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"What does it mean to be a hero?"
A monster ran down an alleyway as calm steps followed after it.
"I used to know what that meant."
A single laser bolt cut through the monster's head leaving a small hole. There was barely a sound from the gun. The weapon was holstered and a teenager in a suit stepped forward. It was a deep red and lacked a tie. On his hands were gloves that seemed layered. A red oni mask, colored like a ruby gem, covered his entire face and a hood from his jacket concealed the rest of his head.
"It meant to find the monsters and stop them."
The man walked away from the corpse after lightly kicking it.
"Now though, I'm starting to wonder if that's simply what other heroes think and I just went along with it."
The man walked into a police station and looked over the board next to the reception.
"Hey, Ruby Oni, did you get the guy?"
"Yes, I sent the corpse's location to clean up."
"Heroes like me, we handle the small things like these, we're bounty hunters essentially. But is that the kind of hero I really want to be?"
Days went by and Ruby Oni completed more jobs. He walked through the alleyways, avoiding the public eye.
"Heard that a meteor nearly hit City Z. Then two of the Tanktop heroes tried to bully one of the heroes who had prevented the destruction from being as large as it could've been. So many heroes nowadays are in it just for the glory."
Ruby Oni stalked another monster. It was simplistic enough, a guy with a frog head.
"But is that any different from what I do?"
A simple shot from his gun and the monster was dead. Ruby Oni looked at his gun, contemplating.
"I got to Rank Six of Class-A by claiming bounties. But I'm always hunting monsters before they become problems for the public. No one even knows who I am despite my rank."
He holstered his weapon in his jacket and clipped his mask to his belt. Putting the hood down revealed a mop of green hair and a face with a scar going over the nose and one on his lower cheek.
"I honestly prefer that. Ever since Aldera, I never really liked most people. This society is slowly becoming obsessed with superpowers instead of skill."
"Geez, is there anything to fight around here? If I don't meet my quota then I lose my license."
Ruby Oni looked over and saw a bald caped man. He went over and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and looked at him.
"There's a small gang hideout a couple streets over, you can't miss it. It's got this flag hanging near the door with a bullseye on it."
"Oh, thanks. But why are you telling me this?"
"They're small enough that most heroes are just ignoring them, the few that actually interfere only do so when the members get mixed up with other things. Figured might as well tell a hero who wants to meet their quota and doesn't really care what they fight."
Ruby Oni walked away from the man.
"Even though I no longer need to meet a quota I keep a personal one, keeps me focused on things. Maybe more heroes need that, would certainly help things."
Ruby Oni entered a building. A week had passed since he had talked to the caped bald man. He didn't wear his mask.
"Well well, what do we have here?"
A man got up from his seat and looked at Ruby Oni who glared back.
"You broke the rules Obi, the Emerald Reaper calls for your presence."
"And you came to bring me?"
"Peacefully or by force, it's your choice."
The man rushed forward and reeled his fist back. Ruby Oni flexed his hand and claws came from the tips of his right glove. He clawed Obi's side and then kicked him into a wall.
"Damn Izuku, since when did you get those?"
"Some heroes just buy random shit for their costumes and tools, which is why there are so many damn Tanktop heroes. I built mine."
Izuku pulled his gun out and pointed it at Obi. The extended barrel due to the silencer attached to it glared down at the criminal.
"You peddled to kids. I should kill you right now but my mother has a better idea for you."
"Then there's my mother who built herself up as The Criminal Hero, Emerald Reaper. Crime is inevitable, she just keeps it in line with her right hand Giran. I'm just an enforcer right now but she hopes that I'll someday take over."
"Fuck you."
"Classy. Get off your ass and start moving."
"In case you haven't noticed I'm bleeding here."
"The cuts are shallow and the bleeding will stop soon. Get up."
Obi slowly got on his feet and walked towards the door. Izuku's gun followed him every step of the way.
"I hope that I can live up to her title someday. She taught me so much on how to fight and everything despite her having psychic powers and me just being normal. To be fair she's nowhere near either of her younger sisters."
"Izuku?"
Looking over Izuku looked upon a green-haired woman wearing a coat over her shoulders flanked by two other heroes.
"Aunt Fubuki, this guy is mom's. If you need anything from you can interrogate him back at the hideout."
"Boys, take him to the hideout of Emerald Reaper. I need to talk with Ruby Oni here."
The two heroes behind Fubuki took Obi by the arms and dragged him away. Izuku looked on for a moment before holstering his gun.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine, why do you ask?"
"UA recently had its entrance exam, I know you had wanted to go but you didn't."
"UA turns out heroes for the Agency Rankings since the Association was founded. When I learned of it I became excited beyond belief. Especially with all the heroes they churned out alongside the other academies. It was where All Might went to get his license. Where so many heroes that I look up to went."
"I became a hero for the Class Ranks, still became one and faster too."
"That's not what I meant. You wanted to found your own agency and recruit people without powers to fight crime. To train civilians so that they can defend themselves. You wanted to do so much. Why didn't you go?"
"Why? Maybe it's because Bakugou is going there and with his power, he's definitely gotten in. Why would I ever risk going to the same school as my tormentor when I could learn from the S-Class Hero Emerald Reaper how to become a hero. I've already become a hero while he's just a student who hasn't even gotten his first internship yet. I've hidden the scars he gave me from mom and I'll avoid him for the rest of my life if I have to."
"Izuku?"
Izuku blinked his eyes and realized he had started crying. He wiped away the tears and glared at the ground.
"I'm fine."
"You're not. You haven't talked to your mother about anything outside of hero work, you haven't visited me or Tatsumaki. I've checked your file, all you've been doing is keeping up with your studies and hunting monsters. Hell, you've gone after criminals and villains as well."
"Do you have a point you're trying to get to or is this just useless prattle?"
"You even arrested corrupt heroes from both rankings. Those kinds of investigations take time. Have you even gotten any proper sleep lately? You act like you constantly have a quota to meet every day."
"I do, made it myself."
"You need to take a break Izuku. You have us all worried."
"They don't get it. I need to prove him wrong. I'm not useless. I can be a hero even without a power. I can become something with skills alone. I'm not a Deku."
"Izuku? Don't walk away we're still talking!"
Izuku walked away from his aunt who reached to grab him.
"You might still be talking but I'm done. I still have work to do."
"There have been rumors that Endeavor illegally entered a quirk marriage in order to ensure that his bloodline would have strong people. I'll need to investigate if at the very least to dispel any false rumors."
A week went by and Izuku had followed a lead to City J.
"Alright, the place where Endeavor got his marriage officiated was somewhere around here. Looks like its gonna storm soon."
Izuku had donned his mask and hood and walked the rooftops. He stared down at the small crowd below watching Stinger fight a bunch of monsters.
"I should go right into the current fights instead of stopping future ones. But is that the kind of hero I want to be? I'll at least help in case an evacuation is issued. What am I doing with my life? I wanted to save people with a smile and inspire hope in them and yet here I am scurrying about on rooftops and avoiding any big fights. Bakugou was right, I'm a coward."
As Izuku mentally berated himself he went further into the city. The clouds darkened but it didn't start raining yet.
"Mom and Giran are in the city too. A gang that had broken the rules and needed to be given the consequences. It'll be best to avoid them, they keep trying to get me to take a break. I don't have time for that especially right now. If one of the heroes who is at the head of one of the top ten agencies is married through a quirk marriage it needs to be handled now before it becomes an even bigger problem than it already is."
"Quirks have been around for roughly two centuries. Just one new part to this world's normal alongside monsters and all the other ways a human can have powers. Yet heroes have only been around for six years. What did I want to do before this became an option for me? I can't remember."
Izuku felt a drop of water fall on him and then he realised the sirens had been blaring.
"Shit!"
He quickly descended and ran towards the evacuation center. As he ran he clipped his mask to his belt and folded his hood back in. He quickly removed his gloves and put them in his pockets.
"Why am I doing this? I'm a hero, shouldn't I let people be able to tell that I am? Just because I hate interacting with most people doesn't mean they shouldn't know."
A memory of him being beat by a blonde-haired boy came to mind.
"Right, him. Even before he had the option of becoming a hero he always hated me for any reason he could find. I don't even know what I did to deserve it aside from existing yet here we are. A hero who doesn't want anybody to know he's a hero so he takes off anything defining of his costume."
Izuku entered the evacuation center and mingled with the crowds. He kept his eyes open as he surveyed everything about him.
"I should check to see what the threat level is."
Izuku pulled out his phone but before he could check a creature punched through the roof of the building. He looked up to see a monstrous fish creature with a crown and cape being the few articles of clothing it had on aside from the underwear.
"Dragon. Fuck."
Izuku wanted to move forward to protect the people. Yet his body refused to move. All he could do was stare on as other heroes came forward to fight against the Deep Sea King.
"Why won't my body move?! I'm supposed to protect civilians and yet I'm cowering away. Even when I wear a mask I can't do it."
Izuku caught a glimpse of his mother and Giran in the crowd. They hadn't seen him yet.
"Gotta do something."
"EVERYONE OUT!"
Izuku pointed to one of the doors as he yelled. People began to listen but the Deep Sea King was mowing through the heroes. Izuku got his gloves on and unholstered his gun.
"Gonna need some extra power for this."
He unscrewed the silencer from the barrel of his gun.
"I've been meaning to make a few other magazines for different levels of power but I haven't had the time. Needed to meet my quota."
"You dare stand against your new king?"
Izuku quickly donned his mask as he stared down the monster.
"Honestly, never really like anyone who voluntarily calls themselves any sort of royalty. Personal rule of mine you know? Got any yourself?"
The Deep Sea King let out a laugh.
"You don't seem to show any fear, unlike the others. Aside from that one with the ball and chain but he was easily defeated."
"Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if after this one or two cults dedicated to you pop up."
"Oh? That would prove interesting since the rest of my subjects were killed by that little pest with the spear."
"Are there any other heroes nearby? Mom and Giran are helping evacuate civilians so they are indisposed of right now. He won't talk forever."
"Are you the Deep Sea King?"
Both the monster and hero looked up to see a man with metal arms and glowing eyes staring down.
"That's the new S-Class Genos. He recently surpassed Puri Puri Prisoner, who the Deep Sea King admitted to defeating. We're fucked."
Izuku avoided the fight between the two. They were moving too fast for him to truly contribute so he worked on getting the civilians out.
"You can do this!"
The sound of a little girl encouraging Genos caught his attention alongside Izuku's. Unfortunately, the Deep Sea King shot a glob of something at her from his mouth. Before Izuku knew what he was doing he was running towards her. He holstered his gun and jumped forward tackling both the little girl and her mother out of the way. The glob hit the ground and began to melt it.
"Acid spit, of course, he has acid spit, why wouldn't he have acid spit!"
Izuku got up as he stared at the Deep Sea King who growled at him.
"The two of you, leave, now."
"My legs moved before I could even properly think. I don't know what I'm doing but maybe it's time to stop thinking and just do."
"Well, you were wrong about one thing Deep Sea."
"And what is that you worthless human."
"I do show fear, just not to you."
Izuku pulled the trigger and a bolt of pure plasma left his gun. It wasn't small and narrow like it was when the silencer was on. It was big and wide. It hit the Deep Sea King and pushed him back before it quickly dispelled.
"Nicely done Ruby Oni."
"It's not enough. From what I can tell so long as he has enough moisture he'll keep going. We either need something that can pierce his skin, dry him up permanently, or change the weather. Got any ideas Genos?"
The two quickly began moving once the Deep Sea King let himself soak up some of the rain coming in through the various holes in the building.
"Unfortunately I do not have the necessary equipment to generate enough heat to dry him out. Your weapon seems to be similar, do you have anything?"
"Nope, haven't had the time. You know I think I'm gonna ditch my personal quota after this. Or just lessen it considerably so I have the time."
"I do not know why you are mentioning a quota while we are in the middle of a battle."
Ruby Oni fired off more shots before Genos moved in to deliver more up-close bursts of heat.
"It's not like Bakugou's. Remember that and don't freak out. Not right now. Do it later."
"Just making some small talk. Emerald Reaper has mentioned some of your exploits to me. Gotta say it's impressive what you've managed to do both before becoming a hero and after."
"Are you ignoring me you mask-wearing fool!?"
"No, not really. Just having a conversation with the fella there you know? Way more interesting than the one I had with you."
The Deep Sea King let out a roar of indignation and jumped at Ruby Oni. He looked up at the incoming monster and clicked the heels of his boots. Flames emitted from the bottom of them and the Deep Sea King landed on empty ground.
"Thank you mom for insisting on the boots."
"You have flight capabilities?"
"Yeah, its mainly meant for dodging and I haven't really had the time to upgrade them. I only have a few more shots with them before the fuel dries up."
"We need to get him outside and away from the civilians."
Izuku flicked the safety off.
"Well since it's clear we're going into insane territory I'll just turn safety mode off."
Pulling the trigger and giant beam of energy came from the gun. It was seemingly unending and pushed the Deep Sea King back.
"Mind giving him an extra push Genos? Why don't we sweep the king off his feet?"
Genos rocketed forward and delivered a concussive blast to the Deep Sea King that sent him into the air. Izuku kept the beam on him as he was pushed through the wall and out into the pouring rain. He quickly turned the safety back on as he ran forward while pulling his hood up.
"Like I said, insane territory. He's now got an uninterrupted supply of water to power him."
"JUSTICE CRASH!!!"
A bicycle hit the Deep Sea King. He turned around to see Mumen Rider standing there.
"Oh no."
The Deep Sea King raised a fist to hit Mumen Rider and for the second time that day Izuku's legs moved on their own. Activating the thrusters in his boots he rocketed forward and pushed Mumen out of the way. He however received the punch from the Deep Sea King.
"Ruby Oni!"
Izuku sailed through the air and landed in the gloved arms of a caped bald man. He could hear the sound of someone talking but couldn't make it out properly.
"... why don't you take a break?"
A scream cut through the air and soon the rain stopped. Everything went dark after that.
"What does it mean to be a hero? It means protecting people and making sure they are safe. It means fighting the fights that others don't want to. It means sometimes you'll move without even thinking. Sometimes you'll get hurt. Being a hero means getting back up and that you keep fighting. It also means that sometimes if you truly want to protect people you first need to protect yourself."
Izuku awoke in a hospital bed. His mother was in one of the seats next to it sleeping.
"How long was I out for?"
"A day."
Looking over Izuku was met with Giran.
"Hey Uncle."
"How many times have I- forget it. How ya doing kid?"
"I'm gonna need to take a break from work for a while. Need to make some upgrades. Problem is I was in the middle of an investigation into Endeavor's marriage. You've heard the rumors?"
"Yeah, I have. What do you need kid?"
"Could you take the investigation over while I rest up? I'll pick it back up once I'm done."
"Izuku!"
Inko Midoriya slammed into her son's side and began to cry and she held him close.
"Hey mom, guessing you called a few favors since I only was out for a day and am near fully healed. Thanks."
"Are you okay? How are you feeling? I'll call the nurse!"
"I'm fine mom. Is my workshop still where it used to be?"
Inko looked at her child for a moment.
"Yes, why do you ask."
"I'm taking a break for a couple of days, maybe half a month. Uncle said he would handle the investigation I was doing before the attack."
"Not your uncle but I'll see what I can find."
"Maybe what I really need is just to take a break."
Izuku pulled on some sweatpants and pulled a T-shirt over his chest. Grabbing a hoodie he walked out of the hospital and began the trek home.
"Nice to stretch my legs every once in a while. Wonder if that ramen shop is open."
Making a quick detour as the sun began to set Izuku came upon a wooden shop. One of the seats was already occupied. Sitting down Izuku looked over and recognized Mumen.
"Hey, Mumen."
"Ru-"
"Izuku, call me Izuku."
"I... okay, Izuku, you're out of the hospital?"
"Yeah, my mom pulled a few favors and got me healed up nice. What happened with the Deep Sea King after I blacked out?"
"Saitama, he's Class-C beat him with one punch."
"One punch? Impressive given that the rain only stopped soon after that."
"No that's the thing, the rain stopped after he punched the Deep Sea King."
"Seriously? That's impressive, a punch powerful enough to pierce the Deep Sea King's skin and change the weather yet he's only Class-C? I'll need to check him out later."
"Check who out?"
Looking over both were met with a bald man.
"Yeah, being a hero, I think I know what it means now."
Three weeks went by and Izuku walked among the destruction of City A toward the ship in the sky.
"Hey Genos!"
Genos turned around alongside Child Emperor to see Izuku putting on his mask.
"Hope you're doing okay, let's catch up later."
Taping his heels Izuku's upgraded boots blasted forward as he flew into the sky. He saw a small figure floating in the air surrounded by an aura of green.
"Hey Aunt Tatsumaki!"
"Huh, Izuku!?"
Izuku but an extended magazine into his gun and removed the silencer before he aimed at the ship and fired off multiple shots.
"Figured I'd stop by and say hi."
Moving down towards the large figure fighting a group of S-Class heroes Izuke let out a cheer.
"Puri! How's Obi doing in his cell?"
Puri Puri Prisoner punched the alien creature as Metal Bat kept hitting it.
"Less talking, the creature has marbles in it, destroy one and one of the heads die."
"Aye aye Atomic Samurai!"
Firing a shot as Silver Fang moved forward and grabbed a marble to crush.
"Hey, Iaian! I'll hook you up with this guy I know for a good prosthetic after this!"
Izuku took aim and fired as he smiled under the mask, finally happy with what he was doing.
"First I arrest Endeavor and then this happens, today seems to be shaping up to be chaotic. I'll help find and bury the dead after this. But for now, lets fuck this alien up."