Chapter 7: Chapter 7: A New Path
Outside the Shimura Household
The night was still, the only sounds coming from the rustling leaves and the soft hum of a car engine. All Might stood outside the Shimura household, his towering figure illuminated by the faint glow of the streetlights.
Gran Torino was already seated in the driver's seat, while the Shimura family—Kotaro, Nao, Chizuo, Mako, and the two children, Tenko and Hana—were settling into the cramped space of the car. It was a tight fit, with everyone packed in awkwardly. All Might, arms crossed, observed the scene and gave a small chuckle.
"Take them to Might Tower," All Might instructed Gran Torino. "I've already prepared a room for them."
Gran Torino glanced at him, the corners of his mouth twitching into a small smirk. "And how are you getting there, Toshinori? Flying?"
All Might grinned faintly. "Close enough. I'll leap there. Save some room for the rest of you."
With that, All Might crouched slightly, his muscles tensing as he launched himself into the air. The family watched in awe as the Number One Hero soared into the night, his silhouette vanishing over the horizon.
Arrival at Might Tower
The car pulled up to the sleek and towering Might Tower, its gleaming windows reflecting the dim pre-dawn light. Gran Torino parked the car and gestured for the family to follow him inside. They were guided through the luxurious lobby, where even the reception area felt more opulent than any home they had ever stepped foot in.
Gran Torino led them into an elevator that ascended to one of the upper floors, stopping in front of a double door. He opened it, revealing their new accommodations.
The family stepped inside, their jaws dropping in unison. The room wasn't just large—it was massive. It stretched far beyond what they expected, with high ceilings, elegant furniture, and windows offering a panoramic view of the city. There was even a separate section for a fully furnished kitchen and a bathroom that looked like something out of a five-star hotel.
"This... this room is bigger than our entire house," Nao whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Tenko darted into the living room, his small feet skidding on the polished floor as he took in the luxurious surroundings. "I can't believe we're going to live at All Might's agency!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. He jumped up and down, unable to contain his joy.
But then he stopped abruptly, his excitement fading as he glanced at his father. Kotaro's hatred for heroes loomed large in his mind, and the boy didn't want to provoke his anger.
Kotaro noticed his son's hesitation, and his heart sank. The look on Tenko's face reminded him too much of his own childhood—seeking approval that he was too often denied. Kotaro approached Tenko slowly, kneeling down to his level.
"Tenko," Kotaro said softly. His voice trembled as he reached out a hand, only to hesitate when he saw the boy flinch. The sight struck him like a blow to the chest, forcing him to confront the damage he had caused.
Taking a deep breath, Kotaro did something he hadn't done in years: he hugged his son.
"I'm sorry," Kotaro whispered, his voice cracking. "I've been so wrong... I've hurt you. If you want to be a hero, then you can be one. I'll support you from now on."
Tenko froze for a moment, stunned by the words. Then, as if the weight of years of pain and confusion had finally been lifted, he burst into tears, clutching his father tightly.
Nao, Chizuo, and Mako looked on, their eyes glistening with emotion. Nao knelt beside Kotaro, joining the hug, and the grandparents followed soon after. For the first time in years, the Shimura family felt whole.
All Might's Reflections
In his spacious bed high above the city, All Might lay awake, staring at the ceiling. His mind was a storm of thoughts and plans, each one intertwining with the last.
Ten years.
He had ten years before his inevitable showdown with All For One. If his calculations were correct, the boy who would have become Tomura Shigaraki was five years old now, and the climactic battle with All For One occurred five years before the main story.
But the timeline had already shifted. By saving Tenko's family, he had changed the first domino in a long chain of events. It was a victory, but he knew it wouldn't make his life any easier.
"I can't wait for him to attack," All Might muttered to himself. His voice echoed in the empty room. "I have to find him first."
He clenched his fists, his mind racing. Even though he had prevented Tenko from falling into All For One's clutches, the villain still loomed large. His power, influence, and resources were unmatched, and All Might knew that finding him wouldn't be easy.
Beyond that, there were other problems he needed to address. The Hero Public Safety Commission and their corruption. The reliance of society on a single figure. The villains created as byproducts of a flawed system. Each issue was a monumental challenge on its own, and he had to face them all while maintaining the image of the Symbol of Peace.
The thought crossed his mind again—how the changes he had made would trigger a butterfly effect. The future he knew was no longer a certainty. He could no longer trust his knowledge of the story to guide him.
Still, for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt hope. Saving Tenko's family was proof that he could make a difference. He just had to be ready for the unknown.
The Next Day
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Might Tower as All Might approached the Shimura family's room. He knocked gently on the door, and moments later, it was opened by Nao, who greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning," she said. "Come in."
All Might stepped inside, carrying a bag of candy for the children. Hana and Tenko ran up to him excitedly, their eyes lighting up as he handed them the bag.
"How's your quirk training coming along?" All Might asked Tenko, crouching down to meet the boy's eye level.
"Great, All Might!" Tenko said proudly, holding up his gloved hands. "I'm being really careful, just like you told me."
All Might smiled, ruffling the boy's hair. "That's what I like to hear. Keep it up."
He gave Hana equal attention, chatting with her briefly and offering her a kind smile. After spending a few more minutes with the family, he stood and stretched. "I have hero work to do," he said, his voice as upbeat as he could make it. "I'll see you all later."
Tenko and Hana waved enthusiastically as he left, their faces beaming with excitement. They couldn't believe they would get to see the Number One Hero every day.
All For One's Base
In an underground lair hidden from the world, All For One sat in a dimly lit room, a screen before him displaying footage of All Might's recent public appearances. The hero's frowns and awkward smiles played on a loop, and All For One watched with interest.
"Something has changed in him," All For One mused, his tone contemplative.
Behind him, Dr. Garaki adjusted his glasses. "Yes, I've noticed. It's almost as if he's a different person... or has memory loss."
All For One's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Either way, it works for me. This will make things far more interesting."
Garaki hesitated, then cleared his throat. "There's... another matter. According to our sources, All Might has taken Nana Shimura's family and relocated them to Might Tower."
The glass of wine in All For One's hand shattered, crimson liquid spilling over his fingers. His calm façade cracked, replaced by a flash of fury. "What?" he growled, his voice a low rumble.
Garaki took a cautious step back. "It seems he's protecting them."
All For One exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. His eyes returned to the screen, narrowing as he studied All Might's expressions.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "you're not as foolish as I thought, All Might. This will be... interesting."
The chapter ended with All For One leaning back in his chair, his smile returning as the game between him and All Might took a new and unpredictable turn.