over it tonight, and bring a better one tomorrow when I pass by. Let the kid know about it; he better be ready.
I'll see you then, Toshinori.
Gran Torino
Surprisingly, Toshinori could feel relief taking over him. This was probably the first time that he'd felt that in a while from anything involving Gran. 'Although that's liable to change when he inevitably tries to attack me tomorrow. Damn old-timer,' he mused with a smirk. Between himself and Gran, Izuku would be in good hands. He knew that Gran would probably run the kid through the same training program he had him go through decades ago at U.A. It wouldn't be fun for Izuku, but he'd thank the both of them in the end.
More importantly, however, with Gran now in the picture, he could dedicate more of his time to other pressing commitments and tasks. If Toshinori really wanted to give Izuku a good situation to take over once he becomes a pro, then he'd need help to accomplish that. Thankfully for him, he wasn't alone in that matter. His old sidekick, Mirai Sasaki (AKA Sir Nighteye), had actually reached out to him several days ago with a phone call. It was a surprise to be sure, given how their partnership ended, but a welcome one in his eyes.
Apparently, Mirai had a small breakdown after the "Displacement", which would explain the impromptu break from hero work that Toshinori had heard about. This was caused by the fact that his quirk, Foresight, had given him no warning whatsoever about the event. Up to that point, it was believed that anything shown by his quirk was impossible to change. So, to hear that the "Displacement" not to show up at all in any of them came as a shock to him. But, as he recalled the conversation, Mirai told him something that he would never forget:
"I was wrong, Toshinori," said Mirai, a tinge of regret in his voice. "This whole "Displacement" has thrown everything in a wrench; every other predicted future I'd seen with Foresight before it happened was wrong. So, it's extremely likely that I was wrong about my prediction about you, too."
Silence overtook the call as Toshinori took a moment to understand what Mirai was saying. "I... is this an apology?"
Mirai scoffed before answering. "No. If the Displacement hadn't occurred, my prediction would've been correct. But now that I know that events can be changed, who's to say that we can't change your future?"
"We?" he questioned hesitantly. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Yes, and no. I don't think we should get back into a full-on partnership right now, but I do want to help you with making Japan safe again." He paused for a breath, then continued. "I've been having some of my sidekicks look into the brand new world that we're in. Their research into the matter revealed something rather interesting- it seems that, on a technological level, this Earth is far more advanced than ours despite being two centuries behind chronologically. One of the newest developments is that of human tissue regeneration by a company in South Korea. Apparently, they're also trying to develop an organ cloning process, too."
It didn't take Toshinori long to understand. "So you think that they can help me, then?"
"At the very least, they can help alleviate some of your pain, which we both know will go a long way in helping you with your quirk endurance. That aside, that same company is actually a subsidiary of Stark Industries. With you meeting with the Avengers later this month, I believe that there's an opportunity for you to get help from them."
After that, the two men had agreed to meet on the weekend to come up with a plan for how he could approach Tony Stark about the matter. Toshinori couldn't help but admit that since then, he'd been more than a little excited to see if Stark could help. While he did his best to temper his expectations, he'd been having more cravings for food as of late, perhaps as a result of him dreaming about having an actual stomach again.
As he refocused his attention on watching after Izuku, he felt pride in seeing his successor continue to work hard. 'If he's working this hard, then it's only right for me to do the same.' Although these next few months were going to be difficult, Toshinori was going to commit himself to his work and go beyond. And just like always, he was going to step up to the challenge the same way he always did:
'With a smile.'
Author: Yeah, yeah, I know I've never actually continued with any of the stories I keep posting here. But this idea for a crossover has been on my mind for a while, AND the second chapter is well underway. But, if you've reached this point of the story, thank you for reading and please leave any comments and feedback. Cheers!
And to clarify, this is a story about Japan from My Hero Academia (MHA) being "transported" to the Earth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in place of their Japan.