Chapter 10: Echoes of Change

All Might's Patrol

The sun shone brightly over the bustling city as All Might soared between buildings, his larger-than-life figure casting shadows over the streets below. Villains scattered like leaves in the wind at the mere sight of him, knowing they had no chance against the Symbol of Peace.

He landed in front of a small-time villain causing a ruckus in a busy street, the criminal holding a bag of stolen goods and trembling. All Might's presence alone was enough to sap the fight out of the man. Still, when the villain tried to flee, a single punch from All Might sent him flying into a pile of trash bags.

The fight was over before it began.

As All Might watched the police apprehend the villain, he felt a pang of familiarity. Another fight resolved in a single punch. Is this what Saitama meant? he thought, recalling the bald hero from another universe.

He chuckled to himself briefly but was interrupted by a shout from behind.

"All Might!"

Turning around, he saw a young hero jogging toward him. The figure wasn't familiar to him, leading All Might to deduce that this was likely a lower-ranked hero.

"Yeah?" All Might replied, his tone steady but curious.

Now face-to-face with his idol, the young hero hesitated, nervousness evident in his posture. He stammered for a moment before taking a deep breath. "All Might, after your press conference... the HPSC has been on our cases. We weaker heroes have had more restrictions imposed on us, and honestly... I don't know how to deal with it. I wanted to seek your advice."

All Might's expression softened. He placed a reassuring hand on the hero's shoulder. "I won't lie to you and say everything will be fine. The road ahead won't be easy, but I need you to stay strong. Wait for me. I'll give it my all to fix these flaws in our society."

The young hero's face lit up with hope. "Thank you, All Might," he said, bowing slightly before walking away, a newfound determination in his step.

As All Might watched him go, his thoughts grew heavy. So, they've already started moving against me, he mused. The HPSC's pushback was expected, but it added another layer of complexity to an already monumental struggle.

"All For One, the HPSC, and society's broken foundation," All Might muttered under his breath. "I just hope Nighteye finds something soon—whether it's on All For One or the HPSC. Those two are the pillars that hold up the biggest problems in this world."

His gaze shifted to the horizon, his resolve hardening. "And then there's the villains. Products of the very system we're trying to protect."

The Shimura Family

Inside their luxurious room at Might Tower, the Shimura family was gathered on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The TV flickered in front of them, its glow casting a warm light over the room.

Hana and Tenko sat close to their parents, their grandparents Chizuo and Mako beside them. Laughter occasionally broke out as they watched a lighthearted variety show, the oppressive aura that once hung over their home now replaced by genuine happiness.

For Tenko, it was a moment of pure bliss. As he leaned against his father, his thoughts were filled with one person: Uncle Might.

He's so cool. I want to be a great hero just like him, Tenko thought, his heart swelling with pride and admiration. All Might had seemingly fixed all his problems—his father now supported his dream, the family was safe, and the oppressive weight of their past had lifted.

Meanwhile, Tenko's training was progressing rapidly. In a quiet corner of the room, his gloves lay neatly folded—a symbol of his determination to master his quirk. He had learned to control Decay with surprising precision, able to alter its speed from a slow disintegration to an instant obliteration.

But there was something different about his quirk compared to what All Might had expected. It was unnaturally strong, far beyond what it should have been for a young boy. All Might suspected All For One had tampered with Tenko's power, giving him additional quirks to amplify his Decay. Though the extra quirks had likely been removed after the "job" was done, the residual enhancement remained.

All For One's Lair

Far underground, in a hidden lair, All For One reclined on a grand leather couch, his sharp suit spotless despite the dimly lit room. Behind him stood Dr. Garaki, his hunched figure illuminated by the glow of a large monitor.

The screen played All Might's press conference on a loop, the Symbol of Peace's serious demeanor and bold statements drawing a smirk from the villain.

"Honestly, it's surprising," All For One mused, his deep voice carrying an edge of amusement. "That numb-skulled idiot not only realized the problems with his side but actually addressed them."

Garaki adjusted his glasses, a hint of unease in his expression. "It's dangerous for us, though. His words could destabilize the public's trust in hero society. Perhaps we should use this to our advantage—stir panic in the streets, turn his words into chaos."

All For One waved a hand dismissively, his smirk widening. "All in due time, doctor. For now, we wait. Let the hero society fester in its own rot. When the time is right, we'll strike, and the scene will be devastating."

He turned his gaze toward Garaki. "Tell me, how much progress have you made on the creatures?"

Garaki hesitated, but only briefly. "They're not perfect yet, but they're advancing steadily. When complete, they will be stronger than any hero—except for All Might himself."

"Good," All For One said, his tone chilling. "Continue refining them. I want them to be ready when the time comes."

The screen replayed All Might's press conference yet again, but All For One's focus had shifted. He stared at the image of the hero, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "Play your games, All Might. For now, we'll play the waiting game. But when I make my move... the city will burn."

A low chuckle echoed through the chamber, growing darker and more menacing as it reverberated against the cold walls.

The chapter ended with a juxtaposition of hope and dread—Tenko's newfound joy and All For One's brewing chaos—setting the stage for the battles yet to come.