Chapter 3: The Wind in the Pines
For the first time in many of his years, Gran Torino feels… at peace.
The usually grumpy and often downright pessimistic old man stands on the spot where his life… he supposes… took a turn for the better. He never thought this place would bring him any peace of mind, yet here he is. Standing in the very spot where he and his foolish former student first met the brat whom Toshinori took in.
It's funny how things work out.
The retired Pro Hero looks up at the afternoon sky as he enjoys the gentle breeze that blows across his wrinkly face. The clear sky, where the color is showing visible signs of transitioning from blue to orange, is free of clouds. It is like the universe is blessing him with the gift of peace and solace. His chest rises when he takes a deep breath of fresh air. The salty smell of the ocean fills his lungs as he breathes in and out.
"I feel like a young man again." He sighs to himself with a rare smile as he looks at the scenery around him.
Takoba Municipal Beach Park is a sight to behold, with its dumps now completely cleared up and the entire shoreline clean and free of trash. The area is now completely free of the rubbish and debris that was previously there. Now, the beach resembles a paradise, with its pristine sands and crystal-clear water. Any hazards that it once posed to the public have disappeared. And it's all thanks to a single boy.
And that boy is none other than Izuku Midoriya.
He lets out a huff of amusement at the thought of his former student's successor. He swears that those two share many, if not most, of their similarities, and yet they're also very, very different at the same time. Both of them are determined individuals to the point of being rather reckless in their respective ways. Both of them are stubborn, although Toshinori is more stubborn than the kid. And both of them are smart in their own way. But above all else, both of them share the same passion: to become heroes who bring smiles to everyone.
Gran Torino can see that passion burning brightly within his emerald eyes. Even with his Quirklessness, he still wants to become a hero. He isn't dumb enough to not know that the kid may have faced countless forms of discrimination and prejudice. Yet, despite all that, his inner fire, though nearly extinguished, still burns strong. He doesn't give up. He doesn't back down. And he is still going on, no matter what. And he knows that when One For All finally ignites within him, it will blaze even brighter than ever.
That is why he has decided to help him.
He wanted to see if the kid really had potential. And so far, he's not disappointed.
He, in some ways or another, reminds him of Toshinori when the blonde buffoon was his age. There are differences, no doubt, but there are similarities nonetheless.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." He chuckles mentally.
He doesn't want to openly admit it, but the brat has grown on him. Sure, he could get on his nerves sometimes, but he can't deny the fact that he is fond of him. He likes him. And he knows that he's the right person to inherit the sacred Quirk.
"Heh. Guess you ain't as dumb as I like to think, Toshinori." The retired hero chuckles to himself with a small smirk, "You picked him well."
He continues to stare at the peaceful ocean in silence, with one hand holding his cane for support while the other one is behind his back. His wrinkly lips curl into a soft smile as the calm breeze ruffles his short gray hair. The waves softly roll in as the seagulls fly above him. The autumn afternoon coolness soothes his body, and he feels relaxed. While it is damn cold for his liking, he doesn't complain about it. Instead, he just basks in its soothing touch.
As the elderly man lets himself be in the moment, he hears the sound of footsteps approaching him. He turns around and sees a familiar green-haired boy jogging towards him. He is wearing his gym clothes. His face is painted with sweat, and his chest is rhythmically rising up and down as he breathes. And his emerald eyes are gleaming with excitement.
"Well, it's nice to see that he hasn't slacking off."Gran Torino mentally nods in approval.
"I'm here… Gran Torino." He pants as he comes to a stop, "Sorry for… for the wait."
"Hmph. Well, at least you're here." The old man huffs with a nod, "It's not like you were late or anything. I've only been waiting for 5 minutes."
"A-Ah. Uhm, good to know." The greenette awkwardly chuckles.
Gran Torino nods at him before he looks away to stare at the ocean again. He lets out a sigh as he watches the waves roll in and out. His heart, which has been hardened by his best friend's passing, softens slightly at the sight of the serene waters. Really, it's such a beautiful view.
Izuku, noticing the elderly man's serene mood, decides not to bother him. He simply stands there beside him in silence. He, too, stares at the ocean with a gentle gaze. His green eyes shine with serenity as he stares at the peaceful waters. He folds his hands on his chest, allowing himself to relax.
Both of them stand there in silence, with the sounds of the ocean being their only company. It's a very nice change of pace compared to their usual routine. While they know that training is essential in Izuku's path towards becoming a hero, they can't help but appreciate the moment of peace they have. It's really nice.
After several minutes of enjoying the scenery, Gran Torino speaks up.
"Speak your mind, boy." His voice carries its usual grumpiness, but with a subtle hint of gentleness.
Izuku, caught off guard by the sudden request, blinks in surprise. He turns his head and sees the old man still staring at the ocean. He notices a hint of a soft smile on his lips, but it is barely visible. His eyes, while still having their usual sharpness, are less sharp than before. And his wrinkled face is softer than before. It's like he's another person.
The sight of the grumpy old man looking so serene is a very, very rare sight to behold. And he doesn't want to miss it.
So he obliges.
"I… I wish to ask you something, s-sir. But, uhm, I'm just not sure how to word it." He tells him with a thoughtful frown while caressing his right, "It's… about your method of trying to call out One For All within me."
"…It's about me literally trying to beat One For All out of you, isn't it?" Gran Torino replies with a flat tone.
"…Y-Yeah." He nods, "I'm… I'm not exactly sure if that… method really works. I-I mean, it doesn't really make sense. And I'm pretty sure that it's not going to work. B-But I don't want to offend you. Believe me, sir, when I say that I trust your judgment. I really do. It's just that, uhm… I feel like there's something wrong with that method. I-I mean, uh, it doesn't seem logical at all. A-And I'm not sure why you're using that method instead of others. Not that there's anything wrong with it! I-I mean, uhm… I'm just wondering, is all."
Izuku wonders if he may have offended the old hero with his words. He waits nervously as Gran Torino's gaze is still on the ocean. The retired Pro Hero is silent for a moment, contemplating his response. Then, when he is about to apologize for probably stepping out of line, the old man speaks up with a sigh.
"Look, boy. It is unorthodox, I know. Is it effective? Probably not. But there's another reason than trying to beat One For All out of you." Gran Torino explains without looking at him.
"Another reason?" The young greenette blinks in confusion.
"To prepare you for the real world." The retired hero continues, his smile being replaced by his usual serious and stern look.
"…I-I don't exactly understand." He admits with a confused frown.
Gran Torino lets out another sigh before turning around. He then leans his weight on his cane as he looks at the greenette with a neutral frown. His old brown eyes show decades of experience and wisdom, and they pierce through the young boy's emerald orbs.
"The real world is harsh, boy. It is not all sunshine and rainbows, and whatever cartoon you watched on TV that taught you otherwise is complete bullshit." He bluntly tells him, "This world is cruel. There are villains and criminals who will do anything to get what they want. They don't care about other people. As long as they get what they want, they don't care about how many lives they destroy or even take. Innocent civilians, elders, fucking children—they don't give a crap."
The elderly man pauses for a moment as he takes a deep breath.
"Heroes don't care either. Well, they do, but not as much as they should." He continues with a low growl, "There are heroes who only care about fame and money. You know this, right?"
The image of The Elastic Tongue Hero: Flexor pops into his head, and Izuku can feel a very bitter taste in his mouth as he reluctantly nods in agreement. He can't deny that the man is a hero, but he's more of a showman than anything. He remembers how ecstatic and overjoyed the man was when cheers and applause rained down on him. It was, honestly, a disgusting display of narcissism and greed.
"Nh. Hero, like that blonde buffoon you insanely admire, is a rare gem in the sea of greedy bastards." Gran Torino grunts, "And hopefully, you will be like him, or even better. But here's the thing: you two are swimming against the current. You want to save people and do the right thing. That's good. But you'll face a lot of challenges along the way. One of them is constantly dealing with those gold-digging, fame-hungry bastards who only want to horde all of the glory for themselves. Believe me when I say that they will do ANYTHING to throw you out of the spotlight. They are aware that you're better than them, so they will do EVERYTHING to make sure that you won't steal the show from them. Like a bunch of hyenas, they'll devour you if you let your guard down."
"I… I see." The young boy nods with a contemplative frown, "Has… H-Has All Might ever experienced this? I mean, he's the Number 1 Hero in Japan. S-So I assume he has."
"He never told me. But I'm damn sure he had." Gran Torino snorts, "Everyone loves him, but he's not a messiah. Some heroes, like the ones I just mentioned, don't like him. But he ignores them and focuses on what he needs to do. He is a hero, and that's all he cares about. Sadly, there are times when those pricks don't want to back off. Fortunately, though, they are pussies who don't want to get into a fight with the Symbol of Peace. But there are a handful of them who are stupid enough to do it. That asshole, Endeavor, is an excellent example."
"W-Wait. Endeavor hates All Might? I thought it was just part of his persona." Izuku responded with a surprised frown.
"HA! I wish. No, the bastard actually hates All Might for some reason." The old man scoffs, "And the persona stuff? Well, that was what he wanted you to believe. The man is nothing but a self-entitled prick who wants to be the best. He'll do anything to get to the top. But sucks to be him; Toshinori is already at the top."
"O-Oh, okay." He mumbles with a hesitant nod.
"Anyway, what I'm trying to say here is that the world is a harsh place. But the world of heroes is even worse. Many wolves lurk within the shadows, waiting for the first opportunity to pounce on you." Gran Torino sighs with a shake of his head, "I know you're a good kid who wants to save people. You and Toshinori share the same ideal, and I'm happy that you're following it. But I want you to be prepared. I want you to be strong enough to be able to endure the harsh reality. And this is where my method comes in."
"Your method?" Izuku blinks in confusion.
"Yes. My method. It may seem unorthodox, but I assure you that it will help you in the long run." The elderly man tells him, "Look, boy. I know it is brutal, but by giving you the pain now, you will be able to withstand something much worse in the future. You have a hard life, and I can see that. You've been through a lot. It will be foolish of me to say that I understand your pain, but I can feel it. Being Quirkless is Hell-level tough. I know that. But there's more to this world than just Quirkless discrimination. And you need to prepare yourself for it."
He raises his cane and pokes his chest with its ferrule.
"I can say that your Quirkless life has already toughened you up. There are already many scars—on your body and your soul—from the discrimination and prejudice you have endured. But that's not enough to protect you from the harsh reality of the real world." Gran Torino continues, "What I'm doing is toughening you up even more. The pain you endure now is nothing compared to what you will experience in the future. And I want you to be prepared. If you can endure the pain now, then you can handle anything else that life throws at you."
Something within Izuku stirs at those words. And he feels a burning flame ignite within him. It feels like One For All is roaring within him. Gran Torino's words resonate deeply within him, and he finds himself being motivated even more than before. His emerald eyes gleam with a determination he never knew he had. His burning passion has risen to unimaginable heights, and he wants more of it. He wants to burn brighter than ever.
Gran Torino sees the change in his eyes, and he nods in satisfaction.
"Hmph. I see you get the point. Good." The elderly man huffs, "The world is not nice, kid. It is cruel and unforgiving. And you have to be prepared. I'm going to be hard on you because I want you to be ready for what's to come. Being a hero is a lot harder than you might think. There are countless black layers that you need to peel off. And there are dangers everywhere. The darkness won't let you go until you've given up everything."
He pauses for a moment as he stares into his eyes.
"So tell me, brat. Are you ready for it?" He asks him.
Izuku stares right back at him and nods without hesitation.
"Yes. I am." He answered with determination.
Gran Torino stares at him for a moment before smirking in approval. This kid, despite his wimpy and geeky nature, is a lot stronger than he likes to admit. His resolve is firm, and his heart is strong. He has the potential to become a great hero. If he dares say it, he will surpass Toshinori in no time. He is sure of it.
"Good." The old man nods as he lowers his cane.
Once again, Gran Torino shifts his gaze to the ocean. Izuku follows suit, and both of them stand there in silence. Their eyes stare at the glistening sea as the waves gently roll in and out. The sun is gradually descending to the horizon, and the sky is painted with beautiful orange and red hues. The breeze blows across their faces, and it feels refreshing.
It's a lovely view to behold.
"…Is there anything else you wish to ask me, brat?" Gran Torino speaks up after a long minute of silence.
Izuku hums thoughtfully for a moment before replying, "W-Well, there is one more thing."
The retired hero motions for him to continue, and so he does.
"It is about One For All." He begins, catching Gran Torino's attention, "I… I think I know how to call it out."
"Oh?" He turns around and looks at him with an interested expression, "Well, spill it, brat."
"I-I think I can activate it when I'm either irritated or in danger." The greenette explains, "Uhm, this is just my speculation, s-so I'm not sure if it's true. But I've been thinking about this, and I think that's the only way I can trigger it. Like, when I'm feeling very frustrated or when I'm facing a threat, the power within me stirs. It is like a reaction of some kind. And I think that's the way I can call out One For All. But, uhhhh, out of the two, I believe the latter is the main reason. At least, that's what I think."
Gran Torino hums at that while stroking his beard.
"That's interesting. Toshinori never had something akin to this, but then again, given the Quirk's unique nature, it won't be too shocking if this happens to you." He nods with an intrigued expression before casting a confused look at him, "And you came to this hypothesis how?"
"…You know what? Might as well spill some beans."He inwardly sighs.
Despite already being with them for 6 months, Izuku has told neither Gran Torino nor All Migth about his school life. Probably because he does not wish to burden them with his own personal issues. They are here to train him, after all. And he doesn't want to distract them. But, as the days went on, he slowly started to rethink his decision. So, after contemplating whether or not he should tell them, he decided to, at the very least, open up a little bit to the retired Pro Hero.
"Well, uhm… bullies." He simply answers with a nervous gaze.
"…Of fucking course." Gran Torino snorts with a shake of his head, "Bullies. Figures."
"Well, shouldn't be surprised there. Toshinori had to deal with the same shit back then." The old man muses with a sigh, "Dammit. Well, on the bright side, the brat is strong enough to endure those petty asshats. I just hope that he isn't too traumatized by all of this."
Despite this confidence, Gran Torino feels a hint of concern for the green-haired boy. Compared to back then, during All Might's high school years, the prejudice against Quirkless people has grown more severe. He has no doubt that the brats have treated the kid horribly. And while he wants the boy to be strong enough to handle them, he doesn't want him to be too emotionally scarred.
He internally shudders when he recalls the number of… Quirkless individuals who offed themselves before they even reached the age of 25. The statistics were appalling, and it made him wonder how their society could be so cruel to such a small group of people.
He hates it.
"And I bet that the 'punk from another school' he told me about this morning was actually his school bully. Ugh. I'll ask him more about it later." He decides as he turns his gaze back to the ocean, "For now, I just need to focus on helping the brat control One For All."
"Aight. Okay. There is that. So tell me. What exactly happened that allowed you to access One For All?" He asks him as he leans against his cane.
"Well… I was feeling irritated today, and the bullies only made it worse." He answers with a hesitant frown, "After that, I got into a fight with one of my… bullies, and I managed to activate it. Though, I was not aware of it until my arm started to hurt reallybad. I-I didn't use it consciously. I mean, I was frustrated at the time, but I never intended to use One For All."
"I see. So, like yesterday, you unintentionally used it." Gran Torino hums in thought before an expression of confusion crosses his face, "Wait. What do you mean by your arm started to hurt really bad?"
"I got the worst arm cramp the moment I used it." Izuku explains, "I felt like all of my muscles were twisted and torn apart. It was the worst pain I've ever felt."
"Ahhhh. You put in more output than your body can handle." The retired Pro Hero nods with an understanding look, "Well, that is too much to be expected. Even the smallest percentage of One For All is enough to completely wreck your body. It's a miracle that you haven't died yet."
Izuku tries not to go pale as he remembers the warning from both of his mentors about the extreme risks of using One For All. He's very lucky that his right arm isn't blown up into pieces. That would be a huge problem.
"But moving on. We still have a lot of ground to cover. The excessive output of the Quirk is the least of your current worries. We can deal with that much later." Gran Torino continues, "Right now, your biggest concern is trying to access One For All. You've managed to do it twice now, so that's a good start. Unfortunately, those times were unintentional. We need to get you to be able to activate it on command."
"H-How, exactly?" The greenette asks him.
"Hmmmmmm…" The retired hero strokes his beard as he thinks for a moment, "Your speculation about how you were able to activate it is… interesting. Negative emotions may play a role in activating One For All. However, I don't think it's as simple as just being angry or frustrated. But then about you being in some sort of danger; now that, while still not fully confirmed yet, is plausible. After all, there were many cases where an individual—particularly Late Bloomer—was able to activate their Quirk due to being in a life-threatening situation."
Izuku, upon hearing this, nods in agreement. It is true. He, too, has heard many stories of people (Pseudo-Quirkless) who gained their Quirks due to being in dangerous situations. Some of them were able to activate their Quirks when they were trapped in a building collapse, some when they were nearly run over by a car, and some when they were being attacked by a villain. It is a rather intriguing phenomenon.
"As much as I want to test your hypothesis, I don't think that it's a good idea to put your life on the line just to activate One For All." Gran Torino sighs as he shakes his head, "So for now, let's focus on the negative emotions. But not just anger. Maybe something more complex? Hm, but how exactly am I going to do that?"
The elderly man strokes his beard as he ponders a solution. While he wants to test the young boy's speculation about the Quirk, he also doesn't want him to be in harm's way. Putting one's life on the line is a stupid idea, especially when the one doing it is someone who has no control over a powerful Quirk that can kill him. Or, more precisely, someone who is unable to even call out said Quirk.
However, as the elderly man is digging through his mind for ideas and the boy is standing there in silence, they suddenly hear a faint scream coming from the street. Perking up, Izuku snaps his head towards the source of the sound, and he sees several civilians running away from something. Not soon after, the sound of an explosion goes off, and a column of fire erupts in the distance. The civilians are screaming in panic and fear as they run away from the source of the chaos. The sounds of consternation and terror echo throughout the beach as people flee from whatever threat is rampaging the streets.
At that moment, the greenette becomes aware of what is happening.
Villain attack.
"Goddammit…" Gran Torino mutters under his breath before sighing exasperatedly, "Aight, kid. Go home. We can train tomorrow morning like always. But for now, you should-"
Unfortunately, Izuku, whose hero instinct has taken over, does not listen to him. Instead, he sprints towards the chaos without hesitation. His mind is clouded with worry and fear for the innocent civilians, and he only thinks about saving them. Screw safety! He, as a future hero, has a responsibility to help people in need. And he won't hesitate to fulfill it.
Gran Torino watches him run off in the distance before sighing heavily.
"Fucking hell, Toshinori. Your successor is just like you." He groans in annoyance.
Knowing that having another lost in his life is not a good thing for his heart and soul, the retired hero follows the boy as fast as his old legs can carry him while grumbling and cursing under his breath. He decides that he'll use his Jet when he gets close enough. Better save some juice for the big moment.
When Izuku arrived at the scene of the crime, he was greeted by the sight of absolute chaos. People are running and screaming as they scramble past him, even bumping into him in the process. Some of them are bleeding and injured, while others are completely unscathed. The sounds of explosions and screams are heard from up ahead. It is clear that the villain—or villains—are still causing havoc.
Casting a worried gaze at the civilians, he notices that a group of heroes have already arrived and are actively attempting to evacuate them to safety. Police are also present, and they are trying to maintain order and ensure the safety of everyone. The heroes are using their Quirks to assist the police with the evacuation. One of the heroes, a man with a bull's head and a pair of horns growing out from his temples, picks up a few civilians and rushes them to safety. Another hero, a man with a fish head, is using his hydrokinesis Quirk to create a protective barrier around a few people.
"They are arriving so fast and doing a great job evacuating everyone." Izuku mentally notes with a nod of approval, "But what about the villains?"
With his resolve renewed, the greenette silently slips through the crowd and heads towards the source of the chaos. He quickly hides behind the wall of a nearby building to avoid being spotted by the heroes and police. His heart is like a jackhammer, and his nerves are getting worse as the seconds pass. Is this dangerous? Of course, it is! Is it insane? Bet your head on it!
But he doesn't care about that.
His fear and nervousness be damned. He knows that he has to do something. So he will. There's a slim chance that some civilians remain trapped in the danger zone. And as a future hero, he has to save them. Even if he gets into trouble, he doesn't care. Both his soul and heart are demanding that he do something, and he listens to them.
Clenching his fists, he turns to the corner of the building and peeks at the scene of the crime. Fires are burning brightly as debris and chunks of concrete are scattered everywhere. It is clear that several buildings have been destroyed. The air reeks of smoke and soot, and it makes it difficult to breathe. And to top it off, there's a handful of heroes who are currently facing a single villain.
"Only one villain. That's good. But the villain himself is…" His train of thought trails off as he stares at the villain in question, "H-Holy crap…"
The villain, who looks to be around his mid-twenties, is a huge man who has a muscular physique. His body screams 'power' as his muscles bulge and strain against the tight spandex suit he's wearing. His face is covered by a skull mask, which does nothing to hide his psychotic and murderous smile. However, what really sells out his appearance is his Quirk: from his fists all the way up to his elbow, there is a magmatic substance. Burning flairs are coming out of his elbows as his fists are blazing with heat.
"H-He has a Quirk that allows him to create lava."Izuku internally concludes as he tries to suppress his Quirk geek side, "Well, that can't be good at all for anyone involved."
Other than that villain, various heroes—all of whom are not big names—are present. They are evidently having a hard time fighting him. Battered and beaten, they are doing their best to stop the villain. While the chance for them to win is not slim, it's still far from being favorable. The villain's Quirk is perfect for causing a lot of damage, and it's very difficult to contain. He can melt down anything within seconds. And that is not good.
What's more is that he can shoot fireballs from his hands. And not just normal ones. The fireballs are blazing hot, and they are fast. Really fast. He doesn't need a degree in science to know that the fireballs are hot enough to burn people alive. And judging from how the heroes are frantically trying to fight the villain, it seems like they know this.
He has to dive away when a fireball nearly hits him. The heat and intensity of the flames are insane, and he feels his face being burned by them. The pain is not unbearable, but it is still painful. He hisses as he frantically waves his hands to blow out the embers that are sticking to his clothes and hair. Thankfully, it's nothing serious.
But it is a clear reminder that he needs to be careful.
Sighing, he peeks out from behind the wall and stares at the villain. It is clear that the maniacal villain is having a fantastic time. He laughs maniacally as he melts everything in his path. With a swing of his left hand, a series of blazing fireballs are shot out, and the heroes dive out of the way. They are lucky that the fireballs didn't hit anyone. Still, the devastation that the projectiles left is rather concerning.
With a heavy frown, he lets his green eyes wander around the utterly chaotic battlefield to give him a plausible reason for setting foot in an extremely dangerous zone. The notion of a civilian(s) still trapped in the chaos is, arguably, a foolish thought for him to have. After all, all of the heroes have evacuated everyone in the vicinity, so it is unlikely that anyone is trapped here. Maybe it is to justify his impulsive and reckless behavior, but he won't take even the smallest of chances. If there's someone who is in need of help, he will help them.
And that is what he is going to do right now, as foolish and dangerous as it might be.
Steeling his resolve even further, he carefully and silently makes his way to a different area of the battlefield. His emerald eyes scan the surroundings as he dashes from one cover to another. He makes sure that no one sees him as he runs from one hiding spot to another. He can hear the villain's taunting voices as he tries to incite fear and anger in the heroes. More magmatic fireballs are being shot out, and the heroes are desperately dodging them.
Izuku hops and rolls behind a fallen piece of concrete before letting out a sigh of relief. So far, he hasn't been spotted yet. The heroes and villain are too busy fighting to notice him. But he has to be careful. One wrong move, and it's game over.
"All right. Okay. Now what?" He asks himself as he looks around the battlefield.
Scorched buildings and melted concrete are scattered everywhere. Flames are blazing bright as smoke rises up to the sky. The sounds of explosions, screams, and taunts can be heard from the ongoing battle. He has to admit that he's a little bit scared. Despite being held hostage by that sludge villain months ago and his second encounter with him when it was Katsuki's turn, he's still a bit anxious about being in a direct confrontation with a villain. But his anxiety is overwhelmed by his determination to save people.
"All right. So far, there's no civilian that I can see." He mentally notes, "But that doesn't mean that they're not here. They could be trapped in the rubble somewhere or hiding behind a cover. I just need to find them."
Some say that this line of thought is insane and suicidal, and they are right. He is fully aware of it. But he can't help it. He is a hero at heart, and he has to do what heroes do. Again, there's a slim chance that there's someone trapped in here. His instinct is telling him to search the area for any signs of survivors who might be unable to escape on time and on their own.
And he trusts his instincts.
With that in mind, the greenette continues his foolish personal quest of searching the area.
He ducks and hides behind an overturned car when he notices a hero who is trying to put out a fire. A part of him has the urge to go over and offer his assistance. But he ignores it. He's here to search for any possible trapped civilians, not to help the heroes. As much as he wants to help them, he must focus on his current mission.
With that in mind, he continues searching.
"All right. So far, nothing." He notes as he moves away from the car, "The heroes have cleared the area, so I don't think that there's anyone here. But just to make sure, I'll check this area before moving on to the next."
And so he does. Walking deeper into the area, he is greeted by a scene of absolute devastation. Debris and concrete are scattered everywhere. Chunks of concrete and metal are melting as magmatic flames burn brightly. He has to shield his face from the intense heat as he moves through the burning hell. Hissing and grunting, he covers his nose and mouth with his left arm as he continues his search. His emerald eyes scan the area as he makes his way towards a cluster of fallen buildings.
The sounds of battle and chaos are getting fainter, and the greenette feels a slight sense of relief. However, he also feels a hint of disappointment. Even though he knows there's probably no one here, a part of him still wishes that there were still trapped civilians for him to save. Even if he doesn't find anyone, he'll continue to search for them. He doesn't want to leave any stones unturned.
"Just in case. I may sound paranoid, but better safe than sorry." He tells himself this with a mental nod.
As he continues to look around, he suddenly hears a faint whimper from somewhere. Freezing, he looks around with a confused frown. Did he hear that right? Or is it just his imagination? He isn't sure. Still, he strains his ears to hear it again.
Then there it is.
A faint whimper can be heard. It's very faint, but it's definitely there. It sounds like someone is in pain and terrified. The thought of someone being hurt and scared makes his heart ache. He has to find that person and help them.
"Okay, that confirms it. I'm not imagining it. There's really someone here." He concludes as his frown deepens, "Okay, where is it coming from?"
Clenching his fists, he carefully makes his way to the source of the sound. His emerald eyes scan the area for any signs of someone being trapped under the debris. He knows that it will be a challenge, given that everything is covered in rubble and flames. But he has to try. He has to save whoever it is.
"Okay. Okay. Okay. Don't panic. You're going to save them. You just need to-" His thoughts are interrupted by a pained cry, "Oh crap!"
Sprinting towards the source of the sound, he spots a huge pile of debris and concrete. And underneath it, he spots a person. A girl roughly the same age as him has deep, glossy black with silver streaks, medium-length hair, and a pair of striking silver eyes with slitted pupils, which are brimming with tears of fear and terror. Her face, which has a horizontal scar mark on her left cheek, is pale, and her body is shaking as she tries to free herself from the heavy debris pinning her down. More specifically, her legs. Her lower legs are pinned underneath a rather large piece of concrete. And judging from her agonized cries, it is obvious that her legs are either fractured or broken. She tries to push the debris off, but to no avail. It is too heavy for her.
It is clear that she is in a lot of pain. And she needs help.
And he'll give it to her.
Looks like his impulsive and reckless decision is paying off. For now, at least.
"By Lady Amaterasu…!" He swears under his breath as he quickly runs towards her, "H-Hold on! I'm coming!"
The girl turns her head to look at him with a startled look. The fear in her eyes is still there, but it is slowly being replaced by hope as she watches him sprint towards her. His heart is beating rapidly within his chest as he reaches for her. He can feel his body trembling in trepidation as he rushes towards her, but he ignores it. He has to help her.
He slides to his knees when he reaches her. His hands find their way to hers as he holds them in a gentle yet firm grip. The sound of her sobbing and whimpers fills his ears as she stares up at him. Her silvery orbs are wide and brimming with tears. She looks so vulnerable and scared. It hurts him to see her like this.
"P-Please… Please, save me…" She begs him with a cracked voice.
"Don't worry, miss. I am here. And I will." He tells her with a determined expression as he squeezes her hands reassuringly, "I promise."
Izuku lets go of her hands before turning his attention to the debris pinning her. Thankfully, the debris is not extensive enough to cause severe complications for her legs, nor will it make the situation even worse when he tries to lift it. Still, it is quite big. He will need to exert a significant amount of strength in his arms to lift it off her. But he's not sure if he has the strength to do it.
"One For All…"
A sudden feeling of frustration washes over him, and he grits his teeth in anger.
"If only… No. Not now." He inwardly curses himself as he tries to force it down, "I cannot complain about it when this girl needs help. I have to save her."
With that in mind, he places his hands underneath the debris. Taking several breaths to calm himself down, he tries to lift the debris. Unfortunately, it is too heavy for him to lift. No matter how hard he tries, he can't lift it. Groans and grunts start to escape his lips as he pushes with all his might, but to no avail. The debris refuses to budge. It is like an unmovable boulder.
Still, he does not give up.
"Please. Y-You have to save me." The girl pleads as tears begin to stream down her face.
"I-I will, miss." Despite his strained voice from the effort of trying to lift the debris, he sounds reassuring as he briefly flashes her a smile, "I will."
The girl whimpers and sniffles as she watches him try to lift the debris. She can see the muscles in his arms straining and bulging as he tries to lift the huge chunk of concrete. It is clear that he's using all his strength to lift it. Unfortunately, it is futile. The debris is simply too heavy for him to lift. Not even a centimeter.
But he refuses to give up.
The girl can see the sweat pouring down from his forehead as his face is scrunched up in exertion. His bare, gritted teeth are clenched tightly as he struggles to lift the debris. His arms are shaking, and his veins are popping out. And yet, despite all of that, he still tries. He tries with all his strength.
It is a heart-pounding sight to behold.
Unfortunately, after several moments of useless struggling, his hands slip off from under the debris as he staggers and falls onto his bottom. He pants as he tries to catch his breath. He feels exhausted, and his arms are aching. He looks at the debris, and his face turns into an expression of frustration and disappointment.
"Dammit!" He pounds his fist onto the ground.
This is extremely disheartening. He's trying his best to lift the debris, but to no avail. He's putting all of his strength into it, but the debris is simply too heavy. His entire body is aching from the effort, and his arms are screaming in pain. But he does not care. He needs to save this girl. He refuses to even let a single soul be in danger.
So he has to try harder.
Moving his gaze from the debris to the girl, he sees her staring at him with a look of desperation and fear. She is sobbing and whimpering as she pleads with him with her silver eyes, which are even more tearful than before. She is completely terrified of being left here to die.
And that is something he refuses to let happen.
With a hard, determined gaze, he gets up and once more slips his hands beneath the debris. His emerald eyes stare right into her silvery ones. Her eyes are wide, with tears streaming down her face. But within those orbs of hers, he can see the slightest hint of hope. And that is enough to ignite his resolve.
"Hold on, miss. I promise you that everything will be fine. I am here." He assures her with a soft tone, "I'm going to save you. Just stay strong."
The girl, despite the overwhelming pain she's experiencing and the overflowing dread within her, manages to give him a weak nod. It is enough to make him smile with reassurance. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes as he focuses his mind on one goal: saving the girl.
And he will do it.
"Lady Amaterasu… Lord Susanoo… Please grant me your divine strength. I need it." He inwardly prays to the two Gods as he takes several breaths to calm himself.
Despite the stacking odds, he refuses to give up. A life is in his hands for him to save, and he won't back down just because the situation is difficult. No! He will do everything in his power to save a life. He will not let it slip through his fingers! Being a future hero, it is his obligation and duty to save people. And he'll fulfill it.
Even when One For All is still dormant within him, he'll use all of his strength to save this girl. Quirk or no, he refuses to back down. He will save her, no matter what!
So, with a steely, tenacious gaze and his entire body burning with resolve, he gives it another try. No matter how painful and exhausting it is, he refuses to give up.
He will be a hero who will bring smiles to everyone!
That is his promise!
And with a mighty grunt, he once again tries to lift the debris. His muscles strain, and his arms are shaking, but he doesn't care. All of his attention is focused on lifting the debris. His teeth are clenched tightly as veins pop out in his head from the sheer effort he's exerting. A determined yet frustrated expression is painted across his face as he pushes and pushes with all his might. Sweat pours down his face like raindrops as he channels all his strength into lifting the debris off. His emerald eyes burn with fiery passion as his resolve continues to burn even brighter than before.
The debris does not budge, but he will not back down.
He continues on, no matter the obstacles. Whatever it takes, he will save this girl and bring her to safety. He won't let her die under his watch. Never!
One way or another, no matter how long it will take and how painful it will be for him to undertake it, he will save her!
And that is when One For All finally awakens.
Electric sparks of energy are beginning to crackle in his arms. Emerald-green energy begins to form around his forearms as he continues to lift the debris. His face is a picture of determination, as his emerald eyes beautifully glow in pure resolve. A roaring flame burns deep within his emerald orbs as a feeling of strength courses throughout his entire being. A burning determination.
The ember within his heart is lit ablaze. The fire burns brightly. The blaze is roaring. And the inferno of passion ignites his very soul.
It feels different than it did when he accidentally tapped on it. No, it feels stronger than before. More potent and clearer. The fire inside him is burning brightly, filling him with a strange sense of empowerment. And with this, he feels his strength surging through his body.
Unlike those fleeting moments where the Quirk only came out when he was in danger, this one is completely different. It feels almost natural. Like how it is always supposed to be. How it was always meant to be.
The power of One For All is rising within him.
His will to save this innocent girl is fueling the Quirk to awaken. His heart's desire to save and protect the weak is resonating with One For All, bringing forth its true potential. Its raw strength is coursing through his veins as it answers his wish to save the girl. His strong determination to save has caused the sacred torch to emerge from within.
The dormant flame of One For All is set ablaze. The fire roars and burns within his heart, filling him with a sense of power and strength unlike any other. His resolve and determination are burning brightly as they resonate with the Quirk deep within him. His soul is calling out to it, and it answers to the call.
His burning resolve. His desire to save people. His wish to become a hero.
These burning desires are lighting the flame that resides within him.
His soul yearns.
His heart desires.
His Quirk answers.
Emerald electric energy is beginning to glow and pulse around his arms. One For All is slowly surfacing.
It heeds his call.
And it happily responds to him.
And with one final grunting heave, he lifts the debris off her legs and throws them away. The concrete lands a short distance away as it explodes into countless pieces. A plume of dust erupts from where it crashed. However, neither he nor the girl care for that.
She's finally saved.
"M-My goodness…" The girl whispers in absolute awe.
Izuku, with his breath ragged and his muscles burning, especially in his arms, manages to flash her a smile. While the pain in his muscles is intense, it's nothing to him. What matters most is that she's now free. He has saved her, and that is the only thing that counts.
"I-I did it… I…! I did it!! YES!!!" He internally cheers, feeling an immense wave of relief washing over him, "Thank the Gods!"
With him still panting hard and his reddened face covered in sweat, he brings his arms forward for him to inspect them. They are slightly red with visible veins popping out, and they are a bit sore from the effort. But one thing that really catches his interest is the green electrical aura-like energy that is crackling around them. He stares at it with an expression of awe and amazement.
"Is this… Is this One For All?" He asks himself as he moves his arms around to feel the strange energy, "This… This is amazing!"
For a moment, he's completely transfixed by the emerald aura-like energy that is surrounding his arms. The faint sound of electric sparks can be heard as the emerald energy pulses and flickers. Not only that, but he can feel the coursing power within him. It's like a streaming river of pure strength and energy. It is a bit painful—almost to a cramping point—but he doesn't care about it. All he cares about is that he managed to activate One For All.
He does not know for how long he has been using it, but he knows that it's going to be short. He can feel the Quirk beginning to die down, and the emerald aura-like energy is starting to dim. Soon, the strange energy will fade away.
However, despite the fact that energy is no longer around his arms, he still feels the same surge of power and strength. Unlike before, when the power dissipated and he couldn't access it again, he now feels the power still within him. The energy is still there. The surge of power is still there. The river of strength and energy is still there.
And he can still access it.
"I… I-I wonder if…"
"S-Sir?" The girl calls out to him.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he turns his gaze towards the girl. Her silvery orbs are staring at him in confusion and amazement. Her face is still pale, and her body is shaking from the pain and terror of almost being crushed to death. But despite that, he can see the awe and gratitude in her eyes.
"O-Oh. Uhhhhh, oops. I-I'm sorry." He apologizes with a sheepish smile as he kneels next to her.
With a weak giggle, the girl tries to sit up, but the pain is too much for her. She groans as her face contorts in agony. When two pairs of eyes glide down toward her legs, it is clear why she's in so much pain. She chokes up a gasp of horror when she sees her lower legs, and Izuku has to suppress a grimace of his own.
Her legs are a mess.
Both of her legs are covered in blood and dirt, and they're twisted at unnatural angles. Fortunately, no bones are poking out of the skin. Still, it's a horrible sight to behold. The injuries are enough to make her faint, but she holds it in. She does not want to pass out right now. She has to be strong.
"Oh dear…" Izuku winces in sympathy as he stares at her broken legs.
She whimpers in fear and pain as she looks at the state of her legs. More tears start to stream down her face as she begins to sob in terror. Her lower legs are a bloody mess, and she fears that they will never heal properly. She doesn't think that even he can fix her legs.
But she hopes that he can.
"A-Am… Am I going to be okay?" She asks him with a cracked voice.
Izuku gently grasps her hands in his, causing her to look at him.
"Don't worry, miss. Everything's going to be okay." He assures her with a soft tone as he flashes her a reassuring smile.
His thumbs gently caress her knuckles as he tries to soothe her. It works somewhat, as she manages to calm down a little bit. She sniffs as she gives him a nod. Things may look awful now, and she isn't sure if the future is going to be bright for her, but she knows that everything will be okay. She'll be safe and sound.
This boy has saved her.
"Th-Thank you. Thank you so much for saving me." She tells him with a tearful smile.
Izuku only nods with a hum as his warm smile never leaves his face. He knows that the pain in her legs must be excruciating. If the injuries were more severe, then… it would have been better if they were amputated. But he hopes that her legs can be healed.
With another gentle stroke on her knuckles, he lets go of her hands before standing up to think of what he should do next. He has to take her somewhere safe so that her wounds can be tended to. And he has to do it quickly.
But her legs pose a challenge to him. The injuries are severe, and he can't carry her with her legs like this. So he needs to at least make sure that they're stable. Unfortunately, he knows jackrabbit about medical procedures. He might end up making the injuries worse if he tries to carry her with her legs in this state.
So what should he do?
"Okay… Okay… Okay… Keep your head on the game there, Izuku. Don't panic." He tells himself as he takes several deep breaths to calm down, "Now what should I do?"
He can't leave her here to get help. And he can't call someone for help since his phone is in his room, charging after a whole day of usage. He's in quite a pinch here. But he doesn't let it get to him. No! His head must be above the water. So, what should he do?
He looks down at his forest green track jacket, which is covered in dust and dirt.
"…Wait a minute!"
An idea pops into his head.
He hastily pulls down the zipper of his track jacket, where his black 「戦え!」 T-shirt is exposed underneath. Taking his jacket off, he quickly assesses its potential for stabilizing her legs. Without any rigid materials around, he'll have to improvise with what he has.
"Here goes noting…"
Izuku kneels beside her, his hands moving with determined precision despite his lack of medical knowledge. He rips the sleeves off his jacket, making two long strips of fabric. He then carefully rolls the main body of the jacket into a firm, elongated shape.
"Okay, this might hurt a little, but I need to keep your legs still." He explains, his voice gentle but urgent.
She nods weakly, tears still streaming down her face.
Wetting his dry lips due to the stressful situation, Izuku places the rolled-up jacket along the outside of her injured leg, providing some support. Using the ripped sleeves, he ties the jacket in place, securing it above and below the most injured areas. He takes extra care to ensure the ties are snug but not too tight, not wanting to cut off her circulation.
He repeats the process on her other leg, tearing the sleeves of his own T-shirt—exposing his upper arms—and securing another piece of clothing along her leg's length. This tie is unfortunately quite shorter and less effective, but it's the best he can manage with the limited resources available.
"Alright, that should help a bit." Izuku says, trying to sound reassuring despite his uncertainty.
The girl, who has been stifling pained groans, whimpers, and gasps throughout his treatment, manages to give him a weak smile as she nods, grateful for his efforts.
"Th-Thank you again, sir." She whispers with a tearful smile.
Izuku gives him a curt nod before looking at his handiwork on her legs. It is definitely not professional, but at least her legs are now stable. Well, he hopes that they are stable enough. Hopefully, they won't get even worse by the time she's treated by medical professionals.
"Right. Problem one is solved. Now onto the next problem: carrying her out of here."
With another lick on his dry lips to moisten them up, he stands up and looks down at the girl. She is looking back at him, her silvery eyes still filled with tears but also with gratitude. He brings his knuckle to his mouth as he bites down on it in deep thought. His emerald eyes dart around the area as he tries to find something to use as a makeshift stretcher. Unfortunately, they are either destroyed beyond use or too hazardous for him to use.
So he'll have to improvise again.
With another deep breath to ease his drumming heart, he turns his gaze back to the girl. She looks back at him with a confused and nervous gaze. He once again kneels before her and gently grasps her hands.
"Listen. I'm going to carry you out of here, okay?" He softly tells her, "It's the only way to get you to safety. Now, I-I will be lying if I say that it will be a smooth walk, but I promise I will be extra careful as to not injure you further. Okay?"
The girl nods meekly, "O-Okay."
With a nod of his own, he releases her hands and moves away slightly so he will have a comfortable standing spot for when he is about to lift her. When he believes that everything is partially ready, he slowly and carefully snakes his arms around her body. He doesn't want to accidentally aggravate her injuries or make her uncomfortable. The girl lets out a small gasp when he touches her. She stiffens up momentarily, but soon relaxes when she realizes that he's not going to hurt her or do anything awful to her.
"Okay, I'm going to lift you now." He informs her.
"P-Please do." She whispers.
Taking another deep breath, he carefully lifts her off the ground and into his arms. He's doing it as slowly and gently as possible to not agitate her injuries. He cradles her as cautiously as possible to minimize any movement in her legs. She gasps in pain, but manages to keep from crying out. Despite the small movements, her legs are still in immense pain.
"O-Oh, God. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He apologizes when she whimpers.
She gives him a weak smile, "I-It's okay. It's okay. It's… I-It's okay. I can endure it. I-I'm a big girl."
He frowns slightly, but decides that they have neither time nor the luxury to argue about this. He has to take her to safety as fast as possible. She might be in immense pain, but at least she isn't being crushed to death. So he'll have to make do with this situation.
"I can see that. Uhm, y-you're a strong girl." He tries to praise her.
Despite the pain, she manages to giggle weakly, "Th-Thank you. I came from tough blood."
"Really? Well, g-good for you, miss." He chuckles as he slowly carries her away from the danger zone, "Now, let's go. The sooner we get you out here, the sooner you'll-"
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A deep, rough, and almost maniacal voice interrupts him.
Izuku freezes at the sound of that voice, and he can feel the girl in his arms stiffen up as well. His body tenses up as he turns to face the owner of the voice. And sure enough, the lava villain who caused this entire chaos is standing there, staring at him—and, by extension, the girl—with his blazing eyes that hold gleeful malice and madness within them.
"A little man trying to play a hero, eh?" The villain taunts as he slowly approaches them with manic cackles, "Oh, how adorable."
"Oh, come on…"
The greenette backs away, feeling fear and dread starting to take over his body. However, he refuses to let it take control of him. No! He won't let this maniac get to hold his heart in his sinister grip. He has to stay strong and calm.
And when he hears the girl let out a deep, choked whimper, he realizes that he must protect her. He promised to save her, and he'll fulfill that promise. He'll protect her from this psychopathic villain. He glances at her, who is on the verge of heavy tears due to the immense fear she is experiencing in the presence of this monster, then glares back at the villain with a hard, determined look. He's not going to let this madman lay a single finger on her.
As a hero aspirant, he will protect this girl from this villain.
And besides, he already made a promise to save her. And if there's one thing that Izuku Midoriya deeply refuses to do in his entire life, it's breaking a promise.
He doesn't care if the villain has a dangerous and all-powerful Quirk. He's going to do everything in his power to protect this girl. He won't let this villain harm her. He will protect her.
No matter what.