Chapter 54 — Shadow of the Past
As Aoi left the exam site, he stopped for a moment on the sidewalk and looked up at the sky. He thought about how much he had evolved over the years of training — his strength, his control over the flames, the techniques he had created. He whispered to himself:
— With this power, I'll protect Nemuri and Mirko… and I won't let what happened in the original story happen again.
He kept walking down the busy street when, at the entrance of an alley, he saw a figure that made his chest freeze. The person before him stared with a satisfied grin.
— Well, well… if it isn't my genius little brother — the voice said, dripping with venom. — Judging by that look on your face, you don't know who I am, do you? Let me introduce myself: I'm—
Aoi didn't let him finish.
— You're Toya Todoroki, my older brother, right? — Aoi cut in firmly. — I researched everything about our family to protect them. I know what happened to you. I know that you, Toya, died in an accident a year before Shoto and I were born.
Toya smiled in a deranged way; his face lit by a hatred Aoi had never seen before.
— I wouldn't expect anything less from a genius — Toya said with a twisted grin.
Aoi gave a bitter smile and replied coldly:
— Now that I finally see you, it doesn't look like you came to tell the family you're alive. You don't seem like you want to come back, either.
The air grew heavy. Toya looked consumed by rage.
— Come back? — he spat, his voice cutting. — You're joking. I'm a ghost that came back from hell. The only thing I want… is revenge.
Aoi looked at him, his tone low and controlled.
— If you want revenge against our father for everything he did to you, that's your right. I don't know what you went through. I can't say I have the right to deny your pain.
But Aoi didn't let the talk stay as mere words. Slowly, his aura began to rise — the Conqueror's Haki bubbled beneath the surface, and his blue flames flared around him, like a cold crown of light.
— There's only one thing — Aoi said firmly, locking eyes with Toya. — Don't involve our family or innocent people in this. If you do… I'll have to end you myself.
Toya laughed, showing teeth like blades.
— Too bad it won't be today, little brother. — He glanced around with disdain. — Look around: this place is full of people. Even if I lose, many will die. You're not a true hero yet.
Toya's gaze swept over the shops, cars, and terrified pedestrians. For a moment, Aoi restrained his aura, forcing it down to avoid causing further panic.
— Until next time, little brother — Toya said, disappearing into the crowd like a ghost.
Aoi stood there for a few seconds, watching the fear on the people's faces. He was still processing what had happened when Nemuri rushed toward him, breathless.
— Aoi! Are you okay? — she asked, her voice trembling. — People were screaming about a villain… we came running!
Aoi hugged her tightly, running a hand through her hair to calm her.
— I'm fine — he murmured. — It was… someone connected to my family. He didn't do anything, just retreated.
At that moment, Nezu, Aizawa, and All Might appeared, heading toward them. Nezu looked at Aoi, who was still holding Nemuri, and asked directly:
— Todoroki, what happened here?
Aoi sighed and explained clearly:
— It was a villain full of hatred toward our father. He came to threaten my family. I let a bit of my aura slip out, and he backed off. I couldn't capture him.
All Might stepped closer, his expression serious but understanding.
— It wasn't your fault, young Aoi — he said. — If you had fought here with your full power, in a public place, many people could have been hurt. It was wise to stand down.
Aizawa added in his usual dry tone:
— You're still a student, not a pro hero. This kind of case is our responsibility. Leave the heavy work to those who have jurisdiction.
Aoi nodded, aware of what he had done and what could have gone wrong.
— Principal Nezu, I need to go — he said, looking at everyone. — I'm already late, and I'm the one who cooks at home. You can call me if needed.
Nezu looked at him with a mix of affection and concern and replied:
— Go on, then. We'll call you if necessary. Take care, Todoroki.
Aoi raised a hand in a brief wave and walked toward his motorcycle. Nemuri followed him. Before mounting, he looked in the direction where Toya had disappeared and spoke, his voice firm:
— Brother… keep our family and the innocent out of your revenge. Otherwise, I'll have to stop you with my own hands.
Without waiting for an answer, Aoi revved the engine. Nemuri held onto him, still pale, as the motorcycle disappeared into the city streets — carrying with it the promise, the warning, and the weight of a conflict that had awakened ghosts from the past.