In this new world, Takeshi learned about quirks—strange, miraculous abilities that most people were born with. They shaped society, defined status, and often determined a person's future before they could even understand it.
Those without them were called quirkless.
And they were rarely treated kindly.
His mother, Aiko Moriyama, was one of the few who had none.
Yet there was a quiet strength in her that no quirk could replicate. Her warmth reached people in ways power never could. She cared for neighbors, tended to the sick, and offered comfort without expecting anything in return. Even those who pitied her couldn't deny it—Aiko's presence alone was enough to ease a burdened heart.
His father, Haruto Moriyama, was different.
Disciplined. Grounded. Unyielding.
His quirk—Hammer—allowed him to transform his arms into heavy, destructive tools. It made him an exceptional carpenter… and a man few dared to challenge.
Before Takeshi was born, they had lived in the city of Musutafu.
But tragedy had driven them away.
Their first child had died in a sudden accident—one that left a wound no quirk could mend. Unable to bear the memories, they abandoned the city and returned to their ancestral village of Kibayashi, deep in the mountains of Nagano.
There, life slowed.
And for a time…
They found peace.
Takeshi was four and a half when that peace shattered.
It began with fear.
A ripple of panic spread through the village as word passed from house to house—a wild bear had descended from the mountains. Massive. Aggressive. Unpredictable.
Its roar echoed across the fields like thunder.
"Inside! Everyone inside!"
Doors slammed shut. Windows were barred. Children were pulled indoors as quickly as they could be gathered. The lively village fell into an unnatural silence.
Inside the Moriyama home, tension thickened the air.
Haruto stood at the doorway, already preparing to leave.
"Stay here, Takeshi. Don't step outside."
His voice was firm—but beneath it, there was urgency. Anxiety.
Aiko hadn't returned yet.
She had gone into the back mountains earlier that day to gather herbs.
Haruto didn't wait for a response.
He stepped out and disappeared into the forest.
Takeshi stood frozen.
His father's words echoed in his mind—but something else rose louder.
Fear.
Not for himself.
For them.
Memories from another life surfaced unbidden—regret, helplessness, the crushing weight of loss. He had already lived through a life where he failed to protect the people he loved.
He wouldn't do it again.
"I can't just stay here…" he muttered, his voice shaking. "What if something happens to them?"
Before doubt could stop him, he ran.
The forest felt different.
Heavy. Tense. Watching.
Takeshi pushed through the undergrowth, his small body moving faster than it should, driven by instinct more than strength. His breath came sharp and uneven as he followed the sounds ahead.
Then he saw them.
A clearing.
His mother stood there, cornered—her arm bleeding, her body trembling as she struggled to stay upright.
Between her and the beast stood Haruto.
His stance was firm, his body coiled as his arms shifted—thickening, hardening—forming the shape of a massive hammer. He swung with everything he had.
The impact thundered through the clearing.
But the bear didn't fall.
It staggered.
Then roared.
Louder.
Angrier.
Bigger than anything Takeshi had ever seen.
Aiko turned—and saw him.
"Takeshi! Don't come closer—run!"
But he didn't move.
Because in that moment—
He saw it.
The possibility.
The same ending.
Again.
Something inside him snapped.
His heart slammed against his chest.
His body trembled—not with fear, but with something rising, building, breaking free. Heat surged through his limbs. His skin tingled, as if something buried deep within him had finally awakened.
His breathing sharpened.
The world slowed.
And then—
He moved.
The ground blurred beneath his feet.
Too fast.
Far too fast for a child.
The bear turned toward him, its massive claws lifting—
But Takeshi was already in the air.
Higher than he should have been.
Higher than he could have been.
His small fist clenched.
And with everything he had—
He brought it down.
CRACK!
The sound split the clearing.
The force of the blow traveled through the bear's skull, shattering bone as the creature collapsed instantly, its massive body crashing into the earth.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Absolute.
The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Haruto didn't move.
His arm—still half-transformed—remained raised, frozen mid-motion. His eyes were wide, fixed on the impossible sight before him.
Aiko's voice caught in her throat.
And there—
Standing in the settling dust—
Was Takeshi.
Panting.
His small chest rising and falling.
His fist trembling.
"Takeshi…"
Aiko rushed forward, dropping to her knees as she pulled him into her arms. Her hands moved frantically, checking for injuries, her breath uneven as tears blurred her vision.
"What were you thinking?!" she cried. "You could have been hurt—you could have—"
"I'm sorry, Mom," Takeshi said softly, his voice breaking. "I just… didn't want to lose you."
Her grip tightened instantly.
"You won't," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But don't ever risk your life like that again…"
Haruto exhaled slowly, the tension finally leaving his body.
He stepped closer, his gaze locked on his son.
"That wasn't normal," he said quietly.
His voice wasn't fearful.
It was certain.
"That… was your quirk."
Aiko stiffened at the words, instinctively pulling Takeshi closer.
"But what if it harms him?" she said quickly. "We don't know what kind of power it is—or what it could do to his body. We need to get him checked. Immediately."
Haruto nodded.
"You're right."
Then, after a pause—
A faint smile formed.
"…But still."
He looked at Takeshi again.
"That was incredible."
Takeshi blinked—then grinned.
The fear that had gripped him moments ago was gone, replaced by something brighter. Stronger.
Excitement.
"Don't worry!" he said, puffing his chest slightly. "I think I've awakened a really powerful quirk! One day, no one will be able to stop me!"
His eyes shone.
"I'm going to become the Number One Hero!"
Aiko let out a soft, tearful laugh, brushing his hair back gently.
"Then promise me something," she said. "No matter how strong you become… you'll always come home safe."
Takeshi nodded without hesitation.
"I promise."
Haruto chuckled, ruffling his son's hair.
"A hero, huh?" he said. "Then start by learning control. Power alone isn't enough."
He rested his hand briefly on Takeshi's head.
"But… this is a good first step."
The mountains stood silent around them.
The wind moved softly through the trees.
And in that quiet clearing—
With fear behind him and something new awakening within—
Takeshi Moriyama took his first true step forward.
End of Chapter 4