All Might went into Todoroki's room.
"Hello, Todoroki-shonen."
"Hello."
"We need to talk about your unwillingness to use your fire."
"This again?" Shouto got frustrated. "You don't know anything!"
"No, Todoroki-shonen. I know everything that matters now. Your father and your siblings, they told all of it. About Touya, and Rei, and Endeavor's dream."
"So you understand my reasons now?"
"I understand." The hero nodded. "But I can not in good consciousness let you stay in hero course with such attitude."
"What? Why?!" Todoroki slightly raised his voice. The temperature in the room started to decrease.
"Because you can't be a real hero if you don't want to give it your all."
"I don't need my father's fire, All Might." Shouto said despite knowing he needed it back at USJ.
"Tell me, why do you want to be a hero?"
"Because I've been told so all my life."
"By Endeavor?"
"Yes."
"For someone who hates his father so much, you don't really try to think beyond him." The blond man thought.
"I see. Any other reason?"
Todoroki recalled watching All Might saving lives on Tv. Rei was still there, caring for him.
"Because I want to be a hero, like you."
"That is commendable, but let me ask you this: Do you think I would ever settle for using half of my power?"
"Does it even matter? You are so strong that nobody else can ever match you."
"I suppose there is no other way to convince him." All Might said in his head.
"You are wrong, Todoroki-shonen. I almost died to a villain several years ago."
"What?" Shouto was taken by surprise. "That is impossible. Who could possibly defeat you?"
"Someone with a lot of power. He lost to me because of his ego. Instead of fighting cleverly, he wasted time taunting and trying to match me in my fighting style."
Shouto didn't say anything for a bit.
"How can I know you are not lying to me?"
"I can show you my scar, but you must promise me not to tell others. It is a very important secret, Todoroki-shonen."
"Alright, I promise."
All Might showed his scar without dropping his muscle form. Shouto's eyes were the widest they've ever been.
"How..." He whispered.
"That villain was just that powerful. There are two reasons I defeated him: I gave it my all and he did not."
The heterochromatic boy did not say anything.
"Todoroki-shonen, if you truly wish to be a hero like me, then I need you to use your entire quirk. If you keep limiting yourself, you will end up like that villain instead. You will be killed by someone willing push themselves to 100 percent, even if they are weaker than you. You don't have to be a hero for your father, but I ask you to be a hero for all the innocents that will need your help."
"Does my father know about your injury?"
"Yes. I had to tell him today after seeing him so distraught. It pains me to say this, but Japan needs Endeavor."
"And you are telling me to do exactly what he wants?"
"No, Todoroki-shonen. I am asking you to do what a hero should. If you can't put saving lives over your grudge, then I am afraid you shouldn't stay in the hero course."
The blond man left the boy to think in solitude.
Daigo was teaching Ochako how to play poker, count probabilities and not give away your hand. Even with a way to perfectly cheat the system, she would need to look somewhat convincing.
"I don't know, Daigo." Uraraka said. "It doesn't feel right to earn money this way."
"Does it feel right that you have to take handovers from the school?" Brando pointed at her phone. "Face it, life is unfair to a lot of people. All we can do is make the most out of whatever cards we are given."
"I guess that makes sense." The girl reluctantly said. "I applied for hero course because Zero Gravity is good for rescue work."
"Now you get it. We are just trying to pull ourselves up."
"But still, isn't this whole thing illegal?"
"Trust me, police and heroes have better things to worry about than a bunch of idiots playing with cards."
"Like what?"
"Drinking coffee and posing for cameras." The boy snickered. "So the plan is as follows: this Saturday there will be a large tournament. People are wary around me, but they'll probably think you are a rich and overconfident fool. I lead you to the club entrance and you will play on your own. Then we'll split the profit 50/50."
"I'll only do it once." Ochako told him. "I don't want to abuse this too much."
"Then we better make sure you make the most out of it." Daigo pulled 75000 yen from his desk.
"Do you really want to give me so much money?!" Ochako trembled a bit.
"You aren't stupid, are you? Just pretend you are a lucky idiot on a roll, and everything will be fine."
All Might entered Izuku's room. The sight of many Endeavor statues annoyed him now.
"Hello, All Might."
"Hello, Midoriya-shonen." The hero sat down on the bed. "Please, sit with me, we have to talk."
"I didn't screw up anywhere, did I?"
"No. I wish to talk to you about something beyond your direct involvement. I'm asking you to keep our conversation a secret."
"Sure." Midoriya nodded. "I know how to keep secrets."
All Might took the teenager to ground Omega, which was already empty by that point. He looked around and did not notice anyone nearby, so he deflated to Yagi Toshinori.
"What?!" Izuku screamed. "Yagi-sensei? You are... All Might... Is this a joke? Please tell me this is a joke."
"I wish, Midoriya-shonen."
"What? Why? How?"
"Sit down, please. It is a long story."
They sat underneath a tree. All Might explained the history behind the villain All For One (Izuku tensed up), and the quirk One For All which made Yagi into a Number One hero. He then talked about the showdown from 6 years ago, showed his nasty scar and explained that his time as hero is nearing its end. After that, Toshinori voiced his concerns over Nomu's quirks and AFO's potential return.
"It... It can't be!" Izuku protested. "You're... weaker. There is villain with a better version of Collection. He almost killed you! And he wants to kill me!" Izuku kept blabbering after receiving so many shocking revelations.
"I know you need to time to process this, so I'll wait."
Midoriya kept hyperventilating for 5 minutes, but eventually got a hold of himself. He received a call from Itsuka.
"Midoriya, are you okay? It's getting darker and you nowhere to be seen."
"I'm fine..." He did not sound fine. "I... I'll be back soon, promise"
"This All For One guy? Is he really still alive?" He asked the blond man.
"I don't know, but I suspect it might the case. You might become his target, which is why I decided to share this secret with you."
"If a villain like that gets exposed, people will think I'm his son or something. The pushback against me will get worse."
"Do not fret, Midoriya-shonen. I know you are nothing like him, and I will support you, as teacher and as public figure."
"Thank you..." Izuku hugged Yagi.
"Now that there is nothing to hide between us, I want to check something." All Might offered his hand. "Try taking One For All from me."
Izuku tried desperately, but his efforts were fruitless.
"Sorry. It felt like I was trying to pick up a plank that was nailed to the floor."
"Alright, this is expected." The hero said. "I'm still thinking about who to pick as One For All successor. Do you have any ideas? Preferably someone among first years."
Izuku's immediate thought was taking OFA for himself, but the more he pondered about it, the less it seemed like a good idea.
"I don't think it should be me. Your successor should be a person who inspires hope in everyone's hearts. I can't walk around without raising at least some suspicion, and it won't go away any time soon. Plus, I like being flexible with quirks. If I had yours the entire time, I wouldn't as good in analysis and testing. I don't quite know everyone in first years, so I can not give you a definitive answer right now."
"Understandable." Yagi nodded. "You should go back to the dorms. I know I've stressed you out right now, but it had to be said."
"Wait, I need to tell my parents they are in danger! They need to get back here."
"Not necessarily."
"What do you mean?"
"All For One's influence in other countries was much smaller compared to Japan. I believe they will be safer in America. I can ask my friends to watch over them."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes."
"Well, I guess I can trust your judgment. But I'll still tell them to be careful."
"Of course."
"Maybe I can give you the Nomu's quirks? The regeneration can not heal old wounds but it can prevent further damage."
"Thanks, but that's not really the problem. I don't think any of your quirks can help me stay in shape for longer, and people will inevitably freak out once they see me like this." Yagi pointed at his scrawny body. "No, the best way you can help me is become a great hero that can uphold peace without me."
"I will, All Might. I promise."
"Good. Very good."
Izuku went to the dorm, and on his way he tried to not look stressed. His favorite hero just told him that a big bad villain might be alive and after them. Nothing too terrible. Half of 1A met him on the entrance door, asking what happened to him. Setsuna went as far as grabbing his hands. He tried to smile and told them everything is fine. Midoriya was hoping to move on from today's revelation by returning to his usual work.
Next morning started with Izuku visiting chosen 1A students to give them their quirks. He also told them about an upcoming website that could help them gather new quirks quicker. Midoriya went to 1B dorm and left Rifle to Shouji, who then said he'll need Snipe-sensei's help. Izuku waited at the entrance gate to meet Tooru. The girl was still visible and very happy. She even hugged him to show her gratitude. Her parents were shocked at first but glad to see their daughter full of happiness. She asked if he can put their quirks into objects as well, and he told her he would discuss it with the principal.
When he returned to his dorm, Tenya and Momo gathered everybody to run through the material they missed over the week. Some people groaned about this but ultimately everyone agreed. Then Yaomomo announced the cheerleading 'contest' and asked who's going to join. Itsuka joked that Neito could one up 1B if he made a boys' team, which caused him to go intense and actually apply. Fujimi joined too, on the account that 'he's the most nimble one in the class'. Setsuna told Izuku they should apply together, so he agreed. Others from 1A included Pony, Camie and Momo herself. They would have to attend some dance lessons before the Sports Festival. After that, everyone went to do their business: Uraraka and Brando went to the city to 'have fun' after having their quirks put in tokens, Shiozaki went to tend her garden, Monoma went to watch anime with Tsunotori etc.
Shouto pulled Izuku into his room for a talk.
"What do you want to talk about?" Izuku asked. "Oh, I get it. You want analysis."
"No, no that. I want to ask about your quirk."
"Sure thing, ask away."
"Can you split quirks?"
"What?" Midoriya was confused.
"To be specific, can you split my quirk?"
"Okay. First of all, how do even imagine that? Second, why would I do that."
"Maybe if you put it in a piece of paper and cut it. As for reasoning, I had a conversation with All Might yesterday. He told me I shouldn't be in the hero course if I don't use my entire quirk. I..." Todoroki kept quiet for a moment. "Have to admit that some of my preconceptions have been proven false. I am wondering if you could take half of my quirk and give it somebody else. That way, it will be used, but it won't prop up my father."
"He really hates Endeavor for some reason." Izuku thought.
"I don't want to risk damaging your quirk. For all we know, it might completely disappear if the object is tied to gets broken. Sorry."
"I see." Shouto nodded. "In that case, we have nothing to talk about. Leave my room."
"Wait! Maybe you let me analyse Half Hot Half Cold?"
"No."
Izuku left to Ground Omega with Setsuna, while Shouto was called into Camie's room.
Author's notes: Please leave comments!