Chapter 22: Where I Really Come From
'Drip. Drip. Drip.' Rain continued to pour onto me as I was still in shock after my punch sent Ryuuen tumbling into a tree. I mean don't get me wrong, I knew that I was strong. My training at the beach made me strong enough so I wouldn't have died after using One For All for the first time. (As well as all the training I did after to improve my Quirk but that was beside the point.) I was holding back my strength immensely and this was the result?!
'Not going to lie, I kind of feel bad for Ryuuen even though he definitely deserved getting his lights knocked out.' I thought internally with a nervous smile as sweat began dripping down my face like bullets. I couldn't help but be a bit nervous over the fact that I did more damage than I wanted to. I wonder if he's ok. But before I could check on Ryuuen, his minion beat me to the punch.
"Stay back. I'll check on him." Albert said as I blinked my eyes a few times out of sheer surprise. But then I recalled that he spoke English before, and it must be his preferred way to communicate with others. Though it does make him stick out like a sore thumb. (Since everyone here speaks Japanese, not to mention his dark skin color which makes his African American roots crystal clear.) A few seconds passed by as Albert checked on Ryuuen by placing his ear near the latter's mouth until-
"He's still breathing." Albert admitted with his ever so serious expression on his face, but my eyes shot wide open upon hearing him.
'Wait a second! Did you think I killed him?!' I thought internally with what definitely was a horrified expression on my face. But before I could say anything, Albert grabbed out his phone, called someone, and whispered something that I wasn't able to hear. He then put his phone back into his pocket and lifted up Ryuuen onto his feet before putting his arm around his boss and started walking away with him. But this surprised me. So, I couldn't help but say-
"Y-You're leaving. Just like that?" I asked with was most certainly a dumbfounded look on my face as I assumed that Albert would try to finish what his Master started. After all, he supported his boss so he must be like him, a bad guy. But my words made Albert stand in place for a few seconds until-
"It's over. You beat my boss with a single punch. What do you expect I can do against someone so strong? I'm a boxer so I can tell that you completely outclass me in terms of raw power and agility. I might be more muscular, but that hardly means anything against superior strength and speed. So, even if I wanted to avenge my boss, there wouldn't be any point, you feel me?" Albert replied as his words made perfect sense. But I was still surprised because of the fact that he-
'Wow! This is definitely the most words I've ever heard him speak!' I thought internally as my eyes bulged out upon remembering that he's only spoken a couple words here and there. I didn't expect him to be one to talk this much!
"I hope that answers your question. But the truth is… I think my boss went too far. So, I don't have a grudge or anything. Honestly, you did me and him a favor. Hopefully this makes him understand that he can't beat everyone with his fists alone. Nor should he do anything as repulsive as lay his hands on a woman. But that's just my opinion. At the end of the day, I watch over and help the guys I trust. That's my rule. So, I'd rather avoid any more senseless fighting if I can help it." Albert finished before walking away with his unconscious boss once more as I stood in place.
'Perhaps, he's not such a bad guy after all.' I thought internally with a smile on my face as I was genuinely convinced up to this point that Albert was just Ryuuen's lackey. However, that's wrong. He may support his boss, but it's out of trust not mutual agreement of ideals. I have no clue why Albert would follow a man as despicable as Kakeru Ryuuen. But maybe, one day…
… Things might change between them… and who knows the type of man Albert Yamada might become after that? I could be way off the mark, but I want to believe that he can change one day. It's not that I want people who have done cruel things to stay villains. If I could help inspire a change within another person to turn over a new leaf, I gladly would. That's why I got to say something before he leaves-
"Albert. Be the man you want to be." I replied with a bright smile on my face while closing my eyes. And since my vision was obscured, I couldn't see that Albert looked back at me as his expression softened a bit before nodding.
"Will do. See you around, Midoriya." Albert finished once more before taking his leave. But I opened my eyes as I noticed him meeting up with two people in the distance. The first one was a girl with short blue hair, specifically with a single stand sticking up. I recalled seeing her before alongside Ryuuen's followers back at his class's campsite a few days ago. However, the second person caught me by genuine surprise-
'Wait, what?! What's he doing there?!' I thought internally as my eyes shot wide open upon recognizing the second person as Kohei Katsuragi. But why is he there!? He's supposed to be Sakayanagi's right-hand man! Why would he be working with Ryuuen?! But as I was trying to search within my mind for a logical answer to this perplexing question, I suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Midoriya!" Suzune yelled out as she rushed over to me. It was then that I realized that I definitely overdid it by standing back up to fight Ryuuen even after receiving all of those kicks to my head and recklessly using Obliterator's full power. It's a miracle I'm still awake. But even still, I'm glad that I am. Because there's something that I've been meaning to get off my chest for a while now. But before I could say anything-
"Idiot! What were you thinking!? You should have just given up! Why would you go so far again and again for me?! I've done… nothing to deserve it." Suzune continued as she appeared to be on the verge of tears. That's right. I was ridiculed just like this not too long ago-
'You 'had' to save her? Don't make me laugh. You had a choice. You could have done nothing and looked the other way, and nothing would have changed. You saving Horikita didn't get you anywhere closer to what should be your one and only goal. In fact, it only made things worse cause now-agh… never mind. You already know full well what's going to happen to you if you keep using that curse's full power. But at the end of the day, I wholeheartedly believe you should have let Horikita die.' Jokata said this to me just a few minutes ago.
He might be right in the sense that I haven't been searching for the Doctor. It's not like I don't want to find him, I want to see my friends and family again. But even still, I don't want to abandon the people that I've come to meet here as well. This world has started to feel like a second home for me. That's why while he is correct, it doesn't mean he's right. Because Horikita is my-
"You are my friend, Horikita. So, of course I'm going to protect you no matter what. I choose to help out my friends and anyone else who's in trouble. That's my rule. I trust you. That's why I'm going to tell you everything." I replied with a reassuring smile on my face as I used the little strength I had left to wipe the tears off of Horikita's face. I might have paraphrased Albert's words a bit but that's because I can agree with him on that. We might fight for different things but we both have the same ideal.
"Everything? … You mean like how you were able to fight against that monster? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. But you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I understand that some things can be a bit hard to talk about." Horikita asked as she stared back at me with a look of surprise on her face. But she was also clearly a bit nervous as well. She didn't want to force me to reveal my secrets if I didn't want to. But I'm done hiding the truth from her. And more than that, I've been owing her an explanation for too long, ever since that imposter showed himself.
"I'll say it again, I trust you, more than anyone else in this world. That's why I'm going to tell you how I obtained my powers. But also, more than that. I'm going to tell you who I am… and where I really come from." I replied while maintaining my reassuring smile as I decided to tell her this the moment my identity was revealed to her. There are some people that I can't trust in this world, some people that are out to hurt me and the ones I care about. But at the same time, there are people that I can trust to keep my secret…
… And Suzune Horikita is one of those people.
"Where you… really come from? What do you mean by that?" Horikita asked with a confused look on her face as she focused on me and waited for my response. I took a deep breath before continuing.
"Where do I begin? … Well, I guess I'll start at the beginning…" I replied as I told her about the world I came from where the majority of the people in it had superpowers. I was in the minority and didn't have anything special. Until one day, I met the world's greatest hero (And my personal favorite) All Might. He gave me his Quirk One For All and helped me enroll at UA High School where I trained to become a Hero. Though I didn't tell her exactly everything. For starters, I didn't want to give her my entire life story that would take way too long to explain.
However, what I did tell her was everything that she needed to know. The world I came from. The society where superheroes became the norm and almost everyone had their own powers called Quirks. The person I used to be. The person I am today. The person that I admired long after he retired from his duties. It might have been a bit of a cliff notes version of what happened to me throughout my life. But what I did tell her was everything I wanted her to know about me. (Minus all the bad things that happened to me along the way because I didn't want her to worry about me more than she already has. And once I was done explaining-
"It stopped raining." I muttered with a smile on my face as the clouds parted to reveal the beaming bright sun behind it. Meanwhile Horikita was still silent as she was no doubt processing everything that she just heard. It was definitely a lot, so I couldn't blame her for that. But since the rain has stopped, not to mention that it has almost been thirty minutes since I left my classmates behind to save her, they might start sending people to come looking for us. That's why I must stand back up.
But no matter how much I tried, my body was exhausted. I could barely move a muscle without my brain feeling like it was on fire. Horikita noticed this and helped me prop myself back up in the same way that Albert did with Ryuuen. And then…
"We should start heading back before anyone sees you like this. Please tell me your school tracksuit is somewhere around here." Horikita asked as she helped me walk back in the direction of where the cruise ship was located. Along the way, we passed by my school tracksuit that I carelessly abandoned while on my pursuit to get to her in time. Seeing this, I remarked 'Oh. There it is!' With what was certainly a smile on my face. But in the midst of this, Horikita remained silent until-
"So, let me get this straight. You're a superhero from another world. One where practically everyone has their own personal superpower. I'm sorry, but it sounds so ridiculous saying it out loud." Suzune spoke as I understood completely. This world was the opposite of mine in comparison. Here only the minority had superpowers, and they all happened to be from America, for some reason. So, of course, she would be in denial.
"Don't be… I should have seen this coming. If you don't believe me, that's ok- I spoke but right before I could finish, I was interrupted by Horikita.
"Don't get me wrong, it's certainly a bit absurd… but I believe you. I mean what else could explain what I saw during your fight against that monster? You moved in ways that no normal person could. Not to mention that monster was something that couldn't have come from this world. So, either it was an alien, or it came from another world. Either way your explanation made things much clearer to me, albeit a bit confusing." Suzune replied as I couldn't help but look back at her in awe as I smiled.
"Thank you for believing in me, Horikita." I replied with a bright smile as I closed my eyes. She was officially the first person I talked about everything. Not even Sakura knows of where I came from, but she does know my identity. I should try a bit harder at keeping things a secret for not only my sake but her sake too. Now that she knows my secret if words get out that she knew that I was the hero (Or rather the 'vigilante' like both Chairman Ayanokoji and Ryuuen referred to me as) It could have disastrous consequences.
"Believing you is the least that I can do after everything you did to save me. Plus, a world full of superheroes isn't completely unheard of. It's just like the comic I used to read when I was young." Suzune admitted as she helped me put back on my school tracksuit so that my hero costume was once again hidden. But in the midst of that I couldn't help but be surprised by Horikita's sudden confession.
"You read comics? Who's your favorite superhero?" I asked with what was surely a curious look on my face as Horikita struggled to make eye contact with me.
"I 'used' to read them. And to be honest it was only one. The comic that my father gave to me sometime before he passed away. The hero of that comic was called Superman. I suppose, he was a bit… 'cool' … I-I guess." Suzune admitted while continuing to avoid looking at me and completely averted her face from me. But this made me realize something.
'Yep. She's definitely a fan.' I thought internally with a smile on my face as I now knew that Horikita admired heroes just like I did. This made me feel closer to her, (As well as the fact that I literally told her the truth about who I was and where I came from) So, I couldn't help but nerd out a bit.
"My favorite superhero is All Might. But I guess I already told you that. I also like several other heroes such as Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot and countless others. I also have several friends who are heroes in their own right that I can't help but admire. My friend Iida took the mantle of Ingenium from his older brother. Another one of my friends, Uraraka, took the name Uravity. It's because her Quirk is called Zero Gravity. So, she took the 'Ura' in her name and combined it with gravity. Pretty cute, right? My best friend Kacchan calls himself… on second thought maybe I shouldn't say that one." I rambled on and on until I recalled Kacchan's hero name which is 'Great Explosion Murder God: Dynamight.' Yeah. Definitely shouldn't be saying that one. But before I could say another word-
"No offense but I think I get the picture. Now that I think about it, those names you mentioned, 'Endeavor, Best Jeanist, and Edgeshot' You said them on the bus, didn't you?" Suzune replied while we started walking back once more as my eyes went wide upon recalling our first meeting on the bus. Man, that feel like such a long time ago, even though it was only a few months ago.
"Yeah, that's right." I replied while nodding as I only now realized how crazy I must have sounded when I said that. Horikita noticed this.
"I genuinely thought you were trying to get a rise out of me. But now everything makes so much more sense. It also explains why you were able to recover so quickly against that imposter who impersonated Sudo. Wait… he had a Quirk, didn't he?" Suzune asked as I nodded in response to her question.
"To be honest, I was getting a bit suspicious of what was really going on for a little while now. But I couldn't believe that you actually had superpowers until I saw it with my own eyes. Haah… I feel like an idiot for not realizing things sooner." Suzune admitted with an embarrassed look on her face as she genuinely felt clueless, but I shook my head in denial.
"I shouldn't have lied to you back then. I was just… scared. I hadn't said anything to anyone about, you know, at the time, so I didn't know how you'd react. Not that I thought you were going to tell people, but I didn't want you thinking that I was some weirdo or worse, scared of me." I admitted with what was certainly a solemn look on my face considering the fact that even though I thought of Horikita as a friend at the time the encounter with imposter happened (And to be honest long before that) I still lied to her. I hated lying. Especially to my friends. So, I couldn't help but feel regretful over my past actions. Horikita noticed this.
"Look, you had every reason to keep something like that a secret. It's not like you were lying about something trivial that would have made me mad. But you were keeping stuff that was important to you a secret and for good reason. I don't know how I would have reacted before this, so you did the right thing." Suzune replied as her words made me feel a bit better about myself.
"Thank you, Horikita." I replied as my smile returned to my face. I couldn't help but thank her again as I was so truly thankful that even after learning everything there is to know about me, she still trusts me.
"You don't have to thank me for that. But I appreciate it. So, who else knows your secret?" Suzune asked as my eyes went wide upon hearing her question.
"Just Sakura. That's it. I promise." I replied as confidently as possible so that I wouldn't end up worrying her.
"I see. I don't mean to be mean, but you've only done this superhero thing twice now if I'm not mistaken. And both times you ended up revealing your secret to another in the process. I know in your world that superheroes didn't keep their identities secret, but you really need to do a better job at keeping things hidden from the public. I'm sure Sakura can be trusted but I'm not so sure about anyone else." Suzune replied as I wholeheartedly agreed with her.
"You're right. But I really don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep things secret. I mean Ryuuen knows now too. He might not know everything I told you, but… what am I supposed to do now that he knows?" I admitted as I stared down at the ground in shame over having my identity found out by someone who clearly can't be trusted. But Horikita didn't seem too alarmed by this.
"Nothing. I think the matter has resolved itself." Suzune replied as I blinked my eyes a few times out of sheer surprise before responding.
"H-How can you be so sure about that? Now that I, um, knocked him out, he's probably going to want revenge." I replied with a concerned look on my face as I knew full well this wouldn't be the last time I would have to deal with the man named Kakeru Ryuuen. He's going to come back for revenge. That was something that I was sure of. But Horikita nodded in response.
"That's a possibility. However, it's the same reason why he won't tell anyone else your secret. Admitting your identity as the costumed hero would only force him to reveal the fact that you knocked him out. He's not going to say anything because it's only going to further damage his pride. And considering what he said to Sakayanagi from before, I don't think we have anything to worry about pertaining to your secret being leaked." Suzune replied as I thought back to the first time, I encountered Ryuuen on my first day of school and what he said to Sakayanagi.
'Tch. This isn't over. Mark my words, I'll be back to knock you off that high horse of yours and onto the ground like the rest of these pathetic wastes of space.'
"I think this is what you were referring to?" I said after summarizing what Ryuuen said to Sakayanagi on that day. Horikita nodded in response.
"That's right. He could have told the faculty about the threat that Katsuragi gave to Albert which would have certainly gotten the former suspended for a few days. But he didn't. That's because it would be admitting defeat and that's something that Ryuuen is not ever going to do. That I'm sure of considering his past actions." Suzune replied as her explanation made perfect sense to me. So, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
However, this only made things more apparent that Ryuuen would be back one of these days. When? I couldn't be sure of that. However, it ended up being sooner than I thought it would be. But not long after thinking of this, we noticed several guards in the distance. They quickly noticed us too and motioned for us to come to them. We did just that as they escorted us out of the forest and back to the front of the island where the cruise ship was. It didn't take long for both me and Horikita to be granted access to board the cruise ship. And when we did…
… We found our entire class waiting for us as well as Professor Chabashira in the wide room (That was to be used by our class only full of sofas and other things that made it crystal clear that this was a 'luxury liner.' Encountering them after everything that happened made me go silent as I couldn't find the right words to say to them. Horikita noticed this. But before she could say a word, Chabashira beat her to the punch.
"Midoriya. Your classmates made it clear to me that you headed back into the island even after hearing the announcement made on the loudspeaker to head back here. That is a direct violation of what you were told to do. And for that I have full authority to expel you on the spot." Chabashira spoke with a serious look on her face as I couldn't say anything in response to that. After all, what she said was right. If it wasn't me who headed back to save Horikita, I don't even want to think of what would have happened. But even still-
"But Professor Chabashira! Midoriya saved me! If it wasn't for him… that bear… would have surely killed me." Suzune admitted with a solemn look on her face as our classmates were completely taken aback by her words. The one that stood out in particular to me was Sudo who was biting his lip hard even though it appeared to be cut. Did he cause a wound from biting on it from before? Probably. After all, he definitely didn't want to abandon Horikita. But he was scared. And even still-
'Of course, I do! And it's for that exact reason that I must protect Horikita from that! I'm not going to let her die just to save my skin, unlike yo- I said that. Even knowing full well that Sudo has feeling for Horikita. I was so angry that I said something so horrible to him. No matter what happens next, I have to apologize to him. But before that-
"Horikita. I believe you. But Midoriya still went against orders and could have gotten both of you killed. However, I'm taking into account that he did save you. For that I've decided to overlook this transgression. However, there will still be a consequence. That being the rest of your saved S-Points. All fifty of them will now be taken away. Your keycard please." Chabashira asked while showcasing the palm of her hand. I nodded as I accepted this punishment before handing it to her.
"You won't be needing this keycard now. Consider this matter resolved. But if something like this ever happens again for whatever reason, I will have you expelled on the spot. Are we clear, Izuku Midoriya?" Chabashira declared as her face was clearly agitated, and her choice of words didn't hide her anger in the slightest. I definitely made her mad. I mean she even used my full name!
"Yes, Professor Chabashira. I understand." I replied before bowing forward at her. But even though she was mad, I was sure that she worried about me. Chabashira might seem indifferent to most things. But if Sudo almost getting expelled (The first time) made anything clear, it's that she cares about this class and every single student within it. And that made me deeply sorry for the pain and worry that I must have caused her and everyone else.
"As long as you understand, I'll pretend that 'that' never happened. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave. You kids should go and enjoy yourselves. You won't need to worry about going back to the island because the first exam has been concluded prematurely. You will have a few days of R so enjoy yourselves. Because beginning next week, the second and final exam will commence." Chabashira finished before leaving the room and leaving everyone behind with looks of shock on their faces. For the most part because there were a few exceptions, including but not limited to-
"Don't any of you remember what she said at the start of the exam?" Horikita asked with a serious look on her face. This made me think back to just before the exam began on the uninhabited island-
'Of course not. There are no creatures considered to be dangerous on this island. You see, what I meant by 'survive' is that all of you will be forced to stay on this island… for an entire week. Welcome to the 'first' special summer exam of the year. The Desert Island Survival Test.'
"That's what Chabashira said, right?" I replied as it reiterated word for word what she said while Horikita nodded in affirmation.
"Y-You didn't have to repeat what the Professor said word for word." Karuizawa with an unsettled look on her face as my eyes went wide with shock upon hearing her.
"True. But what Midoriya said was correct. We all have a second exam to prepare for with no details on what it's going to be about. Which makes it rather difficult to know what's coming. Well, I guess we'll just learn what it's going to be tomorrow." Suzune spoke while maintaining her serious look as our classmates were taken aback by this and a few of them muttered 'So nonchalant.'
"I heard that. But can you honestly blame me after what happened? I'm going to be in the women's jacuzzi if anyone needs me. I think I deserve that much after, you know, 'almost dying.'" Suzune finished before taking her leave as well. This meant that it was now me and the rest of our class. It goes without saying that I'm going to have to apologize for what I did. But how should I go about it? Hmm… what would All Might do in this situation… I got it.
"I'm deeply sorry for all the worry that I must have caused all of you." I admitted as I got down fully onto my knees and bowed forward at them in a similar fashion to how All Might apologized to both me and my mom after his final act as the Number One hero. But this surprised plenty of my classmates. Particularly-
"M-Midoriya. You don't have to go that far. We understand why you did what you felt like you had to do." Hirata spoke with what was surely a concerned smile as I lifted my head up to notice that.
"R-Really?" I asked with what was most certainly a look of awe as once again Hirata has impressed me with how mature and good natured he is. No one but him is worthy of being our Class Rep! (Is what I wholeheartedly believed.)
"Yeah, of course! You and Horikita might have almost died, but what matters is that the both of you came back in one piece! So, how did tussling with the bear go?! Give me all the details pronto!" Onodera spoke with an excited look on her face as she nudged her arm against me. But this caught the attention of Hasebe.
"Forgive her. Her lack of considerations for others no knows bounds." Hasebe spoke before routinely finger flicking Onodera across her forehead. Which incurred a 'Ow.' From the latter. But right after their usual stand-up comedy routine, I noticed that Sakura had approached me. A glance told me everything that I needed to know as her face was bright red and she was balled up her fists.
"S-Sakura… I'm- I spoke but before I could finish speaking, Sakura interrupted me by-
"Idiot." Sakura muttered before punching me in the arm. Actually, to be fair, it wasn't so much of a 'punch' as she more or less lightly tapped her fist against my arm. But it might as well have been a punch because she landed a blow that hurt way worse than what Ryuuen could throw at me! Not only that but this was Sakura we were talking about, she usually kept her distance from most people. (With the exception of me) So, it goes without saying that I along with everyone else were extremely surprised by this!
"Sakura! Wait!" I called out to her, but she ignored me as she left the room without saying another word. This left me feeling horrible as I clearly made her extremely worried over the stunt I pulled. Hirata noticed this as he comforted me by saying 'She'll understand. Just give her some time to herself.' As I nodded with a defeated look on my face. But it didn't take long for Sudo to approach me as we both looked at each other until-
"I'm sorry… wait! You're sorry too?!" We both said in unison as we apologized to each other. I was completely taken aback by this and the same could be said for Sudo. This incurred a silence for a few seconds until I decided to start over.
"Sudo, I'm sorry for what I said. I knew how much you…" I spoke but I trailed off as Sudo glared daggers at me as his face alone said 'Not another word. Or I will kill you.' This made my eyes shoot wide open as I didn't know what to say after that. But before I could say another word-
"Relax, Sudo. We all know you have a crush on Horikita~San." Kushida said with a smile on her face while closing her eyes. This almost made Sudo jump out of his skin before he balled up his fists.
"Who the hell spilled the beans?!" Sudo yelled out as he glared at the classmates until he found a person that stood out with a grin on his face.
"Your face is so priceless right now. Hahaha." Yamauchi spoke before laughing as he said everything that Sudo needed to hear.
"YAMAUCHI! YOU DICK!" Sudo shouted at the top of his lungs while several of the classmates laughed. Even I couldn't help but laugh as everything had gone back to normal. However, that would only last for a little bit longer as unbeknownst to me, the seeds for something far worse were being planted around me. I just didn't know it at the time.
"Care to explain why you haven't returned back to the hideout yet, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?" Docotr Garaki said though the phone while the man in question impersonating Ike overlooked the sea while the moon hung above him. His dead eyes stared at nothing in particular while he was secluded to himself at the far end of the ship's front deck way past midnight when everyone was asleep.
"You see, I think I'm going to be impersonating the 'specimen' that our dearly departed friend left for you at your doorstep. I've grown rather interested in your mortal enemy, Izuku Midoriya." Kiyotaka replied as The Doctor was momentarily speechless over this sudden confession. In the few years he had known the man named Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, nothing really interested him all that much. He always was indifferent to everything. Even after being offered the Quirk All For One, he accepted it but wasn't all too driven to become the next AFO…
… But now, things are different. For the very first time, the man named Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had found a person that interested him. Garaki was not prepared for this in the slightest and couldn't help but grin sadistically.
"I understand. Then do as you wish for the time being. If Izuku Midoriya truly interests you, then satisfy your curiosity to your heart's content. But in the meantime, I expect you to give me a 'specimen' weekly as they will be beneficial in creating more Nomu. And since you need the 'specimen' you gave me, Kani Ike, was his name, wasn't it? You'll have to bring me another 'specimen' by the end of the week. Are we clear?" Doctor Garaki asked as he couldn't help but smile at the several High End Nomu he kept in his hideout as he couldn't wait to increase their numbers.
"There's a problem with that. Normally, it wouldn't be too much trouble to make one human disappear. However, anyone that can be considered my prey is on the ship alongside each other. It will be that much harder to make someone 'disappear' when everyone is kept so close together. It's the exact opposite of how it was on the island." Kiyotaka explained with an indifferent look on his face as he had no qualms about killing and delivering the corpses of his victims to The Doctor. In fact, he has already proven to be utterly remorseless when it comes down to snuffing out the lives of humans. But now things were different, and Garaki realized this.
"You bring up an excellent point. This makes things a bit trickier like you said. Hmm… hahaha. Yes, yes. That could work." Garaki replied before laughing and muttering to himself in quick succession. This caught Kiyotaka's attention.
"Do you have a plan?" Kiyotaka asked even though he already deduced that Doctor Garaki had a plan. But was still curious to hear some of the details.
"Yes, of course I do. After all, I'm a certified genius. I'll send a 'friend' there. 'He' will inevitably butt heads with one of those specimens and take them out in a fit of rage. Of course, this will get the attention of Izuku Midoriya but that's fine too. Actually, it's perfect because this will create the perfect opportunity for another 'friend' of mine to make his grand debut. So, you don't have to kill anyone. Just observe what will soon unfold. GHAHAHAHAHA!" The Doctor explained before laughing hysterically. Kiyotaka was unfazed by this.
"Got it. I'll start looking for the next specimen. You don't care which one you get as long as you get it by the end of next week, right?" Kiyotaka asked even though he was already sure that the Doctor didn't care who dies. (Other than Midoriya of course.) But to his surprise-
"Actually, I do. There is a specific list of individuals who are to be kept alive at all costs. Izuku Midoriya, goes without saying. But I also desire, that Suzune Horikita, Ken Sudo, Yosuke Hirata, and Arisu Sakayanagi be kept alive at all costs." Doctor Garaki said much to Ayanokoji's surprise.
"And what makes these people so special?" Kiyotaka asked with an emotionless look on his face and words that matched that feeling. The Doctor noticed this and continued.
"Excellent question! I'm looking to recruit those specific individuals for the task force that me and your father are organizing. You already gave Manabu Horikita a Quirk that is most suited for him, and he is on the ship awaiting orders from your father as we speak. As for the rest of them, we will give them Quirks that suit them perfectly as the pawns in this game of chess that they are. Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Doctor Garaki asked while Ayanokoji nodded in response. And even though Garaki couldn't see his protégé nod, he knew that he did.
"Now, I have a question. How goes contacting the vestiges within your Quirk? I suspect that you've encountered the previous users of AFO by now. Am I correct to assume that?" Garaki asked as Kiyotaka nodded once more.
"You are correct. However, they have not spoken a single word to me about anything. They have completely kept their distance from me, both AFO and the man named Tomura Shigaraki. I'm quite certain me as their successor." Kiyotaka replied as Garaki understood how this came to be. After all, what he had done in the advent of his Master's death was completely against the latter's wishes. Not only that but AFO did not personally have a say in who his successor was. So, it would go without saying that he would reject Kiyotaka.
As for Tomura Shigaraki, he had no desire for a successor as he only cared about destroying everything. So, if he were to die then the entire world would also go out with him. That meant that he would also reject Ayanokoji as well. The Doctor understood this from the get-go and accepted this to happen.
"I understand. It would have been greatly beneficial to get them to cooperate with our plans, but beggars can't be choosers. They might not believe that you have any worth as the third user of AFO. But I see much potential in you, Kiyotaka. I expect great things from you, as you have exactly what Tomura lacked to become AFO's true successor." Garaki replied.
"And what's that?" Kiyotaka replied with an unamused look on his face as Garaki gave out a hearty laugh.
"A brain! Not only that but a brain that holds great intelligence comparable to my own! Tomura Shigaraki was a pathetic manchild who never was fit to be my Master's successor! But no matter how much I tried to convince him otherwise, his obsession with the Shimura family and his hatred of All Might did not make him think rationally when choosing his successor." The Doctor replied as he thought back to Tomura. It would be a lie if he said that Tomura held no potential within him.
However, his childish desire of wanting to destroy everything instead of taking the world that laid at his fingertips was his undoing. In contrast, AFO built a criminal empire that was able to take the world by storm! He controlled all of Japan with an iron fist! And even the U.S or China were scared of him to the point that they did not even try to help Japan in the slightest while the Demon King was at his peak! Though All Might did overcome AFO through sheer luck and put most of the latter's allies behind bars. This was only a consequence of the stubborn defiance by the users of One For All. But now…
… One For All no longer exists meaning that no one stands in the way of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji claiming his place as the next All For One. The only exception being Izuku Midoriya but even he won't be able to overcome the true successor of AFO with Obliterator. Obliterator might have the power to destroy Quirks, but it won't be enough for him to defeat Ayanokoji and the allies that will stand by his side in due time. If All Might proved something, it was that one man can't shoulder the entire world on his back alone…
… And that's exactly why Izuku Midoriya will be mercilessly destroyed by Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. (After the latter is satisfied by, he learns from the former of course.) It was sufficient to say that Doctor Garaki wasn't worried in the slightest over the slight inconvenience that losing the USJ Nomu was. So, what if Midoriya defeated one of his Nomu? Soon, he'll have plenty of Nomu to the point that even All Might would be overwhelmed and defeated by. Not to mention, the potential that Kiyotaka Ayanokoji holds within him to change the fate of this world! As far as Garaki was concerned, everything was still going according to plan.
"I more or less understand. That concludes this 'talk' of ours, right?" Kiyotaka nodded as The Doctor nodded from the other end of the line.
"That's right. We're done here for now. Until we meet again, my ever so promising ally." Doctor Garaki finished as Ayanokoji ended the call shortly afterwards. However, even though he had long since trusted the young man with his true name, there was one thing that The Doctor got wrong. And that was-
'But Garaki, I never once thought of you as an ally. Not you. Not my father. And not a single person from the White Room. All people are nothing but tools. It doesn't matter how it's done. It doesn't matter what needs to be sacrificed. In this world, winning is everything. As long as I win in the end… that's all that matters.' The man named Kiyotaka Ayanokoji thought internally before vanishing from the scene.
That's right. I really had no idea of the 'enemy' that Garaki prepared for me. And before I knew it both me and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji were already headed on a collision course with each other as our fight would change the course of history. The people of this world had no idea what was waiting for them. Nobody did. I doubt even Kyudai Garaki or Kiyotaka Ayanokoji themselves knew what would happen at the time…
… But it wouldn't be much longer, exactly seven months after this day, August 8th, that the world would change forever. March 8th, of next year would be the end of everything that had begun in the world I was born in and the beginning of something new…
… It was sufficient to say that day would later be known as 'The Final Battle Between Good and Evil.'
SEVEN MONTHS REMAIN UNTIL THE FINAL BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL BEGINS
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: The End of an Exam and the Beginning of a New One
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!