[3] Tides of Change
I paused outside the door to the Midoriya apartment, steeling myself for what was to come. Playing the role of the dutiful son to a woman I barely knew.
Before I could reach for my keys, the door flew open. The woman - Mom, I reminded myself - stood there, eyes red and puffy from crying.
"Izuku!" she wailed, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. "I was so worried! I saw what happened on the news, and then you didn't come home, and I thought... I thought..."
She dissolved into fresh tears, her body shaking with sobs. I awkwardly patted her back, trying to remember how the real Izuku would have reacted.
"I'm okay, Mom," I said, injecting warmth into my voice. "Really. I'm sorry I worried you."
She pulled back, hands on my shoulders as she examined me for injuries. "But you could have been hurt! Or worse! What were you thinking, running into danger like that?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Her concern was tedious, but I supposed it was to be expected. I'd have to get used to it if I wanted to maintain my cover.
"I know, I know," I said, forcing a note of contrition into my voice. "I just... I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Not when someone needed help."
Her expression softened. "Oh, Izuku. You've always had such a big heart. But please, promise me you'll be more careful in the future?"
I nodded solemnly. "I promise, Mom."
She hugged me again, then bustled off to the kitchen. "I'm making katsudon to celebrate! Your favorite!"
I followed, settling at the small kitchen table. The familiar scent of frying pork filled the air, oddly comforting despite my unfamiliarity with this body's memories.
As she cooked, Mom peppered me with questions about what had happened. I gave her a sanitized version of events, downplaying the danger and my own role in the rescue. No need to worry her more than necessary.
"So," she said as she set a steaming bowl in front of me, "All Might himself praised you on TV! That must have been exciting."
I shrugged. "It was pretty cool, I guess."
She laughed. "You guess? Come on, I know how much you look up to him. This must be a dream come true!"
"Yeah, it was pretty amazing. I still can't quite believe it happened."
As we ate, Mom chattered about the news coverage, about calls from relatives, about how this might affect my chances of getting into Tokyo University. I made the appropriate noises of agreement, my mind already racing ahead.
"Hey, Mom?" I said, interrupting her monologue about the alumni. "I was thinking... maybe I should start training more seriously. You know, to improve my chances of getting into U.A."
Her face fell slightly. "Oh, Izuku. You know I support your dreams, but... well, without a quirk..."
I waved away her concerns. "I know, I know. But today proved that even someone quirkless can make a difference, right? And besides, it's not like extra training could hurt."
She hesitated, clearly torn. "Well... I suppose you're right. Did you have something specific in mind?"
I nodded, the beginnings of a plan taking shape. "I was thinking maybe some martial arts classes? And I'd like to start jogging in the mornings, to build up my stamina."
Mom considered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. If you're sure this is what you want, we can look into some classes. But promise me you won't overdo it, okay?"
I smiled, the picture of youthful enthusiasm. "Thanks, Mom! You're the best!"
She beamed, clearly relieved by my apparent happiness. We finished the meal in companionable silence.
Later in the privacy of "my" room, I booted up the desktop computer. Time to do some research.
I spent hours poring over news articles, hero rankings, quirk registries. The more I learned, the more my excitement grew. This world was ripe with potential, just waiting to be exploited.
The hero system was laughably corrupt, built on a foundation of popularity contests and merchandising deals. Pro heroes jockeyed for ranking like preening peacocks, more concerned with their public image than actually protecting people.
And the villains? Most were small-time thugs, content with petty crimes and meaningless destruction. The few who showed real ambition were quickly crushed by the hero system, too unorganized and shortsighted to pose a real threat.
It was almost too easy. A world of children playing at cops and robbers, ripe for someone with real vision to step in and take control.
But I couldn't rush things. I needed to be smart, to play the long game. Build my reputation, gather allies and resources. And most importantly, acquire power.
I may not have a quirk now, but if All Might was to be believed, that could change very soon. The thought of wielding One For All, of bending its immense power to my will... it was intoxicating.
I created a new document, fingers flying across the keyboard as I outlined my plans. Physical training, yes, but also intensive study. Politics, economics, psychology. I needed to understand this world inside and out.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my plotting. "Izuku?" Mom's voice called. "It's getting late. You should get some sleep."
I glanced at the clock, surprised to see it was well past midnight. "Right, sorry Mom. I'll go to bed soon."
"Alright, dear. Goodnight!"
I waited until her footsteps faded, then turned back to the computer. Sleep could wait.
As I was about to resume my research, a faint blue glow caught my eye. I turned, heart racing, to see that same translucent screen hovering in mid-air.
[LOADING... 11.08%]
I stared at it, a mix of fascination and trepidation coursing through me. What was this? Some quirk I didn't know about? A sign that I was losing my grip on reality?
The screen flickered, then vanished as quickly as it had appeared. I blinked, rubbing my eyes. Maybe I did need sleep after all.
But as I climbed into bed, my mind refused to quiet. The image of that loading screen burned into my thoughts, a mystery begging to be solved.
Whatever it was, whatever it meant, I had a feeling it was going to change everything.
The shrill beep of my alarm jolted me awake at 4 AM. I blinked, disoriented, as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. A faint blue glow caught my attention, and I turned to see the now-familiar screen hovering in mid-air.
[LOADING... 99.98%]
I sat up, suddenly wide awake. This was new. I watched, barely breathing, as the numbers ticked upward.
99.99%... 100%
The screen flickered, then transformed into a detailed display:
{QUIRK EVOLUTION STATUS}
Current Adaptations:
. Enhanced Strength (Lv. 1)
. Accelerated Healing (Lv. 1)
Evolution Progress: 5%
Next Potential Adaptation: Unknown
"Enhanced strength, huh?" I muttered, focusing on the first listed adaptation.
Enhanced Strength (Lv. 1)
Description: Your strength is slightly above average human levels.
Current Capabilities:
Can lift up to 100 kg with moderate effort
Slight increase in overall physical performance
Limitations:
Minimal enhancement compared to specialized strength Quirks
Extended use may cause fatigue
Next Level Estimate: 150 kg lifting capacity
I absorbed the information, a slow smile spreading across my face. It wasn't much, not compared to the powerhouses I'd seen in this world. But it was a start. A foundation to build upon.
Curious, I focused on the second adaptation. The screen obliged:
Accelerated Healing (Lv. 1)
Description: Your body heals minor injuries at an accelerated rate.
Current Capabilities:
Minor cuts and bruises heal within hours instead of days
Slightly increased stamina and recovery from fatigue
Limitations:
Cannot regenerate lost limbs or heal major trauma
Healing rate is still much slower than specialized healing Quirks
Next Level Estimate: Ability to heal moderate injuries within a few days
I leaned back against the headboard. This really did change everything. No longer was I just playing the role of the plucky, quirkless underdog. Now I had real power, however small, to work with.
But questions nagged at me. Where had this quirk come from? Was it somehow related to my... displacement into this body? And what did that "Evolution Progress" mean?
I glanced at the clock. 4:15 AM. All Might was expecting me at Takoba Beach at 5:30. This new development complicated things. Should I tell him about this quirk? No, that would raise too many questions.
I slipped out of bed, moving quietly so as not to wake the woman who thought she was my mother. As I got dressed for my meeting with All Might, I considered my options.
I needed to test these new abilities, to understand their limits. But I also needed to maintain the facade of quirklessness, at least for now. It was a delicate balance, one that would require careful planning and execution.
As I left the apartment, All Might's offer of One For All now seemed almost redundant. Why settle for someone else's hand-me-down power when I was developing my own?
But no. That was short-sighted thinking. One For All was still a valuable prize, one that could catapult me to the very top of this world's power structure. And more importantly, accepting it would cement my place in All Might's inner circle.
I would play the role of the grateful, awestruck successor. All while nurturing my own growing power in secret.
A plan began to take shape in my mind as I made my way to Takoba Beach. A long game, intricate and multifaceted. Building strength, gathering allies, positioning myself at the center of this world's web of power and influence.
And when the time was right... well. This little society of heroes and villains wouldn't know what hit it.
I arrived at the beach, the pre-dawn air crisp and salty. The trash-strewn sand stretched out before me, a testament to society's neglect. How fitting that All Might would choose this place for our meeting.
As I waited for the Symbol of Peace to arrive, I flexed my hand experimentally. No visible change, no surge of power. But I knew it was there, lurking beneath the surface.
My secret weapon.