Leaving the academy, a neat Ryuushiro walked in civilian clothes with a bag on his back, with his few things. For those six months, he was paid a small stipend. This academy, or rather school, taught him to keep himself clean and tidy until it shines. And in general, it taught him a lot. Appearance is the first thing that catches the eye, and therefore, it most often forms an impression of what kind of person he is. If you belong to the army or other security forces, then you must have neatness first of all, because this is an indicator of your discipline, and discipline is a fundamental thing in such a profession.
Shave, comb your hair, moisturize and wash your face, brush your teeth after each meal, wash every day. Basic hygiene will not make you handsome, but it certainly will not make you worse, but on the contrary, it will highlight your strengths. Boots polished to a shine, neat and well-groomed pants. Here he was taught to be a perfectionist and to value himself. How much blood was sucked out of him, but it was worth it, because in the end many important and useful things were stuffed into his young, stupid and green head. Now he looked appropriate and dignified, and not like a street ragamuffin.
— How much you have changed, Ryuushi. For the better, of course. - Now that they are outside the team, they can communicate without formalities. Doran was waiting for him by his car. - All that remains of the former ragamuffin is a stately young man. Apparently, you needed state education.
— If you only knew how they drove me for all sorts of little things. When I remember the first week, it still gives me the shivers. - the dragon relaxed slightly.
— Wait a minute. - Doran scratched his eyebrow. - So what happens. Do you have a driver's license now? Can you take us somewhere to eat, I don't know Nagoya at all.
Ryuushi caught the car keys thrown at him, "It's not like I know much about the city. I've mostly been sitting in the archives, training, and trying to please every professor, but I think I know a few places.
...
—...Well, and then, after I threw him into the wall of the laundry room and scattered the others, they were harnessed to run ten laps around the building. I got off with five just for the company, — said Ryuushiro with a slight grin, remembering the first weeks and conflicts at the academy, sipping pomegranate juice, while Doran was drinking beer and already tipsy.
— Ha-ha. I recognize the guys from Nagoya. They often make fun of newcomers, it's not uncommon.
— Some kind of harsh jokes. If someone else were in my place, they could have suffered.
— That's just the temperament of the Nagoyans, they need to be put in their place, otherwise they are terribly impudent. You don't know yet how they treat strangers from other countries. Fucking nationalists, mother's patriots.
Seeing the angry comment about the Nagoyans' character, Ryuushiro assumed that this city had some problems with the locals lately.
— And how long have there been problems with nationalists here? - he sat closer, clearly interested in this topic.
— Just some small stuff. They create problems for tourists, migrants or people of atypical appearance because of a quirk, they put the country in a bad light. In several districts in the east, there is vandalism, damage to property, hooliganism, minor and moderate bodily injuries.
— What prevents the patrolmen from arresting them?
— The cunning bugs know the streets well, and according to the local cops, they run just as well. Who the hell knows, to be honest. I tried to figure it out, but everything is murky there. Either they bribe the local police, or they are just lazy, fucking crazy cops. In general, they are in no hurry to do anything. They seem to be doing something, but it's just smoke and mirrors with no results. They'll put some idiot in jail for a couple of days and then let him go. They don't want to give up their own and that's it. About half a year ago, when you went to the academy, the hero association decided to increase the danger level and rewards for heroes in these areas.
— I wonder what effect the presence of heroes in these areas has had in six months? - Ryuushiro started eating a pancake with cheese and chicken.
Previously, he wouldn't be interested in listening to such things, but now he's different. Especially now that he - who grew up in an orphanage at the expense of the state, raised in an academy at the expense of the state. Inside him, there always burns loyalty to the Japanese people and the state for giving him the opportunity to live and develop, and his oath is proof of that. He will do everything in his power to help everyone according to the law.
— A couple of skirmishes, arrests. There were surprisingly many of them there, and many other nationalist groups from other areas and even cities are connected with them. In short, it's a hornet's nest. But that's not the important thing. They found some substance in a syringe from one of the arrested men. Just a little bit. Forensic experts are now trying to figure out what kind of crap it is. Now we know that it's some kind of stimulant.
Drugs have been an eternal problem for Japanese society. Forget about it, for all the nations of the world. And then some new substance appears. It's obviously just gaining momentum since even the police haven't heard anything about it. And the worst thing is that no one knows where it comes from, and it could take years to figure it out. Ryuushiro understood how much damage drugs and other substances on the black market cause to society.
— Ryuushiro, have you decided which department of the HPSC you want to go to? This is really important.
— First, answer the question, why are you a Major if it's a military rank?
— Let's start with the fact that I am indeed a former military man, and in fact I am both a police sergeant and a major by rank.
— I see. Remind me, what departments are there in HPSC?
There are eight main departments in the HPSC:
-Hero Supervision - monitoring licenses, discipline, and efficiency.
-Quirk Evaluation - registration, classification, and study of abilities.
-Information Department - media, reputation, and information leaks management.
-Maintenance of Order - working with civilians in crisis situations.
-Internal Security - monitoring internal threats and disloyal heroes, special operations.
-Operational and Technical Means - creating tracking devices and technical countermeasures, supporting special operations.
-Ethical Review - checking orders for moral permissibility.
— Ethical Review Department? -Ryuushiro smiled,
— It's a complicated story.
After the arrest of Lady Nagan, a former elite agent who carried out dark missions for the Commission, the public was shocked by the truth: she was forced to kill other malicious heroes, and moral boundaries were erased for the sake of "safety". A crisis of trust began within the HPSC, both among citizens and heroes themselves.
In response, the Commission established the Seventh Section - the Ethical Review and Approval Section. Its task is to check orders for compliance with the law and the heroic code, grant or revoke permission for controversial operations, and prevent incidents like Lady Nagan's fall. The creation of the section became a symbol of an attempt to cleanse the system from within, belated but necessary.
— I hope you won't change your mind about joining the HPSC after that. Quite a while has passed since then. - Ryuushiro noticed Doran slightly tense up.
— Relax. I'm flattered that you care so much about my decision. - Ryuushiro dramatically raised his nose and sighed. He didn't intend to jump to conclusions about this situation, because he still didn't know much, and most of the circumstances were probably hidden from the public. And what was there to decide? The woman couldn't cope with the stress and decided to take revenge. A banal emotional instability turned into a scandal for the HPSC. A second later, he returned to a serious expression.
— As far as I understand, most departments are bureaucratic wire, "office workers". They probably don't stick their heads out beyond their office. I'm not going to sit in an office at a computer my entire youth. My opinion on this matter hasn't changed.
— True, all departments except for internal security are not staffed by police officers, but by simple licensed civilians under a non-disclosure agreement. You can choose any department except for the Operational and Technical Department, because they require a technical education. But if field work is important to you, then the following departments are more suitable: Maintenance of Order and Internal Security, they only recruit police officers there. - Doran sighed. He understood that if he was highly rated at the academy and his skills in tactics, shooting and assault were noted, then his inexperience was the least of all to worry about.
Ryuushiro grimaced unpleasantly when he heard about civilians in HPSC positions. - Civilians under a document, seriously? This is a gap in the system that can be exploited. - Doran only spread his hands to the side in understanding and helplessness. - Internal Security then.
Doran was surprised by the quick answer.
— Did you really know in advance which department you would go to. Do you already know their functions? Did someone tell you?
— Nope, it just sounds cool. - Ryuushiro yawned frivolously, getting up from the table, in fact, he knew the entire structure perfectly well in advance. Still, some amount of childishness is still present inside, which will never be knocked out of him. - What did Madam President say about UA and Director Nezu?
— We will find out today, my friend. Now we'll go to Tokyo, they'll give you housing there, you'll leave your things, and we'll go to our main office. - They left the cafe and rushed to the car in the parking lot.
— They'll give you housing, you say? - Ryuushiro thought, getting into the driver's seat of the car. He answered only when the Major sat down in the seat next to him and closed the door. - Is there a way to refuse?
Ryuushiro understood that they wanted to put him in housing that they were giving, which meant on their terms. Therefore, most likely there would be wiretaps and hidden cameras. It's not like he was hiding anything from the state, but he still had the right to personal space.
— Whatever you say, - the Major said thoughtfully. - I understand your worries. You haven't even been given the very first level of security clearance yet, so don't think about it. We don't need anything from you. Just work hard and earn your position. Okay, let's not talk about work. You haven't had a glass of beer or sake. Do you really not want to drink alcohol in these six months?
— Childhood trauma associated with alcohol. I don't drink alcohol on principle. - Ryuushiro said, rubbing his hands on a cold glass of juice.
— I understand. Many people find relaxation in it. Don't you want to relax? Sometimes you seem strange. You don't smoke or drink. In a good sense of the word. Being for a healthy lifestyle is good. But our job is so difficult that sometimes you can't do without it.
— It's curious that people find salvation from stress in alcohol and tobacco, essentially in self-destruction. And what's so strange about being sober?
— Well, in Japan, almost all adults drink one way or another. That's the mentality.
— Maybe from this side. Alcohol weakens the mind. I have to be perfect in my work and in my studies.
— More responsible and conscious people like you in our ranks! Haven't found yourself a girlfriend? There are a lot of young girls joining the police these days.
— I never really thought about it.
Beer after beer. Doran's tongue was getting looser.
— Oh, you're boring. I thought dragons were more relaxed and assertive! And you can't find a girlfriend. - the major began to raise his voice, swaying from the alcohol. — I have a wife and a daughter! I'm already cooler than a dragon!
— Looks like you've had enough for today. - Ryuushiro grabbed Doran by the shoulder and began to lead him out of the establishment.
***
The crowd scattered screamingly. The Giant, absorbed in his gluttony, was destroying the area, grabbed a motorcycle with his paws and brought it to his mouth.
— I'm hungry!!!! - a cliched grotesque giant, as if from a TV show, swung his fists, trying to kill careless civilians. - Crunch-crunch. Teeth are life. - he began to grind the motorcycle with his strong teeth.
First, a confident voice was heard, familiar to millions of people throughout Japan.
— Now everything is fine, because I am here! - the silhouette, being on the roof of the building, jumped very high towards the villain and delivered a crushing Detroit Punch, slamming the villain into the asphalt.
— All Might! One hit and done! - the crowd rejoices. The top one hero disappeared as quickly as he appeared. Incredible speed and strength. Unrivaled.
Koichi looked at the flying hero from afar. "This is All Might! I knew he was even cooler in real life." — Oh shit, I'm late for class! -he ran but crashed into a trio of rude guys in an alley.
— S-sorry!
— You fucked up, man. I just bought it, - a guy with a fanged grin and hair in all directions like a hedgehog grinned maliciously. — Now apologize. On your knees.
Koichi fell to his knees and began to apologize.
— You really got on your knees, don't you have any pride? - said the lizard guy. Suddenly they wanted to hit him, but missed.
The next moment, Koichi began to dodge the blows with his Slide and Glide quirk, and then was able to "slide" away until he ran away completely. Already in the evening after classes, on the way he came across a concert of Pop Step - a local idol, she sang so-so, and behind the mask of makeup you can't see her beauty. On the way to the evening shift he was late.
"People adore what they literally look up to. When they look down, the opposite usually happens. No matter how you look at it, life is not fair." he thought, listening to the grumbling of the boss, who still deducted his lateness from his salary.
Already standing at the checkout, the same hooligans entered the store where Koichi worked the evening shift. They called him a cockroach and dragged him into an alley, where they kicked him. A guy with hedgehog hair tried to scare him with his spiky quirk, but did not harm him.
The beaten Koichi was walking home. It was already night. His bitter expression was the only thing that defiled this lonely alley.
— Damn, what bastards. Why don't the police do anything?! It's decided. Today I'll do it. I'll put on my special suit and give free rein to my quirk, then it will definitely be easier for me. Screw the law, I'll definitely do it myself! - he said epically, dressing up in a suit in the All Might style and-and.... began to pick up trash after people.
— Oh, the man of order is back in business! - someone reacted to Koichi sorting trash in a trash can.
— Throw away my trash on the way back too! - someone else said after Koichi slithering away like a cockroach. He got real pleasure from this, believing that he was doing good. In fact, he just liked when he was praised for his efforts, but he would never think of that.
— Oh, I'm tired. And I'm thirsty... - Koichi was walking through an alley where, ironically, the entire seamy side of the world of My Hero Academia was concentrated.
— Here, take it. - the girl treated him to a bottle of water.
— Thank you. Wait, who are you?! Pop Step, what are you doing here? - the same local idol was standing in front of him.
— You always walk around the city and collect trash. What's your name... Cockroach Man? ^_^
— Order Man. :/
— And with your boring jacket, you're pretending to be All Might?
— Exactly. He's an example of the best servant of the world, and I try to be the same! And the jacket is not boring. And you be careful with the idol games, the police might snatch you.
— Wait a minute, what do you mean games?! This is all for real.
A street hooligan with hedgehog hair, who everyone is already tired of, comes up to her from behind.
— Just look at what's under her coat. - the guys pinned her to the wall by her arms.
— HA-ha-ha, she's a freak!
— Oh, I know her. That high school girl who shows her ass all over the Internet. She painted her face and supposedly became a hero?!
— Stop it, I don't show my face to the audience! - the girl started screaming, trying to break free.
— Let's take a picture of her mug and post it online!
— G-guys... maybe stop it already... - Koichi stood and hesitated to the side.
— What? You have some business. Get out with your stupid jacket.
Koichi flinched in horror and stepped back. - Yeah, it doesn't concern me, I think I'll go...
But he suddenly changed his mind, realizing that his favorite hero All Might wouldn't do that, and who would he be if he met him one day, knowing that Koichi ignored a man in trouble. How could he look the hero in the eye? "I'm the one who won't leave a man in trouble!" His clumsy, completely powerless maneuver with his quirk failed and was thrown aside by the big guy.
— I didn't even recognize you at first. So why did you bother?! You disgusting cockroach, decided to play the hero?! - the guy with the hedgehog hair activated his quirk and cut Koichi's cheek with his spikes, who was cowering in the corner.
— Well, it's decided, we'll beat you both up. And we'll smash your store, and at the same time we'll strip this weirdo naked and show her to the whole world!
— W-why do you need all this?!
— Because you're driving me crazy!!! - he yelled back.
— Stop it, or I'll call the police!
— Why not the heroes right away? Save me, All Might~!
"All Might might be busy. As much as we'd like him to come save us, he won't just show up out of nowhere."
Suddenly, someone crashed onto the trash heap, which served as a landing cushion.
— Who's there?!
A tall, muscular, two-meter-tall man with a bandana on his head, combat boots, and a black cloak emerged from the trash heap. His rough voice made the area tremble.
— I heard you talking about All Might. He's clearly not coming here, but I did! The landing was awkward, but don't pay attention. In times of need, a pile of trash will do as a cushion. I'll continue strengthening my neck to reduce the risk of spinal injuries and concussions. - His blow to the bully was as strong as his knuckles. - My name is Knuckleduster! I clean the streets of scum like you!
— A-are you crazy or something?! I-I'll kill you... - the lizard guy didn't have time to defend himself from the advancing Knuckle Duster and bent over from the blow to the stomach. The man grabbed his tongue, checking it for the effect of the drug.
— Okay, the color is normal, so it's not him. Next. - Another bully was next, - This one is not the same either. Hey kid! I see you're not hopeless. Help me with my job and I'll make a hero out of you.
— N-no. I mean, I'm not interested in this, I think I'll go.
— You're lying. You respect All Might and like to help people and at the same time you say that being a hero doesn't suit you.
— It's just that with my pathetic quirk it's impossible to get a license.
— So what?! Powerful quirks and licenses?! None of that has anything to do with justice. Can you do what needs to be done?! That's the only question that defines a hero.
After defeating another bully, Knuckleduster loomed over him.
— In the end, all three are wrong. Just in case, I'll check the documents. - After a moment, he continued, - Kid, I'll prove that a hero's work can be fun. What could be better than beating up a villain? - Knuckle Duster grinned menacingly.
Knuckleduster has long been searching for a drug that has only recently begun circulating in the city of Naruuhata, which is quickly taking over the market. Trigger. This stimulant impairs the ability to think clearly, but strengthens the quirk. Basically, it turns you into a villain. If nothing is done, not only this city will be overrun with dangerous villains.
In theory, the heroes and the police should deal with this, but the villains suddenly appear on the trigger and also suddenly become the same. The police and heroes will always be one step behind. That's why there are people like Knuckleduster to prevent the spread of the drug.