Disclaimer: I do not own Boku No Hero Academia.

CHAPTER II – HE WAS CHAOS

The sun was already setting when All Might got back to UA, drowning the block of buildings in warm colours of orange, red and yellow slowly turning into pink and purple. It was an amazing view and it somehow reminded him of the past. Back when Nana was still around..
He had never told her but to him, she had been like a mother.

"All Might!", someone with a voice full of joy called.

Midoriya.
He turned around, greeting the student with a waving hand.

Midoriya Izuku was his protégé, his apprentice and All Might knew that although the student looked at him with utter adoration, he was slowly but surely becoming independent. And that was alright: Midoriya wasn't All Might – he was his own person (unlike Shigaraki, who only seemed what All for One had formed him to be…).

Midoriya's apprenticeship at UA was almost over, less than a semester before he and the others would get their professional licenses – unless they'd failed, of course. But All Might wasn't too worried about that, they all had too much potential. Maybe that was the reason Aizawa hadn't ever expelled anyone in that class.

Images of his first encounter with Midoriya flashed through All Might's mind. A courageous, quirkless boy taking action when All Might himself couldn't. The kid had always been so selfless, it was almost angelic.

Still, Midoriya had changed a lot in these years. Not just his strength or his ability to use One for All to almost its full extent – he had grown taller, his facial features had lost the baby fat and most importantly, he had become more confident in himself.

All Might caught himself dwelling on past events again. He shook his thoughts away, coming back to the here and now.

"Hey kid, looking good. How was school?", he asked when Midoriya had reached him.

He looked strong and healthy and although he had grown, he still couldn't quite reach All Might's height, even in his skeleton form.

"Ah, the usual! Mr. Aizawa won't let us get a minute of rest!", he said while scratching the back of his head.

"I'd be surprised if he did."

Midoriya smiled, erupting pure happiness and it was hard for the past pro-hero not to get attached by it. He was a proud teacher, not only of Midoriya but of all of them. Class 3-A really was special, not that 3-B wasn't, but 3-A was just.. something else.

"So, where's the rest of your squad?", he proceeded to ask, not seeing another single student on the area.

"They're all back at the dorms.", Midoriya explained, "I wanted to go for a jog before homework."

"Mind if I join?", and Midoriya's face lit up once again.

When they arrived at the Dagobah beach, the sky was already a deep blue, revealing a galaxy full of shining stars and a half moon which lit the land in shimmering light. They had not exchanged a lot of words on the way here and All Might was thankful for that. After talking with Tsukauchi about his visit from earlier, he had just wanted to get his head free. Going for a jog was always a good thing to achieve that.

They both sat down exhausted (but not before All Might had grabbed two empty soda cans someone had left and disposed them properly) and just watched the sea. The wind was warm and comforting and the waves that crashed into the shore gave off a pleasant sound. No one else was there.

"All Might?", his student broke the silence after a minute or so, "What's wrong?"

They were close; too close to expect Midoriya not to suspect anything. He knew that he shouldn't tell Midoriya, or anyone uninvolved in the criminal's case for that matter, but he needed to get this off his chest. He needed to talk to someone who wasn't a police officer like Tsukauchi, someone with a different mindset.

"I was in Tartarus today."

"What happened?! Did someone try a breakout?", was Midoriya's immediate question and when All Might looked at him, the boy's eyes were full of concern.

All Might shook his head: "No, nothing of the sort, don't worry. I just visited someone."

That response didn't satisfy his student, the concern was clearly still written in his orbs.

"I want to help him but.. he won't let me. To be frank, I'm feeling even more powerless then that day at Kamino. At least back then, I still believed that I could help people even without my power. I am not so sure about that anymore.", he explained looking at his bony hands, the words he spoke leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

"When you have to save someone, they're usually in a scary situation. A true hero saves not only their lives, but also their spirits... That's what I believe. So no matter how scary things get, give 'em a smile, as if to say, "I'm a-ok". The people in this world who can smile are always the strongest."

Master, why did you have to go so soon? There was still so much I needed to learn. How can I save someone who doesn't want to be saved?

"Can I.. can I know who it is?", Midoriya asked carefully.

The ex-hero wanted to deny the request when Midoriya spoke up again: "I promise I won't tell anyone!"

The older one decided to tell him this little detail as well. If he did get in trouble, so be it, but he was sure that the rumours of All Might getting close to one of Japan's most dangerous villains was already making the round thanks to the guards who had seen him giving the kid some sort of affection.

When he told Midoriya, he expected his protégé to get angry and shout at him. It had been Midoriya and Bakugou after all, who had put Shigaraki behind bars.

But Midoriya was.. happy? He was smiling?

"You're truly still the greatest, All Might!", his student said and clenched his fists in excitement.

"Excuse me?", All Might was taken aback and confused by the kid's reaction.

"Even when everyone else has given up on him you're still fighting! With or without One for All you're still fighting! I hope I can one day become a hero like you!"

Young Midoriya..You are pure light.

"You will become an even greater one."

The younger one's eyes filled with tears when he heard that but he managed to hold them back.

Ah yes, Midoriya didn't cry as much anymore. Who would have ever thought?

"Don't give up All Might,", the kid went back to the topic, "I am sure he's just afraid! I would be too if I was in Tartarus."

Afraid, huh?...

That's it!

Two weeks later when All Might returned to Tartarus, Sorahiko – better known as Gran Torino –, was awaiting him in front of the high security prison's entrance.

"Already getting attached to the kid I see, eh Toshinori?", he greeted him accusatory. Well, not that it was wrong.

All Might scratched the back of his head, his sunken cheeks blushing while his lips pulled into a smile: "Good to see you too, Master."

The older man just sighed and All Might was sure he wanted to say something like 'You never change.', but Gran Torino stayed silent.

When they entered the building, All Might noticed for the first time how old Gran Torino had really gotten. He had become even shorter, his back bucked and his pace was slow and careful. Not even the hero uniform he was wearing could hide it anymore; soon Gran Torino would have to retire for good.

They provided the license from the court to the guards and let themselves get checked before passing the metal detectors.

"Approved. You may pass to the cells now.", the guard then said and showed them the way.

"I did request a special item to be brought into the cell last week. Is it there?", All Might asked the guard while they were taking the elevator to the lower floors, passing the levels in which All for One and Stain were kept.

"Yes, the requested item has been approved and prepared, All Might.", the guard explained just as the door to the requested floor opened. Gran Torino couldn't help but look around like a child in awe – he had never been on the lower floors of Tartarus, leaving the visits and the talking to the professionals. But this time, he had decided to go visit his friend's grandson as well, although he tried to tell himself that it was for reasons that could help prevent future criminality. He knew that wasn't true.

When they arrived, the guard took up a small box that was placed in front of the door and quickly handed it to All Might, who took it before the guard let it drop. His face was twisted up in disgust and he was visibly pleased not having to hold it any longer.
The box was heavier than expected, not because of the weight of the item inside, but because it could be the key to getting Shigaraki to talk to him.

"Before I let you inside you need to hear the rules again. I know you've heard them before, All Might, but I am obligated.", he said and looked at All Might with eyes that seemed to ask for permission to continue. So the hero nodded.

"The visit is limited to one hour and we are allowed to intervene whenever we feel the situation could escalate. No items which could be used as a weapon are allowed into the cell, exceptions are made for us and the doctors in charge for the prisoner. Since you've requested a license for the item you're holding, it can be brought in without legal consequences. There is still no furniture in the cell, so you will have to accommodate yourself. We will be watching you for the whole hour, however all microphones inside are muted, since this was also approved by the high court. You are not allowed to talk about the news or any other general outside information."

All Might and Gran Torino simultaneously nodded. A lot of rules but nothing that would incapacitate them in any way.

"Now, onto the prisoner; Shigaraki has been beyond difficult during those past weeks.", the guard said and his tone of voice showed a hint of sorrow. He was specifically looking at All Might and the hero recognised him as the one guard who had told him about having a son around Shigaraki's age.

"After you left, he had tried to pull out his hair and had scratched open his own face, even in his drugged state. No serious damage was done, but he then started to refuse any kind of food or water. The doctors had to force it into him, drugging him every time since he's become quite rebellious again. If they keep doing this, he will more likely die from an overdose than from hunger."

All Might felt sick again. Did he really want to go inside?

...Yes. Yes he wanted to. He had to try to save him.

For Nana.

"Die?", Gran Torino repeated. The guard then looked at him.

"Yes. They didn't tell us what they use to calm him but from what I understand, it's an extremely dangerous injection and since Shigaraki's already underweight, calculating the proper amount is difficult. Also, his body still needs time to dissolve it.", he explained as good as he could. Gran Torino crossed his arms while digesting what he just had heard and looked up to All Might, who on the other hand had not been listening but staring at the heavy door of the cell.

The guard then unlocked it and stepped in, followed by the older man first. All Might took a last deep breath and followed.

Shigaraki was laying with his back on his thin mattress, the bandages on his arms removed, revealing pale soft skin covered in dozen of still red scars. His hands lay folded on his chest while one finger of each hand was lifted up.

Even with his gloves on. Old habits die hard.

"Visitors, Shigaraki. Try to keep yourself together this time.", the guard announced and then left them, closing the heavy cell door but keeping it unlocked, just in case.

"You brought another player, All Might.", Shigaraki spoke up first to both of the heroes' surprise. His voice was so hoarse, he must have been screaming for hours these past days.

"I'm not sure you remember, but we've already met, Shigaraki Tomura.", Gran Torino said and slowly sat onto the stone cold floor. All Might copied that, never leaving his eyes of Shigaraki, who was still starring at the ceiling. He was sober this time, his vision focused and his scarlet eyes didn't hold that fleeting gray shadow they had when he was drugged.

"I remember, old man.", he said slowly, the raspy voice making him sound more menacing and evil. Gran Torino smirked at that remark."Charming as always."

Shigaraki then sat up, crossed his legs and leaned back against the wall, directly facing the two visitors. While he moved, All Might noticed the bones under his pale skin and how spidery all of his limbs looked. Yes, he had always been very slender, but now there was nothing on him and although he tried not to show, All Might knew what a struggling body looked like. Shigaraki was clearly giving it his all just to sit up.

I still need to be cautious with him, even with Gran Torino here., he said to himself and glimpsed at the older man. Right now he was sure that the villain would not attack them. Shigaraki wasn't dumb: he couldn't use his quirk and although he was faster than All Might, he still couldn't measure himself with someone whose quirk was speed itself.

"We have an offer for you, Shimura.", All Might started and placed the box he had been holding in front of him. He could feel Gran Torino's eyes on him, clearly annoyed by the fact that he had already gotten so attached to the boy that he had switched to using his real name. All Might ignored him and instead looked at Shigaraki who had his head lowered, his pale hair hanging like a curtain in front of his face.

"I told you not to fucking call me that.", his voice was already dripping with poison and his hands clenched in fists, still holding the pointing fingers up, even if he didn't need to.

"Will you listen to what I have to say?", the skinny symbol of peace dodged the threat and just went on with what he had planned. This time Shigaraki stayed silent and looked away. The villain released his clenched fingers and cracked them as if preparing for a fight.

"Don't you dare move from that spot, Shigaraki Tomura.", Gran Torino warned him. The warning had been unnecessary; All Might knew that Shigaraki wasn't going to attack them, even if he smelled of bloodlust. The former hero was trying to build up a relationship to this prisoner, but his master wasn't helping. He understood that Gran Torino was just doing his job and treating Shigaraki like he deserved to be treated: like a criminal. Yes, he may have been abducted as a kid and raised to be a villain, but he had still acted on his own accord.

Gran Torino was right, no matter from which angle you looked at it, but All Might just couldn't help it. This young man deserved so much more. Actually not only him, but also his companions and other criminals – they just needed someone to guide them.

"What I have here in this box may be of your interest. I am willing to give it to you if you agree to my conditions."

That caught Shigaraki's attention: he shook the hair out of his face and peaked at the box. The cut nails were already digging into the soft healing skin of his arms again. After he seemed to realize that he had been staring with such obvious curiosity, he immediately leaned back to the wall and crossed his arms in defence and distaste.

"There's nothing you can give me, All Might.", his words were like knives with the intent to kill.

"You're a smart guy, Shigaraki Tomura, but you lack experience. We wouldn't have brought this item if we had been unsure about this.", Gran Torino now interfered and got himself an angry glare of Shigaraki's burning eyes.

"What the fuck would an old man like you know?", he spat, his voice rising and his finger trying to hold onto something he could disintegrate, right now his own arms.

Silence followed for a few seconds and Shigaraki bit his cracked lip before finally saying: "Give it to me."

It wasn't a request, it was an order, but the heroes were not intimidated, not even by that hoarse, low voice of his. On the contrary; All Might sighed and Gran Torino shook his head.

"We are trying to help you, young Shimura. You can either accept my conditions and keep what's inside the box or we will leave this place and you will never see us, the item or anything other than your cell ever again.", All Might tried again. His master's grandson was unstable in every way possible. Shigaraki was not loyal to anyone but his teacher. He was stubborn, selfish, arrogant and still very childish. And because of that he was dangerous. Sacrifices? Casualties? The costs didn't matter as long as he could reach his goals. He wasn't meant to live in a society – he was so full of hate, he was chaos, he was like a typhoon in a village of houses made of nothing but leaves. All Might knew that in thousand lives Shigaraki would have always told them to leave him in this cell to rot.

But he didn't.

Because of the item.

Because it was probably the only thing beside All for One that could give him some sort of comfort.

This was the reason the criminal had stayed silent for minutes now. He was torn between showing how strong he was and just wanting that disgusting disembodied hand in that box!

"GIVE IT TO ME!", he threw himself towards All Might, his fingers spread wide, ready to grab the hero's throat. But Gran Torino was faster and before Shigaraki could even touch one of them, the older man kicked him back onto the wall. It was then that the voice of the guards echoed through the cell for the first time during this meeting.

"We will intervene unless you tell us not to, All Might."

All Might stared into the camera hanging from one of the ceiling's corners and explicitly shook his head. No answer came but the door stayed close. Relief washed over him.

Shigaraki was in no shape to fight. He was sitting on his knees, his back bucked while he was holding his stomach and he coughed so that a thin line of blood flowed down to chin.

"Bastard.", he managed to get out before coughing again and moaning in pain while still hugging his hurting stomach.

This shouldn't have hurt him at all but he already looked completely devastated.

"This is your last chance, Shigaraki. Will you please just listen to my request?"

Scarlet eyes looked up to him and for a while, they just stared each other until Shigaraki slowly leaned back onto the wall, still holding himself and answered: "Just because you begged."

Finally.

"I have three conditions you have to meet from here on now as closely as possible. First off, you will start therapy, meaning you will follow the doctor and psychiatrist's wishes and orders as well as trying to better yourself. The better you act, the more freedom the court is willing to give you."

"Fuck the court.", Shigaraki commented and All Might ignored him. Gran Torino just smirked and shook his head again.

"My second condition is that you will agree to me visiting you twice a week."

"I wonder why.", Shigaraki sarcastically added and rolled his eyes while pulling his cracked lips into one of his creepy smiles. How was it even possible for someone to smile like that?, "What's your last point, symbol of peace?"

Even Gran Torino turned to look at All Might. His apprentice had quickly informed him about the two conditions on the way down here but he hadn't mentioned a third one. Had he made that up just now? He couldn't think of anything.

"I want to call you by your first name."