Chapter 164 : Letter (2)

Big brother, how are you? It's me, Eri. 

But now, Grandpa has given me a new name—Eri. He said my old name might cause trouble if others heard it. 

Grandpa helped me write this letter because I don't know many words yet. But I really wanted to say thank you, so this was the only way. 

There are so many things I want to tell you, big brother. First, about the bad guys who hurt me. 

The heroes and the police have caught them all and put them in jail. Another big brother named Mirio told me that. 

He said it was all thanks to you. So, thank you so much, Midoriya big brother. 

I know your name now—Midoriya Izuku. The kind uncle who has been taking care of me told me, and I made sure to remember it. 

Also, Grandpa has woken up! I heard that the big bad guy was the reason he was unconscious for so long. Now that he's awake, I'm so happy. 

Grandpa is taking me home soon. The doctors said that as long as I don't get scared or panic, my Quirk won't activate. So, the heroes and police agreed to let me go. 

And that blue-haired big sister… she told me she found my mom! 

Mom seems really worried about me and will come see me soon. I'm so grateful to her… though, after she told me, she hugged me and rubbed her cheek against mine for an hour, saying it was a "reward" or something… It was a bit too much. 

But still, I'm really happy. Because of you and the others, the bad guys are in jail, Grandpa woke up, and my mom is coming back. I haven't felt this happy in a long time. 

Thank you, big brother Midoriya, and big brother Mirio , and blue-haired big sister, and mustache uncle who took care of me, and the heroes, and the police, and the doctors… I'm really, really grateful to all of you. 

And lastly—big brother Midoriya, you liar! 

You said you would come visit me, but you only came once and never again… I know I'm being a little selfish, but… I really wanted to say thank you to you in person. 

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After reading the letter, a warm feeling spread through Midoriya Izuku's heart. 

Eri… No, Hui Li. That child must be smiling now, right? 

A small smile appeared on his lips. This was a good ending. 

As he was about to fold the letter, he noticed there was more writing on the back. He flipped it over and read the short message: 

"A great kindness that cannot be repaid." —Shie Hassaikai 

The signature belonged to Chisaki's former yakuza group. Midoriya immediately understood who wrote it—it must have been Hui Li's grandfather. 

Most people in the city didn't know the full truth about what had happened, but for the old leader of Shie Hassaikai, finding out wouldn't have been difficult. And since he was the one who wrote this letter for his granddaughter, it made sense. 

Midoriya wasn't sure if everything he did was worth it. He didn't know. 

But there was one thing he understood completely: when someone needed help, he had to stand up. 

Hero or not, if he ignored a child right in front of him who needed saving, then what was the point of being a hero in the first place? 

At the very least, he had saved one child. And for that alone, he believed everything was worth it. 

Even if he was now seen as an "villain." 

"At least… Eri is smiling now, isn't she?" 

Midoriya carefully folded the two letters and stood up. There was something he had to do. 

"Midoriya, you were looking for me?" 

All For One looked at Midoriya Izuku with interest. 

He had just received a report from Kurogiri that Midoriya wanted to see him. Once he agreed, Midoriya stepped through Kurogiri's portal and arrived at All For One's office. 

"I have something to ask you."

"Go ahead and ask. I'll tell you everything I know." 

All For One smiled as he answered, while Midoriya kept a serious expression and asked his question. 

"Have you ever thought about becoming a hero?" 

"A hero?!" 

All For One was completely caught off guard. For a moment, he was stunned, but then he burst into laughter. 

"Haha… Midoriya-kun, are you joking to make me laugh?" 

"A hero? Someone like me, who has done nothing but evil, wanting to be like All Might?!" 

"If you're trying to make me laugh to death, you're already halfway there." 

Midoriya wasn't bothered by All For One's mocking laughter. He simply continued in a calm voice. 

"I don't mean a pro hero. I mean a hero to your little brother." 

The laughter stopped instantly. 

All For One's expression turned cold. 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"Nothing much… I just remember you saying that you really cared about your brother." 

"That was a long time ago. Ever since that foolish brother of mine sided with others to go against me, he was no longer someone I cared about." 

"…Is that so?" 

Midoriya didn't ask any further. He simply gave All For One a meaningful look. 

After receiving the two children's letters, the weight in his heart had eased a little, and suddenly, many things became clearer to him. 

"I'm done asking. Sorry for disturbing you." 

Midoriya turned to leave as Kurogiri opened a portal. But just then, All For One spoke again. 

"Midoriya-kun, what do you think about my offer from last time? If you agree, you can inherit my power anytime." 

Midoriya paused for a moment before stepping into the portal. 

He glanced back at All For One, who was leaning against his chair. 

Despite his strong-looking body, there was an undeniable air of an old man nearing his end. 

"I'll think about it." 

Then he turned back and stepped through Kurogiri's portal, disappearing from sight. Kurogiri followed him, leaving All For One alone in the office. 

Slowly, All For One pulled open a drawer in his desk and took out a picture frame. 

It held an old, slightly yellowed photograph. 

Though he couldn't see, he used his Quirk to sense the image in the frame— 

A strong young man and a frail young man, standing side by side, smiling happily. 

"Foolish… You wanted to play hero and fight against me… but in the end, does anyone even remember you besides me?"

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