Chapter-62

Walking through the halls of the stadium, Naruto moved with a serious expression amidst the crowd of people touring the venue. His lack of a jacket revealed the scars etched onto his body, which made many uncomfortable. Some even distanced themselves upon seeing him.

"Look at those marks... he must have been part of the Yakuza."

"He's probably crazy, considering what they did to those kids."

"He doesn't deserve to be a hero."

The whispers ceased when the blonde pulled some bills from his pocket and tossed them onto a nearby store counter. He then grabbed an orange jacket and proceeded to a freezer to collect several cans of beer. The store manager didn't raise any objections; the money left on the counter exceeded the value of the items.

Wearing his new jacket, Naruto walked through the stadium, opened a can of beer, and began to drink. This drew disapproving looks from many, as it set a poor example for the younger attendees. However, the Uzumaki paid no heed and continued until he reached an alley within the stadium. Seating himself, he started to drink another can.

The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving him alone. An inscrutable expression on his face, he opened a second can. But when he was about to take a sip, he noticed a shadow entering the alley. He found Toshinori Yago, the emaciated figure of the number one hero, wearing a suit that was too big for him. The hero accepted a can from Naruto, opened it, and drank slowly.

"Difficult day?" the symbol of peace inquired in a calm tone as he sat down beside the teenager.

Without responding, Naruto handed him a can. The hero took it, opened it, and began to drink.

"It's not easy to deal with days like these..."

Naruto remained silent and continued drinking. He eventually crushed the can and discarded it.

"I've had worse days," he muttered, bitterness in his voice. "Dealing with ignorant people and fighting in meaningless battles has been an everyday occurrence since I was a kid."

With a wry laugh, he turned his gaze to the symbol of peace, who had been solemn the entire time.

"Sometimes, I just wish everything were different," Naruto confessed, intoxicated by the alcohol in his system. He opened another beer and took a swig before casting an empty can aside. Staring at the wall ahead, he sighed deeply.

"There's nothing I can say to change your way of thinking, young Uzumaki," Toshinori remarked, sipping his drink and holding it in his hands. "But I can tell you that even if everyone hates you, criticizes you, and even despises you, in my eyes... you're a hero." The symbol of peace said this with conviction, looking at the teenager, who responded with a mocking smile and ceased drinking.

"A hero?... Does a hero decapitate another person? Does a hero break the backs and legs of some poor unfortunates who were at the wrong time and in the wrong place? Does a hero put a gun through the head of a being who is not Should there be...?" That was just the tip of the iceberg, one of the few things he did in this world along with others that had not yet come to light. He knew better than anyone that he had a long list of sins. "You have no idea how many. I'm not a hero... I'm just a failure."

All Might found it challenging to witness this. Even though the boy didn't display sadness or pain on his face, he sensed the underlying suffering and breaking within. How much pain was he carrying? How long had he kept it hidden? And how much longer could he endure?

"Then you're a failure..." The blonde with dark eyes sighed slowly and maintained his gaze on the teenager, who continued to stare at the wall. "A failure who saved three children and an adult. A failure who saved a good friend of mine from being killed. A failure who saved twenty students who could return to their families. For me, young Uzumaki, you are not a failure; you are more than that." All Might stood up and discarded the barely touched drink in the trash. He returned his attention to the boy who remained seated, staring at nothing. "As much as you try to hide behind that cold mask, I know that behind it, there is a young man who just wants to do the right thing."

Naruto hardly raised his head to glance at the symbol of peace, who maintained his serious expression.

"You know, young Uzumaki, a great man once said, 'Heroes show us that they don't need to be perfect to do the right thing... it's not about living without fear; it's about facing injustice... it's not about being powerful; it's about listening to your call when you least expect it... they show us that it is okay to be vulnerable... no matter how tough you are... because even if you are a hero... you will still be human.'" The number one hero recited these words, recalling them in detail.

Though he didn't reveal it, the shinobi listened while keeping his head down.

"It was difficult for me to understand those words, but as time went by, I understood..." Slowly, Toshinori's muscled form transformed into his alter ego, All Might, standing tall. The symbol of peace smiled with an imposing presence. "Although everyone sees All Might as someone powerful, imposing, confident, and indestructible, the truth is that I am just a man." The figure of All Might vanished, leaving only Toshinori, transformed and vulnerable. "A man full of doubts, who made mistakes, who lost several people. But this shows one thing... that a hero doesn't have to be a stereotype of perfection who always wins and goes into the sunset after saving the day... anyone can be a hero, even you." The professional hero concluded his speech and gazed at the teenager who remained seated in the alley, still drinking.

"Great words, Toshinori..." was the only response the shinobi offered. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, he appeared slightly affected by the number one hero's words. "I'll keep them in mind." With that, he took the last remaining can and began to drink.

"I know you will, Young Uzumaki." Smiling, All Might retrieved a card from his pocket. Kneeling down, he swiped the card through the blonde's anklet. The young man watched with curiosity as the anklet's light changed from red to green. The symbol of peace stood up, beaming. "I will ensure the cameras in your home are removed immediately for your privacy, and your anklet will be off for 24 hours. I hope that provides you with some comfort."

"24 hours? I could leave the country before wasting even an hour, and you give me 24. You're too trusting, Toshinori," the blonde stated calmly as he rose from the ground. He may have been grateful for the favor of having the cameras in his apartment removed, but he kept that sentiment to himself.

"Ha ha ha! You might be young, Uzumaki, but I know you could escape at any moment, even with all the surveillance on you. After all, you're a ninja. I believe the only reason you're still here is because, even if you won't admit it, you're forming connections with the other students. Young Shiozashi, Young Midoriya, and even Young Yaoyorozu seem to have a kind of friendship with you... Am I mistaken?" All Might inquired boldly as he observed the shinobi, who only smirked in response.

"Whatever you say... Good talk," he said softly, putting his hands in his pockets and strolling away until the other battles concluded, and it was his turn. He knew the next battle would be serious, against his friend Shiozashi or the student known for his remarkable speed, but it didn't matter.

"Be careful, young man, Uzumaki. That was a good talk! And remember, a young boy like you shouldn't be drinking!" All Might sighed as the boy departed, disregarding the latter part. While their interaction had been brief, it carried significant meaning, and he hoped to continue getting closer to the young Uzumaki.

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