Chapter 2: The Torch and The Flames
The storm that All Might's fist had ripped through the sky was already fading. Clouds drifted apart, sunlight spilled across the broken street, and the rain tapered off into nothing but glistening droplets clinging to shattered glass and scorched pavement. The chaos had ended.
The pro heroes, freed at last from simply containing disaster, surged into action.
"Secure the perimeter!" Death Arms barked, lifting a chunk of debris out of the way.
"Sludge samples here—we'll need containment tanks!" Kamui Woods ordered, his branches lashing out to drag together what remained of the villain.
Backdraft's water cannons sprayed the last embers until smoke turned to steam. He exhaled in relief. "Fires are out."
All Might stood tall at the center of it all, his massive frame casting a shadow over the splattered villain. His commanding voice boomed, steady and assured once more. "Gather the remains! Ensure every trace of him is collected before he can reform!"
The other heroes and arriving police officers moved instantly at his direction. Even battered, even spent, All Might's word was law.
Just a few feet away, Naruto collapsed onto the pavement with a heavy thud, landing square on his backside. His arms draped over his knees, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. His blue eyes never left the quivering remnants of the villain as officers hauled the sludge into reinforced containers.
"Yeah, that's right," he muttered under his breath, voice hoarse. "Stay down this time, you slimy bastard…"
The paramedics arrived in a rush, tending first to the boys pulled from the villain's grip.
Izuku sat quietly on the curb, wrapped in a silver emergency blanket. His eyes were hollow, fixed on the ground. He did everything they told him—breathed when asked, drank water when prompted—but he didn't speak.
Bakugo, still trembling faintly, sat nearby with a mask of fury carved over his pale face. He snarled when they tried to check his vitals, sparks flaring weakly in his palms, but he didn't resist. His eyes, though—his eyes betrayed him. Wide, unsettled, almost… haunted.
"Kid!" A paramedic jogged up to Naruto, crouching beside him with a first aid kit. "You're bleeding—where's the entry wound?!"
Naruto waved him off with a lazy grin, flopping back onto his palms. "Relax, relax. My quirk's got me covered. See?" He tapped his chest where the pipe had skewered him not long ago—now nothing, not even scar tissue. "All good. Just need some rest."
The paramedic scowled. "That was a pipe through your chest. You don't just walk away from that."
Naruto chuckled, closing one eye as if that would hide his exhaustion. "What can I say? I bounce back. All I really need now is a nap… and maybe a giant bowl of miso ramen."
The paramedic's expression hardened. "Kid, don't joke about this. Even if you heal fast, your body's still under stress. You're coming over to the ambulance for a check-up."
Naruto groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. "Man, you're worse than my Oba-san when I skip breakfast…"
But when the paramedic folded their arms and glared, Naruto lifted his own in surrender. "Fine, fine. Quick check-up. But if you poke me with any needles, I'm biting someone."
Despite his grin, his voice was raspy, and sweat poured freely down his face. He looked strong, unbroken—but anyone watching closely could see the toll his quirk had taken.
With the villain finally contained and the paramedics beginning to clear the boys, the other pros approached. Death Arms led the way, his massive arms crossed, with Kamui Woods, Backdraft, and Mt. Lady close behind.
They started with Bakugo.
Death Arms crouched slightly to meet his eyes. "Kid. You've got an amazing quirk. Powerful, versatile, perfect for hero work."
Bakugo's chest puffed up instantly, a feral grin tugging at his lips. "Damn right it is—"
"But."
The single word from Death Arms made him flinch.
Kamui Woods continued, voice firm but not unkind. "When you panicked, you just kept firing off explosions in every direction. That chaos is what stopped us from moving in to help you. We couldn't get close without risking more lives."
Backdraft nodded, his tone more clinical. "A hero needs to control their quirk, especially when civilians are involved. Power means nothing if it makes the situation worse."
Bakugo's chest deflated like a balloon punctured with a pin. His lips curled into a snarl as he looked away. "Tch! Like I needed your damn help anyway…" His fists sparked weakly, a poor cover for the sting of their words.
Next, their gazes shifted to Izuku.
Kamui Woods' expression softened slightly. "And you. What you did—charging in like that—it was reckless. Incredibly dangerous but brave none the less."
Izuku didn't look up. His hands twisted in the emergency blanket, his body trembling faintly.
"But…" Mt. Lady crouched, making the gentleness in her voice stand out even more. "You did give the other kid a moment to breathe. That opening may have made the difference. For just a second, you helped him."
Backdraft folded his arms. "Still, in the end, it only gave the villain another hostage. We had to worry about saving two lives instead of one. That made everything harder."
Izuku's eyes remained locked on the ground. He didn't hear the thanks, didn't register the acknowledgement.
All he heard was the echo of their first words:
"Reckless."
"Dangerous."
"Another hostage."
His chest hollowed further, the faint spark that had once burned inside him dimming to near nothing.
Naruto's ears twitched as he caught the way Izuku's shoulders trembled, his face hidden behind that emergency blanket. He saw the way his friend wasn't hearing the positives, only the negatives.
The paramedics hovering around him didn't even get a chance to argue again before Naruto shrugged them off and pushed to his feet. He marched over, planting himself squarely between Izuku and the heroes.
"Alright, enough." His voice was sharp, cutting through the air. "Leave him alone. Izuku only did what he thought was right."
The pros blinked, surprised at his sudden interruption.
Kamui Woods lifted his hands in a placating gesture. "We weren't saying he did anything wrong. We just want to make sure he understands that even if his intent was good, it was still dangerous—"
Naruto's blue eyes narrowed like fire. "He knows. We all know. He doesn't need to be told again when he's already beating himself up worse than any of you could."
The heroes went quiet for a moment, the boy's words striking harder than his fists had minutes earlier.
A deep, booming voice carried over them all. "That's enough."
All Might stepped forward, towering above the group. Though his tone remained calm, the sheer weight of his presence silenced the other heroes.
"These young men have been through enough for one day. They've been poked, prodded, and scolded plenty. What they need now is rest." His eyes flicked down to Izuku, softening. Then to Naruto, who stood firm. And finally to Bakugo, still hunched with clenched fists.
He nodded once. "If they're cleared by the paramedics, I say we let them go."
The lead medic sighed but gave a reluctant nod. "Vitals are steady. They can walk, though I'd feel better about a more thorough check-up on this one." He jabbed a thumb toward Naruto.
"I said I'm fine!" Naruto shouted, flailing his arms dramatically. "Sheesh, I heal fast, not stupid! What do you want me to do, sit in a hospital bed and knit sweaters?"
The medic deadpanned. "Yes. Actually, that'd make my job easier."
"Not happening!" Naruto barked back, puffing his chest with exaggerated pride.
The back-and-forth drew a few chuckles from the crowd, the tension finally easing.
After some further grumbling, the paramedics finally relented, and the boys were released.
Bakugo was the first to move, shoving his hands into his pockets and stomping off down the opposite street without a word. Sparks popped faintly from his palms as he snarled to himself.
Izuku rose slowly, still quiet, still pale, now clutching his destroyed notebook to his chest like a lifeline.
Naruto stretched with a groan, then slung his arm around Izuku's shoulders. "Come on, Izzy. Let's head home. I'm starving."
Together, the two walked in one direction while Bakugo stormed off in another, their paths splitting under the bright sun.
For the first time since the fight ended, the street felt calm.
The sun was warm, but neither boy felt it. The city was quieter now, the chaos of the battle already fading into the background hum of traffic and chatter.
Naruto walked beside Izuku, hands shoved into his pockets, his shoulders still slouched from exhaustion. His crimson hair clung damply to his forehead, but his blue eyes were sharp, watching his friend carefully.
Izuku walked stiffly, clutching his half-ruined notebook tight against his chest. His steps were small, almost mechanical, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Oi, Izzy," Naruto started, trying to keep his tone light. "You've been quiet since we left. And you know me—I can handle quiet for about, oh, five seconds."
No answer.
Naruto groaned dramatically, throwing his arms wide. "Come on, man! After everything we just went through? A slime monster, Bakugo acting like a jackass, All Might himself showing up? You've gotta have something to say about all that!"
Izuku's lips parted, then pressed shut again. His eyes stayed on the pavement.
Naruto frowned, lowering his arms. He tried again, softer this time. "…Izuku. What's going on in your head? You don't gotta carry it by yourself. Just… talk to me."
For a long stretch of sidewalk, there was only silence between them. The sound of their footsteps echoed faintly off the apartment buildings.
Finally, Izuku spoke, his voice thin and unconvincing. "I'm fine, Na-chan. Just… tired. It's been a long day. I think I'll head the rest of the way myself."
Naruto stopped in his tracks, blinking. "…You serious? That's your excuse?"
But before he could press, Izuku offered a weak smile—hollow, shaky—and turned down the side street toward his apartment complex. His figure hunched as he walked away, shrinking with each step.
Naruto stood at the intersection, watching him go. His fists clenched inside his pockets, his jaw tight.
"…You're not fine," he muttered under his breath.
The wind carried his words away as Izuku's shadow disappeared around the corner, leaving Naruto alone at the crossroads.
Naruto stayed rooted at the intersection, staring down the road Izuku had taken. His fists tightened in his pockets. You're not fine, Izzy…
Before he could move, a sudden gust of wind blasted through the street. Dust and loose papers whipped into the air, forcing Naruto to throw up an arm against his face.
"The hell—?!"
The wind died just as quickly as it came, and as the dust settled, Naruto lowered his arm… and froze.
Standing there, larger than life, was none other than All Might.
Naruto's jaw went slack. "…The hell? Shouldn't you be drowning in reporters right now?"
All Might threw his head back and let out a booming laugh that rattled the windows. "Hahaha! Normally, yes! The media loves nothing more than a sound bite!"
He pointed a massive finger at Naruto, grin unwavering. "But right now, I have other matters to attend to. Matters like speaking with you, young man!"
Naruto blinked, still squinting from the leftover dust. "…Uh. Me? What the hell for—"
Suddenly, All Might doubled over with a violent cough.
HURK!
Bright red blood splattered against the sidewalk.
"Holy crap—!" Naruto's eyes bulged. "What the—? Did I just jinx you?!"
Steam began to hiss off All Might's body. With a loud POOF, his massive frame collapsed inward, muscles vanishing, clothes drooping comically over a skeletal, sunken figure.
Where the mighty Symbol of Peace had stood, now a gaunt, hollow-eyed man wheezed in front of Naruto, blood trailing from his lips.
Naruto's mouth dropped open. He pointed an accusatory finger, voice cracking.
"…You're not All Might! You're… you're like… All Twig!"
Naruto staggered back, eyes bugging out of his head. His finger trembled as he pointed at the gaunt man where All Might had once stood.
"Wha—what the hell?! No. Nope. Nuh-uh. You're not All Might! You're like… like his malnourished cousin or something! This is some kind of quirk trick, right?!"
The skeleton of a man coughed into his handkerchief that he pulled out of his pocket. Flecks of red staining the cloth. Then, to Naruto's utter disbelief, he chuckled.
"Hahaha… I suppose that reaction is only natural." His voice was still unmistakably All Might's, though raspier, less booming. "But no, young man. It is still me."
"No way!" Naruto's arms flailed wildly. "No freaking way! Where'd the muscles go? The swagger? The— the smile that can blind airplanes! You're not him!"
The man straightened slowly, tugging at the baggy folds of his shirt. "I assure you, this is no illusion. This is… the real me."
Naruto froze, staring. "…The real you…?"
The man's expression sobered. He pulled his shirt up to reveal the left side of his torso, grotesque and sunken. A massive scar stretched from his ribs to his hip, the flesh twisted and jagged.
"This injury," he said quietly, "was sustained years ago in a battle most cannot even imagine. My respiratory system was nearly destroyed. My stomach… gone. In truth, I can no longer function as I once did."
Naruto's blue eyes widened, all the joking drained out of him in an instant. He stepped closer without realizing, staring at the scar.
"…Holy crap…" he muttered, his voice low. "Something like that, and you're still standing? Still saving people like you did today?"
The man—All Might—nodded faintly. "I can only maintain my muscle form for about three hours a day now. Some days less, depending on my condition."
He looked Naruto in the eye, his tired features still managing a faint grin. "So, what you see here, this weak, scarred form… this is All Might's truth."
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, his usual grin absent, replaced with something far more serious. "Damn… And I thought my quirk made me tough. You've been carrying all that, and still standing tall?" Naruto's voice carried no sarcasm. Only respect.
Naruto stared at the jagged scar, his earlier grin completely gone. For once, the loud, brash teen was silent. His mind reeled at the thought — that the Number One Hero, the Symbol of Peace, had been carrying this burden for years, saving lives with a body that was already broken.
"…All this time," Naruto finally muttered, "you've been smiling like that while bleeding out inside…"
All Might chuckled weakly, tugging his shirt back down. "That's the duty I chose. But this—" He waved at his sunken frame. "—is not why I came here today."
Naruto blinked. "…Huh?"
All Might's expression hardened, his tired blue eyes locking onto Naruto's. "Tell me, young man. Why did you rush that villain? What were you thinking at that moment?"
Naruto's brow furrowed. "Thinking? Heh. That's just it—I wasn't." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. "I just… I saw Izzy in trouble, and I— I—"
"You didn't think," All Might finished for him, voice steady but strong. "Your feet moved on their own."
Naruto's eyes widened.
All Might stepped closer, his frail body still carrying the weight of command. "That, Naruto, is the essence of a true hero. It isn't about power, or glory, or even victory. It's about that instinct, that undeniable urge to move before your mind can catch up. To put yourself in harm's way, without hesitation, because someone needs saving."
Naruto swallowed hard, his fists clenching at his sides.
"I saw you take blow after blow. Burns, cuts, even a pipe through your chest—and you stood up again, and again, and again." All Might's voice grew more intense with each word, his thin frame trembling as if his larger self was roaring from within. "Not because you wanted to win. Not because you wanted praise. But because you refused to back down when your friend's life was on the line."
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest. "…That's just… what you do, right? When someone needs help, you help them."
All Might smiled faintly, though his gaunt face made it look weary and wise. "Exactly. That is why I sought you out. Your will, your quirk, and your heart—they are everything a hero should be."
Naruto blinked, startled by the weight in his words. "…Wait. What are you saying?"
All Might straightened as much as his frail body would allow, his eyes gleaming. "I am saying, young man… that you are worthy. Worthy to inherit my power. Worthy… to become the next holder of One For All."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "…Hold up. Inherit? As in, you're gonna give me your quirk?!"
All Might grinned, his skeletal form suddenly looking far larger, far more imposing. "That's exactly what I mean."
Naruto's jaw worked uselessly for a second before he threw both arms in the air.
"Waaait, wait, wait—BACK UP! You're telling me you can just give away your quirk? Like it's some hand-me-down sweater?!"
All Might chuckled softly at the outburst. "In a sense… yes. One For All is a power that can be passed down, built upon by each successor. It is not like most quirks—it is a torch, carried forward by those deemed worthy."
Naruto's eyes bugged out. He pointed wildly at All Might's gaunt frame. "A torch?! You mean to tell me I'm about to become… what, All Might 2.0?!"
All Might raised a bony hand, still smiling. "Calm yourself, young man. This is not something to laugh off lightly. One For All carries great responsibility. It will demand everything of you. The body must be trained—honed—to withstand its power, or it will break you."
Naruto's grin wavered. His hands slowly lowered back to his sides. He studied All Might's serious expression, and the humor drained from his own.
"…So this isn't just you being polite. You're serious about this."
All Might nodded once. "Deadly serious."
The street fell quiet except for the distant sounds of the city. Naruto's blue eyes narrowed, his usual wild energy giving way to something harder, sharper. He straightened his shoulders, his voice lower, calmer.
"If I take this… there's no backing out, is there? I'll be carrying your will. The will of every person who came before you."
All Might blinked, taken aback for a moment by the sudden shift in tone. A faint smile tugged at his lips. He's brash, reckless, loud… but when it counts, this boy can focus. He has the heart to shoulder it.
"You are correct," he said firmly. "If you accept One For All, you are not just inheriting my quirk—you are inheriting my fight. My dream. My responsibility."
Naruto nodded slowly, eyes never leaving All Might's. "Then you better keep explaining, old man. 'Cause if I'm gonna take this torch, I need to know exactly what I'm getting into."
All Might chuckled again, though this time it was softer, tinged with pride. "Hah… You remind me of myself, once upon a time."
All Might's frail frame looked strangely powerful in the golden wash of the setting sun as he went on. "One For All is a stockpiled power. Every user passes it on, and it grows stronger. What I wield now is the result of generations carrying the torch forward."
Naruto whistled low under his breath. "So… it's not just some power-up. It's like carrying a whole damn legacy."
"Exactly." All Might's eyes narrowed. "And now… it is time for me to pass it on. To you."
Naruto blinked, then rubbed the back of his head. "…Hold on, old man. Don't get me wrong, I'm honored and all, but… why me? I already have a quirk." His eyes shifted toward the street where Izuku had disappeared down. His voice softened. "My best friend doesn't. Izzy—he's quirkless, and he still threw himself in. He's got the heart, the guts. Why not give it to him? He deserves it more than me."
For the first time, All Might's grin vanished entirely. He shook his head firmly.
"No."
Naruto blinked, startled by the sudden steel in his voice.
All Might stepped closer, his gaunt form casting a long shadow despite the weakness in his body. "When I arrived at the scene, I did not see Midoriya in action. I saw you. I saw a boy charge in when every pro hero hesitated. I saw someone laugh in the face of death itself, stand up bleeding, and declare he wasn't finished. That spirit… that will… that was you, Naruto. You are the one who inspired me into action."
Naruto opened his mouth to argue again, but the look in All Might's eyes silenced him. There was no wavering, no doubt.
All Might had already chosen.
"…Damn it," Naruto muttered, dragging a hand down his face. His chest twisted—he could almost see Izuku's face if he knew what Naruto was about to accept.
Izzy wanted this more than anything…
Naruto's jaw tightened. But maybe this is how I help him. If I take it… if I can learn to control I can pass it on to him. I can give him the chance he deserves.
His blue eyes flicked back up, sharper now, his decision made.
"Alright," Naruto said at last, voice steady. "I'll do it. I'll take your power."
All Might's thin lips curved into a relieved smile, his shoulders sagging faintly. "Good. Then the path of One For All continues."
Naruto forced a grin, scratching the back of his head. "Guess that makes me your heir or whatever. Just don't expect me to start looking like a blond mountain with a cape, yeah?"
All Might chuckled at the joke, but inwardly, his heart was heavy. This boy laughs, but he knows exactly what he's agreeing to. That… is why he is worthy.
All Might adjusted his sagging shirt, his voice soft but still carrying authority. "There's more I must tell you, young man. About One For All, its history, and how we'll prepare you to inherit it. But…" He gave a faint chuckle. "You've already had quite the day. I doubt your parents would be pleased if I kept you out any longer."
Naruto's eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. "Oh, crap—! Oba-san's gonna kill me!"
He grabbed his head with both hands, pacing in frantic little circles. "She told me not to be late, not to get into trouble, and what do I do? I fight a sludge monster, get impaled, and then end up recruited by freaking All Might! I'm dead!"
All Might blinked at the outburst, then let out a raspy laugh, shoulders shaking. "Hahaha! You truly are a lively one."
Naruto whipped back around, eyes blazing. "No, I'm serious! She's scarier than any villain you've ever faced, old man!"
Still chuckling, All Might waved a hand dismissively. "Then let us not tempt fate. Meet me tomorrow morning at Dagobah Beach 5 am. I'll explain everything there and begin your training. Understood?"
Naruto immediately perked up, snapping into a mock salute. "Hai, hai! Dagobah Beach, morning. Got it."
He pointed a finger at All Might, his grin returning. "Don't you flake out on me, All Twig!"
All Might sweatdropped, coughing faintly into his hand. "It's… All Might, young man."
Naruto laughed, already backing up toward the street. "Yeah, yeah, see you tomorrow! Please don't tell my Oba-san!"
And with that, he spun on his heel and bolted, a red blur disappearing down the street, muttering under his breath about oba-san's wrath.
All Might watched him go, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "…What a fascinating boy."
Naruto tore down the streets, weaving between late-night pedestrians with wild abandon. Vendors shouted after him as he vaulted over crates and skidded around corners. His heart hammered louder with every step.
"Crap, crap, crap, crap—Oba-san's gonna kill me!"
The sun had nearly dipped below the horizon when he reached the long staircase that wound up toward home. The boy lowered his head, grit his teeth, and charged up the steps two at a time, his breaths ragged but determined.
At the top of the climb stood a sprawling estate — a traditional Japanese-style home, large enough to resemble a temple, complete with sloping tiled roofs, wide wooden verandas, and a stone lantern-lined path that led to a smaller dojo built beside the main house. The evening breeze carried the faint scent of incense and pine, normally calming… but tonight, it only made Naruto more nervous.
"Please, please be in a good mood… maybe she didn't see the news… maybe she—"
He slid the front door open and stepped inside.
A moment of silence.
Then—
"UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
The voice shook the house, sharp and furious. "Why the hell are you late?! And what the hell am I doing seeing you on TV facing off against a sludge monstrosity the size of a bus?!"
Naruto froze mid-step, his grin already plastered nervously on his face. "Ehehe… Oba-san…"
From deeper within the home, a woman strode into view, and Naruto's heart dropped.
Tsunade Senju was in her early forties, but her beauty was the kind that turned heads and silenced rooms. Long, golden-blonde hair fell down her back in smooth waves, framing a face that was both regal and sharp, with golden-brown eyes that could pierce through steel. She wore a pale green yukata casually tied at the waist, but nothing about her posture was casual. Even standing still, she radiated an intimidating presence — the kind of aura that made even seasoned pros think twice before crossing her.
Her figure was average height and statuesque, commanding respect with every step she took. And though she wasn't a pro hero, the sheer strength of her presence could have fooled anyone into believing otherwise.
At that moment, however, her beauty was overshadowed by the thunder in her expression as she glared down at her nephew.
"You reckless brat!"
Naruto let out a strangled laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Sooo… you did see the news, huh?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb with me, Naruto. We are going to have a very long talk about what the hell you think you're doing."
Naruto winced, his shoulders hunching as he braced for impact. Yep. Dead. I'm dead.
The wooden floors creaked under Tsunade's steps as she closed the distance, arms folded tightly across her impressive chest. Naruto shuffled nervously out of his shoes, trying to buy time before the inevitable storm.
"So?!" she barked. "What the hell do you have to say for yourself?"
Naruto grimaced. "…Uh… surprise? I'm alive?"
Tsunade's glare could have melted steel. "Don't you dare joke with me, brat. Do you have any idea how close you came to dying today?"
"I mean, yeah, but—" Naruto raised his hands defensively. "Oba-san, I had to do something! Izzy was trapped in that sludge freak, suffocating, and nobody was moving in to help him. I couldn't just stand there and watch my best friend die!"
His voice cracked with sincerity at the end, his fists clenching at his sides.
Tsunade exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Naruto… listen to me. I know why you did it. I know your heart's in the right place. But charging in like that? Taking on a villain with nothing but fists and stubbornness? That's not bravery—it's recklessness."
Naruto's jaw tightened. "So what, I should've just let him die?"
"No!" she snapped back, her golden-brown eyes blazing. "But you have to use your head! Your quirk is powerful, yes—but it's not infinite. Every time you heal, every time you push your body beyond its limits, you burn through stamina. And one day, if you keep running in like that without thinking, your quirk won't save you."
Naruto's grin faltered. He looked down, the weight of her words sinking in. "…I know. But what was I supposed to do? Just… stand there? If I don't move, if I don't try, then I'm no better than the people who just watched."
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Tsunade's stern expression softened, though her voice remained firm. "Naruto… you're all I have left. I already lost your parents. I will not lose you too because you think you're invincible."
Naruto looked up at her, eyes shining. For a moment, he saw not the furious woman who had just scolded him, but the mother he'd never had.
"…I'm sorry, Oba-san," he said quietly. "But I can't stop. Not when someone needs me. That's just who I am."
Tsunade's shoulders sagged. She stared at him for a long moment, then let out a weary sigh. "…You stubborn brat. You really are your mother's son."
Naruto blinked, then grinned sheepishly. "Heh. Guess that means I win this round?"
Tsunade flicked him hard on the forehead.
"OW! What was that for?!" Naruto yelped, clutching his head.
"For being a pain in my ass," Tsunade said, though her lips twitched with the faintest smile.
Despite the scolding, the warmth between them was undeniable. The fire of the Senju met the fire of the Uzumaki — and together, it made a family.
Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples before finally throwing her hands up. "Enough for now. Go wash up. Supper's ready."
Naruto grinned sheepishly, rubbing the sore spot on his forehead from her earlier flick. "Hai, hai, Oba-san."
Moments later, the two sat across from each other at the low dining table, the spread between them simple but hearty: rice, grilled fish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. Naruto wasted no time digging in, inhaling his food with the gusto of someone who hadn't eaten in days.
"Slow down before you choke," Tsunade muttered, though her eyes softened as she poured herself a cup of tea. "You'd think I never feed you."
"Mmf, you're the best cook in the world," Naruto said through a mouthful of rice, earning another glare. He swallowed quickly. "I mean—thank you for the meal, Oba-san."
"Better," Tsunade said, sipping her tea. Then her gaze sharpened. "Now. Tell me what really happened today."
Naruto froze mid-bite, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "…What do you mean? You saw the news. Big ugly sludge freak, me punching him, then All Might showing up and finishing the job. That's all."
Tsunade arched a brow. "Naruto. Don't lie to me. You came home looking like you'd gone through a war. And I know that face—you're holding something back."
Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Ehehe… really, that's it. Honest!"
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't push further—for now. "…Fine. But you'd better not be hiding something that'll bite you later."
Naruto forced a grin, but his mind was elsewhere. She can't know. Not yet. If I tell her All Might wants to pass me his quirk, she'll lock me in this house until I'm thirty.
His grin faded as he stared into his soup, the weight of All Might's words pressing down on him. I've got to tell Izzy. He deserves to know… He has to. This may be the way I can finally help him other than being his shield.
Naruto set his chopsticks down and looked up. "Oba-san… I'm gonna head out after dinner."
Tsunade frowned. "You're not done getting into trouble for one day?"
He shook his head, his voice steady this time. "No. I just… I need to talk to Izzy. Tonight."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment, then sighed, leaning back. "Fine. But don't think this conversation's over. You may be taller, stronger, and louder than you were when I first took you in, but you're still my brat. I'll always get the truth out of you eventually."
Naruto smiled faintly, warmth in his eyes. "Heh. I know, Oba-san."
Naruto slurped down the last of his miso soup, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and sprang to his feet.
"Thanks for dinner, Oba-san! You're the best!"
Tsunade looked up from her tea, one eyebrow raised. "Hmph. Flattery won't get you out of trouble, brat."
Naruto grinned sheepishly, leaning down just long enough to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. "Still true, though. Don't wait up for me—I'll be back soon."
Before she could scold him further, he was already sliding the door open, calling over his shoulder: "Love ya, Oba-san!"
The door banged shut, and Tsunade let out a long, weary sigh. "…You really are just like Kushina."
—
With Naruto
Naruto jogged down the long stone steps, his sandals slapping against the pavement as he picked up speed. The night air was cool on his face, the stars just beginning to peek out overhead.
His earlier exhaustion was nowhere to be found. Instead, excitement bubbled in his chest until he was nearly bouncing as he ran.
Izzy's gonna freak out when he hears this! Naruto thought, grinning ear to ear. All Might's power—the Symbol of Peace's actual quirk! If I take it… I can give it to him. I can give him the chance he's always dreamed of.
His blue eyes shone as he sprinted through the streets, weaving around late-night pedestrians.
Not that I ever thought he needed it, Naruto mused. Izzy's already a hero. He's got the heart, the guts—hell, he was willing to stand up even without a quirk. But with this… he won't just dream it anymore. He'll live it.
Naruto laughed aloud, unable to contain the giddy energy burning inside him. "Just wait, Izzy. This is gonna change everything!"
Naruto's sandals slapped against the pavement as he made his way through the city, the cool night air brushing against his face. The streetlights flickered to life one by one, casting long shadows along the sidewalks. Even as the city settled into evening calm, his heart raced like he was still mid-fight.
This is crazy, he thought, grinning to himself as he jogged. All Might—the Symbol of Peace himself—chose me. Me! But this isn't just about me. This is about Izzy. He's the one who deserves it most. He's the one who needs it.
The memory came unbidden: a younger Izuku, standing in front of him in the park, trembling but refusing to move aside when Bakugo and his cronies circled them. Izuku's fists had been balled, his knees knocking, but he hadn't backed down.
Naruto laughed softly under his breath. That's Izzy. Scared out of his mind, but still standing. He's always had the heart of a hero—even without a quirk.
He darted through a crosswalk as the signal changed, earning a honk from a taxi. Naruto waved apologetically without slowing. His grin only grew wider.
Tomorrow, everything changes. All Might's power, Izzy's dream—he won't just be chasing it anymore. He'll finally have a chance to live it. And I'll be right there with him.
The streets grew quieter as he neared Izuku's neighborhood. Small corner stores were shuttering for the night, an old man hosing down his shopfront waved absently as Naruto sprinted past. The familiarity of it all filled him with warmth.
Up ahead, the modest Midoriya apartment complex came into view. Naruto slowed, catching his breath, his heart swelling with excitement.
"There it is," he murmured, tipping his head back. His eyes immediately found the window he knew so well—the one that belonged to Izuku's room.
Naruto planted his hands on his hips, sweat dripping down his brow but his grin radiant. He's gonna lose it when he hears. Finally, I get to give him something back for all the times he stood by me.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, just wait 'til you hear this, Izzy. Tomorrow's the first step. Everything's finally gonna go your way—"
BOOOOM!
The apartment floor where Izuku's window sat erupted in a fiery explosion. Glass and debris blew outward in a spray of sparks, the shockwave rattling the street.
Naruto's smile vanished in an instant, his body going rigid.
"…Izzy?"
Flames licked into the night sky, thick black smoke curling upward. The sound of alarms blared, mixing with the screams of neighbors spilling out into the street.
Naruto stumbled forward, his blue eyes locked on the inferno. His chest squeezed tight, a sick dread twisting in his stomach.
"No… No, no, no—IZUKU!"
His voice tore out raw as he sprinted toward the blaze, the giddy hope of moments before obliterated in a heartbeat.