hii I was thinking bout this while writing for agito, and I was wondering.. do the bodyguards live with katahara?
the up and coming ones seem to have their own places (I mean like a barracks/dormitory mansion) but what about the main ones? retsudos team? the three crows? wouldn't that leave Metsudo severely vulnerable at night if so? do one of them stay while the other two go home? do they still live in the mansion?
I HAVE SOOO many questions and the orphanage and stuff you went into makes u the most smart about this subject.
personally I like to believe they have rotating shifts and omori being the oldest stays with Metsudo most of the time. but agito is a contender.
(HC first time agito guarded Metsudo while he was asleep Metsudo had to wake up and tell agito to stop staring so intensely. it was so bad agito blinked one eye at a time to "stay vigilant")
Hellooo! ☀️✌️Thank you for this request I love a good deep dive, also this is three days after you requested I may not know who this is but! I hope this helps with your writing and my timing didn't stop you. If you choose to post your work I know we would be glad to read it and comment!!
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We have only seen Metsudo's personal mansion three times. First is when Ryuki broke in to meet Metsudo and we got to see Nikaido has a new guard. Second, Takayama was getting his hand fixed and we saw Omori and Misasa in his garden area. Lastly, we got to see Retsudo's office when he was helping put a team together to Retrieve Ryuki from "The Inside" with Ohma Koga and...?? Ice King dude (I hope I remember to put his name in before I post this)
But that doesn't mean we cant come together to make more worldbuilding ☀️👏 I also added HCs for the women that work for Metusdo there are 500 plus men but only 3 women? They need some attention too!
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Rotating Night Shifts (Your HC Makes Perfect Sense)
Your idea of rotating shifts is exactly how it would work.
Even elite fighters need rest but Metsudo can’t afford to ever be unguarded. He has to much influence which means he has even more enemies . So, imagine a rotation like this:
One guard is on night watch (usually Agito or whoever Metsudo trusts most). They stand directly outside of his door, sometimes inside if there had been a public disturbance. Metsudo likes to test his luck and has been known to walk out of his room to meet the disturbance and they cannot risk anything happening.
One guard is on-call, lightly sleeping but armed and ready to respond. Their instincts are sharp enough to sense danger without the phone call though. This role requires speed and sharp intelligence. Sometimes jumping into the vents to get a better look at the target is required so only select guards are able to take this role.
Guard Teams are off-duty, either resting or handling outside assignments (shadow surveillance, intel gathering, etc.). These teams are always in groups of 3 or more. The schedule sheet for this role is always overflowing to requests.
That system keeps the compound secure 24/7 without exhausting anyone. It’s practical and consistent with how disciplined, militarized groups operate, especially in an empire like Metsudo’s.
Many guards are willing and are eager to go on security but it is Metsudo himself who is giving the orders to have everyone go on a shift. Half so they all stay strong and prepared. And half simply because Metsudo doesn't want to be bothered or feel bothered and limited at all. One thing about Metsudo is he isn't going to put himself in a cage, he needs that freedom.
I can also see him having "meetings" in his bedroom if he feels that the guards are getting too eager to protect his space or constantly being around. It's so they will get that social cue to leave this old man be.
When he feels he is being watched or surveillance in his own space then he will simply call for Omori. Omori is a seasoned grown man who understands the desire for freedom with Omori's outside worldly experience. He also knows that Omori is older so he too also wants his own space.
Now what I really liked about the Nikaido scene when Metsudo first met Ryuki are his stairs! They were massive so much so that 20 people lined up could stand together on one step. I think his steps could play a huge role in your Night Watch Headcanon because:
They’re a test, a statement, and a weapon all at once. So cool
Intimidation-by-Scale They are massive. The width allows 20 men to stand shoulder-to-shoulder. It makes every visitor feel small. Every step forces you to look up at Metsudo.
Visibility of Threats from the top landing. They can see everything anyone approaching has no cover. Guards line the stairs like statues assassins can’t sprint up without being exposed . It’s a perfect killzone.
Symbolic Ascent to anyone who climbs those steps! Because in a way they are submitting, acknowledging Metsudo’s height humbling themselves beneath him. Every business rival, fighter, and executive has to literally climb to reach him. It’s dominance!
Where the Bodyguards Live
You’re completely right it wouldn’t make sense for Metsudo to live alone with only distant security, considering how powerful (and old) he is, and how many enemies he’s made.
Elite guards (like the Three Crows, Retsudo’s team, and Agito) would almost certainly live within the Katahara compound itself, but not in the same living quarters as Metsudo. Think of it like this:
They have their own wing or annex, almost like a high-end barracks–villa hybrid that is private, but close enough to respond within seconds. They are also customized to the liking of each living group. Metsudo takes almost all requests they make for adding to their living areas. He is worried about the lack of roles though for entertainment.
Each of them would have personal quarters, training facilities, and a shared briefing.
hhmm, I would say that there's a difference between The Crow Living Courters and then another wing for Agito separately for when he is in his head after evolving like how we saw in Kengan after his fight with Gaolong. It contains three private suites, meant ONLY for Metsudo’s most trusted protectors.
Massive private suite (like a quiet, empty training temple)
Reinforced walls (he IS thee Fang sometimes you protect him from the building)
Steps away from Metsudo’s bedroom wing
Direct access to hidden hallways leading to emergency routes
Agito is the only guard with proximity so close it’s almost symbolic of Metsudo's shadow, even while sleeping. (I added this because of your HC)
He’s the oldest, Omori has also retired from Metsudo and is now working under assignments from Metsudo on a new personal contract.
He can stay in his own home, he does have his own home
But he has a reserved suite in the inner ring for multi-day assignments
Larger, more traditional Japanese styling
Full of books, calligraphy brushes, neatly folded clothes, a corner with sparring mats it's very “old warrior in quiet retirement” vibes
A place for him to rest between high-level operations
Omori’s suite is closer to Agito’s than to "The Crows." He is the icon for seniority. Old man...
Takayama is a Crow but he is also an orphan of Metsudo and is closer to the captain than the other two. While there are "The Crow Quarters" only Takayama really stays there and even then he is really occupying it he is out at work or around The Captains he grew up with.
The Crows are special! So not quite officers, not standard guards either. They’re elite executioners, which means their living situation is both communal and separate.
an isolated wing at the edge of the compound
three individual rooms arranged around a common living space
each room adapted to their personality / preferred weapons
a private gym optimized for agility, stealth, and assassination drills
reinforced soundproofing (because their training can get unhinged)
Their wing has a “do not disturb” aura. Most staff avoid it. You can feel their wings coming up when staff are simply walking past or around that area. Captains make up stories about their wing that adds onto the scary aura their hallway and door carries.
They’re trusted but also… dangerous.
Guard Barracks (Standard Forces)
2 guards per room, dorm-style but high quality
“Night-rotation” sleeping schedules
A whiteboard of assignments updated every morning
Vending machines, laundry area
They’re treated well, but the hierarchy is unmistakable.
They have a shared Kitchen similar to how we saw The Kure's gathering for a community meal once Ohma had been revealed to be alive. Lower ranking guard have to eat together. This was taken as a practice from the orphanage since most of them have all grown up together under Metsudo. From childhood to training they are expected to cook together, eat together, and clean together.
Rank does play a part in this however, Captains are not required to eat with their squads but most do for bonding and meetings.
I don't think that Retsudo and Sayaka growing up lived with Metsudo, while they were under his care they still went to school so they couldn't have lived in his mansion but they lived with those who were employed by Metsudo like a nanny or guard of their own.
The "Agito Night Watch" Headcanon
That detail of Agito blinking one eye at a time to “stay vigilant” is perfect! Literally gold.
I can almost picture it:
Metsudo, in his silk sleepwear, cracked open one eye in the middle of the night, only to see Agito standing statue-still at the foot of his bed, face lit faintly by moonlight. But that overshadow covering his face is even worse. Soul haunting even.
Metsudo: “Agito… stop staring. You’re supposed to guard me, not haunt me.”
Agito: “Sir, I am guarding. Both eyes must not close.”
Metsudo: “For God’s sake, at least blink together.”
It’s unintentionally hilarious, but it also fits their bond too! Metsudo’s amusement at Agito’s rigid devotion, and Agito’s complete inability to turn it off.
Agito’s first night on duty, learning the difference between guarding and hovering. Maybe Retsudo or Omori even has to quietly explain the etiquette later to him. Of course a book would be even better to help Agito understand.
THE WOMEN’S WING (Private, Secure, and Shared Among All Three)
Metsudo assigns them their own micro-residence inside the compound.
Think of it as a mini-apartment complex built into the estate compact but high-quality.
desk, storage, weapons safe
door with reinforced locks (same as captain-level rooms)
These rooms reflect their personality and rank. We have Mei who is a part of the new edition Special Forces with Nikaido. We have Nawa who is the 6th squad's Captain. Then formerly Metsudo had Kushiba who was a spy assigned by Metsudo to keep an eye on Nogi while Nogi assigned her to keep an eye out on Yamashita.
Large kitchen (high-end, well-lit, always spotless because the secretary is the organized one)
Cozy common room (sofa, table, soft lighting, a TV they barely use)
Tiny balcony overlooking the inner garden
Fitness alcove (punching bag, free weights)
It feels more like a classy off-duty safehouse rather than a barracks.
So I am also going to give them Headcanons as well!
Kushiba Rin cooks or bakes as a stress relief after she comes back from an international traveling trip to find a fighter to join the association
Nawa meal preps like a soldier and gives her leftovers to share
Mei only eats drinks teas unless someone forces her to have a real meal
They gossip about male guards CONSTANTLY. Nawa and Mei never thought of themselves to actually chime in on the gossiping but they have the most to say as Kushiba giggles and agrees.
They complain about the compound's testosterone-filled chaos. They swear they can feel the walls shaking when the men's spare or toilet paper has been all used and they have no replacements.
Late-night tea and wine when one of them comes back from a mission
Nawa falls asleep on the couch with paperwork on her chest so Kushiba wakes her with gentle scolding
Mei sneaks in quietly after night watch, Nikaido's special forces often take on night watch near the entrances. She gets hugged whether she wants it or not when she comes in later than normal.
It’s warm, supportive, feminine, but still part of a dangerous, masculine world. They are outnumbered 500 to 3 goodness they have wildly different personalities! They work in different wings with different pressures. Lastly they all carry different kinds of strength
Their bonding becomes intimate, rare, and incredibly warm, the kind of closeness you only get when there are so few people who truly understand your world.
Let's not mistake anything though! They are properly treated and well respected when they walk down the hallways. They belong their and everyone knows and acknowledges them.
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Hope this helped! And if you have any more questions, or just want a post to brainstorm and world build totally request that I am so down! If you want to add anything or even disagree and have your own headcanons or spin let me know that too! I find it all cool