Chapter 4: Shadows in the Light

All Might moved through the bustling streets, the sun casting long shadows as it began its descent. His patrol had been eventful, filled with the usual chaos of villain activity and civilian rescues, yet his thoughts were elsewhere. Despite the hustle around him, his instincts hummed with an odd alertness.

He was being watched.

The feeling wasn't entirely new; in his previous life, he'd experienced unease before, but never this vividly. His new body's heightened senses felt like an alarm system, sharp and reliable. He hadn't noticed it immediately, too preoccupied with clearing immediate threats. Most of the fights had been won by muscle memory alone, a strange phenomenon that left him feeling both grateful and unsettled.

Once the immediate danger was cleared, his focus turned to the watcher. It didn't take long to locate them. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure perched on a distant rooftop, moving with careful precision. Their posture was stealthy, their gaze fixed on him.

Who could it be? he wondered. The possibilities were few, but his mind immediately latched onto one: All For One. If the villain had caught wind of his altered demeanor, it made sense he'd send a lackey to observe.

You made a mistake, All For One, All Might thought grimly, his expression hardening. He wasn't about to show mercy.

Lady Nagant's Perspective

From her vantage point, Lady Nagant tracked All Might's every move. Her rifle, though holstered, felt heavy at her side—a constant reminder of the potential danger she faced. She had underestimated the Symbol of Peace. Observing him up close was vastly different from seeing him through reports or broadcasts. His speed, power, and sheer presence were overwhelming.

Her heart raced as she noticed something odd: All Might had stopped moving. He stood still in the middle of the street, his head tilting slightly as if he were listening for something. Her breath hitched.

Can he sense me?

Before she could process the thought, he vanished.

Lady Nagant blinked, her body stiffening as panic surged through her. He hadn't teleported—no, this was pure speed. One moment he was there, the next, gone, leaving nothing but a gust of wind in his wake. Her eyes darted around wildly, searching for him.

A shadow loomed over her. She turned sharply, her instincts screaming too late, and froze.

All Might stood behind her, his frown casting a shadow darker than his towering form. His hand shot out and gripped her neck, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

All Might's Perspective

All Might's initial instinct was ruthlessness. His grip was firm, his expression cold. He'd dealt with enough villains today to know how to make them regret crossing him, and this supposed spy for All For One was no exception.

But as he lifted the figure into the air, their identity hit him like a truck. Lady Nagant.

His mind raced, piecing together what he knew about her from the show. She wasn't a lackey of All For One—not yet. Her path to villainy came later, born from years of manipulation by the HPSC. She was a victim of their corruption, her teenage ideals twisted into tools for carrying out their dirtiest jobs.

Immediately, his grip loosened. He dropped her, feigning shock. "Lady Nagant?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and confusion.

Lady Nagant fell to the ground, coughing and clutching her neck as she struggled to regain her breath. She looked up at him, her gaze wary and calculating. This wasn't how she'd imagined her first encounter with All Might would go. She had seen him from afar, always smiling, always larger than life. But this All Might... his frown was unrelenting, and his presence suffocating.

"Why were you following me?" he demanded, his voice sharp and commanding.

Lady Nagant hesitated, her mind racing for an answer. She couldn't tell him the truth—that she was sent by the HPSC to monitor his behavior. Instead, she crafted a quick excuse. "Oh! I was just... worried about you," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "You've had a sudden change in attitude, and I didn't know how to approach you."

All Might stared at her, his piercing gaze making her feel small. For a moment, she thought he might see right through her lie. "Oh," he said finally, his tone unreadable.

Nagant's nerves were on edge. She had never been this close to All Might before, and she found it unnerving. The man she had admired in her youth—the symbol of peace who inspired nations—was nothing like this somber figure before her. She couldn't tell if it was disappointment or fear that made her uneasy.

Taking a deep breath, she asked tentatively, "If you don't mind me asking... what happened to you?"

All Might said nothing. Instead, he turned and leapt away, vanishing into the horizon as if the question had never been asked.

Nagant stared after him, equal parts embarrassed and frustrated. He hadn't even acknowledged her question. How am I supposed to monitor someone who moves like that? she thought, clenching her fists. Her respect for his strength was undeniable, but the realization that her task might be impossible loomed heavily over her.

All Might's Perspective

All Might continued his patrol, his thoughts lingering on Lady Nagant. It was clear now that the HPSC had sent her to monitor him, likely unnerved by his recent shift in behavior. He knew her story well—how the HPSC had manipulated her into believing that her bloody work was necessary for peace. Her disillusionment had led her to kill their president, an act that would ultimately label her a villain.

He shook his head. She's another one who needs saving. His mission wasn't just about defeating All For One anymore. It was about sparing the tragic characters of this world from their fates.

As the day wore on, he continued his hero work with a renewed focus. Each villain he faced went down with a single punch, even at just 10% of One For All's power. He had learned to tone it down after the destruction he had caused using 20%, and while it required more precision, the results were still overwhelming.

For the civilians he rescued, he made a conscious effort to smile, but it never felt right. The awkward, forced grins did little to inspire confidence, and he could see the uncertainty in their eyes. Still, he pushed through, knowing that even an ungenuine smile was better than none at all.

By sunset, he was drained. The physical effort of hero work was nothing compared to the emotional toll of maintaining appearances. He returned to Might Tower, collapsing onto his bed as exhaustion seeped into his bones.

Lady Nagant lingered in his thoughts. He could see the storm brewing within her, the conflict she tried to hide. The HPSC had done its damage, and All Might knew the path she was on would eventually lead to tragedy. But there was no reason it had to happen—not if he could stop it.

The Call

The room was dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of the city skyline through the massive windows. All Might reached for his communicator and dialed Sir Nighteye.

The call connected with a soft beep. "Yes, sir?" came Nighteye's voice, calm and professional.

"I need you to find my master Nana's family," All Might said, his tone resolute.

There was a pause on the other end. "Her family?" Nighteye repeated, surprised. "Why now?"

"Just do it," All Might replied, his voice carrying a weight that left no room for argument.

"Understood," Nighteye said finally, and the line went dead.

All Might stared at the device in his hand, his mind swirling with plans and possibilities. The fight against All For One would require more than brute strength. If he was to change this world—not just survive in it—he needed to mend the broken pieces it left behind.

The chapter ended with All Might staring out the window, the city stretching endlessly before him, as the weight of his mission bore down on his shoulders.