Chapter Text
Toshinori was, all in all, having a great day.
After waking up, breakfast had started off optimistically: a protein shake, scrambled eggs, and even a bite of a croissant, all without rushing to the bathroom to hurl his non-existent stomach out. Small victories.
As he headed out to the Dagobah beach, the early morning sun barely peeking over the horizon, he was pleasantly surprised. His successor, young Midoriya, had already cleared most of the beach's trash. Now, the boy was standing on top of the piled garbage, yelling triumphantly at the top of his lungs. The beach was empty of all the trash that resided mere months ago, which impressed Toshinori. For someone so young, Midoriya had made remarkable progress, and once again, Toshinori found himself reminded of how worthy a successor the boy was. His sheer determination, his unwavering perseverance—it brought a tear to his eye.
“A-All Might, you’re here—WAIT, ARE YOU CRYING? I-I DID A BAD JOB, DIDN’T I?!” Young Midoriya had stopped shouting and quickly descended from the trash pile, his panic rising as he noticed Toshinori's (singular) tear.
“No, no, young Midoriya,” Toshinori said, shaking his head and wiping his eyes. “It’s the opposite. You’ve far exceeded my expectations. You’ve not only cleaned the beach, restoring it to its natural beauty, but look at you now! You’re no longer that scrawny, though still heroic, boy you were just ten months ago. I’m proud of you.” He smiled, his heart swelling with pride.
Midoriya’s eyes filled with tears at the words, his "Thank you, All Might!" punctuated by sobs. If Toshinori hadn’t known the boy was quirkless, he might’ve thought that crying was Midoriya’s quirk. The rate at which the tears were flowing was alarming.
“But… All Might, I feel like I cheated, because you’ve been helping me this whole time,” Midoriya mumbled, his voice filled with hesitation.
“Don’t sell yourself short, young Midoriya,” Toshinori replied gently. “This was all your hard work, and I commend you for it.” He placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, his expression softening. “Now that you’ve completed the Aim to Pass: American Dream Plan™,” he continued with a small chuckle, “it’s time for me to pass on One For All.”
With a quick flex, Toshinori grew into his muscle form. He reached up and plucked a single golden strand of hair from his well-maintained head, wincing slightly at the sharp pain, and held it out.
“Eat this.”
Midoriya stared at the strand, clearly bewildered. Toshinori hastily clarified, “One For All is transferred through DNA. Trust me, this is the easiest way.” He shuddered, remembering how Nana had transferred the quirk to him. The aftertaste of gym socks had haunted him for weeks afterward.
Midoriya, still unsure, reluctantly took the hair and swallowed it. He grimaced slightly, muttering that it felt weird in his throat, but otherwise remained silent.
A few minutes passed in silence as both waited for any sign that One For All had settled in Midoriya’s body.
“All Might, I don’t feel any different,” Midoriya said finally, looking concerned.
“Maybe it just needs some time to adjust to your body,” Toshinori suggested. “It would be best if you went home and prepared for the Entrance Exam tomorrow, young Midoriya.”
Midoriya’s eyes widened, his face suddenly flushed. “The Entrance Exam! I—I completely forgot it was tomorrow!” He scrambled to grab his things. “I’ve got to go! Bye, All Might!”
He dashed off in a panic, leaving Toshinori standing on the beach. Midoriya’s hurried exit had drawn the attention of a few nearby beachgoers, who now swarmed around Toshinori, eager for his autograph. With a resigned smile, Toshinori waved to his fans and leapt into the air, continuing on with his day.
He’d managed to keep his muscle form for a bit longer than usual, stopping three robberies, six muggings, two bombings, and saving a cat from a tree (much to the delight of an elderly woman). By the time he returned home to the comfort of his bed as dusk settled in, he was exhausted but content. He drifted off to sleep, expecting a peaceful night.
That is, until he woke up in a dark void, unable to speak, surrounded by seven mysterious figures. One of them, to his shock, resembled his old master.
The figures’ expressions were grave, almost accusatory, as if judging him for some terrible crime. The one who looked like his master stepped forward, now facing him. Toshinori’s eyes widened as he saw that she didn’t resemble his master, rather she was the spitting image of Nana.
Before he could process the situation, ‘Nana’ spoke.
“Toshinori, of all people, why did you give One For All to a Midoriya?”
Huh?
“Seriously, Toshinori, I spent all this time fighting All for One, and you just hand One for All, the only quirk capable of fighting him, to the most villainous, depraved, evil family to darken Japan’s doorstep?”
If Toshinori could laugh he would, as he was sure this ‘Nana’ had things mixed up. Midoriya - a villain? The kid burst into tears every time he complimented him.
A bald figure with goggles scoffed.
“Nana, your successor ain’t getting it. He obviously doesn't believe you, just look at the kid.”
At this remark, Toshinori became rather offended at this obviously younger man (though not by much), calling him a kid, and at that the white-haired figure spoke.
“It seems you are confused, Eighth. Well, we are what you would call vestiges of One for All. You see, One for All doesn’t only stockpile strength, but the users as well. We have been residing in this quirk the entire time, and as such have been with you every step of the way. My name is Yoichi - the first holder”
“And we brought you in the Mindscape while you were sleeping because you’ve made a grave mistake with your successor.”