A Collector

No Return

Izuku nodded slowly, the weight of All for One's words lingering in the air like a thick fog. His mind raced, torn between the ideals he'd once clung to and the harsh reality that surrounded him now. His vision of a better world had become clouded with doubts, and yet... there was still a part of him that clung to the hope of making a difference, even if that difference was twisted by the choices he'd already made.

All for One's eyes glinted, as though he could sense the turmoil brewing beneath Izuku's calm exterior. "I sense the conflict within you, Izuku," he said, leaning back in his chair once more, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "You see yourself as something more than just a weapon, a tool in the grand scheme of things. But in reality, everyone is a tool, whether they realize it or not. The question is, who holds the reins of the tools? And who, in turn, shapes the future with those tools?"

Izuku didn't immediately respond. His fingers twitched at his sides, itching for action, for something tangible to grasp onto. He had spent so long striving for clarity—searching for the moral high ground in a world where that very ground seemed to crumble beneath his feet.

"You're right," Izuku finally said, his voice quiet, but steady. "I've always wanted to believe there's a way to fix things without losing myself. But I'm beginning to see that maybe that's not possible. Not in this world."

All for One smiled, though it wasn't a reassuring expression. "The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll understand the true nature of power. Power is not about control, Izuku. It's about being unshakable. It's about embracing the darkness that others fear and using it to carve your own path. You see... the world is full of people who believe they have the right answers. Heroes, villains, society—they all try to define what's right or wrong. But in the end, those labels are meaningless. It's power that defines who gets to decide."

Izuku felt a cold knot settle in his stomach at the truth in All for One's words, though a part of him fought against the idea. He had always believed that one person could make a difference, that ideals like justice and compassion could prevail. But All for One's philosophy was difficult to deny, especially when the lines between good and evil had blurred so much in recent years.

"I'm not sure if I can fully embrace that," Izuku murmured, his gaze drifting toward the shadows in the corners of the room. "I'm not like you. I never wanted to hurt people... not like that."

All for One's chuckle was low, almost comforting. "No, you're not like me, Izuku. You're far more malleable. You have the potential to become something far greater—or far darker—than you realize. But it's your choices, not your nature, that will determine which path you walk."

Izuku clenched his fists, feeling a fire ignite deep inside him. The struggle was clear now—he was at a crossroads, a point of no return. The path of the hero was slipping further away with every choice he made, but the path All for One offered seemed so... tempting.

"I'm still trying to figure out who I am in all of this," Izuku said, his voice almost distant now. "But... I'll take your advice. I'll stop running from the truth. If power is what I need, then I'll find a way to use it, no matter the cost."

All for One's smile deepened, and he rose from his chair, the sound of his boots echoing in the silence. "That's the spirit, Izuku. There are few in this world with the strength to accept the reality of their own desires. The ones who do... they are the ones who shape the future."

Izuku's heart pounded in his chest, uncertainty mixing with a newfound resolve. He was already too deep in this world, too connected to the forces at play. There was no going back now.

"I'm ready," Izuku said, meeting All for One's gaze. His voice was steady, though there was an edge of finality to it.

All for One regarded him for a moment, his eyes narrowing with a mix of approval and something darker—perhaps a reminder of the risks that lay ahead. "Good. I'll be here when you need me, Izuku. But remember this: There's no turning back. Not once you've tasted the power you seek."

Izuku gave a small nod, the weight of those words hanging heavily over him. As he turned to leave, his mind was no longer filled with the same self-doubt that had plagued him earlier. Now, there was a single, burning thought: I will reshape this world, no matter what it takes.

Izuku smiled.

"The past doesn't define me anymore, I have a place now in this world..."

All for One studied him, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his lips. He knew that look. It was the look of a person who had finally embraced the inevitable, a person who had shed their doubts and fears and stepped fully into their own power. For All for One, it was a moment of quiet victory. He had never doubted that Izuku would come to this point, but seeing the transformation up close still gave him a sense of eerie satisfaction.

"You're quite foolish All Might."

"Remember, Izuku," All for One said, his voice low and almost tender in its coldness. "The world has a way of breaking those who believe they can fix it. But you have something they don't: The strength to remake it entirely, as you see fit."

Izuku nodded once more, his face set, eyes like steel. "I understand." His voice wasn't filled with uncertainty anymore; it was final. Cold, even. There was no going back to the boy who wanted to save everyone, the one who had believed in the purity of heroism and ideals. That boy had been broken, time and time again, by the people around him, by the circumstances that pushed him forward. He wasn't sure if he could be called a hero anymore. But that wasn't his concern.

The future was his to shape.

He turned, walking toward the door, feeling the weight of All for One's gaze on his back. As his hand gripped the rusted door handle, he heard All for One's voice one last time, thick with approval and something darker—something that hinted at a long, twisted game.

"One last thing, Izuku," All for One called, and Izuku paused, not turning around. "In the end, only those who are willing to sacrifice everything can achieve true power. There are no exceptions. You'll see that soon enough."

Izuku didn't respond. He didn't need to. The door creaked open with a groan, and as Izuku stepped into the cold night air, he felt a strange sense of clarity wash over him. The weight of All for One's words would no longer haunt him; instead, they would become a part of him, woven into the very fabric of his being. The world had never been kind to those who were different, but Izuku was done with their judgement. Done with the empty promises of heroism that only ever led to destruction.

He would carve a path for himself, no longer shackled by the ideals of a broken world.

The past didn't define him anymore. He was Izuku ya-shigaraki, and in this new world, he would forge a place of his own.

And when the world finally bent to his will, no one would be able to say it wasn't deserved.