My hero academia:Am I worthy?

The warm March air whispered through the streets, and the sun, in its golden sunset, handed over its duties to the moon. The air was warm, but no less cold for the residents of the city of Mustafa. With the setting sun, he emerged — Silent Phantom.

Clinging with a black tendril to a flagpole, he leaned forward, watching the lively streets that had yet to fall asleep. Izuku watched as heroes sped through the streets, trying not to draw unwanted attention. A black spot, whose figure billowed in the wind, sought to move quickly through the city, performing tumbles to calm himself. Thoughts devoured Izuku one after another, and this was openly reflected in his method of movement. Two days ago, he was afraid to cling to buildings, but now he flew between them without fear of falling. After grabbing the edge of a neighboring building, Izuku moved as fast as he could. The building was glass, one of the business centers of this city, and the lights were still on inside. Each office worker gazed in astonishment at the black figure running across the glass. Finally, he reached the roof and, sitting at the edge, watched the life of the night city, which was mesmerizing, but for him, it meant nothing now. He had 15 minutes left until the meeting with Dabi, and he had time to talk.

Clinging with his feet and hands to the glass skyscraper, Izuku looked at his reflection. The reflection of his hero costume, illuminated by the lights of the night city, gave him an air of mystery, but what caught his attention were his eyes — the pupils were more tense than usual, reflecting his inner state, bitter and devoid of support from loved ones. "All alone." Inside his mind, Izuku was engaged in a real struggle with the desire to punish those who had mocked him, those who had turned his life into a solitary self-flagellation.

— Everything, absolutely everything!!! Omnipotent... Katsuo... Katsuki and Kaiber.

Izuku's mind screamed, trying to break free in every possible way, but he held back his desire for revenge. They were all complicit in his misery, the last name whispered maliciously in his head — the only person who had supported him throughout his life, and now she had died a cruel death, becoming a victim of a serial killer. Venom heard these thoughts; he knew how he affected the host, but he couldn't do anything about his desire, only attempt to persuade him. The emotions the host experienced were intense, and Venom merely provided confidence, amplifying them and rejecting any doubts.

— Do you feel this, Izuku? Anger, disappointment, exhaustion? They are poisoning you, but this shouldn't be a weakness. It can become your strength.

Izuku painfully clenched his teeth, almost biting his tongue in fury. He knew he shouldn't listen, but Venom's words pulled at him like a magnet.

— They hate me. It doesn't matter what I do. It's all pointless, — he whispered, nearly breaking into a scream.

Venom chuckled quietly, as if enjoying his despair and sense of helplessness.

— And you still want their forgiveness? Their approval? You're pathetic if you think you can win their love. People only value strength, Izuku. You need to show them who you are. The real you.

Izuku looked at his hands. Hands that had always been his only tools. They trembled, but now not from fear — from accumulated anger.

— I don't want to be like them, — he muttered, but Venom's voice interrupted his weak protest again.

— You are already not like them. You are better. But as long as you allow them to pressure you, they will consider you worthless. Why do you let them do this? Why do you let them trample your dreams?

Izuku felt something dark and almost unbearable growing inside him. His heart raced, his breathing became heavier, and his organs clenched from the stress he was experiencing, feeding Venom's emotional vampirism.

— They don't understand... No one understands...

— Yes. No one will understand. They are not worthy of you, Izuku. But you can make them understand. You can show them what it means to be in their place — to feel insignificant, humiliated, cornered. You just need a little determination.

His voice sounded like the rustle of poison, sinking deep into consciousness.

— What do you suggest? — Izuku asked, a dangerous note creeping into his voice.

Venom laughed, like a predator sensing prey.

— Just give me freedom, Izuku. Let me take control. I will show you what it means to be strong. I will show you how they will fear and respect you.

Izuku raised his head, his gaze becoming glassy and empty. These words sounded so tempting, so right. He was no longer sure where his anger ended and Venom's influence began.

— If I give you control... what will happen then?

— After? You will feel a strength you never knew. You will forget what it means to be weak. They will know their place. And you will be free.

Izuku closed his eyes. Anger, pain, and resentment merged into one. He felt the darkness enveloping his mind, as Venom's voice grew louder, consuming the remnants of his resistance. Izuku's will shattered under the weight of his emotions, and his ideals broke as he recalled those who had trampled him, wiping their feet on him.

— No, — he replied coldly and briefly this time, and the mind and will of Midoriya defeated the desire for revenge, but this would not be the first time anger and disappointment would overcome him.

— What do you mean, "no"? They caused us pain, they laughed at us, some of them beat you until you lost consciousness. The scars they left are still on your body. Don't be a wimp, Izuku, they deserve what they did to you!

Izuku breathed heavily, regaining his composure, but a part of anger still lingered inside him, corroding him from within and breaking his internal principles.

— I will not punish them. God is my witness, — he replied, jumping off the wall into the open air. He fell into the open space until he grabbed onto a building, swaying on a tendril. Casting aside all doubts, Izuku did a somersault, picking up speed as he fell to the ground. The city was lively, and flying over it was a pleasure. Mustafa was full of high-rises and skyscrapers that allowed him to cling to buildings. Nothing was happening on the ground until Venom warned him about a car that was disrupting public peace.

— There's a car down there on the right acting strangely, it's not stopping, — Venom whispered, looking at the black car. Izuku lowered his gaze and saw that the car was trying to hit as many people as possible. Strangely, Izuku didn't see a single hero attempting to stop it. He hesitated, wondering if trying to stop it would land him in hot water with the police. On the ground, the car crossed a line and almost hit a woman with a child, and that moment became the starting point for action.

— Let's accelerate, — Izuku replied briefly, lowering a tendril to cling to the wall and starting to run along it, chasing the car. His hat billowed in the wind, threatening to fall if not for Venom holding it, stretching the button of his coat that flowed like a cape in the wind. Venom directed his power into the legs of the symbiote's host.

— Wow, — Izuku felt the power coursing through his legs, instantly accelerating them, but with the power came pain that echoed in Izuku's legs. The pain accumulated with each step, but he endured while running along the wall to catch the car with a tendril.

— It hurts, — Venom sensed that Izuku was starting to hurt and that physical strength was not the key tool for solving this problem.

— And I warned you, — Venom retorted, feeling Izuku grind his teeth to dull the pain in his joints. He wasn't prepared for the full concentration of Venom's power in one place, and without a prepared body, his bones would break if he exerted even more effort. Although Venom could heal this, it would take time, which was precious in battles.

— This can't be solved with force; we need cunning, — Izuku thought about which route the car might take to catch him at any moment.

Venom stopped giving him strength, handing over full control so that he could handle the situation himself.

Izuku quickly assessed the situation: narrow streets, intersections, and numerous obstacles. He squinted, calculating possible routes for the car.

— To the left, the second street. It's a dead end, — Venom suggested, analyzing the area.

— Great.

Izuku sharply changed direction, using a tendril to grab a corner sign and shorten the distance. He descended, like a predator, right in front of the car. With a powerful leap, Izuku clung to the hood. The car howled, trying to shake him off, but Izuku was already in action. He smashed the windshield with a punch; the driver's gaze was full of fear, and as the tendrils tried to grab him, he suddenly screamed.

— Stop!!! — the driver shouted in panic.

The tendril immediately halted inches from his face, and Izuku looked at him thoughtfully through his lenses.

— If I stop, the car will explode! There's a bomb under the car!! — the driver screamed with panic in his eyes.

Izuku frowned, realizing the danger. He quickly scanned the cabin of the car, and his attention was drawn to the passengers in the back seat — a group of villains with various and unique quirks. They were clearly ready for a fight, but Izuku wasn't going to back down.

The first villain, with metallic claws, tried to attack, but Izuku quickly reacted, using his tendrils to knock him out of the car through the rear window. The driver tried to resist, but Izuku helped him so he wouldn't become a suicide terrorist.

— Keep driving straight and don't stop! — he ordered.

The second villain, who controlled fire, began throwing fireballs, but Izuku took the hit, and his clothing worked, rendering the flames ineffective. He retaliated with a tendril attack, knocking the villain off balance and pulling him in, delivering a punch that knocked him out of the car.

The third villain, possessing telekinetic abilities, tried to stop Izuku by lifting debris and directing it toward him. However, Izuku used his agility and speed to dodge, simultaneously wrapping the villain in a tendril and pulling him out of the car.

Police cars with flashing lights emerged from the corner, which irritated Izuku, and every siren echoed painfully in his head, making it hard to concentrate. Izuku clutched his head to ease the pain but realized that if he kept doing this, the car with the passenger would explode. Along with the police, a couple of heroes in colorful costumes were also approaching.

Once all the villains were neutralized, Izuku focused on the bomb under the car. He carefully examined the mechanism and understood that the bomb would explode if the car stopped. Additionally, he noticed that there were too many civilians around, and any delay could cost them their lives.

Overcoming the pain from the blaring police cars, he nimbly began to crawl to the bottom of the car, and upon seeing the bomb, Izuku immediately understood, widening his eyes.

— It's a magnetic bomb for metallic surfaces! — The wind blew in his face, and the driver wasn't about to stop for any reason; on the contrary, he was picking up speed, trying to shake him off. Izuku was swaying from side to side, his coat billowing in the wind, until Venom intervened, firmly securing him so he wouldn't fall.

— What does that mean? — Venom asked.

— This bomb will explode if it stops and it attaches to metallic surfaces!

— Eureka! — Using his tendrils, Izuku took extra space for a grip, tearing the bomb along with the bottom of the car.

— We don't have time, we need to throw the bomb! — Izuku was anxious, trying to think of a way to dispose of the bomb with a crowd of people out for an evening stroll.

— Where? There are too many people! — Venom couldn't think of what to do as Izuku was under the adrenaline rush, also experiencing the euphoria of battle. Realizing there was no time to talk, Izuku, along with the bomb and the bottom of the car, grabbed the bomb and immediately, using the tendril, pulled himself to the wall, running along it with all his strength. At the same moment, when the bomb was torn from the car, the hero, using his efforts, stopped the vehicle and watched as Silent Phantom swiftly ran along the wall.

The internal countdown for the bomb was ticking down. Directing the symbiote's strength into his legs and arms, he firmly grasped the bomb, and when he had one step left to the end of the wall, Izuku threw the bomb with all his might into the air. His right hand and legs hurt from the intense concentration of Venom's power in one area.

— Do you think this will change anything? It will still fall and ultimately explode! — Venom shouted in Izuku's head, watching as the bomb hung motionless in the air until a click was heard.

BOOOMMM!!!

Yellow tongues of flame engulfed the bomb in slow motion, and from a distance of five meters, it exploded. No one was hurt, except for a couple of windows, and at most, the brickwork of the nearest buildings suffered.

— It worked, — Izuku whispered, feeling his legs give out beneath him as he fell to one knee, breathing heavily.

— My turn, — Venom said, beginning to heal Izuku at a rapid pace, and within a few seconds, his joints felt fresh.

— How did you do that? I feel like my legs could run a marathon! — Izuku exclaimed joyfully, looking at the cheering crowd below, who applauded him, but the police were wary, watching the new hero.

— There's our hat, — Venom replied, pointing to the fallen hat on the road. Rising from his knee and feeling invigorated, Izuku jumped off the roof, approaching his hat.

— Hey hero, what's your name?

— Wave to the camera.

— Do some cool trick, sir!

— Dude, you have a cool costume!

— Can I meet you?

Flashes surrounded Izuku from all sides, preventing him from taking any measures, but someone approached from behind and placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder.

— Reveal your name and hero license! — said the police officer, keeping his hand on his coat, and when Izuku turned his head, he met the officer's gaze. Bystanders filmed him on video, trying to capture him from different angles.

— Our only way out is to run, — Izuku was ready. He tensed his shoulders; the escape plan was ready. With a burst of speed, he would cling to the wall with the symbiote and disappear behind the rooftops — a quick and reliable plan, in his opinion.

— I repeat, your heroic name! — the police officer hadn't finished his sentence when Izuku bolted. The officer grabbed his weapon and aimed it at him, shouting after him.

— Surrender immediately, or we will open fire! — another police officer yelled, aiming his gun at Izuku. He was ready to stick to the wall when some sticky mass wrapped around his waist, pulling him back to the road. Falling on his back, Izuku quickly regained his composure and saw two heroes in front of him. Rising from the ground, he met their gazes.

— Were you asked to reveal your name? Are you mute? — sneered a massive hero in a beige-blue costume with striking arms reminiscent of a hammer.

— Clearly, a quirk for enhancing his strikes is strong, and his stamina is great, — analyzing the opponent, Izuku concluded that he should avoid his attacks as much as possible.

The second hero was dressed in an orange-red hero costume with a helmet on his head and some strange gloves.

— The second one has a pulling quirk or something like that. — Izuku was ready for a fight, but he was annoyed that there were police behind him, keeping him in their sights.

— What are we going to do? — Venom asked with rage, looking at the surrounding opponents. People filmed everything on their phones, as the black hero in a coat and hat was surrounded by heroes and police.

— Trust me, — Izuku replied, surrendering to the police. Raising his hands above his head, they understood that he wouldn't be able to escape if he tried.

— Are you out of your mind? — Venom screamed, not understanding his host's actions, but he gave him control for now, and as they approached him with handcuffs, Venom smiled internally.

— I'm doing your job for you, and you decided to arrest me? — Izuku protested in a low, bass voice so that they wouldn't recognize his real voice. He fell to his knees, calming not only the police but also the heroes who stood on either side, closely following Izuku's plan.

— I understand, but using a quirk in a public place without a license is against the law, — the hero with handcuffs stated, restraining his quirks. Izuku smiled internally as they acted according to his plan. People continued to watch this scene unfold as the new hero was arrested by the police.

— This isn't fair! — shouted a man, holding a phone in his hands.

— He saved many people from the explosion!

— You're arresting the wrong person!

— Pff, the authorities are always in their repertoire.

— I'm sorry, but this is a necessary measure, — the hero in the beige costume said, turning away from Izuku, and as soon as they lost their vigilance, Izuku exhaled and prepared to attack.

Izuku raised his head, his eyes flashed with white sparks against the black symbiote that tightly enveloped his body.

— It's time... — he said hollowly, and the police, along with the heroes, cautiously turned, sensing a change in his tone.

In the next second, long, sharp tendrils of the symbiote erupted from Izuku's body. They spread out with a dull roar, causing the air to tremble with the force of the blow. The police and heroes were caught off guard — they were thrown back like dolls; some fell to the ground, while others barely kept their feet. The people around watching the scene gasped, and phones continued to capture every detail.

Izuku stood up, his voice becoming even more ominous:

— I will not play by your rules. If I save lives, that is not a crime!

The symbiote seemed to completely dominate the space. The tendrils waved in the air for a few more moments before slowly retracting. Taking advantage of the confusion, Izuku jumped incredibly high, grabbing onto the wall of the nearest building. He began to climb with astonishing speed, leaving behind the shouts of heroes and police trying to catch him.

— Do you realize that they will pursue us even more now? — Venom's sarcastic voice echoed in his head.

— I know... But we had no other choice. If I let myself be arrested, it would all be over.

He paused on a rooftop, looking down at the streets. People were chanting his name, some were shouting curses at the police. The online broadcast of the event had already gathered tens of thousands of viewers, and the comments were pouring in:

— This is who should be called a hero!

— Why is the law against him? It's just ridiculous.

— No license? Then give him one!

But amidst the approval, there were also mockeries:

— Another criminal under the guise of a savior.

— He's not a hero at all. It's all for popularity.

— Look, they're already dividing us into their own and others, — Venom scoffed. — We've stirred the pot, Izuku. Now it all depends on you.

Izuku, breathing heavily, looked at his city. Police cars were flashing below, and new heroes were already rushing to the scene. He would have to stay one step ahead to survive... and prove that he was more than just a "lyncher with power."

— If they want a war, we'll give it to them, — he said calmly, hiding in the shadow of a building.

**An hour after the incident**

**Topic: Who is the "Silent Phantom"? A new hero or a criminal?**

User_QuantumByte:

Have you seen this guy? His costume looks like something out of an old movie where dark heroes fight villains outside the system. Completely black, with white eyes... Sinister, but cool. Who is he anyway? #SilentPhantom

PixelCrafter89:

I watched this live! It was madness. His tendrils... Is that a new quirk? Or some gadget? No one knows how he got these powers, but, damn, it looks epic. #SilentRebel #PhantomRises

NeonSpecter44:

This "Silent Phantom" literally wiped out all the heroes and police in seconds! And the best part is — he didn't seriously injure anyone. He clearly has control over himself. Why are such people considered criminals? He saved a lot of people, by the way. #JusticeForPhantom

VoidWalker9000:

His costume is really cool. Simple, no frills, pure functionality. And that voice... who else noticed how it sounded? Like something from a horror movie. I wouldn't be surprised if he deliberately changes his voice to hide his identity. A true master of secrets. #SilentHero

StarryCoder99:

Did you notice how he moved? His jumps, acrobatics... This is not just a quirk. He is clearly trained. Maybe he's a former hero who left because of the system? Or someone who is just tired of waiting for heroes to take action. #RiseOfThePhantom

ShadowPulse79:

What impresses me more is his attack. Those tendrils that appeared out of nowhere... Was it some kind of energy explosion or something else? No one has seen anything like it before. If he knows how to control it, he's really powerful. #PowerOfPhantom

LunarFury77:

The police and heroes look foolish. They surrounded him, and he just took off. It's a slap in the face to their system. If they had just looked at how much he did for people... But no, it's easier to arrest him. #PhantomUnstoppable

DataCrackerXP:

I like that he's silent almost all the time. He just does his job and disappears. No one knows who he is or where he's from. "Silent Phantom" suits him perfectly. What do you think, will he come back? #PhantomReturnsSoon

LightEater22:

Guys, this "Silent Phantom" could be the start of something big. He shows that licensed heroes aren't the only path. Plus, his style, his demeanor... He clearly doesn't care about fame. A true hero. #SupportSilentPhantom

**Top Comments:**

1. PixelCrafter89: "If the heroes and police had left him alone, it would have been different. He fights for the people, not for the laws. #SilentPhantomForJustice"

2. VoidWalker9000: "Whoever designed his outfit, give them an award. Best costume of the year."

3. ShadowPulse79: "The tendrils... This is a new era for heroes. I hope we learn more."

**Popular Hashtags:**

#SilentPhantom

#JusticeForPhantom

#SupportSilentPhantom

#PhantomUnstoppable

#RiseOfThePhantom

**Topic: "Silent Phantom" — a new icon or a threat to society?**

GlitchHunter13:

This guy... he's something new. Who came up with the name "Silent Phantom"? It suits him perfectly. He's silent, effective, and his attacks look like they were designed by some genius director. The police looked pathetic. #SilentPhantom #PhantomPower

NovaCipher21:

Damn, I can't stop rewatching that moment with his "explosion"! It was so clean and powerful that I feel like he could handle even stronger enemies. If people like that were at the forefront of heroes, we wouldn't fear for our safety. #PhantomRises

CrystalShade88:

Doesn't this costume perfectly highlight his image? Minimalism, darkness, and that white logo on his chest (or did I imagine it?). Whoever created this has great taste. #FashionPhantom

WiredStorm47:

I Googled everything I could about "Silent Phantom," but there's nothing anywhere! This guy appeared out of nowhere. Is he really not registered at all? How is that possible in our time? He definitely has something personal against the system. #SilentRebel

---

IronScribe_07:

Honestly, that attack looked excessive. Some say he's a hero, but it seems more like a weapon of mass destruction. What if he can't control this power? Or worse, decides to use it for revenge? #PhantomThreat

---

StellarDreamer12:

Are you serious? He saved people at the risk of his own life and didn't seriously harm anyone. If anyone here is a threat, it's the heroes who arrest someone who helps. It's just ridiculous. #JusticeForPhantom

---

DarkPulse98:

The attack of the "Silent Phantom" is something incredible. Those tendrils that appeared out of nowhere and the speed with which he used them... I can't even imagine how he does it. Maybe it's something completely new that we haven't seen before? #PhantomPower

---

BinarySpecter45:

If he can control such powers, then he's only dangerous to enemies. The main thing is that he hasn't seriously injured anyone. I feel like he has some kind of code of honor. #SilentPhantomSaga

---

TechNova99:

The guy is tearing off the masks from our system. Heroes are too dependent on rules, and he's doing what people need. Maybe "Silent Phantom" will be the beginning of a new era of heroes. Not those who follow the law, but those who follow justice. #RevolutionPhantom

---

SkylineWolf88:

Maybe we're all wrong? What if he's an antihero? Doing everything right, but by his own methods. This makes him even more interesting. He saves and scares at the same time. People won't be able to forget his attacks — it's more than just heroism. #SilentHeroOrVillain

---

**Top Comments:**

1. DarkPulse98: "He definitely knows what he's doing. This is no longer just some random guy."

2. TechNova99: "Rules were made to be broken, especially when they interfere with saving lives."

3. NovaCipher21: "We're in for something big. 'Silent Phantom' didn't choose this path for nothing."

**Popular Hashtags:**

#SilentPhantom

#PhantomSaga

#PhantomRises

#JusticeForPhantom

#PhantomRevolution

---

— They defend Silent Phantom but hate Izuku Midoriya. How ironic it will be to see their reactions when they learn your true identity, — said Venom in Izuku's head while he was taking down drug dealers with Dabi.

— That won't happen.

— Anything can happen. Don't deny the theory of probability, Izuku. — Rolling his eyes, Izuku took down five enemies with his newly invented attack, silently approaching them and exploding tendrils in the crowd, using a bit more power to neutralize them.

— By the way, your inventiveness impresses me, Izuku. The new attack is extremely impressive; even I couldn't come up with something like that, — Venom said, admiring Izuku's intellect, as he couldn't have thought of such an attack. All he could do was wave his tendrils until he grabbed someone.

— But it consumes a lot of calories, and without consequences, it's hard to use it at all. I think I'll have to order something to replenish my calories, or buy something on the way. — Izuku felt a growing hunger inside him, and to avoid wasting time on cooking, knowing that Venom would eat all the food in the fridge.

— Hooray, food at last! — Venom cheered, realizing that he would feast at that moment, feeling every taste and enjoying every moment of the bitten chocolate bar he didn't have time to eat after shopping for dessert.

— Are you coming soon? — shouted Izuku to Dabi, who was just finishing off the fourth enemy.

— Don't rush, hero. I saw how you saved those people from the bomb and fled from the police. Don't you want to explain to me what happened? — Taking a deep breath, Izuku looked at Dabi, who was tying up all the villains. Using his tendrils, Izuku lifted the unconscious villains and carefully placed them next to the tied-up enemies.

— Don't you want to help tie them up, Silent Phantom? — Izuku shook his head negatively with a smirk, looking at Dabi.

— You're our hero number 37. Oh, by the way, congratulations on your promotion from 39th place to your current rank. — Dabi decided to remain silent, just speeding up to tie them up as quickly as possible before they woke up.

— Well, thanks for at least not beating them to a pulp, — Dabi smirked as he tied up all the villains, looking at Izuku, who, frankly speaking, was messing around, kicking a tin can. Dabi shot him an angry look but said nothing further, instead taking out his phone and starting to call.

— Well, our patrol has ended. I'm heading home, — said Izuku in a pleased tone, ready to jump, but he was stopped by the flames Dabi summoned to his hand.

— Don't rush. I have one more job for you. — Pointing his finger, Dabi called the police and put his phone in his pocket. Izuku was not pleased, as this meant one thing: another assignment from the blue matchstick.

— Don't you want to grab a bite with me? — Izuku looked at him incredulously. Could a hero like him have anything pleasant like a snack? Izuku got up from the trash can and approached Dabi, looking at the metallic elements of his costume.

— Am I really going to hear something from you that's more pleasant than hero patrol? If anything, you're treating me; unfortunately or fortunately, I'm not bringing cash with me. — Rubbing the back of his head, Izuku hoped for Dabi's kindness, which was rarely seen. Although he was selfish in many moments, he was a pleasant person, to say the least—a soul, if only he didn't overdo it by teasing or inflicting severe burns on opponents who dared to insult him.

— I thought after packing all those idiots and sending them to not-so-distant places, you'd offer to grab a bite with me, so we could get to know each other better. — The words "so we could get to know each other better" embarrassed Izuku, as he was not at all excited about forming relationships with anyone. But he didn't refuse the offer to grab a bite together, as it was something unusual that he hadn't tried.

— Sorry, blue flame, I'm not into boys, but I wouldn't refuse a snack. — Hearing something unpleasant about his orientation, Dabi quickly became furious, but he calmed down, pressing his thumb and index finger to the bridge of his nose, lowering his head. Taking a heavy breath and raising his gaze to his not-so-pleasant humor ally,

— Is that all you've got, Andy? — Venom suggested this joke to him, and seeing Dabi's reaction, Izuku was not thrilled with the final result.

— Hey, I thought jokes about non-traditional orientation were funny. But it's still amusing for me because of his reactions, haha, — Venom pretended to laugh inside Izuku. Dabi, due to his partner's silly joke, pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger, embarrassed by his partner.

— Oh, idiot. Fine, I'll send you the coordinates of the establishment, and don't think you'll eat in a five-star restaurant. It's just a diner, okay? — Izuku was, of course, disappointed that he wouldn't get to taste a steak marinated in beef, but still, a gift horse's teeth are not looked at.

— See you later, — Izuku merely nodded, extending his tendrils from his back, heading in the unknown direction.

---

— Hmmm, Dabi, very nice: 27 arrested villains during the night patrol. Very impressive, — said one of the officers, thinking about Dabi in a positive light.

— I'm trying, Officer Masato; after all, it's my duty as a hero to protect the peace of the people from the dark remnants of our society, — Dabi responded melancholically, looking into the officer's eyes, who was filling out a report on the arrested criminals. The officer worked in tandem with Dabi and considered him his partner-hero. It was certainly better than working with rookie heroes who still had milk on their lips.

— Before I leave, I'll tell you an important piece of news: a significant figure from the government has come to our department and issued an order to arrest a criminal syndicate responsible for the spread of Trigger. — The information about the new target gave new significance to Dabi, as it meant a promotion in the rankings, thus a reason for pride in his father's eyes. For the realization of this task, he would need his new partner.

— And what is the name of this syndicate? — Dabi inquired, shaking off imaginary dust from his shoulders.

— The Dreamers of the Fall.

— Have you ever heard of such a thing? — asked the officer, looking at Dabi, who had heard of it and was puzzled by the pomp of their name.

— This is the first time I've heard of it. Do they have any distinguishing feature? A brand, tattoos, or clothing? — Dabi asked, pondering the prospects of rising in the hero rankings and in his family's eyes as well.

— Recently, most of the thugs in the syndicate have a tattoo on their shoulder. The design resembles a crumbling castle, and they mostly wear black clothing, and that's it; we don't have more details. We are actively trying to find other members of the gang, but the leader seems to choose experienced and trained criminals. They, damn it, don't crack under pressure either, — the officer quietly exhaled, looking at Dabi's contemplative face. His snow-white hair always indicated that he was well-groomed, despite all the fights.

— Hmmm, interesting. Call me if you find anything new about this group, — Dabi managed to make the officer smile, and to ensure he didn't get too happy, decided to tell him what Dabi disliked most.

— Of course, but don't relax. Tomorrow at noon, I expect reports, so try to send them on time. Last time I waited for a report for two days, and all the work came to a standstill. — Dabi rolled his eyes and quietly cursed. He loved to fight, getting adrenaline and euphoria in battle, not dealing with bureaucratic processes, filling out one form after another while sitting in an office when all the fun was happening on the street, and envied his father, who had the best assistants for such tasks.

— Don't mention the word "report"; I get a migraine just thinking about it, — he lazily stretched, warming up his joints, cracking his neck to avoid standing still.

— I know how to ruin a mood, Toya-san. I wish you a pleasant rest and good night, — Masato lazily extended his hand to him, which Dabi just shook, smirking.

— When I have time, I'll ruin your mood too, Masato. That time will come; just wait, — pretending to smile, Dabi also wished him goodnight, heading towards his motorcycle.

— That time will never come; keep dreaming, Toya-san, — shouted in response Masato as he headed towards the police car.

---

On the roof of one of the tall buildings in the city, under the glow of streetlights and the distant noise of passing cars, Izuku and Dabi settled down for an improvised dinner. In front of them lay three large shawarmas wrapped in thick foil. For Izuku, this was a novelty, and he looked at the food with mild curiosity.

— You've never eaten shawarma? — Dabi looked at him, raising an eyebrow. — Seriously? You've been in Japan for so many years, and not once?

Izuku shrugged, tilting his head slightly to the side. He had to lift his mask a bit to open his mouth. Venom, sensing the smell of food, literally came alive inside, whispering something on the edge of delight.

— Honestly, I didn't have time. And here... well, you insisted. — Izuku's voice was low and muffled because of the mask, but it was clear he was trying to be casual.

— Oh, buddy, you've missed out on a lot. This is the best fast food for people like us. — Dabi took a big bite, chewing contentedly.

Izuku cautiously followed his example. When the first piece landed in his mouth, he froze. The juicy taste of meat, sauce, and vegetables filled his mouth, and he literally melted.

— This... this is amazing, — he said when he managed to swallow.

— I told you so, — Dabi smirked. — For me, it's like a ritual after patrol. The day was tough, so the food should be well-deserved.

Venom inside Izuku suddenly came alive, loudly and demandingly declaring: "More! More meat! This is magnificent!"

— You're too loud, — Izuku muttered, lifting his mask slightly higher to take another bite.

— What? — Dabi asked, squinting.

— Um... nothing. Just... I think I'll take another one. — Izuku grabbed a second portion, eagerly unwrapping it.

Dabi laughed:

— You're just like a kid trying sweets for the first time. There's someone in your head who just won't settle down, right?

— You could say that, — evasively replied Izuku, biting with such enthusiasm that Venom inside him was literally roaring with glee.

For some time, they ate in silence, enjoying the rare moment of quiet and comfort that heroes rarely experienced. Then Dabi, brushing crumbs off his gloves, glanced at the distant city lights.

— And you did well today, — he suddenly said. — Your... um, ability. It's something new. I haven't seen anything like it.

Izuku tensed, but tried not to show it.

— I'm adapting. You know, the world won't get easier if we stick to old methods.

Dabi nodded, crossing his legs and leaning against the ventilation box.

— You're right about that. Sometimes I feel that our world is too harsh on those who want to change something. But you're still good. I don't understand why you hide your face.

— For safety. — Izuku quickly changed the subject, pointing at the third shawarma. — Are you going to eat that?

— Oh, no. That's yours. — Dabi smirked. — Just make sure your stomach doesn't burst, "Faceless."

They both laughed. For a moment, everything seemed so simple: there was no weight of patrols, no dangers, no hatred. Just two heroes sharing food and a rare moment of silence.

— I wouldn't mind eating more, but I have to go, — Izuku decided it was time to leave, but Dabi, smirking, caught his attention.

— Yeah, you have quite the appetite. I have a question for you, comrade. — Izuku wondered what kind of question Dabi might ask, but he still decided to listen and sat on one of the ledges on the roof, looking into Dabi's eyes.

— How do you feel about the recent events?

— What about?

— I'm talking about that one guy. I'm talking about Izuku Midoriya. What do you think — is he a hero or a reckless child? — Izuku was shocked to hear about himself from Dabi, losing his speech at the question. He truly didn't know the answer to that.

— Does he ask the right questions, or is it just coincidence? — Venom sneered, sensing how Izuku began to get nervous, trying to come up with an answer, but aside from silence, he said nothing.

— What do you think, Dabi? — Placing his hands on the back of his head, he leaned against the fan, feeling how the night of Mustafa decided to answer a question with a question.

— If you want to know my opinion, it's positive, albeit with some "buts."

— The guy is extremely brave and selfless. He is courageous while the clowns in masks were afraid to approach the villain. If it weren't for him that day, my sister would have died. — Feeling the warmth rising in his chest, Izuku wanted to thank him for the kind words about himself, but that would expose his confidentiality, and it was decided to remain silent to avoid raising suspicions.

— To be honest, I don't know how to react to this. On one hand, he showed courage; on the other, it's foolish to confront a villain without any quirks. — Logically replied Izuku, speaking of himself in the third person, and seeing Dabi's reaction, he was not thrilled.

— You think saving a life is foolish? He ran to save my sister while others, in quotes, heroes just stood and watched, waiting for a perfect moment. — Izuku's chest rose, but before Dabi stood not Izuku, but two personalities: Silent Phantom and Andy. For his words, Izuku mentally thanked him, expressing coolness with his voice.

— He's quirkless, — said Izuku, wanting to know Dabi's opinion on the unpleasant fact of Izuku Midoriya. Dabi paused for a moment but decided to continue, albeit with some irritation in his voice.

— And what does that mean? He's a hero who was willing to sacrifice himself to save another despite his weakness. He wasn't afraid of death; he went when he was most terrified, and how did people respond to him? — Dabi paused, watching how his partner's pupils widened or squinted at his words.

— They mocked him, and All Might just took and humiliated him in front of the whole country. And what's the result? — Izuku was shocked that someone like Dabi decided to stand on his side rather than be just a cog in society. From that moment on, his respect for Dabi increased exponentially. He didn't divide people by quirks; he divided them by actions, a truly real hero in Izuku's eyes.

— Mockery, humiliation, and threats, and attempts to cancel him on social media, — said Izuku in an even tone, rising from the ledge, looking at his partner's bewildered reaction.

— Are you always so pragmatic or just pretending to be? I think the word "heartless" describes you better than your current nickname, — Dabi said, raising his voice at him.

— I said what I think, or do you deny that? — Coldly and calculatingly, Izuku pronounced, watching Dabi relax a bit as he changed his stance.

— I feel sorry for that guy. If I were there, I wouldn't let this happen. He doesn't deserve everything he's going through right now. He deserves to be called a hero.

— Deserves, — Izuku whispered, which Venom also echoed.

— You see, it's worth showing him what we're capable of and what our strength is. He'll immediately start to regard us with more respect, Izuku. — Izuku agreed with him and accepted the caring words aimed at him, giving a slight nod of his head.

— I'd like to thank him, but knowing the period in his life... I think I'll leave him alone this week, that's what Mom said. — Izuku was surprised that his mother knew about him, but there was nothing surprising about it. Perhaps Fuyumi had told her.

— And how's your sister doing? Is she okay? — Dabi raised his gaze and lifted an eyebrow, looking at his partner.

— She's fine, — Izuku replied, looking at Silent Phantom.

— Alright, I'm staying; I need to rest and get myself in order.

— Goodnight, — Dabi said with a smirk.

— And you too. — With these words, Izuku ran across the rooftops, disappearing into one of the alleys, blending into the shadow of the darkness of this street. Night enveloped the city. Thick clouds hid the stars, and the light from the street lamps merely emphasized the heaviness of the looming darkness. Launching from the roof of one of the tall buildings, Izuku soared through the air, stretching his arms forward. The black, almost liquid suit of Venom tightly hugged his body, and the thin threads of the symbiote stretched out, grabbing at the ledges of buildings like a dark web.

— "Do you feel this, Izuku?" — Venom's voice resonated within him. — "Power, freedom. No boundaries, no limitations. You are the master of this city."

Izuku said nothing in response. His heart raced faster than ever. He sped forward, soaring higher, pushing off the walls, shifting his weight from one tendril to another. The wind lashed at his face, but he didn't notice the cold. In every movement was hidden aggression, a desire to unleash all the pent-up rage.

— "I can... I will succeed," — he whispered, soaring upward with immense speed and twisting in the air. For a moment, he hovered over the city, and then he plummeted like a stone, at the last moment shooting out a web and smoothly transitioning into the next leap.

— "They don't even suspect what you can do. Look at them: small, pathetic. They rely on their heroes, but none of them can do what you do."

Izuku flew over the streets where the lights of shops and houses still glowed. He saw people, their fleeting faces, but none of them seemed real to him. They were all distant, like the lights on the horizon.

Each jump, each trick became increasingly complex, higher, faster. He felt no fatigue, only euphoria. On one of the rooftops, he did a somersault before falling to his knees, gripping the concrete with his fingers. His breath was heavy, but a unique energy surged in his chest.

— "You belong to this feeling. Remember this, Izuku. You are no longer their slave."

After several hours of flying, he finally returned home. As he opened the door, Izuku almost collapsed inside. His body still vibrated from the exertion, but he felt no fatigue, only a strange calm.

— "It's like the whole world... has changed," — he quietly said, pulling off his suit. Venom easily withdrew back into his body, leaving Izuku in regular clothes.

— "It hasn't changed," — Venom replied. — "You have changed. And this is just the beginning."

Izuku walked into the kitchen, turned on the dim light, and poured himself a glass of water. The silence of the night enveloped him, but inside he could still feel Venom's whisper, still hearing his words, which now seemed like part of his own thoughts.

—I have to save them and do their job for them, and what do I get in return? An arrest?—Izuku said through his anger as he drank the water. Venom began to slither out of Izuku's body, and their gazes met, but Venom's eyes were pleading.

—I understand your indignation, but let's discuss this when we're cooking—Venom said in a pleading tone, causing Izuku's anger to fade and a faint smile to appear, difficult to notice. Seeing the mood of his host, he didn't want to spoil it with his anger or indignation, so he decided to share his worries and thoughts with Venom.

Izuku stood in the small kitchen, illuminated by the warm light of the lamp. After a long and exhausting patrol with Dabi, he decided to relieve stress by cooking. The table in front of him was laid out with ingredients, and the task was clear: to prepare a dinner that would satisfy not only himself but also the insatiable symbiote inside.

"3500 calories, at least," Venom reminded him, his voice echoing in Izuku's head. "I'm not going to eat salad. Where's the meat?"

Izuku sighed, flipping the chicken slices in the pan.

— You've never complained about my cooking.

—I complain when you don't cook enough. And today we need protein. A lot of protein.

A large pot of pasta was already boiling on the stove, and a steak was grilling nearby. Izuku carefully chopped vegetables for a side dish: tomatoes, cucumbers, and a bit of greens, which Venom disdainfully called "herbs."

— Have you ever said it's harmful to eat something healthy? — Izuku smirked, starting to make the sauce. He mixed sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, and spices to add a creamy flavor to the pasta.

"Healthy food doesn't satisfy. Chicken, steak, pasta — that's real food," Venom grumbled, but his voice softened. "You're doing well, Izuku. Even when the world is unfair to you."

Izuku paused for a moment, looking at the sliced bread he was about to toast.

— Unfair is putting it mildly. I help people, save lives, but they consider me a criminal just because I don't have a license.

"They're afraid. Not of you, but of what you represent. You make them see that heroes aren't always those who play by the rules. That scares them."

— That doesn't make it any easier. Every time I put on the mask, I feel the world getting smaller, and the people around me getting further away.

Venom was silent for a few seconds before speaking more softly than usual, "But I am here. We are here. And together we are stronger. Let the law be unjust; you're doing what's right. People see that, even if they don't admit it."

Izuku smiled slightly as he opened the oven, where a large portion of garlic butter roasted potatoes was already cooking. He plated everything: pasta with creamy sauce, pieces of juicy steak, crispy potatoes, and a fresh vegetable side dish.

— This looks... perfect, — Venom sighed. — I forgive you for the herbs. But only today.

— Stop whining, — Izuku laughed as he sat down at the table. — We need this energy. Tomorrow will be another day full of patrols and problems.

— And even more meat, — Venom added, as if sealing a deal. — But, Izuku, you're doing great. We're doing great.

The silence in the kitchen was filled only with the sounds of a fork clinking against a plate. Perhaps this was the only moment of peace in the entire day.

— Where's our chocolate? We didn't get to eat it yesterday.

The chocolate bar rested comfortably in the refrigerator, but there was no need to rush. First, they should finish all that delicious food, and then move on to dessert. Venom, grinning, pounced on the food, scattering pieces all over the table. Izuku, involuntarily caught up in his enthusiasm, began to clean up after him, rolling his eyes but still enjoying his own dish. The slurping sounds from Venom, although irritating, made Izuku feel that his cooking was indeed appreciated. Soon, both of them finished their meal, and Venom, not wasting any time, reached for the chocolate bar in the refrigerator.

"Hey, don't rush! Let me clean the table after your mess," Izuku said wearily, placing the dishes in the sink.

"Buzzkill! Why don't you just buy a dishwasher instead of washing it yourself?" Venom's words hit Izuku's mind like a thunderclap.

Izuku sighed, continuing to gather the plates and carefully stacking them in the sink.

"Look around, Venom. You've created such chaos in the kitchen that no dishwasher could handle it. It's easier for me to clean everything myself than to call a repairman."

"Petty excuses," Venom grumbled, complaining. "I could have devoured that chocolate bar in seconds, and you're dragging it out as if it's more important!"

"If you're in such a hurry," Izuku said, turning to him and placing his hands on his hips, "you can help clean up this mess."

"Me? Clean?— Venom froze, then burst into laughter. "I'm here for great achievements, Izuku. To lift heavy things, protect you, not... wash dishes!"

Izuku shook his head, finally wiping down the table.

"Great achievements, you say? Then next time, it's your turn to cook."

"Cook?! — Venom nearly howled in horror. "Never!"

"Then keep quiet," Izuku replied calmly, closing the refrigerator. "You'll get the chocolate bar only after everything is clean."

Venom growled softly but decided not to argue. The kitchen was filled with silence, broken only by the sounds of water and cleaning supplies. When everything was finally cleaned up, Izuku wearily sank into a chair and glanced at Venom.

"All right, now you can take the chocolate bar."

"Great!" — Venom exclaimed joyfully, immediately grabbing the coveted bar.

Venom opened the package with the enthusiasm of a child, then, as if performing a sacred ritual, began to slowly savor the treat, stretching out the pleasure.

"Tell me, is there anything you can do without making a mess?" Izuku asked, watching the scene.

"A mess is a sign of genius," Venom replied, chewing. "But your chocolate... that's true art."

Izuku smirked, feeling exhaustion finally take hold.

"Fine, enjoy your 'art.' I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow will be another tough day."

"Sleep well, my boring chef," Venom replied. "Tomorrow we'll think about how to get more chocolate!"

Izuku merely shook his head as he left for his room. His life seemed to have become much more chaotic, yet somehow... a little warmer.

---

"Hadou, sir, have you seen today's incident with Silent Phantom?" — a young cadet nearly burst into Officer Hado's office.

"Cadet, please knock before you enter my office," Tadao responded in a calm tone. Despite his daughter Nejire's curious nature, he was extremely rational and composed, not meddling in others' affairs. However, his daughter had lost interest in such curiosity when she used to wait for him with open arms, regardless of his late return from work. He couldn't convince her to stop this, but Nejire's persistence was stronger than his concern. Now, she had stopped meeting him. The head of the Hado family felt pain watching his daughter become distant and silent; her once vibrant energy had vanished, leaving only a shadow of the girl he knew. He remembered how she enthusiastically spoke about her childhood friend, Midoriya Izuku, how caring, smart, and incredibly determined he was.

Now, seeing her dimmed gaze as she sat in her room, clutching that very necklace gifted to her by Izuku, he felt helpless.

"Forgive me, sir," the cadet interrupted his thoughts, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. "But you need to see this recording. Silent Phantom attacked law enforcement officers. He fought against the police and heroes."

"An attack?" Tadao repeated, leaning back in his chair. "Play the video."

The cadet quickly turned on the recording. The screen showed drone footage: the grim figure of Silent Phantom deftly dodged attacks, neutralizing heroes and police officers. His movements were sharp and precise, yet he avoided fatal injuries. At one point, two heroes, distracted by the crowd, lost their vigilance, and he used an explosion from his tentacles to disable them and escape.

"He attacked our people, but... he disarmed the bomb and the villains," the cadet muttered, pointing at the screen.

Tadao squinted at the image. Silent Phantom. His methods were effective but brutal, and his fighting style was aggressive. He was neither a hero nor a villain.

"Is the arrest warrant already signed?" he asked calmly.

"Yes, sir. He has become a serious threat."

Tadao nodded, averting his gaze from the screen.

"Silent Phantom... whoever he is, he operates outside the law. His methods are dangerous, but they don't seem chaotic. Clearly, there's some purpose behind them. But the law is the law, and I can't allow him to endanger our people's lives."

The cadet waited cautiously for instructions.

"Double the patrols, but avoid direct confrontation if possible. We need to understand his motives first. Don't take unnecessary risks."

"Understood, sir."

When the cadet left the office, Tadao picked up his pen again but didn't make a single note. He remembered the tears in his daughter's eyes as she watched the video of someone she once knew.

He sighed heavily.

"If only I knew how to ease her pain," he murmured quietly before glancing back at the Silent Phantom dossier.

"Cadet!!" Tadao shouted in his office, causing the cadet to rush back in.

"Yes, sir?"

"Write a report stating that I'm heading to Mustafa tomorrow to capture Silent Phantom."

"It will be done, sir," the cadet replied firmly as he exited the office.

"Oh, Nejire," he sighed heavily, gazing at the last joint photograph of his daughter and Izuku, which he had taken when they were children.

To be continued

----

[Active Abilities:]

Symbiote Yank

Symbiote Blast

Tentacle Attack

[Passive Abilities:]

Symbiote Body Coating

Regeneration

Wingsuit Wings

Speed and Agility

Strength.