Chapter 9: Flame of Fudō Myōō
"So that's what happened, ey? HAH! I shouldn't be so surprised that you did something super insane, Young Midoriya!" All Might, in his skinny form, comments with an amused chuckle.
"…Is that a critique or a compliment, All Might?" Izuku questions in a dry tone as he stares at the blonde man with a pointy look.
"Maybe." The Number 1 Hero shrugs with a small grin before taking another bite of his Onigirazu that he had packed from home for Izuku and himself to share, "But on a more serious note, you should weigh down the risks and consequences of certain things before you go doing something reckless again, Young Midoriya. While your actions were indeed heroic, they can also put you and everyone else in grave danger."
"I know. I know. Mom, Gran Torino, and the police gave me a lecture about that when I got home." He tells him with a shameful groan, "But what else was I supposed to do? Leave her or Gran Torino to die? I can't do that."
"I am aware of that, kiddo. But you should be aware of your current capabilities." All Might advises, "You are still young, and you are still learning. Not to mention, you have yet to learn how to activate One For All properly. So, you must be more cautious. Because if you're not careful, you might end up getting severely injured. Or worse. If that happens, what will become of your dream of becoming a hero?"
"…Ugh, I know, All Might. I'm sorry." He nods in understanding as he lowers his head, "I just… I don't want to let anyone die."
"A sentiment I deeply share." The older male assures him with a soft smile, "But I am serious, Young Midoriya. Please be more careful. You must know the line between when you should and should not act. As a hero, it is an important trait you need to have. I do not want you to repeat my mistake, thus sharing the same fate as me. Do you understand?"
Izuku looks at the blonde man for a moment before sighing and nodding, "Okay, All Might. I… I will be more extra careful next time."
"That's the spirit, Young Midoriya!" All Might cheers, "But at the same time, I also want to congratulate you on saving that girl's life. It took courage and determination to do that. And that is commendable."
Izuku blinks before smiling, "Thanks, All Might."
All Might smiles back at him before taking another bite of his Onigirazu. Izuku follows his lead and takes another bite of his Onigirazu, which his mentor has graciously bought for him.
It is Sunday afternoon, where the sun is high in the sky and the air is warm and pleasant. The sky is blue and cloudless. The wind is cool and refreshing. And the temperature is just the perfect amount of comfort—not too hot and not too cold. It is the perfect weather for a relaxing stroll or a picnic.
Or, in their cases, training in their usual spot of Takoba Municipal Beach Park until sunset.
At least, that was the initial plan.
After the Symbol of Peace finished his mission in Hiroshima yesterday evening, he quickly made a call with his pupil to catch up and to know if he had made any progress in his training. He did not expect to hear that he had finally awakened One For All, but he was elated to hear that nonetheless. Not wanting to spoil himself, he instructed the lad to meet him at Takoba today at 9 to begin his training.
Which is what they are… well, were doing.
But, unfortunately, fate decided to have other plans for the two.
While they were training (or, more precisely, All Might—in his skinny form since he doesn't want to attract that massive attention—overseeing Izuku' training in hand-to-hand combat in the form of a more refined Karate), the beach started to become crowded with people. Gradually, the space that the two of them have been using has become filled with picnickers and families. They were forced to stop their training and move to the other side of the beach, which is still rather empty. But even that place is gradually becoming more crowded as well.
And here they are now: sitting on the sand and eating Onigirazu that All Might has bought for both of them, trying to relax themselves for a moment.
"I'm glad that you're okay, by the way." All Might says after taking another bite of his Onigirazu, "When Gran Torino called me about what happened, I was about to cancel my mission and fly over there immediately. I swear, my heart was almost ripped out of my chest."
Izuku gulps his mouthful of food before nodding, "Y-Yeah. I'm sorry for worrying you, sir."
The older man chuckles while patting his student on the shoulder, "Don't be, boy. It was partly my fault for leaving you while I was supposed to teach you. I should have known better than to leave you alone with Sorahiko-Sensei. As your mentor, I should have known better."
The boy smiles at that, "It's okay, All Might. You were called for an important mission, and I don't want to keep you from doing that."
Another chuckle escapes the gaunt man's lips, "Well, regardless. I am glad that you're okay. And I also heard that you managed to activate One For All."
The greenette nods with a smile, "Yes, sir. Unlike before, when it would just appear for a second and then disappear, this one felt like I'd tapped into it. And even when it disappeared, I could still feel the Quirk inside me."
"Interesting." The blonde muses while stroking his chin, "However, you also mentioned you can't… call it forth anymore. What do you mean by that?"
Izuku takes another bite of his Onigirazu before answering, "I-I don't know how to describe it. When I first used it, it felt like a… l-like a fleeting ghost: the Quirk was there for a moment, and then it was gone. And then, while fighting the magma villain, I felt this… this… th-this… I-I don't know. What I'm trying to say is that I feel something. Even now, I can still feel it. Like… Like a candle. Or something. It feels close… but at the same time, far."
All Might hums thoughtfully as he takes another bite of his Onigirazu, "Hmmm… That is interesting indeed. But… you also mentioned that you were able to use One For All for an extended period of time. How did you manage that?"
Izuku pauses for a moment, not really knowing the answer to that question. In helping gather his thoughts, he takes another bite of his Onigirazu before continuing.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know." He admits with a small shrug, "I-I just… It happened during a heated and chaotic moment, so I was… impulsively thinking about saving the girl. I… d-don't know how exactly, but… I just did. The Quirk appeared, and then I used it to save her. Then, I used it again against the villain. But after that, One For All just… didn't work anymore. It felt like it just faded away. I-I mean, I can still feel the Quirk—it's still there—but I can't… I-I can't really tap into it like before. It feels… weird. Like… I-It's there, but it isn't. I can't access it the same way I did back then."
The skinny man hums thoughtfully as he strokes his chin, "Hmmm… This is indeed a strange occurrence."
"…How did you manage to use it so easily, All Might?" Izuku suddenly asks him, prompting the man to turn his attention to him, "I… I-I will admit that this Quirk is very complicated to understand and very complex to handle. I-I mean, of course, that me being Quirkless has something to do with my inexperience in using a Quirk, let alone one that is as unique and powerful as this. But… I-I can't help but wonder how you can use it like it's natural."
All Might pauses for a moment before sighing softly, "Well, Young Midoriya. I… think that my answer may or may not discourage you a bit. But I'll tell you regardless."
With a slight frown, Izuku nods, "Please."
Another sigh escapes the gaunt man's lips before he begins his explanation, "To be honest, when my late master passed on the Quirk to me when I was around your age, I… could naturally use it like it's my own Quirk. Of course—and I really mean it—there were some struggles. But, uhhhhhh, it wasn't as hard as you're going through right now. So… yes. My experience with it was relatively smooth. And, in all honesty, I… really don't know how I managed to use it. I just did. I-It just came to me naturally."
"…Oh." Izuku half-heartedly responds, his emerald eyes looking down in disappointment, "I see."
"Hey, hey, hey. Come on, now. Don't look so down there, son." All Might quickly tries to comfort him, "Just because I can use One For All more easily doesn't mean that you're weak for not being able to use it that way. It's okay. You're doing well for someone who never had a Quirk until six months ago. That alone is a huge achievement. So don't get disheartened just because I can use it more easily. It's fine. I am sure you will be able to master One For All like I did. Heck, I am confident that you will have far better control over it than I ever did."
"R-Really?" The greenette asks him, his eyes filled with hope and awe.
"Really." The gaunt man affirms with a chuckle as he ruffles his successor's fluffy hair, "You're a smart boy. If anyone can figure out the complexity of One For All, then it's you. Just give it some time. I am sure you'll be able to wield its power with ease and grace."
Izuku chuckles in embarrassment as his cheeks gain a faint shade of pink from being complimented by his idol. It makes him feel so happy and flattered. He is still getting used to receiving such praise and compliments, but he's slowly getting used to them. His mother and All Might have been showering him with compliments since he began his training for the U.A. entrance exam, and it has helped him boost his confidence.
"Th-Thank you, All Might. I… I-I will continue trying my best." He promises him as he smiles with gratitude.
The gaunt man smiles back as he ruffles his successor's hair again, "I know you will. Just like I said before, One For All is an extremely complicated Quirk to fully grasp. So, of course, it will be a very taxing endeavor. But I believe that you will eventually overcome these challenges. Just keep working hard and stay determined. Eventually, the answer will come."
"R-Right!" He nods firmly with renewed determination, his eyes burning with vigor and resolve, "I will definitely master this Quirk!"
All Might grins as he continues to ruffle his student's hair, "That's the spirit, my boy! You're going to be a fine hero, Young Midoriya. I know you'll do great things in the future."
"Heh." Izuku chuckles before nodding, "I'll try my best not to disappoint you."
After finishing their lunch break, the duo resumed their activity for today, though there's a small compromise. Since they no longer have any space to train, they decide to go somewhere that is relatively less crowded to continue their plan for today. And after some suggestions and consideration, they decided to move to Musutafu Park. While it is also packed with people, it's not as packed as Takoba. And there are plenty of secluded areas in the park where the two can do their stuff without being disturbed or bothering anyone.
So that's what they're doing now.
All Might is sitting on the grass with his arms crossed and his legs folded under him, observing his student's training. Izuku is standing a few feet away from him, doing some stretching exercises to warm up his body. After he's done stretching, he starts to perform some shadowboxing. He throws punches, jabs, and kicks, focusing on making his movements as fluid as possible, imagining an opponent in front of him.
The blonde man watches his pupil's movements with a critical eye, trying to see where he is lacking or needs improvement. His knowledge of teaching, while still low compared to that of a more experienced teacher, is slowly improving thanks to the constant learning he has done alone or with Gran Torino as his mentor. And while he is nowhere near a professional at this point, he is at least getting the gist of it.
Maybe, with this, he is ready to become a new teacher at U.A. this year.
He shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. He has a task to do right now, and he can't let his mind wander like that. He needs to focus on helping his successor. So he continues to watch the greenette's movements.
His form is still at an above-average novice level. His movements are still rough around the edges, and his punches and kicks are still very amateurish. But at least he is making progress. He can see the improvements he has made since he first started his training: his punches and kicks have more power behind them, his movements are much more fluid, and he has learned to utilize his weight and center of gravity more efficiently.
All in all, he is doing very well.
However, he knows he can do better. Much better.
"He is going to surpass me one day; I am sure of it."He muses with a smile, "And I'm going to be here, watching his back and supporting him every step of the way. He will be a great hero. I know he will."
He is eager to see what the future has in store for the greenette.
Time continues to pass by as the mentor-pupil duo continues to train. All Might gives him instructions and guides him in his movements. They do some hand-to-hand combat, weightlifting, and stamina training. The hero will always have his eyes on him, ensuring that he is doing things properly and correctly. And when the boy makes an error or two, he will give him tips and advice on how to fix it, something that Izuku greatly appreciates.
By the time they are done, it is already evening. The sun is setting over the horizon, bathing the sky and sea in bright oranges and golds. The wind has become cooler as it gently blows against the two, causing the trees to rustle. The sound of people chatting and laughing fills the air as they continue their activities.
"Alright. That's enough for today." The gaunt man declares as he tosses a water bottle that he bought at some point for his student, "Good job, Young Midoriya. You've done well today."
Izuku, panting after performing several heavy exercises and running laps, smiles tiredly as he catches the water bottle, "Th-Thanks, All Might. But I feel like I can still do better."
"Don't be like that, boy. You've gained something significant today." He tells him with a grin, "And you're improving. Slowly, yes, but you are improving. You should be proud of yourself."
The greenette chuckles as he catches his breath, "Hah… I-I guess."
After drinking half of the water bottle, he goes to sit on the grass next to All Might, who is also drinking from his own water bottle. They both let out a long sigh of contentment, savoring the coldness of the water as it traveled down their throats and into their stomachs.
"By the way, All Might, can I ask you something?" He suddenly asks his mentor, who turns to him with a raised eyebrow, "I-If it's okay with you."
"Oh, of course! You can ask me anything, Young Midoriya." He assures him, "What is it?"
Izuku pauses for a moment before speaking, "How is it like to be the Symbol of Peace?"
The blonde man purses his lips together, trying to think of the right words to describe it. He is not entirely sure what to say. There are so many ways he could answer the question, and he doesn't know which one to pick. He wants to choose the right words. The right words that will help his pupil understand what it's like to be the Symbol of Peace.
"Hmmm… Well, Young Midoriya. As you can already imagine, it is not easy to hold such a moniker that has been given to me." He begins his answer as he stares up at the sky, "The title itself carries a great responsibility and a great weight upon your shoulders. It means that you are the sole protector of the people. It means that you have to be the pillar of the nation. It means that you have to be the strongest and bravest in order to ensure the peace of the country. Every day was a never-ending battle for me. I had to make sure that I was doing everything in my power to ensure that the citizens were safe from any kind of threat. From criminals, terrorists, villains, natural disasters, or any other dangers that may come our way. It felt like a treadmill that keeps on going without an end in sight, and I must keep running. Otherwise, I'll fall and let those I swore to protect get hurt. It was tough. So tough. And, to be honest, it still is. But it's worth it."
"…Oh." Izuku quietly responds as he looks down at the ground, feeling the weight of the responsibilities he would have to carry if he were to become the next Symbol of Peace.
"…You wish to become the next one, aren't you?" The hero asks him as he turns to look at him.
The greenette bites his lower lip as he looks up at the sky, "I… I don't know."
The Number 1 Hero stares at the boy's conflicted expression before sighing and putting a hand on his shoulder with a comforting smile, "Young Midoriya. If you're going to become the next Symbol of Peace, then you must realize that it is going to be an uphill battle for you. You know it won't be easy, but I bet you don't know how hard it actually is. Tooth and nails won't be enough to get through this. You need to be the best of the best. And that means you will have to work harder than everyone else. The burdens are one thousand times heavier than even being the Number 1 Hero. There's more to this than just being the strongest hero. So, before you set your heart and mind into becoming the next Symbol of Peace, I want you to know what it entails."
Izuku is silent for a moment, pondering what All Might just said with his cheeks slightly puffed out.
He's right. He really doesn't know what it means to be the Symbol of Peace. While he knows what it may hold and contain, he doesn't exactly know its full extent. Sure, he is well-versed in the concept and overall premise of such a title, but in practicality, he isn't sure what it truly contains. He is aware that the weight will be heavy, but just how heavy is it? He has no idea. He doesn't know what it means to be the Symbol of Peace.
But he knows one thing: he wants to be someone that people can rely on. Someone who they can trust and put their faith in. Someone who can give them hope and reassurance.
Someone who can give them a smile.
And at first, being the next Symbol of Peace—a great hero, just like the man he always looked up to and admired—was his only goal in life. It was his lifelong dream. But now… he isn't really sure anymore.
He still wants to be the greatest hero ever—to be the next Number 1 Hero—but he feels like something else has come into the picture. Something… more.
He doesn't know what it is, but he knows that he must focus on becoming a hero first. He knows he must focus on getting into U.A., and he will work hard to become a hero worthy of the title. A hero that can be relied upon. A hero that can be trusted. A hero who can give people hope and reassurance.
And a hero who will bring smiles to people's faces as well as protect those smiles.
That is his goal. That is his dream.
Always been.
To be a hero.
But whether he wishes to inherit the Symbol of Peace from his mentor, he isn't sure yet.
For now, he will focus on becoming a hero.
He lets out a sigh before looking at All Might with a small smile, "I'm still not sure if I wish to be the next Symbol of Peace, All Might. But… I do know that I wish to be a hero. I want that 'Japan's Number 1 Hero' mantle to be mine. With it, I can bring peace and happiness to everyone."
The blonde hero grins at his determination, "Then focuses on that, Young Midoriya. Be a hero. The first step here is for you to control One For All just enough to help you pass the entrance exam. After which, we can think of the rest later, okay?"
"Right." He nods, smiling brightly at his mentor, "Thank you, All Might. For everything."
"No problem, kiddo." He pats his shoulder before standing up, "Now, let's get you back home. You're surely exhausted after all of this, so you need to rest. Plus, tomorrow is Monday, and I'm sure you have a lot of things to do."
"Y-Yes. You're right." He replies as he stands up as well, "Thank you again, All Might."
The gaunt man smiles, "Don't mention it, Young Midoriya. Oh. And by the way. Try… Try to consider my tip on calling One For All as well. It… may help you a bit."
"I-I still think it's very absurd." The greenette comments with an uncertain frown, "I mean… 'Clench your buttcheeks and then throw your arm forward while yelling "SMASH!!!"'? That… H-How can I describe it? Uhm… stupid."
"E-Erm, I am fully aware that it is very strange advice." His mentor admits with an embarrassed chuckle, "And I know it is also very embarrassing to do. But there's a very tiny and minuscule chance that it may help you in some way. So… you should keep it in mind."
Izuku lets out a dubious sigh before nodding, "Okay, All Might. I… I'll try to keep it in mind."
All Might smiles at that, "Mh. Now, let's go! Time to get you home."
"Right." He nods with a small grin.
And with that, the mentor-pupil duo begins to make their way out of the park.
As they do so, Izuku looks up at the sky, his thoughts drifting towards the Quirk that has been given to him by his hero. A slight frown appears on his face as he does so.
"One For All." He muses in his mind, "What a complex and powerful Quirk. It is not easy to understand. Not easy to use. And I can't even fully tap into it. But… I can feel it. It's still there. It's still inside me."
He knows he will eventually be able to harness and utilize this power. He just needs to keep trying. And he will. No matter how hard it is.
He has to.
His emerald eyes glint with determination as his lips pull into a tight line.
"I will master this power. And I will become a hero."He vows in his mind, "I promise."
"I'm home." Izuku calls out as he opens the door to his apartment.
"Welcome home, dear." Inko welcomes her son while sitting on the couch, having a cup of tea on the table, and watching TV, "How was your training?"
"It was good. I've made some progress." The greenette tells her as he takes off his red shoes before placing them neatly on the genkan, "Nothing worth writing home about, but at least I'm making progress."
"That's good to hear." The older Midoriya smiles at her son's positive attitude, "Are you hungry? I can make some food for you."
"Ah, it's okay, Mom. I've eaten my share back there." He assures her with a smile, "I'm okay for now."
Inko purses her lips before sighing, "Alright. But if you're feeling hungry, don't hesitate to tell me. Okay?"
"Of course." He nods in understanding.
His mother smiles at that before gesturing to the empty spot next to her, "Now then, how about you join me? I always want to watch my favorite show with my precious son."
Izuku smiles at the gesture before nodding and making his way to sit next to her. She pours another cup of tea for him, which he accepts gratefully, and soon the two of them begin watching the show together. It's a romantic comedy-drama television show based on a manga series of the same name, and it has been Inko's favorite since she was a teenager. And Izuku, well, he doesn't understand why his mother likes it, but he doesn't have the heart to tell her that it is not his cup of tea. So he keeps his thoughts to himself and just watches the show with his mother, regardless of whether he likes it or not.
The episode they are watching is, in Izuku's full honesty, considered to be a filler episode. It doesn't advance the story much, and it doesn't contain any character development whatsoever. It's just a simple episode that serves no other purpose other than to entertain the audience with its content. And the greenette cannot see the appeal in such an episode, especially since it seems rather pointless and unnecessary in his opinion. Still, while most fillers are indeed annoying and a waste of time, this episode is… well, not the worst in his opinion, but not the best either.
Izuku supports his head on his closed fist as he continues to watch the show. Inko, however, is really invested in the episode. Her emerald eyes are glued to the screen as she intently watches the episode, and she occasionally sips from her cup of tea while doing so. She seems really into it, which makes the greenette smile slightly at seeing his mother enjoy herself.
The episode shows some of the characters are preparing to have a movie night at one of the main female characters' houses. Everyone is excitedly talking about what kind of movies they're going to watch, offering one or two suggestions to the host. In the meantime, the host is preparing snacks and drinks for everyone while also setting up the living room for the movie night. Everyone is having a good time talking and joking around. The atmosphere is very light and relaxed, and everyone is smiling and laughing as they continue to prepare for their movie night.
But then, in the kitchen, one of the male characters is putting a bag of popcorn into the microwave oven before setting it up to full power and setting a timer for it. The male character leaves the kitchen for a moment to get something from one of the cabinets in the living room, but when he returns, he finds out that the microwave oven has caught fire. And the poor popcorn bag inside the microwave oven is burning ferociously.
Panic immediately fills the character as he tries to stop the fire from spreading. Not soon after, the rest of the cast are dashing towards the kitchen to know what has caused such commotion and where the black smoke is coming from. As soon as they see the burning microwave oven and the burning popcorn bag, panic also fills them, as they all try to stop the fire from spreading further. Some of them try to put out the fire with water, while others are trying to find a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket to extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, some are trying to contact the fire department, telling them to send their assistance immediately.
Izuku doesn't know whether he should sigh in exasperation or chuckle in amusement at how cliché this scene is. Seriously, this is one of the oldest tricks in the book! And it's not even funny or entertaining! Jeez, talk about how lackluster this filler episode is! He couldn't help but roll his eyes at how stupid and obvious this scene was. But at least it's better than some of the other filler episodes. And that doesn't say much since some of the other filler episodes from other series are far worse than this one.
"My, how careless." Inko comments with a small giggle as she shakes her head in amusement at the screen, "Poor thing didn't think that you must never leave the microwave oven unattended while using it for an extended period."
"Yeah." He replies, trying to hide his annoyance from his tone as he takes a sip from his tea, "So dumb."
"Plus, he put the poor thing in the highest heat setting, which is unarguably very dangerous." Inko continues with a small chuckle, "Settling it in such a high temperature setting will only cause the popcorn to burn instead of popping properly. You have to manage the heat carefully, focusing it just right so the kernels pop without burning."
"…Eh?" Izuku, hearing his mother's comment, turns to her with a surprised and confused expression, "H-Huh?"
She turns her gaze towards him with a smile, "If you put too much heat into it too quickly, you end up burning whatever's there. It's important to channel the heat correctly, focusing it in a controlled manner. Steadily build the heat up and let it reach a level where it's enough to pop the kernels. Any more than that, and you end up with a burned mess. Any less, and you just have regular corn kernels. There's a limit to how much heat can be applied and how quickly it can be done."
Izuku's emerald eyes widen even more as he listens to his mother's words. The gears in his head start to turn as he mulls over what she has said. Every word she has just uttered is quickly sucked into his mind, processing the information as fast as possible. His mouth slowly opens and closes as he tries to process what his mother is telling him.
Heat…
Managing the heat carefully…
Channeling the heat correctly…
Focusing it just right…
Heat…
Letting the heat reach a controlled level…
Control…
"Control the heat…?" The greenette's eyes widen as his thoughts begin to connect to one another, "Control the heat?"
Heat…
Fire.
His emerald eyes then glint with epiphany as everything begins to make sense in his mind. The gears within his head finally clicked together, completing the picture that had been missing for a while. While it is still a stretch—a big, huge stretch—it's worth trying. It's worth giving it a shot. Because if this works, then he will finally have a way to harness One For All. And from there, he can finally learn how to fully control it.
Control the heat…
A revelation!
"…I-I'll take a bath now." Izuku suddenly says as he stands up, leaving behind his half-finished tea on the table.
"…Oh? But the episode is not yet over." Inko points out with a confused frown.
"I-It's okay. I can watch the episode on the Internet or something." He quickly assures her with a sheepish smile, "Besides, I'm feeling kinda dirty from all the training. So I better take a bath right now."
"O-Oh. Okay then. Uhm, let me know if you need anything." She smiles as she watches him leave the living room.
"Will do!" His voice can be heard from down the hall.
Inko smiles as she watches him disappear into the bathroom, and she soon turns her attention back to the TV, continuing to watch her favorite show.
The sound of running water from the showerhead can be heard in the bathroom, filling the atmosphere with the soothing sound of water. The bathroom is filled with steam, caused by the hot water coming out of the showerhead, and the mirror has fogged up.
Izuku lets out a soft sigh of relief as he feels the warm water cascading down his body. While he was lying to his mother about wanting to take a bath, once he stripped off his clothes and stepped under the shower, the lie quickly turned into the truth.
He does feel very dirty and sweaty after all the training he has done today. Plus, it also helps him clear his thoughts and focus on the task at hand. His head needs to be in the right mindset, so he can fully concentrate on what he is going to do.
As the water continues to wash away his sweat and dirt, he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, focusing his thoughts and mind. He needs to be calm and serene. Whatever insignificant and unwanted thoughts should be pushed aside. Only the one that he wishes to focus on should be at the forefront of his mind.
"If you put too much heat into it too quickly, you end up burning whatever's there. It's important to channel the heat correctly, focusing it in a controlled manner. Steadily build the heat up and let it reach a level where it's enough to pop the kernels. Any more than that, and you end up with a burned mess. Any less, and you just have regular corn kernels. There's a limit to how much heat can be applied and how quickly it can be done." His mother's words echo inside his head, giving him the lead he needs.
"Heat…" He muses in his thoughts, his mind remembering the sensation when he used One For All.
At some point, he concluded that the Quirk is like a fire that burns in his body. A furnace that keeps on burning inside his core, waiting to be unleashed. But at that time, he wasn't sure how to release that fire. It kept on burning inside him, and he could not find a way to let that fire out. The power just kept on boiling inside him, and it didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
Until now, when his mother unintentionally gave him a solution.
"Controlled heat. Careful temperature setting. Slowly build up the heat. A limit to the amount of heat to apply and the speed in which it is applied." The greenette lists in his thoughts, repeating his mother's words inside his head, "Control the heat. Control the heat."
And he has to admit. The metaphor fits perfectly with his case.
It's no doubt a big stretch. A big one. A stretch so big and huge that it may or may not work at all. And that may cause his heart to ache a bit at the possibility of another failed attempt, but at this point, it's better than nothing.
"Channeling the heat from One For All's flame. Build up the heat in controlled and steady motions. Sustain the flame to an adequate level so the power isn't too strong or weak." He internally notes as he imagines himself holding a lighter in his hand, "Like a furnace."
It's a theory. A far-fetched theory that may or may not work at all. But if it works, then it might help him get the hang of One For All. If it doesn't, well, at least he has tried something else.
"No harm in trying." He mutters softly under his breath, his tone firm and confident.
He hopes that his hypothesis will work. He really wants to be able to call out One For All as soon as possible. And when he does, he can start learning how to control it and use it properly.
Time is not really on his side, so he has to work fast and efficiently.
"U.A. Entrance Exam is around the corner. I have to get One For All to work as soon as possible. I'm already at a disadvantage since I got the Quirk only a week ago. If I want to stand a chance in the practical exam, I need to be able to use One For All." He mentally notes as he clenches his fists, "I have to work hard and push myself to the limit to catch up with everyone else. I need to step up my game, or I'll fall behind and lose before I can even catch up. I don't want to be a burden to those around me. But above all else, I want to make everyone smile."
He needs to put his whole being and effort into it. There is no room for half-baked or mediocre attempts. He needs to go beyond Plus Ultra. Whatever is at stake in his journey of being a hero, the aspiring greenette will do everything in his power to strive forward.
Because he, Izuku Midoriya, has a dream.
With another deep breath, he slowly sits down to make it easier for him to focus, ignoring the coldness of the tile floor. He needs to do this; otherwise, the path in front of him will be a lot more difficult and arduous, something that he wishes would not happen. He doesn't have any more time to waste. He needs to move forward with his training, no matter what.
So he slowly inhales and exhales, trying to calm himself as much as possible. He needs to have a clear and serene state of mind. With his eyes still closed and his thoughts only focused on the task ahead of him, he begins to slowly build up his internal strength, trying to reach that familiar yet foreign energy inside him.
He dives down into his psyche, diving down deeper and deeper into his inner being as he tries to connect with his Quirk. He focuses on his center core—his heart. He imagines One For All burning within his chest. He envisions it flickering and pulsing with power. He visualizes the energy that he knows is there.
All he needs now is to find it, turn up the valve that will direct the furnace's output, and control the output so it can give him enough power without backfiring. He just needs to do this. Just this one thing, and he will finally be able to control One For All. Well… not completely, of course, since it's an insanely powerful and complicated Quirk. But controlling it, albeit a little, will help him take a big leap into understanding this strange power. And once he understands One For All a little more, that's when he can utilize it properly. He can't afford to delay his training any further. The future is waiting for him.
So with another deep breath, he dives even further. His mind plunges deeper into the depths of his consciousness, reaching as far as his inner being.
"It's gonna be there somewhere. I didn't reach far enough the last time, so I couldn't find anything. But this time, I will." He notes mentally as he continues diving into himself, "I will try again."
He searches as deep as possible in his consciousness, seeking out that foreign yet familiar energy. The Quirk is within him, and he needs to find it. He needs to tap into the furnace and use its fire to fuel his ambitions and dreams. He will not fail this time.
He pushes deeper and deeper into his mind and soul, seeking the Quirk that is hidden in the abyss of his consciousness. And as he goes, he searches for that burning furnace inside him.
Down and down his mind goes as he searches deeper within himself. As he descends into himself, he pictures One For All in flames. He visualizes it as a furnace that burns inside him. The heat is being confined within that furnace, unable to escape. The flame flickers and flares, giving out the power that he knows is there. And he just needs to find it.
It took some time to delve into the dark abyss of his subconsciousness, but eventually he sensed something. It's faint, but it's there. He can feel it. That burning furnace that is One For All. It is relatively far, but if he reaches far enough, he will be able to access it.
So he continues his descent into his subconsciousness.
The darkness of his subconscious mind envelops him as he keeps going deeper and deeper. He can feel the furnace getting closer and closer as he gets nearer. He needs to go further, though. He needs to reach deeper to be able to grab hold of One For All. So he keeps on diving. Down and down he goes. Deeper and deeper he dives.
And then he feels it. The furnace is now within his grasp. He can feel the heat emanating from it. The darkness is slowly being replaced by light, indicating that he is close to his goal. He just needs to push himself a little further, and he will finally be able to tap into the Quirk.
He takes a deep breath as he dives even deeper, reaching towards the furnace of One For All. It's close. So very close. The heat is getting stronger, and the light is getting brighter. He can feel the Quirk getting closer and closer to him.
And then… he stops.
"…Here it is…" He muses as he finally finds what he is looking for.
Deep within his dark and endless subconsciousness, Izuku Midoriya has found what he is searching for. The furnace of One For All. The Quirk that he wishes to access and wield.
The imaginary furnace is burning brightly in the middle of the darkness. The heat that it radiates is immense, and it's almost overwhelming for the greenette. Trapped and sealed within the furnace is One For All. The fire is contained inside the furnace, unable to escape. The flame flickers and flares, giving out the power that the greenette knows is there.
However, while he has found the furnace of One For All, accessing it is another thing entirely. He needs to reach out for it first, and then he can begin the next step: turning up the valve and controlling the output. It won't be easy, but he is willing to try.
With another deep breath, he stretches out his hand towards the furnace. He reaches out to it, trying to grab hold of it. But the distance between them is still very far, so he needs to go deeper if he wants to access it. So he dives even deeper into his subconsciousness.
And as he gets closer to the furnace, he feels the heat increasing. It's intense. Almost unbearable. But he knows that he has to endure it. If he wants to control One For All, then he has to brave through this heat.
It takes some time and patience, but eventually he manages to reach the furnace of One For All. He is now floating right in front of it, staring at the imaginary furnace with awe and amazement. The heat that it gives out is immense, and it's almost overwhelming for him. The fire inside the closed furnace is burning fiercely, giving out the power that he knows is there.
"One For All…" He muses as he stares at the furnace.
It is massive, evoking something powerful that the greenette is unable to describe. By the look of it, it is capable of generating an immense amount of heat and pressure. If unleashed, it will undoubtedly cause untold damage to anything and anyone. Which is why he needs to control it first. Otherwise, he'll hurt himself and others unintentionally.
Connected to the furnace is a complex network of valves and pipes, allowing it to regulate the output of its flame. And a single main valve is located directly connected to the furnace, serving as the main regulator of the furnace's output. But the main valve is tightly sealed, preventing any form of heat from escaping.
Which is what the greenette intends to change.
Carefully, he floats closer to the main valve. His emerald eyes are locked onto it as he gets nearer. Once he is close enough, he momentarily stops to observe it. He takes a moment to study it, noting every detail about it. The seal that is keeping it shut is very tight, so opening it won't be an easy task. But he knows that he must open it if he wishes to control One For All.
So, with a deep breath, he reaches out to the valve. His fingers gently touch the handle, feeling the cool metal against his skin. And slowly, he grips the valve handle. His emerald eyes stare at the furnace with determination.
"Okay, One For All. Today, we're going to work together." He internally declares as he grips the valve handle tighter, "Let's do this."
With all of his strength, he begins to turn the valve handle. It's stuck, but he keeps on pushing. The seal is extremely tight, making it difficult to open. But he doesn't give up. He keeps on pushing the valve handle, trying to break the seal. The tight and heavy seal is resisting, but he doesn't stop. He keeps on turning the valve handle, trying to pry it open.
"O-Okay… All right… You got this, Izuku…" He mentally encourages himself as he keeps pushing the valve handle.
He pauses for a moment to let his inner strength replenish before resuming his task. He grips the valve handle even tighter as he continues turning it. The seal is still resisting, but he doesn't stop. He keeps on pushing, trying to break the seal. It's a tough battle, but he doesn't give up. He keeps on pushing.
Slowly, but surely, the seal begins to loosen up. It is still very tight, but it's starting to give in. A faint sound of cracking can be heard as the seal is starting to break. With a small, curt nod, he puts more effort into his endeavor.
"Come on… Come on…! Just a little bit more…!" He mentally pleads as he keeps turning the valve handle.
His other hand joins in on the effort, adding more force and strength to his endeavors. Despite being inside his mind, he can feel his muscles straining from the physical exertion. But he ignores the pain. He needs to open the valve. He must open it. Otherwise, he won't be able to control One For All.
More and more effort he puts into his endeavor. He keeps turning the valve handle, trying to break the seal. Groans and grunts can be heard from his lips as he keeps pushing. The seal is still resisting, but it's slowly breaking. He can feel it.
"Just a little more…! A little more…!" He mentally repeats as he keeps putting more effort into his endeavor.
Suddenly, with a loud crack, the seal breaks. The valve handle finally moves, allowing him to turn it. The furnace lets out a burst of heat as he opens it, causing him to gasp in surprise. The heat is intense, and he can feel the furnace's flame raging inside. But he ignores it. What matters is that he finally managed to open the valve.
"Yes!" He cheers mentally as he floats back to admire his accomplishment.
He did it. He opened the furnace. Now he can finally control One For All. He can now channel its flame and direct it to where he wants it to go. He can finally utilize the Quirk, albeit in a controlled manner.
With a wide smile, he turns back to the furnace. The flame is burning fiercely within the closed furnace, giving out the power that the greenette knows is there. He just needs to channel it properly, and he will finally be able to use One For All.
"All right…" He clasps his hands together in excitement as he approaches the furnace once more, "Now, let's see how One For All works…"
With the main hurdle that has been blocking him from One For All taken care of, the greenette now focuses on channeling the Quirk. This is going to be a tricky part since he still doesn't exactly understand how One For All works. But he is determined to figure it out.
So, with a deep breath, he reaches out towards the furnace.
"Let's do this."
Back in the land of the conscious world, Izuku, who is still sitting on the shower floor, opens his emerald eyes with a gasp, where they start to glow in a brilliant green hue. The pair of those glowing emerald orbs stare forward into nothingness, with his expression full of surprise as a sensation of rushing energy courses throughout his body.
He can feel the furnace. The Quirk. One For All.
It's there. Burning brightly within him. Waiting to be unleashed.
"I-I can feel it…" He mutters in astonishment as he looks down at his trembling hands, "I-I can feel One For All."
His veins feel like they're on fire. His blood is boiling, and his body is heating up. But it's not painful. It's a pleasant feeling. A warm one. And he can feel power surging throughout his entire being. One For All is finally responding to him. The Quirk is finally listening to him. And he is overjoyed.
A smile spreads across his face as he continues to feel the energy flowing throughout his body. His emerald eyes continue to glow with One For All's flame burning inside them. He can feel it. He can feel the furnace. And he can finally tap into its flame.
Moments later, a faint, flaming green aura starts to emanate from his body as One For All continues to flow within him. The greenette's smile widens at this sight as he stares at his glowing hands in awe. Electric energies soon follow, coursing throughout his being as One For All continues to stir inside him.
"I-It's working… I'm doing it!" He exclaims excitedly, feeling his heart pound rapidly in his chest, "One For All… It's…! I-It's actually working!!"
This is very exciting! He can finally call out One For All! He can finally harness the Quirk! And he can finally start learning how to control it! This is great progress!
The green aura then slowly disappears from his body as the flames within his eyes fade away, signaling that his connection with One For All has been severed.
However…
He brings his right hand near his face and stares at it intently. He curls his fingers into a fist and grits his teeth as he concentrates with all his might. He has felt One For All responding to him, so he should be able to call it forth again. He just needs to focus on accessing it again.
"Okay… Okay. Turn on the heat and try to build up the flame." He instructs himself as he closes his eyes, "Then channel the energy to my fist."
He takes a deep breath and focuses. He envisions the furnace once more. He pictures One For All burning within him as he channels its flame to his fist. The valves and pipes are all being turned and opened, allowing the Quirk's flames to travel through them. He needs to focus all of his attention on his hand.
"Let's do this." He mutters as he tries to muster as much focus as possible.
He puts forth all of his concentration, all of his efforts, and all of his willpower into trying to connect with One For All. And, surprisingly, after taking a few minutes to reach the level of awareness he needs, he once again feels that strange and familiar foreign presence burning within his core.
Appearing from his chest, the heat of that familiar energy begins to rise. The warmth of the energy prickles the greenette's skin as he continues focusing on the furnace.
The fire of the Quirk begins to flicker and flare, giving out the power that he knows is there. The furnace is burning brightly in the darkness of his subconsciousness as he tries to harness One For All. The heat is immense, and he can feel the furnace's flame raging inside him. It is close. Just need more push.
"Control the heat. Steadily build up the flame. Channel the energy to my fist." He reminds himself as he tries to connect with One For All.
His emerald eyes then snap open, revealing a pair of blazing green orbs where sparks of emerald lightning dance around them. Their brilliance is comparable to the sun itself, as they shine with One For All's energy.
And at that moment, his right fist begins to glow with the same energy as his eyes, with a faint, fiery green aura surrounding it.
Izuku stares at the sight in amazement before smiling widely in glee, "It's… I-It's working! It's actually working! One For All is responding!! It's here!!"
Electric energies soon follow, coursing throughout his fist as One For All continues to stir inside him. The greenette's smile widens even more at this sight as he stares at his glowing fist in awe. Red veins begin to glow within his fist, likely due to the immense power coursing through his system. It trembles from the gradually building heat and power, and the greenette can't help but feel exhilarated from it.
"Th-This is the best! I've finally opened One For All!" He exclaims as he keeps staring at his glowing fist, "I-I'm finally able to start practicing with it! H-Hah! This is the be-Aowwww!!!"
But as the power with his right fist is getting stronger and hotter, suddenly, a sharp pain erupts from it, akin to a cramp caused by too much exertion, causing the greenette to let out a pained yelp as he quickly stops using his Quirk. He brings his right hand to his chest, clutching it firmly yet gently to ease the pain away.
"Ohhhhhhh…. *Hisssssssss~* Ahhhhhhhhhh…." He lets out a hissing breath as he cradles his right hand, trying to relieve the pain, "O-Okay… Note to self: D-Don't keep the heat going for too long; otherwise, you'll get a cramp. Which is very painful, by the way."
While not as painful as when he used it accidentally to punch Katsuki, it is still a very stinging pain. His right hand is tingling from the aftereffects of the pain, and he can feel some of the heat from his Quirk lingering in his fist. It shakes slightly from the lingering pain, but thankfully, it starts to subside after a while.
With a heavy sigh, he slumps against the wall, "Okay… Let's just cool down for a bit."
Despite wanting to 'cool down' after this awesome discovery, his lips are still stretched in a wide and excited grin.
One For All is now responding to him.
It's no longer just a burning furnace that he cannot tap into, where the seal prevents him from accessing it and releasing its flame.
Now, it is a powerful furnace that has finally come to life, letting its flame come out and burning with utmost vigor.
It's very overwhelming, but that's okay. As a matter of fact, the greenette feels extremely thrilled!
He cannot believe this! He was able to access One For All successfully! After days of brainwork and lots of training and training and training and more training, he can finally access it! He can now harness its flame! He can finally put that fire into good use!
And he can't wait to test it out!
He once again brings his right hand close to his face, staring at it intently. The glow has disappeared, and so have the heat and power that emanate from it. But the ghostly feeling of One For All's energy still lingers on his skin, giving him goosebumps as he stares at it.
"Ohhh, that's a strange yet pleasant feeling." He murmurs as he continues to look at his hand, "It's like a low humming sensation of One For All in my hand. It feels… weird. But it's not bad. I kinda like it. It still hurts, though. But…"
With his tongue sticking out, he tries to lightly turn on the Quirk again. A soft green glow emits from his fist as he does so, signaling that he is still connected to One For All. A grin quickly appears on his face at the sight.
"…But it's worth it." He finishes as he flexes his right hand, only for him to wince and deactivate his Quirk, "A-Ah! Okay. Still need to watch out for the limit that I need to not go over. Least I will have one heck of a cramp. And I don't want that."
Still, despite the lingering pain, he is still very happy.
One For All is now responding to him. He is finally able to control it. Now, he can start learning how to harness it properly. And after that, he can finally start to put his effort into utilizing it.
"The chance for me to pass the entrance exam is now bigger!" He exclaims happily, "This is awesome!!"
He then looks at the rest of his body, noting that the green aura from before is no longer present. Only his right hand is glowing with One For All's flame. Which makes sense since it's the part of his body that he is focusing on. He decides to try to access the Quirk through other parts of his body, so he closes his eyes once more.
"Okay… Let's see…" He whispers as he focuses on the furnace of One For All.
Turning a different imaginary valve on the furnace's network of pipes, he redirects the heat towards his left arm. Electric energies soon follow, coursing throughout his arm and flowing through his veins with One For All's power. His eyes snap open, revealing a pair of blazing green orbs where sparks of emerald lightning dance around them. And at that moment, his left arm begins to glow with the same energy as his eyes, with a faint, fiery green aura surrounding it. Like what previously happened to his right fist, a faint glowing red vein begins to appear within his glowing arm, indicating that his pumping blood is being boosted due to One For All.
"It's working…!" The greenette mutters in amazement as he continues looking at his glowing left arm, "J-Jolly, it actually worked!! H-Hah!! Alri-Ah!!"
He instantly shuts down his Quirk when he feels a sharp pain in his arm. Immediately, it returns to normal, no longer having the glow and power of One For All from before. He hisses when he feels the muscles in his arm twitch slightly, indicating that they got cramped after being powered up by the Quirk. With a small groan, he leans back against the wall, massaging his arm to ease the pain away.
"Okay. Don't overdo it. Gotta take it easy. Take it easy. Damn. Got over the limit too early. Need to control the heat again." He notes to himself as he breathes softly, "Okay. So. I can channel the heat from one limb to another. Not too shabby. And I need to be careful about how much I apply it to either arm. Too much, and I will hurt my used limb. Ugh, need to be extremely careful in this case. Don't want to break any bones or anything."
Despite the pain, he is still very happy.
He did it! He managed to call out One For All! He is now able to harness the power of it! This is the best possible development he can ever hope for!
To say that he is delighted would be an understatement. But that's okay, since he probably cannot describe the extreme levels of jubilation and joy he is feeling right now.
"Wait until All Might and Gran Torino hear this! They're going to be thrilled!" He exclaims excitedly as he tries to channel a small power through his right hand, which works as it is enveloped in One For All's green aura before deactivating it, "I think I might need to take it easy, though. I don't want to mess up my arms by having them cramp too many times. So, that means, uhm, practice in moderation. Yeah. Should probably do that."
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Izuku. You've been in the bathroom for a while now. Is everything okay?" Inko's voice is heard from behind the door, "Also, I've heard a loud noise in there. Are you all right?"
"E-Erm, uh, yes! I-I mean, yes. Yes. Everything is… Everything is fine!" He answers rather sheepishly as he stands up, with the running shower water drowning out the sound of his joints crackling, "Sorry. I… was deep in my thoughts. Nothing… t-too concerning. I just have… some things in mind."
"…Is that so?" The older Midoriya asks, her tone indicating that she is not entirely convinced, but she doesn't press on it further, "Well, alright then. Just don't stay too long in the shower. You will catch a cold if you do."
"I-I won't! Don't worry, Mom. I'll be out in a sec!" The greenette assures her with a small chuckle.
"Alright. Take your time. But don't be too long, though." He hears her footsteps as she leaves from in front of the bathroom door.
The greenette lets out a sigh of relief as he runs his wet hand through his messy green hair. His damp locks of green hair are clinging onto his forehead, removing its fluffy and curly texture. With a low exhale through his nose, he shakes his head lightly and stares down at his hands once more.
He smiles at the sight, feeling the warmth of One For All's power lingering in them. He clenches and unclenches his fists a few times, feeling the leftover power and energy from One For All dissipating within. And while the residual effects have faded, the warmth and comforting feeling of his new power remain. He stares at his hands in awe as he marvels at this feeling. It's an amazing feeling. And it's all thanks to his mother.
His mother's words have given him the key to accessing One For All.
She has inadvertently given him a way to finally control his Quirk.
He will definitely make sure to thank her properly for this later. Though he still needs to keep her in the dark about the whole One For All thing.
After a moment of admiring his hands (more specifically, relishing that the Quirk within him is responding to him now), he shakes his head and turns off the water before stepping out of the shower. His green towel is hanging comfortably on the rack next to the shower, which he takes before drying himself. As he does so, his mind can't help but wander about the next steps that he will take now that he is able to harness One For All. Training, of course, will be the fitting answer for that.
He knows that he needs to practice using his Quirk. And he can only imagine the amount of work that he will put himself into. It will be a colossal chore, no doubt. But that's okay. He is willing to do anything to achieve his dreams.
He needs to put his whole being and effort into it. There is no room for half-baked or mediocre attempts. He needs to go beyond Plus Ultra. Whatever is at stake in his journey of being a hero, the aspiring greenette will do everything in his power to strive forward.
His dream is at hand. And he is very close to touching it.
"I'm one step closer to being a hero. To fulfill my dreams." He muses as he stares down at his hands, which are no longer glowing with One For All, "This is just the first step. There will be many more to come. But I'm willing to take on those challenges."
And with that, he smiles.
"All right… The true beginning can now begin."