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I have never been a materialistic sort of man. Regardless of the exorbitant amount of money I was paid for my Hero work, I had a house and a closet full of mementos and that was enough for me.
I was given the gift of One For All and the duty to protect the world. That was all the compensation I needed.
The world needed me, and in its hour of darkness, I was there. Now I am dying—not a Hero, nor a symbol of peace, but a man.
I am Toshinori Yagi, and my life has been a long, rich one. I can only hope I’m granted the honor of witnessing the final piece of my legacy being mantled.
Izuku Midoriya. I wish my master had passed on some of her ability of speech to me; often it feels as if he’s teaching himself. Oftentimes I wonder—what would she think of him? What would she say? Would she see his potential the same way I do?
Nighteye certainly does not. He dismisses Midoriya, and effectively, my judgment. I’m worried about him under Nighteye’s internship. Young Midoriya will not be swayed from his path, proved to me time and time again—but Nighteye is severe. And, in some ways, desperate.
Knowing when you will die is not entirely a difficult thing, but keeping secrets from young Midoriya like that… In the courtyard that evening—I knew Midoriya would come up with something clever like that. “Fight fate together”, huh?
I am dying, but not until I see through my promise to his mother. I have resolved not to. And really, fate falls into the same category as luck. If you believe in it, it only holds you back.
Everyday I feel a bit less like the ever-smiling Hero persona I’ve carefully maintained over the decades. I can’t help but ask myself—what do I want on my gravehead? “All Might, Legendary Hero, Symbol of Peace”?
Or “Toshinori Yagi”?
One For All is the true Symbol of Peace, no one person. It is a sacred torch that will now use Midoriya as its kindling, as it did me and my master years before me. His blaze is small for now, but I can see the fire reshaping him. Through him, All Might’s legacy will live on, and he will build his own as Deku.
They can build a monument for All Might, but I will be buried as Toshinori. One For All lives on.