Tomura's eyes fluttered open as a burning sensation seared across his face. He groaned, shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight streaming through a nearby window. Panic set in as his skin began to blister, a searing pain spreading across his arm as if his very flesh was rejecting the sunlight. He screamed, stumbling back into the shadows of the room.
The door burst open, and an elderly man entered with surprising agility for his age. His weathered face was creased with concern as he quickly pulled the curtains shut, plunging the room into comforting dimness.
"Are you all right, boy?" the man asked, his voice a mix of sternness and worry.
Tomura nodded weakly, clutching his arm. "It burns... the sun, it burns me." Tears brimmed in his eyes as he looked up at the old man, the memories of the previous day's horrors flashing through his mind.
The man sighed, kneeling beside Tomura. "You're lucky I found you when I did. You've clearly been through a lot. What's your name, lad?"
"T-Tomura," he stammered, wiping at his tears with trembling hands.
The man gave a small nod. "Tomura, then. Listen to me. You have nowhere else to go, do you?"
Tomura shook his head, his heart sinking further.
"Then stay here," the old man said firmly. "But you'll have to earn your keep. I'll teach you the ways of discipline, strength, and survival. It's a hard path, but one that will give you purpose. Do you understand?"
Tomura hesitated, then nodded. He didn't have a choice—he had no home, no family, and a strange, terrifying power he couldn't control. Perhaps this man could help him.
The old man's expression softened slightly. "Good. I'll teach you Kenjutsu, the art of the sword. Ninjutsu, the techniques of stealth and strategy. Taijutsu, the unarmed combat techniques. And more besides. You'll learn to control your body and mind. But be warned, boy—this won't be easy."
The days that followed were gruelling. The old man introduced Tomura to a variety of disciplines, each more demanding than the last. They began with Kenjutsu. The old man handed Tomura a wooden sword and demonstrated the basic stances and strikes.
"Your grip is wrong," the man corrected, adjusting Tomura's hands. "Hold it like this. Strong, but flexible."
Tomura practised until his arms ached, his muscles screaming in protest. But he didn't stop. He couldn't. The old man's sharp eyes watched his every move, offering corrections and, occasionally, a rare nod of approval.
Next came Ninjutsu. The old man led Tomura through exercises in stealth, teaching him how to move silently and blend into the shadows. "You must become invisible," he instructed. "The unseen blade is the deadliest."
Tomura practised for hours, creeping through the dimly lit dojo until he could move without a sound. The old man tested him relentlessly, setting traps and challenges to sharpen his skills.
Taijutsu was even more intense. The old man sparred with Tomura, teaching him the fundamentals of unarmed combat. "Every strike has a purpose," he explained, demonstrating a swift punch that stopped mere inches from Tomura's face. "Control your power, or you'll destroy everything around you."
Tomura gritted his teeth, focusing on his movements. He stumbled often, his limbs uncoordinated and awkward. But with each session, he improved. The old man pushed him to his limits, and Tomura's determination grew stronger with every bruise and ache.
Arukijutsu, the art of walking techniques, was unlike anything Tomura had ever encountered. The old man taught him how to move with precision and balance, even on treacherous terrain. "Your footing is everything," he said. "A single misstep can mean defeat."
Ukemijutsu and Shisokujuuarukijutsu focused on falling and evasion. The old man demonstrated how to roll and break his falls, ensuring he could recover quickly in any situation. Tomura practised tirelessly, his body learning to adapt to the movements.
Shisokujuu undou, a series of exercises to enhance flexibility and agility, became a daily routine. Tomura's body grew stronger and more resilient, his movements fluid and controlled.
Bikenjutsu, the study of hidden blades, fascinated Tomura. The old man taught him how to conceal and wield small weapons with precision, turning seemingly ordinary objects into deadly tools.
Dakentaijutsu and Jūtaijutsu introduced him to striking and grappling techniques. Tomura learned how to generate power with his strikes and how to subdue opponents through joint locks and holds.
Koppōjutsu and Taihenjutsu pushed his endurance to its limits. The old man taught him how to withstand pain and recover quickly, conditioning his body for the harsh realities of combat.
Each day was a battle, but Tomura threw himself into the training with unwavering determination. He stumbled, he fell, and he failed countless times. But he always got back up, his resolve unshaken.
As the weeks turned into months, Tomura began to change. His movements became sharper, his reflexes quicker. He grew stronger, both physically and mentally. The old man's teachings shaped him, giving him a sense of purpose he had never known.
One night, as Tomura lay on the floor of the dojo, exhausted from a day of training, a strange memory surfaced. He saw the face of a friend from his previous life, a boy who had been obsessed with anime. The boy's excited voice echoed in his mind.
"There's this character called Tomura Shigaraki," the boy had said. "He's the main antagonist in My Hero Academia. He has this Quirk called Decay. Everything he touches crumbles to dust. It's terrifying but so cool!"
Tomura sat up, his heart pounding. The memory felt like a puzzle piece clicking into place. Could it be a coincidence? Or was there something more to his name, his power? The questions swirled in his mind, but there were no answers—only the faint echo of his friend's voice and the weight of his own destiny.
He clenched his fists, determination hardening in his chest. Whatever the truth, he would face it head-on. For now, he would continue to train, to grow stronger. He would master the skills the old man was teaching him and forge his own path in this strange, unforgiving world.