2: A Promising Start & An Offer

The day that Izuku heard the words that he had so wanted to hear for the entirety of his life was the day that he had the most awkward conversation of his life. All Might, whose real name was Toshinori Yagi, wanted to meet with his mother. The reason being that with Toshinori's promise to help him, he wanted to make sure things would be alright with his mom first.

Fortunately or unfortunately the woman had yet to come home from work, which meant that Izuku had to play the host to his idol, and the world's No.1 Hero. "You make a very fine tea, Young Midoriya," he complimented as the boy sat across from him, a plate of rice crackers and a pot of freshly brewed tea between them. He looked around the home, seeing the meager trappings and belongings. "I...I don't mean to imply anything, but...is your family not well off?"

Izuku paused as he was filling the man's cup, "We...we get by." He said with a small sigh as he pushed the cup toward him before pouring one for himself. "My dad...when he found out I wouldn't manifest a Quirk, he...he left...and we haven't heard from him since."

Toshinori winced, "I'm truly sorry to hear that," the man said as he picked up his cup and took a sip, "Ah, that's good." He complimented, "I take it you that have your mother's talent for homey comforts?"

Izuku grinned bashfully, "Yeah, she taught me how to cook a few years ago just in case she needed to work late," his grin fell slightly, "She doesn't normally have to, but there's been a few times that she's come home really tired, and -"

Toshinori chuckled, and waved the boy down, "No need to explain," he said with a smile, "I had a similar upbringing." He chuckled while the boy's eyes widened, "It's not so hard to believe, kid. I wasn't born with the title No.1 stitched into my blanket."

Izuku blushed, but nodded his head quickly, "I know, I know, but it's still hard to believe that the World's Symbol of Peace had a similar start to mine," the boy said bashfully as he sipped his tea, "But I bet that you had a better start than I did...and a somewhat normal Quirk manifestation."

Toshinori chuckled, seeing a great deal of irony in the boy's words, "Well, I would have to say that I got my Quirk in a...different way than most," he looked at the confused boy pointedly, "But you, Young Midoriya, are quite unique. Not only did you lack have a Quirk when we first spoke, but not half an hour later you appeared before me and a great many others as a Hero in full armor, unrecognizable to most, and me if not for my sharp eye for details." He saw Izuku reach for the back of his neck, "The Scarab, or Khaji-Da, as you call it, is not any form of Support Gear I've ever seen, and it's far more advanced than anything that's been seen produced on I-Island."

Izuku nodded, "I know," he said, "I've kept myself up to date with everything that comes off of I-Island in case there was something that would - "

"Allow a Quirkless young man to be a Hero," Toshinori finished for him with a small sigh of his own, "But that doesn't seem necessary anymore." He grinned at the boy, "I've noticed that, since we've been sitting here, you've gained more muscle mass than when we spoke out on the street." Izuku looked down at himself and saw that his once scrawny arms were now well toned and muscled. "Tell me, did the Scarab do anything else to you?"

Izuku shook his head, "No, or at least not that I've noticed." He said with a look of concern, "Khaji-Da said that he would enhance my base strength and speed to help me use the armor more effectively, but apart from that, I don't think he's done anything else."

"You call it a he?" Toshinori asked.

At this the boy gave a slight lift of his shoulders, "He's intelligent, he's helped me, and given me the chance to be a Hero," the boy said, "I'd say that's earned him the right to be considered a living being."

"Point taken," the man chuckled, "Have you had any contact with Khaji-Da since acquiring the armor?"

"None," the boy said, "He said that since Heroes prefer non-lethal means of combat, he decided to enter what he called sleep mode." He frowned in thought, "But he said if I needed him, all I had to do would be to call on him."

Toshinori tapped his chin in thought, "I wonder if I could speak with...with him? I want to make sure his intentions aren't nefarious."

Izuku looked over his shoulder, biting his lip, "Khaji-Da? Can you hear me?"

He felt the Scarab twitch ever so slightly, {I can. Do you have need of me, my Host?}

Izuku smiled at the man across from him, "He's awake!"

"Good!" The man grinned, "Is there any way he can speak with me?"

He got his answer a moment later as the boy, with the Scarab having overheard the question, stiffened. His back straightened and his eyes took on a dead-look. "For what purpose do you wish to speak with me, Human?"

Toshinori blinked, "That is rather unnerving," he muttered, "Ahem, Khaji-Da, I believe you call yourself? My name is Toshinori, and I intend on training this young man whose body you now share." He explained, the boy's expression never changing. "I merely wish to know if there is any chance of you harming the boy?"

Izuku shook his head, "No, I would never intentionally harm my host as that would be counterproductive." Khaji-Da said through the boy, "Though should my host's body come to harm, I have the ability to produce nanomachines capable of repairing any damage, including any limbs lost during combat." Khaji-Da explained, but Toshinori noticed a twitch in the boy's brow. "My host body seems nervous at the mention of dismemberment."

Toshinori understood then that the twitch had been Izuku reacting to the Scarab's explanation, "So he is conscious of you speaking with me right now?" He asked.

The Scarab made the boy's head bob up and down, "He is. Though he is also not completely comfortable with my taking control of him like this. However, as you wished to speak with me, I deemed it necessary." The boy's mouth quirked up at the corner for a moment, "I will make it a point in the future of asking my host's permission before taking control of his body again should the need arise."

"That would be advisable." Toshinori nodded, "I won't keep you much longer. I do have a few simple questions, provided you wouldn't mind answering them?"

"I do not. While in control, my host is in no danger from myself." Khaji-Da said. "Ask your questions."

Toshinori nodded and leaned on his knees, "You have gifted this boy, erm, your host with enhanced speed and strength. I need to know the extent of those enhancements if I am to begin training them?"

"Understandable." Said the Scarab, "My host's new abilities are simply that of a child in their peak physical condition of my host's age." He explained, "At peak condition, an adult human can lift upwards from three to nearly five thousand pounds. However, as my host is still considered exceedingly young, enhancing his body to such an extreme would have called for muscle tearing and repairing on a massive scale, which would have called for much undo pain and suffering for my host. Not only that, I would be forced to increase my host's body to a much larger size, which would also mean he would lose a great deal of speed from the weight of his new muscle structure."

"Indeed," Toshinori said thoughtfully, "I have seen those with super strength that possessed large muscle structure, however they were extremely slow when in combat." He explained, "I, myself, was lucky enough that my body was large for someone my age as a young man, as such, my Quirk was able to adapt and grant me a form of enhanced speed.

Khaji-Da nodded, "A lean, yet powerful body as he has now is ideal for using the armor I granted him." The Scarab said, "My host is currently memorizing our conversation for later in order to physically document it." He commented. "Though my host is not on the same level as some with enhanced strength and speed, he is able to move many times his own weight, which is tripled when using my armor. " The Scarab went on, "Peak human speed tops at approximately thirty miles an hour." The Scarab said, "My host is capable of running that speed now for extended periods of time without tiring."

Toshinori chuckled as he commited the boy's new capabilities to memory, "That's going to be a good template to start with," he said with a smile on his face, "I do believe you've also made this boy quite happy."

"The chemicals that are entering his brain at the moment would suggest so." The Scarab said much to the blond man's amusement, "Do you have more questions? Or have I given you adequate answers?"

"Just one other question, and you can give the young man back his body." He said, "Can you, if the boy asked it of you, activate this boy's latent Quirk gene?"

The Scarab looked at him for a moment, Izuku's dead eyes seeming to gain some life to them for a moment before they were controlled. "My host does, indeed, have a latent Quirk gene." The Scarab said, "From what my nanomachines have discovered, my host has latent pyrokinetic abilities, quite powerful abilities I might add. This Quirk, as you have called it, would undoubtedly be passed onto his future offspring without question as it is..." It was strange to see the Scarab trailing off, and Toshinori had to wonder just how powerful the boy could have been if that Quirk had activated.

"The boy's body can't handle the Quirk's power, can it?" Toshinori sighed, lacing his fingers together as he rested his chin there. "There is a theory in our world, perhaps you've seen it in Young Midoriya's memories, that Quirks will continue to merge and evolve as they're passed along to each new generation until one emerges that is so powerful that it's uncontainable...and bring about the end of this world...is his such a Quirk?"

The Scarab was quiet for a moment, "If the time ever arose that I was forcibly separated from my host, and my host survived the process, I would make certain that my host's body could handle his latent power before the Quirk was activated." The Scarab said, "It is indeed a powerful Quirk, however, my host's mind is far more formidable than any one human can fathom."

Toshinori smiled, "That," he said with a much lighter tone, "Is a good thing to know. I can see that you actually care for the boy, despite being a machine for all intents and purposes, and I have no problems with training the boy as long as I know that you will look after him when I cannot."

"Then we are in agreement." Said the Scarab, "Before I return control of this body to my host, I would like to pose a question to you."

Toshinori frowned, but saw no harm in at least one question, "Ask away."

Izuku tilted his head, seeming curious, "My host's memories recall that you are unable to perform your duties as a Hero of this world for an extended amount of time?" Toshinori winced at the mention of his failing abilities. "I see that you are uncomfortable with this subject." Khaji-Da bowed Izuku's head, "Apologies."

"There's no need," Toshinori sighed before he raised his shirt to show the possessed teen his left side, "If you've already seen it from his memories, then you know that my respiratory system is shot, and my entire stomach was destroyed. I can barely stomach food, and it's difficult to breath at the best of times, hence my habit of coughing up blood when I overexert myself."

Izuku's eyes seemed concerned for the man, though at present, Toshinori couldn't tell if it was the boy feeling the concern, or Khaji-Da, "I would assume that your powers are also weakening due to your continued use of them?" The Scarab asked with a hint of sadness entering Izuku's voice.

"Not weakening per se," Toshinori said as he settled his shirt back into place, "My Quirk is as strong as ever, but my body is a different story. The more I use my Quirk, the weaker my body gets." He admitted with some sadness in his voice, "I can only do Hero work for around three hours a day, and even that's pushing it. Soon I won't be able to do anything without nearly killing myself."

The Scarab nodded, "If you are not adverse to the idea, I do have a method of restoring your body to what it once was." He said as Toshinori's head shot up in interest.

"And the catch is?" The man didn't doubt the seemingly alien machine, but such a claim couldn't be without a risk.

Khaji-Da raised Izuku's left arm, the limb becoming encased in the Scarab's blue armor. He turned the palm of their combined hand upward, and a small cylinder rose up. "There is no catch other than the discomfort of injecting yourself with these nanomachines I have produced." He placed the cylinder on the table between them, "There will be pain, regrettably it is unavoidable." Khaji-Da explained, "Once injected into the bloodstream, they will rebuild all that your body has lost. When they are finished with their task, they destroy each other and you will be as you once were. Your Quirk and your body will be at full capacity."

Toshinori's eyes gleamed at the small tube, "You would not offer to do something like this without requesting something in return."

Khaji-Da shook Izuku's head, "That is a human way of thinking," the Scarab said, "I am not human. I only ask that you continue to train and mentor my host," he went on, "And that you not allow anyone to attempt removing myself from my host. Not only would they kill my host, but I would be forced to defend myself, and my host. I do not wish to kill anyone that could potentially call my host their friend."

Toshinori reached out and took the blue cylinder, "I will hold onto this...for now." He said, "I'm not sure if I trust you enough to use it, but I don't doubt that your intentions are good...I may use it when I feel my time is near its end."

"I cannot make your choices for you," the Scarab said, "I will now return my host's body to him and re-enter sleep mode." The Scarab bowed their head, "Please treat him well." Izuku's head remained bowed for a moment longer than Toshinori would have like and began to worry before the boy's head snapped right up, "Yikes! That was...weird..." He shivered.

Toshinori chuckled, "Try being on the other end of that conversation." He told the boy, "It was rather unnerving to talk to you with such a vacant look in your eyes." He explained before looking at the tube in his hands, "Though I will say that this Scarab friend of yours does seem to want to make sure that you're on my good side, at least if these nanomachines are as efficient as he claimed."

Izuku looked at him excitedly, "Are you going to use them?"

"Not just yet," the blond said as he tuck the nanomachines away in his pocket, "It's not that I'm not grateful," he said as the boy looked down in disappointment, "The truth of it is, I'm worried about what it might do to my Quirk, even though the Scarab told me that they wouldn't effect it."

"Why would they hurt your Quirk?" Izuku asked just as he heard a rattle at the front door.

The door opened up to reveal a rather short, plump woman that had tidy green hair tucked up into a bun at the back of her head, "Izuku, dear, I'm - Oh!" Inko Midoriya yelped when she saw Toshinori sitting on their couch. "Uh, I didn't know we'd be having a guest over, Mister...?" Her eyes were darting around the room as if looking for something to use as a makeshift weapon.

Toshinori chuckled, "Please, ma'am, there's no need for alarm," he said as he gestured to the boy, "Your son and I met earlier today, and again not an hour ago." He said, rising to introduce himself, "My name is Toshinori Yagi, a representative of the Might Towers Hero Agency."

"Might...Towers..." Inko blinked owlishly, "As in the same agency run by All Might himself?!"

Toshinori laughed as the similarities between Izuku and his mother became much clearer. "Indeed it is, Mrs. - "

"Miss," Inko blurted out suddenly before gaining a utterly neon blush across her cheeks. "Er, I mean, I'm no longer married, so - "

Toshinori felt a bit of heat in his face as well while the boy just grinned at his mother. The woman in question caught it and gave the boy a slight glare before she noticed the difference in her son's physic. "Izuku Midoriya, what in the world happened to you!?" She demanded sharply, "Oh, goodness, are you taking those god awful steroids I've been hearing about?! Children your age shouldn't be - !"

"Mom!" Izuku roared in embarrassment, "I'm not on steroids!"

Toshinori was nearly doubled over in his attempts to stifle his laughter, "I-I must agree with Young Midoriya, Miss." He chortled, "His sudden change in appearance is part of the reason I'm here, actually." He gestured to the small chair between himself and the boy, "I think you'd best sit down, however, as this may be a bit of an ordeal for you."

Inko did as suggested while Izuku got another cup and poured tea for her. Then the boy launched into the same explanation he had with Toshinori. He went as far as to show her where Scarab had attached himself, and even summoning his new armor. Seeing the strange organism attached to her son's spine nearly gave her a heart attack. Toshinori then went on to explain how he had questioned the Scarab himself in order to ascertain if he meant to harm her son, only to find that he had been granted enhanced abilities that would allow him to wield the armor effectively.

"This..." Inko palmed her forehead, "This is all quite a lot to take in."

Toshinori nodded in understanding, "I can only imagine what it's like as his mother to hear about all of this." He said before gesturing to the boy, "However, though I'm sure that Khaji-Da would never harm him, I think it would be best if we enrolled him in a Hero school. UA's entrance exams aren't so far away at the moment, and the boy has certainly shown interest in attending - "

Inko looked at him, "That would...I mean...tuition could be a bit of a problem..." she looked around at their cozy little apartment, "I don't mean to undermine your intentions, Mister Yagi, but - "

Toshinori held up a hand to halt her worries, "Madam, there is no need at all to worry yourself over something so trivial," he said as the woman looked at him, "Might Towers, though it isn't well known, offers academic scholarships to certain young students that are shooting for UA. If Young Midoriya passes the entrance exams, then All Might himself will be funding his schooling from that point on as soon as the paperwork is all sorted out. Not a penny out of your pocket."

Inko looked at him as if he'd just handed her a million dollar check. "All Might would do that?"

"Indeed. As a matter of fact, the man himself saw the boy in action earlier today," he said, and Izuku paled, "Though it was an act of Vigilantism, Young Midoriya here left quite the impression on more than one person when he used that unique armor of his to subdue a Villain that was threatening one of his friends."

Inko's head whipped around so fast that Izuku was positive that he heard a crack. "YOU. DID. WHAT?!"

ブルービートル

As the evening wore on, Toshinori had to force himself to leave the Midoriya home, finding that he rather enjoyed spending time with the little family. Inko in particular had been rather adamant that he stay for dinner, even though he had explained that his physical condition didn't allow him to stomach much of anything. But the woman was not to be denied as she offered him a small salad which he managed to keep down: thank heaven for that.

The tube of nanomachines seemed to heat up in his pocket, reminding him that it was there for him to use whenever he wished. [I chose to become a teacher so that I could find a successor.] He thought to himself as he made his way toward the train station. [Yet, here I am, with an opportunity to put my body back to the way it was before...Him.]

His thoughts of a successor brought up memories of a conversation that he had had with his former Sidekick, Sir Nighteye, about passing his power on to a protégé of his own. The boy that his old friend had presented to him was much like himself in his younger days. All smiles, and full of pride in his work. Not like many of society's Heroes that wanted to make names for themselves for nothing but money and fame.

He chuckled when he thought of Izuku becoming a Hero. The boy certainly had the right mindset for how he wanted his successor to be, but not only did he have the Scarab to help him, but the odd little piece of technology had the power to awaken the boy's latent Quirk. A powerful Quirk if the little machine was to be believed.

Reaching into his pocket and pulling out his cell phone he pressed his thumb to an older friend's number. "Hello, David?" He spoke into the phone, "It's Toshi."

"Toshi?" The voice on the other end of the phone questioned sleepily. "Ugh, do you have any idea what time it is here?"

He chuckled, "Yes, yes, I know it's late, but I have something rather important that I want your opinion on."

"Oh yeah?" David asked, sounding more awake now, "That's rare, normally you only need my help with what you'd call Techno-crap." He laughed.

Toshinori laughed right along with him, "Ironic that you would phrase it like that, old friend," he said, thinking of the nanomachines in his pocket, and the strange insectoid machine, "There's a boy I've taken an interest in training, but he seems to have a strange form of technology that's attached itself to him."

David was quiet for a moment before speaking up, "Is it something like what the H.P.S.C. would come up with?"

"No, it's nothing like that," the man said, "It's like nothing I've ever seen, and what's more, it seems to be sentient, like one of those Quirks with a mind of its own." He told the man, "I know you've worked with unknown tech before, so I'd like to hear what you have to say about this one." He said before the man started making arrangements, "His training's going to be done at Dagobah beach, you know the one that's a popular dump sight? I intend to have him clean it."

"Yeesh, that's gonna be six kinds of hell," David said before chuckling again, "I tell you, Toshi, you put a whole new shine on the word overkill." He laughed while the shrunken Hero blushed, "But it'll be good to see you at least, plus I'm interested in this strange technology you've told me about."

Toshinori chuckled, "Yeah, it'll be good to see you, too...and bring Melissa along," he said, "The boy could use a friend in the tech industry. And...well, he could use more real friends." He said with a small look back at the apartment.

"Uh-huh, right, and it's not just that you want to see your favorite niece, right?" David's voice held a smirk, "I'll bring her, just don't try to set her up with the kid, alright? I'm not ready to start chasing boys away from her, yet."

"Right, sure you're not, Dave." Toshinori laughed heartily, "Thanks for understanding. I'll see you soon."

ブルービートル

Author's Note: Not much changed with this chapter, but I hope you like the changes I did make. As was before, All Might has the nanos, and Izuku's going to get some hands on training. David Shield is entering the show, while the Scarab gets studied.

Also, as with a few of my other stories, it's ToshixInko all the way!

Wanna see what happens next? Y'all know what to do! Adios Amigos!