#internalstruggle

The Dual Vessel Project: Nine and Toga as AFO's Successors (Part 1)

Before His Death (If applicable):

"Toga-chan seems different lately. More serious. Less... Toga-like?"

"No, no, she's fine! She's just growing up! ...But something feels wrong."

"She looked at me yesterday like she was calculating something. Toga never calculates—she just acts!"

"I'm worried about her. Really worried. But she says she's fine, so..."

His Final Moments: If Twice dies similarly to canon, his last words might include: "Toga... don't let them change you... stay yourself... please..."

After His Death: His death becomes a catalyst for Toga's psychological crisis, as mentioned earlier. Without his unconditional acceptance, AFO's influence accelerates.

Mr. Compress - The Observant Mentor:

Compress notices the subtle shifts:

Early Observations:

"Himiko, you've become quite the strategist. Though I must say, your methods lack your usual... enthusiasm."

"That was a remarkably cold-blooded play, dear. Effective, but unlike you."

"You've been spending time with Nine frequently. Is everything alright?"

Growing Concern:

"Himiko, I need you to be honest with me. The procedure Garaki performed—has it affected you beyond the physical?"

"You're using your Transform differently. More... deliberately. Less passion, more calculation."

"I've known many masks in my time, dear. I'm beginning to wonder which face is truly yours."

Intervention Attempt:

"Himiko Toga. Not the vessel. Not All For One's project. HIMIKO. Are you still in there?"

"Whatever that doctor did to you, we can find a way to undo it. But you must want to be saved."

"The girl who joined us because she wanted to live freely—where is she?"

Spinner - The Ideological Compass:

Spinner's response focuses on principles:

Initial Questions:

"Toga, why did you just do that? That wasn't about living freely—that was about control."

"You're starting to sound like... well, like someone who thinks they own people."

"Is this because of what Garaki did to you?"

Confrontation:

"Stain would never approve of what you're becoming!"

"You're using people the same way hero society used you!"

"We're supposed to be building something better, not becoming new monsters!"

Dabi - The Cynic:

Dabi's reaction is predictably sardonic:

Early:

"Little Toga's gotten scary. Didn't think that was possible."

"You and Nine have been awfully cozy. What did that creepy doctor do to you two?"

Mid:

"You're not even trying to hide it anymore. You've got someone else in your head."

"Does Compress know you're planning to betray him? Because you are. I can tell."

Late:

"You know what's funny? I joined the League to destroy the old man's hero society. Now I'm watching two of my teammates get possessed by the old man's old enemy. Ironic."

"When you two inevitably lose yourselves completely, I'm out. Just so we're clear."

The Confrontation Scene

Setting: Several months post-procedure, the League gathers for a strategic meeting. Both Nine and Toga are present—a rarity given Garaki's warnings about proximity.

The Meeting Begins:

Compress: "Now then, our next operation requires—"

Nine (interrupting, voice subtly different): "The operation is irrelevant. What matters is acquiring the Quirks I've identified in the hero population."

Compress: "Nine, we discussed this. Our strategy is—"

Nine: "YOUR strategy is short-sighted. I see the broader picture. I have seen it for over two centuries."

Everyone freezes. Nine just referred to himself in AFO's timeframe.

Spinner: "...What did you just say?"

Nine (realizing his mistake, voice returning to normal): "I... I meant... the historical patterns suggest..."

Toga (laughing, but it sounds wrong): "Oh Nine-kun got caught! How embarrassing! But it's okay—we all know, don't we? We all know there's someone else in there~"

Compress (standing): "Himiko. That's enough."

Toga: "Is it? Or is it not enough? Maybe there should be more! More voices! More people! More, more, MORE—"

She suddenly clutches her head, voice shifting: "—control. Everything must be controlled. Every piece must be positioned. Two centuries of planning... must not fail..."

Her voice returns to normal, terrified: "That wasn't me. That wasn't me. That wasn't me."

Spinner (drawing his weapon): "What the HELL did Garaki do to you two?!"

Chimera (protectively moving toward Nine): "Back off, gecko. You don't understand—"

Spinner: "Then MAKE me understand! Because right now it looks like we've got All For One 2.0 growing in Nine's brain and All For One's understudy taking over Toga!"

Nine (coldly): "Your concerns are noted and dismissed. We have more important—"

Slice (voice breaking): "Nine. Please. Come back. I know you're in there. The real you. The one who saved us. The one who wanted to build a world for US. Not for some dead villain's legacy!"

Nine's expression flickers—a moment of genuine Nine surfacing

Nine (weakly): "Slice... I'm trying... but he's so strong... and I'm so tired..."

Then AFO's influence surges back: "Enough sentiment. We have work to do."

The Psychic Resonance:

Because Nine and Toga are in close proximity, their shared AFO vestige begins to resonate and amplify:

Both suddenly speak in perfect unison with AFO's voice: "You understand nothing. This world requires strength. Absolute strength. And we shall provide it. Through Nine's power and Toga's infiltration, we shall rebuild what was destroyed at Kamino. The age of heroes will end. The age of—"

Kurogiri suddenly warps in, interrupting

Kurogiri (urgently): "You must separate them. NOW. The vestige is attempting to reunify!"

Mr. Compress (immediately activating his Quirk): "Spinner, Chimera—grab them! We need distance between—"

But it's too late. A psychic shockwave erupts from Nine and Toga's location. For a moment, everyone sees it: a ghostly image of All For One standing between them, his hands on both their shoulders, smiling.

AFO's Manifestation: "My loyal League. How I've missed you. Through these vessels, I shall return. And when I do, the world will kneel once more."

Then the image dissipates. Nine and Toga collapse, both unconscious.

The Aftermath of the Confrontation

Emergency Response:

Compress: "Get them to separate rooms. NOW. Kurogiri, maximum distance warps—put Nine in one safe house and Toga in another at least 100 kilometers apart."

Kurogiri: "Understood. But this is only temporary. The vestige has tasted reunification. It will attempt this again."

Spinner: "Then what do we do? Kill them? Save them? What?"

Dabi: "I vote kill. Clean, simple, prevents All For One's resurrection."

Twice (panicking): "NO! We can't! They're family! We can save them! WE HAVE TO!"

Slice (firmly): "We WILL save them. Nine is still in there. I saw him fight it. We can help him fight harder."

Chimera: "And if we can't? If AFO takes over completely?"

Long silence

Mr. Compress: "...Then we do what must be done. For their sakes as much as ours."

The Treatment Debate

The League splits into factions over how to handle the situation:

The Salvation Faction (Compress, Slice, Twice, Mummy):

Believes Nine and Toga can be saved

Wants to research ways to remove/suppress AFO vestige

Advocates keeping them apart but alive

Focuses on emotional support and identity reinforcement

The Pragmatist Faction (Spinner, Chimera):

Wants to save them but recognizes limits

Prepares contingencies if AFO takes over

Monitors for points of no return

Willing to use force if necessary

The Elimination Faction (Dabi, potentially others):

Believes salvation is impossible

Views them as ticking time bombs

Advocates preemptive elimination

Sees no difference between vessel and AFO

Kurogiri's Unique Position:

As a Nomu harboring Oboro Shirakumo's consciousness, Kurogiri understands their situation better than anyone:

Kurogiri: "I exist between two identities. Shirakumo's memories surface, then fade. I am both and neither. Nine and Toga face the same struggle. But unlike me, they chose this. They can still choose to resist."

His Role: Kurogiri becomes a counselor of sorts, sharing techniques for maintaining identity despite another consciousness present. He teaches them:

Mental compartmentalization

Creating "safe spaces" in their minds AFO cannot access

Recognition of when the vestige is active

Grounding techniques using memories AFO doesn't share

Garaki's Response

When informed of the proximity incident, Garaki is both fascinated and alarmed:

Garaki: "Remarkable. The vestige attempted reunification far sooner than my calculations predicted. This suggests All For One's will is stronger than anticipated."

Compress (furiously): "You knew this could happen?!"

Garaki: "I theorized it was possible. That's why I warned against prolonged proximity."

Spinner: "Can you FIX it?!"

Garaki: "Fix? No. The procedure is irreversible. But I can enhance the mental barriers, make it harder for AFO to assert control. Though this will be... uncomfortable for the subjects."

The "Treatment":

Garaki's solution involves:

Neural Dampening: Surgically implanted devices that suppress the psychic connection

Chemical Cocktails: Daily medications that slow vestige integration

Psychological Conditioning: Reinforcing original personality through trauma (controversial)

Physical Separation Protocol: Strict rules about Nine and Toga's proximity

Emergency Termination: Kill-switches implanted that can be activated if AFO takes complete control

The Ethical Debate:

Slice: "You want to put kill-switches in their heads?!"

Garaki: "Would you prefer All For One's resurrection? Because that's the alternative."

Compress: "There must be another way—"

Garaki: "There isn't. The vestige grows stronger every day. Eventually, Nine and Toga will cease to exist. When that happens, do you want the ability to stop what emerges, or not?"

Nine's Response (during lucid moment): "Do it. If I can't be saved... make sure I can be stopped."

Toga's Response (terrified but resigned): "I don't want to die. But I don't want to become him either. Put in the kill-switches."

Operational Impact

How the Dual Vessels Change League Operations

New Strategic Capabilities:

Combined Intelligence Network:

Toga infiltrates hero organizations as various heroes

Accesses classified information Nine needs for Quirk theft targets

Nine uses Search (AFO's Quirk) to locate specific individuals

Garaki analyzes intelligence and plans operations

Perfect coordination without external communication risks

Example Operation - "The Heroes' Traitor":

Phase 1: Toga transforms into a low-level hero and befriends target hero Phase 2: Gains access to their schedule and weaknesses Phase 3: Nine arrives when hero is alone and vulnerable Phase 4: Nine steals hero's Quirk using All For One Phase 5: Toga transforms into the now-Quirkless hero and "commits suicide" to cover the theft Result: Hero death appears natural, Quirk added to Nine's arsenal, no one suspects League involvement

Asymmetric Warfare:

The dual vessels enable the League to fight in ways previously impossible:

Simultaneous Attacks:

Nine assaults hero strongpoint openly (overwhelming power)

Toga infiltrates and sabotages from within (disguised as ally)

Heroes face external and internal threats simultaneously

Confusion prevents effective response

Psychological Operations:

Toga impersonates beloved heroes committing atrocities

Public trust in heroes collapses

Nine appears as "savior" defeating "corrupt heroes"

Narrative control shifts toward League

Resource Acquisition:

Nine steals valuable Quirks from villains and heroes

Toga infiltrates corporations and governments for funding

Garaki uses resources to enhance League members

Self-sustaining cycle of growth

Limitations and Vulnerabilities

The Proximity Problem:

Critical Weakness: Nine and Toga cannot work together directly without risk of AFO reunification

Operational Constraints:

Must operate in separate locations

Cannot coordinate in real-time except telepathically (risky)

If both needed for single operation, strict distance maintained

Emergency protocols for if they accidentally get too close

Example Crisis:

During major battle, heroes drive Nine and Toga toward each other:

50 meters apart: Minor headache, AFO whispers increase 30 meters: Significant pain, AFO attempting to communicate through both 20 meters: Risk of temporary possession as vestige resonates 10 meters: Guaranteed AFO manifestation event 5 meters: Potential permanent fusion/possession

Heroes learn this and specifically try to force proximity in combat

The Kill-Switch Dilemma:

The Problem: Garaki installed kill-switches, but who controls them?

The Debate:

Compress: "I should hold the triggers. I have the clearest judgment."

Dabi: "Give them to me. I'll actually use them if needed."

Spinner: "No one person should have this power. We vote if activation becomes necessary."

Slice: "Destroy them. If Nine knows he can be killed remotely, it will break him."

Resolution: Triggers split among three trustees (Compress, Kurogiri, Spinner), requires two of three to activate. Dabi is specifically excluded because he'd use them preemptively.

The Identity Crisis:

Operational Impact: Both Nine and Toga have periods where they don't trust their own judgment

Example:

Toga (during mission): "Should I kill this target?" Thought: "I want to. But is that ME wanting to, or HIM?" Hesitation: Misses optimal strike window Compromise: Disables target non-lethally to avoid moral confusion Problem: Non-lethal approach sometimes fails, endangering mission

Nine (during confrontation): "Should I steal this Quirk?" Thought: "It would make me stronger. But do I NEED it, or does the vestige WANT it?" Hesitation: Opponent escapes AFO's mockery: "Pathetic. You could have had that power." Nine's frustration: Becomes reckless in next engagement

The Trust Erosion:

Internal League Problem: Members never sure if they're talking to Nine/Toga or AFO

Manifestations:

During Strategy Meetings: "Is this plan Nine's tactical genius, or AFO's manipulation?"

During Personal Conversations: "Is Toga genuinely sharing her feelings, or is this AFO gathering intelligence on our vulnerabilities?"

During Combat: "If I follow Nine's orders and he's AFO-controlled, am I serving the enemy?"

League Adaptation:

Members develop code phrases and protocols to verify identity:

Verification Questions:

Reference shared experiences AFO wouldn't know

Ask about emotional moments (AFO responds logically, hosts emotionally)

Note speech patterns and vocabulary choices

Check for AFO's telltale mannerisms

Example Exchange:

Compress: "Nine, before we proceed, tell me: what did Slice say to you the night we rescued her?"

Nine (AFO-influenced): "She expressed gratitude for the liberation and pledged loyalty to—"

Compress: "Wrong. She said nothing. She was too traumatized to speak for three days. You're not Nine right now, are you?"

Nine (AFO fully surfaced): "...Clever. But ultimately pointless. Nine and I are inseparable now."

The Trajectory Toward Final War

Escalation Timeline

Months 18-24: The Partial Fusion Event

The Incident:

During a critical battle, Nine and Toga are forced into close proximity by hero coordination. They reach within 5 meters of each other, triggering a partial fusion event.

What Happens:

For approximately 3 minutes, AFO's consciousness fully manifests through both vessels simultaneously. They speak in perfect unison, display his mannerisms, and wield both their Quirks with his tactical genius.

The Battle:

The temporarily-fused AFO devastates the hero forces:

Nine's Weather Manipulation + AFO's Quirks create catastrophic destruction

Toga's Transform + AFO's manipulation infiltrate and backstab hero coordination

Combined: Overwhelming power + perfect infiltration = unstoppable

The Cost:

After separation, both Nine and Toga are comatose for days. When they wake:

Nine: "I wasn't in control. At all. He was driving, and I was just... watching. Screaming. Unable to do anything."

Toga: "I felt myself disappearing. Like being erased. Is this what dying feels like?"

League Response: Emergency protocols enacted. Nine and Toga operations must never overlap again.

Nine's Final Trajectory

The Descent:

Months 24-30: Nine's resistance weakens significantly

Physical Changes:

Hair completely white with black streaks spreading

Eyes permanently glowing red

Voice always carries AFO's undertone

Life-support suit fractures, revealing organic changes beneath

Personality Changes:

Refers to past events as AFO regularly

Treats crew as useful tools rather than family

Strategic brilliance but complete emotional detachment

Only Slice can still reach the real Nine, and only sometimes

The Point of No Return:

Trigger Event: Slice is critically injured during an operation

Nine's Response (immediate, genuine): "SLICE! No... no, I'll save you! I'll—"

AFO's Response (taking over): "—acquire a healing Quirk from a nearby civilian. Their life for hers. Equivalent exchange."

Nine (fighting back): "No! I won't kill innocents for—"

AFO: "Then she DIES. And your pathetic sentiment dies with her. CHOOSE."

The Choice:

Nine, desperate and broken, allows AFO to steal a healing Quirk from a nearby civilian (killing them). Slice is saved. Nine is destroyed.

Aftermath:

Nine (empty voice): "I crossed the line. The one line I swore I'd never cross. Killing an innocent to save one of my own."

Slice (recovered, horrified): "Nine, I would rather have died than—"

Nine (AFO's smile): "But you didn't. And now we've learned something valuable: there is no line Nine won't cross. Not anymore."

From this point forward, Nine is functionally AFO most of the time, with only brief flashes of his original personality.

Toga's Final Trajectory

The Spiral:

Months 24-30: Toga's identity completely fractures

Psychological Changes:

Can no longer maintain her original form comfortably

Stays transformed constantly, cycling through identities

When forced to be "Himiko Toga," experiences severe dissociation

Refers to herself in third person: "Himiko would have liked this" (past tense)

The Ochaco Crisis:

The Confrontation (similar to canon but different context):

Toga (to Ochaco): "I wanted you to accept me. The real me. But I can't even find the real me anymore. There's Himiko, and there's AFO, and there's everyone I've ever transformed into, and I don't know which thoughts are mine!"

Ochaco: "Then let me help you! We can figure it out together!"

Toga: "Can you? Even I can't tell anymore. When I say I love you, is that Himiko's genuine feeling? Or is it AFO manipulating you through me? Or is it an echo of someone I transformed into once who loved someone like you?"

Ochaco: "Toga—"

Toga (voice shifting to AFO's): "You cannot save her. She is already gone. Only the vessel remains. Only I remain. And through her, I shall destroy everything you love."

Ochaco (desperately): "I don't believe that! Toga! HIMIKO! I know you're still in there!"

Toga (voice shifting back, crying): "I am! I'm here! But I'm so small now. So faint. And he's so loud. So overwhelming. Ochaco... if you care at all... please... PLEASE... kill me before I'm completely gone. Before I hurt you with his hands. Please."

The Final War Scenarios

Given this setup, the Final War could unfold several ways:

Scenario A: The Reunification

Setup: Heroes deliberately force Nine and Toga into close proximity during final battle

Result: AFO's vestige successfully reunifies, creating a single entity with:

Nine's raw power (Weather Manipulation + All For One)

Toga's adaptability (Transform + infiltration skills)

AFO's full consciousness and memories

Combined: A new All For One, potentially more dangerous than the original

The Battle: Heroes face effectively AFO reborn, requiring:

Deku and his generation working together

Sacrifice plays from League members who loved Nine/Toga

Potentially using the kill-switches as last resort

The Tragedy: Even if heroes win, Nine and Toga are completely lost. The people they were are dead, subsumed entirely by AFO.

Scenario B: The Dual Sacrifice

Setup: Nine and Toga, in moments of clarity, coordinate their final act

The Plan:

Deliberately trigger proximity fusion

In the brief moment AFO manifests but before complete takeover

Activate kill-switches themselves

Die as themselves, preventing AFO's resurrection

The Execution:

Nine (to Slice, final conversation): "Tell them... tell them Nine fought until the end. That I chose to die as myself rather than live as him."

Toga (to Ochaco, final conversation): "I wanted to live freely as Himiko Toga. But if I can't do that... at least I can die as her. That's close enough, right?"

The Moment:

They meet in the middle of the battlefield. Heroes try to stop them, thinking it's AFO's plan. League members understand what's happening but are too late.

Five meters apart:

Both (in unison, their own voices): "Forgive us."

AFO (manifesting, confused): "What are you—NO! You cannot—!"

Kill-switches activated. Both vessels die instantly.

AFO's vestige, unable to complete fusion, dissipates permanently.

Impact:

AFO truly dead this time

Nine and Toga die as heroes in their own way

League mourns but respects their choice

Heroes recognize the sacrifice

Bittersweet ending: threat eliminated but at terrible cost

Scenario C: The Partial Salvation

Setup: One vessel dies, one survives AFO's influence

Potential Paths:

Path 1 - Nine Dies, Toga Lives:

Nine sacrifices himself to absorb AFO's full consciousness

Allows Toga to escape with weakened vestige

Toga, freed from most of AFO's influence, seeks redemption

Ochaco helps her recover and rebuild identity

Toga lives with guilt but possibility of better life

Path 2 - Toga Dies, Nine Lives:

Toga sacrifices herself, giving Nine her blood one last time

Her Transform + her death severs AFO's connection

Nine survives with weakened vestige, returns to lead crew

Struggles with guilt but can finally pursue original vision

Honors both Toga and his crew by building better world

Path 3 - Both Live, Heavily Damaged:

Proximity event fails to fully unite vestige

Both survive but with permanent psychological damage

Nine loses most memories, becomes like child again

Toga can only maintain original form for short periods

League cares for both as they slowly recover

Never fully healed but alive and themselves

Thematic Resonance

What This Adds to the Story

The Question of Identity:

Both Nine and Toga face ultimate identity crisis:

"If another consciousness lives in my head, am I still me?"

"When I act, whose will am I actually following?"

"Is there a 'true self' or are we just collections of influences?"

The Cost of Power:

Nine and Toga gained immense power but at terrible price:

Their autonomy

Their sense of self

Their relationships

Eventually, their lives

The Tragedy of Good Intentions:

Nine wanted power to protect his crew and build better world

Toga wanted acceptance and ability to live freely

Both made deal with devil (Garaki/AFO's legacy)

Both lost everything they were trying to achieve

The League as Family:

The dual vessel situation forces League to confront:

What does loyalty mean when person you're loyal to is being replaced?

How do you love someone who's being erased from within?

Do you save them or stop them?

When does mercy demand letting go?

Parallels to Hero Society:

The heroes face similar questions with Kurogiri/Oboro:

Both sides struggling to save people from forced identity loss

Both sides forced to choose between saving individual vs. stopping threat

Neither side has clear answers

Tragedy affects everyone regardless of hero/villain divide

Final Thoughts on Decomposite Structure

By splitting Tomura's "AFO vessel" arc between Nine and Toga:

Nine embodies:

The power corruption aspect

The loss of agency to overwhelming will

The physical transformation

The "becoming a god" trajectory

The sacrifice of self for power

Toga embodies:

The emotional devastation

The identity crisis and confusion

The desperate need for connection

The search for self amidst multiple personalities

The potential for redemption or tragedy

Together they create: A more nuanced exploration of what possession/corruption actually means, showing both the power-focused and emotion-focused aspects of losing oneself to another's will, while maintaining enough agency to make their final fates feel like choices rather than inevitabilities.

The audience experiences:

Horror of watching two complex characters slowly disappear

Hope that they might be saved

Grief when salvation becomes impossible

Recognition that sometimes the cruelest fate is surviving as something you're not

Understanding that death can be kinder than loss of self

I spent today reminiscing, Of others days I’d reminisce in, Thinking of you and all you are, It’s amazing we’ve come this far. You are more than anything, You are more than everything, Even on our worst days, And in every worst way, I would want you close, Always closer than most, And right now I want you the most, But you’ve got plans and I’m not involved, You’ve got a future and a new home, I got nights now, all alone. I just stare down at my phone, Wondering if you think of me at home, Or are you staring down at your screen, Waiting to see if I’m writing? Sat eagerly for me to hit send, Then you realise you blocked me again. We’re so close but so far apart, You’re just a call away from my heart, Where am I in relation to you? To get back, what do I have to do? Would it be smart to rekindle the flame? To make you look back and want me again? Knowing the plans you already have, Should I be selfish and change them all back? Should I fight for what I want? Knowing you’d be better off where you are? Though you’d never know a love like this, Should I let you go and love you from afar.

Daniel Zuppa