"How are things in America, Young Midoriya?"

"Everything's fine, Yagi-san."

"Nervous?"

"Tremendously. But better than I thought I'd be."

"You'll do fine, my boy. You know what you want to say to the world, so stand tall and say it."

"Show the world that I am here?"

"Exactly."

Izuku couldn't stop the butterflies in his stomach as the plane touched down.

"This is awesome!" a sparkly-eyed Kirishima exclaimed from beside Izuku. Sure, he could be excited. Kirishima wasn't going to be standing in front of the United Nations tomorrow, being scrutinized by the entire world. "You're going to do great, man."

Gigantomachia had been silent for the entire journey, but Izuku saw him nod emphatically in the corner of Izuku's eye.

"You have everything you need, and us at your back." A warm hand lightly brushed against Izuku's shoulder. He looked up to meet Hisashi Midoriya's eyes. Over the past weeks, his father had turned into an advisor of sorts. Izuku frequently called him for advice and information, as the man had a wealth of useful trivia on all sorts of subjects and had started actually picking up his phone. Izuku only decided to bring Hisashi along at the last minute after the man's third enthusiastic rant on what countries' policies deserved the closest attention. With the majority of Izuku's most capable trusted associates tied up in government business, Izuku was short on competent advisors and Hisashi was relatively free. He'd picked Kirishima and Gigantomachia for similar reasons.

Besides, Inko needed a break from Hisashi and Bakugou's catfights, and Hisashi was the less likely of the two to cause a diplomatic incident.

Izuku closed his eyes, took a deep breath, opened them, and started walking. The group followed. "It doesn't matter whether I'm ready, this is happening."

Hisashi hummed. "If you don't feel prepared, perhaps it would help to go over the sorts of accusations that may be leveled at you, and the possible responses. I'm sure you've done it already, but I can offer my own assistance."

"That would help, actually." Izuku nodded.

Kirishima pumped his fist. "You're our Deku, so there's nothing to worry about! The UN won't know what hit them."

Izuku managed a wobbly smile.

The smile changed into a real one on the way to the hotel. Izuku couldn't help but press his face to the window and drink in the sights. The tall buildings, the English lettering everywhere - the atmosphere was so different and yet similar to Tokyo's busy streets. Maybe if he was lucky, he'd even see American heroes at work. Problematic as the American hero system that Japan had adopted was, this was the birthplace of heroes.

Izuku always loved heroes, and that would never really change.

The streets remained peaceful and absent of noticeable hero costumes and gear, and Izuku's party checked into the hotel with minimal fuss. Izuku had never seen such massive suites in his life; he supposed most heads of state were used to extravagant lodgings. After the hotel's porter tucked away Izuku's luggage, Izuku flopped back onto the king-sized bed and waited for Hisashi to join him.

Hisashi did so after about thirty minutes. Izuku felt a sudden flash of awkwardness when he greeted his father at the door. They'd talked on the phone, and then on the long plane ride to America, but this was the first time they'd spoken alone and in person since that first meeting at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Izuku hadn't even decided on what to call him yet. "Hisashi" was too impersonal, like he was rejecting the man's relation to him altogether. "Father" was too formal. "Dad" - he wasn't really ready to call Hisashi that yet. It was too foreign of a word, and the face it brought to mind wasn't Hisashi's.

Hisashi didn't seem to share Izuku's awkwardness. He swept in past Izuku, taking in the room with a nod.

"It will do. Now, Izuku, there's not much time to prepare. So let's start." He pulled out the desk chair and sat. "The most obvious point of weakness is your legitimacy as a head of state. It's bothersome, but you're the named successor of a widely-feared villain who led a very bloody coup. In Japan, also being the declared successor of All Might gives your reputation some weight, but here it will be more difficult to defend with that alone. I assume you have counters?"

Izuku nodded, and his brain snapped into business mode. "Of course. With Japan currently in a state of emergency, I have established an interim government in order to stabilize the nation and -"

Hisashi clicked his tongue. "Oh no, no, no. A large part of your current platform is reestablishing the Constitution after centuries of governmental abuse of emergency powers. That won't do at all. Even if the UN buys it, this assembly will be broadcast in Japan, and it will undercut the current goodwill you've earned."

"Well, a dictator certainly isn't constitutional."

"That doesn't matter. You are a leader acknowledged by your people, with massive public support. It's not the UN's decision whether you're the rightful leader of Japan or not; the relevant parties have already made that decision."

"Isn't that the opposite of what we've all been saying?"

Hisashi stood, and started pacing in front of the window, the afternoon sun slanting through the blinds and throwing Hisashi's shadow across the room. Izuku was hit with a sense of deja vu. "You are the rightful leader, and it's not your job to convince anyone. It's your job to tell them. You already had the audacity to include a villain, former or not, as part of your retinue. This won't work unless you walk in and assert your right to be there. Unless you own your power and decisions and declare them to the world, with the authority of someone who knows the righteousness of their position." Hisashi's gaze turned sharp, and he came to a stop in front of Izuku. "I hope you're not telling me that you didn't know bringing Gigantomachia was a statement in itself."

Izuku massaged his temple. He couldn't tell if the headache was from jet lag or thinking so hard. "But don't I need to defend my decisions?"

Hisashi patted his head. "This is why you'll never be a real politician. Politics are not a game of logic, Izuku. They're a game of confidence, or to put it more crassly, a popularity contest mostly played by idiots. You know the saying where you don't argue with idiots? The downfall of many intelligent contestants is that they get caught in the logic and forget to participate in the childish dick-measuring that determines the true winner."

Izuku winced, and then thought. "So you're saying it's more important to be the most confident person in the room than to have the best logical defense."

Hisashi's grin was shark-like. "You're a quick study. Good. With that in mind, how would you defend your legitimacy?"

Izuku didn't answer immediately. He fell backward onto the bed, stared at the ceiling, and then groaned. "I'm going to have to rewrite my whole speech, aren't I."

Hisashi was a difficult taskmaster. He nitpicked, he questioned, he openly criticized Izuku's every statement. Izuku finished the afternoon feeling as though everything he'd said had been viciously torn to shreds. It was a lot to deal with on top of the jet lag. He'd swear Hisashi enjoyed the mental torture he was inflicting. When the crash course in political maneuvering was over, Izuku was ready to crash himself, and he still needed to rewrite his speech.

At least he felt more prepared than he'd been since the request arrived for his presence at the United Nations Headquarters. That thought made Izuku almost forgive the man when Hisashi patted his head again and took the liberty of ordering room service for both of them.

Hisashi left after dinner. Izuku checked the time and decided that Yagi had likely woken up, so he called Japan. At least the astronomical amount Izuku was earning from Hisashi's businesses would easily cover any roaming charges, he thought wryly.

Yagi asked about America and offered a few words of encouragement. Izuku asked how everything was in Japan.

"Everything's fine, Young Midoriya. Though there was a minor… surprise."

"Oh?" Izuku asked.

"Shirakumo and… Shimura approached Aizawa," Yagi said. He still couldn't say Tenko Shimura's name without being awkward about it. "They said they've been researching the whereabouts of All for One since he disappeared, but haven't turned up anything. However, they passed the information they've found to the Intelligence Department."

Why did they have to pull something like this now, of all times? "How much of that information was obtained legally?"

"All of it."

"And did they explain why I had to be out of the country before they coughed their info up?

"They didn't say, but I think they were afraid of being arrested for their side activities, and stood a better chance if you were forced to wait for your return to decide their fate."

Izuku sighed. "I don't have to be there to have them arrested. But as long as they're passing the information they find to Intelligence, and they're not doing anything illegal to get it, then it's not really a problem to worry about now."

"Of course. You sound tired, my boy. Get some sleep."

Izuku wasn't quite ready to let go of the sound of Yagi's soothing voice, but he really was tired. "Alright. Thanks, Dad."

Izuku didn't realize what he'd said until he hung up the phone. He froze, curling into a ball in mortification, then figured that he'd deal with that later. The bed was comfortable and he was asleep almost as soon as he hit the pillow.

Izuku grasped the paper which he'd scribbled a new speech on that morning in his pocket and tried to hold a confident expression. He'd even had Hisashi check it, and Hisashi approved it. He was as ready as he'd ever be.

Izuku didn't feel ready at all.

"On behalf of the General Assembly, I have the honor to welcome to the United Nations His Excellency Izuku Midoriya, Supreme Overlord of Japan, and invite him to address the assembly," droned the President of the Assembly.

The room was completely silent as Izuku approached the podium on wobbly legs. The representatives of nations were staring at him. Izuku almost felt a physical weight on his chest, even worse than when he'd received the 10,000,000-point bounty in the first-year sports festival cavalry battle. Kirishima grinned at him from where he sat. Gigantomachia nodded solidly. Hisashi chose not to come, claiming he would rather not appear on camera, but Izuku knew he was watching in his hotel room. Japan was watching, and so was the rest of the world.

Show them you are here. Izuku's expression firmed and he grasped the podium. And, like Hisashi said last night, the best defense is a good offense.

"People of the world, it is my honor to be here today on behalf of the glorious nation of Japan. Nine months ago, a crisis swept our nation when the villain All for One brutally murdered his way to power and forcibly declared himself a dictator. Some of our best and brightest were killed in action, or lost their quirks, or are still missing even now. Even in such chaos Japan ensured that all ambassadors and embassy personnel, as well as any foreigners visiting Japan at the time, returned home safely." Izuku would know; he'd helped with some of the extractions himself, along with the rest of the former Class 1-A.

"Then Japan was left abandoned by the world, left to its fate as public order fell apart and villains ran rampant. As All for One defended his regime with blood and death, as he stole whatever quirks amused him and his minions ran loose in the streets. Make no mistake, we do not blame other nations for their fear, for not wanting to sacrifice their people and resources to assist us in our time of need when no victory would be assured by such aid. However, the fact remains that we dealt with our problems on our own - and in the end, it wasn't some superhuman feat of strength that ended All for One's reign. It was All for One himself choosing to conditionally give away his power, for whatever reason, to myself."

There was some uncomfortable shifting in the seats. Izuku hated playing this game, but if this was what it took to defend Japan's place among the nations, he'd do it.

"In the invitation I received, I was informed that my right to speak on Japan's behalf was in question, and this meeting would decide the United Nations' stance on that topic. But I do not stand before you today to convince the United Nations that my leadership is rightful. That has already been decided by the people themselves. Thanks to my own pledges to protect the public and secure their rights, the Japanese people have accepted the government I installed upon being named as their leader. Ask the media outlets, ask the people - we do not suppress freedom of speech, and they will tell you that the nation stands behind me. Both All for One's former supporters and the heroes who lost their friends and coworkers in the chaos choose to stand behind me. All Might, who never fully recovered his quirk or health after he publicly fought and arrested All for One almost five years ago, stands behind me.

"And yet this has been called into question by people who sat by and did nothing when Japan fell and our people were slaughtered. Let me ask you, if All for One reappeared as he threatened to in my removal from power, would you once again leave Japan to its fate?"

Izuku spotted pale faces among the crowd and tried to calm the rage that swept over him. He didn't want to be a dictator, he didn't want to lead a nation, but that didn't matter. Japan was his to protect.

"I am not here to defend myself. The United Nations was created to maintain worldwide peace and security, develop relations between countries, foster cooperation and create a forum to accomplish those goals. That's what I'm here for. We ask to continue in our current position as part of this forum not because we need the assistance - as I pointed out, we handled the worst national crisis of our nation's history without help from this esteemed assembly - but because we too wish for peace, allies, and cooperation with our fellow nations. If these similar goals do not bind this assembly together, then why does it exist?"

Here and there, people nodded. A few stared icily, a few hurriedly scribbled on pieces of paper that Izuku assumed contained their own speeches. Izuku breathed deeply.

"I also hope to ensure that when Japan once again transfers its leadership to a representative democracy under a restored Constitution, that the transition will have as few repercussions on our friends and allies as possible. With that said, I invite the United Nations to discuss Japan's role as a member. Thank you."

Izuku stepped away from the podium to a round of applause. He determinedly kept the panic from his face as, one by one, other representatives rose to make their speeches. After a few minutes, he was trying to keep amusement from his face instead. No one seemed quite sure how to handle Izuku's abrasive speech, and the hurried revisions to their own speeches were often obvious. If nothing else, he'd gotten their attention.

Then the United States representative took the stage, and everything went downhill.

"It's easy to talk of peace, but let us look to the villain this self-proclaimed 'leader' brought into our midst today as an example of the sort of peace he wishes for. Even now, the so-called public order currently being lauded is in a state of disrepair. Villains and vigilantes run rampant. People abuse their quirks as they please, the criminal justice system turning criminals into a public laughingstock for entertainment. The United States of America has always stood for freedom and justice, and if this is the state of affairs supported by Japan's heroes, then I can only say they sound like poor heroes indeed."

Izuku fought to control himself. How dare he? He couldn't stop the hiss that escaped from his gritted teeth. The representative paused for a moment, glancing at where Izuku was attempting to compose himself and turned a shade paler. Despite that, he soldiered onward with his speech.

"Despite the suffering that has undoubtedly been inflicted upon them by the villain uprising, they continue to allow villains in their government. Since when has this assembly made deals with criminals? These 'representatives' can talk all they want, but the fact remains that this man is a successor to a regime established in blood and fear. No matter what misguided souls call themselves his backers, nothing changes that truth."

Izuku gripped the arms of the chair until they creaked. If he reacted too strongly or if he ran, he'd play right into this asshole's hands, he reminded himself. Cool, calm. You're the one with the power here. He reminded himself of Hisashi last night, when Hisashi repeated some of the same complaints, almost verbatim, expecting Izuku to come up with a counter. He just had to wait until it was his turn to speak again.

"I remember when we welcomed All Might himself into our borders, and it pains me to see that he has fallen so far -"

That was it. Izuku was ready to cry from frustration; he could take insults to himself, but he'd let no one stand before him and insult the best people he knew, the best man he knew.

He was about to stand up and scream his rebuttal, but he was beaten to it by a "Boo!" from another part of the audience. That appeared to surprise the US representative, who looked in the direction of the sound. The culprit, apparently from Australia, didn't look perturbed. Instead, he held the US representative's gaze with a surprising amount of defiance. Izuku thought there was something familiar about the man.

The US representative dragged his gaze away and tried to continue. "And it pains me to see that -" The Australian representative booed even louder. A lot of the audience was glaring, Izuku noticed, though their targets were split between the interruption and the US representative.

The US representative apparently knew when he wasn't being well received, and stepped away from the stage without attempting to complete the thought again. After he was escorted away from the podium, the Australian representative took the stage. Izuku managed to stifle the impatience to refute the claims now, and settled back into his seat.

"Well, it's good to be here with all you fine folks, and not as good for the not-so-fine ones. I, for one, am happy to offer my support to Japan, and here's why. They've been fixing things up over there, and if my eyes don't deceive me, they've been taking inspiration from our own fair country's policies. Isn't that right, lad?"

Izuku nodded with round eyes. He'd certainly been looking into Australian policies to refine quirk laws since Hisashi pointed out the merits of their system several weeks ago. All for One had probably studied the system himself; many of the policies espoused in his notes reflected Australian quirk regulations.

"Which is why I'm sad to hear those fine quirk laws insulted by my own peers. Funny how they say they like freedom and then get mad at someone who's finding ways to give it, yeah? So let's talk about why Japan's handling things brilliantly and why it's a stupid idea to give them crap for it."

The resulting diatribe, delivered with dry, unsubtle jabs at the US representative's speech, made most of Izuku's points for him. While not everyone in the room looked happy about it, more and more of the representatives started nodding at the points made halfway through.

Izuku felt irrationally disappointed. He wasn't a politician, and he wasn't nearly as well-established here, but it was his job to defend himself and Japan, not anyone else's. He didn't need anyone else stepping in. He'd learned to depend on his friends and Yagi - sort of - but he was pretty sure that he'd never met this person before in his life. He'd never been good at leaving important things in other people's hands.

And that was the issue, wasn't it? He had a hard time with trust. But it was something he'd have to learn, for when he left Japan in the hands of its elected officials and other people would be defending it in his place. He turned his attention back to the speech and listened intently, determined to let himself accept the unexpected ally.

The speech ended with loud applause from the audience, which Izuku joined wholeheartedly. The Australian representative - Izuku needed to look up the man's name - winked at Izuku as he left the stage.

The rest of the time went much more smoothly. The Australian representative's speech apparently set the tone, and slowly more and more nations chimed in with their own endorsements of Izuku and Japan. When Izuku finally stood at the podium again, the shakiness in his legs was from relief rather than nervousness.

"First of all, I'd like to thank those of you who have shown their support for Japan today," Izuku began. He met the eyes of the audience, lingering on the Australian representative for a moment longer, then looked into the camera. "And to those of you around the world who are watching this - thank you, as well. A lot has been said here in defense of myself and Japan, and there are only a few things I wish to clarify."

He'd brought a villain as a statement, and he wanted to make sure that statement was heard.

"Japan formed its concept of individual rights, embodied in its Constitution, on the principle of jinkaku, or 'the elements that come together to define each person as an individual.' Many of these rights have been revoked in Japan since quirks appeared, thanks to the abuse of their power that the government enacted. While many villains are criminals - as is anyone who maliciously harms another, whether they use a quirk or not - there are many who have been ostracized, or criminalized, for merely possessing and using a physical part of their own biology. Quirks are nothing if not an innate part of one's individuality. As such, repressing them is contrary to our own foundational principles, no matter what traditions we've adopted over time. I will not apologize for allowing - and encouraging - my fellow Japanese to embrace a part of themselves, as long as it does not harm others." He raised an eyebrow at the glowering US representative.

"Likewise, another freedom that has long been absent is the right of a fair trial, of being able to peacefully defend oneself in a court of law. It's becoming increasingly obvious that the regular violence in our streets was brought about by offering two options to those assumed guilty of criminal activity: to fight for their lives and freedom, or to be locked away with no recourse or defense. If they were lucky, they might be released back into the wild after a brief detention; but the authorities could also choose to keep them detained indefinitely.

"None of that excuses those who have committed legitimate crimes, who murder and steal and terrorize. Neither will I let anyone 'run rampant' who does so. However, Japan has spent too long encouraging 'villains' toward violent resistance when labeled as such. Japan is currently rebuilding herself; I hope for a better society that focuses its efforts on removing the reasons for crime in the first place rather than simply fighting the symptoms. I want our prisons to rehabilitate those who are convicted of crimes, rather than locking them away and leaving them to rot. But in the meantime, Japan is left with a mess of those who are genuine criminals mixed with those who were labeled as villains unjustly, and many who started as the latter but were pushed into living as the former."

Izuku clenched his fingers on the edge of the podium and leaned forward. This was certain to be a controversial move, and maybe the UN wasn't the place for this. He'd hoped to announce this in Japan first. But everything had happened so fast, and now he was here. This was as good a place as any. He'd discussed it with Yagi before he left, and he was sure that this was the right choice. Maybe not the right one politically, but it was the right one as a hero.

"At this moment in time, though, Japan is at a turning point in history. We're leaving the past behind now; what matters is what we, and they, choose to be in the future. I believe that justice is better served now by showing amnesty to those who will embrace it, who will choose to help Japan rebuild rather than continuing to tear her down. I want to offer a helping hand to those lost in the darkness. While I initially accepted the villains in my own government as a necessary evil, they have proven themselves as allies. I will not give quarter to those who still choose to inflict violence on their fellow man, but those who leave that behind them will find that I am willing to give them a way to do so.

"I plan to announce the Villain Amnesty Program officially upon my return to Japan, but even now I refuse to be ashamed of supporting people who have grasped the chance to leave their pasts behind. After all," Izuku said, smiling wide, trying to hold back the tears in his eyes, "I'm a hero first and foremost. My duty is to extend a hand to those who need aid, no matter who they are."

It was impossibly idealistic. No sane politician would commit career suicide this way, Hisashi had told him. But Izuku wasn't a politician, and when Izuku had retorted with that, Hisashi had grinned sharply and told him to do as he wished.

The applause was louder than any yet heard in the chamber. Here and there, delegates stood as they clapped. Izuku tried to hide how close he was to crying, but a wet track down his cheek told him he'd failed.

He wasn't about to cry waterfalls in front of the entire world, he wasn't.

He choked out a "Thank you" to the audience before hurrying away from the podium, trying to surreptitiously wipe his eyes before the tears became obvious. He wasn't entirely sure why he was crying. Maybe it was the long day, maybe it was the emotional rollercoaster he'd been on.

Maybe it was the way that Izuku had announced his controversial choice before the world, and had been met with cheering and applause. Oh, some still looked unhappy, but many looked excited and approving. He hadn't expected that.

Izuku sat down in his seat with his retinue. Kirishima clapped him on the back almost hard enough to knock him out of his seat. Gigantomachia looked… weirdly close to tears? That couldn't be right. Izuku's own eyes were blurry, that had to be the problem.

He sniffled softly, and murmured another "thank you" when Gigantomachia passed him a tissue out of nowhere.

Izuku was about ready to collapse with relief as he left the General Assembly chamber. The vote calling for Japan to remain in its current position as a UN member, and for Izuku to be recognized as its head of state, had passed. He'd done it. All he wanted to do was go back to the hotel and collapse.

He nearly jumped out of his skin on his way out of the United Nations Headquarters when he heard, "Hey, kid!" from behind him. Izuku turned around to see the Australian representative waving at him. He mentally cursed at not looking up the man's name beforehand.

Izuku stopped to wait for the man to catch up while waving Kirishima and Gigantomachia onward. They waited a small distance away while the Australian caught up. "Great work up there, kid!" the man said happily, holding out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet Japan's Supreme Overlord himself."

"Er, thank you. Just call me Midoriya, please," Izuku said, shaking the offered hand. Looking the man over more closely, he finally pieced together why he was familiar. "You were Australia's ambassador to Japan." He'd personally helped evacuate the Australian embassy workers to a quiet, out-of-the-way airstrip.

"Right, mate, and things were a bit crazy at the time so I never got to say a proper thanks," the representative said. "Name's Patrick Thompson, by the way, just call me Rick. I asked to be reassigned to this job after I left, thought Japan could use the help."

"I appreciate it," Izuku said sincerely. "I'm glad you escaped safely."

Rick waved a hand dismissively. "Downright boring flight, once we got past the danger to life and limb and all. Just wanted you to know that you have our support. You'll want allies with this bunch, they'll walk all over you if you let them. Though I have to say, you're doing a fucking fantastic job for a kid who just started this gig a few months ago. Good on you."

"Thanks! I was actually hoping to discuss the finer details of how Australia handles vigilantes and quirk usage with someone who understands those, if you wouldn't mind. You've already noticed that I took inspiration from your laws, but there's still a few places I'd like clarification on." As much as he wanted to return to the hotel to call Yagi - and maybe hear Hisashi's analysis of Izuku's work - he couldn't pass up this opportunity.

"Sure. Though I'd like to say I noticed those policies myself, but I'm afraid I didn't. Old Japanese friend of mine called me up and mentioned that I should take a look. Not that I wasn't already aiming to support Japan, but I wouldn't have had the info without him." His eyes narrowed at Izuku. "You didn't have anything to do with that, I guess."

"No?" Izuku said. "Should I?"

"Well, I thought you might be related, is all," Rick said. "Didn't get your real name back when you rescued me, but do you know Hisashi Midoriya?"

Izuku's eyes widened. "Oh. He's my father. I wonder why he didn't tell me."

"Small world, isn't it? My old mate ends up with his kid leading the country. Sure does explain why he rang, he isn't much of one to call people up for chats."

Izuku nodded, and forced everything he felt about that to the back of his head. "Yeah, he really isn't. Do you know of a good place nearby to talk about those policies?"

Rick slapped him on the back. "Sure do, let me introduce you to the best coffee shop this side of town. I can introduce you to a few other delegates, too, if you'd like."

"Thanks," Izuku said, smiling. It looked like this trip would be as productive as he'd hoped.