Cementos busted the door down with the other teachers. "Don't worry, help has arrived!" Iida shouted … to the group of students sitting on the stairs as if they were front row seats. "What the-what are you all doing!?"
"Watching the show. All Might burst in and stopped dozens of the villains before taking on that bird thing." Ashido said nonchalantly. "The warp guy disappeared with the hand-man earlier though. The other villains were kind of taken care of by the rest of our class."
"We've mostly spent our time giving first aid to Thirteen and taking on any stragglers getting in close." Sero added in, holding up thirteen and placing duct tape on her back. "One more strand … and she's good for now!" No she wasn't.
"I applied actual first aid using a kit, he's just holding the bonds together." Thank you Yaoyorozu. "All Might's right by the flood zone with a couple of the others. There was this big burst of wind and steam for some reason and we can't locate him now."
Steam probably meant the hero had finally reached his daily limit. He was a great hero, if completely reckless. "Cementos, go check up on the ones by the flood zone, I'll stay here and guard the kids, everyone else fan out and find any other students, and incapacitate any villains." Midnight commanded, completely serious when innocents were in danger.
"Right." He was going because he could cover up All Might, because Power Loader did it last time by burying the hero and suddenly EVERYONE panicked. Some people just didn't understand subtlety. Probably why Power Loader always kept the students that blew up the support labs.
It didn't take long to find the hero, the man's form half shapen, one side looking normal and the other looking like it needed to eat twenty sandwiches right away or he'll keel over dead. "Bunny-sensei! You're alright!" Suzuki was right next to the man. "It's okay guys, he's right over here!" Damn it, he began creating a wall even faster now that the kid went on and blabbed it.
"Wait, stay back, I think I can hear something!" All Might tried to stop the other students, but Bakugo started moving faster if anything.
"If it's more villains I'll kill them for you!" Was that supposed to be reassuring? Luckily he made it in time, the wall forming.
"Oh no, a giant wall! What's causing that!?" Suzuki screamed, looking around in a panic.
"It's Cementos." Jiro, the only one that noticed him from a distance, pointed to them. "He's the only one with a quirk like that around here. Do you actually KNOW any heroes, Iruma?"
"No. Only met my first one ten months ago. Other than that I don't know about anyone else … except maybe that Hauler guy."
"You mean the creepy crawler vigilante?" Kirishima asked. "I mean, he does seem a bit manly, but he's breaking the law, and that's not manly at all."
"Then yeah, Bunny-sensei was my first, scream-sensei was my second, and Aizawa-sensei was my third." That explains why Suzuki was one of the few students that didn't have a fanatic look in his eyes despite how cheery he seemed to be. Good, because for a second, Cementos thought he was doing something wrong.
"If you don't know anything about heroes, then why are you here?" Asui asked.
"Bunny-sensei said please go to the hero course, and I said okay."
"... I feel very conflicted about Bunny-sensei." Great, now the students were doubting.
"Why, the hero course is the first time I've got friends. I love him for believing in me!"
"Bunny-sensei is so manly!" Kirishima cheered while the others blushed a little. Well, most of them, Todoroki looked indifferent and Bakugo looked...confused...conflicted? It was hard to get a read on the usually angry boy.
"Come on then, we need to get you all to safety." Cementos generated some more walls to act as a walking route, and an easy way to hide All Might from the other students.
==
"So you had to spend your entire time fighting off villains and surviving … while dealing with that?" Sero gestured to Aoyama, telling people 'it's a secret' despite no one asking.
"Yes, it was a living nightmare, a revelry in the dark." What did that even mean?
"Bastard kept zapping me too. It's was a fucking disaster! You could've let me loose just a little! I would've only gnawed on their heads just a little!"
"You would have tried to eat them and you know it." Tokoyami was way too nonchalant with that sentence. "You're not a demon! You know demons can't eat quirked people!" And the dude was as crazy as his shadow.
"That just makes me better than them! You don't need to form another contract with me by your side! What if you get Mother Valac again?"
"I'll take my chances, we need at least some form of a leg up in the next fight."
"Okay, moving on, how was your go at it Ojiro." Sero really wanted to block that from his head.
"Boring. Like, so dull! More dull than you would've believed!" Ojiro looked like he was actually complaining.
"Wait, are we talking dull like your costume or dull like Iruma's costume?" Ashido asked.
"Okay one, that's rude. Two, how would you describe my dullness?"
"Eh, you're more of a plain everyday thing while he genuinely has no taste, so I'd say a three compared to a seven on a scale of one to ten."
"Then about four or five. They villain me and Uraraka faced wouldn't shut up! He went on and one about this backstory nobody cared about! Cheesy bad guy monologue and everything. It's the only reason why they didn't attack us." He paused. "Well that and Uraraka dropped a meteor shower on them."
"They were asking for it, just standing around like that." She complained. "It didn't matter how funny they were."
"The dude was worse than Iida was." Ojiro muttered.
"Excuse you!"
"Sounds like a nightmare." Sero was glad Iida screwed himself out of that vote from Iruma and possibly Uraraka. He didn't want to imagine Iida being in charge of the class. "What about you guys?"
"Mineta … water … bastard." Kaminari was rubbing his head, trying to form a coherent sentence.
"We just used him to shock all the villains." Mineta grinned. "Told you he would be fine."
"Yeah, you were right..you're still a pervert though." Asui nodded. "I can't believe the decay villain just left like that. One talk from Iruma and he just decides to let us live and leave."
"Wait, that's what happened!?" Sero asked, everyone turned over to look at her. "How bad did he threaten the guy?"
"That's the thing, he didn't." Jiro walked over to them. "It was the freakiest and the dumbest thing I've seen all week, and I just saw jamming-whey over here go brain dead for ten minutes."
"Can I … get some … water?"
Jiro carried on, ignoring Kaminari. "Iruma just talked to the guy, saying something about it being rude to touch people without having permission like he was a four year old. In fact, they both talked the same way. It was like seeing elementary kids talk about right and wrong."
"... Are you fucking serious?" Bakugou asked, staring with wide eyes.
"Yeah, they just chatted until the hand guy said Iruma was the only person that made sense, then left, even told Nomu to ignore kids and attack any adults." Mineta spoke up. "Craziest shit I've seen all day, and we just fought a multi quirked monster!"
"That thing had multiple quirks?" Yaoyorozu looked horrified. "That should be scientifically impossible."
"Even weirder, Iruma just-just kept dod-dodging the thing like it was no-nothing!" Kaminari spat out. "Even Aizawa-sensei couldn't avoid it, and the du-dude escapes it without a sin-single scratch!"
"... So we all agree he's messed up in the head right?" Todoroki went on, being blunt as always.
"Dude, tact!" Kirishima shouted with wide eyes.
"He has a point though. Not even sure he has a quirk." Asui agreed, and Bakugo 's eyes became even angrier at that. "Ochako, you're certain Iruma was the one who beat the zero-pointer?"
"He jumped up, punched it, the thing collapsed in on itself, and he had three noodle limbs. You want to argue against that?" She asked. "Even Toru saw the injuries, even if not the punch. Wait, Iida, you were there right?"
"Yes, I admit I was, and I'm ashamed to say I ran away while Suzuki ran up to it. I only saw him falling out of the sky as the robot exploded. Truly he is a better man that I must strive to follow!"
"That same man is worse off than Kaminari."
"Getttt-ttting better now. I have … five fingers, five fingers on my ri-right hand." He held up his left hand.
"So we're never having normal lives after today, right?" Sero asked everyone. "I want to be absolutely sure we're clear on that."
"Sero, honey, did we have normal lives to begin with?" Ashido raised a fair point. "Oh Toru, you're back!" She shouted as the girl came back with a detective that called them individually for questions.
"Yeah, I just finished talking to the detective. Has anyone seen Iruma-kun anywhere? I haven't seen him since he ran up to All Might."
"He wanted to stay with All Might, and fill the hero in on what happened." The detective explained. "And I do believe that counts for everyone." He stated.
"Um, sir, about Aizawa and Thirteen …" Uraraka asked the most serious question.
"Aizawa is going to need serious care, he has a skull fracture and orbital damage. Thirteen has back damage that was only mitigated by common first aid." Yaoyorozu looked guilty. "Other than that, they'll both live."
"That's a relief." Sero said, releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding. "All the students came out unscathed but the teachers nearly died. We're far from ready whether we like it or not."
==
"Recovery Girl, thank you again for your hard work, truly you are a dedicated and respected member of this community with plenty of mercy-"
"I'm not in the suck up mood, I'm still going to beat you senseless!" She shouted at the man trying to escape his punishment.
"It's alright, Nurse-sensei! Bunny-sensei saved Aizawa-sensei from dying! He was super cool and amazing! He was like pow, punch, smash, plus ultra and all that! It was amazing!" The kid had been rambling on and on the entire time hyping up the buff oaf.
"Don't try to stop me kid, this is for his own good." She wacked the hero on the head with her cane. "Next time don't spend most of your time limit before you head to UA. There's plenty of heroes out in the city just as capable of maintaining petty crimes just like you."
"I know I know, it's just, so many people looked like they were in danger, needing help." He groaned.
"Yeah, the hand guy got really mad at that for some reason, saying because Bunny-sensei help's people it's corrupted or something. But that's stupid. How can helping people be bad?" The boy asked innocently.
"Because he doesn't look after his own health and doesn't plan ahead. There are going to be some people that need help more than those that don't." Recovery Girl groaned. "And it's going to be even harder now … it's likely shortened even more you know."
"I'm aware. It was always going to be like this, even if I didn't give One For All to Young Suzuki."
"Wait, so me having a quirk now means you can't help people anymore!?" This kid was too easy to stress out. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't be." Toshinori spoke, turning to the boy. "It needed someone new any way, I was coming to UA to look for someone to pass on One For All to, and I chose you." He smiled. "The most determined and nicest soul I've come across."
"Determined?" The kid asked with complete confusion.
"Of course, you were going to clean out that entire beach just because you were asked. Imagine what you can accomplish if you combine that with your own goals."
"My own..goals?" That level of confusion was getting super concerning. "I've never had a goal before. I've just been focused on surviving for this long. I've never had another reason to get better at anything...not until I met you at least."
"Is that so …" The man looked surprised. "Well you should really get one then, achieving a goal you've worked hard towards is one of the best feelings you can achieve."
"Just don't hurt yourself while you do it." She sent another cane wack to Toshinori's head. "Avoiding danger is the one leg up you have over this idiot."
"Of course, just a day in the park." He smiled. "It's like when I had to hold the trash carefully so I didn't cut my hands on the rust." Suzuki explained.
"... You had gloves right?"
"I think I had a pair when I was seven."
"You can heal tetanus, right?" The idiot asked her.
Tsukauchi walked into the door. "Hey, Toshinori, had some stuff I wanted to talk to you about-" The innocent one started.
"Take the boy and leave, he doesn't need to see what I'm going to do to him." The detective in question grabbed Suzuki and started running. A wise one among his age.
==
The doorbell rang, that didn't happen often. Mr Suzuki opened the door, finding Iruma being held by a detective. "Iruma, what did I say about getting in trouble with the law?"
"If I'm doing something illegal, make sure to destroy the cameras and clean the fingerprints that incriminate you guys." The boy bowed his head. Ah, that's his little money bag!
"Good boy. Let Mommy and Daddy handle this. Would you please head back to the scrap yard?" His wife patted the boy's head. "My last statue didn't come out right and I want you to REALLY buff out all the dents this time."
"Understood!" He smiled, walking into the back with a lot more energy than usual. Strange, was he not in trouble? Did something good happen?
"I don't think telling your son to commit a crime in front of an officer is a smart thing." The detective deadpanned. "I'm Naomasa Tsukauchi, a detective. I came by to take Iruma home and ask a few questions about his safety, a confirmation." Oh shoot, that was the story, better cover up!
He extended his hand. "I'm Hachi Suzuki, a pleasure." He grabbed the man's hand and gave him a firm handshake. "Thank you for bringing my son home safely."
The officier slowly lost the stern attitude he had on before. "Ah, right. I'm just doing my job." The man withdrew his hand. "I've come here on the request of U.A, specifically of Iruma's teacher Shota Aizawa." Oh, did the teacher pick up a few little traits? They'd have to have a parents meeting sometime.
"Oh I hope our little money bag..I mean Iru isn't causing too much trouble." His wife,Teien, spoke. "He can be quite the nuisance at times.
The detective raised an eyebrow at the slip, but nodded along. "Yes, I had noticed he was called a 'problem child' at times." Of course, of course.
"Why don't you two sit down, I'll go get us some tea and snacks." Provided by Iruma of course, their lovely little puppy always does as they ask.
"Of course, that sounds like a great idea, the list is pretty long after all." They walked in as he slowly prepared a meal, still within talking distance. It was nice to get to know them as you cooked, make them seem like you're unfocused on them. "So for starters, there is a report that the boy 'sleeps outside' on multiple occasions."
"Oh our little bundle of joy just loves outdoor recreation! He's always wanted to be a lumberjack, you know? Wanting to be a hero is something of a new development." Teien made the most believable story she could make up on the spot.
"A lumberjack? Well he's got a body for it, he's been pretty strong as of recently, carried his teacher away from a vicious monster and a classmate out of a broken building." The man nodded along, hands antsy.
"Is that right? Sounds like our boy is already a hero in the making." And that meant tons of money if he was actually good at it. "But the real hero here is you, detective." Haichi patted the man's shoulder, placing the tray of food in front of them. "Making sure our son got home safe and sound."
"Of course, thank you." Tsukauchi leaned in the man's direction as he handed the man a cup of tea, their hands meeting again. "Um, another concern was eating habits, he apparently has a massive appetite from not eating enough?"
"Is that what he told you? Oh, I thought we cured his greedy habits." Teien shook her head disappointedly. "Once a glutton, always a glutton I guess." She flinched. "Sorry, little static cling." Well the man was a detective, so it was probably some feedback, but he could hold down the fort for a bit.
"But once he's home we make sure he's fed for tomorrow." They couldn't have him die out for nothing. "You know what Detective, you've had a long day. You deserve a rest for all the hard work you do." He patted the man's back. "Why don't you go home now? Get ready for a full day of putting away criminals, it's the least you can have for all the trouble Iruma put you through."
"Yes, of course, thank you for the hospitality." He hugged them both. "You're wonderful people." They were, weren't they? The man waved as he left, leaving the two alone for a few minutes.
"... Are you okay?" He asked his wife.
"It's fine...I don't know why it faded for a second. I didn't say anything unbelievable."
"I think he has some type of quirk that can pick apart lies, might have caused a feedback loop and needed too much energy." He patted her with the back of his hands, careful not to let her get stung.
"You have magic fingers, you know that? Just like when we first met."
"And you have a magical voice, enchanting me that very day." He leaned in. "I'm glad to be with a woman as precious as you in this wonderful life."
==
All For One watched the screen … watched was a strong word considering the lack of eyes, more like formed a metal image with radio waves and telescopic infrared, as his successor walked back into the bar, not shouting in rage like he expected.
"Yes, it makes sense. I was doing it all wrong. It's like my eyes have been opened for the first time in years." Now this was interesting. All For One may have been aiming to cultivate that bottomless hate Tomura harbored within himself, but a change like this held promise.
"Oh, I take it the mission was a success?" He asked the duo.
"It was … unknown sir." Kurogiri hesitated, that was never a good sign, it meant an order conflicted between him and Tomura. Either that or the doctor would have to tune that personality again, Kyudai really deserved a break.
"All Might wasn't there at all, and we left as the students made contact with the heroes." Tomura explained. "But I realized something that I should've long ago."
"Oh, and what was that?" What big lesson did he learn? That subtly is the way to go, that quality beats quantity, that charisma can do wonders when used right.
"What do I want to do to All Might? Do I want him dead, or do I want people to see how utterly USELESS he is in this world?" That … was much more philosophical than he intended. "In fact, now I'm confused if All Might really is the problem." Now THAT was a step too drastic.
"Pray tell, what brought upon this change?" He needed to find whoever this person was and either thank them or kill them depending on the end result.
"A boy, he wasn't brainwashed like the others … he spoke sense. He was so simple and reasonable for a change." The boy looked down at his hands. "He told me that killing people is just stupid cause they'll hate me, and I do feel better after killing them but, how am I supposed to get others to understand if All Might can't save them if they just want to beat me up themselves instead?"
Tomura took a seat. "How can I show them that they don't need a hero to help them, that they can help others like bystanders don't, because they think a hero is just going to show up." Tomura paused. "Are the bystanders the problem? I can't just kill everyone on the planet, that's not going to get me anywhere, that's a game with no winning screen."
This was undoing years of work. Yes, there was small satisfaction in seeing the boy think for himself, but it wouldn't help at all if those years of progress just suddenly stagnated! "Come now Tomura, clearly the heroes are at fault in some way or form, otherwise our society wouldn't revolve around them." Come on, work with this.
"No, you're right. It's definitely heroes, the fact they exist makes people think they don't need conventional safety." Oh thank Devi. "But … it's not the heroes themselves." Damn it! "It's the concept of a hero." He sat up. "I need to … destroy the concept?" The boy screamed in frustration. "I'm going to play a Sega game, I need to clear my head."
"I'm sorry, Master, I tried to warn him." Kuroguri tried to explain.
"I don't want excuses, and I don't want apologies." All For One stated. "What I want … is a name."
"The boy gave it to Young Tomura easily. His name is Iruma Suzuki."
"Very well, set out a bounty for Iruma Suzuki … let it be known that I'm paying a lot for his death."
"Ah...from what I overheard, the Yakuza already has a bounty on his head." Holy fuck, those guys were still alive!? It's been fucking decades since he heard of them.
"...What did the brat do?"
"Stole a case for his parents if what I heard is to be believed."
"And how large is the bounty?" They had the deep web for a reason. They weren't uncivilized, just merciless.
"From what I was able to gather from my short time investigating….6,000,000,000 dollars in euros."
"770,000,000,000 Yen!?" He shouted. Where did the Yakuza get THAT from? "I'm not wasting that much money." Looks like he could use the Yakuza for pest control at the very least. "Anything else interesting about this Suzuki?"
"He calls All Might Bunny-sensei." ….Okay, maybe this brat was worth keeping alive for just a little bit longer.