"Father, why aren't they acting?"
"It looks like a hostage situation. The villain appears to have a fluid-based, heteromorphic body—he can latch onto and possess others. The heroes on the scene don't have the right Quirks to counter him."
I kept my composure, but Toga scowled openly. I suspected we were thinking the exact same thing.
What on earth were those "heroes" doing? Yes, a hostage is a complication, but to simply stand by and watch? And what was that I just heard? They were waiting for someone with a "better Quirk" to arrive? The hostage was a middle-school boy—did they not realize every second was agony for him?
"They're all the same," Toga spat, her cheeks puffed out in anger. "They only care about being famous and pampered. There are people who need help now, people praying for a hero, and they just..."
My father gave her a sad, knowing smile. I had told my parents the broad strokes of how Toga and I met—and how close she had come to a dark path. Her words carried the weight of someone who had been abandoned by the system.
"…I won't be like them," I said.
"You're already a hero, Koto-chan! You're my hero!" Toga replied with a radiant smile.
I appreciated her blunt honesty. It made it easy to respond in kind. I wanted to live up to the trust she placed in me.
"Father… where is this happening?"
"Tatoin Station… in Shizuoka. Kotoha, what are you planning?"
"I'm going to try… something."
As I spoke, I reached out with the Force and drew my tablet toward me. I also pulled up the news feed on my phone. I selected multiple streams—different angles, different broadcasters—ensuring I had a complete 360-degree view of the situation.
By cross-referencing the footage with my knowledge of local geography, I locked onto the exact location of the scene within my mind.
"Father… I request official permission to use my 'Quirk'!"
"…Can you do it?"
"I will."
In truth, I wasn't certain I could succeed. But "trying" is a concept a Jedi must discard. There is only do, or do not.
"Fine. I'll take the responsibility. As the Pro Hero 'Banko,' I authorize the use of your Quirk."
"Thank you!"
I regulated my breathing. I focused my consciousness, feeling the Force within myself, within the room, and within the cosmos. Through the screen, I "saw" the sludge-like villain clinging to the boy. I focused on the villain—and only the villain—through the Force.
There.
I extended my hand. In the next moment, the villain's movements on the screen became jerky and strained.
I reached him. A small smile tugged at my lips.
But it wasn't enough. I pushed harder through the Force, pinning the sludge in place. Simultaneously, I began to telekinetically "peel" the boy away from the mass. I moved with extreme caution.
I couldn't overdo it. If I applied too much pressure, this would turn into a Force Grip—a Dark Side technique used to crush or strangle. I refused to let it become that. I am a Jedi.
"Wait…!?"
Suddenly, a boy burst from the crowd on the screen. From the audio, it sounded like he was a friend of the hostage. His face was a mask of pure terror, yet he didn't hesitate. Shaking with fear, he ran forward and began clawing at the villain, trying to pull his friend free.
Good heavens. Even though I was already assisting, that boy had incredible spirit. It was a reckless, suicidal move, yet in that moment, he was more of a hero than all the professionals standing on the sidelines.
Then, everything changed.
"Pros are always risking their lives!! DETROIT SMASH!!"
A mountain of a man, coughing up blood but radiating power, dove into the fray. He grabbed both boys and slammed his fist into the ground.
The impact generated a shockwave so immense it turned into a localized hurricane. The pressure sent the moisture in the air spiraling upward, creating an instantaneous rainstorm over the district.
"…All Might."
It was the signature move of the most famous hero in the country—perhaps the world.
So, this was the man who had held the top spot for decades. I hadn't spent much time researching top-tier heroes, but seeing this… I understood. There was no arguing with that kind of power.
"Man, All Might really is something else. …Anyway, good job, Kotoha."
My father patted my head. I looked up to see him smiling warmly at me.
"…Thank you, Father."
"You're welcome. You did well."
He didn't need to say more. We understood each other. He isn't Force-sensitive, but he is incredibly perceptive—likely a result of his life as a religious leader and his deep empathy for the human heart.
"Amazing! That was amazing, Koto-chan!"
Toga tackled me from the side. Even as the news feed became 100% All Might coverage, she didn't spare the screen a single glance. She had absolutely zero interest in the Symbol of Peace.
To be fair, I didn't have much of an opinion on him either. The incident was over, and like water flowing downstream, our conversation moved on to the next thing.
Later, when my father reported the incident to the Hero Public Safety Commission, I was officially banned from using my "Quirk" remotely until I obtained at least a Provisional Hero License.
I couldn't argue with the logic, so I accepted it. However, since the Force isn't actually a "Quirk," Anakin just laughed and said, "So that means you have free rein, then."
I'm not going to do that, Master. I'm not a member of the Qui-Gon Jinn lineage… mostly.