Chapter 18: The World Holds Its Breath

The Symbol Falls, Yet Stands Tall

The deafening roar of All Might's final attack, United States of Smash, had faded into an eerie silence. Dust and debris settled over the ocean as the last remnants of the island—save for a small patch of scorched land—were obliterated.

The world watched in stunned silence as the camera feed zoomed in on the lone figure still standing. All Might, his tattered cape fluttering weakly, stood tall amid the destruction. His once-pristine hero costume was in shreds, revealing bruises, cuts, and dirt-streaked skin.

Then, something even more shocking happened.

All Might's form shimmered, his massive, muscular frame shrinking down. The proud, towering figure of the Symbol of Peace was replaced by a lean, tall man with wild blond hair, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes. His tattered shirt clung to his body, revealing chiseled abs and lean muscle that left no doubt of his physical prowess even in this state.

For a moment, the world stood still. The broadcast continued uninterrupted, and the image of All Might in this unfamiliar form flashed across every screen.

"What... what just happened?" a commentator whispered, his voice quaking.

The World Reacts

The internet exploded with theories and reactions:

"Does All Might have a transformation quirk?!"

"He shrank... but he's hot?!"

Is this why he's always smiling? To hide how exhausted he must be?"

Across the globe, women blushed and shared clips of All Might's civilian form, praising his rugged good looks. Hashtags like #HotMight, #RealMight, and #TransformationMight trended almost instantly.

In Japan, the moment was even more profound. Many had seen All Might as a near-mythical figure, his muscular form synonymous with invincibility. Seeing him now, human and vulnerable, only deepened their respect for him.

Rescue and Relief

The helicopters carrying Lady Nagant, Endeavor, and the other heroes hovered above the small patch of land. The space wasn't enough for even a single helicopter to land safely, so they remained in the air.

Lady Nagant leaned out of her helicopter, her sniper rifle now resting against the seat behind her. Her eyes softened as she took in All Might's civilian form. She had seen it before, but seeing him like this after such a grueling battle brought a pang of worry to her chest.

"Toshinori!" she shouted, extending her hand.

All Might looked up at her, his face pale and his movements sluggish. With a weary but grateful smile, he reached up and grabbed her hand. Using her strength, she pulled him into the helicopter.

Once inside, All Might looked at Nagant, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is it over?"

Lady Nagant smiled, her usual stern expression melting into something softer. "Yes, Toshinori. It's over."

With those words, the tension that had kept All Might standing finally released. His body gave in to the exhaustion, and he collapsed into Lady Nagant's arms.

She held him carefully, her arms supporting his weight as she whispered, "You've done enough. Rest now."

The helicopters turned back toward Japan, carrying the heroes—and their exhausted leader—home.

The Morning After: A World in Uproar

The next morning, the world was a storm of emotion and discussion. The events of the previous day had left an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed them.

HPSC Corruption: Leaked evidence of the HPSC's misdeeds dominated the headlines. Public outrage was palpable, with protests erupting in front of HPSC buildings across the country.

The Nomus: Videos of the terrifying creatures wreaking havoc flooded social media, sparking debates about their origins and the morality of their creation.

All Might's Power: The sheer scale of All Might's final attack was incomprehensible. Scientists speculated on the seismic activity it caused, while fans marveled at how one man could possess such strength.

Transformation Quirk: The revelation of All Might's apparent transformation quirk became the talk of the town. While some focused on its implications, others couldn't get over how handsome he looked in his civilian form.

The hashtag #IWasRight trended alongside #AllMightPreparesForWar, with smug commenters pointing out they had always believed All Might was gearing up for a massive battle.

All Might's Recovery

All Might was admitted to a top hospital in Tokyo, his body battered but intact. Unlike in the original timeline, the injuries he sustained weren't devastating, but they left scars that would stay with him forever—a testament to the battle he had fought.

Heroes visited him throughout the day. Even Endeavor stopped by, though he didn't say much. He simply nodded at All Might, his respect evident in the gesture.

Lady Nagant, Gran Torino, and Sir Nighteye, however, refused to leave his side. They took turns keeping watch over him, ensuring he had everything he needed.

A Visit from Family

Nana Shimura's family arrived at the hospital later that afternoon. Kotaro, Nao, Tenko, Hana, and the grandparents walked into the room quietly, their expressions a mix of gratitude and relief.

Kotaro approached Gran Torino, his hands in his pockets. "I guess it's over," he said softly.

Gran Torino nodded, his gaze distant. "Yes, it is."

Kotaro hesitated before continuing. "We've been talking, and we think it's time to go back home. We appreciate everything you've done for us, but... we need to face our past."

Gran Torino studied him, his expression understanding. "Are you sure?"

Kotaro nodded. "Yeah."

Nearby, Tenko and Hana overheard the conversation. Their faces fell, their small shoulders slumping.

"Will Uncle Might visit us?" Tenko asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before anyone could respond, a groan came from the hospital bed. All Might, in his civilian form, pushed himself up with a grin.

"Of course I'll visit you guys," he said, his voice warm despite his exhaustion.

The room went silent as everyone turned to him in surprise.

"Uncle Might!" Tenko and Hana shouted, running to his bedside. They wrapped their arms around him, their earlier sadness forgotten.

All Might laughed, ruffling their hair. "You two are my little heroes. I wouldn't miss seeing you for anything."

The adults smiled at the scene, the warmth in the room chasing away any lingering tension.

A Moment of Reflection

After a few minutes, All Might leaned back, his grin fading slightly. "Even though All For One is gone, there's still a lot of work to do. The HPSC needs to be rebuilt, and we have to address the issues that led to all this in the first place."

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, attempting to stand. "I can't just lie here when there's—"

A firm hand pushed him back onto the bed.

"You will rest," Lady Nagant said, her tone leaving no room for argument. She was seated beside him, her arms crossed and her gaze stern.

All Might blinked up at her, confused. "But—"

"No buts," she said sharply. "You've done more than enough. Let us handle things for now."

All Might pouted, crossing his arms. "Fine," he muttered, leaning back against the pillows.

The room burst into laughter at his childish expression.

Gran Torino smirked, leaning on his cane. "Toshinori, your girlfriend is quite the fierce one."

Both Lady Nagant and All Might froze, their faces turning bright red.

"It's nothing like that!" they shouted in unison, their voices overlapping.

But as their eyes met, something unspoken passed between them. Both quickly looked away, their embarrassment palpable.

Quiet Realizations

As the room's atmosphere grew lighter, Lady Nagant found herself lost in thought. Watching All Might interact so naturally with those around him, she felt a warmth she hadn't experienced in years.

Maybe it's time I moved on from my past, she thought, her heart softening. The battle had shown her just how deeply she cared for him.

All Might, too, was reflective. The way Lady Nagant had supported him throughout the ordeal, her unwavering presence and concern, had touched him deeply.

For both, the battle against All For One had done more than secure peace—it had opened their hearts to new possibilities.

The chapter ended with Lady Nagant and All Might stealing glances at each other, both beginning to understand the depth of their feelings. The fight was over, but their story was far from finished.