The Emperor's Dragon

Friends Are Worth It

"You've made remarkable improvements to the respirator functions," All For One complimented the Doctor as he took off the helmet and allowed Kyudai to reconnect the tubing to the implants.

"Thank you," Garaki said as he carried the helmet away. "I tried an updated design," he said. Whoever Izuku's friend was, they knew what they were doing. It had been difficult building it. The designer assumed a lot of knowledge and it was only because Garaki was familiar with how a respirator was meant to work that he was able to work out how they wanted things put together. The effects were apparently good enough that Hisashi had noticed the improvement.

"I am still feeling side effects from the drugs," Hisashi added.

"Which effect is the most prominent?" Kyudai asked. If he could isolate what Sensei was feeling then he could potentially adjust the drugs better.

"Light nausea, and a tingling on the left side."

If All For One was complaining about it, Garaki could safely assume the symptoms were worse than mild. It was probably one of the eugeroic drugs. "I'll see what adjustment I can do," he promised.

"Good," All For One said. "Now, I understand that Izuku met one of your assistants."

He had been hoping to avoid this conversation but he should have known that Sensei would only allow that for so long.

"One of them came in at a time they weren't meant to," he explained.

Sensei gave him a look. It was an instruction to explain further.

"He knows Izuku is your son but he does not know who you are, or Izuku's name," Kyudai started. That was a good thing.

"Why did he wish to see you?"

"He had a suggestion for copying quirks faster," Garaki said.

That seemed to get Sensei's attention. Even without eyes the man could give an impressive stare.

"Currently we are growing clones at a natural speed. When they are about four, the quirk will develop. You can't accelerate growth, or the quirk won't form properly. However, it may be possible to accelerate the early years of growth and then return to natural speed before the quirk comes in, allowing it to develop and present without stress."

The ancient man was definitely interested. "This is the child who suggested cloning?"

"Yes, Sensei."

All For One was silent for a few moments. Kyudai was aware that the man was determining Yakuni's fate in those moments. He stroked his chin. "He has not resisted my suggestions," he murmured before nodding. "Very well. Accelerate one to see if the idea works, and then if it does, bring him to me."

Garaki nodded. That was something. He kind of liked Yakuni. The boy was intelligent, curious and knew exactly what he was doing but didn't care that it was other humans. He was a good assistant. And hopefully, All For One would see that.

Only time would tell.

-ted-

Izuku tugged at his gakuran as he walked down the street. He was excited. It was the first day of Middle School. And he was going to school in Mie! That was fantastic.

Except for the commute. He still lived in Yokohama. That meant he had to commute via Kurogiri's warp gate. To ensure that he wasn't caught coming and going, his dad had hired a small office space and Kurogiri left him there. When he came home each night, he'd go there and message the misty man. If Kurogiri couldn't pick him up immediately, then he'd let him know and Izuku could do some homework there.