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The alley reeked of damp concrete and desperation. Toshinori Yagi’s ragged breaths echoed off the narrow walls as he pressed a handkerchief to his lips, stifling a fresh wave of bloodstained coughs. His time limit had long expired, leaving him frail and vulnerable in the night.
I’m just a shadow of my former self… and I can’t even get home without feeling like a liability.
Ahead, a figure emerged from the shadows—a mugger clutching a knife with white-knuckled fingers. Malice in his eyes gleamed with malice as he snarled, “Wallet. Now.”
Toshinori gritted his teeth, backing into the dim light of a flickering streetlamp. In my current state, I can’t even handle this. His hand twitched toward his coat pocket, not for his wallet, but for the small canister of pepper spray he carried as a last resort. If I stall, maybe—
He froze as a shadow dropped soundlessly from above. The newcomer—a slim figure clad in sleek armor—landed in a crouch just behind the mugger. With calculated precision, they jabbed the man at the base of his neck, sending him crumpling to the ground. The vigilante moved like a whisper, cuffing the unconscious mugger and stowing a knife with practiced efficiency.
Toshinori blinked, his heart pounding. The vigilante. He recognized the silhouette from Tsukauchi’s reports—no quirk, quick and efficient movements, leaving nothing but a string of anonymously-delivered hand wrapped criminals. And they saved me.
“Thank you,” he coughed, raising a trembling hand. “You… saved my life.”
The vigilante’s head snapped up, revealing vivid green eyes behind a black mask and dim goggles. The faint hum of a voice changer buzzed against their throat. They didn’t respond immediately, only scanning him from head to toe. Their gaze lingered on his sunken cheeks, his gaunt frame—and finally, his face.
“All Might?” the voice rasped, warped and mechanical but unmistakably shocked.
Toshinori straightened, trying to force his frail body into a semblance of composure. “I think you’re mistaken,” he said, voice calm but strained. “I’m just a civilian who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should focus on getting out of here before anyone else arrives.”
The vigilante didn’t move. Instead, their breathing grew uneven, their green eyes narrowing as if dissecting every detail of his form. “The way you held yourself before—when the mugger had the knife. And now…” Their voice wavered, but determination undercut it. “Your face. I know that face. You’re him. You’re All Might.”
Toshinori’s lips parted, but no words came. His mind raced, searching for another way to deflect, but the earnest intensity in their gaze froze him in place. “Listen,” he began carefully, holding up a placating hand. “I don’t know what you think you’ve figured out, but—”
“No,” the vigilante interrupted, their voice rising slightly. “I’m right, aren’t I? You are All Might. You… you saved me, back then.”
Toshinori blinked, the words striking him like a physical blow. “Back then?” he repeated weakly, the panic in his chest easing into something lighter. The realization began to creep into his thoughts, unbidden but unmistakable. He had saved only one person who had seen his true face afterwards.
The vigilante flinched at their own outburst, their gloved hand flying to their masked mouth as though trying to physically stop themselves from saying more. “I-I shouldn’t—” they stammered, stepping back again, their gaze darting toward the alley’s exit. “I have to go.”
“Wait!” Toshinori called, his voice cracking with urgency. He staggered forward, arm outstretched. “Please—don’t go. I’m not going to report you, I promise. Just… let me talk to you. I need to talk to you.”
The vigilante hesitated, shoulders tense. “Why should I believe you?” their modulated voice growled.
Toshinori drew himself up, ignoring the throbbing ache in his chest. “Because I owe you my life,” he said softly. “And because I believe I owe you an apology.”
The vigilante’s breath hitched. They glanced toward the alley wall as though calculating an escape. Then, after a long pause, they released an explosive sigh. “Fine. Not here, though. I know a better spot.”
Without another word, they turned and scaled the nearest wall, their movements quick and practiced. Toshinori hesitated only briefly before following, his weakened body protesting with each step as he hoisted himself after them.
The rooftop was secluded, offering a clear view of Musutafu’s skyline and the faint glow of hero patrol lights far below. Toshinori leaned heavily against the edge of the rooftop, his breath still labored from the climb. Across from him, the vigilante stood motionless, arms crossed, the glowing modulator near their throat flickering faintly.
“All right,” the vigilante waved a hand vaguely in his direction, “talk.”
Toshinori straightened, meeting their guarded gaze. “You’ve been active for months, stopping criminals. You’re the one Tsukauchi keeps mentioning—a quirkless vigilante.”
The vigilante’s posture stiffened. Their voice carried a sharper edge. “You don’t know anything about me.”
Toshinori sighed. “Maybe not. But some months ago, I met a boy—a quirkless boy—who threw himself at a Slime Villain to save someone else. He vanished before I could… properly apologize.” His gaze softened. “I think that boy might be you.”
The vigilante flinched as if struck, fists clenching at their sides. “Why would you—”
“Please,” Toshinori interrupted gently, holding up a hand. “If it’s really you… could you remove your mask? Let me be sure.”
For a moment, the tension in the air was almost palpable. Then, with visible reluctance, the vigilante reached up. The soft click of latches echoed as they slowly peeled off the mask, revealing tired green eyes and trembling lips. “M-my name is Midoriya Izuku, and… and I want to save people, just like you.” He inhaled, his shoulders began quaking. “I’ll— I’ll do whatever it takes.”
It’s him. The boy who asked me if he could be a hero…
“Young man…” Toshinori began, his voice earnest. “I… I don’t know where to begin.”
Izuku shifted uneasily, shrinking slightly into his seat. His arms crossed tighter as he seemingly braced for something.
“What you are doing is so incredibly dangerous. You saw what I was inflicted with that day, and yet, you insist on this path? This course of action that will likely lead to your life being put in danger at every turn?” His voice wavered, deeply concerned. He sighed, the weight his of years as a hero pressing down on him. “I’ve seen so many like you—determined to make a difference, yet so woefully unprepared for the risks.”
Izuku stiffened at his words, his gloved hands balling into fists at his sides. “I’m not like them,” he groused stubbornly.
Toshinori paused, watching the defiant tilt of Izuku’s chin before speaking again, his voice softer, nostalgic. “You remind me of myself, you know. When I was young, I thought I could save the world alone. But even heroes like me… we need help. What you’re doing… it’s noble. But it’s not sustainable. You’re going to get hurt.”
Izuku’s face fell, his dark outfit doing nothing to hide trembling in his shoulders. When he spoke, his voice was shaky. “All Might… every day of my life, I saw you on TV—making a difference, saving people, helping them, saying, ‘I am here.’ And even though I wasn’t the one being saved, I felt safe. I felt that nothing could go wrong as long as you were around to save the day.”
He hesitated, his gloved hand rising shakily to cover his eyes. His voice wavered, a choked sob escaping him. “But then… then you saved me. I saw what happened to you. I saw how much it cost you. And yet, you still continue to help people.”
Izuku lowered his hand, tears streaming down his cheeks. “That day, when the slime villain attacked me and escaped… it went after my childhood friend. Those heroes didn’t even try to save him. They…” His voice broke, and he spat bitterly, “They stood there, waiting for the right ‘quirk matchup.’”
Toshinori felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest as Izuku continued, his tears falling freely now. “I was the one who helped saved him. I pulled him from the slime villain as you saved us. When I stood there, watching him suffocate, I… I couldn’t just wait. I acted. And when I went home that day, knowing I helped save Kacchan’s life… I felt complete.”
With trembling hands, Izuku reached into his jacket and pulled out a worn notebook. The faded label across the front read #5. He held it out, his voice barely above a whisper. “Here. This is something I’ve been working on for years. It wasn’t meant to be anything more than a dream. But… then you told me I couldn’t be a hero.”
Toshinori hesitated briefly before accepting the notebook. Its edges were frayed, its pages well-worn from years of handling. As he flipped through it, he saw meticulous notes on hero abilities, sketches of hero gear, and detailed observations of hero work. The sheer care and thought behind it left him speechless.
Then, he paused on a particularly weathered page. Written in careful script was a long list of names: Nakajima Hiro, Kurokawa Masayuki, Kanda Shoichi, Hatanaka Sora…
Toshinori looked up, his voice tinged with confusion. “Who are these people?”
Izuku’s lips curved into the faintest smile, pride flickering in his tearful eyes. “They’re the ones I’ve saved. Since I started doing this. Some of them didn’t even know it was me, but… they’re alive because I acted. And that’s why I keep going, All Might. If I can save even one more person… then my life as compensation would be worth it.”
Toshinori leaned back, his grip on the notebook tightening as he stared at Izuku. “You’ve been able to do all of this alone?” he asked softly, his voice trembling with emotion.
Izuku nodded, conviction in his eyes “I don’t have a quirk. But I have to do something. I can’t stand by and watch people get hurt when I know I can help. Even if it means breaking the law. Even if it means getting hurt myself.”
Toshinori closed the notebook slowly, his heart aching as he looked at the boy—no, the young hero—standing before him. “Young man… when you first asked me if a quirkless person could be a hero, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. That’s no excuse for what I said, but it’s the truth. Every day, I grow weaker. Every day, my time helping people grows shorter. I… I hate it.”
He stepped closer, his voice steady as he continued, “But sitting here, listening to you… I remember why I became a hero in the first place. Midoriya Izuku, you can be a hero. No—you are a hero. This notebook…” He held it up, a smile growing on his face. “This is irrefutable proof of such.”
Izuku’s eyes widened, hope and joy blooming in his tear-streaked face. “You… you really mean it?” he whispered, his voice trembling. “You think I can be a hero?”
Toshinori chuckled softly, reaching out to place a hand on Izuku’s shoulder. “My boy, you already are a hero. You just need the license to go with it.”
Izuku let out a choked sob, his body shaking as he lurched forward, pulling Toshinori into a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you so much.”
Toshinori rested a hand on Izuku’s back, his own eyes stinging. “You’ve already inspired me kid. Let’s make sure you can inspire the world.”
Izuku pulled back slightly, his eyes red and puffy but shimmering with hope. He opened his mouth to respond, but Toshinori cut him off with a soft chuckle and a warm smile.
“I want to train you, my boy,” Toshinori said, voice resolute. “To help you grow stronger. To guide you on the right path. To make you my successor.”
Izuku’s breath hitched, his lips parting in disbelief. “S-successor?” he stammered, his heart racing. “You mean… like your protégé?”
Toshinori nodded, his grin widening. “That’s right. I’ve been searching for the right person to train, to be the next Symbol of Peace—someone with the heart of a true hero. And I’ve found him.”
For a moment, Izuku was speechless, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He searched Toshinori’s face for any hint of doubt, but all he saw was unwavering conviction. A tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered, “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You’ve already said enough, my boy,” Toshinori replied, his voice brimming with pride. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, “But first, we need one thing before we can begin.”
Izuku blinked, tilting his head in confusion. “What’s that?”
Toshinori straightened, his grin turning sly. “We need parental permission.”
Izuku froze, his expression shifting rapidly from shock to horror. “K-Kaa-san?!”
“Of course!” Toshinori said with a laugh. “I can’t very well start training you without making sure your mother’s onboard, now can I?”
Izuku groaned, burying his face in his hands. “She’s going to freak out…”
Toshinori clapped him on the shoulder, his smile softening. “She loves you, my boy. She’ll be upset, but she’ll understand. And I’ll be right there with you to explain everything.”
Two days later found Toshinori, in his buff form, standing at the waterside of Dagobah Municipal Beach. The early morning sun cast long shadows across the once-cluttered expanse, now pristine and glistening. He had to remind himself to close his jaw as he marveled at the transformation. This wasn’t the same landfill he’d visited months ago during his patrol. It was clean, revitalized—almost unrecognizable.
"How…?" he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his golden hair. He knew the boy had mentioned working hard to keep fit and improve his physical condition, but this?
“All Might?” a voice gasped from behind him, drawing him out of his thoughts.
He whirled around, his hero persona kicking in immediately. Planting his hands on his hips, he gave a booming laugh, his trademark grin firmly in place. “Haha! It is I! You must be Midoriya-san!” he called jovially, straightening to his full height.
The woman standing next to his young protégé candidate blinked, stunned. She was petite, her green hair tied back neatly, with a few strands framing her round face. Freckles dusted her cheeks, and her green eyes—a softer, maternal version of Izuku’s—held a mix of disbelief and awe. There was no mistaking the resemblance between her and the boy beside her. She was exactly as the boy had described.
“A-All Might,” Izuku stammered beside her, his face glowing red as he gestured awkwardly. “Kaa-san, this is—uh, well, you already know. All Might.”
“Ma’am,” Toshinori said with a small bow, dialing down the bravado slightly. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Midoriya Inko seemed to find her voice, though it was soft and trembling. “I… I can’t believe it. You’re All Might. In my dreams, I never thought—” She glanced at Izuku, then back at Toshinori. “Why are you here? With my son?”
Toshinori chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yes, well, it’s a bit of a long story,” he admitted, shifting his stance. He gestured toward a nearby bench that overlooked the beach. “Would you mind if we sat down? There’s something very important I’d like to discuss with you.”
Inko hesitated, her protective instincts flaring as her gaze flicked to Izuku. “Is everything all right? Did something happen?”
“I promise, Midoriya-san,” Toshinori said gently, his tone earnest. “Your son is safe, and nothing has gone wrong. In fact…” He glanced at Izuku, who was fidgeting nervously. “I’m here because of something truly extraordinary.”
Still wary, but unable to ignore the warmth in Toshinori’s voice, Inko nodded slowly. “All right,” she said, clutching her purse tightly. “Let’s talk.”
The trio made their way to the bench. Izuku sat between them, his hands wringing nervously. Toshinori cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly. “Midoriya-san, I’d like to start at the beginning,” he said. “The day I first met your son.”
Inko’s brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. “The first time?”
“Yes,” Toshinori confirmed. “It was during the slime villain incident several months ago. Your son was the first victim of the villain, luckily I was able to save him. Afterward, he and I had a… conversation.” His voice softened, and he let out a sigh. “I told him something I regret deeply. I told him that, without a quirk, he couldn’t be a hero.”
Inko’s hands flew to her mouth, her wide eyes darting between her son and the number one hero. “You said that to him?”
“I did,” Toshinori admitted, his tone heavy with guilt. “I was wrong, and I’ve regretted it every day since. I have no excuse for my words.”
He looked to Izuku, whose face was downcast. “What I didn’t realize then was the strength of your son’s heart. That very day, he proved me wrong. He saw someone in danger—his childhood friend, Bakugo—and he acted. Without hesitation, without regard for his own safety, he ran into danger to save him.”
Toshinori sighed, and leaned back “Then, he saved me.” He paused and the gasp, before nodding “Yes, I’m not always ready to dispense justice,” he chuckled softly, “And he saved me the trouble of a trip to the hospital.”
Inko’s eyes filled with tears as she turned to her son. “Izuku… you never told me.”
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “It wasn’t a big deal, Kaa-san. I just… did what I had to do.”
“Not a big deal?” Inko’s voice rose, her emotions bubbling over. “Izuku, do you even hear yourself? Running into danger? Fighting villains? Acting like—like—” She gestured wildly, her words tumbling out frantically. “You’re not even in a hero school yet! You’re my son! You could’ve been hurt—or worse! And now I find out you’ve been sneaking around at night, putting yourself in danger again? Vigilantism, Izuku? Really? What were you thinking?”
Izuku shrank under her glare, mumbling, “I was just trying to help, Kaa-san…”
“Help?” Inko’s voice cracked, and her hands trembled as she clutched her purse. “Do you have any idea what it would do to me if something happened to you? If I got a call saying you’d been—been—” Her words faltered, and she buried her face in her hands. “I just don’t understand why you would take such risks.”
“Look around us,” he gestured broadly, his hand spanning the revitalized beach. “From what young Midoriya told me, he and a friend did this. All by themselves—they cleaned this portion of the beach up.”
Inko’s eyes widened further as she looked up, tears mixing with awe as she realized how strong her sons commitment was. “They did all this…?”
“Yes,” Toshinori continued, his voice gentle yet filled with admiration. “It may not be spotless yet, but three months ago, this area was nothing but landfill. Your son made that difference, not just saving people directly but improving the community as well. This is what a true hero does.”
Inko's worry settled over them like an oppressive blanket. Izuku sat frozen, guilt and shame etched into his face.
But then, Inko’s shoulders trembled, her tears glistened in the sunlight. Her voice softened, tinged with reluctant pride. “But you… you really did all this, didn’t you? The beach, saving people… all of it. You’re just like him.” She glanced at Toshinori, her expression a mixture of fear, admiration, and pride. “You’re trying to be a hero, even when the world tells you it’s impossible.”
“Kaa-san,” Izuku murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Inko reached over, gripping his hand tightly. “I’m scared, Izuku. I’m terrified. But… I can’t ignore what you’ve done. You’ve already saved so many people haven’t you? You’re… amazing, my baby boy. Just… promise me you’ll be safe. Please.”
Toshinori, watched the exchange, before he awkwardly cleared his throat. “Midoriya-san,” he said gently, “that’s why I’m here. To guide him, to train him. To make sure he stays safe while following this path.”
Inko nodded slowly, still clutching her son’s hand. “Then… promise me you’ll take care of him. He’s all I have.”
Toshinori stood, his grin returning. “You have my word, ma’am. He’ll be a hero—one the world will be proud of.”
She sighed, tears pouring down her face as she cupped her sons in her hands "He's already a hero that I'm proud of." and laughed lightly as Izuku squawked in embarrassment and Toshinori burst into booming laughter.