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CHAPTER START---
Finally sneaking out of the main room Yagi manages to escape to the hotel's balcony. A massive garden area that overlooked Hiroshima.
With the moon high in the sky and reflecting off the ocean in the distance, the cool night air nearly made him shiver, no, it felt oddly warm.
He breathes a sigh of relief, feeling the tension in his body relax, then looks down at the medal in his hand.
'For going above and beyond as a citizen and a hero...or something like that,' he thinks. He couldn't really remember what Pantu said when she presented him with it on stage.
Or what the other dozen or so medals and accolades were for.
He mindlessly begins walking to the railing, to get some fresh air, and take a break from people bombarding him with their gratitude for all he's done.
It all felt so hollow, undeserved.
'I'm here, weak and frail, helpless, when I'm supposed to be protecting everyone. But even tonight I need someone to protect me when I leave UA.'
Yagi can't help but look down at the medal in disgust, as if it insulted him. And before he knows it he's leaning against the railing, holding it out above the street below, ready to get rid of it.
As if it could ever help ease his shame, as if dropping it to the street below would fix anything.
As if---
"What are you doing?" A deep voice asks beside him.
"Huh!" Yagi nearly fumbles and drops the medal but barely catches it, breathing a sigh of relief as he looks to his right.
Standing only a meter away was Endeavor, Enji Todoroki in a formal black suit, leaning against the railing with his phone in his hand.
The former #2 Hero, now the temporary #1.
Pantu has already spoken to both these men regarding the rankings, unlike the public, they already knew Endeavor would officially become the #1 Hero during the annual ceremony in November.
Four #1 Heroes in one building, at one event. An astronomically rare occurrence.
Japan's former #1 -All Might.
Japan's current #1- Endeavor.
Thailand's current #1- Buakaw.
Korea's current #1- Hodori.
And if counting who everyone assumes is a future #1 Hero, Horizon, that makes five.
"When did you get here?" Yagi asks Endeavor after recovering from the surprise.
Endeavor glances down at his phone, seeing that Shoto read his messages but hasn't responded...as usual. Then looks to Yagi.
"I was here before you, but you were too in your own head to notice."
'That explains why I'm not freezing in this wind,' Yagi realizes.
"You should go back inside, that's where the cameras are, isn't that what you're all about?" Endeavor asks gruffly.
Yagi just shakes his head and goes back to leaning on the railing. "That's why I'm out here actually, same as you I'd imagine. I didn't see you inside, not even during the presentation, are you avoiding their questions too?"
This gets Endeavor curious, "what do you mean 'too', since when do you avoid people?"
Yagi falls silent for a while, playing with the small medal in his hand, rolling it between his fingers.
"Have you ever felt, like all your life you've only been focused on one thing, and you thought you were succeeding...but after it's all done you realized you failed anyway."
Endeavor glances down at his phone, still seeing dozens of messages over the past two months with not a single reply from Shoto or Natsuo.
"Even you can't fight villains forever," Endeavor says. "Is that what you wanted to do, or would you be happier if you died fighting?"
Yagi doesn't even think about it for a moment, because he's thought about it a lot these past few days, "maybe," he mutters.
"Tch," Endeavor scoffs, "you've done your part, more than your fair share at least. You know better than anyone that even you can't save everyone, just try to enjoy retirement somehow..."
"That's impossible while Shigaraki is out there," Yagi says, and Endeavor immediately realizes what's wrong.
"So that's what this is about, you feel responsible for him."
"My master neglected his dad, to train me. That chain of events led us to where we all are today, how am I supposed to not feel responsible for that, at least partly."
"Hmm, 'Heroes are willing to hurt the only people they're truly required to protect, for the sake of strangers...' at least I think that's what he said," Endeavor says.
"All For One?"
"Horizon, during the sports festival, it feels like every day he's more and more right about that," Endeavor glances down at his phone, still seeing no replies. "It's given me a lot to think about, the things that happened these past few months."
"You and me both," Yagi actually manages to chuckle at that, enjoying how much more friendly Endeavor was being at the moment. "I have to somehow get used to being the one who needs saving...while my master's grandson is out there hurting people, and I can't even stop him.
And you need to focus on being the #1 Hero, being the new symbol for the people of this country."
"Mmm," Endeavor grumbles, "That hasn't been on my mind as much as I would have expected, I've been distracted by some personal issues. How has Shoto been doing at UA?"
"He's the same as always, it's always been a bit difficult to read him, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine," he lied. "But I suppose now you can finally give your full focus to teaching those students how to be proper Pro Heroes."
Yagi chuckles at that, then gestures at his missing arm, "I suppose this is what it took to get me to stay in one place, but yes that's my plan. You're always welcome to stop in at UA if you want to visit, or maybe even teach a class.
Oh, never mind, you'll be too busy now that you're the #1 Hero, my apologies."
"#1 Hero," Endeavor mutters, taking one last look at his phone before putting it away. "I always thought I'd be happy to hear that...but this just feels rotten."
"Rotten?" Yagi aks.
"Undeserved," Endeavor says. "I never truly surpassed you, I'm only here because of the gap between me and all the others, I was the only real option to fill the space you left, it's a hollow promotion."
"That doesn't change what it means, what it requires of you," Yagi says. "It doesn't matter how you got to this spot, what matters is that you show everyone that you deserve it, that you show yourself you deserve it."
Endeavor falls silent for a while, carefully considering everything he just heard. Realizing it was all true, that he couldn't change the past, he just had to show everyone who doubted him that he is a worthy #1 Hero.
"But what if that isn't my focus anymore?" Endeavor ask.
Yagi is completely blindsided by this, "but being the greatest hero has always been your focus, what are you talking about?"
Endeavor just frowns at that, "hurting the people close to you in order to be a better hero to others, that's not something I want to do anymore. But the only way I can even think of atoning is to prove that this wasn't all for nothing, that the suffering wasn't for nothing. That I am a great hero, someone they can look up to."
Yagi gives him a confused look, "atone? What are you talking about?"
Endeavor's eyes open wide for a moment, realizing he's said too much, "sorry, just ignore that I said anything."
Yagi gives him a strange look but doesn't judge, "it's fine, but what does this mean for your plans as the new top pro?"
"Time beats everyone, it's undefeated," Endeavor says.
"Horizon said that during his interview with Chitose, right?"
"He also said that it won't beat him...whatever that means, but what I mean is. I don't want to be the next you, and I don't even want to be the future me, at least not the me I thought I was going to be.
The #1 Pro Hero Endeavor that I always wanted to be, he's just another monster I want nothing to do with now. Now I just want to fix all the broken things in my life, no more hurting people to save strangers, at least not if I can help it. I'll take the time to mend the things that matter most..."
"I see," Yagi nods a few times. "But that would mean stepping down as the #1 Pro, because from what you're saying this will take all your focus."
"It likely will."
"But, you and I both know, with me gone, the #1 could only be you. The only current pro I'm absolutely certain of leaving this country to, is you," Yagi gestures to the city in front of them and gives a genuine All Might brand smile. "When all the people cry out, gripped by fear, I know for certain they'll be alright, because you are here."
"Tch," Endeavor scoffs, "you're as dramatic and corny as ever, but I'm not stupid enough to step down. I understand the state of Japan as it is, if I refuse this spot then things only get much worse for the country."
"Oh, right," Yagi puts his arm down awkwardly. "So what is your plan then?"
"Three years, in three years he'll graduate and easily overtake me to become the top pro. Then I will have more time to focus on what's important. Until then, I'm stuck as the #1 Hero."
"Hmm, I always expected you to hold onto this spot until the end... I guess these past few months have really caused a lot of unexpected changes."
"I'm not delusional," Endeavor says. "Even if I wanted to do that, the moment he graduates I'm back to Rank #2, competing with you was nearly impossible, but I could at least see a path forward. But there is no competing with that thing Nezu found..."
"You'd be surprised," Yagi says. "There could very well be another young man with incredible potential ready to rival him."
Endeavor just shakes his head at that, looking at Yagi as if he was an absolute moron, "it's Horizon, he has no rivals."
"But he isn't the only Mystery Class," Yagi points out.
"True, but Star is much older and already in her prime, and he's already likely at least somewhat comparable. By the time he graduates, he'll be ahead of her, even tonight, three of the current top 10 most powerful heroes in the world are in this building, and he's still arguably stronger than any of us."
Yagi just forces a smile, wishing Deku all the luck he can give, but he's also glad Endeavor isn't planning to overburden Shoto with the impossible task of surpassing someone like Horizon.
"Speaking of the brat, shouldn't he be glued to you for the night?" Endeavor asks.
"Oh, Horizon said he'll keep track of me with his Quirk, it's still a bit creepy but that way he doesn't have to shadow me all night."
"Hmm, I see."
"When I came out here I saw him take your seat actually, the one you never used."
"Isn't that at the table with---"
"Buakaw and Hodori," Yagi nods. "That's partly why he bothered coming tonight, he wanted to meet the other Rank #1 Pro Heroes."
Endeavor looks genuinely bothered by that idea, "Horizon, speaking to heroes from other countries...that sounds like a fight waiting to happen, maybe we should go check on them befo---"
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Endeavor's phone goes off and he immediately checks it, hoping to see a response from either of his sons.
"What is it?" Yagi asks, seeing his focused expression as he looks at the phone.
"Kurogiri and Twice were spotted on Mt. Fuji, the two most valuable members of the league, and that close to Tokyo, that can't be good, looks like Horizon and I will be leaving early..."
END CHAPTER---
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CHAPTER START---
"What the hell..." Horizon mutters, standing toward the far end of the room.
Dozens of heroes and politicians scattered about in their best gowns and suits, all either standing or sitting at designated tables to chat and show off to each other.
But what was on his mind was Yagi, he'd just sensed him walking onto the massive balcony, and just as he was about to go check on him, Endeavor began talking to him.
"Well I guess he can take care of him for a while," Horizon mutters, only this time someone actually heard him.
"Is something the matter?" Best Jeanist asks him, snapping him back into the moment.
Looking at Jeanist he sees him wearing a dark blue suit with the collar still reaching up to his nose.
"Sorry I was just checking the perimeter, everything is fine," Horizon says.
Jeanist takes his word for it, because why wouldn't he, everyone in the room believes in Horizon as their future #1 Hero after all.
Taking the moment to chat with Horizon he stands beside him, looking over the room, "you handled tonight well, quite tactful."
Horizon just shakes his head, "dealing with a mob of excited heroes and politicians and...rich people," he sees Rikiya -Re-Destro-, and Chitose -Curious-, chatting at a far away table.
"Yes, but don't forget that these people make our jobs possible, many individuals wouldn't be able to act as Pro Heroes without the support of society, its what keeps us ahead of the villains."
"Doesn't mean I want to be in a room with them, but this is part of the job, right? Playing nice..."
"The most important part when considering all of society," Jeanist says. "Our presence is a deterrent, especially as a top Pro. And helping people feel safe is part of that. Thankfully when you're #1 I doubt you'll need any help, considering how well you've already been making an impression for the nation."
"Hmm, is that what you wanted to remind me about?"
"Somewhat, but mostly I wanted to see how you were handling the pressure," Jeanist turns to full look at him with sympathetic eyes. "The pressure that comes with being a top 10 Pro Hero is vast, being the #1 is infinitely more so. But to be under the pressure of everyone expecting you to be the next, the stronger and even more deific version of All Might, while being a student, I dare not imagine that..."
Horizon pauses for a moment before he responds, "the weight of the world is inconsequential, compared to the standard I hold myself to, compared to who they need me to be."
Jeanist sighs, "you #1 Heroes really are odd, but I suppose that's what makes you the real super-humans."
"It's necessary," Horizon says, "normal people can't handle the weight of 300 Million lives counting on their every move."
Jeanist just rest a hand on Horizon's shoulder and shakes his head, "I do not envy you young man."
As he withdraws his hand Horizon turns toward him, "hmm, I should have asked sooner, how are your lungs?"
"Oh, that. Honestly I usually forget about that injury until someone brings it up, and it makes me quite happy knowing that you offer such a service for free at the hospital now."
"Yeah well, just doing my part."
"Yet you didn't heal everyone from that night, only a few, why is that?"
Horizon's shoulders noticeably stiffen at that, "because Hawks can take care of himself..." he says before walking off.
'What an odd response,' Jeanist thinks, keeping that in mind as he goes to catch up with Ryukyu.
Walking away from Jeanist Horizon weaves through the chattering people, ignoring a few lovely ladies trying to get his attention and some older gentlemen itching to offer him more brand deals that he'd simply ignore.
Playing along with Stain's 'True Hero' nonsense means he can't actually monetize himself as much as other heroes, but that was never his concern, he'd trade all his money to get his true goal.
'Time to make a great first impression...' Horizon thinks as he sees his future peers.
Sitting at a large round table at the front of the room, close to the stage Yagi stepped off of moments ago, Buakaw and Hodori.
Buakaw was a large man, to say the very least. Standing at 6ft6 -198cm-, packed with just as many muscles as All Might below his traditional robes.
Gold and white to show his status and reputation, light brown skin with short spiky black hair and solid golden eyes.
He looked entirely calm and collected which is an extreme contradiction to how everyone kept away from the table mostly because of him.
His immense and intense presence was unmistakable even in this room.
The man calmly running his red prayer beads through his fingers was a monster standing among the absolute strongest in the world.
The pride of Thailand, a prodigy that completely reinvigorated the nation's interest in Muay Thai, a grandmaster at The Art Of 8 Limbs, even before using his Quirk.
Born with a Quirk perfect for appearing as a guardian of his people, and even better to compliment his fighting style.
Buakaw: The Pride Of Thaliand.
And his wife sits beside him, the absolutely beautiful Lady Priestess, wearing shrine maiden robes and munching away at a salad in front of her.
A model woman to represent their nation marrying their greatest hero and the pride of the nation, it was almost too perfect to be real.
And sitting across from them chatting up Uwabami, The United Democratic Repulic of Korea's #1 Hero, the infamous skirt chaser, Hodori.
After world war 3, North Korea was destroyed and captured by China, but after world war 4 it was handed back to the Korean people to create this new nation.
Many others were formed in this manner.
And to represent this nation is their current #1 Hero, Hodori, the strongest full-beast-transformation Quirk in the world.
The youngest current #1 Hero in the world, at only 26 years old.
Standing at 7ft -213cm- but very thin compared to Heroes like Endeavor, All Might, Star and Stripe, or Buakaw.
Wearing a grey suit with no tie, and the top buttons undone he has his arm around Uwabami's shoulder as she giggles at something he said, blushing wildly.
She seemed lost in his piercing red eyes, and looking closer Horizon could see his spiky white hair almost swaying back and forth, as if it were moving on its own.
Horizon just rolls his eyes at them, 'Hodori didn't bring any of his usual girls...guess he wants to try the local fruits.'
Approaching the table he sees all the empty seats beside both couples, all reserved and all the people were present, but for one reason or another, nobody wanted to be too close to these two, much in the same way people keep a reasonable amount of space between themselves and Endeavor.
And on the other hand...nobody wants their wife at the same table with Hodori.
'Monsters and freaks', that's exactly how most knowledgeable people would describe these men.
While there is no official international Hero Ranking, every government is acutely aware of who the top 10 most powerful heroes of all the local Rank #1 heroes in the world are.
But while Star can easily defeat anyone lower than her on this ranking, that truth is not the same for the other rankings. Aside from her being a higher rank doesn't guarantee victory against a lower rank.
#1-Star and Stripe.
#2-Endeavor.
#3-Buakaw.
#7-Hodori.
And eventually when he becomes a fully licensed Hero, Horizon will join the other monsters and freaks of this world.
Rising to become a god among people, among even the super-humans.
But until that, with All Might gone, Star and Stripe is no longer argued being at number 1 or 2, but is solidly at #1 in the world.
"I hope nobody here minds," Horizon says, in English, as he takes Endeavor's reserved seat at the table, having been ignored by the man in question. "But I figured I should at least introduce myself. I'm Horizon."
"Buakaw," the man says in English as he extends a hand which Horizon shakes, much more pleasant than his appearance would portray. "And this is my wife."
"Lady Priestess," Horizon says, and she gives him a pleasant smile and a nod.
Both men glance over at Hodori, only to see him completely ignoring them and focusing on chatting up Uwabami.
Buakaw and his wife give the young hero an annoyed look but quickly ignore him.
"So are you enjoying your time in Japan?"
"Absolutely," Priestess says, "your country is quite lovely, but we'll be leaving before sunrise."
"Ahh, I was curious about that," Horizon looks at Buakaw. "Its common knowledge that top Pro Heroes can't travel abroad so easily, heck I can't even leave Japan without approval from Pantu and President Bosu...so how did two #1 Pro Heroes manage to visit us so quickly?"
"In most cases that would be the case," Buakaw says. "But I owe All Might personal gratitude from some guidance he gave me very early on, the first time we worked together. They simply couldn't stop me from coming here at this ceremony to honor him."
"So they decided to just play nice instead, that makes sense," Horizon says.
"That must have been nice," Hodori cuts in, "damn Korean government told me to come and show face, some crap about Japan and Korea being neighbors so showing support being necessary."
"It's only one day for you," Buakaw says. "I'm sure you can manage spending one night in Japan. Not to mention showing international solidarity among Heroes and governments is important. All Might showed very well how important it is to have a positive international reputation.
If we ever fail then I can at least feel hopeful that powerful heroes will aid my people in my place, at least until they get back onto their feet."
"Tch," Hodori scoffs, "doesn't matter if you just never fail. But the travelling isn't the problem. I didn't spend years collecting a perfect Harem of supermodels to be pulled away from them for some stuffy ceremony."
Buakaw and his wife look slightly disgusted at that, but Horizon doesn't react.
"Well I suppose I can see that being annoying," Horizon is sure to keep things polite, "So what's Hero work like in your countries?"
"Scouting new opportunities?" Buakaw asks.
"Not at the moment at least, I was just curious about how wild things can get."
"Hmm," Buakaw things about it for a moment. "In Thaliand underground Heroes are far more effective and successful. Most of the influential villains are smart enough to adapt and avoid direct conflicts which puts a focus on tracking and infiltration, as well as stealth."
"I read about that," Horizon says. "Nobody wants to get into the ring with you, at least not after the first few years, so you forced the villain landscape to adapt and work around you."
Buakaw nods," the same would have happened in your nation, at least at the same scale. But unlike Thaliand the more flashy villains can't simply cross the border to escape All Might and do their business then return, since your country is a collection of islands."
"Sounds like you've got a lot of free time," Hodori laughs. "Makes sense that most people don't want to deal with Virya, there isn't much in this world worth taking that many punches from you at once."
"You could achieve the same result if you took things a bit more seriously," Buakaw says.
Hodori does a low growl, more annoyed than anything else. Looking at Buakaw he gives him a toothy smile, showing off some of his teeth becoming razor sharp fangs before they shift back to normal.
"I try to keep it playful because I just get too excited," Hodori chuckles, "I'm just an extremist like that, not to mention seeing me fighting like that scares the girls..."
"Well I guess that's...a reason," Horizon says.
"Oh right, speaking of women," Hodori glances to Uwabami, making sure she couldn't understand what they were saying in English. "Is bunny girl making an appearance at this thing? I was hoping to take her back to Korea with me, atleast for a few nights."
Horizon pauses for a moment, then responds, "I don't sense her around, sorry."
Hodori frowns, "how about a number for Midnight?"
"Sorry I don't have that."
"Tch, guess you're useless," he leans back and pulls Uwabami a bit closer, leaving her completely oblivious.
After talking for a short while Horizon's phone eventually goes off, along with Jeanist and Ryukyu.
They all see the alert regarding Kurogiri being spotted near Mt. Fuji, sent to specific top Pro Heroes for this capture mission.
"Sorry but, Hero work," Horizon says and everyone at the table politely nods as he gets up and walks outside.
Endeavor looks up from his phone to see Horizon approaching him and Yagi.
"Jeanist and Ryukyu are already flying off," Horizon says. "I need to take Yagi back to UA, you can ride with us in the helicopter."
Endeavor looks between Yagi and Horizon, then reluctantly nods, "alright, lets go deal with the League of Villains..."
END CHAPTER---
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