Is a farm rearing livestock or a lab manufacturing artificial meat, more advanced?

The obvious answer would be the lab, but I believe it to be the farm.

Why?

Because of the animals.

But why are the animals themselves more advanced than the lab?

Isn't the whole point of the lab to replace the need for animals as a source of protein?

But why have animals been a source of protein, since the first species of carnivore naturally surfaced, and yet we as much more advanced species find it so difficult to replicate the process with technology?

Simply put, agriculture is proof that the biochemical ability and efficiency of organic systems exceeds that of current technology.

So just what can we create ourselves, as a more advanced species?

Part 1: A Certain Arrival (Luxury Class)

"Passengers of flight I-16, the gates will close in 15 minutes, proceed to bay 07 fo-"

I'm back.

I walked out of the immigration customs and proceeded to walk toward the pick up area.

It didn't feel right to take such a long vacation, but Mother and Father insisted since they finally had some free time.

I noticed my usual chauffeur already waiting for me at the stands, how timely.

I walked up to the luxury sedan as he greeted me.

"Ojou-sama."

I greeted him in return. "Uten-san."

"May I?" He gestured toward my luggage.

"If you would." I offered him in return.

I took a seat in the car, as he left to pack my luggage into the back.

As he drove off, I pondered about what my training would bring next. More practice with my creations?

It was almost time to take my provisional exam, but I had utmost confidence that I would pass.

I was more apprehensive of how I would do out in the field.

Did I know everything I needed?

What if someone dies because of my incompetence?

Was I truly ready?

Sensing my anxiety, Uten-san spoke up with an offer.

"Ojou-sama, I was told that your lessons would only resume tomorrow. Instead of returning to your residence, perhaps you would spending time around the city."

Exploring the city? I never had the opportunity. Perhaps…

"If you would, Uten-san."

"As you wish. But where to, Ojou-sama?"

Where to, indeed.

I spotted a quaint looking cafe around the corner. Perhaps some refreshments are in order.

"That humble looking establishment around the corner please."

"As you wish, Ojou-sama."

He dropped me off at the foot of the cafe.

"If you require anything, I shall be a call away, Ojou-sama." He spoke through the window.

I nodded. "Thank you, Uten-san. You may take your leave until then."

He nodded, and drove away.

Internally I was quite exuberant. I never had a free day to explore the city before. But first I had to check what beverages this establishment offered, I was slightly parched.

"Welcome!" The employee at the counter greeted. How polite.

I bowed slightly in response, and proceeded to look over their menu.

I noticed they had quite the extensive selection of teas.

English Breakfast Tea

English Lunch Tea

English Dinner Tea

Golden Tips Imperial

But oh! Something else caught my attention.

What on earth was this Mango Cheese Green Tea?

Clearly a tea with all the aforementioned ingredients, but what was it exactly.

It probably sold quite well, if it was still on this establishments menu.

My curiosity overtook me and I selected that peculiar drink from the menu. The employee swiftly prepared and presented it to me with a smile on her face.

"Will you require a carrier?"

I could make my own, but that would be bad for the economy(and the environment if this island hadn't found a way to properly decompose plastics).

"No thank you."

"Thanks for coming, and have a nice day!"

I bowed again in response, and quietly left the cafe.

With my drink in hand I only had to decide for myself what to do with my day.

I decided to take a stroll down the street as I pondered.

How exciting, is this what regular students feel like everyday? I slightly envied them, but I would not pass up the opportunity given to m-

*BUMP*

"OW!"

While I my mind was elsewhere I had bumped into a green eyed boy with sheeplike hair. My newly bought drink splattered on the floor.

"MY DRINK!" I exclaimed in an unladylike manner.

"Uhhh… Ummm…" He looked at me with a look of panic.

"Sorry?"

Part 2: Intimidating Invitation (Threatening Darkeness)

Hours Earlier

A man wearing a white mask, balaclava, yellow overcoat and top-hat with a large white feather, was waiting outside the airport for his target.

He was known throughout the underground as Mr Compress.

But why was a member of the underground waiting at the airport you might ask?

Well, he was hired to capture the Yaoyorozu heir. Who was scheduled to arrive at noon today.

But why was he here so early?

Well, he is a professional after all. He came here to scout the location before his target arrived, as he tactically should.

But why was it a bad idea?

Well, that would have to do with the large shadow trying to attack him at the moment.

"Try as you might! But alas you will fail! Why? Because I, Mr Compress am on the job!" He exuberantly declared as he leaped off another panel on the side of the building.

"Be it so, however…"

Vantablack stretched out his shadow, encompassing the whole of the wall.

"That doesn't deter me in the slightest." He declared. Grabbing Compress with his shadow.

"Gah! Why… you…" He tried to compress the shadow using his quirk to no avail. The shadow just kept regenerating faster than he could use his quirk.

'Damn he must be stronger because of the lack of sunlight! Curse my timely nature!'

"Do not think you have captured me so easily! I'll have you know that I will promptly esca- OOF" And he was knocked out.

Promptly.

Vantablack held the downed villain in his grasp, and called the I.D: S.M.P (Island Defence: Student Management Police-force), who promptly arrived in their usual black and grey attire, to collect the assailant.

"Good grief."

The target hasn't even arrived and yet there had already been three incidents.

This Yaoyorozu Momo had already been proven to be a more troublesome target than Shimura Tenko.

'All I have to do is make sure she is safe until she arrives at her training facility, by any means necessary.'

With the sun continuing to rise, that task may prove to be more arduous than he expected.

'By any means necessary' He recalled.

'Perhaps reinforcements are in order.'

Green Valley Laboratories

"Come on… come on…"

Tap tap tap

"Come on… come on… come on…"

Tap tap tap tap tap

"DAMN IT!"

He won again!?

Tenko put down his controller a cheeky smile plastered on his face.

"Hehe. Sorry Izuku-san."

I couldn't believe it! How was he so good at video games!? I swear he's cheating. He has to be! I mean he just lost his memory a week ago. How did he get this good in a week?

"Sigh."

I put down my controller.

"Fairs, fair. GG man."

"GG." Tenko said appreciating the sentiment.

"So another round?"

"Eh… its almost noon though. I should get going before the stores get crowded."

Right. He still hasn't bought his study material. After playing video games for a week straight, I sorta forgot he still had to go to school.

Not that I was jealous.

Ok, maybe a little.

"Well, better get going then. But tonight… karts?"

Tenko chuckled, "Sure karts. I'll still beat you though."

"Hey! You…'re probably right." I looked down in defeat.

Tenko chuckled again.

"You have enough money though?"

Tenko nodded. "The administration is giving me a bit extra now to compensate for my apartment."

Probably something to keep him quiet, to silence the behaviour of their number 3.

"Well I'm off!"

"Itterasshai!"

The air lock closed with a hiss.

Over the past week Tenko had been surprisingly cheerful contrary to preceding events, its almost like he became a whole different person.

Maybe because he lost his memory? Perhaps this was what Tenko would be without the trauma of killing his whole family? Maybe this was for the bes-

No, don't think that way. That wouldn't be fair to the Tenko that endured all that and still showed me kindness.

You're just giving yourself excuses Izuku.

You're just trying to absolve your own guilt.

You're just trying to cover up for your own failure.

I took a deep breath.

"Sigh."

Well enough moping, time to do som-

"HOLY HELL!"

Vantablack appeared out of thin air in front of me.

Or technically shadows, but that was a lack of something not somet-

"Greetings, Izuku of Green Valley."

"What do you want?" Was he here to check on Tenko or?

"I have a new target assigned, and have come to request for your assistance."

….

"Thats it?"

"Indeed."

"Aren't you gonna give me a bit more than that?"

"It would be unwise to offer more information when you have not yet accepted."

He has a point. "Say I do accept, why me?"

"As I recall from our previous encounter, you are in possession of a unique ability despite being Unranked. It would prove useful as deterrence for the task at hand."

"And why did you think I would just agree to help?"

"Consider it payment for helping to resolve our… previous 'issue'."

"The issue that you started?"

Vantablack's tone changed. "Then would you rather I return Shimura Tenko to the 'Proper authorities'?"

I stiffened.

Bastard was threatening me.

"What exactly is this task?"

"I take it you accept then?"

"Sigh." He clearly isn't going to back down. Besides, if the target was anything like Tenko. I can't let them get hurt, if I could help it.

Especially by me.

"Sure why not? I'm free for the day."

Vantablack nodded, "Very well. I am tasked by the director to escort one, Yaoyorozu Momo. She is the heir to the Yaoyorozu Zaibatsu."

"Rich girl, great." The director? Of I-Island? He must want to make sure he doesn't lose his golden goose.

"However there seem to be a large frequency of villains targeting her. As you know my ability is not optimal during the daytime."

"So you want me to be your backup, incase things go south and you're too weak to handle it?"

"During the day, yes." Did I strike a nerve?

"Alright simple enough, but isn't there someone more qualified to back you up? Like an actual hero?"

"I was informed by the director that no other person should be involved in this matter."

"So you're asking me, like under the table? Wouldn't the director be mad if he found out?"

"Its quite alright you see."

Vantablack turned toward the door, ready to leave.

"Legally, biologically and personally…"

The door hissed open again.

"…you are not considered a person."

"So thats your 'target'?" I noted as the girl exited the car we were tracking.

"Indeed. That is the Yaoyorozu heir." Vantablack replied, leaning beside me on the rooftop.

The Yaoyorozu Zaibatsu I recalled was currently the largest conglomerate in Japan, which consistently reached the top ten in international rankings.

"Big money, huh?

"If you are referring to her famly's wealth, then your assessment is accurate. If you are referring to my payment, then I would like to make a correction."

Vantablack, spoke in a professional tone, "I am merely doing as I am instructed. No more, no less."

"Right…"

"I sense doubt in you voice."

"Your assessment is accurate."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Yo-"

Glare…

"N-nevermind."

Vantablack remained silent.

So did I, but after a while it got too silent.

An veil awkward silence permeated the air between us.

It was starting to get hard to breathe.

Should I crack a joke or something? Whats the social protocol for talking to a living shadow man.

"So… fine weather we're having huh?"

Nailed it.

"It would be wise to focus on the task at hand."

Or not.

"Hey we should get to know each other a little right? I mean aren't we supposed to be partners?"

"When I have I ever insinuated that we are partners?"

"So you're telling me that this is the first and last time, you're gonna blackmail me to help you."

"…"

Gotcha.

"Sigh. Very well then."

"Great! So… umm should I go first or should you…"

"Name: Izuku, Founder of Green Valley Laboratories. Sex: Male. Age: Approximately 12. Hei-"

"OK ok ok I get it. But what about like hobbies, and interests, and whatnot you know?"

"Science, science and science."

"…R-right. Ummm, so… you're turn?"

"…What would you like to know?"

Right. What would I like to know about tall, dark and scary?

"How did you get into the underground in the first place? No one just gets mixed up init without some reason y'know?"

"…I didn't have a choice. You could say I was destined to walk this path of darkness since birth."

Ok? So he's an edgy ass cryptic shadow. So glad I'm getting to know him so well.

"I believe it is 'your turn'?"

"Oh right, right. Ask away!"

Vantablack pondered for awhile.

"Why are you so insistent on helping others? Considering your less than… fortunate circumstances."

"So why I want to help people despite being a U-Rank huh? Well its like you said earlier, I'm not considered human. If I was living anywhere else I'd probably starved to death, assuming I didn't resort to stealing of course. And I wouldn't have gotten the tech I needed to even start my research. But its because I'm on this island that I have all of that at my disposal."

I looked up at the sky.

"You may think its crazy considering everyone treats me like… to be blunt 'a piece of shit'. But there have been people who were kind to me."

Vantablack scoffed. "Is someone like you really capable of receiving kindness? Is there really someone who would be nice to someone like you?"

I nodded. "There are. Not many, but enough."

"Enough for what?"

"Enough to help me carry on. Enough to keep me going every day. Theres the old lady at the hospital, who I wouldn't be alive if she wasn't the only doctor who refused me treatment. Theres the people who helped me develop the algorithm like Kacchan, even though she constantly tries to fight me."

Vantablack looked almost amused under his bandaged face. Almost as if to say 'this dense motherfucker'.

"And theres Tenko-san, who didn't even bat an eye when he found out I was quirkless. So if they can be nice to a quirkless failure like me. Then whats stopping me from being nice to everyone else?"

Vantablack queired "So you believe that being nice to everyone will make them reciprocate their kindness? You do realise not everyone is going to accept you like them, right?"

I shook my head. "Of course not, its only natural of course."

"Only natural?"

I nodded. "Lets say a child was told by their parents, that stealing and cheating are bad, and that people do those things are villains. That the devil with horns was all evil, and the winged angels were the embodiment of good. This would then be reiterated by their teachers and other adults, and enforced by their peers who would have been told the same thing. That child would grow up believing that to be a fact, right?"

Vantablack nodded.

"So if they were also told that heroes were the opposite of that. Symbols of peace, justice and all thats right in the world. Then they would believe that too. But they were also told that you could only be a hero if your quirk was strong enough, that if they didn't train and study hard they would never be able to compete with the rest. No one would want them as their symbol, if they had a weak or useless quirk. So naturally those who didn't have quirks were considered failures from the start, a hopeless case. And its enforced by the fact that many jobs out there have quirk type requirements, even cashiers and other service staff could be more useful with a quirk right? Eventually most companies wouldn't hire you without a quirk, heck most countries wouldn't even grant you citizenship without one. So its only natural to hate someone like me. Especially on the island where quirks are their only resource, to them I'm just a burden feeding of this island."

I took a moment to catch my breath. "Thats why I'm working so hard on that algorithm that defies physics, and if it doesn't work out I'll just have to find another way. The algorithm is the best way, sure, but its not the only way. So I'll just have to help whoever I can, whenever I can. To give others a chance just like this island gave me. To show others kindness just like I've been shown. I may not have wings like the rest of them, but as long as I don't grow horns, theres still a chance to show them compassion. "

Vantablack refuted, "And after all that? What if they still treat you as something lesser? What if they still see you as inhuman filth? A freak."

I broke into a grin, "If I'm gonna be seen as a freak anyway, then I might as well be a kind freak, eh? Much better than a hateful devil, don't you think?"

"What if being the devil would make you happier? What if using that magic to trample on those who drove you down to hell, wouldn't that make you more powerful than those quirkist bastards? Wouldn't that prove their definition of power wrong?"

"Whats the point? An eye for an eye and the world goes blind, a quirk for a quirk and I'm still quirkless. I would become worse than a burden to them, hows that going to make me happy? Thats just going to make them hate me more. That wouldn't change the fact that I'm a freak."

"Aren't those the people who deemed you a freak in the first place?"

"Yes and no. I was born this way, but societal standards deemed me a freak. I may not be able to be human to them, but that doesn't mean that I should treat them the same way."

"With your magic you could potentially surpass them, surpass quirks, write your own definition of humanity."

"All that just to be like them? Be better than them? To be viewed as a god? Thats not going to work out, many greater men have tried and failed, deservedly so. I'm just going to stick to helping them."

"So you would try to 'appeal to their humanity' as they say."

I shrugged, "Guess so."

"That would be arrogant."

I raised an eyebrow, "Of me?"

"Of them." He rebutted.

"Why's that?"

"The phrase 'appeal to ones humanity' don't you think that is one of humanities greatest displays of arrogance?"

"How so?"

"Its very premise is that to be human is to be kind and compassionate. That is quite the contrary to what I've observed."

"So you're saying that it would just be like begging them to accept me out of the kindness of their hearts?"

"It can be interpreted that way."

"But what about them?"

"About who?"

"The people who were kind to a freak like me. I didn't beg or offer them anything of value, they just helped me."

"So you're saying that a few outliers can define the good of humanity as a whole."

"I'm saying humanity has a chance."

"To do what? Be fair? Do not be naive, Izuku of Green Valley. Life isn't fair, and neither are people."

"But aren't they the only ones capable of being fair."

"So? Isn't that ironic? The only ones capable of being fair and just, are the greatest offenders of inequality."

"They are, but that doesn't that make that kindness even more special?"

…

After I said that Vantablack, stood there silent. As if he was contemplating.

"Hello? Earth to Van-kun?"

My question startled him. "What did you call me?"

"Van-kun. Vantablack ( ベンタブラック) just seems to long you know?"

"It would be wise to keep things professional, Izuku of Green Valley (緑谷の出久)."

"Come on! Just call me Izuku. What if there was some emergency and we needed to call each other quickly?"

"Then we wou-" Van-kun jolted. What happened? A real emergency?

"THE TARGET! We lost visual!"

I looked back at the cafe across the street and sure enough, the ojou-sama has left the compound.

"Shit, shit, SHIT! What now!?"

"Argh! This is your fault you nimrod! Scour the area! The target couldn't have gone far!"

"R-right" We split up to look for the missing target.

Van-kun turned shadow and zipped down the building, while I had to rush down the stairs.

Five flights of them.

I exited the building and quickly ran off in the opposite direction.

By my calculations, within that time frame and the weight of the bag she was carrying, the speed she was moving would have not covered a very large distance from th-

*BUMP*

"OW!"

I ran into someone after that turn.

I got up from the ground, and to my surprise there she was in front of me.

Yaoyorozu Momo.

I somehow managed to run into her, when we were traveling in the same direction.

What luck.

Wait.

What the fuck was I supposed to do? Is my position compromised?

"MY DRINK!"

I looked at the spilled remains of her drink on the ground.

Crap. Come on Izuku! Say something!

"Uhhh… Ummm… Sorry?" Fucking great. 10/10 man. No wonder I'm called the legendary failure.

"WHY YOU-y-you… Ruffian!"

Ruffian? Who calls anyone that anymore? Must be a sheltered ojou-sama thing.

"L-look I'm really sorry about your drink ok? I-in fact why don't I go buy you a ne-"

Wait.

I tapped my pockets, and lo and behold, they were empty.

Fuck.

"Umm…"

She glared at me, waiting expectantly for my answer. "Well?"

"I-it seems I don't have the… necessary funds to compensate for your drink… hehehehe." I chuckled awkwardly.

She scoffed at me with an unamused expression, "What did I expect from a scruffy looking, sheepherder like you?"

Scruffy looking? Excuse you princess.

"Well then I suppose if you can't repay me by financial means, you have to repay me with your services." She held out her bag.

"You may be my carrier boy for the day."

I was about to protest when I realised.

Wait this actually works! It'll be way easier to protect her like this!

I gave a resounding fake sigh, "Sigh. Sure why not?"

She gave a look that almost seemed proud. "Excellent! Now I do not wish to waste anymore of my precious time. Come along now."

"To where, exactly?"

She turned and glared at me. "Wherever I wish."

She haughtily turned back, and carried on her merry way.

"Sigh."

Why do I feel like I just made a huge mistake?

"Hmm…"

From a distance away, a large shadow man watched the scene unfold.

"Perhaps he is more useful than I originally assumed." He pondered.

Between the Lines 1:

Name: Izuku

Quirk: NA, (Unranked)

Age: 12

Note: Possesses a unique ability unrelated to quirks. This ability and quirk abilities seem to have conflicting laws, making the him immune to quirk related phenomena. This possibly lowers his rank to lower than U.(Subject to change, more thorough investigation required.)

Part 3: Daily Life for the Miss (The Same Usual Every Day)

Drat! All because of that stupid shadow!

He took every precaution. Even came a few hours early. If he were a hero he would have been commended for such efforts! But alas.

He was currently being carried away in an armoured vehicle, the I.D S.M.P escorts by his side. However…

Every magician has to leave the stage sometime.

Of course his hands were cuffed together and he couldn't use his ability.

But his ability had two facets. To compress something into a tiny marble.

And to decompress those marbles.

He slowly slipped out the marble he kept hidden in his mouth, thankfully those guard dogs had the decency to remove his mask beforehand.

*Slink*

*CRASH*

A large block of concrete expanded from the marble breaking through the vehicle, causing it to halt in its tracks.

Now time to make my grand escape.

"Kzzt." The encrypted voices of the guards buzzed throughout the wrecked remains of the car.

I kicked my confiscated headwear, causing the marbles planted in it to expand.

*BOOM*

The truck was completely covered in smoke and debris. In the midst of that chaos I ran.

Ah yes, another daring escape for Mr-

*Bump*

I looked up at the obstacle, who was a man wearing a plague mask under a hood.

"A-ah, Kurono-san. Q-quite nice to see you."

"Keep still and be silent."

"Please I need another chance I-"

What.

I can't move.

Whats going on!?

"I said…" I noticed a long stretch of grey… hair? Touching my thigh.

"Keep still."

So far so good?

The ojou I was currently 'serving' was window shopping?

I thought ojou-samas would buy everything in sight. In a 'Kya! Thats so cute! Only 5000000 yen? Hehehe. I'll just use daddy's card!' sort of way.

But Yaoyorozu Momo wasn't like that.

She was surprisingly tame for a spoiled, rich girl. Sure she still had that 'I was raised for great things' sort of feel, but she didn't lash out for petty stuff, she didn't get all judgy with 'commoner things'. (She actually seemed intrigued)

She was just like any other girl.

Maybe it was my ojou-sama expectations clouding me, I dont really know.

*Fwish*

Something went in my pocket. I dug around and found an earbud.

Must be Van-kun's doing.

I put the earbud in my ear, and listened.

"Do you read me, Izuku of Green Valley?"

"Dude just call me Izuku."

"Affirmative then."

"Sigh." This guy won't lighten up.

Heh, lighten up.

"So what now?"

"I assume you were intelligent enough to understand."

"So… maintain position?"

"Affirmative, I was surprised you managed to move in to this position. But a pleasant surprise nonetheless."

"Great… glad to be of service."

"Affirmative."

"Did you just?"

"I will be in the vicinity, do contact me if you require assistance." And with that the comms went silent.

That blac-

Wait thats gonna come out wrong.

That shadow faced bastard!

Sigh.

Guess I'll 'maintain position' then.

"Excuse me. Umm…" The ojou called out to me.

"You didn't get my name."

"R-right, I apo- Wait! Why am I apologising to the ruffian who spilled my mango cheese green tea!" Thats what that was? Ew. Maybe I actually did her a favour.

Wait does she know about me? I mean, I'm more infamous than famous, but lets hope the sheltered ojou is really sheltered.

"Call me Izuku."

"R-right Izuku-san." So far so good.

"Umm… may I inquire what that is?" She pointed towards the MaX machine.

"Oh thats a fast food machine."

"Oh! I have heard of these. They make those round sandwiches with thinly cut wedges, don't they!?"

So this is an ojou view of fast food huh?

"You mean burgers and fries?"

She blushed. "T-thats right! Burgers and fries!"

She turned back to the vending machine with a look of intrigue.

"Do you…"

She quickly turned. "Uhhh… I-I suppose so! What do you recommend Izuku-san?"

"I don't know? Just try the cheeseburger I guess?"

"Oh they have variants in cheese? How splendid! I will heed your recommendation."

She then proceeded to buy 10 of them.

Nanda?

"OOF!"

Compress was tossed in front of him.

"C-chisaki-san, haha so nice to see you."

The man wearing a plague mask and surgical gloves looked down at the failed mercenary as if he was an ant.

"I assume you know the price?"

"C-chisaki-san p-please, I implore you to reconsider."

"What is there to reconsider? You knew the terms. You failed to deliver. Simple as that." Chisaki said as a matter of fact, while taking off his gloves.

"B-but, it wasn't my fault! I was just being cautious. Its all because of that shadow that I-"

*SPLAT*

"ARRRGGGRHHHHH!" Compress cried after his arm was blown off by Chisaki's quirk.

Kai rubbed his hands with sanitiser before putting his gloves. "I assure you, the next time you fail me…" He turned to look at Compress who was bleeding out on the ground, clutching his stump.

"It will be your head."

'Shadow… so Vantablack that hawk is protecting her.'

He turned back to his right hand man.

"Kurono, send out the next hit. Tell them to prepare counter measures to deal with the shadow, and make sure they know the… consequences."

Kurono bowed, "It will be done, Chisaki-oyabun."

Jesus this girl can eat.

I watched as the rich girl gobbled down another Big MaX.

What was that 5 now? We just barely sat down.

*Nom Nom Noises*

She put down another empty wrapper.

"I must applaud you for your recommendation Izuku-san."

I must applaud you for your appetite. "Its no biggie, you seem to enjoy it."

"Ah!" She realised she just downed 5 cheeseburgers in a minute, and blushed.

"I-Y-yes! Q-quite so! You see my quirk requires me to eat quite the quantity of calories, in order for me to create something. S-so when something is as t-tantalising as this I-I…"

"I get it! Cheeseburgers taste good right?"

She furiously nodded.

"So…" Fuck what now? Think brain!

"So your quirk allows you to create stuff?"

"A-ah y-yes my quirk 'Ex Nihilio' allows me to rearrange the subatomic composition of my body to create objects. So I require quite a bit of… fuel for my quirk to work." She sounded pretty nervous. Was this ojou that shy?

"Dang. Thats pretty useful, you could create anything you need." An ability like that has to be S-Rank or higher.

"So I'm guessing you're training to be a hero then?"

"Indeed. I have been training my whole life to be one." She brightened up a bit.

"Your whole life huh? You never thought of doing anything else? I mean you're clearly quite well off, so your parents probably gave you a few more options than that."

Momo shook her head, "I did not. My parents were very proud of me for my choice, and I intend to follow it through."

"But are you?"

She looked confused, "I beg your pardon?"

"Your parents are happy sure, but are you?"

"W-why of course I am! There is no greater honour in this world than to be a hero! A symbol of order and justice!"

"So that makes you happy? To be a symbol of justice? I mean not to undermine your life but couldn't you achieve that as a lawyer or a politician?"

"W-why of course bu-"

"Sure a hero is one of, if not the most prestigious jobs in the world, but it can get pretty dangerous, maybe even life threatening. You'll need to be a little crazy to be able stand up to that kind of danger everyday, just to simply survive in that industry."

"And you think I don't have what it takes? You don't think I can survive let alone succeed?"

"I'm just saying, being on the streets taught me a lot about dangerous people and you don't seem like the kind, no offence. So does being a hero make you happy or does meeting your parents expectations make you happy?"

"I-I…" She stuttered in a state of shock.

"Sorry if I went too far."

"N-no what you said was… valid. I never thought about it that way…"

"Well, maybe you should. Its your future after all, not your parents."

"B-but, have you ever thought of being a hero Izuku-san?"

"Well… it was one of my options, since their main job would be helping others, but…"

"But?"

"Its not a feasible option for me, no matter how you cut it. Even if I tried my hardest and succeeded, the cost would be too great."

"What cost?"

"The opportunity cost."

"What greater opportunity would there be than being a hero? To receive the prestige of being one of humanities saviours, to be the greatest driving force of good."

"But all that effort just to build the foundation, it wouldn't be feasible for someone like me. Those resources, that energy used to climb up the ranks, I could be doing much more for others if I wasn't chasing such an idealistic goal. It may not be the best option, but its a much more practical alternative."

"Even if you regret not trying, much later in life?"

"Whats there to regret? After all, I would have helped more people than I would if I wasted my time becoming a hero."

Silence soon permeated the air.

"Here." She held out a cheeseburger. "It would be rude of me to nourish myself while you merely watch."

"What? No its fine."

"I must insist, you look famished."

"I'll get some lunch later."

"Why later when I'm offering you food now?"

"L-Look I already feel bad about your drink ok? I don't need to owe you another."

Momo had a deliberating look to her. "Fine then." She placed the cheeseburger in my hands.

"Your debt is paid."

"What? No way."

"You have provided more than sufficient service. That cheeseburger is a… tip if you will."

"Umm, ok?" Was she mad and wanted me to leave? Or was she actually grateful? I can never tell with ojous.

"Excellent." She went back to feasting on her greasy meal.

I unwrapped it and dug in myself. "Huh. Taste better than I thought it would."

"Hmm? Is this your first time trying a burger as well Izuku-san?" She looked bewilderedly

"Actually yeah."

"How odd. With your prior knowledge of them I could only assume you sampled one before."

"I mean, I don't have any money y'know? If I did I would have just paid you back for your drink."

"Oh… I apologise."

"Why? You didn't make me poor."

"Its just… wait a minute, don't all students receive an allowance as part of their programs?"

"Yeah they do, but I'm not a student. Or a hero cadet."

"So you truly are a ruffian."

I chuckled. "Yeah kinda."

Momo pondered a moment, "But won't your parents worry? Why aren't they sending you money?"

"Well… pretty hard when I never met them."

"Oh… I apologise once again, Izuku-san."

"Nah its fine, its just my life, nothin to work yourself up over."

"I see…"

She suddenly jolted. "Excuse me Izuku-san, have I been addressing you by your first name?"

"Uhh, yeah?"

She blushed, "I see… " Whats the big deal with her?

"…I called a boy by his first name." She muttered.

"Whats that?"

"AH!" She startled. "I-I-Its n-nothing Izuku-san. Uhh… umm… So how did you get to the island if you weren't sent as a student?"

She changed the topic! "I don't know actually, I've been here all my life."

"So you were born here?"

I shrugged, "Can't tell, I have amnesia."

"So… how long have you been here?"

"As long as I can remember, so about 9 years? Close to 10? At least from my memory."

"10 Years!? How on earth did you survive that long by yourself? Where do you live? What did you eat?"

"Well, I live in my lab which I scrapped and built up for years. And I discovered a way to restore food by 'reverse decaying' it. Basically I restore the primary structure of the proteins."

"What!? Thats incredible!"

"Eh, nothing compared to what this city discovered. I mean just look at the top 10. They can do things I can't even hope to achieve. Besides it took me a whole year to discover."

Momo had a thoughtful look to her, "Izuku-san I assure you that none of the top 10 could have done something as amazing as this."

"You don't know that, I met the number 3 and she can do some pretty amazing things. Plus they say the number 1 already surpassed X Rank, thats even higher than All Might! Nothing I made would even come close. Heck you have a pretty great quirk too, you're way more amazing than I am!"

Momo blushed again, "S-surely you're exaggerating."

"I'm serious! I can make chicken fresh again sure, but you can make anything! You're gonna be an incredible hero. Do way more than I ever could. To an Nth degree!"

"I-I-I-" Shit, did I break her?

"Umm, enough about that alright? L-lets.. Talk about you!"

"M-me!? W-whats there to t-talk about?"

"Well lets see… what do you do for fun? Like what do you do in your free time as a hero cadet?'

"Well, I don't have much free time, but I enjoy reading classical literature."

"Oh really? What books?"

"Lets see, any of Toriyama-sensei's works were quite enjoyable. Oda-sensei's was as well, even if his work was quite… 'long form'. Oh! But Kamachi-sensei's works are my favourite! But I haven't had the time to read much recently."

"Really? Has training been keeping you up?"

She shook her head, "Nothing I couldn't handle, and its not like I've been over worked. In fact I just returned from a short sabbatical to meet my parents back home."

"Your parents? Oh right Yaoyorozu! You're the heir Yaoyorozu Zaibatsu aren't you?" That should cover me a little.

"Ah! Y-yes indeed I am." She looked nervously.

"Hey I'm not judging or anything."

"I was afraid you would resent my upbringing given your… financial situation."

"Nah, its fine. People are born into rich families, people are born into poor families, and some don't even have families. Whats important is the choices you make with the hand you've been dealt, and you decided to use that to help others."

"I-indeed… I thank you Izuku-san."

"No probs, but I am baffled that your parents would leave you without a bodyguard or something. I mean, no offence but I always thought rich parents would be a little… whats the word? Overbearing, I guess?"

"None taken, Izuku-san, I actually insisted on returning unguarded. I am to be a hero after all, and about to receive my provisional licence. It would be essential for me to learn to defend myself."

I… probably shouldn't mention I'm technically her bodyguard then. Or the lurking shadow man.

Momo reached out for another burger, but found herself grasping nothing but empty wrappers.

"Goodness me, have I finished them all?"

I looked at the half-eaten burger in my hand. "Well all except this one."

She gave a deliberating look, "Well how about I go fetch us some more food."

Wait, she still has room for more? Wait, did she say us?

"Ah… you don't need to get me anything."

"But I must insist. From what you have informed me, you don't have any fresh food to eat!"

"Thats not true. The food I restore is fresher than what you find in restaurants!"

"But it came out of that restaurants waste."

"No it didn't, its grocery waste which is much cleaner."

"That doesn't reassure me in the slightest! Please Izuku-san, do it as a favour to me?"

She gave me the 'please Izuku' eyes. "Sure but only if we can share it." I replied with a smile.

Momo blushed again, "T-that would be acceptable." She replied as we stood up to purchase more food.

Come to think of it Kacchan blushes a lot too. Maybe its a girl thing, I don't know.

This was insufferable.

Vantablack noted as he watched the pair leave.

This, 'lovey dovey' aura as they say is far too potent for my liking. I am intrigued how Izuku of Green Valley manages to attract all these high profile females.

He checked his device.

Its about noon, hopefully he can keep this up until-

*BZZT*

His earbud suddenly shrieked out of nowhere.

"Gah! Do not meddle with the communication device Izuku of Green Valley!"

"Ara? So is that who you chose to accompany you Kuro-Kun? (黒君)"

He stiffened.

Instead of the voice of the quirkless U-Rank accompanying him he'd expected, a calm yet artificial sounding voice came through.

"I-indeed director."

The voice chuckled unnaturally. "Do not worry my dear assistant, you were indeed correct in your judgement to bring the boy along. However I find it quite the amusing gesture, do you intend to take the child under your wing?"

Was he? Absolutely not. The boy was merely another tool at his disposal. A means to an end. "I'm afraid not director, this child would not be suited to the underground."

"Neither were you I recall. You were such a cute little hatchling then."

The shadowy man felt a chill when the artificial voice described him as cute. To him it felt quite perverse. "I had no other path than the one laid before me, you understand that."

"Indeed. Thats why I understand the boy is in a similar predicament is he not? Damned from birth, unable to be accepted by this world, the only difference I see is that he actually is able to accept his shortcomings and move on in spite- no, utilise them to push him forward."

"Do you mean…"

"Ara. Yes indeed, his magic born from science is rather interesting don't you think? Something we are unable to comprehend, yet that just makes it all the more intriguing."

"I-indeed, this dark magic of his is quite peculiar."

"Hmm, also you should watch your step."

'Watch my what-'

A small object then rolled under his trench coat.

"GAH! What on earth!?"

A bright light suddenly manifested out of nowhere

*FLASH*

"FU-

*Bzzt Bzzt*

The earbud suddenly buzzed.

I answered it, keeping an eye on Momo while I was at it.

"Van-kun, whats going on?"

"I am currently under attack Izuku! I'm afraid you will have to protect the target unassisted for now."

"What!? Do you need back up!?"

"Negative! Stay with the target! Protect her at all costs! Do you und-"

*CRASH*

"I'M GONNA CRUSH YOU!" In an instant a blob of pink flesh arrived next to us. Crashing into the vending machine we were about to use, and smashed right through the building it was against.

"HAHAHAHAHA! NOW SHOW ME YOUR BLOOD!"

Crapsicles.

Between the Lines 2:

Name: Yaoyorozu Momo

Quirk: Ex Nihilio

Age: 12

Note: She can rearrange the subatomic composition of her body to create various forms of matter. After improvements this is no longer limited to her lipids and fat stores. However it becomes poorly defined what comprises her body, for example she could drink a litre of water and that could be considered part of her body, therefore she can manipulate the composition of the water as well. But items such as clothing or accessories are not qualified. Furthermore objects inserted into her such as needles are not considered as well.

Part 4: Sacrifice of Heroic Nature (The Devil Grows Horns to Save an Angel)

Do people praise bravery, for people who would conquer the fear that is so treacherous?

Or do they simply push those people to do what they ought to, yet can't find themselves to do?

The monster with exposed muscles was cackling uncontrollably. Luckily for me, that gave me time to push the ojou out of the way.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" The mass of flesh threw a punch.

With Momo out of the way I sidestepped the large incoming fist. I grabbed onto his arm, disintegrating his grossly engorged muscles.

"What the?"

Using his confusion to my advantage, I socked the muscular man as hard as I could.

"GAH!" He staggered back.

"Quick! Yaoyorozu! RUN!" It was no use, the ojou was currently having a panic attack on the ground.

Shit! I'll need to get him away from here.

"HAHAHAHAHA! NOT BAD KID!"

Fucks sake.

The muscle blob inched closer, looking eager for a fight.

"You actually managed to destroy my muscles! Gave me quite the mean right hook too! You'll be way more interesting than this brat."

So a battle maniac, great. But at least I'll be able to lure him away.

"Yeah! You want me? Come get me you big pink loser!" That'll getim.

*WHOOSH*

Shit!

*CRASH*

I barely dodged that! Guess that bulk doesn't slow him down much.

Wait no. Its because of that bulk that he's that fast.

*CRASH*

I dodged the hulking man again.

He uses his quirk to enhance his muscles, so the forward force applied is multiplied over. However...

The next time he charged, I sidestepped and bashed him, penetrating through his muscles and landing a solid hit through his side.

"GAH!"

Thats right, momentum is mass times velocity. So with a greater force, a larger object would stay in that state of motion more stubbornly. With a larger momentum its way harder for him to change directions.

"HAHAHAHAHA! YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Is he glad or mad, I can't tell.

*SMASH*

The ground below me exploded.

Shit. He's both.

While I was immobile the massive man charged forward.

"GYAH!"

"YOU THINK YOU REALLY GOT ME THAT EASILY PUNK!?"

He knocked me into the building over.

Fuck that hurt.

"You think I'm gonna go down like some Spanish bull? Fuck you I'm fucking Muscular, I killed Pro-Heroes twice your age and ten times your power." He readied up his arm for another blow.

"Don't think just cause you got a few lucky shots, THAT YOU STAND A CHANCE AGAINST ME BRAT!"

I ducked and swerved between the mans legs, using my smaller size to my advantage.

I can't afford to get hit by another one of those.

While humans have evolved over the centuries especially with the advent of quirks, growing stronger to support superpowers, I didn't have any of those benefits.

I was the same as a tiny pre 22nd century 12 year old, with a weird non-physical ability.

Put it simply, I was screwed.

I escaped from the scene, making sure to run in the opposite direction from Momo.

But I couldn't stop now, not when Momo's life was at risk.

I spotted a group of sidekicks and called them for help.

But upon seeing the kiniku monster behind me they just turned and fled.

So much for superior hero education.

*Bzzt*

"Whats your status Izuku?"

"We got attacked! I'm diverting the muscle man away from the ojou! Seems he just wants to get a good fight."

"Muscle man? Do you mean to say The Carnal Murderer, Muscular is in pursuit of you!?"

"So thats really his name? Talk about creative, and hey you're just calling me Izuku!"

"This is no time for jokes Izuku! You need to neutralise the threat."

"Neutralise? How- wait you don't mean?"

"You have to kill him."

"Fuck no! I'm not going to kill him! Besides, I don't have that kind of power!"

"He's an uncontrollable force, if you do not neutralise him as quickly as possible it might cause casualties."

"That still doesn't make it any better or possible!"

"Your ability is not suited for capture, nor does it have any offensive potential. However it can bypass his quirks defences, allowing you to target his vital organs."

"If thats so then help me then!"

"Negative, I'm currently- GAH -o-occupied at the moment."

Crapsicles.

"There has to be another way!"

"Listen to me Izuku, I understand you might be naive due to the way the island spreads its hero propaganda. But if you don't kill him more people will die, innocent people. Do you want to be the one to tell their loved ones how you failed to protect them because of your cowardice?"

"Bu-"

"You said you wanted to help others So I implore you to protect these people, to protect that girl, you must take matters into your own hands. You may grow horns but you can still use that ability to protect. Be a kind devil that shields the angels."

"…I'll find a way." I declared.

A sigh was heard through the other end, "Suit yourself."

With that the call was cut.

*BOOM*

The monster was catching up.

I tried changing my route as much as possible, going in every direction to hinder his movement.

Thankfully I was already used to being chased by powerful opponents. If I couldn't beat him, I'll just have to stall him until a hero that can shows up.

*SMASH*

"QUIT RUNNING!"

Unfortunately I seem to have run out of time.

That smash tossed me into another building, I could feel my bones fracture even more.

"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!"

Fuck, I think my arms dislocated too. Looks like the probability of killing Muscular just reached zero.

"STOP THERE VILLAIN!"

Help arrived in the form of two heroes wearing identical scuba masks and lifejackets.

"You will slowly back away from the boy understand? Then y-"

*SQUISH*

The hero was instantly flattened by Muscular.

"HONEY-"

*SPLAT*

The other one was crushed against the wall, swatted away as if she was a fly.

"Tch, damn heroes. Always preaching about justice, but never have what it takes."

They were dead, their bloody entrails were spilled across the street.

All because I couldn't work up the nerve.

"Look kid are ya done? I thought you were tough, and your quirk seemed interesting. But if thats all you got then I'm just gonna grab the girl and my pay check alright?"

No.

No time to be dwelling on mistakes.

If I don't stop him, Momo's going to die.

I'll do whatever it takes.

I'll become the devil if it means saving her world.

I got back up and rushed him.

"HAH! THATS THE SPIRIT KID!"

I dodged strike after strike. I didn't have much info on how he fights, but I've been fighting my whole life. People who thought hurting the quirkless failure would be fun, I used that past experience to my advantage. I analysed the brutes movements, calculated similar measures based on that data.

Another dodge, another strike. I tried my damnedest to hold my own, like every other time I was fighting without a quirk.

But who said quirks were the only power in the world?

*SMASH*

Muscular smashed the ground, fragments flying everywhere. I took the opportunity and leapt onto the attacking arm, latching onto the monster.

"Wah!? Let GO KID!"

I struggled to stay on, my dislocated arm threatening to fall apart any moment. But I held on, and reached out for the mans neck.

"FINE! LETS GO FOR A RIDE THEN!"

The monster blasted off, crashing into anything in his way. My grip was slipping more and more by the millisecond. I reached out with my dislocated arm and grabbed his neck, muscles disintegrating upon my touch.

He must have felt something wrong, because he started trashing even wilder.

I inched closer and closer, but the momentum grew too great. If I let go of my hands at that moment I would be paste.

So I bit him.

As hard as I could into his neck.

"GAAAAAHHH!"

Muscular went sporadic, smashing his body into buildings, trying to squash me like a roach.

With a huge jerk, I was finally flung off. Thankfully my teeth were still intact, but the metallic taste lingered and my jaw felt like it got hit by a wooden bat.

"YOUUU! YOuuUUrRRR DEEEeeAAAAdDDD!"

Fuck. He's losing a lot blood, but I must not have bit through his jugular.

I started to crawl away in panic.

He manages another punch but weakened from the blood loss, I managed to dodge it in my injured state.

"I'MM GOONNAA CRUUUuuss-"

*THUD*

Muscular collapsed onto the ground, blood seeping from his body.

A minute passed.

Then 5.

After 10, it was certain.

The beast was slain.

I… killed a man.

What…

What have I-

Wait this isn't even the first time wasn't it?

Besides the 2 heroes that I let die, there was still Stain.

But I was in a state of death myself, so it didn't really sink in.

But this time I…

I…

"So you succeeded Izuku of Green Valley."

Vantablack showed up behind me, a man wearing a gas mask slung across his shoulder.

I didn't know how long I was lying there, but I didn't have the spirit to get up.

"Y-yeah, I-I-"

"I understand the first kill is usually quite jarring but I need you to focus on the task at hand."

Task at hand? I just killed a fucking guy wha-

"Where is Yaoyorozu Momo?"

…

Fuck.

"I-I don't know, I left her back where we were. I-I had to lead Muscular away fro-"

Wait.

Was I trying to lead Muscular away?

Or was someone trying to lead us away from her?

Despite my pain, I jolted up. "We have to go NOW!"

I ran as fast as my broken body could, but…

She was nowhere to be found.

"DAMMIT!" I yelled in frustration, most of it at my own incompetence.

While its possible that she could have been brought to safety by some authorities, considering what happened with those sidekicks I find that highly unlikely.

After all that…

Did I just let those heroes die for nothing?

Did I take a life for nothing?

Did I just seal Momo's fate?

"I take partial blame for this Izuku of Green Valley. I did not expect to be overwhelmed to this extent, the yakuza must be desperate if they pooled together so many resources to capture that girl."

"Wait what did you say!? The yakuza? They were the ones behind this!?"

The shadow nodded, "Indeed, I managed to extract some information out of my assailant, before I knocked him out." Gesturing to the man he was carrying.

"I also managed to obtain the location of their hideout from the underground network. If we hurry we might be able to retrieve her."

Thats all I needed to hear.

"Well what are you waiting for? Lets go!"

We rushed off as fast as we could.

I wasn't going to fail her again.

Between the Lines 3:

Name: Chisaki Kai

Quirk: Overhaul

Age: 18

Note: He rejected the hero development program in his youth, calling hero society a sham. Eventually he was adopted by the head of a yakuza group and departed from the island. There however have been reports that his group the Shie Hassaikai, have arrived on the island a few months ago raising concerns. A more thorough investigation will be required.

Part 5: Destructive Creation (God Made the Devil)

If simple inorganic molecules created cells, the basic building blocks of life.

What was man, the most complex form of life going to become?

And just what was it meant to create?

Momo was afraid.

After that monster left chasing after Izuku, all she could do was sit there trembling in fear.

She was terrified, she never had an encounter like that before.

But then…

Was Izuku right about her?

Did she not have what it took to be a hero?

But what about all that training? All those hours of study and practice?

Did they mean nothing?

Was she going to freeze up like that after she got her licence?

No, she practiced for years, scenario after scenario. What exactly was the difference now?

Was it the horrifying villain?

No, she had faced worse in her examinations.

Was it being outside on the streets?

No, she had been tested on similar grounds.

Or was it because it wasn't a test or examination? That it wasn't a controlled environment? That she didn't have the reassurance of her instructors and safety staff?

If this didn't happen today then when would it happen?

After she got her licence?

After she faced a real villain?

After she let someone die, because she was too scared to move?

She couldn't move.

Was it the fear?

Was it her anxiety?

Or was it the grey haired man in a plague mask carrying her off to god knows where.

The outside of the compound looked like a block of common office buildings. Izuku and Vantablack arrived on the outside, which looked like any typical garden.

But this place was anything but typical.

At their peak of power in the mid 20th century, and their short but sudden rise to power in the late 22rd century. The yakuza typically hid in plain sight, some were considered to be necessary due to the unremarkable nature of law enforcement during those times.

But that all changed.

Quirks took the spotlight, a concept that shook the world. This new phenomenon sparked the new occupation called superheroes. Suddenly fantasy became fact, and the yakuza became redundant.

But there were still outliers.

Chisaki Kai, the young boss of the Shie Hassaikai. A gang composed of the lingering dregs of the once great flame known as the yakuza. After the last boss retired to keep his family away from the underground, Kai took over as the de facto leader of the gang.

But many did not agree with his ideology.

His grand ideas to rid the world of quirks and bring the yakuza back to the peak of their power, did not resonate in the hearts of many. So he relocated to I-Island where he would use science to achieve his goals.

And the centre of those goals was Yaoyorozu Momo.

And Izuku could not allow it.

The pair entered through the front gate.

The irregularities started to show themselves.

If it was any ordinary office building there would be a receptionist at the front, office workers scurrying around. But here there was no one, there wasn't even a reception.

Even if the building was vacant, the utilities were still functioning and the walls looked clean.

"They know we're coming, they've been expecting us." Izuku concluded.

"Indeed, we must strike quickly."

There was an elevator on either end of the foyer.

"I will quickly scour the upper floors, you can start your search at the basement."

"What? No! Lets just both search the basement."

"Why is that?"

"No one keeps anything secret on the upper floors, thats villain 101."

"Be it so we cannot rule out the possiblity. Do not fret, with my ability it wouldn't take long." Vantablack's shadows started seeping from his bandages.

"Argh fine, make it quick."

And so they split up, Vantablack used his shadowy form to squeeze through the elevator shaft and Izuku entered it, hitting the button for the basement.

The elevator doors opened.

As expected it was dusty and dingy, there were pallets full of boxes clumsily placed around the area.

Izuku walked down the horror movie-esque hallway of the basement with one goal in mind, or more precisely one girl in mind.

The boy had let a total of 3 people die because of his incompetence, his powerlessness. And despite all that he still let the girl get captured.

'I will not fail her again.' Was his only thought.

There were many open rooms along the hallway, it seemed like this was used as a bunker of sorts for gang members who didn't have anywhere to go.

But seeing how vacant the area has been it seems most of the yakuza had left during the change of command.

Perhaps Chisaki was already grasping at straws to revive the gang, maybe Momo was his desperate last attempt, a hail mary of hail marys.

He would dare incite the wrath of Japan's largest conglomerate just to achieve his goals.

Like a dying man's final attempt at reaching for his dreams.

It was clear the opponent ahead was not going to be as easy as Muscular.

Izuku knew he wasn't going to get lucky a second time.

He turned another corner and…

Izuku found himself facing the same elevator he exited.

What was going on?

He knew for a fact that it wasn't another elevator.

The surroundings were too perfectly similar to be a coincidence.

Suddenly the whole basement began shaking, the floor, walls and ceiling all began wobbling unnaturally, as if they were a fluid.

'Shit this has to be someones quirk!'

He looked around frantically trying to find someone, but there was no one in sight.

Suddenly the floor began to form hands, aiming to grab and restrain him.

'A long ranged quirk? No he wouldn't be able to accurately track my movements.'

Izuku dodged, and slapped the concrete constructs.

"OW!" The arms shrunk back.

'Ow?' Izuku then recalled a similar yet more limited quirk.

'So thats how it is then.'

Izuku began punching the walls around him, like a game of whack a mole.

"OW! FUCK!"

'Gotim.'

Suddenly a humanoid figure, surfaced from the ceiling and landed right in front of him.

"Gah! How did you do that kid!? That hurt way more than it should've!"

"So you merge with your surroundings? But not perfectly I see, if my hits could disrupt your molecular structure that much."

The behemoth of a man in front of Izuku panted incessantly, but not in fear or anxiety.

"And it seems it takes quite a bit out of you, pity. If you could hold onto that form for much longer you could easily surpass Van-kun."

"Heh. What do you know huh? You damn brat!" The large man dived back into the ground.

From that position, Izuku calculated his opponents movements.

But instead of manipulating the environment again the giant decided to take Izuku head on, diving toward him from the adjacent wall.

However he already calculated that possibility.

Sidestepping the man, Izuku narrowly avoided his fists. But instead of targeting the man's head or torso, he dashed forward and aimed for the legs that were still lodged right in the wall.

"GAAAH!" The pain of his molecules being disrupted while halfway in the concrete, afflicted pain that ran straight through his nerves.

Not giving his opponent a moment to recover, Izuku slammed his fists against the wall again, repeatedly, until not a peep was heard from the man slumped down, hanging from the wall.

Izuku let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Forgive me, but I can't take any more chances."

'Now to continue my search fo-'

*Bzzt*

'Van-kun?'

"Whats up Van-"

"I require immediate backup! The target has been located! I repeat. The target has been located on the top floor!"

'Well shit.'

'I see why Izuku of Green Valley was so insistent, this place is indeed quite empty.'

Another empty floor later, Vantablack was climbing the elevator shaft in his shadowy form.

He only had one more floor to go, and then he could rendezvous back with his partner at the basement.

Empty room.

Empty room.

Em- Wait what?

Vantablack spotted a young girl currently strapped to a bed.

'So the target is here. Honestly, I have to tell that boy off afterward.'

But she was not alone.

There was also the Yakuza boss Chisaki Kai.

The man was currently preparing something unknown to Vantablack. Just what were he planning to do to this girl?

His quirk is Overhaul, which allows him to control all forms of matter.

So why would he need someone who could create anything from her body?

The ability to destroy all matter.

The ability to create all matter.

The 2 abilities seem to be in conflict.

'Wait… it couldn't be.'

He however did not get to finish that thought.

His body had suddenly become stiff.

Kurono Hari had sensed and spotted the shadow man.

In the past he used to be able to only slow down his opponents speed using his hair, and he couldn't extend it if he himself wasn't still.

After going through the hero development program during his youth, he could now halt his opponents movements completely, and could move freely while controlling his hair.

But how he managed to locate the shadow man?

He simply had a keen eye for movement, after freezing his opponents so many times.

Shadows simply did not change that unnaturally indoors.

However Vantablack was not a normal shadow.

There was no clear definition between what was his body and another shadow.

He could be a small circle around a large shadow, he could be the whole shadow itself, or he could be both the shadow and not the shadow simultaneously. Like a mixture of fluids.

So he managed to slip through by redefining his shadow boundary, without clear physical contact, Kurono's quirk lost effect.

"Oyabun! An intruder!"

Chisaki was alerted by the voice of his right hand.

"Find him! Make sure he doesn't reach the girl at all costs!"

"Hai!"

Vantablack scurried away in shadow form.

'Confound it! I have to warn Izuku!'

*Bzzt*

"Whats up Van-"

"I require immediate backup! The target has been located! I repeat. The target has been located on the top floor!"

"What! Ok ok I'm on my way! Hold out as long as you can!"

*Bzzt*

'I simply have to avoid his hair, then prepare to kn-'

He was stuck again.

'But how? I do not even sense his presence.'

The elevator on that floor dinged.

And out came Kurono Hari.

But there was something peculiar about him.

His hair was drooped down to the ground, as if it was rooted to it.

He was obviously using his quirk.

But why was it affecting Vantablack, who couldn't be physically touched?

The answer was simple.

If Vantablack could define if he was part or the whole of a shadow, then he simply need to halt the movement of the whole floor the shadow encompassed.

It was like he was holding the mixture of fluid in a tank.

If he couldn't contain the specific fluid, he simply need to bottle the whole mixture.

Vantablack was trapped.

Kurono whipped out his phone, searching for the light function.

"Now you just need to be like every other shadow and fade away in the light."

*FWISH*

The phone dropped to the ground.

Kurono who held the shadow in place, was stabbed through the heart.

"COUGH!" He vomited a mouthful of blood.

"B-but h-how?"

That answer was a little less than simple.

Shadows by definition are the lack of light.

Vantablack is only corporeal due to his unique ability.

However he can merge with shadows to make them corporeal.

But since shadows are the absence of photons, he simply need to find a region where photons are not present.

But since the whole floor had its movement halted, Vantablack turned to the only region he could find.

The air.

But the air was illuminated by the surrounding light wasn't it?

However photons act as both a particle and a wave.

Vantablack used that principle to avoid contact with the incoming photons, and created a path toward Kurono at the quantum level. Toward the largest region of shadow in his vicinity.

The inside of Kurono's hoodie.

He performed calculations at the quantum level and trudged through that difficult path, all the way to that shadow which he used to pierce his opponent right through the heart.

Normally this would be difficult but due to the severe lack of movement, it created a pressure like effect on Vantablack's body. Like staying too still would make someone want to twitch even a finger, Vantablack's shadow had to move, and move through the only path it could.

In the end the tank holding the fluid burst under pressure.

Kurno's lifeless collapsed on the ground, and at that timely moment the elevator dinged again.

This time however, Izuku was the one who walked out.

"Oh fuck! Guess I know what that noise was."

"This is no time to joke Izuku of Green Valley! We must make haste!" With that Vantablack shifted into shadow form again, climbing up the elevator shaft.

"Dammit! Just when I got here!"

The elevator doors shut once again.

The duo ran as fast as they could down to the room where Vantablack found the girl but…

The girl was no where to be found.

"You said she was here!"

"Indeed, Overhaul must have shifted their location."

"To where!? Its not like this floor is huge or anyth-"

The floor crumbled and the whole building started to rumble.

'Whats going on? Is it that guys quirk? No he was knocked out pretty good, so what-'

"OOF!"

They both landed a few stories down, the floors of all those levels had caved in .

And standing on that pile of ruble was Chisaki.

But he looked different.

He looked younger somehow, more feminine than before.

What was going on?

"I apologise, I meant to take you out with that attack." He held out his hand.

"I won't make that mistake twice."

His hand glowed a bright blue, surging with some sort of energy.

"GET DOWN!"

The pair narrowly dodged that attack.

"Confound it! The girl's brainwaves must be messing with mine. No matter, such a weak mind will eventually crumble."

'The girls brainwaves? Did he? No no no-'

But what did Overhaul do? And how did he get this new ability?

He had the power to control all matter.

But with his power to control all, he had a special facet of his ability he rarely used.

Fusion.

Chisaki could 'Overhaul' another person with himself, gaining the ability to use their quirk in the process.

The ability to destroy all matter.

The ability to create all matter.

Now Kai held both powers in his grasp.

Now he was unstoppable.

He held up both his arms, slowly changing the composition of his outer palms into H+,Hydrogen ions, AKA protons.

Ex Nihilo allowed Chisaki to reform his cells into protons.

Overhaul allowed him to constantly heal the cell damage, and compress the protons into a small but dense sphere, the size of a beach ball.

In other words Kai created a ionic plasma charge.

His latest attack exploded on the ground next to the duo, scorching everything in sight.

Even while shielded Izuku could feel the burn, and if he could that meant Vantablack had it a lot worse.

'Crapsicles! If I can feel it, that means I can't negate it!'

This wasn't anything like the previous opponents.

Overhaul may have reached X-Rank, All Might levels of strong.

They were completely and utterly screwed.

"Hmm. Lets try something new, shall we." Kai stuck his hand into the ground and merged with it.

The ground previously dust and concrete suddenly turned into… gold?

Ex Nihilo didn't have a clear definition on what Momo's body was. She could eat a whole turkey and that protein while digesting would still be considered a part of her. She could gulp down a litre of any liquid and it could be considered part of her body too, after all humans were about 70% water.

So when Chisaki used his quirk to merge with the ground, that too was considered part of his body. And since it was part of his body, he could control its subatomic composition.

Transmutation.

He could turn lead into gold.

He could turn everything into anything.

A true philosophers stone.

Izuku touched the gold confirming his suspicions.

It was still gold.

He couldn't negate that either.

"HAHAHAHAHA! YES! With this power I truly am a god! Now I can overturn this hero obsessed society once and for all! Not even All Might can stop me now!"

'Dammit! What the fuck was he supposed to do? He wasn't in the best condition for a fight like this, and neither was Van-kun. Now Momo was going t-'

Momo.

Thats right.

He promised himself didn't he?

He promised he wouldn't fail her again.

No matter what.

But how was he going to defeat Overhaul in that state? Without hurting Momo?

He stood up and stared Kai down.

What he did next might be considered brave to some, idiotic to others.

But Izuku simply charged forward to the demi god.

"What are you doing you idiot!?"

Obviously Vantablack was the latter.

But Chisaki didn't even move. He just simply stood there with the same condescending grin, he had plastered on for the past few minutes.

And the ground beneath Izuku shifted and exploded outward.

"Gah!" Izuku got caught in the onslaught.

Because the surface was made of gold, it made the attack all the more painful.

Izuku skidded backward, holding onto his damaged torso.

"You really think you can defeat a god boy?"

It became clear what Kai was doing. He merged his foot with his shoe and the ground, all for a split second. And in that split second he manipulated the ground beneath him, causing it to explode outward.

In the past Chisaki needed to use his hands to 'Overhaul' anything. But now fused with Momo, the region of his body where he could use Overhaul became poorly defined as well. Temporarily merging with his attire also allowed him to use his quirk through it.

Now he could destroy anything as long as it touched him.

"Now lets see what I can turn you into."

Kai suddenly appeared in front of Izuku, reaching for his face.

'SHIT!'

*Slap*

He slapped Chisaki's hand away on instinct.

Wait.

He slapped Chisaki's hand away on instinct!

Kai looked equally as confused.

"What!? Whats going on?"

He tried a second time, but Izuku reacted quicker. He brushed Overhaul's arm away with his left hand, and clenched his right, delivering a solid hit onto Chisaki's face.

Kai was knocked back onto the ground.

'Gah! What just happened? I couldn't 'Overhaul' the boy at all, that shouldn't be possible!'

Chisaki could destroy all matter, he never encountered anything that his quirk didn't work on, that was absolute to him.

But this boy.

He couldn't destroy this boy, no matter how hard he tried.

'Its not possible, it just isn't! I am a god! But this boy can just negate my ability like… like…'

Magic.

Izuku's body possessed an energy that could not be explained by physics. An energy that was incompatible with quirk energy.

'Thats right. With this energy, with my Nth Dimensional Algorithm, Chisaki can't 'Overhaul' me. I have to use that one advantage, I have a chance.

I can save her!'

"You think you can defy me?"

Overhaul looked absolutely furious.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN AGAINST A GOD!?"

*BOOM*

Explosions started appearing everywhere. Kai knew Izuku possessed a strange ability he couldn't 'Overhaul' the boy, but he still dodged the plasma attacks earlier so he wasn't completely immune to his quirk.

So instead Chisaki merged with the ground and started to randomly remove the bonds between the particles, causing the ground to explode in a blast of pure subatomic energy.

The entire area became something akin to a minefield. Izuku dashed across trying to reach Overhaul, but every other step he took forward he was pushed back a dozen more by the random explosions.

There truly was no pattern for Izuku to calculate. It was as if Chisaki went mad, and was exploding from within.

Considering that it was technically part of his body, that statement held very true.

Suddenly something wrapped around his waist.

It was a long tendril made out of shadows.

"Keep going! I will assist you to the best of my ability."

Vantablack pushed Izuku forward, helping him manoeuvre the impossible terrain.

Slowly but surely, Izuku made it to Kai and socked him in the face.

"Gah!"

*BOOM*

With another explosion right underneath him, Izuku was knocked back even further.

But Izuku got back up, and with his partners help, he managed to hit Kai again.

"Fuck!"

And again.

*BOOM*

And again.

Until finally, Izuku was caught in a large mass of rubble.

"Heh. HAHAHAHAHA! It seems that your ability doesn't work through your clothes like mine!"

As Kai was about to give the finishing blow, something wrapped around him.

It was those shadows yet again.

Those same shadows broke Izuku out of his stone prison.

"NOW!"

Izuku didn't hesitate, and delivered his finishing blow.

'I won't…'

*PUNCH*

'I won't fail you again!'

From his shadowy prison, Chisaki's body went slack.

He was knocked out.

They won.

In a heap of exhaustion, the pair crumbled to the ground.

"Pant, pant, we did it. W-"

*Sniff*

Izuku turned to look at Vantablack, who stared right back.

If it wasn't either of them then…

Kai was awake.

But instead of hate or anger, his face showed sadness and despair.

Tears were streaming down his eyes.

"H-help… h-help me…"

Kai turned to stare at Izuku.

"Help me Izuku-san."

Part 6: Unusual Autoscopy (Out of Body Experience)

"I'm sorry but theres nothing I can do."

The old doctor informed them regretfully.

"No way! But… your quirk can heal any injury right? Even if its quirk related!" The green haired boy exclaimed.

The bandaged man put his hand on the boys shoulder, "Calm yourself, Izuku of Green Valley."

"Heal yes, but what we have here." She pointed her cane at Momo.

"Is not quirk damage, but reconstruction. Simply put the body was put together using Overhaul, so only Overhaul can separate them again."

"B-but I haven't a clue how to use this power!"

The doctor sighed, "I'm sorry dearie but unless you know how to activate that quirk, theres simply nothing I can do."

'Quirk activation, great. Last time we had an issue with Tenko's quirk, which activation couldn't be controlled. Now we have an issue where we can't activate the quirk at all. How are we going to get her out of this? Its not like we can just break another-'

Izuku had an epiphany .

"I have an idea."

"Are you sure about this sonny?"

Izuku worked on recalibrating the brain monitor.

"Positive."

"What exactly are you aiming to achieve, Izuku of Green Valley?"

The machine started up.

"Quirks are physical abilities, just like a limb or an organ. Moving an arm, processing language, producing explosions from your palms, they all rely on the brain performing 'calculations' to operate." He pointed to the electrodes currently inserted in the back of the girls (guys?) head.

"If we simply trigger the correct synapses using the appropriate frequencies, we can activate Overhaul and defuse them."

The short woman sighed again, "In theory it would work, but you're talking about electron microscope levels of precision there boy. The computers we have in the hospital simply can't process calculations at that precision."

"I know. Thats why…" Izuku inserted another set of electrodes into his own head.

"I'm going to be doing the calculations."

"You cannot be serious." The shadow man spoke with doubt.

"I perform advanced calculations to input commands into my body subconsciously every breathing moment. If I didn't, the vast amount of Nth Dimensional energy that would normally exist in the form of a soul in grey matter, would be dispersed from my body."

"Be it so, but to mimic and manipulate the brainwaves of another- no, 2 other humans. Is that really a feasible solution?"

"Its the only one we've got. We can't wait around for Yaoyorozu-san to learn how to use Overhaul. If or when she does, Chisaki could re-emerge from her mind."

Vantablack sighed, "Very well then."

The apparatus started up.

"The stage is set sonny, I hope you know what you're doing."

"Right." Izuku gulped.

'I hope so too.'

5 Hours.

Izuku laid down on a bed beside the fusion, performing calculations for 5 hours straight.

He couldn't stop to eat or drink. They weren't sure if this could count as sleep or solving a Fields level math paper.

He hadn't even received treatment for his accumulated injuries, and yet here he was trying to save the life of the very same girl he received those injuries for.

Just when Recovery Girl and Vantablack were about to lose hope, the fused body started to morph.

And out came Yaoyorozu Momo and Chisaki Kai.

Both their bodies.

Albeit with Kai's body slumped out of the bed in an uncomfortable looking position, with the electrodes still inserted in his head.

"He did it." The shadow exclaimed.

"Hmph. He sure did."

Izuku got up, stretching his stiff body.

"Fuck that was a pain."

He turned to look over at the 2 bodies.

"Are they ok?"

The doctor hobbled over to inspect.

"Hmm, well they're alive if thats what you're asking. I'll have to run some tests to know for certain."

Izuku let out a sigh of relief, "Well at least theres tha-"

*Yawn*

He looked back over to see Momo already awake from the procedure.

Upon inspecting the unfamiliar environment, the ojou instinctively shrivelled up in fear.

But as soon as she set her sights on Izuku, she immediately got up and tackled him into a hug.

"Woah, woah, woah easy there. You just got a man out of yo-"

'Wait that came out wrong.'

*Sniff*

The ojou was crying tears of joy, getting snot and tears into Izuku's clothes.

"Umm…", Izuku glanced around the room only to realise that he was completely alone. Even Chisaki's body had been removed from the room.

'Those bastards.'

"Umm… Yaoyorozu-san?"

The ojou sniffed, "You were right."

"Uhh, right about what exactly?"

"That I don't have what it takes. That I shouldn't be a hero."

"Hey, hey, lets not get all down now ok? You just survived a villain attack. 2 villain attacks actually, one of them you were fused to."

'Along with a barrage of attacks by me, but lets not mention that.'

"B-but you were right about me. I didn't want to be a hero because I wanted to, I just wanted the praise and prestige. I just wanted to make everyone proud, but, but…"

She looked up at him with watery eyes.

"I was so scared!" She sobbed.

"So scared that I couldn't do anything! All I could do is watch you fight that villain for my sake! You're not even a cadet, you don't have any training at all and yet you dashed in to save me like it was second nature to you."

"Thats not true."

'If she knew what I did to save her…'

"Its absolutely true! Thats why…" She stood up from the side of the bed.

"It would be an insult for me to become a hero, when you aren't."

"Hold on a sec! Lets just think this through ok!"

"Whats there to think? You're a hero in every way I'm not. You are simply more suited for the role, than I'll ever be."

"Why? Because I pushed you out of the way? Anyone could do that! That doesn't make me a hero in the slightest! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're thinking about your future but this just seems pretty impulsive and emotional. Besides you already went through with years of hero training are you just gonna let that go to waste? What would you even do? Where would you go from there?"

"I-I-"

'Good she's thinking about this more rationally.'

"I would come to work for you!"

'Or not.'

"You run a lab right? And you made significant discoveries in restoring spoiled food products. I could come to work under you, as an apprentice of sorts!"

"I… don't think thats a good idea…"

'She can't work for me, she would be ridiculed forever for working with a freak like me.'

"Why not? Oh! Is it because you don't have any funding? N-not to worry, I can always ask my parents to fund us. Oh! Perhaps we can get your research officially patented and funded, think of all th-"

"Thats not it!"

Momo was taken aback by his sudden outburst, "T-then… wha-"

"Yaoyorozu-san, have you heard of the legendary failure of I-Island?"

She shook her head, "N-no… should I?"

Izuku sighed and got up from the bed, "I suggest you look it up before asking me something like that again."

In the end Momo was left staring at the empty bed, while Izuku left her alone in the room.

Izuku entered Recovery Girls office, where she was currently running tests on Chisaki's body.

"So how did it go?"

He sighed again, "She's been traumatised by the experience, says she wants to drop out from hero training."

The doctor nodded, "Wouldn't be the first."

Izuku recalled the sidekicks that ran from Muscular's rampage, "Yeah."

"At least she still can function well enough to make decisions like that."

Izuku was confused, "What do you mean."

The old woman deliberated for a moment before telling him, "It seems while Chisaki is still alive, he seems to have lost all cognitive function, in other words he is in a state of 'cerebral death'."

"What! But Yaoyorozu came out ok didn't she!? H-how did…"

She sighed, "It must be a side effect of the forced quirk activation, think of it as a worse alternative to what would have happened to Young Shimura."

"T-tenko-san could have…"

*SMACK*

"OW!"

"Listen young man." The small woman spoke sternly.

"You did nothing wrong here. All you did was try to save a girl to the best of your ability, and you succeeded. What happened here…" She pointed to Kai.

"Is simply an unfortunate accident, in the process of saving an innocent life."

"S-so you're saying t-that, h-he didn't matter a-at all? That his l-life didn't mean anything?"

"I'm saying that he brought this on himself. He's a criminal and this is the result of his own wrongdoings. Consider this his karmic retribution."

That still didn't sit well for Izuku.

'It seems my horns truly have sprouted.'

"And don't think for a second, that I won't be trying my damnedest to bring his brain back in order."

Izuku looked stunned.

"Don't look so surprised boy. I'm a doctor, this is what I do."

"B-but healing the cerebrum… can you really do that?"

"Hmph." The doctor turned back to her workstation.

"Who do you think I am?"

Izuku smiled and turned to leave.

*SMACK*

"OW! Why'd you-"

"You think I've forgotten about your injuries!? Honestly boy! I'll be working on setting your head straight before any others!"

Izuku relented and allowed the doctor to tend to his wounds.

"I see you succeeded once again, Izuku of Green Valley."

As Izuku walked out of the office, Vantablack was spotted waiting outside for him.

Not that the shadow would ever admit that.

"Heh, success is subjective."

"If I remember correctly I requested your assistance in protecting Yaoyorozu Momo. Since she is safe and well, I deem this a success on your end."

"Well? Physically sure, but mentally?"

"If she continues on the path of hero, this experience would prove invaluable. If she doesn't, then she simply would not manage well in the rigours of the hero industry. It would do her well to stop here before another 'Overhaul incident'. "

"And what of him? I'm sure the old lady already informed you of his fate."

"Indeed. First with Shimura Tenko and now this. You certainly have a peculiar way of neutralising threats, Izuku of Green Valley."

"…"

The shadow shrugged, "No matter, your work here is done, you are free to leave."

Izuku trudged down the hallway, not even turning to say one last thing before he left.

"Fuck you."

With that the bandaged man was left alone in the hallway.

*Bzzt*

"So is the deed done Kuro-kun?"

Vantablack grimaced.

"Indeed, director."

"I believe congratulations are in order then, Kuro-kun. Especially in regards to your prodigy."

"I still must protest, the boy is not suited for the underground."

"Is that truly your judgement as an expert? Or perhaps you are showing concern for the boy?"

The shadow stifened.

"Absolutely not director."

"Ara ara ara ara? Is that your tsundere side showing Kuro-kun? You truly do care for the boy don't you?"

"The boy I have only met on 2 unpleasant occasions sir? One of which we were adversaries."

"Pfft, don't even try to hide it Kuro-kun. After all how many fellow non-humans have you met?"

Vantablack forcefully ended the call.

He would regret that later on, but he simply couldn't stand another minute.

'If I were so inclined to every non-human being I met.'

He started to walk down the hallway.

'Then I wouldn't be so repulsed by you. Dear director.'

Afterword:

Hello internet! That concludes arc 2!

Please forgive my writing for the fight scenes, that's one area I'm struggling the most in.

So this arc was obviously based on OT2, with the battle against an alchemist to save a girl with a unique ability.

However the theme I was going for was, 'Saved at what cost?' With Izuku begrudgingly killing and crippling 2 villains to save Momo, and her being quite traumatised at the end. I also wanted to bring up the topic of killing for heroic type protagonists. I wanted to show that sometimes there simply is no choice but to kill, and hesitating would only make it worse. Sometimes the people who can't knock out villains with a single blow, can be stronger than those who can by making the hard calls.

For Yaoyorozu Momo, I tried to explore her original doubts about her heroic ability, with her anxiety and self doubt. I'm sure many people have similar experiences, with being pushed to study a particular field, but to not disappoint their parents or family in general, they stick to that path only to realise in their 20s or 30s that its not what they really want in life.

Overhaul.

Overall still the same character from the manga, besides the slight power trip he had when he finally fused with Momo. Only this time he doesn't have Eri to torture since she's barely 2 in this timeline. I based his fused form off the Father from Fullmetal Alchemist, since his power was already similar to alchemy in that series anyway (even without Studio Bones) I simply gave him a 'Philosophers Stone' so to speak.

Well thats all from me for now.

See you all for the next one!

PS: The next arc isn't centred around clones.