"What's the meaning of this, Todo?!" Sukuna demanded answers, a rare desperation in his tone as Todo brought him to his couch, managing to get the teen to sit down.
"You still remember the cult I was infiltrating?" Todo asked. Sukuna nodded slowly in response. How could he not? That was when he found out about All For One's existence.
"Well, a few days ago, probably about a few hours before you were kidnapped, they told us to gather at their headquarters. And there, the leader announced that their master had returned and had assigned them a kidnapping mission."
"No..." Sukuna's eyes widened, already seeing where this was going.
"Your parents, they were the targets. All For One wanted their Quirks for himself. I tried to stop them, I really did, but they somehow found out I was a mole, and literally stabbed be in the back, dumping me in some alleyway in Hokkaido." Todo explained solemnly. It wasn't like he enjoyed Sukuna's expression of disbelief, horror and despair, but the teen needed to know.
"I tried calling you, but you weren't picking up. So I rushed to your parents' house as soon as I could.... I'm sorry, brother... I couldn't save them in time... They were already gone when I was here..." Todo whispered, almost to himself. When he had arrived, all of the lights in the house were on, giving the illusion that the two middle aged parents were in the home.
The muscular man felt disappointed, he was supposed to be there for his brother, but he has only let him down.
"No no no no no... No no no no no!!!" Sukuna clutched his head, a panicked expression on as he started breathing unevenly and his hands started to trembled. He had tried to maintain composure, but it was all too much.
"This... this is all a lie! You're lying to me!" He shouted. Todo held him down, unsettled at how quickly he broke down. Sukuna's mind started flashing back to his moments with his family. Then, one scene came to mind.
'Sukuna, before you go...' He remembered the moment where he was about to head to UA to get to the summer training camp, when his parents had called him.
'Know that we're always with you, okay?' Kaori had reminded, before giving her son a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sukuna had hugged her and kissed her cheek in return, promising that he'll keep it in mind.
But now, they were gone. The people who raised him, who knew him before the world feared him, who loved him for what he was, were gone.
In a fit of uncontrollable rage, he raised his hands before his chest, forming a certain handsign. Todo widened his eyes in horror. He didn't know what attack that was, but he had to stop it.
"No brother!" Todo grabbed both of Sukuna's hands tightly. He glared into the hurting boy's eyes.
"What are you doing?! This isn't the Sukuna that I know!"
"They're my parents damnit!" Sukuna shouted in return.
"I know! And I understand that grieving is natural. But brother, I know it may sound cruel, but would you parents rather you to keep being a crybaby about it, or would they want you to do something about this." Todo asked seriously. Sukuna went silent as he looked down, his tears dripping onto the floor.
"Shigaraki..." He muttered darkly. By now his parents must be held captive somewhere in this country. All For One would 100% be sent to Tartarus and has no use of his parents' Quirks for now.
Most likely they will be turned into Nomu.
"I will find you... and I will kill you..." He growled out, wiping his tears. Todo stepped back a little, seeing that Sukuna had regained control of his emotions. Though, he didn't like how dark his expression was now. There was no light in his eyes, only remnants of pure rage.
"What will you do now, brother?" Todo asked, as Sukuna stared at the family photo hanging on the wall. He silently grabbed it, holding it close to him.
"Since no one has reported their disappearances. I won't wait for the heroes. They're too slow. I will get them back myself." He said decisively.
"Are you sure about this? Think carefully, brother. This isn't something you can take back easily."
"You know what All Might said after he won his fight at Kamino?" Sukuna asked, turning around to face Todo. Todo stared before he nodded slowly.
"The way I see it, he's passed the torch down to us. I can't be at UA, sitting in class and pretend that my parents weren't kidnapped. I willdo something about it."
"All Might is done. The shield is gone, and someone has to stand where it used to be, someone else has to carry his burden now. And who better to take his place, than me? The one the system will never control. Who doesn't ask permission first." Sukuna pointed at himself. Todo stared silently, unsure if Sukuna was going crazy or not.
Up until now, Sukuna had tolerated the hero system. He worked within rules, accepted supervision, and believed, at least intellectually, that the structure exists to protect people. But when the people he loves were taken, the toleration ended.
"You... are willing to abandon your friends, everything you have? Even her?" Todo knew of Sukuna's relationship with Mina, the teen himself had revealed it to him one random day after all.
Sukuna froze at Todo's words. He didn't answer immediately. His eyes lowered slightly, his hesitation said more than his words ever could.
Mina isn't just another girl to him. She was the reason he could get out of his shell and started making friends. She was the reason he was able to smile so easily. And most of all, she was the one who he loves. The truth is simple and cruel, he doesn't want to leave her.
"Shigaraki and the League are still out at large. And this cult is still operating in the shadows. If they could get to my parents, who else can they target?" He muttered, glancing at Todo.
"Everyone close to me would become leverage." He added as Todo shook his head.
"And Mina?"
"She... she deserves someone who can stay..." He whispered. It was more of him convincing himself than Todo. The truth was, Mina doesn't deserve someone else. He's the one who should be there laughing with her, arguing with her, listening to her ridiculous energy fill the quiet spaces in his life.
Todo was about to say something, he wanted to argue, telling the teen that he's mistaking self-sacrifice for responsibility, just anything to convince Sukuna that this wasn't the right way to go about this.
But he was interrupted as Sukuna showed Todo his own phone.
"In about a week's time, I will call you. You better pick up, Todo." Sukuna ordered. Todo stared silently as Sukuna walked upstairs to his parents' bedroom, a tired, emotionless gaze that unsettled Todo.
Todo silently exited Sukuna's house. He looked back at the residence before shaking his head. Of course he would be there for his brother, and as brothers they should support each other.
But Todo had that sinking feeling that this wasn't the right way.
...
The next day, All Might has officially announced his retirement from the pro hero scene, having the whole world in an uproar. Sukuna exited the news app with an empty gaze. He hadn't texted Mina or anybody yet.
'Looks like Tsukauchi kept his promise.' He thought to himself, before the doorbell to his home rang.
"Maybe not." He muttered to himself, sighing a little as he strolled to the front door.
Opening the door, he found his sensei and All Might in his skinny form before him, both wearing formal attires.
"What do you want?" Sukuna asked, asking himself internally whether he should close the door on them just to troll.
"Can we come in? We have some important business to discuss." Aizawa requested. The teen sighed, stepping aside to let them in. As they settled down on the couch, Aizawa got started, explaining why they were here.
"Dormitory system?" Sukuna muttered, looking at the forms Aizawa handed him. That's right, Principal Nezu is planning to transition UA from a day school into a boarding school, due to the increased villain activity in Japan, as well as the school's students being targeted on two occasions in the same year.
"Mhm. We'd like your parents' consent and signature. Where are they?" All Might questioned. Knowing Jin and Kaori, they would have no problem in giving their consent provided that Sukuna doesn't cause them too much trouble.
"They're... on vacation." Sukuna muttered, lying straight to their faces. Aizawa and All Might blinked.
"Huh? Vacation?" All Might tilted his head a little. Sukuna nodded.
"Yup, trip to Bali. I'd like to suggest you guys call them, but the signal's very bad over there." All Might and Aizawa looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Sukuna handed back the forms.
"I mean, this dorm system is all for safety purposes, right? Why not just let me stay there temporarily until they come back?" Sukuna suggested. All Might and Aizawa looked at each other again silently.
"You know what? I'll just call Nezu." Aizawa sighed as he stood up, heading out of the house as he dialed the principal's phone number, leaving All Might and Sukuna alone.
"So, how long is that gonna heal?" Sukuna questioned, glancing at the medical wrist sling on All Might's left arm.
"About a month. I haven't worn one of these since forever." All Might chuckled a little.
"You're still teaching at UA, right?" Sukuna asked again. All Might smiled, and nodded at his question.
"Of course, I'll still he teaching the heroics class as usual. Though I can't really fight you kids now in the practical tests, as you can see." All Might raised his left arm, flexing his now non-existent muscles.
"I don't think anyone wants to fight you at all." Sukuna deadpanned at the man who laughed in response. All Might sighed, looking around the house.
"It's a shame. I thought today might the day I get to reunite with Kaori and Jin, who knew they like go on vacations so much." All Might mumbled. Sukuna looked down, hiding his solemn expression.
"What were they like, All Might?" He asked in a low tone. All Might hummed, rubbing his chin.
"Well for one they were amazing heroes when they were still active in the scene, the best duo in all of Japan. They were strong and kind. And most of all, they love you a lot, young Sukuna." Sukuna was silent at All Might's words.
"I couldn't possibly describe the joy on their faces when they told me they were having you. You were their whole world. They doted on you a lot. I think they even made me your godfather."
"Really?" Sukuna looked up, surprised. All Might shrugged.
"Eh, not sure. Me and Jin were drinking when he said that. It was probably just him under the influence."
"Oh...Wait, my dad drinks?"
"Not anymore. After you were born, he abstained from those kinds of beverages."
"I see... I am very lucky to have them." Sukuna muttered. All Might only smiled, as he stared at his student.
'Jin, Kaori, your son will become a fine hero.' He mused as Aizawa walked in, having ended the call with Nezu.
"It's your lucky day. Nezu granted you temporary approval to stay in the dorms. It's still in construction so pack while you can, you'll be moving in in just three days." Aizawa notified. Sukuna nodded silently before he realized something.
"Wait, you've only just started building the place?" He questioned. Aizawa shrugged.
"Don't worry, Cementoss moves fast."
"Well, I guess that's it for now." All Might stood as he and Aizawa headed towards the front door.
"Tell Jin and Kaori I said hi." All Might waved with a smile before they exited, closing the door behind them. Sukuna stared at the front door before sighing, placing a palm on his forehead.
"Really? Vacation to Bali? That's the best you could think of?"
...
Sukuna sighed as he was walking down the street in silence. It was night time, and Sukuna had nothing to do. The true nature of his parents' Quirks were revealed to him by Todo a few minutes ago, and it all made sense for Sukuna, how he has an energy source within his body and was able to perform this feats.
He suddenly heard a ton of barking closing in on him and turned around noticing, a black and a white dog sprinting towards him.
"Hey! Wait up! Where are you even taking me?!" He widened his eyes at the figure chasing them. It was Mina, wearing casual clothing, sweating from all the chasing.
The dogs arrive before him, and sat down obediently. They were both his Divine Dogs, ones that he had summoned before he was fully pulled into the portal to keep watch of Mina.
"Hello boys, glad to see you again." He muttered, petting the two of them before looking up at Mina staring at him in disbelief.
"B-baby? I-is that you? Y-you... You're back..." Mina commented, shakily pointing at him. Sukuna stared at her. She looked so beautiful even though she was a total mess from all the running. And he just couldn't resist anymore.
"Kya!" Mina squealed as Sukuna appeared before her and picked her up with his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he started kissing her face and neck.
"Mmm you smell good." Sukuna commented as he shamelessly buried his face in her chest before sniffing loudly. Mina was embarrassed. It was already bad enough that he was doing it, but they were still in public. The two divine dogs just watched in silence.
"Woof."(Master and mistress sure do love each other a lot.)
"Woof." (Agreed.)
"When did you come home?" Mina asked, looking down at him as he was still carrying her.
"Yesterday. I managed to catch All Might's last fight. But as soon as I got home I fell asleep, so I didn't get to text you."
"It's fine..." She muttered, playing with his hair. She then kissed the top of his head.
"I'm just glad you're back. Don't scare me like that again..." She whispered. She wanted to scold him for going ahead with that reckless plan. But she felt like it wasn't worth it, looking at his tired expression.
"Did you hear? We're gonna be living in dorms now." Mina brought up. Sukuna nodded, gently placing her down on the ground before they held hands, walking down the street together.
"Yes I have. I've already packed up everything. It's great that they let us design our rooms." Sukuna commented. The two dogs walked beside them silently.
"Yeah! Can't wait to see yours." Mina giggled before looking at the two dogs.
"They're so cute! I don't even know how you have summons at this point." She shook her head. It seems her boyfriend just gets more and more unique as each day passes.
"How'd they find you?" Sukuna questioned.
"I don't know. Shiro (white) found me when we were in the hospital visiting Izuku, and Kuro (black) found me whe I got back home." Mina explained.
"You gave them names already?" Sukuna raised an eyebrow in amusement. Mina nodded excitedly in response.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" Sukuna asked her. Mina nodded, before they started walking in the direction of her house hand in hand. It was peaceful. Sukuna had never felt this way other than with Mina. Though it only made him feel guilty in the end for what he was going to do in a few days.
They arrived back at Mina's home shortly after. Sukuna kissed Mina's hand.
"Ooo~ Such a gentleman~" She giggled, giving him a hug. He kissed the top of her head and ruffled it.
"Goodnight. See you back at school." He whispered as he walked away. Mina watched him walk for a moment before she widened her eyes. She wanted to call him back, clearly wanting something more.
But he was already too far away.
Mina stared down at the two dogs that looked up at her curiously, almost as if they understood her emotions. She sighed, gently petting them.
"It's nothing, maybe he's just tired from all the drama..."
Meanwhile with Sukuna, his hands were in the pockets of his hoodie. He had a solemn expression as he stared at the ground while he walked.
'Mina... I'm sorry.....'
To be continued...
(bad idea for Sukuna to become a vigilante? I don't think him sitting around is not what his character is like. Him and Mina haven't even had their first kiss on the lips yet 😭)