Miruko was currently in the Aichi Prefecture in Nagoya, lounging on her hotel bed with a sports bra and shorts, drinking a protein shake after a long day of beating up villains. She was never the type to put down roots and establish a home base like an agency, and instead roamed the country as she saw fit or where she was needed.
Every hotel she goes to must have a gym since beating up small-time villains isn't enough to increase her strength and it was mostly boring pounding on small fry.
As her thoughts consumed her, she suddenly got a call.
Dragon Lady
She grinned wildly and answered.
"Hey, Ryu-chan, you got an exciting op I can join?" She usually calls periodically to check in, but also to include her in some situations that need more support.
"How many times have I told you not to call me that? I don't have anything right now, but I called since I know you don't really watch the news." Ryukyu sighed and informed her.
Miruko's eyebrow raises and her rabbit ears twitch in amusement.
"You know I don't watch it, so why ask? If they need me then I'd get a call." She shrugged as the news was mostly a bore and a true bad situation would've long informed her about it.
"The world is changing, Rumi. Look up Singularity Games. I need to get ahead of this and sign up with my sidekicks and interns. Later." Ryukyu hung up suddenly as she was in a hurry.
This caused Miruko to be quite surprised. The situation sounded serious and now her curiosity was piqued.
Hopping out of bed, her hotel room had a simple computer, thanks to the room she bought for the week.
Looking up the name, there was various reports, headlines, clips from some AllMightH8r streaming account that got a laugh out of her, and various theories.
Full-Imersion VR Technology. The ability to gain real-world strength through playing and growing stronger in-game. It was like all the current problems were solved through this company.
Her strength was hardly improving and it was a very slow process at her age of 26. Only high-intensity and life-threatening battles will cause her strength to significantly improve in a short time.
Adding this to her training regime would be perfect.
Without much thought, she went to the official site and signed up.
'My power can more reliably increase now thanks to this and all I have to do is play some pirate game? I could kiss whoever made this!...maybe not a balding middle-aged scientist though only if they're strong and good-looking.' She laughed to herself at the thought, not taking it seriously.
Whoever made this was undoubtedly a super genius, not strong like her, right?
+=[MHAGD]=+
"Curious, how are the ratings at Shoowaysha regarding Singularity Games?" Re-Destro asked one of his most capable subordinates, but he doesn't necessarily treat them like them unless he needs things done or in emergencies. They are all his fellow Liberation Warriors following his ancestor's ideals.
"Very well, Grand Commander, the readers are eating it up and greatly align with the article's message of The Next Era of Humanity and Quirk Expression, while highlighting that if authorities were to ban or suppress the new technology, it would be a violation of their rights to strengthen their quirks. This was done subtly, of course." She reported with overwhelming excitement and awe.
He smiled softly and nodded.
"Good, making this technology illegal would be a grave error considering public reception. They would be rejected for further strength and would even think the HPSC was suppressing them. Not banning it would also be good, as regular people would get a taste of greater power, but would be unable to express it without a legal license. Both scenarios are good, but I'm leaning more towards the tech being free for all to use. It's our right to use our Meta-Abilities after all.
Skeptic, any updates?"
The man in question was typing away with an embarrassed face.
"I'm sorry, Grand Commander, but apart from the name "The Creator" and an email they gave out, there is nothing. No names, addresses, previous publications, or prototypes.' He apologized with shame.
Curious sneered at him for failing their great Grand Commander, but didn't say anything in the presence of Re-Destro.
Re-destro was a bit disappointed but didn't let it get to him.
"Just keep looking and let me know if you find anything. We must locate the founder of this company. They could've just released it to the heroes and cut off access to everyone else, but anyone could sign up and get one once supply improves. Heroes, Villains, and even civilians can get one. Strengthening their power no matter who they are. This person is clearly influenced by the Meta Liberation Army's ideals.
"If they don't know about it, then that would be even better, since it would be an untainted view of freedom! Imagine if we taught them the lessons and ideals of my ancestor. We must locate this person at all costs before the HPSC gets a hold of them." Re-Destro was deadly serious.
"Yes, Grand Commander!" They responded and were determined to complete their leader's command. They also wanted to have a fellow believer in their ranks.
=+[MHAGD]=+
"How is this even possible?" David Shield's jaw was practically on the floor, looking through various articles and footage.
"I don't know anyone who could make this. I asked around the island but nobody knows." Sam was also lost. They knew their colleagues well, and those involved in neuroscience were nowhere near this level.
"What do you think, Dad? Could we get one?" Melissa was also with them locked in on the news as nearly every news outlet was covering it.
"All we can do is sign up and hope we receive one. Tech like this would naturally be in short supply or they are testing public feedback in short batches. The way it communicates with the brain is unprecedented. It's likely a mix of highly advanced science and a quirk, but that's just my guess." David felt that had to be how it was possible. This likely wasn't replicable without "The Creator".
Sam and Melissa both nodded at the explanation as it made sense. The tech alone would be ground-breaking but for the addition of your real body improving, that had to be a quirk involved with its creation.
Melissa also thought back to when she was first diagnosed as quirkless and her dreams of being a hero like her uncle, All Might, were shattered, but now? If her body could improve, then maybe she could along with support gear.
She could be a hero. The thought lit a fire in her and she must get one.
David, on the other hand, was thinking of how this could heal his best friend, All Might. He likely already heard it, but giving him a call wouldn't hurt.
Maybe the Quirk Amplifier would no longer be needed?
=+[MHAGD]+=
From across the world, various figures reacted, presidents, CEOS, employees, heroes, hero hopefuls and students all wanted a piece of Deep Dive VR for their own ambitions and hopes.
Even those who don't really care about gaming wanted to play just for the experience and bettering their health and power.
This mattered little to All For One, as he had instructed Tomura to return to the bar and play from there.
Streaming could no longer be possible as All For One was about to play, and he wouldn't change his appearance to hide. Knowing that his location can't be traced from playing made him bold, and his pride would not allow him to hide away.
While he liked to control things from the shadows, that doesn't mean he's scared or afraid to make an appearance, but rather that was how he liked doing things.
If anyone wanted to do something to him, he'd crush them with overwhelming force. That's how it's always been.
He made sure all records of Tomura staying at that apartment were scrubbed clean as if he had never been there. He still had that level of influence, especially since a pawn of his owns it and has many locations All For One can use instead. One loss is perfectly fine for the gain he just got.
The sensation of being able to truly "see" with his own eyes once again was a surreal experience. You never know what you have until you lose it, and he intended to never lose it again.
All For One had to create an account and, of course, went with "All For One". He would've put Demon King, but his name is already synonymous with it, so there was no point.
He was directly thrust into Loguetown, and seeing it himself was far different than being told. It was indistinguishable from reality.
'Yoichi, if only you were here to see this.' He could still remember those days reading comic books on the streets as their parents threw him out for awakening a Meta-Ability, especially one they thought was evil. They wanted Yoichi since they believed he had no ability, but his brother followed him that day.
Shaking off those thoughts, he added Tomura to his friends list along with Kurogiri with the username, "Warper". Dr. Garaki's was simple, "Doctor".
Tomura invited them all, and the three of them appeared.
"Sensei!" Tomura was shocked and also thrilled that not only was Sensei gaming with him when before he had zero interest, but also his face was restored.
"Master!" Both Kurogiri and Dr. Garaki were excited that the technology is showing evidence that what's being claimed is real. Their master could heal the stronger he got while gaming.
Kurogiri's new appearance was a young-looking man with black hair and purple highlights, with eyes matching the latter's color.
Dr. Garaki also had to change his appearance to black hair with many streaks of white strands with a full beard.
All For One acknowledged their awe, and he himself was quite satisfied.
"Sensei, do you want to be party leader?" Tomura asked.
"There is no need for that. You are my chosen successor and I would like to see how you'd lead us into battle. I will always be here if you need help." All For One smiled at him.
Tomura was filled with gratitude, knowing his sensei would always have his back.
"Ah, I suppose introductions are in order. Tomura, this is my good friend Dr. Garaki, who has been instrumental to my recovery and operations. Dr. Garaki, this is my successor, Tomura." All For One introduced both of them.
"Yo!" Tomura half-heartedly raised a hand.
"Well, I do hope you match the high expectations that Master has of you." Dr. Garaki didn't know how to feel about his master's plan. It made sense, but if he let go of his obsession for One For All, then Tomura wouldn't be needed at all. He didn't say any of this as it wasn't his place to say, so he trusted his master knew what he was doing, just like always.
Tomura was a little irritated at the remark from some nobody he just met.
"Now now. I'm sure Tomura will surprise you." All For One placated Tomura's anger with ease. "Let's get started, shall we?"
Dr. Garaki thought this would be a perfect opportunity to see what his master sees in Tomura.
Tomura walked up to the signposts, and the hub they were in was already for The Four Blues, so the next option was to charter a ship or use their own.
Curiously, he looked at his own ships even though he had none.
[Sloop]
Recommended Crew Size: 1-2
Cost: 250,000 Gold
[Brigantine]
Recommended Crew Size: 2-3
Cost: 375,000 Gold
[Galleon]
Recommended Crew Size: 4
Cost: 500,000 Gold
The rest of them can see the menus, so they all saw the prices, but had no reference on how much it translates to or how long it'd take to reach.
[Buy a Ship]
You will become a Pirate Captain once you purchase a ship, which will unlock new rewards and progression systems. Becoming a Pirate Captain to participate in certain endgame content.
"Seems we'll have to buy a Galleon," Kurogiri noted.
"Endgame content?" Dr. Garaki was naturally not a gamer, so he didn't understand such terms.
"It's stuff to do once you have finished progressing and need something to do, but we're all trying to get stronger, so unless it's super hard bosses and stuff, it's not really needed." Tomura had a point since gaining real-life power is the main motivation for playing.
"That's most likely the case, Tomura. To get stronger, you must face greater challenges." All For One added, which everyone nodded to.
Tomura chartered a Galleon, and they all disappeared from the docks.