15/03/2022

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The Emperor's Dragon
Fledgling 55

Inko sat at her desk. She wasn't seeing anything. Before her was an open file. There were several new pages resting on the top of it. The pages were letters. Each bore a different letterhead. Each said the same thing. The words were different but the meaning was the same.

She took a deep breath, fighting back tears.

With regret, we cannot take on your case at this current time.

That was the gist of the letters. There were a variety of reasons. Conflict of interest. No pro-bono work this season. One had said that they did not believe she could win and wouldn't take her case based on that. Other's hadn't given an exact reason but Inko knew what was behind it. Finances. She just didn't have the money to pursue the case.

"Inko?"

She swallowed and sniffed before turning to see Meigo.

Despite the fact her eyes were dry, she didn't fool the other woman. "What's the matter, Inko?" came the question.

For a moment Inko thought about denying that anything was wrong but she knew her work colleagues wouldn't buy it. They had admitted they had an interest in her case and they knew about the fact she'd put in a Request For Information to the HPSC. They also knew that she'd had to back up that request with legal action.

Beacon had been her original law firm and the firm had been suggested by Ume. Except Beacon had pulled out, citing a conflict of interest. They didn't specify exactly what and were terribly apologetic. When that happened, Inko had accepted it. She'd heard of it happening before and didn't think anything was wrong.

There was something wrong now but she didn't know what she could do about it.

Wordlessly, Inko turned and carefully picked up the letters. She turned back to Meigo and held them out. The papers shook as her hands trembled.

The other woman's eyes went wide as she saw the paper move but she made no comment as she took them. Her eyes flicked over the first page before she flipped it over to read the second, then the third, and fourth and fifth.

"What?" Meigo demanded when she finished. "This is bullshit."

The confirmation that she wasn't mistaken is what broke Inko's resolve. Tears began streaming from her eyes and she couldn't reply.

"This is-" Meigo shook her head and she actually gasped. "This isn't right," she said finally.

Inko said nothing. This is what was.

"Ume!" Meigo yelled.

The older woman appeared from the kitchen. She didn't look frazzled by the summoning. Instead she was carrying her cup of tea. "Yes?" There was a testy note in her voice. She might not appear frazzled but she was definitely annoyed.

"Beacon pulled out on Inko," Meigo reported.

"Yes, she told me," Ume replied.

"So did everyone else," Meigo said, brandishing the letters in her fist.

Ume frowned, the expression showed the wrinkles on her face. She cocked her head slightly. "That's not right," she said, echoing what Meigo had said earlier. Ume held out her hand, silently demanding the stack.

Like Meigo she looked over them briefly. Then Ume turned her gaze to Inko. "Is there something you aren't telling us?" The question was piercing but there was a soft note in her voice that took out the sting of the accusation.

Inko shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.

Ume frowned again and she moved to her chair. "They're hiding something," she concluded.

"Who's hiding something?" Meigo demanded.

"The Commission," the older woman told her. She set her tea down and put the papers next to it. "Inko's request is not difficult and superficially there is nothing odd with her request, which means that there's something the Commission doesn't want to reveal. Except," she frowned again, "what would it have to do with a nine year old Izuku?" Ume asked the room.

No one answered. No one knew.

"Where does that leave Inko?" Meigo asked into the silence.

Ume sighed heavily. "They've gotten to most of the firms but they can't have gotten to everyone, so it isn't impossible to keep the Freedom of Information going but that will require money," she explained.

"I can't… I can't afford that," Inko said, her voice breaking. It was for her son! How could she not afford things for him?

"Crowdfunding?" Meigo suggested.

"People are tired of that," Ume rejected the suggestion.

Tears still streamed down Inko's face.

Ume took a sip of her tea but her expression showed she was still thinking. "Inko, you saw your husband's lawyer a few months back, didn't you?" she asked carefully.

Inko nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"Hmm," she murmured.

"What is it?" Meigo demanded.

Ume didn't reply for a few moments but then she took a deep breath. "We don't know the contents of Inko's Husband's will but we do know he is missing. I would assume that since he changed his will after taking Izuku, he has left everything to Izuku," she postulated.

Meigo shared a look with the still crying Inko. "That seems a safe enough assumption," she said.

Ume's lips pursed and she nodded to herself. "It may be possible to get a dispensation from the will then. It is, after all, for Izuku," she explained.

"That sounds reasonable," Meigo said as she thought about the idea. "It's money and a lawyer," she added.

"It will depend on the will," Ume cautioned. "And the lawyer. They may not be inclined to give a dispensation, or the will may specify that it's not allowed."

"It's worth asking," Meigo answered for Inko.

The green haired woman nodded, before she sniffed. "I'll try," she whispered.

Ume smiled reassuringly. "Then we will find out what the Commission is hiding," she said as her smile turned a bit vicious.

Meigo chuckled. "Don't worry, Inko," she reassured her friend. "Where there's a will-"

"There's a wife!" Ume interrupted. "Because here's the fall back plan. Hisashi is declared missing. The will goes to Izuku but you, Inko, have legal claim to everything as his wife. And in the worst case, that will give you the financial wherewithal to pursue this then."

It was Inko's turn to take a deep breath. She reached up to wipe her eyes. She wanted Izuku back now but she had to accept that not everything could happen at once.

So long as she got Izuku back, that would be enough.

It had to be.

-ted-

"Mr Tanaihito," All For One greeted Garaki's assistant when the young man was let in to see him.

"Sir." The reply was perfectly differential and unlike some, Sensei knew the boy was actually sincere.

"I have another task for you," he announced, not bothering to ask how the assistant was. Garaki had already reported on the Nomu's, quirk copying and his assistants. "Something far more challenging than your previous ones but I believe you are up to it," he concluded.

It was always interesting to see how people responded to that sort of encouragement, especially when they knew they were not skilled enough for the task he gave them. The smart ones were honest about their lack, or requested additional resources, others preened under his praise and failed. It told him a lot about the person.

Mr Tanaihito didn't disappoint. "I will try my best, Sir," he said carefully, not committing to anything before he heard what the task was.

"I need you to collect another genetic sample," All For One announced. "This one will be for Izuku," he added. He couldn't see it clearly but he knew the young man relaxed at hearing that.

When Izuku began acting for him, Mr Tanaihito would be a part of Izuku's inner circle, even if he didn't know it yet. The young man would sort of be what Garaki was to him.

"There's a relatively new hero, Ryukyu," he said. "She is young but she is very popular. I imagine she will do quite well for herself," All For One said. He could imagine it all he wanted but experience told him it was the truth. "Her quirk is a full transformation quirk," he added. "I want it."

He heard Yakuni gulp but saw through his vision quirks as he nodded. "It may take a while, Sir," he said slowly, obviously thinking about the realities of such a mission. A pro-hero would be on guard.

"You have time," Sensei dismissed that. "I do not care if you are captured, so long as you have the sample," he added. There was no need to say that the boy was expected not to reveal anything.

There was a soft puff of air from the young man. "Yes, Sir," he said, apparently recognising the irony of the situation. "I'm officially quirkless, so they won't be looking for that, and I could simply have been seeking charity from an up and coming hero," he added.

All For One smiled, and nodded. "Indeed," he agreed, pleased that the young man understood the situation. "Her quirk is-" he paused. He recalled seeing her quirk while she was a student at UA but had decided she was too public there for him to arrange to meet her. Then, he'd been somewhat distracted for the last few years. "I love the concept of her quirk," he began again. "The full transformation is fantastic, but her shape-" From memory, he had thought it rather ugly. However, Izuku could add scales, and various other quirks to the dragon form, transforming it from what looked to be a form that had been shaved, into a proper dragon.

"Izuku can enhance it?" Mr Tanaihito suggested.

"Yes," he agreed.

The young man took another few breaths. "I'll retrieve the sample, Sir," he said, recognising that his meeting was over.

"Very good," Sensei replied as the man showed himself out. Izuku had a few quirks he needed yet to fully fit the theme but he did not need them yet. Garaki's grandson's wings would be a welcome addition as would Ryukyu's quirk and … with the addition of scales and fangs…

He would be a proper dragon.

-ted-

"Mrs Midoriya, what can Hawein, Mori and Nishimura do for you today?" Watanabe asked as the other woman settled in his office. He was feeling… He was aware that some of his clients were very intelligent but there were times when he hated that they were right. Hisashi Riji had said his wife would come in and here she was.

Her green eyes were intent. "I require more information to aid in the search for my husband and son," she told him.

He sighed and tapped one finger on his other hand. "The government believes your husband to be dead," he told her.

She didn't say anything frivolous, such as 'he'd better be dead when I catch up to him' which was a relief. Instead, Watanabe watched as Mrs Midoriya nodded. "I am aware of that, however that is one possibility and does not find my son," she indicated.

"Then I am uncertain about how we may aid you," he said, though that was a lie. He was an estate lawyer. There was only one answer to that question no matter who was on the other side of his desk. Money, from estates, helped a lot of causes.

"You've previously told me that my Husband altered his will after he left with Izuku, and I have assumed that the alteration was to leave everything to my son. However, my son is officially missing as well," Inko Midoriya stated.

Watanabe nodded, but didn't clarify what he was agreeing to. He knew what she wanted though and wondered if he should lead the conversation or allow her to work her way up to it. Before he made up his mind Inko looked determined.

"I am seeking a dispensation from my husband's estate to compel the Hero Public Safety Commission to release information regarding my son's whereabouts and why they did not pursue Izuku in good time during a planned operation." She gave him an odd smile. "If I get this dispensation I am willing to forgo challenging my husband's will."

At that, Watanabe cocked his head slightly to question her bargain.

"If my assumption is correct, Hisashi has left everything to Izuku, however, as you are well aware, my son is missing as well. That leaves me as the sole heir because he has not divorced me," she told him.

He nodded again. "That is true." Unlike other countries, divorce could not be finalised in absentia in Japan unless there were exceptional circumstances. Missing partners were not considered exceptional circumstances. "You do understand however, that if the will does not allow dispensation, then there is nothing I can do," he informed her. Watanabe already knew that it didn't matter what the will said, Hisashi had already made a decision.

Inko gave him a short nod and a small smile. "Then I will simply challenge the will in due course," she told him.

Watanabe didn't bother to tell her there would be nothing to challenge by that stage. "I will check," he indicated, turning to his computer. All wills were on file. He made a show of typing and clicking through several pages as he made his way through the Firm's files to Hisashi's folder. The will was there and Watanabe opened it. He read through the opening before he scrolled down. "Let me look at what terms we put in," he told Inko.

"The will does leave everything to your son, with a stipend for you, however there is allowance for a dispensation and given that it is to find Izuku, I do not see any reason why you shouldn't be allowed to make a claim."

He didn't miss the way Inko suddenly relaxed. She took a deep breath and released it. "Thank you," Inko said.

Watanabe nodded slightly to acknowledge her response. "There will be paperwork," he told her, "and I will need some time to prepare it."

"I understand," Inko acknowledged. "How long will that take?"

He didn't know how long Hisashi would need and since the man hadn't specified, he would have to accept Watanabe's word. "About a week," he indicated. That would be enough time for them to tell Hisashi. "We will contact you about making an appointment?" Watanabe asked.

"That is fine," Inko said.

He gave her a gentle smile. "May I offer some non-professional advice on another matter, I know you will now be pursuing?"

Inko frowned lightly at him. She was obviously wondering what he was going to suggest.

"You are here because you've had problems with compelling the Hero Public Safety Commission," he said. It wasn't a question. She'd told him after all but he already knew.

She sighed. "Yes."

"And several firms have already pulled out on you, correct?" That was one of those questions he knew the answer for. The Commission was rather obvious. It would have been far better for them to allow the Request to go through but pressure the court to deny it. Now the court would most likely rule in Inko's favour simply because the Commission had been so obvious.

"Yes," Inko didn't quite manage to hide her frustration.

"Hawein, Mori and Nishimura do not take cases like yours, but we are allied with several other firms who would be interested," Watanabe said. .

"And they will not withdraw?" Inko pressed.

He gave her a somewhat savage grin. "They would be very pleased to embarrass the Hero Public Safety Commission," he added.

At that, Inko was expressionless for a few moments before she returned his smile with a nod of understanding. "I would appreciate your suggestion," she told him.

"I will make enquiries this week while I prepare the paperwork," Watanabe indicated.

"I will return in a week then, to sign the paperwork," Inko said as she rose. "Thank you for your assistance."

"It has been my pleasure," Watanabe said, nodding slightly as she showed herself out of his office.

Watanabe took a few deep breaths. Hisashi… well, he wouldn't be Hisashi for much longer, but the man was far too intelligent. Watanabe knew Hisashi was… no, he wouldn't think about that. He sat for a few minutes to be sure Hisashi's wife was gone before he reached for his own phone.

He dialed the number. In order to protect his clients, the numbers weren't saved by name but were instead saved according to the account number. It wasn't that secure but it was a small layer of security beyond the usual bio-locks.

"She came to see you," Hisashi answered his call without bothering with pleasantries.

It was a good thing Hisashi couldn't see his expression. "She did," he replied. "I have organised a follow up meeting in a week," he told his client.

"Very good," Hisashi replied. "I will be there. How is her case going?"

"The Commission is obvious in their stonewalling," Watanabe told him.

That elicited a soft chuckle from Hisashi. "Then I shall have to be suitably generous," he said. "After all, anything to confound the Commission."

"And All Might?" Watanabe asked, half jokingly.

"Especially All Might."

The response sent a chill down his spine. Watanabe said nothing. What could he say to that?

After a few moments Hisashi spoke again. "Prepare custody papers for Izuku. Inko will sign them," he instructed.

"I cannot accept them if she is forced," Watanabe reminded his client.

"She will sign willingly," Hisashi reassured him. Watanabe could tell that the man didn't even consider it an issue. "I am, after all, in a better position to provide for Izuku," he added. "And I will allow visitation if she does well against the Commission. After all, she is trying to find Izuku, and I know where he is."

Watanabe had been deliberately not thinking about that. Client lawyer confidentiality was sacred but as an estate lawyer he knew he didn't hear the deepest and darkest secrets of his clients. And he knew that Hisashi was only telling him what he could afford to say, which only reinforced the power of the man.

"I will have the papers ready," Watanabe indicated.

"I will meet her in the boardroom," Hisashi told him.

"I will make sure it is available." The room would be available. For Hisashi, the other partners would move their meetings out.

"Then I will see you in a week, my friend," Hisashi concluded.

"Indeed," Watanabe agreed before the call was cut.

He put his phone down and then sighed heavily.

Hisashi was a good client. Hisashi was a brilliant client.

Even if he was sometimes a stressful client. But for Hawein, Mori and Nishimura, so long as Hisashi was happy, then they were happy. And Hisashi knew the law, he wouldn't be seen breaking it and really, for the firm, that was all that mattered.

-ted-

Yakuni is off on a mission, which will actually please Izuku somewhat since he really didn't know what to do with an employee when he was 14!

But Inko, you should run now, while you still can. Alas, I do not believe she will. So we will see what happens when she goes back to the lawyer in a week. What surprises will he have? What surprises will AFO have? If Inko got one chance to lash out at someone... who would she pick? Nighteye or AFO?

My discord is on this code: ZX2R5h2cEm FFN will remove links but you should be able to figure that out.

-ted-

Loved it? Hated it? Found a spelling mistake? Let me know please!