"Injured? That's impossible. I'm All Might—how could I be injured…?"
The man who always stood as the Symbol of Peace suddenly looked a little flustered. He struck a powerful pose in front of Etsuha, flexing his bulging muscles as if to prove that he was perfectly fine.
"Hmm… don't worry," Shina Etsuha said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I just noticed something unusual. My quirk is specialized in medical observation. This is an old injury… honestly, it's surprising. For someone like All Might—the Symbol of Peace—to have suffered something this severe."
Etsuha wasn't lying. Thanks to the effects of the modified medicine in his body, his perception of the human body was extremely sharp. With just a glance, he could tell that All Might's condition was dire—his stomach had been completely removed, and even half of his respiratory system was gone. The extent of the damage was staggering.
"You can actually see that?" All Might took a deep breath, his gaze turning strange as he looked at the boy in front of him.
What kind of quirk could be this precise… this terrifying?
"Of course," Etsuha nodded. Then he added with a hint of regret, "It's just a shame—I can't heal you right now."
"I see…" All Might's expression dimmed slightly, though this was more or less what he had expected. Injuries like his were far beyond normal treatment. Even the most renowned healing specialists in the Hero world were powerless against them. It was unreasonable to expect a teenager to succeed where they could not.
But then Etsuha continued—
"I'll be able to cure it later."
"Huh?!"
All Might's eyes widened instantly. "What did you just say?"
"I mean exactly what I said," Etsuha replied calmly. "In the future, I'll be able to heal injuries of this level. Right now, I can only stabilize your internal condition and prevent it from getting worse."
"You're saying… something like this can actually be healed? Do you even understand how severe my injuries are?" All Might's emotions surged like never before.
Etsuha spoke evenly, as if discussing something completely ordinary. "I don't know everything, but I can see enough. Your stomach is gone, and half your respiratory system is missing—most likely due to a previous internal injury. It's definitely complicated. But my quirk doesn't just repair damage—it reconstructs. I can generate new organs based on your genetic structure."
He paused briefly before finishing his explanation:
"It's essentially regeneration. A new stomach. A new respiratory system."
"So that's how it works…!"
All Might's breathing grew uneven, his emotions fluctuating wildly. The shock alone was enough to make him cough up a mouthful of blood.
"It seems today isn't the right time," Etsuha said with a small sigh. "Your stamina is already close to its limit. This condition isn't suitable for treatment. Both of us would need to be in peak condition."
He continued matter-of-factly:
"My ability accelerates cell division at an extreme rate. That's a massive burden—for both you and me. If either of us is weakened, the treatment could fail. So if you ever come looking for me… you should bring someone with you. Otherwise, there might not be anyone left to carry you out afterward."
"Boy… just who are you…?"
"Me?" Etsuha waved casually. "I'm Shina Etsuha—Mt. Lady's younger brother. Just call me Etsuha."
He added with a faint smile:
"And don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your injury. For now, you should focus on dealing with the sludge villain."
Both the sludge creature and Midoriya Izuku were still unconscious, which allowed Etsuha to speak freely without concern.
"Mt. Lady's younger brother… Shina Etsuha…" All Might repeated quietly, weighing the name in his mind.
A flicker of uncertainty passed through his eyes.
Can this really be healed?
Should I trust a boy I've just met?
Or could this be some kind of Villain trap?
Doubts surfaced one after another, but there was no time to dwell on them. This wasn't the moment for hesitation.
He turned his attention to Midoriya Izuku, who lay unconscious nearby.
"Kid? Hey, kid?" All Might gently patted his cheek.
"Ugh…"
Midoriya slowly came to, his vision blurry. When he finally focused, he saw a familiar face—and his entire expression lit up.
"All Might?!"
"Good, you're awake," All Might said with a relieved smile. "You don't seem to have any serious injuries. That's a relief."
He held two large cola bottles filled with the captured sludge villain. Seeing that Midoriya was safe, he finally relaxed.
"It really is All Might!" Midoriya exclaimed, overwhelmed with excitement. Without hesitation, he pulled out his Hero Notebook and a pen. "Please—can I get your autograph?!"
"Of course!"
All Might took the pen and signed his name seriously, then gave the boy a bright, reassuring smile.
"Young man, I'm sorry, but I don't have much time. I'll be heading off now."
His transformation time was nearly up. It wouldn't be long before he reverted to his weakened form.
"All Might, wait! I still have so many questions!" Midoriya called out desperately.
"No time! We'll meet again!" All Might laughed, launching himself into the air with explosive force.
"Haa…"
He exhaled in relief as he rose higher, but when he glanced down—
Midoriya Izuku was clinging tightly to his leg.
"…This kid followed me up?!"