Where All Might had learned that he knew Izuku Midoriya from—
that didn't matter.
What mattered was something else entirely.
The implication behind those words.
Clear.
Undeniable.
All Might had already chosen Midoriya as his successor.
And not just chosen him—
he had made up his mind.
He was going to pass on One For All.
Shigaraki narrowed his eyes slightly.
But… was Midoriya's body really ready to inherit that power?
He seriously doubted it.
That kind of burden—
it wasn't something an ordinary body could withstand.
Yet in response to that unspoken doubt, All Might simply shook his head and smiled with quiet confidence.
"No."
"Shimura-kun."
"I trust my judgment."
His gaze was steady.
"So all you need to answer is—"
"Are you willing to make this deal?"
Shigaraki stared at him for a moment.
Then, slowly:
"The condition is that you won't interfere with what I do."
"And when the time is right…"
"…you'll even help me."
All Might raised a thumb.
"YES!"
"Talking to smart people really is easy."
"…Heh."
Shigaraki let out a faint breath.
"Midoriya is my friend."
"I won't let anything happen to him."
After a brief moment of thought—
he accepted.
Not because he particularly liked the idea of protecting someone—
especially a boy.
But—
All Might had never said it had to be him personally.
As long as Midoriya didn't come to harm—
the condition would be fulfilled.
And besides—
did Midoriya even need protection?
The guy was practically a protagonist.
With that kind of luck, he probably wouldn't die even if he tried.
Trading the safety of someone who was unlikely to die anyway—
in exchange for All Might not interfering, and even helping when necessary?
A deal with no downside.
"HAHAHAHA!"
All Might burst into laughter.
"I knew I didn't misjudge you!"
"Then it's settled!"
"…Yeah."
The agreement was made.
—
"…Life is hard."
In a dim alleyway, a blue-haired boy leaned against the wall, muttering gloomily to himself.
"Two good things happening at once should've made today perfect…"
"I achieved my goal."
"I made a deal with All Might."
"By all logic, this should feel like a dream outcome…"
He tilted his head back slightly, staring at the narrow strip of sky above.
"…so why did it turn out like this?"
The answer was simple.
Painfully simple.
After finally getting rid of All Might—
he had gone to find Himiko Toga.
Only to be told—
that her house had guests today.
Meaning—
no dinner.
No free meal.
Nothing.
And that wasn't even the worst part.
Because in his rush to leave earlier that morning—
he hadn't brought any money.
Not a single yen.
Which meant—
he couldn't even afford a taxi back.
A man capable of casually crushing every examinee in the U.A. entrance exam—
reduced to being stranded in an alley with no money.
If that wasn't talent—
what was?
Unfortunately, it was the kind of talent he'd much rather not have.
"…This is ridiculous."
He clicked his tongue softly.
Then—
voices drifted in from the alley entrance.
Loud.
Messy.
Drunken.
"—I'm telling you, that woman is trash! Just because I was poor, she ran off with some other guy! No loyalty at all… If she'd just waited a little longer, I'd have money now—hic—"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, you're rich now, stop bragging. It's just a woman, why are you so hung up on it? Hey—HEY—back off! Don't puke on me, you bastard, I'll beat you to death!"
"Oi… quiet down. Look over there… isn't there someone in that corner?"
The moment he heard that—
a smile slowly spread across Shigaraki's face.
Bright.
Delighted.
Hooked.
Yes—
the moment he realized he had no money and a dying phone—
he made a simple decision.
If you couldn't borrow money—
then you took it.
More specifically—
you took it from people who deserved it.
"Fishing," he murmured softly.
He had turned himself into bait.
A lone boy.
In a dark alley.
At night.
If that didn't attract trouble—
nothing would.
Because asking for money was impossible.
But robbing trash?
Perfectly acceptable.
As the figures approached—
their appearance became clear.
Two thuggish men supporting a drunken companion.
Cheap clothes.
Sloppy posture.
The smell of alcohol practically rolling off them.
Then—
they saw him.
A delicate-looking boy.
Alone.
In a corner.
Their eyes changed instantly.
They exchanged a glance.
A silent understanding passed between them.
The blond one—dressed in tacky streetwear—grinned.
And that grin—
was disgusting.
As for the fact that Shigaraki was a boy?
So what?
That just made it more interesting.
"Hey there, kid~"
One of them stepped forward, his tone dripping with mock friendliness.
"What're you doing all alone?"
"Got separated from your mommy?"
"Want big brothers to take you somewhere fun?"
"Trust us—we won't bully you."
"Yeah, yeah," the other chimed in smoothly, backing him up.
"Do we look like bad guys?"
"Don't worry, there are tons of Pro Heroes around these days."
"You should have a little more faith in society."
Their coordination was flawless.
Clearly not their first time.
No openings.
No hesitation.
They pressed forward step by step, trying to seize control of the conversation entirely.
Shigaraki, however—
was in a very good mood.
Because his taxi fare—
had just walked straight to him.
And judging by their tone—
they probably had quite a bit of money on them.
Maybe—
after this—
he could even swing by Kabukichō and pretend to be rich for a night.
As for whether robbing them was wrong?
Heh.
Please.
Guys like these?
Repeat offenders.
The kind who preyed on the weak without a second thought.
Taking their money?
He felt no guilt whatsoever.
If anything—
he felt like he was doing society a favor.
And since he was in a good mood—
he decided to play along for a bit.
After all—
you have to give people hope first…
…before you crush it.
That's what makes it interesting.
Right?
"…Wow."
He lowered his head slightly.
Then, in the next moment—
his entire demeanor changed.
His expression turned pale.
His body stiffened.
His voice trembled just enough.
"What… what do you want?"
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