The first chapter received such an awfully good reception that you are getting a second one the next day. Chapter three is already finished at this point if you think I'm writing as soon as I post a new chapter.
But let's move on to the review corner!
From RedHood001:
"Prohibited Power was the first story that I read. It had its flaws from what I remember, but I enjoyed it for what it is. I look forward to the development of this story, especially with how Izuku is essentially embracing his All For One power early on. He's presumably going to be more open in that regard as he progresses. But will he reveal his quirk to UA when he tries to apply? I hope so. It makes it easier to explain how Izuku would win battles without having to hold back... Plus, judging by Izuku's smile, I imagine the quirk hunger will need to be properly managed. Overall, a brilliant start!"
Thank you for your continued support!
It was something a lot of people didn't like in Prohibited Power. I thought it would be logical for Izuku to hide his quirk. But I did reconsider whether he would hide or use it, and I came up with a good compromise. Izuku isn't afraid of using his quirk; he still hides it to not make his life a living hell, especially at Aldera. He won't hesitate to show off his quirk at U.A., though. The quirk hunger is a natural part of his quirk, but I will develop that later.
From Knighthunter911700:
"HEY, WHERE IS THE REST? THAT CAN'T BE IT. WHERE IS THE REST?
An amazing start, I can truly see the improvement in your work. My only question about this story is: Is Inko lying to AFO? Because there is a lot of evidence to point towards the fact that Izuku is his son.
Can't wait to see the next chapter."
CHILL, WOULD YOU? NO YELLING IN THE REVIEW CORNER (The rule doesn't apply to me of course).
Thanks for the review!
Inko worked for/with All for One in the past. She is lying to protect Izuku and All for One from each other, not that she fears Izuku would be turned into a villain. She just doesn't want to involve her son in her father's activities, and she doesn't want to burden All for One with a son that he would try to protect from the entire world if he could. She is trying her best, really, and at this point, she is just expecting the equivalent of a nuclear bomb to drop by her door, asking if they are the father.
Well, that's all for the review corner! I will always try to pick between two and four reviews, depending on which is interesting to respond to.
Now...
Ah yes, SMASH right?
Izuku didn't die; he had returned from the brink of death twice in a single day. As impressive as it sounded, he had no intention of experiencing that again. Though mostly fine, he still felt exhausted from using his quirk on the villain. But where was the villain?
Scanning the surroundings, Izuku located his belongings. The scene felt eerily familiar, except for one striking difference: the Symbol of Peace himself stood before him.
"Ah! You're finally awake. A few more minutes, and I would have had to make a big leap to the nearest hospital!" The number one hero beamed, laughter accompanying his words.
"A-All M-Might..." Izuku stuttered, using the wall behind him for support as he stood.
"The one and only!" It was unbelievable. The Symbol of Peace, right in front of him. Could it be that he had died, and this was paradise? No, that wasn't it. If it were paradise, he wouldn't still feel All Might's quirk, or at least that's how he imagined it.
Today, he had witnessed one strange quirk, but All Might's quirk was even stranger. It felt empty yet full of something continually growing—an evolving void attempting to fill itself. It was a sense of order juxtaposed with the chaos of the skull villain's quirk.
"I heard your screams from blocks away and sprinted as fast as I could! No worries, this fiend won't harm anyone for a long while." The hero gestured toward a small bottle attached to his left leg. Izuku felt guilty because technically, the villain was the victim in this scenario, but he couldn't regret the fate that awaited them. "I must return to my duties now. Stay safe, citizen!"
"W-Wait!" The hero was about to leave, and even though Izuku was weakened, he managed to push himself away from the wall and grab onto the Symbol of Peace's leg—though it wasn't the wisest decision. Suddenly, they were airborne, several dozen meters above the streets.
"Hmm? W-What are you doing?! Please let go of my leg."
"I-If I do that, I-I will fall!" Despite the wind battering his face, Izuku managed to convey his words.
"Oh, quite right!" The hero gently landed on top of an apartment building. Unlike All Might's graceful landing, Izuku's was less refined. As he dusted himself off, he noticed something off about the Symbol of Peace. Smoke emanated from him, and simultaneously, Izuku sensed a weakening in All Might's quirk. The hero struggled to remain composed, to avoid regression, but Izuku sensed the truth: there was nothing more to be done.
"I'm-I'm really so-sorry but I had a question ask you All-" Smoke enveloped them more intensely, and within the mist, Izuku spotted a very skinny blond man with the same quirk as All Might. He was seated on the ground, coughing up blood. "-Might?" Without his quirk, Izuku might have doubted this man's identity. The once bright smile was gone, the aura...
Izuku sensed that he shouldn't be witnessing this. Opening his backpack, he offered All Might a tissue. "For the blood." Accepting the tissue, All Might cleaned the blood around his mouth. "I apologize if I—"
"No, you're not at fault... but please keep this to yourself." All Might lifted his shirt, revealing a gruesome scar. Izuku gulped. Such an injury was the stuff of movies, not real life. "I had a battle about a decade ago. I met my match, and I did win, but at a tremendous cost. This was kept hidden from the public—"
"Toxic Chainsaw... that's the battle you're referring to, right?" Based on All Might's expression, Izuku had his answer. "As the Symbol of Peace, it makes sense to conceal such a fight."
"Your research is impressive... My responsibilities extend beyond heroics. It's not a complete lie. I'll keep at it until someone can take up my mantle." All Might stretched and surveyed the surroundings. "I guess I'm done for today... But why did you grab my leg? You could have gotten yourself killed." The hero's voice shifted to a reprimanding tone.
"I... I had a question. Do you think someone without a quirk can become a hero?" All Might didn't reply immediately. "Can... can someone become like you? Can I inspire hope in people without a quirk?"
The Symbol of Peace stood still, his eyes showing a hint of turmoil. After a long silence, All Might finally answered. "No."
Izuku's world shattered. What?
It felt wrong. Of all people, the Symbol of Peace, the greatest hero in Japan, simply said no? Not even a hint of "It might be tough, but if you work hard enough, you can achieve it!" No, instead, they just... were no different from everyone else.
All Might proceeded to suggest that Izuku consider becoming a policeman. He explained that heroes risked their lives on the job, and without a quirk to defend himself, Izuku would only become a victim. A blur clouded Izuku's mind. By the time he glanced up again, the Symbol of Peace was gone.
Izuku let out a laugh, a laugh as loud as he could muster. The only person who had ever encouraged him to be a hero was a villain.
He contemplated lying down for a while, sending a message to his mother claiming he felt unwell and needed to isolate himself for an hour. However, the area was buzzing with activity. A gathering of people had formed nearby. As the day wore on, what could be attracting so much attention? Another villain confrontation, perhaps? He decided to investigate, hoping it would help him forget about how his idol had shattered his aspirations.
Explosions echoed, originating from a narrow street. The scene didn't resemble a villain attack. A few pro heroes stood among the crowd, gazing toward the source of chaos. Intrigued, Izuku navigated through the civilians, careful about his hands. Exhausted from his earlier encounter with the sludge, he had no intention of causing a scene. And just when he believed his day couldn't become any more eventful, the sludge villain had somehow eluded All Might. Izuku could surmise how it had happened; the heroes remained inactive because the villain was holding a hostage.
Katsuki Bakugo, to be exact.
Serves him right, Izuku thought, though the explosions, the destruction—all of it—were Katsuki's desperate attempts to break free. He had to witness everyone being unable to help him, and in return, he had to endure being the victim in front of all.
"We need to wait for someone with a stronger quirk to intervene." The heroes' words were devoid of action. They were ready to let Katsuki perish if it meant avoiding a potentially hazardous situation. Izuku surveyed the crowd, hoping to find assistance or at least offer instructions.
All Might was present, observing, but then he turned away. Nausea surged within Izuku. Even the Symbol of Peace was giving up?
"If you want to be remembered, you must take the necessary steps to bring about change." echoed the words of the skull villain. Clenching his fist, Izuku rejected All Might's statement. He would prove them all wrong. Summoning all his strength, he crossed the security line and sprinted toward the villain.
"It's dangerous! Get back!" The heroes shouted. But he barely heard them. His focus was on restraining his quirk until the right moment. Its hunger was stronger than ever. The villain seemed to sense it too; their hold on Katsuki weakened. Fear immobilized the sludge.
Five meters away from the villain, Izuku threw his bag at its face, momentarily distracting it. In that moment, he plunged his left hand into its body, activating his quirk to harm the sludge.
The villain released Katsuki. The young teen was almost breathless, but at least he was safe, and the explosions ceased. The sludge attempted to strike Izuku, who managed to dodge the attack. Exhaustion threatened to consume him, but Izuku pressed on, using both hands to focus on incapacitating the villain.
"SMASH!" A massive gust of wind knocked him to the ground. Izuku lost contact with the sludge, but it no longer mattered. All Might needed just one blow to finish the battle.
Collapsed on the ground, Izuku caught his breath. Heroes intervened, extinguishing fires and tending to the aftermath. A few minutes passed, and during that time, the heroes praised Katsuki for his explosive quirk, despite its destructive potential and how close it had brought him to death. All Might posed for the media, disregarding Izuku... It was the perfect moment for him to make a quiet exit.
"Hey, you!" Kamui Wood called out. "You could've become a second hostage, or worse, gotten yourself killed. Do you realize how much harder you make our jobs? You could even get arrested for this." The hero scolded him. Izuku noticed cameras aimed his way, ready to capture any sign of his embarrassment.
Ignoring the hero, Izuku continued walking. "Don't ignore us, you brat!" Mount Lady stood in his path. He just wanted to go home and collapse into bed... He was fortunate that his food hadn't been damaged during his encounter with the sludge.
The hero blocked his path, attempting to grab his wrist. Panic seized Izuku, fearing what he might do if he lost control. "D-Don't touch me." It was inevitable now—the spotlight was on him, and he needed to leave.
"Don't mind him; he's just another quirkless freak." The remark came from Katsuki. Izuku had saved him, yet this was how he repaid him—more pain?
The heroes said nothing, not even a reprimand for Katsuki. They remained silent, their reaction to his words being a tacit approval. Some began to snicker, which soon escalated into laughter. Izuku glanced at All Might one final time, the Symbol of Peace, still smiling despite the utter wrongness of the situation.
The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the less populated streets that led to Izuku's home. The day was finally coming to an end. Pausing for a moment, Izuku activated his quirk to sense if anyone was around. The surroundings were quiet, so he allowed himself a moment of vulnerability and let the tears flow.
The release felt cathartic, his hands had been tingling since he left the scene of destruction. He didn't make a sound; he permitted himself this moment of weakness. However, he was determined not to show his vulnerability in public. He had been in similar situations far too many times at Aldera.
No more, he resolved. Just no more...
A sudden clap of hands behind him jolted Izuku. How had he not sensed their presence? He quickly wiped his face with his arm, trying to hide the evidence of his tears. But his reddened eyes would inevitably betray him. It was the villain with the black helmet again. This time, Izuku couldn't feel their aura. "I am very impressed," they said with a genuine tone.
"I- ... I would prefer to be alone for now. C-could you give me some space?" Izuku requested, his voice wavering.
"You want to go home and lock yourself in a room? Preferably soundproof, so you can get all this pain out of your head," the villain guessed, disregarding Izuku's plea. "I get the feeling... but if a small part of you wants to talk, just know that I'm here."
"I don't even know who you are!" Izuku snapped, his frustration rising. "And I don't want to talk, especially not to you!"
"You possess a fantastic quirk—the ability to take and, if I'm correct, to give quirks. You could potentially be even stronger than All Might. Yet, here you are, subjecting yourself to the treatment society reserves for those who weren't blessed with a quirk. Why?" The villain continued approaching Izuku. "You could achieve so much more..."
"You don't know anything... you don't know how it feels. I can sense it—your quirk is monstrously strong. You're a fraud just as much as the heroes! You've never been weak, so don't pretend to understand how it feels." Izuku lashed out, his emotions bubbling over.
However, the villain remained steadfast, not backing down. They stood motionless, their face obscured by the helmet. But the way their quirk reacted—was that a mix of disgust and pity? "I have been weak before, though it was a long time ago. Back then, heroes and villains were vastly different. Nowadays, it's easy for people to label others as frauds, just as you said. Call me a villain, a monster—I'll accept those labels as compliments." The villain extended their hand toward Izuku.
Izuku's eyes widened as he saw the red sparks dancing between the villain's fingers. Guilt washed over him—it all suddenly made sense. He even mimicked the villain's gesture, confirming his suspicion. "It seems that despite the uniqueness of our quirks, we share the same mutation."
"How many?" Dread filled Izuku's voice as he asked. He now realized that the villain's quirk wasn't as "empty" as his own.
"Thousands. I haven't kept count." Izuku looked away, a wave of nausea hitting him. Did this villain have any empathy? Had they ever considered what it felt like to lose a part of oneself, a defining aspect of who they were? "I can tell what you're thinking. Yes, I've forcibly taken quirks, but even now, some people wish to be freed from their villainous or parasitic quirks. I admire their courage for seeking me out, and I respect them even more for relinquishing a part of themselves."
"It doesn't make it right. Don't—don't try to justify it." Izuku leaned against a wall, trying not to focus too much on the villain's quirk. Looking in their direction made him feel increasingly nauseous.
"Why should I? I made a choice to use my quirk in this manner. If hurting a few people along the way helps me achieve my goal, so be it. I already mentioned that I'm impressed, not by your reckless heroic intervention, though that was an impressive performance. No, what truly impresses me is how far you're willing to go for someone who, by all accounts, should have been left to die."
"He doesn't—"
"Enough with the act. I recognize a bully when I see one. There's a history between you and him, isn't there? That wasn't pity in your eyes when you intervened; that was hope. You wanted to believe that saving him could change his behavior. You shielded yourself from the frustration of the heroes, but when he called you a quirkless freak, you froze." At the quote, Izuku shivered, filled with instant regret.
"Just like that," the villain gestured toward him. "You can keep pretending it's okay, or you can take my offer. Share your story with me and find some relief."
With a heavy sigh, Izuku relented. "Do I even have a choice?"
"You have the illusion of choice. It's better than nothing." The villain motioned to a nearby bench. "I can't stand seeing so much potential go to waste." Izuku followed the villain's lead and took a seat.
"Are you trying to turn me into a villain?"
"Stubbornness is a flaw, but you're right to be cautious. I know you aspire to be a hero, and your determination is commendable. But it's clear that you haven't had much support in your life... What about your parents?"
"My mo-... my parents are aware of my quirk, and they're supporting me as much as they can. It's become... easier to talk about bullying lately."
"You... didn't want to involve them, or did you believe they wouldn't care?"
Izuku recalled how his mother had been concerned before they discovered his quirk. He couldn't blame her—back then, he was technically quirkless, and maybe she already knew about the bullying he endured. After he got his quirk, she seemed more confident in his ability to defend himself, even if he mainly used it to escape bullies and other unpleasant situations. "Both," he admitted.
"Some people aren't equipped to be parents. I'm glad your parents took up their responsibilities. So, school it is. I've never been fond of schools. It's like sending children to public prisons, watching to see who will claw their way to the top."
"Just... how old are you?"
"A few centuries, I suppose. I don't possess an immortality quirk, but my aging process has halted." Izuku was intrigued by such a quirk—if an immortality quirk ever existed, it would have undoubtedly become common knowledge. If he had to theorize, it might be a combination of quirks rather than a singular ability.
"So schools were just as unpleasant two hundred years ago?"
"The social dynamics haven't evolved much, although the educational system itself has improved. Take that Katsuki Bakugo, for instance, with his flashy quirk. Your teachers have nurtured quite an ego in him over the years. Reality will hit him hard eventually. He'll have to learn how to behave like a proper human being."
Izuku had to agree, especially after witnessing Katsuki's behavior when he was held hostage. "I can handle him, just like I can handle the others. The threats, the physical harassment, the taunts about suicide."
"Excuse me?" The villain's tone shifted, a mix of anger and annoyance seeping through.
"You should take a swan dive off the roof and hope you get a quirk in your next life." Izuku quoted. "I should've recorded it. I don't want him hurt... letting him get taken by the sludge villain wasn't justice, it was cowardice. But if the opportunity arises to reveal his true nature to the world, it's only fair."
The villain let out a sigh. "And here I was about to offer my assistance in taking care of him. Youngsters and their morals. These people don't care about morals, do they? If the roles were reversed, he would've left you to perish in the grip of the slime."
Izuku dismissed the villain's offer, addressing the second part. "But I didn't. It might not prove anything to anyone else, but to me, it shows that I'm better, and I'll always be better than he is."
"Fair enough... Is there something else? Based on your reaction, it's not just about him. What's truly troubling you?"
"That's where I shouldn't talk." Izuku struggled to maintain his resolve, but the villain leaned in, analyzing his behavior.
"You've stumbled upon something you shouldn't have, haven't you?" Izuku tried to respond, but the words caught in his throat. "I'll take that as a yes. No need to mention the 'confidential' aspect; just tell me about the issue itself."
Fidgeting with his fingers, Izuku considered describing the encounter without directly referencing All Might. "I... met a hero before the sludge villain attacked Katsuki. I asked them if it was possible to become a hero without a quirk. Obviously, they said it wasn't. But then I saw them again during the sludge villain attack, and instead of helping, they turned away."
The villain chuckled. "Oh, this is too good to be true. You met the blond buffoon. You've seen him in his true form, haven't you?" The chuckles escalated into awkward laughter, eventually subsiding as the villain regained control. "So All Might told you that you couldn't become a hero. And this fool reached his time limit in front of you, didn't he?"
"How... How do you know about his time limit?"
"Simple. I'm the one who brought him to that point." Izuku should have been terrified, but curiosity got the best of him. He must have lost his mind, spending time with this villain. However, his innate curiosity had the upper hand, craving every detail. "He shattered my face. I'd show you what's beneath the mask, but it's not a pleasant sight. I've lost countless memories, and my body often feels numb. There's always a sense that something is missing."
"I want to see it."
The villain sighed. "People are truly twisted these days." With careful movements, they removed their helmet, revealing the aftermath of their encounter with All Might. There was no blood, no scar—only an empty space where their eyes and nose should have been. "What are you waiting for? A round of applause?" They spoke with sarcasm.
"He tried to kill you." All Might's actions were usually about saving people. This villain was an exception.
"He certainly made the attempt. I allowed him to grow strong enough to defeat me... It's not something I can explain in the time we have. But All Might and his allies are willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate people like us, individuals with the All for One quirk."
"All for One? That's what you call your quirk?" The name felt cliché yet fitting. "I came up with 'Hijack'... It sounds less... evil."
"Well, I named myself after my quirk. All for One—that's how people used to refer to me. Now I'm reduced to urban legends and... what do they call it these days? Creepypasta? I'm the boogeyman of quirks, and I feel like a clown." Izuku actually snorted. "What's so amusing?"
"Nothing, really. It's just... I imagined you with white paint on your face and thought you might be less intimidating that way." Euphoria mixed with sleepiness enveloped Izuku. "I shouldn't be... laughing like this."
"People often collapse under the weight, feeling unwell." The villain didn't really mean it until he saw the unusual behaviour of the boy sitting next to him.
"I'm... feeling drowsy."
"You've used your quirk too much compared to other days?"
"Too much..." Izuku's consciousness waned, and he collapsed onto the bench's side.
"Quirk exhaustion, wonderful... I hate dealing with kids." All for One weighed his options before deciding to call Kurogiri. His personal warp gate responded immediately and materialized next to him.
"My lord, what's the emergency?" the mist villain inquired, his attention immediately drawn to the sleeping boy on the bench.
With urgency, All for One handed Izuku's belongings to Kurogiri. "He's most likely got an address or an emergency contact in there. I can't decipher it myself, so I need you to find out who he is and hopefully transport him back home. I have to clean up our former associate's mess before I return to the base."
"What happened to the boy?" Kurogiri leaned over Izuku, checking for injuries.
"He overexerted himself with his quirk, but apart from that, he's fine. Just weighed down by his thoughts. Let his parents know he needs a few days of rest when he gets home."
Kurogiri nodded. "I'll take care of it, my lord. Tomura has been concerned about you; we heard All Might was in the vicinity."
"All Might... he's reaching his limits. Let Tomura know he doesn't need to worry about me. He should focus on himself. I'll be back very soon." And with that, the master villain departed, leaving Kurogiri to carry out his instructions. He began by sifting through Izuku's belongings, a task he found distasteful yet necessary. In a pocket on the side of the school bag, he found a piece of paper with a phone number, an address, and a family name.
"Midoriya," Kurogiri whispered to himself. He recognized the name. It struck him—he found himself in a precarious situation.
Izuku should have been home by now. Something was undoubtedly wrong. He never stayed out this late. Inko had been trying to call him repeatedly, but he wasn't answering his phone. This was the third time she had attempted to reach him, and every time, it went straight to voicemail. Panic was beginning to well up within her, and she was on the verge of calling the police when her phone rang.
The number on the screen was unfamiliar, but in her desperation to hear from her son, she answered with a tense voice, "Inko?"
"Inko?" The voice on the other end was recognizable, even if slightly distorted by the phone. She immediately knew whose voice it was.
"Kurogiri, this really isn't the time. My son is—" Inko began, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and frustration.
"He's with me at the moment. He's sleeping due to quirk exhaustion," Kurogiri interjected, his tone calm and composed.
Inko's fear was tempered with relief. But she still couldn't shake the uneasiness that had settled in. All for One had been spotted in the town, and the thought of her son crossing paths with such a dangerous figure was deeply unsettling. But there was a possibility that Kurogiri, as a separate entity, had simply encountered Izuku without his master's involvement. "Did All for One come into contact with my son?" Inko's voice trembled.
"Master requested that I send your son back home. However, I don't believe he's aware of the situation," Kurogiri explained, his words a mix of confusion and uncertainty.
"I have an address. Please come quickly. We need to talk."
Inko's heart raced. Her mind was a whirlwind of worry and apprehension. She thanked Kurogiri and hastily jotted down the address he provided. As she hung up, a myriad of thoughts raced through her mind. She needed to get to her son, to make sure he was safe, and to understand the circumstances that led him to be with Kurogiri in the first place.
This is how Inko Midoriya ended up having tea with All for One's most trusted follower, Kurogiri. Inko had once worked with All for One, but Kurogiri had been wary of her due to her association with Shigaraki. However, through a series of interactions, they had developed a sort of understanding and even friendship over time. Inko knew about Kurogiri's condition and the circumstances that led to his transformation into a Nomu. She saw him as more than just a mindless creation, recognizing his humanity despite his altered form.
Kurogiri's initial question was about Inko's son. "You didn't mention having a son, you didn't tell master... you didn't tell anyone."
Inko explained, "I cut all contacts with Shigaraki to never involve Izuku. But clearly, it wasn't enough. I do not blame you or him; it just happened at a time I couldn't avoid it."
Kurogiri pressed further, "Then master doesn't know he is your son... but he knows you have one. He will figure it out eventually. His quirk... you told me about it. Does it mean you and master had an extended relationship? I never thought he would allow himself to... well, I do not mean to be rude."
Inko looked around the apartment, a space that she had made her own. "There isn't any picture of Midoriya Hisashi because he simply doesn't exist. I made up everything—the money, the husband who works overseas, the father who left a potentially quirkless kid behind him. Truth is... I did love Shigaraki at some point, and I still have feelings for him."
Kurogiri's silence spoke volumes. Inko interpreted it as a confirmation of Shigaraki's feelings. "It was on the day of my retirement; we had a few drinks, got into trouble, and ended the night in the same room. You do not need the specifics. When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself that Shigaraki wouldn't be able to deal with a child. But I couldn't bring myself to end it myself... so I had Izuku."
She continued her story, recounting Izuku's childhood and how he had manifested All for One's quirk in his sleep. She shared how he practiced controlling his quirk and his dream of attending a hero school to no longer have to hide his true abilities.
Kurogiri listened intently, fully engaged in Inko's narrative. "You put me in a difficult situation. You are the person my lord trusts the most... yet you have been lying to him for fourteen years."
Inko's gaze hardened as she met Kurogiri's eyes. "If I'm correct, All for One was defeated by All Might, and his empire collapsed on itself. If I had told him about Izuku, what tells me the Symbol of Peace or worse, the HPSC's goons would not have shown up at our doorstep the moment they found out the one and only All for One had a descendant with exactly the same quirk?"
Kurogiri looked away, understanding the gravity of the situation. "You are correct... it was a terrible period for us. All things considered, you only meant to protect Izuku."
Inko's gaze softened as she remembered her son. "He wants to become a hero. I wish for him to accomplish his goal. That is something I never had the strength to do. Given my heritage, I was foolish back then to think I could take on the entire world all by myself."
Kurogiri's voice was filled with memories as he mused, "That's a big dream... I have flashes of memories, of my time at this place. I feel regrets. You never told master about my dysfunctions, why?"
"I thought he needed someone genuinely honest by his side, not brainless puppets. You are more human than most of his followers, Kurogiri. I don't think you are dysfunctional. And even if he knew about these flashbacks, I don't think he would be bothered." Inko's hand reached out to touch Kurogiri's wrist, beneath the swirling mist. The contact seemed to stir something within him.
"I won't tell Shigaraki— I mean, master. I won't tell Tomura either. I promise. And if your son ever finds himself in a difficult situation, you can count on me," Kurogiri pledged.
Inko offered him a sincere smile. "Thank you, Kurogiri. Consider this the favor you owed me. Shigaraki will figure out Izuku is my son sooner or later anyway. When he does, I will face him."
Kurogiri stood up and bowed respectfully before leaving. "He has forgotten a lot because of his injury, but he never forgot about you, Inko."
As the mist enveloped Kurogiri and he vanished, Inko turned her attention to her sleeping son. Izuku lay there peacefully, looking more and more like his father with each passing day. She had faith that he would have a bright future and change the world in a way that All for One never could. She imagined a day when they could be a true family, but she knew that the world needed to change first.
Izuku woke up in his room, his mind groggy from sleep. The memories of the events from the previous day seemed surreal, almost like a dream. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time on his alarm clock. 9 AM. He sighed. It was a Saturday. He could afford to sleep in.
Deciding to take it easy, he got dressed and made his way to the bathroom. As he entered the living room, he found his mother already awake, watching the news.
"Hi, Mom. Sorry I'm late for school. Do you mind if I don't go? It's not like it's going to change anything if I miss it today." He yawned, still feeling drowsy.
"Good morning, sweetheart. It's Saturday, don't you remember?" Inko's voice held a warm amusement as she looked at her son.
Izuku froze for a moment, his sleep-fogged brain processing her words. Saturday. Of course, it was Saturday. He mentally facepalmed at his own forgetfulness.
"Oh... right. Saturday." He chuckled awkwardly. "I guess I really needed that sleep."
His mother nodded with a smile. "It's good to rest every now and then. And speaking of rest, you're on television, by the way."
Izuku's eyes widened, and he nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to get to the television. His heart raced as he watched the news, which displayed images of the sludge villain incident.
"The event, now referred to as the sludge villain incident, happened at 17:32 this Friday. A villain which hasn't been identified yet by the authorities was being tracked down by multiple heroes. It has been determined that the villain's quirk allowed himself to hide inside bodies like a parasite. The victim, Katsuki Bakugo, was taken by surprise and used as a human shield."
Izuku's heart sank as he watched the footage of Katsuki being held hostage by the sludge villain. He remembered the fear in Katsuki's eyes, the desperation. But then his attention was captured by the unfamiliar figure that intervened.
"The hostage tried to defend himself with his explosion quirk, but it made it difficult for the pro heroes present on the scene to intervene. Then suddenly, a young man that hasn't been identified yet crossed the danger zone and managed to distract the villain long enough to free Bakugo. Then out of nowhere, All Might appeared and defeated the villain! It was later reported that the unknown teenager who intervened was quirkless. Therefore, while putting his life in danger, his act couldn't be considered as vigilantism. They quietly left the scene before anyone could interview them. The Symbol of Peace declared—"
Inko reached for the remote and turned off the television, her gaze turning to her son. "You used your quirk, didn't you?"
Izuku shuffled his feet and scratched the back of his head nervously. "I just messed a bit with his quirk. I didn't steal it, I swear. Wouldn't want to look like a giant mass of goo."
His mother's smile was a mixture of pride and affection. "I think you did great. I can't judge your decision in the moment, but you succeeded. You saved Katsuki, even if he did not deserve to be saved."
"They didn't mention the insult he yelled at me right as I was leaving, but they summarized what happened," Izuku admitted.
Inko leaned back against the couch thoughtfully. "Oh, so he is behaving like a spoiled, egocentric brat until the end? Wish I could scold Mitsuki, but really, I don't have the strength to deal with her."
Izuku chuckled softly, appreciating his mother's understanding. "Th-There is one more thing I should tell you... hmmm I-I—" He hesitated, his words caught in his throat. He knew he should mention All for One, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that he might be endangering his mother.
However, before he could continue, the phone in the apartment started ringing, interrupting him. Inko hurriedly picked it up, her voice anxious as she answered. "Yes? Who is calling? ... Yes, this is the right number... Oh, you— Y-yes! Out-of course!" Inko's eyes widened, and she motioned for Izuku to take the phone. "This is Principal Nezu from U.A.!"
"THE NEZ—" Izuku caught himself, cutting off his exclamation with his hands over his mouth. He gingerly accepted the phone from his mother's hand, his heart racing.
"H-hello?"
"Ah! Midoriya! I have been looking for you everywhere since I saw you on television. When I saw you were wearing the same uniform as Bakugo, I connected the dots and figured out your identity. It was hard to convince the staff at Aldera to send me the profile of their students, but I just had to mention I was from U.A., and suddenly, they executed themselves with rare efficacy." Principal Nezu's voice was both delighted and amused.
"But moving on, I have been impressed by your performance, and I would like to offer you a private interview with me! Do you happen to be available this weekend?"
"This week-Y-YES OF-OF COURSE!"
"Perfect, then! Present yourself at the gates at whatever time you prefer. I will be waiting for you!" The principal's tone was cheerful as they made arrangements, and then they hung up.
Izuku stared at the phone in his hand, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through him. His mother's anticipation was palpable. "S-So, what-what did they say?" she inquired.
"I-I'm going to U.A. this weekend for a private interview." Izuku's voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and elation.
