- .My Hero Academia 180 degrees. -
19. Where All Might chooses his successor and Midoriya searches for Dabi.
Standing in front of the window in his study, Toshinori gazed absentmindedly at the blue sky stretching over the city. In the distance, the urban hustle and bustle felt distant, as if this moment of reflection had separated him from the everyday noise. The branches of the tree just outside swayed gently, and high up in the tree, a nest housed a pair of birds, seemingly unaware of any of the world's concerns.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, and as he turned, he saw Tsukauchi, his old friend and the chief of police, walk in with a warm smile.
—Thanks for coming, Tsukauchi —Toshinori said, his voice filled with gratitude.
—I was in the area and saw your message —Tsukauchi replied, closing the door behind him with a quiet click as he moved toward the center of the room.
Toshinori, with a serious demeanor and a more somber expression than usual, picked up an envelope from his desk and handed it to his friend.
—The reason I asked you here —he began, his voice softer than usual— is because I want to entrust you with something of great importance to me. I want you to give this to young Midoriya… but only if something happens to me.
Tsukauchi took the envelope carefully, and noticing it was unsealed, raised an eyebrow in surprise.
—Do you want me to seal it? —he asked, seeking his friend's gaze.
—No. I left it open on purpose so you could read it too —Toshinori crossed his arms—. I have nothing to hide from you. You have my complete trust.
—May I? —Tsukauchi asked to be sure, and seeing his friend nod, he took a seat on the couch.
Toshinori turned his gaze back to the window, focusing on the nest in the tree, where a bird and its chick sat, and recalled the words he had written in the letter.
'Young Midoriya, I've been watching you closely these past few months, and as I told you that day on the beach, you have far exceeded my expectations.
At first, I only wanted to help you find your own path according to your abilities. But after getting to know your kind heart and your quick, determined mind, I couldn't help but think that this is exactly what the world needs right now.
When I became a hero, the threat of All for One still loomed large, and without realizing it, my path became stained with blood over time. That is not the path I want for you, young Midoriya.
I believe that if you cultivate One for All, this power could evolve into something unprecedented, something beyond the violence and death I've left in my wake.
I've decided not to tell you all of this just yet, not because I don't trust you, but because I don't want you to feel the pressure of being my successor and draw too much attention while you're still learning to master my power.
Shigaraki is still out there, and I promise to do everything I can to ensure he doesn't become a burden for you. Since he is the successor of my greatest enemy and, at the same time, the grandson of my master, I believe it is my responsibility to deal with him.
For now, just focus on being a normal student in the hero course. I believe I still have the strength left to keep you from facing unnecessary challenges that would push you past your limits and cause worry to those around you. Your time to shine will come when you become the new symbol of peace in the future.
I hope this letter never reaches you due to any tragic circumstances, but if it does, take care of yourself, and know that a part of me will always be with you. All Might.
After finishing the letter, Tsukauchi carefully folded it and slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat. He stood up from the couch and looked at his friend, who remained motionless by the window.
—Very touching, All Might. I promise I'll keep it safe —he said solemnly.
Toshinori offered a faint smile, but the sadness that enveloped him lingered on his face.
—I'd also like to ask you another favor —he said, without taking his eyes off the nest—. I'd like you to help young Midoriya take a test to enter the police force.
Tsukauchi frowned, visibly puzzled.
—But doesn't that contradict what you just wrote in the letter? —he asked, still perplexed.
—Well, I promised him. Even though something tells me he has already made the firm decision to enter UA, I want to show him that he has many options to make his dreams come true —He paused, lowering his gaze slightly—. I realize that young Midoriya suffered a lot when I told him he couldn't be a hero without a quirk, and when he thought he had already chosen a successor, but that's because he has only been looking at my successes without giving enough weight to my countless failures. I think he is still too young to understand several aspects of life, like that you shouldn't get depressed just because things don't turn out the way you expect.
Tsukauchi nodded in silence, understanding Toshinori's intentions more clearly. The man who had always been a symbol of strength and hope was now revealing another side—one more human and aware of the impact his actions could have on the lives of others.
He walked over to the window, standing beside Toshinori as they both watched the tree branches sway gently in the breeze.
—When I first met Midoriya the day Shigaraki appeared at the mall, he struck me as a good kid. Though, I must admit, it seemed like he was in the middle of a date when everything happened —Tsukauchi said with a small smile—. Do you think he's focused enough to become an outstanding hero?
Toshinori let out a brief laugh, as if that comment had lightened the mood for a moment.
—In that sense, I think you can expect from him what you would from any kid his age —he replied with a more genuine smile—. But I don't see that as a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it might even become a reason for him to give his all. To not give up.
—You're right. Just because we both became workaholics doesn't mean all heroes have to give up having a partner or a family —Tsukauchi reflected.
— I just hope young Midoriya can find the balance he needs in life.
...
Himiko Toga was sitting on the edge of a rickety bed, struggling to put on her socks when, suddenly, the door burst open, interrupting her peace.
—Ahhh! —they both screamed in unison, equally startled.
The door slammed shut immediately, only to reopen moments later, revealing a somewhat bewildered Shigaraki.
—Hey, who are you?
She stood up and bowed, as if she were in the presence of royalty.
—Hi. I'm Himiko Toga —she said, her voice dripping with a mix of sweetness and something darker.
Shigaraki narrowed his eyes at her, clearly suspicious of her attitude.
—And what are you doing here? —he continued—. You know it's illegal to trespass on private property, right?
—Well, I was running naked down the street…
—Naked?
—Long story —she continued, ignoring his reaction—. Anyway, I saw a magical portal in an alley and decided to enter for shelter. And I think it was the right call because it closed right behind me. Then I took a nap for a few days.
—Kurogiri! —Shigaraki called out, not taking his eyes off her.
Kurogiri appeared behind him, like a silent shadow, his calm demeanor contrasting with the tension building in the room.
—You'll need all the help you can get to carry out your plan, Tomura Shigaraki —Kurogiri said with his usual calmness—. I've been observing her for a while, just like others, and she has what it takes to be of use to you.
Shigaraki frowned.
—But a schoolgirl? —Shigaraki questioned him.
—You've been watching me? You perverts! —she accused, pulling out a knife from her clothes—. As for your plans, I'm not interested in being told what to do or how to act.
Without warning, Toga lunged at Shigaraki, moving with the speed of a predator. However, just as the blade of her knife was about to graze his neck, a portal appeared out of nowhere, twisting her movement, and the knife ended up pointed at her own throat. The shock made her drop the weapon.
Shigaraki, unfazed, bent down to pick up the knife. As soon as his fingers touched it, it disintegrated in seconds.
—Hey, two against one isn't fair —Toga complained, frowning as she glared at Shigaraki and Kurogiri.
—That's life, kid. Life isn't fair —Shigaraki responded coldly—. That's what we're trying to prove here: to change the order of things. —He stepped aside, leaving the doorway clear—. If you want everything to stay the same and have society and heroes tell you what to do, you can leave. Kurogiri will open a new portal for you.
—Yes —the other responded, immediately obeying.
Toga, however, didn't move. Her eyes locked onto Shigaraki, and a silent connection seemed to form between them, something dark and twisted that bound them in an unspoken understanding. The portal closed again.
—If I'm going to stay for a while… can I bring someone else? —she asked with the same fake innocence she'd shown from the start.
—Another schoolgirl? —Shigaraki asked, unenthused.
—No, but close —Toga replied with a grin.
Before Shigaraki could say anything else, Kurogiri spoke, always a step ahead.
—I believe the person you're referring to is already here —he pointed out, glancing toward the hallway.
A moment later, Twice appeared, holding a tray.
—Anyone want waffles? —he said cheerfully—. I made them with lots of love, though I think there aren't enough for everyone.
Shigaraki sighed in exhaustion.
...
Midoriya took a deep breath as he firmly gripped the gun, his gaze focused and determined. He closed one eye, aligning the sights with the target in front of him. The sound of gunfire echoed across the training field, one shot after another, precise and calculated.
When he finished the round, he lowered the weapon and exhaled the breath he had been holding. His eyes sparkled with a mix of satisfaction and determination, but there was no time to relax. The next test awaited him.
The obstacle course stretched out before him. A rope hung, swaying slightly in the wind, followed by a net that would force him to crawl on the ground, and finally, an imposing wall that he would have to climb. Without hesitation, Midoriya lunged for the rope, building momentum and swinging himself across with agility. The net slowed him down, but it didn't stop him; his body slipped through the gaps as his hands and legs worked in unison. Finally, he reached the wall. His hands grasped the protruding stones, and slowly, he ascended, gasping as he reached the top. A second later, he was already descending on the other side, his speed and skill showcasing the intense training he had undergone.
Tsukauchi, stopwatch in hand, stopped the timer just as Izuku ran past him. His smile was a recognition of all the effort the young man had put into each test.
—Looks like Toshinori has been pushing you to your limits —Tsukauchi said with admiration as he showed him the recorded time. Izuku, still catching his breath, couldn't help but smile back, slowly straightening up.
—You could easily pursue a career with the police if you wanted to at some point.
—Thank you, sir —Izuku replied, now standing tall with a serious expression—. It's good to have options.
—And about what you mentioned earlier —Tsukauchi continued—, have you thought about applying to another hero academy? You know, just in case. It seems like this year's trials will be the toughest UA has seen in years.
—I've been thinking about it for a while —he admitted, his voice calm as he recalled the moments that had defined his decision—. The reality is that it doesn't have to be UA for me to become a hero, but now I have several reasons for wanting to get in there.
In his mind, memories paraded one by one. He thought about the construction volunteers and how he felt that all of them had become his friends, a stark contrast to his current situation at school. Inevitably, his thoughts drifted to Kacchan and Todoroki, two people so different from each other, yet whom he imagined walking the same path to becoming heroes at UA. However, it was the thought of Uraraka that made him linger a bit longer.
The memory of that moment—fleeting yet intense—when Uraraka had kissed him on the corner of his lips filled his mind. Despite his effort to remain serious, a slight blush colored his cheeks, and his heart beat a little faster. He quickly shook the thought away as the sound of a whistle echoed across the field. The police academy students were running back and forth, busy with their own training.
And then, an idea surfaced in his mind, something he hadn't considered before. Midoriya looked at Tsukauchi with a thoughtful yet determined expression.
—Excuse me, sir —he began, with some hesitation—, if it's not too much trouble, do you think I could ask you for a favor?
Tsukauchi observed him with curiosity, following his gaze toward the training students, unable to guess what he was thinking.
—Yes. Of course —he replied, relaxing his shoulders—, tell me, Midoriya. What's on your mind?
...
Dressed in the police academy uniform, Midoriya felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he walked through the city streets. The uniform gave him a strange sensation, as if he were on an undercover mission. In his backpack, he carried one of his notebooks, filled with notes and observations, and a sketch of Dabi that he had drawn by hand. As he walked, he recalled the recent video call he had with Todoroki just before heading out.
—It's him! —Todoroki exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the sketch Midoriya had made—. You really have a talent for drawing, Midoriya.
Izuku smiled, a bit shy from the compliment.
—Well, they used to tease me about my drawings, so I decided to practice, and it turned out not to be that difficult —he explained with a smile, but almost immediately adopted Todoroki's serious expression—. Despite what Dabi said about having a collaborator with a quirk capable of broadcasting to anywhere in the world, I think he was exaggerating. I went through my notebooks and found a mention of a hero with a similar power. In an interview, they said that people with quirks for transmitting images or videos have never had a range greater than two kilometers. That means that when Dabi made that broadcast, he was probably not too far from your house, Todoroki.
Todoroki nodded, his face impassive but his mind clearly working.
—Alright. Then we'll split up to cover more ground —he said, already plotting a plan in his mind.
—I also drew a sketch of what Dabi might look like if he tried to hide his identity, with glasses and a mask —Midoriya added, showing him the alternative drawing.
Todoroki studied it thoughtfully.
—Okay. We'll ask the vendors if they've seen anyone fitting that description, someone who seems to be hiding scars or their face. Even if the odds are low, it's better than doing nothing.
Izuku nodded, filled with determination. There was always a way to move forward, even if the paths seemed difficult or unclear. Now, as he walked through the streets with his notebook and the sketch of Dabi in hand, he recalled every detail of that conversation. They had to find him, and every clue, no matter how small, was crucial.
Suddenly, his concentration broke when a tall woman with black hair and a pink dress bumped into him. She seemed distracted, walking backward without paying attention. The impact made him stagger, and his notebook fell to the ground, scattering some of its pages and the sketch of Dabi.
—I'm sorry —the woman immediately apologized, bending down to help him pick up his things. Her hands found the sketch first, and she looked at it curiously as she picked it up.
—This person... —she murmured, slightly furrowing her brow as she examined the drawn face.
Izuku felt his heart skip a beat with excitement. It could be a lead.
—Excuse me —he said, a mix of hope and urgency in his voice—. Have you seen him?
The woman looked at him for a second longer, her expression thoughtful before she shook her head.
—No. I just thought something terrible must have happened to him to end up looking like this —she replied, a slight sadness in her tone.
Midoriya paused for a moment, surprised by the comment. Seeing Dabi's face without context, he couldn't help but somewhat agree. Despite everything Dabi had done, there was something tragic about his appearance, something that suggested deep pain or suffering.
—Is he missing? —the woman asked, curious.
—Actually, he's being sought after. If you see him, I would appreciate it if you could report it to the police immediately —Midoriya replied firmly, recovering the sketch and placing it back in his notebook. He gave a quick nod as a goodbye before continuing on his way.
The woman, for her part, watched him disappear into the crowd, a glimmer of cunning in her eyes hidden behind her glasses. A faint smile formed on her lips, though no one could have seen it.
—So you've made a decision, Toshinori —Gran Torino's voice echoed through the earpiece, rough yet filled with curiosity.
—That's right, Master —All Might replied, settling into his chair with a mix of nervousness and determination—. What do you think about it?
There was a brief silence on the line, followed by a soft sigh.
—I must admit, I'm surprised, but I can't say I dislike the kid entirely.
Toshinori smiled, letting out a warm laugh.
—I guess that means you like him quite a bit.
—At least the kid thinks a lot before acting —Gran Torino responded firmly—. Unlike a certain impulsive young man I met many years ago.
—I'm trying to improve, Master. I think this decision is my greatest test of that.
Gran Torino paused before continuing.
—There's something that intrigues me, though —Gran Torino observed—. From what I understood from Nana Shimura, you can't transfer your power to someone without that person being aware of what it is, that they are receiving it, and that they agree with the current bearer. That's what prevents anyone who comes into contact with your DNA from automatically obtaining One for All.
—Yeah, I've thought a lot about it —Toshinori admitted, carefully looking at the meal he was preparing—. But I think I've found a sort of... legal loophole.
Gran Torino fell silent, waiting expectantly for him to continue.
—While —All Might continued— a clear example of how it wouldn't work would be a schoolgirl trying to force the boy she likes to accept her Valentine's chocolates without him wanting to take them. What I'm trying to do is more like a girl who is already dating a boy. She leaves the chocolates in his locker without saying anything, and when he finds them, even though he doesn't know for sure who left them, he decides to eat them, thinking they're from her. That should be enough to complete the transfer of One for All.
—You and your strange examples, Toshinori. You'll never change, will you? —Gran Torino retorted—. But alright. If you've lived with that power for years, I suppose you know it better than anyone.
—That's right, Master —All Might said, a new seriousness in his voice—. I just hope that when the time comes, he still admires me enough as All Might to think of me when he uses the power for the first time.
—And when do you plan to do that?
—I'll see him later and try to give him some of my DNA discreetly —Toshinori was preparing a meal with sandwiches and then observed one of his blonde hairs before placing it in the middle of the sandwich—. I can't imagine asking him to eat my hair, even telling him the truth.
—Knowing you, Toshinori, I can definitely imagine you saying that —Gran Torino replied, without a trace of doubt.
—I don't know what strange concept you have of me, Master —Toshinori reproached, somewhat discouraged.
Midoriya had been wandering the neighborhood for two hours, asking locals for any trace of Dabi, but he had no luck. Tired and with a dry mouth, he decided to take a moment to rest in the nearest park, leaning toward a water fountain to drink. The cool liquid relieved his thirst, but his mind remained restless, always alert, searching for answers around every corner.
As he stood up, he heard children's voices not far from him.
—What's wrong with you? Why don't you want to play heroes? —asked a boy.
Curious, Midoriya turned in the direction of the sound. Three kids were surrounding another boy, one wearing a red cap with little horns. The three were trying to force him to join their game.
—With that cap you'd make the perfect villain. Come on! —one of the kids said, tugging at the boy's arm.
—I said I don't want to! —the boy in the cap protested, his voice tense.
Then a scuffle broke out between the three kids and the boy in the cap.
The atmosphere didn't seem particularly violent, and the adults in the park paid little attention. They probably thought it was just kids being kids. But from Midoriya's perspective, that little scene felt uncomfortable. Memories of his childhood surfaced uninvited, reminding him of the days he himself had been pushed into similar situations. He couldn't just stand by.
One of the three kids picked up a stone from the ground and, without a second thought, threw it at the boy in the cap. Midoriya reacted instinctively, running toward them. The stone grazed his arm, but he managed to interpose himself before it could hit the boy.
—I think that's enough, kids. Play nicely.
The two girls accompanying the aggressive boy looked at Midoriya, surprised, and one of them whispered:
—Let's get out of here.
The one who had thrown the stone glared at Midoriya for a moment longer, then pointed at him.
—You can't pretend to be a hero if you're just a student from the police academy!
—Y-yeah— Midoriya couldn't believe that after so many years, he was being bullied again by someone who was four years old.
—And you, Kota, are a weirdo for not liking heroes! —he shouted before running away.
Before Midoriya could process the situation, he noticed the boy in the cap, the center of all the commotion, glaring at him with an annoyed expression. Midoriya tried to recall what he had learned recently from Kachan and aimed not to make the same mistake.
—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intervene. It's not that I thought for a second that you were weak, but three against one didn't seem fair even for someone strong.
The boy continued to glare at him, brows furrowed.
—Besides, it's not that you don't like heroes. You probably didn't want to play with them because they were trying to force you to be the villain, right?
Then the boy hid his face under his cap.
—I... I hate both heroes and villains!
Before Midoriya could react, the boy punched him in the groin with all the strength his small fists could muster. Midoriya felt the pain shoot through his body, his face paling instantly, and he had no choice but to kneel down.
—And I also hate busybodies who only hurt themselves trying to protect others! —the boy reproached him, stepping on his hand before running off, leaving him on the ground, confused and in sharp pain.
In the midst of the pain, Midoriya wondered how he had messed up again. He reflected, unable to stop himself from questioning if he had completely misinterpreted the situation.
To make matters worse, his phone began to vibrate, and he had to answer it, as it could be someone with information about Dabi.
—H-Hello... —he managed to say, his voice trembling.
—Midoriya? —Todoroki's unmistakable voice sounded serious on the other end—. Get here quickly. It seems someone showed up at the police station and knows something about Dabi.
—My real name is Momo Yaoyorozu —she revealed, removing her sunglasses and adjusting her hair as if that alone unveiled her true identity. Though, in reality, there wasn't much of a difference.
—Ah! You were in disguise —Midoriya immediately understood, almost shouting in surprise—. But why?
—Well...
But before she could respond, Todoroki interrupted with a palpable urgency in his voice.
—I think that can wait —he said, his cold eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation—. If you know anything about the person in the drawing, I need you to tell me as soon as possible. My ability to find my mother depends on this.
Yaoyorozu became more serious upon hearing that.
—I don't just know something. I can take you to him —she almost boasted—. Based on some assumptions that would be very complicated to explain right now, and also with a bit of luck, I ran into the person you're looking for. Discreetly, I pretended to trip over him and tagged his clothes with a tracking chip.
—Do you always carry trackers? —Chief Tsukauchi questioned her.
—My quirk allows me to create things as needed, as long as I know their physical properties and how they work —Yaoyorozu explained confidently.
—And can you create the tracker locator right now? —Todoroki asked.
—Of course. If you all look away for a moment, I can give it to you —she assured them, beginning to concentrate.
Midoriya and Chief Tsukauchi immediately averted their gaze, but Todoroki didn't understand.
—Why...?
Yaoyorozu briefly revealed the area around her chest on her dress, and only then did Todoroki look away.
—Here it is —she announced once she finished, her cheeks slightly flushed as she extended the locator to Todoroki, who hesitated for a moment to take it—. If it's true that you need it to locate your mother, this will help —she insisted, and then Todoroki took it.
Chief Tsukauchi immediately sprang into action, pulling out his phone and calling his team as he headed for the door.
—Your father is on a mission, but I don't think he would ever forgive us if we left him out of this. I'm going to try to locate him and see if he's finished —he said seriously as he exited.
Todoroki stood up and nodded, determined.
—I'll go too —he declared, following the police chief.
Tsukauchi looked at him for a moment, and understanding that Todoroki wouldn't let go of the locator for anything in the world, he didn't insist on dissuading him.
—Sure. Then come with me.
Both left quickly, but just as they were about to cross the door, Todoroki stopped. He turned back and looked at Midoriya and Yaoyorozu, who were watching him from the other side of the room.
—Thank you both —he said with a sincerity that resonated in the small space.
Both Midoriya and Yaoyorozu smiled back at him, a warmth that briefly lightened the tension of the situation.
Shigaraki, with his restless fingers, observed the members surrounding him with a mix of frustration and determination.
—Alright. Does everyone understand the plan now? Because I won't repeat it again —he asked, making it clear that his patience was wearing thin.
Dabi, standing in a dark corner, crossed his arms, his face serious yet nonchalant at the same time.
—I already told you I'll be busy that day. I don't like being included in your plans —he confronted, his words dripping with disdain.
Shigaraki frowned, his expression darkening.
—Don't forget that it was Kurogiri who helped you with what you asked for. So anything you have to do can wait —he replied in a threatening tone, making it clear that he wouldn't accept any refusals.
Sitting in the front row, Twice watched the tension in the air, but something caught his attention. His gaze fixed on Dabi's shirt.
—Hey, before the destruction and fire break loose, let me save this little bug that has nothing to do with this —he said with a mix of seriousness and his characteristic light tone.
Shigaraki and Dabi turned to where Twice was pointing, discovering something unusual. On Dabi's shirt, a tiny electronic device was revealed. Dabi frowned, but before he could react, Shigaraki had already extended his hand. With a quick gesture, he disintegrated the device in his palm, his frustration evident.
—A tracking device! —he deduced angrily, grinding his teeth.
—You let them tag you with a tracking chip? I think you're not too bright —Twice remarked.
In his mind, Dabi recalled the moment he had stumbled upon a flamboyant girl with pink hair in the street.
—Yeah... Maybe I'm not very bright —Dabi admitted, a hint of self-criticism in his voice.
Twice, however, quickly jumped in with his carefree optimism.
—No, don't say that! Just think of it as them being too smart. Yeah, that sounds better! —he tried to cheer him up, as if the group's morale depended on everyone staying optimistic.
Furious, Shigaraki stepped forward, his fingers ready to disintegrate something other than just a tracker. His intent to attack Dabi was clear, but before he could make any move, Kurogiri appeared between them, his presence calm and calculated.
—No, Tomura Shigaraki —Kurogiri intervened, his voice low yet firm—. We could use this to our advantage. If they know where we are, we can lure them into a trap. But for that, we'll need Twice's powers, and we need to leave immediately.
Twice, always in his own world, raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
—Me? —he asked, dramatically pointing to himself as if unsure he had heard correctly.
...
Author's Notes.-
Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. It always makes me smile.