Chapter 3: A step forward

Izuku contemplates the opportunity given and if he really has what Edna called "Potential," or if it was all a lie. His chance to see if it is real comes soon, but with the help of Kacchan, of course!

In this AU, everything happens a bit earlier, and that includes the Sludge Villain incident, but it will have a different outcome from the canon.

Godofwolves90: Our boy Izuku is filled to the brim with badassness. Edna is just the key to unlocking it.

Chapter 3: A step forward

-Café-

As the café's closing time approached, Izuku made the decision to head home. He felt a bit hesitant at first about taking some pastries, concerned he might be taking advantage of the lady's kindness. However, he quickly realized that it would be both rude and a missed opportunity to turn down those awesome matcha cakes. After packing up his belongings, he placed his order for the pastries and, much to the surprise of the waiter, added a little tip along with a heartfelt "thank you."

With the pastries in hand, Izuku stepped out of the café around Friday evening and began his walk home. As he made his way, he called his mother to let her know where he was and that he would be getting home a bit later than usual. His mother, always the worrying type, was quick to express her concerns, but a brief conversation was usually enough to soothe her anxiousness. He knew that this tendency of hers was one of the factors that would influence his decisions.

As he walked, Izuku found himself lost in thought, almost as if he were floating in a dream. He had recently received an incredible offer that could finally help him pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a hero. The opportunity to learn from one of the most renowned figures in the hero industry was both exhilarating and daunting. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing on the precipice of something monumental, a chance to truly understand what it meant to be a hero.

Yet, despite the excitement bubbling inside him, doubt and fear crept into his mind, casting a shadow over this promising opportunity. What if he didn't have what it took to study under her? What if he wasn't worthy of such a chance? These thoughts swirled in his head, making him question not only his abilities but also whether he could rise to meet the expectations that came with such an incredible offer.

About thirty minutes later, Izuku finally arrived at his apartment. The building stood modestly among a cluster of similar structures, each about five stories tall and resembling a danchi. Power lines crisscrossed in front of the building, lending an air of normalcy to the bustling neighborhood. A large "2" marked the side of the main apartment, indicating their unit. He climbed the stairs, his heart still racing from the day's events, and opened the door to the familiar sight of home.

Inside, the apartment had the typical layout of a small family dwelling, there was a cozy dining area with a table and chairs, and a cabinet neatly stocked with plates, cups, and bowls. The warmth of home enveloped him, and he was immediately greeted by his mother's voice calling from the kitchen. "Izuku, is that you?!"

Taking off his shoes and placing them at the doorway, he replied, "Yes, Mum! I'm back!" As he stepped inside, he could see her bustling at the stove, preparing dinner. She turned around for a moment, and her tired but warm smile made his heart swell. "Welcome, sweetie! I'm glad you're back safely. How was school? You were out awfully late. Where did you go?"

Inko Midoriya had always been a bit of a worrier, a trait that came with being not just a mother, but the mother of a quirkless child. Izuku often felt a twinge of guilt for causing her anxiety. He hadn't chosen to be born without a quirk, yet he felt responsible for making her life more difficult over the past eight years. He had always strived to be a good son and a diligent student, hoping that if he excelled, perhaps his mother wouldn't worry so much. Unfortunately, that strategy often meant he internalized the bullying he faced at school, smiling and ducking his head instead of speaking up.

"Yeah, I'm okay, Mum. I just went for a discussion, and it took a while. I walked back, but I brought you some pastries from a café I went to," he said, carefully sidestepping the full truth. He hated lying to her, but he didn't want to burden her with the details of his meeting, especially given the gravity of the offer he had received.

Intrigued, Inko walked over to inspect the pastries Izuku had brought. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of such exquisite treats, these were the kind of desserts that could only be found in high-end cafés. "Izuku, sweetie, where did you get these? They look far too fancy and must have cost a lot," she said, concern lacing her tone. "I hope you're not wasting your pocket money on these sweets. I've told you to be mindful of your spending."

Izuku quickly waved her off, feeling a rush of panic. "N-no, Mum! The person I was meeting got these for me. At first, I declined, but I didn't want to appear rude, so I decided to bring some home."

Inko sighed, crossing her arms as she looked at him. "That's very sweet of the person, Izuku. But I always remind you that we're not a charity family! If we can afford it, that's one thing, but we need to make do with what we have and appreciate the opportunities we're given. Okay, mister?"

Izuku nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mum!" He often wondered if her teachings were a source of comfort when she learned about his Quirklessness or if they were simply lessons any parent would impart to their child. Either way, he had always heeded her advice, and it seemed to work out, at least for today.

Inko told Izuku to place the pastries in the fridge, citing that they would have them for dessert after dinner. Izuku agreed and quickly ran upstairs to his room to change so that he could help his mother set up the table. Dinner was relatively quiet, with occasional talk about each other's days and what else came up. Izuku gave vague details about his day, waiting for the right moment to bring up the offer he received.

He took a deep breath and spoke. "Mum, I wanted to talk to you about what happened after school and-" he was interrupted by her.

"Oh, that reminds me, Izuku! I know that it's quite early, but I wanted to discuss high school for next year. I just had a talk with a friend of mine at the law firm who mentioned this great sister school that works with Aldera." It took everything in Izuku not to visibly flinch at that mention. "They talked about their great work with quirkless students and how those who study there are better suited to get to college and a job easier than most. I was thinking you could consider that for a while," she said nonchalantly, taking a bite of her food.

Izuku was silent for a bit. He suddenly remembered the day he was diagnosed as quirkless, when he asked his mum with tears in his eyes if he could still be a hero, and she just... cried and apologized to him. It was heartbreaking, and although his mum never meant any harm, his dream of becoming a hero had been shaken ever since.

He understood that she just wanted him to live a normal life if he couldn't become a hero, but Izuku didn't really want a normal life. He wanted to do something more, to help others with a smile on his face. He just wanted to prove that he could still be somebody.

"O-oh, that's great, Mum... but I was actually still thinking of becoming a hero and applying to U.A. for—"

Inko sighed and dropped her chopsticks. "Izuku..."

"Mum, I still want to become a hero and I believe I can," he said.

"Sweetie, I understand that you still want to become a hero, but you must understand that the world is not as simple as you see it. Not many heroes out there are as unique as you," she tried to phrase it in a way that meant he was special, but all it did was make his self-esteem deflate. "I believe that going to a normal high school and getting a normal career would be the best option. You are very smart; you could study to be a doctor and help people out," she suggested with an encouraging smile.

Izuku sighed. He knew she meant well, but he also understood that many fields required a brightness and IQ level comparable to Nezu's, or at least a quirk that would aid in the field. He wasn't passionate about medicine or its direction, as his mother hoped.

Sensing his son's reluctance, Inko sighed again. She stretched over the dining table to gently grab hold of her son's hands. "Izuku, I know you have dreams, but sometimes, even when we want to achieve something, it might not be possible. We just have to accept it and find a different route in life. I want you to be happy, but I think you should try, at least, to think sensibly, okay?"

Izuku could only nod, "…yes... mum," feeling like he was grounded. He slowly took back his hand, much to his mum's sad eyes, and went back to eating his meal. Inko did the same, and suddenly the air was thick with an all-too-heavy and unresolved tension. Izuku didn't even get to say what he needed to say and decided to let it go. He left to go to his room early, not even bothering to have any of the sweets he brought, and he told his mum that he had suddenly lost his appetite.

-Aldera High-

The next couple of days followed, and Izuku found himself slipping back into the same old routine. The morning felt heavy as he walked to school, the air thick with his lingering worries. He was wondering if what his mother said the other night was right and that he should let go of his dreams, get on with his normal life, and find other ways to help the world.

'Maybe I should call her and just turn down the offer…and go to a normal school…' he thought to himself, as he walked along the hallways of the school, deep in thought as he made his way to his next class. As he turned a corner, "I better decide before-OOMPH!" he bumped into something solid. "Watch where you're going, Deku!" Bakugou's voice rang out, sharp and cutting. Izuku stumbled back, his school supplies and notebooks falling to the ground.

"I-I'm sorry, Kacchan!" he stammered, already fearing for what's to come. "I wasn't paying attention. I was just thinking about-"

"I don't fucking care!" Bakugou interrupted, shoving Izuku aside. "How about you pay more attention to where you're crawling off to, than all that annoying ass mumbling you do, that everyone finds such a pain!" he mockingly said, and the laughter from the crowd only deepened Izuku's embarrassment.

"I'm…I'm really sorry…Kacchan," Izuku's heart raced, but he pressed on. "I was just thinking about school and my future," he managed to say, desperation creeping into his voice.

Bakugou rolled his eyes. "You're still planning on becoming a hero? Pathetic!" A mocking smirk on his face now. "Why can't you understand that you are just a Deku and you can't be a hero without a quirk?" he sneered, his words cutting deep. All the while, Izuku was just internally panicking about this whole day.

Then Bakugou noticed Izuku's notebook lying open on the floor. He snatched it up, flipping through the pages with disgust and anger on his face. "What's this? Your creep book?!" he proclaimed. And although Izuku tried to snatch it back, he was pushed to the side by Bakugou's strong arm. "Not only are you creepily writing others' quirks down, but you are also trying to copy my mum, you perv!" That made the already embarrassed Izuku mortified at the implications. "Like you could ever do anything remotely decent as the hag!" His laughter rang out, harsh and loud.

Izuku felt his cheeks heat with shame. "I-I just w-want to h-help…" he whispered, but his voice was drowned out by the laughter around him. Bakugou didn't reply to that, only looked at the green-haired boy's book and unleashed a small explosive that damaged half of the book, leaving a charred side to it.

"Stop it!" Izuku whimpered, the pain and humiliation crashing over him like a wave. He wanted to escape, but he felt frozen, trapped in the moment.

"Pathetic," he tch'd, before he leaned in closer, his face inches from Izuku's. "Deku, just face it, this book of yours is a waste of time and won't make you any less of a useless Deku, so just face facts." He pressed a heavy hand on Izuku's shoulder, the heat radiating from it causing Izuku to flinch. "If you really wanted a quirk, maybe you should just take a swan dive off a building. Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky in your next life," he said with as much sarcasm as he could muster.

As Bakugou stepped away, the laughter echoed in Izuku's ears, a painful reminder of his place in the world. He quickly bent down to gather his scattered things, hands shaking with embarrassment. With his charred notebook clutched tightly, he stood up, feeling small and defeated. He didn't want to go to the nurse's office for his shoulder; he knew they wouldn't help. They'd just brush off his pain, dismissing it as another day for the quirkless kid. So, he wiped his eyes quickly and turned away, forcing himself to walk down the hall and on to his next class.

(-)

As the final bell rang, students erupted with cheers, ready to embrace the weekend. But for Izuku, each cheer felt like a reminder of the weight on his shoulders. Today was the day he had to tell Edna Mode he couldn't accept her offer. He shuffled down the hall, his thoughts spiraling in a mix of anxiety and doubt.

"It's ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, clenching his notebook tightly. "Kacchan's right… Mom's right…All Might was right…I'd just be wasting her time."

The weight of his decision pressed down harder as he walked towards Tatooin Station. Suddenly, he noticed a commotion up ahead, voices raised, a crowd gathering. Curiosity pulled him in despite the sudden dread that filled him. As he pushed through the crowd, not even bothering to be polite about it, the moment he went to the front, his heart sank.

A fire broke out, and the chaos heightened as he caught sight of a familiar Sludge Villain, coiling around something, or rather, someone. Izuku's stomach dropped as he recognized the figure struggling within the villain's grasp; it was Kacchan.

"No…" Izuku gasped, panic gripping him. He wanted to rush in, to do something, anything, but fear held him back, the voices of the past couple of days were ringing in his ears. 'What could I do?' his thoughts countered his plans of running in, his mind racing. He spotted that the pros were there, but it seemed as if they weren't doing anything but keeping the civilians away.

He could hear Death Arms and other Pro heroes calling out orders, their voices barely piercing the haze of his thoughts. 'What if they can't save him?' A surge of terror coursed through him. He needed to do something, or find some way to do it. Izuku was internally panicking at the uncertainty of the situation when an all too familiar voice rang through his head.

"…awareness of the situations around me is key…"

Izuku was confused about why those words resonated with him, but he couldn't judge it now; he had to come up with a proper plan. He scanned the scene, searching for a way to help. That's when he spotted Backdraft manipulating water to create a barricade to prevent others from going into the danger. "That's it!" Izuku exclaimed, and without thinking, he quickly ducked under the patrol tape and bolted toward the Pro Hero.

"Stop, kid! This is a dangerous area!" Death Arms shouted, but Izuku pushed through, urgency propelling him forward.

He didn't have much distance to cover before the target came into view. "Mister Backdraft, sir!" he called, breathless from both fear and urgency. Backdraft turned sharply, surprise etched across his face at the sight of a kid standing there, looking determined yet anxious.

"Whoa, kid! W-what are you doing here?!" he exclaimed, his authoritative tone tinged with genuine concern. He scanned the area for any other potential bystanders, worry gnawing at him.

Panting, Izuku struggled to find the right words. "I…have to…tell you someth-" His sentence was abruptly cut off as Backdraft interjected.

"Look, I know you want to see Pro Heroes up close, but you have to leave! Get to safety!" Backdraft urged, his voice rising with urgency.

True to his old nature, Izuku felt a wave of self-doubt wash over him, the instinct to cower nearly overwhelming. "Confidence," he reminded himself, desperately summoning the inner strength he needed.

In that pivotal moment, Izuku gathered every ounce of courage he had and shouted, "NO!" The forcefulness of his tone startled Backdraft, who blinked in surprise. "Backdraft, you have to listen to me, now!" Izuku insisted, his voice steadying as determination took hold.

Without pausing to reconsider, Izuku pressed on. "Your Quirk lets you create and shoot water from the hose spigots that are in place of your hands! You have incredible control over it!" His eyes shone with a mix of admiration and urgency.

Backdraft opened his mouth to dismiss the young fan's enthusiastic outburst, but Izuku wasn't finished. "And the sludge villain's quirk is basically a mud-like substance that can withstand high temperatures!"

"Yes, kid, thank you for the information, but how about-" Backdraft's brow furrowed, his patience wearing thin as he readied to move on.

Izuku interrupted again, urgency flooding his voice. "The sludge villain can handle high temperatures! But its structure isn't solid; it won't withstand physical attacks! If you dilute it with a solvent, like acid or water, you might weaken it enough for a pro hero to go in and save the victim!"

"I said that you have great control over your quirk and are able to manipulate the shape and intensity of the blast of water. You could do two things at once…" His eyes sparkled with fervor. "You could create a shower effect to put out the fire, while also releasing water to attack the Sludge Villain, weakening its body with a sneak attack!"

Backdraft blinked, momentarily stunned. The simplicity of Izuku's suggestion struck him like a bolt of lightning. It was an obvious solution, yet it hadn't crossed his mind amidst the chaos. He glanced back at the chaotic scene, noting the victim still struggling against the villain's grasp. With one last look at the green-haired boy's encouraging gaze, he felt a surge of resolve.

"Right, thanks, kid! Let's go!" he shouted, adrenaline pumping through him as he rushed toward the unfolding disaster, his quirk charging in anticipation of the effort ahead. But even as he ran, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. He had never executed a plan like this before, especially with a kid pointing it out. Did he truly deserve the title of Pro Hero?

Taking position at a safe distance, he steadied himself. Without a moment's hesitation, he unleashed his quirk, water bursting forth from both of his hoses. This time, the water morphed into various intensities and shapes. His left hose created a swirling torrent that shot high into the air, rain-like droplets falling onto the flames, dousing the fire engulfing the area. He concentrated intently, manipulating the water like a conductor leading an orchestra, working tirelessly to extinguish the flames.

His right hose became the true showstopper. He unleashed a powerful blast of water that split into five separate streams, curving around the sludge villain and catching it completely off guard. The force of the water diluted the creature, causing it to lose its structural integrity and writhe helplessly.

The force of the water battered the creature, and it screamed in confusion, its form writhing helplessly as it struggled to maintain its shape. "WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" it shrieked, panic evident in its voice.

The crowd watched in awe, captivated by the display of skill and power from the firefighter hero. Gasps and murmurs of admiration rippled through the spectators as they witnessed the masterful control Backdraft had over his quirk, a spectacle of heroism that left them breathless.

All the while, Izuku cheered from the sidelines, excitement bubbling within him as he saw his plan taking effect. "Keep it up, Backdraft! You're doing it!" he shouted, his heart racing with hope, fueling Backdraft's determination.

Backdraft felt the rush of encouragement, pushing himself harder as he noticed the victim starting to break free from the sludge's grasp. But exhaustion crept in, heavy and unrelenting. He turned to Death Arms, his voice urgent. "Get that kid out now!"

Death Arms blinked in shock, momentarily taken aback, but the surprise quickly faded as he nodded and charged into the fray. The Sludge Villain, weakened but still fierce, struggled to maintain its hold as Bakugou fought against its constricting form.

Bakugou coughed violently, desperately shouting, "Let me go!" His eyes were wild with panic, but Death Arms quickly reassured him. "You're safe, kid! I've got you!" he said, thinking the young hero was merely delirious from the struggle. With a powerful heave, Death Arms pulled Bakugou free, the sludge villain's hold shattering at last. The creature screamed in frustration, its cries echoing in the chaos. "NO!" but before it could go after them.

"You little shit!" the villain screamed, charging forward with a menacing glint in his eyes. Death Arms instinctively moved into a defensive stance, ready to protect the civilians nearby. But before the villain could reach them, a booming voice echoed throughout the area.

"YOU'VE SCHEMED ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY, VILLAIN!" As if he had appeared from thin air, All Might was there, already gearing up for an attack. Just then, a familiar figure burst onto the scene, his towering glory filling the space with a sense of hope. "Fear not, citizens! I'm here!" he announced, his presence radiating reassurance and strength.

"TAKE A NAP! DETROIT SMASH!"

In an instant, the force of All Might's punch pulverized the villain, sending him crashing to the ground and changing the weather itself with the sheer power of the blow. It was a moment for the history books, one that Death Arms would never forget. The dust settled, revealing the defeated villain as the crowd erupted in cheers, their fears dissipating like the remnants of the fight. The hostage was safely with the paramedics, and though cleanup from the attack would take a while, it was all part of the job. All Might smiled, lifting a hand in greeting, embodying the spirit of hope that inspired so many.

At that moment, Izuku stood in awe, reminded of the legacy of strength and courage that defined their world. But he also felt something bubbling up in his chest, a certain feeling. Could it be-

Death Arms grabbed the shoulder of the green-haired boy, yanking him from his dazed state. "You. What's your name?" he demanded in a harsh tone.

'Yup, that feeling was fear!' he thought, too scared to even talk; his earlier confidence gone. Death Arms wasn't having any of Izuku's silence and had to shake him a little to get a response. "Well?!"

"M-Midoriya Izuku?!" he squawked. "I was thinking of going to Backdraft and giving him the advice of-"

The man scoffed. "Advice? You giving a Pro hero advice? Nice try. You almost got in the way, that's what you did," Death Arms glared at him. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You could have distracted a Pro hero with that stunt! That boy could have died because of you! You're lucky All Might was here to save the day. What were you thinking running out like that?!"

Izuku was too shocked to speak, not because of fear this time, no. It was the fact that he helped save Kacchan by seeking out Backdraft, and giving him what he would think was an obvious solution to the problem, but this hero couldn't or wouldn't understand. Izuku really wanted to snap back and let this man understand, but his usual self held him back; luckily, someone else had no trouble speaking their mind.

"How about you back off the kid, Death Arms?!" Backdraft said, walking over to the two, sounding serious.

Death Arms, without letting go of the kid's shoulder, turned his attention to his colleague. "This doesn't involve you, Backdraft," he firmly stated. "Besides, this kid was interfering in Pro hero business, and he could have-" he did not finish.

"Please, this kid you are harassing was the reason I was able to do what I did," saying that, he removed his mask and unveiled his face, which was normal, besides the singular bead in the middle that seemed to be his eye. He looked at Izuku and smiled before staring back at Death Arms. "This kid, that you said was a nuisance, was able to point out an obvious solution that honestly, made me question if I was really Pro hero material." He said that with a tinge of shame under it.

Izuku, hearing this, was feeling a bit bad for the guy, but not Death Arms, "You must be fucking joking? This boy, who had nothing to do here, rushed over to a dangerous scene and disturbed a Pro hero who seemed clearly busy!"

Done mincing words with the over-glorified, Popeye wannabe, he spoke. "This boy, that you proclaim is a nuisance, risked his life to make me listen to him about a way to save the hostage in trouble," he said loud enough to catch the civilians and a news crew's attention. "Granted, I do not condone his reckless behavior but, it is with that same confidence, insight and dare I say, heroic heart, that he was able to help me weaken the Sludge Villain in time, to allow you to step in and save the kid!" he pointedly said, stalking up to the man. "If it wasn't for his ingenuity and awareness, you would have been twiddling your fat fingers, while the hostage died!"

Death Arms was glaring at his partner, so that he did not notice in that moment that murmurs and whispers were in the air, and many people were questioning the authenticity of this whole debacle. As well as the capabilities of the hero in question, which made him both nervous and angry at the situation he was in. Izuku was another story; he was stock still after hearing the Pro hero, Backdraft, praising him. He didn't know if it was the actions he took, the fact that the said hero was standing up, or the idea that random people agreed with Izuku's actions, but he felt…proud.

Death Arms, seeing the situation starting to not his favor, quickly backtracked. "...Yes, well," Death Arms quickly backtracked, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's important to recognize that hero work can be quite complex. I mean, we should all be grateful that this young man had the presence of mind to think outside the box." He glanced at Backdraft, who was giving him a pointed side-eye, but he chose to ignore it.

"Thank you, kid," Death Arms continued, his tone strained but sincere enough. "Your contribution today was… appreciated. It's good to see that kind of initiative." He gritted his teeth, clearly not enjoying the words as they left his mouth, but he pushed on. "However, I-"

"Hey, let's not dwell too much on that," Backdraft interjected smoothly, stepping in between them. He shot Death Arms a quick look that suggested they both knew he was trying to save face. "You did great out there, Izuku. Let me check you over for any injuries."

Before Death Arms could protest or finish his sentence, Backdraft gently took Izuku by the arm and led him away, effectively cutting off any attempt to scold him.

Backdraft led Izuku a little farther away from the others, kneeling down to meet his gaze. "Look, kid," he began, his voice steady but serious, "no matter how much I disagree with that pompous guy, I have to say, it was pretty reckless to run into danger like you did."

Izuku looked down, a hint of shame creeping in despite the praise. "Yeah, sorry about that," he stammered, feeling the weight of his actions.

Backdraft smiled, shaking his head lightly. "But I have to admit, you made me think. You've got a point about whether I'm really Pro Hero material." He sighed, looking thoughtful for a moment. "I wouldn't have even thought of that little trick if you hadn't suggested it. For that, I'm thankful." He gave a small bow, which made Izuku feel a mix of embarrassment and warmth.

"I was just sharing ideas I analyzed before," Izuku mumbled, his cheeks heating up. "I thought it could help you."

Backdraft straightened up, pulling his mask back into place. "Well, I bet after a day like this, you'll need to head home now. I don't know if your mom watches the news, but she might be worried about you."

Izuku's eyes went wide at the thought, a surge of anxiety hitting him. Backdraft chuckled at the look on his face, ruffling Izuku's hair playfully. "Take care, kid. Just keep analyzing quirks and being helpful. It suits you." With that, Backdraft waved and walked away, leaving Izuku to his thoughts.

Izuku continued walking, veering off his usual path. The scenic route home felt different, almost surreal, as he replayed the day's events in his mind. His quick thinking, his reckless bravery, had it really saved a life? The warmth of Backdraft's appreciation lingered, igniting a determination within him. But that determination also led him to a certain number, one he had hesitated to call.

Taking out his phone and card, he took a deep breath, uncertainty creeping in. "Maybe I'm being too bra—" he started, but abruptly shook his head. "No! I'm ready." With newfound resolve, he quickly dialed the number.

It didn't take long for it to connect. On the second ring, a voice answered, smooth and teasing. "Hello, darling. I see you took your sweet time about calling me; then again, you were very busy appearing on the news."

Izuku's nerves surged, but he forced himself to stay composed. "Miss Mode, about your offer—" he began, his voice shaky.

"Yes?" Edna replied, expectantly.

Izuku let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I accept the offer! I would be honored to learn under you!" The words came out a bit louder than he intended, but the conviction behind them was genuine.

Silence hung in the air, and Izuku's heart raced. 'Had he been too bold?' 'Was he disrespectful? 'Was I too late for the offer?' Just as doubt began to creep in, "Took you long enough!" Edna's voice returned, this time with a chuckle, one that sounded more amused than anything else. "We shall discuss the details more later, and I would like a word with your family to better explain this whole situation. But other than that…" she trailed off, leaving Izuku hanging on her every word. "This will be the first step forward to your new journey."

The excitement surged through him, mixed with a hint of apprehension. "Thank you, Miss Mode! I won't let you down!"

Edna's voice firmed up. "We shall see, I expect nothing less, Dahling. Remember, every hero has their own path. Yours is just beginning. Alright, ta-ta." With that, the call ended, leaving Izuku standing in the fading light, a smile breaking across his face.

"…first step forward?"

Author's Notes:

I hope you all enjoy this chapter! It was meant to be longer, but I decided to split the next part into the following chapter.

In this AU, All Might didn't follow Izuku to apologize or offer him One for All; he never witnessed Izuku in action. Although Izuku will gain some recognition, it will eventually fade when people realize he is quirkless.

I chose to incorporate Backdraft into the story because he serves as a blank canvas, making him the best person to reignite Izuku's fire and properly guide his next decision. This idea was inspired by someone on Reddit, thanks to u/Alistair_Leonhart for the inspiration!

Happy reading!

Godofwolves90: Backdraft is certainly an interesting character and one of the heroes who we Think are actually the ones.

Will his fire burn out, or will it ignite into a raging inferno? Find out in the next Chapter, as the journey continues.