"Kacchan, where are we?" A small lanky kid asked the person dragging him into an alley.

"An alley." One of the goons helpfully supplied.

"I'm tired of your bullcrap Deku, a quirkless loser like you could never be a hero. Give up." A menacing blonde middle schooler growled, lighting up an explosion on a shorter green haired boy. "I thought my last beating had finally taught you that Deku, but here I find you writing in that fucking notebook again!"

"Th-thats… That's not c-completely accurate Kacchan, I mean you're the smartest guy I know so I'm not saying your wrong, but I was reading up on some early quirk era vigilantes and-" the viridian haired boy got out, before being pushed back into the dirt.

"Shut your useless ass up, I don't give a crap about your damn "research"" He scoffed. Honestly, was this idiot delusional? Even if they were the majority at the time, quirkless losers couldn't keep up with those gifted few. "It doesn't matter what happened in your fantasies, you're just my stepping stone! I'm going to be number one, so go off and die." His lackeys laughed, one bringing his hands up in a sobbing motion to mock the boy's excessive crying. "If you want to be a hero so bad, why don't you go jump off a roof and hope for a quirk in your next life?"

The greenete held back a pained gasp. This was far crueler than anything Kacchan had ever said before, even at his worst. He wanted to think they were still friends, that Kacchan still cared about him underneath all the vitriol, but that crossed the line.

Steeling himself, he glared at his tormentors. Before they could punish him for that 'great injustice' though, someone butted in. Apparently they were making enough noise for someone on the street near the alleyway to notice.

"Number one?" the bullies turned, their leader sneering at the new arrival with disdain. "You think you can reach the number one spot with an attitude like that?!" The newcomer's sharp teeth intimidating the leader's lackeys into keeping out of the spat.

"Yeah, got a problem with that you extra?" The blonde bit back, "I'm going to surpass All Might! I've never lost, and I never will!" He raised his fists. "Wanna go? Because if you keep defending this useless trash, I'll fucking crush you."

Instead of backing down at the threat, the kid smiled and got into a street brawler's stance. "Yeah, it wouldn't be manly at all if I backed down in a fight with a bully like you. Crimson Riot wouldn't stand for people like you abusing your power to hurt others, and neither will I. I'm not a fanboy, but I doubt All Might would support this crap either."

The blond moodily glared at him, but backed down. "Some loser who worships a fucking weakling fossil like Crimson Riot isn't worth my time. Anyone who just 'disappears' isn't a hero. Heroes walk the walk." He turned around. "Let's go to the arcade guys." The three left without another word.

The black haired kid turned himself around, getting out of the position he took to defend the kid those bullies were ganging up on. He held out a hand for him, the boy having been barely over the shock of being rescued.

He held out a hand to him, hoisting the kid up when he nervously took it. "My name is Kirishima, but you can just call me Eijiro!" The boy showed a toothy grin, "Mind telling me yours?"

The meek teen looked up. "I-I-Izuku M-Midoriya" He finally let out with a squeak.

Eijiro laughed at his awkwardness, though not unkindly. "Cool man, let's be friends!"

"So, why did you save me? I mean they wouldn't have gone much farther." Izuku fidgeted. "I hardly have any bruises or burns. Plus…" He paused, "you must have heard that I'm…"

"Quirkless?" Eijiro's blood boiled, the fact that he had been hurt so much due to something so pointless pissed him off. It's not like Izuku could control it. Still, anger wouldn't be helpful to Izuku, so Eijiro reigned it in.

"Yeah…" Izuku quietly said, almost to himself. Like Eijiro was going to leave after realizing what a waste saving him was.

Eijiro swore that if it was the last thing he would do, he would get payback on those bullies, mainly this "Kacchan". That couldn't be his real name, but it would explain the obvious inferiority complex that idiot had. Izuku's confidence was at such a low, and he was so used to abuse that he would consider getting beaten up to the point of bruises and burns as not that big of a dead.

"So what, Midoriya? It's not like that changes much, you're still super manly!" Kirishima yelled out, earning him a scowl from a random passerby. He didn't give a crap though, he needed to support his new bro.

"I can't even stand up for myself." Izuku teared up. "I've always wanted to be a hero, but I don't even know if I can. It's hard to deal with, but not all people are created equal."

"Don't think that man, you'll be a great hero!" Izuku looked up. "Sure, you may need to bulk up, train, and use a bit more support equipment than others, but if you push yourself you can do it!"

Izuku's discouraged expression slowly shifted to inquisitiveness. He muttered at a mile a minute, before smiling at Eijiro in gratitude. "Support items ... That could work."

"I'll be with you every step of the way if you want that. I want to be a hero too. That's why I helped you out actually. Though I'm kind of glad it didn't end in blows." Eijiro frowned, "Last time I tried to stand up to a bully I couldn't, my quirk was too weak to do anything." - He perked up quickly, the frown disappearing. "But that won't stop me! We're both getting into UA. Plus Ultra!"

This turned into a chant, Izuku's excitement coming from hero worship and Eijiro's from his boisterous personality. They got a lot of weird looks as they went down the street to the train station.

"What is your quirk?" Izuku wondered, quickly adding "If you don't mind me asking that is…"

"Of course not Midoriya, my quirk is called hardening. I can harden any and every part of my body for a short time!"

Izuku's eyes lit up. "Thats so cool!" He almost sounded like a different person, only stopping his tirade of analysis and advice about the quirk when Eijiro's train was almost ready to leave.

"Hey, I know we just met, but do you mind if I call you Izuku?" Eijiro asked in a tone a lot more reserved than his previous one. He wanted to let Izuku know that he'd respect his boundaries.

"y... y... Yes. I'd be fine with that. Eijiro-kun."

Eijiro beamed at being called by his first name, even if Izuku was being a bit stiff and formal.

"Bye Izuku, I had a lot of fun today." Eijiro stated, entering his number into a shaking Izuku's phone. "Can't wait for you to meet Mina!" He ran to his train, barely making it inside in time.

Izuku let out a shaky goodbye, honestly baffled about how the day had gone, how someone had believed in him.

Wait. He froze. Was Mina a girl, was his new friend going to introduce him to a GIRL?!

Eijiro Kirishima stretched, his muscles aching with the strain from his workout. He had just finished doing his 10K run after intense weight training and an abb workout. It was so manly! But also pretty tiring...

He had gotten in the habit of working out every evening ever since he met Mina Ashido a few months ago. She was amazing, and hands down the manliest person out there outside of Crimson Riot. So he would be too, he had to at least make sure he was worthy to call himself her friend. His phone beeped, the notification sound being an extremely cheesy "I Am Here!"

He had just met the green fluff ball a couple of days ago and he could already see how obsessed Midoriya was with All Might. If the kid ever met the number one hero, Kirishima wasn't sure even flying away would stop him from asking the pro a million questions. After he had gotten an autograph of course.

*Brozuku is Online*

Brozuku: Um. So about what you said at the train station a couple of days ago?

*Pause*

Brozuku: Oh, sorry! Forgot to say hi first. That was rude.

Brozuku: Sorry.

*ManlyBro2000 Is Online*

Eijiro curled up on the floor laughing. He could basically hear the quirkless dude's stutter over text! How he managed to be so awkward over texts, he would never know.

ManlyBro2000: It's cool.

ManlyBro2000: What about what I said at the train station?

Brozuku: You mentioned. A girl.

Brozuku: Meeting a girl?... It's fine really if you don't want to introduce me to her, I mean I'm not very interesting.

Brozuku: Or cool

Brozuku: Or social

Eijiro cut him off before he could get into a longer self deprecating tangent.

ManlyBro2000: Oh Yeah, I mentioned my friend Mina, Mina Ashido!

ManlyBro2000: I actually wanted to go to the arcade with her tomorrow, wanna hang?

Brozuku: I don't want to impose, or be a third wheel or anything.

Eijiro sighed. While Midoriya's demeanor was fun, super manly, and maybe just a bit cute, it showed just how low his self confidence was. No doubt reinforced by that bully Katsuki Bakugou. Izuku had given him that jerk's name, and was only barely able to stop him from reporting him to the cops for unauthorized quirk use.

ManlyBro2000: Not at all dude, me and Mina are just good friends. You'll fit right in!

Brozuku: If you're sure then I'd be happy to come along. It sounds really fun! I've never gone to the arcade before!

ManlyBro2000: Really? I guess me and Ashido will have to show you the ropes then Midoriya.

ManlyBro2000: Don't worry though, we could go alone next time. Just the two of us.

ManlyBro2000: ;)

Brozuku: Yeah. Sounds good, I'd… like that.

Brozuku: But what's with that winky face?

Brozuku: ?

ManlyBro2000: Wdym? Can't a guy just flirt a little? ;)

Brozuku: I guess so Eijiro-kun.

*Pause*

Brozuku: Wait, WHAT?

Brozuku: ARE YOU HITTING ON ME?

*ManlyBro2000 Went Offline*

Brozuku: I NEED ANSWERS!

Eijiro marched into school that day in a good mood. Normally he didn't exactly like school. It wasn't that he didn't understand the value, but he was an action oriented person, so sitting still wasn't his style. However, he still tried his hardest. He needed good grades if he wanted to get into UA. Today though, he had more to look forward to once the bell rang.

It didn't take long for his mood to drop though. His school was pretty low income, so fights often broke out in the halls while the teachers either didn't bother to do anything or bet on who the winner would be. Real scummy. Not manly. Maybe that was part of what made Eijiro hate schoolwork, but it didn't matter.

By the time the last class had gotten out Eijiro was practically brimming with energy, rushing out the door as fast as he possibly could. Unfortunately, in his haste he had ran into one of his underclassmen. A scrawny kid.

"Watch where you're going you damned idiot!" The kid growled, baring his teeth. "I don't need any meatheads breaking my face mask!" He had a metal fiber cover over his mouth and nose, stretching down to the bottom of his neck. It was clearly medical, making Eijiro wince a bit at his lack of care.

"Sorry man, wasn't paying too much attention! I'm a bit busy so I can't stay but I'll be sure to make it up to you later." Eijiro replied, reaching his hand to help the kid up.

"You can 'make it up to me' by staying the hell away from me!" He spat out, knocking Eijiro's hand to the side. "If my face mask comes off we're both fucked."

"Again, sorry man. Wait, what do you mean by we're both fucked?"

"You really don't have a brain do you moron? It should be obvious." the boy sneered. "My quirk is basically a super powered version of Midnight's. If you set it off we're both screwed since it affects me too.

"My bad," Eijiro had no idea how he was supposed to guess that, "but I really have to go, got a couple of friends to meet up with." Eijiro apologised, rushing off again this time being a bit more aware of his surroundings.

The boy snarled, walking off, muttering obscenities and less than creative insults.

Eijiro shot Midoriya a quick text letting him know what happened and that he would be late. Midoriya was quick to get back to him, letting him know that he and Ashido had already met up and would meet him on the way.

He pocketed his phone, more than happy to just enjoy the warm spring day. Though the thought of the way his underclassman looked at him kept going through his head. Maybe it was just a bad day for him or something? No one should have that much… hate, for someone they didn't even know.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't hear the sounds of a manhole cover being slowly moved to the side and the mushy slinking of sludge coming out. He didn't notice until far too late, his whole body was encased in slime he couldn't do anything. He tried hardening himself, but that didn't really have an effect. There wasn't much he could do with the villain already starting to stick its way down his throat.

Sorry Midoriya, guess I couldn't hang today after all. He thought weakly. Dude, this is so unmanly!

The last thing he saw before blacking out was the form of a blonde giant raising his fist, yelling "DETROIT SMASH!" mostly to himself at this point.

Eijiro woke up, his joints incredibly sore. He couldn't have been out for more than a couple minutes, but it felt like he had run a marathon. Or two.

"Young man, are you alright?"

He jumped at the voice, getting to his feet and jumping up. "ALL MIGHT?"

The hero laughed. "Yes, but it's not me that's important right now. Are you feeling ok? That Sludge Villain seemed to have done quite a number on you before I got here."

"Yeah, I'm good. It's so great to meet you man! It almost beats getting that book with Crimson Riot's autograph at a yard sale. Almost."

All Might chuckled at the boy's plus ultra enthusiasm, with an attitude like that this kid's going to go far in life. "While I would love to talk about old heroes like Riot, I have to take this criminal here to the station! See you my boy!"

With that the number one hero rocketed through the city on his way to the police station. Eijiro was disappointed he didn't have more time to talk to his second favorite hero, but duty calls.

A few minutes later he was almost so distracted, again, by this event that he didn't notice the waves of people rushing past him away from the crowded street. Luckily, someone ran into him and knocked him out of his stupor. What was happening, what made everyone run?

Eijiro rushed onto the street, stopping dead in his tracks as his eyes went wide.

"EIJIRO!" a crying Ashido ran over. "Oh my god oh my god." She was balling her eyes out, "I couldn't grab him in time! My acid wont work either, he's just absorbing it!"

It didn't matter that she didn't explain the situation in full, Eijiro couldn't hear her in the first place. He was too focused on the rampaging slime in front of him and the green eyes at the center, begging for someone, anyone, to save him.

In truth, he froze. For all his bravado, for all the changes he had made to himself, he still the same old coward…

The whispers didn't do anything to help his mood.

Isn't that the one quirkless kid that goes around helping everyone?

Yeah, but it's not like he does too much. Just helps old ladies cross the street and stuff, I think people only keep him around out of pity.

Doesn't he want to be a hero? Poor kid…

Can't even save one kid, I really am useless Nana...

I wish I could save him, but at least It's not that much of a loss.

That last one broke Eijiro, he was sure Izuku heard things like that all the time. What was so horrifying was that it came from Death Arms, an upcoming hero Eijiro thought was at least a bit manly.

That was the final straw.

Before he knew it his hardening was activated across his arms and he was rushing in. The heroes tried to stop him, but he was barreling forward too fast by then. He didn't think, he just rushed forward and uppercutted the villain's exposed eye.

It got Midoriya a few more seconds of air, but the slime quickly regenerated. Eijiro was about to be hit, his reaction time not quick enough to move the hardening to another part of his body. Suddenly a muscular arm reached out and pulled him back, away from the danger.

"Not even doing so much as to save one boy." All Might's voice boomed. "It shames me that I didn't get here sooner. I will rectify this mistake!" His fist reared back. "CAROLINA… SMASH!"

Kirishima looked down, walking home. After he got chewed out by the police for his 'vigilantism' he, Midoriya, and Ashido really weren't in the mood to hang out. They ended up going their separate ways, not before Ashido took Midoriya's phone and forcefully put her number in it.

"Call me if you're ever in danger again!" She exclaimed. The events of the day really got to her. She already knew she would have to keep track of that reckless, brave, selfless green bean. Apparently he had actually gotten taken by the sludge monster after pushing Ashido out of the way.

That didn't stop Eijiro from feeling guilty. If he had been there sooner instead of being distracted over the fact that All Might knew who Crimson Riot was he could've stopped the Sludge Villain from taking either of them. But that didn't happen so there was no point thinking about it more was there? He sighed.

Wind rushed past Eijiro, messing up his carefully spiked black hair even further.

"Crap, what was that?!" He shouted, looking around only to see All Might in front of him, waiting patiently for him to calm down. "What are you doing here?! How'd you get away from the press so quickly."

"A hero always has tricks up his sleeve for dealing with paparazzi! Anyway, young man, what I have seen of you today is the makings of a true hero, your bravery was astounding."

Eijiro blushed at the praise.

"It was clear that your body moved on its own, much like the origins of all great heroes."

Eijiro couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Much like my mentor's predecessor, Crimson Riot, in fact." All Might's eyes sparkled.

Wait, what? So Crimson Riot was All Might's "hero grandpa" basically?

"I deem you worthy to be my successor. You too can become a legendary he-" All Might deflated in a burst of smoke, coughing out blood.

Eijiro couldn't speak, there were no words for how shocked he was.

"Um. So I better explain this too huh?"

If you think you may have seen this story before, you probably did. I wrote and posted a few chapters of this before, but frankly the quality wasn't very good and I decided to delete the story. However, recently I took another look at the base idea I had built up and decided it was good enough to give it another shot. I can't promise this story will be perfect, but I'll be putting in a lot more effort to make sure everything's good.