(Author note: A around 10k words chapter - I know, I know, I have exams, but am taking a break currently and needed to do something fun.
Besides, I really want to get done with this world while not having this arc be absolute excertment - so, I thought long and hard about what to do, and decided a long, long chapter to be necessary.
Though just to say - think of Marcus as Palpatine and Izuku as Anakin this chapter - though far less sophisticated and planned.
Well, I hope you all enjoy it,)
-------------------------
Izuku's POV:
My name is Izuku Midoriya, and I've always wanted to be a hero.
That dream seemed impossible for most of my life. Being born Quirkless in a world where 80% of people have superpowers isn't exactly a recipe for success in the hero business.
But then I met All Might, and everything changed. He gave me his power - One For All - and suddenly the impossible became possible.
I thought I understood what being a hero meant. I thought the path forward was clear.
I was wrong.
The first day at UA was nothing like I expected. The entrance exam was challenging but in a way kind of expected.
Then came Aizawa-sensei's Quirk assessment test, and my world turned upside down.
"Use your Quirks freely," he said, his bloodshot eyes scanning us with obvious disinterest. "The person who ranks last will be expelled immediately."
Panic set in as I realized I couldn't control One For All yet.
Every use meant broken bones.
I really thought I was going to be expelled - near on two decades of praying, hoping to be able to become a hero, and when my chance came, this teacher was pulling the floor from beneath me.
As we moved through the tests, I remained scoreless, watching everyone else demonstrate abilities they'd had years to master.
During the ball throw, I felt Aizawa-sensei's Quirk erase mine just as I was about to use it.
After his lecture about not being a liability, I managed one finger-powered throw that put me in the middle of the pack, but the pain was excruciating.
When the final rankings appeared, my heart sank. I was last.
Dead last.
"By the way, I was lying about the expulsion," Aizawa-sensei announced casually. "It was a logical ruse to draw out your best performances."
The relief was overwhelming, but short-lived. As the class dispersed, Kacchan cornered me, his explosive palms crackling with fury.
"DEKU!" he snarled. "You've been lying to me all these years! What the hell kind of Quirk is that? How did a worthless nobody like you get into UA?!"
I braced for the explosion I knew was coming, when a hand clamped firmly on Kacchan's shoulder.
"That's enough." The voice was calm but carried unmistakable authority.
I looked up to see one of the Grayson cousins - Marcus, I remembered from introductions - standing there. He was taller than Kacchan, his posture relaxed but somehow imposing.
"Get your hand off me, extra!" Kacchan growled, small explosions popping from his palms.
Marcus didn't flinch. "We're classmates now. Whatever history you two have, threatening him on school grounds isn't acceptable."
Something in his tone made even Kacchan hesitate. After a tense moment, he shrugged off Marcus's hand.
"Whatever. This isn't over, Deku." He stalked away, leaving an uncomfortable silence.
"Thanks," I managed, embarrassed at needing rescue on the first day.
Marcus smiled, the intensity from moments before completely gone. "No problem. I'm Marcus Grayson, by the way."
"Izuku Midoriya," I replied, though he probably already knew from class introductions.
"That was impressive, what you did with the ball," he said as we walked toward the main building. "Focusing your power into just one finger - that shows good tactical thinking."
The compliment caught me off guard. "Oh! Um, thanks. I'm still learning to control it."
"Late-blooming Quirk?" he asked.
I froze momentarily.
"Just guessing," Marcus added, noticing my reaction. "My cousin and I are late bloomers too. Our Quirks only manifested recently."
"Really?" I couldn't hide my surprise. His control had seemed so perfect during the tests.
"Yeah. Makes for a steep learning curve, right?" He smiled again, and I felt myself relaxing. "If you ever want to train together, let me know. Might be good to work with someone who understands what it's like to be playing catch-up."
That was the beginning of an unexpected friendship.
---------------------
The next few weeks passed in a blur of classes, training, and gradually getting to know my classmates.
Marcus and I trained together several times, along with his cousin Evelyn. They were both incredibly skilled despite having newly manifested Quirks.
"It's all about focus," Marcus explained one afternoon as we practiced in one of UA's training grounds. "Power without control is just destruction."
I watched as he demonstrated a precision strike against a concrete block, shattering it perfectly along pre-marked lines.
"My uncle taught us that control comes first, power second," he continued. "Anyone can break things. The real skill is knowing exactly how much force to apply."
"Your uncle sounds wise," I commented, trying to mimic his stance.
"He is," Marcus agreed. "Though sometimes his methods can seem... intense to outsiders."
I thought about All Might's training, having me haul trash from a beach for ten months. "I get that. My mentor had me cleaning a entire beach full of trash as training."
Marcus laughed. "Different approach, same principle. Building the foundation before adding power." He watched as I attempted the strike. "Better. Try shifting your weight more through your center."
As we trained, I noticed Evelyn working on her molecular manipulation, creating increasingly complex structures with her pink energy, that Marcus used in his own training.
"Your Quirks complement each other well," I observed during a water break.
"They do," Evelyn agreed. "Marcus has the raw power, I have the precision. Together, we make a pretty effective team."
"That's why Uncle Thragg thought we'd be compatible," Marcus added casually.
"Compatible?" I echoed, confused.
"As partners," Evelyn clarified, smiling at Marcus. "It was his suggestion that we consider a relationship, given our complementary abilities."
"Oh!" I felt my face heat up. "That's, um, interesting."
"It might seem strange," Marcus acknowledged, "but it made sense to us. We'd already been close friends. The genetic compatibility was just a bonus."
Something about the phrasing struck me as odd, but before I could think about it further, Evelyn changed the subject.
"Izuku, you should join us for dinner sometime. Our family would love to meet you."
"Really? That would be great!"
Little did I know that dinner invitation would be the first step down a path that would challenge everything I thought I knew about heroes.
----------------------
The Grayson family home was impressive without being ostentatious - a spacious modern house in a quiet neighborhood.
Evelyn greeted me at the door, ushering me inside where delicious cooking smells filled the air.
"Welcome, Izuku!" A woman with short brown hair approached with a warm smile. "I'm Amanda, Thragg's wife. We've heard so much about you."
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Grayson," I replied nervously.
"Just Amanda, please," she insisted, guiding me to the living room where Marcus was chatting with a man who could only be his father - they shared the same build and features, though the older man's presence felt somehow more... I don't really know how to describe it.
Just more.
"Dad, this is Izuku," Marcus said as we approached.
Nolan Grayson rose to greet me, his handshake firm but careful, as if consciously moderating his strength. "Good to meet you, Izuku. Marcus speaks highly of your analytical abilities."
I blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. I've always been interested in Quirk analysis."
"A valuable skill," Nolan nodded. "Understanding capabilities and limitations is essential for strategic thinking."
As we sat down, I noticed another woman entering from what appeared to be a home office. She moved with precise grace, her expression analytical as she studied me.
"This is Roberta, my best friend, more like a sister really" Amanda introduced. "She's the technological genius of this family."
"Nice to meet you," I stated with a small bow.
"You too," Roberta answered. It seemed she was a woman of few words.
Throughout dinner, I found myself fascinated by the family dynamics.
They operated with a kind of synchronized efficiency I'd never seen before - passing dishes before being asked, anticipating each other's needs, communicating sometimes with just glances.
"Is your uncle joining us?" I asked, remembering Marcus mentioning him frequently.
"Dad is working late," Evelyn explained. "He's a detective with the Special Investigations Division - their caseload has been heavy lately."
"He's dedicated to his work," Nolan added. "Perhaps too dedicated sometimes."
"That's admirable," I said. "Being so committed to helping people."
Marcus exchanged a glance with his father that I couldn't quite interpret. "Uncle Thragg has... a different perspective on helping people than most. He believes in systemic solutions rather than temporary fixes."
"What do you mean?"
"Take the hero system," Marcus elaborated, setting down his fork. "Heroes respond to crises as they happen - villains attack, heroes respond. But that's reactive, not proactive. It doesn't address why people become villains in the first place."
"But that's not really heroes' job, is it?" I countered. "They're there to protect people when dangers arise."
"And that's precisely the limitation," Nolan interjected smoothly. "A system that only responds to problems rather than preventing them can never truly create lasting peace."
"All Might has brought peace, though," I argued, feeling a need to defend my mentor. "Crime rates dropped significantly after he became the Symbol of Peace."
"Did they?" Roberta asked, her tone more analysing my words rather than confrontational.
"Or did they simply change form? Statistical analysis shows that while violent crime decreased, other forms of societal dysfunction increased. The symbol creates temporary stability through fear of consequences, not through addressing root causes."
I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it, unsure how to counter her point.
"Enough everyone." Amanda interjected, stopping the conversation. "We're not criticizing All Might," Amanda said gently as she turned her face towards me, perhaps sensing my discomfort.
"He's done remarkable work and saved a lot of lives. A man worthy of recognition for his actions."
"Apologies Aunt Amanda, you too Izuku." Marcus stated, "It's just thoughts I've been having after hearing so much about my Uncle's detective work."
"Though I will say, a truly effective leader, wouldn't just respond to crises. They would reshape society to prevent them. They would elevate people, not just protect them. But that's just my views. You can take them how you wish."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics after that, but their words lingered in my mind long after dinner had ended.
------------------------
Over the next few weeks, I found myself spending more time with the Graysons. Marcus and I trained together regularly, often joined by Evelyn, and occasionally Mark - Marcus's twin brother and Eva - Evelyn's twin sister - from Class 1-B.
After a particularly intense session, Marcus suggested getting drinks at a nearby café. As we settled with our beverages, the conversation turned to the eventually upcoming internships after the Sport's Festival.
"Have you decided who you're applying to work with?" Marcus asked.
I shook my head. "Not yet. I'm still researching options." In truth, I was worried about the limited offers I might receive after my performance at the Sports Festival - still having trouble with controlling One For All without harming myself.
"The whole internship system is interesting," Marcus commented, stirring his drink thoughtfully. "Having students learn directly from pros makes sense, but it also reinforces the current paradigm without questioning it."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it - you're learning from heroes who succeeded within the existing system. They teach you to operate the same way they do, perpetuating the same approaches, the same limitations."
I frowned slightly. "But isn't that the point? Learning from experienced professionals?"
"Experience is valuable," Marcus agreed. "But so is innovation. The hero system hasn't fundamentally changed in decades, despite society evolving around it. At some point, someone needs to ask if there's a better way."
"Like what?"
Marcus leaned forward slightly. "What if, instead of having heroes scattered across different agencies, competing for rankings and popularity, there was a more unified approach? A single, coordinated system that could deploy resources more effectively?"
"You mean like government-controlled heroes?" The idea made me uncomfortable. "That could lead to corruption or misuse of power."
"Not necessarily government-controlled," Marcus clarified. "But what if there was someone with the vision and ability to coordinate everything? Someone who could see the bigger picture and direct heroes where they're most needed, rather than having them chase popularity and rankings?"
I considered this. "It would need to be someone trustworthy. Someone with real integrity and wisdom."
"Exactly," Marcus nodded, seemingly pleased with my response. "Someone who leads not for personal gain or glory, but because they genuinely want to elevate society. Someone who can make the difficult decisions when necessary."
The conversation stayed with me long after we parted ways. Was the hero system truly flawed as Marcus suggested?
I'd always admired heroes like All Might who symbolized hope and peace, but was that enough for lasting change?
The thought though slightly uncomfortable was something interesting to think about. I never shied away from different perspectives after all - having been always interested in heroes and our world.
------------------------------
"Young Midoriya, your control is improving!" All Might said encouragingly during one of our private training sessions. "Five percent consistently is excellent progress."
I smiled at the praise, though part of me felt frustrated by how slowly I was advancing. "Thank you, All Might. I've been practicing the techniques you showed me."
He nodded, returning briefly to his muscular form to demonstrate a sequence of moves before deflating back to his true appearance in a puff of steam. "Remember, building a strong foundation is essential. One For All is a power that grows stronger with each generation."
"All Might," I began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course, my boy."
"Do you think the hero system works as it should? Or could it be... better somehow?"
All Might looked surprised by the question. "That's quite philosophical for combat training," he chuckled. "The system isn't perfect - no human creation is. But it has served society well, providing both security and inspiration."
"But is responding to villains after they appear really the best approach? Shouldn't we be preventing villainy in the first place?"
His expression grew more serious. "Prevention is certainly important. That's why heroes also participate in community outreach, education programs, and various initiatives beyond just fighting villains."
"But it still feels reactive rather than proactive," I pressed, echoing Marcus's words without realizing it. "We wait for problems to emerge instead of addressing the conditions that create them."
All Might was silent for a moment, studying me with an unreadable expression. "These are complex questions, Young Midoriya. The hero system has evolved over generations to balance security with freedom. Too much control in the name of prevention can lead to oppression."
"I understand that," I said, though I wasn't sure I did, not completely. "I just wonder if there's a better way."
"The best way to improve any system is from within," All Might replied, placing a hand on my shoulder. "That's why I chose you as my successor. Because I believe you have the heart and mind to not just continue my work, but to evolve it as society needs."
His words should have been reassuring, but somehow they felt like a deflection rather than an answer.
-------------------------
The USJ incident changed everything.
One moment we were touring the facility with Thirteen, learning about rescue operations. The next, villains were pouring through a dark portal, led by a man covered in disembodied hands.
When I found myself teleported to the shipwreck zone with Asui, my first thought was simple survival.
We managed to defeat the villains there and make our way back to the central plaza, only to witness a horrifying scene: Aizawa-sensei beaten nearly to death by a monstrous creature the villains called "Nomu."
As the hand-covered villain - Shigaraki - turned his attention to us, I thought we were done for. But then Marcus and Evelyn appeared, inserting themselves between us and the threat.
What happened next still haunts me.
They fought the Nomu - a creature designed to kill All Might - with coordination and power I'd never seen from them before.
Marcus's strength seemed to rival All Might's own - this weakened version of him - while Evelyn's molecular manipulation was just as awesome and terrifying.
Together, they decapitated the monster, with Marcus crushing its head to ensure it couldn't regenerate.
It was effective. Brutal. Necessary.
But it wasn't what heroes were supposed to do. Heroes didn't kill, even monsters like the Nomu... did they?
After All Might arrived and the remaining villains retreated, Marcus and Evelyn collapsed from exhaustion. They were taken to Recovery Girl along with Aizawa-sensei while the rest of us were debriefed.
Later, in the infirmary, I visited them. They were both conscious but clearly drained.
"You guys were amazing," I said, still processing what I'd witnessed. "But... the way you defeated the Nomu..."
"We did what was necessary," Marcus replied, his voice tired but firm. "It was designed to kill All Might. Non-lethal methods wouldn't have been effective."
"But heroes don't usually..."
"Kill?" Evelyn finished for me. "Sometimes there's no choice, Izuku. When facing an existential threat, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to protect innocent lives."
I wanted to argue, to insist that there must have been another way, but the memory of Aizawa-sensei's broken body kept my objections silent.
After I left the infirmary, I found All Might waiting in the hallway.
"Young Midoriya," he said, his voice uncharacteristically somber. "I believe we need to talk."
He led me to a private room, checking carefully that we were alone before closing the door.
"What your classmates did today..." he began, then paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. "It raises questions I had hoped you wouldn't face so soon."
"They killed the Nomu," I said bluntly. "Heroes aren't supposed to do that."
All Might sighed heavily, deflating to his true form. "The world isn't always as black and white as we might wish, my boy. There are times when a hero faces impossible choices."
He told me then about All For One - a villain of unimaginable power who could steal and use multiple Quirks.
How All Might had fought him, that fight being the one that left him with his crippling injury, and him having had to end with All For One's death.
"I didn't want to kill him," All Might admitted, his sunken eyes haunted. "I tried to find another way. But he was too dangerous, too strong, too committed to destruction. In the end, it came down to him or countless innocent lives."
"So you..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
"Yes," All Might nodded grimly. "I did what was necessary, though the weight of that decision stays with me. Sometimes, Young Midoriya, being a hero means making impossible choices and bearing the consequences."
I left that conversation with my mind in turmoil. The hero I'd idolized my entire life had killed. My classmates had killed. Both had done so believing it was necessary to protect others.
Where was the line? When did "what is necessary" become too much?
--------------------------
The days following the USJ incident were strange.
The school was temporarily closed while security was upgraded. When we returned, there was a palpable tension among both students and faculty.
Marcus and Evelyn were treated differently by our classmates - some with newfound respect, others with subtle wariness.
They'd shown themselves capable of lethal force, and that changed how people saw them.
It changed how I saw them too, though not necessarily in a negative way.
There was something - I eventually realised - reassuring about knowing they would do whatever was necessary to protect others, even if it meant crossing lines that most heroes wouldn't.
-----------------------
During the week after classes resumed, I was thinking about the man I'd heard so much about: Detective Thragg Grayson.
I met him when he came to UA for a meeting with Principal Nezu and Aizawa-sensei regarding Marcus and Evelyn's actions at USJ - and now I met him on the street when buying groceries.
Truly a small world.
My first thought then was that photographs couldn't possibly do justice to his presence. And that was my same thought now.
At over seven feet tall, he towered over everyone, his muscular frame rivaling even All Might in his powered form.
But it wasn't just his size - there was something about him that commanded attention, that made you instinctively straighten your posture and choose your words more carefully.
"Ah, Midoriya," he said, his deep voice resonating in my chest despite his moderate volume. "Interesting meeting you here."
"Y-yes, sir," I managed, suddenly understanding why even Kacchan had fallen silent in his presence. "It's nice to finally meet you."
His eyes - intelligent and evaluating - studied me briefly. "I understand you were present during the USJ incident.
Your quick thinking helped prevent casualties." repeating in different words what he said to me during the meeting - I knew he was being polite, starting up conversation, so I echoed what I said last time.
"I didn't do much compared to Marcus and Evelyn," I stated.
"Different roles, equally valuable," he replied. "A team functions best when each member understands their strengths and limitations."
There was something almost hypnotic about his measured speech pattern, each word precisely chosen and delivered with quiet authority.
"Would you care to join us for dinner this weekend?" he asked unexpectedly. "I'd like to hear your perspective on the incident firsthand."
"I... yes, I'd be honored," I replied, surprised by the invitation.
"Excellent. Saturday at seven." With a slight nod, he continued down the street, leaving me with the strange sensation of having passed some kind of test I hadn't known I was taking.
-------------------------
Dinner at the Grayson home with Detective Thragg present was a different experience entirely.
The family's usual efficient coordination seemed elevated, as if everyone unconsciously adjusted their behavior in his presence.
"Izuku, thank you for joining us," Thragg said as we sat down to eat. "I've been curious to meet the young man my nephews and daugters speak of so highly."
"Thank you for inviting me, sir," I replied, trying not to stare. Up close, his presence was even more imposing, though he seemed to make efforts to appear approachable.
"I understand you're All Might's protégé," he continued, serving himself with precise movements. "An interesting choice for the Symbol of Peace."
I nearly choked on my water. "I - what makes you say that?"
"Your Quirk bears remarkable similarities to his, and you and him appear quite close, the man isn't one that is really subtle in his approach."
"Though the interesting bit is that you yet struggle with control in a way that suggests difficulty in teaching you in it." His gaze met mine, penetrating but not hostile.
Seeing me still slightly agape at his analysis he added, "I'm a detective, Izuku. Observation is my profession."
For a terrifying moment, I thought he'd discovered the secret of One For All. But his next words suggested a different conclusion.
"Late-blooming Quirks often manifest with unusual power but require significant adjustment. Marcus and Evelyn have experienced similar challenges."
Relief washed over me, though I felt a twinge of guilt at the deception. "Yes, that's... exactly it."
Of course he wouldn't know about One For All - it is a power that contradicts most beliefs about Quirks. I don't know what I was thinking.
"Your analytical abilities compensate admirably for your control issues," he continued. "Marcus tells me you maintain extensive notes on hero Quirks and strategies."
"I've always been fascinated by how different Quirks work," I admitted. "Understanding their mechanics helps develop effective counter-strategies."
"A valuable perspective," Thragg nodded. "Many focus solely on increasing their power without considering how to apply it most effectively."
As dinner progressed, the conversation turned to the hero system - a topic that seemed to particularly interest Thragg - which I kind of expected, knowing that Marcus appears to have gotten it from his Uncle.
Marcus to my understanding seems to really care about how his Uncle thinks of him - more than even Mark, Evelyn, and Eva.
"What do you think is the purpose of heroes, Izuku?" he asked.
"To protect people," I answered immediately. "To save those who need saving and stop those who would harm others."
"A noble sentiment," Thragg acknowledged. "But is protection alone sufficient? Or should heroes aspire to something more fundamental?"
"Like what?"
"Elevation," he replied, the word carrying a significance I couldn't quite grasp. "Not merely protecting society as it is, but helping it evolve into something better. Something that requires less protection."
"That sounds more like a politician's job than a hero's," I suggested hesitantly.
A slight smile touched Thragg's lips. "Perhaps the distinction is artificial. True leadership - whether from heroes, politicians, or others - should ultimately serve the same purpose: the advancement of society toward its highest potential."
"But who decides what that 'highest potential' is?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Therein lies the fundamental question," Thragg replied, his eyes holding mine. "In our current system, no one does - at least not cohesively."
"Heroes protect, politicians legislate, educators teach, all with different visions and priorities, often working at cross purposes despite shared goals."
"You're suggesting there should be... what? A single vision?"
"I'm suggesting that fragmented authority creates fragmented results. A house divided against itself cannot stand, as the saying goes."
I considered this. "But unified authority can lead to tyranny if the wrong person holds power."
"Indeed," Thragg agreed, surprising me. "Which is why character matters above all else in leadership. Power without wisdom is mere force."
"Wisdom without power is mere philosophy. The ideal leader possesses both in equal measure, along with the moral clarity to use them properly."
His words resonated with something deep inside me - a belief in the potential for genuine, transformative leadership that went beyond the limitations of the current system.
As I left that night, I found myself wondering if such a leader could exist. And if they did, what would they look like? How would they reshape our world?
----------------------
The Sports Festival came and went, with Marcus defeating Todoroki in a match that seemed to involve more than just competition.
Something passed between them - a conversation I couldn't hear from the stands, but that clearly affected Todoroki deeply.
In the aftermath, rumors began circulating about Endeavor. Whispers at first, then more concrete allegations. Child abuse. Domestic violence. A "quirk marriage" designed to produce the perfect heir.
When the police finally arrested him, led by Detective Thragg himself, the hero community was thrown into chaos.
The number two hero - a man who had solved more cases and captured more villains than anyone even All Might - revealed as a domestic abuser who had terrorized his own family for years.
The Todoroki siblings moved in with the Graysons temporarily while the legal proceedings unfolded. I visited once, finding Shoto more relaxed than I'd ever seen him, despite the circumstances.
We aren't exactly close, but it felt right to visit him as a classmate.
"It's strange," he confided as we sat in the Graysons' garden. "I spent years hating him, and now that everyone knows the truth, I feel... I don't know. Not happy, exactly. But lighter somehow."
"The Graysons seem to be taking good care of you," I observed.
"They are," Shoto agreed. "Detective Grayson especially. He's... not what I expected."
"How so?"
Shoto considered his words carefully. "He's powerful - maybe even more than my father - but he uses that power differently. I've seen him train Marcus and Mark and there's no... cruelty in the way he uses his power. Just purpose."
I nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. There was something about Thragg that inspired confidence - a sense that he knew exactly what he was doing and why.
"Marcus says you're working on something for the internships?" Shoto changed the subject.
"Oh, yeah," I brightened, eager to discuss my project. "After USJ, I realized how vulnerable we all are when separated."
"So I'm developing communication devices for emergencies - something that can send a distress signal to each other for if we're in trouble."
"Smart," Shoto nodded approvingly. "The pros won't always be there to help."
"Exactly. I'm distributing them to our classmates before internships start. Just in case."
"Who receives the signal?"
"Initially I thought just each other, and the police in general, but Marcus suggested including his uncle too specifically. As a high-ranking detective, he could mobilize police response quickly."
"Good idea," Shoto agreed. "After seeing him arrest my father, I believe Detective Grayson could handle just about anything."
The distribution of my emergency devices went better than expected. Everyone in class accepted one, even Kacchan (though he claimed he'd "never need to call for backup like some loser").
"These are really impressive, Midoriya," Yaoyorozu commented, examining the small device. "The signal range must be substantial."
"It uses cellular networks where available," I explained, "but can also transmit directly if necessary. The battery should last several weeks on standby."
"And it alerts all of us plus Detective Grayson?" Iida confirmed, attaching the device to his costume.
"Yes. It sends your GPS coordinates automatically when activated."
Iida nodded seriously. "A prudent precaution. Thank you, Midoriya."
I didn't know then how soon that precaution would be tested - or how it would change everything.
------------------------
My internship with Gran Torino started awkwardly. The elderly hero seemed disappointed by my performance, constantly pushing me to use One For All more efficiently.
"You're thinking about it all wrong!" he scolded after knocking me down for the dozenth time. "One For All isn't something separate from you - it's part of you! Stop treating it like a special move and start treating it like a natural extension of yourself!"
His training was brutal but effective. By the end of the first week, I could maintain Full Cowling at 5% consistently, distribute the power throughout my body rather than concentrating it in single limbs.
Then came the news about Hero Killer: Stain. His latest victim was Ingenium - Iida's brother I eventually realised. Though he survived, his hero career was over, his legs permanently damaged.
I tried calling Iida, but he didn't answer. His texts were brief and formal, assuring me he was fine and focused on his internship in Hosu City.
Something felt wrong. I knew Iida - knew how deeply he valued his brother, how proud he was of the Ingenium legacy. This detached response wasn't like him at all.
When Hosu City erupted in chaos - multiple Nomu attacks spreading destruction across different districts - I knew something was very wrong.
Gran Torino and I were on a train passing through Hosu when the attacks began. Despite his instructions to stay put, I couldn't ignore what was happening.
Following my instincts, I jumped from the train, using Full Cowling to soften my landing.
The city was in chaos. Heroes and police scrambled to contain the Nomu attacks while civilians fled in panic.
Using my phone's GPS, I tried to locate Iida who was somewhere here, eventually tracking him to a narrow alley away from the main fighting.
What I found chilled me to the bone.
Iida lay on the ground, a sword pinning his arm to the concrete. Standing over him was a gaunt figure with a ragged scarf and multiple blades - Hero Killer: Stain. And he was preparing to deliver what looked like a killing blow.
"STOP!" I shouted, launching myself forward with Full Cowling.
My kick caught Stain off guard, forcing him back from Iida. Landing between them, I assessed the situation quickly. Iida was injured but alive. Another pro hero - Native - lay paralyzed nearby.
"Midoriya?" Iida gasped. "Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you," I replied, keeping my eyes on Stain. "Your behavior didn't seem right after what happened to your brother."
"Leave!" Iida demanded. "This is my fight! My responsibility!"
"A child seeking revenge," Stain's raspy voice cut through our exchange. "Playing at being a hero while pursuing a personal vendetta. This is what's wrong with hero society today."
"Shut up!" Iida shouted. "You have no right to talk about heroes after what you've done!"
Stain's eyes narrowed. "I have every right. I'm purging this society of false heroes - those who seek fame, fortune, and glory rather than true justice."
"Only All Might embodies the ideal of a true hero - selfless, driven by genuine desire to protect rather than personal gain."
"You're just a murderer," I countered, though something about his words resonated uncomfortably with thoughts I'd been having lately.
"I'm a necessary correction to a corrupt system," Stain replied. "Sometimes society needs to be shocked into remembering what truly matters."
He moved with frightening speed, his blade slicing toward me. I managed to dodge, but just barely.
As we fought, I realized I was outmatched - his experience and speed exceeded my novice abilities, even with Full Cowling.
A slash caught my arm, and I felt my body go rigid. His Quirk - some kind of paralysis activated by ingesting blood.
As I fell, unable to move, Stain approached Iida once more. "False heroes deserve death. You came seeking revenge, not justice. You're no different from the corruption I'm fighting against."
"You're wrong," I managed to say despite the paralysis. "Iida made a mistake, but that doesn't define him. True heroes can acknowledge their errors and grow from them."
Stain paused, studying me. "You have potential, child. A purer heart than most who wear the title 'hero.' But potential isn't enough in a system designed to corrupt."
He raised his blade over Iida, and in that moment of desperation, I remembered the emergency device. With tremendous effort, I managed to press the button on my belt.
The signal was sent. Help was coming - if it wasn't already too late.
"The hero system is broken," Stain continued, seemingly in no hurry to finish his work. "It produces fame-seekers and glory-hounds instead of true protectors. Only All Might stands above the corruption, a singular pillar holding up a rotting structure."
"And what happens when that pillar falls?" I asked, trying to buy time. "All Might won't be around forever."
"Then perhaps society needs to collapse and be rebuilt," Stain replied. "Sometimes destruction is necessary for rebirth."
A shadow passed overhead - something flying at incredible speed. Before Stain could react, a massive figure landed between us with enough force to crack the concrete.
Detective Thragg Grayson stood to his full height, towering over Stain. He wore no hero costume, just his standard suit and tie, yet somehow looked more imposing than any pro hero I'd ever seen.
"Hero Killer," Thragg acknowledged, his voice calm. "Your activities end tonight."
Stain's eyes widened slightly - the first sign of uncertainty I'd seen from him. "You're not a hero," he observed. "Police?"
"Detective Thragg Grayson, Special Investigations Division," Thragg confirmed. "I heard what you just stated as I arrived. Your methodology is flawed, though your diagnosis has merit."
This seemed to surprise Stain. "You agree the system is corrupt?"
"I agree it is inefficient," Thragg clarified. "But indiscriminate killing is equally inefficient. True reform requires precision, not bloodshed."
Stain's expression hardened. "Words without action are meaningless. The system protects itself. Only by cutting out the cancer can healing begin."
"Perhaps," Thragg acknowledged, his posture relaxed despite facing one of Japan's most wanted criminals. "But your approach lacks vision. You remove what you perceive as corruption without offering an alternative. Destruction without creation is mere chaos."
Stain's eyes narrowed. "And what would you suggest, Detective? Working within a broken system? Politely asking false heroes to change their ways?"
"I suggest elevation rather than elimination," Thragg replied. "Society can be guided toward better versions of itself without, again, needless bloodshed."
Something flashed across Stain's face - recognition, perhaps, or curiosity. Whatever it was, it quickly hardened back into resolve as he gripped his blades tighter.
"Enough talk," Stain growled. "If you stand with the false heroes, you'll fall with them."
He moved with blinding speed, blades slashing toward Thragg's throat. What happened next seemed impossible - Thragg didn't dodge or block. He simply... remained still. The blades connected with his neck and shattered like glass, leaving him completely unharmed.
Stain stumbled back in shock. "What...?"
"My Quirk," Thragg explained calmly, "makes me rather difficult to injure. Now, will you surrender peacefully, or must I use force?"
The Hero Killer's response was another attack - a flurry of strikes that would have overwhelmed most pros.
Thragg evaded them with minimal movement, his expression unchanged, as if he were merely humoring a child's tantrum.
"Your conviction is admirable," Thragg commented, catching Stain's wrist mid-strike. "But misapplied."
With seemingly no effort, he lifted Stain by the captured arm. The Hero Killer struggled, slashing with his free hand, but each strike bounced harmlessly off Thragg's body.
"The heroes are coming," Thragg stated, nodding toward the street where emergency lights were now visible. "Your crusade ends tonight."
Stain snarled, twisting in Thragg's grip to land a kick against his chest - a blow that would have cracked ribs on a normal person. Thragg didn't even blink.
"Impressive flexibility," he noted. "But futile."
A sudden roar from above drew our attention. One of the winged Nomu had spotted us, diving toward the alley with claws extended.
As it approached, Stain saw his opportunity, wrenching free of Thragg's grip with a dislocated shoulder and leaping toward the creature.
"Freedom is not yours to take!" he shouted, blades flashing as he slashed at the Nomu.
The creature grabbed Stain mid-air, massive claws wrapping around his torso as it began to ascend. For a moment, I thought the Hero Killer would escape - but then Thragg moved.
It wasn't running or jumping - it was more like he simply decided to be elsewhere. One moment he was beside me, the next he was in the air above the Nomu, descending with force.
His hand closed around the Nomu's neck, and with a single, efficient motion, he twisted. The crack echoed through the alley as the creature's head rotated nearly 180 degrees. Its wings failed instantly, sending all three plummeting back toward the ground.
Thragg landed first, absorbing the impact with bent knees. He caught the falling Nomu with one arm and Stain with the other, setting them down with surprising gentleness.
The Nomu was clearly dead, its head lolling at an unnatural angle. Stain, however, was merely stunned - and now securely held in Thragg's grip.
"Remarkable," Stain wheezed through what I suspected were broken ribs. "You're not like the others. You have true power, and the conviction necessary for needed action."
"I do," Thragg agreed simply.
"Then why serve this corrupt system?" Stain demanded. "With your strength, you could reshape society. Force it to remember what heroes should truly be."
"Perhaps I am reshaping it," Thragg replied enigmatically. "Just not through your methods."
News helicopters appeared overhead, their searchlights illuminating the alley.
Cameras zoomed in on the scene - Thragg holding the captured Hero Killer, the dead Nomu nearby, Iida and me still paralyzed on the ground.
Stain seemed to notice the audience, his eyes gleaming with sudden purpose.
"Listen, all of you!" he shouted, his voice carrying clearly despite his injuries. "The word 'hero' has lost all meaning in this society! They're not protecting people because it's right - they're doing it for money, for fame, for self-aggrandizement!"
Thragg made no move to silence him, watching with what looked almost like academic interest.
"Only All Might is worthy of the title!" Stain continued, blood spraying from his lips as he shouted. "Only he embodies what a true hero should be! The rest are imposters, parasites feeding off society's fear and admiration!"
His eyes bulged, veins standing out on his forehead as he delivered his manifesto to the cameras above. "This false hero society must be purged! Rebuilt! The weak pretenders must fall so true heroism can rise again!"
As Stain's rant finished, eventually, the pro heroes finally arrived, led by Endeavor (recently reinstated despite the ongoing abuse case),
they found an unusual scene: Thragg calmly restraining Stain, who had finally collapsed from his injuries; the dead Nomu lying nearby; and Iida,
Native, and me still paralyzed from Stain's Quirk.
"Detective Grayson," Endeavor acknowledged stiffly, flames flickering higher around his face. "This is outside police jurisdiction. Hero matters should be left to heroes."
"Perhaps," Thragg replied mildly, "but when a distress signal comes from a student, response time matters more than jurisdiction." He gestured toward me. "Young Midoriya's emergency device alerted me to the situation."
Endeavor's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue further. The media presence made confrontation unwise, especially given his precarious public standing after the abuse allegations.
As paramedics treated our injuries and police secured Stain, I found myself watching Thragg. There was something almost... satisfied about his demeanor, as if events had unfolded in some way that he was pleased with.
Well, he did just save two students and a hero from being killed - that was something to be proud of, I reasoned.
Gran Torino arrived shortly after, berating me for jumping off the train while simultaneously expressing grudging approval of my initiative. The paralysis from Stain's Quirk wore off gradually, allowing me to stand with assistance.
"You took an enormous risk, young man," Thragg said when he came to check on me. "But your concern for your friend was admirable."
"Thank you for coming," I replied sincerely. "If you hadn't..."
"The device you created served its purpose," he noted. "A practical solution to a potential vulnerability. You have good instincts, Izuku."
The praise warmed me, though I felt I hardly deserved it. I'd rushed in without a plan and ended up paralyzed, leaving Thragg to handle everything.
"Stain's words," I began hesitantly, not even knowing where it came from, just needing to have someone to ask, "about the hero system being corrupt... Do you think there's any truth to that?"
Thragg considered the question carefully. "Every system created by imperfect beings has flaws. The hero system incentivizes certain behaviors - some positive, some less so. The question is whether those flaws outweigh the benefits, and if a better alternative exists."
"And does it?" I pressed. "A better alternative?"
His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was looking into something vast and ancient. "That depends on what one values most. Security? Freedom? Progress? Different systems prioritize different outcomes."
"What do you value most?" I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.
"Elevation," he replied, using that word again. "The continuous improvement of society toward its highest potential. Security without stagnation. Freedom without chaos. Progress with purpose."
Before I could ask what that might look like in practice, the paramedics insisted on taking me to the hospital for observation.
As they loaded me into the ambulance, I caught one last glimpse of Thragg speaking with police officials, his towering form commanding attention without effort.
I couldn't help but wonder what kind of society someone with his way of thinking would build, given the chance.
---------------------
The aftermath of the Hosu incident was complicated.
Officially, we were reprimanded for engaging Stain without authorization. Unofficially, we were praised for our bravery and quick thinking.
Stain's manifesto, broadcast live during his capture, sparked intense debate across Japan.
His criticism of the hero system resonated with more people than the authorities cared to admit.
Hashtags like #StainWasRight and #FalseHeroes trended for weeks.
All Might visited me in the hospital, his expression troubled despite his trademark smile.
"Young Midoriya," he began, sitting beside my bed. "Your actions were reckless but ultimately saved lives. I'm proud of your growth."
"Thank you, All Might," I replied, though his praise didn't fill me with the usual pride. Something had shifted inside me - a growing uncertainty about the system I was training to join.
"Something's bothering you," he observed, deflating to his true form once we were alone. "What is it, my boy?"
I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "Stain's words... about heroes doing it for fame and money rather than to help people. About All Might being the only true hero. I can't help thinking there's some truth to it."
All Might sighed heavily. "Stain's perspective is dangerously oversimplified. Yes, some heroes are motivated partly by fame or fortune. They're human, with human flaws and desires. But that doesn't negate the good they do."
"But is that enough?" I pressed. "A system that accepts self-interest as long as the public gets protected?"
"What alternative would you suggest?" All Might asked gently. "Forcing people to act solely from altruism? Dictating who can and cannot be heroes based on their motivations rather than their actions?"
I didn't have a good answer. "I just... I want to be the kind of hero you are. Someone who does it because it's right, not for recognition."
"And that's why I chose you," All Might said, placing his bony hand on mine. "Because your heart is in the right place. But be careful not to judge others too harshly, Young Midoriya. The path to heroism isn't the same for everyone."
His words should have been reassuring. Instead, they left me with more questions than answers.
The day I was released from the hospital, I received a message from Marcus asking if I wanted to meet for coffee. I agreed, needing to talk to someone who might understand my confusion.
We met at a quiet café near UA. Marcus was already waiting when I arrived, two drinks on the table.
"Green tea, right?" he asked as I sat down.
"Thanks," I nodded, wrapping my hands around the warm cup. "How did you know?"
"You mentioned it once," he shrugged. "How are you feeling? Physically, I mean."
"Better," I replied. "Recovery Girl fixed most of the damage. Just some lingering soreness."
Marcus nodded. "And mentally?"
I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "Confused. Uncertain. The whole thing with Stain..."
"Has you questioning things," Marcus finished for me. "That's natural. He raised valid points, even if his methods were extreme."
"Your uncle was amazing," I said, changing the subject slightly. "The way he handled Stain, that Nomu... I've never seen anything like it."
A smile touched Marcus's lips. "Uncle Thragg is exceptional. He sees problems - and solutions - that others miss."
"He killed the Nomu," I noted quietly. "Just like you and Evelyn did at USJ."
"Because it was necessary seeing the situation where he had people to protect," Marcus replied without hesitation. "Some threats can't be contained or reformed. They can only be eliminated."
I stared into my tea, wrestling with the implications. "I've always believed heroes should save everyone - villains included. That killing should be the absolute last resort."
"A noble sentiment," Marcus acknowledged. "But sometimes reality demands difficult choices. If that Nomu had escaped with Stain, how many more people might have died? How many heroes?"
"I know," I sighed. "It's just... not what I was taught heroes should do."
"Perhaps what you were taught was incomplete," Marcus suggested gently. "The hero system presents a simplified narrative - heroes always find a way to save everyone, villains always go to prison, justice always prevails. But real life isn't so clean."
"So what's the answer?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. "Just accept that sometimes heroes have to kill? That the system is flawed but it's the best we've got?"
Marcus was quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. "What if there was another way? Not just a reformed hero system, but something fundamentally different? A society where protection wasn't needed because prevention was built into its structure?"
"That sounds like a utopia," I said skeptically.
"Not utopia," Marcus corrected. "Progress. Evolution. Every system humans have created has evolved over time. Why should this be different?"
"But who would design such a system? Who would implement it?" I challenged. "And how do you ensure it doesn't become tyrannical?"
"It would require exceptional leadership," Marcus admitted. "Someone with both the vision to see what society could become and the strength to guide it there. Someone who values elevation above personal gain."
The word triggered my memory of conversations with Thragg. "Elevation," I repeated. "Your uncle uses that word too."
"It's a concept he introduced to our family - me being the one who agrees with him the most as you probably know from how vocal I am about it," Marcus explained.
"The idea that true leadership isn't about maintaining the status quo or accumulating power, but about lifting society to its highest potential."
As we continued talking, I found myself increasingly drawn to the concept. Not because it promised easy answers - it didn't - but because it acknowledged the complexity I was struggling with while offering a path forward.
By the time we parted ways, my mind was buzzing with new perspectives.
The hero system I'd idolized my entire life suddenly seemed less like a perfect ideal and more like a transitional phase - a necessary but imperfect step in society's evolution.
-------------------------
The weeks that followed were a blur of recovery, training, and preparation for final exams. I found myself spending more time with the Graysons, drawn to their - most vocally Marcus and Thragg's perspectives on heroism and society.
Mark and Eva from Class 1-B joined our training sessions occasionally, bringing different insights and techniques.
"It's about understanding your role within the team," Eva explained during one session. "Not just what you can do individually, but how your abilities complement others."
"Like pieces of a larger whole," Mark added. "Each with their purpose, but stronger together than apart."
Their philosophy extended beyond combat techniques to broader societal questions.
They spoke of heroism not as an end in itself, but as one component of a properly functioning society - important, but incomplete without corresponding advancements in education, governance, economics, and culture.
These conversations, combined with my experiences at Hosu and the USJ, gradually shifted my perspective.
The simplistic view of heroes I'd held since childhood - inspired largely by All Might's public persona - gave way to something more nuanced, more realistic.
Heroes weren't perfect.
The system wasn't perfect.
And perhaps most importantly, a single Symbol of Peace, however powerful and inspirational, couldn't hold society together indefinitely.
All Might was weakening. I knew this better than most. Eventually, he would have to step down, leaving a void that no single hero could fill - certainly not me, at least not anytime soon.
So what then? What happened when the pillar that supported hero society could no longer stand?
These questions haunted me as I watched news coverage of Stain's trial, of the continuing fallout from the Endeavor abuse scandal, of rising villain activity despite the hero system's best efforts.
Something was changing in Japan - in me - and I couldn't tell if it was evolution or collapse.
-------------------------
The training camp attack caught everyone by surprise.
Despite increased security measures following the USJ incident, villains from the "League of Villains" managed to infiltrate the forest where Classes 1-A and 1-B were conducting special training.
Their target, apparently, was Kacchan - though no one knew why they wanted him specifically.
In the chaos of the attack, with teachers and students scattered throughout the forest, my emergency devices proved invaluable, allowing us to coordinate our defense and evacuation.
But it wasn't enough. Despite our best efforts, the villains succeeded in capturing Kacchan.
The last I saw of him, he was fighting furiously against a villain made entirely of black mist - the same one who had teleported villains into USJ.
As we regrouped at the camp's main building, counting injuries and confirming who was missing, I felt a crushing weight of failure.
Kacchan was gone - taken by villains for unknown purposes - and I had been unable to stop it.
"We need to go after them," I insisted, despite my own injuries. "Every minute we wait-"
"Is a minute the pros are using to organize a rescue," Aizawa-sensei cut me off. "This isn't your responsibility, Midoriya. The police and pro heroes will handle it."
But I couldn't accept that. Kacchan was my classmate, my childhood friend despite our complicated history. I couldn't just sit and wait while he was in danger.
That night, I gathered a small group - Todoroki, Iida, Yaoyorozu, Kirishima - and proposed a rescue mission. It was reckless, potentially illegal, but I couldn't see another option.
"We're not pros," Iida argued, his experience with Stain making him particularly cautious. "We don't have the training or authority for this kind of operation."
"But we have something the pros don't," I countered. "Yaoyorozu can create a tracker that locks onto Kacchan's DNA. We can find him when the pros can't."
"Even if we locate him," Todoroki pointed out, "what then? These villains defeated professional heroes. What chance do we have?"
"We don't engage directly," I explained. "We find him, alert the pros to his exact location, then let them handle the actual rescue."
After much debate, they reluctantly agreed to my plan - with strict conditions about not engaging villains directly. As we prepared to leave, I hesitated, then activated my emergency device - specifically targetting Thragg - though a timed one, not an instant alert.
If we were walking into danger, better to have backup ready.
The tracker led us to an abandoned warehouse in Kamino Ward - a run-down neighborhood with little police presence.
As we approached cautiously, I could see why the villains had chosen it: multiple exits, poor lighting, minimal civilian presence.
"Remember the plan," I whispered as we took positions around the building. "We confirm Kacchan's presence, then alert the pros. No direct engagement."
Through a grimy window, I could make out several figures inside - the hand-covered villain from USJ, a man in a suit who seemed to be lecturing him, and Kacchan, restrained but conscious and clearly furious.
"He's there," I confirmed via our communication devices. "Second floor, main room. At least two villains with him."
"I'm calling the police now," Yaoyorozu replied from her position. "They'll alert the pros."
"Good," I nodded, though she couldn't see me. "Now we wait-"
A sudden explosion rocked the building, cutting off my words. It wasn't Kacchan's Quirk - this came from the front entrance, where a team of pro heroes had just burst in.
"They're already here!" Kirishima exclaimed through the comm. "How did they find this place?"
I didn't have time to wonder. The warehouse erupted into chaos as villains and heroes clashed. Through the window, I saw All Might himself enter the fray, making directly for Kacchan.
But something was wrong. The suited man - who I now recognized as Shigaraki's mentor based on their interaction - seemed completely unperturbed by the heroes' arrival. Almost as if he'd expected it.
"We need to get out of here," I told the others. "Something doesn't feel right."
Before we could retreat, a massive explosion tore through the building's upper floors. The wall beside me disintegrated, sending me tumbling backward as debris rained down.
When the dust cleared, I saw a scene that would haunt my nightmares: All Might facing off against a massive, muscular figure with exposed brain and facial tubes - a creature that looked like a more advanced version of the Nomu from USJ.
"All For One," I whispered, recognizing the villain from almost instinct - like my Quirk was raging at him.
The battle that followed was like nothing I'd ever witnessed. Buildings crumbled under the force of their blows.
Shockwaves knocked heroes and villains alike off their feet. The very air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of their conflict.
All Might was fighting at his limit - and it wasn't enough. All For One matched him blow for blow, taunt for taunt, gradually revealing the truth All Might had kept hidden: his weakening power, his crippling injury, his limited time remaining as the Symbol of Peace.
"You've grown weaker, All Might," All For One's mechanical voice echoed across the battlefield. "While I have only grown stronger."
I watched in horror as All For One raised his hand, the air around it distorting as he activated multiple Quirks simultaneously. "Let me show you the results of my latest... modifications. A little something I gained after meeting two particularly fascinating people."
A blinding light erupted from his palm, engulfing All Might entirely.
When the glare faded, my mentor stood there, smoke rising from his battered body, his muscular form flickering like a dying lightbulb.
"What... have you done?" All Might gasped, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Cellular degradation quirk," All For One explained casually, as if discussing the weather. " Quite effective against your particular physiology, wouldn't you say?"
All Might dropped to one knee, his massive form shrinking before our eyes. Not the gradual deflation I'd seen before, but a rapid, painful-looking collapse.
Within seconds, the Symbol of Peace was gone, replaced by the skeletal figure of Toshinori Yagi.
Gasps echoed across the battlefield as heroes and civilians alike witnessed All Might's true form revealed to the world.
Camera drones captured everything, broadcasting the moment live across Japan.
"And so falls the mighty Symbol of Peace," All For One declared, his voice carrying clearly to the cameras. "A fraud. A hollow shell pretending to be invincible."
"I may be weakened," All Might responded, struggling to his feet despite everything, "but as long as I draw breath, I will fight to protect the innocent!"
His defiance, his determination despite his revealed weakness, brought tears to my eyes. This - this was what made him a true hero. Not his power, but his heart.
All For One seemed to find it amusing. "Admirable. Futile, but admirable."
He raised his hand again, energy gathering around it in dark, pulsing waves. "Goodbye, Symbol of Peace. Your era ends tonight."
I couldn't move. I wanted to but it was like my legs were frozen. I didn't want to watch.
Couldn't bear to see my mentor, my hero, struck down before the world. But I couldn't look away either, frozen in horror as the moment stretched into eternity.
The blast never came.
A massive figure appeared between All Might and All For One, seemingly materializing from nowhere.
The energy blast that should have ended All Might's life crashed against an immovable object.
"That's enough," a voice came from the smoke - one that I recognized immediately.
As the smoke dissipated, there he stood - the upper part of his suit partly burned away, showing a large amount of skin.
"Worry not," Thragg began as he ripped the final burned piece of clothing off, leaving him bare chested.
"For now, I am here."
-------------------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the extremely long chapter.
Good Lord it took me quite a bit - HOURS! - and a lot of thinking how to fit all this into one chapter - since Izuku and Shigaraki are basically the main pieces Thragg needs to get, or at least kill, to be able to move between universes again after all.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed, do tell me whether you all are excited to see Thragg versus All For One next chapter and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)