The Man Out of Time

by Ultimate10

After a 150 years in ice, Izuku Midoriya finds himself in a new world where meta-abilities or "Quirks" are the norm. His journey to becoming a modern Pro Hero will have its challenges keeping his old identity a secret, facing old and new foes, and learning to let go of the past. Does the world even need Captain America anymore? Or is he just too old-fashioned? Marvel/MHA AU World.

25. Chapter 23: All-Star Games Finale

…

The Man Out of Time

Chapter 23

---

"The World Must Never Again Mistake Compassion For Weakness!"

– Captain America

---

In the dark, foreboding lair of All For One, the air was thick with tension as the Symbol of Evil leaned forward, his gnarled hands gripping the armrests of his ornate chair. His sharp, calculating eyes were fixed on a massive screen that displayed the broadcast of the All-Star Games Finals. The flickering images danced across his scarred face, casting eerie shadows that accentuated his malevolent grin.

All For One's thoughts were consumed by the clash that was about to unfold.

The anticipation gnawed at him. All For One believed that despite Captain Midoriya's remarkable skills, the overwhelming power of Todoroki Shoto's ice Quirk would push him to his limits. In his mind, there was no way the Captain could resist using One For All if he truly possessed it. He was determined to witness the pivotal moment that would reveal whether his old nemesis had embraced the coveted power.

"Show me, Captain," he whispered to himself, his voice a chilling, raspy murmur. "Show me if you've finally accepted my brother's Quirk."

---

In an abandoned bar at Kamino Ward, Shigaraki sat at the bar; his disheveled appearance mirroring the disarray of the neighborhood. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, he stared at a flickering television screen broadcasting the upcoming match.

Kurogiri, his ever-faithful ally, observed the young villain with a raised eyebrow, both surprised and intrigued by his newfound focus.

"Tomura, you seem unusually invested in this," Kurogiri remarked, his swirling mist-like form maintaining a watchful presence.

Shigaraki barely tore his eyes away from the screen, his cracked lips curving into a sinister smile. "You know, Kurogiri, these games so far have been something. It's not often you get to see a real-life character pull off the level of BS Midoriya has been doing; especially with a Quirk that's anything but impressive. He's like one of those retro video game characters who beat the odds with pure determination."

The irony of his statement was not lost on Shigaraki.

As the broadcast showed Midoriya and Todoroki stepping on the stage, Shigaraki's excitement grew a bit. His notebook was filled with erratic scribbles and notes of the prior matches. He was determined to analyze every aspect of Midoriya's performance, eager to find any weakness that could be exploited in the future.

The television's light illuminated his face, casting eerie shadows across his features as he muttered to himself, "Let's see if you can keep this act going…Midoriya."

---

"You made it," Todoroki said, his voice low and almost drowned out by the crowd.

"I told you this morning I'd give these games everything I have. What about you, Todoroki?" Midoriya retorted, stretching his arms to limber up. "Are you going to give it your all?"

Todoroki's bi-colored gaze bore into Midoriya with a disturbing level of intensity. "I'll show you and everyone else that I'm beyond Endeavor."

Midnight watched the two young men, who had locked into an intense staring match, seemingly tuning out everything except each other. She, like many others, had been impressed by Midoriya's performances, but she wondered how long he could last against Todoroki.

"Are both fighters ready?" she asked, receiving two nods from the opponents, who hadn't broken eye contact. She waited a few more moments before raising her whip, then finally swinging it down. "BEGIN!"

In the blink of an eye, ice exploded forward as Todoroki advanced with his right foot.

Midoriya held his position until the moment the ice began to encroach upon him, then swiftly darted to his right, diving to avoid the ice surge just in time. He rolled across the ground and, popping up to one knee, cast a quick glance back to where he had stood moments ago, finding a miniature glacier in its place.

Examining the frozen structure, Midoriya furrowed his brows when he noticed something peculiar.

"You dodged," Todoroki flatly stated, his posture entirely at ease. There was a reason for his composure. If the verdette continued evading, he'd eventually run out of room and lose by default. On the other hand, if he chose to close the gap for a close-quarters attack, he'd likely face defeat even sooner.

Todoroki released another icy surge in the super-soldier's direction. Midoriya gracefully sidestepped the icy assault, no longer needing the extra effort to clear the distance. His suspicions had been vindicated.

"Didn't go all out like you did before?" Midoriya knowingly said.

Todoroki tilted his head, appearing genuinely puzzled, but he didn't respond.

"Your ice attacks," the super-soldier gestured towards the ice chunks around him, "they're nothing compared to the size of those you used in previous rounds!"

Todoroki understood the criticism. "You caught that, did you? The match would've ended too fast if I went all out. Besides..." He glanced into the crowd, a small smirk playing on his lips, "I wanted to annoy my old man by letting you hang around."

Midoriya' eyes narrowed sharply at Todoroki's admission. He was clearly not taking the match seriously. Yet, keeping his temper in check, the super-soldier's expression betrayed his irritation. "If that's how you want to play it."

With his sights locked on Todoroki, Captain Midoriya meticulously assessed his opponent's condition and movements while taking note of the stage's icy terrain. After swift calculations, he formulated a strategy and launched himself forward.

Todoroki's expression remained neutral as a formidable wave of ice surged towards the Captain, larger than before.

Waiting for the opportune moment, Captain Midoriya agilely darted to the side, performing an acrobatic twist to narrowly avoid the path of the ice. As he rolled across the ground, he seamlessly regained his footing and resumed his sprint.

Annoyed that his opponent had dodged once again, Todoroki shifted tactics. He released a broad sheet of ice that quickly blanketed the arena. Before the Captain could leap clear, the ice managed to catch his right foot. It froze his legs and hands in place, leaving him immobilized.

"Nowhere to run now," Todoroki declared, his breath visible in the cold. He noticed the frost on his right side thickening, hampering his movements. 'I need to finish this quickly,' he thought.

With his head lowered, Captain Midoriya bided his time, listening to Todoroki's stiff footsteps echoing across the icy expanse. As the red-and-white-haired opponent drew near, he seized the moment.

Crack!

Todoroki was taken by surprise as Captain Midoriya flexed his strength, shattering his icy restraints. Jumping up onto his hands, the Captain flawlessly executed a spinning handstand kick and struck Todoroki's midsection, launching him backward.

Todoroki tumbled uncontrollably across the slippery ice before coming to a halt on his back. He momentarily stayed on the ground coughing and spluttering, trying to catch his breath. 'Damn it! I should've known he was baiting me to get in close,' he inwardly cursed, berating himself for falling into his opponent's trap.

"Feeling the sting, aren't you?" The Captain called out, flexing his hands and shaking his legs to restore blood flow.

Todoroki managed to push himself off the slippery ground, despite the sharp pain still throbbing in his midsection. His gaze dropped to the Captain's legs, noticing the tattered, nearly disintegrated shoes that seemed ready to fall apart. Yet, it was something else that drew his attention. The torn pant sleeves revealed the lower part of his legs, which were partially shredded and stained with blood from his struggle to free himself from the ice. Fragments of ice still clung to his injured limbs.

Todoroki gritted his teeth and unleashed another barrage of ice at his opponent, but Captain Midoriya, his right side still throbbing with pain, gracefully evaded the onslaught with nimble footwork. "Ergh…!" Todoroki winced, feeling as if needles were piercing his entire right side. 'Not now…'

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Amidst the sound of crackling ice, Todoroki looked up, puzzled by the loud, unexpected noise. He watched the Captain shattering through the ice barrier with his bare fists, then retrieving chunks of concrete from the frozen wreckage. Without hesitation, the verdette hurled the debris at his downed opponent.

Though the pain still gnawed at him, Todoroki mustered the strength to raise his right arm and conjure an icy shield, narrowly preventing the concrete projectiles from striking him directly. The debris became embedded in the ice. As he lowered the barrier slightly, he was taken aback by the Captain's sudden disappearance.

'Where did he go? He couldn't have…' Todoroki couldn't complete his thought before a powerful right hook connected with his left cheek, sending him tumbling across the icy battlefield. Like a 21st Century football defensive end, the Captain had rushed Todoroki from his blindside.

"You could have dodged that, or frozen me in place," the Captain remarked, his tone composed. "But you're slowing down."

"Shut up!" Todoroki retorted, frustration evident in his voice, before launching another wave of ice.

Crouching low, the Captain easily leaped over the icy onslaught and landed in front of Todoroki. Once more, he couldn't react in time, and the super-soldier delivered a precise palm strike to Todoroki's sternum. Just as Todoroki was sent flying backward, he managed to graze the Captain's arm with his right hand.

Wincing as the cold ice enveloped his arm, the Captain flexed his right limb and shattered the icy encasement. It tore off bits of his skin and shredded his jacket sleeve, but he paid it no mind. Maintaining blood flow by wiggling his fingers, he refocused on Todoroki, who was sprawled on the ground, coughing up blood.

"You've got power, Todoroki, but you're no Superman," the Captain reiterated, his breath visible in the cold air. "If you keep underestimating your opponents, they'll capitalize."

Todoroki didn't know who Superman was nor did he care at the moment. Seething and irritated, he released another icy onslaught, but it proved futile. The super-soldier effortlessly evaded it once more. Captain Midoriya stared intently at Todoroki and challenged him, "You can't even touch me. Admit it, you've reached the limits of your ice."

"J-J-Just shut up…!" Todoroki shivered. "I'm not going to lose here!"

Captain Midoriya narrowed his eyes. "Then stop playing around and fight me, soldier!" He widened his stance and got into a battle stance. "You're not going to win this match without trying!"

Stumbling to his feet, Todoroki wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. He stared at his green-haired opponent curiously. "What is this? What are you trying to do?"

"I'm here to become the All-Star Champion," Captain Midoriya proclaimed with unwavering determination. "I aim to be the best Hero I can be by using every ounce of my strength. That should be your goal too!" He pointed at him.

Todoroki scowled, his anger momentarily eclipsing his frostbite-induced pain. "So, it doesn't count if I don't use my full power, is that it? Did my father put you up to this?!" Fueled by his fury, he charged toward the Captain.

Captain Midoriya narrowed his eyes, closely monitoring Todoroki's movements. The frostbite and ice encasing his right side made him slower, but the Captain knew that a full-contact freeze from Todoroki would immobilize him. Thinking fast, he executed a swift maneuver.

Dropping low, the Captain extended his leg and spun around, directing a powerful kick at an ice outcropping right toward Todoroki. The ice collided with Todoroki's defense, forcing him to shut his eyes to protect his face. This brief distraction was enough for the martial arts master to seize the opportunity.

With precision, the Captain delivered a quick jab to Todoroki's throat, followed by a well-timed knee strike to the solar plexus. The dual strikes caused Todoroki to double over in pain. In a fluid motion, the Captain shifted to Todoroki's blind spot and delivered a forceful kick to his lower back, sending him sprawling forward.

"Urgh!" Todoroki grunted as he crashed onto the icy arena floor, reeling from the impact. It became apparent to him that he couldn't match Captain Midoriya in hand-to-hand combat, especially in his current condition.

Desperation filled Todoroki as he mustered all his remaining strength to create another layer of ice. The frost spread across the ring, extending to the arena walls, making the surroundings even colder. Todoroki shivered uncontrollably as his body temperature plummeted rapidly. He needed to heat himself up before hypothermia set in.

He managed to lift his head weakly, observing Captain Midoriya trapped in the ice with only his head and hands exposed. At that moment, Todoroki believed that he had finally outmaneuvered his opponent. He lowered his head and sighed, awaiting for Midnight to call the match.

Crack!

The sound of cracking ice broke the tense silence, and Todoroki's heterochromatic eyes widened as fractures raced through the glacier. The verdette soldier suddenly broke free, his jacket in tatters, revealing his battered undershirt and bloody, frostbitten skin.

Captain Midoriya walked forward with stiff, determined steps, his gaze locked onto Todoroki. Ice clung to his body, and his demeanor exuded unwavering resolve. He taunted Todoroki with a smirk.

"All your ice, Todoroki, and I'm still standing," he said, his voice laden with determination.

Todoroki trembled, a mixture of frostbite and fear coursing through him. "How?" he stammered.

The Captain's intense eyes remained fixed on him, shadows dancing within their depths. "This cold... it's nothing I can't handle," he declared, sounding almost introspective.

"You shouldn't be able to move. You…you should be done…" Todoroki muttered in disbelief, his voice a mere whisper. 'Does his Quirk let him survive being frozen?!'

Captain Midoriya continued to approach, determination blazing in his eyes. "I can do this all day, Todoroki. But it looks like you've hit your limit, haven't you?"

Todoroki struggled to rise, his frostbitten body barely responding. He made one final attempt to unleash an ice attack, but his body betrayed him.

Captain Midoriya's taunting words struck a nerve, "You wanted to beat me, to prove that you don't need Endeavor. But in a real battle, you'd have been defeated multiple times by now. All for what? Your vow?"

Frustration and shivers ran through Todoroki. "Just shut up!" he exclaimed, his teeth chattering. "You don't understand, my vow matters! What my father did to my family matters. Maybe you don't understand what it's like to have a father who destroyed your family, but that matters. You don't just get to brush that off because you don't understand what I went through!"

…

…

Captain Midoriya stared intently at Todoroki, a hint of empathy flickering in his verdant gaze.

Todoroki fought to regain his footing, his legs wobbling beneath him. "I refuse... to use that Quirk... never." He struggled to maintain his balance. "I won't let him... win."

Captain Midoriya fixed a piercing gaze on Todoroki. "You're already letting him win."

Todoroki's blood ran cold, and it had nothing to do with his Quirk. "What do you mean?"

The Captain halted, his voice intense. "Even if you become the greatest Hero with just your ice, you'll always be influenced by him. Everything you do will revolve around Endeavor."

Doubt began to creep in for Todoroki as he realized the truth in the Captain's words.

"Answer me honestly!" Captain Midoriya's voice boomed. "Do you even want to be a Hero, or are you just doing what your father wants?"

Surprise flickered in Todoroki's eyes for an instant before anger washed over him. "I'm not doing just what he wants!"

"Are you certain?" Captain Midoriya retorted. "All heroes, whether they're in the police, firefighting, military, or the Pros, must be prepared to give their all. Prove that you're not controlled by Endeavor. Use your full power and go all out, just like every other hero does!"

Todoroki shook his head, but his resolve was wavering. "I won't use his—"

"Did you not hear me, soldier?" The Captain's voice thundered. "I said your power, not his! Only you can wield your own power."

Time seemed to stand still. Todoroki stood frozen, his eyes locked straight ahead, his jaw hanging open. The simplicity and clarity of Captain Midoriya's words stunned him.

'You want to be a Hero, don't you? It's okay for you to be one, Shoto. You don't have to be a prisoner of your blood. My darling son, it's okay for you to become who you want to be. You are you.' The words of his mother, spoken long ago, echoed in his mind. Words that his anger had buried and made him forget over the years.

"Well, Todoroki," Captain Midoriya declared as he strode forward. "What's your choice?"

Silence enveloped them, the deafening cheers of the crowd fading into the background. In that moment, there was only the space between them.

Then, with a primal howl, flames erupted from Todoroki's left side, almost matching the height of the glacier he had created earlier before gradually subsiding.

Captain Midoriya gasped from the sudden wave of heat and instinctively shielded his face and eyes from the fiery brightness. He could hear the ice around him crackling and hissing, rapidly turning into steam.

As the ice on Todoroki's right side melted away, life surged through him once again. The power he had denied for years rushed through his veins, and Todoroki couldn't help but smile with newfound conviction.

"I'm going to be a Hero," Todoroki declared boldly. "A Hero who shapes his own destiny."

The intense flames gradually receded, remaining concentrated on Todoroki's left side, the lingering heat palpable even from a distance. Convinced he wouldn't be scorched by the flames, Captain Midoriya lowered his arms and observed Todoroki, who was now free from any sign of hypothermia.

"Midoriya," Todoroki began, his voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination, "I know you want to win. You could've defeated me when I was down, but you went to such lengths to help me remember who I am, and you're even smiling."

Captain Midoriya gazed at Todoroki with pride and determination. "Now, who isn't giving it their all? So, what are you going to do now?" Todoroki lifted his left arm, the orange fire dancing across his skin. "Your determination may have handed me the win, so don't blame me for what comes next."

The Captain chuckled. "You're right. I could've claimed victory earlier, but I can't stand by when someone is in trouble."

Todoroki, half-smiling, shook his head. "So, you sacrificed your victory to save me."

Captain Midoriya's smile hardened. "I didn't say I was giving up."

Todoroki's eyes widened slightly as he absorbed the implications of his opponent's words. "Wait, Midoriya, were you planning to fight me in this state?"

The super-soldier nodded. "I was prepared to win while helping you."

"And if I had refused to use my fire?" Todoroki asked.

Captain Midoriya's expression grew more intense, unnerving the dual Quirk user. "I would've beaten you painfully and thoroughly. I couldn't let you continue thinking that you could conquer every battle with just half of your strength."

Todoroki was slightly taken aback by the Captain's admission. He had half-expected him to forfeit the match if Todoroki had refused to use his flames. But now, he realized that was a naïve thought.

At his core, Midoriya was a soldier, and if his mission was to win the tournament, he wouldn't abandon it just because Todoroki chose not to go all out.

Todoroki shook his head, smirking. "I see. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to settle for helping me. This match is mine to win now."

Captain Midoriya yanked his black undershirt off and tore it into long strips. Todoroki watched, somewhat bewildered.

The female spectators in the stands, meanwhile, couldn't contain their excitement, their collective enthusiasm filling the air.

The soldier deftly wound the shirt strips around his hands and arms, mimicking the preparations one would make before a boxing match. "You haven't won yet," Captain Midoriya asserted, taking on a combat stance, his resolute gaze locked onto his adversary. "I have everything I need to defeat you, Todoroki."

Todoroki shook his head, caught between disbelief and respect for the Captain, acknowledging the man's unwavering determination.

"SHOTO!"

Both Captain Midoriya and Todoroki swiveled in surprise as they heard Endeavor's resounding voice, echoing throughout the entire stadium.

---

Class 101-A watched the match unfold with shocked anticipation. Even from the climate-controlled confines of their suite, they could feel a sudden wave of heat as a pillar of fire shot into the sky.

"WHOA! LOOK AT ALL THAT FIRE!"

"I KNEW THAT GUY WAS A MONSTER!"

Tokage fanned herself with her gym jacket. "Feels like a freakin' oven. Todoroki is insane!"

Tsunotori winced from the heat. "How can it be so hot even up here?"

Yaoyorozu watched in awe. "Izuku... He... He convinced Todoroki-san to use his fire."

Uraraka blinked, confused. "Why would he do that? It looked like he was about to defeat Todoroki-san..."

Yaoyorozu scrutinized the stage. 'I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was clear Izuku was provoking him. Could he have been trying to get Todoroki to use his fire? But why?'

"Huh?" Hatsume scratched her pink dreadlocks in confusion. "Since when can Ice-Man use fire? And how come Ice-Man didn't use it before?"

"We're not sure, honestly. Kero." Asui responded. "The only times he ever used it was to melt his ice after a battle."

Hatsume blinked twice. "That's dumb. He's just handicapping himself then."

Upon hearing Hatsume's blunt remark, it suddenly dawned on the creation heiress. "I understand. Izuku-kun was... trying to help Todoroki." Yaoyorozu spoke with amazement.

Uraraka and several others gazed at Yaoyorozu in puzzlement.

"So," Kaminari began, "he was trying to get Todoroki to use his fire?"

"But wouldn't that make it much harder for himself?" Jiro chimed in. "That doesn't make sense."

Uraraka's eyes widened in realization. A warm smile crossed her lips. "Maybe not... but Izuku-kun isn't the type of person to sit back and do nothing when he sees someone in trouble."

Yaoyorozu nodded in agreement, adding, "If he believed Todoroki-san needed help and this was the best way to do it, even if it jeopardized his chances of winning, he would do it."

The other students reacted to this revelation in various ways.

Hatsume grinned widely. "Yeah. I may have known him for less than a day, but that sounds like something he'd do."

Kirishima wiped tears from his eyes. "That's so manly!"

"That's certainly one way to turn up the heat in a fight." Ashido grinned.

Tokage grinned impishly. "Greenie's a sly one, isn't he? But it worked out in the end, I guess."

"I still don't think that was smart of him," Sero said, "but his heart's in the right place."

Asui nodded in agreement. "He sure knows how to inspire others, kero."

Yaoyorozu smiled warmly. 'You really are amazing, Izuku.'

Uraraka sighed to herself but smiled nonetheless. She watched closely as Midoriya prepared himself. He had gone out of his way to help Todoroki, but that hadn't deterred him from the fight. In fact, the broadcast's close-up of him, the confident smile, and determination in his emerald eyes clearly indicated that he was still aiming for victory.

'Okay, Izuku, now you can show the world how great you are by defeating Todoroki when he isn't holding back... and...' Uraraka lost her train of thought as Midoriya removed his black undershirt and tore it apart, revealing his well-toned, muscular upper body.

"O-oh my!" Yaoyorozu exclaimed cutely, her face turning bright pink. 'My word! You could grate cheese on those!'

Tokage whistled and grinned widely. "Now we have a show!"

"Holy crap!" Ashido exclaimed, wide-eyed. "He's like a freaking statue!"

"I know, right?! It's freakin' inspiring!" Kirishima declared, pumping a fist. "Those muscles are goals!"

"So many muscles…" Tsunotori, on the verge of drooling, murmured.

Kaminari sweat-dropped, feeling envious. 'Honestly, I can't even blame her... I'd be simping too.'

Hatsume blinked twice, looking bemused. "Guess Izuku-kun was feeling hot or something."

Uraraka remained speechless, her gaze transfixed on Midoriya's shirtless body while a little bit of drool leaked out of her mouth. 'Muscles… Must touch…' She mused hazily, not realizing that blood was leaking out of her nose.

"SHOTO!"

The loud yell snapped Uraraka out of her trance. Realizing she was drooling and had a nosebleed, she swiftly whipped her face and nose on her jacket sleeve in embarrassment. She and the rest of the class tried to find the source of the scream. Jiro then pointed to the bottom of the stands using her earlobes. "There. It's Endeavor."

Down below, Endeavor was marching toward the bottom railing, showering his son with what they guessed was praise. Even from their elevated seats, they could tell there was something almost crazed in Endeavor. The fire around him burned brightly and uncontrollably.

It was a little unsettling.

"So you've finally accepted yourself! That's it! GOOD! For you, it all starts here! You have my blood, and with that fire you will surpass me! You'll be the one to finally make my dream a reality!"

"Uh…" Tokage blinked, dumbfounded. "What the hell?"

Present Mic's voice came over the loudspeakers. "Endeavor shouting some words of encouragement. He's such a doting father, ladies and gentlemen."

Hatsume tilted her head, confused. "Is that what that was? Sounded like a lunatic to me."

Collectively, the rest of 101-A gave the eccentric pink-headed inventor a deadpan stare before returning their gaze to the fight. All of them eager to see just what happens next.

---

Captain Midoriya cast a momentary glance at Endeavor before returning his focus to Todoroki, who appeared unperturbed by his father's interruption.

"Midoriya," Todoroki warned as the flames on his left side intensified, "I don't have much practice with my left side, so I can't promise you won't get burned."

Captain Midoriya acknowledged with a nod. "I appreciate the warning, but I'll be fine. You just focus on yourself."

With that matter settled, both contestants understood that round two of the match was underway. Extending his left arm, Todoroki unleashed a roaring blast of fire directly at his green-haired opponent.

The super-soldier reacted swiftly, darting to his left and taking cover behind one of the large chunks of ice that still littered the arena. Todoroki pursued Captain Midoriya and directed his flames towards the ice, causing it to crack and transform into billowing clouds of steam.

Captain Midoriya gazed at the rapidly forming cloud of steam and quickly assessed the situation. Although he estimated he had less than a minute before the heat from the fire ate away at the ice, the resulting veil of steam was an advantage he could use. He then directed his gaze toward the base of the ice chunk, or more precisely, what had been pushed up around it.

'That could work.' He smiled knowingly.

Todoroki ceased his fire, realizing he had unintentionally created a smokescreen. With the ice chunk now gone, he kept his senses on high alert, blocking out the view of the crowd and listening for any sign of movement.

'This is the same scenario that Bakugo was in,' Todoroki thought. 'He won't attack from my left side again since I'm using my flames. I doubt he'll risk coming from my right either. That leaves a frontal assault.'

As the steam began to gradually dissipate, there was still no sign of Captain Midoriya.

'Midoriya, where are—' Todoroki's thoughts were interrupted as several chunks of concrete hurtled toward him from the right.

Reacting instantly, Todoroki swung his right arm and generated an ice barrier that deflected the projectiles. Several more chunks then began flying through the steam, but this time from the left. Extending his left hand, Todoroki released a powerful blaze that deflected the concrete chunks off course while simultaneously melting them. The concrete ring beneath was scorched and partially melted as a result.

But the assault didn't end there, as more concrete pieces continued to fly in at an alarming rate. Todoroki reacted by stepping his right foot forward and creating another thick ice wall to block the incoming onslaught.

'He must be desperate if he's resorting to throwing rocks,' Todoroki deduced, 'It makes sense now that I'm using my Quirk to its fullest potential. He doesn't have many options left.'

Todoroki flinched when something suddenly crashed to the ground just barely a meter to his right. He turned to see a chunk of broken concrete lying there, and his eyes widened as he looked up, just in time to witness another volley of concrete chunks being hurled over his ice wall and descending towards him.

The fire surrounding Todoroki dissipated just before an angled wall of ice sprang up in front of him, effectively blocking the concrete projectiles. He frowned, his heterochromatic eyes filled with determination. 'I can't let this match drag on any longer.'

Flames surged from the young man's left side, radiating intense heat that swiftly melted the ice. Todoroki carefully controlled the heat, ensuring the ice didn't immediately turn to steam. He had no intention of creating another smokescreen for the super-soldier to exploit.

As the ice in the arena melted away, Todoroki finally spotted Captain Midoriya kneeling in a severely damaged part of the ring. The miniature glaciers that Todoroki had previously formed had taken a toll on the arena.

"Midoriya!"

The super-soldier rose to his feet, his unwavering gaze locked onto Todoroki.

"I'm ending this now. Remember, you asked for this, so don't complain!"

Taking a step forward with his right foot, Todoroki extended layers of ice across the ring from where he stood. Massive arches spiraled up into the air, twisting and falling back to the ground as Todoroki astonishingly froze everything.

Captain Midoriya swiftly leaped away, his agile movements preventing him from being ensnared. He winced as his sweat, formed from the heat of Todoroki's flames, instantly froze, causing a stinging pain on his skin. He ignored the pain, realizing that his opponent had a plan.

'This isn't a directed attack. He's freezing everything around him. And that wall behind him... What is he— Wait!' Captain Midoriya comprehended Todoroki's strategy as the young man's left side blazed to life, radiating an intense amount of heat. 'Supercooling the air and then superheating it to create an explosive force! That's incredible!'

Todoroki then aimed his left hand at someone he now considered a friend. All the remaining ice in the arena was instantaneously vaporized, and the air crackled as it rapidly heated to extreme temperatures.

KA-BOOOOOOM!

A deafening sonic boom shattered the arena as it exploded outward. Todoroki was pressed against his ice wall, the force making it impossible to see what happened to his opponent.

Captain Midoriya, in contrast, had been last seen rushing forward and diving to the ground moments before Todoroki's superheated explosion engulfed the arena.

---

Midnight's scream pierced the chaos as the air blast hurled her off her podium. Cementoss reacted swiftly, conjuring concrete barriers to shield the audience from the brunt of the explosion. Despite his efforts, the concrete barriers couldn't withstand the furious force as the tempestuous air swirled throughout the stadium.

The spectators in the stands instinctively ducked and clung to whatever they could find, desperately trying to anchor themselves against the powerful gales.

Even those within the private suites and throughout the stadium weren't spared, feeling the entire superstructure tremble under the overwhelming explosive force.

---

In the infirmary, Bakugo's fists clenched the sheets as he felt the ground shake while the TV broadcast dissolved into static. Frustration coursed through him as he gritted his teeth. 'Dammit, Midoriya! You couldn't just seize the win, could you? You had to push Icy-Hot to go all out!'

He wanted to be furious with the green-haired soldier, but deep down, Bakugo understood and respected the choice. He knew he wouldn't accept victory if his opponent held back, either. 'Well, you've finally pushed him to unleash it. Now, you'd better not f**king lose, or I'll make sure that silver medal ends up down your throat!'

---

In Class 101-A's private suite, Hatsume erupted into wild laughter, her hands flailing in the air. "Incredible! What an insane explosion! Ha-ha-ha!"

The rest of Class 101-A, on the other hand, sat in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the breathtaking spectacle before them.

As the powerful gusts of air gradually subsided, the onlookers cautiously emerged from their hiding spots, peering through the dust and debris to assess the situation. Gasps escaped the lips of several students as they took in the sorry state of the arena, once again reduced to ruins.

Mineta, his nerves escalating, began to sweat profusely. "Uh... Is Midoriya-san dead?"

The pint-sized student swallowed hard under the dual glares he received from Yaoyorozu and Uraraka, who then returned their attention to the windows, scanning the aftermath in search of their friend. Simultaneously, the jumbotrons and the suite television replayed the astonishing sequence of events in slow motion.

---

Todoroki descended along the battered ice wall, enduring the persistent ringing in his ears following the explosion. His jacket and undershirt had been completely burned off, revealing his toned upper body and many bruises and burns.

He clenched his eyes shut for a moment, willing the discomfort to subside. When he could finally bear the pain, he cautiously opened his eyes to survey the chaotic aftermath on the stage. The dust shrouded his vision, making it challenging to discern the extent of the destruction.

After his unsteady feet touched the uneven ground, Todoroki's legs momentarily wobbled before he regained his balance. With determination in his heterochromatic eyes, he scoured the stage, hoping to catch a glimpse of his opponent amid the dust cloud.

As he unconsciously moved towards the center of the stage, carefully navigating the fractured surface, he strained to locate any signs of Captain Midoriya. However, the thick haze obscured his view, revealing nothing but the remnants of the shattered concrete stage.

'The explosion had to have thrown him out of bounds,' Todoroki concluded, his thoughts steady despite the disorienting circumstances. 'We'll just have to wait for the dust to settle.'

Unbeknownst to Todoroki, a segment of the cracked concrete floor shifted behind him, moving quietly as it lowered into the earth. Emerging from the gaping hole was a hand, battered and stained with blood, gripping the edge tightly.

---

Midnight crawled back onto her feet, growling and cursing under her breath. Her podium, now a twisted wreck against the arena walls, was the least of her concerns. Regaining her bearings, she sprinted toward the ring, her cerulean eyes scanning through the dusty haze for any signs of Midoriya and Todoroki.

'There's no way those kids can still be in the ring after a blast like that, right?' She frowned, mentally berating the students for the worry they caused her. 'These damn students are going to make my hair go gray.'

After several moments of searching, Midnight's eyes finally landed on Todoroki through the swirling dust. To her relief, he stood within the ring, bearing some noticeable burns on his exposed torso and left arm, but otherwise looking fairly unharmed.

'One down. Now where's Midoriya? Did he get thrown into the grass? Or perhaps into the audience? I hope he's not—'

Midnight's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a figure emerged swiftly from the dissipating dust behind Todoroki. Todoroki had barely enough time to glance back in shock before a swift and precise blow landed at the back of his neck, targeting a pressure point. The impact was so swift and accurate that Todoroki lost consciousness instantly, crumpling face-first to the ground, his shoulder-length red-and-white hair coming undone from its bun.

…

…

Midnight blinked twice to ensure she was witnessing reality. Captain Midoriya stood tall with his head held high and his arms at his sides.

'He... He managed to stay in bounds... Even after all of that…?!' She thought, filled with amazement.

The makeshift bandage strips on Midoriya's hands and arms were gone, revealing the burns and bloody skin beneath. His shoes were missing, and his blue gym pants were in tatters, held up only by the waistband. From head to toe, his body bore the scars of the chaotic battle: second-degree burns and bloody bruises.

The shock of Midoriya's surprise attack on Todoroki faded into concern as Midnight's gaze lingered on the rough condition of the young man. He had to be in excruciating pain! Nonetheless, he remained standing tall with a stone-faced expression.

As the dust fully settled, the crowd in the stadium and those watching the broadcast were left utterly speechless. Captain Midoriya clenched his left fist and triumphantly raised it high.

Midnight shook her head to snap out of her trance, raising her whip. "Todoroki is KO! Midoriya Izuku is the winner!"

…

…

A moment of stunned silence hung in the air, and then the stadium erupted with a thunderous force of cheers.

"Incredible! What a historic upset, folks!" Even with his Quirk and the arena's sound system boosting his voice, Present Mic struggled to cut through the deafening roars. "In one of the most thrilling All-Star Games we've witnessed in years, we have our Champion! It's none other than 'Yo Joe' himself, Midoriya Izuku!"

Deeply exhaling, Midoriya relaxed his body and lowered his arm. He surveyed the ecstatic crowd, his gaze eventually drifting toward his friends and classmates in the suite. Even from his vantage point, he could see Uraraka, Hatsume, and Tsunotori jumping around in joy while Yaoyorozu clapped with a beaming smile.

As Midoriya smiled and waved back at his friends and classmates, the full weight of his accomplishment finally hit him. 'I did it... I won...' The super-soldier couldn't contain the elation that spread across his face. 'The most significant college sporting event in the eastern hemisphere... and I won...'

A groggy groan caught his attention as he shifted his gaze to Todoroki on the ground.

Todoroki groaned again as he slowly regained consciousness, his head pounding. He blinked several times, disoriented, before realizing he was lying on his front in the middle of the ring. He attempted to push himself up, but a sharp pain in his neck forced him to pause.

"Easy there," a voice said, and Todoroki turned his head to see Midoriya crouching next to him. The green-haired soldier extended a hand to help Todoroki up.

Todoroki took the offered hand, and with Midoriya's assistance, he managed to stand, albeit unsteadily.

"What... What happened?" Todoroki asked, his voice still groggy.

Midoriya pointed up at the jumbotrons. The screens replayed a clip of Midoriya diving into a hole and shielding himself under a massive boulder moments before Todoroki's supercool-superheated attack was unleashed.

"Your ice tore up the ring pretty badly, giving me debris to throw and fox holes to hide in," Midoriya explained. "When you had your back turned, I snuck up on you and stuck a pressure point on your neck."

Todoroki sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and relief. "I got careless... I shouldn't have let my guard down."

He then noticed the burns and bloody bruises covering Midoriya's body and was immediately concerned. "Hey, are you alright? That looks painful."

Midoriya managed a smile despite the pain he was in. "Oh, it is…but I'll be okay. And how about you?"

Todoroki nodded, appreciating the concern. "I'll be fine. You fought well, Midoriya."

With a display of sportsmanship, Midoriya extended his hand to Todoroki, who hesitated only for a moment before shaking it. The crowd in the stadium erupted in applause, celebrating not just the victory but the mutual respect between the two opponents.

"Midoriya," Midnight approached the two young men, her gaze filled with concern, "you should wait for the medical robots to bring out the gurney."

Midoriya appreciated her concern, but he shook his head and offered a reassuring smile. "It's all right, Kayama-sensei. I can walk on my own."

Midnight wasn't entirely convinced. "Are you certain? Those injuries look pretty serious."

Midoriya nodded confidently. "I'm sure. These aren't the worst injuries I've had."

Midnight couldn't help but wonder if she should be impressed or worried by that admission but decided to accept his choice.

Todoroki, also in need of medical attention, agreed to accompany Midoriya. "I should see Recovery Girl as well," he stated, glancing down at the bruises and mild burns on his exposed torso.

As the two shirtless young men walked off the stage together, the crowd erupted in applause for them. Midnight sighed contentedly, reminiscing, 'What I'd give to be a decade younger.' She wasn't the only one with similar thoughts.

In the stands near the tunnel, a group of excited young women couldn't contain their enthusiasm.

"Midoriya-sama! You were amazing!"

"The son of Endeavor sure isn't shabby. I'd definitely take him in if I could." One woman sighed longily.

"Todoroki-san! You're so hot AND cool!"

"Those muscles…" One girl couldn't help but drool.

"Can we have your numbers?!"

"You both can take me!"

"Midoriya-sama! Have my babies instead!"

"Maybe I'll get a visa to America! I hope there are other guys like you in their ranks!"

"I'll take yours, Todoroki-sama!"

"Are you both single?! Can I have both of you?!"

Midoriya let out a sigh, avoiding eye contact with the overzealous women. 'Some things never change, do they?'

Todoroki, on the other hand, felt baffled by the sudden barrage of praise and romantic interest. "I... don't get it," he admitted, looking at Midoriya. "Aren't you supposed to be friends and court before getting married and having children?"

Midoriya chuckled at Todoroki's question. "Well, yeah, that is the ideal way. But in our line of work, Todoroki-san, you'll often meet people who really admire you. Don't always take it at face value. Those girls are just excited, that's all."

Todoroki nodded in understanding. 'I'll take his word for it. I'm sure he has experience with this kind of stuff, being a soldier and all.'

---

Outside the stadium grounds, various groups of people erupted into ecstatic cheers as the outcome of the final match was announced. When the monitors displayed a battered Midoriya defiantly raising his left fist, the crowd's euphoria knew no bounds.

"YO JOE! YO JOE! YO JOE!" Many in the crowd chanted passionately, their fists pumping the air with uncontainable energy.

Among the spectators were a few Pro Heroes on security duty who watched in stunned disbelief. One of them sighed, breaking the silence, "I... lost my bet."

His partner, also bewildered by the result, raised an eyebrow, "How much did you wager?"

The first Pro admitted sheepishly, "...This month's paycheck."

His colleague winced in sympathy, patting him on the shoulder, "Ouch! Sorry, pal. But don't feel too bad. It seems like most of us on security lost our bets today."

The unnamed Pro sighed again, shoulders slumping. "That doesn't really make me feel better..."

Mt. Lady, Death Arms, and Kamui Woods stood away from the rowdy crowd, keeping an eye on the celebration. Mt. Lady couldn't contain her excitement, jumping up and down while cheering, "Way to go, Hot Stuff! That was freakin' insane!"

Kamui Woods, with a proud smile hidden under his mask, added his commendation, "Well done, Midoriya-san. That was incredible."

Death Arms, despite his gruff exterior, couldn't help but show some appreciation. "Gotta admit… That was pretty impressive. Kid's something special." He glanced at Kamui Woods with skepticism. "You sure you don't have a psychic Quirk or something?"

Kamui Woods crossed his arms over his chest, still smiling beneath the mask. "Obviously not. Otherwise I would have used it before. I just had faith that Midoriya-san would overcome the odds."

Death Arms sighed, giving Kamui Woods a side-eye. "And it paid off handsomely. You're tens of thousands of yen richer."

"Not just him," Mt. Lady interjected, her smile smug. "I'm getting a chunk of that sweet green pie too! Woo-Hoo! Yo Joe is the best!"

---

All For One stared at the screen with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. The sight of Captain Midoriya's victory, his battered body standing tall over Todoroki, was not what he had expected. He had assumed the soldier would need One For All to win, but this scene held a different kind of power.

"So this was your goal, Captain," he growled to himself, clenching his fists. "Admirable... but misplaced. You'll soon learn there are limits to what even you can do."

With a determined resolve, he closed the All-Star Games broadcast and began making some calls.

---

The medal ceremony faced a delay as several factors needed attention. Midoriya and Todoroki required treatment from Recovery Girl, with the former bearing the brunt of her healing Quirk. Bakugo also awaited clearance from Recovery Girl, and the arena demanded repairs, having suffered another round of destruction.

As Midoriya experienced the draining effects of Recovery Girl's Quirk, he could feel the gradual healing of his burns and torn skin. However, some lingering pain persisted, and Recovery Girl sternly warned him against any training during the three-day break.

Wearily contemplating his state, Midoriya mused, 'As wiped out as I feel, I don't think I could train even if I wanted.'

Once Bakugo, Todoroki, and Midoriya received clearance from Recovery Girl, the trio made their way to the locker room. All three of them had bandages wrapped on them while Bakugo's left arm was hanging in a sling. After cleaning up and donning replacement gym uniforms, they headed back towards the arena entrance, awaiting the commencement of the medal ceremony.

As they turned a corner, they were met with Endeavor blocking their way, a proud smile on his face. Bakugo arched a brow in confusion, Midoriya was guarded, and Todoroki regarded his father with a cold, questioning gaze.

"Shoto, I'm glad I caught you before the ceremony. I didn't see you in the infirmary or with your classmates. Where have you been?"

Todoroki remained silent, prompting Midoriya to respond, "We had to go to the locker room to clean up and put on new uniforms, sir."

Endeavor's piercing blue eyes shifted to Midoriya. "Ah, that makes sense. Your uniforms were in bad condition after your matches." He then turned his gaze to Bakugo. "Bakugo, was it? You put on a good show, boy. Worthy of the bronze medal indeed."

Bakugo growled deeply but refrained from saying anything more. Endeavor then refocused on Midoriya with a scrutinizing gaze.

"I must admit, you surprised me. You fought hard and did well, within the rules of the tournament. You even helped my son finally embrace his true power. For that, you have my gratitude."

Before Midoriya could respond, Todoroki stepped forward, "Why are you here? If you wanted to yell at me for not winning, you could've waited until we got home."

Endeavor smirked. "I'm not disappointed or angry, Shoto. True, if you had used your fire from the start, today would have gone very differently, but you did use your fire. You may have lost the battle today, but you took your first steps toward winning the war. You've embraced your power, and now you must learn to control it. In your fight, all you were doing was letting it burn out of control or just flinging it around. Fire is dangerous, Shoto, and takes a great deal of concentration and control to master, but these are things I can teach you. Things that you are now ready to learn. Today, you have started on the path to become my legacy."

The ensuing silence felt long and awkward. Bakugo sneered but didn't interject, while Midoriya's expression twisted into anger. Unconsciously, he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

Breaking the silence, Todoroki finally replied, "I have accepted that this fire is a part of me. I won't ignore it, nor shirk the responsibility that I have to master it. However, that doesn't mean for one second that I've accepted you or your legacy. If I do decide to learn from you, it will be to become the Hero I want to be, not the Hero you want me to be."

The tension in the corridor was palpable as father and son stared at each other. After an intense moment, Todoroki glanced back at Midoriya and Bakugo. "Let's go, or we'll be late."

Midoriya followed Todoroki as he walked around his father with Bakugo bringing up the rear while Endeavor stood stationary, processing what his son had told him. Just as they turned the corner, Midoriya stopped.

"Endeavor." The Captain turned and looked the Flame Hero dead in the eye with a measured expression. "Your son has incredible potential. With the right guidance and support, he'll become a great Hero who surpasses you, because he isn't you."

Endeavor's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Midoriya's words. He didn't get an opportunity to respond before Midoriya rounded the corner, leaving the Pro Hero alone in the hallway.

Bakugo chuckled to himself. "Damn, Midoriya, that was badass. You got balls, I can't lie."

Todoroki cut in, "I'm sorry you had to see that, Bakugo. My father and I… Well, we have personal issues, as you can tell."

Bakugo clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes. "I don't care about your damn daddy issues. But it should be you telling your old man to f**k off instead of Midoriya."

Todoroki frowned. "As satisfying as that would be, I don't know if that would be right."

The verdette looked at Todoroki for a few seconds. "Do what you believe is right, Todoroki."

The scar-faced young man thoughtfully lowered his head. "For the longest time, I believed that refusing to use my flames was the right thing. But then you showed me I was wrong… I still have plenty of things to figure out."

Midoriya offered him a supportive smile and patted his shoulder. "It'll be a rough road, but I know you'll find your way."

A small smile formed on Todoroki's face. Hearing the confidence in Midoriya's words made him believe that he would eventually get everything straightened out.

---

Later, as the trio arrived at the tunnel entrance to join the rest of their classmates, Midoriya was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug by Uraraka.

"Izuku-kun, that was amazing!" Uraraka squeezed tightly, unintentionally creating some close contact. "You were so dang cool out there!"

Midoriya's face flushed a bit from the close embrace, but he readily returned the hug. "Thanks, Occhan."

Uraraka's blush deepened, and she relished in the hug, revealing her admiration for the young man. As she separated from the verdette, Yaoyorozu, the ravenette heiress, pulled him into another tight hug.

"You truly were incredible out there, Izuku-kun!" Yaoyorozu gushed, squeezing tightly and adding to the flustered state of the young man. "Congratulations on your win."

"Thanks, Yaomomo." Midoriya smiled, reciprocating the embrace and feeling a flutter in his heart.

Noticing the interactions, Ashido, Tokage, and Tsunotori exchanged knowing glances. Meanwhile, Hatsume observed the trio—Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, and Uraraka—with a thoughtful tilt of her head. 'I'm sensing some weird tension between those three. It's like when mom and dad are staring at each other before their date nights.'

Bakugo rolled his eyes at the interaction, musing in annoyance, 'Can't those three losers just get a damn room or something already?'

"Bakugo!" Kirishima grinned widely. "Good to see you're back on your feet, man! How's your arm feeling?" He gestured to Bakugo's left arm in a sling hanging at his side.

"It's fine, Sh*tty Hair. The hag said she'll finish healing it up on Monday." He replied, sounding less angry than usual; instead, he seemed a mixture of thoughtful and grumpy.

Midoriya's words from the infirmary were still swirling in the ash-blonde's mind. Aside from resting, he had a lot to think about over the three-day break.

Yaoyorozu released her embrace on Midoriya and looked up at him, concerned. "How are you feeling, Izuku-kun?"

"Yeah," Uraraka chimed in, "you looked pretty rough after the match…"

Midoriya chuckled mirthlessly. "Todoroki-san certainly did a number on me, but I'll be okay."

"Nice work, Izuku!" Hatsume stepped in and patted him on the back, grinning widely. "I have to say, you know how to keep audiences engaged with all the crazy stuff you pulled. I'm impressed. Where'd you learn to do that?"

His thoughts briefly drifted back towards the stage show time of his service before he shrugged and responded, "I may have picked up a thing or two in military training."

Kaminari looked at Midoriya curiously. "Do they seriously teach you all the stuff you've done to kick ass today, Midori-bro?"

"Heh. More or less," Midoriya humorously replied.

---

High above Morino Hiroshi Stadium, rockets shot into the sky, bursting into colorful fireworks. Midnight took the stage, addressing the crowd with all the freshmen participants grouped together. Reporters and cameramen further back filmed and captured the moment.

Among his classmates, Monoma Neito stuffed his hands into his pockets and exhaled in exasperation. "I can't believe not a single student from Class B made it to the podium," he grumbled to himself. "Everyone going forward will continue to see our class as inferior to those Class A blowhards."

Standing beside him, Kendo shot him a side-eyed glare. "Those four earned their spots on the podium, Monoma-san. Besides, if you hadn't played around in your match against Shinso-san, you could've possibly been up there."

Monoma groaned and turned away, unwilling to admit the validity of Kendo's words.

Midnight stepped onto the stage, turning to address the students and audience. "It is time to bring the 2197 Freshmen All-Star Games to a close and start the award ceremony!" She said into her microphone.

Cheers and claps echoed across the stadium. Behind Midnight, Midoriya, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu, and Bakugo were lifted on extending platforms, and confetti popped into the air. On the third-place podium, Yaoyorozu beamed, politely waving at the crowd, doing her best to hold back tears. Bakugo snarled and hunched over with his right hand stuffed in his pocket. Higher on the second-place podium, Todoroki stood calmly, expressing little emotion. Finally, on the first-place podium, Midoriya stood tall, looking out at the crowd with a happy smile, realizing that his younger self would've started crying in a moment like this.

"And now, we have a special surprise for everyone!" Midnight gestured towards the stadium's roof, where a distinct silhouette appeared before the audience followed by the trademark laugh that everyone recognized.

With his beaming trademark grin, All Might leaped from the roof towards the arena floor. "I AM HERE!" he shouted while falling from the sky and landed in front of the podium. "AND I HAVE BROUGHT THE MEDALS!"

The crowd's cheers took on new life, almost deafening upon the Number One Pro's arrival. For the audience, today had been one treat after another; seeing All Might was just the cherry on top. For All Might, he was incredibly happy; he loved to see up-and-coming Heroes show what they could do, and the All-Star Games were only a third of the way done with the Sophomore and Senior games in the next couple of days. The fact that the winners of the freshman events were all his students filled him with pride.

All Might took the two bronze medals and stepped up to the third-place podium.

"Young Yaoyorozu," He began, muting his microphone so that his words were for the ravenette alone, "you showed remarkable creativity and intuitiveness throughout the events. With enough preparation, I daresay that you'll be a match for almost any Villain!"

Yaoyorozu blushed and bowed her head. "Thank you, All Might-sensei."

"I would advise you, however, to better prepare yourself for when things don't go according to plan," All Might continued. "Work on those reflexes, and you'll certainly be a force to be reckoned with."

The heiress nodded and then accepted both the bronze medals All Might placed around her neck, and the brief hug he gave her.

All Might then turned toward Bakugo, who glared angrily at the bronze medal. "I know this isn't the result you were hoping for today, Young Bakugo. Still, this is only your first All-Star Games, and you will only get stronger from here. Use this day to push yourself further towards the top."

"Yeah." Bakugo bowed his head a very small amount so that All Might could place the other bronze medal around his neck. "Can I ask you something, All Might?"

"Of course! I can't guarantee I'll give you an answer you'll like, though."

"Whatever." Bakugo looked at All Might stone-faced. "Tell me, does being the best mean proving you're the strongest at everything?"

"Not in the slightest," All Might said, gently hugging the young man so that he could whisper in his ear. "For all that our society loves ranking Heroes in popularity, there's really only one person you should ever work to impress—yourself. As long as you do your very best, even if you fail, you can walk away from anything with your head held high."

"Okay." Bakugo frowned thoughtfully. "Well, I'm still gonna be the greatest Hero ever; that's my goal, and I won't stop until I achieve it. Just you wait, All Might, I'm gonna surpass even you and Midoriya."

All Might wasn't sure what surprised him more—that Bakugo seemed to be listening to honest advice or that he had compared him to Midoriya. He appeared to have done the latter without really thinking about it. All Might chose to let Bakugo think about things as he moved on to the second-place podium.

"Young Todoroki, I believe you overcame more than a sporting event today. I don't know why you decided to use your flames, and I won't pry. However, I can say this decision is an important step in your journey and will only help your growth."

With the silver medal around his neck, Todoroki nodded and spoke softly so that only All Might could hear him, "Midoriya helped me see how wrong I was and reminded me of why I'm here. I want to become a great Hero, like you, All Might… I can see why you've taken an interest in potentially training Midoriya."

All Might's gaze briefly flickered up to Midoriya. 'Truthfully, I feel he's the one training me sometimes.'

Pulling the young man into a hug, the blonde goliath whispered, "I'm sure you'll figure out what you need to do, young Todoroki. Just make sure your footing on your path is secure; starting is easy, but it is even easier to backslide in the beginning."

Todoroki nodded in understanding, keeping his gaze even.

All Might moved onto the winner with the last medal in hand. "Ca—Izuku," he kept his voice down so no one else could hear them, "congratulations on winning your first All-Star Games. You showcased incredible determination, tactful thinking, impressive skill, and, most importantly, a compassionate heart; all of which are the best qualities of a Hero. You lived up to your speech and showed many a Hero is more than just strength. Well done."

Midoriya smiled widely, a twinkle in his emerald eyes. "Thank you…Toshinori."

All Might did his best to suppress his fanboy giddiness as he placed the gold medal around the First Hero's neck and then hugged him. 'If only my younger self knew that someday I'd be awarding THE Captain America a gold medal.' He wistfully thought.

"One more thing," he said quietly, "I'll call you sometime over the weekend, and we can talk about you-know-what."

Midoriya nodded in understanding. "Right."

Patting Midoriya on the shoulder, All Might turned back to the crowd and flipped his mic back on. "There you have it, folks!" He shouted, his booming voice carrying over the speakers. "Give it up for not just our winners, but also everyone who went beyond today! Say it with me…"

The arena shook with the combined force of thousands of voices.

"PLUS ULTRA!"

---

Seated at the dimly lit bar counter, Shigaraki meticulously recorded his observations on a notepad as the All-Star Games concluded. Kurogiri watched from the other end, still impressed by his ward's newfound determination in his assignment.

"I'm glad to see you took the Supreme One's assignment seriously, Shigaraki," Kurogiri stated. "What did you learn about the winner?"

"Midoriya Izuku," Shigaraki muttered, pen scratching against paper, "on the surface, he may not appear threatening. But he leverages his melee and tactical prowess to compensate for the limitations of his lame enhancement Quirk. He's skilled at exploiting others' weaknesses. There's also that overpowered shield that breaks the game." He winced at the phantom pain in his jaw, resisting the urge to disintegrate another pen.

"A fair assessment." Kurogiri nodded. "Anything else?"

Shigaraki paused as he set his notes down and began pouring himself a drink. "Maybe. He doesn't sound like he likes Hero society."

"Oh? An interesting observation. I'm sure Supreme One would be interested in hearing more about that."

Shigaraki took a sip. "What about you? Any word on new members?"

"They're mostly leads right now, but thanks to the Supreme One's connections, they're very promising. I have also been in personal contact with someone that may be a great addition to our group."

"Oh?"

"Stain, the Hero Killer. I located him and extended an offer. He seemed interested at the very least."

Shigaraki swirled the amber liquid in his glass, "The Hero Killer, huh. He's pretty famous, and he's been hunting heroes for some time now."

"As I said, someone with that kind of experience could be an excellent addition."

"I suppose…I'll admit, I'm curious to see if this Hero Killer lives up to the hype."

---

Midoriya and Uraraka strolled toward their apartment complex, the evening sky casting a warm hue over the surroundings. In Midoriya's left arm was a box containing an assortment of Japanese sandwiches, a veritable feast compared to Uraraka's more modest snack. He took triumphant bites, replenishing the energy expended during the day's competition.

Uraraka observed him, feeling a mix of amusement and embarrassment. 'Does he know it's rude to eat like that in public, or is he just too hungry to care?'

"Don't know how you can settle for just one of these, Occhan," Midoriya remarked between bites. "I get it's not mochi, but still…"

Rolling her eyes, Uraraka couldn't help but comment, "Seriously, Izuku-kun, do you ever stop eating?"

Midoriya chuckled, "Gotta recover all those calories, Occhan. Remember, my metabolism is super-charged."

Entering the building, Uraraka sighed, looking at him with mock annoyance. "It's not fair. You and Momo can eat whatever you want and still look gorgeous."

Midoriya grinned, teasing, "You think I'm gorgeous, Occhan?"

Realizing her blunder, her face turned bright red as she sputtered out, "I-I said no such thing!"

Midoriya chuckled. "You totally did, but it's okay. I appreciate the compliment." He then took another bite, savoring the flavors. 'This brings me back…' He fondly mused on his mother's cooking.

Approaching an elevator, they waited momentarily for the doors to slide open.

"But really," Uraraka sighed, "I wish I could eat like that and still stay in shape."

Midoriya swallowed, giving her a thoughtful look. "Eating healthy is important…but a little indulgence every now and then won't hurt. Besides, you'd look great even if you gained a bit of weight in the right places."

She raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, 'the right places'?"

The super-soldier smirked mischievously. "Well, you know, a bit more on the thighs and hips wouldn't be a bad thing."

Uraraka's face turned a deep shade of red. "Izuku!? Y-you can't just say things like that!"

He laughed. "Come on, Occhan, I'm just yanking your chain."

The brunette tilted her head cutely. "Yanking my chain?"

"It's an expression. It means I'm just joking with you." Midoriya clarified. "Relax, you're perfect the way you are."

Uraraka huffed but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're lucky you're cute, you know…or I'd be mad at you."

Midoriya glanced down at her coyly. "So, you admit I'm cute?"

Uraraka playfully nudged him. "C-cut it out!" This earned genuine laughter from the super-soldier.

The elevator shuddered to a halt, and its doors gracefully parted, revealing the familiar corridor lined with apartment doors. As Uraraka approached her own entrance, she turned to her green-haired companion. "Turning in early, Izuku-kun?"

Midoriya, weariness etched across his features, nodded. "Yeah, I'm beat. Could use some extra Zs tonight."

Uraraka shot him a stern look. "Remember, no training tomorrow, mista. You need to rest."

Midoriya offered a tired smile and nodded. "I know..." Internally, he acknowledged that training in his current state would be more harmful than beneficial. It was time to let his body recover.

Satisfied with his response, Uraraka unlocked her door. However, as she attempted to turn the handle, a frown marred her face. "Huh… That's odd."

Midoriya, still standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "What is?"

"My door is unlocked." Uraraka blinked twice. "I could've sworn I locked it this morning when we left..."

Midoriya's focus sharpened, recalling that he had indeed witnessed her locking it. "Does anyone else have a key to your place?"

Uraraka considered the question. "Well, my parents, but they're all the way in Yokkaichi."

The weariness evaporated from Midoriya's expression, replaced by a steely determination. Placing his sando box on the floor, he moved in front of Uraraka. "Stay behind me, okay?" he urged in a hushed tone.

Uraraka, sensing the shift in atmosphere, felt her heart quicken with fear. "Izuku...?"

"Just trust me," he replied, his gaze focused on the potentially compromised doorway.

As the duo stood in the corridor, an unsettling tension hung in the air. Midoriya reached for the handle, prepared to face whatever may be inside head-on to protect his friend. His other hand slid into his pants pocket, fingers searching for a hidden clicker that would alert nearby SHIELD agents.

'1…2…3!' Throwing the door open, his keen eyes darted around the room. Then, out of the darkness, two humanoids crawled out on the floor with creepy smiles and red eyes; one appeared to be female while the other was a male.

"Ochako!" The figures exclaimed.

"EEEEHHHH!" Uraraka screamed in terror, her eyes bulging out.

Midoriya immediately sprung into action and rushed toward the nearest intruder, delivering a decisive gut punch. The man grunted painfully and collapsed to his knees. As he turned his sights on the other intruder, a familiar voice echoed in the room.

"Papa?! Mama?"

Midoriya froze. 'What?'

Uraraka flicked on the light switch by the door to fully reveal the intruders. One was a woman of average height, the spitting image of Uraraka with shoulder-length brown hair, curved bangs framing her mature face, and perma-blushes on her cheeks. She wore a white blouse, blue pants, and black shoes.

The man hunched over on his knees had a blue-collar vibe, well-built and broad-shouldered with short, light-brown hair. He had a chiseled face with stubble, and his attire consisted of a light-green collared shirt, tan pants, and brown boots.

It didn't take Midoriya long to recognize the striking resemblance in the two adults with his brunette friend.

"Papa!?" Uraraka rushed past him toward her father.

"Katashi!" Uraraka's mom joined her daughter and knelt by her husband in concern. "Are you alright?"

Midoriya stood back momentarily, sweating nervously. 'Whoops.'

---

Later, Uraraka Katashi was taking deep, slow breaths while sitting on the couch; his face twinged from the sharp pain in his torso.

"Are you sure you're okay, papa?" Ochako asked, sitting beside her father.

"I can call for immediate medical assistance, Uraraka-otousan." Midoriya chimed in, standing awkwardly off to the side.

"Heh, relax." Katashi chuckled and waved the concern off, trying to look nonchalant. "It's not that bad. Though I'm definitely gonna feel this in the morning."

"Here you go, dear." Uraraka's mother returned from the kitchen and handed her husband a bag of ice and a couple of painkillers. "Thanks, honey." He nodded gratefully, swallowing the pills and applying the ice to his torso.

Midoriya bowed apologetically, "I am deeply sorry for hurting you!"

Katashi looked at Midoriya's bowing form momentarily before turning to his daughter. "Ochako, who is this? Your boyfriend?"

Ochako's face went beet red. "What?! N-no!"

"I'm Midoriya Izuku, Uraraka-otousan! I'm a close friend, classmate, and neighbor to your daughter." Midoriya answered.

"Oh?" Uraraka's mother perked up in surprise. 'So this is the boy she keeps talking about, huh?'

Katashi leveled a suspicious expression at Midoriya. "Why were you coming into my daughter's apartment with her?" He narrowed his gaze. "You weren't planning to do anything immoral with her, were you?"

"No, sir!" He swiftly responded.

"Papa! Will you stop?!" Ochako yelled, frustrated. "That's not what's happening!"

"When your daughter mentioned her door was unlocked, I was concerned her apartment was compromised and went in first. When I saw you rushing forward, well, my training kicked in…" Midoriya elaborated, keeping his head down.

Katashi stared at the verdette before his stern demeanor turned into a bright smile. "Ah, I see then. So, this was just a misunderstanding."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Ochako snapped. "But you kept assuming the worst!"

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but it's a father's job to look out for their child." Katashi then turned back to Midoriya. "You can lift your head, son."

As Midoriya straightened up, he looked at the Uraraka patriarch apologetically. "Again, I'm sorry for hitting you, sir."

"It's alright. Honestly," he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "turning off the lights and jump-scaring our girl probably wasn't the best idea in hindsight."

"Especially with Ochako having such a caring neighbor." Uraraka's mother chimed in and approached Midoriya. "So, you're the strapping young man my girl keeps talking about."

"M-Mama!" Ochako shouted, flustered.

"I'm Uraraka Miu." She smiled sweetly and bowed. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Midoriya-san."

Midoriya bowed politely in response. "The pleasure's mine, Uraraka-okaasan."

Ochako cut in. "Not that I'm not happy to see you two, but what are you doing here?"

Uraraka's parents both turned to their daughter with happy smiles.

"We came to throw you a party, of course!" Miu excitedly declared.

Katashi added, managing to stand up from the couch. "We had to come to celebrate your showing in the All-Star Games. We had the whole event recorded and want to watch it with you as a family. Also," his grin brightened, "we have some incredible news to share with you too!"

"But what about work? Don't you have a job going on?" Ochako weakly objected. "I mean, did you take the bullet train here? When? How? I…" Her lips quivered as tears brimmed in her eyes. "I…I can't believe you're here!"

The dam burst as Ochako wrapped her parents in a hug and proceeded to cry. After going several months without seeing them, she couldn't suppress her tears of excitement.

Midoriya, meanwhile, stood a respectable distance away and allowed the small family to have their moment of reunion, a small smile on his face.

Politeness guiding him, he turned toward Uraraka's parents with a small, respectful bow."I'll see myself out then."

Uraraka Miu turned to him. "Are you sure? You're welcome to stay a little longer."

Midoriya shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I am feeling exhausted. Again, apologies for the trouble I caused you."

"Oh, it's no trouble, dear." Miu offered him a warm smile, her squinted eyes opening to reveal sparkling brown eyes. "Thank you for looking out for our daughter."

Uraraka Katashi, though more reserved, nodded appreciatively. "You have our gratitude for taking care of our little girl. Although, I must say, you pack quite a punch."

Midoriya chuckled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, it's a habit, I suppose. But I should let you three have your family time." He inclined his head toward Ochako's father.

"Thank you, Midoriya-san," Katashi replied, offering a firm handshake, which Midoriya accepted. "Take care of yourself. I'm sure we'll see you around."

With a final nod, Midoriya stepped back, allowing the Uraraka family to continue their heartfelt reunion. He exchanged a quick glance with Ochako, who mouthed a silent "thank you" before refocusing on her parents.

Closing the door gently, Midoriya let out a long exhale. 'Definitely not an ideal first impression.' He berated himself.

He went to pick up his sandwich box from the hallway floor and retraced his steps toward his own apartment. As he approached his door, Midoriya cast one more look at Uraraka's apartment. The warmth of their family bond lingered in the air, stirring a mixture of joy for his friend and a subtle longing for the familial connections he lacked. With a quiet exhale, he unlocked his door and entered his apartment.

The soft click of the door echoed in the now quieter space. Midoriya walked over and turned on his bedside lamp, and the room was bathed in a gentle glow. After placing the sandwiches in his fridge for later, he settled into his chair at the work desk, reached into the drawer, and retrieved his 'Reports' notebook.

Flipping to the latest page, he began penning his thoughts in English.

FROM: CAPTAIN AMERICA

TO: COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

SUBJECT: JP UA ALL-STAR GAMES RESULT

The UA FRESHMEN ALL-STAR GAMES HAVE CONCLUDED, AND I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT I SECURED FIRST PLACE IN ALL THREE MAJOR EVENTS. I EXERTED MY FULL EFFORT AND TOOK PRIDE IN REPRESENTING MY COUNTRY AND MYSELF ON THIS GRAND GLOBAL STAGE. DESPITE A FEW COMPLICATIONS THAT I WON'T BORE YOU WITH, MY COMPANIONS DISPLAYED ADMIRABLE DETERMINATION THROUGHOUT THE GAMES.

I HOPE THAT MY VICTORY SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT HEROISM IS NOT ABOUT FLASHINESS BUT RATHER BRAVERY, DETERMINATION, AND A COMPASSIONATE HEART.

ON A MORE PRESSING MATTER, ALL FOR ONE AND THE LEAGUE WERE LIKELY VIEWING THE GAMES–MEANING THEY KNOW THE CURRENT CAPABILITIES OF MY CLASSMATES' ABILITIES. I SUSPECT AFO WILL WANT TO ACCELERATE WHATEVER SCHEME HE HAS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FACT.

IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE HE MAKES HIS NEXT MOVE.

I WILL PROVIDE FURTHER UPDATES AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

With the brief report finished, Midoriya closed the notebook, placing it back in the drawer. He stretched, letting out a long, tired yawn. The weight of solitude settled in the room, the echoes of family laughter next door now a distant memory. Pondering the day's events, Midoriya couldn't escape the subtle ache of loneliness.

Seeking a distraction, he retrieved his phone and checked it, disappointment crossing his face when he found no messages from Iida. The screen displayed enthusiastic texts from his group of friends, sharing the joy of their families' reactions to the All-Star Games.

He was happy to know that even Yaoyorozu's parents had video-called her to celebrate with her. 'Hopefully her folks will find time to see her in person. I know Momo would love that.'

A genuine smile played on his lips, but as he scrolled through the messages, a subtle ache settled in his chest. Shaking off the feeling, Midoriya congratulated each friend individually through quick texts, the rhythmic taps of the keyboard echoing in his silent apartment.

Switching to the music app, he pressed play on a long playlist, filling the quietness with music from his era. The silence had been starting to bother him.

Plugging his phone on the charger, he pulled out the gold medal, examining the symbol of triumph in the dimly lit emptiness of his apartment. Unfortunately, the medal felt more like a silent companion than a celebration. With the medal still in hand, he walked to his bed and collapsed onto it, the mattress offering a momentary respite. Despite considering changing, fatigue from the day's events washed over him.

A heavy sigh escaped as he let the gold medal slip onto the bedside table, switching the lamp off and enveloping the apartment in darkness. The room closed in, solitude becoming a palpable presence. Closing his eyes, Midoriya surrendered to the quietude. The cheers of the crowd faded, replaced by the background noise of his music playlist and the soft hum of his breath.

His thoughts drifted to his closest friends from the past, a small smile gracing his face as he imagined their reactions to winning the All-Star Games. The compliments, jokes, and proud reactions felt like distant echoes, adding a bittersweet layer to his emotions.

'What I wouldn't give to see them again just one more time… Peg-chan…' he inwardly lamented, the brim of his eyes becoming misty.

---

Two days had elapsed since the conclusion of the Freshmen All-Star Games. Enjoying a break from their usual classes, many students, particularly those who participated in the events, spent their time catching up on rest, hitting the books, and tuning in to watch the remaining two games. Even Midoriya found himself needing a day of physical recovery after the intense competition.

As the Saturday night lights illuminated the streets of Musutafu with a lively atmosphere, a quaint ramen shop named Noodle Force on the outskirts of the city attracted locals with its aromatic offerings. Midoriya and Coulson sat on stools outside the shop, both casually dressed for the evening.

Midoriya sported his brown leather jacket over a red-and-white plaid shirt, dark blue jeans, and his iconic red-laced boots, while Coulson donned a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt featuring a rising sun emblem on the front, complemented by dark jeans and black shoes.

Having placed their orders with the chef, Coulson turned to Midoriya, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "There's something different about you, but I can't quite put my finger on it." He said in English.

Midoriya brushed a strand of blonde hair away from his blue eyes, smirking. "Wanted to try a new look tonight." He replied in English.

Translation: I wanted to keep a low profile.

"Understandable since you snagged that promotion," Coulson remarked.

Translation: Understandable since you won the All-Star Games.

Coulson raised a small glass of sake. "Cheers!"

Midoriya lifted his own sake glass, clinking it against Coulson's with a satisfying sound before both men enjoyed a sip.

Coulson set his glass down, a quizzical expression on his face. "I thought you despised this particular look..."

Translation: Don't you hate this disguise?

Midoriya responded with a nonchalant shrug. "I've grown accustomed to it."

No translation needed.

A sympathetic frown appeared on Coulson's face as he grasped the underlying sentiment. "I'm sorry..."

The super-soldier shrugged again, his demeanor indifferent. "It's in the past. No regrets."

Nodding in understanding, Coulson decided it was best to drop the matter. Keeping his voice down, he continued, "When I said 'win the whole thing', you certainly took that to heart. You made it all look easy."

"Trust me, it wasn't; especially the last round," Midoriya quietly replied. 'I'm still sore from all of those burns…'

"I'll take your word for it." Coulson pulled out a smartphone from his jacket, opened an app, and passed it to Midoriya on the counter. "By the way, take a look at all of this."

Picking up the phone, Midoriya saw that it was an app featuring the top stories from the last two days by many Japanese news networks.

Astonishing Upset in UA All-Star Games!

Not Your Typical All-Star Champion.

Carelessness Costs Todoroki the Gold!

Midoriya 'Yo Joe' Izuku: Future Great…or One Year Wonder?

These were just a few of the big headlines from yesterday's news. He opened each article and swiftly read through them, getting a grasp of people's stances on his victory.

It was clear the country was simultaneously ecstatic and shocked by his victory, especially when it was revealed that his Quirk was nothing more than a simple enhancement type. Some people were campaigning that Midoriya could be a trailblazer for groups of people without flashy Quirks entering Pro Heroics, while many others brushed it off as a feel-good story that would pass in time.

"Well, the waters have been stirred at least," Midoriya remarked.

"They're raging actually." Coulson chuckled. "You should see all of the online and news debates."

As Midoriya returned the phone to Coulson, the distant hum of a local news station played through a small television in the corner. The pair turned their attention to the screen.

"Breaking News! The Hero Killer Strikes Again!" the newscaster reported. "Hosu City became the latest hunting grounds for the dangerous criminal, Stain. Two Sidekicks and One Pro have been killed while two other Heroes have been critically injured, including the popular Ingenium."

Midoriya's expression darkened. 'Iida.'

Coulson frowned and looked at Midoriya, concern etching his features. "Ingenium is the brother of one of your friends, right?"

"Yeah…"

"How's he taking it?" Coulson asked.

Midoriya's gaze fell to the counter. "Not well. He sent a group text to me and the rest of my friends briefly saying what happened, but not much else. He hasn't replied to any of our calls or texts since then. Ingenium was critically injured, so…" he trailed off, the unspoken worry hanging heavy.

"Hmm…" Coulson took his phone and tapped on it several times with a focused expression. A short moment later, he looked back at the blonde, freckled man. "Ingenium is still alive."

Midoriya turned to the agent quizzically, realizing Coulson must've used his SHIELD credentials to acquire that information somehow. "Still critical?"

Coulson nodded grimly. "Based on his injuries, he likely won't ever walk again."

"That bad?" Midoriya arched his eyebrows in surprise. "What about Recovery Girl?"

Coulson shook his head. "Even her power has limits."

"There isn't any Quirk or some treatment that could help him?"

"There are incredible healing Quirks out there, yes. But they're only beneficial for the ones that have them." Coulson explained. "Very rarely can someone's Quirk be used to heal others. That's why people like Recovery Girl hardly ever retire in the medical field. As for treatments," he shrugged, "anything that advanced isn't available to the general public."

Midoriya sighed heavily. "So, unless someone with a Quirk as powerful as Recovery Girl comes around…"

"Ingenium's Pro Hero career is over, unfortunately." Coulson concluded. "A shame too. I really liked him."

The shop's chef walked up to the counter and placed two sizable bowls before the men; one was a bowl of katsudon and the other was Tonkotsu ramen.

With a polite "Itadakimasu," the men proceeded to eat their respective meals. Digging into his katsudon, the war veteran mused over the taste. 'Not bad… Not as good as mom's though…'

"So, how are your other friends doing?" Coulson curiously inquired.

After swallowing a mouthful, Midoriya replied, "They've been enjoying time with their families, celebrating their showings in the games. Occhan's parents surprised her on Thursday night."

"So you got to meet her folks, huh? How'd that go?"

Midoriya sweat-dropped. "Well… It could've gone better."

"Oh?" Coulson looked interested. "What happened?"

"I'd…rather not talk about it." The super-soldier sheepishly deadpanned.

"Oh!" He perked back up. "I think Tsunotori and Kaminari went on a date today too."

"The lightning guy?" Coulson smirked. "Funny that he gets a gal before you; even though you had a head start with two other ladies."

Midoriya sighed, rolling his eyes. "Drop it."

"In other news," the pair glanced back at the TV, "Day 3 of the UA All-Star Games concluded today." Notable highlights from the juniors and seniors All-Star Games were displayed. "With the showings put on today, the future of Japanese Heroics certainly looks bright." The broadcast then zoomed in on the winners podium, focusing on the smiling charismatic blonde student standing on. "The first place winner of Day 3 especially inspired hope in the form of Mirio Togata! After his spectacular showing, many are beginning to ask the question… Is this young man the next All Might? Tune in at 20:00 to hear more!"

"The next All Might?" Coulson murmured in English "Sounds like headline-porn."

Midoriya did not comment as he stared at the screen with a measured expression.

The balding man glanced over at the disguised super-soldier with a serious expression. "Speaking of the big guy, have you talked to him about…you-know-what."

Finishing his katsudon, Midoriya looked down at his empty bowl; his mind drifting back on the fateful night Yagi had shared his most sacred secret with him.

---

Two weeks earlier…

"Like you…I wasn't born with my Quirk." All Might, in his buff form, proclaimed.

Midoriya's breath hitched in his throat, his mouth agape. 'What?!' He internally yelled.

All Might turned to him with his signature smile. "Surprised? Ha-ha-ha!" He laughed boisterously. "Indeed! My power was given to me by another."

"Wait! T-t-time out!" The verdette stammered as a shocking possibility occurred to him. "Toshinori…a-are you a super-so–"

"No." The blonde titan held out his hand, cutting him off. "I am not a super-soldier. My power derives from an actual Quirk and not a serum like yours."

"That's…that's…unreal." Blinking twice, he reconsidered his words. "Yet after everything I've been through…I have to believe it." He confessed honestly.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" All Might threw his head back, with his signature laugh. "Don't feel bad!" He gently patted the super-soldier's shoulder. "When my mentor told me what I'm telling you, I thought it was some kind of sick joke."

"Your mentor?" Midoriya asked.

"Yes." All Might brought his clenched fist up to his chest. "My Quirk is a sacred torch that has been passed down from mentor to student since the Dawn of Quirks…all the way back to the first bearer, the younger brother of All For One…Yoichi–you said his name was."

Shock was plastered onto Midoriya's visage. "W…what…?" He uttered, awestruck.

All Might nodded and continued. "It is the crystallization of each previous user's power. It carries all of their hopes and dreams…with the sole purpose of one day becoming strong enough to defeat its evil twin, All For One. Its name…"

Midoriya felt as if All Might was gazing into his very soul; his cerulean eyes held an intensity that locked him into place.

"One For All."

A moment of silence passed as Midoriya processed this revelation.

"One For All…?" Midoriya's emerald eyes widened in realization. "I see… Instead of all quirks for one person, it's one person's power for all wielders."

All Might nodded in confirmation, smiling proudly. "That's right."

"It's also the other half of the Three Musketeers motto." Midoriya mentioned.

"W-well…yes, I suppose." All Might cleared his throat. "But I'd like to see it as the righteous counterpart to All For One's dastardly power."

"...Why tell me all of this?" Glancing at All Might's left side, knowing about the gnarly injuries hidden by his clothes, his enhanced mind put the dots together. "Hold on, Toshinori, are you asking me to–"

All Might nodded, his expression resolute. "Yes, Captain. I am."

Midoriya was floored, his mouth gaping slightly. "You're asking me? Why?"

In a puff of smoke, All Might transformed back to his thin, sickly form. After coughing up a bit of blood and wiping his mouth, he replied, "Ever since my injuries, I've been on the lookout for a successor; more so in the last year now since my condition is…worsening."

'That explains why Toshinori came to work at UA then. He was planning on giving his power to a student there…until we met.' Midoriya internally deduced.

Yagi continued. "As for why you, honestly, that's not the right question to ask, Izuku. It should be, why not you?"

Midoriya was genuinely confused. "What do you mean? Toshinori, I'm just a soldier, not some great powerful superhero." He lowered his gaze to the decking, unsure. "Are you sure you want me as your successor?"

The verdette was cut off when the disheveled blonde laid a hand on his shoulder, his intense cerulean eyes staring into his emerald ones. "Yes, I do. I decided that when I saw you rush in to save young Bakugo in that alleyway."

"Not when you found out my real identity?"

Yagi shook his head. "On the contrary, the fact that you're Captain America is what kept me from telling you about One For All sooner." He went on, clarifying, "You had your own hurdles and obstacles to deal with. I didn't feel right dropping something as life-changing as One For All on you then. Also…" he pulled his hand away and rubbed his neck sheepishly. "...I didn't want you to feel like I was insulting you."

Midoriya tilted his head curiously. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you're THE legend who set the example for all Heroes. I worried offering my power to you may come off as a lack of faith in your abilities." Yagi admitted.

Midoriya groaned, shaking his head. "Toshinori…You know I wouldn't have thought that for even a second."

Yagi sighed heavily. "Perhaps not…But none of that matters now." He looked back at the war veteran seriously. "Captain, I know this may not seem fair, but I need you to be my successor! Time is running out."

Midoriya felt a pit in his stomach at the implications of Yagi's worries. "Toshinori, don't tell me you're–"

"My time limit. It's getting shorter with every use of my Quirk." Yagi elaborated. "It won't be long before I'll be unable to access my power, meaning–"

"You'll have to retire." Midoriya finished.

Yagi nodded gravely. "Which means no more Symbol of Peace for the world. I don't believe I have to go over the implications of what will happen if that comes to pass…especially if there isn't one to take my place."

Midoriya looked thoughtful, his mind racing with the weight of responsibility. Before he could respond, Yagi raised a hand, interrupting him.

"Don't answer me now," Yagi said, his voice firm. "I want you to seriously consider this. It's a decision that will change your life and the lives of countless others. Please, take your time."

There was a moment of silence as Midoriya processed Yagi's words. He met the intense gaze of the Symbol of Peace and nodded in understanding. "Okay then."

"Let's wait till after the All-Star Games," Yagi continued. "Enjoy your time with your friends, and then, when the dust settles, give me your answer."

Midoriya nodded again, a mix of determination and contemplation in his expression. "I'll think it over very carefully."

"Good." Yagi smiled faintly. "Remember, this is not just for me or for you. It's for the world that needs a Symbol of Peace."

'A Symbol of Peace…' Midoriya fell into a moment of introspection, the sound of the ocean waves providing a soothing backdrop to his thoughts.

Yagi offered Midoriya a supportive pat on the shoulder, snapping him from his musings. "Take your time, Cap. I have faith that whatever decision you make will be the right one."

---

Present Day…

After replaying the memory in his mind, he turned back to Coulson. "We agreed it'd be best to wait till after the All-Star Games were over before I gave him an answer."

"I guess that makes sense, but… the answer should be obvious though."

"Is it?"

Coulson arched an eyebrow, bemused. "Of course. I mean, if anyone could take the paton from him, it's you."

Midoriya looked at the countertop introspectively. "… Is that what the world really needs though?"

Coulson momentarily looked at Midoriya in bemusement. Before he could respond though, Midoriya's phone went off.

"A text message is here!" All Might's voice announced.

"One sec," Midoriya reached into his pocket to fetch his phone.

Coulson briefly stared at Midoriya. '...Glad to know Cap uses that text tone too.'

Turning on the screen, Midoriya read over the message that came through.

Toshinori: Are you free to meet up at our usual place?

Midoriya typed back.

Affirmative! I'll start heading there.

There was an ellipsis text before Yagi responded with the salute emoji.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Midoriya turned back to Coulson. "Speaking of the big guy, think you can give me a ride to the beach?"

---

The night was calm, with the full moon casting a silver glow on Takoba Municipal Beach. Yagi strolled across the sand, his steps measured and deliberate. As he walked, he couldn't help but notice a crushed soda can washing up on shore. Stooping down, he picked it up and tucked it into his coat pocket, intending to dispose of it properly later.

Making his way toward the pier, Yagi contemplated the weight of the decision he had presented to Midoriya. The waves lapped gently against the wooden structure, creating a rhythmic melody that filled the air. He reached the end of the pier, where he planned to meet Midoriya, and looked out over the tranquil ocean.

Anticipating Midoriya's arrival in ten minutes, Yagi was surprised when he heard a familiar voice shouting his name. "Toshinori!"

Turning around, Yagi saw Midoriya running across the beach toward him. "Cap?"

Midoriya dashed down the pier to meet Yagi, his expression a mix of excitement and determination. "How did you get here so fast?" Yagi inquired.

"Oh... Well, I was with Coulson when you contacted me. He offered me a ride in Lola."

"I see. Were you both close by?"

"We were at the Noodle Force shop actually."

Yagi's eyes widened slightly. "But that's across town! Surely he didn't drive here that fast?"

"Well, not drive, per se..." Midoriya trailed off with a mischievous smile. "It's a long story. But let's just say, it's not your average mode of transportation."

"I'll take your word for it." Deciding it wasn't the right time to delve into the details, Yagi changed the topic.

"I'm sure you know why I called you here." The atmosphere shifted, and Yagi's expression turned serious. "Have you had a chance to consider my offer?"

Midoriya's demeanor shifted as well, his eyes reflecting a mixture of contemplation and resolve. "I have, Toshinori. And I'm ready to give you my answer."

Closing his eyes, Yagi took a deep breath and exhaled, already anticipating what Midoriya's answer would be. 'I'm sure he'll say no. It makes sense. He's the First Hero, after all. He doesn't need–'

"I accept."

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Several moments of silence passed as a cacophony of waves breaking on the shore and the ocean breeze filled the background.

Yagi's eyes widened as he finally processed Midoriya's response. He was at a loss for words before he finally broke the silence. "You…You'll accept my power?"

Midoriya nodded determinedly. "I will."

Yagi exhaled in relief, feeling like a great weight was lifted off of his shoulders. "Captain…Izuku…I can't tell you how much this–"

Midoriya interjected. "But on one condition."

Yagi paused, blinking in confusion. "Alright… Name it."

The World War III veteran leveled a steely gaze at the Number One Pro. "I'll accept the responsibility that comes with One For All…but I can't take on your mantle as the Symbol of Peace."

The declaration hung in the air like an unspoken truth, creating a palpable tension between the two. Yagi's eyes searched Midoriya's face for any sign of wavering, but the determination reflected in those emerald orbs was unwavering.

The ocean breeze carried a sense of solemnity, intensifying the gravity of the moment. Yagi swallowed hard, processing the weight of Midoriya's condition. The Symbol of Peace was not just a title; it carried decades of history, sacrifices, and expectations.

"Izuku…Captain," Yagi began, choosing his words carefully, "the Symbol of Peace is more than just a title. It's a beacon of hope for the people, a symbol that transcends any individual. If you take on One For All, you inherit the responsibility that comes with it. And that responsibility includes being a Symbol of Peace."

Midoriya's gaze remained unyielding. "I understand the legacy, Toshinori. While I admire and greatly respect what you've accomplished, I believe there have been some unintended consequences to having a lone Symbol of Peace in the world."

Yagi was now curious. "What do you mean?"

Midoriya paused to carefully consider his own words. "I may be a man out of time…but even I can see that society is overly dependent on All Might. So much so that people are willing to ignore those in trouble right in front of them, believing that you or some other Pro will always show up and handle things."

Yagi conceded to the truth in that statement. He was aware of this aspect of Hero society, and inwardly admitted that it bothered him. While he recognized the need for Quirk restriction laws…other factors needed to be considered for using Quirks outside of just self-defense.

Midoriya continued. "Many young Heroes aspire to be more like you, or rather, they want to reach your level of fame." His thoughts briefly drifted to Bakugo and Endeavor, but understood there were many other Pros who shared similar goals. "While that may not seem like a bad thing, it's led to Heroes focusing more on popularity contests rather than actually helping the community. Take this park, for example," he gestured to the beach behind them, "if it weren't for us, this place would likely still be a landfill."

Yagi nodded in full agreement. "You're not wrong…" Shaking his head, the emaciated blonde countered, "But still, this time of peace we have is predicated on having a Symbol! If I were to retire with no successor, Villains everywhere would rise. There'll be chaos, Captain! Surely you see that!"

Midoriya nodded in affirmation. "But finding a successor is the problem. You're putting all of your burdens onto one person, hoping they can maintain the peace and solve any problems." He shook his head. "No person should carry that weight alone."

"I did." Yagi countered. "I did so for decades."

"And look where that got you." Midoriya challenged, gesturing to Yagi's left side. "Taking on All For One alone nearly got you killed."

Yagi subconsciously laid his hand on his right side, the phantom pain coursing through him at the mention of that dreaded battle.

"No matter how strong you are, we all need allies, All Might. I'm not too proud to admit I wouldn't be standing here today if I didn't have my friends to save me on several occasions."

"...You're not wrong." Yagi let out a deep exhale. "I've always believed that society needed someone to look up to and inspire hope… a symbol. Much like you as the Symbol of Courage. With the great power that I wielded after accepting One For All, I believed it was my responsibility to become that symbol."

Midoriya's expression softened. "You may have stood alone as the greatest Hero for decades, but society needs more than just one pillar. We need a foundation."

Yagi lowered his gaze with a thoughtful expression, considering the First Hero's words, with the ocean sounds echoing in the background. 'A foundation… I see. He wants there to be Symbols of Peace, not just one person.'

Midoriya silently gauged Yagi's expression. "Toshinori, I understand that my answer may not be what you were expecting…or what you were hoping for. Maybe I've ruined your image of what Captain America is to you. But please hear me out…"

The Number One Pro silently shifted his gaze to the tall, well-built verdette, giving him his undivided attention.

Midoriya took a deep breath. "I want to continue my legacy from before: Inspiring and teaching others the true meaning of heroism. I want to assure people that no matter how bad the situation is, no matter how many times I get knocked down, I'll always get back up and keep on the good fight. I will always do the right thing because I believe it to be right."

Yagi's breath hitched in his throat, his blue eyes widening. 'Captain…'

Recalling his conversation with Dr. Hatsume many years ago, Midoriya pointed to his own heart, confusing Yagi. "All Might…Yagi Toshinori…I can't be the perfect soldier, nor the perfect Pro Hero, and especially not a Symbol of Peace…but what I can and always will strive to be is a good man."

…

…

Yagi was rendered speechless, blown away by Midoriya proclamation as a surge of warm emotions coursed through him. Once again, he could feel the fires of One For All blazing within him. The faint indiscernible calls of the past wielders calling out to him.

'He…He's a far better hero than I could ever hope to be…' Yagi internally declared, his eyes starting to become misty. The swell of emotions within him was becoming too much for him to bear.

Midoriya lowered his gaze to the decking. "If my condition is still a deal breaker for you, Toshinori, then I understand. I'll accept your decision. I just hope that this doesn't result in any bitterness between–"

Thud!

Sob…Sob…Sob…

Glancing up, the super-soldier was taken aback to see Yagi had fallen to his knees, covering his face with both hands while sobbing madly.

"All Might…?" Midoriya's voice was laced with concern. 'Did I hurt his feelings that bad?'

Before Midoriya could attempt to console the emaciated man, in a puff of smoke, Yagi buffed up into his muscular form; his casual clothing now clinging tightly to his robust body. The tears streaming down his face, however, still remained.

All Might returned to his feet and wiped his face. "There is no need for more discussion. I've made my final decision."

Midoriya looked at the crying Pro, anticipating what he'd say.

"Captain America…Midoriya Izuku…" All Might tearfully declared. "One For All is yours to inherit."

---

A/N: We've finally reached the conclusion of the All-Star Game arc. Apologies for the prolonged wait. I did not anticipate this arc taking so long, but I did have fun writing it. Hopefully you fine readers enjoyed it too!

Note, certain events in this chapter were inspired by the story "Green Tea Rescue" by ss3dj.

I was debating whether I should remove the scene with Uraraka's parents jump-scaring her, but I decided to keep it in for comedic relief. I also thought of including a short scene with Momo uniting with her parents, but I decided to save that for a later chapter. Didn't want the chapter to feel bloated or dragged on.

I had also planned on doing a short bonus scene before ending this chapter, but I ultimately decided it'd be best to hold off on it.

So, after much anticipation, Izuku and All Might have their conversation regarding One For All. I understand that there are some that will take exception to Izuku's decision. All I can say is please keep following to see what happens. I assure you it'll be worth it.

Things are going to start heating up in both Past and Present arcs!

Speaking of which, the next chapter will follow the next leg of Izuku's journey in the past. Stay tuned for that!

Please leave any comments and critique in the review box below. Thank you for the support as always!