My hero academia:Am I worthy?

**Fan**

The word often found in media culture. Every fan has their idol, whom they honor and respect. In the world of heroes, almost every hero has their fans, who create their ratings and generate popularity, inspiring them to continue being heroic. Some adored heroes, others hated them, but no one denied their contribution to maintaining society, even though villains appeared unexpectedly. Nevertheless, heroes nearby always dealt with them. Like all ordinary people, heroes often fell under the influence of society, especially under the ideology of "Quirk Supremacy," led by Re Destro. As a public figure, he garnered the trust of hundreds of citizens in Japan through beautiful words and altruistic deeds. Quirkless individuals faced persecution that no one acknowledged until Re Destro's emergence. Year after year, the number of people with quirks increased, while the quirkless became a relic of the past for a new era. Clothing, work, the service sector, and the food industry gradually began to specialize in people with unique quirks, while those who were deprived had to lag behind.

Re Destro knew that he was building his ratings through hatred towards certain groups of people. Everyone had a tendency to hate what didn't fit into their understanding of the world. Such people as the quirkless and heteromorphs were quietly hated by ordinary people for their differences, but no one openly expressed their opinions except for Re Destro. He voiced what everyone knew and saw, thus earning points for his social status. People were captivated by his wealthy image, but everyone loved him for always being on the side of ordinary working people rather than being a rich person shoving it in the faces of the common folk. He expressed his opinions openly, making him a brave man who challenged the system, but he understood that he was just a small fish in the sea while he needed to be a whale devouring plankton. The quirkless began to be openly insulted and humiliated, thanks to Re Destro's ideology. Izuku Midoriya's act ignited even more hatred in the eyes of the public, branding him a disgrace to heroism. Under the influence of this ideology fell everyone from the elderly to small women and children who were unjustly hated by society.

After Re Destro's latest performance on the show "Spotlight," many people inclined to cruelty resorted to physical violence against the quirkless.

*****

In a regular shopping mall, Izuku was searching for new clothes, which he was not particularly thrilled about. After his last battle with the skeletal villain, his muscles ached from the strain, and on top of that, he had morning exercises and skill sharpening, which made him feel terrible. Izuku would never go shopping just for the sake of it; he had a goal—to find a new replacement for his old costume, which was worn out from the skeletal man's hands that tore his coat and made a huge hole in the stomach area due to his bony protrusion that pierced him through and ruined his hero costume.

— What do you want to choose in a regular supermarket? They don't sell hero costumes here, — Venom snapped, watching the showcases of luxury brands that tempted buyers with their quality and looks, which local fashion enthusiasts couldn't resist.

— I know that. Even though I like my current costume for its intimidating look, have you seen the huge holes in it? There are many damages left in all elements of the costume, — Izuku sighed. Other than the hat and boots, everything was damaged, and he didn't prefer to hero in a torn costume.

— Why not send it to a tailor? He or she would quickly handle it, — Venom logically asked, slowly beginning to understand human psychology and customs, and considering this, he suggested the cheapest and equally logical option.

— That's logical, but it would raise many questions and suspicions. If you haven't forgotten, in the morning report about the destroyed hideout of the skeletal man, Silent Phantom was suspected, — Izuku replied, having logical arguments for Venom's questions.

— And if the police are looking for us, we would leave a fat clue behind by sending the costume to the tailor, — Venom inside Izuku huffed in annoyance but still agreed with the host.

— What do you want to choose? — Venom asked, seeing how Izuku walked into an ordinary chain clothing store known for its inexpensive prices but also decent quality, which attracted him more due to his limited budget.

— Well, first of all, although the coat looked intimidating and stylish, it often gets in the way in battle and hinders in enclosed spaces. The last fight with the bone man proved that, — while continuing to search for something for his chest, Izuku often stumbled upon hoodies, which didn't suit him, and most of them were vintage, meaning they would cost a lot.

— For the chest, I think any jacket would do. The jacket should not stand out; as for the pants, I think ordinary black jeans would fit, — Izuku continued to scan the store's assortment, lost in thought. Venom, observing him from the inside, couldn't take it anymore and tried to intervene again:

— You're clearly looking for something specific, but wasting a lot of time. Maybe I should help? — Venom, who studied human culture, was well aware of the need for camouflage in the dark; even though he liked the old look, he couldn't dispute the host's will due to logical arguments. It irritated him how slowly Izuku picked one item without hurrying.

— Help from you in choosing clothes? — Izuku weakly smiled. — You'll just pick something black and say it's perfect. The day went as usual; pretending to be an ordinary shopper, Izuku occasionally noticed disapproving looks from the seller and some customers in his direction.

— Because it's practical, — Venom insisted. — Less noticeable, easier to move, less cost. — Izuku ignored his comment and continued to examine jackets. He pulled items from hangers several times, assessing their appearance, but each time something bothered him. Either the material seemed too thin, or the style looked too flashy.

— This is incredibly boring, — Venom finally grumbled. — You're taking so long to choose that I just want to grab the first thing I see. Accustomed to constant adrenaline spikes during battles, Venom couldn't stand the ordinary boring days when they could fight villains and enjoy themselves much more.

— You're bored? You, of all people, were ready to endure inactivity for hours for an ambush? — Venom grumbled discontentedly, but no particular actions from him were observed.

— An ambush is a task, not standing at a clothing rack, — Venom snapped back. — Look, for example, at that jacket. It looks fine. — Izuku followed Venom's "indication" and indeed saw a black leather jacket without any inscriptions or unnecessary elements. It looked minimalist but of good quality, and the material seemed sturdy enough for any conditions.

— This is closer, — Izuku agreed, taking the jacket off the hanger. He tried it on, approaching the mirror. The jacket fit well, and there were no cameras or outsiders in the fitting room. With a force of thought, he donned the symbiotic mask, and with the leather jacket, he looked quite good, even as menacing as in his previous costume, which even Venom noted.

— Now that's something. You look like someone not to be trifled with. So what do you think? — Venom liked this option, and after removing the mask from Izuku's face, he cracked his fingers and smiled.

— I like it. If the price weren't so high, I would buy it without thinking, — taking the jacket in his hands, Izuku chose ordinary, unremarkable black jeans and put them on, glancing at himself in the mirror with Venom's black mask.

— Looks good, — Izuku said, not hiding his joy in his voice, and when he exited the fitting room, he noticed them.

When Izuku walked out of the fitting room holding his chosen clothes, he noticed that the gazes of those around him had become more intense. Several customers stepped aside, as if invisibly creating an empty space around him. One of them, a middle-aged man with the quirk of glowing eyes, whispered something to his companion. She immediately glanced at Izuku, squeezed the man's hand, and, showing no disdain, looked down at him.

Izuku did not show that he noticed this. He approached the cashier and placed the items in front of the seller, a young guy with a quirk of gray-blue spots on his hands, reminiscent of a painting. He barely glanced at the jacket and jeans, then his eyes turned to Izuku's face. In his gaze flickered something that had become too familiar to Izuku over the past months: a mix of contempt and dislike.

— Card or cash? — the seller asked, his voice lacking the friendliness he had with other customers.

— Card, — Izuku replied calmly, trying not to pay attention to the hidden disdain. The seller slowly scanned the items, but just before handing over the bag, he suddenly asked:

Izuku Midoriya

Balance: ¥5010

Spent: -¥29650

(If you enjoy following the main character's shopping and finances, let us know in the comments!)

— You're that guy, right? From the Re Destro show, whom ALLMIGHT condemned? — Izuku felt a tension rise. His fingers tightened around the strap of the bag containing the clothes. Other customers continued to stare at Izuku, who was expected to explode and yell according to their script, but nothing happened. Izuku reacted calmly when someone tried to tear the seller apart.

— I don't know what you're talking about, — he replied briefly. The seller smirked as he handed over the bag.

— Maybe so. But I'll say one thing: quirkless people always find a way to ruin normal people's lives. Only you manage to do it loudly. — The words, spoken quietly enough for only Izuku to hear, made Venom inside him stir.

— I'd love to set him straight, — the symbiote remarked with a smirk, trying to break free from Izuku's body. The seller's mocking gaze infuriated the symbiote; to insult the host was to insult him, but Izuku restrained him from becoming a target for the public and heroes.

— No, that would only attract unwanted attention, — Izuku mentally replied, maintaining his calm. He took the bag and headed for the exit but heard one more phrase from the seller behind him as he reached the door:

— Heroism isn't in your future, kid. Soon you all will have to eat the scraps from the table. — A suppressed laugh rippled through the store from several customers. Izuku paused for a moment but did not turn around.

— People have gotten used to judging not by actions but by appearance, — he thought as he continued on his way. When he reached the street, Venom couldn't hold back any longer:

— That was humiliating. Why did you let him talk to you like that? — People continued to look at Izuku sideways; everyone recognized him in the shopping mall, and some pointed at him, but he didn't care about their words.

— Because if I show my strength, a new scandal will start, — Izuku replied quietly, knowing the consequences of his rash decisions.

— You're way too patient, — the symbiote grumbled, resenting the overly patient nature of his host when he should be spitting in the faces of his offenders, putting them in their place, like in the case with Bakugo and Katsuki.

— Maybe so, — Izuku agreed, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he continued walking down the street, knowing that even more challenges awaited him, not only in his ordinary civilian life but also as Silent Phantom.

— If I do something like that, they'll hate me even more, — Venom was not satisfied with Izuku's response, only grumbling and nagging at his nerves.

— Like what? — Venom asked, not hiding his irritation.

— Hmm, look. I'll take and be rude to that seller or, even worse, hit him in the face. And then what? In your opinion. They'll pull out their phones and start filming me, posting it online, or even worse, I'll become a new sensation on television. — Exhaling, Izuku surveyed his surroundings. The birds were still singing in the afternoon, the humid climate heavily weighed on his thirst, and while looking around, he noticed several heroes patrolling the area and some residents engaged in small talk.

— Because of me, they'll start hating the quirkless even more, and I don't want to complicate life for others. — Izuku continued down the street, holding the bag of clothes that seemed to grow heavier against the backdrop of the irritated atmosphere surrounding him. Venom kept grumbling in his head, but Izuku continued to restrain himself. He knew that even the slightest outburst could lead to catastrophe. In this world, where every step could become a source of hatred, every choice he made was important not only for him but for those like him, who found themselves threatened by the ideology of "quirk supremacy."

— You're holding yourself back too much, — Venom said, evident irritation in his voice.

— I don't understand why you don't let your emotions out. You've long deserved the right to show that you're not what they're trying to make you.

— Strength doesn't always solve everything, — Izuku replied quietly, gritting his teeth.

— I know you want me to act immediately, but this isn't that world. People don't understand strength; they fear it, but even more, they fear what they can't control. — Suddenly, a surge of rage boiled in his chest as he realized how easily people turned those who were different into targets for their anger. He never asked for this! He was just trying to become better, to help people as best he could. And in return — contempt, anger, a readiness to destroy everything that didn't fit into their little world.

He looked at one of the shop windows, seeing his reflection. In a new jacket and with a dark gaze behind the mask. How strange it was to see himself like this. He was still Izuku Midoriya, but now there was no place for him in this world. He would merely be another object of mockery if not for his powers, his determination.

— I don't think I'll like this path, — Izuku muttered, looking into the window and then continuing on his way.

— I don't want to be just a symbol for those looking for someone to hate. I want them to see that I'm not just… the one who annoys them. I'm the one who fights. — Suddenly, his steps slowed. He felt his gaze drawn to a group of teenagers standing at the entrance to a store, chatting among themselves and glancing in his direction. One of them subtly pointed a finger, another simply laughed. A light chill ran down his spine.

It was a typical scene. Alienation, mockery, condemnation. But at that moment, Izuku felt something tighten in his chest. No, he couldn't allow himself to give in to this. He turned to them, but instead of intervening or even getting angry, he simply continued walking. His steps were firm, and his face calm. He knew they were watching him, but he didn't want to let them be the reason for his reaction. He didn't want them to think they could make him act as they wanted.

— Are you really going to ignore them? — Venom asked, with a hint of surprise at this scene.

— I can't allow myself to be what they want me to be anymore, — Izuku replied, not looking back. — I won't feed them this. If they want to be spectators, then let them be. I won't play by their rules anymore. — As he passed the group, he felt their gazes, but they did not shake him. It was like passing through a veil of disdain and continuing on his way. Izuku knew that he would face many more encounters like this. And with each time, his determination only grew stronger.

He continued moving down the street, feeling as if the world was closing in around him. In his mind, questions arose more frequently, and there were no easy answers. What's next? How long could he remain Silent Phantom, staying in the shadows? And what would happen if he had to confront those who didn't understand his choice? What would his loved ones say if they learned about his alternative identity?

But whatever happened, he knew one thing: giving up was not an option. He would rise even if it hurt.

****

Two days later

Takeshi slipped through narrow alleyways, skillfully avoiding puddles and heaps of garbage. The night city lived its life: distant sirens sounded, neon lights reflected off the wet asphalt, and the noise of cars faded into the silence of the courtyards. He knew — no one would pay attention to a skinny boy in a worn-out jacket.

The main thing was to be fast.

He darted to a newsstand and froze in the shadow, watching the seller. The man lazily stared at his phone, not even noticing how a small hand darted towards a stack of fresh issues featuring heroes and their exploits.

"Silent Phantom saves another quirkless!" — read the headline of one of the newspapers. Without hesitation, Takeshi grabbed it, along with a couple more issues. His heart thudded loudly in his chest. The seller mumbled something, but the boy was already racing away, clutching the newspapers in his hands. His heart raced in a frantic rhythm. He turned his head back, hoping no one was chasing him, and he was right — they were indeed after him, or rather, the shopkeeper was. With bare feet, he ran across the asphalt as fast as he could until he slowed down due to a sudden growl in his stomach caused by hunger from his sprint.

One alley, then another... He knew this route by heart, having lived on the streets for more than a month, and local residents in these areas nicknamed him "The Quick Hedgehog" because of his blue hoodie and hair that resembled an hedgehog's spines, along with his black worn-out pants that looked tattered and unwashed.

His next stop was a small grocery store. The owner had caught him stealing more than once, but Takeshi couldn't do otherwise. He didn't beg for alms. He didn't wait for someone's pity. He took care of himself.

Waiting for the moment when the cashier turned away, the boy slipped inside. His goal — bread, a couple of apples, and a bottle of water. Quickly, silently… But suddenly someone grabbed him by the collar.

— You again, little thief?! — Takeshi flinched, spinning around sharply. The cashier — a burly man with a square face — looked at him with irritation due to his stealing antics, but what infuriated the seller more was that Takeshi appeared to be quirkless, as there were no signs of a quirk visible.

— Let me go! — the boy grunted, struggling with all his might. He tried to escape, but the man's strong grip held him fast. Takeshi kept the food in his hands to avoid dropping it and leaving empty-handed.

— I'll call the police; I'm tired of this! — Takeshi gritted his teeth. No, he couldn't get caught. If they took him away — what then? Who would return his shelter? Who would tell him the news about Silent Phantom?

— Look, a hero has come! — The seller raised his eyes to the entrance and saw no one. Taking advantage of the cashier's confusion, Takeshi suddenly bent down, wriggled out of the grip, and kicked the man in the groin. While the cashier cursed, holding his groin, Takeshi dashed for the exit, clutching his loot tightly to his chest, which was essential for his survival, as he relied solely on himself.

— Damn kid! — came a shout in the background. But he was already running, dissolving in the maze of streets.

His shelter was far from prying eyes — in an abandoned high-rise building on the fourth floor, dank and musty, where only gloom and hopelessness reigned. This was his home and his refuge at the same time. Old mattresses, a couple of boxes of junk, and newspaper clippings stuck to the wall. All of them told the story of one person — Silent Phantom.

Takeshi was breathing heavily as he settled onto his "bed." His fingers trembled with excitement as he unfolded the fresh newspaper.

"Another feat by the mysterious hero. Who is he?"

The boy's eyes sparkled. He didn't know his real name, didn't know where he came from, but he knew one thing — he saved those whom everyone turned away from.

The quirkless.

Like him.

Takeshi eagerly read every word, his thoughts drifting away. He glued his eyes to the newspaper, observing his idol's new image, which had changed recently. Takeshi's opinion about his black jacket and black pants had changed; now he was without a hat, still wearing the indispensable black mask with white lenses, which looked menacing, but this version of the costume seemed slightly dull compared to the old one in which he was a detective with a black cloak.

-One day... One day I will become like him. I won't be afraid. I will also protect those who were abandoned.

But for now... For now, he was just a boy hiding in the shadows of a musty room with mold that he had to breathe in every day when he came home. He tried to find a new shelter, leaving the old one behind, but they were already occupied by homeless people who had taken those places. But nobody went into this high-rise, and finally, losing faith in having a regular home and a normal life, he came to terms with this situation in his life. Takeshi ran his fingers over the yellowed newspaper, peering at every line, every picture. His refuge felt more like a shrine dedicated to Silent Phantom. The walls were covered with articles, clippings, photographs — everything he could find.

"Mysterious hero saves the quirkless!"

"Executioner or protector? Who is Silent Phantom?"

"They fear him. They hate him. But he doesn't give up."

Takeshi ran his hand over one of the clippings, struggling to make out the blurred text. In the corner of the page, a dark brown stain marked where he had found the newspaper in the rain. At that moment, he didn't care.

He always didn't care.

The boy took a deep breath. Somewhere in his soul, a dream flickered — to become like him. To be just as strong. Just as fast. Just as… significant to people. He wanted to meet him and fight alongside him as partners. He believed in him even when ordinary heroes were afraid. He went where it was most dangerous.

Because Silent Phantom wasn't just a hero. He was a symbol. He was hope for those whom society had cast aside like useless trash. He helped everyone indiscriminately, even though people often hurled insults at him, but only those who truly appreciated such help could notice his efforts.

—I can do it too… I want to be like him — whispered Takeshi, barely audible. He clenched his fists, feeling his chest fill with fire. Yes, he had no quirk. Yes, he was just a street kid, a thief, homeless.

But does that matter?

Silent Phantom was also an ordinary person with his weaknesses. And that didn't stop him; he finds the strength not to be lazy and constantly rises, despite the pain. He saw on the monitors in storefronts how he saved people and fought villains.

Takeshi jumped up, inspired by this thought. He must train! He must become stronger! If he doesn't want to live forever in this musty corner, eating stolen bread and hiding from the police, he needs to improve.

"I can become like him!" he shouted at the abandoned building until the pain in his lungs overwhelmed him. He grabbed his chest, the pain intensified even more. A sharp cough pulled him out of his thoughts. He covered his mouth with his hand, suppressing the spasm, but felt a strange, warm moisture. Glancing at his palm, he saw crimson spots.

Blood.

He froze.

"What?..

"Why?.." His head spun slightly, but he irritably wiped the blood on his pant leg. After all, his idol wouldn't look at his illness but would continue saving the innocent. If he didn't give up, then why should he surrender like the others? he told himself, trying to find comfort in the darkness of the night air illuminated by the faint wax lamp they had used before. Takeshi thought maybe he should steal some candles from the market for the future, because in a few hours he would be left alone in the dark and loneliness, without support and warmth. All alone, without friends, only darkness accompanied him on his life path.

"Nonsense. I probably just caught a cold. Maybe it's the humidity." He had no time for illnesses. Let his body fail him, let his hands shake from cold and weakness — it didn't matter.

He would become stronger.

Silent Phantom managed.

So he would too.

Takeshi tiredly closed his eyes, leaning against the cold, damp wall. He felt his body weakening, but continued to convince himself that it was just fatigue, just temporary weakness. He ran his hand over his empty stomach, which twisted painfully. Hunger had tormented him for nearly eight hours, but now it felt particularly acute — as if someone was squeezing his stomach with icy fingers. His belly was empty, and weakness was making itself known; his hands felt heavy, every thought and every step accompanied by a headache that tortured him before he slipped into the land of eternal fantasies.

He could go steal more food. He could risk it and try to find something edible in the trash cans, as he had done before. But he had no strength left for today.

"Tomorrow…" he whispered, not believing his own words. His fingers tightened on the old newspaper. The last thing he saw before slipping into vague oblivion was the headline:

"Silent Phantom saves another quirkless!"

Takeshi smiled — a weak, barely noticeable smile. He would like to meet him. He wanted to become like him. The boy closed his eyes, allowing the night to engulf him. Darkness tightened around him, plunging him into a sleep full of shadows and distant voices. He was hungry. He was sick.

But at least in his dreams, he could be strong and truly significant, unlike now. And the boy fell asleep in the small room, alone, without warmth, surrendering himself to the torment of hunger that plagued him even in his sleep.

****

Izuku, in his new form, looked impressive. The black leather jacket fit snugly against his figure, accentuating every muscle curve and radiating a sense of strength and threat. Instead of a long cloak, he now wore a minimalist but strict style. Black pants completed the look; their fabric was functional and allowed for free movement, while massive boots emphasized his readiness for battle. But the main attention was drawn to the black mask with white lenses that glowed in the dark, creating an almost ominous effect. Now he looked not like a detective hiding in the shadows, but like the embodiment of fear itself for criminals.

His silhouette gliding among the city's night lights captured attention. Izuku soared into the air, using his agile jumps and long webs that shot from building to building. He was like a shadow, appearing from nowhere and disappearing just as quickly. The new costume enhanced this illusion: the leather shone against the dim light of street lamps, and the silent silhouette created the impression that the city itself had come alive to punish evil.

Hiding in a cloud of night fog, he jumped onto the roof of one of the high-rise buildings. Below him sprawled the city — noisy, yet still beautiful. Looking at the streets filled with people, he felt the weight of responsibility resting heavily on his shoulders. But it was a burden he accepted with pride.

Every movement was honed to perfection. Jumping from roofs, swiftly leaping between buildings — he wasn't just moving; he was becoming part of the city, its invisible shadow emerging in the nighttime. In his new form, he felt more confident than as Izuku Midoriya, though deep down he knew that enemies could find a way to pierce through his armor.

That night, he stopped a robbery in the southern part of the city. A gang of three armed men burst into a store, but their plans were disrupted by a sudden strike — as if the darkness had come alive and attacked. None of them even had time to notice how they were neutralized. It all happened too quickly: one after another, they fell, not realizing that they were being attacked.

Only standing on the roof of a neighboring building, Izuku cast a final glance at the store. The owner looked shocked but grateful. No one knew who had saved him, but that didn't matter. Silent Phantom didn't seek glory. He simply did what he had to do.

"No matter how high you fly, falling still hurts more," Venom snapped, watching through his eyes as Izuku leaped from roof to roof. Izuku observed from below how the city lived its night life.

"Symbolic, but inappropriate in this context," Izuku replied dryly, with an emotionless expression on his face, seeing a person with a mutated snake quirk harassing a passerby in an alley.

"Please, leave me alone!" In one of the dark alleys, illuminated by a faint streetlight, a snake-like man crawled on his tail instead of legs towards his victim. The tips of the snake's fingers had claws that painfully sliced through the flesh of his prey, and the entire torso and head were snake-like, which emphasized his voice.

"Shhh, hand over the money, and it won't hurt, shhh," he hissed, approaching the stranger. The man had already extended his wallet towards him when the snake-like person felt his tail being grabbed. Before he could turn his head, he was hurled with monstrous force into the fire escape. He slammed against the metal railing and finally fell face down.

"Get out," Izuku said with a dry tone to the passerby he was trying to rob. The man ran away in fear, not even saying thank you. The alley fell silent, leaving them alone in this oppressive quiet, while the snake-like man lunged at him with claws, trying to tear him apart. The claws sliced through the air, missing their target. Deciding to end this fight quickly, Izuku used [Symbiote: Punch] and threw him back into the wall, but the man quickly recovered and stood up, shaking his head. He didn't give up and decided to go all the way. Hissing again, he charged towards Silent Phantom. This time he used his tail as a weapon, delivering whip-like strikes, but nothing worked — all his attacks missed, and Izuku's dodges with rolls did their job.

Tired of dodging the snake's attacks, Izuku used [Symbiote: Yank], grabbing his opponent by the head and forcefully throwing him to the ground, breaking a couple of his fangs. The man lay still on the ground, showing no signs of life.

"You really impressed him against the asphalt, Izuku, and surprisingly, the fight was quick. Now let's finish him off," Venom grinned, but Izuku refused and simply approached the snake's body, lifting him from the ground and holding him by the collar of his jacket so that he could look him in the eyes, but the man was unconscious and showed no signs of consciousness from the strong blow.

"I think I slightly overdid it," thought Izuku to himself, when at the end of the alley another hissing sound was heard, approaching him with rapid crawling.

"Let him go, shhh, he's my brother, shhh," another snake approached him, but with a female voice, and tried to scratch Izuku. But Izuku transformed his other hand into a tentacle and grabbed her accomplice, lifting him off the ground. She tried to break free from Izuku's grip, but nothing worked — each resistance was met with another strong squeeze, and realizing how it worked, she stopped resisting.

"Maybe you could explain who you are?" Izuku asked in a low tone, looking into the eyes of the snake girl, while her brother had slightly green scales.

"This is shhh not your shhh business," Izuku was irritated by her behavior. He pulled her closer and looked into her snake-like eyes, saying in a threatening tone,

"If you don't tell me who you are, you'll soon find yourselves behind bars." The white lenses narrowed, and she looked at Izuku; experiencing fear for her life and her brother's life, she decided to tell him the truth.

"We shhh need shhh help," the girl whispered, ceasing to resist and lowering her gaze in a shameful manner. Understanding her intentions, Izuku continued to hold her with his tentacles.

Izuku, hearing her words, froze for a moment, realizing the depth of the situation. He looked closely at the snake girl, whose eyes were filled with fear and shame. Letting her go, he gently lowered her to the ground while not releasing his grip on her brother, who was still unconscious.

"Talk. Everything," he demanded, his voice cold but no longer threatening. The girl nervously glanced at her brother and, taking a deep breath, began to speak:

"Our parents disappeared a month ago. They shhh worked at the warehouse..." Her voice trembled, but she continued. They were the oldest children in the family and didn't know how to earn money since no one hired minors; they decided to engage in robbing passersby, which brought in enough income to provide food for their younger siblings.

"During one of their shifts, they simply vanished. No calls, no notes... nothing. We contacted the police, but they said they 'had no resources for searches,' and that was it..." Izuku felt his anger begin to boil inside him. He knew how often such stories went unnoticed, and the police and heroes often shrugged their shoulders in underprivileged areas, citing that such incidents frequently occurred in those places.

"We have younger brothers and sisters. They need to be fed..." The girl averted her eyes, trying not to cry from their hopeless situation.

"We didn't know what to do. We have no one, no uncles or aunts; it's just us. So we started..." Her voice quivered, and she fell silent from shame for her actions.

"Robberies?" Izuku clarified dryly. She nodded, lowering her head even further.

"We're not proud of this," she whispered, trying to hide her brother's feelings.

"But for them... for our family..." Her voice began to tremble, and her twitching tail ceased to move. Lowering her hands, she bowed to Izuku as an apology. Izuku pondered. This situation was not black and white. Yes, these two broke the law, but their motivation was understandable. They weren't criminals in essence; they were merely desperate children trying to survive.

"You say you contacted the police. Do you have any leads at all? Do you know who might be involved in your parents' disappearance?" he finally asked. The girl hesitated but then replied,

"Unfortunately, we don't know, but maybe there are clues in our parents' room," she whispered. Just then, her brother, who had been holding his head due to a headache, woke up.

"What's happening here, shh sister?" Their way of speaking was laced with hissing; it wouldn't be correct to say it annoyed Izuku — it was more that it was unusual to hear such an atypical speech. He came to and Izuku released him, explaining the whole situation to him. They, out of desperation, brought him into their home, having lost all hope of finding their parents. They knew who he was and feared him, but they understood he wouldn't harm them unless they tried to attack him. Izuku followed the girl and her brother through narrow alleys, observing how they kept glancing around, as if fearing someone was watching them. Their home was on the edge of a troubled neighborhood — an old, half-ruined building with peeling paint and boarded-up windows. The girl pointed to the door.

"This is shh our home," she said, avoiding looking at it. Izuku nodded but said nothing. As soon as they entered, a group of children — younger brothers and sisters — surrounded them. One of them, a little boy with the same snake-like features, loudly exclaimed upon recognizing him by his mask.

"It's Silent Phantom!" His voice trembled with excitement.

"I saw you in the videos! You're the one who stops the villains! Why did you change your coat for a jacket?" The children surrounded Izuku, their eyes shining with excitement. They reached out to touch his jacket and gloves, bombarding him with questions:

"Is it true that you can disappear in the shadows?"

"Why do you wear such a cool mask?"

"Are you really stronger than the heroes?"

"Are you not afraid of the bad guys?"

Izuku paused slightly, unsure how to respond to such an onslaught. He was used to alienation and hatred, but not to sincere admiration. For a moment, he even felt warmth, which seemed hostile.

"Quiet down, kids," their older sister intervened, trying to calm the little ones. The children still circled around him, attempting to ask even more questions until their older sister stopped them.

"He has a lot to do. He can't stay here for long." The children instantly fell silent, lowering their heads, but Izuku didn't scold them for their curiosity.

"It's alright," Izuku finally said, his voice softer than usual. He crouched down to be at eye level with the children. They looked at him with admiration and some fear, but their curious eyes studied his costume.

"You care for each other, and that's good. But you have to be careful." The little boy with shining eyes leaned closer, holding his strong hands with his small ones.

"But you'll protect us, right?" he asked with naive confidence. Izuku looked at him, and at that moment, his heart tightened. These children had done nothing to deserve the life they found themselves in. They were just surviving, clinging to any hope.

"I will do everything I can," he replied, though there was a heaviness in his voice. The girl coughed nervously to break the touching moment.

"We'll show you our parents' room," she said, nodding to her brother. "Maybe you'll find something we didn't notice."

"Show me," Izuku replied shortly, standing up. The brother and sister led him to a small room on the second floor. Inside, everything looked as if the owners had just stepped out for a minute and hadn't returned. The bed was neatly made, family photos lay on the nightstand, and papers were scattered across the desk. Izuku approached the desk and began to carefully examine its contents.

"Did you look here?" he asked, surveying the stack of documents, his eyes searching for any clues to piece together the puzzle in his mind.

"A little... but we didn't know what to look for," the girl admitted, shifting awkwardly as she fiddled with her tail. Izuku nodded and continued his inspection. In one of the folders, he noticed documents related to the warehouse where the parents worked. Among them were invoices, bills, and a list of workers. But what caught his attention the most was a small note hidden between the sheets. It contained just a few words:

"Don't trust Kabe. He has his own plans."

Izuku frowned, his suspicions confirmed. He carefully folded the note and tucked it into his pocket.

"Is there anything?" the girl asked, her voice full of hope.

"Maybe," he replied briefly. "But I need time to sort it out." He turned to her.

"I will do everything I can to find your parents. But until then, you need to stay out of trouble. Do you promise?"

"We promise," the girl nodded. Her brother silently lowered his head in agreement.

"Good," Izuku said, heading for the exit. Before leaving, he turned to the children, who were still looking at him with admiration.

"Will you bring our mom and dad back?" asked the youngest among them, looking at Izuku with hope in his eyes. Izuku didn't know how to respond and didn't want to feed them lies, as all the children looked at him as their last hope for something bright. Feeling the gazes of five children upon him, Izuku spoke coldly.

Izuku froze for a moment, feeling the weight of the question the youngest child asked. The looks of five children, filled with hope and expectation, seemed to press down on him. He didn't want to lie, but he also couldn't shatter their faith.

"I will do everything in my power," he said coldly, but with a note of firm assurance in his voice. "But you must help too. Take care of each other and avoid making mistakes that could get you hurt. It's important."

The little boy smiled slightly and nodded, as if accepting his words as a promise. The other children exchanged glances, their faces still serious, but hope was reflected in their eyes. Izuku turned to leave, and the older sister watched him. Her snake-like features expressed a mix of gratitude and worry.

"Thank you..." she whispered as he was about to leave.

"If you find anything... if there's anything we can do... tell us. We will wait," she said with gratitude, holding her fists closer to her chest, praying not only for her parents but also for Silent Phantom, who chose to help them in a difficult situation. Finally, he vanished into the shadows, disappearing from the street, making quick and powerful jumps from side to side, clinging to buildings with his tentacles.

"Only the name Kabe is known. Maybe the Shadow Broker knows about him," Venom said with an intriguing tone. This was very important since he couldn't allow the children to lose their parents and become orphans; they had to resort to violence to survive, and now he needed to help them as the hero they hoped for.

"Perhaps," Izuku replied in an unemotional tone as he jumped toward the Shadow Broker for information.

"Gyo-mei and Anko," he whispered their names, remembering how they looked in their family photos. The night chill blew against Izuku's face, but he didn't feel it. His thoughts were focused on the information he needed to obtain. The name "Kabe" rang in his mind, and the faces of the children filled with hope stayed before his eyes. He knew he couldn't let them down.

"If the Shadow Broker knows something about this Kabe, he will tell," he whispered, Venom's voice sounding with predatory confidence. "If not willingly, we will make him."

"He will tell," Izuku replied shortly, his voice firm and cold.

"But not now. First, I need to gather everything we have. If Kabe is connected to the disappearance of their parents, he surely has allies or cover. Rushing won't help." Izuku stopped on the roof of one of the buildings, his figure blending with the shadows as the wind blew against his jacket. He surveyed the city, immersed in nighttime silence, and took a deep breath. This area was steeped in crime, and he would have to dive even deeper to find the answers.

"We will get to Kabe, but first we need to confirm his role. If he is a threat, we must be ready," Izuku continued, contemplating the next step.

"Then let's start with the Broker," Venom suggested. "He should know who is behind this. This world is his web, and he sees everything."

Izuku nodded and leaped forward, jumping from roof to roof, leaving only a faint sound of wind behind. In his mind, he played the names of the children — Gyo-mei, Anko... He had made a promise to himself that he would find their parents. It would be a difficult path, but he wouldn't stop.

"If Kabe thinks he can hide... he is mistaken," he whispered, disappearing into the thick shadows of the alleys. Somewhere deep in the city, in a secluded spot hiding the darkest secrets, the Shadow Broker was already preparing for a meeting with Silent Phantom.

To be continued