Note: This was written before we knew who Ujiko really was. So I have gone with the female Ujiko. Besides, the League needed more women in there, so I stuck with it.

Part 2: Chapter 2

Kurogiri looked around the bar. He kept it for old times sake. And for the times when the League managed to get together like tonight. It was closed to the public. The door was locked and there was a sign on it indicating that the facility had been hired for a private function so they wouldn't have any morons attempting to come in.

Their underlings knew better than to bother them today, and with Imoku here, that was for the best. He was the boss, but he was the hidden boss. People knew he existed. Dabi admitted he reported to someone, but no one knew who he was. With the information Imoku provided them with, it lent the League an air of mystique and power.

So much had changed, yet so much remained the same.

The jokes about his beer for example hadn't changed but the League had. In the wake of the historic vote on Heroes, Tomura had wanted the League to run wild. Imoku had wanted the League to lay low so that the vote wasn't overturned. In that, Imoku had the better view of reality.

They fought. Imoku won. Kurogiri looked to the spot in the bar where Tomura had died. The wood boards were spotless. His bar was always clean but he could see where Shigaraki's blood had been spilt.

As far as he was aware it was the first, and only fight the two of them had. And Imoku was the one who was prepared. Not surprising given Sensei's training. Though, the interesting thing to note, was that while the League had followed Imoku in the heat of the moment, they had actually been on Tomura's side. They did want to run wild, to prove to the world that villains had won.

Imoku had kept them under control and he'd done it in a way that Kurogiri never expected.

He gave them jobs.

Not meaningless make work either. They were actual jobs and Imoku let them keep the profits. Given that all the jobs had an aspect of villainy to them, the profits were large. It had kept them all docile for the last few years.

He, along with Ujiko was running a delivery service. A very discreet, every efficient one that transported all sorts of goods around the country, through customs or whatever else he was paid for. Drugs arrived in a container. They were never even unpacked and there was nothing but residue for Customs to find and in shipping containers, there was always residue. High end clients, those who couldn't be seen going to a dealer, provided coordinates and their poison, whatever it was, was delivered exactly there. He didn't even have to leave the bar. Spinner was his contact, and made sure that he got paid, and that he got a cut.

Spinner was working as an agent for a lot of them helping them out with contacts. Giran was still doing that as well but the man had distanced himself from them slightly. The new environment meant he could now openly sell support items. Giran might be close to being legitimate these days. Kurogiri wasn't sure.

Twice was actually working two jobs, one for himself, in stuff porn, and one for Dabi. He had the advantage over other producers, and Kurogiri knew there were others but no one could output the volume Twice was. They didn't have his advantages. He simply got someone, women usually, but sometimes men, trans, bi, it didn't matter. They all wanted out of the industry. Twice was prepared to arrange that. They paid him to die. Of course they didn't really die. Getting rid of the bodies was such a pain. Twice duplicated them, and they were killed on screen. It meant he could put out a lot of films, while his victims moved on to something new. That was the deal. But the death, the bit those who watched that sort of stuff really wanted, that was real, even if it was just a clone.

Mustard was working with a company Kurogiri suspected Imoku had purchased specifically for the League member. They were making sleeping pills, using the gas he created. It was condensed and solidified and apparently it worked on almost anyone. Being the source of the drug, Mustard got a significant cut of the profits. The boy was happy and sent in sealed bottles every week as his 'work' but did what he wanted in the meantime. Kurogiri suspected that Imoku's company had figured out how to synthesise Mustard's gas since the volume they produced was far more than he did, but Imoku was happy to pay him to keep him quiet.

Dabi and Toga worked together, though Kurogiri wasn't quite sure what Toga did. Dabi was the main contact for the League and he ran an underground fighting ring. All were welcome, and High End, was his ultimate undefeated champion. Twice was called in sometimes, if the combatant was feeling wussy! He cloned them and generally they died. The underground didn't like that, but a new fighter could sometimes get away with using Twice to build confidence. It was actually Dabi who had to deal with the most bodies. He carbonised most of them.

Everyone was kept active. Those who joined the League later, reported to them, and they all got paid. And they had all been quiet. Kurogiri admired the way Izuku had handled that. It made the reason for Tomura's death all the more clear.

Though Izuku was still involved.

The bartender looked over at the corner. The Representative had gotten away for tonight and was sitting in the corner Tomura had favoured. He was nursing a beer but Kurogiri could tell from the way his green eyes were moving, he wasn't missing a thing. Being here, casually, allowed the League to bring their complaints and concerns to him directly. It helped him maintain control.

Though… The Noumu's did that as well. Kurogiri had thought that High End was only loyal to Sensei and Tomura. Izuku had spent a few minutes with the Noumu and High End would have then followed the politician around like a puppy. What Imoku wanted, High End was more than happy to provide. Like a toddler following after a parent, looking for approval. That's why High End was working with Dabi. The Noumu wanted to fight. Imoku had arranged the initial battles and it satisfied High End that no one was allowed to challenge him unless they had proven to be the strongest. It made Dabi's fighting ring one of the most prized in the country.

Underground, of course.

Kurogiri nodded when Imoku raised his chin. He poured a new beer, and went over to Imoku. Dabi was sitting with him. The fire villain grinned at him. "It's time to run wild!" Dabi announced.

Just a tad too loudly.

The bar turned to them.

Imoku gave Dabi a disparaging look. The villain didn't even look contrite. "Soon," Imoku told the League, as Toga bounced up and down happily. "There's just one vigilante I want taken care of first."

"Boss! If that's all you want, why didn't you say so earlier? We'll take out a vigilante!" Spinner said, almost laughing.

Imoku smiled at him. Kurogiri knew that smile. He braced. "ExplodoKill," the Representative said.

"Fuck!"

The expletive was somewhat universal around the bar. ExplodoKill was one of the most problematic vigilantes. He had a very strong quirk, and was quick witted. Not only that, he was tough. He could take a hit unlike others and he absolutely did not play by the rules, or give a fuck about public opinion. Tomura hadn't been completely delusional when he decided to ask the brat to be a villain. Except ExplodoKill was still trying to be a hero, in a society that didn't want them.

"I'm sure you all want to avenge Compress," Imoku pressed, mercilessly.

Dabi held up two fingers. The tip of each was decorated with a blue flame. Imoku smiled at it. Oh, he wanted to avenge Compress. Bakugou had done himself no favours there.

"On this," Izuku told the League, "you can go wild, but I want you to make it very clear to bystanders that you are only targeting ExplodoKill."

"I'll do that!" Toga yelled happily. She had done it in the past. She took on the appearance of a civilian and mingled with those watching any fight. Her comments made sure that those watching knew what the League was trying to do. There was something about hearing things in the heat of the moment that made it all the more believable, and it stuck in the memory.

"You aren't going to give us a plan?" Spinner asked.

"It's one vigilante," Imoku replied. "I think you can handle that."

The green villain managed to look slightly contrite. "Your plans are the best boss," he said.

That got a chuckle. "Then I'll score yours," Imoku countered.

Spinner flushed. It looked odd against his skin but the League understood the message. While Imoku would do his best for them, and was the boss, what good were they if they could not operate independently?

Imoku looked around the bar. "I know, in the wake of the vote, some of you wanted to follow Tomura, wanted to run wild then, to prove to the world our victory! I do thank you for sticking with me, because I know the path hasn't been easy. After ExplodoKill is taken out, you may run wild as you like. Or you can continue in the jobs you've been doing for the last few years." He gave them all a grin, gesturing to himself. "I won't judge."

That brought a laugh. Imoku was dressed in what had to be an expensive suit but his jacket was over the back of the seat, and his tie was stuffed into the front pocket. There were several buttons undone on his shirt. Anyone looking into the bar would know he was the boss from the casual way he wore his suit. Also through elimination. Everyone else was relatively well known. He was the only unknown face… at least in their circles.

"It's going to be your choice, and I'll met with you all when the time comes. In the meantime, taking out ExplodoKill will remove the last risk to returning to a life of traditional villainy!"

Kurogiri didn't comment on the fact that Imoku's smile was a tad mocking at that. The League was now engaged in traditional villainy, if you went to a time before quirks.

"What about Lemillion?" Twice asked. "No, don't worry."

Over the years, while Imoku had not always been present, he was sufficiently versed in each of the League's idiosyncrasies.

Lemillion had been a hero, but in the aftermath of a mission lead by Tomura, one where a quirk destroying bullet aimed for him had been intercepted by Sir Nighteye, he had failed the newly mandated psychological assessment. Counselling had only gone so far and with the vote that lead to the reintegration of heroes into society, he had joined the Police in a desk position, though he was occasionally called upon in odd cases where his phasing ability was an advantage. Obviously being able to phase through a wall, or into a safe was a good way of seeing what was there without actually going through the lock.

However, rumours had it that Lemillion was leading a faction advocating for the return of Heroes. He was running on that Platform, hoping to be elected to the House of Representatives. Much like Izuku had.

"I'll deal with him," Imoku said. There were dark inflections there.

The League heard them. Most grinned. Imoku had been around often enough for them to learn a few things about their boss, and when he spoke like that, the problem was as good as gone. "Now, drink up, while I have a chat with Dabi," Imoku said, sitting back down.

The League toasted him but there was a noticeable gap now between them and the table.

Toga bounced over and sat down, her back to the rest of the League, blocked their view and that completed their illusion of privacy.

"I never thought you'd mention Tomura," Kurogiri murmured.

Izuku gave him a half smile. "I never hated him," he said.

That got him some odd looks. Toga giggled. "You did, Izu!"

"No, I didn't," Imoku objected mildly with a smile. "I understood Tomura," he continued. "I know exactly why Sensei chose him to lead the League."

"You did?" Dabi asked, glancing towards the place Tomura had died.

Toga just giggled.

Kurogiri would admit to being curious as well. In the beginning it had seemed as if Tomura would never mature but over time he had become better, more skilled at leadership. But he had never truly worked out what Sensei had seen in the petulant, selfish, spoiled boy.

"I did. Tomura was gifted," Imoku explained, before finishing off his beer. He took the new beer Kurogiri had brought over and took a long pull.

"Is that what you want to call it?" Dabi snorted.

"Oh, he was," Imoku defended the dead former leader. "We all lash out when we are angry but there is a limit. We will all fight, and we will destroy things, but again, there is a limit. A point at which we stop. You see it every day, Dabi. The fighters you take. Not the newbies and not High End. The seasoned fighters. Even when angry, they know when to stop so that they don't kill someone, don't they?"

The fire villain nodded, his scarred face thoughtful. "I guess, though it's also because they know it's a pain to get rid of the bodies, and I'll dock their pay."

Imoku chuckled. "There's that," he allowed. "All right, let's take a domestic dispute or something like that. There's a lot of hitting involved, even in passion, but there isn't a lot of death. That's what I mean. People hold back. Sometimes they make mistakes and someone dies, but it's not normal, it's not what they wanted."

"How does that connect to Handsy?" Toga asked.

"He didn't have those limits, or any sense of restraint. He went for the kill, every time. And he didn't regret it."

Kurogiri nodded. He'd lived the most through Izuku's words. It was a petty thing but not once did Tomura apologise for anything. Not the disintegrated controllers, or the piles of dust left over when he disintegrated some random customer who looked at him wrong.

"We do go for the kill," Dabi objected. He was obviously remembering when they had trapped Kamui Woods. The plant based hero had burned.

"When it's planned," Izuku told him. "But it was more than that. Tomura would tear down society, bring anarchy to the world and never worry about where his next meal was coming from. The rest of us will be a bit concerned. And that single minded drive is actually harder to find than you'd believe."

Again Kurogiri nodded. Sensei had searched for quite some time before finding Tomura. Not that he had been obvious about it but there had been an air about the man that was satisfied when he found Tomura. Part of it was the corruption of the grandchild of his former nemesis, but a part of it was that Tomura was suited. But if that was the case, and Imoku understood what Sensei wanted then why had he killed Tomura? He hadn't raised the knife himself, but he had created the circumstances and given the order.

"So why..?" The mist villain realised the question had slipped out before he could stop himself.

Imoku looked at him, green eyes weighing him, just for a moment. His expression changed, becoming amusedly resigned. "I guess I never explained, did I?"

"You haven't," Dabi answered for the bartender.

Imoku nodded. "Tomura was what was needed to tear down society. In that, every time he failed, he would simply try again, until he succeeded. Me being there, helped on the timeline but that was Tomura's job. He just never thought of what would happen next. And since he refused to listen-"

"He died!" Toga trilled happily.

"He did," Izuku agreed.

"That is true," Kurogiri said, referring to Imoku's earlier explanation. "I do sometimes remember him as the one Sensei chose," he added. Izuku was mature enough to know he meant nothing from it. He'd made his choice on that fateful day because he wasn't stupid. He knew that Izuku would have had plans on how to take any of them League out, if they objected to the change in leadership.

"You forget then Kurogiri, Sensei chose me as well." Izuku's eyes were hard. His voice was chilly.

"He did," the mist villain agreed amicably. Izuku was mature enough to know he wouldn't challenge but there were things best left to when they were truly private. "He did."

They sat in silence for a few moments. Toga figited, while Imoku took another drink of beer.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Dabi said finally breaking the slight tension. It was best to move on to a new topic.

"I did," Izuku said, his voice back to being completely pleasant. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and resting his head on his clasped hands. "Has anyone heard anything about QERI?" he asked.

The three League members shared a glance with each other. Toga was easy to read. She had no idea what was going on. Dabi looked at Kurogiri, one burned eyebrow rising slightly. Kurogiri heard the most of them. The mist villain shook his head slightly to indicate he didn't know.

Dabi nodded shallowly. "I've only ever heard of it in relation to Yatsu's case," he said finally.

"Who's Yatsu?" Toga chimed in.

"One of my ex-underlings," Dabi explained. "He was killed in remand."

"And you did nothing about it?" Kurogiri asked. Killing a member of the League got retribution, especially if they were in remand, where they should have been safe.

Izuku snorted.

"What he said," Dabi told the mist villain.

The laugh meant there was a story and that Imoku had decided retribution wasn't necessary. "He had a minor restraint quirk," Dabi explained. "It was sometimes useful, but he just couldn't stay clean," the fire villain added.

Himiko laughed. It wasn't like they were clean.

"He kept assaulting women and expecting the League to bail him out," Imoku explained.

"And being in prison interferes with my work," Dabi added. "I heard about QERI in relation to his case, but I never looked into it," he explained further.

"So what is QUERI, Izu?" Toga asked.

"QERI," Izuku corrected. "When it was used on Warui, it was Quirk Experimental Remov-"

Kurogiri didn't hear any more. He knew what Izuku was going to say. Maybe not the exact words but he knew the meaning. "You copied it?" he whispered.

Izuku waved his free hand. "Overhaul was not discreet," he sounded disgusted. "QERI is the first working version."

"You copied it?" Kurogiri repeated his question.

Dabi was tapping at his phone. "It says BioSimip Industries developed it for the Department of Justice," he told the warp villain.

Kurogiri had never heard of them.

"BioSimip Industries is owned by Yakuhin, which is owned by Citic which is owned by-"

"Kunshu," Imoku said.

"You did develop it," Kurogiri said. Kunshu was the main company Izuku ran. As a company it was quite small but its holdings were diverse and powerful.

"Overhaul was not discreet," Izuku repeated, sounding slightly defensive. "There were at least five test versions we beat out by making ours first. And, there are advantages to me making it," he added. He reached under the table and pulled something out of his pants pocket. Kurogiri couldn't see what it was.

"Five test versions?" That was too many!

"Once quirk removal became known, it's too valuable a tool to ignore," Imoku shrugged. "There was the military version, the very underfunded police version, one from a university research group and two other commercial lots. Mine was better than them all."

"Hardly surprising! You had the bullets," Toga reminded him.

"And one was used on Overhaul," Izuku reminded her.

She knew it. She'd been there.

"And the other was used for this," Kurogiri concluded.

"Mostly," Izuku agreed. He pulled his hand back from what he'd placed on the table. It was a small vial. "But, as I said, there are advantages to me making it," he repeated.

"Advantages?" Dabi asked for them all.

Green eyes stared at Kurogiri. "After what I've been through, you don't think I would allow someone to destroy everything, do you?"

It was a reference to the past. Dabi didn't understand. Toga didn't either. Kurogiri did.

Though, even after all this time, he did not understand it all. But he knew Izuku was referring to a time before he joined the League. Wait… Izuku had been quirkless before Sensei gave him two quirks. And Kurogiri still wasn't entirely sure what the second one did, but over the years, he had made some educated guesses. It was something to do with persuasion.

That wasn't the point. Izuku wouldn't let anyone take them away from him. Not even a drug designed to do that.

"No, you won't," Kurogiri replied looking at the vial. He wasn't sure if it was an inhibitor or a cure.

Dabi and Himiko still didn't understand. Kurogiri remained silent, allowing Izuku to explain. The politician opened the vial and tipped it over. Three pills spilled onto the table.

"There is only one advantage worth noting," Izuku told them. "When QERI was used on Warui, it was experimental, now it isn't. The words are now Quirk Emergency Removal Initiative, and the government will be authorising the use those who repeatedly use their quirks in violence against others."

All three of the villains swallowed at that news. Even Himiko, and she was usually unaffected by everything. Over the years she had mellowed somewhat. Kurogiri was calmer but he knew what the pills represented.

"And the advantage?" Dabi asked, staring at the pills. It almost seemed as if he wanted to burn them.

"I know how to block its effects."

"What?" Himiko breathed.

Kurogiri nodded. Izuku had said that much earlier.

"I know how to block its effects. QERI is effective only on those I want it to be effective on," Imoku said with a sly grin. "Those are inhibitors. While I have absolutely no intentions of letting QERI into the general populace, I want to be prepared, so take your medicine."

Dabi grabbed one of the pills. Himiko wasn't far behind him. Kurogiri moved more slowly. He had more dignity but he swallowed the pill.

"What about the others?" Dabi indicated softly.

"Which ones?" Imoku asked.

Dabi thought for a moment. He knew what Imoku was asking. Just as Imoku planned that no one but his company would use QERI, the cure couldn't become widely known, and it absolutely could not be known that the League was immune. "Twice, Spinner and Ujiko," Dabi said.

"Not Mustard?"

Dabi shook his head. "I think he likes profit," the fire villain said, making a face. "You manipulated us!" He made the mock accusation.

"Of course I did," Imoku replied without any hint of embarrassment. "But you knew I was, and it's not like you haven't enjoyed the results."

At that Dabi was silent, because it was true. He did enjoy being one of the most, if not the most respected Villain in the country. It was mostly because, even if he wasn't, everyone assumed he was overseeing all the League's various underground endeavors. That meant he got credit for controlling Kurogiri when he removed those 4 tonnes of drugs from the docks. He got credit for every time some chick died gruesomely with what Twice was doing. He got it all.

But it wasn't him. It was Imoku.

"Who would have thought that work agreed with us?"

The politician grinned. It was an amusing question. Most people didn't appreciate how much work being a villain really was. He had just harnessed them to jobs they liked.

Dabi gave Imoku a grin. It was partially true, but while he got the credit, he knew Imoku was still ahead of him. He was like his father that way. Imoku was always ahead, but unlike Endeavor, Imoku never really drove it home, not that Dabi had ever considered mutiny. Not seriously, but he knew, Imoku had definitely kept enough of the key people loyal to him, and him alone.

Kurogiri was loyal. Dabi had been surprised at that. He would have thought Kurogiri loyal to Tomura but Imoku had worked his magic there. Ujiko was loyal. Well, she was loyal to her businesses but he knew she'd chose Imoku over him. The warpers were loyal to the politician. Dabi knew he could convince Twice, Mustard and Spinner to follow him. Maybe Toga… No, not Toga, he could convince most of the rank and file but the big hitters, the really big hitters, the Noumu and the warpers would follow Imoku. If it came to a fight… his only chance was to strike preemptively.

Not that he would. Imoku had given him everything he'd ever wanted with the fall of Endeavor. He'd never even have thought about just revealing everything. He had wanted some sort of fight where he won and revealed himself at the end but what had happened… so much better. So much sweeter. He'd played along that it had been part of his plan to Tomura but it had been Imoku's.

Oh yes, he owed him, and Imoku knew it. Apparently he owed him even more now.

"I'll leave extra doses on my coffee table," Imoku agreed, looking at Kurogiri. He knew what to do. He'd pick them up tomorrow.

"I sold that stuff to the Government on the grounds that it will keep society in check. It is for use on repeat offenders but I also convinced them that there should be no pre-existing list of offenders."

"Good!" Dabi said. There was no relief in his voice. He was just that type of man. "You can't give us some for ExplodoKill?"

"I don't think so. At the moment QERI is still quiet. The sheeple haven't realised it's out there, and I'd like to keep it that way. He won't keep his trap shut and since you are going for a kill, it shouldn't matter. Tell High End ExplodoKill will put up a good fight."

Dabi groaned.

"Problems?"

"The usual," he breathed.

Kurogiri knew what that meant. High End was loyal but High End craved combat. He loved fighting and while being the champion in Dabi's fighting ring meant he did get challengers, seldom did they actually put up any kind of decent fight against the Noumu.

"Hmm, I have a free hour in three days time, I'll talk to him then."

"Thanks," Dabi actually meant the word. High End was loyal to Imoku and liked to spend time with the man. It was probably the only time High End wasn't looking for a fight.

"Actually, I'll give you a dose for High End as well," Imoku said slowly.

"Not the others?" It wasn't like the Noumu were in danger of blabbing any secrets.

Izuku appeared to think for a moment but Kurogiri could tell his mind was already made up. "No, I don't think so."

The three League members nodded. The Noumu were useful but at the same time they could be difficult. It might be interesting to see if a quirk removal agent affected them.

"We might have problems with them soon," Dabi murmured.

"Problems?" Imoku asked for clarification.

"I don't think they are as lively as they should be," the fire villain gave the explanation slowly.

Imoku snorted. The Noumu's were individuals who had forcibly been altered. Their creators had assured him they felt no pain but he wasn't convinced of that. He was convinced of very little when it came to the Noumu. "Keep watch, and let me know if things change."

Dabi nodded.

"Do you regret Tomura not killing Overhaul sooner?" Kurogiri asked, moving them back to a different topic. It seemed it was a day to focus on the past.

"Not really," Imoku answered easily. "If he'd been killed in the initial raid then things might have been different. The moment he got away, then this was inevitable."

"What raid?" Dabi demanded. He knew Overhaul was the original source of quirk destroying drugs but he hadn't heard of any raid.

Izuku looked at the quasi leader of the League. "You weren't involved," he told the fire villain. "Nor were you Himiko," he added. "Tomura only used those who were truly in the League, not those who might have followed Stain."

"And this raid?" Toga asked.

The politician shrugged. "It destroyed most of the stock of Overhaul's drug and the source was killed."

"The source?"

"QERI is different. It's synthesized. Overhaul's drug was based on the quirk of a girl named Eri. He used her blood to make his bullets. She's dead. Tomura insured that, but I thought it a nice homage to use her name," Izuku explained.

"Who else knows?" Kurogiri asked. He'd never known the name of the child but if Izuku knew, that meant others would as well.

"Unofficially Overhaul gave his bullets to the government, who gave them to the police, who gave them to heroes, before the League stole them. He gave the government an explanation, including the girls name. The report he gave very much blames the League for her death."

Kurogiri said nothing. They had killed her.

"He made it seem like he was some kind father figure to her, but we all know that wasn't true. Still, that is the past. Those who know the name, know why I named this QERI. Since they believe any member of the League who is captured, will be tried and have QERI used on them, they think it is a fine honour. Overhaul wasn't clear on who actually killed her. I suspect he never knew."

"I don't know either," Kurogiri admitted. He knew it was the League but he didn't know exactly who killed her.

"I think it was Tomura," Izuku said. "Her remains were mostly dust."

"There's no chance he didn't…" Dabi didn't complete the sentence. He didn't like the idea of killing children, which was why he hadn't been included on the first mission.

"None at all," Kurogiri answered for Imoku. Tomura wouldn't have hesitated to kill a child. Nor would Sensei, if it had to be done. And… He looked at Izuku. He would as well. If it had to be done. Tomura wouldn't regret it. Sensei might have regretted the potential destroyed and Izuku… apparently he'd turn the potential into his gain anyway.

"Think of QERI as her legacy, but one you won't have to put up with," Izuku told Dabi and Himiko. It was his very clear dismissal of the situation. It had happened about ten years back. It was old news.

"Now, do you gents and lady need anything?" Imoku asked, moving on to a new topic.

"Oh Izu!" Toga giggled. "You know what I want!"

"No, I am not letting you finger paint me in blood," he replied, laughing.

She whined.

Dabi rolled his eyes at the exchange. Toga was so predictable but he had no idea where she had gotten the pet name for Imoku. Kurogiri just looked on. The bartender had become very used to this sort of thing. Of all of them Toga was the one least suited to regular work. She did it, because it made money, but she slacked off the most of them. It wasn't that bad though, Imoku kept her busy himself spying on things. Kurogiri suspected Toga knew every blind spot in the House of Parliament.

"Nothing?"

"Nah… you've left us pretty well set up," Dabi told him.

"I thought I had," Imoku said, his voice disappointed.

That got attention. "Is there something, Imoku?" Kurogiri asked.

"Ujiko," the politician said the name. "She's been running side businesses." He held up one hand. "I don't mind reasonable profit," Imoku said with a grin.

Dabi and Toga returned his grin. Kurogiri nodded.

"But these are no longer side. They are her main business, and she hasn't been discreet. They are a weakness, and through them, she is a weakness."

"I'll tell her to rein it in," Dabi promised. Ujiko was a valued member of the League, and as a warp quirk user, was one of their assets but she had to obey the rules. This wasn't the first time she'd been somewhat independent. Some independence was expected, and Imoku allowed and encouraged that, but the rules were the rules, and they were for the protection of the entire League. Including her.

Imoku nodded. "I'll put it this way. ExplodoKill will exploit them, and if she gets taken-" The politician shook his head.

They all recognised the implications. If she got taken, then she would be questioned and… Well, there was no telling what would happen from there. She also knew who Imoku was, and Kurogiri expected that he would defend that knowledge savagely.

"I'll talk to her," Dabi promised again more urgently. He knew what the boss was saying.

"Then I'd better go," Imoku said, looking at his watch. After that, he turned and pulled his jacket from the back of the chair before he looked pensive. "Actually there is one more thing."

"Hmm?" Kurogiri asked.

"I doubt you will have a chance, since I'm pretty sure he's given up that sort of thing, but if you do see Lemillion-" at that Imoku waggled his eyebrows, "-take him out."

"You're sure?" Dabi sort confirmation. Imoku had said he'd deal with him.

"Only if you see him out as a vigilante," Imoku clarified. "I'm pretty sure you won't, but if he wants to make it easy, I'm not about to let that opportunity go."

"Even if we are seen?"

"Even if you are seen. But I've read his assessments," Imoku chuckled. "I don't think he will, which is such a pity, especially given his quirk."

Toga laughed at that. "You just want to take it away!"

The look Imoku gave her was odd. Kurogiri didn't know what to think but he knew that there was something else going on there. He reviewed what he knew of Lemillion's quirk. He could phase, Kurogiri remembered because that was one of the things they had been worried about when Tomura planned the attack. And… there was some sort of note that he had a quirk mutation appear late in his high schooling.

Was that what interested Imoku? It had to be. But why would a quirk mutation interest Imoku? What did he know?

"If we see him," the warp villain assured Imoku.

"Good," he nodded. "Though I suspect I'll be dealing with him." Imoku folded his jacket over one arm and downed the last of his beer. By the time he'd finished, Kurogiri had opened a warp gate back to his apartment. Imoku gave them a smile and stepped back before the gate closed.

Most of the League didn't even notice the boss leaving, and that's the way he liked it.

Dabi sighed. "Take out ExplodoKill," he murmured. Kurogiri could see the way his mind was running through the problems that entailed. "Toga," Dabi said, looking over at the young woman.

She grinned at him. "Izu's given me some time," she told him happily. "I'll go find him," she added. They knew who she meant.

The fire villain nodded but Kurogiri saw the way he worried his lip. "Be careful," he said.

"I'm always careful," Himiko scoffed.

"No," Dabi said, his voice serious. "I mean it. Be careful. ExplodoKill doesn't play by the rules, and he's not stupid." There was a genuine note of concern lacing his tone.

Toga picked it up. In the past she would have dismissed Dabi's warning. This time, she just nodded. "I know, Izu's warned me. Trust me, he hates ExplodoKill more than the rest of us."

Kurogiri watched the way Dabi blinked at that. He couldn't see the connection. How did a Member of the House of Representatives even know a vigilante? Kurogiri would be confused himself, if he didn't know Imoku's history. If he didn't know who Imoku was, and know that there was something between the two.

"Why?" Dabi finally asked, his desire to know out weighing what was good manners in villain society.

Himiko grinned at him before she shook her head. "No idea. But if Izu wants him dead, then Izu gets him to be dead," she chirped.

That was more familiar ground for Dabi. Ever since Toga had taken out Tomura, or even before that, there was no question that she was Imoku's girl. Dabi didn't resent it. Imoku was the boss and if he could put up with her, then… well, good luck to him. Though Dabi was sure that Imoku was not banging her simply because Toga never put on airs. So that was something.

"Well, Imoku can have him dead, and then we get to show to the world that we aren't as gone as they'd like."

Toga nodded. Kurogiri gave Dabi an odd look. "You are sure?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're sure you want to give up your day job?" the bartender asked.

The fire villain looked pensive for a moment. "I'm going to have to think about it," he admitted.

Kurogiri nodded, allowing himself to feel amused. It appeared Imoku had domesticated them. Money bought off most, even the League of Villains but… He looked up at those gathered. They were the older members. Those who had been here the longest. Maybe domestication wasn't a bad thing. There were no heroes, good or otherwise. Society was on the way to seeing people as being people, not as being their quirk. So really… maybe remaining as they were was acceptable.

They had, after all, already changed the world. And there weren't many who could claim that.

-afop-

君主 = Kunshu = Overlord Because what else should Izuku's direct business be called?

-afop-