It's been weeks since I returned.
The headlines haven't changed.
Criminal. Vigilante. Dangerous.
They said the same two centuries ago. Some things never change.
Tonight, I stand alone on an empty street beneath the cold glow of streetlights. I'm fighting a man who can cover his body with a mineral almost as hard as diamond. It's a one-sided battle—as always.
Honestly? I miss the mercenaries and yakuza of my time.
At least they had honor. Some even bowed before they fought.
Today's criminals destroy for clout. They post before they kill.
They hurt others without remorse.
Some talk like characters from old American comics.
Commit one crime, and you're labeled a villain.
It's all so... superficial.
I sense a presence. A man—probably in his 30s.
"I know you're there," I say.
He steps out of the shadows. Long black hair, dark clothing, a scarf made of bandages. I've heard of him: a hero who can erase quirks.
Suddenly, the mineral armor vanishes from my opponent's body. Before he can react, I appear behind him and strike his neck. He collapses, unconscious.
As I turn to leave, a bandage whips toward me. I dodge instinctively. He wants to arrest me too. I glance back. His expression remains stoic, but I can sense his surprise. His eyes glow red, and he lunges.
I evade his attacks effortlessly-every punch, every kick.
I sidestep.
Catch his wrist mid-swing.
Twist. Fingers crack. He gasps.
I grip his shoulder, pivot low, and sweep his legs out from under him.
He slams into the pavement with a grunt—more surprised than hurt.
Before he can even blink, I'm gone—swallowed by shadow.
Back home, I change clothes, meditate, and sleep.
Morning. Groceries in hand.
Red hoodie, black jeans, hair loose. Glasses to hide the eyes. A hat used to work—until people started looking too closely.
Beneath it all, my suit clings to my skin. Always ready.
A crowd draws my attention. I approach.
A hero fights a giant in the distance—sloppy, loud. Flashy. My fingers brush my pocket, feel the mask inside.
Then she arrives.
Mount Lady. A name built for headlines. She kicks the villain skyward with dramatic flair. Her costume is more skin than steel—a billboard masquerading as a shield. Cameras pop like fireworks. She poses.
Midnight comes to mind. Another heroine who weaponized attention more than skill.
I turn and see a boy. Uniform. Notebook. Sketching furiously, his eyes wide with awe.
"You like heroes?" I ask.
He startles. "Y-Yes, sir!"
I glance at the scene. Kamui Woods is down. Mount Lady waves at the press.
"Hard to say," I murmur. Then I walk away.
I find a park and sit to meditate. Peace begins to wash over me—until I hear laughter and the sound of a ball bouncing toward me. Without opening my eyes, I catch it before it hits me. The children watching gasp in amazement. For a moment, I remember a time before fire. Before everything I loved turned to ash and then i toss the ball back.
If today remains quiet, I might visit him—my best friend. He knew the truth about me, and he accepted it. He made me laugh, something rare these days.
Then—smoke. Screams.
I rush to an alley. Change.
And run toward the fire.
Flames rage. A gelatinous villain has trapped a child. Heroes stand frozen. Suddenly, someone from the crowd sprints into danger. It's the green-haired boy from earlier. His hands tremble, but his eyes burn with determination. He tries to free the kid, reckless but brave.
The slime shifts. It's about to snap.
Then—I appear. One hand grabs the child, the other pulls the boy free.
A blur. A gust.
And we're gone.
I set them down safely, unharmed.
"Go home, kids," I say.
I face the villain. With a one-inch punch, I end it. The mass bursts apart, extinguishing the flames. Silence falls over the crowd. Heroes, too, are stunned.
"Stop!" someone shouts.
I turn. Death Arms, surrounded by other heroes, blocks my path.
"That's enough, vigilante," he growls, stepping forward. "You're coming with us."
He tries to grab me, but I dodge easily and disappear again.
From his spot in the crowd, All Might watches. He recognizes the style, the mask, the way I move. He remembers the stories—the legend of the first hero.
"Could it really be...?" he whispers.
Later, as I walk through the city, I hear something that stops me cold.
"One For All."
I turn toward the voice.
There he is—Midoriya Izuku, the green-haired boy—and across from him, a frail man. Skinny, ghostly. But I recognize him.
All Might.
"You're the new user," I say, stepping forward.
They spin around in shock.
"I didn't expect to find another bearer of One For All," I continue.
All Might narrows his eyes. "How do you know about—?"
"Lift your shirt," I say.
He hesitates, then complies. The wound on his side is still fresh.
"that wound... was it him?" I ask.
All Might's eyes widen. "Who... how do you know this?"
"Because I was there... when it all began."
I pull off my scarf and mask.
"I am Akaito."
Silence. Midoriya's notebook slips from his hands.
All Might doesn't breathe. Not for several seconds.
"No... You can't be. That would make you over 200 years old!" All Might says.
"Older."
I pause. Let it sink in. Then I speak.
"I am Akaito—the first."
I tell them everything. When I finish, silence stretches between us.
"You're Akaito," All Might breathes. "The first hero... It's an honor, sir."
"You're... you're real?" Midoriya whispers, his notebook trembling in his hands. "I read about you... I memorized every report. You were the first—before quirks... before everything."
"I won't interfere with your decision to pass on the power," I say.
All Might looks conflicted. "We could tell the commission—give you a place in the top ten. You could lead the hero world again."
I give him a hard stare. "You want me to stand beside people who pose for cameras while children scream?, Maybe one day I'll reveal who I am. But for now, I remain a vigilante."
I walk to Midoriya.
"I saw what you did today. You have a good heart... but you're impulsive. What's your name?"
"M-Midoriya Izuku," he stammers.
"Izuku... You have the heart of a hero. There's no doubt in my mind."
His eyes well up, but it's not sorrow I see—it's gratitude.
"If you ever need anything, you can count on me," I say, turning and walking into the night.