Chapter 6: Midoriya Izuku VI
A/N: And chapter six, here we go! Here's the continuation from last time's cliffhanger. I hope that you all enjoy...
He appears in a room.
It's dark. And dingy. At first glance he assumes that he's in a worn-down bar, complete with a wall of alcohol and the large counter for patrons to sit at. What little light there is shines from the flickering fixtures on the wall, and Izuku notes that just by shuffling his feet the floorboards begin to creak.
And then there's the people.
Behind the counter is a rather finely-dressed man, currently wiping away at the insides of a glass. His eyes are large slits of yellow, and a black gaseous substance shrouds his form.
Izuku's willing to say that the man is made of it, which would go along with his theory that the stranger is the owner of the portal quirk that brought him here.
And then there's the other present individual, a boy who seems to be a little older than him who's sitting on the counter itself.
His hair is bluish-white in color, and red eyes peer from behind a severed hand that clutches tightly onto his face. He's scratching parts all over himself — his agitated state speaking wonders of his mood. But that's not all that piques Izuku's interest in the boy.
There are several other hands that run across the lengths of his arms, all bent and grasping on from different angles. Coupled with the otherwise casual attire that's laid bare underneath the severed hands, and Izuku finds the individual completely antithetical to the other one present — Kurogiri, if he's correct in his assumption.
All that's missing from the bunch is the owner of the third voice, the one who—
"Seems to be in charge?" A loud, bellowing voice echoes throughout the room. "Because you'd be correct in that assumption, boy."
Again, Izuku startles at the voice. It's owner is nowhere present in the room nor anywhere in the range of his quirk. The only thing that Izuku can tell is that the voice is coming from the direction of the gaseous man, almost as if it's coming from right behind his head.
"And that's because it is," the voice says. "There currently is a portal set up on the back of my subordinate's head. And yes, his name is indeed Kurogiri."
Before he can really consider his thoughts, Izuku's mouth runs the first question that pops into his head. "Do you have some sort of mind reading quirk? Is that how you were able to tell I was nearby?"
"Sensei," the hand-covered figure suddenly says, pushing himself off from the top of the counter. "What's with the brat?" He takes a step towards Izuku, hand outstretched. "He's annoying me. Can I just—"
"Calm yourself, Tomura. Leave the boy be. I wish to talk with him. Preferably, unharmed."
As the words reverberate through the room, the boy — whom Izuku mentally dubs as Tomura — scoffs, backing off and leaning against the counter. "Yes, Sensei."
"Thank you, Tomura," the disembodied voice — of which Izuku starts to mentally identify as 'Sensei' — says.
"As for you, boy," Sensei begins, his voice elegant and deep, "as payment for intruding upon our domain, it would be polite of you to give out your name."
Izuku nods, ignoring the fact that technically, his intrusion wasn't of his choice. "Midoriya Izuku, uh… sir. Is there… something specific that should refer to you as?"
Sensei lets out a laugh that sends shivers down Izuku's back. "You may refer to me as however you wish," he continues. "But for being so polite, I'll answer your question from earlier: yes, and no."
"I—"
"As for specificites," Sensei interrupts, "I can only read your surface thoughts. That's the best that this quirk can offer me. And even that is flawed; a strong enough will can dispel the effect. All in all, it's best used on the unknowing mind, as yours was moments ago."
"I see…" Izuku mutters, already processing the information for later.
There's a brief bout of silence before Sensei speaks again. "Are you not frightened?" he asks. "Surely by now you've already pieced together that we're—"
"Villains?" Izuku interrupts this time. This incites a harsh glare from Tomura, all while the stoic Kurogiri continues to stare on unblinkingly.
"Indeed," Sensei says. "But please, go on. I can sense that your train of thought is not complete."
Izuku takes a deep breath. "Well… It was either that or the possibility that you three were some underground heroes on a stakeout, with Tomura maybe being a hero student on their internship."
"And which do you think is true?"
"Honestly? I find it unlikely that you're of the latter," Izuku admits, "considering that I've kept myself up to date on every active hero, including the underground ones."
"Is that so?" Sensei huffs. "Then I ask again: Are you truly not frightened by this prospect? Are you not scared that we could potentially be… villains?"
Izuku takes a moment to piece together his thoughts. "Not— Not really. Because… Well, I think that whatever you do to me can't be any worse than what I've already experienced in my life."
"Is that so?" The mirth is clear in Sensei's voice. "Hmph. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking? Ten? Eleven?"
"Eight years old, sir."
"Eight? Eight years old, and already gifted with such an exquisitely analytical mind? Why, I can't believe it! I'm inclined to say that you're perhaps one of the most intriguing children I've ever met, bar Tomura of course."
Izuku blinks, processing the words that he's hearing. "You really think so?"
"I do!" Sensei cheers. "After all, there you are, so casually standing before a few villains, our intentions towards you unknown, and you without any concrete knowledge of our quirks. Any other child would be shivering in their boots just thinking of such a situation! But you… You're the complete opposite. And that? That really, really, make me interested."
Izuku flickers his eyes from Kurogiri, then to Tomura, and back. "Sir?"
"Kurogiri."
A portal whirls into existence right in front of Izuku. Before he can act, much less move, a sizable arm shoots out from the aperture. The attached hand wraps itself over Izuku's face, covering it whole. It lingers for a few moments, Izuku standing frozen as the calloused palm examines and prods.
Eventually — much to Izuku's relief — the hand slowly removes itself from his face. The portal closes, but Izuku finds that the space in front of him is suddenly occupied. He can only assume that the man now present is the mysterious Sensei.
Standing at a minimum of seven to eight feet in height, he towers greatly over Izuku's diminutive form. The pristine suit that he wears compliments his cleanly cut white hair, from which behind peek out his piercing blue eyes. And that's all without mentioning the unsettling, wide-mouthed grin that stretches from one side of his face to the other.
"Interesting…" Sensei mutters, rubbing his hand under his chin.
"What—" Izuku takes a breath, "What did you just do?"
"Nothing, Midoriya. Nothing… for now." Sensei lets out a small laugh. "Now. Tell me, where do you live?"
Izuku hesitates for a second, averting his gaze to the ground. "...Shizuoka."
With his quirk, Izuku can sense Sensei tilt his head. He can even sense the miniscule sounds of his mouth; especially how the grin on his face stretches out even more.
Izuku sighs, knowing that the man's silence means that he obviously wants more. Izuku looks up, purposely avoiding Sensei's gaze. However, that only alerts him to Tomura's ever-growing hostile glare and his insistent scratching of his skin.
"Musutafu," Izuku finally reveals.
"Ah," Sensei speaks again. "Wonderful location, don't you think? Beautiful beaches, a bustling nightlife, a close proximity to the prestigious Yuuei High… Makes me wonder what you're doing way out here in Kanagawa."
Izuku doesn't grace the man with an answer.
"Alright," Sensei continues. "Tell you what — I'll have Kurogiri here to transport you back home. How does that sound to you?"
Izuku narrows his eyes. He raises his face further, this time looking right back at Sensei's face. "What's to stop me from telling the police?"
Sensei bends down to Izuku's height, his grin still never leaving his face. He lingers for a few moments before answering. "Nothing, of course."
With that, Sensei slowly stands back up, moving backwards to lean against the counter as he places his hands in his pockets. "I do, however, propose a trade for you. To discourage you from taking such a… reckless route of action."
"A... trade?" Izuku questions with suspicion.
"An equal transaction, if you will," Sensei answers. "You don't speak of our meeting. And in return, I will give you information. Information that can… help in your investigations."
Izuku starts drumming his fingers against his side. "And how would you know anything about that? You said that you could only read surface thoughts, did you not?"
Sensei chuckles. "I'm a man whose hands are dipped in many pockets, Midoriya. You can trust me on that."
Izuku takes a breath, and finally nods. "Fine."
Sensei claps his hands together, getting a slight twitch from Izuku. "Splendid!" He looks back to Kurogiri. "A portal, if you will, Kurogiri. You know where."
The black mist opens off to the side. Izuku looks over to it, and then back to Sensei. Sensei simply gestures his hands towards the portal. "I'll tell you on the way out."
Izuku nods, and takes a cautious step towards the portal. Another. A third, slow step, and a fourth—
"As for that information?" Sensei calls out.
"Yes?" Izuku asks, stopping in his tracks but not daring to turn away from the portal.
"Do me a favor, seeing as you're going to Musutafu." Izuku can sense the Sensei's already present grin stretching even further. "Drop by the Todoroki residence for me. I don't want you to do much. All I ask is that you listen in."
Izuku spins around, his eyes glaring daggers at the man. "What the f—"
Izuku pauses, taking a moment to breathe. "What does… Endeavor have anything to do with this?"
Sensei tilts his head to the side. "Who said anything about Endeavor?"
He does his best to hold the reins of his mind in. Izuku turns back around, and enters the portal without another word.
The cold air brushes against his skin as the portal behind him withers away into nothingness.
He waits a few seconds before he does anything, first turning around to ensure that the portal is gone.
Once he confirms his newfound solitude, his body involuntarily shutters, a harsh breath escaping through his lips. Everything he was holding back comes out all at once. All the fear and agitation that had been building up escapes now that he's out of the reach of those villains.
It takes him a few moments to adjust; for his heart and breath to slow down. But once he does he finally gets a chance to observe his surroundings. And, much to his surprise, he finds them particularly... familiar.
He notices the fact that he was plopped down before a door. He eyes the apartment number on it — one he's intimately familiar with — as well as the recognizable railing that lines the second floor walkway.
I'm… in front of my apartment. That means...
Izuku lets out a groan. "I'm so screwed."
He leans up against the railing, taking a moment to stare up at the sky and for the moon's light to shine upon his face.
I mean, I somehow impressed that Sensei guy enough to let me go. But…
Izuku takes a second to look back at his door.
He knows where I live… The best thing I can take out of this is that this 'Sensei' was rather accommodating. Still, I don't want him getting mad at me to the point that he comes after me, that's for sure… So the best thing to do would be to listen to him, right?
Izuku lets out a yawn, the events of the night finally catching up to him. He shakes his head to ward of the fatigue just a little longer
Sleep… Sleep first. I'll check — I have to, for my own sake. But I'll do it tomorrow.
He wished that he hadn't.
He ended up sitting in a cafe, one just close enough to the enormous complex that was the Todoroki residence. It took a bit until activity began to stir in the house, but once it did that's when things became… eventful.
There were two boys and a girl. Natsuo, Fuyumi, and Shoto Todoroki. And of course… Endeavor himself.
Everything seemed normal at first — well, as normal as a home that housed Endeavor could be. But then one of the boys — Shoto, based off of the insistent yelling of Endeavor — was called over to a rather large room. And then…
Izuku scowls just thinking about it.
The fact that that monster would do that — to his own son, even!
Izuku shakes his head to clear his thoughts. There's nothing yet that he can do about it. He's not capable of going against the monster that is Endeavor.
Or, at least… not directly.
And so, Izuku plots.
The next day, Izuku reaches Sanaruko Park. With a bag on his back and his mind fresh off from sleep after a day's worth of surveillance, he sets off inside. He travels for a while, following the trails and generally avoiding what few other people are there in the morning. He isn't wandering around without reason though — he's heading towards a specific bench, one that rests on the northwestern shore of Lake Sanaru.
It's not long before he arrives at his intended destination. Following along with what he had heard yesterday, on the bench is just who he's looking for. Izuku takes a breath in preparation, walking forth and setting himself down next to the boy who — after a bit of digging around — Izuku knows is the same age as he.
Looking beside him, Izuku takes a glance at Todoroki Shoto. He isn't sure what he had expected, but the heterochromatic, dual-color haired, and scarred boy now sitting beside him isn't exactly it.
Izuku gets so caught up in taking in the characteristics of the boy he views as a kindred spirit that he only realizes he's staring when Todoroki himself turns his head, eyes narrowed and a slight frown on his face.
Coming face to face with the boy, Izuku shakes his head. Focus. You need to do this properly. No scaring him off. You can do this.
"Todoroki Shoto?" he asks.
The boy in question blinks once. Twice. Three times, before he answers. "...Yes?"
Izuku smiles and offers his hand out. "Midoriya Izuku."
Izuku waits a few moments, doing his best to hold Todoroki's blank stare. However, as the seconds pass it becomes clear to Izuku that Todoroki doesn't wish to take the hand. So he eventually drops it.
"Yeah," Izuku mutters, more for himself than anything. "You probably don't want to shake some random stranger's hand. Especially considering, well..."
Todoroki merely continues to stare.
"Umm… Oh, right!" Izuku shuffles around in his bag and pulls out a bottle of water. He places it on the bench in the space between himself and Todoroki. "For you, if you want it."
Aside from a brief hum, Todoroki doesn't answer. He simply turns his head back towards the lake, content to watch the still waters in the morning light.
Looks like that's all I'm getting from him today.
But Izuku's fine with that. He can be patient.
On the weekends, he finds Todoroki Shoto on the bench in the morning. On school days, the boy's there in the evenings.
It's not exactly convenient for Izuku: sometimes the events of the day are just too much for him, and he just wants to head home to get the day over with. And sometimes he just wants to head straight over to talk with Shiozaki. But Izuku knows that he has to keep pushing if he wants to get through
He ends up having to juggle a weird balancing act of trying to work his way into Shoto's life, cutting down his trips to Shiozaki (which in a way she's pleased with, since to her it means that Izuku's found something that motivates him to do more than just trudge on through life) and tending to his own needs.
But he's able to make it work. And so, Izuku continues with his plan for the whole of next month.
It takes two weeks for any sort of progress at all though, and even then it's nothing much. It's by day fifteen of constantly sitting silently by one another on the bench that Todoroki takes the offered water bottle, chugging it down to the last drop.
It's not an unexpected action for Izuku, but if anything he's surprised that it's taken so long for Todoroki to take the offer of goodwill.
After all, with the amount of Endeavor-made flames and expulsions of ice being produced in that dojo, there's no way that Todoroki isn't dehydrated by the end of his 'training.' Especially since Izuku knows that the boy doesn't get a drink afterwards, instead hightailing it straight to the park afterwards.
It's been three days since then, and Izuku's entering the park with another silent sitting session planned in mind. That is, until he hears something different from the lakeside bench.
Normally, Izuku wouldn't be worried. Shoto doesn't always arrive at the same time, after all. Sometimes, Izuku's sitting thereAnd there's nothing that says another person can't sit on the desk. It's a public park, after all.
But from the voice that relays hushed mutterings and the accompanying scratching, Izuku has an idea of who it is. And he knows that there's no avoiding the upcoming confrontation.
And so, Izuku makes the long trek towards the bench, and calmly sets himself down beside a much more normal looking Tomura, one without the many hands that covered his form from last time..
"Took you long enough, you brat," the older boy says. "I'm already irritated enough as is by having to meet you. If you'd taken any longer I might have just dusted you."
"What do you want?" Izuku asks, ignoring his budding qualms.
It takes a bit before Tomura lets out a hum and asks his question. "What'd you get from watching the dumpster fire?"
Izuku blinks. "What?"
Tomura lets out a frustrated groan. "Endeavor. What reason did Sensei have for sending you to that hero?"
"Oh," Izuku breathes, letting out a low chuckle. "You mean that you don't know that he killed my dad?"
Tomura doesn't respond to that.
"Okay," Izuku begins. "Get to the point. Why are you here?"
"Hmph." Tomura crosses his arms, looking out across the lake. "It's Sensei," he grumbles. "He's interested in you."
"Yeah," Izuku says. "I got that impression from last time."
Tomura moves to scratch his neck. "I mean that he likes you. Like, really, really likes you… Kind of like me, I guess." Tomura's scratching speeds up at that. "I don't know why, but he does."
Izuku narrows his eyes. "And that means…"
A portal opens up in front of them.
"Sensei would like to talk," Tomura says, standing up and moving towards the portal. "Are you coming?"
"I don't really feel like I have a choice," Izuku admits, slumping off from the bench. "So, lead the way."
Tomura grins. "Now you're getting it."
He doesn't appear in the bar, as he had before. He finds himself in a darkened room instead, before him Sensei sitting on what Izuku can only guess is an enormous and gaudy throne.
On one side stands Kurogiri. On the other is an enormous man in a large hooded cloak, one that seemingly exceeds even Sensei in height. Izuku notices Tomura's sudden absence as well, but he shoves the thought away. He needs to focus now on the man before him.
"Sensei, sir," Izuku greets with a slight bow. "What is it that you wish to talk about?"
Sensei's grin returns in full force. "You're an interesting case, Midoriya. One that's intrigued me since we've met. You've persevered intense discrimination at such a young age, and yet here you are, strong as ever. Fraught with a hard-iron will and a spark of intelligence well on its way of reaching the likes of even the infamous Nedzu. All of it combined and, well, I have to say that you remind me of my young self. My urges just scream to help you."
Izuku licks his lips in trepidation. "Help?"
"Training," Sensei answers. "You've wanted training in martial arts for the longest time, have you not? Simply put, I can give you that without issue. I can provide you with the solace that you deserve to aid you in your struggles against the harsh realities of the world."
Izuku ignores the question in his head that asks how the man before him can possibly know that. He starts thinking of something else instead — something that he knows can get him killed.
"You say that I'm smart," Izuku begins. "But then, surely you don't think that I can see through you? That you're just trying to get something from me?"
"Can't a man just want to see the youth of today thrive and prosper?" Sensei asks as he leans forward, wrapping his hands together and under his chin. "Help a child that he sees is trapped in a dark place in their life?"
Izuku merely narrows his eyes in return.
Sensei lets out a laugh. "And that's why I like you, Midoriya. You're so much more mature than the children of your age group. There's potential within you, festering just below the surface. But you're holding back. You're letting the social norms dictate your actions."
"You mean that I'm stopping myself from becoming a villain, right?"
"Ah, but that's the topic of the day, isn't it? Think, for a second. What does it truly mean to be a villain? What exactly is a hero?" Sensei leans back in his seat. "And where do people like Endeavor stand within that spectrum, hmm?"
Izuku's fists tighten at the thought.
'You see?" Sensei asks. "You're a smart kid, you understand. This society of ours is one that runs on corruption and the ignorance of masses. Myself and my subordinates may be villains in the conventional sense, but does that really mean anything when the definitions of what it means to be a hero and a villain can be twisted oh so easily by the government?"
"And just so you're aware, there's no need to hide here. You're with like-minded individuals," Sensei continues. "After all, you've thought about it, haven't you? What you would do to Endeavor if you were given the chance? What you could change in our society if you were given the chance? What—"
"I'm not falling for your ideals," Izuku abruptly counters, taking a step forward. "I want to be a hero when I grow older. I want to invoke the changes I want to see in a position people can admire."
The still-unnamed individual to Sensei's side moves forward at Izuku's raised voice, but Sensei simply holds him back with the wave of his hand.
"Of course!" Sensei cheers. "Of course; I'm not trying to preach to you, or anything. I simply wished to open your mind to the possibility. After all, if you are to accept training from me, you should expect similar ideals to be heard from your mentors. I'm simply preparing you mentally for the prospect."
Izuku crosses his arms. "I still haven't accepted your offer."
Sensei lets out a snort. "Ah, you're right! How foolish of me, I'm getting ahead of myself. Tell me, what will convince you that my intentions are more for your own interests than mine?"
"You—" Izuku gulps. "I…"
"I've got it!" Sensei calls out. "I'll show you that I truly mean you no harm." He raises his hand out, palm facing outwards. "Come here."
Izuku darts his eyes from Kurogiri and to the yet unnamed figure. With them present, there's no chance of escape, that much Izuku knows for sure. And that's without mentioning the fact that — based on the little information he's gathered off of his quirk — he's almost a whole kilometer underground. All in all, Izuku dashes any hope of getting out of this situation on his own terms.
He walks forward, straight into Sensei's waiting hand. As his forehead collides with the palm, Izuku feels a growing heat emanating from the point of contact.
"I've researched the incident, Midoriya. My condolences."
Izuku doesn't need any further explanation. He knows which one Sense's talking about.
"But," Sensei continues, "by reading what happened, I came to a conclusion. Are you aware of what deep-seated trauma can do to one's quirk?"
Izuku raises his eyes to meet Sensei's, the answer rushing to his tongue. "They can negatively affect the development of one's quirk, sometimes even completely cutting off a whole aspect of a quirk."
When Izuku finishes his brief bout of trivia, his eyes widen in realization. "Are you saying—"
"Indeed." Sensei disconnects his hand. "Now, speak. "How do you feel?"
"I—"
Izuku yelps, finding his mouth suddenly zipped shut by some invisible force. His eyes dart over to the other individual in the room, his mind already trying to decipher his quirk.
"Eyes here, Midoriya."
Izuku eventually complies, turning his attention back to Sensei.
"Good," Sensei praises. "Now, speak."
Izuku shakes his head. "How the heck am I supposed to speak when… my mouth…"
Sensei grins. "Thankfully, I have a knack for all things quirks. Unblocking the mental block on your quirk was simple, but the rest? It just comes second nature to you, doesn't it?"
"You mean…" Izuku stops. He notices the fact that his thoughts are being… projected, out into the world. He can hear the way the vibrations come together throughout the walls of the room. He can sense how the walls act as a medium to muster sound together in such a way that it not only relays his thoughts, but sounds exactly like his own voice.
Izuku suddenly feels the pressure on his lips disappear, leaving him free to speak with his mouth. "I had a mental block on my quirk? And you— You can just… unblock trauma-related blocks? Just like that?"
Sensei crosses one leg over the others he leans back in his seat, his grin once again ruling his face. "Exciting, isn't it? And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I can do much more to strengthen your inherent potential."
Izuku sighs, clenching his eyes shut in thought. "Fine," he blustered. "I accept. But nothing more, and nothing less, okay? I'm here simply for training in order to improve myself. Okay?"
"Sounds alright to me," Sensei says with a nod. "Such a talented individual such as yourself shouldn't be wasted wallowing in the pick-me-ups of society after all. I'm glad that you see that."
"Sensei—"
"I know." Sensei holds up a placating gesture. "I know. I'm just happy that you accepted, you know? I already have much planned for you. I hope that you're ready."
A/N: And there we have it. You all know what they say about slippery slopes, right?
Also: More Fun Facts!
- The choice of using Sanaruko Park made under the assumption that Musutafu's real world equivalent is Hamamatsu.
- As for the proximity of the Todoroki residence to the Midoriya's apartment? Well, "Near Shizuoka" is vague anyways.