Chapter 3: Ashes and Oaths
The night air was ripped apart by fire and screams.
The Midoriya apartment complex blazed like a torch, flames climbing higher with every second. Shattered glass littered the street, smoke rolled thick and black into the sky, and the heat was enough to sting the skin of anyone who got too close.
Residents poured out of the building, coughing, crying, clutching what belongings they could carry. Some screamed for their loved ones still trapped inside, others begged for someone to call the fire department, for heroes, for anyone.
Naruto didn't hear any of it.
His world narrowed to the inferno ahead and the thought hammering in his chest. Izzy… Inko-Obasan…
His shoes pounded the pavement as he dead-sprinted toward the building, weaving through the tide of fleeing residents. "OUT OF THE WAY!" he roared, voice hoarse. "GET CLEAR!"
"Somebody stop that kid!" a man shouted from the crowd. "It's too dangerous in there!"
Naruto didn't slow. "No way in hell! My friend—his mom—they're still in there!"
His blue eyes burned with panic and determination as he threw himself up the front steps of the complex.
A woman grabbed at his sleeve, desperation in her voice. "Don't! You'll die in there!"
Naruto yanked free, teeth clenched. "Then I'll die trying! I'm not leaving them!"
Without another word, he plunged through the front doors into the smoke-choked hell within.
—
Back at the Senju-Uzamaki Compound
The warm glow of paper lanterns lit the Senju estate as Tsunade moved calmly around the kitchen, sleeves of her yukata rolled back. The steady sound of running water filled the air as she rinsed the dishes, humming softly to herself — a simple, comforting tune she hadn't realized she still remembered from Naruto's childhood.
On the counter, the television played the evening news, the anchor's voice a low backdrop she only half-listened to.
Her eyes softened as her thoughts wandered. She pictured Naruto's ridiculous grin, the way he always came barreling in too loud, too reckless, too full of life. And then there was Izuku — quieter, more polite, practically the opposite of her nephew but just as determined.
Tsunade chuckled under her breath. Those two together… like night and day. Reminds me of the way Kushina used to drag Inko into her storms.
Her mind shifted to Inko, gentle and kind, always fussing over the boys when they stayed at the estate. They had shared more than one late-night cup of tea, confiding in each other as mothers — one by blood, one by choice.
"Maybe," Tsunade murmured to herself, placing the last plate in the rack, "Naruto finally found the brother he always needed."
She dried her hands with a towel just as the anchor's calm voice shifted to urgency.
"Breaking news just in. A fire has erupted following a large explosion at an apartment complex in Musutafu."
Tsunade stilled, her ears sharpening at the words.
"Authorities confirm the fire is located at Musutafu's Third Ward on Yusada Street. Emergency services are en route, but civilians are urged to keep clear of the area."
The towel slipped from Tsunade's hands.
"…Midoriya Apartments?" she whispered, the blood draining from her face.
For one stunned heartbeat, her body refused to move.
Then the towel hit the floor.
"Tch—damn it!" Tsunade snarled, already bolting for the door. She tore off her apron and grabbed the keys from the counter in a single motion.
"Hold on, Naruto. Hold on, Inko. I'm coming!"
The estate doors slammed behind her as Tsunade tore down the stone steps of the Senju compound, her sandals striking hard against the path. The lantern light that usually bathed the dojo and home in calm serenity flickered past her in a blur.
Her heart pounded. She could see it now, faint but unmistakable against the horizon — thick columns of smoke, billowing upward into the night sky, blotting out the stars above Musutafu. The acrid haze stretched higher with every second, illuminated orange by the glow of fire.
In the distance, sirens wailed. The sound grew louder as fire trucks and ambulances screamed down the main avenues.
Tsunade clenched her fists, her jaw tight. Damn it, Naruto. Damn it, Inko. Izuku… hold on. Please hold on.
Her keys still dangled uselessly in her hand. She didn't even glance toward her car in the courtyard. Traffic would already be choking the main streets, reporters flocking to the scene. No vehicle could get her there in time.
So she ran.
Her yukata sleeves whipped behind her as she sprinted full-force down the roads, ignoring the startled looks of late-night passersby. She cut down alleys, vaulted low railings, pushed through crowds gathering to gawk at the smoke. Every stride was fueled not by stamina, but by fear — the kind of fear that dug into her bones and clawed at her chest.
"Please," she muttered under her breath as she ran, golden-brown eyes locked on the rising smoke. "Please let them be okay. Let those boys… let Inko… be okay."
The night swallowed her words as she sprinted toward the fire, her mind flashing with memories: Naruto laughing through scraped knees at the dojo, Izuku politely bowing as he thanked her for dinner, Inko smiling tiredly over cups of tea.
I can't lose them too.
—
With Naruto
Naruto burst through the front doors, the heat slamming into him like a wall. He squinted against the smoke, pulling his shirt collar up over his mouth and nose.
The ground floor was still clear. Fire alarms blared, sprinklers hissed in vain against the growing flames. He sprinted across the lobby, heading straight for the stairwell.
His feet pounded against the steps as he ascended, two at a time. The second, third, and fourth floors were mostly untouched, residents rushing down past him with wide, terrified eyes.
"Keep moving!" Naruto barked as he passed them, his voice muffled against his sleeve. "It's not safe—get out while you can!"
Some shouted thanks, others just fled, clutching children or belongings as they went.
By the fifth floor, smoke began to creep down the stairwell. Naruto coughed, eyes stinging, but pressed on. He pushed open doors, checking hallways. Empty. Good.
The sixth floor was worse. Smoke filled the hall, visibility dropping with every step. The heat bit at his skin, sweat already soaking through his clothes. He pulled his sleeve tighter across his face, forcing his lungs to take shallow breaths.
"Dammit… can't waste time."
He checked door after door, relief flooding him when most swung open into empty apartments.
Then he reached the seventh floor.
The instant he pushed open the door, a wave of searing heat rolled over him, forcing him to shield his face. Flames roared down the hall like living things, hungry and wild. The air was suffocating, thick with black smoke and the acrid stench of burning plastic.
Naruto gritted his teeth, eyes watering. "Izzy… Inko… hang on."
He pressed forward, coughing, forcing his legs to move. His hand trailed along the wall, checking for doors as he went.
One handle burned hot against his palm—but it wasn't locked. He shoved it open to find an elderly couple trapped, their exit blocked by a fallen beam.
"Hold on!" Naruto rushed in, bracing his shoulder against the beam. His muscles strained, fire licking dangerously close, but with a guttural roar he shoved the obstruction aside.
The couple stumbled free, coughing violently.
"What happened here?" Naruto demanded, pulling them into the hall.
The older man wheezed, eyes wide with terror. "We… we heard shouting—voices arguing—and then… the blast! Someone—someone attacked the Midoriyas!"
Naruto froze. "…Attacked?"
His heart lurched. A villain. This wasn't an accident.
"Go!" he barked, shaking his head clear. He guided them toward the stairwell, half-carrying the frail woman. "Get down to the fifth floor—it's clear there. Don't stop until you're out!"
The old man nodded shakily. "Bless you, son."
Naruto watched them go only long enough to see them disappear into the stairwell before turning back toward the inferno.
The Midoriyas…
He sprinted down the hall, the unbearable heat clawing at his skin. He could feel the structure groaning around him, the smoke choking his lungs. His legs screamed, but he didn't slow.
Finally, he reached it—what was left of the Midoriya apartment. The doorway had been blasted apart, the interior a gutted shell of fire and debris.
Naruto stumbled into the threshold, coughing violently as smoke seared his throat. His eyes darted desperately through the ruin.
"Inko! Izuku!"
The smoke thickened, blinding, suffocating, but Naruto pushed deeper into the wreckage.
"I'm here! Please—answer me!"
Naruto stumbled into the ruined apartment, the heat slamming into him like a wall of knives. Flames roared up the walls, licking at the ceiling, consuming everything in their path. His skin blistered, peeled, and healed again in rapid succession — his quirk working on overdrive just to keep him moving.
Every breath was agony. Smoke clawed down his throat, searing his lungs until his vision swam. His body screamed for him to stop, but he forced his legs forward.
"Inko! Izzy!" he rasped, voice raw, but no answer came.
He staggered deeper, the acrid air filling his chest. His knees buckled, and he fell hard against the charred floorboards, coughing violently. The world spun around him, black creeping in at the edges of his vision.
Then he saw it.
Through the haze of smoke and fire, a shape on the floor.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror. "...No…"
He crawled forward, dragging himself with trembling arms. Every inch was torture, his palms burning against the floor, but he didn't stop.
Midoriya Inko lay motionless. Her body was horribly burned, half her face scorched from the initial blast. A gaping hole marred her chest, cauterized around the edges from the sheer heat of the explosion.
Naruto's breath caught. His throat tightened. "I-Inko-Oba…"
He reached for her, shaking his head violently. "No… no, no, no, please—get up. Please!" His voice cracked as he clawed forward, desperate to pull her into his arms, desperate for her to still be alive.
But his body wouldn't obey anymore. His quirk was healing him faster than he could stand, draining what little stamina he had left. The smoke smothered every breath.
He collapsed just short of reaching her. His arm stretched out uselessly, fingers trembling inches from her burned hand.
"…Izuku…" he whispered weakly, the name barely audible.
Darkness clawed at his mind, swallowing everything.
And just before the void claimed him completely—
"YOUNG UZUMAKI!"
All Might's voice thundered through the flames, the last thing Naruto heard before consciousness slipped away.
—
A Few Moments Earlier
Tsunade's lungs burned, but she pushed herself harder, sandals slapping against the pavement as she rounded the final corner. The acrid stench of smoke hit her nose first, followed by the heat.
The Midoriya apartment complex was a towering inferno. Flames devoured the upper levels, billowing smoke that blotted out the stars. Fire trucks lined the street, their hoses blasting water into the blaze. Backdraft stood at the front lines, jets of pressurized water spraying from his arms to aid the effort, though even he looked strained.
Something was wrong. These flames burned hotter, wilder, more resistant than any natural fire. They didn't behave like normal flames—they curled and lashed with a savage will of their own.
"Damn it…" Tsunade hissed under her breath. A quirk. This was no accident.
She rushed forward, waving down the nearest firefighter. "What's happened? Has everyone gotten out?"
The man shook his head, sweat dripping from his brow. "We don't know! Most residents are accounted for, but some… some might still be inside!"
"I'm a doctor!" Tsunade snapped, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Point me to the injured!"
The man blinked, then nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, ma'am! Over here!"
Within seconds she was on her knees beside a wounded woman, burns lacing her arms. Tsunade's hands were steady as she barked orders for bandages, ointment, water. Even in the middle of disaster, her presence was commanding—lives steadied simply because she was there.
Then the ground shook.
A booming voice cut through the chaos like thunder:
"Has everyone made it out safely?!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as a massive figure landed at the scene, towering and golden-haired, his cape snapping in the firelit wind.
"All Might…" someone whispered reverently.
The Symbol of Peace stood before them, larger than life. His presence made the panicked civilians cheer through their tears, clinging to hope.
Tsunade straightened, her eyes narrowing. So this is the Number One Hero…
But she had no time for awe.
A firefighter answered him quickly. "We're not sure, sir!"
Then a shout rang out. An elderly man and woman stumbled forward, supported by rescue workers—the same couple Naruto had saved.
"Wait!" the man cried hoarsely. "There's still a boy in there! Red hair—he went back up!"
The woman coughed violently, gripping his arm. "He said he was looking for the Midoriyas… Someone attacked them…"
Tsunade's heart clenched like a vice.
"Damn it, Naruto—"
All Might didn't hesitate. His blue eyes narrowed, his massive chest swelling with determination.
"Then I will go!"
And before anyone could say another word, he launched himself into the blaze, a living missile of resolve.
Tsunade's nails dug into her palms. Every instinct screamed at her to follow, to tear through the flames herself. But the cries of the wounded anchored her. She forced herself back to the injured, even as her chest burned with fear.
"Get him out of there, Symbol of Peace," she muttered under her breath. "Bring my boy back."
All Might tore through the stairwell like a thunderbolt, his massive frame moving with blistering speed. The heat clawed at him, smoke burned his lungs, but he didn't slow.
Each floor blurred past in seconds. Doors were ripped open, hallways swept with a glance. No lives left behind—not on his watch. His booming voice echoed over the roar of flames.
"Is anyone still here?!"
Nothing but silence and crackling fire answered him.
The fifth floor—clear.
The sixth—clear.
The seventh—his eyes narrowed. The heart of the inferno.
He pushed forward, the unbearable heat prickling even against his hardened body. The moment he breached the hallway, his sharp gaze locked on two shapes through the haze.
One burned stillness.
One clinging to life.
Naruto lay sprawled across the scorched floor, body trembling violently. His skin blistered, peeled, and healed in a grotesque cycle as his quirk fought desperately to keep him alive. The sight hit All Might like a fist to the gut.
And beside him— a middle aged woman that must've been the one that lived here .
All Might's breath caught. Her body was motionless, the wound in her chest leaving no doubt. His teeth ground together. "Damn it…"
There was no time to mourn.
With one swift motion, he scooped Naruto into his left arm, the boy limp but still faintly breathing. With his right, he gathered Inko's body, cradling her with grim respect.
"Hold on, young Uzumaki," he muttered, his voice low, fierce. "You've done enough. Leave the rest to me."
He bolted for the stairwell, the building groaning ominously around him. Cracks spider-webbed through the walls, beams creaking overhead.
Then—
KRA-KOOOM!
A final explosion tore through the upper floors, flames erupting outward as the structure gave way. The shockwave blasted through the halls, chasing All Might like a living beast.
But he was faster.
He burst through the front doors in a storm of smoke and fire, landing in the street just as the building collapsed behind him in a thunderous roar. Debris rained down, dust clouding the air.
The Midoriya apartments were gone.
The crowd's cries filled the night as the last of the Midoriya apartments crumbled into rubble. Civilians, firefighters, and heroes alike fell silent when All Might emerged from the smoke, carrying two bodies in his massive arms.
"Th-thank god…" Tsunade staggered forward, relief flooding her chest at the sight of her nephew. Her steps quickened—then froze when her eyes shifted to the second figure.
Inko.
Her breath hitched. Her hands trembled.
"No…" Tsunade whispered, golden-brown eyes glistening. "Inko…"
She covered her mouth with one hand as tears welled, the weight of her friend's loss crashing down on her shoulders. Her legs threatened to buckle, but she forced herself upright, her gaze snapping back to All Might.
"What about the boy?!" she demanded, her voice raw. "What about Izuku?!"
All Might's mighty frame seemed to sag ever so slightly. His jaw tightened. He gave a single grim shake of his head.
The world seemed to blur around her. A soft, broken sob escaped Tsunade's lips. For just a heartbeat, she allowed herself to grieve.
Then her eyes landed on Naruto—and the grief gave way to fire.
His body was trembling violently, his quirk sputtering in uneven bursts. Burns seared his skin still no longer knitting itself back together, and his breaths came shallow and ragged. He was slipping.
"Set him down!" Tsunade barked, her voice like iron. "Now!"
All Might blinked at the force of her command but obeyed, gently lowering Naruto onto a cleared patch of ground. Tsunade knelt at his side instantly, her hands already steadying his scorched frame.
"Please," she said quietly, though her tone left no room for argument. "Take care of Inko. I'll take care of my boy."
All Might's face softened, his expression solemn as he carefully shifted Inko's body into the care of paramedics.
Tsunade drew in a deep breath, her hands hovering just above Naruto's chest. A faint, ethereal glow began to spread from her palms, shimmering a soft green. It was soft, yet carried the weight of years of knowledge, precise and deliberate.
"Easy, brat…" she whispered, her voice trembling with both fury and love. "You're not leaving me. Not tonight."
The glow sank into Naruto's wounds, burns hissing as charred skin gave way to fresh tissue. His breathing steadied, his quivering eased. Slowly, the frantic sputtering of his own quirk fell quiet as hers took over, guiding his body back from the edge.
Around them, the crowd stared in awe. To them, it looked as though Tsunade was commanding life itself.
But her hands shook, sweat dampened her brow. This wasn't easy—it demanded everything she had. Still, her gaze never wavered from Naruto's face.
"I've lost too much already," she whispered fiercely. "I will not lose you."
Naruto's breathing had evened out, his body no longer trembling. The glow of Tsunade's quirk dimmed as she leaned back, brushing damp strands of blonde hair from her face. Relief washed through her chest like a tide, though her hands still trembled faintly.
She exhaled sharply and called out to the paramedics. "He's stabilized, but he's going to the hospital. Now. Even if the wounds are gone, he needs rest, monitoring, and a quiet room."
The medics nodded quickly, moving in with a stretcher. Tsunade carefully shifted Naruto into their care, her hand lingering on his shoulder for one extra second before she forced herself to pull back. "I'll be there shortly. Don't let him out of your sight."
"Yes, Doctor!" one medic barked back as they hurried Naruto toward the ambulances.
Tsunade rose slowly, rolling her shoulders, scanning the area for more injured. The worst had already been handled, and the firefighters now had the blaze under control. Still, she stayed, ready to lend her strength where needed.
It was then that she sensed someone approach. A shadow loomed large in the flickering firelight.
"That was…" All Might's deep voice rumbled, quieter than his usual booming tone. His blue eyes were fixed on her hands, still faintly glowing. "An incredible power. I've never seen a healing quirk so potent. Not even Recovery Girl's matches it."
Tsunade let out a dry chuckle, though her eyes remained on the wreckage. "Yeah. Chiyo's been pestering me for years to take over her post at U.A. I keep telling her I'm not cut out for babysitting hero brats."
All Might's lips curved in a faint smile, but it faded as quickly as it came. His gaze drifted back toward the still-smoking ruins of the Midoriya apartments. "…Did you see anything? Anything that might explain how this started?"
Her eyes hardened. "You were inside. You tell me."
A long silence. Then All Might shook his head grimly. "…No. Nothing useful. Just destruction."
He turned slightly, and Tsunade's sharp eyes caught it—the faint hitch in his stance, the slight cough into his fist, the quick movement to hide the telltale flecks of red.
Her gaze narrowed. Blood? At a scene like this?
But before she could press, he straightened, smiling in that practiced way that never reached his eyes. "Nothing to worry about, ma'am. Just smoke irritating my throat."
"Mm." Tsunade's hum carried no real agreement. Her honey-brown eyes followed him closely.
All Might lingered just long enough to make sure the flames were under control and the wounded in capable hands. Then, with a polite bow of his head, he turned away, his massive frame retreating into the night.
Tsunade watched him go, lips pressed into a thin line. Something's not right with him.
But for now, she turned back toward the ambulances. Her boy was waiting.
Humming quietly, contemplative and weary, she followed the flashing red and blue lights down the street, heading toward the hospital.
—
The Next Day
Naruto stirred to the steady beep… beep… beep of a heart monitor. His eyes cracked open, vision blurry against the pale white of a hospital ceiling. For a moment he couldn't place where he was—only the sterile smell of antiseptic, the faint hum of fluorescent lights.
Turning his head, he saw her.
Tsunade sat slumped in a chair beside his bed, her head resting against the mattress near his arm. Strands of blonde hair spilled across her face, her breathing slow and even. Even in sleep, her hand clutched lightly at his wrist, as though she were afraid he'd vanish if she let go.
"Oba-san…" Naruto's voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper.
She stirred, groaning softly, blinking herself awake. Her eyes found his immediately. Relief flooded her face—then was quickly overtaken by sorrow.
Naruto's chest tightened. His throat burned. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"…Was it a dream?" he asked, voice trembling. "Please… please tell me it was a nightmare. Tell me they're still alive."
Tsunade's lips parted, but no words came at first. Her eyes welled, tears threatening to spill as she shook her head ever so slightly.
"I'm so sorry, baby," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so, so sorry… but they're gone."
The words shattered him.
The tears that had been burning behind his eyes finally spilled over, streaming hot down his cheeks. His shoulders shook as he choked back a sob, but it was useless—the dam had broken.
Naruto buried his face into his hands, his body wracked with grief. The sound tore through the quiet hospital room, raw and painful.
Tsunade couldn't bear it. She stood quickly, then eased herself onto the bed beside him, gathering her nephew into her arms. She pulled him against her chest, holding him tight, one hand cradling the back of his head.
"Shhh… I've got you," she whispered, her own tears falling freely now. "I've got you, Naruto."
He clung to her desperately, sobbing into her yukata, every ounce of strength stripped away. For all the fire and defiance he had shown against villains and flames, here, in the arms of the mother he's known for most of his life, he was just a boy mourning unbearable loss.
And Tsunade held him as though she could shield him from the pain, rocking gently, whispering over and over, "You're not alone. I've got you. Always."
Naruto's sobs wracked his body, his fists clenching desperately into Tsunade's yukata as though she might disappear if he let go. His throat was raw, every breath breaking into gasps and hiccups of grief.
"Why?" he choked out between sobs, lifting his face just enough for his words to tumble out. His eyes, red and swollen with tears, searched hers with desperate anguish. "Why why did it have to be them?!"
Tsunade's chest tightened at the sight. Her hand cupped his cheek gently, thumb brushing the tears away though more kept falling.
"They didn't deserve this, Oba-san," he cried, his voice cracking. "Izuku—he was such a pure soul. He wanted nothing but to help people. And Inko-obasan—she was always so kind, so gentle. They… they didn't deserve to die like that!"
His words tore at her heart, but she pulled him closer, her arms wrapping tighter around him. "I know, baby," she whispered, her own tears flowing freely now. "I know they didn't. Life can be so damn cruel sometimes."
Naruto pressed his forehead against her shoulder, his voice muffled but desperate. "Then what do I do now? Without them—what am I supposed to do?"
Tsunade closed her eyes, breathing in deeply before answering. Her voice was soft, steady, the kind of strength only a survivor could offer.
"You live, Naruto," she said firmly. "You live on for them. You carry them in your heart, in your memories. Every laugh, every kindness, every lesson they gave you—you hold onto that, and you keep them alive by living the way they would have wanted."
Her hand stroked his back soothingly as she continued. "That's how you honor them. That's how you make sure they're never truly gone."
Naruto's crying didn't stop, but his grip on her shifted, tightening as though he understood. His sobs grew softer, more weary, though the tears kept coming.
Tsunade pressed a kiss to his temple, rocking him gently in the hospital bed. "We'll carry them together, you and me. They'll live on through us."
Naruto's only answer was another broken sob, his voice too lost to speak, but his trembling frame pressed tighter against her, clinging to her words as the only anchor he had left.
The sobs finally began to soften, dwindling into quiet hiccups. Tsunade kept holding him, her cheek pressed to his hair, tears still streaking her face. The silence stretched—thick, heavy, broken only by the faint rhythm of the heart monitor.
Naruto sniffled, his breath shuddering as he pulled back slightly. His red-rimmed blue eyes lifted to meet Tsunade's golden-brown gaze. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then—slowly—the grief twisting his expression shifted.
Determination burned through the tears.
"Oba-san…" His voice was hoarse, broken, but steady. "I'm going to do it."
Tsunade blinked, caught off guard by the steel in his tone.
"I'm going to be a hero," he continued, each word heavier than the last. "Not just any hero. A hero like no other. The kind of hero Izuku dreamed of being." His fists clenched against the sheets, trembling with resolve. "I'll carry that dream—for him. For Inko. For everyone they'll never get to save. I'll keep their memory alive with every action I take."
Tsunade's throat tightened. Fresh tears welled, but this time they weren't only from grief. Her boy—her reckless, stubborn, unbreakable boy—was still here. And he was choosing to stand.
Her lips trembled into a small, aching smile as she brushed his cheek with her thumb. "…That's the Naruto I know."
Naruto's eyes glistened, but the fire in them didn't waver. He nodded firmly, the weight of his vow settling in his heart like tempered steel.
"I'll do it," he whispered again, voice trembling but resolute. "I swear it."
Tsunade pulled him close once more, her tears mingling with his. But this time, beneath the grief, there was something else too.
Hope.
—-
Three Days Later
The sky wept as the funeral began.
Rain fell in soft, steady sheets, dripping from black umbrellas and soaking into the earth. The gravesite was small, almost painfully so. Inko hadn't had many friends, her life was quiet and simple. And Izuku… the boy had only ever had one true companion.
Naruto.
He stood rigid near the front, dressed in black, fists clenched so tightly at his sides that his knuckles ached. The casket before them was simple, modest, draped with white lilies. Inside lay only Inko's body. Izuku's had never been found.
The officials had said the fire was too hot, too consuming. His body must've been reduced to ash, indistinguishable from the wreckage.
Tsunade stood behind him, silent, a steadying presence with her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. Her eyes were sharp, noting every detail, every absence. Most of the small crowd were neighbors or distant relatives. The Bakugos were there too—Mitsuki's face lined with genuine sorrow, Masaru quiet and solemn, Katsuki stiff and silent beneath his umbrella.
Naruto's jaw tightened. His heart burned with anger at the sight of the boy who had mocked and tormented Izuku for years standing here now, pretending to grieve. But he swallowed it down. Today wasn't about him. Today was about honoring the Midoriyas.
Still, the thought boiled in his chest. You don't get to act like you cared, Bakugo. Not after everything you've done to him.
The priest's voice droned softly, offering words of comfort, but they barely reached Naruto's ears. His gaze stayed locked on the coffin, rain streaking down his face in place of tears he refused to shed here.
Tsunade's eyes flicked briefly toward the crowd again, narrowing when she saw the empty spot where one man should have stood. That bastard ex-husband… Not even here to bury the woman he once swore to love. Typical.
The ceremony moved forward quietly, punctuated only by the hiss of rain and the occasional sob from the small gathering. Naruto's chest ached with every word spoken of Inko's kindness, her gentle spirit, her sacrifices for her son. He felt the absence of Izuku like a knife twisting in his gut. He was supposed to be out there somewhere working towards his goal. His dream. Not… this.
As the casket was lowered into the ground, Naruto's fists tightened again, nails biting into his palms. Every drop of rain felt heavier, each one striking like a reminder of the vow he had made.
I'll carry them. Both of them. I swear it.
Tsunade's hand squeezed his shoulder gently, grounding him. Naruto let a single tear fall, slipping quietly down his cheek to mingle with the rain.
The steady hiss of rain softened as the final shovelfuls of dirt fell atop the casket. The priest gave his closing words, and one by one the mourners began to drift away, umbrellas dotting the cemetery path like shadows.
Before long, only a few remained.
Tsunade squeezed Naruto's shoulder gently. "Take your time," she murmured, her voice quiet but steady. "I'll be waiting by the gates."
He gave a faint nod, unable to look away from the grave.
Tsunade straightened and walked off, her yukata damp with rain. At the entrance, she joined Mitsuki and Masaru Bakugo. Despite the sharp edge of her grief, she managed a small, weary smile for Mitsuki, the two women sharing quiet words. Even if Tsunade had no love for the Bakugo boy's cruelty, she respected his mother, who had always been kind.
That left Naruto standing alone before the gravestone. The rain plastered his red hair against his forehead, ran down his cheeks, and seeped into his dark suit. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides as his thoughts swirled.
Izzy. Inko-obasan. I'll carry you. I'll make sure the world never forgets.
The sound of faint footsteps drew his attention. He turned slightly, blue eyes narrowing.
A thin figure approached slowly from the path, dressed appropriately in a dark suit. His golden hair was loose, lank against his face, his frame almost frail beneath the black fabric. His presence was subdued, respectful, utterly different from the blazing symbol the world knew.
All Might. In his small form.
Naruto's brows furrowed, surprise flickering across his grief-stricken face. He hadn't expected to see the man here, like this.
"All Might…" Naruto's voice was hoarse, nearly lost to the drizzle.
The hero gave a faint bow of his head, his expression solemn, eyes shadowed but sincere. "Forgive me for intruding, young Uzumaki. But I felt it was only right to pay my respects."
Naruto turned fully toward him, rain still streaking his cheeks, though his tears had long since dried.
The Symbol of Peace stood before him stripped of his grandeur, not as the untouchable idol, but as a man who had also seen too much loss.
For a long time, the only sound was the rain pattering against umbrellas and headstones. Naruto stood motionless before the grave, fists trembling at his sides, All Might quietly at his back.
Finally, Naruto's voice broke the silence—low, hoarse, but steady.
"Izzy…" he whispered. "He meant everything to me. He wasn't just my best friend. He was my brother. My hero."
He swallowed hard, the rain hiding the tears that welled in his eyes again. "He wanted to save people, not for glory or fame, but just because it was right. Because he cared. If he'd been given the chance… he would have been the greatest hero this world ever saw."
All Might's gaze softened, his thin face heavy with grief of his own.
Naruto clenched his jaw, his voice rough but passionate. "I'll never forget him. Never. He was the reason I believed I could do this in the first place. He showed me what a true hero looks like."
For a moment, silence returned. Then All Might spoke, his tone quiet but filled with conviction.
"Young Midoriya. He asked if he could ever be a hero without a quirk. I told him it would be hard—maybe impossible for most—but if he truly dedicated himself, if he worked with every fiber of his being, I believed he could've done it. He had the heart for it it seemed."
Naruto's shoulders shook. He nodded once, his lips pressed into a trembling line. "…Yeah. He did."
Then he turned, his piercing blue eyes locking onto All Might's with a fire that cut through the rain.
"Then I'll do it." His voice grew stronger with each word. "I'll become the hero he never got the chance to be. I'll surpass every hero that came before, even you. I'll be the best there's ever been." His fists clenched, fierce determination radiating from him. "So train me. Give me your quirk, like you planned to. Make me into the hero this world needs—the hero he would have been."
For a moment, All Might simply studied him, the rain dripping down his gaunt features. In Naruto's eyes, he saw not just grief, but unshakable resolve. A boy who had been broken, yet chose to stand taller.
At last, All Might nodded, his voice firm. "Very well. One week from now, at Dagobah Beach. Five in the morning sharp."
He paused, his gaze softening just slightly. "Take this time, young Uzumaki. Mourn your friend. Honor what you've lost. Because once we begin… there will be no turning back."
Naruto gave a sharp nod, his jaw set, the fire in his eyes unrelenting.
"All Might…" His voice was quiet, fierce. "…Let's make me the greatest hero there ever was."
And with that vow spoken beneath the rain, the torch was passed.