Chapter 151: All For One
"All For One... 'All for me'?" Kira repeated the name. "It's a simple, easy-to-understand name. It just... doesn't sound like the name a mastermind should have."
"That's just his Quirk," Stain replied casually, lost in his memories again. "If you prefer, you can also call him the Dark Emperor."
"Over a decade ago, when All Might was at his peak, he rescued over a hundred people from a massive fire at a large shopping mall in just ten minutes. The final count showed that he had single-handedly saved nearly a thousand people! After that, every time he appeared before the public, he always had that reassuring smile, as if to say, 'It's alright now! Why? Because I am here!'"
A smile appeared on Stain's face, as if he were picturing All Might's smiling face. "A person like All Might must be a born hero, destined to become the Symbol of Peace. But every time I saw him on a TV show with other Pro Heroes, wearing that stiff, uncomfortable smile, I started to think... what right do those people have to stand next to All Might? What right do they have to the title of 'hero'!?"
At this, Stain's voice was filled with resentment. "And so, I proposed the 'Return to True Heroes,' arguing that heroes should not seek personal gain and should do what they are supposed to do. But it was useless. This society is still warped! Pro Heroes have become regulars on television, and every year there are movies made about them. But at the scene of a disaster, the ones who are silently working are the police and firefighters who arrive first! And the most unbearable thing is that those fakes go on the internet and brag about how much they contributed, how many people they saved...!"
He took a breath, calming himself. "Later, I happened to see an interview where All Might said he had solidified his conviction to be a hero while studying abroad in America. And so, I followed in his footsteps and went to America."
It's like a holy pilgrimage... The thought suddenly occurred to Kira.
Stain seemed unwilling to talk about his time in America, as if he were trying to hide the existence of his teacher. He skipped over it and continued, "When I returned to Japan, just like All Might, I had solidified a new conviction: words are powerless. Only by making the Pro Heroes realize they are in constant danger can we weed out the fakes who are just in it for the meal ticket."
Although Kira didn't think Stain was right, his conviction was genuine.
"I've also seen the news from that 'expert' you mentioned. In every city I've visited, the crime rate has dropped. I once thought that if I could just walk through every city in the country, I could achieve my ideal," Stain said with a self-deprecating laugh. "But I discovered... I was too naive."
"In Hosu City, I was taken by a fellow named Kurogiri to their League of Villains' hideout. The one called Tomura Shigaraki... he's just like you, the type of person I hate the most. If you are still in a state of chaotic indecision, then that guy... he just wants to destroy everything!" Stain looked at Kira. "You asked if I was with the League of Villains. I'll tell you now: the moment I met him, I wanted to kill that antisocial brat, Tomura Shigaraki! But... I couldn't."
"The moment the tip of my blade touched his skin, an uncontrollable coldness washed over me. I looked up and, for a second, my eyes met with the dark figure on the other side of the television screen. After that... I couldn't stop trembling. I instantly gave up the idea of killing Shigaraki!"
A television... darkness... immortal... reborn...
"DIO...!" The word escaped from Kira's mind before he could stop it. "That guy is Dio Brando!"
"What 'Dio'? I've already made it very clear! He is the Dark Emperor from decades ago, All For One!" Stain said, agitated. "Even though it was the first time I saw him, I know! That aura was definitely the one from the legends!"
"Ah, right, 'All For One,' that's his Quirk!" Kira could no longer hear what Stain was saying. His mind was filled with one thought: DIO!
Dio has the body of a vampire, which means he's essentially immortal. He can't stand the light, so he hides in the darkness. He's extremely cautious, always sending his subordinates to attack while he sits in the back...
...If I, with Killer Queen and Hamon, came to this world, then why couldn't he, a vampire with the Stand 'The World,' come here as well!? The invitation Kurogiri gave me... was it from DIO? Did he sense the mark of a Stand on me and want me, a fellow countryman, to join him!?
Calm down... calm down... Kira forced himself to think. If his opponent really was DIO, he had been in this world for nearly a hundred years. With his cruel nature, he would have surely tried to dominate the world. And if he also had the ability to steal other people's Quirks, then the world would have already been reduced to ruins. He would never have allowed the Symbol of Peace, All Might, to still be alive.
Kira suddenly thought of something and quickly asked Stain, "When you saw DIO, what was the background of his surroundings!?"
"I told you, it's All For One!" Stain retorted, annoyed. He then recalled, "It was very dark around him... his entire face was shrouded in darkness. All I could see was that he was sitting in a chair, and behind the chair was a large, cylindrical nutrient tank... This is just my guess, but he must be seriously injured right now. So seriously that he can't go outside!"
That's it! Kira's eyes lit up. DIO must be unable to go outside, just like when he was in Egypt! It must be because his vampire body can't adapt to this world! That's why he sent out the League of Villains as his vanguard to attack the world's strongest hero, All Might!
DIO... you bastard! You're a coward in every world, aren't you!? You have an overwhelming advantage, yet you're still too cautious to make a move! Are you going to wait until All Might learns how to stop time before you finally act!?
Kira let out a sigh of relief. If he thought about it that way, DIO probably wasn't paying any attention to him. His mind was entirely focused on All Might. Perhaps All Might gave him the same feeling of an unbeatable power, just like Jotaro Kujo. He was still gathering his forces, preparing to make a move against him.
And I was overthinking it. I've never revealed Killer Queen's ability, and I've always fought in public with Hamon. There's no way DIO could have sensed that I also have a Stand. And my name is Yoshikage Kira, not the serial killer named Yoshikage Kira. From now on, I just have to hide my ability and live my quiet life. If DIO wants to fight, let him fight All Might. When the sky falls, it won't fall on me...
Just as Kira was comforting himself, a thought suddenly occurred to him, and he broke out in a cold sweat—If DIO can't go outside because he's a vampire, then I, with my Hamon body and blood... I would be the perfect supplement for him! He might even twist my head off and put his on my body! His invitation... that's probably the real reason!
Even if I have to change my face, I don't want to change my head!
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