Chapter 7: The past of the Akaguro.
After the stunt with grenade, Izuku's day went uneventful. His achievement today earned respect of every person in the camp. They still are staring at him but not in disgust and pity, but in bewilderment and admiration.
Later that night, Midoriya sits on his bunk reading the book and thinks about tomorrow.
"May I?" asked Dr. Erskine who just knocked on the door.
"Yeah. Of course. You can", answered Izuku letting the doctor inside.
"Can't sleep?" asked Erskine putting on the table bottle of schnapps and two glasses with him.
"I got the jitters, I guess", joked Midoriya.
"Me, too", he said laughing at this joke. "Everybody talks about your stunt with grenade. They still in shock. Can you answer my question? Why did you do it? You could die."
"I know I could. But in all honesty I don't know", answered Izuku. "It's just the second I saw grenade my body was moving by its own and the next second I am on top of it".
"Good answer", said Abraham.
"Can I too ask you a question?" asked Midoriya.
"Just one?" already predicted his question asked doctor.
"Why me?" asked Izuku. "It's not that I am ungrateful to you. Believe me I am not. It's just there are so many people in this world. Who is bigger, stronger, older much better than me. And I think that I cheated and take place of someone who earned and deserved it."
"You know every time we talk, I think that you are more perfect candidate than before", answered Dr. Erskine pleased with his chosen. "And I suppose that is the only question that matters. This is from Augsburg. My city. So many people forget that the first country that the Nazi's invaded was their own. You know, after the last war the… my people struggled. They… they felt weak. They felt small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags and the… and the… And he… he hears of me, my work and he finds me. And he says, "You." He says, "You will make us strong." Well, I am not interested. So he sends the head of HYDRA, his research division. A brilliant scientist by the name of Chizome Akaguro. He is actually from Japan just like you. He is also fierce swordsman who fights till the death. Now, Akaguro is a member of the inner circle and he's ambitious and sadistic. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Akaguro, it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced that there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the Gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist. Akaguro must become that superior man."
Izuku is sitting in the place shocked by the horrors that his country were living. In addition, this Chizome Akaguro terrifies him by his actions. Also he is afraid about what the serum change in him. Did it make him strong? Did it make him worse? Will it make him bad?
"Did it make him stronger?" asked Midoriya.
"Yeah. But, there were other effects", explained doctor. "The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside. So, good becomes great. Bad becomes worse. If before he was enjoying thrill of the fight, than right now he likes to taste the blood of his opponents and victims. This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man, who has known power all his life, will lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion."
His explanation made Izuku happy. He always thought that his weaknesses, would limit his life forever. But right now he knows that he is chosen because of his good heart and compassion, not because of pity.
"Thanks. I think. I very appreciate it", said Izuku.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing", Erskine said pouring 2 drinks. "That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man."
"I promise you. I will stay as a good man", said Midoriya. It's a first time he's called 'a man'. This doctor made his dream come true. He will not let him down. He wouldn't break this promise. "To the little dreamers."
Just as Izuku's about to drink from his glass Abraham remembers very important detail.
"No! No! Wait! Wait! What I am doing? No! You have a procedure tomorrow. No fluids", explained Dr. Erskine hastily. He then pours the contents of Izuku's glass into his own.
"All right. We'll drink it after", said Midoriya.
"No! I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? Drink it now!" said Abraham before drinking an entire glass. "What? This drink is delicious."
After Erskine left the cabin, Izuku is sits on the bed and thinks about tomorrow. He is more determined than ever. He will become a super-soldier. He will make Dr. Erskine proud. One thing for sure. The next day will change everything.
Meanwhile at the same time in HYDRA headquarters, Moya Kurogiri walks in the Akaguro's lab to talks about his late actions. The first thing Kurogiri sees putting him in stupor. He sees that Chizome is posing for something with his katana unsheathed, standing near the big window.
Seeing his colleague, he turn off the light and answers him, "Is there something in particular you need?"
Moya looks to the side and sees an artist is painting Akaguro's portrait in oil. 'How did he bring this man here? In the cave!? In Alps?!' he thought.
"I understand you find him", deduced knows that Chizome understood which man he is talking about and knows his disapproval.
"See for yourself", answered Akaguro pointing at the table. Which shows several surveillance photos of Dr. Erskine. "You disapprove." He knows that Moya doesn't see any danger in the doctor. However, Chizome knows better. He is a product of his experiment.
"I just don't see why you need concern yourself. I can't imagine he will succeed", answered Kurogiri. He still don't understand a point about this doctor. Maybe he have some serum to made a superior human. It's doesn't mean that he every person can survive it. This procedure only worked once. At his words Chizome looks at him a predator feeling insulted. Moya only could say a weak word, "Again."
"His serum is the Allies' only defence against this power we now possess. We don't know that his next candidate will survive or not. We can't be sure that serum wouldn't work. We can't give them such opportunity. If we take it away from them, then our victory is assured", explained Akaguro.
"Shall I give the order?" asked Moya finally seeing the danger in the doctor.
"It has been given", simply answered Chizome.
"Good", said Kurogiri before leaving the room.
"Dr. Kurogiri", Akaguro stopped Moya before he turns on the lights showing the scared doctor his true self. The sight of the evil man makes him speechless. "What do you think?"
Knowing that his life in line he says the only word that would save him. "A masterpiece", he said relieving that he finally leaves the lab
Chizome didn't hear much of Moya's answer. He continues to pose and thinks about tomorrow. Soon his last obstacle will be dead. The allies will lose their only fighting chance to win. And he will win and change the world how he sees it in his perfect image. One thing for sure. The next day will change everything.
