"Yo, you're late." The heroes and police force turned around in alert, ready to attack. They relaxed when they saw that it was just Sukuna casually strolling towards them, hands in his pockets.
Endeavor widened his eyes as he noticed Toga right behind him, skipping along joyfully. Her hands were clasped behind her back, humming happily like she'd just left a festival instead of a villain compound that had turned into dust a few minutes ago.
The red haired hero prepared to attack, but then Sukuna appeared before him, grabbing his arm that was about to shoot a jet of flames.
"Calm down, big man. She's with me." Sukuna stepped back, as Toga waved at them.
"Hello! I'm Himiko Toga! Mind if I stab you?" Toga excitedly asked, taking out her knife. They all immediately became wary of her, with the police holding up their machine guns, while half the hero line nearly activated their Quirks on reflex. Sukuna pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Toga?"
"Hmm?" She tilted her head innocently at him.
"We literally discussed this a few minutes ago."
"Oh right right right!" She snapped her fingers, nodding repeatedly while putting her knife away.
"No stabbing! My bad!" She smiled sheepishly. The silence from the hero line was deafening. The heroes did not look reassured at all.
"What the hell am I watching here?" Edgeshot whispered to Endeavor who only grunted in return, stepping forward while his flames crackled louder.
"She's a known murderer." He stated as if wanting to scare Sukuna. Toga just waved at the tall hero. Sukuna looked down at her before looking back at them. He gently nudged her slightly forward.
"She wants to say something."
"Huh? I do?" Toga pointed at herself. Sukuna deadpanned at her.
"Are you for real right now? Go tell them what you want." Toga suddenly brightened, before looking back at the heroes who tensed up a little, a little disturbed at how sharp her canines were. The girl raised her hand enthusiastically like a student volunteering in class.
"I wanna join UA's Villain Rehabilitation Program please!" She declared.
Pure silence followed as everyone stared at her, while Sukuna only grinned at their reactions. Gran Torino blinked.
"You what?"
"Yeah!" Toga clasped her hands behind her back and rocked happily on her heels. "I decided being a villain kinda sucks! Terrible coworkers, well most of them are... And the workplace is very dirty, I can't even sleep properly with all the cockroaches. And there's no retirement plan!" She explained brightly.
"Kid." Gran Torino looked at Sukuna.
"Yeah?"
"Did you brainwash her?" Sukuna blinked at his question, before he palmed his face.
"No. Why would I do that? Actually, how would I even do that in the first place?"
Toga raised her hand again. "He didn't! I just had an emotional breakthrough!" Hearing that, Edgeshot stepped forward a little.
"You expect us to believe this change of heart?" He asked. Toga shrugged, before she looked down at her shoes.
"I mean... yeah? I just don't wanna be like that anymore..." She whispered, voice low. Endeavor crossed his arms.
"You've killed people." He stated. Toga nodded.
"Yeah..." She quietly acknowledged, not having any excuses for that. Then she brightened again, because Toga's emotional gearshift was about as subtle as a fire alarm.
"But I can learn new hobbies! Like uh, forestry!" She excitedly pointed at Kamui Woods who stiffened a little.
"Please do not take up forestry..."
"I'm too old for this shit..." Gran Torino muttered, rubbing his forehead. Meanwhile, Edgeshot's gaze flicked between Sukuna and Toga.
"Why are vouching for her?" He asked the pink haired teen who shrugging, casually placing his hand on Toga's head, pretending she was an armrest. The girl glared at him, swatting his arm away.
"Because she asked for a chance." He answered simply.
" You brats are gonna give the HPSC migraines." He muttered, looking in between the villain girl who looked weirdly happy and the boy who looked annoyingly certain.
"So are they gonna arrest me now?" Toga asked not so subtly. Sukuna nodded in response.
"Meh... That's fair I guess..." She shrugged as a member of the Police Force slowly approached her with cuffs. She raised her hand once more, causing Gran Torino to sigh.
"Question!"
"Yes?" The old hero grumbled.
"Does the rehabilitation program have like... blood donors?" Silence returned once more, to the point where one could hear a pin drop.
Toga scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I kinda need it to you know... not go crazy? Quirk stuff." She gestured vaguely as another long pause followed.
"You're aware that consuming blood from unwilling victims is exactly the behavior that made you a criminal." Edgeshot commented. Toga nodded quickly in response to his statement.
"Yup! That's why I'm asking first now!" She replied, genuinely looking proud of that improvement.
"Her Quirk produces a physiological craving. Ignoring it won't solve the problem." Sukuna added with a serious tone. Edgeshot nodded a little.
"That is... not incorrect..."
"So is that a yes?" Endeavor held up a hand in front of her.
"You are in no position to negotiate terms, little girl." His stern voice reminded. Toga immediately straightened.
"Right, my bad." Edgeshot cleared his throat before continuing.
"You're saying you're willing to cooperate, follow rules, and go through rehabilitation if your Quirk needs are handled safely, right?"
"Mhm!" Toga nodded eagerly, before she leaned sideways toward Sukuna and whispered loudly.
"See? I'm doing the responsible thing." He hummed, giving her a thumbs up.
"Good for you."
"There are medical facilities that study Quirk-related biological needs. Controlled donations could theoretically be arranged for you." Kamui Woods brought up. Toga's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"Really?!" Gran Torino pointed a finger at her.
"Don't get excited yet. You'll still be locked up until the doctors decide if your mental state is stable enough for you to be cleared for joint exercises with the students from the Department of Heroes." Toga groaned at his explanation.
"Do the cells have windows?"
"I ensure that you will definitely have a good night's sleep at the cell." Gran Torino nodded at her. The cuffs were finally placed on Toga.
"You're gonna visit right?" She asked Sukuna who nodded silently.
"Of course." Toga smiled. And strangely enough, it was the first smile the heroes had seen from her that didn't look dangerous. Gran Torino watched as Toga was sat down in the armored vehicle as a squad of officers started taking her to the rehabilitation center.
"Well I'll be damned..." He muttered under his breath as the vehicle drove away. Sukuna looked around them.
"I thought All Might was going to be here." He commented. Edgeshot sighed.
"He was with us. But after that explosion, we don't know where he went."
"And you guys aren't finding him?" Sukuna raised an eyebrow.
"We're currently locating his position—"
"All hero teams. I repeat, all hero teams. Please reply immediately." The operator sounded from their walkie talkies. Endeavor was the first to speak.
"This is Endeavor. Report."
"We have located All Might. He is currently at the League's second hideout engaging in combat with the League's ringleader." Everyone in the vicinity widened their eyes.
" We're on the way." Endeavor glanced at Edgeshot, Kamui Woods and Gran Torino.
"C'mon, let's go." They nodded. Endeavor looked at Sukuna and pointed at him.
"I know what you're planning, and I am not allowing it." Endeavor stated. Sukuna only narrowed his eyes.
"What makes you think All Might doesn't need my help?" Sukuna questioned as they walked away, knowing that All Might was in a weakened state. Endeavor snorted as he came to a stop, turning his head to glance at the pink haired boy.
"C'mon, kid. You really think All Might is that weak? Have a little faith in us pros." The hero grinned in an arrogant manner before he propelled himself forward through the air with his flames. The others followed suit, all rushing towards All Might's location.
"C'mon Sukuna, let's go." Sukuna glanced at Tsukauchi who smiled at him as he guided the teen towards one of the armorer vehicles.
"Where are we going?"
"Well for one, we have to ask you about what happened when you were being held hostage at their location. And we also have to perform a medical checkup on you just in case." Tsukauchi glanced back, noticing Sukuna has suddenly stopped.
"Can we do that later?" Sukuna asked, unusually quiet. He looked up at Tsukauchi with a calm gaze.
"I want to watch All Might fight." Tsukauchi stared at him before he smiled. He nodded while patting his back.
"Sure, there's a live broadcast around here. Let's go there and watch."
...
Sukuna leaped onto a building, away from the crowd as he watched the live broadcast of All Might's fight against All For One. The fight had long started, but he arrived just in time to watch All For One laugh cruelly in front of a plume of smoke.
"Now, the world will see you for the pathetic man you truly are, All Might!" The plume of smoke dispersed, revealing a heavily injured All Might, now in his Small Might form.
Sukuna stared, his jaw open, speechless at what he was witnessing. All Might's body was thin, scarred, almost fragile. He watched as the hero coughed sickly. He knew All Might was weakened, but not to think extent. This looked nothing like the hero who instilled fear in him during the Final Exams.
Down below him, the crowd watch the broadcast in horror and confusion. "Is that... All Might?" One asked.
"Why's he all skin and bones?"
"You've lost quite a few pounds there, All Might. But don't be ashamed, this is your true form after all. I'm not one to judge." All For One taunted. Sukuna noticed that the man was wearing some type of skull-like gas mask and a wide collar-like life-support system around his neck with additional pipes connecting in the front and back.
"My body might be frail, you might expose me to the world..." All Might clenched his fist, glaring straight at All For One. "But! My spirit is what makes me the Symbol of Peace! You haven't stolen a bit of that, All For One!"
"Well, you're still stubborn like a child I see. But I wonder if this is enough to break your spirits." All For One grinned.
"Tomura Shigaraki is Nana Shimura's grandson. And he has hated you all his life."
"You... you're lying..." All Might muttered in disbelief. All For One shook his head.
"Oh no no no. You know it's the truth, All Might, because it's just the kind of thing I'd do."
" What's wrong, All Might? Where's that victorious smile of yours?" All For One taunted by tugging on his cheeks with his hands, mocking him with Nana's signature smile.
"Who's Nana Shimura?" Sukuna heard a person in the crowd ask.
"Dude, are you living under a rock or something? Nana Shimura was the number 1 hero before All Might. Even had a Quirk similar to All Might as well." Sukuna watched as All Might had a look of despair, before it was replaced by pure rage towards All For One.
"How... dare you?!" All Might then screamed in a fit of rage. All For One kept laughing, watching the Symbol of Peace crumble before him.
"Don't lose...All Might..." All Might gasped, glancing at an injured civilian behind him, trapped in rubble.
"Keep going! Please... save us! We need you!" She shouted in desperation, placing all her hopes on the Number One. Slowly but surely, the crowd watching started cheering for All Might.
"He might look like that, but he's still our All Might, right?! He always comes out on top no matter what!"
"D-don't you dare lose, All Might!!"
" You can do it!!"
"Beat his ass, All Might." Sukuna muttered, his fists clenched tightly. There was never a time that he supported a hero like this, not until now, not until All Might.
"Haaa!!!" All Might's savage grin returned, as his right arm became muscular, a surge of yellow lightning crackled around his arm.
"Young lady, I'm not done yet!" He glared at All For One. "You were right, a hero has so much to protect in this world! Which is why... I will defeat you!!!" All Might declared, his blue eyes glowing brightly.
"From the look on your face, I see that you want to end this with one final punch. Very well, let's end this!" A giant shockwave was emitted from All For One, before he revealed a enlarged and mutated arm filled with numerous deadly screws and hardened minerals.
"In order to kill you, I'll use my Ultimate Quirk Combination!" Both fighters charged towards each other, pulling their fists back.
"Izuku Midoriya, he is your successor is he not? From what I've seen, he has grown quite well. It seems you haven't failed as a teacher. Not bad for someone like you!"
" Tch!" All Might scowled, as he continue his charge towards the villain. Meanwhile, the rest of the heroes arrived, rescuing the civilians around the area, letting All Might charge ahead.
"I would've thought it was Ryomen Sukuna, but no, he's far too different from your ideal hero. But his time to feel true despair will come!"
"Shut your mouth and end this!" All Might shouted as they both punched each other's fists. A giant explosion occurred, destroying multiple city blocks in the process.
All Might spat out blood, as All For One used his Impact Recoil Quirk to revert all the damage to back All Might, effectively destroying his right arm. Suddenly, All Might transfered all of his power to his left arm, countering by throwing his empowered left arm to punch at All For One who left his guard open.
A giant shockwave occured as All Might's punch connected. All For One scoffed.
"Using petty tricks now? I wonder who's influence is that?" All For One's giant fist overpowered All Might again, but the hero dodged just in time. All Might grinned before raising his right arm. It suddenly became muscular again, as All Might transferred all of his power to it. Yellow lightning crackled around him as his grin widened.
"That's because... I haven't put my back into it!" All Might yelled as he threw his fist towards All For One who was caught off guard.
"Goodbye... All For One..."
A loud bang echoed throughout the battlefield as All Might smashed his fist straight into All For One's face. All Might screamed as loud as he could as his power suddenly increased tremendously.
"United States of.... SMAAAASHHHHH!!!!"
The punch sent All For One crashing into the ground, before a massive shockwave engulfed the area once more. A giant tornado formed, the broadcast helicopter was sent flying, while the heroes on the ground were blasted back.
'Goodbye, One For All....' All Might solemnly thought as the dust cleared, revealing All For One in a crater, badly beaten and unconscious. The silent crowd watched, as slowly but surely All Might raised his left arm up high, before transforming into his muscular form.
They all cheered loudly while raising their left arms just like All Might. Sukuna silently watched, somewhat emotional from how epic it was, before he too slowly raised his left arm.
'All Might, you truly are the greatest. I'm glad to have fought by your side, even for a while...' He thought back to the incident in I-island, before forming a small smile.
With the battle over, the pro heroes began carrying out rescue operations to save people who were trapped under the rubble that resulted from All Might and All For One's battle. Meanwhile, Endeavor and All Might watched as All For One was placed in an iron maiden.
All Might coughed, before he glanced at a nearby camera recording him. He raised his left hand, pointing at it as the reporters watch in silence.
Sukuna was getting ready to head back to Tsukauchi, before he heard All Might speak again.
"Next..." Everyone turned to the broadcast again, watching All Might.
"Next, it's your turn..." The citizens watching took All Might's message as a warning to all villains out there, causing them to resume praising All Might and start celebrating again.
But Sukuna knew better. He had an unreadable expression as he silently watched on. He deciphered the message in his own way.
This was the end for All Might. And now, it's Sukuna and the other heroes' turn to do something.
He sighed, placing his hands in his pockets before he leaped off the building.
A new era had begun.
...
Sukuna silently walked back home after getting interrogated by Tsukauchi and receiving a check up. He told Tsukauchi to hold off on telling his friends that he was back, wanting to surprise them himself.
He arrived at his home a train ride later, noticing that the lights were on in his house.
"Oh, they must be having dinner." He thought with a smile, looking at the time on his phone. He just hoped they won't get a heart attack when he suddenly appeared.
'They must've been very worried...' He thought, a frown replacing his smile. He was kidnapped after all, whether it was a plan or not, they have a right to be worried.
"I'm home." He announced as he opened the door. He was met with pure silence. Weird, he was expecting them to started fussing over him at this point.
"Mom? Dad?" Sukuna called out as he took off his shoes. He walked around the house, finding it completely empty. What was strange was everything was tidy.
'Where did they go? The car's still right here?' Sukuna thought, not liking this one bit.
"Okay guys, prank's over, you got me." He stated in amusement, but he was still met with silence. Just then, he heard someone entering the house. Sukuna turned around and widened his eyes.
"Todo? What the hell are you doing here?" He asked, baffed at the appearance of his vigilante friend. Todo had a grim appearance on his face as he stepped towards the pink haired boy.
"Brother... Something happened while you were gone... I suggest you sit down first..."
"What's the meaning of this?!"
To be continued...