Midoriya the Shaman
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of My Hero Academia or Shaman King.
14. The Hypocrisy of The Number One Hero
Flashback…
Anna Itako Asakura the tenth was discussing with U.A.'s staff about the situation of the invasion. For the majority of her topic, it would be how to handle what the news will make of this: whether or not U.A. is safe, is it a place of death and tragedy, are the heroes including All Might competent enough for our kids to be safe?
She was always concerned about this possible event; the number one hero already had a target on his back, so him being attacked was always in the cards. That card being played sooner wasn't in her predictions, nor was the joker that was the Shaman who went after her nephew.
She suspected who that headache was, but she needed proof first. A shaman could use different guardian spirits to hide their features, identities, and origins.
After much discussion, Nezu decided to increase security and keep teachers in groups of three to avoid a repeat of USJ. Not only that but they included security robots just for extra measures.
"I want to add one last thing before we end these discussions." She had already finished discussing, for example, her appearance as a VIP at U.A.'s Sports Festival to look for potential recruits and her niece-in-law. "I want all of 1-A students to have mandatory counseling. I don't care how you do it."
"But we don't need-"
"Prick, shut up," Anna commanded, silencing Present Mic. He shrunk back in his seat.
"Children training to be heroes are still children, and such a circumstance will still traumatize them. If they won't tell their feelings it will deter their growth in the future. Understand?"
"I agree." Recovery Girl spoke, agreeing with her former student on how fragile children can be. She already dealt with heroes suffering from PTSD, like All Might.
The CEO's reasoning got everyone to agree. All of those involved with USJ would receive mandatory counseling, even if some would avoid it like the plague. Bakugo immediately came to their minds.
"I also want to include all classes. You know, to prevent favoritism." Anna stared at Vlad King, who looked aside.
"Yes, that would be favorable," were Chiyo's words.
"And finally, I would like a word with Toshinori Yagi, Nezu, Nemuri Kayama, and Chiyo Shuzenji." Her eyes glared at the others in the room. "ALONE."
Those free from her presence didn't hesitate to leave. The less spent near her the better.
Finally alone, Nezu asked, "So…"
"You can drop the act All Might. I know it's you." She pointed to the Skeletal person in the room.
"Wait how?!"
"If you can get the dead to speak, they will. And enough know or have seen your true form and One for All." All Might's eyes widened. It's rather embarrassing for the secret he's been keeping since his hero career could be exposed so easily by spirits. That would mean she knew him being quirkless and his nemesis.
"I also know you've been snooping around places you shouldn't Nemuri, like around my nephew," she added, being cautious for not mentioning curses. They didn't need to know that.
'She knows a lot more than one person should.' Midnight tried to act tough but was failing.
"But it does seem ironic that my stuttering, useless, Quirkless nephew managed to gain the eye of the Symbol of Peace All Might." All Might was stiff remembering what Midoriya asked that day. It was just a question the boy asked.
Everyone in the room eyed the duo. What exactly did Toshinori do?
"How about I ask you a simple question, and no one butt in. Depending on your answer, I might not consider you a hypocrite until the day you die."
"What question?" All Might asked, but he was already certain of what it could be.
"Imagine I'm a Quirkless child, an orphan with parents killed in a villain attack, bullied his whole life every day because I wanted to be a hero. But I believe I could achieve my dream if I met my hero to give me the push that I needed. Just one small encouragement."
Now he was certain where this would go. It's the same as what Izuku asked of him, different through this Shaman's rhetorical explanation. "So I ask you, a Symbol of Peace to a regular fan who you never came to know, a poor lost soul that needed hope… Can a Quirkless person become a hero?"
He tried to think a bit, but as the minute passed, he couldn't find the answer. It would have ended up becoming the same he gave the boy. He probably couldn't even run either; if she was a Shaman, she might have a spirit on standby to keep him from transforming.
Everyone in the room was waiting for the answer of the number one hero. In conclusion, he said the same thing as he said to the boy. "You shouldn't become a hero without power."
Anna just clapped slowly. "Congratulations for being honest. And if you're lucky, that person that you spoke to won't decide to commit suicide or become a villain just to spite you."
All Might's heart dreaded hearing such a possible truth. He almost caused such a thing to an innocent child for being truthful. It's just not him; the others felt disappointed in the words of the hero.
"I asked you such a question because you are no hero to me. You still don't understand how to save a person's heart and soul. Just their lives. That is all a Symbol of Peace is. Words can kill a person."
Toshinori slammed his fists into his legs. "So it's okay for me to give him false hope? To tell him that everything will work out whether he has a Quirk or not?!"
"You better watch your tone," she growled, silencing him. "If you're going to go on television and tell the world 'you can be a hero,' say that to everyone in person. It's that type of hypocrisy that I despise, and you're even worse because you used to be Quirkless too."
He lowered his head in shame. He should have known better considering his origin.
"Say what you want about me under your breath; I still give people a chance," she bluntly stated right in front of him. "If you can find the right answer for what you said I might reconsider my thoughts."
"… what answer?" he asked.
"That is for you to figure out. I'm a little busy with this aftermath." This led to the CEO massaging her head. After a bit of pause, she said, "Now on a much more pressing matter, let's get it all out in the open; all of you know that my nephew and I are Shaman, correct?"
Everyone just nodded. Nezu was able to see spirits and other things when he regained intelligence. It's probably due to him being an animal that gifted Nezu the ability to see spirits was the theory.
Chiyo was old enough to know about Shamans. As a physician, she would tour around the country for medicine, therapy, and treatment that might help heroes where she heard of a Miko that helped patients with unorthodox healing capabilities. That's how she was introduced to the world of Shamans.
"As you all know, Izuku Midoriya was attacked by a Shaman. As such this is our jurisdiction as those who aren't Shaman are not to be involved. So the SDAIH." As much as both Midnight and All Might wanted to protest they can't as they knew this was out of their league and knew how they felt like when saying something similar to their students.
"Do you know who attacked young Midoriya?" he asked.
"Again, I need confirmation first, as spirits can be used by anyone."
"But I thought Guardian spirits needed trust with a Shaman," Midnight asked, remembering information given to her by Izuku on the Oversoul.
"There are ways of submitting ghosts to do your bidding and become guardian spirit, but I won't bother the details."
Nezu, having spoken the least, said, "Anna, if Midoriya uses his spiritual capabilities at the sports festival everyone in the world including Shamans will know who he really is."
Anna remained undeterred. "Of course. But we've gone through generations of persecutions by humanity because either they didn't fear Shamans or they hated Quirks. And it's time the world sees that shamans are no different than people with quirks. Of course, Shaman would disapprove that a Shaman using his or her powers out in the open for all the Normals to see and using it to become a pro hero, but I see an opportunity a world where Shamans do not fear their heritage and can walk out in the open."
She became solemn as she continued. "Of course, it won't happen today or tomorrow or even this year, but it'll be never if nothing is done. Humanity and Shamans need to see that they can do more and that boy becoming a hero is the first step."
'She really thought of everything!' was everyone's thoughts.
'So this is how she got to where she is…'
"I just want to know what Recovery Girl meant by fixing the hero society."
"I agree," said Midnight.
"Even if I tell you what will you do? You've already chosen a successor and your time as a hero is almost over." Regardless, the woman tossed a card as Yagi caught it. "Go to this address and bring along that detective with you if you want your answer. It might open your eyes to the world."
The hero looked at the address in question. "So any other questions?"
Everyone just shook their heads.
"Meeting adjourned, and no mention of the Shaman." The queen left without any words, followed by the others. Some of them just couldn't say anything towards the number one hero. Hearing him tell a child no changed their thoughts.
Midnight was taken off the most knowing how Aizawa was discriminated against due to his Quirk. He was basically Quirkless against certain enemies even with Erasure but still pushed himself hard to overcome his weakness. She needed some time alone to think on those sacrilegious words.
Nezu thought his concept would allow a Quirkless student or more to enter U.A. which would boost morale for them. This was a situation back during the era before hero became a profession, only now the Quirkless were scarce and treated like freaks. So to hear All Might saying that was a slap to the face of himself, U.A., and the Quirkless still within Japan.
Recovery Girl didn't have any real thoughts. She knew All Might cared and was acting out of goodwill, but he was the worst at talking about the heart. Smiling to give hope and safety to others wasn't enough in this case.
As they left, All Might asked Chiyo, "Is it alright to give false hope?"
She took a small breath. "Lying by itself is wrong, but people need something to hope for. Otherwise, they'll die."
All Might, pondering the words of the elder tried to find the right answer. Was he wrong to say that? Could what she said happen? If someone other than Midoriya but with a similar origin was told that, would they turn to evil? Even the most unimpressive Quirks he encouraged, but this was the first Quirkless he met since himself.
Somewhere in the vestige of One for All, the past users were discussing the first encounter of the enemy Shaman, Curses that their host fought, and helping spirits. All eight sat on their thrones, save the absent ninth of Amidamaru.
"What do you think of the situation about Shamans?"
"All we know is that they are powerful and have god-like powers depending on the guardian spirits that they use and have."
"It's not just that their abilities surpass quirks. It's only due to rules and status of secrecy keeping a secret from the public is the reason why all of us haven't known about the Shamans."
"You have already seen that Amigo using a goddess to turn those golems into dust with just sound and the ninth is still learning to use his oversoul. He hasn't even called on our power yet."
"Not only that, this so-called tournament the Shaman Fight was something that would intrigue One For All, as the winner can shape the world as they please. But it won't happen for another 250 years."
"That is a long time gap, but we can't take any chances even if he is not a Shaman."
"Should we tell the boy-"
"Not yet. The boy is still young. He still needs experience before we tell him."
"I don't know about you, but my body felt different. It's as if I could materialize in the real world. It's just a feeling, I think." This user with black whips around him felt odd, even floating.
"You know private meetings shouldn't be left out, especially the main attraction." Another voice was heard but it was a different voice.
"Who's there? How are you even here?" The person was concealed by shadows, but he had a powerful vibe and aura that made all the users felt little in his presence.
"Answer the question," The first spoke, fearing it could be that man.
"How small you all are. As part of the great spirit, you already know who I am. You should show respect to me." Hearing that, everyone knew who he was and quickly bowed down out of fear and respect.
"Why are you here?" the first asked.
"I was bored, so I decided to have a little chat. Of course, if you want me to hurt you…" Everyone just shivered from knowing the person in front of them was out of their league in so many ways.
"So, what were we talking about?"
This is another flashback about the USJ aftermath.
This the detail on how words can hurt a person unlike in the canon Midoriya just forgotten about those words and it's his nature, sure All Might apologize but felt a bit without consequences that some of such words could bring negativity. And that not even words can help.
Anna doesn't tolerate those who are hypocrites and she's the type to make a point right at All Might face. Besides that, since she funded U.A. she has the right to include it in the staff as Robots aren't cheap. It's like trying to maintain and Building CIS droids during the clone wars.
The Shaman King is omnipotent as has the capabilities to enter the vestige of One For All easily and but won't interfere with the mortal struggle.
