The Quirk of Solitude by ShadowAlchemy

Chapter 9

Izuku was silent for a long moment before Starrk's words finally clicked. "What!?"

Starrk looked at him a little confused. "What? Did you think you couldn't do it?"

"You said I wasn't an arrancar! Why would I think I would be able to do that!?" said Izuku in an exasperated voice

"You are correct, you are very much still a human. However, you overlooked two points. First, I also said I am your power and you've already been able to learn my techniques which aren't human. Second, I told you the last time you were here that you could learn and take my form." Starrk countered while counting with his fingers.

Izuku did remember Starrk's points but still couldn't comprehend the idea of using Starrk's strongest form as his own. At his silence Starrk scratched the back of his head awkwardly and realized he should explain it in a different way,

"Do you remember reading my origins on how any resurrección works? Normally it happens when an arrancar releases their sealed power from their weapon and it turns themself into their true form…but mine is a little different. Originally, I split my power and being into two souls instead of a sword. I can't explain it but think of me now as a part of your soul, and when we synchronize and combine it will have the same effect." Starrk said and casually walked up to stand right in front of the silent Izuku and then continued,

"Before you ask, you will still be in control of your body and my mind will be blended into yours. You will have my knowledge, abilities, and instinct. Since you have the physique of a cornstalk, you will not be anywhere near 100% so do not try to pick a fight with strong opponents. I am not sure how long this will last so do not waste time either. Of course if you don't think you're ready, I won't force this to happen."

Izuku still was in a state of disbelief. His thoughts were racing and replaying Starrk's words over and over again.

"Is this really happening? Am I going to become you and wield your strength?" Izuku desperately prayed that this wasn't a joke.

"I am going to empower you with your own strength." Starrk corrected with a smirk. "Now let me explain in greater detail the nuances of how this works. First you—"

Starrk explained in great detail to Izuku what to do and how it works. Even with the slowed time inside Izuku's mindscape the hours outside ticked away and it was evening when Izuku was returned to his body. He woke up excited and with a great deal of nervousness. There was nothing more that he wanted to do than try out his power but Starrk was abundantly clear not to waste time because he wasn't sure how long it would last or how long it would take to do it again. When he looked down at his burner phone there were a couple missed messages.

Black: Sources say look for the largest warehouse that has a police presence. Do your best not to fail or get caught.

Purple: Go get 'em kiddo. I hope to see you at breakfast

Black: Please decide to move quickly. Sources indicate a large team will be arriving later to take custody of the contents.

Black: If you trust me, I can create a portal at your location via GPS and can put you close to the target area. Please confirm your intent soon.

The last message was received about 10 minutes ago and Izuku quickly thought about his decision and quickly typed. 'I am making my way to a safe location. Expect 10 minutes'

Sent.

Izuku had to hurry and started making his way to the north beach bath house that he discovered earlier that day. He broke into a brisk jog trying to get there faster to inspect if it was still empty like from before. To his great fortune, it was indeed empty like before. He notified Kurogiri with his GPS location and in a few moments a swirling black portal appeared in the middle of the empty bath house. Izuku swallowed his nervousness and entered the portal.

Both Izuku and Starrk were wide eyed as they took in their new surroundings after leaving the black portal. They were in an unknown alley between two warehouses. Even if Starrk used his garganta it still wouldn't transport them here this fast. The sun was just ready to set and the noises of commercial vehicles could be heard moving all around them.

"You need a better view. Personally I recommend climbing up or using sonido to the roof of one of these warehouses." Mentioned Starrk after regaining his bearings.

"Why the roof? Won't I be noticed?" asked Izuku as he started looking for a service ladder or stairs.

"Only if you get too close to the edge. Most people never bother to look at what is above them."

Convinced, Izuku did find a service ladder and proceeded up to the top of the warehouse and did not see anybody on its flat roof. He headed in the direction where the sound the most activity was coming from but kept a lower profile as he neared the edge. About three warehouses away there was a police cordon preventing unauthorized entry and there appeared to be a couple heroes idly chatting with them. Including the heroes, there were 5 people outside the main door.

"What would you like to do? You can try and sneak in or you can release your power here and use it as a diversion to get inside." Starrk offered while giving the situation his proper attention.

"I trust you but I want to use my release as a last resort because neither of us truly know what it will do or how long it will last." Izuku said with determination.

Starrk smiled at Izuku's new found decisiveness. During their practiced synchronization he could feel the kid's resolve strengthen immensely. It was like he matured mentally a couple years by drawing from Starrk's experience. In return Starrk felt he had a better connection with Izuku and that his power flowed more efficiently into him. They were still leagues apart, but both felt a deeper bond of trust and understanding with each other and both were motivated to get this job done and get out.

"Starrk. Given my limited range of sonido, what path would you recommend?" inquired Izuku while looking at possible avenues of approach.

"Climb down and sonido across the street. If they hear your technique they will be curious to investigate or dismiss it as the wind. The closer you get to them the higher the chance your sonido will alert them to something strange is happening and it will put them on alert." answered Starrk calmly.

Izuku did climb down and made sure the road was clear of any vehicles or forklifts before the echoing sound of BZZT was heard and he cleared enough of a distance to be in the alley across from which he started. Just as Starrk predicted, the two heroes standing guard stopped their conversation and looked in the direction from where Izuku used his sonido from. One of the heroes, named Pantera, had long blue hair and was in a predator cat costume decided to investigate. He had slightly more refined hearing and knew that sound didn't sound like a normal sound the wind could make. His colleague stayed behind, completely dismissing the sound as the wind and told him he was too serious for his own good.

Not wasting any time, Izuku went to the rear of the warehouse closer to his target and saw a couple more police officers guarding that building's rear exit. Crap he thought as he crouched making his silhouette smaller and hoped his dark colored clothes helped him blend into the shadows. He did have his hood up as well in order to hide his otherwise noticeable green hair. Neither of those two officers were paying attention and were mindlessly chatting with each other to alleviate their boredom. Izuku saw this and quietly crept up while sticking to the shadows as far as they would go, but he was still a building and a half away.

With a whispering voice Izuku spoke, "What do you think I should do?"

"How about explaining to me why a brat like you is here?" replied a gruff voice from behind him.

Frozen in horror, Izuku slowly turned his head and saw Pantera looking at him with narrowed eyes and could hear him growling softly. Internally, Starrk smacked his head in obvious frustration. Both of them completely forgot to finish their pesquisa training earlier and now this happened. Before Izuku could respond, Pantera grabbed him by the scruff of his hoodie and called for the oblivious policemen to come over. Izuku had a lot of anxiety start to build rapidly.

What are they going to do to me? What if they find out I ran away from the orphanage!? What if they send me back!?

"Kid! FOCUS!" Starrk shouted, shaking Izuku out of his thoughts. "Did you forget what we practiced today?" he continued giving a smirk of anticipation.

This did calm Izuku down and when the police officers got to him they asked, "Who the hell are you kid and why are you here?"

Izuku didn't respond and instead closed his eyes to focus. He channeled his thoughts and intention to call forth the power of the primera waiting for his signal.

"Hey! Answer him you brat!" Pantera growled and shook the kid.

Izuku took a deep breath in and let it out slowly then opened his eyes. The two police officers were surprised to see the kid's green eyes had suddenly turned to blue and thought they saw an electricity pulse in them. Pantera felt a shiver of goosebumps go down his back and felt something was off with the brat he was holding. He felt a sensation not registered by the typical five senses: Power, and a lot of it, in its purest form seemingly radiating from this brat.

Izuku looked up at the sky with an eager smile. "Kick about." He said and his entire body was radiating small flames ready to race into the sky at the next command. "Los Lobos." and Izuku's entire body erupted in a pillar of blue fire like electricity.

Pantera quickly dropped the brat and jumped back while covering his eyes. Even if there wasn't a bright blue beacon in front of him, the violent gusts of wind blowing him back still would force him to protect his face. The two police officers were blown several meters back and were failing to stop themselves from sliding more. Their hats were blown away and they also had to shield their eyes. The officers and remaining hero standing guard in front of the cordoned warehouse nearly jumped out of their skin at the sudden appearance and explosion-like sound of the blue pillar somewhere behind them.

The pillar of energy came to an abrupt halt and when Pantera slowly opened his eyes they immediately shot open in surprise. The brat was standing there but had a completely different aura and appearance.

Instead of the dark colored training clothes Izuku was just wearing, he looked almost identical to Starrk. He had the same dark gray double breasted vest and skin tight black pants. Izuku also had the same kind of jacket but it was straight leather instead of being lined with fur and instead of the fur leggings he was wearing tall dark gray cowboy boots that reached almost all the way up his calves. The silver buckle on his belt and the center of the back of his white coat had a print of a wolf head with two crossed pistols behind it. Overall his outfit had the same color palette of gray, black, and white but with two major exceptions: Izuku's eye patch covering his left eye had an image of green flames around it and there was no hollow hole in his exposed sternum. He did have Starrk's pistol holsters but they were empty; he too did not have the actual pistols for an unknown reason.

Izuku couldn't help but grin because he felt incredible. He was brimming with indescribable power and was greatly satisfied with Pantera's dumb founded expression. Occasionally a small arc of lighting would course over his body and he looked at his tattooed number 1 on his hand filled with an incredible amount of gratitude. After this release he felt Starrk's mind and his own become one and focused on the task that needed to be completed. Ignoring Pantera, Izuku suddenly vanished with a BZZT and appeared in front of the previously guarded doors. He punched them open with no resistance and ran inside.

The sound of the punch suddenly snapped Pantera out of his stupor and he could hear his colleague and the other officers running towards him to investigate the commotion. Pantera ran to meet them halfway and before they could talk he issued a command, "Isolate the area and call for reinforcements. I don't know who this kid is or what his quirk does but I can feel he is very dangerous. Alert all relevant authorities. Do it now!"

He began to turn around and chase after Izuku when his colleague tried to question him but that only pissed Pantera off.

"I SAID DO IT NOW! QUESTIONS WILL HAVE TO WAIT!" He roared looking back at the now frightened hero and officers. They quickly brought out their phones and started making calls like their lives depended on it.

During this time, Izuku easily found the target shipping container marked with police tape and forced it open. Inside was a diverse collection of expensive looking lab equipment but he didn't care. He took out his phone and texted Kurogiri. 'Come quick' and after a moment or two he saw a black portal appear and Kurogiri stepped out of it. The bartender's glowing eyes went high in surprise seeing Izuku's new form.

"Don't talk and get what you came here for. I need to keep a hero busy so be quick. Don't wait for me, I will text to meet you at your place after I'm sure I'm not being followed." Izuku ordered in a tone that didn't match his age.

Kurogiri snapped out of it and turned around and started to make portals underneath the science equipment one at a time. On the outside he was calm but on the inside he was very conflicted. So many questions needed to be answered and hopefully the kid will come back to answer them. He was a little happy that the kid had successfully found the container but he will have to scold him later for getting the attention of the guards.

Izuku half closed the container and was walking back to his entry point when Pantera burst through the doors and leaped at him like a predator. Izuku nonchalantly side stepped and kicked him in the side sending him crashing and sliding into the warehouse floor. Izuku briefly winced in pain. The kick fractured his foot but was quickly being healed by his healing factor. He now had a deep understanding about Starrk's indication that his body needed to be trained in order to handle more power.

Pantera got up holding his side and was glaring daggers at Izuku. If not the pain, it was the disinterested expression on Izuku's face that was pissing him off to no end. Pantera growled viciously and sprinted quickly to slash his opponent using his costumes' sharpened steel blades and claws. Every swipe Izuku dodged thanks to Starrk's battle instincts. Izuku was almost positive that Starrk felt nothing but pity and boredom at the feral attacking hero in front of them. Keeping him here and focused on himself was going to be the best way to stall for time. However, this time Starrk did use an immediate pesquisa and saw that Kurogiri was almost done and that there also were reinforcements about to enter the doors and join the fight.

Preparing an appropriate welcoming gift, Izuku easily caught the wrist of Pantera after dodging a thrust and threw the hero towards the door. The hero's colleagues barely saw a blue bowling ball heading right at them before Pantera crashed into them, knocking them over. The only police officer that didn't get hit was surprised and frightened at this development and was glad that they had outside reinforcements on the way. Who the hell is this guy? I've never heard of a villain like this! The officer thought and steeled himself. He bravely entered the warehouse while his colleagues were untangling themselves with groans of pain and yelled,

"Stop right there villain! Freeze and surrender!" he finished while pulling out his firearm.

Izuku had a momentary surge of guilt but it quickly subsided due to Starrk's will and experience. He again silently emitted an immediate pesquisa and no longer felt Kurogiri was in the container. He's done. Time to leave. He thought and started walking to the vacated front entrance not even phased by the police officer's threat.

"I said FREEZE or I'll shoot!" yelled the police officer and his untangled colleagues finally joined him and matched him with their own firearms. Pantera growled in frustration and went out the door to circle around and hopefully cut this guy off from escaping. Izuku still uncaringly walked to his intended exit when he heard the policeman open fire. With a BZZT, he disappeared and reappeared behind them all with his arms crossed.

"Fine. I won't use that door. Geez." Izuku said uncharacteristically.

All the officers were stunned to look behind and catch a glimpse of Izuku walking out the door. They all put their firearms away and pulled out their batons and quirk restraining cuffs and chased after him. The other hero was waiting outside that door and tried to tackle Izuku to the ground but was met with a loud BZZT and tackled the ground instead. What the? He thought and quickly looked around but failed to find the intruder.

Standing on the warehouse roof, Izuku tried to get a good bearing of his location in the city. The halfway set sun at least showed Izuku that he was on the same coastline as his beach but much further away. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration as Pantera found his way to the roof and resumed his relentless assault. I don't have time for this. Thought Izuku and with a BZZT sonido'd to an adjacent warehouse roof. It was a little farther than his normal range but he could feel his legs be healed from the extra stress.

Pantera howled angrily and sprinted into an incredible leap to land on the same roof as Izuku. Wow. This guy reminds me of the Sexta Espada a lot. Thought Izuku while preparing to dodge another flurry of strikes.

Pantera was not a very patient or mild mannered hero. He enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and brawling with villains into submission, and this guy in front of him not only made him look stupid but was also trying to run away: The two things he honestly hated the most. His teeth clenched together and Izuku could hear them grind a little bit.

"You're not going anywhere, villain!" he said while approaching menacingly. "When I'm through with you, they'll have to reattach your head and your other limbs!" He sprinted at Izuku with rage in his eyes.

Reckless. Izuku mused and quickly sidestepped the attack and raised his knee to let Pantera's momentum drive it into his own gut. The forced contact forced the air out of Pantera's lungs and the hero folded over clutching his gut trying to gasp for air trying not to pass out. Izuku gave him one more disinterested look before vanishing away with the BZZT of sonido. Pantera could only stay in the fetal position cursing his patheticness almost as much as the villain who put him in that state.

Several minutes passed until Pantera regained his normal breathing. It hurt to inhale deep and his exhale was committed still to verbally mutter curses. With his enhanced senses, he could hear someone make their way to him using some kind of grapple-like tool. A few moments later a homeless looking hero in a dark outfit, yellow goggles, and a coiled gray scarf showed up on his roof and approached him.

"Eraserhead." Pantera spat out, not particularly in the mood to deal with this sarcastic asshole.

"Pantera." replied Eraserhead, giving him a quick look over. "Looks like someone finally kicked your ass before I got the chance."

"HA! If only you had the balls to try! Homeless man!" Pantera shouted back but grabbed his gut as the pain caught him. Damn that villain.

Eraserhead didn't react to the insult but he was very curious who could've brawled with Pantera and beat him up like this. "Who did this to you?" he asked with a serious undertone to his voice.

"I don't know. Some villain." Replied Pantera, still rubbing his stomach.

Eraserhead narrowed his eyes and made his voice even more serious. "What villain did this to you?"

"I already said I don't know!" exclaimed Pantera in protest. "There was this brat snooping around trying to get close to the contraband we were guarding and next thing I knew an explosion of blue light appeared and the appearance and demeanor of the kid changed! It was like a complete 180! He dodged or countered every attack I threw at him and all of us failed to stop or catch him! Happy!?" growled out Pantera with a very angry expression.

Eraserhead was surprised to hear this but quickly regained his stoic demeanor. "You mean a random kid with a strange quirk was able to do this to all of you?"

Pantera spat on the ground and looked away. "Do I really need to spell it out for you this way? Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. I'll even admit something…" He paused and met Eraserhead's eyes. "He was powerful. Very powerful. I felt like he wasn't even trying and there's another feeling I have and it makes me shudder…He radiated power. It wasn't as strong but it reminded me like if…I was in the presence of All Might when he gets serious." Pantera said the last part looking away from Eraserhead.

He missed Eraserhead's wide eyed expression before he returned to normal and he spoke a little less harshly. "Come on Pantera. Let's get you seen by the medics. I'm sure the information you tell the police will be very crucial tonight. I know you won't let this go and I would never be stupid enough to tell you to do that but I am asking you to not go hunting after this new unknown villain until we know more about him first."

Pantera didn't respond. He gave Eraserhead a side glare before both of them started to head towards the paramedics who were treating the other guards. Eraserhead wasn't sure what was worse news: A new powerful unknown villain beating up a competent brawler of a hero or the fact the villain was a kid doing such an act.

Up the coast getting farther from the warehouse district was Izuku doing short bursts of sonido heading in the direction of his home. For some reason he really didn't feel tired and was internally surprised that his transformation was still ongoing. He was getting concerned at the possible backlash his mind and body would feel after using so much power, but to be fair Starrk didn't really think they used very much at the warehouse fight. After almost a half hour of traveling and after the last rays of the setting sun vanished he could see the bath house in the distance. Making his way there quickly, he entered and sat on the floor to rest for a moment.

It was very fortunate that no one came here anymore. It would've been an awkward conversation if someone were to see him like this. After Izuku checked himself over and was confident he was still feeling strong he pulled out his burner phone and texted Kurogiri. 'I got away safely' and a couple moments later a familiar black portal opened up again in the bath house. Izuku had less fear and surprise this time when he entered and came out inside the bar that Kurogiri ran.

"I am glad you escaped without trouble and you have my sincerest gratitude at the successful completion of the task you were given." Kurogiri said with a welcoming bow and straightened back up before continuing, "However I am displeased at your lack of effort to remain discreet. It is only matched by my curiosity of this current form of yours and the astonishment that you were able to fend off an aggressive hero like Pantera. Please explain what happened." He finished and he silently noticed that there was a monitor on the wall that had no picture but had the words but the words 'audio only' displayed. His master was also interested to know how a young kid pulled this impossible task off and was listening quietly.

Izuku started his explanation after the part where Kurogiri teleported him to the warehouse district but kept the details of his technique and power as vague as possible. He referred to his transformation as his quirk's true form and said it came with increased abilities. Izuku could feel Starrk guiding the explanation at the parts he didn't want to talk about. Both Kurogiri and All for One caught on to this pattern but didn't interrupt Izuku's explanation. Both were impressed to different degrees.

"I must say you handled that better than I thought you would ever be able to." said Kurogiri after Izuku finished his story. "It seems you have a lot of potential in you and I believe you will have a great impact on our society when you get older, but forgive me I must ask a personal question. Giran told me you were not comfortable getting entangled with the law or heroes. What caused you to change your mind?"

Izuku's heart sank as he was reminded of his betrayal of his intentions. Starrk guided his answer again. "I wasn't happy or expecting to do such acts today. This all stemmed from my mistake this morning agreeing to the deal with Giran without properly asking the right questions. Breaking my word with him would be dangerous and bring many more difficulties than breaking my moral code for completing this task today. I will be a lot more careful before I accept the next job offer and I politely ask you to consider that too before requesting me again." Izuku said while giving a solemn bow.

Kurogiri appreciated the politeness but All for One was a little displeased at that answer. If this boy wouldn't use his power to directly or indirectly assist his schemes and operations then the kid doesn't need to have such power to waste anywhere else. But still. All for One thought. There was certainly some potential here and he wanted to know exactly whose side Izuku would choose.

"Kurogiri." said the voice of All for One through the bar's monitor. "I would like to have a word with this young one."

Izuku wasn't expecting that someone was eavesdropping on them. Starrk scowled because his pesquisa didn't pick up anyone else and it doesn't work on machines. Kurogiri hid his internal thoughts and opened a portal underneath Izuku before he could respond. The portal closed leaving the bartender hoping that the kid wouldn't have a terrible ending like other people did when they met his Master. He began to rewash all the clean cups and dishes in order to take his mind off it.

Standing in an almost completely pitch black room was Izuku. Starrk immediately sent out his pesquisa and was absolutely stunned. There was a man sitting on a chair in front of him with hundreds, if not thousands of small ping signatures. His life signature was like looking at a black flame that stole heat and light rather than giving it. Whoever this was, he was incredibly dangerous. When All for One saw Izuku staring right at him with a shocked expression he chuckled to himself. Not only did this kid not panic but it seems he can sense something about me as well. Don't disappoint me boy! He thought with an evil smile of anticipation.

"Forgive my abrupt if not rude invitation here young one. As is customary to everyone who is summoned here I will permit you one question before you die." All for one spoke in his regal and foreboding tone.

Starrk could feel Izuku's mind being overwhelmed with fear and anxiety and it was starting to cause a desynchronization of their minds. Soon they would be forced out of Izuku's released state so Starrk had to think carefully.

"Before I get to my question let me tell you something. One of my abilities is to be able to detect the life signatures of individuals around me and you…you by far have the most I've ever seen." Izuku said with a frightened but serious tone.

Oh? Now that's interesting. All for One smiled at Izuku's words. Perhaps he would take this kid's quirk regardless because that definitely would be useful to have.

Suddenly Izuku gripped his head and a blanket of blue flames engulfed him. The flames receded quickly and Izuku was standing there absolutely terrified of All for One and he was back in his training clothes. He was feeling up and down his body to suddenly realize in horror that his resurrección had ended and felt that his mind was once again separated from Starrk. Shit this isn't good. I don't have enough power to take control of the kid and get away this time. "No choice then." Starrk said with a sad but serious tone. If they were about to die, it wasn't going to be for free.

All for One stared with a confused expression. The kid changed right in front of him and everything about him became…underwhelming. A moment ago this kid before him was looking him straight in the eye and speaking in a calm tone but now it's like that persona never existed. Instead was a scrawny green haired boy who was terrified and having difficulty trying to even breathe.

How disappointing. He thought while bringing up his hand ready to grab the kid with his tendrils quirk but suddenly there was another blue light.

Izuku brought up his glowing blue number 1 and felt a very strange sensation. Both All for One and Izuku heard a wolf howl and then it appeared next to Izuku glowing in blue electric fire. Another howl and another wolf repeated again and again until there were at least seven wolves all glowing the same blue electric fire and growling menacingly at All for One.

"My question to you, oh evil one…In your huge quirk arsenal do you have one that can restore your body and soul if I completely destroyed them?" Asked Starrk as he appeared right behind Izuku with an expression ready to kill.

All for One was silent for a moment and then chuckled. The chuckle became louder and developed into a heartfelt laughing fit. It's been so long since an unexpected phenomenon intrigued him like this let alone threatened him. With the glowing blue light from the wolves, both Starrk and Izuku could see All for One's disfiguration. He had no visible eyes and he was hooked intravenously to a machine slightly behind him. There were also several monitors that were currently turned off to keep the room dark.

"Oh how wonderful! What are you? If you're a sentient quirk how are you able to manifest yourself? Or these wolves? or that previous form? Oh! I bet it was you talking through the boy earlier! How delightful!" All for One exclaimed in excitement.

At his core, All for One loved to study and collect quirks. This new information also changed All for One's game plan. He was unable to steal sentient quirks and they were useless to be planted into a Noumu so both usual fates were off the table. Instead, he either had to recruit Izuku or kill him.

"Forgive me, this was all just a test. People only show their true colors and intention at the threat of death and you pass. I don't wish to destroy such a fascinating quirk or his host so I will permit you to leave here intact. When I send you back please remain in the bar until we have finished our conversation…unless you prefer choosing to be hunted and killed in a terrible and unmerciful manner." All for One stated recomposing himself and then said "Kurogiri, return them"

Another black portal opened and swallowed Izuku into it. The glowing wolves vanished with him and the room was returned to its original darkness. Back in the bar Kurogiri was silently relieved that somehow Izuku passed his master's test and welcomed him back. Starrk retreated himself and his wolves back into Izuku before Kurogiri saw anything. Izuku looked very pale and shaken up but he was relieved to be back in the bar as well. From the monitor behind him the voice of All for One spoke,

"I take it you would prefer never to be my immediate presence again, and that would be an easy request to grant but we need to discuss something." He began and continued when he saw Izuku turn to face the monitor. "What do you think of this current hero society?"

Starrk was feeling a fair amount of fatigue but he still heard a clear warning in that question. He warned Izuku to answer honestly because he probably had a way to know if he was telling the truth.

"I don't particularly hate it but I don't like it either. Not everyone is bad but most people have only ever tried to harm me or refuse to acknowledge my existence. A classmate even called me an unloved useless quirkless waste of an orphan…and for a brief moment I was starting to agree with him." started Izuku, not having the willpower to stop himself from revealing his background.

Internally, Starrk sighed and scratched his head. He couldn't blame the ten year old for being rattled after just having a near death experience but it will certainly have consequences.

"When my quirk appeared a couple days ago…My classmate got incredibly mad and beat me up while I got the blame from the teachers. The quirk doctor I had to see again tried to kidnap me with some kind of monster and I had to run. I'm alone. I have only ever been alone, but now I have my quirk with me and that's all I need." Izuku finished with an afraid but defiant expression.

Kurogiri's glowing eyes went high in surprise. This kid in front of him was Izuku Midoriya, the missing escaped orphan from the Mustafu Orphanage. The one with the wild unknown quirk that Doctor Ujiko was raving about that inspired his new formula for an upgraded Noumu. He couldn't believe the improbable coincidence that Giran hired him and had an interest in developing him into a villain.

All for One was having similar thoughts but had to weigh a cautious option. This kid was an extreme liability because of his background from the orphanage, his knowledge and connections with Kurogiri and Giran, and his interaction with Doctor Ujiko and Noumu. If the kid told the heroes, his plans would be revealed and ultimately foiled…But on the other hand this kid had a very potent background for villainy. He knew Izuku still had a sense of morality but if he could poison Izuku's view of the hero culture and society he would certainly be a valued asset. There was also the power of Izuku's quirk. It was so interesting and he personally wanted to see it develop more and be used against heroes. Suddenly, a magnificent scheme came to All for One's mind and he would use Izuku whether or not the kid knew about his true purpose. Izuku's next couple answers would decide his fate.

"Young Midoriya, has anyone ever explained to you the simple difference between heroes and villains?" Asked All for One with genuine curiosity.

Not expecting a question like that caused Izuku to replay it a couple times in his head before he stammered out, "V-Villains use power on people who can't defend themselves or exploit people for personal gain or satisfaction. Heroes use power for the people by rescuing and protecting them."

"A text book answer as I always hear, but no, you just explained to me what good and evil is…not heroes and villains." All for One responded in a teacher-like tone "Let me tell you the truth: Villains use their power for their beliefs even if it conflicts against society or the world. Heroes use their power for the world and society even if conflicts against their beliefs."

Izuku and Starrk were seriously contemplating this information but All for One continued,

"If you disagree let me challenge you to answer this: was that classmate of yours who tormented you more like a hero or a villain? How would you judge a 'villain' who strives for justice or a 'hero' who refuses to act against injustice: By what the world labels them or their actual intentions and results?"

Starrk didn't like where this was going. "Do not respond right away. He's trying to convolute your viewpoints. Remind yourself, what about the innocent? What if your sense of justice was wrong?"

Izuku looked down at the floor while looking for an answer to Starrk and used it to answer All for One. "Everyone has a different sense of justice. I only know my own, and would want to protect the innocent that I am capable of protecting and fight against anyone who was tormenting them."

Not quite what I wanted to hear but let's clarify. Thought All for One and then asked,

"Would you fight me, villains, heroes, or even the world if it meant protecting someone who you deemed innocent?"

Izuku breathed in and out with a large breath and felt Starrk give him a supporting nod.

"Yes."

Good. I can certainly use this to my benefit. All for One silently nodded to himself with an evil grin and responded. "Good. I would like to hire you for a lifetime job that would benefit everyone."

This time Izuku, Starrk, and even Kurogiri were looking at him with a confused expression.

"Would you like to be a hero employed by me?"