A Wallflower's Thorns

6. To Prick Your Thumbs

The next day, he goes to train with All Might again, except the hero isn't alone. Izuku was about to open his mouth to greet his teacher, but the sight of All Might cowering under a man a fourth of his height makes Izuku pause.

He's old, thats the first thing Izuku notices. Scowl lines run deep near the mystery man's mouth. His hair is gray, a color that clashes with the near obnoxious yellow of his outfit- is that a cape? Izuku isn't sure, he's not close enough to tell. Cautiously, he creeps closer.

The older man sniffs in disdain. "When did you say this brat was gonna show up, Toshinori?"

Was that All Might's name? Izuku shakes his head. That isn't important right now. He gets a little bit closer. The mystery man's costume is leaving a niggling sensation in the back of his head. He's seen it before, maybe a long time ago, but he's seen it. Where? He has to be one of the older heroes, one that came before All Might-

The name clicks in his head. "Gran Torino." He whispers. One of the more successful heroes before All Might's debut, he was able to move faster than any hero in his time.

Despite old age, it seems that Gran's hearing hasn't failed any. The old man's head whipped to Izuku, who startles at such a sudden movement. "When did you get in here?" The retired hero demands, holding his cane out at Izuku like a weapon.

All Might hurries to stand between them. Izuku can see that the hero is shaking. "Gran Torino," the trembling carried into his voice, too, "This is my successor, Midoriya Izuku."

Izuku swallows his (possibly justified) anxiety and steps from behind All Might. "Hello, sir." Izuku says, holding his hand out and bowing his head. "I'm sorry for surprising you. It's a...habit, of sorts."

Gran Torino eyes him up and down, Izuku resists the urge to shuffle his feet. "That Quirk of yours, the one besides One for All, it lets you go unnoticed?"

Izuku looks up, his hand still held out. "Ah, yes. I call it notice-me-not. Of course, I don't know the full specifics of it but-" he yelps when the old hero's cane whacks him over the head.

"First things first," Gran Torino says, crossing his arms, "We're going to find out the limitations of your original Quirk. You're planning to use it alongside One for All, right?"

Wordlessly, Izuku nods, still rubbing his head.

"Then it'd be a crying shame to have you get spotted when you want to be unseen." Gran Torino looks around, grumbling. "Tell me honestly, kid. You know how to throw a punch?"

Izuku looks to All Might, then to Gran again. "Ah, no. Not a proper one, at least."

The old hero scoffs. "Of course you don't. Well, here's what's gonna happen, kid. Pay attention, cause I'm not gonna repeat myself."

Izuku leans in close, so does All Might.

"You're gonna learn how to throw some proper punches and kicks. After that, we're gonna test your original Quirk - see what it can and can't do." The hero cracks his neck, Izuku flinches at the sound. "Then, and only then, am I gonna help you with One for All. Capeesh?"

Izuku nods his head frantically. "Yes, sir."

Gran huffs, "Well, at least your student's got more manner than you did at that age."