Chapter 48: All Might's Resolve
Early the next morning, Sakura slowly opened her eyes after spending the night in the hospital.
The first thing she saw was Akio sitting beside her bed, cross-legged with his eyes closed.
He seemed to be quietly meditating.
"…Akio," she whispered weakly.
Akio immediately opened his eyes and moved closer.
"Sakura, how do you feel?" he asked with concern.
"I'm fine… Did you rescue me?" she asked.
She didn't think it was likely. In her understanding, Akio's Quirk was simply enhanced speed. No matter how much stronger he had gotten after entering U.A. High School, escaping a fire like that while carrying someone still sounded impossible.
Akio avoided the question and instead asked,
"Do you remember who did it?"
Sakura tried to recall the moment before the fire.
A trace of fear appeared in her eyes.
"He wore a Doraemon mask," she said slowly.
"He was tall and broad-shouldered… and his Quirk was fire."
"That's all I remember."
"A fire Quirk… Doraemon mask… tall build," Akio repeated quietly, fixing every detail in his mind.
"Sakura, leave this to the police," she said weakly, coughing lightly.
"You're still a student. Don't get involved in something dangerous."
Akio gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Don't worry," he said softly.
"I won't do anything reckless."
Sakura nodded slowly.
At that moment, the doctor entered to check on her condition.
After examining her, he said,
"She's fine now. You can complete the discharge paperwork."
Akio thanked the doctor, helped Sakura leave the hospital, and brought her home.
On the way back, Akio stopped downstairs to buy fruit.
When he looked up, he saw what remained of the Fujiwara Convenience Store.
The entire place had been burned black.
It looked like the shell of a collapsed furnace.
Nothing remained.
Just then, several police cars arrived.
Four or five officers stepped out and approached him.
"According to the witnesses," one officer said, "the woman involved in the incident knows you, correct?"
Akio's eyes immediately sharpened.
"She's not just 'the woman involved,'" he said coldly.
"She's my family."
The officer paused, then nodded apologetically.
"You're right. I misspoke."
"Would you come with us to answer a few questions?"
Akio thought for a moment.
"That's fine."
"But first I'm taking some food upstairs."
"No problem," the officer replied.
Akio bought fruit and several bags of food.
Before leaving, he reminded Sakura,
"Stay here today. Don't go anywhere."
"I'll be back tonight."
She nodded obediently.
Right now, Akio was the person she trusted most.
Not long after, Akio followed the officers to the police station.
He also contacted All Might and suggested handling everything today instead of waiting until tomorrow.
Inside a private meeting room, Akio sat beside All Might.
Across from them sat the Police Chief, whose head resembled that of a dog.
"We'll begin with the League of Villains incident," the chief said.
"You killed thirty-seven enemy combatants during the battle."
"Under normal circumstances, you would face severe punishment."
He paused.
"However, considering the special circumstances at the time, and the extreme stress your Quirk was under during combat, a different decision has been reached."
"You will remain at U.A. High School under observation for three months."
"If during that period you use your Quirk to seriously harm others again, you will be immediately expelled."
Akio remained silent.
He accepted the decision.
Even if those people had been villains, the truth remained the same—he had taken thirty-seven lives.
Strictly speaking, it had never been his place to judge them.
"Do you have anything to add?" the chief asked.
All Might had remained silent the entire time.
Even as the Symbol of Peace, he could not simply shield a student from consequences.
Still…
He couldn't deny that Akio had saved many lives that day.
To All Might, Akio was like an unpolished gem.
If guided properly, he could become something extraordinary.
But if he ever fell into darkness—
Then the hero world would gain a terrifying enemy.
"I have nothing to add," Akio finally said.
"I accept the decision."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"But there is one thing."
"The person who set the fire and nearly killed Sakura."
"I want the police to investigate it thoroughly."
The chief and All Might exchanged a brief glance.
They could both see how serious Akio was about this.
"We will investigate the case as quickly as possible," the chief said.
"But let me remind you of something."
"You are currently under observation."
"You must not act on your own."
"If you cause trouble again, the consequences will be severe."
Akio nodded.
"In that case, I'll leave."
He stood up.
"Akio," All Might called gently.
"Please don't let anger take control of you."
"The police are handling this for your sake as well."
"And they will investigate Sakura's case as quickly as possible."
Akio looked at him for a moment.
"…Thank you, All Might."
He knew All Might had probably helped him behind the scenes.
Otherwise, killing thirty-seven people would have been enough to get him expelled on the spot.
After Akio left, All Might stood up and bowed deeply to the police chief.
"Please look after that boy."
The chief was silent for a moment.
"He's good material," he said.
"I won't let him go down the wrong path."
All Might bowed again.
"Thank you."
He cared deeply about two of his students.
Izuku Midoriya, his chosen successor…
And Akio Tatsuma, whose strength and character had also caught his attention.
All Might would never show favoritism.
But when it came to protecting their future—
He would never hesitate to ask for help.
Because that was the heart of All Might.
A heart full of passion, responsibility, and unwavering faith in the next generation.
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