[With this chapter we come ever closer to finally finishing this ARC, and honestly, I feel that is really needed to get this book back in a good vibe. Not only overall, but with me. Even so, I'm excited for what I have to bring with the rematch with Stain and the reader along with a few other moments and surprises I have planned. And hopefully, such things like that can also get you all excited for what is to come. I just gotta keep pushing with things and hope in the long-run we get to a better stage for all things to come together in a way where it feels truly worth it, and enjoyable. This is just another step in that direction, so come along with me as we take that step to another chapter of action!]

[TO MAKE UP FOR THE WAIT I'VE GIVEN YOU ALL A 16K WORD CHAPTER TODAY! I hope you enjoy!]
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[3rd Person POV]

--Thirteen Years Ago--

The sound of birds chirping and the distant voices of children filled the air around a small park somewhere in Tokyo. There was so much joy and peace to be seen, some would have thought this moment was pulled right out of the start of a movie. You know, before the chaos happens. But just like those movies, there are central figures that drive the story forward. And for one young boy with blue hair and glasses, he was one of those figures. This, of course, was none other than Five-Year-Old Tenya Iida, who currently found himself sitting at a bench in the busy park with a smile on his face as he happily licked away at an ice cream his brother had bought for him.

"Are you enjoying your ice cream, Iida?"

It was the very voice of his older brother that spoke, immediately pulling Iida away from the joys of the delicious cold treat to look up at the older boy seated beside him. Tensei Iida, a mere seventeen-year-old boy at this stage, couldn't help but smile down at his little brother as Iida's joyous gaze turned to him. That alone answered his previous question.

Tensei: "Haha! I'm glad!"

Truly, he was. For in just a few short months, Tensei wouldn't be able to spend as much time with his brother as he had previously. All due to the fact that as soon as he turned eighteen, he'd be entering his first year at U.A. Academy! The most acclaimed school for making future Pro Heroes. And just like his parents, Tensei wanted to be a hero, unlike any other. 

It was this love of heroes, however, that also travelled into the genes of his younger brother, Iida. The young five-year-old casually licking away at the Ice Cream in hand as he looked around at the other kids playing together. But as he focused in on a few kids running around whilst holding action figures of All Might and Endeavor, it got Iida wondering something.

Iida: "Tensei? Whose you're favourite hero?!"

Tensei: "Hmm? Who's my favourite hero? Oh, well, um...Let's see..."

Tensei was in the process of thinking up an answer. As he did, he proceeded to aimlessly look around at the world before him. Not really for a particular reason, he just happened to do so as he thought about it. However, it was due to this that he got his answer. An answer that came about when he spotted a Police Officer in the distance holding the hand of a crying little boy. The crying suddenly came to a stop, however, when the little boy spotted his worried mother in the distance. Whatever time it took for the pair to quickly embrace one another seemed nonexistent. But for Tensei, it was more than enough to bring forth his answer.

Tensei: "My favourite hero... Is the people who find a lost child, and do anything it takes to return them back to their family."

Iida: "Huh? Really?"

Tensei: [Smiles at Iida] "...I've always thought those people were the coolest heroes!"

At that moment in time, the young Iida could only look up at his brother in confusion. But even though he didn't fully understand it, he couldn't help but smile at the choice. And as both grew older in age, and understanding, Iida's opinion on Tensei's choice only grew more and more with each news article and story in the paper he saw about how his older brother, the hero known as 'Ingenium' saved the day once again. But it was all these times Iida felt an overwhelming feeling of joy and love for his brother that made this current moment even more depressing...

--Thirteen Years Later | Shinkensan City District Hospital--

...As he sat in silence and watched on at the still, and barely alive, figure of his older brother. The hero he looked up to all his life...

Iida: "...Tensei..."

The sound of equipment beeping in turn with a heart rate monitor filled the small room within the white walls of the Shinkensan City District Hospital. It was within this room, that the heavily bandaged body of Tensei Iida, also known as the hero, 'Ingenium', could be seen forced to a hospital bed. The weakened male, left almost lifeless in his current state, could not even gather the strength to open his eyes. 

Such a sight was haunting and daunting for Tensei's younger brother, Tenya Iida, who currently found himself sitting next to the bed of his beaten brother. Left in this state by the Hero Killer: Stain. But right now, Iida only had thoughts of his brother. So much anger and sorrow went through the young student's mind right now that he barely could hear the fragile voice of his brother speak to him. It was only on the third go of Tensei saying Iida's name did the young boy finally lifted his head.

"Tenya..."

Iida: "Huh? Yes...?"

 Tensei: "I wasn't sure if I wanted to say anything last time you came here, but... I don't have any feeling in my legs."

Iida: "W-What? That...That can't be true... Right?"

Tensei: "I'm--" [Coughs] "--I'm afraid so... Which means the Hero, Ingenium, will probably end here today."

Iida didn't even think before he jumped to his feet, now standing on the very edge of Tensei's hospital bed.

Iida: "No! You still have so many people to save! So many sidekicks to lead!"

Tensei: "I'm sorry..."

Iida: "N-No. Don't be sorry! I...I don't this!" [Shakes Head] "There has to be something that can be done!"

Tensei: "...I don't like this either. That's why..."

Iida: "Huh?"

Immediately, his head stopped shaking as he focused in on his brother's face, to see him barely open an eye.

Tensei: "I-If you're up for it..."

"...Will you take up my hero name?"

--A Few Hours Later--

The voice of his injured brother was still heavily imprinted on Iida's mind, even hours later, when he found himself standing in the locker room of the building where his Hero Mentor was stationed in Hosu City District. Yet, despite the obvious signs that now definitely didn't seem to be the right time to be doing a hero training course for school after his brother was attacked and almost killed, Iida knew he didn't have a choice. 

Not deep down. But as he stood alone in this locker room, looking down at his hero helmet, one modeled in a similar style to that of his brother's own, he couldn't help but feel the memories of earlier that day flood his mind. But with it came so much sorrow, so much anger. Anger that was begging to be released. But in the end, all he could do was drop his head as a weak sigh escaped his lips.

Iida: [Sighs] "Why did this happen to me? This... This isn't fair. I-I don't deserve to be called 'Ingenium'. You're Ingenium..."

The lifeless eyes of his helmet did a good job of reflecting Iida's face right now. But in the young boy's eyes, he wasn't looking at himself, he was looking at his brother. Unfortunately, that only added to the anger and the sorrow. But it also reminded Iida of something else that happened earlier this very day, and that was when he had an unsuspected run-in with his classmate and friend, (Y/n) Midoriya. But right now, Iida wasn't even sure if (Y/n) was his friend anymore. Especially after how Iida treated him earlier. Iida knew he shouldn't have yelled, and pushed (Y/n) like he did. 

But he was so angry, and the fact that (Y/n) was telling him not to go after the person who hurt his brother only added to the angry fire inside. It was because of this unwavering feeling inside that Iida couldn't find it in himself to call (Y/n) and apologise for what he did. Instead, he just kept it all to himself. He'd apologise when all of this was over. After he found Stain. Because in the end, either Iida would come out on top, and apologise to (Y/n) in person, or he'd get just judgment for the terrible treatment he gave. Either way, his grief was going to come to an end one way or another.

"Hey, Iida, you in here?"

Iida: "H-Huh?"

Immediately Iida lifted his head and turned to the doorway of the locker room. In that very moment, the face of his Hero Mentor for this Internship poked through the doorway. The smiling face of Normal Hero: Manuel, could be seen right away.

Manuel: "You ready for our patrol? It's about that time again!"

Iida: "Oh, um..." [Puts Helmet On] "Yeah. I'm ready..."

Manuel" "Alright. Cool. Well, there shouldn't be too much action tonight, thankfully. With the whole city on alert, villains are unlikely to come out, huh?"

Iida: "Yes, of course..."

Manuel: "Um... Is everything okay? You seem a little out of it?"

Iida: "Huh? Oh! Yes, I'm fine! Sorry!"

A hesitant look remained on Manuel's face momentarily before he eventually shook it off and smiled.

Manuel: "Okay! Well... I'll be waiting outside for you whenever you're ready."

With that, Manuel took his leave, allowing Iida to remain in the locker room alone. For a brief period, Iida kept his eyes on the spot Manuel's head was positioned in the doorway moments ago. As he stared at that very spot, he questioned whether he should say he couldn't go out for patrol tonight. That it would be best if he remained inside, where the thoughts of vengeance and anger wouldn't get out of control. But what was more surprising than the fact that Iida was thinking of such things, was the fact he felt so hesitant about it. Before today, Iida was set on finding Stain and bringing him to justice for what he did to Tensei. 

Iida was so convicted on the idea that he outright asked to be sent to this very part of the city for his internship solely because this was the area where most of Stain's victims were found...Including Tensei. So before this moment, he was so confident on going after Stain himself that either he'd defeat the Hero Killer, or die trying. But ever since he ran into (Y/n) at the hospital, he had become hesitant about it all. When Iida first heard (Y/n) tell him to not go after Stain, he was angry. 

He saw that very moment as (Y/n) trying to be the hero again. That he had to be the one to save the day! And honestly, Iida still saw it as that in some ways. But there was this buried feeling inside of him, that slowly started to blossom after the encounter with his former friend, which made him truly question whether or not he should go after Stain. It made him hesitant on it all. But in the end, one defying factor pushed him to shove those questionable thoughts to the side. And that defying factor was the one sentence from his brother that kept repeating in his mind over and over again since the first time he heard them...

"...Will you take up my hero name?"

It wasn't the fact that Tensei wanted Iida to go by the same name that made Iida continue to drive towards bringing Stain to justice. In fact, hearing someone he always considered to be his greatest inspiration in becoming a hero, wanting you to take on the name, was one of Iida's wildest dreams he could ever imagine. But what truly brought the moment down was it felt like Iida didn't earn the honour of taking the name 'Ingenium', instead...It felt like it was forced upon him. But not from Tensei, but Stain. It was because of Stain that Tensei was this injured. It was because of Stain that Tensei would never be able to be a hero again. It was because of Stain, that Tensei was here right now, asking Iida to take on that name. 

It was that defying factor in all of this that made Iida ignore the thoughts of hesitation and instead go out to follow after Manuel to go on patrol. Because it was through these navigations of the city, that Iida had a much higher likelihood of coming across Stain. Something he had figured out after doing some research on Stain's previous attacks. Within the time Stain had reappeared, he had attacked seven different places within Tokyo. It was within these seven places, that always at least four heroes were injured. Now, whether there was a purpose behind that, or just superstition, Iida did not know. But the pattern was obvious. But things took changed recently. 

Tensei had been the only one attacked within Hosu Coty District, but the next person attacked after that was (Y/n), in Shinkensan. This made Iida realize that for reasons still unknown, Stain went out of his way to find (Y/n). That was also a part of the reason in which led Iida to yell at (Y/n). Yet again, the source of pain in this world was coming right for him. First, it was the school bully, in Kaito for the Sports Festival. Before that even, it was the villains who attacked USJ. Then Stain. The point being, the evil in this world always seemed to find (Y/n), and Iida seemed to accept that and thought nothing other than to help (Y/n) the best he could. 

But now that that evil, an evil Iida wanted to face, was going straight for (Y/n) again, it made the boy snap in the moment of realizing this as soon as he heard that the reason (Y/n) was in the hospital was because of Stain. Iida didn't want to admit this earlier, but now, it was obvious. But with (Y/n) seemingly being defeated by Stain, Iida hoped that that meant Stain would then return to Hosu and continue his attacks. Though, this time around, if Iida got lucky enough to come across Stain and fight him, maybe then he could end it all. Maybe then he'd finally feel worthy to take on the name 'Ingenium'. Whether he lived or died, was another question...

But whereas Iida was fighting back against a hesitation to fight Stain, the exact opposite could be said for (Y/n), who was fighting against the hesitation to not fight him. After all, all the young boy could think about was going out into those dark streets of the world to find this Hero Killer, and make sure he did no killing ever again. But the closest thing to getting out onto those dark streets to fight against injustice was fighting against Gran Torino around the interior of the retired hero's home, which (Y/n) currently found himself in. The young boy, decked in his hero costume, could be seen looking around in every which direction whilst standing in the kitchen of the first floor. 

[Your POV]

When I first was given the option of challenging Gran Torino in order to go out there and fight Stain, I automatically presumed that things would change from the first time, and countless others afterwards, where we fought. I guess it was because I was finally respecting One For All that I just presumed things would be easier for me. But as I was beginning to understand, things were never easy in my life. Such was only confirmed, as for the last ten minutes, I had been trying my absolute best to somehow get the upper hand against Gran Torino in this little match up between us. But such was proving difficult. 

I mean, I had the determination to win. If I did, I could finally freely go out there to face Stain, and save Iida before he goes out there himself. But the actual event of besting a hero with so much experience more than me, like Gran Torino, was what kept me struggling to win this duel. Such was shown by the fact that even after sending the retired hero crashing into the fridge earlier, I had since struggled to get any other sort of attack on him. Now all I was able to do was keep my eyes focused on every inch of the surrounding area in preparation for any sudden attack coming my way. Thankfully for me, my attention to detail in this regard seemed pretty go--

Gran Torino: "You're not focusing!"

(Y/n): "Huh?"

Quickly I was broken from my thoughts by the voice of Gran Torino. A rookie mistake. Yet, I seemed to recover when I quickly spun my body around in the direction it came from, to see the aforementioned old man crouched on the wall just above the flatscreen TV below. It appeared I had caught him before he could preform his next attack. So surely I'd easily be able to block whatever came my way, right? Well, I was immediately forced to second guess that when Gran Torino abruptly launched off the wall and headed right for my current position at the entrance of the kitchen. 

Even so, I lifted my arms and activated One For All within them. At least then if he did hit me, I'd be able to void the damage given. But what I didn't expect was for Gran Torino to not go for my arms, but my legs instead. And with them having no such reinforcement from One For All, I could do nothing but open by eyes as wide as possible as Gran Torino's tiny body struck my legs out from underneath me like a bowling ball. Immediately, One For All deactivated in my arms as my body was flung forward and crashed onto the ground with a loud thud.

THUD!

The vibrating sound of the impact ran through my ears for what felt like an eternity. Even as I slowly lifted my head from the floor to see the grinning face of Gran Torino looking down at me.

Gran Torino: "What did you say you wanted to do with Stain again...?"

(Y/n): [Groans] "Don't mock me, please."

I groaned through the pain as I allowed my body to fall down onto my back. All the while hoping that would be enough to stop the ringing from flooding my head. It sadly... Did no such thing. After a few seconds of this, I slowly began to lift my body up once more. In doing so, I soon came to meet the sight of Gran Torino looking at me with quite an inquisitive look on his face. It left me confused, for sure, but before I could even bring it up, Gran Torino was already quick with an answer.

Gran Torino: "Let's stop now."

(Y/n): "Huh? Wait...What? But I haven't--"

Gran Torino: "I don't want to throw you off anymore. It might form some bad habits."

(Y/n): "Bad habits? What do you mean by that?"

Gran Torino: "Exactly what I said, Rookie. What? Do you kids really not have ears these days?"

A chuckle soon came from Gran Torino as he walked passed me. That's all I needed in the end to suddenly forget completely about the ringing in my head and pounce to my feet. As soon as I got balance, I spun my body around to offer my confused look to a Gran Torino who seemed more interested in the folded paper he just picked up off the ground next to the front door. For a brief period, all I could do was just stare at the short, old, man, and wonder what exactly was going on. As I did, Gran Torino's smile seemed to fade slightly as he read whatever was on the front page of the paper. Just seeing this only confused me more. But again, before I could say anything, I was beaten to it by Gran Torino already taking the initiative to speak.

Gran Torino: "Tell me. The suit you're wearing now, is that all of it?"

(Y/n): "Uh...Yeah? I don't really have any weapons or--"

Gran Torino: "Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. If that's everything, good. That means we can leave right now. Come on!"

(Y/n): "Huh? What? Leave right now? Where to?"

Gran Torino: "Does it matter? You didn't beat me in the training, therefore you aren't ready to go after Stain. Which means you need more training. So that's what you'll do..."

I knew right away that Gran Torino was right. I mean, the deal was, if I didn't beat him, he wouldn't just let me go after Stain. And honestly, the old me probably would have just ignored whatever he said and gone out there anyway. But... But I felt if I just ignored Gran Torino now, I would be ignoring Izuku in a way as well. Even so, I couldn't help but be torn on what to do. In the end, I guess I didn't really have much of a choice. 

Because the next thing I knew, I was sitting on a train heading out of Shinkensan and heading towards who knows where! When I asked Gran Torino, he didn't tell me. All I really knew was he was taking me somewhere to train. And even though I had come to respect Gran Torino, and what he has done as a hero, I couldn't help but find a sense of anger inside of me as I looked out the window at the skies shifting from the dark orange, to the dark blue of the early night sky.

(Y/n): [Sighs & Mutters] "...I'm sorry, Iida."

"Sighing won't help you in life, you know?"

(Y/n): "Huh?"

As soon as I heard the voice, my head picked itself up from leaning against the glass window and turned to the seat right next to me. There, Gran Torino could be seen still reading the paper from earlier. Though, despite seemingly having no focus on me, he was still easily able to continue his previous statement like his Quirk was to relay elderly advice onto the young.

Gran Torino: "Sighing. All you young kids do it these days, when really, there's no excuse. You don't know half of what the world has to offer for you to sigh. Now me on the other hand!" [Sighs] "...I know it to well."

Honestly, I don't know whether Gran Torino was trying to be funny, or was actually serious right now. But whatever it was, I still couldn't help but smile a little as I tried to turn my attention away from the world outside. Away from Stain. And away from the prayers within my mind that Iida would not come across the Hero Killer before I was finally ready to take him on. I shunned them all to the side as I tried to, at least, start a conversation with Gran Torino. Something I actually haven't really done outside of training now that I think about it.

(Y/n): Smiles] "You know, just because you're older than me. Doesn't mean people my age haven't experienced their fair share of problems."

Gran Torino: "Oh, yeah? What kind of problems? Like having to go to school every day? Or is the girl you like not like you back?"

The way Gran Torino smiled back as he leaned in his chair to look up at me like a little kid was clearly a reenactment of what he thought actual teenagers were like in his eyes. But instead of taking offence, I decided to have some fun with it.

(Y/n): "Oh, you'd be surprised. The girl I like actually does like me back."

Gran Torino: "...Huh?"

(Y/n): [Smiles] "What you said. You know? About the girl not liking me back. She actually does. So... That's not one of my problems."

Gran Torino: "Oh...Well--" [Shakes Head] "--That only proves my point even more then!"

(Y/n): "Eh. Not really. I mean, I may not have girl problems. But I think the fact I watched my little brother die in front of me when I was a kid, which in turn directed me onto the path I'm on now, is more of a good excuse to let me sigh at least a few times, right?"

As soon as my words came to an end, I looked out the corner of my eye to grasp as much of Gran Torino's expression as I could. Heck! I didn't even really need to turn to look at him outright to sense he had a thunderous wave of shock on his face. I mean, I did just tell him that I saw my brother die right in front of me. Add on the matter I smiled as I did so only added to the old man's confusion, I was sure. Though to get the real pleasure from the moment, I waited a few more seconds to let the sense of it all seap into Gran Torino's mind, before I outright turned to look at him in the eyes, and smiled once more.

(Y/n): "...Right?"

Gran Torino: "U-Uh, um... Right?"

His answer seemed to come as more of a question, instead of an answer, but the look on his face gave me enough reason to accept it as such. Honestly, I think Gran Torino could be told he was getting an endless supply of money right now and he still wouldn't have been able to process it properly due to the effect the suddenness of my previous sentence laid upon him. Now, to be sure, I couldn't really blame him. After all, having someone say something like I did so suddenly, all the while smiling as he did so, surely would lead one or the other to question how they should react. 

And funny enough, I myself didn't really know how to react after I finished saying it. Izuku's death had always been a close thing I had kept to my side, like it was meant to be my suffering alone. I had never really brought it into the form of a joke until now. And even then. I didn't feel like it was in a twisted manner. But more so of a way to merely...accept it. Like, it happened. I couldn't change it. I shouldn't be sad about it. I should live with it. 

And in a strange way, I feel my time as an intern under Mirko and Gran Torino has helped me in that regard. Whether I realized as much in this present moment was another thing. But as my story continued, I'd come to understand just how much moments like this laid the groundwork for what was to come along. Though, I did have to change the conversation topic rather quickly. As I felt Gran Torino really didn't know how to carry off what I just said, nor did I really want to talk about it much more either.

(Y/n): "Can I ask you a question about something?"

Gran Torino: [Suddenly lifts head] "H-Huh? Oh. Um..."

(Y/n): [Chuckles] "Don't worry. It's an easier one than what I had before."

Gran Torino: "Oh. Well, in that case..." [Awkwardly coughs] "Go ahead, kid."

With the seal of approval, I decided to ask something I had been wondering about since I first heard it.

(Y/n): "Earlier today, You... You asked me about my Quirk. My Nightmare Quirk, I mean..."

Gran Torino: "Yes. What about it?"

(Y/n): "Well, I was just wondering, why? Why ask me about it? I thought you didn't like me using my Quirk whilst I was training? So why would you ask me about it? Because you thought I was disrespecting One For All so--"

Gran Torino: "--Alright! I'm going to stop you right there."

(Y/n): "H-Huh?"

The abruptness of it all came so out of nowhere that I couldn't help but stutter along with the first noise that came from my mouth. By the time I had focused my mind back on Gran Torino, he was now no longer nervous from my earlier statement about Izuku, and was fully set on clearing the air. Whether that was good or bad, was yet to be seen...

Gran Torino: "Listen. It's not like I don't like you using your Quirk. In fact, you should keep using it!"

(Y/n): "Wha--But you said--"

Gran Torino: "How do you know what I said if you keep interrupting me with your own?!"

(Y/n): "...Oh."

It was safe to say that Gran Torino had the Quirk of getting people to shut up with fear. Huh? Maybe that's something I should try and pick up.

Gran Torino: [Sighs] "Now then, as I was saying... I believe that everyone is given the Quirk they are given for a particular reason. To match their character. You have been given the Quirk of Nightmares. A quirk that many others would probably--No--Would definitely, not be able to reach the limits of like you have. I would go as far to say that your Quirk is one of the strongest Quirks that rely on simple methods that I have ever seen!"

(Y/n): "...Simple methods?"

Gran Torino: "Think of it like this. Whenever you think of One For All, it feels like it's something really special, and larger than life, right?"

(Y/n): "I guess."

Gran Torino: "But your Quirk is more simple. More straightforward. You have the ability to control Nightmares. To a lot of others, that simple premise of it there would be where they draw the line. But you were able to take that, and add so much more to it. It's the fact you did that, and have continued to grow with it, that I'm not afraid to say it's a powerful Quirk."

(Y/n): "But if it's powerful, w-why... Why couldn't I beat Stain?"

Gran Torino: "Because it wasn't the right Quirk for the opponent."

Again, I had reached a brick wall in confusion as I tried to understand what Gran Torino was saying. Now, it all seemed somewhat straightforward. But the more time I had spent with the old man the more I realized that Gran Torino liked to think out of the box. He liked explaining things in a way he saw could help more than just saying it. 

It was like a puzzle. One sentence was one piece to the puzzle. But with more pieces, and more sentences, things became a whole lot clearer. The same could be said for his sentence right now. All I could do was sit there in my seat on this crowded train and keep my focus on Gran Torino as he explained to me what he was talking about.

Gran Torino: "(Y/n). You're not weak. I realized as much the first time I saw you in that Sports Festival. I want you to know that. But what holds you back isn't your ability, nor the lack of power in your Quirk. It's what's inside that's holding you back. And before a moment ago, I questioned what that was. But... After you just flung it onto me before, I'm guessing I now know what that thing is that's holding you back."

(Y/n): "Wait a minute. Hold on. Izuku isn't holding me back from anything. In fact, he's the very thing that--"

Gran Torino: "Again... You didn't let me finish."

My head immediately tilted in an act of my utter confusion. But just like earlier, Gran Torino was ready to finish what he was already planning to say.

Gran Torino: "I'm not saying the death of your brother is holding you back. But it's the act in which you use that to motivate you to be a hero that is. It's because your brother died, that you want to go out there and stop something like that from happening again, right?"

(Y/n): "Yes."

Gran Torino: "So whenever you see something happening that needs a hero. You instantly want to rush in, right?"

(Y/n): "Yes."

Gran Torino: "And that's what caused you to lose to Stain. It wasn't that you or your quirk weren't strong enough. It's that you weren't patient enough."

(Y/n): "Patient? But... But what else was I supposed to do? He attacked me first and--And other times, he attacks other people. So if I saw him hurting someone, I would--anyone would--"

Gran Torino: "But no one else has managed to beat Stain. Not because they weren't strong. They weren't patient. I'll tell you something right now. Everyone. And I mean everyone, will have a moment when they fall. But just as there is a moment where they fall, there will also be a moment when they get up. There will be a moment to smile, and a moment to cry. A moment to fight. And a moment to run. You think that just because you're a hero, you just have to keep fighting. But sometimes taking that opportunity to run, will allow that opportunity for you to win that fight."

(Y/n): "So... What? You're telling me to run away from fighting Stain? Because, Gran Torino, I can't do that, I--"

Before I could even finish speaking, I was suddenly cut off by a simple raise of Gran Torino's hand. A second passed by as I looked down at the yellow glove-clad palm before my face, until I finally looked past it to return my focus to the white eyes of the hero before me.

Gran Torino: "I'm not saying run away in the sense you run away and don't fight him again. Or what? You think running away means you're a coward?"

The distinct lack of silence that followed from me seemed to be enough to answer that question for the retired hero. Though, I don't think he was too pleased for that, going off the sigh he released a few seconds later.

Gran Torino: [Sighs & Mutters] "Of course you think that simple. What is Toshinori teaching you?" [Out Loud] "Nevermind that! What you need to understand, (Y/n), is that running away is not the move of a coward! It's the strategy of the smart!"

Even though his words were yet to be fully comprehended by my thrown-off mind, in this very moment, I couldn't help but think back to the night Izuku died, and how I ran away. Maybe not literally run away from it. But I most definitely ran away from the cries of my mother, instead of racing towards them to save her. That's what I was reminded about as Gran Torino continued.

Gran Torino: "Heroes these days are so full of themselves! They think they have to fight and keep fighting, even if they know they're going to die! But you know what I say when I hear something like that? What fool even plays with the idea of going into a fight with the thought of death on their mind?! If you're going to fight, fight to win!"

(Y/n): "Bu--"

Gran Torino: "But in saying that, just because you're running away, doesn't mean you aren't still fighting. It may not seem like it to others, but that's when you need to be patient. You need to wait for that moment when your opponent slips up, and that's when you'll strike! And keeping a distance from your opponent will most certainly do that, especially when they think you're running away out of fear."

(Y/n): "But... But what's if you have--or do, I mean... What if you do run away because you were afraid? Like, heroes aren't supposed to be afraid. They're supposed to be strong, and not back down. So... What's if a hero does run away because he's afraid?"

Gran Torino: "Well, in that case, all I'd have to say is..."

This was the part that I was getting myself ready for Gran Torino to say something along the lines of 'Well, that isn't a hero' or 'If they're afraid to fight, then what business do they have being a hero?'. I most definitely didn't expect the answer I got...

Gran Torino: "...So what?"

(Y/n): "H-Huh? I mean..." [Shakes Head] "...What?"

Gran Torino: "Yeah. What? So what? So what if they run away scared? Or what? You don't think heroes get scared?"

(Y/n): "N-No, I'm sure they do, but... Aren't heroes supposed to not be afraid?"

Gran Torino: "No. Not at all."

(Y/n): "But--"

Gran Torino: "But that's what you think because the media showcases all these heroes as fearless beasts who'll go up against anything, right? But that's where the media is wrong. They show all these heroes like they're gods among men. But at the end of the day, they're all humans. And every human on Earth has some fears. Even if they don't know it themselves."

(Y/n): "Ev...Even All Might?"

Gran Torino: "Of course! He's one of the most afraid people I know!"

(Y/n): "WHAT?! ALL MIGHT IS AFRAID?!"

It only took a few seconds for me to notice just how loud my sudden declaration was. The timeframe seemed to be even less for everyone else on our particular cart aboard this train, as everyone in the surrounding area were now looking our way. So, of course, a few seconds of unceremonious staring pursued between me and the other passengers before I eventually blocked them out of my mind and turned back to Gran Torino.

(Y/n): [Whispers] "All Might is afraid? Of what?"

Gran Torino: "Oh, don't get me started on that boy! He's scared of a lot of things! And one of them is letting you, his successor down--That's why I stepped in to help you where he did a shitty job."

I know I probably should have chuckled, or at least take notice to the final part of Gran Torino's sentence. But I couldn't help but take in the main factor from that sentence--That All Might was afraid of letting me down. Now, sure, I guess you could say there was some sort of closeness between us due to everything to do with One For All. But I couldn't help but feel like the role of being All Might's successor was meant for someone else in life...and not me. 

But I guess I may have been overthinking more than I first thought if All Might was worried enough concerning letting me down. Like, how could he let me down? He's All Might! The hero Izuku looked up to like a god! I could never be let down by someone who brought so much hope and strength to my little brother. That was for certain.

Gran Torino: "What I'm trying to say is, don't think for a second just because you're afraid of things, doesn't make you any less of a hero compared to those others. Let alone less human. Because at the end of the day, everyone is alike in one way or another."

(Y/n): [Blushing] "W-What? Me...? Afraid? I wasn't talking about me before!" [Awkwardly Chuckles] "I-I was talking about someone else..."

Gran Torino: "Ooooooh. Yes. Definitely."

The smile he gave me at the end was enough of a hint for me to tell that was sarcasm. Ha! Guess I'm not as dense of a main character in my life as some may have first thought. 

Gran Torino: "But in saying that..."

(Y/n): [Lifts Head] "Hmm?"

Gran Torino: "Even if you were talking about yourself, (Y/n), I wouldn't be so worried about it."

(Y/n): "What do you mean?"

Gran Torino: "About being afraid. Don't worry if you're afraid. I mean, fear is your Quirk, right?"

(Y/n): "Yeah."

Gran Torino: "Exactly! So what good would a Quirk used to inflict fear onto others be in the hands of someone who wasn't afraid? If you asked me, I'd rather see a strong Quirk like that in the hands of someone who knows exactly what it's like to be afraid. And even if they're still afraid, the fact they're willing to go up against even the strongest villains is enough to earn my respect..."

Once Gran Torino's sentence came to an end, all he did was smile at me. Now, I'm not going to act dumb or anything, so I think we all knew exactly who he was talking about when he said the words that just came from his mouth. And whilst it was definitely daunting in the beginning... It was nice to hear this from Gran Torino nonetheless. 

I mean, in one way, it shows that he isn't just some cranky old man. But it also shows that he genuinely wants to see the best out of people. All Might must have learned a lot from him if he seemed to hold Gran Torino in high regards in both fear, and respect. In a way, I guess that's the perfect combination for heroes in such a dark world like the one we're in.

Gran Torino: "...I'm sorry."

(Y/n): "Huh?" [Turns to Gran Torino] "I'm sorry?"

Gran Torino: "No, I'm sorry..." [Sighs] "I'm sorry for what I said earlier, about how you don't know half of what the world has to offer for you to sigh. I'm sorry about that. I said it without thinking about what you could have gone through in life."

(Y/n): "O-Oh, Gran Torino, that's okay, I--"

Gran Torino: "No... It's not. That's why I'm apologising, you brat!"

(Y/n): [Thoughts] "Gee. I'll take one for that remark, sure."

Gran Torino: "This is a dark world, (Y/n). And I feel you know that more than a lot of people... But it's a hero's job to make it better."

The strange choice of continuing his apology instantly caught my attention. To the point, every such sarcastic thought that once rested in my mind was now gone, as I turned to look down at the elderly retired hero sitting next to me on this busy train.

Gran Torino: "Tell me, (Y/n), what do you think it means to be a hero?"

(Y/n): "Uh, to be a hero? Well... A hero is to save somebody, right?"

Gran Torino: "Wrong."

(Y/n): "Huh? Wait! What? I don't--"

Gran Torino: "Whilst the plain viewpoint of being a hero is saving somebody, yes, there is also a lot more to the name. A hero is a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Saving the day is part of the job, but if you don't go out there with courage, kindness, and belief. The strength to forgive, and twice as much strength to ask for it. That is the true meaning of being called a hero. A person who people can aspire to be like. That's a hero. And that's why I'm saying sorry, even if you think I don't have to. Because at the end of the day, I think I do...Because I'm a hero."

A noticeable pause came following Gran Torino's words. It was in this brief silence that the two of us just looked at each other. We were both on the same seat in a crowded cart on a train, so it wasn't hard. But even with the sound of crying children, and various other conversations in the distance, they did very little to disturb this moment here. A moment where I came to understand yet another part of being a hero. And it was thanks to Gran Torino that I came to know this. But whereas I felt a 'thank you' wasn't appropriate in this situation, I decided to go with another answer. One I feel Gran Torino appreciated even more than the acknowledgement of his help.

(Y/n): "...I forgive you. And...Thanks. Thanks for telling me it's okay to be afraid. I think in some way, I've needed to hear that for a long time now."

Gran Torino: [Chuckles lightly] "Well, what do you expect me to do? I'm supposed to be your teacher in this situation, so I'll give the best advice I can at the time."

(Y/n): "Hehe... Yeah."

The sound of my chuckle echoed shortly after my sentence. It wasn't much of a laugh, just a point to drag on the moment as Gran Torino and I smiled at one another. It was during this time that I realized just how much I needed to hear the words of the retired hero. Though, it was interrupted shortly after when a vibrating sound came from the pocket of the pants of my hero costume.

~Vibrate~ ~Vibrate~

(Y/n): [Looks down] "Huh?"

Gran Torino: "Is that Toshinori?" [Scoffs] "I swear, he's like a worried Father. Now he's someone who needs to learn to not be afraid."

Again, another chuckle exited my mouth as I reached into the pocket of my hero costume and pulled out my phone. However, a single glance at the screen was all it took to see the current call was not coming from All Might, but the other hero mentor I've kinda been forced to ignore for the past few days... Mirko.

(Y/n): [Mumbles] "Mirko's calling me?"

Gran Torino: "So? Is it Toshinori?"

(Y/n): [To Gran Torino] "Hmm? Oh! Uh...No. It's just a call from, um..."

Gran Torino: "From who?"

(Y/n): "Uh...Just the, um... the hero who I was originally listed with for the internship."

Gran Torino: "Oh! You mean 'Mirko', right?"

(Y/n): "Um, yeah. Her..."

Honestly, I don't really know why it felt so awkward to talk about her around Gran Torino. Maybe it was because he was old, and I didn't want to bother him with this. Or that I was still so unsure about the constant mood swings of this Rabbit Hero that I fully didn't understand the situation myself. But what I did know was that for most of this internship after my attack from Stain, I had almost completely ignored her. Something that had only become more noticeable with the constant text messages, calls, and other things along those lines. 

I actually felt pretty bad for it. But in my defence, I was in a coma for a few days, so I couldn't really do much about it. And when I finally did get out of that coma, I was occupied training with Gran Torino. Something which... I don't think Mirko would like to hear it for some reason. Especially going off some of her more 'out there' text messages. Yet, despite all this, I didn't want to leave her completely in the dark. She had been a great mentor for the time I spent with her. 

I originally planned to call her the other day when at the hospital getting my medication. But, of course, that was when I ran into Iida and things spiralled out. Nevertheless, the perfect opportunity seemed to arise right now where I can finally clear the air with her, and let her know I'm alright. Yet, as most of my life up to this point has kinda suggested. Just when I was about to do something I wanted to do, a nature in which instantly called my attention was quick to come out of nowhere to do exactly that...

[3rd Person POV]

"Hey! Look at that! That building just exploded!"

(Y/n): "What?!"

"Where?! Where?!"

"What's going on?!"

"You're right! There's smoke over there!"

With more and more concerned voices rising up from within the train cart holding (Y/n) and Gran Torino, it took no more than a few seconds for the pair to twist their heads to look in the direction all the other passengers now were. And sure enough, in the distance of the far city within the Hosu City District, a building could be seen on fire, with heavy fire rising to the dark night skies of Tokyo. 

This was the final straw for (Y/n)'s mental capacity, which quickly focused in on the automated voice. It was as he did this, however, that he unconsciously placed his phone back into the pocket on his hero costume...Thus leaving the incoming call from Rabbit Hero: Mirko, to go to voice mail. But any such fragment of that knowledge was yet again lodged elsewhere as the short, but informative message came through the train speakers...

"Passengers, please hold onto your seats."

(Y/n): "Hold on to our--"

Seconds after the voice sounded, a strange, tingling feeling rampaged through (Y/n)'s body. Like a warning. Like... a Danger Sense. Whatever it was, it was alerting (Y/n) to something. And sure enough, a few seconds later, the entire train came to an abrupt stop, causing countless passengers to go flying from their seats and colliding with the chairs in front of them. (Y/n) and Gran Torino were no different. After their shoulders smashed into the backs of the chairs in front of them, they were soon alerted to another cause for danger, when out of nowhere a body was sent crashing through the walls of the train from outside. 

The impact was sudden, yet loud enough to capture the attention of everyone who managed to gather themselves from the sudden stop of the train. It was for those who managed to capture a glimpse of the person just thrown into the train that they could see he was a hero. One who currently seemed out of it from his most recent fight. Unfortunately for everyone else, the person...or thing, that he just fought, was slowly closing in from the dark shadows of the world outside. Only to finally reveal a part of its body when its hand reached through the massive hole in the side of the stopped train carriage, to grab the groaning hero by the face.

Unknown Hero: "What the fuck is this thi--"

Suddenly silenced by his face being grabbed by the unknown attacker, only to abruptly slam it into the ground of the train caused a wave of horror to spread through the crowd.

"What?! A hero?"

"How did this happen?"

"What's attacking him?"

"That doesn't look like a normal villain!"

Such a statement was as much on the money as any other. For as the face of the now unconscious hero was further pressed into the ground by the extended, greenish arm of his attacker, the other hand was used to slash off a bit of metal left from he implosion of the hero's body being thrown into the train. In doing so, the face of this monster was revealed. And as soon as (Y/n) saw it, his eyes widened. It was a face he had seen before. It was a face he had beaten. And even though it only resembled its appearance slightly, all (Y/n) needed was this one glance to tell that the thing attacking this hero wasn't no normal villain...

...It was a Nomu. And the sighting of such was enough to cause (Y/n) to jump to his feet in shock.

(Y/n): "Nomu?!"

Gran Torino: [Turns to you] "What the hell is a Nomu?"

(Y/n): "It's like the thing that attacked USJ! But this one is...Different."

Gran Torino: "Yeah, well, different or not. It's hurting a hero, and will hurt these innocent people if nothing is done." [Casually turns to you] "...So get to it, Rookie."

(Y/n): "H-Huh? Wait...WHAT?!"

Gran Torino: "Get to it. Fight this Nomu thing."

(Y/n): "M-Me? But I--I didn't beat you in the fight, so you said I needed more training and--"

Gran Torino: "You're not serious, right?! After everything I've told you in the last five minutes, did you really think I wasn't going to let you go up against Stain?"

(Y/n): "...Well...I mean... I lost..."

Gran Torino did nothing but shaking his head in dismay, even as in the background, the Nomu could be seen slowly entering through the hole in the side of the train. Realizing there wasn't a lot of time, Gran Torino just jumped straight to his next sentence.

Gran Torino: "It didn't matter that you lost! The point of the exercise was to see if you'd keep getting back up! You were afraid, and that's fine! But the point is you can be afraid as long as you don't let it hold you back! Now show me that fear isn't holding you back!"

(Y/n): "...Show you...that the fear...isn't holding me back..."

Whilst the repeating of the words, Gran Torino could have done without, it seemed necessary for (Y/n), so the retired hero allowed it. And seemingly doing so was exactly what (Y/n) needed. For in the span of the next twenty seconds, as the silent chirping of crickets and bugs filled the air of the forest-like tree line that set itself to the left side of the train, it was suddenly interrupted when a loud 'BOOM' filled with sparks of cosmetic energy sounded. 

That in itself was followed seconds later by the greenish Nomu being sent flying from the hole in the side of the train, and crashing between a wave of trees and plants housing those very insects. But they mattered little in this time of trial. For once the Nomu's large body finally came to a stop in a dirt based crater on the ground about ten meters into this forest area beyond the position of the train on the tracks, the vile creature slowly lifted its deformed head to see the cause of the sudden attack. There, not far away, standing just a few feet from the shattered hole on the side of the train, (Y/n) could be seen. 

The mask of his hero costume pulled over his face, allowing the vibrant green eyes of this nightmarish figure to finally be let into this dark world once more. A little lower of a glance, and the red sparks of One For All could be seen. This caused the Nomu to tilt its head in confusion seemingly before it suddenly jumped to its feet with ease, as if ready to fight (Y/n) once more. But this didn't cause (Y/n) to be afraid. In fact, it got him excited...

(Y/n): "Finally... I can see what I really learned with One For All."

--Twenty Minutes Earlier | Within the Streets of Shinkensan City District--

Awestruck gazes, and smiles of happiness, managed to find the faces of a trio of children who stood on the sidewalk within the city of Shinkensan. The bright orange skies perfectly reflected the image of the eager faces, as they looked up at the cause of such joy. Iida, decked in his hero costume, and his Hero mentor, Manuel, could be seen currently on their late afternoon patrol in the streets of Shinkensan. It was as they went through the process of such, that Iida's line of sight eventually found those of the children. And even though he wore a helmet to completely cover his face, the smiles of those little kids did not fade away.

"My favourite hero... Is the people who find a lost child, and do anything it takes to return them back to their family."

The words of his brother immediately came to Iida's mind upon seeing the smiling children before him. But instead of bringing him joy, it only brought out the sorrow and anger he had deep inside. The idea his brother may no longer be able to be the hero he once desired to be because of a Hero Killer twisted Iida's moral justice he normally held inside. Now all he wanted was to find Stain and make him pay for what he had done, to not only Tensei Iida, but all the other heroes he had hurt. In fact, it was his desire to find Stain that Iida found himself on patrol in Shinkensan in the first place.

Manuel: "You know, Iida, when I asked you where you'd like to do patrol today. I didn't expect you to choose Shinkensan. I mean, we did this route only yesterday."

Iida: "Huh? Oh...Yes. Um, well, I thought that doing another patrol through here would, uh... Help but relations with the citizens around these parts. Thus bringing about more peace...?"

It was clear to Iida that he was struggling to prove a point, as for Manuel. He seemed to simply take Iida's sentence as that, offered his student a smile, before turning back to look where he was walking along the footpath. Because where Manuel believed Iida chose this route for the very reason he just mentioned, in reality, Iida had chosen to patrol through Shinkensan because this was the last place Stain had been spotted. 

And if whilst the choice to continue monitoring through Hosu was tempting, due to Stain's pattern not yet being completed in that part of the larger city, Iida felt the choice of Shinkensan just couldn't be ignored. So here he was. However, Iida was soon given a surprise when out of nowhere Manuel stopping walking. Instead, he just faced the ground, leading Iida to question further what was going on.

Iida: "Mr. Manuel?"

Manuel: "Hey...Iida. This kinda hard to ask, but... You're chasing for the Hero Killer aren't you?"

Instantly Iida's entire body froze in place. And even though he had already stopped walking previously, there was a clear difference with how his body stood in place now. And if it weren't for the helmet on his head, a face of shock would clearly be present. Nevertheless, he was forced to confront the sudden question from Manuel, even though he didn't want a Pro Hero to know his selfish reasoning, he was still Iida at heart.

Iida: "That's..."

Manuel: [Chuckles Lightly] "I'm sorry, Iida, I didn't mean to scare you. I've just been wondering this whole time why you'd want to come to my agency. Then you go ahead and choose Shinkensan for the patrol route today and...I realized it must have been that."

Iida: "So... You knew, huh?"

Manuel: "I had my suspicions--B-But Iida, you shouldn't act off a personal grudge. The Hero Killer isn't someone to just mess with without the company of other heroes. You should just--"

Iida: "--But (Y/n) does it."

It was now Manuel's time to be thrown off by a statement. The Pro Hero tilting his head as he questioned Iida's downward gaze.

Manuel: "(Y/n)? Who's that? Is he the reason why you want to fight the Hero Killer?"

Iida: "Yes--I mean, no. Ugh--" [Sighs] "...My brother was attacked by the Hero Killer, almost killed him."

Manuel: "You mean Ingenium?"

Iida: "Yes... He was attacked by Stain, so I felt I had to go after Stain to make him...to stop him from hurting anymore people. But...(Y/n)...A person from my school... He told me not to."

Manuel: "It's probably because he doesn't want to see you get hurt--"

Iida: "But he does it all the time!"

Manuel: "Huh? Does what?"

Iida: "He always rushes in to stop whatever evil is around him! He goes straight in, and doesn't wait for other people when he should! Yet... He does it anyway. So--So why am I told to stay back, and expected to listen, when someone like him doesn't do the same?"

Despite never actually saying it out loud, Iida had always wondered why (Y/n) did that very thing. Now, some could put it down to his over-the-top eagerness to follow the rules. But Iida genuinely wondered why (Y/n) just did his own thing, when rules were put in place for a reason. (Y/n) went against them without a single thought on the matter, and always came out on top. Yet he didn't want Iida to do the same. That's what drove Iida to yell at (Y/n) at the hospital. He saw (Y/n) as being selfish. As someone who just wanted the glory for beating the villain of the week. But something inside of Iida told him otherwise, yet...even so... Iida still wanted to know why (Y/n) could seemingly just get away with it.

Manuel: "...Iida, what can you tell me about this '(Y/n)' person, despite what you have already?"

Iida: [Lifts head] "Huh? Oh, well... He's someone that's at the top of my class. He has a Nightmare Quirk, which is really strong. But he doesn't follow the rules. Heck! He doesn't even call himself a Hero."

Manuel: "What? He doesn't? Then why is he in U.A.?"

Iida: "(Y/n) believes that the rules set out for Heroes is holding people back from actually helping people. He believes not being able to help someone unless you have a licence is futile. So he does his own thing a lot. He did exactly that when USJ was attacked."

Manuel: "Wait! He's the young boy who fought villains in USJ?"

Iida: "You knew about that? It wasn't put on TV?"

Manuel: [Smiles] "You'd be surprised about the news that travels around the Hero community, Iida."

Iida: "Oh...I see."

Once more, Iida dropped his head. Once more, he thought over (Y/n). He questioned so much in such a short time, before he felt a hand suddenly be placed on his shoulder. Instantly, he lifted his head to see Manuel was the cause. The 'Normal Hero' offering him a smile yet again.

Manuel: "Iida, this friend you've told me about. Whilst I am sure he is a nice person at heart. You should not be striving to be like him. As you said, the rules are set for a reason."

Iida: "I know! So why can't I just--"

Manuel: "--But there are people who do not always follow them. Even heroes."

Iida: "Even...Heroes?"

Yet again Iida's masked face found a sense of confusion as he took in what Manuel had just said. Thankfully for him, the answer to it all didn't come much later.

Manuel: "Iida, in this world, as I'm sure you know, there are two sides, right? Heroes and Villains."

Iida: "Right."

Manuel: "But what if I told you there were a few subdivisions of those two sides?"

Iida: "Subdivisions? I...I don't understand."

Manuel: "Us heroes call them 'ANTI'S'. There are both Anti-Villains and Anti-Heroes. They see the world as a much darker place than what others do. And feel that means they have to take their own measures to cleanse that darkness. Whereas Heroes don't have the right to arrest or punish villains and criminals they come across, Anti-Heroes believe they can do it because it brings a permanent end to their evil. Most... By killing the criminals they face."

Immediately Iida's eyes widened further than they did ever before.

Iida: "Wait! Wait! (Y/n) may not always follow the rules, but he wouldn't kill anyone!"

Manuel: "I'm sure he doesn't. But there are some out there that do. And they do things their own way, and don't listen to the rules. They believe what they do is true justice, but us as Heroes know that isn't the way. That's why, Iida, if it wasn't for people like you who follow the rules, this world would only get worse. That's why I'm begging you, please... Don't go after Stain alone. Stronger Pro Heroes will find him and bring him to justice. Proper justice without breaking the rules. I promise you..."

As his words came to an end, Manuel offered Iida yet another smile. It's one that remained strong until he eventually pulled his hand off the young boy's shoulder and continued on their patrol. As for Iida, he didn't say a word, and simply followed Manuel in his actions. Though, little did the Pro Hero notice, was the clenched fist that Iida currently had all his attention on. Thus revealing the true outcome of this moment.

Iida: [Thoughts] "I'm sorry, Mr. Manuel. But Anti-Hero or not, whatever (Y/n) is doing...I have to do the same. I can't just....ignore these feelings inside. Not for much longer..."

It was as this very conversation came to an end, that some few hundred meters away, a purple portal opened up. One constructed by Kurogiri, of Shigaraki's villain group. It was with this portal, that Kurogiri, Shigaraki, and Stain were able to step out and find themselves on top a water tower in the middle of Shinkensan, where an unsuspecting city awaited before their very eyes.

Shigaraki: "This part of the city looks much nicer than I expected." [Turns to Stain] "So... What are you going to do?"

Stain: "...I will reform this city. In order to do so, I require more victims."

Shigaraki: "You mean like the three over there?"

Pointing to the rooftop which the water tower was place on, three dead hero bodies could be seen. Stain offered them but a glance, before he turned back to Shinkensan before him.

Stain: "I require at least four victims in each part of this wretched city. Those three are from Hosu, the original target of my attacks before I was drawn to this part of the city by--"

Shigaraki: "--The boy from U.A.. That lame 'Main Character'." [Turns to Stain] "So are you here to finish him off?"

Stain: "No. I applied enough fear into him that he will not come strike me again. Even so, I still require more victims here. Only then can I reform this city."

Shigaraki: "So that is what you meant when you said you had business here?"

A brief glance over his shoulder from Stain is offered to Shigaraki. Who remains unphased as the decayed hand covers his face.

Stain: "I see you are someone who understands."

...Yet Shigaraki wasn't entirely pleased by such a remark.

Shigaraki: "Hey, what are you trying to say about me?"

Stain didn't seem to respond. Instead, he just allowed his smile to grow, his hands slowly lifted to the now purple sky, of the passing day.

Stain: "'Hero'. It's a title only given to those who have accomplished great deeds! There are too many... Too many who claim to be heroes yet are really money worshippers. Until this world realizes it's mistake I will continue to appear. And haunt their minds. Until they come to realize, the only one worthy to be called a hero..."

"...Is him."

With his sentence coming to an end, Stain wastes not a moment to grasp the handle of his sword and releases it from it's prison on his back. Once the weapon is revealed to the darkening night sky, Stain jumps off the water tower, leaving Shigaraki and Kurogiri to take in what they had just heard.

Shigaraki: "He talks all high and mighty like that, but basically he's trying to start a grassroots movement, huh? He's so noble I could cry."

Kurogiri: "You can't make fun of him too much. The reality is, in all the cities Stain has appeared, the crime rate has fallen. Some cities attribute this to a rise in heroes' consciousness and shoot him down, though."

All of this was said as Shigaraki simply scratched away at his neck. That was until out of nowhere he suddenly sprung to the side and launched his hands into the air.

Shigaraki: "That's wonderful! Heroes are working hard at bringing down the cost of food, huh? So the 'Hero Killer' is also a 'Hero Breeder'!" [Slouches forward] "...It's too roundabout." [Crosses arms] "We just can't agree on a basic level. And he annoys me..." [Sighs] "Kurogiri, bring out the Nomu's." 

At that very moment, portal after portal opened up behind the pair. Eventually, three Nomu's stepped out. One with greenish skin and eyes picking out of the brain in the centre of his head. Another had a gasmask where his mouth should have been, with the eyes popping out the top with wings on its back. And the third one, and the largest of them all, seemed very similar to the Nomu that attacked USJ. A sight to behold, for sure. Not one looked alike, yet all seemed incredibly powerful. This brought joy to Shigaraki, who watched as his small group of monsters came out into the world.

Shigaraki: "You think you can get away with stabbing me? If I want to kill you, I just will. That's all. It'll be a wild contest, and at the end of it all, the only person left standing... Will be me."

--Present Time | Shinkensan Train Tracks--

Silent faces of anticipation filled the faces of the countless citizens who were poking their heads out the massive hole in the side of the train and looking out their windows. All watched in wonder as the sight of the masked green hero who had just sent the strange monster flying from the scene seconds ago with a single punch, slowly approached that very monster once more. 

With strange grunting the Nomu which had previously caused the train to come to a sudden stop along a hillside next to Shinkensan city, slowly lifting to its feet, its focus eventually turned to the masked figure with glowing green eyes. Not a word came from (Y/n)'s mouth, as back on the train, Gran Torino almost could be seen watching everything. His attention only pulled away from the stare-off between Anti-Hero and Nomu went the voice of another sounded.

"Who is that guy?"

Gran Torino: "Huh?"

Immediately turning in the direction of the voice, Gran Torino saw it was the beaten hero whom (Y/n) had saved from being killed by the Nomu minutes ago. The way the hero carried a disgruntled look as he clenched his ribcage showed he was in pain, something Gran Torino sought to help with as he launched to his fellow hero's side.

Gran Torino: "It's okay. Just stay down, kid. This will all be handled in time."

Unknown Hero: "Gran Torino...? No! No! You don't understand! Whatever that...Thing is! It's not human! Your friend won't be able to beat it!"

Gran Torino: "I wouldn't be so sure of that."

Unknown Hero: "Huh? What do you--Argh... What do you mean?"

He asked through the pain.

Gran Torino: "Don't worry about that. Just stay still." [Turns to the crowd on the train] "Is anyone here a doctor?"

"I'm a first aid medic!"

"And I'm a nurse!"

As the two voices from the train sounded, outside, as the sky now completely darkened to showcase the stars and moon above, (Y/n) could be seen just standing in place as the Nomu slowly began walking towards him, and exiting the tree-based landscape (Y/n) had previously sent him flying into. It was as (Y/n) awaited for the Nomu to come out into the opened clearing of the railway tracks, he thought over everything that currently filled his mind.

(Y/n): [Thoughts] "Why is a Nomu here? What's going on? Is that guy with the decaying Quirk from USJ behind all this?! What about Stain! Argh! I can't handle this right now--"

~~~~~~

Gran Torino: "Tell me, (Y/n), what do you think it means to be a hero?"

(Y/n): "Uh, to be a hero? Well... A hero is to save somebody, right?"

Gran Torino: "Wrong."

(Y/n): "Huh? Wait! What? I don't--"

Gran Torino: "Whilst the plain viewpoint of being a hero is saving somebody, yes, there is also a lot more to the name. A hero is a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Saving the day is part of the job, but if you don't go out there with courage, kindness, and belief. The strength to forgive, and twice as much strength to ask for it. That is the true meaning of being called a hero. A person who people can aspire to be like. That's a hero."

~~~~~~

(Y/n): [Thoughts] "...A person who people can aspire to be like, huh? That's a hero...?"

As such a thought entered (Y/n)'s mind, he proceeded to look over his shoulder slightly where he took in the fearful and hesitant faces of the citizens waiting in the train. All were probably scared for their lives and didn't know what to do... Just like (Y/n) when he was a kid. He didn't know what to do when he first saw the sight of mother crying for help. Well, he knew he wanted to help her. But he couldn't...He was too afraid. But Izuku wasn't. He wasn't afraid. He just rushed in! To help those who need help! So (Y/n) would do the--

"And that's what caused you to lose to Stain. It wasn't that you or your quirk weren't strong enough. It's that you weren't patient enough."

But just as (Y/n) went to lift his to rush in, he stopped, and slowly placed his foot back on the ground. Something Gran Torino and everyone else on the train witnessed. At this same moment, the Nomu finally exited the surrounding wall of trees in front of (Y/n) and to the side of the train. Now only a row of rails stopped him from reaching (Y/n), but (Y/n) currently did nothing but stand completely still as the voice of Gran Torino ran through his mind. This eventually led some citizens to question what this 'Hero' was doing.

"What's this guy doing?"

"Why isn't he saving us?"

"Is he afraid?"

"I bet he's afraid."

"I mean, can you blame him? Look at that thing!"

"It already hurt one hero!"

"Yeah, but if this guy is a hero, he shouldn't be scared! Heroes aren't scared!"

"You saw him without his mask, he's only a kid."

"Then he shouldn't have been so eager to punch this monster before than!"

One by one the voices from the citizens inside sounded. With each one, Gran Torino grew angrier with each passing second. He wanted to yell at them. To stop believing something as rediculous as heroes couldn't be afraid. But he held himself back. Though, he wasn't helped when the defeated voice of the hero that was attacked by Nomu first, sounded softly as he lay on the floor of the train before Gran Torino. Even with a doctor and nurse helping him, he seemed to have given up.

Unknown Hero: "These people are right... This is all hopeless. That kid should just run for his life. It's clear he's scared. He really shouldn't be--"

Gran Torino: "--And so what if he is?"

Instantly the unknown hero turned to Gran Torino, surprised by the remark. He was even more surprised when he saw the retired hero looking right at him with nothing other than a look that could have silenced even the most powerful of figures. This look proceeded to lay the groundwork for what Gran Torino had to say next.

Gran Torino: "Listen here, rookie. If you're afraid and want to run away, that's your choice. But don't you dare, for a second, even think about bringing down someone else when they're going against their own fears to stand tall. Because right now, that 'scared kid' out there is the one protecting you. And you best be thankful for that. Because one day soon... You'll see he'll be like no other hero before him."

Gran Torino's words were stern, direct, and without hesitation. That along proved that the old man believed exactly what he said. Of course, to everyone else around, they just saw this as a young person with the potential to do great things. But for Gran Torino, he knew otherwise. Despite not saying anything in person to (Y/n), Gran Torino came to understand just why All Might had chosen the boy in the first place to become the successor of One For All. For whereas (Y/n) was quick to strike, prone to believe in himself over others, and lacked the capacity to control his fear. 

He was also brave. Determined. And carried a thunderous wave of motivation like no other. His goal to honour his brother placed a personal vendetta on his life as a Hero, and heroes with that mark were something not many carried these days. But the thing that truly placed (Y/n) in such hidden high regard of Gran Torino, was when even after suffering defeat, he realized his mistakes and asked Gran Torino to help him get stronger. 

And even after going up against the retired Hero for a second time, in hopes of winning to take on Stain, he lost nevertheless but chose to respect his word by not going after Stain despite how much he wanted to. But now, as carnage began to go off throughout the burning city of Shinkensan, Gran Torino was beginning to understand that there wasn't really much choice in the matter anymore. This city needed a hero; and with All Might not being the figure he once was. It was time for another to rise up, and showcase to the world that fear could not hold him down. But first, he had to get rid of the roadblock currently in front of him.

[Your POV]

...Now was the time. I didn't expect my first proper fight after training with One For All would be up against a Nomu of all things. I carried the thought process that the first person I fought would be Stain. But honestly, now that I think about it, a Nomu was the perfect test to see exactly what I had learned with this training under Gran Torino. In saying that, a Nomu was no easy task. I had fought one before. Back in USJ. But it was All Might who took down that beast the most. And even when I did fight it one-on-one, my Nightmare Quirk did it no damage. It was only when I combined it with One For All that some clear pain was inflicted into the creature. 

But even with that knowledge, I had no intention of using my Nightmare Quirk. Not because I didn't believe in it. But because I felt the call of Izuku inside of me. I didn't realize this before now but whenever I activated One For All, I got this feeling inside of me. A...freeness, of sorts. I was so filled with energy that I felt like I could do anything. It took me a while, but I soon came to realize I felt the exact same way when I was a kid. A freeness unlike any other. A sense of being able to do anything without being held back. 

I got that feeling as a kid when I used to play with Izuku. And in a way, I've come to understand that receiving One For All isn't just my way of being able to honour my brother. It's also a way to remind me...That he's still here. That any time I activate One For All, I can believe in full confidence, that Izuku is by my side. Pushing me onward. Helping me to overcome my fears. And reminding me of what I'm fighting for. And for those who come up against me, well, they're gonna realize soon enough that people with something to lose aren't the ones you're supposed to fear most.

...It's the ones who have nothing left to give.

So for this Nomu, and whoever sent it. Stain? The villain from USJ? They'd all come to realize their biggest mistake was going after All Might, or any other hero for that matter. Their greatest mistake was being born in the same world as me. Because those people, those... heroes... They're not like me. They'll lock you up and throw away the key. I'll literally throw 'you' away if you think of doing something that'll hurt others. But I have a feeling this Nomu wouldn't have gotten the sense of that statement, so...I decided to give him another one.

[3rd Person POV]

Silenced stained the air, as everyone watched on with belated breath as the towering Nomu finally stepped past the final railway to stand on the rocky ground that came between the other side of the railway, where the powerless train with citizens remained. Between them and this beast, (Y/n) stood. If plenty were being honest, they didn't know if they were going to survive this moment. But they were given a sense of hope, when the deepened voice of this masked green figure suddenly spoke out.

(Y/n): "You probably can't understand me, Nomu, but I'm going to say this anyway..."

The heads of the citizens and the unknown hero quickly turned to (Y/n). Whilst the Nomu tilted its head down at the small person.

(Y/n): "You came here to destroy and cause pain. I bet that's the only thing you think about. Well, that, and causing these people behind me an unhealthy amount of fear."

A quick glance from passenger to passenger by Gran Torino showcased they all felt exactly that. Whether it be a young woman remaining close to her partner's side, or a young girl squeezing her All Might plushie in nervousness. It was clear...They were indeed afraid...

(Y/n): "...But you forgot one thing about that."

...However, that was soon to change. One by one, the faces of fear that refused to even glance in the direction of the Nomu, now slowly began to do exactly that, as (Y/n)'s speech began to pick up. All the while, he stared straight in to the dull eyes of this monstrosity of a being.

(Y/n): "Everyone here may be afraid. Heck, I may even feel it myself. But you know what... I don't care. I could be afraid for my life, and I would still stand up to fight you. You know why? Because even in moments where victory doesn't seem likely, it's a hero's job to stand up to face that fear. That doesn't mean they're not afraid..."

The head of the injured unknown hero lying on the floor of the train slowly dropped his gaze upon hearing that remark.

(Y/n): "At the end of the day, heroes are humans too. So they'll be afraid. I...I'll be afraid."

Looking down at the ground, (Y/n)'s mind seemed to pause as he thought over what he had just said. The thought of that fear inside of him getting the best of the young boy was quickly rising, beginning to make (Y/n) doubt whether he could win right now. But all that doubt. All that fear. It disappeared in a second as soon as he looked down at his right hand. A hand infused with the energy of One For All coursing through it. A mere look at that was able to remind (Y/n) of his brother. Someone who was afraid, yet rose up to strike those fears down. And as (Y/n) lifted his head now, before him...He didn't see the Nomu. All he saw was his brother. 

A bright smile on his face as he closed his eyes as tight as he could. No words came from this fantasy of Izuku, but none needed to be said. Such was confirmed a few seconds later when (Y/n) finally finished his sentence. It came about as all the citizens, and Gran Torino, watched with hesitation and confusion as to what was going on before their very eyes. But their fear slowly began to fade, when out of nowhere, (Y/n) slammed his fist into the ground. Sparks of red energy from One For All zapped in the surrounding space around his fist as (Y/n) flung his head upward to look right into the face of fear itself... The Nomu.

(Y/n): "...But the role of a hero is more than just saving somebody. It's to show courage. To achieve the unlikely. To help those who can't help themselves. To be a beacon of hope, to wash away the fear in this world. The true meaning of a hero is a person who people can aspire to be like."

A smile was quick to find Gran Torino's face as the passengers on the train looked at one another. But instead of fear now covering their faces, hope could be seen instead.

(Y/n): "At the end of the day, heroes are afraid just as much as anyone else. But they rise against that fear to be a beacon of hope. But...Humans aren't the only things that fear."

KA-BOOM!

In that very moment, a powerful lightning strike from the heavens above sprung down from the dark skies to strike a mountain hundreds of meters away from (Y/n)'s current position. It was enough to capture the attention of all the people on the train, who turned their heads away from (Y/n) to look in the opposite direction, the same direction as the destructive Shinkensan. Even the Nomu looked away for a moment after being drawn by the loud sound. But when the Nomu, and everyone else turned back to face (Y/n), they came to realize that maybe looking away wasn't the best option. 

For when their eyes landed on the young boy's figure next, they were greeted by the sight of the crouched male, whose fist was still planted firmly on the ground, to now have hie entire body covered by the red sparks of One For All. A power source which just previously covered his fist, now covered his entire body. From his feet, to his arms, to his shoulder, to even his head. The powerful red sparks that brought away a wave of awe from the citizens and stunned the Nomu, soon shifted to a vibrant green color. Similar to that of (Y/n)'s nightmare quirk. Yet...It wasn't the nightmare Quirk. It was One For All. Just... a little different. But whatever it was, it didn't for a single moment get Gran Torino to drop his smile as (Y/n) spoke out once more.

(Y/n): "...You're afraid, aren't you? I can sense it. Despite the lack of will inside of this monstrous body of yours. I feel you were human once. A human with fear. But now you're a monster. A monster with fear. And unfortunately for you, you didn't come across no blue and red boy scout. with blonde hair."

That remark instantly caused a few heads to rise within the stationed train.

"Did...Did he just call All Might a boy scout?"

Someone asked in the back as Gran Torino only lifted his smile.

(Y/n): "You would have been lucky to come across him. He would have shown you some mercy. But to me...You're not human anymore. Someone took that away from you. And I'll be sure to make them pay for that. But first, I've got to clear you from the minds of every innocent person standing behind me. So, with that, I only have one thing left to say..."

Instantly, the faces of everyone in the train spawned questioned looks. From the very moment (Y/n) first started to speak, people were glued to what he had to say. He had somehow managed to clear their conscious' of fear. They now had hope that this boy was going to save them. So the fact he had one final thing to say to the monster definitely intrigued them, and even roused the curiosity of Gran Torino. 

But no matter what anyone thought beforehand, they were nowhere close to what (Y/n) actually had to say. For as this young boy, riddled by fear his entire life looked right into the blank gaze of the Nomu with his own sparkling green eyes surrounded by the energy of One For All in the same shade, focused his gaze on this monster one last time...He finally let the words slip. Words that everyone watching would soon come to remember.

(Y/n): "Fear Me... For I am here."

Without a second more, (Y/n) suddenly used 12% of One For All in the heels of his feet to burst of the ground in the glimpse of an eye. It was like Gran Torino's own moveset. Something the retired hero noticed, but was unable to comment on due to the shock that ranged from hearing (Y/n)'s final response. But no matter who was still reeling on that final sentence, they were immediately brought back to the moment at hand as (Y/n)'s lighting bolt of a boy, one which sparked to life with green jolts of energy, quickly neared the shocked Nomu's body. The beats could only stand in place as it watched (Y/n) pull back his right fist as far as he could. A surge of One For All's green energy plunging through his right fist. His eyes stretching as wide as they could. As (Y/n) made a remark to his late brother...

(Y/n): "UN-NIGHTMARE STATES...OF SMASH!!!!!"

If (Y/n)'s previous words had not thrown everyone off, these ones most certainly did. And only did so further as (Y/n) finally released all the force saved up by pulling his fist backward. But now being about to release it, (Y/n)'s powerful attack effortlessly cut through the air. Striking the wind apart. Before plunging deep into the gut of the Nomu. Within even the span of a second, the Nomu's entire body was flung forward due to the pressure currently pushing against his chest. It was so strong that it almost appeared like his eyes would burst out. It only got worse the more (Y/n) screamed. 

He didn't hold back as he continued to dig his fist into the stomach of the Nomu. Continuing to press further and further until somehow, this mixture attack of One For All and his Nightmare Quirk, completely broke the skin and muscle barrier of Nomu's body entirely. Before long, (Y/n)'s fist had cleared even the toughest layers of organs within this monster. But with the unrelenting energy of One For All unable to mesh with (Y/n)'s Nightmare Quirk properly, it eventually began unable to be controlled. Something (Y/n) noticed when his right fist began to quake and shake. 

And despite not being able to see it, he knew what was about to happen. As did everyone else. So it came as no surprise when a few seconds later the entire body of the Nomu exploded from the inside. All due to the unrelenting power of One For All mixing with the Nightmare Quirk. How this happened, no one knows. But as chunks of Nomu went flying everywhere, the people left to watch, including Gran Torino, were left to wonder just who this hero before them really was. But whereas some couldn't help but feel a sense of fear directed towards him, there were some who couldn't help but be impressed.

"You were right..."

Gran Torino: "Huh?"

Turning toward the voice, Gran Torino saw it was the unknown hero looking up at him from the ground. He was still being tended to by the doctor and nurse, but even so he found the strength to smile at the retired hero.

Unknown Hero: "...He really is like no other hero."

But whether for best or worst, that was yet to be seen. But even so, as Gran Torino turned back to look out at the figure of (Y/n) now standing alone, left with nothing but chunks of the deceased Nomu's body by his side, and couldn't help but bring about his smile once more. As for (Y/n), he just stood in place. In the middle of those railway tracks. So much was coursing through his mind as he looked down at his opened palm. Where sparks of green energy from One For All could be seen. With his body panting heavily, he pulled back his mask to question it further.

(Y/n): "Green...Green energy?"

Gran Torino: "It seems One For All has bonded to you nicely."

The voice of the familiar hero was more than enough for (Y/n) to suddenly spin around to face Gran Torino.

(Y/n): "Gran Torino? Wha-What just happened? I thought One For All's energy was red? So that wasn't One For All?"

Gran Torino: "Oh, it certainly was. I'd never miss the sight of it. And whilst it normally is red, maybe...that's just something else that sets you aside from the others."

(Y/n): "The others?"

Immediately Gran Torino made a face that showcased he mentioned something he probably shouldn't have. Quickly, he went to cover it up.

Gran Torino: "Uh, nevermind about that. Look, I suppose that with you having a strong Quirk of your own, it may have unlocked a new ability of One For All, I wouldn't worry about it. You've just learned something even All Might didn't know about."

(Y/n): [Thoughts] "Even All Might didn't know about...?"

That remark was stained to (Y/n)'s mind immediately. It was definitely something he didn't fully understand now, but as he glanced down at the green sparks, he remembered he had seen this once before...during the USJ incident. One For All had taken on the form of green sparks instead of red. (Y/n) hadn't really thought about the change beforehand. But now that he thought about it, it definitely left him questioning what was going on. But before he could comprehend it any further, he was brought back to reality by Gran Torino.

Gran Torino: "Or it could just be for dramatic effect. I mean--" [Chuckles] "That was quite some speech. And that play on words with his named attack. Haha! That definitely brought out a chuckle."

(Y/n): "Oh, um...Yeah." [Chuckles Nervously] "--It just felt right, you know..."

Though a little cringe, (Y/n) had to admit. But he couldn't find much fault in the honoring of his brother.

BOOM!

BANG!

CRASH!

It didn't take much, however, to draw the pairs attention back to the chaos that currently rampaged through the nearby city. There was clearly something going on. And as the fires continued to rise, and calls for help got louder and louder. (Y/n) knew that one way or another, he had a fight to enter. And despite the pressing voice of fear in the back of his head, he'd push forward. He'd remain strong and courageous. In the end...

...He'd show fear no more.

[And there we go. 16k words of ANTI-HERO done, I didn't plan to write that much, but I wanted to make up for the wait and I feel it helped make this chapter even better than I originally planned. So in saying that, I hope you all enjoyed, if you did, feel free to vote and leave your thoughts in the comments. I'm gonna push through this rough patch of the story for you guys, and myself, and I'm gonna do the best I can to make each chapter enjoyable. The next one should definitely be out in no more than the span of two weeks. I don't wanna go any longer than that. So, hopefully you all can stick with this book and get ready for the action that's coming our way~]