.After getting out of bed, All Might made his way down the corridor toward another office. He could barely remain upright, leaning heavily against the wall to keep from collapsing. The pain in his body—especially his side—was so intense that his brain interpreted it as the loss of vital organs. Nighteye supported his left arm, helping him move forward.
"All Might, stop—you're only making it worse," Mirai said, holding him up. But All Might, as always, thought little of himself and more about others. Reckless to a fault, he pushed forward.
Trying to reach the man he idolized, Nighteye said something All Might didn't expect:
"All Might, your lung, liver, and part of your stomach were destroyed. You can't be a hero anymore."
"I... I... Take me to Gran Torino, Mirai," All Might said through gritted teeth. Every step was torture, accompanied by Nighteye's displeasure, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the condition of his mentor.
The door opened to a white office bathed in sunlight. Inside, Sorahiko lay wrapped in bandages under Recovery Girl's care. Upon seeing the unexpected visitors, she sighed and cast a stern look at Toshinori, who was desperate to reach Gran Torino's side.
"What are you doing, you reckless man? You shouldn't even be walking! Why didn't you stop him, Nighteye?" she scolded. At that moment, All Might began coughing violently, blood splattering the pristine white floor like a cruel reminder of reality. Unable to watch him destroy himself, Recovery Girl brought over a stool so he could finally sit beside his mentor.
Gran Torino lay in a hospital gown, his body wrapped in bandages. Both of his arms were gone after the battle, and a mechanical crutch had replaced his shattered ankle. His breathing was labored and erratic, each inhale a wheeze that hinted his body was at its limit. Recovery Girl had done everything she could—and more. The fact that he was still alive was nothing short of a miracle.
"I'll give you five minutes," she said sharply, then turned to All Might. "And you—you need to get back to your bed. If you keep this up, you won't survive your next heroic stunt." With a grumble, she nudged Nighteye's leg with her cane. He nodded and quietly exited the office.
"Toshinori… what happened?" Gran Torino's voice was weak, each word an effort. His lungs spasmed with every breath, sending stabs of pain through his chest. Still, he opened his eyes and saw All Might sitting by the bed, his forehead resting on the edge.
"I couldn't do it, sensei. I couldn't finish him off. When Todoroki and I landed the final blow, I crushed his head, but after that… I couldn't move. He escaped," All Might confessed, his voice cracking with shame.
"Raise your head, Toshi," Gran Torino replied. "I understand your grief, but this isn't the time to fall apart."
All Might slowly lifted his head, meeting his mentor's tired, but clear eyes.
"Yes, you didn't defeat him completely. But he was too strong. Even with all our might, it was almost impossible to take him down. What matters is that you gave the world some peace. A reprieve from his evil."
All Might felt the weight of Gran Torino's words. While he was still recovering, he refused to relinquish his duty. He was the Symbol of Peace, after all—meant to shine light even in the darkest times.
"I know it hurts. But we're only human, Toshinori. And every human has a limit we strive to overcome. Our mistakes don't just bring failure—they bring experience. Compared to me, you're still young. I passed on everything I learned, just like Nana did before me."
It hurt to admit that he had failed. But his mentor was right, and All Might listened in respectful silence.
"You are the strongest hero alive. And you have no reason to mourn your defeat. With great power comes a duty—not just to the people you save, but to the ones who helped make you All Might. People admire you because you give them something no other hero can: hope," Gran Torino said, suppressing a cough.
All Might took the words to heart. Being the Symbol of Peace wasn't just a duty anymore—it was a debt to those who had walked beside him on his journey.
"I... I... Thank you, sensei," All Might whispered, tears spilling down his cheeks. The once-mighty man—the pillar of strength—now cried, despite having once sworn that nothing could break his spirit.
"Dry your tears, Toshinori. You don't have to bear the burden of One For All alone. As long as there are those who hate you, there will also be those who will stand beside you. Don't let guilt consume you—it will haunt you only as long as you feed it."
A new flame of determination lit within Toshinori's heart. He had a mission: to defeat the Symbol of Evil and bring light to those beyond the reach of One For All. His mentor was right—he couldn't give up. If he did, he'd be the last of the line. The one who failed to end the two-century shadow.
"I'm no expert in Quirks," Gran Torino continued. "But I know Nana passed hers to you. It's time you found a successor."
The word "successor" sent a chill through Toshinori. He had been Quirkless once. Passing One For All meant condemning someone to isolation—to becoming a target. Would his legacy endure, or would he fade into obscurity as new trends emerged? Even as a hero, he had always felt flawed—forever needing his mentor's guidance.
But now, he cast aside doubt. All Might clenched his fist and turned his gaze to the open sky beyond the window—blue and vast, a symbol of a fresh beginning.
"Don't let us down. We've given you everything we had. Be brave, Toshinori. But don't carry it all alone—let others rise. You're not the only pillar this world has," Gran Torino said.
His words lingered in the air. Now it was All Might's turn to respond. He looked out the window, the storm in his heart finally calming. Despite the pain, he smiled.
"Sensei… I promise. I won't let you down. I will defeat All For One—and raise a new generation of heroes. They'll become the next symbols of peace and prosperity."
Gran Torino was satisfied with the words he heard. He relaxed visibly, trusting the man before him, and leaned his head back into the pillow. But shortly after, All Might began to feel unwell. Medical robots suddenly burst into the room, grabbing hold of him and forcing him to lie on a floating bed.
They rushed him back to his room, gently setting him down to rest. Recovery Girl stood over him, frowning.
"You've recklessly destroyed your health," she said sternly. But what weighed on him more than her scolding was the devastating confirmation that continuing to act as a hero would only worsen his condition.
Nighteye, carefully considering his words, turned to Recovery Girl. "May we have a moment alone? There's something serious I need to discuss with him."
She snorted with disapproval but eventually relented. "Fine. But call me if you need me." With that, she left the room.
All Might opened his mouth to speak, but Nighteye raised a hand to stop him.
"Mirai, I know what you're going to say—"
"And I know what you want," All Might interjected wearily, regretting the opening he'd given him.
Nighteye took a deep breath, determined to steer the conversation toward its inevitable conclusion.
"You heard her. You can't continue being a hero—not without killing yourself. I understand your sense of duty, but no matter how indomitable your spirit is, you're still human."
Those words hit All Might harder than any punch he'd taken.
Still, he pushed back.
"You don't know everything, Nighteye. And before you judge, I want to hear what you really think. What did you mean by calling me just a human being?"
Nighteye leaned in, his voice firm but not unkind.
"You need to retire. I saw your future before the battle—your death was certain. I called Nezu just in time to stop it. If not for that intervention..."
He trailed off.
The mention of Nezu was like a cue. A polite knock echoed from the door.
Nighteye nodded toward it. "That would be him."
"Enter," he said aloud.
The door opened to reveal a creature like no other—a chimera of various animals, clad in a sleek outfit and oversized boots. His presence demanded attention.
"Hello, heroes," he said with a calm, clear voice.
"I'm All Might."
"No need to introduce yourself, Toshinori. I know who you are. Thanks to Nighteye."
All Might frowned slightly. Nezu's knowledge was always unsettling, but never inaccurate.
"I know what happened near Mount Fuji. I was the one who coordinated Japan's response forces. And I'm fully aware of All For One," Nezu said, flicking his tail with subtle authority. Though small, his intellect towered over most.
"No one else knows—only the heroes and a few high-ranking officials. After the final blow... what happened?" he asked.
All Might responded with hesitation. "He escaped. Todoroki and I dealt the final blow—I shattered his skull. But I was too exhausted to move. He got away."
"Then it isn't confirmed. Without a body, there is no death," Nezu said thoughtfully. He didn't show pity outwardly, but his eyes were keen and full of quiet sympathy.
Most saw Nezu as ruthless. But those who truly knew him understood: he possessed more humanity than most people in power. Behind the role of principal and strategist was a mind that never stopped calculating consequences—and a heart that still bled for the forgotten.
He glanced at the bedridden All Might. Society had used him as a shining beacon to distract from its failures. In the shadows of his legend, the Quirkless were cast aside—labeled weak, undeserving, even obsolete. Nezu knew that was a time bomb waiting to explode.
"My injuries are my concern," All Might said tiredly. The sedatives from the IV were taking hold. "My duty is to stop All For One... so future generations can live in peace."
"Understand this," Nighteye said gently. "If you rest now, you might live long enough to do just that."
But Nezu raised a paw, cutting him off.
"No, Nighteye. All Might cannot retire—not yet. His departure would shake the public to its core. Crime would rise overnight. Many top heroes fell in that battle. We don't have time to replace them."
Nighteye winced. He hated it, but Nezu was right.
"And what about the fallen heroes?" he asked.
"They'll be honored in the registry as heroes who died preventing a catastrophe. But right now, our focus must remain on All Might."
Nezu turned to him again, and this time, her tone shifted.
"Hmm... tell me, Toshinori. How does your Quirk work? The lineage doesn't match. The data doesn't add up."
Before they could react, she leapt off the couch and walked toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Nighteye asked.
"I'm just getting my tea," Nezu replied casually, right as a robot entered with a tray.
"Sir, your tea is ready."
"Perfect. You may go."
Mirai sighed, rubbing his temples. "Really? Tea now?"
Nezu raised her cup politely. "Would you like some, Nighteye?"
"No, thank you," he muttered.
All Might took a deep breath. He had hidden this for so long... but perhaps it was time.
"My Quirk is called One For All. It's one of the oldest. When it was born, so was All For One. I'm its eighth wielder—and its last."
Nezu's ears twitched. She set the cup down, her full attention on him.
"It can be passed on through DNA. The next successor will carry its final legacy."
The two heroes grew uneasy. If that truth spread, society would collapse from infighting over All Might's power.
"And if you die without passing it on?" Nezu asked quietly. "Or worse—if the enemy acquires it?"
"...Then the Quirk disappears forever. But if All For One takes it, no one will be able to stop him."
Nezu sipped her tea again, face unreadable.
"Our situation is dire," she said softly. "Before we make a decision, I have one more request. Nighteye—use your Quirk on me."
Mirai blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I want you to use your Quirk. See my future."
He hesitated. Then, placing a hand on All Might's arm, he activated his Quirk.
What he saw nearly made him collapse.
Ruins. Fires. Headless heroes. A skeletal All Might, gripped by the throat by a teenage figure in black armor. Not All For One—but someone else.
"You created me," the figure said with quiet fury. "I admired you. I believed in you. But when I said I wanted to change society, you mocked me."
All Might's eyes widened.
"I'm sorry, young Midoriya—"
But the masked boy's eyes glowed with rage. Not human eyes. Alien. White. Unforgiving.
"You destroyed my dream, old man. The dream I would've died for."
All Might's lips trembled. "I only wanted to protect you...young man"
— Don't call me that.
— I was too egotistical and didn't pay attention to you. I wanted more than anything for no one to repeat my mistakes. I was so blinded by others that I didn't notice who you had become and what I had created, — All Might said, gasping for breath. But the young man was relentless; he needed to express everything he felt toward his idol, who had abandoned him like an unwanted doll, never considering him a person, mocking him in front of everyone, and because of whom the people he cared about most had died. He was angry at his childhood hero and wanted only one thing: justice.
Crying every day out of helplessness, he felt betrayed by all his friends, who saw him as strong but had abandoned him, leaving him alone. The anger in his heart had become unbearable, and now he was finally saying everything he thought — everything he wanted to know from his former idol.
— I WAS INSPIRED BY YOU FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, BELIEVING THAT ANYONE COULD BE A HERO. TELL ME, DID YOU BELIEVE IN ME? I DID EVERYTHING TO BECOME A HERO FROM MY EARLIEST YEARS. I TRAINED UNTIL I BROKE EVERY BONE IN MY BODY. I BELIEVED, LIKE A FOOL, WHEN EVERYONE CALLED ME CRAZY! — Pouring out all his emotions, he saw the symbol of peace slowly dying before his eyes. Before he died, All Might wanted to say the biggest mistake of his life.
— And what did you say then? — Overcoming his anger, the young man whispered softly. The unknown figure in the black costume began to change, growing more terrifying, gaining muscle mass, making All Might tremble even more.
— Unworthy.
— That's what you said to us, All Might.
Black tendrils wrapped around All Might's body, ready to tear him apart. His face was a horrific mask radiating primal horror, and All Might felt immense fear.
The black skin, like an abyss, seemed to absorb the light, creating a sense of emptiness. The giant mouth stretched into a menacingly wide smile, revealing sharp teeth arranged chaotically. They gleamed against the darkness, ready to tear their target apart at any moment.
Two large white spots, slightly elongated and resembling drops, burned with rage. There were no pupils, no soul — only boundless fury and hunger. They seemed to watch him, even if he tried to look away.
A long, flexible tongue with a sharp tip writhed from the mouth like a living creature, adding to the nightmarish image. Constant saliva dripped, making the face appear even more beastly and wild.
This was no longer human — it was a product of chaos and raw power.
— I'm very sorry, — All Might whispered, lowering his gaze to avoid meeting those white eyes.
The tendrils tightened, causing excruciating pain, tearing his legs from his torso and leaving his intestines hanging. Satisfied with All Might's silent agony, the figure momentarily removed his mask, revealing a face full of sadness and sorrow. Once an active child wishing for peace and kindness, he had become the one who brought grief to everyone — and to his idol, who now felt sorry for him.
His smile faded into pain, and his heroism twisted into anger. The green eyes that once showed care were now empty and dark, fading beneath the flesh that slowly reclaimed his face. Fully covering it again, he spoke the last sentence Toshinori would ever hear.
— There is no reason to fear. Why?
Because We am here, — the young man said in a menacing voice, biting off All Might's head with a crunch, tearing it free, and screaming to the sky with blood-stained teeth.
---
Nighteye, drenched in cold sweat, witnessed All Might's fate. Seeing the terrified expression on his partner's face, All Might felt a fear deeper than ever — he had lost the decisive battle. Nezu observed the scene with sinister interest.
— I can't believe this is possible, — Nighteye said, trembling, tears streaming down his cheeks. He looked at his partner and stood with difficulty, embracing him as best he could, though his partner did not calm.
— What happened, Nighteye? Answer us.
— I don't believe this can be true.
Driven by fear, Nighteye fell off the chair, looking at the All might who was extending his hand to help him stand up. Nezu, understanding that the vision of the future had caused fear in one of the most pragmatic heroes, sparked genuine interest in Chimera. This made him nod his tail even more intensely and take a long sip of tea.
Lying on the ground and supporting himself with his hand to avoid lying on the floor, Nezu decided to ask what he had seen that was so terrifying in the Allmight's future.
"Do I understand correctly that you didn't see anything good? Am I right?" Mirai merely nodded in agreement with Nezu's arguments. Standing up from the ground, adjusting his suit, Nighteye sat back on the chair. Heaving a deep sigh, pondering everything he had seen, he placed his hands on his hips, unable to look into the eyes of the still-living All might.
"Now listen," he said. None of the participants dared to interrupt him, but in the astral dimension, where human eyes cannot see, seven people stood behind the All might, listening to everything his partner would say.
****
"You all heard what he said. However much I may dislike him due to his fanaticism, his vision of the future has never been wrong," said the second holder of One For All, crossing his arms, dissatisfied with the All might's inability to complete what they had been trying to stop for decades — All For One.
Next to him stood the first and third holders, who continued to listen to the negotiations between the three heroes as the main information was obtained.
"I assume this young man with the letter 'M' was created by the All might, but how?" asked En, the sixth holder of One For All, who had the Quirk "Smoke Screen."
"What concerns me is that Nighteye did not mention All For One, who was supposed to oppose the All might. According to his foresight, many points do not match," said Nana Shimura with the Quirk "Flight."
"Indeed, my brother was not mentioned, which means he is dead or by the time frame this hero saw, he had already been defeated," said Ioichi Shigaraki, the first holder of immense power, the creator of a generation of heroes, and the brother of Hisashi Shigaraki.
"I wouldn't be so optimistic; he is alive, though in a critical condition," said the ally of the second holder of One For All, who had the Quirk of accumulating and releasing kinetic energy, abbreviated as "Fa Jin," who had fought side by side against the terror of All For One, who also died at his hands.
"The young man had his own score to settle with the All might and defeated him along with the Quirk of One For All," said the fifth holder, Daigorou, with the Quirk "Black Whip."
"Judging by everything, this young man is still young and not fully matured. If they find this child before it's too late, we can consider that we have defeated the enemy without even fighting him," proposed the fourth holder, Shinomori Hikedo, with the Quirk "Danger Sense." After hearing all the possible options, the first holder decided to draw attention to himself, involving everyone to make one correct decision.
"No matter how frightening this future may be, we, as avatars of One For All, cannot influence it," he said, making a dramatic pause. He glanced at all the attendees, whose expressions showed dissatisfaction but accepted this outcome. Shigaraki continued:
"The All might, as the current holder of my Quirk, must choose a successor, and as we all understand, he must be Quirkless to fully absorb our powers for the victory of my brother." The second and third holders smirked at the first holder's words, as finding a young successor who is Quirkless is an impossible task in this era of Quirkless individuals.
"It would be that easy, Ioichi," smirked the third, drawing attention to himself. Everyone understood what he meant. The All might, who was Quirkless but had the power of One For All without the Quirks of previous users, fought on equal terms with All For One.
Shimura sighed and looked into the eyes of her student, who found it difficult to bear the burden of the Symbol of Peace and the guardian of One For All. Adjusting her hair, she glanced at everyone with a determined look that said there was something that should not have been.
"What if All For One calculated such an outcome of events and, just like us, prepared his own successor to counter One For All?" she asked.
"Do you think such a powerful being as him could have a son? Don't make me laugh; such a creature is incapable of feeling anything except a thirst for blood. Have you seen that girl and what she turned into?" said Daigorou, feeling revulsion towards his enemy.
"It sounds complicated, but it's entirely possible since we don't know what plans he might have," hypothesized the second holder. But, clearing his throat from the question about All For One's son, the second decided to ask a question that every holder should know.
"Regardless, the All might's choice will mark the end of the One For All era with or without a Quirk. Our ninth successor must win, no matter what. And as soon as he chooses him, we must create all the conditions for the ninth holder to use our power." Everyone agreed with this judgment and nodded in approval, but he was not finished and continued speaking.
"If I find the successor unworthy with his selfish goals, he shouldn't even think about using our power," said the second holder.
Reflecting on his words, the opinion was divided into two camps: cold calculation, despite its effectiveness, can always be a biased choice. And then, giving the ninth holder the opportunity to use the Quirks, what was the probability that the ninth holder would not be intoxicated by such monstrous power? Both sides were right in their own way, but everyone knows that the ninth holder will be under the supervision of the previous holders.
"Time will put everything in its place, my friend," he said.
With his words, the silhouettes of the holders began to disappear until the last holder appeared.
To be continued.