Chapter 73: Pro Hero LicenseAuthor: Geraint
– Four months later –
In the conference room of the Hero Public Safety Commission, top Pro Heroes were gathered for an important meeting. Endeavor stormed into the building the moment he learned that Ichika would be leading it.
"Falcon!!"
Endeavor burned with fury upon seeing Ichika sitting at the table with a smug grin on his face.
"What's wrong? Got a problem with me?" Ichika asked, feigning innocence.
"Everything about you is the problem! To me, you'll always be a villain. I'll arrest you and drag you back to Tartarus!" Endeavor roared.
"Pfffffft—"
Ichika snorted, then burst out laughing.
"Ha~ Ha~ Hahaha! Haha! Ha! Ha! Wah! Hahahahahaha!You have no power here, Flame Hero: Endeavor," he declared mockingly.
Endeavor clenched his teeth, his glare fixed on the acting president of the Hero Commission.
"Remember, Endeavor. Without me, the Commission and Pro Heroes would've been abolished years ago due to the public's loss of trust. Honestly, my father, All Might, would've been the last standing hero. And I didn't want that to happen."
"Who do you think caused all of this?! Everything was fine until you showed up! Because of you—"
Ichika stood, facing Endeavor as the latter approached—until All Might suddenly stepped between them.
"Stop right there, you two. No fighting in here."
Both men turned to look at him.
"Oh, Dad. You finally showed up," Ichika said with a relaxed smile.
"You're really such a troublesome kid, Ichika…" All Might muttered.
"All Might! How can you defend your villain son?!" Endeavor barked.
"Dad doesn't need to do anything. If you've got a problem with me, let's take this outside. Seems like you just love getting beaten by me."
"That won't happen again! This time, I'll burn you to ash!"
Bang!Bang!
Endeavor suddenly flinched. He and Ichika both staggered from being shot.
"Ugh!"
"Knock it off, you two."
It was Lady Nagant, her rifle-arm still smoking after firing rubber bullets.
"You shot me, Lady Nagant!" Endeavor growled, wincing in pain.
"Relax. I didn't mold my bullets. They're just rubber," she said calmly as her arm reverted.
Ichika stood up, brushing off the hit like nothing.
"Liar. You used a hardened bullet on me."
"Well, it didn't hurt you anyway," she replied flatly.
Endeavor also stood, seething.
"Not you too…"
Lady Nagant ignored him and took a seat.
One by one, more Pro Heroes entered the room: Mirko and Ryukyu, followed by Mt. Lady and Midnight—still glaring at each other. Shield Hero: Crust, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, Gang Orca, Kamui Woods, Fat Gum, Wash, and others followed and found their seats.
When Ichika and Mirko locked eyes, he smiled and waved—but Mirko averted her gaze, blushing faintly.
Ryukyu noticed.
"Mirko, you're acting strange again. Where did the confident version of you go?"
"Ssssh!"
Mirko hushed her quickly.
Ichika sighed and sat down at the center table.
"We've got an important meeting today, Endeavor. Let's save the personal drama for later."
"Fine," Endeavor muttered.
Everyone settled, and the meeting began.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today. The investigation into Pro Heroes has concluded. Over 70% of you managed to retain your hero status. Congratulations on surviving the past three years with no salary—just the monthly allowance I've been personally funding."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Many remembered the shame of relying on Ichika's charity. They hated being mocked by the very person who put them in this position—but deep down, they knew he'd exposed the truth.
Some Pro Heroes had indeed been villains in disguise.
"For those of you who stayed true to the path, who continued to serve and protect, you are the real heroes. Starting today, Pro Heroes are officially back in business! The Ministry of Finance has approved the new budget. You'll all receive three years' worth of back pay, plus a 50% raise, as promised."
The room buzzed with relief and joy. The long struggle was finally paying off.
"However," Ichika continued, "there's a problem."
"Huh?"
"What now?!"
"Are you planning to torment us again?!"
"Come on, Falcon!"
They groaned.
"We're severely understaffed. We need new Pro Heroes from the school systems."
All eyes narrowed at him.
"That's your problem."
"Yeah, you handle it!"
Ichika smirked and suddenly pulled a card from his pocket.
Everyone froze when they saw what it was: a Pro Hero License, with Ichika's picture.
All Might grinned proudly.
National Hero LicenseName: FUJIWARA ICHIKAQuirk: SpoonbenderHero Name: FALCON
"Huh? Spoonbender?"
"What kind of quirk is that?"
"We trained our asses off to get this license and he gets one just like that?!"
"A villain turned hero? This is ridiculous!"
The room exploded with complaints.
Ichika just smiled calmly.
"According to Commission policy, we're allowed to grant Hero Licenses to qualified vigilantes. Mera approved my application. So, I'm now a licensed Pro Hero."
He stood up and faced them.
"If you think I'm unqualified? Don't worry. This is temporary. I plan to graduate middle school, enter U.A. High, and complete my hero course without even using my Quirk—just to show you that I'm more than qualified."
The entire room stared at him in disbelief.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.