"Izuku! Izuku! The letter's here!"
Izuku Midoriya was trembling with excitement, fear, and hope. His entire life had led to this exact moment—months of relentless effort, training, pain, and trials. He stood quickly, mind racing yet legs heavy; each step toward his mother deepened his anxiety.
He needed no words, for the crushing pressure weighed heavily upon his young shoulders. He extended both hands, took the letters, and lowered his gaze. He probably hadn't been accepted. He couldn't bear for his mother to witness his failure, not after all they had endured.
Sharing one last glance with Inko, he turned sharply and rushed into his room, locking the door behind him like a child who'd just done something wrong. Was he ready to face his destiny?
Among the letters he'd grabbed, there was another one. Izuku frowned briefly, searching first for the UA envelope. The other was a plain, nondescript letter addressed to him but clearly not from UA. He tossed it onto his bed without a second thought, far too focused on the other letter—the only one that mattered.
His hands shook, but after taking a deep breath, he decisively broke the seal. A metallic clatter echoed softly, and a small object fell onto his desk.
Unable to remain standing, Izuku sat down heavily on his chair. As he reached to examine the curious device, an image suddenly sprang forth in holographic form, nearly toppling him backward.
"All Might!" he blurted out, stunned at the sight of his mentor. He hadn't seen or heard from him in days; deep down, Izuku had feared it was because he had failed—but no, he knew better.
All Might began speaking, exuding his usual unshakable charisma as he explained the exam results. "Unfortunately, when you score zero in the practical exam, you are naturally rejected…"
Izuku's heart tightened, breath catching painfully in his throat. It was over.
But then, the image of a young brunette appeared before him, accompanied by All Might's dazzling, reassuring smile. "Pay close attention, my boy, to how your actions impact others."
Under Izuku's wide-eyed gaze, the girl he had saved began to defend him, even offering to share her own points with him. He was utterly stunned. No one, except perhaps his mother, had ever gone that far for him. Even if he failed... he had positively influenced someone, and that was all that mattered.
…Or almost.
"Whether months ago or right now, quirkless or not, you continue to command respect!" All Might paused dramatically, savoring the moment, then looked directly into the camera. "Let me tell you something, my boy. The examiners don't only consider the villains you've defeated. Oh no! We wouldn't reject a candidate for saving someone else. While some might dismiss these as mere words, it's our duty to turn those words into actions! Even at the peril of our own lives!"
Izuku could hardly believe his ears, his heart hammering at an alarming pace. Could it really be true? There was still hope?! Panting, the young man leapt from his chair, tears of joy filling his emotional eyes.
"That's why rescue points exist. It's UA's second evaluation criterion! The jury awarded you 60 points! Congratulations, you've been accepted! Come now, my boy—we're waiting for you at your Hero Academy!"
The hologram finally disappeared, like a mirage fading in the desert, as brave Izuku wiped away his tears, relieved, exhausted, and freed from a burden he'd carried for so long.
He fell backward onto his bed with an ecstatic sigh, a sparkle in his eyes. That's when he felt something beneath him—a cold, forgotten weight.
The other letter, the one he'd casually thrown aside before opening UA's.
His fingers brushed over the cold sheets before grasping the envelope. A smile immediately stretched across his lips. What could it possibly be? A list of textbooks? Instructions about UA uniforms?
His excitement spiked again as thoughts of hero costumes crossed his mind. Of course! That had to be it! How strange for UA not to include their logo, though...
Without hesitation, he tore open the envelope sharply. But as soon as his eyes fell upon the first lines, his whole body froze. The black ink seemed almost too deep under his room's dim lighting.
His smile vanished.
He reread it. Again. Once. Twice.
No! No, it couldn't be possible...
His heart pounded painfully as his eyes devoured the words in a single breath. When he had finished, his trembling hands dropped the letter like a dead weight. It fell silently onto the floor, the dark letters cruelly vivid beneath the harsh glow of his lamp.
"Shimada International Law & Inheritance
Jackson, Mississippi
March 2, 20xx
To Mr. Izuku Midoriya,
Subject: Notification of Death and Succession Arrangements
Mr. Midoriya,
It is with regret that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Hisashi Midoriya, on March 1, 20xx, in Detroit, United States of America.
The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. At this stage, we are authorized to disclose only limited information, but rest assured we will keep you informed of any developments.
In accordance with your father's final wishes, we have been tasked with arranging the transfer of his legal inheritance. Please report to our Japanese office at 2-13-2 Law Building, Musutafu, Shizuoka Prefecture, at 10:45 AM on March 7, to complete the necessary procedures.
We understand that this news may be difficult, and we wish to extend our sincere condolences during this trying time. Please don't hesitate to contact us should you require further information.
Sincerely yours,
Kensuke Shimada, Senior Partner
Shimada International Law & Inheritance"
A few hours later:
Night had wrapped Musutafu in its embrace, and Izuku was still tossing restlessly in his bed, unable to find sleep. He no longer cried, yet his heart felt frozen.
He had maintained a facade during dinner, a forced smile illuminating his face with a dull, lost aura, vainly trying to hide his vacant stare. Inko, anxious, assumed he was upset about failing the exam, but he showed her All Might's video instead.
He refused to show her the other letter. He couldn't. Or rather… he wouldn't. He refused to be the one to rekindle the old demons surrounding his father.
Izuku had spent his life trying to forget him, yet his father's presence hovered above him like a shadow attempting to blot out the sun.
He couldn't recall any birthdays spent together. No warmth, not even the sound of his voice—just a faceless figure. All he knew about this man were fragments, snippets of memories stolen from his mother. According to her, he had been courteous, caring, gallant, and hardworking—so hardworking that he'd left Japan for the United States just after Izuku turned four, never to return.
Izuku knew why. As much as he wished to imagine good reasons, the harsh reality struck him deeply. He had been diagnosed quirkless, doomed to remain so his entire life had it not been for All Might's intervention.
His father had been so ashamed of him that he abandoned him.
As Izuku stared at the ceiling, dark thoughts seeping into his mind, his eyes instinctively turned toward his desk, where the letter lay. He rose, reading it again and again, always stumbling over the notification of death. Even faced with the undeniable truth… he still couldn't believe it.
He needed to know who his father truly was. He switched on his old computer, its reluctant fan protesting noisily against his late-night research. Nevertheless, he opened the web browser and typed his father's name.
Nothing. A few social media accounts, articles unrelated to his father. He scoured page after page, clicking dozens of more or less suspicious links until he stumbled upon it.
An article, in English.
Furrowing his brows, he began mentally translating it, word by word. Each sentence hit him like a torrent of freezing water, forcing him to clap a hand over his mouth to suppress a cry of terror.
"Japanese CEO murdered at his company headquarters!"
This Monday, at the headquarters of Heroes Training Center Corp, the company's president was found dead, stabbed multiple times in his office… It appears that…
He froze, struggling to scroll further, when suddenly his blood ran cold. A creaking sound came from behind. Instinctively, he closed the page and spun around.
Inko stood at the doorway, her hand resting against the wall, her face exhausted.
"Izuku, why are you awake? It's three in the morning. You have school tomorrow."
Izuku had no heart to lie to his mother, nor did he wish to tell her the truth—not yet. Today was supposed to be the pinnacle of all his efforts, the day he could finally show his mother that his dream wasn't impossible.
"I know… I just can't sleep."
She approached slowly, her small feet reducing the space between her and the letter.
His heart tightened painfully. He wanted to tell her so badly that it burned his lips, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. His hand rose, trembling, as if to grab her.
"Is it about the letter? Izuku… you've worked so hard, and you've been accepted to UA! It's a miracle, and now you even have a quirk. Don't worry; even if things get tough, I'll always be here for you. You know that."
Her gentle words drew a genuine smile from her son, who stood up and hugged her. "Yes, I know," he whispered softly, stepping back afterward. "I'll go to bed, promise."
Inko seemed reassured, her own fears momentarily dissolving. She needed to watch over him—he was still her child, even if he had grown so much in recent months.
As she left, a thin sliver of light seeped briefly into the room before disappearing. Izuku glanced one last time at his computer before shaking his head. Better to wait, to read the article with a clearer mind.
Strangely, sleep claimed him quickly and quietly, his tense muscles relaxing easily as his stinging eyes found brief rest.
The next morning, Dagoba Beach:
The fresh, lively wind danced over the golden waves of dawn, vibrating against the vast stretch of azure sky. In the sacred silence of the morning, only the sea murmured, breathing serenity onto the cool sand. Deku stood facing the glorious horizon, letting the free breeze gently caress his curly hair, carrying with it the promise of a new day.[1]
He inhaled deeply, capturing a brief moment of eternity, lost briefly in time. He had barely slept, yet he felt a new strength rising within him—one he couldn't quite explain. Here, on the sand he had painstakingly cleared of waste, he felt a bittersweet sense of accomplishment.
He had succeeded in overcoming the first great challenge of his life, but at the same time, he had lost a part of himself he had long tried to ignore.
He knelt down, scooping a handful of soft sand into his palm, letting the grains sift gently through his fingers. After a moment, all that remained were tiny fragments of metal, so small and light he hadn't been able to clean them away.
Deku moved swiftly and confidently toward a familiar figure in the distance. His mentor sat peacefully on a small rock, watching the waves wash over his feet, his brown coat fluttering in the wind, mirroring the movement of his bright blond hair.
"Ah! Young Midoriya, there you are!" Toshinori exclaimed upon seeing his student, his proud and radiant smile contrasting with the fragility of his current state. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, All Might," replied the young man, measured but fulfilled. Toshinori raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing. "I couldn't believe it when I learned you'd be teaching at UA. That explains why you were around even though your office is across the country."
"Well, I couldn't mention it before the official announcement. You probably guessed I was looking for a successor when Principal Nezu approached me with the offer."
Deku sighed, looking apprehensively at his arms. "Still, I can't control One For All. One strike and I break."
Toshinori remained silent, his face turning serious as he carefully considered his words. "That's normal, my boy. You'll need time to gauge your power; right now, it's 100% or nothing. But as you grow stronger, your body will handle the strain better."
"I see…" Deku murmured, determination flashing in his eyes. He still had so much to do.
Toshinori couldn't ignore the sadness in the boy's eyes any longer, attributing it initially to his impatience in mastering his power. "I sense something is weighing on you, my boy. Tell me everything," he said softly, his voice carrying an imposing strength.
A silence settled between them. Toshinori narrowed his eyes, and Deku hesitated briefly before averting his gaze. Finally, in a low voice, he admitted, "My father died."
Surprise froze on the hero's face, his familiar smile fading into sincere compassion. "Oh… I'm sorry, young Midoriya." He paused uncomfortably, unsure how to navigate such a painful topic. "I'm here if you want to talk about it."
Izuku offered him a gentle smile, comforted by his mentor's words like a child. "It's just… I never knew him. He left the country when I was four."
Toshinori's face paled, and his ghostly figure seemed swept away by the breeze. He understood the horror of his student's words. Izuku had lived what so many quirkless children endured: abandonment. "Right after you were diagnosed quirkless," he said heavily.
The young heir nodded slowly, thoughtful. "He went to America, and I've lived without him ever since. It wasn't so bad, really. I didn't think I could miss someone I never knew, but…" Izuku almost broke down, his emotional nature finally breaking the brave facade he'd built to shield himself.
"It's natural," Yagi whispered, placing his hand reassuringly on the boy's shoulder, his smile rekindling like a golden flame, warming the troubled youth.
"He was murdered."
Silence enveloped the beach, the sea seeming to hold its breath.
"In his office. Nobody knows more than that."
Deku felt his throat tighten, yet continued, his voice deeper, more somber. "I've looked for answers, All Might. I searched everywhere, but there's almost nothing. It's as if nobody is talking about it. What… what should I do, All Might?"
The great hero felt compassion for his young disciple, a wave of weakness overtaking him as painful memories resurfaced—vengeance, hatred, violence—burdens that had led him to his weakened state. He was hardly in a position to discourage Izuku from seeking the truth.
"That villain will eventually be found and will answer for his actions. But, Izuku… to become a great hero, you mustn't let emotions like anger, hatred, and vengeance guide you. It only leads to more suffering."
These final words cast a profound and chilling silence, as though they had frozen the air itself.
"Did you have family?" Izuku asked impulsively, the words escaping before he could stop himself.
Yagi discreetly sighed, memories flooding him like a speeding train, clouding his thoughts with pain. He remained silent as his past unfolded before his eyes—his peaceful childhood filled with heroism dreams, his encounter with Nana… until her death at the hands of his greatest enemy, the only man he'd ever killed.
"Yes," he finally whispered, eyes fixed on the ocean. "My mentor, Nana, left me her power and the responsibility of One For All. She was always there for me—to teach, protect, and show me how to be a hero."
Izuku smiled softly, questions rising on his lips, yet he restrained himself. "She must have been amazing."
Toshinori nodded, turning toward his student. "Yes, she was, but a villain killed her."
"That's horrible!"
He hesitated, reluctant but compelled to continue. His legacy now belonged to his successor. Even though Izuku wouldn't face All For One directly, the past could not be buried—it had to be faced and reconciled.
"That villain was called All For One. I'll tell you more another time, but remember this: I avenged Nana to save Japan, but also… because I was consumed by rage. Emotions I had repressed until I broke. I let emotions control me when countless lives depended on me. Look at how I've ended up. During that fight, I wasn't a hero. Just an angry man ready to kill."
He turned to Deku, sincerity blazing in his eyes, flames of pain vivid.
"Never make that mistake, young Midoriya. Hatred only brings more pain."
Deku nodded silently, eyes reflecting raw emotion—compassion, doubt, fear, sorrow, and finally hope.
"A hero can't always look back, but their shadows remain. Move forward and do your best."
"I understand, All Might."
His father's departure and death would forever remain part of him, but he had to continue without succumbing to those feelings. He clenched his fist determinedly, extending it toward his mentor. "I won't disappoint you!"
Toshinori smiled brighter than ever, returning the gesture, fists touching. "I never doubted you, young Midoriya."
The next day at Shimada International Law & Inheritance:
Izuku arrived early, as always—a poor decision this time.
There was still half an hour left before his appointment, and he'd been placed in a small waiting room near Mr. Shimada's office. If he'd rushed here immediately, it was because he couldn't contain his impatience anymore; he was tired of being kept in the dark.
They had put him in a sterile waiting area close to the lawyer's office he was supposed to see. A cramped space, two chairs, not a single magazine, not even a water fountain. Just an old wooden antique clock, a relic from another century, its ticking matching the rhythm of his barely restrained impatience.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The sound filled the empty room, hammering relentlessly against his skull, intensifying an emerging headache.
Izuku slipped a tense hand into his pocket and pulled out the crumpled letter. He hadn't let it out of his grasp for two days, handling it repeatedly and taking it everywhere with him. If he were more poetic, he might say the creases were evidence of his obsession, their rough texture familiar under his fingertips.
He sighed thoughtfully, continuing to stare at the antique clock, watching the relentless march of time.
"Nothing. I searched the entire internet, spent dozens of hours looking, yet it's completely empty! It's like he never existed. Apart from that small news article, I've got absolutely nothing," he thought, bitter frustration and helplessness draining him.
His fingers clenched around the paper, frustration intensifying, coiling beneath his patience like insidious poison.
He'd barely slept in two days, eating only mechanically, even his training had suffered. He struggled immensely to focus on physical exercises that had become second nature; his body obeyed, but his mind was elsewhere.
All his life, he'd fought simply to exist, to dream of better days. He wanted desperately to prove his worth to Kacchan, to show his mother he could achieve his dreams, and to prove to society that someone quirkless could be just as valuable as someone who had one. Without One For All, he'd remain a relic from before quirks, a leftover of humanity's progression toward a new golden age.
Despite all his determination, Izuku faced a wall he couldn't simply destroy or climb. He couldn't run away from this problem. He had to fight to uncover the identity of a man he knew nothing about, in a complete absence of information.
"How is it possible to vanish completely? Even if the police are covering the case and want to keep certain things secret, there must be something..."
Izuku rested his hands on his knees, another thought drifting toward his dear mother, and regret overwhelmed him. He hadn't told her anything—not yet. "I'm a coward."
Tick-tock thundered the clock, echoing through his turmoil. He inhaled deeply, but his indignation grew with every passing second, filling him with righteous anger.
"Don't let your emotions guide you," All Might's words echoed wisely, calmly, rationally.
But it was too late; he clenched his fists again. Never before had he craved answers as desperately as this very moment.
BANG!
Suddenly, the door slammed open, crashing loudly against the wall, startling Izuku so fiercely his hair stood on end as if struck by lightning.
A sharp, sarcastic female voice shattered the silence: "I didn't realize there were two of us here for the death of a stranger."
Izuku blinked, too shocked to immediately respond.
His reactions were always delayed when interacting with strangers, especially girls. He averted his gaze nervously, fleeing from the natural confidence she radiated.
She, however, had no issue staring directly at him. Her gaze fell upon him, half-curious, half-amused.
He heard her sit down right beside him without hesitation. Her movements were fluid and graceful, entirely natural, as if navigating this absurd situation was utterly normal for her. A fresh, slightly spicy fragrance tickled his senses.
"Why is she sitting right next to me?! It's not like there aren't other chairs..."
"Oh right," he remembered.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "Well, I don't know. How about you tell me who you are?"
Izuku opened his mouth, then closed it again. His brain fought fiercely against short-circuiting as he finally raised his eyes to meet hers.
And he saw.
Her forest-green hair, darker than his own yet strangely familiar.
The freckles scattered exactly like his own.
The deep, dark green eyes—mocking yet oddly recognizable.
Vertigo rose in his chest, a violent surge of heat.
"No… impossible."
His heart raced frantically. He wanted to believe it was just a wild coincidence, his imagination running away with him, but…
The longer he stared, the heavier the crushing realization became.
She responded by raising an amused eyebrow at his stunned expression.
"You know, before you stare at a girl, it's polite to ask her name first, don't you think?"
Izuku was mortified by his impoliteness. "Ah… Um… Sorry!"
He bowed slightly, almost mechanically, like an old machine restarting.
"I... I'm Izuku Midoriya."
The young woman narrowed her eyes slightly, her smile subtly widening. "Setsuna Tokage."
To be continued...
A/N :
Hi there!
This is the first story I'm posting on Webnovel! I've written quite a few stories on Fanfiction net, and I wanted to try something new here—so I took the leap.
I'm a French author, so this fic is translated directly by me. I use AI tools and English–French dictionaries to help deliver a solid translation, but some nuances might slip through the cracks here and there. Or maybe it'll come off a bit robotic at times, so to speak.
Feel free to share your thoughts—I'll do my best to adjust based on your feedback! If I find something rather hard to translate, I'll try to explain what I originally intended to convey in the source text.
I'll also be publishing this fic in French for all my French-speaking readers.
This story will feature three points of view from three main characters. As you've likely guessed, Izuku and Setsuna will have their POV chapters, alongside a third character I've created specifically for this story. Much of the plot will revolve around Hisashi 'Midoriya': whether he's actually dead or alive, his past life, his job, and so on. However—and here's where I'll attempt a somewhat original approach in the MHA universe—I intend to delve into geopolitics, world history, and the quest for power. Family, friendship, honor, and power will be central themes, with each character contributing uniquely to the narrative.
That's why the POVs will rotate. We're starting with Izuku; the next chapter will feature Setsuna, followed by the OC.
For those who aren't fans of OCs, I completely understand—I also find they can be irritating or ridiculously overpowered, negatively affecting the story. However, I've taken care to create a morally ambiguous character, with clear motivations, visible strengths and weaknesses, and a hint of mystery. I'm not trying to play devil's advocate here, but I encourage you to give this character, who will debut in Chapter 3, a fair chance and share your feedback.
In this fic, my goal is to create a more credible and nuanced universe than canon. Not every hero will be perfect, nor will every villain be purely evil. The world is composed of shades of grey, and you'll find significant social commentary woven into this story.
I encourage you give me feedback, its crucial, believe me. Every author needs motivation to keep their stories alive, and comments often serve as fuel. Seeing that readers enjoy, or have something constructive to say about, your work truly inspires an author.
In the next chapter:
Setsuna makes her grand entrance into the lawyer's office! Shocking revelations are made! The two siblings get acquainted and confront a past they'd rather have left behind.
[1] There is what was an alliteration in French, the translation is fine but do not give the exact feeling that I want to share. Hope it's good for you.