Chapter 55: Shadows Behind the Gold
"Now then, All Might," Midnight announced, stepping aside. "Please, present the medals, starting with the third-place winner."
All Might stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the podium. He picked up the bronze medal and approached Bakugo. The boy was a sight to behold: chained to concrete, eyes bloodshot with a rage that looked painful.
All Might reached out and unfastened the muzzle. The moment the leather dropped, the explosion happened—not from Bakugo's palms, but his throat.
"YOU DAMN MOSS-HEAD!" Bakugo roared, his voice cracking from the strain. He thrashed against the chains, ignoring the metal biting into his skin. "YOU COWARDLY LOSER! YOU THINK YOU CAN MOCK ME AND WALK AWAY?!"
He turned his murderous glare toward Midoriya at the top. "AND YOU, DEKU! YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT SPOT! IT'S MINE! I'LL KILL YOU BOTH!"
Before another threat could escape, All Might leaned in and skillfully shoved the bronze medal into Bakugo's open mouth. "Eat some victory, my boy! It helps with the temper," All Might whispered with a nervous chuckle. Bakugo's eyes nearly popped out, his teeth grinding against the metal in pure, silent fury.
Moving to the second-place pillar, All Might's expression shifted. The theatrical hero mask softened into a look of genuine respect. He looked at Zoro, who stood with arms crossed, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
All Might draped the silver medal around his neck and, to everyone's surprise, pulled the swordsman into a firm hug.
"I won't call you 'Young Zoro' anymore," All Might said quietly in his ear. "From now on, just Zoro. What you did out there... it impressed me more than any punch could. It takes more than strength to do what you did. You have a sense of foresight and honor that many Pros never find. I respect you deeply."
Zoro didn't say a word, but he gave a sharp, single nod. The silver didn't matter, but the acknowledgment from the man everyone called 'The Strongest' carried weight.
Finally, All Might ascended to the top. Midoriya stood there, trembling, his bandaged fingers throbbing. All Might placed the gold around his neck and embraced him.
"Congratulations, Young Midoriya," All Might whispered. "I hope you learned the lesson Zoro gave you. Power isn't just about how hard you hit; it's about knowing when to stop. We'll talk more later. For now, hold your head high."
Midoriya gripped the gold, his eyes blurred with tears. "Thank you... All Might."
All Might turned to the crowd, raising his arms. "To everyone here! You've shown us the future! PLUS ULTRA!"
The sun was already dipping below the horizon as Class 1-A sat in their homeroom. The high of the festival was gone, replaced by a heavy, bone-deep exhaustion.
Midoriya stared at the desk next to him. It was empty. Iida's seat was perfectly pushed in, as if he had vanished into thin air. A cold feeling of unease settled in Midoriya's chest.
Aizawa stood at the front of the room, looking more tired than usual. "Good work today, everyone. You all put in the effort. Because of the intensity of the matches, the school is giving you the next two days off. Rest your bodies."
A collective sigh of relief went through the room.
"But don't let your guard down," Aizawa added, his tired eyes sweeping across the faces of the entire class. "The Pros were watching all of you. We'll announce the recruitment offers when class resumes. Now, get out of here and get some sleep."
As the students began to pack their things in hushed tones, Midoriya's gaze lingered on the vacant spot. Iida hadn't said a word before disappearing.
Hosu General Hospital.
Tenya Iida burst through the emergency doors, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He was still in his U.A. track suit, but he didn't care about the stares.
"My brother! Tensei Iida! Where is he?!"
The nurse pointed toward the stairs. "Room 402. But please—"
Iida didn't listen. He sprinted, his engines giving a desperate, short burst of speed as he cleared the stairs. He turned the corner and saw his mother sitting in the hallway, her face buried in her hands. She was shaking with silent, broken sobs.
"Mother!" Iida skidded to a halt. "Where is he?!"
She only pointed to the door.
Iida threw it open. The room was dim, filled with the soft hum of life-support machines. Tensei lay there, a ghost under layers of white bandages. His breathing was shallow.
Tensei's eyes flickered open, hazy from the anesthesia. He saw Tenya and a single tear rolled into his bandages.
"Tenya..." Tensei's voice was a mere rasp. "I'm sorry... your big brother... he lost. I couldn't... I couldn't be the hero you looked up to."
The words hit Iida harder than any physical blow. His pillar of strength, his idol, was broken.
"TENSEI!" Iida wailed, falling to his knees by the bed. He buried his face in the sheets, his body racked with violent sobs. "No! It doesn't matter! Just stay with me!"
In the silence of the room, the grief in Iida's heart began to turn into something cold, dark, and sharp.
Far away, on a rooftop overlooking the rain-slicked streets of Hosu, a figure stood in the shadows. He was draped in tattered red rags, a jagged blade strapped to his back.
The Hero Killer: Stain looked down at the city.
"The world is full of fakes," Stain hissed, his voice like grinding stones. "Fame, money... they are cancers. They must be removed."
He pulled a newspaper clipping from his pocket—the winners of the U.A. festival. He looked at Midoriya, then his thumb moved to Zoro.
"A swordsman with honor... and a boy with the eyes of a martyr," Stain whispered, a terrifying smile spreading across his face. "Maybe there is hope. Or maybe... they'll just be more blood on my blade."
Stain vanished into the rain, leaving only the scent of iron behind.
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For Advanced Chapters:
Chapter 64 is Available now
The Legacy of Shadows & Labyrinth of Fate
Some secrets will be revealed to both Midoriya and Zoro.
The power of One For All and Haki have become the torchbearers of the future.
All for One doesn't know about One for All for Midoriya and Haki for Zoro.
Currently, Midoriya and Zoro are not a threat to Shigaraki; he's just frustrated by what Zoro has done. But if everything is revealed, Zoro and Midoriya will be in danger and among the first targets.
Zoro is ready and excited for it
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