Izuku's relentless, almost insane training was bound to place an enormous burden on his body.
That morning, All Might rode ahead on a self-balancing scooter, while Izuku followed behind him carrying a heavy metal safe on his back. Suddenly—
Izuku collapsed onto the ground.
"Hey, hey! What's wrong? There are only three months left now!!""All ready to give up?! Taking today off to relax?!"
Normally, Izuku would have leapt back to his feet immediately and continued training.But this time… he didn't get up.
"...…"
His arms were trembling uncontrollably.
"...!"Overwork?All Might's heart sank. What was going on?
"The AMERICAN DREAM PLAN was adjusted specifically so you could make it in time for the exam, based on your physical condition…"
"You didn't follow the plan exactly, did you?"
"If you push yourself too far, it'll have the opposite effect!! Do you even want to pass anymore?!"
"I do want to pass…"Izuku said weakly, his voice shaking.
"But just getting in isn't enough…!!"
"I have to work several times harder than everyone else—otherwise I'll never catch up!"Even as his voice trembled, there was unmistakable resolve in it.
"I want to become like you…"
"I want to become the greatest HERO—just like you!!!"
Izuku shouted as he lifted his head.
Only then did All Might realize just how far Izuku's gaze was fixed—how immense his goal truly was.
"You really are an action-driven little otaku!!"
All Might suddenly transformed into his hero form and lifted Izuku up.Izuku's face turned green on the spot.
"That part of you… I don't dislike it at all!!"
"But because of that, you especially can't rush things, got it!? I've received your feelings loud and clear."
"This old man will tweak the plan a bit."
"All Might isn't an old man…"That was the last complaint Izuku made that day.
And so, time continued to flow—until the day of the entrance ceremony arrived.
At six o'clock in the morning, All Might arrived at the seaside park right on time, driving a truck.
"Today's the entrance ceremony… I hope Midoriya, you—"
Suddenly, All Might heard a familiar shout.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
Izuku Midoriya stood atop a massive mountain of garbage—a mountain he himself had built over the course of those ten months.
All Might looked at the beach, now spotless and gleaming, and was filled with shock.
Wait—wait—wait!! Even the areas outside the designated zones are…?!No way… this place is practically spotless!! Seriously?!
"I finally finished it before the exam day—no, not just finished."
"Oh my—oh my—GOODNESS!"
All Might instantly transformed into his hero form.
After shouting himself hoarse, Izuku collapsed backward off the garbage mountain from sheer exhaustion—only to be caught by All Might.
"You worked hard."
"All Might… I did it… I succeeded!"
All Might gently lowered the nearly limp Izuku to the ground.
"Man, you scared me! You're like some kind of endurance performer—only a teenager, and already this impressive."
All Might pulled a phone from his pocket.
"All right—take a look."
"…?"
Look at what?Izuku raised his head and stared at the screen.
"This is you—ten months ago."
On the phone was a dark-green-haired boy collapsed on the beach, crying.
And now—Izuku's body had changed completely.Defined eight-pack abs.Solid, powerful arms.Leg muscles honed to perfection.
"You really worked hard—really, truly!!!"
All Might waved his massive hand enthusiastically.
"You've finally reached the stage where the entrance is just barely visible—like a mirage on the horizon! Your foundation is complete!!"
Izuku stared at his own arms.
"Even so… I still feel… kind of useless…"
"All Might has helped me so much… he's been far too kind to me!!"
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
At this point, you're still saying that…?This was clearly your own effort.
All Might found the tearful boy oddly endearing.
"That crying habit of yours really needs fixing!"He patted Izuku firmly on the back.
"Now then—time for the award ceremony, Izuku Midoriya!"
"…Yes, sir!"
All Might plucked a single hair from his own head.
"You might think this is something I'm doing on the fly, but there's a fundamental difference between power granted by luck… and power passed on after being acknowledged."
"Engrave this into your heart—this is power you earned with your own strength!"
Izuku clenched his fist tightly.
This is… a reality even more astonishing than anything I've ever read in manga…