Chapter 3: And So, The Troubles Continue
A/N: Yo wys.
Sorry for taking so long with this chapter. Hope y'all like it.
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
Accepting Setsuna's request was something that he had been hesitant about; even if he loosely knew what he was getting himself into.
"Come on! Andale!" Setsuna clapped her hands.
Izuku really should've known better.
"Man, youngsters these days!" The girl huffed, lying on top of a rusting truck, "They sure don't understand the meaning of life."
Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead, trickling down the side of his face and dropping to the dry sand below.
He hissed as he pushed the vehicle up.
His muscles cried out for him to stop but he kept going.
Honestly, he was doing his best here.
But Setsuna?
"Ah, an Ice cream Truck!" Her head flew down to where Izuku stood, "Izu! Get me some ice cream!"
This girl…
"Do it yourself! You can literally fly!" He huffed, the vein in his glistening arm bulging.
"But that's too long." She whined, before looking at him up and down and grinning, "Besides it looks like you need a break."
"Only because you're sitting on it."
"AHH! Are you calling me fat Izu?! You can't say that to a girl!" She shook her head, "though I guess you can't expect a NEET to meet societal expectations."
"I'm not a NEET." He replied, doing an overhead press.
"Sure~ Anyways, get me ice-" she looked back to the road, "Ah, look at what you did; the truck is gone!"
Finally finishing the set, he dropped the truck, a whirl of sand kicking up from the sudden impact.
Grabbing the handkerchief from his pockets, he wiped the sweat off his face.
It had been a few days since he had started training at Dagobah Beach.
Although he had found the choice of location a bit odd at the start, Setsuna's idea had been more thought out than he had assumed.
Conventional gyms were not well suited for Izuku, his [Strengthened Body] making his natural strength on the far upper ends of normal humans to begin with.
Of course, as society had developed the necessity of a Quirk Gyms also became apparent, with the many different types of quirks that had come about.
Many which mirrored or even surpassed him in strength, speed and other aspects.
However, the expensive requirements or even owning such a type of gym made it unwise for just about any businessman to keep, what with maintenance costs and the likelihood of breakage…
They just weren't worth it.
Especially since those who'd want to train the quirks would typically go to hero schools anyway, where that kind of facility is rather accessible for students.
Not only that, the ones that did exist were also so full to the brim that getting an ideal training session was just unlikely.
However, the beach had been an illegal junkyard for years! The place had amassed so much junk that Izuku could probably make it into an antique trash museum if he so wished.
From smaller appliances like microwaves to entire TRUCKS, there wasn't much of a lack of heavy-weight things.
How people got trucks down here, wasn't something he could decipher just yet, but they had proven useful.
He knew the beach was technically private property but whoever the owner was sure didn't seem to care about its state.
The ever shifting sand made it extremely difficult for him to take a single step forward, and with the added weight, his feet would simply dig into the sand.
While the method was crude, he couldn't deny its efficacy.
He was well aware of how far behind he was compared to everyone else. His years of stubborn refusal to use his quirk had definitely hindered that progress.
While he could transform into a semi-complete state of [Abyssal Sovereign], he was lacking in his dominion over it.
He needed to get stronger, not just because he wanted to repent for the past but also to ensure it never happened again.
Izuku clenched his fist and looked at it with the determination that burned in his heart.
Never aga-
"Hey, Izuku." Setsuna's hand poked his cheek, "get me some ice cream from the convenience store."
…
"..."
He really should've known better before agreeing to her training.
…
Izuku breathed out, looking at the setting sun towards the horizon.
His eyes fell on the golden sands and glistening waves, a sight meant to tug at the heartstrings and draw wonder, now tainted by the detritus of human neglect.
The plethora of scraps and residential waste was simply dumped on what was supposed to be a beautiful place.
With a sinking heart, he looked across the sight once more, each redo making him feel guilty despite not being involved.
"How did this even happen?" He muttered, his voice a few decibels higher than the cool ocean breeze.
He wasn't particularly in tune with nature, not like those environmentalists that somehow preach a 'go back to the caveman days for the planet' mentality. However, he'd be lying if he said that he didn't feel some guilt for what has come to happen to Dagobah Beach.
Even if he wasn't the one to cause it, as another human he looked down on this type of act.
It was actually rather intelligent of Setsuna to get him to clean this place up, cleaning this place up would be an act of community service that he didn't mind.
Ah but then people would just throw garbage anyway.
He put on a pensive expression, choosing to look into things a bit more.
Sure cleaning this place up was just training, but if he could do something to ensure this place remained clean…he'd do it.
The owner sure didn't seem to mind others doing it. Either way, he would find a way.
He was Izuku Midoriya, after all.
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
Vigilantes.
An objectively neutral role.
Those who are the grey middle in the wide spectrum of morality.
The ones to lie between the words of heroes and villains.
The ones who hunt villains and are hunted by heroes.
A stain blotched onto the parchment of justice, those who do not qualify to be heroes but still move for the sake of righteousness.
But could their acts be lumped in with villainy? The HPSC had explicitly dubbed them as 'villains', who break rules, and use their quirk for their personal gain.
Yet was it really true?
When they save civilians within a burning building…are they really acting for their personal gain?
He thought about them a lot.
Did all vigilantes deserve to be dubbed as villains?
Did they all deserve to be hailed as heroes?
No.
He didn't think so.
After all, where there was good…there was bad.
If only people could differentiate between them.
…
"Are you sure about this, Izuku?"
"Sure about what, Mom?" He replied, curling a dumbbell in his hand.
"Becoming a hero…applying for the hero course at U.A. I mean," Inko clarified, fidgeting with one hand in another.
"Do you want me not to go for it?"
"I-It's not that!" She quickly shook her head, clearly hesitating on her words, "I know you used to dream a lot about being a hero and I wholly support it, but…after what happened…"
Despite wanting to finish her sentence she couldn't, her mouth drying up immediately as the images of that man flashed by her eyes.
She shook subtly, wrenching her eyes closed as she begged herself to just be able to finish her words…
"It's okay, Mom," Izuku whispered, his voice right next to her ear.
His arms wrapped around her, embracing her in a comforting hug.
"You don't have to say the rest, I won't become like him. I promise." His gentle voice always soothed her during her pangs of doubt and worries.
However, this was a monumentally important decision that he was going to make. She had to talk to him properly about it.
She couldn't let fear make her freeze up every time.
"I-It's not that, Izuku," she continued, "I'm not worried about that. I know the kind of person you are, a sweet and kind boy, you wouldn't become like him."
'Get it together!' She internally slapped her cheeks.
"Look sweety," She managed to begin, pulling away to meet his eyes, "I am not doubting your character here…but becoming a hero is harder than it looks. I know you aren't the type to underestimate things but there will be a lot of things you'll have to go through…a lot of pain and struggle, I just want to make sure you have completely thought it through."
To be a hero…someone who saves people, most of the time at the risk of their own life.
Izuku had always been the self-sacrificing type of person, that much had been apparent to her ever since he'd pretended to have improved psychologically- something she would have to discuss soon.
However, she could tell just by looking into his eyes.
Past the depths of murky darkness, was a cold and barren room where the flames of heroism did not burn.
The passion.
The determination.
The fierce desire.
…He no longer possessed them to the level he once did.
He may want to become a hero, but whether he would be able to weather the storm that would inevitably impede his path was another question.
'Perhaps, I'm being harsh on him but…'
Inko was his mother.
She knew him, the way he would commit himself to improve in the multitude of fields he excels in.
Drive borne of necessity.
Drive borne of admiration.
Drive borne of desire.
Which one of those categories did Heroism truly fall under?
Although this was a reasonable way for her son to heal, she knew that this could very well be a double-edged sword.
If that man had shown her anything useful, it was how difficult a hero's life could be.
"Izuku there is nothing in the world I believe in more than you, my son," she cupped his cheek with a tearing eye, "I will support you more than anyone else…but I want you to show me that you have what it takes to make a decision such as fighting for the sake of another."
'So that the joy may return to him.'
"...I will do my best, Mom."
"I love you dear."
"I love you too." He hugged his mother once more, perhaps a bit more tightly than before but she did not mind.
Because she could tell that he had taken her words to heart.
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
Izuku sighed, as he finished tinkering with the last piece of gadget on his table. Setting aside the welding tool, he took off the welding shield to better look at the item he had just made.
Poor structural integrity.
Welding is done excessively over the line.
This is just bad.
He crushed the device in his fist, a miniature explosion far below Bakugo's level popping inside.
He had comforted and agreed with his mother the night prior…but the words were eating away at him.
I have to prove it to her.
Did he have it in him to prove it to her?
The skills that would be necessary to overcome a hurdle such as this…
He lacked it.
He didn't have enough power.
He was so many years behind everyone else. He didn't even have complete control over his own quirk.
How could someone like that possibly hope to become a hero?
Frustration itched at him, or were they the pieces of the broken devices in his hand?
No matter.
Izuku stood up, discarding the now useless device before stepping out of his house for a bit.
A walk should help clear his mind.
…
"Oi, put your fucking hands up in the air already!"
This…was not what I thought would happen.
"Cashier, are you stupid or something?! Hurry up and gimme all the cash already!" The robber pointed a handgun towards the trembling cashier.
"All of you don't even think about moving! Move even an inch and I'll blow your heads off!" The other pointed his gun at the rest of the customers.
Isn't this a bit extreme for a convenience store robbery?
Thanks to his rather stable heart rate, Izuku could calmly assess the situation.
Two gunmen, one with a handgun and the other with a rifle.
Assuming their quirks are not related to physicality- since they are using guns- they either have a mobility quirk or a weaker effective quirk. They are operating on the level of crooks, so the higher likelihood is the latter one.
Izuku watched in silence, as the people around freaked out a bit.
Although he could use his scales to handle the man with the handgun…it was the rifleman that was the problem.
Bullets typically did more damage based on their size and calibres; while he was certain he could take on a pistol bullet…the other he was not so sure about.
It wouldn't be worth the risk either.
But it bugs me to not do anything about it.
He had already sent out a request for aid, showing his location but when exactly it would come…he couldn't tell.
He couldn't stop the robbery as it was already, perhaps he should just let it-
'I want you to show me that you have what it takes to make a decision such as fighting for the sake of another.'
…
Did he just think of letting this pass by?
A crime was in progress and he just thought about giving up?
That could not be allowed.
He had to come up with a plan.
"Hurry the fuck up or I'll kill you!" The man by the cashier reinforced his point by shooting at the produce behind him.
They seem a bit trigger-happy. Think Izuku!
His struggle seemed to be drowned out by the panic around him, the silent whirlpool swallowing up any semblance of rational thinking he had.
Much to his surprise, the door suddenly opened.
That is…
"Stop right there villain!"
"Oh, is it a hero?!"
"I am the vigilante, Blue Fin!" The man exclaimed, "Now, put your guns down."
"What the fuck are you gonna do? Hand us to the police and they'll cuff you too!"
Without wasting another second, Blue Fin let out a jet of water loose from his mouth, a torpedo-like bullet while dodging as the man with a handgun fired the first shot.
His motion fluid, the vigilante took a decisive step to the side before blowing out another stream of water.
Now!
Taking the opportunity, Izuku leapt forward, his [Hardened Scales] covering his body, and kicked the rifleman's knees.
"What the fu-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Izuku didn't waste a second before throwing a fist straight for the man's chin.
Cerebral impact.
The hit to the chin would be enough to rattle the man's brain, rendering him immobile due to his brain's inherent lack of coordination.
His hit going as planned, the rifleman collapsed onto the floor with a resounding thud- conscious but unable to move.
"Oi, Kensuke!"
"You should worry about yourself!" Blue Fin smirked, shooting another ball of water straight at the man's core. The impact was strong, ripping the air out of his lungs.
Within a split moment, the entire situation had changed, the shoppers and the clerk staring at Izuku and the vigilante with evident shock.
Smiling, Izuku approached the vigilante, happy with his appearance.
"Eat shit and die!"
However, his joy was short-lived.
"Look out!" Blue Fin shouted, jumping towards them almost in slow motion.
Izuku watched in awe, as his mind moved faster than his reinforced body, telling him exactly what was happening.
A loud bang pierced the air, threading its way through the air, like a thunderclap in a storm, it left his ears ringing.
Unable to hear his surroundings, Izuku watched as Blue Fin's hands reached his body and…
"Argh!" The man groaned, blood gushing out of his side to blossom like a deadly flower, as he took Izuku's place.
His breath caught in his throat, as he lost all functional control over his body; like a deer staring into headlights, he watched as Blue Fin's body crumpled to the ground.
…Taking the bullet that he should have.
I…
He felt the darkness in the pit of his stomach spread, his confusion and horror be replaced by imminent rage, like a boiling pot of water.
Overspilling Izuku let out a cry of anger, as he turned to the second gunman and dashed towards him.
A haunting shadow loomed over him.
"Wh-what the fuck are you?!" The man screamed, unable to move or run as the Izuku came forth, his fist raised.
"How dare you?!" Izuku bellowed, his voice hoarse with anguish as he drove his fist into the man's face and slammed him onto the ground.
He'd done it again.
He'd allowed someone else to get hurt because of him.
His carelessness and shock had left him unable to do anything when things mattered most, just like what happened with Setsuna.
He messed up again.
I-I'm so weak!
The weight of his despair bore down on him, as his heartbeat deafened his surroundings.
He didn't hear the frightened screams of the bystanders.
Nor the squelches of the blood pouring out of the man's face.
The wet feeling of the man's blood escaped him as bitter self-recrimination took over his senses, his fists pummeling away at an already downed enemy.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" He felt someone forcefully pull him off.
Snapping his fist reared, he froze as he came face to face with…
"...BlueFin san?" He rasped, shaking at the man standing up.
He was all alright, but why was he staring at Izuku with so much…fear?
"A-Are you alright?"
"Are you out of your damn mind?!" The vigilante screamed, his bloodshot eyes staring at Izuku with a frantic emotion he couldn't decipher.
"Wh-What are you…"
"Take a look at what you've done!" He pointed towards the floor.
What he saw…was enough to drain the colour from his face.
[…How wonderful.]
…
"Hmm, your name is Izuku Midoriya, right?"
"..."
"Your ID says that anyways and you are…15?"
"..."
"It's useless, Detective Tsukauchi." A policeman from beside them spoke up, "We've asked him questions on our way here, and he hasn't even said a single word."
"Hmm…" the rugged man hummed, tapping his pen against the table out of habit.
Dealing with teens has always been a hard problem to overcome; their situations are more unique as it always tended to be the first offence.
Most of them barely ever knew what they were doing and by the time they were done with the deed…they had always regretted it.
'Even amongst them…this one is particularly bad.'
Tsukauchi had been a detective for many years, out of control teens weren't exactly a first timer for him.
However to see someone so…destroyed.
It was a bit worrying.
"Have we gotten any information from the rest of the hostages?" He turned to ask the policeman.
"Yes sir, they all mentioned that he was one of the hostages until the [Board Certified] vigilante Bluefin came in. He helped the vigilante take down the two armed robbers," the man flipped the page of his mini notebook, "however when the second one had fired a shot, Bluefin took the hit instead of him and after that…well…"
"He went into a panic, huh…" Tsukauchi finished off, "What's Bluefin's status?"
"He is going to be alright, it was only a flesh wound."
A twitch.
Tsukauchi looked carefully at the boy, his small but distinct movement visible to him.
'Hmm, same as always huh? Wonder how he hasn't recognised me.'
He could always tell when the damage done was intentional or not. Knowing what might be a better question to ask, he turned back to the policeman.
"How are the armed robbers?" He asked, blowing a puff out of his cigarette.
"The first one is fine with only surface bruises. The second robber however…" the policeman gulped, seemingly intimate by the counts of injuries, "his skull was fractured and his nose was smashed to pieces."
"Huh, seems quite severe."
"He will survive however, we don't know if the recovery of the facial structure can be done to completion but he hasn't suffered any lethal injuries. Thank God BlueFin had stopped him at that time, otherwise-"
"That's enough," Tsukauchi cut him off, seeing that the teen in front of him was trembling. "Midoriya kun, can you speak with us? We aren't here to incriminate you, but we need to know what happened for us to know better."
"..."
'A stubborn kid, who's clearly wallowing in guilt, would find it difficult to get the words out huh.' Tsukauchi mused.
"Midoriya kun, you need to talk right now." Tsukauchi rolled his tongue in his mouth in minor frustration, before adding, "I haven't notified Midoriya san yet, knowing the type of person she is, she'd probably cry a river before even getting here."
"!"
Izuku finally looked up, the intimate mention of his mother's personality catching him off guard.
"So you finally responded a bit huh…" Tsukauchi chuckled, "Sorry for pulling that detail out suddenly, Midoriya kun. It's been a while…do you remember me?"
He watched as the gears turned in the boy's head before a glint of recognition shone in the boy's eyes.
"...You're the detective that used to visit my house after…"
Tsukauchi nodded before turning to the officer behind him, "Can you do me a favour and bring him some warm milk to drink?"
"But-"
"Don't worry. I can vouch for him, I know who he is." Tsukauchi cut the officer, politely holding a hand up.
Not wanting to disobey his superior's orders, the officer took his leave with a bow.
"Now," the detective turned back around, "how have you been Midoriya kun?" He asked, trying to ease the boy into the conversation.
"I…" Izuku failed to finish his words, before trying again, "I've been fine."
"Hmm, is that so?" The detective replied, picking up a lie within the first question but saying nothing about it. "You've grown well since I last saw you. How is Midoriya san doing?"
"She's better than before. Eating well and not overworking. Happier."
"That's good to hear." Tsukauchi nodded, "You're in the third year of Middle School right? Are you going to apply for the Support Course as you planned?"
He watched the boy jump in his seat a little, a common sign of panic.
'If it follows the usual pattern then the next answer is going to be…'
"...Yes."
'False, as expected.'
Teens and children always have been the more impressionable kind of demographic within the country.
While it had always meant that reforming them was easier…it also meant that they could allow their mistakes to really weigh down on them too much.
"Midoriya kun, you do remember I can detect lies right?"
"..."
"You know that I'm not angry about what happened to the second gunman right? Even Bluefin vouched for you."
'Well assuming he knew who you were, he was kind of obliged to.' Tsukauchi thought dryly.
"...How could he?" Midoriya muttered weakly, his voice coming out shaky as it tended to do whenever he was nervous, "I-I did something horrible to that other man."
"Horrible? Why do you think that?" The detective prodded, slowly treading closer to the heart of the problem.
At first, he wasn't going to stop Midoriya, after all, the witness accounts were more than enough to clear him for using self-defence…even if the level of damage was excessive.
However, seeing that it was Midoriya, he couldn't exactly help it. The boy had a troubled past after all. Call him biased but he was human as well. However, the look on his face alone was enough to tell how desperately he needed someone to speak to him at that moment.
'Especially since he's achieved such an absurd feat.'
The boy gripped his trousers tightly, biting his lips in frustration. The well of emotions overcame him enough for him to speak up, "Why do you think?! I hurt that man more than necessary! I bludgeoned him to the point that he might never look the same!"
"That's true, but that was only because he hurt Bluefin wasn't it?"
"That doesn't change the fact that I did that kind of damage! I-I shouldn't have acted at all! I first hesitated when it mattered most and then I beat him to near death! What kind of hero would ever do that?! How would that make me any different from…"
'I see what the change is…'
Amidst his rant, the boy had let slip of his future goal.
Certainly, one that makes it apparent why it was bearing down on him even more.
"But you know Midoriya kun, you are not a hero yet. You're still untrained an-"
"You don't understand!" Midoriya cut him, "I moved without thinking! I felt so angry and frustrated that I didn't even realise what I was doing! If Bluefin san hadn't pulled me away, I…I would have…" He trailed off.
Another complicated situation involving an angsty teen.
'Great.'
Tsukauchi could see where his concerns were coming from, his shaking fists were enough to tell him that Izuku's haunted eyes saw something in them that he couldn't.
Blood.
Experiences like these were more traumatic. He didn't exactly specialise in it but…perhaps he could help the boy.
Tsukauchi took another puff of smoke, blowing it out to the side before tiredly looking at the boy again.
Pulling out his phone, he began scrolling before finding the information he needed, "December 1983, two buildings levelled. 3 stories of windows destroyed."
"Huh?"
"December 1983 again, grocery store half destroyed, 2 civilians involved."
"What are you-"
"January 1984, 10 floors worth of windows destroyed, internal structures compromised and main road shattered."
"What are you saying?" Izuku managed to cut in, as the detective looked up at him.
"The amount of damage All Might caused after his debut." He replied, "And these are single cases, by the way, I'm not even going into the details."
"Yeah but-"
Scratching the back of his head, he let out a groan as the officer from before brought milk in and put it in front of Izuku.
"Midoriya kun, meeting you over the years, I realised a few things…" Tsukauchi spoke, pulling his cigarette out of his mouth, "You're a pretty smart but also stupid kid."
"...Huh?" Izuku couldn't help but say in confusion.
"You've always had this sense of responsibility that got in your way. You tend to think everything that happens somewhere is somehow your fault, and despite being able to think extremely quickly on the spot, you are unable to act because you worry you might go too far."
"..." Izuku stared at the man in shock.
"Am I wrong?" Tsukauchi asked, but as soon as Izuku was about to speak he cut him off, "that was rhetorical. The point is, Midoriya, you're far from the only person that goes too far.
No one is born with quirk control, and for someone who has been refusing to use his quirk ever again, the fact that you are using it to try and apply to hero school in itself is quite amazing. It shows that you are trying to overcome your past."
"B-But I could have…should have, stopped way before! I went overboard!"
"That you did," Tsukauchi agreed, making the boy almost fall back onto the chair, "but it wasn't exactly your fault."
Regret was normal, but letting himself get swallowed by it would be a mistake.
"Midoriya kun, the fact that you harmed the man more than necessary is a simple truth. I won't deny that. However, blaming yourself for it is a foolish mistake to make." Tsukauchi informed him, albeit a bit harshly.
"Do you think what I did was normal then?" Izuku slammed his hand onto the table, surprising the officer with his sudden actions, "Do you think it's normal that I-I… enjoyed what I had done to the man? The fact that his bloodied visage made me happy instead of regretful?"
Contrary to his expectation, Tsukauchi simply looked at him with exhausted eyes. His tired eyes blinked unevenly such that one eyelid lagged behind the other.
"Boy, have you forgotten that your quirk is literally called [Abyssal Sovereign]?"
"And that's exactly why I-"
"You should have never used your quirk?" Tsukauchi raised an eyebrow.
"..."
Letting a sigh of annoyance, Tsukauchi put out his cigarette against the ashtray, "Quirks are a means to an end Midoriya kun, it isn't the nature of them that decides whether you are good or bad, but the action you choose to take with them. Just how a gun can be used to both threaten or protect, depending on who is using it."
He watched as Izuku stared at him with surprised eyes, tears brimming in them.
'Heh, he acts cold but he's actually a pretty soft kid.'
Rolling his neck and letting out some pops, the detective looked at the verdette again, "Whether you felt pleased or not, you had taken the first step to help in the situation no one else could. What do you think would have happened had you not done that?"
"I…I don't know."
"Think about it," Tsukauchi prompted, "there were two gunmen, Bluefin obviously took on the one closest to the door, but definitely not the one that was the most dangerous." The man explained, logically walking him through the possibilities, "The only two possibilities were that Bluefin would take down the first man and the second one would either shoot someone in the crowd or at Bluefin himself. Tell me, do you think he could have lived?"
"I…no."
It would be impossible.
Knowing that a handgun is present is one thing, but dodging a bullet from a rifle would be practically impossible. Especially since his quirk didn't exactly improve his mobility.
"So by you moving to the second gunman, you behaved like a hero did you not?" Tsukauchi smiled, trying to comfort the boy in front of him, "he was gravely injured, yes, but the alternative is much scarier isn't it?"
"..." Izuku remained silent, taking in the words of the detective and trying to process them.
"And what was it again? Enjoying the sight?" Izuku flinched, "answer one question for me, what was your intention when you sprung into action?"
"...To take down the gunman, so that he couldn't hurt anybody else."
"Exactly. Look, I know about your quirk...you are going to be different to others, but from what I can see the fact that you didn't relapse into the old mistake you made, is already impressive. I wouldn't knock your dreams of being a hero just yet." Tsukauchi shrugged.
Stupefied, Izuku looked at the man with awe.
The words that he had always been searching for…
The ones that his own idol couldn't utter for him.
…This detective had done it instead.
"D-Do you mean that?" He asked with a shaky voice. Disbelief and awe mixing into one.
"Of course." Tsukauchi replied in a heartbeat, "Listen to me Midoriya, no hero is perfect. Not even All Might. We all have flaws and so do you, but that doesn't decide whether you can be a hero or not.
A hero isn't someone with a strong quirk, nor is it someone who makes no mistakes. It's someone- who acts for the benefit of others- and chooses to use their powers to protect rather than to harm."
His eyes widened as his mother's words came back to him.
'I want you to show me that you have what it takes to make a decision such as fighting for the sake of another.'
"Ah but don't forget what happened today, it's good that you made a mistake which was stopped, I've seen far too many people end up going too far. Take it as an important lesson and grow with it." Tsukauchi pushed the cup of milk closer to him, "now, why don't you have some milk?"
To believe in someone like me…
He had finally found someone.
It wasn't All Might.
Nor was it his brutal childhood friend.
It didn't even matter if the detective was lying…
He had found someone.
Finally found someone unrelated: someone who believed in him.
He'd done something extremely wrong today and despite what the Detective was saying, it was evident even to him that they were going easy on him.
After all, it was no longer legally considered self defence after the perpetrator had passed out.
It's a favour he'll honour for sure, he swore upon that.
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
Izuku had chosen to hide the events of the day prior from his Mom. Not only because she would worry for him every time he went out following that, but also because she'd likely ban him from ever entering any convenience market again.
That would be very…in-convenient.
He cringed at the poor pun he made, facepalming.
I should get going…
Standing up, he made his way to go out.
He looked at the paper in his hands, remembering what Detective Tsukauchi had told him.
"Midoriya kun, since you are aiming to be a hero, I'd suggest martial arts to you. This person might be an old bat, but he's a pro at handling highly volatile powers."
Of course, not even Izuku would look a gift horse in the mouth and not accept it.
The place was a bit far, but it wouldn't bother him much if he were to go by train.
Leaving some breakfast for his mother, he quickly stepped out, leaving her a note.
He'd explain it to her, but he didn't see the urgency in waking her up at this hour.
…
Following the map from the station, he continued walking until he came across the dojo, his breath halting for a moment as he looked at the serene environment.
A large residence with sakura trees that had blossomed magnificently, the pale pink dancing in the spring breeze as a testament to nature's beauty.
The traditional Japanese abode seemingly fit the image, the soft hues of cherry wood and smoothened stone aiding the image. A cobblestone footpath leads to the entrance to the main residence.
He stepped forth, finding himself embraced into a chunk of nature's land, the fragrance of freshly culled grass along with the bitter hint of someone's sweat reminded him of a residence one would use.
The soft billowing wind carried him to the gate, urging him to press the bell and venture forth.
However, as he did so no response came for him.
I can tell someone is definitely inside.
And if the smell of sweat wasn't enough, the simple pattern of feminine grunts would be more than enough evidence that there was someone practising at this very moment.
Having found no response to his attempts, Izuku exhaled softly, opting to go towards the noise to perhaps find the person inside.
He wasn't exactly trespassing, but he couldn't very well leave. Especially, since it was during their business hours.
Following the path, he passed by a small fishpond- going around to a wall full of shoji screens that lined closed.
All but one.
His foot moved levelly against the solid stone footpath, a slight crunching noise arising from the contact of each of the pebbles.
Approaching closer, he peeked inside- only for his eyes to widen.
With rhythmic footwork and soft breathing, she danced within the wooden floors of the dojo. Quick and calculated, she moved as though she fought against an imaginary enemy.
Shadow sparring?
She moved with fluidity and yet each punch in the air held clear evidence of their power, a symphony of strength and precision; her sleek satsuma hair done into a side ponytail moved a second later than her.
Coated in a delicate sheen of sweat, the one he had smelt before, she moved with an agility he could only dream of. Each kick left a 'snap' in the air, a sign of the latent power hidden in her movement.
Her fierce turquoise eyes stared ahead, tracking the movement of whatever imaginary opponent she was fighting, her lips curved upwards in a somewhat enigmatic smile.
S-She's…beautiful.
Suddenly his eyes narrowed, picking up the faint noise behind him, as he pivoted himself onto his non dominant foot before sending a kick behind him.
"Ohoh, nice instincts." A new voice spoke up, as he turned around.
"Who are you? Why were you creeping up behind me?" He asked, readying his fists.
The elder man grinned, "shouldn't that be my question? Who are you and why are you watching my granddaughter?"
"..."
"..."
"Oh wait, are you Kyotoku Kendo san?" He suddenly realised, staring at the man, "Wait…Granddaughter?!"
"Heh, yeah. That's me." The man barked, "I'll repeat again, who are you?"
"Uh, I'm Izuku Midoriya. Detective Tsukauchi told me to come here for martial arts."
The old man gazed at him longer, his sharp chestnut eyes that seemed like they were set ablaze, peering into him until…
"Tch that dumbass detective, actually sending me work." The old man grumbled, before coming towards Izuku.
Knowing what happened the last time he dropped his guard, Izuku kept his fists up, only for the man to climb onto the tatami floors beyond the screens.
"Are you not gonna come?"
Oops.
"I-I'm coming." He quickly replied, taking his shoes off and jumping onto the floor.
Certainly, not a way he'd typically enter a house, but well, he'd manage.
…
"Ahem," Kyotoku cleared his throat, "once again, I'm Kyotoku Kendo, I own and run the dojo." He then pointed at the girl beside him, "This is my pride and sunshine, Itsuka Kendo."
"Ugh, don't call me that in front of a guest, Grandpa."
"What guest, this is Izuku Midoriya, the creep that was watching you train."
"I am not a creep! I didn't know if I should interrupt her or not!" He gave the elderly man a withering glare, before shifting his glance to the younger Kendo, "I'm Izuku Midoriya, I'm sorry for being rude. I pressed the doorbell and no one answered so…" He offered his hand for a handshake.
"Don't mind it, I should have paid more attention." Itsuka waved it off, before shaking his hand.
"Now, Itsuka, you can go get cleaned up for now."
"Huh? But my training hasn'-"
"It has finished now, thanks to his appearance." Kyotoku cut her off, barely preventing his voice from shaking, "Besides, you've done enough for today. Go hit the books or something, you need to cover your weakness in that department."
Seemingly a bit demoralised, Itsuka nodded before excusing herself. Leaving Izuku and the old man by themselves.
"Now, normally I'd hand you a leaflet, tell you the cost and tell you to piss off." Kyotoku boredly scratched his arm.
"But if that damn detective is the one who referred you to me, you're either chums or you're in some deep shit and need my assistance." He sighed, "Trouble following me even at this age huh…"
"I-I'm sorry, am I bothering you?"
"Yeah, you are."
Urk…so honest.
"But if he sent you here," Kyotoku scratched his long beard, "then there's gotta be a reason for it. Now, tell me why do you want to learn Martial arts?"
Even if he asks why, there really was one answer for Izuku.
"I'm applying for the hero course at U.A.-"
"Great another one of those idiots," Kyotoku sighed, "continue."
"- and I need to improve my fighting skills for it."
"Hmm, okay." Kyotoku muttered before standing up and jumping a slight distance away, "Show me what you are made of, come at me."
"H-Huh? Don't you want to ask other questions like what my quirk is?"
The man stared at him as if he was a ludicrous idiot, "Haaa… why the hell would I be interested in that? Martial arts is a matter of fists and legs, you don't apply quirks to martial arts, but rather martial arts to quirks. Got it?"
'Well that might be a bit hypocritical but…' Kyotoku gulped, a bead of sweat gathering at his brows, 'just what is this kid…'
"Y-Yeah."
Izuku stood up, raising his fists. He waited patiently to see if the man would come towards him, but instead of doing that, he simply stood like a lightning rod.
Straight and unwavering.
Seems like I have to make the first move…
And so he did, Izuku jumped forward, fist raised to strike.
As he did, however, Kyotoku swiftly dodged- leaving the distance between them less than a couple of centimetres.
Undeterred, Izuku followed the hit with his other fist…only for him to block that.
"Is this all you can do? Come on, do better." The man taunted. "If you want, you can even use your quirk."
Izuku however, kept his calm.
Sidestepping, Izuku followed the man, sending a kick aimed straight for his head, his legs contracting to keep his balance and ensure his sweep attack would hit.
Only for the man to dodge the hit as well.
"Come on!"
Izuku followed him, opting to send a barrage of jabs towards the man.
Despite his attempts, not a single punch connected.
This continued until Izuku was left panting on the ground, sweat trickling down his forehead and arms.
He'd swung and chased, but his fists had reached nothing but air.
"...Man, you're bad." Kyotoku huffed, "A hero, huh? Not with that movement."
This man…how is he moving like this at his age?
Before he could even do anything, the man sent a kick right into his side.
"Ough!" Izuku grunted, falling onto his back.
"You're so predictable, I can even tell what you're thinking." The man huffed, "You make it so obvious where you're punching that even a blind man could tell where it's gonna end up."
Wordlessly, Izuku stood up, ready to fight again.
Seeing him, Kyotoku grinned, "Tenacity huh? I like it." He complimented, "But I don't need to see it now. I've seen what you can do. The question is why didn't you use your quirk?"
"..."
"Kids your age think they are strong when it's a bit flashy and end up wanting to apply at U.A. so I thought you'd be raring to show it to me," Kyotoku narrowed a glare at him, "were you underestimating me?"
"N-No sir," Izuku replied, speaking politely out of instinct.
Should I be honest with him…
He didn't know.
He could tell just how skilled the man in front of him was. In terms of trustworthiness, he should have been reliable since Detective Tsukauchi was the one to direct Izuku towards him.
But as always the pit in his stomach remained.
"I-I tend to go berserk sometimes and my quirk doesn't always listen to me." He did the next best thing by vaguely answering with the truth.
Kyotoku hummed meaningfully in response, seemingly gauging Izuku.
"Hmm…and have you tried to confront it?"
"..."
"Then there is nothing more left to say," Kyotoku turned his back on Izuku, "Get out of here."
"Huh?" Izuku couldn't help but look at him perplexed, "Did I fail on your test that badly?!"
"No, that was fine," Kyotoku responded.
"But then…"
"Your hit may have had some power…but your fist was weak."
"!"
Izuku stared at the man agape, unable to say a word to him.
"You hesitate to hit…almost as if you're afraid that you're about to lose control." Kyotoku rolled his eyes, "martial arts is all about your spirit, and your punches are empty. There is neither will nor intent behind them."
Kyotoku harshly continued, uncaring of the grimace plastered on Izuku's face, "And how are you supposed to have that, when you are not even at peace with yourself?"
"Peace…with myself…"
"Martial artists in this world dedicate their whole lives to the craft. They practise the same punch and kick, a million times if they have to. Every time with a hundred percent of their being behind it, but you?" He scoffed, "You're like an indecisive oaf, unable to commit to anything."
"I-"
"This is why you can hurt people. This is why you are never there on time." Kyotoku metaphorically spat at him, attacking him where it would hurt most as if berating him hadn't been enough, "you lack conviction. Why? Because you don't like the quirk you have?"
"You can try to go your whole life, hating your quirk…but when someone's life is slipping away in front of you, will you hesitate to use your powers? Will you go crazy and kill the civilians instead? Hmm, hero?"
Taunts as they may have been, Kyotoku's words were far from deniable.
The memories of Bluefin being shot remained fresh in his mind, a parasitic dream that festered in his brain with the sole intention of reminding him of his failure.
The feeling of blood splattered across his face…
"Please!" Izuku bowed deeply, lowering his head more than he ever had before, "teach me!"
"No," Kyotoku replied bluntly. "I can train your body, but I can't help your mind." He looked at Izuku, "You know what you have to do. Only after that will I consider teaching you."
…
Izuku hated it.
He really did.
Slumping onto his bed, he knew the price he was going to have to pay to become stronger.
No one was born evil. Even if the demons from the deepest depth of hell were to have a child, it would be one, who is innocent.
Yet, this quirk had robbed that innocence from him.
[Abyssal Sovereign].
How he despised that name; a quirk that almost made him sound like some kind of dark tyrant.
The way he felt when using it… made him feel dirty- sick to his core.
Yet when it circulated his vessels, the raw power gave a rush like no other, warping his thoughts to abuse it.
Destroy.
Dominate.
Devour.
His hatred and desperation to run away from such feelings, that he had created a barrier between himself and it.
But he would have to break it down. Despite all the risks, he still wanted to do it.
It's time to at least try…right?
And so, he did.
Knowing fully well, how much he was going to regret it.
…
Overwhelming malice.
That was all that he felt.
Ill intent like never before, Izuku could barely keep his eyes open. The nauseating darkness threatened to swallow him up whole.
He'd done it, ventured past the walls he built himself.
Entering the territory of his own mindscape that he had isolated for that thing to reside in.
"Kuh, hey!" He managed to call out, his voice echoing into the never ending stretch and back.
"I know you're there, I can sense you!"
He didn't like it.
Sweat dribbled down his chin, his guard held high- he kept himself ready for something, anything.
"I…really despise you." he murmured, glaring into the nothingness, "You've been a haunting remnant in my life, flipping everything upside down the very minute you manifested!"
He felt it watching him, he knew it was listening.
Cold chills coursed through his skin, as he kept speaking. "I cast you aside because I didn't want to hurt anyone. I saw you as an enemy more than a part of myself."
He seeped a breath in, feeling an inky substance fill his lungs, "I need your help. Not to destroy, nor kill, but to be a hero…will you give me your power?"
Izuku gulped, trying not to show his nerves as he finally made eye contact with it.
Its gaze, unfathomable; its eyes, bloodshot.
Peering into him, he was looking into it.
But he did not step back, unperturbed he stood his ground.
If it's not now, then it won't ever happen.
[…Naive.]
The shadows grew, getting closer to him, thin tendrils of starless black matter twirled around his arms.
He tried to get them off, but his efforts were in vain as he could neither move nor speak.
They stabbed into his veins, pouring the black fluid into him, corrupting him, as he felt his flesh burn a little.
The previous dark thoughts he had, turned rampant, flashes of absolute carnage and destruction went past his eyes. Annihilation suited for one of his levels.
Bodies of those who dared to oppose him, lay strung about, mere plebeians that dared to bear their tiny fangs at him, his green mindscape turned scarlet red, absorbing the blood of those fools.
NO!
Violence grew within him, the power to do more, he felt himself bulk up. His arms grew bigger, his frame a little wider. The muscles in his legs reassembled themselves, wrenching painfully to become more dense and compact. His arteries widened, blood rushing to energise his muscles.
The very nerves that ran through his body, shook as the blackness spread throughout his body. His brain began to get fried from the overloading pain until he could feel no more.
Though for a split second that is.
As though the darkness had healed him, he felt the throbbing pain all over again. His mind recovered in the barest sense of the word, before suffering once more. He screamed in agony, his body convulsing as the pain overwhelmed him. He could feel his consciousness slipping away, yet the pain seemed to intensify. He knew he was going to die, but his will would not give in.
A cycle of pain, and torturous punishment.
The whole process made him spasm uncontrollably, as though he was suffering the worst seizure possible.
Through all of it, he heard a clear but unmistakable chuckle.
[...You are not yet qualified to make such demands of me.] The voice let out another chortle as if it was far too amused at Izuku's suffering, [There is much for you to learn, but…this will suffice for now. Thanks for the meal.]
And with that, Izuku passed out.
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
"Do you think he'll come again today, Grandfather?"
"Why? Are you interested in him?" Kyotoku teased.
"Wha- No!" Itsuka replied.
Sipping on his tea, Kyotoku looked out into the garden, seemingly contemplating something. For the kind of tease he could be, her grandfather was someone who could be mature when he needed to be.
"Hmm, I wonder if he'll come." Kyotoku sagged a little in his posture, "Seeing him made me lose my control a little and I ended up saying some pretty harsh stuff to him…it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to not come anymore."
[Spirit Gaze].
A quirk that made her cringe whenever she compared it to her [Big fist]; giving its user the ability to see another's intent of movement by manifesting their spirit in the real world such that only he could see it.
An incredible gift for a martial artist; a curse for a man.
Every person he saw and met, he could decipher their nature with a single glance. Almost…violating their essence and peering into who they really were.
A third generation quirk, that made her grandfather almost invincible in any fight, so long as he could react in time. To the point that even in the long 75 years he had been alive, never once had he been beaten by anyone.
The boy, Izuku Midoriya, certainly piqued her interest, though not in a totally positive manner.
What with the minute he had left, Kyotoku had collapsed onto the ground- drenched in a fear induced sweat and shivering.
She had never seen him act so…vulnerable in her life. Her invincible Grandfather sat, as though he had seen the most gruesomest of scenes in his life.
His mouth was sealed shut as though trying to not manifest whatever sights were haunting him. Despite her asking repeatedly, he had uttered but one sentence.
"That boy…how has he kept that thing in control for so long?"
However, that only ended up being fodder for the growing curiosity in her mind. Just what kind of monstrosity was that seemingly innocent man hiding?
"Excuse me." The sudden voice drew her out of her thoughts. She turned around to see…
"You're…the one from yesterday!" She recalled.
"Yeah, I'm Midoriya Izuku."
"Oh? Back in one da-" Kyotoku grinned but it quickly fell, his expression morphing into one of surprise; eyes bulged; palm shaking. The suffocating power from Midoriya had intensified overnight.
"...What the hell happened to you?"
A dark aura whispering killing intent into his ears, the looming overlord- whose shadow knew no depth, nor boundaries.
Growing eternally, it flowed like pure miasma leaking from a source- The incarnation of destruction.
Yet…the spirit that had remained completely separate from the boy just the day prior…had now undoubtedly made its link with him. A singular thread of oozing power linking the two.
Midoriya avoided eye contact, his own fidgeting drawing a couple of seconds of silence.
"I tried to talk to it…" He sighed, before looking at Kyotoku,
"...it talked back."
:Eiyuu no Shouko:
A/N: No there is no solo levelling link.
Honestly I found it hard to be satisfied with any version of this chapter, something kept pissing me off. So for now, after plenty of contemplation, I'm going with this one and then progressing to a better chapter flow.
As always I appreciate any feedback.
Bless.
EnS Baka File:
Name: Kyotoku Kendo
Age: 75
Quirk: Spirit Gaze
Profession: Martial artist [He knows a wide variety of styles], teacher.
Creating a real manifestation of the spirit of the person he's looking at. Although it cannot speak nor interact with him, it tells him how they are about to move based on their intentions and he can avoid it.
He can also gauge someone's true nature based on the colour and expression of their spirit wears. He's truly a villain detector, and with that quirk, he has avoided quite a few villain encounters.
The type of spirit he sees can also affect him, i.e. good spirits make him feel at peace, angry spirits make him feel on edge etc.
He refused to be a hero despite having a decently useful quirk because he didn't want to live a life where he'd be surrounded by evil spirits.
Fun fact: He hates being tough on Itsuka as her tutor, so to make up for it he tries to spoil her when he's not in instructor mode.