#heroredemption

If Kaina Tsutsumi, also known as Lady Nagant, had escaped from the Hero Public Safety Commission (HPSC) much earlier, the trajectory of her life and the broader narrative of My Hero Academia could have shifted dramatically. Let’s explore the potential implications based on her character profile, abilities, and the context provided.

Early Escape and Initial Impact

An earlier escape from the HPSC would likely occur before her imprisonment in Tartarus, possibly after her killing of the Commission President due to her disillusionment with their corrupt practices. This event, originally a turning point that led to her arrest, could instead mark the beginning of her life as a rogue agent. With her exceptional marksmanship, enhanced eyesight, and Quirks (Rifle, Air Walk, and the unnamed Self-Destruct Quirk), Nagant would have been a formidable independent force. Free from HPSC control, she might initially target corrupt heroes and villains alike, seeking to expose the hypocrisy she witnessed, as her past actions suggest a deep-seated desire for justice, albeit warped by her experiences.

Influence on Hero Society

Without the years of confinement, Nagant’s early escape could accelerate the erosion of public trust in the HPSC. Her skills as Japan’s premier sniper, combined with her insider knowledge of the Commission’s dirty work, would allow her to conduct high-profile assassinations or leaks, potentially destabilizing the hero system years before the Paranormal Liberation War. This could lead to an earlier rise in villain activity, as the public’s faith in heroes wanes, creating a power vacuum that groups like the League of Villains or the Gollini Family might exploit.

Interaction with Key Characters

Izuku Midoriya (Deku): An earlier encounter with Deku could occur during his early hero training. Nagant’s initial hostility, as seen in her confrontation with him in the Dark Hero Arc, might persist, but her exposure to his unwavering resolve and compassion could happen sooner. This might lead to her redemption arc beginning earlier, potentially aligning her with the heroes against All For One or other threats like the Gollini Family, especially if she learns of Dark Might’s similar misuse of power.

Hawks: As her junior in the HPSC, Hawks might be tasked with tracking her down. An earlier dynamic could see him attempting to bring her back into the fold or, alternatively, joining her in exposing the Commission’s corruption, given his own struggles with their demands. This partnership could strengthen the hero resistance against emerging villains.

All For One: Without Tartarus to contain her, All For One might recruit Nagant earlier, leveraging her skills and resentment. Her Air Walk and Self-Destruct Quirks, gifts from him in the original timeline, could be offered sooner, making her a key asset in his plans to destabilize society. However, her eventual disillusionment with him, as seen when she turns against him, might still occur if she encounters Deku’s influence.

Potential Alliance with the Gollini Family

Given the speculative context of the Gollini Family’s rise and fall, an earlier escape might place Nagant in Europe during their peak dominance. Her skills could attract Dark Might’s attention, especially if he seeks to bolster his inner circle with powerful Quirks. However, her disdain for corrupt authority figures might clash with Dark Might’s egomaniacal leadership, leading to a temporary alliance that ends in betrayal. Nagant’s precision could counter the Gollinis’ lack of combat skills, but her moral compass might push her to undermine their plans, such as stopping the fortress attack on UA, aligning with heroes like Deku and Class 1-A.

Long-Term Consequences

Redemption and Retirement: If Nagant escapes early and redeems herself sooner, her pardon and retirement might occur by the time of the Final War, allowing her to mentor younger heroes or live quietly, as seen eight years post-war. Her experience could shape a more transparent hero society, reducing the need for her to remain in prison out of fear of exploitation.

Shift in Power Dynamics: An earlier active Nagant could weaken the HPSC’s grip, forcing heroes to adapt to a more decentralized system. This might accelerate the rise of independent heroes like Deku, who embody a new hope, and delay or alter All For One’s plans, given her potential to disrupt his early moves.

Personal Growth: Free from Tartarus’s confines, Nagant might retain more of her physical and mental health, avoiding the severe injuries from the Self-Destruct Quirk. This could allow her to fully reconcile her past optimism with her current cynicism, becoming a bridge between old and new hero ideals.

Speculative Outcome

If Nagant escaped much earlier—say, a decade before the main series events—she might have become a legendary rogue hero-turned-villain-turned-ally, her actions sparking a reformation of the HPSC long before All For One’s Tartarus breakout. Her alliance with Deku and Hawks could lead to a preemptive strike against the Gollini Family, preventing their fortress assault on UA. By the time of the Final War, she might be a retired figure, her scars fewer, her spirit healed by Deku’s influence, and her legacy a cautionary tale of heroism’s dark side turned to light.

Death Arms: Core Flaws

1. Only in It for the Money (at least at first)

He openly admits he became a pro hero because it was a good-paying job, not originally out of noble ideals.

This practicality makes sense in the hero economy of MHA (heroes do get salaries), but it sets him up as lacking the kind of “ultimate conviction” that characters like All Might or Mirko have.

He does grow over time, but this mercenary origin makes his early arc morally shaky compared to other, more driven pros.

2. Abrasiveness / Harshness (Good Is Not Soft → Verging on Hypocrisy)

In the very first chapter, he chews out Izuku for charging in against the Sludge Villain, mocking him as “useless.”

While he has a point (a Quirkless boy charging in would’ve just gotten himself killed), he fails to show empathy or notice the courage behind the act.

Later, after his retirement, he realizes that Izuku’s “reckless charge” was the purest form of heroism — exposing his earlier criticism as both hypocritical and shortsighted.

3. Can’t Take Criticism / Heroic Fatigue

Public negativity eats away at him.

Quote: “One loud heckler easily drowns out ten fans.”

Despite being battle-hardened physically, he’s thin-skinned emotionally. He internalizes the public’s disdain, letting their anger erode his pride and motivation.

This leads him to retire, showing that he lacked the mental resilience to endure long-term societal scorn (contrast with Endeavor or Hawks, who press on despite the same hostility).

4. Screw This, I’m Outta Here! (Ten-Minute Retirement)

He quits during one of society’s darkest hours, almost mimicking Yoroi Musha’s abandonment.

This choice makes him appear cowardly — retreating from duty when things matter most.

Unlike Yoroi Musha, though, his feelings are sympathetic (burnout, depression, exhaustion) rather than selfishly vain. Still, to civilians, the nuance doesn’t matter: his retreat feels like betrayal.

5. Hypocrisy

His lecture to Izuku (“don’t interfere, leave it to us pros!”) clashes with his own later actions, where he himself becomes the one who can’t handle the pressure and runs away.

He represents the problem of heroes who overvalue rules/protocol while undervaluing genuine courage — exactly what Izuku symbolizes.

His growth comes only after realizing Izuku was right all along. But the hypocrisy taints his early image.

6. Fragile Self-Worth

Death Arms ties his sense of self too closely to public opinion.

Being booed, doubted, or criticized makes him feel like a fraud, despite his genuine track record.

This fragility makes him vulnerable to quitting not because he can’t do the job but because he feels unappreciated.

This reveals a dangerous truth: he needed validation more than he realized — without it, his conviction crumbles.

7. Short-Sightedness

Early on, he’s a strictly literal, “muscle first” hero: Beat the enemy → Save the hostage → Follow procedure.

He fails to see beyond procedure into the symbolism and emotion of heroism — which is what All Might and Izuku represent.

Because of this short-sightedness, he can’t inspire people the way true top heroes can. So when backlash arrives, he has no symbolic presence to cushion him — just his fists, which aren’t enough.

Narrative Function of His Flaws

Humanizes hero burnout: Shows the toll of constant negativity and backlash. Unlike Yoroi Musha (secretly selfish), Death Arms represents the common working hero who was genuine but collapsed under stress.

Foil to Izuku: He mocked Izuku’s rash bravery, only to later become inspired by it, completing a small redemption loop.

Cautionary Tale: He illustrates how Quirks and strength are meaningless without mental resilience, conviction, and empathy — the soul of heroism.

✅ Summary of Death Arms’ Flaws

Practical, not passionate → Motivated by salary, not ideals.

Abrasive/hypocritical → Harshly criticizes Izuku, later proves guilty of worse failings.

Easily demoralized → Can’t endure public criticism (“one heckler drowns out ten fans”).

Quits prematurely → Retires when society needed him most.

Fragile ego/self-worth → Needs validation, can’t function under sustained doubt.