Chapter 10: Chapter 10 The pursuit of care
— Actually, there exists a method to restore the previous state, — stated Dr. Garaki, his voice tinged with uncertainty, as he was not entirely confident that his master could retain all of his abilities in their entirety.
— And what is the hidden catch of this method? — inquired All For One, his curiosity piqued, for the doctor was known for his unexpected revelations, and his ideas had a way of meeting even the most ambitious expectations. A hallmark of his practice was that he refrained from making claims unless he was absolutely certain of their validity. However, this particular situation appeared to be quite exceptional. He asserted that he had a way to regain his former powers but expressed doubt about its effectiveness. Nevertheless, his words managed to instill a sense of trust in Hisashi.
— And what exactly is the core issue? — Garaki asked, carefully grooming his thick mustache and straightening his robe. He rose from his chair, grasped a tablet, and slowly approached All For One. Gazing into his eyes, he articulated what, to put it mildly, did not bring joy to Hisashi's heart.
— The problem lies in the dimension of time, sir. The process of your restoration will require a significant duration, specifically three years and seven months. — After a brief pause, he observed his master's reaction closely, noting a certain indifference to this revelation.
— Your unique quirk necessitates specific conditions, and one must pay the price for this uniqueness. Consider this: due to a multitude of factors, your quirk and body undergo slight mutations with every use of various abilities. If it weren't for your remarkable super-regeneration, you would either take much longer to recover or, in a worst-case scenario, face the prospect of death, — he informed his master, continuing to navigate through the tablet, displaying all the analyses and the current state of health concerning All For One.
— Your DNA cells are in a constant state of degradation; however, your "genetic memory" quirk preserves your DNA. Based on this, my research led me to the conclusion that with our capabilities, we can not only restore your perpetually deteriorating DNA but also return your health to the time before you suffered severe damage at the hands of the Almighty. — The discussion regarding DNA stirred unease in Hisashi, for he understood that, due to his own peculiarities, Izuku might also be affected. He had been entirely unaware of this, and the shocking nature of this revelation left him in a state of disbelief. A question had been brewing in All For One's mind since the first mention of the word "DNA."
— If, theoretically, I were to have a child, would my quirk be passed down to him, All For One? — Hisashi queried the doctor, who looked on in confusion as he observed his master inspecting the Nomu, currently in a state of suspended animation.
— Theoretically, no. If you were to conceive a child in such a condition, not only would your quirk not be passed on, but the mother's quirk would also not be transmitted. Your DNA would obstruct the development of any quirk factor, ultimately resulting in your son being quirkless, leaving him without an additional joint in his leg. This means that your hypothetical son would be underdeveloped and remain at the previous evolutionary stage following the emergence of quirks, — Garaki articulated, showing no signs of hesitation. All For One comprehended every single word. He now realized that he had condemned Izuku to a quirkless existence and an unfortunate future if he chose to abandon him and Inko. The mere thought of this scenario filled him with an intense hatred; he would never allow himself to act in such a manner. He would do everything in his power to prevent such a fate from befalling Izuku.
For as long as he could remember, Hisashi had never experienced the warmth of a loving family. He had only a younger brother who had rejected his ideals, but he had been devoid of parents. His memories of his mother were tainted by the image of food that he had to consume like a predator devouring its prey. As for his father, he had never laid eyes on him, but he had come to the conclusion that his father abandoned them while his mother was still pregnant. This experience led him to adopt the surname "Shigaraki," which he carried with him until he took on Inko's surname. She had welcomed this change, even expressing joy, as it signified his love for her and his commitment to never abandon her, regardless of the circumstances. "Hisashi Midoriya" became a symbol of a new chapter in his life. Now, he had transformed into a new individual and would have remained so had it not been for the past transgressions that haunted him relentlessly. During his childhood, he, alongside Ioychi, fought to survive and avoid starvation, and then, following the awakening of his All For One quirk, his journey as the Lord of Darkness and Fear commenced. Now, he found himself blessed with a loving family. For the first time, he began to harbor doubts about Inko after their wedding, but all uncertainties dissipated when he witnessed the care and affection she extended towards both Izuku and himself. He had assumed the role of a father for Izuku and was now determined to provide him with everything, ensuring that he would experience the taste of freedom from burdens and responsibilities, living a full life unlike the one he had endured, where he had to consume scraps throughout his conscious childhood. He would never abandon them if given the choice. The only obstacle preventing him from raising Izuku was the unfinished business that threatened to compromise his personal life with his family. Thus, before he could return to them, he needed to resolve all his affairs. However, his contemplations were abruptly interrupted by Garaki, who coughed discreetly into his fist while adjusting his glasses.
— This is merely a theoretical exploration, sir. In reality, no one can truly predict how things might unfold. It may very well turn out that my theory is flawed, as I have yet to conduct such experiments, — he remarked, setting the tablet aside and making his way to his desk, sifting through countless papers filled with diverse data.
— Understood, — Hisashi replied succinctly. Even if his theory held true and Izuku remained quirkless, he would become the inheritor not only of the All For One quirk but also of its legacy. Izuku and Inko would eventually need to learn the truth about his dual existence. He planned to share this revelation with them, but only when they were adequately prepared; for now, everything has its proper time and place. As it stood, Izuku was two years old, and he had a mere two years remaining before his quirk might awaken. This timeframe should suffice for him to enjoy a meal without choking on bones.
During these two years, he had been diligently preparing an army of Nomus and gathering all available villains to deliver a decisive blow against the hero society. Now, Izuku was four years old, and he was brimming with curiosity about how he had grown and whom he resembled more — himself or Inko. The thought brought warmth to his soul. Izuku had matured, and he was no longer the small boy who darted under tables. Even though he was just four years old, he was beginning to perceive himself as an adult. He found himself wondering what dreams his son was pursuing. After all, children of this age possess a rich imagination, and he, as his father, should support his aspirations, no matter how peculiar or potentially perilous they might seem.
Hisashi reflected on the doctor's suggestions and determined that he would only resort to such a solution in an extreme situation, as three years was an exceptionally long period. A significant drawback remained: he would be in a state of suspended animation, unable to think or give orders to his subordinates.
To be continued.