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“I need the quirk back,” he hissed. “With Mirai’s death- it’s become obvious that you cannot be my successor, Young Midoriya.” He could hear the words but…
“All Might,” he bit, taking a breath. “There was nothing anyone could do to save Sir. You cannot blame me for his-”
“YOU SHOULD’VE DONE SOMETHING!” the man slammed the table and hissed. “You could’ve found SOMETHING to do. Perhaps I cannot pass it to Young Togata, but I’ll find another successor, so I’m telling you now. Give it back.” Midoriya felt the words beat into his mind like a sadistic drum before taking a breath.
“I can’t-”
“Your mother.” Midoriya froze. “Your classmates. Your teachers.” His glare leveled at Midoriya. “I’m not above telling them. Turning them against you. I’m only giving you one more chance, Midoriya. Give. It. Back.”
…
“Fine,” he bit. “Fine, All Might.”
With one gesture, he raised a hand, plucking a hair, and passed it back.
“Here. You can have My quirk. Go ahead. Take it back.” The man let out a huff of air but took the hair. The moment after, Midoriya could’ve sworn that he smiled-
Pulse.
He nearly crumbled, raising a hand to his chest as he began to cough. Blood splattered the table.
“I will be the Symbol of Peace until another Symbol can come,” he spoke cooly. Midoriya looked at him, heart beating from his chest. Another heave and Midoriya was barely holding himself up. “The quirk is called Negotiations of Pain. If I could obtain a set item from a person, they’d take on the worst of my injuries and I’d find their bill of health.”
Midoriya could physically watch as the man’s lungs regenerated and stomach filled. He shifted forms before smiling.
“I’m the Symbol of Peace.” He rummaged into Izuku’s pocket and pulled out his wallet, setting it on the table before digging out his provisional hero's license. In an instant, he snapped it in two and set it down.
And he turned and left. Midoriya stared at the table, hand to his chest as shock overtook him.
…
“Midoriya I…” the clinic doctor trailed off. “Midoriya. You won’t survive this.” His heart pounded in his ears. “The only thing keeping you going right now is your quirk. It’s pumping life through you bit by bit. I’d say… if you had max energy before the transfer, you’ve maybe got two months left.”
Two. Months.
“-idoriya? Midoriya- hey,” the clinic doctor leveled her gaze and frowned. “Can- can you tell me what happened?”
All Might smiled as he spat blood. The man taking everything from him.
… The Symbol of Peace Surviving.
“I…” he trailed off. “I can’t say,” he finally confessed, tucking a hand. “Is there any way I could order something to track the level of energy within my quirk? So I… I know more accurately how long I have left?”
“We can try treatment-” she attempted but he shook his head.
“There…” the words felt hollow. “There’s no way to do it. No safe way. I was given this to-... I was given this, to die.” The horrified expression on the doctor's face was telling enough. “If I don’t die- it might go back to him. And… and then it was all for null. He’s got more… more chances, to do something good. More than a Deku like me.”
“Midoriya…” she trailed off before frowning. “I… I understand. Then I’ll offer something else,” she hummed, carefully finding paper. “A prescription for a painkiller. If… if this is inevitable, you don’t deserve to be hurting during it.” She placed it into his hand. “And I’ll get you something to track the power levels by tomorrow. If you need anything- and I mean anything,” she leveled with him. “You can come to me. I promise.”
“... Thank you,” he managed with a sniffle. “Thank you for always caring about me, Doctor.”
Two days later, Monday, he found himself in class smiling with the others. The pills kept the worst of the pain down and the bracelet reassured him.
61%
He shot a smile to Uraraka and Iida who were arguing over something vaguely about animals, and he chuckled.
When Foundational Heroics arrived, he approached Aizawa and spoke.
“Sir? I’m sorry to bother but I need to go talk with Nedzu. I’m recovering from an injury I got this weekend and I need to discuss something with him.” Aizawa leveled him with suspicion and slight concern.
“Injury?”
Well. He’d never outed himself before training. Aizawa’s suspicion was understandable.
He pulled up the side of his shirt, showing the large bruise on his side from the now, internally destroyed, stomach. Aizawa hissed.
“Did you-”
“I already got it checked by a doctor,” he nodded. “She told me Recovery Girl’s quirk would probably be more detrimental to the healing.”
“Alright Problem Child,” he grimaced, handing him a pass. “Do you know how long you’ll need for that to recover?”
His mind went to his watch and he smiled.
“Two weeks maximum, sensei. I promise.” The man looked relieved and just sighed, rustling his hair.
“Off you go then, problem child.”
He raised his hand and knocked on Nedzu’s door. He knew he wasn’t expected but this conversation… it needed to happen.
“Come in!” the animal's cheery voice spoke. He opened the door and smiled.
“Hello Principal Nedzu. I’m sorry to bother you but can I speak with you?” the principal's nose twitched slightly and he knew he could smell the blood.
“Of course Midoriya. Come take a seat,” he gestured to the plush green chair and Izuku happily took the offer. “What can I do for you?”
“This is a private matter,” he attempted to smile through a grimace. “Would it be trouble to lock the door?” Nedzu did so without a second thought and took a seat.
“What can I do for you?”
He took a breath. As deep of one as he could with one lung and smiled at the principal.
“I’m dying, sir.”
The room went quiet.
“... what?”
“I’m dying, sir,” he repeated, a bit softer. “You can smell the blood, can’t you? Some of my… my internal organs are failing. And there’s nothing that any doctor can do.” The expression on the stoat's face turned to something softer and concerned. Worry.
“Are you positive? I’m sure we can-”
“That’s not why I came,” he carefully interrupted. “I… just have a request. A final request if you will.”
“What would that be, Midoriya?”
“I want to die as a UA student,” he then replied. “Don’t connect my death to the school. I wouldn’t want you getting bad PR for me but…” he trailed off, gaze moving to his hands. “I never felt… alive, until I came to UA. I blossomed here. I just… want to die here as well.”
“That can be done without issue, Midoriya,” the Principal said without hesitation. “Do you know how long…?”
“I have about two weeks, by my estimation,” he smiled wryly. “I was… hoping to spend this week here. Then, next week I will get the last of my assets together. I didn’t realize how much planning went into death,” he snickered awkwardly, scratching his neck. Nedzu offered a light chuckle in response.
“I suppose most don’t,” he raised his head to meet the young boy's eyes. “I’d like to make a counteroffer.” Midoriya tilted his head in confusion. “Allow me to assist with your… planning. If you truly only have two weeks left, I can’t assume you’d want to spend it alone.” Midoriya paused before his eyes began to water and he met the principal's gaze.
“You’d do that for someone like me?”
“Of course, Midoriya,” he smiled. “You’re one of my beloved students after all.”
“Thank you, sir-” he choked, beginning to cry. “You have… no idea how much that means to me.”
“No formalities,” Nedzu waved off with a smile. “Just call me Nedzu.”
“Then call me Izuku,” Izuku smiled back. “I’ve always preferred it to my family name.”
“Of course. Izuku then,” he nodded. “During foundational, feel free to come here. I can inform the teachers-” The boy shook his head at that and Nedzu tilted his head in questioning.
“I…” he trailed off then scratched his neck. “I don’t intend to tell anyone else that I’m dying. Only people I need to tie up ends with. I don’t… I don’t want my last days filled with grief, y’know? I spent most of my life with people's pity. I’d just rather take the time I have to appreciate their smiles.”
Nedzu considered that, before nodding.
“I understand entirely, Izuku. I will not inform the teachers then.”
“Thank you,” he sniffled before digging into his bag and pulling a notebook. “I admit I’ve got a bit of a list to work through.”
“We’ve got two weeks,” Nedzu reassured. “I’ll make us some tea and biscuits and we can begin.”
“How do you feel about selling hero merch and baiting people?”
“I find it incredibly enjoyable.”
Within three days, Nedzu found himself deeply caring for the young boy. He had only known him as a student until then, but now he found an untapped genius. They spent hour upon hour talking and working and the boy was… a delight. Never once even hinting at discomfort with the principal. As a chimera, he knew his emotions weren’t quite as they were meant to be but the boy never even commented on it.
“It seems the last thing today,” he hummed tapping his paper then his mouth dipped down. “Oh…”
“Oh?” Nedzu inquired and the boy shrunk a bit.
“I need to destroy my analysis notebooks… I can’t think of anything else to do with them…” And Nedzu perked up.
“Analysis notebooks?” Midoriya nodded in confirmation, tapping his notebook.
“I’ve worked on them for years,” he confessed. “I was… I was planning on giving one to each of my classmates for the upcoming Christmas but…” the words died in his throat. “I can’t get them to them safely…”
“Izuku,” he spoke gently and the boy met his gaze. “I can keep your old ones safe, and deliver them to your classmates if you’d like. It would be no hassle for me.”
“Are you sure?” the boy was so surprised by his kindness. Every time it happened, Nedzu felt the kinship with the boy grows slightly. “It wouldn’t be an inconvenience? I’m pretty sure they’d be better in the trash…”
“I love to read,” Nedzu offered. “I’d be honored if you gave them to me.”
He hesitated for a few moments before nodding.
“Alright. I’ll bring them when we meet tomorrow.”
Izuku faced his friends, knowing this would be the last time. So he stopped them throughout the day and pulled them into hugs. The pain against his chest was hell but…
It was worth it to tell them how much he loved and appreciated them. And how he’d see them when he got back from his “break”. Nedzu had offered the excuse and a temporary apartment off campus as a cover, so it would be alright.
He even managed to take aside Bakugou.
“You’re gonna be the best.” Were his final words to him.
With that, he packed the last of the items he’d need for his final days into a suitcase, leaving the rest and trusting Nedzu to follow their plan.
50% went to the clinic that had treated Izuku for so long.
25% went to the school, into therapy funds, and for Nedzu to distribute as needed.
Then the last 25…
It went to his parents. 15% for his father, 10% for his mother.
He even said goodbye to Aizawa.
“Have a good break, Problem Child,” he’d smiled and ruffled his hair. “Don’t get in trouble. I’ll see you the Monday after.”
Sunday was the best-case scenario.
“Goodbye, Aizawa-sensei,” he smiled. “Thank you. Thank you for being my favorite teacher.”
“It’s not goodbye kid, just a break,” the man snorted. “But I appreciate the sentiment. See you Monday.”
And he turned, suitcase in hand, and left, not bothering to wipe his tears.
Nedzu had taken all the notebooks, his merch was mostly sold off, his accounts were settled, and his letters were all written.
He’d even done research into the quirk that landed him in this situation and got the full report of what happened. Full testimonies.
“Izuku, this stuff doesn’t happen out of the blue,” Nedzu sighed. “Was there a cause you’re withholding?”
“I am,” he confirmed without hesitation. “Because I know it’s unfair what happened. But if I don’t die, worse things will happen. And I don’t want that on my consciousness.”
“Will you tell me?” Nedzu had prodded. He weighed it back and forth before speaking.
“I’ll leave you a letter when I die,” he responded. “If you promise not to take legal actions.” Nedzu had considered his offer for a few moments before nodding.
“That is a deal.”
Friday, he arrived at the apartment and settled in. It was fully stocked. A simple one-room studio with all he could need. Just as he’d requested when the offer was given.
He set down his suitcase and settled onto the bed.
…
Saturday and Sunday were spent with Nedzu, discussing more legality of finances and spent with some games. It was a delightful time and Izuku couldn’t find it in himself to be unhappy.
…
Monday was spent with research and quirk talks with Nedzu, in-depth analysis of his own books. The principal was so kind, taking time to add points and compliment him left and right.
“Izuku,” he smiled. “Would it be so bold of me to consider you as my own personal student?”
“I’d be honored, Nedzu,” he smiled in reply.
…
Tuesday, he found himself unable to walk. His attempts had been weak and Nedzu had found him on the floor, staring unamused at the heightened bed. It took one order and the bed frame was removed.
…
Wednesday, Nedzu told him of his past. Horror stories of doctors and people who didn’t realize how human he was. How he felt and thought.
In return, Izuku offered his own tale. An emotionally neglectful mother, and a father who loved him so much he had hurt him on accident. Bullied through his years and was an unbelievably late bloomer. Community service and did quirk analysis anonymously for the police while he was younger. Horrid schools and being less than human.
“It seems we truly are similar,” the principal spoke. “But you are much kinder than I.”
“I don’t think so,” Izuku replied softly, looking at the stoat. “I believe you are plenty kind. A great hero too. I don’t think anyone who’s been hurt so badly and still chooses to help can be anything but kind.”
…
Wednesday night, he made a call.
“Hellooooo who is this,” a voice said over the line. Izuku leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
“It’s Little Green,” he replied softly. “Can you get Dad on the line, Giran?”
“Oh! Yeah, that’s no problem! Connecting ya… now!” The line buzzed off for a moment before the line spoke. A new voice.
“Hello?”
“Hi Dad,” he spoke softly. There was a few moments before a reply.
“Bunny? Why are you calling me?” there was a few moments of hesitation. “I- I’m sorry for what I said to you. I never should’ve-”
“You were right, Dad,” he interrupted with a giggle and a wet cough. They were getting worse… “Mom… wasn’t a good person for me. I’m sorry I didn’t take your offer. It was mean of me to say you weren’t my Dad anymore for… for trying to get me to see reason.”
“Oh Bunny, it’s okay. I’ll always be your Dad,” he spoke softly. “What do you need?”
“Can…” he passed a glance to his watch. “Can we meet on Friday night? I’ll send you an address but…” he trailed off.
“... Bunny? What’s wrong?”
“... I’m scared to tell you,” he admitted after a moment.
“Take your time,” his dad assured him. “I’m here.”
“... I’m dying, Dad.” The breath on the other line hitched.
“You’re…?” the voice cracked. “Bunny you- you can’t be serious-”
“I am,” he took a shallow breath and attempted to hold his sobs. “I know you’re in America. But I- I want to see you. Please. Friday night?”
The line on the other went quiet.
“Is there… anything I can do? To help?”
“No,” he chuckled softly, wincing as a wet cough broke through him. “No… there isn’t. A… a friend has been helping me with everything. Settling all my matters. He’s been trying too but… there’s nothing. I’m sorry Dad.”
He could hear the sobs on the other end of the line, and he cried silently.
“Oh Bunny I’m so- I’m so sorry-”
“It’s not your fault, Dad,” he said gently. “Friday?”
“I’ll be there. I promise you. I will be there. Anywhere you want me Bunny. We can… we can talk about it all a bit more, alright?”
“... Alright Dad,” he smiled at his phone. “I love you so much. I’m so excited to see you.”
“I love you too, Bunny,” he said softly. “I’ll be there. I promise.”
…
Thursday, Nedzu arrived bright and early as he always did, tea and biscuits at the ready. Izuku smiled and carefully dragged himself to a sitting position as Nedzu took a seat by him.
“Hello Izuku,” he smiled. “How are you feeling today?”
“I’m feeling a bit sticky, I admit,” he chuckled, scratching his neck. “Is there… is there any way I could take a bath?”
“I don’t see why not!” the stoat chirped. “Self-care is rather important after all. I’ll start a bath if you can get yourself to it,” he said with a smile. Izuku returned it gratefully.
“Thank you.”
It took time, dragging himself. His arms and legs were always weary and in pain, but he managed to drag himself in, He only removed his shorts and sweater before plopping himself into the warm bath and melting. The energy recorder was left on the bed. Nedzu sat nearby.
“May I wash your hair?” the stoat asked after a moment. “It seems incredibly soft.”
“I don’t mind,” he replied back. His fingers wouldn’t be able to work such a task anyway. “I haven’t had someone wash my hair in years.”
“Then just turn this way,” Nedzu spoke, retrieving the shampoo. “I get access to your bushel of hair and you get a hair wash. It seems a fair trade.”
“I suppose it is,” he chuckled. “A very fair trade.”
Nedzu’s paws were surprisingly gentle. Internally, Izuku wondered if the creature had instincts in relation to it. Perhaps a creature caring for its young? He giggled at the thought.
“Oh? What is so funny Izuku?” Nedzu asked, carefully unknotting a bit of the hair.
“Just thinking,” he replied. “Silly thoughts.”
“Silly thoughts are for the best of us,” Nedzu chirped back, amused. “They fuel us.”
“Indeed. Perhaps it can be an energy source.”
“What an idea, Izuku. What an idea.”
It didn’t take long but Izuku finally felt clean. He changed into a new pair of shorts and a fresh and clean hoodie, adding the socks after. He managed to drag himself back to bed where Nedzu awaited, ever patient.
He plopped himself back on the bed, next to the other. He decided to lie down, unable to properly sit up.
“I heard a new documentary came out today,” Nedzu spoke, digging into his briefcase. “I took the initiative and ordered it for us to watch. It’s about the quirk singularity theory.”
“The new one from I-Island? I thought they were waiting another year?” Izuku raised an eyebrow.
“Well, it matters not how I got it,” the stoat chirped, popping it into the player. “Shall we watch?”
“I’d be delighted to,” Izuku murmured with a soft smile. He shifted his form to face to the TV and Nedzu settled against his midsection.
It was everything Izuku hoped for and more. The movie was a delight and Izuku couldn’t help but add a few comments every once in a while. Nedzu listened and would retort with his own comments leading to their soft giggles.
Then, Izuku put back in the watch and saw it.
2%.
He was quick to slip it back off, setting it on the nightstand without alarming the other in the room.
“Well, Izuku,” Nedzu smiled. “I have a gift before I go.” Izuku tilted his head in curiosity. The chimera dug into his bag, pulling out something small and plastic before handing it over.
He took it and felt his heart Stutter.
“Hero License: Deku - Quirk: Quirkless.”
“This is…” he trailed off and Nedzu smiled.
“A gift. You’ve done more than enough to earn it,” he chuckled. “By all measures except age, you’ve met the requirements. So I simply pushed a few hurdles to get it.” Izuku felt tears begin to leak from his eyes as he took it, holding it to his chest.
“Thank you… thank you so much…” he whispered, sniffling. Nedzu gently patted his head.
“You’ve earned it,” he smiled back. Nedzu patted his head once before turning to leave. “I enjoyed our time tonight, Izuku.”
“Likewise, Nedzu,” he returned with a smile of his own.
“Same time tomorrow?” he was at the door and Izuku could only half nod.
“You can come a bit later tomorrow. I think I’m gonna sleep in like a rebel,” he joked and the rodent chirped in amusement.
“Alright then. I’ll be here around noon. Have a good night, Izuku.” The creature nodded to him pleasantly and he returned it with a toothless smile.
“Good night, Nedzu. Thank you for everything.” And the door closed. Once he couldn’t hear the footsteps, he carefully removed the letter he’d promised to Nedzu and set it on his nightstand before grabbing his phone.
With a quick dial, he heard the voice of Giran again.
“Hallo?”
“Hey Giran,” he greeted. “Can you connect me to Dad?”
“Urhm…” the man grimaced and Izuku frowned. “Not at this moment. But I can take a message…?”
Izuku looked at the roof of his room, passing a glance to the outside before sighing a sad breath.
“Yeah. That’s okay. Can you tell him I won’t make it to our meetup tomorrow?” he asked softly. “When you can, of course.”
“Uh- yeah, I can do that Little Green! You sound tired, you headed to bed?” the man inquired and he tilted his head back.
“Yeah. I’m headed to bed.”
“Well, sleep well Little Green! I’ll pass your message on to the old man once I can get ahold of him. Sweet dreams!”
“Thank you,” he sighed. “Thank you, Giran.”
“Of course Little Green.”
The dial tone was quiet. He felt himself begin to tear up a bit as he slowly turned on some quiet music. Classical, his favorite.
The letter was out. The music was on. The lights were off. His hero license held to his chest.
He allowed tears to fall freely. The sorrow building up releasing in a single moment.
“I’m sorry. Thank you, for letting me live this long.”
With a sad smile to the universe, he closed his eyes, relaxed, and allowed the warmness of One for All to fill his final moments.
Nedzu arrived at noon the next day as promised. A single knock on the door. … no reply.
“Izuku?” he tried. Nothing. He only waited a few moments before carefully removing a few tools and opening the lock on the door. It popped open in moments and he entered the dark apartment. He flicked on the lights, surprised to find the boy still in bed. Music was softly playing as he was curled on his side. “Oh, I apologize if you were sleeping…” he trailed off when he saw a manilla envelope on the floor, a letter on it. He paused, looking back to the boy, and approached.
It was far harder than it should’ve been to pull himself onto the bed. He wasn’t sure if it was his dragging paws or how heavy his heart felt.
“Izuku?” he asked one more time. A desperate hope filled him. He moved a paw to feel the boy’s shoulder.
… still. And getting cold.
“Oh… you poor kit…” he murmured. He moved a hand to the boy’s neck, checking for a pulse. Nothing.
… even in death, the boy was smiling.
Despite it all, he felt himself beginning to tear up as he placed a paw on the boy’s head, setting it into the soft locks.
“Sleep well, Kit.”
He couldn’t find the strength to move from the boy yet, and gently picked up the letter and packet, opening the letter first.
“Dear Nedzu,
Thank you for spending my final days with me. I’m writing this in advance but when you read this, I’ll have passed away. I am unbelievably grateful for you and everything you’ve done for me. You made me feel cared about and appreciated. I wish I had come to you sooner to be quite honest.
You made me feel valuable and important and it’s been a long time since either of those has passed me. Thank you for making my final days so happy and full of life. Thank you for making me feel alive.
As I promised, I left a folder in regard to what really happened. It was a quirk, in essence. Don’t forget, you promised no legal action.
Thank you for being you.
Love,
Your friend and student,
Izuku.”
And for the first time in several years, he allowed himself to truly cry.
Aizawa could feel something was wrong. There was a staff meeting and… Nedzu was late.
The principal had never been anything more than moments late, purely to scare them all, but it had been fifteen minutes. It was Midnight who broke the silence.
“... is this school rules? Fifteen minutes as we can leave…?” she asked hesitantly. “Because I’m starting to think this was-” The door to the room opened and in walked Nedzu.
He didn’t smile at them. Didn’t even greet them. Merely passed the floor and got to his chair, a file in hand. And he… looked rough.
“Nedzu-sensei?” Mic asked, obviously worried. He didn’t greet the man, only taking a short breath before placing down his folder.
“Yagi.” the room was startled into silence by the… lack of anything in his voice. Aizawa had never heard a tone like that.
“Y-yes?” the man grimaced, looking at their collective boss.
“I know what you did.” His gaze turned, looking the man in the eyes. “I know what you did. And if it weren’t for the fact I promised him that legal action would not be taken by me, I would have an officer putting a bullet through your head as we speak.”
Yagi, if possible, went even more pale.
“Sensei…” Mic spoke, obviously scared and horrified.
“If you don’t tell everyone in this room what you did,” he continued, turning his gaze back to the folder. “I’ll tell them. And I won’t leave a single detail out. I don’t care if you try to sue me over an NDA. I was given permission.”
“N-Nedzu- surely-” The paws hit the table and the chimera fully and utterly SNARLED.
“THE BOY IS DEAD, YAGI!” His voice was shrill and mad . “And he knew it! In his final moments, all he thought about was protecting YOU. So if you refuse to tell them, I will!”
The entire staff room was startled into silence, even Yagi.
“Whatever he told you,” the man spoke carefully and low. As if talking to a child. “It was a lie.”
“I verified everything he left,” the rodent bit back. “Aizawa. I’m requesting you tie up Yagi until the end of this meeting. Because suddenly I don’t trust him to tell the truth.”
And wasn’t that horrifying? Of course, Aizawa doesn’t hesitate to do so. Capture scarf, then with quirk suppressant cuffs he ties the man to the chair and holds him down.
“Nedzu surely you can’t-”
“A little over a year and a half ago,” Nedzu started, gaze looking back to the folder. “Yagi met a young boy in the midst of a villain attack. Yagi had been hunting the villain and the boy… he was nearly suffocated to death. He fell unconscious as Yagi arrived. Yagi punched the sludge from him, leading to him vomiting the rest out. Yagi proceeded to slap him awake, and once he was, prepared to leave without getting him medical.”
“I-” Yagi was leveled with a glare from the creature.
“After that, the boy attempted to stop him. He clung to Yagi and they ended up on a locked roof. Where Yagi revealed his injury to the young boy. A middle schooler.” the room gasped. “And then the boy asked a simple question. Can someone without a quirk be a hero?” Nedzu’s gaze fell to the floor. “The boy just earlier had been told to kill himself. To swan-dive off the roof. And Yagi told him no. A quirkless person could not be a hero.” Several more glares hit the man. “Yagi then left him alone on the roof. And he only decided against jumping when he heard explosions in the distance. The idea of a villain fight had been enough to distract him from killing himself.”
“That’s awful…” Midnight spoke quietly, hands over her mouth. “All Might did you really…?”
“He found that the villain that been about to kill him was attacking another kid,” Nedzu continued without stopping. “He ran forward without hesitation to help. He ran forward to help his bully. He was scolded and told to leave and Yagi found him in an alley and told him that he had the makings of a hero.”
“What? Suicidal ideation, half-baked plans, and a guidebook on how to be a martyr?” Aizawa raised a brow and Nedzu offered a half shrug.
“No! Bravery and courage-” Yagi tried to interject and Aizawa just covered his mouth.
“Because Yagi has a quirk that can be passed down,” Nedzu hit them with the bombshell. “A quirk called One for All. A direct counter to All for One, the ultimate boogeyman of Japan. The only quirk that cannot be forcibly taken by him. He offered it to the boy without advice and without the long and grueling history of the quirk. And no support on how to use it.”
Several more people glared at the man who shrunk.
“All for One had hunted 8 generations of users of the quirk. He gave it without so much as a body to show as safety.”
“God…” Vlad hissed. “That’s fucked. That’s emotional manipulation.”
“Despite it all,” Nedzu fixed his look on All Might. “Despite having no help. He learned how to use it and despite all odds, he was a hero. Then… then Yagi found a quirk within another person.”
Yagi began to struggle with the bonds.
“A quirk called Negotiations of Pain.” Nedzu opened the folder. “It allows contracts of sorts to be made. If someone can obtain something of extreme importance to a person, the person will take on their pain. Their injuries. Their… scars.” Several people in the room went pale. “People have taken other's organs to relieve their own pain. Yet Yagi had an easier solution.”
“He took back the quirk…” Mic connected in an instant.
“He took the quirk,” Nedzu confirmed softly. “And left a child with barely enough power to survive two weeks. Yagi’s body had been cared for. Gently held together and fixed with procedure after prodecure. A quirkless teen could not find that level of care… anywhere. Even if I used my pull, they wouldn’t allow it.” Dots were quickly connecting. Far too fast.
“... oh no…” Snipe murmured, looking up. “Don’t say it-”
“He figured it out within a day,” Nedzu hummed. “That he wouldn’t survive and came to me. He only gave me this information with the condition that I didn’t pursue legal action.” His hand brushed the folder. “Within two weeks. I’d found a kinship closer than any before. He became my student.”
Thirteen stifled a quiet cry.
“I helped him prepare for a comfortable death. He was meant to survive till Sunday.” A dim aura spread throughout the room. “I went to talk with him today and… he had already passed on. He knew he wouldn’t survive through the night and still bid me farewell like everyone else. Told me to arrive late as he wanted to sleep in.” Nedzu took a short breath in. Finally, his gaze made it to Yagi’s. “Why did you take his life away? I have proof and evidence, through both me and my student.” He held up the folder. “You owe me a fucking answer, Yagi. Because he protected you with his life. ”
Aizawa uncovered his mouth as Yagi sat silent.
“You killed a child, Yagi. He died for you. He maimed himself, hurt himself, and brutalized himself. And then killed himself for you. Why?”
“I’m the Symbol of Peace,” he said after a moment. “I’m meant to protect. And sometimes that means bodies are left behind.”
“HE WASN’T A FUCKING BODY!” Nedzu snapped, paws slamming the table. “HE HAD A NAME! HE HAD A NAME, A BRILLIANT MIND, AND A KIND HEART! SAY HIS FUCKING NAME YAGI!”
Yagi was silent as his gaze stayed on the floor.
“HIS NAME WAS MIDORIYA IZUKU. YOU KILLED HIM YAGI!” And the room went still.
“Problem Child…?” Aizawa’s heart lurched in his chest. Remembering his words.
“Two weeks maximum, sensei. I promise!.”
“Lil Listener?” Mic froze. Midnight’s hands raised to her mouth as she began to sob. Snipe began to shake and Majiama broke the table. Thirteen fainted. Hound Dog and Vlad both sent worried glances to Aizawa. Ectoplasm and Cemetoss hid horrified panic as they kept their eyes on Yagi.
“Problem Child was… he said he’d…” Aizawa trailed off, hand moving up to his chest. He gripped at it, desperate for his heart to start working right. “He said he’d- be back in two weeks-”
“I’m sorry, Aizawa,” Nedzu bowed his head solemnly. “He asked me not to tell anyone. And I respected his wish. He wrote a letter to you. He wrote a lot of letters.”
Aizawa couldn’t breathe.
He gripped his chest and screamed.
Hisashi Midoriya was at Giran the second his form was stable. With a few quirks, he was going to meet his son. Find some way to SAVE him. He was the boogeyman of Japan. He would save his son.
“Giran, what was the location he sent you?”
“Oh boss,” the man looked back. “Little Green sent an apology but he said he won’t be able to make it…”
His heart dropped.
He reached out on warp in an instant. His son would come to him-
… nothing.
He reached for every quirk that could sense him.
Nothing.
“Where- he didn’t send a location?” Hisashi began to panic, looking at the man. “Can you trace his phone or-”
“I can,” he confirmed. Giran showed him and he was gone in an instant.
The room was dark and all he heard was the quiet sounds of classical music.
He turned on the lights and found his son on a mattress on the floor. He couldn’t breathe.
Hisashi approached, hands shaking, and bowed by his side.
“Bunny?” he was gentle as he tried for his son’s pulse and found his skin to be cold. Too cold. “Bunny- please. This isn’t funny. Izuku- Izuku please-” He shook him gently, desperate. “Izuku, please! Izuku- Dad’s here- please- please just show me you’re okay-” He felt tears begin to stream down his chest as he took the boy and held him to his chest “I’m right here baby- I’m right here- just breathe- please- please Bunny-” He pushed back pieces of green hair. He gently held the cheek, desperate to see those glowing green eyes. “Please just open your eyes- please-!”
A scream echoed out across Japan.