Chapter 60 – Discussion in Hospital II
The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped a few degrees as soon as Izuku made that statement. It is legitimate after all. Although everyone remained silent for a few seconds, at last the chief of police spoke
«Why do you claim that murder charges are pending against you, Midoriya-kun? Woof!»
«Because I mercilessly killed the Villain in the square and the winged one too.» he stated with measured calm and caution «After all, from a legislative point of view, this is what should happen to allow the law to do its job, right?»
«A point in your favour. Woof!» said the chief of police, massaging his chin reflexively «But first answer this question: How much do you actually know about those creatures?»
Creatures? Ah, I understand...
«It depends on what you know, Commissioner.»
The chief of police looked at him with those canine eyes, which rated him with a note of amused interest. After all, they were both weighing each other, trying to prevent one from having an advantage over the other.
«The Musutafu Police Department shared with us its investigation into those creatures, the Nomu. Woof!» The commissioner stated «Including a very detailed hazard and possible origin assessment report, with attached analyses and tests conducted by doctors, coroners, and forensic scientists.»
«Hou. I see they didn't wait to share the information.»
«It seems natural to me. Woof!» Kenji stated, amused «But thinking of speaking face to face with Izuku Midoriya Valorian Vadrian Manastus, the author of that report, makes me feel almost honoured.»
Izuku raised his left eyebrow slightly, amused and surprised by that statement, which was as sarcastic as it was sincere. But even if amused, he knows well that the topic they were venturing into is not something anyone can hear.
«Do you want to walk with me, Commissioner?» when asked, Izuku received a positive nod from Kenji «Manual-dono, Gran Torino-dono, do you want to join us?»
«Why doesn't it sound like an invitation?» Manual asked softly, referring to Gran Torino
«Why isn't it, Manual-dono?» Izuku said dryly as he left the room «Ah! Shield-san, could you do me a favour?»
«Huh? What, Midoriya-san?»
«Until I finish the discussion, could you introduce yourself to Eri and keep her company for me?»
*****
The hospital roof is certainly not the best place to go for a "walk," but, as far as it has to be said, it is private enough that prying ears cannot listen.
Once the roof had been gently cleared by the attendants who had gone up there for a cigarette break, Izuku drew his Misericordia and, with a fluid gesture, blocked the door.
«Now, let's speak sincerely, Commissioner.» Izuku said coldly «What's stopping you from arresting me for murder?»
The inspector scratched his head and then gave a heavy, but also tired, sigh, almost as if what he was about to say wasn't exactly a simple thing to say. Manual and also Gran Torino noted the commissioner's hesitation.
«To begin with, with the simplest answer, the Ministry of Justice and the HPSC also received a copy of your report, Midoriya-kun. Woof!» Kenji began to speak «Of course they read it, but they didn't believe there would be more Nomus… at least until yesterday. By mutual agreement, given the nature of the Nomu and the damage they can cause, they were treated as lethal threats. Consequently, while capture is preferable, the use of lethal force has been authorised for anyone who encounters them. Woof! A statement would be issued in the next few days.»
The statement took both Gran Torino and Manual by surprise, but since the latter is a witness to the abilities of a Nomu, he does not find it so strange from a logical point of view, but from a moral one…
«Wait a minute, Commissioner, aren't those Nomu still people?» asked Manual
«They were.» Izuku's calm tone caught the attention of the two heroes
«What do you mean, boy?»
«When I confronted the first one at the USJ, I had doubts about their nature at first, but after what was reported to me by Detective Tsukauchi through Principal Nezu, my suspicions proved as well-founded as they were worrying: the Nomu are reanimated corpses.»
«What?!» exclaimed Manual, uncertainly
«These are heavy statements, Izuku Midoriya.» said a serious Gran Torino.
«Believe me, Gran Torino-dono, in the place where I was transported ten years ago, I have faced so many reanimated corpses that it is now instinctive for me to recognize one when I see it.» he stated in a tired and frustrated tone «And honestly, the state of the Nomu is certainly much kinder than that suffered by the victims I freed from suffering.»
Izuku was not referring to the Drukhari’s Grotesque, as they are technically still alive and lobotomized to the point of having no definite consciousness.
No. Izuku was referring to something far worse: the Poxwalkers. Former Imperial citizens or soldiers infected with the disease known as the Wandering Plague, a cruel demonic plague created by the Plague God, Nurgle. While they may look like zombies, they are actually very different. The disease not only destroys the body but traps the victim's soul and mind in a horrible state of putrefactive semi-consciousness.
«Now, what's the difficult answer, Commissioner?»
«It's not exactly difficult. I'd say the right term is “complicated”. Woof!»
«Complicated?»
«Some journalists filmed your clash live in the square. Woof!» He stated, crossing his arms and his complicated gaze «Residents have seen your actions in neighbouring cities. The approval rating and encouragement you've received have led to such a peak in popularity that, if we arrested you, we'd likely face heavy public demonstrations; furthermore, we believe professional heroes and colleagues from the department could also participate. Woof!»
«And would you be willing to ignore the law so as not to incur a demonstration with the real possibility of degenerating into violence?»
«In normal cases, I would do my duty the same way.» Kenji honestly stated «But since the Ministry of Justice and the HPSC have made that decision on the treatment of the Nomus, it is not necessary. The murder charge would not even have any basis. Woof!»
«I respect and appreciate your honesty, Commissioner Tsuragame.» Izuku chuckled, sounding amusedly sincere «Now, I'd like to ask you a question that doesn't concern this topic: what will become of the little Eri?»
The chief of police took his chin in reflection. Even though he asked that question, the police are most likely unable to make an immediate decision on the little foundling, whose situation is extremely complicated.
«We are investigating whether she has a family or whether she has a legal custodian.» the commissioner began «But from a quick search, we found that at the registry office or among the missing persons there is no child with that name and those characteristics. We asked for DNA tests, but they are still processing them. Woof!»
Izuku's eyes sharpened. That statement is as serious as it is severe, as it means that Eri is effectively a ghost to the system.
Strange. Strange and alarming. I seriously doubt that the parents did not register their daughter at birth. If they did not, it means she was delivered outside a hospital facility and that they never conducted the necessary procedures. But even a newborn baby, even an abandoned one, is recorded when it is found. However, given her condition, it was probably the work of someone intent on erasing every trace of Eri. But the question is: why?
«At the moment, the hospital has agreed to keep her hospitalised until she is no longer unstable, but she seems to have developed a strong attachment to you, Midoriya-kun. Woof!»
«I noticed it.» he sighed as he stepped out of his contemplation «If I'm not present, it seems like the little one is going to panic, causing her Quirk to trigger. We don't know what kind it is, but I've been asked to stay within the hospital perimeter until she stabilises.»
«A real nuisance.» Manual said with a complicated expression.
«You've already done enough to give a positive review of your internship.» Gran Torino said sympathetically «You can even take the rest of the days to stay by the little girl's side. I'll take care of Shield-kun.»
Izuku nodded, his eyes filled with understanding and hints of gratitude.
Of course, the group was unaware that Melissa had shivers run down her spine at Gran Torino's statement.
«Staying on the subject of the little girl, I'd have half an idea, Midoriya-kun. Woof!»