Leo Simon
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All For Myself Chapter 27
🕑 Added 2023-06-26 18:55:54 +0000 UTCAll Might had the strangest feeling in his guts, it felt as though someone was watching him very closely. Like 'One For All' itself was warning him of something. Still though he tried to ignore it, he was probably just feeling nervous about passing his power on to another person. Another Hero. He couldn't allow his personal feelings to stop him from doing his duty and passing along the torch to the next generation.
Ah, he still remembers the day that he received his Quirk from his master, Nana Shimura, as though it were just yesterday. He was just a foolish Quirkless boy that was reaching for heights that were too high for him to reach, yet for some reason, for some inexplicable reason, she ended up passing down her power to him.
'One For All' is truly a blessed power. A Quirkless nobody like him is now the Symbol of Peace, the strongest man in the world... or at least that's what the world thinks.
Those news articles painted their battle out to be a one-sided beatdown, one where the villainous Ryoto was sent fleeing for his hide under the power of All Might's unrelenting fury, but that couldn't have been further from the truth, in fact if All For One didn't leave him in that moment then he's be-
He shook his head at that thought. No, he didn't lose back then, he was just holding back for... whatever reason. If he fought All For One with everything he had then he's sure that he would have stood victorious at the end of the day. He needs not think on this matter any longer.
What he should really be thinking about is his new successor that Nighteye had personally taken under his wing. At first he just wanted to find his own successor, it is his Quirk afterall. But, he hadn't had any luck in finding a worthy Symbol, ideally what he'd want in a successor are traits like these: a strong Quirk to pair with the stockpiled energy, a fiery determination that would allow them to quickly master the power, and a strong sense of justice that matches his own. Finding such people like this is hard, unfortunately, and nobody caught his eye, so instead of waiting and wasting anymore time he reached out to his old sidekick and asked to meet the one who he'd trained to inherit 'One For All'.
Mirio sounds like a fine character. Just thinking about how strong 'One For All' would be in conjunction with his original Quirk was enough to make Toshinori's mind shake with excitement.
Still though, he wasn't a fool, he would have to meet the young boy and decide for himself whether or not he's worthy to inherit his Quirk, the power of a true Hero and the antithesis to the ultimate evil of this world. He needs to see if Mirio Togata has what it takes to end All For One's reign and plague on this world once and for all.
If not then he'd just have to keep searching.
Nighteye sat besides him and stared at his watch for some reason. He then turned to Toshinori and said in his usual monotone voice." He'll be here in three seconds."
Wait what did he mean by-
"Hey All Might."
The Symbol of Peace heard a voice come from below his feet and in response he slowly looked down to see... a face coming out of the ground?
Seeing his apprentices habit of permeating into the ground to surprise others Mirai internally let out a brief chuckle as he adjusted his glasses and spoke to his personal hero with a dull voice." All Might I'd like you to meet Mirio. He is my apprentice and the one I'd like to inherit it."
Hearing that he was being introduced Mirio emerged from the ground and into his boss's office with a mock salute and a goofy smile on his face.
Getting a good luck at the young man Toshinori was impressed by his physique, he was tall and broad to the point where even at just the beginning he'd be able to use 30% of 'One For All'. It might not seem like much when compared to him being able to use 100% right from the beginning, but it's still impressive.
Mirio stood still and tried not to lose his cool in front of All Might of all people, he can appreciate a good joke, but he knows when to keep his cool. He also knows when to take a situation seriously, he won't be acting too much like a goofball in front of the Symbol of Peace himself.
Okay maybe just a little.
Nighteye cleared his throat to get the two blondes attention." Mirio I have called you here to meet All Might and discuss something very important that concerns you, do I have your word that you'll stay quiet about the sensitive information that I'm about to divulge to you?"
Hearing and seeing that the Hero he was interning under was not joking around at all Mirio straightened up his back and answered Mirai with a serious tone and expression. Well as serious as his cartoonish face could get anyway." I promise that I'll keep whatever you tell me here today a secret, Sir."
Feeling satisfied with the answer that he got Mirai then turned to the number one Hero and said." I think that it'd be best if you did the honours, All Might."
Toshinori suddenly felt a massive wave of shame dig into his injury like a knee as he realised that he was going to have to reveal his true appearance to yet another person, and a bright Hero hopeful that probably looked up to him as well, he hated the way he looked if he was going to be honest with himself. Every time he dropped his All Might form he felt like the weakest man in the world, he wasn't the Symbol of Peace when he dropped his Hero form. He was just Toshinori Yagi, Quirkless, sickly, helpless, Toshinori hated all of those traits with a passion. He hates being weak, he hates being helpless and he hates the fact that he's going to need to pass on his Quirk.
Before Nana saved him he was just a skinny Quirkless orphan, whilst there were a lot more Quirkless people back then that didn't mean he didn't receive some ridicule. He was blessed in 'One For All' and is eternally grateful for what his mentor did for him by passing down such an amazing power. He wants to forget his life from before he got his Quirk, to only be remembered as the unbeatable Symbol of Peace by the world. Revealing his true form is like stripping him of all that.
Still though, young Mirio needs some context for the situation and to understand the severity of what exactly he's being offered, he needs to understand that he is going to need to do battle with 'All For One', and he needs to understand that he's going to be the next Symbol of Peace.
Even if it wounds his pride he will do it.
He sighed before finally letting go of his muscle form and a small cloud of steam was created that acted like a curtain to reveal his gaunt and skeletal form.
Seeing this Mirio was surprised and asked." What's going on here? What happeend to All Might?!" His voice held some disbelief as he stared at the blonde skeleton which sat where the hulking behemoth that was All Might once rested with a hint of denial.
Mirio was a fan of All Might's as a kid- who wasn't that was born in Japan during the past two decades?- And he grew up watching a... well something beyond human in all honesty, it might sound egotistical but it true. All Might was just always there to save people, his word was practically the law amongst the common civilian, if he said that pigs could fly then people would believe that they could, if he told everyone in Japan to go out and give money to charity then they'd do it. He was a legend among legends. To see him turn into such a sickly looking skeleton was... disturbing to say the least.
In response to his sidekick's outburst Nighteye felt a twitch of annoyance at the disrespect Mirio just showed his Hero. But, it wasn't entirely unexpected or uncalled for, All Might is a legend to the people, he never rests, never eats, never gets hurt. Never gets hurt.
Well he did get hurt, really badly, and anyone who sees this could react a few ways: first they could do what Mirio just did and deny it at first, but slowly and quietly accept the reality of the situation. Second, they could show sympathy and pity towards the poor man for what happened to him- Toshi seems to hate this one-. Or third... well not enough people really know for there to actually be a third option.
All Might held up his bony hand and explained calmly." Calm down, there's a reason that I'm here, and I'm showing you what has happened to me, I need you to keep what I'm about to say a secret. Do you understand?" He couldn't exactly have the fellow blonde blurting this out to his friends now could he?
Mirio could only nod dumbly at that, still in a daze from All Might turning into... well a weaker and dangerously skinny version of himself. However, when All Might lifted his shirt Mirio couldn't help but cringe away in sympathy at the sight of a crater on the left side of the Symbol's gut.
Seeing the reaction All Might was displeased, he hated showing people his weakness, so he quickly covered his injury up with his shirt and elaborated on what he just showed the body." Pretty gross isn't it? About six years ago I was in a fight with a villain, he gave me this injury and now I can only hold this form for about an hour and a half a day. That's all."
Hearing those words makes Mirio's eyes bulge out of their sockets. An hour and a half. Ninety minutes. Nine sets of ten minutes. five thousand four hundred seconds. That's it?! That's all the time per day the Symbol of Peace can do his job for?!
Most people think that Mirio is an idiot since he's always joking around, but he's no fool, even if he acts like one sometimes, without All Might the crime rates will skyrocket. Just him not being able to catch that Quirk stealing villain was enough to cause the crime rate to go up a decent bit. What will happen when he retires?
What will happen when they lose the Symbol of Peace?
All Might saw the expression on Mirio's face and instantly knew what he was thinking." I know what you're thinking young Mirio, and yes you are correct, with me to support it then this society will struggle immensely, I will have to retire soon enough, and when that happens a new Symbol will need to rise up and take my place."
For some reason Mirio got goosebumps when All Might's hollow, blue eyes locked in with his own and he felt really nervous for some reason.
Nighteye's golden eyes watched the two converse intently and he felt the moment where his apprentice would retrieve his idol's Quirk was at hand.
Mirio listened intently as All Might finally spoke in a hoarse and worn out voice.
"And, I believe that symbol is standing in front of me right now."
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I did my best not to yawn from boredom as Mirio just dumbly stood in front of All Might like an idiot whilst the blonde Symbol's emotions were extremely pathetic in my eyes, he was just feeling resignation and bitterness at giving up his Quirk to a school boy.
I hate a lot of things about All Might but his stupidity in giving away his Quirk is definitely in the top ten of that list. As perfect as Izuku would be for his Quirk he was a fourteen year old that he'd just met. Hell giving his Quirk away to a kid at all was really bad idea.
As flawed as this one person system is if All Might really wanted to keep it running then he should have given it away to someone who was already a Pro-Hero. Look at the top ten and you've got some suitable candidates, at least by All Might's standards.
Just look at Endeavour, as much as I abhor the man, there's no denying that with 'One For All' on top of 'Hellflame' he'd be nearly unstoppable as the next Symbol. Hawks, Best Jeanist, Mirko, hell even Nighteye would be really powerful with 'One For All'. Yet All Might just handed it off to some kid he met and talked to for five minutes.
And he's doing the same here.
Honestly Mirio getting the Quirk or not makes little difference to me, I've already got a counter to 'Permeation' just in case we ever do fight head to head, plus with 'One For All' sucking him dry of his lifeforce he won't be alive for long. And, even if he did it won't be enough to stop me. Not with what I've spent years preparing for.
A few moments after All Might declared that he thought Mirio would be the next Symbol the blonde boy started to stammer at that and yelled." Wait WHAT?!!"
I watched as the two Heroes didn't flinch at his outburst and Toshinori continued to explain himself." I think that you'd be good to become the next number one Hero. You've got talent, compassion, discipline, and a strong Quirk. With my power you'll be even greater."
I narrowed my eyes at his last words. It seems that All Might is ever bit the hypocrite that I hoped he'd be, is he actually choosing a successor with their original Quirk being a factor? When he himself is Quirkless?
For some reason I felt a small rise of irritation at his words as that blonde buffoon continued to smile at the look of shock Mirio gave at the mention of giving the boy his power. Oh poor Toshinori, Izuku will make sure to wipe that smile off your face permanently. If I don't first that is.
Mirio reacted very comically to All Might's words and let out a shocked. "What do you mean by 'give you my power'?"
All Might seemed delighted to explain his disgusting Quirk and I just couldn't even bring myself to listen as he explained his power. Hearing someone talk so profoundly about something so vile and wrong is unnerving. He talks about his power as though it's something that's innately heroic yet... how can that be heroic? It looks like something straight out of a horror movie.
All Might appears to have an extremely warped view of what his Quirk actually is. His time limit going down is definitely partially due to the Quirk sucking whatever life is left in that pitiful husk he calls a body right out of him to sustain himself. I can actually see it right-
I felt bile rise to my throat once more as I struggled not to throw up at the sight of what that ability is doing to Toshinori even as I think. If I could describe it as anything then it's be like a virus or a disease that was spreading and branching out through his nervous system and draining the energy reserves of it's host. It was a very disturbing sight, like a worm was squirming through his veins and eating up everything it can find like a greedy pig.
How is he even alive?
How is 'One For All' so vile in nature, I've never seen anything quite like it. It's fascinating in a morbid way how something so... violent and selfish can be used for good.
Then again 'One For All' did technically form when 'Stockpile' was forced into All For One's little brother, his Quirk was much more violent in nature than mine, maybe the way a Quirk is created can determine the core nature of the Quirk itself.
Perhaps I've been spending too much time with the doctor.
All Might stared at Mirio intently as he finished explaining his power and then pointed towards Mirio and said." I want you to inherit my power, this is a crystallisation of hope that was created to stop All For One. I need you to accept it."
However, much to my surprise, Mirio frowned at his words." But, All For One is gone. You killed him didn't you?"
I raised an eyebrow at intrigue at his words, but All Might showed displeasure at those words." What are you talking about? He still lives and he's out there-"
However, Mirio didn't seem to be having any of that and promptly cut All Might off." All For One is dead though. You killed him. The one who you want me to fight is named Ryoto Saito, that's correct isn't it?"
Okay, now this boy has my attention. All Might clearly just sees me as another version of his nemesis, the backwards dying king can't have his enemy be anything but the incarnation of evil afterall, yet Mirio actually sees me for what I am. My own person. I am not defined by my power or lack of power, unlike Toshinori who only finds meaning in his life through his power. Without 'One For All' who is All Might really?
That's a question he doesn't know. Or rather chooses not to know.
All Might didn't seem to like the words about his enemy." Now listen here, young Mirio, it doesn't matter which one of them you end up fighting, they both hold that same despicable power and as such they need to be be brought down. If you're going to fight someone then you can't-"
"Feel for them?" Mirio finished rather sarcastically, a clear indicator that he didn't agree with that line of thinking.
I, however, was actually surprised by the blonde's words. He might not agree with me, and I know that he definitely won't side with me, but the boy just went up in my personal view. He's a guy who's capable of sympathising with an enemy and acknowledging them whilst still having the resolve to take them down. That's what a real Hero should be able to do as a minimum in my eyes.
Nighteye also showed displeasure at Mirio's words and addressed his apprenticed with a stern tone." Mirio. All Might is offering you his Quirk, Should you really be questioning him?"
If I could then I would have sneered in disgust at Nighteye a long time ago. I never liked him. He's pompous, self-centred, and overall just a bit of a dick. His obsession with All Might is just the icing on the cake here.
Mirio also seemed to feel the same way and after looking at his feet for a few seconds he stared right back and into Nighteye and All Might's eyes and said very clearly." I don't want it."
If my eyebrows were raised before then they were now on top of my hairline. This guy just rejected All Might. I like him purely just off of that alone.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing at the face All Might pulled when he just got flat out rejected, and blatantly told that another person didn't need his power.
"I'm sorry what?" Nighteye said with a look of disbelief that completely shattered his normally stoic face at the reality that the boy who he'd been training to inherit his idol's Quirk... didn't want the power at all. Again it was really hard not to laugh at the sight.
Mirio spoke again, this time looking into Mirai's eyes as he said." You heard me. I don't want 'One For All' I've put so much effort into mastering my own Quirk that getting a new one would-"
"Think about what you're saying Miri-"
He seemed to snap at being cut off." I am thinking about it and I don't want his Quirk! Why am I even here?! Can't a Hero just take his Quirk or something?!"
Wow. Mirio is the only one with some common sense in this room. This is some amazing drama.
Nighteye seemed to grow cold at that and his expression was akin to ice at this point." It's not a decision that you get to make Mirio. You will inherit 'One For All'. You will become the next Symbol. And, you will stop All For One. This is the whole reason that I took you under my wi-"
Mirio actually lost it at that." That's it?! That's the reason you trained me?! To replace All Might?!" Mirio was deeply hurt by the revelation that the man who mentored him was, in reality, just using him, and grooming him to become the replacement for another Hero. He's always thought of Sir as a bit cold, but that was going way too far.
Still though, despite his outburst the two heroes in front of him still looked adamant that he inherit 'One For All'. So, instead of wasting time looking mad and wasting away his eyes became full of sadness and disappointment as he said." I'm not replacing All Might. And that is final."
He then, to Nighteye's shock, began to permeate away into the ground to escape and get away from them both. Mirai saw what his student was doing and displayed visible shock as he reached out and yelled." Mirio wait!"
However, within a moment he was gone and he left both of the hero's dumbfounded in their office as he made his getaway from the two of them.
I, however, was doing my very best not to start laughing my guts out. Now that was a very different reaction than what I was expecting. I really thought that Mirio would pull some golden child act and just give into their demands instantly and take 'One For All' without a fuss. Yet for some reason this is far funnier to me, maybe it's the looks of pure disbelief that are on those two egomaniacs faces.
Nighteye is shocked that Mirio, the boy who he's groomed and trained for the role, completely rejected the two of them and ran away since they wouldn't see reason, but All Might is just stumped that someone wouldn't want his disgusting power. It was really quite a funny thing to watch.
However, I wouldn't be enjoying what I have to do now that Mirio rejected him. Goodbye Nighteye. I wish that I could say it was nice knowing ya.
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Mirai sat on one of two chairs that was up against his dining table and drank a cup of whisky in just one go to help soothe his pain at the revelation that Mirio had rejected 'One For All'. He didn't even want to see him after he'd left. He'd just taken his Hero costume and gone home. He wouldn't be seeing the boy until monday.
Mirai sighed and wondered where he went wrong. Oh that's right, he does remember. Whenever someone questions All Might he just can't help but feel irritated at them, the man does so much for so little, and yet people have the nerve to question him for it. He's always admired the man but... he should have just let Mirio decide for himself. The boy could go so far, even without 'One For All', and if he'd just said that then maybe Mirio wouldn't have stormed off.
Huh? It's strange how he can have so much hindsight when his Quirk is 'Foresight'.
He drunk some more whisky, but strangely didn't feel any different. That hardly matters though. He should apologise to Mirio, he has to make things right. Whilst he can't agree with his words of defence against All For One, he should have acknowledged his apprentice's opinion instead of trying to ignore and overlook it.
All For One. Just the though of that thing was enough to sour Mirai's mood for the entire night. No matter what anybody says he knows that 'Ryoto Saito' isn't up to anything good and he's no different from the old All For One. apparently they both have the same face.
When he first saw All For One's face he has to admit that he was surprised at how... normal he looked. Most say the same. A very tall man, well dressed, seemingly well mannered. He's even heard that a few think that he looks quite handsome. Mirai scoffs at the thought. The idea of anyone thinking of anybody with that disgusting Quirk as handsome is sickening to him. No matter how he appears he is the devil himself. Apparently All For One used to refer to himself as 'The Demon Lord of All'. He can't believe that he'd ever agree with anything that monster has ever said but-
"Hello Mirai."
The lightning fast reflexes that Nighteye had built up over decades as a Pro-Hero kicked in as he whipped his head around to find-
Nighteye's breath caught in his throat at the sight of All For One simply sitting in an incredibly relaxed state of comfort as he took his time to savour and enjoy the flavour of the concoction with a soothing yet sinister expression on his face.
He really did look just like that monster. The face, the hair, the suit, it all fit right into place.
The glass he was holding was thrown at that monster as a distraction, and he shot up from his chair with and instantly tried to leave at lightning fast speeds through the-
'Slam!'
The door shut in his face, he twisted and turned the nob, and even tried to punch through the door, but his was held telekinetically just a centimetre away from the wood of his door, almost tauntingly, to come so close yet be so far.
He found his body moving without commands as his limbs were tucked together as though he were in a tomb and he floated into a sitting position on a chair which the villain had previously been sitting in just a few moments after he got up.
Nighteye felt a flare of panic rise up in his chest. He had nothing. He had no way out. His Quirk was both useless in this situation and unusable. He needed to look a person in the eye and then touch them for his Quirk to work, yet All For One hadn't made eye contact with him in the few moments that he'd revealed himself, but that would mean-
He knows how my Quirk works.
"You know Mirai, I really don't like you." Ryoto mused as he brushed his fingers all over Mirai's house and seemed to take a breath full of air through his nose for some reason." You've got a nice place though. Too bad it's just gonna be ash by the morning; what a waste."
If Mirai wasn't panicking before then he would be now. But he wouldn't give this demon the last laugh, All Might sure wouldn't, if he goes down then he'll do so with his dignity intact.
He glared hatefully at All For One who didn't seem at all disturbed by the action and continued to rattle on as he took a sip of brandy." This is good shit. Well, I guess you wouldn't know that."
He moved his hand over to the bottle which Mirai was sipping out of and turned his demonic red eyes onto Mirai with a taunting grin." Too bad that wasn't what you were drinking."
Wait. What did he-
Just a second later Mirai felt a massive surge of pain in his heart as he was finally let loose from whatever Quirk that his enemy was using as he fell to the ground clutching his chest and crying out in pain.
Ryoto, however, merely rattled on casually, as though a man wasn't dying under him, as he held the bottle up." Don't worry the pain won't last. what you just drank had some cyanide in. You could throw it up, but, quite frankly I wouldn't, if the poison doesn't get to you then the flames will."
Nighteye, however didn't respond to this as tears built up in his eyes, and just like the demon said the pain started to fade away and his limbs all went numb as he simply lied there.
Ryoto's hand became lit with orange and red flames that he placed on the wooden door, they spread immediately and before long Nighteye would perish. If the poison isn't quick enough then he might be alive for the experience of burning alive. He personally hopes, for Mirai's sake, that it's a quick death. He needs to die, but he doesn't need to die painfully.
Mirai's thoughts began to waver as smoke clouded the room and Ryoto's final words to the seer were these." At least you won't be alive to see what's coming."
He lifted his palm and a red portal opened behind him that swallowed him whole as the whole house came alight with fire.
Mirai, however desperately didn't want to go. He had to see what comes next. What is-
"You fakes are going to pay-
"You call yourselves heroes, but you're really-
"I win."
Mirai's last thought before his house came down on him was this-
There's no stopping him.
Comments
T4ndoris
In case you’re wondering, there’s nothing wrong with Mirio's legs. He just finds it difficult to walk normally with the planet sized balls he has to carry
