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2023-12-15
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Tomura the Ninth

Summary:

Twelve-year-old Tomura bites All Might and accidentally obtains One for All. But how can he become the ninth successor when he’s training to become a villain, he hates All Might, and he doesn’t even have the character for nine in his name?

Notes:

This is Teriiphelia’s prize for Three Weeks of Trioholders. Thanks for the neat prompt. Additional credit goes to my sister for brainstorming this chaos with me.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

At age twelve years old, Tomura Shigaraki believed he knew everything. Although he respected All for One for rescuing him and taking him in, his guardian was an old man who couldn’t even tell the difference between a BoA from a BoE. Even though All for One kept talking about how terrible All Might was, he still refused to let Tomura one-shot their mortal enemy. All for One said the number one hero was too dangerous to carelessly attack head-on.

But even the strongest Bosses could be defeated with cheat codes. Tomura had a plan. He would show up at an All Might handshake event, then disintegrate the number one hero with one touch. Game Over!

On a bright Sunday afternoon, Tomura snuck out of the house. Kurogiri never slept so it was better to leave while the Nomu was busy polishing glasses at his bar. Yesterday, Tomura had stolen money out of All for One’s wallet for the train fare. Since his train was late, he barely made it in time before the staff closed off the line. He waited in line for two hours, surrounded by sweaty fans dressed in All Might cosplays, without attacking anyone. All for the critical moment.

Then Tomura got to the front of the line, and All Might was wearing gloves.

Toshinori Yagi had always prided himself in his smile, but after two hours of shaking hands, his grin had worn thin. He had a million more important things to do. The stack of paperwork on this desk threatened to fall over and bury him. But his fans loved these events, and he rarely had time for them, so he felt determined to finish, even though his arm ached like it might fall off.

The very last person in line was a little boy with red eyes, white hair, and chapped lips. Something looked a little familiar about his face, but Toshinori couldn’t put his finger on it. Scowling the boy said, “You’re wearing gloves.”

“Standard practice for modern heroes. We’ve had difficulty with assassination attempts,” Toshinori said smoothly. In fact, Toshinori had been the one to start the trend because All for One used hero handshake events to steal quirks. One for All couldn’t be stolen. But All Might still needed to be publicly seen to obey the rules, or no one else would.

Toshinori had fought with the HPSC to get the gloves rule implemented. He didn’t understand why they’d been so difficult. Even leaving aside All for One, a lot of quirks worked based on touch, and there had been multiple incidents. But some fans got offended by gloves. And the HPSC cared more about heroes appearing invincible than actually protecting their lives. Toshinori had gotten tired of the endless politics involved in heroism. He wished he could find a successor—

The boy lunged forward and bit Toshinori’s arm.

Toshinori felt a tingle, as the DNA transfer and his wish combined. Crap.

His reflexes were faster than his brain. Toshinori grabbed the child by the back of his shirt and lifted him up into the air. “That wasn’t very nice.”

“Screw you!” the boy screamed. His fingers clawed at Toshinori’s face, but he couldn’t reach. “Die already, you bug!”

Now Toshinori took a closer look at the boy, he dressed in tattered, dirty clothing. The skin peeled off his face. His eyes were bloodshot. This poor child did not seem in good shape.

“Where are your parents?” Toshinori asked.

The boy spat. “Dead, asshole!”

Now did not seem like the correct moment to correct bad language. “I’m sorry. Did you bring a guardian?”

“Huh? I don’t need a babysitter.”

Toshinori’s frown deepened. This child was far too young to be wandering around alone. “I’m taking you to see Recovery Girl.” It was only partly an excuse to keep track of the boy who, he suspected, had just obtained One for All. What a disastrous day. “I suppose I should go, too.” His arm was still bleeding a little, but he’d barely noticed. He was accustomed to shrugging off worse injuries.

“Put me down! This is a kidnapping!” the boy shrieked as Toshinori carried him off. One benefit to being the number one hero was that no one took it seriously.

Tomura’s perfect assassination plan had failed epically. Now he sat in the nurse’s office on a wooden chair with his arms crossed.

Recovery Girl said, “He’s extremely malnourished, he has bruises from a recent beating, there are scratches all over his neck, and his skin is peeling. I believe he’s suffering side-effects from his quirk. Probably a type of decay ability? I can provide you with a pair of gloves for him. I strongly recommend quirk counseling, and pick a reputable pro, too many of them are hacks.”

Tomura groaned, angry that she’d read the walkthrough of his abilities so easily.

All Might knelt down before Tomura with that same fake smile. “How can I contact your guardian? I need a word. I’ll make sure they never hurt you again.” Anger lurked behind his tone.

Smiley Face didn’t understand anything. Tomura liked it when his guardian let him eat nothing but twinkies all day. The bruises had been from training sessions. And he didn’t need any stinking counseling!

Tomura wouldn’t let All for One get into trouble. He growled, “I don’t have anyone. I live on the streets.” It had even been true, for a while.

All Might shook his head. “Oh dear. Young boy—what’s your name?”

Tomura hesitated. There was a risk the number one hero would recognize the name Shigaraki. Instead, he picked a name he hadn’t thought about in years: “Tenko Shimura.”

All Might gasped. “Any relation to Nana Shimura?”

“You knew my grandmother?” Tomura blurted out. Why had All for One never mentioned this in any of his long rants?

“Young Shimura, I’ll be your family from now on.” All Might swept Tomura up into a hug.

Tomura fainted from horror.

What had started as a disastrous accident had turned into a great triumph. Toshinori had been on the verge of panicking after accidentally transferring One for All to a feral street kid. But it felt right for the quirk to return to Nana’s grandson. If young Tenko later did not want to become a hero, then he could transfer it to someone else. In the short run, Toshinori felt more focused on looking after this poor, abused boy. If not for the happy accident, Toshinori might never have known that Nana’s grandson had been living in such terrible conditions.

Young Tenko had collapsed, probably due to his lack of healthy food. Recovery Girl had hooked him up to an IV. Meanwhile, Toshinori shopped online for children’s clothing and toys. He also added a book on parenting on overnight shipping. He knew he had a lot to learn. But he felt determined to do his best for this boy, just like how Nana had saved him.

Toshinori also sent an email to Nezu requesting help finding trustworthy babysitters. With his busy job, childcare would be mandatory.

Tomura Shigaraki had initially panicked when he’d realized All Might wanted to adopt him. No, panic wasn’t the right word—All for One always said that he’d “faked panic in order to confuse his enemies.” Tomura preferred to look at it that way.

After further thought, Tomura had realized this could be to his advantage. It would be humiliating to return home without killing All Might. His Sensei would be smug and knowing. Now Tomura would have many more opportunities to decay the number one hero. (Also, it didn’t look like anyone would give Tomura a choice in the matter, so he might as well find an excuse for why this was all according to plan, just like Sensei always did.)

All Might escorted Tomura to his new bedroom. “We can decorate it however you’d like.”

Tomura grunted, not wanting to admit that this bedroom was much bigger than his old one. He even had a bed. Sensei said sleeping on the floor built character.

The new All Might looked a lot skinnier. It was sort of confusing, except Tomura didn’t like any All Might so he refused to think about it. All Might said, “You can call me Uncle Toshinori.”

Even though Tomura had to be in stealth mode for his assassination attempts, this was going too far. “No.”

“Uncle Toshi?”

Tomura’s eye twitched. “I don’t feel you’ve unlocked that achievement.”

“Is that a video game reference?” All Might’s brow wrinkled. “Oh, I see, we just need to spend more time together first. I understand, I was rushing it.”

Tomura slipped off his glove and attempted to grab All Might’s bare wrist.

“Aw, you want to hold hands.” Faster than the eye could see, All Might slipped on Tomura’s glove and took his hand. “Remember to keep your gloves on, young Tenko. I know it’s an adjustment for you. I’m here every step of the way to teach you control of your power.”

Tomura gnashed his teeth.

The next morning, a black-haired young college student with bags under his eyes showed up at Might Tower. “My name is Shouta Aizawa. I’m here for the babysitting job.”

“ERASERHEAD!” Tomura shrieked loud enough to pierce glass. “1-Up! Can I have your autograph?”

Aizawa cracked a small smile. “Sure. I didn’t think I had any fans. I’ve only just started working as an underground hero.”

Tomura bounced from foot to foot as Aizawa signed. “I saw you on patrol once. You look OP when you use your power!”

Watching with a slightly jealous expression, All Might said, “I’m a hero too.”

Tomura rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but unlike you, Eraserhead is cool.”

“Most children like me,” All Might grumbled. “Do you want my autograph?”

Tomura clutched his paper to his chest. “Are you lagging or just stupid? Your ink might touch Eraserhead’s autograph.”

All Might left for work with one last sigh.

Aizawa took Tomura shopping for new clothing, toys, and decorations for his room. Tomura was so excited, he forgot all about trying to steal a weapon or running away. Aizawa would not let Tomura buy the latest Grand Theft Auto game, claiming it was too violent, but Tomura forgave him because he was Eraserhead. Aizawa also said cats were cooler than dogs, but once again Tomura forgave him because he was Eraserhead.

When All Might returned, Aizawa said, “He was a perfect angel.”

“He was?” All Might eyed Tomura suspiciously. “I’m glad you two got along. Would you like the regular gig?”

Tomura leapt in the air and mouthed, “Please.”

Aizawa said, “I accept.”

Reluctantly, Tomura had to admit the handmade ramen for dinner tasted much than the instant stuff All for One gave to him. All for One didn’t even bother to cook the noodles. As for the peas, Tomura decayed them. He was so distracted eating that he only tried to kill All Might once.

Tomura had also planned to sneak into All Might’s room and try to kill him at night, but his bed felt so soft, he fell asleep immediately.

His dreams were full of swirling shadows and an endless roaring like the ocean. His grandmother stood before him, as young as she’d looking in his father’s picture, wearing her hero costume. The only difference from her picture was that she smelled of lilac perfume. She told him, “I’m sorry.”

He’d never needed a stinking apology from her. He tried to say so, but shadows covered his mouth and choked him. He squirmed and glared.

She said, “All for One snuck a Decay quirk into you, then forcibly activated it, causing it to spin out of control. Nothing was ever your fault. A quirk accident wouldn’t have been your fault, regardless, but this was no accident. He used you as a weapon, a tool to get revenge on me. You saw him at the park, right before your power activated. Do you remember the man wearing a fedora?”

Tomura felt so surprised he stopped moving. His first instinct was to deny it. Except he did remember seeing All for One at the park. His sensei had never brought it up, so he’d dismissed it as a coincidence.

Nana’s eyes widened. She shouted, “He’s here! Wake up!”

Tomura sat bolt upright. A swirling portal was even deeper shade of black than the darkness of the room. All for One loomed over him. Tomura felt so confused, he wasn’t sure if this was still part of the dream. His lips parted, but he did not know what to say. He did not know who to believe.

Conversationally, All for One asked, “What did you find out to make you flee to All Might? No matter. If I can’t hurt the blond buffoon by making you into my successor, then I’ll hurt him by killing you. I want my Decay quirk back first.” A massive hand reached for Tomura’s forehead.

Tomura was too betrayed and stunned to move. His grandmother’s lilac perfume wafted past his nose. He would swear that another person took control of his body and moved for him. His arm swung, green sparks dancing.

With a hideous sound, Tomura’s arm snapped. All for One flew back into his portal.

All Might shot into the room a second later, in muscled form, his eyes blazing with rage. Kurogiri closed the portal. Tomura would swear Kurogiri had stepped in front of All for One to stop him from returning, before they both vanished.

Tears forming in the corners of his eyes, All Might picked Tomura up. “I’m taking you to Recovery Girl. You did well, so very very well.”

“I didn’t…” Tomura tried to say he hadn’t done anything, but he passed out from pain.

When Tomura next woke up, he was sleeping in the nurse’s office. His arm had been healed. All Might dozed in a chair next to him. Tomura had time to think about his grandmother’s words, who had tried to kill him, and who had protected him.

He said, “I’m awake, Uncle Toshi.”

All Might’s eyes snapped open.

OMAKE TIME!

Omake: The Real Reason Tomura Got One for All

Nana: Okay, we had a DNA transfer, we’re hoping over to my grandson. This is my big chance to save Tenko from All for One.

Yoichi: But he doesn’t even have the character for Nine in his name. I object!

Nana: First, you favor your nephew in every other AU. It’s my turn for nepotism!

Third: Besides, I think we've forgotten about the naming gimmick ever since my name reveal.

#

Omake: All for One’s 0/10 Parenting Skills

All Might: I fear young Shimura might have been abused.

All for One: What are you talking about? I gave him a roof to keep the rain off his head, which is more than I ever got as a child. I made sure none of his food had mold on it. I taught him to be strong and self-sufficient, but I stepped in if it looked like an adult was trying to kill him. He can take care of his own enemies with the power I gave him. I was perfectly fine being left alone and raising myself as a child. If it was good enough for me, it’s good enough for my ward.

All Might: Do you mean to say you were actually trying to be a good parent? That might be even more horrific than if you were screwing him up on-purpose.

#

Omake: Symbol of Speedrunning Canon

All Might: I have an immortal and terrible enemy with multiple quirks.

Aizawa: I can erase quirks. Why don’t you bring me along? I’ll keep All for One helpless while you knock him out with one punch.

All Might: Weird how I never thought of that. Let’s go!

#

Omake: The Shimura Fanboy Genes

Tomura: I’ve decided I prefer my new father figure.

All Might: Aw.

Tomura: Aizawa.

All Might: Hey!

#

Omake: Mister Human Disaster

All for One: Tomura, you worthless failure, how could you get adopted by All Might? How dare my successor acquire One for All but not give it to me?

Tomura: I would have given it to you as soon as I found out I had it…up until you tried to kill me.

All for One: Somehow this is all the Second One for All holder’s fault.

#

Omake: One Possible AU

All for One: Since All Might stole Tomura, I’m going to make Izuku Midoriya into my successor.

Izuku: That won’t work out too well for you. I’m a huge All Might fan.

All for One: Tough luck because your first mission is to hunt down All Might.

Izuku: To get his autograph?

All for One: NO!

Notes:

In this AU, I’m torn on Izuku’s fate. Either Izuku becomes a quirkless hero, or All for One nabs him as a replacement successor in an Inko Shimura AU where Izuku is Nana’s other grandchild. Both have such fun possibilities!