Bakugo finally receives his promised briefing. Rocky gets a critique concerning his teaching. While All for One plots a midterm present for Izuku Midoriya.
I do not own My Hero Academia, it is owned by Horikoshi
Chapter 9 - A Guest Teacher's First Day Part 3 / Keeping One's Word
Teacher's Lounge:
"Boss, why did you show up here today?" asked Rocky.
"I had to talk to Nezu," answered Hawks, "So how did he do at teaching?"
"He was too easy on them," Aizawa answered, "At the same time the exercise was also outside their skill level."
"It was within the realm of what they've been experiencing," Rocky retorted, there was a knock at the door.
Aizawa walked over and opened the door and saw Midoriya, Bakugo, Tokoyami, and Mineta there. "You told him..." He accused Midoriya.
"No, he figured out enough of it on his own," retorted Tokoyami stepping between Aizawa and Midoriya, "The giveaway was Midoriya breaking out of Shinso's quirk. In order to prevent it from spilling out further in the middle of the exercise I had to promise we would explain what was going on." He noticed Hawks there, "I'm sorry sir."
"Don't be," Hawks grinned, "The kid predicted it would happen." The kids walked in and closed the door.
"So Bakugo let's start with what you've managed to figure out," said Aizawa.
"Deku's quirk isn't normal, he wasn't born with a quirk," Bakugo stated matter-of-factly, "He was exposed to something and potentially witnessed something and that is why villains are after him. You had to be told whatever is going on because apparently the villains have a spy and you thought it was Deku."
"What, no he's All Might's secret love child?" Hawks joked.
"Don't fuck with me, I know Deku's dad isn't All Might, I'm not a conspiracy screwball like Icy-Hot!"
"Okay you're partially right," Hawks commented, "There were some interesting abnormalities we discovered from that physical exam you were given Midoriya."
"So he was born quirkless," Bakugo stated, "I know he has the extra toe joint."
"Actually, the scan done on Midoriya's brain showed signs that the opposite may have been true," Hawks admitted, "The extra toe joint only indicates he is a carrier for the gene for quirklessness, it doesn't necessarily mean someone is born quirkless."
"I don't understand then why..."
"We suspect the quirk you were born with was stolen," Hawks admitted. Mineta's and Rocky's jaws dropped open, while Bakugo's face took on a look of disbelief, "It would have been incredibly easy to hide the theft given the extra toe joint, since all quirkless people have the extra toe joint, but not all people with said joint are quirkless."
"What the fuck? Quirks can't be stolen!"
"Actually they can," Rocky stated, "but only one quirk is known to be capable of doing it, quirks can also be passed on from one person to another, there are two quirks known to be able to do this, and there may be others."
"So the quirk Deku has was given to him, and that's why people suspected he was a spy, so the person that can take quirks was the one that gave Deku the quirk? That person would be the same one that took the Nerd's original quirk."
"No, it's possible someone else has a similar ability and stole his quirk, but he didn't get his current quirk from the villain we're talking about," said Hawks.
"That's why you kept saying I was so compatible wasn't it," Midoriya stated, "Why didn't you tell me?" The look on Midoriya's face was almost as though he felt betrayed.
"Compatible for what?"
"I didn't want you to worry, and we don't have definitive proof, also this seemed to benefit you," answered Hawks putting his hand on Midoriya's head, "besides I wasn't sure how to tell you, however Nezu demanded I tell you."
"Wait so Deku was born with a quirk only it was somehow stolen, yet he now has a quirk, bullshit! He didn't spontaneously develop a new one," Bakugo retorted.
"I'm the 9th Holder of a quirk called One for All, it's a transferable power stockpiling quirk that grows stronger with each new holder," admitted Midoriya, "I didn't receive it from a villain."
Bakugo thought about how All Might seemed to favor Midoriya, pieces of a puzzle he hadn't even realized existed, started snapping into place, "You got it from All Might, you're going to be the end of All Might!" There was a dangerous glare in his eyes, as Midoriya looked at the floor, Bakugo looked ready to blast Midoriya into the stratosphere, 'How could he do that to All Might?' For all he had threatened to kill people, he never really wanted to actually do it, but he was dangerously close now and there was a feeling of dangerous intent that caused the other students to go pale (except for Tokoyami).
"Enough, All Might was injured several years ago, badly," Hawks interrupted getting Bakugo's attention.
"What?" Bakugo hesitated, "What do you mean?"
"He was losing the ability to use his power, that's why he became an instructor at U.A.," Hawks explained, "He was looking to find a successor. Believe me I was pissed too, cause the only reason I found out was because I was interviewing Midoriya about a spy being at U.A. and as to why he couldn't be the spy. If All Might hadn't been hurt, from what I've been told, the sharing of the quirk would be about even and the drop off for All Might would be very gradual, he could have been active for at least another decade."
"So then he chose a quirkless nobody," Bakugo put the pieces together and Hawks was getting worried for Midoriya's safety, "I was the one with all the potential yet somehow he chose a quirkless nobody like you. It was the sludge villain wasn't it, no before that."
"Actually it is a good thing he did," Hawks interrupted, "We did a brain scan on the Nomu that was captured, the multiple quirks put a substantial load on the creature's brain, knocking out higher brain functions. Toshinori Yagi aka All Might was born quirkless, so different parts of his brain handle the processes for controlling the quirk, it wasn't anything that really affected his health though. The giveaway that Midoriya was born with a quirk is that the processing for One for All is managed by the same part of the brain that you, Mineta, Tokoyami, and anyone else born with a quirk uses to control his or her quirk."
Despite what people thought, Bakugo was really extremely intelligent and he was rapidly putting the pieces together, 'I wouldn't have been compatible, it might not be safe for someone with a quirk to inherit,' as he realized this he reigned in his temper. "I get it, this 'One for All' Quirk has essentially replaced the Nerd's original quirk that was stolen, almost like it was tailor made just for him, but what is stopping this quirk stealer from taking it too."
"He can't," Mineta stated, "Either he won't target Izuku directly until he takes out All Might because All Might caused him to feel like he lost his manhood, or he can't seriously go after Izuku because the quirk is shared between him and All Might and it won't accept a third person. It also has a component that prevents it from being taken by force."
"So what happens if the holder has a quirk already?" asked Bakugo already suspecting the truth, but just wanted to be sure.
"The doctor that examined Midoriya suspects there would be a heightened strain on their body and more specifically their nervous system, it isn't like how a Nomu ends up, but the strain is there," Hawks stated, "we don't know the long term implications for someone that already has a quirk. For All Might, the strain became no different than for anyone else with a quirk, the strain on Midoriya is probably decreasing physically as his body is adapting to it, also since he's learned to regulate it to what his body can currently handle the strain is within what would be considered safe, mentally there is no sign of strain on his brain at all outside of what we'd see from a typical kid with DQMS, given a year or so and that would no longer be detectable either. Based on how his brain is processing the quirk, I'd say it should have no negative health implications if he lets himself grow into it, but I'm not a doctor."
"So that's the real reason why you made him your apprentice, why he got the learner's permit, it's so he can protect himself, and that is also why he's getting the Provisional License early..."
"That's mostly true, it was completely true at first, but the fact is I consider him a valuable asset on the field," Hawks answered, "His analytical abilities are a huge asset even if he isn't on the front lines, his ability to break down quirks is extremely valuable."
"It's also why you wanted me to look after him," said Bakugo turning his attention to his homeroom teacher.
"It is," Aizawa admitted.
"How did the runt get told before me?"
"Recovery Girl decided to troll All Might," answered Aizawa, "and Mineta overheard it."
"Seriously, the nerd didn't tell him?"
"No, I woke up to Mineta asking whether I was the 2nd or 3rd holder of the quirk and then he asked what my original quirk was."
'Oh to be a fly on the wall for that conversation,' thought Bakugo with some amusement.
"Anyways, I wanted to talk to the two of you anyways. So it's good you're here because I don't have to track you down, you remember a Hiyato Tsubasa?"
"Who?"
"He was the heavy-set kid with wings, he was one of your friends in elementary and middle school, albiet not a close one, I thought he moved away about a year ago..." Midoriya answered, "He is in volume 6 of my notebooks."
"Aren't you on like volume 14?" asked Mineta.
"Fifteen, about to start 16," corrected Midoriya, "Though I don't have as much time to work on them now."
"Okay I vaguely remember him," answered Bakugo, "What about him?"
"He was the Nomu that tried to abduct Midoriya in Hosu, or rather his body was used to create it. His disappearance was treated as a runaway, but now it looks like it was an abduction," answered Hawks, "Also the first Nomu was also an alumni of your Middle School." That got the attention of both boys. "So your old Middle School is being investigated, did you notice anything odd about any of the teachers at the school."
"Midoriya might not be the best person to ask," Aizawa pointed out.
"He's right, I tried to avoid having the attention of the teachers," Midoriya admitted, "and they just showered Kacchan with attention based on the strength of his quirk..."
"Swell," Hawks muttered, "If either of you remember anything don't hesitate to call me Midoriya, or Bakugo if you remember anything talk to Tokoyami if you can't get a hold of Midoriya. Also, Bakugo you can't tell anyone about this, not even your parents."
"I get it," Bakugo had a chill down his spine, 'There's potentially a spy for villains here, it could be a teacher or a student.' He thought for a second then asked, "Okay, who can I trust here?"
"You can trust me, Midoriya, Mineta, Tokoyami, and Yaoyorozu, that's in class," Aizawa stated, "of the rest of the faculty you can trust Recovery Girl, the Principal, All Might, and Gran Torino."
"What am I chopped liver?"
"You're just here as a guest teacher for a few days before you head back out into the field, that's why I didn't include you. While you may be here off and on, due to the Apprenticeships for Hawks, you aren't regular faculty."
"Why them?"
"They are the ones that know Midoriya has One for All and of All Might's current condition, additionally Gran Torino trained All Might," Aizawa informed him.
'That attack Deku used at USJ...' Bakugo remembered vividly the sudden change, the reason he hadn't blew up at Deku in the Sports Festival was because he had recognized it couldn't be used in such an open environment, "He was also teaching you, when?"
"He started teaching me after our first match," Midoriya admitted.
"The spy isn't going to be spiky broom-head," Bakugo stated suddenly, "I also doubt it would be Pikachu, but I would guess they can track him via his quirk."
"That's true," Rocky admitted, "It is possible to detect people with electric based quirks to varying degrees because they give off a traceable electronic signature. It is harder to track them in an urban setting, and it isn't something that is commonly known."
"Kacchan is smarter than many people give him credit for, Monoma made that mistake in the Sports Festival," Midorya admitted.
"Bakugo, I know you and Midoriya have your issues with each other, but I need you to walk him and Mineta home, Nezu was discussing some things with Gran Torino and All Might, I should be in that meeting as well, but Torino said he'd give me a summary later." To this Bakugo nodded, this was serious, the villains couldn't be allowed to get their hands on Deku.
"Does your mom know?"
"Yes..."
"Good that means I can get some more answers out of you at your place," Bakugo commented as they left the room.
"This isn't good, with the number of people that know," Aizawa stated.
"Bakugo is our in to talk to Best Jeanist if necessary," replied Hawks, "Also Explosion boy isn't going to talk, he knows this is serious."
Nezu's Office:
"You mean to tell me it's likely young Midoriya's original quirk was stolen?" asked Toshinori Yagi aghast at the implications.
"That is what the Doctor that examined Midoriya suspects based on scans of his brain activity," answered Nezu, "It would have been very easy to cover up given he has the extra toe joint and is confirmed to be a carrier of the gene for quirklessness."
"And most boys that have that gene would be quirkless or have a very weak quirk," Gran Torino sipped on the tea in front of him, "It would have been child's play to cover up the theft, all that bastard would have needed was a few seconds."
"A lot of people that had their quirks stolen by All for One had health problems, some worse than others, following the theft, why hasn't Midoriya?"
"Probably his age," Nezu pointed out, "However his body is adjusting to One for All and that's the important thing."
"Midoriya has mentioned in certain situations suddenly seeing 8 silhouettes followed by his body moving on its own," began Gran Torino.
"Not this again..."
"I know the quirk will play back the memories of how the quirk was created," Torino retorted.
"Look he even saw me there and we've been over this remember..."
Nezu cursed the fact he hadn't managed to talk to Midoriya in more detail about what happened, when they had first talked with Hawks about One for All, "How often has it happened?"
"When he was blinded in the Sports Festival," Gran Torino answered, "I don't know if it has happened more recently. I haven't had a chance to ask him."
"Well it is also possible it has stored copies of the quirks of past holders," Nezu pointed out, "I have managed to uncover some relevant information." He got up and walked to his desk to pull out a folder and then walked back. I am sorry this is incomplete, but this is what I've managed to uncover." He opened the folder letting the two men look at the entries.
"Well we both know about Nana already," commented Torino, "This character En, he was the one before Nana, his quirk was Smokescreen. In all seriousness, it isn't a powerful quirk, even if it is charged up by One for All."
"Daigoro Banjo, black whip," commented Toshinori.
"I remember seeing videos of him as a boy," commented Sorahiko Torino, "Hikage Shinomori, quirk unknown, given that he apparently died of natural causes, you're speculating he had some sort of 6th sense. Wait, do you seriously mean to tell me you're just guessing what his quirk is, and that the bastard didn't manage to bump him off?"
"From what my research suggests that would be the logical assumption. I'm seeing if I can get the body exhumed," Nezu commented, "well we need to find it first before that, but I don't think we can find anything definitive."
"Wow, that's got to have annoyed All for One, not being able to take down a holder of One for All," chuckled Gran Torino.
"No information on the 2nd and 3rd, or the name of the first holder," commented Toshinori.
"Look, I'm sorry this is all I've managed to come up with," Nezu sighed, "Contrary to what everyone thinks, I don't know everything."
"Getting back to our original topic..."
"Will those medical files get Sir Nighteye to admit Mirio would not be a good option for 'One for All,' and actually get him on track to help with investigating?" Toshinori asked, "I have no idea. Maybe I can..."
"No, this has to be me," Gran Torino suddenly stated, "It's time I put my foot down, Mirai being involved could have spared us all quite a few headaches."
"When do you plan on talking with him?"
"This weekend, I'll take the kid with me to make it a point that he has my approval." There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Nezu called out and Aizawa opened the door with Rocky trailing behind him.
"So what did we miss?"
"Oh nothing much, just filling them in on what was uncovered and brainstorming how to deal with the prognosticator of doom," Nezu answered cheerfully.
"I'd sugges 4," Keito Kurinsumi replied, causing All Might to glare at him.
"That doesn't help matters..."
"I'd have too much fun beating him with one," snarked Torino, "So this other kid Bakugo now knows, well figures the kid did say it would only be a matter of time. Well I guess I better be headin that way, it's getting late." The elderly hero got up and walked out the door.
"So Keito, how did you enjoy substitute teaching?"
"It was okay," Keito shrugged, "Though I know I'll be back working at Hawk's Hero Agency when I'm cleared to fly again."
"Next week?"
"Yeah," Keito eyed his mentor, "So how did I do?"
"You sucked at it," Aizawa stated.
"I wouldn't say that, he actually did fairly well," Nezu retorted, "He was too lenient in some ways and pushed too hard in other areas, but all in all it went well."
"He offered to let class 1-B request help from 1-A students..."
"Do you honestly think they would?" Keito grinned, "I expect them not to, and to suffer because of it."
"Why do you say that, seems to me this would be a good time for a team up?"
"Given what I've seen regarding the rivalry between the two classes, I doubt it," Keito replied, "You guys should have some crossover between the two classes."
"You're seriously giving them soda and popcorn tomorrow?" asked Aizawa.
"Sure, why not? I think tomorrow will be a comedy of epic proportions."
"I would suggest, you throw in an additional variable, a vigilante to muck everything up," Aizawa commented.
"How about no, and I seriously hope you're joking," Keito grimaced, "If they were second years sure, but I think that class will muck things up all on their own." The squirrel hero elaborated how he thought Class 1-B would do.
I had expected Kacchan to blow up at me, but I guess with the Number 3 pro there, he knew things were serious. My feelings about Kacchan finding out were mixed, I used to want to have my old friend back more than anything when I was isolated and alone, but then Minoru came along and he became almost like a brother to me. That said, I hoped the two of us could be friends again, things wouldn't be the same, but it seemed like I would finally be able to start to bury the past between us and move forward. Minoru's told me I am too forgiving and rather naive sometimes, he's probably right. However, sometimes that's all that's kept me going forward, otherwise all I would have had was hate.
Minoru also warned me that he expected this was the calm before a storm, and at times I think he can predict the future because things were set to take a dark turn in coming days. The villains were on the move once again, and this time they would target... I should have been there... I couldn't... Hawks-sensei says it isn't my fault, but... - Izuku Midoriya
Undisclosed Location:
All for One grinned upon receiving the exact date and times of the midterm exams. He casually forwarded it on Wolfram.
'I do hope young Izuku enjoys his present,' he mused and started laughing, he didn't exactly know what Wolfram would decide to do, 'I suppose he will even surprise me, cause that's what I told him to do.'
Notes:
I know some people want Inko (at least I got people saying they wanted that to happen on the site where this was originally posted) to beat up the Mercenary, however Wolfram is a canon character, he is the main villain from the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Movie.
As far as Bakugo behaving himself and not blowing a fuse, he understands the situation is deadly serious and now is not the time to start blasting Midoriya. Additionally, the fact he has just been informed that Deku's original quirk had been stolen is a huge bombshell in his mind. It means that all this time, Deku had been a victim of the same villain that injured All Might, and who knows what quirk he had been born with. The fact there are potentially negative health implications associated with One for All, if you aren't quirkless, helped defuse things also.
As far as what I currently have planned, Katsuki Bakugo is the last person to learn about One for All for a good long while with the possible exceptions of Endeavor and Best Jeanist for obvious reasons.
With this chapter I have synced up with where I originally posted this. I have Chapter 10 mostly written, but I'm still tweaking some details.
