Izuku felt the strong embrace of his mother and sister. The two had wrapped him in their arms and had refused to let go of him. The footage from his interview had been aired on Herotube and was rapidly gaining viewership.
His investors even congratulated him on earning the sympathy of the masses.
What a thought?
Still, the fact that they had left it completely unedited did leave some backlash. The HSPC would be moving soon, whether it be blackmailing him for bad mouthing a hero, or threatening Inko and Eri for what he said. He had to be careful, he had his Investors at Denerat and U.A. backing him, but the HSPC had full government backing.
He wouldn't be surprised if some local hero broke down the door and decided to take him in on false charges.
But for now, he was content with his family by his side.
Nedzu frowned as he read over the email from the HSPC. They were threatening to cut his funding should he continue dealing with Midoriya. It made sense, they were starting to see the boy as a threat with his blatant calling out on a hero's neglectful action. The fact that they couldn't buy the boy due to his independent backing just made them more bitter about it.
Yet he was undeterred.
He had a meeting with Midoriya scheduled for today. Having him join as a student had been taken off the table, but that wasn't his only option. He had a few potential contracts he could have Midoriya sign.
Simple things.
New robot designs, an alteration to his network security, other things like that. Recovery girl was already hounding him to purchase more of this Bay Models, citing the rambunctious behavior of the teachers and students. He had a few other things in mind as well; some P.A.M. Models to function as janitors, Azures at the U.S.J. and gyms, and Bay Models at the ready in both the Nurse's office and said gyms.
Even if the HSPC cut his funding, he still has more than enough from his independent groups and stock investments to make due.
Izuku walked down the street. A suitcase in his hands as he tucked his hair into a sports cap. Today was his meeting with Nedzu, he had to be careful. He tugged against the mask covering the lower half of his face to make sure it was snug.
He couldn't leave the house without people mobbing him with questions, so a disguise was needed.
It was working, few people gave him any mind and the few who did didn't recognize him. He knew that a U.A. hero wasn't far away from him, but he didn't want to to a chance. Izuku let his other hand rest in his pants pocket, feeling the pepper spray in his pocket. His briefcase was just a dummy, meant to draw attention to itself.
He couldn't just walk around with his villain tech, that would compromise everything.
Izuku pauses, tilting his head upwards as he saw feathers fall in front of his path. He didn't see a single bird above him, nor was there a shadow ahead of him. He let his hand wrap around the pepper spray, ready to retrieve it a moment's notice. He continues walking, occasionally darting his eyes to the skies above.
Maybe he should invest in a taser?
He continued walking, just a few more blocks until he was at U.A., then he heard someone land not far from him. Turning around Izuku came face to face with the current number three hero Hawks. His wings quickly shoved behind his back as he put on a confident smile.
"Howdy Sir, my bosses what to have a meeting with you?" Hawks said in a rather blunt manner. "What's the meeting about?" Izuku asked, playing dumb. Hawks didn't answer, instead grabbing Izuku by the shoulder and dragging him into the nearest alleyway.
Izuku prepared his pepper spray, then Hawks pulled out his phone. He didn't let Izuku see the caller I.D., but he knew who it was. "Hello, yes mam' I'm talking with him right now." Hawks said before switching to speaker mode.
"Midoriya Izuku I presume?" The president of the HSPC said. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Izuku asked. "Oh young man, your inventions are quite interesting. I was meaning to extend an offer of services to you, perhaps even give you a job in our organization." The HSPC president began. "If you want my services you can purchase them like every one else." Izuku retorts.
"Now, now, young man. Let's not be hasty. Making a decision that quickly can have some dire consequences." The woman said. "I don't take threats idly. I'm an independent, you can buy my machines, even make a custom order, but I work for no one." Izuku clarified with a glare. "That may he, but someone like yourself is far to young for this, you could use some guidance, no?" She prodded.
"Are you going to make an order or are you going to continue this failure of a kidnapping?" Izuku inquires. "Oh kidnapping, I would never." She said, Izuku could feel sarcasm beneath her facade. "I have an important meeting to get to, should I be late then my fellows will be investigating why. So good day." Izuku said as he turned and began walking away.
"Don't loose your head young man." He heard the HSPC president say before Hawks ended the call. Izuku quickly pulled out his own phone and send Nedzu a text. "HSPC came by, tried to recruit me, left with a threat to take my head. I will be late for the meeting by a few minutes" he sent the message. Izuku heard Hawks fly up as he redoubled his pace.
Izuku stepped into Nedzu's office, setting the dummy briefcase down as he took his seat. "I got your text, should I double your watch?" Nedzu asked. "Maybe, if they try anything with my family it will mean war." Izuku said. "And yourself?" Nedzu asked. "I'll make it, they can't make a place that could hold me." Izuku joked.
Nedzu just gave him a stern look. Izuku leaned back, shifting into a serious face. "I know what it means Nedzu, I can't stop now. Still, I must thank you for all the help you've given me." Izuku said. "Indeed, I knew uploading that video to Herotube would put your brand out." Nedzu said.
"Yeah, so you got a pair of villains teaching?" Izuku asked. "Correct, Gentle and I had been forming an agreement over the past year or so. He and his assistant La Brava go and work at U.A. in exchange for clearance for all prior crimes." Nedzu said. "Hah, the Commission 'll get a kick out of that." Izuku said.
"Now, onto proper business." Nedzu said as he pulled out several contracts. He handed Izuku them one bt one, allowing him to read each one over. "High end, could take me months to finish some of these, even if I reduce the rest of my facility's output." Izuku said as he looked over the last one. "You don't have to complete all of them, I'm giving you a choice of contract to work with for U.A." Nedzu clarified.
"I see, then I believe my work with robotics and cyber security would be best." Izuku said as he pulled out two of the Contracts. "I remember watching that video and seeing your production line, you had modified P.A.M.s working the lines, I would like some of those. As well as a few more Azure and Bay Models for obvious reasons." Nedzu listed.
"Can you get me exact numbers?" Izuku asked. "Get me at least sixteen of those Modified Production P.A.M.s, Eight normal P.A.M. Units, Five new Azure Units, and Three more Bay Units seems like a good starting number." Nedzu said. "The others will be no problem, but those Production P.A.M.s are custom made for my workshop, the best I could do would be to get you a guide to modifying the P.A.M.s yourself as well as Sixteen extra P.A.M.s." Izuku explained. "Understandable, what's the price?" Nedzu asked.
Izuku just crutched the number on his phone before showing Nedzu the screen. "About this much." Izuku said. "A, no problem. This will save money in the long run." Nedzu replied as he took out his own phone. Izuku sent in the order to the Warehouse AI as he got a notification of his pay.
"Now, I've noticed you have some AI on the side?" Nedzu asked. "They're still experimental, anything too complex will leave them wrecked, but I think I can make you some for U.A.'a sake." Izuku answered. "Good, how many and how much?" Nedzu asked. "Three AI, similar in power to the ones I have running the warehouse in my absence, but more purpose built than all around. Each costing about..." Izuku trailed off as he crunched the numbers again.
"This much," he said while while showing Nedzu the price. "Far more than my previous order?" Nedzu inquired. "It takes a lot of time to make a single AI, if anything goes wrong then I have to start again. That price is for all three when they're finished. Though it will take at least a month and a half to finish, if I don't bring any of the other AI into the process." Izuku muttered the last part as he pocketed his phone.
"I see, will I have to pay upfront for them?" Nedzu asked. "No, these will be paid half up front, half when they're finished." Izuku answered. "Good, now onto other business." Nedzu said as he let his phone pay for the upfront cost. "There's more?" Izuku inquired.
"Yes, a good friend of mine would like to meet you. You may have heard of him before." Nedzu began. "Is it David Shield?" Izuku asked. "Yes, he send me an email requesting a meeting with you. Complete with a set of tickets to I-Island." Nedzu said. Izuku blinked, taking a moment to consider what he had been told.
"David Shield, wants to meet with me?" Izuku inquired. "Yes, some of your machines had been purchased by I-Island and the head of research wants to meet with you." Nedzu explained. "When and for how long?" Izuku asked. "About a week, and the time is just after the U.A. Sports festival." Nedzu answered.
Izuku frowned at the time. "I see, is it a public plane or-" "A private U.A. Jet, considering the HSPC has tried to 'recruit' you, I'd rather you stay with trusted security." Nedzu responded. "I'll check with my family, see if we can get a week off for the trip." Izuku said. "Good to know, message me the results, now I believe that's the end of our meeting." Nedzu said.
"Yes, a pleasure doing business with you." Izuku said as he stood up. "Would you like a private ride?" Nedzu asked. "I believe I would." Izuku answered. Nedzu retrieved his phone and called one of his staff. One of the staff entered not long after as Izuku walked out with them.
"What I would do with U.A.'a budget." Izuku murmured as he lay on the couch. The day had left him exhausted, so he was content with letting Eri chose a movie and just watching it with her. She was already asleep by now, but he was still wide awake.
He had already informed both Inko and Eri about the proposition. Inko was ecstatic for a trip and proud for him, though she was still concerned for Eri. Izuku was as well, her identity may be concealed but he wouldn't leave it up to chance. Still, they accepted it and were already ready to start packing come tomorrow.
Izuku narrowed his eyes as the credits began to roll. "Note to self, set up demolition charges underneath HSPC headquarters when I next visit the lab." he muttered in a low voice.
Here he was, relaxing next to his sister. A Villain that's partnered up with All For One. An Inventor assisting both civilians and U.A. High School. A soon to be target for the HSPC. So many lives, such a difficulty to balance it all out.