Chapter 8
Eron woke up in the morning. Yesterday had been full of... adventures. He wondered if he could have done something better. Get there faster. Spread such terror in his opponents that they would surrender themselves. Kill a few in public for example. Instead of killing that guy in a duel, he could have set his blaster to stun.... no.... Eron felt.... he knew that this was the only way out, which would only end with the death of one person.
Eron shook his head. This was not the time to think about what he could have done. What was important was what had actually happened and what he could do next. He had to stop thinking like that... because if he kept thinking about every action, every move separately like at the beginning of the Clone Wars... he would go crazy. Hellbound was right... At the thought of the captain, Eron felt a pang in his heart. He didn't want to feel these emotions... and at the same time he didn't want to chase them away. He sighed quietly and rubbed his face with his hands. He had to become stronger. He had to control his emotions... His new master was experienced in both sides of the force.
Dressed, he went downstairs for breakfast. Since there were a dozen traumatized girls on the property, Eron decided not to get in their way. He would avoid them if possible.... As soon as he opened the door to the dining room and found the rescued girls inside. The silence that fell in the room was almost tangible. He slowly entered, his lightsaber hidden under his shirt. He could feel their emotions. Fear. Reserve. Admiration mixed with anxiety. He was their savior, but also someone who dealt with the mercenaries in a way that was hard for them to understand. He sat down in the corner of the room with a portion of rice... a seemingly simple dish, but it tasted so good. Maybe because he was used to MREs. He ate calmly and slowly. He didn't look around... or at least he didn't do it with his eyes. He could hear hushed conversations.
"That's him..."
"Did you see him come out of the fire?"
"... and how he deflected the bullets..."
"He just...."
"He saved us..."
"...but he killed so many people..."
"And that mercenary on the shore?"
"He killed him in cold blood"
"What would have happened to us if he hadn't?"
Kinoko, Ibara and Shiori were sitting together at one of the tables. They were also commenting on Eron's appearance. Kinoko leaned over her plate. Her voice was quiet and uncertain.
"I saw... how he held that sword of light... It was... terrifying... how he cut that hole in the wall..."
Shiori rested her elbows on the table, clasping her hands together.
"When I stood behind him.... when he defended me from that mercenary.... did you feel his....power? And what kind of quirk is that.... the lake opened up for him.... like Moses in the Bible."
Kinoko shivered slightly, clasping her hands on her knees. She shook her head.
"His...quirk is powerful."
Ibara was silent for a moment, as if considering her words. Finally, she sighed quietly and looked at both girls with a calm, yet thoughtful gaze.
"He is truly powerful... but I'm afraid that it's not his power that's the problem... but the way he uses it."
Kinoko looked at Ibara uncertainly.
"Do you think that... he doesn't control his quirk?"
"I think he controls his quirk... but not his heart. He may know how to use his power, but he doesn't know why yet. And for whom."
Shiori shook her head slowly.
"I think you're wrong, Shiozaki-san. If that were the case, he wouldn't have come to our rescue."
Ibara looked at Shiori carefully.
"What do you mean, Nagamine-san?"
"I think someone who has nothing to fight for... wouldn't risk their life for a stranger. He didn't have to be there. He could have watched, he could have hidden, he could have not reacted... but he came and stood between us and those who wanted to hurt us."
Kinoko spoke quietly.
"But... did he have to... you know... kill?"
Ibara looked at her calmly, although sadness smoldered in her eyes.
"Sometimes the world doesn't give you a choice, Kinoko-san. We may live in a country where heroes have rules, but he comes from a place where there are no rules... where sometimes the only choice is to survive or die."
Shiori looked at her carefully.
"Shiozaki-san. Did you just say that you know where Eron comes from?"
Ibara looked down for a moment, as if weighing her words. She remembered her conversation with Obi Wan Kenobi. She thought it was just a dream. It was unfortunately too realistic.... The Jedi Order, the Republic.... she didn't ask Obi Wan what it was. Where Eron came from.... Ibara had no idea.
"I don't know where he comes from... but I guess his life is completely different from ours. The world he comes from is much more brutal than ours. He acted more mature than guys his age. You can see it even now, while eating."
Shiozaki slowly raised her eyes, looking at Eron, who was quietly eating his portion of rice. Something between sympathy and concern appeared in her eyes.
"Look at him... he doesn't seek conversation, doesn't wait for thanks... he acts calmly, as if what happened was something normal."
"No one his age should be so used to violence."
Kinoko looked at Ibara.
"Then... why?"
"Why... what, Kinoko-san?"
Kinoko didn't answer as the door to the dining room opened with a bang.
Kota burst into the room like a rocket. He looked around the room and ran towards Eron.
"ERON-NII!!!!!"
Several girls jumped, frightened by the sudden appearance of the little boy. Kota stopped at the table, staring at Eron with obvious tension and impatience. The girls fell silent, watching the scene.
"Eron-nii... no one wants to tell me what happened yesterday!"
Eron put down his chopsticks and looked at the boy. His gaze was gentle but serious. He knew that Kota deserved the truth... even if it was in words that his childish heart could bear.
"Kota.... Evil people came to enrich themselves by hurting the innocent."
Kota held his breath, looking at him with wide eyes.
"I know that! Go on! What happened next!"
"One of my basic principles is to protect the innocent. I gave them the choice to leave in peace. They chose to fight me."
Eron spoke calmly but also clearly. There was no pride or arrogance in his voice.
"When someone chooses the path of violence... sometimes it can't be avoided. I fought not because I wanted to, but because there was no other way. I fought so that no one else would be hurt."
The girls listened to the conversation between the little boy and Eron. Some of them expected Eron to introduce himself as a hero from a fairy tale, who defeated the bad guys because he was stronger, that victory was simple and obvious. Meanwhile, his words sounded serious, almost... sad.
"But you defeated them, right!?"
Eron nodded slowly.
"Kota. Tell me, do you know what it means to be strong?"
Kota frowned and thought for a moment, then answered with childlike sincerity.
"No... that means being the strongest! So that no one can do anything to you! So that you can defeat any villain!"
"You see Kota.... there is no one right answer to this question."
"How so?"
"I've met many who were very strong, Kota. Many were stronger than me. Some said that strength allowed them to do whatever they wanted. Others said that strength was just a means to an end... my old master said that strength was control over yourself, not others."
"So what is strength in your opinion, Eron-nii?
"Strength is the awareness of your weaknesses. Strength is the ability to make your own choices. Strength is acting in the name of something greater than yourself. For example, I found out about my weakness yesterday."
Kota's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He didn't understand. To him, Eron was someone strong, someone who nothing could break. And yet he heard now that he... considered himself weak.
"But... you are not weak..."
Eron looked at him gently. There was something in his eyes that Kota couldn't understand.
"I realized that I have a lot of anger inside me. Yesterday I let this anger get the better of me. Even though I meant well, I made some decisions that are considered bad."
"But.... you're not bad, Eron-nii...."
"Kota.... Have you ever thought about why a thief needs the money he steals?"
"Well... because he's greedy? Because he wants more?"
"Sometimes it is... but I once met a thief who sneaked into our... camp to steal food."
Kota looked at him in surprise.
"Food? But why would someone steal food?"
"He was hungry. He and his children hadn't eaten in days. He risked his life to give them at least some bread. He broke the law... but tell me Kota... was what he did wrong?"
Kota frowned, clearly confused. His childish train of thought was not yet ready for such questions.
"I.....don't know..."
Eron smiled slightly, warmly, but also sadly.
"That's why when you become a hero, Kota... don't just look at what someone did. Try to understand why they did it. Not everyone who makes a mistake is a criminal. There are people who do unforgivable things... but there are also people who do bad things because they simply see no other way out. I forgot about that yesterday. Turn around and look at the girls."
Kota slowly turned his head and looked at the girls who were sitting nearby. Some of them were still pale, tired from the previous day's experiences... They looked at both boys with concern. Eron continued.
"Yesterday I went to help them. I didn't want anyone to be afraid of me. I just wanted to protect them. When I let my anger take over... I became someone they feared. Even though I saved them, they were afraid of me now... and they have the right to be."
The boy turned back to Eron, his voice quiet, almost a whisper.
"But you did... save them. They should be thanking you, not afraid..."
"I saved them, that's true, but the way I did it didn't let them trust me."
Kota turned to the girls with an accusing look in his eyes. He pointed his hand at them, pointing at them all with his finger, and began to shout.
"Eron-nii is good! Why are you afraid of him!? He... wanted to help you!"
"Don't yell at them, Kota. It's rude. People don't stop being afraid just because you tell them to. It's reasonable that they're afraid of me after what they've seen."
Kota looked at Eron with incomprehension and helplessness in his eyes.
"But...it's not fair."
"This isn't about what's fair Kota...they have the right to judge me according to their mind and conscience."
Shiori spoke louder.
"I'm not afraid of you...."
Shiori stood up slowly, glancing at the other girls. Their gazes were full of uncertainty.
"You saved me...you didn't have to do that....thank you."
Another girl raised her hand....and said.
"I...I'm afraid of you....sorry..."
Eron smiled gently, without a shadow of a grudge.
"You don't have to apologize... none of you have to apologize to me... or thank me... I should be the one to apologize for scaring you."
The girl slowly lowered her hand, her eyes glazed over with emotions she couldn't name.
After a moment, another girl spoke quietly, almost in a whisper, as if she was afraid that her question would enrage Eron.
"Are... are you always this scary when you fight?"
Eron was silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts, and then answered honestly.
"Sometimes yes... my master taught me that fear can also be a weapon... sorry again."
Shiori decided to ask more... maybe she would learn something about Eron... something she could pass on to her grandfather.
"Since you can fight so well... you must have fought many times, right?"
Eron was silent for a moment, looking into the distance, as if he saw images he didn't want to show anyone. He took a deep breath and answered calmly.
"I mostly fought battle droids. Machines created for the sole purpose of destruction. They had no feelings, no mercy. When you fight a machine... you don't have to wonder what it feels. You don't have to be afraid of hurting it. All that matters is stopping it before it hurts you or the people around you."
"So... why are you fighting at all.... why were you fighting droids?"
"My... quirk is very powerful. There is a group of people who have the same or similar. This group was called the Jedi Order. The order's duty was once to protect the innocent. For some reason, the order ceased to exist. Partly because, in my opinion, it stopped caring about the fate of the innocent.... Jedi is a... term for a pro hero from where I come from."
The girls listened in silence, with growing amazement and curiosity. Shiori narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to wrap her head around what she had heard.
"And you... do you still believe in what the Jedi Order once did? That the innocent must be protected?"
"I believe that it is everyone's duty to help those who need it."
Another girl asked.
"Why have I never heard of the Jedi?"
Eron shrugged. Time to lie.
"The Jedi tried to operate in secret... there weren't many of them either. I'm the only one in this country that I know of."
Kinoko, who had been listening in silence until now, took up the subject.
"Can... you tell us... how your quirk works...?"
Eron thought for a moment.
"Imagine that everything has an internal energy that radiates outward. People, animals, plants, and so on have it. I am able to use this energy to do various things. For example, I went through fire without being hurt. I can pick up objects from a distance and manipulate them. Unfortunately, people with my quirk are.... susceptible to emotions. This quirk is very powerful, and it makes some people think that they are better or that they deserve more. The order existed to teach people to control their quirk and to use their power to protect others."
"What exactly does 'sensitive to emotions' mean?"
"Hmm... a person has 5 senses. With my quirk, I have an additional 6th sense. Imagine being able to feel the emotions of the people around you. Additionally, emotions affect my quirk. If I don't control my emotions, my quirk starts to act not according to my will, but according to my emotions."
Kinoko shivered slightly.
"That....that sounds scary....so you have to be careful all the time?"
Eron lied in a way that didn't say too much. At the same time, he included some truth in his statement.
"That depends. I believe that the key to mastering my quirk is opening myself up to both good and bad emotions at the same time. I can...power my quirk with anger while also feeling mercy for my defeated opponents."
Ibara raised her hand to ask a question.
"Is that...why you didn't...attack those 3 mercenaries when I asked you to?"
"Your words and emotions....allowed me to reflect on what I almost did."
The truth was different. If he told them the truth, that there was such a thing as 'Force' and a light and dark side, they would think he was crazy. By lying like that, he allowed them to think of his abilities as something natural to them.
The girls stared at him in silence. The atmosphere was strangely calm, as if the entire world had stopped breathing for a moment.
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Ibara felt that Eron was lying. She understood people too well not to notice. She was afraid that he might be under the influence of that mysterious figure that Obi Wan spoke of. Eron finally left and the young boy followed. She rested her elbows on the table, clasping her hands together and bowing her head. In her mind, she recalled Obi-Wan's words.
*There is something here... or someone... much more powerful. Something... that doesn't want me to reach Eron....*
The memory of those words sent shivers down her spine. She wanted to understand him... she wanted to save him, but she didn't know how yet. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the thoughts that were swirling in her head like tangled vines. She looked at Kinoko and Shiori for a moment. They didn't see what she saw. To them, Eron was just a boy with an unknown past and a strange, powerful quirk. But she saw something more. She didn't know if it was her who discovered it or if it was Obi Wan who showed her. Loneliness. Pain. A burden of responsibility greater than anyone his age should bear.
She sighed quietly, clenching her hands into fists.
"Are you okay?"
Shiori asked her.
Ibara slowly looked up, her eyes holding a hint of worry.
"He... pretends to be in control. But I saw his eyes when he spoke of anger. They weren't the eyes of a boy who had found peace. They were the eyes of someone who fought with himself every day."
Shiori swallowed hard. Kinoko dared to speak.
"So... Eron-san is lying to us?"
Ibara sighed quietly, looking at the door Eron had left through. Her voice was calm, but full of concern.
"I don't think so...or at least not entirely. He's lying...so that we wouldn't worry and stop being afraid of him....but also so that we wouldn't see how torn he is inside."
Kinoko lowered her gaze, pressing her hands together in her lap.
"That's...very sad..."
Shiori looked at Ibara with concern.
"What should we do, Shiozaki-san? How can we help him?"
Ibara hesitated....
"I...I don't know."
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Mandalay met Eron and Kota in the hallway.
"Ara, Kota, and Eron. Is breakfast over?"
Kota's stomach rumbled.
"Uh... somehow... I forgot to eat! I'll be right back!"
Kota ran to the dining room. Mandalay was left alone with Eron.
"Eron... did something happen?"
"Nothing. Kota stood up for me while we were talking to the girls in the dining room. He just forgot he was hungry."
Mandalay nodded....
"Eron... I was actually looking for you. There's a detective who would really like to talk to you. He arrived last night and is wondering if you could answer a few questions for him... would you be willing to do that?"
Eron was silent for a moment, as if weighing each thought before he spoke. Finally, he sighed quietly and answered in a calm, measured tone.
"Fine, but I reserve the right to refuse to answer."
Mandalay nodded.
"Of course Eron... you can talk to him privately, or we can be there with you... All Might wants to be there too, if you let him."
The young Jedi just nodded.
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Naomasa sat calmly, sipping tea with All Might and Tiger. Although his face was calm, his eyes held a cautious and professional guard.
"All Might, Tiger.....we're talking about someone who suddenly appeared, with no identity in our databases. No birth certificate, no medical history, no school history...nothing. It was as if he fell from the sky. And I don't mean that figuratively.....he also fell from the sky with the soldiers who tried to kill him...Order 66...that's what they called it."
Tiger asked.
"Detective...did the interrogations of those soldiers yield any results? Do we know anything more about Eron?"
"The interrogations are... complicated. The soldiers we captured are clones who were raised as soldiers from birth. Their loyalty to their superiors was absolute... until this 'Order 66' was activated, they were ready to obey Eron's every command. Eron was the commander of their army. He led them in the war they call the 'Clone Wars'. He was just a child, but he was already leading them into battle. Hellbound described him as a fair and caring commander. Someone who didn't treat them like cannon fodder, but like people."
All Might straightened proudly.
"I knew young Eron had the soul of a true hero. Despite the war, he tried to be a good man!"
Naomasa sighed.
"All Might... what happens to someone who first grows up on the battlefield, and then is betrayed by those he trusted the most?"
All Might cringed slightly, no longer so confident.
"Someone like that... stops trusting anyone. Or builds a wall around themselves that no one can get through. Or... starts believing that the only thing they can rely on is strength."
Tiger nodded....
"Did this... Hellbound say anything more about Eron?"
Naomasa nodded.
"Yes. He said that at the beginning of the conflict he was... green. They had to teach him everything. The boy quickly learned new things. He became a reliable commander. Hellbound.... I think this Captain thinks of Eron as a son he never had. He also claims that he has no idea why he wanted to carry out 'Order 66'. From the moment he woke up, he was the only clone who didn't want to carry out this order. The other clones... talk about killing Eron as if it was normal... A psychologist has already examined a dozen or so... It's something unnatural... as if someone hypnotized them."
All Might fell silent for a long moment. A shadow of pain appeared in his eyes.
"It's a cruel fate. A child who had to lead an army and fight in the war of adults. And then was betrayed by his loved ones... I know what he did yesterday was wrong, but he couldn't do otherwise..."
Tiger decided to ask a question.
"Detective... what exactly do you want to know from Eron?"
"The truth, Tiger. His truth. Not the one in the reports, not the one from the interrogated clones, but his version. I want to know where he fought, whether someone forced him or whether he wanted to fight. I need to know if I'm looking at a boy trying to escape the war or a soldier just waiting for the next order. Until we figure that out... we won't know if he needs our help or if I have to arrest him."
"Hmph... last time it ended badly."
"Yeah... I heard from the guys... They told me Eron threatened them."
The door to the room opened. Mandalay and Eron walked in.
Naomasa looked up, placing his cup of tea on the table. His gaze met Eron's calm, yet watchful gaze.
"Eron Kai, right?"
"Yes" TRUE
"Thank you for agreeing to talk."
"I reserve the right to refuse to answer."
"I work for the police. My quirk can detect whether someone is lying to me or not. I expect you to answer all my questions."
Eron looked around slowly.
"I don't give a damn who you are or where you're from. Try to intimidate me again, and I'll demonstrate why you should stop making such pathetic threats."
A heavy silence fell on the room. Mandalay looked at Eron warningly.
"Eron... please..."
Eron didn't sit down. He stared at the detective. Detective Tsukauchi remained completely calm. He slowly reached for his cup of tea, took a sip, and put it back on the saucer.
"I honestly don't believe you're capable of fulfilling your threat. There's a NO. 1 pro hero here and....."
Naomasa didn't finish. Eron casually raised his hand and made a gesture as if he was squeezing something with two fingers.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing, detective."
Tsukauchi felt a sudden pressure in his throat, as if something had squeezed his windpipe. He knocked the tea off the table with his hand. He grabbed his throat with his other hand.
Mandalay jumped up from her seat, extending her hand towards Eron. She immediately grabbed his hand, but she did it gently.
"Eron! Please, that's enough! No one will take you away from here.... I promise...."
Eron looked at her from the corner of his eye. His hand was still raised....
"As you wish"
A moment later, he lowered his hand slowly, as if nothing had happened. Naomasa immediately took a deep breath, coughing.
Eron looked down at Naomasa, who was slowly recovering.
"Next time... you can try talking instead of making threats."
Naomasa took a deep breath, slowly calming his breath. He wiped his mouth with his hand, trying to stay calm despite the recent situation. For a moment, there was silence in the room, broken only by the sound of the wind outside the window. All Might turned to the detective.
"Naomasa-san... I told you earlier not to try this..."
The detective looked up at Eron, not answering All Might. His gaze was already more attentive, less confident, but still firm.
"Alright. Now that we've shown each other who is capable of what... let's talk. I'm not here to intimidate you. I want to hear your side of the story."
Eron sat down by the wall, close to the window. he didn't sit down at the table with everyone else.
"Correction. You're no longer here to intimidate me, since you have no authority behind you that could make me obey. Ask your questions."
Naomasa took a slow breath, his face remaining calm, though the tension in the air was still palpable.
"Okay Eron... let's start with something simple... Under what circumstances did you become Commander?"
"I became Commander of the 336th Clone Legion because my Master became General. The order of the Republic Senate stated that Jedi assume command of units of the Grand Army of the Republic" TRUE
Naomasa nodded slowly, processing his words. He began to write everything down in his notebook.
"So you were a Commander by appointment... not because you wanted to be, but because you were forced to be... how old were you then and how old are you now?"
"I was 12. Now I'm 15. 3 Years in the war." TRUTH
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The room fell into a silence heavier than any spoken word. Mandalay stared at Eron, her heart clenching with pain and anger.
* How can anyone... any society call itself civilized if it allows children to fight in war?*
She opened her mouth to say something, but the words died in her throat. She had also participated in several clone interrogations... but... coming from Eron, it sounded even worse....
All Might looked at Eron as someone who had been brutally robbed of everything that makes a person human. His fists clenched involuntarily on his knees.
* How dare the Republic send children to war....*
Tiger looked away, as if he could no longer look at Eron.
* This is a crime hidden under the cloak of law. Whoever those were who decided on such a system... their place is in the darkest corners of hell.*
Eron, on the other hand, sat calmly, as if he was telling how his day had gone... and that was what hurt All Might the most.... that this child... that someone had ripped away this child's innocence....
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"Eron... you mentioned your master. Who was he? What did he expect of you? He taught you to fight... and what else did he teach you?"
Naomasa looked at Eron expectantly, waiting for an answer.
"I don't want to talk about him. He wasn't a good man. The war... changed him." TRUTH
Naomasa was silent for a moment, writing down the answer. He sighed quietly.
"And your soldiers... your people. Who were they to you?"
The four of them watched intently, feeling that the answer to that question would tell them more about Eron than the rest of the conversation.
"They were my family..." TRUTH
Naomasa nodded slowly, as if weighing Eron's words in his heart, not just his mind. However, he had to remain professional.
"Your family... and yet, despite those bonds... they betrayed you in the end. How did this happen, Eron? What happened? Why did those who called you commander suddenly turn against you?"
"I don't know.... I just have no idea...." TRUTH
Naomasa frowned at the honest, helpless answer. He expected explanations, maybe conspiracy theories, but not... a helpless 'I don't know'.
"Okay... tell me then, Eron... what was the Republic to you? Did you believe in what you were fighting for? Did you think that this war had any meaning?"
"Are you asking Eron before the war or Eron now?"
"You can give both answers."
Eron looked out the window. He was looking at the clear blue sky, not a single cloud in sight today... it took a moment... but he started talking.
"Once... I thought the Republic was all good... that they couldn't make a mistake... that the Senate was the place where the government protected its citizens..." TRUE
Eron shook his head.
"I was blind. The Republic exploited everything and everyone. The Republic was corrupt. Even private corporations had their seats in the Senate, which exploited smaller planets and systems for their own gain. Officially, there was no slavery, but the truth is that citizens were no longer citizens, but simply labor to be exploited. While the citizens... first class were partying and wallowing in luxury, the people on the outskirts of the Republic had to fight every day to survive." TRUE
Naomasa nodded slowly, writing everything down.
"Do you know why the war with the so-called Separatists started?"
"Yes... or at least I have a theory... The war didn't start because the Separatists were evil. It started because people were tired of living in a system that oppressed them. The outer rim planets were treated as a source of raw materials, and their inhabitants as cheap labor. The senators in Coruscant didn't even know what life was like outside their skyscrapers... or they didn't want to know." TRUTH
"And what do you think... about your participation in this war?"
"I believed I was a hero. That I was fighting for peace. I believed that the Separatists were the bad guys. That's not true. When... I was first assigned to a system whose inhabitants willingly joined the Separatists.... I learned the truth that I had rejected at the time... about exploitation, injustice and oppression. I didn't want to believe them, because in my version I was the great hero... a Jedi who serves the people of the Republic....."
Eron fell silent for a moment, as if weighing his next words, and a shadow of old memories appeared in his eyes. He clenched his hands, although he spoke calmly.
"... but the truth was that the inhabitants of that planet were never citizens of the Republic. They were only its property. Their voice in the Senate meant nothing. Their pleas were ignored. And when they rebelled... I and my men were sent to silence them." TRUTH
The room was silent for a moment. All Might spoke first, his voice calm but firm.
"Eron... what you say is a heavy burden you carry in your heart. I understand your anger, your disappointment with the Republic. But anger and hatred cannot be your compass. If you allow them to guide you, you will become like those who wronged you."
Tiger rested his hands on the table, looking at the boy seriously.
"You're not at war anymore, Eron. You don't have to be a soldier here. But you have to learn that your actions have consequences. You can't use your power to intimidate people, even if you feel like you have no other choice. Tell me honestly. If Kota were here, would you use your power on the detective too?"
Eron looked at Tiger, a shadow of hesitation appearing in his eyes. He was silent for a moment, as if weighing his answer, and then looked away, looking out the window.
"If Kota were here... I probably wouldn't have done it... He shouldn't have seen this." TRUTH
Mandalay looked at him with a gentle but firm gaze.
"That's why you need someone to stop you before this anger consumes you, Eron. We are not your enemies. But if you don't learn to control yourself, you'll do something you can't take back."
All Might decided to change the subject to relieve the boy.
"Tell us about the Jedi, young Eron... were they like pro heroes here on Earth?"
Eron looked up and was silent for a moment. A shadow of sadness and nostalgia appeared in his eyes.
"Once... maybe. The Jedi were supposed to protect the weak, to maintain peace and justice in the galaxy. They were more than warriors. They were supposed to be guides... a beacon to those who wandered in the dark." TRUTH
He sighed quietly, his tone becoming more bitter.
"But over time... they began to follow the orders of the Senate, which was corrupt and blind. They forgot that they were supposed to serve the people, not politicians. They became guardians of a system that hurt those they were supposed to protect." TRUTH
Mandalay sighed quietly, folding her hands in her lap.
"It's... terrifying. It's so easy to forget who you're really fighting for."
Naomasa put down his notebook, clasped his hands together and looked calmly but piercingly at Eron.
"You said that the Jedi forgot who they were supposed to serve. And you, Eron... who do you serve now? Who are your loyalties, if not the Republic, not the Jedi, not any government?"
Eron closed his eyes. His words were full of anger.
"I serve no one. I will never give my life or trust to anyone again. If I help someone, it is because I want to, not because someone tells me to. I am not and will never be a pawn again." TRUTH
Naomasa was silent for a moment. He looked at Eron with cold analysis.
"I understand. You want to be the master of your own fate. But tell me one thing, Eron. If you help only because you want to... what will happen the day you don't want to help anyone? When anger, pain or fatigue tell you that it is no longer worth it."
Eron narrowed his eyes.
"I won't answer that question."
"Why?"
"Because according to our conversation, I have no such obligation."
Naomasa hit a nerve. He sighed quietly, but didn't look surprised. He had expected such an answer. However, he decided to go a step further.
"So why did you decide to help Kota?"
Eron remained silent. He helped because he saw himself in the little boy... but he didn't want to say it... and certainly not to this detective.
"Next question."
Naomasa sighed quietly once again, closing his eyes for a moment, as if he accepted this avoidance with slight disappointment.
"Okay... then. What do you want to become here on Earth?"
"I think I can become a pro hero." TRUE
Naomasa raised his eyebrows slightly, hearing this answer. For a moment, silence reigned in the room. All Might smiled, thinking that there was still a chance for young Eron.
"A pro hero doesn't act for himself. He protects others, even when it's hard. Even when his heart is full of anger or doubt. Even if he has to risk his own life. Do you think you're willing to bear such a burden?"
Eron calmly looked at the detective. The sarcasm in his voice wasn't even hidden.
"Oh really? I don't know. This sounds exactly like something I've been preparing for my whole life." TRUE
Naomasa looked at Eron coldly.
"This isn't something you just prepare for, Eron. This is a choice you make every day."
Eron looked at him with tension in his eyes.
"Imagine, Detective, that I know what it means to make a choice. Do you know that I had to decide between life and death for hundreds, if not thousands of lives every day? Have you ever had to abandon someone to save others? I had to sacrifice an entire battalion to save two of the four regiments that were in the 336th. I sacrificed the lives of 661 soldiers. Their deaths are my cause, because I chose to. In exchange, I saved almost 5,000. I had a choice. Either evacuate the battalion from the surrounded position... and thus redirect the enemy's attack on two regiments that had a 70 percent casualty rate... or evacuate 5,000 clones, trusting that the battalion would hold out until the rescue." TRUTH
Naomasa fell silent for a long moment. He looked down, his hand trembling slightly as he clutched his notebook. He sighed quietly..... the boy was telling the truth....
"You're right, Eron. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged you... without knowing your whole story."
Eron looked out the window in silence for a moment. Anger was still smoldering in his eyes... but that flame was slowly dying out....
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have attacked you... neither physically nor mentally. You didn't deserve this. I got carried away." TRUTH
A silence fell over the room, broken only by the quiet rustle of the wind outside the window and the chirping of birds. Eron and Naomasa's words rang out in the air, heavy but sincere.
All Might spoke first.
"It's good that you can apologize. True strength isn't about not making mistakes... it's about being able to admit them and try to be a better person. I'm proud of you, young Eron."
Eron thought about All Might's words for a moment... he nodded in thanks. He stood up slowly and said.
"I need to... meditate... clear my mind."
Mandalay nodded.
"Of course Eron... if you need anything, you know where to find us."
All Might stood up and put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Young Eron. I have to go back to the city today, but I'll leave you my phone number. Ah... a phone is a device for talking. As soon as I get back to the city, I'll buy you one. I think Kota will be happy if he can teach you how to use it. I have a feeling that you'll be a great hero one day. I'm counting on you."
Eron nodded several times, trying to hide his agitation.
"Thank you All Might... see you later."
Eron left the room, where only the adults were left. As soon as the boy's footsteps died down, Mandalay turned to the detective.
"Naomasa… tell me honestly. Did he… lie? Even for a moment? Even in one word?"
Detective Tsukauchi sighed deeply and slowly shook his head.
"Not once. Everything he said… was true. Brutal, painful… but true."
End of Chapter 8