Zzzzzzzzz
Huh? What's going- SHIT!
The last thing I remembered was going to bed peacefully, then suddenly now for whatever reason I was floating in some dark murky god awful smelling water.
Fuck that stinks! I need to get out of here! Fast!
For a moment I scrambled then tried to swim towards the closest ledge as fast as possible. After pulling myself up onto the ledge of on my side it suddenly dawned on me how easy that was.
Swimming isn't normally that easy for me... being a tad out of shape, and I don't think I could've lifted my own weight like that before. Just what was going on?
I looked at hands, arms, then body, then I made a gasp of surprise.
"W-what the fuck!"
I was shocked at multiple things. For one my hands were pure black, little bit stubby, two my voice was suddenly different. And for whatever reason my new appearance looked vaguely familiar, I couldn't say from where though yet.
Turning around I looked at my reflection in the suspected sewer water to confirm my suspicions.
"Damn that's creepy."
A white face with black eyes stared back at me. And it appeared to me that my whole body was black, with the addition of this weird looking antennae on my head- what a minute I know where that's from!
Was I... Black Sperm!?
Never have I ever considered before that something like this could happen to me. Going to sleep nice and peacefully, and now I've woken up as a fictional anime character, a sperm. Great, just great.
Was this one of those isekai scenarios I keep reading about in fanfiction and manga, man wish I got some warning first. Would a character selection be too much to ask for? A mysterious being wouldn't be my first choice, but I guess I could be less powerful things, like a wolf or something.
I knew this probably wasn't a dream, the smell was too awful, like how one pokes or hurts themselves to wake up this was just as bad if not worse. Speaking of which I should get out of here and figure out what's going on.
Was this supposed to be the place I was born?
Ew. Don't wanna consider the implications there. Got to leave, and fast!
Picking a random direction, I began sprinting as fast as I could. Which actually ended up being really fast, to my thankfulness. Must be one of the perks of being a mysterious being.
...
So anyways eventually I did manage to find my way out. Not through a pothole or a ladder like normal but it was actually a large open exit for the sewer water pouring into the ocean.
Guess I can sympathize with Vaccine Man a little since the scene was rather unsightly, not a lot of sympathy though, killing humans doesn't do much to remedy- well actually I guess it does kinda. But exterminating humanity for all purposes is completely impossible. Especially with people like Saitama and Tats roaming around, killing ain't gonna cut it.
When it comes to pollution I didn't have any particular feelings about it myself. An inevitability of human society I loved dearly. It was kinda sad. But I really didn't give much of a shit about the environment, well I mean I did... not enough to get rid of the source problem. Or really attempt to fight them in any meaningful way. Was I selfish?
Despite my new physical form as a mysterious being I really didn't seem to possess any new genocidal tendencies or cravings to kill humans, or really any different emotions besides the ones I have normally. Just the same old me, looking like a... well you know.
Now having exited the sewer I found myself in some sort of wilderness area. Shrubs, couple rocks, and a ton of trees.
Ok so first off I need to make a plan. Can I walk into a City like normal? No probably not, there might be some very understandable fear or discrimination due to my new body and I really didn't want to fight anyone at the moment.
I mean it isn't impossible to integrate as a monster, that one cyborg gorilla that Genus made did it. Though he wore a hoodie as a disguise. Could I do that? Not without being mistaken for a child... or a midget... yeah no I didn't want to become jaded about my height.
Guess I could work at Genus's place if all else fails, but did I really want to do that? My old life wasn't particularly interesting so I was actually kind of reluctant to just go back to working like normal. My life before essentially boiled down to going back and fourth between my job and sleeping at home I wasn't too keen on going back to that.
Especially since I had powers now. It would be pretty selfish to not do anything, like saving people with them when I could right?
So the only realistic option in my mind: Was to become a hero!
If I remember correctly Black Sperm was like High Dragon. Real tough to kill with all those extra lives, so killing monsters would be no problem at all and there would be little to no danger to myself whatsoever. Once I kill enough monsters then I think I might have a reasonable shot of becoming accepting by humanity through sheer effort. Maybe.
Speaking of which what exactly did I have?
Uh... duplication... shapeshifting... merged transformations... general increased physical abilities...and I think that's it. Not a whole lot in terms of variety, but if my gimmick was a trillion extra lives then I have no reason complain.
Did I have that many 'cells' to start with? Actually now that I think about it I might need to "grind" eating food. Damn. Wonder if Pig God's willing to share. If he doesn't eat me that is.
Well either way I need to figure out how to duplicate.
Ok so... was it supposed to be instinctual? The original was able to do it pretty seamlessly so why shouldn't I be able to?
Ok relax. Gonna try getting a feel for it.
"Hnnng." I clenched my body.
No particular method for how this was supposed to work came in mind, so I tried using sheer willpower and 'imagined' myself splitting.
As a result of some miracle it actually worked. There was now another one of me.
We sort of stared at each other for a bit.
"This is weird."
"You're telling me."
"So should we try experimenting? We might need to figure out how our abilities work in case we run into trouble."
My clone said some pretty good advice.
Talk about patting myself the back, eh?
"That would be helpful, yeah."
So we went right to it.
...
After about a few hours of trial and error, discussion, and planning with my clone, plus I few more I made for testing, we managed to figure to figure out most things that I could do.
So I learned that I could 'feel' how many cells I had if I concentrated on it, it was a only a teensy bit difficult. Like trying to feel and count each of your fingers, which was easy but you'd have to focus on it for a moment if you wanted an exact number. That number ended up being give or take 500 Billion, plus a few more. Not an amount to scoff at but nowhere near the original Black Sperm's amount of 11 Trillion.
How I was able to process that information without overloading I had no idea, another weird thing due to my new biology, probably an instinctual thing though since I couldn't do anything special with math differently then before beyond just counting my cells internally.
In terms of shapeshifting I figured out I could pretty much shape up any way I wanted, or even put on multiple heads anymore as a means to get extra eyes. It was a foreign feeling having multiple sets of vision, but nevertheless pretty cool. Though at times it felt disorientating. Absolutely useful in combat, so I planned to get used to it eventually. I kept my smaller form, mostly because it did in fact take additional effort to maintain height, so it was more practical to be tiny and nimble, at least until one of my evolutions.
I didn't try out merging cells yet, just to be safe since I distinctly remember that prevented me from continuing to use them in the base me. Until I could get back up to 11 Trillion or more I plan to stray away from merging. Need at least a couple Golden Sperm bodyguards. Or Golden Sperm+, whatever that makes.
As for duplication... it was kind of trippy at first, talking to a perfect duplicates of me and all that created a bit of existential crisis for me. But me and myself managed talked each other out of it.
After that me and my clone bounced and tested ideas off each other for awhile on the theories we had on our powers. We ended up pretty much learning everything that the OG Sperm had as far as we were aware. Duplicate clones of yourself are actually quite convenient for brainstorming stuff.
Speaking of which we also managed to figure out my duplicates memories are the exact same as mine, the original, the moment before they get created, and they have an internal sense of who's the original, me, plus a vague mental link that allowed me to sort of tap in and see through or take control of any individual one.
This would certainly make multitasking easier.
With this in mind we started creating battle plans for the future in case we ever got into a tussle. Naming them by letters of the alphabet, and each with a specific purpose behind them. Instead of just winging it throwing cells around wastefully.
Plan A, I would attempt to stay together as one body and focus on physical combat using cells to increase strength or mass as needed, trying to end the fight as efficiently as possible with sheer power.
B and C were variations of combat styles for how we handled fighting with combinations of splitting. D was our first hero Plan, splitting into as many autonomous combat and rescue groups as possible depending on the amount of enemies and scouting the area to evacuate if needed.
We stopped after finishing Plan E, the second hero plan and F, just so we didn't waste too much time talking about theoreticals. E was a more single enemy focused hero plan. The idea was to split into five or so single bodies hosting 15-20% of cells, each with a role in mind, three for fighting, one to distract if possible, and another for area analysis observation or possible evacuation duties.
F was just overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers plus a few more to scout out the area, nothing too complicated.
Of course this was all just an idea. I'd need to discuss the usage of my cells with someone that has more of a tactical mind to better utilize my powers and possible formations.
Anyways splitting was actually really easy as I got used to it, though it got crowded pretty quickly if I made too many at on e. And unfortunately I learned that 1 single cell duplicate were not particularly durable and can be killed from things that a human might be weak to, like from a wild bear for instance.
That bear no longer exists in the living world, a good practice dummy to test out shapeshifting and overwhelming numbers...
After merging myself back I contemplated taking a bite out of the bear to get more cells.
I ended up chickening out of it and just decided to walk back to some civilization. I'd rather raid a grocery store then eat raw meat of a bear I found out in the wild in all honesty. I'll uh, make sure to reimburse the store owners after. If that ever happens that is.
...
An undetermined period of time passed and I somehow managed to stumble into a particularly odd looking square shaped building with a large metal door on one side and a small one close to it. A pair of scientists were seemingly having a conversation in front the small door.
Interesting.
I quickly snuck around and into some nearby bushes to listen in.
The specifics of what they were talking about went over my head, most sounding like a lot science jargon nonsense, but the mentioning of the words psychic and uncooperative esper caught my eye.
Some guys studying espers and their psychic powers in a secret facility in a forest? Sounds interesting and very coincidentally plot related... I must observe it further! The moment the pair of scientists left to who knows where I made my move.
With darkness and silence through the night~
Not exactly the right scenario for it but it was still stealth, at least until the boss battle. First mission, here we go! Hopefully I at least get an A rank on this.
I had no need of stealth being nigh immortal, but it never hurt to be too careful. I wasn't impervious to physical damage after all.
Okay right at the door, damn, shits locked.
No problem, so I just broke it, just like that. Monster strength is still pretty cool yeah? Though, it might be the 500 Billion worth of cells I have.
So I was inside now, after waiting a few minutes for the scientists to walk away I went in. Oh a stairway, time to go down then.
Down down down... down... ok we've stopped. Time to explore!
Fuck, a 3 way split. Uh let me think... I saw some lab stuff forward and right, some guys in the distance, but the left looked empty. Guess I'll go there.
Walking there I noticed was surprisingly open of a hallway for a research facility, that kept getting larger and larger... and larger... and I might be deep underground now, hm.
Ok this feels way too breezy. And there's a bunch of cells. Okay now this is starting to get way too familiar. Reminds me of that-
Huh? Hearing some noise. Screaming ahead?
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
Some small distance away I saw a bunch of scientists and other guys in suits running my direction.
"Shit!" "What's the fuck is that?!" "Who cares keep running!" They yelled out in a scared manner, some of them only gawked at me for a moment before continuing to run.
I guess I didn't look very intimidating. That was understandable, and fine, makes it easier to be a hero at least. Not sure what to think of the lab yet. Need to confirm this is what I think it is, as in Tatsumaki's backstory. In a world like this there's probably an awful lot of labs with monsters incidents. Oh yeah I should probably deal with that monster too.
Speaking of which the monster they were just now screaming about came into sight.
Jesus that's huge. Kinda scary, maybe if I was anyone but BLACK SPERM, contender for the top 10 strongest beings in the world.
Hang on... looks like it's attention suddenly got focused on something... one of the cells?
Looking closer I noticed someone in there, with familiar green hair. Shit! Tatsumaki!
"Don't worry I'm coming!"
My voice alerted the small Tats, naturally she was a little shocked and surprised, alongside being scared shitless due to being right next to that gigantic monstrosity. There was also a tinge of relief for a split second, but it went away as soon as she saw me replaced by a odd look. Rude.
"Battle Formation A!" I was hesitant to try and rush big guy with numbers where he could probably squish a few cells, and with someone at immediate risk I needed to end this fast.
Taking a stance, I began running while internally focusing and putting in cells to my fist, shapeshifting it eight times its size and its density a lot more.
Then a second later I dove into him with all my might, the impact of my fist essentially caving in his head and entire body in an instant. Monster remains were completely splattered all over the place.
Overkill? Nah.
Shrinking my arm back down I glanced over to Tatsumaki, her mouth wide open in astonishment.
"Don't worry kid you're save now. Oh and uh, you wanna leave this place? A jail cell isn't a place a little girl is supposed to be, I'm pretty sure."
She nodded her head rapidly. "Y-yes please."
"Okay stand back for a moment, I'm gonna tear this door off."
I tore off the metal door after a few seconds. It wasn't a particularly difficult task, only requiring me the use of some cells to muscle up an arm for a moment.
"You wanna walk or a piggy back ride?" I turned around and motioned to my back.
Tatsumaki jumped on and squeezed tightly.
Ok time to go!
While running out of the facility I mused over the situation. Frankly I didn't exactly expect any this to happen, I mean helping fix past events was definitely on the todo list and all but this was ridiculously too far away from canon. For me to comfortably know what was going to happen.
And wasn't Blast supposed to be here? Maybe I moved too fast, avoiding the humans and killing the monster might've just made him presume the situation was clear despite my appearance. Or maybe he just never showed up?
...Mmm, either way things are different now. Gotta start figuring out what to do. Especially with Tatsumaki. Unite with Fubuki? Ditch at an orphanage or keep? Can I even take care of her and a baby?
How far back was I anyway?
"Hey kid how old are you?"
"Ten."
Okay. Ten plus ten is twenty, but I'm pretty sure Tatsu was just a little bit older the that. Late twenties? So fifteen years before at the least, maybe slightly more.
After having ran a good distance way from the facility I stopped and set her down.
She looked a little nervous, mixed in with visible confusion and maybe relief, I think.
...
We just stared at each other awkwardly for a minute, both of us unsure of what to say.
"You have anywhere to go?" I asked.
"No... no one wants me." She responded, looking down sadly.
"No parents? Siblings?" Fubuki? You should know her right?
"I… I have a sister… but m-mama and papa sold me off." Oh no she was tearing up, gotta fix that.
I patted her on the head trying to be at least somewhat comforting.
"You're sister is still with them?"
She nodded.
"You have terrible parents. We should probably kidnap her."
"Huh?!"
"What I mean is rescue, yeah rescue, but it's for your sisters safety! If your parents are willing to sell you, then what does that mean for your sister? What if your quote on quote 'parents' decide they don't want her anymore? Because I'm such a good person I'm willing to continue helping you by reuniting you with your sister, and getting you guys to a... more safe place. What do you say?"
She seemed a little surprised for a moment, and calmed down before nodding. "Okay, thank you mister."
"Great! Then lets go!" Halfway through me turning around Tatsumaki spoke up.
"Mister, why are you helping me?"
So you don't kill me. "Because I feel like it? You don't need a reason to do something nice for someone, or to help them. Spreading kindness and doing good deeds makes the world better, and so does killing monsters." Real smooth. Gotta introduce her to being nice, something her other self was lacking in slightly.
Despite deciding to become a hero for rather selfish reasons I wasn't just gonna ditch Tats after saving her, after taking into consideration the bad outcomes of leaving her in an unpredictable situation. Well I could but that wouldn't be very heroic. If I could at least give better life advice to her then Blast and become something of a pseudo-parental role model.
Tatsumaki quinted her eyes ever so slightly. "Aren't you a monster?"
Just like that my hopes were nearly crushed.
"I'm a special one of a kind case, you won't find anyone else like me. In fact- don't trust any other monsters, you can usually tell if their evil or not by if they monologue about wanting to kill humans. Me though? I'm perfectly human safe."
Plus I really don't want you to kill me.
Tatsumaki chuckled.
"Did I say something?"
"You look kinda funny."
If I had any less patience I might've berated her for that painful reminder of my new appendage. But I knew it couldn't be helped… and she was still a child… and said child could probably kill me with her psychic powers. Oh yeah she had psychic powers, I don't 'technically' know about that yet do I? Wonder if she'll tell me.
"What's your name again kid?"
"Tatsumaki." She was smiling slightly now, that was good.
"Tatsumaki... my name is Black Sperm, though I would prefer you call me Black." I paused momentarily.
Might ruin the mood. She seemed like she was in a good state right now. No need to mess up that.
Maybe I'll mention it later. Need to make sure she becomes a hero still. Don't wanna inadvertently kill thousands... I can't fucking handle all those things she kills at once, and I can't fly either.
"Alright. Then we should probably get a move on."