Chereads / MHA : Shattered Symbol / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Manipulation

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Manipulation

The swirling purple mist enveloped Izuku and All For One, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a dimly lit warehouse.

Izuku stood beside All For One. This man, with his unsettling mask and aura of power, had plucked him from the depths of despair and is now offering him an alluring proposition - a chance to go beyond the limitations that society had placed upon him.

"Welcome to your new home, young Izuku," All For One said, his deep voice echoed off the walls as he spoke. He gestured towards Kurogiri who had teleported them. "Kurogiri will see to it that you are provided with comfortable accommodations and all the necessities you may require."

Kurogiri advanced, his piercing yellow gaze unreadable. "As you wish, Master."

I will make the necessary arrangements." With a nod, he disappeared into the swirling mist, leaving Izuku alone with the towering villain.

All For One placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder, the gesture both comforting and unsettling. "My dear boy, you have been through so much, haven't you?" His voice dripped with false sympathy. "The world might have turned its back on you, but I see the potential within you, a fire that burns dormant, waiting to be unleashed."

Izuku felt a lump form in his throat, the man's words struck something within him. He could still feel the weight of despair dragging him down to the brink. This man not only saved him, but he was offering a glimmer of hope to live a life that was never his.

Izuku's voice trembled as he spoke, his wide eyes pleading with All For One for answers. "I-I don't understand," he stammered, his heart racing in fear and confusion.

He couldn't comprehend why this masked figure was doing all of this, or what they wanted from him. His mind raced with questions, desperate for some kind of explanation. "Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?" His voice cracked with emotion as he added, "How can you help me?" desperation filled him.

"I'll never be treated equally or respectfully unless I have a quirk," he muttered, feeling a spark of anger at his own weakness. "Maybe...maybe what Bakugo said was true. " The thought brought tears to his eyes.

All For One put his hand slightly on Izuku's shoulder, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. "My dear boy, I simply wish to help you. This world has been cruel to you, and I cannot abide by such injustice. You deserve so much more than what you've been given."

He paused a twisted grin curled at the corners of his lips, "The heroes, the so-called 'protectors' of society, have failed you," he spat out with venom. "They've stood by and watched as you were tormented, their inaction fueling your suffering." The air around them seemed to grow heavy and oppressive, as if echoing the weight of his words. "But fear not, I am your benefactor. Someone who is here to protect you and help you fulfill your dream," he declared.

A flicker of hope ignited within Izuku, but doubts still lingered in the back of his mind. "You...you really think I can become a hero?" The words stumbled out of Izuku's mouth, almost hesitant to even voice his dream out loud.

All For One chuckled, the sound low and resonant. "Hero? No, my child, that word is far too limiting. With my guidance, you can become so much more. You can shape the world to your own vision, free from the shackles of a society that has betrayed you."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "Just imagine it, Izuku. In this society where strength reigns supreme. Those with power like All Might are worshipped and those without are discarded like trash. You have been rejected because of your weakness. Imagine if you had the power to crush mountains with ease or cross ocean in a single leap. Would people not flock to your side, begging for your favor."

"I will fix your little quirk problem, but in return, you will have no ties to your past life. You will be reborn as an entirely different Izuku – powerful enough to shatter the hollow pillars of this fake, presumptuous society." His words hang in the air like a death sentence, each one heavy with malice and promise of a grim future.

Izuku's heart raced in his chest, All For One's words had left him reeling - the realization that he may have a quirk after all was both thrilling and overwhelming. A thousand questions raced through his head, each one more urgent than the last. The intense mix of emotions made it hard for him to breathe as he tried to process this life-changing information.

"But...how can you solve my quirk problem if i dont have one? and what about the my mom? my friends?" Izuku's voice wavered.

A cold, bitter laugh escapes All For One's lips. "Friends? Mother? Society? Human Relations are just a by-product of strength- if you are strong, many people would join your side. People who persue relationships, they definately have something to ask others. Tell me, Izuku, has anyone of your 'friend' ever truly done anything to help you? Have any of them ever truly helped you, Izuku? Have they ever extended a helping hand to the worthless Quirkless YOU, or others like you deemed unworthy by society?"

Izuku's brow furrowed as he tried to process the villain's words. Deep down, he knew that no one had done much to directly aid him, but the All Might had inspired him, kindled a flame of hope that had kept him going. Now, that flame was flickering, threatened by the darkness that All For One was weaving around him.

"I...I don't know," Izuku admitted.

All For One motioned for Izuku to stop talking with a gentle gesture. "My dear boy, the world is much more complicated than it appears. Those in positions of power often overlook the struggles of the average person, those who are ignored and neglected. They become comfortable, satisfied with the praise and admiration of the public while societal injustices continue to brew beneath the surface."

He paused, his gaze boring into Izuku's. "But I see you, Izuku. I see the fire in your heart, the unquenchable desire to make a difference. And I am offering you the chance to do just that – to reshape this world, to create a new order where the strong are revered and the weak are empowered."

Before Izuku could respond, the swirling mist of Kurogiri's Quirk suddenly materialized, and a slender, elegant woman stepped through. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes held a captivating intensity that seemed to bore into Izuku's very being.

"Ah, Yuriko, right on time," All For One said, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction. "I have someone I'd like you to meet."

The woman, Yuriko, turned her gaze towards Izuku, and a small, almost serene smile graced her lips. "So, this is the young man you spoke of, Master?" Her voice was soft, yet there was an underlying current of steel that sent a shiver down Izuku's spine.

All For One stood silent, Yuriko moved forward and introduced herself. "Izuku, I am Yuriko Tsukuyomi, you might know me by the name of Lady Joryuku. My Quirk is gravity manipulation, and I will be responsible taking care of you from today."

The name echoed in Izuku's mind as he stared at the woman in front of him. Lady Joryuku, infamous for her B rank villain status and her robbery of a tenth of the USA's gold reserve. It had been years since anyone had heard from her, and yet here she was, standing before Izuku. He struggled to keep his emotions in check as he studied her for any signs of recognition.

Yuriko stepped closer, her eyes never leaving Izuku's face. "I must say, I've heard quite a bit about you, and I'm intrigued to see what you're capable of."

Izuku felt himself shrinking under her piercing gaze, unsure of how to react. This woman, with her calm demeanor and controlled power, was a stark contrast to the towering presence of All For One. Yet, there was an undeniable sense of grace and strength that radiated from her.

"I-I'm not sure what to say," Izuku stammered, his voice laced with a mix of fear and curiosity. "I mean, I don't even have a Quirk, so how can I-"

Yuriko raised a hand, silencing him with a gentle gesture. "Ah, but that is where you are mistaken, my dear Izuku. Quirks are not the be-all and end-all of one's potential. In fact, I believe that even without Quirks you possess a strength and resilience that far surpasses those who have been blessed with such abilities."

She moved closer, her eyes filled with a strange mixture of empathy and determination. "You have been through so much, haven't you? Rejected, bullied, and denied."

Izuku felt his heart skip a beat as Yuriko's words resonated with him. It was as if she had peered into the depths of his soul, understanding the turmoil that had been consuming him.

"I...I don't know what to say," Izuku admitted, his voice trembling with emotion. "Everyone else, they've always seen me as less than, as someone who could never achieve my dreams. But you, you're saying that I have potential, that I can be strong despite being Quirkless?"

Yuriko nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, Izuku. And that is why I am here – to help you unlock that potential, to cultivate the strength that lies within you." She reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, the gesture both comforting and firm.

"Master has seen something special in you, and he has entrusted me with the task of training you. Together, we will make you strong, and you will become a force to be reckoned with."

All For One watched the exchange with a satisfied smile, his masked features betraying a sense of triumph. He knew that with Yuriko's help, he would be able to mold Izuku into a formidable weapon, one that would ultimately serve his own purpose.

As Izuku stood there, The path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, but the allure of Yuriko's words and the unwavering support of All For One was hard to ignore.

With a deep breath, Izuku squared his shoulders and looked up at the two enigmatic figures before him. "I...I'll do it. I'll do whatever it takes to become stronger, to prove my worth. Just tell me what I need to do."

All For One's grin widened beneath his mask, and Yuriko's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and satisfaction. Izuku was firmly in their grasp.

"Prove your worth to me; Ah before I leave, I have a gift for you." All for one said with a glint of malice in his eyes.