"The Masked Hero: The Rise of Vigilante Deku"

"The Final Goodbye: A Vigilante's Journey" (8)

Whilst walking, Midoriya saw a flyer.

Then he tore the flyer off the lamppost and read it carefully. It was for a martial arts dojo, offering training and support for aspiring fighters.

He had always been interested in martial arts, but he had never had the opportunity to learn. He knew that this could be his chance, his chance to learn the skills he needed to protect himself and others.

He made his way to the dojo, his heart pounding with excitement. When he arrived, he was surprised to see that the lights were still on and the door was open.

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should go in. But then, he heard a voice from inside.

"Come on in, kid. Don't be shy."

Midoriya took a deep breath and stepped inside. The dojo was small, but it was well-equipped, with punching bags and training mats covering the floor.

In the center of the room, a man stood, his arms folded across his chest. He was tall and muscular, with short, spiky hair and piercing eyes.

"Who are you?" Midoriya asked, his voice trembling.

The man chuckled. "I'm Asashi. I run this place. And you are?"

"I-I'm Midoriya," Midoriya stammered. "I saw your flyer and I was curious. How much does it cost to train here?"

Asashi shrugged. "It's free. I don't charge for training. I just want to help people learn how to defend themselves."

Midoriya's eyes widened in surprise. "Free? Why?"

Asashi sighed. "I know what it's like to be helpless, to feel like you can't protect yourself or the people you care about. I don't want anyone else to feel that way. So I offer free training to anyone who wants it."

Midoriya felt a surge of gratitude towards Asashi. He knew that he couldn't afford to pay for training, but he also knew that he needed it.

"Thank you," he said. "I really appreciate it."

Asashi nodded. "No problem. Now, let's get started. I want to see what you've got."

Midoriya hesitated for a moment, then stepped onto the training mat. Asashi gestured for him to attack, and Midoriya swung a punch.

Asashi easily dodged the attack, then countered with a series of quick jabs and kicks. Midoriya struggled to keep up, his movements awkward and uncoordinated.

"Your footwork is all wrong," Asashi said, as they sparred. "You're swinging your arms too far back when you prepare for a punch. Don't do that. Be fast, be flexible. You're a smart kid, just don't make mistakes. In a street fight, it'll cost you your life."

Midoriya nodded, determined to improve. He knew that he had a lot to learn, but he was willing to work hard to become the hero he wanted to be.

Midoriya and Asashi sparred for hours, each day pushing each other to their limits. Midoriya quickly improved, learning new techniques and mastering old ones.

For the next few weeks, he trained with Asashi every day, pouring all of his energy into becoming the best martial artist he could be.

But one day, when Midoriya arrived at the dojo, he was shocked to find it closed. He knocked on the door, hoping for an explanation, and was relieved when Asashi answered.

"What's going on?" Midoriya asked.

Asashi sighed. "I'm sorry, kid. I can't afford to keep the dojo open anymore. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you."

Midoriya's heart sank. He had grown to rely on the dojo, and on Asashi, as a source of support and guidance. He didn't want to lose that.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.

Asashi shook his head. "I'm afraid not. But I want you to have this."

He handed Midoriya a book, bound in leather and embossed with the symbol of a dragon.

"I wrote it," Asashi said. "It holds all of my secrets to mastering martial arts. After all, I was the best martial artist in the world at one point. No one could defeat me."

Midoriya took the book, touched by Asashi's gift. He knew that it was a treasure, and he vowed to study it and use its teachings to become the hero he dreamed of being.

He and Asashi had a deep conversation about the future, about their hopes and fears. And at the end, they hugged, each knowing that this would be their final goodbye.

When Midoriya finally returned home, he went straight to the shower, letting the hot water wash away the sweat and grime of the day. When he emerged, he was standing near his window in just his shorts, revealing the muscular physique he had gained from all of his training.

But unbeknownst to him, a pair of yellow eyes were looking up at him through the window.

"I wonder how his blood tastes like," the figure in the shadows whispered.