It's time for the fifth chapter of Project Velocity. Mareo now as to convince the HPSC council that by training Izuku Midoriya, event of the past will not occur again. Time to find out if he can.
As always I do not own any rights to MY HERO ACADEMIA or any of their characters.
With that's let's start with a bang.
After sending Takami home, Mareo finished up some paperwork and then went home. As he settled down for the evening, his phone buzzed. Mareo pulled it out and saw a text that he had been expecting for days.
"Fumiko Mareo, for violating section 10-15B of Project Velocity set by its council, you are to appear before the council in two days. At which your recent choices will be questioned and your viability as acting director over the program will be decided."
Mareo sighed as he turned his phone off and tossed it onto his nightstand. He wasn't too worried, he knew eventually the Council would hear about it. And now he knew they had been told by one of the four members of Project Velocity that had been there today. He wanted to figure out who the mole was because he hated how much of a hold the Council had over his program.
But now that would have to be put on the backburner, as the next day Mareo gathered everything he had been personally preparing over the past week. In the evening he caught a plane to Tokyo, then two days after Mareo had met Izuku and Bakugo he was standing in front of the Project Velocity Council. A group of HPSC workers that had been selected to oversee the program, were also the ones that decided whether Mareo was allowed to stay within the program. And as Mareo was not going to lose his life mission he made sure one last time everything was in order before he left his hotel room.
One way or another he was going to make sure Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo were brought into Project Velocity. He didn't care how much convincing it took, something he didn't think would take much, he was ready to pull out all the stops. He had the security footage of their tests, just to show the strength of their quirks. He had their state issue quirk documents, he had even managed to get their grade from school to show how smart they were. And it was not lost on him that some on the council liked the idea of having pro heroes trained by them and purely on their payroll.
Mareo arrived at the Hero Public Safety Commission headquarters and after scanning his ID, Mareo headed to the elevator. He rode the elevator up to the 39th floor. Once the elevator doors opened, Mareo walked out and headed over to the reception desk. He put his ID card on the desk and said, "Fumiko Mareo, reporting for the meeting at 10:00."
The receptionist took Mareo's ID and scanned it. Once the light turned green she returned the ID to Mareo and said, "Please have a seat, you'll be called when they're ready."
After taking and slipping his ID card back into his wallet, Mareo turned away from the reception desk and walked over a grouping of chairs. He selected one of the chairs and sat down as he rested his briefcase against the side of the chair. With nothing else to do, Mareo thought about what he was going to say as his word choice was going to be very important in the meeting.
15 minutes later, the receptionist called out, "Mareo, they're ready for you."
Mareo thanked the receptionist as he grabbed his briefcase and stood up. He walked over to the set of double doors and closed the handle. He let out a slow breath and pulled the door open. On the other side, he was expecting to see the HPSC council, and he did, yet what he was not prepared for was to see Madam President of the Hero Public Safety Commission and Prime Minister Kuma Renzo in their respective chairs.
Convincing the Council was easy, Mareo had personally known them for years and knew the kind of people there were. Yet there were two or some of the highest authorities in Japan, and Mareo had only met Madam President twice in person. As Mareo met the eyes of Prime Minister Renzo he bowed and said, "Madam President, Prime Minister Renzo. I was unaware that you would be joining us for this meeting."
"Yes, but Council Member Takuma had the mind to inform us of your two potential recruits. After the success of Keigo Takami, codenamed Hawks, your control over Project Velocity was limited but reinstated. Part of that limit was power given to this council to oversee any part of the program, Checks and Balances as our American friends put in their beginning. Power which was not only given to this council to myself and Prime Minister Renzo. Power you something you seem to have forgotten." Madam President said as she sternly looked at Mareo. Her eyes were narrow and focused on Mareo, with her lips pursed showing her readiness to finally put Mareo in his grave.
"I remember that agreement quite well. You are allowed to limit my control of Project Velocity should it appear that events of the past were to occur again," Mareo said as he sat down in his chair and put his briefcase on the table. Whenever Madam President took it upon herself to check on Project Velocity, Mareo always had to hold his tongue around her. He didn't like that he had lost his project to her control.
"Events of the past were to occur again.' That does seem to be the future of Project Velocity or did you not think it was important to think of that when you brought Izuku Tsutsumi in the other day." Madam President said.
"That was merely a power assessment, Inko Midoriya calling in a favor for her son. Nothing beyond old friends." Mareo said.
"Do you honestly believe that we would believe that? It's clear that you want to bring Izuku Tsutsumni into Project Velocity. We all know the possible future that comes from that, or are you too blind by correcting your past mistakes to see that?" Madam President said and Mareo began to speak but he was cut off, "We know you are watering the idea of using Kaina Tsutsmi's children, Izuku Midoriya. If you wish to train him, turn into a pro hero. And as it seems your method have not changed, how can you guarantee that 'events of the past' do not occur again,"
"True intentions, Madam?" Mareo asked, knowing where Madam President was going. It was the same argument she had used to gain control from Mareo. Her presscore was right, once people learned of Project Velocity they would think the HPSC was working on creating a privatized army. However, Mareo never thought that way of thinking could come from someone within the HPSC.
"Was your original plan for Project Velocity not to train future heroes from a young age to become war dogs for the Hero Public Safety Commission?" Madam President asked as she drew out a folder. Mareo recognized his original proposal plan from when he was trying to get Project Velocity sanctioned.
Mareo looked at the folder, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. He tossed them onto the table, making sure the flash drive keychain was one on top. "I never used that terminology, something I remind myself weekly. I used the flash drive as needed to remind myself what Project Velocity was designed to be. Its purpose was to train pro heroes that were up held to the quality wanted and needed by the Hero Public Safety Commission. Something that, and I know I don't stand alone in this, many pro heroes are lacking in."
"A politician's way of saying war dogs and isn't that what you got? Lady Nagant, skills given to her to make her obedient to the HPSC. She didn't question her orders, the wrong kind of soldier. I would call that a war dog, an obedient one at that, yet eventually her humanity caught up in the end and because of that she killed my predecessor." Madam President said, a small smirk appearing on her face. She was playing it perfectly to make it seem that Project Velocity just needed to be disbanded. That was what she had been trying to do from the beginning, as she had her program to train young heroes. Yet it would never get off the ground as long as Project Velocity was still around.
"Madam President, are you insinuating that this council is corrupt and ordering Lady Nagant to kill others in cold blood without anything more than personal agendas?" Mareo asked. He would not have Project Velocity, a program that was nothing more than a program to help teach and train young kids with powerful quirks how to become heroes, name be dragged through the mud. Yet the thought of a military-style army could be formed from the idea of Project Velocity, but that was never the true purpose of the program.
"I am not insinuating anything of the sort Mr Mareo." Madam President said, her voice becoming stern. She had a chance to finally knock Mareo's legs out from under him and she would not be losing this time. Project Velocity should be nothing more than a stepping stone for her program and her career.
Madam President and Mareo looked at each other until Prime Minister Renzo cleared his throat. Everyone immediately looked at him as he adjusted his collar, "Madam President, I am aware of how hard you have voted to terminate Fumiko Mareo's position over Project Velocity. You believe he was the sole reason the program failed in its first trial, yet as I have reviewed the history of this program I have found Mr. Mareo was not the sole issue with the program. Many decisions he made were contributory to the result, but not the main factor And like any new idea, there were bound to be obstacles to overcome." - Mareo began to smile - "Mr Mareo, do not think that is justification for the failure that occurred as it was still on your watch.. Failures were going to happen, but the one that happened was unexpected and could have been prevented if certain choices or actions had occurred. Despite this, I believe Fumiko Mareo is still the best man to occupy his position as Head of Project Velocity
"His success with the young hawk has shown that if nothing else, he and his program can and are willing to improve themselves. Until they become what they were always meant to be."
"Thank you, sir," Mareo said quickly, standing up and bowing.
"However Mr. Mareo, it does seem that you have forgotten the history of Project Velocity. So please explain to me and these fine people why training Izuku Midoriya and his friend Katsuki Bakugo would not allow history to repeat itself. So let us start with their quirk, Katsuki Bakugo first." Prime Minister Renzo said.
Maroe took a breather, they were getting to the part where he was in control, "Yes Sir. Katsuki Bakugo, quirk: Explosion. This quirk allows him to secrete a substance similar to liquid nitro-glycan within the palm of his hands. He can ignite the liquid on command, allowing him to create destructive explosions. The more he sweats, the more powerful his explosions can become, though dehydration is suspected to occur sooner than normal.
"What of his personality? In the video footage, he acted straight forward." Prime Minister Renzo commented as Bakugo was quick to show off his quirk and act smug about it.
"He's a hard-headed kid, I will admit to that, but his heart is in the right place. He believes he can be the next Number 1 Hero, better than All Might. And he has the drive to back that up. In the short time since he has gained his quirk, his understanding and control over the fundamentals of his quirk is beyond that of a middle school student. He's to the point where he understands how the positioning and formation of his hands can affect his quirk. In the security footage, Katsuki Bakugo can be seen cupping his hand together before igniting his sweat. He did this because he understood what it meant, giving him more control of the direction of his quirk." Mareo said as he opened his briefcase and pulled out a photo taken from the security footage when Bakugo's explosion was at its peak. He slipped it down the table and managed to stop it right in front of Prime Minister Renzo. Prime Minister Renzo grabbed the photo and turned it around to look at it. "With training from Project Velocity, I believe that one day he may begin to use his quirk to gain spatial advantage. Using a series of explosions to get him to hover in the air, each in turn could allow him to attack from any angle."
"More of an Endeavour than an All Might," Madam President said. Dislike for the Number 20 hero was common among the HPSC, even the bottom of the totem pole workers. All his activities and battles created a lot of paperwork for them to do.
"In a way yes, but I believe without the worst qualities," Mareo said, a bit surprised he and Madam President were able to agree on something. Through something such as that wasn't that big of a victory in Mareo's book.
Prime Minister Renzo let go of the photo and focused on Mareo, "And what of Izuku Midoriya? He is the main concern for this council, as we have seen in the past what can occur. Lady Nagant was a powerful and skilled hero, so what words do you have to convince us that you should be allowed to train him to become a pro hero." Prime Minister Renzo said.
"Thank you, Prime Minister Renzo. Izuku Midoriya has the same quirk as his mother Rifle. When using his quirk, Midoriya's forearm and hand transform into the barrel and body of a long-range rifle. This allows him to shoot bullets weaved from his hair at long distances. Instead of inserting ammunition through his hand, Midoriya does so through a small hole on his forearm. His ammo count and range are unknown at the moment. And for his personality. I can explain it all in a few words. Izuku Midoriya does not know who he is," Mareo said. Through this training, Izuku was going to be a good showing of nature vs nurture. If Izuku never knew he was the son of a notorious killer, then the only way he could become evil was through his unknown nature.
"Expound." Madam President said, leaning back in her chair. She had fought hard to have Mareo kicked off of Project Velocity, but now it seemed he had lost his mind. Even if he was allowed to train Izuku Midoriya, all Madam President would have to do is wait for Mareo's plan to blow up in his face.
"In short, Izuku Midoriya does not know that Kaina Tsutsumi, Lady Nagant, is his mother. Nor does her sister Inko Midoriya know what occurred that day over a year ago. Mrs Midoriya knows the story given to the media is not the truth, I'm sure she would have been able to figure that out on her own. More to the point she does not know the truth. She believes that her sister was being hunted and when Tsutsumi escaped, the people that were after her, framed her for killing those heroes.
"This has led to Inko Midoriya believing that someone hunted down her sister and now those same people may be after her and her son. That is why she contacted me, she wants to protect her son and help him become a pro hero. I asked if Izuku Midoriya knew who he really was and Mrs. Midoriya informed that he had been lied to. Izuku Midoriya with his entire being believes himself to be the son of Inko and Hisashi Midoriya and has no knowledge of Kaina Tsutsumi or his connection to her." Mareo explained.
"What if the boy was to learn the truth? The media has not mentioned Lady Nagant since the month after her betrayal, yet once this boy became a hero. The media of the past is sure to question his connection to her. Evidence will be brought to light and the boy may come to question his past. He may question who he is and may seek his biological mother out. He'll have more than a few questions for her and what do you think he'll do when he tells the truth?" Prime Minister Renzo asked, keeping a neutral expression.
"Hiding the truth will be difficult when that time comes, but for now the past can stay hidden without much help. When Izuku Midoriya learns the truth, then it will be at an age when it will not affect him," Mareo said.
"What do you mean? Can you be sure by training Tsutsumi that you aren't creating a worse problem." Madam President said. It shouldn't matter when it acts, when the truth comes to light, Izuku's world would shatter. Something Madam President was counting out, something she was going to make happen.
"Madam President, if I may be so bold to ask a question of my own. What is starting Izuku Midoriya from becoming a pro hero in the first place?" Mareo asked in a strong voice that caught Madam President off guard. He used her silence to answer his question, "Nothing. If it's not through Project Velocity, then it will be through the means everyone does so. He'll train himself, make himself ready for any test from any hero school. Who's to say Mrs Midoriya won't be the one training him. Either Izuku Midoriya becomes a hero through us or through UA, and who would you rather have to control over him? All Project Velocity would be doing is damage control, so when he turns learn the truth. He had trust in us and at the least we'll be able to stop him."
Madam President scoffed and said, "What to stop UA from kicking Tsutsumi out. They wouldn't be too happy once they see his quirk."
"Then what's to stop Midoriya from turning into a vigilante, he wants to be a hero badly. To protect those around him. Or worse he could become a villain looking for revenge. I think the Principal of UA would be able to see that too, can you?" Mareo said but didn't let Madam President get a word in. He let out a breath and continued with, "There's many possibilities that we can choose from, enlisting Izuku Midoriya into gives us best control of choosing the option we want."
"Are you sure, this is the best option?" Prime Minister Renzo said.
"I see possibilities. First Midoriya gives up on being a pro hero, unlikely to happen. Second, Midoriya becomes a pro hero through UA and never learns the truth. Third, Midoirya becomes a pro hero through the program and never learns the truth. Both of these are possible. Fourth is Midoriya becomes a pro hero through UA and learns the truth once people, teachers, students see his quirk. He shunned, and after enough time became something less than heroic, then as per usual we've the ones that have to deal with it. Fifth he becomes a pro hero through Project Velocity and when he learns the truth, he has enough trust in us. I see the fifth being the best, because we'll be able to control what he sees, what he hears and what he learns. We train him to be mentally strong enough to take the truth, teaching him that can be a hero despite what everyone thinks."
Mareo looked at Prime Minister Renzo, who stayed silent for minutes. Every second Mareo could feel his heart beating inside his chest. He understood this truly between him and Madam President and Prime Minister Renzo's say was the only one that mattered. Mareo kept his focus on Prime Minister Renzo.
At some point, Prime Minister Renzo stood up, pushing his chair back as he did so. He looked Mareo dead in the eyes and said, "Fumiko Mareo, you are being entrusted to train Izuku Midoriya and his friend Katsuki Bakugo. You are to train them to become pro heroes. But with the trust to ensure the past does not occur again. And with the knowledge that if you fail your obligations, your life will be forfeit to the government of Japan. You will strip off your title as acting director, your work will be destroyed, your name branded worse than villains and you will spend the rest of your life making up for the lives taken by Izuku Tsutsumi. Do you understand?"
Mareo swallowed his tongue and bowed as he forced out, "Yes, Sir."
"You may leave." Prime Minister Renzo said and pointed to the door behind Mareo.
Mareo came out of his bow and grabbed his briefcase. He began to walk to the door but stopped. He then looked back over his shoulder at Prime Minister Renzo and asked, "If fate finds an ill opinion of me sir, what would become of my wife."
"If sin falls, then it will rest squarely on your shoulder. But understand those that would be touched if that should happen. Your wife will be barred, Inko Midoriya as well. The blame will fall squarely on you, but it won't only be your fate touched." Prime Minister Renzo said.
"I understand, Sir," Mareo said with a nod then held out of the door. He felt his heart pounding on his chest, he needed to calm his nerves. Why did he have to give up smoking?
And that's Chapter five of Project Velocity. Mareo has gotten permission to train Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, with the threat against his own life. and what was going on with Madam President and her program. Will she try to undermine Project Velocity and have Izuku Midoriya seen as a villain. Will she stop at nothing to get her own program off the ground?
Next time we get to see a bit for Izuku and Bakugo's training and how they use it do some good for those around them.
Next Week: Training begins
Review and tell me what you think