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Strength didn't come naturally to him.
It was something he only grew to understand and develop over time.
It was only reachable because of his strong ambitions, and everyone he met along the way.
His classmates, his friends; they all relied on each other through the good times and the bad.
They needed that connection to help keep each other strong.
They had practically grown up together, having spent the past 2 years at U.A. constantly around one another.
They laughed together, cried together, and shared important moments with each other.
Thanks to the support of everyone, he felt as if he could get through anything.
...But not this time.
To be able to save people. This was all he ever wanted.
For people to rely on him, this is what gave him the strength to push forward.
All he wanted was to be a hero. The greatest hero the world had ever seen.
But.. what became of that?
Where had he gone wrong?
He sat helplessly, at the bedside of the former number 1 hero, his idol, his mentor, his strength.
And yet there was nothing he could do for him.
All he could do was sit there and watch the life drain from his mentors face.
Pathetic. Utterly pathetic.
"I'm sorry All Might.."
The only thing he could think to say.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be as strong as you..."
The tears. They burned.
His eyes sore from spending endless nights crying.
But he couldn't help it. No matter how hard he tired, the tears just wouldn't stop.
"Ah... Young Midoriya.. what did I say about the waterworks..."
Toshinori chuckled softly before lifting his hand with all the strength he could muster, and gently resting it on Midoriya's head.
"We will meet again inside of One For All."
He looked up at him teary eyed, defeat clear in his tired expression.
"You've fought so many battles, and saved so many people. I've got to see you grow into an extraordinary young man... and I can't wait to see who you become."
The tears hurt so much, too much. But he didn't falter in his expression.
"All might.."
Midoriya knew that soon his world was going to shatter.
He couldn't have ever imagined a world without All Might.
"...I'll try my best for the both of us All Might.. Even if you're gone, I won't give up. I'll keep fighting to help people, just like you..!"
Toshinori smiled crossing his arms over his chest, and resting his eyes.
"Ah.. looks like we have nothing to worry about master.."
He whispered softly.
"He will keep this world safe. He will be the new symbol."