All Might stood atop the observation deck overlooking the sports fields, his massive frame compressed into his skeletal form. Even in this weakened state, his presence radiated tension — a coiled spring of power and responsibility.
Below, Class 1‑A finished their cooldown stretches after the Quirk Apprehension Test. Aizawa dismissed them with his usual monotone threat of "don't waste my time," then walked off without a backward glance.
All Might didn't move.
His eyes were fixed on two students.
Takeshi Yagi.Izuku Midoriya.
Two boys with the weight of expectations on their shoulders — but for very different reasons.
Aizawa Approaches
"You can come down now," Aizawa called without looking up.
All Might blinked. "Ah—! Eraserhead, my boy! You sensed me?"
"You're not subtle," Aizawa replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Even in that form, you breathe like a set of dying bagpipes."
All Might coughed. "W‑Well! I was simply… observing!"
Aizawa's eyes flicked toward the retreating students. "Observing two in particular."
All Might didn't deny it.
Aizawa leaned against the railing. "You're interested in Yagi."
All Might stiffened. "I— I merely wanted to see how the new students performed!"
Aizawa gave him a flat look.
All Might sighed, shoulders slumping. "Fine. Yes. I watched him closely."
His gaze followed Takeshi, who walked with calm, grounded steps — each footfall deliberate, heavy, controlled.
"He reminds me of… someone," All Might murmured.
Aizawa raised a brow. "His father?"
All Might didn't answer directly. "His quirk is fascinating. Density manipulation — but only upward. No lightening, no evasive tricks. Pure reinforcement."
He watched Takeshi's posture, the way he carried his weight like a soldier accustomed to armor.
"That kind of quirk demands discipline. Pain tolerance. Years of conditioning. And he's only fifteen."
Aizawa nodded. "He's strong. But he's also methodical. Doesn't show off. Doesn't panic. Doesn't waste movement."
All Might smiled faintly. "A boy who understands the value of control."
Aizawa shot him a sideways glance. "You sound proud."
All Might's smile faltered.
"Not proud," he said softly. "Hopeful."
Aizawa followed All Might's gaze to Midoriya, who was limping slightly as he walked with Uraraka and Iida. His notebook was already out, scribbling furiously despite his exhaustion.
"And the other one?" Aizawa asked.
All Might's expression softened — and tightened — all at once.
"Midoriya… has heart," he said. "More than anyone I've ever met."
Aizawa snorted. "Heart doesn't keep bones from shattering."
All Might winced. "I know. I know. He's not ready yet."
"Not even close," Aizawa said bluntly. "He's at the bottom because he can't use his quirk without destroying himself. That's not potential — that's a liability."
All Might's hands clenched the railing.
"He'll learn," he said quietly. "He has to."
Aizawa studied him for a long moment.
"You're worried."
All Might didn't deny it.
"He reminds me of myself," he said. "Before I had a teacher to guide me."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "And you think you can give him that guidance."
"I must," All Might whispered.
Aizawa exhaled. "Yagi and Midoriya are opposites."
All Might nodded.
"Takeshi has a quirk that demands restraint. Midoriya has a quirk that demands release."
"Takeshi's body is already prepared," Aizawa continued. "Midoriya's is… not."
"Takeshi is calm," All Might added. "Midoriya is anxious."
"Takeshi is disciplined."
"Midoriya is passionate."
Aizawa smirked. "You're describing a perfect duo."
All Might blinked. "A duo?"
"Think about it," Aizawa said. "One boy who needs to learn flexibility. Another who needs to learn control. They balance each other."
All Might's eyes widened slightly.
He hadn't considered that.
Not yet.
Aizawa's Warning
Aizawa pushed off the railing.
"Just remember," he said, "your job isn't to choose favorites. It's to teach them all."
All Might nodded solemnly. "Of course."
"And," Aizawa added, "if you're going to keep watching my class from rooftops, at least try not to wheeze like a haunted accordion."
All Might sputtered. "I— I do NOT wheeze!"
Aizawa walked away. "Sure."
All Might's Resolve
Alone again, All Might looked down at the two boys.
Takeshi Yagi — strong, steady, disciplined. Izuku Midoriya — fragile, frantic, overflowing with potential.
Two paths. Two burdens. Two futures.
And All Might stood at the crossroads between them.
He straightened, eyes burning with determination.
"I will guide them both," he whispered. "No matter what it takes."
His skeletal form shimmered — and for a brief moment, the Symbol of Peace stood tall again, suit no longer billowing in the wind.
Then he vanished from the rooftop.
The halls of U.A. were quiet in the late afternoon, sunlight slanting through the tall windows in warm, golden beams. Most students had already returned to their dorms or homes, leaving the building with a peaceful stillness.
All Might walked with purpose — or as much purpose as his skeletal form could muster. His footsteps were soft, almost hesitant, as he approached the office at the end of the hall.
A small brass plaque read:
Principal Nezu
All Might paused, inhaled, and knocked.
"Come in!" chirped a bright, cheerful voice.
All Might entered.
Principal Nezu sat atop his custom-built chair, sipping tea with a serene smile. The room smelled faintly of jasmine and old books. Papers were neatly stacked, and a chalkboard behind him displayed complex diagrams that looked like battle strategies, psychological profiles, and… a flowchart labeled "Class 1‑A: Probabilities of Chaos."
Nezu's eyes sparkled.
"All Might! What a pleasant surprise. Or perhaps not a surprise at all."
All Might blinked. "You… expected me?"
Nezu chuckled. "You watched the Quirk Apprehension Test from the rooftop. Aizawa noticed. I noticed. The security cameras noticed. The birds noticed."
All Might coughed. "Ah— well— I was simply—"
"Worried," Nezu finished gently. "About two students in particular."
All Might's shoulders slumped. "Yes."
Nezu gestured to the seat across from him. "Please, sit. Let's talk."
All Might sat, hands clasped tightly.
Nezu folded his paws neatly. "Let's begin with Takeshi Yagi."
All Might exhaled slowly. "He's… remarkable."
Nezu's smile widened. "He is. His quirk is physically demanding, yet he wields it with discipline far beyond his age."
All Might nodded. "His control is exceptional. His body is prepared. His mind is steady. He doesn't show off. He doesn't panic. He doesn't waste movement."
Nezu tilted his head. "He reminds you of someone?"
All Might hesitated.
"…Yes."
Nezu's eyes gleamed with understanding. "His mother."
All Might didn't answer directly. "He carries himself with the weight of someone who has trained under pressure. Someone who knows expectations. Someone who understands that strength is not a toy."
Nezu sipped his tea. "Aizawa sees potential in him. So do I."
All Might looked troubled. "Potential can be a burden."
Nezu nodded. "Especially for a child of heroes."
All Might's gaze softened. "He's strong. But he's also… alone in that strength."
Nezu hummed thoughtfully. "Then perhaps he needs someone who understands what it means to carry the weight of a legacy."
All Might blinked. "You mean—"
Nezu smiled. "I mean nothing. I merely observe."
Nezu set his teacup down.
"And Midoriya?"
All Might's expression tightened. "He's trying so hard. Too hard. He pushes himself past his limits every time."
Nezu nodded. "His heart is admirable. His body, however, is… fragile."
All Might winced. "I know. I gave him a power he wasn't ready for."
Nezu's voice softened. "You gave him hope. But hope must be shaped."
All Might stared at the floor. "He's at the bottom of the class. He can't use One For All without breaking himself. He's drowning in self-doubt."
"And yet," Nezu said, "he keeps moving forward."
All Might's eyes glistened. "Yes. He does."
Nezu leaned forward. "You chose him for a reason."
All Might nodded. "Because he's brave. Because he's selfless. Because he wants to save people with a smile."
Nezu smiled warmly. "Then teach him. Guide him. Help him grow into the hero you know he can be."
All Might swallowed. "I will. I must."
Nezu tapped his paw against the desk. "Takeshi and Midoriya are fascinating contrasts."
All Might nodded. "One has a body built for his quirk. The other has a quirk far beyond his body."
"One is disciplined," Nezu added. "The other is passionate."
"One is grounded," All Might said. "The other is explosive."
Nezu's eyes sparkled. "Together, they could learn from each other."
All Might blinked. "Aizawa said something similar."
Nezu chuckled. "Aizawa is more perceptive than he pretends to be."
All Might leaned back. "I worry about both of them."
Nezu's voice softened. "That is what makes you a good teacher and perhaps with time, a good father."
Nezu's tone shifted — still gentle but edged with seriousness.
"All Might… you must be careful."
All Might stiffened. "Careful?"
"Your time limit," Nezu said quietly. "Your condition. Your role as the Symbol of Peace. And your role as a teacher."
All Might looked away. "I know."
Nezu continued, "If the students — especially Takeshi — learn the truth too soon, it could shake their confidence. And if villains learn it…"
All Might finished the sentence. "It could shake the world."
Nezu nodded. "So tread carefully. Guide them. But do not reveal more than they are ready to hear."
All Might inhaled deeply. "Understood."
A New Resolve
Nezu smiled again, bright and warm. "Good. Now go rest. You look like you're about to fall over."
All Might sputtered. "I— I do not—!"
Nezu raised a brow.
All Might deflated. "Okay. Maybe a little."
He stood, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Principal Nezu."
Nezu waved a paw. "Anytime. And All Might?"
All Might paused at the door.
Nezu's eyes gleamed with mischief and wisdom.
"Those two boys will change each other. And they will change you too."
All Might's breath caught.
Then he smiled — a small, genuine smile.
"I look forward to it."
He stepped out of the office, the door closing softly behind him.