Chapter 39

With Bakugo unable to participate in the reward ceremony due to his injuries, Izuku and Todoroki were relatively alone as they stood atop their respective podiums, waiting for the hatch above to open up so they could be elevated into the arena.

Seeing Todoroki standing with his head hanging and shoulders slumped, the awkward tension became too much for Izuku to bear, compelling him to say, "Look, man...I hope there are no hard feelings between us. I know what I told you before wasn't exactly polite, but I was annoyed after your father paid a visit to my waiting room. I didn't have to say those things or embarrass you like that..."

Though Izuku didn't actually apologize, his words were enough to break Todoroki out of his brooding contemplation, an annoyed look marring his face as he looked up and asked, "He came to your waiting room? What did he say...?"

"Something I imagine you're pretty familiar with," replied Izuku. "He called me a stepping stone and went on about how it's your destiny to surpass All Might and become the No. 1 Hero. He also wanted me to pressure you into using your flames, even offering me a reward if I managed to do and chose his agency for my internship."

Furrowing his brows even deeper, Todoroki remarked, "That definitely sounds like him..." without asking how Izuku responded to his father's offer. After all, it was fairly obvious he hadn't accepted it.

Bringing their conversation to an abrupt end, one of the stagehands shouted for them to be careful and not lose their balance while the hatch above them opened, revealing the blue sky overhead.

"We'll talk later," said Izuku. "For now, even if you're not in the best state, you should raise your head and present yourself with dignity. Real Heroes aren't seen moping, at least not in front of the people they have a duty to protect..."

Setting the example, Izuku stood straighter, a confident smile developing across his face as he raised his chin slightly and puffed out his chest. He didn't actually care about taking First Place in the Sports Festival, but he could at least pretend to for the hundreds of students that would readily trade places with him.

Waiting for Izuku and Todoroki's podiums to reach the apex of their short journey, Midnight struck a cheerleader-like pose with her whip, shouting, "Let's all give a round of applause for our First and Third Place finishers, Izuku Midoriya and Shoto Todoroki from Class 1-A!"

With the crowd erupting in cheers, the smile on Izuku's face became a lot broader. Todoroki had a comparably deadpan look, but at least he wasn't moping about like before.

"Now, it's time to confer the medals~!" shouted Midnight. "And the one who will present the medals this year is naturally-"

Crashing down into the arena like a human meteor, Toshinori, in his All Might form, bellowed, "IT IS I, ALL MIGHT! AND I'M HERE WITH THE MEDALS!"

If the crowd was cheering before, they practically erupted when All Might appeared, wearing his Golden Age costume. Various news agencies and public figures had been speculating about his retirement since he became a teacher at UA, but he was still the No. 1 Hero. The reputation and status he had built over the past forty years echoed globally, but nowhere louder than the stadium he was currently standing in...

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After promising his classmates they would meet up the following day for a celebration, Izuku, once again, found himself in Principal Nezu's office. This time, it was only him, the Principal, and Toshinori present, the latter appearing a little choked up as he said, "I know I already said this, but I'm proud of what you've accomplished today, Midoriya. Not only did you take First Place, but you also did your best to inspire the other students. I have a few notes, but I couldn't have asked for a better result."

Nodding in agreement, Nezu added, "It really was a marvelous display of skill and control. Though, I am a little worried. With you awakening a Quirk associated with a past user of One-for-All, I fear your status as All Might's successor has been revealed. As such, there is something I would like to propose, an arrangement I believe you will be more than pleased to hear."

"If it's something arranged by the Principal, I have little doubt that will be the case," replied Izuku, fully trusting Nezu's foresight and judgment. The tiny cat-bear-mouse had been an influential and supportive ally to him, so much so that he had already set the incident with Detective Tsukauichi in the back of his mind.

Linking his paw-like fingers together, Nezu revealed, "As the inheritor of One-for-All, it isn't an overstatement to say you're this nation's hope. As your Principal, I have a duty to ensure you're able to realize your potential and complete your studies without fear of villainous retaliation. As such, I would like to invite you and your mother to live on the campus, far beyond the reach of normal villains."

As the safety of his mother was one of the things he was most concerned with, Izuku didn't hesitate to respond, "I couldn't ask for more. Thank you, Principal Nezu."

Though it was a little awkward since he was sitting down, Izuku lowered his head as steeply as possible. He had planned to make a similar request once the dorms were constructed, but this was much better. Now, even if the incident at the Summer Training Camp doesn't occur, he won't have to worry about returning home to find it ransacked and his mother missing...

"I cannot even begin to express how truly grateful I am..." added Izuku, a bit of his emotions leaking out as his throat tightened.

Adopting an appreciative smile, Nezu replied, "You are very welcome, Midoriya-kun. Truth be told, we completed these arrangements some time ago, but I wanted to save the revelation as a reward. You've worked very hard, so you certainly deserve one."

Raising his head, Izuku adopted a smile of his own. However, before he could say anything, Nezu added, "And that brings us to our next topic..."

With Nezu directing his gaze to Toshinori, Izuku did the same, his eyes becoming progressively wider as the lanky man revealed, "I've talked it over with the Principal, and we've decided to transfer ownership of some of my accounts over to you."

Nodding his head, Nezu's smile broadened as he appended, "I've been handling Toshinori-kun's finances for quite some time. When I proposed doing the same for you, he suggested transferring most of his assets to you. Now, you won't have to worry about your finances. Instead, I'd like you to focus on developing your Quirk and mastering the power of One-for-All. You're also free to invest time and energy into the production of Support items, but I believe you've already found someone more suited to that task. If not...well, Toshinori-kun and I have even more good news..."

With Nezu passing him the baton with his gaze, a glimmer of nostalgia reflected in Toshinori's blazing blue eyes as he revealed, "I'm sure you will receive one of your own in the coming days, but I received an invitation to attend this year's I-Island Expo from the daughter of my close friend. You probably know him as the man who served as my first-ever Sidekick, the brilliant inventor who went on to shake the world with his innovative spirit and passion for helping others, David Shield!"

Excited by the notion of meeting one of the world's most brilliant scientific minds, Izuku asked, "Are you suggesting I attend I-Expo as your guest? If so, I am more than happy to oblige."

Striking a pose that didn't suit his skeletal form, Toshinori waggled his index finger from side to side as he clarified, "While it's true I'm inviting you to attend the Expo, there is another reason I'm bringing you along. Dave's daughter, Melissa, is just as brilliant as her father. She also wishes to follow in Dave's footsteps, so, as my successor, I wanted to introduce you. The two of you are similar in age, so she would make a phenomenal Sidekick once you become a Pro."

As Melissa was nearly as famous as her father, holding the top ranking in I-Island Academy since her enrollment, Izuku was intimately familiar with her. She was Quirkless, but some of the patents she had filed looked like devices straight out of science fiction. Izuku had always wanted to meet her, but the prospect of teaming up with her was just...insane. It would be like having a female Tony Stark in his back pocket...

Too taken aback to offer a better thought-out response, Izuku replied, "I mean...I wouldn't be against the idea..."

Adopting a squinty-eyed smile and giving a thumbs-up, Toshinori left Izuku even more speechless by adding, "Lucky for you, she happens to be a very attractive young lady. With your shared interest in developing Support Items, you may be able to become more than Sidekicks. You're young, so now is the best time for such things. If you follow my example, you'll end up an old man without anyone to welcome you home."

"..."

Though he knew Toshinori was making a joke, it was impossible for Izuku to miss the loneliness in his eyes. He was certain that Toshinori had more than his fair share of women throwing themselves at him, but because of his dedication to duty and the burden thrust upon him as a Successor of One-for-All, he was presently 56, his body ruined, and no wife or kids to share his final years.

("Maybe when I rescue Eri, she can use her power to restore his body to its prime. After that...well, my mother is a very lonely woman...")

While the thought of calling Toshinori his father gave him goosebumps, the weary Hero had been more of a parent than his actual father. Izuku had never met the man, but the memories he inherited from Deku were all he needed to disdain him to his core. Compared to that paragon of human filth, Toshinori was a literal Saint.

Adopting a faint smile, Izuku surprised Toshinori by suggesting, "Since my Kaa-chan and I will be living on the campus, you're more than welcome to stop by for dinner. If you'd like, you can even live with us. After all, even if your power is diminishing, you're still All Might. I wouldn't have to worry if I knew someone like you was protecting her."

Believing Izuku was just being kind, a gratified smile developed across Toshinori's face as he replied, "I would be honored to join you for dinner sometime. However, I'll have to decline the offer to stay with you. Thank you, though. I am grateful knowing you were prepared to share your home with me."

Since he couldn't force the matter, and also because Toshinori currently looked like a skeleton, Izuku's expression softened as he replied, "If you ever change your mind, the offer stands. You granted me your power and have now vested me with tremendous wealth. I'm absolutely confident I could have succeeded on my own, but nearly everything I have right now was given to me by you, Toshinori-san. This might sound a little forward, but I sincerely regard you as my family. If not a father figure, then a very awesome Uncle."

Not expecting Izuku's words, Toshinori muttered, "Midoriya-kun..." as tears began to well in his eyes. Unfortunately, at that exact moment, the door to the Principal's office was kicked open, accompanied by a bronze-skinned, bunny-eared woman shouting, "How much longer are you going to make me wait!?"

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(A/N: Mirko be like, "I'm on the cover of the freakin' novel! Now is my time to shine! Also, enjoying the story and want to help me stay motivated? Consider becoming a patron!")