In this darker reimagining of My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya starts as a humble chemistry teacher in UA's General Studies department. Quirkless and sidelined from the hero track, Midoriya's role is far from the heroic destiny he once dreamed of. Though respected for his deep knowledge of chemistry and biology, he watches with quiet resentment as the Hero Course students receive glory, status, and attention—all things he once yearned for.
The Setup:
As Japan's top Hero School, UA is called upon by law enforcement to assist in investigating the dangerous street drug "Trigger," which has been destabilizing society. Trigger, capable of amplifying quirks to monstrous levels, is causing chaos across Japan, affecting both villains and rogue heroes. The police, knowing Midoriya's chemistry expertise, request his help in breaking down the components of the drug, believing he might offer valuable insights into how it works.
Midoriya, despite being quirkless, is an expert in biochemical reactions and quirks due to his academic pursuits. The idea of studying Trigger intrigues him. He theorizes that this drug, if properly controlled, could finally give him what he's always wanted—an edge, a quirk, a chance to be more than just an ordinary teacher. Initially, he approaches the investigation with idealistic intentions, hoping that cracking the mystery behind Trigger could lead to making the world safer, maybe even giving him a hero-like status. However, as he dives deeper into the drug's properties, he realizes it could offer him more than heroism—it could offer power.
Mina Ashido - The Former Love:
One of the catalysts in Midoriya's descent is his past relationship with Mina Ashido. Years ago, while still a student at UA, Midoriya and Mina grew close due to his knowledge of chemistry and biology, which he used to help her understand and optimize her Acid Quirk. Despite their different courses, they shared a special bond, with Midoriya secretly falling in love with her. Mina, an energetic and ambitious student on the Hero Course, relied heavily on Midoriya's expertise to refine her quirk. She was drawn to his intelligence and diligence, but her ultimate focus was on becoming a professional hero.
As Mina advanced in the Hero Course, she realized that balancing a relationship with her demanding career path was too difficult. She ended things with Midoriya, telling him that her hero work needed all her attention. Being the kind and timid person he was, Midoriya accepted her decision, suppressing any hurt or resentment. On the surface, he remained understanding and supportive, convinced that she had made the right choice.
The Seed of Resentment:
Over time, however, Midoriya's insecurities and frustrations festered. Despite telling himself—and others—that he held no ill will toward Mina, the truth was far more complicated. Deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that Mina had abandoned him because of his quirkless status. The more he saw her succeed as a rising hero, the more the pain resurfaced. He began to believe that she had only used him for his knowledge, benefiting from his intellect to advance her own career while he remained stuck in a powerless existence.
As Midoriya delves deeper into Trigger, these buried feelings of inadequacy and betrayal begin to bubble up. His once noble intentions to help stop the drug's spread are slowly corrupted as he starts rationalizing that Trigger could be his ticket to becoming the hero he was always meant to be. He convinces himself that society, including Mina, had failed him, and that he deserved to take what was owed to him. This inner transformation starts subtly—small decisions to bend the law, justify shady dealings with the criminal underworld, and finally, use Trigger on himself.
Midoriya's Descent:
As Midoriya's ego inflates, he adopts the persona of "Deku" in the criminal world, a name that once represented his weakness but now symbolizes his dominance. Fueled by the power that Trigger grants him, he begins manufacturing and selling an improved version of the drug, using his deep understanding of quirks to control its effects. His former love for Mina warps into obsession and resentment, and he comes to believe that she left him for superficial reasons like status and power, convincing himself that her rejection was never about her career but about his lack of a quirk.
Midoriya's growing influence in the criminal underworld puts him at odds with UA's heroes, including Mina. She eventually becomes part of the task force seeking to stop the spread of Trigger, unaware that the mastermind behind it is the same boy she once cared for. This twisted irony deepens the tension as Midoriya's hatred for her festers, believing she represents everything wrong with the world—people who succeed through quirks, leaving behind those who lack them.
Ultimately, the story follows Midoriya's descent from an idealistic dreamer into a cold-hearted kingpin, constantly justifying his actions as a necessary evil in a flawed world. This reimagining explores the thin line between heroism and villainy, as well as the corrupting nature of power and ambition.