Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sounds of construction. A sea of footsteps walking across concrete pathways. Vehicles of all sizes and shapes fill every street. Electronic billboards and screens on the sides of buildings are brought to life by talk shows, advertisements, and news stations.

This description could apply to any city in the modern world. A standard of normalcy that humanity strived to maintain. No matter where you come from, this is the life you'd have. It was good, simple, and peaceful.

However, such tranquility must be actively protected. There are forces in this world that would seek to disrupt it.  It would only be natural disasters like earthquakes or tornados on better days. On worse ones, it'd be a sentient creature that sought to wreak havoc and bring death solely to do so.

The public deemed these entities as monsters. The powers that be, such as Governmental bodies, referred to them as "Mysterious Beings." Furthermore, they had a classification system in place. Depending on the severity, the "Mysterious Beings" would be labeled as one of the following: Wolf. Tiger. Demon. Dragon.

In response to these terrifyingly powerful organisms, an organization created by a man named Agoni was formed. "The Hero Association." An institution that employs the best Humanity offers to protect civilian life. These brave souls stand between the innocent and the evils of the world.

Similarly to the system that classifies the Mysterious Beings, another ranks heroes. C, B, A, and S. The distinctions for each Hero class are from weakest to strongest. Those placed in or promoted to the S class are considered gods among mortals.

Admittedly, for the most powerful of the S class, they very well might be. The power they wield is greater than anything ever witnessed before in history. Yet, above even them, at the number one spot, is a hero whose strength is forever without equal.

At least, that's the current assumption, anyway.

The sounds of construction. A sea of people walking across concrete pathways. Vehicles of all sizes and shapes fill every street. Electronic billboards and screens on the sides of buildings are brought to life by talk shows, advertisements, and news stations.

This description could apply to any city in the modern world. City A, a bustling metropolis, was one of them. A fine place to live, like any other. The perfect example to use for a thriving populace accustomed to peace.

But that wasn't the case on this day. A Mysterious Being had appeared, and with it, it brought destruction. The appearance of the creature was instantaneous. No warning or indication was given.

Upon arrival, a fair chunk of the city had been destroyed. Whether by choice or accident, it was at an in-progress building erection. The workers assigned to the project weren't on-site yet as they busied themselves at another location. Unfortunately, even with that good luck, there were still those caught in the chaos.

One of them, a little girl, had been forced to the ground. The responsible party approached her as she coughed from the dust created by the unfolding situation. She wouldn't notice their presence until their shadow cast itself over her.

"Mommy?..." The little girl questioned as she looked up. Her vision was slightly blurred.

Expecting her mother to pick her up in her arms, the little girl received a far different reaction. A purple hand, nearly bigger than herself, reached down and grabbed her. Immediately, she tried her best to scream. But the hand prevented this by applying pressure to her abdomen with its grip, forcing the girl to do nothing but breathe.

"Attention, humans!" The hand's owner called out. He was an intimidatingly tall and large humanoid with purple skin and antennae, with a muscular physique to match. "My name is Vaccine Man! The great Mother Earth has sent me as her apostle! I demand to see the one you call champion! He who stands above you! Should you ignore me or send another in his place, I will crush this human in my grasp! Do not dawdle!" He proclaimed.

A frenzy of footsteps raced through a command center. Countless individuals, all dressed in similar suits, hastily carried out their assigned positions.

"What's the girl's status?" "Has he made any more demands?" "Heroes are nearby and waiting for more orders." "The press is keeping their distance, but we need more people to keep the public in check!" "We're reaching out to S class, but we're still waiting for a response from each member!"

All of these statements were directed at one person, the senior member who was given command over the situation. He was a tall man with dark hair and an unshaven face. Among his peers, he was nicknamed "Bearded Worker." Most likely, it was conceived to be similar to how the Association named its heroes.

Others might find such a thing annoying, but Busho (his actual name) found it quite accurate. Due to this position within the organization, he rarely found time to keep a stubble from taking residency on his face. Plus, in the greater scope of everything, there were far greater things to be concerned about than a nickname his coworkers came up with.

Such as now. An entity calling itself "Vaccine Man" held a little girl hostage, and its demand was...interesting.

"Hey." A new voice spoke. It came from behind Busho and was different from the rest.

Turning around, Busho saw none other than his trusted partner, Jinzuren. A young man with glasses who had hazel eyes and hair. Like Busho and the rest of the Association's employees, he was dressed in a suit. Although, he carried himself more diligently than most, giving him an aura of calm composure and control.

"Glad you could join us." Busho greeted him. "How's it like everywhere else?" He asked.

"Hectic, to say the least," Jinzuren answered. "Everyone everywhere is going crazy over this. And they've all got one thing in common." He said.

"I bet I can guess what that one thing is," Busho replied with a sigh as both men looked at the monitors in the room. "We're trying desperately to find him, but we've had no luck so far." He informed.

"What? He's not at his apartment?" Jinzuren asked with astonishment.

"He's been sneaking out more and more. Honestly, I can't blame him. If you had a bunch of psychotic fans screaming your name daily, you'd want to get somewhere you could be alone." Busho answered.

"Have you tried his cellphone?" Jinzuren inquired.

"He has it turned off," Busho responded with a sigh. "At this point, all we can do is hope he hears about this wherever he is. Otherwise, we'll need to consider our other options." He told him.

"Are there any? I'm not sure our other heroes, S class or otherwise, would be able to remove the girl from Vaccine Man's hand before he could crush her. We also don't know his durability or if he has an accelerated regenerative factor." Jinzuren pointed out.

"I think Tornado could. She'd be able to separate the two before he could react." Busho suggested, earning him a doubtful look from his partner. "Yes, I know, the likelihood of her even accepting to help with this is next to none. But it IS still possible." He said in his defense.

"We could always contact her sister if need be. Although not as powerful as Tornado, Blizzard is still a renowned Esper. Plus, she's always looking for opportunities to improve her and her group's standing." Jinzuren proposed.

"True. We'll ready ourselves to contact her if the need arises. For now, let's hope it won't come to that." Busho replied, receiving a nod in agreement.

KO!

"Aw, come on!" A bald man exclaimed as he was handed his defeat.

High above City M, in a rather nice apartment, two men sat next to each other, playing a fighting game. This wasn't a particularly interesting scenario. Many people, alone or with others, play games of every genre daily. At first glance, there was nothing of note to be found here.

Yet with a few seconds spent studying the faces of the two men, anyone (less they were not of this world) would recognize them. Upon doing so, they might begin screaming or shouting from overwhelming excitement. Because these two men, casually sitting and playing games, were heroes.

The first of the pair was a man known as King. He stood at six foot one, possessed blonde hair, blue eyes, and three scars that lay vertically over the left side of his face. Personality-wise, most people would describe King as immensely stoic and unexpressive, with an aura so commanding it brought anyone in his vicinity to a halt. As for his hero status, he resided in S class and was known as the "Second Strongest Man" in the world.

...Hold on. The SECOND strongest man? A bit of an odd hero name, isn't it? Usually, those who come second aren't put into such a high position in any ranking system. So, how can the world's second-strongest man reside in S class? The premium standard of all heroes?

Well, if one were to look at the man who sat next to him, the same who had just lost the current match of the fighting game they were playing, they'd receive their answer. Standing at five-nine, the man's other features and characteristics were...um...hard to put into words. There...was his hairless head, as previously mentioned. Then...there was...uh...hm...

Ah! Wait! There IS a way to describe him! Impressively plain! Remarkably simple! Astonishingly easy to overlook! All of these descriptors and many more like them fit this man perfectly.

However, hidden behind this incredibly unimpressive visage was something that eluded human comprehension. Within the body of this shiny-domed man was a strength that could make gods falter. This is how King could be the second strongest man in the world and be in S class. For it was Saitama, the strongest hero, who was his mentor.

But, more importantly, he was his best friend. This is why they were currently inside King's apartment, playing games together and doing their best to ignore the rest of the world. It is also why Saitama was beginning to bubble over with frustration from losing his sixth match in a row in their current game.

"I don't know why you do this to yourself," King said while looking at him. "Every time we play a fighting game, I beat you." He reminded.

"Yeah, because you cheat," Saitama replied.

"Dude. You constantly crouch at the edge of the stage and do nothing but uppercut. That works on AI, not players." King countered.

"Well, it should! It's a viable strategy!" Saitama defiantly exclaimed.

Jingle Jingle Jingle

That pleasing melodic tune was coming from a cellphone. It was from King's phone in his hoodie's pocket. Yet neither he nor Saitama needed him to pull it out to know who was calling.

"No." Saitama immediately said, knowing well what his friend would tell him.

"Saitama, they're not giving up," King responded. "This is the third time in ten minutes. It must be important." He added.

"You say that EVERY time," Saitama argued.

"True, but you know they're not going to stop," King said.

"There ARE other heroes in the world they could call. Plenty in S class, too." Saitama replied.

"But none of them could handle it in one punch," King said.

"TECHNICALLY, Tatsumaki could. She'd punch using her psychic powers." Saitama mentioned.

"Yeah, but Tornado only comes out when something interesting is happening. Like a giant monster rampaging a city or a massive natural disaster that she can prevent. So, you know she's a no-show." King reminded.

Afterward, a moment of silence came between the two. Both men listened to the phone's continued ringing as Saitama considered what he would do.

"...Ugh...fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine." Saitama groaned as he begrudgingly got up from the floor. "But I'm not going back home for my suit. Too much effort." He said.

"I'm sure your adoring public will understand," King responded with an amused smirk at his friend's behavior. "Do you want me to tell them you're on your way?" He asked while taking out his cell phone.

"Nah. Might as well make it a surprise. Maybe it won't be so boring, then." Saitama answered with a hopeful tone.

After opening the sliding glass door leading to King's balcony, Saitama walked outside and jumped off the building. Yet...he didn't plummet. Instead, his arch went well beyond the clouds and into the sky. As for the distance he'd travel, not even King would be able to tell.

"This isn't good. I think the freak's losing patience."

On a rooftop in City A, a group of heroes was gathered. Their ranks were varied, but that didn't matter. Apart from their duty as heroes to arrive and lend any assistance they could, these people had come for the same reason. They all hoped they would get a chance to see and maybe even meet the top-ranking hero of the Association.

In total, there were six heroes present: Lightning Max. Smile Man. Captain Mizuki. Skunk Boy Gasmask. Gearsper. Swim.

Lightning Max and Smile Man had been nearby, whereas the others had gone out of their way to get here. It was no mystery as to why.

"How can you tell?" SBG asked while approaching Lightning Max.

"Take a look." Lightning Max responded while offering him a pair of binoculars. "It's in the expression. Before, he was purely stoic with a gaze of disgust. Now it's changed to irritation. And if you look at the girl, his grip has gotten slightly tighter. You can see how much her shirt's being pulled towards his hand." He described.

"...Yup. I think you're right." SBG agreed after staring at the purple humanoid for a good few seconds. "Should we get closer then? We can't do anything from so far away." He inquired.

"It'd be unwise to make a move without HQ's direction. They've got people on the scene. If we're needed, we'll be contacted." Gearsper replied, wanting to be cautious.

"It won't come to that." Captain Mizuki said with a confident smile. "One Punch Man will save the day." She assured.

"I'm not sure." Smile Man responded. "This seems beneath him. S-class heroes typically don't handle situations like this." He told them.

"That might apply to OTHER S class members, but not One Punch Man." Captain Mizuki stated matter-of-factly. "As the president of his fan club, I would know. He's a courageous man with a kind heart. He'd never sit back and leave people in danger." She asserted.

"As you said, you're the president of his fan club. So, of course, you'd say that." Smile Man argued.

"Are YOU suggesting that One Punch Man WOULDN'T show up? Especially when this big purple alien has DIRECTLY challenged him?" Captain Mizuki questioned.

"All I'm saying is that S class enjoys a fight. It's why you don't see any of them responding to purse snatchers, bank robberies, terrorist threats, etc. They only come in when the world's in jeopardy." Smile Man clarified.

"Hmph, I cannot wait to take a picture of your face when he arrives and proves you wrong." Captain Mizuki told him as she crossed her arms. On behalf of her role model, she was deeply offended by this attack on his character.

"Um...what camera?" Smile Man asked. Captain Mizuki's attire was that of an Olympic athlete, which made sense because she was one. So, there weren't any places where a camera could be hidden.

"I have it!" Swim exclaimed after opening one of the pockets on her utility belt.

The camera, which the scuba-themed hero now wielded, was a digital model. More precisely, it was the kind anyone could easily obtain if they walked into an electronics store.

"Huh. I figured the fan club would have better cameras." Smile Man commented.

"We do. But this situation happened so suddenly we couldn't waste time getting our equipment together." Captain Mizuki explained.

"...Right..." Smile Man replied before looking at every member of the group. "Are all of you part of his fan club?" He inquired, wanting to be sure.

Without hesitation, the suspects raised their hands. Captain Mizuki, the admitted president. Followed by Gearsper, Skunk Boy Gasmask, and Swim. However, to Smile Man's surprise, Lightning Max had also raised his hand.

"Wait, really?" Smile Man asked, directing it towards the blond-haired hero.

"Well...only recently..." Lightning Max confessed with a nervous smile. "The idea of a hero being in another hero's fan club was weird at first. But it's steadily grown, and now most of our colleagues and peers are in it. So, I figured it can't be THAT strange, right?" He said.

"Of course not! One Punch Man is the model hero! The premium standard all of us should aspire to be!" Captain Mizuki proclaimed with fiery passion and conviction.

"Gee, that's nice of you to say. Thanks."

Everything came to a stop. That voice belonged to someone who wasn't there. Yet, when the group slowly turned their heads in the direction it came from, they discovered that the voice's owner WAS there. Standing but a mere few feet away on the rooftop.

"One...Punch...Man..." Captain Mizuki stuttered out. Quite possibly, this was the widest her eyes had EVER been.

"When...did...you get here?..." SBG asked, voicing the question all of them had in their minds alongside shock.

"Just now," Saitama answered as he pointed behind himself with his thumb. "I was hopping across the rooftops when I saw you guys standing here. You looked like heroes, so I figured I'd stop by and see how things are going." He explained.

"We...We didn't even see you...or HEAR you..." Gearsper said in disbelief.

"Yeah. I tend to do that. But I promise it's not intentional." Saitama replied before turning to look at Vaccine Man. "So, is that purple guy the one I'm supposed to fight?" He inquired.

"...OH! Yes, sir! That's the target!" Lightning Max confirmed with a nod once he realized who One Punch Man was talking about. "I'm impressed you could see him without binoculars from here." He complimented him.

"I mean, the dude's pretty tall. Plus, he's purple. Not many purple people around." Saitama said. However, he did so in a monotone voice, meaning he didn't come across as demeaning or sarcastic. He was only stating obvious facts.

"Heh, right..." Lightning Max responded, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Anyway, the monster, who's called itself Vaccine Man, has a little girl hostage. He's threatened to crush her if you don't go and see him." He stated.

"Ah. So that's why I'm needed." Saitama said, now understanding the situation. "Okay. I'll deal with this. I'm sorry you guys had to get dragged out here." He told them while heading for the roof's edge.

"W-Wait!" Swim exclaimed, making him stop. "C...Could we...come with you? Just in case you might need help?..." She requested.

For most of the group, excluding Saitama, that question seemed absurd. One Punch Man needing help? What reality would that be? However, Captain Mizuki looked at Swim with pride, for she had taken the initiative to give them a chance to see their idol up close.

"...Sure." Saitama approved with a shrug, surprising everyone. "But if you're coming, we should take the stairs. So I don't get ahead of you guys." He suggested.

"Y-Yes, Sir!" All of the heroes exclaimed. Excited and overjoyed about this opportunity.

Humans. Such disgusting creatures. No matter their abilities, they would always be inferior to Earth. None of them could ever hope to rival her majesty.

That is why he was created. Vaccine Man is the pinnacle of what Earth can produce. All of her power was within him. None of these abhorrent parasites could rival him.

Yet, they believed they could. These so-called "heroes" assumed themselves the authority over what is just. They dared to put themselves higher than the world that gave them life. Once their champion is defeated, they'll know their place once more.

That is if he ever showed. Vaccine Man knew nothing about this human. Well, that's not entirely true. He knew this human was considered the best of the species and the strongest.

Vaccine Man imagined him as an intimidating human. Not to him, of course. But compared to his fellow failures of evolution, he'd undoubtedly be impressive. So, the rough image in the Earth's Apostle's mind was tall, muscular, and had an aura that carried the stench of death with it.

Surely, he'd know when the champion arrived. Then again, because humans are so hilariously pathetic, he might not. Their strongest individual could very well go undetected until he announced-

"Hey."

That voice came from Vaccine Man's right side. He turned in that direction and discovered a human who hadn't been there before. Standing at a distance of about ten feet was a bald man wearing shorts, flip-flops, and a hoodie with a rather questionable logo. As for the other humans that'd been nearby up until now, they retreated to a farther position and seemed to be observing them.

"A sneaky one, aren't you?" Vaccine Man commented while sizing up this human. "Credit where it's due; I didn't detect you." He admitted.

"Yeah, I asked everyone to stay quiet. Honestly, it hurts my ears when they're all screaming." Saitama said.

"Screaming? At what?" Vaccine Man inquired.

"Me. I'm a hero. A pretty popular one at that." Saitama told him.

"Oh?" Vaccine Man sounded intrigued. "So, does this mean your champion isn't coming? Have they decided to send someone else?" He asked before holding up the terrified girl in his hand. "I warned them what would happen if they did that. I will break this small human if your greatest warrior doesn't arrive soon." He warned.

"I am here," Saitama replied.

"..."

"..."

"...What?" Vaccine Man questioned.

"Me. It's me. I'm the guy you're looking for." Saitama stated. However, there was no emotion in his voice. He couldn't sound more bored if he actively tried.

"..."

"..."

"...I am not in the mood for jokes." Vaccine Man told him with a glare. "If you humans think you can deceive me, I will cover the ground in this one's blood!" He exclaimed as he held up the little girl again.

"Dude, I don't know what to tell you. You wanted the strongest human in the world to show up. It's not my problem if you don't believe me." Saitama responded.

Oh, that did it. Vaccine Man was through dealing with this human's nonsense.

"Fine. Do you wish to waste my time with lies, human? So be it." Vaccine Man said. "I will show you precisely what happens when you challenge the Earth's Apostle! Starting with this-"

BAM

A bright blue sky. Radiant sunlight. White fluffy clouds. These were the last things Vaccine Man's eyes saw as his head flew through the air.

After a few seconds, the disembodied head would hit the ground. At the same time, a downpour of viscera fell from the sky. What remained of Vaccine Man, his legs, stayed upright as the rest of his body fell around them. Yet while the "Earth's Apostle" was now in countless pieces, the little girl he'd taken hostage was unharmed.

Slowly opening her eyes, the child expected to see herself still in her captor's grasp. But as her vision cleared, the little girl saw she was in a new embrace.

"Hey, kiddo, you okay?" Saitama asked while looking down at her. He was unfazed by the blood and organs falling from above.

For a few seconds, the little girl only stared in awe. But then, almost instantaneously, her face beamed with an ear-to-ear smile.

"One Punch Man!" The girl exclaimed in delight before hugging him.

"Whoa," Saitama said, not expecting the hug.

"One Punch Man!" His hero name was shouted again, only this time not from the little girl.

Saitama turned around with the girl in his arms and saw a HORDE rush over. Leading the charge were Captain Mizuki and the other heroes, who'd been watching the scene unfold with the Association employees and civilians.

"That was incredible!" Captain Mizuki praised him. If her eyes sparkled more, they'd be mistaken for shiny gems. "None of us even saw you move! Then all of a sudden, the monster exploded!" She carried on.

"But I got it! We can go frame-by-frame!" Swim informed everyone while holding up the camera.

"Try as I might; I could never rival your speed." Lightning Max admitted with a sigh. "You're probably faster than the speed of light. To move that quickly is insane." He commented.

"Uh...thanks," Saitama replied, unsure how to respond. "Hey, can one of you guys take her?" He requested while offering the little girl.

"No problem, sir." SBG accepted while taking her into his arms.

"Aww, One Punch Man, are you leaving?" The little girl asked. Her disappointment at his departure erased any fear or despair she felt from having been a captive.

"Yeah, sorry. I need to go before-"

"ONE PUNCH MAN!" "ONE PUNCH MAN, OVER HERE!" "ONE PUNCH MAN!"

There they were. THEM. Reporters, journalists, and tabloid writers. They were, unjokingly, the BANE of Saitama's existence.

For this reason, Saitama quickly vacated the premises. With the same speed, perhaps even greater, that he used to kill Vaccine Man. Much to the disappointment of everyone present.

Alone. Good. No one was around, and none had managed to follow after him. Saitama was able to relax.

Being the world's strongest hero offered a LOT of perks, but it gave as many burdens. Such as the swarm of cameras and microphones constantly clamoring for interviews and attention. However, as he stopped in an alleyway, pressing his back against the wall, Saitama wasn't thinking about such things. Instead, he looked down at his right hand, which he had used to punch Vaccine Man, and pondered a thought that filled him with dread.

"The Earth's Apostle...that's what the purple guy said...does that mean the Earth itself created him?..." Saitama wondered as he slowly clenched his fist. "So...not even the Earth can create something that can survive one of my punches..." He continued to contemplate.

Tighter and tighter, Saitama's fist was clenched. Frustration was building inside him, and there was only one way it could come out.

"GODDAMN IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"

Chapter Text

City Z. A modern-day ghost town. For as long as anyone could remember, the city was plagued by constant monster attacks and disasters. Was it a curse? Did one of its residents incur the wrath of an evil god? None knew the answer.

But then, as if it were a gift from the Heavens themselves, a savior was delivered. At first, no one thought much of him. A black-haired man in a blue tracksuit. That sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

Yet, that's how the savior began. He was no more than your average businessman trying to make a living in the corporate world. Then after a run-in with a crab monster, everything changed. From that day forward, he became known as the first hero, and eventually, he'd be the strongest.

However, City Z still found itself unusually frequented by Mysterious Beings and natural phenomena. The presence of the hero didn't change that. But now, no one needed to worry. Whenever City Z or its citizens found themselves in danger, they knew with absolute certainty they would be saved.

Unfortunately, this did cause a massive problem for the hero. He lived in City Z and had no intention of leaving since he enjoyed his humble apartment. So, anyone who knew that could go to his residence and be a nuisance. This had become a daily issue.

The Hero Association did its best to help the hero. They had guards stationed on the premises, installed security cameras aimed at the streets, and they made it abundantly clear that the hero wanted to be left alone. Of course, when they choose, people have selective hearing. So, the crowd only got bigger with each passing day.

Every sort of person gathered around the hero's apartment building. Fans. Reporters. Occasionally, there'd even be a few stalkers or self-proclaimed soulmates. Luckily, the Association's security personnel were top-notch, so no one ever managed to make it to the stairwell, let alone to the hero's unit.

Even so, this, as one would assume, made the hero savor moments of silence. No cheering. No hounding for interviews. No pleas to respond to a declaration of love. During these fleeting quiet instances, the hero reminisced about the days when he was still a nobody.

"Would it have been better had Agoni never sought me out?" Saitama pondered as he walked through empty streets. Despite his residency and protection of City Z, many people still didn't wish to live in such a renowned hotspot for danger, which was understandable. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. With his help, I reached my dream in no time. I even got things like a fan club and action figures. But none of us would've guessed I'd get so strong. Maybe, if nobody knew who I was, I could still have this strength and not feel so suffocated." He continued, considering that possibility. "Although, if I'm being honest, whether or not everyone knows about me, this strength has become depressing. I used to be excited about fighting monsters, villains, organized syndicates, and whatever else came my way. I had to struggle and put forward a real effort to win. But now, everything goes down after a single strike. If anything, I'm not sure I need to do that much. A flick from my finger could kill a monster, regardless of size. So, what do I do? How can you make fighting fun again when there's no chance of you losing?" He wondered.

Such a conundrum had been dwelling on the hero's mind for a while now. With time, Saitama observed himself changing. Godly strength, speed, durability, reflexes, perception, the list of powers went on. But those weren't the only things that made him different from his past self.

Ignoring his hair loss (a sensitive topic), Saitama progressively lost his emotions. He could still express them here and there, but mainly in outbursts. In the way of constantly feeling them, for example, throughout the day, that was lost to him. In his pursuit of power, to become a hero who could defeat any foe with a single blow, had he unknowingly traded an essential part of being a person?

"Okay, enough thinking for now," Saitama told himself with a sigh. "I can't let my mind wander like that. I've got enough to deal with; I don't need my head feeling heavy." He said.

After that, Saitama tilted his head back. The sky was a beautiful blue with a few white clouds in view. Honestly, a nice peaceful walk with a gorgeous day was just what he needed to dispel his troubles for now. Sadly, his apartment building was around the next corner at the end of this road, meaning he needed to ready himself for the HORDE.

"Remember, be polite," Saitama whispered as he prepared. His head was still leaned back as he believed avoiding eye contact would help make this easier.

Step by step, Saitama got closer to his destination. With his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the sky, he braced for someone to notice his arrival. Yet when the voice came, he was met with a surprise. He recognized it.

"One Punch Man! Glad to see you, sir!"

"...Mountain Ape?" Saitama questioned, finally looking forward again.

Sure enough, standing where the two streets met was none other than the B-class hero Mountain Ape. However, he did not stand alone. Next to the large man was his typical partner, another B-class hero named Eyelashes. Both were dressed in their uniforms, which were dress suits.

Add that detail with their rank, and anyone who knew anything about heroes was aware of whom these two men served in addition to the Association.

"Ah! You remembered me! I'm honored!" Mountain Ape responded with a smile.

"Dude, I always remember. Why do you keep acting surprised?" Saitama asked.

"Because you're you, sir! Someone of your status must meet with many people, important and otherwise, all the time. So, it makes sense that you wouldn't remember every name. Especially not that of a B-rank hero." Mountain Ape answered.

"...You do realize your boss is B-rank, too, right?" Saitama inquired with a raised brow.

"Of course! But miss Blizzard's far greater than anyone else in our rank! If she wanted, she could easily make it in A! Heck; she could go the distance and get into S!" Mountain Ape exclaimed.

As expected, one of the closest people to Blizzard wasn't without his undying support for her. Every "Blizzard Group" member saw their leader as a flawless figure to rally behind. In their eyes, only one person surpassed her as the defining image of a hero. Take a wild guess as to who that was.

"Right," Saitama said. There was nothing else to add to that. They've had this exact conversation multiple times in the past. "So, Eyelashes, why are the two of you standing on one of the street corners around my apartment building?" He asked, moving his focus to the other man.

"Because our lady wished to see you, sir." Eyelashes answered. "We all watched your encounter with that purple brute on the news. Once he was vanquished and the child was safe in your arms, miss Blizzard insisted that she see you right away." He informed him.

"Oh," Saitama replied, only to then realize something. "Wait. If you guys are here, does that mean?..." He trailed off. There was a hopeful tone present in his voice.

"Yes, sir. We've taken care of the loiterers in the area. If even one of them dares to come a foot closer than the perimeter we specified, they'll be dealt with swiftly." Eyelashes confirmed with a nod.

Mountain Ape and Eyelashes then witnessed a rare sight. With a small smile and a light expression of joy, Saitama breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, guys," Saitama told them, GREATLY appreciative of their actions.

"No! Please! Don't thank us, sir! We were happy to do it!" Mountain Ape exclaimed, feeling undeserving of such praise.

"Agreed. Furthermore, if I might say as much, sir, even without the order from miss Blizzard, we would've been compelled to do something." Eyelashes said as he looked around. "Truthfully, I admire your patience and kindness, One Punch Man. Anyone else, even S-class heroes, would've gotten forceful with the civilians if they were even a fourth of the annoyance to them as they are to you." He confessed.

"It's because they don't mean to be a nuisance. At least, I hope they don't." Saitama started as his face went back to its usual blank state. "Maybe some reporters don't care if they're being rude, but not the fans. I can't fault them for wanting to show their appreciation. I wish that whenever I ask them to calm down, they don't go overboard in the opposite direction and assume I'm about to lose my mind and start swinging at them. But that can't be helped with my strength and all. Plus, the Association does its best to help out. So, it could be MUCH worse." He explained.

For a moment, Mountain Ape and Eyelashes were speechless. Saitama didn't say anything that was breathtakingly inspiring. Yet for some reason, WHENEVER situations or conversations like this came up, it was always perceived that way. Thankfully, the duo quickly snapped out of it, unlike his fans or the press.

"Er, anyway!" Mountain Ape exclaimed once he was back to normal. "Miss Blizzard's waiting for you in your apartment, sir! She said you wouldn't mind if she went inside." He told him.

"Of course not. Fubuki's a friend, after all." Saitama said before he walked past the men. "Again, thanks for keeping the crowd at bay." He repeated while departing.

Instead of a verbal reply, Mountain Ape and Eyelashes bowed their heads to show appreciation. When that was done, they resumed their guard duties while Saitama headed for his building's stairwell. Even though the Hero Association MORE than fairly compensated the world's strongest hero for his good deeds and efforts, he chose to remain in this everyday apartment complex.

To the public, this was another show of the hero's humble nature and how despite his unbelievable power, he didn't see himself as better than the common person. The heroes in classes C through A shared this perception. They also saw it as Saitama wanting to set yet another example for them to follow. Let not your ego grow, remember that we are all people, regardless of ability.

Then, there were the S-class heroes. Their feelings about how Saitama lived his life and how he used his ever-growing immense wealth were separated into three categories. The first believed he was being too modest; the world's strongest hero deserved a life of luxury. The second had the same mindset as the public and other heroes.

As for the third, they assumed that, in secret, One Punch Man was using his resources to further aid the people and the Association through generous donations. However, those who knew him personally, which was a VERY small number, knew the truth. Saitama's only reason for remaining in his apartment was that he wanted to stay there. Truly, that was it.

He liked the location, didn't need that much space, and IF he ever wanted or needed anything more, all of the other units in the building were vacant. They'd been abandoned LONG before Saitama became One Punch Man due to all the monster attacks and whatnot. On top of that, Saitama had been given the property by its former owner. That's right, GIVEN, not SOLD.

Admittedly, that didn't sit well with Saitama for a while. He insisted that IF he were to be given an ENTIRE building to himself, he would pay for it, but the owner refused to accept ANY payment. In their words: "To ask the world's strongest hero to pay ME for the building he's staying in would be the WORST thing I'd EVER do in my LIFE!" After that, well, there wasn't much room for discussion.

Luckily, so Saitama wouldn't have to add another concern to his pile, the Association took care of all the expenses. Heating, electricity, water, etc. Allowing the hero to enjoy living where he wanted without worrying about paying bills on top of dealing with the never-dispersing crowd outside his home. Although, for transparency's sake, the Association covered the costs by taking the required amount from what they paid him.

But considering the number of said payments would make most people froth at the mouth and faint, the price of upkeeping an apartment complex was literal pocket change.

"Welcome Home, Saitama."

An elegant voice greeted the hero as he opened the door to his abode. Yet, Saitama didn't need to see who it belonged to.

"Hey, Fubuki," Saitama replied while walking in. "Thanks for having your people deal with everyone." He said.

A woman was sitting at a small table barely above the floor in the apartment's sole room. She had dark green hair with contrasting light green eyes. Adorning her body was a form-fitting dress that matched her hair in color. Some might say it was a little TOO well-measured as it displayed certain "qualities" she possessed, but she didn't care if anyone noticed.

...Actually, that's not true. There was one person she hoped would look at her with longing and desire. A love that she knew might never be returned, yet she couldn't cast away her feelings. Oh, how she yearned for this adoration to be acknowledged and-

"Fubuki?"

"Ah!" The woman exclaimed in surprise, slightly jumping from the shock.

For a few seconds, the woman named Fubuki had been lost in thought. It was so intense that she didn't even see Saitama casually stroll over to the table and sit across from her until he said something.

"Are you okay?" Saitama asked. "You seemed out of it. Are you sick?" He followed up with.

"N-No! I'm sorry, Saitama. I allowed my mind to wander." Fubuki apologized with an intense blush, horrifically embarrassed by this.

"Oh. Is that a problem for Espers? Do your powers overwhelm you sometimes, and you need a moment to collect yourselves?" Saitama inquired.

"Y-Yes! That's very perceptive of you!" Fubuki complimented him with a smile while confirming his theory. In secret, she was lying. But a little white lie was INFINITELY better than saying ANYTHING about what had happened.

"Huh. I bet it gets bad for Tatsumaki, then. I hope that doesn't happen when she's fighting monsters." Saitama said, thinking about the other Esper he knew.

"Oh...trust me...it doesn't..." Fubuki muttered while looking away. She tried calming herself down. Hoping to get rid of this HORRID red tint across her cheeks.

"Do you want something to eat?" Saitama offered. "Maybe you're just light-headed and could use a snack?" He suggested.

"What a wonderful idea!" Fubuki exclaimed, grateful for the opportunity to regain her composure.

Waiting until Saitama was gone from the table and inside his kitchen, Fubuki quickly smacked herself to stop being flustered.

"What was that?" Saitama asked. He didn't turn around as he was busy pouring some small cookies into a bowl.

"...A mosquito!" Fubuki answered, having to come up with an excuse immediately.

"Ah. I heard they were getting worse lately." Saitama said.

"He...has?..." Fubuki wondered, surprised by that response. "Oh? I guess I haven't heard that. Was it on the news?" She inquired, now curious to hear more.

"Mhm. Some hikers found a few wild animals drained completely dry. They were even missing their organs. I think the scientist on the news said the corpses were mummified, too." Saitama told her while coming back with the snacks.

"And...they're sure it was a type of mosquito that did that? Not a monster?" Fubuki questioned as he sat down. The thought of something like a mosquito, regardless of species or number, doing such a thing was hard to believe.

"It could be a monster. Who's to say they can't be tiny like mosquitos?" Saitama replied, now setting the bowl in the middle of the table. "But they're pretty sure it's nothing too outrageous. Of all the crazy things that happen in the world, discovering a new species is the most normal." He said.

"Hm, you've got me there," Fubuki admitted before picking up a few cookies from the bowl.

"...So, Fubuki." Saitama began as she started munching on her obtained snacks. "Why'd you suddenly decide to come and see me?" He asked.

"We all saw your fight against Vaccine Man. Since it went down with one attack, I assumed you'd be stressed afterward." Fubuki answered.

"Ah. So, you wanted to make sure I was okay?" Saitama guessed.

"I did," Fubuki confirmed with a nod.

"Well, don't worry. I'm not stressed." Saitama assured.

However, despite this, Fubuki stared at him. It wasn't an intense or accusatory look, yet it was still unnerving.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Saitama inquired.

"Saitama, don't lie to me." Fubuki scolded as she folded her arms. In doing so, she used her ESP to eat her cookies. "Those who know you personally know EXACTLY how you get ANY time you encounter a monster. You might not be the most expressive person in the world, but it's clear as day that it bothers you." She told him.

"Wouldn't it bother you?" Saitama asked while resting his head on his hand.

"No. I'd give anything to be powerful like you or my sister. So would everyone else in the world." Fubuki answered.

"That's easy for you to say, though. You don't know what it's like." Saitama argued. "Tornado's probably the closest. I can't say much about Blast since I've never seen him fight, and he's barely around. Still, none of you can take out a monster the size of a skyscraper with a slap. You have to put forward some level of effort to win a fight, even if it's small. But me? I accidentally win battles ALL the time. Something will try and ambush me. I won't register that it's a monster. Then I'll try to swat it away with a wave of my hand since I think it's a fly or a gnat. Only to discover a lot of blood of some color splashed across the ground beside me a second later. Even worse, I've gotten some monsters to surrender without even realizing anything was going on! That happens all of the time, too! A few days ago, I was going to a sale out of town, and apparently, these two brothers were causing trouble nearby. But right as they were getting close to the city, they saw me coming out of the supermarket and immediately surrendered. Like, what the hell?!" He ranted, slowly getting frustrated.

Now, most people might feel bad for Saitama. Clearly, the lack of any challenge was a burden for him. However, Fubuki had an interesting point of view. If he were getting worked up, he'd need someone to help calm him down, and since she was the only one here...

"You know, Saitama..." Fubuki started with a warm smile. "There are other things you could do to help take your mind off this." She said.

"Yeah, King says the same thing," Saitama responded with a sigh. "Right now, he's trying to help me get better at video games. Since he's constantly kicking my ass..." He told her, muttering that last part.

"It is good to have hobbies like that. But there ARE other things besides playing games to help with relaxation." Fubuki replied.

"Such as?" Saitama inquired, curious to know more.

"Well, for starters, you could socialize with others more. I'm not talking about the public or your fans; I mean with those close to you. Spend time with them." Fubuki suggested.

"But we hang out all the time." Saitama pointed out, confused by that idea.

"Yes, but it's as a group. You could spend more time alone with your friends and get to know them better." Fubuki clarified.

For a moment, Saitama didn't say anything. Furthermore, after a few seconds, his expression changed to a smirk, which was alarming to the Esper.

"Crap. Did I lay it on too thick?" Fubuki thought with widened eyes. She could've sworn she was being subtle!

"I see what's going on here..." Saitama opened with before raising his hand to point at her. "You're jealous because King and I haven't been including you when we play games." He stated.

Now, it was Fubuki's turn to be silent. Half of herself was relieved Saitama didn't figure it out. But the other half was screaming at her for being so non-specific with her wording. Then, as if the universe sought to make this situation a tragic comedy, the front door to Saitama's apartment was suddenly opened. Of all the people who could've walked in, it had to be HIM.

"Hey, Saitama. Hey, Fubuki." King greeted while entering. Similarly to the Esper, Saitama didn't mind if he let himself in.

"Hey, King. Perfect timing." Saitama replied as he turned his head to look at him while simultaneously pointing at Fubuki with his thumb. "Guess what? Fubuki's jealous of our gaming sessions! She wants to join in!" He exclaimed.

"Wait, seriously?" King questioned with an excited smile. "I didn't take you for a gamer, Fubuki. It didn't seem like your scene." He confessed.

"...Yeah...uh-huh..." Fubuki barely responded. The lights were on, but no one was home.

"That's perfect! I figured Saitama could use some cheering up after another easy victory, so I brought enough games to last us until tomorrow." King told them as he removed the backpack he had brought and opened it. Inside, there was a treasure trove of digital delights.

"Oh, awesome!" Saitama exclaimed, quickly getting to his feet to look at them. "We can catch you up on what we've been playing lately. That way, you won't waste time learning the controls or playing tutorials." Saitama said.

"...Cool..." Fubuki replied. Her gaze stared forward without direction. She did not see Saitama, King, or the apartment. Only her opportunity as it floated away on the winds of fortune.

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze blew across a beautiful green pasture. Each blade swayed to the North with the gust. Their bodies glimmered as the morning sun rose and touched them with its warm light. Truly, this was a serene spot in a normally chaotic world.

Sadly, it wasn't safe from that discord. Hidden among the grass was a plethora of corpses. Each one, a cow, drained of all blood and internal organs. The poor creatures were dried husks resting eternally in their grazing grounds.

Fortunately, they would not be left for the scavengers to pick apart. A lone figure walked between them, assessing the situation. Once he was finished, he'd cremate the bovine to complete their departure to the afterlife. But for right now, he needed to focus on his mission.

"It's the same." The stranger stated as he examined the cows. "There are several small puncture wounds across the bodies. There's no mistaking it." He said.

There was no need for further investigation; the stranger was satisfied. With the confirmation he sought obtained, he then held his hand out in front of himself and let loose a massive torrent of flame. In less than five seconds, the cows and the grass they laid on were ash.

"City Z." The stranger determined as he watched the dust being carried by the Northern wind. "That's where they're headed. I'm sure of it." He said before following the gust.

Gray days. Something made them naturally soothing, even if there wasn't any rain. Maybe it was because the day seemed to move slower when the skies were muted with clouds. Perhaps the perfect balance of temperature that typically accompanied these monotone moments helped to make them comforting.

Whatever the reason or reasons were, at the end of it all, gray days were wonderful. At least, that was Saitama's belief. However, a big contribution to that was the absence of people. Be it due to the concern of a storm or not wanting to go out, his fans and general spectators didn't surround his apartment building during these days.

Yet, the same could not be said about the reporters and journalists. The city could be on fire, and they'd persevere to get Saitama's picture. Although, that wasn't the case today. Was it a miracle? Had Saitama's luck finally improved? He didn't know, and he didn't care.

This was a rare opportunity for him to be alone, in his apartment, with no one outside chanting his name or trying their hardest to see or speak with him.

"Here ya go," Saitama said, giving his cactus water. Each apartment in his building possessed a small balcony accessed via a sliding door. On his, Saitama had a tiny cactus.

Once he was finished giving his prickly plant companion some refreshing H2O, Saitama took the watering can inside and placed it in the sink. This wasn't inconvenient for him space-wise since the object was rather small. Additionally, it resembled a cute cartoon elephant.

"Might as well see what's on the news." Saitama decided as he turned his television on. He wasn't particularly hungry this morning and didn't feel like making breakfast.

"So, Mr. Kafetch, what do you think is the cause for this new mosquito species? Is it a sudden evolution or mutation? Or has it always been here, and we've only now discovered its existence?" The news anchor asked when the broadcast appeared on the screen. In total, three people were sitting at the news desk. On the left, from the camera's perspective, was a woman; in the middle was the news anchor, and on the right was the person the news anchor was talking to.

"Honestly, I'd have to say it's a mutation." Mr. Kafetch began. "Evolution takes time; we would've observed a progressing change. As for it being an undiscovered species, that's highly unlikely, as it appeared in an ecosystem close to City Z. New species are only found in areas of the world mankind hasn't encroached. However, while I am confident this is a mutation, I couldn't fathom how that's possible. An outside element would need to be present, but none of the corpses have had any discernable traces to indicate what that might be." He explained.

"Fascinating. Thank you for your expertise, Mr. Kafetch." The news anchor replied. "One more question, if I may. Would you say a monster of some sort could be controlling them? If so, would it also be responsible for the mutation?" He asked.

"A monster would be the best answer. We've seen countless creatures and entities with powers that allow them to manipulate the world. One that controls insects, specifically mosquitos, isn't out of the question. That could be the reason for the Hero Association's involvement." Mr. Kafetch answered.

"Pardon me." The female newscaster interjected. "You mentioned City Z. That's where the mosquitos were found, yes?" She inquired.

"Yes, mam. It was near City Z." Mr. Kafetch confirmed with a nod.

"Then that must mean One Punch Man knows about them. If this is a monster, he'll surely defeat it." The female newscaster said with a twinkle in her eyes. Gee, wonder if she was a fan?

"Of course. That's why the Association hasn't bothered sending any heroes. If anyone can deal with the potential danger of these insects, One Punch Man would-"

Click

Nope. Not today. Today was a gray day. That meant no one was allowed to bother Saitama, even if they were on television.

"Mosquitos, really?" One Punch Man wondered while setting down the TV's remote. "I mean, sure. If they came here and tried to cause trouble, I'd deal with them then. But are there seriously NO other options? A bunch of swatters? Electric lamps? Good ol' fashioned spray? Come on. I'm a hero. Not an exterminator." He ranted in his mind.

Knock Knock

Oh no. Ooooooooooooooh no. Nu-uh. That wasn't happening. A chill went down Saitama's spine. He knew on the other side of that door was one of the Association's guards stationed in his building. They probably wanted to talk to him about those pesky bloodsuckers.

"Saitama. Are you awake yet?"

...Fubuki? Holy crap! It wasn't one of the guards!

"Uh, yeah! Hold on!" Saitama quickly exclaimed, relieved that it was one of his friends at the door.

Hurrying to the front door and opening it, Saitama was met with the sight of Fubuki...with a few extra accessories. Atop her head was a covering one would use when cleaning. Over her eyes, a set of goggles, and over her mouth, a cloth mask that would be worn if sick. Lastly, a pair of gloves tightly sealed with tape.

As for Fubuki's body, her usual long dress was present. However, the end of it had been tucked into her boots. For a few seconds, neither said a word to the other. They stared in silence, waiting for one of them to say something.

"...Are you...here to clean my apartment?..." Saitama questioned. To him, that was the only logical explanation for the Esper's strange new additions to her appearance.

"Heh, I can see how you might assume that," Fubuki admitted with a laugh, fully aware of the oddness of her attire. "This, Saitama, is the best I could do on such short notice. My group doesn't have full-body suits or outfits for these situations. An issue I was only made painfully aware of when we had to throw something together for myself before coming here." She explained.

"Situation? What situation?" Saitama inquired.

"Didn't you see it on the news? The mosquitos you mentioned the other day are heading for City Z," Fubuki informed him.

"Oh yeah, I saw that," Saitama confirmed. "But it's only a few bugs. There's no reason to panic." He said.

For a moment, Fubuki was silent. She didn't understand why Saitama was behaving so casually.

"...Wait..." Fubuki began, her minding formulating a hypothesis. "Saitama, when did you check the news?" She asked.

"A few minutes ago. Why?" Saitama answered, followed by a question.

"Ah. That explains it." Fubuki deduced. "You missed the part where they talked about the size of the swarm. It's biblical. Almost as if God summoned a modern-day plague." She told him.

Now, it was Saitama's turn to be silent. However, his eyes did widen, letting Fubuki know what was on his mind.

"S...Seriously?" Saitama questioned after a few seconds. "That's...a LOT of mosquitos..." He muttered in disbelief.

"Right? It took me and the others by surprise, too." Fubuki said before folding her arms and making a prideful expression beneath her mask. "That's why I wanted to come and lend my assistance. With my power, I can crush all of those bugs simultaneously. And with the alterations and additions to my outfit, I have taken all the necessary precautions to keep those disease-carrying creatures out of my clothes and off my body." She explained.

"Wow. You thought of everything." Saitama praised her, worsening her pridefulness.

"Naturally. As a leader and the top-ranking hero of Class B, I must set an example." Fubuki stated.

"Well,  I guess I'll leave you to it," Saitama responded before turning around.

THUMP

That was the sound of Fubuki's hand slamming onto Saitama's shoulder. He knew he wouldn't be able to walk away, but still, he wanted to try.

"Where do you think YOU'RE going?" Fubuki inquired. Although his back was turned to her, Saitama could feel the Esper shooting him a stinging glare.

"You said you'd be able to crush all of the bugs on your own. I figured I'd go back inside and relax." Saitama nervously explained.

"Yes, the BUGS," Fubuki emphasized. "Saitama, there's NO way a natural swarm of mosquitos is all there is to this phenomenon. There HAS to be a monster behind it. That is where YOU come in." She said, making sure to speak each of her points with a clear sternness.

"But I don't have a cool bug-killing version of my costume like yours," Saitama argued.

In response, Fubuki didn't say anything. She didn't want to acknowledge an excuse so blatantly pathetic and desperate. In fairness, Saitama felt the same about his last statement. However, he REALLY didn't want to deal with mosquitos during one of his gray days. So, he had to come up with something, even if it was pitiful.

"...Yeah...I know how stupid that sounded before I even said it..." Saitama assured her with a sigh as his shoulders slumped. "Okay. Let me at least bring some bug spray. It might help out." He requested.

"Of course." Fubuki approved while releasing him. Her eyes changed when she did, going from a fearsome glare to being closed in a friendly way.

Elsewhere, Near The Outskirts Of City Z...

Vacant stores and offices made up most of the buildings found in the outer parts of City Z. Very few were still used, adding more credibility to the city's status as a "Ghost Town." Even if there weren't a looming threat of an unprecedented swarm of mosquitos, nearly no one would be here. Luckily, that was what the city's latest visitor had hoped for.

"This is perfect!" A woman's voice excitedly exclaimed amidst a deafening buzzing sound. "Everyone's gone. I can take my sweet time getting to his apartment!" She continued to carry on, unable to contain her anticipation. "Ooooooh, this is so amazing! I can't believe the doctor chose ME to be the messenger! I would've assumed he'd go for Kabuto or Beast King before me!" She admitted.

Who the voice belonged to couldn't be determined. Its owner was hidden by a mass of mosquitos so plentiful that they looked like a dark cloud moving through the air. At least, that would be the case for anyone with normal eyes should they gaze upon the shifting swarm.

"Target acquired." A male's voice spoke from a rooftop nearby. Its owner's eyes were cybernetic, allowing him to see and detect things a regular person could not.

The enhanced ocular orbs fixated on a bipedal creature at the center of the mosquitos. It was far larger than them and seemed humanoid to a certain extent. Unfortunately for the unknown entity, the only person in the area who intensely stared at them didn't care about these details. All he wanted was to see it and the mosquitos perish.

"Incinerate."

With that one word spoken, a fiery torrent was unleashed. It traveled with remarkable speed and carried a heat that could melt steel. It reached the cloud of mosquitos almost instantly. There wouldn't even be dust left behind once the flames disappeared.

However, the man responsible for the attack didn't celebrate or say he had succeeded. In that brief second of the flames' travel, the entity in the middle of the swarm vanished. Yet the creature didn't escape via teleportation. Rather, it moved with speed equal to or greater than the man's offensive action.

The man knew this was the case as he never stopped tracking the entity, not even when it flew away from the swarm to avoid a blistering death.

"HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA, YOU JACKASS!?" A woman's voice, the same as before, shouted from above in anger.

Tilting his head backward to look up into the sky, the man and the woman locked eyes. Hovering in the air was a being that seemed to be half human female and half mosquito. Her body's color was an alluring black and white. As for its attributes, her face, torso, and thighs were human. Her arms, legs from the knees down, the abdomen that sprouted above her posterior, and the proboscis with a set of insect eyes resting atop her head all matched that of a mosquito's.

Regarding the man, he wasn't a typical human being either. In truth, very little could still be considered so. Almost every inch of the man's body was artificial. His brain was the only part that wasn't, making him a cyborg.

The only characteristic that might be his own and not pre-made was the spikey blonde hair on his head. Other than that, everything else was most likely made for him. That is unless he happened to be a super genius, which the mosquito woman didn't assume due to his barbaric attempt at assaulting her.

"Impressive. You were able to dodge." The cyborg complimented her.

"Well, DUH." The mosquito woman replied, clearly mocking him. "If a little bit of fire could kill me, I wouldn't have been sent on this mission." She said.

"Mission? Someone sent you?" The cyborg questioned. Admittedly, he didn't expect her to share any details. But still, he needed to try and learn as much as he could.

"Why, yes. Someone did." The mosquito woman confirmed with a nod and a prideful smirk. Followed by her placing one of her scarily large clawed hands over her chest. "I was sent by the great doctor Genus. Founder of the House of Evolution and my creator." She proudly stated.

"Is that so?" The cyborg responded, taking mental notes. "Tell me, what is your mission? How did killing several wild and farm animals contribute to it?" He asked.

"Oh, those? I was just hungry." The mosquito woman answered with a shrug. "As for my mission, sorry, it's confidential." She said before turning away. "Speaking of, I need to get back to it. See you later, metal man." She told him.

FWOOM

Another torrent of fire. However, the mosquito woman anticipated it. Hence, she turned and dive-bombed the cyborg when it came her way. In reaction, the cyborg dodged, but only barely.

"Ooo, you're quick."  The mosquito woman noted after her proboscis stabbed the ground with a scarily high amount of power and ease.

"I knew it. You came to this city looking to cause harm to its citizens. Undoubtedly, you want to drain them of their blood as you did the animals." The cyborg said as he landed on his feet a small distance from her.

"Were you not listening, jackass?" The mosquito woman questioned, deciding that would be how she'd address him. "I'm here on a MISSION. I'm attacking YOU because YOU tried to light me on fire. It's self-defense, nothing more." She explained.

"If that were the case, you wouldn't have killed those animals." The cyborg argued, making her sigh.

"GEEZ. You're SO hung up on that, huh?" The mosquito woman groaned. "Look, jackass, I wanted a little snack before I came here. I might've overindulged, but that's not why I came here. How many times do I have to repeat myself?" She asked.

"If your idea of a snack is to drain a creature of its blood and organs, that says everything. Anything else is an obvious attempt to deceive me and make me lower my guard." The cyborg answered while taking a fighting stance. "A monster will not fool me. Especially one as off-putting as you." He stated.

"...Off-putting?..." The mosquito woman questioned. Her eyes were wide, and her teeth were tightly clenched. "Fine. I can spare a few minutes to reduce you to scrap, jackass. I tried to be polite like the doctor ordered. But I won't let you live after insulting me like that!" She exclaimed before rushing at him again.

Meanwhile, Closer To The Inner City...

"So...how are we going to find them?" Saitama asked. His arms were behind his head as it was tilted back. He looked to the sky to spot a single mosquito buzzing overhead, only to find none.

For the last ten minutes, Saitama and Fubuki had been walking the empty streets of City Z. Alone. Together. Side-by-side. The minimal distance between them.

This, right here, was what Fubuki had planned. However, don't assume her intentions were entirely self-interested. She did want to assist Saitama because he was her friend, and it was the right thing to do. Additionally, it would bring attention not only to her but also to her group.

Sure, getting some quality alone time with Saitama WAS the best part of the situation for Fubuki. She wouldn't deny that if anyone dared to ask her. Yet, in her defense, she needed to do everything she could to have moments like this with him. Ignoring the fans and the journalists, another group sought to keep Saitama to themselves: S Class.

Each member of the same ranking as Saitama wanted something from him. Silver Fang, for example, wanted DESPERATELY to have the single-strike superhero become a disciple of his dojo. Admittedly, of every S-Class hero, Silver Fang had the greatest advantage since he lived outside City Z at the top of a nearby mountain range! Talk about crazy good luck!

Then there was Metal Knight. He took as many opportunities as possible to study Saitama by either fighting his machines for combat data or having him test out new equipment used for Association examinations to try and gauge his strength. If the mechanical genius could create an artificial warrior on par with One Punch Man, dear lord, no force in the world could stand against the heroes. Metal Knight would be able to create an unstoppable robot army!

The list went on from there, but you get the point. Fubuki had to put forward her best effort to have quality experiences with Saitama, especially since there was ONE member of S-Class she feared spending time with him the most. And no matter what that pint-sized mouthy she-devil said or did, Fubuki wouldn't allow her-

Clap

That unexpected noise brought Fubuki back to reality. After a few seconds of blinking and quickly looking around, she discovered they were at a four-way intersection.

"It happened again," Saitama told her with a look of concern while lowering his arms. "You spaced out the same way from a few days ago. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

"DAMN IT, WOMAN. GET IT TOGETHER." The Esper angrily screamed at herself in her mind. "No, Saitama. You're mistaken. I was trying to detect the mosquitos for us since you asked how we'd find them." She told him, lying like a pro.

"Oh. Wow. I didn't think detecting other people was one of your psychic abilities. I thought all you could do with it was lift, throw, and crush things." Saitama confessed.

"It's...a form of telepathy!" Fubuki exclaimed, her brain racing to think of an explanation. "Much like how my sister and I can contact one another over long distances, I can sense others' presence through the same method. Think of it as telepathy without the communication aspect." She said.

"Wow. That must come in handy when hunting monsters with your group." Saitama replied.

"It is. It also allows me to know the status of each member and the smaller teams we split into when doing daily patrols or tackling a mission that requires us to separate." Fubuki stated.

"Cool," Saitama responded before taking a look around himself. "So, did you sense anything?" He inquired.

Before Fubuki could answer that question, the serene stillness of the vacant city would be disrupted by an explosion of fire and light. Also, debris. A LOT.

BOOM

The surprise of the incident made it seem like time had slowed. A building on the road in front of them erupted in destructive delight. Amidst the many chunks and the raging inferno that flew from it, a single figure could be seen. It was initially difficult to discern who or what they were, but soon, Saitama and Fubuki could tell it was a man.

Yet before the Esper could try to catch the individual with her power, the casually-dressed powerhouse standing next to her was already in the air. The speed at which he moved and jumped was extraordinary. Fubuki's attention was diverted from the unknown man to him because it was so spectacular. But fortunately, before she could have another "spell" of lightheadedness come over her, Saitama caught the falling person in his arms and safely landed on the ground.

Once back on the street, Saitama, even as fiery rubble rained around him, examined the status of the mysterious man. He looked a good number of years younger than him, around twenty, Saitama estimated. The young adult possessed a headful of blonde hair and, more interestingly, a fully robotic body. Unfortunately, as Saitama expected, the cyborg in his arms had been rendered unconscious after his violent collision with the building.

...Or...was he deactivated? Rebooting? Updating his operating system? Come to think of it, Saitama didn't know anything about cyborgs. Uh oh. What if he was dead and Saitama couldn't tell?

"Uh...Fubuki!" Saitama exclaimed as he looked over his shoulder. "Could you come over here? I need you to tell me if this guy's still alive!" He requested.

Not bothering with a verbal reply due to the urgency of that statement, Fubuki hurried to Saitama's side. Like him, she was amazed to discover that the man was mostly a machine; however, that lasted only a moment before she quickly began assessing his condition.

"...He's alive. I'm sure of it." Fubuki informed Saitama after a few seconds. "He's only unconscious. If he were dead, I wouldn't be able to try and connect with his mind." She added.

"Oh. That's good." Saitama said with a smile and a sigh of relief. "So, that means he has a brain then, right?" He asked.

"Correct," Fubuki confirmed with a nod as she started to look at the cyborg's body. "He's badly damaged, but it's also focused on his arms, legs, and chest. I don't think there's any doubt that he was in a fight." She determined.

"Yeah. I was thinking the same thing." Saitama shared. "But who was he fighting? They'd have to be pretty strong to send him through a building." He wondered.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

That sound sent a shiver through Fubuki's spine. Saitama was unaffected. Both slowly looked up at the ruins of the building the cyborg came from. Emerging out of the destroyed structure was a dark cloud moving at an incredible speed.

"Huh. How about that? It's the mosquitos." Saitama commented before looking at the Esper next to him. "Alright. Do your thing." He said.

"Uh...right," Fubuki replied. She didn't have a phobia of insects. Yet seeing so many parasitic creepy crawlers all buzzing in the sky did unsettle her.

Despite this uneasiness, the Hellish Blizzard wasn't about to be bested by pests. After a quick inhale and exhale to steady herself, Fubuki handled their tiny foes with little issue. A simple barrier to contain them, followed by its collapse to crush them.

CRUNCH

The sound of every mosquito's body being squished combined to form a rather distressing noise. A few seconds later, the mass that was their corpses landed on the Earth below. If only frogs or lizards were nearby, they'd happily clean this mess in no time.

"Ugh..." Fubuki groaned with a full-body shiver. "Even though I didn't physically touch them, that was still uncomfortable." She admitted.

"I bet," Saitama responded as he looked down at the still-slumbering cyborg in his possession. "Honestly though, it's impressive a swarm of bugs was able to be a challenge for someone like this dude, let alone be strong enough to force him through a building." He said.

Suddenly, from above, yet again, a new disruption interrupted the duo's conversation. But unlike before, it wasn't something as flashy as an explosion. Instead, it was hearty laughter.

"Oh, how hilarious that is! Do you ACTUALLY believe those drones are responsible?" A woman's voice questioned after the chortling. "They're good for gathering food, don't get me wrong. But if you're looking for who sent that jackass flying, that'd be me." It claimed.

Looking to the sky a second time, Saitama and Fubuki saw what appeared to be a half-human half-insect person. Furthermore, even if she hadn't spoken, revealing herself to be female with her voice. The duo would've immediately learned that as the hybrid had impressive "features" on full display. Fubuki, in particular, was bothered by this for a few reasons.

"Ah. So, it was you." Saitama casually said. As expected, there was no reaction of alarm or surprise from him.

"That it was!" The insect lady confirmed while placing a clawed hand over her ample bosom. "I, Mosquito Girl, am responsible for putting that rude metal jackass in his proper-"

She stopped. As Mosquito Girl looked down at the man and woman on the ground, she studied their notable features. Regarding the woman, she was mostly green and dressed in such a way that gave off the impression she was on her way to clean something. As for the man, Mosquito Girl recognized him INSTANTLY.

"...Shit..." Saitama cursed under his breath with widened eyes.

"Saitama? What's wrong?" Fubuki inquired, having heard him. "Is she going to attack us? Do I need to erect a barrier?" She pressed.

"No, it's worse than that." Saitama began, a noticeable fear present in his voice. "I know that look. I know what's coming. She's...She's..." He stammered, unable to get the words out.

As if time was on a repeating loop, a sound came from above, interrupting their conversation. It wasn't an explosion this time. Nor was it the buzzing of a swarm. The noise was high-pitched and pierced the air like a sharpened arrow.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Mosquito Girl squealed in delight with an ear-to-ear grin.

"Fubuki! Take him!" Saitama exclaimed with panic while handing the unconscious cyborg to her.

Stunned by the squealing and the unexpected action, Fubuki couldn't say anything while accepting the limp man from Saitama. This unintended silence on her part would continue, and her shock would worsen. Why? Because the reason Saitama seemed so frightened and desperate to get rid of the cyborg revealed itself in the following seconds.

In the blink of an eye, Mosquito Girl dove from the sky, aiming right for Saitama. In reaction, he held out one of his hands. However, it wasn't balled into a fist. The hand was open, and the fingers were outstretched, forming the universally recognized sign for "stop."

Sadly, this attempt was in vain. Although Saitama assumed it would be. After all, that look Mosquito Girl had on her face belonged to a specific type of person. One that Saitama dreaded above any other. An Ultimate Fan.

"ONE PUNCH MAN!" Mosquito Girl gleefully shouted as she hugged him, ignoring his non-verbal command to halt. Due to their height difference, she lifted him from the ground for the embrace. "I FOUND YOU! NO, WAIT, YOU CAME TO SEE ME! YOU KNEW I WAS HERE LOOKING FOR YOU!" She "deduced" while continuing to squeeze the world's strongest hero.

There was a time in Saitama's life when he'd have something to say about this interaction. Something like "Could you please give me some space?" or "It's nice to meet a fan, but this is a little awkward." However, due to several factors, such as his immeasurable strength, Saitama could only be silent whenever this happened. Saying or doing ANYTHING brought with it MUCH worse situations of misunderstanding or people fearing for their lives because they assumed they pissed him off to the point of murderous rage.

So, Saitama chose to let the Ultimate Fans tire themselves out or get through their initial outburst of energy. Afterward, it'd be FAR easier to converse with them and establish proper boundaries. Which, if he were being truthful, had faired much better in improving his interactions with fans than the earlier presented examples. Once these fans got to speak with him one-on-one and calm themselves down, they were happy to be calmer and more collected.

Unluckily, this would not be how things played out. Because, unlike the other times, Saitama wasn't alone. Right next to him and the still-hugging Mosquito Girl was another person. A VERY powerful Esper, to be precise.

"Saitama..." Fubuki spoke with closed eyes. The cloth mask covering most of her face hid her expression. Despite this, he could FEEL the hostile smile hidden behind it. "Why is this bug hugging you?" She asked.

To make things worse, Saitama wouldn't be the one to respond. Unamused by how she was referred, Mosquito Girl finally released her beloved hero and turned her attention toward Fubuki.

"It's simple, greenie." Mosquito Girl began, coming up with a nickname for the other woman. Simultaneously, she released Saitama from her arms. "I am One Punch Man's NUMBER ONE fan. I know and love EVERYTHING about him. Upon finally seeing and meeting him, I was overcome with a pure and beautiful joy that could only be expressed through a loving embrace." She explained.

"Ah. Okay. It all makes sense now." Fubuki said as she opened her eyes. "You're a stalker. You probably dumpster dive through his garbage because you're so pathetic." She determined.

Ooooooooooooh. That was RUTHLESS. However, Mosquito Girl wasn't fragile like her servants. This level of snark couldn't even scratch her.

"Out of curiosity, greenie. Why exactly are you dressed like a toilet washer?" Mosquito Girl inquired while leaning forward so they could be face to face. "Do you clean up the dead monsters One Punch Man leaves behind? I bet that's it. You can't muster the courage to show your appreciation like me, so you settle for disgusting piles of crap. Although, I suppose that makes sense since you're greener than snot." She told her.

THUD

Without any care, Fubuki dropped the cyborg in her arms. These two ladies were about to throw hands. Well, claws and psychic abilities. Honestly, that was WAY better than a typical catfight that'd be over after a couple of scratches, punches, and hair pulls.

Both women were raring to go. They each had sinister grins with their teeth bared. Mosquito Girl pulled back her claws while Fubuki began levitating nearby objects. In short, it was about to go DOWN.

POOMF

That new sound came from close by. Different from the previous noises, it wasn't in the sky. As Mosquito Girl, Fubuki, and Saitama looked at the source, their gazes fell onto a part of the road a few feet away. Emerging from below in a small eruption of dirt was...a mole?

"What the? Ground Dragon?!" Mosquito Girl reacted in alarm. To Saitama and Fubuki's surprise, she seemed to know this creature.

"Yup. It's me." The being, apparently named "Ground Dragon," replied. Its tone conveyed a relaxed attitude.

"What are you doing here?!" Mosquito Girl demanded to know as she stomped to him, forgetting about her impending brawl with the Esper. "This is MY mission! Did you follow me?!" She asked.

"Follow you, yes. But I did so because I had a mission of my own." Ground Dragon revealed.

"...You...did?..." Mosquito Girl inquired. Her anger had swiftly vanished, replaced with confusion and slight nervousness.

"Mhm. The doctor was worried you might get carried away once you came into contact with One Punch Man. If that happened, I was to intervene to keep things from getting out of hand. Although, he did say that applied to any escalation. Such as picking a fight with anyone else you ran into. Like that cyborg over there." Ground Dragon explained.

"But...But...he attacked me first! I was only defending myself!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed.

"Hey, you don't have to explain anything to me. I saw it play out. You're in the clear on that one." Ground Dragon assured with a small wave of his hand. "However, you were about to throw down with that woman, and in the presence of One Punch Man, no less. That's one of the worst-case scenarios the doctor told me might happen." He said.

"What...does that mean?..." Mosquito Girl asked, now looking down at her feet. "Did...the doctor...expect me to fail?..." She added.

"Aww, geez..." Ground Dragon thought, noticing her declining mood. "The doctor said this would happen, too. Crap. What did he say I should do if she got like this?" He wondered.

"Excuse me," Saitama spoke.

During their conversation, Saitama somehow managed to stealthily move closer to Ground Dragon AND crouch next to him so they could talk.

"GAH!" Ground Dragon shouted in surprise.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. That's becoming a bad habit of mine." Saitama apologized, recalling when he snuck up on the other heroes a few days prior.

"N-No! Not at all." Ground Dragon lied, trying to save face. "If anything, it's a pleasure and an honor to speak to you, One Punch Man. I never thought I'd get the opportunity." He confessed.

"Thanks. That's nice of you to say." Saitama replied while offering his hand.

Baffled, yet again honored, to have the world's strongest hero wanting to shake his hand, Ground Dragon happily and politely accepted the gesture.

"Sorry about the dirt." Ground Dragon said afterward once the handshake was finished.

"It's cool. No big deal." Saitama assured him while shaking it off. "So, if you've got a minute, I'd like to ask some questions." He requested.

"Of course! Please! Ask away!" Ground Dragon enthusiastically encouraged.

"Where'd you guys come from?" Saitama began as he looked between Ground Dragon and Mosquito Girl. "You know each other and keep referring to a doctor. From how it sounds, he's your leader or something similar." He noted.

"Ah, you're very astute, sir. As expected." Ground Dragon praised before responding. "We come from the House of Evolution. It's an institution founded by a man named Genus. We call him a doctor because, as you guessed, he's our creator and leader." He informed.

"House of Evolution?..." Saitama muttered while putting a hand to his chin. "I think I've heard that name before...who was it?..." He pondered aloud before snapping his fingers. "Zombieman!" He exclaimed.

"You're referring to your fellow S-Class hero, yes?" Ground Dragon inquired.

"Yeah. He's constantly asking me to go on investigations with him. The one he's always talked about since he joined the Association was the House of Evolution. It sounded like it was personal." Saitama replied. "Do you know anything about that?" He asked.

"Sorry. That was before I was created. You'd have to ask the doctor about it." Ground Dragon answered.

"Ah. Alright. No worries." Saitama said before moving on. "Next question, why did you guys come here? It's clear you wanted to see me, but why?" He inquired.

"One moment, please." Ground Dragon requested before going back into his hole. "I was given something to deliver to you, One Punch Man. If I became involved, that is." He explained.

Giving the mole the seconds he needed, soon Ground Dragon would resurface with a metal capsule. It resembled the kind you'd use in a pneumatic tube system.

"Inside this is a video the doctor made. It'll explain everything and then some." Ground Dragon stated as he handed it to Saitama. "Also, it has the doctor's contact information. In case you want to talk with him over the phone afterward." He added.

"Huh, neat," Saitama said, examining the capsule. "So, is this it, then? You guys were sent to deliver a message?" He questioned.

"Yes, sir. That's all." Ground Dragon confirmed with a nod.

"Hold on." Mosquito Girl spoke up, getting their attention. "Why didn't the doctor give me one of those? Was my mission just a lie? Were you meant to be the messenger?" She asked.

"No, not at all. The doctor meant it when he said you were the best person to establish contact with One Punch Man. I was only sent as an in-case measure. Honest." Ground Dragon answered.

Sadly, both Ground Dragon and Saitama could tell that Mosquito Girl didn't believe him. Her expression showed doubt and hurt. Then, without a word, she took off into the sky. Everyone watched as she flew fast and far from City Z.

"Craaaaaaaaaaap..." Ground Dragon groaned, ending in a sigh. "Sorry about that, One Punch Man." He apologized, feeling guilty for creating such an awkward situation.

"It's fine," Saitama responded, still looking in the direction Mosquito Girl disappeared into. "She seems self-conscious. My best friend is like that. So, I know how it can be." He said.

"Understanding, too. Man, you really ARE the perfect hero." Ground Dragon complimented him. "Well, I better get after her. Thank you for your time, One Punch Man." He stated before disappearing into his hole.

"See ya." Saitama bid farewell with a wave. "Huh, those guys were unexpectedly friendly. I think that's the first time I've encountered a non-human where they didn't immediately try to kill me." He admitted while turning to look at Fubuki.

However, when looking at the Esper, Saitama discovered a set of widened eyes staring at him in disbelief.

"Fubuki? Are you spacing again?" Saitama asked, assuming that to be the case.

"Saitama...did...you just...talk to monsters?..." Fubuki replied with a question of her own.

"I...guess?" Saitama said with an uncertain shrug. "I don't know if I'd call them monsters. Non-humans? Definitely. But monsters attack and destroy everything around them without reason or cause. Those two only wanted to see me. Sure, one of them was a bit too excited about it. But all-in-all, I wouldn't call that a monster encounter." He told her.

"Even so, that was an unprecedented situation. I'm not sure the Association even has plans or protocols for something like that." Fubuki said.

"Oh, right, the Association..." Saitama mumbled, now thinking about it. "Do you think I should tell them about this? Maybe show them this capsule?" He inquired.

"Why is that even a question?!" Fubuki responded in shock before grabbing his hand. "We are heading back to the Blizzard Group's HQ, and THEN we're heading to the Hero Association's HQ!" She exclaimed.

"Is that necessary, though? This seems like a personal matter for me. I'd hate to cause a stir over it." Saitama asked. Although his consideration for the Association and fellow S-Class heroes was genuine, he also didn't want to get caught up in a hectic mess.

"Saitama, as your friend, I'm putting my foot down on this." Fubuki sternly asserted. "Two non-human entities have reached out to you. This is not normal. We will inform my group, the Association, and S Class. This isn't up for debate." She stated.

If he wanted to, Saitama could effortlessly pull himself free of Fubuki and elect to go back to his apartment. But he knew she was acting like this because she was worried about him. Whenever she, King, or anyone else showed this level of concern despite his invulnerability and immunity to literally everything, Saitama was touched. So, he allowed himself to be dragged by the Esper without resistance.
...
...
...
...Wait...wasn't there a cyborg? A blonde-haired one who'd been fighting Mosquito Girl? I...could've sworn there was...Eh. It was probably a figment of mine and your imagination.

Chapter Text

"Man. That does sound wild." King commented once Saitama was done telling his story.

The world's strongest and second-strongest heroes sat across from each other inside the Hero Association HQ. Precisely, they were in the meeting room reserved for S-Class heroes. King, the second-strongest man in the world, sat comfortably in his chair with a freshly prepared meal and beverage. Saitama, the strongest hero, also sat comfortably in his chair but only with a drink. He wasn't hungry.

The room itself was incredibly futuristic. Advanced technology lined the walls. Even the lights and the table the duo sat at were exceptionally complex. As for King's meal and their liquid refreshments, those were provided by the staff.

During Saitama's first visit after the building's construction, he mentioned how it'd feel cozier if there was food for everyone to enjoy. So, the best chefs in the world were hired by Agoni, the association's founder. Anything the savior of his grandson wanted, he'd get.

"Right? I never thought I'd see the day when a monster was a fan of mine." Saitama said before taking a sip of his tea. "Apart from the hugging, she was nice. A bit hyperactive, but that's pretty normal for me." He went on.

"I'm more interested in that capsule and its video. Did you figure out what it was before getting here?" King inquired.

"Nah. Fubuki insisted that we leave it to the Association. They have people who figure this stuff out. Leave it alone. That's what she told me." Saitama replied.

"Heh. Yeah. That sounds like her." King said with a chuckle. "Where is she, by the way? Didn't you two come together?" He asked.

"We did. But she wanted to stay in the lobby for when Tatsumaki showed up. I guess to explain everything to her." Saitama answered.

"Yeesh. Poor, Fubuki. That's going to be rough." King responded with a wince.

"Yeah. But it's better than letting her fly through the building and possibly destroying the hallways as she tries to get here. You know how Tatsumaki can be when she's unhappy." Saitama mentioned.

"You mean her normal state of being?" King questioned. Although partly in jest, that question was sincere.

"Aw, come on. Tatsumaki's not that bad. She's just frustrated there aren't that many monsters that can hold their own against her. I can empathize." Saitama said in her defense.

"Yeah. That's also why she's constantly trying to fight you." King reminded him.

"Which might be fun. But the Association won't allow it. They're concerned that a fight between us, no matter how small, could potentially reshape the planet from the shockwaves alone." Saitama told him.

"I mean, are they wrong? You two combined would shuffle the continents like a deck of cards." King said.

"Eh, very true." Saitama acknowledged.

Shick

That odd noise was the sound of the meeting room's automated door being retracted into the top of its doorway. As Saitama and King moved their gazes to the entrance, they were met with a friendly face. Entering the room was a young man the age of seventeen. His apparel comprised a school uniform, fairly baggy pants, and a shiny metal bat resting atop his shoulders.

Additionally, he was rocking a sweet pompadour.

"Ey, King, Saitama." Baddo, A.K.A. Metal Bat greeted the duo as he walked in. The young hero, given his tone and friendly smile, seemed familiar with the pair.

"Hey, Metal Mat. Good to see you." King greeted with a wave. Surprisingly, this seemed to strike a nerve.

"Come on, man. How many times have I told ya to call me by my name? We're friends, aren't we?" Baddo questioned while approaching. He sat to King's right as Saitama sat on his left.

"Right, sorry." King apologized. "Most of the others prefer if we use our hero names. So I keep forgetting." He explained.

"Hmph, that's fair. Not like we all know each other personally or anything." Baddo said before turning his attention to Saitama. "So, you've caused some trouble, huh?" He asked with a cheeky grin.

"Hey, I didn't do anything. I was out on patrol with Fubuki when things got out of hand." Saitama answered.

"Yeah, as usual," Baddo replied, leaning back in his chair. "I think King's bad luck is starting to rub off on ya. Might want to get it checked out." He suggested, poking fun at the consistent misfortune of the world's second-strongest hero.

"Who would I even go to for that? A doctor or a wizard?" Saitama inquired as if it was an actual ailment that could be treated.

"If we knew, I'd already be cured of it." King chimed in with a sigh. The weight of a lifetime of terrifying situations pressed down on him as they discussed this.

"Aw, come on, King. It's because of yer luck that you even met Saitama! Don't you feel a LITTLE bit grateful for that?" Baddo asked.

"I mean, sure. He's my best friend. But still, did I have to get these for us to meet?" King responded as he pointed to the three scars on his face. "Every time I look in the mirror, it takes me back to when that octopus slashed me. Not a pleasant memory." He said.

"I think they make you look cool," Saitama commented before pointing at himself. "Imagine how much more intimidating I'd be if I had battle scars." He proposed.

"I don't know if anyone would pay attention to scars and battle marks with you. Even if you were covered head-to-toe in'em." Baddo replied.

"Yeah, he makes a good point. Scars only work for those who can't knock down a building by leaning against it too hard." King agreed.

Shick

The door again. As the trio looked at the open entryway, they saw a rather intense man standing there. His skin was pale, almost ghostly. His eyes glowed with a blood-colored red. As for attire, it was a mix of a gunslinger and a private investigator.

On his belt was a holstered desert eagle of terrifying size. On his back, sheathed like a sword, a bearded ax whose blade was sharpened to the finest edge. In truth, the man resembled many depictions and interpretations of a monster hunter. One who would walk the hours of twilight, protecting the slumbering innocents from all manner of horror.

Before Bad, King, or Saitama could greet the man, his eyes locked onto the smooth-headed hero, and his mouth opened to speak.

"One Punch Man!" The man exclaimed before rushing over. He sat down in the vacant seat to Saitama's left. "Is it true? Did the House of Evolution contact you? What did they say? Did they want to recruit you?" He bombarded him with questions, almost as if this was an interrogation.

"Yo, Captain Cadaver, calm down." Baddo interjected. "Saitama knows the same that we do. Didn't you listen to what we were told over the phone?" He inquired.

"Yes. But I need all of the details. The Association wouldn't be able to tell us exactly what happened. One Punch Man, however, can." The man responded. "Also, it's Zombieman. You know that you ass." He corrected.

"When you barge in here and start harassing a friend, I'll call you whatever I feel like," Baddo replied.

"Okay. Let's remain civil." King intervened, not wanting things to get hostile. "It makes sense that Zombieman wants to talk to Saitama. If I'm not mistaken, you have a history with the House of Evolution, right?" He asked.

"That's putting it lightly." Zombieman began while folding his arms. "Its founder, Doctor Genus, created me. The man's an egomaniacal genius. He sees himself as the god of a new, better world. I was part of a research of his referred to as the immortal series. To my knowledge, I was the only success. I destroyed the facility he was using at the time for this experiment. Since then, I've been working alongside the Association to keep tabs on him." He explained before looking back at Saitama. "But, unsurprisingly, Genus is interested in One Punch Man. He probably considers you the peak of human evolution. The fact he was so brazen to reach out to you with his latest creations is BEYOND concerning. We need to be careful moving forward." He told him.

"I dunno. Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon seemed nice." Saitama responded, FLOORING the undead hero.

"One Punch Man, you can't be serious!" Zombieman exclaimed in disbelief with wide eyes. "The House of Evolution is a threat! Plain and simple! Any pleasantries and polite behavior were a front to-"

BAM

That was the sound of Bad slamming his bat onto the table. No longer was he leaning back and relaxing. Now, he glared at his peer with annoyance.

"Hey, if Saitama says these people are cool, they're cool." Baddo firmly stated before raising his weapon and pointing it across the table. "Or are you going to sit there and say that he can't tell who's a prick and who's not?" He asked.

"You don't know them as I do, Metal Bat," Zombieman answered, unaffected by the other's attempt at intimidation. "If Genus somehow manages to get some of One Punch Man's DNA, we'll be in danger. The man's a highly-intelligent sociopath. I don't doubt One Punch Man's words. I'm simply that confident that Genus pulled out all the stops to appear non-threatening to the only person in the world who could backhand his creations and reduce them to a puddle." He explained.

For a few seconds, the two heroes silently stared each other down. King wondered if he should intervene, continuing to act as the mediator. Contrastly, Saitama watched with anticipation and curiosity. What would win? A perfectly-sharpened ax or a shiny metal beating stick?

Shick

Sadly, Saitama wouldn't get to see the realization of his pondering. Once more, as it would continue to do, the entrance opened. From the hallway entered two men often seen in each other's company. One was a samurai, indicated by his traditional attire and sheathed blade. The other was far more normal regarding clothing, yet he carried an aura of wisdom and skill cultivated throughout a lifetime.

The samurai looked to be in his thirties. The second man was much older, well into his senior years. However, this didn't mean he was weak or slow-minded. His senses were as refined as his talent in combat.

"Whoa." The samurai spoke once both men discovered the scene inside the meeting room. "Are you two about to fight? Your eyes say you are." He inquired.

"Atomic Samurai, Silver Fang, it's good to see you." King respectfully greeted.

"Thank you, King. It's good to see you as well." Silver Fang, the elderly man of the pair, replied. "And it is nice to see you, Saitama. It's been a bit since you've stopped by the dojo." He said while moving his gaze to their rank's leader. Like King and Bad, he was one of the few who could refer to One Punch Man by his name.

"Maybe because every time I've ever accepted an invitation, it leads immediately into a sales pitch," Saitama told him. His mind flooded with the old man's attempts to make him a student of his martial art style.

"Well, I wouldn't if you finally realized how much potential you're squandering." Silver Fang began as he approached the table and took a seat. His tone sounded like a disappointed grandfather. "Punches are fine, especially with your strength. But imagine how much you could improve if you knew ANY techniques. Even the simplest ones I have to offer would do wonders." He stated.

"Don't you go trying to make him your student!" Atomic Samurai interjected, hurrying over to the table. "Martial arts don't mean anything to someone already as strong as One Punch Man. The SWORD, on the other hand, is an EXTENSION of one's strength. Imagine. You arrive at the scene of a monster attack. The people all look at you with hope in their eyes. Then, you brandish a gleaming sword made with flawless craftsmanship. Truly, the image of a hero." He argued, doing his best to undermine Silver Fang's proposal with his own.

"Hey, geezers!" Baddo exclaimed, putting a stop to their aggressive marketing tactics. "We were in the middle of something! Save the flyers for later!" He told them.

"For once, I agree with the delinquent." Zombieman chimed in, feeling the same.

"Hmph. So much for respect for one's elders." Silver Fang muttered. This sort of behavior was typical for S-Class, as shameful as that was.

"Sheesh, you two are more hostile than usual." Atomic Samurai commented, now taking a seat. "What's going on?" He asked.

"Metal Bat left his only brain cell at home. So, he doesn't understand the severity of the situation." Zombieman answered.

"One swing. That's all it'll take to make you a talking head on a table." Baddo informed him, tightening his grip on his weapon's handle.

"Eh, I don't think it's a big deal." Atomic Samurai confessed, flabbergasting the pale-skinned do-gooder.

"What?! How can you say that?" Zombieman questioned.

"Think about it. Even if something is happening here, what will our enemies do? Kill One Punch Man?" Atomic Samurai suggested with an amused smirk.

"A valid point. At the first sign of trouble, Saitama will surely end any conflict before it begins." Silver Fang agreed.

"...Yeah..." Saitama said with a melancholic tone and heavy sigh. Earning him a comforting shoulder pat from King.

"All of you are underestimating Genus. I can't stress that enough." Zombieman asserted. "I'm not concerned for One Punch Man's safety nor ours. I'm worried about the nigh-infinite number of possibilities. We can't predict his true motive and end goals." He stated.

Shick

To the entrance once more did everyone's gazes go. This time, there was a decently-sized group of individuals. Standing at the front was the youngest member of S-Class, a prodigy known as Child Emperor. Regarding appearance, there wasn't anything of note to mention; he looked like a normal kid. However, his backpack hid many surprises.

The next member of the group, who stood to the left of Child Emperor, was a dark-skinned man wearing only a speedo. His physique was beyond impressive. Additionally, it shined with a shimmer that showcased the sculpted muscles perfectly. Hence, this man was given the name Superalloy Darkshine.

After him, standing on all fours on Child Emperor's right side, was a man in a dog suit. The fur of the outfit was white like snow, had a simple face for the mask, and allowed its wearer to see via an opening where the mouth would've been. This individual shared a general lack of expression and emotion like Saitama, contributing to how they got along so well. Unsurprisingly, he was given the hero name of Watchdog Man.

Following that peculiar protector of the peace was the most normal-looking person of the bunch. Standing in the center of the group was another very well-built muscular man. He wore a black tank top and full-leg light green pants. The tank top, in particular, was this hero's trademark. Granting him the name of Tanktop Master.

Lastly, the group's final member was a massive mountain of fat who stood at the back and shouldn't be alive. No, that wasn't a mean-spirited comment. It was a miracle that this man wasn't dead in his home surrounded by his favorite foods. Secretly, many within the Association, including the man's peers, wondered if he was an inexplainable entity like Saitama.

Pig God. Another direct and to-the-point name. This man's hunger was endless, like a bottomless pit. Additionally, though potentially upsetting and disturbed, Pig God's body was comparable to rubber. No matter how much fat he gained or the size of whatever he shoved into his mouth, Pig God never strained and always perfectly stretched to accommodate. It was as fascinating as it was unnerving.

These five heroes, somehow, came to the meeting room in a group. The only logical explanation was that they arrived at the same time unintentionally. Although, it was no secret that Tank Top Master and Superalloy Darkshine worked out together. So, it was probable that they came to HQ as a pair.

"One Punch Man!" Child Emperor exclaimed upon seeing Saitama, followed by him hurrying into the room. Although mature for his age, the boy couldn't help but be an excited fan of the top-ranked hero. Which, to be fair, did describe nearly everyone in the world, if not all. Furthermore, he was among the countless who saw the follicle-less hero as the perfect role model.

"Hey, Isamu." Saitama greeted as the young hero reached his side. Much like with Metal Bat, he used Child Emperor's actual name due to familiarity. However, only HE was allowed to use it. Not even King had earned the privilege just yet.

"Is it true? That monsters contacted you?" Isamu inquired.

"Yeah. One was named Mosquito Girl, and the other was Ground Dragon. Although, I don't know why he was called a dragon since he's a mole." Saitama confirmed.

"Why'd you ask?" King questioned, getting his attention. "Did you not believe the Association when they told you?" He added for clarification.

"Honestly, no," Isamu replied, sticking his hands into his pockets. "They've exaggerated and flat-out lied before about stuff concerning One Punch Man. All because they want the rest of us to help convince him to do something." He explained.

"He makes a good point." Tanktop Master joined the conversation as the rest of the group reached the table. "When Superalloy and I received the call, we were skeptical. But hearing it from One Punch Man dispels any doubts about the situation." He said.

"To think, monsters are reaching out to One Punch Man now. It's pretty crazy." Watchdog man calmly chimed in as he hopped into his usual seat.

"Well, they were just messengers. The person who wants to talk to me is their creator, Gene." Saitama informed them.

"Genus." Zombieman corrected. By this point, he and Metal Bat were over their escalating beef and were back in their chairs.

"Zombieman, you know a lot about this guy. What should we be worried about?" Superalloy asked while sitting down.

"Oh, please. DON'T get him started." Baddo groaned, once again leaning back with his feet on the table. "Corporal Corpse over there honestly believes there's something to be concerned about. As if Saitama won't be able to shrug off EVERYTHING this guy can throw at us." He said.

"One more nickname and I'm shooting you," Zombieman warned before focusing back on Superalloy. "To answer your question, as I've been TRYING to stress to everyone else, Genus is a literal mastermind. Even if his approach is genuine and isn't a ruse, we can't be confident that we know how many levels his thinking goes. There's a reason he's been able to elude and outpace the Association and me. Yes, One Punch Man is who he is. But, and no offense, One Punch Man, you can't outsmart Genus. It's not possible." He stated.

"Nah, it's cool. I know I'm not the smartest one here." Saitama assured before pointing at Child Emperor. "That would go to Isamu or Metal Knight." He added.

"Would they be enough to outwit the doctor?" King inquired, curious to hear Zombieman's thoughts.

"It's possible. After all, Child Emperor is a prodigy." Zombieman said.

"Guys. I'm standing right here. You don't need to talk as if I'm not present." Isamu interjected, unsure why they weren't just speaking directly to him.

Shick

Ah, another member of S-Class has arrived. As everyone turned their heads toward the entrance, their curious sights were met with-

...
...
...

The room turned cold. Everyone, even the experienced Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai, felt their bodies stiffen. It wasn't another small group of their colleagues nor a friendly face. The person who had arrived was the only female member of S-Class. The Tornado of Terror.

Now, the others weren't stunned because of social awkwardness. The kind you would see in a comedic setting about how boys and/or men don't know how to talk or interact with women. The present members of S-Class were frozen in place because of the aura Tornado exuded. With only a furrowed brow and unwavering glare, she turned the atmosphere of the meeting room into an inhospitable arctic wasteland.

Normally, certain members, such as the aforementioned sword wielder and martial arts master, wouldn't be affected by Tornado's chilling effect on the room. Her usual state of being, as mentioned earlier by King, wasn't exactly chipper or joyful. Tornado always seemed annoyed, irritated, or flat-out pissed about something. As such, most of S-Class had grown accustomed to her prickly personality.

However, whenever something with One Punch Man came up, to be blunt, Shit. Got. Real. That cactus-like attitude of hers became uber-hostile. Objects around Tornado's person would begin to levitate either intentionally or not. And if you found yourself unlucky enough to be near her when this happened, there was a non-zero chance that you'd be killed by accident. Or on purpose, depending on if you were dumb enough to try and interact or speak with her.

No one in S-Class knew why this happened. They were aware of Tornado's fixation on One Punch Man, but the reason was a mystery. Most assumed it was a matter of pecking order. Blast, the consistently absent member, was Tornado's mentor and the second most powerful. Perhaps, due to his position as the head of S-Class, she believed One Punch Man should behave more like a leader.

Although, there was the other possible explanation that the rest subscribed to. Tornado hated the weak. To her, it was about being strong and nothing else, something she picked up from Blast. So, having someone like One Punch Man surpass them in strength and ability could be the source of her anger since all he did was basic training. A battle of superiority that One Punch Man couldn't care less about.

Yet, amidst all of this, King had a third hypothesis. Funnily enough, it didn't come to be with Tornado, but her sister, Blizzard. Admittedly though, it was HEAVY speculation and something that appeared in his mind during a laid-back session of late-night solo gaming. He truthfully didn't have any proof or evidence to support it, only observations of behavior between the sisters that could easily be explained as quirks that they shared due to being siblings.

Of course, in the end, all of this theory crafting and mental musing didn't matter. Regardless of the reason, Tornado was so consistently bothered by One Punch Man that no one wanted to be near her when they came together. But, in times like this, there was NO way to avoid being in close proximity.

So, everyone watched as Tornado made her approach. Despite being quite short and petite, almost resembling a child, this didn't make her any less intimidating. Regarding the other details of her appearance, she had long, bright green locks and vibrant eyes of the same color. Her attire was a set of black shoes and a matching dress of peculiar design. It honestly borderlines on being impractical.

After a few seconds, Tornado stood beside the seated One Punch Man. On the opposite side, Child Emperor backed away when she reached him out of concern for his safety.

"Hey, Tatsumaki." Saitama greeted, the only one unaffected by her aura. "Where's Fubuki? Don't tell me you made her go home." He asked.

SMACK

All of the other heroes felt their eyes shoot wide open. A few nearly jumped out of their seats from shock. With NO hesitation, Tornado immediately slapped One Punch Man as hard as she could when he finished his question. The least surprising thing about this was his lack of reaction since A. That slap did nothing and B. This was a typical interaction between them.

"WHY didn't you call me?" Tatsumaki inquired as she put her hands on her hips. "I thought we AGREED that if ANYTHING worth OUR time happened, WE would call each OTHER." She said, making sure to use as much emphasis as possible.

"Oh. That's what this is about." Saitama stated, only worsening her ire.

"WHAT ELSE WOULD IT BE ABOUT BALDY?!" Tatsumaki shouted, already up to her limit with his foolishness.

"I don't know. Every single time we meet, you have something to complain about." Saitama began as he raised one of his hands to start counting. "We don't spar enough. We don't go out on patrols. Why do you waste your time on King? Why does King spend so much time with you? If King gets to come over, I should too. What's so great about King's apartment? Mine's better." He listed.

"I don't like how often I come up..." King thought, a wave of despair and fear washing over him as it seemed he was in Tornado's crosshairs.

"THOSE TIMES ARE DIFFERENT!" Tatsumaki shouted in response while jabbing her finger into his chest. "You know EXACTLY why all of us were called! Don't play dumb!" She scolded.

"Even so, I don't get why you're mad. It doesn't make sense. Fubuki and I were only expecting mosquitos and a regular monster encounter. There was no way we could've known how things would play out." Saitama said.

That was a sound and logical statement One Punch Man just gave. However, Tornado couldn't give a hoot. She was steaming, and she wanted to let it out. So, that's precisely what she did.

Tornado unleashed a barrage of creatively worded insults and remarks at One Punch Man, who took them all with no reaction for nearly twenty minutes. Everyone else got something to eat and drink while watching this impressive display of Tornado's lung capacity. Fubuki eventually came to the meeting room with two more members of S-Class during this span. The explanation is that she purposefully waited in the lobby for the other heroes to warn them that her sister was likely having a tantrum in the meeting room, which she was.

Yet, despite their best efforts to wait for Tornado to tire herself, they weren't good enough. They arrived near the end of her shouting and got some food and refreshments like the rest. When the green-haired hero was finally through, she demanded the seat next to Saitama. Not wanting to be turned into a pancake on the wall, King abided without any resistance.

After she was seated and ordered some tea to help soothe her throat, Tornado sat quietly and sipped her beverage. Now that their ears weren't being assaulted, the others could take a headcount of who was there. In short, the list of S-rank heroes was almost complete. But, unfortunately, they were certain that two of their members wouldn't be arriving.

Regarding the heroes who entered with Fubuki, they were Flashy Flash and Drive Knight. Speaking of the former first, he was a master in swordsmanship and ninjutsu. Appearance-wise, Flashy Flash was of average height, possessed long blonde hair and sharp blue eyes, and wore an attire that was simplistic yet matched his hero name. Consisting of a dark-blue body suit, with armor plating in various places, topped off with a white cape for added flair and hairclips that resembled four-pointed stars.

Moving onto the latter, Drive Knight was a bit of an enigma. Robot or cyborg, no one could say definitively which he was. They'd seen him eat, such as now, but that wasn't enough to say for certain that there were organic components within him. Of all the perplexing things in this world, a machine that can taste and process food like a person was nowhere close to being the weirdest.

Furthermore, Drive Knight was immensely secret. Quite possibly the tightest-lipped hero in S rank and the Association at large. No one could tell what was on his mind, only that he was always thinking. The hero's personality and approach to any situation were tactical and methodical.

This did mean that, alongside the quiet demeanor, Drive Knight wasn't the most expressive person in the world. Ignoring the mask that covered his face, of course. He never showed much emotion in his speech or interactions with people. This added credibility to the idea that the hero was a full machine. But, again, that was only speculation.

Drive Knight's visage was equally mysterious. Long, spikey black hair sprouted from his head. As mentioned, a white mask with a small slit for vision concealed his face. Within that opening, a single red optic stared unblinkingly at whatever was around him. Body-wise, Drive Knight resembled a suit of medieval armor given life; the color was mostly black with a bit of gray here and there.

With these two accounted for, every member of the S-Class that would attend was here. The only exceptions were Blast, who NEVER showed, and Puri-Puri Prisoner. His absence was for reasons that cannot be mentioned. Trust me.

Although, if we're being truthful, there WAS one more member. But technically speaking, he never showed, either. In his place would be a stand-in. A means for him to communicate and interact with others if needed. But he could just as easily talk via transmission or otherwise, so there was RARELY a time when he felt compelled to offer a physical replacement.

If anything, that last member, known as Metal Knight, was more than likely speaking with the Association's leaders about the current situation. As well as assisting with the examination of the capsule and its message.

Shick

Speak of the devil. As everyone was nearing the end of their food and drinks, except for Pig God, the entrance to the meeting room opened for what would likely be the final time. Entering the space were three men. The first, who led the trio, was an older gentleman named Sitch; he had gray hair and a rather large nose. The two behind him were his subordinates, Busho and Jinzuren, although most of S-Class didn't know or care about who they were.

However, there was an unexpected fourth person who the other men's bodies had hidden when they stood in the hall. As the group entered, S-Class was shocked when they identified this individual.

"SWEET MASK?!" Baddo was the first to acknowledge the outsider. At least, that's how S-Class viewed him. The self-proclaimed gatekeeper of S rank. He was arrogant, even by some of the S-Class heroes' standards. Saitama was the only person in the room who had no issue with him or his personality.

"Calm down, Metal Bat." Sitch quickly spoke while raising his hand. "We have greater things to be focused on. We can't get rowdy-"

"It's alright." Sweet Mask interjected, stepping forward to take over the conversation.

The simplest way to describe this man would be the embodiment of the word idol. He had a beautiful face, gorgeous locks of blue hair, and a variety of talents, one of which was his capabilities as a hero. Overall, if Saitama didn't exist, he'd likely be the world's most beloved and famous person.

"Now, it's clear that all of you are astonished to see me here." Sweet Mask began, speaking with a calm and elegant tone.

"Pissed off is more accurate," Baddo replied, adopting a sneer. "This is a meeting for S-Class. You know, the rank you're not?" He told him.

"Good to see your cleverness is still with you." Sweet Mask jested with a smile. As expected, this incurred a violent rage.

"I'LL TURN YOUR HOLLYWOOD FACE INTO A HORROR FILM IF YOU KEEP TALKING SHIT!" Baddo yelled at him with his weapon raised. His earlier hostility toward Zombieman helped to fuel his innate hatred for the celebrity.

"Hey, Baddo," Saitama spoke, getting his attention. "There's no reason to get angry. If Sweet Mask is here, then this has to be pretty big. You know how concerned he is about the Association and its image." He told him.

Like a genuine miracle, Metal Bat's heated attitude was instantly cooled. Although annoyed, he sat back down and rested his weapon beside him.

"Thank you, One Punch Man." Sweet Mask said, sincerely appreciative of his assistance. "Now then, if no one else has further outbursts, we can proceed." He stated.

Giving it a few seconds in case someone wanted to say something, Sweet Mask was met with silence. With that confirmation, the meeting was underway. The table S-Class gathered around came to life. A myriad of lights and various technologies installed inside it was activated.

Not long after, a holographic projection appeared above the table's center. It was an image of a man with dark hair and glasses; only his head was visible.

"This is Doctor Genus," Sitch spoke, retaking the lead. "As you've all been informed, he's the founder of the House of Evolution. Two of his creations, Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon, were the messengers sent to contact One Punch Man. The following message was stored in a device in the capsule he received. It is designed to connect to any television set effortlessly. We assume it was made this way so One Punch Man wouldn't have any issues playing it on the TV in his apartment. But, as you can all see, we've downloaded it and thoroughly examined its contents. We'll play it now for your convenience." He informed the heroes before setting the video in motion.

"..." For nearly a minute, Doctor Genus said nothing. He only stared into the camera, but you could tell his mind was busily thinking. "Forgive the uncomfortable silence, One Punch Man. So many times, I've tried to plan how to speak to you in this message. Beside my desk, overflowing from the bin that rests there, is multiple papers that were balled out of frustration. No matter what I wrote, it always came out wrong. Too pretentious. Sounds like a marketing pitch. Or, the most common, the reason I've sought to contact you is getting buried in exposition and offshoots of the topic. So, I decided the only way to solve this issue was to begin recording and go from there.

Again, forgive me if I misspeak or don't fully describe the intent behind this outreach. I don't want to give the image of myself and my organization as shady and untrustworthy. I feel it is best to provide you with some history about myself to accomplish this. But, don't worry, I will only mention the necessary parts. As I've said, I don't wish to drown you in pointless exposition.

First and foremost, I am a Geneticist. At the risk of sounding egotistical, I am the best in the world. Ever since childhood, I felt humanity didn't realize its potential. Everyone was always so focused on trivial or irrelevant things. It was exhausting and infuriating. So, I dedicated my life to figuring out a way to perfect humanity and evolution. I wished to be the god of a new and better world. At least, that's what my mindset became as I isolated myself and focused on nothing but my research.

Eventually, I made my first significant breakthrough. I figured out how to fully alter and control one's genetics. With this newfound power of my design, I reverted my age, which was near its natural end, to my prime. I then went on to clone myself and begin my many researches and projects. All with the hope that my lifelong dream would be realized.

Then, one day, as my clones and I worked within our newest facility, we witnessed an unprecedented occurrence alongside the rest of the world. Now, for clarity and transparency, at this point, we were monitoring and observing the S-Class heroes. After all, they ARE the best humanity has to offer. Of course, this included you. Until that moment, although your resilience was impressive, it was widely known that your number one rank was due to the Association's founder giving it to you. But then, on that fateful day, the world watched you take down a monster with only one punch.

Like everyone else, we assumed it to be a fluke or miracle. Such a terrifying leap in strength and power only existed in fiction, not reality. Yet, you proved us all wrong. From then on, every fight you had was over in a single strike. Somehow, this ordinary man had achieved a state of being comparable to a god. You became the perfect human being through only your hard work and efforts.

Before I go on, which I promise is not for much longer, I would like to apologize yet again. This time, for that last statement. If it was too creepy or unusual, I swear that wasn't my intent. I only wanted to stress the importance of your accomplishment. Truly, One Punch Man, you are a miracle of nature itself. You are, objectively, the greatest contribution to the study of evolution.

However, whether or not this development is only within traditional science has yet to be determined. That, One Punch Man, is the reason for this message. I don't want to clone you. I don't want to defeat or kill you and then examine your body. I want to work with you to understand the transformation's how and why. Of course, if you accept, there will undoubtedly be terms and conditions. I'll save you time; I agree to all of them.

Although, if you decide to reject my proposal, that's that. You won't hear from me or my creations again. You can even send the Association after us. We won't fight back. All of my ambition and grand desires are gone. Seeing you and what you've become humbled me. I'd have to be a fool to think I could somehow surpass literal perfection.

With that, I've got nothing else to say. Thank you for your time, One Punch Man. I hope to hear from you soon."

The recording was over. Everyone remained silent, each thinking about what they had heard. It was a lot to take in. Even Zombieman didn't immediately speak because, admittedly, he wasn't expecting such an honest message from the doctor.

Eventually, someone had to break the silence. However, only one person had the right to do that. The intended recipient of the proposal.

All eyes fell onto Saitama. His own were closed. At first, it was so he could focus on his thoughts. Now, it was to avoid seeing everyone looking at him. Still, he could FEEL it.

"Okay. No pressure..." Saitama told himself to remain calm. "I can't just say what I think about it; that'll cause an uproar. Everyone will react like: "What are you talking about?!" or "You have to say more than that!". Tatsumaki might throw something at me. I think she could even send me flying through the wall if I got her angry enough. So, take it slow, and try to sound like a leader would." He decided.

With a slow exhale, Saitama readied himself. He opened his eyes and met the expectant gazes of his friends and colleagues.

"...Out of curiosity..." Saitama started, doing his best to piece together the best possible sentence. "How useful would Genus be to the Association? Is the potential reward good enough for the risk of this being a setup?" He asked.

"Ah. As expected, One Punch Man. Your mind is exactly where ours were when we first listened to the message." Sitch praised him.

"YES! GO, SAITAMA!" Saitama cheered for himself in his head. "But of course. Zombieman's spent his entire hero career hunting Genus down. He hasn't been doing that because he's an obsessed stalker. Apart from being created by Genus, the man's capabilities are dangerous if he's a villain." He said.

"See, bat boy?" Zombieman joined in. "THIS is how a hero SHOULD be thinking. You might want to pay attention." He advised.

"Pfft, Saitama's only saying that so you don't get miffed," Baddo replied with a scoff. "Sure, if he weren't around, maybe Genus would be worth our attention. But he is. So, I say if the doc wants to talk, we have a proper sit-down. If it turns out to be BS, we'll get the pleasure of our leader showing us why he's at the head of the table." He told him.

"Really? This is the head? I thought that's where Sitch stood." Saitama pondered while looking down at the position of his seat.

"Easy there, Metal Bat." Superalloy stepped in. Like King, he often served as a mediator for S-Class due to his pleasant personality. "There's a reason One Punch Man's bringing up the risk. Think about it. Genus knows that there's no way we'd let our leader go in there alone. Maybe, if there is a trap, it's not for him. It's for us." He suggested.

"Even if that's the situation, what's the danger? One Punch Man will prevent us from getting injured or affected by whatever Genus has prepared. The moment something starts to happen, he'll move in the blink of an eye and deal with it." Flashy Flash pointed out.

"True, but remember, it's not just Genus we'd be dealing with," Isamu said, getting everyone's attention. "If you'll recall, one of his creations we know about is Mosquito Girl. An entity capable of controlling any mosquito species in the world. If Genus can make something like that, he could have another insect-based lifeform under his command. There are countless species across the planet whose bites and stings can't be felt. Only afterward, when the swelling begins, do you realize you've been targeted. Genus could use this as an opportunity to collect our DNA. He could make an army of S-Class replicants depending on how fast his cloning technology is. Even One Punch Man might have issues with a hundred Tornados and Kings attacking him simultaneously, let alone the rest of us." He told them.

"Holy crap, that'd be awesome." Saitama thought as he imagined that scenario. "A hundred Tatsumakis. Would I even be able to hit them? Or would they bounce me around like a ping-pong ball?" He wondered.

"I have two questions." Drive Knight spoke, his gaze moving back to Sitch. "First, where is Metal Knight? I understand he's often focused on personal projects, but I assume he is helping with this matter somehow. Second, why is Sweet Mask here? Yes, his position in the Association is more than a hero.  Furthermore, although remaining the top rank of A-Class, he could become S whenever he wanted. However, neither of these points explains his presence. Typically, he's more concerned about public relations than actual situations. So, what is the reason he's here? Is it solely for additional assistance should a fight occur?" He inquired.

"If I may?" Sweet Mask requested, offering to explain on his behalf.

"Go ahead." Sitch permitted.

"Thank you." Sweet Mask responded before continuing. "Regarding Metal Knight, your assumption is correct. Currently, he is sending multiple of his machines to investigate and survey the House of Evolution. We'll know everything we need and want within the hour, maybe even sooner. As for me, although I will happily lend my aid to One Punch Man in whatever way he needs, I am here, believe it or not, for PR reasons. Let's say things work out. There's no deception. Genus wants a sincere relationship with our leader and the Association. This would be the first time any hero, as well as our organization, would directly partner with a non-human entity. We must be on top of this and ensure the public is informed how we want." He explained.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Sweet Mask." Atomic Samurai began, barely looking over at him with a half-lidded gaze. "But don't you despise anything that isn't human? I've seen footage of you on the news obliterating monsters who dropped to their knees and started begging for their lives. Yet, suddenly, you'd allow an organization led by a man who makes non-humans to be considered a partner, maybe even an ally? I find that too jarring of a personality shift not to be suspicious." He said.

"You're right. I've always despised monsters. Moralless cretins who happily slaughter humans as if they're plucking flowers from a garden. They're nothing more than sociopaths with superpowers." Sweet Mask confirmed before gesturing to Saitama. "However, One Punch Man is our leader. Even more so, he is the perfect hero. His power alone is proof of that. So, if he decides there is merit in giving Genus and his creations a chance to change our perception of non-humans, I will follow him without question. He's never led us, the Association, or the masses astray. I find it impossible that suddenly he'd make a mistake." He told him.

"Holy crap. I don't believe it." Baddo spoke in disbelief. "This is the first time you've ever said something that didn't make me want to knock your teeth loose." He admitted.

"Really? So, you agree then, Metal Bat?" Sweet Mask asked, unaffected by the remark.

"Of course. Even if Saitama weren't our leader, I'd still go with his decision. Ain't nobody got a better head on their shoulders. Of that, I'm sure." Baddo answered.

"Now, hold on." Tanktop Master interjected. "One Punch Man still hasn't given us his official stance. All he did was bring up the worth of accepting Genus's invitation to meet." He pointed out before turning his attention toward their leader. "So, what do you think? Is your mind already made up?" He inquired.

Again, all eyes fell onto Saitama. But, unlike last time, he was ready for this. As they continued to talk, he gave Genus's proposal some more thought. Saitama wanted to do this. If Genus wasn't plotting anything and this was real, then maybe, at last, the mystery behind his powers could be uncovered. Genus could be the key to solving this.

So, with a cool smirk and a matching expression, Saitama returned everyone's gazes with his and told them:

"Let's go." 

Chapter Text

Field trips, yay! So exciting, aren't they? At least when you're a child. Getting to go somewhere and see or experience something new is so amazing!

Plus, you get to be with all your friends on a field trip! You can talk and have fun as you watch the scenery pass by. All the while, you wonder what incredible things await you at your destination! Again, field trips are just so awesome! Everyone loves a good field trip!

These were the thoughts currently going through Saitama's head. He was trying to trick his mind into perceiving the current atmosphere as pleasant. Unfortunately, no matter how he spun the scene, the tone of the air was tense and uncomfortable. Nothing, not even the world's strongest hero, could make this ride any better than it already was. Truly, a sad situation.

After accepting Doctor Genus's invitation, the S-Class, Sweet Mask, Hellish Blizzard, Sitch, and his subordinates boarded an Association transport vehicle. Due to the size of the group and the desire to get to their destination as fast as possible, they took a helicopter specifically designed for hero deployment. This allowed everyone to have a seat with decent personal space. Admittedly, though, that was almost a necessity with this bunch.

You see, Saitama wasn't just the leader of S-Class. Simultaneously, he served as the rank's babysitter. No, seriously.  In S-Class, the egos were plentiful, and the attitudes were nigh incompatible. This team was a literal powder keg, and Saitama was the only one with his hand on the fuse to keep it from going off.

Everyone respected him, and NONE of them wanted to be a nuisance. Even those like Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai, who were older than Saitma, saw him as an inspiration where being a hero was concerned. They wanted to show their leader that, apart from their talents and powers, they deserved to be in this rank. Letting their grievances and issues with the other members become a problem for him was NOT acceptable.

Well, except for Tornado. She could run her mouth off and be a pain all she wanted. At first, the others wondered why Saitama allowed it. But, like everything else the hero did, they quickly deduced the reasoning for his nonchalant reaction toward her behavior.

In yet another amazing display of his character, Saitama was trying to help Tornado grow as a person. That was the explanation! If he responded angrily or got aggressive, it would only antagonize the Esper and make her double down. Instead, he was REMARKABLY tolerant and understanding!

Additionally, this could explain why Tornado had such a fixation on Saitama. Unlike everyone else, he didn't give her the reaction she wanted. If Saitama responded negatively, that was her justification. However, the constant monotone and neutral expression he was known for was, in a sense, Tornado's weakness. She had no countermeasure to it!

This would also clarify why King always obeyed her demands without resistance. To the slow-minded, they'd see it as him being scared of Tornado's power and thus wanting to appease her. But in reality, as Saitama's disciple, it was undeniable that he could EASILY hold his own against the psychic. It was just another layer to Saitama's efforts to help Tornado improve! Were there no lengths he wouldn't go to help his fellow heroes be better versions of themselves?

With this in mind, it made sense why King relinquished his seat in the carrier, which was initially next to Saitama, to Tornado when she demanded it. To think their leader and his disciple would do such a thing for someone else. Gosh, so inspiring.

But, all of that aside, the atmosphere of the carrier was still awkward. No one said or did anything to avoid displeasing Saitama somehow. Of course, he knew that was likely the reason. So, alongside deluding himself into seeing things more positively, Saitama felt guilty because he was indirectly the cause.

"What...to...do..." Saitama wondered, slowly moving his gaze across the vehicle. "I could try and start a conversation. But about what? There isn't a single thing we're all interested in that I could use as a topic." He contemplated, trying to solve this dilemma.

"One Punch Man." Flashy Flash, of ALL people, suddenly broke the silence.

For a few seconds, everyone was stunned. Was that an auditory hallucination? Or, for the first time in S-Class history, did one of the most reserved members attempt to start a conversation?

"Uh, yes, Flashy Flash?" Saitama responded, needing a second to snap out of the temporary daze.

"I'd like to discuss something with you before we arrive at the House of Evolution. Would that be permittable?" Flashy Flash requested.

Ah. Now it made sense. The ninja of S-Class wanted to talk strategy with their leader. Although, he could also want to go over possible contingencies should things get messy.

"Yeah, sure, no problem." Saitama allowed. Honestly, this was genuinely exciting. He wanted a casual relationship with the others, similar to King. Saitama understood why everyone was formal and respectful, but they were a team. At the very least, they should be good acquaintances who could be comfortable around each other.

"Thank you." Flashy Flash said in appreciation before continuing. "Recently, I was informed that Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai have tried convincing you to study their arts. However, either choice would be a mistake. If you'd allow me, I'd love to teach you the ways of ninjutsu as they would be of greater-"

"YOU BASTARD!" Atomic Samurai yelled in anger. His teeth snapped the piece of straw he typically had in his mouth. "NOW, OF ALL TIMES, YOU'D CHOOSE TO TRY THIS CRAP?!" He questioned.

"Yes. Because it's one of the rare moments where King isn't monopolizing his time." Flashy Flash replied. "Furthermore, by illustrating the benefits of ninjutsu, I can convey how much it outclasses those of your sword style and Silver Fang's martial arts." He explained.

"Quite presumptuous of you to assume your techniques are better than ours." Silver Fang commented, far more composed than his companion.

"Yeah! How about after this mission, the two of us show you the worth of our teachings?" Atomic Samurai suggested with a smile. However, considering his current expression, it was far more threatening than inviting.

"I don't see the point of that. Unless One Punch Man would be present as a spectator." Flashy Flash said before returning his focus to their leader. "Would you?" He asked.

"That's a perfect idea!" Atomic Samurai enthusiastically exclaimed.

"Now, hold on." Tanktop Master interjected. "Superalloy and I have been trying for months to get One Punch Man to learn our attacks and methods. After all, he IS more like us in how he fights. Your styles have merits, but ours best fits him." He stated.

"Plus, we've been DYING to work out with him! We want to show him if he adds our regiment to his standard routine, he could become even MORE powerful than he already is!" Superalloy joined in.

"More powerful? Pfft. Sure. That makes sense." Isamu scoffed with an eye roll. "One Punch Man needs equipment to help cover some of the areas his abilities don't. As his name suggests, he doesn't need new moves or a sword when he can defeat everything in one strike. So, he should spend some time at my lab where I can design gear that'll help him in specific situations." He proposed.

"You guys are blowing out hot air, and that's it." Baddo scoffed with an amused smirk. "Saitama doesn't need complex gizmos, training, weapons, Etc. He should just kick back and relax. The man's earned it." He said.

"Wow. The slacker says our leader should rest on his laurels. Do you even KNOW One Punch Man? He'd NEVER do that!" Flashy Flash criticized.

At that point, it was chaos. The only thing anyone would hear for the remainder of the ride was most of S-Class debating the proper use of their leader's time and who it should be spent with. As for Saitama, he resigned himself to silence halfway through the start of the debate. That brief moment of blissful ignorance when he assumed Flashy Flash just wanted to talk replayed in his mind.

Amazingly, Tornado didn't make a peep. She kept her eyes closed and blocked the noise by erecting barriers around her ears. The lack of demand for Saitama to spend more time with her might've been caused by her sitting next to him on this ride. But that was speculation, like with most of her actions and decisions.

Meanwhile...

...Sigh...
...Sigh...
...Sigh...

This series of calm yet despaired exhales came from Mosquito Girl. It'd been a while since she and Ground Dragon returned from their mission. Which, as it came to light earlier, she didn't know wasn't a solo venture. Ever since then, Mosquito Girl has been in a sorry state.

Her creator, Doctor Genus, couldn't busy himself with trying to improve her mood. He and his clones were preparing their facility in case One Punch Man decided to come here. So, the responsibility of tending to the downtrodden Mosquito Girl fell onto the Doctor's other creations. A simple task, right?

Wrong. You see, before Doctor Genus had his "rebirth" when Saitama became as powerful as he now is, these creations, which had been planned and worked on for a very long time, were meant only for combat. This explained, for example, why Mosquito Girl's hands were essentially two sets of long scythe-like blades that could cut through damn near anything. Admittedly, that was an inconvenience of design that her maker would need to correct later.

Focusing back on the Doctor's other creatures, this is why they struggled with the idea of comforting Mosquito Girl. For most of their life, all they knew was combat and violence. But now, they were treated as people, not living weapons. The emotions they were told to suppress were now actively encouraged to grow. The same applied to their personalities, preferences, and every other aspect of their individuality.

So, to have to deal with all of that and now suddenly lift the spirits of one of their own was, unjokingly, a monumental task. As such, the others were trying to figure out who was the best fit for the problem. Hopefully, they could get Mosquito Girl back to her normal self before the potential arrival of One Punch Man.

In total, excluding Mosquito Girl, there were seven. Most of them, like her, were a combination of human and animal DNA. The only exception was Armored Gorilla, who was a cyborg. And yes, that name, much like how the Association named its heroes, was straight to the point.

Honestly, that could be said for most of them. Frog Man. Slugerous. Ground Dragon, even though he was a mole. The remaining three were the only ones with creative names.

The first of this trio was Kamakyuri, who, for some reason, was the only one to receive an ACTUAL name from their creator. Why? None of them knew. Although, if asked, Doctor Genus would confess it was a clever play on words.

The name contained "kama," the Japanese word for a sickle. This was referring to Kamakyuri's bladed appendages. Why did he have those? Simple. Kamakyuri was a mix of human and mantis genetics. This also contributed to his name, as it was a play on the Japanese word "kamakiri," which meant mantis. Side note: like with Mosquito Girl's claws, Kamakyuri's lack of functioning hands would need to be addressed later.

Moving on, we arrive at Beast King. This massive half-man, half-lion was deserving of the name his creator gave him. He possessed taut and strong muscles that even Superalloy Darkshine would compliment. Beast King's overall physique and presence were commanding; you couldn't avoid acknowledging him and being aware of his power.

Yet, SHOCKINGLY, there was one even greater than him. Carnage Kabuto. The strongest member of the House of Evolution. Fast. Durable. Powerful beyond measure. The half-man, half-rhinoceros beetle creature was equal to a force of nature. With little effort, Carnage Kabuto could lay waste to the world. It'd be like watching a tornado tear through the countryside.

With all of this in mind, it wasn't hard to believe that initially, Carnage Kabuto was an egotistical sociopath. Truthfully, Doctor Genus, his clones, and the other members used to fear him. He was uncontrollable, an insane monster. Then, One Punch Man happened.

Imagine the following; it's quite humorous as well as humbling. Carnage Kabuto was in his containment cell, waiting for his daily meals to be delivered. Suddenly, his creator arrives. With an ear-to-ear grin, Carnage Kabuto assumed this was finally the day he'd be released. If not, he'd happily kill his maker, achieve freedom, and lead the House of Evolution.

With no words, only his usual serious expression, Doctor Genus turned on a projector in the room that could create holographic images or display videos. He then played a series of recordings for his creation's viewing pleasure. Doctor Genus wouldn't deny his enjoyment of Carnage Kabuto's reaction if asked. Watching as his creation's smug grin and arrogant attitude slowly disappeared was exquisite~

Punch. Punch. Punch. Punch. Carnage Kabuto observed the top-ranked hero of the Association defeat countless monsters with only one blow. Each of his enemies exploded violently. There was a zero chance of survival. At first, like most, Carnage Kabuto believed this to be a series of flukes or some elaborate hoax.

But then, Doctor Genus provided the data they gathered during these fights. It wasn't a trick. The level of force that One Punch Man could deliver when BARELY trying exceeded the greatest of mankind's bombs and other weaponry. If the top-ranked hero made any real effort, he could crack a continent in half with one stomp.

Once this reality set in, Carnage Kabuto had a panic attack. It wasn't possible. It just HAD to be a trick! He was the epitome of evolution! He was the strongest creature alive! There couldn't be something, let alone a human, that existed which possessed such frightening strength!

Every ounce of his being trembled. Every instinct gave off danger signals. Fear. Genuine terror. Carnage Kabuto was meant to inflict such strong emotion on others, not suffer from them as they would. And yet, that's precisely what happened.

Now, at this point, one might ponder the importance of this information regarding the present. How does this backstory of how Carnage Kabuto was shown humility apply to the dilemma with Mosquito Girl? Simple. The other members of the House of Evolution, while also being humbled to some extent by One Punch Man's existence, were nowhere close to Carnage Kabuto.

So, who better to console Mosquito Girl, who was facing a crisis of confidence, than the one in their ranks who had his inflated sense of self deflated?

"No way." Carnage Kabuto stated, rejecting the others' proposal.

"Come on, Kabuto." Frog Man complained with a sigh. "We all agree you're the best pick. Just get on with it." He said.

"HOW am I the best one?" Carnage Kabuto questioned before pointing at Slugerous. "What about you? You're a telepath, right? Can't you sense her emotions and speak to her?" He asked.

"Just because I'm a psychic doesn't mean I'm an expert at consoling other people," Slugerous answered. "Face it, Kabuto. You're the only one fit for the job. Remember how depressed you were after learning about One Punch Man?" He reminded.

"I WASN'T DEPRESSED!" Carnage Kabuto angrily shouted. "I...just needed time to plan a strategy! Yeah! That's it! Should he and I ever duke it out, I need to know how to hold my own." He explained.

"So, does that mean you'll fight One Punch Man if he shows up?" Beast King asked with an amused grin.

Everyone looked at Carnage Kabuto for a few seconds with the same smug "Uh huh, really?" look. Would he be willing to continue this facade, or just own up to the fact he was miserable after learning there was a human out there that could kill him with a finger flick?

"Uh...well, you know, the Doc's going to be busy talking to him about business and stuff..." Carnage Kabuto muttered while avoiding eye contact.

"Right. Of course." Beast King replied before getting back on track. "Anyway, one of us needs to go and talk to Mosquito Girl. If One Punch Man IS on his way, we don't have much longer until he's knocking on the door. So, who's going over there?" He inquired.

For another small period, no one said anything. They kept their gazes fixated on Carnage Kabuto, but they could tell he wasn't budging on this. Furthermore, they couldn't force him to do it. He'd lay them out like a freshly cleaned bedsheet.

"...Fine. I'll do it." Kamakyuri volunteered while raising one of his blades.

"You sure, Kamakyuri?" Ground Dragon asked.

"I mean, if the big baby's not going to, then I'm probably the best choice. I'm a bug like her. We both don't have normal hands. There's SOME common ground I can maybe use to try and get her to open up." Kamakyuri answered.

"God speed, Kamakyuri." Frog Man told him with a mock salute.

Following in his example, the others also saluted. Kamakyuri rolled his eyes at their gesture as he turned around and headed for Mosquito Girl.

"...Sigh..." Mosquito Girl exhaled. Honestly, it was impressive how she wasn't lightheaded by now.

"Hey, Mosquito Girl." Kamakyuri awkwardly greeted. Social interactions are another bane of the House of Evolution.

"..." Mosquito Girl didn't acknowledge him. She kept her arms folded on the table she sat at, and her head rested on them.

"...Soooooooo..." Kamakyuri began while sitting next to her. How to start a conversation. Truly, the biggest problem any member of the House of Evolution faced.  "...I...heard...how your mission went..." He said, putting this sentence together as he spoke.

"Don't you mean GROUND DRAGON'S mission?" Mosquito Girl asked in a grumble and pout.

Holy crap! A simultaneous verbal response and acknowledgment of her comrade's existence! This was a milestone achievement!

"Well, from how it sounds, you guys had different missions." Kamakyuri corrected, hoping to maintain this momentum.

"Yeah. Mine was to make a fool of myself. His was damage control." Mosquito Girl replied.

"Nah. You were...the frontline!" Kamakyuri exclaimed, a stroke of genius striking him.

Hoping she'd take the bait, the mantis man was ecstatic when he saw Mosquito Girl slowly turn her head towards him. She didn't say anything; she just stared with a look that was unsure if he knew where he was going with this.

"Think about it, Mosquito Girl. You can't easily wear clothes yet. The doctor hasn't modified our bodies to be more suitable for non-combative environments. Where would you have stored the capsule? Even if you were extra careful, what would you have done if someone attacked you? Which is what happened." Kamakyuri asked.

"Well, I'd prioritize my assailant and-"

"EXACTLY!" Kamakyuri cut her off, and his volume made her jump back in surprise. "You are meant for fighting, Mosquito Girl! That's why the doctor didn't give you the capsule. If ANY complications arose, he KNEW with your speed and precise strikes that you'd dispatch any nuisances in a flash!" He told her.

"I...guess so..." Mosquito Girl slowly agreed. Her mood had changed from sad to contemplative. Kamakyuri had her right where he wanted; now it was time to deal the finishing blow!

"Compare yourself to Beast King, Carnage Kabuto, and Armored Gorilla." Kamakyuri started again as he pointed to the three he mentioned. "Sure, Kabuto is fast, but the guy's as graceful as a wrecking ball covered in explosives. Beast King's more mindful of his surroundings when he isn't in a frenzy. But if he gets into a battle, the dude is almost as bonkers as Kabuto. As for Armored Gorilla, he's the smartest of the three. But his speed and power are entirely dictated by his components. Plus, he's got that weird fixation on being cooler by doing a robot voice. Not the best way to make a first impression." He explained before focusing back on her. "But you, Mosquito Girl? You've got speed, tact, and power. You're the all-rounder of the House of Evolution! You have no glaringly obvious flaws or shortcomings. So, why not have you serve as both the messenger AND the muscle, then have one of the weaker members who're meant for tactical operations worry about carrying the capsule? That's why the Doctor didn't tell you. He WAS confident that you'd safely make it to One Punch Man and give the most favorable impression of the House of Evolution." He concluded.

For a moment, Mosquito Girl only stared at Kamakyuri. Her mind busied itself with processing everything he had said. When it was complete, a massive smile appeared on her face. Followed by a reaction the mantis couldn't have predicted.

"Kamakyuri! You're a genius!" Mosquito Girl complimented him before suddenly throwing her arms around him for a hug. "Now it all makes sense! As you said, I'm perfect! Plus, on top of it all, I have my womanly charms and appeal. Even if One Punch Man were wary at first, he would've been enticed the moment he laid his eyes on me. There was no one better to establish first contact!" She joyfully exclaimed.

"Yeah! Now you're getting it." Kamakyuri responded. Inside, he was "tastefully" praising himself for his success.

"Honestly, I can't believe I got so upset about it in the first place." Mosquito Girl confessed as she released him. "Of course, Ground Dragon couldn't go alone. The poor thing would've been killed if I hadn't been there to protect him." She reasoned.

"Completely agreed," Kamakyuri replied, feeding her ego to improve her mood further.

"Thanks, Kamakyuri. It was sweet of you to help set things straight like this." Mosquito Girl said, showing her gratitude. Which, in turn, was appreciated by him.

"Aw, it was nothing," Kamakyuri humbly assured. He planned to hold this over the others' heads for the foreseeable future.

Ding Dong

That was the sound of the intercom of the facility being turned on. The House's leader was about to say something to his creations and clones.

"Attention. An Association helicopter has been detected on radar approaching from the south. The model is designed to transport several occupants at once. We can't be sure until it gets closer, but it's likely S-Class, which can only mean one thing. Please proceed to gather at the facility entrance."

When the broadcast was done, the air filled with footsteps. Although not running, the clones still moved swiftly to ensure everything was as it should be for One Punch Man's arrival. Oh, and the other S-Class heroes. They were important, too, I guess.

"Ooh! One Punch Man's on his way~" Mosquito Girl excitedly sang as she rose from her seat. "Again, thanks for the talk, Kamakyuri. You're really good at it." She complimented him one more time before hurrying to the entrance.

"Damn, dude. Great job." Carnage Kabuto, surprisingly, praised the mantis as the others approached. They waited for Mosquito Girl to be out of earshot before speaking. "Seriously. We figured you'd crash and burn." He admitted.

"What can I say?" Kamakyuri rhetorically asked while getting to his feet. His voice oozed with swagger. "There's a reason my brain's on display. I'm too smart not to share its beauty with the world." He bragged.

"I thought that was because of a communication error between the Doctor and his clones when you were created." Frog Man stated, quickly humbling the out-of-control ego of the mantis.

"Er, the story's different depending on who tells it..." Kamakyuri responded while looking off to the side. "Anyway, we should get going." He said, quickly changing the topic.

Nodding to show they agreed, the group of animal hybrids (and one cybernetically enhanced gorilla) followed the horde of clones to the entrance.

Meanwhile...

"Okay. So, here's the schedule." Isamu began while holding and looking at a notepad. "Mondays can be dedicated to Silver Fang, Atomic Samurai, and Flashy Flash training at Silver Fang's dojo. It's near City Z, so One Punch Man won't need to travel that far to get there.

Tuesdays will go to Tank Top Master and Superalloy. Even though One Punch Man won't be exhausted by Monday's training, it'll still be nice to unwind in a gym with top-of-the-line equipment and premium food and beverages. Plus, the gym in question has a swimming pool. A perfect way to cool off after a workout session.

Wednesdays will go to me. After two days of training and exercises, One Punch Man can take it easy as I design and test my inventions. The most he'll need to do is offer feedback and comment on what he thinks is necessary. Or, if he wants to look cool, I can workshop his ideas.

Thursdays will be dedicated to strategizing. One Punch Man will meet with Zombieman and Drive Knight to discuss battle tactics and how best to utilize each S-Class hero and the Association's resources. This will be done at the Association HQ to ensure confidentiality and comfort.

Fridays are given to Sweet Mask. He and One Punch Man will make public appearances, schedule events, and do general PR work to improve the Association's image and relations with the people. Additionally, it'll allow One Punch Man to speak to his fans directly and hopefully get them to behave less fanatically. However, whether or not that works depends on the people.

Finally, Saturday and Sunday are for One Punch Man. The only way ANY of us can spend time with him is if he wants to. On top of all this, King can accompany One Punch Man since he's his disciple and sidekick." He read aloud before looking at their leader. "How does that sound to you, One Punch Man?" He asked.

At some point in their discourse, Child Emperor proposed that the S-Class try and work out a schedule for those who wanted to spend time with One Punch Man. Miraculously, after some back and forth, they settled on a timetable everyone found agreeable. Strangely, One Punch Man didn't participate in the discussion. He sat motionless with his arms folded and his eyes, unblinking, staring forward.

The others assumed One Punch Man was listening, waiting to see what they came up with without his input. However, in reality, Saitama was SPACED. He mentally checked out when the shouting had reached its apex.

"What'll I have for dinner tonight?" Saitama pondered. "I think I'm in the mood for meat, but I could also go for something with noodles. Maybe both?" He suggested.

"Saitama." Fubuki, via telepathy, suddenly spoke to him in his mind.

"Whoa, hey, Fubuki." Saitama mentally responded. "Is this the first time you've used telepathy with me?" He asked, unable to think of a prior instance.

"Yes. But there's no time to focus on that." Fubuki answered. "Saitama, have you heard anything over the last ten to fifteen minutes?" She inquired.

"Heard? Oh. Do you mean about everyone's fighting? Nope. Zoned out." Saitama replied.

"Thought so. Saitama, they devised a schedule for how they'd like to spend time with you. They're waiting for you to say something." Fubuki informed him.

"THEY WHAT?!" Saitama questioned, his eyes getting slightly wider upon receiving the news.

"Calm down. You need to say something, and you need to do it quickly. They'll get suspicious if you stay quiet any longer." Fubuki told him before going silent.

"Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap." Saitama rapidly panicked. What could he say in this situation?!

"One Punch Man? Are you okay?" Superalloy inquired.

Now that he wasn't lost in his dinner plans, Saitama could hear the world around him again, meaning he caught Superalloy's question.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry." Saitama apologized, finally blinking. "I...was...making sure...that...the schedule...wouldn't be problematic..." He slowly said, his brain still working overtime to think of something better.

"Well, we all still have opinions about it. But since we're almost at our destination, we don't have any more time to spend on it. Hence, any input from you would be greatly appreciated." Tanktop Master responded.

"I'd love to, BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS! FUBUKI DIDN'T TELL ME!" Saitama shouted in his head before speaking. "Right. Sure. No problem..." He started, trying to buy himself some time. "I...think...that Monday...is...a bit too...crowded..." He told them. Knowing the other heroes of S-Class, Saitama took a WILD guess that everyone would try to spend time with him at the start of the week.

"See? What did I tell you?" Silver Fang asked the others. "Having three separate training sessions that use completely different styles and methods is absurd. It wouldn't work." He stated.

"Wait, what? What the hell did they want to do with me on Monday?" Saitama pondered. Simultaneously, he was SO grateful for his unmatched poker face in times like this.

"It's the only compromise I could think of!" Isamu exclaimed. "The only other option is to have One Punch Man pick one of you, complete your techniques first, then move on to one of the other two." He said.

"I call dibs, then." Atomic Samurai was quick to react.

"Doesn't count." Flashy Flash denied.

"The hell it doesn't!" Atomic Samurai argued.

"I said One Punch Man would pick!" Isamu interjected, reminding them of that part.

"Yes, that would be the only fair option." Silver Fang agreed. "So, what say you, Saitama?" He asked.

Damn, it. Not again. Saitama pleaded with whatever cosmic forces were at play to do him a solid just once. They owed him; he was sure of it.

THUNK

That was the sound of the helicopter touching down. At the front of the passenger area, the door separating it and the cockpit was opened by one of the pilots.

"Sirs, S-Class, we've reached our destination." The pilot told them before pointing behind himself with his thumb. "We see one of Metal Knight's robots a few feet from the copter. Seems he's been waiting." He added.

"Oh, thank you." Saitama mentally sighed in relief before standing up. "Whelp. We better get out there and see what intel Metal Knight's got." He quickly said before hurrying out of the vehicle.

That was close. However, this scheduling business would undoubtedly resurface later. But that was a problem for future Saitama.

As everyone followed the top-ranked hero out of the helicopter, they immediately saw what the pilot referred to. As the pilot said, a robot stood a few feet from the front of the transport. Unlike nearly all of Metal Knight's mechanical marvels, this one wasn't equipped with an unknowable amount of weapons. Instead, the visible gear and attachments were designed for reconnaissance.

"One Punch Man. It's good to see you." The voice of Metal Knight greeted S-Class's leader as he approached. The man behind the machine was Bofoi, a brilliant inventor and scientist who provided much of the Association's technology.

"Good to see you too, Metal Knight." Saitama politely responded, going so far as to shake the robot's hand even though he didn't need to. "So, what's up? Are we walking into an ambush?" He inquired.

"It wouldn't appear so." Metal Knight began as the robot turned around and pointed to a mountain range in the distance. "Beyond these trees, at the base of the closest mountain, is the House of Evolution. It's hidden quite well and was built from the mountain itself. My scans show that most of the floors above ground are not facilities. Mainly comprising several sleeping quarters, common areas, etc. However, those below the surface are undoubtedly where their work is conducted. There also appears to be a sort of combat space, but I cannot be sure if this is true without closer examination. One entrance exists, and the below-ground rooms and corridors are only accessible via a large elevator in the center of the building. As for inhabitants, as expected, multiple life signs are identical. The sole exceptions are the non-human entities. All of them have gathered at the entrance, presumably awaiting your arrival." He explained.

"That doesn't count as an ambush?" Baddo questioned. As it was spoken, he and the other heroes had gathered for the debrief.

"Their body language and positioning aren't indicative of a surprise attack. What we assume to be the clones are standing side-by-side and in sectioned groups. The non-humans are resting behind a single figure, who is most likely the actual Doctor Genus." Metal Knight stated.

"Hm, okay," Saitama said before looking at Zombieman. "I agree with Metal Knight that this isn't a bad situation. But since you know these guys, I want to hear your thoughts. Should we still be careful?" He asked.

"Exposing themselves like this, as much as I hate to say it, is a good sign," Zombieman confessed. "However, even if it's just me being paranoid, I'd prefer if Metal Knight could position some of his combat units in case this place turns into a battlefield. And before anyone says anything, I KNOW we have One Punch Man. But I genuinely believe that any confidence is unwise." He told him.

"Can you do that?" Saitama inquired, speaking to the robot again.

"I assumed you'd want a just-in-case measure at the ready. Additional units are on standby, weapons un-primed. If things become uneasy, I'll begin their activation and have them hold their positions unless things escalate further." Metal Knight replied.

"Alright. We should be good to go unless anyone has anything else to say." Saitama said while turning to face the other heroes.

"I have one suggestion." Drive Knight spoke up. "We should request a full tour. Metal Knight, myself, and Child Emperor can perform scans as we traverse. Any restriction of access by the doctor will indicate his intention betrays his promise of transparency. A subtle test that he might see through, but regardless of if he does, it'll give us the certainty we want." He proposed.

"Wow. Great thinking, Drive Knight." Saitama praised his comrade.

"Thank you. But I'm confident you had the same idea in mind." Drive Knight responded.

"Yeah, totally." Saitama thought before clapping his hands. "So, just want to ask again, does anyone else have anything to say?" He asked.

Waiting for any outbursts or raised hands, only to be met with none, Saitama turned around and headed for the House of Evolution. With the others following behind, each hero ready to do their part if needed, the group would soon clear the thicket of trees and discover a most intriguing sight. As Metal Knight described, multiple groups of the same man stood before a tall building. Briefly regarding the structure, in addition to being built from the mountain, it was covered in multiple patches of moss that also helped it to blend with its environment.

Back to the mass of individuals waiting to greet S-Class, the middle section drew the most attention. Standing at the front was a well-dressed man with black hair and striking blue eyes. He presented the image of an intelligent and well-spoken individual. This had to be the person of the hour, Doctor Genus.

Behind him were most assuredly his creations. Saitama and Fubuki immediately spotted Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon, which was impressive. There were many non-humans, eight in total, and they were of varying sizes. The two that stuck out the most were a bipedal lion-man and a rhinoceros beetle-man.

As S-Class came to a stop, each member assessing the situation and surroundings, the House's leader would begin his welcome.

"One Punch Man." Dr. Genus spoke as he slowly walked forward. "I'll be blunt. I didn't think you'd come." He confessed.

"Honestly? I couldn't refuse. Nothing like this has ever happened before. My curiosity was too much." Saitama replied before gesturing to his group. "Sorry for bringing so many plus ones." He apologized.

"It's no trouble. If anything, a reaction like this was the predicted outcome if you accepted my invitation. The chances of the Association remaining unaware, as well as your fellow heroes, were extremely low. We're fully prepared to accommodate all of you." Dr. Genus promised.

"What does that mean?" Baddo inquired, the first to test the waters.

"Logically, you'd want a tour of our home, yes? The corridors and hallways were expanded some time ago to make traversing them with large groups much easier. This way, we can avoid any feelings of being cramped or crowded. Furthermore, we have food and beverages ready if you are peckish or parched." Dr. Genus explained.

"What about traps? Anything you'd like to share with us?" Zombieman asked.

"None, I'm afraid. Even if we weren't expecting you, pre-installed defenses are pointless when we have my creations to protect us." Dr. Genus answered. "Also, it's good to see you again, Subject Sixty-Six." He added.

Hearing himself be referred to in that way struck a nerve with Zombieman. Was this a jest? A taunt? A sincere greeting? Was Doctor Genus trying to provoke his former creation into inciting an attack to make the heroes look bad?

"Hey," Saitama spoke up, getting the attention back on him. "I don't mean to be THAT guy, but he goes by Zombieman now. Plus, I'm sure he wouldn't want to be called by his experiment number. Probably not a lot of good memories there." He said.

"Oh. Of course. I didn't mean to say something of ill taste. Forgive me." Dr. Genus replied before looking at his former creation again. "I give you my word, moving forward, I will only address you as Zombieman." He assured.

Zombieman remained silent. This was so surreal. Doctor Genus, the most egotistical person he'd ever known, was being polite. Sure, it could just be to avoid angering One Punch Man, but still, there was a chance that he HAD changed, no matter how small.

"Right. Moving on." Dr. Genus said, knowing he wouldn't get a response. "What would you like to see first, One Punch Man? How do you want the tour to start?" He asked.

"Well, everyone with me is worried about the legitimacy of all this. So, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we'd like to see your science stuff first." Saitama answered.

Wow. One Punch Man wasn't wasting any time; that's what the others thought.

"Of course. We've ensured our facilities have been prepared for a thorough examination." Dr. Genus informed him before turning around. "Please, follow me. My clones and creations will remain in the back." He stated.

Most of S-Class's instant reaction was that this was a trap. However, considering that the moment any of the non-humans made a suspicious move, Tornado could crush them with her Esp, that thought was quietly dispelled. So, following their leader's example to trust the doctor, they withheld any objections they might've voiced for now.

Moving in near-perfect unison, S-Class followed Doctor Genus into the House of Evolution. To everyone's surprise, the clones and non-humans didn't begin tailing them until there was a sizable distance between the two groups. Perhaps this was done to ease the wariness of the heroes and Association employees. If so, that was a smart move, expected of the doctor.

As everyone moved through the building, they paid as much attention to even the most minute details. So far, nothing set off any instincts or alarms in the heroes. The environment was exceptionally clean and orderly. As Metal Knight said, the above-ground rooms they saw were entirely normal.

Eventually, both groups reached an industrial-sized elevator. Again, as mentioned by Metal Knight. The leading group, consisting of S-Class, the Association employees, and Doctor Genus, would descend first. Admittedly, this did add credibility to the doctor's intent for a friendly relationship. The ride inside the lift took quite a few minutes; he was too far from his creations to be considered "safe," so he'd be at the heroes' mercy if something happened.

"Excuse me, Doctor Genus." Metal Knight spoke, getting all eyes on his robot. "Why have we gone to such a deep level of the facility?" He inquired.

"Of all the things I wish to show One Punch Man, and by extension the rest of you, there is one room in particular that holds the most importance." Dr. Genus stated.

"Care to share more details with the class?" Atomic Samurai asked, his hand never leaving the hilt of his sword.

"It's a combat area meant for my creations to train and for us to gather combat data." Dr. Genus answered, quickly raising his hand afterward. "Before you say anything, no, I do not intend for One Punch Man to fight. Nor do I wish to gather information on him during this tour without his consent. I want to show all of you this space to display what I can offer the Association." He explained.

"But you're a geneticist. Wouldn't that be the first thing you'd want to showcase?" Isamu questioned.

"I already have, Child Emperor. You've seen my creations for yourselves. You haven't witnessed their capabilities, but you've more than likely already assessed their potential given your experience and keen eyes." Dr. Genus replied.

That was true. Every member could easily tell those non-humans were strong. Furthermore, Drive and Metal Knight performed scans of each creature upon seeing them. For a first impression, Doctor Genus's capabilities as a geneticist were unrivaled.

Continuing the trek in silence, everyone would soon reach a rather interesting room. If asked to interpret the concept of a "void," this might be what most people put forward. The walls, floor, and ceiling were blindingly white. Additionally, the space was MASSIVE.

"Now, to fully appreciate this room's design, I'd ask all of you to step in here." Dr. Genus requested while approaching one of the nearby walls. When he reached it, he placed his hand on a specific section. After a few seconds, a part of the wall retracted into itself, revealing another room.

Walking into this new space, the others discovered a spectator area. Granted, there was a lot more to it than that. However, only Metal Knight, Drive Knight, and Child Emperor could make sense of the room's myriad gizmos and electronics. They were also the only ones who cared.

"When my creations reach us, they will show off their abilities in the combat room." Dr. Genus began explaining once everyone was inside and the door was closed. "I hope all of you will see the worth of associating yourselves with the House of Evolution from this demonstration. Imagine the countless things that can be achieved with our partnership. There will never be a situation where the Association and its heroes are surprised or left unprepared by a new monster or threat." He said.

"Sounding pretty confident there, doc," Baddo commented. "Not trying to be an ass, but why would we need you? We have One Punch Man, after all." He reminded.

"That you do. However, what about the rest? The heroes in the lower ranks? One Punch Man can't be everywhere at once. If a hero is badly injured or on the cusp of dying, attending to them and ensuring their survival will be dire. But with my technology and knowledge of genetics, such concerns are a thing of the past." Dr. Genus replied.

"Are you suggesting that we allow you to clone the other heroes and us?" Flashy Flash asked.

"That would need to be decided on an individual level. If a hero gives their permission, should this partnership occur, we will happily resurrect them if they perish. However, we can also clone organs and blood. So, even outside extreme scenarios, we can help with other medical matters. Imagine a world where no one has to wait for an organ transplant anymore. Blood transfusions are as easily conducted as a check-up. The blind, deaf, and generally crippled can be restored to a better state of living. The House of Evolution can accomplish what your resources and personnel aren't able to. A perfect harmonious union, all for the betterment of humanity." Dr. Genus answered.

Huh, I'll be damned. That was what quite a few people were thinking right now. Doctor Genus was prepared for this meeting in more ways than one. He presented so many possibilities for the use of his science and technology. A partnership between both organizations was almost necessary now, given what could be gained.

"...I have a question," Saitama spoke, catching everyone by surprise.

"Oh? Regarding what, One Punch Man?" Dr. Genus responded.

"It's not about anything you've said so far, and it isn't about me. I've had this on my mind since my encounter with Mosquito Girl and Ground Dragon." Saitama started. "Out of curiosity, would it be possible to help non-humans? Up until now, we've assumed that they were mindless monsters. Don't get me wrong, practically ALL of them have been. But keeping your creations hidden from the masses will be impossible. So, they'll have to become public figures, maybe even heroes. If that happens, a LOT of work will have to go into convincing everyone that they're not threats. If we're successful, it could encourage other non-humans to come forward to try and live normal lives. If that happens, would we be able to help?" He asked.

Holy crap. No one expected to hear such a question from Saitama. Everyone, even Tatsumaki, looked at him with widened eyes. However, one specific part caught many others' attention.

"One Punch Man," Sitch spoke up, the first to do so. "Are you serious? Non-humans as heroes?" He questioned.

"What else would they do?" Saitama challenged. "From what I could tell, NONE of them can do anything except fight. They're obviously meant for combat. I can't see any of them working in a supermarket or serving meals in a restaurant." He told him before looking at Doctor Genus. "No offense." He added, not wanting to be rude.

"No, your assessment is accurate, One Punch Man." Dr. Genus agreed, not insulted. "Admittedly, my clones and I plan to alter my creations' bodies to be more suitable for human civilization. They'll be able to interact with our structures and objects like us before long." He assured.

"Could you do the same for other non-humans, then?" Saitama inquired.

"Easily. It'd be no issue." Dr. Genus confidently replied.

"Hold on!" Sitch interjected. "One Punch Man, this proposal requires greater consideration! We need to talk to the other Association heads. Agoni himself will need to be contacted! We can't hastily approve or promise anything!" He stressed.

"That's fine. I'm just thinking about the future. So far, Doctor Genus hasn't done anything to make him seem untrustworthy. If this works out, we need to plan ahead." Saitama said.

"Er, yes. That is true." Sitch agreed, still nervous and surprised by this development.

Shick

That was the sound of the room's door opening. Afterward, Doctor Genus's clones entered. Looking to the combat room, everyone saw his creations getting into position. The exceptions were Frog Man, Ground Dragon, and Slugerous since they'd get DEMOLISHED.

"We're ready to begin the demonstration." Dr. Genus stated. "Do you want us to delay it briefly to continue talking? Or shall we proceed?" He asked.

"No. We can keep talking after." Saitama answered before looking at Sitch. "Right?" He inquired.

"Um, yes. Of course." Sitch replied with a nod.

With a pin in the conversation, Doctor Genus turned his attention to his creations. At the center of the room, Kamakyuri stood opposite Mosquito Girl. Nearby, Beast King and Armored Gorilla faced Carnage Kabuto, a two-on-one.

"Ahem." Dr. Genus cleared his throat. He spoke into a microphone on the table before him. "Here are the rules. Three minutes. Both fights shall occur simultaneously. You are only meant to attack your intended opponents. No transformations. No reckless behavior. Damage to the combat room is allowed within a reasonable threshold. If any of you show signs of losing control or you sustain far too much injury, the fight will end immediately, and the room will be gassed. Do you understand?" He stated, ending with a question.

"Yes, sir." All of his creations answered.

"Hold on." Zombieman interrupted, causing him to turn off the microphone. "Lose control? What do you mean?" He inquired.

"Beast King and Carnage Kabuto, where offensive capabilities are concerned, were designed to destroy entire cities when they enter a certain state. Please remember that this was BEFORE One Punch Man became who he is now. As promised, my creations will undergo genetic reconstruction to make them a non-threat to civilian populations." Dr. Genus explained.

"You wouldn't mind if one of us watched it happen, right? To ensure you'd go through with it." Zombieman challenged.

"Of course not." Dr. Genus welcomed. "If anything, you are perfect for that task, Zombieman. You'd be able to see through any deception I could try." He added.

To that, Zombieman had no rebuttal. Again, Doctor Genus was being so agreeable. Was this the real him? Could a person with such grand desires be rehabilitated?

"Doctor?" Mosquito Girl called out from the room. "Is something wrong?" She asked, unsure why they hadn't been given the go-ahead yet.

"Sorry, something came up, and we needed to discuss it." Dr. Genus answered after turning the microphone back on. "You may proceed." He permitted.

The moment they received confirmation, Doctor Genus's creations were in motion. Within an instant, Kamakyuri and Mosquito Girl disappeared. The only way those with normal eyes could detect their presence was from the constant clashing of their bladed appendages. Sparks and sounds of sharpened metal clashing were their signs of life.

Contrastly, Beast King, Armored Gorilla, and Carnage Kabuto were slow. However, this was intentional. Beast King and Armored Gorilla knew their opponent's speed, durability, and strength. Their first strike had to be coordinated and well-executed. Hence, the duo cautiously circled Carnage Kabuto, waiting to choose the right opportunity.

In reaction, Carnage Kabuto gave them their moment. He was curious and excited to see what the pair would do.

FWOOM

That was the sound of Armored Gorilla's punch splitting the air and, unfortunately, missing Carnage Kabuto. But this miss was expected, as evidenced by Beast King attempting to compensate by attacking with a broad slash of his claws. Sadly, in both assaults, Carnage Kabuto effortlessly dodged. Yet his assailants couldn't give him any breathing room, so they maintained the offensive with more punches and slashes.

Swing after swing, Carnage Kabuto dodged. He could easily tank these blows with his hardened carapace, but he wanted to show off for One Punch Man and impress the others. Eventually, Beast King and Armored Gorilla forced him near the back wall. Soon, he'd have no more room to evade on his feet.

An important distinction to make. Because once Carnage Kabuto realized the diminishing space, he opened his wings and took to the sky. Once he landed, he'd begin his counterattack.

BAM

Impressively, Carnage Kabuto was caught by surprise. How? He never anticipated a combo maneuver from his attackers. As he took flight, Beast King grabbed one of Armored Gorilla's arms. Then, in one swift and powerful motion, he threw his partner with the same force as a cannonball being fired.

Armored Gorilla collided with Carnage Kabuto and wrapped his arms around him. This forced the beetle's wings to close, resulting in a sudden descent. Carnage Kabuto could EASILY break this hold; that wasn't the issue. The problem lay with Beast King.

Expecting the described outcome, Beast King was already approaching from the ground. His powerful legs allowed him to leap to such a height with no issue. Even IF Carnage Kabuto broke free, he couldn't open his wings fast enough to escape the incoming strike. Furthermore, Armored Gorilla's body was durable enough to withstand the attack, so using him as a shield would do nothing.

So, at that moment, Carnage Kabuto made a choice. He leaned into the descent headfirst; his horn pointed at Beast King. This forced the lion-man to position his arms before himself to prevent serious damage. However, this played precisely into Carnage Kabuto's overall plan.

With the combined weight of himself and Armored Gorilla, Carnage Kabuto was going to body slam the ferocious feline. The best-case scenario was that he'd knock Beast King out. Of course, the chances of that were very slim. Regardless, it would get them all back on the ground and reset the fight.

BOOM

The impact was akin to a small explosion. Incredibly, mere seconds later, all three combatants were on their feet and going at it again. Now, Beast King and Armored Gorilla had to balance offense with defense as Carnage Kabuto started throwing punches.

FWOOSH

At last, Mosquito Girl and Kamakyuri were visible again. The pair of insect fighters stood opposite each other. Mosquito Girl was practically the same, only her hair was slightly messy. Kamakyuri, on the other hand, was noticeably feeling the gap in their capabilities. While still impressive, he wasn't as quick as her.

Then there were the other apparent issues. Kamakyuri had two blades; Mosquito Girl had four. Not counting her proboscis, which could extend. Also, she could fly. So, Kamakyuri was constantly defending, allowing Mosquito Girl total control over the fight.

Such an unfavorable scenario led to Kamakyuri's body being covered in wounds. Green blood seeped from the injuries, his blades were chipped in a few places, and his dome had a few small cracks. Despite this, Kamakyuri wasn't afraid. He also didn't request a break. So, why did the fight stop?

"Why aren't you attacking?" Kamakyuri asked his opponent, his arms raised in case this was a trick.

"I...don't think we should continue." Mosquito Girl hesitantly answered. A genuine worry was present on her face.

"What? WHY?!" Kamakyuri shouted, maintaining his stance.

"Kamakyuri, I've intentionally held back to avoid hitting your brain. Even then, the force from my strikes is damaging the glass." Mosquito Girl told him. "If we go for longer, it could break. I don't want to-"

"NO!" Kamakyuri rejected, pointing one of his blades at her. "We are meant to impress One Punch Man! We will show him and the other heroes that the doctor's research is important and successful! Do you want to embarrass him?" He inquired.

"Of course not! But I don't want to kill-"

CLANG

Without warning, Kamakyuri rushed Mosquito Girl. Their blades collided, and from them, a sharp noise was made.

"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" Kamakyuri angrily yelled in her face. "IF I DIE! THE DOCTOR WILL BRING ME BACK! THAT'S HOW IT'S ALWAYS WORKED!" He reminded her.

"I KNOW THAT!" Mosquito Girl yelled back. She held her ground as he pushed against her, refusing to budge. "BUT THAT WAS BEFORE! WHEN WE WERE MEANT TO KILL EACH OTHER! I DON'T WANT TO ANYMORE!" She shouted.

"THEN IT'LL BE A FREE WIN FOR ME!" Kamakyuri responded.

After that, the two returned to sparring, disappearing from normal sight again. Now, their roles were reversed. Kamakyuri was hyper-aggressive, whereas Mosquito Girl dodged and blocked to avoid hurting him. Their outbursts and the sudden shift in their battle didn't go unnoticed.

"What happened there?" Saitama asked their creator. "It seemed like there was tension or something." He noted.

"Forgive them. It's not their fault." Dr. Genus sighed. "Before your transformation, as you might've assumed from what I've shared, my creations were conditioned to view themselves as nothing more than sentient weapons. But since then, I've actively encouraged them to realize their identities and personalities. Feeling their emotions rather than suppressing them is entirely new. Combined with their developing individuality, they're facing a lot of confusion right now." He explained.

"Huh, it's like me, but in reverse." Saitama thought as he returned his attention to the fights. "Even if they're confused, it must be exciting. It'd be nice to have a rush of emotions suddenly flood into me rather than slowly disappear." He went on.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Suddenly, a light on the wall began flashing and emitting a noise. Everyone's immediate assumption was an alarm.

"What is that?" Saitama inquired, all eyes now on the light.

"It's an alert from upstairs. The color indicates what the emergency is. It's yellow, which means that there's an approaching intruder." Dr. Genus informed them.

"Metal Knight? Does that check out?" Saitama asked while looking at the robot.

"One moment..." Metal Knight requested as he turned on one of his drones that were outside. "...Yes. The doctor is correct. Drone number three is detecting a rapidly approaching lifeform. It's coming from the West. Initial scans show that it is mostly cybernetic, but there are signs of an organic component. A cyborg, perhaps?" He answered, ending with a suggestion.

"What should we do, One Punch Man?" Dr. Genus inquired. "Normally, I'd have my creations deal with this. However, I assume that won't be permitted since you are here and still don't know if you can trust us." He said.

"Yeah, good call." Saitama agreed. "Well, since we can't just ignore a random cyborg on its way here, we'll head back up top." He decided.

"Understood." Dr. Genus replied before focusing back on his creations. "Attention, everyone. The demonstration is prematurely over. We've received a warning from above that an unknown cyborg is approaching. So, we will return to the ground floor to deal with it." He told them.

Although confused and surprised by this information, the non-humans still came to an immediate stop. Afterward, as they had planned, everyone headed to and ascended in the elevator in the same order as before. All the while, each of them pondered the same question. Who was this mysterious cyborg?

Chapter Text

Tree leaves and shrubbery swayed back and forth. The cause of their rustling was several gusts. However, these powerful bursts of wind were not natural. They were caused by a single entity moving at incredible speeds.

Rather than running, this figure swiftly hopped. Each landing was only a second, long enough to push itself forward with another mighty leap. With this stride, the entity traveled to a specific location. An isolated facility far from civilization, secluded for the sake of privacy.

"I can detect the structure now." The figure thought, assessing the environment it approached. "There will likely be more than the monster I saw yesterday. A pre-emptive strike would be the best course of action." They reasoned.

After a few seconds, the entity's destination came into view. A tall building built from the side of a mountain. This was the base of operation for a sinister syndicate. There could be no other explanation.

"I shouldn't give them any opportunity to react." The figure thought as it placed both hands in front of itself. They were pressed together at the wrist, as were the arms against each other. "One burst. I'll put everything I have into a single devastating attack." They decided.

Rapidly, an orange light began to build in the figure's arms. The source was fire, which they planned to release in a violent torrent. However, at the halfway point, the action was interrupted.

"I wouldn't do that." A voice spoke from the figure's right, followed by a mechanical hand grabbing their arm.

In reaction, the figure performed an immediate roundhouse kick. Unfortunately, the attack was easily blocked by the stranger. Now locked in place, both persons could properly look at the other. Each was surprised by what they saw.

On one side, a blonde-headed cyborg in fairly normal clothes. On the other, an impressively-sized robot that was built for combat.

"Easy there. I'm not your enemy." The robot told the cyborg, maintaining its hold on his leg until it was sure he'd behave. "I am the S-Class hero Metal Knight." It stated.

"Wait, what?!" The cyborg questioned in alarm, his eyes shooting wide open.

"Ah. So, you know of me?" Metal Knight inquired.

"No. Not you, specifically." The cyborg clarified, quickly returning to his neutrally stoic expression. "I am aware of the Hero Association. By extension, I know about its Hero Rankings. S-Class is the highest rank a hero can be given. To be S-Rank, you must be incredibly capable, powerful, or both." He explained.

"Very good. It seems you know enough." Metal Knight complimented him. "Now then, if you refrain from further violence, I will release your leg." He offered.

In response, the cyborg nodded. In return, Metal Knight followed through and unhanded the limb.

"What's your name? Or alias, if you prefer." Metal Knight asked.

"Genos." The cyborg answered.

"A pleasure, Genos." Metal Knight politely replied while extending his hand, to which the young cyborg shook it.

"Tell me, Metal Knight. Are you here on a mission? Is the Association planning to attack the House of Evolution?" Genos inquired.

"I'm afraid the situation is too complex to be easily described. The best summary I can offer is that this is a diplomatic mission." Metal Knight responded, causing the cyborg's eyes to widen once more.

"Diplomacy? The Association would consider such a thing with an organization that creates monsters?" Genos questioned.

"You know quite a lot, Genos." Metal Knight pointed out. "How is that?" He asked.

However, before the S-Class hero could get an answer, both men were caught off guard by a sudden new voice.

"Metal Knight!" Saitama called out from the front of the building. As Genos and Metal Knight looked at the House of Evolution, they saw him, all of S-Class, Sweet Mask, Blizzard of Hell, and many monsters outside the entrance. One, in particular, was familiar to Genos. "Can you hear me? Did you run into the cyborg? You've gone quiet on your scouting drone!" He continued to shout.

"One moment, please." Metal Knight requested from Genos.

With a simple button press at his control station, Metal Knight switched his audio output from the combat unit next to Genos to his scouting drone.

"Apologies." Metal Knight spoke, getting everyone's attention. "To answer your question, One Punch Man, yes. I have made contact with the cyborg." He informed before raising the drone's arm and pointing straight ahead. "We're positioned far enough into the forest where we can't be easily seen." He told them.

"Wait, seriously?" Baddo questioned with a raised brow. "Why the Hell aren't you fighting him, then?" He asked.

"Simple. He's not mindless." Metal Knight began. "The cyborg in question is named Genos. A quick guess as to his age would be late teens or early twenties." He stated.

"Wait..." Mosquito Girl muttered, squinting her eyes. "Excuse me; I don't mean to butt in. But can I ask you something?" She requested.

In reaction, Metal Knight looked at Saitama for his approval. Upon doing so, he received a thumbs up.

"Yes. You may." Metal Knight permitted, focusing back on her.

"Thanks." Mosquito Girl said to show her appreciation before continuing. "Out of curiosity, does this cyborg have blonde hair, a stiff face, and a general demeanor of I don't know what's going on?" She asked.

"I'm not sure about that last one, but the other two check out." Metal Knight confirmed, causing her eyes to widen.

"Oh...my...god..." Mosquito Girl muttered in horror. "It's him. It's HIM. The jackass! The one who attacked me earlier!" She realized.

"Hold on." Fubuki, surprisingly, was the next to speak. "THAT cyborg? How did he figure out where to find you? Isn't the House of Evolution meant to be a secret?" She inquired.

In the seconds that followed, there was silence. All eyes fell onto Mosquito Girl. The heroes looked at her curiously, wondering what her reply would be. Contrastly, the other members of the House of Evolution, including her creator, furrowed their brows. In their minds, they shared the same hope that they wouldn't hear what they expected.

"...I...guess he has a tracking system..." Mosquito Girl replied after ten seconds of quiet. "That's the only way it can be explained. Yup. The only way." She insisted.

The heroes, of course, could tell that something was up with her statement. The same could be said for Doctor Genus and his other creations. However, since they knew Mosquito Girl, they knew what she was attempting to lie. Of her many strengths, this was not one of them. It's how Mosquito Girl always lost at cards. The poor woman couldn't bluff to a gullible child.

"Anyway..." Saitama said, preventing an awkward pause from occurring. "Metal Knight, would you say that Genos is dangerous?" He asked.

"I've performed a quick scan of his mechanical components. He's capable of impressive heat-based damage. But in the short time I've talked with him, Genos appears to be a rational person. I wouldn't say he's a threat, and I would strongly advise he be debriefed on the situation. He certainly won't walk away without knowing what is going on." Metal Knight answered.

"Alright, then. Bring him here. We'll sort everything out." Saitama instructed.

Rather than responding, Metal Knight returned his audio output to his combat drone to speak to Genos again. From there, the young cyborg would come forward, and an explanation would follow.

Half An Hour Later...

Saitama, Sitch, his subordinates, and Doctor Genus took it upon themselves to fill Genos in on everything. S-Class, Sweet Mask, Fubuki, and Doctor Genus's creations, including the clones, waited for them to finish. In the meantime, as the Doctor promised, the clones provided ample food and refreshments for their guests. Everyone rested in a large room of the facility that could be considered a lounge as it had plenty of furniture and even a few TVs.

The other heroes weren't included in this debriefing because they barely knew anything about the situation before coming here. The only ones with all the details were Doctor Genus, Saitama, and the Association employees since they'd been investigating the House of Evolution. Zombieman could've joined them, but he chose not to. His reason was that, even now, he had strong opinions and feelings about everything, meaning he couldn't treat it with the same level of diplomatic neutrality as them.

Thus, they waited. Sitting in remarkably comfortable chairs or couches. The heroes had eaten back at HQ, so they weren't hungry. But the beverages they were served, all in finely cleaned glasses, put anything the Association could offer to SHAME. Oh, and as for the Doctor's creations, they stayed on the opposite side of the room to avoid making the heroes uncomfortable.

"It sure is taking them a long time," Baddo commented before sipping his soda.

"Honestly, this is the least we should expect," Zombieman replied. "Think about it. One Punch Man has to explain what happened a few hours ago and how we ended up here. Then, most likely, Sitch will provide additional information and details that the Association has accumulated in their investigation. After that, Genus will have to explain himself and go through the sales pitch he gave us when we arrived. Finally, Genos must tell them why he was pursuing Mosquito Girl, how he found the House of Evolution's location, and then his backstory. They probably won't be done for another fifteen minutes, maybe even another half hour." He reasoned.

"Eh, that makes sense," Baddo responded. Astoundingly, he didn't have a sarcastic remark or brazen comeback. "Well, at least we can put our feet up for now. Plus, these drinks are AMAZING." He carried on, taking another sip afterward.

"Agreed. It would seem that genetics are not the Doctor's only skill. I don't think I've ever had a serving of liquor this good." Atomic Samurai chimed in.

"We shouldn't become too relaxed." Drive Knight advised. "Keep in mind; I don't say this out of suspicion of Genus. So far, he's done nothing to warrant wariness." He said.

"Then why should we keep our guard up?" Watchdog Man questioned since it seemed like he contradicted himself.

"Because it would negatively impact our image." Drive Knight clarified. "Remember, we're S-Class. We're meant to reflect the best of the Association and heroes as a whole. Furthermore, we're directly beneath One Punch Man in the chain of command. What will it say about his leadership if we're perceived as slacking when he's not around?" He told them, ending with a question.

"Yeah, he makes a good point." Tanktop Master agreed. "We can't do anything to disgrace our leader or heroes themselves. Even though everything seems to be on the up and up, we can't become careless." He stated.

"I think it's fine," King spoke, surprising everyone. Nearly all the time, King rarely said anything unless directly addressed. Even then, the only person who could get more than a few words out of him consistently was their leader. "One of the things Saitama always tries to do is lessen the stiffness of our job. He prefers it when we act casually rather than formally. It made sense when we were first introduced to one another, but we've known each other long enough that there doesn't need to be this insistence on politeness. Additionally, if we showed Genus's clones and his creations a more easily approachable side of ourselves, it could make interacting with them in the future much easier. Even something as simple as allowing our shoulders to slump and our faces to soften when drinking a cool refreshing beverage could go a long way." He argued.

"That's easy for YOU to say. You're One Punch Man's best friend and disciple! You've known him longer than anyone else!" Isamu exclaimed.

"Well, I've known him and King for about as long." Baddo mentioned. "And that's not a brag, I swear. Just putting it out there." He added, not wanting to be misinterpreted.

"That only supports what Child Emperor said." Flashy Flash replied. "You and King met One Punch Man when he was still normal. You established a proper relationship with him in the early days of the Association and S-Class. Meanwhile, the rest of us behaved like asses. Or, at the very least, we thought very little of him, and we weren't the only ones. Genus said as much himself; nearly everyone everywhere believed that our leader had the number one spot because of favoritism. Our egos and ignorance kept us from seeing the obvious potential that Agoni saw. Only when our leader became One Punch Man did we realize our hubris. Many, if not all, expected a harsh humiliation from him as punishment for our behavior. Yet, One Punch Man did no such thing. He didn't even demand an apology, which ANY of us would have if we were in his place. We haven't earned the right to behave so friendly. We still have a lot to make up for." He stated.

"Yeah, we were pretty big jerks then," Superalloy admitted. Even though he was among the most chill of S-Class, he also had moments where he behaved a tad arrogant.

"Hmph. Speak for yourselves." Tatsumaki said with a scoff. "I have no regrets about the past nor the present. If anything, that walking eggshell should be GRATEFUL I've allowed him to be considered an associate." She asserted.

"Wow. The brat's acting like a brat. Who could've predicted something so SHOCKING." Baddo responded with an eye roll. He'd happily whack her a few times, hoping it'd improve her personality. But he knew Saitama would give him the scolding of his life if he did that.

"What. Did. You. Call. Me?" Tatsumaki slowly questioned, turning to face him with eyes full of building rage.

"You got ears; use 'em," Baddo told her, unaffected by her glare.

Like a lit match to a barrel of kerosene, an explosion followed. Tatsumaki and Bad would begin their usual verbal fight to the death, each threatening the other in several colorful ways. The others would do their best to calm them down, but it was like trying to put out a wildfire with a water gun.

"Sorry, Saitama. I did what I could..." King thought as he silently watched the scene unfold. He always tried to help make his buddy's life easier, but it sadly turned out like this every time. Or, in the more tragic instances, things would somehow get worse.

As the heroes continued to devolve into their usual chaos, which seemed to happen only when Saitama wasn't around, Doctor Genus's creations watched it from where they were seated.

"Huh, they're just like us." Frog Man said, amazed to see the S-Class act so normally.

"Yeah. Maybe things will work out after all." Carnage Kabuto replied, sounding unusually hopeful and inspiring.

"I'm surprised to hear YOU say that, Kabuto." Ground Dragon confessed. While not a pessimist, the beetle-man was never the one who tried to boost morale. Funnily enough, that honor went to Mosquito Girl, making her earlier deflated state incredibly ironic.

"You know what? So am I." Carnage Kabuto admitted. "But think about it, guys. If everything goes well, then we'll be able to do all KINDS of things once the public gets used to us." He said.

"I didn't know you thought about that stuff," Slugerous responded. A bit strange coming from the psychic of their group. Then again, he respected the others' privacy, meaning he wouldn't discretely invade their minds and read their thoughts.

"Only recently. When the doc first mentioned contacting One Punch Man." Carnage Kabuto started. "Look, I'll be the first to say I ain't a looker. Even after the doc remakes us, I'll still be the ugliest one here. But that doesn't mean I can't earn everybody's trust in OTHER ways. Once I accomplish that, it'll be smooth sailing." He told them.

"What do you have in mind?" Kamakyuri inquired, voicing the growing curiosity he and the others had.

"Well, I'm the only one here besides Mosquito Girl who can fly. Maybe I can do some easy stuff at first, like helping people get where they need to go. Or I could use my speed in the air to get to major disasters before another hero, deal with it, and show that I'm one of the good guys. It'll take some time, even with One Punch Man vouching for us. But when we earn the public's trust, we'll have SO many opportunities!" Carnage Kabuto explained.

"Like what?" Armored Gorilla pressed, wanting to hear more.

"...Uh..." Carnage Kabuto trailed off, trying to think of something. "...I...don't know. The doc hasn't gotten around to teaching us how the world works and what the people do in it yet." He realized before suddenly looking at Mosquito Girl. "You're the only one who's gone beyond the forest. Did you see anything interesting before the fight happened?" He asked.

"Hey, I was out there too." Ground Dragon reminded him.

"Yeah, in the dirt." Carnage Kabuto countered. Ground Dragon raised his hand and opened his mouth to reply. However, he didn't since the beetle-man was completely accurate.

"Hmm...let me think..." Mosquito Girl hummed, recalling if she saw anything of interest when traveling to and arriving at City Z. "I...mainly saw a bunch of buildings. I sent that jackass flying through one. Most of them were abandoned or closed. But I think I saw a few with some cool stuff in them, like items that humans buy or stuff to interact with." She recalled.

"Ooh! I want to buy stuff!" Frog Man excitedly exclaimed.

"We'll have to wait until we become heroes and get paid before we can do that." Kamakyuri mentioned. "As for interacting with people, Mosquito Girl and I still need hands..." He added while raising and looking at his bladed arms.

"IF that happens." Beast King corrected. "We still need to wait and see how today finishes up. One Punch Man sees potential in us, our organization, and the Doctor. However, something could happen that suddenly changes everything." He said, not wanting them to get TOO excited.

"I dunno. I don't see that happening." Mosquito Girl refuted, followed by a sneer. "Although, I suppose if that jackass does something stupid, things could get worse..." She muttered.

"Man, you REALLY hate that guy." Armored Gorilla noted, saying what everyone thought.

"HE TRIED TO COOK ME! OF COURSE I'D HATE HIM!" Mosquito Girl shouted while slamming the table. Just the mere THOUGHT of that blonde-haired jerk boiled her blood.

CLAP

That sudden loud sound caught everyone's attention, including the S-Class Heroes. An impressive display of how Doctor Genus could command the attention of a room with a simple action. Yes, Doctor Genus. Not one of his clones, but the man himself.

He had arrived a few seconds ago. As expected, accompanying Doctor Genus was Saitama, Sitch, his subordinates, and Genos. Once everyone processed this, the room became silent and still. All eyes fell onto the men while their ears waited to hear what was to be said.

"Thank you." Dr. Genus spoke before turning to Saitama. "The floor is yours, One Punch Man." He stated.

"Appreciate it," Saitama replied as the Doctor stepped back. "Okay. So, here's what's going on. First off, Genos. Long story short, and trust me, it WAS. Genos, alongside a man named Kuseno, is on the side of justice. Kuseno is the one who saved Genos' life after an incident involving another cyborg. Since then, he's been trying to get stronger while searching for that cyborg. When animals in the countryside started getting attacked by mosquitos, he investigated it. That's what led him to Mosquito Girl. As for how he found this place, she had mentioned it when they were fighting, and with Kuseno's aid, they figured out the House of Evolution's location." He said.

Briefly, all eyes went to Mosquito Girl, who preemptively hid her face in her hands to conceal her uncontrollable blush of embarrassment.

"Moving on." Saitama began again, getting the attention back on him. "Long story short, like before, we explained everything to Genos. Similar to Zombieman, he has doubts about Genus. But since we're all here, even if something did happen, there's no way he could get away with it." He told them before looking at Sitch. "From here, Sitch will explain the rest." He concluded.

"Thank you, One Punch Man," Sitch responded before stepping forward. "I'll try to keep this as brief as possible per One Punch Man's request. After Genos was brought up to speed and everyone was on the same page, One Punch Man suggested we conclude our investigation of Genus and his organization then and there. He didn't want to waste any more of our time, even though he hadn't. As always, very considerate." He said.

"Ahem." Saitama cleared his throat, making sure he stayed on topic.

"Er, anyway." Sitch continued, slightly embarrassed by that. "Genus, to help further dispel all of our concerns, showed us most of his research. He also allowed us to connect a device we brought to his personal computer that gives those back at HQ full access, courtesy of Child Emperor. At this point, it'd be impossible for Genus to hide anything from us. However, even if he is, as One Punch Man said, there's nothing he could accomplish now. We know far too much about him and his creations for them to run, hide, or plan a sneak attack. As such, while there are still many things we need to work out and more meetings to be held, we're confident that the Association will become allies with the House of Evolution." He finished.

"See? What'd I say?" Baddo was the first to comment, predictably smug. "Saitama told us from the get-go these guys were fine. We didn't need to make such a big deal out of it." He said.

"Glad to see you're maintaining that single-digit IQ you're so proud of." Flashy Flash replied.

"Easy, guys," Saitama interjected, not wanting another shouting match.

"Sorry." Both men apologized, not meaning to bother him.

"If I may." Dr. Genus requested, stepping forward again. "I'd like to take a moment and express the gratitude I, my clones, and my creations have for this outcome. While there is still a long road ahead of us before we've earned your trust, being given this opportunity is more than we could've hoped for. Thank you all." He stated, going so far as to bow out of respect.

"Hey, it's cool. No need to bow." Saitama assured as the Doctor straightened himself. "At the end of the day, none of us wanted this to get ugly. Plus, this partnership could lead to a lot of good things. Everybody's a winner." He reasoned.

"Well put, One Punch Man." Sitch complimented him.

"Agreed. I couldn't have said it better." Dr. Genus joined in.

"Gee, thanks," Saitama responded with an appreciative smile. "Anyway, I think that's everything. So, unless anyone else needs or wants to say something, we can wrap things up and call this mission a success." He told them.

Now, when that was spoken, everyone expected silence to follow. The heroes, clones, and Genus's creations had nothing to add. Furthermore, none of them had any objections. However, there was a wild card among them, and no one could've predicted what happened next.

"I do," Genos spoke while raising his hand. Everyone, including Saitama, looked at him with surprised expressions.

"You...do?" Saitama questioned with a raised brow. This was weird. Everything was worked out during their meeting. What could be on his mind?

"One Punch Man, sir." Genos began. Oh no. Formality. That was NEVER a good sign. "After receiving all of the information you and Doctor Genus had to share, I realized how foolish I had acted. I rushed into a situation without doing any real investigation. I was tunnel-visioned and only operated on assumptions and preconceived notions about non-human entities. Because of this, I caused many issues for the House of Evolution, the Association, and you. I am deeply sorry." He apologized.

"Oh," Saitama said. A wave of relief washed over him. This wasn't anything weird; Genos just felt regret for his actions. "Don't worry about it, Genos. It was an honest mistake, and no one got hurt. Well, apart from you. But still, everything's okay now." He told him before looking at Mosquito Girl. "Right?" He asked.

"...Sure..." Mosquito Girl slowly answered. On the one hand, being One Punch Man's biggest and most loyal fan, she couldn't say anything that'd make him angry. On the other hand, she still despised that jackass with every ounce of her body and soul.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot accept that!" Genos exclaimed, doubling down. "If things had played out differently, then the peaceful outcome you sought might've been impossible! I don't deserve to be let off the hook so easily!" He insisted.

"Genos, it's okay. You don't need to beat yourself up over-"

"Please!" Genos interrupted him. "Let me atone for my mistake!" He demanded.

"Okay! Okay!" Saitama finally caved in. When he set his mind to something, Genos could not be swayed. At least, that's the impression Saitama got. "But Genos, HOW are you going to atone? Because I won't feel comfortable if it's something extreme." He asked.

"It's simple, sir!" Genos exclaimed.

Following that exclamation, Genos suddenly dropped to his knees. His hands were placed on the floor, his head was bowed, and everyone looked on in stunned silence.

"...Oh no." Saitama thought, his eyes wider than anyone else's. "I know this pose. Don't say it. Do NOT say it. Genos, I swear, if you open your mouth and say those damned words I'll-"

"ONE PUNCH MAN!" Genos passionately shouted. "PLEASE! MAKE ME YOUR DISCIPLE! SHOW ME HOW I CAN BE A PROPER HERO OF JUSTICE!" He requested.

Jaws dropped. Glasses were either released and shattered on the floor or crushed in the strong hands that held them. Even Doctor Genus and his clones, who were the best at maintaining their composure among everyone present, showed the same reaction as the others. This young cyborg, who suddenly appeared, asked The World's Strongest Hero to be his master.

As for Saitama, at first, he did nothing. But then, without any words, he left. He'd walk away from the House of Evolution, through the forest, back to City Z, and into his apartment. During this, his mind thought back to the start of the day. A gray day. Oh, how those used to be so wonderful.

Chapter Text

Wrapped in a blanket. Warm and cozy. A serene stillness. These were the mornings that Saitama cherished.

After the events of yesterday, Saitama spent his time destressing. He read some of his backlog of manga. He watched some of his favorite programs. Then, when nighttime came, he made a soothing warm meal and slept on a full stomach and a head full of dreams.

It was the simple things. Being the most popular person on the planet wasn't easy. But whenever Saitama could take it slow, he felt at peace. There were no problems or stress. Everything was as it should be in the haven that was his apartment.

The only other thing that happened was a phone call from King. After Genos' unexpected request to become his disciple, he wanted to ensure Saitama was doing okay. Both men knew in the days that followed and then some that there would be a WHOLE lot to deal with. But surely, nothing could be worse than that bombshell. Then again, that could just be both men's hopeful optimism rearing its ugly head as it tended to do.

"...Yawn..."

A hefty breath escaped Saitama's lungs. Despite his immense comfort, his body told him it was time to start the day. Slowly unwrapping himself from his blanket cocoon, Saitama would then carry out his morning routine. The first stop was the bathroom, followed by the kitchen. He brushed his teeth at the kitchen sink to simultaneously watch the news.

After wetting his brush and applying the toothpaste, Saitama would use the remote he left on the counter to turn on the TV. Surprisingly, there weren't any major headlines. No monster encounters or sightings. No natural disasters. And, most importantly, no mention of what happened the day prior.

Now, one might wonder how that would even be possible. No member of S-Class would EVER betray Saitama's trust by speaking to the press about him. King and Fubuki wouldn't either since they were his closest friends. However, one mustn't underestimate the power of desperate journalism; it rivaled even Saitama's strength.

Back to the news, the only thing Saitama saw was a weather report. Clear blue skies, a refreshing breeze, and a temperature that was warm but not unpleasant. If he could manage it, he'd love to sneak away from the building unnoticed and enjoy the day.

"Hopefully, the Association will be busy with the House of Evolution. There'd be no point in me being there for the meetings. I'd have nothing else to contribute." Saitama thought as he finished his brushing. "If I can slip away, where should I go?" He pondered.

Contemplating his destination as he rinsed his mouth and cleaned his brush, Saitama recalled a perfect location he had stumbled upon. It was FAR away from ANY city. The ONLY people besides himself who knew about it were King and Fubuki, should they need to contact him while he was there.

"Yeah, that's perfect." Saitama decided with a small smile, excited by the idea. "I'll pack some drinks and food, bring a towel to lay on, and have a nice, peaceful time." He continued.

With his day planned out, Saitama got himself ready. Within a few minutes, he was dressed, acquired a fully-packed cooler, and had a towel draped over one of his arms. His gray day might've been a bust, but Saitama would enjoy today no matter what!

"It's still pretty early..." Saitama thought as he looked at his alarm clock. The time read seven-o-one. Usually, the only people who'd be outside of his apartment building were the extreme fans. News vans and reporters wouldn't show up until around eight. So, if he was stealthy, he could pull this off.

Opening the slider door that led to his balcony, Saitama stepped out. Usually, no one was on this side of the apartment building. So, he could easily leap from here onto a nearby rooftop and proceed to freedom.

However, Saitama's main escape route failed him for the first time. On the nearby rooftops, there were several reporters and news crews. The moment they saw the bald hero, it was all over.

"THERE HE IS!" One of the journalists exclaimed.

After that, it was a bombardment of camera flashes, questions being asked, and that serene peace that once enveloped the building disappearing. Quickly, Saitama retreated into his apartment. When the sliding door was shut, he heard something else. It came from the TV, which he had forgotten to turn off.

"We now go live to City Z, where our reporters are on the scene for today's biggest scoop." A female news anchor begam. There was a live feed of Saitama's apartment building on the screen beside her. "Late last night, we received word that the World's Strongest Hero might take on a second disciple. At first, there were concerns that this was the usual rumor mill. However, we and several other news outlets have confirmed the legitimacy of these claims. Details are still being sorted as of now, such as the identity of this mysterious new student. Hopefully, One Punch Man himself will offer commentary." She stated.

As the news anchor talked, Saitama walked around his apartment. He put the cooler in the fridge, placed his towel on the counter, and returned to his mattress after turning the TV off. Before bundling himself up in his blankets to go back to sleep, a single question entered Saitama's mind. Who was it that had blabbed about yesterday?

Elsewhere, At The Hero Association HQ...

"WHO DID THIS?!" Sitch angrily questioned, speaking to two of his subordinates.

The Hero Association, unsurprisingly, kept itself aware of what the news outlets of the world were reporting at any given time. However, they weren't omniscient. If a sudden development or announcement blindsided everyone else, they were also blindsided. So, imagine their surprise when EVERY news outlet, almost simultaneously, reported that they had heard of and confirmed the existence of a potential second disciple of One Punch Man.

Sure, they didn't have the specifics. Genos hadn't been named, nor was a description given. But still, something that should've been known ONLY by the Association, the House of Evolution, S-Class, and Genos had managed to slip out into the public. Someone somewhere had MASSIVELY dropped the ball.

Now, one might logically assume it was Genos. After all, he JUST showed up yesterday. However, after his shocking request to become One Punch Man's student, he and Kuseno, the man he mentioned, were brought to HQ for further discussion. So, there was no way at any point in time Genos or Kuseno could've leaked this. They also had no major incentive to do so.

As for the House of Evolution, they, too, were in the clear. After the initial shock of Genos' request subsided, the Association brought in MANY employees to continue their investigation of the facility and further discuss with Genus the details of their eventual alliance. So, he, his clones, and his creations had been actively monitored. It couldn't be them.

This left only two possible suspects. Someone from the Association or someone in S-Class. It was difficult, nigh-impossible, to humor the idea that a hero of ALL people would go behind One Punch Man's back like this. However, the possibility remained. But before the Association caused more trouble by accusing any of its heroes, they would investigate themselves THOROUGHLY.

"We don't know, sir. We're still verifying everyone's movements and actions from yesterday." Busho replied. He and Jinzuren shared their superior's frustration. This was a HUGE blunder on their part.

"What about the source?! Do we know where the outlets are getting their information from?" Sitch asked.

"No, sir. We're trying to contact them, but we're not getting through. Their phone lines are flooded with people calling to ask questions or confirm this is true. In short, it's a communication hell-storm out there." Jinzuren answered.

"Wonderful. JUST wonderful." Sitch sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. "What about S-Class? Have any of them done anything? Let me be clear; I don't mean anything suspicious. The whole world will be buzzing if it isn't already. Every hero, S-Class or otherwise, will catch wind of this." He inquired, ensuring to prevent any misunderstanding.

"So far, we haven't heard from them or seen them do anything, sir," Busho responded. "But, remember, S-Class is exceptionally good at going off the radar when they want to. They could already be attempting to contact each other or One Punch Man. They might even go to his apartment." He told him.

"Well, we'll have to worry about that later. Right now, we need to get through examining ourselves." Sitch said, receiving nods from his subordinates in agreement.

Meanwhile, In A Secure And Private Chat Room...

...

...

...

Alright, who talked? -Nuclear Swordsman

Wow. Real nice. Blaming one of us. -Bat Fanatic

Calm down, pompadour. He's only asking to get it out of the way. -Undead Detective

Yeah. We all know that none of us would do something like this. If any of us ever did, they'd get a beatdown. -T-Shirt Enthusiast

I'm currently trying to track down the cause, but it's going to take a while. The internet is EXPLODING right now. -Youthful Genius

The source might not be from the internet. If you'd like, I could assist by checking other likely origins. -Mechanical Mastermind

That'd be great! Thanks. -Youthful Genius

Should those of us capable of stealth infiltrate the News stations? Or, at the very least, investigate the public? There could be potential leads there. -Shining Ninja Star

A waste of time. The Association will already be looking into them. We need to put our attention elsewhere. -Adaptive Combatant

I think we should check on One Punch Man. His apartment building's swarmed right now. -Fitness Lover

Agreed. He's used to the typical crowds, but this goes beyond that. Plus, this is all happening at seven in the morning. I can't think of a worse way to start the day. -Animal Dude

What about King? Has anyone heard from him? -T-Shirt Enthusiast

I don't think he'll be able to help. I'm watching this one channel's coverage, and they've got people at King's apartment building, too. He might be able to call One Punch Man, assuming he answers. -Super Snacker

What about Silver Fang? He lives nearby. -Bat Fanatic

I don't know if he has a TV at the dojo. He might not be aware. -Nuclear Swordsman

True. He doesn't even use the chat room despite having a phone like the rest of us. -Undead Detective

Silver Fang's not the best with technology. Hope that isn't rude to say. -Youthful Genius

Nah, you're good. As someone who hangs out with him often, I'll be the first to confirm he could use a refresher on modern conveniences. -Nuclear Swordsman

OH, MY GOD, WILL ALL OF YOU SHUT UP?! MY NOTIFICATIONS WON'T STOP GOING OFF! -Tornado

Oh, wow. Look who decided to grace us with her presence. -Shining Ninja Star

Also, why is your username still Tornado? I thought you said you were going to make it different. -Animal Dude

DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT! STOP FLOODING MY PHONE WITH NOTIFICATIONS! -Tornado

How about you turn them off? Or just leave the chat room while we're talking? -Undead Detective

HOW ABOUT YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS?! -Tornado

Despite her attitude, Tornado makes a good point. There's not much more for us to talk about right now. We should focus on figuring out the situation and finding the culprit. -T-Shirt Enthusiast

Hmph. At least ONE of you is using their brain. Finally. -Tornado

You know, Tornado, you could be a big help! Would you mind lending a hand? -Fitness Lover

PLEASE. As if I'd WANT to get involved in this mess. Just sign off and stop polluting the chat room already! -Tornado

Alright. We'll all head out and reconvene later. Just lay off the all-caps, please. -Nuclear Swordsman

BITE ME. -Tornado

Sheesh. She's in a mood. More than usual. -Bat Fanatic

Yeah. But we should get moving. Talk to all of you in a bit. -Undead Detective

Meanwhile, At Saitama's Apartment...

So. Much. Noise. So. Many. Voices. Why did this have to happen? Was Saitama's life not stressful enough? Now he had to deal with all of this?

Try as he might, Saitama couldn't understand why Genos would have done what he did. Make him his disciple? Was there a screw-loose in his brain? Was he secretly one of Saitama's stalkers? It just didn't add up.

Then again, this mess wasn't Genos' fault. Saitama couldn't blame him. It was the bastard responsible for telling the public. Whoever they were, wherever they were, Saitama vowed he'd get his revenge someday. Mark his words; this wouldn't go unpunished!

For now, though, Saitama focused solely on blocking the audio overload. He wasn't hyper-sensitive to noise or anything. But wouldn't YOU be overwhelmed by so many people talking and walking outside YOUR apartment building?

This reminded Saitama to ask Child Emperor and Metal Knight about soundproofing his abode. He didn't want massive renovations to his home, but something to ensure it would be peaceful no matter the circumstances was important to him, especially at times like this. Giving it more thought, Saitama felt bad for the Association employees assigned to his building. He had the advantage of being able to hide while they did not.

"I should do something nice for them..." Saitama pondered, thinking about it while covering his head with his pillow. "I know! I'll give them enough money to cover their shopping expenses for a few months. It's not like I'm doing much with it. I'm sure they'll appreciate that. I know I would." He decided.

As Saitama figured out how much he should give each person, he noticed something. The abrupt absence of sound. What the Hell? Everything was quiet now, to the point he could hear himself breathing.

"Uh...what?..." Saitama questioned while sitting up. Try as he might, he couldn't detect the slightest noise.

Knock Knock

...Okay. This was freaky. First, everything gets quiet, then a sudden knock at the door. Saitama could ignore it, but this was so strange that he had to investigate.

"Coming!" Saitama called out to whoever was at his door as he rose from his mattress.

Walking to his apartment's entrance, Saitama looked through his door's peephole upon arrival. When he did, he discovered the LAST person he would've anticipated to be on the other side.

"I know you're there." She told him. "Are you going to stare at me all day?" She asked.

"Sorry." Saitama apologized while opening the door. "I just didn't expect to have any visitors, especially not you." He said.

Standing there, outside of Saitama's apartment, was the Tornado of Terror. However, her demeanor was slightly different than usual. She still had her stern expression, but there was a softness in her face and body language.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tatsumaki questioned, yet didn't sound upset. "Are you saying I'm not allowed to be here?" She chellenged.

"No. Not at all." Saitama replied, followed by a smile. "If anything, it's good to see you. This is the first time you've come to my apartment." He said.

"I'd come over more, but KING is always here. Two's a fine number, but three's a crowd." Tatsumaki explained.

"Well, what about Fubuki? You could come over when she's here." Saitama suggested.

"That's...complicated. Personal reasons." Tatsumaki responded, briefly averting her gaze.

"Ah. Gotcha. Family stuff. Sorry for asking." Saitama apologized.

"No. It's fine. Geez." Tatsumaki assured with a sigh. "I swear, you're quick to apologize even if something's not your fault. Doesn't that get exhausting?" She asked.

"Not really. Besides, it prevents misunderstandings. Unfortunately, given who I am, that happens ALL the time." Saitama answered.

"Yeah. I bet." Tatsumaki replied. For a moment, her face seemed to soften more, but then it quickly returned to its usual stern state. "So, baldy. Want to get out of here?" She inquired.

"What?" Saitama responded with a confused expression.

"LEAVE. GO SOMEWHERE. GET AWAY FROM THE LUNATICS." Tatsumaki said slowly, sounding as if he should've known why she had come here.

"...Wait..." Saitama began, his brain thinking of something. "...Tatsumaki. You...didn't do something to the crowd, did you?" He asked.

"Are you serious?" Tatsumaki questioned while folding her arms.

"Well, it's just that before you knocked, everything got quiet. Even now, I don't hear anyone besides us." Saitama explained, causing her to roll her eyes.

"DUH. I formed a barrier around the building. It's blocking the noise, genius." Tatsumaki told him.

"Ah. That makes sense." Saitama said. "So, does that mean you came to check on me? Or because you were concerned that the crowd was bothering me?" He inquired.

"Please, don't flatter yourself too much. You're a grown man; you can handle your problems by yourself." Tatsumaki scoffed. "I was just bored and decided to come for a visit. But then I noticed your fanatics were crazier than usual AND in greater abundance. Maintaining the barrier for the rest of the day wouldn't be an issue, but getting away from here would ensure we wouldn't be disturbed." She explained.

"Well, if you wouldn't care, I have a destination in mind. Be warned; it won't be exciting." Saitama said.

"That's fine. So long as we're far from your psychotic fanbase and the general populace of idiots, any place works for me." Tatsumaki replied.

"Cool. Just let me get a few things." Saitama requested before heading back inside.

"Don't take too long! I don't have all day!" Tatsumaki exclaimed.

Fortunately for the Esper, Saitama took less than a minute to return. He brought with him a cooler and two towels.

"Are we going to the beach?" Tatsumaki questioned with a raised brow.

"No. But you'll see why the towels are necessary." Saitama promised.

"If you say so," Tatsumaki responded before lifting herself and him into the air.

Then, in an instant, the pair were gone. Tatsumaki didn't teleport them; she could simply move that fast with her powers. The only thing anyone could've seen was a rapidly-moving blur. But they were too focused on themselves to even notice.

A Few Minutes Later, In The Middle Of Nowhere...

Throughout the world, there are many places nature has created that could be called inhospitable. Some of these environments were jungles overflowing with life that evolution had been very kind to in the way of innate defenses and offenses. Others were so cold or hot that it was a miracle ANYTHING called these places home. Then, there was the ocean and its countless unknown horrors.

However, there were a few locations that were simply barren. No vegetation grew here. There weren't any nearby sources of water. The only things that existed were rocks, jacked formations of the Earth, and dirt accompanied by dust.

Very few, if ANY, people would appreciate these environments. What was there to like about them? They had NOTHING. Who could be fond of that?

How about someone whose life had progressively gotten so busy and noisy that they needed a secluded spot like this? An individual so desperate for isolation that they'd actively seek out these empty paradises. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you: One Punch Man.

"THIS is where you wanted to go?" Tatsumaki asked as she and Saitama landed in the middle of a vast ravine. On either side of the duo, there were imposing walls of stone.

"Yup," Saitama confirmed, taking a look around. "I stumbled across this place when I first became strong. I needed somewhere to test my strength to see how much there was." He informed her.

"Wait. So, you threw punches here?" Tatsumaki inquired with a surprising amount of interest. "Is the damage still around? Like craters or something? Or did you fix them?" She added.

"You're standing in it," Saitama revealed, causing her eyes to widen. "This ravine? I made it. It used to be one big flat mountain. But then, as a joke, I punched it. I figured I'd make a decent impact, but nothing that surpassed what you or the others could do. Imagine how surprised I was when the entire middle section evaporated." He told her.

"I...don't think I need to..." Tatsumaki quietly replied, now properly taking in the surroundings.

"Anyway, let's settle in," Saitama said before he set down the cooler he carried.

With the container on the ground, Saitama carefully laid down the towels he had brought. They were side-by-side, but not to an uncomfortable degree. When he did this, Saitama expected to get an earful from Tatsumaki. This is what we're doing? Are you serious? What the Hell, baldy? You're joking, right?

But no. Instead, Tatsumaki watched him lay down on the towel to the left, then did the same on the other.

"Wow," Saitama said as she lowered herself.

"What?" Tatsumaki questioned, now looking at him.

"No comments? No remarks? I figured you'd protest to this." Saitama confessed.

"Why? I'm not some dainty princess." Tatsumaki responded before turning her attention to the sky. "Besides, I immediately understand the appeal of this place to you. No people. No annoyances. Clear skies and a nice temperature. The perfect escape from the world." She told him.

"Yeah. It is." Saitama agreed, now looking at the sky too.

"How often do you come here?" Tatsumaki asked.

"A fair amount. Apart from relaxing, I can continue gauging my strength without putting anyone in danger." Saitama answered.

"How much is it now? Do you know?" Tatsumaki inquired.

"No. Because, honestly, I'm scared of going all out." Saitama admitted.

"Come on, you might be powerful, but surely your strongest punch wouldn't do THAT much damage," Tatsumaki argued.

"Looking beyond killing monsters in one blow, any normal action I'm not careful with can cause a lot of destruction. For example, if I put a small amount of force into a jump, I'll create a crater. Clap my hands too hard; I'll cause a gust that could match yours.  At this point, I'm genuinely worried that if I SNEEZED too hard, I could take out half of a city. Because of that, I haven't put all my strength into a punch in a LONG time. Not even half or a fourth. It's too dangerous." Saitama told her.

For a moment, silence came between them. Each kept their gaze fixated on the sky as Tatsumaki considered her response.

"...It must be tough for you, constantly having to hold back," Tatsumaki said.

"It weighs me down. I can't deny that." Saitama confirmed. "It might also be why I'm always so bored. I can do anything. Well, physically, anyway. I don't have to put forward any effort anymore. Then there's my fame, my riches, and my influence. Each is always increasing, and with them, greater expectations. Everyone looks at me like I have all the answers and can solve every problem. I could certainly do without having that pressure on me all the time." He stated.

"You need to relax more. That's your problem." Tatsumaki reasoned. "I know you play games with King and have this place to yourself. But you have to do more." She advised.

"I'd love to. But I'm never alone. If I'm not stealthy, the paparazzi will follow me everywhere. So will the fans. I'd need Isamu or Metal Knight to make me a cloaking device or something." Saitama responded.

"Here's a thought. Tell them to buzz off like the pests they are." Tatsumaki suggested.

"Nope. Can't do that. They'll get paranoid and think that they've angered me. Then on all the broadcasts, be it radio or TV, hysteria will spread that the most powerful person in the world is displeased with everyone. Is he going to turn on us? Have we incurred his wrath?" Saitama replied.

"Pfft. Okay. Now you're just being dramatic." Tatsumaki said with an eye roll and a rare smirk.

"You'd think, wouldn't you? But that's how it goes." Saitama insisted. "Maybe not to that extreme. At least, not yet. But I guarantee that's in the ballpark of how they'd react. Every decision I make, every move I take, has a massive impact. It's why, stealthy or not, I rarely leave my apartment. Less stress for me." He explained.

Again, silence came between them. Tatsumaki, after hearing that, contemplated what the solution could be.

"...Then, why don't I do it?" Tatsumaki proposed. "I'll tell them to leave you alone. I won't threaten them, so don't even say I would. I'll make it clear that if they don't stop bothering you, it'll be WAY harder for them to hang around." She said.

"How so?" Saitama pressed, wanting to hear more.

"Strong gusts of wind blowing them over. Random appearances of invisible walls that they'll constantly run into. A mysterious force that trips them over and over again." Tatsumaki described.

"You'd do that? For me?" Saitama asked. On the one hand, he was flattered. On the other hand, it was admittedly suspicious.

"I wouldn't do it for free," Tatsumaki answered before looking at him again. "I'd want to live in your apartment building. That will be the price of my security." She told him.

"...Seriously?" Saitama questioned, looking at her with widened eyes. "You're not joking, right? You would be willing to solve a HUGE chunk of my problems for an apartment?" He inquired.

"Well, there'd be some other conditions, too." Tatsumaki started, holding up her hand to begin counting. "First, I'd like to knock down some walls. The units in that place are tiny, and I want more room. Second, I get to have input on how the building looks. Nothing extreme, but it is just so BLAND. A few decorations and plants would do a LOT. Maybe, if you're up for it, a fresh coat of paint. Lastly, if I am staying there, the Association employees have to go. They're annoying as it is; I DON'T need them next to me." She listed.

"Hmm..." Saitama hummed, considering the conditions. "I have no issues with the first two, but I can't just force the employees away. That'd be rude. Plus, they've always done a lot for me." He said.

"Hmm..." Tatsumaki hummed as well, pondering his counteroffer. "I will allow them to remain so long as it isn't in the apartment building. They can be next door or across the street. Because, as you said, they DO have their uses." She stated.

"Then, Tatsumaki, we have a deal," Saitama responded, offering his hand for a shake. "I'm guessing you want to live in the building because the Association pays for it, right?" He asked.

"Wow. There IS a brain in that shiny head of yours." Tatsumaki joked as she took his hand and shook it.

With that, their pact was made. Saitama and Tatsumaki returned their gazes to the sky, each with a smile on their face. Saitama smiled because peace would FINALLY be restored to his life. Tatsumaki, well, it's not wise to try and see the thoughts of an Esper.

Chapter Text

"Alright. I'll admit it. You're not a terrible cook." Tatsumaki said after swallowing the food in her mouth.

For the past few hours, Saitama and Tatsumaki did nothing but relax in silence. Neither cared about the lack of conversation; they each enjoyed the undisturbed tranquility of the ravine. Eventually, as the day approached noon, both began to feel hungry. So, Saitama opened the cooler he had brought and shared the food he had prepared.

"Did you think I was?" Saitama questioned with a mouthful.

"I mean, yeah," Tatsumaki confirmed with no hesitation. "Despite being the richest person in the world, you still get groceries at supermarkets. Not only that, but you also go for the cheapest stuff. Why would I assume that you care about food quality?" She asked.

"Hey, just because I'm a sensible shopper doesn't mean I shovel garbage into my mouth," Saitama answered. "Also, I don't go for the cheapest stuff." He corrected.

To that, Tatsumaki gave him a "Are you serious?" look. Complete with half-lidded eyes and a deadpan expression.

"Okay. I don't EXCLUSIVELY go for the cheapest stuff." Saitama clarified. "My main focus is always on sales. Why pay full prices for good ingredients when you can wait for a bargain?" He explained.

"Baldy, you could buy every supermarket in the world and not make a dent in your wallet." Tatsumaki pointed out.

"Just because I can, doesn't mean that I should," Saitama replied, making her groan.

"GOD. You are SO boring!" Tatsumaki exclaimed, even throwing her head back to emphasize her statement physically. "You need to flaunt your wealth! Enjoy it! You can start by building a MUCH better apartment building for us to live in." She told him.

"Hey, you're not moved in yet. Don't get ahead of yourself." Saitama responded. "Plus, I'm letting you remodel an entire floor almost. Don't get greedy." He added.

"I wouldn't NEED to remodel if YOU weren't the world's richest penny pincher!" Tatsumaki argued. "What're you going to do with all that money, huh? Let it sit there until you die?" She asked.

"It's for a rainy day. Or if something terrible happens." Saitama answered.

"UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH." Tatsumaki groaned, falling onto her back. "YOU. ARE. SO. BORING." She repeated, louder this time.

"Be careful not to eat while lying down. You might choke." Saitama warned before taking another bite.

In defiance, Tatsumaki took the biggest chunk out of her food as she could. She then chewed it viciously while lying down.

"If you start coughing, you're on your own," Saitama said.

"Ha! Sure," Tatsumaki exclaimed, cheeks full of food. "You're too nice. You wouldn't sit back and do nothing." She confidently stated.

"You never know. Maybe today is when I become evil. You choking will be my first act as a villain." Saitama countered.

To that, Tatsumaki nearly burst out laughing. However, to avoid what they were talking about, she carefully swallowed the food in her mouth.

"HA!" Tatsumaki exclaimed with the biggest smile Saitama had ever seen on her. "YOU?! A VILLAIN?!" She questioned.

"What? It could happen. People snap all the time." Saitama reasoned. "One minute, everything's cool. The next, BAM. I'm knocking down buildings and terrorizing the world." He said.

"Pftt. Sure." Tatsumaki snickered; the idea was the funniest thing she had ever imagined. "Face it, baldy. You're WAY too boring to be a bad guy. Monsters and villains might be stupid and easy to beat, but they know how to get people's attention. Flashy appearances. Big and loud debuts. If YOU tried to be evil, you'd probably steal from a supermarket. One Punch Man, the grocery thief. I can see the headlines now." She taunted.

"Even so, no one could stop me." Saitama reminded her. "Any hero in the world who tried to keep me from snatching bananas or pocketing some vegetables would be sent into the stratosphere. That alone would make me scary." He reasoned.

"Nah. I'd stop you. It'd take less than a second." Tatsumaki proudly claimed, confident in her abilities.

"I dunno. We've never gone all out against each other. If push came to shove, I might win." Saitama said.

For a moment, there was silence. Saitama waited for Tatsumaki to say something. However, his last statement caused an idea to appear in her head. One that she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of sooner.

"...Saitama..." Tatsumaki spoke. Whoa. She used his name. This was serious. "There's...no one around for miles, right? No cities. No Association outposts. Not even a wandering hermit. We're completely alone." She asked.

"Yup," Saitama answered before looking around. "I've run for miles in each direction. Once, I even went in one big circle. There's nothing out here. Zilch. Nada." He assured.

"So...that means...if we were to start fighting...no one could stop us...and no one would be in danger..." Tatsumaki slowly said, her eyes as wide as saucers.

It took him a second, but quickly, Saitama realized what she was getting at. He slowly turned to look at Tatsumaki, their eyes now locked onto each other.

"...I...think there should be SOME rules. We ARE insanely powerful." Saitama advised.

"Sure. Sure. No super crazy stuff." Tatsumaki agreed with a nod.

"We TRY to stay in the ravine. If we start moving away from it, we could lose track of where we are. We're each strong and fast enough to return to civilization in a heartbeat." Saitama stated.

"Right. Can't have us going crazy and destroying a city." Tatsumaki agreed with another nod.

"...Alright." Saitama began, swiftly getting to his feet. "Let me try to get the cooler and towels to a safe distance. I'd prefer if they weren't obliterated." He requested.

"Go ahead. I need to stretch after that meal." Tatsumaki replied, also standing.

"Stretch? Do you need to be limber to use your powers?" Saitama inquired.

"No. But you're going to make me need to dodge and move around. So, I can't be stiff." Tatsumaki explained.

"Ah. True." Saitama agreed.

After that, the duo began their preparations. Tatsumaki spent several minutes ensuring she was ready to go. At the same time, Saitama walked a decent distance away from the ravine, set down his cooler and towels, then returned.

"So, what're you thinking?" Tatsumaki asked, referring to the rules.

"Most importantly, we're not trying to hurt each other. I know that doesn't need to be said, but because we're fighting without being violent, we need to figure out a point system." Saitama started. "How about we make it contact-based?" He suggested.

"Sounds good. But what fully counts?" Tatsumaki inquired.

"Hands and feet, not arms or legs. Projectiles, like rocks, are only eligible if they're a certain size and aren't blocked by our limbs." Saitama specified.

In response, Tatsumaki removed a sizeable chunk from the ground with her powers.

"How about this? It's roughly the size of a baseball." Tatsumaki proposed.

"Yeah. That's perfect." Saitama agreed. "However, if you create a tornado, I'd say any hits then shouldn't count unless they're MUCH bigger." He said.

"Hm, fair. It's not like I can keep track of EVERYTHING that'll get swept up." Tatsumaki accepted. "What about loss conditions? Maybe a time limit?" She asked.

"We should only stop when it gets out of control," Saitama answered. Afterward, he quickly raised his hand to keep her from speaking. "NOT saying you'll lose control. Inevitably, we'll reach a point where the entire ravine could get destroyed. When that happens, we hard stop." He explained.

"Sounds good." Tatsumaki approved, having no issues. "Well, is there anything else?" She inquired.

For a few seconds, Saitama closed his eyes to think. He considered anything they might've looked over, only to come up with nothing.

"Nope," Saitama said, followed by a small smile. "We're ready to start. You can go first." He offered.

"My, what a gentleman." Tatsumaki jested with a smirk.

With the go-ahead, Tatsumaki began using her powers. Several rocks, all of the appropriate size, were lifted from the ground or removed from the ravine's walls. Saitama expected this. He knew she'd want to try and get as many points as possible from the get-go.

A barrage of rocks flew toward Saitama not a moment later. Tatsumaki was certain that she'd get at least ONE point. He was fast, sure. But not even he could manage to stop EVERY last one.

CLAP

With the same force as a sonic boom, Saitama brought his hands together. The shockwave this created demolished the incoming projectiles. Damn it, Tatsumaki thought. She honestly expected him to only rely on his punches for defense.

But there was more to Saitama than his immeasurable strength. While nowhere near the level of tactical prowess as someone like Drive Knight, he'd come up with a few creative uses of his abilities. Of course, the same could be said about Tatsumaki. Throwing rocks around like a caveman was not the extent of her capabilities.

Tatsumaki, with the same ease she had when ripping rough chunks of stone from the Earth, could also shape it. Her mastery over her ESP could make the carving of any material instantaneous. So, with that in mind, she changed her strategy.

FWOOM

Suddenly, from all sides, Saitama was surrounded by long columns emerging from the ground. They were being manipulated to move like serpents, converging on his location.

"Whoa!" Saitama exclaimed, forced to start dodging. "I've never seen you use this before!" He called out as distance was created between them.

"I've never had a reason to!" Tatsumaki responded with a determined expression. "Even the strongest monsters I've faced could be killed by crushing them or with a big enough projectile!" She explained.

Yeah, that made sense. Similarly to how Saitama could decimate a foe with a simple backhand, Tatsumaki could compact one to the size of a golf ball. Truly, these two were powerhouses without an equal. Well, besides each other, that is.

But this is precisely why Tatsumaki had been craving a fight with him. She wanted to be challenged, forced to think of something new. Simple rocks, boulders, and basic psychic blasts wouldn't be enough for Saitama. All the ideas for winning this mock battle between them excited her.

Secretly, Tatsumaki hoped that'd be the case for Saitama, too. His boredom far exceeded hers. Playful insults and joking aside, she was just as aware of his failing emotions as others were. But now, in this fight, he might feel something at last.

Strike after strike, Saitama effortlessly dodged the pillars. As a result, Tatsumaki summoned more. This time, they shot out from the walls that surrounded them. The only place Saitama would eventually be able to go was up. At which point, that'd be Tatsumaki's best opportunity.

Slowly but surely, the ravine became a mess of stone tendrils trying their best to hit Saitama. Even from behind, where he hadn't reached yet, they were starting to appear. He had no option but to jump to avoid giving Tatsumaki points.

"GOTCHA!" Tatsumaki shouted with a grin as she made the tendrils give chase. Additionally, she also sent forth another barrage of rocks. Although this time, she doubled the amount.

He had no means of flying, and his feet weren't on the ground; there was no way Saitama could evade! As her attacks were nearly upon him, Tatsumaki paid special attention to the rocks. She bet Saitama would prioritize the columns, allowing some, if not ALL, of her projectiles to land hits!

Then, when everything was nearly in contact with Saitama, he threw his first punch.

BAM

With the force of a thousand shotgun blasts, Saitama remained untouched. The pillars and rocks were destroyed in less than a fraction of a second. As for Tatsumaki, her hair and dress were slightly blown backward by the air his punch pushed forward.

"Nice try," Saitama said with a playful smile as he landed on the ground.

Following that, Saitama rushed forward. Naturally, he had no intention of hitting Tatsumaki. For him, a simple pat on the back or touch of her shoulder would count as a point. However, the Esper wasn't about to make things easy for him.

With her powers, Tatsumaki was, at the very least, fast enough to evade any of Saitama's advances. For the next minute, the roles were reversed. She dodged and batted away his attempts to place his hand on her while he pursued. All the while, he had that stupid smile on his face.

"You think you're SO cool, huh?" Tatsumaki questioned.

"Nah." Saitama simply replied. In doing so, it only annoyed her.

"Do you ever get TIRED of being humble? Or do you say crap like that just to piss me off?" Tatsumaki asked.

"Maybe a little," Saitama answered with a smirk.

Oh. That did it. After one more dodge, Tatsumaki returned to the offensive. No more games. One way or the other, she was getting a point.

With a strong burst of psychic energy, Tatsumaki nearly sent Saitama out of the ravine. With that space created, she quickly began swirling her power around her, showing why the Association had given her the hero name: Tornado of Terror.

"Ah. It's come to this." Saitama said, treating the ever-growing spiral of death as if it were normal. "Remember! The rocks have to be a certain size!" He told her.

"Yeah, yeah! I know!" Tatsumaki responded with an eye roll. "I'm not an idiot, geez." She muttered.

More and more, the tornado's size increased. By the time Tatsumaki stopped expanding it, it nearly overtook the ravine. But she was no novice to her abilities. Tatsumaki knew the limits of her power and thus wouldn't let the area be devastated or lose control.

Again, Saitama remained perfectly still and watched this happen as if it were nothing. If anything, he always found Tatsumaki's displays of power to be awesome. As insane as it might sound, he was a little bit jealous. She and Fubuki's ESP abilities were so interesting that Saitama couldn't help but think of all the things he'd do if HE had them, too.

Suddenly, from within the tornado, a third barrage was underway. However, unlike the last two, it wasn't rocks that were being thrown. Instead, massive boulders the size of cars. Yet, like before, Saitama either destroyed or dodged them with ease.

But as Saitama was busy avoiding hits, the tornado began approaching. Soon, the raging winds surrounded him. With them, many more boulders and other projectiles were added to the assault. Yet this would not be the extent of Tatsumaki's tactic.

With Saitama now below her at the center of the tornado, Tatsumaki pulled more columns from the walls to strike at him. In the following minutes, she watched him impressively either dodge or shatter everything that came his way. All the while, Saitama remained where he stood, not moving an inch.

"Damn it. Still no hits." Tatsumaki thought. "I can't rush him; he'll leave the tornado if I do. The same will happen if I try to remove the ground from beneath his feet. All I can do while keeping him where I want is to increase the speed of everything." She reasoned.

Doing precisely that, Tatsumaki increased the intensity of the whirling winds. Within seconds, they were becoming strong enough to whittle the ravine's walls, progressively making them smoother.

"Wow. She's doubling down." Saitama thought, still untouched. "Although, if this keeps up, she could start ripping off massive pieces from the-"

CRACK

Right as the thought entered his mind, Saitama heard a loud noise. He expected to see a HUGE fragment of the ravine fly at him, yet nothing like that came his way.

"What was that sound then?" Saitama wondered, now studying his surroundings.

Searching for the source, Saitama's eyes soon fell onto the ground. Tatsumaki, despite not trying to, was beginning to damage the Earth beneath them.

CRACK

Another split. The first must've been outside the tornado, as Saitama couldn't find it. But that second one came inward from beyond the edge of the winds which confirmed that his suspicion was true.

"Uh, Tatsumaki!" Saitama called out while looking upward. "I think we need to end it! Or stop using the tornado!" He said.

"Is he saying something?" Tatsumaki wondered. The raging gusts and the debris getting tossed around and destroyed made it hard to hear anything else. "BALDY! YOU'LL HAVE TO SPEAK UP!" She shouted down.

Sadly, the difficulty of hearing the other applied to each of them. Saitama could see Tatsumaki's mouth moving but couldn't make out the words.

"Alright. Plan B." Saitama decided, knowing shouting back wouldn't accomplish anything.

As a massive boulder came his way, Saitama jumped onto it and used it to help propel him upward. He could've done that on the ground, but he assumed that even his lightest leap would destroy it because it was breaking already. Saitama's plan was simple; get close to Tatsumaki and tell her what was happening. Unfortunately, the Esper interpreted his sudden ascent as a change in battle strategy.

"Oh, ho. Brazen, aren't you?" Tatsumaki thought with a smile, impressed by his unexpected shift to offense. "DON'T THINK I'LL MAKE IT SO EASY FOR YOU!" She shouted, hoping it would reach him this time.

It didn't. Once more, Saitama saw her mouth move but had no idea what was spoken. So, imagine his surprise as he continued to leap toward her when a NEW obstacle appeared. Similar to the snake-like columns she'd been using, Tatsumaki began forming smaller vortexes within the tornado to impede his progress.

This was especially problematic for Saitama since his footing depended on objects easily influenced by the powerful storm around him. Tatsumaki, like a surgeon, was carefully removing any debris big enough for him to land on.

"Ugh! Damn it, Tatsumaki!" Saitama exclaimed in his head. "I've just got to go for it!" He decided.

Before the boulder he stood on could be removed, Saitama bent his knees and put as much power as possible into another jump. Tatsumaki, noticing his change in posture, anticipated this. As such, when he rocketed toward her, she erected a barrier. Before he knew it, Saitama was bounced into a different trajectory, much like a pinball when struck by a bumper.

"HA! NICE TRY!" Tatsumaki taunted, even though he was WELL beyond earshot by the time she said it.

Flying through the air like a shiny missile, Saitama did his best to devise a way to avoid obliterating the Earth when he landed.

"What do I do? I've only got a few seconds..." Saitama pondered before looking at his hands. "...Huh...I wonder...if I clapped hard enough...would I?..." His thought trailed off; there was no time left. It was now or never.

Pulling back his arms as far as he could, Saitama prepared to put all his strength into this next action. He even decided to give it a proper name.

"Serious Series. Serious Clap."

Now, one would expect a sound at this point, wouldn't they? Boom. Slap. Pow. Crack. Etc. However, there was no way to describe whatever emitted from Saitama's hands when he brought them together.

Well, perhaps there was, just not in the way of a noise descriptor. Biblical. Godly. A power so great even cosmic forces would feel fear. You get the picture.

Regardless of the sound, or whatever we wish to call it, Saitama succeeded in his goal. Thankfully, he was mindful enough to aim his hands at the sky. If aimed at the Earth, Saitama knew that the shockwaves would inevitably cause the damage he was trying to avoid. Even now, he did his best to be aware of his strength's effects.

But, as is often the way of life, no good deed goes unpunished. Saitama paid a price he was entirely unaware of in his efforts to preserve the Earth. His destination, before his correction, was set. There was no way he wasn't going to crash into the ground; he knew that.

However, by changing his trajectory, which was now going backward, Saitama didn't know where his impact zone could be. Was it the top of the ravine's walls? The walls themselves? Maybe the ground again?

Nope. Saitama sent his body straight into the tornado in a display of accidental marksmanship. Precisely, it was the vortex's center. You know, where Tatsumaki was.

THUD

Ah, a discernable sound. A return to normalcy. Although, it was hard for either of them to appreciate that since they were now on a direct course with the dirt.

THUD

Wow. A two-fer. Don't see those very often. In a small explosion of dust, Saitama and Tatsumaki returned to the Earth below. Each was greatly confused about what had happened.

" *Cough* *Cough* " Saitama lightly wheezed, getting some dirt out of his lungs. "Hey, Tatsumaki. Are you okay?" He asked.

Upon voicing that inquiry, Saitama immediately noticed two things. 1. His voice was muffled. 2. Everything was dark for some reason.

"Did we go underground?..." Saitama wondered before pushing himself up. "Hey! Tatsumaki! Are you o-"

Frozen. Fear. An instant understanding of the scenario. As Saitama rose from what he assumed was the ground, he discovered it wasn't.

Saitama's face hadn't been pressed down in the dirt. The reason for the blackness, as well as the muffling of his voice, was a black dress. The very same that Tatsumaki was wearing. Which, as luck would have it, was still on her body.

Unluckily, this meant that Saitama was on top of Tatsumaki. The location his head had been a few seconds ago was the abdomen. THANKFULLY, it was below a certain "part" of the torso. But, in the long run, this wouldn't mean anything.

Because once Saitama realized his and Tatsumaki's position, he slowly moved his head upward to see if she was conscious. She was, and she stared at him with a wide-eyed expression. It seemed as though Tatsumaki had regained her senses right when he pushed himself off her.

"..." Neither said a word. Each was waiting to see what the other would do or say. "...I...guess that's a point for me," Saitama spoke, hoping his lighthearted comment would diffuse the situation. It didn't.

BOOM

A psychic blast of terrifying magnitude. The kind that could turn a continent into an archipelago. Saitama was flung into the right wall of the ravine. As for Tatsumaki, an embarrassment that couldn't be put into words overcame her.

"That...dumbass..." Tatsumaki struggled to think. She was so flustered. "A point for me. THAT'S what came to his mind?! Does he ACTUALLY not have a brain inside that dense skull of his?!" She questioned.

Over the next several seconds, Tatsumaki did her best to calm down. Although her face still burned and her hands were tightened into fists, she was relatively back to normal.

"I guess I should pull him out..." Tatsumaki slowly said, getting to her feet. "The idiot's probably buried twenty feet in there." She guessed.

However, before Tatsumaki could approach the Saitama-shaped hole in the ravine, a sound reached her ears. Mechanical. Repeating. Loud. It took no time to recognize.

"You...have GOT to be kidding me..." Tatsumaki muttered with a furrowed brow, slowly turning her attention to the sky.

Sure enough, coming toward the ravine was a helicopter. Brandished on either side of the vehicle in distinguishable white lettering was: H.A.

When the transport eventually reached her and began its descent, Tatsumaki peered into the windshield to see if anyone of importance was inside. In her opinion, no. No one of significance was in that helicopter. Yet, in public opinion, he was the second most important person in the world.

"Tornado!" Sweet Mask called out as the vehicle touched down. "What happened here? Did you encounter a monster?" He asked.

"Are. You. Serious?" Tatsumaki slowly questioned. Her eyes were wide again but for a VERY different reason. "No, seriously. What the actual HELL are you doing here, Sweet Mask? How did you even know to come here to find me? IT'S LITERALLY THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!" She asked, shouting that last bit.

"Your phone. You know, the one the Association provided you?" Sweet Mask answered while stepping out. "Although you have it turned off, it can still be tracked." He informed her.

"WHY would you NEED to track me?" Tatsumaki pressed.

"Because One Punch Man wasn't at his apartment." Sweet Mask began, now taking in the surroundings. "When we discovered his absence, we checked in with the other S-Class heroes. All of them were accounted for and didn't know anything about their leader's sudden disappearance. However, the Tornado of Terror had been silent for a few hours. Right around the time, we suspected that One Punch Man managed to leave his home without being seen by anybody." He explained, his eyes stopping once they discovered a most peculiar sight. "Given the shape of that hole over there, I'm guessing we were right." He concluded.

"Wow. Give you a cookie. You can play detective." Tatsumaki sarcastically replied. "Did the corpse help you? Or did you pull your head out of your ass long enough to see the obvious?" She continued.

"Good to see you're as pleasant as ever." Sweet Mask said with a smile. His lack of proper reaction nearly burst a blood vessel in her head. "But I'm afraid we don't have time for such wonderful banter. I need to get One Punch Man to HQ." He told her.

"What? Why?" Tatsumaki asked, dropping her sarcasm for curiosity.

"We're getting on top of the media frenzy. We're going to reveal Genos to the public. Then we will conduct a test for him with One Punch Man present. Both he and the world will get to see how Genos performs. If he's as promising as he seems, he could start in S-Class. Such an outcome will appease everyone." Sweet Mask answered.

"OH. So you're just going to FORCE Saitama to have another disciple for PR, is that it?" Tatsumaki questioned with her hands on her hips. "Don't you think he's got enough crap to deal with? Between the public and the Association constantly bothering him, he doesn't need some dumbass cyborg clinging to him like a lost puppy!" She exclaimed.

"My, you're quite defensive." Sweet Mask noted. Somehow, in a way Tatsumaki couldn't describe, his gaze changed. Was it more serious? Intrigue? A combination of both? She wasn't sure. "Or perhaps, it's protective? I'd expect something like this from Metal Bat. King as well, but he'd be far more polite and well-spoken. Yet here you are, standing up for One Punch Man. Not only that, but you called him by his name. Very peculiar, Tornado." He stated.

"What're you implying?" Tatsumaki inquired. The rocks around her began levitating.

"Nothing. I'm only observant." Sweet Mask responded. "Although, I recall having a lovely chat with King once. We talked about you and your sister and how he noticed some odd behaviors the two of you seem to share. He stressed that it was only speculation, nothing more. But I think One Punch Man's humble nature has rubbed off on him. His perception is almost, if not as good, as his mentor's." He told her.

In addition to the rocks, the large pieces of debris that fell once the tornado ended began to rise. Tatsumaki and Sweet Mask engaged in a staring contest. One with fury, the other with an unshakeable resolve. Who would be the victor of this battle of wills?

"Sweet Mask?" The voice of Saitama called out, getting their attention. "What're you doing here?" He asked.

Looking toward the hole, the pair of heroes discovered an emerging Saitama. They also noticed how much of him there was to see.

THUD

Three thuds? Incredible. This time, it came from the rocks and debris Tatsumaki had been lifting with her powers suddenly dropping to the ground. Their unexpected descent was due to the Esper releasing her hold on them unintentionally.

"SAI...SAI...SAI...SAI..." Tatsumaki stuttered. Thrice, her eyes were wide. However, this time it was for a similar reason to the first. As indicated by the tomato color her face currently possessed.

"Um...One Punch Man..." Sweet Mask began, having quickly covered his eyes with his hand. The pilot in the helicopter, who'd been watching things unfold, did the same. "You...seem to have lost your apparel..." He informed him.

"Hm? Oh! You're right." Saitama realized, now looking down at himself. "You know, I DID think it was a little breezy." He admitted.

"SAI...SAI...SAI..." Tatsumaki kept stuttering. Her body was now lightly shaking.

"If you'd like, I could offer you my jacket." Sweet Mask proposed.

"Nah. It's okay. There are two towels nearby here that we laid on. I'll go get them and wrap them around myself." Saitama replied.

"Oh. Alright. We'll wait for your return, then." Sweet Mask said.

With that, Saitama departed. Sweet Mask and the pilot dared not to remove their hands until they were ABSOLUTELY certain he was no longer in sight. As for Tatsumaki, she continued to stutter and shake. It could take another head-on collision from the man whose name she struggled to say to bring her back to planet Earth.

Chapter Text

There were few occasions where so many of the Hero Association's staff would gather in one place. However, today's incident required nearly every employee to arrive at HQ. From verifying movements to ensuring there weren't any whistleblowers, the Association confirmed that the leak didn't come from themselves.

While there was still a sizable amount left to clear, at this point, the Association's leaders were confident their staff was innocent. This did direct them to the only other possible explanation, that the security breach came from a hero. Even so, none of them believed it. They busied themselves looking for other alternatives because the mere thought of a hero, regardless of ranking, doing something so underhanded to One Punch Man was blasphemous.

But as the Association's minds explored other possibilities, most of its body prepared for the top hero's arrival. They had received word that Sweet Mask's hunch that One Punch Man and the Tornado of Terror were together was correct. The pair had been spending time in a ravine, undoubtedly testing their powers in a safe environment. Such consideration for the public's well-being wasn't surprising for the best S-Class had to offer.

As for how the employees readied themselves for One Punch Man, they planned to apologize to him. Although, by now, they were confident NO ONE in the organization was responsible, they still felt they were partially at fault. The Association's job was to look after the heroes and the world. If their security were better, One Punch Man wouldn't have had to endure the ordeal of his home being swarmed by more people than normal.

"Thank you," Sitch said before hanging up his phone. "Alright! Listen up!" He exclaimed while turning around. Behind him was a LARGE group of Association members. "The helicopter is less than a minute out. When One Punch Man arrives, we must express our regret when he walks in! Let us show him we are deeply sorry for the trouble caused!" He told them.

"Understood!" Every employee responded.

Turning back around, Sitch and everyone else fixed their eyes on the large door. It was a reinforced several-inch-thick metal square that led to the vehicle bay of HQ. The reason for its size was the unpredictable height and width of monsters. They were brought here for processing whenever one was captured, dead or alive, or surrendered to One Punch Man. Of course, special vehicles were used to transport non-humans who couldn't fit in conventional ones.

Soon, as Sitch stated, the helicopter carrying One Punch Man arrived. A few more seconds passed before anything else happened. This was the travel time of the helicopter's passengers to the entryway. Upon reaching it, the door slowly opened.

"ONE PUNCH MAN!" Every employee shouted before bowing their heads. "WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY FOR THIS SITUATION! WE PROMISE THAT THIS WON'T-"

Everyone stopped there. Initially, their eyes were closed when they lowered their heads. However, right after, the group re-opened them so they could see One Punch Man. When they did, they noticed the only thing he wore was a towel wrapped around his waist.

"O-One Punch Man!" Sitch exclaimed in surprise. The female employees all let out squeals and shrieks as their faces became flushed. The men, including Sitch, quickly covered their eyes out of respect.

"Yeah, sorry." Saitama apologized. There was no confusion to be had regarding their reaction. "Long story short, my clothes got ruined. A towel was the only thing nearby for me to conceal myself." He explained.

"I-I see," Sitch replied. "W-Well, in that case, I'm assuming you'll want to redress before we continue the discussion." He said.

"That I would," Saitama confirmed with a nod. "Same room, right?" He asked.

"Y-Yes, sir! Spare uniforms, hero outfits, equipment, and casual apparel are stored in the same space as they always have been." Sitch answered.

"Cool," Saitama responded before walking past them. The women tried to hide their eyes like the men, but nearly all couldn't stop peaking at the hero as he passed.

"Look at his muscles!" "He's SO toned!" "God, the things I would DO to that man if he let me~" "Please, PLEASE, let that towel fall!" These were but a few of the thoughts the female employees had as Saitama walked on by.

"DEATH. DEATH. DEATH. DEATH. DEATH. DEATH. DEATH."

A voice, ominous and dreadful, filled the women's minds. In reaction, they were startled. Each looked around and searched for the source, assuming it was heard with their ears. However, none of the women had noticed during their "appreciation" of One Punch Man's physique that two other people had passed them.

One of these individuals was Sweet Mask. He wasn't surprised by the lack of attention; ANYONE would be overshadowed by the mere mention of One Punch Man, let alone his actual presence. The other was another S-Class hero. Rank three, to be precise. I believe said hero was also an Esper, but that surely had no relevance for now.

Ten Minutes Later, S-Class Meeting Room...

"Sorry if I made things awkward." Saitama apologized, speaking to Sweet Mask and Tatsumaki.

It took no time for Saitama to change into a comfortable set of clothes. A simple light blue short-sleeved button-up shirt, beige shorts, and sandals. Saitama would wear outfits like these on the few days he could escape the crowds and relax or go shopping.

"It's not your fault, One Punch Man. There's no need to be sorry." Sweet Mask replied with a smile.

"Then whose fault would it be?" Tatsumaki inquired, shooting the blue-haired man a glare.

"I never implied that there WAS a guilty party. I wasn't present when One Punch Man's clothes were obliterated, so I can't say what happened." Sweet Mask responded. "However, it goes without saying that he didn't embed himself in that wall of stone." He added.

Again, sparks were created. Sweet Mask and Tatsumaki locked eyes, and neither would be the first to look away. You could feel heat radiating from the middle point of their gazes. The intensity was palpable.

"So," Saitama spoke, breaking them free of their istare-off. "Why are we sitting here, Sweet Mask? Do we need to do something before Genos' hero test?" He asked.

"Doctor Kuseno wants to talk with you. He's very protective of Genos, much like how a father would be. He has concerns about Genos becoming a full-time hero. Specifically, Kuseno is greatly worried about him becoming your disciple. Although YOU can destroy any enemy you encounter in one punch, the same cannot be said for Genos. His destructive capabilities are nothing to sneeze at. However, we have detained or examined the corpses of many monsters with remarkable heat resistance. Should Genos encounter such a creature, he'd need to rely on his speed and the physical output of his body. But, due to being a cyborg, his strength is limited to his parts. So, there IS a real possibility Genos could fight a creature immune to his fire-based attacks that also has an innate resilience to physical strikes. In such a scenario, Kuseno worries that Genos will be reckless and not retreat when he should. Already, we can tell he's abundantly passionate about increasing his capabilities so he can confront the rogue cyborg who killed his family." Sweet Mask answered.

"On that note, do we know anything about this rogue cyborg?" Saitama inquired.

"We're looking into it. Surprisingly, Drive Knight was quick to offer his assistance in the matter. He's leading the task force we've assigned to it." Sweet Mask informed.

"That's good. Hopefully, we'll be able to find it before it kills more people." Saitama said, followed by a sigh. "However, regarding Genos' request to be my disciple, do we REALLY have to go through with this?" He asked.

"It is, in my opinion, the best course." Sweet Mask answered.

"That isn't what he asked," Tatsumaki interjected. "To me, this seems like a big PR stunt. Remind me, isn't that your specialty?" She said.

"What are you implying, Tornado?" Sweet Mask questioned.

"Nothing. I'm only observant." Tatsumaki responded, using his earlier words against him. "It seems this whole mess has conveniently worked itself out to get Saitama in front of the cameras. Plus, if everything goes well with the mechanical moron, there'll be some nice pictures to fill newspapers and magazines of them shaking hands and standing beside each other. That sounds like something you'd DESPERATELY want to happen. All for the sake of the Association's image." She stated.

"Hey. You used my name again." Saitama noticed with a smile. "Are you phasing out the nicknames?" He asked.

"Nice try, baldy. But no," Tatsumaki answered.

"Eh, it was worth a shot," Saitama replied with a shrug. "Anyway, about what you've said, I don't think Sweet Mask would do that. Sure, he's persistent about me doing public events and other stuff, but he's not a jerk. He wouldn't go behind my back to stage something like this." He said.

"Wow. Would you look at that? Someone who trusts me." Sweet Mask commented with a prideful smile. "How does it feel, Tornado? To have it be reaffirmed that your suspicions are nothing more than paranoia?" He asked.

Oh. My. God. That's what Saitama thought right now. Every single time there was an out, these two managed to keep the conversation exactly where it was. He tried his best to change the topic or smooth things, but they were hostile. Did something happen in the ravine that Saitama wasn't aware of? Or were they especially aggressive today?

Shick

The trio's attention was drawn to the meeting room's entrance. Standing in the now open doorway were an elderly man and Genos. Regarding the man's appearance, he wore a long white coat. Additionally, his hairstyle was unique. Neither Saitama nor Tatsumaki could recall ever seeing something like it. It was like the final form of a bowl cut.

"One Punch Man!" Genos exclaimed, immediately bowing his head. "I am so sorry, sir! I did not think my request would cause you so much trouble!" He apologized.

"Hey, it's cool, dude," Saitama assured. "You weren't the one who leaked the info to the public. You're not at fault here." He insisted.

"Thank you!" Genos exclaimed again while straightening himself. "You are as kind as you are strong!" He complimented him.

"Calm down, Genos." The man, presumed to be Kuseno, said to the boisterous cyborg. "There's no reason to be so worked up. Right, One Punch Man?" He asked.

"Right. We all just need to be calm and sort things out." Saitama agreed. He briefly looked at the other two heroes in the room when he said that. "Please, come sit down. You wanted to talk to me about Genos becoming a hero, right?" He inquired.

"That I did," Kuseno confirmed with a nod before he and Genos approached.

"From what Sweet Mask has told me, you're worried about Genos' safety." Saitama shared as they sat down.

"I am," Kuseno confirmed again with another nod. "However, that doesn't imply that I think Genos isn't suited for hero work. Ignoring the design and capabilities of his body, I firmly believe that he has the mind and spirit of someone who fights for justice. Even so, he's inexperienced. Furthermore, he's quick to make assumptions and react unwisely, which you saw yourself when he confronted Mosquito Girl." He stated.

"Yeah. But, in Genos' defense, he did have legitimate reasons to think Mosquito Girl was a threat to public safety. He should've tried communication since she isn't mindless. Yet, I don't think his initiative is bad. Genos just needs to be more sensible." Saitama responded.

"I agree," Kuseno said with a smile. "Although, that does bring to attention the other concerns I have. Genos becoming a hero is no issue. If anything, having the support and guidance of the Association could fast-track his development into a proper protector of the peace. Yet, if he starts in S-Class, that's essentially throwing him straight into the pool's deep end. Even with you serving as his mentor and ensuring he doesn't go into any improper situations, you can't protect him all the time. I hope you're not offended by that." He told him.

"Not at all. You're right. I might be powerful, fast, and extremely durable, but I can't be everywhere simultaneously. If Genos accompanied me or any other member of S-Class into a dangerous scenario, things could happen that would put him in harm's way. Depending on how soon that could happen after he joins, his lack of experience would leave him vulnerable and even put another S-Class hero and the public in danger. However, if Genos proves himself to be S-Class with the test, we can't deny him that position. That wouldn't be fair. But, even if he is in S-Class, that doesn't mean he has to start his hero career with S-Class problems." Saitama replied.

"Ah. I see." Kuseno began, immediately understanding the implication. "You would have Genos handle problems more akin to C through A-Class. At least to start with. Genos could gain experience and learn from you while remaining safe." He said.

"Exactly," Saitama confirmed with a snap of his fingers. "The way I see it, Genos can't improve his power through regular training since it's artificial. So, he needs to develop mentally. Interacting with people, other heroes, and a variety of different problems. That's the best way Genos can grow." He stated.

In reaction, Kuseno rose from his seat. He then approached Saitama and held out his hand.

"Once again, I agree with you," Kuseno said with a smile. "I feel much better now about Genos becoming a hero. After speaking to you, One Punch Man, it's clear there are no better hands I could leave him in." He complimented him.

"Wow. Thanks." Saitama replied before taking his hand and shaking it. "I can't say that I won't make mistakes or that bad things won't happen. But I'll do my best not to send him back to you in need of repair." He promised.

"That's all I can ask for," Kuseno told him as their handshake ended. "No matter what, Genos is going to be in danger. He'll always come back with some scuffs, scratches, and damage. All I want is for each time to be less and less. Until one day, anytime Genos comes to me for repairs, it's less than a minute's work. With you guiding him, I'm sure that'll be soon." He said.

"I hope I don't disappoint," Saitama responded before standing up. "Well then, if that's everything you wanted to discuss, we should probably get his test underway." He decided.

"It is," Kuseno said. "Do you have anything you'd like to say, Genos?" He asked while looking at the cyborg.

"Only that I am grateful," Genos answered, quickly getting to his feet. "I'll do everything I can to live up to both of your expectations. I won't make a single mistake!" He vowed.

"I...don't know about that..." Saitama said. "Everyone makes mistakes when they start, including me. Don't let them get to you; you'll be fine." He told him.

"Yes, sir!" Genos replied. "I'll remember those words of wisdom, sir!" He added.

"Words of wisdom?..." Saitama wondered for a moment. "Er, right. You do that." He said.

"One Punch Man." Sweet Mask spoke, getting his attention. "If it's alright, I'd like to remain here for a few minutes. I want to make some calls to ensure everything's ready to go before you arrive." He stated.

"Sure. Sounds good." Saitama approved. "How about you, Tatsumaki? Do you want to hang back here or just head home?" He asked.

"I think I'll take off," Tatsumaki answered while leaving her seat. "I need to do some things." She added. She didn't elaborate further since she assumed he knew what she was referring to.

"Ah. Right." Saitama responded with a nod, getting the message. "Alright then. Let's get moving." He said.

Allowing him to take the lead, everyone but Sweet Mask followed Saitama out of the room. Leaving the A-Class hero to himself.

"That went perfectly." Sweet Mask thought with a smile as he pulled out his phone. "Honestly, I don't think it could've gone any better. The only unexpected part was Tornado. But in the end, she didn't change the plan too much." He continued.

Shick

When that sound was heard, Sweet Mask's body tensed up. His mind immediately guessed as to who had come back. Sitting frozen, Sweet Mask didn't move his eyes to the entrance. He waited and listened for the footsteps that slowly approached the table.

Eventually, across from Sweet Mask, a certain person appeared. She had the proudest smile on her face. It easily surpassed his earlier expression. With that smile, she sat down and looked directly into his eyes.

"A plan, hm? Do tell, Sweet Mask." Tatsumaki spoke to him via telepathy. "What an interesting choice of word. Now, you COULD be referring to when you came and got Saitama, but I think you know I'm not so gullible or stupid to believe that." She said.

"..." Nothing came from Sweet Mask's mind. He wanted to think of what to say, but that would be pointless since she was actively studying his thoughts. "...Listen, Tornado."

"No." Tatsumaki cut him off. "I get it, Sweet Mask. EVERYONE wants a piece of Saitama. Every hero wants to know him on a personal level. All of S-Class is obsessed with monopolizing his time. The world wants to worship and idolize him twenty-four-seven. But you see, I know what that's like. To have your life ruined because of other people. Sure, my experience is different, but I can still empathize. As such, I won't tolerate anyone who makes his life harder because they're an ass." She stated.

"Hm, there's that tone again." Sweet Mask noted, his resolve rapidly returning. "You, more so than I, seem to have a worrying amount of focus on our leader. Some might even say it borderlines stalker behavior. You might want to do some personal examination before you criticize others." He suggested.

"Aw, cute. You're trying to spin this." Tatsumaki replied mockingly. "Sadly, this isn't some conversational faux pas you can brush over with a dumbass smile. YOU went behind Saitama's back and started this whole mess. And now that I know about it, I can hold it over you." She said.

"So, you're going to blackmail me?" Sweet Mask questioned.

"Pfft, no. You're useless." Tatsumaki taunted. "I just want you to leave Saitama alone. As I said before, I understand the whole world wants him. Your position as the Association's PR handler requires him to show some face occasionally. That can't be avoided since he's the top hero and all. But from now on, you have to run EVERYTHING by him. If you EVER try any shit like this again, I'll tell him the truth. I'm sure he'll be ECSTATIC." She stated before getting up from her seat. "Oh, and if you could use your sway with the news stations and such to get them to back off, too. That'd be appreciated." She added as she walked away.

"Is that a suggestion or an order?" Sweet Mask asked before she was out of the room.

"Interpret it how you like. I just better not see a news van or idiots with a notepad and camera anywhere near the ghost town." Tatsumaki answered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I DO have some shopping I need to do. See you later, Sweet Mask~" She bid farewell while disappearing around the corner.

Chapter Text

"I'm sure Saitama's going to love this," King said as he walked down the street. In his arms, he carried a bundle of newly-released video games. "I've been building up my One Punch Man lifestyle care package for such an occasion. After all the craziness yesterday, he's probably DYING to destress." He went on.

It was the following day of the whole "new disciple" fiasco. However, just as quickly as it had happened, so too did it blow over. Don't misunderstand, though; people WERE still unhinged lunatics about the situation. Message boards and TV talk shows wouldn't shut up!

Fortunately, King knew Saitama wouldn't worsen the remainder of yesterday by tuning into such programs and visiting those websites. If anything, his best buddy most likely fell face-first onto his mattress when he returned to his apartment. Spending the rest of the day snoozing and dreaming, as he rightfully deserved!

But that is why King was on his way to Saitama's apartment so early in the morn. They'd greet each other, eat breakfast, then spend the rest of the day plowing through these games. Although, secretly, King planned to end the festivities with a fighting game. He just couldn't resist how much those got under Saitama's skin. In his defense, it IS hilarious.

Yet, as King drew closer to Saitama's apartment building, he noticed something peculiar. Usually, at this distance, he'd hear the chattering and general noise of the early-bird fans and journalists. No matter how far back in the morning King tried to come here, they'd always beat him. It made him wonder if they ever went home.

But now, there wasn't a single sound. No signs of life besides King in the ghost town. Was his hearing impaired somehow? Or was this the first time Saitama and King could truly be alone to enjoy the endless wonder of digital entertainment?

"...What the Hell?" King questioned, coming to an immediate stop as his eyes spotted something...indescribable.

As of now, King was one street away from arriving at the apartment building. While looking around for any evidence of someone else besides himself being present, he saw a most peculiar sight. In the air, on all sides of Saitama's dwelling, there were...flying paintbrushes?

No, that...that couldn't be it. Surely, not. Weird birds? Tiny monsters? UFOs? There had to be a more logical explanation than airborne painting tools.

Continuing his approach, King soon reached the front of the building. Upon closer inspection, he confirmed that they were, in fact, flying paintbrushes. However, there was another baffling discovery awaiting him. Each of the brushes used a different color. The order of which was as follows: Dark Green. Light Blue. Yellow. White. Brick Red. Soothing Gray. Chocolate Brown.

"..." King silently watched the brushes work. What else could he do? What would anyone do or say if they stumbled upon this?

Suddenly, the brushes stopped moving. They remained where they were in the sky but nothing else. What the Hell was happening? Witchcraft? Devil powers? Were angels painting Saitama's apartment building?

"Hello, King."

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP

Hearing THAT voice inside of his head jumpstarted King's "engine". He knew who was speaking to him. King would've never expected HER to be here.

And yet, there she came. The third-ranked hero of S-Class. The world's strongest Esper, Tornado of Terror.

"H...H...H...H...H..." King stuttered. The fear inside him was actively pushing down his words.

"Hi? Hello? How are you?" Tatsumaki spoke verbally this time, offering him many suggestions as she approached.

"..." King was silent again, fighting against his body to speak. "...Are...Are you...going to kill me?..." He asked.

"Why? For what reason would I EVER want to kill you, King?" Tatsumaki inquired, stopping a few inches away from him.

"I don't know...natural animosity?..." King guessed. "Ever since...we met...you've...never liked me...so...if you're here...when I'm coming here...I can only assume...it's to be my death..." He explained.

"Aww, King. You're SO silly!" Tatsumaki playfully exclaimed. This was out of character. She was deliberately screwing with him. "I have NO reason at ALL to dislike you!" She carried on before putting a finger to her chin. "Although, I DID have a lovely chat with Sweet Mask yesterday..." She trailed off.

Sweet Mask? What did he have to do with this? How did Sweet Mask play any role in-

...
...
...

Oh.

"Tornado, I swear, I said nothing," King promised. His body started shaking. "Sweet Mask approached me once when I was at HQ. He wanted to know what I thought about the other S-Class heroes, and I gave my opinions. OPINIONS. NOT FACTS. NOT STRONGLY BELIEVED ASSUMPTIONS. OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, IN THE MOMENT, IDEAS AND FEELINGS." He told her as his voice got progressively louder.

"Would you mind telling me what you said? Please?" Tatsumaki requested, maintaining this SUPER creepy hyper-friendly version of herself.

"I-I SAID THAT YOU DIDN'T SEEM TO LIKE ANYONE! E-EXCEPT FOR SAITAMA! EVEN THOUGH YOU CONSTANTLY CALLED HIM NAMES, YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE NEAR OR TALK TO HIM! A-ALL I TOLD SWEET MASK IS THAT Y-YOU THOUGHT MORE OF SAITAMA! THAT'S IT!" King yelled.

"Really? That's it? Because Sweet Mask mentioned Fubuki and how you told him we acted similarly in certain ways." Tatsumaki replied, placing the tip of her index finger on his chest. Oh god. WAS SHE GOING TO BLOW HIM UP WITH HER PSYCHIC POWERS?!

"I ONLY DID THAT WHEN HE ASKED ABOUT FUBUKI! I SWEAR! HE MENTIONED THAT THE BLIZZARD GROUP FREQUENTLY VISITS ONE PUNCH MAN! SO I TOLD HIM THAT FUBUKI, ME, AND SAITAMA HANG OUT A LOT! THEN HE ASKED WHAT SHE WAS LIKE, SO I ANSWERED! THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED YOU TWO ACT A LOT LIKE EACH OTHER WHEN AROUND SAITAMA! I SWEAR! THAT'S ALL I KNOW!" King shouted, shutting his eyes tightly in case these were his final moments.

"So, you weren't trying to be nosey, then? And you weren't acting as a rat for that arrogant ass?" Tatsumaki questioned, starting to sound like her usual self.

"NO! NEVER! I'D NEVER DO THAT TO ANYONE! SAITAMA! YOU! ANYONE!" King vowed.

"...Alright," Tatsumaki said, taking her finger off his chest.

The MOMENT that finger was no longer in contact with him, King collapsed. He would've hit the ground, but Tatsumaki caught him with her ESP.

" *HUFF* You're... *WHEEZE* Not... *HUFF* Going to... *WHEEZE* Kill Me?..." King asked, sweat POURING from his face.

"I would've if you turned out to be a spy for Sweet Mask, but you weren't," Tatsumaki answered. "Sorry for scaring you so badly. Honest. I didn't think you'd react so strongly." She confessed.

"Why... *HUFF* Wouldn't... *WHEEZE* I?..." King questioned, slowly but surely regaining his breath. "You... *HUFF* Are... *WHEEZE* Terrifying..." He said.

"Hm, that's true." Tatsumaki agreed, not afraid to own it. "Still, you ARE Saitama's best friend. I wouldn't hurt you UNLESS you were a backstabbing bastard." She promised.

"Oh...yeah...that does make sense..." King admitted. Although still shaken, he found her reasoning to be sound. He just didn't consider that due to his petrifying fear.

"You good? Or will you fall on your face if I release you?" Tatsumaki inquired.

"Nah...I'm good...a little lightheaded...but I'll be fine in a few..." King responded.

Trusting him on that, Tatsumaki set King back on his feet. Although a bit wobbly, the man could stabilize himself and regain composure.

"You want something to drink? It could help." Tatsumaki offered.

"Um...sure. That's very nice of you." King accepted.

Following that, a pitcher of juice and two glasses were brought out of one of the apartments by Tatsumaki. One for her, one for him.

"...Uh...Tornado..." King started as she poured the juice.

"Yes?" Tatsumaki replied.

"...Are you feeling okay?" King asked, sincerely concerned. "I don't mean to be rude, but you're acting so...differently. It's almost a one-eighty to how you usually are." He said.

"Hm? Oh. Do you mean this?" Tatsumaki inquired before clearing her throat. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! ARE YOU STUPID?! WHY AREN'T THERE ANY MONSTERS FOR ME TO DEAL WITH, HUH?! DO YOU KEEP GIVING THEM TO BALDY?! WHY DOES HE GET ALL THE GOOD FIGHTS?! I'M SITTING AT HOME, WATCHING TV, DOING NOTHING! YOU COULD EASILY FIND ME SOMETHING TO FIGHT, SO DO IT! STOP BEING LAZY AND DO YOUR JOBS!" She shouted, all the while filling her cup.

"Yeah. Exactly." King confirmed with wide eyes and a nod. Sincerely, he was impressed by how effortlessly she could do that.

"That's mainly for appearances," Tatsumaki confessed with a shrug as she handed him his drink. To take it, King needed to set his games down first. "Don't get me wrong; I mean every single word. But when I first joined the Association, that's how I presented myself. Loud. Imposing. Fierce. Mess with me, and I'll throw you into outer space. It helped to build a nice reputation, but it's not how I am ALL the time. However, if I suddenly dropped it, do you KNOW how much crap everyone would give me? Especially that bat-wielding jerk?" She explained, ending with a question.

"Why'd you do it at all?" King pressed after taking a sip of his beverage.

"Blast. Plain and simple." Tatsumaki said, briefly pausing to sip as well. "He told me I needed to look after myself and my family. My parents were horrible, and THAT'S putting it lightly. So, I only needed to look after Fubuki. To do that, I had to be strong and aggressive. Take no shit from anyone. Truthfully, it's worked pretty damn flawlessly. Can't argue with results." She told him.

"What changed, then? You seem so much more mellow." King asked, making her chuckle.

"I'll give you a clue. It's the reason we're both standing here." Tatsumaki answered.

"...Correct me if I'm wrong..." King began as his mind worked through its memories. "But when you first met Saitama, didn't you say he was a dumbass?" He recalled.

"You were there too, right?" Tatsumaki inquired, receiving a nod.

"Yeah. It was right after he saved me from that clawed octopus. Saitama took us to HQ to be treated. That's when you were introduced to each other because you'd been added to the roster that same day." King said.

"THIS is the number one hero?! Is this some kind of joke?! LOOK AT HIM! HE'S BLEEDING ALL OVER AND WEARING A TRACKSUIT!" Tatsumaki reenacted her part of the memory.

"That's it!" King confirmed with a snap. "After that, you jabbed your finger into Saitama's chest and yelled: BLAST IS WAY STRONGER THAN THIS GUY! HOW CAN HE BE THE NUMBER ONE HERO?! I WANT TO SPEAK TO AGONI! Then, you stormed off." He stated.

"...Do...you think he still remembers?" Tatsumaki asked. Whoa. Another new side of her that King never saw before.

"What? That you insulted him?" King questioned.

"I WASN'T THAT BAD!" Tatsumaki defensively yelled. Although not frightened like before, King did realize he had accidentally touched a sensitive subject. "I mean, I...guess I was." She acknowledged.

"Yeah. You were." King responded but not in a spiteful way. "I mean, even now, you still behave like that. At least, to anyone who ISN'T your sister or Saitama." He said before realizing something. "Then again, you DID slap Saitama in our last meeting." He recalled.

"It's for APPEARANCES," Tatsumaki repeated. "Saitama knows that. We've talked about it before. He says he doesn't mind, and I trust he's being honest." She explained.

"He is. Don't worry." King assured. "Saitama's not the kind of guy to lie to people. He might try and BEND the truth, depending on the scenario. But he wouldn't do something as cruel as telling you he's okay with it and then secretly hate your guts." He explained.

"Are you sure?" Tatsumaki pressed. It was clear she needed there to be no doubts.

"Absolutely. I know Saitama better than anyone." King promised with a nod.

"Then, I'll trust you, too. Thanks, King." Tatsumaki said before taking another sip.

When she was done, the Esper noticed something. King now stared at her with wide eyes and a shocked expression.

"Is something wrong?" Tatsumaki inquired.

"You're...being so nice to me," King stated.

"Well, yeah. Do you WANT me to be a bitch to you? Are you one of THOSE people?" Tatsumaki questioned.

"No, no. I just wasn't sure if your attitude towards me was for maintaining appearances or if you genuinely disliked me." King clarified.

"I mean, at first, I did. Like with Saitama." Tatsumaki admitted. "But as time went on and stuff happened, any aggressiveness towards you has been for my reputation. I give you my word. I don't want to throw you into a wall or crush you like a soda can." She told him.

"Oh, what a relief." King sighed with a smile, taking a celebratory drink from his glass. "Does...that mean I can call you Tatsumaki, then?" He asked.

"Sure. I'm going to be around Saitama more. So, it'd be weird if you kept using my hero name." Tatsumaki answered.

"Could I also say it when we're around the others? Like Saitama does?" King continued, testing his boundaries.

"Don't push it," Tatsumaki warned, followed by a sip.

"Right. Sorry. That was a hopeful hail mary." King replied. "So, Tatsumaki. What're you doing here so early in the morning? And why are you painting Saitama's apartment building?" He inquired, going back to the initial mystery.

"I'm living here now," Tatsumaki responded, nearly causing King's eyes to shoot out of his head. "But, before you freak out, let me explain. Saitama and I made a deal. In exchange for keeping people away from his property, I live here. The reason why is that the Association pays for it. I'll be able to throw my feet up and stockpile my money, even more than I already do since I won't have monthly expenses or bills. It's a win-win for both of us." She said.

"Ah. Clever." King praised her. "How come I've never thought of that?" He wondered aloud.

"Probably because you'd see it as taking advantage of Saitama's hospitality." Tatsumaki guessed.

"Yeah. That sounds about right." King agreed. "As for the paintbrushes?" He asked, getting back on topic.

"Part of the agreement is that I get to remodel. Nothing extreme, a few walls here and there and a new coat of paint for the building. I'm currently testing which color I think will work the best." Tatsumaki answered. "Would you like to help? I'd love the input." She offered.

"Sure." King accepted. "What about Saitama, though? Isn't he helping?" He asked.

"He is. I asked if he could get some more supplies. Paint samples for indoors. Wallpaper samples. Floor and carpet samples. I'm taking my accommodations VERY seriously." Tatsumaki answered.

"Heh, wow." King chuckled. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you two were married." He joked.

King took another sip of his drink and expected an earful from the Esper. However, no words came from Tatsumaki. When he looked over to see what was happening, he discovered a shocked look on her face. Also, was...that a small blush on her cheeks?

"...Pfft. Get real." Tatsumaki soon scoffed, dismissing that idea with a wave of her hand. "Me? Baldy? PUH-LEASE." She went on, using one of Saitama's nicknames. "If anything, that egghead would be LUCKY to have someone like ME be interested in him! WHO in the WORLD would think that way about the guy? He's so bland, boring, and has NO sense about him. Terrible love interest. Being strong doesn't make you attractive. I feel bad for him." She rambled.

King watched and listened in silence as Tatsumaki continued ranting. This would go on, seriously, for another ten minutes. She listed every single reason why no one would love Saitama, using a surprising amount of details.

However, King noticed that Tatsumaki started smiling as she carried on. That light blush he saw on her face remained. And, despite the harsh words, the look in her eyes was one of fondness and joy. Yet, King didn't dare say or think anything about these observations. He let Tatsumaki get it out of her system so they could resume talking.

Meanwhile, In City F...

"Holy crap. Tatsumaki was right!" Saitama mentally exclaimed as he walked out of a hardware store. "No one recognized me! I can't believe it was so simple!" He continued.

There weren't many home improvement stores in City Z. The few present were small and might not have everything Tatsumaki wanted for the remodel. So, Saitama traveled to City F. But not before his new neighbor helped him with a disguise.

Unjokingly, Saitama had never considered this idea before. He figured he was SO damn famous that it wouldn't help. Honestly, you can't fault the man for his thinking. If you were, objectively, the most famous person across the globe, would you consider a few articles of clothing to be enough to conceal your identity?

Yet, as it turns out, they were. A baseball cap, a face mask, a pair of sunglasses, and a questionable hoodie that Saitama owned that Tatsumaki had a few choice words about. With their powers combined, these items formed a perfect masquerade for Saitama. He was able to stroll through the streets casually. No one paid him any attention. Some even said he was a bum or a prick when they bumped into him! FINALLY! AT LAST! NORMALCY!

However, Saitama couldn't let his guard down. He managed to get through his shopping without any issues. But now, there was the trek back home. Focus, Saitama. Keep your eyes on the prize. Ensure this beautiful disguise wasn't ruined, and you could use it more!

"Let's see..." Saitama began in his mind, looking into the bag he carried. "I think Tatsumaki will like the tiles I picked. Then agin, maybe she's a carpet person. They had a nice selection." He thought, examining the items.

thud

A collision caused that tiny thud. Saitama, while perusing his acquired goods, had bumped into someone. Saitama's entire body stiffened as he moved his eyes from the plastic satchel upward to learn who it was.

"Excuse you." Flashy Flash said with a sneer. Of ALL people, WHY was an S-Class hero here?!

Saitama didn't say anything. His mind was exploding. Was this payback, universe? Did he wrong you in some way? What ethereal trickster decided to pull such a cruel prank?

"Well?" Flashy Flash spoke again, this time folding his arms. "Are you not going to apologize?" He asked.

"...Sorry." Saitama managed to get out, still trying to recover from this shock.

"Hmph, good enough." Flashy Flash said before walking past him.

Watching the ninja go on his way, Saitama had an inner conflict. On the one hand, Flashy Flash might have been just walking around. On the other hand, no, he wasn't. Flashy Flash was a "specialty" hero, meaning that the Association only deployed him for specific tasks and situations.

Furthermore, when not deployed, Flashy Flash was a hero who stayed where he was comfortable. Other examples in S-Class included Silver Fang and his dojo, Atomic Samurai and his swordsmanship school, Pig God and his home, and Child Emperor with his laboratory. Metal Knight wasn't considered since he NEVER left wherever he lived, and someone like Watchdog Man legitimately NEVER moved from his spot in his city unless it was S-Class business.

So, for Flashy Flash to be out and about meant something was happening. Saitama COULD just keep walking. This wasn't his problem; it was Flashy's. But, as the leader of S-Class, if something went wrong during his mission and Saitama could've helped but chose not to, he'd feel like the world's strongest ass rather than its hero.

"...Tatsumaki's going to throw me to Mars..." Saitama thought before sneakily following the ninja.

Minutes Later, At An Abandoned Warehouse...

"LISTEN UP!" An intimidatingly tall, muscular bald man shouted. "WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OUT SOON! WHEN WE DO, OUR TARGETS ARE POSH HOTELS! FANCY RESTAURANTS! HIGH-END SHOPPING MALLS AND STORES! THOSE ABSTRACT SCULPTURES THAT KEEP POPPING UP EVERYWHERE! FANCY FOUNTAINS! EXPENSIVE CARS! AND ANYONE WEARING DESIGNER CLOTHES!" He yelled. "DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?" He asked.

Within the confines of this unused building was a large group of men. They each wore an identical suit of black armor with a peculiar design. They almost resembled bombs or wrecking balls. The only other uniform feature across the men was their shaven heads.

Standing at the front of the gathering was their leader, who was the previously mentioned tall, muscular man with a lack of hair. This individual was known as Hammerhead, a low-class criminal often associated with bank robberies and other thug-like activities. However, recently, it seemed he wanted to move up in the world since he escalated from theft to terrorism.

"The Paradisers". That was the name of the group Hammerhead had formed. Its members were all men who were fed up with the status quo. They wanted to change the world for the better and tear down the barriers of inequality. They hoped to make a world where everyone could relax, enjoy life, and be happy.

Not a bad goal, to be honest. Yet, their methods and REAL reasons behind this drive weren't so noble. First of all, they stole their high-tech suits. Second, they planned to use them to cause mass destruction. Third, they were all a bunch of lazy bums. Finally, they were idiots. That last point had little to do with anything, but it's still true.

Regardless, the Paradisers were about to begin their crusade. They'd tear down all of City F if they had to. NOTHING, and NO ONE, would stand in their way! Well, if you didn't count the heroes. Or the suspicious man who was currently watching them from the shadows.

"Really? A bunch of idiots?" The man wondered while spectating. Truly, this couldn't be the reason for Flashy Flash's appearance, could it? "A B-Class hero could handle these guys. Heck, maybe even someone from C. Why would the Association send an S-Class?" He questioned.

"YES! YOU THERE, IN THE BACK!" Hammerhead called upon one of his members as he raised his hand.

"Sir! What will we do if we encounter heroes? C and B-Class should be fine. But if someone from A or S gets called in, we'll be in trouble!" The member pointed out.

"AH! A FAIR QUESTION!" Hammerhead praised his subordinate. Geez, did this guy have no volume control? "I HAVE SOUGHT THE HELP OF A MERCENARY! HE WASN'T CHEAP, BUT HE'S ASSURED ME HE CAN HANDLE ANY HERO, S-CLASS OR OTHERWISE!" He revealed.

A myriad of excited chatter came from the Paradisers. Of COURSE their boss was smart enough to do something like that! Nothing could stop them now!

"A mercenary who can take on S-Class?..." The man pondered. "Maybe that's why Flashy Flash is here. If someone like that does exist, then they'd be a big-"

"Don't. Move."

A voice whispered to the shrouded man from behind himself. Accompanying the words was a well-sharpened sword wrapping itself around the man's neck.

"...Shit..." The man thought as the blade was lightly pressed against his throat.

"Answer my questions with head movements. Make any noise, and you're dead." The voice demanded. "Tell me, are you their mercenary?" It asked.

In response, the man shook his head. Additionally, that confirmed to him who this voice belonged to if that was their first question.

"If that's true, who are you? Why are you dressed so suspiciously?" The voice inquired.

Dude. What the Hell? HOW was the man supposed to answer that with a nod or a shake? Thinking quickly, the man raised one of his hands slowly, then formed a C with his fingers and thumb.

"A C-Class? Makes sense. You guys are always punching above your weight." The voice said, slowly withdrawing the sword. "Listen, I will confront the men you see in a few seconds. When I do, run. That'll be your best chance of surviving the fight that will ensue. If you die because you're ignorant and stick around, that's not on me." It told him before its owner faded into the shadows.

Great. Super. Well done, mysterious man. The WHOLE point was to come here and watch in secret. You were discovered by the ONLY person you DIDN'T want to learn about your presence. Maybe you should take Flashy Flash up on his ninjutsu lessons.

But that was an idea to be considered later. The man waited to see how Flashy Flash would handle the situation. It's not that he didn't have faith in him; he just didn't want to leave him without backup. You know, in case things got weird.

"ALRIGHT! IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS, IT'S TIME TO MOVE OUT!" Hammerhead commanded while pointing to the front of the warehouse. "MARCH ONWARD, MEN! LET US CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER! LET US MAKE PARADISE!" He passionately shouted.

Roaring in agreement, the group of men turned around and began their departure. Step by step, they approached the entrance. When they were ten feet away, that is when they'd be confronted.

FWOOSH

Like a specter manifesting from nowhere, the shining visage of Flashy Flash appeared before the Paradisers. His cape fluttered from his speed, and his body shimmered like a star.

"HALT!" Flashy Flash commanded, pointing his sword at the men. "You will take no further steps! Evildoers, prepare to meet your justice!" He proclaimed.

...What? What was going on? That IS Flashy Flash, right? The man wondered that as he watched the S-Class hero perform so expressively.

"What's this now?" Hammerhead questioned as he moved to the front of the group. "Huh? Wait a second. Aren't you..."

"Flashy Flash? Yes. I am." Flashy Flash confirmed with a proud smile. "I, the S-Class hero, have arrived to defeat you. You will know loss by the edge of my sword should you not surrender immediately." He warned.

Okay. Seriously. Who the Hell was this guy? This wasn't the Flashy Flash the man knew. The white-clad ninja was reserved, mostly stoic, and rarely showed emotion beyond annoyance. What was going on here?!

"Heh, I thought that's who you were," Hammerhead smirked. "To think, the Association's already sent one of their best after us. See, men? I told you we'd be taken seriously." He said.

"Hmph, please." Flashy Flash scoffed. "I'm not here because of the pathetic little group you call a terrorist organization. After the Association told me about you, I knew I had to strike you down for another reason." He stated.

"Oh? And what reason is that?" Hammerhead asked.

"Your heads!" Flashy Flash answered, pointing to their shiny domes with his weapon. "You dare steal the look of my leader! If you were to commit ANY villainous act, it would reflect badly on him! I won't allow such a great man's reputation to be dragged through the mud by cretins like you!" He explained.

Wow. The man never knew Flashy Flash had so much respect for One Punch Man. Sure, he always praised him like the others. But still, it was rather flattering to learn how highly Flashy Flash thought of his leader. Although, it also added more pressure on One Punch Man to live up to his expectations.

"Heh. Are you serious?" A new voice spoke. However, it seemed to come from all directions. "THIS is what has become of you, Flashy?" It asked.

Following that, a strange phenomenon occurred. From the shadows of the warehouse, a silhouette extended. It soon took the form of a man, and from it, a person emerged.

This individual wore a full-body black suit with silver armor and a long purple scarf. A sheathed blade on their backside could be easily seen. Yet, even without noticing it, they emitted an aura of death. There was no denying this person was a killer.

"Sonic. It's been a while." Flashy Flash greeted. Wait. Did they know each other?

"Speed O' Sound Sonic." The mysterious stranger corrected with a smirk. "You should address me properly, considering I'm your better." He said.

"My better? How?" Flashy Flash questioned. For a moment, his expression shifted. The man noticed a look of familiarity on the ninja. One that went beyond simple association.

"Look at us. That's all you need to do to have your answer." Sonic began. "I've spent every day making a name for myself. Honing my skills and perfecting my techniques. But you? You became a hero. Worst of all, you've become theatrical. Seriously, what was with that performance just now? Are you trying to act cool?" He explained, ending with a question.

"T-That's not important." Flashy Flash responded. Was he embarrassed? "As for what you've said, I don't understand how becoming a hero makes me lesser. Do you think I've grown lazy? That I've allowed my skills to dull?" He questioned.

"How could you not?" Sonic challenged. "Face it. There's NOTHING to be gained from killing monsters and helping the weak. Both are equally mindless; they don't make you work for your victories. Plus, there's all the showboating and other crap that heroes do. Not even One Punch Man's exempt from this. Did you see how crazy everyone got yesterday when they heard some other moron would become his student? It was-"

KLANG

In an instant, Flashy Flash was on top of Sonic. However, their speeds were practically the same. So, without any issue, Sonic could draw his sword and easily block the other's attack.

"Do not speak ill of my leader." Flashy Flash scolded. His tone was cold, and his expression unfriendly.

"Whoa! Struck a nerve." Sonic taunted with a smirk. "Don't tell me you're one of his fans, Flashy. Sure, I'll admit, the guy's strong. The whole "One Punch Man" name isn't just for show. But I've seen enough of that guy's face plastered everywhere to form an impression of him. The man's a fool. Barely seems to know or care about what's happening whenever you see him." He said.

In response, Flashy Flash attempted to deliver a kick to Sonic's abdomen. Of course, the black-clad ninja jumped backward and evaded the swift strike.

"Enough!" Flashy Flash exclaimed, his sword aimed at Sonic. "One Punch Man has done more for me than you can imagine. The same applies to all heroes, be they S-Class or otherwise. I won't allow anyone, even you, to insult him like this!" He stated.

He has? That's what the man wondered. Sure, One Punch Man's done a lot for everybody. He DID consider himself helpful and tried to be considerate when he could. But was his impact on Flashy Flash and so many others that significant? If so, One Punch Man had NO idea that was the case.

"Heh, fine then. If you want me to shut up, then make me." Sonic invited, beckoning him to approach with a gesture of his hand.

"Gladly." Flashy Flash accepted with a determined glare.

After that, the men disappeared. Well, to the Paradisers, at least. The man, who was still hidden, could track them just fine. But for the Paradisers, all they could see and hear were flashes of light and metal clashing.

"Boss? Should we help him out?" One of the members asked Hammerhead.

"Nah. THIS is why I hired him. He'll keep Flashy Flash busy long enough for us to go and do what we need to. If Sonic's not done by the time more heroes show up, we'll retreat and regroup." Hammerhead answered.

"Understood." The member replied with a nod of his head.

With Flashy Flash and Sonic duking it out, the Paradisers returned their focus to the-

...
...
...

"Who the Hell are you?" Hammerhead asked. Out of nowhere, ANOTHER person appeared to block their path.

However, unlike Flashy Flash, this individual was...nobody. None of the Paradisers recognized them. They wore a ball cap, sunglasses, a face mask, and a questionable hoodie. This was some random jackass from off the street.

"..." The stranger didn't say anything. Were they scared?

"Boss, I think this is a C-Class hero." One of the members suggested. "They probably followed Flashy Flash, hoping to make a name for themselves." They explained.

"Ah! That makes sense! Good thinking." Hammerhead praised his subordinate.

"DAMN IT!" Flashy Flash thought with a grimace. "What's that idiot thinking?! He had plenty of time to escape!" He angrily yelled in his mind.

"Pay attention, Flashy!" Sonic ordered as their blades clashed again. "Don't worry about those guys!" He added.

"Hey, listen," Hammerhead spoke, slowly approaching the stranger. "I get it. You're a hero, and we're the bad guys in your eyes. It's understandable." He said, stopping once he was right in front of them. "With that said, I promise we won't tell anyone if you leave. Plus, we won't have to break all of your bones. How's that sound?" He offered.

In reply, the stranger held up their hand. They then brought their middle finger and thumb together. Almost as if they were about to-

BOOM

Human bowling. That's what just happened. Hammerhead was the ball, and the Paradisers were the pins. Each man went flying in a different direction. They all hit the ground, ceiling, or walls hard enough to render them unconscious, including Hammerhead, who went face-first into the wall on the OTHER side of the building.

When that transpired, Flashy Flash and Sonic came to an immediate stop. Both stared at the stranger in amazement. What did they just do? HOW did they do that?

A few seconds then went by. The stranger lowered their arm and noticed the two ninjas staring at them. So, they turned around and headed for the exit.

"HOLD ON!"

Flashy Flash and Sonic simultaneously shouted. Before the stranger could attempt to book it, Flashy Flash reached them and placed his hand on their shoulder.

"Explain yourself!" Flashy Flash demanded. "There's NO way that you're C-Class! You'd be A, no, S-Class with that strength!" He exclaimed.

"..." The stranger made no noises. They were busy trying to figure out how to get through this.

Unfortunately, not the patient type, Flashy Flash ripped off the face mask and sunglasses.

"Answer me!" Flashy Flash demanded. "Who in the world are-"

Ever seen a man's heart stop? Depending on the context, it could be mortifying. But for this situation, admittedly, it was very funny. Flashy Flash, like a deer in headlights, stared in horror at the stranger's identity.

"...Whelp," Saitama said, trying to think of something to say. "I...guess you figured it out...good job..." He praised his fellow S-Class hero, hoping that would make this less awkward.

Sadly, it did not. Flashy Flash dropped the sunglasses, face mask, and even his sword.

"One...One Punch...Man..." Flashy Flash stuttered out before suddenly falling to his knees. "I...I can't believe...oh my god..." He went on, hanging his head in shame.

"Whoa! Flashy Flash! Calm down!" Saitama frantically exclaimed. "It's no big deal! This is a HUGE misunderstanding! I swear!" He promised.

"I...was so rude to you...I...I...I put my sword to your throat!" Flashy Flash shouted. That realization hit him like a freight train.

"Yes, you did! But you thought I was the mercenary those guys were talking about! It's cool, Flashy Flash! Honest!" Saitama insisted.

"Ahem."

Sonic, who was now standing closer to them, cleared his throat.

"So, you're One Punch Man." Sonic began, sizing up Saitama.  "The strongest hero in the world. People say you're fast, as well. I wonder, are you faster than me?" He inquired.

"Don't. You. Dare." Flashy Flash warned while getting to his feet. His usual cool attitude had returned.

"What? Are you scared I might be the one to do it? To finally deal a blow to One Punch Man that'll wound him?" Sonic asked with a smirk.

"Please. One Punch Man could end you without even trying. You are simply beneath him. Unworthy of his time." Flashy Flash answered. As things continued, it became more and more apparent to Saitama to what extent Flashy Flash admired him.

"Why don't you let him speak for himself? Or is all of this respect you're showing nothing more than an act?" Sonic suggested.

"One Punch Man." Flashy Flash started, turning to face his leader. "You don't need to humor him. Let me fight in your place." He requested.

"No. It's fine." Saitama permitted, surprising them both. "From what I saw, Sonic's as fast as you are and is as skilled with a sword. It'll be interesting to see if he is better than you or if that was just big talk from someone with a fragile ego." He said.

"Fragile ego?" Sonic questioned, clearly annoyed by that.

"Yeah. What else would you call it?" Saitama asked. His hands were now in his hoodie's pockets. "The first thing you said to Flashy Flash was how you're better than him. Yet, when you guys started fighting, he blocked all of your attacks, and you his. It's embarrassing to talk so much smack and not make good on it." He told him.

To that, Flashy Flash smirked. Perhaps this was a good thing after all. Sonic did seem too prideful. A nice serving of humility from his leader would help to improve Sonic's character.

However, Sonic didn't see it that way. This arrogant son of bitch was talking down to him. So what if he was the number one hero? Heroes were pathetic. Surely, even with his well-known strength, One Punch Man couldn't beat him. Sonic had techniques, weapons, and skills. All One Punch Man could do was throw punches! It's why he had that name!

"Middle of the room. Now." Sonic ordered before heading there himself.

Having no issues with that, Saitama followed. Flashy Flash remained where he was to act as a spectator. Even if the compulsion struck him, he would not interfere.

Soon, Sonic and Saitama stood opposite of each other. Sonic prepared himself by entering a stance. Saitama did nothing and kept his hands in his hoodie's pockets.

"You know, you're the only thing anyone talks about in the circles I hang around," Sonic informed him.

"Oh? Is that so?" Saitama inquired.

"Mhm. Assassins. Crime syndicates. Monsters. Every member of the underworld won't shut up about One Punch Man. It's irritating." Sonic explained.

"Huh, good to know," Saitama said. Truthfully, he expected as much. "Want me to count down?" He offered, getting back to the fight at hand.

"Heh, sure." Sonic accepted.

"Okay. One."

BANG

That wasn't the sound of a gun being fired. That was Sonic's sword. It shattered into countless pieces when it came into contact with Saitama's neck, resulting in several metal shards clattering as they hit the floor.

Sonic, of course, was shocked by this. He stood still for a moment, processing what had happened. The other ninja in the room, however, had a few words.

"Sonic!" Flashy Flash exclaimed in outrage. "Are you so disrespectful that you would attempt something so underhanded?!" He questioned.

"Yeah. That was pretty sneaky. Then again, that sounds about right for a ninja." Saitama said.

"...Heh...impressive." Sonic complimented his opponent, sheathing what was left of his sword. "So, a weapon won't be enough. But how about THIS?" He asked before disappearing.

Now, Sonic moved around the warehouse at blinding speed. Faster and faster, he went, to the point that Flashy Flash started to question if he was seeing the real Sonic or his afterimages.

"Credit where it's due; he's continued his training." Flashy Flash thought, admittedly impressed. "Even so, it's no match for One Punch Man. I wonder what he'll do?" He contemplated.

"Are you afraid yet, One Punch Man?" Sonic asked while leaping. "No one has EVER survived this next attack!" He proudly exclaimed.

"Oh. A finishing move? Neat. I haven't experienced one of those in a while." Saitama replied with a smile, genuinely excited to see what would happen.

Although unintentional, this worsened Sonic's annoyance. This cocky bastard. With this next strike, he'd be put in his place!

FWOOSH

In an instant, Sonic was behind and above Saitama. From a downward diagonal angle, the ninja intended to deliver a powerful kick that could cut a man in half. However, Saitama wanted to see what the move was. So, he turned around.

Unfortunately, given the positioning, the first thing Saitama saw was Sonic's crotch. So, out of instinct, he held up one of his fists to protect himself. He didn't want to have another man's privates touching him. Sadly, for Sonic's poor, sensitive area, he was moving at blinding speeds and about to hit an immovable road bump.

What followed truly can't be described. Time seemed to slow down for everyone present. Saitama and Flashy Flash watched in horror as the collision unfolded. Sonic, on the other hand, felt a pain he had never experienced in his life.

Immediately, the ninja fell to the floor with a violent THUD. Sonic's mouth was open, but nothing came out. He lay there, unmoving, with an anguished expression on his face.

"Oh, crap! I'm SO sorry!" Saitama apologized, feeling immediate regret.

"One Punch Man, you have nothing to be sorry for." Flashy Flash assured as he approached the duo. "Sonic should've been more careful. This humiliating defeat is of his own making." He argued.

"Sure, but I didn't mean to hit him! Especially not THERE!" Saitama exclaimed, still feeling guilty.

"Don't worry. Sonic's been through a lot. He'll bounce back from this in no time." Flashy Flash insisted. "But before he and the Paradisers recover, we should hand them over to the authorities." He suggested.

"No need. I've already called the Association. They've got people on the way." Saitama revealed as he took out and held up his phone.

"Of course you have. I should expect no less." Flashy Flash replied, feeling foolish for not considering that.

"Yup." Saitama said, making the "p" pop. "...Well, I guess I'll head out. Don't want to cause another media frenzy like yesterday." He decided, trying to find a polite way of saying he wanted to leave since this was getting awkward.

"One Punch Man." Flashy Flash began, preventing his departure.

"Yes?" Saitama responded.

"Would it be alright if I accompany you? I'd like to discuss some things." Flashy Flash requested.

Oh. God. No. Saitama didn't need more of this. Yes, he did this to himself. But all he wanted to do was go back home. NOTHING good could come of this.

"...Sure." Saitama permitted. Damn it. He wanted to say no. He did! But he didn't want to make things uncomfortable between him and Flashy Flash. Well, more than they already were.

"Thank you." Flashy Flash said with a smile, sheathing his sword.

"Yeah...no problem..." Saitama assured, even though he wasn't being entirely honest.

With that, the pair of S-Class heroes left. Leaving all of the unconscious Paradisers and a seemingly comatose Sonic to the Association employees that would arrive shortly.

Chapter Text

Tatsumaki had NO idea WHAT King's talents and skills were. She knew he was Saitama's disciple, so he had to be strong. She was also aware that King was quite fond of video games. But since she never had an interest in them nor asked him about them, she didn't know the extent of it.

Yet, after finishing their drinks and talking about what color the apartment building looked best in for a while, Tatsumaki and King went to the top floor. This was the level of the structure that she was remodeling for herself.

Upon entering the first apartment outside the stairwell, King was amazed to see how much the Esper had already accomplished. Tatsumaki had done away with all of the walls separating each unit. She also took down the isles that separated the kitchens from the living space and the small walls that concealed the bathrooms.

Tatsumaki then explained that she would handle the kitchens and bathrooms later. Currently, she is trying to figure out the proper layout for everything. The Esper made no plans to remove the balconies, stating that she enjoyed them and could do a lot with some more materials. So, her focus was on the following:

-Do I want multiple rooms? If so, how will they be placed? If not, how would I want the entire room to look?

-Where will the appliances go? Kitchen amenities, a washer, a dryer, a bathtub shower combo, and a television were the essentials. Anything else could be sorted out afterward.

-Remaining furniture. Couches. Tables. Chairs. And, of course, a bed. That last one ultimately depended on the first task. But still, picking one out and deciding its placement was a huge deal.

With this list of objectives provided, Tatsumaki expected King to offer advice and suggestions. She didn't anticipate him creating fully-detailed floor plans and hypothetical room layouts. Despite being the SECOND strongest hero in the world, King still received abundant attention and fortune like Saitama. Yet, also like the caped baldy, King was an incredibly humble and down to Earth dude.

So, when it came to King's living arrangement, he didn't need or want some extravagant mansion or castle. His apartment in City M was all that was necessary for his lifestyle. However, as King continued to purchase collector's editions and deluxe versions of video games, space became a growing concern. Eventually, he WOULD have to find more spacious accommodations if this continued (which it would), but in the meantime, King became a master of spatial organization.

He wasn't a professional home designer by any means. Even so, King had all the makings of one. He gave Tatsumaki so many ideas for her new living space. Each one, to her amazement, was FANTASTIC. The Esper was truly struggling to pick between them.

"You know, King," Tatsumaki spoke. She and King had been silent for the past few minutes as she reviewed his proposals. "If being a hero doesn't work out for you, you should get into interior decoration." She told him.

"What?" King responded, unsure if he heard her correctly.

"I'm serious. You're a natural at it." Tatsumaki insisted, briefly looking over her shoulder at him. "All of these are great. I would've just moved things around until I was satisfied. But thanks to you, I have an actual vision in mind. That's something to be proud of." She praised him.

"Oh...uh...thanks, Tatsumaki," King replied with a small flattered blush. "I didn't think they were all that impressive. I just used my experience in moving around the stuff in my apartment and applied it here. Really." He explained.

"As I said, you're a natural," Tatsumaki repeated, returning her attention to the designs. "I...think I want to go with the completely open one. As for a bathroom, I'll dedicate a fourth of the space to it at the far end of the floor." She decided.

"Damn. That's a big bathroom." King commented with a surprised expression.

"What can I say? I like to live luxuriously." Tatsumaki said with a smile before continuing. "Now, regarding the balconies. I think one BIG balcony would look nice once we get more supplies. We could even make a garden to liven it." She suggested.

"Hmm..." King hummed, an idea coming to mind.

"What is it?" Tatsumaki inquired, looking back at him again.

"Hm? Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." King apologized.

"No, no. Please, go on." Tatsumaki invited. After seeing his plans, she trusted and wanted ANY input he had to offer.

"Well, I was thinking. If you wanted to start a garden, why not on the roof instead? Saitama has a cactus because, apart from not needing that much water, the sun only hits this side of the building for a certain amount each day. Making a garden on the balcony wouldn't be impossible, but you'd have a far easier time on the roof." King stated.

"Yeah...you're right..." Tatsumaki agreed, thinking about it as well. "Okay, we'll make a garden on the roof. As for the balcony, I'd still like to use some flowers or other plants for it. Maybe more cacti?" She proposed.

"Sure. There are plenty of types; a lot even have flowers. You could spruce up the balcony and not worry about the plants getting enough sunlight." King said.

"Alright. It's settled." Tatsumaki decided with a clap of her hands. "Plus, it'll be something Saitama and I have in common." She added with a smile, only to realize how that could be interpreted afterward. "But it'd be for the sake of the building's appearance! Having more cacti on the balcony is purely for a unified aesthetic! Nothing else!" She asserted.

"Of course." King agreed, not dumb enough to challenge the truthfulness of her reasoning.

"Speaking of Saitama, where the Hell is he?" Tatsumaki questioned, quickly changing the subject. "It's nearly been two hours since he left. Unless City F exploded, there's NO reason he shouldn't be back by now." She said.

"Well, you know, Saitama. Wherever that guy is, trouble follows." King responded.

"I thought that was you?" Tatsumaki asked. However, it was with sincere confusion, not sarcasm.

"Uh...yeah...I...don't have the best luck..." King confirmed with a sigh. Just thinking about all of his troubles took the wind out of him.

Knock Knock

"Tatsumaki? You in there?" The voice of Saitama called from the other side of the door closest to the building stairwell. He asked if she was present because she might've returned to her residence to fetch her things.

"Huh. Speak of the devil." Tatsumaki said. Admittedly, Saitama had a bizarre way of perfectly arriving when it was the most appropriate.

Both the Esper and King walked over to the door. However, when Tatsumaki opened it, the duo's eyes fixated on something other than Saitama.

"Okay, so..." Saitama began as he reached into his shopping bag and pulled out a tile. "I got all of the samples you wanted. I think you'll want something like this. But, just in case, I got as many carpet and rug samples as I did for tiles and hardwood flooring." He told her.

"...Baldy..." Tatsumaki slowly spoke, her brow rapidly furrowing. "I asked you to go shopping for supplies...WHY did you bring back a person?..." She asked.

Standing behind Saitama was Flashy Flash. Yes, THE Flashy Flash. Their colleague and fellow S-Class hero. What the Hell was he doing here?

"Oh! So you noticed him?" Saitama questioned, trying to play it off as no big deal. "I ran into Flashy. He was in the middle of a mission, stuff happened, and now we're here." He explained. Although, it wasn't in too much detail.

"King. Tornado." Flashy Flash politely greeted.

"..." Tatsumaki was quiet. She stared at Saitama, almost as if trying to melt his head with invisible lasers.

For a few seconds, everyone stood still and did nothing. It was like an Old West gun draw. Instead of bullets, Saitama hoped Tatsumaki would let this go without further explanation while she waited for him to explain himself.

"I've got an idea!" King exclaimed, choosing to be the mediator. "It's getting close to lunch. Saitama and Flashy Flash were busy in City F. We've been busy here. Why don't we cook some food and relax? That'll make it easier to have a conversation." He suggested.

"Wow! What a great idea, King!" Saitama praised with a smile. He was thankful for the assistance from his best friend. "My fridge is full of ingredients. I can whip-up whatever anyone wants. All you'll need to do is-"

"No." Flashy Flash denied, surprising Saitama and King. "I refuse to take advantage of your kindness. If we are to eat, I request that I be the one to prepare it." He stated.

Uh...okay. That was unexpected. But, hey, Flashy Flash's offer to make lunch wasn't a big deal. It didn't-

"A bit rude, don't you think?" Tatsumaki questioned. Oh...no... "Our leader has offered to welcome us into his home AND make us a meal. Yet, you reject his kindness? Isn't that disrespectful?" She asked.

"Um...Tatsumaki...I think-"

Tatsumaki shot King a glare. Don't. Say. Another. Word. The message was received loud and clear.

"Hmph. Your logic is incredibly flawed." Flashy Flash replied, unphased by her words. "I wish to show my gratitude towards our leader by cooking him and us a delicious meal. That is the utmost respect I can show in this situation. To imply otherwise is fairly ignorant." He stated.

"Ah. So, you're calling me stupid?" Tatsumaki challenged.

"I didn't choose the word, but It is rather accurate." Flashy Flash responded.

Oh. Dear. God. King frantically looked back and forth between the two of them. Saitama, now, of ALL times, was the moment to do something!

"Guys, enough," Saitama interjected. When everyone looked at him, he had a serious expression. "A lot is going on. Everybody's got questions. If you want answers, you're going to be civil. But if your attitudes get in the way, everyone can leave and go home." He firmly told them.

It was rare for Saitama to be strict with his fellow heroes, but now was such a time. They were all, at the very least, associates. There was no reason for such hostility.

"My apologies, One Punch Man." Flashy Flash said with a bow. "You have my word; I will be polite from here on." He vowed.

"Tatsumaki?" Saitama asked, not hearing anything from her.

"..." Tatsumaki stayed silent, debating what she should say. "...Ugh. Okay. The ninja can stay..." She reluctantly agreed. That was the best they were going to get out of her.

"Cool," Saitama said, his face immediately reverting to its usual state.

With that, the four heroes headed for the stairwell. There was food to eat and a story to tell.

A Short While Ago, On A Train Bound For City Z...

A bullet train. It doesn't need to be said how fast these things go. It's the entire point of their existence. Yet, despite the impressive speed, there was still a lot of time to pass in the transit between cities.

Luckily, not many people rode this train at this time of day. Pretty much everyone worked in the cities they lived. Primarily, the occupants of this train were heroes who needed a fast way to get to situations to lend their aid.

But for now, there was no crisis to attend to. At least, not on a scale big enough to warrant a call to action by the Association. So, only two people rode this train. One was Flashy Flash; the other was a re-disguised Saitama.

After solving the issue of the Paradisers and Speed O' Sound Sonic, Saitama gathered his sunglasses, facemask, and shopping bag before the duo departed. He left the items he bought for Tatsumaki outside of the warehouse in case a fight broke out, which it did.

Now, both men sat next to each other on this vacant train. Saitama waited for Flashy Flash to start a conversation since he wanted to talk.

"...One Punch Man." Flashy Flash began. FINALLY, enough of the awkward silence.

"Yeah?" Saitama responded.

"Just to confirm, you saw everything, didn't you?" Flashy Flash asked.

"Are you referring to how you acted when confronting the Paradisers?" Saitama guessed.

"...Yes..." Flashy Flash hesitantly confirmed.

"Yup. I saw it all." Saitama answered, causing the ninja to sigh.

"I...can explain..." Flashy Flash started. "I've...been trying to be more expressive. I want to show more emotion when confronting monsters and villains and interacting with the public." He confessed.

"Ah. Okay. That makes a LOT more sense." Saitama said. "If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to do that?" He inquired.

"..." Flashy Flash was silent. Uh oh. Did Saitama overstep?

"Sorry." Saitama quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to pry. Forgive me. I let curiosity get the better-"

"It's you."

...Huh? Did Saitama hear that? It's you. That's what it sounded like.

Now, one might immediately assume something weird like romantic interest. But Saitama wasn't some crazy fan FAR too obsessed with pairing heroes together. So, what did the ninja mean by that?

"Could...you elaborate?" Saitama requested, not wanting to make assumptions.

"If I do, prepare for an earful." Flashy Flash warned. "To explain everything, I'll need to say a lot. Is that okay?" He requested.

"Sure. We've got plenty of time." Saitama permitted.

"Very well." Flashy Flash said as he closed his eyes. "To paint the full picture, we need to look back to when you and I first met, One Punch Man." He stated.

"HOLD ON!"

Briefly, In Saitama's Apartment...

Tatsumaki had slammed her hands onto the table. King jumped slightly from the sudden impact and loud sound it created. Saitama, although unaffected, looked at her in confusion. Flashy Flash ignored the outburst; he was busy cooking in his leader's kitchen.

"What?" Saitama questioned, unsure of her outburst.

"Are we SERIOUSLY going to have a flashback within a flashback?" Tatsumaki asked. "Can't you just give us a summary? Don't you HATE long-winded crap?" She added.

"I do. But Flashy didn't waste time with pointless details. He was straight to the point with everything that mattered." Saitama answered.

"Ugh. FINE." Tatsumaki groaned, sitting back down. "Continue." She said with a wave of her hand.

A Few Years Ago, During The Early Age Of The Association...

"HAHAHA! RUN! RUN, YOU PLEBIANS! YOU CANNOT FATHOM MY POWER! YOUR MINDS ARE FAR TOO FEEBLE TO APPRECIATE ITS GREATNESS!"

The shouting voice belonged to a giant eyeball. No, that wasn't a joke. A massive eyeball that moved around on long red tendrils terrorized City E. No one was sure of where it came from, only that it was, at minimum, a dragon-level threat.

Apart from the grotesque nature of its appearance, another detail about it was immensely unsettling. Often, eyeball-focused monsters are depicted as having a multitude of them, each looking in a different direction for three-hundred-and-sixty-degree vision.

Yet, this monster was different. It only had one ocular sphere, but it was covered in countless pupils. So, it still accomplishes the same effect. But honestly, it was more disturbing than multiple eyes. It was almost a giant black void that stared at you.

If left unchecked, this monster could easily reduce City E to rubble. Thankfully, the Hero Association existed. Furthermore, they had dispatched a recently enlisted S-Class hero. One that they were certain would swiftly kill this monster.

Slowly, a lone figure walked past the fleeing populace. His body was clad in a white garb. On his hip, a sheathed blade.

"Hm?" The monster noticed the approaching individual even before they were separated from the crowd. "Who might you be? A cosplayer?" It asked.

Upon being addressed, the figure stopped. Waiting another minute for the civilians to be out of harm's way, he'd then reveal his identity.

"I am from the Hero Association." The figure spoke calmly, unaffected by the monster's visage. "I will serve as your executioner. If it eases you, I am Flashy Flash. Now, you know the name of your death." He stated.

...

...

...

"PFFT, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The monster roared in laughter. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU LOOK LIKE THE PROTAGONIST OF AN RPG! WHAT A JOKE! A RIOT!" It chortled.

Unaffected by the monster's mockery, Flashy Flash drew his sword. He then entered a stance, intending to end this with one strike.

"Flashy Slash."

FWOOSH

At speeds that could not be perceived, Flashy Flash attacked his opponent. He saw no point in spending more time on this than there needed to be. Looking over his shoulder, he expected to see the eyeball severed from its tendrils.

"Ooh! Nice try! Seriously!" The monster praised. Did it dodge that attack? How? "I didn't think anyone could move that fast. You might put up a challenge." It admitted.

"Tsk, how annoying." Flashy Flash commented with a click of his tongue. "Tell me, how did you evade that strike? Teleportation? Immense speed?" He inquired.

"Nah, I just knew what you would do." The monster began as it pointed at its pupils. "I see everything. I transformed into what you see now because I appreciated the details of everything I ever saw. Books. Movies. Games. The world. Etc. Nothing escaped my flawless gaze." It continued, now pointing at Flashy Flash. "I see it all. Every slight twitch or movement of your muscles. The way your feet flexed indicated that you were about to move. All I needed to do was dodge at the right time. Additionally, as you were in motion, my pupils could track and process the information. So, while you are impressively quick, it won't matter. There's NOTHING you can do that I won't notice." It concluded.

"Hm, interesting." Flashy Flash said, genuinely fascinated. "Perhaps you'll require some effort. For that, I promise to respect you in your final moments. So long as you continue not to bore me." He told him.

"Ha! Sure." The monster responded, eager for the fight to continue. "Try as you might, you'll NEVER land a blow! But defeating someone like you will be a great start to the reputation of Oculon the Observant!" It exclaimed.

From there, a fight ensued. Flashy Flash assaulted Oculon with everything he had. Yet, with no effort, the monster evaded. Its vision could perceive the world as if it were going frame-by-frame. Nothing the ninja could do would ever meet its mark, regardless of power or speed.

Minutes went by, eventually nearing an hour. Flashy Flash's stamina never faltered, but no progress was made. The same was true for Oculon. With the same ease that it could dodge the ninja, so too did its attacks miss.

"Ugh, this is boring, now." Oculon groaned. "Neither one of us is getting anywhere. How about we call it here and fight another day?" It suggested.

"Not a chance." Flashy Flash rejected, pointing his sword at the creature. "This fight doesn't end until you're dead." He firmly stated.

"Ugh. You're one of THOSE..." Oculon groaned again. "...Hm..." It hummed, an idea forming in its mind.

Suddenly, Oculon sent all of its tendrils into the ground. Really? This was its next attack?

"Pathetic." Flashy Flash thought, closing his eyes and focusing on his hearing. "Their movements are audible. Once they appear, I'll slash them in a single action. Even if it can see my movements, if I wait until when the attack is near its completion, it won't be able to stop. That'll be the end of this." He reasoned.

Listening closely, Flashy Flash tracked each tendril's path. They were spreading far, undoubtedly trying to surround him. But then, something happened that managed to surprise Flashy Flash. Unfortunately, it also was the window Oculon hoped for.

Instead of using the tendrils to attack the ninja, the monster devastated the surrounding environment. The streets and sidewalks were shattered. Buildings crumbled and began to fall. From below and above, Flashy Flash was surrounded by concrete and steel.

Of course, Flashy Flash could evade all of this using his speed. This was barely a concern. So, that's precisely what he-

THWAP

The sound of the destruction masked the movement of the tendrils still underground. As a result, Flashy Flash didn't hear two of them move beneath him. In an instant, they emerged and wrapped themselves around his legs. The ninja was unable to avoid the incoming rubble.

...
...
...

Everything was dark. Everything was quiet. Was Flashy Flash dead? No. He could feel several stones on every side and at every angle.

Unfortunately, this meant that Flashy Flash couldn't move. The slightest error in judgment could snap one of his bones. He had to remain perfectly still. However, the ninja did hear the stones shifting.

"Ah, there you are," Oculon spoke as the rock covering Flashy Flash's face was moved. "What'd you think? Pretty clever, huh?" It asked.

"..." Flashy Flash gave no reply. He would not honor this creature with acknowledgment or praise.

"No feedback? Seriously? Fine. Be that way." Oculon said, slowly raising a tendril to the front of the ninja's face. "I guess we'll skip the chit-chat and get straight to the part where I kill you. It's been fun, and thanks for the experience." It told him.

At that moment, Flashy Flash went through his options. He could lunge forward, likely breaking all his limbs but landing a headbutt. He could free his right arm and hand, which held his sword, and maybe stab Oculon. However, doing so would surely break Flashy Flash's left arm, and there was a high possibility of damaging his legs.

Any action that could be taken would carry a sacrifice of some sort. What could Flashy Flash spare? His arms, legs, or one of each?

"Hey! You! The giant eyeball!"

A voice suddenly called out behind Oculon. Both the monster and the ninja looked to see who it was. Standing on the other end of the street was a man with messy black hair and a...blue tracksuit?

"...Wait..." Flashy Flash started as he squinted his eyes. "...No. It can't be. It's not." He said in disbelief.

"Hey, do you know that guy?" Oculon questioned.

"...That's...the number one hero..." Flashy Flash revealed with a sigh. Goddamn it. WHY was this dumbass here?

"...No..." Oculon said, having the same shock as Flashy Flash. "THAT'S the top hero? Some idiot in workout clothes?" He asked.

"...Unfortunately..." Flashy Flash reluctantly answered.

"You guys know I can hear you, right?" The man called out to them. "You're being pretty rude." He added.

"Hold on. I'll be back." Oculon told the ninja before leaving to deal with the "top hero".

"Hey!" Flashy Flash exclaimed, speaking to the man. "Get out of here, you idiot! You're going to die!" He warned.

"Hm? You want me to leave?" The man questioned with a puzzled expression. "But you're buried in debris. What kind of person would abandon you?" He inquired.

"Eh, this guy makes a solid point," Oculon confessed as he reached the man. "Still, I get where Flashy Flash is coming from. You ARE going to die. There is NO chance at victory." He told him.

"Oh? You think so?" The man challenged.

"Ehehe, yes, I do," Oculon confirmed as it pointed to its pupils. "I see everything from the minute to the massive. There's nothing you can do that I won't see coming." He said.

"Oh. Is that so?" The man questioned.

"It is. That's how that ninja back there ended up beneath the street." Oculon explained.

"Huh...okay..." The man said, his mind working something out.

"Scared? Terrified? Feeling the weight of despair crashing down on top of you?" Oculon asked.

"No. I'm just wondering how Flashy Flash struggled against you. You're INSANELY easy to beat." The man answered.

Wow. Impressive. In one go, this guy managed to insult two people simultaneously. Luckily for him, the one with the sword was still incapacitated.

"Okay, there's being stupid, and then there's just not having a brain," Oculon stated, pointing a tendril at the man. "Do you HONESTLY believe I'm SO easy to defeat?" He pressed, wanting to be sure.

"Yeah. I could do it in one move." The man promised.

"Then, let's see it." Oculon requested. "Show us how you'll defeat me in ONE move." He insisted.

"Okay." The man accepted. After all, that WAS why he came here.

Flashy Flash and Oculon watched the man carefully. With his hands in his pockets, the man reared back his left leg.

"A kick? Are you KIDDING me?!" Flashy Flash thought with widened eyes. "He's dumber than I thought! Does he think I wouldn't have tried that?! What the Hell is wrong with him?!" He wondered.

"Pfft. Oh my god." Oculon thought, suppressing a snicker. "I won't even have to move to dodge this. I'll just grab his leg when he extends it and-"

POOF

In one motion, the man kicked up a MASSIVE cloud of dirt, dust, and small debris. Even if Oculon expected that to be the outcome, there was no direction he could've gone to evade every particle, pebble, and piece of concrete.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Oculon yelled at the top of his...lungs? Did he still have those?

Falling to the ground, Oculon squirmed and writhed in agony. However, the man's genius tactics weren't finished. From his pocket, he drew a deadly weapon. Well, to anyone who was a giant eyeball. In retrospect, this was a very specific weapon.

"Serious Series. Serious Pepper."

A small jar of crushed pepper came from the man's pants pocket. He unscrewed the cap and dumped all of it onto Oculon.

The monster emitted a noise that was so high-pitched it couldn't be described. It no longer wiggled or thrashed. Instead, it lay still. The only motion that remained was a spasm or twitch every few seconds.

"SAITAMA'S SUBDUED THE MONSTER!" A man's voice from somewhere else shouted. "MOVE IN! QUICKLY! CAPTURE IT!" It ordered.

Suddenly, the street flooded with armored men and women. All of them were employees of the Association. These brave and capable individuals were part of the Association's "Monster Acquisition Force".

"Hey." The man, whose name was Saitama, spoke to one of the agents. "Flashy Flash could use some help. He's buried under that rubble." He told them while pointing to the pile of debris the ninja was trapped in.

"Understood, sir!" The agent exclaimed. "Hey! I need some hands! We got a hero down!" They told the others.

Swiftly, a small group of agents formed and hurried over to the rubble. In no time, Flashy Flash was extracted.

"Don't move! We won't know how many injuries you have until the medics arrive." One of them instructed as they gently lowered the ninja onto the flattest ground they could find.

"..." Flashy Flash didn't say a word. Most of his being boiled with anger. A cloud of dust and a jar of pepper. That's it. That's all the man used. Are. You. Kidding?

Yet, the parts of Flashy Flash that weren't pissed off were impressed by the man. A dragon-level threat, taken out in two moves. Despite this "Saitama" looking simple and uninteresting, perhaps there was more to him. It demanded more investigation.

Back On The Train...

"After that, I studied you from afar. Not like a stalker, though. I promise. I merely observed each of your fights. I wanted to know what made Agoni place you at the top. Was it favoritism for saving his grandson? Or was there something more?" Flashy Flash stated, nearing the end of his story. "However, as time passed, I saw something happen to you. You started to change as you got stronger, even before you became One Punch Man. The fire that once burned in your eyes was fading. But then, when you reached your godly strength, it disappeared altogether. Not only that, but you became distant. Your voice and face lost all emotion. Forgive the following statement, but it's like you turned into a ghost of yourself. Seeing that happen to someone like you was difficult. Especially since I've seen it before, but if it's alright, I'd like to avoid talking about that. It's from my past, and it's not pleasant." He concluded.

City Z was only a few more stops away. Saitama and Flashy Flash hadn't been interrupted by new passengers. The train ride had only been the two of them.

This allowed Saitama to hang onto every word. He listened intently and made sure to understand what was being said. Yet, even with this effort put forth, Saitama found himself confused. This didn't clarify everything.

"Well, thanks for sharing that, Flashy." Saitama began as he turned to look at him. "But...that doesn't explain your behavior in the warehouse. Or, if it did, I missed it. Sorry if that's the case." He said, offering an apology at the end.

"No. You're correct. There's no need to say sorry." Flashy Flash assured. "But I needed to tell you of our first meeting so that this next part would make sense. As I mentioned, after our initial encounter, I started studying you. The purpose of these observations was to learn your thinking process. Essentially, I wanted to know how you handled the many monsters you dealt with and other situations. But, in doing so, I also watched how you conducted yourself. 

You were never rude or insensitive to other heroes or people. You always did your best to help, even if it was simple, like helping an old woman cross the road or getting a cat from a tree. In short, I became inspired. However, I also felt regret. Even during this period, I held you in contempt. Granted, I believed you were somewhat clever and had some strength and skill. But with time, this ignorant and arrogant mindset faded.

Then, when you obtained your power, there was not a shred left to be found. You could've become a tyrant. A dictator who ruled with an unstoppable fist. You could've enacted revenge on everyone, including myself, who had been unkind and disrespectful toward you. But you didn't. You remained the same. From that moment onward, I've dedicated myself to atoning for my past transgression. I wish to live up to your standard and become a better person. Yet, as I do that, I want to repay your kindness and all you've done for me, such as saving my life. My first act of repayment is to help you regain your emotions. But, to do that, I must work on fixing mine." He explained.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Back To Saitama's Apartment...

"OH MY GOD!" Tatsumaki shouted, her head thrown back in laughter.

By now, Flashy Flash had finished cooking the food. He had brought it to the table, and everyone was eating it. Thankfully, when she began howling, Tatsumaki's mouth wasn't full of food. It would've gone everywhere had it been.

"Is something funny, Tornado?" Flashy Flash inquired. He didn't seem annoyed or angry. Then again, the man was exceptionally good at hiding his emotions.

"YOU! YOU'RE HILARIOUS!" Tatsumaki carried on, tears forming in her eyes. "YOU'RE SAITAMA'S FIRST FANBOY! OH MY GOD! THIS IS AMAZING!" She taunted.

"I. Am not. A fanboy." Flashy Flash scowled. "I only wanted to know why One Punch Man was our leader. In the pursuit of this knowledge, I learned so much more and came to understand the kind of person he was." He stated.

"UH, HUH! SURE!" Tatsumaki responded, continuing her laughter.

"Hey, Flashy," King spoke, getting his attention. "I'm still a little confused. You said that Saitama had done a lot for you. What else did he do besides save you from the eyeball monster?" He asked.

"Well, there's the times he's helped us individually and when we've come together as a team." Flashy Flash started as he reached into his cloak. "However, our leader has given me the greatest gift of all. Knowledge." He told them before pulling out a small book.

Intrigued by this, the others watched closely as Flashy Flash opened the book. When he did...dear lord. Page after page. Oceans of insanely detailed records. All of it...about One Punch Man.

"Through my observations, I've become the unofficial record keeper of our leader." Flashy Flash proudly stated. There was even a smile on his face. "Since that faithful day, I've not missed or ignored any of his significant moments and wise words. I've got them all." He told them.

For a few seconds, there was silence. But then, Tatsumaki erupted again.

"OH MY GOD!" Tatsumaki repeated, now on her back with her arms gripping her sides. "YOU ARE A FANBOY! HOLY SHIT! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!" She yelled.

"I AM NOT A FANBOY!" Flashy Flash yelled back at her, now letting loose his anger. "I AM A DEVOTED STUDENT OF OUR LEADER! AND THROUGH HIS TEACHINGS, I WILL BECOME A HERO WORTHY OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HIM!" He proclaimed.

King watched as Flashy Flashy continued to shout at a chortling Tatsumaki. Contrastly, Saitama continued staring at the book with a thousand-yard stare.

BEEP BEEP. BEEP BEEP. BEEP BEEP. BEEP BEEP.

That sharp beeping noise brought everything to a halt. Everyone recognized it. The sound of an Association-issued phone or communicator. However, only one was heard, and it came from Flashy Flash.

"Hello?" Flashy Flash calmly answered the device after pulling it out. It was impressive how quickly he could shift from irritation to serene. "...You're sure?" He asked after a few seconds, responding to the person on the other end.

Saitama, Tatsumaki, and King watched with intrigue as the call continued. Why was Flashy Flash contacted and not them? His mission was long over; so what could the Association want or need?

"...Understood. Thank you for notifying me." Flashy Flash stated before ending the call.

"Everything okay?" King was the first to inquire as the phone was put away.

"I'm afraid not. Speed O' Sound Sonic, the mercenary hired by the criminals I dealt with earlier, was not at the scene when the Association arrived to arrest them. His location and status are unknown." Flashy Flash informed. He closed his eyes to think while folding his arms over his chest. "Most likely, he's returned to wherever he's currently staying. He'll rest, recover, and make plans to take revenge on the person who defeated him. Which means he'll be targeting our leader." He told them.

"Huh. Interesting." Saitama said, returning his focus to the food. "A ninja wants to kill me. Maybe that'll stir some excitement." He proposed.

"It most certainly will." Flashy Flash confirmed, reopening his eyes. "As such, I will stay by your side from here on. I will ensure Sonic doesn't disturb you or cause you trouble." He decided.

...
...
...What?

Chapter Text

Silent meals. Boy, those sure are uneasy. They never happen because you want them to. It's always because something has transpired that has led to unbearable tension.

Saitama, Tatsumaki, King, and Flashy Flash sat around a table. To prevent all-out chaos, Saitama demanded that they sit down and finish the food that Flashy Flash had worked hard to make. He hoped everyone could discuss things like civil people by the time they were done.

Regarding King, there were no concerns. Saitama was confident he'd always have his back, even in terrifying situations. It was the Esper and Ninja that he was worried about. However, neither glared or did anything to antagonize the other. They obeyed Saitama's order.

Unfortunately, the plates were growing thin. The food was reduced to small pieces and scraps. It couldn't be delayed any longer, so Saitama needed to ensure he could maintain control.

"...Okay," Saitama spoke after a deep inhale and exhale. "Here's how this is going down. I'll go first, then Flashy, Tornado, and King if he has anything he wants to say. No outbursts. No shouting matches. Even if you want to start attacking one another, you'll wait to do it outside. Right now, we talk." He told them.

In reply, the others nodded.

"Good. Thank you." Saitama said before continuing. "So, the only thing I ned to ask is this: Why, Flashy Flash, do you think it is necessary to act as my bodyguard? I do not say this to be rude or dismissive of you, but I am invulnerable as far as we know. I understand that Sonic is a professional killer. You have a history with him, which makes you the best person to assess his threat level. However, unless Sonic can make people instantly explode, I don't see an outcome where he hurts me, let alone kills me." He stated.

"Very true. What you say is correct, One Punch Man. Sonic, although skilled and strong, could never hope to harm you. Not unless he achieved the same level of power as yourself. However, if that happened, I'd assume Sonic's first action would be to display his newly obtained power for the world to see. As you probably gathered earlier, he's quite proud of himself." Flashy Flash began. "Even so, I feel responsible because of my history with him. To spare you another story, we were friends in our youth. We were the only thing the other had. We may have gone our separate ways since, but still, I don't harbor hatred toward him. Well, except for all the disrespect he showed you today, but that's beside the point. I know Sonic. He won't stop harassing you until he or you is dead. So, I hope I may apprehend him by remaining close to you in anticipation of his inevitable revenge. Once that is accomplished, I will dedicate all my time to his rehabilitation. If he refuses to reform, I'll ensure he doesn't escape incarceration and continue to be a menace to society." He explained.

"That's stupid." Tatsumaki started, showing no intention of being polite. "Do you think Saitama needs you around when I'm here? The MOMENT this Sonic guy shows up, I'll restrain him with my Esp, and that'll be it. Putting aside any personal feelings, there's no logical reason for you to be here. Saitama can take care of himself. I can take care of this ninja if he arrives when Saitama's not around. You wouldn't contribute anything." She told him.

"Would Sonic be so careless?" King questioned, leaning forward with his serious expression. "Let's consider this: Sonic knows Saitama is the most famous and strongest person in the world. I don't doubt that Sonic is skilled at what he does, but there is rarely a moment where it's wise to attack. At his home? Now, he has Tatsumaki living with him. A fact Sonic will learn by doing some surveillance, which he'll undoubtedly do. When Saitama's walking around or working as a hero? Too public. Too many witnesses. Plus, if Saitama holds him off, which we know he will, that'll give ALL heroes time to come in for support. Of course, C and B-Class won't mean anything. But all of A and S-Class? No one is dumb or cocky enough to think they'll survive that fight. Legitimately, Sonic will wait for the most opportune moment. At the very least, Flashy Flash's expertise in this field will help us determine when Sonic will strike. We shouldn't dismiss him." He said.

"Thank you, King. It's good to see our leader isn't the only one with sense around here." Flashy Flash replied, grateful for the support.

"Ahem." Saitama cleared his throat, maintaining the peace. "I think everyone makes good points. However, the most crucial to pay attention to is those moments when I'm completely alone. We don't know what could happen at any point in time. Tomorrow, a monster could show up in a desert that's SO strong; I'm the only one who could handle it. Or we get another Vaccine Man situation where I'm called out by name to an isolated location. If that happens, Sonic, who now has me in his crosshairs, will take advantage. So, I think the best course of action, at least for now, is relying on Flashy Flash's knowledge, as King suggested. However, I agree with Tatsumaki that your staying here is going too far. I hope you can understand that." He said.

"I...can see the logic in that." Flashy Flash reluctantly agreed. He had no objections; he only wanted to ensure Sonic would not harass his leader. "Very well, One Punch Man. I shall offer my mind and nothing else." He promised.

"Ha. I win." Tatsumaki taunted with a smirk.

"Tatsumaki..." Saitama said.

"What? I'm not the one who brought home a ninja and his baggage like it was a lost puppy!" Tatsumaki defensively exclaimed.

Knock Knock

All eyes went immediately to the front door. Who in the WORLD could that be? There's no way it was Sonic; that'd be the stupidest thing a professional killer could do. Unless...it was SO expected that it went full circle and became unexpected. Was Sonic capable of such devious mind games?

"Before anyone jumps the gun, I'll get it," Saitama told them as he got to his feet.

Walking to his door, Saitama looked through the peephole upon reaching it. When he did, he discovered the last person he expected to see. Whoa. Deja vu. It's like this was yesterday.

"Uh...hey, Genos." Saitama greeted while opening the door. Hearing the cyborg's name be spoken by their leader surprised the others.

"Hello, master," Genos responded, bowing his head. "I hope you're having a pleasant afternoon." He stated.

"...Oh god..." Saitama thought, feeling a migraine coming on. "Genos, you don't need to be so formal. Please. I beg you." He pleaded.

"As you say, sensei!" Genos exclaimed, resuming an upright position.

"...Honestly? Sounds better somehow." Saitama decided before continuing the conversation. "So, Genos. Why are you here?" He asked.

"I wanted to start my hero training as soon as possible. Doctor Kuseno suggested I wait until after lunch to come to you." Genos answered.

"Mental note: Thank the doctor later." Saitama thought, thankful that Kuseno kept Genos from showing up first thing in the morning. "Alright, well, come in. We just finished eating. Sorry, there's none left." Saitama invited while stepping aside.

"No. I would expect no food from you. That'd be too kind, considering I've yet to prove my worth." Genos rejected the apology as he entered.

"...You know, he and Flashy Flash are SCARILY similar..." Saitama realized as he closed the door.

"Tornado of Terror. King. Flashy Flash." Genos named each of the heroes present once he saw them. "Are you here to receive training as well?" He inquired.

"No. We're each here for an independent reason." King replied.

"Ah. I see." Genos said, now sitting at the table. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to know what they are. It could help me in my training if they are hero-related." He requested.

"Pfft. Doubtful." Tatsumaki scoffed. "I'm here for personal reasons. No, I will not expand on that. Deal with it." She told him.

"I came here to help Saitama relax after yesterday's craziness." King shared.

"I'm here because someone has decided to try and kill our leader. My training and past allow me to offer insight." Flashy Flash stated.

After saying this, Flashy Flash felt everyone's eyes lock on him. Genos' eyes were full of shock. The others were a mixture of surprise and anger. The rage mainly came from the Esper of the group.

"...Did I say something wrong?" Flashy Flash questioned. "We're all S-Class heroes. Sure, Genos was only added yesterday, but still." He said.

Before anyone could say something, Genos whipped out his Association-issued phone and began typing.

"Genos? What are you doing?" Saitama asked, a feeling of dread washing over him.

"I'm checking the S-Class chat room. I'm certain that my notifications are turned on. How did I miss such important information?" Genos answered while posing a question.

"Oh. This isn't something everyone knows." Saitama told him, relieved he wasn't trying to share this on social media or anything similar. "Look, it's a long story I'd rather not go through again today. In short, only the people in this room know about it." He explained.

"Do you plan to tell the rest of S-Class or the Association?" Genos inquired.

"No. Absolutely not." Saitama denied. "If they caught wind of this, they'd lose their minds. It's not that big of a deal, honest. I can handle this myself with the input provided by Flashy Flash." He said.

Upon hearing that, Genos stopped moving. The notable thing about this sudden change was the extremeness of it. It was as if the cyborg was turned to stone.

"...Genos..." Saitama slowly spoke, that feeling of dread quickly returning.

"...I'm sorry, sensei." Genos immediately apologized. That feeling of dread now spread to the others.

"Genos. What did you just do?" Saitama asked. There was a noticeable panic rising in his voice.

"Before you explained the situation, I asked the other members in the chat what was going on. Bat Fanatic, who I assume to be Metal Bat, replied by questioning my meaning, to which I mentioned the assassination planned on your life. At that point, you clarified everything, so I stopped typing." Genos answered.

...Oh...my...god...

...OH...MY...GOD...

OH. MY. GOD.

Everyone, except for Genos, felt their minds be set ablaze. Tatsumaki was overcome with a fury that could melt steel. King was overwhelmed by the thoughts of what was about to unfold. Flashy Flash experienced two things. 1. He was impressed by the speed at which Genos could type. 2. He also wanted to do unspeakable things to the cyborg, like Tatsumaki.

As for Saitama, he just had a migraine. The worst of his life. And everything seemed to fade away...

Elsewhere, Not Too Far Away...

"Do you think this is too much?" Fubuki asked her subordinates. "Maybe we should go back. Saitama deserves a day to himself. As his friend, I want to comfort him during stressful times. But I could accidentally add to it." She worried.

Being driven in a luxurious black car, Fubuki, leader of the Blizzard Group, was on her way to Saitama's apartment. Mountain Ape, Eyelashes, and Lily of the Three-Sectioned Staff (or just Lily, as she preferred) accompanied her. Although the entire group usually followed Fubuki, it wasn't needed today. After yesterday's craziness, she was confident the Association would have doubled Saitama's security detail.

However, if they hadn't, Fubuki wasn't above taking a page from her sister's playbook. A few strong gusts and psychic shoving would disperse the maniacs.

"No! Not at all!" Lily exclaimed. She, Mountain Ape, and Eyelashes were seated across from her in the car. It was a bit of a tight squeeze due to Mountain Ape's size, but they wanted their leader to have a seat all to herself.

"Really? I'm not being weird. You're not just saying what I want to hear, right?" Fubuki pressed.

"No. We'd never lie to you, miss." Eyelashes assured. "If anything, you and King are the only people who put One Punch Man at ease. He'll be happy to see you as he always is." He insisted.

"Phew." Fubuki breathed a sigh of relief, accompanied by a smile. "Thank you. Sincerely. I don't want Saitama to ever see me as one of his fans. I want to be seen as someone he can relax with. Someone he can talk to without the concern of if it's genuine." She explained.

 "Well, if you want to ensure he's getting the message, how about you hang out somewhere fun?" Mountain Ape proposed. "We and the rest of the group can help sneak you away. Then you two could go to a park, a theater on a weekday, or anywhere else where people won't be." He told her.

"You guys would do that?" Fubuki questioned. She knew her members were loyal, but that went beyond loyalty. That was kindness and charity!

"Of course! We want you to be happy, Miss Blizzard. Keeping a few psychotic fans and reporters busy is the least we can do." Lily replied.

"Agreed. You deserve to enjoy your time with One Punch Man without interference or restriction." Eyelashes chimed in.

These kind words warmed Fubuki's heart. She appreciated all her subordinates, and knowing they'd go to such lengths for her was wonderful. Of course, Fubuki would return this tenfold in a heartbeat. Yet, regardless of size and value, her beloved subordinates would never accept ANY gesture or gift.

However, there WAS another reason for the Blizzard Group's rejection beyond their love and adoration of their leader. Watching Fubuki's interactions with Saitama was their soap opera. Every single one was like a new episode. She believed they were unaware of her true feelings towards him. She was hilariously mistaken. Although, to their credit, the Blizzard Group played the role of "fool" very well when needed.

SCREECH

The car abruptly stopped, nearly jerking Fubuki from her seat. As for Lily, Mountain Ape, and Eyelashes, their backs collided with their seat quite harshly.

"HEY!" Mountain Ape shouted in anger while opening the divider. "WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU?! MISS BLIZZARD NEARLY HIT THE FLOOR!" He yelled.

"Uh...yeah...sorry..." The driver apologized before holding up their left hand. "But...you're going to want to see this..." They said.

Unsure of WHAT could justify such a sudden stop, everyone in the car looked forward through the windshield. The vehicle had halted at the end of a street that led to Saitama's apartment building. The reason it didn't get closer is because it couldn't. It was impossible.

Countless Association vehicles of EVERY type were parked in the street and on the sidewalk. Hell, there was a HELICOPTER on the roof. Association employees flooded every piece of free space there was. It's as if the world was ending.

However, there were also heroes amidst this swarm of suits and sunglasses. Specifically, they were S-Class. All of them. Every. Single. Member.

Well, except for Blast. And Metal Knight sent one of his drones as usual. Then there was Puri Puri Prisoner. Again, this is a friendly reminder that we will not disclose why he cannot be present. Trust us. You don't want to know.

Anyway, back to the mania. Everyone was freaking out doing this and that; it was chaos. Of course, at the epicenter was none other than One Punch Man. He just stood there in the middle of it all. Honestly, it looked like he was mentally checked out.

A normal person would immediately turn around and hurry in the opposite direction. Yet, as Fubuki scanned the faces of everyone there, she noticed a certain green-haired woman OFFENSIVELY close to Saitama. That sneaky bitch.

"I'm going in," Fubuki told her subordinates while opening the car door, catching them off guard.

"WHAT?! MISS BLIZZARD, WAIT!" The trio shouted as their leader left.

"Call reinforcements. The entire group, if they're available. Whatever's happening here is huge. For once, I want to learn about it before it gets posted on the internet or broadcast on TV." Fubuki told them before closing the door.

Her subordinates watched in awe as their leader fearlessly marched into the madness. They even kept their eyes on her as they took out their phones and called the other members. A smart decision. It allowed them to see Fubuki and her sister engage in some classic sister squabbling.

Chapter Text

Subject Assessment: Mosquito Girl

Current Height: Eight feet & Six inches.

Desired Height: Six feet at minimum. Preference: Six-foot-nine or Seven feet. Additional Note: Mosquito Girl requested to be tall enough to lift One Punch Man in her arms and press his head into her REDACTED. She was quickly struck with a newspaper by a clone in the hope it would rid her of these thoughts. Although her desire is ridiculous, we should still respect her wishes and aim for the target height adjustment.

Weapons & Abilities: Scythe-Like Claws. Extendable Proboscis. Powerful Wings. Blood Absorption. Rapid-Healing Through Blood Absorption. Transformation & Mutation Through Blood Absorption. Full Control Over Any Mosquito. Extreme Speed. Impressive Strength. Decent Durability.

Alterations To Be Done: Full-Body. Mosquito Girl's design is incompatible with normal environments and unsuitable for civilian interaction. Size reduction across the board is an absolute. Per her request, her claws are to be made smaller and retractable. A sensible decision. No additional comment.

The abdomen's removal. A new internal design has been conceived for Mosquito Girl. This new arrangement will provide the same storage and processing of blood as the removed body part. This extends to the "mosquito face" that sits on top of her head. The proboscis will be moved to her arm, and she'll receive a second one for the other. They will also retract and extend on Mosquito Girl's command and emerge from her palms. The dual proboscis will serve the same function as before, increase her efficiency, and give her another offensive tool.

The wings. Apart from a size reduction, the appendages will see no significant changes. Their design is being refined for comfort and ease of storage within clothing. Other than that, no further comment.

As for Mosquito Girl's powers and abilities, those will stay the same. The only thing I'd like to suggest is a further expansion of her blood-related skills. I believe much more can be done with it. We may have to schedule future sessions with her to, in a sense, "update" these aspects when we conceive better iterations.

Final Notes: Like most of my creations, Mosquito Girl desires a more "normal" appearance. This doesn't imply they wish to become entirely human. They feel no shame or disgust at their original selves. By saying "normal", I mean they want to be accepted by society. They'll maintain most, if not ALL, of their unique qualities, such as Mosquito Girl's skin. It will retain a combination of black and white coloring. It'll also be smooth and resemble "normal" flesh, but its durability remains unchanged as it is still an exoskeleton. Keep that in mind with her and the others as you proceed.

Subject Assessment: Kamakyuri

Current Height: Seven Feet.

Desired Height: Six Feet & Six Inches.

Weapons & Abilities: Dual Scythe-Like Blades. Clawed Feet. Powerful Mandibles.

Alterations To Be Done: Kamakyuri will be among the easiest to change. He wants very little, and what he does desire is reasonable. Hands were stressed to be of the greatest importance. I agree and insist they be a top priority. However, we discussed ways that Kamakyuri could be improved and enhanced. Here is the list that we decided would be enough for now:

1. Hands, as stated. Yet, there is more work to be done. We agreed that giving Kamakyuri a second set of limbs beneath the primary pair that can fold into his torso for concealment and comfort was essential. Additionally, specific design parameters for these new arms. When the fingers of any hand are brought together, they are to form a perfect curve. To continue, the inside and outside of the forearms should be sharp. This will allow Kamakyuri to maintain his blades without them getting in the way. However, adding light body manipulation to his genetics is strongly advised. This will enable him to avoid accidentally damaging property or hurting someone when interacting with others or in public environments.

2. Wings. Kamakyuri proposed that a set of wings would aid mobility and allow him to participate in non-ground-based conflicts. Furthermore, on a more personal note, he always found it strange that of the three members of our organization based on insects, he was the only one not to receive them. Admittedly, this was a design oversight on my part.

3. Mandibles. The mandibles that rest on each side of Kamakyuri's mouth are to be removed. His teeth will be adjustable by the newly added genes to his DNA to compensate. Kamakyuri's jaw and overall bite force will be strengthened as well.

4. That stupid dome. Kamakyuri didn't need to bring this up. We're ALL aware of how dumb that glass covering his brain is. Please get rid of it and give the poor guy an actual scalp. He's had to endure our error for long enough.

Final Notes: If it needs clarification, Kamakyuri wants to remain as much of a mantis hybrid as possible. He thinks he's "cool". However, one last addition to his arsenal that he requested was the ability to shoot acid from his mouth. I don't think a single species of mantis uses acid to help with the consumption and digestion of its food. However, since he is the "All-Rounder" of our organization and lacks a transformation, I think we can give him something solely to make him happy. Plus, it will have use in the field.

Subject Assessment: Frog Man

Current Height: Five Feet.

Desired Height: Four Feet.

Weapons & Abilities: Short Sword.

Alterations To Be Done: It is only during this process that I realized how many of our members we did nothing with. Frog Man, apart from being able to jump high, has nothing. Well, I suppose he has his extendable tongue, but that's it. What were we doing when we designed him, Slugerous, Ground Dragon, and Kamakyuri? It's almost as if they're background characters with little thought put into them. As such, after discussing it with Frog Man, here is the list of improvements that can be made for him:

1. Toxin Manipulation. Frog Man worded it as "Wanting to be a Venomancer". He wasn't suggesting we somehow make it possible for him to use magic. Frog Man wants his new design to focus on stealth, infiltration, and assassination, hence the reduction of height to four feet. Frog Man wants to be the "Ultimate toxic superhero" to achieve this goal. To be more descriptive, he wants total immunity to all toxins and the ability to produce any. Essentially, Frog Man wishes to be a living chemical factory. Since frogs are highly adaptable and sensitive to environmental changes, this is a logical decision. There are also countless species whose skin is highly-poisonous. Use one or all of them as the basis of his redesign.

2. Tongue upgrades. Many animals, whether amphibious or otherwise, have developed unique characteristics in their tongues. Cats, for example, have curved tube-like structures that are used to trap liquid. Frog Man proposed the ability to alter the state of his tongue so it can serve multiple functions. If he needs to catch or subdue something, its natural form will do. If Frog Man needs his tongue to be a weapon, he can harden it and use it like a mace. Concerning his "Venomancer" abilities, he can coat his tongue in toxins. Use it like a sling to weaponize globs of it. Or harden only the tip to act as a stinger for transference directly into the bloodstream. If you can think of more ideas, run them by Frog Man before the procedure.

3. Mucus. As you know, Frog Man's skin is coated in a mucous layer. This is to help keep him hydrated. However, there is the potential to increase its usefulness. The only thing Frog Man and I could conceive at the time was, like his new tongue, the ability to harden the mucus to act like protective armor. Yet, with his newly added toxin abilities, plenty of ideas are waiting to be explored. Again, discuss this with Frog Man before the procedure.

4. Flawless Digestion and Immune System. These are self-explanatory. Frog Man worries that, with his tongue, he might swallow things that could be harmful or indigestible. So, ensure his digestive system is immaculate. I'd also propose giving him a few additional stomachs without acid that can expand. Frog Man would be able to use these for storage. Regarding the immune system, it'll ensure he doesn't poison himself and dies. Plus, no disease or chemical agent will be capable of harming him. All-in-all, sound improvements. 

Final Notes: Frog Man has the most potential for experimentation. Of course, that does not imply that you should implement untested or unapproved additions. The only other thing I can think to add would be to ensure Frog Man's hands and feet, while still useful in water, can interact with everyday objects and all forms of weaponry. With this new focus on ninja-esque qualities and training, it'd be unfortunate that he finds himself restricted in options due to our lack of attention.

Subject Assessment: Slugerous

Current Height: Five Feet (not counting eye stalk length).

Desired Height: Five Feet & Seven Inches.

Weapons & Abilities: Minimal psychic capabilities.

Alterations To Be Done: Okay, seriously. What the HELL were we doing with Slugerous? I genuinely feel bad. This isn't acceptable. He looks as if a preschooler's drawing came to life. Not only that, but his psychic abilities are ABYSMAL. Look, I get it. Our focus was primarily on Mosquito Girl, Armored Gorilla, Beast King, and Carnage Kabuto. Furthermore, Slugerous was meant to be a support role alongside Frog Man and Ground Dragon. But good LORD I failed him as his creator. We won't be able to make him as powerful as someone like the Tornado of Terror. At least, not yet. But we HAVE to do better this time around. The poor man deserves it. And he's never once complained, either! Pull out all of the stops! That's an order!

Final Notes: Talk to Slugerous before the procedure. He has some good ideas for how to improve not only his psychic capabilities but his physical function as well. Appearance-wise, again, talk to him about it. We HAVE to make him look less like a potato with a face slapped onto it. Yet STILL there were never ANY complaints. We somehow made a saint with that one.

Subject Assessment: Ground Dragon

Current Height: One Foot & A Half.

Desired Height: Two Feet.

Weapons & Abilities: Indestructible Claws. Remarkable senses. Above-Average Strength. Impressive Speed (When Digging). Coat of Fur That Acts As Armor.

Alterations To Be Done: Very little is to be changed with Ground Dragon. He prefers his small size, only wanting to be slightly taller. Areas where we can improve him, are simple. Better strength. Greater mobility outside of the underground. Further increases to senses. Improve the claws on his hands and feet. Etc.

Final Notes: Ground Dragon, like Kamakyuri, is simple. The only other things to mention are some ideas he proposed that I didn't include in the previous section, as they'll require some workshopping. First, the ability to breathe fire. I suspect this is to make him seem more like an actual dragon. He also suggested wings and a long tail, but we'll put a pin in those for now. Ground Dragon also requested stronger teeth and jaws and the ability to manipulate the Earth. I don't know how this would be achieved. Maybe ESP? Another idea we'll need to workshop. Personal Note: Perhaps we should give him the same upgraded digestion as Frog Man. Something to consider.

Subject Assessment: Armored Gorilla

Current Height: Ten Feet & Two Inches.

Desired Height: Six Feet & One Inch.

Weapons & Abilities: Immense Strength & Durability. Armored Body. Cybernetic Enhancements.

Alteration To Be Made: I'll be blunt, we knocked it out of the park with Armored Gorilla. There's little to nothing to mention. My only suggestion, which he agreed with, is to remove the communication device from his head. That space could be better utilized, such as improving his intellect. Other than that, any improvements to his design can be easily done in the future since he's a cyborg. It's mostly size reduction here. Again, well done, everyone. Flawless design. No Final Notes.

Subject Assessment: Beast King

Current Height: Twenty-Two Feet & Eleven & A Half Inches.

Desired Height: Seven Feet. Additional Note: He is not against being shorter, but Six Feet is the lowest he'll go. Something to consider.

Weapons & Abilities: Immense Strength, Speed, and Reflexes. Remarkable Durability. Retractable Claws. Impressive Jaw Strength & Bite Force.

Alterations To Be Done: I strongly advised Beast King and Carnage Kabuto to remove their transformations temporarily. The original intent for these empowered forms was to destroy our enemies. However, each carried considerable side effects, such as uncontrollable rage, sudden sociopathy, and a general psychotic mental state. Both agreed with me that this is necessary. However, once these alterations are done, our top priority is to make these transformations better, safer, and overall superior. Apart from this, Beast King requested stronger lungs. He wants to have air-based attacks and abilities with his voice and roar. The concept of this is full of potential. Discuss it further with him and present what is currently possible without additional research.

Final Notes: I'd recommended putting Beast King at a lower height than seven feet. Solely because WHEN we give him back his transformation, his body mass will grow. Seven feet, with his already bulky stature, might be cumbersome. Talk to him before the procedure to figure out the best possible height. Also, he wondered if his tail could be longer and stronger for more use in the field. Something to consider and discuss with him.

Subject Assessment: Carnage Kabuto

Current Height: Twenty-Seven Feet & Ten Inches.

Desired Height: Five Feet & Nine Inches. Additional Note: I know. I was shocked as well.

Weapons & Abilities: Immense Everything, as expected. An Impenetrable Shell. Long Horn; Durable & Strong. Powerful Wings. Dynamic Visual Acuity. Additional Note: We should consider giving this to the others as well. We planned for overall improvement to all their senses and non-specific attributes, but I felt I should mention it.

Alterations To Be Done: The temporary removal of the transformation has already been stated. The only other thing that is self-explanatory is his size reduction. Besides that, nothing else. Please do your best to make him more human-shaped without taking too much away from his beetle qualities. He is fond of those. I'd suggest using Superalloy Darkshine as a visual example of what to aim for.

Final Notes: I suspect Kabuto's strangely specific height request is because that is One Punch Man's measurement. But don't question him about it. No sense in embarrassing him if that is the truth. The only other thing I can think to mention is possibly giving him body alteration genetics. That way, he can change the state of his shell and carapace. For example, Kabuto could form spikes on the surface to damage any physical attackers. Talk with him about it and see how he feels.

Chapter Text

"Okay...just a little more..."

...
...
...

"Alright. I think I'm good to go..."

...
...
...

"I always get the jitters. You'd think I'd be used to them by now. Heh. Anyway. Time to get started in three...two...one..."

beep

"Hello, everyone!" Captain Mizuki, the B-Class hero, excitedly greeted with an energetic smile. "So, it's been a bit. Sorry about that. But it is time for another One Punch Man Fan Club update!" She exclaimed.

Picking up a small remote, Captain Mizuki turned on a TV that hung on the wall behind her.

"So! The BIG news everyone already knows by now is Genos. He's the latest addition to the S-Class roster AND the second official disciple of One Punch Man. Many people have been losing their minds over this, especially since Genos is a cyborg. They've asked things like: "How can he be One Punch Man's student? He doesn't have any muscles!" or "This guy showed up out of nowhere! Why does HE get to be the next disciple?!". All of these, except for the rude ones, are valid questions. However, One Punch Man wouldn't make some RANDOM guy his disciple. We still don't have much info at the time of this update. But, as your club president, I will see if I can't reach out and get a comment from him. Some might say that's a long shot, but our club has always had a good relationship with the top-ranked hero, so it's worth a try." She stated.

Pausing momentarily, Mizuki pressed another button on the remote still in her hand. This time, it changed the image on the screen. What was shown now, instead of Genos, was One Punch Man's apartment building. However, it was SWARMED.

Every member of S-Class, except Blast and Puri Puri Prisoner, was present. EVERY employee from the City Z branch of the Association was there, along with several more. Specifically, regarding those on the roof exiting a helicopter, they seemed like some of, if not ALL, of the executives! Then, on the street, mixed in with the heroes and employees, some recognizable B-Class faces could be discerned.

"So, you might be thinking that a LOT is happening in this picture. You're right!" Mizuki began with a warm and friendly smile. "This photo came from an anonymous source and was sent to the email address I use for club activities. They offered what little information they could, but even they weren't sure what was going on. In short, something concerning One Punch Man happened. Is it bad? Good? Middling? We don't know. The source, by confession, was coming to try and see if they could catch a glimpse of One Punch Man. Yet, they accidentally stumbled onto this mess. Again, I hope to receive a comment from One Punch Man about this, but I wouldn't keep my hopes up, everyone. This could be some top-level need-to-know stuff we're seeing. We're lucky even to be aware that something HAS happened. Remember that before you write your comments or start talking on the message boards." She told her audience.

Afterward, Captain Mizuki turned off the TV.

"And with that, this update has come to a close." Captain Mizuki said as she set down the remote. "I'm sorry that I don't have many details right now. But if things go well, I should have more to share by the end of the day. Until then, everyone!" She closed out, punching the air with a triumphant fist.

After remaining still for a few seconds to make the edit easier, Captain Mizuki stopped the recording.

"Phew. Another good shoot." Captain Mizuki said with a proud smile. Despite her status as an Olympic athlete, talking in front of a camera like that when it wasn't at a sporting event was always a little stressful.

Carefully, Captain Mizuki removed the camera from its tripod. Once in hand, she'd gently place it in its bag, then wrap the strap around her shoulder. With that done, Captain Mizuki left her home and started her morning run. While out, she planned to deliver the camera to the club's main video editor.

It had been a hot minute since the official OPM Fan Club had an update. But, to be fair, nothing all too exciting has happened. The incident with Vaccine Man was broadcast on television, so there'd be no point in reporting that. Of course, that didn't mean the faithful president of the club was sleeping on her duties!

There was ALWAYS something to be done. Fan Club merchandise. Group meet-ups. Potential events. Etc. Plus, since a MAJORITY of the members were heroes as well, the club was a good way to expose themselves and build their careers and reputations.

Captain Mizuki took this very seriously. Initially, she started it to have other people to gush about One Punch Man with. But since, at that time, she had become a hero herself, many saw it as the undeniably "Official" club. Then, when Captain Mizuki managed to get One Punch Man's ACTUAL seal of approval, oh, that was it. No other club could compete.

So, through her appreciation of One Punch Man and pride for the club she accidentally built, Captain Mizuki gave a hundred-&-ten percent and then some. Thankfully, the woman didn't work herself to death. Not because she wouldn't, but because Captain Mizuki had help. Her "Vice President", as it were.

Running on her route for fifty minutes without breaking a sweat, Captain Mizuki eventually stopped at an intersection. This was the usual meeting spot for her and her co-leader.

ching ching

Looking down the street to her left, Captain Mizuki saw the VP of the One Punch Man Fan Club. The first member (not including her). This individual had their eyes on One Punch Man before he even became that. Back when the number one hero was known mainly for a blue jumpsuit.

"Satoru!" Captain Mizuki greeted with a smile, waving at her fellow hero as he approached.

Dressed head to toe in the best combat gear he could obtain, the cyclist for justice, Mumen Rider, was heading toward the bubbly athlete. Captain Mizuki used the top-ranked C-Class hero's actual name since they were close friends. They had bonded when first meeting after the club's creation.

"Hey, Mizuki!" Satoru responded, also with a smile, while getting closer.

"Anything interesting to report?" Captain Mizuki inquired as he came to a stop next to her.

"Nope. Not much monster activity lately." Satoru said. "It's weird. Even the small ones that just harass people haven't been seen. Chatter across the cities has been nearly non-existent." He told her.

"Huh..." Captain Mizuki replied, giving it some thought. "Maybe...with all of the stuff that's happened with One Punch Man lately, the monsters are laying low to avoid drawing his attention? Or attention in general? Everyone's been pretty jumpy because of Vaccine Man and the Genos situation." She suggested.

"Yeah. That makes sense." Satoru agreed with a nod. "Whenever One Punch Man takes out a monster, regardless of severity, things calm down for a week or two." He added.

"Which is always nice. Good to have a break for the rest of us." Captain Mizuki responded with a grin. "Oh! But before we continue, here you go." She said, remembering the main reason for this meet-up.

"Thanks," Satoru replied, accepting the bag from her.  "So, after you complete your morning exercises, what're your plans for the day?" He asked.

"Well..." Captain Mizuki began, looking off to the side. "I...was maybe...sort of...possibly...intending to try and see...One Punch Man..." She confessed.

"I'm...not sure that's a good idea..." Satoru told her. Even though he hadn't seen the video yet, he and Captain Mizuki had talked about its contents the night before. So, he knew about the mysterious hysteria at One Punch Man's apartment building.

"I know. I know." Captain Mizuki assured with a sigh. They've had countless conversations like this before. "But we HAVE to know what's going on! And I'm not saying that as a fan, but as a hero! Sure, it's S-Class. The best of the best. But does that mean we should sit on our hands and do nothing? That we ignore our responsibility and desire for justice?" She argued.

"Of course not. But with all of the Association security and possible S-Class heroes within a one-mile radius of One Punch Man, the chances of learning ANYTHING are slim." Satoru countered.

"Ah. But I have a plan for that!" Captain Mizuki proudly exclaimed.

"You...do?" Satoru questioned.

"Yup! But we'll have to stop somewhere on the way." Captain Mizuki stated before suddenly running. "Come on! Better keep up!" She told him.

Taken aback by the abrupt departure, Satoru quickly peddled after Captain Mizuki.

Half An Hour Later...

Perimeter assignment. An important but usually boring task. However, in this case, every Association employee on duty took it more seriously than ever.

The perimeter they were given to maintain, protect, and observe was One Punch Man's apartment building and the streets that led to it. The employees were also meant to check alleyways and other free spaces that could be seen. If ANY activity was detected, regardless of how trivial, it was to be reported.

Yet, there was a situation that was currently unfolding that the employees weren't prepared for. It wasn't suspicious people. It wasn't monsters. It wasn't the hostile target they'd been told to keep a lookout for.

Two heroes came down one of the streets, wearing suits and glasses like theirs. On the left, with a confident smirk, was B-Class hero Captain Mizuki. On the right, walking beside her, was the top-ranked C-Class hero Mumen Rider. Admittedly, he was harder to discern due to his lack of armor, headgear, and bicycle. But you'd have to be blind and ignorant not to know that the Amazonian woman beside him was Captain Mizuki.

The employees, of which there were two, that the heroes approached stood and waited. What were these two doing here? How did they even know each other?

"Hello there." Captain Mizuki greeted them once they arrived. She was trying to make her voice huskier. Why? "We're here on a special assignment." She stated.

The employees said nothing. Instead, they slowly turned their heads to look at Mumen Rider.

"Er, that is correct," Satoru confirmed. He spoke normally, albeit a bit nervous. "We were told to patrol the inner perimeter." He explained.

...

...

...

Ooooooooooooooooh. So, THAT was the plan. The employees understood everything.

"I...see..." The first one spoke. "Well, we're grateful for the added assistance. Good to know HQ is taking this as seriously as it needs to be." He said.

"Mhm. They're taking no chances." Captain Mizuki assured, maintaining her deeper tone.

"Honestly, even with everyone pitching in, we're shorthanded. Of course, the other branches and HQ itself can't reduce staff numbers too much, so it's understandable. But now that you're here, we can breathe a little easier." The second one confessed.

"Well, it's good that we've arrived then," Satoru replied. "But, on that note, we should get to our posts." He said.

"Of course. Go on ahead." The first one permitted as both employees stepped aside.

With entry granted, Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider walked right on by.

"Man, what a clever idea." The first one began as they resumed their initial positions. "Having lower rank heroes pose as Association staff. That ninja won't know what hit him." He said.

"Yeah. Plus, the assassin won't recognize them because of their lower rank. At least, not immediately." The second one responded. "I wonder why Captain Mizuki sounded like that, though?" He asked.

"It's probably a cold. The poor woman exercises herself to death with morning runs, then spends the rest of the day doing One Punch Man's routine. Her stamina is otherworldly." The first one answered.

As the employees continued their conversation, Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider, now out of earshot, also started one.

"Alright. I'll admit. I was wrong." Satoru said while looking down at his suit. "I can't believe this is all it took. The Association needs to address some security issues." He went on.

"Or my disguises are just THAT good." Captain Mizuki suggested. "Either way, we can get closer to One Punch Man's apartment. I just need a few minutes of his time, and we'll be out." She stated.

"I hope we don't run into anyone from S-Class. They'd see through us in an instant." Satoru worried.

"Why would they still be here? Surely, they've got other important things to do." Captain Mizuki questioned.

Before they could continue their conversation, the heroes were forced to stop. However, it wasn't due to someone halting them, but because they saw something completely unexpected. The entire section of the ghost town where One Punch Man resided was a mess. Association employees, construction workers, AND, most shockingly, S-Class heroes were diligently working.

Allow me to paint you the full picture, as Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider saw it. Every building that stood in that specific area? Gone. In their place were new buildings being constructed. The one that was furthest along was where the former apartment building stood.

From what Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider could tell, it was another apartment building. Yet, this one, even in its unfinished state, was MUCH bigger and would have WAY more rooms. If you thought they were building a hotel or something akin in size, you wouldn't be faulted for it. Did One Punch Man request this? Did he ask all of these employees and his fellow heroes to perform free labor?

No! Absolutely not! One Punch Man was righteous! He was the flawless pillar of heroism the world adored! He'd never abuse his position and power to make all these people do anything for him! Even if they were happy to do it!

So...what then? What was the explanation? There were a few ideas Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider conceived, all of which were sensible and plausible. But they couldn't determine which it was from this shocking sight alone.

Although, one thing was ABUNDANTLY clear. Locating One Punch Man in this mess would be impossible, especially while remaining incognito.

"Hmm...ideas?" Captain Mizuki inquired.

"I'm still stunned by what we're seeing," Satoru responded. "What does this mean, you wonder?" He asked.

"It could be a bunch of stuff." Captain Mizuki began. "Better accommodations for One Punch Man. A new base for the Association overseen by One Punch Man. This could even be One Punch Man trying to get people to return to the ghost town. He could be spending money to make the buildings stronger and the overall area safer." She suggested.

"True. One Punch Man would do something like that." Satoru agreed with a nod. "Anyway, though. Our best approach would be to walk around the perimeter, as is our story. We'll be able to work out the faces and eventually find him." He reasoned.

"Yeah, that does seem to be our best plan." Captain Mizuki replied with a small sigh. She didn't have issues with his idea, only that it'd take a while.

As Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider tried to decide which direction would be best, they saw something unusual. Amidst the sprawling mess of people and construction, various machines, powers, and abilities being used, there was an odd one out. A suspicious person, wearing a ball cap, sunglasses, a face mask, and a questionable hoodie, was masterfully weaving through the crowd. They used blind spots, objects, and any instance of attention drawn to one location or person to go unnoticed.

Furthermore, this individual's speed was superb. One moment, they'd be hiding behind a dump truck. The next, they were casually strolling between some people.

"Whoa. Do you see the same thing?" Captain Mizuki whispered to Mumen Rider.

"I do," Satoru nodded, speaking at the same volume.

The duo continued to track this mysterious figure. No one else knew what was happening, including the S-Class heroes! Eventually, this hooded person found themselves outside of the group. Once they were free, they began walking down one of the roads.

"We need to follow them!" Captain Mizuki quietly exclaimed so as not to draw attention.

"Yeah. Something's not right with them, and we seem to be the only ones who noticed." Satoru agreed. "You go ahead; I need to get my bike in case a chase happens." He told her.

"Roger." Captain Mizuki responded before running after the individual. To avoid detection, she ducked into a nearby alley and continued to use them.

With his partner in pursuit, Mumen Rider returned to where he safely stored his bicycle. Then, using the alleyways and backstreets like Captain Mizuki, he'd expertly evade any surveying gazes and regroup with her.

A Short While Later...

tap...tap...tap...tap...tap...tap...tap...tap...

The sudden shift from a noisy environment with bustling people to the expected emptiness and silence of the ghost town was jarring. The only thing that could be heard was the slow walking of a hooded figure. Whoever they were, they took their time going through the vacant streets. Fortunately, this was beneficial to the heroes who were tailing them.

Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider, now in their usual attire and out of their suits, followed closely behind the unknown stranger. They stuck to building corners to remain unseen. Each one wondered about this person's identity and why they were present at One Punch Man's (now former) apartment building.

"Where do you think they're headed?" Captain Mizuki asked, still speaking in whispers.

"Not sure. This isn't the way to the train station. If they're part of a group or are working for someone, then perhaps a rendezvous location?" Satoru answered, also at the same volume.

"Hmm, that would make sense. A bunch of S-Class heroes all gathered in one place? Even without One Punch Man being there, that's a LOT of intel for a criminal organization." Captain Mizuki responded.

"Still, we can't jump to any conclusions." Satoru reminded.

"Right." Captain Mizuki agreed.

Watching the stranger walk around another corner, the heroes quietly yet swiftly caught up to them. When they did, the duo made a startling discovery. At the end of the next street, which the hooded figure was traversing, a SECOND person was shrouding their identity! This individual was taller than the first, but the attire was nearly identical. Ball cap. Sunglasses. Face Mask. And a far more normal hoodie. Apart from the height difference, that was the only altered detail.

"It is a gang!" Captain Mizuki quietly exclaimed in alarm.

"We don't know that yet. But something is going down. That much is clear." Satoru replied.

Observing the two persons, they seemed to exchange a few words before heading into the building closest to them. The structure in question was quite big. There were undoubtedly multiple floors. What purpose the building served or what it might have been once before the ghost town was abandoned was up for speculation.

"Do you think that's their hideout?" Captain Mizuki proposed.

"Possibly. It would be a good location, especially if the objective is to gather information on One Punch Man." Satoru responded.

"Should we go in, then? Break up their operation and expose them as the villains they are?" Captain Mizuki asked.

"That might be our only action. But I'd like us to get closer and see what's happening inside. The entrance is made of glass, including the doors. We'll be able to hide behind the columns and peek into the building without getting noticed." Satoru answered.

"Wow. You're good at this." Captain Mizuki complimented him. "Then again, you've always had a sharp mind. Anytime we've worked together in the field, you have all kinds of plans and strategies." She went on.

"Nah, it's nothing worth bragging about." Satoru dismissed as they began their approach. "When you're like me, someone without cool powers, fighting techniques, or technology, you need to be creative. Sure, my main thing is my bike. But still, if that's all I have, even when fighting a fairly weak monster, I'll be in a bad situation." He explained.

"Aw, don't sell yourself short, Satoru. You've got more to offer and are more capable than you realize." Captain Mizuki insisted, making him smile.

"Thanks, Mizuki," Satoru replied.

Soon, the duo was in place behind the columns. They each peered around the side and into the building. The glass Mumen Rider mentioned was remarkably clean, giving them a perfect view. However, when the heroes found their targets, they were...confused?

The hooded figures...they were...playing an arcade game? Specifically, it was a fighting title. Upon greater inspection, Mumen Rider and Captain Mizuki realized this location was an arcade. So...these two...were just here...to play games?...

"Uh..." Captain Mizuki began, trying to deduce what was happening. "Do...you think they're talking while they play?..." She guessed.

"I...think they are. But...something's off..." Satoru responded as he pointed to the shorter of the two. "That one's body language implies anger or irritation. The taller one is calm, relaxed, and maybe even enjoying himself. If they are talking about the information the shorter one gathered, this is an odd way to do it." He told her.

Suddenly, a voice rang out through the air. When Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider heard it, they experienced the most intense shock of their lives.

"OH, COME ON! THAT'S SO CHEAP! HOW CAN YOU DO YOUR SUPERS BACK-TO-BACK?! HOW IS THAT EVEN FAIR?! DIDN'T THEY PLAYTEST THIS?!"

...That...That...That...That...That...

"That...was...One Punch Man..." Captain Mizuki muttered with widened eyes.

"There's...There's no...way..." Satoru muttered in disbelief, his widened eyes were hidden behind his glasses.

"Hey, don't blame the devs because you don't know the tech." The taller one spoke. His voice was familiar too! "You could easily do this stuff if you labbed for a while. It's not even pro-level strats." They said.

"YOU don't get to say that! You're LITERALLY the best player in the world!" The shorter one exclaimed.

"Nah. There's no way." The taller one denied. "I'm sure there's someone out there who can match me. I...just haven't found them yet." They insisted, needing to think of a "reason".

"...Satoru..." Captain Mizuki started, slowly turning to look at him. "Is...Is that?..." She tried to ask but struggled to get the words out.

"I think it is..." Satoru replied, knowing what she was going to say. "...Mizuki, I think we need to reveal ourselves. If it IS them, then there are no problems. Well, there ARE, but not the kind we assume. If they're not, we attempt to interrogate them and fight if things escalate." He suggested.

"Yeah. I think that's the only course of action now." Captain Mizuki agreed.

Taking a moment to steady themselves with inhales and exhales, Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider headed inside once ready. The latter left his bike by the column rather than take it into the building.

ding

A little bell above the door. Neither hero had noticed this. But you best believe the two figures they wanted to speak with did.

Everything came to a stop. Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider were motionless in the doorway. As for the mysterious individuals, they had turned around, and their eyes locked onto the heroes. Everyone was processing the situation.

"...Wait..." The shorter one spoke. "...Aren't you...Captain Mizuki? The president of my fan club?" They asked.

That statement clarified everything. The heroes' assumptions had been correct. However, Captain Mizuki wasn't focused on that. If anything, that particular thought was no longer in her mind. Instead, she was overcome with indescribable joy.

"You...remember my name?..." Captain Mizuki asked, genuine tears of happiness forming in her eyes.

"Of course." The shorter one answered before removing their sunglasses and face mask. "I saw you a couple of days ago. Plus, like I mentioned, you're the president of my fan club. It'd be weird if I didn't know who you were." Saitama said, his identity revealed.

With One Punch Man revealing himself, the taller figure did the same. Gasp! It was King!

"Saitama, are you sure this is a good idea?" King questioned while removing his sunglasses and face mask.

"Yeah, King. She's cool. She's not one of the psychos." Saitama assured before looking at the hero next to her. "And you're... top-ranked C-Class hero Mumen Rider, right?" He guessed.

"Uh, y-yes, sir!" Mumen Rider exclaimed, not expecting to be recognized.

"He's also my VP!" Captain Mizuki quickly chimed in. "Of the club, that is! The club's first-ever member!" She added.

"Oh, yeah! He is!" Saitama realized with a snap of his fingers. "Sorry that I didn't remember that right away. It's been a bit since we've met." He apologized.

"N-No! Please! It's okay!" Mumen Rider promised, not wanting One Punch Man to feel he was rude. "You have a busy life and meet a lot of people. I wouldn't expect you to remember a C-Class hero like me." He explained.

"Huh, Mountain Ape and Eyelashes said something similar..." Saitama recalled. "Hey, listen. Just because you're a C-Class hero doesn't mean you aren't worth knowing or remembering. Any hero, regardless of class, is important. The ranks only exist to help people understand their limitations so they don't put themselves in needless danger. Of course, that doesn't mean they'll stay in that rank forever. I mean, look at me. Sure, I started in S-Class because of Agoni, but I became strong through hard work. If it can happen for me, it can for anyone." He told him.

Captain Mizuki, Mumen Rider, and even King looked at Saitama with surprised expressions. His words were so inspiring that the others were speechless. Saitama only realized this a few seconds afterward.

"Er, anyway..." Saitama began, hoping to change the subject. "Why're you two here?" He asked.

"Hm? Oh! Right!" Captain Mizuki exclaimed, brought back to Earth. "Well, you see, it's a long story. But, the short version is this: We wanted to talk to you about the Genos situation AND what's happening at your apartment building. We're not looking for confidential S-Class details. We just wanted your comments and feelings on both. If even that is too much, we understand. We only wanted to see if getting your word on the matter was possible. But when we arrived, we saw you in your disguise leaving the area. So, we followed in case someone had snooped around for intel." She explained.

"Ah. Okay. That makes sense." Saitama said, followed by a smile. "Alright. If you guys want an interview or something like that, we can." He permitted, once again shocking the others.

"Wait, what?" King questioned, the most surprised of all. "Really, Saitama? You don't have a problem talking with them?" He inquired.

"Not at all. My official fan club has never been weird, uncomfortable, annoying, or aggressive. Whenever she wanted to talk or see me, Captain Mizuki was always very polite. She's written letters, sent emails, and, in the few times we've met in person like this, she's behaved like a normal person rather than a rabid lunatic. The least I can do to show how much I appreciate that is to respond with the same respect and consideration." Saitama explained.

"Huh, yeah, when you put it that way..." King trailed off, again impressed by his best friend. No matter how much time passed, Saitama never ceased to amaze him with his humbleness and kindness.

"Thank you, One Punch Man!" Captain Mizuki exclaimed, overjoyed by this outcome.

"It's no problem. Seriously. I'm happy to do it." Saitama assured. "Oh, but could I make one request?" He asked.

"Of course! Anything!" Captain Mizuki enthusiastically answered.

"If we're going to talk to each other, I'd prefer if we dropped the hero names. Would you mind if we used our actual names? I'd like this to be as casual as possible." Saitama requested.

In reaction, Captain Mizuki stiffened like board. Her eyes were wide, and there was an excited smile frozen on her face.

"...Um...are you okay?" Saitama inquired.

"Sorry." Satoru apologized on her behalf. "She IS your biggest fan, after all. The idea that she can use your name as if you're friends is a big deal for her." He explained.

"Ah. Gotcha." Saitama said. "Well, how about I go first? It's a pleasure to meet you, Mizuki." He told her while extending his hand.

"...Mizuki..." Mizuki quietly responded, slowly taking his hand and shaking it. She wanted to say Saitama, but the poor woman's head was imploding.

"I'm Satoru. It's an honor and a pleasure, sir." Satoru introduced himself, assuming One Punch Man would want him to.

"Nice to meet you, too." Saitama replied, shaking his hand once he was done with Mizuki.

With introductions out of the way, and after Mizuki calmed down, the four heroes proceeded with the interview. The fan club was going to LOVE this.

Chapter Text

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Click

Saitama's hand slowly returned to him after it stopped the sound of his bedside clock. It was a traditional alarm clock with bells on the top. Like everything else in the hero's life, he liked to keep things as simple as possible.

Saitama lay motionless on his back for the next few minutes with his eyes closed. Internally, he debated if it was worth getting out of bed today. Not because he was feeling down or especially tired, mind you. It's just...well...this was the first day of a new kind of living.

But what did that mean exactly? Had something happened in Saitama's life recently? Something that might've caused a stir? A commotion, perhaps?

Let's quickly go through the list and see what sticks out: A ninja, one of the deadliest in the world, now wants Saitama dead. A big chunk of his section in City Z had been torn down and renovated in ONE day. And...hmm...maybe I shouldn't mention this last one. Technically, it hasn't happened yet.

Regardless, Saitama wanted to isolate himself from the world today. Let everyone get the crazy out of their system. Then, he'd be able to go back to his normal life. Well, Saitama's brand of "normal", at least.

Sadly, Saitama knew if he didn't face it head-on and get it over with, someone would come around and drag him out of his apartment. Most likely, it'd be a certain Esper. So, with a heavy sigh, Saitama begrudgingly rose from slumber.

Standing from his extremely comfortable and luxurious mattress, Saitama slipped on his new slippers and left his bedroom. Stepping into a rather basic-looking living space, which he was fine with, Saitama then went to the bathroom. After a nice hot soak in a pristine shower, he'd return to his bedroom and get dressed. Admittedly, Saitama DID have a second bathroom IN his sleeping quarters, but he hadn't gotten used to its existence yet.

Soon, Saitama was dressed in his usual beige shorts, sandals, and a plain shirt. His cactus, which had several new plant siblings on his larger balcony, didn't need water. Nor did any of the just mentioned additional vegetation.

For a moment, Saitama pondered if he should bother making some breakfast. It didn't last long since he knew a large buffet was in the process of being made. So, he proceeded to his apartment's front door and stepped out into the awaiting hallway.

"Saitama!"

A cheerful young girl's voice greeted the bald hero as he exited his domicile. Looking to his left, Saitama saw the source approaching him with a smile and an excited expression; a black-haired girl wearing a vanilla cardigan atop a pink dress. Additionally, this young lady wore knee-high socks with frills and finely-polished shoes that matched her hair color. All in all, this girl seemed to be the embodiment of cheeriness.

"Morning, Zenko." Saitama greeted with a small wave as the girl reached him. "Sorry if it was weird sleeping here so suddenly." He apologized.

"Not at all! It was great!" Zenko exclaimed, maintaining her smile. "I just can't believe we're neighbors now! This is so exciting!" She carried on.

"Hey, Zenko," Baddo called for her as he appeared from their apartment. He was in his usual attire, which doubled as his hero "costume". "Don't bother Saitama first thing in the morning. We may live here, but it's still his building." He told her.

BAP

With impressive speed, accuracy, and power, Zenko removed one of her shoes and threw it at her brother's pompadour-having head. Thankfully, the hair was untouched.

"OW! WHAT THE HELL?!" Baddo yelled as he gripped his face. As he did, his sister walked over and picked up her footwear.

"I was in the MIDDLE of talking to him! Don't be so rude!" Zenko scolded her sibling while waving the shoe. "Besides, YOU have NO room to talk! How often have I asked you to invite Saitama to spend time with us?" She asked.

"I can't just ask that out of the blue; it'd be weird!" Baddo yelled in his defense, now glaring at his sister.

By now, you're properly confused, aren't you? What in the blazes is going on, you're wondering. When we left off, Saitama agreed to an interview with Mizuki and Satoru. How did we get here in this superhero sitcom?

Let's spin time back a bit by a day. Rather, where we last saw Saitama. He did agree to that interview; you all saw it. However, there wasn't a right time to do it immediately.

See, Saitama's position as the Top-Ranked hero came with several responsibilities. One of which was respecting the chain of command and communication. Although, it WAS in his "power" to share whatever information he wanted about anything since he WAS the strongest hero in the world. Still, Saitama wanted to run everything by his fellow S-Class first.

But how does this explain the brother and sister bickering both Saitama and we are witnessing? Simple. Rewind time a bit further back. Remember all the construction and busy work Mizuki and Satoru saw? Whelp. Saitama, Zenko, and Baddo are standing in it.

Welcome to the newly established Hero Apartments. See all of our luxuries! We have the finest units; they put houses to shame! A fully-staffed kitchen provides the greatest of cuisines! The best workout facilities in the world! A recreational room that was overflowing with activities! And so, SO much more!

Why, if you didn't know any better, you'd say this was a resort! A MASSIVE vacation destination to soothe your soul and erase your woes! Yet, you are not fooled, dear reader. This is the new residence of the Hero Association's finest!

WAIT! I hear you cry out. What about the rest of the area? Multiple buildings were torn down. Surely not all of that space was dedicated to THIS building, right? Even for S-Class and the Association, that'd be insane!

Well, not by much, honestly. Still, you ARE correct. The other vacant properties, long abandoned by their former owners, were used to construct specific facilities. Here's the list for convenience: A new laboratory and production factory for Metal Knight and Isamu. A new base of operations for City Z's Association personnel. A mysterious structure that was constructed at the request of Drive Knight. It was probably a workshop similar to Isamu's Laboratory, but he asked Saitama to keep its contents between them, which he agreed to. Lastly, a transportation hub to assist S-Class with deployments.

Now, some might be quick to mention certain heroes like Watchdog Man. He only patrolled his city and had a dedicated public square where he spent most of his time. Even so, Watchdog Man did have an apartment in the building. Only the canine hero would know whether he'd ever use it or maybe did so secretly.

Then, there was Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai, who had schools that they lived in where they taught students their fighting styles. Similarly to Watchdog Man, they'd remain primarily at their current residence. However, they'd (presumably) get more use out of their apartments than their four-legged colleague. Also, Silver Fang and Atomic Samurai requested apartments for their best students since they were usually around them. Like before, Saitama had no issues and agreed.

As for the remainder of S-Class, none of them had any hang-ups about moving in. This was a SIGNIFICANT upgrade for nearly all of them. The same could be said for the Association employees who'd now be working right next door. Yet still, there were a LOT of vacant units that remained. If only there was a large body of heroes that operated beneath a well-known leader who had a connection to S-Class and Saitama...

Ah, right, yes, one does exist. Saitama graciously invited Fubuki and the Blizzard Group. That's right; HE invited them. This came about when Fubuki, who stopped by last night to see how things were coming, commented on how nice Saitama's new dwelling was compared to her group's HQ. Seeing no downside to them being there, Saitama welcomed them with open arms.

Simultaneously, Saitama felt a cold chill go through his body. He looked around but found no logical cause. Meanwhile, a headful of long green hair moved in the background. It headed for the nearest elevator, seemingly in a huff of annoyance and displeasure.

With that, you're caught up. At least, I believe you are. Any more startling details? Anything I've miraculously left out for the sake of interesting plot development or conflict later? Eh, probably.

"Uh...guys?" Saitama spoke up, getting Baddo and Zenko's attention. "You two good? Should I go on ahead?" He asked.

"Nope! We're fine!" Zenko quickly answered, returning to her cheery version.

"If that were true, you wouldn't have thrown your shoe at me..." Baddo grumbled.

In response, Zenko quickly shot a glare in her brother's direction. That eyeful was enough to straighten the bat wielder's back and zip his lips.

"If you say so..." Saitama said, not convinced in the slightest. "We should get downstairs before it gets too rowdy." He suggested, to which he received nods from both siblings.

Zenko and Baddo accompanied Saitama to the nearest elevator. Little did he know that familial dispute would be a preview of what would come during breakfast.

Chapter Text

Dining areas; always brimming with life and sound. The footsteps of the patrons getting their meals and finding their seats at the many tables within the room. The silverware used to eat the food coming into contact with the finely polished plates. The countless voices and occasional bouts of laughter that would flood the air.

Of course, not everyone would enjoy such a lively environment. Fortunately, the world's strongest hero had considered this when Child Emperor and Metal Knight conceived the building plans. He asked the pair of geniuses if it would be possible to add private rooms in the same space or nearby that could also serve as a meeting area. Even if it weren't easy, those two likely would've still said yes and figured out a solution to avoid disappointing their leader.

So, after running a few ideas by One Punch Man, the ideal meal/meeting rooms were added to the schematics and made a reality with the building's erection. Admittedly, they strongly resembled the Hero Association HQ's S-Class conference room. Why attempt something new when what already exists is so perfect in function and comfort?

Currently, most of the S-Class was present for their first official morning gathering. The earliest risers were Superalloy Darkshine and Tanktop Master. Similarly to Captain Mizuki, they always rose at dawn to start their daily workout regimens. Hopefully, today would FINALLY be the day they got their leader to join them.

Following that pair, Flashy Flash, Drive Knight, and Zombieman. However, regarding the latter two, it was a question among S-Class if either slept. As for Flashy Flash, he actually woke up before anyone else. He wasn't first at the breakfast table because he started his day by meditating and reviewing ALL his notes from his observations of their leader. Additionally, Flashy Flash did that second thing again before going to bed every night.

After those members, the rest came in at a steady and expected pace. Pig God. Silver Fang. Atomic Samurai. King. Child Emperor. Watchdog Man. Tornado.

Genos wasn't here because he had to discuss moving with Doctor Kuseno and work out the details today. Metal Knight didn't need to send a drone since he could communicate via the technology in the room. Pig God was the first of the aforementioned group because he didn't want the best food to be gone. Tornado was the last because she was currently pissed at their leader and didn't want to do him the honor of being there promptly.

Unfortunately, the fiery Esper's plan was a failure. All of the S-Class (that could or would attend) were there except for a bat-swinging delinquent and the most important member of them all.

"Where. Is. He?" Tatsumaki slowly asked. Her brow was so bent in anger you could barely see her eyes.

"Maybe...he's just a bit tired from everything that's happened?" King suggested, hoping to calm her anger before his buddy got there.

"We did spring all of this on him when we learned about the assassin. It'd make sense if he's taking some time to relax." Isamu commented, agreeing with King.

"What else were we supposed to do? There's someone out there bold enough to threaten our leader. We couldn't just sit back and do nothing." Tanktop Master asked.

"Furthermore, this was long overdue." Metal Knight spoke; his voice came from the table. "We've needed a far more comfortable base of operations for ourselves. This'll allow us to communicate and gather more efficiently as well." He stated.

"Plus, the upgrades to our living situations aren't bad either," Zombieman commented as he looked at Pig God. "I bet the extra room's great for you. Even the elevators were made to accomodate your size." He said. Believe it or not, he was being genuine. He always wondered how Pig God managed to go anywhere and do anything with his rotundness.

"It is nice. I appreciate how considerate you two were in designing the building." Pig God responded, referring to Child Emperor and Metal Knight.

"It's no trouble at all. We even modeled the new train system that'll eventually reach all cities with your size in mind. The Association was concerned by the sheer cost of such a project, but One Punch Man wrote a single check that covered all the expenses. He even included extra in the event of complications or possible additions." Metal Knight informed him.

"That's our leader for you. Always thinking a step ahead." Superalloy said with a proud smile.

Click

The new meeting room of S-Class had two finely carved and polished wooden doors that led into it instead of an automatic mechanical one. That "click" sound was someone grabbing their handles and presumably opening the doors. After a few seconds, the entrance was open, and in came One Punch Man, Metal Bat, and...uh...what?

"Morning, everyone." Saitama greeted as the trio walked into the room, each member holding a plate of food.

"Um...morning, One Punch man..." Tanktop Master replied while the trio took their seats.

Watching in silence, everyone's eyes moved to Metal Bat once he was seated. Well, more precisely, the person who had entered with him, who was also now seated beside him.

"Baldy," Tatsumaki spoke, getting his attention.

"Yeah?" Saitama responded.

"Why is there a girl sitting next to bats-for-brains?" Tatsumaki asked.

Sure enough, a little girl was right there next to Metal Bat. No one in S-Class knew who she was. Although, truthfully, one member apart from Saitama did. However, since he was seated next to Tornado, he kept his mouth shut to avoid incurring her fury.

"...Wait..." Saitama began, his mind realizing something. "Did none of you know that Baddo has a sister?..." He questioned.

Upon hearing that, everyone's (except for King's) eyes widened. Metal Bat had a little sister? What? Had they suddenly entered an alternate dimension?!

"What the Hell's with those looks, huh?" Baddo inquired, annoyed by their shock. "This is Zenko. She's my baby sis. If you've got a problem with that, you'll OW OW OW OW OW OW!"

Before he could properly finish his sentence, Baddo was PAINFULLY pinched on his right arm by his sibling.

"There you go again, being rude." Zenko scolded as she released him from her iron grip. "As my thick-headed brother said, my name is Zenko. I'm sorry for his behavior." She introduced herself while simultaneously apologizing.

"Heh, I like her," Zombieman commented with a smirk. "Plus, we finally know where all the manners and intelligence went." He added as a jab to his colleague.

"Aw, thank you," Zenko replied with a smile. She didn't intend to stick up for her brother. She could only IMAGINE how terrible he acted when she wasn't around to correct him.

"So, we just letting anyone into these meetings now, Baldy?" Tatsumaki asked as she looked back at him.

"Hey, it's Baddo's sister. On top of that, she lives in the building now. If Zenko were a spy for our enemies, she'd be terrible at it." Saitama answered.

"I can eat in the dining area with everyone else if you want me to." Zenko offered, not wanting to cause problems.

"No, please, stay. If our leader has no issue with your presence, that's that." Flashy Flash said, being surprisingly polite. "If anything, you being here makes Metal Bat more tolerable. I see no negatives, only positives." He added. There it was, his usual snark.

"Oh...you are SO lucky she's here, ninja boy..." Baddo muttered through gritted teeth.

"Excuse me." Metal Knight spoke again. "I don't mean to interrupt, but now that One Punch Man is here, we should proceed with the morning meeting." He suggested.

"Good call, Metal Knight." Saitama agreed, now looking at all of S-Class. "Okay. So. This is the first day of our new living arrangement. But also, I'd like to discuss the stuff that's happened recently since it'll be important moving forward." He started.

"You're talking about the House of Evolution, right?" Zombieman guessed.

"That's one of the things, yeah," Saitama confirmed before proceeding. "Things are going to get a LOT crazier soon. Zombieman will keep a close eye on Genus to ensure he's honest. But as he does, we're going to be assessing his creations. Should everything work out, they'll become heroes. Both the other heroes in the Association and the public are going to react to this in a LOT of different ways. So, I'd like to ask if we can stand as a united front. If we assure everyone this isn't something to be scared of, it'll help to ease their concerns." He told them.

"You can count on us, One Punch Man!" Superalloy proudly proclaimed.

"No matter what, we'll stand beside you." Tanktop Master chimed in, sharing his colleague's sentiment.

"Even if we didn't, it's not like we'd suddenly turn on you, Baldy," Tatsumaki commented, showing support in her unique way.

"Cool. Thanks, guys." Saitama said appreciatively. "Just so you know, I wouldn't have forced you." He added.

"We'd never suspect that of you. It's not in your character." Silver Fang assured, which was a genuine relief for him to hear.

"I have a question." Drive Knight spoke. "Even with the assurance of S-Class that these non-humans won't threaten public safety, there will still be an outcry about their trustworthiness. The arguments will focus on when Doctor Genus's creations are not in public view. What're they doing when we're not watching? Are they secretly working with other monsters? Do they plan to sabotage the Association? These questions are unavoidable. How do you plan to deal with them?" He inquired.

"I've been thinking about that," Saitama admitted as he folded his arms. "I've come up with an idea. But I don't think anyone here will approve of it." He said rather ominously.

"Oh? What is it?" Atomic Samurai questioned.

"...I...was thinking...that maybe...you guys could...take some on...as apprentices..." Saitama revealed, doing it slowly since he needed to brace for their reaction.

Silence followed. Those still getting through their meals set down their silverware. The sole exceptions were Zenko, since she didn't have all the details, and Metal Knight since they couldn't see him. Eventually, someone would say something.

"One Punch Man." Silver Fang spoke, lightly rubbing his chin in thought. "If we accept these non-humans as apprentices, would we have full jurisdiction over their training? Could we enforce rules that, while not unfair, still met our preference for guidance?" He asked.

"Of course. You'd not only be showing them how to be heroes, but also how to live and function in society. I trust everyone's judgment, so you wouldn't have to call or constantly talk to me to verify every decision. So long as you treat them like you would anyone else, neither harsher nor nicer than a human, then you can do whatever you want." Saitama answered.

"I see..." Silver Fang hummed. "Well then, I'll gladly take the burden of mentoring all of them." He offered.

"WHAT?!" Most of the S-Class shouted in surprise. Saitama, King, Drive Knight, and Zenko were the only ones who didn't.

"...I understand." Drive Knight began as he pointed at the martial arts master. "You want to increase the number of students in your dojo. Currently, you only have one pupil." He deduced.

"Oh, you sneaky bastard." Atomic Samurai said with a smirk, impressed by his friend's wit.

"I have no idea what either of you are talking about." Silver Fang denied the accusation, maintaining his usual calm demeanor. "Of everyone in S-Class, only myself, Atomic Samurai, Tanktop Master, the absent Blast, and our leader are fit to be mentors. I do not say the following as an insult, but the rest of you don't know the first thing about teaching. If faced with an obstacle or problem in these non-humans training, you'd be quick to let your tempers get the better of you. Furthermore, my dojo is secluded in the mountains near our new base. It would easily prevent prying eyes from harassing them. There's also immense free space within the mountains where they could practice their abilities and not cause damage to any property. In the end, I'm the most sensible choice." He explained. "Still, I will respect and listen to whatever our leader chooses." He added, directing the attention back to One Punch Man.

"I'll admit, I did consider asking only you, Silver Fang. But I chose not to because I didn't want to force it all on you." Saitama confessed.

"I appreciate your consideration." Silver Fang said with a sincere smile. "However, as I've stated, I am the best equipped to handle this scenario. Atomic Samurai would also be a good candidate, but factors like his current body of students and distance from City Z should be acknowledged. It would truly be no inconvenience to me." He told him.

"I mean, the old man makes a solid case." Baddo chimed in, impressed by his reasoning.

"There are a few issues, though," Isamu started, getting everyone's attention. "Not all of Doctor Genus's creations, even after their modifications, will be appropriate for a martial arts mentor. Silver Fang can offer much more, sure. But still, they'd be on the sidelines while those who can receive a greater benefit get the most out of the experience." He pointed out.

"I thought about that, so I made a list," Saitama revealed. "The most obvious one is Armored Gorilla. Being a cyborg like Genos, I think it'd be best if you, Drive Knight, or Metal Knight were his mentor. Metal Knight's always busy with reconstruction efforts from monster attacks, so it's understandable if he can't do it. Drive Knight might be perfect, but I know you prefer privacy above all else. So, if he has no objections, and you have no problems, you could be his mentor." He proposed.

"R-Really? You'd trust me with something so important?" Isamu questioned, honored and surprised by that.

"Of course. You might be the youngest member, but that does not affect your capableness. Whenever I've needed your help or insight on something complicated, you've never let me down. So, I don't need to debate whether or not you can handle this. You've already proven it more than enough." Saitama assured.

Hearing such praise from his role model brightened Isamu's face. He couldn't contain his pride and joy from hearing those words. Of course, many of his fellow heroes subtly glared at the prodigy. Not because they disagreed with One Punch Man but because they also wanted such acknowledgment.

"Up next, Frog Man and Ground Dragon." Saitama began before looking at Flashy Flash. "Doctor Genus told me that these two would be best utilized as stealth-focused heroes. There's no one better in the entire Association than you, Flashy Flash. Although, I know much like Drive Knight, you prefer-"

"I accept." Flashy Flash cut him off. There wasn't an ounce of hesitation in his voice. "This is the perfect opportunity for me to show you the merit of my methods. I'll ensure Frog Man and Ground Dragon reach S-Class status." He vowed.

"...Uh...cool. I look forward to it." Saitama responded, taken aback by the swiftness and resolve of his statement. "Next, there's Carnage Kabuto. The guy's a muscle powerhouse. The same can be said about Beast King, but he's open to new fighting styles and techniques, making Silver Fang the best fit. Kabuto mainly wants to punch things and use his overwhelming strength to beat his opponents. The problem is the guy, even after his rework, will struggle with restraint. So, I figured Superalloy and Tanktop Master would be the best candidates since they know how to control their strength." He reasoned.

"Oh, yeah! I accept!" Superalloy exclaimed, not needing to think about it. "This way, like Flashy Flash, I can show you the benefits of my workout regimen!" He said.

"I'll act as a co-teacher. Not because I don't want to do my part but because of my students. They don't know about the House of Evolution or that we'll be working to rehabilitate non-humans. I don't want to surprise them by suddenly showing up with a giant beetle-man." Tanktop Master explained.

"Nah, that makes sense. No worries." Saitama replied. "On that note, though. There's one more thing I'd like to discuss." He said.

"Oh? Has something happened?" Zombieman asked.

"Uh, yes and no. It needs a bit of explanation." Saitama began. "See, yesterday, I snuck off with King to get some peace from the construction. While we were gone, we ran into two heroes. B-Rank Captain Mizuki, and C-Rank Mumen Rider. The thing is, I know these guys personally. They're the president and vice president of my official fan club. They were hoping to have an interview with me to talk about all the stuff that's happened lately, like Genos, the renovations in City Z, etc. However, I didn't conduct the interview right there and then because I wanted to hear what all of you think. I also wanted to suggest having those two be the first members of a new PR team for S-Class, not just myself." He informed them.

"Heh, trying to cut out, Sweet Mask? I don't blame you if you are." Baddo questioned with a smirk.

"No, nothing like that. It's just...Sweet Mask's intentions are well-placed. It's not as if I hate the guy or think he's bad at his job. But he's focused on the Association as a whole. Status and news updates. Announcements. You know, official stuff. What I'm thinking of is something more personal. To help keep the other ranks updated on how we're doing and what's happening. That way, we won't have sudden media frenzies where so many people are blindsided by unexpected developments." Saitama explained.

"Hm, the idea has potential." Metal Knight commented. "Admittedly, it would be nice not to do damage control every single time one of us does something. An official outlet for hero news and nothing else would be substantially useful." He went on.

"It could also be extended to all of the ranks." Isamu joined in. "We created a private chatroom for us so we could talk whenever the need arises. If we made a similar service for all heroes, there'd be no communication barriers or delays." He said.

"To that point, have we considered allowing the other heroes to use the train system we're building? Unlike public transport, it's being constructed with our best technology. This will make hero deployments far easier and ensure those who require emergency support won't have to wait. We'll also be able to dispatch heroes best suited for certain situations, further optimizing our ability to aid the people and deal with disasters or conflicts." Drive Knight mentioned.

"No, I'd need approval from One Punch Man first." Metal Knight replied. "Do I?" He asked.

"Absolutely. If we can make life better and easier for every hero, we should." Saitama answered.

"Then I'll need to take my leave of the meeting. I must consult those working beneath me on the project." Metal Knight stated before disconnecting.

"I think it'd be wise to end it as well." Flashy Flash suggested. "We've all finished our meals, and I assume you'll need to speak with the B and C rank heroes about their new responsibilities." He said, speaking to One Punch Man.

"Yeah. I told them I'd get back to them as soon as possible. So, unless there's anything else that we need to discuss, we can call it here." Saitama told them.

Everyone waited for a few seconds, but no one spoke. Afterward, they got up and headed for the dining room to return their plates and silverware. Yet, Saitama didn't leave the building or return to his abode. Instead, once he was sure no one was watching him, the leader of S-Class went to someone else's apartment. With a few knocks on their door, he was greeted by the inhabitant.

"Good morning, Saitama." Fubuki welcomed with a warm smile.

"Morning, Fubuki," Saitama replied. "Sorry for asking to see you so early. I hope I didn't make you rush through breakfast with your group." He apologized.

"Not at all. We wrapped up long before S-Class did. I've just been watching TV while waiting for you." Fubuki said. "So, why'd you need to see me?" She asked.

"To be honest, it's a pretty big favor." Saitama answered with a sigh. "So, something I talked about with the others was the House of Evolution and its members becoming heroes. Long story short, I thought it'd be best if they became disciples of other S-Class heroes." He explained.

"That makes sense. We can't just throw them out into the world. The public and probably some other heroes wouldn't be too pleased." Fubuki responded, agreeing with his logic.

"Right. So, I did my best to figure out who would be the best mentor to who. Turns out, I knocked it out of the park. But there was one member I didn't mention because I knew the reaction would be nuclear." Saitama said.

"My sister, no doubt." Fubuki guessed, not needing to consider the identity.

"Yup. See, one of the members is an Esper. However, Doctor Genus told me he planned to make this member more psychically powerful. So, the only people I know that'd be fitting as mentors are you and Tatsumaki." Saitama concluded.

"And to avoid getting thrown through a wall from one of my sister's lovely tantrums, you opted to speak with me and avoid her altogether." Fubuki deduced. "I don't blame you. The mere thought of being close to a non-human would be enough to make her crush a car like a soda can. In reality, I was your only real option." She told him.

"If you put it that way, yeah," Saitama replied with another sigh. "Still, I'll understand if you say no. I'm not forcing you to do this. I'd just appreciate the help." He said.

In response, Fubuki chuckled with a smile. A reaction the bald hero wasn't expecting.

"Saitama, you're so sweet." Fubuki complimented him. "But really, this isn't anything to be so worried about. I appreciate your concern, but I'll talk it over with my people, and we'll happily accept this non-human as another member of the Blizzard Group. Plus, if there is a bit of uneasiness from them, I'll just say this is your personal request. That'll smooth over ANY reservations." She promised.

"Wow. Thanks, Fubuki. You're a lifesaver." Saitama responded with a third sigh, this time of relief. "If you ever need anything, just let me know." He offered.

"Hm, now that you mention it..." Fubuki hummed, immediately making good on that. "This new apartment of mine is VERY big. I've filled it with all my belongings and decorations, but it still feels empty. When we get a chance, do you mind shopping with me for more stuff? It's no secret that you're the best shopper in the world." She requested.

"Sure. That sounds like it could be a fun day out." Saitama agreed with a smile. "I know the best stores around, not just in City Z. We'll get your apartment full before you know it." He assured.

"I look forward to it," Fubuki said.

With that, Saitama's business was done for now. He happily headed back to his apartment to relax for a while. As for Fubuki, she'd seek out her group again to talk to them. If there were anyone around, they'd notice a bit more pep in her step.

Chapter Text

By now, Saitama had gotten used to seeing people's shocked faces. You'd think that wouldn't happen so much after the initial mind-numbness of his strength. But, surprise, surprise, in multiple ways, Saitama continued to bewilder various people. Two of which currently sat across from him in his new apartment.

Mizuki and Satoru, otherwise known as Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider. They had come to the newly-built apartment building assuming they would only get an interview with Saitama. Then, once the trio sat down, they received a total shock to the system. Saitama told the duo they'd be the heads of an upcoming "Heroes Only" news outlet.

Don't get it twisted; it's not as extreme as it sounds. Mizuki and Satoru wouldn't need to dress in suits again and sit at a news desk in a big studio. They'd go about these new duties like how they managed the fan club. The only difference is that they'd broaden their information gathering and reporting to the rest of the roster.

However, Saitama did stress that this was THEIR decision. He wasn't forcing it onto them whatsoever. He chose them for this idea because he knew they were trustworthy and weren't zealous maniacs that worshipped him and S-Class like gods. Saitama genuinely couldn't think of anyone better to handle this project than these two.

Sadly, it'd been five minutes since he revealed this to the duo. During this period, Saitama had gotten up from his seat, gone to his kitchen, and poured all of them a nice glass of refreshing juice. He'd gotten so accustomed to shocking people like this that he'd perfectly worked out the time it'd take them to return to their senses. Saitama was so accurate that as he sat down and placed the glasses on the table, Mizuki and Satoru began speaking again.

"...S...Saitama..." Satoru tried to form a coherent sentence.

"Mhm?" Saitama responded while taking a sip from his glass.

"Are...you sure?..." Satoru questioned, doubt already setting in.

"If I weren't, I wouldn't have told you," Saitama stated.

"But...it's...so...so..."

"SO AMAZING!" Mizuki shouted as she sprang up from her chair. When she did this, a few things happened. Her seat fell backward onto the floor. Satoru nearly vaulted from his chair due to the suddenness of her outburst. Thanks to his strength, Saitama held the table with one hand, keeping ANYTHING from moving. Mizuki's expression instantly changed alongside her exclamation to show excitement, joy, and intense passion.

"So, you accept, then?" Saitama inquired. Despite his non-reacting face, he was humored and relieved by her eager acceptance.

"ABSOLUTELY!" Mizuki replied, maintaining her volume. It was unlikely it'd be going down anytime soon. "THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! MY HERO, MY ROLE MODEL, IS ASKING ME TO HANDLE AN IMPORTANT TASK! THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" She cheered with an ear-to-ear grin. "Oh, sorry! Don't mean to fangirl so much!" She quickly apologized, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

"It's fine. You're not a psychopath." Saitama said so casually. It was true, but still, that was a humorous way to compliment her. "How about you, Satoru? What're your feelings?" He asked, shifting focus onto the cyclist for justice.

"Well...it IS an amazing honor..." Satoru began, only to sigh afterward. "But...I don't know how up to the task we are..." He confessed.

"WHAT?!" Mizuki shouted again, once more making him jump. "SATORU! THIS IS THE BIGGEST CHANCE OF OUR HERO CAREERS! NO, SCRATCH THAT, OUR LIVES! WE CAN'T PASS THIS UP!" She argued, hoping to energize him through the power of her words.

"Oh, I'm well aware. But still, someone shouldn't accept an opportunity if they know they can't handle it. That'll only lead to disappointments and unintentionally betray the trust placed in them." Satoru countered.

"Solid points," Saitama commented, getting them to look back at him. "Still, it's not like you guys would be forced to do it alone. You'd just be the leaders. You could bring in any heroes you trust or Association personnel. Also, regarding my expectations, I don't have any. I won't dump a bunch of unrealistic or absurd goals onto your shoulders. All I want or expect is for you to do what you already do with the fan club but on a much larger scale with more people and resources to help you. Oh, and it's all focused on the heroes, too." He told them.

"See? We can do this!" Mizuki exclaimed, her steam not faltering in the slightest.

"What about our hero duties? Won't this interfere?" Satoru asked, receiving a groan from his partner as she threw her head back in exasperation.

"I don't see how. There wouldn't be a set time or date you'd need to have updates by. Like I just said, do what you've been doing. I don't intend this to be stressful for you or anyone else. I thought it'd be a good way for all heroes to know what's happening across the ranks. A sort of heroes-only social media platform." Saitama explained.

"Yeah! Plus, with more people helping us, we won't have to worry about not keeping up to date!" Mizuki said before surprisingly falling to her knees. "PLEASE, SATORU! JUST SAY YES!" She begged with hands clasped together.

Satoru, being a very practical man, still had reservations and worries. But Saitama and the pleading Amazon next to him made a solid case. If anything, this could help Satoru overcome his hesitations regarding limitations. After all, sitting across from him was someone who managed to achieve godly strength with nothing more than a standard workout regimen. Honestly, anything was possible so long as you worked hard at it.

"...Okay." Satoru agreed with a smile.

"YES! THANK YOU!" Mizuki cheered in victory as she hugged the man.

"Glad we could settle this." Saitama said, drinking again from his glass. "However, there IS one more thing I need to talk to you about." He revealed.

"A second surprise? I don't know if I can take another so soon!" Mizuki exclaimed with widened eyes.

"Yeah, same here..." Satoru responded, feeling pretty nervous since his neck was between two muscular arms that could snap it like a twig if their owner wasn't careful.

"I think this one will be more confusing and curious to you than exciting," Saitama said.

"Ooh! Intrigue!" Mizuki replied, quickly resetting her chair to an upright position so she could sit down.

"Yeah, that's one way to describe it..." Saitama started as Satoru and Mizuki finally began drinking their juice. "So, first of all, you guys know about Genos. However, like everyone else, you don't know where he came from or how he suddenly became my disciple." He stated.

"I thought it was due to his insane destructive powers?" Satoru mentioned.

"I mean, that DOES play some part in this..." Saitama admitted before continuing. "Yet, the catalyst for this ENTIRE situation, including this new apartment building and the other renovations, is due to another agency previously not partnered with the Association." He shared.

"Was this a criminal organization? A band of mercenaries?" Mizuki guessed, far more composed than before.

"Uh...that's...complicated..." Saitama confessed, deciding to let Zombieman handle that one later. "Putting the history and details aside for now, what you need to know and what I need to tell you is this: A new group will be partnering with the Association. It's called the House of Evolution. It was created by a man named Genus. He was a prominent figure in the scientific community several decades ago. Near the end of his life, he accomplished the research he'd spent all those years working on. Renewed youth. Cloning technology. A whole bunch of sci-fi stuff. But the BIGGEST thing he achieved was perfecting human design. At least, HIS idea of perfection. He did this by creating human-animal hybrids. Those creations...are going to be heroes..." He informed them. That last bit was spoken with hesitation since he knew it'd get a strong reaction.

PFFFT

That was the sound of Mizuki and Satoru spitting out their juice as they coughed it up. The mere concept of non-humans becoming heroes was so outlandish that it was more shocking than what Saitama had already told them. Unsurprised by this response, Saitama got up from his seat, went to his kitchen, then returned with paper towels to clean up the juice on the tabletop.

" Saitama... *COUGH* did...we hear you correctly?... *COUGH*" Satoru asked.

"I didn't stutter or misspeak." Saitama calmly answered while wiping down the table. He acted as if he didn't drop a verbal bombshell on them!

"But...from how it sounds...Genus essentially created monsters!" Mizuki exclaimed.

"By most people's definition, yes, they are monsters," Saitama confirmed.

"And...you trust them?" Satoru inquired.

"I do. I genuinely believe Genus and his creations are not secretly plotting against us. If they are, I'll just punch them. That'll be that." Saitama said. "Plus, I have Zombieman monitoring and investigating them since he's one of Genus's former experiments. If anyone will be able to see through his deception, it's him." He added.

"WAIT, WHAT?!" Mizuki and Satoru shouted in alarm.

"...Oh...right...only S-Class and the Association know that right now..." Saitama remembered. "Uh...yeah. Genus created Zombieman." He repeated for confirmation.

"This...This is insane!" Mizuki exclaimed. "And...what's even crazier...you...trust us to know this..." She slowly realized in disbelief.

"Well, yeah. We might not be super close friends yet, but we've spent enough time with each other through the fan club and its activities for me to know you guys are trustworthy." Saitama responded.

"Even so, why tell us this? I'm a bit confused about the logic." Satoru asked.

"Simple. You guys are the new heads of the hero-only news network. So, you will help us announce the non-humans to the heroes first, which will, in turn, aid in better controlling the reaction to this." Saitama answered.

"That...is going to explode..." Mizuki told him bluntly.

"Yup. That's what we're expecting. But we're hoping it'll be far more manageable with this new focused outlet for heroes to interact and communicate with each other." Saitama said.

"How long will we have to get it up and running before they're ready to join the Association?" Satoru inquired.

"A few weeks if everything goes smoothly. Also, you'll have Child Emperor and Metal Knight offering assistance. So, as I've been saying, you won't have any lack of support. Just take your time; it's not urgent." Saitama replied.

For a moment, the duo fell silent. They considered if they had any further questions on the matter.

"...Will we get to meet these non-humans? I mean, before we reveal them to the other heroes." Mizuki asked.

"Of course. It'll just be a bit since you'll be busy, and they'll be occupied with training." Saitama answered.

"Who's training them? Zombieman?" Satoru assumed.

"Silver Fang's taking the bulk of them. The rest have been assigned to S-Class heroes that best suit their needs." Saitama explained.

"That makes sense. It'd be weird to pair a hero whose abilities and fighting style don't match that of one of the monsters." Satoru responded. "...Wait, is that offensive? Should we call them something else if they will be our allies?" He inquired.

"Uh...non-humans should work fine. But we'll get that sorted before revealing them." Saitama said. "Anything else?" He asked.

Again, the duo pondered. However, this time, they had no more questions pop into their minds.

"Nope. I think we're good." Mizuki answered.

"Alright, then. I'll see you guys later." Saitama told them as he rose from his seat to walk them out. "Metal Knight and Child Emperor will contact you when they're ready to start. Until then, just relax or go about your normal hero duties." He instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Mizuki exclaimed with a smile and salute, even though they were now on personal terms.

Satoru opted to reply with a nod rather than an enthusiastic outburst. Afterward, they left Saitama's apartment, allowing him to continue his relaxation. Hopefully, with his business taken care of, Saitama wouldn't have to deal with any unexpected occurrences.

Meanwhile, At The House of Evolution...

Every movement. Every object. Every action. Every detail. Nothing was overlooked. Everything was examined. The keen eyes of Zombieman were unmatched. The smallest, slightest suspiciousness would be noticed.

Zombieman walked through every room and hallway multiple times. By the end of the day, he will have used the elevator more than anyone who lived in the building as he constantly transitioned floors. In addition to his weapons, Zombieman brought a camera capable of videos and photography. If ONE thing were suddenly different, he'd lock down the scene to investigate.

Some might find this behavior far too paranoid. Others would say it was excessive. But, even without his impressive regenerative capabilities, Zombieman's skills as a detective would've made him a hero. Or, at the very least, he'd have a high-standing position within the Association.

Although an S-Class hero, Zombieman busied himself with work that might go to police officers and other similar agencies. Crime syndicates. Monster production facilities. Organizations specializing in illegal experiments and technology. More than any other, that last one hit close to home for him.

Zombieman's skills with traditional weaponry, primarily his trademarked arsenal, were remarkable. His bare-handed combat talents were also notable despite lacking a fighting style. Yet, the immortal hero's drive to seek truth and expose evil made him excel as a hero. It's also why he looked up to Saitama like the rest of S-Class.

Their leader was a flawless example of heroism. He didn't care about pointless crap like brand deals or magazine covers. He wasn't a hero because it'd make him rich or famous. Saitama was a hero because he WANTED to be. That kind of person was rare in this world. At least, that was Zombieman's perspective.

Although, if we're truthful, his outlook was slightly biased. His first exposure to humanity and life itself was cruel and cold. An experiment in a test tube made by a man whose perception of himself was grandiose and delusional. Zombieman, despite being alive and sentient, was only meant to be a weapon in service of a master.

Now, that same so-called "master" was attempting redemption. Even with everything he'd seen and been told so far, Zombieman couldn't believe it. Doctor Genus was so self-centered. The man was the embodiment of a god complex. It had to be a ruse; Zombieman's instincts were certain.

Yet, as Zombieman continued his exploration of the House of Evolution, he eventually detected something. All of a sudden, someone was following him. However, the undying investigator didn't brandish his pistol and force them out of hiding. Mainly because the entity pursuing his every movement was...tragically bad at it.

No subtlety at all. The non-human known as Mosquito Girl "hid" behind every corner. In fairness, she WAS shorter and overall smaller in size than previously. Furthermore, her resemblance to a normal human was FAR greater. If Zombieman didn't know who she was, he might've mistaken her for an odd human with peculiar skin coloration, which was also an aspect of himself.

But he did know, which is why Zombieman allowed Mosquito Girl to follow him without confrontation. He waited to see if this was an assassination attempt. Maybe she was sent to capture him. Perhaps she was reporting back to Genus about his movements and actions.

Seconds became minutes. Minutes turned to hours. Mosquito Girl did nothing but silently follow and observe. By this point, Zombieman's suspicion was replaced with curiosity. He had to bring her out at last.

"...Alright," Zombieman spoke as he stopped in the middle of a vacant hallway. "What're you doing? Why have you been following me so much?" He asked while turning around to look at her.

Upon being "discovered", Mosquito Girl ducked behind her current corner.

"...You're serious?" Zombieman questioned with a raised brow. "You actually believe that I don't know you're there? I literally spoke to you." He said.

Zombieman had to wait several more seconds for Mosquito Girl to appear. When she did, he was honestly shocked. Mosquito Girl, although expectedly looking more human, was...beautiful. If anyone else saw her, even with her black and white skin, they'd think she was a model.

Covering her FAR more human legs was a pair of tight but not suffocating jeans ending in stylish brown boots on her feet. On Mosquito Girl's torso was a white form-fitting t-shirt with "ONE PUNCH MAN!" in bold red lettering on the front. Its length was rather short, revealing her abdomen but still covering her torso's "other" parts. As for her wings, the shirt had two slits to comfortably enter and exit through when the shirt was put on and taken off.

Regarding her face and head, Mosquito Girl was legitimately a normal-looking woman. Well, a gorgeous one, as stated. She no longer had bulbous insect eyes and a large silver proboscis atop her skull. The now six-foot-nine model-quality Mosquito Girl was ready to take on the world! Look out, everyone, here she comes!

...
...
...

Or...maybe not. You'd think the newly transformed Mosquito Girl would be OOZING confidence. Absolutely DRENCHING her environment with a braggadocious attitude. Instead, she stood there like a timid child entering a new classroom for the first time.

"...Are...you okay?..." Zombieman asked. He was confused rather than concerned. He had gotten a solid read on her personality despite knowing her for so little time. She was definitely behaving differently.

"...I'm sorry." Mosquito Girl began with...an apology? "I've been following you all day. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the best approach. But, as you can see, I came up with squat." She explained.

"The best approach for what?" Zombieman pressed.

"I want to talk to you. Like, an ACTUAL conversation. Not just a series of questions and answers." Mosquito Girl revealed.

"...I'm not telling you anything about One Punch Man," Zombieman stated, managing to upset her.

"That's not why I'm here!" Mosquito Girl defensively exclaimed.

In response, Zombieman pointed at her crop top.

"Yes, I AM his number one fan. But that doesn't mean all I think or talk about is him." Mosquito Girl explained with an eye roll. "...Not all the time..." She muttered to herself afterward.

"...Right..." Zombieman said before turning around. "Well, I'm going to get back to my patrol. See you-"

"WAIT!" Mosquito Girl yelled before latching onto him. "PLEASE! I JUST WANT TO-"

THUD

With a throw that'd make Silver Fang proud, Zombieman grabbed Mosquito Girl's hugging arms and tossed her over his head swiftly and flawlessly. The poor woman landed on her back. Thankfully, she was made of tougher stuff, so this was little more than a nuisance.

"REALLY?!" Mosquito Girl questioned as she looked up at him.

Ignoring her, Zombieman turned back around to go the other way.

THUMP

Mosquito Girl quickly clamped onto his left leg. Her new claws were always present on her fingertips and were as short as they could be. Still, they provided additional strength to her hold.

"Come on! I've been following you all day! Just hear me out!" Mosquito Girl pleaded.

"No." Zombieman simultaneously rejected her request and stomped her noggin with his free foot.

"HEY! WATCH MY HAIR!" Mosquito Girl shouted.

"Let go," Zombieman commanded, continuing to stomp.

"NO! NOT UNTIL WE TALK!" Mosquito Girl persisted.

"What could possibly be so important that it's worth enduring this?" Zombieman questioned, baffled by her resolve.

"I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU HATE THE DOCTOR SO MUCH!" Mosquito Girl told him.

...
...
...

The stomping stopped. Mosquito Girl, wincing with each impact, fully opened her eyes again. When she did, she looked up at Zombieman. However, she'd instantly regret this.

His red eyes glowed with a fire that burned deep within them. His stoic expression, which hadn't changed, now presented controlled anger. His foot, which had been raised, slowly set itself back on the ground next to Mosquito Girl's head. Although not landing with a slam, it filled her with fear.

"Let. Go," Zombieman commanded a second time.

"N-No!" Mosquito Girl slightly stuttered in her refusal. This new side of the immortal hero was immensely intimidating, even for someone like her. "I want to know why you're so hateful toward the doctor! But beyond that, I want us to get along! We all do! You're the doctor's first creation! That makes us-"

BAM

A shockwave went through Mosquito Girl's body. She slowly turned to look at a spot one inch to her left. Embedded in the floor was the round of a Desert Eagle Magnum. With nearly impossible-to-perceive quickdraw skills, Zombieman un-holstered his weapon and had given her a warning shot.

"Finish that sentence, and you're dead," Zombieman told her matter-of-factly. "I am not anything to you people. I'm nothing to Genus. Did he make me? Yes. But who I am, what I've become, is mine and mine alone. I am your keeper, nothing more. With one report to One Punch Man, this façade the doctor crafted will be done. I could also say that one of his creations attacked me. That'd do the job." He stated.

"That's...not true..." Mosquito Girl whispered, unable to speak louder as she returned her gaze to him.

"It will be if you don't get your hands off of me," Zombieman warned, now aiming his gun at her face. "If I kill you, Genus will just make another. A copy. You're a replaceable prop on his stageplay. He'll make more, no matter how much you get mangled or how many times you die. Even so, I don't want to shoot you. But if you don't let go of my leg, I will." He said.

For a moment, Mosquito Girl was frozen. She didn't know what to make of this situation or Zombieman's behavior. Still, she didn't want to jeopardize her creator's standing with the Association and One Punch Man. So, she slowly released the undying man. After that, Zombieman proceeded on his way. Leaving a shaken Mosquito Girl on the floor next to a still-smoking bullet.

Chapter Text

A fleeting warmth accompanied the setting sun. The approaching moon summoned a cold blanket as the retreating light took the world's hotness with it. That created a comforting mixture of temperatures and a beautiful visual of warm orange and soothing blackness on the planet. Even a simple stroll down the street would resemble a framed painting.

It was the evenings and nights that Zombieman loved the most. After a hard day of work, walking between the light and shadows was wonderful.  It allowed him to sort his thoughts and emotions for tomorrow. Freeing up the time he'd spend in his abode for relaxation.

But thanks to his leader, Zombieman's new home was in a luxurious apartment in City Z's "Ghost Town".  Ignoring the quality of his living situation, Zombieman welcomed the isolation and quiet of the abandoned district. No cars. No people. No noise whatsoever. It was bliss.

Yet, as the undead detective trekked through the vacant roads, enjoying the space all to himself, he ran into someone. They intentionally stood in the middle of the path to garner his attention. The setting sun striking their chrome body for added flair was pure coincidence.

"Metal Knight?" Zombieman questioned. The robotic unit standing opposite him was one of Metal Knight's drones. It lacked any weaponry and was designed for mobility and recon. "What're you doing here? Is something up?" He asked.

In reply, the drone slowly raised its right hand. Then, a spent shell casing was produced from the palm and held between the thumb and index finger. It belonged to a Desert Eagle Magnum.

...
...
...

"Zombieman?" Metal Knight's voice spoke from the drone. "Is something wrong? I thought this belonged to you." He inquired.

Zombieman's heart stopped. No, that wasn't a joke. Upon seeing that object, his entire body stiffened. Shit! Shit! Shit!

"...Does...he know?..." Zombieman asked. He didn't need to explain his question; there was only one person he'd be referring to.

"No. The only ones who know about this bullet are me, you, Mosquito Girl, and Genus." Metal Knight answered. "Oh, and if you're wondering how my drone got there without you noticing, it was already on site. Our leader requested that I station a unit at the House of Evolution in case something happened." He stated.

"...One Punch Man...did he...not trust me?..." Zombieman questioned with a rare fearful expression.

"No. It was in case you needed backup." Metal Knight responded. "Do note; this doesn't imply he suspects Genus of treachery. He didn't want to leave you by yourself IF this turned out to be an elaborate deception. Genus agreed to my drone's presence so long as it didn't interfere with the work of his clones. As you patrolled the facility, I tracked your movements so you wouldn't encounter it. That was another of our leader's requests. He didn't want you to think he didn't trust you. My drone was and is a just-in-case measure." He explained before moving his drone's head to look at the casing. "I couldn't have guessed you'd throw the first punch. Not to say that I have my suspicions about Genus. But still, it'd make sense if he or his creations were the aggressors. Or, at the very least, comparatively. You're always among the most composed of our team. Who'd think that you'd nearly shoot someone?" He concluded.

Truthfully, what Metal Knight said stung worse than what Zombieman had assumed. If One Punch Man didn't have confidence in him, that'd be one thing. Instead, he did, and Zombieman disrespected that trust by letting his emotions get the better of him. Damn it.

"...Are you going to tell him?..." Zombieman inquired.

"Tornado would. King might. The majority of our team would use this situation for their benefit somehow. Mainly to make themselves seem more capable than you. But you're fortunate, Zombieman. I'm all too familiar with lapses in judgment. Yet, I'm grateful for that experience, as it was our leader who gave it to me." Metal Knight told him.

Following that, the drone flicked the casing at Zombieman with its thumb. The immortal do-gooder caught it without issue. Even so, Zombieman stared at the casing now resting in his palm with a bewildered look.

"...I...I don't..."

"Nothing. That's what you need to say." Metal Knight said, interrupting him. "As our leader would tell you, everyone makes mistakes. It doesn't matter how smart you are. It doesn't matter how wise. No one is perfect, which includes you." He stated.

"...Thank you, Metal Knight," Zombieman replied, tightly clutching the casing.

"Again, it's nothing. A mistake happened. It's not worth talking about." Metal Knight repeated. "However, as I said, I'm not the only one aware of this error. Genus made no demands; he expected tension and possible conflict. The concerning one is Mosquito Girl. We can't be certain she won't share this experience with One Punch Man. If she does, my efforts to give you a graceful lesson in humility will be for naught." He told him.

"Yeah, you're right." Zombieman agreed as he stowed the casing in his jacket pocket. "But I have NO idea what the Hell I could do to make it up to her. I put a slug in the ground one inch from her head. A written apology and a generous gift card to her favorite store won't solve this. She probably doesn't even HAVE a favorite store yet." He said.

"Come. We'll discuss this as we walk. It's getting darker, and we need to get home." Metal Knight beckoned with a motion of his drone's arm.

"Why? Has something happened?" Zombieman asked as he approached.

"If it has, I'm unaware. We're meant to have night meetings now, remember? Since it's far more convenient." Metal Knight answered with a reminder.

"Ah. Right. Sorry. Slipped my mind." Zombieman apologized while they began their walk. "But wait, you can connect to the table like you did this morning. Won't everyone find it suspicious that you suddenly sent a drone?" He questioned.

"Doubtful. But if they do, I'll just say it's one of my machines working on the new train system. If they press the matter, I'll say I was so engrossed in the work that I didn't think to disconnect from the drone and switch to the table." Metal Knight responded, having thought this through. "But enough about that. Let's try and brainstorm a solution to the problem you've concocted." He said, getting back on topic.

"Right." Zombieman quickly replied before thinking. "Honestly...I think my only bet is to bribe her. She's obsessed with our leader; maybe some signed merchandise will be enough?" He proposed.

"Possible. But is her fanatic fixation on One Punch Man enough to surpass the threat of receiving a bullet to the brain?" Metal Knight challenged.

"..." Zombieman was silent. Damn it, again. Metal Knight made a good and obvious point.

For the next minute, the pair walked in silence. Metal Knight had no issue waiting for a response. He was curious to see what his peer could conceive.

"...Ugh...I have an idea..." Zombieman groaned. There was a joke to be made, but now was not the time. Plus, poorly timed jests were better suited for Tornado or Metal Bat.

"From your tone, it sounds like it'll be miserable for you." Metal Knight commented.

"OH...YEAH..." Zombieman confirmed amidst another sigh. "But...it's the only true solution. If I want Mosquito Girl to stay quiet, I need to give her absolute assurance. There's only one way to do that." He said.

"...I'm impressed." Metal Knight complimented him. It took but a few seconds to figure out. "Still, are you sure you can go through with it?" He asked.

"I've got no choice. Any wiggle room disappeared with the smoke from the bullet." Zombieman answered.

"Hm, true." Metal Knight agreed, having nothing else to say.

The duo continued their travel to their new home. However, as they were nearly there, only apart from their destination by a few streets, they discovered something. When they did, both heroes stopped dead in their tracks.

Stumbling in the direction of the apartments was a monster. Its skin was darker than a starless night sky. Long green vegetation hung from its head. Yet, the monster and its appearance weren't the reason for their pause.

Zombieman and Metal Knight, even from this distance, could discern the terrible state of the creature. Its backside was alight with recent wounds that still leaked red. Bright spots of purple were spread across its skin, indicative of bruising. Water and blood dripped from its body, leaving a trail of injury that even the blind could see.

Suddenly, the monster stopped moving. It realized it was no longer alone. Slowly, it turned to face those that arrived. That was when the pair of heroes saw the worst of the damage.

One of the creature's eyes had been beaten so badly that it was little more than a massive gash. Nearly all of its teeth had been knocked out or forcibly removed. With its remaining eye, it looked forward with a gaze of exhaustion. It was so absent of life that, even to Zombieman, it resembled a walking cadaver.

"One...Punch...Man..." The monster gasped out through a ruined set of vocal cords. "One...Punch...Man.."

THUD

The creature fell forward onto its face. Finally, the S-Class duo was spurred into action. They rushed over to examine the monster. Although non-human, they wouldn't ignore something so terribly injured!

However, Zombieman and Metal Knight found a gruesome revelation when they reached it. Those wounds on the monster's backside weren't random. When viewed closer and at the right angle, they formed a message. This creature, whoever and whatever it was, has been used as a living letter.

"One Punch Man. The Sovereign of The Seas has summoned you. You have one week to respond. Refusal will be seen as a declaration of disrespect. The consequences of such a decision will be war between the Seafolk and the Surface-Dwellers."

-Signed, The Deep Sea King.

Chapter Text

...Water...
...Warmth...
...Floating...
...Quiet...
...The Depths...
...Home...
...Was This...
...The Ocean?...

Slowly, a slumbering mind returned to itself. Its senses were restored. It could feel the world around it. Yet, its eyelids were still heavy, enveloping their vision in darkness.

Their body felt so tired. Not even a toe or finger could be moved. Despite this, they were floating. They also knew for sure that they were in a body of water.

The mind continued its battle with the eyes. Open, damn you! The return of sight was the most important of everything that needed to work now! What was going on? Where were they? They needed to know!

"The patient...We'll continue to monitor...Waking soon enough...Inform Genus and...To know..."

A voice! It was breaking up here and there, but the state of their hearing undoubtedly caused that. However, there was also an odd muffled quality to it. Were they speaking through a wall? No, something thinner. But what?

Damn it, eyes! Open! OPEN! OPEN!!!

"OPEN!!!"

Another voice. THEIR voice. It accompanied the sudden burst of light that cast away the darkness. Yet, similar to the other voice, it was muffled. Thankfully, the cause for why would be quickly apparent.

Looking down at themselves and their surroundings, they made several startling discoveries. First, they were in a body of water, but it was inside a container. Second, a strange mask was attached to their face with a strap around the back of their head. Third, their body was...it was...

"I'm...better?..." They asked as they examined themselves. No bruises. No injuries. No blood. No pain.

Then, as they looked over their body, they realized something. They could see out of BOTH eyes. The one that had been savagely beaten was back! They had their full vision!

However, now was not the time to celebrate. As they looked past their fully-healed hands, they saw people standing on the other side of the container. Weirder yet, they were all the same person!

"Easy, now..." The one at the front of the group spoke. His volume was low, and his tone was passive. Were...they the ones who saved them? "...Good. It seems I have your attention, and you're not panicking." The man said with a smile before continuing. "I know this is confusing. This isn't where you remember being. You were brought here so we could treat your injuries." He informed them.

"...M...M...M..." They struggled to get a word out. Their throat suddenly felt strained and tired like everything else.

"Your voice is still recovering, like the rest of you. It's admittedly impressive you were able to say anything, but you shouldn't try more for right now." The man told them. "I promise, though, that you'll only be in there for a few minutes longer. Ten at most, followed by five for a checkup to ensure everything is back to normal." He stated.

Normally, in a dangerous scenario, their instincts would be sending off signals. But now, said signals were silent. No alarms at all. Was this situation truly safe? Could they relax?

Considering that their injuries were healed and their mangled eye was restored, it'd be weird if these identical people ultimately wanted to harm them. So, they let their body relax. They focused on the warm water around them. They allowed themselves to slip back into a slumber...

...
...
...

Tap Tap

Awoken by a gentle noise, they re-opened their eyes. The men that had been outside the container the last time were gone. In their place, a single individual. It was another human male, but he wasn't identical to the others. If anything, he was rather simple-looking.

"Oh. Awesome. They were right. You're okay." The man said with a small smile. His expression was a mixture of relief, joy, and perhaps excitement. "You gave us a scare there. We didn't know if you'd pull through or not. Although, if you hadn't, I guess Genus could've cloned you, but I don't know what the ruling of consent is on cloning. I'm not sure that's ever been considered before recently." He rambled on, seeming to get lost in his thoughts.

Tap Tap

This time, they did the tapping. Their long seaweed hair lightly touched the glass to get him to refocus.

"Whoops. Sorry." The man apologized, embarrassed by his unintentional monologue. "Again, like I said, it's just such a relief that you're okay. You collapsed in the middle of the road not too far from where I live. When my co-workers came running in with you, hoo boy, the whole place was spurred into action. We rushed to get you here as fast as possible." He explained.

"...Wh...Wh...Where...Where is...here?..." They asked. Their throat no longer hurt, nor felt tired. However, due to inactivity, it felt a little tense.

"Oof...that's a story in of itself..." The man muttered. "...Think...of it...as...a...hospital..." He slowly said, having to come up with something on the spot. "Yeah. That's it. A hospital. And, in case you don't know what a hospital is, people get treatment for illnesses or injuries regardless of who they are at them." He answered.

"Don't...humans...hate...us?..." They inquired, their throat getting looser.

"Yeah, they do. But we're working on that. It'll take some time, but I think we've got the right idea of how to make things better for humans and monsters." The man replied. "Oh, speaking of that, you're not just a monster, right? It was...Seafolk, correct?" He questioned.

"Yes...I'm...a Seafolk..." They confirmed with a nod.

"Cool. Glad I remembered. It'd be awkward to call you a fish person or sea dude by mistake." The man said. "So, what kind of Seafolk are you? Your hair resembles kelp, and Genus told us your best treatment would be water. But not solely because you're from the ocean." He asked.

"I'm...Kombu Infinity. At least, that's what I've always been called..." They answered. As the conversation progressed, they felt more comfortable with this person. There was something unexplainable about it. His demeanor? How normal he appeared? What was it?

"Whoa. So, your seaweed is infinite, then?" The man assumed.

"Yeah. In water, it doesn't matter how much I remove; it'll always come back. Plus, I could grow more all across my body if I wanted, but that makes it SUPER hard to move. So, I limit it to my head." Kombu elaborated. They were smiling, even though it couldn't be seen. The last time they had a conversation, a REAL conversation, was...never. This was so pleasant, even if the circumstances were immensely unusual.

"Does it have special properties? Normally, non-humans have powers or unique characteristics. I figured the same applies to Seafolk." The man inquired.

"Oh, yeah! Totally!" Kombu exclaimed with an excited grin beneath their mask. This human wanted to see what their kelp could do. This was great! "I'd love to show you, but I can't while I'm here; not enough room. There's also this weird mask on my face." They said while pointing to the object as if the man couldn't see it.

In response, the man raised his right hand and held up the thumb. At first, Kombu didn't understand this. Then suddenly, the water started draining from the container. Afterward, once it was gone, the glass retracted into the base of the tube Kombu Infinity had been in.

"Wow," Kombu spoke in amazement as they looked down, their feet on top of the base. "I've never seen technology like this before." They confessed.

"How much have you seen?" The man asked while stepping forward. "Also, if you turn around, I can take the mask off for you." He offered.

"Oh. Thank you." Kombu replied as they did precisely that. "As for your question, whatever floats to the bottom of the ocean. It's mainly been ships and MASSIVE cargo crates filled with junk. It's rare when we get good stuff." They explained.

"Most of it was probably busted, huh?" The man guessed as he removed the mask.

"Ah. That feels better~" Kombu sighed with a smile. "And yeah, the stuff is usually broken. Still, it's interesting. There's rarely a new arrival that's the same or similar to what's come before. You surface dwellers sure have an impressive imagination." They told him.

"True. Sometimes, though, it comes back to bite us." The man responded.

"It does?" Kombu questioned.

"Mhm. We come up with a LOT of dumb ideas. Or ones that are flat-out terrible. Most people have no impulse control." The man explained.

Unexpectedly, Kombu fell silent. The man waited patiently, hoping he hadn't somehow said something improper.

"...Sorry." Kombu apologized while averting their gaze. "It's just...I have experience...with people who don't have impulse control...like, at all..." They said.

"Hey. No reason to apologize. I misspoke." The man assured them.

"N-No!" Kombu quickly exclaimed in defiance. "It's not like you could've known! It's no big deal!" They insisted.

"Still, given how we found you, I should've known not to say something like that." The man argued. "But let's not focus on that for now. Instead, how about we get something to eat? I bet you're hungry." He suggested.

"...You'll...give me food?..." Kombu questioned.

"I was planning to. Unless you don't need it since you're a sentient plant." The man replied.

"I don't NEED it, but I can still eat. I've just never been offered food before. I never would've expected a surface dweller to be the first one to do it." Kombu explained.

"Ah. Makes sense." The man said. "Well, regardless of whether or not you need to, you deserve it. You've had what I assume to be one of the worst days of your life. As such, you should have a nice hot meal, whatever you like, to help you unwind." He told them. "Do you have anything in mind?" He asked.

Kombu spent the new few seconds thinking about it. However, it didn't take long to form a choice.

"Meat. I know I'm a plant, but meat has always looked SO tasty! I've wanted a taste, even if it was small. I'd LOVE to get some! If it's not too much trouble." Kombu requested.

"Sure thing. That'll be no issue." The man promised with a smile. "Follow me. Also, don't mind the water. The guy who owns this place doesn't mind if you drip." He instructed.

A realization struck them as Kombu followed the man out of the room. When it did, they couldn't believe it took them so long to think of this.

"Crap!" Kombu exclaimed while walking beside the man. "I never asked you for your name! I'm sorry." They apologized again, feeling the need since the man's been so polite to them.

"Oh. That slipped my mind, too." The man admitted before extending his hand. "My name's Saitama." He introduced himself.

"Saitama..." Kombu said quietly as they shook his hand. "That's...a nice name." They complimented him.

"Thanks. Although, it's nowhere as cool as Kombu Infinity." Saitama responded.

"Aw, come on. You're just saying that." Kombu said as they withdrew their hands.

"No, I'm serious. You've got an awesome name. You should be proud." Saitama persisted.

As the two continued walking and talking, Kombu's mind temporarily forgot everything else. What had happened to them earlier that day. How they ended up on the surface. The pain they felt. Everything.

Like when they started talking, Saitama had an unknown effect on them. Kombu felt safe. Relaxed. They were excited for their first-ever meal.

But most of all, Kombu was happy. Just like their conversation with Saitama, they couldn't recall a single time before now that they could say it was like this. They intended to cherish every second of it for however long it would last.

Chapter Text

"One Punch Man has established communication with the presumed Seafolk messenger." Metal Knight informed everyone as he monitored the interaction. Genus gave him access to the House of Evolution's security system in another show of trust. "As he proceeds, we should begin the conference." He suggested.

After Metal Knight and Zombieman discovered the badly injured monster, Metal Knight's drone picked it up, and they rushed back to the apartments. From there, a series of swift actions unfolded. Ignoring the obvious shock of the situation, S-Class quickly gathered and departed. Regarding the members not present at the time, they'd rendezvous at the House of Evolution.

Fubuki and the Blizzard Group opted to remain at the apartments. Sure, they weren't S-Class. But still, they were capable enough to handle a few monsters as a team. If this messenger weren't the only one sent by the Seafolk, they'd be the defensive line to hold back any attackers until support arrived.

Additionally, Sweet Mask was called and told about what had happened. Unsurprisingly, he came to the House of Evolution the moment he could. The mysterious messenger being injured wasn't his concern; they could keep that from public knowledge with no issue. However, The declaration of war they brought with them would be unavoidable. This was, no sea-faring pun intended, an all-hands-on-deck situation.

"King." Sweet Mask spoke, getting all eyes on him. "You know One Punch Man better than anyone else. What would be his desired direction?" He asked, shifting the attention to the world's second-strongest hero.

King closed his eyes and carefully considered his response for a few seconds. He wasn't bothered by the question. It made sense that everyone would look to him due to Saitama's absence.

"...One Punch Man has one week to reply. That's what the message said." King began as he opened his eyes. "Assuming we can trust the Seafolk, that gives us six days. Waiting for the full seven wouldn't be wise. We might even consider going only for five to avoid potentially angering them and causing conflict sooner than the message says. Unfortunately, even if we approach this scenario diplomatically and prevent an all-out war, that doesn't mean the purpose of this summons is good in its intent. As their leader calls himself, the Deep Sea King had no issue savagely beating and presumably torturing one of his people before sending them out as the messenger. Even if someone else did it, which is unlikely since he signed the message himself, that still shows a lack of empathy. However, we've never seen any entity directly ask to meet with One Punch Man, be they monster or otherwise. So, before determining a course of action, I think it'd be wise to discuss what the Deep Sea King wants." He told them.

"I agree." Silver Fang replied, all eyes now on him. "Doctor Genus reaching out to our leader for peaceful negotiation is one thing. All we had to debate was the legitimacy of his gesture of cooperation. But a non-human creature, whom none of us knew existed, has requested to see One Punch Man. As King has mentioned, there can be no confusion about the nature of the Deep Sea King. He's given us more than enough to go on with the state of his messenger. But how bold are his intentions? Is this nothing more than an invitation to fight? Even if the Deep Sea King is honest and doesn't declare war, should our leader meet his demand, will he still attempt something horrible? Or, as outlandish as it sounds, is the Deep Sea King trying to assert his sovereign status over One Punch Man? Regardless of the truth, none of the options are pleasant." He said.

"I say we kill'em." Baddo proposed without hesitation. "And before ANYONE thinks to comment on how the guy who wields a bat is suggesting the blunt option, let me explain. I'm not saying we just get it done and over with because we know our leader could do it without breaking a sweat. As we keep bringing up, the state of that monster was terrible. The Deep Sea King's a bastard as far as I'm concerned. So, what if the Seafolks' situation is a regime? Maybe their leader is a tyrant, and they're ALL suffering. Or, at the very least, those who aren't close to their ruler. If anything, going off personal experience with monsters, it's probably a matter of power. The Deep Sea King's not the big boss because they want him to be; it's because he'll kill whoever tries to stand against him. If that is the situation, then that's why he's reached out to One Punch Man. The guy sees our leader as a threat to his position. So, he's gotta be dealt with." He reasoned.

"...I...can't believe it..." Flashy Flash spoke in amazement. "Metal Bat...made a sound argument..." He muttered.

"Hey! What did I say about smartass comments?" Baddo questioned.

"It wasn't a jab at you, Metal Bat. I'm genuinely impressed." Flashy Flash clarified. "Honestly, I agree with your logic. The Deep Sea King could've made any first impression. Yet, he opted for cruelty. Perhaps the best solution is the simplest one." He said.

"Huh. Gee, thanks." Baddo responded. He never thought he'd see the day when the ninja boy agreed with him.

"Unfortunately. There is one factor that makes this route impossible." Drive Knight spoke. "Our leader has made it clear that he wants non-humans to be accepted by society. Assigning Genus's creations to us as disciples is further proof of this being his mindset. As such, if One Punch Man, even with proper justification, were to deal with the Deep Sea King like any other opponent, it would cause discourse and distrust with all non-human entities currently in hiding. It could also lead to friction with the Seafolk. What if the nature of their society isn't a regime but still operates on proving one's self through combat? Even if the Deep Sea King is a savage, if this is how their culture functions, they could perceive our leader's preemptive killing blow as cowardice, potentially leading to a war that we're trying to avoid. If that outcome comes to pass, S-Class would need to kill the aggressive Seafolk, which could be all of them. This would only worsen future attempts by One Punch Man to achieve peaceful co-existence. It could also make humanity far more resistant to Genus's creations than they are right now." He stated.

"Yeah, I was thinking about that too," Isamu admitted as he folded his arms. "However, there's something we're overlooking. The message wasn't specifically addressed to the surface dwellers, heroes, or S-Class. The Deep Sea King directly called out One Punch Man. So, he knows our leader can defeat ANY opponent in a single blow. Savage or not, you'd have to lack ALL brain function to challenge him to a normal fight. I'm not saying that he DOESN'T plan to fight One Punch Man, only that it can't be as simple as we're assuming. Even something like an ambush or elaborate trap wouldn't make sense. If the Deep Sea King knows about our leader's strength, he's also aware of his resilience, stamina, and other notable traits. Whatever One Punch Man would be walking into is something we're not considering. There HAS to be some level of complexity here." He said.

"...Maybe...it's about us." Atomic Samurai started. "Hear me out. As Child Emperor said, no matter how you view it, confrontation with One Punch Man is suicide. Yet, the Deep Sea King is threatening war. That could just be a bluff to incentivize our leader into coming. We know he wouldn't ignore a threat like that. Or it could be that the "war" is something we're not considering. We're thinking traditionally. Fists. Weapons. Plain and simple combat. But if the Deep Sea King was smart enough to send a message, albeit a gruesome one, then he's certainly working strategically. The core problem of this scenario is we know nothing about the Seafolk apart from sightings of monsters in various bodies of water across the globe. Some of these might not even be connected to them. So, we have no idea what their numbers are. We don't know how varied their species is. And, ignoring One Punch Man's existence for a second, we don't know how most humans would measure up to them. It's safe to assume that people like Tornado and Blast would be fine. The same goes for the rest of us in S-Class. But what if we're dealing with the greatest opposition we've faced to date? That could be the case; we just don't know if it is." He explained.

"To add onto that, we can't perform any reconnaissance. The Seafolk would see it as us trying to get intel, which it would be." Metal Knight chimed in.

"Regarding intel, I don't think we should be too concerned. Remember, our leader's currently talking to a Seafolk. I don't mean this to sound so manipulative, but they're undoubtedly grateful for us saving their lives and treating their injuries. I know One Punch Man will be able to learn a lot from them." Zombieman said. 

"True. At the very least, the Seafolk will tell One Punch Man where they came onto land from. That'll help us determine an area of contact. It'll also allow us to prepare the nearby populace should it be near a city or town." Tanktop Master pointed out.

"But what if they have Seafolk positioned in multiple locations? There's nothing we can do about that." Pig God inquired.

"One Punch Man was the only one the Deep Sea King requested. The rest of us can be positioned in every city during the meeting." Watchdog Man proposed as he looked at Metal Knight's drone. "Could you protect smaller areas like towns and other locations, such as amusement parks, for example? Places where large quantities of people will be." He asked.

"It'll be no issue. I have more than enough automated defenses and machines to form secure perimeters discretely. None will be alerted and they will go about their day unless something changes." Metal Knight answered.

"I would like to say something," Genos spoke while raising his hand. "Zombieman, you mentioned how One Punch Man will get intel from the Seafolk messenger. What if we learn from them that it is a regime, as Metal Bat suggested? Or what if this outreach for discussion is nothing but a façade and the Seafolk, as a united collective, have agreed to carry out violence on humanity? As it stands, I don't think there is much left for us to talk about without knowing what One Punch Man has obtained from the messenger." He said.

"Yeah, I agree with the new guy, even if he is an idiot." Tatsumaki joined in. "We're standing around talking about plans and strategies when it could all be pointless. We need to bring Baldy into this." She told them.

Ignoring her remark about Genos, Tornado, and their newly-recruited cyborg, made a solid point. This meeting began with them looking to King for insight into what One Punch Man would say. But in the end, he wasn't their leader. Then there was the intel gained from the Seafolk messenger, which would greatly help their plans.

So, the heroes agreed to disband for now. King was sent to check in on One Punch Man and the Seafolk without needing to elect himself or be chosen. He was simply the best option, given he was their leader's best friend. As for the others, they'd continue to talk among themselves or relax before the next meeting. Except for one.

Elsewhere, In The Building...

FWOOP

Mosquito Girl full-on dolphin-dived onto her bed. All of Genus's creations had rooms now that they were all capable of existing in normal spaces. However, they hadn't been able to customize them yet. So, its appearance resembled the rest of the facility; rather cold and grey.

Still, Mosquito Girl loved having a room to herself. Normally, her mind would be filled with ideas about decorating it. Unfortunately, some fairly scary stuff happened earlier. This is significant to note since Mosquito Girl, like the others, didn't scare easily. But what she faced a few hours ago still sent shivers down her spine.

Those piercing red eyes. The aura of death. An absence of empathy. A voice without compassion. Then, there was the gun. The blackness of its barrel. The shine of its chrome body. The fleeting spark of ignition as the trigger was pulled and-

Knock Knock

"AH!" Mosquito Girl yelled in alarm. She instantly flipped onto her back and started searching her room.

Although the set of knocks was nowhere near as loud as a gunshot, the suddenness of their sound still startled Mosquito Girl. Furthermore, they triggered the memory of the gunfire. Who in the world would be knocking at her door?!

"Mosquito Girl." A voice. HIS voice. It spoke from the other side. "The clones told me this was your room. You have no reason to come to the door. But still, I need to talk to you. We can either do this now when it's convenient or later when it's far more awkward. It's up to you." He said.

Hesitation. Nervousness. Uneasiness. Mosquito Girl had never experienced such strong feelings before. All she could imagine was opening the door and being greeted by that same gun that tormented her thoughts.

However, Mosquito Girl knew he wouldn't leave. So, slowly and with careful steps, she rose from her bed and approached the door. She pulled it open just enough so they could see each other. That was the limit of her comfort right now.

Yet, when their eyes met, Zombieman didn't say anything. Mosquito Girl certainly wasn't going to be the one to initiate conversation when HE was the one who asked her to open the door! But then, not a second later, Zombieman reached into his pocket. From it, he produced a familiar object.

Mosquito Girl's heart stopped. Her eyes were wide. What was this? Another warning? A reminder? She remembered! He didn't need to intimidate her further! She got the message! She-

...
...
...

Zombieman. He...gently took one of her hands with the one that didn't hold the bullet. Then...he placed the item in her palm. He...was giving it to her.

"There," Zombieman said as he withdrew his arms. "You have the proof now. You can expose what I did whenever you feel like it." He began while putting his hands into his pockets. "I was out of line. No, scratch that. I went so far past the line that it couldn't be seen. My grievances are with the doctor. Taking them out on you when all you wanted to do was talk was cruel. As you said, we're no different. He made me. He made you. But the Genus you know isn't the one I know. Seeing all of you makes me think back to when I was his creation. It agitates old wounds that, despite my regeneration, will never heal. But still, that's not on you. I'm sorry." He apologized.

Mosquito Girl was in disbelief. This wasn't the same person from earlier today. Sure, he was still stoic. He barely showed emotion but was trying to. And, to top it all off, he gave her something that could get him in MASSIVE trouble with One Punch Man. Zombieman, just who the Hell are you?

"Of course, I don't expect an apology to be enough. Ignoring that Genus could revive you no matter what, only real monsters and irredeemable dirtbags should have a gun pointed at them." Zombieman continued speaking. "So, as an additional show of goodwill and to try and make up for what I did, I'm giving you a wish. Obviously, not an ACTUAL one like a genie or a shooting star. I'll do or give whatever you want regardless of what it is. Also, this isn't a bribe. If you want me to do something degrading, I'll do it. Want me to be your servant for a day while I'm stationed here? Done. You just say the word, and I'll fulfill it if it's within my power." He told her.

One surprise after the other. Seriously, who the Hell WAS this guy? Did Zombieman get secretly replaced by the doctor? Was this a clone who didn't want to put a slug through Mosquito Girl's head? Or was she still in bed and had fallen asleep, meaning this was all a dream?

"Well, I'll leave you alone now," Zombieman told her while turning away. "I said what I needed to. Whatever happens next is up to you." He added before taking his first step.

THUMP

That was the sound of Mosquito Girl throwing herself at Zombieman. Not in a weird "I suddenly love you" sort of way. She wanted to keep him from leaving while expressing gratitude for his gesture and offer. The best way to do that was with a hug, even if it'd be awkward.

"Thank you." Mosquito Girl whispered with a small smile, the bullet tightly held in her hand.

The embrace lasted only a few seconds. Afterward, Mosquito Girl released him and retreated into her room. Despite not seeing her face, Zombieman felt the fullness of her happiness. The immortal hero felt a bit lighter as he departed to rejoin his colleagues. Almost like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Chapter Text

"IT'S SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!" Kombu cheered through a mouthful of food. They had the purest smile, and their eyes were closed due to their happiness.

Saitama and Kombu Infinity sat alone in a rather large and pleasant cafeteria. The Seafolk asked where everyone else was. Thinking back to his earlier explanation, Saitama told the non-human that since this was a hospital, nearly everyone was working or seeing their friends and family. Kombu didn't press it any further since that made perfect sense, even with their limited knowledge of the surface.

"Enjoying yourself?" Saitama rhetorically asked, smiling as well. It was hard not to with how happy they were.

"YES!" Kombu exclaimed with widened eyes, swallowing afterward. "I never would've guessed meat would taste like this! It's like an explosion of flavor on your tongue!" They carried on.

"Glad it suits you. It'd be a shame if you hated it after waiting so long to try meat." Saitama said.

"Yeah. That'd suck." Kombu agreed. "So, Saitama, can I ask you a question?" They requested.

"Sure. Go ahead." Saitama permitted.

"Who are you?" Kombu inquired while taking another bite. "Those men from before all dressed the same. They looked pretty official, too. So, I'm guessing they work here. But you're dressed...not so officially. So, what do you do here? Or were you just concerned for me since I passed out near your territory?" They questioned. It came out a bit muffled due to the food.

"..." Saitama was silent. Crap. He genuinely didn't think about that until now.

"Saitama!"

A new voice called out from elsewhere in the room. When Kombu Infinity and Saitama looked in its direction, they saw a rather tall blond-haired man approaching.

"Oh, hey, King." Saitama greeted then turned toward the Seafolk in his company. "Kombu, this is King, my best bud. King, this is Kombu Infinity." He introduced them to each other.

"Sup." Kombu greeted, still chewing their latest forkful of meat.

"Uh, hi," King responded with a friendly gesture. "Sorry if I'm a bit awkward. I've never interacted with a non-human before." He preemptively apologized.

"Nah, it's cool," Kombu assured him, finally done with the food in their mouth. "I've never been friendly with humans before now. I gotta say, you guys are great!" They exclaimed with a grin.

"Oh. Thanks. That's kind of you to say." King replied. Wow. All of his fears instantly disappeared. In his mind, he painted the Seafolk as disturbing or somewhat scary. But they were...unexpectedly normal.

"So, you know Saitama, huh?" Kombu asked as he sat down. "Were you one of the people who found me? Saitama mentioned that." They added.

"Uh, no. But that is what I came to talk to Saitama about." King admitted.

"Let me guess; the others want me to join them now?" Saitama assumed.

"Yeah. They want to know about...Kombu..." King replied, hesitant to say that last bit in case it upset them.

"Ah. There it is." Kombu said, surprising King. "I was wondering when the interrogation would start. Someone comes bearing a message warning of war; they will be in the hotspot." They reasoned.

"Hey, no one's interrogating anyone," Saitama told them. "Still, we would like it if you shed some light on the situation. As you said, you came with a message warning of a possible war. It's hard not to ask questions when that happens." He explained.

"It's fine. I'm not mad or anything." Kombu assured him with a smile. "Besides, it's you asking the questions, Saitama. So, I know you won't be a jerk about it." They added.

"Wow. Thanks for the praise." Saitama responded, genuinely grateful for their kind words, especially since they'd known each other for less than an hour.

"No biggie," Kombu said. "So, where should we start?" They asked.

Upon hearing that, King and Saitama went dead silent. They knew where they WANTED to start, but they were uncomfortable asking Kombu Infinity if it was okay.

"...It's fine..." Kombu repeated. However, the tone was far different. That boundless excitement and glee was gone. "It was a stupid question. Of course, you'd want to start from the beginning. So, we will." They said as they let out a sigh. "Long story short, I'm a weakling. Maybe not to you guys since you're humans, no offense. But among my kind? Yeah, I'm near the bottom of the ladder of power." They began as they pointed at their hair. "My seaweed? Stronger than steel. I can use it like a weapon or a shield. It can pierce anything. It helps me to get around, like a speedy set of crab legs. But that's ALL I've got. The strongest of the Seafolk race? Oh. They've got TONS of stuff going for them. The Deep Sea King is no exception. He's one of the few Seafolk who's INSANELY dangerous on land and when dehydrated. But the guy's a God when he's hydrated, especially in water. Most of our population could try to overwhelm him, and the ocean would overflow with chum." They continued while slowly gripping their arms. "So, for weaklings like me, we serve the strong. As a plant Seafolk, I was an endless food source. But then, when they needed a messenger, I was the only weakling who'd do well on land. At first, I didn't have a problem with it. But then they told me who I'd be going to see. The surface dwellers' God. One Punch Man. After that, I tried to escape. There was no way in HELL I'd be the cannon fodder sent to the ruthless killer of monsters. Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough. They dragged me back to the Deep Sea King. My punishment came in parts. First, I was beaten. Next, I was held down, and the Deep Sea King's clawed finger carved the message into my back. Once it was done, they threw me on land. They didn't need to give me directions. Everyone knows where One Punch Man lives. It's the only place in the world monsters actively avoid." They concluded.

King looked at Kombu Infinity with eyes of horror. Good lord, this poor guy! King knew it wouldn't be a good story, but geez. No one deserves that sort of treatment, human or otherwise.

Saitama's reaction, well, it was a little different.

"Wow. You're crazy strong." Saitama complimented the Seafolk.

"...Huh?" Kombu and King reacted to that in unison.

"You were beaten, had a message carved into your back, and you STILL managed to make it to City Z before you passed out. If that's not strong, I don't know what is." Saitama explained as he pointed at Kombu. "I bet none of the guys who attacked you could do the same thing. They were right to choose you as the messenger. No one else was as tough as you are." He continued.

"...Really?" Kombu questioned with widened eyes full of hope. The mood shift nearly gave King whiplash.

"Yup. You're awesome, Kombu. I bet those other Seafolk were just jealous." Saitama reasoned.

"Well, not to brag, but I CAN lift a ship with my seaweed. Even if I'm not in the water." Kombu confessed. Now they were actively mining for compliments.

"Whoa, that's amazing." Saitama maintained his praise. "Say, where did you come from? Bet it was SUPER far away." He asked.

"Oh, City J," Kombu answered.

"Dang. Did you walk from City J to City Z? Surely you used your hair for SOME of that distance." Saitama inquired.

"Nope! Just my feet!" Kombu exclaimed with a grin. Their mood was back to the way it had been earlier.

As King watched Saitama and Kombu Infinity continue their chat, he felt an indescribable pride for his best friend. With no special talents or tricks, the world's strongest hero turned this poor creature's mood back to happiness. It was incredible.

...
...
...

Wait...Saitama...was the strongest hero...and from how Kombu Infinity described him...it was almost like...

"Um, Saitama," King interjected, stopping their conversation. "Can...I talk to you for a second?" He requested.

"Sure, King." Saitama accepted as they stood up. "We'll just be a minute, k?" He told the Seafolk.

"No problem! Take your time! I've still got meat!" Kombu replied before resuming their meal.

The men walked out of earshot as the meat-loving Seafolk munched away at the remainder of their food. Even so, they still felt the need to speak quietly.

"What's up?" Saitama whispered as they huddled together.

"Saitama, I had to ask. Does Kombu not know you're One Punch Man yet?" King asked.

"..." Saitama said nothing; he was attempting to think of something.

"Don't try that with me, dude. I know you too well." King told him, not allowing for any nonsense. "Why haven't you told them yet? You should've led with that! Now it's going to be SO awkward!" He scolded him.

"I was worried! I figured if a monster suddenly learned that they were speaking to One Punch Man, they'd die of a heart attack!" Saitama explained. "Sure, Kombu's a plant, so they might not even have a heart. Or maybe it's not the same as a human's. But still, I didn't want to terrify the poor guy and have him drop dead right after we saved him!" He went on.

"...Wait..." King started as something occurred to him. "...You...said "guy" just now...is...Kombu...anything?" He questioned.

...Huh. Yeah. That slipped Saitama's mind. Kombu was...well, Kombu. Did Kombu have a gender? Did plants at all have genders? Neither Saitama nor King were too knowledgeable about science. Uh oh.

"That can be figured out later." Saitama decided. King quickly nodded in agreement. They had too many problems to tackle another one right now. "As for the One Punch Man thing, how about we wait until they share what they know with everyone?" He suggested.

"You sure? Once they realize they're sitting in a room full of heroes, Kombu might figure out who you are." King reasoned.

"Sure. But if there's a chance we can prevent the shock for longer, then we should." Saitama insisted.

"Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you." King responded.

With that settled, the duo returned to their guest. Luckily, they had just finished their meat.

"Mmm~ So wonderful~" Kombu hummed with a smile of contentment.

"Hey, Kombu," Saitama spoke, getting their attention. "We...have some friends who'd like to talk to you. Right, King?" He said.

"Er, yeah. Friends. A WHOLE lot of them." King agreed.

"...Guys. You suck at lying." Kombu told them with an unimpressed look.

"We're not lying! They are our friends...sort of." Saitama replied, trying to save face. "Although, the talking part was a BIT friendlier than what it actually is. It's...more questions. But if you tell us everything you can from the get-go, we won't need to ask more beyond that." He explained. "Sound good?" He inquired.

"...Will...I have to tell my story again?" Kombu nervously questioned.

"No. I promise." Saitama quickly assured. "What we're looking for is information on the Seafolk. Now, I know that sounds traitorous, and I guess it pretty much is. Even so, we'd greatly appreciate it if-"

"Sure. Let's go." Kombu cut him off before standing from their seat.

Saitama and King were stunned. They watched the Seafolk stretch their arms before focusing on them.

"Well? Are we going?" Kombu asked.

"Uh...yes. We're just shocked at how quickly you agreed to this..." Saitama answered.

"Oh, yeah, no, screw those guys," Kombu told them, furthering their surprise. "I mean, I've got a FEW buddies, sure. But overall? Nah. The Seafolk can bite me. No one stopped my captors when I was dragged to the Deep Sea King. Everyone laughed as they beat the crap out of me. If you guys can promise that you won't hurt the few friends I have down there, I'll serve the rest to ya like the meat you served me. I'll even put a bow on them and give them as a gift. Again, SCREW those guys. They're dead to me." They stated.

Honestly? Makes sense. Upon reflection, King and Saitama weren't surprised anymore. If anything, they wholeheartedly agreed. Screw those jerks. Rock on, Kombu Infinity.

"Alright. This way." Saitama beckoned as he led them. Together, the trio left the cafeteria and went to another room within the facility.

A Few Minutes Later...

Holy crap. No, seriously, what the Hell? When King and Saitama said they had "friends", they could've been a BIT more descriptive. The group of people that sat in front of Kombu Infinity was INTENSE. Not even the Deep Sea King could rival the sheer power present in this space!

So many stares, glares, and...other things looked at Kombu Infinity. Regarding that last one, they didn't know how to describe it. Three of the people here were made out of metal. Two of those three didn't have normal eyes. They weren't metal, but they weren't organic, either. This was undoubtedly the strangest and scariest bunch the Seafolk had ever seen.

"Hey." Saitama, who was sitting close by with King, spoke to them. "You okay? Need something to drink?" He asked.

"N-No. Sorry. I've just never been in a situation like this before." Kombu answered.

"Don't worry. It's a first for us too." Saitama promised. "Whenever you're ready, let us have it." He told them.

Nodding to show they understood, Kombu Infinity took a few seconds to calm themselves and organize their thoughts. Once they were done, they spoke.

"Okay. Pay attention. There's going to be a LOT. First, the Seafolk have set up shop off the shore of City J. Our actual home, or place of origin if you want to call it that, is in the literal middle of the ocean. I don't have coordinates or a map, sorry. The Deep Sea King gathered his strongest subjects and Seafolk like me for the journey. For context, I'm Kombu Infinity. That should explain why I was brought along even though I'm not among the most powerful of our race. I'd like to leave my part at that if it's okay. Saitama can tell you the rest if you need to hear it.

Anyway, back to the Seafolk. Technologically speaking, I don't know how to describe us. We don't have anything crazy, like giant weapons. Well, not counting biological weapons, that is. The Seafolk like to keep things simple. Eat. Sleep. Reproduce. The basics. However, we do repurpose surface dweller objects and tech. For example, a LOT of Seafolk LOVE to use those big heavy things on chains attached to ships as weapons. I think you call them anchors. There are also a few that dabble with stuff like the spinning blades and other mechanical parts. But most of our population keeps it simple, like with our lifestyle. Is it sharp? Good. It can stab. Is it sturdy? Good. It can bash something's skull in. That's about as far as the majority of Seafolk think.

But don't interpret that as they're a bunch of idiots. Savages? Definitely. You won't find me calling any of them geniuses. Yet, regarding combat, the Seafolk are natural masters. A lot of it has to do with millions of years of evolution, instincts, and practice. But some, like the Deep Sea King, have spent much of that time figuring things out. Sadly, I can't tell you anything. The ones smart enough to be creative with their abilities keep it close to the chest. The Deep Sea King's the MOST secretive. All I can say is everyone's come up with rumors about the guy. But they're too plentiful and ranging in age for me to confidently say which are true, false, and somewhere in-between.

Now, I can only offer this much regarding the Deep Sea King's threat of war should One Punch Man not meet him at City J. Not because I'm trying to withhold information, I swear. I'm simply at the bottom of the food chain. So, they wouldn't tell me anything. But when we were leaving our home, I DID see several groups of Seafolk going in different directions simultaneously. Like City J, I'd be wary of locations near rivers and the ocean. As for general weaknesses, we don't necessarily have any. If someone has flaws, strengths, or both, it's on a case-by-case basis. There isn't something that ALL Seafolk share. That said, I know that the Deep Sea King has different forms when he's in the water or hydrated and on land or dehydrated. So, if you try to fight him, ensure he has NO moisture. This will sound gross, but blood and other fluids also count. It doesn't specifically need to be seawater. That applies to all Seafolk, too. We're only called that because we came from the ocean. Even Seafolk, who evolved FROM saltwater-only creatures, can exist in freshwater, too.

And...that's it. Again, sorry I can't offer much else. I was only a walking source of rations before I got upgraded to a messenger. But I'll still try to answer any questions you have." Kombu stated.

For the next several minutes, there was silence. Kombu Infinity wasn't bothered by it. These humans were facing a possible war, after all. It was logical for them to consider the information they received before proceeding.

Eventually, after roughly twenty minutes of contemplation, one would say something. Unfortunately, it was the worst thing they could've chosen. It was terrible. Thoughtless. So unbelievably inconsiderate.

"One Punch Man, what are your thoughts?" Sweet Mask inquired.

Saitama's body stiffened like a board. His eyes locked onto Kombu Infinity. The poor thing's eyes were wider than they had been thus far. Their pupils were the size of pencil points.

Slowly, the Seafolk turned their head toward Saitama. Once their eyes met each other, a single sentence was uttered. It was at a high pitch. A squeak, really. It barely escaped the frozen mind and petrified body of Kombu Infinity. Additionally, it was accompanied by a smile that only worsened Saitama's worry.

"Thanks for not killing me."

THUD

Chapter Text

Warm...Cozy...Soft? Huh. That last one was a bit weird. Honestly, giving the prior two more thought, they were also fairly odd. This certainly wasn't the ocean or the tank from before.

Kombu Infinity slowly awoke. There was far less urgency to do so now that they had somewhat of an understanding as to where they were. They also felt safe in this environment, even with this sudden blackout. Speaking of which, why HAD Kombu Infinity passed out? Their mind was a bit fuzzy on that...

...
...
...

"SAITAMA!"

Kombu Infinity jolted upright in alarm. Their foggy memory thankfully surfaced in their head. The nice human Kombu Infinity had been greeted by and interacted with was humanity's God! The strongest creature in the world! One Punch Man.

However, as Kombu Infinity gathered their bearings, this shocking realization quickly disappeared from their thoughts. Why? To put it plainly, they were in a far more bewildering room. Its décor practically gave the space a voice, and that voice was screaming.

On the walls, several One Punch Man-related posters. On the shelves were multiple One Punch Man-related items. When Kombu Infinity looked down at themselves, they discovered a One Punch Man blanket. Don't worry; it didn't have Saitama's face creepily plastered onto it. Instead, it had his red gloved hand with his hero name resting beneath. Although, for a monster, that was essentially the last thing you'd see before dying.

"...Oh...no..." Kombu Infinity muttered in horror as they deduced where they were and what was happening. "I'm...I'm...I'M A RITUAL SACRIFICE!" They shouted.

The posters. The items. The blanket. The signs all pointed in one direction. Kombu Infinity had heard rumors and stories from other Seafolk and a few monsters who got near the shore. Humanity was insane. Legitimately crazy. They worshipped One Punch Man in many ways. Sacrificing monsters in his name was one of them.

...Then again, the rational part of Kombu Infinity's mind quickly regained control. Ritual Sacrifice? Get real. Plus, there's no way Saitama was evil. Kombu Infinity had a front-row seat to that. There's no way his kindness was a trick. Yet, even if it turned out that it was, Kombu Infinity chose to believe it wasn't until proven wrong.

But that left a major question lingering in the air. What the Hell was going on? Why was Kombu Infinity in someone's room? Furthermore, why was it Saitama's stalker? That was the only logical explanation for this. Who else would have so much stuff dedicated to him, even if he was humanity's God?

"Rise and shine, cutie!" A friendly and cheerful woman's voice called out from the other side of the room's door as it was pushed open. "I've got a nice hot breakfast ready for you!" It exclaimed.

Entering the room was a tall woman with black and white skin. On her torso was a cropped white shirt with "ONE PUNCH MAN!" in bold red lettering. Gee, wonder who the room belonged to?

Yet, when her eyes met Kombu Infinity's, there was a brief silence. They hadn't expected to be met so soon. She didn't anticipate them to be awake before she got back.

"Oh, you're up," The woman said with a smile. "Good morning! You passed out after learning about One Punch Man's real name last night. Or, I guess, the other way around. So, you slept with me. Don't worry; I slept on top of the covers. I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable." She told them.

"...Who are you?" Kombu Infinity asked. That was the MOST important question that needed answering.

"Duh. Sorry." The woman apologized. She should've led with her introduction. "I'm known as Mosquito Girl. I was created by the man who owns this facility." She stated as she approached the bed. In her hands, she carried a tray full of delicious-smelling food. "One Punch Man said you liked meat, so we made sure to make lots for you." She informed them.

Setting the tray down on Kombu Infinity's lap, Mosquito Girl couldn't help but chuckle as it dominated their attention. The Seafolks' eyes locked onto the delectable platter of juicy breakfast meats. Did they die rather than pass out, and this was heaven?

"Careful, you'll drool." Mosquito Girl playfully warned, snapping them out of their meat-induced daze.

"Crap. My bad." Kombu Infinity apologized. Even though this situation was SO bizarre, they didn't want to get saliva on this woman's blanket. That'd just be rude.

"It's okay. No big deal." Mosquito Girl assured as she sat down beside them. "After everything you've been through, you deserve to kick back and relax." She added.

"Thanks." Kombu Infinity replied with a smile. Man, surface dwellers were so polite and nice! "So, uh, could you explain what's going on? Or rather, what's happened since I blacked out?" They requested.

"Sure thing!" Mosquito Girl accepted as they began to eat. "After you passed out, One Punch Man was so worried you had died from a heart attack that he rushed you to my Creator. Again, the man who owns this facility. He assured One Punch Man that you hadn't dropped dead. However, he needed to get back to his meeting to continue discussing what was to be done about the Seafolks' potential invasion. So, One Punch Man asked my Creator if you could stay with us since we're better equipped for non-human residents. My Creator, whose name is Genus, had no issues with that arrangement. Afterward, he came to my room with you while I was decorating it after getting a boost to my mood, long story, and asked if I'd be bothered by you bunking with me for a night. I said no, and here we are." She explained.

"Wow." Kombu Infinity responded with a mouthful before swallowing. "Thanks. That was really nice of you." They said.

"Aw, it was nothing. Honest. I was glad to have the company." Mosquito Girl promised. "Besides, you're just so adorable. How could I say no?" She asked.

"Hey! I am NOT adorable! I am a terrifying monster!" Kombu Infinity defiantly answered.

"I don't know. I think you're pretty cute~" Mosquito Girl teased with a playful wink. To her pleasure, she managed to get them to blush.

"Alright. Alright. Enough." Kombu Infinity told her, avoiding eye contact due to their embarrassment. "So, what did Saitama and the others come up with? Will they fight the Seafolk and not bother with the fake politics?" They inquired.

"They're experimenting with a few options right now. Not counting today, five days are left before the deadline. Five because they don't want to wait until the VERY last day." Mosquito Girl replied as a BIG grin appeared. "And, Saitama says that we might be able to help them~" She revealed in a sing-song way.

"...When you say we...you mean you and your allies, right?" Kombu Infinity assumed.

"Well, yes. But I'm also including you!" Mosquito Girl told him.

That brought the Seafolk to a hard stop. Every fiber of their being stiffened.

"...S...Saitama...wants me to help?..." Kombu Infinity questioned with widened eyes.

"Mhm. But it's not just a reward for telling them about the Deep Sea King and his soldiers. One Punch Man figured you'd want some payback IF it were possible. He still wants your assistance even if things don't get violent." Mosquito Girl confirmed.

"He...trusts me that much?..." Kombu Infinity continued to doubt what they were hearing.

"Yup. That's just one of the MANY reasons One Punch Man is so great!" Mosquito Girl proudly stated with a smile. "As his number one fan, I know everything about him. So, if you have any questions, feel free to ask!" She invited.

"Really? Are you sure?" Kombu Infinity questioned, not wanting to annoy or take advantage of her kindness.

"Are you kidding? I've been DYING for SOMEONE around here to chat about One Punch Man! Consider me your encyclopedia!" Mosquito Girl insisted.

Feeling another smile come to their face, Kombu Infinity proceeded to talk with Mosquito Girl as they ate their breakfast. Over the next hour or so, the two would swiftly forge a friendship.

Elsewhere, In City Z...

"Brr..." Saitama uttered with a shiver as a chill ran down his backside.

The world's strongest hero was in a meeting with Drive Knight, Metal Knight, and Child Emperor. The other members of S-Class were busying themselves with other matters relating to the Seafolk situation. However, NO ONE was to act before plans were fully realized. ONLY preparations.

"Are you alright, One Punch Man?" Metal Knight inquired. He and the other two looked at their leader when he suddenly shook.

"Yeah, sorry. I don't know what happened. A random tingle went through my spine." Saitama told them.

"It is rather cold in this room. Perhaps it was that?" Drive Knight suggested.

"Maybe. But it does feel nice, especially with how intense this is." Saitama said.

"True. We have to think this through. No gaps or oversights." Isamu agreed. "What were you wanting to say, Metal Knight?" He asked since the roboticist had been interrupted by their leader's unintended disturbance.

"Ah, yes. Thank you, Child Emperor." Metal Knight replied, grateful for the reminder. "I've already surveyed the waters in coastal areas and near rivers as Kombu Infinity advised. Their direction was spot-on. Lying in wait are several small groups of Seafolk. Their numbers are undoubtedly fed due to their immense natural strength and abilities. Again, as mentioned by Kombu Infinity. With each group, there is one member capable of natural camouflage. They are hovering above their allies in the water to conceal them. I wouldn't blame anyone for being unable to discern the difference. Their adaptation far outclasses regular marine life. It's as impressive as it is terrifying." He answered.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to learn the full nature of Seafolk society and culture from Kombu Infinity due to them losing consciousness. A blunder on Sweet Mask's part has affected our strategies temporarily." Drive Knight commented.

"I mean, I should've asked Kombu about it before that happened. That's on me, guys." Saitama said, trying to stand up for the poor man S-Class constantly picked on.

"No way! You were busy establishing a proper relationship with the Seafolk! You were focused on ensuring them they could trust us!" Isamu exclaimed, not wanting their leader to blame himself.

"I concur. This is Sweet Mask's fault." Metal Knight agreed.

"Likewise." Drive Knight chimed in.

"...Sorry, Sweet Mask..." Saitama apologized to him in his head. Did he do something to the other members of S-Class? Why did they have such beef with him? "Anyway. For right now, we'll assume that it isn't a regime. It sounded like it could be, although, as Metal Bat mentioed, it could only be those close to the Deep Sea King. A tight-knit circle of brutes." He said before looking at Drive Knight. "I'd love to hear what your thoughts are, Drive Knight. How should we move forward with the perception that violence inevitably happens?" He inquired.

"Before I begin, Metal Knight, what is the size of the Seafolk gathered off the coast of City J?" Drive Knight asked.

"We can assume the largest among them is the Deep Sea King. He's inside a sunken barge. They're using it as their base. In total, including scouts that are moving in a rotation, there are thirty-one Seafolk. Each is a different species, meaning they have varied abilities." Metal Knight answered.

"Understood." Drive Knight responded before continuing. "Truthfully, if we're assuming conflict is unavoidable, a show of force would help to establish the Deep Sea King's actual standing. We believe he's arrogant and confident. If so, a sharp humility would help to prevent escalation. However, we're trying to maintain your goal of achieving co-existence with non-humans. So, if we are to use force, it must be non-lethal. Depending on their culture, this could still be seen as cowardice. But since your strength is known throughout their population, indicated by Kombu Infinity's knowledge of you, there is a high probability this will be interpreted as a gesture of mercy. One Punch Man sparing non-humans is not a new occurrence. You've done it intentionally and unintentionally in the past, like with the recent surrender of two brothers who planned to destroy City D. Yet, a show of mercy on this scale with such a wide-reaching audience of humans and non-humans will help future efforts. In conclusion, the best course is a non-lethal counterattack." He stated.

"If I may," Isamu interjected. "What if we took the Seafolk as prisoners? Of course, we wouldn't torture them or use them as bargaining chips. Instead, we could use them as a test for the rehabilitation process of innately violent non-humans. Doctor Genus has the space, resources, and tools to do this. It would also serve two additional functions regarding other matters. First, to further prove that Genus is on our side and isn't playing the long game as a traitor. Second, to see if, even before training, his creations are ready to attempt being heroes. We can benefit from this ordeal in multiple ways if we play the pieces correctly." He suggested.

"A sound proposal." Metal Knight praised.

"Indeed. There are many ways we can take advantage of this unforeseen scenario." Drive Knight agreed.

"..." Saitama was unusually silent. Oh no. Was there something wrong with Drive Knight or Child Emperor's ideas?

"One Punch Man?" Isamu spoke to him. He and the others were confused by the sudden lack of input.

"...Something Drive Knight mentioned got me thinking..." Saitama started. His eyes were closed as he thought. "The part where he mentioned other non-humans seeing what we're doing. Until now, we assumed ALL monsters were isolated creatures, even if they can sometimes resemble each other in small or big ways. But Seafolk existed, and we had NO idea that they did. What if there are other species like that? What if the Deep Sea King isn't the only royalty or officially-deemed ruler of a non-human race? This entire thing could cause most, maybe even ALL, to come forward. This situation could be what catapults us into a new world." He told them.

Afterward, Saitama opened his eyes. When he did, he was met with the sight of his three colleagues looking at him in amazed silence. Sure, Drive Knight and Metal Knight didn't have facial expressions like Child Emperor. But he'd been through this situation enough to know the reaction was shared between them.

"Uh...you guys okay?..." Saitama asked.

"One Punch Man...we...hadn't even considered that..." Metal Knight confessed in disbelief.

"...You...hadn't?..." Saitama nervously inquired. Damn it. Damn it. DAMN IT. HE COULD SEE WHERE THIS WAS GOING.

"It's true. We were so focused on the Deep Sea King, his message, and the Seafolk that we didn't consider what the discovery of their existence meant." Isamu confirmed.

"As always, our leader is thinking of everything. We were too narrow-minded. As a result, our vision was tunneled." Drive Knight stated, complimenting him.

"N-No! This was just a wild whim! A CRAZY idea my brain came up with!" Saitama exclaimed, trying to stop this.

"There's no need to be so humble, One Punch Man." Metal Knight replied. "However, we'll need to hold another meeting with everyone else. This includes Sweet Mask, the Blizzard Group, and the two heroes you've recently spoken to." He said.

"Why the others?" Isamu inquired.

"Simple. As our leader considered, this could radically change the world. The Blizzard Group is in the building with us and will be amid the ensuing chaos. Sweet Mask is the head of the Association's PR, and the potential scenario is within his expertise. Regarding the two heroes from C and B-Class, they're meant to be the heads of the upcoming hero-only news network. Their involvement will be necessary." Metal Knight explained.

"I'll go gather S-Class. They should still be in the dining hall." Drive Knight volunteered before leaving the room.

"I'll come with and inform the Blizzard Group!" Isamu exclaimed, following him out.

"I'll briefly disconnect from the drone to contact Sweet Mask and the other two. I'll be back shortly." Metal Knight informed them before his drone's optics went dark, a sign of deactivation.

Now, only Saitama remained, but that wouldn't last long. Still, he slowly lowered his head onto the table during this temporary pause. There was an indescribable flavor of dread overflowing within him.

"...I...need to stop thinking...only punch..." Saitama muttered. One day. Just. One. Normal. Day. Please.

Meanwhile, At The House of Evolution...

When Kombu Infinity was tossed onto land, this was what they expected: Horror. Screams. Fleeing masses. Typical monster stuff.

Yet, what was unfolding was slightly different. Instead of scared faces, they were intrigued. Rather than screams, there was silent contemplation. Oh, and the biggest detail of them all was that the people staring at Kombu Infinity weren't humans. Well, not entirely.

A mosquito, beetle, mantis, gorilla, lion, frog, slug, and mole all looked at the Seafolk. You'd think Kombu Infinity had just gone through the zoo. Nope. These were the House of Evolution's residents. Side note: Kombu Infinity learned the facility's name while talking with Mosquito Girl.

They were a colorful cast of characters. However, Kombu Infinity did notice a slight difference between them. To an extent, Mosquito Girl, the beetle, and the lion were the most human-esque. The gorilla, mantis, mole, frog, and slug were far more beast-like. Although, in the gorilla's case, apes were the ancestors of humans. Maybe he was the closest based on science?

Mosquito Girl needed no description. After all, Kombu Infinity spent a lovely breakfast chatting with her. The gorilla's most notable feature was his clothes. They were gray and consisted of a pair of sweatpants, a hoodie, and sneakers. 

Following the gorilla was the lion. He had a gladiatorial-looking attire. Not much else to say. A similar statement could be said about the mantis and mole. That's it. That's all there was. No accessories or clothes, not that there was anything wrong with that.

The beetle is where things got interesting. The guy wore a black tanktop and denim jeans. An...interesting ensemble. However, given his musculature, it made sense. The guy was BUILT. An absolute UNIT. Kombu Infinity also got the vibe that he might be a little "off" somehow. He couldn't explain why.

Next was the frog. He was blue with black speckling. His build was on the slender side, suggesting nimbleness. At a casual glance, his attire was a simple shirt, pair of pants, and a cloak. Yet, with a keener sight, you could tell that light armor was beneath the clothing. But you'd be forgiven for having your eyes wander to the hilted sword at his side. All-in-all, the frog came across as someone knowledgeable in combat.

Lastly, there was the slug. Admittedly, Kombu Infinity felt a little excited upon seeing him. He was identical to a type of Nudibranch known as the "Spanish Shawl". His body was a bright purple, and he had vibrant orange cerata on his backside. The major difference between him and his animal counterpart was the size and height. Other than that, he came across as a Seafolk, except, you know, friendly.

But let not these descriptions and introductions distract you. All of these individuals are currently staring at Kombu Infinity. Why? Were they sizing them up? Trying to make sense of what they are? What was their reason?

"...Alright. I give up." The beetle said before pointing at them. "How old are you, kid?" He asked.

"Kid?" Kombu Infinity questioned. "I'm not a kid! I'm an adult!" They exclaimed.

"Nah. Not buying that." The lion replied as he folded his arms.

"It's true! I. Am. An. Adult!" Kombu Infinity insisted. Unbelievable! THAT'S why they were staring after Mosquito Girl introduced them? They were trying to deduce the Seafolk's age?!

"Oh yeah? How old are you then?" The beetle challenged.

"Six years!" Kombu Infinity proudly proclaimed while putting their hands on their hips.

...
...
...

"...Why are you staring at me again?" Kombu Infinity questioned. They all had odd looks on their faces.

"You're...six years old?..." The mantis questioned.

"Uh, yeah? Why?" Kombu Infinity asked in return.

"...Wait." The gorilla spoke up. "Do Seafolk mature differently?" He inquired.

"I...guess?" Kombu Infinity responded with a shrug. "I know NOTHING about surface dwellers or other monsters. But the Seafolk mature VERY quickly. You have to when you live in an environment where everything's trying to eat you." They explained.

"Ah. Now it makes sense." The gorilla said with a smile. "Alright. So, what's six years in Seafolk culture? To be clear, I'm asking how you're perceived. Ignoring the part when you were used as a source of food." He asked.

"Uh..." Kombu Infinity hummed, giving it some thought. "All the Seafolk who weren't jerks to me always talked to me in a weird way compared to others. Very cute-like." They answered.

"Could you give us some examples?" The frog requested.

"Aww, look at you! You've got such a funny face! Hey there, little guy, how's it going? Stuff like that." Kombu Infinity recalled.

...
...
...

"You're not helping your case, kid." The beetle told him.

"Look! For the last time, I am not a kid!" Kombu Infinity declared, getting sick of this. "I mean, I'm taller than some of you! Are you saying I'm a kid because of my height?!"  They questioned.

"No, but that is a good point." The lion said. "Say, what's the average size and height of a fully-grown adult Seafolk?" He asked.

"..." Kombu Infinity was quiet. They didn't dare open their mouth.

"There it is. The final nail." The beetle said.

"I'M DIFFERENT, ALRIGHT?!" Kombu Infinity shouted, finally at their limit. "I'M A PLANT! I'M NOT SOME BIG SHARK GUY OR SOMETHING! GEEZ!" They yelled.

"Okay. So, are there any other plant Seafolk you could be compared to? Ones that have been alive a lot longer?" The mole inquired.

"..." Kombu Infinity didn't say anything again. Instead, they turned on their heels and tried to leave.

"Hey! There's no reason to be so upset!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed as she quickly prevented them from leaving. "So what if you're younger than us? It's not like we'll suddenly start treating you like a baby." She said, hoping to make them feel better.

In response, Kombu Infinity immediately pointed at the beetle.

"Don't mind, Kabuto. He's an ass." The lion commented.

"Ha! Rich coming from the self-proclaimed Beast King." Kabuto countered.

"The doctor gave me that name." Beast King said in his defense.

"You didn't reject it," Kabuto argued.

"Would the old married couple please take their fighting elsewhere?" The mantis requested.

CLAP

That came from Mosquito Girl. This introduction, which she hoped would be pleasant, was devolving rapidly into chaos.

"Before you start your usual squabbling, could you PLEASE tell Kombu who you are? It's the reason I brought them to see you guys." Mosquito Girl requested.

"I don't see the point." The mole chimed in. "We're getting new names soon. What we'll give the kid will be our new hero names. The same applies to you, Mosquito Girl." He said.

"So? Kombu still needs to call us something proper before then! Do you want to be called mole and nothing else?" Mosquito Girl challenged.

"Oh no. A mole. The thing I am. How horrible." The mole mockingly replied.

"Hold on." Kombu Infinity interjected, getting the attention back on them. "Did...you say you were becoming heroes? Aren't those the humans who dress differently from the rest? Sort of like One Punch Man?" They asked.

"Spot on, kid," Kabuto answered. "We're going to be the first non-human heroes. It's a pretty big deal." He explained, being ever so humble about it.

"It's One Punch Man's idea. He wants us to be accepted rather than be run out of town." The frog told him.

"So...Saitama wants you to be heroes..." Kombu Infinity muttered as they looked down at themselves. "I wonder...if I could be a hero, too?" They pondered aloud.

"Yes! Absolutely!" Mosquito Girl quickly exclaimed with an excited grin. "You could even join our team!" She added.

"As what? The mascot?" Kabuto inquired.

SMACK

Beast King delivered a proper wallop to the back of Kabuto's head. Yet, Kabuto would let it slide. Even he could take a hint when he was being a bit TOO much. But if Beast King did that again, he'd keep the hand.

"I don't know. I don't have much to offer, just my hair." Kombu Infinity said as they raised the seaweed on their head.

"Don't worry! We'll help you figure out ways you can use that!" Mosquito Girl promised. "Right, guys?" She asked as she looked back at the others.

Suddenly, the others were all inflicted with an irresistible urge to look at the ceiling.

"...Guys..." Mosquito Girl repeated with a furrowed brow and an unamused tone.

"Oh, don't even." The mole said, being the one to look at her. "We're ALL going to be busy with training! Or have you forgotten about that?" He asked.

"...Training..." Mosquito Girl muttered as the gears in her head turned.

"Uh...yeah...that's what I said..." The mole responded, confused by her reaction.

Like the others and their unexpected fixation on the ceiling, Mosquito Girl suddenly grabbed Kombu Infinity's wrist and ran away with him.

"WHOA!" Kombu Infinity shouted in surprise. "Mosquito Girl! Where are we going?!" They questioned.

"Back to my room! Ground Dragon gave me a GREAT idea!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed as another grin appeared on her face. "Lucky for us, I have a wish that needs granting~" She said, only worsening the poor Seafolk's confusion.

Chapter Text

The Piano. It's a beautiful instrument capable of producing any manner of melody. It can be upbeat and full of energy. Or it could provide a somber yet tranquil atmosphere to any environment.

It all depended on how a person danced their fingers across the piano's key. What were the emotions of the individual? What did they want to convey through their song? Were they brimming with life, or were they closer to death?

For Zombieman, he was between both. An immortal man incapable of death by any means. He couldn't get sick. He didn't get older. He couldn't be fatally wounded. Limbo would be a fitting name for him.

To Zombieman, the piano was an instrument that played to his soul. Nothing else produced sounds that struck such a cord with him. He could lose himself in its wonderous tunes, regardless of their mood. However, there WAS a time and a place to listen to such music.

"Zombieman?" Saitama spoke as he and everyone else looked at their undead colleague. "Is...that your phone?" He asked.

The S-Class meeting room within their newly built apartment building was PACKED. Child Emperor, Drive Knight, and Metal Knight had gathered their fellow S-Class heroes, the Blizzard Group, Sweet Mask, and the lower-rank heroes Mumen Rider and Captain Mizuki. Every person present needed to be there for one or multiple reasons. This, of course, included Zombieman.

But, unexpectedly, the undying detective received a phone call. Of everyone, Zombieman was the most surprised. Depending on the situation, the only people who'd call him were the Association or the other S-Class heroes. So, who had managed to get his number and was disrupting the current conference?

"Uh...yeah," Zombieman answered his leader before producing his cell phone. "Sorry, everyone. I...didn't think I'd need to turn it off." He apologized.

"Who is it?" Superalloy inquired.

"..." Zombieman was silent as he stared at the caller ID.

"Zombieman? You okay?" Superalloy asked. Everyone noticed the peculiarity of his expression.

"...It's...no one..." Zombieman said as he ended the call.

"Oh? You sure?" Bad questioned, not buying that for a second.

"Yes. I am." Zombieman told him in a serious tone while putting the device away. "Now, as you were saying, Metal Kni-"

...
...
...

The damned piano music played again, causing everyone to keep their eyes fixated on Zombieman.

"..." With only a heavy sigh and a hung head, Zombieman got up from his seat and exited the room.

Everyone's gazes followed the poor man as he left. Even certain people, such as Tornado, felt second-hand embarrassment. No one wants an awkward phone call to interrupt something important. Still, who WAS calling him?

Zombieman made his way out of the building. He even went so far as to cross the road to take the call on the opposite sidewalk. He didn't want ANYONE to hear this conversation.

"Mosquito Girl. What. Do. You. Want?" Zombieman answered the call, speaking slowly and with emphasis on each word.

"Whoa. How'd you know it was me?" Mosquito Girl's voice responded. Yup. His instincts weren't wrong.

"The caller ID was for Genus. He gave me his number if anything happened or if he needed something since I'm monitoring you guys. However, the number is for his cell phone. Furthermore, to my knowledge, the House of Evolution doesn't have additional phones or other means of external communication yet. Then, there's everyone else in that building. Neither the clones nor the other creations would have a reason to contact me. It could've been Genus, but the likelihood of something happening between now and last night is extremely low. You would be the only other person with ANY reason to contact me suddenly. That's how." Zombieman explained.

"Wow! Amazing! You really are a detective!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed in praise.

"Uh-huh, yeah," Zombieman said monotonously. "So, I'm guessing this is about your wish. If it isn't, I cannot begin to fathom why you'd go to the trouble of contacting me like this." He assumed.

"Yup! I needed to tell you what it was as soon as possible!" Mosquito Girl confirmed. To her credit, it sounded serious. This was a relief to Zombieman because it gave him the hope of it not being ridiculous.

"Okay. Let me have it." Zombieman told her. Bracing himself in case this did turn out to be stupid.

"First, I need to ask you a question. Do you remember Kombu? The Seafolk you saved?" Mosquito Girl inquired.

"...How...would I forget about them?..." Zombieman questioned. He was stunned that Mosquito Girl thought he couldn't recall what happened last night.

"You never know. People's memories can be weird. I'm sure, as a detective, you get what I mean." Mosquito Girl replied. "Anyway, back to the reason why I called you. So, this morning, Kombu and I had a long conversation in my room about them becoming a hero like the rest of us. However, we knew they'd need someone to guide them. So, I-"

beep

Zombieman hung up. Furthermore, he turned off his cell phone. He was willing to do a lot to mend things with Mosquito Girl. Even something unbelievably absurd, like dancing around on a rooftop in his underwear. But this? Nope. This was a threshold that he didn't know would exist, but now that he did, it WASN'T getting crossed.

"I...have too much going on..." Zombieman muttered as he stored the device. "I do not need to play babysitter to a monster." He continued while heading back inside.

Elsewhere, At The House of Evolution...

Kombu Infinity and Doctor Genus looked at Mosquito Girl with curiosity. She stood before them, seemingly frozen. She had been in the middle of speaking to Zombieman. But now she just stood there with her mouth open and eyes suddenly wide.

"Is...she okay?..." Kombu Infinity quietly whispered.

"I believe Zombieman abruptly ended the connection." Dr. Genus whispered back. "I'd brace myself if I were you." He advised.

"Huh? Why? What's about to-"

"THAT JERK!" Mosquito Girl yelled at the top of her lungs. The outburst made Kombu Infinity jump back a few inches. "JUST WHEN I THOUGHT HE WAS OPENING UP TO ME AND SHOWING ME HIS SWEET SIDE! I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'D CUT ME OFF BEFORE I COULD FINISH-"

CRUNCH

That sound brought Mosquito Girl's rant to an immediate stop. A sickly feeling formed in her stomach. She slowly looked at her left hand and found...a crushed cell phone...

"...I'm sorry..." Mosquito Girl apologized as she lowered her head while extending her hand toward her Creator.

"It's fine. I have more." Dr. Genus assured as he took the parts from her. "Plus, I'm confident I can fix this. When I make phones for the rest of you, I must ensure they're more durable." He said.

"Wait, we're getting cell phones?" Mosquito Girl asked with widened eyes and a smile. Only this time, they were filled with excitement. A full one-eighty mood shift.

"Of course. It'd be cruel to send you out into a modern world without modern means of communication." Dr. Genus answered. "Would you like one as well, Kombu?" He inquired, now looking at the Seafolk.

"...I don't know what that is." Kombu Infinity bluntly confessed. They'd seen a fair bit of technology but hadn't the faintest clue about what most of it was or did.

"Ah, yes. You need education about human society, culture, and civilization." Dr. Genus realized. "Mosquito Girl, how about you spend the day educating Kombu Infinity?" He suggested, looking back at her.

"Oh! I'd love to!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed with a smile. "Although, I'd like to give Zombieman a mouthful right now..." She muttered.

"He'll be here later in the day. Remember, this is his station for now. We should expect him around noon." Dr. Genus told her.

"Hmm...alright. I can wait that long." Mosquito Girl decided as her smile returned. "Come on, Kombu. We'll head back to my room and get started on your surface-life schooling!" She said with enthusiasm.

"Uh, sure. Thanks." Kombu Infinity replied, admittedly eager to start learning.

Meanwhile, At The Ghost Town Apartments...

"So, as you can see, we've prepared a reaction to any species that suddenly appears after One Punch Man meets with the Deep Sea King." Metal Knight stated, nearing the end of his presentation. "The Association, with assistance from my machines, is investigating reports and rumors of monsters that have an alarming similarity to each other. As our leader brought to our attention earlier, we've never considered the possibility of a race of monsters or them coming together to form groups and perhaps societies like ours. If the meeting between One Punch Man and the Deep Sea King ends positively, this could encourage other non-humans to approach us. We'll present all Association facilities and this apartment complex as embassies. Additionally, we'll assert that they are neutral spaces whose doors are open to every type of creature and person so long as their intentions are peaceful." He concluded as his drone turned to face everyone. "Are there any questions?" He asked.

"Yes, sir." Satoru politely spoke while raising his hand. "Regardless of the outcome, positive or negative, the moment we go public with One Punch Man meeting a monster whose the ruler of a species, chaos will ensue. Furthermore, the public's perception will be affected depending on the outcome. If the Seafolk decide to attack, it'll lead to negativity and increased suspicion. We plan to combat this with the non-humans from the House of Evolution, but it'll still be an uphill battle, more so than it already is. But should it turn out positive, the public might be more open to non-humans integrating with humanity. How are we going to handle either result?" He inquired.

"I'll field this one." Sweet Mask interjected. No one had a problem since this WAS his area of expertise. "The most important thing we must do is be clear about the facts. Good or bad, we can't control how people will feel about monsters. A negative ending to this Seafolk situation will be problematic. But there's nothing One Punch Man can do if the Deep Sea King has already decided to kill first and celebrate afterward. However, we can use whichever outcome we're handed to our advantage. If it's positive, it'll incentivize other non-humans to feel comfortable about coming forward. If negative, we can have Kombu Infinity address the public to share their story. Once the masses see a monster who has suffered at their species' hands, they'll slowly but surely start to feel sympathy and empathy toward them. But we should only do that if we need to kill the Deep Sea King." He stated.

"Hold on." Saitama was quick to speak up. "We can't make Kombu do that. Would it help? Definitely. But we're not forcing a victim of torture to go through that. That's horrible." He said.

"I never implied that we'd force them. I only meant that showing how a monster can be anything other than a sociopath would greatly help us. We wouldn't parade Kombu Infinity around. At a minimum, we'd only need them to write down their experience. Then you could be the one who shares it with the public since they know you'd never lie to them." Sweet Mask explained.

"I'm still not comfortable with it," Saitama said. "I think the best approach would be to have Kombu, like with the House of Evolution, show that they can be trusted through their actions. Anyone can say things that sound nice, but that won't go a long way to changing people's perceptions." He stated.

"But don't they need training?" Mizuki asked.

"They'll still get it. But that was before Kombu arrived at our doorstep with a message carved into their back." Saitama answered.

"It'll be faster if you spill it already, Baldy," Tatsumaki told him. "We all know you've got an idea cooking in your shiny head, so share it." She requested.

"Okay. You asked for it." Saitama began as he took in a breath. "I think the best way to handle this, IF a fight breaks out, is for the House of Evolution and Kombu to deal with the attacking Seafolk. Metal Knight's machines are already being positioned for the end of the week. If any of them need support, they'll get it. But regardless if they will or won't, the public will still see non-humans protecting them against other non-humans. Their perception only worsens if we, their mostly HUMAN protectors, do the defending. Plus, it'll kill two birds with one stone. The world learns about the existence of non-humans who have species and that the Association plans to try and rehabilitate them to live alongside humanity. We can deal with the reaction in one fell swoop, have one of our usual press conferences, and have the triumphant new members of our organization address the public for the first time. Conflict or peace, we can come out of this with positivity. I've sure of it." He explained.

Everyone was silent. They weren't shocked. Instead, they considered what their leader had laid out on the table.

"...As expected, you have the right direction." Metal Knight was the first to speak. "I assumed you'd already conceived of something and merely waited until we were all gathered before sharing it." He said.

"Nah. You give me WAY too much credit, Metal Knight." Saitama replied with an appreciative smile.

"Don't be so humble." Atomic Samurai commented with a smirk. "Metal Knight's right. The plan's solid. You've figured out a way for us to come out on top with little public backlash. Sure, as always, there'll be an uproar. But we can handle that, no problem." He said.

"I hadn't even considered having our new additions be at the forefront of this." Sweet Mask admitted as he folded his arms. "As you said, showing the public these non-humans can be trusted is better than a prepared speech. Calling their alignment into question will be nearly impossible as we display their acts of heroism. Of course, should this somehow end with no fighting, the Deep Sea King's want for diplomacy will have the same effect. Only it'll have the added benefit of giving us more time to ready our new heroes for their debut." He stated.

"Yeah, but there's one problem. Kombu." Baddo began while letting out a sigh. "Regardless of the outcome, what happened to them WILL get revealed somehow. If scenario B plays out, it'll be later rather than sooner. Still, once everyone knows the Deep Sea King tortured one of his people, they'll wonder what he'd do to a human." He said.

"Very true. Whenever that comes to pass, the House of Evolution will need to work twice as hard to ease the public's worries." Silver Fang mentioned.

"Don't forget about the wild card in play. Our investigation into more potential races has only just begun. As we've discussed, they could also suddenly appear once the Seafolk situation unfolds. Perhaps they'd be willing to denounce the Deep Sea King's actions in favor of peace with us." Flashy Flash reminded.

"That's too much of a gamble to consider right now. It's better to keep it in mind and only focus on it when it happens." Drive Knight responded.

"Agreed. No sense in trying to plan for what-ifs. Let's keep our attention on the Seafolk." Tanktop Master chimed in.

"I have a question," Fubuki spoke while stepping forward. "What do we do about the Seafolk if this ends peacefully? To be clear, I'm asking what their living situation will be. Kombu Infinity is human-sized. But from what's been shown from Metal Knight's scans, the other Seafolk lying in wait are massive. Will we tell them to go back to the middle of the ocean? Or will we try to set them up somewhere? I can't imagine people would feel comfortable about monsters living so close to them. Regardless of how well everything goes." She inquired.

"We've been looking into that," Isamu replied, bringing several holographic images up through the table's projector. "There are plenty of beaches isolated from any amount of human population. If the Seafolk would like something inland, plenty of lakes are wide and deep enough to house them. Plus, we could always make something to their specifications if they desire." He informed.

"I'd like to ask about that," Genos spoke. "What are we going to do about the other Seafolk? From Kombu Infinity's description, not every member of their race accompanied the Deep Sea King or these groups. There is still an unknown amount of Seafolk in the middle of the ocean." He asked.

"That's a good point. No matter what happens, there are still more Seafolk. Have we come up with any plans for them?" Superalloy inquired, supporting Genos's line of thinking.

"We've only mentioned the rest of the Seafolk population when debating their society and culture. We don't have any intended approach should this end in violence." Metal Knight answered. "Do you have any input, One Punch Man?" He inquired, putting all eyes back on their leader.

"I'd be amazed if the Seafolk tried to fight us if I killed their leader. Depending on their lifestyle, they could resent humanity, and we may never reach friendly terms with them. Still, further attacks from the Seafolk seem far too unlikely. Of course, if they all come charging onto land, we must deal with them. However, as I, Metal Knight, Drive Knight, and Child Emperor discussed before the rest of you joined us, we NEED to try and subdue the other Seafolk. I cannot avoid killing the Deep Sea King if he's crazy enough to throw a punch. The same goes for the Seafolk with him if they attack me. Unfortunately, you cannot come along because the invitation was only for One Punch Man. So, you can't do the subduing for me. But for the Seafolk Kombu and the others MIGHT face, they should be able to defeat them without killing them. If not, Metal Knight will offer assistance, as mentioned earlier. Sadly, even with taking prisoners, the Seafolk could still assert that they'll never be allies with humanity." Saitama stated. "I don't think we should spend more time talking about this since we have Kombu on our side. I'll swing by the House of Evolution later and discuss their culture with them." He added.

"True. Kombu can shed a lot more light on everything where the Seafolk as a whole is concerned." King agreed. "Apart from that, though. Do we have anything else we need to or can talk about? I feel like we've finally reached a point where there's nothing more to be said, and we should start getting things in place." He asked.

Again, silence overtook the room. Everyone, including the rank-and-file of the Blizzard Group, thought long and hard about the question. Everything had been covered. The Deep Sea King. The Seafolk. The aftermath. Their plans. Their approach. All of it. There was nothing left.

"I think the silence speaks for itself," Saitama spoke, receiving nods from everyone for added confirmation. "We'll keep talking to each other, of course. But this looks to be the last meeting. If anyone has any further questions or wants to have all the information provided in a document or something, talk to Metal Knight. Other than that, we should be settled. Dismissed." He said.

Thus, the heroes dispersed. Each of them swiftly but orderly headed out to begin their work. They only had five days to prepare, so they better get to it.

Chapter Text

The scent of salt on the wind. A warm and comfortable day provided by a cloudless sky. The shimmer of a watery horizon. The comfortable feeling of standing on sand.

Saitama, One Punch Man, The Strongest Hero. He stood alone on the beach of City J. He wore his iconic attire. One yellow jumpsuit. A white cape. Red gloves and boots. Normally, whenever Saitama adorned this costume, he'd be surrounded by his adoring masses.

However, today was different. All of the reporters and fans watched on in silence from the mainland. They kept their gaze on the hero through camera lenses, telescopes, and binoculars. But not a word or sound was spoken or made. Everyone was civil.

During this past week, the news had been ceaseless. The Association, with One Punch Man as the spokesperson, revealed the existence of the Seafolk. He also shared the invitation issued by their ruler, the Deep Sea King. The week had been noisy and raucous, with questions and comments from the public. But now, as the day had arrived, everyone everywhere kept their mouths shut.

Admittedly, Saitama was surprised and pleased by how well the week had gone. Sure, there was an uproar. And yes, sadly, certain things like the "Hero-only News Network" were delayed so as not to overwhelm the public. Yet, overall, the Association and those close to Saitama handled the situation perfectly. He expressed his praise and appreciation, and they were happy to receive it.

Unfortunately, Saitama needed to be alone to avoid potentially angering the Deep Sea King. Granted, the message DID only invite One Punch Man. Furthermore, they were confident that the Deep Sea King's intentions were unchangeably hostile. Even so, if there was a chance for peace, no matter how small, Saitama would take it.

Sure, the Deep Sea King was a bastard, like Bad said. Anyone who'd carve a message into someone's back and then send that person MILES on FOOT to deliver it was unquestionably an ass. But there was a time and place for everything. Saitama wouldn't be the first to throw a punch and be blamed as the instigator.

Speaking of the bald hero, he continued to stand on the beach. There wasn't a designated time for the meeting, only a date. So, Saitama needed to wait patiently until the Seafolk reached out. Many, including those close to him, saw this as the Deep Sea King deliberately insulting One Punch Man since HE was the one who demanded this in the first place!

"I wonder if they're planning to ambush me?" Saitama contemplated, trying to pass the time with idle thinking. "Maybe there are Seafolk who can burrow through the sand? I think I've heard of crabs doing that." He continued.

"Wow. Your thoughts are just as weird as I figured they'd be." A familiar voice spoke to him in his mind.

"Oh. Hey, Tatsumaki." Saitama mentally greeted. He was so used to her doing this that it didn't surprise him. Yet, even if it did, they had talked earlier that the best way for him to remain in contact discretely was through the Esper. "Sorry that you're essentially a walkie-talkie for today." He apologized, feeling bad about making her use her powers for something so simple.

"Pfft. What a GREAT way of putting it, Baldy." Tatsumaki replied as she relaxed in a chair on a nearby rooftop. Additionally, she wore a pair of sunglasses and a stylish hat that went with her dress to block the sun from her face. She even went the extra distance of getting a parasol to protect her skin, removing the need for sunscreen.  "But in all seriousness, I am glad to help you with this. Even I'm uncomfortable with you being alone with these guys." She confessed.

"Whoa. Tatsumaki, are you...worried about me?" Saitama asked.

"Gee, I show a LITTLE bit of consideration, and YOU let it go to your ego," Tatsumaki answered in a more expected fashion. "I wouldn't say I'm WORRIED about you. After all, you're invulnerable to EVERYTHING. It's just...this whole situation reeks. And no, that is NOT a fish joke. We've been trying all week to understand why the Deep Sea King would antagonize you with the threat of war when he CLEARLY knows who you are and WHAT you're capable of. Only to come up with squat." She said with a hand on her chin. "Out of curiosity, do you think it was to ensure your arrival?" She inquired.

"Sending Kombu to us in that state was enough of a message. He didn't need to go the extra distance by carving an invitation into their backside. So, I do think the threat of war IS real." Saitama replied. Unknowingly, he mimicked the Esper by putting a hand to his chin. "But that leads us back to the how. What could the Deep Sea King have that would make him feel confident to challenge not just me but the ENTIRETY of humanity? Do you think he has a weapon of mass destruction? Maybe the Seafolk groups he's dispatched have it as well?" He suggested.

"Doubtful. Metal Knight's been monitoring those squads since Kombu tipped us off to them. He's run every scan he's got in his fancy toys. If they've got weapons, they're biological." Tatsumaki responded.

"Right, as Kombu said," Saitama recalled before he sighed. "It just doesn't make sense from any angle. If he challenged humanity's champion, then yeah, he'd unknowingly make a HUGE mistake. But to specifically refer to me by name just makes this whole thing bizarre..." He went on, struggling to find the logic.

"This is eating at you, huh?" Tatsumaki asked with a softer tone.

"I mean, everything that's happened lately is. It's been a never-ending series of surprises and radical life-changing stuff." Saitama answered, letting loose another sigh. "I just want things to settle for TWO weeks. A month if I could be greedy. We'll still be busy, sure. But if I could get a stretch of time where no new organizations approach us or monsters do something unexpected, that'd be swell." He ranted.

"...Was...me moving in a part of that?..." Tatsumaki inquired with a rare essence of trepidation.

"What? No." Saitama replied, causing her to sigh in relief. Of course, he was unaware. "I mean, yeah, the whole deal with the apartment building and other renovations and additions was a LOT. I, like everyone else, am still getting used to it. Again, SO much has happened in less than a month. Then there's all the stuff we're planning for the future and with non-humans. But while I haven't had the right time to express it to any of you, it is nice having everyone so close to each other now. Physically, that is." He said, ensuring to clarify his intent at the end.

"You...mean that?" Tatsumaki pressed. The nervous tone in her voice slowly changed to hopeful.

"Yeah, I do. Although this week's been stressful and hectic, having you guys there every day has made it FAR better than it would've been before. Plus, it saves us the hassle of traveling to City A and the awkwardness of Silver Fang trying to figure out video calls." Saitama assured, managing to make her laugh.

"I don't know; I think that's a downside," Tatsumaki responded. "I respect the geezer, but watching him try to understand modern-day tech is HILARIOUS." She told him.

"Heh, yeah." Saitama agreed with a chuckle before he focused back on the ocean. "Geez, they're making me wait..." He mentally mumbled.

"Maybe they've had a moment of clarity and realized they're committing suicide?" Tatsumaki proposed. Although sounding sarcastic and in jest, she was being serious.

"You know, that is a real possibility," Saitama admitted. "I've had plenty of monsters who thought they could withstand my punch or kill me before I could hit them. They either died or realized how insane that was and surrendered immediately." He told her.

"I believe it," Tatsumaki replied. "Regarding the ones who surrendered, should we consider using them as the first candidates for the rehab program? They're just sitting in cells within Association facilities. We could put them to use." She suggested.

"...Holy crap, that's GENIUS!" Saitama exclaimed with widened eyes.

"Really? You hadn't thought of that by now?" Tatsumaki questioned with an amused smirk.

"No! I've been focused on like FIFTY things!" Saitama responded. "Tatsumaki, that's a BRILLIANT idea!" He complimented her.

"Thanks. I'm full of them." Tatsumaki smugly replied. "If you want, I could share more with you after this mess is settled." She offered.

"Sure! That sounds great!" Saitama accepted.

"...We...could maybe do other things while we talk...to keep it from boredom..." Tatsumaki cautiously pushed, wanting to see his reaction.

"Such as?" Saitama asked. Yes! He took the bait!

"Our time at the canyon was rudely interrupted by that blue-haired jackass. If possible...I'd...like to start from the beginning. Only this time, we'd do normal things. Like walk around, get a bite to eat at a restaurant, maybe catch a movie..." Tatsumaki listed. She was being a bit bold, especially with that last suggestion. But she needed to start making moves. She was WELL aware of a certain cold front trying to get ahead of her.

"Sure. That sounds like a fun day, which I DESPERATELY need after all this." Saitama said, causing the Esper's face to brighten with a smile. Again, he was blissfully none the wiser.

"Great! I'll make a schedule for us." Tatsumaki responded.

FWOOSH

A massive wave of mist erupted from offshore. The emergence of a creature disrupted the natural movement of the tide. It bore the resemblance of a brown octopus. However, it also wore a Grecian toga.

The onlookers and spectators outside the beach reacted to the creature's appearance with gasps and camera flashes. Saitama, apart from getting mildly moist, was unaffected. He looked at the emerging Seafolk with his always-present neutrality.

"Showtime," Saitama told Tatsumaki as the octopus approached.

"I can see it from here," Tatsumaki said, but not in a rude way. "Do you think that's the Deep Sea King?" She asked.

"If it's not, then it's one of his inner circle," Saitama answered while the octopus walked onto the shore.

"ARE YOU ONE PUNCH MAN?" The octopus inquired as loudly as it could.

"Wow. Impressive volume control." Tatsumaki commented. Ah, there was her familiar sarcasm.

"Yup. That's me." Saitama replied. Vocally, of course. "I am One Punch Man. The number one overall hero and the top-ranked S-Class leader." He stated.

"VERY GOOD. OUR KING EXPECTED AN EARLY RESPONSE." The octopus revealed as it turned around. "COME. HE IS WAITING FOR YOU." It beckoned.

"...Wait, what?" Saitama questioned, making the Seafolk stop. "You...want me...to go into the water?..." He added.

"OF COURSE! IT IS THE DEEP SEA KING WHO INVITED YOU TO MEET! AS SUCH, YOU MUST MEET HIM IN HIS TERRITORY." The octopus explained. "WHAT'S WRONG? CAN YOU NOT SWIM?" It asked.

"I can't tell if he's stupid or trying to be an ass." Tatsumaki chimed in, offering commentary for Saitama.

"No, I can swim just fine," Saitama answered before he held up his cape while gesturing to himself. "But this isn't water-friendly attire. It's going to be a little uncomfortable." He said.

"WOULD YOU HAVE ME TELL THE DEEP SEA KING THAT YOU CANNOT MEET HIM BECAUSE OF YOUR CLOTHES?" The octopus challenged.

"Would it be that much of a problem for him to step onto land? You guys have already come so far." Saitama asked in return.

"AS I'VE SAID, THE DEEP SEA KING INVITED YOU. IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT YOU MEET HIM IN HIS DWELLING." The octopus repeated. "SO. WILL YOU FOLLOW ME, OR WILL YOU ALLOW SOMETHING SO PATHETIC TO CAUSE AN ISSUE?" It asked.

"Ah. Okay. He IS an ass." Tatsumaki commented.

"No. I won't." Saitama answered. "Lead the way." He said.

After that, the octopus returned to the water with Saitama in tow. Everyone watched as their hero followed the Seafolk into the ocean to meet the Deep Sea King. Now, only a green-haired woman lying on a comfy chair beneath an umbrella could know what was happening.

Elsewhere, In A Small Riverside Town...

In the past week, Kombu Infinity had been exposed to a lot that was amazing, fascinating, and surprising. All of it was thanks to the House of Evolution. Mosquito Girl, Doctor Genus, his clones, and the others had been so nice to them. Mosquito Girl was a wonderful guide and teacher for the surface world. Although, there were many times when Doctor Genus or the others needed to step in because she got a bit "opinionated" on specific things.

Even so, Kombu Infinity was grateful for their guidance and companionship. The House of Evolution felt like a...

...
...
...

No. Let's not go there. That'd be WAY too awkward. Kombu Infinity had only known them for a week. Slow down. Don't make it weird.

Anyway. On top of the learning, the others spent some time training with Kombu Infinity. After all, the House of Evolution DID have combat rooms. So, why not put them to good use to ensure the Seafolk could handle themselves when subduing their potential attackers? Like with their lessons, Kombu Infinity learned a lot in such a short span.

Yet, despite all this knowledge about the world and combat, Kombu Infinity wasn't prepared for one thing. No one, not even Doctor Genus, had clarified that the hero who'd be at the ready to offer assistance, Metal Knight, wasn't human. Or, if he was, it was in a way that the Seafolk didn't understand. From their point of view, the hero was a man of metal! It took all of their willpower not to be disruptive or annoying by asking questions at a time like this!

Although, it was also made easier by the presence of Mosquito Girl. Everyone, including Saitama, believed that Kombu Infinity could hold their own. But it never hurt to have someone they'd come to trust so much by their side. Plus, as Mosquito Girl would say herself, they were besties now! And besties have each other's backs!

"They're still sitting there." Metal Knight informed the non-humans in his company. He relayed that message to everyone, not just Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity.

As part of their plan, all of the locations the Seafolk were present had been evacuated. Thus, Kombu Infinity and the House of Evolution's members didn't need to hide as they waited.

"Seriously? They haven't moved at all? Not even an inch?" Mosquito Girl asked, finding it hard to believe they'd be perfectly still.

"It's not too surprising, honestly." Kombu Infinity began as they put their arms behind their head. "Most Seafolk are ambush predators. It's natural for them not to move until the right moment. Sure, they're also waiting for permission from our ruler. But my point still makes sense." They explained.

"One Punch Man only just now entered the ocean. It'll be a bit longer before any action occurs." Metal Knight informed them. Again, relaying that message to everyone.

"So, what's the plan?" Mosquito Girl inquired as she looked at the drone. "Are you going to stand here and watch while we do the fighting?" She added for clarity.

"Yes. Unless needed, my presence is purely for recording purposes. If you get overwhelmed, I have several machines around the immediate area. They'll bombard and assault the Seafolk from all directions. Survival will be impossible." Metal Knight stated.

"That's...a lot of power..." Kombu Infinity muttered with widened eyes.

"Yes. It is." Metal Knight agreed.

"What about the town? If that happens, won't it become a smoldering crater?" Mosquito Girl questioned.

"One Punch Man has generously set aside all the funds needed for repairs in the worst-case scenario that all locations are decimated. He wouldn't permit my weapons in residential areas or zones without ensuring the aftermath wouldn't burden the people." Metal Knight explained.

"Wow...Saitama's amazing..." Kombu Infinity said with eyes sparkling in awe.

"Right? He's the greatest!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed with a grin.

"Indeed. I'm grateful to have a leader such as him." Metal Knight chimed in.

Meanwhile, A Fair Distance Away From The Shore of City J...

Saitama was not having a good time. The octopus, meant to guide him, swam so far ahead that he was left to chase a bubble trail. Furthermore, like with his punches, Saitama couldn't go all out when swimming. If he did, there was a non-zero chance that he'd cause a tsunami with his kicks and flood City J.

So, with puffy cheeks and careful technique, Saitama went deeper into the ocean's depths. If Tatsumaki weren't talking with him, he'd be completely miserable.

"You could come back," Tatsumaki suggested. "Seriously, you don't have to put up with this, Saitama. They're the ones who are being unreasonable. Screw them." She continued. You know it's serious when the Tornado of Terror busts out his actual name.

"We knew they'd be jerks. I can't risk being the one who starts a war." Saitama casually replied as he swam. "However, I'm not ashamed to admit that if they start the fight, I will enjoy punching them." He confessed.

"As you should. They're assholes." Tatsumaki said, supporting him. "You'll probably get jumped before you even reach the barge. They think they can drown or crush you with the ocean's pressure. Something like that." She hypothesized.

"Not a bad strategy." Saitama acknowledged. "But I think I'm getting close to it. If they're going to gang up on me, they need to do it now." He mentioned.

There was a brief pause in the conversation. Saitama and Tatsumaki waited to see if he'd be attacked. To their surprise, he arrived at the barge with no issue. Yet, there was something strange about it.

"...No one's here..." Saitama informed Tatsumaki as he swam around the ship.

"Could they be inside?" Tatsumaki proposed.

"Hmm...maybe..." Saitama pondered. "I...see a giant hole in the top deck. I think that's the entrance they made for themselves. There could be a part of the ship that's sealed off, meaning it's dry." He said.

"Or they could all be right below deck waiting for you to swim into their ambush. Be ready, Saitama." Tatsumaki advised.

After a few more minutes circling the ship, Saitama entered through the hole he mentioned. From there, he'd venture deeper into the vessel through water-filled hallways and rooms. Eventually, he reached the bottom of the barge. There is where Saitama discovered a most interesting sight.

There was only one room waiting for him down there. It was sealed with a bulkhead door, so it could be dry inside, as he assumed. With his strength, it took no effort for Saitama to open the entrance. When he did, he and the water poured into the space.

Impressively, Saitama managed to land on his feet rather than his face. Once inside, he quickly shut the door so the room wouldn't flood. Now, he found himself in total darkness. He couldn't even see in front of his face.

"Alright. Here I go." Saitama told Tatsumaki before speaking verbally. "Hello? One Punch Man is here, as you requested. Are we going to talk in the dark? Is it more comfortable for you that way?" He called out to the blackness.

A few seconds went by. Nothing. But then, in a flash, the room was illuminated, but only a little. Still, it was better than nothing.

At the room's center were two long metal candelabras. In between them was a throne. Sitting within this regal chair was an equally regal-looking Seafolk. Complete with a crown and long red cape.

Additionally, there was a speedo. A bright red speedo. Then, there were heart nipples. No, that wasn't Saitama's eyes playing tricks on him. This fish man had heart nipples. It also looked like he wore makeup, which could be facial markings.

The only other detail worth noting, at least for now, was the size of the Seafolk. While surprisingly close to human size, he was still quite large. To the point that Saitama wondered how he managed to get into this room. But that was a detail best left for later IF they got that far in the conversation.

"Ah, One Punch Man." The Seafolk spoke. His voice had an obvious poshness to it. Appropriate for the royal appearance he was going for. "I'm so pleased that you accepted my invitation and arrived two days early. That sort of behavior is befitting someone of your status." He praised before placing a hand on his chest. "I am the Deep Sea King. The proud ruler of the Seafolk." He introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Saitama said, maintaining his laid-back nature. "So, where's everyone else?" He asked as he approached.

"My people are preparing themselves for a performance. It's customary for Seafolk to put on a show during special occasions." The Deep Sea King answered.

"What kind of show?" Saitama inquired, stopping once he was a few feet away. "From how it seems, Seafolk are pretty brutal. Will it be a fight? Like gladiators or something?" He guessed.

"Yes. You're spot on. The Seafolk love a good skirmish, especially when blood is spilled." The Deep Sea King confirmed his assumption.

"...So...does that mean this whole thing is pointless?..." Saitama questioned while folding his arms.

"Why, whatever do you mean, One Punch Man?" The Deep Sea King responded.

"Look, I want this to end with no one getting hurt or killed. But there are a few things that need to be addressed." Saitama started. "First off, Kombu Infinity. You tortured them for not wanting to go to the surface. You also carved your so-called invitation for me into their back. Then, after we treated them, they told us what they knew about you and the other Seafolk, including those sent inland." He explained before adorning a serious expression. "If this is turning out like I think, then I'm left with one question. Why go through this? What's the point? Is it a trick? Or do you just like the theatrics?" He inquired.

A few seconds went by. The only sound that came was the Deep Sea King's clawed fingers tapping against the arm of his throne. The very same ones he used on Kombu Infinity's backside.

"...Why couldn't they have just died?" The Deep Sea King wondered aloud with a sigh and a disappointed expression. Wow. He wouldn't even try to mask his feelings about Kombu Infinity. "I hoped they'd die on the beach or a little deeper into the surface. To think that troublesome kelp farm managed to make it to you AND that you were able to save them. No matter how well I planned this out, it seems lady luck was working against me." He said.

"Or Kombu's stronger than you thought," Saitama suggested, receiving an immediate scoff.

"Oh, please. Strong? Even for a plant, they're nothing to get excited about." The Deep Sea King told him. "The reason they survived was due to chance. That bottomless seaweed server was only useful for the food they could produce. Even as a letter, they failed miserably. Their one chance to properly aid their king, and they messed it up. Shameful. Truly shameful." He carried on. "But enough about them. Let's get back to business. I had hoped we could continue the civilities a bit longer, but there's no point since that sentient shiteater spoiled everything." He said.

"Shiteater? Really?" Saitama replied. Even for someone like this guy, that was pretty basic.

"What? They're a plant. They eat shit. That's the point." The Deep Sea King reasoned. He didn't intend it as an insult but a statement of fact. "But again, enough about them. Let's talk about why you and I are inside a sunken ship. That's what's most important, yes?" He proposed.

"Yeah. It is." Saitama agreed. "So, are you planning an invasion? If so, you realize my name isn't for show, right?" He asled.

"Of course. Your power is known throughout the entire world. There's no doubting it." The Deep Sea King answered. "Even so, you're not special, One Punch Man. Well, for humans, you are. But for us? Those who've existed LONG before humanity and WILL exist longer after you're gone? You're just an exception among your breed. A problematic irregular. That's all." He told him.

"...I'm...not the only hero..." Saitama said as he started to question this dude's intelligence. "Yes, I'm the strongest. But I'm part of an organization filled with talented, skilled, and powerful people. Sure, no one's the same as me, but that doesn't mean they aren't great in their ways. No matter how many Seafolk you throw at us, you will lose. Even if you removed me from the equation." He stated.

"Hmm...that's a bit arrogant, don't you think?" The Deep Sea King challenged. Seriously? Saitama was the arrogant one in this room? Okay. "Before recently, humans only had cute little toys to defend themselves with. You all suddenly get SLIGHTLY stronger, and you let it go to your head. As I stated, YOU are the exception. I know I couldn't fight you as I am now. I concede to your superiority. But the keyword is now. The same applies to the rest of the Seafolk. At their current levels, you'd kill them without issue. But that won't be a problem anymore." He boldly claimed.

"Oh? Are you going to transform? Kombu did mention you could do that. So can the others you brought along with you do the same?" Saitama assumed.

"No. I'm a rarity among my species as well. The form you see now is due to dehydration. It isn't my natural beautiful self." The Deep Sea King shared. "However, recently, we discovered a most peculiar thing. With its help, we can accelerate the evolutionary process. We can, as we always have, outpace your developments." He said.

"My, how convenient for you," Saitama responded, unimpressed. "So, what is this thing, then? A magic lamp? Radioactive waste? Maybe a shooting star from space?" He guessed. His patience for this guy was spent. He didn't care about being polite anymore. He was one good insult or extra nudge away from punching his lights out.

In reply, the Deep Sea King took off his crown. From within, he pulled out something. It was large from Saitama's perspective. His best estimate was the size of a basketball or bowling ball. It was covered in lumps and seemed to twitch or pulsate. It possessed a sickly color that matched its grotesque appearance.

"This is the gift of power. The key to ultimate life. Mother nature's bounty to us, the deserving of her world. You worthless monkeys wouldn't know a thing about them." The Deep Sea King stated with a tooth-filled grin and soulless eyes.

When the Deep Sea King finished speaking, Saitama was already near him. In a fraction of a second, he leaped toward the Seafolk. His right arm was pulled back, and his expression was serious. Enough of this guy's nonsense. Peace was never an option. It was time for him to feel a worse fear and pain than Kombu Infinity.

...
...
...

Unfortunately, during his leap, Saitama would be interrupted. Every wall of the room was destroyed from the outside. The cause? A horde of indescribable horrors. They accompanied the rushing water that instantly flooded the space. Yet, amidst this chaos, Saitama managed to make one observation before being plunged into darkness again as the candles' flames were extinguished.

These grotesque abominations, these gargantuan terrors, these unfathomable creatures, resembled Seafolk.

Chapter Text

"Ugh, I'm getting bored here." Kabuto groaned as he threw his head back. "We know these punks want to kill us. So why don't we just pull'em out of the river and beat'em within an inch of their lives?" He suggested.

Carnage Kabuto and Ground Dragon were paired as a team. Even with his new improvements, the latter wasn't confident he could hold his own. So, he was partnered with the strongest member of the House of Evolution. Of course, Metal Knight was also present with a drone like the other teams.

"Should I tell him all the ways that's a bad idea, or will you?" Ground Dragon sarcastically asked, speaking to their supervisor.

"Hey! I know I could take those fishy bastards, no problem!" Kabuto angrily exclaimed.

"It's not a matter of IF you can; it's IF you should. And the answer is no." Ground Dragon said with a sigh. "Don't you remember? We're supposed to SUBDUE them. Not kill them." He reminded.

"That's why I said within an inch of their lives!" Kabuto countered while folding his arms over his chest. "Break a few bones, bust a few lips; it'll be quick and easy." He explained.

"Although all signs indicate conflict, I'd strongly advise restraint." Metal Knight stated. "Furthermore, Tornado has yet to inform the rest of us about the status of our leader's meeting with the Deep Sea King. If you start a brawl, it could potentially ruin peace negotiations." He added.

"...Alright," Kabuto said, accepting the decision.

"That's all you needed to say." Ground Dragon chimed in. "Mosquito Girl might be One Punch Man's biggest fan, but I'd say Kabuto admires him the most." He shared.

"Shut it!" Kabuto yelled at him.

With a chuckle, Ground Dragon obeyed the command of his partner. Afterward, the trio resumed waiting in silence. At least, they did for a few minutes.

"...Something's happening." Metal Knight spoke. However, it wasn't just to Kabuto and Ground Dragon. Through every drone under his control, the S-Class hero informed each team he supervised.

"What? Are they coming onto land?" Kabuto guessed as he and Ground Dragon moved closer to the machine.

"No. One member of each group is producing something. I've never seen an item quite like it. It appears organic, but in such a way that can't be easily described." Metal Knight replied.

"Is it food? Maybe they're hungry?" Ground Dragon proposed.

"I'm unsure if it's food. But they did consume it. All teams, ready yourselves. Don't be caught by surprise." Metal Knight told them.

Although confused, every team listened to their supervisor. They entered combat stances and readied their weapons. The waters they monitored began churning, whether on the coast or near riverbanks. From a serene stillness to a disturbed motion, something was about to happen. However, none of them were truly prepared for what would transpire.

From the depths of the waters, disgusting mounds of flesh and bone erupted. Everyone knew it was the Seafolk, yet they no longer looked as they once did. If the word monster had a physical embodiment, these poor creatures would be it. Their bodies grotesquely mutated and changed at a rate that could barely be perceived.

"Damn!" Kabuto exclaimed with widened eyes. "The Hell's going on? What they'd do?" He asked.

"Again, I'm unsure. They consumed something, but it's entirely unknown to me. Whatever it was, it is the source of their rapid transformation." Metal Knight answered.

"More like deformation! It's horrifying!" Ground Dragon responded.

"Indeed. Their bodies can barely keep up with the alterations. Their flesh, bones, organs, and muscles are actively regenerating in reaction to the damage being done. On some level, it is impressive. But there was very little consideration for their well-being." Metal Knight said.

"So? What's the order? Those freaks are climbing up, and I don't think we can talk with'em." Kabuto inquired.

"They're not there anymore. Any intelligence is being replaced by sensory overload, pain, and other side effects of consuming what they did that I cannot specify now." Metal Knight replied as the mutated Seafolk made it onto land. "Your directive remains unchanged. I will only interfere should it appear necessary. Your opponents are far stronger than they were moments prior. However, from what I've seen and have been given by your Creator, I know you can handle yourselves." He stated before raising an arm on each of his drones to point forward. "So, let the bloodbath begin." He instructed.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!" Kabuto shouted with a wide grin as he rushed ahead. He was still working on his sadistic tendencies. But in this instance, they'd be no issue.

Within seconds, Carnage Kabuto was before one of the Seafolk. It was once a crustacean but now was a mess of sprouting claws, eye stalks, and armored plating. With a fist reared back, Kabuto sent forth a medium-strength punch. He wanted to gauge this thing's durability.

POW

With a thunderous noise, the punch connected to the Seafolk. Nearly its entire body was obliterated. What little good that armor did for it.

"HA! PATHETIC!" Kabuto taunted as he focused on the others. "ALRIGHT! WHO'S NEXT?" He asked.

However, as Kabuto turned toward the remaining enemies, Ground Dragon, who remained beside Metal Knight, noticed something peculiar. As did the S-Class hero.

"It's...regenerating." Ground Dragon said in amazement.

"Yes, impressively, so." Metal Knight responded before speaking to every team. "Be mindful, everyone. The mutated Seafolk can regenerate, even if most of themselves have been destroyed. The rate at which they regrow is considerable. Ensure their demise by destroying their bodies." He instructed.

"So, uh, are you going to take over for me?" Ground Dragon inquired. "My strategy was to burrow underground, build up speed, then shoot out like a missile and piece them with my claws. I'm not suited for the new task." He explained.

"No, I think you are." Metal Knight argued, catching him by surprise. "Think creatively, Ground Dragon. Your movement when beneath the surface is unmatched. You could make graves for these monsters. Crush their remains with enough dirt, rock, and general debris to ensure they can't return." He suggested.

"Hey...you're right!" Ground Dragon exclaimed. "Thanks, Metal Knight. I'll get right on it!" He assured before disappearing into the dirt.

"Kabuto!" Metal Knight called out to the beetle man. "Pulverize the Seafolk into mush! Then retreat so Ground Dragon can finish the job!" He instructed.

"SURE THING!" Kabuto yelled back, just as he ripped the Seafolk he was attacking in half.

Meanwhile, With Team B...

There were very few times Metal Knight was impressed. Before One Punch Man helped curb his ego, it was due to his superiority complex. Now, it was because Metal Knight, thanks to his work, was exposed to astounding things constantly. It builds up a person's resistance to being "wowed" or "amazed" by what others would be.

Yet as the S-Class hero monitored Kamakyuri and Frog Man, he felt his eyes try to follow the dazzling movements and motions of the pair. Their speed wasn't what made this so remarkable; it was their swordsmanship. The duo danced between their foes while delivering precise and powerful slashes. Limbs and chunks were severed with each motion of the mantis's arms or the amphibian's carefully crafted blade.

Unfortunately, as Metal Knight had mentioned, their efforts were being undone by the incredible healing factor of the Seafolk. Furthermore, their mutations also brought upon a greater size. There was so much to slice apart and get through that by the time the duo made any progress; they were being sent back to square one. However, they didn't want to rely on Metal Knight's weapons. Their pride and their Creator's renown as a geneticist was at stake. They needed to win!

"ANY IDEAS?" Frog Man shouted over the sounds of combat while slicing apart tendons.

"MY ACID'S POINTLESS! IT WOULDN'T BURN THEM FAST ENOUGH!" Kamakyuri yelled back at him as his arms cut through the torso of his current foe.

"METAL KNIGHT!" Frog Man called out to their supervisor. "IS THIS A FIGHT WE CAN WIN?!" He asked.

"Based on the information I have on your recent alterations and additions, there is a way the two of you could succeed." Metal Knight answered. "However, Doctor Genus requested that I refrain from guiding you for as long as possible. The solution is there; you only need to realize it." He told them.

As Kamakyuri and Frog Man darted and dashed between their enemies, their brains raced to find the solution that Metal Knight eluded. Then, the amphibious assassin remembered one of his many new attributes. When he did, he couldn't believe it took him so long to think of it!

"I GOT IT!" Frog Man exclaimed as he came to a stop. "ALRIGHT! COME AND GET ME!" He taunted the Seafolk closest to him.

"FROG MAN?! WHAT'RE YOU DOING?!" Kamakyuri questioned.

Before the mantis could say anything else or Metal Knight could chime in, the Seafolk Frog Man taunted rushed at him with its mouth agape. The monster in question had been a species of whale. With its black-and-white coloring, it was likely an Orca. So, its mouth, which was already large, was now gigantic with its increased mutated size.

This worked out perfectly for Frog Man. He planned to jump right inside. With perfect aim and proper timing, the spring-legged non-human went past the teeth and right into the mouth. Only a few seconds went by before the Seafolk horror collapsed.

"IT WORKED!" The muffled voice of Frog Man celebrated, followed by his sword piercing through the skull of the former Seafolk.

Kamakyuri and Metal Knight watched as Frog Man carved his way out of the creature's head. Remarkably, he was fast. Also, as he did this, Kamakyuri held the other beasts' attention. His speed easily allowed him to evade their strikes. They were mindless behemoths, after all.

"GUYS! IT WORKED!" Frog Man cheered again. He was covered in a mixture of poison, saliva, and blood. "I PRODUCED THE DEADLIEST TOXIN I CURRENTLY KNOW OF, AND IT KILLED THE SEAFOLK INSTANTLY!" He explained.

"Yes...we saw..." Metal Knight responded for himself and Kamakyuri so the latter could focus on evasion. "You...didn't need to throw yourself into its mouth. You could've produced the poison while Kamakyuri created wounds where vital organs are located." He said.

"...Ooooooooh...yeah, that would've been better..." Frog Man agreed. "Alright, Kamakyuri! You heard the man! You hurt'em, and I drop'em!" He exclaimed.

"Sure...just...give me a sec..." Kamakyuri requested. He was still processing what he'd seen. Frog Man so casually threw himself into the literal jaws of death. He was either fearless or so confident he'd succeed he didn't consider the possibility of failure. Either way, each option was impressive for different reasons.

Meanwhile, With Team C...

"Extermination. Complete." Armored Gorilla stated in a monotone robotic voice. He and his partner, who was Slugerous, had just finished dealing with the mutated Seafolk.

Of the teams deployed, Metal Knight anticipated this one to deal with the problem the second fastest. Why? Well, it's rather simple. Doctor Genus and his clones barely did anything to Armored Gorilla since he was a cyborg. What they DID do was add more weapons. A LOT more weapons.

Yet, even if Armored Gorilla weren't there, Slugerous would've held his own. Although nowhere NEAR as powerful as Tornado or her sister, the newly-improved Esper of the House of Evolution knew how to utilize his powers properly. Armored Gorilla had focused on overall damage and suppression with his arsenal. Slugerous ensured the Seafolk would remain dead by continuously destroying their organs with his ESP.

However, as stated, he wasn't to the point where he could, theoretically, CRUSH someone's brain or heart if he wanted. But this didn't mean that Slugerous couldn't KNOW where such organs were in his targets, nor that he couldn't aim for them. The cerata on his backside were the Esper's weapons. He removed them with his powers and sent them flying like high-speed javelins.

This is where the trio learned an immensely valuable fact. As long as something was blocking the regeneration, the Seafolk remained deceased. The organs and other body parts would heal AROUND the cerata, but they couldn't complete the process. So, after Slugerous nailed direct hits on each of their opponents vital organs, all Armored Gorilla had to do was finish the job. What remained of their adversaries could easily be confused for ground beef at this point.

"Exceptional work, you two." Metal Knight praised them. "As I assumed, you were the second fastest overall." He said.

"Who was the first?" Slugerous inquired as they turned to look at the drone.

"Beast King. He was the only member sent alone. Excluding my drone's presence, of course." Metal Knight began while projecting a holographic map via his drone's optic. "His station was on the beach, meaning there aren't as many buildings around that he needs to be mindful of. Even before the regenerative properties of the mutated Seafolk were discovered, he sliced them into such small pieces that there was no return for them." He explained.

"Sounds about right." Armored Gorilla commented, maintaining his voice.

"...Dude, why are you keeping that up?" Slugerous questioned. "We KNOW it's fake." He added.

"...Sorry." Armored Gorilla apologized as he looked down. "I like it. I think it's cool." He told them.

"If you want to sound like that, consult your Creator about a voice modulator." Metal Knight suggested.

"That's a great idea! Thank you, Metal Knight!" Armored Gorilla replied.

"Anyway, how are the others faring?" Slugerous asked.

"The third fastest team, Carnage Kabuto and Ground Dragon, are already done. Kamakyuri and Frog Man are finishing up as we converse. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity are struggling." Metal Knight answered.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Mosquito Girl CAN'T drink their blood. We don't know what it will do to her." Armored Gorilla said.

"Precisely. Her greatest advantage against normal Seafolk was lost. Of course, she didn't need me to tell her that. As such, she and Kombu Infinity can only slice or stab them. Unfortunately, neither has the same speed or power as Beast King. They also lack a unique ability like Frog Man's toxins. The situation gets worse by the second." Metal Knight informed them.

"I don't mean to insult you with this question, sir. But will they be alright? You WILL help them, won't you?" Slugerous inquired.

"No offense taken. I know you ask that out of concern and nothing more." Metal Knight assured before answering. "Yes. I wouldn't sit here and watch them get slaughtered. They've yet to be harmed, but they are getting exhausted. The strength of these mutants is considerable. One good strike could result in worrying damage. Should this occur, I will swiftly extract them and begin the barrage." He stated.

Knowing there was no way they'd make it there in time, Armored Gorilla and Slugerous fell silent and patiently waited. They had confidence in those two. They knew they could pull this off.

Meanwhile, With Team D...

"SHIT!" Kombu Infinity exclaimed, barely dodging a titanic fist as it swung in their direction.

Kombu Infinity could reach impressive speeds. Sadly, this was only when they could use ALL their seaweed as additional legs. But in this fight, each strand was given either an offensive or defensive position. None could be spared for mobility.

Suddenly, Mosquito Girl barreled through all of the Seafolk. She became a deadly drill soaring through the air by spinning as fast as possible with each proboscis extended.  The wounds she dealt to their opponents were sizable. Additionally, Mosquito Girl had done her best to hit the hearts, lungs, or both with her attack.

Even so, the duo only had, at most, a minute to think of something. The Seafolk were already regenerating and would be ready to fight again.

"Are you okay?" Mosquito Girl asked, taking a brief moment to assess her partner's condition.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Kombu Infinity answered with a pant. "Compared to six days ago, this is nothing." They added.

"That's good." Mosquito Girl replied with a quick smile before focusing on the problem. "So, any ideas? I hate to admit it, but I'm at a loss." She inquired.

"None. I've got nothing." Kombu Infinity confessed. "All we're doing is stabbing at meat that won't die! But that's all we CAN do!" They exclaimed as they looked back at the drone. "Metal Knight, I think we need your help." They said.

"You will if you don't think." Metal Knight responded. By now, the Seafolk's fallen forms began to stir. "I've come up with two solutions to this dilemma you face. I won't share them to encourage you to realize them yourselves. If you can't in the next few minutes, I'll have you kill the Seafolk again, then leave so I can finish the job." He stated.

Two solutions, huh? Not to insult themselves, but neither Mosquito Girl nor Kombu Infinity felt they were smart enough to figure them out. Plus, it wasn't fair for Metal Knight, an ACTUAL genius, to hope they'd replicate his amazing intellect. At least, that's what they thought about it.

However, as Metal Knight said, the duo had a few more minutes to give it one last try. So, as Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity resumed their battle with the monstrous Seafolk, they approached the situation from new angles. They expanded their imaginations. If the answer was there, surely they could find it!

...
...
...

Whoa. That...was unexpected. Kombu Infinity...had an idea. A BRILLIANT idea. That's why it was so shocking! They didn't think they could be so clever!

As they looked at Mosquito Girl, they could see she was still busy with thought. Holy crap! Kombu Infinity had managed to think of this before her! This was awesome!

But there was no time to be lost in self-celebration. They needed to be quick and get Mosquito Girl on board. However, as they prepared to call out to her, Kombu Infinity realized something. Maybe she hadn't conceived this plan because she didn't want to hurt them even if they wouldn't have a problem with it.

So, Kombu Infinity had to think of an extra step. A way to secretly get Mosquito Girl to participate in the plan. Luckily, that came much faster than the scheme itself.

"MOSQUITO GIRL!" Kombu Infinity shouted at her. "TAKE TO THE SKY! LINE UP ANOTHER DRILL! WHEN THEY GO DOWN, I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MY PLAN!" They instructed.

"ON IT!" Mosquito Girl replied before soaring upward. She didn't waste time by questioning their idea. She trusted them completely.

Once in position, Mosquito Girl watched Kombu Infinity weave between the Seafolk. They were using their hair purely for mobility now. This allowed them to effortlessly control their enemies' movements by using themselves as bait. She executed the maneuver when the Seafolk were as close as they would get.

Like before, Mosquito Girl had no issues barreling through them. With her speed and the sharpness of her proboscises, the mutated flesh and bones of her foes could offer no resistance. However, she was met with a horrible sight when she got through the last one. Kombu Infinity had positioned itself in front of the final Seafolk. So, her proboscises impaled them.

"KOMBU!" Mosquito Girl yelled out in terror as she landed on her feet. The Seafolk fell to the ground behind her. "HOLD ON! I'LL-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Kombu Infinity wrapped their seaweed around her proboscises and arms. Confused and scared, Mosquito Girl looked at the small Seafolk for answers. The first thing she saw was a comforting smile.

"Hey...don't worry..." Kombu Infinity told her. Although impaled, they maintained a calm composure. "I...might bleed...but I...don't have organs...I'm a plant...remember?..." They said as they pointed at the proboscises. "But...speaking of blood...I think...you can drink mine...so...do it...win...the fight..." They instructed.

Mosquito Girl's head was flooded with emotions. She didn't know what to say or do. She couldn't drain Kombu Infinity of their blood! No! That wasn't an option! She'd retract the proboscises, and they'd fall back!

Except, she couldn't. That's why Kombu Infinity had wrapped their seaweed around them and her arms. They weren't going to let go. As Mosquito Girl heard sounds of movement from behind her, there was little time to do anything else.

So, before the Seafolk could fully rise, she drank Kombu Infinity's blood. During all of this, Metal Knight said and did nothing. Was this one of the plans he thought of? Did he anticipate this?

Regardless of the answers, those questions didn't matter right now. Mosquito Girl would find out the truth later. Her meal was finished. Although not dead, Kombu Infinity had lost enough blood to weaken their grip. This allowed her to gently set them on the ground before removing her proboscises.

The last thing the still-smiling Seafolk saw was Mosquito Girl's face. As she pulled away from them and stood back up, her expression changed from confusion and sadness to pure anger. It was aimed at the bastards that had forced them to think of such a strategy. After everything Kombu Infinity had been through, they didn't deserve to endure anything like this.

Yet, they didn't see it that way. As Kombu Infinity watched Mosquito Girl ready herself, noticing how her skin and hair changed color, they only felt pride. They hadn't been useless. They'd likely catch an earful later, but that was a small price to pay for them. Knowing that Mosquito Girl wouldn't get hurt or be forced to retreat because of them was all Kombu Infinity needed to fall into slumber with that smile on their face.

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze blowing through the air, the sun's warmth making the day feel inviting, and a clear blue sky to gaze upon in comfort. Truly, Tatsumaki couldn't have asked for better conditions to lounge around in. If today wasn't so important, she might've come to City J to relax as a choice rather than an obligation.

But it was. Yet, for nearly half an hour now, Tatsumaki had done nothing but lay in her comfy chair. She hadn't even bothered to lift a finger. She was basking in this wonderful day for all it was worth.

"Tornado." A colleague's voice, Metal Knight, spoke to her via a communication device she'd been given. It rested beside her left thigh on the chair.

"Sup?" Tatsumaki casually responded. She might've had a snarky remark to give him, but she was too zen right now. She didn't feel like it.

"The Seafolk ambush has been dealt with. I've contacted the Association and Doctor Genus for the extraction and clean up of the remains." Metal Knight informed her.

"Cool," Tatsumaki replied, slightly shifting to make herself even more comfortable.

"How is One Punch Man? I presume he's already returned from the ocean?" Metal Knight asked.

"Nope," Tatsumaki answered.

"..." Metal Knight was silent. One Punch Man hadn't returned? There's...no way something could've happened. Plus, Tornado was unusually calm.

"Curious?" Tatsumaki inquired with a smirk, knowing that answer would get a unique reaction from the normally composed man.

"...Yes..." Metal Knight slowly confirmed, his mind trying to think of an explanation before she could say it.

"Alright, I guess I'll share the details with you." Tatsumaki teasingly started. Her usual personality was beginning to show itself. "From what baldy told me, the whole thing was a setup. Given that you have a bunch of fish guts to deal with, it's undeniable that this was a fight from the start. Even though this is baldy we're talking about, I still asked him if he needed backup or if we needed to mobilize more heroes in case more Seafolk got sent to shore. He responded with nah, it's all good. However, before throwing punches, he said he had an idea. I asked him what it was, and baldy told me he'd be gone for a bit longer. I tried getting more details, but by that point, he went silent." She stated.

"I'm amazed you didn't go after him to give him an earful." Metal Knight commented. That wasn't meant as a jab or joke. He sincerely meant it.

"I considered it. That guy's got a LOT of nerve suddenly keeping me out of the loop, especially since I'm out here to keep in contact with him." Tatsumaki admitted as she stretched out her arms. "But I'm enjoying the beach-side view and atmosphere too much. Plus, from how it sounded, the Seafolk were mindless monsters, right?" She added, ending with a question.

"Well, yes. But there's more to it than that." Metal Knight began. "Before the fighting started here, the Seafolk consumed an unknown object. We haven't the faintest idea as to what it was right now. Hopefully, we'll learn something by examining the remains. There's also the possibility that their digestive systems didn't finish breaking down the item. However, that's a slim chance." He told her.

"So...the Seafolk ate something that transformed them?" Tatsumaki asked with genuine curiosity.  "Has...that ever happened before? We've seen monsters transform mid-battle or when they're about to die. But I've never heard of something that could be eaten to cause that." She said.

"Neither have I. I'm confident in saying the Association hasn't as well. Furthermore, I'd describe what the Seafolk underwent as an uncontrollable mutation rather than a transformation. When they consumed the object, they didn't dictate how their bodies changed or what attributes they obtained. They lost any semblance of sentience. They became, as you put it, mindless monsters. They didn't use any tactics or abilities innate to them. They screamed, roared, growled, and snarled while recklessly swinging around their distorted appendages. Although dangerous, they weren't anything special. But whatever caused this could have concerning potential. Perhaps the conditions weren't right, or the Deep Sea King somehow created the item to enhance his soldiers. We'll have to investigate this thoroughly moving forward." Metal Knight answered.

"Huh, Saitama didn't say anything about that..." Tatsumaki muttered under her breath, ensuring he didn't hear her say their leader's name.

"Also, Tornado, what about the Deep Sea King? Was he there to fight One Punch Man?" Metal Knight inquired.

"From what baldy said before going silent, the Deep Sea King dipped out once things got hectic. Or, if he was among them, baldy couldn't discern him through all the gnashing teeth and various appendages being swung around. It could be that the Deep Sea King just wanted to use these guys as an example. He never planned to fight baldy since he knew it would kill him." Tatsumaki responded. "Do you think he told his subordinates that eating whatever they did would turn them into ACTUAL monsters? Like the kind of thing, you'd see in a horror movie." She asked.

"Doubtful. I can't imagine anyone agreeing to that. Likely, the Deep Sea King told his forces they'd become so strong they could fight One Punch Man. As strange as it may sound, I pity the poor fools. Even if they were sadists, sociopaths, or psychopaths, no one deserves the fate they received. I truly believe we gave them an escape from the brief torture of their final moments. Assuming that they were still present mentally to some extent." Metal Knight answered.

"Sheesh. The more you talk about it, the worse it sounds." Tatsumaki noted.

"Apologies. I don't mean to sound so dreary." Metal Knight said.

"No, you're fine. If it was that bad, you're just being accurate with your description." Tatsumaki assured. "So, what's the Association planning to do right now? Apart from cleaning up the corpses on your end. They haven't called me yet asking about baldy or anything else." She inquired.

"In addition to the corpse collection, the Association's focusing its attention on the media and public right now. Nearly every outlet everywhere is hyper-fixated on One Punch Man's unknown status. We'll prepare for the House of Evolution's reveal whenever he returns." Metal Knight stated.

"Get good footage?" Tatsumaki asked.

"If I were to praise myself, I'd say it's flawless. It will serve its intended purpose perfectly once we've edited it for the best presentation." Metal Knight answered.

"Alright then. Unless you've got more to say, I think we're done here." Tatsumaki said. She wasn't trying to end their conversation hastily. There was simply nothing left to discuss as far as she was aware.

Without saying goodbye, Metal Knight went silent. Tatsumaki didn't see this as rude; it was not as if she and he were friends. If he didn't do it, she probably would've. With that taken care of, the green-haired Esper was allowed to get back to her relaxation as they waited for One Punch Man and his mysterious idea.

Elsewhere, At The House Of Evolution...

By now, Kombu Infinity was expecting this. A comforting temperature that surrounds them? Check. Any pain they had felt not long ago suddenly disappearing? Check. Being at ease and experiencing no tension or stress at all? Check.

As done previously, Kombu Infinity had been placed in a chamber and surrounded by water. However, the Seafolk was fairly sure another ingredient was in the mix. A cool healing juice or something akin to that made by Doctor Genus. They assumed this because the rate at which they healed themselves far surpassed the normal speed back in the ocean or any other body of water.

Fortunately, their injuries were nowhere NEAR as severe as before. So, it not only took less time for Kombu Infinity to recover but also to regain consciousness. When their eyes slowly opened, they expected to see the clones again. Maybe Doctor Genus or a worried Mosquito Girl?

Nope. The first thing Kombu Infinity saw, which nearly gave them a non-existent heart attack, was a certain beetle man's face pressed against the glass.

"GAH!" Kombu Infinity yelled in alarm, flailing about in the water from the surprise.

"Ah! You're finally awake!" Kabuto exclaimed with a grin. "I was wondering if you were going to sleep all day. Wouldn't blame ya after getting stabbed like you did. Which, by the way, was awesome to see. You're tougher than I gave ya credit for, kid." He said, praising them at the end.

"Uh...thanks?" Kombu Infinity replied, still processing what was going on.  "...Wait. Did you say see? How did you see it?" They questioned.

"Metal Knight was recording us, remember? While the clones treated ya, we watched all of our fights. That damn furball killed his opponents faster than me and Ground Dragon. I know that smug bastard will be taunting me with it for weeks." Kabuto explained as he crossed his arms.

"Oh. Right. They're going to use the footage for TV." Kombu Infinity remembered. "I'm...still a little fuzzy on what TV is. We didn't have time to see much of it since we were training and stuff." They said.

"Ah, don't worry. There'll be plenty of time to prop up your feet and watch the tube. The Association will be busy dealing with this, the Seafolk, and many other things. It'll still be a bit before we get our hero training underway." Kabuto responded. "Plus, you've got a bit of a shit storm waiting for ya..." He added while looking off to the side.

"I do?" Kombu Infinity questioned. "Did I do something wrong? Was I not good enough in the fight?" They asked.

"Nah, nothing like that. As I said, you were great. Really impressive stuff, kid. But uh...Mosquito Girl...oof, she's pissed." Kabuto answered.

"...Oh." Kombu Infinity said, eyes widening from the realization.

"Yeah. I've NEVER seen her this bad, and I've accidentally spilled stuff on her One Punch Man merch. Let me tell you; I caught an earful when that happened." Kabuto began before pointing at them. "But you? Damn. What you did has made her a NEW type of angry. She's got this look on her face none of us have seen before. I pity ya. I know I wouldn't want to be in your position." He told him.

"...Could...I just stay in the tube?..." Kombu Infinity requested. They didn't want to leave now. This was their new home.

"Nope. Sorry, kid." Kabuto denied.

"On a scale from one to ten, how bad would you say it is?" Kombu Infinity inquired, now trying to ready themselves.

"Nuclear," Kabuto described.

"...Are you SURE I can't stay in the tube? At least, until she calms down a little?" Kombu Infinity requested again, desperate to avoid this.

In response, Carnage Kabuto raised his hand and gave a thumbs up as Saitama had done. Just like before, the water was drained, and the container's glass retracted into its base. The only major difference was the lack of a mask around Kombu Infinity's face.

"Okay. I've gotta ask. How do you people do that?" Kombu Infinity asked.

"The clones cycle through shifts of monitoring the facility. There are cameras EVERYWHERE. From where the clones are, they can control almost everything in the building, including that tank. So, One Punch Man and I give a thumbs up to signal you're ready to go, and they let you out. Simple." Kabuto answered.

"Ooh. That makes sense." Kombu Infinity said. "What about the mask? Why didn't I have it this time? Is it because I wasn't hurt as badly?" They questioned, having thought about its absence.

"Those masks help the people inside those chambers breathe. We didn't know how you worked yet, so we stuck one on ya. But now that we know you're a plant and do just fine in the water, it's unnecessary." Kabuto explained.

"Oh, okay." Kombu Infinity replied. "...So...even though I can't stay in the chamber...could I just hide somewhere?" They suggested, doing their best to avoid confronting Mosquito Girl.

"Nice try, but no." Kabuto denied them again while putting his hand on their shoulder. "Now, will you walk beside me and not try to run away? Or will I have to pick you up like a barrel and carry you?" He inquired.

"..." Kombu Infinity didn't reply verbally. Instead, they hanged their head in defeat.

"There, there," Kabuto said while patting their shoulder to comfort them. "If she mauls ya, we'll shove you back into the tube." He promised.

Gee, what a nice thought. As Kombu Infinity and Carnage Kabuto made their way to the others, their nervous anticipation of Mosquito Girl worsened. By the time the Seafolk got there, they were stiff as stone.

"Brace yourself," Kabuto warned them as the door to the room opened.

The space they had traveled to was a sort of recreation room. There were activities and games alongside televisions to help the clones and the creations relax. However, when the door opened, all eyes landed on Kombu Infinity. Well, except for Mosquito Girl, whose back was turned. Each of the gazes that met the Seafolk was filled with concern and nervousness.

"Hey, look who's up!" Kabuto exclaimed with a grin as he patted Kombu Infinity's shoulder again. "The kid's alright! Better than ever, even! Why, I say it's cause for celebration!" He said.

Silently, Kombu Infinity thanked the beetle man for what he was trying to do, even though everyone knew it wouldn't work. Still, it was a nice gesture to try and prevent what was about to happen. Yet, as Mosquito Girl slowly turned around and looked at the Seafolk, their blood ran cold. Far more chilling than the freezing depths of the arctic waters.

There was an expression on her face that none of them, including Kombu Infinity, could describe. It was a fusion of anger and...something else. Annoyance? Disappointment? Frustration? All of them? Ultimately, the ingredients didn't matter, only the result, which was PISSED.

"Uh...hey...Mosquito Girl..." Kombu Infinity greeted with a shaky smile and timid wave.

"Outside." Mosquito Girl firmly stated as she approached them.

"W-What?" Kombu Infinity nervously questioned.

"Out. Side." Mosquito Girl repeated once she reached them, separating the word for emphasis.

Knowing that saying or doing anything else would only further her wrath, Kombu Infinity obeyed Mosquito Girl and returned to the hallway with her following. Carnage Kabuto quickly stepped out of the way as they left. He didn't want to become collateral.

"BEG FOR FORGIVENESS!" Ground Dragon called out, hoping his suggestion would help the poor Seafolk.

Before the door closed, Mosquito Girl swiftly looked back into the room at the mole. Her eyes carried a glare of death. Unsurprisingly, this sent Ground Dragon into a terrified silence.

Now, it was just the two of them. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. The latter leaned against the wall opposite the doorway. They averted their gaze to try and make this easier. However, she wouldn't allow that.

"Kombu." Mosquito Girl spoke. The tone she used was enough to make them wince. "Look at me." She ordered.

Hesitantly, Kombu Infinity met her glare with their vision. If they had any bones, they'd be jelly right about now.

"..." Both of them stared at each other in silence. Each waited for the other person to say something.

...
...
...

"I'm sorry." Kombu Infinity apologized, knowing they had to be the one to start this. "I should've clued you in on the plan, but I didn't think we had the time. Plus, I assumed you might not go for it." They said.

"You're right. I wouldn't have." Mosquito Girl confirmed, now folding her arms over her chest. "But your plan isn't why we're out in the hallway." She revealed.

"...It...isn't?..." Kombu Infinity questioned, now confused.

"I wasn't supposed to beat the Seafolk alone. It wasn't meant to be JUST me. But you decided instead of us working together; you'd sacrifice yourself so I could win." Mosquito Girl started as she came closer to them. "Not only that, you didn't hesitate to put yourself in harm's way. You allowed yourself to be impaled by my proboscises and FORCED me to drink your blood. You took away ANY choice I had and made me hurt someone I care about when we could've thought of something different OR let Metal Knight handle it. Sure, we wouldn't have been the victors like everyone else. But YOU wouldn't have needed to be rushed back here to ensure you'd be okay. Do you have ANY idea what that was like for me? The entire time I wondered if I had taken too much blood or if, in transit, you lost enough for it to be concerning. I was scared that you could die!" She told them.

"B-But I knew you wouldn't!" Kombu Infinity responded in their defense.

"No, you trusted that I wouldn't. There IS a difference." Mosquito Girl corrected them. "Admittedly, it's very touching and sweet that you already trust me to the point of having that level of confidence. But still, I wasn't in control of ANYTHING that was happening. You surprised me with your plan, forced my cooperation, and if I DIDN'T drink your blood, the Seafolk coming back to life DIRECTLY behind me would've put us both in danger and forced Metal Knight to save us. I only had a few seconds to process what was going on and what you wanted me to do and THEN drink your blood while ensuring I didn't accidentally kill you. There are SO many different ways it could've gone wrong. Again, you could have DIED. From where I'm standing, it comes across as if you didn't CARE if you died!" She exclaimed.

"...Well...that's because...I didn't..." Kombu Infinity slowly confessed. "I mean, I didn't do it because I WANTED or EXPECTED to die. But if it happened, then at least you would've-"

THUMP

Mosquito Girl's hands made that sound, which cut off Kombu Infinity as they landed on their shoulders. She gripped them tightly and brought her face as close to theirs as possible. Mere centimeters apart.

"Don't." Mosquito Girl said in a quiet yet stern voice. "Don't finish that sentence. Don't even think about the words you were going to say. Kombu, you deserve to be alive. Your life isn't something that's meant to be thrown away. And don't you DARE mention the Doctor! Could he bring you back? Yes. But that doesn't mean you should be suicidal! Nor should it enforce your perception that you're expendable or worthless! You're not! We care about you! I care about you!" She told them as her voice got louder and her grip tighter.

Kombu Infinity just stared at Mosquito Girl. They couldn't think of anything to say. However, their body decided to speak for them. Tears formed in their eyes, and their breathing became uneven.

"...Why?..." Kombu Infinity quietly asked. "Why do any of you care about me so much? You barely know me..." They said.

"So? What does that matter?" Mosquito Girl challenged. "We've spent this past week hanging out and talking to each other. I've shown and taught you a lot about the surface. You've told me what it's like in the ocean. You've discovered so much that makes you happy, and we've only just started. I want to keep learning about you and help you learn more about everything else, including yourself." She said as her expression finally changed. Now, it was one of sadness. "So, please. Don't be so quick or eager to throw yourself away even if we can bring you back. You don't deserve to feel pain or be miserable all the time. No one does. You're not an exception to that." She requested.

Again, Kombu Infinity was at a loss. No words. No thoughts. The kindness Mosquito Girl and everyone else, including Saitama, had shown them was unnatural. They had no reason to treat Kombu Infinity so well. And yet, they did.

Once more, Kombu Infinity's body spoke for them. They broke free of Mosquito Girl's grip so they could hug her. Of course, she happily returned the embrace. Together, the two stood there and hugged for what seemed like forever.

...
...
...

"Oh, shit."

That sudden voice came from behind Mosquito Girl. As the duo looked in its direction, they saw Carnage Kabuto standing in a now-open doorway.

"Uh...shit...my bad..." Kabuto apologized as he rubbed the back of his head. "It's just...you've been out here for a while...we were worried you might be arguing or something happened...and I was waiting by the door for you two to come in, so I opened it to check on you..." He explained.

"It's fine." Mosquito Girl assured him as she wiped her eyes with her arm. During the embrace, tears had formed in hers as well. "We're done talking. Everything's okay now." She said before looking at Kombu Infinity. "Right?" She inquired.

"Yeah. It is." Kombu Infinity agreed, wiping their eyes as well.

"Phew. Glad to hear it. We were SO nervous. You could cut the tension with a knife." Kabuto sighed in relief with a smile. "Well, come on in, then! We want to turn on the news and see how everything's going with One Punch Man!" He excitedly exclaimed while inviting them inside.

"Yeah! Plus, we've got some snacks and food to help us celebrate our win today!" Frog Man chimed in from within the room. "We've even got some more delicious meat you've yet to try, Kombu~" He teased.

"You should've led with that!" Kombu Infinity exclaimed before hurrying inside. If there was meat, they HAD to eat it, much to the amusement of the others.

As the Seafolk rushed to take their seat and begin chowing down, Mosquito Girl walked into the room with Kabuto accompanying her.

"You know, you two are pretty close to each other," Kabuto commented as they walked.

"Of course we are. We're best friends." Mosquito Girl replied.

"I don't know. Seemed like more with that hug." Kabuto said.

"...Kabuto." Mosquito Girl began, stopping them in their tracks. "You...remember that Kombu's a kid, right?" She asked.

"...OH. NO. THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Kabuto quickly exclaimed, realizing how that could've been misinterpreted. "I wasn't saying that you looked like a couple! That'd be gross! I meant that you looked like siblings!" He clarified.

"..." Mosquito Girl's eyes widened. That intention managed to shock her more than the previous one. "...N...No...that's...ridiculous..." She tried her best to shrug off the suggestion. Unfortunately, the creeping blush in her cheeks betrayed her words. "We're just friends. I'm not like a sibling to them. That's...absurd. Silly. Crazy, even." She carried on, now with a dismissive hand gesture.

"Right. Sorry. I wasn't thinking." Kabuto apologized. "I'm more muscle than brain. I Should stop trying to make observations like that." He said.

After that, the duo silently returned to the group. Thankfully, the others didn't hear that conversation since they were busy talking and eating. But once the pair were seated, they turned on the TV closest to them and switched it to the first news broadcast they could find.

However, the group was met with a stunning discovery when they did. For Mosquito Girl, it wasn't as severe as the insinuation of being an older sister to Kombu Infinity. But it was a sold second.

"As you can see, a massive gathering of Seafolk is coming onto the shore of City J. Yet, instead of screaming in terror or running away, the people gathered further inland are cheering and applauding. I don't blame them. One Punch Man's peace talks must have gone over swimmingly. And yes, that was a pun. But in all seriousness, the sight of the Seafolk race being led by our greatest hero onto land is cause for celebration. As always, One Punch Man has succeeded in his efforts. But what lies ahead for humanity? Is this the beginning of a new age of peaceful coexistence? We'll bring you the latest coverage and details the Association provides as the situation develops. So please, stay tuned!"

Chapter Text

"We, the Seafolk, pledge our eternal allegiance to the strongest in the world. He who walks with the strength of the planet in his fists. He who is unmoving and immune. He who stands above all others. We are your people. We are your tools. We are your weapons. We are yours. Forever, now, and always."

...
...
...

"Uh...cool. Thanks a lot." Saitama said as he blankly stared at the numerous Seafolk before him. "I mean, we already worked this out back in the ocean. You didn't need to kneel and recite something." He said.

City J and the rest of the world were witnessing history. The presumed entirety of a race of monsters was giving themselves to One Punch Man, proclaiming that he was their new leader. All of humanity expected their hero's talks with the Seafolk to go well, but they never anticipated this!

"But of course, m'lord." A Seafolk who resembled a great white shark spoke. He was at the front of the massive horde. "We must again express our loyalty to you out of gratitude for your mercy. But we also say this so that your people may hear it. They must know we see you as our ruler and that we mean neither you nor them any harm." He stated.

"...M'lord?" Saitama questioned in his head before speaking. "Guys, it's fine. Really. Sure, we'll need to tell everyone you aren't dangerous; that IS important. But there's no need for such a display." He told them.

"Have we displeased you, oh great one?" Another Seafolk asked.

"What? No. I'm just-"

"Should we recite it again?" Another chimed in.

"No. Guys. Please. Listen to-"

FWOOSH

A sudden strong gust assaulted the Seafolk and Saitama. However, it wasn't with the intent to harm or move them. It was only conjured to ensure that they'd be quiet. Who else could it be than a certain Esper who'd been nearby?

"Yo. Baldy." Tatsumaki called out from above as she descended. During the Seafolk's pledge of allegiance and promise of loyalty, she had arisen from her chair and flown over. "What the Hell is going on? The last I heard from you, you were fighting these guys. Now you've brought all of them onto land?" She asked while landing.

"M'lord, who is this woman?" The Great White Shark inquired. "Is she your queen?" He added.

"What? No. This is someone close to me, but not in that way." Saitama replied. Meanwhile, as he focused on the Seafolk, he failed to notice Tatsumaki's eyes shoot wide open and a faint blush appear on her cheeks.

"Ah. An advisor, then? Or perhaps a concubine? Maybe a member of your harem?" The Great White Shark guessed.

"ADVISOR. STICK WITH ADVISOR." Saitama quickly responded. Tatsumaki's face became hotter and redder as this Seafolk unintentionally filled her head with MANY ideas.

"Of course. Someone of your status would have many who help manage his kingdom." The Great White Shark said. By now, Saitama had his face in his hand as he tried desperately to get control over this conversation.

"One Punch Man!"

A new voice called out, this time from the back of the beach. When everyone, excluding a flustered Tatsumaki, looked to see who had spoken, they found a blue-haired man hurrying toward them with a camera crew.

"Oh, hey, Sweet Mask." Saitama greeted them as they reached him.

"One Punch Man! This...This...is incredible!" Sweet Mask exclaimed in disbelief. "How did this happen? What about the Deep Sea King? You've only been gone for a little under an hour!" He asked.

"Before I say anything, is that camera rolling?" Saitama inquired, addressing the cameraman.

"Y-Yes, sir! We're live right now!" The cameraman confirmed.

"Alright. Everyone, please, no talking." Saitama requested, speaking to the Seafolk and the humans present. "I will tell you what happened while I was in the ocean. Pay attention." He stated before proceeding.

A Short While Ago, Near The Coast of City J...

Punches. Kicks. Tentacle and tail whips. Snapping jaws. Swinging claws. Poison. Venom. Head bashing. Elbow jabbing. It was a mess of bodies and limbs doing all sorts of things.

In the midst of it was Saitama. He stood perfectly still. The room had flooded, and monstrous Seafolk were assaulting him, yet he did nothing. Why? Because he hoped they'd make him try.

A wound. Some blood. A bruise. Even the smallest possible irritation. Nope. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Despite their size, these guys, to Saitama, were like butterflies. Their fists were pillows. Their teeth and claws were like plastic sporks. What a disappointment. The Deep Sea King got his hopes up for nothing.

"Good thing I took up swimming..." Saitama thought with his arms crossed as he was attacked at every angle. "It's helped me to improve how long I can hold my breath. Even with the Association's pools being the cleanest around, I still don't want a mouthful of pool cleaner..." He carried on.

The area surrounding Saitama was pitch black. Made sense. They were inside a barge at the bottom of the ocean. Well, to be precise, it was sort of the bottom. The real bottom would be where the Seafolk lived.

...
...
...

Oh. There's an idea.

"Hey, Saitama." The voice of Tatsumaki telepathically spoke to him. "What's going on? You've been quiet." She asked.

"Yeah, some stuff's happened." Saitama began. "First of all, Bad was right on the money. The Deep Sea King's an ass. There was never a chance for peace, at least not with him. But we still don't know ANYTHING about the situation back at the Seafolk's home. So, there could still be something we can salvage." He answered. "Oh. Also. I'm being attacked." He added.

"What? Seriously? Like, right now? As we're talking?" Tatsumaki questioned.

"Mhm. These Seafolk are pretty gnarly. It's super dark here, but they're so close I can make out their faces. I hope this doesn't make me sound racist...specist? Whatever the right word is to describe what I'm meaning. The point is, they're ugly." Saitama said.

"It's alright. I know what you're trying to say." Tatsumaki assured him. "I know how stupid this will sound, but do you need backup? I know YOU'RE fine, but are the Seafolk heading to the shore? Do we need to get ready for them?" She asked.

"Nah. They're all focused on me. Plus, Metal Knight would've found more Seafolk waiting somewhere if they were." Saitama answered.

"Okay. So, you'll punch those guys and head back, right? It doesn't seem like there's much else to do right now." Tatsumaki assumed.

"Not exactly. Yes, I will punch them in a second, but I had an idea before you contacted me. I'm going to see if it's good or not after these guys are dealt with." Saitama explained.

"Oh. Well, would you mind telling me what that idea is?" Tatsumaki requested.

Before Saitama could reply, he heard a loud and strange noise fill the water. It came from all directions and was so immense that it overshadowed the Seafolk's sounds. What could it possibly-

CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK...BOOM

The barge wasn't on a solid sea bed. Saitama only learned this as the ground crumbled, causing the entire thing to sink. The Seafolk's ceaseless offense sent violent vibrations through the vessel and into the surrounding area. They couldn't do ANYTHING to him, but the terrain was a different story.

The BOOM that was heard was the ground giving away. However, there hadn't been another. Saitama expected it since he didn't think the ship would fall that far. Turns out, he was wrong.

"Whelp...have to rethink this..." Saitama pondered, still doing nothing as the ship plummeted further and the Seafolk continued their attack. "Also, I am getting a LITTLE worried about my air. It'd make sense to catch a breather before I do anything else." He reasoned.

With a course of action settled, Saitama went through his list of moves to find one that best suited this scenario. Unfortunately, nothing was sticking out. But that's when his brain had a brilliant, albeit unorthodox, solution.

"Hmm...it's worth a shot..." Saitama decided before extending his arms outward. "Serious Series: Serious Spin." He stated, naming this new technique.

In one motion, Saitama spun himself around and jumped. If this were any other human being, even someone who was mechanically enhanced, their spin, at best, would be somewhat swift. They would need to do MULTIPLE in quick succession to generate ANY speed. But for Saitama? That one spin was all he needed.

Saitama shot out the barge like a torpedo of death. The Seafolk? Blended. A red color in the water. The barge? It exploded. Not with fire and heat, mind you. Its body couldn't hold together from the force of Saitama tearing through it. No amount of rivets, screws, welding, and engineering could stop this man.

Here's the thing, though. The barge hadn't simply fallen straight down. It was already resting at an angle, but as it floated downward, it was essentially a rusty incline on its way to becoming entirely vertical. So, when Saitama jumped and spun, causing him to soar through the water, he ascended at a diagonal trajectory. In summary, that boy flew far. VERY far.

Saitama broke the surface of the ocean like a baseball breaking a window. He went farther away from the mainland and closer to the endless watery horizon. By the time he started his descent, there wasn't any land to be seen at ANY distance. Saitama re-entered the salty sea with a splash that would make any passing ship think an explosive had just been detonated.

"Wow. I need to remember that for later use." Saitama told himself, at last, audibly. He expected to get distance with that jump spin, but not THAT much. Plus, it took out the Seafolk. A ten-out-of-ten performance.

For the next minute, Saitama relaxed. He repositioned himself to float on his backside, regained his breath, and enjoyed the serenity of the ocean's waters. He didn't know how much farther it'd be to the middle of the sea, so he contemplated how best to get there.

"I think I'm far enough to kick things up a notch..." Saitama thought aloud as he watched the clouds move by. "I'll still need to hold back, of course. But this will save me a LOT of time..." He continued to contemplate.

After a few more seconds of debating it, Saitama decided to proceed. First, he went below the surface. Then, he aimed himself at a downward diagonal angle. Finally, with his course determined, he kicked his legs.

...
...
...

BOOM

Roughly ten seconds. That's how long it took for Saitama to hit the bottom. His assumption that his jump spin had sent him FAR into the ocean was correct. Even though there'd be specific areas that allowed greater depths, such as trenches and chasms, this was the lowest point from the surface.

Saitama tried to gather his bearings after shaking himself to get rid of the sand on his clothes. However, this far down, the sunlight didn't reach all too well. He could make out shapes and things within the environment, but that was it. But before he could pick a direction to start swimming in, Saitama detected motion on his right side in the distance.

Turning towards whatever was approaching, Saitama could immediately discern the entity's size. It was big like the other Seafolk. As the seconds passed, he could make out fins and a tail. This creature was a type of shark from the looks of it.

"Fish or Seafolk?..." Saitama wondered. He didn't take a fighting stance since, regardless of the answer, what would either be able to do to him?

Soon, the mysterious form reached Saitama. As he assumed, it was a type of shark. Great White, if he had to guess. It was also a Seafolk, a double whammy!

Yet, unlike the Deep Sea King or the other Seafolk Saitama had been exposed to, this one didn't attack him. Instead, it positioned itself to stand on its legs. Then, it...knelt?

Back In The Present...

"After that, not much else happened," Saitama said as he put his arms behind his head. "Great White, the name of the Seafolk behind me, introduced himself and guided me to the Seafolk's home. As for the details, I'd like it if he could be the one to share them." He concluded before looking back at the Seafolk. "You wouldn't mind, right?" He asked.

"Of course not, m'lord." Great White answered as he approached the camera. But not too much since he didn't want to scare the other humans present. "I...speak into this, correct?" He inquired, not wanting to mess up.

"Mhm. Look at the lens, the shiny part in the middle, and talk," Saitama confirmed with a nod.

"Ahem. Attention land-dwellers. Please, forgive any discomfort my appearance may cause. I know your kind is hesitant toward other species, which is not an insult, nor do I fault you for your hesitation. Since the world began, it has always operated on strength. The powerful rule. This is the law of nature. As such, we, the Seafolk, like any other race, followed the strong. We never questioned their leadership. They were the strongest, and by this logic, they DESERVED to lead. But then, your champion appeared. A surface-dweller who can kill any foe in a single strike. When this information reached the world's other species, we all believed it to be nonsense. Admittedly, a significant factor was that your kind never had any notable powerful figures. But once confirmation was achieved that this entity DID exist, it sent shockwaves through the world. The ocean, and by extension, the Seafolk, was not excluded.

We assumed your champion to be no different than our king. Ruthless. Merciless. Cruel. Because that is how the strongest have always been. But then, we learned more about your champion. We heard many tales of his victories and accomplishments. Alongside them were descriptions and accounts that he was benevolent, caring, reasonable, and much more. Some of us started to wonder if life could be better. If by reaching out to your champion and establishing relations, perhaps the Seafolk could finally live on land as well as in the waters. However, our king had planned for the longest time to invade the surface. A plan that, once it was shared, caused great discourse among us. Those you see on this beach, and those that remain in the ocean behind them, all thought he was mad. To challenge your champion, who could kill us all in one blow, was suicide. Yet, our king persisted. Unfortunately, none of us were strong enough to stand against him and his loyalists. We needed to bide our time. What you see is the result of that. When our king left to carry out his trap, we also sent out scouts. We waited for the inevitable arrival of your champion. When he was seen rocketing out of the barge, the scouts stealthily followed. Those that witnessed his arrival at the ocean's bottom came and told me about it. From there, it is as he said. I guided your champion to my people. He didn't need to say anything. We bowed before him and swore our fealty. Afterward, he brought us here." Great White told everyone.

Silence. No one said or did anything. The words spoken by Great White sank into the minds of everyone who heard them. After a handful of seconds went by, Sweet Mask stepped between Great White and the camera.

"And there you have it," Sweet Mask started, his duty as the PR expert kicking in. "One Punch Man, as always, has made the world better. He's not only saved us from a tyrant and his inner circle of murderers, but he's also liberated these unfortunate souls from their cruel life. There's still so much to ask, say, and do.  Yet, we all need a nice commercial break to gather ourselves before moving forward. So, we leave you in the capable hands of the broadcast outlets, stations, and so on. We promise to be back soon." He stated. A moment later, and the feed was finished for now, which allowed casual conversation.

"Did I do well?" Great White asked. Surprisingly, he addressed Sweet Mask rather than Saitama.

"No. You did splendidly!" Sweet Mask answered in praise as he turned to face the Seafolk. "The way you spoke, your choice of words, the picture you painted, it was perfect! We couldn't have rehearsed anything better!" He exclaimed, continuing to compliment him.

"Oh...thank you, sir." Great White replied, now looking at Saitama. "What shall we do now, m'lord?" He inquired.

"First of all, you could stop with the LORD talk..." Saitama thought before replying. "Have the Seafolk relax on the beach or in the water. Tell those who hung back to be safe that everything worked out how we wanted. They have nothing to fear or worry about." He instructed.

"Understood, sir." Great White responded before attending to his people.

"I gotta say, great work, baldy," Tatsumaki said, praising her leader.

"Great? How about EXCELLENT!" Sweet Mask corrected. This didn't help improve Tatsumaki's perception of him, which was an asshole.

"Aw, thanks, guys," Saitama replied with a smile. Even though he was the most celebrated and beloved human in the world, he still appreciated praise from anyone. "Sorry for the unexpected company." He apologized, knowing this would cause an even bigger stir than it already was.

"You have no reason to apologize. This is going to do WONDERS for our non-human campaign!" Sweet Mask assured him.

"Plus, as we assumed, there are more species and races out there that we don't know about. But from what the shark man said, they seem to know each other. Not only can we get intel, but we now know you've had eyes on you this whole time. That means they undoubtedly knew about the Deep Sea King's plot to try and kill you. Or, at the very least, they had HEARD he was up to something. So, in addition to all the humans who saw this, just as many non-humans did." Tatsumaki pointed out. "Speaking of, where is the regal prick?" She inquired.

"Dunno. Genuinely." Saitama began as he put a hand to his chin. "When the lights went out, the other Seafolk rushed in. But as I told you, I could see them since they were around me. I can confidently say that none of them resembled the Deep Sea King." He stated.

"That means he fled. But where would he run to? His people have abandoned him, and his loyalists are now dead. He's a king without a country." Sweet Mask pondered aloud.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Saitama reasoned. "Right now, let's get through the rest of today. That alone is going to be one Hell of a task." He told them.

Nodding in agreement, Tatsumaki and Sweet Mask departed to attend to separate matters. Tatsumaki would contact the other S-Class heroes and tell them to get to City J to help. Sweet Mask, unsurprisingly, fielded all of the PR-related matters alongside Association staff. As they did this, Saitama stayed with the Seafolk and assisted Great White. All in all, today went pretty damn spectacularly.

Chapter Text

Ah, sleeping in. Saitama couldn't remember the last time he did this. Or rather, when he was able to. But feeling the morning pass as he stayed in his comfy covers was blissful.

Another week had gone by since the Seafolk situation. In that span, the Association helped to get them settled. City J, amazingly, welcomed the non-humans with open arms. Granted, that was most likely due to Saitama having brought them on land. But people did talk about Great White's speech on television. So, perhaps it wasn't entirely due to One Punch Man's influence.

The Seafolk would have the ENTIRE coast of City J as their new home. In the water, of course. With a GENEROUS donation from its strongest hero, the Association provided building materials and construction assistance. The Seafolk were at a loss for words; some even had tears of joy in their eyes. One Punch Man and his people were so kind and welcoming; their new homes would be far more beautiful and comfortable than in the sea. Which mainly consisted of wreckage, ruins, and the natural geography of the ocean floor.

Understandably, the Seafolk couldn't go too far on land. Human civilization simply wasn't built with such large creatures in mind. However, as he had done for his creations, Doctor Genus offered any Seafolk who wanted a size reduction without losing physical prowess. So far, there weren't any takers, purely because the idea and the science behind it were so unusual to them. But, given enough time, there'd likely be many who wanted to be smaller to interact more easily with humans.

The only one to accompany Doctor Genus to City J was Kombu Infinity. The reason for this was due to them being Seafolk. Unlike Genus's creations, no one would question their presence or find it out of place. Also, the House of Evolution's members' public reveal was slated for next month, so they'd have plenty of time to start and get used to their training.

Truthfully, this past week had gone by very smoothly. Was it busy? Oh yeah. But there weren't any more surprises or unforeseen complications. Metal Knight's work on the train system was going great. Satoru and Mizuki were readying themselves for the debut of the hero news network, which would launch next week. At long last, had Saitama been given a break? A calming period to just enjoy himself? It seemed so.

However, a big contributor to this was the people that surrounded Saitama. The Association, his friends, his colleagues, and everyone else. They could tell that One Punch Man needed a break. So, unless something DEMANDED his involvement, all agreed to leave him alone. This included the morning and evening S-Class meetings, which he COULD attend, but his fellow heroes would insist he stay away and continue his relaxation.

So, as stated previously, this was bliss. Saitama, with a content smile, slumbered happily in his bed. Nothing could-

KNOCK KNOCK

...
...
...

That was his imagination. He didn't hear that.

KNOCK KNOCK

...
...
...

It...was a dream. A bad drea-

KNOCK KNOCK

Breathing out a long sigh, Saitama sat up. If City Z wasn't on fire, then whoever was at his door better have a DAMN good reason for this. He hopped off his mattress, slipped on his slippers, and slowly shuffled to the front door.

"Hello?..." Saitama groggily greeted, yawning as he did.

"Morning, Saitama. Sleep well?"

...Huh. A pleasant surprise. Saitama sincerely didn't expect the person at his door to be Tatsumaki. Furthermore, she was...different.

High-heel boots that went halfway up her shins. An outfit whose lower half resembled a black dress while the upper was white and resembled a blouse or shirt. The attire was secured at its center with a corset-like design. Resting between the upper half's collar folds was an accessory comprising several fabric ruffles and a beautiful cross-shaped broach.

For accessories, Tatsumaki adorned a hat Saitama had never seen before. His best guess was a beret, but he wasn't sure. Alongside it, two black gloves with bracelets on the wrists. The final touch was a set of carefully crafted cross-shaped earrings that dangled from the Esper's earlobes.

For a few seconds, nothing happened. Saitama stared at Tatsumaki, taking in her appearance. Meanwhile, Tatsumaki looked up at him with a seemingly expectant expression.

"...You bought new clothes." Saitama started as he pointed at her ensemble. "I've never seen you wear any of that before." He noted.

"I've...had this stuff for a while," Tatsumaki admitted. "I've never had a good reason to wear it, even during my time off. I prefer to lounge in my pajamas whenever I'm not working." She informed.

"No need to explain. Trust me. Nothing beats relaxing in PJs." Saitama assured her. "As for these clothes, I like them. You should wear more stuff like this. I think it suits you better than your usual dress." He said.

"O-Oh? Do you not like the dress?" Tatsumaki questioned, doing her best to remain mostly stoic.

"It's not that; it's just pretty bland," Saitama replied before crossing his arms as he continued to study her appearance. "Wait, no, that's not right, either. I...guess what I'm trying to say is...it doesn't match you. Your normal dress is very plain, whereas you are the exact opposite. As I said, I think this suits your personality better. You're not afraid to express yourself and don't care what others think. This outfit says I'm cool, and I know it, which is perfect for you." He told her.

Tatsumaki was a strong-willed person. She could withstand just about anything. But hearing such a thing come from Saitama broke through her resolve. The brightest smile and happiest look he'd ever seen her show appeared on her face.

"Thanks, Saitama," Tatsumaki responded. Her cheeks had a delightful rosiness, increasing the warmth of her expression.

"No problem." Saitama casually said before stepping aside. "Want to come in?" He invited.

"Yes. Thank you." Tatsumaki politely accepted as she crossed the threshold.

Together, the duo went to Saitama's dining table after he closed the door. Then, opposite each other, they sat down and continued their conversation.

"Do you want me to make us something? I don't mind." Saitama offered.

"No. We can get something later." Tatsumaki said, only to realize how presumptuous that sounded afterward. "What I meant was IF we decide to spend today together. You know, as we talked about last week?" She clarified, ending with a question.

"...OH. Right!' Saitama exclaimed with a snap as the memory came to him. "I assumed you dressed like that because you already had plans and were just stopping by to chat." He confessed. "Sorry." He apologized afterward, feeling a little guilty for not remembering.

"No, it's fine. You've been super busy." Tatsumaki said, assuring him that there weren't any hurt feelings. "But that's why, even though we all agreed to let you relax, you could use that day out I mentioned. A nice, peaceful outing." She explained.

"Yeah, no, that'd be awesome." Saitama agreed, making her smile again. "By the way, didn't you say you'd make a schedule?" He asked, fairly certain she said something like that.

"Mhm! I've got it right here." Tatsumaki answered as she removed her hat and produced a small black book. "We'll start with a nice walk through a park near here. Next, I'll take us to a café I discovered with delicious sweets and meals perfect for brunch. After that, we'll go to a shopping mall and look around. Maybe we'll purchase some stuff if any of it happens to catch our eye. Finally, we'll close out with a movie that can double as lunch since most theaters serve actual food now. When we're done, we should be able to get back here by three. " She recited.

"Wow. You have it all figured out. Impressive." Saitama complimented her, earning a proud chuckle.

"Of course. I said I'd make a schedule, and I did." Tatsumaki stated as she put the book back in her hat. "So, whenever you're ready, we can head out." She told him.

"Sure. Give me a minute or two to get dressed." Saitama requested.

Nodding in reply, Tatsumaki watched him return to his bedroom. As he did, she adorned her hat once again. All the while, her mouth formed an excited and happy smile.

A Short While Later, In The Nearest Park...

Saitama and Tatsumaki were very contrasting people in personality or taste. That couldn't have been better represented than by their outfit choices. Tatsumaki's made her beautiful, maybe even cute depending on the perception. If you didn't know who she was, you'd never know it was the fearsome Tornado of Terror walking through the lovely scenery.

Then there was Saitama. Ignoring his trademark simple-looking face, the man's attire flawlessly matched his personality. Bright red hoodie. Denim jeans. Sneakers. He gave off the impression of a laid-back and fairly chill person. An accurate summary of Saitama.

But of the many things the duo did have in common, not caring what people thought about them was one. If anyone was nearby, they'd ignore comments or confused glances as they walked beside each other. They focused on enjoying each other's company and the park's serenity.

"One of the perks of City Z," Tatsumaki commented as she looked around. "It has a population, but they're fairly spread out. And even with you here, no one wants to be in Ghost Town." She described.

"Yeah. Who would've thought that constant monster attacks would be good somehow?" Saitama agreed. "Although ignoring the Seafolk stuff, there haven't been many monsters lately. That allowed the crowds to form outside my old building more easily." He mentioned.

"A nuisance of the past," Tatsumaki replied with a smile. "Now, you just have the rest of S-Class, Association employees, my sister, and her cronies to annoy you." She said, making him chuckle.

"I don't know. Annoy might be too strong. Like I said before, you guys being here doesn't bother me." Saitama corrected. "Even if you get to be a handful sometimes, you're nowhere near as bad as the public." He added.

"Wow. Such a nice thing to say to your neighbor as she walks beside you." Tatsumaki joked.

The pair continued to walk for a bit longer before arriving at a bench. Thankfully, whoever's job it was to tend to this park kept everything clean. So, when they sat down, Tatsumaki didn't need to worry about ruining her clothes.

"Ah. This is nice." Saitama sighed with a smile. "I...think the last time I came here was when I was training." He said.

"What? Really?" Tatsumaki questioned, genuinely surprised by that. "You've had this beautiful park practically ALL to yourself, and you haven't taken advantage of that?" She asked.

"Ignoring the existence of my stalkers, fans, reporters, etc, when did I ever have enough free time to come here?" Saitama started as he rested his arms on the bench's back. "Even though I'm not called on all too often, so much still occupies my time. As the head of S-Class, there are Association meetings I don't NEED to participate in, but I still do so I don't come across as skirting my responsibilities. Then, there's S-Class itself. When I'm not playing games with King, one of you wants me for something. You want to train or fight together. Silver Fang, Atomic Samurai, Flashy Flash, Superalloy, and Tanktop all want me to learn their techniques and styles. Bad and Zenko want to hang out since we are good friends. Zombieman, Drive Knight, and Metal Knight want my input on important matters. Isamu wants to make cool gadgets for me. I'm also pretty sure he wants to build me a mech suit or something along those lines. Then there's Genos, who just got added, who I still need to mentor. I'll probably get on that sometime this week. My time's still being used elsewhere, even without the public. Not much wiggle room for personal luxuries like a day at the park." He explained.

For a moment, there was silence. Saitama assumed Tatsumaki was just considering her response. In reality, she was feeling a little guilty. She knew he said he WANTED to do this. But it had never occurred to her how little Saitama got to enjoy himself alone. Most likely, neither did the others, except for King.

"...Saitama." Tatsumaki began, lightly gripping her clothes. "You DO want to be here, right? I'm...not monopolizing your time?" She inquired.

"What? No. Of course not." Saitama replied with a smile. "This is great, Tatsumaki. I mean it. A nice day out with a good friend? I couldn't ask for something better." He assured her.

Hearing that helped Tatsumaki breathe easily again. She also made a mental note to tell the others to pull back a little. Saitama deserved to have time to himself.

"Alright, then," Tatsumaki spoke while standing. "We should finish up our walk and head for the café." She suggested.

"Sounds good," Saitama responded, also standing.

With their brief bench rest over, the duo resumed traversing the park. As it had been thus far, the remainder of their time here was enjoyed. Not a complaint to be found in either of them.

Later, At The Mall...

Not much happened during brunch. Not because things had gotten awkward between Saitama and Tatsumaki or because they had nothing to discuss. Both were simply too lost in the flavor of their meal. Yet, even in mostly silence, they still enjoyed each other's company.

But with their stomachs sufficiently sated, the duo went to the largest shopping center within City Z. At last, there were people. Yet, it was still City Z, so it was a small amount. Not that either of them was complaining, especially not the Tornado of Terror.

"So, what should we look at first?" Saitama asked as they walked side-by-side through the building.

"...I...know how weird this is going to sound..." Tatsumaki started, avoiding eye contact due to embarrassment. "But...could we...look at games first?..." She requested.

"..." Saitama's eyes were wide. His brain was trying to process what she had just said.

"You don't have to look so stunned!" Tatsumaki exclaimed with a light slap to his arm. Getting her request out was hard enough; she didn't need him making a big deal of it!

"I just...never expected you to be interested in video games," Saitama admitted.

"I'm not. But you are, and I want to see why you and King get so excited about them." Tatsumaki explained.

"Why?" Saitama questioned.

"Because that's what friends do, isn't it?!" Tatsumaki challenged. "They try their friends' hobbies to see if it's something they can enjoy together." She reasoned.

"Hm, yeah, that makes sense." Saitama agreed. "But if we look at something I care about, we should do the same with you." He said as he looked at her. "So, what're you into that I'm not?" He inquired.

"...I'm sorry in advance if this is an insult..." Tatsumaki began with an apology. "But...do you read books? And NO, manga does NOT count!" She asked.

"..." Saitama was silent. He struggled to think of a time when his reading materials weren't manga.

"Alright. Then, that'll do." Tatsumaki decided. "I'll give video games a shot, and you'll read a book I recommend. Sound fair?" She proposed.

"Sure." Saitama accepted. "I don't doubt you'll pick something good, considering your taste." He added.

"Hmph, damn right." Tatsumaki proudly agreed. She DID have impeccable taste.

With a course chosen, the duo went to the game store within the mall. City Z wasn't a massive shopping-focused metropolis even before becoming mostly vacant. The few stores within it that were dedicated to games were all quite big. The one inside this mall was by far the biggest, and it is for that reason a certain person was browsing its wares.

"Hm?" Saitama stopped at the entrance as he and Tatsumaki entered.

"Something wrong?" Tatsumaki inquired, unsure of why they stopped.

"..." Saitama was silent for a few seconds, debating what to do. "...Oh, no. A monster is in the mall. Run for your lives." He calmly spoke.

Tatsumaki, with a bewildered expression, just stared at him. The staff and other patrons in the store ignored him; each focused on something. He intentionally didn't speak with any authority or energy to not cause an actual panic. However, as he anticipated, the mere mention of a monster made the person he kept his eyes on stiffen.

"Ah-ha. I knew it was you." Saitama said with a smile as he approached the person. It was a rather tall gentleman who wore a baseball cap and...

...
...
...

Tatsumaki's expression changed. Along with it, her aura. Of all times for them to run into someone, it had to be today. And it HAD to be the ONE person closest to Saitama.

"Dude, that wasn't cool." A deep voice spoke as its owner turned to face Saitama. Baseball cap. Sunglasses. Face mask. Tatsumaki didn't need to be psychic to know this person's identity.

"Sorry. I just knew that'd get a reaction out of you." Saitama apologized when he reached him. "Plus, I didn't want to say your name out loud. It might cause an uproar." He added.

"That's funny coming from you." The man joked while putting his hands into his pockets. "So, you decided to do some game shopping too? You should've told me; we could've made a day out of it." He asked.

"Nope. It wasn't me." Saitama started before pointing at the entrance. "It was her idea. She wants to give games a shot because I'm into them." He explained.

The man's vision followed Saitama's direction. When it did, the man stiffened again. Furthermore, he felt a cold shiver go up his spine. The glare he was receiving was the same as a predator whose territory had been intruded.

"...Huh..." The man slowly said, unable to break his gaze away from Tatsumaki. "...Is...she wearing...different clothes?..." He managed to inquire, noticing her attire.

"Surprising, right?" Saitama rhetorically asked. "We're spending the day together. That's why she's wearing something new." He explained.

"...Wait..." The man began, the cogs of his mind turning. "Have...you done anything else before coming here?" He asked.

"Mhm. We started with a walk in the park, and then we had brunch." Saitama answered.

"..." The man now stared at Saitama. Behind his glasses and mask, an expression of disbelief. "...Saitama...what do you think this is?..." He inquired.

"A day out with a friend," Saitama stated. When he did, the man noticed a brief change in Tatsumaki's face. It was so quick that he would've never known it had happened without noticing it. It almost looked like...sadness? Disappointment?

"..." The man was silent again, this time to think. "...Saitama. When you're done with Tatsumaki, could you stop by my place?" He requested.

"Sure. Got a new game for us to try?" Saitama guessed.

"Yeah. Plus, I'd like to talk with you about something." The man replied before walking past him.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Saitama asked. "You haven't bought anything yet." He pointed out.

"I'm having it all delivered. This place does that." The man lied. He did so because he knew his continued presence would only further disrupt this "day out" with a "friend".

"Oh. Okay. Well, see ya later." Saitama bid farewell. "Come on, Tatsumaki. Let's look around." He said, gesturing the Esper to come inside.

As the man left the store intending to go home, he heard something. However, it wasn't audible. Yet, It didn't cause him to stop. Rather, it made him smile as he went on his way.

"Thank you, King."

Far Later, In the Afternoon...

The remainder of the day went without any more surprises or unexpected encounters. Saitama gave Tatsumaki a glimpse into the wonderful world of gaming. Afterward, she took him to a bookstore and expanded his view beyond the manga section. Then, as planned, the duo spent their lunch and the next few hours watching a movie.

The food the theater served was good. The film they saw was even better. Nothing exceptional or revolutionary. A simple action-oriented flick that accomplished what it set out to do. And, as a bonus, there was no one else there. So, the pair enjoyed each other's commentary throughout the movie.

When it was over, Saitama and Tatsumaki walked through the park again on their way home. There was no conversation, but there didn't need to be. This whole day was mainly about them being in the company of someone they liked and trusted. It was a comforting experience for both.

Eventually, they arrived at their apartment building. When the duo reached the elevators, they took separate ones so each could go to their floor immediately. But before ending this wonderful day, they said their goodbyes and agreed to do this again as soon as possible.

Now separated, Tatsumaki and Saitama presumably went home. But, in truth, each had a different destination. Granted, for the latter, this WAS known. It's not as if Tatsumaki had gone deaf during Saitama's conversation with that man back in the game store. But as for hers, it was a mystery.

...
...
...

Knock Knock

"Coming!"

...
...
...

"Tatsumaki?"

Well, now, this was unexpected. Although they shared a floor, Fubuki never anticipated her sister would visit so suddenly. Additionally, her sister wasn't wearing her usual black dress. Instead, she wore a very carefully crafted attire. The kind one might use for a...oh.

"Before you say anything." Tatsumaki started to prevent her sibling from speaking. "I'm not here to taunt or brag. I'd just like to talk to someone about today. You're the only person I'd feel comfortable with. But if it's too weird for you, I'll understand." She said.

Wow. The rare softer side of the Tornado of Terror. Fubuki and Tatsumaki may butt heads here and there, but they were still family. More than that, they cared about each other.

"Of course," Fubuki responded as she stepped aside. "Come in. Take a seat." She invited.

Tatsumaki entered the apartment and headed straight for the couch. Upon reaching it, she plopped onto the comfortable furniture. She didn't seem upset or saddened. It appeared more like exhaustion.

"Is everything alright?" Fubuki asked while closing the door. "Did something happen that ruined your day? Or did it not go as you thought it would?" She added while approaching the couch.

"Nope. The worst thing that happened was running into King. But he left so me and Saitama could be alone. I thanked him as he left. It was nice of him." Tatsumaki answered. "As for the day itself, it proceeded as I planned. We went where I wanted and did the things I wanted. I've got no complaints about that." She said as her sister sat down.

"Then why do you look like the wind got knocked out of you?" Fubuki inquired.

"Because I loved today. It was perfect. But it was only between friends." Tatsumaki replied.

Ah. Yeah, that checks out. Fubuki now fully understood what her sister was going through. She had experienced this multiple times in the past with Saitama. Moments that she hoped might lead to something more or be the slightest bit romantic, only to end with nothing changing. It took a LOT out of you, even for someone like her sister.

"Is he ever going to figure it out?" Tatsumaki asked, but not directly to her sibling. She was putting the question in the air for them to ponder. "Do we just need to come out and say it? Is that the only way he'll realize what's happening?" She added.

"I've considered that myself," Fubuki admitted. "We're all adults. A straightforward confession wouldn't be a big deal. However, it's the nature of our situation. You and I aren't women who happen to know each other. We're sisters. That's why neither of us has done that. We want him to choose so it doesn't feel like we backstabbed the other." She said.

"Right. But how LONG will it take him?" Tatsumaki questioned as she stared up at the ceiling. "Despite what I say when others are around, the man's not an idiot. So, why hasn't he figured out? He should've picked up on SOMETHING by now!" She exclaimed.

"I agree. It is odd." Fubuki responded. "However, from what I know about Saitama's past, it's not as if he was mister popularity. He was little more than a nobody. Before he became a hero and eventually the strongest person in the world, no one noticed him. That would include anyone with a romantic interest. So, it could just be a lack of experience. No prior crushes or girlfriends." She suggested.

"...I...suppose that would do it..." Tatsumaki replied with a sigh. "It's not as if we're rolling around in experience." She admitted.

"True. I don't know if I've ever felt the way I do about him with anyone else." Fubuki confessed.

"The same for me," Tatsumaki said with another sigh. "Still, we can't keep doing this to ourselves. We need to do SOMETHING." She told her.

"...How about this." Fubuki began as an idea struck her. "We wait until all of this non-human business settles, which will be a while, but it'll give us more time to spend with Saitama without feeling like we're in a race. We'll confront him once the world returns to normalcy, and if he still hasn't figured it out and made a choice. From there, it'll be in Saitama's hands." She suggested.

"...I...guess that's most fair..." Tatsumaki agreed. "But when we confront him, I'd like us to still have a chance to win him over. I know it's petty, but the idea that he chooses you over me just...doesn't sit well. I'm sorry." She requested, ending with an apology.

"No, it's completely understandable. I feel the same way." Fubuki assured her as she looked at her lap. "I want him to choose me more than anything. If there's a chance I can convince him to, I want to take it." She said.

"Alright, then. It's set." Tatsumaki stated before standing up. "Thanks for talking with me about this, Fubuki." She told her.

"Anytime. I mean that." Fubuki replied. "Plus, I would like to talk to you more when we're not struggling with our feelings." She added, making her sister chuckle.

"Likewise. We'll have to set some time aside for it." Tatsumaki responded before leaving the apartment.

Elsewhere In The Building...

"YOU KNOW?!" King yelled in shock, utterly stunned by this revelation.

As promised, Saitama came to his best friend's dwelling after his day with Tatsumaki. King invited his bestie in with a video game ready and snacks prepared. He figured it'd be easier to talk about this if they relaxed and had fun. However, Saitama dropped a massive bombshell of a question after getting started on the first level.

"So, out of curiosity, is this about Tatsumaki's feelings for me?"

So now, the game was paused. Saitama was the one who did it since King's brain was exploding. He didn't want them to lose any lives as his best bud processed the information.

"Just saying, you might want to close your mouth. Your tongue could dry out, which isn't good." Saitama advised as he took a sip of his beverage.

"YOU. KNOW." King repeated, this time as a statement.

"Yup," Saitama confirmed with a nod. "Also, you should probably keep it down. If anyone heard you, it could cause trouble." He told him.

"Uh...right..." King muttered, still trying to make sense of this. "Saitama, how long...when did you..." He tried to form a question, but his brain wasn't cooperating.

"Since she started acting differently toward me," Saitama replied, worsening his friend's shock. "...Actually, that's not accurate. Tatsumaki was subtle at the start, same with Fubuki, but they've gotten a bit bolder as time has passed." He said.

...
...
...

"...Fubuki?..." King questioned before his eyes shot wide open again. "Y...You know about her, too?..." He asked.

Before responding, Saitama turned to face his buddy and looked him dead in the eyes. This was a serious face moment.

"My head might be smooth, King, but my brain isn't." Saitama began. "I didn't know instantly. As I said, it took me a bit to catch on. But even someone like me, who is usually late to know what's happening, could figure out the truth. This entire time I've played the fool. In reality, I've known all along." He answered.

"But...if that's true...then how come you've never said or done anything about it?" King inquired.

"If it were just Tatsumaki, I would've. The same goes for Fubuki. Unfortunately, they're not just my close friends but also sisters. I don't know how they developed feelings for me. That part is still a mystery. However, when I realized what was going on with them, I knew I had to be careful. I know I'm at the center of this, but again, they're sisters. I've been hoping that they'd work it out themselves. Not because I want to avoid dealing with it but because I could cause a tear between them. More than that, I could lose someone I care about. If I haphazardly did something, it could cause a fight, which leads to awful tension between us. I don't want that. I don't want to hurt either of them or lose either one. The same goes for me wanting to ensure two sisters don't have a falling out because the guy they're into doesn't choose them. Overall, this situation sucks. What am I supposed to do? I've been asking myself that this entire time." Saitama explained, ending with a question.

For a few moments, King pondered that question in silence. Honestly, he had no answer. He couldn't even offer helpful advice. Saitama was right; this situation did suck, and neither of them knew the best way to deal with it. They weren't playboys. They never had a serious relationship. This was an area neither had any knowledge or experience.

"...I'm sorry, Saitama." King apologized with a sigh. "I didn't consider how difficult this was from your perspective. It is a precarious problem, and neither of us knows what to do." He said. "Even so, this can't go on for much longer. It's like a powder keg ready to explode." He told him.

"I know. I genuinely believed they'd sort it out before it got this far." Saitama confessed, sighing as well. "But now isn't a good time. When things finally calm down, I'll deal with it. Even if I'm no closer to knowing the right way to handle this." He promised.

"And I'll be right there with you. I'll have your back." King assured him. "Just...protect me if things start getting thrown. Or If I get picked up and am ABOUT to be thrown." He requested.

"Sure, man. Thanks." Saitama replied with a chuckle. No matter what, he could always rely on King to be there for him.

After that, the men resumed their gaming session. They DESPERATELY needed it after dealing with that.

Chapter Text

"Alright, everyone. Please refrain from talking or asking questions until I'm through speaking. To start, I'd like to express how proud I am of our group. This includes you, Kombu, even before you agreed to be officially recognized as a member of the House of Evolution. All of you have exceeded my expectations and those of the Association. Any worries that you'd need more time before your hero training have been put to rest. But before I get ahead of myself, I'd like to share the current status report.

City J has adjusted to its new non-human populace. The Seafolk have been extremely cooperative and communicative. Construction of their new homes has proceeded without any incidents. Regarding the now-former leader of the Seafolk, his whereabouts are still a mystery. One Punch Man has remained certain that he wasn't present when he killed his ambushers. So, unless the Association finds him, we'll have to wait for the Deep Sea King to reappear.

As for the mysterious object the Deep Sea King had in his possession and what the deceased Seafolk consumed, research is still ongoing. The clones and I have been working around the clock to try and isolate the mutagen in the remains for study. Unfortunately, due to their condition, it's gone slowly. However, that is not a criticism of your efforts. As I said, you did splendidly.

Yet, there is something that I must mention before we discuss your training. One Punch Man approached me and asked if it was possible to resurrect the dead Seafolk. I told him it'd be of no issue whatsoever. But we agreed not to revive them if Kombu has any objections. These Seafolk are the loyalists of the Deep Sea King. More importantly, your torturers are among them. We will respect your decision if you wish for them to stay dead.

Now then, onto your training. Carnage Kabuto has been assigned Superalloy Darkshine and Tanktop Master. Armored Gorilla has been assigned Child Emperor. Frog Man and Ground Dragon are to be mentored by Flashy Flash. Slugerous will be under the guidance of Hellish Blizzard and her group. Beast King and Kamakyuri will enlist in Silver Fang's dojo. Mosquito Girl...has requested an extension. Admittedly, neither One Punch Man nor myself expected something like this. However, we want you to be comfortable with your assigned mentor, so we granted it. But, Mosquito Girl, I strongly suggest you not waste time making your choice. You NEED to start training as soon as possible. As for Kombu, although you weren't part of the original plan, we still want you to become a hero. But, like with the others, it's YOUR choice. Take as long as you need to consider it, and get back to me when you're ready." Dr. Genus stated.

Similar to S-Class, the House of Evolution was trying to be more organized. The most obvious way to start was to have meetings like they did. So, after breakfast, Doctor Genus, his creations, Kombu Infinity, and Zombieman, who was still monitoring them, gathered in a room that would become their conference space. But, as of now, no one was thinking too much about that.

All eyes and minds focused on Kombu Infinity. Of everything Doctor Genus said, the resurrection of the Seafolk stuck out the most. Everyone knew how hard this would be for them.

"..." Kombu Infinity stared at their lap. They weren't thinking. They held the lives of their tormenters in their hands. Were they angry? Confused? Sad? They couldn't tell. It was...gray. Mute. It didn't feel like anything.

"Kombu?" Mosquito Girl, who sat beside them, spoke while touching their shoulder. "You okay?" She asked.

"...I...don't...know..." Kombu Infinity slowly answered, trying to process this. "...I...don't think I can make a decision. On the one hand, I get why you'd want to revive them. You want to ask about what they ate that turned them into freaks. You probably also want to try and use them for the rehabilitation program you're preparing. But on the other hand, I...I...I can't bring myself to say that they deserve it. I can't even humor the idea. They NEVER showed me mercy. Why should I be kind to them? Why should I give them a second chance when all they gave me was shit?" They questioned as their hands balled into fists.

"You shouldn't. Screw those guys." Kabuto commented while folding his arms.

"Kabuto, careful." Dr. Genus warned. Kabuto wasn't out of line for saying what he did. The reason why Genus said that was for Kombu Infinity's sake. He didn't want their trauma to play again in their mind.

"Hey, I'm just saying what we're all thinking," Kabuto replied. He wasn't angry; he knew why the doctor told him that.

"I agree with Kabuto. Those cretins made their choice. Let them rot." Beast King chimed in.

"Even so, we can't ignore the merit of their revival." Armored Gorilla argued. "As Kombu said themselves, they'd have invaluable information and could be used as the first participants in the rehabilitation program. This decision needs to be carefully considered." He stated.

"Which is why there is no rush on it." Dr. Genus interjected, regaining control over the conversation. "Kombu, there's no deadline. I can revive or dispose of them at any time. Please, do not feel pressured. As I said earlier, we will respect your choice." He assured them.

"...Thank you..." Kombu Infinity responded, still looking at their lap.

"With that settled for now, are there any other questions or comments anyone would like to voice?" Dr. Genus inquired.

Everyone took a few seconds to consider that. Mosquito Girl and Zombieman were the only exceptions. The former because she was still concerned about Kombu Infinity, the latter because he had something else on his mind. Eventually, the other members all shook their heads.

"Very well. Dismissed." Dr. Genus declared, bringing their first meeting to an end.

After a few moments, the room was nearly vacant. Only three people remained. Kombu Infinity. Mosquito Girl. Zombieman.

"...I can feel you staring at me." Mosquito Girl began as she looked over her shoulder. "Do you have something you'd like to say?" She asked.

"I assumed you did," Zombieman answered, crossing his arms. "Here's a wild shot in the dark; you asked for an extension to convince me to train Kombu." He said.

"Nope." Mosquito Girl replied before a smirk appeared on her face. "I want you to train Kombu AND me." She revealed.

Zombieman gripped the sleeves of his coat. This woman. This infuriating woman. After the first time she propositioned this, they had a BIG argument in her room about it. He hoped that was the end of it. Turns out, this mosquito had been buzzing around with an even WORSE idea in her head.

Unfortunately, Zombieman knew he couldn't refuse a second time. He purposefully gave her leverage over him to make amends for his actions. Additionally, it ensured he couldn't refuse whatever she wanted to use her wish for. He got lucky that first time, but pressing it would only wrap a figurative noose around his neck.

"...You...are...evil..." Zombieman growled. To some extent, he had to respect her. She stuck to her guns.

"Hell hath no fury~" Mosquito Girl teased with a wink and her tongue out.

"...Hold on." Kombu Infinity spoke. The words finally sank in and snapped them out of their slump. "Did I hear you guys correctly?" They questioned.

"Mhm! You and I are going to be mentored by Zombieman!" Mosquito Girl cheerfully exclaimed.

"...Woohoo..." Zombieman begrudgingly cheered as well, still gripping his sleeves.

"Wow. Thanks." Kombu Infinity said with a smile. Their worries were swiftly being pushed aside for now. "But wait, aren't you a detective?" They questioned.

Upon asking that question, Mosquito Girl let out an audible gasp. Kombu Infinity was confused by this reaction. Contrastly, Zombieman knew it meant nothing good.

"WE'RE GOING TO BE DETECTIVES!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed as her eyes sparkled. "Better yet, we all match as a color scheme! Zombieman's gray with black hair. I'm black and white. Kombu's black with dark green hair. It's like we stepped out of a noir film!" She carried on, unable to contain herself. "This is SO exciting! All we need now is an office dimly lit by the city's lights. A smoldering cigarette in an ashtray. A flask filled with an unknown alcoholic beverage. Filing cabinets that are overflowing with documents and case files. Oh! And we need a door with our detective agency written on the glass! But first, we'll need a name..." She rambled on, now tapping her chin as she contemplated potential monikers.

As Mosquito Girl pondered, Zombieman casually took out his Desert Eagle and ejected the clip.

"What're you doing?" Kombu Infinity inquired.

"I'm wondering if my ammunition is capable of killing me. It's special-made." Zombieman bluntly responded.

Suddenly, the gun and the clip were swiped from the undead hero's grasp in the blink of an eye.

"There will be NO suicide attempts in front of Kombu." Mosquito Girl firmly stated, scolding Zombieman.

"Does that mean he can shoot himself when I'm not around?..." Kombu Infinity wondered.

"Mosquito Girl, give me the gun." Zombieman requested with a sigh.

"Nope. This stays with me for now." Mosquito Girl said, denying him.

"How? Those jeans you wear can barely fit a piece of paper in those tight pockets. Are you going to carry my pistol all day?" Zombieman questioned.

"Hm, good point. I like these jeans because they show off my legs well, but they ARE more flair than function." Mosquito Girl acknowledged while looking down at herself.

Just then, another lightbulb went on in the insect woman's head. As her face contorted into an ear-to-ear grin, Zombieman felt sick to his stomach.

"...Don't you DARE..." Zombieman warned. His sickly gut was telling him what had popped into her brain.

"We. Are. Going. SHOPPING!" Mosquito Girl slowly said, shouting that last part due to her excitement.

"Nope. NOT happening." Zombieman swiftly rejected the suggestion. "Now, GIVE. ME. THE GUN." He demanded, this time with a gesture of his fingers.

"Oh, come on!" Mosquito Girl whined with a pout. "Do you EVER do ANYTHING fun? Genuinely? What do you DO when you're not being grumpy and stoic?" She asked.

"I relax in my new apartment. I kick back in a recliner, have a nice cold beverage in my hand, and watch TV." Zombieman answered.

"...Oh my god, that's so depressing..." Mosquito Girl replied, now feeling bad for him.

"What? How?" Zombieman challenged. "I'm a busy guy. I have OTHER responsibilities when I'm not monitoring the House of Evolution. What's wrong with relaxing in a comfy chair with a nice drink and some good television?" He inquired.

"Nothing. But is that ALL you do?" Mosquito Girl asked.

"Yeah. So?" Zombieman answered.

...
...
...

"Dude, I'm not going to lie, that IS depressing." Kombu Infinity commented. "And this is coming from someone who spent most of their days having their hair plucked for food." They added.

"Come on! There has to be SOMETHING else you enjoy! Anything!" Mosquito Girl insisted, shocked and saddened by the state of his life.

"...Well...I like violence." Zombieman said with a shrug. "Especially if there's a lot of blood. When I'm in the midst of combat, chopping limbs and heads, putting holes through torsos, I feel...alive. It's a rush that I can't describe. A state or trance that you either experience or you don't. Call it bloodlust. Call it a frenzy. But when there are rivers of blood, it gives me a warmth I never had. Since, you know, I'm essentially a sentient corpse." He described.

Looking at Kombu Infinity and Mosquito Girl for their reactions, he found a pair of wide-eyed stares. The duo's expressions were a mixture of disbelief and slight horror.

"...Too much?" Zombieman asked, assuming that he over-shared.

Slowly, Mosquito Girl set down the Desert Eagle and its clip. Then, she carefully placed her hands on Zombieman's shoulders and looked him in the eye.

"We are going shopping." Mosquito Girl told him, slightly gripping his shoulders. "If you fight back, I will fly you there myself." She warned.

Zombieman wasn't intimidated or frightened by Mosquito Girl's tone or expression. Nor did he feel compelled to agree because she gripped him. However, by now, he realized that if he didn't go with the first insane thing that came out of her mouth, she'd think of something worse.

"...City J," Zombieman said after thirty seconds of silence. "Kombu won't need a disguise, and you blend in well enough so long as no one sees your wings. That's the only place we can go." He told her.

Hearing that made Mosquito Girl smile. Zombieman preemptively winced before she even uttered a word.

"WE'RE GOING SHOPPING!"

Later, In City J...

Only a week had passed since the Seafolk became part of City J's community. Yet, you wouldn't be able to tell. Those too big for the city remained in the ocean and near the beaches. They interacted with the populace and even helped fishermen and other vessels out on the water.

As for the Seafolk whose size wasn't an issue, they showed gratitude for City J's hospitality by lending their abilities and talents to its citizens. If there were any in City J who might've been hesitant or flat-out against these non-humans living with them, they didn't exist anymore. City J would become a shining example for the non-human coexistence campaign. Sweet Mask knew this and was already making moves and plans for the near future.

Regarding the Seafolk's new homes, oh, they were lovely. Every single one couldn't begin to express the delight they felt at their new accommodations. Some still needed one, but they knew it would only take a day or more before it was finished. Let it never be said that Metal Knight's machines and the Association's workers were inefficient.

In conclusion, City J was livelier than it already had been. There was joy and merriment in the air no matter where you went! It'd be impossible to find someone without a smile!

"For the last time, this is how my face naturally looks," Zombieman repeated to Mosquito Girl. He was sitting in a chair outside a changing area with his arms crossed.

"Then you NEED to have the Doctor give you a facelift! You look miserable! It's ruining the vibe!" Mosquito Girl responded from within one of the stalls.

This was Zombieman's life now. All because he had to lose his temper and fire a warning shot. If Child Emperor or Metal Knight ever invented a time machine, he'd use it to go back and stop himself. Paradoxes and potential time anomalies be damned.

"No. Chance. In. Hell." Zombieman stated. "If I so much as see that man point a scalpel at me, I'm burning the building to the ground." He vowed.

"Geez, that's intense." Kombu Infinity commented. They were also in a stall. Thankfully, although this was their first time wearing clothes, they knew what to expect. So, there wouldn't need to be an embarrassing assist from Mosquito Girl. "What did the Doctor do to you?" They inquired.

"Let me reply with a question." Zombieman started. "Kombu, were you only tortured when you refused to be a messenger? Or was it like that your entire life?" He asked.

"The first one. Being used as a food source was degrading, but it wasn't torture." Kombu Infinity answered.

"Alright, then." Zombieman began as he closed his eyes. "What I'm about to say isn't an attempt from me to make little of the suffering you endured. But in comparison, my torture at the hands of Doctor Genus was much worse. For several years, I don't know how many, I was his test subject. Not a beloved creation like Mosquito Girl or the others. To spare you the details, and because I don't feel like talking about them, I experienced every kind of pain you can imagine. It was all done for the sake of making an immortal man. A lifeform that would never know death. In the end, Doctor Genus got what he wanted, but he made a mistake. He gave his perfect weapon a mind capable of thought. That was all I needed to escape and destroy the facility I was made in." He told them.

Silence filled the air. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity stopped what they were doing. Neither of them knew about this. To be more precise, Mosquito Girl knew Doctor Genus created Zombieman, but not that he was tortured for years.

"...I'm sorry." Kombu Infinity apologized. As someone who went through a similar experience, albeit not as long or varied, they felt immense regret for being nosey.

"Don't be," Zombieman responded. "Do I still hate him? Yes. I don't think there will ever be a time when I don't. His work toward redeeming himself could be real. With each day that passes, it becomes harder to think otherwise. But that doesn't erase what he did to me." He said. "However, he's doing right by all of you. The fact that he's nice to someone that isn't one of his creations seems impossible. But I guess time does change people." He went on as he tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. "Heh, and One Punch Man. That, too." He added.

"...Zombieman..." Mosquito Girl spoke. "I'm...sorry for our first interaction...I...didn't know...I wouldn't have acted the way I did or-"

"Stop." Zombieman interrupted her. "As you said, you didn't know. How could you? It's not as if Genus would've proudly proclaimed that he tortured me and my predecessors for most of a decade. Hell, it might've been longer..." He said.

"Wait, predecessors?" Kombu Infinity questioned. "Were they...clones?" They asked.

"Maybe, couldn't say," Zombieman answered. "I was sixty-six. There were sixty-five before me. But I was the only success. So, at some point with every previous subject, they reached their limit. I suppose with each one, Genus ironed out the vulnerabilities and refined the regenerative process. Until eventually, he got me. Lucky number sixty-six." He explained.

Silence filled the air again. Shit. Zombieman over-shared like before. He needed to make a mental note to work on that.

"Guys, let's focus on the clothes," Zombieman suggested, looking back at the stalls. "We shouldn't be out here all day. Mosquito Girl's cover could get blown, which'd be a mess for us." He said.

A response came in the form of sounds. They were Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity resuming their efforts to get dressed. This, right here, is why Zombieman rarely talked to anyone. Even if you removed his past, the man was a nihilist and didn't shy away from the world's cruelty. He wasn't meant for social interaction or to liven the mood.

After a few more minutes, the duo emerged. As Mosquito Girl had intended, they dressed to match Zombieman's detective aesthetic. Even if he wanted to, the undead hero couldn't lie and say they had failed. If anything, they went above and beyond whatever expectations he might've had.

Mosquito Girl's jeans were exchanged with a pair of brown pants that had suspenders. They fit snugly around her shoulders and her new shirt. In the place of the "One Punch Man!" crop top was a white button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up on her arms to imply a working woman.

Regarding accessories, Mosquito Girl sported a stylish fedora atop her head. Her choice of footwear was a set of slick black shoes that were polished to perfection. She also carried a coat over her shoulder that would suit her and her attire quite nicely. She was carrying it so it wouldn't hide the clothes she was showing off.

Up next was Kombu Infinity. Their outfit was nearly identical to Mosquito Girl. The differences lay with the choice of hat and a few other articles. Regarding the headwear, it was a flat cap colored black.

Moving on to the other changes, Kombu Infinity wore a jacket rather than a coat. It was unbuttoned so the white shirt and suspenders could be seen. Although, Zombieman suspected they were the type to leave it that way. It'd be too stuffy otherwise. Lastly, they sported a pair of brown gloves that covered their hands.

Together, the duo accomplished the noir-styled appearance they were aiming for. More than that, they fit right alongside Zombieman. As much as he'd hate to admit it, they did look like a proper detective trio. This was a point for Mosquito Girl.

"Well, how do we look?" Kombu Infinity asked.

"..." Zombieman was quiet. He needed to pick the right words that wouldn't excite the insect woman too much. "...You...did it." He said.

In reply, Mosquito Girl furrowed her brow. Nope. That wasn't going to cut it.

"...Fine." Zombieman sighed in defeat. "You guys look like me. Or that you could be with me. So, if that's what you were trying to do, congratulations. You succeeded." He told them.

Hearing that made Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity smile. Truthfully, they KNEW they looked great. But getting Zombieman to say so in his unique way was an achievement.

"So, are we done here?" Zombieman asked as he stood from his seat.

"Mhm! We'll gather more clothes that fit this style and head for the checkout!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed.

"Wait, we need more?" Kombu Infinity questioned.

"Of course! We need to have multiple outfits, at least two weeks' worth. Otherwise, we'll walk around in dirty clothes or ones that don't match Zombieman." Mosquito Girl explained.

"You don't HAVE to match me. You don't NEED uniforms to train." Zombieman pointed out.

"Nonsense. If we're going to be seen together, we need to match. Impressions are everything. Plus, it'll do a lot for our public image if we're a stylish trio." Mosquito Girl told him.

"Ugh, fine," Zombieman responded with an eye roll. "But are you sure you'll be able to pay for all of this?" He asked before a realization struck him. "...Wait...how ARE you paying?" He added.

"With this." Mosquito Girl immediately answered while extracting a card from her pants pocket. It was in her jeans before they left the House of Evolution, given to her by Doctor Genus, who they informed of their departure and the reason for it. "The Doctor said we'd be getting paid once we became heroes. One Punch Man, as generous as he is, gave us a bonus for our efforts with the Seafolk. He didn't want us to go without a reward for our hard work." She explained.

"Huh." That was all Zombieman had to say. The generosity of his leader wasn't what surprised him; it was the revelation that the Association already set up accounts for them. Most likely, One Punch Man had something to do with it.

After that, the trio were on their way. They got the clothes they needed and paid for them without any issues. Although they didn't know it, this was the first step for this ensemble. What kind? Only the future can tell.

Chapter Text

Ripping off the bandage. A non-copyrighted version of a popular saying. It means to get something painful over with as fast as possible rather than do it slowly and worsen the experience. However, it is also used when describing a scenario that is merely unpleasant, annoying, or aggravating.

By this point in his life, Saitama had come to hold that phrase in his heart. As the world's most beloved human being and the number one hero, there was a LOT he had to deal with. One such responsibility had been put off for as long as possible due to recent events, but now, it was time to buckle down and deal with it.

"Sensei!" Genos, the recent addition to S-Class, exclaimed while raising his hand. "Is this where you practice your techniques? It's far from any populated area." He asked.

A cyborg and a bald man. Quite the odd couple. This unlikely duo was amid a ravine that had become Saitama's training ground and his get-away from the world when he needed it. Saitama had come here recently with Tatsumaki. Sadly, today wasn't to be spent alongside a friend lying on towels and enjoying a nice lunch.

Instead, it was the start of Genos's hero training. Furthermore, it was also the start of the House of Evolution's training. But there was a LOT more pressure on Genos and Saitama's shoulders, although the blonde-haired cyborg likely didn't realize this.

Ignoring the Seafolk incident and how well its aftermath has been going, the House of Evolution's members still wouldn't have faced as much scrutiny as Genos will. In addition to appearing from nowhere and getting an immediate placement in S-Class, he was the second official disciple under Saitama. The first, of course, being King.

Every single thing Genos does will be observed. Every action. Every interaction. Every public appearance. Every fight. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

One might assume that the stress for Saitama came from the fear of embarrassment or shame that Genos could somehow bring. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth. Saitama wasn't a man of ego or one to fret about what everyone else thought. He couldn't care less if the world didn't know he existed or even HATED him.

Saitama's worries were all about Genos. The poor guy would constantly be compared to someone whom the majority of people saw as a paragon of perfection. The harshest critics would undoubtedly come from within the Association. All heroes from every rank would assess Genos's performance and progress as time passed. There were NO harsher critics than S-Class and A-Class.

So, Saitama's training of Genos wouldn't just consist of battle strategies and techniques. He'd try to mentally prepare the cyborg of justice for what awaited him. Despite being a bit...quirky, Saitama could tell Genos was as sincere as they come. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Genos, with proper direction, would be a good hero. Maybe even great.

"Yup," Saitama answered as he looked around at the barren landscape. "I try to keep it to the confines of the ravine walls. Although there isn't ANYTHING of note for miles around, it helps to keep me aware of what I'm doing so I don't accidentally send a massive shockwave toward a town or something." He explained.

"So restrictions help us to improve our control and judgment." Genos stated.

"...Uh...sure..." Saitama replied. Even with only a handful of interactions between them, he got the impression that Genos read too much into everything. For some reason, that seemed familiar to Saitama. "Anyway. The first half of today will be spent in the ravine. Then, for the remainder, we'll go to a city and walk around as if on patrol." He told him.

"Ah. You want to see how well I can spot suspicious behavior. Or perhaps you want to gauge my ability to familiarize myself with an environment so I can better tell when something is amiss." Genos deduced.

"...Yeah..." Saitama responded. Seriously, this was causing a weird sense of Deja Vu. Eh, best not to dwell on it. "Ahem. Now, what we'll do for this first session is measure your effectiveness with your abilities. Before you say anything, I'm aware that you're a cyborg. So, you could have multiple bodies, tools, or upgrades to help you in nearly every situation. What I'm specifically saying is I want you to show me how creatively you can use what you already have. I want to see how much you know about yourself." He said.

"Do you want the detailed schematics for this version of my body? I can have Doctor Kuseno make you several copies." Genos offered.

"No." Saitama plainly said. "Genos, I can't put it better than how I'm about to. I want you to use the weapons you CURRENTLY have on your person in as many ways as possible. I also want to see your physical moves, like punches or kicks. This ensures that you won't be left helpless when confronted with a problem stacked against you." He explained.

"I understand." Genos began as he put a hand to his chin. "As an example, Tanktop Master is entirely physical. If confronted by an opponent immune to all forms of physical damage, he'd be vulnerable and of no use to anyone if he didn't have ways to deal with that." He stated.

"Yeah! Now you're getting it!" Saitama praised him with an encouraging smile. "You'd be surprised how many times that happens. Heroes will dedicate themselves to one type of approach. But then, when that approach is useless, so are they. That might sound a bit harsh, but it's the truth. And since we're in a position where people rely on us, we can't be so easily rendered incapable. In short, it can be summarized with this question: Who saves the heroes if they can't save themselves?" He shared.

For a moment, Genos was in awe. Then, before Saitama could process what was happening, the cyborg produced a notebook and pencil from his back pocket and started writing.

"...Genos," Saitama spoke once he realized what was happening. "What're you doing?" He asked.

"I want to preserve all words of wisdom and guidance you give me so that I may never disappoint or fail you, sensei," Genos answered before proudly displaying the pages of his book. Damn, he legitimately got it all recorded in a handful of seconds. It was so clear and well-written, too.

Okay. That sense of Deja Vu? Even stronger now. What was happening? When did Saitama experience something like this? It was starting to bug him.

"Alright, let's get going," Saitama said, wanting to move past that.

"Yes, sensei!" Genos exclaimed as he hastily stashed away the notebook and pen. He was ready and then some to show his master everything he had!

Elsewhere, In A Dojo Outside Of City Z...

Silver Fang. The hero name of a renowned martial arts master. His actual name was Bang. Regardless of which you went with, the man sounded cool.

Bang's fighting style was "Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist". Quite the elaborate name, isn't it? However, it perfectly encapsulated the techniques it taught. Your body and movements flowed like the water of a stream, yet, when needed, it impacted with the force of a rushing flow that could destroy rock.

With this established, you'd assume Bang's dojo would overflow with students, no pun intended. Yet, the martial arts master had only one pupil. A young man with a headful of messy orange hair named Charanko. But how could this be? How could such a renowned figure in the martial arts world have only one person learning from him?

...
...
...

Today was a special day for Bang and Charanko. At last, after so long, there'd be more people to make the spacious training grounds feel less so. However, there WAS something Bang hadn't mentioned about these recruits. He assumed the best way to handle it would be to let it happen.

Unfortunately, this led to a very awkward scenario. Charanko stood motionless with his eyes wide and his mouth agape. The new students were across from him and Bang, who stood beside him. One was a massive lion man, and the other was a tall yet not as bulky mantis man.

The lion and mantis stood there with the same absence of motion as Charanko. They were genuinely nervous about this. They were getting to train under a legendary fighter. They were in his family's home and school. As people who respected the art of combat and any who practiced it like themselves, the lion and mantis didn't want to do anything to disgrace themselves or this place and its master.

"I am sorry, Charanko." Bang apologized with a sigh as he touched the young man's shoulder. "I didn't know how to explain this to you without causing a fuss. At least you're not screaming, right?" He explained, ending with a jestful question.

"..." Charanko made no sound. He might not be on planet Earth anymore.

"...Should...we call this off?..." The mantis inquired. "If it's going to be too problematic, we can-"

"Nonsense." Bang firmly rejected the idea. However, he did so in a calm and comforting tone. "This is going to be an adjustment for all of us. But you have proven to me and many others that your intentions are good. I will not turn you away because you are not human." He told them.

"Thank you, sir." The lion respectfully replied while bowing. "Shall we introduce ourselves to your student? Perhaps that will help to calm his nerves." He suggested.

"Splendid idea," Bang said in approval.

"I am Beast King. Currently, that is my name. However, I and the others in my group, the House of Evolution, are trying to decide on proper names. Beast King shall become my hero name when we are officially revealed to the public." The lion stated.

"I am Kamakyuri. I'm the only one in the House of Evolution with the opposite situation. That IS my name and always has been. I need to figure out a hero name before we debut next month." The mantis stated.

"...Charanko..." The poor orange-haired boy's voice came out as a squeak. His brain was still overwhelmed, yet he managed to introduce himself. Any progress was good progress.

"Wonderful," Bang said with a smile. "Now that you're acquainted, I'll give Beast King and Kamakyuri a tour of the dojo." He stated, mainly speaking to Charanko.

Afterward, Bang, Beast King, and Kamakyuri left the main hall. Charanko remained where he stood, trying to return to planet Earth.

Not Too Far Away, In A Laboratory In City Z...

You'd think there'd be great awkwardness between Armored Gorilla and Child Emperor. One was a prodigy, the other a non-human entity created by one of the smartest men in the world. Then there was the detail that although Child Emperor had existed for more years than Armored Gorilla, the latter was mentally older than the person meant to be his mentor. Surely, it'd be tough for them to establish a comfortable relationship.

But no. Armored Gorilla and Child Emperor were one of only two pairings that hit it off immediately. After the initial introductions and polite conversation, the two quickly found a shared interest in the obvious. Technology.

Armored Gorilla was the smartest member of his group, excluding the Doctor and his clones. This isn't to say the others were idiots, but their intelligence had been designed around different areas. For example, Carnage Kabuto and Beast King were perfectly honed in on a biological level to be combat experts. Despite being alive only for a few years, their ability to understand ANY fighting technique and its teaching was on par with someone like Atomic Samurai or Silver Fang. This didn't make them masters; it only ensured they'd quickly improve themselves and be better fighters.

Then, there was Armored Gorilla. Ignoring the cybernetic enhancements, he was created on a mental level to be the main tactician of the group. He could form strategies and understand the proper use of everyone's talents and capabilities without ANY issues. Furthermore, regardless of its type, his natural receptiveness and knowledge retainment were nearly identical to his creator's.

So, as Child Emperor and Armored Gorilla began to relax and discuss their shared interests, which were MANY, they near-instantly developed a solid bond with each other. There wouldn't be any nervousness or need for formalities now. They were, in essence, synchronized. Even so, they were still a mentor and a student; they needed to get started.

"Here's the plan." Isamu began as he typed away at his main computer's keyboard. "Since you're a cyborg and a capable fighter, I decided to make your training a matter of optimization rather than learning. You got the skills, tools, and weapons you need for success. However, you must be mindful of how it is used in residential areas. You won't always have the favorable situation of a town being evacuated ahead of time for a battle. Luckily, we're in City Z, specifically, Ghost Town. We have plenty of empty streets and buildings to serve as your restrictions. Throughout Ghost Town, I've placed multiple holographic projectors that'll randomly play out different scenarios. They'll activate after each other on a timer when I turn them on. Your objective for your first day is to arrive at each incident, resolve them efficiently, and cause as little collateral damage as possible. You'll also be evaluated on things such as creativity in combat, variety of tactics, and overall performance." He told him before turning around in his chair. "Did you get all that?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. Resolve issues as best and fast as I can." Armored Gorilla answered with a nod.

"Great." Isamu replied with a smile. "Head outside. Since we've connected you to my tech, I can stay in contact. Once you're ready, I'll give the go-ahead." He instructed.

Nodding once more, Armored Gorilla left to get into position. As the door to the laboratory closed, and he readied himself, he heard Child Emperor's voice.

"Alright...connection's good..." Isamu muttered, doing one last check of everything. "...Okay...in three...two...one...GO!" He exclaimed.

With the clock started, Armored Gorilla set out into Ghost Town. Although Child Emperor hadn't set a strict goal for him, he'd still aim for one. He would do everything he could to impress his mentor and make his creator proud!

Meanwhile, In The Apartment Building Across The Road...

Like the rest of their organization, Ground Dragon and Frog Man weren't easily intimidated. It was difficult to make them feel fear or apprehensiveness. They weren't the strongest nor the most powerful. Yet still, these two could hold their own and were capable in ways that made them unique to their peers. So, in short, they weren't lacking in confidence.

But then these two non-humans sat down across Flashy Flash. This man's unwavering stare of focus and resolve could make the Devil tremble. Even when still as a statue, he had a commanding aura about him. Granted, that statement applied to MOST of S-Class. However, each member's "aura" or "energy" was different from each other.

In the case of Flashy Flash, it was sharp like the blade he carried. You felt as though he could kill you at a moment's notice. Which, in all fairness, was true. The man's speed was matched by few and outclassed by fewer. But beyond his speed, Flashy Flash's combat and weapon skills were truly masterful. No matter how you examined the man, he was a force of nature.

Being in Flashy Flash's presence and becoming his students made the air of the room suffocating for Ground Dragon and Frog Man. He hadn't said a word to either of them yet. He only stared, assessing them as his pupils.

"..." Flashy Flash slowly folded his arms and finally closed his eyes. Amazingly, they weren't dry from how long they hadn't blinked. "...You two are going to be troublesome." He said.

...
...
...

Ground Dragon and Frog Man didn't know how to react to that. Did Flashy Flash want them to say something? Or were they meant to absorb that statement and continue listening?

"...Sir?..." Frog Man hesitantly responded. One of them needed to prod the waters.

"You have little power between the two of you." Flashy Flash resumed speaking. Phew. Frog Man's gamble was correct. "Ground Dragon is only useful when in the dirt. Frog Man has an impressive ability to create any toxin or chemical that he wants, in addition to possessing total immunity." He continued, re-opening his eyes. "However, this will not be enough. I understand that you desire a stealth-focused approach to your hero careers. I am the best teacher for such a path. But apart from Frog Man's swordsmanship, you two have a lot of work ahead of you. Even then, Frog Man is likely not close to any notable level. You're fledglings. Utterly helpless. I'll need to guide you through every basic lesson imaginable and have you repeat it until you have it down perfectly. Only then can we move on to the easiest tactics, techniques, and skills I offer. It will be grueling. I will not be merciful. Of every member of the House of Evolution, you two will be taxed the most. Every day will end in exhaustion and soreness. You'll have little respite. In no small way or exaggeration, this will be a living Hell. Are you willing to endure?" He concluded, ending with a question.

"Yes, sir!" Ground Dragon and Frog Man responded immediately with vigor. Good, no hesitation, as Flashy Flash hoped for and expected.

"Then, we'll get started." Flashy Flash said as he rose from his seat. "Follow me. We're heading to an isolated location." He told them.

In silence, Ground Dragon and Frog Man followed. The trio made their way out of Flashy Flash's abode and into the nearest elevator. They'd reach the ground floor and proceed to the entrance.

"GO, SUPERALLOY!"

"YOU CAN DO IT! DON'T GIVE UP!"

"COME ON, KABUTO! I'VE GOT SERIOUS MONEY RIDING ON YOU!"

These sudden yells brought the trio to a brief stop. Although an apartment building, the ground floor layout resembled a hotel. So, the dining area was accessible from the lobby. Through its open doors, the trio saw a most peculiar sight.

Carnage Kabuto and Superalloy Darkshine were locked in an arm wrestling competition. No, correction, it was a battle of muscular gods. Their biceps bulged. Their elbows were locked in place. Their hands gripped each other with unprecedented strength. These men among men were deadlocked.

Also, they'd been like that since a little after breakfast. Hence the crowd of Association employees that had formed and was placing bets.

"That's his training?" Flashy Flash questioned with a scoff. "Ridiculous." He said before resuming his exit.

Ground Dragon and Frog Man, awestruck by the scene, quickly snapped out of it and continued following their mentor. Each wondered if Carnage Kabuto and Superalloy Darkshine would still be there when they returned.

Nearby, In The Blizzard Group's Meeting Room...

Slugerous was the most unique member of the House of Evolution. He opted to have an animalistic appearance, more so than Beast King or Kamakyuri! There were no human-esque or anthropomorphic traits to be found. As previously described, he was a man-sized Spanish Shawl Sea Slug.

However, this choice wasn't made solely from preference. Slugerous proposed the idea to his creator that trying to balance human traits and physiology with the Esper-related ones and those of a slug made his body needlessly complicated. If they focused more on a single direction for Slugerous's new self, then they'd be able to enhance it better and plan for what they wanted. Doctor Genus agreed; however, there was one concern.

Even with One Punch Man's endorsement, the House of Evolution would already face scrutiny and hardships for being non-humans. But Slugerous's new appearance lacked ANYTHING familiar to a human. Truthfully, although based on an animal, he'd be perceived as an alien. A strange creature that humanity would be quicker to reject than accept.

Slugerous was well aware of this. He anticipated his form to unsettle the Blizzard Group. He expected its leader, Hellish Blizzard, to be nervous in his presence. She could even request that One Punch Man reassign him.

Yet, for the past half hour, Slugerous had done nothing but remain still and answer questions. Was the Blizzard Group interrogating him? Did they not trust him? No. The exact opposite. They were fascinated by him.

Non-humans, A.K.A. Monsters, have never been studied by the general public or most heroes. This isn't surprising since the only course of action was extermination when they appeared in the past. They didn't care about interaction, and the heroes weren't tasked with dealing with the remains. So, this was the opportunity of a lifetime for the Blizzard Group, a team of B-Class heroes.

Now, they didn't want Slugerous to be uncomfortable. They asked for permission before beginning their inspection and questions. When granted, their eyes sparkled in amazement at Slugerous's physical characteristics and his ESP. Honestly, Slugerous was overwhelmed by how flattering it was.

CLAP

"Alright, everyone. That's enough." Fubuki, who had remained in her seat at the head of the table, brought her hands together to regain control over the room. "Slugerous isn't here to be ogled like an exhibit." She said.

"But Miss Blizzard, he's okay with it!" One of the members exclaimed.

"Regardless, he's here to join our group and receive training from me. We've put that off for long enough." Fubuki replied before gesturing to the vacant chairs. "Now, please, sit down." She told them.

Akin to disappointed children, the Blizzard Group members took their assigned seats.

"Thank you for indulging them," Fubuki said as she focused back on Slugerous.

"Oh. It was no trouble." Slugerous assured. With his newly-enhanced ESP capabilities, Slugerous opted to rely on telepathic communication. "If anything, having all of you be so excited about me eases my worries." He confessed.

"How could we not be? You're so cool!" Another member responded.

"I agree. Your appearance is quite stylish." Fubuki chimed in. "However, I'd like to know its functions. This way, I can better guide you as your mentor." She requested.

"Oh. Of course." Slugerous said. "Well, to start with, the cerata on my backside are used as weapons. With my ESP, I can remove and use them in combat. Yet even if I don't, they protect my backside from attacks. Similar to the other members of the House of Evolution, I have accelerated regeneration. So, even in an extreme scenario where I must use all of my cerata, I can regrow them in less than a minute.

Regarding mobility, although I am based on a slug, I'm no slouch. I am not the fastest member of my organization, but I am swifter than a human of decent physicality. I can cling to any surface and traverse any terrain. My flesh is extremely durable and malleable. To clarify the latter, what I mean is that I can fit into nearly any space and face no discomfort in any environment. So, if a particularly slim criminal or villain were to escape via a route that most couldn't follow, I'd be able to without issue.

I am comfortable in any temperature, including extreme ones. Although, like my self-healing capabilities, that is something shared among the members of the House of Evolution. Also, I can breathe underwater. An obvious trait to possess, given the creature used as the inspiration for my altered self.  Those are all the physical traits I can think of. If you need more information, I could get you in contact with my creator." He stated, ending with an offer.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that." Fubuki accepted with a smile. "One more question before we proceed. What is the extent of your ESP? The reason you were assigned to me is because of that trait. Knowing as much about it as possible is crucial." She inquired.

"First, I need to establish that my cerata are special. I'm unsure if it's because they're a part of me or if it's something else the doctor didn't specify, but I can wield them without issue. However, nothing will happen if I try to lift and use objects similar to them in height and size. The most I can manage right now would be knives. To be precise, ones large enough to be stored in knife holders you'd put on your kitchen counter. I can levitate but not fly. I cannot lift people yet. Maybe children, but we didn't have a way to test that.

Yet, when it comes to manipulating my power itself, that is where I seem to excel. Barrier creation is incredibly simple to me.  The largest I can conjure presently is the width of a normal road. At that size, I can produce and successfully maintain three. I can also use it as a direct attack like you and your sister. Of course, I'm nowhere NEAR your level. Still, if someone tried to fight me up close and personal, I could beat them back with no issue. I may lack arms and legs, but that doesn't mean I'm useless if my opponent closes the distance." Slugerous responded.

In the following moments, everyone waited patiently for Fubuki to say something. She carefully considered what she learned.

"...Alright, then." Fubuki started as another smile appeared. "Slugerous, I believe you can accompany us on patrols." She decided.

"S-Seriously?" Slugerous questioned, amazed by that level of trust.

"Mhm. You already proved your capableness with the Seafolk incident. Yet, from how you describe your physical and psychic traits, you'd be a valuable asset to our team as we deal with threats." Fubuki explained. "However, I do have something I'd like to say. Fair warning, it might offend you." She said.

Whoa. That took everyone by surprise. What could Miss Blizzard have on her mind that could insult or upset Slugerous?

"It may not look like it, but I have thick skin." Slugerous joked, hoping it'd lessen the sudden tension that statement caused.

"Very well." Fubuki began, glad to see that he was willing to listen. "I know you and the other members of the House of Evolution have already changed your bodies, but would it be possible to consider a different approach to the form you've chosen? I don't ask this because it disturbs or disgusts me. Like my subordinates, I think you look cool. However, the world is a cruel place. Even in this day and age where One Punch Man is trying to make life more comfortable for everyone, including non-humans, there'll be a LOT of hesitation to something as jarring as yourself. Even members such as Beast King or Carnage Kabuto have enough about them that it is somewhat normal that, with time, it'd be easy for people to approach them. I only bring this up because I don't want you to be harassed and potentially attacked." She asked while ensuring her reasoning was understood.

"Yeah, the Doctor brought this up as well..." Slugerous shared with a sigh. "Maybe he and I can try and workshop some different ideas. I like how I look, but I recognize the difficulties it presents. Plus, there is merit in having a form not so reliant on ESP for most interactions. Yet, with all of this said, the main reason why we went with this was for the sake of my ESP abilities. I am meant to be the House of Evolution's psychic member. My original design didn't allow for much innate power. I worry that with more alterations, the state of my abilities could be negatively impacted." He answered.

"I see..." Fubuki muttered, now having more to consider. "Apologies. I didn't mean to overstep if I did." She said.

"No, it's fine, really," Slugerous assured her. "But if I may ask, is there a time limit? Do you think this is something urgent that needs immediate attention?" He inquired.

"Not at all. This isn't an order from me or something I feel is necessary. It was just a concern I felt I needed to express." Fubuki replied before standing up. "But now that it's out of the way, we can wrap things up and head out. Assuming you're ready." She suggested.

"Yes, mam. Raring to go." Slugerous responded with a nod.

With that, the Blizzard Group's newest member was officially a part of the team. Better yet, he got to go out on patrols with them as part of his training. He couldn't have asked for a better arrangement!

Meanwhile, Several Floors Above Them...

When Mosquito Girl hoped for an office befitting a detective agency, she didn't think she'd be handed Zombieman's apartment. Alas, here they were. Zombieman, Mosquito Girl, and Kombu Infinity. An unlikely trio gathered around a simple circular dining room table.

"..." Mosquito Girl rested her head in her palm. Her right arm was propped up and supporting her noggin; the left lay on the table and tapped the surface with its fingers.

"Mosquito Girl, are you okay?" Kombu Infinity asked, noticing her incredible boredom.

"...No..." Mosquito Girl answered while pouting. "This was supposed to be EXCITING. And yet, we are sitting at a table doing nothing." She sighed.

"What're you talking about?" Zombieman questioned with a raised brow. "I made you guys breakfast." He said.

"True. The eggs were delicious." Kombu Infinity complimented the chef. "I am surprised you went to the effort, though." They confessed.

"Well, I talked about it with One Punch Man after I got home yesterday and told him the situation..." Zombieman began as he folded his arms. "He suggested that instead of moping and complaining about it, which would only worsen all our moods, I could put forward a real effort. Even if we don't become best friends, which will NOT happen, we can still get along and form a trusting relationship. I figured the best place to start was to ensure you guys wouldn't work on empty stomachs." He explained.

"That's...very sweet." Mosquito Girl said, surprised by his story. "Thank you, Zombieman. Your effort is noticed and appreciated." She told him before sighing again. "However, we're still sitting around doing nothing. Where's the cool noir atmosphere, the smooth jazz playing in the background, or the empty pistol with a loaded magazine resting on a well-worn desk?" She asked.

"How many detective movies have you seen?" Zombieman inquired. "And from what period?" He added.

"Kombu and I have done extensive research to prepare for our training." Mosquito Girl replied.

"We've been binging detective movies, shows, manga, and anime." Kombu Infinity clarified.

"Yeah, no, that checks out." Zombieman said, inadvertently mocking Mosquito Girl's "research" methods. "Sorry to say, Mosquito Girl, we don't have a detective agency or office space. Maybe in the future, and that's a STRONG maybe." He told her.

"Ugh, then what's the POINT?" Mosquito Girl groaned before laying her head on the table. "Detectives' lives are meant to be exciting! Full of action, suspense, and the occasional romance! What're we supposed to do?" She whined.

"...You...do know we don't need the office to do detective work, right?" Zombieman asked before standing up from his seat. "If we did, I wouldn't be known for my skills as an investigator." He mentioned.

Watching as their mentor left the table and went to a different room, Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity were surprised to see Zombieman return within seconds holding a file.

"Oh...my...gosh..." Mosquito Girl slowly said as she straightened her posture. "Is that...a case? Are we going to work on a REAL case for our training?!" She inquired with an excited grin.

"Sort of. This is something I want you two to try and help me with. If we make any progress, no matter how small, I'll let you decide what we do next." Zombieman explained.

"Oh. We're SO in!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed. "So, what is it? A murderer? A con artist? A man scorned by his past on a path of revenge?" She asked.

"It's amazing that two of those guesses are correct," Zombieman answered, only worsening her giddiness. "The suspect is a well-known assassin. Furthermore, he was recently humiliated by an equally notable figure in the community. As a result, he's likely got his sights set on this person as his next target. The Association is actively searching for him, but they also asked me to lend my skills if I had the time." He informed them.

"Whoa. This is awesome!" Kombu Infinity exclaimed, also getting excited. "What kind of assassin are they?" They inquired.

"A ninja," Zombieman replied as he opened the file. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity saw a picture of a man with black hair and purple markings beneath his eyes. "His name is Speed-O-Sound Sonic. I believe he will make his move soon. Today, we're going to investigate some leads I've managed to find that could bring us closer to apprehending him." He stated.

"YES! THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Mosquito Girl cheered while throwing her arms into the air. "When do we head out? Do we need to get equipment? Are we going to do a stakeout?" She asked.

"Whenever you're ready. No equipment will be needed. No stakeout." Zombieman answered.

"Alright! Then let's get going!" Mosquito Girl declared before hurrying out of her seat.

Knowing they'd be running after her if they didn't follow immediately, Zombieman and Kombu Infinity stood up and exited the apartment behind an ecstatic Mosquito Girl. Their first official case as a trio was underway!

Chapter Text

"The sunlight bathes the concrete jungle in a layer of warm yellow. A haunting gale blows between the buildings and through the alleyways. Empty streets create an unsettling feeling. There are meant to be cars. There are meant to be people. But through this graveyard once known as a metropolis, only three lone souls seeking justice in a lawless world are-"

"What. Are. You. Doing?"

Upon that question being voiced, a set of three persons stopped walking. One was an S-Class hero, and the other two were his trainees. This was simultaneously their first training session AND first mission together. As anticipated by the leader of the group, nonsense was already afoot.

"I think she's narrating." Kombu Infinity guessed. They, alongside Zombieman, were trailing Mosquito Girl. Zombieman wasn't actively guiding them since they hadn't reached their destination yet.

"Yeah, no, I got that," Zombieman assured them. "What I meant was, WHY are you doing that?" He clarified.

"Then why didn't you say why instead of what?" Kombu Infinity questioned.

"Guys! Guys! Chill." Mosquito Girl intervened before this proceeded. Her intervention wasn't necessary. It's not as if Zombieman and Kombu Infinity were about to get into a shouting match. "A proper investigation requires a moody narration. This is detecting one-O-one." She explained.

In reaction, Zombieman pinched the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes tightly. God, he needed a smoke.

"So, uh, where do we start first, boss?" Kombu Infinity asked as Zombieman retrieved a carton of cigarettes from his coat's inner pocket. "You mentioned we had some leads." They recalled.

"That we do." Zombieman began while removing one cigarette from the small box. "The most logical assumption regarding Sonic is the necessity of a hideout. He'll want a place close to his target's residency. So, we're going to investigate some abandoned buildings in the area that would offer a comfortable temporary living situation and have enough space for equipment." He told them, igniting his smoke afterward.

"...Hold on..." Mosquito Girl said with a squint. The gears of her mind slowly turned. "Are we...looking for this person here? In City Z?" She inquired.

"Specifically, Ghost Town," Zombieman responded before inhaling a puff of his cigarette.

"...Who...is the target?..." Mosquito Girl pressed the matter. Something about this didn't sit right with her.

"A hero," Zombieman informed her and Kombu Infinity, followed by an exhale of smoke. "But, before you get any ideas, it's not the hero you'd immediately consider." He quickly said to prevent Mosquito Girl from jumping to conclusions.

"Oh? Then who is it?" Kombu Infinity asked.

"Miss Blizzard," Zombieman answered, taking another puff. "She and her group, although B-Class, are exceptionally coordinated. Sonic, who has an ego, felt extreme frustration at being bested by people who weren't even the best the Association had to offer. However, he's singling out the group's leader because she is the highest-ranked, and her leadership talents led to his defeat." He explained.

"Huh. Interesting." Mosquito Girl commented. "How did he escape capture if her leadership skills are so good?" She inquired.

"Although frustrated by the loss, Sonic still recognized he needed to make a tactical retreat. That's when he chose to get serious and use his techniques to escape. While not suffering severe injuries, his overconfidence still left him at a disadvantage against a full team of heroes in near-perfect conditions. Again, because of Miss Blizzard's leadership." Zombieman replied, followed by an exhale.

"Alright. So, will he be recovered by now?" Mosquito Girl asked.

"It's likely. An important thing to keep in mind is that his name, "Speed-O-Sound", is not just for show. The man's as fast as a normal person could ever want to be. So, Mosquito Girl, I'm assigning the most important job to you." Zombieman answered.

"Really?" Mosquito Girl questioned with an excited and thankful expression. Admittedly, it warmed Zombieman's heart to see such a strong reaction. But only a little.

"Mhm. You'll be taking to the skies and monitoring the area. Kombu and I will go through the buildings and flush him out if he's here. If that happens, you'll pursue the target and try to subdue him. We'll rush to the location and attempt to surround Sonic." Zombieman explained. "Do you think you can handle that?" He inquired.

"Yes, sir!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed with gusto. "One last question before I take off. Am I allowed to drain the target's blood? I promise not to drain TOO much. But if I can, it'll significantly weaken him as it empowers me. Making him easier to capture." She asked.

"Sure. This guy is dangerous. Take any advantage you can." Zombieman answered, giving his approval.

"Great. Thanks!" Mosquito Girl said before spreading her wings.

Zombieman and Kombu Infinity watched their insect companion ascend to the sky. Mosquito Girl did her best to hide her giddiness, but it still showed with a little twirl she did in the air.

"Kombu." Zombieman started, getting their attention back on him. "Can you sense things through your hair?" He inquired.

"What do you mean?" Kombu Infinity replied, needing clarity.

"Can you see through them? Can you sense the presence of something else? Detect temperature or body heat? Notice movement? Any form of perception." Zombieman listed.

"Oh! Uh, yeah? It's kind of weird." Kombu Infinity began, trying to find the right words. "I don't SEE things. My hair doesn't grow eyeballs, after all. Yet, like any plant, I'm sensitive to my environment. In that way, I suppose you could say I have heightened senses. I can't sniff things out or anything SUPER cool like that. However, I could feel other entities within a given space. As you mentioned, their body heat, among other things, would contribute to that." They explained. "But, for future reference, this aspect of myself would be better utilized for detecting chemicals. For example, I could easily find something like gunpowder residue by running my hair over the scene of a crime." They added.

"Damn. You're like a walking forensics test." Zombieman complimented them, earning a humble chuckle.

"Nah. That stuff is still better left to Doctor Genus or one of the robot guys you work with." Kombu Infinity said with a flattered smile. "Uh, anyway, why'd you need to know that?" They asked.

"Simple. If it's not asking too much, I'd like you to spread your hair as far as possible. You and I are the only two people in this part of the city, excluding Mosquito Girl, who is in the sky. If there's ANYONE else here, regardless if they're Sonic, they're suspicious." Zombieman answered.

"Oh! That's brilliant!" Kombu Infinity exclaimed as their eyes sparkled with amazement. "You're a genius, Zombieman!" They praised him.

"Heh, nah." Zombieman humbly rejected that notion. Even so, it did make him smile.

Following that, Kombu Infinity started sending forth their hair. They sent each strand in different directions and to various locations.

"Oh, wait!" Kombu Infinity spoke as they realized something. "If I had some water, I could grow more hair! Plus, I could make each strand longer!" They informed their leader.

"Understood," Zombieman responded while putting out his cigarette. "I saw a few vending machines around the corner behind us. Will bottled water do the job?" He inquired.

"Mhm! Any water at all!" Kombu Infinity confirmed with a nod.

Elsewhere In Ghost Town...

"Help me! My baby is about to fall through that open window!" A text-to-speech-sounding voice cried out. It attempted to sound like a woman, only to fail hilariously.

The "baby" the voice referred to was as basic of a depiction as possible. Sure, it resembled the general shape of a human infant. But it had no facial features or skin covering it. It was simply a baby-shaped blue mass slowly approaching an open window.

Luckily for the non-corporeal infant, a large armored hand swooped in to "catch" it. However, when this was done, the holographic baby disappeared. This managed to surprise its rescuer.

"Sorry about that." Isamu apologized. His voice was cleanly transmitted through Armored Gorilla's helmet. "I'm gonna be honest here. I didn't expect you to clear these as fast as you are." He admitted.

It'd only been forty-five minutes since the training began. But, as Child Emperor conveyed, he never expected Armored Gorilla to be so swift. Not only was the cyborg simian speedy, but his ability to assess any problem and reach the most optimal solution was incredible, even for those requiring a gentler approach.

Unfortunately, this led to Child Emperor's prepared simulations to deplete RAPIDLY. Of course, with his genius, he could create new ones from his laboratory since they were merely programmed projections. But that didn't prevent Armored Gorilla from matching his pace, thus bringing them to the present predicament.

"I should apologize as well." Armored Gorilla started. He was positioned on the rooftop above the open window of the last simulation. "After you sent me out, I scanned most of Ghost Town for notable power spikes. Your projectors are easy to discern, so I instantly had a map of their locations. Sorry. I didn't mean to cheat." He explained.

"No! If anything, that nets you a perfect score!" Isamu replied, catching him by surprise.

"It...does?" Armored Gorilla questioned.

"The point of this exercise was to gauge your effectiveness in the field. I never established a rule preventing using tools or items to assist you in that goal. I only gave you the parameters on how you'd be judged." Isamu clarified.

"Oh." Armored Gorilla said, relieved that he didn't screw up.

"Sadly, it'd take me a LOT of time to create simulations that'd be difficult for you. Honestly, I don't know if holograms alone could put up a challenge. We may need to consider training machines. Combat robots are what I'm thinking." Isamu told him.

"That'd be the best." Armored Gorilla agreed with that idea. "I'd advise building them as dangerously as possible. Remember, Doctor Genus created me to be a weapon. Do not feel the need to hold back." He said.

"Duly noted," Isamu responded. "Also, you being able to detect these machines is great feedback. I won't try to use these in the field until I'm certain they're not a liability." He added.

"I'm glad I could indirectly help." Armored Gorilla stated. "So, uh, what now?" He asked.

"Well, I think I could get something ready for the afternoon. Nothing AMAZING, but serviceable. Would you mind taking a long lunch break?" Isamu answered, ending with an inquiry.

"Sure. I could walk around the city and familiarize myself with the layout. Just in case something happens someday." Armored Gorilla decided.

"Sounds good. Talk to you in a bit." Isamu replied before ending the transmission.

Armored Gorilla returned to street level with that pleasant exchange out of the way. From there, he'd take a peaceful stroll through City Z's Ghost Town.

"I wonder how everyone else is doing?" Armored Gorilla pondered as he briefly looked at the clear blue sky.

Meanwhile, In A Woodland Area Outside The City...

Death. Most people fear it. An inevitability that looms over all that lives. An unknown that can only be learned upon a person's demise.

However, many also view death as peaceful. A release from mortal exhaustion, pain, and illness. We endure the harshness of existing because of the promise of release. Worry not how hard the journey is, for the destination will be blissful.

Of course, the perception of those individuals is commonly concerning. Typically, such thoughts of death are seen as signs of unstable mental health. It is hard for the majority of people to understand how anyone could want or wish for death.

Yet, all it takes is one experience. One horrible, dreadful, awful time. Something that leaves you in a state that might as well be death itself. Fortunately, very few people find themselves in such tragic circumstances. Even fewer willingly put themselves into that kind of situation.

But here, in this unsuspecting forest, we find two individuals unsure if they were still among the living. Frog Man, who had a shuriken embedded in his backside, was being dragged. Ground Dragon, who had a kunai embedded in his backside, was being dragged. Flashy Flash, who held Frog Man in his left hand and Ground Dragon in his right, was pulling them.

For Ground Dragon, his subdual was very simple. A kunai covered in a paralytic poison. For Frog Man, the shuriken was a custom-built design courtesy of Child Emperor. One of the lessons Flashy Flash learned from his leader that he held in great reverence was the importance of variety in a hero's skill set. As such, the ninja approached the prodigy to ensure his arsenal was ready for ANY problem and opponent.

So, to subdue the amphibious member of the House of Evolution, he used a shuriken that could discharge electricity. This would circumvent Frog Man's toxin immunity and, with a strong enough voltage, outpace his healing factor. The same logic was used on Ground Dragon. A potent enough poison of Flashy Flash's design meant specifically for monsters who could rapidly heal themselves.

However, Flashy Flash was not reckless. He ensured that neither of his new pupils would be severely harmed or be at risk of dying when subjected to these weapons. The voltage and dosage of each were so precise it was frankly terrifying. Let it never be said that the S-Class ninja wasn't a perfectionist regarding his work and talents.

Ironically, Frog Man and Ground Dragon were deeply wounded, but not in a "serious" way. They yearned for the sweet release of death to be rid of their humiliation. They were eager to show their mentor their prowess in their respective areas. They thought they would earn SOME respect and praise from him before the day was done.

Ground Dragon burrowed in a very secluded spot in the shade of a sizeable boulder. Frog Man found a pond with a decent depth and plentiful foliage. They camouflaged themselves to perfection. They left no tracks or traces. The duo were certain that they'd succeed in their first test.

"This is shameful." Flashy Flash sighed with his eyes closed. His disappointment was more impactful than the kunai and shuriken combined. "We're going to stay out late today. You won't return to the House of Evolution until the moon nears the middle of the sky. I gave One Punch Man my promise that you'd reach S-Class. I'll need to intensify my plans if that goal is to be met." He told them.

The pair of non-humans would've remained silent even if they could speak. Honestly, they dreaded what the others would think. Oh, god. What would Doctor Genus think?!

As Flashy Flash headed deeper into the woods with his numbed students, their minds became frantic with paranoid insecurities and worries. Maybe, if Lady Luck weren't too inconsiderate, SOME of the others were ALSO having a rough first day.

Nearby, On The Mountain Range Of City Z...

Bang believed in keeping things simple. You didn't need elaborate machines or complicated methods to refine the body and soul. All a person required was proper yet demanding exercise and well-made food. Nothing encouraged self-improvement more than satisfying effort rewarded with pleasurable comforts.

Since Beast King and Kamakyuri were enhanced, meaning they were innately more resilient than a normal human, Bang could push them harder than a typical new student. They had to go up and down the stairs, top to bottom, a thousand times. Next, they had to run several laps around Bang's property. Be mindful that his property extended from the dojo to the part of the mountain range it resided on. This was not a small area to cover.

Finally, the duo had to clean the property as well. The ENTIRE property. For the spots that were more mountain than a dojo, they were tasked with clearing any rubble or dust. Bang specifically stated that he wanted the rocky terrain to shine.

When Beast King and Kamakyuri were finished, they felt a decent muscle soreness. They also had a healthy glow from a light layer of sweat. With no special effort, Bang managed to get these two to push themselves. As they entered the dojo, their imaginations ran wild with what the ACTUAL training would be like when they were allowed to start it. But they knew that wouldn't be for a few days, maybe even a full week.

"Ah. There you two are." Bang greeted the pair of non-humans as they approached him in the main hall. "I hope my grounds are clean enough to eat off of." He said.

"Heh. You'll be able to see the stars tonight in their reflection." Beast King proudly informed him.

"I look forward to it," Bang stated. "Just know, if I don't, you'll be cleaning them longer tomorrow." He warned.

Before more words were exchanged, Charanko, who'd quickly gotten used to the situation, entered the main hall from the other side of the room. In the young man's hands were two platefuls of delicious food and two sets of silverware. Their presentation and aromas made Beast King and Kamakyuri's stomachs quake with desire.

"Here you go, sir," Charanko said to his sensei while handing him one of the meals and accompanying cutlery.

"Thank you, Charanko," Bang responded with an appreciative smile.

"Are our meals in the kitchen?" Kamakyuri asked, almost salivating.

"Hm? Oh, no. We only had enough food for the two of us." Bang answered as he pierced a piece of meat with his fork.

"...But...food..." Beast King quietly said, almost whimpering. At heart, he was still a lion, and this ferocious feline wanted some meat.

"Sorry. We don't have anything else." Bang apologized before putting the food into his mouth. "However, you can have this." He offered.

Beast King and Kamakyuri watched Bang produce a small paper from his pocket. When Beast King took it, they saw that it was a list. A VERY specific list.

"...You're evil..." Kamakyuri muttered as he and Beast King looked at their teacher with squinted eyes.

"If you want to eat, you better get to the nearest supermarket," Bang replied, unable to hide his amused smirk at their reaction. "Oh, and remember, you need to go down the steps. No jumping or flying." He added.

This old man, who looked so kind and considerate, was a master in cruel and unusual methods. But, Kamakyuri and Beast King felt no ill will toward him. They only felt betrayed that he'd use their hunger against them like this. Even so, the two begrudgingly exited the dojo.

"Man, I really thought they'd check the kitchen first to see if you were telling the truth," Charanko confessed with a mouthful.

"Hmph. They might be mature in mind, but they're young in knowledge." Bang stated, still amused by that interaction.

Not Too Far Away, On The Outskirts Of Ghost Town...

"Since this is your first day with us, we wanted to give you an easy time. We'll only be patrolling the edge of the abandoned district, otherwise known as Ghost Town. We want to teach you what to look out for and how best to approach various scenarios." Fubuki told Slugerous as the Blizzard Group moved through the streets.

The Esper of the House of Evolution still tried to process how smoothly things had gone. His mentor and new teammates accepted him without any hesitation. Admittedly, he did briefly check their thoughts to pacify his anxiety. Thankfully, half the thoughts were either curiosities about him or unrelated.

Being an Esper herself, Fubuki noticed her subordinates having their minds peaked. But she didn't think anything of it. She understood how nervous this must be for Slugerous. It made sense that he'd want to ensure their earlier display of acceptance wasn't a performance.

"We'll slowly advance to slightly more populated areas within City Z as your training period continues. Saitama and the Association will tell the residents about the House of Evolution sonn. That way, you and the others can start practicing your social skills with humans." Fubuki informed him.

"Wow, really? That's super nice of One Punch Man." Slugerous replied.

"Think nothing of it. I'm certain that's what he'd tell you." Fubuki started with a smile. "Saitama views you no differently than humans. By extension, you are the same as a human hero. As such, you will be treated and given the same respect as any-"

Suddenly, Fubuki halted. The Blizzard Group, including Slugerous, stopped behind her.

"Miss? Is something wrong?" Mountain Ape inquired. He, Eyelashes, and Lily were the closest to their leader since they were her immediate bodyguards and assistants.

"...Someone's nearby," Fubuki whispered. Her volume alone conveyed that they needed to be careful.
 
Instantly, like a well-trained military squad, the Blizzard group readied themselves. Slugerous, although not removing any of his cerata, still prepared to do so at a moment's notice.

"...They're a few streets over," Fubuki whispered as she and her group slowly advanced.

Due to the lack of populace in this area, it made it SIGNIFICANTLY easier for Fubuki to spot any abnormal presence with her ESP. To her knowledge, no one was meant to be in THIS specific section of Ghost Town. While not strictly giving everyone individual areas to operate in, Saitama stressed to those mentoring the House of Evolution to be mindful of where each of them would be. The ONLY other people that COULD be nearby were Armored Gorilla with Child Emperor or Zombieman with Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity.

However, Fubuki was certain that this person wasn't any of them. Espers could detect many things about a person. It wasn't solely about reading minds and speaking telepathically. Furthermore, they could sense the physical location of anything that entered their radius of effect. For Tatsumaki, she actively had to ignore others. Otherwise, she'd be mentally overwhelmed by how much she could detect.

While not having as great of a zone, Fubuki's was still quite large. Plus, since they were in an abandoned district, there wouldn't be a need to block such detection. So, with all of that said, when she sensed someone nearby she didn't recognize, it ABSOLUTELY raised red flags. Yet, there was one detail that made it all the more suspicious.

Whoever or whatever Fubuki sensed was actively trying to avoid detection. But it wasn't just visual or audio they were hoping to suppress. This entity was aware that they could be found through other means. One such example? ESP.

While not blocking Fubuki's powers, they were obstructing them somehow. Fubuki could easily break through this and learn more about their identity, but it'd result in them realizing something was happening. The only approach she and her group could take was to follow this unknown thing stealthily. Depending on what awaited them, Slugerous's first day could be the most exciting of the House of Evolution's members. But that would also make it the most dangerous.

Chapter Text

"Go to the nearest supermarket, he says." Beast King grumbled before gesturing to his surroundings with his arms. "WE'RE IN GHOST TOWN! THERE ARE NO SUPERMARKETS!" He shouted, managing to get an echo effect.

Beast King and Kamakyuri ran quickly down the steps. They. Were. Hungry. But when they reached the bottom and soon entered City Z, they realized something. The closest district to the mountain range was Ghost Town. You know, the abandoned part of the City Z.

More accurately, it was MOSTLY abandoned. However, the only people who lived here were at the recently constructed "Hero Apartments". That wasn't the official name; that's just what everyone called it. Thinking about that, did the building have a name?

Not important. Put a pin in that for now. Focusing back on the lion and the mantis, they were desperately looking for a source of sustenance. Yet, following Beast King's outburst, the insect man had another realization.

"...Uh...Beast King..." Kamakyuri began, coming to a stop. "How are we going to pay for food?..." He asked.

Hearing that question made the feline fellow stop as well. They had been given accounts and money courtesy of One Punch Man. Yet, neither of the animal men had their cards on them. So, effectively, they were broke.

Yet, instead of getting angry, Beast King realized ANOTHER thing after Kamakyuri's realization. Bang told them to go to a supermarket and get something to eat. But they weren't supposed to interact with people until later. So, why would their sensei tell them to...

...
...
...

"...Oh...my god..." Beast King muttered in horror as his eyes slowly widened. "...We've...been played...this entire thing...was a test..." He said.

"...No..." Kamakyuri whispered, his eyes also wide. Surely not...right?

"What else could it be?!" Beast King asked. His tone wasn't angry. Instead, it was a mixture of amazement and surprise. "I bet Bang lied through his mustache! His kitchen's probably stocked to the roof! He just wanted to see if we'd be smart enough to call him out on it!" He exclaimed.

"...That makes too much sense..." Kamakyuri replied, now holding his head. The mind games this martial arts master played were TERRIFYING.

"MAN, I'M STARVING!" Beast King roared, ripping up the list Bang gave them. "I JUST WANTED FOOD! THIS DIDN'T NEED TO BE A TEST! WHY DID HE HAVE TO MAKE LUNCH A-"

Sniff...Sniff...Sniff...

Beast King's nose twitched. As expected, his senses were sharper and more powerful than a normal person's. The same applied to every member of the House of Evolution, but each one excelled with a different sense or a combination of them. Example: Beast King had the best hearing and scent detection. The only member who was equal to him regarding the latter was Ground Dragon.

So, to see Beast King's nose twitch and him come to a full stop mid-rant immediately caught Kamakyuri's attention. Whatever the feline smelled must've been significant.

"What's up?" Kamakyuri inquired as his companion's nose kept twitching.

"Fish...I smell...fish..." Beast King responded. "And no, I WASN'T trying to find fish because I'm a cat." He added, preventing any jokes or assumptions.

"Really? I don't think there's a market near here. I'm pretty certain there's no rivers or bodies of water, either." Kamakyuri said.

"It's not raw. Someone's cooking it." Beast King informed him. "It smells...so good..." He muttered, his stomach grumbling due to the aroma.

"Hmm...maybe it's one of the others? It is lunchtime, after all." Kamakyuri suggested.

"Maybe..." Beast King agreed, licking his lips. "Whoever it is, I'm going to see if they'll share with us." He decided before walking away.

"Wait, what?!" Kamakyuri questioned, hurrying after him. "Beast King! What if it's a human? Maybe it's a homeless guy who managed to get some fish and is cooking them over a barrel fire?" He asked.

"First of all, that's an EXTREMELY specific scenario." Beast King pointed out. "Second of all, this is Ghost Town. Not even the homeless want to live here because of the usual monster activity." He answered.

"Hmm...good point..." Kamakyuri replied. "How about this? We find the source, investigate from a safe distance, and if it turns out to be a civilian, we'll walk away." He suggested.

"Sure. I've got no issue with that." Beast King accepted. Afterward, the duo followed the twitching of his nose in silence.

Meanwhile, Not Too Far Away...

The Blizzard Group was in position. They followed their leader, Hellish Blizzard, to an abandoned multi-floor building. On her order, the group located every entrance and prepared to infiltrate the structure. They'd proceed once their leader gave to go-ahead via telepathy.

As for Hellish Blizzard herself, she was trying her best to figure out what the target they'd been tracking was doing. Without giving herself away, she followed the entity's movements with her ESP. It walked all the way up to the building's rooftop and seemed to be...cooking. Huh, that was remarkably harmless.

Even so, Hellish Blizzard was certain that this creature was intentionally preventing themselves from being identified. Again, as previously established, she COULD break through this unknown barrier without issue. But the element of surprise was the greatest advantage to her and her subordinates. They couldn't throw it away.

"Alright, everyone. Listen up." Fubuki started, easily reaching her group's minds. "Our target is on the rooftop. Climb up the stairwells and be mindful of traps. I've already given the building a once over and come up with nothing. But whoever this is clearly isn't a normal person. We can't behave too boldly here." She told them.

"Yes, mam!" The Blizzard Group, Slugerous included, responded with enthusiasm. Although Slugerous was the only one among them (excluding Fubuki) who had ESP, they could still speak to their leader if she was listening. It was the same as when she talked to One Punch Man via telepathy.

With their orders received, the Blizzard Group proceeded with the entry. Fubuki was at the head of team one, which consisted of her, Mountain Ape, Lily, Eyelashes, and Slugerous. The non-human was with them because she didn't want him to get hurt. He was skilled and powerful, but being her new subordinate made Slugerous Fubuki's responsibility. Plus, officially, he was still a rookie hero after all.

Slowly and safely, the Blizzard Group ascended the building. When every team was at the top of their stairwell, putting them at roof level, Fubuki checked in with each of them. Everyone was prepared to emerge from their roof access doors and surround the target. All they needed was their leader's permission.

However, before doing that, Fubuki wanted to see what they were dealing with. Carefully, she had Mountain Ape open the door just enough to where she could view the rooftop. There, at the roof's center, was a figure sitting before a makeshift fire. A rather considerate detail was the construction of the fire itself. It had been put together to ensure the building wouldn't be set ablaze.

As for the stranger, that was hard to describe for two reasons. Firstly, it was covered in an unknowable amount of rags, cloaks, and various other tattered articles of clothing. This entity had gone to great lengths to conceal its identity. Like with the fire, it was taking great care to ensure its attire wouldn't catch fire as it cooked what appeared to be a fish. But with so much cloth and fabric hanging off of them, how did they manage this?

Well, you see, that's where the second reason for why they were so hard to describe came into play. Despite its effort to conceal itself, the entity's very existence gave away what it was. It wasn't human. The height and size alone conveyed as much. Although sitting, Fubuki could still discern it was over ten feet tall. However, this wasn't the only thing that gave away its non-human status.

Remember the fish it was cooking? Two arms were attending the meal. Yet, these arms came from the middle of the torso. Also, there was a second set right above them. They were attached to the entity's shoulders, as you'd expect.

Regarding the lower set, they weren't concealed like the other two. There wasn't any material covering them. Fubuki could see them in their entirety. The limbs appeared to be made of rock and glowed with an unknown blue energy.

"Everyone," Fubuki spoke to her group. "This situation is worse than I thought. The target is non-human. Not only that, their size is substantial. They're also completely covered, so I can't verify if they have weapons unless I penetrate their protective field. But, as you know, if I do this, they'll be alerted." She informed them.

"Should we re-position, then? If you reveal yourself, they'll try to run. We don't know if they can fly. Even if they can't, they could leap to the ground and remain unharmed. Anything is possible since they're non-human." Eyelashes responded.

"No. If we did, you guys could get hurt." Fubuki said. "...I...think the best approach is a peaceful one. I'll go out there and see if I can prevent a fight from even happening." She suggested.

"Miss Blizzard! We can't let you do that!" Lily exclaimed. Although they didn't chime in, the rest of the group felt the same.

"Guys, it's okay. I won't get too close. Plus, they might try to run immediately. Or, should they attack, I can protect myself with a barrier." Fubuki told them.

The Blizzard Group had STRONG reservations about this plan. However, they trusted and believed in their leader. So, no further objections were raised.

"Okay...here I go..." Fubuki said to them after composing herself. Then, with her nerves steeled, the Esper opened the door and walked into the open. "Excuse me. I'd like to have a word with you." She began.

Upon hearing and seeing Fubuki, the entity...didn't move. Whoa. That was honestly more concerning than a typical reaction. The only thing that happened was the entity's lower arms stopped attending to the fish.

"Sorry to surprise you." Fubuki continued, taken aback by the entity's stillness. "I noticed smoke coming from the rooftop. I was worried the building was on fire." She explained.

"..." The entity said nothing. It stared at Fubuki, but she couldn't see its eyes. Like with everything else, it was hidden by the wrappings and clothing.

"The silent type, huh?" Fubuki asked with a smile. She was trying to be as friendly and non-hostile as possible. "I can respect that. I'm not one for big talkers. It's easy to make yourself seem scary when you bark loudly." She said.

"..." The entity maintained its silence. The lower arms resumed moving. They were putting out the fire and removing the fish, which roasted on a skewer.

"...Yeah...this is weird, huh?" Fubuki inquirted. She took a moment to think of a different approach. She wasn't afraid of this creature. Rather, she was confused. It was dead set on giving her NOTHING to work with. "I'm a human; you're clearly not. I'm acting as if this isn't a big deal, which isn't normal. But that's because I'm a hero. I deal with these situations ALL the time." She shared.

Finally, an actual reaction. The entity's lower arms, which had been raising the fish (still on the skewer) to where its head presumably was, had stopped. Something Fubuki said just now got their attention.

"...Hero?..." The entity questioned. Its voice sounded...tired. No, there was more to it than that. Sadness? Pain? Maybe there was a greater reason for the materials shrouding its identity. Was it injured? Was it hiding from more than just humans?

"Yes! A hero!" Fubuki confirmed, immediately raising her hands. "But! I'm NOT a threat to you." She assured.

"..." The entity was silent again, but it was different this time. It was waiting for proof or an explanation to support her claim of non-violence.

"My home is nearby." Fubuki revealed, lowering her arms. "I live and work in close proximity to One Punch Man. If you somehow don't know who that is, he's the strongest hero in the world. As crazy as it might be to hear, One Punch Man is working toward equality between humans and non-humans. He doesn't want to harm or kill any more of your kind if it can be prevented. I wholeheartedly agree with this mindset. So, I will not harm you unless it is in self-defense. I have no intentions of turning this into a battle." She told it.

Another reaction. The upper half of the entity bent forward. To Fubuki, it looked like it was hanging its head. Like before, something she said affected it.

"He...can't..." The entity whispered. If any other noises were present, including the wind, Fubuki might not have heard it. That's how quiet its voice was.

"He...can't?" Fubuki repeated, confused by that response.

"Kill...my kind..." The entity clarified.

It took her a few seconds, but Fubuki figured out the meaning. The weight of the entity's words hit her at full force.

"...I'm...so sorry..." Fubuki whispered with a saddened expression.

There was a small part of the Esper that wondered if she made the right interpretation. Unfortunately, she received confirmation. The entity raised its upper half. Despite hiding its eyes, Fubuki could feel the creature's gaze. It felt...mournful.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, SONIC!"

That...wasn't Fubuki's voice. It wasn't any member of the Blizzard Group, either. But by the time everyone, including the entity, traced the voice back to its source, there was no chance to say anything else. A blindingly fast black-and-white blur was rapidly approaching the roof. You didn't need to be a hero to know what its intent was.

 BAM

The blur suddenly impacted an invisible wall. Instinctually, Fubuki erected a barrier. However, it wasn't for her. She didn't want anything bad to happen to the entity.

"WHAT THE?!" The blur, revealed to be Mosquito Girl, shouted in alarm.

Sadly, before more words could be spoken, something happened. The entity, with the skewer of fish in hand, stood upright. Immediately afterward, it ran for the side of the rooftop opposite Mosquito Girl.

"WAIT!" Fubuki called out. Damn it! This was going so well!

The esper's request was ignored. From the entity's perspective, this was an ambush. Fubuki had been convincing, but Mosquito Girl revealed the hero's "true" intentions. Thus, it jumped off the roof once it reached the edge.

Everyone, including Mosquito Girl, was shocked by this. The Blizzard Group quickly hurried down the steps. Fubuki followed them. Mosquito Girl, remaining in the air, flew across the rooftop and looked down.

The entity plummeted toward the street below. Yet, when it was halfway down, it produced two swords from within its attire. These blades weren't made of metal. They seemed to be concentrated fire, maybe even magma!

FWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH

That was the noise the swords made when they were shoved into the building. They didn't break or shatter the structure. Instead, due to their heat, they melted it. However, the interaction still provided enough friction to slow the entity's descent and allow them a safe arrival to the ground.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Mosquito Girl yelled, pursuing the creature. With her speed in the air, she'd reach it before it-

BAM

A barrier. Fubuki, who used her ESP to track Mosquito Girl, created another one to prevent the insect woman from giving chase.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Mosquito Girl shouted. "THE GUY IS TRYING TO KILL YOU!" She exclaimed.

"Trying to kill me?" Fubuki wondered. Even without her ESP, she could hear the woman's voice from inside the stairwell due to how loudly she spoke.

Before Fubuki could try and ask Mosquito Girl about this, the situation outside changed again. The entity, now at street level, was about to stow its swords. But then, MORE people decided to appear with perfect timing.

"The hell?" Beast King questioned while coming to a stop. He and Kamakyuri were a few feet from the cloaked creature.

"GUYS!" Mosquito Girl yelled, getting their attention. "THAT'S SPEED-O-SOUND SONIC! HE'S A PROFESSIONAL KILLER!" She informed them.

Unfortunately, the duo couldn't respond. As Mosquito Girl relayed this information, the cloaked creature lunged at them with its burning blades. Of course, with their combat instincts, the pair evaded the attack with ease. Even so, "Sonic" wasn't a slouch.

Using the window it created, the entity ran past the lion and mantis. To prevent them from giving chase, it quickly spun around and sent forward a long horizontal crescent-shaped attack. It had the same properties as the swords and was dripping something onto the ground as it flew. Adding further credibility to the notion that they were magma rather than ordinary fire.

"WHOA!" Beast King exclaimed. He and Kamakyuri bent backward to avoid the projectile. Despite their success, Beast King's fur and Kamakyuri's exoskeleton were lightly singed. The heat from that was no joke.

By the time the duo were upright again, the entity was out of sight. They were about to give chase when a voice called to them in their minds.

"STOP!" Fubuki commanded. "THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE! THAT'S NOT SONIC!" She told them.

"Then who is it?!" Kamakyuri questioned. Although this was the first time he was speaking to either Fubuki or her sister via telepathy, Beast King and himself had communicated with Slugerous through the same method multiple times. Thus, this occurrence wasn't unfamiliar to them.

"I don't know! But this whole situation is because a certain MOSQUITO charged in without thinking and escalated things! That entity isn't our enemy!" Fubuki explained.

"Shit...you should've told Mosquito Girl that..." Beast King responded, eyes aimed at the sky.

Crap! Beast King was right! Fubuki, in her desperation to keep the duo from joining the assault, had shifted ALL of her focus to reaching them with her ESP. When she checked for Mosquito Girl's presence, the insect woman was already gone. She flew after the entity when it ran past Beast King and Kamakyuri.

Elsewhere, A Few Streets Over...

"Damn, it! Where'd he go?" Mosquito Girl asked as she flew through the air.

"Sonic" quickly ducked into the first alleyway he found. Even with Mosquito Girl's immediate pursuit, this helped him to evade her sight. Now, only a couple of minutes later, she had lost track of him. Zombieman was likely going to give her an earful...

Continuing to buzz around in the hope that she'd find "Sonic" before her partners arrived, Mosquito Girl swooped through the area as fast as possible. She knew she could find this guy! How far could he have gotten in so little time?!

...
...
...

Buzzing. So much buzzing. That woman wasn't leaving anytime soon. Luckily, it didn't matter. She'd never find it.

The entity, knowing the skies weren't safe, entered the first building it could from the alleyway. Afterward, it'd safely move from structure to structure. Each time, it waited for the buzzing to get quiet. That meant the woman wasn't nearby.

Fortunately, through all of this, the entity managed to maintain its meal. It'd been so long since it had anything to eat. It was starving. All it wanted was some food.

Taking a brief break from its escape, the entity sat down with its back to the wall. Its legs were tired. Truthfully, so was the rest of itself. Once comfortable, it raised the skewered fish to its mouth to begin eating.

However, as the entity opened its mouth to take its first bite, it saw something move in the room. The movement came from a nearby window. The cause was...a wet green tentacle. No, wait. It was a plant. What was a plant doing-

BANG

Quickly, the entity had to dodge. The sound reached its ears first. Next, it felt something pass through its body. It was powerful. It made a clean hole through its left side.

The need to evade was so sudden that the entity couldn't do it properly. It hit the ground with a THUD and slid a few inches. During this, the skewered fish flew from its grasp, landing several feet away. Sadly, the entity wouldn't be able to retrieve it.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

A deafening barrage unfolded. The entity had to keep moving. The source was from outside. Amid the chaos, the creature couldn't tell where the exact point of origin was.

BOOM

Suddenly, the roof collapsed. From above, the woman that had been chasing the entity crashed into the building. No, that wasn't quite right. The entrance was deliberate, albeit violent. This was a coordinated trap.

"I GOT EYES ON SONIC!" The woman shouted to her allies outside. Her wings opened. She was going to charge.

No time. Can't think. One choice. Don't make a mistake.

FWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH

In that instant, the entity produced its swords. Then, it plunged them into the ground. As the woman approached, it spun in a circle. Please, let there be something beneath them.

...

...

...

Luck. It is a fickle thing. Sometimes good, others bad. But as the entity started its descent, it felt relief. This gamble had paid off.

Of course, the woman wouldn't be stopped so easily. To dispel its pursuer, the entity swiftly raised its swords and sent forward two crescent-shaped projectiles. As it turned out, this entire time, the creature had four swords. It'd just been using two while its bottom arms were occupied holding its meal.

"GAH!" The woman shouted in alarm. The entity had timed the attack as well as it could. When the woman attempted to enter the hole, that's when the projectiles were cast. She managed to dodge JUST barely. She would definitely suffer burns across her body, but ones that weren't TOO severe.

THUD

That was the sound of the rubble the entity had created hitting the floor. Yes, the floor. This building had a basement. That's how the creature was able to fall.

With this opportunity, the entity quickly searched its surroundings. Piles of assorted junk were everywhere, but the creature gave them no attention. All it cared about was the walls.

Running to the one closest to its position, the entity began to tunnel. The rate at which it could do so was beyond description. It's as if it commanded the Earth to part and provide passage. When deep enough inside, it collapsed the entrance. Hopefully, luck would remain for just a while longer.

"Please, let this be enough..." The entity whispered to itself before continuing to burrow. It needed to get as far from here as possible. Yet, considering the creature's condition, that might not be far at all.

Chapter Text

The world was a blur. Everything moved at different speeds, which constantly shifted every second. One moment, it was slow. The next, it was so fast that mirages and after images of the scenery appeared, making it difficult to determine what was and wasn't real.

The wound created by the unknown assailant wasn't contributing to this. It'd been quickly repaired with stone. A far greater issue caused the fatigue. One that was evolving into a crisis.

Progressively, the light was fading. The warmth was disappearing. Was this the cold? If so, it was...eerily soothing. However, recent events likely influenced that perception.

"Will...I see them again?..." A voice questioned as it marched through a woodland area. Its feet felt so heavy that its legs struggled to lift them. "Are they waiting...in a greater place?..." It wondered aloud.

Before long, visions manifested. Memories. A beautiful environment of rock and magma. Carefully carved structures and homes. A subterranean utopia.

Arrogance. Greed. Pride. These were the main causes behind this outcome. A promise of claim to the surface. All they needed to do was what they were best at. That was the deal.

After the initial work had begun, the deal changed. It wasn't a deal anymore. Work or die. That was it. Those beautiful rivers and pools of magma would be used for power. Those who relied on them would be slaves. Any who disagreed became examples.

What was the goal now? Where was the destination? Step by step, the voice moved forward. But why? There wasn't a point, was there? It was meaningless. The best course was to let the fire die. Embrace the cold. Be reunited with those who were lost...

...

...

....

No. Stop that. They gave everything for your freedom. Your escape. Your chance. This fire isn't yours alone. It is the hope of the sacrificed. Keep it burning. Fuel the flame. That is all that matters.

With focus regained, the world became clear again. The motions settled. The steps became easier. The cold was pushed back with warmth. Keep going. Don't-

...

...

...

Something...was amiss. A clearing in the woods. Trees on all sides. The only presence seemed to be the wind blowing through the forest. So, why was there a pause?

"...Sharp senses." A new voice spoke. It came from every direction. The wind helped to hide the origin. "Most wouldn't know I'm near until they feel my sword against their neck. Then again, you aren't human. Naturally, you'd have some abilities or powers that would make it easier." It stated.

No. Not again. NOT. THIS. TIME. No more reaction. No more waiting. ACT.

Instantly, four swords were drawn. They flared with passionate power. In one motion, their wielder twirled. Together, the swords' energy combined to make a perfect circle of radiating heat.

The circle traveled at an incredible speed. When it reached the trees, they disintegrated. That's the only fitting way to describe it. There wasn't even a threat of a greater fire happening because they'd been reduced to cinders so swiftly.

Twelve feet was the radius. It could've been bigger, but the wielder was too weak. Was that a needless expenditure of energy? Possibly. But hopefully, that dealt with whatever pest had been-

Clap. Clap. Clap.

From the left, a sound appeared. There was no mystery as to what it was. Standing there was a human clad in white. Long golden locks hung from their head. The applause they gave seemed genuine, yet still, it carried a patronizing aura. Although, that could just be how it felt on the receiving side.

"A smart decision. You've eliminated any potential for concealment within the immediate vicinity." The human, a man, praised his attacker. "Unfortunately, this has created a dangerous situation. Now, you've forced me to face you. What's your next move?" He asked.

On the man's hip, there was a sheathed sword. Was he another hero? That was the only logical assumption. Furthermore, why would he randomly be in the middle of a forest? The answer: It couldn't be random.

"...Quiet, aren't you?" The man inquired after a few seconds of silence. "Fine, then. I'll speak, you'll listen. I don't know who or what you are. Neither is important. Currently, you've done nothing wrong. The destruction dealt to the forest just now can be easily remedied. So, before you make a decision that you'll regret, why don't you lower your weapons and talk to me?" He suggested.

Another attempt at trickery? If it was, more heroes could be waiting nearby. So, a defensive posture was assumed. The four swords were readied for anything that came their way.

"I see. You're going to make this difficult..." The man sighed. "Fine. I'll indulge. A minute is what I'll give you." He stated.

Suddenly, the man vanished. How? Did he have powers?

FWOOSH

A massive burst of wind. It assaulted the wielder of the swords. However, the purpose wasn't to cause damage. Instead, it was to weaken the weapons.

Normally, air was a useful tool for fueling fire of any kind. But if the gust were too strong or cold, it would do the opposite. That was the man's intent. From all sides, somehow, the man was sending forth a never-ending series of gales. All the while, the man remained unseen.

Before long, the articles that concealed the man's target started flying off. One by one, they were cast to the side or far into the horizon over the trees. Eventually, none would remain. At last, the wielder of the swords was revealed.

Standing at thirteen feet tall, it was a bipedal creature of stone. Was there flesh as well? Hard to say. The body was as black as a starless sky. There were other colors to be noticed, but they were very dim.

Firstly, there was a deep blue light that glowed throughout the entity's body. Secondly, there were three white lights arranged in a triangular shape on its face where the eyes would typically be. Both sources of illumination flickered and dimmed in rapid succession.

However, more eye-catching than the lights was the condition of the creature's body. To say that it was in rough shape would be a compliment. The simplest way to summarize the damages would be to visualize a brick wall that a multitude of sledgehammers has aggressively assaulted. Dents, chips, missing chunks, the works. Additionally, it seemed there was once a unique fixture atop the creature's head. Perhaps a crown or headdress of some sort? Regardless of the specifics, it barely remained. All that was left were small jutting fragments.

"Ah, so there you are." The man's voice spoke once the entity was exposed. "I'll confess, I wasn't expecting you to already be in a state of injury. Why insist on fighting, then? You're in no condition for it." He asked.

Respond? Stay silent? Did either option have more merit than the other? Ultimately, it came down to preference.

"...I...won't...lay down...and die..." The creature answered, albeit barely. The man wasn't surprised. He expected as much given its condition.

"You're the one who took up arms." The man reminded the entity. "I didn't want to do this. I have no reason to. You've not harmed any people. You're not an active threat. Put down your blades and let this end peacefully." He instructed.

"So...I can...be executed?..." The creature questioned, maintaining its defensive stance.

"This is going nowhere." The man thought. "Fine. I'll bring this to an end. You have only yourself to blame." He stated.

The creature prepared itself for another attack by squinting its eyes and waiting for an assault. The man still hadn't revealed himself. Most likely, he was using a form of camouflage. All the entity needed to do was be patient and-

BAM

It sounded like an explosion. It wasn't. A massive discharge of sound erupted from the point of contact between the back of the creature's neck and the scabbard of the man's sword. Due to the entity being made of stone, he wasn't sure if this would render it unconscious. If it didn't, then he'd resort to delivering a series of blunt attacks with the sheath until the creature was subdued.

Thankfully, as the non-human fell forward and its hands released the four magma swords, the man received his confirmation. With a soft thud, the creature landed on the dirt. No movement. It was unconscious.

"Hm, I think it's still alive." The man muttered beneath his breath, carefully examining his foe. "It's not made of flesh, so it might not need to breath. The blue light still glows, so that must be a good sign." He said.

"Sensei!"

Two voices called out. As the man tracked them back to their origin, he found his disciples running toward him.

"That was incredible!" Frog Man exclaimed, eyes shining with amazement.

"Yeah! You beat that guy in one move!" Ground Dragon joined in, equally astounded.

"Ah. So, it's male?" The man replied, focusing back on the slumbering creature.

"Er, maybe?" Ground Dragon began as he and Frogman looked at the entity as well. "I just assumed because it didn't have...well, you know..." He confessed.

"I see. So, you're a pervert." The man commented.

"W-WHAT?! NO!" Ground Dragon shouted, eyes widening again for a different reason. "SENSEI! PLEASE! DON'T SAY SUCH THINGS ABOUT-"

"FLASHY FLASH!"

Another new voice. As the trio traced it, they saw a chrome ape rushing toward them. Remember, the creature had burnt every tree in a twelve-foot radius to nothing. So they had a very clear view of the immediate area.

"Armored Gorilla." Flashy Flash greeted once the simian was close enough. "What're you doing here? Were you pursuing this non-human?" He inquired.

"Yes, sir. It's a long story." Armored Gorilla confirmed, coming to a stop a few feet from the ninja. "The short version is this: I was sent by One Punch Man to find the creature and do my best to assure it that we only wanted to help. If this proved impossible, I was to contact Genos, who would then inform the others, that assistance was needed." He informed him before looking at the non-human. "However, it seems I am too late and you've already handled the situation." He noted.

"...One Punch Man?" Flashy Flash questioned after considering the summary. "Wasn't he far from Ghost Town today with Genos? My understanding was that they'd be training in the chasm he uses to prevent accidental collateral damages." He asked.

"He was, sir. But he brought Genos to Ghost Town to instruct him on how he should conduct himself while on patrol." Armored Gorilla answered.

"Of course. Thorough as ever." Flashy Flash responded, praising his leader. "Another question. Did Genos attack the creature? Did it attack them first? Regardless of which, is that why it's so badly damaged?" He inquired.

"Uh, no..." Armored Gorilla started. "You see, sir. To fully understand the circumstances that led to this moment, I'll need to give you the long version of the story. Do you mind?" He explained, ending with a request.

"Not at all." Flashy Flashy permitted. "However, we shouldn't keep One Punch Man waiting. If you would, please pick up the non-human and carry them as we walk." He instructed.

"Right away, sir." Armored Gorilla replied.

A Short While Ago...

Gunshots. Typically, they're not a sign of anything good. Armored Gorilla was enjoying a nice walk in Ghost Town when he suddenly heard the sound of gunfire. Although he was supposed to keep a low profile, the cyborg simian couldn't ignore such a thing, especially since he was meant to become a hero!

Hastily, Armored Gorilla ran through the streets. With his technology, he could easily pinpoint their location. He was several miles away, but that's just how quiet Ghost Town was. Even if you were on the opposite side of the district, you'd hear gunshots as clearly as if you were right next to them.

Soon, the chrome ape reached his destination. Awaiting him was a shocking sight. Zombieman and Kombu Infinity, who looked like a bush of seaweed, were kneeling beside Mosquito Girl. Her body was covered in multiple burns, and her wings seemed to be gone. They were likely burned away alongside the majority of her clothes. She wasn't naked, mind you. Only the damaged areas were revealed.

"Shit...it hurts..." Mosquito Girl grunted through gritted teeth.

"I thought you had healing capabilities? Like me." Zombieman asked.

"I do. But these burns...they're not normal..." Mosquito Girl answered, looking at her wounds. "I...don't know what it is...but they're preventing me from recovering..." She said.

"Do you need some blood?" Kombu Infinity inquired. They stuck their arms out from behind the wall of seaweed that concealed them.

"I am NOT drinking your blood! You're still on THIN ice after that stunt you pulled!" Mosquito Girl passionately exclaimed. Despite her previous rejection of the idea, her tone did make her sound like someone scolding their younger sibling. "And don't you go thinking about offering YOUR arms either! There will be NO blood donations from ANYONE in our team!" She added, speaking to their leader.

"Trust me, you'd hate my blood. I hear it tastes like shit." Zombieman told her.

"Hey!" Armored Gorilla called out before approaching.

"Oh, hey." Zombieman greeted as he and the other two looked at him. "Heard the commotion?" He guessed.

"Yeah, I did." Armored Gorilla confirmed. "What's going on? It looks like a pretty intense battle happened here." He commented, now noticing the collpased roof of a nearby building.

"We were trying to capture a fugitive, but they got away." Kombu Infinity informed.

"Plus, as you can see, the bastard roasted me..." Mosquito Girl chimed in with a wince. The air was agitating her injuries. "Hey, AG, could you scan me and see why I'm not-"

"THERE YOU ARE!"

Unexpectedly, the conversation was interrupted. The culprit was Fubuki. She was accompanied by her group (including Slugerous), Beast King, and Kamakyuri. However, the group wasn't focusing on Zombieman and the rest. Their attention remained with Hellish Blizzard as her expression greatly matched her hero title.

"Do you have ANY idea how BADLY you screwed up?!" Fubuki questioned while stomping over. The others in her company trailed behind at a safe distance. If there were to be fallout, they wouldn't be caught in the radius of effect.

"Whoa, now." Zombieman spoke while standing. He intercepted the fiery Esper to prevent Mosquito Girl from receiving more injuries. "What's going on?" He asked.

"OH. DID SHE NOT TELL YOU?!" Fubuki sarcastically remarked before pointing at the injured insect woman. "THIS EMPTY-HEADED FANGIRL RUSHED HEAD FIRST INTO A SITUATION AND CAUSED IT TO ESCALATE!" She yelled.

"HEY!" Mosquito Girl interjected, even though it caused some minor pain. "I SAVED YOU FROM SONIC!" She shouted.

"NO, YOU DIDN'T!" Fubuki spat back. "THAT WASN'T SONIC YOU BIMBO! IT WAS A NON-HUMAN THAT I WAS ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH BEFORE YOU RUINED IT BY TRYING TO ATTACK THEM! THE ONLY REASON THEY RAN IS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A TRAP!" She told her.

"...Oh..." Mosquito Girl said quietly. No amount of pride or disdain for the Esper could counter that. "...You know...I did think it was weird that Sonic suddenly had lava swords..." She admitted.

Upon hearing this, Fubuki lunged at Mosquito Girl. No, you didn't misread. She didn't use her powers. Fubuki threw the entirety of her weight at the insect woman because she intended to strangle the life out of her.

Zombieman was the only thing preventing this from happening. Unfortunately, to his shame, he wasn't the physically strongest member of S-Class. So, Fubuki, with her explosive murderous rage, was proving to be more than enough to push him to the ground.

The others quickly got involved after noticing this. The Blizzard Group handled their leader while Beast King and Kamakyuri stood beside Zombieman to create a protective wall.

"MISS BLIZZARD! YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!" Lily exclaimed as they pulled the Esper away.

"NO! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! SOMEONE NEEDS TO THROTTLE THAT IDIOT! OTHERWISE SHE'LL NEVER LEARN!" Fubuki replied. Even in such a state, she wouldn't consider using her powers to make this easier for herself. There were unmovable lines in the sand that you NEVER crossed. Even if you DESPERATELY wanted to choke a bitch.

"Whoa. What's going on?"

That voice caused a chill to run down everyone's spine. Imagine if you and your co-workers were goofing on the job. That's what it was like for these people. However, there was an important distinction. Those present actually respected and liked their superior.

"S...S...Saitama..." Fubuki muttered in horror with a tomato-red face. She hoped, with all her soul, that she and the others were making a huge mistake regarding the voice's identity.

They weren't. Not too far from their position, about ten feet, were Saitama and Genos. The former looked as casual as ever, even in his hero attire. The latter looked as stern as ever with his seemingly non-moving facial features.

"Hey, Fubuki." Saitama responded with a small wave, assuming she was greeting him.

In reaction, the Esper quickly turned her face away. If there was a God, please, kill her now. This was mortifying.

"One Punch Man," Zombieman spoke up, THANKFULLY taking the attention away from her. "What're you doing in the city? Weren't you training with Genos at the ravine?"' He asked.

"Yeah, we were." Saitama started while pointing at Genos with his thumb. "But this dude's crazy fast. I asked him to show me his moves in as many different ways as possible. He also decided to do it super quickly to avoid wasting my time, even though I told him afterward that he wasn't." He answered.

"You have much to teach me, Sensei. I thought it would be more efficient if we finished the portion of today's training meant for the ravine as fast as possible so more could be done overall." Genos stated.

"I mean, I guess that DOES make sense." Saitama confessed. The cyborg's thinking was logical. "Still, I was worried you'd break something. You got pretty intense. Although, it was also very cool to watch." He said.

"Thank you, Sensei!" Genos responded, even going so far as to bow out of gratitude.

"...Anyway." Saitama began, changing the topic so as not to dwell on that gesture for too long. "After wrapping things up at the ravine, we came back here because I wanted to show Genos the ropes of patrolling a city. But as we were walking, we heard gunshots. Genos nearly shot off like a rocket to investigate, but I reminded him that Zombieman was one of the people out and about today to train Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. I figured they were doing combat drills or something." He informed everyone before focusing on the injured insect woman. "However, it seems like there's more to I than that. So, would anyone like to fill us in?" He inquired.

Present...

"After that, the full story was sorted out. Once that was done, One Punch Man gave me my orders. As for whatever's left, you already know about it." Armored Gorilla concluded.

During this span, Flashy Flash, Frog Man, Ground Dragon, and Armored Gorilla, with the slumbering creature in his arms, walked through the forest. When the cyborg simian was finished sharing the details, they were nearing the woodland's edge, which would put them close to Ghost Town.

"Hoo, boy. The doc's going to have some words for Mosquito Girl." Ground Dragon whistled. To some extent, he felt bad for her. Yet, he understood why Fubuki lost her temper. The bloodsucker was ditsy. At least, that's what he thought.

"Hmph, I'm not surprised. I didn't think Zombieman was fit to be an instructor." Flashy Flash commented with a smirk. "However, there is one thing I'd like to ask about. Mosquito Girl mentioned Sonic. Was she, Kombu Infinity, and Zombieman looking for him when they were meant to be training?" He asked.

"Sorry, we didn't get into that. We were all focused on him." Armored Gorilla answered while holding up the unconscious creature.

"Understandable. I'll ask about it again when we get back home." Flashy Flash said. "Have you figured out how those swords function?" He inquired, addressing Frog Man.

"No, sir. To be honest, I think the blades come from him." Frog Man began, gesturing to the non-human. "As far as I can tell, these are just hilts. If the blades are stored within, there's no obvious way to make them appear." He stated.

"Very well. We'll deliver them to Child Emperor for examination." Flashy Flash decided, receiving a nod from his disciple.

Afterward, the group continued to their destination in silence. There was a lot to contemplate. Of course, it was all about this mysterious non-human. Who were they? Where did they come from? And, if neither Zombieman nor Hellish Blizzard were responsible for its injuries, then what was?

Chapter Text

"You know, when we established a relationship and set out to form a proper partnership, I never expected that a common interaction between us would be you bringing non-humans in critical condition to me for treatment." Dr. Genus admitted, speaking to Saitama.

At this point, Doctor Genus considered changing his organization's name. Instead of the House of Evolution, how about one of the follwing: "Non-Human Medicare"  "Non-Human Hospice" "Non-Human Medical Aid and Health-Related Services" If none of those stuck, then the name could be workshopped, but it's best tos ave that for later.

Focusing back on the scene, Saitama and Genus were inside the geneticist's office. Out of nowhere, One Punch Man, accompanied by several heroes and most of the House of Evolution's members, rushed into the facility. In the arms of Beast King was an unconscious non-human entity. However, it was a unique organism. As Doctor Genus's clones took the creature away for treatment, they also started studying it much like they did with Kombu Infinity. That was necessary to ensure it received the best care possible.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about this, man." Saitama sighed. He didn't want Genus to feel as though his resources and skills were being taken advantage of.

"Ha-ha, it's alright." Dr. Genus assured with a small smile. "I didn't intend to make you feel regretful. I'm just amazed by how frequently this seems to be happening." He clarified before adorning a serious expression. "Anyway, shall we discuss the non-human?" He suggested.

"Yes, please. There's a LOT of questions that need answers." Saitama replied as both men sat down.

"Most important news first. The non-human is alive." Dr. Genus began, causing Saitama to sigh again. Only this time, it was of relief. "Next, the type of entity the non-human is. To be honest, my people and I have never seen anything like it. The fluid that could be considered the creature's blood is unfamilar to us. It's more accurate to call it a form of energy. The glowing of its body, which you likely saw as you brought it here, is partly caused by the substance. As for the other source, it's the creature's innate energy. Like the blood, it's something we haven't seen before." He stated.

"It didn't seem organic. Its body was covered in stones or rocks. We didn't spend much time examining it since it was injured. Could you share details about that?" Saitama requested.

"Certainly." Dr. Genus agreed. "As you assumed, the creature is non-organic. Again, like with so much else, we don't know how this is possible. The only hypothesis we can form at this time is that its life is possible through the substance in its body. However, by now, you're likely wondering how we're even treating the non-human. It's not organic, so any medicine, presumably, wouldn't have an effect. If that's the case, then how can we discern what the injuries are? Even if we did, how would we treat them? If the creature is made of stone, do we use something like cement to fix it?" He listed.

Afterward, Doctor Genus typed on his keyboard. A second later, a holographic display was projected from a device above his desk. It hovered in the space between himself and Saitama.

"Before anything else, my clones hurried the creature into a rejuvenation chamber. We weren't confident it'd have an effect, but we had to try to stabilize its condition quickly. Thankfully, it did. Although not fully healing the entity, it affected the organ inside of its body that seems to produce the unknown substance. Is this its heart? Too early to say. Yet, I must stress that the creature is NOT back to normal. When I say it's stable, I also mean to imply that, as of now, that is ALL it will be. A good way to simply describe this condition is comatose. Its body is keeping it alive, but nothing else. Without knowing the creature's diet, inner workings, and SO much else, we cannot in good conscience make any attempts to do more. One wrong decision, even if we're confident it is correct or will have a minimal negative impact, could send the creature into a downward spiral." Dr. Genus stated.

"I'm guessing your clones are studying it as fast as possible?" Saitama asked.

"Indeed. We're trying our best to learn everything, or as much as we can, about the creature." Dr. Genus answered with a nod. "Our top priority is examining the substance. We're hoping to learn how to produce it or something close enough to help us further improve the entity's condition. Unfortunately, at minimum, that will take several hours." He told him.

"Can you learn anything else? Maybe where it came from?" Saitama inquired.

"We're doing our best. We can already tell that this creature is subterranean, but not because it is made of stone. Before being cleansed within the rejuvenation chamber, we discovered countless types of materials coating its body. Nearly all of them were from the Earth, but some were compounds and combinations that could only exist if made by someone or something. Unfortunately, we cannot determine the origin of the latter. Only the non-human will be able to shed light on that pecularity." Dr. Genus responded.

For a moment, Saitama closed his eyes to think. He reflected on what Fubuki had shared with him about her interaction with the creature.

"...Something bad happened." Saitama started while opening his eyes. "The creature told Fubuki, albeit not directly, that its people were dead. Or, if not dead, reduced to a state that couldn't be considered living. Again, though, it didn't flat-out say this. It was a combination of things. The word choice. The tone. The emotion. At least, that's what Fubuki said when describing it. Even without her ESP, she could feel the creature's sadness. Its words sounded so heavy to her. If this is true, which we have no reason to assume it isn't, then this entity may be the last of its kind. Or, if there are other survivors, it doesn't know about them." He revealed.

"Forced to work against its will, perhaps? A slave, maybe?" Dr. Genus muttered, considering the possible answers. "If it were put to work, regardless of consent, that would explain these materials being found on its body. Even without looking into it too much, all of them could be used for construction purposes. Be it the building of structures or objects, such as machinery and other similar things." He said.

"Would you mind contacting Metal Knight and Child Emperor? I think they could help with this. Especially since Child Emperor is studying its weapons." Saitama requested.

"Of course. I was thinking the same, but I didn't want to overstep." Dr. Genus accepted. "Will you be summoning the S-Class heroes here for a sudden meeting?" He asked.

"Eh, kind of? More so, I'm going to contact the Association and tell them that we could have a VERY big and VERY weird situation on our hands. Inevitably, the others will hear about it and will come on their own." Saitama answered.

"Understood. Then I'll hurry and reach out to Metal Knight and Child Emperor, so we can have something more substantial to bring to the discussion." Dr. Genus replied.

"Sounds good. I'll go check in with the others and see how everyone's doing." Saitama said as he stood from his seat.

Elsewhere, In The Main Area...

For the second time, heroes and non-humans were gathered in the "lobby" of the House of Evolution. Sadly, like the first, there was an uneasy atmosphere. The source of this tension was Fubuki and Mosquito Girl. The Esper was surrounded by her group as she sat in angered silence. Mosquito Girl was surrounded by the other members of the House of Evolution. Zombieman and Flashy Flash stayed outside. For the former, he didn't want to get between Mosquito Girl and Fubuki after the Esper nearly trampled him. For the latter, he simply didn't want to be bothered and knew that being at the undead detective's side was the best way to achieve that.

...Oh! Genos! Right. He was with Saitama. Emphasis on WAS. Long story short, although it may have been a bit mean, Saitama requested that the cyborg comb over all of Ghost Town for anything else. He did this because he didn't want Genos and his naturally chaotic energy to make things worse or weirder somehow.

From Genos' perspective, he didn't think ANYTHING was up since it was abundantly clear this was his first task as One Punch Man's disciple. He would not disappoint his sensei! The cyborg of justice would examine every nook and cranny! Leave no stone unturned! Hopefully, he would still show up when the others did. Otherwise, Saitama would need to fetch him himself.

"Yeesh..." Ground Dragon whispered, not wanting to be heard by the heroes across the room. "You REALLY screwed up..." He said.

"Wow. Such a way with words..." Mosquito Girl replied with a half-lidded gaze and smile.

Upon arriving at the facility, the blood-sucking vixen received treatment for her injuries. However, instead of giving her blood, as it was clear her natural regeneration wouldn't work, the clones administered an in-progress drug that was meant for non-humans. It was "in-progress" because it had only recently entered development in preparation for the future.

Yet, to ensure the drug would affect non-humans, especially those with heightened regeneration, it needed to be POTENT. Putting it plainly, to render ANY member of the House of Evolution doozy, you'd need something that could knock out a blue whale in seconds. For Mosquito Girl, it made her feel funny. She liked it. This drug was good.

"You okay there, Mosquito Girl?" Beast King asked with a raised brow. "You're uh...wobbly." He added.

"Hehe...yeah..." Mosquito Girl answered. It was not convincing.

For a few seconds, the others just watched Mosquito Girl. This scene was undeniably amusing, but they did feel a little bad finding so much enjoyment from her current condition.

"...So..." Kamakyuri spoke, wanting to start a new conversation and spare Mosquito Girl from their ogling. "How's everyone's training going? I know it's the first day, but still, how was it? Ignoring the obvious complication, of course." He inquired.

"Great." Armored Gorilla replied, electing to go first. "Child Emperor and I hit it off. We have a lot of common ground and know what areas I need to focus on to improve myself." He said.

"That...sounds so nice..." Frog Man spoke. For some reason, his eyes were tearful.

"You okay there, bud?" Armored Gorilla asked.

"We're a sham!" Frog Man answered before slamming his head onto the table they sat at. "We failed the FIRST challenge Flashy Flash gave us!" He exclaimed.

"Aww, there, there..." Mosquito Girl said, patting him on the back of his head. "...Ooo...squishy..." She commented, referring to how his flesh felt.

"Was it really that bad?" Kombu Infinity questioned, speaking to the mole.

"Yeah." Ground Dragon sighed with slumped shoulders. "All we had to do was hide from him for as long as possible. We were given a minute. He found us in ten seconds; five for each." He explained. "But how has your training been? Again, ignoring the obvious." He inquired, wanting to change the topic immediately.

"It's been good. I don't know if it's as nice as Armored Gorilla's, but it's still been okay." Kombu Infinity replied. "I think Zombieman's still tense around Mosquito Girl and me. It's going to be a while before we're all comfortable around each other." They said.

"I don't blame the guy. The doc's always been good to us, yet he wasn't like that until One Punch Man happened. But it's not our business to pry. If the doc ever wants to share the past, he'll sit us down and lay it on the table. Same goes for Zombieman." Beast King stated.

"Hehe...table..." Mosquito Girl chuckled.

"...Our first day was also good." Beast King continued speaking. Mosquito Girl was making it SO hard to focus on anything else. "Master Bang is evil when it comes to his teaching methods, but he's a kind person. I'm equally eager and concerned about what he has planned for us." He said.

"Putting the obvious aside, I can't say much differently about my first day." Slugerous confessed. "The only thing I can think to mention is that Miss Blizzard suggested I should speak to the doctor again about another revision of myself." He shared.

"No! You're SUPER squishy!" Mosquito Girl whined, placing her other hand on his head.

"...Um...thank you..." Slugerous responded.

"I agree with Mosquito Girl, but the decision is ultimately yours." Armored Gorilla chimed in. "There are points to make for both sides of the argument." He added.

"I say stay the same. I think you look awesome. Plus, you resemble a Seafolk. It's nice not being the only one around here, even if it's just in appearance." Kombu Infinity told him.

"On that note..." Slugerous began, moving everyone's attention to them. "Why are you a bush?" He asked.

"I was helping look for Sonic, who we thought was in Ghost Town. To do so, I asked if Zombieman could get me water to help me grow." Kombu Infinity answered.

"Do you want me to give you a trim?" Kamakyuri offered, raising his arms.

"Nah. I think I look spooky like this. I could use the intimidation factor." Kombu Infinity replied.

"Nooooooooooooo..." Mosquito Girl whined again, now latching onto the Seafolk. "You're not cute anymore...I don't like it..." She muttered.

...

...

...

BOP

Out of nowhere, Beast King bopped Mosquito Girl on the back of her head. It wasn't a forceful blow, just enough to push her into unconsciousness.

"Thanks." Kombu Infinity said as the lion man picked her up.

"No prob. If she went on any longer, we'd start messing with her." Beast King responded, laying her down on a nearby couch.

As the black and white lady floated up to the clouds, the others continued conversing. Meanwhile, across the way, the Blizzard Group were busy trying to console their leader.

"Guys, I'm fine." Fubuki told her subordinates. Calmly. Composed. Collected. The three Cs of elegance.

"That's what's so worrying, Miss." Mountain Ape said, folding his arms. "If One Punch Man hadn't shown up when he did, you'd still be trying to rip Mosquito Girl's face off." He reminded her.

"I'll admit, I acted poorly." Fubuki acknowledged.

"You were overflowing with murderous rage, mam." Eyelashes interjected.

"It was...passion." Fubuki argued, being careful with her word choice. "I only want to see her and the others succeed as heroes. I was just...disappointed and desired to ensure she wouldn't make this error again." She explained.

"You called her a bimbo." Lily pointed out.

"...A term of endearment." Fubuki replied.

"Empty-headed fangirl, too?" Lily questioned with an uncertain expression.

"...An observational fact." Fubuki said.

Every member of the Blizzard Group studied their leader. Fubuki did a great job maintaining this facade and pretending that she didn't try to leave finger impressions on Mosquito Girl's neck. But before the Blizzard Group could press her more on the matter, a certain shiny head entered the room.

"One Punch Man!" A member of the group was quick to notice the hero's arrival. With their shout, every pair of eyes in the room were directed to the same location.

"Easy, guys. No need to salute. Please." Saitama quickly said, not wanting to go through the usual song and dance.

"How's the non-human? Are they going to be okay?" Fubuki was the first to ask the question on everyone's mind, which made perfect sense.

"They're stable in the most literal sense," Saitama answered as everyone gathered near him. "From how Genus made it sound, he and his clones can't make them better because they're so unique. Like, as a lifeform. So, Genus and the rest are studying them to learn more." He explained.

"So long as they're not in danger of dying, that's all that matters." Fubuki responded with a sigh of relief and a happy smile. "However, with this taken care of, we need to talk about what they told me. You agree that it's something serious, right?" She inquired.

"I think it needs to be investigated, absolutely." Saitama agreed. "But, and I'm not excusing the actions of the guilty party, this could be a simpler situation than we're thinking. Monsters, non-humans, etc, are always having disputes. Again, I am NOT saying what may have happened is justified, but we could be looking at the monster equivalent of a gang war." He said.

"One Punch man's correct. We've had a few monsters, more akin to animals, out here in the wilderness who fight over territory. I'm not trying to say all monsters and non-humans are so simple-minded, but regardless of species, power is universal." Beast King mentioned.

"Yeah. That's how it was for the Seafolk. We followed the Deep Sea King since the beginning because of his strength. We assumed that was all that mattered. But then Saitama happened and we realized he was just an ass." Kombu Infinity chimed in.

"Exactly. So, we're going to wait for the others to get here. Hopefully by then, Genus and his closes have more information. If they do, maybe we'll be able to figure something out." Saitama told them.

In response, everyone nodded and then returned to their seats. As for Saitama, he'd head outside to speak to Zombieman and Flashy Flash. Partly because he wanted to get their input and partly because he needed to catch them up to speed.

Chapter Text

Zombieman and Flashy Flash. Name a more iconic duo. Go on, I'll wait. Everyone knows these two. They're thick as thieves! Two peas in a pod! Two brothers from other mothers!

...

...

...

Not very convincing, is it? Honestly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a set of people who don't get along more than these two. Sure, they had a shared annoyance toward their colleague Metal Bat. But apart from that one exception, the pair had nothing in common.

Yet, both men were next to each other outside the House of Evolution. Zombieman leaned against the wall with a lit cigarette in his mouth. Flashy Flash stood a few feet from him but still closer than anyone would've expected. They stayed like this, silent, ever since their arrival. The only noise between them was the flickering of Zombieman's cigarette.

Eventually, this unusually calm moment between the two couldn't go on. Zombieman, losing to his curiosity, needed to understand why this was happening. Thus, the first words were spoken.

"...You're wanting to taunt me, aren't you?" Zombieman asked while breathing in a puff from his smoke. "You want to point out how out of control Mosquito Girl was or how I failed to apprehend the non-human." He said, followed by an exhale.

"I did. I won't deny that." Flashy Flash answered, being his usual blunt self. "However, there's something that's caught my attention after getting all of the information sorted." He revealed.

"And it involves me?" Zombieman questioned, assuming that was the reason for the ninja's company.

"Mosquito Girl believed that you were hunting Sonic. There's no discrepancy there. But the reason for WHY you were doing so is what's intriguing." Flashy Flash stated.

"The lie," Zombieman responded, knowing what he meant. "I told Mosquito Girl that Sonic had been humiliated by Fubuki and her team. If I hadn't, she would've lost her damn mind since she's One Punch Man's ultimate fan. She would've made us walk around Ghost Town into the dead of night. It was to spare myself and Kombu of that crap." He explained.

"An understandable reason." Flashy Flash began, now looking at the undead man. "However, because of that lie, things have turned out the way they have. Had you simply been honest with her, Mosquito Girl wouldn't have immediately attacked the non-human. She might've thought the scenario strange, but she wouldn't have tried to assist Fubuki under the belief that she was being confronted by her assassin." He told him.

"..." Zombieman stayed quiet. This fact wasn't new to him, but he didn't know how to reply. So, he'd let the ninja keep flapping his lips to see where this was headed.

"Initially, my assumptions about you being an unfit instructor were due to personal feelings and opinions. But after today, my stance on your ability to serve as an instructor to any recruits, non-human or otherwise, is influenced by your performance. As such, I'll be sharing my grievances and concerns with our leader to-"

FWOOSH

With impressive speed, given that he wasn't known for it, Zombieman brandished his axe and held it above Flashy Flash's head. The blade was scarily close to the ninja's golden locks, yet he showed no fear. Furthermore, he didn't react. The only thing that happened was a brief pause in Flashy Flash's words since the axe's appearance interrupted him.

"...Prevent you from shaming us, him, and the Association." Flashy Flash resumed speaking, finishing his prior statement.

"If I had done anything wrong, One Punch Man would've pulled me aside already." Zombieman was quick to say. He maintained the axe's position, ready to strike this bastard.

"You know our leader as I do. He's kind, understanding, and patient. Likely, he hasn't brought this up because he doesn't want you to feel bad about one mistake." Flashy Flash reasoned, followed by a smirk appearing on his face. "However, if another member of our rank were to express concerns, at the very least, there would be a discussion. If we were to involve Doctor Genus, I'm sure he'd have a lot to say about your temperament and fittingness as an instructor." He remarked.

Oh, this son of a bitch. Zombieman's hand gripped his weapon's shaft tighter. Both men's eyes were locked. A staredown. If this were to escalate, they'd wait for the other one to-

Schick

The automated front doors of the facility opened. Instantly, Flashy Flash and Zombieman were back in a neutral state. The ninja stood with his arms folded and eyes closed. The immortal detective smoked his cigarette with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, guys." Saitama greeted the pair with a friendly smile. "Whatcha doin out here?" He asked.

For a moment, Flashy Flash and Zombieman wondered if their leader was putting on an act with the intent that they'd be honest with him. However, the idea quickly disappeared since they knew One Punch Man wasn't so underhanded or sneaky.

"I don't care much for crowds. Our usual meetings with the rest of S-Class are about as much as I can stand." Flashy Flash answered.

"I needed a smoke. I didn't feel like being around everyone after what happened. Also, I still don't feel entirely comfortable here." Zombieman answered.

"Yeah. Sorry for dragging you along. I just figured it'd be easier since everyone's going to show up here anyway." Saitama said.

"Please, don't apologize. You didn't drag me here. If I didn't want to come, I wouldn't." Zombieman replied. "Assuming that, if I did, you wouldn't be upset." He added.

"Not at all. I get it. Doctor Genus and everything associated with him brings up bad memories for you." Saitama assured him.

"Speaking of the doctor, how is the non-human?" Flashy Flash inquired

"Stable. But their condition can't improve until we figure out how they work. As a living being, I mean." Saitama told them.

"What about the things Fubuki said?" Zombieman asked.

"Yeah, that's going to be the bulk of what we talk about when the others show up," Saitama answered, followed by a sigh. "Can I confess something to you guys?" He requested.

"Of course." Both men responded in unison.

"I am REALLY hoping this isn't something big..." Saitama started, shoulders slumping. "So much has happened lately. The House of Evolution. The Seafolk. The apartment building's reconstruction and everyone moving in. Non-humans becoming heroes. The construction of the Seafolk's homes in City J. The construction of that new train system for heroes. Training Genos. Wondering where the Deep Sea King went. It's a LOT of stuff..." He said, ending in an exhale.

"Isn't there also going to be a news network meant solely for heroes?" Flashy Flash recalled.

"Yeah, and it'll be run by Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider." Zombieman confirmed.

Upon saying that, the men witnessed a sudden change in their leader's face. A look of despair. An expression of exhaustion. It's as if someone just sucker-punched him in the stomach and forced all of the air in his lungs out.

"One Punch Man?" Flashy Flash spoke. He and Zombieman shared looks of surprise and worry.

"...I...forgot...about the news network..." Saitama muttered. Slowly, he turned to face the nearby wall before he hit his face against it. "I need to sit down with Mizuki and Satoru...I need to introduce them to Mosquito Girl and the others..." He realized.

"...Um...not to make things worse for you...but they also need new names..." Zombieman chimed in.

An uncomfortable silence took the air. Saitama, with his face pressed against the wall, just seemed to freeze in place. Yet, after a full minute, the broken shell of a man went back into the facility.

"Even when talking to our leader, you manage to make things worse." Flashy Flash sighed in disbelief once One Punch Man was out of earshot.

"One more word, and I'll make you as bald as him." Zombieman threatened, ready to brandish his axe again.

Later...

As expected, when the call came, S-Class assembled with haste. The Association's best were gathered in one of many rooms Doctor Genus designed for him and his clones when they needed to discuss something in immense detail. It was different, yet familiar. Comfortable, yet functional. All-in-all, a perfect conference space.

However, no one was focused on the decor, furniture, and overall quality of the room. Every hero's eyes were fixated on their leader who was...in a state. Saitama just sat there at the head of the table, staring down at it. No words, no emotion, just an empty gaze.

"...Saitama?" King spoke. In situations like these, there was a silent agreement within S-Class for King to be the speaker. His status as One Punch Man's right-hand man earned him that and then some. "You okay there, bud? You're looking a little...absent." He asked.

"..." Saitama continued staring, seemingly unresponsive. "...I'm just...processing..." He answered. Phew. He was still here mentally.

"Yeah, I don't blame ya." Baddo joined in with a sympathetic smile. "You've been getting so much crap dumped on ya. Even someone as strong as you would get exhausted from all of it." He said.

"How about this?" Atomic Samurai spoke, getting the attention on him. "After we deal with whatever's come up now, and AFTER the House of Evolution and its members make their proper debut, One Punch Man takes a leave of absence?" He suggested.

"Nah, I couldn't do that. Things would only get crazier, and I couldn't leave you guys to deal with it alone. As the number one hero, I've got responsibilities." Saitama replied.

"True. But a tired mind is already bad enough. We can't have you physically exhausted. Or, perhaps more accurately, feel as though you are." Bang argued.

"They're right, Baldy." Tatsumaki chimed in, remarkably calmer than she normally was during these meetings. "You should go somewhere. Take a week or two off. Turn off the phones. Block out the sun. Just hide away from the world." She advised.

"I concur." Surprisingly, it was Metal Knight who agreed with the Tornado of Terror. As always, a drone was acting as his stand-in. "We've tried to avoid interacting with you as much as possible to give you a breather. Unfortunately, it seems that no matter what we do, forces beyond our control are always conspiring to make your life more hectic. At this point, the only solution is to take a vacation." He stated. "Speaking of, when was your last vacation, One Punch Man?" He inquired.

...

...

...

"One Punch Man?" Metal Knight spoke. After voicing his question, the room fell silent. He and the others expected an immediate answer from their leader, only to get nothing.

"..." Saitama stayed quiet. His eyes were still wide, and he continued staring at the table. Yet, his expression was different now, resembling shock.

"...Wait..." King began, his mind slowly putting the pieces together. "I've known Saitama the longest...back before he was One Punch Man...and...I don't think he's ever had a vacation..." He said.

...

...

...

"Oh my god..." Tatsumaki muttered in horror. She and the others slowly had the same mortified expression as their leader. "Saitama...you...you've taken breaks, right?..." She asked. This revelation was so serious it made her use his actual name.

"..." Saitama remained speechless.

"You...haven't worked every single day for the past three years without a day off, right?..." Tanktop Master questioned.

"I...recently spent the day with Tatsumaki..." Saitama finally responded.

"ALL WE DID WAS WALK AROUND CITY Z!" Tastumaki yelled. She didn't do this to try and deflect any suspicion or attention to her and Saitama's day out. The normality of that experience is what caused the outburst. "SAITAMA! HAVE YOU SERIOUSLY NOT TAKEN A SINGLE DAY OFF?!" She pressed.

"Hey, now!" Saitama exclaimed, feeling the need to defend himself. "We talked about this! I told you how little free time I have!" He reminded her.

"Free time is different from taking an ACTUAL break, moron!" Tatsumaki spat back, returning to her usual "nicknames" for him. "Even Metal Knight or Drive Knight have requested time off for stuff! Are you seriously saying that not once, not a SINGLE time, have you EVER requested a break from the Association?!" She asked.

"...The idea never occurred to me..." Saitama answered. His tone was defeated. His mood was depressed. He wasn't joking or lying. That was the sad truth.

Everyone sat in amazement for the next few minutes. This man, their leader, hadn't had an actual break, vacation day, sick day, or ANYTHING else in THREE years. With this information, the others were amazed that Saitama hadn't lost his damn mind with everything he had to deal with on a daily basis!

"Okay!" Tatsumaki broke the stunned silence as she slammed her hands onto the table. "Here's what's going to happen! We're going to figure out what's up with this mole man, then YOU are going on vacation!" She asserted.

"I don't think he's a-"

"NO LIP." Tatsumaki interrupted Saitama, now pointing a finger at his face.

"I wasn't-"

"SHH!" Tatsumaki did it again.

In response, Saitama looked at King, wanting to know what he thought and felt about all of this.

"I mean, I agree with her, man." King said, still shocked by this news. "I can't believe you haven't taken a single day off. By choice, that is." He told him.

"And all of you?" Saitama inquired, now looking at the others.

Immediately, everyone nodded. The rest of S-Class was BEYOND flabbergasted that Saitama hadn't taken a vacation. Genuinely, they were now seriously worried about his well-being. If this information got out to the public and the rest of the Association, everyone everywhere would be worried about One Punch Man having a mental breakdown. Even if, ignoring his exhaustion, he was perfectly healthy on an emotional and psychological measurement.

"Alright. Well, I guess I'm planning a getaway, then." Saitama decided, amazed by how this meeting had started. "But let's push that to the side for later. We need to talk about-"

Saitama stopped mid-sentence. When he looked at his fellow S-Class heroes, he noticed there were three empty seats. Obviously, Blast was one of them. Puri-Puri Prisoner? Of course. He hadn't made probation yet. But then...who was?...

"Where's Genos?" Saitama questioned, now looking around the room.

Upon hearing that, the others also looked among their ranks. As Saitama had pointed out, their latest addition wasn't present.

"...Didn't...you give Genos special orders before we left City Z, One Punch Man?" Flashy Flash asked. He was fairly certain that had happened.

"Yeah. But Genos is part of the channels we use for communication. So, if all of you got the message to come here, he would've too." Saitama answered.

"I doubt he's playing hooky. I barely know him, but the kid's clearly enthusiastic and devoted. If you told him to jump, he'd fly to the moon." Atomic Samurai commented.

"What were your orders? Would you mind sharing them?" Bang requested.

"Nothing complicated. Since Genos is a cyborg and he could do a lot of scanning and stuff like that, I told him to search Ghost Town for anything that might be connected to our mysterious non-human." Saitama informed them.

"Is it possible Genos has run into trouble? The non-human, based on the information provided by Doctor Genus, was in a battered state. If its attackers were still in the vicinity, merely in hiding, Genos could have found them." Drive Knight suggested.

"I don't think so." Isamu began, thinking it over. "I haven't had time to implement security measures for Ghost Town. Even so, I've set up devices that act as an alarm system specifically for those of us living at the apartments. I did this just in case Sonic was bold enough to sneak into the building or get closer to One Punch Man in general. If ANYTHING went down in Ghost Town, I'd be alerted by it, which I was when Mosquito Girl attacked the non-human. So far, I've not gotten any alerts. If something happened, it's not in the vicinity of Ghost Town." He explained.

"Why didn't we also receive the alert? Is it meant to only happen at the apartment building?" Zombieman inquired, finding that odd.

"I'm still testing the system; it's not perfect yet. I didn't want everyone to get a notification that something was happening in City Z when all that the devices detected was a flock of birds flying or something similar." Isamu replied.

"Hmm, so we're confident Genos isn't just ignoring his obligation to S-Class. However, as Child Emperor has explained, if a battle or something near that extent unfolded involving Genos, we'd know about it. But seeing as how we're completely in the dark, that can only mean one thing. Genos found something, and he decided to investigate it himself. That, or, before he could contact any of us, he was prevented from doing so." Metal Knight stated before looking at One Punch Man. "Would you like me to send a drone to search for him? If this turns out to be far simpler a situation than we're assuming, then there'd be no purpose in us rushing to Ghost Town." He asked.

"Yeah. We still need to talk about the non-human. Plus, speaking personally, I've seen what Genos can do. If he found himself fighting something, I'm certain he could turn it to ash in seconds. He's packing some REAL firepower." Saitama answered.

After that, the meeting proceeded as intended. As the discussion progressed, Metal Knight sent one of his reconnaissance drones to Ghost Town. Surely, nothing too severe was happening, right? How much trouble could that blonde-haired cyborg get into in one hour?

Chapter Text

The first official mission. It's a big deal for any hero. It's the impression. The initial show of one's talents, skills, and capableness. If an individual were to fumble their true call to action, they'd feel immeasurable shame.

These sentiments and many more were but a fraction of Genos' thinking. His sensei had given him the "mission" to investigate Ghost Town for anything that could relate to the non-human that Hellish Blizzard and her team discovered. This task would be the cyborg's best chance to show his sensei and the rest of S-Class that he was reliable. He wouldn't disappoint any of them!

The start of Genos' search was the rooftop where Hellish Blizzard made contact with the non-human. As he expected, there was more than enough residue, traces, and other such things for him to analyze. The entity had been using this abandoned building for shelter. Only today, as indicated by the now extinguished fire, did it cook anything on the rooftop. With his speed, Genos finished scanning the building in eight minutes.

Once the building was thoroughly examined, Genos set to finding a trail of any of the materials he discovered. The non-human had to come from somewhere. There was no entry point at the base of the building that indicated it surfaced here. So, where did the entity enter Ghost Town?

With even greater haste, Genos ran through the alleyways and streets within the immediate vicinity. No luck. He expanded his search zone by one block. No success. Then, the cyborg went one block further.

There. Inside of a vacant building that had been up for sale before Ghost Town was abandoned. At the center of the main space, there was a hole. This opening led into a tunnel. Given that the non-human was much larger than a normal person's proportions, most humans could fit easily into it.

With no fear or concern, Genos jumped into the hole. The entire time he plummeted through the passageway, he didn't move at all. This young man remained perfectly neutral in his expression and posture. If anyone could see him, they'd think someone threw a very-detailed statue down a chute.

Eventually, after a solid five minutes of falling, Genos landed. Granted, due to how he descended, when he impacted the Earth again, he went straight into it like a rivet being driven through a railroad track.

"Hmm..." Genos hummed, casually removing himself from the rocky terrain. "There are multiple tunnels. Each of them is showing signs of an energy source. What is this place?" He asked aloud, despite knowing no one was listening.

True to Genos's description, the tunnel had led to a moderately-sized chamber. This chamber had several openings across the walls and ceiling. Even more corridors, yet these were different from the first. Each of them had differing dimensions, meaning that they were meant for creatures of varying sizes.

After inspecting every option, Genos found one that he could comfortably walk through. Furthermore, like the other tunnels, this one was carved with flawless expertise. This aspect was important because Genos didn't want to start walking down the passageway, only for it to get smaller the further he went in. With a course chosen, Genos proceeded on his way.

Now, at this point, some might have a question come to mind. "Why the hell is Genos not reporting any of this back to Saitama?". Simple. As stated previously, this was, in the eyes of the cyborg, his first mission. How would it look if Genos couldn't handle it himself? He was going to be an S-Class hero. S-Class heroes didn't call for backup unless it was truly warranted.

After three minutes, Genos reached the other side of the tunnel. When he did, he discovered something else. A new chamber, FAR bigger than the last, with several craters spread throughout the room. However, when Genos examined the craters, he made yet another discovery.

Within the craters were traces of the liquid that resided within the non-human. For clarity, Genos scanned the entity when it was brought out from the nearby woodlands by Armored Gorilla and Flashy Flash. However, even if he didn't, his investigation at the abandoned building turned up the same substance. Yet, within the building, the material had been trickled across the floors and stairs sometime in the past. Was this the non-human's blood?

"No, not blood." Genos began, closing his eyes to think. "It's an energy source, much like my core. To the non-human, it could be the equivalent of blood. But if that is the case, why would it have been in these craters?" He pondered aloud before restoring his vision to re-examine the environment. "Also, why would there be so much of this energy here? They do not seem to be natural sources. Were they gathered and stored at this location? If so, where has it gone? There were no signs of large quantities at the abandoned building." He questioned.

The plot thickens, so they say. Genos, needing to go even deeper, ventured forward. Whatever happened here, he would uncover the truth. Again, for emphasis, he would not shame his sensei!

The deeper Genos went into the bowels of the Earth, the darker it became. Of course, his cybernetic eyes could see everything without issue. Yet, just as the darkness was at its apex, a light source emerged. It crept into the shadows at the end of the corridor the cyborg currently traversed.

The color of the light was blue, the same as the mysterious energy. Genos, believing this light to be important, began running toward its origin. When reaching the exit, the cyborg was bathed in the blue illumination. What laid before him was, undeniably, the most significant find.

A colossal machine sat at the center of an equally massive cavern. Beneath the apparatus was a pool of the same blue energy that Genos had been examining. However, it was only through his enhanced vision that the cyborg could even see the pool. The device covered it completely from above. But the radiance of the energy was so great that it glowed through the metals of the mechanism.

"It's...a power plant?..." Genos considered, only to correct himself immediately. "No, it's extracting the energy. It's delivering it somewhere else." He deduced, now focusing on the innumerable pipelines that went even further underground.

Logically, this couldn't be the work of the non-human, right? That wouldn't make sense. Operating on the assumption that the energy was the entity's blood or source of life, why would it abandon this place? It could've remained here, healed its wounds, and not risked exposure on the surface.

Naturally, Genos was quick to form a hypothesis. The pieces were there; he just needed to put them together to paint the proper picture. The non-human had been in a rough state, possibly near death. It was hiding in Ghost Town from whatever attacked it. This place had some connection to the entity; there was no denying that. So, it was likely that whoever or whatever chased them off also built this machine. But what was it all for? Where did the pipes go? What did all of this really-

...

...

...

Hot air. Genos felt a sudden difference in temperature on the back of his neck. There were no thermal vents in this cavern. The overall temperature was warm, not hot.

Slowly, Genos looked behind himself. What he saw nearly broke his mind from how surprising it was. Somehow, by means that seemed impossible, a creature had stealthily approached the cyborg. What made this so shocking was the sheer size of it.

Gargantuan. Titanic. Monumental. These words could barely describe it. The beast was a hulking mass of black fur. Beneath it, the limbs and underbelly were more exposed. The lesser amount of fur wasn't a vulnerability. How? The musculature of the creature was INSANE. As much as it would sound like a joke to say, it genuinely seemed as though its muscles had muscles of their own!

Six glowing red eyes stared down at Genos. A set of three on each side of the creature's face. Beneath the eyes was a mouth jagged like daggers. Through the rows of spikes came a hot gust. Its maw was the source of the air from a moment ago.

For a few seconds, neither Genos nor the monster moved. When their eyes locked, they stared each other down. Genos only saw the endless crimson in the creature's gaze. The beast saw a remarkable resolve that showed no fear in its presence.

When ten seconds had gone by, everything became a blur. Genos spun around and sent forth blasts of fire from his palms. This decision served two functions. Firstly, it would be an attack. Secondly, by not maintaining his footing, Genos would be sent flying across the cavern from the force of his offensive action, which was intentional.

When the monster saw ANY movement from the cyborg, it lunged. Its mouth opened, ready to consume the intruder. But then, it was filled by a torrent of fire. The flames caused no injury to the creature. They only dazed it for a moment.

Thankfully, that's all Genos needed. He knew that attack wouldn't harm a beast so imposing. Once he landed on his feet, he had a small window to reassess his surroundings and the distance he had now created between himself and the monster.

Immediately, Genos' eyes fixated on the ceiling. Countless stalactites dangled from above. Their average size was that of a small vehicle. Would they hurt the creature? Maybe. But that wasn't the purpose Genos hoped to use them for.

Soon, the beast was in motion. In a single powerful leap, it was nearly upon Genos again. In reaction, the cyborg shot himself upward with the jets in his feet. Like before, the monster wanted to eat him.

SNAP

The closing of the creature's jaws was terrifying. The sound it generated resembled a powerful weapon being fired. If Genos had heard that sound without knowing the cause, he'd assume someone had just used an artillery cannon.

Now in the air, Genos extended his arms and began pelting the ceiling with fiery blasts. Unsurprisingly, his aim was immaculate. He struck the bases of the stalactites, which severed their connection to the cavern. Now, there was a downpour of death headed for the beast. Assuming that these could hurt it.

BOOM

With a barrage of its own, the monster destroyed the falling Earthly spikes. Apparently, it could fire energy-based attacks from its mouth. Yet, somehow, that wasn't what Genos paid attention to. Instead, he was intrigued by where the creature had aimed the projectiles.

Rather than firing the spheres of energy at the cyborg or the general area that the stalactites covered, the beast sent its counterattack to the space above the machine. Genos hadn't intended to hit the apparatus at all; his target was the monster. But his assault on the ceiling had struck a few that were in that area. Those stalactites had earned the creature's attention more than those that were heading for it, even though it still managed to take them out, too.

"It's guarding the machine!"  Genos exclaimed in his mind. To prevent himself from falling, he grabbed onto one of the larger stalactites that remained on the ceiling.  "However, this entity is clearly an animal. There's no way it could've built it. So, it's not the true mastermind."  He reasoned.

That was enough thinking time for Genos, as decided by the beast. Opening its mouth again, it fired another volley of spherical projectiles at the intruder. Each one that made contact with the ceiling created a crater. Any stalactites that were caught in their radius were turned to dust.

Wanting to remain intact, Genos started dodging them. As he hopped between the stalactites, the cyborg's mind worked as quickly as it could to determine what the best way to end this would be. He knew he wasn't built to take the monster head-on. Although grim, it was an obvious fact that if the creature landed one attack, energy-based or not, that'd be it.

Sadly, time was running out. Once the beast understood what Genos was doing, it changed its approach. It did away with precise aiming and simply unleashed its projectiles with reckless abandon. This strategy was the same as carpet bombing. Cover a large area with enough explosions and you were bound to hit SOMETHING.

But, in doing so, the monster created a new opportunity. When Genos witnessed it abandon all attempts to aim its projectiles, he also saw how the attacks were affecting the ceiling. Every brutal blow against the cavern caused cracks to appear and weakened its integrity. So, if someone were brave enough, they COULD use this as a means of attack.

However, it would be pretty crazy. Collapsing the ceiling while you are still inside the cavern. Dangerous. Uncontrolled. Placing a lot of faith in Lady Luck. The majority of people on this planet would not WILLINGLY do this.

Genos unleashed two torrents of concentrated fire from his palms as he let go of the stalactite he was currently gripping. His targets were very specific weaknesses that the creature had made with its attacks. Like a house of cards, take one of them out; the rest will follow. That was what the cyborg betted on.

Well, as it turns out, Lady Luck favors the bold. Or maybe she just has a thing for handsome blondes with stoic expressions. Either way, Genos was given his desired outcome. His attacks loosened two massive chunks of the ceiling. Once they were free and in motion, combined with the continued barrage from the beast, it all came tumbling down.

When the monster realized what was about to happen, it stopped firing. Its eyes widened. For but a moment, it was shocked. Did the intruder intend to bury them alive?!

No. Not exactly. The machine and the creature were meant to be destroyed. Regarding Genos, as the rubble fell around him, he began hopping once more. He used the raining debris to ascend. If it seemed like the ceiling would stop crumbling, he'd fire additional blasts to cause more instability and keep the destruction going.

After observing this, the beast copied his plan. With its mighty legs, it easily leaped into the air and onto chunks of rock that were, at minimum, big enough for it to kick off of. Now, the chase was on. Genos in the lead, with the monster rapidly closing the distance.

Realizing he was being pursued, Genos quickly thought of his options. Essentially, both the cyborg and the creature were in freefall. If either of them made a mistake or were interrupted in their ascent, then they would plummet and be unable to recover. Thus, the loser of this battle would be buried.

Then, at the most crucial moment, Saitama's face appeared in Genos's mind. It was a memory. Earlier today, in the ravine. What had been the purpose of that training session?

"How creative can I be?..."  Genos wondered, recalling the lesson.  "Right now, all I have at my disposal is fire-based attacks. I can also cause lightning under specific conditions. My physical attacks will not affect the monster. So, the fire is my only option. How many different ways can it be used?..."  He pondered.

Unfortunately, this was it. The beast was one leap away from reaching the intruder. Genos couldn't dodge until he reached the next sizeable rock, which wouldn't happen before the monster got him. So, it was do or die. Time to shine, cyborg.

...

...

...

SHINE. SHINE! THAT WAS IT!

Swiftly, Genos charged the power within him. Although his attacks were all fire-related, that didn't mean what powered him was the same. Genos's core, a sphere within his chest, surged with light blue energy. If he desired, the cyborg could self-destruct. But that isn't what he intended to do.

Even so, Genos charged his core. As he did, the creature jumped. Its mouth was wide open. The gaping maw of death welcomed its next meal. All six eyes were focused on the intruder.

Then, at the last possible second, Genos unleashed his energy. It wasn't an attack. It was nothing more than a discharge of the power from within his core. It'd do no damage, but it would be blinding.

The sudden surge of brightness caused the beast to shut its eyes and try to look away. In doing so, it closed its mouth. The monster's body still collided with Genos, mainly the left side of its massive head, but the cyborg anticipated this. If anything, it was part of the plan.

Once his feet touched the fur-covered face of the creature, Genos jumped off of it with as much force as he could muster. This action, combined with the disorientation caused by his bright blue flash, sent the beast downward. As for the cyborg, he made it safely to the next falling rock and continued on his way.

As Genos climbed, he also fired more blasts of heat. He needed the collapse to continue so he could find a way out. Seconds became minutes; nothing seemed to change. That wasn't surprising since Genos had fallen a VERY long distance with his earlier descent.

Eventually, after so much jumping and blasting, Genos saw it. Sunlight. It was growing as more debris fell. Amazingly, he "tunneled" his way back to the surface. A few more leaps, and...

...

...

...

After reaching the top, Genos collapsed onto the ground. Naturally, he ensured it was STABLE ground before doing so. Despite being a cyborg, the young man could still feel exhaustion to some extent. After what he just experienced, he deserved to lie down on the grass.

That's right, grass. You didn't misread. Genos wasn't in City Z anymore. Was he close to it? Had he traveled far? None of that was important right now. He just wanted a moment to relax.

Soon, there'd be no more noise. The collapse of the Earth had finished. Soon, there was only a serene silence. A fitting reward for the cyborg's efforts.

...

...

...

"Genos!"

Unexpectedly, Genos had momentarily fallen asleep. Can you blame him? After his ordeal, a comfortable patch of grass and a peaceful day would knock anyone out!

But once Genos had returned to his senses, he focused on the voice he heard. It sounded as if it...came from above. Upon tilting his head backward, the cyborg saw a drone of some kind slowly descend toward him.

"Genos!" The voice called out again. This time, it was recognized.

"Metal Knight? Is that you?" Genos asked.

"Yes! It is!" Metal Knight answered as the drone positioned itself in front of the cyborg. Its optic studied him intently. "Are you alright? Are you damaged?" He inquired.

"No, sir. No injures. If there are, they're minimal." Genos replied.

"That's good to hear. I'm glad to see you're safe." Metal Knight said before turning the drone to look at the nearby pit. "But what in the world happened?! You're miles from City Z! The only reason I was able to find you so quickly is that I detected an unnatural seismic disturbance. I honestly didn't think you'd be here since I couldn't imagine you'd somehow be involved in something on this scale." He told him.

"It was not my intention. I was only doing as sensei instructed." Genos responded.

"Your search in Ghost Town led to this?!" Metal Knight questioned in amazement.

"Yes, sir. There's far more to the non-human situation than any of us realized." Genos confirmed, now adorning a serious expression. "Please! Contact sensei! We need to inform him at once!" He requested.

Chapter Text

You know, as Saitama stared at a massive hole in the ground that was filled with large chunks of the Earth that had been broken off to ensure such an outcome, he felt...proud. Yeah, crazy, right? For the first time that Saitama could recall, an unexpected revelation didn't leave him wanting to bury his face into his pillow while contemplating the course his life had been thrown onto. Instead, he was amazed and glad to see that his recent disciple had handled himself in a situation with no injuries.

Furthermore, although unintentional, Genos hadn't caused any destruction to City Z or any other nearby location where civilians were present. Sure, the cyborg should've reported back to everyone once he found the unknown non-human's exit from the underground. But overall, Genos's first foray into the career of a hero had gone better than anyone could've hoped for. Thus, Saitama, as stated, was proud. Not only that, he also wanted to compliment the latest addition to S-Class. Unfortunately, before Saitama got a chance to say ANYTHING, the other members of S-Class had quite the earful to give to their newest member.

"WHAT were you THINKING?!" Tatsumaki was the first to get the ball rolling as the majority of S-Class looked at Genos. The only ones who didn't were Metal Knight, Drive Knight, Superalloy Darkshine, Tanktop Master, and Watchdog Man. They were busy removing the rubble from the pit.

"Sensei instructed me to search Ghost Town for anything that could be connected to the non-human entity that was escorted to the House of Evolution. Upon discovering the tunnel the creature emerged from, I proceeded to enter it to continue my investigation." Genos stated. He stood at attention and spoke with a composed tone.

"Searching Ghost Town doesn't mean jumping into a FREAKING hole!" Tatsumaki exclaimed, now jabbing her finger into his chest. "What if things went wrong? What if you didn't make it out? What if Dog Boy over there had to dig up your scraps? Did you consider the risks AT ALL?!" She interrogated.

"...Huh..." Saitama sounded, earning everyone's attention.

"What, Baldy?" Tatsumaki replied.

"Sorry. I'm just surprised to see you be so concerned about Genos's well-being is all." Saitama explained.

"HA!" Tatsumaki immediately responded, returning her focus to the cyborg. "I'm not CONCERNED for him. Clearly, given what he's done here today, this newbie either has a screw loose or his brain's not installed in his head correctly." She said.

"Then why are you so upset?" Saitama asked.

"Because this glorified toaster oven is a member of S-Class! If he screwed up, it'd reflect poorly on us!" Tatsumaki answered before pointing at Saitama. "Plus, he's YOUR disciple. If he made a mistake, WHICH HE HAS, or if he got himself killed, then everyone would start to doubt your capabilities as the top-ranking hero, which is NOT acceptable." She added, showing a little bit of her true motives.

"Aw, come on. The public wouldn't suddenly try to tie me to a log and set me ablaze like the dark ages." Saitama disputed the idea with an amused smile.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the runt, Saitama." Baddo confessed. "Sure, like you said, the public wouldn't try to hold a public execution or anything. But Genos came out of NOWHERE, INSTANTLY became an S-Class hero, and on top of ALL that, he debuted as YOUR disciple. Not mine. Not Tornado's. Not even Silver Fang's or Atomic Samurai's. If Genos got himself turned to scrap, people would've reacted negatively to it. And, as his direct mentor, you'd be seen as responsible." He told him.

For a moment, everyone stopped talking. Those participating in this discussion looked at the rebellious young man with disbelief.

"...Believe it or not, my brain's not been turned to mush from all the blows it's taken," Baddo stated after a few seconds, annoyed by their surprise at his well-spoken point.

"Look, I'll acknowledge that Genos should've contacted us before jumping into the hole. That was a bad call." Saitama began, getting things back on track. "However, you guys need to remember that Genos is a walking weapon like all of us. Not only that, but I saw the full extent of his current capabilities earlier today. Genos could easily reduce most things to ash in the blink of an eye. Yet, even when he does, it doesn't drain him of all his power. To put it simply, he's packing SERIOUS firepower." He told them, still on the cyborg's side.

"Ah. But that's the issue, Saitama." Bang started. "Genos, the monster was impervious to your attacks, correct? That's why you had to think of alternative ideas." He inquired.

"Yes, sir. The beast was formidable. Even now, I'm not certain that it was killed by the collapse I caused. Severely wounded, most likely. But still, that's the most we could hope for." Genos confirmed.

"So, without considering the possibility of being outmatched, Genos put himself into a scenario where that was precisely the outcome," Bang said, returning his focus to their leader. "Although impressive that Genos was able to come out of this unscathed, it could've easily turned out far differently. The excavation efforts currently underway could also have been a search for a corpse to be buried. While not as fiery as Tornado, I do understand her anger. I also agree with Metal Bat's point to a certain extent. Overall, the core problem is that Genos put himself in needless danger. As an S-Class hero, regardless of his status as your disciple, he is meant to represent the best of our organization.

Additionally, other heroes will not only study his performance with scrutiny due to details already mentioned but also look to him as a pillar of inspiration. The latter might not happen right away, but it will eventually. Being in S-Class carries far more expectations and responsibilities than those that have been shared. Moving forward, Genos must keep this in mind. It's the same mentality and awareness that we're trying to instill in the House of Evolution's members, who will be entering the world as heroes at the same time as him. We can't have anyone, be they your disciple or our non-human members, cause any problems for ourselves or the public. That is not what heroes are meant for." Bang stated.

Again, there was a pause in the conversation. This time, even those working on the excavation noticed. But unlike Bad, who surprised some of his peers, everyone expected this sort of thing from Silver Fang. The reason for the silence was a combination of amazement and contemplation.

Yet, it wouldn't be the martial arts master who'd get people talking again. Surprisingly, it was Genos. However, it wasn't with words.

"Uh...Genos..." Baddo spoke as everyone slowly looked at him. "What...are you doing?..." He asked.

In the cyborg's hands was a journal and pen. With blinding speed, the blonde-haired hero scribbled away at the pages.

"Taking notes," Genos answered before showing everyone what he'd written. Astoundingly, he managed to transcribe everything that Silver Fang said perfectly. "If I am to be a proper hero in everyone's eyes, I must carefully study as much as I can to ensure nothing of value is missed or forgotten." He explained, turning the journal back toward himself afterward. "In fact, it is because of my memorization that I was able to beat my opponent." He added.

"How so?" Zombieman inquired, expressing everyone's curiosity.

"Sensei shared with me some of his wisdom during our training session. The guidance he provided ensured my victory." Genos revealed.

"Words of wisdom?" Flashy Flash quickly interjected with intense interest. "Could you show them to us?" He requested.

Upon doing so, Flashy Flash, before receiving a reply, produced his journal and pen. When this happened, an unexplainable phenomenon unfolded. The cyborg looked at the ninja's belongings and vice versa. Then, they locked eyes with each other.

CLAP

Suddenly, Genos and Flashy Flash locked their hands together. Each one gripped the other with impressive intensity. The men's eyes were filled with burning passion. To everyone else, this was a display of madness that could not be rationalized. To the duo, they had found a kindred spirit. They understood themselves better than anyone else could. In short, they had become brothers.

Side note:  Saitama, who felt an unnerving sense of deja vu earlier that day, now experienced a chilling cold run through his body. There were now two of them. They were multiplying.

"Hey!"

A sudden exclamation brought the group back to its senses. Genos and Flashy Flash even ended their staredown of respect. Following the voice back to its origin led every gaze to the pit. Specifically, the center of the area where Watchdog Man was, indicating that he was the one who had shouted.

"What's up?" Saitama asked.

"I don't know. Something weird is going on." Watchdog Man answered before looking at the cyborg. "Genos, you said the monster fell to the bottom of the pit, right?" He inquired.

"Yes, sir. I watched it fall as I ascended." Genos responded with a nod.

"Well, that's weird. Because from how it smells, the creature's scent is only a few feet-"

BOOM

A single second. During that nearly imperceivable moment, so much happened. A massive torrent of energy surged forth from the Earth below. It tore through all of the rubble and pierced the sky above. A glowing pillar of destruction and death that could be seen for miles.

Watchdog Man, with his unmatched senses, heard the beam's approach when it was fired. In the fraction of time he had to react, he did. The white-furred hero lept from danger easily. As such, he didn't worry about himself. Instead, he felt concern for those working alongside him as he reached safety.

Fortunately, Watchdog Man was the only one close to the attack when it happened. Superalloy Darkshine and Tanktop Master were in charge of organizing the rubble as it was removed, which placed the duo at the pit's edge. Drive Knight, although in the pit as well, had a much greater reaction window than his colleague, meaning his evasion was far easier. The only casualties were Metal Knight's drones, which not even their creator would be bothered by the destruction of.

Did you notice it? How the sudden streak of energy was referred to? An attack. That's because Watchdog Man knew what the cause was. There could only be one logical explanation for this development. The Earth hadn't suddenly produced an unusual geyser. The monster was still alive.

As the beam dissipated and everyone got their bearings, ready to fight, all eyes fixated on the now-present hole. Where rubble had once been, there was only searing hot rock. The impact zone of the energy left the Earth bright red. If someone had stumbled across this sight, they'd wonder if an underground volcano had erupted.

Alas, this was not a feat of nature. This situation wasn't a miraculous scientific event. As everyone looked into the hole, being met with darkness, they'd soon see something within. It was dim at first, but then its brightness grew. Six eyes that shined with crimson light.

What transpired in the next ten seconds was a blur. Everyone, even Genos, acted on pure instinct. Weapons were readied. Muscles flexed in preparation. Stances were taken. Powers summoned. A fight was surely underway.

At the fifth second, the beast emerged. It came from the depths with a mighty bound. Genos's description of the creature had been entirely accurate. From but a glance, everyone could see its terrifying physicality. The aura it exuded was akin to death itself. Was this monster actually a Demon from Hell? Had Genos unknowingly crossed the threshold between realms? Would this be a fight not just for themselves but to save the world from an unstoppable-

BOP

At the tenth second, right when the beast was nearly upon the S-Class heroes, Saitama, with a clenched fist, hit the beast on the top of its noggin. The monster was sent flying back down the hole faster than anyone could track. It was little more than a massive black blob being cast into the shadows from whence it came.

Everyone watched in silence as the creature disappeared. The atmosphere shifted completely. Honestly, everyone should've expected this. Yet still, the group looked at their leader in stunned silence.

Well, except for King. Genuinely. The only thing that caught the world's second-strongest man off guard was the giant laser beam. After that, he knew a monster was coming. But since Saitama was RIGHT there, yeah, no, there was literally nothing to be worried about.

However, before anyone could say anything, they heard a thunderous THUD come from the hole. The beast had hit the bottom. A few seconds passed, and everyone wondered if it had died. But then, to their amazement, it returned.

BOP

Again, the creature was struck. It emerged from the hole almost instantaneously. The only way this could make sense was the monster's strength. It had enough raw physical power in its legs to leap from the bottom of the hole, which was multiple miles down, to the top in a single jump. Credit where it's due, that was scarily incredible.

Sadly for the beast, its commendable strength wasn't the main focus. Everyone paid attention to Saitama, now standing near the pit, having just bopped the creature again. You'd think that'd be it, right? Surely, that HAD to be the end.

Nope. Saitama wasn't killing this thing. He was just trying to keep it in the hole. If it could be avoided, he'd rather not kill the monster. There was a good chance it could be useful in some way.

So, as the beast proved, it was very persistent. The black-furred creature kept jumping out of the pit, and Saitama kept bopping it. Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest game of whack-a-mole ever conceived. Truly, this is why Saitama was the number one hero.

...

...

...

Come to think of it, what was the monster? As it kept coming back up and getting bopped, everyone, while relaxing, started to study its appearance. The beast wasn't a mole. It wasn't some sort of reptile. The legs, the fur, and the shape of the head all pointed to the possibility that the creature was...a...dog?

No...that...couldn't be it, right? A wolf. Yes. That made more sense. Or just a canine in general. Surely, this ferocious monster wasn't just an oversized dog? That'd be-

Whimper

A sad, heart-melting noise filled the air. It came from the pit. The monster didn't jump back up, but its whines echoed from below. The game was over. Winner: Saitama.

"I...think it's done..." Saitama said, slowly lowering his fist to his side.

Despite being the one who caused this outcome, Saitama didn't feel good about it. As he kept bopping the beast, he could see the animosity in its eyes slowly fade away. Thinking on it a bit more, Saitama realized that before he bopped it for what turned out to be the final time, the creature did have a different expression. No hostility. No animosity. The monster was desperate to leave the hole and to stop getting hit on the head. Now, it stayed at the bottom and cried.

"...Crap...I feel terrible..." Saitama admitted. He wasn't the only one. The longer the beast whimpered and whined, the louder it got. Most of S-Class was progressively feeling sorry for something that wanted to kill them a minute ago. "I'm...gonna go check on it." He decided.

...Wait...check on it...did...that mean?...

Yup. Saitama jumped into the hole. Everyone watched their leader do the same thing Genos did to kick off this craziness. Now, the others just stood in silence and stared at the pit. The only thought on their minds was whether or not they should go in after him.

Chapter Text

A world-renowned geneticist. The pioneer in the field of cloning research and technology. The creator of a new species of super beings that made the average human look pathetic. Now, in a surprising turn of events, Doctor Genus was about to obtain another prestigious title. Veterinarian.

When One Punch Man and S-Class rushed off to Genos' location, the House of Evolution expected them to return with promising materials that they would then study. Truthfully, that would happen; it'd just be much later after Metal Knight and Drive Knight had thoroughly investigated the scene. As for the present, the rest of S-Class, One Punch Man included, did bring something back. However, it most certainly WASN'T research materials.

"IT'S A PUPPY!" Mosquito Girl, still doped out of her mind, cheerfully exclaimed before flying over to the four-legged creature.

There really is no better way to say it than how Mosquito Girl just did. Sitting in front of the House of Evolution's headquarters was a massive black-furred dog. There might've been a chance to view it as a wolf or some other canine if it weren't so well composed. Despite the monstrous appearance and proportions, the six-eyed beast had the same posture as a golden retriever waiting for attention.

When the high-on-meds Mosquito Girl hugged the dog, its tail started wagging. Admittedly, the scene was very wholesome. You had a woman who couldn't stop giggling with glee as she snuggled the world's largest doggo. If these circumstances were, you know, normal, then everyone else could appreciate them.

Sadly, this situation was so far from ordinary that it would need to write letters to stay in contact. Understandably, the House of Evolution's members were unable to give any reactions. Even Doctor Genus, who was fairly accustomed to the outlandish by now, stared silently at the scenario unfolding before his eyes.

"...So..." Saitama awkwardly began as he stood beside the dog. "I...was hoping...you could do us a solid..." He said.

"..." Dr. Genus remained silent. He didn't give off an aura of anger or annoyance. Likely, even a man such as him was so overcome with shock that he was stuck processing.

"I PROMISE that we're NOT trying to get you to take this animal," Saitama assured him, hoping it'd bring some comfort. "All we're looking for is your expertise and help to identify what it is. I give you my word that you won't have to build the world's largest dog house." He clarified.

"...Then...what will become of it?..." Dr. Genus asked.

"Uh...well...that's where things get even more interesting..." Saitama answered with a nervous chuckle.

"How? Did you bring a cat, too?" Dr. Genus questioned, able to be a bit humorous.

"It's...better if I just show you..." Saitama sighed.

Everyone watched as One Punch Man positioned himself before the dog. Mosquito Girl was on its backside, meaning that she wouldn't get in the way. What proceeded surprised the House of Evolution's members a second time. S-Class was unaffected since they witnessed this already.

"Paw," Saitama stated, to which the dog offered its right front leg. "Shake," He continued, to which the dog moved its limb in time with his arm's motion. "Speak," He carried on.

"Woof." The dog purposefully kept its volume low. Whether that was done by itself or something that One Punch Man told it to do before coming here was unknown.

"Lay down," Saitama instructed, which would be his final command.

Like the orders that had come before, the dog obeyed without any hesitation or resistance. Now, lying perfectly straight on the ground, the dog maintained its focus on One Punch Man.

"How?" Dr. Genus immediately inquired. "No, seriously, HOW?!" He repeated, needing to stress the insanity on display.

"It's not a long story, and that's what's crazy about it," Saitama started while turning around to face him. "We went after Genos and learned about some strange underground stuff he saw. Then, this dog fires a giant laser beam from a hole he had made to escape. A few seconds later, the dog tried to jump out of the hole, but I bopped it on the head to keep it down there. That went on for a minute or two, only to end with the dog staying in the hole and whimpering. I felt bad for making it sad, so I jumped in to let it know we were cool. After that, the dog followed me back to the surface, and it listened to anything I told it to do." He shared.

Doctor Genus lingered on that story for a few seconds. Afterward, he slowly looked at the rest of S-Class for confirmation.

"Sorry, Doc, Saitama's telling ya the truth," Baddo told him as he rested his weapon on his shoulders. "Believe us, we were just as floored as all of you are. We have NO idea what this mutt's deal is, why it was underground, and why it's now suddenly loyal to our leader. The whole thing comes across as a Saturday morning cartoon." He went on.

"If I may..." Beast King requested, holding up a hand. "If we're going with the idea that this IS a dog of some kind, then that means it likely has a pack mentality. So, if it were confronted by a creature that was superior to itself, the dog would become compliant to avoid angering what it perceives as an alpha. Seeing as how One Punch Man sent it down a hole multiple times just by hitting it on the head, there's no way it wouldn't recognize his strength." He suggested.

"I don't know. If that were true, wouldn't this thing be scared for its life?" Ground Dragon challenged, but only to explore all possibilities. "All of us can read body language like experts, and to me, this creature isn't frightened in the slightest. If anything, it's staring at One Punch Man with admiration." He noted.

"What happened in the hole? Could you tell us the specifics, One Punch Man?" Armored Gorilla requested.

"Sure," Saitama agreed, folding his arms. "Honestly, though, I don't know what you're going to learn from this. All I did was jump down, which caused the dog to cower, but then, when I proved I wouldn't hurt it, I just scratched it behind the ear until it wasn't scared anymore. When the dog's nerves were settled, and it seemed to be listening to me, I told it to follow me outside, which it did." He informed them.

"Ah. Now, it makes sense." Beast King said while snapping his fingers. "You didn't assert your authority through intimidation. Despite having the advantage, you showed the creature kindness instead of cruelty. Its fondness comes from that." He explained.

"Oh, so it's like positive reinforcement?" Saitama proposed.

"Eh, close enough," Beast King replied.

"Ahem," Dr. Genus cleared his throat, getting the attention. "So, if we're only going to examine this...thing, where will you be keeping it?" He asked.

"Ghost Town," Saitama answered nonchalantly as if that wasn't a big deal. "Since this dog likes me, I'll just keep an eye on it there. Plus, with no one around, it'll have empty streets to run through." He said, only to realize something afterward. "Oh, and it'll have the nearby woods, too. So, there won't be any concerns on whether or not it's getting enough time around nature," He added.

"..." Again, Dr. Genus slowly looked at the rest of S-Class. "And...all of you are okay with this decision?..." He questioned.

"Hey, if the pooch becomes a problem, Saitama will just smack it into the stratosphere," Baddo reasoned with a shrug.

"On a more useful note, the dog could be a valuable aid to us in many ways. As an example, combat. Genos has already attested to its durability, strength, and even stealth. Furthermore, all of us witnessed the massive pillar of energy it could produce. If the dog is loyal to One Punch Man, then it would make a GREAT protector for the area." Isamu commented.

"Stealth?" Dr. Genus challenged with a raised brow.

"Yes, sir!" Genos exclaimed, opting to be the one who confirmed that. "When I was searching the underground, the dog snuck behind me without triggering any of my detection methods. Despite its size and weight, the dog is as nimble and light on its feet as Flashy Flashy." He promised.

"Be aware, we've yet to test this," Flashy Flashy quickly stated, not wanting the dog to be considered an equal until it proved itself.

"...Alright," Dr. Genus plainly responded. A part of him wanted to ask more questions, but the majority of himself knew it'd be better to just go with it. "For the safety of myself and my clones, could you stay with us as we examine the creature, One Punch Man? I worry that without your presence, it could be temperamental." He requested.

"Of course. That's the least I can do." Saitama accepted before looking at the dog again. "But you'll be a good boy regardless, right?" He inquired, accompanied by some chin scratches.

Upon receiving that gesture of affection, the dog's tail wagged with enough speed and power to stir up a whirlwind. The rest of S-Class, who were behind the canine, had to move away to escape the powerful gusts.

Nearby, In The Medical Area...

Ever since S-Class departed to find Genos, Fubuki has kept herself busy by attending to the unknown entity. She asked Doctor Genus if that would be alright, to which he gave both his approval and support. Since there was no way to determine when the mysterious being would regain consciousness, especially when it still couldn't be treated properly, having an Esper explore its mind was a great idea. However, Fubuki was sure to clarify that such a course of action wasn't her intention.

There would be no attempts to discretely or forcibly extract information from the entity. As Espers, Fubuki and her sister understood the value of privacy better than most. No one had the right to invade another person's inner self, regardless of power and status. The ONLY instances where it was permissible, at least by their moral standards, was when it was a nefarious individual who held information that was needed to prevent the loss of innocent lives.

Yet, just because Fubuki wasn't spelunking through the entity's subconscious didn't mean that nothing of value could be gained. Her true intention was to establish a mental link with it. Don't worry; that's not as complex or significant as it may sound to some. The process was as simple as it came across at face value. Two (or more) minds would connect, and depending on what is allowed by each individual, any interactions you could have in the real world would be possible in this mental space.

Additionally, there were unique things that could be done. The one that Fubuki hoped for the most was memory sharing. If she could establish a tangible connection to the entity, meaning they were able to communicate, then everyone might not have to wait for clues to be found elsewhere!

Admittedly, though, that WAS a hopeful longshot. At most, Fubuki anticipated an empathic connection to be the extent of what transpired. For those who might be confused, an empathic connection would only allow for the individuals involved to register the feelings of each other. So, if the entity were feeling sad, as she suspected, then she'd feel that sadness. Not in the sense that Fubuki would suddenly be sad as well, but it was a tad difficult to explain it more finely than that.

Anyway, Fubuki was guided to where the entity was being treated. Just like Kombu Infinity, the creature was suspended in a tube of water that contained special medicine meant for non-humans. Alas, as previously established, due to the entity's non-organic nature, this medicine barely did anything. Still, it did help keep it alive, which was all that mattered.

Once alone, Fubuki placed her hand on the tube and closed her eyes. Even if nothing came from this idea of hers, she'd give it all she had. A pettier part of her mind knew that Tatsumaki could probably get results with little effort. But now was not the time to fall into the usual unflattering comparisons that kept Fubuki up at night sometimes. All that mattered was trying to connect with the entity before her.

...

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...

The world around Fubuki vanished. From her perspective, she was standing in a fog-filled void. Mentally, she was "checked-out" from her environment. You could consider this current state as meditative.

...

...

...

It was impossible to keep track of time here. If Fubuki didn't return to reality by herself, someone, likely her sister, would need to do it. Truthfully, that would be the outcome. She had no intention of leaving this state until she got results or someone did it for her.

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...

"...Hello?" Fubuki called out, hoping to gain the entity's attention. "If you're able to hear me, I want to tell you how sorry I am that this happened. Everything I told you on the rooftop was genuine. The person who scared you away is a moron that does NOT represent me at ALL. I really wanted to form a friendly relationship with you. If you can't believe that, I understand. Even so, I wouldn't be comfortable if you assumed I was a deceiver who wanted to hurt you. It wasn't solely about my image but the image of all heroes, including One Punch Man. We're not liars who would trick non-humans into letting their guards down so we could then harm or take advantage of them." She stated.

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"...Did...One Punch Man...meet the Deep Sea King?..."

Hearing that voice caused a surge of joy within Fubuki. Funnily enough, because of the connection, the entity absolutely noticed. But she wouldn't let that disrupt this monumental progress!

"Yes! He did. And One Punch Man thwarted the Deep Sea King's plan with the aid of non-humans!" Fubuki confirmed. She wouldn't make the entity uncomfortable by hounding them with questions right away. This interaction NEEDED to be slow and gentle.

"...Good...the bastard deserved it..." The voice replied. Within this mental space, it didn't sound as weak and exhausted as it did before. Also, it came across much clearer, allowing Fubuki to discern that the tone sounded male.

"Is the Deep Sea King involved with what happened to your people?" Fubuki guessed.

...

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...

Crap! Why did Fubuki say that?! Wasn't she supposed to be taking things slow?! That was like a head-first dive into an empty swimming pool!

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...

"...Yes..." The voice confirmed. Oh, thank GOD. "That bastard is the one who reached out to me and my people...he's responsible for EVERYTHING..." It revealed.

"Well, if it's comforting to know, the Deep Sea King has lost it all," Fubuki began. "Whatever stupid scheme he had to try and defeat One Punch Man and take the surface from humanity failed SPECTACULARLY. The only thing the Deep Sea King held onto was his life since he fled like a coward. All of his loyalists are currently dead, while the rest of the Seafolk have sworn their allegiance to One Punch Man and are now peacefully co-existing with humanity." She shared.

...

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...

Suddenly, from all angles, Fubuki heard a hefty howling come from the void. The sound of such joyous laughter made her smile.

"It serves him right!" The voice proclaimed amidst its chortles. "That arrogant prick has always had such lofty ambitions for the world. The Deep Sea King was OBSESSED with the superiority of the Seafolk. It never ceased to annoy me and the other kings." It said.

"Other kings?" Fubuki questioned.

"Yes, there were four of us in total," The voice started. "The Ancient King. The Sky King. The Deep Sea King. The Subterranean King. Of the four, I am the last. To my knowledge, only three of us remain. I'm not sure what became of the Ancient King. The last any of us saw or heard from him and his kind was before the Ice Age." It explained.

"Huh, good to know..." Fubuki remarked, planning to tell Saitama when she got the chance. "But let's not focus on that right now. I want to learn more about you, and I don't mean in an interrogative way. I just want to know who you are. I'm not trying to make you discuss anything sensitive or private." She told them, ensuring to be clear about her motivations.

"Thank you; I appreciate that." The voice responded. "I'm sorry for how I behaved before. You were the first friendly face I've seen in days, maybe longer. It's gotten hard for me to keep track of time recently." It apologized.

"There's no need. Honest. An idiot attacked you. Anyone would've been frightened." Fubuki assured them.

"...Was that person not one of your comrades?" The voice asked, finding her hostility toward that person to be odd.

"It's...complicated..." Fubuki sighed. "The ditz who divebombed you IS an ally, but she's got a LOT to learn..." She answered.

"Understood," The voice replied. "Returning to our conversation, what would you like to learn about me?" They inquired.

"Whatever is most comfortable for you. Again, I'm not hoping to gain anything from this interaction between us. Also, I will be happy to tell you whatever you need and want to hear to help you feel safe. I may not know what's happened to you, but it's obvious that it was an ordeal. So, I will do all I can to make your recovery as easy as possible. You only need to tell me, and I'll make it happen to the best of my ability." Fubuki said, ending with a promise.

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...

Unexpectedly, a new form manifested in the foggy void. It stood at thirteen feet, well above Fubuki's height. The entity's appearance resembled that of Mayan culture. Or, maybe, it was Aztec? She couldn't determine which it was.

Regardless, Fubuki was amazed and excited by this development. The entity slowly approached her, only to then bow as a gesture of politeness.

"To start, I'd like to introduce myself to you, Miss. I am the Subterranean King. It is a pleasure." The entity stated.

"I am Fubuki. Officially, my hero name is Hellish Blizzard, but there won't be any formalities between us." Fubuki responded, bowing as well. "It is an honor to meet you, your majesty." She said.

"Please, if we are to be casual, I do not want any titles or references to nobility. For your convenience, please just call me Sub for now." The Subterranean King requested.

"Very well," Fubuki agreed as they each straightened their postures. "So, Sub, where were we?" She asked with a smile, eager to get things going.

Chapter Text

For once, there was a small amount of time to kill. Metal Knight and Drive Knight's investigation would take a bit, so everyone, including One Punch Man, was able to take it easy. Sure, the leader of S-Class had to assist with the world's first monster veterinarian examination, but it was barely worth mentioning. The dog, who remained unnamed, was calm and cooperative throughout the process.

When the exam was done, Saitama told the canine that he had to go inside. The House of Evolution volunteered to stay with the pooch, and to everyone's delight, the dog welcomed them. Maybe it was because they weren't humans, too. Regardless of the reason, there wasn't any worry that the creature would suddenly go on a rampage.

The bulk of S-Class stayed in the lobby and relaxed until their colleagues returned or got in contact. Tatsumaki went deeper into the facility after Doctor Genus informed her what her sibling was doing. Saitama, when the dog's examination was finished, went to find the sisters. To no surprise, Fubuki was doing whatever she could to learn more about the unknown entity being treated. When Saitama arrived, he and Tatsumaki started talking.

"Tsk, what a dumb mistake..." Tatsumaki muttered while clicking her tongue. "If Fubuki was going to try something like this, then she should've brought a chair." She said.

"Oh, that's why," Saitama reacted, getting her to look at him.

"What?" Tatsumaki questioned.

"I wondered why you looked so annoyed, but now it makes sense. You don't want Fubuki to be sore." Saitama explained.

"Did you think I was mad at her?" Tatsumaki pressed.

"I mean, you ARE protective," Saitama noted.

"Hmm, true," Tatsumaki acknowledged. "Still, there's nothing dangerous about this situation. Even if that non-human wasn't beaten to all Hell, meaning they might break out of that tube, Fubuki could crush them in an instant. People underestimate her because she's not me." She told him.

"Yeah, I know. Fubuki vents about it all the time," Saitama replied.

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...

The sudden lack of speech caused Saitama to look at the Esper beside him. While her face hadn't drastically changed, there was a noticeable concern present in her eyes.

"Fubuki...vents?..." Tatsumaki asked.

"Mhm. All the time," Saitama answered. "It's not fair, Saitama! We're sisters! Why is she so much more powerful than me?! I work every day! I'm always trying to improve! But Tornado, she's just...better. No matter how much progress I make, she'll always be ahead of me." He recited. Unintentionally, much of this dialogue lacked emotion due to Saitama's condition. Of course, his companion knew that.

"..." Tatsumaki looked away, but not at Fubuki. "Does...she complain about anything else?" She inquired.

"I...don't know if I'm comfortable sharing that," Saitama admitted, looking up at the ceiling. "I told you the other stuff because it's related to our work as heroes and your ESP abilities. Anything beyond that starts getting personal. I know you're sisters, but I don't want to break any trust Fubuki had in me when she went off on her rants." He said.

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...

Following another pause, Saitama felt a hand grab his forearm. Looking at Tatsumaki, he saw the same concern as before but now with added determination. If there was one thing everyone knew about the Tornado of Terror, apart from her personality, it was that she DEEPLY cared about her sibling—even if, perhaps, she wasn't the greatest at showing it.

"I'll take the blame. Fubuki knows how I can get. I'll swear up and down that I made you." Tatsumaki promised, slightly tightening her grip. "Please, I have to know," She insisted.

Oof. Family drama. It made Saitama grateful that he didn't have to deal with that. Although he wanted to keep a lid on it, he could see that Tatsumaki wouldn't let this go. If Saitama didn't spill the beans now, then she'd be all over him until he did.

"Okay, so, um, I need to give a disclaimer first. Some of what I've been told happened after Fubuki sipped a few too many glasses at the end of a tough day..." Saitama began, feeling nervous about all this. "I...REALLY am uncomfortable telling you EVERYTHING she said. It was always SUPER intense. The gist of it all is that Fubuki thinks you're needlessly antagonistic, even toward her. She also hates how you view and refer to the Blizzard Group, going so far as to say that you're...uh...a very not nice woman. As for anything about the past or other family-related stuff, I am BEGGING you NOT to force me to talk about it." He shared, extremely nervous by the end.

Tatsumaki moved her gaze to the floor. Was she shocked? Stunned? Confused? Saitama couldn't discern which it was, but not because he lacked the necessary emotional intelligence.

Tatsumaki's face was blank, scarily similar to the usual expression of the man next to her. Saitama wanted to do something, but he didn't know enough about her yet to make a solid determination of action. Heck, it might not even be appropriate for him to try and comfort her when the issue was family-related. So, for as long it would be needed, Saitama would stand silently with Tatsumaki until-

Suddenly, movement. The duo instantly ignored their conversation and what came from it when they noticed Fubuki shift. Slowly, the Esper removed her hand from the tube and rolled her shoulders. A second later, a low groan escaped her throat.

"Stiff, aren't you?" Tatsumaki guessed while folding her arms. Just like that, she was back to normal.

"I didn't think things would go so well," Fubuki responded. Even before she connected her and the non-human's minds, she figured Tatsumaki and possibly Saitama would be here.

"Whoa, so you talked to it?" Saitama asked, confirming his presence before she turned around.

"Yes, I did," Fubuki answered with a proud smile. "Behind me is the Subterranean King. Yes, there is a connection to the Deep Sea King." She informed them, preemptively preventing one question.

"Given that this guy's barely holding together, he probably wasn't working alongside the Deep Sea King." Tatsumaki commented, getting a good measure of the damage as she did.

"Let me put it to you this way: if we managed to capture the Deep Sea King and take him as a prisoner, Sub would've wanted us to let him skin the bastard alive." Fubuki stated.

"Sub?" Saitama questioned.

"That's what he wanted me to call him. Sub's always been addressed formally by his people and the other races. Because of that, he doesn't have a normal name." Fubuki explained.

"Huh, kind of like the others," Tatsumaki noted, referring to the House of Evolution's members.

"Anyway, should we gather everyone? It'll be easier to tell you everything when we're all in one spot." Fubuki suggested.

"We're still waiting for Metal Knight and Drive Knight to get back here. Is it okay if we hold off until then?" Saitama replied, followed by a request.

"Of course. It's not like we're in a rush," Fubuki told him. Afterward, the trio went and rejoined the rest.

An Hour Later...

As they had done previously, S-Class gathered in a suitable space within the building that could act as a meeting room. The House of Evolution's members were still watching the dog, but they didn't mind at all. Despite Saitama not being nearby, the canine was calm and quickly trusted its fellow unusual lifeforms. The most plausible reasoning was that since Saitama had been polite toward them, the dog understood that these people were no danger to it.

"We apologize for the extended wait, everyone." Metal Knight spoke. His drone and Drive Knight were at the head of the table so that they could present their findings. "As you'd imagine, there was still an ocean of rubble to sift through at the bottom of the hole. The mysterious creature's beam only cleared the hole of blockage. Everything else was buried." He informed them.

"I'm sorry, sirs!" Genos immediately exclaimed, bowing his head.

"Unnecessary. You made the smartest move you could have in your situation. Based on the data we've gathered on the monster, if you hadn't done what you did, you would've died." Drive Knight stated.

"Additionally, your decision to cause a collapse of the cavern was ultimately irrelevant. By the time Drive Knight and I reached the location you specified where the unknown apparatus should've been, it was already missing." Metal Knight revealed.

There was a brief quiet. No one was sure what to make of that.

"I'll bite," Baddo offered, raising his hand. "When you say missing, do you mean to tell us that someone managed to whisk it away or that someone destroyed all of the evidence before you could find it?" He asked.

"The latter. Unless the culprit possessed teleportation technology or powers, there'd be no feasible way to transport the amount of materials needed to construct something at the size Genos described." Drive Knight answered.

"But how's that possible? Were there signs of an explosion, such as a self-destruct contingency measure?" Isamu questioned.

"No. From what our investigation yielded, the method of destruction was obliteration via an outside force. For example, ESP." Metal Knight said.

"Is that your leading theory?" Tatsumaki inquired. She and her sister were understandably intrigued by that.

"We are certain of our conclusion that something non-physical was employed to reduce the structure's remains into the smallest pieces, scraps, and powder imaginable. With that established, there are only so many possible explanations as to what the cause might be. Could this be an unknown power type? Yes. Anything is plausible in such a strange scenario. However, if you were to make me place a wager, I would confidently bet on ESP." Metal Knight responded.

"Have we ever encountered a non-human Esper with that kind of power?" Zombieman asked.

"No. The only Espers capable of such a feat within the Association's database are Tornado and Blizzard. Much like the non-human races we're looking into, this is a discovery." Drive Knight answered.

"Oh! About that!" Saitama quickly interjected with a snap of his fingers. "Fu-...er, I mean Blizzard, managed to talk to the non-human we're treating via telepathy! Before we continue talking about your investigation, we should hear from her to see if what she's learned could be of use." He told the group. Saitama wanted to use Fubuki's hero name to try and get her some extra respect, which was noticed and greatly appreciated by her.

"That's wonderful news," Metal Knight said as all eyes went to the top-ranked B-Class hero. "Please, Miss Blizzard, tell us what you know." He requested.

"It would be my pleasure," Fubuki began, unable to keep from smiling. She always dreamed of being considered an equal among the S-Class like her sibling. This moment was definitely going to be a core memory! "Ahem. The non-human's official title is the Subterranean King. For the sake of simplicity, everyone can refer to him as Sub, which is a nickname he provided me. Sub revealed a LOT. To keep us from swerving, I'll only share what is pertinent to where we're at right now.

Sub was approached by the Deep Sea King. As you might have already expected, they were not on friendly terms, yet the Deep Sea King came with an offer. In exchange for the use of the special substance that allowed for the existence of the Subterranean race, the Deep Sea King would grant them multiple islands far from humanity, meaning that the Subterraneans could do as they wanted without risking anything. The deal seemed far too good to be true, even then. Likely noticing that himself, the Deep Sea King added another condition that he originally intended to keep secret. The Subterraneans would be given instructions to build something for him. Once the project was complete, the deal would be finished, and the kings would be square. Upon hearing that, Sub was more trusting. Having known the Deep Sea King all his life, he knew there had to be more going on. Unfortunately, he couldn't have predicted how many layers there truly were.

Not long into the Subterraneans' work, entities that were completely alien to them arrived. Sub, as his people's ruler, met with these creatures. He didn't intend for there to be any conflict, which is what made the sucker punch hit all the harder. These lifeforms were strong, even more so than a king.

Quick note: it would be best to save the questions about what a king is in this context for later.

Getting back to the story, what happened next will be summarized. Sub couldn't bring himself to describe it in detail, which I don't blame him for. These strangers were working with the Deep Sea King. In exchange for selling out the other kings, he was promised something. Naturally, Sub wasn't told the specifics of that arrangement. All that mattered was what was in store for him and his kind. Immediately, the Subterraneans became slaves. Their home was brought to ruin as anything of use was scavenged. Due to their natural affinity for Earthly materials, the Subterraneans were excellent at carving the underground to serve any purpose. They were also able to produce from themselves any natural resource. The machine Genos saw was one of the many things that were constructed. Like with the deal between the Deep Sea King and these unknown entities, Sub wasn't informed about these machines' functions. The best guess he was able to provide me was a power source or possibly a means of processing their lifeblood into something else.

Eventually, when the Subterraneans had fulfilled their usefulness, the death order came. The weakest were the first to die. Sub attempted to defend his people, but they kept him at bay. The Subterraneans wanted their king to live since he could rebuild their species and civilization. In an act of selfless sacrifice, they provided him with a window of escape. To Sub's knowledge, there were no survivors." She concluded.

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"An evil organization. It has to be," Saitama said, being the first to react to this information. "It's far too coordinated to be random." He added.

"Those were our thoughts, too." Metal Knight admitted as Drive Knight nodded. "Even without these details, the suspiciousness of a machine that far underground is too great to be considered the work of one or a few entities." He reasoned.

"Yeah. Plus, with everything we just learned, there's only one way that genocide could be viewed. Whoever's behind all this was silencing witnesses." Baddo chimed in.

"Agreed. It was a calculated manipulation and assassination." Flashy Flash said, supporting that mindset.

"While all of this is useful, what are we meant to do with it?" Atomic Samurai questioned. "It's safe to assume that there are more of these machines underground. If those responsible aren't already destroying the rest, then that means they're confident about where they're hidden. The only ones who'd be able to search through the dirt for more would be Metal Knight and that mole guy from the House of Evolution." He pointed out.

"I feel as though that'd be pointless. As you mentioned, it only makes sense for any other machines to be destroyed. It's likely our enemies hope that we will waste time by searching." Metal Knight replied.

"So, from how it sounds, our efforts should be put to other tasks," Tanktop Master reasoned.

"Before we start making plans, I'd like to hear the rest of what Miss Blizzard has to give us." Bang requested.

"Does anyone object?" Saitama inquired, only to be met with silence. "Alright, Blizzard, you have the room again." He told her.

"Thank you," Fubuki responded before continuing. "The best thing to expand upon first is the kings. What are they? Well, from how I understand it, the kings and their species were the first fully evolved, higher intelligent beings on the planet. It has never been determined who came first, as all the kings claimed that it was them. However, to Sub's awareness, there has not been another king like them and the others. The same also applies to their respective species. Monsters or non-humans, as we call them, rarely exist as races. They're considered a collective by all who fall into that category, but there isn't any purposeful evolution from nature if that makes sense. Again, this is all based on Sub's knowledge, so there COULD be more. Regardless, the two remaining kings that we need to find are the Ancient King, who is a COLOSSAL reptile, and the Sky King, who, from how it sounds, resembles a Tengu. Sub has NO idea where the Ancient King is or if he's still alive. As for the Sky King, Sub knows that they live on a flying landmass, but he's never seen it. His best guess is that the Skyfolk keep it hidden." She stated.

"So, we're searching for a dinosaur and a race of mythical creatures, one of which is possibly invisible." Watchdog Man remarked, but not sarcastically.

"Pretty much," Fubuki confirmed with a nod.

"Do we think these mysterious villains have made contact with the Skyfolk at least?" Superalloy asked.

"That would depend on whether or not they have the means to locate them. From how it sounds, not even the other kings could perceive the Skyfolk's home." Isamu answered.

"Hold on, let me make a list..." Saitama said, pulling out his phone to take notes.

"A list? What for?" King questioned. It was only with Saitama and at specific moments like this that he felt he could say something.

"We've already got a mountain of stuff that needs doing, so I want to make sure it's written down," Saitama explained. "First, there's the House of Evolution's training and reveal. Simultaneously with that, there's the heroes-only news network. Then, there's the new transportation system meant for heroes to help with deployments. After that, we've got the ongoing Seafolk stuff in City J. Now, we've got an evil organization responsible for nearly causing an entire species of people to go extinct. In regards to them, their king is nearly dead and will need to recover. And, because of what he's told us, there are OTHER kings and MORE non-human people that we didn't have confirmation of until this exact instant." He listed. Truthfully, everyone was impressed by how fast he could type all of that on a flip phone keyboard. "Is there ANYTHING else I'm forgetting?" He inquired.

"You're meant to be training me, sensei," Genos reminded him.

"There's also the lingering issue of Speed O' Sound Sonic." Flashy Flash said.

"...Right..." Saitama sighed, shoulders slightly sagging. "Okay, so that's the list. Do you want me to send it to all of you?" He asked.

"That won't be necessary, One Punch Man. I was taking notes as you spoke. I'll handle it." Metal Knight answered, making him smile.

"Oh, wow. Thanks, Metal Knight." Saitama said.

"Excuse me," Tatsumaki spoke up, getting the attention on her. "Baldy, why are YOU taking notes?" She inquired.

"What?" Saitama questioned, unsure of why she'd say that.

"You act like you're going to be dealing with any of this," Tatsumaki clarified.

"..." Saitama stared at her for a second. "Uh, I am. I'm the leader of-"

"WRONG!" Tatsumaki interrupted him with a buzzer noise before shouting. "Of everything to forget while you were making that list, you somehow didn't remember that YOU are going on vacation," She reminded him.

"Tatsumaki, I can't go on vacation now. We're-"

"Did I stutter?!" Tatsumaki interrupted him a second time. "All of us agreed that YOU need a break. It's a freaking miracle that your egg for a head hasn't become hard-boiled!" She told him.

"Sorry, Saitama, but I gotta back up the runt here," Baddo joined in, looking at his pal with genuine worry. "Normally, she's just running her mouth because it makes her feel big. But with this, Tornado's actually making sense for once. You NEED time off, dude. Three years of straight work, especially in YOUR shoes, can NOT be healthy." He said.

"Not only that, but what does it say about us if we can't handle ourselves without you around?" Bang asked.

"Yeah! We're not in S-Class for no reason!" Superalloy agreed.

"These are unpredictable times, but uncertainty is what we signed up for as heroes." Metal Knight stated.

"If everything goes nuclear, we promise we'll call you." Atomic Samurai vowed. The humor of his word choice didn't strike him.

"Honestly, if we let it get THAT bad, One Punch Man will probably already be on the way," Isamu commented.

"We'd all deserve a demotion if we disgraced our status and our leader like that. We won't let it happen." Flashy Flash asserted.

Every S-Class hero carried on like that for a couple more minutes. They did everything they could to ease Saitama's worries about taking a DESERVED leave of absence. By the end, even with his unrivaled resistance to all things, the leader of the S-Class couldn't hold his ground.

"Okay, okay, you win, guys," Saitama said, making everyone happy. "But before I start flipping through travel brochures, could we form a concrete schedule and plan of action while I'm gone?" He requested.

"Yes, sir!" Everyone, even King and Fubuki, agreed with zest. Afterward, the group resumed their meeting.

Chapter Text

It was a nice, calm, peaceful day in City Z. The temperature was cool, and a gentle wind was blowing. A few white clouds lazily drifted across the sky. Everything was wonderful.

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...

Saitama didn't like this. Even though he was making the most of his final day before his vacation, he couldn't shake off his usual paranoia. Whenever City Z got TOO quiet, that's when it happened. What? SOMETHING. IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING!

Most people would be too focused on their game of frisbee with their dog to be worried about spontaneous happenings. Funnily enough, when the Subterranean King burned down all those trees, he unintentionally created a perfect play space for the dog. Speaking of the canine, Saitama had chosen the name Pochi. A simple name from a simple man.

Anyway, while Saitama was tossing a custom-made frisbee, courtesy of Metal Knight, for Pochi to run and catch, he stayed vigilant for anything abnormal. It had to be coming. Maybe the recently discovered evil organization would try and attack Saitama directly. A natural disaster could occur elsewhere in the world, forcing all of S-Class to lend their aid. Heck, knowing Saitama's luck, maybe the Devil himself would rise from Hell to try and conquer-

"Saitama!"

Thankfully, like always, King arrived to help his buddy destress. That wasn't the intention behind his appearance, mind you. It was simply an inevitable result of King hanging out with Saitama in a casual context, such as the one happening right now.

"Oh, hey, King!" Saitama greeted his pal with a wave. "What're you doing out here?" He asked.

"I just wanted to check on you," King answered, coming to a stop beside him. "I can see that you and Pochi are getting along great." He commented.

"Yup. Man's best friend and all," Saitama replied as Pochi trotted over.

Per Saitama's instruction, Pochi was to be mindful of his size and physical power. You wouldn't think a dog so large could be so soft on its feet. Then again, how else could Pochi be so sneaky when he felt like it?

"Are you sure you don't mind looking after him?" Saitama inquired as Pochi sat down, holding his frisbee in his mouth. "I'm sure the House of Evolution could handle it," He suggested.

"Nah, it's fine. Really." King insisted, walking over to Pochi. "I'm scared of monsters, but this guy's just a big puppy. Aren't you, Pochi?" He said, ending with a playful question aimed at the pooch.

In response, Pochi gently pushed his head against King. Despite not being around each other at all, Pochi could see how comfortable and safe his master was around this person. So, any hesitation or "testing" period to figure out King's deal wasn't needed. That was proven true as King returned the nuzzling with a few face scratches, which Pochi reacted to with some light tail wagging.

"Aw, that's awesome. I'm glad to see you two are hitting it off," Saitama said with a smile. "But what are you going to do about toys? You're not strong enough for something like this." He asked, pointing at the frisbee.

"Don't worry. I've been doing plenty of research on how to keep a dog entertained. My biggest concern is food. Where am I going to get enough puppy chow?" King answered, followed by another question.

"The House of Evolution's got us covered there," Saitama revealed. "We've already got enough food for a week, but more's getting delivered thanks to Metal Knight's drones." He shared.

"Oh, that's nice of them," King responded, still scratching Pochi. "Apart from providing us with giant dog supplies, how're things going with the others' training and Sub's recovery?" He inquired.

"From what everyone tells me, they're coming along great. Zombieman also promised me that Mosquito Girl would learn from her mistake. I didn't press him for details since he was freaking me out a little from the vibes he was giving off. As for Sub, Fubuki's been spending her mornings with him. Those two are becoming friends from how it sounds, which is nice. Fortunately, despite the mysterious machine's destruction, Metal Knight and Drive Knight were able to recover the remaining quantity of that substance in the cave. So, Genus was able to figure out what it's made of, meaning that they can treat Sub more efficiently." Saitama told him.

"How fast will the recovery be? We could use Sub's help in finding the Sky and Ancient Kings." King asked.

"The recovery should be done in a few days. Also, apparently, the Association knows where the Ancient King is. They've been monitoring this massive dinosaur frozen in ice that's inside a mountain. It'd be an amazing coincidence if that is an unrelated giant lizard." Saitama answered.

"Hm, so it's just the Skyfolk, then?" King questioned.

"Seems like it. The Skyfolk may know about more monster rulers that the Subterraneans weren't aware of, but that's just speculation." Saitama replied, only to remember something. "Oh! By the way, the Seafolk think they can help out, too. While their former leader might be in the wind, they still have any records and other information they've kept. When they get done taking me to my getaway, they'll bring all that stuff to shore." He said.

Hearing that caused King to stop scratching Pochi, who was now lying down and enjoying the gentle affection. Despite wanting it to continue like any dog, Pochi rested his head on one of his front legs as the men continued to converse.

"The Seafolk are taking you somewhere?" King inquired. His tone wasn't worried or scared. That news just caught him off guard.

"It was an out-of-the-blue offer, and I swear that's not an ocean pun." Saitama began. "I was in City J for the reasons I mentioned. It made sense that if the Subterraneans knew about the other species, then the Seafolk would as well. Of course, all of them wanted to see and talk to me. We got to chatting about the important stuff, and then we talked about everything else. The Seafolk expressed how much they were loving their new lives, and I let it slip that I was going to be away for a bit to relax. That's when Lord Great White, who's acting as their leader in my stead, suggested that the Seafolk could take me to a completely isolated island. No people, barely any animals, and it's located in a part of the ocean where the weather's always pleasant. Since the point of this vacation was to separate myself from the world, it sounded like the perfect idea, so I took them up on it." He explained.

"An island getaway for one. Most people might call that stranded," King joked, making him chuckle.

"Hey, stranded is what I need right now, all of you said so yourselves," Saitama reminded him.

"And we were sincere. You've earned the right to ignore all of us, Saitama. We'll be fine for the two weeks you're gone." King assured. "However, if you're going to an island in the actual middle of nowhere, what're you going to do?" He asked.

"Oh, don't worry. Metal Knight's building me a nice little house to use. It's nothing fancy; I made SURE of that. But I'll still have access to electricity, the internet, and TV. The fridge will be fully stocked, too, but if I need anything, Metal Knight provided me with an easy-to-use control method for his drones. It's just a tablet with pre-programmed commands and stuff." Saitama answered.

"Huh, well, it sounds like you're all set," King responded, receiving a nod.

"Mhm. After today, One Punch Man will be trading his costume for some comfy trunks and an open button-up shirt. I can't deny that I'm excited for it," Saitama said, now smiling as the pictures of it all entered his mind.

From here, the duo continued to pass the time with idle conversation while Saitama and Pochi resumed their game of fetch. Would the world be able to function without its strongest hero? Will S-Class keep from self-destructing? Will the House of Evolution members get proper names? Will the Skyfolk be found? What about the heroes' news network? Could the Subterranean King also become a hero? And, most importantly, will we learn the result of Carnage Kabuto and Superalloy Darkshine's arm wrestling match?! A lot can happen in two weeks, and a lot is what we're looking at!

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How long had he been here? When did he get here? What was going on? The last memory unobstructed by darkness was the emergence from the ocean and-

"Deep Sea King," A voice called out from the blackness. It was the same voice that spoke on behalf of an entity that stood above all others. Even the former Seafolk sovereign, whose ego was unrivaled, could recognize that.

"I-It's you!" The Deep Sea King replied, searching the shadows for them. "Where are you? Where am I? Where are we?" He asked.

"The same question repeated thrice; you truly are an imbecile," The voice sighed, dripping with disappointment. "Still, you've been useful for what we wanted, especially the experiment." It said.

"Experiment? What're you talking about?" The Deep Sea King questioned.

"Do you still not comprehend it? Even after you lost?" The voice inquired.

"..." Slowly, the Deep Sea King's eyes widened. "But...But...But I've seen it! You showed me! Those...Those cells! They're capable of providing limitless power!" He exclaimed.

"What you witnessed were the fully tested and proven safe versions. What you were given was our latest batch of possible enhancements. The information we've obtained from your participation has been invaluable." The voice stated.

"...No..." The Deep Sea King whispered, face filled with horror. "You...You...You..." He stammered.

"The body of a predator, but the mind of prey," The voice remarked, sounding amused. "Honestly, you made it so easy. We knew we'd have trouble with the Skyfolk, but you were the perfect little puppet. Thanks for an entertaining show. We really do appreciate your performance." It told him.

"BASTARD!" The Deep Sea King roared, instantly enraged. "I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING! I OFFERED EVEN MORE! WHO WAS IT THAT PROVIDED YOU THE SUBTERRANEANS?!" He shouted.

"Hm? Oh, right, the Subterraneans," The voice recalled, unimpressed by this display of intimidation. "Like you, they and their resources were needed for tests. You can't kill a god without checking all of your weapons first, now can you?" It said, ending with a rhetorical question. "Sadly, much like the show you and your cronies put on, all we've gained from this is certainty that there's nothing more to be done. The possible applications for the Subterraneans' materials are useful but nothing monumental. The data we received from your efforts will help guide us better, yet we still need many more trials before we grasp the proper path forward. But that's just the unavoidable boring part of a conquest if you want to be the winner." It concluded.

"SO WHAT THEN?! WHAT OF ME AND MY SERVICE?!" The Deep Sea King yelled. He tried to maintain a fearsome persona, but the sickening fear and awareness of inescapable danger were rapidly rising to the surface.

"I don't get why you're so unsettled. I never said that you were done, only that you were an experiment," The voice replied.

"..." The Deep Sea King calmed down. Was...it possible? Did he...overreact? "If...what you say is true...then what more am I to do?" He asked.

SNAP

THUD

Simultaneously, the Deep Sea King's arms were broken at the elbows, his legs at the knees, and his bottom jaw at its hinges. However, he could not scream. The same invisible force that crippled the Deep Sea King kept his lungs from moving as he lay on the floor in excruciating pain.

"The brilliant minds we've employed have already come up with another version of the cells," The voice announced as a pulsating organic mass slowly moved inward from the darkness. "We need someone to try it out. Unfortunately, I hear it has a rather nasty taste, hence I broke your jaw to make it go down easier." It added.

Utterly helpless, the Deep Sea King watched the floating thing approach before it entered his mouth. He also felt the object slowly slide down his esophagus and go into the stomach. From here, something would happen to the Deep Sea King. Sadly, whatever it was could not be seen as darkness enveloped him.

Chapter Text

Two weeks. Honestly, it's not that long of a period, especially if you have something to keep you distracted or busy. But what if, during that span, someone was absent? Someone who SHOULD be around but, for the first time, they weren't.

The S-Class heroes gathered for their morning meeting, their eyes instinctively drawn to the empty seat where their leader should have been. Saitama was off on a distant island, his return a matter of anticipation. Of course, no one here was going to get pouty or act like an upset child; that'd be ridiculous. Still, Saitama had always been here since the Hero Association's founding. Even before he evolved into the world's strongest hero, he was out there protecting others as Saitama, the former salaryman in a blue jumpsuit.

Yet, when that session of staring was done, all eyes moved toward King. Fortunately, the world's second-strongest hero was mindful of this outcome. Despite Blast holding the position beneath Saitama in the S-Class rankings, everyone believed that King had to be the second most powerful human being on the planet. I mean, why else would Saitama have taken him as a disciple? Surely, it couldn't be due to nepotism, right?

Eh, kind of? Look, it's a story in itself. Basically, here's what went down:

Due to his friendship with Saitama, King found himself in a LOT of monster encounters. Heck, that's how those two met each other! So, whenever Saitama defeated an opponent during his "normal" days, everyone assumed King had contributed in some way. However, these assumptions wouldn't reach the notice of Saitama or King until it was too late.

During Saitama's jumpsuit era, everyone viewed King as a sidekick. But as monsters started having massive chunks blown away from Saitama's punches, a major turning point occurred. Maybe that blonde-haired man hadn't just been tagging along. Perhaps, all this time, he had been studying Saitama!

Immediately, the perception of both King and Saitama changed. If Saitama was able to transform himself from an Average Joe into an almighty protector of humanity, then that HAD to mean whoever he'd allow to be with him during his fights was selectively chosen. THINK ABOUT IT! Why ELSE would Saitama allow King, who also seemed fairly normal, to be around him all the time AND engage in monster battles? IT'S BECAUSE SAITAMA WAS SECRETLY TRAINING KING!

That single conclusion dictated the rest of King's life. Saitama woke up one morning to frantic banging on his apartment door. King, who was sobbing and on the verge of collapse, was responsible for the knocks. In his tremoring hands was a special delivery message from the Hero Association.

"Dear sir, it is our privilege and honor to tell you that you have finally been acknowledged for your contribution to the protection of peace. We are deeply sorry that it has taken us and the rest of humanity so long to realize the truth. Out of every possible person in the world, the top-ranked S-Class hero, Saitama, now formally known as One Punch Man, has chosen you to be his student. Again, we are forever regretful of our ignorance. We have placed you in S-Class and saw fit to name you King. We selected this moniker as your heroic title since a King is directly beneath a God. It perfectly encapsulates the current dynamic between you and your mentor." -Agoni.

Wow. A written letter from the founder himself. Genuinely, Saitama was impressed. Sadly, that sentiment was not shared by the newly dubbed King, as he was on the verge of having a heart attack.

Understandably, King was distraught. HE DIDN'T FIGHT MONSTERS! THIS WAS A MISTAKE! THE ASSOCIATION NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED AND INFORMED THAT KING SIMPLY HAD THE WORST LUCK IN THE UNIVERSE! EVERY SINGLE TIME HE "HELPED" SAITAMA FIGHT WAS BECAUSE OF HIS UNEXPLAINABLE ABILITY TO ATTRACT DANGER! KING WASN'T A HERO! HE WAS A GAMER! A GAMER!

Saitama agreed wholeheartedly. He respected his best bud, but he also knew how hopeless King could be in a crisis. That statement isn't meant to mock the man. It was an unavoidable truth that some people weren't built for dangerous things, such as hero work.

Alas, Lady Luck is a right proper bitch. As Saitama traveled with King, it was as if his monster magnetism was briefly altered to pull in humans. Before the men reached a train station that would take them out of City Z, they had already been surrounded by a massive crowd. At the start, everyone fixated on One Punch Man. Then, halfway to the station, King became the target.

"How did you meet One Punch Man?" "Can you kill monsters in a single blow, too?" "Are your powers different? Can you shoot lasers or something?" "How did you two meet? Was it a fateful encounter?" "How far along are you in your training? Will you be as strong as One Punch Man soon?" "Can we see you fight? We'd love to follow your progress!" "How many monsters have you killed?" "Are you still early in your training?" "Is One Punch Man looking for any new students?" "What does it take to be like the two of you?"

Questions upon questions upon questions upon questions. There were also the usual requests for heroes, like autographs and photos. When Saitama and King made it to the station and entered a train, Saitama made sure that they were the ONLY people on board. From there, it was a quiet ride to City A.

Or, that's what it was meant to be. To Saitama's surprise, King disrupted the silence by commenting on the crowd. Everyone looked at him with excitement in their eyes. For the first time in King's life, he was more than a faceless NPC in an RPG. Viewing the situation from that perspective, he was the protagonist's best friend who carried a chip on his shoulder, which described him perfectly!

King was always a coward; he wasn't afraid to admit that. It wasn't just with monsters, though. King was nervous about everything. His trepidation to the world at large was so bad that you could hear his heartbeat whenever he was unsettled!

However, only Saitama knew that. That crowd in City Z looked at King and saw a hero. In the public's eyes, King deserved the same treatment and status as One Punch Man. Most people would've savored such unwarranted praise and kindness, but for him, it was gut-wrenching.

King didn't want to disappoint everybody. Plus, on a personal note, he didn't know if he could stand the backlash if the truth got out. It wasn't the notion of a social status suicide that bothered him. It was how it might come back to bite Saitama on the butt. Remember, their friendship was formed when Saitama saved his life! Even though Saitama had always told King he didn't need to feel indebted, how could he not?! As a result, King would never want to do anything that could negatively affect his best friend!

Naturally, Saitama assured King that he'd be fine. He also told him that if anyone harassed King, he'd set them straight. While grateful, King was still upset. He'd never been in a position like this in his entire life! To think that people viewed him in any high regard was shocking, mortifying, and...inspiring.

King...was conflicted. Don't worry; he was aware of how strange that sounded. Twenty minutes prior, the man had been on the cusp of passing out from anxiety! But the more King dwelled on the idea of being a hero, the more he realized that he wasn't sure about quitting or accepting it.

It was then that Saitama was struck by brilliance. What if, for realsies, he trained King? That way, although unlikely to reach the same level of absurd potential, King COULD be a hero and not face a horrible death. With his new prestige, Saitama could easily convince everyone that King's training needed to be done in secret. So, there'd be no worries about someone getting suspicious.

Furthermore, Agoni had legitimately done them a favor. King was put in S-Class. That meant he didn't need to be seen in public doing hero work like C, B, or even A-Class heroes! As King trained to become stronger, he would have the luxury of not being needed unless it was something that demanded S-Class involvement. And whenever that happened, Saitama could handle it alone!

The more Saitama spoke, the calmer King became. His body stopped sweating, his lungs weren't panting, and his blood pressure lowered. This plan wasn't a hopeful idea being thrown out there to see if it would stick or not. All of the pieces were in play to buy King the time he needed to improve himself. To top it all off, Saitama would be with him every step of the way.

At last, we reach the end of that tale. A friendship made stronger by the promise of cooperation and support between two men. So long as Saitama was around, King wouldn't have any worries. Even if Saitama wasn't the world's strongest hero, just having someone like him in his corner made King feel better than ever before.

With all that wholesomeness over, we return to this story. The story of a man who's been thrown into a position of temporary leadership. Even the usual egotistical members of S-Class, such as a certain vertically-challenged Esper, had no objections to King serving the role of substitute team captain. Funnily enough, King's assistance with her remodeling plans and not becoming a third wheel on her day out with Saitama probably contributed to that acceptance.

You'd imagine that King would've called in sick or faked his death to avoid this outcome. But, as stated, he expected this scenario. Additionally, so did Saitama. These two spent many hours alone working on something that they called: "The script of King".

For any instance where King wouldn't have Saitama to rely on, multiple stacks of practiced behavior and dialogue were written. By now, King could write "Shakespearean actor" on a resume, and it'd be accurate. He presented himself as a stoic man with everything under control, even as his colleagues stared at him. Now, it was time to put all that rehearsal into practice.

"Before we begin, could I have a status report?" King requested, resting his arms on the table with his fingers intertwined.

"Of course," Metal Knight replied, ready for that specific request. "The new transportation system Child Emperor and I have designed is almost complete. I've assigned multiple machines to work non-stop. Referring to the system as a train network wouldn't be correct. We've yet to decide on a name, but that's because we've implemented new technology in its construction. Don't worry; Child Emperor and I ensured its safety before we moved forward with this decision.

Regarding the unknown organization responsible for the Subterranean genocide, we've not found any new clues or leads. After Genos' encounter with Pochi, Child Emperor, Drive Knight, and I conducted surveys in multiple areas. All of City Z's underground was cleared. The same applies to other cities that were also surveyed. We intend to verify the safety of every city, which will be done by the end of the week. We'll continue to search for any underground structures and areas, but we want to tell all of you that the chances of this yielding results are slim. These mysterious adversaries are careful and intelligent. We're not dealing with a simple militia of monsters or a terrorist group. Whoever these individuals are, they're capable and coordinated. Or, at the very least, their leadership is.

Speaking of the Subterraneans, from the word of Hellish Blizzard, the Subterranean King is nearly recovered. He's been able to move around more but still has a ways to go to return to his former acrobatic self. The Subterranean King is trying his best to help us locate the Skyfolk, which is appreciated. However, there's only so much he can recall from memory, meaning that it might be necessary to visit the Subterraneans' home to look for more information. Of course, we will respect the wishes of the Subterranean King. If he doesn't want anyone, including himself, to tread upon the grounds his people once inhabited out of respect for their sacrifice, then that will be the end of that discussion. We're still waiting for the Seafolk to bring us their records and other information, which could make the Subterranean's knowledge unneeded anyway. We'll have to wait and see.

Next is the House of Evolution's training progress. From the updates I've been issued, everyone seems to be coming along quite nicely. The notable mentions are Mosquito Girl, who is still on probation, and Ground Dragon and Frog Man. In Flashy Flash's words, his pupils will need far more training before he allows them to conduct hero work. They'll still be revealed alongside the rest, but he's not happy with their current capabilities.

The Heroes-only news network that we've planned shall start broadcasting today. Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider will record their broadcasts each night so that they can be issued at noon every day. The only exceptions to this schedule will be during significant events and general happenings. For example, if there is a disaster, then each hero will act as a reporter while fulfilling their hero-related responsibilities. A hands-on approach, if you will. In contrast, should there ever be some large-scale publicity stunt, likely caused by Sweet Mask's insistence, then they'll cover that as well.

The Seafolk have settled into City J with no issues. I've taken care of their essentials and remain in contact for any unforeseen quality-of-life improvements that they might think of. The people of City J have grown to love their non-human residents. When I asked for commentary from several citizens who were out and about, they expressed their amazement at how friendly non-humans could be and how helpful they were, too. Plus, given that City J is a beach and ocean-focused environment, having a population of aquatic non-humans is as perfect of a match as possible.

Returning our focus to the Skyfolk, we still haven't found them, which I've already mentioned. I have drones flying across the globe as we speak, but whatever methods the Skyfolk have employed to conceal themselves is outside of my knowledge. As for the Ancient King, although we're waiting for definitive confirmation from the Subterranean King, it appears as though he is, in fact, the gargantuan reptilian lifeform frozen within a mountain. Doctor Genus's aid has been invaluable as we try to determine the best course of action. The Ancient King is still alive, but we don't want to shock him with an abrupt awakening, nor do we wish to cause him any harm. Depending on what Hellish Blizzard has planned with the Subterranean King for today, I might have more information to give when we conduct our evening meeting.

Lastly, we've all agreed that Genos should be trained by you, King. Of course, when One Punch Man returns, he'll resume his duties as Genos' mentor. But for the next two weeks, should you have no objections, he'll be your student." He recited.

Five minutes of silence. Everyone, not just King, wanted to think about the report. Overall, it's pretty much what they expected. The most interesting thing was that there hadn't been any clues found about the unknown organization. Where could those jerks be hiding?

"...I have an idea," King began, getting the room's attention once more. "What if we used today to gather our bearings? To be clear, what I'm suggesting is that we take it easy. Not a vacation, but a group activity that allows us to adjust to Saitama not being here. I think the best way we can do that while still being productive is to have all of the upcoming heroes fight each other. That way, they can showcase their skills, abilities, and what they've learned so far from us. It will also be a great way to know what areas they need to improve in above all others. And, as a nice bonus, we can record everything for Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider. After all, Saitama wanted them to share the news with the heroes first so they wouldn't be shocked at the same time as the public." He suggested.

"Hmm, I like that," Bang chimed in, rubbing his chin. "We have been debating the best moment to reveal the idea of non-humans being heroes. The good press with City J and the Seafolk has already made it easier to approach the subject. However, we can also ensure that our leader won't need to worry about this when he gets back." He said.

"I have an issue," Flashy Flash started. "I'm not against the idea itself. The problem lies with the capabilities of each participant. Look at Genos. His mechanical components already make him dangerous. But Genos has proven he can handle himself in a skirmish against a far more powerful foe, such as when he escaped Pochi's jaws of death. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have someone like Ground Dragon. Understand that I am not about to belittle or talk negatively about one of my pupils. We simply cannot ignore that, regardless of my involvement, Ground Dragon was genetically designed for covert operations. Can Ground Dragon fight aggressively? Yes. He's already capable of doing as much and has the potential for more with further training by me. But if we're putting Ground Dragon, in his current state, into a situation where he must confront Genos or one of his more combatively designed peers, it's going to be a one-sided smackdown." He told them.

"What if we make it more than just fighting?" Watchdog man suggested as he looked at Child Emperor. "You've been doing something similar with Armored Gorilla, right?" He asked.

"Yes, I have!" Isamu answered. "Much like Genos, Armored Gorilla is literally built for the kind of work heroes do. So, the only way to train him is to refine the non-combat elements of being a hero. We've been doing drills, obstacle courses, and many other exercises." He shared.

"Would the others be able to use that stuff?" Zombieman inquired.

"Absolutely! Heck, if you guys give me a few hours, I could turn all of Ghost Town into an optimal hero training course!" Isamu passionately promised.

"You won't need that much time. I can assist." Metal Knight offered.

"As can I. If the three of us work to get this done, we'll have everything ready within a maximum of two hours. Possibly three should an unknown complication arise, which isn't likely." Drive Knight said.

"Heh, damn. This is getting exciting," Atomic Samurai commented. "Say, could we use what we're doing here for other heroes?" He asked.

"You mean like a dedicated training space for heroes in general?" Baddo questioned, receiving a nod.

"Yeah. Obviously, those of us in S-Class have our preferred training methods and such. But every other hero has to figure out what their strength is and then work on it by themselves. One Punch Man has come up with a lot of ideas to make being a hero easier. There's the transportation system and the news network. But what if we used Ghost Town to see if we could create dedicated hero training spaces? To my knowledge, the Association only uses its facilities for examinations and nothing else. I don't know about the rest of you, but I think that's wasteful and a disservice to the rest of the rankings." Atomic Samurai responded.

"You know, Superalloy and I have talked about this before," Tanktop Master admitted. "I love training the Tanktop Army, but I've always felt bad for heroes who aren't in groups like mine or the Blizzard Bunch. Having an environment where you're surrounded by those with the same goals and determination as you can do a lot for your improvement. There's also the undeniable benefit of having the proper equipment and resources for personal growth. If we set out to do something like this, I know it'd strengthen every hero, no matter the rank." He said.

"People, you're forgetting something," Tatsumaki spoke up with her arms folded and her usual glare. "Ghost Town might be free of the normies who'd make training a drag, but that doesn't mean we can invite whoever we damn well please. We don't even know if Baldy would be okay with this," She reminded them.

"That's true. One Punch Man has never mentioned his thoughts on how Ghost Town in its entirety should be." Superalloy acknowledged, only to have an idea a moment later. "King! You're our leader's right-hand man! How would he feel about this?" He inquired.

There was another brief silence. King closed his eyes and gave the question serious consideration. Saitama didn't appreciate too much commotion or having too many people around. But since he'd be gone for two weeks, then maybe they could use that time as a sort of trial period for this concept that S-Class was bouncing around.

"Two weeks. That's how long we've got before Saitama returns. If all of you find it acceptable, we could explore the potential of turning Ghost Town into a massive training ground for heroes within that timeframe. When Saitama gets back, we'll show him the results and see how he feels. However, I think he'd be on board with the idea of creating dedicated spaces for heroes to better themselves no matter what. So, if it's not too much to ask, could Metal Knight, Drive Knight, and Child Emperor come up with some designs?" King stated, ending with a request.

"Easily." Metal Knight immediately replied.

"It'll take no time at all," Drive Knight remarked.

"We'll have the first batch ready for you within a few days!" Isamu promised.

"Great. Thank you," King said. "As for the use of Ghost Town?" He pressed, now addressing everyone.

Amazingly, there wasn't a need for further discussion. Every hero, even Tatsumaki, nodded to show their approval. As King had pointed out, there was a whole fourteen days between now and Saitama's vacation ending. That was more than enough time to get everything ready, invite heroes to train, and do whatever else was necessary.

"Well then, we have a plan set for today," King said, rising from his seat. "We've already had breakfast, so let's just take it easy until everything is ready." He told them.

"Sir!" Genos called out as King headed for the exit. "Do you want me to accompany you?" He inquired.

"No, Genos. Instead, use this time to make sure you're prepared for later. Do a maintenance check on your body and review your techniques and skills." King instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Genos exclaimed, overflowing with resolve.

A few seconds later, King was out of the room. When the doors were closed, and he was out of earshot, everyone resumed chatting for a bit longer to work out the finer details. King's destination wasn't the building's lobby, his room, or somewhere else in Ghost Town. Instead, he got inside the elevator, took it up to the roof, walked to the roof's center, and then he...

THUD

THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP

King's arms and legs were stretched as far as they could go. The poor man was lying on his back as he gasped breathlessly. If Saitama were here, he'd be damn proud of his buddy and how long he kept his cool.

"How...does...he do it?..." King whispered, staring at the open blue sky. "Being the leader is so stressful...holy crap...Saitama...you REALLY needed a break..." He wheezed.

More than ever before, King felt immense sympathy for his best friend. If dealing with S-Class was like that for him, there's no WAY he could handle the frenzied masses! Of course, it's not as if King would ever find himself in that same scenario, but that's not what's important. He already respected Saitama so much, but it increased exponentially after just one meeting!

"Fourteen...days..." King muttered as his heartbeat returned to normal. "I...I think I can last that long...so...enjoy yourself, Saitama...for the both of us..." He said, hoping his words would somehow reach him.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Saitama was horrified. His stomach was churning. His heart was ready to explode in his chest. For the first time in his life, Saitama screwed up BADLY.

No, badly isn't enough. What Saitama did was unforgivable. No, it was still worse than that! Saitama sinned! He did something that was beyond awful! It surpassed terrible! It transcended evil!

Saitama didn't mean to do it! It was an accident! Lord Great White had just dropped him off on the island. Then, Saitama went inside the house that Metal Knight made him, unpacked his stuff, and then came outside to explore the moderately-sized landmass. There was a perfect amount of terrain to do a variety of things, but it wasn't so large that you couldn't see one side from another.

Everything was fine. Everything was good. Everything was peaceful. Suddenly, an eruption from the ocean! A salty mist was sprayed everywhere! Saitama had been facing away from the source of the disturbance, so he didn't immediately see what had caused it. But before he could, his instincts activated. His body told him clear as crystal that he was about to be attacked. So, reactively, Saitama punched whatever was behind him.

As the viscera started to rain, Saitama processed what was going on and what he had done. His fist had come into contact with an appendage. By now, it was impossible to determine what it had been. The limb extended from the body it was connected to, which had been in the water just offshore. As Saitama studied the corpse, he discovered that...it...looked like...a Seafolk.

Sure, the creature was TITANIC. It was also difficult to determine what specific type of Seafolk it had been. At the risk of sounding rude, the body resembled some eldritch abomination you'd read about in a horror story more than a marine animal. Of course, Saitama knew very little about the Seafolk! On top of that, who was he to judge? They weren't human!

Yet, despite the abnormal visage of the now-deceased entity, Saitama recognized enough physiological similarities to the Seafolk that made him confident it wasn't some random monster. For the first time in his life, Saitama had punched something by accident. The result, as expected, was mortifying. It also left him at a loss for what to do. How could anyone POSSIBLY fix this?!

...

...

...

"GENUS!" Saitama shouted, feeling as though God himself had given him mercy. "GENUS CAN FIX THIS! HE CAN CLONE STUFF! I JUST NEED TO CALL HIM!" He yelled.

Hurrying back inside the house, Saitama quickly obtained his phone and dialed Doctor Genus's number. He had no intentions of covering this incident up, only to undo his error by saving this innocent Seafolk's life! Mark his words; when Saitama learned who it was he had tragically killed, he'd do everything in his power to make amends! Hold on, mysterious Seafolk, One Punch Man is going to make things right!

Chapter Text

The House of Evolution has developed a comfortable morning routine. The day starts with everyone waking up and getting breakfast. Then, when the food is all gone, the soon-to-be heroes meet with the organization's leader and cover the day's schedule. After that, the group disbands and relaxes until it's time to get into full swing.

Since Zombieman still sought to keep an eye on the House of Evolution, he's been coming here to do so while also acting as a mentor for Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. The undead detective wasn't that much warmer than when he first arrived, but there was an undeniable improvement. Zombieman didn't keep a hand on his holstered handgun all the time. He was also willing to speak to the clones, yet he refused to be in proximity to the original Genus. In Zombieman's eyes, the clones were originally meant to be products for their so-called master like himself, which made it easier for him to feel comfortable around the lot.

From what's been shared, it should come as no surprise that Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity hadn't left the building since the incident. Mosquito Girl was irritated, but not for the reason you'd think. The Subterranean King had already forgiven the bloodsucker for her lapse in judgment during that whole ordeal. So, from her perspective, Zombieman and Doctor Genus should end the probationary period. The continuation of Mosquito Girl's punishment was the only thing both men found common ground on. Oh, and regarding Kombu Infinity, they were more than happy to stick around to keep their friend's spirits high rather than go with the others to receive guidance from a different instructor.

"Ugh..." Mosquito Girl groaned while staring at her ceiling. Currently, she was lying on the left side of her bed. Her Seafolk companion was lying beside her on the right side.

"I think we've learned a lot," Kombu Infinity said, wanting to put a positive spin on the time they've spent indoors. "Zombieman's told us so much about proper investigative procedures and interrogation tactics." They mentioned.

"Yeah, and it's been great..." Mosquito Girl sighed, maintaining her slump. "But I would've preferred it if we obtained this knowledge alongside practical exercises. I don't want to fall behind the others or become deadweight." She told them.

"Heh, I feel I should be the one saying that stuff," Kombu Infinity chuckled.

"What?" Mosquito Girl questioned, now looking at them. "Kombu, you're awesome!" She exclaimed.

"Aw, come on, you know I'm the least cool one here," Kombu Infinity argued, matching her gaze with theirs. "My ONLY notable quality is my hair. It's great and has a lot of uses, but that's literally it. Honestly, if Zombieman weren't teaching us, I'd feel like giving up on being a hero." They confessed.

Instantly, Mosquito Girl moved to an upright position. The expression on her face changed from disappointed to intensely serious.

"Kombu, I won't let you insult yourself," Mosquito Girl asserted, glaring down at them. "You are awesome, like I said. Do you want to know another amazing thing about you that none of us have? You're a plant. Water can empower you, and that stuff's everywhere! All you need is a bottle of water, maybe a couple, and suddenly, you're an unending garden of indestructible seaweed!" She pointed out.

"Ah, that's where you're wrong. My tendrils aren't indestructible, just insanely durable." Kombu Infinity corrected her. "Also, who are you to talk about becoming empowered? All it takes is a little blood for you to go into overdrive. By yourself, you won us the battle against the mutated Seafolk." They said.

"Ah-ha! I've got you!" Mosquito Girl proudly cheered. "That was a team effort! Sure, the way you went about it was TERRIBLE, and you are NEVER allowed to do that again, but still, without you, Kombu, we would've needed Metal Knight to save our butts." She stated.

"Right, but as I already mentioned, without you, it would've been a loss. Between the two of us, you're vastly superior." Kombu Infinity insisted.

"Nope! Nice try, but no dice! I couldn't get the job done by myself. I needed your help. Yet, as you've put forward, the same applies when flipped. So, I guess the conclusion we've reached is that we're both incredible, but we're best as a duo! Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity!" Mosquito Girl decided with a radiant smile. "Oh, and our stoic leader who needs to go to therapy," She added, not wanting to leave Zombieman out.

Knock Knock

Before this lovely conversation between besties could continue, an unexpected visitor knocked on the bedroom door.

"Let me," Kombu Infinity requested as they extended one of their strands.

"Aw, thank you," Mosquito Girl replied, assuming it was so she wouldn't need to get up, which was correct.

When the seaweed reached the door, it wrapped itself around the knob. One twist later, the entryway was opened, revealing that the visitor was none other than the House of Evolution's leader!

"Doctor?" Mosquito Girl reacted with confusion. "Is something wrong? Do we need to head out?" She asked, believing this to be a serious situation.

"Yes, but don't be alarmed." Dr. Genus answered as he entered the room. Simultaneously, Kombu Infinity withdrew their tendril. "Mosquito Girl, I am about to tell you something that is of the utmost importance. Please, do your best to control your reactions and behave professionally." He instructed.

Whoa. The doctor was in stern mode. Whatever brought him here wasn't going to lead to one of his usual lectures. Additionally, that meant this wasn't related to the probation.

"Yes, sir." Mosquito Girl responded, positioning herself so that she was sitting on the side of the bed, putting her before him.

"Very good," Dr. Genus praised her before continuing. "Kombu, I want you to hear this as well. Given the scenario at play, your knowledge is valued. So, just like Mosquito Girl, I need you to pay attention.

A few moments ago, I received a call from One Punch Man, who should be relaxing on a remote island. While he is at his destination, the relaxation has been delayed by a seemingly tragic event. As One Punch Man was exploring his surroundings, he was ambushed by a creature that he believes is a Seafolk. However, no matter what way I examine the facts, this doesn't make sense. All of the Deep Sea King's loyalists are dead, and their remains are in our custody. One Punch Man is certain that this creature he's slain isn't the Deep Sea King, but I have my doubts. Regardless of the truth, which we will determine, One Punch Man is confident that he's accidentally taken an innocent life, which we all know is impossible. So, he's requested my services to resurrect the deceased entity. The only way for me to do that is to acquire a sample of its DNA, which is what I need Mosquito Girl for. She is the fastest member of our organization. At top speed, she'll reach One Punch Man in no time. If you'd like, you can go along with her, Kombu, but you have to decide right now. Zombieman is likely leaving City Z as we speak, so we don't have long before he gets here. You need to get to One Punch Man, collect a sample, and come back. That is the mission." He told them.

Both Doctor Genus and Kombu Infinity looked at Mosquito Girl. Sure, the possibility that this was the Deep Sea King was significant for the young Seafolk, but they knew just as well as the doctor that this was the opportunity of a lifetime for the bloodsucker. She was, quite possibly, the biggest OPM fan in the world. The idea of getting a special mission that involved helping out her hero was a literal dream come true.

"...I'm okay..." Mosquito Girl breathed out with her eyes closed. She was using all of her willpower to not lose her mind over this. "Really, I'm more concerned about you, Kombu. How are you feeling? Do you need a hug?" She said while restoring her vision and turning toward the Seafolk. Understandably, she was worried that this would trigger the memories of their trauma.

"Nah, I'm fine. And I'm being serious," Kombu Infinity promised, grateful for her concern. "If this turns out to be the Deep Sea King, this is the best thing I could've hoped for. First of all, Saitama punched him. That's INCREDIBLE! Secondly, if we revive him, then he'll be our prisoner. Can you IMAGINE how much that'll DESTROY that prick's ego? The Deep Sea King will go on and on about how I'm a worthless Seafolk and that I'll never be on the same level as him. Meanwhile, I'll be tapping the glass of his cell and taunting him in every way that I can think of. The roles will be reversed, and there's NOTHING that he can do about it." They explained, ending with a very big grin.

"That's true. If this creature is the Deep Sea King, you'll not only be able to humiliate him, but you also have the resources of this organization at your disposal." Dr. Genus agreed. He was fully on board with the idea of letting Kombu Infinity treat the former ruler of the ocean as though he were a toy. It's the least the bastard deserved, after all.

"Hey, I'm all for giving that piece of shit the rough treatment and then some, but confronting him could still be bad for you. When we get back from the island, assuming you want to come with me, I want us to have a long conversation about this while the doctor works." Mosquito Girl told them.

"Yeah, okay, that makes sense," Kombu Infinity replied, which made her smile. Afterward, the duo followed Doctor Genus out of the room so they could go on their mission.

Meanwhile, In The Middle Of The Ocean...

It was genuinely freaky how fast nature worked. Saitama was but a helpless observer of the behaviors of wild animals. An entire flock of birds had settled on top of the corpse and were picking at its flesh. Crabs from the surf had either come onto land to collect their fill or remained in the water to attend to the lower half. While the dead body wouldn't be eaten within a single day, it was still on the fast track to becoming a skeleton.

Saitama could've stayed inside and watched TV, but that would require him to be a sociopath. He felt an immeasurable guilt that was agonizing. Saitama knew the destructive power he wielded must be used responsibly, and yet, he caught himself lacking.

Hold on, though. Saitama's combative instincts told him he was being attacked. Regardless of who or what this lifeform was, it was self-defense! Surely, Saitama had to realize that! He would never kill an innocent person!

Yes, he did. But Saitama couldn't avoid the countless questions that came from a situation like this. What if his instincts were wrong? What if Saitama could make an error so great that it had repercussions that couldn't be fixed? What would the world's strongest hero do in-

"ONE PUNCH MAN!"

An excessively excited woman's voice pierced the air. Looking toward the sky, Saitama saw something fast approaching. It didn't take long for him to discern the details. It was Mosquito Girl with Kombu Infinity strapped to her torso. The clever Seafolk had wrapped their tendrils around her mid and lower back, which meant that the wings weren't obstructed. Those two were basically welded together right now, preventing an accidental release and fall.

"Hey, guys!" Saitama greeted the pair with a full-arm wave. A few seconds later, they'd touch down on the island.

"HOLY SHIT" Kombu Infinity yelled in reaction to the murder scene on the beach. "Er, sorry," They apologized, not meaning to shout.

"Nah, you're fine, Kombu," Saitama assured them. "But before anything else gets said, can you PLEASE tell me if this is a Seafolk or not?" He requested, unable to refrain from expressing his anxiety.

"Dude. If this WAS a Seafolk, some GNARLY stuff happened to it," Kombu Infinity began as they cautiously approached the corpse. "For starters, this is WAY bigger than ANY Seafolk. The largest ones we have are those that resemble whales, but even they don't come close to this! It's like one of those giant monsters from the movies!" They exclaimed.

"We've been watching a lot of different stuff lately," Mosquito Girl chimed in, wanting to explain how they knew about that.

"Do the Seafolk mutate at all?" Saitama asked. He didn't want to jump to the conclusion that this was the same thing that had happened during the Seafolk conflict.

"Eh, kind of?" Kombu Infinity answered with a shrug, now studying the remains. "I'd describe it more like advanced evolution. Another way to phrase it is accelerated adaptation. The Seafolk are masters when it comes to acclimating to any environment and developing biological advantages. But what we're looking at here is almost demonic. Or, maybe alien. The point is that this is SUPER unnatural." They informed him.

A few more minutes were given to Kombu Infinity so that they could finish their examination. However, when they started looking at what was once the torso, they froze.

"Kombu?" Mosquito Girl called, immediately hurrying over. "What is it? Did you find something?" She inquired.

"...It is him..." Kombu Infinity whispered, slowly looking at her and Saitama. "It's...the Deep Sea King..." They revealed.

"What? How can you tell?" Saitama questioned, also coming over.

"Look here," Kombu Infinity instructed, guiding their gazes to the remnants of the pectorals. "There's not much left, but you can see that there were heart-shaped markings here. I never understood why the Deep Sea King had hearts on his chest as though they were nipples, but that was one of his most well-known features." They explained.

"...So...you're confident in your claim that this is the Deep Sea King..." Saitama hesitantly said.

"I mean, we need the doctor to do his science stuff, but yeah. I'd be willing to bet that whatever the Deep Sea King gave to his followers to turn them into monsters, he took the same thing to transform him into this abomination." Kombu Infinity replied.

GASP

Suddenly, Saitama drew in a MASSIVE amount of air, almost as if he'd been without it for a while. The sharp inhale lightly startled the other two, making them jump a little.

"OH, THANK GOD!" Saitama cheered with the BIGGEST sigh of relief in his life. His upper body was thrown back as he put a hand over his chest.

"Wow, you really were worried," Kombu Infinity commented.

"Of course I was!" Saitama responded, looking at the sky. "When you're as powerful as me, you can't help but worry about accidents. For anyone else, if they hit someone, they might break their nose or even their jaw. But if I do it, I could kill them!" He exclaimed.

"But you have control over your strength, right?" Kombu Infinity asked.

"Of course he does!" Mosquito Girl answered. The fangirl was starting to show. "One Punch Man, hit me!" She ordered.

...

...

...

"No," Saitama said after a small span of silence. That outlandish demand took him and Kombu Infinity aback.

"Come on! You're worried about accidentally killing people, which you would NEVER do! If you hit someone and it doesn't kill them, it'll make you feel better!" Mosquito Girl reasoned.

"That's okay. Knowing that this is probably the Deep Sea King is already doing a lot for me," Saitama assured her.

"Hey! We still need to do tests!" Mosquito Girl reminded him. "Just go ahead and punch me! One regular punch! That's it!" She persisted.

Saitama looked at Kombu Infinity since they'd been getting closer with Mosquito Girl. In reaction, the Seafolk sighed and shrugged. Whenever she got like this, the only real solution was just to indulge her.

In the seconds that followed, Saitama and Mosquito Girl positioned themselves opposite each other. Kombu Infinity stood off to the side, not wanting to be in the potential splash zone.

"You are SURE about this?" Saitama questioned, giving her one last chance to back out.

"Yes! Prove to yourself that you're not a danger to anyone who isn't an active threat!" Mosquito Girl told him, even going so far as to extend her arms out from her sides.

Saitama exchanged a final nervous glance with Kombu Infinity. Again, the Seafolk just shrugged. Mosquito Girl's determination was almost as scary as his strength.

"Alright, here we go..." Saitama muttered, reeling back his fist.

...

...

...

THUD

Saitama's fist struck Mosquito Girl's chest. Admittedly, it was an odd feeling. He felt the softness of her breasts first, but then the hardness revealed itself. Keep your mind out of the gutter, dear reader; this isn't that kind of story.

"Ha, told you~" Mosquito Girl playfully teased.

"...What am I feeling right now?" Saitama inquired, referring to the aforementioned hardness.

"It's really interesting!" Mosquito Girl started as she raised a finger. "Kabuto and I have a unique blend of flesh and chitin, the latter of which is what makes an endoskeleton. If you were to touch me and nothing else, you'd think I only had skin. Press or squeeze me, and you'll feel the hardened layer of biological armor that is intertwined with it. When I'm relaxed, there's more softness than hardness. When I'm not, such as in battle, then it switches." She explained.

"Wow, you're right, that is interesting!" Saitama exclaimed, much to her satisfaction.

"Of course! You'll find no greater advancements in biology-related science than the House of Evolution!" Mosquito Girl proclaimed, prideful of herself, her creator, and the organization as a whole.

"Uh, excuse me," Kombu Infinity interjected, earning their attention. "We need to hurry up and collect a sample. So, Saitama should probably remove his fist from your boobs," They said.

Oh, right. The mission. Also, Saitama's fist was still comfortably positioned within the ample bosom of Mosquito Girl. When that realization struck, they each pulled away from each other with a light blush.

"Thanks, Kombu," Both of them replied, looking in different directions.

"No problem," Kombu Infinity assured them.

When that scene had reached its end, Mosquito Girl got to work. Using her retractable claws, she easily cut away a sizable portion of the corpse. Brain matter would be preferred, but that had been obliterated with the punch. The chunk was safely stored in a container the doctor provided that was fastened to Mosquito Girl's body with a strap.

"Okay, Kombu, you're next." Mosquito Girl told them, stepping away from the body.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Saitama questioned.

"Obviously, we're not going to leave a rotting pile of meat to ruin your vacation, One Punch Man. So, we're dealing with the leftovers." Mosquito Girl informed him.

"Yeah, watch this," Kombu Infinity beckoned as they stepped into the ocean.

Kombu Infinity walked into the water until they were completely submerged. A few seconds later, an incomprehensible wall of seaweed rose from below. The army of vegetation wrapped itself around the corpse, simultaneously shooing away the scavengers. Over the next few minutes, it was all crushed into a mixture of liquid and dust.

"Whoa! Kombu! That's insane!" Saitama praised them with an excited smile. "Your seaweed is crazy powerful!" He carried on.

"Ugh, not you, too," Kombu Infinity groaned as they raised themselves out of the water. Like before in City Z, they were now a sentient bush of wettened plants. "Mosquito Girl already tried to give me too much credit earlier. Really, it's undeserved." They said.

"That's it. When we get home, you and I are going to train in the combat room." Mosquito Girl decided, folding her arms over her chest. "We are going to spend today building up your self-esteem. We won't stop until you acknowledge your MANY good traits." She asserted.

"I thought we were going to have a talk about the Deep Sea King?" Kombu Infinity recalled, wiping any bloodstains that remained on the beach away with their tendrils.

"We can do both. As we explore all of your exceptional qualities, we'll also discuss what the Deep Sea King's revival will do to you and how you've been handling your mental health so far," Mosquito Girl told them. "Now come on, we've got to hustle." She called.

With the cleaning finished, Kombu Infinity bid farewell to Saitama with a simple wave. Then, once they were firmly secured to Mosquito Girl again, the duo took off for the House of Evolution.

"It was nice to catch up with those two," Saitama said to himself, putting his hands into his pockets. "It seems like they're really close now, which is good to see. I hope that's the case for the others, too." He carried on as he returned to the house.

Now that it didn't seem as though he killed an innocent Seafolk, Saitama was able to return to the vacation mindset. It's a good thing this unexpected disruption happened before the vacation got going. It'd be terrible if any more alarming developments occurred during the next two weeks.

Chapter Text

Mizuki and Satoru weren't sure what they expected. Saitama had described the House of Evolution's members as human-animal hybrids. Such an image ranged from a girl with cat ears and a tail to an alligator that walked on its hind legs. How far did these non-humans go into either side of the spectrum?

Well, as the duo discovered, it was the animal side. Although most of the group was bipedal like humans, they were still a collective of highly intelligent beasts. That wasn't an insult or unfavorable opinion formed by Mitsuki and Satoru. How else were you supposed to refer to an anthropomorphic lion that possessed the musculature needed to flatten you like a tin can being stomped?

However, to the duo's surprise, the non-humans seemed just as nervous as them. As the S-Class heroes finished getting things ready for the day, Mizuki, Satoru, and the House of Evolution relaxed in the lobby of the apartment building. The idea was to get introductions and greetings out of the way so there wouldn't be any awkwardness. Yet, as of now, no one had made the first move.

...

...

...

SMACK

Satoru and the House of Evolution were startled. With no warning, Mizuki slapped herself with both hands.

"What're we doing?!" Mizuki questioned, now looking at everyone with FIERCE determination. "Who knows how much time we have with all of S-Class working together! We need to huddle up now!" She exclaimed.

"Huh, she makes a good point..." Carnage Kabuto muttered before pointing at himself with his thumb. "Since I'm both the strongest AND the best-looking of the group, I'll go-"

"Snrkt."

That was the sound of someone stifling a laugh. The beetle-man snapped his neck in the direction it came from, to which he found a certain mole covering his mouth.

"Shi-" Groud Dragon couldn't even finish his curse. A pair of brown hands clamped onto the burrower's neck and started shaking him.

"Ignore that..." Armored Gorilla sighed as Beast King and Kamakyuri intervened. "It's pretty typical for Kabuto to let his anger get the better of him, but he only acts that way with us." He explained.

"It's fine! Really!" Mizuki assured him. "I've been around a few braggarts within the Association, so I've seen what happens when a short fuse gets lit," She said, clapping her hands afterward. "Anyway, let's start with you, then. What's your name?" She asked.

"Armored Gorilla. However, before you think to comment, you should know that before One Punch Man became, well, that, we were originally intended to be weapons. As such, our creator didn't give us normal names then. We were simply referred to by what we are. But now that we're becoming heroes and are encouraged to grow as people by our creator, we've been considering our options. Armored Gorilla will become my hero name." Armored Gorilla answered.

"Ooo!" Mizuki reacted with wide eyes. She'd never interacted with non-humans before, so everything about this interaction was incredible to her. "Satoru, are you writing all this down?" She inquired while looking toward her partner.

"Already done," Satoru proudly replied with a quick click of his pen. There was a small notebook with a black cover in his left hand.

"Excellent! We're already top-notch reporters!" Mizuki proclaimed with a grin. "So, if Armored Gorilla is going to become your hero name, have you decided what will replace it as your actual name?" She asked, returning to the interview.

"Yes. I can't speak for the others on whether they've decided or not, but I've selected Atomu as my new regular name." Armored Gorilla answered.

"Atomu. Got it." Satoru said, scribbling the name down.

"Hey, guys, are you done?" Atomu inquired, looking over his shoulder at the rest of the group.

"Hmph, that depends on the peanut gallery," Carnage Kabuto grunted with his arms crossed. Ground Dragon was busy rubbing his neck while Beast King stood between the two.

"Don't give me such easy setups then!" Ground Dragon exclaimed, feeling no fear at any further violence to his colorful comments.

"Guys, we're on limited time..." Atomu reminded them.

"Allow me," Kamakyuri requested, taking the initiative by stepping forward. "I am Kamakyuri. I'm the sole member of our organization who was given an actual name rather than a cool-sounding moniker. I've not been able to choose what my hero name will be. I might leave that up to the Association." He informed them.

"Eh, I'd be careful," Mizuki warned as Satoru wrote. "Sometimes you get what you wanted, like the two of us. But there are instances where heroes receive a name that they either get used to or try to get changed. If it's the latter, then it's a whole process that involves what rank you are and a LOT of other details. In short, it's a hassle." She told him.

"Hmm, I'll keep that in mind," Kamakyuri responded, appreciative of the advice.

"I'm Frog Man. I'm pretty happy with that, so I won't change it for when I'm an official hero. As for my new real name, I've decided on Fujiro." The amphibious ninja informed them, keeping the momentum going.

"Ground Dragon for the hero name, Genjiro for the other one," The wise-cracking mole chimed in. "And that ugly prick's Carnage Kabuto. Like Kamakyuri, he hasn't settled on a name yet." He added while pointing at the beetle-man.

"HEY! YOU RUINED MY INTRODUCTION!" Carnage Kabuto yelled, lunging at Genjiro. Fortunately, there was a wall of beefy feline between the two.

"My names are Beast King and Bunji. I want to be a hero that makes my creator proud and shows the world what the House of Evolution is capable of. Sadly, I think I'll be too busy working as a babysitter." Beast King introduced himself, ending with a sigh. Genjiro and Carnage Kabuto devolved once more into a verbal joust while he acted as the referee.

Excluding the bickering between the mole and the beetle, an unexpected silence took the air. Mizuki and Satoru looked at the last member who was present, but he didn't seem to want to speak.

"...Oh!" Atomu exclaimed, realizing what was happening. "Slugerous can't speak verbally. He's an Esper, so he communicates telepathically. If you're not hearing him right now, he's probably staying quiet to avoid scaring you." He revealed.

"Wow! That's amazing! I've never had the opportunity to be around an Esper before!" Mizuki replied. Her eyes were sparkling, and she stared at Slugerous with the same gaze that a child would when looking at Santa.

"Well then, I'm honored to be the first. I hope my appearance doesn't unsettle you." Slugerous spoke, making her gasp.

"AH! YOU'RE SO COOL!" Mizuki shouted, unable to stop herself from running over. "Also, you're not scary at all! Surprising, sure, but you have really pretty colors and these eye-catching spines on your back. You'll be a BIG hit with children." She carried on.

"You...think so?..." Slugerous questioned, finding that hard to believe.

"Absolutely! Children love heroes who are wilder than others. Honestly, the entire House of Evolution is going to hit the ground running!" Mizuki promised.

"Whoa, let's calm down," Satoru interjected, stepping forward. "We still need to conduct proper interviews with you guys after we get footage from your training today. The best method to ensure there's as little hesitation as possible when you're revealed is by providing the fullest picture of yourselves that you can." He stated.

"On that, we're agreed." Atomu joined in. "However, you'll need to wait until later for our other two members. Their names are Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. They had to stay at our base alongside their mentor, Zombieman, due to urgent business." He informed them.

"Oh? Is everything okay?" Mizuki asked. The sincerity of her concern was surprising but appreciated.

"As far as we know, yes. Doctor Genus, our creator, assured us that it wasn't anything important. The urgency of the issue was solely about Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity. Likely, it had to do with Mosquito Girl's probation, which I'm afraid I can't get into as that's a sizable story in itself." Atomu answered.

"Gotcha. It sounds personal, so we won't pry," Mizuki responded.

"Hey!"

A sudden exclamation came from the entrance. When the group looked to find the source, they saw the S-Class hero Metal Bat standing there.

"We're all set to go. The others finished making the adjustments they felt were necessary." Baddo announced.

"Hell yeah! Let's get to it!" Carnage Kabuto cheered, raring to show his stuff while also impressing Superalloy Darkshine.

"Hold on, cool your jets." Baddo instructed before pointing at Mizuki and Satoru. "You two, come out here, there's one more face you gotta meet," He told them.

"Oh? Who is it?" Satoru inquired as the duo approached.

Metal Bat didn't say anything as the two heroes went outside. Immediately, the pair came to a stop as a colossal canine confronted them.

"This here's Pochi. He's Saitama's new dog." Baddo said, acting as though this weren't insane.

Mizuki and Satoru were temporarily stunned. As each of them stared at Pochi, he stared back with six glowing red eyes. Weirdly enough, you could discern that he was trying to say hello with his gaze.

A Few Minutes Later, At The Heart Of Ghost Town...

After the shockwave of seeing a Kaiju dog subsided, everyone headed to where the tasks for today would begin. During the trek, Mizuki swiftly came to love Pochi in a manner not too dissimilar from when Mosquito Girl had done the same while her head was in the clouds. If Satoru hadn't stopped her, the Olympic athlete might've vaulted onto Pochi's back for a short ride. Alas, that would need to wait for now.

When the destination was reached, the group discovered a more ceremonial scene than they had anticipated. There was an actual starting line for the participants to stand at. Several of Metal Knight's drones were ready to act as cameramen to record the efforts on display. Obviously, the collected footage would be given to Mizuki and Satoru later for tomorrow's broadcast.

"Ngh, man..." Mizuki whined when they stopped walking. "Seeing this gets my competitor's spirit going. Could I join in, maybe?" She requested.

"Sorry, but no," King replied. Since he was the temporary leader, he felt as though he should handle things like this so as not to appear slacking. "We're conducting today's activities to assess the progress of the trainees." He told her.

"Right, yeah..." Mizuki sighed. She wasn't really upset or bothered at all. She was just a natural-born sports fanatic. So, whenever there was something that resembled that, no matter how microscopically, she wanted to be included.

"What's up first?" Bunji asked as the House of Evolution got into place. Genos, who was also being assessed, was already in position.

"Your first activity is a hero test. However, that's not to imply it's like the hero exams we conduct when people enlist. You'll be racing through all of Ghost Town with your guiding posts being more drones with easily seen holographic signs. At designated locations, you'll run into situations that you need to resolve. There will be enough of these scenarios at the locations for you to handle them independently. No one is permitted to work together, even if you share a mentor. The objectives you need to complete will be self-explanatory by the situations presented. However, you ARE being evaluated on multiple criteria that will not be disclosed until the end. We have not set a time limit for the completion of this activity since we know all of you will finish within two hours, maybe sooner. As a final note, although I used the term racing to describe your pace, do NOT treat this as a contest. If you're able to resolve the problems we've given you efficiently, then that is commendable. But speed, while acknowledged, is not among the most important things we're paying attention to." King answered. Within the safety of his mind, he expressed amazement that he managed to remember all that without any issues. "Are there any questions?" He inquired.

The House of Evolution shook their heads, as did Mizuki and Satoru. A few more seconds were spent ensuring that everyone and everything was prepared. As for Pochi, he sat beside Mizuki, which she loved.

"Metal Knight, whenever you're ready," King said. A moment later, a drone moved itself to be in the participants' view.

"On your mark..." Metal Knight began, making his drone's optic turn red. "Get set..." He continued as the optic turned yellow.

FWOOSH

A terrifyingly powerful blast of wind assaulted everyone from above. Arms were raised to shield the faces as hair and clothes were blown wildly. The gale was strong enough to make the buildings crack, and any glass within the impact radius shatter. Reactively, Pochi moved to shield Mizuki and Satoru with his body as shards rained from above.

Before anyone said anything, all eyes looked to the sky to see what had happened. Since the wind had come from above, some of the S-Class heroes considered the unexpected arrival of the Skyfolk. I mean, crazier things HAVE happened. So, if it were the Skyfolk, then it wouldn't be-

...

...

...

From the group's point of view, the world and all within it became frozen. Nothing about today had been ominous in the slightest. The sky was a beautiful blue with very few clouds in sight. No one could've predicted a disturbance of this magnitude.

Yet, here it was. Instantly, as though it had been teleported here, a meteor now hovered above City Z. Yes, hovered was the right descriptor. The titanic rock didn't move at all. It just...floated.

Everyone's hearts were racing. Simultaneously, their minds were momentarily blank from the shock. Even the most confident or composed among S-Class had no idea what was going on or what the first reaction should be. Say something. Do something. Look at the others. Etc.

But then, as if to encourage the group to move, the meteor started plummeting. The descent was normal, which was the only thing in this situation that was. The size of the rock was enough to destroy all of City Z. The destruction that would result from the impact was much worse.

"EVERYONE!" King yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice breaking the others free from their stasis. "WE CAN'T JUST STAND HERE! WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!" He ordered.

Yeah! King was right! Hearing a rallying cry from their leader got S-Class back in order. Of course, that included everyone's attitudes.

"Don't worry, I've got this," Tatsuamki said, gracefully lifting herself into the air. "A big rock isn't anything to worry about. Where do you want me to put it, King?" She inquired.

"Uh...I guess...near the mountains..." King decided, a bit unprepared for the world's most powerful Esper to handle this by herself, even if that was logical. "Is that okay, Silver Fang?" He asked, now looking at the martial arts master.

"Of course, so long as it's not near my dojo." Bang answered.

"Gotcha. Steer clear of Gramp's dojo." Tatsumaki noted before flying higher.

Man, the Tornado of Terror was a blessing. Although everyone was still panicked from the suddenness of the meteor's appearance, they felt a wave of calm wash over them. For individuals like Metal Bat or Flashy Flash, who had antagonistic relationships with the Esper, they were unable to deny how nice it was to have Tatsumaki on their team. Who else could handle a meteor as though it were nothing apart from One Punch Man or Blast?

Once she was ready, Tatsumaki stopped flying and focused on the meteor. Without exerting any effort, the rock was encased in a green light. Now, all she needed to do was-

...

...

...

The green light was gone. Did Tatsumaki lose her grip? No, that's stupid. Likely, she just underestimated the full size of this thing. So, with a correction made, she-

...

...

...

"Hey!" King called from below. "Is everything alright? The meteor is still falling." He mentioned.

Tatsumaki didn't respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the meteor. A second later, she raised her left arm and opened her hand. Enough was enough.

...

...

...

Nothing. Tatsumaki couldn't feel the meteor at all. The cause wasn't her powers failing since she'd be plummeting to Earth if that were the case. Something was blocking her, which had NEVER happened before.

In reaction, Tatsumaki erected a barrier around the city. It was the first thing that came to her mind. Normally, she'd make any barriers transparent as they were cast. But because Tatsumaki was experiencing something completely alien to her, everyone saw the dome of green energy that she manifested.

"What the? Hey!" Baddo exclaimed, looking all around them. "What're you doing?! Why'd you raise a shield?!" He inquired.

"...No...it can't be..." Slugerous spoke to everyone's minds except for Tatsumaki's. He excluded her due to the fear of angering her.

"Slugerous? What's going on? Can you sense something since you're an Esper as well?" Atomu guessed as all eyes fell onto the slug.

"Tornado...can't use her powers on the meteor..." Slugerous revealed, worsening everyone's already rattled emotions.

"What?! How?!" Isamu questioned.

"I...I'm not on her level...so...maybe I'm wrong...but...it feels like an even greater power than hers is influencing the meteor...I can sense something coming from it..." Slugerous shared.

"If that's true, then we need to stop standing around!" Baddo exclaimed as he pointed his weapon at the descending rock. "That big-ass boulder's going to break apart when it hits Tornado's shield, assuming that it doesn't just pass right through! If we don't stop it, then City Z is getting totaled!" He told them.

Unfortunately, Metal Bat was making perfect sense. If Tatsumaki's powers were ineffective against the meteor for whatever reason, then there was the harrowing possibility that her barrier was worthless. The rest of S-Class needed to-

"STAY PUT." A booming voice roared within the group's minds. It didn't take any amount of thinking to deduce the origin.

"HEY! PINT-SIZED! SUCK IT UP!" Baddo spat back at her. "YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, WE CAN'T JUST-"

"MAKE ONE MOVE, AND I SEND YOU TO THE SOUTH POLE!" Tatsumaki threatened. It wouldn't be hard for her to plunge the rebellious youth into the ground and make him pop out on the other side.

Before anyone could offer additional protests, the Tornado of Terror showed them why she was respected and feared. The world's greatest Esper surrounded herself with violently surging streams of psychic energy. Essentially, she created a neon green drill. Then, when the energy reached its top speed, she aimed herself at the meteor and took off like a well-aimed bolt fired from a ballista.

Like with anything else, psychic powers had properties. Even if, hypothetically, there was a stronger force of ESP controlling the meteor, that didn't mean Tatsumaki was helpless. All she needed to do was strike a single spot with a greater concentration of energy than that location possessed. Hence, that's what the drill is for.

If there were a sentient entity responsible for this trickery, Tatsumaki would execute her counterattack faster than they could react. From when she took off to when it was over, only a few seconds had gone by. With a satisfied smile, Tatsumaki looked down at her handiwork.

There was a cleanly cut hole straight through the meteor. As she traveled, Tatsumaki forced her power into the rock's body. She banked on there being no obstructions on the inside, and she was right. With but a wave of her hand, this spontaneous disaster was averted.

BOOM

The meteor was detonated from within. Whatever kept Tatsumaki from influencing it was no more. She easily snagged every fragment, no matter the size, preventing any potential damage to City Z. As you might've predicted, she was very proud of herself.

"HA! WHAT NOW, BAT-FOR-BRAINS?!" Tatsumaki taunted as she looked at the group. "WHAT WERE YOU SAYING, HUH? THAT I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING? THAT WAS IT, WASN'T IT?" She continued.

FWOOSH

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It happened again. From the group's perspective, the world froze like before. Yet, the gust that assaulted the Earth was even more powerful than the last. The only one who didn't know why was Tatsumaki, and that was due to her back facing the sky.

Slowly, the Tornado of Terror turned around to see what the others were gawking at. In the atmosphere, pointed at City Z, were multiple meteors. Like the first, they came from nowhere. Additionally, they didn't fall right away as well. But when they did, everyone wished that they hadn't.

As space was created by the meteors' fall, more arrived to take their place. The speed at which these celestial rocks were delivered could not be tracked by normal eyes. Even those that were mechanically enhanced, such as Drive Knight or Genos, struggled to observe the rate at which these things moved. Of course, that wasn't on anyone's mind right now.

Whatever was happening went beyond a natural disaster and the isolated devastation of City Z. If all of these meteors and however many more there were made contact with the planet, it would be cataclysmic. But as those who were on the ground broke free from their shock and sprang into motion, Tatsumaki remained where she was. It was no longer a theory that something prevented her from controlling the first meteor. She could feel an unknown force far beyond the Earth and its boundaries. If asked to describe it, she'd say it felt like a black hole.

Chapter Text

FWOOSH

"That's good! Keep it up!"

FWOOM

"Are you alright?"

"Yes! Don't stop!"

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Four magma swords collided with and fizzled against a psychic barrier. The top-ranked B-Class hero, Hellish Blizzard, was sparring with the Subterranean King. These morning practice battles had become a routine ever since the regal non-human was mostly back to normal. Doctor Genus, who was his caretaker, permitted the idea so long as the fights never got too rowdy.

Since Zombieman also had to come here every day, Fubuki offered him a ride in her car, which he greatly appreciated. Fubuki was balancing her duties as Slugerous' mentor and keeping the Subterranean King company. As time went on, these two were forming a unique friendship. Sure, this relationship may have been born from unusual circumstances, but they genuinely enjoyed each other.

Funnily enough, that's why these newly formed friends were fighting. As the duo's conversations continued, more meaningful subject matter was explored. The Subterranean King expressed his guilt and disgust that he couldn't protect his people due to his weakness. Although Fubuki didn't agree with that perception, she fully understood how he reached that conclusion. When she looked at herself in a mirror, she couldn't stop from seeing a shallow recreation of her sister. Upon hearing that, the roles were reversed.

The pair went back and forth, trying to convince the other how wrong their mindset was. Eventually, the Esper and the King realized that they were essentially speaking to themselves. A heavy sigh and sad chuckle later, Fubuki had the idea that brings us to the present. What if they worked together to overcome their mental burdens and become more than they are now?

After witnessing the extent of Fubuki's power, the Subterranean King agreed. However, even if she wasn't the impressive psychic that she is, it's not as if he had anything to worry about. The Subterranean King wouldn't have attacked her with killer intent or something similar. While neither one pulled punches, they were still aware that this was sparring and nothing else.

"I...can't help...but feel as though...your powers...are a type of cheating..." The Subterranean King playfully remarked. The pauses between his words were due to his focus being taken by his swords as they pressed against the psychic shield.

"Heh...you're...one to talk...you're not back to normal just yet...but still...you have this much strength to give..." Fubuki replied, having the same issue of focus with her speech as she kept her opponent at bay.

The dualists stayed like this for several minutes. Whenever the Subterranean King pushed Fubuki back, she reclaimed the lost ground by exerting more power. It was a shoving match between two figures who despised the thought of relinquishing any number of inches. They also couldn't easily separate since the slightest opening would allow for several counterattack opportunities.

"...Stalemate?..." The Subterranean King suggested.

"...Yeah..." Fubuki agreed.

With a shared sigh, the match was over. So far, this is how each sparring session ended. Since neither participant wanted to win at all costs, they weren't going to use their strongest moves to obtain victory. Ultimately, it came down to a battle of the minds in which both sides were equal.

"I must say, you are impenetrable," The Subterranean King complimented, making her smile.

"Thank you. But if anyone deserves credit, it's you. You've shown me blindspots that I didn't know I had. The way you fight is like a hunter who is deliberately exploiting the vulnerabilities of its prey." Fubuki responded.

"Well, that is a core aspect of the Subterranean style of combat. As we are beneath all, ambushes and traps are most effective. But should the opening move fail to be a killing blow, then we must adapt and assess." The Subterranean King explained.

"Hmm, so studying every aspect of an adversary and the environment is crucial to you?" Fubuki pressed, eager to learn more.

"Absolutely. If you have achieved victory on a mental level, having considered all factors and outcomes, then you have already won." The Subterranean King stated, only to look away right after. "That is unless you don't consider the unexpected. As I have learned, imagination is the greatest tool at your disposal..." He whispered.

Gah! Damn it! Fubuki didn't mean to upset her friend with her questioning. She needed to keep his mind off that topic quickly!

"I wonder what the others are up to?" Fubuki pondered aloud, folding her arms. "When Zombieman and I got here, the clones whisked him away as fast as they could. It seemed important." She noted.

"True, it was odd," The Subterranean King agreed. Yes! It worked! "Before your arrival, there was a buzz in the air. From how I understand it, the good doctor sent Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity to do something." He shared.

"Huh, interesting..." Fubuki muttered. "Say, wanna get something to drink while we try to figure it out?" She proposed.

"A beverage does sound nice," The Subterranean King admitted as the duo headed for the combat room's exit.

Nearby, In A Secure Laboratory...

As much as he hated to admit it, Zombieman couldn't deny that watching Doctor Genus work was something special. Even by himself, the man was inhumanely efficient and swift. Doctor Genus had instructed the clones to go about their daily tasks and such to avoid making Fubuki and the Subterranean King suspicious. As of now, the only people who were allowed to know about what was happening were himself, Mosquito Girl, Kombu Infinity, the clones, Zombieman, and the world's strongest hero.

"I...appreciate you telling me about this..." Zombieman hesitantly said, standing remarkably close to his creator. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity, also in the room, were amazed by the men's proximity to one another and that Zombieman would attempt any conversation.

"If I didn't, I'd be staring down a barrel. Or, maybe it'd be a glistening blade sharpened for dismemberment." Dr. Genus replied while typing. For a brief second, he stopped and looked over his shoulder at the undead hero. "That wasn't a jab, by the way. Just a statement of fact." He clarified, not wanting to incite tension or conflict accidentally.

"I know. You're good." Zombieman assured him.

Afterward, silence took the room again. Zombieman, Mosquito Girl, and Kombu Infinity were waiting for Doctor Genus to speak to them more directly or for something to happen. He was typing away at a terminal that was connected to a device that could be referred to as a "gene bath". It was the apparatus from which clones and genetic modifications were produced. It was also used to resurrect anyone who had been killed.

As of now, there was an undefined mass of musculature and bone within the machine's tube. Doctor Genus was preparing for the next stage of development. He'd studied the sample enough. Any missing components were easily replaceable. Doctor Genus assumed he'd have to rely on the resources his organization created. Instead, the aid in completing the damaged chunk of meat came from the samples collected from the remains of the Deep Sea King's loyalists. If there were any remaining doubts about who was being revived, that pretty much removed them.

Unfortunately, Mosquito Girl didn't get her chance to talk to Kombu Infinity. As Doctor Genus told them before they departed, Zombieman was already in transit. The window of time before he arrived as they were fulfilling their mission was incredibly small. So, it was only a disappointment, not a surprise, that when the duo returned, their mentor was waiting for them. And, as mentioned, the clones were in the process of telling him that he needed to speak to Doctor Genus about something important.

Mosquito Girl's concern for Kombu Infinity wasn't isolated to her. Doctor Genus and Zombieman, while supportive just as she was, were also worried about how the young Seafolk would handle the remade Deep Sea King. Rather fittingly, the geneticist and the undead hero provided a perfect example of what it might be like. Yes, it wasn't a one-to-one comparison, as Doctor Genus was trying to reform himself, his organization, and his creations. Comparatively, the Deep Sea King would still be the posh bastard he'd always been.

Even if Kombu Infinity was able to taunt and ridicule the former Seafolk ruler, which they would be, there's no telling how their emotions would react. They might act calm now, but when put into a scenario like that, it could cause them to lose their compos-

Suddenly, piano music filled the air. Everyone looked at Zombieman, who was just as surprised as them. He reached into his jacket, finding that it was, indeed, his phone that was the source. Yet, the undead hero wouldn't be able to ask who the caller was since they started speaking the instant the connection was established.

"Zombieman!" The voice of Metal Knight exclaimed. Immediately, that was a red flag. Metal Knight was one of the calmest people Zombieman knew, even in a crisis. "We need you to return to City Z! Bring the others as well! We're under siege by an unknown threat! I repeat, City Z is being attacked by a mysterious enemy!" He declared.

The proceeding actions were instinctive. Any questions and comments were issued while in motion. Doctor Genus remained in his lab since there was nothing he could contribute. Zombieman, with Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity in tow, hurried to find Fubuki and the Subterranean King. Regarding the latter, he'd only be expected to help if he agreed to come with them, which was likely due to his friendship with the former.

Meanwhile, In City Z...

"LAUNCH ME!"

FWOOSH

CLANG

A deafening metallic sound filled the sky. Tanktop Master had launched Metal Bat by allowing him to step onto his hands. This tag team resulted in Metal Bat being flung toward one of the many fragments of the falling meteors. When he reached it, he delivered a mighty blow to the rock with his weapon, successfully dealing damage to it.

Afterward, Kamakyuri arrived via his wings. He grabbed onto Metal Bat and returned him to Tanktop Master. The meteor fragment, although damaged, was still intact. But Metal Bat's role was only to damage it and the rest.

Once there was no risk of friendly fire, a powerful shot of artillery was given by one of Metal Knight's robots. Thanks to One Punch Man's approval of a new factory close by, Metal Knight and Child Emperor were able to call upon many mechanical marvels to assist with the meteors. Of course. Metal Knight was sending even more from his location since they needed all the help they could get.

However, Metal Knight's military might wasn't the only weapon employed. Carnage Kabuto and Beast King were actively attacking the meteors as they came toward the planet. Carnage Kabuto had wings, so he was able to start attacking the moment they arrived. Beast King could do the same but needed to be more careful. He rocketed into the sky with his powerful legs and then, after reaching a meteor and breaking it apart, leaped to another. Beast King's presence in the air depended on him not allowing himself to fall.

From the ground, Metal Knight's war machines weren't alone. Genos' blasts of intense heat could melt and disintegrate the debris. Pochi, who could fire terrifyingly powerful energy beams, was being guided by King, who stood on his back. If Saitama were here, he'd be proud of his best friend and how he not only directed Pochi but also how he coordinated and assigned roles to S-Class.

Everything that was happening was according to King's battle plan. All the man could rely on at a time like this was his extensive experience and knowledge of video games. Instantly, a classic arcade title that mirrored this situation surfaced in King's mind. He then ran through everything he knew about S-Class and how best they could be deployed.

Tanktop Master and Superalloy Darkshine were bound to the ground, but they could throw Metal Bat and Atomic Samurai at the meteors. The strength of the former and the swordsmanship of the latter could damage the meteors and their fragments. Carnage Kabuto and Beast King were given the same task since their physical output was the biological equivalent of what Metal Knight's machines were capable of. Kamakyuri and Child Emperor were assigned to support roles for Metal Bat and Atomic Samurai, ensuring that they had safe landings.

Drive Knight transformed into the combat mode named: Flying Chariot. He soared through the sky and prevented the debris from getting too close. King also requested that he prioritize assessing the situation as it unfolded. Drive Knight agreed with this and relayed all important information and updates to Metal Knight and Child Emperor, who could easily relay it to the rest.

Silver Fang, Flashy Flash, Pig God, Captain Mizuki, Mumen Rider, Armored Gorilla, Frog Man, and Ground Dragon were tasked with evacuating City Z. These individuals were chosen either because of their speed or because there wasn't much they could do to help, as hard as that might've been to hear. Slugerous was sent back to the apartments to gather the Blizzard Group so they could do the same. Obviously, the non-humans had to be accompanied by at least one hero to avoid scaring the civilians. Then again, every person in City Z was probably too busy panicking over the endless rain of meteors.

Watchdog Man had returned to his city after the morning meeting, so he wasn't here to assist. Puri Puri Prisoner would've been a great help, but, well, that one explains itself. Blast hadn't emerged, but it's not as if any of them expected him to. Thus, we're left with only one hero.

The Tornado of Terror was struggling. It wasn't the amount of meteors that overwhelmed her, nor was it the city-wide barrier she erected to protect everyone. When she tried her drill maneuver again, it was deflected. The Esper's power hadn't been suppressed, but it was actively being blocked whenever she tried to get involved directly.

Being met with constant resistance brought buried memories to the surface. A cold metal room. A facility filled with gadgets and gizmos. Men and women who conducted unregulated scientific experimentation. A frightened child who cowered in the corner, just wanting it to end.

Such recollections filled the Tornado of Terror with fire. She despised the past and everything it held. Whoever was responsible for this would feel her wrath. She'd repay this turmoil tenfold!

But...how? Nothing the Tornado of Terror attempted worked. She wasn't just floating in the sky doing nothing. She helped to obliterate the meteors' fragments after the physical powerhouses had done their thing. She also strengthened her barrier and empowered her allies to make their attacks hit harder.

Sadly, any other ideas or attempts from the Esper, no matter how strong, were met with the same conclusion. An incomprehensibly powerful force was guarding the meteors from her. By now, she was able to recognize it as psychic energy, but that didn't make any sense! How could there be an Esper this strong?! Furthermore, WHERE were they?!

The Tornado of Terror attempted to find the precise location of the energy's source. Of course, like with her attacks, that was prevented. Even so, she obtained a direction. Whoever the culprit was came from the infinite horizon of space. Did...that mean this was an alien or something? Could...it even be...something more?

There was no time to dwell on that. The meteors kept coming, and everyone needed to pull their weight. As time passed, it felt as though this would go on forever. How could there be so many rocks in space that were close enough for this celestial onslaught?! Where were they being pulled from?!

It didn't matter. There HAD to be a limit. The heroes would fight on until victory was theirs. When the rest of Metal Knight's weapons arrived, then they'd be able to secure an absolute defense. They just needed to-

FWOOSH

Within the blink of an eye, the situation changed. Every meteor, regardless of whether they were damaged or not, stopped moving. The same applied to any pieces that had been broken off, no matter their size. Then, before the heroes could react, all of the meteors and their pieces were pulled toward the highest point of the atmosphere.

BOOM

The meteors and their pieces violently exploded. The cause was a burst of psychic energy that had been detonated at each of their centers. When that was finished, all of the parts were brought together and made into an asteroid. The entire thing was being kept together by the power that had been responsible thus far.

The asteroid was a world-ending threat. If it collided with the planet, so much would be lost. The heroes couldn't form an estimate, but it wouldn't be outlandish to consider that a fourth of the Earth would be impacted. It might even be as horrifying as half.

However, just like the meteors that came before it, this newly-made asteroid didn't start plummeting right away. What were these periods of peace before the danger? Was the unknown entity being generous, or was it a type of taunt?

"EVERYONE!" King yelled at the top of his lungs, earning his allies' attention. "DON'T REACT! DON'T GET EMOTIONAL! WHAT YOU SEE IS A PROBLEM! EVERY PROBLEM HAS A SOLUTION! FOCUS ON THAT! FIND THE SOLUTION!" He ordered.

King was right. There was no sense in shouting, screaming, reacting, etc. When you broke down the situation, you had only a single obstacle and two potential outcomes. Either the asteroid was destroyed, or it wasn't. No one wanted the second ending, so every hero needed to think hard if they wanted to get the first.

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The asteroid descended. The clock was ticking. Every mind was busily working. There had to be an answer. Find it.

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"TORNADO!" Isamu cried out, eyes shooting open. "YOU NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER DRILL! THE BIGGEST ONE YOU CAN MANAGE!" He instructed.

"If I do, I won't be able to keep the barrier going!" Tatsumaki replied via telepathy.

"IT'S OUR ONLY OPTION! WE NEED ALL OF YOUR POWER TO PULL THIS OFF!" Isamu insisted, now looking at the heroes on the ground. "Metal Knight, Genos, and Pochi need to fire everything they have at Tornado once her drill is ready and spinning at top speed! Alongside her psychic power, she'll attack the asteroid with what you can provide!" He exclaimed.

"A combined strike. That's perfect." Metal Knight said, impressed by his younger peer. "TORNADO, CAN YOU ENSURE THAT MY PROJECTILES AREN'T DESTROYED AS YOU TRAVEL?" He asked. None of his machines were close to the Esper, hence the need to yell.

"Easily! The drill will draw in all of your attacks without me needing to do it actively. I'll just have to keep everything separated and intact, which isn't an issue!" Tatsumaki responded.

"By now, the others have secured most of the populace. The potential for casualties is unavoidable. Damage to the city will be inconceivable. The entire area might be reduced to dust, but it won't be made a crater. The Association's bunkers and shelters can withstand the impacts of the fragments. As Child Emperor stated, this is the most optimal course to take." Drive Knight told everyone.

"ALRIGHT THEN!" King shouted, folding his arms to look more authoritative. "FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T PARTICIPATING, FOCUS ON KEEPING US AND YOURSELVES SAFE! DO NOT TRY TO PROTECT THE BUILDINGS! BY NOW, EVEN THE APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED! IT'S JUST US AND THE ASTEROID!" He told them.

"GOT IT!" The others replied in unison.

This was it. The finale of this ordeal. True to her namesake, the world's most powerful Esper created a tornado of psychic power around herself. When the surging energy and rambunctious winds were corralled, a neon green drill manifested.

Metal Knight locked on to the Esper and fired all of his most devastating munitions. Pochi inhaled deeply, dug his nails into the ground, and then unleashed the most powerful blast he could. Genos, knowing the stakes at play, ripped apart his shirt and opened his chest. From within, he removed the core that powered his body, inserted it into his arm, and used as much of its power as he was able to without killing himself.

However, before Genos fired, Drive Knight joined him at his side. Silently, he revealed his power core. There was no need to explain. Both of these cybernetic heroes worked together to create an even stronger output.

A fleet of missiles, bombs, rockets, and various other ballistics. A pillar of primal energy. A streak of fire that could burn the sun. Each of these things was capable of immense damage. Together, they could destroy multiple cities.

The Tornado of Terror accepted all of it. Combined with her psychic power, the attack that flew toward the asteroid was only surpassed by the strongest this world had to offer. Was this a suitable replacement for One Punch Man's strength? Could S-Class manage without him?

Every breath was held as the drill flew higher. No one dared to avert their gaze at the crucial moment. When contact was made, an explosion overtook the sky. Its blue hue was temporarily replaced with the darkest shade of black. There was no concern for the Tornado of Terror's safety since she'd obviously protect herself no matter what.

The smoke prevented anyone from seeing the result for a few seconds. Yet, it was rapidly dissipated by the drill and the winds it generated. The asteroid was damaged, but still together. The impact caused a multitude of cracks to appear across the contact zone.

The Tornado of Terror blocked everything out. The only thing that mattered was defeating this asteroid. No, wait, not the asteroid. Her foe was whoever kept her at bay. The mysterious entity.

"I...won't...let you..." Tatsumaki thought with gritted teeth. She stared at the asteroid with pure hatred. "I...don't know...who you are...what you are...but I...don't...care..." She continued. The drill was starting to dig into the asteroid. "I...won't...rely on him...I...can protect myself...everyone...Fubuki...I...am...not...WEAK!" She concluded.

The drill continued to burrow, but it was at a snail's pace. As it moved, so did the asteroid. The timer was ticking down. It didn't matter what it took; this battle wouldn't be lost!

The Tornado of Terror unleashed a guttural scream, but not of pain. She exerted everything she had, psychically and physically. The toll this took on the Esper was dangerous. Her bones started straining, and her heart was racing.

Soon, the taste of blood entered the mouth. Internal damage was happening, and all of it was felt. Despite that, the Tornado of Terror pressed on. The drill dug deeper and deeper and deeper. Eventually, she found herself at the center of the asteroid.

From all sides, the Tornado of Terror felt the crushing weight of the opposing psychic power. It wasn't trying to harm or kill her; that's just how imposing it was. It genuinely felt as though she was in an industrial compactor, the kind you'd see used on vehicles in scrapyards. Yet, like before, this was the weakest point.

All of the power was being used on the outside of the asteroid. Additionally, since it was an amalgamation of multiple things, the power was being divided among them. Simply put, each piece of the asteroid was encased in an isolated barrier, with a larger one being used to keep them close. The microscopic amount of space between these barriers could be viewed as unintended cracks, which the Tornado of Terror intended to exploit.

The drill disappeared as the psychic energy used to create it was pulled inward. Everything that the Tornado of Terror could give was concentrated at her core. When it was ready, she released the power. The resulting outburst pushed the asteroid's pieces apart, which, when combined with the outburst, broke through the barrier that held them together.

When that happened, the smaller barriers on the pieces also faltered. Before they could be re-applied, the Tornado of Terror's outburst obliterated them. Chunks or fragments, everything was damaged and reduced in size. There would still be massive collateral to the city below, but doomsday had been averted.

Unfortunately, it came at a cost. Consciousness was fading. Everything hurt. The scent, taste, and warmth of blood were all present. And, most alarmingly, there was nothing left to use. So, the plummet was underway.

The series of events that followed did so as a slideshow from the Tornado of Terror's perspective. Slide one, she saw the asteroid's remains above her as she fell. Slide two, someone, likely Kamakyuri or Carnage Kabuto, caught the Esper in their arms. Slide three, they were back on the ground, and loud noises came from every direction. Slide four, everything blurred before darkness arrived.

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"I'm sorry, sir. I underestimated the cleverness and strength of the opposition. Speaking of the majority, they ARE an unremarkable species. But it would appear as though the exceptions are far beyond expectation."

"It's alright. It wouldn't make sense for someone as supposedly strong as myself to exist within a world that has no notable life forms. Besides, this was a test, after all."

"Yes, but it was meant to be a test for our main target. That person didn't even appear, which is strange since this is where he lives. All of my reconnaissance has guided us to this location. Unless the entire population of the planet is cooperating in a lie, that fact is undeniable."

"I don't doubt it. But, if anything, this adds more credibility to the seer's vision. I would not bother with something as basic as an asteroid. I would have my elites, such as yourself, deal with it. Based on what we've observed, those who reacted to the asteroid must be this man's elites. Or whatever the equivalent to your position would be."

"Regardless if that is true or not, sir, what do we do now? We've essentially announced ourselves. Avoiding detection isn't a problem, but they will be on guard and constantly searching for the responsible party. I know that Esper could sense me, especially when I became more involved. What is our next step?"

"Continue observing the life forms who reside in the area. We'll keep our distance for the next few days, possibly a week. If we haven't seen our target in that time, then we'll make contact. However, it won't be with a different assault. These organisms have shown by overcoming this threat that they are not to be taken lightly. It will be a proper encounter."

"Understood. I shall inform Melzargard, Groribas, and the rest of the crew. Will that be all, Lord Boros?"

"Yes. Thank you, Geryuganshoop."

Chapter Text

Being a hero isn't always great, even when you're in S-Class. Sometimes, there are situations where an ugly conclusion is unavoidable. One Punch Man, Blast, and the Tornado of Terror have the highest disaster-avoidance rating of any hero within the Association. Metal Knight, Child Emperor, and Drive Knight firmly hold second due to their intellects, vigilance, and preparedness.

Still, no one has a perfect record. If you think I'm lying, let's focus on the world's strongest hero. One Punch Man could defeat any foe with a single blow. For issues where there wasn't an opponent, such as a tidal wave that threatened to wash away a city, he could still do something since his immense strength meant that he could disrupt the wall of water.

However, if the problem at play occurred instantaneously, then there's nothing any hero could do, including One Punch Man. He could be walking down the street; everything's normal, and then suddenly, an underground monster unleashes a devastating attack. Buildings would be destroyed, people would get injured or die, and One Punch Man couldn't stop any of it. In conclusion, there are simply things beyond our control, no matter how powerful we are. When we face such harshness, all we can do is react to the best of our ability.

The heroes of S-Class were not ignorant of this truth. They were well aware of the unpredictable cruelty that life can deliver. Witnessing City Z's transformation from a metropolis to a wasteland was a stark reminder. Yet, they did not question the overwhelming destruction but rather stood resilient in the face of it.

Two major factors combined to ensure the result of indescribable decimation. Firstly, the Tornado of Terror. Her explosion of psychic energy successfully destroyed the asteroid and substantially reduced the size of its components. Unfortunately, that same detonation gave every piece a boost to its descending speed. Simply put, she shot the asteroid's fragments at the Earth like pellets from a shotgun shell.

Of course, no one felt that the Tornado of Terror was at fault. That was literally the ONLY thing she could've done to prevent an apocalyptic scenario. Had Lady Luck been a bit kinder, perhaps SOME of City Z would be standing. Alas, that's where we address the second factor, which comprises multiple things.

Gas pipes, fuel sources, high-voltage electronics, and vehicles. The impacts of the asteroid's remains were already strong enough to create craters and shockwaves. But when combined with the endless supply of reactive elements, the scope of the catastrophe was multiplied exponentially.

At the risk of glamorizing the disaster, the resulting scene was comparable to a fireworks display. Or, perhaps more appropriately, it was like a minefield in which all of the mines were triggered simultaneously. A truly deafening assault on the ears.

Thankfully, the population of City Z was safe. The S-Class heroes who had been sent to help the citizens and usher them into shelters fulfilled their task. Additionally, they took cover in those same bunkers before the asteroid was dealt with. These heroes planned to seek out their comrades when the surface was silent.

But what about those who were outside? With the Tornado of Terror out of commission, how were they protected from the lethal downpour? Well, as it turns out, one of the heroes had thought ahead. When the meteors became an asteroid, moves were made to ensure there would be an area that remained mostly intact.

"Metal Knight," King spoke to a nearby bipedal drone, causing its head to look at him. "I'm impressed you thought to do this. Thanks to you, we'll be able to establish a command center of sorts. A place where all of City Z's citizens can gather so we can take care of them." He told him.

The "command center" King referred to was the area in which the apartment building, Child Emperor's laboratory, Drive Knight's workshop, and Metal Knight's factory were located. When it became clear that only the Tornado of Terror could deal with the threat, Metal Knight positioned his machines on top of these structures and set them into automatic defense mode. All four buildings still took some damage, but with the surplus of munitions that remained, Metal Knight could easily keep them from becoming rubble like everything else.

Because of this decision, the heroes didn't need to worry about rushing their downed Esper to another location to receive medical treatment. Child Emperor's laboratory already possessed a myriad of medical-related supplies since he was an all-purpose hero. That's part of the reason why the trio of himself, Drive Knight, and Metal Knight were so effective. Child Emperor covered every base, Drive Knight was the tactical genius, and Metal Knight was the overwhelming might. Well, when you didn't have One Punch Man, that is.

"Thank you, King." Metal Knight replied as his drone looked around. "I would've preferred a wider coverage, but between the initial counterattack and what Tornado did in the end, I mostly had bullets and flak left at my disposal." He said.

"Hey, no need to explain yourself. Seriously. Having ANY building at all is important for a crisis like this, and you managed to secure four. Better yet, two of those can provide us with additional supplies, tools, and machines to help us out. At least, if the means of production haven't been totally trashed." King assured him while also offering praise.

"I can't comment on the condition of Child Emperor's facility, but my factory is operational. Naturally, I reinforced it in the event of a disaster or monster attack. However, the speed, size, and number of debris from the asteroid exceeded my defenses. Some fragments eventually pierced the outer plating, but that was near the end of this debacle, so it's as minimal as I could've wanted." Metal Knight informed him.

"That's good. Glad to hear it." King responded with a smile. "Could you tell me how long it's going to be until we have more of your machines out here? There's no rush since the danger's been dealt with, but still, the sooner the bet-"

VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The men's conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of an engine struggling to hold on for dear life. When the noise was traced to its origin, a black car that was HAULING ass was seen approaching from the horizon.

"Ah, they're finally here," King commented, knowing well who was riding in that vehicle.

"Should I tell the others?" Metal Knight asked.

"Nah. We've all got stuff we're focusing on at the moment. No need to distract anyone from what they're doing." King answered.

A few seconds later, the car halted. When it did, the first person to emerge was an expectedly frantic woman.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" Fubuki cried out with widened eyes. "IS SHE OKAY?!" She carried on.

During the car ride, Metal Knight contacted Zombieman again to update him on the situation. It was then that the Esper was informed about her sister's condition. Although these siblings had their spats, that didn't imply they didn't care about each other. Furthermore, regarding Fubuki specifically, she never thought Tatsumaki could be overwhelmed like this.

"She's in the lab," King calmly told her while pointing at the building.

Before any other words were spoken, Fubuki ran into the facility to search for her sibling. As she did, Zombieman exited the car, revealing himself to be the only other passenger apart from the driver.

"Where are Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity?" Metal Knight inquired, finding their absence strange. He didn't expect the Subterranean King due to him still being in recovery.

"Believe it or not, they were ahead of us," Zombieman began as he came closer. "But when you called and told me that the threat had been dealt with, I relayed that information to them. Since we'd be arriving at the aftermath, I told her to take herself and Kombu Infinity back to the House of Evolution to get Genus and the clones over here. I figured this was an all-hands-on-deck occasion." He explained.

"You were right. Good call." King complimented him.

"Appreciate it," Zombieman said with a small smile. "So, where are we at right now? I can assess the current state of things well enough with just my eyes, but what's everyone's status?" He asked.

"Those who were sent to attend to the populace are coming back with them in tow. Most of us have gone to assist with that process. Only I, King, and Child Emperor stayed here for obvious reasons. Even Pochi has been enlisted as a form of transportation for the civilians." Metal Knight answered.

"You sure that's a good idea? Aren't people going to freak out when they see a giant monster dog?" Zombieman questioned.

"Eh, Pochi left with Metal Bat, who went to the bunker Zenko took shelter in. If anyone on this planet can get a group of people to keep their calm, it's him." King said, earning a dry chuckle.

"Yeah, but I don't think the damage to those poor peoples' hearing is worth it." Zombieman remarked, knowing damn well that Metal Bat's "skill" with people primarily came from the volume that he could achieve. "How about Watchdog Man? Is he going to show up to lend a hand?" He pressed.

"Mhm. I already got a text from him saying-"

Once again, the men's conversation was disrupted. This time, the cause came from the sky. Initially, the men assumed it was Mosquito Girl since the source was a flying object in the distance. But after a few seconds of staring, it was discovered to be something else.

"...Shit..." Zombieman cursed as his eyes became a glare. "Do you think it's him?" He inquired.

"Frankly, I'm impressed you got here first," Metal Knight admitted, which also served as confirmation.

"Alright, guys. Let's just keep our composure and not start anything. We've got far more important stuff that needs our attention." King advised.

"Tell that to the diva..." Zombieman sighed, pre-emptively retrieving his cigarette carton from his coat pocket.

A Short While Ago, A Few Miles Away...

"Hey! Be careful up there!" Baddo exclaimed, pointing his bat at Pochi's back. "If I see ANY of you start to slip, then everyone's getting off!" He warned.

How fortunate for Metal Bat that his sister was taken to a bunker that was used for many of the local schools. The S-Class hero had the pleasure of escorting a fair amount of adults and a LOT of children. There weren't even any teens like himself mixed in with the lot. The schools closest to this bunker were all for grade-schoolers and others within that range.

Better yet, when Metal Bat stopped everyone from freaking out about Pochi, he also made sure to convey that this was One Punch Man's new dog. Instantly, when that was heard, any anxiety disappeared. It made perfect sense for the world's strongest hero to have the world's strongest dog! Honestly, the way "normal" peoples' minds worked concerned Metal Bat immensely.

Anyway, as the adults walked on the ground and talked among themselves, all of the children got to ride Pochi. They were giggling and laughing as they enjoyed the height and the opportunity to pet One Punch Man's dog. Despite doing his best to come across as cool and imposing, the colossal canine's tail showed his true emotions as it wouldn't stop wagging. If Metal Bat were alone, he might've requested another hero to help him out. But that's where the dutiful little sister served her position.

"Aw, come on, Baddo," Zenko interjected with a smile. "They're having fun, and it's keeping their minds off what's happened to the city." She noted.

"Yeah, but it wouldn't be good if any of them fell off and got hurt. If I let that happen, I'll get chewed out..." Baddo sighed, now looking at his sibling. "How're you doing, by the way? About all this, I mean." He asked.

"Eh, I'm used to it," Zenko answered with a shrug. "Having a hero for a brother helps you build a resistance to this stuff. But even if it didn't, I've been through something like this before, so it's not as big of a deal now." She explained.

"Huh, yeah..." Baddo muttered, looking ahead. "Now that you mention it, this is like that time..." He agreed, unable to keep the memories away.

Two & A Half Years Ago...

Ah, the freedom of rebellious youth. When you're young and full of bravado, you feel like you can do everything. Alas, reality quickly catches up to the fiery spirits of the misguided and delusional. Just because you THINK you're hot stuff doesn't mean you are.

But then, you have a young man such as Baddo. Unlike his peers, he could legitimately back up anything that came out of his mouth. If he claimed he could beat some sense into every gang of crooks and creeps in his city, then Baddo would go home that evening with clothes stained in blood. If he asserted that no one could match his fighting spirit, then the hospitals would be getting close to capacity when all the so-called challengers piled in.

As he got older, there seemed to be no proper outlet for Baddo's intensity. Even worse, as his younger sister aged alongside him, the two of them charged each other up more. You wouldn't think a girl so young and petite could be on the same level as him. But if their shouting matches over Baddo's conduct were anything to go by, she could easily hold her ground.

But then, as if the universe decided to lend a hand, an opportunity presented itself. Baddo was walking through his usual stomping grounds without a care in the world. As the stroll progressed, a bunch of noise from a nearby park caught his ear. Upon investigating the commotion, Baddo came face-to-face with a monster that was terrorizing the public.

If there was one thing that REALLY got under Baddo's skin, it was when some jackass thought they had the right to do as they pleased while everyone else just had to deal with it. He might have a mouth on him, and his patience might be as thin as paper, but Baddo didn't believe anyone should be undeservedly harassed. So, after noticing a shiny bat that had been left behind by one of the parkgoers who fled, Baddo strutted up to that monster and...

SPLAT

The monster was not mostly liquid. The creature had not been a type of slime or sentient mucus. Yet, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking it was, given what Baddo did to it. With a single swing of that bat, the monster was demolished. Had that happened just over a year ago, Baddo would've received a fair amount of praise and a spot on the evening news. But because this incident occurred after the Hero Association was founded, he got WAY more.

Immediately, Baddo was approached by the Association and given the offer to become a hero. The employees responsible for his recruitment barely did anything. Once he learned that being a hero meant he could smash up monsters or scumbags and get paid for the effort, that was it. Finally, Baddo found the outlet he DESPERATELY needed.

Naturally, Zenko was worried about her sibling. She knew her brother could beat the snot out of anyone, but monsters were innately unpredictable. You might get one that was a sentient block of tofu that came to life after being subjected to the constant negative emotions people had towards the tasteless edible. Then, the following day, you could fight a creature of pure electricity who was impervious to all physical attacks. There was just no way to predict what your next encounter would be like.

Alas for poor Zenko, she knew that aspect of being a hero was a benefit rather than a hazard to her brother. It made every day more exciting than the last, even if the monsters were laughably pathetic. The gamble on what could happen got Baddo's blood pumping. He gripped his now signature metallic armament and took to the streets with unending eagerness. However, there was another far more important motivation.

The higher your hero ranking, the more money you receive. Like most heroes, Baddo started in C-Class. If he wanted to provide for himself and his sister, he needed to climb the numbers. The ultimate goal was S-class, so he studied a bit to see just what kind of heroes were-

...

...

...

The...top-ranked hero...number one in the registry...was...a guy. The important detail wasn't his sex but the fact that he was literally JUST a guy. From what Baddo learned while doing his research, this dude wasn't anything special! If he had a stat sheet, it'd be average across the board! What the hell?! Was the registry rigged or something?!

Well, yes, but there wasn't a way for Baddo to learn about that. Although, even if he did, it's not like it mattered. Metal Bat, which quickly became his hero name, was already rushing through the rankings. All he needed was one good showing, a TRUE display of his mettle, and Baddo would be sitting pretty in S-Class. When that happened, neither he nor his sister would ever want for anything ever again!

Yet, as the days came and went, it seemed like Baddo's pickings for problems dried up. I mean, it made sense. If you were a monster, would YOU want to live in a city where there was a lunatic turning any opponent he came across into a paint splatter on the wall? The same applied to organized crime and your run-of-the-mill ruffians. There was no amount of money or power in the world that made incurable brain damage worthwhile, assuming you'd even SURVIVE.

So, if Baddo didn't want to re-register and continue his ascension through the ranks, he needed to start leaving his hometown to find trouble to settle. That worsened Zenko's worries since she wouldn't be able to find him if he got hurt as easily. Of course, like any older sibling, he promised her that he wouldn't do something as "lame" as going down on the job. Heroes were badasses who took names while making one for themselves. Weirdly enough, as time progressed, Baddo became prideful about being a hero and what a true hero was.

Admittedly, Zenko did like that change in her brother. It was the first time she could recall that he showed passion toward anything (excluding her). Even though Baddo was still as thick-headed as ever, possibly more, she reluctantly promised not to make a fuss about him venturing into the unknown. And for that, Baddo was grateful.

But oh, how funny it is that emotions and sentiments can change. The gratitude Baddo felt toward his sister, not worrying so much about him, became immeasurable regret. That unexpected transformation happened one day when he was pretty damn far away. As usual, Baddo was looking for a "big league" baddie to bash. During this search, he received a call from the Association that a rampaging monster was attacking his city.

Every possible fear and anxiety Baddo could've felt struck him simultaneously. The monster's destruction was widespread and indiscriminate. The chaos was so messy that the Association couldn't provide an accurate assessment as the situation went on. That also meant that the Association couldn't offer any confirmation or commentary on the condition of Baddo's home and, most importantly, his sister.

Never before had Baddo run that fast. He didn't waste time with a train or bus. The distance was sizable, but that didn't matter. Even as his shoes started tearing and his feet were getting bruised, he kept on booking it.

A thousand different promises manifested in Baddo's mind. I'll spend more time at home. We'll see that new movie you won't stop talking about. I'll take you on a shopping trip and not complain as I carry the bags. I'll do anything, but you have to be okay first. That's all you need to do. Zenko, please, be okay.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Baddo made it to his city. The place was a wreck. The monster hadn't been giant, but its potential for damage was incredible. Size didn't always dictate the output of something. Heck, Baddo's unrivaled swinging strength was proof of that.

Of course, Baddo wasn't thinking about such details. He hurried through the mess and went straight to his house. There was a chance that Zenko had been somewhere else, but he had to check there first. Even if the house was a pile of crap by now, so long as there wasn't any blood, then that meant-

...

...

...

There was blood, but it was far too much to be Zenko's. The hell? What was going-

"METAL BAT!" A voice yelled, coming from nearby.

A man dressed in a suit ran over to Baddo. Obviously, this guy worked for the Association.

"We've been trying to call you back!" The employee panted. He was bent over as he stood before Baddo. "We got lucky! The top-ranked hero was jogging through the city when the attack started. The fight was brutal, but the monster was defeated in the end." He said.

"Where's my sister?" Baddo asked, not caring about any of that right now.

"Hm? OH! RIGHT! YES, OF COURSE!" The employee shouted in alarm, feeling like an idiot for not addressing that first. "The monster came here looking for you, Metal Bat. But by then, it had already earned the attention of the top-ranked hero. He kept the monster busy while your sister ran to safety. When the fight was over, both he and your sister were taken to the closest hospital." He answered, quickly throwing up his hands. "BUT BEFORE YOU PANIC, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOUR SISTER ISN'T INJURED!" He hastily told him.

"If Zenko's okay, then why is she at the hospital?" Baddo questioned.

"She wanted to stay by the top-ranked hero's side. She felt guilty that he got harmed by protecting her. So, when the ambulance arrived, your sister rode with him." The employee explained.

A small span of silence followed. Baddo was filled with mixed emotions. After all, the monster was looking for the hero known as Metal Bat. Had he been here, then he would've dealt with this instead of relying on the good fortune of someone else stepping in.

"Hey, take me there," Baddo ordered with an intense glare.

"...Do...you mean the hospital?..." The employee inquired, wanting to be sure.

"NO, I WANT YOU TO TAKE ME OUT FOR A BITE!" Baddo screamed, instantly infuriated. If this guy didn't pick up on the sarcasm, then his life was in GRAVE danger.

Thankfully, the employee wasn't as dumb as he seemed. Without saying anything else, he guided Baddo to a nearby car so that they could drive to the hospital.

...

...

...

Never before had Zenko experienced a monster attack first-hand. Her brother, even when he wasn't a hero, kept their city fairly safe from such things. It wasn't as though Baddo was actively trying to be a crusader for justice. Whenever he was out and about, he was always targeted by people and creatures looking to stir some trouble. The thought process was that since he was alone, he'd be an easy mark. Whelp, look how that turned out for them.

Anyway, since Zenko didn't have to worry about frequent disturbances to the city, she hadn't built up the same kind of resistance most people, even young children, do in other places. Most notoriously, City Z. Everyone everywhere knew that city, in particular, was a literal disaster magnet. It was honestly baffling that anyone still lived there at all.

When the monster attack began, Zenko made sure to hide in a safe place within the house. That was the only thing she could think to do in a crisis like that! But when the tremors became more intense, a sinking feeling set in. The monster wasn't just coming this way; it was specifically aiming for the house!

After that, everything was a blur. The house was ripped to pieces. Zenko shut her eyes tightly and cried out for her brother, hoping he'd arrive to save her. She knew it was probably smarter to run, but she couldn't. She curled against the ground and hoped. Please, someone, save her.

BAM

That compelled Zenko to look behind herself. It wasn't the same kind of noise as the monster's rampaging, but it also didn't resemble how her brother's bat sounded when it came into contact with something. When Zenko's eyes finally processed what they were seeing, her mind struggled to believe it.

There was a man, who wore a blue tracksuit, standing where the monster had been. His head was covered in messy black hair, and his brown eyes were filled with fire. The monster had been forced backward by a surprise attack that came in the form of a straight, powerful jab. Sadly, that daze wouldn't last much longer.

In the few seconds that attack granted, the man looked at Zenko and ordered her to run. He didn't want to come across as angry or frightening, but she NEEDED to get out of there! Zenko, allowing her body to react by itself, rushed from the ruins of her house. The sounds of violent combat were heard at her backside, but she didn't turn around.

Once Zenko got to safety, she waited for the air to quiet down. Despite being rattled, she couldn't abandon the man in case he needed help when the monster was dealt with. Although it was unnecessary, that concern was still greatly appreciated. Zenko's face was the first thing the man saw when he defeated the monster, and it made him happy to see she wasn't harmed.

As for the man, it wasn't pretty. The monster had been an anthropomorphic wolf. The best comparison would be the common image of a lycanthrope, albeit larger. As such, the most dangerous hazard the man had to contend with was razor-sharp nails that sliced through the air like a set of blades. None of the cuts he received went deep enough to spill entrails or anything else so gruesome. However, the man was leaking like a bucket full of bullet holes.

Understandably, Zenko was overtaken with panic. Even worse, upon closer inspection, she saw that the man's ribs might be broken, too! She deduced this based on the NASTY discoloration of his torso. If the man's ribs were intact, he was still beaten to high heaven!

But before Zenko could succumb to more anxiety as she struggled with what to do, a BUNCH of people dressed in suits flooded onto the scene. She had NO idea who these folks were, but they were attending to the injured man, so she knew they could be trusted. One thing led to another, and the pair soon found themselves sharing an ambulance. The mysterious adults might've been a bit more hesitant to allow this little girl to go to the hospital in that manner if they hadn't known who she was. They assumed the little sister of Metal Bat had probably already seen quite a bit.

Thus, we arrive at the present. The man was swiftly treated for his injuries and given some medication that SHOULD have sedated him. Yet, to Zenko's horror, he was up and about, doing stretches, acting as if NOTHING was wrong!

"You need to lie down!" Zenko exclaimed, gripping the man's pants. He was allowed to keep those while the tattered tracksuit jacket and the shirt beneath it were taken for obvious reasons.

"I'm fine, really," The man promised, continuing with his exercises. "This is my...uh...huh..." He stammered off.

"Your, what?" Zenko asked, confused by what he was trying to say.

"I was thinking about how many times I've been in a hospital, only to realize I've lost count..." The man answered, still deep in thought.

"YOU NEED TO LIE DOWN!" Zenko repeated at a louder volume as her concern for his condition worsened.

This back-and-forth continued for a few minutes. Zenko wanted her rescuer to relax and let the treatment do its job. The man remained calm and casual about his exercise and his plentiful prior hospitalizations. In his mind, having gone through this process so many times helped to make him stronger, which was INSANE!

"Yo,"

A voice was heard coming from the doorway, interrupting Zenko and the man's banter. When the duo looked to see who it was, she would be the first to react.

"BIG BROTHER!" Zenko cried out, rushing him down with a hug that nearly sent both into the hallway.

Normally, Baddo would have some kind of retort to his sister's anxiety, but this was different. So, instead of inciting a verbal jousting match, he hugged his sibling and enjoyed a nice embra-

"Uh, excuse me," The man spoke, getting their attention. "Should...I go somewhere else while you two have a moment?" He inquired, not wanting to make things weird.

"NO!" Zenko immediately rejected that idea. She was so passionate about it that she ended her hug with Baddo and turned around to face the man. "YOU NEED TO REST! LAY DOWN AND STOP MOVING!" She ordered while pointing at the bed.

"Zenko," Baddo interjected, surprising the both of them. "Could you pop out for a second?" He requested.

"Huh? Why?" Zenko questioned, looking at her brother with bewilderment.

"You know I'm not good at talking about stuff like emotions when there's a crowd, and that's what three people is. So, please, could you just do me a favor here?" Baddo explained with a sigh.

...Oh. Zenko understood. Baddo wasn't just here to check on her but also to thank this nice man for protecting her from the monster!

"Hmm...okay," Zenko agreed after a hum. "But YOU need to promise that you won't let him exert himself! His wounds could open!" She exclaimed.

"Heh, yeah, sure, I'll keep him in check." Baddo promised.

"Good!" Zeko replied with a satisfied smile. "I'll go to the cafeteria and see what's available," She informed them before leaving the room.

Baddo waited for the door to close and for his sister to be a decent distance from the room before saying what he needed to. Thankfully, the man remained silent, which made this easier.

"Like I told my sis, I'm not good with feelings and crap. I'm the kind of guy who prefers actions over words. So, if I sound like I'm not sincere or something, just know that it's nothing more than me tripping over myself," Baddo began, closing his eyes and straightening his posture. "I've been a narrow-minded jackass lately. I was so focused on climbing the hero ranks that I forgot to keep my turf safe. Because of that, a monster who was looking to fight me nearly got ahold of my baby sister. Had that happened, I...don't know what I'd do..." He said, briefly getting quiet before continuing. "The truth is, I got lucky today. The top-ranked hero was nearby, and he was the one who took the beating that was meant for me to protect Zenko. Plain and simple, that doesn't sit right with me. So, on top of the thanks I owe ya, I'm also in your debt. You can ask for anything or make me do whatever, and I'll get it done without a single complaint. I might not look like it, but I'm capable. Really, don't hold back, alright? Let me have it." He concluded, ending with an offer.

Initially, nothing happened. Baddo wasn't surprised since the man would need to think about what he heard. But then, footsteps approached Baddo. When they stopped, this happened:

thump

An unexpected impact, soft in weight, caused Baddo to open his eyes. The man gently hit him in his chest with a closed fist.

"It sounds like you've learned a lot today," The man remarked with an admittedly cool smile. "You realized that being a hero isn't just about rankings, right?" He asked.

"Definitely," Baddo answered with a nod.

"Good. Then, that's all." The man said, going over to his bed.

"...Come again?" Baddo responded, unsure of what that meant.

"I don't want to have someone indebted to me. That's just weird," The man told him, now sitting on his bed. "Plus, it's not as if you knew there was a chance for something to happen, and yet you deliberately ignored it. From what I hear, you've singlehandedly made your city one of the safest places to live. I can understand why you'd start looking elsewhere for monsters to defeat and problems to solve." He went on.

"...Wait...you've...heard of me?" Baddo questioned with widened eyes.

"Yup. You got your hero name recently, too. Metal Bat, I think," The man confirmed. "One of my many exhausting responsibilities is keeping up to date on notable heroes who are rising through the ranks at an impressive rate. You might still be C-Class, but you've certainly amassed an incredible body count." He shared, followed by a compliment.

"Uh...wow...I...thanks..." Baddo stuttered, surprised by where the conversation had gone.

"However," The man said, now looking at him with a serious stare. "If you don't mind, I'd like to know something." He requested.

"Sure. Shoot." Baddo permitted.

"Why'd you become a hero in the first place?" The man inquired.

Baddo took a second to consider his reply. There were a few ways he could phrase it, but he didn't want any that would make him sound like a big dumb brute.

"Before I was a hero, I mainly just dealt with stuff that happened whenever I was around. But after bashing enough monsters and the typical loud-mouthed gangs, suddenly, I'm being offered the chance to do that as a job. At first, that was the only motivation I had or needed. I could get a reliable paycheck just for doing the same thing I've always done, which is beating the shit out of any jerk who's causing trouble. Then, when I learned I could get paid MORE depending on how well I did, I was motivated to be better purely for that reason.

Yet, as time went on, I started getting prideful about it. Every time I killed a monster or stopped some psycho, the reactions I got were...inspiring. I know, I know, that's what everyone says. Seeing the looks on people's faces, hearing them cheer, it's why a hero does what they do and all that. But, as corny as it is, it's true. People are always scared and worried if they're going to die today when they're just minding their business like the rest of us. No one should have to put up with that. So, if I can make sure they don't by swinging this bat I got here, then that's something special, I think." Baddo stated.

"Huh, okay," The man responded.

...

...

...

"Is that it?" Baddo questioned.

"Hm?" The man reacted.

"Okay. That's all you're going to say?" Baddo clarified.

"What else would I say?" The man challenged.

"How would I know?! I'm not the one who asked the question!" Baddo exclaimed. "Why'd you want to know why I became a hero?!" He inquired.

"Because I wanted to see if you were like me," The man admitted.

"Like you? How?" Baddo pressed, now intrigued.

"The whole reason I decided to become a hero is that I wanted to. In the beginning, it was just because I hated my boring life, and I wanted to do something fun that made me happy." The man revealed, smiling as he did. "But like you, I've come to appreciate being a hero beyond the thrill and excitement it brings me. As you said, people are scared. You never know when a monster or a random disaster will pop up. In times like that, people need someone to save them. Those who are willing to do so, regardless of the dangers and risks, are heroes." He told him.

For a second, Baddo was awestruck. This guy, the top-ranked hero, it was like he was reading his mind or something! That's exactly how Baddo's been feeling lately! A hero is someone who stands up to all the bullshit out there and doesn't back down!

"Heh, is that why you get your ass kicked so badly?" Baddo asked with a chuckle, wanting to lighten the mood a bit.

"Yup. It doesn't matter how strong my opponent is or what the situation is like. I always go at it with my blood pumping and everything I've got." The man passionately answered.

"Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Baddo cheered with a fist pump. "Heroes are badasses! We'll take on anything and everyone!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah! That's right!" The man agreed, jumping from his bed with a fist pump as well. These two were getting fired up!

"HEY!"

That loud voice extinguished the raging fires in each man's heart. Together, they looked at the room's entrance and saw a very displeased little girl.

"What did I tell you?!" Zenko shouted, stomping toward them. "Baddo, he NEEDS to rest! Don't get him excited!" She scolded.

"H-Hey! It's not all my fault! It's also..." Baddo started to defend himself, only to trail off as he realized something. When he did, his eyes shot open. "OH, CRAP! I NEVER GOT YOUR NAME!" He yelled.

"..." Zenko's eyes also shot open. Oh. My. God. SHE NEVER GOT THE MAN'S NAME! THE MAN WHO SAVED HER LIFE! "I'M SO SORRY!" She immediately apologized, bowing her head.

"Guys! Calm down!" The man ordered, feeling as though the roles were reversed. "It's no big deal. I can just tell you my name right now." He offered.

"YEAH! DO IT!" The siblings insisted simultaneously.

"Okay, okay, geez..." The man replied, reeling from their intensity. "My name is..."

Present

"Saitama..." Baddo thought, reaching the memory's end.

Although Baddo ran through that entire day in his head, in reality, it had only been a few minutes. Zenko didn't comment on her brother's sudden silence since she suspected what caused it.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Zenko playfully asked when he was back to normal.

"Tsk, wouldn't you like to know," Baddo answered with a scoff, averting his gaze.

"Hey! Don't get snarky with me!" Zenko warned, glaring at her stupid older brother.

"Then don't go around trying to poke into people's business," Baddo remarked at his nosy younger sister.

These siblings might've continued their usual spatting until they reached the apartments. However, that wasn't the case because a very loud noise reached their ears and those belonging to the rest of the group. When everyone stopped to see where it was coming from, they spotted an Association helicopter flying in from beyond what was once City Z's limits.

"...No..." Baddo whispered in horror.

"Huh? Is something wrong?" Zenko inquired. To her, it didn't make sense for an Association-branded vehicle to cause that kind of reaction.

"Zenko, I need you to stick with everyone here, okay?" Baddo instructed before running ahead. "I NEED TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING BEFORE YOU GET THERE! TAKE YOUR TIME! SERIOUSLY!" He shouted backward.

Zenko was left speechless by her brother's departure. What the heck was going on? Why did the helicopter do that to him? Or...was it because of who was riding in it?...

Elsewhere, In Child Emperor's Laboratory...

The prodigy of S-Class was busily working at his main computer station. He had finished treating the Tornado of Terror's injuries a while ago. Even when her sister, Hellish Blizzard, arrived to check on the wounded Esper, he didn't say or do anything. Child Emperor didn't know much about the relationship between these women, but he was aware that it was the very definition of messy.

Hellish Blizzard didn't feel it necessary to speak to Child Emperor, either. She knew his intellect made him a perfect caretaker for her sister. Additionally, there was the devastated City Z that needed attention. Despite being so worried about the Tornado of Terror, she wasn't ignorant about how much damage had been done to everything else.

Still, this had never happened before. The Tornado of Terror was, to everyone's knowledge, the most powerful Esper on Earth. No creature, human or otherwise, came close to her level. Yet, somehow, a rainfall of meteors did. Hellish Blizzard hadn't been given all the details thus far, but she didn't need them right away. It was apparent that something else was responsible for her sister's condition.

"What could've done this?..." Fubuki pondered as she held her sister's hand. Child Emperor had considerately moved his colleague to a normal bed after her examination and treatment. "Maybe...I could get some clues from Tatsumaki. She's completely out of it, and Child Emperor sedated her to numb any lingering pain. I should be able to enter her mind and find what I need without triggering a reaction..." She decided.

Fubuki steadied her breathing and closed her eyes. Immediately, she was able to connect to her sister's mind. That was a great sign. However, before any mental spelunking was conducted, Fubuki was surprised by an unexpected discovery.

"Tatsumaki...she's...dreaming..." Fubuki thought, closely studying the mindscape before her. "...No...wait...it's a memory...she's thinking about something..." She realized.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Fubuki focused on her sister's recollection for now. Admittedly, another compelling incentive to do so revealed itself before long. It was a familiar face, although it looked notably different in the past.

Two Years Ago...

The Hero Association is a new organization dedicated to preventing disasters, eliminating threats to humanity, and protecting peace overall. This institution promised fame and fortune to anyone who proved themselves worthy of being registered within its ranks. As anyone could've predicted, that led to a massive flood of eager aspiring heroes.

Idiots. Morons. Bafoons. Nimrods. Knuckleheads. DUMBASSES. Huh, that's quite the abrupt shift, isn't it? Well, it's because these "colorful" names for the Hero Association's recruits came from one of its top-ranked heroes. They were among the few individuals who needed no test or tryouts to prove themselves and be placed on top of the leaderboard. S-Class, Rank 3, The Tornado of Terror.

Tatsumaki was her real name, but only her sister and a fellow hero named Blast were allowed to address her in that manner. If everyone else valued their bones and internal organs, they better show her the respect she deserves. The Tornado of Terror was referred to as such because of her cataclysmic psychic potential. So far, nothing had forced the Esper to go "all-out", but even without knowing what her full capacity was, no one disagreed that she was the most powerful psychic on the planet. In the hierarchy of humanity's strongest, she was also an easy nomination for the top three.

...Wait a second. So, if the Tornado of Terror was the third-ranked S-Class hero, and was also in the top three most powerful people on the planet, who was above her in the rankings? That's an easy question to answer. The second-ranked hero in S-Class was none other than Blast, a man who treats his hero work as a pastime rather than a dedicated obligation.

Wow. So, if Blast is stronger than the world's most powerful Esper, then that must mean the first-ranked hero of S-Class, the hero who sat at the very top, was a god or something. If not a god, then something god adjacent. How else could they be the top hero?

...Uh...hmm...well...er...how do I say this? The founder of the Association, a man by the name of Agoni, had appointed the top hero to that spot. Logically, the assumption any person would have is that this individual displayed an incredible feat or showcase of their abilities. So, what was it, then? What did the top hero do?

...

...

...

They...saved Agoni's grandson from an anthropomorphic crab in tighty whities...

...

...

...

Is that it? IS THAT IT?! NO! THAT'S STUPID! THAT'S BEYOND STUPID! THAT'S SO IMPOSSIBLY DUMB I CAN FEEL MY IQ BEING LOWERED! THERE'S NO WAY! THERE'S JUST NO WAY! THAT CAN'T BE IT!

That was the Tornado of Terror's reaction to learning this. Believe it or not, she didn't find out about this information right away. When she became a hero, she wasn't clued in on the rankings and where she placed at that time. The reason for that absence of knowledge is because it was apparent to ANYONE with a passing awareness of her that the Esper had a head that was hotter than the sun.

To be more blunt about the topic, the Tornado of Terror made her thoughts, feelings, and general opinions on practically everything public. She accomplished that by vocalizing all of it to anything with functioning ears that were in her vicinity. So, it was unanimously agreed by all relevant parties that the ranking system and the top-ranked hero's identity should be kept from her for as long as possible. Sadly, the delivery of those details could only be delayed for so long. When she finally received them, in addition to her emotional reaction, the Esper felt compelled to address this personally.

KNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCK

"ALRIGHT! I'M COMING! CALM DOWN!" A man's voice yelled from within an apartment.

The sounds of shuffling were heard, followed by footsteps. It took only a few seconds for a man with messy black hair and brown eyes to open the door.

"Who is-"

"OH MY GOD!" A voice nearly sent the man flying backward into his home. That's how powerful it was. "SERIOUSLY?! IT'S YOU?! YOU'RE THE TOP HERO?!" It questioned.

The man blinked a few times as he ensured he hadn't gone deaf. When that was finished, he looked before him and saw a little girl with green hair.

"..." The man squatted so he could be at the girl's eye level. "Are you lost, sweetie? It's dangerous around here, so you shouldn't-"

CRASH

The man was sent flying across his apartment, through his glass balcony doors, and out into the open on the other side of the building. Yet, before a descent toward the ground could start, he was enveloped by a bright green energy that held him in the air.

"Let's establish some rules, idiot." The same voice from before spoke to the man from inside his head. As it did, the "little girl" levitated through the apartment toward him. "I am the Tornado of Terror. If you haven't heard of me, I'm the newly appointed third-ranked hero of S-Class. I SHOULD be the second-ranked hero, and Blast should be the first, but you have the privilege of nepotism on your side. However, that can only take you so far. It might not be soon, but eventually, you'll perform SO badly that Agoni's favoritism won't be able to help you. You'll likely end up dead or badly injured. When that happens, you'll be tossed away like the fraud you are, and those of us who are ACTUALLY strong will be placed where we should be." It told him. The "little girl" was now above the man, looking down at him with pure disdain. "What do you have to say to that, huh?" It asked.

...

...

...

"You shouldn't wear that dress," The man answered as he looked up. "I can see your underwear clear as-"

BOOM

The man was thrown straight into the street. The Tornado of Terror couldn't care less if he was okay or not. She flew away and went home to take a relaxing bath. She had enough nonsense for today.

Following that interesting interaction, there was a period in which nothing else transpired between these two. The Tornado of Terror was fine putting that worthless trash out of her mind. Unfortunately, the rest of the world wouldn't let her forget about him.

Every day, there was a report on the news. In every paper or informational magazine, there were articles. That lousy good-for-nothing was persistent. He was out there ALL the time training AND performing hero work. Of course, since that man was pathetically average, he always walked away battered and bleeding to some extent.

Inevitably, the Tornado of Terror had enough. She decided to become more involved in understanding how this jerk was performing so well. Funnily, she didn't have to do too much digging. The Esper quickly learned that where the man lived, an abandoned area of City Z referred to as "Ghost Town", was a hotspot for activity. Ah-ha! So THAT'S how this guy was doing it! He was cheating!

The Tornado of Terror conveniently didn't acknowledge that all of the reports and news about the man's performance as a hero came from different areas. One day, he'd be in City B, helping the local heroes with rescue efforts following a natural disaster. The next day, the man would be in City M, fist-fighting a monster since the local heroes were too occupied with other encounters. All that mattered to the Esper was that this guy was an S-Class hero when he BARELY qualified for C-Class.

Anyway, the Tornado of Terror concocted a plan. She was going to deal with the infamous Ghost Town herself. After all, as an Esper, she could detect any presence within her vicinity and effortlessly handle whatever she found. The logic being used here is that if the Tornado of Terror depleted this fake hero's pool of mysterious beings to defeat, then everybody would realize how unremarkable he was.

For the most part, it was just small fries. The Tornado of Terror crushed, squashed, compacted, exploded, and tore apart all of the monsters she discovered before anybody even noticed them. Of course, that was all part of her plan. She didn't need credit, especially when the monsters were so laughably weak. No wonder that fraud was able to convince the public he was a big shot!

Important Disclaimer: The Tornado of Terror's ability to assess threats and the power of others is horrible. Truly, it's one of the worst in the Association. The monsters she's been defeating could easily take on heroes ranging from the high-end of B-Class and the majority of A-Class. Do not trust the opinion of someone whose ego is multiple times larger than their bust size.

"Hmm..." Tatsumaki hummed, relaxedly floating in the air. "I wonder what that guy's been up to lately. I haven't seen him around since I started doing this. Maybe he waits for the news to tell him about stuff or for people to start screaming..." She said, pondering out loud. "Pfft, that does fit him. That bum's probably got an inflated sense of self because of his good luck. I'd bet money that he thinks he doesn't need to do anything and can sit around on his ass all day." She carried on. The irony of her commenting on another person's perception of themselves missed her entirely. "Huh, now that I say that, I could check to see if that loser is just lazing-"

BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

A very loud and very bassy sound filled the air. It spread far and wide across the entirety of City Z. Additionally, it shattered any glass it reached. There was no way to misinterpret what this phenomenon was.

"Well, that's an interesting first catch of the day," Tatsumaki remarked, getting ready to locate the monster. "Does it attack with sound? Or was it weaponizing the air?" She asked herself.

Instantly, the Tornado of Terror pinpointed the source of that odd noise. A few seconds later, she was hovering above the location. As expected, people were running and screaming in every direction. At the center of it all, there was...

...

...

...

"What am I looking at?" Tatsumaki questioned. It was rare for her to be stumped by a monster's appearance. But this one was...unique.

As best as she could discern, the creature that was within the Tornado of Terror's view was a sentient mass of instruments. The easiest way to imagine this thing was to picture the entire inventory of a music shop being combined into an amalgamation of music-playing items. Another way to envision it is the most extreme interpretation of the phrase: "One-Man Band". Come to think of it, that very well could be what this monster called itself.

"Too bad I don't care enough to find out," Tatsumaki commented, having briefly considered the potential name of this being. "I wonder if it'll sound like tinfoil being crumpled or if it'll be the world's worst bagpipe," She carried on while raising her hand. She was referring to the noise that the monster's body would produce when she turned it into a paperweight.

Hubris. More often than not, it's the only thing that's needed to change the outcome of a scenario. Right as the Tornado of Terror prepared to kill another menace to society, she and everyone else in the area were subjected to this:

THWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

An assault on the ears. That's what this was. An incomprehensible amount of high-pitched sounds resulted in many unpleasant reactions to anything that heard them. The emergence and delivery of this noise was far too fast for any person, including an Esper, to react to without preparation.

Instinctively, the Tornado of Terror tried to cover her ears. Why didn't she put barriers around them, you may wonder. Much like the reaction to feeling something so hot that it can burn you or something so sharp that it can hurt you, her body simply did as it was programmed to. If you hear something loud, to the point that it is painful, you try to block it out with whatever is immediately available, which is always your hands.

Sadly, that didn't work. Even worse, the damage was already being dealt. Deafness of any severity wasn't the objective. Disorientation, sickness, pain, confusion, possible incapacitation, and symptoms of a headache or migraine were the goals. The quantity and intensity of these sounds achieved all of that and then some.

The Tornado of Terror began to plummet out of the sky. She couldn't help it. The noise was overwhelming; it dominated her mind in every regard. Horrible pain also manifested as her eardrums were assaulted. She needed to compose herself before-

BWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

That bassy sound from before, only this time it was controlled. More specifically, it was aimed in a direction rather than being a radius. The Tornado of Terror felt her body be impacted by the vibrations that came from the soundwaves. Immediately after...

BAM

The Tornado of Terror was forced against a nearby building. The impact hurt, but the continued assault of soundwaves was excruciating. She could feel her bones rattling. Blood was leaking from her ears. If this kept up for much longer, then-

"HEY!"

The Tornado of Terror couldn't hear that voice—in fact, she couldn't hear anything. She knew something changed when she was granted peace, but remaining conscious was a losing battle.

Having been embedded in the building, the Tornado of Terror still had an advantageous view of the city below. Sure, it was blurry as all hell now, but it was something. She could make out the distorted form of the monster and someone else who was approaching it.

"Ah, an appreciator of my work, perhaps?" The monster guessed in a very posh manner as it turned toward the origin of that exclamation. Standing at the other end of the street was...

...

...

...

"Are...you another monster?..." The creature inquired, trying to understand what they were looking at.

Down the road, there was a semi-humanoid mass of pillows. No, that's not a mistake. In the rough approximation of a human being's shape, there was a pile of pillows...uh...looking (?) at the mess of instruments.

"NO! I'M A HERO!" The voice shouted. There was the tiniest possible gap between the pillows where a mouth MIGHT be located beneath them all. "I'D APOLOGIZE FOR MY YELLING SINCE I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU'RE THE ONE MAKING AN EVEN WORSE RACKET, SO I'M NOT GOING TO." The voice stated.

"...Right..." The monster replied before striking a proud pose. "I am Maestro! For too long have I and my beautiful instruments not been acknowledged for our wonderous talent. As such, we have fused together to form the ultimate-"

"I DON'T CARE!" The voice interrupted the creature. A second later, a pillow arm was raised and aimed at it. "DUDE, I LIVE ON THE EDGE OF THE FREAKING CITY, AND YET I COULD HEAR YOU ALL THE WAY FROM THERE! DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THAT IS?!" The voice asked.

"Oh? Really? I reached that far?" Maestro questioned, impressed by its capability.

"DON'T TAKE THAT AS A COMPLIMENT!" The voice scolded. "STOP DISTURBING THE WHOLE DAMN CITY, WILL YA? IF YOU WANT TO BE LOUD, GO OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS OR SOMETHING. THERE'S PLENTY OF EMPTY, OPEN SPACES IN EVERY DIRECTION." The voice ordered, followed by some helpful advice.

"Not a chance!" Maestro exclaimed, offended by the notion. "I will make the world pay for ignoring me, starting with this city!" It proclaimed.

"FINE. BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, THEN. I'LL JUST HAVE TO SHUT YOU UP MYSELF." The voice decided.

"Ha! Good luck, pillow man." Maestro scoffed, ready to teach this ignoramus a lesson.

Like before, a powerful and bassy sound was "fired" in the direction of the so-called pillow man. However, while the sheer force of the noise did make it hard to advance, the pillow man was still able to take steps forward.

"W-What?!" Maestro reacted, shocked to its core. "Nothing can withstand my bass blast! Cease your defiance and succumb to my excellence!" It demanded.

The volume and intensity were amplified, but there was no difference. Step by step, the pillow man got closer to Maestro. In a panic, it added more instruments to the assault.

"This...This is impossible!" Maestro exclaimed, refusing to believe this sight before itself. "I...I can sunder the Earth with my beautiful brass instruments. I can bring any creature to their knees with the pitch of my wind section. I command an orchestra that would rival gods. There's no way that my legendary self would be bested by a plebian wearing-"

"SHUT UP!" The voice from before yelled at Maestro. As it did, the pillow man leaped forward with one of its arms pulled backward. Yet, before a punch was thrown, the pillows attached to the limb were released. That allowed for the fist beneath them to deliver a satisfying:

CRUNCH

One of Maestro's many tubas was dented. The shock of having taken damage, combined with the stress of the situation at large, caused the musical monster to panic.

"MY TUBA! MY BEAUTIFUL BRASS TUBA!" Maestro cried out. The utter despair in its voice was the same as a parent whose child had been wounded. "YOU HEATHEN! HOW DARE YOU-"

BANG BAM BOP KLANG DING SMASH CRACK SNAP

Having created a window of opportunity, the pillow man quickly shed the rest of its pillows. Fists and feet came together to beat the ever-loving shit out of Maestro. This smackdown lasted a good ten minutes, and by the end, the monster resembled a soda can that had been run over by multiple vehicles. Was it alive? Was it dead? Eh, who cares? The important result of this scene was that silence had returned.

"Ah, finally..." A black-haired man in a blue jumpsuit breathed out while throwing back his head. "Geez, what a crappy way to kick off today..." He sighed before checking his pockets. "...CRAP! I left my phone back home! I need to get back there and call the Association!" He exclaimed, running away afterward.

Unbeknownst to the man, a spectator watched from an uncomfortable vantage point. While her hearing was still kaput, she observed the interaction between him and the monster. But thinking about all of it could wait until later, seeing as how the spectator fell from the building and hit the ground with a meaty THUD. The Association staff who'd arrive before long would be flabbergasted when they found her.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Knock...Knock...Knock...Knock...

"Coming!" A voice called out from within a familiar apartment. The sounds of movement were heard a second later.

It had been a few days since the Maestro incident in City Z. As usual, the resident S-Class hero took care of the issue without much trouble. However, Association employees who were tasked with the clean-up found an oddity at the scene. Another S-Class hero was discovered, having been incapacitated by the monster.

The Tornado of Terror passionately insisted that she be kept out of the news and any official reports or documents. Ignoring how intimidating she was, even when injured, the Association gladly respected her want for privacy and exclusion. Not even the S-Class hero responsible for saving the day was told about her presence. So, you can imagine the surprise that the hero had when they opened their door and recognized the Tornado of Terror from when she had thrown them out of their apartment and into the street below.

"Before you do anything!" Tatsumaki swiftly exclaimed after the door was opened. She did that to prevent a reaction. "I'm not going to repeat what happened the first time I came here. I want to talk to you. I don't care how we do it; I just want to have a conversation—an ACTUAL conversation." She stated.

Understandably, the man was skeptical. He looked down at the green-haired Esper, trying to determine how best to proceed.

"...I...brought snacks..." Tatsumaki quietly revealed, holding up a bag of cookies. That was her idea of a peace offering since everybody liked sweets. Well, in her mind, anyway.

As if a switch had been flipped, the man's attitude changed. He looked at his guest with an excited smile that replaced his uncertainty.

"Alright, then. Come on in. I'll make us some tea to go with those." The man told her as he went back inside.

Tatsumaki followed and closed the door once she was across the threshold. Although she already knew what to expect from her last visit, she was still amazed by this guy's living conditions.

"Does the Association not pay you?" Tatsumaki asked, walking over to a small table in the center of the main space. Looking around, the only other room there could be was the bathroom. The kitchen was separated by a wall with a large gap in it.

"Heh, nah, they do. I'm just a simple guy," The man answered, knowing why that question came to mind.

"There's a line between simplicity and poverty." Tatsumaki remarked as she sat down, earning another chuckle.

"Maybe, but it's what I'm used to and what makes me comfortable," The man replied. "Plus, I don't need that much room to live in. The idea of having some big mansion or an apartment with the same amount of space is overwhelming. It'd be a pain to clean, and I wouldn't have enough stuff to keep it from feeling empty." He said.

"Hmm, fair points," Tatsumaki acknowledged. "Admittedly, I haven't thought about cleaning in forever. It takes no time at all for me." She shared.

"Because of your cool powers right?" The man assumed, pouring the tea into cups.

"Yup. I can clean my place from top to bottom without lifting a finger. I can also get it all done in less than fifteen minutes." Tatsumaki proudly responded.

"I bet. The way you tossed me around perfectly conveyed how capable your power is." The man mentioned, coming over with the drinks.

Very rarely did the Tornado of Terror feel any amount of regret or guilt. She was steadfast in her belief that she never made mistakes and always had the soundest judgment. But there were moments when reality slapped her as a reminder that no one is flawless. Since this man had saved her from the monster Maestro, a fact that she DETESTED, the Esper couldn't help but feel bad about her initial treatment of him.

"..." Tatsumaki released a sigh as the man sat down with the glasses of tea. Additionally, she closed her eyes and folded her arms. "Before we continue talking or start eating the cookies, there is something that I need-"

"Nope," The man interrupted her, causing her eyes to shoot open. "I know where this is going. I get it." He assured her.

"..." Tatsumaki stared at him in shock. Did he just predict her thoughts? "Tell me what you think I was thinking," She requested.

"You were about to say sorry for making a me-shaped indent in the street behind my apartment building," The man obliged. Damn, he really knew what was on her mind! "I won't pretend like the experience didn't suck or that you weren't pretty crazy for doing it, but I'd be lying if I acted like it was the first time I've been subjected to that kind of treatment." He revealed.

"..." Tatsumaki looked at her lap. She debated on whether or not it was wise to press that topic. "Would...you be bothered if I asked to learn more?..." She inquired.

Without saying a word, the man casually stood and walked away. Tatsumaki watched him exit his apartment, go next door to an empty unit, and then return after a few seconds. In his arms, he was carrying a plastic container filled with something.

"Knock yourself out," The man encouraged, placing it beside her. Afterward, he retook his seat.

Although confused, the Tornado of Terror silently removed the container's lid and examined its contents. Inside was an ocean of folded papers, all of them letters. Upon reading one, she immediately understood what this was.

"Quit playing pretend, poser," Tatsumaki read aloud. "You're setting a bad example! Not everyone can be a hero!" She continued, reading another. "Why do you even bother? Just let the real heroes handle it!" She carried on, reading a third one.

This reading session lasted for a short bit, but the man didn't mind. As the Tornado of Terror vocalized the transcriptions, she used her ESP to eat and drink. He did the same, just with his hands. When five minutes passed, she stopped and returned her focus to her host.

"Why do you keep this junk?" Tatsumaki asked, putting down the last letter she read. "Are you some kind of masochist who enjoys it?" She added. Believe it or not, that wasn't a joke, which the man knew.

"No, it's nothing like that," The man answered, taking a sip of his tea. "Everyone, civilians and heroes alike, say those things about me. I've even had some bold ones get in my face in public or throw trash at me. You aren't the first person who thinks I'm an idiot masquerading as a hero because he's delusional or something," He explained, smiling afterward. "But see, none of that matters. When I defeat a monster, the people who are in danger thank me. When I help other heroes rescue people trapped in burning buildings or some other type of disaster, they tell me how much they appreciate the assistance. At the end of every day, all that matters is that no one dies and everything gets resolved. So long as that's the outcome, then who cares about anything else that happens?" He concluded, finishing with a question.

"Huh, you're one of those noble types, then..." Tatsumaki realized, resting her head on her hand. "But seriously, no insults or sarcasm, don't you think that's reckless? What's the point of getting involved when you objectively can't do a thing to alter the situation? At a minimum, you'll become one of the casualties. At worse, you'll somehow make the scenario more difficult. Wouldn't it be smarter to stay in your league?" She challenged.

"I mean, sure. I could stick to my limitations and never attempt to surpass them. If I did that, I likely wouldn't get injured or even tired from my work as a hero." The man acknowledged. "Yet, looking beyond the satisfaction I get from helping others as a hero, I also do this because it makes me happy. Being a hero is what I want to do. But if I just stayed in my league, as you put it, then it'd be painfully boring. Fighting bad guys, saving the day, the uncertainty of what the outcome will be, and giving it your all to achieve victory. Those are the things that make me love being a hero and what compels me to push my limits. No matter what happens, I'm always gaining some amount of progress. A little bit faster, slightly stronger, better at fighting, you get the gist. Those improvements make me a greater hero, which in turn allows me to take on more demanding challenges. The way I see it, the life of a hero is the only one to live. Anything else is just too basic." He told her.

A span of silence came between these two. The Tornado of Terror and her host sipped their tea and munched their cookies. Eventually, with the rhythmic tapping of her fingers, she spoke again.

"I get it. Not all of it, but enough," Tatsumaki said. "I'm not sure I feel the same way you do about what a hero is and whatnot, but I can agree that it's the best way to find fun in life. When you're as powerful as I am, it's tough to be engaged by most things. It's just too easy." She shared.

"Oof. Yeah, that must suck," The man replied. "Well, since my goal is to become a hero who's strong enough to defeat any opponent in one punch, maybe I'll become your equal, and we can spar." He suggested, making her giggle.

"Pfft, are you serious? A hero who can defeat anyone in one punch? That's absurd." Tatsumaki questioned.

"Says the lady who can control things with shiny green light," The man remarked.

"Hey! It's ESP! That's VERY scientific, you know! It's not something ridiculous!" Tatsumaki exclaimed, getting defensive.

"Mhm. Whatever you say, magic woman," The man joked with a smirk, hoping to get more of a reaction out of her.

And he did. For the next several hours, this duo relaxed in the man's apartment. Beyond the cookies and tea, they also shared lunch and watched some television. The Tornado of Terror brought up Maestro and how the man had unknowingly helped her, which led him to promise that he wouldn't say a word about it to anyone, per her request. In the end, before the two parted ways, a newfound respect for each other had formed. Oh, and as a nice cap to everything, they exchanged names. That's when Tatsumaki, which she permitted the man to call her, learned that he was-

Present

"LOOK AT THIS TRAVESTY!" A man's voice filled the air, disrupting Fubuki's concentration and bringing her back to reality.

Blinking a few times as the mental link was severed, the Esper tried her best to assess what was going on. But before any thoughts could take shape, more yelling was heard.

"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! WEREN'T ALL OF YOU HERE?! THE ONLY SAVING GRACE IS THAT ONE PUNCH MAN'S HOME IS STILL STANDING, BUT THAT'S IT! I SAW EVERYTHING FROM THE HELICOPTER; IT'S LIKE THE SET OF A POST-APOCALYPTIC FILM! WERE ALL OF YOU SLEEPING?! WHY DIDN'T YOU PROTECT THE CITY?!" The voice roared.

"Ugh..." Isamu groaned as he turned his seat around and looked at Fubuki. "It would seem that Sweet Mask is here, which isn't good." He said.

Sweet Mask. Fubuki knew who he was, but she didn't have any personal experience with him. However, everything she's learned from her sister and some of the other S-Class heroes didn't paint the prettiest picture.

Meanwhile, Outside...

"S-Sweet Mask, calm down..." King tried his best to prevent the situation from becoming volatile, but there was only so much he could do.

As the S-Class heroes assumed, the helicopter coming in from the distance carried the top-ranked A-Class hero. Sweet Mask had always been obsessed with justice and its personification. When Saitama transcended human limitations and became One Punch Man, it was as if Sweet Mask had discovered the "God of Justice". For any person to possess such immeasurable power yet not become evil as a result of it was the true definition of heroism. At least, that's one of the many things Sweet Mask believed.

So, imagine how WONDERFUL it was for Sweet Mask when he learned that One Punch Man's city had been WIPED OFF the face of the planet. What's even MORE AMAZING is that this happened on the SAME day that One Punch Man left the mainland to enjoy a two-week vacation. Today was the first time that City Z's native hero wasn't around to protect it, and now, just past noon, THE ENTIRE LOCATION WAS ERASED FROM THE MAP. But hey, it's not as if there was a group of SUPPOSEDLY elite heroes who had been in the city when this catastrophe unfolded, and yet they failed to stop it. THERE'S JUST NO WAY THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN!

"CALM DOWN?! CALM DOWN?!" Sweet Mask repeated while gesturing to the scenery with his arms. "WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW?! IS IT CITY Z?! I CAN'T TELL BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING!" He shouted.

"That's not true," Zombieman interjected, casually smoking a cigarette. "We've got a few buildings here, plus there's the ground beneath our feet and the clouds in the sky." He remarked. The first half of that statement was sincere, whereas the second half was nothing but pure spiteful sarcasm.

"Do you...think...that's funny?..." Sweet Mask asked, turning toward the undead hero. The drastic drop in volume was a massive red flag.

"Comedy's subjective, like a lot of things," Zombieman answered, walking closer to the blue-haired man. "For example, I think the idea of someone who believes they're god's gift to humanity is a riot." He said, blowing a puff directly into his face.

SPLASH

Sweet Mask was not above the idea of corporal punishment. However, he always made sure to restrain himself since he could easily kill someone. So, it was very fortunate that the hero who needed reprimanding was an immortal man. There wasn't a need to pull back on a punch, or in this case, a backhanded slap.

Then again, there is room to debate whether or not Sweet Mask's slaps should be described as such. The sheer power and deliverance of force behind a fully open hand was terrifying. You'd expect to see something like that from Silver Fang's martial arts mastery or Superalloy Darkshine's raw physical potential. For Sweet Mask, whose physique was above average and who worked as an all-round celebrity, that level of destruction was practically supernatural.

"ZOMBIEMAN!" King cried out in horror. The upper half of Zombieman, just above the torso's midsection, was sprayed across the ground, painting it red.

Time seemed to stop momentarily. The sole exception to this perceived lack of motion was Zombieman's lower half as it fell. The regeneration process was already underway, but such significant damage would take a fair amount of minutes. During this period, no one said or did anything.

Suddenly, a sound disrupted the stillness. Someone was running toward King, Sweet Mask, and Metal Knight, who hadn't spoken through his drone thus far. None of them turned to face whoever was approaching as they fixated on the fallen undead hero.

"Hey!" It was Baddo. That made sense. He was among those in S-Class who had the biggest bone to pick with the superstar. "Sweet Mask! Are you hassling King about what happened?" He assumed, getting closer. "Listen here, pretty boy! If you're looking to start something with somebody, then I'm-"

That's when it came into view. The wide-reaching wave of red and viscera. Bits and pieces of someone's clothes were scattered in multiple directions. And there, at Sweet Mask's feet, was half a corpse. Knowing that Sweet Mask wouldn't just randomly kill a person, there could only be one conclusion.

KLANG

Sweet Mask prevented his brains from being forced through his nostrils at a violent speed. He did that by catching Metal Bat's weapon as it was swung at him from a downward angle. A set of stern golden eyes were met by those that were overflowing with murderous intent. To any normal person, they'd describe this scene as a clash of titans.

"What do you think you're doing, Metal Bat?" Sweet Mask inquired, maintaining a low volume.

"Knocking some sense into someone who's got none." Baddo responded, biceps flexing as he applied more pressure to his weapon.

"Hm, interesting. From my perspective, it appeared as though you were trying to do more than give me a lump. One might even say that you just attempted to kill me." Sweet Mask commented.

"Oh, perish the thought. What would we do without our beloved Sweet Mask?" Baddo questioned, now pushing into his weapon with his body alongside his arms.

BANG

A gunshot. All eyes aimed themselves at Metal Knight's drone. Although this model was meant for scouting and civilian interaction, it had low-caliber weaponry installed in the arms should something be encountered. The drone had fired a bullet into the ground from its right hand.

"Gentlemen," Metal Knight spoke with his usual tone of voice. A violent exchange between these two didn't surprise him in the slightest. "I would like to inform you that with this drone alone, I am able to detect and track the movements of any living creature within a radius of several miles. Currently, multiple large groups of people guided by our colleagues are drawing near. Throughout today, many more will be arriving as well. We'll also be busy tending to their needs, treating any injured, and generally getting the relief effort in motion. So, it is my opinion we should save a bloodbath for later." He stated.

Neither of the men wanted to back down. However, Metal Knight's logical thinking couldn't be ignored. Slowly, Sweet Mask and Metal Bat lowered their arms. Afterward, the A-Class hero walked away.

"I'll go greet the groups as they come in," Sweet Mask decided. "Metal Knight, can you keep me informed of their positions?" He requested.

"That I can. If you have a device provided by the Association, I can give you an active tracker to make it easier." Metal Knight informed him.

"Excellent. Do that," Sweet Mask instructed while removing a device from his jacket's inner pocket.

"God, I hate that prick..." Baddo growled, gripping his weapon's handle as he rested it on his shoulder. Yet, he chose to let his anger dissipate as he turned his attention elsewhere. "What do we do about Zombieman? I know he's regrowing, but I think all this blood and stuff will scare people." He mentioned.

"I'll request Child Emperor's assistance. The three of us can distract the groups as they get closer while he cleans it up." Metal Knight proposed.

"You're not trying to get someone else to do something you can, are ya?" Baddo joked.

"That's not a bad idea, but unfortunately, this drone doesn't have a high-pressure water hose equipped. Child Emperor's stock of machines at this location is far more varied than what I have here right now." Metal Knight explained.

"Hm, fair enough," Baddo replied before walking away. "I'll go rejoin my sis and the group we were with. I promise I'll avoid that douchebag and not cause a scene," He told them with a goodbye wave.

As Baddo departed, Metal Knight looked at King. He noticed how he was staring at the ground with a troubled expression.

"Are you alright, King?" Metal Knight asked.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm fine..." King answered unconvincingly.

"Are you sure?" Metal Knight persisted.

"..." King's hands balled into tightened fists. "I'm...sorry you had to do that, Metal Knight..." He apologized.

"Do what?" Metal Knight inquired.

"I should've intervened. Instead, you did it." King explained.

In reaction, laughter came from the drone, surprising King.

"Please, that was nothing. Cooling down a couple of hotheads isn't worth acknowledgement." Metal Knight said. "Besides, you had the toughest job of all today. You were tasked with directing and organizing S-Class in the midst of a crisis. It's to be expected that you're mentally strained from such an ordeal." He reasoned.

"Heh, not really. It's not as if I did that good of a job..." King chuckled, referring to the ruins of City Z.

"Bah, don't let Sweet Mask's words affect your perception of the outcome." Metal Knight said, coming closer so his drone could pat him on the shoulder. "Any of us, including myself, would tell you that this is the best resolution. As far as we're aware, no one has died, and everything that's been lost can be replaced. Even One Punch Man would tell us that's the best thing we could hope for." He asserted.

"..." King's face slowly brightened. It didn't become a smile or something that drastically different, but it was in a better condition. "You're right. Saitama would call this a win without hesitation." He agreed.

"And there you have it. If our leader would have no grievances with the result, then why should you or anyone else? Sweet Mask has always had that harsh personality, he just hides it well." Metal Knight carried on. "Truthfully, he reminds me of how I used to be." He confessed, much to King's shock.

"What? You were like that?" King questioned, looking at the drone in disbelief. "For as long as I've known you, you've been one of the politest people I've ever met. I don't have a single bad thing to say about you." He said, causing him to laugh again.

"First of all, thank you for the kind words," Metal Knight responded, removing the drone's hand from King's shoulder. "Secondly, I can guarantee that I used to be unpleasant. It wasn't the same type of rigidness that Sweet Mask is, but that doesn't make it any better." He promised. "If you'd like, I could tell you about it as we head toward the groups." He offered.

"Really? Do we have the time?" King asked as they started walking.

"We do. It's not a very long story." Metal Knight answered. "Unlike most of you, I only came into contact with our leader after he became One Punch Man. Before that transformation, I barely paid him any mind, even though he was the top-ranked hero of the Association." He started.

Little Over A Year Ago...

Doctor Bofoi Hakase. The man who owned that name was mysterious and widely unknown to the larger world. To the few who knew about him and his personality, he'd be described as pragmatism incarnate. Anything Bofoi ever did was in service to his enigmatic motivations and goals.

When the Hero Association came into existence, Bofoi was one of the first people to reach out to the organization. He was hired as a contractor for facilities and a manufacturer of weaponry. In exchange, he'd be allowed to collect and use any data obtained by the Association. However, this led to the proposal of Bofoi deploying his machines as a stand-in for himself to conduct hero work. The man had already considered the idea as it would provide endless opportunities to test and develop his inventions, so it was accepted then and there.

Metal Knight, as Bofoi would be known to the public, quickly became recognized as one of the most formidable forces for justice in the world. To save us all some time, this is essentially how Metal Knight solidified his worth as a hero and an invaluable ally:

1. If a monster could be killed with a few bullets, Metal Knight would shred it to pieces with a high-caliber, fully automatic weapon.

2. If a monster required heavy ordinance to die, Metal Knight would launch several missiles or rockets.

3. If a monster required multiple heroes of notable power and skill to dispatch, Metal Knight would carpet bomb the area. Afterward, he'd handle the repairs alone.

Do you understand? Metal Knight proved that there was no such thing as excessive force. All that mattered was an absolute victory. So long as there wasn't a risk to civilian lives, the Association had no issues with Metal Knight deploying one-man armies in the form of his robots.

Regarding the man behind the machine, his obsession with weapons research and development, as well as technology in general, made him a double-edged sword. None of the Association's higher-ups were ignorant of how dangerous Bofoi would be should he become a traitor. Then there was the concern about his level of access since every facility and piece of equipment the Association had was made and monitored by him. What kept the executives' minds at ease for the first year and a half was the other S-Class heroes.

Naturally, Bofoi looked into the currently registered S-Class heroes and any who might soon join the ranking. Blast was a non-factor since he treated his hero work and any allegiance to the Association as a hobby rather than a dedication. The Tornado of Terror was noteworthy, but she was also an Esper. All Bofoi needed to do was disorient her or give her a head injury, and then she'd be helpless.

Silver Fang, Atomic Samurai, Watchdog Man, Flashy Flash, Superalloy Darkshine, Tanktop Master, Metal Bat, and Puri Puri Prisoner. These individuals were nothing more than physical powerhouses and fighting styles. Flashy Flash's ninja techniques deserved a bit more recognition, but that's it.

Zombieman and Pig God were outliers like the Tornado of Terror. However, at this time, there wasn't much worth noting about either of them. Zombieman seemed capable of recovering from any wounded state, no matter the extent of it, but he wasn't particularly dangerous. Pig God's digestive system went beyond any normal human standard, but if eating was all he had, then he was barely considerable as a potential threat.

Child Emperor and Drive Knight might appear to be the greatest opposition to Bofoi, but it was the similarities between the three that made those two ignorable. Bofoi could easily prepare for what either one of his colleagues would do in the future. Their reliance on technology was also an advantage in his favor. So long as Bofoi stayed ahead of the game, then there was nothing they could do about it.

...

...

...

Hm? What is it? Do you think someone is missing from that list? No, that was all of the heroes in S-Class that were WORTH mentioning. Yet, if what you're wanting is an assessment of EVERY member, then I suppose we can indulge.

S-Class Rank 1: Saitama. He was the first hero. Having saved Agoni's grandson from a crab monster netted him that position. Did Saitama deserve it? Absolutely not. Agoni's eternal gratitude was the only reason such an unremarkable person possessed such prestige.

However, as time passed, it was getting harder to view Saitama as a nobody. If nothing else, his resolve to be a hero, whether primarily for fun or for duty, was admirable. The man never hesitated against any opponent or odds. Be it courage or deliberate recklessness, Saitama would probably charge head-first into a storm if he could do something to stop it.

Then, it happened. You KNOW what I'm referring to. There was a monster; Saitama was in the area. He punched it, and it flew through the building. That became the norm for a short while, until eventually...

BOOM

Saitama's punches could no longer be classified as such. Yes, what he did was punch things, but the result of that action was...existential. No matter the opponent, no matter the problem, all it took now was one punch. At last, Saitama was given a proper hero name.

One Punch Man. No one believed it. This was a PR stunt, right? Agoni hired the best special effect artists around, created fake monsters, paid an obscene amount of money for large sets, and then had Saitama act as though he had suddenly become a god. Although that was an absurd explanation, it made more sense than the alternative!

Everyone knew about Saitama's "intense training" regiment. Saitama did the most basic-level strength training with nonsensical additions, like turning off the AC in the summer and not using a heater in the winter. The notion that something so simple could transform him into an unstoppable force of nature is the worst joke ever conceived by a human being!

...So...why was that the truth, then? Bofoi did everything he could to expose Saitama as nothing more than a paid actor, but all of his spying and research led to the same conclusion. There weren't any special effects artists. There are no fake monsters. There wasn't a series of elaborate sets. Saitama obtained his power and much more through exercising like a normal person. That's it. That's literally all there is.

...

...

...

"NO!" Bofoi shouted, slamming his fist onto his desk.

It was the middle of the night. Like so many since Saitama's evolution, this one had been sleepless. Bofoi had spent his entire life working to create the most powerful weapons and machines humanity had ever witnessed. He dedicated everything he had to the pursuit of absolute power! So why was it some nobody who received it for free?!

"Genetic modifications? Specialized treatments?" Bofoi muttered, trying to make sense of it all. "No, it can't be that. Unless Saitama's been using his paychecks to construct a secret lab inside his apartment building, then I would've known about any use of Association resources for such things." He said, eliminating that possibility.

Maybe it was Saitama's constant exposure to monsters? Those foul creatures were always mutating, so perhaps their unstable DNA slowly affected his. But, if that were true, then Saitama would show other signs of alteration. The only notable difference in his appearance was that he lost all his hair and became permanently bald!

"It has to be something. There MUST be a secret. It is said that when you eliminate everything else, then what is left must be the truth. But what if that truth defies all logic? If reality has collapsed in on itself, abolishing the rules that defined it, then what are we to do with ourselves? Why engage in any endeavor that isn't the exploration of the ridiculous and insane?" Bofoi rambled on, teetering on the edge of madness.

Bofoi's mentality might seem unhinged to some, but if you can, put yourself in his position. This man's lifework was overcome by another who didn't even put forth a fraction of the same effort. By just jogging and doing push-ups and whatever else was a part of his routine, Saitama achieved Bofoi's goal. He didn't need to design and build upon countless inventions or spend the majority of his life learning all that he could. Saitama, that accursed man, just got it. It was no different than purchasing a lottery ticket and getting lucky!

"..." Bofoi buried his face in his hands. This was true desperation. He needed to find an explanation. Otherwise, the intellectual that he was would be tormented endlessly.

...

...

...

"A test..." Bofoi whispered, slowly lowering his hands. "No, not a test. It's a practical examination. So far, it seems as though Saitama has improved in every area. Strength, durability, stamina, etc. But surely, there IS a limit. Much like Superalloy, he can't be impervious to everything. There's a threshold. Or, maybe more precisely, there's an unseen crack in the armor. All I need to do is expose it. Do so, and I'll be able to begin my understanding of what this man has become." He reasoned. Afterward, he adorned an expression of determination. "After all, the fastest way to know the components of any machine is to break it apart and study each piece." He said with unnerving intent.

The next few days were used to arrange the experiment. At least, that's how Bofoi phrased it so as not to make any of the Association personnel suspicious. The best way to accurately gauge Saitama's new self was by utilizing the variety of weapons at Bofoi's disposal. What helped to make the idea more believable was that Saitama had already confronted several monsters before this point. To be more clear, Saitama, after becoming One Punch Man, had been subjected to many hazards and types of attacks while working as a hero. So, it was common knowledge that bullets, claws, blades, fangs, and so much else no longer affected him.

Of course, Bofoi would push each category to its maximum potential. He'd also try things that Saitama hadn't faced, such as chemicals and other highly specific methods of inflicting harm. Through this process of coordinating the engagement, it never occurred to Bofoi that he MAY just be going a LITTLE too far here. Yet, whether or not that mattered would only be known when all was said and done.

On the day in which it transpired, Saitama and Bofoi met each other in a vast area comprised of many mountains and canyons. Of course, Bofoi wasn't there physically. Standing opposite Saitama was one of his many drones. Today's match was more appropriately dubbed One Punch Man versus Metal Knight.

"I notice you're not wearing your tracksuit," Bofoi commented, looking at Saitama's attire. He was donning a yellow jumpsuit with a zipper near the neck. Additionally, red boots, gloves, and a white cape hung from his shoulders.

"Hm? Oh, yeah," Saitama began, looking at his outfit. "This was given to me by the same person who's always repaired my tracksuits. I wasn't too keen on it at first, but it grew on me. And since I've gotten much stronger, it only seemed right to change my look to something more heroic, you know?" He informed him.

"Does it have any special properties?" Bofoi asked, already trying to learn what he could.

"Not to my knowledge. Agoni and the rest of the Association have been nagging me to let them make a revised version with better materials and other stuff, but I like this one the way it is. Maybe if it's ever completely ruined, I'll consider replacing it." Saitama answered.

"Wonderful. The suit won't interfere with the data." Bofoi thought. "Alright, then. Should we begin?" He suggested.

"I'm good whenever you are," Saitama replied, returning his focus to the drone. "This is a weapon test, right? That's what it sounded like." He inquired.

"Yes. But it's not a single weapon. I intend to throw everything I have at you. Are you ready for that?" Bofoi clarified, followed by his last question.

"Absolutely. The thought of fighting high-tech robots is why I agreed to this. Dealing with monsters is starting to get boring. No matter how powerful they are, they keep dying from one blow." Saitama told him.

"Oh, yes, that must be dreadful..." Bofoi muttered, feeling annoyed by his attitude. "After my drone leaves, the attack will commence." He stated.

Saitama wasn't able to respond. The drone suddenly flew away, propelled by a built-in rocket engine. As Saitama kept his eyes on the drone, he didn't notice the emergence of several other mechanical marvels. They flew into the sky behind him, and then...

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Each machine wielded two chainguns spinning at top speed. Furthermore, each of them was equipped with a different type of ammunition. Armor piercing, incendiary, explosive, you get the idea. The abundance and variety of projectiles were enough to turn a large chunk of a city to dust. But against Saitama, well...

DINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDING

"Huh, that feels oddly nice," Saitama commented as the bullets impacted and bounced off the back of his skull. "It's like a massager. If I were sitting down, I might fall asleep to this." He admitted, closing his eyes to enjoy it more.

...A...massager. That's what this fool equated the barrage to? It was nothing more than a way to relax the scalp?!

"It's fine; I expected no results from this." Bofoi said, speaking only to himself. "I need to take this slow. Too fast of an escalation will make him wary," He continued.

A second later, the guns stopped firing. When they did, more machines revealed themselves. They were concealed with an experimental adaptive camouflage. The robots rushed toward Saitama, each of them equipped with a device that possessed a hose and nozzle.

PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSH

Liquid nitrogen. Corrosive acidic. A type of liquid poison that was meant to affect the skin and muscles. There was even one machine that carried magma in its canister. Bofoi wasn't pulling ANY punches, which was fitting for his target. Alas, while there was a reaction to this assault, it wasn't what he desired.

"Hey! Be careful!" Saitama exclaimed, pulling up his cape and jumping around a little. "I don't want my clothes to get too dirty! It'll be a pain to clean later!" He told him.

...Stains. STAINS. No, obviously, that was the concern. Bofoi was the strange one for not being worried about it.

"We're still within expectation..." Bofoi whispered, tightening his left hand. "Now, let's get more direct." He decided.

CRASH

The next batch of machines came from below. These were meant for ambushes on unsuspecting foes. From the robots, a mass of industrial-strength cables and wires were ejected. The constriction strength was enough to crush refined alloys and hardened monster flesh!

"..." Saitama stood still, looking at everything that covered him. "If you're open to some feedback, I don't think these ones are any good." He commented before holding up his index and middle fingers. "All someone needs is scissors or a blade, and they'd be able to free themselves." He estimated.

Snip Snap Snip Snap Snip Snap Snip Snap Snip Snap

...Finger...scissors. Hoo, boy. Bofoi had to shut his eyes and breathe in deeply after that one. He anticipated an overall lack of seriousness from Saitama, but this was rough for him and his ego.

"Apologies, Saitama," Bofoi spoke from the machines beneath his adversary. "You're right. Such a basic approach was pointless. Let me try a different option," He said.

Saitama's ears detected a series of distant pops. Then, there was a fairly loud whistling noise. Huh, what could that-

BOOM

Artillery. That's what it was. Bofoi's patience was already running out. He wanted some results now, and damn it, he was going to get them! Surely, Saitama's skin was-

" *Cough* *Cough* " Saitama held a fist in front of his mouth as he waved away the cloud of smoke from the explosions. The only difference in his condition was some dirt on the costume.

...Okay. Niceties are over. Bofoi thought he could maintain the charade for a tad longer, but this was insulting. So much work and time was being trivialized by a caped baldy. Enough was enough.

"Metal Knight?" Saitama called once the smoke was gone. "Are you there? Are you going to launch more bombs?" He asked. "Or were those missiles?..." He added, unsure of what had been fired at him.

No reply came. Saitama was curious about the silence, but he didn't want to be annoying, so he didn't say more. Maybe Metal Knight was about to unleash a giant fighting robot. Yeah! That'd be so cool! There were plenty of giant monsters, so having something like that made-

...

...

...

There is no single word that can properly summarize what happened at that moment. It was not one or multiple explosions. It was not one or multiple guns firing. It was not one or multiple kinds of armaments being used in unison. It was everything simultaneously. An all-out attack, if you will.

Every robot and weapon Bofoi had in that area was sent forward. Saitama's location was bombarded with the total combined offensive force that Bofoi had amassed throughout his life. Again, to stress the point, describing this spectacle is nigh impossible. Nothing lasted long enough to be detailed as it was added to and subsequently obliterated by the unyielding destruction unfolding.

This blinding and deafening display lasted not ten, not twenty, but thirty minutes. An entire half-hour of unrestrained violence that would put any of history's greatest conflicts to shame. Had someone from the Association observed this cacophony of carnage, they would feel compelled to say that Metal Knight shouldn't be a hero. Why would ANYONE stockpile this much raw power if not to use it for something nefarious?

When the noises quieted, the barrels became still, the machines powered down, and the environment was unrecognizable. Most of the mountains were either reduced in stature or completely removed. A crater the size of a stadium went a few miles into the Earth. Every functioning optic was aimed at the climax of Bofoi's efforts as they scanned for signs of Saitama.

"If he's dead, then so be it," Bofoi said as the search went on. "Saitama will be recorded as an unforeseen anomaly, but not much else. I'll need to account for such wild inexplicable entities moving for-"

"Hey!"

That voice caused Bofoi's heart to stop beating. He couldn't bring himself to turn his robots' heads in the direction that it had come from. Unfortunately, the voice wouldn't give him peace.

"Metal Knight!" Saitama called out from the top of a mountain that was outside the zone of devastation. "I'm over here! Sorry, but I had to get out of there! It was just too loud! But that was freaking awesome, man! Seriously! Now I understand why the Association has you build everything for them!" He shouted.

The compliment was sincere—heck, everything about Saitama was. There was no flaunting. He didn't try to put Bofoi in his place. After becoming an actual god among men, Saitama remained the same person he had always been. Everyone was relieved by that. They also found it inspiring. Bofoi was the only one who was different. He hated this man.

"Metal Knight?" Saitama called again, noticing none of the machines were reacting to his voice. "Did you use up all of the battery life? Can you even hear me right now? If you can, give me a si-"

BAM

Something struck the side of Saitama's head. Casually, he turned to see what it was. The final Metal Knight. It was Bofoi's trump card that he never revealed under any circumstances. It was meant to remain in a state of indefinite development. The only time it was acceptable to use this machine was if the world was on the verge of ending. Yet, this man forced its creator to abandon that rule.

The True Metal Knight was a gorgeous marvel of mechanical engineering. From the exterior, it seemed unremarkable. It was its inner workings that made it so breathtakingly beautiful. Perhaps Bofoi had been inspired by his peer, Drive Knight. This machine was the apex of instantaneous transformative technology. Right now, its form prioritized a purely physical offense, which made its arms nearly three times the size of the body.

"Why..." Bofoi seethed through the robot's speaker as he drew the fist back.

"Why what?" Saitama inquired, utterly oblivious to the emotions raging inside his associate.

"Why...are you...LIKE THIS?!" Bofoi yelled, followed by:

BAM

Another punch. Impressively, this one was stronger. It created a shockwave that reached far enough to shake the branches of the trees in the vicinity.

"..." Saitama suddenly adorned a serious expression. As much as he hated to admit it, Bofoi felt a sharp sting of fear hit him when that happened. "Are you talking about my head?" He asked.

...

...

...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Bofoi roared. Accompanying that outburst was this:

BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM

Metal Knight's titanic limbs struck Saitama's head with the same power as pneumatic presses. Obviously, they also had an empowered impact due to their increased speed, which was comparable to the rate of fire of the chainguns from earlier.

"Oh, hey, it's like the bullets," Saitama realized, closing his eyes like before. "Actually, this might be better than them," He added. Truly, Saitama did not consider that his comments could easily be interpreted as the most biting taunts anyone could say. There was no intent in him to be spiteful or mean-spirited, which was utterly lost on Bofoi.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" Bofoi carried on, likely not listening anymore. "ALL MY WORK, EVERY DROP OF SWEAT I'VE PRODUCED, THE INNUMERABLE HOURS AND RESOURCES I'VE USED, NONE OF IT MATTERS!" He ranted, pushing Metal Knight even further. "WHAT'S THE POINT?! WHY BOTHER?! IF SOMEONE LIKE YOU CAN ACHIEVE MY LIFE'S GOAL BY ACCIDENT, THEN WHY DO ANY OF US CARE?! YOU ARE THE VERY EMBODIMENT OF FORTUNE FAVORS THE FOOL! YOU ARE A PARADOX! YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE! YOU SHOULDN'T EXIST! YOU CAN'T BE REAL!" He rambled.

"Huh? What's all that about?" Saitama questioned, now looking at the robot with a quizzical expression. "Are you okay, Metal Knight? Do you need to take a-"

Instantly, Metal Knight stopped punching Saitama. Yet, he only did that so he could combine his arms to form an intimidatingly large hammer. Before Saitama could react to this development, the hammer was brought down.

Several things happened as a result of that action. The mountain both men were on crumbled. The shockwave and tremors generated by the impact caused more damage to the environment. Most notably, many large, gaping fissures formed on the Earth.

Metal Knight and Saitama landed on their feet. Amazingly, they barely gained any distance between each other. The latter was perfectly fine, with the only difference being his suit was wrinkled now. The former wasn't fine, as indicated by the mangled arms that had wrecked themselves when they made contact with their target.

"..." Metal Knight lowered what was left of its limbs. Alongside them, the head tilted downward. "...I'm...done..." Bofoi said.

"Oh? Is that the last robot?" Saitama inquired, assuming that's what he meant.

"..." A brief pause. Bofoi debated whether it was worth conversing or if it would be better to disconnect from his machine. "I meant...I'm done with all this..." He clarified.

Surprisingly, that shocked Saitama. Bofoi expected a continued misunderstanding, but it seemed as though it would be avoided.

"Wait...do you mean...you're retiring?" Saitama questioned.

"Yes," Bofoi confirmed. "But not just from my occupation as a hero. I'm walking away from it all. The pursuit of power, the development of weapons, and the progress of technology. It's all pointless." He continued, tilting his drone's head so the optic could see Saitama. "It's because of you. Look at you, standing there. You're so relaxed. Your face couldn't be more casual. You are the greatest thing to ever happen to humanity, and yet you act like it's no big deal." He said.

"I don't know about GREATEST..." Saitama argued, putting his arms behind his head as he looked off to the side. "I think there's a lot of stuff that's cooler than me." He told him.

"HOW?!" Bofoi challenged, unable to keep from yelling. "How do you think like that?! How CAN you think like that?! You're something out of a fairy tale, Saitama! By doing the bare minimum anyone could be expected to, you've reached an apex of humanity that no one would have ever believed possible! But despite that, you're still just...just..." He stammered, struggling to find the words.

"Myself?" Saitama suggested.

"YES!" Bofoi yelled again. "It doesn't make sense! No matter what angle you examine it from, this entire thing is beyond logic and reason! It's like I said earlier, there's no point in being rational anymore! There's no incentive to pursue any venture that makes us push ourselves! When all that's required to become as powerful as you is a daily workout routine, then the rest of us should just buy tracksuits and start exercising! Why bother with anything else?! It's pointless! IT'S ALL POINTLESS!" He explained.

For almost a minute, the men stared at each other. Bofoi was waiting for a reaction, and Saitama was processing everything he heard.

"..." Saitama tilted his head back to look at the sky before he resumed the conversation. "It may sound stupid, Metal Knight, but from my perspective, it wasn't the bare minimum. What I'm about to say to you isn't because of what I've become but because it's the truth. I've always known that, when compared to others, I'm average. Growing up, I never excelled at anything. My grades in school constantly teetered between barely passable and okay. I never got any dates because I was so normal no one noticed me. Like, if I was ugly, then they might've made fun of me or something. But I didn't even get acknowledged for stuff like that. For as long as I can remember, I've just gone through the motions. As the years went on, I forgot about any dreams I had or things I wanted to accomplish before I died. But then, I met a murderous crab with hairy legs who reminded me of my childhood. Little me would've hated what I was like in the future. He would've told me that he'd never stop trying to become a hero who could defeat his enemies with one punch." He shared, returning his gaze to the robot. "That's what I thought about as I worked hard. If I wanted to make my dream a reality, I had to go beyond my limitations. It just turned out that those limitations were as average as the rest of me. Of course, it didn't feel that way, but that's because they were MY limits." He said, hoping that the meaning behind his words was received.

"...That's it..." Bofoi whispered, feeling as though a grand revelation had been bestowed onto him. "Limits. They're different for each person. That's what you're saying, right?" He questioned.

"Yeah! There you go!" Saitama exclaimed with a smile, happy to see he was understood. "My daily workout legitimately pushed me to the edge. Every day was hard, but I persevered. If someone like you can look at my limits and think they're nothing, then that must mean yours are WAY higher! If that's true, then all you need to do is figure out what they are so you can overcome them like me!" He reasoned.

"You're right..." Bofoi said, slowly sounding livelier. "You're not an exception. No, I've been wrong this entire time. You're proof that anyone can be more than what they're made to be. You're not an unfairly gifted person. You're an example of what can be obtained through knowing one's self and striving to surpass that." He concluded.

"Wow, thanks," Saitama replied, flattered by the sudden praise.

"...However..." Bofoi sighed, a realization striking him. "I can only push myself with what I know. To be clear, I'm saying that I wouldn't be able to replicate your transformation. I've always been more brain than brawn, and I can't just switch the two. Building machines is where I'm most comfortable." He said.

"Hmm..." Saitama hummed, putting a hand on his chin. "Well, maybe just like limits, the threshold you have to exceed could be different, too." He suggested. "Tell me, Metal Knight, do you ONLY build weapons?" He inquired.

"Yes, they are my focus. The only other thing I'm knowledgeable about is architecture." Bofoi responded.

"Then, maybe you should start there? Branch out into new territories. It may sound ridiculous, like building the best toaster or the fastest train, but if it's something new to you, then they're like stepping stones." Saitama advised.

"Huh, an expansion of my horizons..." Bofoi muttered, giving it some thought. "...Yes, that will do. To assume that my intellect has reached its peak has held me back. Just as you have found the true pinnacle of physical prowess, I will set my sights on the ultimate mental capacity." He decided.

"Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Saitama cheered, glad to see him in a better mood.

From here, the men continued to chat as they returned to civilization. When they next met, Bofoi addressed Saitama just as the rest of the S-Class did, which was by his hero name. The sole exceptions were Metal Bat and the eventually added King, who knew their leader personally. Everyone else felt it was only appropriate to say One Punch Man until the day came when they reached his level or perhaps became as friendly. But for now, it was too soon to say which would happen first.

Chapter Text

The City Z recovery effort was in full swing. Very shortly after Sweet Mask's arrival, more Association helicopters came with additional staff and supplies. Any employees who had taken shelter alongside the first wave of civilians also returned with the S-Class heroes escorting them.

All of the S-Class heroes remained at the apartments rather than go to more shelters. The reason for that is because the Association staff took over the task. It was believed that having all of S-Class together would do a lot to put the people's minds at ease and raise morale. If nothing else, it allowed people to take pictures, get autographs, and speak with their favorite heroes in that class.

When the Association staff headed out to retrieve the second wave of civilians, that's when Doctor Genus, his clones, Mosquito Girl, and Kombu Infinity got there. As for the House of Evolution's members, the air surrounding them was uncertain but not hostile or fearful. A big contributing factor to their lack of uneasiness was how most of them had helped the S-Class heroes get everyone to safety. Also, the continued nonchalance toward the group as its members, Genus and clones included, began to assist the civilians supported the truth that they were allies.

Yet, there was one exception. Well, two. Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity were swiftly distracted when they were informed about what happened to Zombieman. By now, he was back to factory standard, but King insisted that he still take a small break. Just because Zombieman was unkillable didn't mean that he didn't feel pain. If you can believe it, having half your body obliterated in an instant isn't exactly fun.

"THAT BASTARD!" Mosquito Girl shouted, eyes filled with fury. Fortunately, these three were in Zombieman's apartment, so there was no risk of any children hearing such exclamations. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! HOW COULD HE DO THAT?! WHY IS HE ALLOWED TO?!" She carried on. As she ranted, Zombieman smoked a cigarette, and Kombu Infinity watched in silence. "I SHOULD GO FIND THAT JERK AND DRAIN HIM DRY! PRUNE HIS ASS!" She declared.

"Prune his ass?..." Zombieman questioned, cigarette lazily dangling from the side of his mouth.

"I think she means that he'd be shriveled like a prune," Kombu Infinity suggested.

"YES!" Mosquito Girl confirmed.

"Huh, that would be funny..." Zombieman admitted, only to sigh afterward. "Sadly, Sweet Mask is on our side. He's also got a fanbase as ravenous as One Punch Man's. If he were found looking like jerky, then it'd cause problems." He said.

"Oh, so that blue-haired pretty boy gets to KILL you, and he doesn't face ANY punishment?!" Mosquito Girl challenged.

"The word kill can't really be used in relation to me..." Zombieman muttered, taking his cigarette out to blow a puff away from the group. "Regarding punishment, One Punch Man will handle it when he gets back." He told her.

"But that's not good enough!" Mosquito Girl exclaimed defiantly. "He should be dealt with now! And it needs to be something horrible! He cares about his image, right? We can humiliate Sweet Mask or something!" She proposed.

A brief pause occurred as Zombieman studied the angered woman standing before him.

"...You're really pissed, huh?" Zombieman asked. That question wasn't rhetorical or sarcastic. He hoped his curiosity would be heard clearly.

"Of course I am!" Mosquito Girl answered before pointing at him. "Even if you're not the most enthusiastic about it, we're a team right now! If someone hurts your teammate, especially when they're your leader, you can't take that lying down!" She explained.

"Is that how you feel?" Zombieman inquired, now looking at the Seafolk in their company.

"Well, I know what it's like when someone doesn't care about your well-being at all. Sure, Sweet Mask knew you'd heal from what he did, but that doesn't make it any less extreme. I think he's an ass for doing that. So, if we did try to get back at him, I'd be for it." Kombu Infinity replied.

Unfortunately, Zombieman's preferred stoicism was unable to keep him from smiling at that moment. Seeing and hearing that these two had his back to this degree was nice. Of course, he didn't want either of them to notice.

"Hmm..." Zombieman hummed as he tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. Simultaneously, he breathed in more of his cigarette. "You know, we ARE investigators. The worst thing that could happen to an idol is if some dirt was thrown onto that sparkly persona he obsesses over..." He mentioned.

"Oh...my...god..." Mosquito Girl whispered. Slowly, a massive grin overtook her face. "Zombieman, you're a genius!" She praised, earning a dry chuckle.

"Nah. There's too many of those around me to claim I'm the same," Zombieman remarked before getting to his feet. "Anyway, we should save this kind of talk for later. I appreciate King giving me a break, but we need to get out there and help." He said.

"Right!" Both non-humans responded in unison, raring to get downstairs.

Meanwhile, Outside...

Bunji was fearsome. After all, he was the mighty Beast King! His muscles could shatter the Earth. His claws could slice through the sturdiest of metals. All-in-all, Bunji was a primal force of nature that few could hope to fight against.

...So...how was it that this imposing being found himself sitting on the ground as children surrounded him? Each child looked on in amazement, and those who were closest couldn't help but poke or even pet the lion man. It all started with one brave little girl who walked up to Bunji and asked if he was a kitty. Having absolutely no experience with children at all, he said yes and thought that'd be the end of it.

But, as revealed, that was NOT the end. One question became another, and eventually, they became requests. More children drew near as the seemingly ferocious lion was acting friendly. Seconds became minutes, and thus, Bunji was overwhelmed by the youngsters. He might've asked his comrades for assistance, but they weren't exempt from such treatment either.

Next on the petting zoo is Genjiro. To be fair, he only had himself to blame. It was per his request that he receive very few alterations, which included a small adjustment in height. Genjiro was the closest to a child's size. That made him a target with zero chance of escape. He COULD have chosen to hide underground, but that could've upset the children, so he reluctantly accepted his fate.

Atomu received a slightly different outcome. The children saw him as cool and awesome. Gorillas were already impressive creatures due to their natural musculature. So, if you combine that with advanced technology, the mere SUGGESTION of a cyborg gorilla was enough to ignite the neurons of children. Getting to see a REAL cyborg gorilla was the fulfillment of a wish none of these kids even knew they had.

Slugerous was the most nervous, given his very unusual appearance. But much like Atomu, the children were drawn to him for a unique set of reasons. The beautiful coloration of his body and spines were mesmerizing. The displays of his ESP left the kids awestruck. Then, when Slugerous spoke to them with telepathy, it threw them for a loop! In the eyes of the youthful crowd, Slugerous was an alien from outer space! Although that was incorrect, he was still relieved and appreciative of the reception.

Kamakyuri, Carnage Kabuto, and Fujiro were the ugly ducklings. At least, that's how they felt. None of the kids seemed to acknowledge them at all. There was never any sense of jealousy or something of the like among the House of Evolution's members. Yet, being left out of the swarm of children was a sharp arrow through the soul that invited such feelings.

Luckily, those three were kept busy. Carnage Kabuto's strength was a great help with moving equipment and other heavy things. Fujiro acted as Flashy Flash's right-hand man, which meant there was a lot to do since Genjiro was lost to the mob. Kamakyuri had been given an assignment by Silver Fang to fetch Charanko, knowing that he might already be on his way.

That brings us to Doctor Genus and his clones. Once everyone managed to get over the fact that they were all the same man, the army of brilliant geneticists became an unrivaled medical force. Neither Child Emperor nor the Association workers needed to do a thing. So long as these men were given the tools and supplies required for their aid, which they were, then there was nothing they couldn't treat.

Regarding S-Class, they were doing what suited them best. The strongest of the lot helped with getting everything ready. Those who were the easiest to approach handled the bulk of civilian interactions. The smartest ones focused on damage assessment throughout the City Z area and providing machines that could be useful.

Interestingly, even in S-Class, there was an odd one out. Genos didn't seem to be helping at all. He wasn't moving equipment around, interacting with civilians, or doing anything related to the machines' work. For whatever reason, the blonde-haired cyborg was out of everyone's way while fixated on a personal communication device that was provided to high-ranked heroes. Eventually, this behavior was noticed and confronted.

"Hey!" That was the voice of Captain Mizuki. She and Mumen Rider were still here and pitching in where they could. But since one of them was B-Class and the other C-Class, they didn't get as much attention from everybody as the others.

Upon hearing that call, Genos looked up from his device. Doing so allowed him to see the Olympic athlete jogging over. As for Mumen Rider, he was busy handing out bottled water and other such amenities to the people.

"Is something wrong?" Genos asked when she was closer to him.

"Yeah! You!" Mizuki answered before putting her hands on her hips. "What's up? Why're you not pitching in?" She inquired.

"...Oh," Genos plainly reacted after giving it some thought. "Apologies. There seems to be a misunderstanding. I'm busy communicating with several different people about the situation." He informed her.

"Really?" Mizuki questioned, now moving to stand beside him so she could view the screen.

"Metal Knight and Child Emperor need to prioritize the ruined city. The Association is overwhelmed with communicating with itself, media outlets, and anyone or anything else of significance. Although I was recently announced as sensei's newest disciple, my presence as a hero is still unestablished. As such, I wouldn't be that useful in keeping everyone distracted from the distress this tragedy has caused. For tasks such as physical labor, while my weight threshold is impressive, it does not compare to those who dedicate themselves to perfecting their physiques. All of this culminates in me being able to contribute but ultimately not providing much, as my strengths are not unique enough from what we already have. So, King thought that it would be a good idea if I acted as a coordinator and messenger to those who are not here yet. Watchdog Man is still en route, and the Blizzard Group was not among the first wave of arrivals, meaning they're still in shelters with more civilians. I've also contacted Doctor Kuseno, and he has decided to come here to help as well." Genos explained, showing her the astonishing amount of messages he's managed to amass so far.

"Wow! That's incredible! I get overwhelmed when two or more people try to talk to me at once. But you're handling all these conversations like it's no big deal!" Mizuki exclaimed before patting him on the back. "Sorry for what I said. You're doing just as much as the rest." She apologized.

"Thank you, but that's unnecessary. I can understand how you would think I was slacking." Genos assured her. "Is that all?" He asked.

"Hmm..." Mizuki hummed. "Are you talking to anyone else? Like, more heroes or something." She answered.

"Yes, I am. I received permission from the others to contact certain individuals. Atomic Samurai's students. Tanktop Master's army. Additional support from high-ranked A-Class heroes." Genos listed, returning his focus to the device's screen. "However, as I've been taking care of all that, I was met with a surprise." He shared.

"Oh? What is it?" Mizuki inquired.

"I received a notification that someone in the S-Class chat room had sent a message. Since most of us are here, I assumed it would be Blast, the hero who is always absent. Yet, the messages I've received in response do not give that impression. To be blunt, I'm not sure how I'd describe them." Genos explained.

"Huh. Well, how about you show me? Maybe I can help." Mizuki suggested.

Having no issues with that, Genos showed her the chat room. All of the recent messages that hadn't been from him came from a user by the name of...

...

...

...

"Boy Toy Collector..." Mizuki read slowly. As she did, a sickening shiver went through her body.

"Suspicious, right?" Genos said.

"Absolutely." Mizuki agreed, now checking out the messages. "Even how these replies are written is weird..." She noted.

For convenience's sake, only the messages from Boy Toy Collector shall be shown:

"HELLO! EVERYONE! ARE YOU THERE? PLEASE! SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING! I WAS IN THE YARD DOING MY SQUATS WHEN MY BEAUTIFUL BOYFRIEND RUSHED OVER AND TOLD ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED!"

"Oh! Genos, right? The newest face in S-Class AND the second disciple of our glorious leader. Please, you need to tell me everything you know! I can't stand being in the dark any longer!"

"Who am I? Wait...did...the others not tell you about me? Surely not! I know they can be cruel sometimes, but Saitama must've said something! We have a special bond!"

"Know him personally? Sweetie, Saitama's my pen pal! That man has the kindest soul in the WORLD! Even though I've been gone for a while, he still hasn't forgotten me! Saitama's the greatest man I've ever known! If only he'd let me help him with his looks..."

"Oh! Sorry. I didn't mean to ramble, dear. Anywho, I am an S-Class hero. If you don't believe me, you can check with the rest. I've been absent due to some misunderstandings with law enforcement. As sad as it is to share, my passionate love is just too much for the general populace."

"Thank you. I appreciate the trust, Genos. I promise that when I see you, I'll be sure to get a good measurement of your torso so I can give you a PERFECT sweater. My boyfriend has been teaching me how to knit, and I'm making wonderful progress~"

After that message, Genos replied with a polite decline and a fully detailed debriefing on what had transpired earlier. So far, there's been no sign of Boy Toy Collector reacting to the information. It was sent fifteen minutes ago. Sure, there was a lot to read, especially since it came from Genos, but this mysterious S-Class hero should be done by now.

"I'm surprised you didn't go to King," Mizuki confessed.

"Child Emperor created this chat room. The only way someone outside of S-Class could have access to it is if they managed to breach all of his security checks and digital defenses. The likelihood of that is so low that it would be a waste of time to humor the possibility. So, whoever Boy Toy Collector is, they must be an actual S-Class hero." Genos reasoned.

"I mean, that does make sense," Mizuki acknowledged, now holding her chin. "But still, I've only ever heard of Blast being the mysterious hero of S-Class. Either Boy Toy Collector is SUPER secret, or they haven't been around that much. I don't keep up to date with the hero registry as frequently as Satoru, so I'm probably just blanking on their identity." She told him.

Before this conversation could continue, the duo heard a noise in the distance. Everyone else also heard this sound, causing all heads to turn in the same direction. There, on the horizon, was a legion of vehicles. Cars, trucks, vans, etc.

However, there was no cause for alarm. These were not opportunistic media vultures hoping for immediate coverage and interviews. As the vehicles got closer, the outfits of those riding in or on these vehicles were noticed. It was a vast variety of attires that could easily be described as costumes.

Eventually, after a minute and a half, the full scope of these individuals was realized. A-Class, B-Class, and C-Class. This wasn't just a handful of heroes from each ranking. Most, if not all, of the heroes in the Association had arrived.

"Hey!" Watchdog Man, who was sitting on top of a van in the front, called out to his peers. Swiftly, the S-Class heroes who were present hurried over.

"What the hell is all this?!" Fittingly, Baddo was the first one to react to this insane display.

"I was running here when I ran into everyone else," Watchdog Man revealed, looking around at the swarm of automobiles. "When news got out that City Z had been destroyed, every hero dropped what they were doing and rushed to get here." He explained.

"Seriously? That's crazy!" Superalloy exclaimed, expressing everyone's feelings about that.

"Yeah, I thought so, too." Watchdog Man admitted as the heroes started exiting the vehicles. "But I could tell there was no point in arguing against it. These guys were beyond determined." He said.

A moment of silence occurred as all of the heroes presented themselves. Each person was steadfast in their resolve. Even if they were ordered to leave, these people would dig their heels in and fight for their right to remain.

"Excuse me!" King called out. Since he was the temporary leader, he felt compelled to take control. "Could one of you please explain what's going on?" He requested.

"It's simple, boss man," Needle Star, a Class-B hero, was the quickest to react. "All of us were minding our business when suddenly, our phones, radios, computers, and TVs started going nuts. Everyone everywhere was losing their minds that City Z got wiped off the face of the Earth. When each of us confirmed that was true, we hauled ass to come this way to help." He stated.

"But what about your cities? They could be attacked, too." King proposed.

"While that is true, we couldn't ignore something so unprecedented!" Spring Mustachio, an A-Class hero, was the next to speak. "City Z is One Punch Man's home! Furthermore, it has become the base of operations for all of S-Class! Any hero worth their merit would come here to offer support and help the civilians!" He exclaimed, accompanied by several nods and verbal agreements.

"While that is appreciated, it's not smart for ALL of us to be-"

"Please, sir!" Mohican, a C-Class hero, couldn't help but interrupt. "We know S-Class can handle this, but we need to be here! We're heroes! If we're not supposed to show up when something of this magnitude happens, then when do we?" He challenged.

All of the heroes looked at King with intensity and anticipation. Under normal circumstances, the man's body would turn to gelatin. But with everything that's happened and how important it was to serve his role, the man reached DEEP in himself to be courageous.

"Alright!" King shouted with his arms behind his back, hoping to be seen as authoritative. "If you want to help, then that's what you'll do. But there will be NO time for breaks. City Z has been reduced to nothing. If you're going to leave your cities without any heroes for now, then you're going to make it count! I expect everything you have and then extra! No complaints! No backing out! If you were willing to come all the way here, then you're going to stay until we're done!" He declared.

"Yes, sir!" A resounding cry of acceptance filled the air. Watchdog Man wasn't wrong. Like the public, these men and women were inspired by One Punch Man. Even though they didn't know this tragedy was an attack yet, they still felt affected by it despite having not been involved. Together, as one, they were going to fix this unfortunate day before One Punch Man returned! They were going to make him proud!

Meanwhile, In The Middle Of The Ocean...

Saitama was yawning. He hadn't considered the activity of sunbathing before, but he was glad he gave it a go. The warmth, combined with the gentle sea breeze, was divine. After an unexpected delay caused by the mutated Deep Sea King, the vacation was finally underway.

Saitama was dressed in a pair of swimming trunks, one of a few, and a floral patterned shirt that was unbuttoned. He didn't know if he'd swim today or not, but regardless, swimming trunks were comfy. Sure, this was a pretty standard way to relax on a remote island, but so what? Just because it was a tried and true option didn't make it any less enjoyable.

However, there was another important factor at play. Per Tatsumaki's insistence, Saitama was going to ignore the world to the best of his ability for the next two weeks. Very little TV or radio usage. These fourteen days existed in a separate dimension. The vacation reality.

Another yawn escaped Saitama's mouth. Man, it'd been a while since a midday nap was possible. The muscles were loose. The bones were resting. The mind was...slowly...slipping...away...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH

A loud noise filled the air. Saitama, startled by the sound, frantically looked in all directions. What the hell was that?!

"SAITAMA!"

...A...voice? It could barely be heard over that noise. Yet, it provided Saitama with a direction. Cautiously, he turned to look to the left and-

...

...

...

There...was something...approaching the island...it was...a few miles off...it...looked like a man...who was...swimming so fast...he was parting the ocean...like a human-shaped torpedo.

"SAITAMA! I'M COMING!" A masculine voice was heard."DON'T WORRY, DARLING! YOU DON'T NEED TO CRY ALONE! MY ARMS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD YOU AND YOUR SORROW!" The voice carried on.

Saitama could only stare in silence. He'd seen and been through a lot in his life. Heck, his transformation into One Punch Man was meant to be the wildest thing ever to happen. But somehow, the universe managed to one-up it. A big, burly, hairy man was jetting toward the island. What's worse is that Saitama recognized him.

Chapter Text

An island far from civilization. A beautiful and serene ocean scene. Weather that promised to be nothing but pleasant for a good long while. These ingredients came together to make for the perfect vacation experience.

Or, they should've, except there was one issue. Like any recipe, all it takes is a single accidental inclusion to ruin the whole thing. Sometimes, it's done through experimentation, and other times, it's genuinely an unintended mishap that can't be helped. So, what was it?

Honestly, Saitama had no idea how to describe it. Then again, no one else would fare much better. Standing before him, just a few feet away, was a man. He had two legs, arms, a torso, and a head, just like any other human being. Yet, the longer you looked at this man, the more you'd doubt if he should be referred to as either a human or a "normal" man.

At a height that was just over seven feet, you had an S-Class hero by the name of Puri-Puri Prisoner. While the man's physique was nowhere near as extreme as Superalloy Darkshine, it was still in a league of its own. For comparison, Tanktop Master focused on bulk rather than an even distribution of muscle. Every inch of Puri was muscular, and I do mean EVERY inch.

That was another thing that made Puri so...unusual. The man had an almost supernatural tendency to wind up naked. Granted, due to this physique, whenever he BARELY flexed or moved, most clothes would rip or be destroyed. Still, at some point, you have to wonder how it keeps happening. Superalloy typically walked around in a speedo, and yet, with all his physical exertion, that thing barely ever saw ANY change in condition.

...Hold on. If Puri-Puri Prisoner is frequently nude, does...that mean...Saitama is staring at a fully naked man right now? Ha-Ha, NO. The INSTANT Puri arrived on the shore and struck a pose while going off on one of his usual tangents; Saitama was already coming back from his vacation home with the biggest sheet he could find. With a stern glare aimed EXCLUSIVELY at Puri's face, the buff birthday suit was swiftly concealed by a Grecian-style toga.

"Saitama, sweetie," Puri spoke, lightly tugging at the sheet that served as his new outfit. "Is this really necessary? You've seen all I that I am many times already." He asked.

"Yeah. I've got enough images burned into my brain for a lifetime..." Saitama answered with a sigh as he folded his arms.

"Oh! So, you've been thinking about me?" Puri gasped, covering his mouth with his hands.

Saitama had been through this song & dance far too often to indulge in it ever again. Thus, he paused to end that potential sidetrack and keep the conversation focused.

"Puri, may I ask you a few questions?" Saitama requested.

"Of course! I'm an open book for you to read. Please! Flip through my pages and study all that is within-"

"Got it." Saitama cut him off. Nope. Not happening. "Most importantly, I need to know HOW and WHY you are HERE." He said.

Before Saitama could blink, Puri already held a device out for him to see.

"Honey, that's a no-brainer!" Puri exclaimed, pointing at the gizmo. "The Association gave all of us these handy little things for being in S-Class! I've used mine to stay up-to-date while serving my time. As for the why, I was told by that handsome young man who joined us recently about what happened in City Z today! After reading all that, I knew you'd be emotionally vulnerable, so I used the device to find you via GPS so that I could soothe your wounded soul." He explained.

Now, most people in Saitama's position might've focused on: "What happened in City Z today!" But instead, Saitama's attention was grabbed by something else of equal importance.

"...Puri..." Saitama hesitantly began. He wasn't sure if he should go through with this.

"Yes, dear?" Puri replied.

"...You...were swimming naked..." Saitama said, slowly pointing at the device. "Where...did that...come from?..." He inquired.

Briefly, Puri-Puri Prisoner looked at the gadget. Then, he looked back at Saitama.

"I could show you~" Puri teased with a wink while pursing his lips.

...

...

...

Saitama turned around and went inside his vacation home. He then proceeded to lock the door and put a few things in front of it.

"Saitama!" Puri called out. "I was only being playful!" He added.

The shock Saitama felt was strong enough to make him fall face-first onto the couch in the living room. He'd remain there until his mind reset itself and erased that last exchange from his memory. Or, at the very least, suppressed it with no chance of resurfacing. As for Puri-Puri Prisoner, he'd remain outside and interact with the device. He could tell his beloved leader needed some space.

Meanwhile, In City Z...

After the arrival of the other heroes, nothing noteworthy happened at the "Disaster Relief HQ" in the ruins of City Z. Mostly, all that transpired was the continued welcoming and accommodating of City Z's citizens as they were led from the shelters. Naturally, when the Blizzard Group, Tanktop Army, and Atomic Samurai's students got there, they did their part, too. Resting areas, medical stations, and serving tables for food and water were made depending on how much was needed.

The Association, far better than they had done in the past, was keeping the media at bay. No helicopters, no vans, and no sneaky reporters trying to act like normal civilians. The added muscle and scrutinizing gaze of several heroes also worked as an effective deterrent. This was not the time for the usual media spectacle. The priority was on City Z's restoration and the care of its people.

However, something was distracting the heroes. It wasn't anything too special, just a bunch of non-humans who were walking around and doing stuff like it was no big deal. Oh, and then there was that one guy who was treating the injured who had multiple versions of himself. We also can't forget about the giant dog with six glowing red eyes. You know, just normal stuff.

Obviously, the S-Class heroes weren't ignorant. Originally, the plan was for Captain Mizuki and Mumen Rider to release interviews with the House of Evolution to help make the reveal easier. As for Pochi, that would've been handled by One Punch Man, probably. But then the universe decided to rain meteors down on City Z and nearly cause doomsday, which sort of disrupted that idea.

Oh, wait, my mistake. Today's tragedy wasn't some random act of nature. Even though nothing had been concretely confirmed, and the Tornado of Terror was still unconscious, meaning she couldn't provide commentary, everyone was confident with their conclusion. This whole thing was an attack. SOMETHING was responsible for the meteors and the asteroid they became.

Metal Knight, Child Emperor, and Drive Knight were discretely conversing with the Association on the matter while contributing to the reconstruction effort. If S-Class's suspicions were true, then this could potentially be the first-ever "God-Level" threat. However, it was quickly agreed that the notion was to be CONSIDERED but NOT acted upon until something more tangible was discovered. After all, in such an event, the only ones who could easily handle it were Blast and the world's strongest hero.

For now, the man known as Sitch and his subordinates would handle any investigation-related actions on the Association's part. As for S-Class, they would be busy with the continued relief work and getting the rest of the heroes up to speed on everything. When things had reached a comfortable point where a break could be taken, King requested that all of the heroes gather for a hero-only conference. The Association staff could easily attend to the civilians during this meeting, and the civilians had no commentary as it made sense for the heroes to talk about their plans moving forward. Of course, that wasn't going to be the first topic.

"Hey! Quiet down!" Baddo exclaimed, opting to act as King's method of crowd control. "Anyone who can't be civil will get tossed!" He warned.

The heroes were inside the apartment building. It already had plenty of space for so many people, especially in the dining area.

"Thanks, Baddo," King said as the others settled.

Silently, Baddo gave King a thumbs up and a look of determination. Man, despite his age, Metal Bat was undeniably the best ride-or-die partner you could hope for. With the crowd ready to listen, Baddo stepped back to join the other S-Class heroes. They were standing together at the head of the room alongside the House of Evolution with King at the front.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work," King began, earning him a good number of smiles of appreciation for the acknowledgment. "Secondly, I know there's a LOT you want to know. And, just so there's full transparency, you need to hear that we WERE planning on revealing everything to you guys before any of it went public. We didn't want to blindside you or make you feel like you weren't important enough. It's just, well, today happened..." He sighed, briefly closing his eyes.

The crowd whispered a little. It was just people talking to their closest allies or friends. Nothing to worry about.

"Okay, the crowd's looking good..." King thought as he breathed slowly to help keep his composure. "Let's rip off the biggest bandage. The non-humans you see with us are from an organization known as the House of Evolution. And yes, they are heroes. The story behind them and how this came to be is too long to share. However, after this meeting, Metal Knight will be providing all of you with devices that will have the information on them. That will allow you to read through it at your leisure." He stated.

Again, there were whispers. There were more this time, but the energy of the room was still perfectly neutral. Keep going, King. You got this!

"The House of Evolution's partnership with the Association happened before the Seafolk stuff. But with how well that's been going, it made the possibility of these non-humans becoming heroes far easier to accomplish. If anyone here is uncertain about their trustworthiness, please know that S-Class has been handling their training, and that One Punch Man was the one who put all of this into motion." King shared.

Ah-ha! The first reaction! There were surprised looks among the audience, and the whispering was a bit louder and done by more people. From King's perspective, the mood was excitement and curiosity.

"They're receptive! Time to transition!" King decided, feeling a slight boost in confidence. "Captain Mizuki of B-Class and Mumen Rider of C-Class were the first ones outside of S-Class to be informed. The reason for their selection is due to their relationship with One Punch Man. For those who may not be aware, they are the president and vice president of One Punch Man's official fan club. They're also personally affiliated with him, so their inclusion made sense. Anyway, these two were meant to conduct proper interviews with the House of Evolution and reveal them to all of you through an exclusive heroes-only news network that we've been working on. But, like with the proper reveal, that plan got disrupted by today's disaster. Still, we are going to go ahead with the idea. The devices you'll receive from Metal Knight will be your main method of receiving updates before the public does. This way, every hero, regardless of rank, won't be left in the dark." He told them.

Ooo, good call. The excitement and curiosity in the room was heightened. Additionally, there was a bit of joy from everyone at being considered so much no matter what their ranking was. That had to be another great idea from One Punch Man! He was the everyman's hero!

"Hell yeah! Time to bring it home!" King cheered, getting swept up in the moment. "Lastly, there is one final project that we've been developing that we wanted to unveil soon. Like with everything else, this was pioneered by One Punch Man. He suggested that there should be a dedicated transportation service for heroes. That way, none of us will need to rely on regular means of travel, like all of you did to get here. Hero deployments will be faster and more efficient. So, if we ever need to gather like this again, it'll be no sweat whatsoever!" He exclaimed.

There it was. The extra little nudge needed for there to be some cheering and small applause. King couldn't deny it felt good, but not in an egotistical way. Similar to Metal Knight's support from earlier, getting this kind of reaction from the other heroes helped to put King's mind at ease. Maybe he really could fill in for his buddy these next two weeks, even in light of the-

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Oh. King legitimately forgot. He'd been swept up by the positive reactions that the only negative announcement slipped his mind. But now, it was all that remained, and there was no way to avoid it.

"Hey!" One of the heroes, Smile Man, A-Class, called out. "Are you okay, sir? Your face suddenly went pale." He commented.

"..." King stared at the floor like he was gawking at a murder scene. He was about to flip a switch that would change the atmosphere so fast your head would spin. "...Uh...y...yeah..." He replied. Whelp. There goes that confidence boost. "So...um...there's...something else...I need to tell you..." He said.

"Is it about the House of Evolution?" Another hero, Gun Gun, B-Class, guessed.

"...No..." King responded. The man's volume drastically declined.

Uh oh. People were whispering again, but it was VERY different. It's the sort of thing you'd hear in the cafeteria during your school days.

"CRAP! I CAN'T LET THEIR IMAGINATIONS GET STARTED!" King panicked, knowing he needed to get it out. "...S...S...So...you all...know...about what happened...right?..." He asked.

Pretty much everyone exchanged glances of uncertainty. What was going on? Why was King so nervous? And why did he ask such a weird question?

"...I'll...take that as a yes..." King resumed speaking, clenching his fists. "The debris of an asteroid struck City Z...the Tornado of Terror, with the aid of other S-Class heroes, was responsible for its destruction...but before any of you wonder why she would need help when she's so terrifyingly powerful...well...like I said earlier...for the sake of transparency...you should know that...as of now...S-Class believes that this could've...maybe...possibly...to some extent...be...an...attack..." He revealed, tightly shutting his eyes.

For a second, King thought he died of a heart attack. That might sound crazy, but it's because the room became deathly silent. You couldn't even hear anyone breathing. It was almost as if everyone was sent into shock.

But then, a clatter was heard. A unified rising of people from their seats. It was so swift and passionate that quite a few chairs fell over. When it was done, King barely opened one of his eyes so he could see what was waiting for him.

STARES. Unblinking gazes that were filled with disbelief. An attack? Here? On City Z? The place where One Punch Man lived?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Every hero was on their feet. It was like they were a military unit standing at attention for their commander. Sadly, just as King scrounged enough nerve to try and speak, he tripped over himself and fell backward. The cause was a deafening assault on the ears that came from the crowd.

"AN ATTACK?! FOR REAL?!"

"WHO WOULD BE DUMB ENOUGH TO ATTACK ONE PUNCH MAN?! IS THIS LIKE THE SEA KING AGAIN?! IS THIS ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT WAR?!"

"WAS THE ENEMY TOO POWERFUL FOR THE TORNADO OF TERROR?! IS THAT WHY SHE NEEDED HELP?!"

"WHERE IS SHE?! DID SHE GET HURT?! DID THE ENEMY INCAPACITATE HER?!"

"WHO WAS IT? DO YOU KNOW?!"

"HOW COULD THEY ATTACK ONE PUNCH MAN WITH METEORS?! ARE THEY A PSYCHIC?!"

I could keep going, but we'd be here all day. The heroes were in an uproar, and there was little hope of calming them down. S-Class hastily stepped forward to help King with this situation. As for King himself, the poor guy was overwhelmed by the chaos he unleashed.

"Saitama..." King thought, trying to get ahold of himself. "I REALLY hope things are going better for you..." He carried on as the crowd got rowdier.

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"...And...done." Saitama said, voice muffled by the couch cushion.

Memory successfully filed in the repressed cabinet. What was Saitama even bothered by again? Did it have to do with Puri-Puri Prisoner? Eh, doesn't matter. No sense in trying to remember something that the mind has sealed away in your subconscious!

"I should get back out there," Saitama decided, getting up from the couch. "Puri can be a little...flavorful, but he's not a bad guy." He continued, heading over to the blockade he made. "...Then again, he IS called a prisoner for a reason..." He muttered.

Sincerely, Saitama did like Puri-Puri Prisoner. If the man could work through his self-control issues, then he'd be a perfect poster boy for the Association. Puri was a proud advocate for heroes and what it means to be one. Sure, he typically vocalized his support while naked in public and shouting out his special moves, but it was all done with good intentions!

Come to think of it, what did Puri call his moves again? As Saitama removed the objects blocking the door, he couldn't help but try to recall the word. Action style? No. Athletic style? Nah. An-

"ANGEL STYLE!"

"Yeah, that!" Saitama remembered with a smile.

...Wait. That wasn't Saitama's inner voice helping him out. That was Puri-Puri Prisoner's voice. Oh, God, was Saitama starting to hear him in his-

"ANGEL RUSH!"

Hold on. That was coming from outside. Phew. So, it was the REAL Puri-Puri Prisoner who was talking. Huh, was he practicing his moves or something? I guess that's one way to pass the-

"What is WRONG with you?!" A voice cried out. "Who the hell fights naked?! Are you a pervert?!" It questioned.

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Nope. Saitama was stumped. Who could that possibly be? The voice sounded familiar, but it wasn't easy to place. Eh, the door was accessible now, so he could just find out.

Stepping out of the house, Saitama was greeted by...something. Up first was Puri-Puri Prisoner. He was rapidly punching a wide area in front of him. And, as expected, he was in the nude.

As for who or what was receiving the punches, it was a bunch of guys. Yet, the interesting detail was that it was the same guy multiple times. No, Doctor Genus hadn't magically arrived on the island to join in the merriment. The copies were something called after-images, and the person they were after-images of was...

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"Whoa! Holy crap!" Saitama exclaimed, able to remember correctly this time. "It's you! Jack-O-Lantern Panic!" He realized.

Sure enough, fighting against Puri-Puri Prisoner was the ninja who had a history with Flashy Flash. The man who now had a grudge against One Punch Man. A professional killer with an ego as big as his killstreak was long. Jack-O-Lantern Panic!

Chapter Text

Ninjas are masters of the unseen. Silent, deadly, swift, and precise. It might be fitting to call them surgeons of slaughter. Every motion of the sword and every aim with a shuriken or kunai is impossibly precise. Yet, ninjas make that their reality. Unrivaled assassins who could also hold their own in a traditional fight should the need ever arise.

Jack-O-Lantern Panic was a renowned ninja. Additionally, he was an infamous hitman in the criminal underworld. If you had the cash, he'd kill anyone for you. Or, if it were more to your preference, so long as you could keep the payments coming, this ninja would be your bodyguard.

Jack-O-Lantern Panic had never encountered anyone who was his true equal. Flashy Flashy, a fellow ninja, was not eligible as a contender. Both men were trained in the same methods and knew the same things. Plus, on a more personal note, Jack-O-Lantern panic disqualified his counterpart since he was a hero.

Pfft. Heroes, am I right? Such jokes. Dumbasses who dressed up in dumb costumes and had equally dumb catchphrases, all for the sake of merchandise. Even the so-called best heroes in the world, S-Class, were nothing when compared to Jack-O-Lantern Panic! He could take them all on! He was the greatest ninja in the world! The fastest human being alive! No one was superior!

Okay, sure, but what about One Punch Man? You know, the world's strongest hero? Surely someone like that was, at the very least, a challenge, right? A person that Jack-O-Lantern Panic would need to be-

NO! NO! NO! THAT IS WRONG! THAT IS A LIE! One Punch Man is a stupid bald dope who gets lucky! That's it! No skill! Anything he does shouldn't be acknowledged, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS BELOW THE BELT!

Ahem. Sorry. Where were we? Ah, right, yes, Jack-O-Lantern Panic. Although this ninja was LEAGUES above the SUPPOSEDLY strongest hero in the world, it could not be denied that the shiny-headed halfwit had committed a GRIEVOUS SIN against him! For that, there must be retribution! THIS INJUSTICE CANNOT STAND!

Alas, that coward was never alone. People constantly surrounded One Punch Man. There were a few instances where it was just him and one other person, but that was still one too many. Jack-O-Lantern Panic wanted this to be intimate. HIS REVENGE NEEDED TO BE PERFECT!

Fortunately, the universe was on the ninja's side it seemed. One Punch Man was taking a vacation to a secluded island in the middle of the ocean. So far, Jack-O-Lantern Panic had gone undetected. All he needed to do was take a leisurely swim to the island to save his strength, and he'd get his moment. Finally, the time had come for One Punch Man to-

"Oh! Another man?"

Upon arriving at the shore, Jack-O-Lantern Panic was immediately greeted by an unfamiliar voice. In all of his stealthy observations of his target, he had never heard someone who sounded like that. Immediately, the ninja jerked his in the direction it came from to see-

"What the hell is this?" Jack-O-Lantern Panic questioned as his gaze landed on a mountain of muscle wrapped in a Grecian toga.

No, that description isn't inaccurate. Standing several feet away on the beach was a...man? I mean, it had human skin. Those were human eyes. The hair...okay, that was weird, too. But overall, this thing resembled a human man more than anything else. So, let's just roll with it.

"Hello, there," The man greeted Jack-O-Lantern Panic. As he did, he moved a hand to his chin to hold it. "My, that's a tight outfit you're wearing. It leaves NOTHING to the imagination~" He commented.

...Oh...Oh, god. Never before had Jack-O-Lantern Panic been stricken with such potent fear and disgust. Who in the world says that to a stranger?!

"Is something wrong? Your face is getting paler." The man noted, only to gasp afterward. "Oh no! The chill of the ocean's water is getting to you! Hurry! We need to remove those wet clothes before it gets-"

FWOOSH

The air was sliced by a thin needle that had been flung. Even if it only scratched the man, the toxin it was coated with would start working right away. However, the man showed that he had impressive reflexes. The needle sailed past his thick neck and went off into the horizon.

"Listen to me," Jack-O-Lantern Panic commanded with a glare. "I am NOT going to have my opportunity wasted by some psychopath in a sheet. Either keep your mouth shut and leave this island now, or there will soon be two corpses here." He warned.

"Ooo, your words carry the same intensity as some of my boyfriends when they're feeling a little rambunctious." The man replied, taking a stance. "There's also that look of yours. It's like that of a starved predator. I don't know why you're here, but I can tell it's for nothing good. I won't have you disturbing my glorious leader's private time! This I swear!" He exclaimed.

"Oh yeah? And what exactly are you going to do to-"

Instantly, the man's toga was reduced to scraps of cloth. The cause for this destruction was the flexing of his muscles. Every centimeter of his body was exposed. Jack-O-Lantern Panic nearly puked.

"Now, prepare yourself!" The man ordered as he leaned forward. "You will bear witness to the beauty of my technique! Puri-Puri Prisoner, ANGEL STYLE!" He shouted with gusto.

A second later, the man, presumably named Puri-Puri Prisoner, rocketed toward Jack-O-Lantern Panic by using the immense power in his legs. Although he was shocked, this ninja wasn't in any danger. Before the first punch was thrown, he began moving so fast that he created after-images of himself.

"You think that will hinder me?!" Puri-Puri Prisoner challenged. "Time to take things up a notch! ANGEL RUSH!" He yelled, followed by a flurry of blows.

Admittedly, the amount of punches thrown and the power they carried was impressive for someone who wasn't all too special. Yet, that wasn't what Jack-O-Lantern Panic focused on. I mean, how could he? A monolithic nudist was trying to pummel him.

"What is WRONG with you?!" Jack-O-Lantern Panic cried out, evading the attempted strikes. "Who the hell fights naked?! Are you a pervert?!" He questioned.

Jack-O-Lantern Panic was so taken aback that he temporarily forgot that he could end this with one swing of his sword. Unfortunately, as he continued to avoid the fists, he saw something from the corner of his vision. A person had emerged from the house that was at the center of the island. Crap! No! It had to be-

BAM

All it took was the briefest lapse in focus. That microscopic window of chance for the fight to be decided. A knuckle sandwich that was as big as Jack-O-Lantern Panic's face hit him straight. The result of that contact was a ninja being sent across the entire island and into the ocean on that side.

SPLASH

Jack-O-Lantern Panic, with a broken nose, hit the water with a sizable splash. Due to his rapidly fading consciousness, he started sinking. The last thing he saw was someone rushing over from the shore to dive in after him. You'd think the worst person it could've been would be One Punch Man, but no. It was a naked pervert whose muscular body would be pressed against Jack-O-Lantern Panic's as he was carried back onto land. Honestly, he'd prefer drowning.

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...Ngh...my head...

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...Where...am...I?...

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...I...was in the sky...falling...

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...Wait...the asteroid!...City Z!...Am I unconscious?!...I need to wake up!

A set of closed eyes scrunched. A series of tired groans escaped a woman's throat. Progressively, her body twitched and moved until consciousness was restored. When it was, the world's most powerful Esper, the Tornado of Terror, returned to the land of the living.

Everything was heavy. Tatsumaki felt as though she couldn't even lift her head. Never before has she experienced such fatigue. Then again, when her psychic abilities manifested, she didn't bother with physical exertion or labor anymore.

After a couple of minutes were spent trying to move, Tatsumaki inevitably chose to use her powers to get herself upright.

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Uh, I think there's been an error here. Let's try that again. Tatsumaki used her powers to move herself into a sitting position.

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Tatsumaki used her powers to help her move her limbs.

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Tatsumaki used her powers to straighten her dress.

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Tatsumaki...used...her powers...

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"H...Hey!" Tatsumaki called out, looking around frantically. "What the hell did you idiots do to me?! Is this some kind of sick joke?!" She asked.

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"HEY!" Tatsumaki shouted louder, managing to turn herself so she'd be on her side. "HELLO? WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS?!" She questioned.

From the scenery surrounding her, Tatsumaki figured that she was either in Metal Knight's factory, Drive Knight's workshop, or Child Emperor's laboratory. Of the three, the prodigy was the most logical choice. He'd likely be the only one with the proper resources to treat her, too.

"CHILD EMPEROR!" Tatsumaki called. Surely, that boy genius was monitoring her even if he wasn't here!

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"Tornado?" Isamu's voice was heard after a few seconds. It came from all directions, probably from an intercom system or something else of the like.

"FINALLY!" Tatsumaki yelled with a sigh of relief. "WHERE ARE YOU?! I NEED YOU TO HELP ME!" She told him.

"Sorry, Tornado, me and the others needed to talk to the rest of the heroes. We're still in the middle of it, so I'll be back when I-"

"NO, YOU'LL COME HERE NOW!" Tornado barked, cutting him off. "I WANT YOU TO UNDO WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU DID TO ME! WHAT IS IT? SOME KIND OF DRUG?! OR DID YOU CREATE AN INVENTION TO SUPPRESS MY POWERS?!" She ranted.

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"HEY! DON'T YOU GO QUIET ON ME!" Tornado roared when met with silence.

"...Tornado..." Isamu whispered with a tone of alarm. "Are you saying that you can't use your ESP? Please, don't raise your voice; just confirm to me that this is what is happening." He inquired along with a request.

"Yes! I woke a few minutes ago feeling heavy and tired. I tried to lift myself with my powers, but they were not working! I don't care if it was to treat my injuries; you had no right to-"

"Tornado!" Isamu exclaimed, yet he still did so at a low volume. "Listen to me. PLEASE. I give you my word as both a hero and as the person who treated you that I didn't do anything to your ESP. All I did was give you standard medication for pain relief and to prevent a potential fever. I also cleaned up some blood, but that is all. I've not done anything else." He informed her.

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"No, you're lying," Tatsumaki said. However, she sounded disturbed, which her peer noticed. "You had to have done something. Maybe you got the meds mixed up. You did something wrong, and now it's messing with my head. That's why my powers aren't working." She insisted.

"Tornado, stay calm. I'm going to tell the others that I need to leave to come and check on you. I promise I won't say anything else, but you NEED to stay there. It'll only take me a minute or two. Seriously, DON'T do ANYTHING." He instructed.

Following that, there was silence again. Unlike before, Tatsumaki didn't comment on it. Truthfully, her focus was solely on herself. The world around her started getting fuzzy as her breathing hastened. Calm down, Tatsumaki. Everything's going to be fine. Child Emperor will realize he did something wrong, fix it, and you'll be back to normal.

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Right?

Chapter Text

Three men inside of a vacation home. The first one is bald, the second one is naked, and the third one is unconscious, has a broken nose, and is bound in multiple sheets like a cocoon. Don't avert your eyes, reader; this isn't the beginning of a scandalous story or a very risque joke. It is but another chapter in the life of Saitama, who by now was realizing how ludicrous his day-to-day is.

"All done," Puri said with a proud smile and his hands on his hips. "Be at ease, Saitama. This man won't be able to do anything, even wiggle his toes." He promised.

"Apart from you being nude, that was pretty impressive to watch," Saitama admitted. "I didn't think you were into tying knots, Puri. Is that something you've done while in prison?" He asked.

"Oh, no. I'm far too busy with my knitting lessons to study the finer aspects of knot tying." Puri answered before closing his eyes. "Thankfully, I have the most considerate boys who are serving time alongside me. One of the many wonderful things they do is help me keep my hero skills sharp for when I'm back in the field!" He shared.

"..." Saitama looked puzzled. He wasn't sure what that had to do with the topic at hand. "Puri, how does that relate to tying knots?" He questioned.

"Simple. For the longest time, my boys would tie me up every night in sheets, blankets, and sometimes their clothes. So, each morning, I'd have to figure out how to get myself free. Since they knew how strong I was, they ensured my bindings would prevent me from relying on my muscles to brute force the problem. At the risk of sounding braggadocious, I've become a very skilled escape artist. Not even the greatest magicians in the world could free themselves as easily as I can!" Puri explained. Upon hearing that, Saitama's expression became a mixture of shock and concern.

"...Uh...Puri..." Saitama began. "Out of curiosity...how else are your boys helping you?..." He inquired.

"Best make yourself comfortable, Saitama, there's a list!" Puri exclaimed, worsening the pit forming in his leader's stomach. "Firstly, there's combat training. Sure, my boys wouldn't measure up to an actual villain or monster, but they do their best. They're always trying to ambush me in the shower, the yard, and the cafeteria. Sadly, my body is too hard for their sharpened spoons, forks, and combs to pierce. Still, they are thorough. They've aimed for my stomach, all areas of my backside, my neck, my thighs, my sensitive spots, and so on. I encouraged them to aim for more vital locations, like my eyes, and they listened to the letter! That helps me keep my reflexes ready since I need to protect myself properly.

Next up, my senses. My boys don't want my perception of the world to dull while I'm in the clink. So, in addition to the ambushes, they've mixed my food with cleaning supplies and rat poison to see if I could tell what is and isn't safe to eat based on smell. They tried to surprise me while I was sleeping by sneaking into my cell to see if I would hear them or not. They're always carrying their pillows when they do, so that way, if I catch them, they can share my bed with me afterward. As for my sense of touch, my clothes have been laced with a variety of powders and substances that could cause rashes or other forms of damage. Luckily, I'm very attentive with my hands. I can discern even the most subtle of differences between textures and materials, which includes foreign agents.

Lastly, strength training. Whenever I'm working out in the yard, lifting weights and whatnot, my boys will pile on the pounds. They've even wrapped their chains and balls around my neck. To be clear, Saitama, I'm referring to the metal balls meant to slow them down. I promise I'm not trying to tease. Anyway, they do that so they know if I'm ever gripped by some fiend who seeks to snap my neck, I will be fine. My boys will also race me around the yard to help keep my stamina up while throwing things my way to improve my evasiveness." He described. During all of that, there was an innocent smile on his face.

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"Puri, you're staying here for the next two weeks." Saitama decided, making Puri gasp.

"Really?! But this is YOUR vacation!" Puri exclaimed.

"Mhm. I think you've earned it," Saitama said.

"Saitama, you are the absolute sweetest!" Puri cheered, beaming with excitement. "Oh! But if I'm going to stay here, I need to do all I can to make this arrangement comfortable for the two of us. While I have no issues showing you my body, I understand it bothers you. So, if there are any to spare, I promise to keep myself contained within swimming trunks!" He stated.

"Yeah, sure, that's no issue. Metal Knight stocked this place with a lot of extra clothes and stuff. Go upstairs and find the pairs you like the most." Saitama instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Puri replied with a salute before hurrying up to the second floor.

As has been mentioned previously, Saitama had a positive opinion of his fellow S-Class hero. Maybe what Puri-Puri Prisoner needed was someone to help him with his...quirks. Saitama's goal for these two weeks would still be focused on relaxation, but if he could also assist his peer, then he'd be happy to do so. For example, when they got back to the mainland, Saitama was going to have a serious talk with the Association about relocating Puri. If the man weren't such an impressive individual, then S-Class would be short of a hero by now.

"Now, then, what to do with you..." Saitama muttered, turning his attention to the unconscious ninja.

Jack-O-Lantern Panic. There was no denying that this guy wanted Saitama dead. But between him and Puri, there was no way this ninja would cause any harm. Even so, the men would need to keep a close eye on him.

"...Eh, we'll figure it out later. It's not like he's waking up anytime soon," Saitama reasoned before heading outside. Now that things were settled, he wanted to start enjoying his vacation. What better way to do that than to soak up some rays while lying next to the ocean waves?

Meanwhile, In Child Emperor's Laboratory..

Nervous. That was an emotion Tatsumaki hadn't experienced in a long time. Or, if she had, it wasn't this intense. The only other part of her life where she felt such trepidation was during her childhood, which she DESPISED being reminded of.

Isamu was hastily but thoroughly studying the results of the tests he conducted. Brains scans, bloodwork, hands-on examinations, etc. No stone was left unturned in the search for answers. After confirming with Tatsumaki that she couldn't use her ESP, he became as desperate as her to understand why.

This period lasted for about half an hour. Isamu made sure to contact King and the others to give them a story. He said everything with Tatsumaki was fine and that he was just getting some extra work done before rejoining the group. Isamu had some of his bots in the field go about their assigned tasks, making the fib more believable.

"..." Slowly, Isamu turned his chair around and looked at his colleague. "Tornado, I'm sorry, but the issue at hand isn't something that I can fix." He said.

"What?! How?!" Tatsumaki questioned.

"Everything is fine. There's no damage or alteration to your brain. You're not afflicted with a disease or something similar. Physically, you're perfect." Isamu told her.

"But...I...THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!" Tatsumaki shouted. "What about chemicals? Maybe I caught something from the asteroid." She suggested.

"If you did, then it is affecting you in such an incredibly subtle way that none of my machines can detect it, which would be nearly impossible," Isamu explained.

"NEARLY! So, there IS a chance!" Tatsumaki exclaimed.

"Tornado, listen," Isamu began. "There are two theories that make the most sense as to what is going on. Firstly, we don't know what the cause of today's disaster was. Our current line of thinking is that this was an attack, which, if true, means there is an unknown entity of immense power that is probably going to try something like this again. Whether or not the target was meant to be One Punch Man or it was just a random opening move, we can't determine that at this time. However, if everything that's transpired is because of a sentient being, then they may have done something to you to suppress your powers. If this is the case, then whatever's been done goes beyond my knowledge and the tools I have. I'd basically have to start guessing and making random inventions to try and perceive what's going on.

Then, there is the second theory. As I said, physically, you're fine. There is nothing wrong with your brain or other parts of your body. Yet, psychologically, there could be damage that even you're not aware of. Before you get angry and scream at me, just consider what I'm about to say. Plenty of people in the world do not have a dedicated phobia. Sure, they can be scared by things, but there isn't a crippling anxiety that brings them to a full stop. However, should these people experience something traumatic or have a life-or-death moment, that can change. For instance, most people don't view dogs as something to be wary of. But if a dog nearly kills them or causes them severe harm, then their perception changes. At the very least, they'll now be hesitant around dogs as their minds will always go back to that harrowing encounter. Things of this nature are both conscious and subconscious, as in a person can be aware of this or it could be something the mind is doing automatically for self-preservation. What if the latter is what's happening to you? You pushed yourself to your absolute limit, Tornado. To the point that you were injured, bleeding, and blacked out. If an outside interference isn't the reason behind your ESP not working, then it could be your body being hesitant to use your powers again as it doesn't want to hurt itself." He stated.

As Isamu spoke, Tatsumaki's expression changed. It went from curious and attentive to displeasure and annoyance. Honestly, he wasn't surprised.

"Are you implying that I'm scared?" Tatsumaki asked with a furrowed brow and a low tone of voice. "Me, of ALL people?" She added.

"Tornado, I'm not saying you are frightened, only that your body might be." Isamu answered.

"Why?! I've been through worse! I've taken some hits here and there! Sure, it's rare, but it HAS happened!" Tatsumaki exclaimed.

"Do you really want me to dive into all of the particulars about psychology and the human mind?" Isamu challenged with a half-lidded gaze. He understood this was rough for her, but he wasn't about to indulge her usual hot-headedness.

"Look here, squirt," Tatsumaki started as she got closer to him. Yup, as he expected, she was trying to be intimidating. "I've had rougher experiences than that asteroid. I don't care if YOU think I'm somehow restraining myself because of some ridiculous reasoning. You said that I COULD be inflicted with something that you haven't discovered yet or that it could be something entirely new to us. I'm telling you that it IS one of those two because getting a little boo-boo isn't enough to make my powers go away. So, what YOU need to do is work on finding out the problem and solving it. Got it?" She ordered while pointing at him.

Isamu sympathized with Tatsumaki. He did. She and many other heroes, a lot of them in S-Class, viewed their abilities, skills, talents, and strengths as core parts of their identity. Take even just one away, and it's like you were removing an integral aspect of who they were as people.

Still, Isamu wasn't going to accept belittlement. That was something he's dealt with his whole life. "You're just a kid." "Prodigy or not, you don't know what you're talking about." "That's nice, Isamu, but let the adults handle it, okay?"

Even as a hero, Isamu couldn't escape that treatment. "Child Emperor". Wow. Gee. Thanks, guys. You couldn't think of something cool? Something that represented his intellect and resourcefulness? It just HAD to include the fact he's a kid, which wasn't going to make sense after enough time had passed! Seriously, would anyone treat him with respect?!

Yes, someone did. One Punch Man. At times like this, Isamu thought of his hero. One Punch Man only looked down on him in the literal sense due to a difference in height. But every single time the two had a conversation, Isamu felt seen. Heard. Acknowledged. He wasn't just a genius who solved problems or a kid who needed to learn; he was an S-Class hero, the same as the world's strongest. So, with all that in mind, how would One Punch Man deal with the fiery Esper?

"...Okay, Tornado," Isamu sighed with slumped shoulders. "I'll need a few days, possibly a week, to do a bunch of blind tests to see if I can't figure out what's wrong." He said, turning back around to face his computer console. "However, you'll need to come up with an excuse for why you're not pitching in with the City Z repairs," He added.

"Pfft, that's easy. I'll just say that you want me to take it easy for a while. Nobody will challenge that, so long as you back me up," Tatsumaki suggested.

"Yeah, sure, I'll be your partner in crime," Isamu agreed, sounding as disinterested as he could.

"Good. Now, I'm going to head out and find Fubuki. She probably wants to know how I'm doing, and once that's handled, I'll go up to my room and keep out of everyone's way." Tatsumaki decided before leaving.

While Tatsumaki busied herself with her sister, Isamu focused solely on the real priority, which was the ruined city. He hoped that as the week progressed, she'd accept the truth. Yet, if Tatsumaki remained firm that Isamu was the one at fault, he might need to contact One Punch Man for advice. He didn't want to disturb him during his vacation, but even prodigies have a limit to their patience.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

A low groan filled the air, sounding exhausted. It traveled a fair distance, indicating that the surrounding environment was spacious. As the moan's owner regained consciousness, it tried to study where it was. Sadly, there was an unending darkness in all directions. The only discernable detail was the cold, metal-feeling ground.

"Wha...What...happened?..." The voice spoke, weak and weary. "I...I was...where was I?..." It continued. "I...I think...I remember...the ocean...there was also...a beach...yes...I remember sand..." It described.

"Ah, so you were still cognitively present during your transformed state. Thank you for the confirmation."

That was a different voice. Upon hearing that, the owner of the first one turned and twisted its head in every direction. Of course, that was pointless due to the lack of vision.

"W-Who's there?!" The initial voice asked. "Is...Is it you?" He whispered.

"You? You who?" The second voice questioned.

...

...

...

"No, you're not," The first voice determined. "You'd be taunting me, making a mockery of my power and status." It reasoned.

"I repeat. Who?" The second voice pressed.

"What's going on here?!" The first voice inquired, ignoring the interrogation. "How much time has passed?! Where have I been taken?! How am I back to-"

CLICK

Instantly, everything was illuminated. The endless darkness was revealed to be a massive white room. And there, standing in the middle of it, was the owner of the first voice. The Deep Sea King.

"You are in a facility. What kind, I will not say," The second voice revealed, coming from all directions.

"Who are you?!" The Deep Sea King roared, rage rapidly rising. "Are you with them?!" He added.

"You, them, you're awfully vague," The second voice commented, sounding relaxed. "I will not provide any context or clarity. You have to earn such privileges. Instead, I'll be sharing with you the purpose of your presence here." It stated.

"Purpose? You intend to use me for something?!" The Deep Sea King questioned.

"Of course. It'd be a waste of our time and resources if we resurrected you and didn't get something out of it." The second voice replied.

"We? So, there's more than-"

FWISHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Suddenly, from behind, a blade of magma pierced through the Deep Sea King's torso. The blow forced all of the air out of his lungs, preventing him from making any noise. The burning and melting of his internal organs kept him from doing anything else.

"While you're still alive, I'll say what I need to," The second voice resumed speaking. "Currently, I am needed elsewhere due to an emergency. However, when I received notice from my machines that your regeneration was complete, I contacted someone at the location to bring you to this room. Until I am able to return, he's going to keep you company. As for your impending death, don't worry; all he needs to do is take you back to where we revived you, wait for the process to complete again, and then bring you back here as much as he wants. If he gets bored, he'll leave you alone, but I don't see that happening after what you did. So, have fun. We'll talk more later." It told him before going silent.

"I always wondered what you would smell like when cooked over an open flame," The Subterranean King whispered, bringing his face closer to the Deep Sea King's ear. "Luckily, I know many recipes and ways to prepare a fish. I promise to show you all of them." He said.

Chapter Text

Sleep is like a reset button for the mind, body, and soul. That is especially true when we experience anxiety. A good night's rest in a comfy bed can help wash away any worries and woes.

Of everyone in this world, King was the most experienced in that regard. Admittedly, it was a miracle the man was even alive. Despite viewing himself as an unremarkable average guy, his heart was both the hardest working organ of any human being as well as the strongest. Maybe if he could get Child Emperor or Metal Knight to build him a suit that was powered by his heartbeat, then he'd be unstoppable like his best bud!

Wait, no, King couldn't do that. He was the second-strongest hero in the world. One Punch Man's first apprentice. If he started using gadgets or tools, that would draw suspicion. Thankfully, all of S-Class was present during yesterday's disaster. Otherwise, everyone would be wondering why he didn't do anything about it himself.

On that topic, the aftermath efforts had gone very well in such a short amount of time. The aid of the Association, every hero from C to S pitching in, and Metal Knight's machines were invaluable. Heck, regarding those robots, they could keep working even when everyone else turned in for the night. That ensured City Z's citizens would have the temporary shelters they needed, preventing any person from being left out in the cold.

However, a new elephant was standing in the room. The heroes hadn't stopped chattering since King shared with them S-Class's view of the situation. That wasn't some baffling natural occurrence. There's no way it could be. Something or someone caused this, and now there was an air of animosity aimed at whoever it was. Every hero, no matter how powerful or skilled, wanted to give this mysterious menace a proper beatdown for attacking their leader despite him not being here.

Speaking of One Punch Man, how has he not learned what's happened yet? City Z's destruction is on every channel and social media outlet. The world can't stop talking about it. Shouldn't he be running across the ocean to get back here?

Well, you have Sweet Mask and Metal Knight to thank for that. The PR expert spoke with the mechanical genius about restricting the flow of information to One Punch Man's vacation home. Such a thing was easy for Metal Knight. He updated the television and radio at the location to block any incoming transmissions that referenced City Z in ANY capacity. Remember, Metal Knight built everything on the island, so he had full control over nearly every piece and part.

Anyway, with One Punch Man being kept in the dark so he could enjoy his vacation, that brings us back to King. He was already positioned by his peers in S-Class as the second-in-command for the time being. But with how he helped organize everyone during their defense against the assault, and how he was handling the recovery effort, everyone agreed that it was best if he maintained that status. As you can imagine, King was SO happy about that.

Rebuilding City Z. Managing the heroes. Answering questions and providing solutions to problems. Talking with Sweet Mask about how to address the wider population beyond City Z's citizens. Meeting with the Association higher-ups about the investigation into what transpired and who is responsible. And, most importantly, making sure that Pochi got his meals and wasn't being ignored amidst the frenzy. Hey, King promised Saitama he'd take good care of him, and no matter what, he was going to keep his word!

"Phew, okay..." King sighed as he finished getting ready for the day. After waking up, he stretched and then took a nice hot shower. While he was still mentally exhausted, physically, he was as good as he was going to get. "First, I need to get something to eat. I'll probably have breakfast here, so it'll be nice and quiet. When that's done, I'll check on Pochi. After he's taken care of, I'll gather everyone for a meeting." He listed.

With his clothes adorned and his objectives determined, King left his bedroom and entered his apartment's main area. Just like the other units, the living room and kitchen were in the same large space rather than being separated by walls. That allowed King to see into his kitchen, where he found-

"BLAST?!" King shouted in alarm, eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

No, King's eyes weren't playing an oddly specific trick on him. There, in the middle of the kitchen, making a cup of tea, was Class-S Rank 2, Blast. The man was the very definition of imposing. In addition to his height and build, he wore a highly advanced battle suit. Combined with his spiky hair and long flowing cape, Blast was a perfect representation of a hero. It's like he jumped straight from the pages of a comic book!

"Hey, King," Blast greeted his colleague with a small wave and the same casualness as neighbors during the morning commute—even though, as King's reaction expressed, this was not ordinary. "Sorry if you prefer coffee. I like something that soothes the mind rather than jump-starting it." He said.

"..." King was frozen. Of course, it wasn't out of fear or anything similar. The ONLY time these men have met is through Saitama, and that happened ONCE. King would've never expected a one-on-one interaction with the Association's most elusive hero!

"Heh, I guess I should be apologizing for showing up like this, too," Blast acknowledged before leaving the kitchen. He carried his beverage in a white mug held in his left hand.

"...Uh..." King's brain was chugging. He didn't mean to be unresponsive; Blast being here was simply that shocking! "I...assume you want to talk about...the meteors..." He managed to say.

"Eh, sort of," Blast...confirmed? Afterward, he took a sip of his tea. "Yes, I came here because of what happened. Unfortunately, it wasn't because of the meteors themselves. I was more interested in what sent them your way." He told him.

"Oh? Is it a villain you're hunting?" King assumed. That was the leading theory as to why Blast was so absent.

"Not bad, King." Blast complimented him with a smirk. "I can't say too much about my target, but yes, it was because I wondered if they were involved." He revealed, taking another sip.

"Were they?" King asked.

"No, which is a good thing," Blast answered. "However, those that are responsible are powerful. Even without confronting them directly, I can confirm that they're not to be taken lightly." He informed him.

"Oh," King reacted, looking off to the side for a moment. "Well...um...if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you-"

"Nope. Sorry." Blast cut him off, much to King's disappointment. Then again, it was expected. "I can't hang around here for too long. I need to get back to what keeps me busy. I just wanted to give you some peace of mind that the culprits behind City Z's destruction, while strong, are nothing that all of you can't handle." He explained. "Well, maybe one of them is..." He muttered while bringing the mug back to his lips.

"Huh? What was that?" King questioned, thinking he heard something.

"Hm? I didn't say anything," Blast said after finishing his tea. To keep King from pressing that, he continued to speak. "Anyway, before I go, I wanted to ask how you're doing," He added.

"R-Really? Me?" King inquired while pointing at himself.

"Yeah. I know how stressful Saitama's job is. I figured it wouldn't be easy for you, especially after that catastrophe." Blast explained as he went back to the kitchen to rinse out the mug.

For a second, King did nothing. Then, he slowly approached his dining table and sat down.

THUD

"IT'S SO SCARY!" King shouted. Yet, it was muffled since he pressed his face against the tabletop. "Everyone's freaking out, as they should! From the civilians to the heroes, it's a madhouse! And while the others help me to rein it all in, I'm still the one being looked at as a leader. When I go down there, I don't know WHAT is waiting for me or WHAT I'm going to say and do..." He ranted.

"Hmm..." Blast hummed in contemplation as he returned to King. Upon reaching him, he gave the poor guy a pat on the back. "During times of crisis, people need distractions. It's not solely to keep their minds off of the tragedy, though. Think about it: what are the people going to do while all of you work? Sit around, watch videos on their phones, play card games, and do anything else they can think of to keep from being bored. So, if you want to make things easier for yourself, give the people, both heroes and civilians, something to fixate on." He advised.

"...Yeah...that makes sense..." King agreed as he raised his head. "There's always concerts and special events that are done for relief efforts." He recalled.

"Exactly. Sweet Mask is a performer, so there's an idea. Oh, and hey, Silver Fang's a martial artist. Maybe you could arrange some cool fights between skilled combatants. Be they professional heroes or just talented warriors, nothing gets people excited more than controlled violence." Blast suggested.

"True!" King exclaimed, eyes filled with hope. "Thank you, Blast. Seriously. This is going to help me out a ton!" He carried on, making Blast smile.

"Don't mention it," Blast responded before heading toward the exit. "I'll be sure to keep you updated if anything changes. If nothing does, I don't know when I'll see you next." He said.

"Got it." King replied with a nod.

With that, Blast left the apartment, leaving King alone to regain his composure. However, it didn't take long for it to be shattered as a realization struck him.

"CRAP! I SHOULD'VE ASKED FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US!" King yelled as he bolted from his seat. "BLAST! WAIT!" He called out, even though, in his heart, he knew that mysterious man was already gone.

Meanwhile, At The House of Evolution...

Doctor Genus and Zombieman. I'll be the first to say it: this was an even worse pairing of individuals than Zombieman and Flashy Flash. Although, as strange as it is to claim, these two might have a better working relationship. Look, S-Class is essentially held together by the strong arms of Saitama and the finest duct tape money can buy.

Ahem. Where were we? Ah, yes, creator and creation. Doctor Genus and Zombieman were inside the House of Evolution. The duo had snuck away from the apartment complex before anyone was awake. The men agreed to let Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity rest. Regarding the young Seafolk in particular, there was lingering concern about how they'd handle the Deep Sea King's resurrection.

The plan was to sit the fishy monarch down in a room with Zombieman. Melee combat, firearm proficiency, excellent investigative skills, and equal proficiency as an interrogator. If anyone could crack this disgraced ruler open like an oyster, it'd be the immortal hero. Better yet, there was no need to conduct a civil interrogation, meaning every method and tactic, including the violent ones, were allowed. Plus, if it got too bad, Doctor Genus could fix it with ease.

"...Hey," Zombieman broke the silence. These men haven't said one word to each other since they left the apartment building. Right now, they were walking through the corridor that led to the combat training room.

"Yes?" Dr. Genus replied.

"So...uh...I've been meaning to talk to you about something." Zombieman confessed.

"Go on," Dr. Genus urged, having no issues.

"When you reached out to us, you said you wanted to help One Punch Man figure out how he became so strong," Zombieman recalled.

"I did." Dr. Genus confirmed, remembering as well.

"Well, I was...wondering..." Zombieman began, getting quieter. "Have...you made any progress?..." He asked.

"Sadly, I've been far too busy to tackle that subject. I've been monitoring my creations and their progress to become heroes. Then, this whole business with the Deep Sea King fell onto us. As if that weren't enough, the universe decided to throw all of our plans into the trash by leveling City Z. I don't know when I'll start my research into One Punch Man, with his consent, of course. The earliest estimate would be when he returns from his vacation, and things have, hopefully, calmed down." Dr. Genus answered.

"That's fair. Life has been crazy lately..." Zombieman sighed. "What about theories? Do you have any of those?" He pressed.

"I do, but I'm curious as to why you're so interested." Dr. Genus responded. "Unless such inquiry is going to get me shot, at which point I will not say more." He added, making his companion sigh again.

"I promise my safety is on. We're not friendly with each other, but I'm passed the phase of being ready to drop you at a moment's notice." Zombieman told him.

"Huh, noted," Dr. Genus said, genuinely surprised by this development. "Well then, may I know why you want to learn about my theories?" He inquired.

"Plain and simple, I'm...feeling insufficient," Zombieman admitted, even though it pained him to do so. "I can shrug off anything. Cool. That's useful. I'm also good at fighting and skilled with weapons. But if I have to throw hands, I'm not hitting that hard nor will I be the best at it. I want to be better so I can do more for the team and in general. As it stands, I'm suited for support at best. I wouldn't be able to hold the line or save the day. Yesterday is a perfect example. Had I been there, I would've only been able to help get civilians into the shelters. I would've been useless against the meteors." He explained.

"Most of S-Class assisted with that," Dr. Genus mentioned, hoping to lift his spirits a little.

"Sure, but they still surpass me. Honestly, even someone like Puri-Puri Prisoner is better. The main reason he's at the bottom of our rank is that he's in jail and doesn't get as much done. But if we were to go toe-to-toe, unless I'm allowed to shoot him in the head, the guy's going to lay me out like a welcome mat. Hell, seeing how thick his muscles and bones are, I'm convinced the bullet would flatten against his temple." Zombieman argued.

That compelled Doctor Genus to stop, which made Zombieman do the same. You could see the gears turning in the doctor's head, but his face expressed uneasiness.

"...Here's our biggest hurdle, Zombieman," Dr. Genus started. "I made you. That is important because I know what your limitations are. One Punch Man, every single time he's ever been asked about his strength, has provided the same story. There have never been any inconsistencies or indications that he is lying. The Association thoroughly examined him and concluded there were no enhancements or augmentations whatsoever. Based on this, the minimum conclusion that can be reached is that One Punch Man somehow exceeded what was realistically achievable for himself. To simplify that statement, it would be like if he suddenly started flying because he jumped enough times to make his body do it. That's what I'm getting at. So, with that logic, we would need to push you passed your hypothetical limitations. However, I designed you with the idea that there's nothing you can't handle. I could put you in a literal meat grinder, and you'd always come back from that. If we were to try and replicate One Punch Man's transformation with you, it would be indescribable. You would need to endure so many tests and experiments as we explore entirely unknown territory. It may very well be impossible to even replicate the result that is the world's strongest hero. Are you truly willing to commit time and effort to something that might not have a reward?" He described, ending with a question.

"Yes." Zombieman's reply was instant. He had already thought long and hard about his decision before this conversation. "Genus, if we cannot improve me in the same way One Punch Man improved himself, then I will give you my permission to alter me. This isn't some half-hearted pursuit for greater power. I NEED to be better. Otherwise, I'm going to become a burden for everyone, including the people I'm supposed to be mentoring. I can't let that happen." He insisted.

Doctor Genus was both impressed and moved by Zombieman's resolve. Merely looking into the man's eyes showed an unwavering passion. No amount of risks and disappointments would keep the undead hero from this path.

"Can we save this for when both of our schedules are more flexible?" Dr. Genus requested.

"Of course." Zombieman accepted.

With a surprisingly sincere exchange between these two finished, they resumed walking. A minute later, they reached the entrance to the combat training room. Yet, when the doors were open...

"HELP ME!" The Deep Sea King was running as fast as he could at the now open exit. "HE'S OUT OF HIS MIND! HE'S-"

BANG

THUD

Like a quickdraw, Zombieman unholstered his magnum and put a bullet between the monarch's eyes. Unfortunately for the Seafolk, this ammunition was custom-made. No matter how good your regeneration might be, a fatal shot would put you down no differently than a normal human.

"Sorry. I didn't want him near us." Zombieman apologized, speaking to Doctor Genus.

"Trust me. I would've done the same if I had your gun," Dr. Genus remarked before looking away from the corpse. "I'm amazed you're still at it, Sub. I figured you'd be out of torture methods by now." He said.

"I'm older than humanity. My knowledge is vast." The Subterranean King responded as he walked over. He also deactivated his blades of magma.

"Hmph, just like this guy's hypocrisy," Zombieman commented while observing the growing pool of blood beneath the body.

"Oh, believe me, sir, you've seen nothing," The Subterranean King told him.

Following that, the trio left the combat training room with the corpse in tow. The Subterranean King easily carried it in his arms. Having seen how much the Deep Sea King now feared him, Zombieman asked if he'd like to assist with the interrogation. If the Subterranean King could smile, it'd be spread across his face.

Chapter Text

"Good boy, Pochi," King said with a smile as he rubbed the giant dog's body. "Make sure to eat it all! You don't want to be hungry while we're working." He advised.

After a brief bout of sadness for having let Blast slip away without getting more details, King made his way outside so he could feed Pochi. Metal Knight constructed a doghouse beside the apartment building for S-Class's newest member, ensuring he'd be comfortable all the time. Actually, on that subject, was Pochi's position in S-Class official? Sure, it had been silently agreed that he'd be a fitting mascot, but no one talked with the Association about whether or not this colossal canine could receive a rank.

Then again, Pochi would undoubtedly fall into the category of non-human heroes, which was another topic that needed to be explored. The House of Evolution was now unceremoniously revealed to the public. With S-Class vouching for its members and their aid in the meteor crisis in mind, no one was fearful or anxious toward them. Still, while City J and their new Seafolk residents helped open the door for human and non-human relations, the idea of non-human entities being tasked with humanity's safety was difficult to accept. In short, this was a crucial period of adjustment for everyone.

But King didn't want to think about any of that right now. All that mattered was petting a big fluffy puppy as it ate its breakfast. Calm. Peaceful. A moment of serenity before-

"Ah, there you are, King!"

...Wait, hold on, no need to freak out. That was the gentle voice of Silver Fang. Phew. King's heart didn't need to jumpstart itself. No craziness would come from this sweet old man.

"Hey, Silver Fang," King greeted his colleague with a smile as he watched him approach. "What's up? Are you looking for me?" He asked.

"I am. I wanted to talk with you before the morning meeting," Bang answered. "May I?" He requested.

"Sure! Go right ahead." King welcomed, making him smile as well.

"Thank you," Bang replied. "Yesterday, after we had dinner, I received a call from the organization that is responsible for all professional martial arts competitions and showcases. I was going to be a judge in an upcoming tournament. Naturally, given what happened, it was assumed that I would have to be replaced as I am needed here for the City Z relief efforts. But as we continued to converse, an appealing suggestion emerged. What if the tournament was conducted here to help bring in support for City Z and to uplift the spirits of its citizens? It'd be similar to a concert in terms of scale and entertainment." He told him.

Upon hearing that, King stared at Bang with wide eyes and an open mouth. The shocked reaction didn't go unnoticed.

"Is something the matter? Do you not like the idea?" Bang inquired.

"N-No! It's the opposite!" King quickly exclaimed. "I was thinking that we should do something to make people happy and help keep their minds off the disaster. I considered going to Sweet Mask to see if he'd like to perform, but if you can arrange a tournament of professional fighters, that'd be even better!" He explained.

Note: King chose not to mention Blast because the mere utterance of his name was nearly on par with One Punch Man's. With everything else going on, the last thing he needed was everyone fixating on his conversation with the absent S-Class hero.

"Oh, great minds think alike, then," Bang remarked, pleased to see they were on the same page. "With Metal Knight's aid, we could construct an appropriate environment swiftly. Also, if you'd be open to the idea, we could consider having a separate tournament alongside the traditional one that is meant for heroes." He said, followed by a proposal.

"A tournament for heroes..." King muttered, closing his eyes to think about it. "...If we did that, I think it'd only be fair to have a bracket for each class. While watching S and A-Class heroes go at it would be entertaining by itself, I don't want the Bs and Cs to feel overlooked. I know Saitama would want every rank to be represented as well." He responded.

"I wholeheartedly agree. This is an excellent opportunity for every hero to learn something while the best among each rank display what makes them who they are." Bang reasoned.

"Yeah. It'll be beneficial to the people and the heroes. A win-win for everybody." King said. "We'll run this by the others when we're gathered, but I'm sure they'll be on board." He added, receiving a nod from Bang.

Meanwhile, In The Middle Of The Ocean...

Sleeping in. Man, when was the last time Saitama got to enjoy that? He...honestly couldn't remember. Wow. He REALLY needed this vacation.

The mattress enveloped Saitama's slumbering form like a warm hug from an old friend. He sank into it with a smile on his face while his limbs spread out in different directions. Even as the sun's rays entered the room, Saitama was not disturbed. The whole thing was just so, so, so pleasant.

Knock Knock

"Saitama~" The voice of Puri-Puri Prisoner called from beyond the bedroom door. "I've made you breakfast! Would you like me to leave it outside?" He asked.

...Huh. On the one hand, Saitama was nervous about what a man like Puri would consider breakfast. On the other hand, only a fool would refuse a warm meal in bed.

"You can bring it in," Saitama answered, but barely. He was in that blissful state between conscious and unconscious.

With a merry hum, Puri-Puri Prisoner entered the room. A few seconds later, a tray was placed on Saitama's lap. Immediately, the smell hit his nose, causing his eyes to shoot wide open.

"...Whoa..." Saitama whispered after he sat upright. Any expectations he had were shattered.

Sitting before Saitama was a simple yet well-made dish. There was an omelet that made the stomach insatiable. Then, there was a cooked fish that made the tongue salivate. A small bowl of mixed fruits accompanied the main course. And to wash all of it down was a glass of milk.

"Ta-Da~" Puri dramatically gestured to his creation, complete with wiggling fingers. "Everything the world's strongest man needs. Plenty of protein, fruits for your vitamins, and a glass of milk for your bones. Sure, your bones are the best around, but you should still keep them maintained!" He described.

"Wow, Puri, I...don't know what to-"

"SHUSH!" Puri commanded, interrupting his leader. "There's no need to get sappy, sweetie. I'm already enjoying a break from the slammer because of your gracious invitation to stay. The least I can do is be your in-house butler. Leave the cleaning, cooking, and ninja management to me!" He declared.

"Puri, that's nice of you, but you're meant to be relaxing, too. Don't defeat the purpose by overworking yourself." Saitama replied.

"Ha! Nonsense, darling," Puri scoffed with a proud smirk. "Another labor of love my beauties bestowed me with was allowing me to do their chores in prison. I could work for weeks without a break and be perfectly fine." He proudly shared.

...

...

...

"Puri...didn't...the guards have anything to say about that?..." Saitama questioned after a brief silence.

"Oh, plenty! The guards were even bigger fans of my hard work than my fellow inmates. I received TV privileges and other special rewards." Puri told him.

"Well, that's good, at least. Glad to know the guards were looking out for him," Saitama thought. "Even so, Puri, just be sure to take it easy, okay?" He insisted.

"Of course, Saitama!" Puri promised with a salute. "Now then, you enjoy your food as I attend to Sonic." He said before exiting the room.

Saitama waited until his door was closed to turn his attention toward his meal. But right as he was about to dig in, he realized something.

"...Who's Sonic?" Saitama wondered aloud. Had Puri-Puri Prisoner given Jack-O-Lantern Panic a nickname? Eh, Saitama can ask him about it later. Right now, that fish was calling out to him.

Elsewhere, At The House Of Evolution...

...

...

...

"Hello?"

...

...

...

"Is anyone there? You didn't leave me, did you?"

...

...

...

FWOOSH

Through the darkness that surrounded him, the Deep Sea King saw four swords of magma appear. Although their light did illuminate their wielder, that wasn't necessary for him to know who it was.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" The Deep Sea King yelled, pushing himself against whatever he was attached to. "HAVEN'T YOU HAD YOUR FILL?! WHAT MORE COULD YOU DO?!" He asked.

"I...am the LAST Subterranean..." The Subterranean King whispered, slowly advancing. "Your deaths are still below a hundred. You've barely reached a fourth of the anguish my people felt. As for mine, it's not even met that measurement yet." He answered.

"OH, PLEASE! DON'T ACT SO HIGH AND MIGHTY! YOU WOULD'VE DONE THE SAME THING! HAD THE SUBTERRANEANS AND SEAFOLK GONE TO WAR, YOU WOULD'VE KILLED US ALL!" The Deep Sea King argued. He'd be kicking his legs if he could, but his entire body was restrained.

"BUT WE DIDN'T, DID WE?!" The Subterranean King shouted back, pointing his blades at his captive. By now, the two were close enough that the Deep Sea King could feel the heat of the blades. "THERE WAS NO WAR! NO GLORY IN BATTLE! WE DIDN'T PROVE WHO WAS SUPERIOR! YOU SIDED WITH AN OUTSIDER! YOU MADE MY PEOPLE SLAVES! I WATCHED THEM WITHER AWAY FROM PROUD WARRIORS INTO HUSKS! ALL FOR REASONS I DON'T UNDERSTAND! AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THEIR DEATHS WERE MEANINGLESS! THEIR LABOR HELD NO VALUE! EVERYTHING I HAD IS GONE, AND FOR WHAT?! WHAT BOUNTY DID YOU CLAIM?!" He ranted, ending with a question.

"TO BE A GOD!" The Deep Sea King roared. "THAT IS WHAT I WAS ALWAYS DESTINED TO BE! A GOD OF THIS WORLD! A GOD WHO RULED OVER THE PATHETIC MONKEYS WHO INHABITED THE SURFACE! BUT GUESS WHAT?! ONE OF THOSE MONKEYS SOMEHOW GOT STRONGER! SO STRONG THAT NO ONE CAN WITHSTAND A SINGLE PUNCH FROM HIM! SO, WHEN I WAS OFFERED THE MEANS TO DETHRONE THAT EVOLUTIONARY DISGRACE, I PAID WHATEVER PRICE WAS ASKED! LUCKILY FOR ME, ALL THEY WANTED WAS YOU AND YOUR DIRT-EATING PEOPLE! ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD REFUSE A DEAL SO FAVORABLE!" He explained.

SHICK

FSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSH

All four swords had been plunged into spots near the Deep Sea King's body. However, none of them harmed him, apart from some light burning caused by their intense heat. Instead, they melted the material of the thing he was bound to. Then, a second later...

BWOOM

The Deep Sea King had to shut his eyes. An awful brightness assaulted them. Once his vision adjusted, he saw that he was in a very metallic room. Additionally, the Subterranean King wasn't the only one here.

"They, huh?" Zombieman questioned, walking up to the former monarch. "Is that plural, or could you not identify what they were?" He inquired.

"...Wait..." The Deep Sea King whispered as he stared at him. "...You...You killed me, too!" He realized with widened eyes.

"Yup." Zombieman casually confirmed. Simultaneously, the Subterranean King deactivated his swords. "Bad news, though, that's the last time you're going to die," He said.

"...Why...Why is that...bad?..." The Deep Sea King asked. Somehow, this human was instilling a potent unease within him.

"Death, so far, has been your only reprieve from Sub here murdering you repeatedly. Temporary moments that offer an escape from all the pain you've received." Zombieman answered. Before saying more, he pulled out a cigarette. "Until we are confident that you've told us everything you know, we're not going to let you die again." He revealed, lighting the cigarette afterward.

"T-There's no need for that!" The Deep Sea King exclaimed. "I-I'll be your songbird! Tell me the tune, and I'll start chirping!" He promised.

"Oh, you'll sing, alright," Zombieman replied, taking in a puff. "But it'll be to our tempo. So, just go ahead and make yourself-"

CRUNCH

Out of a mixture of hate, fear, and desperation, the Deep Sea King attacked Zombieman. The method of assault was an eel-like appendage that shot from his mouth and bit into the undead hero's neck. Of course, that whole undead aspect was unknown to the assailant.

"UGH, OH MY LORD!" The Deep Sea King reacted in disgust as he swiftly withdrew his eel. "WHAT...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR BLOOD?!" He questioned, spitting out everything he tore away.

Sadly, Zombieman couldn't speak. The Deep Sea King ripped out his vocal cords. While that did lead to the amusing visual of Zombieman's inhaled smoke escaping through the open wound in his neck, it also meant that he couldn't explain why his blood was so rancid. Yet, it's not like he knew himself. That was something only Doctor Genus could elaborate on.

Alas, the good doctor wasn't here. There were plenty of other things he could be doing to be useful while Zombieman and the Subterranean King handled the interrogation. If the Deep Sea King perished unintentionally, then the former could contact Doctor Genus, and he'd get the aquatic villain back into shape. But both men were going to be VERY careful to avoid that outcome, lest their fun be spoiled.