Chapter 9: The Exam and Realizations
DAY OF THE ENTRANCE EXAM
Izuku stood proud at the gate of UA as he looked at his future school. He had finished cleaning up the beach a couple of months ago. He had done so much since then. His sensei Daichi Arai had "passed" him in his dojo and he had taught him everything he knew and had learned three different martial art styles. He had built a few items from the scrap that was made one of his best ones being Sound Gauntlets for Jiro and her Earphone Jacks.
The premise of the Sound Gauntlets was quite simple. Jiro could plug her earphone jacks into the gauntlets, and they would amplify and redirect her sound-based attacks with unparalleled precision and power. He had also incorporated shock absorption to reduce strain on her eardrums and added a secondary feature that allowed the gauntlets to record soundwaves for tactical purposes. Jiro had been overjoyed when he gave them to her, calling him a "genius inventor" despite his bashful protests. She could even use it in the exam as it was signed off as being used for her quirk.
He stood a proud six feet tall, his frame a testament to the months of grueling training he had undergone. His once wiry build had transformed into a powerful, well-toned physique that balanced strength and agility. Every muscle on his body seemed to carry the story of his dedication—chiseling his abs, broadening his shoulders, and fortifying his arms and legs through countless hours of intense workouts, sparring sessions, and Quirk drills. Everything on his body was the peak of physical strength.
But now, as he stood before the massive gates of UA, those achievements seemed like distant memories. The weight of the moment hit him like a freight train. This is it,he thought, his hands clenching into fists. Everything I've worked for leads to today. Let's just hope that Bakugo or my siblings aren't here to see me.
The sad thing was the seats were assigned so he couldn't be next to his friends, and he was going to beat someone up if he sat next to Bakugo, Inori, or Ichiro.
He began walking into the examination hall, his boots echoing softly on the polished floors. Each step felt deliberate, like he was stepping onto a battlefield, not just an exam. The large hall was lined with rows of seats, each section filled with hopeful students, all brimming with anticipation and nerves. Despite the crowd, the room seemed to fall into a hushed stillness as the proctors took their places on the elevated stage at the front.
He took his seat thanking whoever did this that didn't have any one of those three next to him. He was interrupted from his train of thought when someone bumped into him in his seat.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to bump into you," said a girl with brown hair.
Izuku waved her off, "You're fine. You didn't mean to," he said.
"My name is Ochaco Uraraka what is yours," she asked sticking her hand out to him.
Izuku shook her hand with a gentle smile. "My name is Izuku Yagi. Nice to meet you, Uraraka."
Ochaco smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you too, Yagi. Are you excited for the exam?"
Izuku's expression softened as he nodded. "Yeah, I've been looking forward to this for a long time. But there's a lot riding on it, you know?"
Ochaco tilted her head slightly, her gaze curious. "I understand. It's a big step, but I think you'll do great. You seem really focused."
Izuku felt a small wave of gratitude at her words. "Thanks, that really means a lot. How about you? Are you nervous?"
Ochaco laughed softly. "A little, but mostly excited. I've been training hard for this too. Let's do our best." Izuku nodded at her as they both settled in there and the lights dimmed to show Present Mic on stage.
As the lights dimmed, the hall fell into a hushed silence. The sound of footsteps echoed softly as Present Mic stepped onto the stage, his confident demeanor instantly capturing everyone's attention. The excitement in the room surged once again, but now there was a different kind of energy—one that came with the presence of a pro hero.
"Good afternoon, future heroes!" Present Mic's voice boomed across the hall, resonating with enthusiasm. "Welcome to the UA Entrance Exam! You've all come a long way to get here, and today is the day you put your skills to the test. But, first, let me go over how this test is going to work."
Present Mic's voice filled the large hall, energetic and brimming with excitement. His animated gestures matched his tone, commanding the attention of every hopeful student in the room.
"Alright, listen up!" he continued, pointing dramatically toward the crowd. "The UA Entrance Exam is split into two parts: a written test and a practical exam. Now we shall move on to the practical exam as we are now done with that. So, let's get rocking and go over this! Do not be afraid to ask any questions," he said hitting a button and a screen turned on behind him.
The screen behind Present Mic lit up, displaying images of various villain bots, ranging in size and complexity. Each model rotated slowly, giving the students a clear view of what they'd soon face. Present Mic gestured dramatically toward the screen; his enthusiasm undiminished.
"Alright, future heroes let's break it down! The practical exam is all about racking up points. In your assigned zones, you'll face off against villain bots of varying difficulty levels. Here's how the scoring works: One-point bots are your basic models—lightweight and easy to take down. Two-point bots are bulkier, with tougher armor and slightly better mobility. And then there are the three-point bots," he said, his tone dropping slightly for emphasis. "These bad boys are designed to challenge even the best of you. They're heavily armored, have a range of offensive capabilities, and require a solid strategy to defeat."
"Excuse me, sir," asked a tall boy with glasses and blue hair standing up. A light shined down on him, and he asked, "What is with the fourth bot on this page?"
"I am glad you asked that!" he said, changing the screen to a dramatic image of a massive, towering robot that dwarfed the others. Its frame bristled with simulated weaponry, and it cast an ominous shadow over the mock city below.
"And finally," Present Mic announced, pointing toward the colossal machine on the screen, "the zero-pointer. This one is just here to shake things up! It's big, it's terrifying, but let me be clear: it's worth zero points. You don't need to engage; try to avoid alright."
Present Mic clapped his hands, snapping Izuku and the rest of the students back to attention. "Alright! Any other questions?" He scanned the room, but no one else raised their hand. "Good! Then let's get this party started. Check the screen for your assigned testing zones and report there immediately. You've got five minutes to get to your designated bus to travel to your zone. The clock's ticking!"
"Looks like we are in the same testing zone based on our card," she said looking over to Izuku.
"Yeah, we should get going," he said getting up.
Izuku and Ochaco made their way toward the buses lined up outside, each labeled with the corresponding testing zones. The energy among the students was a mix of nerves and determination, the sound of hurried footsteps and hushed conversations filling the air.
As they boarded the bus for Zone B, Izuku noticed the seats were filling quickly. He gestured for Ochaco to take the window seat, and she nodded with a smile, sliding into place. Izuku sat beside her, his hands resting on his knees as he stared out the window.
He had thought back to this morning about what his father said to him and his siblings.
"Good job to all of you and good luck today," he said referring to them all. He shifted his gaze to Inori and Ichiro and smiled even more. "Go out there and make you old man proud," he said with the two of them smiling.
Izuku clenched his knees in disdain towards his family. "I'll show them," he said to himself. "I'll be the best in everything I do and give it my all even when I have nothing left to give."
"Those are some good words of motivation," said Ochaco smiling at him. Izuku almost forgot he was with her for a moment and nodded.
"Yeah, might as well hype me up as much as possible," he said as they came to a stop.
"We are here. Good luck to you all," said the bus driver.
"Good luck, Uraraka," said Izuku.
"You as well," she said finding an open spot for herself. Izuku stood near the gate waiting for the go-ahead then he showed them what he had. He knew he would have to explain his quirk, so he deliberately pointed in his request forms to meet with the staff to talk about it knowing his father was on the staff.
His training in martial arts, quirks, knowledge, and workouts lead him to this moment. This was a start, but he would make it worth it. He wouldn't lie when he said he wanted to be his father's record, which was still unknown. He wanted to see the looks on his family's face that he had a quirk all this time. He wanted to show them that he was going to follow his dreams with or without their help. He would give it his all. This was his statement to show to the world. He was here. This wasn't about the most points he could get right now, but rather how heroic he could be.
His training would allow him to handle the use of two quirks without any negative effects. (Aside from the ones that are constant such as Brain Boost and Cell Surge. I mean the combat quirks he had.)
He could use three quirks at the same time in a short burst without problems and maybe four if he pushed it, but he would have to be careful. He inhaled deeply, preparing himself. He could not wait to see the looks of his family.
Present Mic's voice then cut in, "What are guys doing? Go out there! There is only so much time!" They were off to the races.
OBSERVATION ROOM
The teachers sat in their chairs waiting for the talent and the crème of the crop to show themselves to them.
"I have a feeling this will be quite a year," said Snipe as he leaned in his chair.
"Indeed, I cannot wait," said Nezu sipping on some tea.
"There are so many cuties already," said Midnight licking her lips seductively.
"Please don't start," said Eraserhead sighing as he sipped some coffee not wanting to fall asleep right now.
Toshinori just sat in his chair thinking about today. "I think Inori was the right candidate for One for All. Her telekinesis quirk is going to be incredibly powerful now as well as having some strong attacks. Ichiro even said his quirk was very similar to mine so it wouldn't make sense for him to have it. He is a selfless kid. The two of them have been training their asses off for this. They will be the top three without a doubt. I wonder if Izuku passed his General Course Test. Of course he did, who am I kidding? The kid is smart as hell," he thought as the tests started.
THIS IS WHERE I AM GOING TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THE QUIRKS IZUKU HAS SO FAR JUST SO WE ARE CLEAR ON THAT AND IN ORDER OF WHAT AND WHEN THEY WERE MADE.
1st Quirk: Brain Boost: This quirk allows Izuku to increase his IQ by 40 without any side effects and it is always active. His IQ is 167 without and 207 with it. He also has memory recall.
2nd Quirk: Cell Surge: This quirk allows Izuku to have a faster healing factor than an average person. Think of it like Spiderman's healing factor. He also can heal others like Recovery Girl with physical touch such as his hand, but it is slower than hers.
3rd Quirk: Blackwhip: Once used by the fifth user of One for All. Izuku can use five tendrils of Blackwhip at any time for 5 minutes in a row. Any more tendrils and he struggles to control it. Any less tendrils and he can control it for longer. This is one of his most versatile quirks as he can use it to swing himself, capture enemies, throw objects or people, or even cause distractions.
4th Quirk: Danger Sense: Once used by the fourth user of One for All. This quirk allows Izuku to sense when danger is directed at him and even in some cases near him. He no longer has the sharp pain that he does when it is activated due to his training. This is more of a passive quirk as it is embedded in the user's instincts. It can also detect emotional hostility.
5th Quirk: Eagle Eyes. This quirk allows him to have a perfect 20/20 vision, and it increases his perceptional awareness. It enables him to track fast-moving objects with incredible accuracy. It was almost as if time slows down for him when they are activated.
6th Quirk: Fa Jin: Once used by the third user of One for All. Fa Jin grants Izuku the ability to store kinetic energy from physical movements and release it for powerful bursts of strength, speed, and agility. By harnessing the energy built up from strikes, jumps, or even simple movements, Izuku can amplify his attacks or create sudden, explosive maneuvers. This quirk provides him with incredible versatility in combat, allowing for rapid acceleration, enhanced durability, and devastating offensive capabilities.
7th Quirk: Jolt: This quirk grants him the ability to surround himself with powerful bioelectric energy, significantly boosting his speed and reaction time. While Jolt enhances his agility and evasiveness, it doesn't provide an increase in physical strength or direct attacks, but it does allow for electricity-based attacks. Izuku can release bursts or streams of lightning, effectively shocking opponents or creating area-of-effect disruption. Additionally, Jolt makes Izuku immune to electric-based attacks, giving him a significant advantage against opponents who rely on electricity in their combat strategies. This quirk further expands Izuku's versatility, allowing him to control the battlefield through superior speed and electric-based utility.
8th Quirk: Zephyr Rush: This quirk allows for air and wind manipulation, enabling the user to propel themselves forward, launch into the air, and glide with ease. It also grants control over gusts of wind within a specific area, which can be intensified through rigorous training. While its offensive potential depends on the strength of the wind generated, the quirk excels in mobility and battlefield control, making it a versatile tool for both combat and traversal.
THOSE ARE ALL THE QUIRKS HE HAS AND HE WILL BE GAINING MORE LATER BUT WITH THAT BACK TO THE STORY
Izuku activated Jolt and bioelectricity encompassed his body. With precision and speed, he extended two strands of Blackwhip from his arms to the streetlamps and launched himself forward, the sudden burst of power startling the other examinees around him. His movements were fluid and calculated, a perfect blend of his training.
He was way ahead of the pack of students now with that boost as he saw his first few targets. Two three-pointers and one two-pointer. He extended out Blackwhip and grabbed one of the three-pointers. With his strength, he ripped the head off the three-pointer making it collapse to the ground. Danger Sense had activated, and he effortlessly ducked underneath the attack the other three-point sent his way. He was stuck between the two-pointer and three-pointer and smirked as he had been wanting to try this move for a while.
He started to channel and store air into the palms of both of his hands. "Air Palm Thrust," he said extending a hand to each of the robots pushing them into the wall disabling them.
"That's eight points. Got to keep going," he said activating Jolt once more and using a burst of air to launch himself faster than he normally would. Ironically, he learned this move by seeing Bakugo propel himself using his explosions and realized he could do the same thing with air.
Spotting a cluster of three one-pointers, Izuku landed gracefully and extended Blackwhip once more. He wrapped the tendrils around the legs of two robots, pulling them into each other with a deafening crash. Before the third robot could fire, Izuku's eyes glinted.
Izuku planted his foot firmly into the ground, letting the energy from Fa Jin explode through his leg. The force of his kick sent the one-pointer flying into a nearby wall, shattering it on impact. Without skipping a beat, he whipped around, scanning for his next set of targets.
"Eleven points," he muttered, adjusting his strategy as the exam arena grew more chaotic.
He activated Eagle Eyes and saw there were two more three-pointers out in the open. He knew he needed to be faster, and he launched himself at the two robots with immense speed. It made it look awkward, but he punched the air ten times in a matter of a couple of seconds storing up kinetic energy.
Izuku darted toward the two three-pointers, his fists flying through the air with blinding speed. Each punch generated bursts of stored kinetic energy, his Fa Jin quirk accumulating power for a devastating move. The robots turned their attention to him, their targeting systems locking on as they began to charge their weaponry.
"Not today," Izuku muttered, smirking as he released stored energy.
The first robot took the brunt of the punch launching backward as he collided with the other three-pointer and the two exploded.
"Seventeen," he said as he looked around. He saw there was one of the contestants holding his right arm from what looked like it was cut off from an attack by the robot, and he rushed over to him.
The contestant almost fell over from the gust of wind Izuku generated. "Are you ok," he asked looking at his hand.
"I'll be fine," the contestant stammered, though his voice was shaky. "Just—just need to stay out of the way."
"Not for long you won't," he said holding his arm up and placing his hand on the wound. Soon a faint green glow appeared as the wound started to heal up. After about 15 seconds, the gash was healed and Izuku stood up.
"You are healed now. Good luck to you," he said as his body was encompassed in lightning, and he was on his way again. The contestant looked in awe as he raced back to the battle to find and get more points.
OBSERVATION ROOM
Nezu sipped his tea with a smile on his face as he saw the battles happening. "You see this is why I love this. This is where we get to see if future candidates' certain skills are in battle. For example, some students use wits and brain power to take care of their foes. Some use reconnaissance and gather intel to help them. Others may use their pure destructive power to take care of what needs to be done," said Nezu as screens of various battles played.
"But the best use all of these tactics," he finished.
Toshinori looked at Inori and Ichiro who were defeating the robots with ease. Inori was showing her strength and adaptability to One for All as she flung the robots with a wave of her hand while Ichiro knee a three-pointer in the face. However, he didn't see another screen of a green blur that smashing robots with ease while healing others.
"Oh man, these kids are. Perfect," said Midnight bit her lip as the others tried to ignore her.
"They do seem a lot better than last year," said Power Loader.
"Let's see what else they got before we release the big one," said Snipe.
ZONE B (5 MINUTES LEFT)
Izuku wouldn't lie when he said he lost count of his points a while back because he decided to help a few others with Cell Surge.
"Ouch! Someone help me," he heard another voice for help. This one was different, she sounded in pain and in danger. Izuku ran over to see the problem. There was a girl whose arm was stuck under some rubble from a nearby building that landed on her. She had brown hair in the shape of a mushroom and her eyes were filled with tears from what part of her eyes he could see, likely from the pain. Right behind her, there was a three-pointer that was ready to attack. Izuku rushed toward the scene, his body crackling with electricity from Jolt, and his heart pounding with determination. He channels the electricity around his body ready to aim and fire.
"Thunderbolt!" he yelled out as a large green bolt of lightning headed right at the robot with a blinding flash of light. The three-pointer was engulfed in the electrified burst, sparks flying wildly from its metallic frame. The shockwave rippled through the air, sending bits of debris scattering and momentarily disabling the robot.
Izuku didn't stop there. As the robot crashed to the ground, he rushed to the girl's side, lifting the rubble off of her.
"You're going to be fine," he said as he threw the large piece of concrete like it was nothing.
The large concrete slab shattered upon impact with the ground, sending chunks of debris flying in all directions. Izuku stood protectively over the girl, shielding her from the aftermath as his body continued to crackle with electricity. His expression was calm, though his heart raced with the adrenaline of the moment.
"You're safe now," he assured her softly, helping her to her feet. She wobbled slightly, still overwhelmed by pain and fear, but Izuku steadied her gently. "Just take a few deep breaths, you'll be okay."
The girl managed to make a weak nod, her tears still falling but with a hint of relief. "Thank you… thank you so much," she whispered.
"Now this is going to take a minute so hold on and look at me. What's your name," he said trying to get her to make eye contact.
"K-Kinoko Komori," she said as he held up her arm. It was broken but that was an easy fix for Izuku anyway. He activated Jolt to make sure he could protect them from any threats as a faint green glow appeared on her arm.
"My name is Izuku Yagi," he said as he focused on his surroundings right now.
"This might feel a little strange, but it won't hurt," he said as he channeled his healing energy. The warmth spread through her arm, numbing the pain as the bone mended itself, muscle fibers stitching back together under his touch.
"W-wait won't this prevent you from getting points?!" she said trying to take her hand away.
"That doesn't matter, what matters is healing making sure you aren't going to be hurt anymore," he said still focusing on healing her.
Kinoko's breath hitched as she watched the faint green glow intensify on her arm, the pain slowly fading away under his touch. She wanted to pull away again, to argue more, but something about his calm certainly calmed her fears. His focus was solely on her, completely unshaken by the potential consequences.
"But…" she began again, her voice cracking slightly. "You could win easily if you just fought for points."
"While that is nice. Making sure people make it out of here just fine is also important," he said as the muscles were stitching back together now. It will be done soon, and they will be on their way. She nodded meekly and blushed from the contact as well as helping her.
After a few more moments, Izuku withdrew his hand, the healing complete. Kinoko flexed her fingers, feeling no pain, only the strength of her own body.
"It's done," Izuku said, his voice still calm and reassuring. "How does it feel?"
Kinoko moved her arm experimentally, testing her range of motion. A relieved smile broke across her face. "It's perfect. I can move it like normal again. Thank you… really, thank you."
"You don't have to thank me," Izuku replied. Danger Senseactivated and Izuku jumped in front of Kinoko while charging another green thunderbolt shooting from his fist at a two-pointer that tried to ambush them in the alleyway.
Sparks flew in every direction, and the robot let out a sharp screech before collapsing in a heap of twisted metal. The resulting shockwave sent a brief tremor through the ground, shaking the debris around them.
"Alright, good luck Komori," he said giving a salute as he bolted once more leaving a blushing girl behind.
OBSERVATION ROOM
Mr. Aizawa had thought he was seeing something from earlier from the lack of sleep like he normally had but he kept seeing the same thing repeatedly. It was a green blur that would appear on the screen for a split second. He walked over to a screen trying to enhance a camera on Zone B. Cementoss had noticed this and was curious as to what he was doing.
Mr. Aizawa leaned in closely, adjusting the camera feed from Zone B with meticulous precision. The image of the battlefield flickered slightly, but he was determined to get a better look. The green blur had been catching his attention, appearing in bursts of light, moving at incredible speeds.
"Cementoss," he said, glancing over his shoulder without breaking his focus, "what do you make of this?"
Cementoss raised an eyebrow, stepping up beside Mr. Aizawa to examine the screen. "I noticed it too," he said, pointing to the screen. "That green flash… it's not normal. There's something about it."
Mr. Aizawa adjusted a few more settings, increasing the resolution slightly. The blur became clearer, revealing brief glimpses of a figure moving with almost supernatural speed. "It's like they're teleporting across the battlefield," Aizawa observed, frowning. "But we've seen nothing like this before."
Cementoss hummed thoughtfully. "Whoever it is, they're incredibly efficient. One moment, they're in one spot dealing with a group of robots, and the next, they're somewhere else entirely."
"Oh, my it appears something has caught Mr. Aizawa's attention, that rarely happens," said Nezu happily. "Put the contestant on screen and release the zero pointer in all zones," he said as Aizawa looked annoyed at the remark he made.
"I am trying to, but the person is moving too fast to get a scan of their face to give a name," he said as the person stopped just enough to bring the name on the screen. Toshinori looked over to the screen as he looked away from his daughter with wide eyes.
"Izuku Yagi. This is your third child, correct, All Might," asked Nezu.
"Holy hell. I had to put the video in 0.25 speed just to see him normally," said Aizawa. Toshinori didn't answer Nezu as he walked up to the screen to see his son. His supposed quirkless son, fighting these robots.
"Yes, he is, sir," he said quietly as he watched him deal with the robots efficiently. He broke out into a cold sweat as Snipe hit the button to release their zero-pointers. He had so many questions about this right now. Why didn't he tell them? Did he tell and he forgot? Why was he hiding this from them? What has Izuku been doing to train with all of this power? How did he have a quirk? His heart dropped as he thought back to a man who gave him his injury all those years ago. All for One. No, it was impossible as he had died all those years ago. He decided to remain quiet to see what this son had in store. He did know something hung deep in his chest that wouldn't go away for a while. Confusion. Heartache. But most importantly. Guilt.
ZONE B WITH IZUKU
Izuku used Blackwhip to throw a one-pointer into another one right across from it and wiped his brow. He had been going nonstop for the past 8 minutes from what his count was, and he was wearing thin. He had trained his ass off with all these quirks but using them all and using most at the same time was starting to get to him.
"2 minutes remaining!" said Present Mic as the other examinees stopped to listen. He had been right and now he needed to kick it into overdrive.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him began to tremble. Izuku's gaze shot upward, his breath catching in his throat. There, towering over the city, was the zero-pointer from the mock tests. The enormous mechanical monstrosity cast a long shadow across the skyline, its presence undeniable. He remembered the terror it evoked during practice, and now it was real, looming before him once more.
"Not now…" Izuku muttered. Many of the contestants were starting to run away. He was going to do the same, but he heard something in the direction of the zero-pointer.
"Help," said a familiar voice. He looked to see it was Ochaco, the girl he met earlier, stuck underneath her rubble. This might have been his ego talking but he wanted to see how strong he was. He knew he could save her but why not take out the enemy and save her at the same time? He didn't care if there were no points for destroying this guy but rather saving her from getting run over.
Izuku squatted down and activated Jolt with green lighting surging around him. He needed to charge as much power as possible. He had been saving up some kinetic energy from earlier, but he needed more of it to defeat this thing. He used Zephyr Rush to channel air to his feet and he propelled himself forward using air blasts. He started to punch the air rapidly to store the kinetic energy he needed to beat this thing. He still couldn't get over how weird this looked but it was something that made Fa Jin unique.
With his fists glowing with the accumulated energy, Izuku struck the air in rapid succession, the kinetic energy amplifying with every punch. He could feel the energy crackling through his body, his muscles straining under the pressure. Despite the surreal sight of him punching nothing but air, the energy he created was substantial, each strike adding to the power necessary to take down the towering zero-pointer.
The colossal mechanical beast let out a low, metallic hum as it turned to face him. Its massive limbs swung towards him, but Izuku was quicker. His agile movements, combined with his rapidly increasing energy, allowed him to avoid the zero-pointer's devastating strikes. The sheer scale of the robot was intimidating, but Izuku's focus remained unwavering.
He cocked his fist back as he channeled all of his different powers into one point. He held a smile on his face as he prepared to hit the robot.
"Eat this you hunk of metal," he said aiming his for his head. A deafening crack echoed through the air, sending shockwaves that rippled across the battlefield. The zero-pointer staggered backward, its massive frame shaking as if it were struggling to stay upright. Sparks flew from its damaged circuits, and the sheer force of Izuku's strike left a visible dent in its metallic skull. Small explosions trickled across the body of the robot as he stayed in the air for a little longer as the zero-pointer was falling from being defeated but gravity started to catch up to him as he started to descend downward at a fast pace.
"God dang it. I need to slow my descent. I wish I worked on my levitation a bit more," he said having his legs aimed toward the ground first as he was falling fast. He manipulated the air around him to slow himself down which was helping but it wasn't effective enough. He braced himself for the fall but felt something slap his foot making him float for a short moment before falling to the ground.
Uraraka had used her quirk to save him from falling. It looked like she used a piece of the zero-pointer to help herself move her to him and he was grateful for that. He got up and walked over to her as she looked like she was throwing up rainbows and helped her up.
Izuku helped Uraraka to her feet, steadying her as she wobbled slightly from the exertion. The battlefield around them was a mess of debris and malfunctioning robots. The zero-pointer lay crumpled and sparking behind them, its massive form no longer a threat. Izuku gave a small nod of thanks, his breath still heavy from the intense battle.
"You saved me," Izuku said quietly, genuine gratitude in his voice. "Thank you, Uraraka."
Uraraka managed a weak smile, her cheeks flushed as she leaned on him for support. "You don't have to thank me. You took down that thing. It's amazing. You were amazing and you saved me first," she said softly, her voice filled with awe and admiration.
"That is, it! Time is up!" said Present Mic as the two teens sighed in relief.
"Here, what did you hurt?" asked Izuku looking at Ochaco up and down. She looked at him confused. "I sprained my ankle, but what about you your arm looks hurt?" she asked as he looked down at his arm and flexed it. He just realized that he couldn't move it so he must have overdone it on FaJin or on all his quirks.
"I'm fine, it'll heal," he said bending down. Ochaco leaned on the piece of metal as Izuku grabbed her ankle and that familiar faint glow appeared over her foot and part of her leg as he focused on healing her.
"Good job all of you, you are all heroes in my eyes," said an elderly woman looking for people with injuries. Recovery Girl was surprised that there weren't more people that were hurt this year which made her job easier.
She walked over to see a girl leaning on metal and a boy helping her. "There, you are healed Uraraka," he said turning to see Recovery Girl the woman that helped him years ago.
"Well, it has been quite some time sense we've had a person that could heal others," she said smiling as she looked at his wounded are and frowned. He leaned in and kissed his arm with it healing almost immediately.
"Thank you miss," he said bowing slightly.
"Hey, I remember you. You are that boy that I healed all those years ago. I'd never forget that green hair and emerald eyes," she said smiling at him.
"Yes, that was me that day," he said smiling at her glad to be remembered.
"All right examinees clear out and see Recovery Girl if needed," said Present Mic. Izuku smiled at how he did today. He knew he would pass but he couldn't wait to see the look on his family's when they found out he had a quirk(s) and he was going to be in the hero course.
OBSERVATION ROOM
"Holy shit," said Aizawa as he kept replaying the panel of Izuku punching the zero-pointer and knocking him down.
Snipe nodded, "Holy shit indeed. Not the first kid to take down a zero-pointer but the first in a while to hit it in one blow."
Toshinori sat in his seat with his head resting on his hands, his mind still racing with what was that. Izuku Yagi, his quirkless son, had a quirk. He didn't get it. It felt like he was spiraling right now but he was interrupted from his thoughts by Nezu.
"Well, looky here," he said holding up Izuku's paperwork. "It says that his quirk is called Synthesist. But he will not explain unless all the U.A. faculty is there. It says it is of high importance for all of us to know," he said looking at it with others following suit.
"Well, why not do it now, before he leaves," said Cementoss.
"Great idea," said Nezu clapping his hands. Well…his paws. Or whatever they are. "Then that way we get to meet All Might's third child."
Toshinori nodded slowly as he got up and followed the staff to the boardroom. "Aizawa please call Present Mic to tell him to bring Izuku Yagi with him and have a meeting with him," Nezu said with Aizawa nodding in return.
"As long as I can have him in my class this year," he said waiting for a response from the principal of UA.
"Very well, just be sure to have him get Izuku Yagi before he leaves," he said as Aizawa made the call.
WITH IZUKU
After doing the best of his ability had changed out of his green tracksuit that was slightly torn now and was ready to head out. He opened the door to the locker room when Present Mic was standing right in front of him making him jump.
"Whoa, didn't mean to scare you there, kiddo!" Present Mic chuckled, his voice booming with energy. "Didn't think I'd find you right outside the door!"
Izuku managed to make a small, nervous smile. "You surprised me."
"Yeah, you did that to a lot of people today," Present Mic said with a grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "But I got great news for you little listener. The request you sent to the station has been accepted and you will meet the UA teachers, and you get to meet them. If you shall follow me!" he said pointing down the hallway and walking down, there.
Izuku nodded and followed him. He was glad that they would listen to him now. He needed to tell them, so they were made aware and did not get the wrong idea. It took a few minutes, but they made it down the hall and Present Mic paused him for a second.
"Alright, I am going to make sure that we are ready for you. Just give it a second," he said walking in the room.
"Izuku Yagi is just outside the door. Are we all good to go," he said waiting for a response.
Toshinori stood up as he transformed into his buff form confusing the others. "I thought you said you told your children of your identity All Might," asked Nezu confused.
"I never told Izuku," Toshinori said quietly, his voice carrying a weight of emotion. "I told Inori and Ichiro but not him. I didn't think he was ready," he said looking at Present Mic. This made the others confused but they would ask him about it later as All Might gave him the go-ahead.
Present Mic, looked to the door to see he was waiting there patiently. "We are ready for you kid," he said as he opened the door further.
As Izuku walked into the room he saw many heroes who were teachers. He saw a man with bags under his eyes with black hair, Lady Midnight, Vlad King, his bastard of father All Might, Present Mic, Cementoss, Space Hero 13, Hounddog, Snipe, Ectoplasm, a small rat animal thing, and Power Loader all in one room and he didn't expect there to this much pressure on him. Recovery Girl was the only one not there, but he was sure she was healing other contestants. He knew he had to do this, but it didn't make it any less hard. He had a couple of goals; it was to throw subtle jabs at his dad and his family in front of these people as well as making them aware of his quirk does not have any confusion. The table around them was in a C-shape and he was ready to tell them.
"Hello, Izuku Yagi, I am the principal of UA, Nezu. You wrote on you application that you need to clarify your quirk called, Synthesist," he said looking up at him. Izuku cleared his throat before speaking.
Izuku took a deep breath, his gaze meeting Principal Nezu's steady, knowing eyes. The room was quiet, the weight of expectation palpable. He had anticipated this moment for years, yet it didn't make it any less daunting.
"Yes," Izuku began, his voice steady but soft. "My quirk is called Synthesist. This gets complicated so bear with me, but my quirk allows me to create quirks. When I touch someone or someone touches me, they quirk's abilities, power, and knowledge are transferred into someone in my brain called Mindspace. I do not directly copy the quirk itself but if I so choose to, I can take certain abilities from other quirks to combine them and make my own quirks. Though I cannot copy the quirks of people that are blood related to me," he said with a serious tone.
The room was silent for a moment as everyone absorbed Izuku's explanation. His words hung in the air, and each hero seemed to be processing the complexity of his quirk.
Nezu leaned back in his seat, steepling his fingers as he considered Izuku's explanation. "Fascinating," he said thoughtfully. "Synthesist... the implications of your quirk are profound. Creating quirks, selectively borrowing and combining abilities could change the very nature of heroics."
"Not only that but one of the biggest things to my quirk is I need to complete certain tasks to unlock something called Quirk Creation points. That is what allows me to create quirks. That is why I have only made so few of them and not a hundred," he said gaging everyone's reaction.
The silence stretched out again, this time punctuated by the weight of Izuku's words. The heroes around the table absorbed the concept, their expressions a mixture of intrigue and cautious understanding. Nezu was the first to speak again, his voice calm yet commanding.
"Quirk Creation points," Nezu mused. "That's a fascinating mechanism. It seems you've developed a system to regulate and manage the process of Synthesist carefully. This suggests both a strategic mind and an admirable level of self-awareness."
All Might, still in his buff form, gave a thoughtful nod. "Your ability to control remarkable."
Lady Midnight leaned forward, her gaze steady. "You mentioned Mindspace, could you elaborate on how those functions within your mind? How do you ensure it doesn't interfere with your own identity and thought process?"
"That is where it gets tricky. I need to show you my Mindspace physically. I can take everyone there if you like but you need to touch me in order for it to work. Also make sure that you are all sitting because you will go limb when we are transferred there," he said making them confused.
Vlad King looked over at him. "Wait you want us to, see?"
"Yeah. Sorry if it sounds weird. It would make much more sense to show all of you," he said.
There was silence but Present Mic got up brining his chair with him as he smiled. "I'm game," he said sitting himself in front of Izuku. "I agree I would like to see it," said Nezu hoping down from his chair dragging it along with him.
"Are we seriously doing this?" Snipe asked, his voice tinged with skepticism but also curiosity. He looked around at the others, his questions hanging in the air.
Cementoss rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Izuku. "It's a unique approach," he said, his voice slow and deliberate. "But if it helps us understand your quirk better, then I'm willing to try."
Mr. Aizawa shrugged his shoulders as he grabbed his chair to sit in the circle with them. The others soon followed as they all sat around him. Izuku brought a chair too and he leaned back.
"Ok so if you will all touch me then I can bring all of us there and it will make more sense," he said.
All Might locked the door to make sure no one would enter as he sat back down. He held out his hands on his left and right side as far as he could.
One by one, the heroes placed their hands on Izuku's shoulders and hands forming a circle around him. Izuku felt someone wrap their arms around him from behind and he blushed as he smelled perfume.
"Uh…Lady…M-Midnight what are you…d-doing?" he asked.
"Well, you said that there must be physical contact, so I am doing just that," as she leaned her bust into his back and he blushed further.
Izuku's face flushed deeply, his heart beating faster as he felt Lady Midnight's presence behind him. The warmth of her breath on his neck, combined with the gentle pressure of her touch, added a new layer of complexity to the already surreal situation. He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond, but managed to collect himself as the other heroes continued to gather around him.
"Y-Yeah," Izuku stammered, adjusting his position slightly. "Just... make sure you're all comfortable. It's a bit overwhelming when everyone's touching me at once. Remember, it's a dream-like state, but you'll retain control over your thoughts and actions."
The heroes waited for a moment before all of them felt tired and felt a pulling feeling. All of them slumped in their chair as they were transported into Izuku's Mindspace. Soon they were in the empty void and all of them looked around.
"Just give me a second," said Izuku as he closed his eyes. Soon the void turned into a mix between a large table, a control console, and a library. Then Chase appeared from right behind them.
Izuku cleared his throat, "Alright, so I have a lot to explain and feel free to look around while I do it. This here is Chase. He is like an A.I. of this place and helps me with quirk creation. This here is a table just for me to learn about the quirks that are stored over here in my quirk library. As of now I have 326 quirks stored here for me to learn about them or use them to create other ones. This console here is for me to learn what I have to do to earn quirk creation points as well as create my quirks. I have one quirk creation point as of right now. Oh, and before I forget, time moves five times slower here. One hour in here is twenty minutes out there," he said exhaling finishing all in one breath.
Snipe, his usual stoic expression thoughtful, leaned forward slightly. "So, what happens when you combine quirks? Are there ever... risks."
"The funny thing is I can create quirks that have no risks but have smaller power. The more risks I add to them the more powerful the quirk," he said.
Snipe's brow furrowed as he processed Izuku's words. "And how do you manage the potential drawbacks? Balancing the benefits and risks must be difficult."
Izuku nodded, his expression serious. "It is. Every quirk has its own potential dangers. For example, some quirks might have temporary side effects or unpredictable outcomes. But I've developed methods to mitigate those risks. Through thorough study and trial, I ensure that the quirks I create serve a purpose and maintain a level of safety."
Present Mic leaned forward; his eyes alight with curiosity. "So, you're not just creating quirks for power. You're also considering their functionality and societal impact?"
"Exactly," Izuku replied. "Creating quirks isn't just about having the most powerful abilities. It's about making sure they're practical and contribute positively to the world. Hero work isn't about overwhelming strength; it's about making a difference. And that starts with responsible use of abilities. That's why the quirks I've made are not noticeable to others or they all seem like they are similar in use so that people don't find out I have multiple quirks. That is the main reason I asked to meet with all of you so that you understand my situation and help me keep it secret. I didn't want to know what would happen if society found out someone can create quirks all willy nilly."
Aizawa nodded at this, "You are a pretty smart one kid," he said looking at the books. "You've thought about these things ten steps ahead."
13 leaned back slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "The secrecy is a double-edged sword. Keeping such a powerful quirk hidden is essential for now, but what happens when the pressure becomes too much? Will there comes a point where the need to share outweighs the risks?"
"That is what I should also tell you as well. I have told a few others that are going to UA as they are my friends. Their names are Fumikage Tokoyami, Ibara Shiozaki, Kyoka Jiro, Mezo Shoji, and Momo Yaoyorozu, a recommended student. I also made a backstory for my quirk. I usually say my quirk is A special Stockpiling quirk that allows me to use various energies to use them in combat and the like," he said chasing his finger around the table.
Nezu looked at him as Chase was pouring him tea, "And what of your parents and siblings. I am sure that they are proud of you for having this type of quirk. This will make you a remarkable hero."
Izuku frowned slightly but he was slightly happy at the topic they were discussing right now. He had hoped it would have gone this way, and he was glad it did.
Izuku sighed as the heroes' gazes were on him. He saw All Might flinch slightly as he knew what was coming.
"Well, that's the thing though. I am what you call a late bloomer, and my quirk appeared at 12 years old. Chase said my body needed time to develop this immense power and when I did tell my parents and siblings…they didn't believe me," he said sadly.
All the other heroes were in shock as All Might's smile faltered slightly as he tried to occupy himself with someone, but he felt the gaze of every hero at him. He knew that he let his son down.
"To be honest, I am not too mad because let's be honest, it is exceedingly rare to have someone be a late bloomer. But it still hurt, nonetheless. They even said that I couldn't be a hero," he said sadly.
Present Mic leaned forward, breaking the silence. "Man, that's rough, kid. You've got this amazing quirk, and instead of celebrating it, they doubted you? That's... not what family is supposed to do. Don't listen to em. Do what you want to do."
Izuku managed a small, wry smile. "I've come to terms with it, mostly. It's not like they hated me or anything. They just couldn't wrap their heads around the idea. Anyway, does anyone have any more questions? If not, I get us back to the real world."
"That would be nice," said Nezu. Izuku closed his eyes ones more and everyone was back to the real world still holding onto Izuku. Everyone got up and away from him as they went back to their original spots around the table. He still blushed at the fact Lady Midnight was lying on him for like 5 minutes.
Nezu cleared his throat gently, redirecting the focus. "Izuku, you mentioned you've told some of your peers at UA about your quirk. I trust they are individuals who understand the gravity of this secret?"
"Yes," Izuku confirmed, sitting up straighter as he addressed Nezu. "They all understand the importance of keeping this a secret. Each of them has already proven they can be trusted with something as serious as this. They've been supportive and offered valuable advice that's helped me manage my abilities better."
Nezu nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. Trust is a delicate thing, but it sounds like you've chosen wisely. Be cautious, though, as secrets like these have a way of unraveling if too many people are aware."
"I understand," Izuku replied. "I've been very careful about who I've told, and I don't plan on expanding that circle any time soon."
Aizawa, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, interjected. "That's a solid plan, but you should also prepare for the possibility that this secret might get out one day. It's better to have a strategy in place than to be caught off guard."
"That is why I have told all of you," Izuku reiterated, his green eyes flickering with determination. "I wanted to make sure you all knew about my quirk, as I said earlier. If the public knew about this, things could get chaotic."
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room was silent as the heroes considered the weight of his statement.
Nezu set his teacup down and nodded. "Good. Well then, I believe the I need to talk to All Might and Izuku alone," he said.
Present Mic smirked as he pointed finger guns at, they, "Ah shit, you all in trouuubllle…OW!" he yelped being pulled by the ear by Midnight.
The room shifted as the heroes' exchanged glances, clearly curious about what Nezu intended to discuss with All Might and Izuku. However, no one dared to question the principal's judgment. Aizawa stood, stretching lazily as he made his way toward the door. "Come on, let's give them their privacy. We've got other work to do anyway."
Present Mic, still rubbing his ear after being dragged by Midnight, huffed dramatically. "Man, just when it was getting interesting! Don't keep us waiting too long for the juicy details!" His joking tone earned a few eye rolls, but it also lightened the mood.
As the last of the heroes filed out, Nezu waited patiently until the door clicked shut, leaving him alone with Izuku and All Might. The tension in the air thickened immediately, and Izuku shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his gaze darting between the two older figures.
"Well, Izuku. I think you know why we are here," Nezu said interlocking his fingers. "There was a quirk in there called One for All right?" he asked.
Izuku nodded at this which made All Might fidget slightly. "Was your plan to use this quirk as your own at some point?" asked All Might. Izuku smirked internally.
"Yes, from what I've read it has immense potential," he said to his future principal.
"I thought he said he couldn't copy the quirks of people that were blood-related to him. Wait…does that mean because One for All is transferred from person to person that he was able to copy and store the quirk as it was never mine to begin with," All Might thought.
"I see. Well, listen, I will say that One for All is a lot of hard work to manage," said Nezu. "One for All is not just a quirk, Izuku. Those who wield it carry an immense responsibility, one that shapes not only their lives but the future of society itself."
Izuku's emerald eyes flickered with determination as he nodded. "I understand. That's why I've been careful about even considering using it."
All Might nodded along with Nezu. "Alright, we'll be sure to tell me if you acquired the quirk."
"I will. Actually, I have some sheets about the quirks that I have right now. I have made 8 quirks and have 9 if you consider Synthesist," he said handing Nezu his sheet of quirks and all that they do to him.
"Excellent. Now that is all I have with you my dear child. I need to speak with…All Might here. Your results will come in a few days. Have a great day," he said as he gave All Might a look that looked to sweet.
Izuku nodded as he started to walk away. "Thank you, sir, for having this meeting."
"Oh course. Have a great day," he said Izuku left the room.
Nezu waited until the door clicked shut behind Izuku before turning his sharp gaze to All Might. The once-invincible hero shifted uncomfortably under the principal's scrutiny, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a tense seriousness.
"All Might," Nezu began, his voice calm but layered with authority. "What the hell did you do?"
All Might stiffened at his voice and transformed back to his skinny form and coughed up blood.
"W-w-what do you mean?" he asked as Nezu stared at him harder.
"You didn't believe your son, Izuku. Your own son, when he said he had a quirk. Not only that. But you resorted to telling him that he could not be a hero," he said disdainfully.
All Might visibly recoiled at Nezu's words, his gaunt face shadowed with guilt. His fists clenched and unclenched on the table as he struggled to find the words to respond. The room felt smaller with Nezu's sharp, piercing gaze locked on him.
"I…" All Might stammered, his voice cracking under the weight of his shame. "I thought I was protecting him. Back then, when he was quirkless… or at least I thought he was… I wanted to spare him the pain of chasing an impossible dream."
Nezu sighed, his small hands interlocking as he leaned forward. "And in doing so, you crushed him. A boy who idolized you, who wanted nothing more than to follow in your footsteps. Did it ever occur to you how much weight your words carry, especially to someone who looks up to you as a hero and a father? Could you imagine how he felt when his own father said that to him. And the irony of it all is that you were quirkless before you received One for All."
Nezu's sharp eyes softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "You thought you were protecting him, but instead, you projected your fears onto him. You assumed he wasn't strong enough to face the challenges you endured. In doing so, you underestimated not only his resilience but his brilliance."
All Might lowered his head, the truth in Nezu's words cutting deep. "You're right. I failed him. I let my own insecurities cloud my judgment. But I want to make it right. I want to be there for him now, even if I'm too late."
"You messed up, Toshinori, big time. Izuku doesn't seem like he would forgive right even at all. You're using the excuse of saying "you were protecting him." Tell me the real reason why you did it," he said calm but demandingly.
All Might froze at Nezu's demand, his breath caught in his chest. The piercing gaze of the small yet commanding principal seemed to slice through the layers of excuses and self-delusion he had wrapped around himself for years. He swallowed hard, his hands gripping his knees tightly as he tried to summon the courage to speak.
"I…" he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was afraid."
Nezu tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Afraid of what, Toshinori? Afraid for Izuku? Or afraid for yourself?"
All Might flinched as if struck. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. The truth felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, suffocating him.
"I was afraid," he finally admitted, his voice cracking. "Afraid that he'd fail. Afraid that he would die if he went in trying, but in doing so, I emotionally neglected him for his two older siblings."
Nezu's eyes narrowed, his sharp intellect catching on to the deeper implications of All Might's words. "Go on."
All Might's hands trembled as he gripped the edge of his chair, his gaze fixed on the polished surface of the table. His shoulders sagged as though a heavy burden had been placed on them, his usual confident aura completely striped away.
"I focused so much on what I thought was best for him," he said slowly, his voice laden with regret. "But I failed to see what he needed from me as a father. Izuku… he was always so eager, so full of dreams and hope, and I should've nurtured that. Instead, I pushed him away. I thought I was saving him from heartbreak, from the dangers of a world that can be unforgiving to those without quirks—or even to those with them. But in reality, I let my fear of losing him control me."
Nezu remained silent, his sharp eyes never leaving All Might's face, silently urging him to continue.
"I thought… I thought if I told him he couldn't be a hero, he would settle for something safer, something less dangerous," All Might confessed, his voice growing quieter with each word. "But when he didn't, when he kept holding on to that dream despite everything I said, I… I started to focus on Inori and Ichiro. Their quirks are very powerful, and I put my focus into that instead of him. I failed him because I was afraid to confront my own failures. I told myself I was protecting him, but I was really protecting myself—from the guilt of seeing him struggle, from the fear of losing him, from the pain of watching him chase a dream I thought was out of his reach."
Nezu leaned forward slightly, his expression was a mixture of disappointment and understanding. "Toshinori, you've spent decades as the world's Symbol of Peace, standing tall as an unshakable pillar for others to lean on. But even the greatest heroes are still human. You let your fear cloud your judgment, and in doing so, you failed your son in the most fundamental way—not as All Might, but as Toshinori Yagi, his father."
All Might nodded, the weight of Nezu's words cutting deeper than any battle wound he'd ever endured. "You're right. I abandoned him when he needed me was easier to pretend, I didn't see, to focus on Inori and Ichiro, to tell myself I was doing the best I could for my family."
Nezu sighed softly, folding his paws on the table. "Toshinori, guilt and regret are natural, but they are not enough. They will not fix what's been broken. Izuku has grown strong despite your neglect, but the scars you've left on him will not heal without effort on your part. If you want to make things right, you must act."
All Might looked up, his eyes rimmed with unshed tears. "But how? How do I even begin to undo the damage I've done? He doesn't trust me. I see it in his eyes every time we speak. And after everything I've said and done… I don't blame him."
"You start by listening," Nezu said firmly. "Not as a hero, not as a teacher, but as a father. Izuku doesn't need grand gestures or empty promises. He needs you to hear him, to acknowledge his pain, and to accept responsibility for your actions without making excuses. And above all, he needs consistency. Words are easy, Toshinori. It's your actions that will show him you're truly committed to being there for him."
All Might nodded, his determination hardening. "I'll do it. I'll be there for him, even if it takes the rest of my life to make up for what I've done."
Nezu's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained serious. "Good. But be prepared, Toshinori. Izuku may not forgive you right away—or ever. That is his choice, and it's one you must respect. Your role now is not to seek forgiveness for your own sake but to prove through your actions that you are worthy of his trust. You're lucky that you get to keep your job," he said sipping some tea.
All Might sat in silence, his thoughts heavy with the weight of Nezu's words. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the lights above and the occasional clink of Nezu's teacup against its saucer. The sharp sting of reality settled deeper with each passing second, and All Might felt his resolve solidifying.
"You're right," All Might whispered, more to himself than to Nezu. "I can't force forgiveness. I can't expect it to come easily—or at all. But I'll prove to him that I'm here, that I'm willing to walk this path with him, no matter how long it takes."
Nezu nodded, his sharp gaze focused on All Might with a gentle yet firm understanding. "That's the first step. Your intentions must be genuine. Izuku isn't the kind of person who will easily forget your actions, no matter how small or significant they were. Trust, once broken, is a fragile thing to rebuild. Now go to him," he said softly.
"Yes sir," he said transforming to his buff form and running out the door.
YAGI RESIDENCE
In the quiet hum of the Yagi residence, the warmth of the evening surrounded them, yet a heavy silence hung over the dinner table. Toshinori Yagi, now in his more modest, unassuming form, sat across from his wife and children. His eyes flickered between Izuku and his siblings, watching their interactions with a keen yet distant gaze. His heart tightened as he saw how effortlessly they shared moments of excitement, confidence, and carefree banter, while he remained a silent observer.
"Mom, it was so cool. I lost count after 60 points," Ichiro boasted, a wide grin on his face as he gestured enthusiastically with his chopsticks.
"Yeah, I lost count after 55 points," Inori chimed in, her voice a playful tease. "Not bad for someone who spent half the exam day lost."
Their laughter filled the room, the sound bright and warm. Toshinori couldn't help but smile faintly at their youthful enthusiasm, though the pain of his absence still lingered in his chest. He watched Izuku, who sat quietly, his gaze focused on his plate, hardly joining in the conversation. There was a wall between them—a distance that had grown over the years.
Toshinori reached for his own chopsticks, his movements slow and deliberate, his hands trembling slightly. The weight of his thoughts threatened to drown out the lively conversation around him, but he forced himself to stay present.
"Did you do well, Izuku?" his wife asked gently, her voice soft, her concern evident in the way she looked at her son.
Izuku's head lifted slightly at the question, but his smile was subdued. "It was okay," he said quietly, his tone void of the usual enthusiasm his siblings displayed. "I passed, that's all that matters."
Toshinori put his chopsticks down and stood up from the table getting everyone's attention especially Izuku's. Izuku was curious as to what Nezu talked to him about. He hoped he would get reamed out and in trouble, but he hadn't expected it to do this now.
"Izuku," Toshinori began, his voice steady yet weighted with emotion, "we need to talk. All of us do," he said starting to steam. Everyone panicked at what their father was doing.
"Dad wait, do not do it in front of him," said Inori but Toshinori but held a hand up.
"No, we are doing this now," he said as he enlarged his frame in front of Izuku. Izuku was shocked not because he transformed in front of him, but because he was finally showing him, he was All Might. Just what did Nezu talked to his dad about.
"I'm showing you who I am, Izuku," Toshinori said gently but firmly. His voice was different—no longer the booming voice of a hero, but the softer, more vulnerable voice of a man who had accepted his flaws. "No more masks. No more pretending."
Inori and Ichiro watched in stunned silence, their eyes flickering between their father and their brother, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. They could feel the tension building in the air, as though the room itself was holding its breath.
"Toshinori," Inori said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't how we usually handle things. Maybe we should—"
"No," Toshinori interrupted softly, his gaze unwavering. "We're doing this now. Izuku deserves to see the truth, no matter how difficult it is."
All Might's figure barely fits in the room as he stood there looking at his third child. "Son, I am All Might," he said showing him in his buff form.
Izuku looked at him with a neutral expression as he continued. "Years back, I was injured by a man that only allows me to stay in this form for a certain amount of time a day, so I am limited to what I can do. My quirk is known as One for All. It stockpiles power and can be made stronger with each and every user it is transferred to."
"Dad, you said he wasn't…" said Ichiro but was cut off by his father.
"Shut it, Ichiro, dad is talking now," he said making Izuku shocked slightly as he never told him off, even if it was for a second.
"Izuku, my boy, I have wronged you for many years now and I will be the first to say this. I am sorry," he said making Izuku's expression change to shocked. Either Nezu was a smart man…thing…or his dad meant it. It was probably both.
"I am sorry for every little bit of pain and suffering that I caused you. I will be the first to say that I failed you as a father. I remember that day now, when you told us a few years ago that you said you had a quirk. I should have believed you then. I feel immense regret for everything that has happened to do with what I did these past few years. I know that does nothing for what has happened, but I need to say it to you," he said clenching his fist.
Izuku gritted his teeth as tears threatened to fall.
"W-wait what, he has a quirk," said Inko looking at him. "There is no way he does," said Inori with wide eyes. "I am going to agree with Inori on this," said Ichiro crossing his arms.
Toshinori took a deep breath, steadying himself before continuing. His voice remained firm yet fraught with emotion as he addressed his family.
"Yes, Inori, Ichiro, Izuku does have a quirk," Toshinori said, his voice calm but resolute. Everyone was shocked as they looked at Izuku, who's eyes were shadowed over with his hair as he clenched his hands into fists.
"Do…do you honestly think…that I would forgive you from that?! Do you know how much pain I was in that my father, the Symbol of Peace, told me that day I said I had a quirk, that I could not be a hero. It hurt so much!" he half shouted standing up from his seat.
"You knew?" Toshinori asked, confused, transforming back down to his skinny form.
"Yes, I knew. When I told you what I could do with that quirk I have. The system told me that you had a quirk called One for All and it showed a picture of you, and All Might right be next to each other. That is how I found out. I have known about his for almost 3 years now," he said walking up to him.
Toshinori stood there, speechless, as the weight of Izuku's words settled into his mind. The truth was undeniable, and the revelation hit harder than he had anticipated. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening with emotion, trying to process the years of misunderstanding and neglect.
"So, all this time," Toshinori began, his voice breaking, "you knew, and I still—" He stopped, unable to continue. The depth of his failure felt suffocating.
"Yes, Dad," Izuku interrupted gently, but with a calm authority. "I knew. And it hurt, every single day." His voice wavered for a moment before steadying. "All of you didn't believe me when I needed you the most."
This made Toshinori feel powerless for the first time in years. He was the strongest person on the planet, and he felt like nothing right now, but he knew he deserved it. He deserved everything that was coming.
"I understand," Toshinori said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I failed you in the worst possible way. And I can't take back what's been done. But I am going to say this now. I want you to know that I understand you have no trust in me, your mom, Inori, and Ichiro. But, from this day on I am going to make it up to you. I understand that you may never forgive me but that does not matter. I deserve everything you feel towards me. Just know that you are my son, and I will make everything up to you no matter how long it takes. Whether it is for the rest of my life or in my next lifetime. Just know that I am sorry, Izuku Yagi, my son," he said as he started to break as tears fell from his face.
Izuku sat silently, watching his father break down in front of him. The words Toshinori spoke were filled with sincerity, but they weren't enough to mend the years of neglect and pain. For a moment, neither spoke. The weight of the silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.
"I don't know how to believe you," Izuku finally said, his voice quiet yet steady. "Now listen, I understand that there was no physical neglect from you and mom. You gave me clothes, food, water, and shelter. I get that. I am also mature enough to understand that yourself, and the Symbol of Peace, are different from each other. As much as I hate you for the things you and this family have done to me, I still try to model myself after All Might, as pathetic as it sounds. I still want to be a person that makes people smile and make them know that they will be ok. But the emotional neglect was unbearable. Not having your own family believe in you put me through so much pain that if I hadn't made friends…I…wasn't sure what would happen with them. But something you need to understand it that you are an incredible hero who inspires billions, but you are a flawed father," he said tears building up in his eyes.
Toshinori sat, his hands trembling slightly as he absorbed Izuku's words. The room was quiet again, saved for the occasional sound of his breath hitching, weighted down by the enormity of what Izuku had just said. His mother wiped tears from eyes watching this.
"I know," Toshinori finally whispered, his voice hoarse. "I failed you in a way that no symbol, no title, no strength could ever erase."
Izuku nodded, his gaze steady, though his eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "Like you said. I seriously doubt that I can ever forgive you. I really do not see a way to. Not now anyway. But know that I was and still am hurt and what all of you have done for me. But I would much sooner forgive you and mom, than my so-called siblings over there," he said pointing to the two of them who were quiet this whole time. Toshinori looked over to his eldest and middle child in wonder at what he meant by that. Inori and Ichiro knew they were in trouble, but they didn't care right now.
"I'm going to my room. Just know actions are what matters, not the words that come out of your mouth," he said as tears streamed down his face as he walked to his room leaving a silenced family as Toshinori still wiped tears from his eyes. The Yagi family felt something that should have been felt long ago. Fractured, empty, and incomplete.