Chapter 301
Page 301
"You can't leave, Izuku."
"......"
Looking at Melissa's gentle yet undeniable smile, Izuku Midoriya silently squatted back down in the hot spring. He figured he might as well just accept reality for now.
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What is the origin of "Quirk"? The truth is about to be revealed when Izuku Midoriya and Kaiu Akaya meet.
Chapter 86 Let's just fill this hole here!
That evening... nothing actually happened. The two of them soaked in the hot spring, chatting and talking, until it was almost time for them to go back to their room to sleep.
The next morning, Izuku Midoriya woke up very early. He looked at Melissa, who was still fast asleep beside him, and silently got dressed and prepared to leave.
"Izuku, are you going alone?"
Melissa, who had already woken up, saw her boyfriend preparing to leave and understood what Izuku Midoriya meant.
"Hmm... there might be a battle coming, so I can't take you with me."
"I understand, you must come back safe and sound."
"Of course, who do you think I am!"
With his lover's blessing, Izuku Midoriya left the hot spring inn and, after heading to the outskirts of the city, transformed into Crimson Knight and flew directly to Yellowstone National Park.
Located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, it is essentially a supervolcano. The volcano is centered on West Thumb, west of Yellowstone Lake, and extends 15 miles to the east and west, and 50 miles to the south and north, forming a huge caldera.
Beneath this crater lies a magma chamber approximately 70 kilometers in diameter and 10 kilometers thick. This massive magma chamber is only 8 kilometers from the surface at its closest point and is still expanding.
It is said that if the Yellowstone supervolcano were to erupt, its terrifying power would not destroy the Earth, but it would almost completely destroy the entire United States.
Fortunately, although this supervolcano on Earth has erupted hundreds of times, the interval between eruptions is as long as 60 to 80 years. The history of human civilization is far less than that. Compared with this great feat of nature, humankind is still too short and insignificant.
However, humanity is also a truly remarkable being, having developed the ability to reach space in just a few thousand years—a miracle that surpasses everything else.
After transforming into Crimson Knight, he quickly arrived at Yellowstone National Park from the city of Wyoming. Izuku Midoriya found a secluded corner to land, transformed back into human form, and then acted in his disguised black-haired form.
Yellowstone National Park is a popular tourist destination, attracting a large number of visitors, including both foreigners and locals. As a world-renowned scenic spot, it's no surprise that it draws a constant stream of visitors.
He didn't know where Akaya Kaiun was, nor did anyone from the League of Villains show up to meet him, but Midoriya Izuku headed directly and decisively toward the supervolcano crater in Yellowstone National Park. His intuition told him clearly... Akaya Kaiun was there!
After heading towards Yellowstone's supervolcano crater, we saw fewer and fewer tourists along the way. After all, apart from geologists, very few people would go to the crater. The temperature there is beyond what ordinary people can bear, and there is a strong, pungent smell of sulfur that stings the eyes. Most people wouldn't want to go and suffer by going near the crater.
Following his intuition, Izuku Midoriya made his way towards the crater without the slightest hesitation. The closer he got to the center of this supervolcano, the stronger his intuition became. Finally, after reaching the top of the crater, he met the person he had to meet in person.
"Akatani Kaiun..."
"Hey! Izuku, that's a pretty good outfit."
The man standing on the crater, the Black Demon King in a black trench coat, is the teacher that Izuku Midoriya knows all too well, Kaiu Akaya. He has been waiting here for a long time.
Having no experience with Izuku Midoriya's disguise, Kaiu Akaya already knew all about it; it was just the truth that was about to be revealed, so it didn't matter if he noticed it sooner.
"Answer me! Who are you?"
"It's a very boring question, you should have realized it by now."
"........"
Unable to answer in silence, Izuku Midoriya had indeed roughly figured out the truth after learning yesterday that he looked exactly like Kaion Akaya.
Why does Akaya Kaiun value himself so much? It's as if his actions all along have been paving the way for him, with all sorts of situations and clues deliberately pointing to a certain fact.
"You...you are me?"
"Not bad, looks like you're not completely stupid after all."
Without denying or defending himself, Akaya Kaiun revealed his true identity to Midoriya Izuku at the most opportune moment, knowing that everything was about to come to an end.
"This... how is this possible!?"
Still somewhat incredulous, even after he had sensed and understood the truth, and then Akaya Kaion personally revealed the fact, Midoriya Izuku still couldn't accept it; the situation was just too outrageous.
"No doubt about it, I am 'Izuku Midoriya,' and you from another parallel world, unable to become a hero, but instead becoming the enemy 'Kaizuru Akaya.'"
"They've become enemies..."
Akaya Kaion's words were a huge shock to Midoriya Izuku, but it was also a very normal phenomenon. No matter who it happened to, they would probably have to have their mind go blank and think about whether they were dreaming.
"From the moment I became an 'enemy,' my fate was sealed, and so it is yours."
"From the moment you choose to become a hero, you bear the responsibilities that heroes must shoulder. This is the future of Izuku Midoriya."
"Now I will tell you the truth of everything. Let me see how Izuku Midoriya, as a hero, will choose."
The two, whose paths diverge, are both named "Izuku Midoriya." One is destined to become a hero worshipped by all, while the other is destined to become a demon king revered by all. These are the different destinies that stem from the same person.
The two people standing on the crater, Izuku Midoriya and Kaiun Akaya, looking at each other is the best portrayal of light and shadow. The same person extends into completely opposite futures, but this is not actually the most important thing.
Do you know the origin of "individuality"?
Without wasting time on his own identity, Akaya Kaiun stared at Midoriya Izuku and asked a question that humanity had spent hundreds of years trying to answer.
"...The origin of individuality?"
Completely on the defensive, Izuku Midoriya found himself speechless after Kaiu Akaya revealed his true identity. The boy who was about to become a hero found it hard to accept that the big boss he thought he had to fight with all his might was actually "himself."
"Before coming to this parallel world, I traveled across countless different worlds. Do you know what I saw?"
"have no idea......"
Unable to get a word in edgewise, Izuku Midoriya could only become a dutiful man, listening obediently to Kaiun Akaya speak. Perhaps the lingering authority of this teacher, whose true identity was "himself," still made Midoriya very respectful and fearful of him.
"In different worlds, humans living on Earth do not possess the concept of 'personality,' or rather, those with superpowers are extremely rare."
"Is 'individuality' merely an anomaly unique to our world?"
After hearing Akaya Kaion's explanation, Midoriya Izuku couldn't help but ask questions. He was also very concerned about the "origin of Quirks," after all, it was a mystery that humanity had been unable to solve even after a hundred years of research, so it would be a lie to say that he didn't care.
"That's not the case... How so?"
Having said that, Akaya Kaiun suddenly felt that something was hard to explain. After thinking for a moment, he released his shadow, which expanded in area and became like a screen, displaying the image on it.
What appears on the shadow screen is the vast universe, but at this moment the Milky Way is filled with hundreds of millions of cosmic monsters. A one-eyed, majestic and imposing robot is fighting against these billions of cosmic monsters, clearing out and eliminating tens of thousands of enemies with a single strike.
"This is?!"
"The information I got from a silver-haired guy is about things that happen in different universes, the battle between humans and cosmic immune beings."
"The universe's...immune system?"
I couldn't quite understand the information that Akaya Kaion had said. It was completely beyond Midoriya Izuku's common sense. After all, there was nothing he could do about it... The humans on Earth who were fighting against the space monsters had already reached a level of technology where they used reactors and black holes as bombs, while this side was just playing house.
"Humans are a spiral race that will continue to evolve and develop. You possess the awakened 'Spiral Force.' Having personally experienced this power, you should be able to understand the possibilities that humanity holds, right?"
"Indeed... the 'Spiral Force' is a power completely beyond the comprehension of this world."
"Similarly, humans are a spiral race, and the things this race can do are things that no one can predict."
Throughout history, the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, and many other structures were built by humankind using only manpower when ancient tools were scarce. In the modern era, with skyscrapers everywhere, humanity is no longer content with living on Earth and yearns to venture to the stars in outer space.
Humans are a spiral race, a race with infinite possibilities. As long as they have a goal, they can conquer even the stars and the sea.
"I have traveled to many different parts of the world, but I have found that humanity faces a similar difficult problem."
"In many worlds, although human technology is already capable of venturing into the universe and developing at full speed, they are more or less hindered by some problems and remain locked on Earth."
"Humans mutate into monsters, bringing disaster; an alternate world connected to Earth; a biohazard outbreak turns humans into zombies..."
After hearing Akaya Kaion give about a dozen examples, Midoriya Izuku went from being surprised to becoming somewhat numb, and he suddenly realized the problem.
"Could it be that the emergence of 'individuality' in our world is also due to a similar situation?"
"Correct answer. 'Individuality' exists in our world as an obstacle to human development and evolution."
This is precisely why Akaya Kaion now resents the existence of "Quirks" and is preparing to use "Spiral Force" to eliminate Quirks worldwide.
"Personality can be seen as Earth's immunity, something that appears in humans to prevent them from venturing into space."
"Hey! Didn't you just say it's the universe's immunity!?"
"Do you think you're worthy? If a cosmic monster were to attack, what could humanity on Earth do?!"
"........."
Unable to utter a word, Izuku Midoriya carefully reviewed the performance on the shadow screen just now. It seemed that a cosmic monster had really invaded Earth, and humanity was on the verge of extinction in no time.
However, Akaya Kaiun felt that what he said was not quite right, so he explained it again.
"Of course, to put it more humanely, it can be seen as Mother Earth's care for humanity. Once humanity's technology reaches a certain level and is able to disrupt the laws of the universe, a kind of cosmic immunity, similar to cosmic monsters, will emerge."
"Human beings are a spiral race with infinite possibilities. Of course, the process of evolution is not without danger. Human beings not only face challenges from the Earth and the universe, but may even be destroyed by their own hands."
"Our Earth is a pretty good mother; instead of resorting to extermination methods to wipe out humanity, it plans to use 'personality' to distort the essence of humanity, gradually turning humans into a non-spiral race."
"This is precisely why human technology has barely improved in over a century; humans with 'personalities' are no longer the Spiral race."
This is the truth that happened in the world of Akaya Kaion and Midoriya Izuku: Earth's immunity... or rather, consciousness using "Quirks" to distort and change humanity. When humanity is no longer the Spiral race, it loses the possibility of continuous evolution and development.
"However, in my view, humanity will always be 'humanity,' continuing to evolve and develop as the Spiral race, even if the future brings destruction, it doesn't matter."
"Whether you intend to live as an 'animal' on Earth, or as a 'human being' constantly striving towards a goal, that's the choice I'm giving you."
"Choose, I will become the hero of this world."
The choice facing Izuku Midoriya is a decision given to him by Kaiu Akaya, and it is the best test for someone who dreams of becoming a hero who surpasses All Might.
By agreeing to Akaya Kaiun's plan, humanity would be freed from the shackles of Earth's "personality," allowing them to regain the power of the Spiral Race and evolve towards an infinite future. However, along the way, there is a high probability that they will encounter various disasters and face extinction.
The plan to reject Akaya Kaiun's idea was to allow humanity to continue living as it is, without the chaos and war that would erupt due to the loss of "Quirks" and the resulting deaths of many, and without facing unexpected disasters from Earth and the universe, thus continuing to live on Earth indefinitely.
It was a difficult choice, and whichever choice Izuku Midoriya made would have enormous consequences for the entire human world. Yet, at this moment, Izuku Midoriya spoke:
"I refuse!"
An unexpected answer came from Izuku Midoriya's mouth with unwavering conviction, showing that this hero, the successor of All Might, was ready to take on all of this.
"You're right, humanity will always be 'humanity,' and should continue to evolve and develop as the Spiral race."
"I agree with your plan, but I refuse to accept your approach!"
"Whether now or in the future, I will not stand idly by and watch anyone get hurt."
This surprising answer was not entirely unexpected by Akaya Kaiun, who questioned the "himself" in front of him with a happy smile.
"Rejecting my plan is fine, but you'll have to demonstrate enough strength to earn my respect."
"Then let's fight! Who do you think I am? I'm a hero!"
Chapter 87 A round of verbal sparring is the norm
Akaya Kaion's plan is to use Midoriya Izuku's "Spiral Force" to eliminate "Quirks." However, just as All Might feared, the disappearance of "Quirks" in this world will cause earth-shattering changes to the entire human society.
Since the emergence of "Quirks," humanity has experienced numerous chaotic conflicts. It took 100 years for the world to gradually adapt and stabilize. If the existence of "Quirks" were to suddenly disappear, a world-changing chaos and an incredibly brutal war would surely occur, resulting in the deaths of many people.
Izuku Midoriya, who is fully aware of the consequences of the Akaya Kaiun Plan, would obviously not agree with "his" approach. Perhaps the future of humanity returning to the Spiral Race is important, but sacrificing the lives of many innocent people for it, even if it's just one person... Izuku Midoriya would not approve of it.
"Akatani-sensei, if you were 'Izuku Midoriya,' you would understand my thoughts perfectly well. Human life is not as simple as you can say!"
"That's right, but are you capable of taking responsibility for the future of humanity?"
The most realistic answer is that no matter what a person wants to do, whether to become a hero or a demon king, they need enough strength to bear it all. Without strength, it's just empty talk and pretty words.
"I can entrust the future of humanity in this world to you, but if you do not have the power that I can acknowledge, then let's proceed according to my plan."
"Then you'll just have to wait and see!"
The battle between Akaya Kaigu and Midoriya Izuku, the same person from a parallel world, unfolds in this final battle that will determine the fate of humanity in this world.
"Knight armor created from 'Spiral Force'... no, to be precise, it should be called Crimson Knight. Let me see it."
"as you wish!"
Taking the spiral key from around his neck, Izuku Midoriya inserted it into the hole in his Rider Belt and twisted it to activate it.
"Transform!"
""RAW! RAW! Fight The Power!"
The "Spiral Force" erupted and enveloped Izuku Midoriya's entire body. After the light faded, the Kamen Rider armor appeared, the crimson Kamen Rider, the original ZERO, from which infinite evolution would begin.
Who do you think I am?!