Chiyo sighed as she got her blood pressure results, still ten over what was healthy for her age.
*Bloody bureaucrats.* Chiyo thought shaking her head. Taking a deep breath Chiyo brought up her hands and began moving them in the way that had become as natural as breathing to her.
Kuji-Kiri was a very old pre-quirk exercise and many nowadays didn't see the worth in it outside of preserving ancient history, however she would never be able to ever find the words to thank her first mentor for teaching her it.
"Ren. Pyō. Toh. Sha. Kai. Jin. Retsu. Zai. Zen." Chiyo chanted, the words flowing as she moved through the nine hand movements.
"Ren. Pyō. Toh. Sha. Kai. Jin. Retsu. Zai. Zen." she repeated as she started the cycle all over again.
Chiyo wasn't a religious woman in any sense of the word, but Kuji-Kiri wasn't solely based in the myths of old, no there were plenty of medical benefits of the practice.
She had used it for years to help keep her blood pressure down, sometimes with the aid of medication but mostly she'd only need to use Kuji-Kiri to enforce a sense of calm within herself, and in high stakes situations it helped her find the clarity to focus on what was important.
Then there were the hand movements themselves which had greatly helped her to fight back against her joints locking up over the years, working as an alternative form of hand exercise.
And though she greatly doubted one could cure illness with Kuji-Kiri, or expel poison for that matter, Chiyo has had a few times where she had slipped into a trance like state during some very tense moments.
In recent years however, she had been forced to rely more and more on her Kuji-Kiri to keep herself from exploding at others.
Chiyo had liked to think that her fifty years in heroics had given her a decently high level of patience, especially as a rescue hero with a medical degree to boot, but the board seemed to be all too eager to push her over the edge.
Up until four years ago she had assistants helping her take care of the students, and her last one, Mikio was a lovely young man with a great quirk for administering multiple patients at once. She was sad to see him go but she wasn't about to hold the man back either.
Chiyo had a revolving door of assistants helping her over the years up until then, and okay she understood that the vetting process would take time, which was why her assistants had a mandatory three-month notice period so they could get started looking early.
And yes, sometimes they couldn't find someone before the notice period was up, Chiyo understood and would do her best until they got her another assistant, usually it wouldn't take longer than a year to find someone.
But during Mikio's five years with her many of the older board members had retired and the ones who replaced them... there were words to describe them but frankly speaking she wouldn't even use them, even if she wasn't with polite company at the time.
But it had been four years now and Chiyo was getting closer and closer to being on her last nerve.
Yes, the medical bots were trying to pick up the slack where they could, but they were just transport, and as talented as the support course was, she didn't trust any teenager was smart enough to construct a device that would be able to identify and treat the students with one hundred percent accuracy.
Nezu had been working to find someone to help out but all of the candidates Nezu had found were shot down despite being qualified for the position, and they never presented any candidates themselves.
Well no, they gave one or two but they either were not qualified to work at a regular school much less here at U.A.
The only reason they were put forward was because their relatives on the board wanted them to have an impressive background and starting off their first year of medical school by working with her at U.A. would be quite the resume opener.
As if she would ever let them pressure her into taking on a newbie that couldn't even tell the difference between a heat rash from allergy hives, much less treat the actual injuries the students would get.
She didn't need her assistant freaking out over every single cut the hero students got, or god forbid a true crisis happened and she had to perform emergency surgery or something else serious and they'd be absolutely no help.
And with the way things were going it was possibly going to be the beginning of a fifth year on her own, that was unless Nezu managed to find someone they approved of or finally found a way around them.
Maybe they really were trying to make her croak from the stress of it all like Midoriya commented when he learned that she was working on her own.
The fact that a fourteen-year-old was more conscious of what was wrong with letting her work so many hours on her own then the numerous adults she worked with was disappointing on so many levels, and it wasn't even just Midoriya that had noticed.
After her second year without an assistant the students noticed her growing workload and tried to ease it for her just a touch, mainly the third years helping the first years with cuts and bruises under the guise of it being more medical training for them.
It really was sweet of them to do that, and it did help somewhat in the beginning, but in the end she ultimately had to put a stop to it because the students weren't going to her when they had more serious conditions.
And Chiyo really had to fight back the urge to strangle the younger board members and the easily swayed older members for not standing up for what the students needed.
A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts and she sighed lowering her hands and turned in her chair and called out for whoever was there to enter.
She raised an eyebrow as Midoriya slipped into her office "Apologies for interrupting Shuzenji-San, but Nezu-San asked me to fetch you, said that the meeting with the board would be soon." Midoriya said and Chiyo grumbled pinching the bridge of her nose.
Right, there was a board meeting today and that was why she was checking her blood pressure, she had to double check it wasn't that high or see if she'd needed to take some meds beforehand to keep from any complications during the meeting when it was sure to get somewhat heated.
"Thank you Midoriya-Kun, I'll be sure to get my things." Chiyo promised and quickly got to work gathering up her things into a bag, she had already changed out of her costume and just needed to make sure she wouldn't leave anything behind since she was going to head home after.
It didn't take her long to gather everything and she got to her feet ready to leave but she noticed that Midoriya hadn't left and seemed to be waiting for her.
"Are you going to be in the meeting as well Midoriya-Kun?" Chiyo inquired letting Midoriya open the door for her instead of doing so with her cane.
Midoriya nodded "Yes, I am Shuzenji-San." he answered walking alongside her towards the meeting room, she hummed back at that.
"And Nezu is doing this despite the recent scandal? Bold of the rat." She commented surprised that Nezu would ever go for that.
"Well, I wasn't supposed too initially, but since one of the members of the board felt they could personally butt in and get me fired over it I figured we were past the point of politely avoiding each other, and frankly speaking I doubt they plan to back off so I might as well show them I'm not a pushover." Midoriya explained.
Chiyo found herself nodding along in understanding, the board was quite against Midoriya, she'd believed most of them were quirkist of some sort, especially the older ones but she doubted that was the only reason.
Midoriya's age wasn't helping, sure she remembered when the bill was quietly passed all those years ago allowing Midoriya to act in his own stead as an 'adult' but she doubted anyone who voted for it thought the quirkless would use it to their advantage.
Certainly not in the way Midoriya had so far, and Midoriya couldn't hide behind Nezu forever Chiyo mused, a press conference would need to be held eventually to address the problem.
It hadn't taken long to get to the meeting room, the fifteen board members were already there and chatting amongst themselves in their little groups and Chiyo silently did her Kuji-Kiri hand movements to calm herself.
She noticed that the movements caught Midoriya's eyes and was surprised the boy immediately mimicked the hand movements with a smile, taking her aback *Huh, wonder where he learned that?* Chiyo pondered, it wasn't easy to find Kuji-Kiri unless you knew the key words to look for.
Before she could think more on it or ask the boy for that matter Nezu entered the room along-side the course heads and Inui-Kun, and the board seemed to finally clue in that they weren't alone in the room.
"Ah, I see that everyone is here already, fantastic. We can get the meeting started right away then." Nezu commented with a light clap of his paws.
Despite the fact that Nezu was the one talking most if not all eyes were on Midoriya instead, Inui-Kun and Maijima-Kun were clearly surprised to see the boy, Himawari-Kun was too stone-faced to tell, Yogi and Ito raised a brow but said nothing.
The board members on the other hand clearly weren't as benevolent as her co-workers, either shocked the boy was there or giving him a 'terse' look.
"... Thank you for escorting Shuzenji-San Midoriya but you will not be needed for this meeting." one of the older members said clearly wanting the boy to leave the room.
Chiyo had to give Midoriya points for not scowling at the man and the boy instead simply pursed his lips "Actually Daigo-San, I believe I have full reason to attend this meeting given I am putting forward a candidate myself for Shuzenji-San's possible assistant." Midoriya countered clearly surprising the rest of them, herself included.
Daigo's face twisted clearly unhappy with Midoriya's answer "I severely doubt we'd need your input in this matter Midoriya." Daigo replied, his meaning being thinly veiled.
Midoriya crossed his arms "Seeing as Shuzenji-San has been without a competent assistant for four years now I don't think that's quite true. Especially since it is quite illegal to have a single employee, much less one of Shuzenji-San's age, work seventy-two hours a week on her own when she should have a minimum of two assistants to help her." Midoriya stated a touch more terse.
"Something I'm sure the press would love to hear all about, after all, U.A. working the beloved youthful heroine to her death would surely be front-page worthy wouldn't you agree Nezu-San?" Midoriya added and Nezu grinned sharply.
"Oh, absolutely Midoriya-San, in fact we might take the opportunity to post some listings in the papers since we seem to be having so much trouble finding anyone by ourselves." Nezu mockingly suggested much the board's horror.
"Nezu you can not be considering something so ludicrous! The only thing that would do is show people that you are inept at running U.A. proper." Kato, a younger woman who joined more recently exclaimed.
Midoriya moved to stand right beside Nezu.
"Actually, I think they will have far more questions for the board. Given that you've only given us a total of, oh ten people in the last four years compared to the fifty-eight Nezu put forward last year." Midoriya pointed out.
Chiyo quietly huffed bemused as Midoriya had put them in their place, it wasn't a bad point either, the public would quickly lash out at the board for not taking care of their children, not to mention the legal trouble for not running a proper medical wing, something that was legally required in a hero school.
"Rather than continue arguing in circles, I believe we should start the meeting by talking about what we were supposed to, like discussing the candidates we've picked." Midoriya suggested forcing the conversation back to what he wanted to talk about.
Kato clearly wanted to argue but Yukuruki placed a hand on her shoulder and forced her to sit back down then he cleared his throat "Yes, I do think we should get onto business." Yukuruki reluctantly agreed with Midoriya.
Chiyo settled into her chair and got ready for the usual stone walling from the board towards perfectly good people, most of whom would probably be at least decent as her assistant for a year or so.
And she was right, the forty or so people Nezu had found were rejected for so many reasons that felt like complete bullshit, Midoriya pointedly needled their reasons clearly frustrating them, but even more surprising Midoriya had shot down a couple of them himself.
And while she was certainly curious why he objected, Nezu hadn't hesitated to toss them aside when the boy did, further angering the board members.
By the end of it the vetting of Nezu's choices went over exactly as expected and not a single person was approved of, and one of the members was ready to present her pick, most likely her granddaughter again despite the girl being in dentistry and not having any background in medicine proper.
However before Miskiko could speak Midoriya interrupted by loudly clearing his throat and drumming his fingers on a file he had on the table in front of him.
"In case you've forgotten Miskiko-San, but the staff present their choices before the board, the board choices are merely meant to be considered if the staff choices are deemed unfit." Midoriya said, staring the board down with a hard look boarding on a glare.
It wasn't quite as potent as the one from the emergency meeting back on the first day but it was effective enough to make the argumentative cow just huff back and sit down scowling at the boy.
Not waiting for permission Midoriya stood and opened his file "After some consideration I've decided to suggest one Todoroki Natsuo to become Shuzenji-San's assistant." Midoriya stated, completely shocked everyone, herself included.
But seeing water come out of Yukuruki's nose was certainly enough to make for it, and powering through Midoriya paid no one else any mind and continued to speak.
"My friend Taira is an E.M.T. whose been working for a year, for most of that he has worked alongside Todoroki-San and has spoken very highly of the boy's skills in and out of the field, having reviewed Todoroki-San's grades he shows no problems holding a job in addition to attending his college courses." Midoriya explained and began pulling out some papers and placing them on the table for her.
"I have spoken to both co-workers and his supervisors, they've given him glowing reviews, I've personally seen his work as well and as someone who holds an E.M.T. certificate in addition to my quirk counseling degree would personally and professionally vouch for Todoroki-San's skills being at a level meeting the standards of U.A." Midoriya told them.
And looking through the papers Chiyo had to agree with Midoriya, Todoroki's oldest boy did seem to be warming up to be a good prospective assistant, she would be much more cautious given his father's fame could be affecting his files but Midoriya and his friends weren't nearly as hero star-struck as most people.
And it wasn't like people related to heroes couldn't be talented in their own right.
That Dabi from the Todorokis was one of the greatest support inventors she ever had the pleasure of working with, perhaps it would be the same with his great nephew if the boy took after his great uncle.
"Does anyone have any concerns about potentially hiring Todoroki Natsuo to be Shuzenji-San's assistant?" Midoriya inquired, and Chiyo couldn't help smiling as she realized the question was completely rhetorical and fought not to laugh.
Ito and Yogi likely remembered the boy's great-uncle from their time as well and undoubtedly more open to the boy's talents, Himawari could tell if Midoriya had any doubts and would've already spoken up and Maijima of course had heard more about Dabi from being in the same branch of support work so there wouldn't be any protests from them at least offering the job.
Nezu clearly was happy with Midoriya's choice and Inui didn't look like he was going to protest either when she passed him the files on Todoroki.
As for the board, Midoriya had easily backed them into a corner with his choice.
The Todorokis were a very respected family with roughly six-generations of U.A. alumni from the hero course which was already a major point in the boy's favor, the fact that he had a professional degree of sorts in the field was also something most applicants didn't have and with his previous work experience made Todoroki the most qualified to ever be put forward.
Then there would be the press of it, Todoroki was bound to become a very successful and powerful doctor if he was all that Midoriya made him out to be and hiring him would make being a part of his journey would be too tempting for the board members to resist the bragging rights, or the possible connections.
Oh, but she could see a few of them wanted to, clearly against it just for being put forward by Midoriya, the quirkless boy.
However, the board decision would need to be unanimous for them to reject Todoroki and that clearly wasn't happening.
"No? Alright then I believe it is time for the vote. All opposed to offering the job to Todoroki Natsuo?" Midoriya asked and only three people raised their hands.
"Those undecided?" Midoriya questioned and two hands from the board and one from Inui.
"All for extending an offer to Todoroki Natsuo?" Midoriya asked and everyone else raised their hands in a landslide victory that made her grin, it was after all, a long awaited and sweet victory that she quite rightfully deserved after being stone-walled for four damn years by these bastards.
And by the grin on Midoriya's face he too shared in her vindictive glee as half of the board members were begrudgingly voting for Midoriya's choice or risked screwing themselves.
"The vote passes, we shall be drafting an official letter to Todoroki-San after the meeting has concluded. Let us move on to the next subject of the meeting." Midoriya stated before sitting back down.
Chiyo allowed herself to tune out of the conversation as the course heads began discussing student complaints with the board members funding, her opinion was hardly something relevant there and chose to instead revel in getting a competent assistant once again.
Even if Todoroki and she didn't get along too well he'd at least be able to handle himself and she could finally have some more down time to refresh, that alone would do her wonders and she'd probably even go back to a healthier blood pressure level.
Chiyo's eyes went over to Midoriya, the boy was young no doubt and seemed to be easily cowed at times but he clearly had more of a backbone than she gave him credit for when Nezu first introduced him to the staff.
Granted she didn't see much of the boy day-to-day but if he made a habit of sticking it to the board in ways that helped her and took care of the students best interests, then Chiyo thought that this could be the start of a wonderful partnership with her young co-worker.