"Before you stop breathing, do you have any wishes?" This sentence seemed meaningless, but AFO understood—the consequences of his opponent's final blow were now taking their toll. It was difficult for him to stay on his feet and keep his attention on the enemy, despite the sharp pain radiating through his chest and organs.
At the same time, Toshinori thought he had lost this battle. He hadn't managed to defeat his mentor's archenemy.
"No, this shouldn't have happened! How could I lose like this? I never imagined I'd fail… I'm a hero—I can't fall into despair. If I had more power, I could have beaten him. Get up, Toshinori, come on!" the young All Might berated himself internally.
But he couldn't.
He couldn't protect others. He couldn't defeat the enemy. He was overwhelmed with despair and afraid of his own thoughts. Yet, shaking off the negativity, he lifted his gaze to meet the eyes of the "Symbol of Evil." Toshinori didn't know what to say, but whenever he was afraid or hopeless, he would always smile, no matter what. The smile he managed to summon was stained with blood from his mouth. The taste of iron lingered on his tongue as he exhaled heavily and said:
"You were not bad in battle, but do you know what sets me apart from you?" All Might asked a question that even piqued AFO's interest. But it was all meaningless. Still, he let the hero speak—what difference would a few more minutes make to a man about to die?
"And what is that?" All Might smiled and answered:
"I fought with people who believe in me. I will never be alone. Your army and minions are bound by fear. Once they stop fearing you, they'll tear you apart like wild dogs."
Provoking AFO's anger, Toshinori laughed like a madman. Nothing could stop him now—these were the final moments of his life.
"IF I'M GOING TO DIE, I'D RATHER DIE WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE!!!" All Might shouted with all the strength left in him. All For One, unfazed, moved toward All Might, intent on taking his younger brother's Quirk.
Just as his hand nearly touched All Might's head, a powerful kick from Gran Torino struck AFO at high speed, throwing him back nearly 100 meters. Frustration and irritation began to take over—this battle had gone on longer than he'd anticipated. Though his regeneration healed most of the injuries, the pain from All Might's earlier strike still burned in his chest, making him cough up blood. Rising to his feet, he saw three irritating figures in colorful clothes standing before him.
"Toshinori, can you get up?" Gran Torino asked sarcastically, despite his own broken legs. But they were quickly distracted by an explosion near the battlefield's center. All For One began to levitate, and those familiar purple portals appeared once again.
"I can't even move. I used my most powerful attack—it broke my arms and legs. But at least I weakened him. Now he's not as strong as before." All Might winced from the pain as he was lifted. He didn't understand why, until it dawned on him. Gran Torino's eyes filled with tears, and seeing this, All Might asked himself, "Where's my mentor, Nana Shimura?"
They began to fly, but All Might's thoughts were consumed with panic for his mentor, who was nowhere in sight.
"Where is Shimura-san, Gran Torino? Where is she?!!!" All Might shouted desperately. But he was helpless. The only answer was a pitiful reply from his mentor:
"I'm sorry, Toshinori."
With all the strength they could muster, they continued to flee. All Might began to cry out and scream when he saw his mentor standing below, staring defiantly at All For One.
"Sorahiko, get Toshinori out of here. I'll hold him off as best I can."
Nana's breathing was labored. She had been impaled by rebar through her stomach and liver. Even if she escaped, she'd bleed out before reaching medical help. Her knees trembled, and her breath was uneven.
Behind her, All For One summoned dozens of Nomu—too many for the current heroes to handle. Nana stood and pointed at All Might. Her voice, though quiet, reached even from 20 meters away.
"Toshinori, you are next."
The ground beneath Gran Torino vanished, and both master and student soared into the air. All Might tried to resist, but he was powerless. All he could do was scream.
"SENSEI, NO!!... NO... NOOO!!!"
With his still-functioning hand, he struck Gran Torino's back, but the older hero no longer reacted. He had lost a comrade, an ally, a friend. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke:
"Nana said we should go. She bought us time."
But All Might refused to accept it. He wanted to help her. He screamed again—his voice filled with grief.
"WE HAVE TO HELP HER! WE CAN'T LEAVE HER ALONE WITH HIM! SHE WILL DIE!!!!"
Gran Torino didn't respond. He had already come to terms with the loss, flying silently away with Toshinori.
Nana watched them disappear into the sky. For the last time, she smiled at All For One. Around him, a new army of stronger Nomu had gathered.
"It's just you and me, Nana. Not even a team of heroes could stop me. What makes you think you can? Do you hope that cocky brat will stop me? Ahaha!" he laughed, pointing at her. Then, he gave the command.
"Bring me her head!"
The Nomu attacked like rabid beasts. Nana did her best to fight back. She targeted their brains—their weakness—and managed to defeat five. But then a blow to her face sent her flying. She could no longer endure. Collapsing, she fell to the ground—her life fading away.
The Nomu, following orders, tore into her body with brutal savagery. Her skin, flesh, and organs were shredded. They ripped her apart until she no longer resembled a human—just a blood-soaked red mass. Only her cloak remained, stained with her blood.
One Nomu, like a loyal dog, brought her head to its master. The humanoid creature knelt, offering the trophy.
"Excellent work."
Grabbing her by her long black hair, AFO laughed maniacally, staring into her lifeless eyes. Blood dripped from her head. With twisted glee, he activated his pyrokinesis, watching her head burn until only a skull remained. Then, he threw it to the ground, shattering it into pieces—his victory complete.
Behind him, a purple portal opened. Kurogiri's yellow eyes emerged. The servant was concerned—his master's chest was burned, his skin bloodied, and his breathing labored.
"Master, you need urgent medical attention. I will transport you to Dr. Garaki."
The portal shifted coordinates, opening a path to the doctor's lab.
All For One said nothing. Silently, he stepped into the portal, holding his chest.
"Master, Master, are you alright?" the doctor asked, watching the Nomu capsule nervously.
"I'm fine, old friend. I just remembered the last time I came here injured like this."
Gazing grimly at the doctor, AFO realized it was time to end his affairs and focus on raising his son—Izuku. All Might still hunted him, obsessed with revenge. But in his current state, he couldn't win. He needed an army—and for that, he turned to Dr. Garaki.
"What is my current condition, doctor?" All For One asked, concerned. He had hidden his coughing from Izuku and Inko so as not to worry them.
"Your condition is better than a few years ago, but still far from full recovery. I'm trying everything I can, but in all these years of studying your quirk, I've made little progress. I'm sorry."
The doctor lowered his head. All For One—Hisashi Shigaraki—had been the first to recognize his genius when others mocked him. For that, Garaki owed him everything.
"There's no need to despair. You are doing something—unlike many others," All For One replied, watching the doctor closely. In his eyes, he saw the truth the doctor had been hiding.
"Is something wrong?"
"Actually… there is a way to restore your former power."
To be continued.