To be honest, All Might found it hard to believe those words had come out of Shigaraki's mouth.
"I want a spot in U.A.'s Hero Course."
This was the same boy who had killed someone in front of him without hesitation.
The same boy who had sat across from the Symbol of Peace and calmly expressed his contempt for the current hero system.
And now, that same boy was saying he wanted to become a Pro Hero?
If All Might weren't certain the person sitting across from him was Shimura Tenko, he might have wondered whether a shapeshifter had replaced him.
"I'm serious."
Seeing the disbelief on All Might's face, Shigaraki nodded calmly.
There was no trace of a joke in his expression.
And he truly was serious.
He was going to enter U.A.
He did intend to become a Pro Hero.
The only thing was, the slot he was asking for right now wasn't for himself.
Of course, he had no intention of explaining that yet.
Call it a little harmless fun.
Across the table, All Might pressed his fingers to his temple.
He needed a moment.
This was too much.
Not because Shigaraki wanting to become a hero was impossible, but because it had happened too suddenly.
It felt like being handed victory before the battle had even begun.
On his way here, All Might had already prepared himself.
Even if he had to talk until his throat went dry, he planned to do everything he could to guide the boy onto the right path.
But honestly, he hadn't expected much.
People like Shigaraki, people with firm beliefs of their own, were the hardest to persuade.
All Might had imagined every possible outcome.
Shigaraki refusing.
Shigaraki walking away halfway through.
Shigaraki agreeing on the surface while doing whatever he wanted in secret.
He had prepared for all of that.
But this?
He hadn't even started persuading him yet, and the boy had already said he wanted to become a hero.
For a moment, All Might almost felt like he was dreaming.
It was too easy.
Too smooth.
Too unreal.
Fortunately, he wasn't an ordinary man. It didn't take long for him to calm himself down.
Still, there was one thing he couldn't understand.
Why ask him for a U.A. slot?
All Might was one of the top Pro Heroes, yes, but he wasn't U.A.'s principal. Admission slots weren't something he could simply hand out.
More importantly, with Shigaraki's strength, passing the entrance exam should be effortless.
There was no need for shortcuts.
So why ask?
All Might looked at him and asked carefully, "If you want to enter U.A.'s Hero Course, you can pass the entrance exam with your own ability. There's no need to go through me."
He paused, then added, "And admission slots aren't something I can interfere with so easily. You may be asking the wrong person."
Then, afraid of discouraging him, All Might quickly continued, "But if you want advice about becoming a Pro Hero, or guidance about the profession, I can help with that."
Shigaraki clicked his tongue.
"Advice? No need."
He waved a hand lazily.
"That slot isn't for me."
"It's for a friend."
He leaned back in his chair, his tone casual but confident.
"If I wanted to enter the Hero Course, I wouldn't need a shortcut."
Then his gaze sharpened slightly.
"And don't tell me someone like you, one of the top heroes and a U.A. graduate, has no influence with the people in charge."
All Might's eyebrow twitched.
Once.
Then again.
He tried to maintain his composure.
"Well, I might have some influence," he admitted stiffly. "But something as important as admission slots isn't something a Pro Hero can just…"
He stopped.
Because Shigaraki was looking at him with open disbelief.
That look alone seemed to say:
Are you seriously trying that excuse on me?
All Might's mouth twitched.
After a moment, he let out a resigned breath.
"Fine."
"I'll see what I can do."
"But don't expect too much."
He gave in.
Just like that.
He didn't even ask who the slot was for.
Deep down, he trusted his own judgment.
If Shigaraki was willing to vouch for someone, that person probably wasn't truly bad.
Of course, he would still investigate.
That part was non-negotiable.
He had responsibilities, after all.
"Mm."
Shigaraki nodded lightly and lifted his cup.
"Then I'll thank you in advance on my friend's behalf."
He took a slow sip of coffee.
Then, as if mentioning something completely casual, he added, "As a token of appreciation, I'll behave myself for the next week."
All Might froze.
His expression turned complicated.
So you do know how to say thank you?
But at the same time, he caught the real problem.
For the next week.
Not forever.
Not long-term.
Just one week.
Silently, All Might offered a moment of sympathy for Tsukauchi's future hairline.
Clearly, this problem wasn't going away anytime soon.
As for himself, he could only sigh inwardly.
Because somehow, not only had he failed to make Shigaraki stop...
At some point during this conversation, he had almost been persuaded instead.
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