After parting with Esil, Izuku opened his eyes in a small alley. He looked around to confirm where he was.

" This place is... "

It turned out that he arrived at the small alley near his dormitory. He remembered that he had placed his shadow soldiers around this area for safety purposes.

[Shadow Exchange LV. 1]
[... 2 Hours 59 Minutes 57 Seconds until the skill can be reused.]

' I actually swapped locations '

Without further ado, he then headed straight to the hospital. Since it was night and visitors were no longer allowed to visit, Izuku decided to sneak into the Hospital, he activated his 'Stealth' skill to avoid commotion and entered through Ichirou's room window.

When Izuku arrived there, Ichirou was sleeping soundly on his bed. The medical equipment had been unplugged from him, leaving only an IV tube attached to his left arm. He then pulled the chair beside the bed and sat next to it.

Izuku looked at Ichirou, his eyes fixed on Ichirou's legs which could no longer move anymore. Once again he felt bitter inside, he remembered his regret for his failure to save them.

' if only I could get there sooner... '

With that in mind, Izuku clenched his fists but he decided to stop, it was useless to think about it now, he can't undo what has happened.

Feeling the presence of someone beside him, Ichirou slowly opened his eyes. He turned his eyes to see Izuku already sitting next to him with his head down.

" Izuku? "

Ichirou called his name, it had been a long time since he had seen his face since the dungeon raid incident.

Hearing his name called Izuku raised his head and looked at Ichirou.

" Ichirou-San? "

He was surprised and happy to see Ichirou in a conscious state. But still, he felt uncomfortable around Ichirou, he was once again reminded of the horrific scene where Ichirou's body was crushed. Once again Izuku lowered his head in guilt.

Knowing this Ichirou then starts a conversation to distract Izuku from his negative thoughts.

" How are you doing? It's been a long time since I last saw you "

Izuku bit his lip, swallowing his bitterness. He then raised his head and faced Ichirou with a fake smile, trying his best to hide his bitterness.

" I'm fine, how about you Icirou-San? "

Although Izuku's answer was delayed, Ichirou just smiled and accepted it.

" As you can see, my legs may not be able to move anymore but other than that I'm fine"

Hearing Ichirou's calm answer made Izuku feel even more guilty. Just by hearing his tone, Izuku can tell that Ichirou has accepted his current state.

" Sorry if only- "

" Izuku "

Before Izuku could finish his sentence, Ichirou interrupted him directly. Ichirou already knew what Izuku was going to say, so he quickly interrupted him so that Izuku would not burden himself with his guilt.

" It's not your fault that I'm in my current state, it's because of my careless decision and I've accepted it "

" but I- "

" It's okay Izuku. Let's forget the sad story and tell me what you did recently, I heard from Sugimoto that you went to training, so how is it? "

Although he tried to strike up a conversation, Izuku's mind was still caught in his guilt. His head was filled with negative thoughts and guilt, he continues to blame himself to this day.

Ichirou looked at the silent Izuku, ignoring his question while lowering his head. He just sighed knowing that the boy couldn't get out of his negative thoughts.

Ichirou then put his hand on Izuku's head. For some reason the hand on top of his head felt so warm, it helped warm Izuku's heart a little.

" I know what you are thinking but it doesn't change anything, what happened to me is already my destiny and I have already accepted it, no matter how cruel the fate is, I will have to accept it sooner or later. So don't blame yourself. "

Izuku once again lowered his head, his guilt and regret diminished a little thanks to Ichirou's words to him.

Feeling a little better, Izuku returned to his main purpose of visiting Ichirou at this hour.

" Ichirou-San, if... "

Izuku seemed hesitant to finish his words, while Ichirou just sat patiently waiting for Izuku to finish his words. After a moment of silence, with all his courage Izuku tried to finish what he wanted to say.

" If I say there is a way for you to be able to walk again... Do you believe it? "

Ichirou was taken aback by what Izuku had just said. He doubted what he had just heard, but he later remembered what kind of person Izuku was.

Izuku never talks nonsense despite his habit of muttering. Especially seeing the confidence in the boy's eyes, it was obvious that he was not joking. It just made it hard for him to doubt what he had just said.

Seeing his determination, Ichirou smiled and decided to believe his words.

" I believe you "

Getting a positive answer from Ichirou, Izuku took something out of his pocket. It was a small bottle filled with red liquid. Ichirou looked confused by the bottle in Izuku's hand.

" Izuku, what's this? "

" It's a healing potion that can cure all diseases "

" Potion? Does such a thing exist? But where did you get it from? "

" I got it after clearing a dungeon "

" You got it from the dungeon? "

Ichirou doubted what Izuku had just said. Sometimes items are found in dungeons, but there is no record of potions ever found in dungeons. No wonder Ichirou doubted the source of the potion.

He then saw Izuku's face. Judging from his expression, Ichirou could see that Izuku had gone through a lot of hardships to get it.

Not wanting his hard work to be in vain, Ichirou took the bottle from Izuku's hand and emptied it in an instant.

" I-Ichirou-San? "

Izuku was also taken aback by Ichirou's sudden actions, he was worried about the side effects that the 'Holy Water of Life' would cause. He didn't have time to stop it and let Ichirou empty the bottle.

Izuku looked at Ichirou who was still pensive staring at the empty bottle in his hand, after a few minutes of feeling nothing, something began to change.

Vitality slowly returned to his face, and Ichirou, who had not been able to feel his legs before, slowly felt his feet return. He then tried to move his toes. Not satisfied with that, Ichirou tried to stand up to see if the effect of the potion Izuku gave him was real.

Ichirou tried to stand on his own feet, Izuku tried to help him but he stopped him. He began to put his feet on the floor and tried to stand up.

Despite his trembling legs, Ichirou took the first step. His balance was shaken which made him fall. He tried to get up and walk once more, and after a few tries, Ichirou could walk normally, he could even kick the air. Without hesitation, Ichirou's legs finally healed and returned to normal.

Ichirou couldn't help being surprised. He thought he had lost hope of walking again, but someone showed hope to him. And that person is now standing in front of him with a face that is as shocked as himself.

Izuku still doubted the scene in front of him, trying to make sure that it was not a dream by punching himself.

Ichirou was taken surprised by Izuku's sudden actions.

" Izuku are you okay? "

Ignoring Ichirou's question, Izuku touched his cheek which was bruised from the blow, there was a little blood dripping from the corner of his mouth which made Ichirou even more worried.

' it hurts '

The pain of the blow lingered on his face and the sight of Ichirou standing before his eyes was still there.

Unconsciously, tears fell from his blue eyes. Unable to contain his relief, he began to cry. He fell as the regret and guilt that had been weighing him away melted away.

Ichirou approached him worried that he would hurt himself. But when he saw Izuku's helpless figure, he realized something. That the burden this child carried was greater than he thought.

All this time, Ichirou didn't notice because of Izuku's mature and calm personality, but he was wrong. Behind his tough figure is hidden a dark hole in his heart which is prone to negative thoughts. He had forgotten that Izuku was still a child who needed guidance and support from adults. He was blinded by his strength and glorious accomplishments despite his young age.

Guilt suddenly enveloped him, he felt like he was failing as an adult who was supposed to guide him.

Ichirou looked back at Izuku's weak figure falling to the floor. His current figure looks smaller than usual. It's hard to believe that this kid has saved his life. But that was the reality, and there was nothing he could do but be grateful for it.

Ichirou then smiled warmly, he then held Izuku's hand as he bowed thanking him for saving his life. Showing the gratitude he had towards Izuku for giving him a second chance.

" thank you Izuku, thank you for saving my life and not giving up on me "

Hearing Ichirou's thanks, Izuku wiped the tears from his face and then smiled.

" same here, thank you for being safe "


The next day all the members of the raid team as well as Todoroki and Izuku visit him at the hospital as soon as they hear that Ichirou can walk again.

Kiyoko couldn't hide her tears when she saw Ichirou's figure who could stand up. She cried hugging Ichirou while expressing unclear gratitude as she sobbed. The other members also expressed their gratitude in their own way, even Katsuhito was on the verge of tears but pretended to be fine. But despite all that, they are happy that Ichirou is okay now.

Izuku smiled when he saw them from the side.

They strike up a conversation amongst themselves, but when Daichi asks Ichirou how he recovered despite the doctor's diagnosis he won't be able to walk anymore, he just smiles and glances at Izuku.

" I think I have received a miracle "

Although Izuku didn't immediately notice that Ichirou was looking at him. He just smiled in response and decided to leave the room so they could have time to talk.

After leaving Ichirou's room, Izuku sat on one of the benches in the hallway near the room and checked his mobile phone. He had left his mobile phone for too long unattended while he was in the Demon Castle. There are a lot of missed messages and calls as long as he doesn't touch them.

He then checked the latest news to see if he missed it while he was away. Just as he was about to open the news channel, his cell phone rang suddenly. Izuku looked at a contact's name to see who contacted him. He saw Sugimoto's name and immediately replied.

" Sugimoto-San? "

" Finally you answered my phone, where did you ignore my call for more than a week? "

" sorry the place I went there is no service whatsoever "

" huh? Is there still such a place at this time? well, forget it, have you seen the news? "

" Not yet, I was just about to check the news before you called me "

" Okay well, where are you now? "

" I'm at the hospital "

" Well, can you come to the office, I will explain the situation when you arrive "

" Okay, I'll be there soon "

Izuku then hung up the phone. For some reason, he had a feeling that something might happen.

He then stood up and headed to Ichirou's room to tell the others that he was leaving first. Ichirou watched as Izuku opened the door. When he came in, Kiyoko finished crying and they chatted casually.

" Hey Izuku, where have you been?"

" I just received a call from Sugimoto-San, he told me to come to the office so I should go first "

" Could it be related to the S-rank gate that has just appeared recently" (Daichi)

Hearing what Daichi said to him, Izuku widened his eyes.

" What? "

He couldn't help but be shocked by the sudden news he had just heard.

" What do you mean by the S-rank gate that just appeared? "

" Didn't you hear? An S-rank gate has appeared on the island of Nabu far to the south"

As soon as he heard that Izuku rushed to the Bureau office. Although he was in a hurry, he didn't even make a sound when he came out.

" he left " (Daichi)

" he left " (Ichirou)

" I didn't even feel his movements when he left "

" It seems that our youngest members have become much stronger "

Ichirou smiled knowing Izuku's rapid growth. He didn't notice when they met last night, but after he thought about it, Ichirou didn't feel any mana or Izuku's presence at all when he sneak into his room.

Although lying in the hospital Ichirou is still an S-rank Hunter, his detection ability is better than most Hunters. But being able to pass his detection, proves how far Izuku has grown. He may have reached his level now, or even surpassed him.

Ichirou looked at the closed door where Izuku had just left, Ichirou's smile became wider unconsciously, thinking about how strong the child would grow up made him happy.

.