[37] Sins of the Father

"Midoriya."

I turned to see Todoroki standing there, his expression unreadable. He gestured with his head, a silent invitation.

"We need to talk."

I nodded, stepping away from my team. "Lead the way."

Momo's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Izuku, what about lunch?"

I gave Momo a reassuring smile. "Save me a plate? I won't be long."

With a final nod to my team, a silent promise to return soon, I turned and followed Todoroki off the field, towards the waiting shadows of the stadium tunnels.

[All Might's POV]

I sat in the teacher's booth, my eyes glued to the field below. The roar of the crowd was a distant hum, barely registering over the thoughts racing through my mind. I couldn't look away from the green-haired figure at the center of it all.

Izuku Midoriya. The kid I'd given my quirk to, the one I'd named my successor.

My mind drifted back to the opening ceremony, when Izuku gave the student pledge. I'd watched, holding my breath, as he faced the crowd, mic in hand.

And then, he started speaking. His voice rang out, strong and sure, filled with a conviction that caught me off guard. He talked about the challenges ahead, the hurdles they'd face. About the power of unity, of lifting each other up.

With every word, I felt a surge of pride. This was what I'd seen in Izuku from the start - not just potential, but a spark of something special. A light that could lead the way, that could push others to reach new heights.

Now, watching the kid lead his team in the cavalry battle, I saw that spark growing. Izuku moved with a new confidence, his eyes sharp. He navigated the battlefield like a pro, always a step ahead.

But it wasn't just physical skill. Izuku had grown as a leader. He guided his team with steady confidence, bringing out their best. Even when the odds were stacked against them, he didn't falter.

I leaned forward, gripping the arms of my chair as I watched the battle unfold. Todoroki and Bakugo, two of the strongest in the class, had their sights set on Izuku. I could see their drive to prove themselves against their biggest rival.

And then, it happened. In a split second, as Izuku reached for Todoroki's headbands, Todoroki unleashed his fire. The flames were brief but intense.

I sat up straighter, eyes wide. I knew about Todoroki's refusal to use his fire, had heard rumors about his tough past and strained relationship with his dad. But to see him break that vow, to tap into his full potential...

It was a moment of major change, of a long-held belief crumbling in the face of a bigger truth. And at the center of it all, the catalyst for this shift, was Izuku.

I felt a grin tug at my lips, even as worry knotted my gut. Todoroki using his fire was a double-edged sword - a sign of growth, but also a source of clear tension. The kid seemed shaken, his focus thrown by the weight of what he'd done.

I made a mental note to find Endeavor after this round, to have a long-overdue talk about the cost of ambition and what being a hero really means. Todoroki deserved more than being a weapon made for one purpose. He deserved to choose his own path, to become a hero his own way.

After Present Mic called for an hour break, I found Endeavor in a private viewing box, his gaze fixed on the field below. The flickering light of the screens cast harsh shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his features.

"Endeavor," I said, stepping into the room. "Got a minute?"

He didn't look at me, his eyes never leaving the screens. "Make it quick, All Might. I'm busy."

I moved to stand beside him, my own gaze drawn to the replay of Todoroki's fire burst. "Quite the display down there. Your boy's got some serious power."

Endeavor grunted, a sound that could have been acknowledgment or dismissal. "He's finally starting to understand what's expected of him."

I glanced at him sidelong. "Expectations can be a heavy burden for a kid."

His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in his cheek. "The path to greatness is never easy. Sacrifices have to be made."

"True enough," I conceded. "But there's a difference between pushing yourself and being pushed too far."

Endeavor's hands clenched, his knuckles whitening. "I know my son's limits. And I know what it takes to surpass them."

I sighed, feeling the weight of the words unsaid hanging between us. "Just remember, Endeavor. There's more to being a hero than raw power. The heart, the spirit... that's what makes a true legend."

He scoffed. "Spare me the lecture, All Might. I know what I'm doing."

I nodded, hearing the finality in his tone. "I'm sure you do. But sometimes, it's not about what we're doing. It's about why we're doing it."

Endeavor said nothing, his eyes still fixed on the screen. But I could see the tension in his frame, the rigid set of his shoulders.

I turned to leave, pausing at the door. "Your boy's got a fire in him, Endeavor. In more ways than one. Make sure you're nurturing that flame... not smothering it."

And with that, I left, the sound of the door clicking shut behind me like a punctuation mark on a conversation that felt unfinished.

As I walked away, my mind churned with the implications of what had been said... and more importantly, what hadn't. Endeavor's ambition, his unyielding drive to surpass me, to claim the title of Number One... it cast a long shadow, one that threatened to engulf everything in its path.

Including his own son.

[Izuku Midoriya's POV]

I followed Todoroki through the stadium's corridors, our footsteps echoing in the silence. He stopped abruptly, turning to face me with an intensity that would have unnerved most people.

"Midoriya," he said, his voice flat. "I think it's time we talked."

I kept my expression neutral, curious about what he'd reveal. "What's on your mind, Todoroki?"

He paused, his heterochromatic eyes searching mine. "You know about my father. About his ambition, his obsession with surpassing All Might."

I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. Endeavor's relentless pursuit of the top spot was common knowledge, but I sensed there was more to this story.

"What you don't know," Todoroki continued, his jaw clenching, "is the lengths he's willing to go to achieve that goal. The things he's done, the lives he's destroyed..."

His voice trailed off, and I saw an opportunity. I softened my expression, adopting a concerned look. "Todoroki, whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here to listen."

He blinked, refocusing on me. For a split second, I caught a glimpse of vulnerability before it vanished behind his usual stoic mask.

"My father... he's not a hero. He's a monster." The words were flat, but I could sense the years of pain behind them. "He didn't marry my mother for love. He chose her for her quirk, for the potential it held. And when I was born, when he saw the power I had inherited... I became his project. His masterpiece."

I listened intently, filing away every detail.

"He pushed me beyond my limits, subjected me to training that would break most grown men. All in the name of creating a hero to surpass All Might, to claim the spot of Number One that he could never reach."

"Todoroki, I'm so sorry. No one should have to go through that, especially not a child."

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry. It made me strong. It made me resilient. And it made me determined to become the best, to prove that I don't need his power, his influence, to reach the top."

His gaze intensified. "That's where you come in, Midoriya. You're my measuring stick, my benchmark. If I can surpass you, if I can beat you using only my mother's quirk... then I'll know I'm ready. Ready to show him that I'm more than just his creation, his tool."

So Todoroki saw me as a worthy opponent, a true rival. But his refusal to use his fire quirk was a weakness I could not have if he were to be on my side.

"Todoroki," I said carefully, "I understand your determination, your need to prove yourself. But your fire... it's a part of you. Denying it, rejecting it... isn't that letting your father win? Letting him control you even now?"

His eyes flashed with anger. "You don't understand, Midoriya. You can't. This fire... it's his. It's always been his. And I won't let him have that hold over me, that power to shape my destiny."

I met his gaze, keeping my voice calm. "But it's not his fire, Todoroki. It's yours. Your power, your choice. And choosing to embrace it, to make it your own... that's not letting him win. That's taking back control, claiming your birthright on your own terms."

He stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Maybe you're right, Midoriya. Maybe there's more than one way to defy him, to break free of his shadow." He took a deep breath. "But that doesn't change my goal. I will beat you, Midoriya. I will claim the top spot, without my fire."

I grinned, genuinely excited by the challenge. "And I'll be waiting for you, Todoroki. Ready to give it my all, to push myself to the limit and beyond. Because that's what rivals do. That's what friends do."

Something shifted in his eyes at that last word. "Friends, huh?" he mused, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "I guess we'll see about that, Midoriya. I guess we'll see."

He turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the corridor. I watched him go, my mind already spinning with new strategies and possibilities.

Todoroki's revelation about his father was a goldmine of information. It explained his reluctance to use his fire quirk and provided insight into his motivations. I could use this knowledge to push him, to manipulate him into embracing his full power when it suited my needs.

But there was more to consider. Todoroki's story hinted at deeper issues within the hero system. A top-ranked hero abusing his family, using his own children as tools for his ambition... it was exactly the kind of corruption I aimed to expose and eliminate.

I started walking back towards the stadium, my steps measured and purposeful. Todoroki had unwittingly given me ammunition, not just against him, but potentially against the entire hero establishment. If I could gather more evidence, if I could find a way to bring Endeavor's actions to light...

It could be the catalyst I needed to start reshaping hero society from the ground up.

But I had to be careful. Move too quickly, and I'd risk exposing myself before I was ready. No, this would require a delicate touch, a long-term strategy.

For now, I'd focus on the Sports Festival. I'd give Todoroki the rival he needed, the challenge he craved. I'd push him to his limits, force him to confront the truth about his quirk and his father.

And in doing so, I'd cement my own position as a rising star, a beacon of hope and strength for my classmates and the public.

I emerged from the tunnel, blinking in the bright sunlight of the stadium. My classmates were gathered near our team's rest area, chatting and preparing for the next event. Uraraka spotted me first, waving enthusiastically.

"Deku! There you are! We were starting to worry."

I smiled, the picture of friendly concern. "Sorry about that. Had to deal with something real quick."

As I took my seat next to Momo, Midnight stood on the stage, her presence commanding and magnetic.

"Welcome back, everyone!" she called. "I hope you're all rested and ready because it's time for the main event - the tournament!"

The screens behind her burst to life and I scanned the brackets, my eyes landing on the matchup I had been anticipating.

Izuku Midoriya vs. Hitoshi Shinso.

A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of surprise and intrigue. Shinso, the dark horse from the general studies course.

My gaze drifted to the other matchups, each one a promise of fierce battles and incredible displays of skill. But one in particular caught my eye.

Shoto Todoroki vs. Hanta Sero.

Looks like if Todoroki and I both won our first matches, we would face each other in the second round.

Midnight's voice cut through my musings, drawing my attention back to the stage. "Now, before we begin, there are a few announcements to make. Firstly, two of our competitors have chosen to withdraw from the tournament."

Withdraw? Before the battles had even begun?

Midnight gestured to the side of the stage, where Ojiro and another student I recognized from the cavalry battle stood. They stepped forward, their expressions solemn and resolute.

"Ojiro, Shoda," Midnight said. "Would you care to explain your decision to your fellow competitors?"

Ojiro nodded, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students. "During the cavalry battle, I..." He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I don't remember what happened. It's like there's a blank spot in my memory. And if I can't recall how I got here, if I didn't earn my place through my own skills and efforts... then I don't deserve to be standing on this stage."

Shoda stepped forward, his expression mirroring Ojiro's. "I feel the same. It wouldn't be right for me to continue, knowing that I didn't make it here on my own merits."

Midnight smiled, a rare softness in her expression. "Ojiro, Shoda... your honesty and principled stance are truly admirable. You embody the true spirit of heroism, and for that, we applaud you."

The crowd erupted into cheers, a thunderous ovation that seemed to shake the very foundations of the stadium. Ojiro and Shoda bowed, their faces flushed with a mix of embarrassment and pride.

"In light of this development," Midnight continued, "we have two openings in the bracket. And I am pleased to announce that Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki from Class 1-B have been selected to fill those spots!"

Another cheer went up, this time from the 1-B section of the stands. I caught a glimpse of Tetsutetsu pumping his fist in the air, his face split by a fierce grin. Shiozaki, by contrast, merely inclined her head, a serene smile on her face.

As the cheers died down, Midnight's expression turned serious. "Now, let's review the rules of the tournament. Each match will be a one-on-one battle, with the winner advancing to the next round. You can win by immobilizing your opponent, forcing them out of bounds, or getting them to say 'I give up'. However..." Her grin turned wicked. "We want to see some flashy battles, so don't be afraid to go all out! Recovery Girl is on standby, so give it your all!"

The one-on-one battles would be the perfect opportunity to showcase my skills, to prove to everyone watching that I was a force to be reckoned with.

But I had to be careful. I couldn't reveal everything. Not yet. There were too many eyes on us, and not all of them friendly.

"Hey, Izuku!" Mina's voice cut through my thoughts. "You ready for the next round?"

I smiled, the picture of friendly confidence. "As ready as I'll ever be. How about you?"

She pumped her fist in the air. "I'm gonna give it my all!"

"That's the spirit," I said, patting her shoulder. "We've all worked hard to get here. Now it's time to show what we can do."

I knew I could beat all of them. The question was, how much should I reveal?

As I made my way to the arena, Ojiro caught my arm. "Be careful, Midoriya," he warned. "Shinso's quirk-"

I cut him off with a reassuring nod. "I know. Thanks for the heads up."