1 Death and a new beginning

It was a normal workday, when overtime was sucking me dry more than Marvel sucks my savings with its limited editions. There I was, in front of the computer, face on the keyboard, trying to tame that rebellious code. But my apartment became strangely silent. Normally, I would wake up to the neighbors arguing, or the noise of cars below. But today, everything was too calm. A kind of calm that is scary.

And then, I remembered everything I've been through in life. 

The car accident. 

My deceased parents. 

The orphan life I went through. 

But now what I see is an explosion in front of me. 

It was all so fast, a blur of twisted metal and broken glass. And then, darkness.

Well, I guess I'm dead. No, seriously, I swear this wasn't expected for today. I was there, in my usual monotonous life, programming until late at night while the rest of the world slept. But then, BAM! An explosion out of nowhere decides that my time in this world is a game of who-gets-to-heaven-first. And look, I won. Dying at just 27, single, virgin, and never even knowing the ending of One Piece...

So, I guess I'm in one of those transitional moments now, you know? Like, between life and... well, not life. It's all dark here, and I can't even move. It's like being deeply asleep after an endless programming marathon, only without the comforting hum of my computer.

A voice echoed in my mind, soft and polite, as if whispering directly into my brain.

"Sorry for the abrupt interruption, my dear. There was a... mishap, so to speak. Another God got a bit too excited and you ended up exiting the game prematurely. It wasn't supposed to be like this..."

Ah, so that's it. A divine error. What cosmic bullshit, huh?

"But don't worry, I'll rectify this for you. You deserve a second chance. Choose a world, any world, and I'll send you back."

The idea of choosing a world seemed too surreal. Like being in one of those RPGs I used to play when I was younger. But a second chance was a second chance, and I wasn't going to refuse. After all, here I am, a mere mortal programmer, and the Almighty is giving me a chance to choose where to reincarnate. I know a lot about various anime and manga worlds, but when I stop to think, I can only think of one place: My Hero Academy. It's not like I'm a mega fan, but considering my options, it seems like the best destination.

"Well, if I have to choose, it better be an interesting place at least. I'll go with... My Hero Academy. At least there are superheroes, right?"

So, God, kind as always, agrees. He warns me that there, things are kind of... you know, different. But that doesn't worry me too much. He even offers me a gift:

"Seeing as this world thrives on personal powers, I give you the freedom to choose one as well." Can I choose a power? And without a second thought, I choose the power of my favorite hero.

"I choose the same as Sentry from Marvel." I loved that guy when I read Marvel stories. It's a somewhat cliché choice, but screw it. Because, man, who doesn't want to be a powerful superhero?

God's voice, polite as always, replied: "Very well, my dear. Sentry, one of Marvel's most powerful heroes. Considering the circumstances, I suppose I can make an exception. Oh, and don't worry about your power being nullified or stolen. It's not of the same nature as this world's. Now, it's time for you to return. Prepare for a... dramatic entrance."

And then, the darkness returned.

But something was different. It was like I was being pushed, pulled, distorted. It wasn't a pleasant sensation, to say the least.

And then, light.

Lots of light.

And the feeling of falling.

Literally.

"What the hell is this?!" I yelled, before realizing that my voice was just an infantile cry.

I was being born again.

_____[ POV: Aiko Fujimoto ]_____

The process of giving birth was a mixture of excruciating pain and a strange sense of relief. For months, my life has been a lonely and difficult journey since my husband was taken from me by a senseless act of violence from a villain. The pain of loss was like an open wound that never fully healed. I didn't possess a quirk either, like my late husband, which made me feel even more isolated without him in a world where special powers were common.

But now, here I am, in the silent hallways of the hospital in the Chubu Region, Shizuoka. My heart is filled with hope and apprehension as I wait to hold in my arms the only link I have to the love I lost. My baby.

The doctors and nurses are kind and helpful, but deep down in my mind, I can't help but feel a little alone. I wish so much that my husband were here, to witness this moment with us. To hold my hand and smile with those gentle eyes that always comforted me in the darkest times.

And then, finally, he is here. My precious son. When they place the baby in my trembling arms, I feel a wave of emotion and love flood my being. He is perfect. His blond hair shines in the soft light of the room, and his closed eyes seem so serene.

"Ryoji...", I murmur, letting the name flow gently from my lips. It's a strong name, a name that carries the memory of his father. A name that I hope will guide him and protect him throughout his life.

As I hold him in my arms for the first time, I feel a deep calm envelop me. Perhaps, just perhaps, this little miracle is the light at the end of my darkness. And I am determined to give him all the love and care I can, so that he may grow up strong and happy, even if it means facing the world alone.

_____[ POV: Ryuji ]_____

I didn't know being a newborn could be so... embarrassing.

Here I am, lying in my mother's arms, staring at the hospital's white ceiling. Seriously, is this what God calls a welcome to the world? Because if it is, I want a refund.

The nurses are fussing over me, pampering me as if I were made of porcelain. I don't know what's worse: being the center of attention or being called "adorable" for the thousandth time. And it's kind of annoying, you know? Like, I'm an adult guy trapped in a baby's body. But I can't deny it's funny to see how silly they get when I do something simple, like yawning or closing my eyes.

Now my mom, Aiko, she's an angel with how loving she is towards me. She's been my rock, always by my side, taking care of me with unwavering love. She hugs me tightly, strokes me, and whispers words of comfort. Sometimes, her eyes fill with tears as she mourns the absence of my father, who seems to have left, leaving her alone. I struggle not to let myself be carried away by emotion at seeing her suffering. But, man, she's a true warrior, steady as a rock in this situation. I've already lost my parents once, in a car accident, so I know what loneliness is.

But now I have her, and she has me. She's my new mom, and I love her to bits. I won't let anyone hurt her. Anyone who tries will feel what real hell is like. Literally.

But setting that aside. Man, being breastfed is embarrassing. Seriously, it's so embarrassing. I know it's natural and all, but I can't get over the fact that I'm sucking on breast milk like it's the most normal thing in the world. Like, she breastfeeds me, and I'm there, like, "mom, this is way too embarrassing, I'm an adult trapped in a baby's body."

But seriously, I can't blame the woman. She's just being an amazing mom, taking care of me with all the care in the world. And I'm really okay with that, except for the breastfeeding part. Don't get me wrong, it's nutritious and all, but man, it's so... intimate.

Putting that aside. The name she gave me, Ryuji, is pretty cool name. I think it can stick in everyone's tongue who hears it.

Meanwhile, I keep an eye on the nurses. It's like a game, you know? I move a little, they find it cute. I move too much, they're like "Oh, looks like the baby's restless today." But if I try to get up or do something really out of the ordinary, then I'm screwed. After all, I'm capable of moving freely in this three-day-old body. And that's kind of problematic when you're a sort of divine entity trapped in a hospital crib.

But here I am, looking around the nursery. There are no nurses nearby. It's my chance. I move my body and sit up in the crib. I know it's kind of strange to be able to do this, because where have you ever seen a newborn able to move freely? But I'm not exactly a common baby, am I?

Well, setting that aside. I focus, feeling that energy pulsing within me. It's like I'm filled with power, like there are a million suns exploding inside me. It feels like God really gave me Sentry's powers. The same guy who can bend reality with a snap of his fingers.

I smile with realization. That means I have all of his powers. All of Sentry's powers and abilities. Man, that's incredible. I could do so many cool things with that. But now that I think about it...

What if I have a second personality like Void? Nah, that's not possible.

Robert Reynolds had his own mental and emotional issues, and Sentry's powers only amplified all of that. But me? I'm just a regular guy, at least I was before all this madness happened.

The Golden Sentry Serum amplified everything in Reynolds, physically and mentally. His emotions were amplified too. Void was the repressed personality that Reynolds had, and it was only fueled by Sentry's powers to the point of generating a second personality of his own.

But me? I don't have all those issues. I'm just me, a guy who worked late programming while the rest of the world slept. So no, I'm not going to end up having something like Void. I don't have those internal demons to feed a second personality.

Well, setting that aside. I look at the other babies beside me, all wrapped in their soft blankets, sleeping peacefully. Well, it looks like I'm the only one awake.

When I finally had a moment of peace to test my powers, a mischievous smile formed on my lips. It was time to see what I was capable of.

Focus, Ryuji. Focus on the energy within you, channel it like the martial arts masters in the movies. Yeah, I look kind of silly doing this.

But, hey, at least I found out I can manipulate that energy within me. That must be the quick learning power that comes with Sentry's package, because, man, it was easier than learning to program in C++.

I open my eyes and look at my tiny hands, still a bit surprised by what I just did. They're still glowing faintly, as if mocking me, like "Hey, did you enjoy the show just now?"

I give a silly, kind of goofy smile. I'm feeling like Superman himself, only with diapers.

But my moment of glory is quickly interrupted when I realize my hands are glowing brighter and brighter. It's like they're on fire, and not in the cool way you see in movies, but in the scary way that makes you want to scream and run away.

I start to panic for real, because it feels like the energy is building up in my hands. If this keeps up, there won't be a stone left standing of this hospital. I even try to control the energy, but it seems to have a life of its own, just wanting to shine brighter and brighter, accumulating more energies in my hands.

And it's when I hear footsteps approaching the nursery that my heart almost stops altogether. I look around desperately, searching for something, anything, that can help me get out of this mess.

But then, an idea pops into my mind like a ray of hope. I saw this in some movie once, I'm sure of it. I turn to the side, put my hands in my mouth and...

The energy explodes, but, incredibly, my body absorbs it back, as if it's feeding off it. I let out a long, relieved sigh, feeling like I just narrowly escaped the gallows.

The nurse enters the nursery, giving me a quick glance before leaving again. I let out a mischievous smile, kind of proud of myself for avoiding a disaster.

You didn't get me this time, universe. Not today.

I promise myself not to mess with my powers anymore for a while. At least until I'm sure I can control them. Because, seriously, I'm not ready to be the baby who destroyed a hospital.

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The next day at the hospital was a relief. Finally, my mom and I were discharged to go home. And let me tell you, I wasn't complaining. That place was already driving me kinda nuts, with all those nurses treating me like I was the cutest baby in the world. Sure, I'm the cute one in this body and all, but I'm still an adult stuck in a baby bod, ya know?

So, we get home, and I'm like, "Wow." The house was decent. Like, there was enough space, cool furniture, and a nice smell in the air. My mom really took good care of it, but it got me thinking about her financial situation. Like, how's she gonna take care of me and work at the same time?

But all those worries went out the window the next day when this woman showed up at our door. She was slender, pretty, with dark green hair... Hold up. Dark green hair? I paused and took a closer look at her. No way, this has to be some sick joke.

"Awn~ He's so adorable, Aiko-san. No matter how many times I look at him." Yeah, looks like I'll be taken care of by Inko.

Man, I didn't expect to run into her so soon, but I gotta admit she's way prettier in her prime. But what's that in her arms? I hadn't noticed before 'cause I was too busy analyzing she. Don't tell me that's baby Izuku she's got with her...

Inko placed baby Izuku beside me in the crib. I glanced at newborn Izuku with my big baby eyes. The universe is playing one epic prank on me, I'm sure of it.

Inko smiled at me, completely unaware of the existential crisis I was facing. "Aren't they just lovely together, Aiko-san? I always knew they'd be good friends from the moment I saw him in the nursery," she chirped enthusiastically to my mom, who smiled in response.

"Friends? I'm barely a week old, and you think I'm gonna be buddies with him?" I thought sarcastically, but all I did was wave to Inko with my baby hands. I dont understand moms.

"Of course, Inko-san. They'll be a good friendes together," my mom replied.

As Inko and my mom chatted animatedly about us, I glanced at Izuku once more. Well, looks like we're gonna be crib mates, little Midoriya. I hope you're not one of those annoying babies who cry all night long. I need at least a little peace and quiet here in the crib.

Well, if we're going to be childhood friends, I guess I'll have to make some changes to you, my little buddy. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like you. It's just that you're going to become kind of boring in the future...

Seriously. He's the protagonist, but sometimes he seems more like a disposable side character. No offense, Midoriya, but you need a bit more personality. Maybe a little less crying and a bit more courage and motivation.

I know you change a bit throughout the series, but it's only a bit. He still remains very naive and, let's be honest, kind of bland. You won't find in him that kind of protagonist soul that teaches you a life lesson.

When I watched the first episode of the anime, I had high expectations for him. Like, "Well, he'll probably become a quirkless hero and become more confident in himself." Because it would be interesting to see how he would progress to become a hero without quirks in this society.

But, of course, all of that went out the window when All Might decided to pass One For All to him. Seriously? That's going to work more like a crutch for his insecurities than a real improvement for the guy.

My dislike for My Hero Academia was minimal before, but after I entered the fandom in pure innocence...

I saw things and... gained traumas. Heavy traumas...

Anyway. Young Izuku, I promise I'll help you get through this. Let's turn you into a true protagonist, someone who lives up to the name of "Hero." And who knows, maybe I'll even turn you into something like Batman. Turning him into Iron Man doesn't sound bad either...

Why not both? I think it will be cool.

A deadly and interesting combination.

Sure, I'll have to be careful not to mess things up too much. I don't want to create a monster. After all, one thing is being a hero, another is being a tyrant with high-tech armor.

But at least it's going to be fun. And who knows, maybe one day he'll thank the great Ryuji for making his life a little more exciting.

"Hey, Aiko-san. Ryuji seems not to want to sleep for a long time..." Damn, I forgot that Inko and my mom were here.

"Should I breastfeed him now?"

"Yes, he needs to sleep." No! Not again!

*Pick up*

*Suck*

*Burp*

Bruh...

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A/N: Hello dear readers! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the fanfic remake, I really liked what I did here. There are many things I want to improve in this remake, especially our dear Ryuji, whom I didn't pay much attention to.

But setting that aside, I want your help in deciding something:

- Do I update the new chapters one by one? (Probably within a period of 3 to 5 days)

- Or do you want me to bring combos of 3 to 4 chapters? (Timing will be indefinite)

Now, about our poll... She will stay! (I won't mention its name to avoid spoiling new readers who might crucify me)

I appreciate everyone who gave me a second chance with it, thank you very much.

I'll leave it at that for now, until the next update!