Balance In All [boku no hero academia]

[CH. 64]: Hideout Raid Pt. 7

["We are here at this nightmarish scene! Half of Kamino Ward was destroyed in the blink of an eye!"] 

A reporter spoke through a live broadcast shown in one of the big screens of the plaza as the rest of the crowd including Izuku and the others watched the effects of the battle between All for One and All Might.

The reporter continued as the warehouse previously destroyed to bits was shown in the broadcast, ["All Might is currently exchanging blows with the purported villain behind all this destruction! It's hard to believe that a single villain could obliterate several city blocks and go toe-to-toe with the symbol of peace himself."]

As the smoke cleared between the two fighters, All for One spoke, "Hey, All Might. Just as you hate me... I, too, despise you." 

He then readjusts the mask he was wearing that was already partially destroyed while he continues, "It's true, I may have killed your master... but you smashed everything I worked so hard to build... that's why..." 

 His left arm swells up as if it was about to launch a shock wave once more at All Might as he spoke, "... I'm hoping to see you die an ugly, brutal death!!"

"Dodge and counter-attack." Gran Torino spoke condescendingly to All Might as he leaped in front. 

All for One scoffed as he aimed. "Dodge? Can you afford to?" 

He then launched a powerful wave towards All Might as the pro hero stood in a defensive stance, taking in all the damage as Gran Torino rescues a civilian behind him.

All for One spoke once more as he lowered the arm that sent such an attack, "First your image, which you have maintained despite your wound... then your pride..." 

He continues as All Might minimized the damage by his fist as steam came out of his body, "The world will see you for the pathetic man you are... Their Symbol of Peace."

The crowd in the plaza froze in complete silence as they saw All Might's debuffed form as a mix of reactions slowly made their way out, "Huh?" 

"Oh..." 

"Why is he all skin and bones...?" 

"He's... all shriveled up...!" 

Meanwhile, Izuku grits his teeth in fear as he sweatdropped, "Oh no... his secret..."

All Might replied as he wiped the blood seeping out of his mouth with a huff, "My body may wither away... you might expose me to the world..." 

He then clenched his fist in front of him with a determined look as he furrowed his eyebrows at the villain, "But my spirit... is what makes me the Symbol of Peace!! You haven't stolen away one bit of that!!"

All for One, despite having a literal blank face with no eyes, nose, and other facial features present, his face resembled a satisfied grin as he crossed his arms, "Wonderful! You're just like a stubborn child. But I have forgotten something." 

He then holds out his pointer finger as he spoke, "I wonder if this is enough to break that spirit of yours... perhaps... Shigaraki Tomura is Nana Shimura's grandson... and he has hated you all this time."

All for One continues as All Might froze in his place, "I have engineered these encounters between you two, and you defeated him soundly. You won with a smile. So proud, despite your ignorance." 

In a weak tone, All Might utters, "You're lying..." 

All for One shook his head, "Nope. You know it to be true... because it's just the kind of thing I'd do."

He continues as he cupped his cheeks in a mocking tone, "What's the matter, All Might? Where's that winning smile of yours?" 

All Might widened his eyes as if he was awakened from a deep slumber as he hissed aggressively with his smile absent, "How... dare you?!?!"