THE DORMS
Izuku walked into the main dorms and let out a huge sigh. He was tired and he wanted to chill out the rest of the day. He knew tomorrow was some kind of training with his dad for hero training but that could wait. He saw a few of his classmates were back and he walked over to some of them.
"What's up guys," he said with a big grin. Mineta and Kaminari were on looking at Mineta's phone and Mineta and Kaminari were nodding slowly at the photos he had. Izuku looked confused and asked what was on his mind. "Uh, what the heck are you two looking at."
Mineta gestured for him to come over and when he looked, he blushed almost immediately. It was photos of Mt. Lady that he got on his internship. Of her ass, boobs, body, and feet.
"Mineta what the hell is wrong with you," asked Izuku backing away from the phone.
Mineta just chuckled, clearly unfazed by the disapproving glare Izuku was giving him. "What? She's a pro hero! And uh... it's not every day you get to see her up close like that," he said, his voice a little too casual, even though the photos were clearly inappropriate.
Kaminari laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, uh... Mineta can be a little... you know... over the top with these things."
Izuku took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "Guys, come on! That's... that's just wrong. You're supposed to respect heroes, not objectify them. We all look up to them for what they do, not just... their looks."
Mineta waved him off. "Oh, come on, Izuku. Don't be such a buzzkill. It's just a little fun, you know? Don't deny she doesn't look hot." His grin widened, clearly not understanding the severity of Izuku's reaction.
"Alright, you know what. I am not going to help you. I'll just let you get in trouble," he said walking towards the stairs to go to his room.
Izuku's footsteps echoed through the hallway as he made his way to his room. His frustration simmered, but he was determined to keep his cool. He didn't want to let his emotions take over, especially with everything going on. His dad had always told him that being a hero meant understanding when to fight and when to walk away.
He reached his room, slamming the door behind him, his fists clenching in anger. "I just don't get it," he muttered to himself, pacing back and forth. "How can they be so disrespectful? Just because she's a pro-hero doesn't mean she's a piece of meat for people to gawk at. They should be looking up to her for what she does, not... this. Then again…I remember Mineta talked about a podcast where Midnight and Mt. Lady said they use their looks to help them in battle and get attention. So…there is that." Izuku decided to ignore it for now and about thirty seconds later he heard a scream from Mineta and Kaminari knowing they just got in trouble.
"Yep. Called it," he said as he went back downstairs to see what was happening. He looked down to see that Mineta was getting his ass reamed out by Mina and Kaminari looked like he dipped out of there after him. Smart move.
2 HOURS LATER
Most of everyone was back from their internships and it was now and everyone was conversing with each other about what they did.
Izuku sat down on the couch in the common room, feeling the weight of the day settle on his shoulders. Despite the chaos with Mineta earlier, it was still a bit of a relief to have some downtime. He had been working hard lately with his training and studies, and while he was passionate about becoming a hero, sometimes it felt like everything was moving so fast.
As more of his classmates came in and joined the conversation, the room was filled with a mix of voices, laughter, and the clinking of snack bags being opened. He saw Momo, Todoroki, and Uraraka sitting together in one corner, discussing the strategies they had learned during their internships. Meanwhile, Kirishima and Bakugo were arguing about something in another corner, their voices rising in typical fashion.
Izuku couldn't help but think about what Stain said. It amazed him that someone could be so radicalized like him. The League of Villains just wanted to make statements that they were powerful. But Stain has a message saying that every hero is a true hero. It hadn't left him since that day. He looked over and saw Jiro plop herself down on the couch cushion next to him.
Tokoyami took a seat across from Izuku and they looked at him. "What's up, guys. How were your internships?" asked Izuku curiously.
"It was…mind-boggling to say the least," said Tokoyami leaning back.
"What about you, Kyoka?" Izuku asked, turning his attention to her. "How was your internship?"
"Dude, Death Arms was total overkill sometimes. I can tell I feel stronger thinking. I got to help in a hostage situation, though, where I used my Earphone Jacks to find the villains and then ran with civilians to take them to safety. But nothing much else than that," she said smugly.
Izuku listened intently as Kyoka recounted her experiences. He could hear the pride in her voice, but also the subtle frustration.
"That sounds incredible, though," Izuku said with a small smile. "A hostage situation is no joke. You must've stayed really calm through it."
Kyoka shrugged, leaning back against the couch. "I mean, yeah, but it was still pretty intense. Death Arms kept barking orders like we were in some kind of military drill. I get that he's experienced, but damn, the guy has no chill."
Tokoyami nodded; arms crossed. "Training under Hawks was… enlightening, to say the least. He operates on a completely different level. His instincts are razor-sharp, and he moves with such ease. I felt like I was struggling to keep up the entire time."
"That's Hawks for you," Izuku chuckled. "He makes everything look effortless."
Tokoyami let out a low hum. "Indeed. He did say I had potential, though."
"That's pretty cool but we all learned a lot…I think so anyway." That was when he felt someone put a headlock around him and it was Kirishima.
"I think you learned the most working under Edgeshot. Not to mention you, Iida, and Todoroki were dealing with who Stain thing. It said you were in the area with that. How was it?" he asked with everyone.
Izuku sighed knowing that they weren't allowed to talk about it. He knew he defeated Stain but it had to be hidden so that himself, Iida, and Todoroki wouldn't get in trouble.
Izuku felt the weight of Kirishima's arm around his neck as his friend grinned at him, but his mind was already racing for a way to respond. He glanced at Todoroki and Iida, who had also drawn some attention from the rest of the class. Everyone was watching, curious about what had really happened during their run-in with Stain.
"I mean, it was… intense," Izuku said carefully, trying to choose his words wisely. "It all happened so fast. Stain was—" He caught himself before saying too much. "—way stronger than I expected."
Todoroki crossed his arms, nodding. "Yeah. We were lucky."
Iida remained quiet for a moment, gripping his knees. "It was a dangerous situation. We shouldn't have gotten involved like that." His voice was firm, but there was something else behind his words—guilt.
Kirishima loosened his hold and moved to sit next to Izuku, rubbing the back of his head. "Man, must've been crazy. The whole country's talking about Stain now. I heard he took down a bunch of pro heroes before they finally caught him."
Izuku nodded, his mind flashing back to the fight. The way Stain moved, the way his ideology bled into every attack—it was terrifying. He wasn't like other villains who fought just for destruction or self-interest. Stain truly believed in his cause.
Uraraka leaned forward, curiosity shining in her eyes. "You guys were in the same city when it happened, right? That's gotta be a crazy coincidence."
Izuku hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. It was… bad timing."
Jiro raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Bad timing? That's putting it lightly. You guys were in the middle of that whole mess. The news barely scratched the surface on what went down."
Izuku forced a chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Y-Yeah, well, the pros took care of it in the end."
Todoroki gave him a glance, clearly aware of how much they were holding back. Iida remained quiet, his hands clenched into fists.
"Well, I'm starving. You guys want some grub from the kitchen," asked Kirishima.
Izuku let out a relieved breath as the conversation shifted away from Stain and the dangerous encounter they had been a part of. The last thing he wanted was to give away too much, especially when the situation was still so sensitive. Kirishima's offer to grab food was a welcome distraction, and Izuku immediately nodded, glad for a change in topic.
"Yeah, I could definitely go for something to eat," Izuku said with a grin, his shoulders relaxing a little. He could feel the tension that had been building throughout the conversation begin to ease. It was nice to be surrounded by his friends, talking about anything other than the stress of the internships or the dangerous encounter they had faced.
"Yeah, me too," Kyoka said, her usual sarcastic tone now lighter. She stood up and stretched. "As long as it's not another round of those disgusting protein bars you keep bringing, Kirishima."
Kirishima grinned and puffed out his chest in mock offense. "Hey! Protein bars are vital for gaining muscle. You'll be thanking me later!"
"You just want to see us suffer through the taste," Jiro shot back, but her tone was playful.
"Whatever," Kirishima laughed, and they all got up to head toward the kitchen. The laughter and chatter continued as everyone moved away from the heavy topics, shifting into a more relaxed atmosphere. Izuku couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude that things were returning to normal, or at least to a semblance of it.
Meanwhile, far away, Gran Torino sat in his office, a serious look on his face as he dialed a number on his old phone. The line rang for a few seconds before the familiar voice of All Might answered.
"Gran Torino? What's up?"
"Listen, Toshinori," Gran Torino's voice was low and serious. "It's time. You need to tell Izuku, Inori, and Ichiro about the origins of One for All and All for One. The time's coming soon, and they deserve to know."
"I know, I know," All Might finally said, his voice strained. "But I've been avoiding it. The truth is heavy, and I don't want to burden them with something they might not fully understand. But I also know you're right. They're growing fast, and they need to know the full story. I'll do it."
Gran Torino sighed in relief. "Good. Just don't wait too long, Toshinori. They need to be prepared, and you can't protect them from this forever."
There was another moment of silence before All Might spoke again. "I'll tell them tomorrow. I'll make sure they understand everything, starting with the origin of One for All, the first holder, and the twisted history of All for One. It's going to be difficult, but they need to hear it."
"Good. They need to be ready to rise to the challenge. But I think they all can," he said coughing for a second.
All Might's voice softened a little. "I hope so. I just... I want them to have the chance to choose their own path, not be shackled by the mistakes of the past."
Gran Torino's voice was firm. "They will. But they need to know the truth first. It's the only way they can move forward."
With that, the call ended, leaving All Might to reflect on the conversation. It was time to face the past and share it with the next generation. All Might knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to give them the knowledge they would need, so they could fight not just for the present, but for the future of heroes everywhere.
Back in the common room, the conversation continued, and Izuku felt a sense of peace settle over him as he shared a laugh with his classmates, oblivious to the heavy truths that were about to be revealed to him.
THE NEXT DAY
The next day, Class 1-A gathered in the training grounds of U.A., the air buzzing with excitement. All Might had promised them something special: a race, but not just any race. This was a test, a challenge to apply everything they had learned from their internships. They were about to face the most intense training they had encountered since joining U.A.
All Might stood in front of them, his iconic grin wide on his face despite his aging appearance. "Alright, students! Today's lesson will test not only your abilities but also your teamwork. This is a search-and-rescue exercise, and it will take place right here, on Ground Gamma!"
Izuku stood among his classmates, feeling the thrill of anticipation. He hadn't been part of a race like this before, especially not one with such high stakes. The idea of searching for All Might, the symbol of peace, felt both exhilarating and daunting. He could already hear the echoes of his previous thoughts—how they had been close to death during their encounters with Stain, and now, it felt like everything was leading to moments like this. He needed to be at his best.
All Might raised his hand dramatically. "Each of you will be divided into groups of five, and the goal is simple: find me using this distress signal. Once you do, the race is over. The first team to reach me wins. And remember, you've learned a lot over the past few months, so I expect you to apply your knowledge wisely! Let's see who's learned the most."
"Wait a second!" Tenya Iida interjected, stepping forward with his usual seriousness. "Why aren't we doing rescue training at the U.S.J. facility? I would have thought that would be the ideal place for such an exercise."
All Might chuckled. "That's a good question, Iida! But Ground Gamma offers a much more suitable environment. It's more versatile, offering a variety of terrains and challenges that will test your ability to adapt on the fly. Plus, it's better for keeping things under control. We don't want any buildings getting wrecked while you're learning how to save lives!"
Izuku nodded, understanding the reason behind the decision. This was a race with real stakes. They were to apply everything they had learned in the field, but they had to be mindful of the surroundings. They couldn't afford to be reckless.
As the students gathered in their respective groups, Izuku's team was announced: Izuku, Tenya, Mashirao Ojiro, Mina Ashido, and Hanta Sero. It was an interesting mix—Izuku's strategic thinking, Tenya's speed and logic, Ojiro's combat proficiency, Mina's agility, and Sero's quick thinking. They were all capable, but they had to work together to outpace the other teams.
Among the other students, whispers spread. Momo, Jiro, Ochaco, and Kaminari all seemed to have the same thought—Izuku was going to win. They had seen his growth during their internships, the way he had handled everything thrown at him. It was hard to argue with that. Despite the challenges they had faced during their own training, Izuku had been nothing short of impressive. His resolve and quick thinking were clear to everyone.
All Might raised his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, students! Time to start! The signal will go live in three minutes. Get ready to race, and don't forget what you've learned about teamwork, strategy, and rescue protocols. Remember, you're heroes!"
Izuku's heart raced in his chest as he exchanged glances with his teammates. This was it—the moment to prove everything they had learned. As the timer ticked down, he could already hear the faint hum of the distress signal. They needed to move fast, think on their feet, and stay one step ahead of the competition.
The countdown ended. The race was on. Izuku immediately entered Full Cowling to 55% and launched himself into the air. Within seconds he was hundreds of feet up and looking down at the training ground below. He then activated Zephyr Rush and started to pump out air bursts from his palms to get to All Might. He had an extreme advantage in this and decided to show them what he had.
He smiled as he continued to launch himself toward his father and smirked as he landed there with quickness and precision. All Might hit a button signifying there was a winner and looking at his time. "39.2 seconds. Pretty good my boy," he said giving a thumbs up to Izuku.
Soon everyone showed up and Mina was pointing at Izuku. "No fair. Why do you have to do that to us," she said as All Might gave him the 1st place sash, pouting at him.
Izuku chuckled as he looked at Mina and said, "I just did my best. We can all be better in the end."
"Young Izuku is right. Even if he got first place, you all have improved from one week ago. So good job everyone," said All Might happily. While the four students were talking amongst each other, All Might leaned over to Izuku with a serious expression.
"After this class. Come to the lounge. We need to talk," he said looking at his son.
The rest of the class continued to congratulate Izuku, some with playful jabs and others with sincere admiration. Even though he had won, it didn't escape his attention how hard everyone had worked to improve. He was proud of his classmates, each of them showing significant growth since their first days in U.A. The feeling of camaraderie was strong, and he couldn't help but feel a bit lighter after everything that had happened.
As all of the matches came to a close, All Might clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone! Great job today! But the day's not over yet. Before you all head back to the dorms, I've got some additional training planned for next week. Get some rest, because we're not stopping here!"
The students cheered, more excited about their improvement than anything else. But Izuku, still a bit distracted by his father's request, gathered his things and made his way to the lounge. He wondered what All Might wanted to talk about. It seemed important—serious even. When he arrived, All Might was already sitting on the couch alongside his siblings. All Might looked at the floor thoughtfully. Izuku hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside him, his heart starting to race with a mix of curiosity and nervousness.
"Alright. What's up," he asked curiously as he sat next to Inori.
All Might exhaled deeply, his once bright and cheerful demeanor replaced by something much more solemn. He clasped his hands together, his elbows resting on his knees, and for a moment, he simply stared at the floor. Inori and Ichiro exchanged nervous glances, sensing the weight of the conversation before it even began.
Inori, shifting slightly in her seat, felt the tension tighten in her chest. "Dad? What's going on? You sounded serious earlier."
All Might finally looked up, his blue eyes filled with a mixture of determination and hesitation. "It's time you three knew the full truth about One for All and a man named All for One."
Izuku sat up straighter, his breath hitching slightly. He had known there was more to One for All than what had been told to him before, but the way his father approached this conversation told him that whatever was coming next would change everything. He the past users by heart. From the 1st to 10th being himself.
All Might took a deep breath. "One for All... it isn't just a Quirk. It's a responsibility, a burden, and a legacy that has existed for generations. And the greatest enemy it was created to fight—no, the reason it exists—is a man known as All for One. A man with the power to take away quirks."
Izuku had heard the name before, but his father had never gone into full detail. Beside him, Inori frowned, her fingers tightening around the armrest of the couch. Ichiro, their younger brother, leaned forward, looking more curious than anything else.
"He's more than just a villain," All Might continue, his voice grim. "All for One is a monster who has lived for centuries, stealing Quirks, manipulating people, and ruling from the shadows. He once controlled all of Japan during the Dark Ages for Metahuman powers when they first appeared, but One for All has been passed down through the generations to stop him. I was the eighth wielder, and I spent my career hunting him down. The battle we fought years ago left him critically injured… but it also left me like this." He gestured at his weakened form, his once-mighty physique reduced to a frail shell. "He is the man who left me in this frail state."
"But he's still alive," Inori said, her eyes narrowing. "Isn't he?"
"Yes, he is. I found out recently. Something that you all need to understand is that not only can he steal quirks, but he can also give them to others. That's how he can manipulate others. Giving them the power to control them," he said looking at the three of them. For the most part, Ichiro was quiet not saying much but acknowledging the conversation. It didn't mean he wasn't interested in it though.
"This man All for One, had a brother. Now as it turned out his brother was quirkless…he didn't have a quirk like his brother, and he heavily opposed his fascist and controlling views of the populace. For whatever reason, one day a…All for One…gave the brother a power…It was a power that allowed him to stockpile power over a long period of time," he said looking at his children. The lightbulbs turned on in their heads, but Toshinori wasn't done there.
"However, as it turned out…the brother to All for One did have a quirk. It was a quirk that could pass down other quirks…and what happened next was remarkable…stockpiling quirk and the brother's quirk merged as one. This allows him to pass from the next user…to the next…to the next…until it reaches me. Thus…the power of One for All was made and now it is here today," he said proudly.
Izuku, Inori, and Ichiro sat in stunned silence, absorbing the weight of their father's words. The history of One for All had always been shrouded in mystery, but now, hearing the full truth, the responsibility they bore became even heavier.
Izuku clenched his fists. "So that's why One for All has to be passed down… to make sure there's always someone strong enough to stop him."
All Might nodded. "Exactly. And I had hoped… prayed even, that after my fight with him, it was over. But he's still out there, scheming, waiting. Which is why you three—" He looked at each of his children in turn. "—need to be ready. In case something happens."
"What do you mean, Dad?" asked Ichiro.
"I mean that guy with the hands all over his body...that Izuku saw at the USJ. Is his apprentice," he said plainly. "I am not saying you are guaranteed to fight him…just be prepared."
The three of them nodded as they looked to their father who stood up in front of them. "That was all I wanted to say to you three. You know the drill. Keep it safe and keep it secret."
"Hey, Dad. You are going to be fine when you fight him again right," asked Inori concerned.
Toshinori smiled and nodded. "Of course I will honey," he said patting her head. "I have about 2 hours and 15 minutes left on my muscle form. So, I'll be fine," he said confidently as his kids but deep down he was worried, even if he had a bunch of time left. Worried he would die in battle. Worried he could make it up to Izuku. To be a father for him. To be the father he needed to have in his life.
"Well, if that is all. I need to file some reports. You three can go back to the dorms now. Have a good night and love you guys," he said waving to them as they left the room.
"Love you too Dad," said Inori and Ichiro.
"Goodnight Dad," said Izuku as the three left.
As they walked down the hallways Ichiro kept looking at Izuku with a weird gaze and Izuku was getting a bit weirded out. He felt Danger Sense activated not from an attack but from emotions. From hate. It was from Ichiro. It wasn't an 'I hate you guts feeling' it was an 'I am jealous of you feeling'.
Izuku ignored and the three kept walking in silence to the dorms until Inori spoke up. "You two know that there is a costume party in two weeks."
"Really," asked Izuku curiously.
"Yep, it is dress what you want to dress in. It is being held in the dorms and a few of the teachers will be there," she said wondering what she'll dress up in as she brushed a few blonde hairs behind her ears.
"That'll be fun…" said Izuku as Ichiro continued to be silent. He still felt his Danger Sense going off and sighing slightly. They made it to the dorms, and they bid each other a good night thanking those who let them go away from each other. But for now, he could catch up on some z's.
"Excuse me, Izuku," he heard a soft voice from behind him. He turned to see it was Ibara and he smiled.
"Hey Ibara, what's up."
"Could I inquire about your services for but a moment," she asked bashful at asking for help.
"With what?" he asked.
"Just moving some plants in my room," she said calmly gesturing to her room up in the Class B section.
Izuku nodded, feeling the exhaustion from the long conversation with his father, but he pushed it aside. "Yeah, sure. Lead the way."
Ibara smiled warmly and turned, leading him toward the Class B dorms. The halls were quiet at this hour, with only the occasional student passing by, murmuring their goodnights. As they climbed the stairs, Izuku felt the remnants of his Danger Sense still tingling, but it was faint now, like an itch in the back of his mind. He stole a glance over his shoulder, but neither Ichiro nor Inori was anywhere in sight.
Arriving at Ibara's door, she unlocked it and pushed it open, revealing a room filled with lush greenery. Vines curled along the walls, potted plants sat on every available surface, and a soft, natural scent filled the air. It was like stepping into a small, personal forest.
"Wow," Izuku said, genuinely impressed. "This is… really peaceful."
Ibara chuckled softly. "Thank you. The presence of nature soothes the soul. But, unfortunately, it grows a little too enthusiastically at times, and I need help rearranging them."
Izuku stepped inside, and she gestured toward a large planter by the window. "This one needs to be moved to the corner. It's grown too close to my desk, and the vines keep tangling in my books."
He nodded and stepped forward, gripping the edges of the planter. It was heavier than he expected, and he had to shift his footing to get a good hold. With a steady breath, he lifted it and carefully maneuvered it to the designated corner.
"There we go," he said, wiping his hands on his pants. "That should keep your books safe."
Ibara clasped her hands together. "You have my gratitude, Izuku."
He smiled. "No problem."
She hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with a vine between her fingers before speaking again. "Izuku, may I ask you something personal?"
Izuku blinked. "Of course."
She looked down slightly before meeting his gaze with quiet determination. "Uh…I can see that you are…a bit stressed out…based on your body language. Is everything ok?" she asked concerned.
Izuku was surprised that she was able to catch the subtle hint of stress he was having over these past few weeks. With the USJ, Sports Festival, his siblings, his parents, his internships, and Stain. It was a lot.
"Well…I am a bit stressed but that comes with being a hero in training, ya know," he said downplaying and hoping she would buy it.
Ibara tilted her head slightly, her green locks swaying as she observed him with gentle scrutiny. "Perhaps… but shouldering everything alone is not the way of a righteous path."
Izuku sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I know. But I am ok though Ibara. Don't worry about me though. I assure you I am ok," he said smiling at her.
Ibara frowned but nodded at Izuku's words. "Well…don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything from your friends," she said softly.
Ibara's words lingered in the air between them, soft yet firm, filled with genuine concern. Izuku could tell she wasn't entirely convinced by his reassurances, but she wasn't going to push him either. That was just the kind of person she was—gentle, understanding, and patient.
"I appreciate that, Ibara," Izuku said, his smile more sincere this time. "Really. It means a lot."
She nodded, the faintest hint of a smile gracing her lips. "Good. Now, I should not keep you any longer. You need rest, and I still have a few plants to tend to."
Izuku chuckled, glancing around at the greenery that practically filled every available space in her room. "Yeah, you definitely have your hands full."
Ibara folded her hands together in front of her. "It is a labor of love."
Izuku nodded. "I get that."
With that, he took a step back toward the door. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, Ibara. Have a good night."
"Goodnight, Izuku."
As he left her room and walked back through the quiet halls, he let out a slow breath. He hadn't realized just how much he needed a conversation like that—one that wasn't about training, fights, or looming threats. Just something normal, something grounding.
But as much as Ibara's words gave him comfort, the nagging feeling from earlier still hadn't completely faded.
Ichiro's gaze.
His Danger Sense had flared because of it, not from a direct threat but from something deeper—resentment, jealousy. It wasn't the first time he had noticed Ichiro's cold silence, but tonight, it felt more intense than ever. This is getting ridiculous. He quickly went to his room and shut the door getting annoyed with his brother.
"Why the hell of all people should he be jealous? This is so stupid. I should be the one jealous of how much attention he and Inori received for years when I had zilch. Whatever. I am going to bed. His Danger Sense went off and he crawled into bed and tried to fall asleep. He had to think of some ideas for his costume or outfit he would wear and he had a great idea.