Chapter 8: the next wielder of One For All

"Wait, what do you mean inherit? Inherit what?" Izuku stammered, his emerald eyes wide with a mix of shock and confusion. Tears began to well up, threatening to spill over as his mind raced with possibilities.

All Might's skeletal form began to shake with laughter, his sunken eyes crinkling at the corners. "You should see your face right now, young Midoriya! Don't worry, I'm not going to force this thing on you. It's a choice, and a big one at that."

Izuku's brow furrowed as he fell into his familiar habit of muttering, his words tumbling out in a rapid, barely intelligible stream. "You can't inherit a Quirk, it's simply impossible. Every Quirk is unique on its own and can't be replicated. The genetic factors involved, the manifestation process..." His voice trailed off as he became lost in thought, fingers tapping against his chin.

"Whoa there, you've got to stop overthinking," All Might interjected, holding up a bony hand to stem the tide of Izuku's musings. "My Quirk is special. It allows me to transfer my power to someone else."

Izuku's jaw dropped, his eyes growing impossibly wider. All Might continued, his voice taking on a solemn tone.

"The true name of my Quirk is One For All." The words hung in the air, heavy with significance. "For years, the media and public have tried to figure out the nature of my abilities. They all assumed it was just super strength, but whenever I was asked in interviews, I always dodged the question with a joke or two."

All Might's gaunt face grew serious as he explained further. "One person improves the power and then hands it off to another. It continues to grow as it's passed along. This cultivated power is what allows me to save those in need of a hero. That is the truth behind my strength."

Izuku listened in awe, his mind struggling to process this world-altering information. All Might's next words, however, shocked him to his core.

"I've searched long and hard to find someone worthy of inheriting my power. And then I'm I found you – a Quirkless fanboy rushing in to try and save that boy from the sludge villain when even the pros hesitated."

All Might's piercing blue eyes met Izuku's green ones, filled with conviction. "You acted like a true hero, young Midoriya."

In that moment, something shifted within Izuku. He felt a surge of determination unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. With a trembling hand, he wiped away his tears and stood up straight, shoulders back and chin held high.

"Okay, I'll do it!" Izuku declared, his voice ringing with newfound confidence.

But it wasn't that easy-

later that day

Gran Torino," All Might began, his voice a mix of excitement and apprehension, "I may have found them... someone to inherit my power."

The words hung in the air, heavy with significance. On the other end of the line, Gran Torino's gruff voice crackled through the speaker.

"Is that so?" the old hero replied, a hint of surprise coloring his tone. "And who is it?"

All Might took a deep breath, unaware that in Gran Torino's living room, Kaseki sat quietly in a corner, his weathered hands pausing their work on a small gadget. The elderly scientist and inventor's eyes, still sharp despite his advanced age, darted towards Gran Torino with keen interest.

"It's a young boy named Izuku Midoriya," All Might began to explain, his voice growing more animated with each word. "He's Quirkless, but you should have seen him, sensei. When that sludge villain attacked, he rushed in without hesitation to save another student. He showed true heroic spirit, even without any powers of his own."

As All Might continued to detail Izuku's actions and his reasons for choosing him, both Gran Torino and Kaseki listened intently. Gran Torino's brow furrowed in thought, while Kaseki's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and concern, recognizing the weight of the moment he was inadvertently witnessing.

"He reminds me of myself when I was younger," All Might chuckled softly, a note of nostalgia in his voice. "Determined, selfless, with a burning desire to help others. I believe he has what it takes to be the next bearer of One For All."

All Might," Gran Torino cuts him off slowly, choosing his words with care, "I understand your excitement. It's clear you've thought long and hard about this. But listen, I've got... a, uh, pressing engagement in a few minutes. Can't really get into the details now, you know how it is." He said hoping All Might wouldn't probe further into his flimsy excuse.

"Sensei, I..." All Might's voice faltered, the uncertainty seeping through the line. "I just need to know if you think I'm making the right choice."

Gran Torino's expression softened, though his tone remained gruff. "Toshinori, this isn't about my approval. One For All is your power to bestow, not mine. I can give you advice, sure, but ultimately, you must trust your own judgment. If you see something special in this boy, then that's all that matters."

All Might remained silent for a moment, absorbing Gran Torino's words. "your probably right, maybe I'm just overthinking it''

and then Gran Torino hung up

Kaseki, who had been listening to the conversation from a distance, leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, a slight smile playing on his lips. "The green-haired kid, not bad at all," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

'' what? you think he's strong enough''

'' Nah not at all. It's more about his character. If he was to become a hero out of what all might had described. He wouldn't be like the modern ones today. Especially not those only doing it for money, fame and power.''

'' He reminds me of that meathead'' (he's talking about Luffy)

Gran Torino laughed responding '' He sure does''

The sun had barely risen over Dagobah Municipal Beach Park, its first rays glinting off discarded appliances and mounds of trash. Amidst this sea of junk, a green-haired boy strained against the weight of an old refrigerator. Sweat poured down Izuku Midoriya's face as he inched forward, his muscles screaming in protest.

Day after day, Midoriya returned to the beach. He hauled tires, dragged washing machines, and carted away endless bags of trash. The work was grueling, but each item cleared brought him one step closer to his dream of becoming a hero.

Months passed. Midoriya's body transformed, shedding baby fat for lean muscle. The beach, too, underwent a metamorphosis. Bit by bit, the sand emerged from beneath its artificial crust.

On the final day, as dawn broke, Midoriya stood atop the last pile of trash and let out a triumphant yell. Below him stretched a pristine beach, the fruit of his labor. All Might watched proudly, knowing his successor was now ready to inherit One For stumbled and lost his balance, his body giving way under the strain of the intense training. He felt the ground rush up to meet him, but before he could hit the unforgiving surface, a strong hand caught him. All Might, ever vigilant, had reached out just in time to grab him, preventing the fall.

"Am... am I ready now?" Midoriya asked, his voice trembling with exhaustion and doubt. He was panting heavily, his muscles aching from the relentless workout, yet his eyes held a flicker of hope as he looked up at his mentor.

All Might smiled warmly, a mix of pride and encouragement in his gaze. "Look at this," he said, holding up a photo of Midoriya from ten months ago. The image depicted a frail, nervous boy, barely able to stand against the challenges ahead. "This was you ten months ago. And look at you now!" All Might gestured to the young hero standing before him, his body now stronger, more defined, and his spirit unyielding.

"There's still a long way ahead of you until you can inherit my full strength," All Might continued, his voice gentle yet firm. "But it's starting to look like you can do it! You've come so far, Midoriya. Your potential is shining brighter with each passing day."

Midoriya's brow furrowed, uncertainty clouding his features. "All Might, do I deserve this? Are you sure?... You've put so much time into helping me. How can I end up so lucky?" His voice wavered with genuine concern, his self-doubt surfacing despite the progress he had made.

All Might's expression softened further as he listened to the young hero's worries. "He's really still worried about that after all these months," All Might thought, his heart heavy with the weight of Midoriya's insecurities.

"It was your hard work, not mine, that brought you this far," All Might reassured him, placing a comforting hand on Midoriya's shoulder. Then, with a determined look, he reached up and pulled a strand of hair from his head. "Now, for your reward, Izuku Midoriya."

As he handed the strand of hair to Midoriya, All Might leaned in closer, his voice full of wisdom and conviction. "There's a difference between being lucky and being deserving. Luck is an accident, something that happens by chance. But being deserving... that's a reward, earned through effort, determination, and heart. And you, my boy, have earned this."

Midoriya looked at the strand of hair in his hand, realization dawning on him. The weight of All Might's words resonated deeply within him, sparking a newfound resolve. He wasn't just lucky—he was deserving of the power, the responsibility, and the future that lay ahead.

'' Now eat it''

dramatic pause

'' WHAT?''

'' Hurry up and eat it, or else your gonna be late for the entrance exam''

Sorry for being away for so long, but yea not a lot of stuff happening in this chapter so cya soon hopefully this week