MHA: Guardian of the Golden Throne

The chief of police’s statement caught Izuku's attention, and a simple glance was enough to tell Kenji to continue.

«Right now, the little girl has no legal guardian, and her stay in the hospital cannot last forever.» he began, explaining the rationale behind the upcoming proposal «Furthermore, if, as you say, there was someone on her trail before finding her, sooner or later they will find Eri if she stays here. Woof!»

«Commissioner Tsuragame, are you suggesting that I be Eri's interim legal guardian?»

«Not you, but your parents. Woof!» Kenji stated, amused «I know perfectly well that you are legally 16 years old and therefore not “mature enough” to make decisions that could affect the child's future. But, given the situation, placing her in foster care or sending her to an orphanage could prove counterproductive, given her mental state and attachment to you. Woof!»

«The logic is sound, I don't deny it.» Izuku said «But have you already asked my mother or father if they are willing to “adopt” the little girl?»

«Actually, I was hoping you would.»

Izuku chuckled. A sincere, amused laugh at the Chief of police’s honest brazenness, but at the same time he wanted to applaud his skill in finding the best way to convince his parents to adopt the child.

Izuku hadn't highlighted the term "adoption" for nothing. Because Eri is a ghost, having her adopted by his parents would not only allow her to have a family, but also to be close to him and gain an identity within the system.

If the police had asked, Izuku had a strong doubt that his mother and father would have accepted the proposal lightly. After all, they already have to take care of an old geezer like him for the moment, so he doesn't know if they would be able to support another child financially.

But if Izuku were to ask, sincerely explaining Eri's situation, it would most likely prove easier to accept the proposal to adopt Eri into the Midoriya family.

While I think my mother might need to know her to immediately agree to start the adoption, for my father it's another matter, given that he's abroad. But knowing him, I think a few words from my mother will be enough to make him give in pretty quickly...

«I'll talk to my parents about it, but I can't promise anything.» Izuku said.

«Thank you for your cooperation. Woof!»

«Good. I don't think there's anything else to discuss.» Izuku said, turning to take the Misericordia back and unlock the door.

«Woof! First there's one last thing I have to tell you, Midoriya-kun.» Kenji stopped him «It's about the Hero Killer.»

Izuku's hand stopped and turned; his gaze became sharp, full of curiosity and alertness.

*****

Stain had been placed in a private room to receive proper care. After all, even though Izuku held back enough not to kill a normal man, Stain still suffered fractures, bruises, and minor internal bleeding.

Even though his hospital room has been described as "private," it is more accurate to call it "isolated," as Stain is still a criminal in custody. In front of the room, a police officer was standing guard. A bit of a sloppy vigil, as he was sitting on a nearby bench anyway, drinking coffee while reading the news on his phone. Of course, every two or three minutes he would look up and move when someone got too close to the room.

Suddenly, a shadow covered him, and, feeling a stare on him, the officer looked up: he saw Izuku in his golden armour, the spear in his hand, looking at him with eyes full of disappointment and condemnation.

Izuku's authoritarian aura was enough to make the officer spring to his feet, who unconsciously stood at attention, unaware that he had dropped his coffee on the ground.

«Sir!» he exclaimed, unconsciously placing himself at attention.

«Commissioner Tsuragame told me that the Hero Killer asked for me. I guess it's not a problem if I come in, is it?»

«No, sir!» he exclaimed, remaining at attention.

Izuku passed him, disinterested, and put his hand on the doorknob. Then, as if he remembered something, Izuku spoke.

«Ah, officer.»

«Yes, sir?»

«You are not my subordinate, so I have no authority over you.» he stated in a neutral tone, then looked the policeman in the eye with a cold look «But if you had been, I would have made sure to settle your lenient guard with severe punishment.»

The policeman sweated coldly at the statement, as his instincts shouted at him that Izuku would definitely do it in that case. But, even knowing that he is not a Custodian’s subordinate, which should normally be a relief, in his subconscious he does not remove the fear of having been found wanting in the eyes of a Guardian of the Golden Throne.

«I'll be more careful from now on, sir!» he exclaimed in fear.

Izuku stared at him for exactly three seconds before turning his gaze to the door and entering Stain's hospital room.

Behind him, he could hear the police officer collapse to the ground, taking deep breaths, as if he had never breathed in the last few minutes.

Stain was on the hospital bed, his left arm and right leg in plaster casts, while police handcuffs held him to the bed on his left wrist. Compared to when Izuku met him, his mask-band was no longer on his face, which pointed out that Stain had actually decided to cut off his nose.

Stain's eyes fell on Izuku. They were silent and contemplative, almost as if they were observing something that went far beyond mere physical presence. The door closed behind Izuku, and Stain continued to watch him for a few seconds. Finally, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. For some reason, Izuku was certain that if he wasn’t stuck in bed, Stain would likely prostrate himself.

«Speak, Stain.» Izuku stated calmly.

«Ego, Chizome Akaguro, Custodi Solii Aurei salutem dico. Operam meam tibi offero, voluntate Imperatoris Generis Humani, ut primus sodalis Oculi Imperatoris qui in hoc mundo munere fungar.» (I, Chizome Akaguro, extend my greetings to the Guardian of the Golden Throne. I offer my services to you, by the will of the Emperor of Mankind, as the first member of the Emperor's Eyes who will operate in this world.)

The hiss of the blade was not heard. Or rather, it was heard when the tip of the spear was touching Stain's adam's apple. Izuku's eyes were so full of fury and judgment that one look would probably have been enough to kill Stain, aka Chizome Akaguro.

«Be very careful with your statements, Stain.» he stated sharply «While I am impressed by your sudden ability to speak High Gothic, do not proclaim yourself a member of the Emperor's Eyes in front of me without a reason so firm as to be indestructible.»

The Emperor's Eyes. A chamber of the Adeptus Custodes composed of Custodes who consider themselves no longer fit for active service and go into self-imposed exile. However, even as exiles, they continue to serve the Emperor, because wherever they travel they observe their surroundings. Some work alone, dark and menacing figures slipping through the shadows of the Emperor's domain. Others cultivate networks of informants and agents, using fear and intimidation to ensure compliance where loyalty and honour are not enough. They are the intelligence of the Adeptus Custodes, and many of the brothers and sisters Izuku knows or has led are members. He certainly has no intention of forgiving an assassin who wants to boast of that title or declaring himself its member, without knowing the burden and truths that a Custodian must bear and carry with him before going into voluntary exile.

«Numquam auderem illum titulum mihi arrogare, nisi ut iram tuam incurrerem, domine mi. Haec est voluntas Imperatoris.» (I would never dare acquire that title to incur your wrath, my lord. This is the Emperor's will). Chizome spoke calmly.

«Explain yourself. But I’m warning you: weigh your words very carefully.»

Although still speaking in High Gothic, Chizome Akaguro's explanation is actually very simple. While he had fainted, the figure of the Emperor had appeared in a dream to speak with him and explain what dangers humanity might face or is already facing in the world in which he and Izuku inhabit. Since Izuku is blind to the current situation on the dark side of his home world and the potential dangers it may pose or attract, he needs an intelligence system that answers only to him, capable of alerting Izuku and allowing him to intervene if the shadows move and threaten humanity's safety. In other words, the Lord of Mankind entrusted Chizome with the task of creating a version of this universe of the Emperor's Eyes.

Listening to him, Izuku remembered the final part of his dream: "The blade will become a sharp eye and replace the eye of a lion that cannot see what the darkness hides and the dangers to face."

When Chizome finished his story, Izuku took a few seconds to study it, noting that he had remained calm and composed despite the blade on Chizome’s throat. Chizome seemed certain that in the end Izuku would not kill him. And indeed, recognising the work of his Lord in the words and purposes expounded by Chizome, he moved the blade from his neck.

«And tell me, Akaguro, how are you going to build the Eyes from behind bars?»

Chizome pointed to a drawer next to the bed. Or rather, he pointed under it, and Izuku raised it, finding a sheet of paper deliberately dropped there. Taking it, names, addresses, quirks, and specialisations were written on it.

«In Tartaro, ubi verisimile est me inclusum iri, cum quibusdam captivis notis colloqui conabor, quos socios futuros esse pro certo habeo; alios quoque candidatos idoneos aestimabo. Sed extra carcerem tuum erit hos homines colligere, domine mi. Imperator Generis Humani, dominus noster, idem ei offeret quod mihi obtulit.» (In Tartarus, which is probably where I will be locked up, I will try to talk to some inmates I know, and I am sure they will become members. I will also evaluate other possible candidates. But outside the prison, you will have to gather these people, my lord. The Emperor of Mankind, our lord, will offer them the same thing he offered to me.)

«And what would He have offered you, Akaguro?» asked Izuku, memorising every single name on the list, while still paying attention to the Hero Killer

«Unum propositum: genus humanum protegere.» (One purpose: protect humanity.)