Chapter X: Aftermath
Two bodies dropped from a portal that formed overhead. They landed with a heavy thud inside the empty bar. Kurogiri stood up and went behind the counter to get himself a drink while Shigaraki slowly stood and took the nearest chair to sit on. The misty teleporter eyed his charge and found the man staring at the ground in a daze.
"Have you succeeded in your mission, Tomura?"
A voice, gentle yet foreboding, spoke through a set of speakers connected to one of two monitors. The person behind this screen was covered in shadows, given the almost non-existent lighting in his facility. This individual, while unclear due to the darkness, had multiple tubes connected to a respirator that was assisting his breathing.
"Sensei," Kurogiri spoke. "The mission has failed. Our forces were decimated by U.A.'s hero students and its two instructors."
"And the Nomu?"
"Gone, sensei. It was decapitated by two hero students."
The shadowy figure raised an eyebrow out of slight surprise while another person, seen through the second screen, cried in outrage.
"Impossible! That creature was specifically designed to kill All Might! How could it fall to two mere hero students!?"
"Even I couldn't comprehend how those children managed to slay our weapon."
The one called "Sensei" noticed that Tomura still hasn't spoken since he and Kurogiri arrived. This behavior was unlike anything his young protégé had shown. Something must've happened during their infiltration of UA.
"You've been quiet since you arrived, Tomura. Is something the matter?"
Tomura didn't reply immediately which was concerning. Normally, the man-child would voice his frustrations and grievances like some brat wanting compensation for his loss. This wasn't the case. He just looked shocked.
It wasn't until a minute later that he began to speak.
"They're not human."
"Hmm?" Sensei hummed.
"Those two students…they're not human." Shigaraki's voice sounded shaky. "They butchered Nomu like it was an animal. They…They fucking enjoyed it, too."
"What do you mean they enjoyed it?"
"They were laughing like maniacs while they hacked Nomu into bits. Those kids had grins that could make any villain quiver. Worst of all, Nomu was completely powerless against them."
Sensei was now intrigued. Whoever these two students were, they managed to put fear into Tomura which was a difficult feat all on its own.
"Kurogiri, could you describe these two students that Tomura mentioned?" requested the mastermind of the villain organization.
"Of course, sensei. One of them had orange hair wearing a white militaristic uniform, presumably his hero outfit. The other had dark green hair."
"And their quirks?"
"The boy with green hair could manipulate space. What's more, he can bring forth the concept of Infinity into reality." Despite being on-screen, Kurogiri could make out the smile of interest on his master's face. "Furthermore, this boy's quirk appears to be sentient – having its own identity separate from the child."
"Interesting. To think that a quirk that could manipulate the fundamental aspects of the universe exists. Dare I say, it could even outclass my quirk and One for All. However, what truly intrigues me is the fact that it is sentient. Tell me, did this sentient quirk happen to take over the boy's body during your encounter?"
"It did," confirmed the mist villain. "The Nomu managed to land a decisive blow to the boy that almost killed him. However, this sentient quirk took over and healed his injuries before proceeding to attack the Nomu. Interestingly, it gave itself a name while it was in control, probably to distinguish itself."
"And what would be the name of this sentient quirk?"
"It called itself Satoru Gojo… and he declared himself to be the honored one throughout the heavens and earth."
"Satoru Gojo," Sensei repeated. For some reason, that name sounded oddly familiar. "And what of the other boy?"
"He was the most ruthless of the students," Kurogiri replied. "The moment he entered the fray, he quickly killed every villain that crossed his path. He demonstrated high proficiency in swordsmanship, and he used it to eliminate our forces without hesitation. As for his quirk, he demonstrated multiple."
He may not show it, but Sensei was surprised. Except for his quirk and One for All, no other individual throughout his life had shown the capability to wield more than one quirk.
"This is such a discovery, master!" the individual on the other monitor exclaimed. "To think there could be another who has multiple quirks. Master, we must have this boy's quirk in our arsenal as well as the other."
"I agree, Garaki. The quirks of these two boys will prove to be useful in our plans. Kurogiri, keep an eye out for those two students from now on. It seems that Mirio Togata isn't the only person of interest we should keep a look out for."
"I will, sensei."
"As for you, Tomura, no one could have foreseen the outcome of your task, so I won't hold it against you that you failed. Instead, take this as a lesson you can improve on."
"Of course, sensei," Shigaraki bowed as he answered. His voice was still shaky from the encounter earlier, but he somewhat gained his bearings. "I was prepared to kill All Might, yet I haven't considered the mini-bosses seriously enough. I also wasn't prepared for random encounters."
"See, Tomura? Despite this loss, you gained something far more valuable which is insight."
"Thank you for your wisdom, sensei."
"Of course, Tomura; that is why I am here to guide you to be our symbol of villainy."
The USJ incident was something none of the faculty predicted. The idea that villains would be bold enough to infiltrate the most prominent hero school in Japan and attempt to kill All Might was unheard of.
Two injured teachers, a whole class of traumatized students, and a million yen's worth of property damage. Looking at it right now, UA was lucky that this was all they suffered and that there were no casualties. Still, though, other factors needed to be examined…
Or rather, two.
"Good lord!"
Ectoplasm's gasp wasn't the only reaction when the teaching staff had gathered to assess the events that transpired earlier. Some felt sick to the stomach while others simply looked away. Even the ever-calculating Principal Nezu was feeling queasy at the footage.
During the attack, communications were jammed thanks to one of the villains who possessed an electric quirk. However, that was the only thing it interfered with. The security cameras were still functional and the feed it captured is what the teachers are reviewing right now. While they watched each footage from the different zones within the USJ, two students stood out to them.
The first was Izuku Midoriya. The green-haired boy successfully rescued Asui and Mineta from the villains in the Shipwreck Zone. However, it seemed that using his powers had a backlash, causing his eyes and nose to bleed. The boy was still able to stop the villain leader Shigaraki from killing one of his classmates and momentarily subdue the Nomu. That said, his overexertion shut down his Infinity which caused him to nearly die at the hands of the monster.
The next was that of Kazui Kurosaki. This was the student everyone was wary of. Seeing him decimate scores of villains like a madman was more than unnerving. Every move the boy made was filled with malicious intent for his enemies. It got worse when they heard one of the villains threaten who was described to be Momo Yaoyorozu. It made Kazui more vicious and there was nothing the intruders could do but meet their demise.
Finally, there was the encounter between the villain leaders and Nomu against the Kurosaki kid and the emergence of Satoru Gojo. The initial fight nearly caused the death of Midoriya if not for the intervention of Kurosaki who easily blocked three punches from the Nomu that could rival the strength of All Might.
Then, Satoru Gojo surfaced. From then on, it was a one-sided surgical butchering of the Nomu that ended with its head and spine brutally pulled out by the gingerhead boy and the possessed student.
After watching the entire feed, Nezu finally shut the screen and turned to his teaching staff. It wasn't far-fetched to say that they were rattled by the events that unfolded. In fact, Present Mic had to leave the room to alleviate the discomfort he had in his stomach from watching such brutality.
"Kurosaki… did all that?" Sekijiro Kan aka Vlad King stuttered in disbelief.
"I'm afraid he did," Nezu answered. "What's more, it appeared that he held no hesitation in… dispatching the villains he fought."
"I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that he looked like he knew what he was doing," Snipe commented after seeing the video. "Those weren't the moves of a novice; more like a long-time practitioner with in-field experience."
Ken Ishiyama, otherwise known as Cementoss, nodded. "I have to agree with you. He definitely has training in swordsmanship, and he knows how to use it like it's second nature."
"I did receive feedback from both Aizawa and All Might regarding his performance during the battle trials and, without a doubt, this video just confirms how dangerous he could be with a blade. However, I'm more worried that he looked apathetic when he killed those villains."
Recovering Girl knew what the psychiatrist was talking about, and she had to agree. "I see it too. Most teenagers wouldn't even think of killing anyone, even villains. But Kurosaki held no remorse whatsoever. He eliminated every single enemy he fought and, when he got to the Nomu, he was smiling. He was enjoying the fight like it was the greatest form of entertainment he had in a while."
"It's clear that Kazui Kurosaki is a dangerous individual that should be monitored from here on out." Nezu sipped a brew of tea as he addressed the teachers in his presence. "That said, there is something I want to show you regarding Kazui Kurosaki and this Satoru Gojo who took possession of Izuku Midoriya." Again, the chimera turned the screen and presented the same feed of the reaper together with Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, and Jirō.
When the video showed the gingerheaded boy approaching his raven-haired friend, the teachers watching were left surprised when Kazui's hands glowed a faint green and Momo's injuries healed. He did the same thing to both Denki and Kyōka, the latter being just as surprised as they were.
"He has a healing quirk!?" Recovery Girl was the first to voice out her shock.
"Yes and a very powerful one at that," Nezu replied. "The boy sure has many surprises, doesn't he?"
"So he has two quirks?" Powerloader asked the principal, to which was replied with uncertainty.
"That is a possibility, but I think we should defer to our expert." The rat supreme then turned to his resident quirk analyst, Midnight. "What do you think, Kayama? Do you have anything for us?"
"I have two working theories at best," Midnight began her explanation. "One, he could have multiple quirks – not just these two but more in his arsenal. The second one is that this might be a subset of his quirk just like Todoroki's."
"I feel there's more to it than that, Midnight," Nezu remarked.
"There is. When I checked his records, the details regarding his quirk, Fullbring, were vague at best. Energy manipulation? What kind of energy? We know that Hadō from the Big Three has roughly the same ability, but we're at least aware that she uses her stamina as fuel. Kurosaki didn't state what is it that he manipulates. Moreover, in every instance that he uses his quirk, it was mostly the following: hardened skin for defense, All Might-levels of strength, barriers, and beams of energy similar to Nejire but hundreds of times more deadly. The healing was new to me though.
"You asked me if he had multiple quirks or just an extremely versatile one; well, my answer is it really doesn't matter. Either way, Kazui Kurosaki could be the most powerful child in the world."
"That is a bold statement to make, Nemuri," Present Mic expressed after hearing the analyst's opinion. "Surely the kid wouldn't be that strong, could he?"
"At the very least, he has the potential to be. We did see the same video where he effortlessly blocked three punches from an abomination that was made to kill All Might, right, Hizashi?"
With no argument to counter with, the DJ-themed hero kept quiet.
"Be that as it may, seeing that he had no qualms in using his quirk to basically slaughter his attackers, it stands to reason that there must be something wrong with his psyche or, at least, something happened in his past that made him this way. Do you agree, Inui?"
"Absolutely, Kayama," agreed the dogman. "That's why I propose to have both him and Midoriya with me for two-hour sessions every week."
"Speaking of Midoriya, here is another footage before the battle with the Nomu which focuses on our green-haired student."
Nezu then played the events after Izuku got hit by the Nomu. It seemed as if the boy was going to die even with the treatment coming from Yaoyorozu. However, a strange smokey glow enveloped the boy. Following that, all his injuries began fading, to the surprise of those watching. Once he was completely healed, Midoriya stood up to confront the beast that put him close to death. His interaction with everyone was different from his usual timid nature. Instead, he was cocky, and confident, and didn't hesitate to insult anyone he deemed weak, indicating that Satoru Gojo was now in control. After that, he joined Kazui and killed the Nomu.
"As you can see, Izuku Midoriya managed to survive the attack from the Nomu by healing himself. However, the price of that was the emergence of this Gojo character who aided Kurosaki in defeating the Nomu. This clearly shows that he is suffering from Multiple Personally Disorder and, as mentioned in the feed, all of it can be traced back to Katsuki Bakugō."
"Can we even believe this Satoru Gojo character?" Vlad King posed. He was still skeptical about this entity.
"While I do believe that this second personality is dangerous, we must not forget that this is still one of our students," the principal reminded. "He didn't choose to have this, but it was forced upon him."
"We need to find out the root cause of Midoriya's split personality," Hound Dog suggested. "I'd like to review his records from Aldera Junior High, as well as that of Bakugō. Based on their interaction during the battle trials, it's clear that there's tension between the two."
"Permission granted! Also, I'll be setting up an investigation into the school and its policies regarding the treatment of its students. This would shed some light on Midoriya's condition."
While the other teachers engaged in the discussion, Toshinori Yagi, in his pale form, sat quietly while contemplating the events that unfolded earlier. He was mentally scolding himself for not being there when his students needed him the most. Instead of arriving on time for their rescue drill, he went off doing hero work which forced him to rest and, in turn, deprived Class 1-A of a capable protector during the villains' intrusion. If he hadn't been so caught up in his hero work, then maybe young Midoriya may not have gone through that life-threatening ordeal.
However, despite all the things the boy has done, he still has doubts about where he obtained this power. All Might knows the boy was quirkless before he entered UA and now he possessed what could be the most powerful quirk in the world. He just can't seem to stop suspecting the kid from being connected to that man. After all, how else could a quirkless boy attain such a powerful quirk? Nothing, unless it was given to you.
Then there was the case of Kazui Kurosaki. Yagi had to admit that he was humbled when the gingerhead gave him a tongue-lashing regarding his approach to the battle training the other day. That said, he was also beginning to suspect that the kid was also connected to his archenemy. Going off of Midnight's reasoning, the boy could have multiple quirks. And, taking into account his violent nature, he would have to keep a close eye on Kazui as well.
"Thinking about this morning, Yagi?"
All Might's head shot up to find Nezu standing on the table in front of him. The meeting had just ended, and the rest of the faculty were leaving the conference hall.
"Yes, principal. I have been thinking about the students from Class 1-A."
Nezu raised an eyebrow. Being one of the smartest beings in the world, he was very observant when people were hiding something. "The whole class or just two people?"
"Am I that easy to read?"
"No, All Might. You're just too obvious." The little creature hopped off the table and landed softly on the ground. he then began walking away to address the potential uproar the events from earlier would cause.
"Principal Nezu…" Before All Might could continue what he was about to say, Nezu interrupted him.
"If this is about regarding Kurosaki and Midoriya and your suspicions of them being involved with All for One, then I'm confident to say that I don't share your views, Yagi."
"But principal!" Yagi stood up and stared at his superior in disbelief. "You heard Kayama earlier. Kazui Kurosaki may have multiple quirks and to have so many would mean that his power is unnatural. It also doesn't help the boy's case when his credentials are vague. Also, Midoriya was quirkless ten months ago. I should know because I met him at that time. There's no other way for him to obtain such a powerful quirk in such a short amount of time."
"Valid points, All Might, but you seem to forget that it is simply one of two working theories regarding Kurosaki. As for Midoriya, would you consider a boy who risked his life to save a classmate to be working for that man?"
"Then, what about this Satoru Gojo? If this personality were to appear again, are we certain that we could fight him should he see us as an enemy?"
Nezu turned around to face Japan's top hero. The chimera eyed Yagi with such scrutiny that even if he were in his muscular form, All Might would keel over.
"They are dangerous, that much is certain," Nezu spoke, his voice calm and clear. "However, I refuse to suspect those two students for something that may not be possible. Yes, Midoriya might have suddenly gained a quirk, but has he used that gift for selfishness? No. In fact, he suffered multiple backlashes from his quirk and risked his life just to save his classmates. Kazui Kurosaki, on the other hand, only showed his ruthlessness towards his attacker. He used his quirk to heal his injured classmates during that incident. Your suspicions do have some merit, but they are just children. Instead of doubts, they need our support now more than ever. I hope you understand where I'm getting at, Yagi."
With no rebuttal to answer, All Might watched as the principal of UA left the meeting hall.
-o0o-
Class 1-A was silent. It had only been a few hours since they encountered the League of Villains, so it was understandable that they were still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that people tried to kill them. They haven't even completed a month in U.A. and they already got a taste of true danger.
That said, the attack wasn't the only thing they were thinking of. They didn't want to admit it, but they were cautious around Kazui.
As for the mentioned boy, he knew that his classmates were wary of him. He could see the fear in their eyes as he made eye contact with anyone who looked his way. His actions earlier weren't very heroic in any sense. To kill was frowned upon in the hero community, so it wouldn't be a surprise if his classmates stopped interacting with him. However, he was used to being alone and if that were the repercussions of his actions, then it was a small price to pay if it meant that he kept them safe from harm.
The doors to the classroom opened, catching the students' attention. Midnight stepped in and stood in front of the traumatized class. The R-Rated Hero looked around and saw Class 1-A in a daze.
"Hello, students," Midnight greeted. "In light of recent events, your class will be given three days to recuperate from the attack earlier. You will return on Wednesday next week while all of you will undergo one-hour therapy sessions with Hound Dog to alleviate the trauma you experienced. After that, you will resume your regular classes."
Asui raised her hand and was acknowledged by the teacher. "Kayama-sensei, how's Aizawa-sensei?"
Nemuri sighed, indicating that the condition of the class' homeroom teacher was not good. "Aizawa suffered the most injuries from the attack earlier. Recovery Girls says that Aizawa will make a full recovery." The students breathed a sigh of relief. However, "That said, there is a possibility that he may have difficulty in using his quirk because of all the damage he sustained in his eyes. Worst case scenario? He may lose his sight completely."
The students gasped.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Another hand raised; this time, it was Uraraka. "What about Izuku? Is he alright?"
Midnight could tell from her tone that there was more than just worry. "Midoriya will also make a full recovery. Based on the reports, he managed to completely heal himself from all life-threatening injuries. He's just sleeping in the infirmary now."
A tear escaped the gravity girl's eyes knowing that her best friend was safe. "Oh, thank God." Relief washed over her. There was one more question she needed to ask. "Kayama-sensei, is it alright if I see Izuku later?"
"I see no problem with that," answered the hero, making Uraraka smile. When Midnight finally finished answering the students' questions, she turned to one of the two people of interest. "Kazui Kurosaki, Hound Dog and I would like to meet you at his office."
Kazui closed his eyes and breathed out. He knew what Kayama-sensei and Inui-sensei were going to ask. He didn't need to look around to know that all eyes were on him right now.
"Well, better get this over with."
The young reaper stood up and followed. He passed by his classmates, his steps light that they barely made a sound. The young reaper knew that his classmates were looking at him. He took a glance at them and found the same fearful expression he saw earlier. However, when his eyes met with Momo's, he saw worry instead. At least there was one who wasn't afraid of him.
Before Kazui stepped through the door, he turned around and faced the others. "I know all of you are afraid of me," he said. His voice was low but audible enough for them to hear. "You have every right to be… and I don't care. The only thing that matters to me is that every one of you is safe. I'm willing to do what I did again in a heartbeat; even if I get called a monster. That's my promise, not just to my father but to all of you."
After giving his speech, Kazui exited 1-A's homeroom, leaving his classmates more confused than afraid. They still couldn't get the image of Kazui out of their minds; his skill, ferocity, viciousness, and excitement as he butchered the Nomu. It was terrifying, not just to see someone mercilessly kill a living being but to have one of your friends do the deed itself.
However, they may have jumped to conclusions regarding Kazui's actions. They were in danger at that time, and the villains had every intent on killing them. Kazui simply retaliated with the same intent because it was either their lives or the intruders. The choice was clear, and now, they can see where their class rep was coming from.
Kazui Kurosaki was simply protecting them.
And, while the others just concluded now, there was one who thought of it earlier.
Momo wanted to reach out to Kazui and tell him that he did nothing wrong. He only did it because he wanted all of them to survive the ordeal. Looking at her classmates after Kazui spoke those words, she was glad that most, if not all, began seeing it from a different perspective. Still, there must be something she could do. After all, when she was about to throw away her life and dignity, it was Kazui who came and declared himself her protector.
An idea finally came to mind. While thanking her rescuer was one of its objectives, Momo also remembered that she and Kazui would reveal their secrets. "I should also get Midoriya in this since he just mentioned Satoru Gojo of all people. I'm going to message them later tonight to explain the details of this meet-up and maybe... I could show my gratitude to Kazui for saving me."
-{}-
Izuku's eyes slowly opened. He squinted when a bright light shone above him. After his sight adjusted to the brightness, he realized that he was in the school's infirmary; probably resting his body after Gojo took the driver's seat and basically jumped the Nomu together with Kazui.
"Gojo-sensei? Can you hear me?"
"I'm here kid," the spirit replied. "It's good seeing you all better."
"I know. Thanks for the save, sensei."
"Don't mention it. Also, remember when I told you that I was sorry?"
"I do."
"This is what I meant. My actions that day would make the teachers suspicious of you," Gojo revealed. "I know for a fact that the faculty will keep a close eye on you out of concern since I just declared that you have Multiple Personality Disorder, and out of fear because of Limitless. In a way, out of my concern to protect you, I inadvertently painted a target on your back."
Izuku knew where his mentor was getting at, and he wasn't angry – far from it. Sure, Gojo-sensei may have gone overboard but he still had his best interest at heart and that's what counts.
"Don't be sorry, Gojo-sensei. If anything, I should thank you for saving me and my classmates. Having suspicions about you and me was bound to happen so, let's deal with it together like we always do."
The Honored One couldn't help but smile at the kid. He could see that little by little, there was growing confidence in his protégé. However, it was this trust in him that he truly admired. Gojo will do anything to bring out his successor's full potential just like he dreamt he'd do his students hundreds of years ago. Izuku deserved it after having his dream crushed just like what the Jujutsu community did to those with no curse energy or weak curse techniques during his time.
"I will make you as strong as me, Izuku," Gojo promised to himself. "You will become the strongest human in this Age of Quirks."
-{}-
After their conversation, Izuku sat up and looked at his hands. He tried moving his fingers and repeatedly opened and closed them. He then ran his hands all over his body, feeling if any of his injuries were still there. There were none.
"I never knew curse energy was so versatile."
"Oh, it looks like you're up."
The boy's head whipped around to the voice, finding Recovery Girl inspecting a clipboard detailing his vitals.
"You shouldn't move much, young man," the old doctor advised. "You've had a rough day."
Izuku chuckled. Rough wouldn't even begin to describe it. "Thanks, Recovery Girl, but I'm fine."
"I'm not taking no for an answer, young man," Recovery Girl insisted. "You might look fine, but I still need to run a few examinations before I clear you. Besides, you have visitors."
The door opened to reveal Uraraka, Īda, and Yaoyorozu. Immediately, the brunette rushed to the greenette when she saw him up and all better.
"Izuku!" cried Uraraka as she hugged the poor boy. "You're alright." Her voice was shaky, tears were starting to flow down her cheeks as she tightened her grip. "Y-You're… a-alright. I-I… t-thought you… wouldn't m-make it."
The successor of the Honored One could feel his best friends worry for him. Her words between sobs made him sad, all because he worried her.
Midoriya began rubbing circles on the brunette's back hoping to calm her down. He assumed his ministrations were taking effect when Uraraka's sobs lessened.
"Normally, I'd be a sputtering mess if a girl was hugging me," he thought to himself. "Maybe that bleeding effect Gojo-sensei was talking about is influencing me."
"It most definitely is!" the sorcerer chimed.
Izuku chuckled at his mentor's sudden answer as he gently pushed Uraraka off of him so she could see her face. They were stained with tears, so he ran a thumb over them, wiping some of those that dried over her cheeks.
"Hey," Izuku whispered, "it's alright. I'm fine. See?"
"You almost died," Uraraka choked. "I… I saw you get punched by the Nomu. You were losing so much blood that… that I thought you were gone."
"But when that other personality emerged, you began healing," Īda interjected. "This Satoru Gojo, the one who fought with the Nomu, seems to possess more knowledge of your quirk than you. Have you had any prior episodes where this anomalous personality emerged?"
"Anomalous!?" Gojo sounded hurt.
"He's not wrong, though," Izuku answered, making his mentor's demeanor gloomy. Regarding Tenya's question, the greenette decided to play dumb. "No. This would be the first time this ever happened." Everyone seemed to believe his lie except for Momo. The young heiress slightly narrowed her eyes at the Limitless wielder, making the boy flinch. "Did she see through my lie?"
Momo was aware of the lie, just as Izuku suspected. However, the girl knew this was necessary to protect the fact that Satoru Gojo wasn't a deviant personality, but a spirit of an ancient powerful sorcerer inhabiting her friend's body. That said, she still needed to get Midoriya in on the secret meeting with Kazui she planned for tomorrow, so she spoke up and told everyone…
"How about we exchange phone numbers? We've had a stressful day and it would mean a lot to me if I could call on you later to see if you're all fine."
No one seemed to protest as they all took out their respective phones and shared numbers. Once that was done, Recovery Girl requested that visitors go on and leave the premises so they could rest. Uraraka didn't want to leave Izuku yet, but she was assured by the boy that he'd be okay and that the Youthful Heroine would be there to treat him. Despite her reluctance, the gravity girl was finally convinced to go home along with the other two.
It took a while, but Izuku was finally released from the infirmary after Recovery Girl's examination. It didn't escape the greenette's notice regarding the old doctor's bafflement about his healing. While the aged physician was a world-renowned medical expert with one of the most powerful healing quirks, even she was left questioning what kind of healing did Midoriya do to himself. As for the inheritor of Limitless, he was just happy that all his friends were safe, and he was alive.
That said, when he got to his house, there was one person who was gladder than he was regarding his safety.
"IZUKU!" Inko Midoriya leaped at her son the moment she saw him.
The boy had no time to escape and simply resigned to his fate. He spread his arms wide and received a bone-crushing hug from his mother.
"My baby boy, are you alright? Are you hurt? Did those villains do anything to you?"
"I'm fine, Mom." Izuku tried reassuring his mother, but the woman wouldn't just let go.
Having heard of the incident from one of the school faculty, Inko almost had a heart attack. However, that wasn't what made her worry. No, it was the fact that her son's quirk created a separate entity in his mind.
"Are you sure, Izuku?" Inko probed. "I heard of the other personality that came out of you – this Satoru Gojo. Are you truly alright?"
It was times like these that Izuku was thanking whoever deity existed that he was given such kind parents, especially his mother. All he did to the worried woman in front of him was embrace her tight while saying…
"I'm fine Mom, promise," he spoke softly. "I know that things might be bad, but that other personality of mine? If he didn't appear then who knows what would've happened to me and my classmates. I owe him my life for saving me. So, don't worry about my mental health since I'm confident that he would also protect you if you were in danger. After all, it's still me."
Inko finally managed to calm down, convinced of her son's assurance that he was alright. A little while after, the two separated from their embrace.
"There are no words to describe how proud I am of you, Izuku," Inko said after wiping some tears away. "However, please don't worry me like that again unless you get your hero license."
"I'll do my best, Mom," Izuku nodded.
"You look tired, sweetie," the doting mother noted. "I could heat some leftover food if you'd like. Also, the principal called me earlier saying that your class has three days of rest to recover from the attack. Use that time to talk to your new friends. And remember that you can always talk to me."
Izuku hugged his mother again. "I will, Mom, and I'd love to eat anything you prepared – freshly cooked or otherwise."
Inko chuckled and went to the kitchen. "I hope you're hungry for some katsudon."
"You bet I am!"
As Inko began reheating the meal for her son, Izuku felt his pocket vibrate. He slipped his hand inside and took out his phone to find an unexpected caller I.D. on the screen.
"Yaoyorozu?" He pressed the green call button and placed the object to his ear. "Hello?"
"Good evening, Midoriya," Yaoyorozu greeted. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
"No. I don't have anything planned for the next three days."
"Would it be alright if I invite you to my house?"
"Huh? What?" This was a surprise for the boy. No girl has ever tried to invite him to her house. "Why? What for?"
"It's about Satoru Gojo."
That answer alone was enough for him to sweat bullets.
"I know he isn't a split personality of yours and I want to clarify if he is who I think he is. So would you be willing to meet me at my house tomorrow?"
This was bad. The call he was on right now just confirmed that Yaoyorozu's look earlier meant that she saw through his lie. Midoriya kept quiet as he kept thinking of ways to divert the current issue away from himself and his mentor. The last thing he needs is someone with powerful connections like the Yaoyorozu to out him for being quirkless and possessing a power that's not related to quirks.
His mental gymnastics lasted for what felt like painful seconds when the person on the other side of the line suddenly spoke out of worry.
"Midoriya," Momo spoke softly, like a mother who was calming a nervous child, "I'm not planning to do anything bad to you." Her assurance to the greenette somewhat worked since his nervousness lessened. "In fact, if he is who I think he is, then it'd be best if he stays a secret."
Assured that his mentor's safety wasn't at risk, Izuku couldn't help but ask, "How come you know about Satoru Gojo? That he's not a personality of mine?"
"I know a Jujutsu sorcerer when I see one." Momo's reply shocked Midoriya. How could she know about jujutsu sorcerers? The heiress added, "Also, announcing yourself as one wasn't the brightest idea."
Okay… that one was on him.
"So, would you come?" Momo asked again. "I can have one of my butlers pick you up at your home if you'd like. Just give me an address."
"Before I say yes, I also want some answers like how you're familiar with Satoru Gojo and jujutsu sorcerers," Izuku answered.
"Don't worry, Midoriya. I was planning on telling you everything that I know anyway. So, rest assured that you'll be getting just as many answers as I do."
Convinced, the successor of Limitless finally agreed. "Okay. I'm texting you my address later."
"Great!" Momo sounded ecstatic. "I look forward to your arrival."
The line finally cut off just before Inko came with her dish reheated. "Did someone call you, Izuku?"
"Yeah. A friend said she wants to go to her house."
"Really? That's great!" Inko was just happy that her son had friends. "Here's your dinner, Izuku. I hope you like it."
"I like everything you cook, Mom."
Inko just smiled at her son before heading back to the kitchen, leaving her son to enjoy the warm meal she provided.
With Izuku, he was discussing the conversation earlier with his secret mentor.
"You think I did the right thing?"
"I say go for it. Truth be told, I have a gut feeling that Momo Yaoyorozu can be trusted. And… if she comes from the family I'm thinking of, then all the more reason to keep in touch with her."
Trusting his sensei, Izuku mentally nodded. "If you say so."
Izuku was standing outside the largest house his innocent eyes had ever laid upon. He was picked up from his house earlier by one of Yaoyorozu's butlers, to the surprise of her mother, and had just arrived. To say the building was a mansion would be a massive understatement. Just entering the gate, he saw just how much land area the whole estate covered.
Izuku felt underdressed. A house like this deserved more formal attire than just your average t-shirt and six-pocket Khaki shorts.
The front doors made of heavy oak slowly opened, revealing a delighted Yaoyorozu standing in the doorway wearing a pink blouse with matching white shorts. She was beaming in excitement.
"I'm so glad you came, Midoriya," she said. "Come in and make yourself at home."
Izuku entered the enormous house cautiously. The interior of the home was a testament to the wealth of the Yaoyorozu family. Everywhere he looked, there was an abundance of high-end and expensive furniture and décor that escaped his gaze. He just absentmindedly followed the rich girl as she did an abridged tour of her house that ended in a wide room he assumed to be the common room.
"I knew she was loaded, but this is truly impressive," Gojo remarked while observing the mansion from inside his vessel.
That said, the moment the greenette entered the room, his eyes landed on an individual he didn't expect to be present.
"Kazui!?"
"Yo." The hybrid sat comfortably on an expensive sofa while sipping a hot cup of Earl Grey tea courtesy of Momo.
"What are you doing here?"
"Momo and I have been planning this meet-up for a while," Kazui revealed. "She decided to let you in on this and I have to agree."
"So, you two planned this?" Midoriya asked the two.
"In a way, yes," Momo answered. "Kazui has been aware of the supernatural world that he and I had to have a discussion."
"How do I factor into this?"
"Satoru Gojo was the most powerful Jujutsu sorcerer to have ever lived. To have a split personality declare himself to be Gojo is a little too suspicious, especially for someone like me with knowledge of Jujutsu sorcery."
"Okay, you got me there. So, what now?"
"First, enjoy some snacks that will be delivered by one of the staff members. We still need to wait for someone important that could fully explain all of this. Though my knowledge is considerable, it is still lacking in terms of the depth of the Jujutsu world."
While Izuku was curious about this other person, he trusted Momo and sat down next to Kazui. Not long after, a maid came in with a tray of freshly baked pastries that he was reluctant to eat. After much urging from the hostess and his friend, Midoriya eventually took a slice of Brazo de Mercedes with custard filling. He had to be honest, it was tasty, but the greenette was still a little put off that he was eating snacks worth more than meals he'd been eating in a month.
"How are you so calm eating food worth more than our yearly allowance?" Izuku asked Kazui who was enjoying the desserts in front of them.
"Remember when I said my father was a translator?" Kazui asked to which Izuku nodded. "Sometimes he gets to accompany high-ranking delegates to important gatherings or even outside the country. He'd bring me and my Mom along to these gatherings and we get to enjoy the food."
"I'm also guessing that this isn't your first time in a fancy place like this?"
"Please, you should've seen the Shiba Estate after its renovation. While it had a more… traditional structure, it was just as expansive as the Yaoyorozu Estate, if not more."
"So, you're rich?"
"Nope," Kazui replied with a pop. "While my father did come from a distinguished family, we lived a more modest life."
It didn't take long for Momo, who left earlier, to return but with another person walking beside her. The individual was fairly taller than her by a few inches. Her dress consisted of a rather expensive blue blouse paired with a knee-length skirt and a pair of two-inch sandals.
The woman had an uncanny resemblance to Momo with the only difference being the color of her hair which was a light shade of brown. That was enough of a sign that this person was none other than Momo's mother.
"Are these the people you spoke of sweetie?" the woman asked.
"Yes, Mother," Momo replied. "These are the ones whom I suspected to be jujutsu sorcerers."
"Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself. I'm Tsumiki Yaoyorozu, Momo's mom," she introduced herself to the two guests.
"It's no problem, ma'am," Kazui answered as he stood up. He held out a hand to the mother of her friend and introduced himself to her. "I'm Kazui Kurosaki."
"And my name is Izuku Midoriya. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," the latest wielder of Limitless greeted.
"Such polite young boys," Mrs. Yaoyorozu remarked with glee at the two teens' behavior as she shook their hands. She then turned to her daughter with a smirk and said, "Which one of these dashing young men is your boyfriend, Momo?"
"MOTHER!" Momo yelled, her face now with a furious blush.
"Oh, come now. You're at an age where having a relationship is the norm. Tell me, is Kazui the young man who rescued you from some ruffians, months ago?"
"Yes, he is, mother."
"Then, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for rescuing my daughter, Kazui." Mrs. Yaoyorozu expressed with a humble bow.
"There's no need for that, Mrs. Yaoyorozu," Kazui said with some minor fluster. "I only did what any good person would do," he then eyed the girl, "...not that she needed it."
That comment made Tsumiki Yaoyorozu chuckle. "Indeed. Her Heavenly Restriction would've proven too much for those miscreants had they forced her hand." She then urged the two guests to follow her. "Well, then. Let's get right to the explanation my daughter promised. Momo, please lead us to the temple."
Momo did as she was told and led the group outside the mansion and into a clearing with a cobblestone path. The walk was short; it took them only a couple of minutes before they found themselves in front of a structure that looked ancient. The pagoda-style roof coupled with the faded marble walls and stone steps made for a distinct ambiance of mystery and intrigue.
"Jujutsu sorcery is an ancient art form, dating back thousands of years ago, that involves that use of curse energy to perform feats not seen in any human."
Tsumiki began her explanation as they took the steps to the temple.
"It gave rise to individuals who can only be described as living natural disasters. During the golden age of Jujutsu sorcery which was the Heian Period, the advancement of Jujutsu techniques flourished and led to the creation of the most powerful sorcerers to have ever lived. Standing atop this hierarchy was none other than the King of Curses, the sorcerer-turned-curse Ryomen Sukuna who ruled undisputed until his death.
"However, he wasn't the only being to have left a major impact on the jujutsu world. A thousand years later, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer was born. I'm sure you know who this is, right, Mr. Midoriya?"
"Satoru Gojo," Izuku answered.
"His birth changed the landscape of jujutsu sorcery." This time, it was Momo who answered as they finally reached the massive ornate temple doors. "His mere presence alone forced all cursed spirits into hiding. In a way, he was a living nuclear deterrent, and for good reason. Not only that, but he also mentored some of the most powerful jujutsu sorcerers such as Yūji Itadori, Yūta Okkotsu, Kugisaki Nobara, as well as our ancestors, Megumi Fushiguro and Maki Zen'in."
Momo opened the door to reveal a shrine within the structure lined with various artifacts, weapons, and trinkets that would date back to the height of Jujutsu sorcery. "All of these individuals including Satoru Gojo himself participated in the most turbulent decade for the Jujutsu world. These events include the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, the Phantom Parade, the Culling Games, and finally, the battle against the body snatcher known as Kenjaku and the revived King of Curses. "
"Since then, we of the Zen'in Clan have kept hidden in this Age of Quirks as Jujutsu sorcery faded into memory. The only one with potential in our distinguished family is my dear Momo; that is until we heard of a user of Limitless and a boy claiming to be Satoru Gojo himself." Tsumiki finished.
Izuku looked around and found himself mesmerized. With the story and the different artifacts present, he felt honored to be part of such a rich history now. His curiosity rose and he could not help but inquire more.
"Question," Midoriya said. When he was acknowledged, he asked, "You mentioned something called a Heavenly Restriction."
"I did," Tsumiki answered. "Heavenly Restrictions are bindings placed on a sorcerer's body that affects a person's capability to use curse energy. My daughter's condition is that in exchange for having no curse energy, she will possess peak human physicality that will only keep improving as she grows."
"How strong do you projects Momo would be once she reaches her peak?" It was Kazui who asked that question.
"Based on her growth rate, she'll be as strong as All Might in terms of physical prowess."
That fact surprised Izuku since no other hero ever came close to All Might's strength. To hear that Momo would be physically on par with the Symbol of Peace.
"I'm not the first to have been born like this," Momo revealed. "Four hundred years ago, there was the Sorcerer Killer, Tōji Fushiguro, and Maki Zen'in. I'm the third person in the Zen'in Clan with the same Heavenly Restriction. Now, enough of me and more on you, Midoriya."
Izuku flinched as Momo walked towards him, now mere inches away from the raven head. What was she going to do?
"I know you can hear us, Lord Gojo," Momo said. "Mother and I know you've been listening in on us from within my classmate's body."
At first, nothing happened. Then a slit suddenly formed on Midoriya's cheek which became a mouth that answered the girl.
"I guess the jig is up," Gojo said, sounding like a kid who enjoyed getting caught.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Izuku jumped in surprise.
"Well, if that isn't the creepiest thing I've seen," Kazui remarked.
"It's an honor to meet you, Honored One," the mother of Momo expressed calmly as she approached the spirit's vessel.
"I never realized that the Zen'in clan survived after the massacre. I guess Megumi and Maki got busy restoring the clan but without the many prejudices it used to have."
"To be honest, Lord Gojo, we're the only remaining members of the Zen'in Clan," Momo revealed.
"All the same, at least there are improvements compared to the original members. By the way, whom did you directly descend from?"
"From Megumi Fushiguro," answered Tsumiki. "In fact, before I married, I was Tsumiki Fushiguro, named after Megumi Fushiguro's sister."
"Wait a minute, wait a minute!" Izuku suddenly interrupted. "Gojo-sensei, how long have you been able to do that?"
"A while now," Gojo casually answered.
"And you didn't tell me!?"
"I found it entertaining to see your reaction and it did not disappoint."
Both mother and daughter chuckled at the interaction between the teacher and student. However, there was another person who they needed some answers from.
"How about you, Kazui?" Momo called her friend. "Are you a Jujutsu sorcerer?"
All attention was now focused on Kazui. Gojo and Izuku's banter halted as they looked at the young man in anticipation of the answer.
"I'm not," Kazui answered sincerely. "I think proper introductions are in order. My name is Kazui Kurosaki. I'm what's called a Soul Reaper… or what religions call a Shinigami."
Tsumiki, Momo, and Izuku's eyes were wide as saucers. Even Gojo from within his vessel was startled.
"Otherwise known as a god of death."