"T-The world's greatest… h-hero?!" Jokata muttered under his breath while rapidly descending toward me. At the same time, his descent split the sky apart. It was a given that he wanted to do the same thing to me now that I made my decision loud and clear. But even still… there was no chance in hell…

… THAT I WAS EVER GOING TO GIVE UP EVER AGAIN!

"ALL MIGHT!" I shouted at the top of my lungs before leaping into the sky to meet Jokata head on! But my words weren't intended for that man in the sky! No! They were meant for the greatest hero I've ever known to do what I cannot!

"Way ahead of you young Midoriya!" All Might yelled out before suddenly appearing in front of Horikita much to the latter's sheer surprise. The symbol of peace swooped her into his arms in an instant. He then whispered, 'Hold on tight.' In her ear before launching himself into the sky like a rocket! And not even a second later-

'WHOOOOOSH!' A massive gust of wind comparable to that of a hurricane engulfed everything! Horikita was able to remain protected in All Might's arms, the latter of which made sure to evade and to gently put her down in a safe area that was far away from the center of where the battle that will decide the future was taking place! Not just my future but countless people's futures! All of them hanging in the balance while I too was about to fall back to the ground below! I couldn't fly nor could I use Float or any other Quirk even if I could! I'm Quirkless. Just like how I was born and how I will always be from this point on! So, let me show you…

… What a Quirkless man like me can do, Jokata.

"SMASH!" I hurled my fist straight for him with everything I had within me! My bare knuckles eradicated the wind itself as they drew closer and closer to Jokata while his eyes twitched with utter rage. But he saw the attack coming from a mile away and put both of his arms in front of him!

'BAAAAAAAAAM!' My fist and his arms connected with each other! Despite exerting my full effort in that attack, it failed to make any impact on him. But I'm used to coming up short even when I try my best. So, I didn't waver in the slightest. Jokata noticed and chuckled to himself thinking that my resistance was utterly futile. But he wasn't going to keep those thoughts of his just to himself. He wanted to break me after all.

"It's no use! If you shout that you're going to attack, I'll see it coming from a mile away! YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL!" Jokata yelled out with a grin on his face. Though unbeknownst to him, Jokata didn't even know that he was smiling. He was so caught up in the moment that he didn't notice anything else that was happening around him. It was as if me and him were alone in the entire universe. But that couldn't have been more wrong. Because when I can't defeat someone alone, I'll always… ALWAYS…

… HAVE SOMEONE FIGHTING BESIDE ME!

"HAHAHAHAHA!" All Might's boisterous laugh could be heard from miles away as he shot forward at us like a missile! This caught Jokata's full attention as he turned his head to see the world's greatest hero heading straight for him! He knew that if All Might had his full power here that he would lose the fight if he wasn't careful around him. Though winning a battle against the man that defeated the most diabolical villain to ever draw breath was impossible at close quarters. The only way Jokata was going to just barely scrape by was at a distance! That's why he took a page out of my book.

'YOU FOOL! OBLITERATOR: AIR FORCE! ONE HUNRDRED PERCENT!' Jokata thought internally while pointing his index finger at the incoming superhero! But at this rate All Might would meet him in two or three seconds! There was no time to waste! So, he focused completely on All Might while conjuring the power that he held deep inside of him. And in the process of doing so, he completely forgot about the person right next to him!

'SMAAAAASSSSH!' My fist shot forward once more and slammed him right in his jaw! This caused his eyes to snap open while my knuckles collided with his face! At the same time his thought process broke completely leaving him wide open for my hero to finish the fight!

"IT'S OVER VILLAIN! TEXAS…" All Might shouted at the top of his lungs as he swung his fist into the air, breaking clouds apart in the process! He was right there! He was about to hit him! He was about to end things once and for all! I knew this and so did Jokata. And he wasn't going to let things go my way.

'RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Jokata let out a primal scream full of rage and hatred that shook the very fabric of reality! I figured he wasn't going to go down so easily! But I didn't know that he had a trick like this up his sleeve! As a result, I was flung away from him!

'Crap!' I thought internally as I realized that I was about to hit the ground! I might have been able to close the wound in my stomach that was caused by Jokata stabbing me. But the pain was still there. Meaning that if I were to collide with the ground, or worse break it apart and go into the black abyss below, then I would surely be killed! Though to save myself I would need to use Obliterator to break my fall! But if I did that then- Though before I knew what happened I was scooped up into All Might's arms!

"Young Midoriya! Are you alright?!" All Might asked with a concerned look in his face. Before I knew what happened he saved me. I was grateful that he did. But I knew that meant that he wasn't able to land his 'Texas Smash' on Jokata. He chose to save me. And that result had consequences!

'CRAAAAAAACK!' The ground below us felt like it was cracking like glass. At the same time, we noticed that Jokata had landed back onto the ground. But that wasn't all. Black sparks of lightning were engulfing him. When I looked at him, I pictured something similar happening sometime ago. Could it have been when Jokata took over my body to kill High End? I wasn't conscious when that happened, but it feels like that might be the case. Even still, he wasn't pulling his punches anymore.

"Like I said before. Shouting your attack alerts the enemy that they are about to get crucified. I would have been finished off if you hadn't done that and saved that brat. But of course, you couldn't let 'Young Midoriya' get a single scratch, couldn't you, All Might?" Jokata asked as the winds swirling around him split apart to reveal that his muscles had expanded to the point of tearing his green combat jacket to shreds. His physique and stature were now both comparable to that of All Might. He was using Obliterator to grant him immense power that rivaled One For All. But this came at a cost. I knew that all too well after how much damage my brain has taken from the constant use of Obliterator. Even though Jokata was dead and only his 'soul' remained, this too must have consequences. Even after everything he's done, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. By doing so, I let my concern for him show on my face. And he noticed this.

"Brat. I told you how many times not to pity me? Don't you understand what I'm about to do. I'm going to obliterate that 'illusion' completely. And once I'm done with him, I'm going to make you submit. Your childish dreams of being the 'world's greatest hero' must not endure for a moment longer. I won't allow it! I won't let you win! IZUKU MIDORIYAAAAAAAA!" Jokata declared before shooting off the ground! At the same time, I noticed him heading toward both me and All Might in slow motion. His fist raised right beside him and aimed in the direction of All Might! But how was this possible?! Was this a Quirk?! No! It couldn't be. This is just…

… All me. And before I knew it, I leaped out of All Might's arms and dashed toward Jokata to meet him head on! And then…

'BAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!' I held him back with my bare hands alone! Our hands slammed against each other were applying so much pressure that it could break the fabric of reality! If I even stopped for a second to catch my breath I would be annihilated in an instant. To counteract this, I dug my feet into the ground to the point where the floor below me was cracked due to the power within them! The same could be said about my arms! The wind split apart and headed in opposite directions while I held Jokata back! He didn't even see me coming till I was there! I didn't even know what I was doing till it happened. It was just like back then when I was running full speed to save Kacchan from the sludge monster. I couldn't help but recall what All Might said back then-

'There are stories about every hero, and how they became great. Most have one thing in common. Their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, almost on their own. And today, that's what happened to you. Young man… you too can become a hero!' His words sent even more power coursing throughout my veins to the point that I thought wasn't possible without One For All or Obliterator! Power that I held deep inside of me all along, just waiting to burst out and be unleashed! The power of a man who trained countless days to get stronger and stronger to be able to utilize his Quirks more efficiently. And now…

… He didn't need them anymore.

"RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I let out a mighty roar before pushing my hands forward with even more power! Jokata's arms were forcibly pushed back by this overwhelming assault! And so were his legs! Bot not just his limbs! His entire body was being pushed further and further away from me until-

'WHOOOOOOOSH!' The man who held the power within him to obliterate any creature off the face of the earth was sent flying away into the sky! Before he even realized what was happening, he flew further and further splitting the clouds as a result! In the midst of that as Jokata flew high into the deep blue sky he thought something before plummeting back down to the earth below. Just one single thing. And that was-

'How the hell is this kid so damn strong?' Jokata thought internally before colliding with the ground with a massive 'BAAAAAAAAAAAAM!' that sent a gust of wind straight at me. But even against the massive amount of air pressure, I was completely unfazed by it. I couldn't help but look at my hands. My hands that had a plethora of scars from fighting recklessly again and again. Whenever I used One For All or Obliterator I could see green sparks of energy emanating from them. But they weren't there. Instead, my hands were the same as always. My entire body was the same too. I didn't achieve a higher level of power by undergoing trauma nor did my appearance change in the slightest. It was nothing like back then when Jokata used my body and when I used Blackwhip to give myself absolute power in the form of Overlay. It was all… just…

… Me and me alone.

"I don't understand… I don't understand! What Quirk are you using now?! If it's not Obliterator, then what is it?! One of the Quirks that belonged to your pathetic predecessors who fell one after another to All For One?! Tell me! JUST HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET SO DAMN STRONG?!" Jokata yelled out with a voice full of immense rage. But at the same time, I was taken aback once again by the look on his face. Even when I was angering him to the point that he was about to explode, he was smiling. Was he… enjoying this? But if he was then for what rea- But before I could finish that thought the veins in his eyes twitched till, they became bloodshot. And then…

"Enjoying this? You think I'm enjoying fighting some pathetic! Worthless! Quirkless! INCOMPETENT CHILD?!" Jokata snapped back at the top of his lungs as the ground shook due to his voice alone. But in spite of everything he was telling me, it was as if his words went against his true feelings. He was still smiling. Was he feeling pleasure over being challenged? No. Jokata is many things. But he isn't a battle crazy monster like the High End Nomu was. I doubt he wants to be challenged in any stretch of the imagination. Then could it be? That Jokata Nauji wants me to-

"This next attack… will be my last. I'm going to put everything I got into it. So, prepare yourself for it, Izuku Midoriya." Jokata declared. Not a second later, his face grew serious, and he took a combat stance. At the same time, I felt a chill run down my spine as I noticed the look in his eyes. Every time that he looked at me before was as if I was just what he described me as so many times before, 'Incompetent.' I wasn't worthy of his full attention until now. This meant that he wasn't trying to kill me before this moment. He was simply trying to make me submit to him.

However, that's changed. The intent to KILL was in his eyes. If I held back even a fraction of my power, then I would be obliterated. To that end I took a combat stance of my own. Both of our fists were raised in front of each other. At the same time, I could feel the stares in the background. But they were nothing like what I experienced before. I was used to being stared at to the point where I felt like daggers were piercing me. Not in a painful of course. But this was also different. Both All Might and Horikita were staring at my back in anticipation of what would happen next. Could Horikita have touched me sometime before this and saw my future? No. Could All Might have done the same thing? Of course not. But even still…

… They stared at me believing that I would prevail no matter what.

"I'm ready Jokata." I said with absolute confidence within myself. Not just because my precious friend and my precious father were believing in me. But since I too was believing that I will win this bout. In response Jokata looked back at me before closing his eyes. For what felt like less than an instant, I could have sworn I saw him smile one last time. But before I knew it, his face remained as neutral as ever. Were my eyes playing tricks on me? I don't know. I wasn't able to figure it out then and there. Because the very next moment-

'BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!' Our fists collided with each other once more! My right fist against his left fist! Both pushing against each other with overwhelming ferocity behind them! If there was even a moment of hesitation within either of us, the battle would be over in an instant. Even still we didn't stop focusing on prevailing against each other until the very last moment. My fist against his until-

'Crack!' At that moment I felt immense pain emanating from my right hand. I felt my heart skip a beat. It was as if all the bones in my right hand were shattered to pieces like glass. It didn't take long for the pain to skyrocket throughout my entire body. But I couldn't take my eyes off of Jokata. I couldn't stop using everything I had. Because I knew that if I showed even a moment of hesitation or pain that I would be completely and utterly obliterated with no hope of ever prevailing against him or anyone else. But my thoughts weren't known just to me. Like all of the countless times he read my thoughts like a book, Jokata Nauji did the same thing here.

'So, it's been decided… a pity that is." Jokata thought internally as he was sure that things had been concluded just as the way he described them to be. And just as I closed my eyes and was about to accept this as my fate, I felt something touch my right fist. It wasn't Jokata's fist but something… no. It was someone else. It was a person's touch. It felt soft and warm. My eyes flickered back open to see that it was a familiar hand touching my own. I had seen this hand before. Did I touch her hand before? I was sure of it. Once, twice or however many times didn't matter to me. What matter was that the person who was touching my hand with her own was-

"… You can do it, Deku." She whispered those words to me just like she did back then before she met her end. For that reason, I didn't even have to take a look at her to know that she was right beside me. Because even in death, the girl named Airi Sakura has been cheering me on this entire time. But at the same time, I heard a gasp from someone behind me. Was it Horikita? If so, then was 'Sakura' actually visible not just to me but others as well. I couldn't look behind me. So instead, I looked forward to notice that Jokata's eyes were wide open looking not at me, but the girl right beside me. This in turn meant that he was distracted for but a moment. And then…

"Now's your chance. Show him just how powerful I know you are, Deku." Sakura whispered once more before vanishing into the wind. At the same time, I didn't waste this chance to use the kindness that she bestowed upon me to-

'SMAAAAAAASSSSSSH!' Push my fist further and harder than it has ever gone before until it sent Jokata's entire left arm away! He was wide open! This was my one and only chance to finish things between him and me once for all! I was focused on doing that, so I didn't even notice the look on his face. Once more, Jokata Nauji was smiling. And not even a second later-

'BAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!' My right fist connected with his head and pushed him further and further back! But in spite of this Jokata took my fist like a champ! He wasn't going down even as my knuckles collided with his jaw once again! But even as he tried to remain standing, the amount of force behind my attack was too much for him. And before with of us knew it, my fist sent him crashing to the ground! I wasn't sure that things had ended, so for a moment I held my fist forward waiting for him to strike back.

However, that counterattack never came. After a little bit of time passed by, I knew that the battle had reached its conclusion. It wasn't as if my eyes were closed. They were wide open. But even still, I was so focused on the fight between me and him I didn't even realize it was over till I was sure that he wouldn't get back up. As the dust settled, I looked below my feet to see that Jokata was lying on the stone hard ground. It must have been painful just laying on it. But he didn't seem to mind all that much judging from the look on his face. He seemed more surprised than I was expecting him to be.

"I… lost?" Jokata mumbled under his breath as he was slow on the uptake just as I was. Our fight had consumed us completely and only now that it had long since concluded that we were taking in the ramifications of it all. At that moment, I felt exhausted, and before I knew it, I too collapsed onto the ground with him.

"Young Midoriya!" All Might yelled out while suddenly appearing right in front of me. He must have run as fast as he could once he saw me fall. In the distance I heard someone running too. That was definitely Horikita. Who else could it be? She must have been just as concerned with my wellbeing just as All Might was. But even still I-

"Haha… hahaha!" I laughed much to All Might's surprise. I really couldn't help myself there. I was so proud of myself that I just had to laugh. I had achieved what I thought was impossible. I fought against someone with power that was mine and mine alone. And I-

"M-Midoriya." Horikita spoke with a brief stutter as she was out of breath by exerting so much energy. She was surprised that she could feel this way even when she wasn't using her actual body to do so. But even though this vacuum of space existed within my mind alone, it was still reality. Everything that happened here actually happened. That's why I couldn't be more elated. Because here, I used the strength that I had built up within myself to fight Jokata. Not One For All or Obliterator. My power alone…

… And I won. Knowing that, I stood up back onto my feet and shot my fist into the sky just as I had done before when I declared that I would become 'The greatest hero of all time.' I didn't even realize I was using my right fist to do so. The same fist that All Might had used to send to the deep blue sky every time he won a fight against a dastardly villain. I had just done what came naturally to me in both of those moments. Not out of imitation, but to showcase that I had by every meaning of the word, completely and utterly won.

"I won." I muttered under my breath not even realizing I had done so until the words spilled out of my mouth. Only then did I chuckle once more before standing firmly with my hand still raised into the crystal blue sky above me.

"Ah… please allow me to say it properly…" I said with a smile before letting out a cough. And then…

"… I… WON!" I declared with every fiber of my being as if there was nothing else in the world that I couldn't be more sure of. I couldn't help but bask in the feeling of happiness that came with it as I felt rays of light shine onto me. I looked above me to see that it was the sun. I had noticed it briefly before. But only now did I realize that I completely changed the landscape of my mind. The dark pitch-black sky was changed to one that would be deep blue forevermore. But that wasn't all…

"Ah." I quietly gasped as I felt something growing below my feet. It was the familiar feeling of grass. This once barren lifeless world was changed to one where life would grow for as long as my mind remained functioning. That meant that one day this would all come to an end. Whether it was tomorrow or far into the future this world would be erased just like the earth I had become so acquainted with time and time again. But even so-

'Whoosh.' I couldn't help but close my eyes as the wind passed by me in the form of a gentle breeze. This beautiful world will continue to exist so long as I continue to fight for what I believe in. And to that end, I won't ever be giving up ever again. I had endured so much pain and suffering to ever let the futility of my lifespan cut short what endless possibilities that I could do with it. I had achieved so much that I will never consider that I wasn't worthy of something or someone ever again. I almost wanted to just lie down for a bit and enjoy this tranquility. But I knew that now was not the time for that. After all, I had so much that I needed to do. But first on my agenda was-

"Are you alright Jokata?" I asked while extending my hand toward him. At the same time, it was as if he was a deer in the headlights. He looked at my hand and then back at my face until he scoffed at me.

"Alright? You mean after you punched me in the face more times than I could count? You know how much pain I am in right about now? I think my jaw is dislocated. I didn't even know such a thing could happen when I'm already dead." Jokata replied as I averted my eyes away from him out of embarrassment. At the same time, I heard him chuckle a bit. He muttered, "I guess some things never change." Under his breath. But since he spoke quietly, I couldn't hear him clearly. But before I could ask him to repeat himself, he beat me to the punch.

"So… 'the world's greatest hero?' Do you really think you could do it?" Jokata asked while staring at the deep blue sky above him. But even though he wasn't paying attention to my face, he was listening to each and every one of his words. That was enough for me. So, I replied with confidence and said "Yes, I will." In response to his question. He let out another brief chuckle to this before responding once more.

"That dream of yours is so utterly foolish. I can't believe that you are still so desperately clinging onto it after realizing just how impossible it is. I mean haven't you learned your lesson by now? Trying to save everyone is a pipe dream. If you really want to save people you should focus solely on the people you care about. Because if you do that then at least those people, you can still see them again. Even after you're long gone, you know… that you did everything to protect them. If only… I realized that before it was too late." Jokata admitted. He wasn't hiding anything anymore. The intense look of regret combined with the tears streaming down his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

All this time I thought that he was trying to crush my dreams of being a hero because he believed that it wouldn't amount to anything but my demise. But that wasn't even the half of it. There was more to it. Jokata didn't want me to make what he believed to be the same mistakes that he committed. Ultimately, Jokata was a soldier who dedicated his efforts daily to a nation where most of its citizens were unaware of his existence. Every day, he kept fighting so that less people had to die because of the devastation that is known as 'war.' But that didn't mean he was fighting for people he didn't even know because there were people that existed who cared about him just as much as he cared about them. His family.

'But I get it. You couldn't help but admire the beauty in the man you thought of as your true father's dream of helping others. I felt the same way about my father. And look where that led me too? The life of a soldier. Not being able to see my son grow up into a man, leaving my wife alone with no chance of even recovering my corpse. It's the 'sins' of our fathers that have led both of us to this point of no return. That's why both of our lives were cut short by following the pointless dreams of others!' His words from not long ago resurfaced in my mind. I was so caught up in the moment I didn't have any time to properly process the 'meaning' behind them. But I finally get it. Jokata…

… He's just like me. Or he 'was' once upon a time. Jokata Nauji has always been what I 'could' have become in the future if I let my insecurities take hold of me by the throat until I accepted how things were going to go. In fact, I was on the verge of becoming just like Jokata for quite some time. I thought that saving everyone was impossible in a world where Sakura died. A part of me still wonders if my dream can even come true, that I can save all of the people who matter to me and even the ones I barely know. Jokata's probably right that I should focus on saving the people I care about over the ones who don't even know me and vice versa. But even if that's the case… even if everything that I want to achieve is not going to work out in the end…

"… I still want to try. I might not know all of the people at ANHS… but they still are what they are… people. People who got caught up in a war that started in another world that should have ended by now. But it's because that 'war' hasn't ended that they are all going through so much turmoil. I don't want that. I don't want them to suffer when there's something that I can do! I have the power to do it! It is my responsibility to END what I started back where I came from!" I declared with a bright smile on my face. I was sure of myself. I knew that this was my 'purpose' for being in this world. But Jokata didn't seem to agree so easily.

"Even if that's true… is it really your 'war' anymore? Both of our wars ended a long time ago kid. My war ended a hundred years ago. Yours ended the moment you ended things between you, Tomura Shigaraki and All For One. You can't even use One For All anymore. And you know that using Obliterator any more than you already have… will kill you. And yet… you still desire to finish things even when you're basically at your starting line? Can a Quirkless man… really change things? If so… then how exactly? What can you do now when your enemy has countless Quirks and you have none?" Jokata asked while looking at me with a serious look on his face. He wasn't criticizing my choices anymore. He just wanted to know what I can do now.

"I…" I spoke before my voice trailed off. I wanted to say that even without OFA or Obliterator that I was still going to change things. But would that really be answering his question? Not really. I would only be repeating myself. I'm sure I'm on 'the right path.' I'm also not going to do this alone. I'm sure that my friends will want to help me. I know Hiyori will be beside me till the end. Except Jokata already knows this. What he's asking me is what is 'Izuku Midoriya' going to do to defeat Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. Because that's how things are going to end. A fight between me and him. 'The Final Battle Between Good and Evil' that will usher forth a brand-new era for humanity. So, when things inevitably reach that point…

… How will I defeat him? It's not whether I believe I can do it, I know I can. But how will I go about actually overcoming him? On that end… I don't k- But before I could finish that thought I heard footsteps draw a bit closer to me. And when I turned around, I saw All Might staring at me. Before I could say anything, he beat me to the punch.

"Young Midoriya… do you remember what I told you back then when we first talked to each other back on that roof?" All Might asked me with a serious look on his face. At that moment it was as if we went back in time to that very scene on the roof of that building where I asked him-

'Is it possible to become a hero even if I don't have a Quirk?!' I yelled out at him back then with my eyes closed because I feared that he would reject my dream. I wanted to desperately believe that he was going to say, 'you can do it.' But I knew things weren't that simple. Even back then I knew what he would say next-

'Pro Heroes are always having to risk their lives. Some villains just can't be beaten without power. So, no. I honestly don't think you can become a hero without a Quirk.' And that's what he said. It made perfect sense to me. Even if it crushed my dreams at the moment. I knew deep down he was right. It was a fruitless endeavor that would only lead to my untimely demise. So, when he brought it up, I knew that he was going to remind me of what I should already know. And just back then I closed my eyes not wanting to accept it. But then…

"I told you that you couldn't become a hero without a Quirk. Back then I was consumed by the thought of having a powerful Quirk was the only way to defeat a villain. Because I was of no help to Shimura, when she was fighting All For One. She died. And I couldn't do a single thing to save her even though I already possessed One For All at the time. I couldn't accept that someone without a Quirk could be a hero when I failed to save my beloved Master." All Might admitted much to my surprise while in the background I saw the final battle between Nana Shimura and All For One become visible just like how my memories and Horikita's memories were not too long ago.

'MASTER!' All Might yelled out while being dragged away by Gran Torino. They both had tears in their eyes believing that their beloved friend's fate was sealed. Of course they didn't want to accept it. But they didn't know what else to do but run away. Because if they lived then they could continue the fight and avenge Nana Shimura. It was at that moment seeing All Might having to watch his Master die before his eyes, that I realized we experienced something strangely similar. It was just like how I lost Sakura. Me and All Might… we both lost someone incredibly precious to us when we should have had all the power that was needed to save them.

And yet… All Might continued to train to become stronger and stronger until he made his grand debut and changed the world. In spite of losing Nana Shimura, he didn't let that stop him. Not even for a moment. He kept moving toward that goal of a batter tomorrow where someone didn't have to undergo a loss as traumatic to what he had to experience. I thought I understood why he said that back then, but I really didn't until now. He knew just how hard it was to change things when you weren't strong enough to do so. In that moment I don't think I ever related to All Might as much as I did now. His experiences, the pain and the suffering that came with it. Me and him… were the same.

Except now, I want to be the greatest hero without a Quirk. Was I insulting him by saying that? I would never want to belittle him or anyone else for having to go through something so awful. I couldn't help but grit my teeth as I had no intention of ever feeling regret over my choices again. But now it was becoming so hard. I wanted to say something but before I could-

"But… I was wrong. When I saw you fight that man right there, without a Quirk I finally realized how far you had come. All of those fights that led you to this point, you might have won them with One For All or Obliterator. But it wasn't as if they were the reason alone why you were able to prevail. It was your 'spirit.' Your undying spirit to become a hero that saves everyone gave you all the strength you needed to defeat him. But it wasn't just now. So many times, you fought against insurmountable odds, and you won each and every time, not because your Quirk made you strong. But since you were already strong for such a long time. I just couldn't see it until now." All Might said as I was utterly taken aback by his words. I couldn't believe what he was saying was real. It just seemed like a fantasy.

However, they were real. The words, he spoke, and the man before me. It was All Might in the flesh. Or at least the remnants of his soul that resided in OFA. Even still, this was him. And he was saying all of this to me. But he wasn't done yet. He still had one more thing to say before he departed once more to the great beyond. And that was-

"Young man, even without a Quirk… you are already the greatest hero I've ever met." All Might said with his signature smile before closing his eyes. Not even a second later he vanished without a trace. My mouth was left agape as I searched all over for where he could have went. But he was gone. There was nothing else I could say to him. Even though I didn't have a chance to say 'Thank you' for saving me back then and giving me a second chance to live. I wasn't even able to say goodbye. But in spite of all of that I smiled knowing that the path I was on was without a shadow of a doubt 'the right path.' I then turned around to face Jokata knowing exactly what I had to say next.

"Jokata… to be honest with you I don't have a plan on how I'm going to defeat Ayanokoji. I believe that I can hold my own with my strength alone. But overcoming him… I haven't thought that far ahead yet. But even still, I know I can do it. It was just like All Might said. I already am the greatest hero, so I just have to show the world I am. I'm sure by then, I'll figure something out." I said with a smile on my face. Once I finished, Jokata let out a hearty laugh. I couldn't help but think he was laughing at me, so I donned a scowl. But then…

"You still, have a long way to go before you can call yourself 'the world's greatest hero.' But if you really think you can do it… I guess I can help you out a bit." Jokata replied with a smile before extending his hand toward me. I was caught off guard by his sudden acceptance. But I quickly accepted his gesture and pulled him back up to stand alongside me. It was then that I realized something while our hands were grasped with each other. He wasn't hiding his thoughts anymore. I was able to read them. Even still I just had to be sure by asking him.

"You wanted me to defeat you… didn't you?" I asked while I looked solely at him. He did the same for me until closing his eyes and nodding in affirmation. At the same time, I remembered what he said just before we had our final fight-

'It's no use! If you shout that you're going to attack, I'll see it coming from a mile away! YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL!' He had already gone out of his way to criticize the very notion of announcing that you're going to attack before doing so. He did the same thing when All Might came to lend me a hand. And yet-

'This next attack… will be my last. I'm going to put everything I got into it. So, prepare yourself for it, Izuku Midoriya.' Jokata did the exact same thing he preached not to do. He really did want me to beat him. I doubt he was just testing me the whole time. But there really was a part of him that wanted me to prove him wrong. At that moment I gained a greater understanding of who Jokata Nauji was. And I was glad to have his full support. So, I thought it was only natural that we cap things off by solidifying our pact between men.

"Let's defeat Ayanokoji together, Jokata." I said with a bright smile. He nodded once more without saying a word. We then fist bumped each other. And with that, me and Jokata were finally on the same side, trusting each other completely and supporting each other to the very end. Things were almost done. But I still had one more person that I needed to say something that I should have said a long time ago too. Though before I could I felt a tingling sensation. The same one that alerted me that I would awaken soon after.

"Hori…" I spoke as my eyes went wide and my voice trailed off. Not just because of what could happen to Horikita if I wake up with her still inside of my mind. But also, of who was standing beside her. I recognized her immediately. That long purple hair, her exotic and refined appearance of that of a princess from a faraway land. It was-

'You shouldn't be here. You may have wandered in through sheer luck. But your presence is only making things worse. Leave this place at once.' That girl from before. I remember seeing her in what felt like a 'dream' someplace somewhere. But wasn't there also a small boy with her? Though before I could say anything about it, she beat me to the punch-

"I will take things from here. Don't worry. I can safely return Suzune Horikita's conscious back to her body. Though before I do, I must say that I have never witnessed something like this before. For those who don't know, I have the power to observe 'parallel worlds' like reading a book. In each of those worlds, you Izuku Midoriya always succumbed to despair by now. But now you have more resolve in your heart than I have seen anyone possess in such a long time. Haha… I haven't known someone as stubborn as you since a guy I used to know who believed that he could crush fate as if it were like ripping a sheet of paper to pieces." The girl admitted with a hint of a relieved look on her face. I had only seen her look emotionless before, so it was kind of surprising to see her showcase some emotion. But not a second later she clicked her tongue out of dissatisfaction.

"I'll ignore that foolish thought you had. For now, I'll give you both some time to get what you want to say off your chest. But make it quick. You have… approximately thirty seconds starting now. Go." The girl said with a condescending smirk on her face. At the same time, my entire body jerked upwards as I was under a strict time limit. I had to wrap up things quick! But is thirty seconds really enough?! Oh crap! I definitely have way less than that now! Come on Midoriya! Just say something! But as I resolved myself to do so I was taken aback by Horikita looking at me. Her eyes were still red over how much she cried. Upon seeing them I knew exactly what I had to do. So, I finally closed the distance between us and embraced her.

"Ah!" Horikita let out a gasp as I suddenly hugged her. Unbeknownst to me, she thought that I was going to hit her for manipulating me. But I would never do such a thing. She should know this by now. But to me Suzune Horikita is-

"Thank you for saving me. You really are the best friend I could ever ask for." I whispered into her ear much to her utmost surprise. But it was only natural for me to do so. She did so much just so I wouldn't have to die. How could I not be thankful for what she has done. I may have not agreed with the methods she chose to go about doing them. But they were proof that she cared about me just as much as I cared about her. She was trying to protect me. Just like Sir Nighteye did for All Might. She was the very first person I could ever place my trust in, in this world. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you so much Suzune Horikita.

"Mi-Midoriya." Horikita muttered while burying her face into my shoulder. She continued to cry her eyes out. Even still I held her in my arms for what felt like a long time until our time together ran out. But just as Horikita and the girl with purple hair were just about to depart-

"Horikita. I'll see you soon." I said with a confident look on my face as I was completely sure of myself. She responded with a nod. And right after that the both of them vanished from my line of sight. My body kept tingling as I was mere seconds from awakening at last. But even still, I wasn't scared to return back to my world…

Chapter 73: Awakening

… Because now I knew that I always had the power to change things for the better. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Alongside all of my precious friends. So, just you wait Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. The day will come when I prevail against you. And so will all of my friends too. And then we will bring forth a brand-new world.

However, what I couldn't possibly know what was going on in a land that was not so far away from Japan. On the other side of the world, the seeds for something truly 'diabolical' had been planted. And now was the time for them to sprout.

A certain underground facility in Russia…

Blood was smeared on the walls and floor. Corpses of the deceased lay fallen being utterly recognizable to how they once looked. It wasn't just one or two but countless people who had died all so that two men could find what they had been seeking. One was wearing all black though his clothes were tinged crimson due to blood in them and so were his eyes. And the other was completely naked with blood on his body too. They were both familiar to all of you by now. The men named Billy Butcher and Hughie Campbell. And below them was a container that held within a certain man who was long thought to have perished.

"I-Is that who I think it is?" Hughie asked out of sheer disbelief over who he was looking at. In response Butcher quietly laughed.

"To think that Russians have been keeping him for over forty fucking years. Fucking diabolical." Butcher said with a smirk on his face as he looked at the man before his eyes. He appeared to be just any normal man though he happened to be quite muscular. But he was no regular person. He was what was considered to be the original superhero. The same one that had long since thought to have died in the 1980s. The 'superhero' known as…

… Soldier Boy. And he was not dead. Far from it. And he would soon let the entire world know exactly that as they would all be in for a rude awakening. Not just the people of America but of Japan too.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: A Man's Fight

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!