Arch 2: 「Act 1」

"No one will take anything from me! Only my dream will come true! No one! Nothing will be inherited or passed down! There's only one Demon King!"

– All for One (Ch. 423)

Izuku slowly began opening his eyes, his vision hazy and unfocused, the edges of the world blurring together.

Izuku lay still, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers to questions that Izuku wasn't ready to ask. His eyelids fluttered, and when they opened again, the ceiling came into clear view—familiar, yet distant.

For a long moment, he just stared, his expression blank, devoid of the emotions that was swirling beneath the surface. The silence pressed down on him, heavy and undeniable.

No matter how much he had hoped, everything from the night before wasn't a dream. He was really here—back in the past.

Izuku slowly sat up on the bed, the weight of exhaustion still clinging to his bones despite the sleep he'd had. He sighed softly, rubbing his eyes as if he could wipe away the lingering fatigue. Even though Izuku had rested, the weariness within him seemed endless, deeper than just physical exhaustion.

Izuku glanced to his side and saw Eri curled up beneath the blanket, her small chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. Her face was soft, free of the fear that once haunted her. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Izuku's lips. At least Eri was safe now.

The little girl wasn't trapped, the girl wasn't hurting—and most importantly, she wasn't alone anymore. For that, if nothing else, he was grateful.

He shifted carefully, moving with practiced precision to avoid waking Eri. He eased the blanket higher over her small frame, ensuring she stayed warm, then swung his legs over at the side of the bed.

Reaching his desk, he pulled out the chair and sat down, resting his elbows on the surface. His green eyes drifted across the familiar clutter — pens, books, and scattered papers from his old school days. It was so strange how ordinary it all looked, as if nothing had hardly changed at all. Yet everything had.

He grabbed his notebook, one he used to fill with notes about heroes, villains, and Quirks. But this time, it wasn't inspiration or excitement that fueled the boy. Flipping it open to a blank page, he picked up a pen and paused for a moment, tapping it lightly against the paper.

This was the past. A second chance, maybe. But the boy knew better than to waste it. Izuku needed to remember everything — the critical events, the dangers, the people who needed saving. Taking a breath, the boy had began writing. Names, dates, threats. All things that couldn't be allowed to happen again.

If he was going to make a difference this time, he had to plan carefully. There was no room for mistakes.

The young man began to let out a quiet, and weary sigh, slowly lowering his forehead onto the open page of his notebook. The cool surface of the paper have provided little comfort as his mind churned with unease. The boy knew this was going to be complicated, but the reality of it all hit harder than he had expected.

His mom had panicked when his younger self vanished and reported it to the police. So now, there were going to be questions—questions Izuku couldn't answer honestly. He squeezed his eyes shut, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The police would be suspicious, no doubt.

A missing 14 year old boy replaced by a 16 year old with the build of a person who had seen and been in way too many battles was not something that the police can all easily ignore. And telling them the truth? That he came from the future? That wasn't an option. Too many risks. Too many unknowns.

Only a few people can be trusted with the truth, and the police weren't among them. He couldn't afford to draw unnecessary attention or cause panic. If they tried to dig into his identity, it would only complicate things further. He didn't exist in this timeline—not like this—and sooner or later, they'd realize something was very wrong.

Izuku lifted his head slightly, staring down at the half-formed notes scrawled on the page. He needed a plan, and fast. There had to be a way to keep the police off his trail without raising suspicion. If he could just buy some time—enough to figure things out.

The boy clenched his jaw, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. No one can know what he carried—at least, not yet. The young man had to stay calm, think smart, and keep moving forward. There was too much at stake to get caught now.

Izuku was lost in thought when he felt a familiar, gentle presence beside him. Izuku turned slightly to see Nana Shimura materializing next to him, her expression calm and reassuring. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and for a single brief moment, the weight of all his worries lifted, replaced by the warmth of her support.

"You need to eat right now, Izuku," Nana said softly, her voice was carrying a comforting authority. "You'd just woke up after everything that happened last night. After the war and rescuing Eri, you'll need your strength." Her eyes glimmered with that same fierce determination he remembered from their encounters, a reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight.

He blinked, momentarily taken aback by her presence. He hadn't expected to see her so soon after the chaos of the previous night.

The truth was, he felt drained—mentally and physically—and she was right; Izuku needed to refuel. "I guess I did skip dinner," he admitted with a slight chuckle, running a hand through his hair.

Her expression softened as she continued, "Just a little food will help to clear your mind and give you the energy you need to figure things out. Trust me on this one."

The boy looked down at his notebook again, uncertainty was gnawing at him. "I can't just sit around eating while there are so many problems to deal with," he murmured, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Taking care of yourself is also part of the solution," she replied, her tone firm but gentle. "You can't face what's coming without the strength to do so. And besides, you can think better on a full stomach, kiddo. It's not about ignoring your responsibilities; it's all just about preparing for them."

He sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. Maybe she was right. A small meal wouldn't hurt, and it could help him think more clearly. "Alright, I'll go eat," he relented, offering Nana a tentative smile. "But I'll need to figure out on what to do about the police, too. I can't tell them the truth."

"Focus on one thing at a time," Nana advised, her voice steady. "Get some food in you first. You can tackle the rest afterward, okay kiddo? I'll be right here, helping you stay grounded."

Izuku soon got out of his room and made his way to the kitchen, a yawn escaping his lips as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. As he entered, the quietness of the house struck him; his mom was nowhere to be found.

"She's probably still asleep," Izuku muttered to himself, a twinge of guilt settling in his chest. It must have hit her hard, knowing the truth about him. Maybe it was for the best that she had a little more time to rest.

Just as he opened the fridge, Nana appeared beside him with a small grin on her face. "Need some help deciding what to cook?" Nana asked him, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, actually," he replied, glancing back at her. "I was thinking about making something for Mom and Eri, but I'm not sure what to cook."

Nana chuckled softly. "How about something simple but comforting for them? Eri might appreciate something sweet. I remember she loves apples. You could whip up a dish that's just mixed with apples—maybe some sort of applesauce or even apple pancakes?"

Izuku's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect! I could make some pancakes, and maybe I can add a little extra for Mom too. She does likes them with cinnamon."

"Great!" Nana encouraged, nodding. "It'll be a nice way to start the day for all of you. And cooking together is a great way to bond. Especially for little Eri!"

Izuku felt a sense of relief wash over him. Cooking had always been a source of comfort, and with her support, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Alright, let's go do this!" He declared, opening the cupboard to gather the ingredients.

Izuku rolled up his sleeves and began pulling out the ingredients. He grabbed a bag of flour, a carton of milk, some eggs, sugar, and a small bottle of vanilla extract from the cupboard. Nana leaned casually against the counter, arms folded, watching him with a relaxed grin as he worked.

The boy began placing the ingredients on the counter and rummaged through the fridge, finding a couple of apples tucked away in the drawer. "These should work," he muttered to himself, setting them beside the mixing bowl. He reached up for the cinnamon jar—because, well, his mom always said cinnamon made everything taste better.

"Don't forget the butter, kid," Nana chimed in. "Can't have pancakes sticking to the pan, right?"

Izuku smirked a little and grabbed the butter, placing it on the counter. "Good call," he said, feeling strangely at ease with her there. He tied his mom's apron around his waist—a habit that the boy never outgrew—and cracked his knuckles. Cooking for others was like second nature to Izuku, and after everything, it felt... grounding.

He measured out the flour and sugar, carefully tipping them into the bowl. His hands was moving quickly but methodically, whisking all the dry ingredients together before adding in the wet ones. He cracked the eggs one-handed, pouring them in with a quiet splat, followed by a glug of milk and a drizzle of vanilla.

"Hey, not bad, kiddo," she teased. "You've definitely done this before."

Izuku shrugged, stirring the batter smoothly. "When you live with just your mom, you learn how to cook early."

Izuku peeled and chopped the apples next, dicing them into neat little chunks. He tossed them into a small pan with a knob of butter, letting the sweet smell fill the air as they sizzled and caramelized. He added a sprinkle of sugar and just the right amount of cinnamon, stirring as the mixture turned golden.

"Smells good already," she said, breathing in the aroma.

He gave the apples one last stir, satisfied with the sticky glaze they'd developed. He added them into the pancake batter and Izuku began giving it a final mix, making sure each spoonful would carry bits of apple.

"Alright," he said, turning toward the stove. "Time to get cooking."

Nana gave him a playful pat on the shoulder. "I think Eri and your mom are going to love this."

He smiled faintly at that as he set the pan on the stove, already feeling a little lighter. Cooking for them didn't fix everything, but it was a good start.

With Eri's sweet apple pancakes cooking nicely on low heat, and his mom's breakfast was halfway done, Izuku turned his attention to making his own food. He opened the fridge and scanned all its contents, mentally listing what he needed—protein, carbs, and some healthy fats to rebuild his strength.

The boy pulled out a carton of eggs, chicken breast, a container of Greek yogurt, and some spinach. He also grabbed oats from the pantry and set a banana on the counter. It wasn't a fancy spread, but it was everything he needed to fuel his training.

The boy cracked a few eggs into a bowl, whisking them together quickly. He seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper, tossing it into a pan with a splash of an olive oil. The satisfying sizzle filled the kitchen, and Izuku shifted back and forth on his feet as he waited for it to cook.

As he flipped the chicken, he thought about his current limits. As right now, without relying on any of the other Quirks stored in One for All, he could comfortably use 45% of its base power. It was a far cry from when even 20% made his muscles scream in protest. Progress, but not enough—not yet.

He had a few months left until the U.A. Entrance Exam. Time was short, but it was enough to make a difference. If he trained hard every day, ate right, and built himself back up, Izuku could push that percentage higher. 50%, maybe even 75%, would give the young man an edge. It was ambitious, but that's what he needed — every bit of power counted.

Once the chicken was done, he set it aside to cool and poured all the beaten eggs into another pan. While the omelet cooked, Izuku mashed the banana into his oats and mixed in a spoonful of a yogurt. Protein, carbs, and just enough sugar to keep Izuku going without slowing him down.

Once everything was cooked, the boy didn't take long to finish. Izuku carefully arranged the food on the dining table, placing the fluffy pancakes alongside his colorful omelet, with a small bowl of a couple fresh fruits as a side. Stepping back, he placed his hands on his waist and smiled at his creation.

"It's been a while since I've cooked, and I guess I'm not rusty at all!" The boy said to himself, pride swelling in his chest at the sight of the spread. The vibrant colors and enticing smells filled the kitchen, making it all feel warm and inviting.

Just then, Nana appeared at his right side, a playful pout on her lips. "It looks so good, Izuku! I'm jealous! Too bad I can't eat any of it since I'm just a vestige of One for All," Nana remarked, crossing her arms with a mock frown on her face, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.

The boy chuckled, shaking his head. "I wish you could, Nana. You've been such a big help, and it would be nice to share a meal together." He motioned to the table, his smile widening. "Maybe one day, I'll cook for everyone. For now, I'll just have to enjoy it for the both of us."

Knowing that everything was ready, Izuku headed back to his room. He opened the door slowly, trying to keep the creak to a minimum. The sight of little Eri sleeping peacefully on his bed brought a smile to his face. She looked so serene, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath.

Walking quietly, he perched himself on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb her too much. Izuku couldn't help but chuckle softly as he watched her snooze, her small features relaxed and untroubled. "Eri, it's time to wake up," Izuku said gently, giving her a light pat on the shoulder. "I made some good food for you."

Izuku waited, watching Eri's face for any sign of waking. Moments later, she stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she slowly registered his presence. For a brief moment, they simply stared at each other, and Izuku's heart warmed at the sight of her sleepy, innocent gaze.

Then, in an instant, Eri's expression shifted dramatically. Her red eyes widened, shimmering with an emotion, and her lips quivered as if holding back a sob. Before Izuku could say anything, the girl let out a soft, broken cry and quickly threw herself into his arms, wrapping Izuku in a tight, desperate hug.

"It's not a dream! You're really here!" She exclaimed, her small voice was cracking under the weight of relief and overwhelming emotion. Her grip on him was fierce, as though she feared he might vanish if she loosened her hold even slightly.

Izuku looked at her solemnly, feeling the weight of her relief wash over him. With a gentle smile, the boy softly patted her head, allowing her to cling to him for as long as she needed. "I'm here, Eri. I promise, it's all real," he reassured her, his voice steady and warm.

Her sobbing began to taper off into soft hiccups, but her small arms only tightened around Izuku, clinging to his shirt like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Her fragile body trembled against his, as if letting go would cause him to disappear like the fleeting dreams she had feared.

He stayed still, one hand gently cradling the back of her head while the other rested on her back, rubbing slow, soothing circles. "I've got you," he whispered, his voice low and steady, as though speaking any louder might shatter the moment. "I'm not going anywhere. I won't. I promise."

The boy can feel her slowly starting to relax, though she still held onto the young man with the quiet desperation of someone who'd spent way too long lost in the dark. Izuku stayed with her, patient and steady, giving her the time she needed to believe he was really there.

Izuku continued to cradle Eri's head gently, the warmth of her small frame pressed against him grounding him in the moment. He leaned down just enough for his chin to rest lightly on the top of her silver hair. "Eri," the boy whispered softly, his hand was still rubbing comforting circles on her back. "I made some food for you. I think you'll really like it."

Eri sniffled, her grip loosening slightly, though she didn't pull away entirely. She peeked up at Izuku, her big, red eyes still watery but full of a cautious hope. "R-Really?" She asked him in a small voice, like the idea of someone cooking just for her was still something hard to believe.

He smiled warmly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "Yeah, really," Izuku assured her, his tone light and gentle. "There's something sweet in it, too. It's apples."

Her expression brightened as her stomach let out a soft growl, the sound causing her cheeks to flush pink. Izuku couldn't help but let out a chuckle, his heart warming at the adorable sight. Gently, he wiped away the last traces of her tears with his thumb. "Looks like that even your tummy is excited! How about we go head to the kitchen and eat together? I promise you'll love it."

Eri thought deeply at that.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice stronger now. "I want to eat."

The boy grinned, feeling a rush of relief and joy at her response. "Great! Let's go," he said, gently pulling her up and guiding her to her feet. The boy reached out for her hand, intertwining their fingers, and together they soon both walked out of the room.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Izuku felt a sense of purpose stir within him. He pulled out his phone and tapped on All Might's contact, staring at the screen for a moment before he began typing.

Today, 8:45 AM

We need to talk about something, All Might. It's really important. Let's meet at Dagobah Beach, please. It's best to talk about it in person.

Delivered 8:45 AM

After hitting send, Izuku slipped his phone back into his pocket, glancing down at Eri as she walked beside him, her eyes shining with curiosity. The boy hoped All Might would respond quickly and agree to meet Izuku. There were so many questions swirling in his mind about his situation, and he needed guidance more than ever.

As they soon entered the kitchen, the delicious aroma of breakfast enveloped them, reminding him of the warmth he wanted to create not just for himself, but for Eri and his mom too. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the nervous energy building inside him. Today was going to be a turning point, he could feel it. He hoped that it'll be good.

God, he hope his luck is with his side.

But school starts tomorrow, so there's that.

So that means he'll meet the Kacchan of this timeline. Great. Just great.

TO BE CONTINUED