In a luxurious office of a tall skyscraper sat a woman - Madam President. She was looking at a recent report on Ryuushiro Genba, including his blood sample taken before the interrogation. She compared the results of the blood sample with the research of their scientist. Her frown attracted the attention of the man with red wings. Hawks - Keigo Takami.
— We will have a new guy, then. Is he suitable? - the man was puzzled, frivolously chewing something. The woman was already tired of reproaching him for not eating in the office and resigned herself.
— Suitable. At least by blood type. We will wait for the report on his physical condition from the academy. - the woman printed out all the reports on the printer and put them in a thick folder called Ryuushiro. - Take it to our archive.
Ever since she took Keigo under her wing as a child, he has never let her down and can be trusted with various tasks. And he is loyal, grateful, and attached to her. He would not betray her even at the brink of death.
After waiting for Keigo to leave the office, she stood by the wide panoramic window overlooking Tokyo and Mount Fuji.
"The legacy of All Might must not perish. His DNA is too important to our society. Many countries and very influential figures have tried to contact him and offer him an advantageous marriage in order to obtain his blood, but Toshinori Yagi has always been a fanatic of his cause. He is a hero to the core and will die in his hero suit. Short-sighted and thick-headed."
The serious injury that the world-class hero received just recently, after the battle on the bridge, has begun to affect his effectiveness. And even if he didn't show it, the trend was clear, another two or three years at most and we can expect his retirement. However, losing such a valuable trump card is simply unacceptable for maintaining the safety of society. That is why there is a top-secret project "Legacy", the purpose of which was to find a suitable vessel for the All Might power and implant his DNA.
When studying his DNA, he turned out to have a similar property, the transfer of power.
Because the top-one hero was in no particular hurry with the successor of his power. No children, no family - just his favorite job as a hero. They were able to collect Toshinori's DNA in sufficient quantity. Mostly saliva on the walls of the glass he drank. He does not even suspect the existence of such a project.
There are not many suitable vessels and many who have undergone the "All Might injection" could not instill it in themselves. The blood type and physical fitness at the time of taking the injection were taken into account, but not all ideal candidates with such a set still did not succeed. Scientists think that there is one more element missing.
In general, this procedure is legal and ethical, consider a blood transfusion.
And now Ryuushiro Genba has appeared and, unlike the others, he will be under her wing, she is already sure of it. Major Doran always returned with a positive result and never let her down.
"How unusual this Ryuushiro is. Considering his noble origins, dating back to the Kodai era, this is not surprising. There is a feeling that the guy can easily accept Toshinori's DNA. However, now it is no longer feudalism, but democracy and the Japanese people rule Japan. At least this is what we should strive for."
She can only hope for Ryuushiro's prudence and benevolence, it is not clear who he will become for the HPSC and Japanese society. However, certain measures to create guarantees will be taken. Will she be able to keep the dragon's ardor under control?
...
After talking to the Major in the interrogation room, Ryuushiro felt great. He was shown a high psychological level of influence to strive for. Endurance, composure, insight. Replaying every word of the operative from that interrogation from memory, he began to understand and see all these subtleties on which he was so easily caught. Now, having finished another day, a familiar tinted Toyota appeared in front of him. It was Major Doran. The car window opened, partially demonstrating the beautiful interior and Doran's gaze.
— Get in. Want some ramen?
Having obeyed him, Ryuushiro looked around a couple of times, opened the door and got into the car.
— I see you look better, have you recovered yet? - they crossed eyes in the rearview mirror.
— Yes, I'm ready. I have something for you, - Ryuushii took out Director Nezu's letter from his backpack.
— UA? Nezu figured it out quickly about you. - Doran chuckled.
— And not only him, I also received several more letters from many other academies all over Japan: Tokyo, Hirashima, Osaka, Nara, Nagoya.
— Well, well. And you thought that this could be useful for the HPSC. I appreciate your initiative, I'll inform Madam President about this, and then we'll see. In the meantime, don't clutter your head with unnecessary things, you have a lot of difficulties ahead. You will need to study very intensively if you want to start working soon and justify the investment and time poured into you.
— Does Madam President have any plans for me?
— Good question. Personally, I think she included you in her sphere of interest after the Bridge. I don't know where this interest will lead, this woman does not show her emotions. Cold-blooded and calculating. In all those years in my position, I cannot say anything bad about her. She acts in the interests of the state and society, but you know, politics is dirt. And she has to lick the shoes of politicians every day and wriggle like a snake, who have influence on the annual budget of the HPSC through their ministers of internal affairs and defense.
Ryuushiro could not even imagine how complicated everything is there. Intrigue and machinations, diplomacy and management. How much more remains to be understood and learned ...
— It is a ruthless game of knocking out. A chess game. And it is better for you not to get involved in it. Just be a pawn, following orders from your superiors. This is what I advise you to do as a Major. Big politics involves seven- and eight-figure sums, and there are always plenty of hyenas who want to grab a piece.
Meanwhile, they were already reaching the diner to get some food, because the day was going to be very long and difficult.
— Between you and me. I know about your childhood. I know what you did to one of your adoptive fathers.
— ... - this made Ryuushiro fall silent and think sadly. - It was too long ago. What's surprising is that you continue to cooperate with me.
— Forgive me for touching on this topic. The circumstances have been known for a long time, it was not difficult to draw a parallel as to who did it, but then they decided to leave you alone and hush up the matter. There was a mention in the archives that they wanted to throw you into a closed colony for especially dangerous people for upbringing, but somehow it didn't work out.
— There's no need to be sad about such trifles. In a world full of orphans who kill their aggressive adoptive fathers.
— By the way. I've always been curious about what it's like to live in orphanages? I've never been there. - the Major rubbed his temple, and Ryuushiro was surprised that many people don't even think about what it's like to live in an orphanage and have no idea how children live there.
— Horrible. It's good that the state helps those few, but no less valuable. In winter, the heating is weak, or they turn it off completely to save money. Apparently, the director of the orphanage wanted to save on the health of the children, but at least he would get the rest of the allocated budget. The food was always bland, only occasionally they brought fruits and vegetables. I often had to steal. — Ryuushiro said emotionlessly, eating ramen. - In the orphanages, their own gangs of teenagers were formed, who, already at the age of twelve, tried to earn at least something on the streets.
After the story, there was a minute of silence, Major decided to change the difficult topic.
— Life in the shelter was not easy, but look where you are now. You are riding in a great luxury car with Major!
— It must be cool to have your own house with a huge territory or a good car. - the dragon dreamed. - and it must be cool to have parents! - Ryuushiro answered ironically, smiling.
— Well, here I think it's 1:1, a draw. - Doran laughed.
Driving out of town onto the highway, Ryuushiro felt how he was becoming determined to turn to his companion and ask about what plan of action they should adhere to next. At that moment, the night lights of the highway flashed across the windows, creating flickering glare of bright light on the glass, which constantly changed and played on the surface. The curious orange eyes of the dragon watched the play of light. The car raced without stopping, picking up speed, confidently holding on to the road, reaching a speed of about 160 km/h, as if striving to quickly complete this journey and finally reach its destination.
— First, I'll take you to the Police Academy, near Nagoya, where I'll hand you over to the other people at the HPSC.
— The Academy?
— It's not an ordinary school, if that's what you mean, — the man behind the wheel answered calmly, looking ahead. — The Academy is a place where people with the right skills or experience are selected for specific tasks. That's where police officers are trained.
— And you think I'm suitable?
— You agreed to it yourself, remember? — the companion reminded him gently. — I gave you a choice. You could stay in the detention center, wait for the court's decision, or try to get official status. Use your powers for their intended purpose, legally.
The guy looked away. He really did choose. And even if it wasn't the most tempting offer, it still gave him at least some chance.
— I still don't understand what the police have to do with it, — he muttered. — I'm not going to be a cop.
Kazuhiro-san was the best example of a good but ordinary cop. He never achieved any great heights in his life, or even killed anyone. It's a relatively calm job, where you're bound by orders and regulations. Over the years of routine, all that's left of you is a shell that's been worked out to automatism, killing your ambitions and former enthusiasm. Ryuushiro hoped his path would be different.
— Not necessarily. The Academy cooperates with the HPSC and other departments. They won't make you patrol the streets - but they can teach you to control your strength, to act for the good of the country. Believe me, there are enough heroes patrolling as it is. Cops rarely intervene in direct confrontation with villains. And then - we'll see. It all depends on how you show yourself.
The car rushed forward, and the lights outside the window seemed not just glare - but reflections of the changes that loomed ahead. Ryuushiro was silent, but a spark of curiosity was already igniting inside him. Even if the path was offered to him, he had to walk it himself.
...
The night was warm and moonless. The car smoothly turned off the highway and entered the guarded territory through massive gates. Behind them, there was a complex of several buildings of strict geometry, illuminated by rare lanterns. No noise, no strangers - only the guards in black and blue uniform jackets and the feeling that everything here functions according to a clear internal rhythm.
— Here we are, -Doran said, turning off the engine. — They are already waiting for you. Okay, bye, man. I hope you will go through what the management has planned for you and want to join us at HPSC after training.
Ryuushiro understood that this man still had things to do, and they would not bother with him anymore.
— Doran, will we meet again?
— That's up to you, boy.-he smiled mysteriously
Having said goodbye, Ryuushiro got out of the car, casting a last glance towards the darkening highway beyond the gate. He no longer felt fear - only slight wariness and strange anticipation. Inside him, the dragon was cautiously and distrustfully glancing at every corner, expecting an ambush.
They were met at the gate by two people: a woman of about thirty with a tablet in her hands and a strong man in a uniform similar to an army one. They did not ask unnecessary questions - they only checked the data, nodded and gestured to invite them inside. Everything was polished, as if he was not the first and not the last to cross the threshold of this system.
"We will take you to the dorm," the woman said briefly. "Your registration will begin tomorrow morning. Until then, settle into your new place.
They walked along long corridors that smelled of plastic, fresh paint and something similar to bleach. The center was part of the state machine, and this was felt in everything - in the architecture, in the lighting, even in the silence. Not a single glance from outsiders, not a single curious face. Only those who were supposed to greet him. The other cadets were already asleep. The room turned out to be small, for four people. Two bunk beds, lockers, a window with a curtain the color of faded gray. One upper tier was free.
— This is your bunk,- the woman said. — The rest will wake up in the morning. There are cadets with different profiles here: future firefighters, policemen, soldiers. Primary sorting academy. You are not assigned to anyone yet. We'll see where you fit in.
— And if I don't fit in anywhere? -Ryuushiro asked.
She did not answer right away. Then she said:
— Everyone is going somewhere.
The door closed behind her. The room was dark, only a street lamp was dimly glowing by the window. Someone in the neighbors was snoring quietly. Ryuushiro took off his jacket, sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor. He lay down, tired, but he couldn't sleep. Somewhere at the other end of the building, they were probably already discussing his dossier. Deciding what to do with him. But for now, it was quiet here.
...
From the first day at the Recruitment Center, Ryuushiro felt people looking at him - not out of curiosity, but out of wary anticipation. His appearance was not outstanding by the standards of showy heroes, but there was something different about him: a posture like a predator ready to rush into battle, and a gaze - direct, sharp, as if seeing right through a person. He rarely entered into conversations, did not argue, but each of his phrases sounded as if it was the last word. He did not boast, he just... was like that. "The Lonely Dragon" - that's what they began to call him behind his back. First as a joke, then with irritation, and then with apprehension.
He didn't know where this cold reserve, this inner sense of superiority came from. It wasn't deliberate. He didn't think he was better. But he knew he wasn't like them. That his path was different. Deeper. More dangerous. Real.
The cadets had been trying to "test" him from the very beginning. Provocations, setups during training, attempts to break him, to make him look like a fool. Some mentors, sensing his independence, pressed harder than others - as if trying to prove that even a proud beast would bow to the system. But he didn't break. If they came at him with force, he responded more accurately. If they tried to hurt him with a word, he remained silent, meeting them with his eyes. His silence was often more frightening than any threat. Even among the best cadets, he seemed to be separated by a thin, invisible line. Not because of pride - because of the loneliness in which he walked his own path.
He didn't know that the blood of an ancient family flowed in his veins. That his ancestors were not just noble - they kept the balance between the world of people and a power that should not exist. But something in him, deep inside, pulled him towards this knowledge. Like an instinct. Like a call. And the path continued.Through sweat, blood and tears, even though there were no tears for a long time. Every day at the academy tempered his body. Every pressure - his will. Every attempt to humiliate only fueled the inner fire. He did not seek recognition, but sooner or later it came. Glance after glance, respect without words. Someone was angry, someone was jealous, someone was silent in admiration.