Chapter 92: A Conversation, A Plan
He looked at Izuku, thinking for a moment, and said:
—But Izuku, why are you friends with Bakugou even though he treats you so badly all the time?
Izuku was surprised to hear the question. He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he searched for the right words.
—Well, you might not believe it, but when we were little we weren't like this. We got along super well, played together, did everything together. But after he awakened his quirk, he ended up changing and becoming like this. I think I don't want to give up. I know my friend is still there deep down. I want him back. That's why I won't give up.
Aoi listened quietly, his expression softening as Izuku spoke. When Izuku finished, Aoi smiled gently, a hint of something wistful in his eyes.
—You know, I envy you guys in that regard.
Izuku blinked, genuinely surprised.
—Envy of what? You also have childhood friends, right?
Aoi nodded, leaning back against the arena wall, arms crossed casually.
—Yes, I have Momo, Uraraka, and Mina as childhood friends. But I was always the older brother of the group who took care of them and kept them from doing things that were too dangerous. But I miss having a rival, you know? Someone to race against, fight hand-to-hand to see who's stronger, those things you can only do if you have a guy friend. After all, it's impossible for me to hurt them, right? So it must be nice to have someone like that.
Izuku opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Aoi's blue flames suddenly ignited across his entire body. The flames weren't aggressive—they danced softly, almost protectively, wrapping around him like a warm embrace. Izuku froze, eyes wide, not understanding what was happening.
Aoi looked down at the fire, then smiled softly and placed his hand into the flames.
—Yes, thank you for being here for me. I appreciate it a lot.
The fire responded almost immediately, flickering brighter for a moment before slowly dissipating, fading back into his skin as if its job had been completed.
Izuku stared in shock.
—Aoi, what was that?
Aoi met his gaze calmly.
—Izuku, do you think quirks are weapons or part of us?
Izuku thought for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration.
—Quirks are abilities that we humans have.
Aoi's smile grew a little wider, more thoughtful.
—You know, Izuku, when I first awakened my power, I thought it was a boring power. It only lets me heal people and be a hero like Recovery Girl. But over time, the more I used it to get stronger, it became my partner. It's not a part of me. It is me. And I'm very grateful to have it, because it was what made me strong enough to protect those I love. So my power for me isn't an ability. It is who I am. And that's why it responded when it felt I was sad.
Izuku's eyes widened further.
—But that's impossible. Quirks shouldn't be able to do that.
Aoi chuckled softly.
—Just like it's impossible for you to give a quirk to another person, as the world says, your situation is impossible. This just shows that no one truly understands them. But I know one thing: it's impossible for you to get stronger if you treat your power like an intruder, when your power is just another you.
Izuku became thoughtful, staring at his own hands as if seeing them for the first time.
Aoi continued gently.
—Of course, I'm referring to those who were born with a quirk. After all, your case is an exception to the rule.
Izuku looked up, embarrassed.
—Well, that's true.
Aoi pushed off the wall, stretching slightly.
—Well, let's train. We still have the sports festival to deal with, and I think you want to have a good result to impress All Might. So let's try to master at least 2% that you can use without hurting yourself by then.
Izuku's face lit up with determination.
—Yes, let's go! I'm ready already!
The training continued for hours, the underground arena filled with the sounds of effort—Lida's footsteps pounding the track, Bakugou's explosions echoing off the walls, Momo's creations shimmering into existence, and the steady rhythm of Izuku pushing his limits under Aoi's watchful eye.
At night, Aoi was returning to his room when his phone vibrated. The screen lit up with Morgana's interface. She appeared almost immediately, her digital face calm but carrying a hint of excitement.
—Sir, I have good news.
Aoi raised an eyebrow, a tired but genuine smile tugging at his lips.
—Then speak up, Morgana. After so much complicated news these days, I really want some good news to cheer me up.
Morgana's voice was steady.
—I found Eri's location.
Aoi's expression shifted instantly—eyes sharpening, posture straightening.
—Great! Where's the little one?
Morgana responded quickly.
—I've already sent the location to your phone. But if you intend to save Eri, it's better to leave soon or they might move her.
Aoi nodded, already moving toward his closet.
—Yes. Prepare the uniform I made for this operation. I can't be recognized. And after I rescue her, I want you to erase everything about Eri from the internet. Her power is too precious to the government. If they find out she's responsible for the anti-quirk bullets, she'll never be out of their sight. She's a child. All she needs to know is to go to school and play. I'll take care of the rest. But let's forge an identity for her and adopt her into the family.
Morgana acknowledged the instructions.
—Anything else, sir?
Aoi paused, his mind already racing ahead.
—Morgana, do you have the evidence of the dirt on the Public Safety Commission of Heroes?
Morgana's response was immediate.
—Yes, sir.
Aoi's smile turned sharp, almost predatory.
—Because we're going to play a game of intelligence with the government to save a good-hearted idiot.
Morgana's digital form tilted its head slightly.
—What is your plan, sir?
Aoi's voice was calm but carried an edge of certainty.
—I want you to make it seem like I'm investigating those idiots' crimes in a way that they can find out it's me. When they discover it, they'll panic. And since they can't kill me in broad daylight for fear of being exposed, they'll have to figure out a way to convince Lady Nagant to do the job. Then we'll do the following: I'll save that idiot and use the real evidence to have a little chat with them. If they don't want it to go online, he let her serve her sentence at my house. After that, I'll see what to do with them. But for now they're useful. With all this resolved, let's save little Eri.
He grabbed the keys to his motorcycle from the dresser, the metal cool against his palm. Without another word, he headed for the door, the quiet determination in his steps echoing through the hallway as he left the house, driving toward the company to pick up the uniform for the mission.
The night air was cool against his face as he rode, the city lights blurring past him. For the first time in days, there was a spark of genuine excitement in his chest—not for power, not for battle, but for the simple act of doing something right for someone who needed it. Eri was just a child, caught in a system that saw her as a tool. And Aoi had already decided: no one would use her like that again.
The road stretched ahead, dark and open, carrying him toward whatever came next.