My Highschool Boyfriend Is Japan's Most Wanted

Chapter Eleven: The Remaining Embers

Chapter Eleven
...

Enji Todoroki was nothing but quirkless trash, a manta the man would often repeat to himself in the mirror. Ever since he had went after Izuku and came face to face with Nine he was empty, a husk of his former self and a vessel of disdain. He despised weakness, and that's all he was, quirkless and no longer the hero Endeavor.

The past two years had been miserable. Every second he took a breath he was met with events that further crushed his broken spirit with his son Shoto growing stronger than he had ever been, All Might becoming the number one hero once more and his children neglecting him. His search for justice, his urges for peace only led him to failure and ruin. Now he was a despote alone in the office of the Prime Minister staring out the window at a world who moved on without him.

Enji needed to face the facts, he wasn't anything and whatever Aka wanted to talk about would most likely concern Shoto or perhaps Rei's father. The thought made him shutter as he considered the stark reality that if Reo Yuki found out what Enji did to his own flesh and blood he would certainly kill him. Now that Enji had no power, he would be fodder, nothing more than mere roadkill. It crushed him to admit it, but he was living on borrowed time.

Every second he walked the streets wandering around as heroes roamed freely he was reminded that he had a target on his back. His abuse towards Rei would be the thing that got him killed, if he had his flames he'd laugh at the irony of his own situation. The way the tables had turned and all while he was helpless to do anything to stop the events from happening.

Sitting in this office, the dark red coloring seeming so regal and kingly, it made Enji wonder how Aka even got elected. While time seemed to fly by right after he lost his quirk, he never forgot how Japan seemed to turn to Aka as a savior. They looked to Aka as a hero, like they had with All Might and never Enji. Enji remembered his own office, how dark and empty it was, void of trophies and symbols, Aka wasn't like him, or rather if he was, he was hiding it well.

A coughing from Aka's secretary took Enji out of his brooding. "The Prime Minister will see you now." Her voice seemed devoid of happiness, yet it was polite. Enji had to admit it was a welcome break from the constant pitying he received from everyone, excluding those who held him in contempt.

"Thank you." Enji replied as he rose to his feet his staure was still large, but he lacked the flair he once had when he had his quirk. He was missing what made him the flame hero, the fire that used to burn under his chin, the way he could manipulate it freely to his whims. Now he was left with just his hair, which he had shaved in a fit of rage.

Footsteps felt heaver, and every step took longer, but Endeavor walked into the Prime Minister's chambers, taking a seat as he faced the most politically powerful man in Japan. The way he looked made Endeavor wonder what type of man Aka would be if he had power. Not the power of politicians and people, but the power of a quirk, a force he could use to gain what he wanted. The type of man with power in strength matched with political power would be a detriment to Japan. It was one of the reasons an ex pro hero could not rise to the rank of Prime Minister. Someone with a quirk could become a politician, of course, but Pro Heroes know how to use their abilities to get things they wanted. The combination of power would lead to unchecked destruction.

"Enji, it's great to see you again, it's been years." Aka said with a smile and an open hand which Enji reluctantly took and shook.

"Since the start of Izuku Midoriya's case." Enji replied, remembering the start of the downward spiral of his life. He didn't hold anything against Aka in particular, but he felt that Aka's decisions set him on the road to chase Izuku and run into that dammed quirk thief who stole the flames from his heart.

"Yes, yes, the fugitive turned criminal, but today isn't about him it's about you, Enji." Aka said with a smile, hiding his true feelings of hated behind the warmth of his face. "I've been meaning to talk with you for some time now Enji, after all, you were once the Number One Hero." Aka said coldly the words a slight jab at the length of Enji's duration of number one hero.

Enji didn't show any signs of reaction, but if he had his quirk, he would have melted down the office for the gall, the man had to speak to him in such a manner. Yet Enji was then reminded he wasn't Endeavor anymore and any respect Endeavor had didn't belong to Enji, not after he lost what made him the hero who had earned the respect. "It was a shorter duration then I had hoped for." He admitted a sharpness to his tone, escaping his lips for the first time.

Aka clasped his hands together and rubbed them together as he smiled even more. "That's why I wanted to give you a comeback and a reward for all you have done for Japan." Aka said as he pulled a white envelope from his desk, the envelope was covered with metallic blue trim, almost like blue flames. The design matched that of a member of the League Of Villians one that Endeavor had previously fought against.

"What's inside." Enji asked as he took the envelope. He could feel paper inside, thin sheets that couldn't be a postion or title. This was something different and it couldn't be trivial. It held some value the look in Aka's eyes all but confirmed that fact.

"The truth, destiny or rather a part of your past that you need to be reminded of." Aka said his tone drawing more flat as Enji opened the envelope and pulled out the piece of paper. The former pro heroes eyes scanning the paper as he began to tremble, his eyes opened wide with rage as he slammed his fist onto the table shaking it but not making Aka move a single muscle. Unfazed by Enji's outburst he smiled and gazed directly into the eyes of the broken man.

"What the hell is this?" Enji muttered, stunned by what he read.

"Help me help you save your boy, bring peace to Japan and become the hero you once were, all I'm asking is permission for some simple modifications, and that's all for your benefit." Aka said, placing a hand on Enji's shoulder, like that of a friend supporting a friend. "I can assure you it will work Enji, and once it does, you can be free to live the life you always wanted, rise above All Might with a family all your own. A family who will love you, a family who won't let you down like all those others."

"Touya, you can fix him, you are certain." Enji stammered, feeling the weight of Aka's persuasiveness.

Aka smiled warmly once more his eyes filled with wonder and splendor. "I can, sign the paper Enji, and I promise you will get everything you deserve." Aka said confidently. He knew Endeavor couldn't refuse, the former pro hero had been suffering since he lost his quirk, and Aka had been waiting for the moment his despair boiled over. Enji Todoroki was an empty man, and whatever spark he once had finally died. At this moment, he was nothing more than an empty vessel, a barely living corpse, a shell of a person unfit to do as he pleased.

There was the potential of Enji refusing the help of Aka but if he did then Aka could have him killed. Without a quirk it would be a simple execution, and then his parts could be harvested and used for more experiments. Yet Aka didn't want this, he found it poetic that Enji would willingly sign over his body to him. Perhaps it was some sick form of humor that had wormed its way into his heart since he rose to the position of Prime Minister, or rather a game to keep from falling into a pit of boredom. Either way, he had won, like he always did.

The muscular man grabbed a pen and signed the papers, he understood that Aka most likely had ulterior motives, but this was something that had to be done. Touya was his eldest son, and his responsibility, the world, and Japan wouldn't pay for his mistakes, the only one who would was the man known as Enji.