A Completely Normal Customer

(A/N: After reading the comments, I decided I won't rewrite the chapter. Though I could go back and rewrite it, what's done is done. I fully and completely understand why some of you didn't like it, and I agree with your points, but ultimately I'll do my best to elaborate/build up from what happened in the chapter. Moreover, I'll use it as both a reminder and fuel for myself to create better SAW traps in the future. With that out the way, I hope you enjoy the chapter!)

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[2 Weeks Later]

[Narrator's POV]

The air was filled with the faint hum of refrigeration units at the back of the small convenience store, where chilled drinks and snacks were displayed behind glass doors that occasionally fogged up.

Every once in a while, a child would whizz towards the store with nothing but thoughts of candy and chip bags in their eyes. But Kramer always noticed that they ended up back in the refrigeration units, where they would draw innocent doodlings before their parents chased them down.

It was always a pleasant sight to see innocence uncorrupted by the realities of the world.

The convenience store managing life was simple in comparison to being a Civil Engineer, Kramer constantly thought to himself. It was different, and it came with its own set of challenges, but it was pleasant.

The store was empty, but that was a given considering how dark and chilly it was outside. Fall was soon approaching, and winter was not long after. But the convenience store stood almost like an outpost on those nights. Its warm interior in contrast to the dark, quiet street outside makes it feel like a small, isolated bubble of activity.

John Kramer, or rather Okazaki Yuudai, was reading a novel behind the counter as he always did to pass the time, the only thing breaking the silence being the hum of the refrigerators at the back, along with the mounted television on the corner of the room blaring the latest news.

"Authorities are still grappling with the recent events that happened only two weeks ago, urging the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. Hero patrols have more than tripled, with…"

Kramer drowned out the noise, absorbing himself in his pastime. He flipped to the next page, again, and again, and again, for an unknown amount of time, until the door opened with a soft chime, letting in the cool air from the outside.

Kramer was pulled back from his readings as he took a glance upwards to meet the customer. For one, the man was tall, and dressed in a sharp black suit that seemed to absorb the white fluorescent light of the convenience store. His hair was as white as snow and neatly fell over his forehead, contrasting with his dark suit.

The man hummed as he walked in the store, walking slowly between the isles that were stocked with goodies and treats. "Me, my," the man spoke in a way that naturally commanded attention and respect, but to him could have only been casual. "The authorities should catch this Jigsaw individual, don't you think?" he asked curiously to Kramer, gesturing to the news that played on the television screen.

Kramer stood up, bookmarking the page he was on. "I suppose so," he said evenly, matching the man's tone. The man could only respond with a small, yet hearty chuckle to himself. "It did take a while to find you, Okazaki Yuudai," the man said as he looked at the items on sale, taking hold of some chips and reading their nutrient contents.

"My store is certainly not in the most populated area of the city, I can say that much. But, it works for me and does the job well." Kramer shrugged as he spoke, keeping his eyes fixed on the man who strolled his stores with interest.

"It sure does have its merits," the man spoke before putting the bag of chips away and taking a look at another. "But now that we're having this casual conversation, I guess it's been rude of me to address you with your name, but not introduce myself…" he put away the chips and looked towards Kramer.

"Forgive my manners, Jigsaw. You can call me All For One."

Kramer nodded, his expression unreadable. "You've done your homework." All For One replied, "All part of the game. But I must say, I'm impressed," he stated with strange sincerity in his tone. "To terrify people with the fragility of their human mind, how intriguing…"

Kramer put both of his hands on the cashier table as he corrected All For One. "You seem to be mistaken. My goal isn't to terrify — rather it's to test, to bring about change." 

All For One tilted his head slightly as if considering the distinction. "Change you say? Is that what you sought with Ingenium?" He gestured to the television screen, which displayed the image of the now-deceased image of the Pro hero.

"But tell me, what change did you expect Uwabami to undergo? The police may have concealed the details of your traps from the public, but not from me. From what I understand, her trap left little room for anything other than pain. Was her only lesson the sensation of her face melting in gold?"

"Her test was different," Kramer replied, tapping a finger on the counter as he spoke. "She chose fame over heroism, more concerned with her image on a billboard than with saving lives. It was only fitting that she experienced what it's like to be a victim, relying on a hero for salvation."

All For One leaned back slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "A fitting punishment, perhaps. But tell me, Jigsaw, what do you seek to gain from all this? You said you wanted to bring forth change, but what kind of change would that be?"

"The kind that makes people see the truth," Kramer replied, his voice growing firmer. "The kind that forces them to confront the lies they've been living, to face the consequences of their actions. Hero society… it's a façade, built on false ideals and empty promises. I intend to tear it down, piece by piece, and rebuild something real."

All For One nodded slowly as if considering the words. "An admirable goal. But surely you know that such an endeavour requires more than just… clever traps and moral tests. It requires power. True power…"

He took a step closer, his presence almost suffocating, yet Kramer seemed unfazed. "Imagine what you could accomplish with the right… enhancements. A quirk, perhaps, to aid you in your mission. Something that could make your games even more… compelling."

"I've seen what quirks do to people. My work doesn't need it." All For One's smile widened, though it remained cold. "But think of the possibilities. The control you could wield. The influence you could have. Why limit yourself to the tools of an ordinary man when you could transcend that, become something more… something greater?"

"I don't need your gifts," he said quietly but firmly. "I have everything I need right here." He gestured to the shop around them, both literally and metaphorically. "My mind, my will… those are my strengths. And they are more than enough."

All For One's expression remained unchanged, but before he could continue speaking, Kramer asked the man a handful of questions. "You speak of power, of control. But tell me, what drives you? What compels you to amass such influence, to manipulate others as if they were chess pieces on a board? What is it that you seek to achieve?"

All For One paused, intrigued by the sudden shift in the conversation. Kramer leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing, as if he were already unravelling the man standing before him. 

"You gave such a sophisticated answer, Jigsaw, and it wouldn't be polite of me to respond with a mere one-word answer. Instead, allow me to tell you a story — one that shaped my ideology." All For One cleared his throat as he adjusted his tie before speaking.

His voice was steady as he began recounting a memory from the distant past. "It was many years ago, back when society referred to quirks as 'meta abilities.' I was just a teenager then, possibly slightly older. The world was in turmoil at every bend in the road. It was a time of fear and chaos, where the strong preyed on the weak, and society struggled to adapt to the emergence of powers that defied explanation."

"There was a girl, no more than nine or ten years old. She was an adorable child, her mutation giving her the features of a pig — small ears, a snout, and a slight pinkish hue to her skin. On her eleventh birthday, her parents gifted her something she had always dreamed of: a ticket to visit a farm. Pigs had always fascinated her, you see. She saw in them a reflection of herself, something pure and innocent."

"The visit to the farm was a delight at first. Her parents allowed her into the pen with the other pigs, and she played with them, laughing, her heart full of joy. Then, a caretaker arrived, leading her and the pigs into a secluded building. She didn't question it; after all, her parents had told her to follow him. They assured her it was part of the experience." Kramer remained silent, his expression unreadable as he listened.

"In that building, the child was slaughtered."

All For One continued, his voice cold and detached. "Butchered like the very animals she loved. It was a gruesome end, her innocent life taken away in a place she believed was safe. And do you know where I heard this story? Not from a news outlet condemning the atrocity, not from a social media outcry, but from a politician. A man who stood in front of a crowd and praised the parents, saying they had done the right thing. That they had rid society of an abomination."

The convenience store seemed to grow colder as All For One's words hung in the air.

"Power, Jigsaw," he said, his tone shifting to something more reflective, "is not just about control or influence. It's about survival. It's about ensuring that you are the one who dictates the rules, the one who decides who lives and who dies. That girl's parents, that politician — they all acted out of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what they couldn't control. They sought to kill what they perceived as a threat to maintain their fragile sense of normalcy."

He looked at Kramer, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity. "But I learned a different lesson. I learned that in a world where people are willing to kill an innocent child out of fear, power is not just a necessity — it's a weapon. A tool to protect yourself, to shape the world in your image, to ensure that you are never the victim."

He took a step closer to Kramer, his presence almost suffocating. "You see, without power, you are nothing but prey, waiting for the slaughterhouse door to close behind you. And I refuse to be prey."

Kramer's gaze was resolute as he processed All For One's words. Whether the story was true or not, the Jigsaw could never truly know. The story could have been made up on the spot, or it could have really happened many years ago. Either way, the story served as justification for the villain and his ruthless pursuit of power.

"In the end, Jigsaw, the world is a game of survival. And I intend to be the victor."

Kramer nodded slowly, the weight of All For One's words settling over him. "A game of survival," he echoed, his tone thoughtful. "But what happens when the game changes? When do the rules no longer apply? Will your power be enough then?"

All For One's smile widened, though it remained devoid of warmth. "That, Jigsaw, is where we differ. I don't just play the game — I rewrite the rules. And with my power, I can ensure that the game always favours me."

Kramer leaned back, considering the man before him. The conversation revealed much about All For One's motivations, his worldview, and the lengths he was willing to go to maintain his position at the top. But it had also solidified Kramer's convictions.

"You and I have different visions for the world," Kramer said finally, his voice steady. "You seek to control, to dominate others. I seek to test them, to change them. We may both want to transform society to our liking, but our methods and our goals will never align."

All For One nodded, acknowledging the divide between them. "Perhaps not," he conceded. "But should you ever find yourself in need of… a different approach, my offer will always stand for someone of your caliber. Power, true power, is always within reach…"

With that, he turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the small convenience store. As he reached the exit, he paused, glancing back at Kramer one last time. 

"Remember, Jigsaw, in the end, it's not about who plays the game — it's about who wins. And by the way, consider stocking the store with some Lay's chips, there's the best brand."

The door closed behind him with a soft chime, leaving Kramer alone in the store once more. The hum of the refrigeration units resumed the only sound in the otherwise silent space.

Kramer sat back down behind the counter, his mind already turning over the implications of the encounter. 

"Perhaps he's right… Lay's chips are pretty good…"

(A/N: As I'm starting University, I don't think I'll have as much time to create chapters for this fanfiction compared to now. I'll do my best to update this regularly, but no guarantees. Other than that, thanks for reading!)