THE TRIALS: Path Toward Godhood. (warning: MATURE CONTENT)

David waited patiently while the man stared at him thoughtfully. Finally, he saw him slowly lift his mutilated hand before pointing at his mouth and then at his stomach.

David immediately understood that this man was asking for food and nearly hit his head for not having thought of that.

"Mel, please go take a little bit of porridge for him."

Melissa nodded before running outside.

Kuroha looked at her leaving before looking at David. Then, he once again used his head to point at his surroundings and tilted his head his wonder.

David understood the silent questions and was a little troubled. This was a mission given to him by the state of Japan as well as a request from his best friend so he couldn't disclose everything. But he didn't want to lie either, as such he answered honestly

"I cannot tell you why we are here, but I can at least tell you that we found you close to the explosion site three days ago. Back then we were sure that you were dead. It's really a miracle for you to still be alive. We didn't even dare to give you a drip out of fear that it would do more bad than good."

Kuroha nodded in thanks. Truthfully the nutrients from a drip could have saved him from waking up in such a state, but he appreciated the thought. This didn't make him put down his guard, but at least, he was less tense.

He wasn't particularly curious about them. Once he ate enough, he would be out of here. If it has really been three days, then he didn't even want to imagine how much everyone would be worried at home.

This thought didn't last. He sighed a little. Those guys would surely become suspicious if he simply disappeared after healing. They seemed to have high enough tech, so finding him through all the DNA that he must have let in this room would be easy as a pie.

Rather than making all this complicated, it would be better to simply give his identity once he was healed, before going away. The result would be the same but the procedure will cause less useless misunderstanding.

It didn't take long for running steps to be heard by them. Melissa entered the room a little short of breath. Kuroha had to accept that this girl's heaving chest was a little distracting. 

Apart from Momo and Nejire, it was the first time he saw a young girl with such a big chest.

He didn't know if he should saiy as expected of westerners or praise Momo and Nejire for having such a big chest despite being estearner. 

After calming herself, she showed the plate in her hands.

"I got it."

She wanted to give it for him to eat but remembering his current state, she came close to him before taking a spoon worth of porridge

"Open wide your mouth. Say ahhh"

Kuroha was speechless, both literally and figuratively. Still, helpless, he could only open his mouth and accept the help.

He couldn't taste anything. He didn't think that pain was a taste either. Right, all he felt was pain.

All the moves he did until now were slightly painful, but this was really the top of the cake this time.

Still, this was necessary for him, so he forced himself to eat despite the pain and refused to show a painful expression.

It didn't take long for him to finish the plate. Still, he was dissatisfied with this amount. He once again opened his mouth. This time though, he was able to slightly articulate in a low and hoarse voice

"M-more...M-meat…"

Melissa pouted a little since he didn't at least thank her before being surprised at him being able to speak. She decided that helping him was more important than complaining and as such went back without a word.

All this while, David and Sam stayed silent. Once again stunned at this man's regenerating ability. They observed all his body before and they were sure that his throat was completely burnt.

It should have been impossible for him to speak. Well, it should have been impossible for him to live either, so they could accept it.

Five minutes later, Melissa came back with a hot soup. She had shredded the meat in order to make it easier for him to swallow.

Kuroha was really thankful, and this time he said thanks before waiting for her to feed him.

This time, it was even faster, he completely finished the soup at a very fast pace.

Finally, he let out a sigh and spoke,

"Thank you very much for helping me. Please could I have more?"

He could feel his body slowly began to heal from the interior. He needed more energy.

This time, David stopped Melissa from doing it. He didn't know this man. No way he would let him get back his strength without understanding his background. Anyone able to survive that explosion was a monster he didn't want to face as an enemy

He didn't want to think that someone he saved would repay kindness with evil but he saw enough to know that generally, kindness was effectively paid by evil much of the time.

"Do not misunderstand me. But understand that I have responsibilities not just on my own life and that of my daughter but also on all those present around. I want to trust you but I cannot gamble with their lives. I would have to ask if you could tell me your identity and why you were here."

Kuroha stayed silent. He didn't get enough energy to completely recuperate but he was sure now that he could teleport without risks of dying.

Sadly as he thought, simply fleeing wasn't an option. As such he opened his mouth and said,

"My name is Hayate Kuroha."

He hesitated about giving his full identity but finally simply decided to do it. If they're enemies he would simply flee no matter what.

"I'm the son of the hero Sir Nighteye and the nephew of All Might."

Silence greeted his answer.

He tilted his head in wonder. Suddenly an exclamation of surprise sounded

"You're the nephew of Uncle Might?"

Uncle Might?

David, on the other hand while surprised, didn't let it show. He simply continued,

"I hope that you know that we cannot accept this answer at face value. Do you have proof?"

Kuroha chuckled before answering

"I don't think any of my papers were explosion-proof. But if you simply want proof. I can give you the number of either All Might or Nighteye."

David nodded. He, of course, knew All Might's number. But he wanted to see if it was true for this boy.

Kuroha didn't hesitate and recited a long string of numbers. David nodded, he was now basically sure that this man, no, this boy, was telling the truth.

He took his phone and went away with Sam to do the call. Before going, he said to Melissa,

"You can send him more food."

Melissa nodded also and went away.

Kuroha, now by himself, slowly laid down on the bed.

"Madness…"

No answer reached him. Kuroha sighed but didn't insist. He didn't blame Madness for what happened. He wanted the truth and Madness guided him to it. It was his fault for not taking more precautions.

He closed his eyes and began to concentrate on the regeneration. His quirk was a little more active, but not enough. Once he got the necessary nutrients, he would completely heal in just a few seconds.

Five minutes later, Melissa came back with a large serving of meat.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Kuroha nodded before looking at Melissa. She tilted her head in wonder, then got it and began to help him eat.

While doing so, she would look at him with curiosity in her eyes. Perhaps because he was All Might's nephew?

Well, once again, it didn't take long for him to finish eating. He could already feel it.

"Shield-San, please could you get out for now? Also, could I ask for men's clothes of my height?

Melissa once again pouted before getting up. This guy was really rude. How could he be Uncle Might's nephew?

Still, she was the kind of person who couldn't help but take care of those in need. As such she simply got up before going out.

Kuroha, now alone, sighed before slowly, very slowly freeing himself from all those bandages.

It wasn't easy with only one mutilated hand, what's more it was very painful. But, he didn't want a girl to see him in such a state.

Before long, he was free of all those bindings. As he thought, he was really the stuff of Nightmare right now. If it was Halloween, he would win all contests hand down.

*Inhale* *exhale*

He took a deep breath, then relaxed. Usually, the regeneration part of this quirk was passive. But if he concentrated carefully he could control it.

That's why his throat was the first thing to heal. Now that he had enough nutrients. He simply let it go and did its job.

The result was instantaneous and worthy of an award for a horror movie.

His skin begins to slowly grow back and cover his flesh. Before that, the burnt parties peeled away.

His eye also began to grow back and soon he was able to see normally.

After that, his legs, arms, and fingers slowly followed.

All this took no more than three minutes.

Three minutes ago he was a monster, the next, he began to look like a handsome boy.

A naked handsome boy.

"Kyaaah!!!"

He turned, but a bunch of clothes falling onto his head obscured his vision.

Well, he could guess what happened.

-----

"MELISSA!!! WHAT HAPPENED?"

David came running at her scream. But what he saw was his daughter breathing hard and covering her face with her hands.

Melissa simply ran away without answering. He could see that her face was completely red. He sighed, whatever it was, at least she wasn't hurt.

He also got the confirmation that Kuroha was exactly who he pretended to be.

"Kuroha, why did Melissa ru…?"

He tilted his head in wonder before asking

"Who are you?"

Here, in his tent, a naked boy was slowly putting on a Grey pant.

He could now understand why Melissa ran away. But what really bewildered him was how fast he regenerated.

"I called All Might. He recognized your identity and asked you to come back as soon as possible in Nighteye office. I never saw him so angry at someone."

Kuroha winced as he put on the clothes given by Melissa.

Once he finished, he bowed.

"Thank you very much for what you did. If I didn't get your help, I might have died."

David waved his hand.

"Don't worry. I did what anyone would have done in my place."

Kuroha sincerely doubted that many people would save what looked like a burnt carcass. But he didn't want to insist.

He straightened himself before saying,

"Give my thanks to Melissa. Also sorry for the embarrassment."

David smiled before saying

"I will. But once you meet her once again don't forget to do it yourself."

Kuroha didn't really understand. He would most likely never see her again. How will I apologize ? Oh well it didn't really matter.

He waved his hand in goodbye and then, vanished.

David, now by himself let out a little laugh.

"This kid didn't seem to believe me. I really wonder how surprised he will be once he meets her. Anyway, let's go back to work."

----

The moment Kuroha landed on the floor of the office, he was greeted by a scream,

"GRIT YOUR TEETH SHOUNEN!!!"

The result was immediate. He was blasted away like a ball behind a top level player and crashed into the wall.

Despite what could be qualified as violence. He slowly got up while staggering without complaint.

He knew he didn't have a leg to stand on right now.

He observed the situation. In the room, Kotone, Nighteye, Milienia, Sebastien, Malicia and of course All Might were present.

In short, all the adults he knew apart from Rei were present. He internally shuddered. Seems like he wouldn't go unscathed.

Kotone slowly got up before walking slowly toward him. Once she was close enough she slowly raised her hand.

Kuroha closed his eyes and waited for the slap, but after a while, it didn't come.

He slowly opened them, and what he saw stunned him,

Kotone was crying. Not just her. While the others weren't crying like her, he could feel deep exhaustion and relief from them.

Kotone slowly opened her mouth,

"Do you know just how worried we were? I thought that I lost another son."

Seeing them like that hurt him more than anything else. He really felt ashamed of himself. Kuroha wanted to explain but after a while, he simply closed his mouth. No matter what he said right now, it would just be an excuse.

"I'm sorry."

Kotone sighed before putting a smile on her face as she wiped her tear

"Welcome back!!"

Kuroha was stunned once again. Truth be told, even though he didn't mind her relationship with Nighteye. He never saw her as a mother and was a little distant from her.

But, now? He still didn't see her as a mother but he was sure that he would in the future. He also let out a smile,

"I'm back."

(AN: So yeah. Here the second part and last for the arc PAST? I hope you liked it.

Tomorrow and Sunday. I will write 2 or 3 interlude.

Once those interlude are finished. This will marks the end of this volume.

On Monday he will officially enter UA. Like I said previously I think that volume will be faster. But I promise nothing. You guys know me. Originally he would have entered UA just after ten chapters. But I wanted to put more attention on the character growth. Review my novel if you like it. )