Heroic Welcome*

[Unknown POV]

I sat at my desk, the soft glow of the lamp illuminating the letter in my hands. The familiar handwriting, once strong and bold, now seemed to carry a hint of weariness. As I began to read, I could almost hear Toshinori's voice.

"Greetings, Sensei," the letter began, "The air is warm here. It feels like summer will come soon. I hope you are doing well."

I smiled, picturing the gentle breeze and the cherry blossoms that surely adorned the streets of Musutafu.

"As you might have heard, I took a position at U.A. this semester. Can you believe it? I'm now guiding the next generation of heroes. I went there to find someone worthy of inheriting my quirk, and I found the perfect one."

I leaned forward, the letter crinkling slightly under my fingers.

"This young man caught my eye at the entrance exam, saving classmates and defeating the zero-pointer. In the battle training, he showed great tactical I.Q."

I nodded, impressed. It took a special kind of person to stand out in a crowd of aspiring heroes, to show both the heart and the mind of a true champion.

"I was leaning towards this young man but wanted to wait before making a decision. But then, at the USJ, he did something extraordinary. He fought against villains far stronger than himself, buying time for his classmates to escape. And when I arrived, I heard him say something that struck me to my core. 'I hope I bought them enough time.'"

I felt a chill run down my spine, a sense of understanding dawning on me.

"That was when I knew he would be the one worthy of inheriting this quirk. I offered it to him, but he wanted to wait to decide until after the sports festival. He said it's so he doesn't have to worry about using a new power while training for this important stepping stone in a young hero's journey."

I leaned back in my chair, wise beyond his years, this young man. To understand the importance of mastering one's own abilities before taking on the mantle of another.

"I'm still quite new when it comes to teaching, so don't hate me if I bother you for guidance. I'll be counting on your wisdom and patience when the time comes. Until then, please take care of yourself. I'll keep you posted on any changes that might come. Sincerely Yours, Toshinori Yagi."

My student, Nana's successor, had found his own successor. The cycle continued, the legacy of One For All passing to a new generation.

I reached for the plate beside me, picking up a fish-shaped meat pie. I took a bite, savoring the flaky crust and the rich, savory filling.

"So, Toshinori has finally found a successor," I mused, "I can't wait to meet this brat."

[All Might's POV]

Entering the conference room, I could feel the tension in the air. The events at the USJ weighed heavily on everyone's minds, and the thought of our students being put in such danger was a bitter pill to swallow.

I took my seat at the table, nodding to my colleagues as they settled in. Principal Nezu, as always, sat at the head of the table, his expression serious yet calm. Snipe, Midnight, and Vlad King took their places, their faces etched with concern.

Detective Tsukauchi arrived shortly after, his trench coat slightly damp from the rain outside. He greeted us with a nod, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"Thank you all for coming," Nezu began, his voice steady. "As you know, we're here to discuss the recent villain attack at the USJ and the implications it has for the safety of our students and staff."

Tsukauchi cleared his throat, drawing our attention. "My team has been working tirelessly to investigate the incident, and we've uncovered some information about the villains involved."

He opened a file, spreading documents and photos across the table. "The majority of the villains we apprehended were petty criminals and street-level thugs. They seem to have been recruited by a group calling themselves the League of Villains."

I leaned forward, my brow furrowed. "What do we know about their leaders, Shigaraki and Kurogiri?"

Tsukauchi shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "Unfortunately, not much. These two seem to be the masterminds behind the attack, but they've managed to evade capture. The villains we have in custody know next to nothing about them."

Snipe spoke up, his voice gruff. "I managed to get a shot at their ringleader, but he got away. We need to track them down before he has a chance to heal and regroup."

I felt a sense of unease settle in my gut. The thought of such dangerous individuals still at large, plotting their next move, was deeply troubling.

Nezu turned to me, his eyes searching. "All Might, is there something bothering you about these villains?"

I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "It's Shigaraki," I began, my voice low. "When I faced him at the USJ, there was something about him that felt disturbingly familiar."

I closed my eyes, the memories of that fateful encounter flooding back. "His cold, mocking tone as he spoke of destruction and chaos, the way he seemed to revel in the suffering of others... it was unsettling, to say the least."

I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me as I continued, my hands clenching unconsciously. "But it was more than just his words. It was the aura that surrounded him, the sheer malevolence that radiated from his very being."

I shook my head, a chill running down my spine. "I've faced many villains in my time, but there was something different about Shigaraki. Something that felt almost... familiar."

I paused, the words catching in my throat. "His demeanor, his aura... it's like I was facing a younger, more novice version of..."

I trailed off, shaking my head. "Never mind. Let's not dwell on that."

The room fell silent, the weight of my unspoken implication hanging heavy in the air. I could see the understanding in Nezu and Tsukauchi's eyes, the flicker of recognition and concern that passed between them.

We all knew the name that I had left unspoken, the specter of evil that loomed large in the history of heroism. The man who had once been my greatest adversary, the symbol of everything we fought against.

All For One.

But I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud, to give voice to the fear that had taken root in my heart. The thought that Shigaraki could be connected to him, that he could be a disciple or a successor to that malevolent power... it was almost too much to bear.

Tsukauchi broke the momentary silence. "Thanks to the efforts of you heroes, the police force can now focus their full attention on apprehending these villains before the situation escalates further."

I nodded, "We must do everything in our power to protect our students and bring these criminals to justice. We cannot allow them to threaten the safety of our society."

Midnight leaned forward, "We'll increase security measures and be more vigilant than ever. Especially for the upcoming festival."

Vlad King nodded in agreement. "We'll train them harder, prepare them for the challenges they may face."

As the meeting progressed, plans were made regarding the Sport Festival. But through it all, I couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that had taken root in my heart. I could only hope this was the paranoia of a seasoned hero, and not a bad omen.

[Izuku Midoriya's POV]

I sat on the edge of the hospital bed, waiting for Recovery Girl to finish her final check-up. The sterile white walls of the infirmary had become all too familiar, and I couldn't wait to finally be discharged.

Recovery Girl moved about the room with practiced efficiency, her cane tapping softly against the tiled floor as she checked my vitals and examined my injuries. I tried to sit still, but the nervous energy that thrummed through my body made it difficult to keep from fidgeting.

After what felt like an eternity, Recovery Girl stepped back, a satisfied smile on her face. "Well, young man," she said, "it looks like you're well enough to be discharged."

I felt a grin spreading across my face, "Really? That's great news!"

Recovery Girl held up a finger, her expression turning stern. "But that doesn't mean you can go jumping right back into training at full throttle. Your body still needs rest and time to fully recover."

I nodded, trying to look appropriately chastened. "I understand. I'll take it easy, I promise."

Recovery Girl's eyes twinkled, as if she could see right through my attempt at sincerity. "I'll hold you to that, young man. Don't make me regret clearing you for discharge."

As I was about to respond, I noticed Recovery Girl pull out her phone, her fingers tapping quickly across the screen. She seemed to be texting someone, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but lean forward slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the screen. But Recovery Girl was too quick, her phone disappearing back into her pocket before I could make out any of the words.

She looked up, catching my inquisitive gaze. "Just letting someone know about your discharge," she said, "Nothing for you to worry about."

I shrugged and hopped off the bed, "Thank you for everything, Recovery Girl," I said, bowing slightly in gratitude. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."

Recovery Girl waved off my thanks, a gentle smile on her face. "It's what I'm here for, young man. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself out there."

I nodded, "I will. I have to be in top form for the Sports Festival, after all."

Recovery Girl chuckled, shaking her head. "Ah, youth. Always in such a hurry to prove themselves."

She moved towards the door, her cane tapping softly against the floor. "Go on then, young Midoriya. Gather your things and get out of here."

I grinned, already reaching for my belongings. "Yes, ma'am!"

I made my way across the U.A. campus, the familiar buildings and pathways taking on a new significance in the light of recent events. The USJ incident seemed like a distant nightmare, a surreal memory that I could hardly believe had actually happened.

But the aches and pains that still lingered in my body were a constant reminder of the reality of that day, of the challenges and dangers that I had faced and somehow managed to overcome.

Approaching the Class 1-A dorms, I felt my heartbeat quicken. I wondered what my classmates would say, how they would react to seeing me after everything that had happened.

Would they be angry with me for putting myself in danger? Would they pity me for my injuries and the trauma I had endured? Or would they simply be relieved to see me back on my feet, ready to face the challenges ahead?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay beyond the doors. With a steady hand, I reached out and turned the knob, stepping into the common area.

To my surprise, the room was empty, the usual chatter and laughter of my classmates conspicuously absent. The lights were dimmed, the furniture cast in long shadows that stretched across the floor.

For a moment, I wondered if I had somehow misread the situation, if my classmates had forgotten about my return or simply didn't care. But before the thought could take root, a sudden burst of noise and movement erupted from every corner of the room.

"Welcome back, Midoriya!" a chorus of voices shouted, the lights flaring to life as my classmates emerged from their hiding spots.

I stumbled back, my eyes wide with shock and my heart hammering in my chest. Streamers and balloons filled the air, a colorful explosion of celebration that left me speechless.

"You guys... you did all this for me?"

Iida stepped forward, his hand reaching up to adjust his glasses in a familiar gesture. "Of course, Midoriya. You're our classmate, our friend. We wouldn't let your return go uncelebrated."

Momo nodded, a soft smile on her face. "We've been planning this ever since you woke up. Recovery girl let us know that you would most likely get discharged tonight."

Kyoka grinned, "We even got Bakugo to help out, if you can believe it."

I blinked, my eyes scanning the room for the familiar shock of blond hair. "Bakugo? Where is he, anyway?"

Kirishima chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know him. He's not really the party type. Said he had training to do."

As the initial shock of the surprise wore off, I found myself surrounded by my classmates. The room buzzed with energy, the air filled with the sound of laughter and animated conversation.

"Midoriya, you were so brave out there!" Ashido gushed, her eyes wide with admiration. "The way you took on that huge villain with the exposed brain? It was like something out of a comic book!"

I felt my cheeks flush, a wave of embarrassment washing over me at the praise. "Oh, it wasn't that big of a deal," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was just doing what any of you would have done in that situation."

But my classmates wouldn't hear of it, their voices rising in a chorus of protest.

"Are you kidding?" Kaminari exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Dude, you were like a one-man army out there! The way you kept getting back up, no matter how hard that thing hit you? It was unreal!"

I rubbed the back of my neck, "I guess it was kind of badass."

As the party began to wind down, I could feel the exhaustion settling deep in my bones. I stifled a yawn, my eyelids growing heavy as I leaned against the wall for support. Kirishima, ever observant, noticed my fatigue and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, Midoriya, you look beat, man. Why don't you head up to bed? We can take care of cleaning up here."

I started to protest, but another yawn escaped my lips, betraying my exhaustion. "Are you sure?" I asked, glancing around at the scattered cups and plates that littered the common room. "I don't want to leave you guys with all the work."

But Uraraka shook her head. "It's alright, Midoriya," she assured me. "You've been through a lot. You need your rest. We've got this."

With a grateful nod, I pushed myself off the wall and made my way towards the stairs, my body feeling heavier with each step. I pushed open the door to my room, the welcoming sight of my familiar belongings bringing a small smile to my face. I flopped down on my bed, not even bothering to change out of my clothes as I let the comfort of the mattress envelop me.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, a soft knock at the door jolted me back awake. Puzzled, I sat up, wondering who could be visiting at this hour.

"Come in," I called out, my voice rough with fatigue.

To my surprise, the door opened to reveal Momo, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the hallway light. She stepped into the room, closing and locking the door gently behind her.

"Momo? Is everything okay?"

She smiled softly, moving to sit on the edge of my bed. "Everything's fine, Izuku, I just wanted to check on you."

I sat up a little straighter, "I'm okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired, I guess. It's been... a lot."

Momo nodded. "I can't even imagine what you went through out there," she said softly, her hand reaching out to rest gently on my own. "The courage it must have taken, the strength..."

I swallowed hard, my eyes locked on our intertwined fingers. "I was scared," I admitted, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I didn't know if I was going to make it, if any of us were going to make it. But I couldn't... I couldn't let that thing hurt anyone else. I had to do something."

Momo's grip on my hand tightened, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin. "You were a hero out there, Izuku," she said, her voice filled with a quiet intensity. "A true hero. And I... I'm so proud of you. We all are."

"Momo, I..."

But before I could continue, she leaned forward, her free hand coming up to cup my cheek. Her eyes searched mine, a silent question hanging in the air between us.

And then, with a gentleness that took my breath away, she pressed her lips to mine.

The kiss was soft, tender, a barely-there brush of skin against skin. But it sent a jolt of electricity through my body, a rushing warmth that chased away the chill of exhaustion and filled me with a new kind of energy.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Momo pulled back, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with an emotion I couldn't quite name.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while now," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I never had the courage. But seeing you out there... it made me realize that life is too short to wait for the perfect moment."

She paused, her gaze drifting downward as a slight blush colored her cheeks. "And... and seeing how close Kyoka has gotten to you, how bold she's been in showing her affection... it made me realize that I needed to be bold too. I couldn't... I couldn't let my own fears and doubts hold me back any longer."

Momo's confession hung in the air between us, a palpable presence, heavy with promise and potential. Her words seemed to echo in the suddenly too-small space of my dorm room, bouncing off the walls and reverberating in my chest, in the marrow of my bones.

I stared at her, my gaze roving over the delicate curves and angles of her face, drinking in every detail like a man dying of thirst. The soft flush of her cheeks, the dark fan of her lashes against her skin, the glossy swell of her bottom lip where she'd caught it between her teeth...

It was too much, too tempting. The urge to lean in, to capture that lip between my own, was a physical ache, a pull as inexorable as gravity.

She had a point. With all the dangers we faced as future heroes, with the constant threat of villains and the uncertainty of the future... we couldn't afford to waste a single second. And I already knew it was possible to die young from experience

I found myself swaying forward, my hand coming up to cup her jaw, tilting her face up to meet mine. Her skin was warm, smooth as silk beneath my palm, her pulse a flutter against my fingertips.

For a suspended moment, we hovered there, our mouths a whisper apart, our breaths mingling in the charged space between us. I could feel the tension thrumming through her, could sense the coiled anticipation in the lines of her body, the hitch in her breathing.

And then, like the snapping of a tether, the last of my restraint gave way.

I surged forward, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. I poured every ounce of my pent-up longing into the press of my lips, the hot slide of my tongue against hers.

Momo met me with equal fervor, her fingers finding a home on my shoulders, in my hair, anywhere she could reach. She kissed me back with a fierce, almost feral intensity, as if she wanted to crawl inside me, to merge us together until there was no telling where she ended and I began.

We tumbled back onto the bed and I slotted myself between her thighs, the cradle of her hips a perfect, scorching fit against my own. She arched up into me, her body a perfect curve, all soft skin and taut muscle and delicious, devastating friction.

I tore my mouth from hers, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along the column of her throat. She tasted like salt and sweetness, like everything I'd ever wanted and never dared to dream I could have.

Her fingers raked down my back, blunt nails digging into my skin. I groaned against her neck, my hips jerking forward of their own volition, grinding against the apex of her thighs in a rough, graceless rhythm.

Momo gasped, her head falling back, exposing the long, elegant line of her throat. I latched onto the tender skin at the base, sucking hard, determined to leave my mark, to brand her as mine in this moment, if only for this moment.

She writhed beneath me and I could feel every shudder, every twitch and tremble, could sense the rising tide of her pleasure in the clench of her thighs around my hips, the desperate sounds escaping her kiss-bruised lips.

It was too much, too intense. The heat, the friction, the slick slide of skin on skin... I was drowning in her, losing myself in the stormy sea of sensation, in the overwhelming reality of her body moving with mine, against mine.

Some distant, rational part of my brain knew we needed to slow down, to ease back before we reached a point of no return. But the rest of me, the primal, wanting creature she'd awakened with her touch, with her raw confession... it couldn't seem to remember why that mattered.

All that existed was this moment, this connection, the urgent, undeniable need to be closer, to sink into her until there was no space left between us, no air to separate her skin from mine.

Momo's hands slid beneath the hem of my shirt, her palms skimming over the overheated skin of my back, my sides, leaving trails of tingling electricity in their wake. I shuddered, my muscles jumping and twitching beneath her touch, my body responding to hers on some deep, cellular level, as if every atom of my being was magnetized to her.

She tugged at my shirt, an impatient, insistent pull. I broke the kiss just long enough to let her yank it over my head, tossing it carelessly aside. And then I was on her again, my mouth crashing against hers, swallowing down her moan, absorbing the vibration of it into my own chest.

Her hands were everywhere, mapping the planes and ridges of my torso, tracing the contours of muscle and bone as if committing them to memory.

I wanted to touch her too, to learn her body with my hands, my lips, my tongue. I ached to strip away the barriers between us, to lay her bare and worship every inch of her until she was trembling, until she was shaking apart in my arms.

But more than that, more than the physical yearning, the primal, carnal need... I wanted to savor this moment, to imprint it indelibly on my mind, my heart, my soul.

This moment of connection, of revelation, of a love long hidden and finally brought to light.

This moment that would change everything, that would redefine who we were to each other, what we could be together.

This perfect, pivotal moment, poised on the knife's edge between friendship and something infinitely more profound, infinitely more precious.

I gentled my touch, my kisses turning soft, reverent. I pulled back just far enough to look at her, to meet her gaze with all the adoration, all the awe and wonder, I felt shining out of my eyes.

"Momo," I breathed. "My Momo..."

She reached up, her fingers tracing the curve of my cheek, the line of my jaw. Her eyes were brimming with a tenderness that stole the breath from my lungs.

"Yours," she whispered, the word a vow, a covenant. "Always yours."

And then she was pulling me back down, sealing that promise with the press of her lips, with the melding of her body to mine.

Momo's skin was soft under my hands, warm and alive. I traced the contours of her body, feeling each shiver and sigh, committing every curve and hollow to memory.

Clothes fell away and then it was just us, skin to skin, heartbeat to heartbeat. No barriers, no hesitation, just an all-consuming need to be closer, to touch and taste and feel.

I explored her with a reverence bordering on desperation, seeking out the spots that made her breath catch, that made her fingers tighten in my hair and her body arch into mine. I wanted to unravel her, to break her apart and put her back together, to make her wholly and utterly mine.

And she was mapping me too, claiming me with teeth and tongue and nails, branding me as hers with every touch, every gasping moan and pleading whisper. In that moment, I was - I existed only for her, only because of her.

We moved as one, frantic and graceless, chasing that golden edge. Tension coiled tighter and tighter, building and building until it finally shattered, white-hot pleasure shorting out every nerve ending, every thought.

I held her as she came apart, as I followed her over, swallowing her cries and shaking apart in her arms. We clung to each other, riding out the aftershocks until the world reasserted itself, until our hearts steadied and our breathing slowed.

She was soft and warm in my arms, her weight grounding me, tethering me to this moment. I traced lazy patterns on her back, marveling at the reality of her, the miracle of what we'd just shared.

The rest of the world could wait. The questions, the uncertainties, the tangle of feelings for Kyoka and Nejire - for now, in the hazy afterglow, none of it could touch me. There was only this, only us, and the bone-deep certainty that whatever came next, we would face it together.