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Chapter Text

The only thing he can remember is pain.

It feels like his head is on fire. Everything is on fire.

Is everything around him on fire?

Muddled voices surround him, words barely understandable.

And then he knows nothing.

-

He wakes up again. He can't see. Something is strapped tight against his head. He tries to get it off but a soft hand takes his and pulls it down.

"Midoriya-san, it is good to see you are awake this time. We were getting worried."

Midoriya?

"who..." He stops talking. His throat feels like it's on fire. Like someone ripped it out and then shoved it back inside upside-down and inside-out.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Now, on a scale from 1 to 10 how would you rate your pain?" the doctor? nurse? whoever it is asks.

Midoriya(?) tries to think about it. "hurts. less. head?"

"You did suffer some... severe head trauma." the voice admits. "But you're lucid! That's a very good sign. And am I correct that you remember- ah, did you mean you are in less pain now, Midoriya-san?"

He tries to nod. "yes."

"That'll be the codeine but it's very good to hear. The doctor says we can remove the bandages from your eyes tomorrow but we'll make sure the room is nice and dim just in case."

He has so many questions. Who is Midoriya? What happened? Why did he hurt so much?

Why does something feel wrong?

"In any case, your wife will be happy to know you're awake. Do you want me to let her in?"

Wife? He has a wife? "who..."

The nurse is silent for a painfully long time. "Everything will be fine, Midoriya-san."

How can everything be fine if he has no idea he even has a wife?!

-

It's been a week since he first woke up. The doctors explained everything to him after their questions and tests. He is Midoriya Hisashi. He was injured in a S-rank Villain attack, collateral damage from the clash between heroes and villains. He was lucky to had been found in time. There were so many victims that all the hospitals in the area were filled up. Some like him were moved from hospital to hospital in attempts to find someplace that still had room.

He was lucky that the hospital he was brought to had his genetic profile on file. The ID helped, of course, but there was some strange corruption with his bloodwork.

Midoriya Inko is on his emergency contacts.

She has been here every day since the hospital called, but with the complications... they haven't been allowed to meet just yet.

The doctors had to tell Inko about his memory problems and given his reaction to his own name, hope that he'll recognize her is low. Some nurses with a sense of romance on staff say otherwise; this kind of thing only happens in fiction yet he himself has doubts.

They're allowed to meet today.

His bandages have been changed. Even with modern medicine and quirk-developed practices, things are going slow. As the nurse said the room has to be dim because of his eyes.

A stranger walks in. Green hair, green eyes, heavyset (stress eating?)--

She's crying. She punched him in the chest. She's hugging him. She's crying. Something he can't see pulls on the plastic band on his wrist. She's screaming something about years? A son?

It takes him a moment to process what just happened in the space of a minute.

Apparently Midoriya Hisashi disappeared four or five years ago. He still sends money to his family which means he's not a complete asshole. They have a son, he's Quirkless, and Inko demands to know if that was why Hisashi left. Inko's heard nothing from him, no letters, no emails... and the first time she hears about him outside of the wire transfers was from a hospital.

Oh. Probably doesn't help that he can't offer any excuse or explanation since he doesn't remember a thing.

The doctors told Hisashi that while they were able to reconstruct his skull, there was significant trauma resulting in memory loss. A complete cut-off presumably to protect himself from remembering the horrific villain attack he was caught up in.

Hisashi tries to think of what he could do to help.

... which doesn't work because all he can think of horrible acts of violence against the villain who did this to him.

"I'm sorry," is all he can think of to say. That causes his wife to cry harder.

This is incredibly awkward.

-

The next day is even more awkward because Inko brings a copy in miniature. Thankfully the boy doesn't attack him. The child just cries and clings to him.

What is he supposed to do with a sobbing child and why does Inko look a little smug?

-

They repeat this every day for the extra month he's still stuck in the hospital.

It's rather annoying. A bit endearing. But annoying.

-

Tomorrow's the day Hisashi will finally get released from this hellhole. The devil only knows what kind of bill the hospital has jotted up thanks to all of this but luckily a large chunk of the victims' bills are being paid off by the heroes involved. Or more accurately the ones who caused the most collateral damage in that fight.

Which means All Might.

All Might has paid a third of the bills. It'd be half if it was just a fight between All Might and the villains, but apparently some other heroes got involved. They died but they were still involved.

Izuku wants to keep the check seeing as how it has All Might's signature. Inko, thankfully, is more sensible about it.

Their son is currently sitting next to the bed and has the tv on. The news shows a bunch of heroes fighting something made of wood.

Hisashi squints his eyes at the screen. "Is that a puppet?"

Izuku gasps. "That's not a puppet, dad! That's... um, wait. That is a puppet, but there's no strings so how is it being controlled?"

"I'd say wood manipulation but the joints are all oversized. Metal manipulation? But then they could use it on that one hero's costume." How bizarre but it's good to see that he and his son have something they can connect over.

"Dad... are those hamsters in the joints?"

The camera angle shifts and surely enough the joints are large wheels with small rodents running inside. Hisashi cannot believe his eyes. "... animal control and careful direction of which rat to command in what order. And the best idea they have to use that ability and fine control to make a giant puppet."

"So cool!" At least Izuku is delighted.

Chapter Text

Hisashi steps out of the car. Izuku is running ahead. Inko is just to the side, carefully keeping an eye on Hisashi as he walks along the pavement to their home. Maybe it's the bland design or the gray coloration but the apartment complex buildings look... uninspired and uninteresting. He doesn't feel relief or nostalgia at seeing them.

If not for Inko's insistence that they lived here all Izuku's life then Hisashi would've thought that the Midoriyas had moved at some point.

There's a flash of bright yellow out of the corner of his eye. Someone is stomping down the stairs and he sees furious red eyes glaring down on him through wild bangs. A woman. Short height but also short tempered given the fact she just slapped him across the face.

It doesn't even register that Hisashi slapped her back until the crazy woman barks out a laugh. "Not using your big mouth this time, Hisashi? Maybe that knock on your head was good for something after all. But listen up! If you run off on Inko and Izuku again, you'll wish you died at the hospital because nothing will stop me from sending you to the fucking grave."

"Inko," Hisashi's voice is strangely calm even with the hint of danger curling around the edges of his tongue. "Who is this vagrant and why does she have the audacity to assault someone just released from the hospital?"

His wife's smile though wavering is beautifully bright. A ray of sunshine just for him. "Hisashi, this is Mitsuki. She's my dearest friend."

"And I was fucking there for her when you weren't, you shit-head deadbeat." Mitsuki barks.

The explanation completely changes the situation. This isn't some random person being an intrusive idiot but someone fiercely protective of a person Hisashi... loved? Loves? "Thank you. I have no idea what I was thinking, but it is good to know that she had a friend like you to support her."

The women seem to stare into his soul, searching for some lie in his gratitude. It should be uncomfortable but... Hisashi isn't lying. However he viewed Mitsuki before her presence had helped Inko deal with his absence. But why would he abandon his family? Was he being blackmailed? Was he Quirkist? How could he possibly look at his son and feel anything but adoration for him? Quirks are a tool, nothing more, and a randomly selected one at that. It would be like hating Izuku for not having red hair. And to leave his wife behind to deal with the world's cruelty on her own...

What kind of a man was Midoriya Hisashi to leave or bear being separated from his family for four years?

Mitsuki breaks the silence. "Fine. If you want to grovel, we can do it over lunch. Inko? Your place or ours?"

"Our place is fine. I want to see if we can bring some of Hisashi's memories back. A warm meal in our home... I think it would help." Inko answers with a watery smile.

-

Nothing helped and Midoriya Hisashi still remembers nothing.

No one ate dinner that night; the Midoriyas were all too upset to stomach a single bite.

-

Hisashi feels like a ghost in his own home and he finds that doesn't like the feeling. Everything he sees has the touch of Inko or Izuku. Understandable given that he hasn't been home for so long but nothing here speaks of Midoriya Hisashi. It has been weeks now and much to his and his family's dismay there is no hint of any recovery. Maybe it is wrong of Hisashi to want immediate answers but he hates the way his beautiful wife trembles, the way his wonderful son hesitates and frowns, the way Hisashi himself cannot help but glare at his reflection in the mirror every morning and every night.

He hates himself because he is the reason why his family is so heartbroken. And he hates the Hisashi of the past for taking away their valuable time together. Family is precious and their lives so short and fleeting. He himself proves how easy it is to take away everything from a person and their loved ones. It was mere luck and the grace of an excellent hospital that Hisashi lives.

Yet his memories are gone.

He could live with no memories of Hisashi's past. He could rebuild his life even if he was never identified. It'd be hard but fully possible. But the memories of meeting Inko, her smiles and them learning about each other, the excitement or fear of the pregnancy, holding a newly born Izuku in his hands and watching him curl against his mother, of their baby's first words and steps... all of it is gone.

And Hisashi may never get them back.

He hears the front door open with a softly uttered "I'm home". Izuku's back from Aldera Elementary. His boy is late coming home again. Maybe Izuku was playing with his friends or maybe he was in a club. But... something still bothers Hisashi. He hasn't heard a thing about clubs at school; he and Izuku happily discuss Quirks they watch on TV or online videos. And the only friend Hisashi has heard the name of is Katsuki.

Hisashi is not sure what urge spurs him to do it but he doesn't immediately respond to his son's greeting. Instead he carefully steps into the room and watches Izuku lock the door. Izuku looks fine. A little ruffled, but boys play roughly right? However...

"Zuzu-chan. What is wrong with your arm?"

Izuku freezes.

-

Hisashi kneels down next to his son. His precious boy whose hand has yet to release the doorknob. Izuku is trembling, his knuckles bone white and eyes almost bulging out of their sockets.

Izuku has no reason to be afraid. So why is he terrified?

"Zuzu-chan, sweetheart, may I see your arm? You're not in trouble. Your mother told me all about how you're a sweet and good boy." Hisashi tries his hardest to keep the boiling rage from staining his tongue. That venom is not to be spat at his son but whoever dared to harm an innocent child.

And harm indeed it must had been. Malice and cruelty. Because his son's arm is mangled, burnt and bleeding. And if the wincing is any indication there's also something done to his son's ribs.

Izuku's eyes cloud over. Those beautiful green eyes are not seeing his father, not seeing the here and now. Either he is reliving today or he's remembering some past interaction between them. "Will you... What will you do?"

Hisashi cannot place his hands on his son just yet. He cannot lead Izuku to the bathroom, cannot clean him up and treat the injuries with a gentle hand. Not until Izuku agrees. "First I will help you get undressed. I will take photographs as evidence - this is not negotiable, they hurt you and they will lie to save their own hides. We will look up home and field remedies for whatever injuries you've suffered today. We will treat them together. You will tell me who dared to harm you. And then I will make them regret it."

Izuku trembles again. "D-don't hurt them, Dad. We just got you back! It's not worth it!"

"You are worth it, Izuku." Hisashi wonders why the first thought his son has was his father harming children. It has to be children. What kind of adult would dare do this to a child? "But I agree. No one is worth losing any more of our precious time together. Our family has already lost so much and I have lost even more thanks to some pathetic villain and the idiots who let the wreckage get so far out of hand."

His son brightens a touch before his expression falls to an adorable pout with furrowed brows. "But then... what are you going to do?"

The smile on Hisashi's face is wide and vicious and feels utterly natural. "There are many ways to make people suffer while being perfectly legal, Izuku. I will talk it over with your mother first but in all likelihood--"

-

"Inko? Can we sue Izuku's school?"

The question surprises Inko. Barely home a month and Hisashi is already talking about... well, not money exactly. But legal matters? Her wonderful grumpy bunny never did like people and he took every chance to insult them for doing horrible or stupid things. Better yet if he could hang them in the court of public opinion. It is something she both loves and hates about her husband and why Mitsuki always called him a silver-tongued two-faced... well, the words are better left in the past. Honestly Hisashi missed his calling as a lawyer but he'd wink and say something about how that wouldn't work out. Maybe he can study for it this time.

"I am not sure about suing them. I tried talking with the staff but... it never helped." The teachers would talk about how Izuku was clumsy or fragile, how he was jealous of the other children, how the other children had no idea how to play with someone so sensitive. Everything but the obvious truth.

Hisashi hums an unfamiliar tune as he slides a knife through the piece of pork loin. He insisted on making dinner tonight and Izuku's favorite at that to cheer him up. His newly discovered skill with kitchen knives is a surprise to them both. Hisashi wasn't a terrible cook but he was never so deft with a knife... maybe he took lessons while he was away. "Should I go speak with the principal then?"

"I spoke with him as well," she admits with a sigh. "You were always good with people even with how much you'd grumble. If you think you're up to it then of course, Hisashi. But can't it wait until you're better?" Inko wants her family safe and happy. This could make Hisashi happy and would hopefully solve Izuku's troubles. But... after so many failures who is to say anything will change?

Hisashi's eyes glint at the same time the knife digs into the wooden plank. For a moment her beloved husband looks so terribly dangerous and even more of a stranger than the hopelessly confused man she saw laying in the hospital bed. "That depends. Do you want Izuku to suffer in the meanwhile?"

Inko kisses Hisashi on the cheek. He always did know what to say. "Save our baby, Hisashi. But don't hurt anyone. If they get arrested I want them to suffer for a very long time."

Hisashi returns a kiss to her temple. "Those are my exact thoughts on the matter."

-

It took a few days to get the ball rolling but the Aldera Schools are on the news before the week is through. The staff is arrested for Quirkism, Illegal Quirk Usage, Child Endangerment, Incitement, and suspected ties to Destroist radical terrorists. The last was more of a whim than anything factual on Hisashi's part but the extreme perspective the Aldera Schools have towards Quirks held enough similarity to be a concern.

Izuku, who hasn't been allowed to return to his school just yet due to Hisashi and Inko's fears that the staff would retaliate, is crying.

Hisashi rests his hand on his son's shoulder. A reassuring gesture just as much as it is a claim. "They won't hurt you ever again, Izuku. Those monsters are going to jail. There's more than enough proof of their crimes and no court of law would dare let them slide. Not while there's no other scandals for the media to focus on and this, Izuku, will be quite the circus. No one hurts my family and gets away with it."

Izuku doesn't look away from the screen, too fascinated and relieved at what the news report is showing. But Hisashi can see Izuku's eyes shifting to look at him through screen's faint reflection and how his son is biting his lower lip. "But what about that villain All Might fought? He hurt you. He almost..."

"Let the heroes worry about him."

Izuku frowns at his casual dismissal. "But you hate heroes... You even hate All Might."

Hisashi's smile is more of a grimace. "All the more reason to let them handle the villain. Either they'll get him or he'll be too busy with them to worry about finding survivors from a previous attack."

Sweet yet furious Inko whips her head around to glare at him. "Hisashi!"

Hisashi laughs and eventually Izuku and Inko join in.

His family is safe. All that's left is to find a new school for Izuku.

-

They eventually agree on Malakoru.

Chapter Text

Hisashi and Inko had talked about Malakoru. It costs a bit more but it is worth it. There is a major problem in that Hisashi cannot remember his account information. Oddly enough the money still is coming through without his input. Inko smacked him over the discovery as it meant that Hisashi wasn't signing anything himself, but he was able to calm his wonderful wife down by pointing out that it's still coming anyway.

It is a bitter pill to swallow to see just how little Past Hisashi cared about his family and yet the automated system is a relief. There's no pressure for him to remember his old account information just yet. They have time to figure it out. He still has to do something to help, however.

Hisashi is able to find a job at the local library. It's not much but it helps get them some more money. It also gives him something to show to future employers.

Education, meanwhile, will be a little trickier than finding employment. Hisashi needs more money to attend college but he needs college to get a better paying job. He could take a loan but that would worry Inko and there is no a guarantee of a better job once he gets a degree. Not to mention that they cannot risk being in debt if Izuku is to attend college.

But Hisashi has been unable to find a scholarship for victims of villain attacks that he can make use of. They're meant for people hurt as children, for people fresh out of high school, or for people old enough to be his or Inko's own parents. According to the family register Midoriya Hisashi is 40 years old. This took him by surprise as scars aside he looks 35 at most. This means that Hisashi is too old for most of the victim scholarships he found but too young for others.

So for the time being he is borrowing books from the library and doing personal study with some free online courses. It's not much but it'll help.

-

They make do.

-

It is amazing how quickly time flies by.

Izuku laughs as he gets another visit from the tickle monster. Ruining Aldera was one of the best things Hisashi could've done. His beloved son has made wonderful progress recovering from the horrors that wretched 'school' inflicted on the supposedly weak. Izuku's new friends in Malakoru don't care about his Quirklessness and Hisashi sees them visit far more often then Inko said Katsuki would come over for.

They didn't move seeing as how Inko and Mitsuki are still good friends and the cost of a student's pass for the train is not unreasonable but Hisashi made sure to put his foot down over forcing Izuku and Katsuki to see each other. The mothers visiting each other is perfectly fine and he can put up with Masaru's presence seeing as how Hisashi has nothing against the man. But until Katsuki goes through therapy for whatever nonsense Aldera crammed into his head, the children cannot meet.

Apparently Izuku going to therapy means that therapy is something for weaklings. So the Bakugo boy still hasn't gone.

Hisashi will never understand that damn brat.

But late at night when Inko is sound asleep and her gentle caresses failed to lull him to sleep, Hisashi's mind wanders onto darker paths. He can envision an endless number of ways to make the Bakugo boy suffer. On some nights the boy's face flickers into those of complete strangers. Something within him purrs at such violent imagery but Hisashi stops himself. Katsuki would be one thing but to turn that hate onto other people would separate him from the one thing the man wants most in the world: his family.

He'll do anything to keep his family.

He has no idea what he did in those missing years. Maybe the absence of that knowledge is for the best.

So Hisashi does his best to block out that darkness and move on.

He never breathes a word about it but it seems that Izuku can sense something monstrous lurking within his father's soul. The boy turns white as a sheet whenever Katsuki's name is on Hisashi's lips.

-

Hisashi is sitting on the couch. A mug of coffee in one hand and a tablet in the other. He's not reading the digitized research paper because there's something far more amusing to watch: Izuku is frantically running around the apartment.

"Izuku. You're scaring the neighbors," Hisashi says with a sly grin. "What would your mother say if she was home right now?"

His lovely son freezes. Izuku grasps his hair with both hands as his bright green eyes wildly flash about the room. "But dad! I need my autograph book! I can't find it!"

Hisashi takes a purposefully slow sip. Izuku usually has everything in its place so this is rather unexpected. "Have you checked on top of your shelved notebooks? If I remember right it was on top of Journal 36 the last time I was in your room."

Izuku's adorable face goes bright red. "I checked! It's not on any of them!"

"Is there any particular reason why you need it today?" His son has been rather mysterious recently. Izuku claims he and his friends are going to hang out and the children are so very good at staying safe. But Izuku's friends haven't been over in the past few months. To be fair so many people Izuku's age are busy this year with their preparations for high school. Maybe Izuku has a crush? "Do you need to show off your collection to a friend?"

Izuku rapidly shakes his head. "NO! No, that's not it at all! I mean, it would be cool to show him but that might be so embarrassing..."

Hisashi pretends to be unaffected and incurious. He has no idea how he is able school his face and tone so easily but it is quite useful when it comes to teasing his son. "Now why would it be embarrassing? Everyone loves heroes after all."

"You don't." Izuku is sulking now. How cute! "You'd think it's embarrassing."

"If I thought it was embarrassing then why would I spend three hours in line at a convention just to get you a hero's signature, Izuku? It's no different from getting a signature from a movie star or a musician." Hisashi happily pokes holes in Izuku's assumptions. Well, it would be no different in the man's eyes if other celebrities also were known for casual displays of violence... actually, if their career is known for such. There's always individuals who make a name for themselves in the worst ways imaginable.

"Because you're my dad and you love me more than you hate heroes."

Hisashi smiles at his son's answer. "I do love you very much and in some ways you are right. My love for you is why I put up with doing things like that of my own will. However love alone wouldn't make me approach a hero for you in any situation other than your safety. It's the knowledge of how happy you would be with that token no matter how long it takes."

Izuku is staring blankly at his father and clearly is at a loss for words. Apparently Hisashi said something 'wrong' again.

"...your mother would likely be able to explain this much better than I can."

"That's okay, Dad. I know you're a little different from most people. But you're a good person." Izuku walks over, his arms open wide for a hug.

Hisashi sets down his mug and tablet to envelope the precious child in his arms. For a brief moment he buries his face in Izuku's hair. "I'm not a good person, Izuku. I am polite. I am patient. I am not nice. I am not kind. How Inko is able to put up with me or still allows me to have a presence in your life I have no idea. But you are very much your mother's child and I am so very proud of you Izuku. You did not allow the world ruin you."

Izuku buries his face in Hisashi's shirt. "Mom puts up with you because it's you, idiot. Even though you don't remember everything you're here and you didn't leave again. It doesn't matter that you're a grumpy old man because you're our grumpy old man and you love us. I love you both so much but you made them stop. So it doesn't matter what you're like, not really, not when you're being so good. It is what you do that matters. You're my hero, dad, and the hero of everyone who got hurt at Aldera."

Hisashi kisses Izuku on top of his head. A hero, hmm? The idea sounds so foolish but coming from his son it makes him feel so very warm. "Thank you, Izuku. Now we should see if we can find your book."

-

They do find the item before Izuku has to leave for school. Although Izuku is strangely protective of his book for the rest of the month.

Chapter Text

Hisashi was taken by surprise many times the past few months.

Apparently Izuku's secret meetings with a friend or crush were actually with an adult preparing him for the UA exams in February. Why Izuku felt the need to hide it is unclear. Inko is merely disappointed but Hisashi is still outraged. What if Izuku was hurt? It's not that he doesn't trust Izuku, although now he might have to revisit that in light of this deception, but the person Hisashi cannot trust is the one luring his son to a trash-heap and making his son do backbreaking labor as 'training'.

To make matters worse Izuku still refuses to tell them the man's name! The most they've gotten is that the man is tall and a vague description of the bastard's appearance. What if he's part of a child trafficking ring? What if he's a serial killer and is training Izuku to be just as monstrous as himself? What if the only reason he's getting Izuku trained up is so his body will be at peak health for some back-alley doctor's chop-shop? Izuku has the luck of the gods if this supposed physical trainer is exactly what the boy claims.

Hisashi knew that Izuku wanted to attend UA but as far as the father was aware of his son was studying for the general exam. Not that he would say Izuku couldn't be a hero but he would've had to work twice as hard to get in. Even a complete idiot who the pure chance decided blessed with power is able to get into a hero course so what chance would a brilliant boy have if the school turned out to be quirkist? So when Izuku came home he was talking about robots and a spontaneous quirk awakening? Quirks don't just appear out of the blue this late! And from the sound of things the size of some of the robots is absolutely insane! What was UA thinking?! The robots could have all the safeties installed but by making it a free-for-all with hundreds to thousands of prospective students and all of them supposedly are only using their Quirks in full for the first time?

All it takes is one idiot aiming or striking in the wrong direction and they could've lost Izuku!

But Izuku got in! He got the highest practical score of all the students this year! Not the highest on the written test but Izuku did very well there as well. Hisashi is so proud of his boy and the Midoriyas went to a nice restaurant to celebrate. Even if one ignores UA's primary courses it is still quite the prestigious school. The name could open a lot of doors in their son's future.

But today Hisashi is furious.

It isn't Izuku's fault. Truly. But apparently Mitsuki's brat got in as well and he decided to immediately go back to how he treated Izuku. And the teachers said nothing! While yes it still the first week, did they not actually look into the brat's shitty behavior? Not even two days in and his son was hurt badly enough by that damn boy to need Recovery Girl's help.

Hisashi's can feel his quirk building up behind his teeth. Smoke rising up until all he can smell and taste is the promise of ashes and cooked flesh.

"Inko. Give me the phone. I think it's about time I have a few words with another principal."

-

The first week has barely started and already there's an angry parent coming in. Shouta hates this part of the job. Negligent and abusive parents he can handle with ease - at the first slip they can be brought up on charges. But the overprotective or controlling ones are terrible in their own way even if they have their child's best interest in mind. No wonder Midoriya was so anxious.

The car that pulls up in front of the school looks well kept for an older model. Nothing fancy so at least that Shouta's not dealing with some elitist snob or a materialist trying to show off. Maybe the family has money troubles? The older Midoriya could be looking to get rich off of his hero son.

The man that emerges from the vehicle is surprisingly tall and broadly built. He looks about the same height as All Might. Not as massive as some people can naturally be but it is a bit of a surprise given the boy's own size. Midoriya-san is wearing a suit tailored to his frame but if the slight stiffness is any hint he hasn't worn it enough to properly break it in. White hair, similar texture as Midoriya-kun's but shorter. Scars on his head, faded. Reconstructive. Maybe the money troubles are from hospital bills? Better reason but still cruel to dump it on his kid. "Name."

"Midoriya Hisashi. And you..." The man's red eyes scan Shouta's body and catalogue everything. They linger on his scarf and goggles but also to the hero's surprise the concealed knife tucked against his body. "You are Eraserhead. Underground heroes are supposed to be smart yet you completely ignored that brat's ego."

"You are familiar with Bakugo-kun?" This is not how he expected this conversation to go. Apparently Midoriya got his smarts and observation skills from his father. This could be a problem but... UA is run by Nedzu. Tough luck there, Midoriya-san.

"Yes. I'm familiar with the violent little villain." Quirkist? "He kept the shit personality that Aldera enabled." Wait, Aldera? But that means- "And you happily ignored it. I know the boy. He would've been yelling about extras and weaklings for all the class to hear while making noise for attention. You ignored all of that and for what? His quirk? Do you really think a quirk is more important than the person it is attached to?"

...shit. "I'm sure Principal Nedzu will be able to clear everything up."

Midoriya-sans's eyes gleam like a demon straight from Hell. "If not then I'll have to do to UA what I did to Aldera."

Midoriya Hisashi is going to be a headache. Just not the kind Shouta thought he would be. "Follow me."

Chapter Text

Toshinori is waiting in Nedzu-sensei's office. He is very happy to meet Midoriya-shonen's father although he just wishes it was under better circumstances. His boy always has such warm things to say of both his parents. Toshinori knows that Midoriya-san has encouraged his son's interests even if he, for rather understandable reasons, dislikes the child's chosen career path.

He knew that the name Midoriya had been familiar. The poor man was caught up in that final brawl with All For One. One of many people who were nearly casualties of the once endless war. Toshinori added a bit extra to the Midoriya family's check when he saw the toll his own foolishness had inflicted on an innocent family. If only he had been a little faster. If only he had been that much stronger.

It is a miracle that Midoriya-shonen still cherishes heroes considering what All Might allowed to happen to his father.

The autograph book the boy had him sign after the training regime had begun was filled to the brim with signatures from countless Pros. Apparently only half were gained by Midoriya-shonen himself! The rest were collected by a loving father for his beloved son. It touched Toshinori's heart to see how much the man cherished his boy to approach people he depises just to see Midoriya-shonen's smile.
And if that wasn't enough, Midoriya-shonen confessed to Toshinori that Aldera's destruction was at his father's hands. Those places were no schools or safe places of learning but hellish cages twisting innocent children into fiends of the staff's own creation. A chill went up Toshinori's spine at the thought but everything Midoriya-shonen had described but his father acted completely within his rights as a concerned civilian. He gathered information and reported them and yet nothing more in spite of his outrage. If only some were as wise and patient. Sometimes the difference between a failure of justice to be remedied and a newly born villain is nothing more than the ill-timed use of a quirk. Midoriya-shonen named his father as a hero to all the children hurt by the adults of Aldera. This is true. Those facilities were nothing less than a nightmare poisoning innocent children and so to shine a light on their crimes is the act of a good man.

And now that same love and fury is being turned upon UA. Although it is nothing like the false promises of Aldera, his boy's father likely expects the worst to be said due to an unfortunate mistake in the Battle Trials.

"Yagi-kun, get ready!"

The principal's delighted tone gets his attention. Toshinori metaphysically flexes into All Might just in time for the door to open. Eraserhead walks in and-

and...

Oh no.

-

"I know heroes are a pack of idiots but are you deaf and blind too? That brat nearly murders my son and you have the audacity to say it was just a mistake?!"

Hisashi is glaring at Eraserhead. 'Aizawa-san.' Whichever. Too busy glaring at the teacher who was supposed to be responsible and more attentive towards his students unlike the empty-headed idiot who is trembling like a leaf. No one is touching the teacups except for the only being at complete ease: Principal Nedzu. It could be due to his nonhuman nature for all Hisashi knows or perhaps he is pretending to be so calm to maintain the illusion of control. If the little glint of something lighter colored at the edge of the man's little black eyes is any indication then Principal Nedzu's attention is skipping between Hisashi himself and that All Mighty Idiot.

Said moron dares to say something incredibly useless that makes it even more tempting to lunge across the table and punch the number one fool in the face. "I think I'm going to be sick."

It takes everything not to let the flames slip out from his teeth. "Of course. Now you're sickened by that brat's behavior. How convenient it is that only now that you're facing the consequences of your damn actions that you start to worry."

Eraserhead's eyes shine bright and the taste of burning flesh dies down. "Midoriya-san. We said there was nothing in Bakugo-kun's files indicating this behavior. It came as a complete surprise to us all."

"Katsuki's behavior barely any different from when I strung up the boys' elementary school. In fact, he's gotten worse. Of course his school didn't report on him as they clearly pandered to him because of his quirk! Again!" Hisashi snarls. He shoots a quick glare at All Might who dares to say something about 'near children' under his breath. What drivel is he spewing now?

The principal leans forward with his paws set lightly on the table. "Midoriya-san, may I ask you a few questions? I do promise that we will see to Bakugo-kun's behavior. It was unacceptable and we have a strict policy against bullying. Nevertheless I would like to clear something up."

Eraserhead and All Brainless turn slightly to look at Nedzu-san. Hisashi narrows his eyes at their shifting attention. The creature seems to be up to something if his staff are giving him the side-eye. "If I'm not satisfied with what you plan for that brat then I will sue the school."
Principal Nedzu's smile doesn't waver. "Acceptable and completely understandable! From what I saw Aldera Elementary was handled quite well. Yet why did you not elect to do anything more lasting or severe to the staff while you still had the opportunity?"

The humans in the room all still at the mammal's words. All Might hisses something about 'not encouraging'.

"There are a multitude of actions you could've taken against the school or its faculty," Nedzu-san presses on like the slow but relentless onslaught of an avalanche. "They harmed your son and encouraged abuse to take place both on and off their grounds. They shaped their students' minds to view such actions as perfectly fine against selected targets which included if not primarily were aligned against Midoriya-kun. Yet you chose instead to expose them to the media and have the staff arrested."

"Are you suggesting that I should've killed them?" Midoriya Hisashi doesn't understand where Nedzu-san is going with this. While yes the principal is not human he is not only brilliant by the blessing of his quirk and gaining a proper education but Nedzu-san also is a hero and may remember and understand every single facet of Japan's laws. For him to suggest criminal actions is rather strange.

Principal Nedzu makes a little motion with his paw and Hisashi finally takes a sip of the tea. Chamomile, clearly chosen as it is light and calming. Perfect for the meeting regardless whose nerves need to be soothed. Something about the animal's smile looks false - nonhuman species so of course it is false, the expression has to be practiced to look so natural - but the little smile also seems to brighten after Hisashi sets the cup back down. "They harmed Midoriya-kun. To my understanding nothing would stop a furious parent from avenging a child they love regardless of matters such as legality or morality. This behavior is mirrored in many other situations such as with siblings, lovers, or close friends. So why didn't you?"

Hisashi mulls over the question for a moment. While he and Izuku talked about this a bit in the past, these are adults with the ability to report or arrest him. However he has done nothing wrong. So... "Why waste my time on them and risk losing my freedom for a moment's satisfaction?" The admission causes All Might to startle. Amusing.

"I see! So the detriments outweighed the benefits. Quite understandable!" The principal nudges the plate of blueberry scones closer to Hisashi's side of the table. "An unrelated question: there are reconstructive surgical scars along your face and scalp. Have you suffered any injuries recently?"

There is a flash of half-remembered agony. A skip of his breath. A sharp inhale. Hisashi has to resist the urge to scratch at the faded scars. When his eyes open the only one who looks even mildly concerned is Eraserhead. All Might's grin feels forced while Nedzu maintains that aggravatingly doll-like smile. Congrats for having the most morals or empathy in the room, Eraserhead-san. "Yes. I was in a villain attack some years back. They had to glue my skull back together."

"I am very sorry to hear that, Midoriya-san." Nedzu chirps. Like the rat he is. "It is always unfortunate to see the devastation that villains and some heroes create. For that level of harm you are quite lucky and fortunate in your recovery! May I ask how you were identified as Midoriya Hisashi?"

Hisashi tries to occupy himself with taking one of the scones but he can see Eraserhead-san shoot Nedzu another look out of the corner of his eye. "I had my wallet in what remained of my business suit."

All Might doesn't even bother to hide his slack-jawed surprise. "Not by fingerprints or your blood?"

"You sent us a check so you know how mangled my body was." Unless it was All Might's PR agent and the man merely signed off on it sight unseen. Useless man. "As for blood, as I recall the doctor said there was something strange going on with that. I was eventually matched to myself obviously or I'd be a Yamada Taro."

"Have any of your memories come back? Familiar surroundings should help with such recovery." Why does the principal sound excited? That is an inappropriate tone for such a topic, Nedzu-san. How foolish of you. One would think better of you than that.

Hisashi's frown deepens as his thoughts are sent adrift. "Unfortunately not but we have moved on. I may not remember my life but that just means I have to focus on making new memories." Eraserhead-san and Nedzu both nod at that. All Might seems deadly focused on him; perhaps the idiot is regretting what his actions have created. "That said my job pays well enough now that I can afford to take online college classes. Izuku's education comes first naturally and while things were a little rough after Aldera Inko and I have confidence that we can afford for UA and take care of our everyday expenses while also enabling me to finish my majors."

Someone curses in English. Hisashi's eyes flick over in their direction for a split second and he sees it was All Might. Why is he even here when he is of absolutely no help whatsoever?

Eraserhead-san on the other hand is giving his employer an exasperated stare. "Is there any reason for this line of questioning?"

"Of course! I'm just satisfying my curiosity. It is very unusual to meet someone like Midoriya Hisashi and his unfortunate past. I do apologize for taking up valuable time with this but I could not help myself."

Wait. Hisashi looks blankly at the mammal. "Did you do a background check on your students' families?"

Nedzu raises a cup to his muzzle and the smile peeking over the rim remains painfully cheery. "Nothing so in-depth as what you're thinking of. Unfortunately we clearly have missed some key pieces of information if Bakugo-kun was able to pass when one considers the discrepancy between his behavior presumed and true."

And now they're back to Katsuki again. Good. "Speaking of the brat, let us discuss your teachers' inability to control that volatile little loudmouth."

Chapter Text

Shouta and All Might are both staring at Nedzu. The rat happily smiles back but the only hint that meeting had gone in a direction the principal did not expect are the new but faint scratch marks on the teacup set back down in front of him.

"Principal Nedzu, care to share with the class what exactly your little interrogation was about?" Shouta finally is able to ask.

Nedzu's answer doesn't help all that much yet it explains everything at the same time. "A man matching Midoriya-san's description was suspected of being the minor villain known as Karura, although the last confirmed sighting was seven years ago. For a time I believed Karura to had either fled under an alias or was murdered by a collaborator considering how thoroughly Karura disappeared."

Shouta tries to reconcile that idea with the Problem Child's parent. To his annoyance he can see it easily considering the man's temper and some of what he said. Midoriya Hisashi is a man accustomed to using strength to get his way and there is a marked lack socially accepted morals. At least the rat has an excuse. How did someone like Midoriya Hisashi produce someone like Midoriya Izuku? Perhaps he kept a strict separation of his home-life and his supposed work. "And then he conveniently suffers amnesia and remembers nothing of his past on both sides of the law."

"Considering the extreme injuries that man endured, merely suffering from such extreme memory loss while retaining full control of his body is incredibly fortunate for him regardless of whether he was Karura or not."

All Might looks visibly pained by something the rat said. If the attack was the one Shouta suspects then that could be guilt. Yet there is an unexplained stiffness to the hero's posture. "Principal Nedzu..."

The smile Nedzu gives Shouta is bright and cheerful. It's a trap. "Aizawa-san, would you be so kind to escort Midoriya-san to his vehicle?"

"You do realize he's already down the hall?" Does this have to do with the probability of a Midoriya/Karura connection? Fair. He wouldn't want a villain to wander the school grounds on his own even if he supposedly doesn't know that he himself is a villain.

The rat raises his paws palms up into the air, the image of pure intentions and innocence. "And risk him getting lost? UA is rather large after all!"

It takes Shouta a moment to decide. "Fine, you two can discuss whatever you want while I handle the angry and probably villainous parent."

The damn rat merely smiles and waves him off. "Thank you, Aizawa-san! I'm counting on you!"

-

Alone once again, Yagi-kun is swift to resume his true form. He likewise is quick to speak his thoughts. "That man cannot possibly be Midoriya-shonen's father."

Nedzu bows his head. "While there still is a chance however negligible that we are wrong, I do agree. For all the hospital's good work and accessible information that man was in all likelihood not originally Midoriya Hisashi."

"You just let him go." Yes. That fact that must gall All For One's sworn and true enemy.

Nedzu hums a cheerful tune as he pours them both a fresh cup. "Curious, isn't it? That he has had all this time to regain his memories and instead All For One has settled into a rather mundane life. The man was presumed to be a victim in that dreadful brawl, was moved to a distant hospital owing to the massive influx of victims, and the location so happened to be one which had Midoriya Hisashi's genetic information on record. Where they matched him likely due to the recent acquisition of Midoriya Hisashi's quirk. 'Midoriya Hisashi' clearly doesn't remember his former self or All For One would have undoubtedly had a far less visceral response to your presence and words. He would've leaned too hard into the lie to seem innocent and ignorant of you. Instead he is angry with you for allowing his son to be harmed by a former yet continuing bully, furious and rightfully so."

"Midoriya-shonen's father is dead." Whatever kind of man Yagi-san imagines Midoriya-san to had been, he clearly mourns the loss and supplanting if only for the pain the knowledge would cause his student.

Nedzu takes a quick sip from his own cup before continuing. "At All For One's hands doubtless! I believe Karura was working for All For One. Some of the villain's crimes made no sense at the time given that while they were similar to his usual methods, they were not crimes of opportunity nor were they committed while aiding a known group. Karura must had failed All For One in some way and thus All For One took his life. Then it became far more literal after your fight."

"My poor boy... He's been trapped with that monster for the past six years?" Yagi-kun looks so dejected at the idea. Understandable! And yet?

Nedzu laughs lightly at Yagi-kun's question. "Six years with no hint of his memories returning, Yagi-kun! I am nearly confident that All For One has been neutralized in a way no one could've expected. Admittedly I am concerned in light of this revelation for other reasons. I allowed Midoriya-san to believe that I did not perform a detailed background check on accepted UA students' families. This is correct for the majority of our student body! However I did one for the parents of your student. I trust your judgement in regards to the child - doubly so given that he attended Aldera Elementary considering how deeply and cruelly they purposefully failed everyone who walked through their halls. I am glad that the 'schools' were dismantled before they could force negative concepts in the minds of yet more children and further harm the ones they already were corrupting. However I had to be certain Midoriya-kun's home life is a fair and safe one."

Yagi-kun looks torn between gratitude and concern but rather than saying a word he chooses instead takes light sips of the chamomile tea.

"Midoriya Inko is anxious but a loving and caring person. She is imperfect of course but she does the best she is capable of. Meanwhile for all his previous faults 'Midoriya Hisashi' is now a doting and protective father who places his family before himself. For a man without any recollection of his previous education and the limited funds 'Midoriya Hisashi' spares himself he is progressing quite well on his degrees." Nedzu pretends to take a sip just to ensure his next words are timed perfectly. "Midoriya-san's chosen majors and his dedication to the pursuit of knowledge will make him a boon in any position in the medical or research sectors."

"Shit!" Yagi-kun nearly inhales his drink the precise moment he realizes the implications of All For One as a medical student. "You're mean Garaki. He was able to hide himself so well the before that fight but after All For One's presumed death he's completely gone to ground. The only reason why we learned he had been in the public eye at all was thanks to that announcement in Jaku that 'Doctor Mokuhi Kenshin' was retiring! But that monster likely still keeps track of quirk research studies if only to use the new methods for his twisted work. And if All For One publishes something that Garaki finds interesting..."

Nedzu's fur bristles at the idea of the 'doctor' learning that All For One lived through a research paper. It took far too long for those fighting All For One to learn of his trusted assistant. A once brilliant mind twisted by Japan's oldest villain into something so monstrous and whose work only truly benefits one man. The world does not need history to mirror itself with the servant corrupting his former master. "It would be disastrous if Midoriya-san is found by his former right-hand. Midoriya-san has been described by witnesses as a misanthropic and caustic person although many accounts claim he has eased up on his previously venomous tongue in light of his near-death experience and complete amnesia. He also despises heroes but again that was easily understood by those who know of his grievous injuries for it is a predictable result of your fight with, amusingly enough, himself."

Yagi-kun's eyes meet his own. "I am sensing a 'but'."

"In spite of his demeanor and view on people, Midoriya-san has been behaving in an outright civil manner. Without his memories as All For One there is no reason for him not to play along with society's rules. In fact I wonder..." Nedzu considers the possibilities and the apparent progress All For One has made while living a civilian's life.

"He's still All For One. Shouldn't he go to Tartarus?" Oh? Is that a ploy at devil's advocate, Yagi-kun? Or is it a request for justice after your failed attempt at vengeance?

Nedzu waves a paw as he picks up one of the remaining scones. "Considering the width and breadth of his crimes? Yes. But Midoriya Hisashi is completely ignorant and unaware of his past. In some ways you could consider the Hisashi persona to be the perfect prison for All For One. After all he is unable to act as All For One and in his own way is aiding society. Which leads me to a wonderful possibility that would prevent Garaki or others from claiming such a keen and callous mind for their organizations: we could encourage Midoriya Hisashi to follow his son's footsteps!"

The wounded hero chokes on his own blood for a moment at the suggestion. He dabs at his mouth with the bleach-damaged handkerchief. "Nedzu, no offense meant but are you insane!?"

No sapient in the field of heroics could be truly considered 'sane' by civilian human societal standards but Nedzu side-steps the question to instead encourage Yagi-kun's acquiescence. "Think about it! All For One's skill and mind turned against villains instead of being their paragon! You could consider it as All For One's community service if you wish."

Yagi-kun takes a moment to consider someone as terrible as All For One working for the good of all. Perhaps the idea is too strange? "But you said that familiar things would bring memories back. Wouldn't heroics, even if it is on the right side for once, start to bring All For One back to himself?"

"The possibility exists but he has gone six years of seeing your face in his surroundings without recalling a single thing. While this could be a sign of how little the villain cares or thinks of you, I believe that it is a sign of how stable the situation is and how absolute are his memories' absence."

The room is quiet for nearly a minute before Yagi-kun suddenly bursts into unrestrained laughter. The man is laughing so hard that he nearly falls out of his chair from the sheer force alone to say nothing of how he twists upon himself. "In his surroundings..!" Oh? This is going to be good. Yagi-kun can barely hold himself steady as he struggles to explain what has him so amused. "Midoriya-shonen is a fan of mine, as many are, but he... I know that these are minor things but I have seen five different pairs of shoes styled after my costumes. There was an All Might keychain on his backpack and once I saw part of an action figure sticking out of the bag. These of course are only small things but my boy's room without doubt must be completely covered in hero merchandise."

Nedzu considers the idea. Plausible given how over-exuberant humans can be towards favored interests or people they idolize. So 'Hisashi' would not merely seeing the face of All Might in the news and advertisements but every day at home.

"Also?" Yagi-kun's shoulders waver as he still tries to reign himself in. "You said that 'Midoriya-san' places his son's needs before his own. That he dotes on the boy. That means All For One has been using his hard earned money to gift All Might merchandise to Midoriya-shonen."

That is quite amusing indeed!

The smile now on Yagi-kun's face is not the baring of teeth he typically paints on to dash away all fear. It has more 'heart' in it. "Who could imagine that anyone could have such an affect on that monster? But if anyone could, is it so much of a surprise for that person to be Midoriya-shonen?"

... however it is best not to bring up the minor possibility that All For One was performing a double-bluff in regards to his fury or has been exacerbating Midoriya-kun's obsession with heroes for the end goal of the child being psychologically and emotionally shattered by what, without Yagi-kun, would've been an inevitable fall. Either Yagi-kun will think of it himself or the idea can be set aside for some other time.

Chapter Text

The Battle Trials with Kacchan aside, UA has been incredible! There were a few bumpy starts and some of his classmates are a bit standoffish (it's only the first week, Izuku, give it time) but UA is nothing like Aldera. Neither was Malakoru. A few bullies slipped past the teachers' attention by doing everything out of sight like in the stairs or muttering insults but Malakoru was very good at keeping things from getting as bad as it was before. But this is UA! Eraserhead-sensei and All Might both tried to stop Kacchan!

It won't be the same.

Izuku pauses when he spots Small Might peek around the corner. Eijiro-kun is facing Izuku and Toru-chan so at least one friend(?) hasn't noticed the skeletal man just yet. Going by the creases in Toru-chan's collar, she isn't looking Small Might's way either. "I... I think I forgot something. You guys go on ahead. I'll see you later?"

Eijiro-kun beams and Toru-chan waves her arm. "Sure thing. See you later Izuku!"

Izuku waits until his classmates go around the corner. Out of sight and hopefully still going. What if they think he's lying? Izuku did lie after all... but Dad would say not to worry as people lie all the time. Usually it's white lies - lies that harm no one or are the kind of polite things people always say when everyone really knows it's not true. And this won't hurt anyone, right? Izuku shakes his head a little before heading over to Small Might.

"Is- is something wrong, All Might?"

Small Might lightly grasps at the material hanging loosely off his chest and doesn't immediately meet Izuku's eyes. "Worry not, Midoriya-shonen. Nothing is wrong."

A little smile tugs on Izuku's lips. "Because you are here?"

That seems to do the trick and Small Might smiles back. "Ha! Indeed Midoriya-shonen! But also no. I... We had a meeting with your father just now. Midoriya-san is a rather-" The hero pauses and seems to be torn over what to say. "Dedicated. Person. To your safety. Which I appreciate, my boy! It is wonderful to know that he is just as caring as you said."

"Mmhmm. Dad's great. Sometimes he's a little too protective but when I think about everything that happened it makes sense?" Did Dad say something creepy again in the meeting? But nothing happened so maybe it wasn't that bad. "Dad panics whenever he finds out someone has gone missing and it takes a lot to convince him not to lock me in the house every time. But he's really good! And he's still very mad with Kacchan so... but yeah, that makes sense."

Small Might shudders at the words 'lock me in' for some reason. It's not like Dad would really do that. Dad doesn't even get angry with Izuku anymore! Angry about something that might hurt Izuku but never with Izuku himself. He's not abusive! "I see. So that trait- I was thinking, Midoriya-shonen, that it might help if your family and I finally meet. I imagine that if that man was fearful for your safety then our training sessions may have upset him. I know you did not wish to risk anyone connecting us before, but I do believe that your parents will be happier to know you were and still are in safe hands."

Izuku hesitates. He didn't want All Might to meet Dad. Izuku loves dad and idolizes All Might and them meeting in theory would be great. But... Dad is not like everyone else while also being not like everyone else in some of the best ways. And Dad really doesn't like heroes and meeting All Might in person might've made him really mad.

Maybe even murderous.

"Are you sure?"

Small Might bows his head. "I am sure. However it will not be as All Might. Even if I had not been in the meeting myself such a connection is best left unspoken. It is not that I do not trust your family, Midoriya-shonen, but it is for both your safety and their own that they do not know of One For All and perhaps not even that I, as All Might, am not just one of many of your teachers. But as your quirkless mentor? There are no doubts."

-

Hisashi has been home for a while. Although still clearly a little mad about the meeting he's strangely quiet as well. Thoughtful or still worried? Thankfully her husband was able to say it went well or Inko would've feared the worse. But something seems to be troubling her grumpy bunny. But Inko is surprised to hear someone knocking on their door. Izuki isn't home yet - he has a key - and the knock is nothing like Mitsuki's. It is softer. Mitsuki knocks like she's trying to break the door apart but this is almost the complete opposite.

Inko opens the door - chain still on just in case - and peers through the crack. The first thing she sees is her son. Happy, very handsome in his high school uniform, but his smile looks a little strained. The second thing she sees is some stranger looming by his side. If not for how long and darker his hair is and how shockingly thin the man is, he could've been Mitsuki's cousin. Not that he looks a thing like her nor would it explain his arrival here instead. Upon a closer look but something about him... the eyes seem familiar but Inko can't put her finger on why. They're a lovely shade of electric blue. Perhaps it is just the color and spark.

"Mom, this is... This is my teacher. He helped me train for UA." With those words Inko hastily unchains the door and lets them in. "Dad! I'm home!"

Hisashi snaps back to the world of the living and looks up from the couch. "Welcome home, Zuzu-chan. How was your day at school?'

"Dad! Not now, please!" Hisashi smiles at their son's dismay. It still surprises her sometimes at how playfully sweet Hisashi has become. If only he was like this from the start. He was charming before but he's positively adorable now. "I brought someone you wanted to meet. I'm, I'm sorry it took so long but..."

Hisashi frowns a bit at their son's words before his eyes light up in understanding. "So..." Inko's husband draws the word out like a knife along a stone wall. "This is man who would pull you away to secluded places."

Izuku's mentor flinches at the accusation. "Midoriya-san. I am Yagi Toshinori." He hesitates before bowing towards Inko. "I beg your forgiveness. I was not thinking of how our meetings could have been seen. Midoriya-sh- Midoriya-kun is a wonderful child. When we met I found that him to possess so much potential as a hero. He has the heart, the sense of justice, and he has the drive. The only flaw was that Midoriya-kun did not have the means or a teacher's support. This is not a slight against you but a painful truth: without training your son would've been at an even greater disadvantage in the practical entrance exam. To say nothing of what could've been had his quirk came in without the increase in his physical fitness."

Inko thinks over the man's words and tone. Izuku was right. Yagi-san does care. He is however a bit of an idiot if he didn't think about all the disappearances and how others may see more dreadful reasons behind his actions. But her son was and Izuku still is safe.

"I'll make some tea. Is there anything you may like?"

Yagi-san smiles sheepishly at her. "I fear that I will only be able to stomach a cup of tea for now but thank you for your offer."

Inko turns to look at her boys. Hisashi is still staring balefully at Yagi-san while Izuku shrugs his shoulders at his mother's unspoken question.

... she'll set up a small plate just in case.

-

The conversation has been going fairly well so far. Toshinori was able to explain how and when they met without revealing anything in regards to his heroic form. He was in the crowd at the Sludge Villain incident. He works in heroics and liaisons with the police, so Toshinori has been keeping an eye out for a potential students to recommend entering the field. Yes, he attended UA and while there is a personal preference for the school it is not the only good school and Midoriya-kun would do well no matter where he attends.

Toshinori is holding the cup of houjicha carefully with both hands. He wondered about the selection until he noticed how many cups that villain has downed during the conversation so far. Inko-san must be trying to prevent her 'husband' from being over-stimulated.

"Of course I was as surprised as everyone the moment Midoriya-kun's quirk came in. To think that it presented itself in such a dynamic way! To take out the Zero Pointer how he did was very Plus Ultra of him." Toshinori is grinning, proud of his boy. He had thought One For All would've come in earlier but that display was as explosive as it was heroic. The poor child.

Midoriya-san's eyes flash at Toshinori. It takes everything not to feel for the embers of One For All at the way those red eyes sear into him. "You were at the entrance exam?"

Toshinori blinks. Why would that be so strange? O-Oh. Right. "I was allowed to watch. Sometimes Nedzu-sensei lets Pro Heroes watch alongside the teachers for another perspective."

Hisashi pauses. "What exactly is your job again and why were you precisely invited and not another hero?"

"I am a heroics consultant although my primary job has to do with paperwork in Might Tower. As I have worked with many different pro-heroes at different stages in their careers, Nedzu-sensei wanted my perspective on the prospects' heroic spirit this year. It was your son's efforts in rescuing a child younger than himself from a villain which drew my eye to him after all." Toshinori breezily answers. The sheer amount of forms he has to deal with for All Might is ridiculous but Nedzu-sensei as well as both David and Mirai had all individually pointed out to him in different ways years ago at how invaluable to civilians those insurance claims would be. Not that he was blind to it! But the sooner those forms were processed the sooner innocent lives could heal and move on from devastation. It also led him to gifting money to victims caught up in his fights. Hero Insurance only pays so much when it does pay and it can take years to be granted, at which point the individuals may be worse off or may have even turned to crime to pay for the exorbitant costs and rising debt.

The Symbol of Peace may be a powerful force that lays down more the greater threats but it is often the smaller things the world brushes away out of apathy and greed that cause the greatest harm. Sometimes it feels like that the world is trying to create villains rather than stemming the tide. And in his darkest nights Toshinori fears that All For One had a hand in twisting the system, only to dwell on how easily man falls. The sheer brutality he had wrought in that last fight had shaken the man within the mask of All Might to the core. Even if though was for the world and for Nana and all the previous bearers of One For All, Toshinori had felt that skull crack and kept on pounding until the monster's brains were spilling out.

The only reason why 'Midoriya Hisashi' was taken to a hospital and not to a morgue was that the grievous wounds and exertion fighting All For One had created nearly killed the hero and sapped his strength dry.

In some ways it is a relief to know Toshinori had not taken a life so brutally even if it was the worthiest target. But he still has yet to fully come to grips with what that fight revealed himself to be capable of. It would be so easy to tear down everything wrong in the world. Nothing would stand in his way if Yagi really tried. No one, not any hero nor any villain as All For One was 'dead'. No law would stop him and only the way Nedzu-sensei can plan circles around other beings would have any hope of stopping a fallen All Might, yet the principal would only be able to do so much if All Might continued to lose his heart. His legacy would have would become an image of fear and dread to all rather than hope and safety, a fist coated in blood rather than raised triumphant against disaster.

Midoriya Izuku has the perfect heart. In spite of how low the world tried to bring him and the touch of All For One's hand in his life, Midoriya Izuku is so painfully good. He will be a wonderful hero. He will rise above where Yagi Toshinori has faltered and as long as All For One remains lost in the mind of Midoriya Hisashi then Toshinori's boy will never have to feel his heart and soul crack and darkness try to worm its way inside.

The conversation moves on to better topics. Toshinori is able to share stories from Midoriya-shonen's training and see the blushing adoration his boy lights up with. Everything will be fine.

-

Small Might leans over to Izuku while Mom and Dad are distracted by the phone going off.

"Was it something I said?" the best hero ever asks very softly.

Izuku fidgets in his seat. Something about what All Might had said earlier still didn't sound right. Yes it makes sense but it also doesn't? There's probably strict rules on who gets to be involved with judging the exams and to invite someone who isn't actually working or will be at UA? Either that person is trusted completely by the faculty or something is going on. "I'm not s-sure... Maybe it's nothing."

-

Hisashi strokes Inko's back. His lovely wife looks upset over whatever Mistuki had called about. "Is something wrong, dear?"

"I..." Inko glances in the direction of the front door. "Mitsuki needs some help. There's a slight problem and I have to talk with her about it."

Right now? Exactly right now? It must be serious. Perhaps UA decided to cut to the chase, or maybe there was a death in the family. But then why would Inko consider it a problem she must be involved with? Mitsuki is her friend but family is far more important. With a heavy sigh at the thought of dealing with this mess without her input, Hisashi gives Inko a kiss. "Go on ahead. She is your friend and I can take care of things here. Don't worry."

Inko gives him a watery smile. "I know. Yagi-san is such a sweet man. A little... silly, but he's sweet. He's good for Izuku and Izuku clearly cares about him." She taps him on the chest with a small grin. "So no games!"

Hisashi bows his head. "As you wish."

Inko takes nothing with her but her keys. Hisashi is now alone with his son and the interloper.

"So. Want to try this again, All Might?"

Chapter Text

"I- I am no-"

Hisashi cuts in with no delay. "Yagi Toshinori may be your name but you clearly are also All Might. So what does the number one hero want with my son?"

"As I said." All Might, the lying bag of bones, the manipulating bastard is giving him a stern look. His eyes almost alight with that same electrical energy from back in the office. "Midoriya-shonen will be an incredible hero. You must be proud to have such a wonderful boy, Midoriya-san!"

Everything is said just right. But Hisashi ignores the platitudes to carry on his search for answers. "Did you hurt him?"

All Might blinks. Surprised that he was found out? "-pardon?"

"Did you force my son to have a traumatic quirk manifestation, hero?" The taste of ash rises in his mouth. He can almost see it. His son being attacked by those powerful fists. The feel of a punch that shatters buildings and metal. The world shakes and all that's left is ravaged flesh and broken bones.

"NO! I would never hurt my boy!" The anguish in All Might's voice only makes Hisashi even more furious.

"YOUR BOY?!" How DARE this monster claim Izuku as his!?

"Dad! All M- Yagi-san!"

"It's not like that!"

"Quirks don't just randomly show up, Izuku! You were quirkless!" For the first time since Inko stepped out, Hisashi turns away from All Might to look at his precious son. "Your mother told me that all the doctors agreed that you would never manifest a quirk. You don't need one at all for the world places far too much emphasis on the chance of blood. But with how late yours came in and only after this buffoon started working you to the bone it's like he gave you one!"

The room is painfully silent. Izuku and All Might both are sitting there still as stone, looking like they have been caught moving a dead body.

"Yagi." Hisashi begins, his voice as cold as ice. "Did you give my son a quirk?"

"He did."

All Might coughs out blood. His teeth are stained red as he looks to Izuku in horrified surprise. "Midoriy-"

"Be quiet!" How dare this liar try to control a child and force him to lie for his own profit! What kind of hero is All Might to make such a demand? "He is not your boy. Izuku is my son. You seem to care for him but your insistence that he keep quiet about whatever this is-"

Izuku fidgets uncomfortably in his seat. "He didn't tell me not to tell you or mom. I... um... I just didn't want you to get in trouble."

"Why would your father be in trouble, Midoriya-shonen?"

Izuku and Hisashi look at each other. Hisashi thinks it over. He did already reveal a bit in the meeting so may as well see what Izuku will say. Although All Might would surely try to get him in trouble Hisashi now has several pieces of blackmail to use against the man. How effective it would be is a mystery.

-

"Dad's... Dad's good but he's, um, he's also not good?" Izuku has no idea how to put this. This is a nightmare.

"But it's okay! He's been better ever since the hospital! He's still a bit weird sometimes but he's not coming home smelling like blood or gasoline anymore and he hasn't said anything like he did when I turned five to anyone and..." The alarm on both Small Might and Dad's faces is kind of funny. Dad had no idea that he used to do that and Small Might (Yagi! He knows All Might's name!) is similarly shocked. "And I didn't want to lose him again in case he was a villain. He's so good now!"

Izuku takes a moment to catch his breath but quickly continues before either person can interrupt. "Dad doesn't care I was quirkless! He's scared for me because he found out about Aldera but he still supported me. He loves me. He doesn't care that I like heroes but he kept saying I can be a great one if I wanted to even before I got into UA and after he said that he was mad I lied and he wanted to take me to a doctor to make sure my quirk didn't hurt me but he says that the only difference was I now had an extra tool for my dreams. He didn't leave us again and I think he never will now. He talks to mom all the time and we have so much fun together. Dad has been doing so much to make sure mom and I are happy before he even thinks about himself that sometimes he forgets to be nice to himself. And... and..."

"Midoriya-shonen... I..." Small Might looks at a loss for words. But that's okay. Everything's fine! Izuku just needs to get Dad to calm down and... and everything has to work out. "Midoriya-san? May I ask you a couple things?"

Dad waves a hand.

"Does the name Karura sound familiar?"

"No." Wait, who or what is Karura?

"If you begin remembering and think you might want to hurt people, what would you do?" Dad wouldn't hurt people! Anymore. He's a good person now!

Dad flinches. Why did he flinch? He's... a still little mean to people sometimes but he's so much better now. "I suppose it depends on the severity and if the mindset as well starts to return. At the worst I... I may end my own life."

"DAD!"

Izuku isn't sure if it's just how bony All Might looks is but the smile doesn't look quite right. It seems like acceptance rather than anything pleased or happy or defiant. "It would seem that you are a good person even if you were not before your... accident. You want to keep your family safe and if that means keeping them safe from yourself then I can only hope that you're able to keep the past where it belongs."

"It wasn't an accident, was it." Dad? Why are you saying that? You were a victim, of course it was an accident! "The 'villain' who left me for dead... was not a villain at all."

"An accident? Even if you were a bystander harmed in the fight the answer would have to be no." That makes some sense but All Might is being so strange right now. Something is wrong. "Although it was a villain who first laid his hands on the man known as Karura, it was a hero who ruined your body."

None of this makes any sens- wait. "You hurt my dad?" Izuku's cannot believe it. All Might nearly killed his dad. Dad was a villain that was... betrayed? By another? But then was almost murdered by a hero. Dad's skull. The whole reason why Dad changed was because of an attack seven years ago. Yagi-san's stomach... but it's not a burn or something Dad could've easily done. So whoever betrayed Dad must've been the villain All Might fought. But Dad was probably fighting at the villain's side. No. This makes too much sense. It's wrong.

"Izuku. If I was a criminal and a villain then he would've had good reason to hurt me. Perhaps not so drastically but I had to be stopped." Dad is looking at All Might, his expression just as grim as the hero's. "And in a way I was, just not in an expected way. Did Karura have allies or did he work for the villain he was apparently used as a meat shield by?"

"I do not know the extent of Karura's individual crimes but the man he worked for was one of the worst. I would not be surprised if it began with blackmail or manipulation but every one of that man's servants had a genuine desire to please him." All Might pauses, hesitating. Why is he hesitating only now? "One of the servants is still in the wind and unfortunately it is the worst one of all."

"He knows my face."

"He does."

Oh no.

Dad leans forward ever so slightly. "Why are you trembling?"

"Because of... because of what that man would do if he learned that you lived. He is a monster who already knows of your intelligence. Should he learn about your studies and analysis skills he would twist you into a mirror of his master." All Might grips his left side with a shaking hand. It's the spot where someone - this 'master' villain - hurt him. "You would become the paragon of villainy, a hateful creature determined to bring down society as we know it if not the world as whole. The price would be your mind and soul."

"...what if I went to him? Would he spare Izuku and Inko?" Dad.... Dad no...

"I fear not. I suspect that either the man you would become or that 'doctor' would do unspeakable things to your loved ones. To kill whatever heart would linger in your chest."

Izuku recognizes the gleam in his father's eyes. It is terrifying but it is still the same way Dad looked when his arm bleeding and when Izuku finally spoke about a then nameless mentor. "To kill my heart. I see. And if I tear out his first?"

"I... I cannot ask this of you, Midoriya-san." All Might looks so terrified by his father. But that's just Dad being protective. It's nothing bad, right? Right? "Nedzu-san did suggest the idea but if you learn to be a hero or act as a vigilante there is a chance that pursuing such paths will bring back things best forgotten."

"You could arrest me when all is said and done."

"And if I can't?" All Might wouldn't let the fact that someone is his successor's family get in the way, right...?

The silence stretches on for ages before Dad says anything more. "Then finish the job."

"NO!"

"Midoriya-shonen... you don't know the-"

"Don't kill him!" It takes Izuku a moment to realize he's thrown himself from his seat and is clinging to All Might's chest. In a sick way it reminds him of their first meeting. If he let go, Izuku would've fallen. If he lets go now then what will become of Dad?

"Son, it is better to have a idea of what to do in case of the worst situation imaginable." Dad is trying to sound reasonable, like this is something he thinks of every day, but it's wrong. Izuku knows that Dad doesn't quite think like other people but even he has to see that this is wrong! "It may not be needed but I am giving him permission to stop me should I regress or worse. I do not want to hurt you like this but I do not want to hurt you at all. You're precious to me and I will die before I lay a hand on you like that." The steady tone breaks with the words 'hurt you' and without Izuku looking away from All Might's face the boy knows that Dad is must be close to tears.

All Might meets Izuku's eyes and he can clearly see something like regret and resolve in his hero's gaze. "Hisashi. While I... I do understand, but I am certain that we can think of something that will negate such a need. I promise you with all my might that you will not become a monster should you begin to change. But with hope and help the means may not be as final and absolute as you have suggested."

Chapter Text

Hisashi feels rudderless. He knows he isn't a good person but to learn he was a criminal and one beholden to some manner of terrorist?

Izuku still hugs him and tells him that he doesn't care. But there is an almost guilty note to it.

All the same they agree not to tell Inko just yet. She has her hands full with Mitsuki right now. She doesn't need the added worries or concerns at this moment.

-

Yagi calls the Midoriyas the next day with an offer. He will teach Hisashi with Principal Nedzu's help. If nothing else the lessons will help Hisashi learn how to act in a more morally-minded manner. They'll meet today while Izuku is in class if he accepts.

The promptness of the offer is rather surprising and more than a little suspect.

But looking at Izuku, Hisashi agrees.

-

Nedzu seems almost giddy to have a paw in the lesson plans. Toshinori understands to a degree. The mammal wants to test Hisashi on his perception of human morals from the man's flawed perspective. The hero agrees as it will help them understand where to begin reteaching Hisashi on how to be human.

The difference from what an outsider to humanity as a whole versus the twisted view of one of their own, to Toshinori's understanding, would be also rather interesting to explore. There is also the question of if an animal who had to educate himself on human morality is able to manage it, why wouldn't a human who grew up surrounded by such things?

Nana had not been able to say why All For One was the way he was and neither had Torino. They had no answers from their predecessors either. Perhaps only the First had any idea and even then, that monster's brother was trapped and tormented for not obeying the fiend so his answer may had been ignored as a prisoner's attempts to prevent further harm being dealt by his captor.

Toshinori is regretting this already but he has to know. And to understand what kind of a flawed morality Midoriya-shonen has been exposed to for all these years.

Maybe the answers won't be that bad seeing as how Hisashi remembers nothing of being All For One.

-

For a moment Hisashi believes that someone put a textbook or encyclopedia down in front of him.

It is a stack of papers. Two. Another set was set in front of him. The ream to the left are the questions. The ream to the right are lined for writing essays.

"Why." It is less of a question and more of a demand for mercy.

"So you can be thorough!" The quirked animal clearly has no concept of mercy.

"You murdered a tree for this." The sheer amount of paper is a complete waste.

"Hmm. I would say this is closer to one fifth of a tree." Nedzu's tail whips around behind his body like a banner caught in the wind. "I believe that you can complete all of this in the time allotted. You can work beyond such limitations if you try! Plus Ultra!"

-

The results are as amusing as they are twisted and at times heartbreaking. Many answers are right but for the wrong reasons while some are wrong but reasoned well enough to seem right.

"His answers are fascinating." Nedzu tells Yagi-kun as the mammal flips through the papers once again. In all honesty he is rather impressed at the speed All For One wrote with. Even if he was grasping his hand in agony just before the time ran out. "As we believed they do imply his personality hasn't drifted far from his previous state. And yet Midoriya-san is hardly any worse than the average citizen seeing as how he does note that while thought experiments are one thing, in practice he is unsure what action he would take. His answer to question 43 however is one that I believe he could and genuinely would take if placed in such a situation."

Yagi-kun glances up from the page he is reading. "What was that one?"

"Trolley Problem variation 4." There were multiple variations on the same questions just to be sure that someone taking this test couldn't just give what they thought the answer should be. That the differences in how the questions are posed also give more data to work from is an added bonus. "In short he said that if 5 people were tied down to one rail and 6 were simply standing on another, he would change the vehicle's path towards the ones standing given that they are able to move and have better odds at survival. If even one got out of the way in time then it was a better choice than keeping it on track to definitely hit the other five."

Yagi-kun clearly has no idea what to say to that. Action versus inaction and risk versus certainty. How could an answer almost sound fair while still being so callous?

Nedzu's tail swishes as he looks again at essay page 167. "It is rather intriguing, isn't it? Such a shame he would never had taken the test before his current state. It would've been interesting to see how his answers have changed."

"Assuming he would've been honest and not answered either in the correct way to throw off suspicion or in the absolute worst ways to torment the grader." Yagi-kun mutters.

"Indeed!"

-

Hisashi opens his eyes to see Nedzu standing on the back of the meeting room's couch. "Good news! Your morality, law, and ethics test has been graded!"

Please leave him be, Principal Nedzu. Let the dead rest in peace. "And that's the bad news."

"Quite so. Many of your answers were alarming." The rat continues to show no mercy. "A lighter example is that your proposition in regards to the lifeboat was morally fair but entirely for the wrong reasons."

The lifeboat question? Hisashi is uncertain why that would be an issue. "Why? The cabinboy was sick. Eating a sick body would get the other humans stranded on the lifeboat sick."

Nedzu climbs down the couch to stand next to Hisashi with a cheerful smile. "Ignoring the fact that the young man was in a comatose state and could possibly feel the pain of being harmed. As well as the possibility that with help he could've recovered. To say nothing of the chances of being rescued within the remaining weeks."

"Majority wins," Hisashi says with a shrug. It made perfect sense and still does. "Had the cabinboy not been diseased it would've been a perfect solution to the question of food."

The principal continues on as though he had not heard Hisashi's well-reasoned explanation. "And then there was your suggestion of what manner of practical joke to perform if the user possesses an invisibility quirk."

"You never specified if it was only reflective on the surface or what would happen after processing food and drinks." Honestly, why bother leaving out such details in the situation? There could be many different forms of invisibility quirks. In fact some quirks could be mistaken for invisibility but truly being something else altogether. These are important things to consider. "If the 'invisibility' is at a genetic level then the that means the feces is invisible."

"Did you have to suggest tracing the matter all along the inside of a target's home?" Nedzu closes one eye a touch in mimicry of a human raising their eyebrow.

Oh. That is the issue. "It seemed like the thing to do for a 'harmless prank' that would not be easily identified and ultimately causes minimal harm. You did want me to answer honestly."

Nedzu rests a paw on the couch. The tips of claws are just barely noticeable as he taps the cushion. "It is moments like this that showcase how your species is more closely related to Ceboidea simians such as howler monkeys than to more sensible mammals. Now, the question didn't ask this but why wouldn't you do such a thing?"

That answer is easy. "DNA matching."

The quirked animal outright cackles. It sounds deranged but cuts off before Hisashi can figure out if he is in danger or not. "You have a talent for this, Midoriya-san! Still correct but again for the wrong reasons. All the same it does explain some of how your mind works. Which is wonderful news! Noninvasive correction is possible!"

Hisashi almost agrees but something about what Nedzu said feels more dangerous than the mammal's laugh. "You mean physically noninvasive, right?"

"Of course, of course." Nedzu answers with a wave of a paw. "There might be some mentally or emotionally intrusive elements to what may be done but we can train you to skip your natural processes to something more in line with what humans expect."

Hisashi is honestly starting to regret coming in to speak with the being. Again. "Did you mean teach or train?"

The way Nedzu is smiling seems mocking rather than sickeningly sweet. "Humans are animals too."

Hisashi cannot argue with that but is about to say something anyway-

"Also it is how humans describe it as well." Nedzu barrels along. "There is teaching facts and lessons, of course, but there is also training your body and/or mind. So! In this case it is more along the lines of training! You have the facts and you mostly understand human morality if from the perspective of how to get other humans to act in a way you so desired. Previously you simply did not care about such matters from a law-abiding or ethical standpoint."

"Karura." That is obviously what Nedzu is referring to.

"Among other things but yes."

Hisashi eyes the rat that isn't really a rat. The way he talks about humans and human morality... "How difficult was it for you?"

Nedzu clearly understands what Hisashi is thinking about. Or perhaps he simply is making an educated guess. "Not as much as you seem to suspect. After all I had (terrific) examples of human behavior that I did not wish to emulate long before I began to learn about more conventional human interactions."

Terrific, but not a word meaning terrific. Why did Nedzu specifically use the English word rather a Japanese one? Wait. "Terrific as in splendid or as in terror-inducing?"

Nedzu smiles.

Hisashi considers it. "Terror it is."

-

Nedzu hums to himself as he watches the former All For One exit UA's grounds on the camera feed. "That went well. Perhaps I can indeed instill the same manner of innate respect and fear as Torino-san forged in Yagi-kun. The momentary edge such a fear response would grant should his memories return would be very useful. Better still, if they remain lost then such a reaction would remain quite amusing!"

Chapter Text

Izuku is attending a field trip today. USJ, apparently a facility where the students are given their first experience in various environments. It feels a little too soon but Izuku knowing how to act in differing environments and disasters is a good thing and the lesson always be revisited at a later date.

Yagi was going to be present but apparently the principal got a third year student with a strength quirk to help in his stead.

"You are not taking time away from my busy schedule. If anything it is the other way around!" Yagi reassures Hisashi.

"What is the prognosis, doctor? Will I live?" Hisashi dryly quips as Yagi fumbles through a bundle of papers.

Yagi grins at him. "Ha! You unfortunately shall, Hisashi, much to the world's dread. We are just trying to figure out where to begin. Nedzu-sensei and I put much thought into how we may help you. I informed him of what you said and he agreed that such a thing is not necessary. Even if you recalled Karura, Hisashi, the goal would be to indeed prevent harm and also hope you could change your ways." The hero's attention drifts a little and his eyes lack that spark Hisashi is slowly becoming more familiar with. "Unfortunately the way Japan has implemented the Hero System and the way our courts have a tendency to presume guilt... Anyone who gets dubbed a Villain on arrest for even the most frivolous excuses or petty acts are doomed to be forced lower and lower under the tide until they give up any hope and drown. It should not be this way when one considers how much worse 'villains' are often treated in comparison to mere 'criminals'."

"Then why not change the system? Tear it down and replace it with something else?" Hisashi notes the way Yagi shudders at his suggestion. Not good?

"If only it was that easy. Unfortunately so much is tied to Heroics that even a small change can have devastating effects. My efforts are mainly to be an inspiration and shield everyone from the greatest sources of harm, although I do step in with the smallest troubles whenever I am able to." The hero sets the papers down on the table.

"Because the smallest things can have the greatest effects."

"Yes!" The man's loud agreement echoes a bit through the room. "Even if it is only on a single person's life, that life then could go on to have an effect on countless others. And so it goes."

"... but why should I care about any of that?"

Yagi slumps where he is standing. "That is the sticking point, isn't it? Why should a man like yourself care about other people? You care about your wife and son, Hisashi, and going by how you waited to confront me over my other identity you do understand how your actions could affect those you care about. But consider how your actions affected all the other children harmed by Aldera! Your actions were focused on Midoriya-shonen but you also helped save countless others from harm or misery."

"Their benefit was incidental," Hisashi brushes off the 'good act' without a care. The only other children he has any vague goodwill towards are Izuku's friends from Malakoru and the occasional child his son has spoken positively of from UA thus far. Furthermore, such goodwill only extends so far. They are his son's friends and make him happy. Unlike Katsuki. This means that if a criminal has them held at gunpoint and Hisashi had to choose between them and some stranger to let survive, he would immediately choose one of Izuku's friends. Assuming that the gun's targets did not include himself. His own life trumps that of any Izuku's friends'. That question would be more difficult to answer if the choice was between Hisashi and Izuku.

"And how did your son see you for doing it?"

"He was happy of course." Izuku was delighted and he was finally safe. Of course he would be pleased.

"And how did he feel about your actions helping others?"

Hisashi pauses.

Yagi presses on, as though he has sensed a weak point and is determined to strike true. "He was happy, wasn't he? He was proud, yes?"

Hisashi merely nods.

"How do you think Midoriya-shonen would feel if you acted kindly towards other people? Or even helped save more people. Perhaps not as directly as your son will but you could work as a quirk and data analyst. You could help many heroes with their cases. You could even discover criminally villainous plots before they have a chance to come to fruition."

Hisashi frowns as he thinks over the idea. It would be a waste of his time, and yet... "It would be amusing to see the looks on supposed masterminds' faces when all their hopes are shattered."

Yagi's skeletal grin feels more like a death knell than any sort of agreement. "Yes. It would."

-

Shouta walks into Nedzu's office. The rat is happily twirling in his office chair. "Do I want to know why you're in such a good mood?"

The principal kicks his legs and slows the rotations to a halt. "Perhaps! Perhaps not!"

"Your mood has nothing to do with USJ or how Isei-kun helped the students without any consideration for reward." Everything went as well as it could be considering how many of his students are high energy or nervous. Or both. "What happened here while Thirteen and I were busy?"

Nedzu's tail swishes as he leans against the desk's edge. "Remember Midoriya-san?"

Oh no. What now? "Yes. I remember him. One of the rare parents submitting an early complaint who had a legitimate grievance and was not just trying to start trouble or make illogical demands."

"Yagi-kun and I are using him in the first instance of a newly designed Adult Villain Reform Program." Not to be confused with any of the others that are frequently shut down for one reason or another.

"In spite of his age," Shouta grunts.

"In spite of his age!" the rat cheers. "If this program is officially implemented it will be organized via a college or a third-party organization but seeing as how Midoriya-san is the parent of a UA student and suffering from amnesia, the offer would be viewed in a more generous light than it would otherwise be by the public should it be discovered. After all Midoriya-san is significantly older than the student body and thus in the program's proper use should not be placed within range of underage humans. For their safety, but also for his own."

Shouta wants to crawl back to bed. "Why him? Why 'Karura'? You two wouldn't insist on this just because it is a good deed or turns a villain into a better person."

"Midoriya-san is a frightfully intelligent human, Aizawa-kun. Within two months of recovery from a traumatic incident where he lost everything that made him himself, he was still capable of tearing down a set of schools and arrange the arrest of their faculty members." Nedzu says without any sympathy for Shouta's growing headache. "If permitted to roam freely or at worst be discovered by the primary assistant to Karura's lost superior, Midoriya-san would be open to inappropriate influences and could become a terror beyond most human comprehension. Whether it is in the field of medical malfeasance or as the greatest villain Japan and the world could ever face."

The sunshine child's protective father could become a complete monster. Shouta can see it. He doesn't like the picture. "So we're preventing the birth of an S-rank villain. That's logical."

Nedzu's tail swishes. "We, Aizawa-kun?"

May as well. "We."

The rat's delighted smile sends shivers up Shouta's spine. "I considered introducing Midoriya-san to the faculty but I was uncertain if it would be wise at this time. He is particularly flawed in his perception of human morality and ethics and although All Might and I have begun to lead him down the correct path, I truly would not wish to risk undue harm to any of you."

Shouta stares at the principal. Exactly how dangerous is this man if the rat wants All Might to be the first buffer over anyone other hero in UA? And if he is that dangerous then why is he being brought to a school full of children? Nedzu is usually better about their safety than that. Or... does it simply not matter where the man is if he goes off the deep end?

"That being said, every moralistic decision our student's father has made upon waking up has been considered in the light of 'will it make my wife and son happy or sad if I do it'. So it is possible that Midoriya-san will refrain taking any negative actions towards anyone here. After all his son is one of our students and as you said he has quite the potential as in our chosen profession." The mammal takes a glance at his computer before continuing. "On the other paw Midoriya-san could easily say something that would get under your skin and torment you for quite some time. In the past he was reportedly quite good at such a thing and given his caustic tongue and keen observation skills he likely would need little effort to resume such behavior. I will have to ensure he stops such things, or perhaps merely reduce intensity and realign them towards more acceptable targets."

This reportedly dangerous man is being reshaped by the principal of UA. And All Might, but the rat is taking a heavy paw in the situation. There is no god. Only a rat with far too much power.

Chapter Text

Hisashi is staring at the All Might action figure. He is trying to match it against his mental catalogue of Izuku's collection of merchandise. It doesn't look like one of HeroPlay's toys or knockoffs by PlayeTime or Heero Fighters. It must be come new company. Would Izuku want it anyway or would it be far more amusing to give the hideous thing to Yagi?

Does Yagi collect his own merchandise? Would he hate the worst examples of these items? Why would someone want the worst ones? A sort of contest of infamy?

Would Yagi actually like this hideous item?

If he would then the item should go to Izuku as he would actually like the toy just because it's an All Might toy.

The decision is difficult seeing as how there is only one of the item on the shelf.

"Hisashi! My man! It's been a heck of a while, how you doing?" Some complete stranger interrupts his thoughts with a slap on Hisashi's back.

The man looks as though someone took decided to take inspiration from a bird's butt for their hair which they then smeared a disgusting amount of gel all over. Then they flipped the image on its face by dressing up in overly bright clothing. A white jacket with oversized pointed lapels hanging unbuttoned around a vibrantly red shirt. The rest isn't important, although there are a few glittering items on the man's fingers and wrist.

Hisashi immediately goes back to ignoring the man.

"Now what's with that face? You always were a crazy tall grumpy ass but this is new. Hero merch? Planning on melting it, Sashi?" The idiot snaps the ugly All Might toy off the rack. He turns it over in his hand. "I don't blame you, even for hero stuff this thing is ugly as everything."

Hisashi swipes the item out of the man's relenting grasp. He's decided. He'll buy it and flip a coin later. Heads, Izuku. Tails, Yagi. Edge... Nedzu. Given how this encounter is going so far it'll probably be the edge. At least the item will confuse the rat.

"Come on, Sashi! Smile some! I-" The man cuts off at the sight of Hisashi's toothy grin with a shudder. Good. "Shit man! Your smile got a whole lot more nasty and I'm not talking about how all those scars up top make your eyes look. You went from 'creepy stalker' to 'mass murderer'. Go back to the stone face, yeesh!"

Hisashi began to walk towards where he saw the cashier's desk when the man grabs his shoulder. "What."

"You look like your head got put through a wood chipper, Sashi! That had to hurt. What's the matter? Don't you recognize your buddy?" The man's eyes gleam like a knife slicing out from the shadows. "Cold, man, just cold. But I'll give you a pass. ...how much do you remember Hi-sa-shi~?"

"Take your hand off or I will rip it off your arm." Hisashi orders instead.

The man laughs as though he was told the best joke he ever heard in years. "Good to know you still got the same attitude! Been a while, man, so what have you been up to all this time? Back with the missus?" The annoyance flips his hands up into the air at the look Hisashi flashes his way. "Not saying anything against her, Sashi! It's just that you never said nothing good about the kid. The lady's a peach but the kid..."

The man is walking around him, circling, looking either for a sign that Hisashi does remember or for a weakness he does not possess. "She got you whipped this time? Why don't you ditch them for a night on the town. A couple drinks, a walk through the old stomping grounds. The gang would love to see you again, man."

Karura. This is about Karura not Hisashi. "And set some things on fire, I'm sure. People too."

"Yeah!" The man isn't even bothering to hide it. "You always were quick on the uptake, Sashi. But you've got nothing to worry about; we don't have to get to the fun stuff just yet. It's been a while so you might need a few refreshers just in case." The man flashes an item that was attached to the inside of his jacket. A metal pin shaped like a pair of birds twisted around a jewel. One bird is black with three legs, the other red with human arms peaking out from beneath the wings. The crow's talons are gripping the gemstone and so too are the eagle's hands. "Things really haven't been the same without you."

The villain has Hisashi's phone in his hand. He must had grabbed it while Hisashi was distracted by the pin. He quickly taps something out on the screen before offering it to its owner.

"You can play house all you want but I know you, man, like I know my blood brother's mind. This life you have now won't satisfy you. Not all of you. Text me, call me, whichever you feel like and whenever you want. No limit on when!" The man grins at Hisashi. "I'm honestly curious to see how long you'll last before the itch comes back."

Hisashi takes his phone back and tilts the phone just enough to read the name added to the list. Karasu Saburo. Third-son Crow. Fitting name for a thieving bird. "Keep my family out of this."

"Not a problem! You stayed away from mine no matter how much Kenji bugged the shit out of you so that's an easy request to keep." Saburo cheers with a wink and a smile. "See you around, Sashi. It's real good to know that the Big Guy didn't kill you after all. I missed you, buddy. Both in and out of the games. Nothing really was the same without you."

Hisashi doesn't stop him from walking away. Instead he tries to distract himself by looking for another piece of merchandise for Izuku. The past should've stayed dead.

-

Hisashi only found one of the toy. He flipped a 5 yen coin... it lingered on the edge before finally falling down.

All Might will get the stupid thing.

Chapter Text

Toshinori has noticed that Hisashi's attention isn't exactly on the lessons. He still answers and asks relevant questions and thus it is not a sign of the man's disinterest, not completely, but this is honestly the first time he has ever seen All For One distracted. Another marked difference between the man he may be again and the man they can only hope he is rebuilt up from.

Unfortunately Toshinori cannot delve too deeply into the matter just yet given his schedule as a teacher and how all the students are preparing for the Sports Festival. It is also important to consider his work as a Pro Hero and how criminal activity both rises and falls in different measures across Japan and particularly Musutafu, given where the event takes place.

It is a wonderful display of the future heroes of the world. There is a rise in tourism and excitement in many fans whether they adore heroics itself or olympic-like games. It is admittedly earlier than Toshinori truly would like the students to showcase their skills but it does encourage them to try all the more harder. To go beyond.

It is also a source of concern for many in the industry. For all the good it does in getting students' names out and showcase the strength of those who have chosen to be the shield against cruelty and misfortune...

For the Sports Festival is also a way for villains to learn of young heroes' quirks and combat style before they ever have to face them, whatever aspect of Heroics they go into or in the unfortunate cases where a prospective hero turns vigilante. To say nothing of some youths who are then coerced or misled into committing criminal acts.

The knowledge will come out eventually but the fact remains that those crucial first moments can be quite dire. There have been - thankfully fewer than one would fear - instances where a student on their internships has been caught unawares and slain to prevent a hero with their power from rising in the ranks. Fewer still have simply disappeared without a trace.

But the Sports Festival in all its televised glory has become a staple of not only UA but Japanese Heroics. Should UA cease making it such a spectacle, another school would simply take up the slack. In truth Toshinori is surprised that more Hero Schools aren't displaying their own counterpart in the same manner as how America treats its college sports. But perhaps they suspect that their attempts would fail or be derided as a pale mockery rather than their own unique take on the matter.

This, in the end, is both good and bad. For it means more children are safe even as it leaves them at a disadvantage in other ways.

So Toshinori checked with Nedzu-sensei and Aizawa-kun individually on whether they noticed anything off with 'Midoriya Hisashi'. He could've asked any of UA's faculty but it is best to keep his worries to those aware of the issue. And they had.

Nedzu-sensei was concerned and if Toshinori is not mistaken lightly disturbed. "Given his personality and the information we have presented to him thus far it is too early for Midoriya-san to be so contemplative. All the same he could be reflecting on the test and how he might reshape his answers to better match those Midoriya-kun may have."

"He's probably focused on the kid and the idea that he'll get hurt." Aizawa-kun could be right. Even with all the reassurances in the world that no lasting harm will be done, there is still a risk however faint to Midoriya-shonen and any other student. Yet given the Battle Trials Hisashi could be wary of trusting them with his son's safety.

-

The distraction they have observed grows worse on the day before the Festival.

Nedzu makes a suggestion. Instead of watching the event from home or sitting in the audience, why not join the principal in watching it all in his office? A behind-the-scenes view to show how everything will be perfectly fine and if something drastic does occur then the father will have an easier time reaching his son.

Midoriya Hisashi accepts and his worries seem to have, if not fully died down, then at least become more manageable.

-

Shouta and Hizashi are alone in the Teachers' Lounge. Shouta is rapidly typing away at the laptop, continuing to type with one hand as he takes a sip of his coffee. When he sets it down Hizashi reaches for the cup. The hand is slapped away.

"Shoooouta~!" Hizashi faux-whines. "I just wanted a sip."

"Get your own." If he lets Hizashi take one 'little sip' then that 'little sip' will inevitably turn into 'drinking the whole cup in one go'.

"But I only want one little sip, Aizakun. Just a tiny bit."

Shouta looks up from the computer screen to glare at his friend. "The pot is full."

"Not after Maijima got to it."

Wait... "He didn't refill it?" That's a bit out of character for him. The fact that Maijima even went to the group pot like that is surprising enough as normally he just uses his own coffee pot to make that deathwish of a bean brew. But he always refills the pot - either one - once it's empty. He even refills it if he didn't actually drink from the group pot but saw it was empty.

"No! There's no coffee left and the bags are empty!" Hizashi is draped over the chair's armrest and looking up plaintively at Shouta. "You're my only hope, Aizakun."

Just to make sure that this isn't a ploy, Shouta looks at the coffee pot. Black but empty. And... yes, the remaining bag is in the trash.

Coffee or friend.

Friend or coffee.

"And you can't bother Maijima for it?"

"There's no time!" Hizashi has to be in the booth soon, mostly for the systems check but time is running out.

Shouta takes a long sip of his cup, keeping his eyes trained on Hizashi's steadily slumping shoulders and heartbroken gaze. Once he's had enough he holds the mug over Hizashi's hands. "Here. You'll have to get me a new cup later."

"YES! Thanks Shou~!"

The things Shouta has to put up with. But it is nice to see Hizashi smile like that.

-

The Obstacle Race goes well.

The Calvary Battle as well, although some of the students seem unusually incensed about something in spite of their group doing fairly well.

The Fighting Tournament is in progress.

-

Hizashi is having a blast. The crowd's enjoying everything and the students are doing great!

But he trails off when the jumbotron's feed of the finalists switches to the face of a vaguely familiar looking figure. Round, bushy mustache, large eyes. The goggles he's got on are probably what's throwing Present Mic off from pinning the man hijacking the stage.

Wait. That's the philanthropist doctor with all those charities.

And he's cackling.

So much for everyone else's good mood.

Chapter Text

It takes Izuku a moment to recognize the man on the screen. It's that quirk doctor. It's been years but he never forgot the man's face. The voice is throwing him off but of course it is since the man is absolutely insane!

The madman screams out about children and the blood of a buddha. All Might's smile paling in comparison to that of the divine. How the 'hero' killed (killed?!) someone truly enlightened. How not even the body was left behind.

"The world may be full of people praising your name, claiming you as their teacher and master! But I? I am a disciple to His wonder and glory! For taking away my master I shall baptize the world with fire and death! Rise my children and purge Musutafu!"

To Izuku's confusion and horror there are people actually standing up in the audience at the command. The jumbotron changes to show an elderly man being torn apart by a little girl. Her arms rippling with violet scales. She has a familiar look in her eyes, one he knew he'd never forget. It is the same way that kidnapper looked at everything around him. The one who Izuku stopped over a year ago and unintentionally won All Might's attention for.

This could be a quirk but with so many people and all of them acting independently to a vague order?

Something is wrong.

-

Toshinori is now even more relieved that Nedzu-sensei insisted Hisashi watch the event from the principal's office. With Garaki somewhere in the world, they feared risking All For One's face being shown on camera should (when, truly) Midoriya-shonen stood before the crowds in the award's ceremony.

There are many locations in UA that have improved levels of security and protection from intruders. The rooms the principal switches between at a whim are the most secure, although there are many emergency shelters tucked away on the school grounds in case of emergencies. With the mayhem in their midst innocent lives can not be led to those safe havens, merely away from the fiend's twisted creations.

Nedzu-sensei has All For One's body secured away from the man's most trusted servant. The monologue had no mention of All For One's survival or even his corpse being spotted. Nothing but revenge and the vicious mania of a 'disciple' having lost their god at their devil's hands. What little sanity (if one can call it that) remaining within Garaki has shattered utterly with his master's skull.

It was All Might's presence here drove him to attacking the school. Is he to blame? No, but guilt rests on Toshinori's shoulders all the same.

The people laying dead in the audience.

Innocents harmed.

The destruction in the city beyond.

It is all because of this monster.

All Might nods to himself when he hears Nedzu-sensei say that he has identified Garaki's location. He had to bypass the network's anti-spam measures to alert as many Pro Heroes as the being can reach, so Yagi should not worry about the city. Everyone outside UA will be safe.

The pressing matter is to identify and halt Garaki's creations within the stands and save as many innocent lives as possible.

Toshinori gathers up the embers of One For All and prepares himself to stop the madness in its tracks.

-

Hisashi is still staring at the screen. He barely registered that the windows changed color - so dark he can't even see through it - because that madman laughing on the screen has somehow caused people to attack one another.

"... let me guess. That's the man."

The principal is still tapping away on the computer. "That is indeed the servant you were warned about."

"He seems less..." What is a good word for it? "...manipulative than it was implied."

"His psychological manipulations were not the primary concern, Midoriya-san, but physical ones." Nedzu is tagging various members of the audience with colored icons based on who did what the second that man commanded his 'children'. Red, Yellow, Green. Aggressor, Influenced, Non-target. Those not yet tagged are still a light shade of gray. "I cannot show you at this moment but his current victims have a similar look to their eyes. I've confirmed that all the ones utilizing multiple Quirks share this trait. Garaki has created an army. I suspect his chosen venue was due to All Might's presence and the reason is quite clear. After all All Might did land the final blows on the man's master."

"I meant he seems insane."

"He is! And but I agree this is fairly out of character for him. The loss of his master has driven him much further off the proverbial ledge and to act outside of his typical manner. Although this is a horrific situation on its own even before you consider the events taking place in the city at large, it is still a relief to know that he has not and will never find you. This event is something his master may had approved of if it served his purposes or amused him."

Hisashi watches Endeavor take down another person in the camera's live feed in the top-corner while Nedzu busies himself with scanning the initial time... however long it has been it feels much longer. Unlike the previous two people the hero set aflame this one was tagged Yellow. Brash idiot.

"Looking forward to the press meeting?"

The principal barks. A laugh or something aggressive? "That will be the least of our worries! But thank you for the attempt at lightening the mood. It is far more heartening to know that monster will be arrested in 15 minutes, assuming he does not have some manner of 'honor guard' at his side."

Hisashi continues to watch the screen.

All the dead bodies. All the bloodshed. All the strange multiple-quirked people just roaming the crowd like animals trapped in a cage, lashing out at the nearest human.

There is an almost heady feeling to see such destruction and chaos. The sight has him captivated. Somewhere echoing from deep within he is pleased and an appetite Hisashi never thought he had feels-

And yet this whole display is boring. Crude and without thought or care beyond mere violence.

If an army like that was his to control Hisashi can think of a dozen more appealing targets than this pitiful assembly. The least but most personal of which would be Katsuki. This is just a wasteful act of terrorism on a single city. The number of 'red' tagged people, the fact that they blend into crowds so easily, Hisashi could've sent them anywhere and unleashed them on unsuspecting targets. Seed them across the world and no one would ever realize what was happening. The uncertainty and dread would had been far greater than a splash of certain fear like this.

"He chose here because of Yagi but why not add locations far from this prefecture or further within it? Why just this city?" The words slip out unbidden. The only person here is Nedzu, who might understand what he means better than Yagi could. This situation is frankly confusing but then again should insanity make any clear sense? "Shizuoka is near the middle of Japan. Even if the initial strikes weren't in Kagoshima or Hokkaido, all it would take is luring him and others to Aichi and they would be blamed for failing the civilians here."

The mammal pauses for a brief moment to glance his way. "It would be more efficient. But Garaki had been deeply paranoid and understandably so given his chosen path. If he ever was discovered then everything he has done for these many years would be for nothing. I suspect that while he does have many of these twisted creations, he does not have enough to spread them as far as he may wish. Thus he clustered them here for the most damage dealt in the most shocking manner."

Hisashi leaves Nedzu to his work. The occasional hum and trill from the mammal aside things are fairly quiet in the office. A complete contrast to the chaos and computer's muted screams. It is only once the principal has tagged everyone in the audience that Hisashi finally says something else.

"This is a bad time but since there's already one disaster on hand, may as well. I was approached by someone who knew Karura."

The principal stills. "This is why you have been distracted."

He nods.

"Ally, rival, or subordinate?"

"Friend, I think." A self-centered jerk who may take advantage of the situation, perhaps, but there were some manner of friend-ish overtures in Karasu's behavior. "The pin was suggestive of an ally however."

There is a brief moment of uncertainty(?) before the principal finishes off the remainder of his now ice cold tea. "An emblem of two birds? Then that man is thief Yatagarasu. Did he say anything particular?"

Hisashi takes out his phone and shows him the new number. "He wants to see how long it'll take me to call him to 'play'."

"Why didn't you?" Nedzu's attention doesn't seem focused on him, instead cast towards serving them fresh cups. But Hisashi knows that such a belief would be a mistaken.

"... he insulted Izuku. Actually, he implied I insulted Izuku."

The fur along the principal's neck smooths down. He hadn't even realized it had been raised ever so slightly until now. "Once again the level of your focus on Midoriya-kun takes me by surprise. You truly are committed to shielding him from harm even at the cost of whatever you yourself would find more engaging. If we can encourage that to broaden outward towards others, you would be a wonder in our field."

Hisashi casts a gimlet eye the rat's way. "You do understand that I still don't really care much for the idea."

"Give it time! I am almost certain that you will come to a similar realization as I did when I was a pup."

That really doesn't help. Neither does the insinuation that Hisashi is a child or stupider than a young animal even if that animal was Nedzu.

-

Later and after everyone gets the 'all clear' to reunite, Hisashi and Inko hug their son. Their brave boy who helped keep people safe from the doctor's creations.

Inko cries.

Izuku cries.

Hisashi is just relieved that Izuku wasn't maimed or killed. Nothing would've stopped Hisashi from finding some way to bring Garaki back to life just to tear the man himself limb from limb and burn the maimed but still breathing body to ash.

If he holds onto Izuku a little tighter than normally, no one says a word.

-

The Madness of Doctor Mokuhi comes to an end far too late although most of the Sports Festival attendees survived. The bodies are still being counted both at the site and in the city at large. The families and friends are already grieving their losses. The toll rises yet more as some survivors fall to despair.

Few blame UA and some blame All Might, but everyone knows exactly who is responsible above all else.

The 'good doctor' was killed in the course of arrest but with the aid of a villain with an exposed brain of all things the man personally took four Pro Heroes with him to the grave.

It quickly gets leaked the the media that the 'children' he spurred to mayhem are all missing people whose disappearances have been reported to police or heroes for nearly a decade. People who vanished on the way home or to work. Some who were abducted in the middle of crowded streets.

Examinations by doctors and quirk specialists discovered that the supposed minions were all... altered. DNA was identified as originating from multiple people in each body, most of them belonging to other missing persons or petty criminals.

Needless to say investigations are being done on Jaku General Hospital and every single charity the man was involved with. Particularly the nursing homes and orphanages, although there are talks of investigating the private clinics as well just to be sure. Everyone who worked at Jaku as long as Doctor Mokuhi Kenshin have been pulled in for questioning as potential accomplices. Whether any truly were aware of the man's villainous deeds has yet to be fully uncovered.

But in the end nothing will be left untouched. Every secret that Mokuhi Kenshin had will be found for the sake of all his victims.

Chapter Text

Shouta is glaring at the rat. "When we agreed I'd help out with the Midoriya problem, I did not have this in mind."

Nedzu's reveal that Midoriya Hisashi was approached by one of his former allies has the worst timing possible. They're still dealing with the chaos left in that psychotic doctor's wake. The fact that Midoriya Hisashi was approached weeks ago and has been sitting on that fact?

"I would not ask this if it was not important." Yeah yeah, stopping the rise of a new evil mad scientist or an S-rank villain. That he gets. But a 'mere' criminal mastermind working alongside a well-known thief? "Furthermore the dynamics painted by the minor villain's approach suggest that you would be perfect for the investigation! Your personality and outward behavior would appeal to Yatagarasu just as much as Midoriya Hisashi's. You might be perceived as a potential threat but that would depend on how you play your approach."

"... this is what you're using your 'punishment card' on, isn't it." When Shouta expelled his entire class, Nedzu had three responses to it.

First: he accepted; the rat had no choice as per the agreement he had with the teaching staff on how they handled their homerooms.

Second: Nedzu, as per the norm, ensured that all the students were placed in appropriate new settings. Students who couldn't take the pressure of heroics or advanced schoolwork were referred to various 'normal' high schools for general studies or focuses the children would prefer. Students who were abusive or not to be trusted with power were referred to the appropriate therapeutic help and in some cases to reform programs when their issues were being caused by other forces. Students who were being abused or suffering from various psychological needs that Shouta himself was unable to help them with were also referred to the appropriate therapeutic help. Ect.

Third: Nedzu declared to everyone on the school's faculty in the following meeting that all expulsions will now need to be approved by himself. No more 'free rides' as some would call it and if Nedzu suspected that someone was planning to expel students in small but steady numbers then the teacher would be fired. No one looked at Shouta but he still could feel their attention bear down on him.

The principal then told Shouta privately that he now held the right to make Shouta do one favor for him with zero questions. It was a punishment, a threat, and an assurance all rolled into one. Shouta was not fired from his position in UA and was not pressured in his identity as Eraserhead to take on some other tasks (although Nedzu did make some suggestions for what the hero could do with his new 'free time').

Nedzu pretends to think it over. "I suppose I am."

Shouta sighs. "Where was Yatagarasu last seen?"

The rat skims through the computer's database. Completely unnecessary and just a show of human-like behavior. As though the principal had not memorized the location long before the meeting. "Here in Musutafu. Traditionally the villain Yatagarasu was active in Kyoto but I believe he moved to Shizuoka a year ago for multiple reasons, the least of which is the possibility that one of his associates spotted Midoriya-san before their 'accidental' meeting."

-

Finding Yatagarasu was surprisingly difficult. The ruin and initial phases of cleanup and reconstruction made it harder than it should've been. They finally track the villain down after sunset.

The man is fiddling with a phone but pauses at their approach. A few quick questions fired off, a clarification that they're here about Midoriya.

Yatagarasu's eyes flash and the easy smile gains a sharper bite.

Shouta waves a hand dismissively. "Midoriya's not in trouble. I was sent to let you know that he's fine. Nothing touched him; he was in a secure site while everything was going on."

He can feel the slight shift in Hizashi's stance and sense the unspoken question of why they're telling a villain about a student's father. Shouta took Hizashi with him as a backup although all he said was to dress up to throw off attention from either identity. Many would be surprised that the loudmouth can be stealthy when he wants to be but Present Mic is skilled with people and can catch onto things the villain might slip that Eraserhead himself might miss. If nothing else, they can play off each other to disarm the guy and lower his guard.

"He's Yamada Saiki." Shouta jerks his head in his friend's direction.

Hizashi leans against him and drapes an arm across his shoulders in a half-hug. "And this is my buddy Miyazawa Syouwa~!"

Karura's former ally looks between them. "So, Sashi got caught up with your little island?"

Present Mic and Eraserhead do not look at each other even though it took them both a moment to catch on what the villain meant. To understand what exactly was just implied. The word was island but what the villain meant was territory.

They're being mistaken for yakuza of all things.

Hizashi's shoulders shake a little and Shouta can tell he's trying not to laugh. Guess this is what they get for dressing a little more flashy than normal to throw off suspicion. "Weeeeeell, not quite. He's a great guy but not exactly ready for anything. That bump to the noggin threw him for quite the loop, y'know?"

"The boss is interested in him though. He has the right skills and with a little help," Shouta lets the implications end there. No need to say anything outright. In all honesty, the idea that Nedzu is a yakuza boss is terrifyingly and rather fitting. "Not sure if I agree but it's not like we're just one type. He's a bit of a collector."

Hizashi bursts into laughter. "You say that like we don't already have a kuudere." And then as if sensing the look Shouta's giving him, he corrects himself. "Alright, kuutsundere."

"Hiyakasudere." To be fair to Hizashi that would better describe Nemuri.

"Hiy- Syouwaaaa! I didn't call you darudere! If anything I'm a deredere!"

Yatagarasu's smile looks eerily like one that Hizashi would wear while joking around with his friends. It's a bit unnerving to see someone who acts like his friend but looks like the man was dipped in oil and grease. A villainous mirror to his friend. "As long as you understand that I'm a yandere then we'll get along fine."

Hizashi finger-guns the villain with a playful wink. "Don't worry about it."

-

Nedzu looks at the buzzing phone. A message from Yamada-kun?

Yatagarasu thinks that they're... oh, that is amusing!

That said, he can see it a little if you ignore a few key aspects. Such as the fact that Nedzu would never commit tax fraud or encourage various sources of income involving vices. Gluttony and greed are troublesome enough via the business students managing food stands and the occasional merchandising deals. Teachers making bets independently are also one thing but encouraging any of such things? Particularly in a school setting? That would be a perfect way to get UA shut down by multiple organizations.

A little more concerning is the fact that the villain admitted to being possessive over Midoriya Hisashi. Given the man's other habits it is unlikely that they will be able to use Midoriya-san as a lever to convert Yatagarasu. The thought of an endless chain of coaxing villains into giving up their careers and potentially turning to heroics is certainly funny.

-

Shouta pretends to be keeping watch while the two loudmouths chatter away. The topic currently is fashion and how hard it is to get blood out of leather. Given that Hizashi is currently wearing a leather jacket- his latest disposable phone buzzes.

A message from... the number is labeled Pops. Hizashi's disposable is similarly relabeled as Saiki-bro and Nemuri is now Big Sis.

Really?

Really Nedzu?

"We're needed back."

Midoriya's sketchy friend grins as he taps something into Shouta's disposable phone. Good thing that one had no numbers except "I'd love to introduce you to the guys sometime. Bring Sashi with yah, hear me?"

"We'll have to check with the big guy first. It's not that we don't trust you," Hizashi leers over his rounded sunglasses. "It's just that we don't trust you. Yeah yeah, you come over here and it's bad enough we have all this mess going on?"

Shouta glares at his friend to tone it down, the brilliant idiot. "He gets the message."

Thankfully Yatagarasu is taking it in stride if that laugh is any clue. "I do. You got a soft spot for my buddy. That's great! Sashi always needs more friends in his life even if he's currently whipped by the old missus. It'll be fun to see which one of us gets him to say yes first. Wanna make a bet of it?"

Hizashi pretends to think it over. "I don't think that'll be all that fair... to you, right Syouwa? He got you after all."

The gleam in the villain's eyes at the insinuation that he'll lose the bet is a little worrying. Shouta speaks up before the thief can get a word in. "My troubles weren't as rough as Midoriya's."

"True, true! And who knows, maybe he'll never be ready." Good, leave that little window open for the villain to work his up to. By the time Yatagarasu reaches it the trap will snap behind him. "But I see no reason why he won't still be a good friend to have."

"Sashi's a bit hot under the collar once the fun gets started but he's a good buddy to have at your back. That said, Sashi's not the one you'll have to worry about if your boss messes around with my buddy's head. Get it?" The man's eyes are burning as bright as any flame and thrice as dangerous.

... better not even hint that Nedzu's trying to reshape Midoriya's twisted view of how morals work. "Got it."

-

Once they're out of the villain's current stomping grounds, Hizashi throws Shouta a look.

His friend doesn't seem to notice.

"Shoooou..."

"It'll be fine."

"Shou-ta-kun, we just did that. To protect Midoriya-kun's father."

"The rat's already having a blast with the idea."

Hizashi can't help but shudder. Sure sometimes civilians joke that their own bosses act like gangsters but Nedzu would actually be terrifying as a criminal or villain. It's a good cover story too even if it is easy to pick apart. As long as they don't say exactly what family they're supposed to be with, it should be fine. It's not like this 'game' will last too long.

"This is going to go real bad. A complete disaster."

"You don't have to come next time."

Hizashi shoots him a glare. "You are not going alone. I know you can keep yourself safe, but that guy's got a few screws loose."

"Nemuri."

Present Mic considers Midnight as a yakuza. ... okay, everyone at UA would be utterly terrifying and somehow plausible as a criminal. "She'd have a lot more fun playing it up. Don't take her."

Shouta looks at him with all the enthusiasm of a corpse. "You're really saying that after what you did back there?"

"Ah, but consider that it is me saying that after I said all that!"

Hizashi watches Shouta narrow his eyes. "Do I need to put you in the time-out cell again?"

"There is no time-out cell, Aizakun!" No matter how many times his buddy jokes about tossing people into it. After all, it would be easy for any hero to escape from! So... more of an honor system, really.

"I'll make it. First people to get put in will be yourself and the rat."

Hizashi bursts into laughter. "As if he'll let you put him in there!"

"I can dream. I can dream."

Chapter Text

Toshinori is staring at the phone. For years he has hesitated in calling Mirai or Torino but there are perfectly good reasons for evading both, no matter how dear they are to him.

Mirai is a good friend but is far too insistent with his ideas. Perhaps that is why his futures do not change: because Mirai himself is stubborn and so too is his quirk. Whether the future will remain as he described because the future cannot be changed or is to be as it was made due to both parties being bull-headed over it...

In truth, Toshinori never took much stock in 'fate'. Nana felt that he was destined to be her successor but it was always and ever a choice. In some ways, Toshinori can see her reasoning when he thinks of Midoriya-shonen. The sheer odds of a quirkless boy being the right age and there at the right time as the embers of One For All continued to fade within him, with the perfect disposition and spirit and heart? He cannot imagine a better successor to One For All than Midoriya Izuku.

Not even the reveal of All For One's presence in his boy's life can change Toshinori's opinion. While there is indeed an influence, it goes both ways. And as Nedzu-sensei said: the life of Midoriya Hisashi is possibly the best way to contain that monster with chains made of imposed duty.

So Toshinori cannot bring himself to call Mirai. He already knows how the call will go. Mirai will be delighted and relieved but then quickly turn the topic to who he should pick, or in this case, coax his boy into giving up what is now Midoriya-shonen's quick to another child. Toshinori may had called Midoriya-shonen's body a vessel for One For All but that is true of Yagi Toshinori's body as well. To believe that Midoriya-shonen is just a temporary vessel to host the quirk after how damaged Toshinori's own body has become would be a terrible insult to not merely One For All, Nana's legacy, or all the people who held it before them but most importantly to Young Izuku.

Toshinori trusts Mirai in many things but he hopes that the younger man would not be so cruel to a child to demand what was never Sasaki's to make decisions around.

As for Torino-sensei...

Already Toshinori can feel beads of sweat forming on the back of his neck. He loves Torino but the man is genuinely terrifying. He has only grown worse in his old- his venerable age. Their last encounter after Toshinori was finally released from the hospital only drove it home.

It is strange to think of how much his hands shake at the mere thought of his mentor, someone Nana trusted and cared for and was trusted by and cared by in return. Many would wonder why All Might would still turn to a man he is terrified by. Some would blame it on blind hope and helpless trust. In truth, it is because everything Torino-sensei did was to keep Toshinori alive. 'If you can't handle me then how will you face him?'

But his hands still shake.

So instead of confronting them over the phone, Toshinori dials Naomasa.

Few would ever think All Might is a coward, but you can't do some things over the phone. And the longer they go without speaking the harder it is to take the first step.

"Toshinori... it is 3 am," his friend's voice sounds even more worn out than usual. Oops. "Why are you calling me at 3 am?"

"Why are you awake at 3 am to answer the call?"

Naomasa's sigh makes the phone's speaker crackle slightly. "You know I cannot tell you why."

What his friend means is obvious: Inspector Tsukauchi is busy with work, whether he is working directly on a case or busy in the office. Perhaps he is part of the team investigating Garaki's identities. "So this is a bad time."

"Yes, Toshinori, this is a bad time. That said you wouldn't be calling at this hour if it wasn't important." There is a slight pause before Naomasa speaks up again. "And you cannot now say it is 'nothing'."

Toshinori ponders over what he could say. "It can wait until tomorrow. Or rather later on today. Do you think we could meet at the cafe on block 36."

"Building Five?"

Oh, right. There are two on 36. The place he was thinking of is... "I am sorry, my friend. I meant building 3 on Block 6."

"That will be... oh, the place with the American-style food? Toshi."

"I know," He can't have it. Too much grease and in the case of certain items too much sugar. "I was thinking of treating you."

The phone makes a shuffling sound. Naomasa is likely going through some papers. "What time are you thinking of? It's the end of my rotation tonight."

"Will 19:00 be fine?"

Toshinori doesn't need to see his friend to know the expression on his face. A tired stony heatless glare. "A school night, with your schedule. Toshi..."

UA teachers are expected to teach until 15:10. Heroics course department teachers have an additional seventh period class from 15:20 to 16:10. This does not count the after-school clubs, where students are expected to leave the school grounds by 19:00. Teachers and faculty meanwhile often have an additional hour where they wrap up everything and have an end-of-day meeting with their department and depending on the day also with the principal.

Teaching at UA is meant to be a full-time commitment. It means that most teachers who are also pro heroes are expected to either manage their time properly on Sundays or after school hours in the case of heroes who are still active at night.

Which is honestly why Toshinori is certain everyone judges him when All Might is late or slips out between his classes to patrol Musutafu.

Nedzu-sensei has made a bit of a game of it: can All Might slip into UA or escape from UA without being detected? The principal claims it is a physical white hat test of their defenses against intruders. Which is true but obviously not all of it. Some of the ways Toshinori has had to sneak in/out were a bit embarrassing and honestly bizarre. If he didn't trust Nedzu-sensei, Toshinori would suspect that the principal is accumulating blackmail material.

That said, Toshinori dreads the Faculty New Year's party. He's heard rumors of what goes on during such events and he is almost certain that a 'best hits' reel will be played for everyone to laugh over.

"Everything will be fine, Naomasa." Even though his friend can't see him, Toshinori waves his free hand in the air. "I get most of my grading done during my lunchtime and I can do the rest after we meet."

There is a long and without a doubt judgemental pause. "As long as you promise everything is in order. And your running time?"

You slip away in the middle of a meeting once and you never hear the end of it. Twice. Three times... Very well. Naomasa has a point. Toshinori cannot help himself when he sees someone in need or in danger while he still has time left. "I only have two classes to teach. It could have been all three years in Heroics as Nedzu-sensei and I discussed before, and yet..."

"So this is why 'you' have now only been seen a total of 60 minutes outside of UA. Toshinori what will you do if..." His friend sighs. "You can't keep doing this to yourself."

"I know." All Might overworks himself and if he is not careful then he will not be able to be there for anyone in his flexed-up form.

The conversation shifts to lighter topics and meanders over to new shoe brands and how it feels to be a teacher.

-

Toshinori walks in and is a little surprised to see that Naomasa got there first. A pot of coffee and two mugs sit in front of his friend. He grins, startling the young lady seated at the table near the door. "Naomasa!"

Naomasa smiles back, as light and easy as breathing. "Good morning, Toshinori."

He practically collapses into the chair. The off-duty policeman raises an eyebrow at the obvious sign of exhaustion but in return, the skeletal man simply shakes his head. The unspoken answer is simple: no, All Might did not make an appearance on the way over.

Naomasa glances over at the window they can both see and sighs. "I tried to pick a table away from the window but this was what they had. Busy day today."

"Can you blame them?" After that 'doctor' struck, everyone is trying to return their lives to a semblance of normal. Some are trying to deal with grief by burying themselves in work or study. Others are lucky to have avoided anything directly affected by the monster's creations. Toshinori can very much relate with the former, but the latter is certainly no insult to anyone who lost a loved one either in the attack itself or learned a cherished one's fate as Garaki's creations were collected. "In a way, isn't it wonderful to see so many people finding joy in the little things?"

His friend bows his head, agreement and mourning hand-in-hand. "Unfortunately."

They take a moment to collect their thoughts. Naomasa drinks his cup, Toshinori considers preparing a cup for himself but instead flags down the waitstaff and orders a cup of tea. The coffee smells like a dark roast and as wonderful as it would be to have a small amount...

The peppermint matcha latte is very good.

"What is wrong, Toshi? You wouldn't have called that late if it wasn't important."

Toshinori looks over at his friend. Black eyes meet electric blue on black. Warmth and concern. He doesn't want to tell Naomasa but this is too important and may undoubtedly help settle some of his friend's worries about Garaki's master. Especially if the reports Nedzu-sensei obtained on the 'nomu' were accurate about signs of postmortem revivification in the doctor's victims.

Inhale. Exhale. Find the words, Yagi. "It is about him."

Naomasa glances at the civilians seated around them. "Your... coworker?"

"On the other side, not my office. The one with the massive ego and possible kleptomania. He's a fan of Monsieur Dumas."

There is a flash of understanding and horror. Ego, compulsive thief, and The Three Musketeers. "I thought he was gone. He's back?"

"Yes and no." Toshinori's smile is more of a baring of teeth. "You remember our... last meeting? We thought he lost everything but instead he lost everything that mattered." He raises a hand, looking as though he is scratching his head but instead the hero tap tap taps against his temple. "He is a new man."

"He's still around. And you're not worried?"

His laugh causes everyone to look over at them. It is nothing like the carefully staged Ha Ha Ha of All Might but instead more like a bitter cackle. "I am! I would be a fool not to worry. But it has been nearly a decade. Even for one such as him, there would be signs."

The wary look on Naomasa's face fades to contemplation. "How long have you been aware of this?"

"About a month." A little longer but their first meeting was in April. It's now May and not much long after the Sports Festival. "I assure you that I am not the only one aware of the issue at hand."

"And why didn't he... wait. No, I understand why." Naomasa looks like he wants to march up to UA and demand answers from Nedzu-sensei. They both know why the principal and the inspector get on each others' nerves. As much as they both seek to do good and help as many people as possible, they differ greatly in how they go about it.

Nedzu-sensei, in a way not unlike Toshinori himself, holds his cards close to his chest and while he does help people, the being does not follow the law if it discriminates or hinders his efforts to do good. It is never anything that can be proven or traced back to Nedzu-sensei but it is often obvious what he must have done.

Because of this, Naomasa and Nedzu-sensei have an understanding in the rare moments they must meet. It is not unlike ones that Inspector Tsukauchi has with informants or some vigilantes.

But much like with Toshinori and Naomasa, his friend reminds Nedzu-sensei that the laws exist for a reason. Nedzu-sensei often responds with a quick lecture on the origins of those laws and the reasons why they still exist. Often these origins or reasons are political in nature and detrimental to the innocents affected by them. It is always amusing to see someone else deal with the principal's tendency for long-winded speeches. As long as the topic isn't about physical health, the benefits of a broader pool of social interaction and support structure, or maintaining a proper balance of time in regard to work and personal life.

"He wants control over the situation. And he believes... whatever he has in store is a better use of everyone's time?" The plain-looking officer pinches the bridge of his nose. "Does that man know what he is capable of or is this an elaborate form of rehabilitation?"

"Rehabilitation. And in a way, the situation is a form of incapacitation as well." Midoriya Hisashi as a prison for All For One is still a strange thought. "You know what I tried. That method failed. And as things stand, placing him under..." Toshinori coughs lightly. "It would not do a thing to help and N- he believes that the man can be turned. He would be an incredible ally, although I do have my reservations on the idea."

"An all-" Naomasa stares into his mug and forces himself to have a drink. "I don't know whether to laugh at the idea. I can see why making him change... departments would be a good idea. How many know? I am sure that his own 'coworker' was oblivious that he is back in town with how your friend is trying to poach him. That little speech of his made that clear."

"You are the first I've told."

"And your friend?"

"As far as I know, the only person who has any idea of what is going on is Aizawa-kun. Not the full details but enough. I did tell him enough of the truth to make sure he would understand why Sensei is interested in him and why we are concerned with him being found by his former colleagues." Toshinori smiles even with the look Naomasa gives him at that. "Nothing to that level, Nao. He thinks he was someone further down the corporate ladder and I warned him how his former colleagues might try to pressure him into the role of their missing boss."

"This is a terrible idea," Inspector Tsukauchi informs him. "If it was anyone else..."

"We know. I'm worried about the precedent it may set."

"And you're still going along with it."

Yagi bows his head. "I have my own reasons."

"Because you feel responsible?" Naomasa is shocked at the idea.

"No," Does he... should he? "I told you about my student."

"... Yagi Toshinori. Do you mean- Do you-"

"The hospital identified him as my b- student's father."

Naomasa stares at him.

"He is not, but he has been a father figure these years since."

Naomasa continues to stare.

"I did say I have my own reasons." A personal stake in making sure All For One remains lost to himself. For his boy's sake.

"If you do not call Torino-san, I will." Tsukauchi's eyes sharpen as he interrupts whatever Toshinori was about to say. "No. This is not up for debate. You know how- You are allowing your respect for him to blind you, Toshi. Torino-san will help you after you two discuss... how long has it been since you two last spoke?"

Five years, going on six. The guilt on Toshinori's face must be as plain as day.

"Toshinori. Call him. If nothing else then for yourselves."

"I know. It's just... It's been so long, Nao."

"You're two both too bullheaded." His friend looks to the ceiling, as if pleading the gods for guidance or patience.

Yagi looks away. "He's got better things to do than worry about me."

"If nothing else, wouldn't you rather he hear about your student from you?"

"I..." Yes. But Toshinori's hands shake at the idea of Torino-sensei giving Midoriya-shonen a few lessons. For his own good, always for his own good, but the thought of Nana's dear friend teaching Midoriya-shonen...

Torino-sensei was brutal in his desperation to make sure Toshinori would survive.

He doubts that he would be just as harsh with Yagi's boy but if Torino-sensei learns of All For One's survival before meeting Midoriya-shonen...

Torino-sensei will do it again. Without a hint of remorse.

"He'll have to meet Midoriya-shonen before being told. I can't. I... Nao, I can't..."

Naomasa leans over the table and grasps Toshinori's shoulder. "It won't be that bad. If he does anything that makes you or your student uncomfortable, you know that you can always report him." His friend pauses. "Toshinori, I know you care about Torino-san but you really should not look that scandalized at the idea of him in... I suppose I should be concerned about his potential cellmates."

-

Toshinori is staring at the phone. For years he has hesitated in calling Torino but there are perfectly good reasons for evading both, no matter how dear they are to him.

He dials the number.

One.
Two.
Three.
Four rings.

"About time, brat. It's 3 am. What couldn't wait until a better hour, Toshinori?"