Chapter 41: Ichika vs. Pro HeroesAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
A day later, All Might—now in his deflated form—was riding in a taxi. He wore a plain white shirt and baggy navy green pants, blending in with the crowd.
When the taxi stopped in front of a coffee shop, All Might stepped out while speaking on his phone.
"Is this the place?"
Yeah, Grandpa. The old man Sebastian is waiting for you inside, replied Roboco, Ichika's AI daughter.
The taxi drove off as All Might entered the shop, visibly anxious.
"Is it really okay to let Ichika go like this? He's planning to attack Tartarus…"
Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm monitoring him closely. He's still preparing—making sure everything is perfect before the attack.
"I failed him... I couldn't stop him. I'm afraid he'll turn into a villain because I was an incompetent father…" All Might's voice trembled with guilt and frustration.
You can't do everything alone. It hasn't even been a year since you adopted him. You still don't know how to fully handle a child. But now's not the time to blame yourself—you need help. He's right over there.
All Might looked around and found the old man she referred to—Sebastian—seated at a table, sipping coffee.
He walked over and sat across from him.
After explaining everything that happened, Sebastian responded calmly.
"I see… So that's what happened. But you shouldn't blame yourself. The real culprits are the corrupt leaders of that organization. Their recklessness has made things dire… and now your son has decided to become a villain."
...
All Might lowered his head, clenching his fists on the table.
Sebastian's expression turned serious.
"But before anything else, I need to ask you something."
"Huh?"
"What's more important to you—your hero image or your son?"
All Might's eyes widened.
"Of course it's Ichika. I can rebuild my image as a hero… but I can't bring my son back if he truly becomes a villain."
Sebastian smiled, then pulled out a thick folder from his bag and slid it across the table.
"Then take this."
"This is…?"
When All Might opened the folder, he was shocked.
"Those are the villains and corrupt heroes killed by Lady Nagant during her missions," Sebastian explained. "The original president of the Commission treated its workers like disposable tools—using people from the shadows to carry out their dirty work. As villain crimes became more organized, they turned to Pro Heroes, allowing them to act freely—even against fellow heroes—to preserve the illusion of peace. All of this happened behind your back."
"There might even be innocent people who were killed... without any evidence."
All Might's hands trembled as he looked at the gruesome images.
"This… this is incompetence. They sacrificed everything just to protect their image…"
"Falcon warned us. He said villains would one day use this secret to destroy hero society. He was trying to stop that."
All Might closed the folder with a heavy sigh.
"Why are you showing me this?"
Sebastian looked down.
"Honestly... I hate this. Falcon's like a grandson to me. Seeing him bear the weight of this society alone… I can't stomach it. This is our responsibility—not a child's."
"He's suffering, All Might. Abandoned by his real parents, surrounded by unreliable adults… he had no one to turn to but himself. He became this way because of us."
...
All Might sat in silence.
"I want to ask a favor," Sebastian said softly.
"…What is it?"
"As the Symbol of Peace, you're the only one who can do this. We can't let that child carry the burden of this society anymore. Even if he's mature, a child should still be a child. Childhood is short—don't let him lose it."
"…Okay. Tell me what I need to do."
All Might's expression hardened—determined, for his son.
Sebastian then began explaining his plan.
– A Few Days Later –
A long bridge connected to the heavily-guarded prison of Tartarus was under tight surveillance. Several Pro Heroes stood at the front gate.
R-Rated Hero: Midnight glanced around.
"Are they sure Falcon's turned villain and plans to attack Tartarus?"
Beside her stood a young woman with long, flaming yellowish-green hair and pointy teeth. She wore a gray mini dress with fire motifs and a mask connected to a red headband.
She was Burnin, a Pro Hero from Endeavor's agency.
"All Might himself told us and requested backup," Burnin replied.
Ahead of them stood Endeavor, flames flickering—looking ready for war.
"Our boss is fired up," Burnin grinned.
"Our opponent is Captain Falcon. He rivaled All Might's strength as a vigilante," said a small elderly man seated nearby.
He scanned the area, noticing many top heroes had gathered—though many others had declined.
"Both villains and Pro Heroes fear his name…"
Another voice added, "So we're up against someone as strong as All Might… and who can erase Quirks? This won't be easy."
That voice came from Edgeshot, a slim, ninja-like hero with gray hair and a mask. Best Jeanist followed behind him.
"We'll have to work together if we want to take him down," Jeanist said. "He's powerful, but there's strength in numbers."
"You might be able to restrain him," Midnight told him.
More heroes arrived in rapid succession:
Kamui Woods, leaping from a rooftop.
"Wait for me! I'm the new Pro Hero—Mt. Lady!"
Gang Orca, striding up with an intimidating aura.
Crust, the Shield Hero.
Shishido, the Lion Hero.
Yoroi Musha, Ectoplasm, Fat Gum, Snipe, Cementoss...
Midnight blinked.
"Isn't this… overkill?"
"We're up against Falcon," Jeanist answered grimly.
RUMBLE!
A distant thunderclap echoed across the sea.
"What the—?"
The skies darkened. Clouds swirled. Thunder roared.
"What's going on?!"
Suddenly, a giant dragon made of lightning appeared in the sky.
"Is that—?! That's not one of Falcon's abilities!"
The lightning dragon descended.
BOOOOOOOM!
It crashed onto the road, sending a shockwave through the area.
When the smoke cleared, a figure stood at the crater's center—clad in black armor, a cape flowing behind him, and a helmet covering his face.
His heavy breathing echoed ominously.
Shhh~ hhsshhh…
Just by standing there, he struck fear into the heroes.
"Is that Falcon…?"
"He looks completely different…"
"Terrifying…"
Suddenly, ominous music blared from nowhere.
(Play: Imperial March – Darth Vader Theme)
"So what Toshinori said is true…" muttered Gran Torino. "His real father was that man… That presence—it's overwhelming…"
The black-armored figure raised his left hand and pointed at them.
"You've failed me for the last time, Pro Heroes. I've had enough."
"I don't know what you're talking about, villain!"
One hero stepped forward—then suddenly,
"Guh!"
Snipe was lifted into the air, choking—grasping at his throat as if an invisible hand strangled him.
"Snipe!"
"What's happening?!"
Panicking, Snipe drew his gun and fired.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The armored figure caught every bullet with ease. Then opened his hand—the bullets clattered to the ground.
"Impossible…"
"We need to help him!"
"But how?!"
Suddenly—
CRASH!
Mirko fell from above, feet aimed down.
"Luna Fall!"
The black-armored figure leapt back, narrowly dodging as her kick obliterated the ground.
Snipe fell, freed from the invisible grip.
"Ugh… What was that…?"
The black armor turned to her.
"So, Rumi… You decided to come."
Mirko scowled.
"What's the meaning of this, Ichika?! You better explain before I kick your ass!"
Just then, Ryukyu, in her dragon form, landed behind her.
"Rabbit Hero: Mirko. Dragoon Hero: Ryukyu. Joining to defend Tartarus!"
(To be continued.)
A/N: After this battle, we'll enter the prison arc with Lady Nagant. That'll be Volume 2. I'll fix any remaining errors later!