AN: I'll be out of town for a bit over a week soon for a family reunion so this will be the last update for a couple weeks.

AN2: To elaborate on the potential one-shot series mentioned last time I wasn't specifically stating it would be Doomsday Izuku getting OFA. I meant a different idea of similar power scaling being the focus. In all honesty I have two different ones thought of, each having an Izuku with a wildly different personality from the other. To compromise I'll plan some Omake for THIS story that show Doom-Zuku with OFA. Sound good?

AN3: To those saying Nezu being okay with the liberation movement because being able to use your quirk for a job would destroy the job market are completely missing the point. In the My Hero Academia universe, as it's explained, ANY quirk use outside of one's home is deemed illegal and would get you arrested. Inko Midoriya using her quirk to get something from the top shelf at the grocery store if she couldn't reach it would be deemed illegal. THAT level of restriction is absurd. As for the job market thing, that area is already screwed given how often job hunting is based on who you or your family knows rather than actual skill. Plus saying 'oh, you have a quirk that lets you perfectly control the cooking process when you're in the kitchen? Sorry, but you're not allowed to use that if you want to work for our restaurant, it wouldn't be fair otherwise' sounds like a weak argument.

What Doesn't Kill Me

Chapter 37

-Re-Destro-

Hearing the car door close, Rikiya finally allowed his face splitting grin to show, a happy tear going down his cheek. "Grand Commander, are you alright?" Curious asked, the blue skinned woman thrown off guard by the sudden change.

"I am overjoyed Curious!" he laughed boisterously as the car began its way back to Deka City, "Finally. FINALLY, we find someone outside our movement who believes the truth! That my father wasn't a Villain! And more than that they wish to ally themselves with us!"

"I noticed that you were somewhat evasive when it came to the quirkless or those who's quirks are inherently weak." Trumpet frowned as the driver continued onward, the three of them having privacy to speak in the back.

"I'm aware of how many in the liberation army feel about those groups." Rikiya shook his head, not commenting about Trumpet's own personal views about how some people's quirks, should they be too simple or rigid, couldn't grow and therefore had no place in society. Curious on the other hand would have just been more concerned about getting an interesting story out of them. "But I also know that Nezu, and by extension the others at UA, would not share those views. This alliance…it could be the tipping point. The start of a truly liberated future. I do not wish to drive away this ally before the deal was even written upon paper."

"I understand Grand Commander." Trumpet bowed his head in acquiescence, accepting his word.

"I do have a question though." Curious leaned forward, eyes wide and sparkling with the trait that had birthed her code name, "I never realized you hated Stain so much. Care to share?"

"That…filth," Rikiya's happy expression instantly hardened into a mask of murderous rage "murdered many who sought Liberation. There were several heroes who he slaughtered or crippled, some even full members of our movement, who became heroes just so they would be allowed to use their quirks. To use the gifts that nature gave them. I hate him!" Rikiya felt dark veins appear on his skin as his quirk flared in response to his rage.

"I guess that's just another reason to help this Midoriya kid." Trumpet grinned, working to defuse the heavy atmosphere of the car, "Nezu said the kid worked with Gang Orca, right? And that Mirko was apparently offering what help she could? I think I'll capitalize on that. At the very least I have some back up plans they could be used for if I can't stop the push completely."

"Ah Trumpet, you always have a plan my friend." Rikiya grinned, his bloodlust vanishing in an instant as he relaxed, reaching into the Limo's minibar to pour himself a drink.

"I will have to ask for Skeptic to assist me though." Trumpet continued, making Rikiya pause. The two rarely worked together on major projects, their fields and focus different.

"I was unaware that Skeptic had any open affiliation with the Hearts and Minds party." Rikiya finished pouring the drink. He knew full well their public personas her zero connection and was expecting an explanation to come forth and soon.

"This movement to have the kid be advanced. It feels…forced." Trumpet frowned as he tried to find the right words, "And it doesn't fit the usual MO of the party that put it forward."

"You think someone else is pulling things behind the strings." Curious realized, eyes sparkling with eagerness for gossip and story.

"I think there's more going on than Nezu's telling us." Trumpet elaborated, "Some enemy or faction behind the scenes he doesn't want known. But if there is someone behind the scenes, I'd rather have skeptic looking into every shadowy corner he can. Who knows, if there is something Nezu's hiding from us then finding out on our own gives us the power if we'll ever need to renegotiate."

"I'll have him informed." Rikiya nodded, seeing the sense in Trumpet's theory, "For now I want you to focus on Parliament. Curious, you're to focus on the court of public opinion. Let's show our fuzzy new friend what we can do, shall we?"

-Bakugo-

Panting, Bakugo continued to slam his fists into the punching bag. The sting of the impacts having long since faded into numbness as he roared and raged, trying to burn all his anger out so he could think.

It was almost all he'd been able to do since getting back from that egotistical prick Jeanist.

And he hated every second of it.

Apart from forcing him to wear those stupid blue jeans and don the most fuck boy haircut Bakugo had ever seen, the internship had focused on one single thing.

Perception.

Specifically, how the public viewed Bakugo and people like him. Jeanist had tried just lecturing for the first couple days but when he saw that Bakugo hadn't really been listening, he took a different approach.

Twitter. The hero showed him every post he could find about Bakugo's performance in the sports festival. Showed him every response from people. There had been some defending him but so many others condemning his actions. Then there were the ones saying he hadn't done enough 'to the bitch' along with several comments showing a distaste for women in general that had honestly left him feeling more than a little uncomfortable.

Jeanist had then showed him how the Hero ranking system worked. The percentages between cases solved and pure popularity polls. He saw how in recent years, Endeavor had solved more cases than All Might had but All Might was still ranked number one. All through the sheer power of popularity, charisma, and a winning smile.

Finally, Jeanist had showed him the history and records of other heroes. The ones who had acted like All Might, and the ones who had acted more like Bakugo. He showed how few that acted like he did ever escaped the barest dregs of mediocrity as heroes. How many had turned traitor and become villains of much greater notoriety.

"FUCKING DIE!" Bakugo screamed, punching the bag hard enough for the old chain holding it up to snap, the stand crashing to the ground.

"I'm not a villain!" Bakugo was on the ground, shaking and refusing to admit to the tears dotting his eyes. "I'm not!" he didn't notice when his mother entered, his entire being focused on refusing what had been shown.

-Izuku-

Izuku was on cloud nine as he finally walked back inside his home, the feel of Reiko's lips on his cheek at the end of the date lingering.

"Well, there's my little Romeo!" his mom cooed, pulling him into a hug happily as he entered, "I see the date went well." He blushed as she looked at his cheek, some lipstick probably still there.

"It was great." Izuku couldn't help but smile despite the teasing, "We're going to be going on another one with just the two of us in a couple days." Today had been great but the group date also wasn't as personal. It had mainly been agreed on by the girls so they could offer each other support on the confessions.

"I'm so proud of you sweetie." His mom gave him a warm smile, "Reiko is a sweet girl and I'm glad she makes you happy."

"Thanks mom." Izuku smiled, leaning into the hug.

"So, what can I expect grandkids?" and just like that, his mom was back to teasing.

"MOM!"