New year, new chapter. Hopefully both are better than what came before.

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comments:

Dsman: They are progressing in the right direction.

GgeorGge: If I upload earlier, USA would still be sleeping and would have less chances to see the story before it drops down/to second page on recently updated list. I have picket the approximate time to come out after/around the time USA wakes up before Europe goes to sleep.

jiggyjester: It is nice to see that people have liked that final bit.

crimextar06: Lawyers tend to be super effective as long as you can afford to pay them.

maxwelld728760: That would be logical reaction from him. Shoto's bigger presence in the story is still so far ahead even my plans for those chapters are still pretty thin.

odorsloth: Wouldn't "emotionless fear" be a contradiction, like saying dry water?

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Proofread by 3DPhantom

Chapter 24: Payback

Izuku watched, his entire class around him, as Mitsuki stepped outside of the UA gate. She was walking slowly with fear in every individual step like she was stepping into a minefield. She probably wished she did. At least it is possible to avoid mines if you were careful. As she took the first step outside the gate the two lawyers took a step forward and the woman held the folder with both hands.

"Mitsuki Bakugo?" she asked.

"Y... yes," usually so strong willed Mitsuki stuttered.

"We are here as the legal representatives of Hisashi and Izuku Midoriya in the numerous cases of harassment, slander, bullying, threats of violence, assault, illegal quirk use and attempted murder committed by your son, along with your own responsibility of damages both physical and psychological as his parent. We have been instructed by the Midoriya family to ensure that all these crimes and any other inappropriate actions are prosecuted and punished to the greatest extend allowed by law," she paused for a moment. "Regardless of the costs to either party. You shouldn't need more than forty- or fifty million yen… for the first round of lawsuits."

"You, you can't be serious. That would bankrupt us"

"Yes. Of course, your son won't be able to help you with the costs since his most recent actions have taken place at an age where he is eligible for full criminal prosecution and penalties including imprisonment. Seems both of you forgot that schools and parents aren't the only institutions that are supposed to keep him responsible for his actions."

"No…"

"In addition to Katsuki Bakugo's actions," the man spoke, "the illegal acts and failures of every educational institution he has attended simultaneously with Izuku Midoriya will be similarly prosecuted, though they can avoid the most serious of consequences by correcting their failure to report Katsuki's crimes by acting as witnesses in his and his family's lawsuits. Naturally we expect these witness statements to be made public along with the lawsuits and records corrected. Your son will be famous, just not for the reasons he dreamed of."

"Though we don't expect said fame to help with your legal expenses either," the woman added.

"You can't do this!" Mitsuki nearly screamed and spun around. "Midoriya you…"

She paused seeing Izuku's cold yet empty stare lacking in emotion. Remains of his earlier burst of rage were still shimmering within, but he would have much preferred to lay on his bed and go to sleep. Still, he felt this was one moment he had to witness, if not for any other reason, then to protect others from Bakugos' possible reactions.

"To be clear by Midoriya san's instructions we will keep pursuing legal action until your family can't be said to have future or legacy worth mentioning, except as a warning example of where bad parenting can lead," the woman continued. "Midoriya san asked us to say he did warn you."

"I… I have to talk with him. There has to be an alternative to all this."

"He has specifically stated he will not be talking with you, and I would recommend leaving his son alone as well," the woman said. "That being said, there is a second alternative. Midoriya san has laid out exact conditions under which he is willing to retract his legal actions as long as you and your family follow them to a letter. I can read the conditions for you but know this. There is NO room to negotiate. You can either accept by end of the week or spend the next decade in court. The settlement will additionally be enforced by contract fine of one hundred million yen if any in your family violate it, in addition to immediate restatement of the lawsuits of course."

"Please, what are the conditions?" Mitsuki begged.

"And this is how you destroy a person, legally," Izuku whispered.

The female lawyer opened her folder and began reading the first page much louder than strictly necessary if she only wanted the Bakugo's to hear.

"Condition 1: Katsuki Bakugo will leave UA high regardless of what choices the school makes concerning his attendance."

The class whispered around Izuku, but they had already heard Bakugo might get expelled so the demand wasn't as big deal it might have otherwise been.

"Condition 2: Katsuki Bakugo will not pursue any form of hero education or any other path towards the profession of a hero or any profession, position or license that would expand his rights to use his quirk."

That got a slightly stronger reaction from the class. Yaoyorozu said something about it being a harsh but logical demand.

"Condition 3: Katsuki Bakugo will not engage in or pursue any profession, position or license that would allow or require him to engage in any form of physical force or violence towards other people including but not limited to security guard, police officer and soldier of any kind.

Condition 4: No one in Bakugo family will seek any contact with anyone in Midoriya family or people close to Izuku Midoriya as defined by Izuku Midoriya unilaterally. No one in Bakugo family may initiate contact in any way other than through a designated lawyer or intentionally approach within a hundred meters of any person this restriction applies to. Exceptions are made only when legally required such as to attend court at the same time.

Condition 5: No one in Bakugo family shall publicly discuss anyone the previous condition applies to in any untrue or negative manner for any reason unless necessary for legally required truthful and factual statement.

Condition 6: Katsuki Bakugo must give full and fully honest statements to courts and media as part of lawsuits against Aldera junior high and any other educational or other institution that has overlooked, covered up, and/or encouraged his bullying and criminal actions if such lawsuits are initiated.

Condition 7: Mitsuki Bakugo and Masaru Bakugo both together and individually will not give birth, have or raise any more children including adoption and accidental pregnancies to ensure they cannot create any more violent criminals."

"Now you…!" Mitsuki raised her voice again, but the female lawyer had no issue meeting her in a staring contest. After making sure Mitsuki had shut up, she continued reading.

"Lastly, condition 8: Katsuki Bakugo will relinquish his quirk Explosion including any current or future rights and claims to it to Izuku Midoriya," she said and continued without pause despite the deafening shouting next to her, "and shall not pursue retrieving any of the previously mentioned in any way, including any otherwise legal means, for any reasons. The transfer of the actual quirk will be conducted by Izuku Midoriya. Katsuki Bakugo may be restrained for the duration of the transfer at the sole discretion of Izuku Midoriya."

"Wow, remind me to never mess with Midoriya."

"Are they serious?"

"I get the feeling they are."

For the first time during the encounter Izuku was nearly as stunned as the rest of his class. He hadn't realized to demand such thing and it had not come up during the call or in the messages. He was so dumb to not have realized his father would make it happen, the only way to take Bakugo's quirk publicly without legal repercussions.

"Not sure if that was manly thing to do."

In theory that is, in practice that made the settlement contract almost impossible since Bakugo would never accept the last condition. The walking bomb had also turned to look at Izuku and people around him with new rage in his eyes. His fingers twitched and suddenly his expression changed to surprised. Izuku took the risk to look back at the school. Aizawa was standing in front of the doors.

"Such revelry in the dark, very dark."

Maybe Izuku could live with the homeroom teacher he got, as long as he wouldn't threaten Hitoshi's attendance again.

"Toshi, Tenya, lets go. I'll give you a ride," he said quietly and started walking. In a few seconds the walked past the Bakugos.

"Midoriya you can't…!" Mitsuki shouted.

"Condition 4," Izuku responded without even turning. The chauffeur took the trio's school bags and held the door open for them. Hitoshi stepped in first. Before Izuku followed, he looked at the lawyers.

"Add one attempted assault and see if you can make it an attempted murder."

"You read my thoughts Midoriya san," the female lawyer responded. "Would you like us to do anything else?"

"No, I think you have things under control. Just… don't contact me about this matter today if you don't absolutely have to. It has been a long day."

"Understood."

Izuku got on the middle seat between Hitoshi and Tenya sitting stiff and eyes forward, until the car started moving and got out of sight. He slumped against the backrest looking at the ceiling and the mostly transparent wall between them and the driver.

"Hitoshi, can you press that button and give directions to your home so you can pick up things you need? Actually, can you brainwash me to sleep for the drive?"

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Physically yes."

"You sure?"

"Ye…" Izuku fell quiet when the relief of brainwashing took over his mind. His racing thoughts slowed down properly for the first time since the beginning of the combat training. He could feel his head leaning on a nearby shoulder before everything went black. To think there had been a time when he had none available at least not away from home.

He was only woken with a gentle shake of his shoulder and stretched in the limited space of the car, as big as it was.

"Feeling better?" Hitoshi asked.

"A little."

"Still planning to torture us till dinner?"

Izuku huffed smiling, thankful at Hitoshi moving to a topic he could easily focus on as a distraction.

"Thank you for reminding me. Though I feel bad for watching you train without doing the same."

"Oh no," Tenya interrupted. "If Recovery Girl feels someone needs to keep an eye on you, we won't let you do anything more physically demanding than carrying your backpack."

"Fine. Here's what w… you are going to do. Tenya goes to hide in one of the rooms upstairs and Toshi tries to get to the sleepover room. Try to ambush him, without crashing through the wall please."

"I see, you are trying to recreate today's exercise."

"It's best I could come up with this quickly," Izuku rubbed his forehead. "If there was any value in today's training it was learning to fight in a closed space. Toshi keep evading Tenya's attack but try to strike back more. There won't be space to evade for long. "

The chauffeur opened the door to let them out in front of Izuku's house. He already had their backpacks.

"Thank you for the ride. Smooth enough to sleep the whole time," Izuku said as he got out.

"I'm happy to hear you are satisfied as usual. Should I expect additional passengers tomorrow also?"

"At least in the morning."

"I will come at the usual time. Have a nice evening."

"You too."

They walked inside.

"I hope you are going to leave me alone for long enough to go to the bathroom."

"Of course," Tenya said.

Izuku went upstairs, into his bedroom left his backpack there and continued the adjacent bathroom. That was hopefully enough distance between him and his friends for them to not hear him, even if realizing what he was doing hurt. He picked up his phone double checking encrypting program was running before calling his father.

"How was your day son?"

"You already know how it was."

"Only what you told my lawyers. How did the Bakugos react?"

"Loud as expected, but they aren't going to take your settlement. Even if his parents wanted to accept it B… Katsuki will never give up his quirk."

"The he will face the consequences of that decision. The quirk is the only important thing he has that we could get other than inflicting appropriate vengeance. Stealing his quirk and letting Tomura dust the body is still an option."

"No, that would just make people suspect me more. Eraserhead already confessed that the principal and All Might have investigated me since the education fair probably. Seems he is trying to make me trust him. To help me supposedly."

"We always knew they would assume the worst and investigate you. Though it is surprising that Eraserhead would admit to that. He is a very unusual hero. Still, this is potentially useful information and it is only your second day. We will find when All Might is vulnerable in no time."

"Actually," Izuku said and paused to consider what he had been told, "There might be an opportunity soon. I heard we are supposed to be at USJ with him this Friday. I don't know who else are going to be there, but there will almost certainly be less pro heroes than at the main campus or out in the open. I don't yet know how UA handless these things."

"Ah, out of campus training on the first week. That should serve our needs quite well. I will tell Tomura to prepare. If everything goes well then by this weekend the symbol of peace will be gone and the reputation of the so-called number one hero school will be in tatters for failing to keep their staff and students safe."

"What will happen to the students? Or me." Izuku asked.

"Depends how they get involved. Having people to protect will make All Might easier to defeat. As for you," father paused for a moment. "I wouldn't want you to expose yourself until All Might is done at least and staying in UA even beyond that might prove useful, so you cannot simply be absent right when the attack happens."

"Might I present a possible course of action," Kurogiri's voice came from somewhere in the background of Izuku's father. "I can separate the students at the start of the battle. This should help us separate the heroes present and I can simultaneously place young Shigaraki in a safe place. Possibly with some lesser villains so he appears to have been under threat and can demonstrate his abilities to further his infiltration, though the exact choice of the villains is likely not a significant question."

"That is worth considering," father agreed.

"How about Toshi and Tenya?" Izuku asked and paused. "Maybe… I think couple others also might have potential to change hero culture for the better. Even at UA some have suffered for their quirks."

There was a moment of silence that made Izuku tense.

"If master approves, I can concentrate a few designated students into same area as young Shigaraki or with villains they are likely capable of defending against."

"Yes, you said these people could change hero culture for the better. Quite a bold claim after knowing them for two days. Are you sure you aren't just picking people who suffered a bit like you did and feeling sorry for them?"

"I don't pretend to know them well yet but what they appear to have experienced is exactly what I hate in this society, why I am doing any of this. I don't want to add to it. Heroes are a problem because they stand above everyone else not understanding or caring about the darkness they help uphold. If people who have experienced that side of things become heroes, they just might make some difference or at least take space that could be taken by someone like Bakugo."

"Sound logic but are you sure your evaluation is rational and not simply emotional for meeting people that haven't so far attacked you for what you are. Remember that they are still out enemies and would not be so nice if they knew who you really are."

"I know that. Just because they wouldn't agree with y… our ways that doesn't mean they couldn't have positive impact or… deserve to live to try. With Bakugo gone I'd prefer everyone come out okay. I don't know enough of them to know who are good or not. Also yes, I like people who don't fear me or Toshi for our quirks alone."

"We cannot guarantee everyone's safety if they are to be a distraction for the heroes… especially since Tomura will be in charge of the operation. So how many students' survival would you like to ensure?" father asked.

"Well…" Izuku hesitated, "including Toshi and Tenya… four, or five. I think Kirishima would be okay if he can understand the wrongs of this society better. Though he seems tough enough to survive, not that any of them are weak."

"So six including you. That is too many to send to one place if the goal is to scatter the class. Make two groups Kurogiri can divide you into. Choose well so the group you are not with can survive some enemies on their own. Shouldn't be too much to ask from people who have been chosen for UA hero course. Also, either Shinso or Ida must be in that group. It would be too suspicious if you three were taken together."

Izuku rubbed his chin and started muttering about what he knew about each of the people starting to feel sorry he had missed Kirishima's fight.

"Son, you don't need to make this choice right now. There is one other matter we should discuss. You should continue stretching your quirk limit and this attack can be an opportunity to gain a quirk you can use in public. You already have a good understanding of all the people Tomura and you have recruited and their quirks. Consider if they have anything you could use."

"Aren't they on our side?"

"For now. However, we both know the quality of most of the league members. They aren't going to utilize their quirks for much good, nothing like you can for sure. Many of them are no more than thugs much like those who thought nothing of randomly attacking Hitoshi Shinso."

"Dad," Izuku said his voice quieter but more threatening than before, "don't even try to use him to manipulate me."

"But it is so easy."

"Dad," Izuku said more sharply.

"Fine, fine. It will not change the point. Not continuing to grow your power is wasting your potential, and last I checked you were struggling with mobility against speed enhancing quirks, like Bakugo's"

"Dad," Izuku said with annoyance replacing the threat.

"You are growing to recognize your mental weaknesses, very good. Again, it does not change the facts. Choose a quirk among the league you can use and let us know by Thursday so that person can be sent to you during the attack."

"I will. Tomura won't be happy."

"True, he has never liked sharing his toys, but sometimes you can't have everything you want. You too should remember that."

"Yes dad."

"Now, how are you feeling? I doubt you are really in need of someone to watch over you overnight."

"No, I think Recovery Girl was right to worry about head trauma, but I let regeneration do its work after she healed most visible injuries."

"Smart. Most people couldn't stay rational and delay their own healing with such injuries, now if you could learn the same calm rationality when someone else is threatened or getting hurt…"

"Someone else might not be able to shrug of their injuries in a few seconds."

"Nor would most face the risk of becoming the number one target for every hero in the country if they make one wrong move."

There was a moment of silence between them.

"Well, I am assuming Shinso and Ida are in the house so this call should not take too long. Considering all of today's events it is probably better you relax this evening with them. Tomorrow will be real training however. Don't miss it."

"I won't. See you then."

Izuku ended the call and finished his business in the bathroom. As he walked back to his room there was a loud thump. He peeked out of the door and found Tenya and Hitoshi groaning on the floor, Hitoshi under Tenya.

"So, you already started?" Izuku asked.

"Yeah…" Hitoshi gasped. "Tenya… I can't… breathe."

"Sorry," Tenya said as he pushed himself away from Hitoshi. "We do truly require more training in closed spaces."

"Seems so," Izuku said. He was now wondering what kind of training would help them most come Friday and just stopping himself from muttering about it was a challenge. Best he could think of was being prepared for surprises, which they were kind of doing already. At least he was a better trainer than a friend.

"Are you okay?" he asked Hitoshi who was just getting up.

"I feel like after an hour of your training, make that two. At least Tenya doesn't have that armour on. I don't think I broke anything."

"That's good," Izuku said. "Then you can do this again. Don't focus on just reacting after you notice Tenya. In real life you'll never know where or when you can get attacked. You have to be always on guard and notice any signs of threats. You should be already acting when he starts opening the door at the latest.

"That's what I tried, but before I could even think about doing anything, he had already crashed on me."

"That's why you shouldn't spend time thinking in a situation like that. If someone is attacking you your body should move before you have time to think."

"How is that supposed to work."

"Instinct. If you want to be a true hero, the same should happen if you see someone in danger. Your body should be moving to save them before you have time to think."

"Like you do every time someone looks at us unfriendlily."

"Y… I… what?" Izuku stuttered.

"He has always been more naturally heroic than he has been willing to admit," Tenya said, "though sometimes more violently than strictly necessary."

"It's not heroism," Izuku said quietly looking away from them, "more anger than anything, not very heroic."

"Oh, there is definitely anger," Tenya confirmed, "especially when anyone has threatened us. It might be a problem but that is a separate matter from your heroic… instincts I guess."

"I'd say he has had more than enough reasons to be angry at things," Hitoshi said. "Hopefully one less after today. I just have to try not to get stabbed… for the sake of the stabber's safety."

"Not someone I would worry about," Izuku said. "By the way, was Kirishima able to help you at all?"

"Yes, a bit, I think."

"Help, with what?" Tenya asked.

"Kirishima's use of his quirk reminded Toshi about the thug that tried to stab him, and not in a good way. I think that guy left him with some trauma," Izuku said.

"I see," Tenya said holding a finger against his chin thoughtful. "I can see how the quirks could look the same, but I doubt a few minutes with Kirishima are going to help.

"Then they need more time," Izuku said. "Would it help if we asked Kirishima to train with us… or would sparring with him make things worse?"

"It is probably worth doing," Hitoshi said. "He also seemed impressive in close combat. He could probably challenge you more in that than we can."

"We should try to train with other people more anyway," Tenya said. "Facing Dark Shadow today and trying to reach Tokoyami was a unique challenge. I suggest we try to invite a few classmates to join our training next weekend."

Izuku looked at a wall without saying a word.

"That could be interesting," Hitoshi said.

By the weekend things could be very different, same with the people around them, and they themselves.

"Izuku, what do you think?" Tenya asked. Izuku blinked and turned to look at Tenya. "Who do you think we could ask?"

"Umh… I think those two and Shoji seem decent enough to have around, just for the weekend days. Any more than that…" Izuku fell quiet.

"We understand," Hitoshi said. "No too many unfamiliar people at once."

Izuku sighed and looked down.

"Yes. Going to same classes with bunch of people is one thing, even if there are bigoted people or even Bakugos, but training and spending time together like this I… I need this time to relax without needing to worry about the people around me. I can't trust people after just two days just because they have seemed… not bad."

"So maybe we should ask only one of them for now," Tenya suggested.

"That would be Kirishima, for Toshi's sake," Izuku said, "but we still have rest of the week to decide."

"That works for me," Hitoshi said. "Now about today's training…"

"Yes," Izuku said with his friend notebook at hand and sufficiently distracted from the previous topic. "Try it again. I'll watch from the other side."

The duo turned to return to their starting position, but Tenya pointed at Izuku's notebook.

"Where was he keeping that?"

Hitoshi shrugged and headed down the stairs.