Chapter 2: Message

Age 5

Tatewaki residence

"Lower, Kurono, your legs need to be firm and solid. As if you're riding a horse."

Kurono lowered his legs apart and bit back a wince as his sore legs complained at it by trembling and twitching heavily. His hands placed at the side of his hips and not a single complaint came under the stern watch of his father who's doing the same stance as them.

Crona, for their part, kept his limited complaints internally as he wondered why they had to go through this again.

Because unlike you, I don't know how to fight. At all. Kurono gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down from their body. Thankfully, he was in control of the body for now.

You don't? Crona asked curiously and in confusion, as far as they know, Kurono was much older than them.

More like I've never been in a life or death fight. I learned self-defense at most for fun. Kurono giggled at that, compared to Crona, he was a downright softie and fluff. My world was peaceful, relatively at least.

I see, that's nice.

No need to be envious, we're both living a peaceful life too for now. You just sit back and enjoy your childhood as much as you can while this adult handles the boring stuff. Kurono laughed at that.

"Focus." Kurogane's stern voice snapped them back to attention, his eyes twitched at how his son was laughing during training. It was untoward and rude.

At least Kurono was more well behaved compared to kids of his age. He had his fair share of interaction with some kids at Kurono age and they're much more active or disobedient.

Though those early years gave him nothing but endless worries, now, it seems like a distant dream now.

However, he had to instill strong discipline and responsibility in him as a parent and hero but due to Kurono's quirk as well. Just seeing what his son did had allowed him to understand just how amazing that quirk was.

Alas, such an amazing gift is often burdened by responsibility. Kurogane had no illusion about the expectation that will be placed unfairly onto him.

Such is the way of society that they are in.

Nevermind that being a son of a pro hero, even one that is underground and obscure, paints a target onto their backs. Knowing full well that Ayuna or Kurono could be used as a hostage against him.

A quick glance to the clock had him realize that nearly an hour had passed, a quick check on Kurono and the latter legs weren't shaking anymore though the large sweat stain around his shirt told him enough.

"Rise," Kurogane said without much volume as Kurono struggled to stand up and opted to plop down ungracefully. "We will alternate this every day. If you wish to quit, go ahead at any time."

"N-no, I can do this." Kurono weakly replied as he forced himself to stand on his feet, bring them together, and bowed to him."Thank you for the lesson."

The barest of a smile came to his lips and quickly, he huffed at that. "Good, dismiss, take a shower before you go out to play."

"Okay," Kurono left, quietly mumbling and dragging his legs. The barest of conversation heard by him.

That dredged a painful pang within him as he had a feeling that Kurono's particular habit formed because he had no one to talk to aside from them. Getting other playmates hadn't stimulated him as much as they hoped despite Kurono's relentless pace in physical activity.

Still, he finally got a friend! Granted, it was still utterly unacceptable that he used his quirk in a public place, never mind the absolute horrid condition of his clothes when he came back. They're brand new too.

Yet it disturbed him, the marks didn't look like it got caught in a tree branch.

Scratching the back of his head, worries surfaced all over as an uncomfortable thought formed.

Was his son already learning to lie?

Kurogane sighed at that, that was way too fast and unexpected. Did kids grow up this fast?

"Worried?"

That broke him out of his thoughts as he straightened himself up, leaving Ayuna to hug him from the back. The latter of whom dressed in a white dress with floral patterns, pink hat readied for a summer outing.

"Did you bring everything?" Kurogane turned around to face his wife. "Nothing missing, water, sun lotion, band-aids?"

"Of course, lunch and even the camera! It's our son's first friend, after all, wouldn't want to miss it!" Ayuna's smile then faltered a bit as she sighed and placed a hand on her cheek in dismay. "But, it's a pity you can't join."

"It can't be helped." Kurogane shrugged his shoulders at that. He will need to freshen up before his patrol shift starts. That he had time at all for overseeing Kurono early training was a miracle.

"I can make dinner for you. Your favorite too, grilled fish." She winked at him and gave a grin. "Or I can also make some eel."

"N-no, not tonight at least." Kurogane nearly choked on his saliva, forcing him to cough awkwardly and waving his hands at that.

"Oh really? Then how about me-?" Ayuna Cheshire grin widened as she teased Kurogane until a loud stomp rang in the hallway.

"Done!" Kurono shouted as he was already dressed in his tight upper shirt that covered his arm and neck with his khaki pants. He ruffled his hair back and forth to get rid of the excess water and made an utter mess of his hair. His clothes also looked terrible and clashed horribly, the only thing that matched was the black color.

"You are not going out there looking like that, mister!" Ayuna's horrified look quickly turned to disgust as she passed all the items to Kurogane and moved quickly to grab Kurono by the hand and drag him back to the room. "And that bath was way too fast! Did you even clean yourself properly?!"

Kurogane raised his brow at the unfolding debacle and only shook his head at that.

They grow up so fast.

Yutaparuh Park

"Here, here!" Toga smiled widely as she raised both hands, jumping excitedly before moving to the sides in a flash to catch a flying frisbee, then in one motion, twisted and threw it back easily.

Left-arm this time! Kurono felt Crona's urge to use the right arm before it quickly shifted to the left. Together, they moved as one as the returning frisbee nearly escaped their grasp before catching it firmly in their fingers.

Though this in turn made them fall to the ground as they leaped too far, grass and dirt greeted them on impact.

"I'm okay!" Kurono shouted as they slowly picked themselves up and went back into throwing the frisbee, though it wasn't for Toga's sake, it was for the benefit of the two observing parents from a distance.

Why not a ball? Crona asked as they've never played with a frisbee before.

I like Frisbee, it's more fun. Kurono replied as they readied for a simple throw and direct throw.

No need for too much strength, just flow with it. From the feet, to hips and arm. He gave instructions to Crona and together, they executed a throw, aiming far to the Toga side rather than at her directly.

For her part, Toga snapped to its path and caught it mid-air before landing on her feet. Spinning on the ball of her foot, she threw the frisbee back with gusto.

We're going faster. Kurono ordered and Crona followed as they caught it and threw it back at an increasing pace which seemed to have Toga reciprocate as well with a grin.

Ayuna looked at the two children playing enthusiastically from afar, snapping a few pictures in between as she felt so happy at their son finally enjoying the outside world and most of all, moving so energetically!

"Taking more pictures?" A blonde woman with short hair tilted her head at her, bemused as she swiped her hair backward.

"Yes, this is an important moment, I want to capture every one of it!" Ayuna enthusiastically said before her head caught up to her tone and she quickly placed it aside and apologized with a nod. "Apologies, , I got too caught up."

"It's fine." She waved it off before looking at the two. Specifically to her own daughter. Fingers twitching and shaking.

That had Ayuna raised a brow in puzzlement, it didn't seem like she was uncomfortable with Kurono's presence nor was its protectiveness. It seemed like fear in fact.

Perhaps she was reading too much into it.

"So, what's your profession? I'm a Hematologist at the Tokyo ward medical center, I used to work at Hosu hospital but transferred here due to my husband's hero work." She changed the topic which seemed to further make uncomfortable.

"A hero?"

"Oh yes, nothing too special. He's more into just helping the community and facilitating evacuation." It's not exactly a lie either, her husband was a dedicated community member and facilitated evacuation.

How he does it, was an entirely different answer but she didn't want to make more uncomfortable than needed.

"I see." Mrs. Himiko nodded and lowered her shoulders at that, though she seemed to hold her silence a bit more before turning to her. "You work at a hospital?"

"Yes," Ayuna caught a subtle change and decided to approach her carefully. "I know a few of the staff there and can get you a free medical checkup. As well as a little discount on other services."

"...Even quirk counseling?" She hesitantly said, eyes glancing at the pair before back to her.

Hmm. Looks like there really was a problem and one that seemed much more serious than she initially thought as she tapped her fingers.

"Of course, we have the best-trained quirk counselors available." Ayuna switched her tune before approaching it in a more personal way as she placed a hand on her chest. "After all, my own child had...problems and it was difficult. If there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it."

"T-Thank you, I'll talk about it with my husband first. It's just-just so…"

Ayuna held 's hands to assure her, seeing the woman about to burst into tears and smiled warmly. "I understand, take your time. I'll pass you contact details as well."

nodded, lower lips clenched and it slowly turned into a smile. "Thank you, for your help."

"No, no, if anything, I have to thank you for allowing us and our children to meet up." Ayuna waved it off before gesturing to the packed lunch she had brought. "I made extras, we would be honored if you have some of it."

I'll have to do some digging and see what's wrong. It's violating privacy but… Ayuna filed it to the sides, having some suspicion on what happened even as she opened the lunch box.

Kurono coming back in bite marks similar to an animal at the shirt, as well as his own blood splattered everywhere when the former was very obedient regarding quirk usage and hadn't violated it suddenly choosing to do so?

Damn it, Kurogane's tendency to nose into other people's business was rubbing off on her.

Age 5

Sunny Kindergarten

The weather of Japan was slowly turning to its autumn period, the weather slowly dropping from its usual scorching heat to a more pleasant yet sunny period with plenty of clouds above.

A time where kids and children at a kindergarten played without care outside, free from their recent classes.

Inside, however, one stayed to help out the teacher after their recent class.

"Alright, little Kurono, just put today's paper in that plastic bag, okay?" A blonde hair woman smiled as she knelt down to pack up brushes, paints, and table cloths, despite the normal hair, her face had little tiny scales stretching all over like a lizard or snake.

Despite that, it was a comparatively normal scene as Kurono nodded and quietly picked up all the papers used as practice for painting classes. Failures, uncompleted work, or a mess of colors all gathered into a pile as he threw them into a plastic bag.

"I'll go put it in the bin first before bringing the mop and bucket later, ." Kurono stood up as he tied it and headed out, Hareta smiled and called out.

"Be careful and take your time!" She nodded in return and continued her work.

You sure she won't notice? Crona muttered as they reflected off the window panes, looking nervous and scared.

"Have you seen the amount of trash there? She'll hardly notice one of them missing." Kurono whispered as he looked at the Crona reflection, the plastic bag slung across his shoulder.

But we're still stealing.

"You got a way to raise money quickly?" Kurono said with a frown, dislike, and disgust at their current physical body and frankly, who would notice if they're stealing trash of all things?

It was also immensely fortunate that they're in Japan and not somewhere in southeast Asia, he can't imagine dumpster diving there.

Is it really that bad? Crona asked curiously, they had never seen that place before. At least, not for long.

"I love my nation but cleanliness is not something we're renowned for. But the food,man, there ain't anything that can come close. Not even our neighbors, Singapore." Kurono grinned and sighed, wondering how his nation would look like here. Feeling extremely homesick and that just lowered his spirits immensely alongside his shoulders.

...I would love to try some of those foods one day. Crona changed the topic as they leaned forward, raising Kurono's mood as the latter looked up.

"Now, you're talking my language, I can whip some of them up just for you and I get to eat them." That had him a much chattier mood as he walked through the quiet area reaching the garbage disposal area.

"Alright, let's quickly look for some good thing." Kurono dumped the plastic bag aside as he rummaged through the rubbish. All nicely tucked and sorted out, combustible and non-combustible.

Opening each of them, he quickly rummaged through it and eyes glinted when he saw a large torn, aging yellow cloth.

"That one." Kurono quickly took it and closed the bag left. It was worth waiting, any longer and he'll have to steal one from the storeroom. "Right, that's the last part done. We'll move out this Saturday."

Okay, but why such a roundabout manner? Crona wondered as they reviewed the plan again.

"To get the message across, otherwise they'll never believe me." Kurono walked quickly before stopping to pick up the mop and bucket from the storage room before making a quick detour to his bag. Stuffing it haphazardly before walking at their normal pace.

"Hey, Kurono, wanna join us?!" A shout from the outside broke their thoughts as one of the children waved at them. Prompting them to wave back before gesturing to the mop.

"Soon!" He smiled weakly at them before going straight back to class, feeling uncomfortable at the attention before going back. Overhearing briefly their conversation about him.

There's the teacher pet.

Always so weird, with the mumbling and all.

He talks to himself too at times, isn't he too old for that-

"These little punks-" Kurono felt a tic rose but tried keeping a cool head. Four more months, just four more months of putting up with them and he'll never have to see them again.

I'll miss them. Crona felt the opposite, they weren't the kindest but it was an experience having other children playing with them.

Hmph. Kurono huffed at that, at least he was treated as an oddball instead of an outcast. That was something he was familiar with.

Besides, he didn't really have the time to be bothered by these things compared to then. He had much bigger things at stake.

"Anyways, how's your control?" Kurono muttered before letting Crona take control for a bit. Not a moment too soon, Crona raised his right palm and focused.

A sharp sensation and the black blood within broke the skin, the black mass wriggled and then formed an arrowhead before extending outwards for a few inches before going back in. Just as quickly, Kurono was pushed forward to be in control again, making him lurched forward a few inches before quickly reorienting themselves.

"Good enough." He grinned.

Roppongi, Minato ward, Tokyo

Might Tower

Dawn

Might Tower, the place where the greatest rising hero had established himself ever since his return from abroad.

The large building reflected the symbol of peace presence, tall, wide and overseeing Minato ward like a guardian.

It is both the most targeted and guarded ward, civilians however move around like normal due to the presence and knowledge that All Might is there.

Which was exactly why at the same time, the agency was taken aback this morning.

At one of the buildings, front and center, had police and heroes quietly moving to secure the top. One of whom dressed immaculately in a white suit, sharp glasses, and well-combed hair as he opened the door to the top of the building.

The scenery that greeted him would have left him in a good mood, perfect sunrise, chilly morning air, and little clouds in the sky. Perfect for a walk or training.

What ruined it, however, was the human-shaped bundle with a rope around its neck that swung back and forth. Banging against the wall as it hung haphazardly from an antenna.

Already, the police quickly ushered him in and snapping photos as an old and grim-faced detective that looked like it was chiseled greeted him.

"Sir Nighteye."

"Detective Iwa." He nodded before turning to the scene. "This is…"

"It is not a corpse," Iwa grunted which had Nighteye's shoulder relaxed a little, the former gestured to one of the cameramen to come. "It's weighed down by leaves, sticks, and rocks."

"What's troubling, is this." Iwa flicked past numerous pictures before stopping at a particular one. Depicting a letter that had newspaper cutting forming a message, the highly noted one was that at the end of it was a picture of All Might cut out at the end.

It boiled Nighteye blood, more so when he saw just how sloppily it was done. They left out the hair and entire body, opting for a head only. Perhaps that was a threat?

The message on it was slightly perplexing as well.

Find the previous predecessor holder legacy.

"Think this is a plot?"

"Possibly, All Might enemies are numerous and dangerous." Nighteye lifted his glasses as he thought about the message before his blood ran cold at what it meant and knew about.

Are they talking about One for All and the All Might previous mentor? He tightened his fist but quickly opted to adjust his suit instead. "It's probably a prank or one meant to confuse but I'll see what I can dreg up from this-"

Brrr!

Nighteye quickly flicked open his phone, narrowed his brows and eyes as he brought up the number.

"Nighteye." A gruff rough voice tersely said.

"Gran Torino." Nighteye swung around and lowered his voice. "Have you seen the news yet?"

"I just got back from my night patrol," Torino grumbled as footsteps and then rummaging sounds came from the phone in between complaints. "Where's that-Alright, I'm seeing the news but there's nothing noteworthy yet."

Good, means it's not leaked out yet.

"You received a message too?"

"A letter, it looks thick too. No scent of blood, explosive, or anything but one can't be too careful. I left it inside the box for now."

"I'll send a team to you for pickup and analysis." Nighteye quickly sorted out the logistics and organization needed, a feeling of dread formed at the pit of his stomach. This was not a coincidence. "We also received a...message."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"A hanged effigy alongside a letter."

"...That's quite the move." Torino's words came slower than his usual terse reply as a tight grip was audibly heard. "What it said?"

"It would be best if you came here personally once we secure the letter on your side."

A simple grunt from Torino came before moving to another question. "How's the fool doing?"

"The usual, a case just brew up at-"

Thump!

"Another state." Nighteye turned around, unsurprised to see the larger than life figure standing upwards with a smile. He decided that it's best they get together quickly regarding this. "I'll send the team over as soon as possible, it's best we discuss this in person."

"I AM HERE - as quietly as I can!" All Might or Toshinori Yagi stood up, smiled, and thumbs up to the police and Iwa, all of whom murmured excitedly. Some even asked for an autograph before a cough from Iwa snapped them back to their duty.

"Nighteye! So, what's the deal with this-?" All Might gesture to the aforementioned effigy, noting the simplistic eyes and face drawn with a marker pen even as Nighteye slipped his phone back into his pockets.

"Not here," Nighteye eyes darted left and right before dialing another set of numbers. "Detective Iwa, you can take things from here on out. Please send all information about this to us as well."

"Understood, we'll give you a call if we found any other leads about this." Iwa said with a nod as he bowed to Nighteye and then All Might. His focus then returned to the scene as the duo quickly departed.

Iwa glanced back at the effigy, motioning his men to bring it down before a gust of wind caught it. Swinging and swaying in the wind as the torn cloth flapped noisily until a thought crossed his mind and eyebrows rose.

The effigy looked like a charm usually made by children. A quick glance to the rising sun made him wonder if that was intentional or coincidental.

Deep within the Might tower, three figures and friends looked at the complete message pieced together.

"Looks like whoever wanted to send this, they wanted to ensure the three of us worked together," Torino said as he sat back on a sofa, gesturing to the screen ahead.

It seemed like while All Might had received a disturbing and direct challenge, Torino received a far more detailed explanation, and dare he says, a plea.

Find the previous predecessor holder's legacy, Shimura Nana, and her family that she left behind.

That struck a nerve in Torino and All Might, who's tapping his chin as he stared at it in silence. The tension in the air thick enough to be cut with a knife as Nighteye stood between them, knowing just how sensitive the topic was.

"Is it him?" All Might acidly say, a much contrasting tone compared to the warm voice Nighteye is used to.

"Possibly. It's highly unusual though." Torino muttered, head downcasted as it opened up old wounds in them. "Nana's child was given away, even I don't know where they went."

All Might's fist tightened as he held a curse back at that.

"You think All For One is using us to search for them?" Nighteye interjected, directing their focus into something else.

"With how spiteful that bastard is, I wouldn't be surprised." Torino waved a hand before taking a long deep breath. "Yet the problem is this."

Torino flicked the touchpad on the table and the projecting screen went into another paper. It was a collage of numerous characters letters made from newspaper cutting stuck together to form a message.

"This one, specifically for me, said that if I don't find and help them, the grandson of Nana will be abused by his own father, kill him by accident, and then be recruited by All for One."

It was absurd, absolutely absurd, and felt like one big sick joke.

But yet, someone not only knew of Shimura's hidden family but also of All for One. Their connection, everything.

"If we go with the assumption that this is all true. We must intervene." All Might finally break the silence, drawing their attention onto him.

"Toshi-"

"I know, teacher, but this-I cannot stand and do nothing yet again."

"Searching for them will inadvertently draw attention, especially if it's you. And no doubt, he will turn his attention to it." Nighteye adjusted his glasses, much to All Might's frustration.

"But still!"

"Keyword is being you, Toshi." Torino intervened, understanding what Nighteye is suggesting. "Since it was addressed specifically to me, I'll be the one to do it."

"Besides...It's my responsibility." Memories of Nana's crying and heart-broken face flashed past by him. Torino gripped his fist tightly that it turned white as the pit of his stomach burned.

"I would also like to point out that we need to find the sender just as fast." Nighteye looked at the message. "Because we have on our hand, a person in possession of a quirk that not only can see the future but the past as well."

Much like my own Quirk. Went unsaid as Nighteye saw both All Might and Torino sharing a look as they understood the implication of that.

"How did they get up there anyway?" Torino asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

"It seems like from a preliminary look, there were scratches and marks at the pipes and railings. Indicating they climbed up from there instead of within the building." Nighteye changed the screen and played numerous camera footage that the police forwarded to them.

A small figure wrapped in a black cloak was seen swinging past, utilizing the lamp post scattered through the streets. Just at the apex of it, a black rope flew out from them and grabbed onto another much like how a primate would swing from branches to branches.

"What an amateur." Torino derided without any hesitation as he looked at the video.

"Indeed, very unwise, he nearly fell in that one." All Might felt worried when the person in question fired their rope too early and had to swing another time to get it as he leaned forward to get a closer look. "I'm surprised no one caught up to this."

Nighteye felt a tinge of shame at that, perhaps the fact that All Might was usually a deterrent enough for most villains to not start trouble had made a small blind spot.

A spot that he planned to rectify immediately, Nighteye filed that away.

"Yet, this shouldn't be the same person as the future looking quirk. Are they working as a group?"

"A hired messenger most likely, to dump it there and then just run." It was telling that the message he got was probably far more inconspicuous and thought put into it than this one.

"Our future-looking quirk user must be really desperate or doesn't have enough funds if he's willing to hire someone like THAT to deliver it." Torino pointed with a finger.

"It'll certainly narrow the number of quirk users down, I'll start looking at the underground places." Nighteye followed up, ready to take some…measures if the person was a stubborn one.

"Remember, we are trying to find him and keep him safe and not because he acted inappropriately." All Might gently remind his sidekick. "That such a person who has such an amazing quirk chose to help is a boon!"

"Of course, "Nighteye had his reservations on this case but he shall get to the bottom of this. Though one last issue remained as he changed the photos to the current media channel.

"-And it seems that this villain has issued a challenge to All Might himself! We're still waiting for All Might to respond to this provocation-"

Flick.

"The villain, using a Teru Teru Bozu, brazenly hung it right under Might Tower agency. We'll be reporting more on this-"

Flick.

"-This could merely be the start of another series of villainy if more messages are sent out. Egomaniacal and intellectual villains like this revel in the attention so it's no doubt that there's more to come."

All Might sighed at that, a sentiment shared by the others as they felt a brewing headache forming.

"If our future quirk user does intend to help us, they should recognize the situation and wait for a bit until it's clear." Nighteye easily proposed a solution. "For now, treating it as an unusual but regular case would be good."

"It's not like you're lacking threats, blackmail and challenges anyway. So it's best to act like it's nothing big."

"That's for the best." All Might agreed on the course of action, though gave Torino a last glance. "If you need help-"

"I'm not that old yet that I can't handle myself unless you like to get a reminder." Torino got up to his feet and grinned at All Might, making the latter had a chill down his spine despite having the superior strength and power.

"No, no, I meant, I was just-" He waved his hand in panic and took a few steps back even while maintaining a nervous smile.

"Heh, you keep up being the symbol of peace first. I'll handle the smaller details." Torino gave a thumbs up before leaving the room in a burst of speed.

"I shall get the team to assemble a speech for you, in addition to other things." Nighteye followed suit as he meticulously reorganized the schedule for the day, prompting All Might to follow side by side as they discussed what they can change or improve.

Well, this shouldn't blow up that much.

?

?,?

?

…

…

"Hoh, someone actually dares to call out that fool? How very, very interesting. Doctor-"

"See what you can find about this...individual."

Alright, it shouldn't take too long to get to the good part. I do however like to take some parts from the side story/manga BNHA : Vigilantes as inspiration, but we'll see what we can work with.

Please comment and criticize, thank you very much.