Chapter 6

Endeavor stared along the wreckage that was once a yakuza hideout, the charred remains of dozens of dead yakuza members littered the courtyard. "I can't believe they had something like this hidden from us" a police detective whose name Endeavor didn't even bother trying to remember remarked. "Yes, a giant compound such as this, it's almost impossible to think that it managed to remain unnoticed by not only the police, but the heroes in the area as well." Endeavor said giving the detective a pointed look the detective shared a glare "I'm not sure what your implying Number Two, but I suggest we not waste our time on pointless conjecture and focus on the facts." Endeavor's scowl deepened but decided to drop it for the mean time "as you wish detective why exactly was I called? Surely the police can handle cleaning up a few dead yakuza unless of course you're too incompetent for something like this."

"You were called because All Might was busy with another investigation" the detective took satisfaction in reminding Endeavor of his place below All Might "we believe that these men could've been attacked by another villain group, which judging from what's left of this place its safe to assume they're very powerful." "How can you be so sure? This could simply be a result of infighting" Endeavor questioned "This specific organization was known as The Eight Precepts of Death; the members were known for their loyalty towards their boss. They were probably the least likely to succumb to infighting out of all the villain groups in Japan. Not only that but we were able to recover most of their records, we have a list of all of their bank accounts and transactions. I've had a team scouring through every recent transactions they've made in the past few months, to see if we can connect it with any other known organizations."

"Have they found anything?" Endeavor asked his interest now piqued, if the detective were right and some powerful organization was truly behind this slaughter than this could be what Endeavor needed to surpass All Might. "We've been able to make definite connections to smaller organizations and have notified the heroes currently investigating them, but we haven't been able to find anything directly connected to any of the bigger fish." The detective said as he took a cigarette out of his coat pocket, he reached into his other pocket and fished around for a while before cursing. He gave Endeavor a look "you mind?" He gestured to the unlit cigarette; Endeavor glared at him for a minute before he sighed and gave in.

Contently putting the cigarette between his lips, the detective continued "however while so far we haven't been able to connect it with any specific organization we believe one of the recent transactions relates to a child mercenary that was recently arrested. The amount was low, when we compared it to the records of other captured child mercenaries, so it's safe to assume it was a down payment of sorts. This must've been what happened when they didn't get the rest of their payment." Endeavor's excitement grew, 'this was connected to the child mercenaries that started showing up a few years ago?' he thought

The child mercenary situation had been a headache for heroes all over the globe for years. It first started with quirkless children disappearing without a trace, then some of those children reappeared except this time with quirks…powerful ones. Not only did they all possess powerful quirks, but they were all cold-blooded killers. Despite this fact many pros had trouble fighting them seriously because of their young age and it cost many their lives. It didn't help that the public didn't like watching heroes fight young children, so much so that it recently led to the rise of a hero killer who went by the name of Stain who believed that 'true heroes' wouldn't use their power against children.

The most annoying thing about the child mercenaries though was their ability to avoid capture. Out of forty known mercenaries only three have been captured. It frustrated Endeavor endlessly. To watch grown men and women, heroes get beaten by children most no older than his youngest son Shoto. Needless to say Endeavor was very excited at the prospect of stopping the people responsible for these mercenaries there wasn't a doubt in his mind that this is what he needed to surpass All Might, to become the number one hero.

"You'll have the full support of my agency" Endeavor said looking down at the detective who smiled and blew smoke out of his mouth. Endeavor turned and looked around the damaged court yard his eyes stopping as he came across three deep slashes in the concrete that was the compounds perimeter wall, "We'll find those responsible for this and bring them to justice!" he smirked and thought 'and I'll be regarded as Japan's greatest hero' he thought.

Endeavor was excited, the raid was finally happening. The bank information they had received from the Eight Precepts of Death had proven useful. They traced it to a bank account owned by a low-level villain, however that villain had been missing for months. It wasn't hard to squeeze the information out of his known accomplices. Which brought them to even more villains and unexplained disappearances and so on and so forth, it was a tedious process, but Endeavor knew that the pay off would be worth it. It took the better part of a year, but they finally got the information they were after.

K Island an island only ten miles off the coast of Japan. Despite how close it was it wasn't too surprising that the island had been overlooked, it was small. Only being five acres of land, there was only one building that was surrounded with eight feet tall concrete walls. Not the most ideal place for a villain to hide. His entire agency could surround the island closing off any means of escape, which is exactly the plan. Move in and flush the villains out of their hiding places right into Endeavor's open, fiery arms…and save whatever children were still on the island.

"Mr. Endeavor could we ask you a few questions before the fighting starts?" Endeavor turned to look at the journalist and cameraman duo "we were wondering why you haven't contacted any of the surrounding hero agencies to assist you. Gang Orca's agency isn't to far surely he would be able to provide some assistance." Endeavor held his hand up, his years of media training stopping his annoyance from showing, "Please save all questions until after the villains are secured. Also please make sure that this footage isn't live, we suspect the villains are experimenting on children. We don't know what horrors we'll find once we get in the facility." "Of course, sir" the journalist replied before turning to the camera man who nodded.

"We're in position Endeavor" the voice of one of his sidekicks came through the earpiece he was wearing. "Good, commence operation Number One" Endeavor said as he walked towards the main entrance of the facility.

'This wasn't how it was supposed to be' Endeavor thought as he blasted yet another group of guards. The plan fell apart almost as soon it began; his sidekicks were supposed to attack at different points of the compound to throw the guards into disarray. Then Endeavor would be waiting at the main gate, the only place that wasn't being attacked, where the villains would predictably make their escape. That's how it was supposed to go, but instead the guards kept their heads and responded to the assault with one of their own.

The heroes weren't prepared for the amount of resistance they were facing. Their forces where to spread out, they were fighting essentially fifteen to one and the odds grew more and more in the villain's favor. Endeavor was forced to jump into the fray himself, to his surprise the guards didn't even flinch when they saw the number two hero charge them. He hated to admit that he was impressed by their discipline, however no amount of discipline could make up for their vast difference in power. They posed little threat to the number two hero, however whenever he took care of one three more took its place.

Getting frustrated Endeavor growled before letting off a large blast of fire that rippled through the surrounding opponents, knocking them most of them unconscious. Getting a moment to breath Endeavor reached up to his earpiece "all heroes report" he said. After a few minutes he received responses from all but four of his sidekicks, which worried him, his sidekicks were no pushovers like other heroes. If they were in a situation where they couldn't respond that meant they had to be facing an extraordinarily strong opponent, maybe even the one in charge. "All available heroes move towards Hyperion's last known location; I'll meet you all there." Endeavor turned to leave before a siren wailed, 'that's different from the one they sounded when they spotted us' Endeavor thought.

He turned to see a mob of people running towards him 'at least they have the decency to look afraid to be fighting me.' He thought, and it was true the men running towards him looked absolutely terrified. Endeavor dropped down into a fighting stance before he roared "YOU WANT ME? COME AND GET ME!" He was hoping to intimidate the scared men, hopefully enough for them to abandon their reckless charge. He wasn't expecting them to run past him, completely ignoring him. 'What the?' he thought looking around as the mob moved past him like he was a rock in the middle of a river.

"Everyone run! He got out! He got out!" one of the men shouted hysterically. Endeavor grabbed the arm of the closest person "What was he talking about?" Endeavor screamed as he lifted the man up by his collar. The man started trembling in fear and clawed at the heroes hand trying to break free of his grasp "L-L-LET GO OF ME! LET GO OF ME! HE'S COMING!" the man started to hyperventilate as he desperately tried to escape. "WHO!?" Endeavor screamed back, annoyed that he had to repeat himself.

"THE WOLVER- "schlink. The mans eyes widened and looked down to see three metal claws poking out of his stomach. Blood poured out of his mouth as he brought his eyes back up to Endeavor's "-ine" he whispered as the life left his eyes. Endeavor dropped the man in shock and jumped back. Quickly creating distance between him and the man's killer.

"So, you're the Wolverine huh? You don't look like much" Endeavor said to the young boy in front of him. He was lying of course, everything about the boy screamed danger. The boys long curly green hair that fell down in front of his eyes, the long fangs that were stained red with fresh blood, the many scars that crisscrossed across the boy's skin, and the three long metal claws protruding from the boy's knuckles that were, just like his fangs, covered in blood. The young boy looked like a feral animal, and a pissed off one at that.

The Wolverine was a known mercenary, however only his villain name was known. The only pictures of him were all blurred to the point that no distinguishing features could be discerned. The only reason his name was known was because of his accomplice Victor Creed, who had been caught on camera multiple times during their 'missions'. Both Creed and the Wolverine were listed a A rank villains and were thought to be responsible for more than a hundred murders.

"Where's your friend Creed? I'd love the opportunity to take you both down." Endeavor said cautiously checking his surroundings. The Wolverine growled and took a step forward "I'll give you one chance to surrender, if you take another step then I'll have to use force." Endeavor warned raising his hand towards the boy. The Wolverine didn't seem to register the hero's words and took another step forward only to be engulfed in a torrent of flame.

"I warned you. I'm not afraid too attack you just because you're a child." Endeavor's flames died down, revealing the boy. His skin was red and horribly blistered, to Endeavor's surprise the skin quickly healed in a matter of seconds. 'What the fu- 'Endeavor wasn't allowed to finish his thought; the Wolverine had made his move. He was gone in an instant suddenly appearing in front of Endeavor his claws reared back to strike the hero. Endeavor leapt back narrowly avoiding the claws that where aimed for his throat letting out another stream of fire, this one significantly hotter than the last.

This didn't deter the young boy however as he attacked again, leaping through the air as the flames ran across his skin eating away at his flesh. The red-hot claws got closer and closer to the hero who in a final attempt to stop the boy increased the temperature yet again. The boy yowled in pain as the flames began devouring his muscles, working its way down to his metallic bones. This threw the attack completely off target missing Endeavor by a full foot and burying his claws deep into the Earth.

Endeavor used his flames to propel himself upward, hovering above the battlefield out of reach of his opponent. 'What is with this kid? How can his body heal itself so fast? Is it possible he has two quirks?' Endeavor watched as skin and muscle began to regrow around the boy's bones, 'I may have to aim to kill' he thought. A twig snapped drawing the twos attention, 'THE CAMERA CREW' Endeavor thought as the boy ran off towards the sound.

"We have to get out of here!" the reporter screamed tugging on the cameraman's arm who stood wide eyed as death itself ran towards him with its teeth bared. The reporter gave up and ran, intent on self-preservation. A tear rolled down the camera man's cheek as the boy lunged his claws ready to tear his throat out. The man closed his eyes bracing for deaths cold embrace. Except it wasn't cold, it was hot, really hot. "RUN YOU IDIOT" the camera man's eyes flew open, the massive frame of Endeavor stood in front of him. Blood poured out of his right shoulder, where the boy's claws were currently resided. "Do you want to die? RUN!" the hero screamed blood pouring out the side of his mouth. The camera man dropped his camera to the ground and ran.

"Time to finish this" Endeavor said turning back to the Wolverine. The injured hero brought his left hand up and putting it to the side of the boy's face, before hitting him with hottest flames he could make. The boy screamed as he felt his face melt, he tried to pull away but Endeavor, in a massive display of strength, used his injured hand to keep the boy in place. "AAAAAAAHHHHH" the boy screamed trying to rear his head away from the human flamethrower, but Endeavor didn't let up. The boy used his other hand, the one not currently inside of the number two hero's shoulder and took frantic swipes at the man's chest. Luckily for Endeavor these swipes didn't cut as deep as the one in his shoulder or else that would've been the end of the flame hero.

The screaming and trashing finally stopped as the last of the boy's skin was torched off, leaving a red-hot metallic skull sprouting from the boy's neck. Endeavor stopped his flames and dropped the boy's body to the ground. The flame hero stumbled away from the body, dropping to his knees panting heavily. His head was spinning from both blood loss and pain. "All heroes report" Endeavor said into his earpiece gritting his teeth in an attempt to keep the pain out of his voice. A growl from behind him drew his attention, not hearing the replies from his allies.

The Wolverine was standing, the last of his scalp connecting together. His face was completely unscathed, albeit he was now missing the overgrown mop of green hair. The boy's eyes turned and look at the inured hero, they looked glazed over almost like he was sleep walking. "So, this is how I die huh? At the hand of some boy no younger than my own?" the boy didn't respond, he only crouched down ready to pounce. "So be it. COME ON THEN WOLVERINE!" Endeavor said defiantly, he refused to show fear. He would die with pride. With a roar the boy lunged at him claws shining with murderous intent. Endeavor met the roar with one of his own as he let out everything he had, going Plus Ultra his fire burning white hot.

"DETRIOT SMASH" a large fist connected with the Wolverine's forehead sending him skidding across the ground like a stone on water before he hit the concrete wall forming a deep crater. "That's quite the thick skull you got there young man" All Might said rubbing his fist "Are you alright Endeavor?" the number one hero asked his coworker "I'm breathing" Endeavor responded, not having the strength to respond with his usual sharp tone. "I'm glad to hear it. Seems like this boy gave you quite the trouble" All Might said, his tone not at all mocking. "That kid…he…it's like he has multiple quirks. He heals so fast." Endeavor said still confused on the specifics of the Wolverines quirk or quirks. All Might's ever-present smile dropped a fraction "Multiple quirks…I see."

"A-A-All Might?" a quite voice called drawing the two heroes' attention. The Wolverine had pulled him self out of the wall and now stared with wide eyes, the glaze that once clouded them now gone. "Y-You came to s-save m-m-me. I-I knew you'd come" tears freely fell down the boys face and onto the sparking collar around his neck. 'Has that always been there? How did I not notice it?' Endeavor thought. "A-All Might t-there's others. Other children please…please All Might you h-have to save the- "the boy's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he passed out. All Might disappeared in a gust of wind and reappeared grabbing the boy before he hit the ground. "Rest now young man. I'm sorry for what has happened to you, its my fault that the man behind this is still walking free. I promise I'll make this right young man." All Might whispered to the unconscious boy in his arms.

Still carrying the boy All Might turned towards Endeavor "Do you think you're able to take this boy to safety?" "Don't look down on me All Might. I may be hurt but I'm still a pro hero, I can carry a little boy." Endeavor scoffed "Good, I want you to take him and get off the island. The other heroes have rescued any children they could find, they're waiting for you on the beach. Please get off the island as fast as you can." Endeavor didn't argue and took the boy in his own arms. The two heroes nodded to one another and went their separate ways. Endeavor to the safety of the beach, and All Might headed into the building. A scowl on his face.

The heroes and rescued children sped away on a small fleet of boats towards mainland Japan. However, everyone's head was turned towards the island. Loud explosions were heard as the number one hero did battle with some unknown villain. 'What kind of villain could fight All Might like that?' was the question on everyone's mind. A shiver went down the hero's spines.

Four years later

Nezu sighed thinking back on the aftermath the K island raid had caused. The whole operation was considered a failure, not only did it result in the deaths of seven heroes but less than half of the missing children were recovered. Most were dead, which was confirmed by the records that the villains hadn't purged, the others had escaped running away from the chaos to God knows where. The children recovered mainly from 'Phase One' of experimentation, while twenty percent came from 'Phase Two.' Only one child from 'Phase Three' was recovered.

Midoriya Izuku, aka the Wolverine. While his name and personal details where kept out of the media due to the fact that he was a minor, the whole world knew and feared the Wolverine. It didn't help that the video of his fight with Endeavor leaked from an unknown source. Though thankfully his face was blurred out. So, in place of the boy's face his claws that became the identifying characteristic of the Wolverine. They were so popular in fact that they became a Halloween costume, before more and more details about the specifics of what happened on K island were released and they were considered "in poor taste."

The public outcry when they learned of the experimentation these quirkless children underwent was tremendous. Most people would've thought the public would respond with disinterest because the children were quirkless. But when they saw the living conditions and the bruised and battered bodies of the young children they were outraged, so outraged in fact that the United Nations unanimously voted on a rehabilitation center to be built on I island so that the children could grow up and have some semblance of a normal life. Which is where Nezu was now, to meet with the seventeen-year-old Midoriya Izuku about attending U.A university.

"Are you sure about this sir?" All Might, the newest member of U. A's staff looked toward the small animal that was sitting on his broad shoulders. "You are having doubts All Might? You know better than anyone that Midoriya was only acting the way he did because of a mind control device." "Yes, but I'm worried that being a hero might not be the best job for him. I mean the young man has gone through some terrible things, the stress of hero work maybe too much for him." "That is a reasonable concern but Midoriya has spent the last four years in therapy and his doctors report that the only lasting affects his still experiences are nightmare. I'm more worried about why, why he wants to be a hero. With the symbol of peace injured the world needs strong heroes, and with his quirk Midoriya would certainly make one. But what the world doesn't need is a hero that is driven by the corrupting nature of revenge. That, All Might, is my main concern. However, I'm hoping this little meeting will put my unease at rest."

The two fell into silence as the elevator dinged and the doors opened. A woman in a white lab coat approached them. "Hello Mr. Nezu and Mr. All Might, my name is Dr. Townsend I'm Midoriya Izuku's main health care provider. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to him." She said shaking All Might's massive hand before she turned and led them to the meeting area. "Thank you, Dr. Townsend, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Midoriya." "I'm sure you do" the doctor laughed "it must've been surprising to receive Midoriya's application in the mail."

"It was, most would assume that after his childhood he would wish to live a quite life away from heroes and villains." Nezu looked down at the doctor from his perch on All Might's shoulder. The doctor nodded "that seems to be what most children currently in our care want, but not Midoriya, he is quite the unique individual. After all the trauma he experienced one would expect him to have a long list of mental issues, but like we described in the letter we sent other than nightmares he doesn't suffer from any adverse effects from his past. I'm sure this was evident on the practice test that was sent with the application but Midoriya is incredibly intelligent, granted he was given a bit of an education while he was a prisoner unlike the other patients, but he more than excels in the classes we provide."

"I'm glad that the young boy has benefited so much from therapy, I know better than anyone that being treated as a lab rat can have lingering effects on the mind" Nezu said darkly which caused the hero he was currently using as a seat to look at him nervously. Clearing his throat All Might spoke up "Excuse me doctor, but I was wondering if Midoriya has shared his reasoning for wanting to be a hero?" "He has, but I think it would be best if he explained it himself." Dr. Townsend stopped in front of a door "we're here."

All Might wasn't sure what he was expecting to see when he walked into the room, but this wasn't it. The room was small only containing a small table with a set of chairs on both sides, sitting in a chair farthest from the door sat Midoriya Izuku. Besides looking a bit older nothing really changed about the boy, he still had the same mop of curly green hair, the same small scar that ran vertically across the right side of young man's lip. 'At least he was dressed in more than a loincloth' the hero thought looking at the thin light blue long sleeve shirt and pants he had on. It wasn't the lack of change to the boy's physical appearance that shocked the hero however, it was the boy's demeanor.

Gone was the raving beast that All Might, and the world for that matter, associated with the Wolverine. It was replaced by a timid boy that stared nervously as the two entered the room. Midoriya fidgeted as the heroes got closer to him, his hands were placed firmly on his lap to try and hide their shaking. Sensing the boy's nervousness Nezu tried to lighten the mood by giving his signature greeting.

"Hello there Midoriya. I'm Nezu, am I a mouse, a dog, or a bear? Who knows! It's a pleasure to meet you" He said in a cheerful voice. Midoriya sniffed the air "you smell like all three, could you perhaps be a chimera?" "Wow that's some nose you have there Midoriya, not to mention you were able to guess that I was a chimera so quickly! They weren't exaggerating when they said you were intelligent." Nezu smiled as he sat down across from Midoriya who did his best impression of a tomato. "I-I'm sorry sir. It was rude of me to smell you like that. P-Please forgive me" he said bowing his head.

"Worry not young one, there's nothing to forgive you for. In fact, I'm quite impressed." Nezu reassured. Izuku lifted his head slowly his face still red "t-thank you sir." "Of course Midoriya, but now I believe we should get to the reason why we're meeting you here today. You wish to attend U.A university, specifically the hero course." Midoriya frantically nodded his head "y-yes sir." Nezu's tone became serious "why exactly do you want to be a hero Midoriya? Is it to get revenge on the villains that experimented on you?"

"N-no sir, I'll admit that the thought of revenge has crossed my mind once or twice." Midoriya admitted looking at what he assumed was a disappointed look on the principals face "but I quickly erased those thoughts out of my mind. A hero doesn't fight for vengeance sake, they fight to save people. People who need help, just like I did." Midoriya's eyes filled with determination as he spoke "it's no secret that I hurt a lot of people…that I k-killed a lot of people. If I become a hero then I can finally use this power for good, if I don't then what's the point in even having this power? Everything I went through, everything I did…it would've been for nothing. I can't live a normal life knowing that I have the ability to help people but chose to do nothing. But the main reason sir…I made a promise. I made a promise that when I got free, that I would become a hero. I can't break that promise sir, it's not an option. I have to become a hero." Tears steadily fell down Midoriya's eyes as he poured his heart out to the two men.

"Young Midoriya" All Might finally spoke from his spot beside Nezu "I'll admit when I first heard of your application…I had my doubts. But from what you've just told us, it's safe to say that those doubts have been laid to rest. Midoriya…you have what it takes to become a great hero." Midoriya stared at his idol with wide eyes, he hadn't expected to hear that All Might believed him. He was even less prepared for the words that came out of the heroes mouth next "Which is why I'd like to offer you my official recommendation."

Izuku's mouth fell open, 'HIS RECOMMENDATION!' he internally screamed. Nezu laughed "my my Midoriya, seems like I'm not the only one you've impressed. Though that brings up another issue, according to your paperwork you aren't going to be released until the day before classes. You wont able to take the entrance exam."

Izuku deflated 'I knew this was to good to be true' tears once again filling his eyes. Nezu gave him a reassuring smile "however, I'm willing to overlook this fact. I'll send a proctor over so you may take the written test here, you won't have to take the practical." "B-but sir that would be fair to the other students" Izuku shouted. Nezu raised a hand/paw "worry not Izuku, I'll increase the amount of recommendation students this year from four to five. So, none of the recommendation students will be 'cheated' out of their spots. Besides the practical exam is a test to demonstrate that you are capable to become a hero. Trust me you've already proven your capability to the whole world when you defeated the number two hero Endeavor." Izuku once again stared in awe "t-thank you" he said quietly.

"Don't thank me yet Midoriya. You still have to pass the written exam, though from what you scored on the practice I'm sure that won't be a problem for you." Nezu and All Might stood up "I look forward to seeing you at school Midoriya" and with that the two turned and left the room.

"Your recommendation huh? Could you be considering making Midoriya your successor?" Nezu asked as the doors to the elevator closed. All Might sighed "Perhaps in another life yes. He definitely has the spirit for it, but unfortunately because of his past I don't think the public would ever see him as 'the symbol of peace.'" "Only time will tell I suppose, just try not to play favorites ok?" All Might scoffed "with all due respect sir you're bending a lot of rules for the boy. Could it be because of you both wer- I mean because you both have…similar pasts?" All Might winced hoping he didn't offend his new boss; he knew that the principal's past was a sensitive topic. "Hmmm perhaps. Or maybe I just like causing a bit of chaos for you humans…and I know that whenever word gets out that the Wolverine is attending the most prestigious university in Japan it'll cause quite the uproar." All Might didn't like the smile Nezu had on his face but decided not to say anything 'I hope Midoriya knows what he's signed up for' he thought.

A/N: Finally we're going to U.A! Also I want to make it clear, Izuku isn't necessarily stronger than Endeavor. At least not at this point in the story but got the better of him in this fight because 1. He wasn't prepared to fight someone that had two quirks and 2. The wound he got saving the news crew.

Also the reason I'm not going to have Izuku be a recommendation students and not take the entrance exam was because 1. I want Izuku to be sort of a wild card in the beginning of the story, so no one knows him until class begins (also why he wont move into the dorms until the day before classes start) 2. If he was to take the normal exam he'd score a large amount of points and most likely be exposed as the Wolverine almost immediately (which wont happen till later) 3. I didn't want him to take the recommendation exam because I didn't want to mess with the beef between Todoroki and Yoarashi.

Btw K island is a nod to Department K, for those who don't know Department K was a branch of the Canadian gov originally responsible for the weapon X program

NinjaFang1331: Thanks!

: Yeah I probably could. I do plan on have a few girls crush on Izuku, but the actual pairing is going to be with Momo. I think her personality works the best for this story.

Shadow Joestar: Yeah Midoriya's path to becoming a hero is definitely going to be different than others.