That afternoon, Izuku arrived at the address written on the note, carrying his hero costume.
The building in front of him was old and worn down. If not for All Might's assurance, he might have thought it was abandoned.
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
He stepped inside.
"Strange… the lights are on."
He walked into the kitchen. The utilities were working, which meant someone lived here. They were probably out.
Izuku paused, then began observing his surroundings.
"The shoe size looks about 42… slightly larger than mine. There's a strand of white hair that's white from root to tip, so likely an older man, maybe in his fifties or sixties. There are also many footprints on the walls… if that's not from a Quirk, then this person has incredible leg strength."
He began tidying up as he continued thinking.
"The layout is messy. Not very organized. There are crumbs of taiyaki on the table, and only a few dishes in the sink. He probably ate recently."
He wiped down the table and glanced at the television.
"It's set to a children's channel. If he doesn't have kids, then he watches it himself. The sofa is low… based on that and the earlier footprints, his height is probably between 124 and 169 centimeters. There are no fabric traces on the sofa, so he might wear his hero costume as everyday clothing."
Izuku continued cleaning.
"I've been here a while, and he still hasn't shown up. He must really be out."
Unnoticed by him, a small figure in a yellow cape was perched above, watching in silence, visibly surprised.
All Might really found someone interesting… that boy hasn't even reached his limits yet.
Izuku finished cleaning and sat down.
"Now, about his Quirk… there are signs of bouncing and pressure impact on the floor. So it's probably either a jumping-type Quirk or some kind of propulsion."
He rested his chin on his hand.
"Why did he call me here? First, to evaluate me… but since All Might chose me, that's unlikely to be the main reason. Second, to have me help with chores… possible, but not likely. Third, to help me control One For All. That's probably it."
He stood up.
"If that's the case, I might as well start training."
He moved to the center of the room.
"Speed is essential for a hero. I'll start there."
He activated One For All and suddenly dashed forward, running up the walls and leaping across the room. He moved rapidly between surfaces, his body bouncing from floor to wall to ceiling.
Watching from above, Gran Torino widened his eyes.
He wasn't even going all out at the Sports Festival… This kid would be terrifying on the wrong side.
Gran Torino flipped down from the ceiling.
"Kid, what's your name—"
Before he could finish, Izuku shot past him, moving so fast his face was barely visible.
"Twenty kilometers per hour… already this fast? Then let's go further—thirty!"
Izuku accelerated, darting through the building.
"He's already that skilled?" Gran Torino muttered, then grinned. "Let's see what you can really do."
He launched himself forward.
"What—someone's here?" Izuku reacted instantly. "Is that the teacher? Better avoid him first."
The two began moving through the building at high speed, chasing each other from floor to floor.
"Not bad," Gran Torino said. "Then I'll get serious."
His speed increased.
"Someone can keep up with thirty… that has to be him," Izuku thought. "So this is a test. He wants to see how well I can control One For All."
He pushed himself further.
"Forty kilometers… burst!"
His speed surged again.
Gran Torino stopped on the stairs, breathing heavily as he watched Izuku reach the upper floors.
"…This kid… even back then, All Might wasn't like this."
The chase had lasted three hours.
Izuku reappeared in front of him.
"Gran Torino, sir… should we continue?"
"No more," Gran Torino said, waving him off. "I'm exhausted. Go buy me some taiyaki."
"Yes, sir."
Izuku rushed out of the building like a gust of wind.
Gran Torino sat down to rest, then took out his phone and made a call.
"Hey, Toshinori… this kid is something else. Stronger than you were at his age."
Meanwhile, Izuku ran through the streets, searching.
"Taiyaki… where is it…"
He turned a corner and spotted a shop still open.
"Finally found one."
He crossed the street and ran toward it.