(Izuku POV - Monarch Shiragami Research Outpost - Lab - The Next Day)

I winced as Erika snapped off both of her hands with a vine. Using it to grab them off the handles and hand them to Alexia. Who placed them in jars, closing them up before

N-Never going to get used to that.

Erika's hands immediately began to regrow, flexing her fingers as a vine lunged toward me. Stepping back before Erika retracted into her back.

"Looks like you're getting a better handle on those instincts." I said, getting Erika to nod.

"Easier with each absorption, the hunger is still there. Don't have to restrain myself as much." Erika said while shaking her head. "I take it only one of those batteries are left?"

"Yes." I said, before going to get it.

The rest of yesterday was pretty much quiet thankfully, minus the barrage of texts from Tokage mainly about what happened at Aldera. T-That was something I'm still getting used to.

Currently me and Erika were trying out her Ghidorah traits...and her breaking apart her body pieces for Alexia to study. Both Ashfords were here, with Alfred in his own words 'making sure Alexia doesn't accidentally create a guard plant while no one is looking again'.

I-I don't know if he was joking or not...

Erika was using a small device with two handles Nezu said was a portable charging station, a much smaller version of the facilities in U.A.. Basically a meter tall black box with two hands to siphon electricity that can be moved by a gurney.

It came with several chargeable batteries that according to Nezu each had enough voltage, that if used sparingly can power a small classroom for three days.

Took less than a minute for Erika to drain it dry each time. And Erika having to restrain her vines from going after me or any nearby outlets,

H-Her vines were trying to siphon any nearby source of electricity before retracting once she gets ahold of her instincts. Thankfully she seems to be getting a better handle of them with each draining.

But it seems with the same thing the changes to her become more apparent before fading away moments later. Unless they were cut off at the source...

Shaking my head I began to look around for the final battery, I think that I had left it around Alexia.

D-Doing my best to ignore the unsettling feeling emitting from her as I looked for the final battery. I-I've been doing better about it since she first arrived, but I could feel my spines raise everytime when I'm around her.

N-No idea on why this happens, but my best hypothesis for now was probably pheromones that affect the brain's ability to produce norepinephrine or directly affects the amygdala and sending the body's nervous system into a fear response.

"Correct guess on the first try, impressive." Alexia's voice said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

S-Seeing Alfred grinning at me, only to be smacked on the head by his sister.

"Forgive my foolish brother but you were muttering, although he is correct. Your guess is accurate, no one usually guesses that so quickly after just meeting me." Alexia said before handing me the battery. "This is what you were seeking."

"Y-Yes it was, thank you." I said, accepting the battery from here. Still... "Is the pheromones an effect of the basis of your Quirk? Bombardier beetles do use them as a secondary defense mechanism."

O-Of course in that instance was to draw more beetles to defend against predators, increasing the firepower against them. But in this instance it could just be a warning to keep anyone away.

Alexia smiled at that and shook her head.

"Not quite, but an adequate guess. Admittedly the effects were changed...still not sure what exactly the effects of that one went wrong. I was trying to recreate one of Dr. Shiragami's earlier recorded experiments." She said, turning away at the end.

"Was it a variation of splicing lavender with insect DNA to make the scent of the plant to perfectly mimic pheromones from a species's scent marker? Only one I can clearly remember right now." Erika said, walking over to us and getting Alexia to nod.

"Ant queen pheromones, I performed all the recorded steps correctly." Alexia said, shaking her head.

"Trying to repel other types of insects and instead use it to attract pollinator ant species?" I asked.

"It did do that, but the results weren't that efficient considering the lack of diversity for ants that can reliably act as pollinators. But the practice could have increased in the centuries since I last worked on the subject." Erika said as one of her vines reached for the battery in my hands.

Before it stopped, pulling back to wrap itself against my shoulder.

"Not quite, but the use of weaver ants to assist in pollination efforts in Australia have been looked into to combat vegetation loss from brush fires. Was doing the experiment to see viability for Monarch facilities on the continent." Alexia said, getting Erika to nod.

Erika looked like she wanted to say something, but Alfred clapped his hands together. Getting our attention to land on him.

"Well this conversation is enlightening and all, might we continue with your research now?" Alfred said, clapping his hand much softly this time with an amused expression on his face. "While the day is still young after all."

Alexia just sighed while Erika let out an irritated growl in her throat, I just looked a little embarrassed.

P-Perhaps we were getting carried away a little...

"I suppose we should bring this up another time." Erika sighed out as she turned to me. "Izuku, would you please?"

"No problem." I said, moving to the portable charging station and inserting the battery.

"This last one should give me ample samples to define what these changes can fully affect Erika, but I might already have an ideal baseline in mind." Alexia said, pulling out a sample from the second charge and began to inspect it. Pausing briefly to look at Alfred smiling at her. "What?"

"Oh, nothing." Alfred said shaking his head. "Looked like you were enjoying yourself sister."

Alexia just shrugged as she went back to work while Erika went back to the hanging station. I took a few steps back as she nodded and dispersed her vine into spores before reabsorbing them.

Best to keep my distance, we didn't want a repeat of the first drainage...

Erika gripped the handles as the charger started up and lights began to flicker on the chargers as claws sprouted from her fingers. They and her fingers seemed to merge into talon like claws as they took a brackish coloration, small scales looking like they were forming around her knuckles.

Alfred handed Alexia two jars, her getting up from her sample and walking towards Erika as her hands were now halfway changed.

The back of her hand and knuckles seemed to be growing larger patch of scales with the brackish color, the skin between turning into a dark green. A few moments later and the power charger was fully drained.

Much faster than the last time. There had been a gradual increase in how fast she drained each time, but it took a few seconds to fully siphon the battery dry.

Erika's hands and wrists were now fully changed, she looked curiously as she flexed her new claws. Inspecting them for a few moments before the changes were starting to reverse.

W-Wincing as a vine snapped off her hands again, Alexia repeating the process from earlier as they quickly grew back good as new. Flexing her fingers before her vine reached out towards me.

Nuzzling against my check briefly as it moved down to drape itself across my shoulder.

"Got them under control, nothing more than a nuisance for now." Erika said with a smile before letting out a small growl. "Though I still want to feed on electricity, but that desire is thankfully fading."

"Quite, although what I've seen so far from the first two samples it should take days for the electricity to pass through your system." Alexia said as she sealed up the jars and placed them on the counter. "The initial piece of flesh you sampled yesterday still held its charge until it reverted to its original properties sometime in the morning."

"Meaning the samples taken today could last days or even weeks to dissipate, no telling how much longer in Erika's cells." I said, getting Alexia to nod.

"Correct, and I've already established a baseline as the samples show so far. The results I've seen have almost the exact same properties of the Ghidorah tissue Monarch has been testing with for decades. Only those samples were centuries old before Monarch got clearance to commence experimentation. Your biology is one such factor as the stored electricity is converted into energy slowly." Alexia said, getting both me and Erika to nod at that.

I-It would make sense, especially with both having a very strong regenerative factor.

The charge will take longer to be synthesized into her cells...wait a second.

"Could one of the other factors be your cell structure Erika? You mainly rely on photosynthesis as your primary source of energy." I said, with Erika smiling.

"Definitely, the electricity in my cells is probably taking longer to break down. Ghidorah from what I've seen and experienced firsthand out there they can be considered an apex predator." Erika said, letting out a growl at the end before taking a breath to calm herself. "Taking energy from both consumers and electricity not generated from their own electroplaques. My cells or the mitochondria at least adapting traits from their cells to convert electricity into ATP while not being stored in my electroplaques."

"With your healing factor slowing down most of your cellular processes, and electricity probably being considered a tertiary source of energy it would take much longer to be processed then photosynthesis or anything else you eat." I said, getting Erika to nod.

"All valid points, but there is one final factor I have observed." Alexia said, seemingly ignoring her brother remerging around in a cabinet while keeping an eye on the equipment. "That the samples show that the Ghidorah traits while similar to the records of the tissue samples have been diluted considerably."

"The Shiragami Compound...it was mainly to work on my own cells, the Ghidorah aspect was never accounted for." Erika said, as Alexia nodded. "Given the inactive state, I only gained the traits to absorb, store, and process electricity."

"And I gained the traits to generate and unconsciously regulate electricity through my body." I said, tracing my finger against my spines.

Granted it was still underdeveloped as the subdermal plating is still growing on my skeleton. More than likely how much it will affect and strengthen my permeable barrier. Although maybe I could learn to figure out how to work on it later...

But it seemed like the traits were divided between both Erika and myself while their effects were severely diluted through the transfusions, causing the different developments in how they affected our bodies.

"Seems to be the most likely case Izuku." Erika said, breaking me from my thoughts and seeing her wrapping a vine around me. "And yes you did mutter again."

D-Dang it.

"Indeed, although I'll have to make a request for Aoki to retrieve some of your previous samples from your pretreatment. If what I believe to be true, the parasitic nature of the Kaiju you faced might have been a secret boon if a small one." Alexia said.

O-Oh no.

Erika let out a growl as fangs started to sprout before I grabbed her shoulder, causing them to retract. She continued to growl before another vine emerged from her back. Shaking her head as I let out a sigh of relief as she was calming down.

"Y-You okay?" I asked, getting her to nod.

"I'm sorry for my sister." Alfred said, mimicking his sister while carrying some cleaning supplies in his arms. "As much as Alexia chastises me, sometimes she forgets a lack of tact while conversing with others."

"Unlike you, I don't deliberately make it so I can't tell if you're truthful about it or deliberately messing with others." Alexia said while shaking her head, looking a little embarrassed before facing Erika. "I apologize for my remark."

"It's fine, just please explain in what benefit." Erika said, irritation bleeding from her tone as Alexia went to grab a tablet.

E-Even if she has calmed down somewhat, the topic of the Kaiju was one that she hardly brought up....

S-Still I had to ask, how could that have it been a benefit in the slightest?

"You've used grip strengtheners before?" Alfred whispered as he walked past me and Erika. Surprising me to see he paused briefly. "Try repeating that while talking, just don't focus on the motions. Maybe it could work?"

H-He heard me muttering earlier too, didn't he?

A-As Alfred walked away, his words sunk in before I shook my head as I began to clench and unclench my right hand.

Maybe he was onto something...

"Now as I was going to say." Alexia said, fiddling with the tablet before looking at Erika. "How recent was your encounter with the Ghidorah's tail you consumed?"

"Relatively no idea of years, but probably comparatively when I started to regain my sense of self. Sometime around there and after I started to return to Earth." She sighed out.

"So at least a few decades." Alexia said while shaking her head. "Considering how much the Ghidorah traits have influenced your cells now, imagine how much it was probably affecting you before the infection. Unseen but even degraded it took about two and a half weeks to fully sync with your body after the treatment. Imagine what it could have done by now if you didn't return to Earth?"

Erika let out a soft growl from her throat as she looked surprised, not that I can blame her...

If she didn't return to Earth in time, even without running into the Kaiju her assimilation of Ghidorah DNA and chimeric nature would have changed Erika's Kaiju form greatly of what Alexia's hypothesis was true.

N-Not sure how either of us would want to think of the mental effects such a transformation would have on Erika, but genetically it would have only warped her body even more.

P-Possibly having made it even more difficult or impossible to regain a human form...

Hopefully it never could come to that and if the time it took for these traits to become apparent in Erika, it probably would've still taken some more to settle in.

The Kaiju's infection possibly slowed the process down, but given Monarch couldn't collect any samples from before that period we could never truly know...

"Which will not come to pass now, but the traits do have a significant influence outside of just absorbing and storing electricity?" Erika asked with a sigh, feeling her vines tighten around me a little.

"Quite, the samples I've observed so far have their cells in what I can best describe as a state of incomplete metamorphosis." Alexia said as she turned to face me. "Midoriya, how aware are you of Inumuru's Theory of Human Hemimetabolous?"

"Very much." I said, getting Erika to tilt her head. "Dr. Ryoichi Inumaru was a geneticist over 200 years ago and among the very first people for their Quirk to awaken. About six months after the Luminescent Baby's birth. I think the third recorded person with a Transformation category Quirk in Japan. His was to assume a humanoid lizard like form that affected his mind, the change triggered with his adrenaline levels spiking when angered or stressed. He used his blood samples to create the first real working theory of those with transformation Quirks."

"I'm guessing it was more or less based on the idea of a halfway to a full metamorphosis at least for humans and based on his own experiences. Following a trigger, the cells undergo a drastic change from one type to another from some stimuli. Producing enzymes that dissolve the cells with the information inside the nucleus acting as an imagnal disk, reshaping them into a new form. Only the process is in rapid succession and can change back." Erika said, getting me to nod. "Read on a few theories like that while studying for the exams. Yet his was the first."

"More or less and discussing the process as painful for humans from their very cells dissolving and reforming in moments. Records from the time described most Transformation category Quirks at the time. The theory mainly fell out of favor as transformations became more complex and fluid, some though follow a similar rule." I said.

Granted Quirks in general have become more complex and have more varieties as the years have gone by.

"Looking at the samples so far, the similarities between the two are impeccable." Alexia said, flipping the tablet to show us what was on it.

On one side were pictures of Erika's cells from what I believe to be either the piece of flesh from yesterday or one of the samples Alexia examined just minutes ago. The other was aged photographs of Inumaru's own cells, had had many blood samples collected mid transformation too.

H-He used a similar method to Erika to procure the samples from his body and admitted as such from surviving records...his Quirk also granted him a limited heal factor mid transformation...

Alexia began to flip through various photos, each showing the two side by side. They were each in various states yet similarities between the two highlighted. As she continued to show us photos I kept seeing a number of similarities between the two.

"These Ghidorah traits, they're triggering a transformation. Absorbing electricity only causes a superficial change, once they store a sufficient amount of energy it can be triggered." Erika theorized as Alexia closed down the tablet.

"Indeed or you can willingly change once a sufficient voltage limit has been passed. This matter is going to need a lot more experimentation to better gauge the capabilities. Yet the comparisons to known transformation Quirks in the cells are intriguing." Alexia said, looking lost in thought for a moment before shaking her head. "It will require more research."

"No doubt, but as you said the change was incomplete. So you believe if the transformation is activated, once the stored electricity runs out Erika will revert back?" I asked.

"Requires more research, yet with what we know so far it is likely." Alexia said, getting Erika to let out a sigh of relief.

"Something I'm in no real hurry to find out, you already have enough coming up in a few days. Shall we pick this back up next week Dr. Ashford?" Erika asked with a smile.

Felt her vines start to loosen up around me as Alexia pondered her words for a moment as I smiled at Erika.

Thankfully she seemed less worried about the traits from the Ghidorah traits, we both were. Of course it will require research to properly figure out the exact limits of these changes.

Yet nothing new to either of us at this point.

"Indeed you might have a point Dr. Shiragami." Alexia said while shaking her head. "I do need to file the necessary papers to bring back samples that we don't have at the outpost."

Erika just nodded, before she began to look around as I started to hear something...wait was that static electricity?

All three of us began to look around for the source, Alexia went to check on the collected samples as Erika unwrapped her vines around me. Us both checking for the source as she inspected her vines.

Wait, don't tell me...

Both of them looked down at my right hand...and saw two or three small green sparks forming around my fingers!

I blinked in surprise and they promptly fizzled out a second later.

I-It really worked!

"Knew it!" Alfred called out, getting all of our attention.

Seeing that he was in the middle of scrubbing Erika's blood near the portable charger with a grin. She did leave quite a bit while getting the samples from her body...

"You were trying to see if he could gather his permeable barrier in a singular point unconsciously." Alexia said as Alfred got up with a grin. "Very clever brother."

"I do have my moments sister." He said before looking at me. "Just wanted to test an idea, I have worked a few times with an agent who has an electric Quirk. A right bellend, but I've been around him enough to note a similar function."

"A-A tactile based electricity generation Quirk?" I said, getting him to nod as I looked down at my hand.

I-I think I can get an idea of how it could work compared to the permeable barrier...I guess he was trying to get me to draw it out consciously. M-Maybe...

Trying to concentrate, I begin to repeat the same motions as I had done earlier. Beginning to feel some resistance, just maybe a little bit more...

Each time I clenched my hand I could feel less and less resistance, but still nothing. Focus only on gathering it in one place and hope for at least some results.

Only a single spark would suffice...

Another minute passed maybe two before it felt like the resistance had almost gone away.

A little more...

Suddenly a small green spark formed on my finger, surprising me before I smiled. Moving my hand as it dimmed yet still remained.

I did it!

I...feel pretty drained now...

The spark died down before I stumbled back a bit, Erika catching me in her vines. Leaning me against the counter as she approached me.

"Are you okay Izuku?" Erika asked as I nodded.

"Y-Yes, just a little tired and my hand feels a little numb..." I said, before I felt my spines twitch and my eyes widened as the tiredness drained away. "I-I think I shorted myself out for a bit, but it's back. H-Hand's still a little numb."

T-Thankfully it's starting to fade away, but this was the first time I was able to consciously use the permeable barrier. Other than forcing a discharge...

"Figured, your plating hasn't fully grown over your skeleton yet. We should really find out how much you can safely use it right now. If your hand is feeling like this don't want to imagine what pushing it too far too soon will be like." Erika said, getting me to wince.

A-At worst what immediately comes to mind would be nerve damage like Shiten did to his own hand after I had broken it...something that I definitely don't want to do.

"I-I agree, we still have a week to work on it anyway." I said, getting Erika to nod.

"Or in a few moments, in a real combat situation." Alfred said, surprising me and getting Erika to turn to him. Letting out a soft roar.

He grinned in response as Alexia smacked the back of his head with a sigh.

"Brother, there are better ways to ask to spar with someone." She said, shaking her head. "Apologies, he gets like this when stir crazy."

"Now where is the joy in that Alexia." Alfred said before facing me and Erika with a smile. "Yet think of it this way, a chance to learn how to focus on gathering in the middle of a fight. How long it took for you to generate a single spark?"

"A-About a minute or two." I said, thinking he might've had a point.

"We'll just work on it for a few minutes, if it fails it doesn't matter. Better in a controlled environment than out in the field. Of course, all up to you Midoriya. After the numbness passes of course." Alfre added, quickly adding the last part as his sister gave him an annoyed look.

Erika let out a small growl before turning to me.

"I assume that you want to try it Izuku?" Erika asked, getting me to think about it for a few moments before nodding.

"Y-Yes, safer here to try it out and I've done something similar with Agents Gordon and Dupre..." I said, shuddering while remembering my sparks with the latter. If they could even be called that for the most part... "And if we tried it out while training, it wouldn't work against you."

Then again it seems like electricity in general will be ineffective against Erika now.

Since she seems to be able to absorb through contact and the various ways she has been experimenting with shaping her vines and body, there are so many disasters Erika can use this ability against to save people from or to protect them from villains with electric Quirks.

"Already have a few ideas, Izuku." Erika said, breaking me from my thoughts. "I could tell what you were thinking the moment you pulled out your notebook."

I just nodded and let out a sigh of relief.

Still wondering why Alexia keeps looking at me curiously whenever I pull out my notebook?

"I was hoping you would accept, we'll spar until you can manage to create a spark once more or until it is time for you both to leave." Alfreda said while grinning.

The latter condition might be more than likely, one of Erika's vines was reaching for her phone. Probably going to tell Mom about this or just we were ready to be picked up.

She did say once we finished up things she'll be here, but there was something she needed to take care of with Aoki before we left. Hopefully that it would not take too long.

"No traps Alfred." Alexia said, getting her brother to pout at her. "You said that it was a spar. Otherwise next time just ask up front brother, or I might have to ask to refresh on my self defense skills." Alexia said, getting Alfred to pale and step back from her.

D-Did he look a little scared too?

"Now there is no need for that Alexia. I assume father has been checking to make sure you haven't been neglecting your training again?" Alfred said with a smirk, trying to regain his composure.

Alexia sighed as her face reddened a little.

"Admittedly yes, but you know what I mean. It hasn't been a priority for months." She said, looking away. "Which will need to be rectified later this week brother."

"Noted." Alfred sighed as he turned away and went back to cleaning the remnants of Erika's blood. "Tell me when your hand has recovered Midoriya."

"I-I will, but do you need a hand cleaning that up?" I asked.

W-We did leave quite a lot of blood there for a bit.

"Almost done, besides needing something to do while you were discussing details. Alexia seemed to be enjoying herself anyway." Alfred said with a dismissive wave.

His sister just shook her head with a sigh.

"Foolish brother." She said.

"But admittedly you did enjoy it." Erika said with a smirk. "We all did, and haven't been able to talk with others like that outside of Izuku and enjoy it since I was fully human."

"N-Never really got much of a chance with others." I admitted, getting the corner of Alexia's mouth to twitch briefly.

"Perhaps when we have more time and I uncover more data this discussion will continue. But for now, Dr. Shiragami, Midoriya could you please assist me in storing the samples?" Alexia asked as she moved toward the microscope. The two of us nodded as we got up to assist her.

(3rd POV - Aoki's Office - 20 minutes later)

"...And in other news the escaped villain known as Batto Yobayakawa has struck again. This time in Fujisawa, making a smash and grab at a jewelry store! Making off with over ¥3,145,000 in jewels and the contents of several cash registers. We've just gotten word that it was only about half of the haul as he was confronted by the hero Harubang for the second time in the past 24 hours. Their first confrontation at Demask Private Clinic in Yokohama last night, and in both instances the villain could barely get away." A radio said on a bookshelf, getting Aoki to sigh as he fiddled with a screwdriver. Working on what appeared to be a large mechanical wing on a workbench on the other side of the room.

"So close Fudoyama, so close." Aoki said while shaking his head.

"Is he someone you know?" Someone asked behind him, surprising Aoki.

His wings fluttered as he dropped the screwdriver and turned around to see Inko stepping back from him with a bag in hand.

Calming down as his wings folded back up, Aoki sighed when he noticed the door to his office wide open.

"Note to self, fix the locking system and door intercom...again." He sighed out, walking over to the bookcase and switching the radio off.

"Sorry." Inko said, getting Aoki to wave it off.

"It's fine, you did say that you were coming. I just lost track of time...and some things to fix up." Aoki said as he began to walk to his desk.

The office didn't have enough room to fly around in, yet it held enough space to fully unfurl his wings comfortably. Having modeled the office on what he thought one would like with bookshelves, some extra chairs, filing cabinets in the corner, and a large desk with a computer monitor on top of it.

Minus the work bench and various bits of machinery on one side of the room.

"I thought so when I pressed the intercom, the door just pushes open." Inko said, looking amused as Aoki sat at the desk. "Someone you knew from U.A.? The name sounds familiar."

"Probably heard it from Izuku, he did break into the Top 200 heros recently. We did attend the same year as best friends, except he was in the hero course. Haven't talked to him in years." Aoki said while shaking his head, pressing his hands together. "So about your request, Serizawa approved. It is literally the least we can do for him. Within his level of clearance of course. Going to need a better idea on what to work with."

"Of course." Inko said, pulling out from the bag a light green full body tracksuit. With the hood of which Aoki thought was initially rabbit ears until he saw the smile like mask.

Holding back a chuckle as he realized this was Izuku's first hero costume. Looked quite like a large green rabbit instead of a homage to All Might.

Aoki didn't dare say anything as Agent Kazama had informed him of what she had done to the vice principal of Aldera.

She had made the request for assistance a few days ago.

Inko had finished the costume after the exams. Before she had spotted a newer design from Izuku's notebook. Having fallen asleep after finishing it, not the first time she had seen her son doing it.

There was still some time before the costume had to be turned into U.A. and Izuku hadn't seen it yet. Inko wanted to incorporate as much as she could from her son's notes. And something that wouldn't easily wear and tear in use for now.

Inko knew that the costume would need alterations for the future, she wanted to give Izuku something to at least help protect her son. Maybe she was worried too much, but sadly it seemed it might be needed...

"Now I can't promise we can get everything shipped out in less than a week, but to be honest U.A. has better facilities and budget for customization for this compared to Monarch's own. And usually we in-house most of the uniforms and support gear." Aoki said, getting Inko to nod as she pulled out a folded out piece of paper.

"That's why I just need some material for a few small adjustments." Inko said, unfolding the paper and placing it on his desk.

Aoki looked at what he presumed to be Inko's attempt to mimic Izuku's sketch, at least he knew where he got that talent from now.

"I think I have a few ideas on what could work, and can actually get most of it here either tomorrow or the next day from the Aomori Prefecture base." Aoki said as he started up his computer. "What about Erika?"

"She already has that taken care of through the normal route, Hound Dog telling me after her latest session with him." Inko said, looking amused. "She was saving it as a surprise."

Inko didn't know what it would look like, but from the vague description she had gotten from Erika Izuku was in for quite a surprise.

Breaking from her thoughts, Inko was startled when part of Aoki's desk slide away. Revealing a small panel and touch screen.

He just sighed, swiping a finger across it before it sunk back into the desk.

"What was that?" Inko asked.

"Just a notification screen tied to the outpost's security measures when my phone is here. It was for the sparing room, granting access to its features." Aoki said, getting Inko to nod.

Erika did say something like that, testing something Izuku had found out not that long ago. Both promised that it wouldn't take long.

Hopefully that won't happen.

(Outpost Basement - Training Room Monitoring Station - 5 minutes later)

"Almost." Erika said, looking through a computer monitor as Izuku ducked for cover as Alfred backed off. Whistling a little tune as he turned away.

The training room was the largest room in the outpost and according to Alexia still largely unfinished. But it was finished enough that several sections of the floor would rise or sink every other minute. Providing uneven footing or cover depending on their placement.

Which both of them were using for their benefit, mainly Alfred now.

Both of them were conducting this spar with a slight disadvantage. Izuku wasn't using One for All as he was just trying to draw out his permeable barrier. Alfred was armed with a training pistol that fired small rubber balls.

Being hit by one of them was only meant to sting and it clearly did from what she had seen through the monitors whenever Izuku got hit.

Although he only shot Izuku in the back once, the rubber ball ricocheted off where she guessed one of his spines were and struck Alfred in the face.

Erika still let out a series of growls from her throat remembering that.

She held back a roar as Izuku ducked a shot, a raising floor panel separated the two and the Monarch agent stepped back with a grin.

It had been going on for a while and Izuku had managed to get close to Alfred and it looked like he was close. But not even a single spark before Alfred retaliated.

At the very least there was a referee of sorts to keep him and separate them, giving Izuku a chance to try and build up his concentration.

"This is turning into nothing more than a game for Alfred." Alexia said, shaking Erika from her musing as the geneticist sighed. "His sadism is getting the better of him, again."

"I can see that clear as day. Does this happen often?" Erika asked irritably.

"Unfortunately, my brother loves to mess with others." Alexia said, before checking on the monitor. "At the very least Midoriya seems to have an idea in mind."

Erika saw what he was doing and smiled.

"That he does." She said, wondering what he was thinking of.

(Izuku POV - Unfinished Training Room - Same Time)

"Now, now where could you have scampered off to little rabbit?" Alfred mimicking Alexia said, coming from somewhere behind me. "Or should I start knocking around these barriers, you're bound to answer soon." His voice now sounded off somewhere to my left.

I hurriedly just dove behind a rising piece of flooring as I tried to keep an ear open for where Alfred could be. With the sound of something clanging against the flooring echoing somewhere off in the distance.

"Please knock back, it's not as fun otherwise!" Alfred said, his voice sounding somewhere to my right followed by a knock on the flooring sounding further away.

H-He's starting to get way too into this...and if I make any noise he'll just fire in my direction.

More than a few bruises to prove it...

And he kept projecting his voice, making it difficult for me to figure out where Alfred could be without seeing it.

Aside from perfectly mimicking his sister's voice, he was capable of projecting his own voice all over the place. Throwing his voice to trick me into thinking either he was closer or further away from my current location. Can't tell if it was his Quirk or if he is really skilled at manipulating his voice for distant ventriloquism.

Needed to keep my distance to focus on keeping concentrating...

I-I snapped from my thought as a rubber ball struck next to my foot, getting me to jump back a little!

T-The angle of where it hit...

Looking up I saw him on the raised flooring directly behind me as it started to sink back into the floor. Grinning as he trained the training pistol at my chest.

"Your muttering gave you away." He said, I just smiled nervously at him.

"K-Kind of hoped so." I said.

He momentarily looked confused before I kicked at his legs when the flooring was lowered enough. Causing Alfred to stumble as I grabbed his wrist, striking it with my other hand. Disarming him from the training pistol.

C-Can't believe that worked.

Letting go of his wrist, I ducked away from a jab. Reaching into my pocket and grabbing what was inside.

Flicking a rubber ball into his stomach, getting Alfred to grunt as I tried to hit.

Gathering everything into my left hand, just a little more.

I heard a little crackle before a small fizzling sound as I struck Alfred.

Almost...I almost had it that time...

"Good punch." Alfred said, before slugging me in the gut and getting me to double over. "Nearly there, I could practically feel the static fizzle out."

I-I could only nod before he kicked my legs from underneath me, sending me to the ground.

Before I could pick myself up, a smaller version of the one pointer robot rolled between us. Differentiating it from the others I had seen besides its size was a red and black coloration and its right arm was more armored.

Standing in front of me while Alfred chuckled. Bending down to pick up the training pistol and the rubber balls.

"Very close this time. Maybe your efforts will bare fruit this time." Alfred said, crouching and disappearing behind a rising piece of flooring.

I sighed in relief as the one pointer grabbed my arm and helped pulled me up.

"Thank you." I said, the robot giving me a wave as it rolled back out of the arena. Maneuvering out of the way of the raised flooring.

The robot from what I can tell was something of a fixture or a referee for this training area. Intervening every now and then when actually fought. Perhaps to keep Alfred from going too far each time and allow me to catch my breath.

He does seem to be enjoying this a bit too much...

Shaking my heads of those thoughts I jumped onto a raising piece of flooring, focusing on gathering the electricity. Making small motions with my hand like Alfred described earlier to help concentrate. Yet it seemed to be getting easier a little bit at a time.

Plenty of resistance each time, but it was getting easier.

Kind of the opposite of using One for All.

The Quirk was something that can be passed on and was like a great, vast ocean of energy. Difficult to navigate and I can only channel so much without breaking my body. Considering that it stockpiles power with each inheritor I have no idea how strong it will be once at 100%. And one that will continue to only grow and build up potentially without limit.

For my permeable barrier...the closest comparison I can make is like an unfinished well or pump system into an aquifer. I had a full idea what it would look like, but was still nowhere near complete. I can try and draw it out, only to safely get a small bit. Trying to dredge out too much could cause permanent damage to the system or its ability to properly draw out electricity.

Clearing my head from my musings I began to jump from raised flooring to flooring, scanning around each point for any sign of Alfred.

Instead of letting him track me down, I'll try and find him.

"So you decided to change the rules of the game." Alfred said, mimicking his sister's voice. Sounding like it was coming from behind me. "The hunted became the hunter."

I didn't listen to his taunt, just focusing on where he could be...

Wait I think-

I yelled in pain as a rubber ball was shot directly into my right shoulder, nearly falling to the ground as I clutched it. Alfred popped up from behind where I thought he was hiding with a grin.

"Alas you were in my sights all along." He declared with a sadistic grin, firing the training pistol again.

Wincing as the rubber ball just grazed my side this time, I leapt off the flooring as he reloaded. His third shot bounced off the ground as I landed and rushed towards him.

Alfred aimed the training pistol at me, before shrugging and tossing it behind him. Running forward as I tried to strike him.

Only for him to trap my arm with both of his, wincing and grinning.

"Your barrier is quite a nuisance." He said, pulling my arm and moving behind me.

Just a few more moments...

I tried to kick him, but he just pushed me back before striking my right shoulder. Grunting in pain, he threw a haymaker with his left hand that I barely ducked away from.

W-Wincing as he yelled out from his hand striking a sinking piece of flooring behind me.

"Y-You okay?" I asked as Alfred shook and clutched his hand.

"Think I just bruised my knuckles..." He said, shaking his head before sighing and grinning.

I barely had any time to react and raised before he closed the distance between us, blocking a haymaker from his other hand. Alfred threw another one and I blocked it again, once again alternating his hands to throw a haymaker.

But I managed to grab his arm and landed a left hook on his face.

Alfred stumbled back a bit before catching my fist as I tried to strike him. Countering by twisting my arm away and slugging me in the shoulder. Getting me to step back before he shoved my back into a raised piece of flooring.

Quickly picking myself up, I tried to kick at him. Alfred raising his leg to block mine, both of us jumping. I threw a quick punch which he caught, retaliating by twisting my arm and drawing me closer before punching my shoulder again.

I jumped back panting a little, before feeling my spines twitch on my back.

Rushing forward, I pulled my left hand back as I focused everything into it once again.

Throwing a punch at him, there was a small crackle as a tiny green spark formed on my knuckle.

Alfred grinned and twisted my left arm away from him, grimacing as he threw a haymaker at my shoulder again.

Come on, come on...

The spark dispersed and I hurriedly channeled the electricity through my body. Alfred's grimace got worse as I redirected, focused, and gathered it at my right shoulder. A small green spark formed as his fist struck.

Sending Alfred back a bit as I clutched my shoulder and I panted.

M-My shoulder and left hand were a bit numb...but I did it again...

The numbness in my shoulder I'm not sure if it was just from the using the electricity or from Alfred's attack. But my hand felt a lot better when I had first generated the spark. Focusing on gathering it in at least two points instead of just one, it made things a little easier without breaking concentration and to channel the electricity to a different point.

Yet it was still a long way to go before I could use it consciously...maybe the principle of Full Cowling could work with this too...

"Finally did it, quite the nasty shock too." Alfred said, clutching his left arm as his fingers twitched a bit.

"A-Are you okay?" I asked, worried I might have damaged his hands.

"I've endured worse, but I'll get it checked out." Alfred said, shaking his head. Before grinning and balling his right hand fist. "But I'm not done yet!"

W-What!

He tried to rush towards me, but the referee one pointer grabbed the back of his shirt. Trying to hold him back as I reached into my pocket.

Alfred just kicked in back as he lunged towards me.

I flicked the last rubber ball I had picked up into his face, getting him to stumble before I kicked at his legs. Almost knocking him over before I helped Alfred up.

"P-Please tell me that it's over." I said, bracing myself for him to attack again.

"No, I'm good now. Sorry, I just got carried away." Alfred said, getting me to sigh in relief.

O-Oh thank goodness.

"That is putting it mildly brother, we are going to have words about this." Alexia's voice echoed out from speakers in the ceiling, all the raised flooring starting to sink back into the ground. "Especially since you'll be here to help students."

"In combat classes, although the plan has changed when Agents Yamane and Tani arrive." Alfred said, shaking his head. Wincing as the referee bot banged its arm into his shin. "Ow, little bugger."

"Less than you deserve." Erika said, a snarl in her voice as the one pointer rolled up to me. "I swear if it wasn't for Alexia or I knew Izuku would be alright..."

"Well, I feel sorry for whoever threatens you." Alfred said, completely unfazed from Erika's words.

"R-Right." I sighed out before looking at him. "More agents are coming?"

"Yup, final additions to be staffed at the base. Both are still relatively green for Agents, but quite capable. Placements were finalized about two days ago, they should be arriving sometime in the first week. After that I'll be under Kazama or called in when they need extra hand." Alfred said, getting me to nod.

Before I felt something tugging on my sleeve. Looking to see the one pointer lifting its up armored hand. It kept turning with a click and looked off balance, I guess damaged from the kick.

"Here." I said, figuring out what it wanted.

Grabbing the hand as it twisted the arm back with a loud click. It pulled back and flexed its fingers. Rotating its hand with no other issue in sight.

The one pointer nodded at me before rolling away. I just waved back before flinching as my spines twitched and the tiredness faded away again.

Would take some getting used to if this kept happening...

I turned to see Alfred leaning down to pick up one of the rubber balls, wincing as he clutched his hand.

"Do you need some help?" I asked, getting the Monarch agent to nod.

"Much obliged, between the bruised knuckle and the shock my hand is in quite a bit of pain." Alfred said as I went to pick up a rubber ball near my foot. "Take it you have a few questions."

"I-It's alright I just have one or two." I said, getting Alfred to nod. "Do you know anything about the other agents?"

"Somewhat, Yamane is a legacy name more or less. Quite a few running around in Monarch, then again all can trace their legacy to the beginning of the Age of Kaiju and Monarch. The one being sent here is the youngest in the family, a quiet chap." Alfred said with a shrug as he picked up the training pistol.

Wait a minute.

"He's a descendant of Kenichi Yamane?" I asked, getting Alfred to nod.

The Yamane name was tied with the legacy of Kaiju in many ways. Dr. Kyōhei Yamane was the head of the investigation team on Odo Island and following the first's Gojira's emergence. Naming the Kaiju based on the island's myth and identified the second one and the first Angurius's emergence a year later. His daighter Emiko was the fiancé of Daisuke Serizawa and his adopted son Shinkichi was the sole survivor of the first Kaiju attack in modern history. His only grandchildren through Shinkichi, Yukari and Kenichi played crucial roles during the emergence of Destroyah and Gojira's meltdown at the end of the Age of Kaiju. The latter identified what was happening to Gojira before anyone else.

Considering the legacy, it would make sense that the family would still be involved with Monarch. They have been a part of the Age of Kaiju since the very beginning.

"I can't imagine what it's like to be part of a family with a legacy like that." I said, shaking my head.

Probably the closest I can think of was Ida...took me a while to recognize where his name sounded familiar.

"Not all that cracked up to be, but he is the second youngest." Alfred said as I picked up some rubber balls. "As for Agent Tani not much admittedly. What I heard is that she is a bit of a gearhead like Aoki and her grandfather was a former agent. Otherwise don't mention Agent Sakaki around her and you'll be good."

"Okay." I said, figuring maybe it's not something to bring up.

Especially with the mischievous grin on Alfred's face. He stared at me for a few moments before sighing.

"Not falling into that one. Alright, what is your second question." He said as we finished picking up the rubber balls.

"How did you keep throwing out your voice like that? Is it some kind of vocal projection Quirk or some kind of skill with distant ventriloquism?" I asked, pulling out my notebook.

Alfred grinned at me before covering his mouth.

"Trade secret." Alexia's voice said from over my shoulder, getting me to look to see nothing there. Turning to see him looking amused. "But it is involved with years of practice, my sister inherited both the genius and the Quirk."

W-Wait what?

"Y-You're Quirkless too?" I said, shocked to hear that. Getting him to chuckle.

"Never seen someone else around your age range lacking a Quirk?" Alfred asked, getting me to nod. "The U.K. has a similar issue with most of the Quirkless population being middle aged or older, although this nation has a smaller number of people lacking a Quirk over all. And I think you slipped up."

D-Dang it.

"Y-You were somewhat aware of it already?" I asked, getting him to nod

"Between being my little sister's minder and clearance for this outpost I am aware of some details, the broadcast yesterday confirmed. To think the strongest hero is Quirkless, quite a thing to think about." Alfred said, shaking his head and looking more composed than I've ever seen him. "This Quirk from the files, it can be passed down from others?"

"I-It does, without training it can accidentally blow off your limbs. A-Are there many other agents that are Quirkless, I thought there would be others like Dr. Mifune?" I asked.

"Some of them, most are about a decade or two older than myself. Although a great percentage of Monarch's staff is Quirkless too, including some of the Regional Directors." Alfred said before shaking his head. "Still it's kind of refreshing Midoriya, you and All Might both consider yourselves Quirkless."

"I-It's just part of who I am...and sometimes I feel that way." I admitted honestly, shaking my head. "This Quirk, I can barely control its power. But it's something I'm constantly working towards improving on."

"Good, don't stop trying to improve upon what you're good at. Continue to experiment and try new things, you'll be surprised to find what you're good at. Like flicking projectiles, seem to have a knack for it." Alfred said with a smile.

"J-Just something I picked up honestly." I said with a small smile.

Just something I had more or less picked up since Shiten's first time coming after me. Although it's something that I have been using quite a bit since then these past two months...maybe Alfred was onto something...

Considering that All Might is able to use One for All to change the weather...using it at a lesser percentage should at the least produce a strong guest through the displacement of air. Focused through some kind of funnel or support gear could release blasts of compressed air. Those could be used to stun others from a distance.

Doubt that with how much I can safely use One for All to make the desired effect viable...but maybe I can start to sketch out designs on a way to incorporate it into support gear.

Implementing it once I've gained a better handle on my Quirk...

"Seems you already have some sort of idea cooking in that mind of yours Midoriya." Alfred said, breaking me from my thoughts as he grinned. I just continued to jot down my thoughts in the notebook. "How about we head back up to the lab, I can also give you some tips for stealth...after I get my hand treated."

"Y-Your hand is bothering that much?" I asked worriedly.

"Oh no, the shock has passed...but I could really go for an ice pack." Alfred said with a grimace, walking off as I closed up my notebook and followed after him.

Guess he struck the flooring harder than we both thought he did, the shock probably numbing it before starting to wear off.

The numbness in my left hand has cleared up, yet not my shoulder. Probably going to take a few more minutes for it to recover. Something I'm going to have to work on as the subdermal plating continues to grow on my skeleton.

But first maybe I should tell Mom that we're done if Erika hasn't already.

(3rd POV - Training Room Monitoring Station - Same Time)

"I'll go and get the ice pack, again." Alexia sighed out as she began to shut down everything in the room.

"You have plenty of experience?" Erika asked as Alexia shook her head.

"More than I would like, sadly he has been hurt by my own hands most of the time. Getting caught in the crossfire of experiments gone wrong...or not knowing my own strength." Alexia admitted, looking away as her face reddened.

Erika let a series of growls in her throat before shaking her head and sighing.

"You know I couldn't really tell." Erika said, getting Alexia's attention. "Your brother being Quirkless. And Yagi or Izuku. I guess it was more similar with psychics back during my era, the difference is only cell deep. In most cases anyway."

"Quite, although the difference was that the psychics of the time held none of the genetic markers Quirks had. The last confirmed birth of one being after the Cold War ended. I believe. All their cells did hold trace amounts of radiation, many believed them to be a failed precursor to Quirks as their powers faded later in life." Alexia said, getting Erika to shake her head.

"We had thought there was a tie to the powers and radiation, that's why so many began appearing in Japan. So it was finally confirmed." Erika said, musing to herself.

Granted the population was small and scattered except for in Japan, scattered about in areas around nuclear weapon testing had occurred.

Usually inheriting some form of extrasensory ability with some having the capability of telekinesis.

A rather limitless pool compared to the seemingly endless possible abilities with Quirks.

"Yes, only a handful survived to the Age of Quirks, none with their powers. All of them perished shortly after from old age. A little forgotten talked about aspect of the Age of Kaiju now. Have you ever met any?" Alexia asked as they left the room.

"None in life, my friend Asuka Okouchi was studying and helping to train them. I only met one while I was a damned rose bush!" Erika growled out, fangs jutted out of her cheeks. Taking her breath to settle herself before smiling. "To think the little Saegusa she talked about would become world renown."

"The one psychic whose name is still talked about with the Age of Kaiju. Although I think you should brush up on your history more. Asuka Kirishima was the most well renowned expert in the field of psychics and human evolution...although no one expected this to have happened back then." Alexia said.

Erika nodded, making a mental note to double down on history...before blinking owlishly.

Staring at Alexia for a few moments, the geneticist wondered if she was okay. Until a series of roaring erupted from her throat.

Transitioning into laughter, stunning Alexia as Erika held her sides.

"E-Erika?"

(Izuku POV - A moment earlier)

I heard Erika let out a series of roaring before I channeled One for All, racing past Alfred as I raced towards her. Wondering what was going on.

W-What I didn't expect was to find her laughing like that, holding her sides.

"E-Erika?" I said, surprised to see this. Especially when her eyes reared up a bit.

I-I've never seen her laugh like this before...

"I'm okay Izuku, Alexia just told me some news I've been waiting too long to hear about an old friend." Erika said, smiling as she wiped her tears away with a vine. "So she finally got together with Kazuto, good. Took them long enough. Even before I had completely lost myself I couldn't believe they still weren't together."

S-So she was just glad it really happened, but that name...Kazuto and Asuka Kirirshima.

If I remember correctly both were friends with Erika in university before moving to Saradia. They worked with Dr. Genshiro Shiragami at different points after her death and transformation into a Kaiju.

Both were married a few years after Erika's departure into space.

Erika must've been hoping for that to happen for a long time.

"I-I think I get it, I was worried for a second. I never heard you laugh like that." I said, getting Erika to nod.

"Never had any reason too, not in a long time..." Erika said, shaking her head.

"H-Hopefully it won't be like that. I-It sounded nice..." I said, getting Erika to smile.

"Thank you Izuku." Erika said, before both of our faces turned red and turned away from each other. Her making a strangled growl in her throat as she did so.

W-Why did I say that?!

N-Not that it wasn't untrue...

S-Stop that!?

L-Looking at Erika she still wasn't facing me while Alexia seemed almost amused. Before a pair of vines sprouted from Erika's back, wrapping around me. Dragging me closer to her.

G-Getting harder to breathe...

"E-Erika, please..." I tried to say, but she didn't hear me.

I gave Alexia a pleading look and her lips twitched upward.

"Dr. Shiragami, I would advise you to let Midoriya go before he passes out." She said, snapping Erika out and her vines went lax around me.

"Sorry Izuku." Erika said, while I just nodded while refilling my lungs with air.

I nodded thankfully to Alexia who just smiled.

"Anyway, would you like for me to discuss what happened to them?" Alexia said, changing the subject. Something I feel both Erika and I were thankful for.

"I appreciate it, but I want to find out what I can before asking. Unless of course Monarch already know more than what there is to find?" Erika asked, getting Alexia to shake their head.

"Monarch tried to recruit them both, but they declined. Dr. Genshiro Shiragami tried to get them to come, but they separated themselves more or less after what happened to you. Dr. Kazuto Kirishima did work on the initial phases of the Shiragami Compound as an unallied consultant, but separated himself after long." She said.

"As they should." Erika growled before calming herself as another vine emerged from her back.

Suddenly wrapping around a startled Alexia and dragging her close.

"Thank you for telling me about them, I haven't thought about them in so long..." Erika said, Alexia just nodded before I started to smell blood.

W-Wait a minute!

"E-Erika, please let her go!" I said, the vine around Alexia relaxing as I saw a pair of boney tubes sticking from her wrists. "Please tell me that you weren't trying to set the vine or yourself on fire?"

"Admittedly it was an instinctual response." Alexia said, looking a little flustered before clearing her throat and retracting the tubes. "Dr. Shiragami, a little warning next time."

"I'll try." Erika said, before growling as we heard the sound of someone chuckling.

Both me and Alexia turned to see an amused looking Alfred, holding up a phone in his good hand.

"And sent, oh father is going to be happy to see this and to find that you are making friends. Rarely do I get to see her like this." Alfred said, grinning and promptly bolting while dodging a wad of sap that struck the wall.

"W-Was that for earlier?" I asked as the sap hardened and Erika lowered her vine.

Her growling was all the confirmation I needed.

"I'm going to have some words with my brother." Alexia sighed out while shaking her head.

"Wouldn't expect anything less, yet he is true on one part." Erika said, with a smile.

Alexia looked between the both of us, focusing on me as I nodded.

"Y-You get along with Erika pretty well and I did enjoy the conversation earlier..." I admitted while looking away. "That is if you consider us friends...I'm not really used to this..."

"Neither am I." Alexia said, getting both of our attention as she looked away. Sighing before looking at us, her lips twitching upwards into a smile. "I believe that I would like that."

Erika smiled and let out a small growl before I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. She loosened her vines enough for me to slip my hand through to retrieve it. Bringing it up to my face.

It was from mom, time for us to go.

"How about we pick this back up later, it's time for us to go." Erika said, looking over my shoulder as I put away the phone.

"Of course, I need to smack some sense into my brother...and file the necessary paperwork to work on what we discussed today. Alongside placing an order for Aoki for iodine to be shipped later this week. Burning, stinging iodine." Alexia said coolly as Erika let out a series of growls in her throat.

P-Probably best I do not voice my idea why it was needed...

"Dr. Shiragami, Midoriya until then." Alexia said, giving us a polite wave before she turned and followed after her brother.

We waved back at her before I felt one of Erika's vines started to nuzzle against my cheek.

"How are you feeling Izuku?" Erika asked, getting me to nod.

"My shoulder is a little numb and other than some bruises I'm alright." I said.

Besides I was sure that they would probably be gone before I went to bed tonight, there was something else however I was more focused on...

"Erika." I said, getting her attention as she adjusted her vine off my shoulder. "How are you doing, considering both Asuka and Kazuto? You haven't thought of them in a long time, do you still miss them?"

She stared at me for a few moments before sighing, a sad smile etched on her face.

"Just a bit, most of my memories from back then are hazy to look through. Some of them are pretty clear. The last memory I have of Asuka was when she visited with Saegusa, shortly before my transformation...it was one of the few times I was lucid as a rose bush..." Erika said, shaking her head. "I couldn't see Asuka exactly, but I knew it was her."

"You think Saegusa's presence made it happen?" I suggested.

If my history was correct she was only 17 at the time, but was the most gifted psychic in their brief history. If she was alive today, she probably would be among those with the strongest extrasensory based Quirk given her ability allowed her to manipulate Gojira once or twice.

Resonating Erika's soul with someone she knew was not that far out of the realm of possibility.

"Definitely, I was able to talk to her one last time. If only to call out to Asuka..." Erika sighed out. "But her and Kazuto...I'm at least happy it worked out for them. Ever since I regained myself, I knew everything on Earth would have long changed. I can only hope that what I find out is that they have lived long and happy lives."

"I hope so too." I said, looking at her for a moment before taking a deep breath.

Before hugging her, Erika let out a surprised growl from her throat as her eyes widened.

"Do you miss anything else from back then Erika?" I asked, getting her to sigh. A small smile on her face.

"Few things, but they're long gone. Now I just want to focus on living in this era, but it doesn't hurt to reminisce. Besides, you promised to help me adjust to it." Erika said as I smiled.

"I did...and when we get home maybe you can tell more about what it was like on Earth back then...at least more of what you enjoyed..." I said, getting her to let out a series of growls from her throat.

Her vine nuzzling me pushed my head into her shoulder, as she smiled at me!

W-Wha-

"I would love to Izuku, can think of a few stories...although you probably think some of them are a little mundane." Erika said, getting me to shake my head.

"N-No, never. C-Coming from you, I wouldn't mind hearing them." I admitted, looking away as both her and my face turned red.

F-From the corner of my eyes I saw Erika smile before she let go of me and retracted her vines back into her body.

"Let's go home Izuku." She said, smiling back at me. Turning and walking ahead.

"R-Right." I said with a small smile as I followed after her.

A-Already wondering what she could be telling me about, I was still eager to hear them. More than that I was just glad at how happy Erika seemed to be at the moment. It has been a small bit since I had last seen her smile like that...

I want to see her smile like that more often...

(3rd POV - Downtown Musutafu Police Station - Dawn)

"Chitose I have to say, your latest article was perhaps the best you've written in these past few years. That the fool's spitefulness ruined any chances he had of anyone wishing to liberate him, All Might's speech, and a humble hero in the making. You might have struck gold with this one." Re-Destro said, getting Curious to grin as she observed the station.

A police cruiser pulling in front of the station as several news crews got out to interview the former vice principal of Aldera, as of two days ago became one of the most hated men the media in Japan currently focused on.

Such a focus occurred whenever the remnants of the Kimiji Cell were uncovered, even if it was to catch a glimpse of him being transferred to a prison.

From what she heard, there had already been an attempted assault on him yesterday.

"True, one that is still ongoing. With today's update better than the revision All Might sprung up for his speech." Curious said.

The speech and more details All Might had promised at Aldera, well he held a brief press conference that just sounded the same to her. The only part she was interested in was the end where he announced officially shutting down his hero agency.

It was speculated for quite a while now, almost a full year. Except it was now official, All Might shutting down Might Tower today.

What he did announce that his next endeavor would be to help put his words to practice.

He didn't give any ideas on what it could be, but Curious had a guess. But she would wait to uncover the facts first before confirming it.

"I thought it was good, wish that we could recruit him to the cause. But the fool's action probably destroyed any chance of All Might even aligning with our goals." Re-Destro said, irritation bleeding through his voice.

Followed by him taking a few breaths to calm himself, Curious picturing his Meta Ability starting to act up before Re-Destro composed himself.

"Maybe this Midoriya could be a prospect, the seeds of Kimiji had been thoroughly strewn into Aldera and he was believed to be lacking an ability. Yet he emerged free of hatred. Unease of course, but a desire for heroism All Might himself noticed." Re-Destro said.

"Humble too, yet a potential future top candidate for the future. If he doesn't reject our offer, unfortunately that could be the case." Curious sighed out.

The vice principal of Aldera had been a fool, his two 'prized' students were volatile to their cause. One he even admitted was too vindictive and was now an active villain, the other had an ego with the Meta Ability to back it up yet wanted nothing to with them.

He had practically screamed his intention to become the best hero in her face.

But this Midoriya, a late bloomer with a Kaiju Meta Ability. Those were rare, and that fool had let him slip through the crack just because of an apparent lack of one.

And from from Curious saw of her brief interview, he could

"A shame, the fool went against orders and tried to establish his own version of Kimiji. But perhaps we can try and focus on making him an ally for our cause in a few years." Re-Destro suggested.

"Maybe you're right, but hopefully that's the case. Midoriya...I can just see him as possibly being the one to take All Might's mantle if that day comes. The best successor that we can see." Curious said.

"Truly?" Re-Destro asked, intrigued.

"Midoriya doesn't seem to want the role and he admits to just wanting to be a hero. But if push comes to shove, his desire to save people could go a long way." Curious said with a smirk.

The MLA had suspected something had been going on with All Might for a while now. Noticing he had been a lot less active in recent years. With the closure of All Might's agency, it was taken as a confirmation.

Yet not an opportunity that they could capitalize on without definitive proof.

Still, Curious believed that Midoriya was a perfect candidate. A quick background check from Skeptic only showed more similarities to All Might.

"Do you truly believe it, or because he is practically a gold vein of future articles if your hunch is right?" Re-Destroy said teasingly, Curious almost imagining a grin on his face.

"Partially, but when have my instincts with a story steered us wrong before? Besides, it will take years to observe how things will play out." Curious said, getting a sigh from the phone.

"Rarely, just keep your distance Chitose. And please mind your tunnel vision." Re-Destro sighed out irritably, to which she seemingly ignored with a grin.

He couldn't even remember the amount of times to tell her subordinates over the past two decades to make sure Curious didn't kill herself pursuing an article...

Granted those orders very rarely needed to be carried out...but too many times for his liking...

"Of course." Curious said, Re-Destro was not so sure she regarded the second parts of his order. Before she frowned. "What are the losses like on our end so far?"

Re-Destro had tasked her with destroying the vice-principal of Aldera's reputation, which she didn't need little work to do in the first place. After they had caught word of his dealings when their cell near Musutafu was arrested. The leader had spilled the details to an informant among the police ranks, a Yamazaki if she remembered correctly.

How the vice principal had asked for their assistance in arranging for an accident for Aldera's principal after the semester had ended. Making him an interim principal before making the transfer official and he could run the school how he saw fit.

Once the cell leader had been discreetly informed of the man's connection to Kimiji by Yamazaki, he spilled out every detail.

So she was a little out of the loop and Re-Destro, currently calling from a plane chartered for California, Trumpet and Skeptic would have their hands full for the next few days.

"Thankfully nowhere near Kimiji so far, but we've lost over 300 members and their families over the past two days. Numbers of those resigning thanks to that fool's actions are thankfully trickling down to minuscule levels." Re-Destro sighed out, getting Curious to wince. "I will admire his efficiency in getting as far as he did, especially right under Nezu's nose. But his desire to oppress others has according to Tomoyasu's data, could cause us to lose upwards of 500 members by the end of the week. Less than a thousand by the end of the year."

Worse than what she had been expecting, but accepting that was possibly the best result.

The scandal at Kimiji had been a disastrous blow to the MLA over a decade ago, around 7,000 members had abandoned the cause. 2,190 in the first week alone. Re-Destro graciously accepted their resignation, he could understand most of their reasons for abandonment.

No one wanted their children to grow up in a society like the cell in Kimiji was trying to establish.

It took years to fully recover from the fallout.

The fear of a second Kimiji Incident happening was such a strong fear, enough the near scare with Aldera was causing a small exodus. A small setback, but a noticeable one.

"How are we handling this for now?" Curious asked worriedly.

"Koku is calming things down in my absence and I've taken Geten with me. I'm having Tomoyasu in his spare time using his firm to comb through all of our records. I don't want any surprises like this, especially if they discriminate against non-Meta's. We've already had enough of an issue without them provoking Humanrise." Re-Destro said irritably while Curious nodded.

While there were certain sections of the MLA that she and the other executives wouldn't mind being considered nothing more than fodder for their beliefs of eradicating others for their Meta Abilities. There was an unwritten rule among them, any cell actively caught discriminating against those lacking one was not a good idea.

Re-Destro had made it clear to them his views of those lacking Meta Abilities he considers to be a part of his goals of liberation.

Destro started his revolution after his mother's death for the prejudice against Meta's when she tried to defend him from it. Re-Destro honors her too and considers any disrespect towards those lacking Meta Abilities as a similar vein to how the world has basically bastardized the term 'Quirk' from her.

Plus the issue had given them trouble from the Humanrise cult over the past three years when one of their cells went rogue.

It had been a bloody affair kicking the cult out of Japan, but each time they seem to return after a few months and the process repeats itself.

They had just booted Humanrise out again last week before the mess with Aldera was exposed.

"This is going to set us back a few months to clean house. I'll work on helping keep up the masquerade when I'm done today." Curious said.

"Good." Re-Destro sighed out. "I honestly wish I could come back to help right now..."

"No, we can handle it. Just focus on closing this deal for Deternat, it will be more important to the cause than this." Curious said, getting the other end of the phone to stay quiet for a moment.

Before Re-Destro let out a chuckle.

"I suppose you're right. Securing this deal will be quite the boon. If I'm lucky we could throw in some extra resources needed to improve or upgrade Claustro. Not to mention I could take a day off tomorrow and show Geten around before our return flight. That kid needs a chance to unwind too." Re-Destro said.

"He's about half your age and you're just using that as a chance to relax too. Just make sure it's a day this time or we'll be hearing from Tomoyasu for the rest of the week." Curious said with a smile, before noticing the increased activity outside the windshield. "I have to go."

"I'll be looking forward to this article." Re-Destro said before ending the call.

Curious looked outside the car to see a larger crowd and more police officers arriving, escorting the former vice principal of Aldera through past the jeering masses.

Double checking the surrounding cars driving by before her driver pulled out into the roadway, seeing more news crews starting to arrive.

Perfect.

Curious readied her equipment as two small explosions rang out from the station's dumpster. Causing panic from the crowd and the officers to spring to action. One quickly shoved the criminal into the back seat of the cruiser before it drove off.

"Alright, come on." Curious said with a grin as she got her mic as the driver found a place to park.

To the officers she'll just be another journalist coming onto the scene for a scoop. Unaware the true bombers were in their midsts.

Forensics searching the dumpster will just find the remains of a rudimentary explosive device, no more powerful than a pair of cherry bombs.

One of the components unknown to them is nothing more than slivers of what was once a ¥100 coin.

It was just a diversion for the fool's real punishment to slip in.

He had been a part of the MLA long enough to know what would happen if he ever dared to give up the executive's identities. And the price for his colossal failure. With the mess he left behind, he'd be made an example of. Of course Re-Destro made it clear he didn't care if the man survived or not.

They would get their pound of flesh in the end, literally.

(Downtown Musutafu - A minute later)

As the former vice principal of Aldera looked out from the backseat of the cruiser, feeling his skin practically bristling to jump off. His whole body breaking into a sweat.

Knowing that they were at the station for him.

But where-

The vice principal's head collided with the partition as the officer driving the car slumped over. A syringe sticking from his neck as something unseen hastily turned the wheel.

The cruiser drove onto the sidewalk and he found his head slamming against the partition again as it hastily breaked in an alleyway.

Wheezing emerged as someone unbuckled from the passenger side seat. Shimmering into existence as they bolted from the car.

Dazed, the vice principal held his hand to a gash on his head. Paling at seeing a gray clad man with sandy colored hair with some type of breathing mask, pressing a hand to it as the wheezing stopped. Taking a few breaths to steady himself.

Fiddling with the seatbelt as he tried to back away, the man removed his mask. Revealing a mouth full of needle-like fangs and a twisted grin.

"Hey teach remember me!" The man announced with a grin, getting the former vice principal to huddle at the back of the police car.

"No..." He said in horror as his assailant opened the back door.

"Remember how you said my Quirk will be useless without my inhaler, how you threw it away at one point, how you kept getting the teachers to spring last minute projects on us, or how you slammed my fingers into door on the day of the incident." The man said, his tone joyful while reaching into his pocket. Pulling out a switchblade as the cop stirred. "I've got about half a minute until he wakes up, even less until your escorts catch up. So how about one last project teach? What can I do to you in less than 10 seconds?"

Half a minute later the officer would wake up, finding more cruisers parked behind him, their lights blaring, and the former vice principal of Aldera screaming in agony.

No sign of the assailant in sight.

(Gas Station on the outskirts of Musutafu - 3 hours later)

"So they say that he'll live?" Toshinori said, filling the truck's tires with air while holding his phone to his ear.

"Yes, but he'll be in medical custody for the time being. The doctors hadn't said anything for how long, but the initial operation should be completed as we speak. This week has been nothing more than a disaster for us." Naomasa sighed out.

The former vice principal of Aldera had been attacked and left severely wounded in the back of a police cruiser not even a minute away from the station. Setting off a small explosive as a distraction before slipping into the cruiser unnoticed.

What they found was a bloody mess.

He'd live, but not without scaring or maybe an index finger. Depends on how the latter recovers in the next few days.

They got a look at the assailant, identifying him as a repeat offender for assault and evading arrest. Along with being a former second year student from Kimiji at the time of the incident.

He was caught just minutes ago, but the damage had already been done.

Between this, the raid on the transport van days ago, and the last accounted for escape who hadn't vanished just robbed an ATM in Ginza in the latest of a series of a smash and grabs the reputation of Honshū's police was taking quite a beating recently.

Especially with the Hero Public Safety Commission breathing down their necks over this.

Nothing they haven't weathered through before, but with two villains suddenly vanishing from under lock up earlier this month didn't help matters at all.

"Anything I can do to help?" Toshinori asked, finishing filling up his tires.

"I can't really think of anything, maybe just seeing you on patrol will help make people feel more at ease. Even if it's just for a bit." Naomasa said, getting Toshinori to think about it for a few moments. "Of course it would be up to you."

"About half an hour if I can manage it." All Might said before running a hand through his hair. "Promised Inko in advance might be a little late for this reason..."

If not just to reassure the people, but also to make sure no villain got any bright ideas right now. While he was confident that other heros on patrol in Musutafu could more than make up for it, can't be too careful.

With sure a brazen attack in front of a police station other villains might follow through with bold actions. Can't exactly take any chances. But if nothing else happens, it would be for the best.

Naomasa just chuckled at the other end of the line.

"Guess she must be feeling what Makoto feels when Haimawari says that. Be thankful Inko is patient with you." He said, getting Toshinori to shudder.

"You have no idea." All Might said, clutching his side.

Another call began to come in on his phone, seeing it Toshinori coughed up blood and began to shudder.

Oh no...

"N-Naomasa I'm going to have to call you back, there is something I need to take care of." Toshinori said as he got into his truck. "Goodbye."

Hanging up before the detective could respond, Toshinori drove off as his phone kept ringing. Pulling up and parking in a spot in front of the station.

Tentatively reaching for his phone and answering it. Quivering in his seat.

"I thought Mifune told you to call more often, Toshinori!" Gran Torino's voice snapped from the phone.

"I-I've been busy these past few days." Toshinori said, trying to calm himself. "Was going to call before U.A. started, asking if you had gotten my letter."

"Too soon for that and I haven't received it yet. Blasted postal service has always been slow around these parts for decades..." Gran Torino grumbled out, Toshinori sighing in relief under his breath. "I assume the contents of which match everything I heard on the news or from Mifune...your successor seems to attract trouble like moths to a flame."

"Y-Yes." Toshinori said, looking down at his dashboard.

He hated to admit that...

Gran Torino laughed on the other end of the phone, although to Toshinori's surprise it sounded mirthful.

"He's just like Shimura. Even before getting One for All she was always a bit of a trouble magnet, instead in her case it was to always to find trouble instead of it finding her. Can't tell how many times she's dragged me into rescuing someone and things just got a whole lot worse. Good times, good times." The retired hero sighed out.

"Don't remember any of that happening with me. Of course when training under her there was the occasional thug, but it was usually bad luck." Toshinori said, shaking his head as an idea came to mind. "I was kept out of the worst of it, wasn't I?"

A sharp laugh on the other end was his answer.

"You don't know the half of it!" Gran Torino continued to laugh as Toshinori shook his head.

Should have known.

He knew his master did the same for her husband and son, so he really should have known that aspect of her protection extended to him too. It only really became more apparent to him after she had to send him and Gran Torino away from that battle...

"Just how bad was it?" Toshinori asked, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.

"Nothing too crazy, for us anyway. Let's just say what happened to your brat a few weeks back was an average Tuesday on those occasions." Gran Torino said while calming down. "At least until you entered U.A., that parasitic bastard really upped the ante then."

Toshinori really decided he really didn't want to know what their definition of 'not too crazy' was. But he understood things probably got worse when he was first enrolled in U.A..

All for One first learned of his existence from there and what he heard from Nana was that he was the first inheritor trained without having One for All passed down close to death. Despite the lawlessness and chaos of that era, U.A. was one of the few bastions beyond the supervillain's reach in Japan.

Outside not so much, the experience hopping from one shelter to another served him well to prepare for his departure to America post graduation...

Honestly he didn't know how much both Nana and Gran Torino shielded him from All for One's influence outside of the conflicts he fought alongside with them. Except that he used as much of his influence while remaining in the shadows.

Directly confronting him for the first time on that horrid day in his third year...

"Speaking of which. About that kid you trained, I have to admit I'm proud of you Toshinori." Gran Torino said, shocking Toshinori.

"C-Can you repeat that?" He asked.

"I said I'm proud of you, don't make me say it again. This Midoriya kid still has a long way to go. I saw the footage of his fight the other day, it looks rough and pretty much room for improvement. But you at least taught him the foundations of fighting. Honestly I thought that you would be inadequate at teaching, but I was wrong." Gran Torino said, getting Toshinori to be silent and wince. "What did you do?"

"T-The first time he could after getting it, I had Young Midoriya use One for All at 100%...it broke his arm." All Might admitted.

Shuddering at the irritated sigh on the other end of the phone.

"Of course." Gran Torino said disappointedly.

"But in spite of that he learned how to regulate it all over his body after that. He can only use a small percentage, 3-4% without straining himself. Young Midoriya has come a long way and strives to improve upon it every day." Toshinori said with a smile. "I just taught him the basics and work to adjust what I can, he does the rest on his own."

"Have to check that myself one of these days. Seems like you've done a decent job at least. Especially with those changes Mifune described." Gran Torino said.

"And how much do you know exactly?" Toshinori asked curiously.

"The barebones version compared to you, just that his body is essentially a walking bug zapper for now. And who the greenette with the vines at Aldera truly is...never thought I would see the day. Someone much older than the parasitic bastard." Gran Torino said with a chuckle. "This Midoriya even before joining U.A. has become someone's hero. Maybe more."

"You have no idea." Toshinori said with an amused grin.

"Going to have to tell me the details, but onto one of the reasons I've called aside from reaming you out for not calling!" Gran Torino snapped, getting Toshinori to wince as the older man took a breath. "I saw your speech to that walking disgrace at Aldera and your repeat yesterday...you did good Toshinori. Shimura would have loved to hear that speech."

"I had her in mind when I said that. With what she did for me...I wanted to inspire those like Young Midoriya and Melissa like she did for me." Toshinori said with a smile.

"Thought as much." Gran Torino said, before his voice turned deathly serious. "The second reason is that I've been keeping my ears to the ground for years-"

"I know." Toshinori said with a frown, cutting off Gran Torino. Not at all concerned about how the retired hero would react. "That's why I had planned to call you later this week, there is a lead I'm checking out in two days."

The other end of the line went silent for a few moments before Gran Torino let out a long, drawn out sigh.

"Toshinori, I pray that we are both wrong. Otherwise I'm not sure how much longer the kid has left." He said, his tone filled with dread.

"I'll call in a few days." Toshinori said.

Hoping that Izuku would have more than enough time if the worst came to pass...

"Leave a voicemail, I'm going to need to clear my head for a few days. Tell me everything Toshinori, every single detail when you find out!" Gran Torino said with a sigh. "And call me when that kid needs to take his training up a notch, I'll be down there."

Before Toshinori could respond, the call ended.

He just shook his head at that, Gran Torino had once again just had to get the last word in on a phone call. One of the days it would be his turn to do so...

Toshinori just sighed as he put his phone down, he'll wait a minute before calling Inko.

Between his calls, finally shutting down his hero agency, and closing down Might Tower for now it had been a long morning. Right now he couldn't wait to see Inko and Izuku again, but it will have to be a bit longer.

And he'll have to leave a bit this afternoon, at least he'll be taking Izuku with him. Aside from some training, Toshinori was confident Izuku would love what was in the suitcase in the trunk.

(Izuku POV - Dagobah Municipal Park - A few hours later)

"Come on Young Midoriya, you're almost there!" All Might shouted encouragingly as I ran past him yet again, trying to keep my breathing in check.

Right now I was running laps across the beach, keeping pace as I channeled One for All at the highest percentage without straining my body. Started at 4% before having to turn it down to 3% a while ago as I started to feel some pain and discomfort all over.

Going to need to work on it a bit longer before I can use it fully without feeling any pressure.

At least this was helping me to keep my thoughts off this morning...

I still don't know what to truly feel about Aldera except that I'm glad to be done with it all together...but the vice principal didn't deserve what happened to him.

I don't know if it was just an act of revenge or something even worse, but despite everything I do hope that he'll be alright...

Slowing down briefly, clearing my head of those thoughts as I regained my pacing.

It's been a while since I've trained by myself, usually it's been with Erika two. Figuring out more about what her body could do while also working on sparring with each other, working on our fighting styles.

We both had quite a few points to improve on and noting what we could possibly work on with each other.

But with the discovery yesterday we're putting off studying her electric absorption abilities until we start U.A. next week and when everyone at Monarch will be back. Might be for the best. Plus Erika seemed embarrassed at what our electric bill will be this month despite Mom doing her best to reassure her it was okay...

Other than that I spent most of the morning talking with Erika discussing Quirk ideas or her telling me some stories about her friends Kazuto and Asuka in their college days. Erika seemed happy recounting how the two had met through her.

Honestly I was just glad to hear her enjoying talking about it after yesterday.

She was currently with Mom as All Might just asked me to come and train today after he got back.

I guess he wanted for the two of us to train here like we have been for months before...something that I was kind of happy about.

Including seeing the condition of the beach hasn't changed at all since the day I got One for All. Without the slightest hint of litter poking out of the sand even a month later.

Hope that it at least continues to look like this for a long time to come...

Coming to a stop I panted as I canceled One for All, All Might walking up to me with a water bottle in hand.

"T-Thank you." I said, taking the bottle and started to drink from it.

"Well done Midoriya, beat your previous time by two minutes." All Might said with a grin, getting me to nod.

Months ago I couldn't even imagine running laps like this around the beach without collapsing into a sweaty heap on the sand. Already did so a few times back then, yet now with One for All and the training it was very exhausting...

"Now that should be it for today with training." All Might said, shocking me.

"R-Really?" I asked, thinking that there would be more.

"Yes, I thought that we could get some training in. But I have something to show you Young Midoriya, and this is the best place for it." All Might said before looking around, seeing that there was nobody else here. "Give me a moment."

I just nodded as he turned into his heroic form and ran back to the truck, kicking up a gust in his wake.

Wonder what he could be showing me?

Taking one last sip of the water, I placed the bottle down on the ground.

Flexing my hands and feeling my spin twitch as I focused on gathering and concentrating.

Practiced this a few times since yesterday, haven't gotten any easier to bring forth. Only a sight improvement at getting past the resistance in focusing it all. Just trying to work on it when I can, resting a while after the backlash

Concentrating for a minute, before a tiny green spark sprung to life on my left hand.

Smiling as I moved my hand, the spark traveling for a moment before it faded away. Feeling the tiredness and the numbness set in.

Almost.

"So that's what it looks like." All Might said, getting me to see him walking up with a metal suitcase in his hands. "Heard from Inko about it, how is your hand Young Midoriya?"

"A little numb, but it will clear up soon. It's the kickback and brief disorientation that I'm less looking forward to." I said with a wince. It was a strange feeling when my barrier resets. "I've also noticed that the effect is lessened when allowed to disperse.

Through practicing this morning and yesterday when the spark was allowed to disperse by itself. The numbness went away much more quickly than my spar with Alfred. Enough so I noticed a difference.

When the spark dispersed, it felt like it just washed back over me.

But when Alfred struck, I didn't even feel his strike. When the numbness went away in my shoulder I didn't feel any pain there...well from his last try to punch me there. Taking longer for the numbness to go away, but leaving me unharmed.

It was like when Yujiro first pointed at the permeable barrier with a scalpel.

The feel I could best describe Alfred hitting the spark was like the full force of the barrier crashed against him. Aside from shocking Alfred, it did push him back a bit.

S-So the pain in his knuckles probably wasn't just striking the raised flooring, but the recoil too...I should apologize next time I see him...

And this was when the subdermal plating is still developing on my bones, I can only hypothesize what it would be like when fully formed. Or when I use it as an attack...

"Young Midoriya I can't understand what you're saying, but it sounds like you're making progress on consciously using it." All Might said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"L-Little bit." I admitted, scratching the back of my head as All Might placed the suitcase on a large rock. "Is that what you wanted to show me?"

"Indeed." All Might said with a grin, leaning down to open the latches. "Thought that it would be best to do this where you truly started the journey to become a hero. Might as well show you my own start."

His own start?

Wait, All Might's speech two days ago...

Is this what I think it is?

All Might threw open the suitcase...revealing a simple meter long length of lead pipe. Handing it to me.

It felt pretty light in my hands, but the weight behind this objects was immeasurable to me...

Turning it over it looked a little worn yet still in good shape, but there was something written on it in faded marker.

'Nana Shimura'

T-That was All Might's master name, she signed this pipe then at some point.

"Admittedly I was kind of embarrassed to have kept that pipe when she found out, but she looked thoroughly amused." All Might said, breaking me out of my musings to tap on the pipe. Right below the signature. "She signed it after I got my acceptance letter into U.A.. Joking that it might be worth something other than scrap one day, but that it will never beat its sentimental value."

"I-I can imagine, this must've meant a lot to you both." I said, placing the pipe carefully back into its case. Looking up to All Might as he grinned.

However, All Might surprised me as he shook his head.

"Not all that much, at the end of the day it was a piece of scrap I picked up to defend myself. Its value was that I was using it when I met her that day, and a reminder of how things were before then. Yes it holds quite a bit of importance to me, but without it would have been echoed long ago." He said before looking a little sheepish. "Admittedly I had almost lost it quite a few times over the decades, and having to leave it back here when I went to the U.S. was the worst instance."

All Might quickly looked away, coughing some blood before facing me again with a grin.

"That's why I figured it would be more appreciated and taken care of in your hands Young Midoriya." He said, holding up an uncapped marker with a smile. "Especially now."

Wait, did he...

Looking down, I confirmed that he did...

"H-How?" I asked as All Might grin, I was still staring at his signature on the pipe. Still wondering how he signed it that quickly,

"Years of practice, figured that either way you would take great care of it like everything else in your collection." All Might said, getting my face to redden.

"Y-You seen it." I said, looking embarrassed as he chuckled.

G-Given he has been around home for a while, it would make sense he spotted it...I was making no effort to hide my collection at all anyway. I was more embarrassed that he had seen it at all...

"It's alright Young Midoriya, there is no shame in it at all...minus probably not decorating your room with it so much in the future. More surprised you never asked me to sign anything." All Might said.

"D-Didn't want to seem rude." I admitted.

"Just like with Sasaki." All Might said, shaking his head.

"S-Sir Nighteye has one too?" I asked, getting All Might to nod with a sigh.

"He did, and I imagine he still does. I haven't really talked to him in a long time, should probably correct that one of these days." He said, shaking his head before smiling and closing the case. "But anyway this is yours now, Young Midoriya."

While I wanted to ask more about Sir Nighteye and what happened, it was probably not the right time to ask. If my calculations were right, when Sir Nighteye split off to start his own agency was probably around after All Might's fight with All for One. At least a rough estimate...

B-But at the immediate matter at hand.

"A-Are you really sure of this?" I asked as All Might tried hand the case.

"I am, the case alone had a thin layer of dust when I retrieved it from Might Tower. Figured that I would give it to someone that I know who will treasure and appreciate it all the same." All Might said, placing the case into my arms. Before, I looked a little bashful. "I know it might not-"

"T-Thank you." I said, smiling a little as I clutched the case. "I'll be sure to take care of it All Might. A-And once again thank you."

In a sense what I had in my arms was probably considered nothing more than an old pipe. Although after earlier this week, many would consider it a piece of All Might merch worth a fortune in yen.

But this was a piece of history that held some importance to All Might just like One for All. One that will last long after this pipe is gone, hopefully.

Admittedly giving someone a lead pipe was a strange gift, but Shimura did sign it as a gift for getting accepted into U.A...I guess it's kind of a tradition at this point. Can it even be considered one?

Shaking my head to clear those thoughts as All Might chuckled.

"It's no problem Young Midoriya, I know that it'll be in good hands now." He said, shaking his head. "Still, only five days left until U.A. starts for you."

"A-And I'm still having trouble believing it." I said, trying to contain my excitement. "W-With you going to be teaching there too."

"Of course I still can't share any more details or when those classes start, but I'm glad that you're excited for this." All Might said with a grin, before sighing. "Yet admittedly I probably won't be that good at teaching two entire classes full of students."

Did he really believe that, it was mostly thanks to his teaching and training that I was able to inherit One for All and have a chance to enter U.A..

But then again his teaching experience had just been training me, not just a class of 20 other students at a time. This would be something new for him too.

Still...

"I believe that you can be a good teacher, you've helped me to get this far...I believe you can do the same for everyone else too." I said, getting All Might to pause for a few moments

Before grinning and shaking his head.

"Happy to hear that you have such faith in me Young Midoriya. I believe that in these past few months I've gotten a better idea on how I want to teach my students. At least I have plenty of practice adjusting training plans." All Might said, before shuddering. "And I'll make sure it wasn't like his classes were..."

"Who's class?" I asked, All Might having said the last part under his breath.

"I'll tell you another time." All Might said, quickly changing the subject before smiling at me. "Young Midoriya, I believe it's time to head back. After making a quick stop at the grocery store. Inko asked us to pick up a few things for fish katsudon."

"Okay." I said with a smile...before wiping drool from my mouth. "Why does this keep happening?"

And why is it always at the thought of eating fish?

"No idea." All Might said with a smile, starting to walk back to the truck while I gripped the case.

Quickly looking back over Dagobah Municipal Park and admiring that still nearly a month later it was clear of litter. Hopping that it would stay that way for a long time to come.

I admired the few for a few more moments before turning and followed after All Might.

(3rd POV - Midoriya Family Apartment - Late at Night)

"Is he still asleep?" Inko asked Toshinori as he entered the living room, finding that she was putting everything away.

"He is." Toshinori said, moving to the table as she got up and put a large box away. "You finished it already?"

"Not quite, the last few materials should be delivered in a few days." Inko said, hiding the box before moving to sit next to Toshinori. "You didn't need to pay for everything."

Honestly Inko had more than enough to pay for everything without worry...especially after factoring in the yen Monarch gave her, even if that was technically Erika's half. She was still trying to make sure Erika was completely fine with giving all that away to her.

And even days later Inko was still trying to convince Erika not to give her any yen for this month's power bill after the fluctuations the other day...

Yet she didn't expect for Toshinori to insist on paying on all of the materials from Monarch.

"Figured that it would be best to at least help out with your gift. It's the least I can do." Toshinori said, getting Inko to shake her head.

"I appreciate it, although Izuku is more than happy with what you have given him today." Inko said, looking amused at the whole prospect.

Toshinori chuckled at that, before seeing Inko frown.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"No, aside from waiting for at least a response of some kind. You would think that your nephew is getting into U.A. would at least reach him." Inko huffed with an annoyed expression, shaking her head and giving him a worried look. "Just that I'm worried about you."

This caused Toshinori to blink in surprise as she continued.

"You've told me and Izuku that you've been more than ready for this and with the closure of Might Tower today your agency is officially disbanded. Everything you've worked years for is coming to an end soon. And as the food drive is drawing closer you've been growing more and more tense, it's what else you need to take care of isn't it?" Inko said, getting Toshinori to wince. "I should have known..."

"Just an issue I need closure on, and when I do I will tell you every detail." Toshinori said seriously.

"And Izuku too, this relates to him too." Inko inquired, taking his reaction as a confirmation. "You're going to tell him too, we talked about this Toshi..."

"I know, depending on it this could be nothing. But I want him to at least enjoy his first day of school without any worries if I am right." Toshinori said, doing his best to contain his dread.

And if he was right...it would be his job to finish. Not Izuku's.

If Inko noticed, she kept quiet. Only shaking her head at Toshinori.

"Fine, but please don't take too long." She said, getting him to nod. "But I still have to ask, will you be okay? That with the school year coming up and this past week, that you've time as the Symbol of Peace is drawing to a close. Will you be alright being Toshinori Yagi?"

He stared at her for a moment before smiling, letting out a hearty chuckle that surprised Inko.

Until he started to cough up blood, Inko hurried levitating a tissue box to them. Toshinori grabbed a few before wiping his mouth.

"Thank you." He said before smiling. "If you asked me that question a year ago, I probably wouldn't know how to answer it...admittedly I was still working on separating it both after all these years. Took me five years to even consider looking for a successor."

Wincing as he felt a phantom pain from his before sighing.

"Especially if I had known how much time I truly had left after giving One for All." Toshinori said.

Even now he could feel One for All slowly dying out, just shy of a month from giving the Quirk to Izuku and he was already starting to feel it quickly fading faster than anticipated. The strain of maintaining his heroic form with the injury was burning through the reserves quickly.

Nana had One for All well into his third year of U.A. and when All for One killed her, all that she held was its embers.

But Toshinori believed he would be at the same place by the second round of Work Studies later in the year, lucky to even have cinders of the Quirk come November.

Still that didn't concern him at all in the long run.

"And now?" Inko asked, breaking Toshinori from his musings.

"And now, I think I will be alright when the time finally comes. Finally having an idea on what to do afterwards. Thanks to Young Midoriya and you Inko." Toshinori said with a smile, getting her to blush.

"O-Of course and Toshi..." Inko said, getting him to look at her.

Before she kissed him to his surprise, Inko standing up while looking away shyly.

"E-Even when the time comes, whether it be All Might or Toshinori. One for All or Quirkless. You'll alway be our hero, never forget that." Inko said with a smile, still trying to hide her red face as she walked past a smiling Toshinori. "Now come on, it's time to call it a night. You did say it was a long morning today."

"True." Toshinori said, getting up and walking after her.

"And maybe you could tell me where you have lunch planned for tomorrow?" Inko asked as she walked out of the room.

"Wouldn't be much of a surprise otherwise." Toshinori said with a small smile, flipping the lights off as he exited the room as well.

(??? - Dawn - The Next Day)

"Subject KCN-42 has completely liquidized and Subject KCN-41 seems stable enough to at least donate their Quirk. Subject KCN-43 and KCN-44 have undergone no sign of serious degradation so far after the hybridization process, repeated checking in stasis is necessary. Subject KCN-46 is ready to undergo hybridization, finally something good has turned up this morning." Garaki sighed as he looked over the tubes containing the newest subjects of Project Kodoku.

Quickly ordering a Nomu to store and move the liquidized remains for storage, he quickly began to move over his notes.

Progress on the Project had not been going the way he or All for One we're hoping for, but that was what these experiments were for anyway. Just that he hoped they would find some way to help further along Project Shin.

Spent a third of his life maintaining it, now Garaki knew that he was at the cusp of perfecting his master's greatest weapon. So close yet so far.

Evermore the progress was slow going.

Between his attention on the Nomu's, monitoring All for One's other projects, perfecting on making sure the future augmentations will work without being fatal, cloning the Kaiju DNA from the few samples they had for harvest, and maintaining his image as one of Japan's biggest medical philanthropists there was only so much time. Even with his master taking care of some of the experiments himself post treatments.

Also part of today's headaches...the plan to use Batto Yobayakawa was working brilliantly as always.

Maybe a little too much for Garaki's liking.

All of his robberies that dealt with anything remotely medical could be traced back to his involvement in the businesses as a donor or tied with multiple different operations not tied with him directly. Some that he had a hand in as an anonymous minor donor. Even if anything was found, all they would find was alias after alias. What equipment stolen would be integrated into later operations for the Nomu or Project Kodoku, alongside some of the medication and chemicals. The rest will be fenced off into less than legal distributions with the cache of jewels stolen.

Combined with the stolen yen and the insurance payoffs from the places directly connected to him, a small fortune which will prove quite nicely for their operations.

Unfortunately it seemed to attract the wrong kind of attention.

There had been a small spike of attempted break ins at hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies on Honshū. Last night there were attempts on two of his facilities alone.

He was lucky enough to spirit one of the would-be thieves away before police apprehended all the others.

Garaki swore that if anyone else tied anything, well he'll give them Shigaraki. Of course if the soon to be KCN-47 isn't reduced to gray sludge before the end of the day.

He had requested All for One to at least cancel the second job today through Kurogiri, Yobayakawa was already underway with what was the first one.

All for One was more than satisfied with the latest string of chaos yesterday anyway.

Garaki sighed as he walked over to a desk and typed in a code through a hidden keypad. Opening a new room that he walked into.

Where he kept the more 'successful' subjects of Project Kodoku from the one's still in the early stages in progress.

The room was mainly empty save for some equipment, Johnny the Nomu resting in a cat bed in a corner, and five canisters lying in the room.

Briefly jumping up from a small bang, Garaki was relieved when a mixture was dispersed into a tube on the far end of the room separated from the others. Its occupant twitched before finally going limp, idly just floating like the other subjects.

"Note to self, increase the sedative amount. KCN-0 has started to develop a resistance." Garaki said before he began to inspect the other occupants.

Subjects KCN-24, 25, 33, and 38 have proven different from the others except KCN-0 and KCN-09. Those two were a carefully constructed prototype and an outlier entirely respectively. Those four were actually stable...at least in a nominal sense compared to a Nomu.

All had survived the hybridization process and no signs of degradation on a molecular standpoint so far. Other than that...they might as well be floating cadavers.

Unlike the Nomu there were no mental responses at all to any commands, just standing and not evenly blinking. Worst part was despite being biologically stable their bodies were too toxic to handle normally. Enough that their Quirks were unable to be removed.

Less said about injecting another Quirk into the subjects with their current status, the better.

Took hours to clean up the toxic soup that had been KCN-32.

Garaki was sure they were nothing more than useful notes on further progressing Project Kodoku and Shin. But there had been no meaningful success in any of them, all they were good for now was figuring out how they had been stable for long enough now.

If there was no further progress in a week he'll probably just feed Subject KCN-24 to KCN-09 after performing an autopsy on it. After making another order for Kurogiri.

What little research he has been able to uncover from them so far and his own theories showed once again All for One was right.

He indeed had missed something, something that should at least see a slight increase in the initial survivability before the hybridization...

Garaki was broken from his musing when he heard a monitor going off, searching to find the location of the beeping to see it was from Subject KCN-33's tank...and its vitals were spiking?

Alongside the signs of its toxicity levels dropping too...and seeing scales starting to grow.

The doctor smiled as he pulled out a phone from his pocket, intending to call in sick today.

Knowing that All for One was going to enjoy hearing this news.

(Streets above Kawaguchi - 5 minutes later)

"Damn it! I can't shake him!" Yobayakawa cursed out, kicking up a gust as the hero Airjet flew after him.

It was supposed to be a simple smash and grab job, rob a storefront and get out. He filled up a briefcase full of goods and emptying a cash register before making a break for it.

What he didn't expect was for a hero that could catch up to him in the air here!

Yobayakawa had his fair share of run ins, the biggest was a slow poke hero whose Quirk basically turned his skin to stone. Twice that hero had given him a headache and some bruises.

The other's he could leave in the dust or blow them away...but this hero was actually catching up. Along with firing blasts of air aimed at his wings, Airjet was proving to be almost as big an annoyance as that turtle Ingenium!

He swerved out of the way of an air blast as Airjet trained both arm cannons at the flying villain, charging and gathering air.

"Surrender or I won't considering buster-ing you out of the sky!" He proclaimed, getting Yobayakawa to inwardly groan as his ears twitched.

Puns, okay the hero was more annoying than Ingenium!

Flapping his wings, Yobayakawa propelled himself higher into the sky to avoid being caught by the charged blast. Rising above the smaller skyscrapers and flying away from the hero. Spending a few moments looking around before spotting his destination.

Kawaguchi Station and its famous lion statue on a nearby rooftop.

Yobayakawa smirked, before he picked up Airjet's scent again. Looking down and hastily trying to move away as the hero's arm cannons looked ready to fire.

"Buster Shot!" Airjet shouted, unleashing a massive burst of charged air upwards. The blast managed to clip Yobayakawa and caused him to drop the briefcase.

Slightly disoriented, he folded his wings close to his body. Diving towards the briefcase as Airjet's jetpack thrusters flared up to match the villain's speed.

Retracting one of his arm cannons, the hero went to reach for the case.

But Yobayakawa smirked as his arm shot out and swiped it in his claws. Spreading his wings out and grunting as an air blast struck him in the chest. Sending him free falling into the streets, laughing all the way.

Airjet was unnerved by this as he flew down after Yobayakawa, the villain quickly flapping his wings to right himself before colliding with the ground.

His feet made contact with the asphalt before running towards Kawaguchi Station at speeds nearly rivaling when the villain was airborne.

And to Airjet's horror, in the opposite direction of incoming traffic.

Yobayakawa laughed madly as incoming cars swerved out of his way to avoid a collision, uncaring of the damage left in his wake or Airjet trying to minimize it.

Showing all those slowpokes their place and leaving a hero in his tailwind...

Oh, how he missed this!

Yet Yokayakawa knew it had to end as soon as he saw the lion statue was getting closer.

Turning his attention to the approaching cars, he saw a driver dressed up in a suit and tie. Smirking, the villain rushed towards him.

The driver yelled in panic as Yobayakawa unfurled his wings and took off, obstructing their vision. With the driver finding himself heading towards a light pole as the villain flew off.

Hurriedly applying the brakes and trying to avoid colliding with a light pole, before the driver found the car coming to a stop much faster than he expected. Only managing to clip one of his rear view mirrors as the car came to a complete stop.

Airjet let out a sigh of relief as he cut off the flow of air to his arm cannons, hovering down to the driver.

"Are you alright?" He called down, getting a shaky nod from the driver before surveying the situation on the ground.

Traffic on this part of the roadway was completely still as multiple cars tried to correct themselves. Seems like over that the bust mirror, the worst Airjet could see flying over the cars was a fender bender or two.

Seeing police cars approaching and the sound of sirens the hero figured the situation would be under control, deciding to come back after regaining track of Yobayakawa.

His jetpack's thrusters blazed as he took off into the air and above the lion statue. Spinning before spotting a pair of shadowy wings dive into another street quite a bit away.

Airjet took off in his direction, flying off to continue the chase.

Several moments after he left, a clawed hand gripped one of the statue's legs as Yobayakawa emerged from underneath. Sniffing the air before shaking his head.

"I can't believe he bought it." He said, a plume of black fog emerging from the statue's shadow.

"The rise only bought us a few moments. This way, I've already prepared your glass." Kurogiri said, his head poking out briefly before vanishing into the portal.

Yobayakawa grunted as he walked into the fog.

Dispersing moments later as Airjet rocketed back to the statue and tried to look around.

But Yobayakawa was long gone by that point.

(???)

The bat-like villain emerged into the safe house, throwing the case onto a couch as he stomped over to the kitchen where Kurogiri was looking through the selection of alcohol in the cabinet.

Yobayakawa grabbed the glass on the counter, downing it in one gulp before throwing it at Kurogiri.

A puff of black fog opened from his back, the empty glass reappearing in Kurogiri's hand as he sighed.

"Let's not waste a good glass, what is troubling you Yobayakawa?" He asked, moving over to the sink and began to wash it.

"This was supposed to be a simple job, and yet-" Yobayakawa tried to say, but Kurogiri waved him off.

"A hero was close to luring you into an ambush or knocking you out of the sky. I observed it past our meeting point. But luckily, the final job that was planned has been canceled, this was it." He said, finishing cleaning the glass before placing it on a drying rack. Yobayakawa looked like he had the wind taken from his sails.

He had been preparing his rant since the chase started..

But now...

"So that's it, I spend the rest of the day doing whatever and we go our separate ways tomorrow." Yobayakawa said with a frown, waiting for a catch.

"Of course." Kurogiri said with a nod, walking back to a counter. Waving his arm over it. "Just one more favor and you can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you wish."

From the black fog came three syringes.

Two empty and the one in the middle looked like it was filled with Ideo Trigger, but with a bluish tint and smelled off to the bat like villain.

"Just some blood samples, one now and the next 10 minutes after injecting the TR-D2C." Kurogiri said as he grabbed one of the syringes.

"TR-D2C, I thought that stuff was obsolete." Yobayakawa said, wincing as the syringe was injected into a vein in his arm.

TR-D2C was a form of Ideo Trigger mixed with a chemical cocktail that saw an enhanced increase of dopamine in the body from use. It lasted longer than a regular dosage but otherwise only increased the effects of the users Quirk slightly more than the base Trigger and increased overall aggression levels.

It was briefly circulated about 4 years ago but fell out of the wayside rather quickly as all involved in production were quickly arrested by police.

"Yes, although with the modifications done to your body it should have a longer effect." Kurogiri said as he cleaned up the wound and handed the second syringe to Yobayakawa. "Just take it and come back in 10 minutes. Before then, do whatever you like to your heart's content."

Yobayakawa looked at it for a few moments before shrugging and snatching it from Kurogiri's hands.

Quickly injecting it into his arm.

Kurogiri winced as the bat-like villain's body started to change, yelling in agony for a few moments before turning into laughter.

Raising a gust that pushed around most of the items in the safe house, before smashing through a bordered up window and taking off into the sky laughing all the way.

"He could have at least waited for me to open a portal." Kurogiri said while shaking his head. "Hopefully he'll come back in time before the crash happens."

At the very least the doctor will be pleased with the results.

(Izuku POV - Around Midoriya Family Apartment - Musutafu - Late Morning)

"Are you certain that you want to continue now Erika, we could wait a few more minutes?" I asked as Erika finished off another water bottle.

"I'm fine Izuku." She said, tossing the bottle into the bin before getting up off the bench. "Ready whenever you are."

"Okay, another lap before we head back for lunch." I said, getting Erika to nod.

Currently the two of us were in the middle of a jog, taking a water break and I made sure to bring several water bottles for Erika...which she had nearly gotten through all of them at this point.

Mom and All Might were currently out on a lunch date. I was surprised when All Might revealed that he was taking her to En Doa Cafe, but mom has been going to that place for years.

She was both amused and delighted at the news, yet both of them seem happy about it.

As I got up from the bench, I picked up a familiar scent coming up from behind us.

Wait, isn't that...

"Midoriya, it's been a while." I heard Tsurugi say, turning to see him approaching us. Before looking speechless at Erika.

Until she growled out and two vines snaked up from her arms, snarling as he jumped back and raised his hands in surrender.

"E-Erika!" I said, getting her to look between the two of us before retracting her vines.

Glaring at Tsurugi as he gulped under her gaze.

"Try anything with him again and I'll make you regret it." Erika growled out.

"So you told her about what happened with Shiten?" Tsurugi said, as I tried to say something he shook his head. "I don't blame you, I was kind of a fool for even going along with his planning in the first place."

Erika didn't say anything, yet I just shook my head as her lips twitched.

"H-How are you doing Tsurugi?" I asked him.

Aside from what happened with Shiten, this is the first time we've met outside of school in years. Was not even sure he had still lived in the same neighborhood as us anymore.

"Fine, I actually managed to get enrolled into a good school. Surprised my folks when I decided to change applications, but they were happy with me." Tsurugi said, looking proud as I smiled at him.

That was good for him at least. Tsurugi seems excited to head off to his school.

But there was something else to it...

"You leave Musutafu for this school?" I asked.

He chuckled and shook his head, only confirming my suspicions.

"It's in Saitama, a few hours away and they provide dorms for any students from out of town. I will move in two days. Wanted to tell you and Bakugou on the last day of Aldera, but everything happened..." Tsurugi said as I winced.

Nearly half a week later and that day was still fresh on everyone's mind. Especially with what happened to the former vice principal and Nezu cleaning through the remaining staff of the school's records.

Heard he even fired our former home room teacher for negligence along with a few others.

"R-Right I guess that would have slipped anyone's minds. Best you find me today then, we would have been out of the city tomorrow." I said, getting Tsurugi to sigh.

"That's good at least, I tried to get in contact with Bakugou earlier to no luck." He sighed out. "Tried asking at his house, but his mother said that he's been spending all of these past few days outside of the house unless she yells at him by the phone. Think he has been spending all his time training for U.A.."

Erika growled at Kacchan's name as I was surprised, before figuring perhaps I should have seen it coming.

With the trouble he had gotten before entering U.A. and finally getting into the school we dreamed about our entire lives, he was making a serious effort at training. Not sure how much he has been doing so over the past few years, but if it was anything like when we were little it was probably a moderate amount.

But to go to the lengths of training all day for multiple days on end since Aldera's final day...the only times I could think of was the Slime Villain or our encounter with the Villain with the Sand Quirk a few months before that in recent years.

Other than that there was nothing really to push Kacchan until now.

"I-I'm not sure that you will get a chance to talk to Kacchan like this. If what you said about Auntie Mitsuki is true." I said.

A-According to mom they already practically yell at each other on the phone all the time...

"That yappy little dog will probably just growl and snarl if you do manage to track him down." Erika said with a growl.

Tsurugi just shook his head at that.

"You're probably right, but I'm hoping to still try again tomorrow." Tsurugi said, before some of the fingers on his right hand stretched into his pants pocket. Fishing out an object "Anyway, take this Midoriya and do what you will with it."

I looked confused for a moment before he dropped a piece of folded up paper in my hands, retracting his fingers as I unfolded the paper.

Looking inside was a phone number.

"Bakugou has the same thing, but we've rarely talked since the Slime Villain. Not sure he even saved the contact of an 'extra' after what happened with Shiten. Still feel free to use it, or get rid of it." Tsurugi said, placing a hand behind his head.

Blinking as I sent him a text, shutting off my phone as he pulled out his.

"I thought it was just notebooks." I thought I heard Erika say.

What did she mean by that?

"Just a 'Hello'." Tsurugi said, looking at his phone before shaking his head with a smile. "Guess I shouldn't have expected anything less. Though I wasn't expecting anything at all from you Midoriya. Won't be able to message back for a while, got a lot to work on myself and will be busy with schoolwork."

"N-Not really used to this, but I understand." I said honestly before smiling. "I know things won't be back then with us, Kacchan, and Tsubasa as friends. Yet I hope things will go well in your new school Tsurugi."

Nearly two weeks ago he had asked me if I hoped to rekindle my friendship with Kacchan...and honestly I still don't have an answer except I can't picture it happening in the near future.

But rekindling the friendship with Tsurugi...before what happened with Shiten I didn't think that it was possible. Things these past two month have been better than it has over the past decade following Kacchan, albeit keeping a distance.

Which is how I think this will go, Tsurugi keeping a distance but keeping in touch with me and Kacchan or trying to.

Makes sense, the three of us aren't those little kids anymore and we're going on different paths in life. Tsurugi had made it clear that we wanted to move away to a new start.

I truly wish him well in that regard.

Tsurugi smiled, waving at me before walking past the both of us. Keeping a wide berth from Erika.

"Thanks Midoriya, good luck with U.A. and your girlfriend Midoriya." He said walking away as my face reddened.

F-First Akatani and now Tsurugi!

E-Erika isn't-

S-She isn't my girl-

I-I held back muttering in panic as I looked down to the ground, my face heating up even more!

W-Why can't I even think about Erika like that without feeling embarrassed? O-Or why do I feel so-

One of Erika's vines wrapped around my shoulders and nuzzled against my head, getting me to see green sparks in my vision.

"Izuku are you alright, you were starting to spark up." Erika said, snapping me from my thoughts. Retracting her vine as I saw a few brackish patches before returning to normal.

"I-I'm fine now!" I said, trying to hide my nervousness. Blinking as I noticed something with her. "E-Erika why is half your hair red?"

She let out a slight growl, tilting her head before reaching to inspect a bang. Looking surprised as half of the length was rose red and the color was starting to fade away slowly.

"Honestly this is new to me Izuku, but more than likely an emotional response." Erika said, looking away from me. But I could still see that her face was slightly flushed...

I-I just nodded at that, not really sure to respond to her reaction.

W-Whether to be relieved or a little disappointed at her response...

A-And why do I feel like that? Or that she looked beautiful even when flustered-

S-Shuting that train not thought immediately!

H-Hopefully I wasn't actually muttering this time...

"Izuku." Erika said, getting me to hold my breath as I saw that her hair had returned to normal. "Are you certain about this, wasn't he like Bakugou?"

Erika could barely contain her roar saying Kacchan's name, I just sighed before nodding. T-Thankful I didn't mutter my earlier thoughts...

"M-More of he has backed up Kacchan for years, but if it wasn't for the day you first broke out we'd probably never have spoken to each other ever again." I said, her looking surprised briefly.

Honestly if it wasn't for Shiten, I probably wouldn't ever encounter Tsurugi again after graduating from Aldera.

"You sent him to get help after I thrashed that damned idiot!" Erika said, roaring as her fangs poked out briefly before retracting. "Despite the fact he help lure you into an ambush, you did everything you could to help him. Even telling him to run while you stayed back..." She just smiled at that before one of her vines draped on my shoulders. "Honestly I'm not surprised Izuku."

"R-Right, although I'm unsure if I'll ever see Tsurugi again. I do wish him well." I said, getting Erika to nod. "But I'm also excited for U.A..."

"And hoping for quite a few others to be there too." Erika said before starting to walk ahead. "Come on, as you said one more lap."

I just nodded and followed after her, matching her pace before the two of us started to jog again.

She still hasn't retracted her vine from my shoulders yet...maybe I should remind her in a few moments...

(3rd POV - Sukaiu Ōkā Airport - Tokyo - A few hours later)

"They should be here any moment now, they called their plane at the exit minutes ago." Alfred said, pacing about behind a row of seats.

He was wearing his gray slacks and black shoes, but traded in his uniform jacket for a simple long sleeved black shirt. Some bandages wrapped around two of his knuckles.

"We've waited for them long enough Alfred, besides you know Grandfather loves to look around." Alexia sighed out, just thankful that her brother was not mimicking her voice again.

She was wearing a simple white knee length blouse with a belt around her waist. Along with her black shoes and necklace, she looked the most proper and composed of the trio.

"Right, Gramps always said that he loves to check out the sights even if it's the same airport he's been going to for years. 'You never know what details could change in just the blink of an eye' or something like that." Aoki said, holding back a chuckle and he leaned against his knuckles looking at the people coming and going.

He was seated a few seats away from the Ashfords, giving plenty of space for his wings to stretch when he could.

Compared to his compatriots he was dressed casually. A maroon t-shirt with two holes for his wings, jeans, and brown boots. Sitting forward with his wings folded on his back.

"Right, that is something Grandfather would say." Alexia said, her lips twitching up into a smile. "Looks like he is taking his time, but there is something you should see brother."

"What would that be?" Alfred said, blinking as he followed his sister's gaze into the crowd.

Grinning before practically sprinting up to someone coming up to them.

"Alfred it's been a while, I assume that you and Alexia are keeping each other in check?" He asked with a smile.

The man was around Alfred's height and build except he looked a decade older, had platinum blond hair, and green eyes. He was wearing a dark blue, buttoned up suit jacket and slacks with a grey shirt underneath.

Behind him was a younger man with average features, short brown hair, and brown eyes. Hauling a stack of heavy cases on a cart trying to catch up to the older man.

"More or less, well more like I'm keeping an eye on her." Alfred said, ignoring getting swatted on the arm by his sister and she and Aoki got up. "How are you doing Lazzari, I imagine you're having a field day in China."

"Best days of my career, rarely do you ever make such a discovery. Alas of course we've hit a dead end." Lazzari sighed out despondently. "There is only so much I can do looking through all the data while waiting."

"So your idea of deflecting boredom is a work vacation." Aoki said before looking over at the younger man coming to a stop. "Are you sure that is everything Emerson?"

"Yes, personally double checked it, the old man is carrying his own belongings." Emerson said, standing at attention as Aoki sighed.

That did sound like Gramps.

"Relax, the way I hear it you're more or less on a paid vacation after this." Aoki said, getting the Monarch agent's posture to slacken as he slumped into a chair. "You really look like you could use one."

"Keep telling him that, don't want him to burn himself out. He's the best assistant I've had. Only one I could think of replacing him on vacation is Wright. Which is a lost cause." Lazzari said with a sigh.

Alfred chuckled, as Alexia just shook her head.

It was well known throughout most of Monarch that he was perhaps the only person capable of handling Dr. Shí outside of higher up in the chain of command. Unless on mission of course.

Anyone else who works for her as an assistant usually requests a transfer from constantly not being able to keep up.

"Well at least this should be brief if there is nothing, this rumor has been floating around for years.." Emerson said.

"Could be wrong, yet I believe there could be something I missed." Alexia said.

"Well I certainly hope not Alexia, and it's good to see the three of you again."

Aoki blinked, before smiling as he turned to see behind him was a tall older man with short gray hair and beard with the thinnest traces of the original brown coloration remain. He was well groomed and was wearing a suit. In his arms was a file folder and in the other his suitcase.

It only took all of a moment before Alfred jumped at him.

"Grandpa, it's been months!" Alfred said as the man hugged him back.

"It's good to see you too Alfred, how has your studies been?" The old man asked as they broke the hug.

"Fine, they've been fine. Should be another year and a half and some actual practice before I'm done." Alfred said with a grin.

"Good to hear, I guess you'll be the newest Dr. Ashford soon enough." The old man said, before looking down at his knuckle. "What happened?"

"Bruised them during a training exercise, should clear up by tomorrow." Alfred said.

"Please be more careful Alfred next time." The old man sighed out as Alexia walked up to him. "Hello Alexia."

"Hello Grandfather." Alexia said with a curt nod. "How was the flight?"

"It was pleasant, except for a little turbulence over the Gobi Desert. Otherwise I managed to share some stories." The old man said.

"Gramps you managed to talk all of our ears off half the flight." Lazzari said while shaking his head.

"Well I can remember someone joining in on chatting in on how some of the places I have been too changed over the years. Thank you for the ideas Lazzari." The old man said, smiling mirthfully as Alfred chuckled.

"Right, you're welcome." Lazzari said, taking it in stride while Emerson shook his head.

"And Aoki, how have you been? Congratulations on the new job. How has it been?" The old man said as he turned to face him.

"Have my hands full at the moment, but I'll manage." Aoki admitted, getting the old man to shake his head.

"I hope so, just if you need any help my number should still be on your contacts. I know what it is like to suddenly thrust into a leadership position suddenly. Everyone has their own way and it took me about two years to find my footing. If you ever need some advice feel free to call, but please just mind the time zones when you do." The old man said, getting Aoki to think about it for a minute.

Nodding with a smile as his wings fluttered.

"Sure, I'd think I will do that Gramps. But I think it will be awhile, things are going alright for now." Aoki said, the old man smiling before Aoki frowned. "But did you really leave behind Shinjo?"

He looked surprised before checking over his shoulder.

"It seems like I did." The old man said, before wincing. "And she has caught up."

"Mr. Martin." A woman with short brown hair and eyes who looked to be a little older than the Ashfords marched up to them.

Aoki wisely backed off from Martin seeing how crossed she was.

The old man just sighed in resignation.

"I know that Serizawa asked me to keep an eye on you while in Japan and while you have some issues, next time please don't go wandering off and leave me at a bodega." Shinjo said, Matin nodding at her words.

"My apologies Shinjo, I thought that you were behind me." Martin said. "A simple crime wave in this part of Japan is far from the worst situation I've been in, but I understand your and Serizawa's concerns. I'll be more mindful going forward."

Shinjo stared at him for a few moments before nodding, satisfied with Martin's answer.

Even if he tried to lie to her, it wouldn't work.

Aoki knew from experience that literally no one could lie to Agent Shinjo, it wouldn't end well...

He was broken from his thoughts as his phone vibrated, pulling it out briefly to check the notification.

"The rental cars will be here in a few minutes. Whoever wants to drive the other one to a hotel feel free." Aoki said, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

"I'll do it!" Alfred said with a grin, turning to Lazzari as Emerson got up from his seat. "Suppose we can catch up at the hotel, you and Alexia can start to hash out details on where to start tomorrow?"

"Certainly, and gives me time to see more of Tokyo from the car. Haven't been back here for about five years." Lazzari said, before following Emerson as he started to lug the cart. "Let me help you with that."

"Thanks." He said as the two and the Ashfords started to walk ahead, Aoki trailing behind with Martin and Shinjo.

"After dropping everyone off I'll be heading back to work, got plenty to do for the upcoming week." Aoki said, getting the old man to nod as they walked through the crowd.

While he will more or less be freed from much of his new duties for Monarch for at least the next two days, there was the final preparations for U.A.. With two of the staff tomorrow he'll have to help pick up the slack.

Especially with discussions with Power Loader on the pink haired gremlin who passed the exams...

(???)

"And KCN-33 is finally sedated." Garaki said, double checking the container.

He didn't want for their latest subject to accidentally burst from the confines of yet another tube. This was the third one, the first two accidentally broken by KCN-33's new appendages or their new blade-like snout.

"Excellent, the first real success of Project Kodoku." All for One said with a grin as the doctor finished inspecting the tube.

"Of course, although the subject is no longer in danger of decay. There should be a few more preparations needed to be complete before implanting a secondary Quirk. Subject KCN-33's vital's match KCN-0's completion now, they require more observation before the procedure can begin." Garaki said.

"More than likely the effects of two Quirks will be enough without any strain on the body. The further we progress, the more we can input without strain. But there are other matters." All for One said, pleased with the success of Project Kodoku so far.

While he was expecting results, it had been a few weeks yet the results so far fascinated him.

Unlike the Bombers and Anonymous they weren't living abominations that served as drones or the Nomu as something between life and death, Project Kodoku created something else entirely.

The subjects were completely reanimated into living breathing beings that could think if KCN-0 was of any indication. Something beyond human but not how All for One and Garaki pictured a transhuman.

Yet with the hybridization of Kaiju DNA they were something completely different than human or Nomu. Said DNA's regenerative properties offset the limit of implanted Quirks without any strain like the Nomu and as they had just seen with KCN-33 could enter a torpid state when needed.

But the brief demonstration KCN-33 had shown after the doctor had stabilized it after hours was more than enough to convince All for One that for the first time in decades they were close.

Project Shin was a hair breath away from becoming complete.

All they needed to do was improve Project Kodoku.

"Yes, KCN-33 might be close to complete and the results seem more promising than KCN-0 in most areas that are incomplete past stabilization. A halfway point even if I improved the procedure to the desired results, of this I have no doubt." Garaki sighed out, breaking All for One from his musings,

"While a majority will just end like the cadavers lining the walls." All for One said with a frown.

He couldn't take their Quirk, they were unresponsive, and not even Garaki knew if they would ever change from a vegetative state.

Nothing more than wastes of space.

Maybe he could find a future purpose for them, but Project Kodoku was still in its infancy. For now best they were either raw materials for the more promising subjects or just dump them to KCN-09.

"Yet I assume you got the desired results from Yobayakawa this morning." All for One said, getting the doctor to nod.

"I did not account for how his lymphocytes and white blood cells had grown stronger against toxins in the past three and a half years. Even with the laced sample there has been no signs of any immediate degradation." Garaki admitted.

Something so simple was overlooked by him despite moving well past the techniques to create the Next-Level Villains. Unlike the Nomu they were all still pretty much human and their bodies changed as they got over.

Aside from their physical modifications, the Next-Level Villains were all altered to resist having enough Trigger in their bloodstream to kill several people alone. If they could survive their Quirk Factor going haywire first.

From Kurogiri's observations a single syringe of Trigger was nothing more than adrenaline shot to Yobayakawa when it would have already affected nearly anyone else.

The laced syringe had shown some changes usually affected by Trigger, but the effects of resisting both Kokuyōsenki's and Shiragami's blood was of much more importance to Garaki.

Granted he had used the absolute smallest portion of blood cells, an amount that even then could poison someone with potentially life threatening effects. What he did find was regular human cells would experience minimal degradation when exposed to the same amount of blood. Insufficient data on long term effects on regular humans, but the sample of Yobayakawa's blood showed no degradation even hours later.

The samples retrieved were already giving the doctor ideas on how the subjects could better resist the initial effects of the hybridization process. But it will take some time before he could properly introduce it into Project Kodoku.

"How soon can you implement this process doctor?" All for One said, breaking Garaki out of his thoughts.

"A week at best, I have other matters to attend to. A rather crucial series of operations begin tomorrow." Garaki said, All for One's grin widening. "But I've already figured this could slow the hybridization process by 25% but will ensure more survivors."

"Take your time, while we still have ample amounts of it. Yet we could use an increase of subjects." All for One said, bringing a hand to his hand as he pondered something. Garaki watched in silence for a few moments as the supervillain smirked. "How soon can you prepare a new mask doctor?"

"I have a few spare ones stashed away, I can bring one to you in 10 minutes." Garaki said, trying to figure out what All for One was planning now.

"And how long too modify one to withstand a brawl without accidentally breaking or compromising my breathing even if it's broken." All for One said, getting Garaki's eyes to widen as he remembered their discussion weeks ago.

"You don't mean..." Garaki said as All for One just chuckled.

"I could use the stretch from time to time, besides sometimes a demon king must get his own hands dirty. Especially in his own tournaments." All for One said with a grin.

While he rarely got directly involved with such matters, the world was changing in ways he didn't originally consider. Biollante returning to Earth, Shiragami's whole existence, and possibility of a Kaiju sighted off of Futuna Island.

Never would he have thought that Kaiju would become active again.

Of course he had a countermeasure or two in place, but he needed more.

KCN-33 was the first success but pales in comparison to what he envisioned Shin to be. Of course until a more successful one can be procured he'd just be the new blueprint for Project Kodoku.

There was so much to do and organize, now including places to store the victims he'd bring into Project Kodoku after he's done 'preparing' them for the operation.

Tomura and Project Shin, All for One wished to see that both of them achieve their apex around the same time. Tomura was starting to take his first steps while Shin has been nothing more than a pipe dream.

Soon enough, it will all change and the world will fear their names. Just as they will his own.

(Izuku POV - His Room - Nighttime)

Tokage: Heard that there is going to be a big cold snap over Tokyo tomorrow. Will you both be alright, especially you snapdragon?

Me: I should be alright, what about you Erika?

Given her physiology I'm not sure how it would affect her except for irritation or drowsiness.

Erika: Never liked the cold, even before my Quirk took full effect. Got a coat as a gift from a friend, should be more than enough.

Me: The red one?

Erika: Yes.

Tokage: Well sounds like you're good, what about you green bean?

Me: I should be fine if I wear a hoodie.

Tokage: Shot in the dark, it's an All Might themed one.

...I-I was considering wearing one.

Me: M-Maybe?

Tokage: So a yes then.

Erika: Does it really matter?

Tokage: You'd think he look good in one snapdragon~

My face turned red at that. And I swore I could hear Erika growling in annoyance from her room.

Tokage: In all seriousness they've been big off and on in Naruhata since Skycrawller was forced to leave for the States. You might be able to blend in the crowd if at the right time.

Me: Or just wear one in support of the food drive since it is his agency.

Tokage: True.

I just nodded as I held my phone and looked through my closet. I have more than a few ones that weren't All Might themed...and more than a few of the same limited editions.

Which one, which one...

Wait, yes this one will do.

Me: Found one.

Tokage: So is it an All Might themed one or not? How about sending us a picture green bean?

D-Did she really just ask that?

Erika: Leave him alone, Tokage.

Tokage: Boo. I was just messing with him.

Erika: It better.

I sighed in relief at that.

Tokage: Still can't believe you two are actually volunteering for the food drive, the last thing for All Might's agency. I mean it is a big deal even if it's a small event. Thought that you all had enough excitement for the week?

Me: Mainly yes, but this is something I could have only dreamed about. I was surprised that this was the last thing for his agency. But I'm happy to at least be able to be a part of it and to help others out.

She was right about what happened at Aldera days ago. But I was happy to be there at least.

T-That and both he and mom said it was more or less a small event, shouldn't be too crowded...hopefully.

Tokage: Fair enough, hope it goes well. Also can the two of you send some pictures of how things go tomorrow or just of Naruhata?

Me: W-We'll see.

Erika: Izuku probably will, I won't.

Before I could reply, Tokage had already texted back.

Tokage: Heh, rather blunt but expected nothing less from you snapdragon. Then green bean can I ask you something?

Me: What is it Tokage?

Tokage: If you see my cousin Rapt, tell him Setsuna says hello. Can't miss him, he looks kind of like a raptor.

Me: I'll tell him if we see him.

Tokage: Thanks green bean. Anyway I assume that you too have a long morning ahead, so good night you two. Can't wait to see you both at U.A.!

I smiled at that as I texted my reply.

S-Still getting used to texting like this with others, but it was kind of nice. Never really had a chance before...

My phone buzzed as I got a notification from Erika on her own text thread, opening it up.

Erika: I'm going to bed now. What about you, Izuku?

Me: Just going to write some notes down first. Probably going to in the next half an hour.

We were all getting up early around sunrise to head to Tokyo. Although I imagine it to be problematic for Erika to stay awake as we leave or as we travel by car. I think that she'll probably be asleep for a majority of the drive.

Erika: I see..Izuku can I ask you something?

Me: Sure, what is it Erika?

For a while I stared at the screen as Erika's response continued to load, yet the text wasn't coming. She was putting a lot of thought into her reply...

And I swore I can hear her growing again.

Erika:...Izuku...tomorrow can you help me stay awake as long as you can on the drive to Tokyo...and if I do can you wake me up when we get there...

I guess she was embarrassed to admit that.

Smiling, I immediately texted my reply.

Me: Of course, you don't even need to ask Erika. We can even talk about whatever you want in order to help stay awake.

Didn't have to wait that long for her to send me a reply.

Erika: I'd love that Izuku...I'm heading to bed non. Good night Izuku.

Me: Good night Erika.

I put down my phone with a smile before pulling out a notebook, looking through some of my notebooks before pulling out an older one. Flipping through it before stopping at a certain section.

Bookmarking it before placing it down on my desk, remembering to bring it with me tomorrow.

Pulling out my newest one I started to write in it with one hand and setting the timer on my phone with the other one.

I-I probably would have stayed focused on writing in detail for a few hours otherwise.

Need to pace myself and make sure to get to bed despite my excitement.

It is going to be a long day tomorrow and I can hardly wait for it.

(Chapter 20 end)

Hey guys Mukuro7 here and welcome back to another chapter of The Hero and The Kaiju. And the last one I'll ever publish while My Hero Academia's manga is still ongoing. 

Hard to think it will end in just a few chapters.

I'll keep things short but the next chapter will take a while to get out. Possibly the last one for this year.

Aside from focusing on my other stories I have a bunch of stuff coming up in life. That and starting to tackle a back log of video games...

Besides also making the chapter from scratch and quite long, yet I can promise one thing. After the next chapter it is a straight shot to U.A. school days. But for Vigilante fans, well I think you might like the next chapter.

Anyway in the next chapter, Izuku, Erika, All Might, and Inko head to Naruhata as the hero hosts a food drive in the ward as the last action of his hero agency. Izuku and Erika have a number of encounters with some familiar or completely new to them. While All Might confronts a truth that he wishes stayed buried. Unfortunately things get messy when trouble swoops in and Erika has had enough. While on the Monarch side of things, the organization chases a rumor that should have died centuries ago. Finally uncovering whether it was true or not.

Hope you all enjoy it.

If you have any suggestions, feedback, or ideas let me know. It's much appreciated, but I can't promise to implement everything.

Anyway until next time, ciao!