I don't own One Punch Man, nor do I own My Hero Academia. Each Franchise is owned by their respective owners.
AnimeFan13579: I fixed chapter 22. Sonic got his balls busted, get rekt LMAO. As for the quirkless thing, I may or may not fix it.
Guest: Broly's Dimension Hopping Indicident is ON HIATUS
AUTHOR NOTES: Go re-read chapter 22, as I added some extra scenes with Sonic..
Anyways, enjoy!
Soba Noodle House...
"You said something was stressing you out last night. What was it?" Nana asked as she sat on the chair on the opposite side. Yagi replied, "I will tell you, but..please don't get mad when I tell you, okay?"
"Let me guess," Nana then guessed, "You got yourself into a complicated situation due to your vigilantism."
"I guess you could say that." Yagi nodded.
Nana sighed, "I'm so gonna kick your ass." She remarked. Yagi gulped, before continuing, "So...remember the terrorist attack?"
"Yep. Unfortunately, I couldn't interfere as it was out of my jurisdiction. I'm glad The Speed-O-Sound Sonic was there to deal with the problem." Nana sadly replied, before widening her eyes in shock, "... don't tell me you went all the way there just to do your 'vigilantism' magic?"
"I..did.." Yagi gulped as Nana's stare began to overwhelm him, "You didn't even tell me the full story and I'm already eager to kick your ass even more. Tell me more." Nana demanded.
Yagi was confused for a second. The media should've told the people about him. He was there, and the police saw him. He should've been in the news, and Nana should've known by now.
But she didn't know? Maybe that weird ninja hero unintentionally stole his credit, not that he cared that much anyways.
Yagi then nodded. He continued, "So..my time there was short. Should've been short. It was just another day in my life. Weird villains, weird heroes, weird situations, and all that stuff, I handled it pretty well." Yagi emphasized on the 'pretty well' part. Yeah right. He almost destroyed a pro-hero's ball sack accidentally. 'Pretty well' indeed.
"Then?" Nana asked curiously, clasping both her hands, "It better not sound worse than before, if not, your ass's gonna be begging for the kicking to stop."
Yagi nervously nodded, before saying, "Then I found someone." He said.
"Okay, that is so specific." Nana rolled her eyes, "Who is this 'someone?"
"O- oh..Well, from what I know, he's a lost kid. He looked depressed, and alone, I had to accompany him in his way to...well, nowhere. The kid was going nowhere. He had no destination, nothing, all he wanted was 'some time alone'. But of course, I didn't leave him. I stayed with him, talked with him for a bit." Yagi explained. But before he can continue, he could've sworn he noticed the pale look that Nana gave him.
Yagi brushed it off, before continuing, "And apparently, this kid..was abandoned by his parents. I don't know what their deal is, but it sounds serious. Someone is probably blackmailing them, and I don't know if you'll allow me after all of that lecturing, but I really want to help you. I came for your advise, and also to investigate, since his parents happens to be a pro-hero also."
Nana was frozen, her mouth slightly gaping. No. This is just a coincidence, right? it can't be. No, no, Nana, focus! Yagi needs your help. It must be a coincidence. You'll look like an idiot if you let yourself be affected by this!
"Shimura-san," Yagi clenched his fists, "I have to help him. Whatever problem he's facing, it sounds serious. I need to get him back to his parents. I need advise!"
Nana took a few seconds to respond, before finally opening her mouth, Advise huh? Well, before we get to that, tell me more in detail, about this boy you met."
"Hmm, I did say I came to investigate. I got the boy's name, though." Yagi said, and Nana's heart were beating faster than before. Please, be a different name, please, be a different name! She thought as beads of sweats began to overwhelm her.
It can't be Kotarou, can it? It can't be her poor, little boy. No, she prayed to everything that is holy out there that whatever she's thinking right now is false. There is just no-
"Does the name 'Kotarou' mean anything to you?" Yagi asked, and the moment of truth was here, at last.
Nana was on the verge of fainting, her sweats soaking her facial features. She had to held herself from acting strangely.
"Shimura-san?" Yagi asked again, "Are you okay?"
"Y- yeah, I'm just...sick, nowadays, wait, what was the name again?" Nana asked as she heard her heart thump louder than before.
"Kotarou...wait, are you okay, Shimura-san? Your face.. what's-" Yagi was interrupted when Nana suddenly yelped, "I'm okay! Don't be ridiculous!" She forced a fake laugh. But the pain, it was still there. Being reminded of her past failures was not something she hoped to experience today. However, she can't blame Yagi. He was just trying to do good, to do the right thing, but Kotarou..he...
He can't come back with me...I have to keep my distance from him..
"I- if his parents abandons him," Nana stuttered, "D- does he still have a foster family to live with? Maybe an orphanage?"
Yagi replied, "From what he said to me, he does have a foster family living with him, but based on what I saw, it seemed like he didn't want to be with them anymore."
Nana was shocked. She gave Kotarou away to her trusted friends, why couldn't he just trust them?
Nana was still having a bit of doubt in her, still believing that it was merely coincidence. In this country, many people has the name 'Kotarou'. It's just a coincidence...right?
As far as theories can go, evidence can always either rebuke it or support it, provided if it exists. Yagi pulled something out of his pockets, before handing it over to Nana, "Also, I found a letter of some sorts. The name of the one who sent it is unknown, but I'm pretty sure she's a pro-hero."
Nana widened her eyes as she took the letter from Yagi's hands, and set her eyes upon the content. It was...it was...It was my own letter...
No...no, no, no, FUCK, FUCK!!! Nana cursed inside her mind, as she gripped the letter, almost shredding it into pieces, which concerned Yagi, "Are you okay, Shimura-san?"
She didn't respond, before noticing the added words behind the letters. It was her son's own scribbling. It read..
I miss you mom..
I miss you..
I love you..
...
no
I hate you
I fucking hate you
I fucking hate you so much
I hope you die
JUST DIE AND GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD ALREADY!
Nana tried her best to hid her distress. She had to escape from this situation, or else Yagi would piece the patterns easily. She had to do something, an excuse, anything, to go away from here as far as she can.
Suddenly, an idea jolted through her mind, before pulling out her phone. She then faked a gasp, before saying, "Y- Yagi! Shit, I'm so sorry, but I really have to go. Can we postpone this conversation later? Something happened, and I really have to go. I'll catch up with you later, I promise."
Yagi looked at her with much disappointment. He hoped that she can help him today, but he really can't blame her. She's a pro-hero, after all, and pro-heroes are needed at all times. Yagi gave her an understanding smile, before lifting a thumbs up, "It's okay! It can wait for a little while. But I can't help but feel a little bit...concerned with your reaction to the matter back there."
"It's nothing. I told you, I'm sick." Nana said, putting up an act in front of Yagi. He sighed, before nodding, "I hope you feel better soon, Shimura-san."
"Thanks! Catch you later! Oh, and," She pointed at the cashier, "My agency will pay for the bills! Now bye!" She ran as fast as she could, opening the door aggressively before slamming it, disappearing from sight gradually.
Yagi sighed, as he pondered about what just occurred earlier. Why did Nana reacted like that? It couldn't have been sickness. She was perfectly fine earlier. Plus, she was sweating profusely, common signs for extreme stress. Something triggered her, whatever that is.
Yagi then thought of the pro-heroes that were females. They were few, sure, but he couldn't help but think that Nana might be one of the suspects-
Wait, is that it? Is it her? Was Nana Kotarou's mother? Is that why she reacted like that? No, it couldn't be. He had to refrain himself from making such a dumb conclusion. There is no evidence, yet. It would be embarrassing if Nana was really sick, or something else was bothering her.
Yagi shook his head, as he exited the restaurant, going back to his apartment.
Kotarou, I promise, I'll find your mom..
On a couch, a man with white hair and a casual clothing was seen sitting, scrolling through his laptop, which was placed uncomfortably on his thigh.
Sorahiko sighed as he scrolled through yet another ridiculous fanfiction.
Who the hell makes an OC and claims that the actions of said OC is out of their control?
Sorahiko decided, that it was enough for the internet for today, as he closed his laptop, placing it on his shelf near the television.
Damn, I'm not doing anything productive at all. All I've been doing is eating taiyaki, reading ridiculous fanfictions, watching anime, reading manga...Eh, who cares.
Sorahiko then went into his room, planning to get some more sleep. But then, he saw a glimpse of his hero costume, hidden by the doors, it's sleeves slipping in the narrow space.
Huh, maybe I can do some hero work...
Sorahiko wasn't always the best at doing a hero work. He only joined as a pro-hero only because Nana requested him to. It seemed...interesting back then, but he is too lazy to do any of that heroic stuff nowadays. He didn't even bother to reach the top of the hero society hierarchy, which most of the pro-heroes seemed to obsess over these days.
He and his best friend was never the one to be interested in that sort of thing. All they did was help people, that's it, no complicated 'ranky danky' stuff.
He sighed, as he made a final decision for himself. He was going to do a hero work for a bit, when suddenly, an aggresive door knock was heard from his living room.
Eh? Who might that be?
He grunted, as he went to his living room, before peeking inside the hole that he made for his front door, just in case.
N- Nana? What is she doing-
"Sorahiko, please open the door, something happened, and I need to talk for a little bit.. I know you're peeking inside the door as I speak." Nana said in a tone of desperation, and Sorahiko noticed that also.
What is it this time? Could it be..All For One...or something else? Putting the thoughts aside, he unlocked the door, before opening it.
Nana was seen depressed, and this concerned Sorahiko. She took a heavy breath, before saying, "I...need to talk, I really don't know what to do at this point.."
"Calm down, take a deep breath, Nana, and sit here, I'll go get tea." Sorahiko said as he and Nana entered the living room, closing the front door.
Nana sat on the couch, while Sorahiko went to fetch a tea for the both of them. When he came, he placed the tea above the table, before sitting besides Nana, who was still distressed.
Sorahiko took a sip, while noticing that Nana has not done the same. He then asked, "What's eating you, Nana?"
"It's...Yagi Toshinori." Nana said. Sorahiko sighed, "If it's about his vigilantism, I-"
"No, it's not that...well, it has something to do with that, but that's not the entire problem." Nana spoke again, as Sorahiko began to listen carefully to her words.
"Something happened while that terrorist attack happened in Saitama Prefecture. The kid went there." Nana explained.
Sorahiko couldn't help but remember that Saitama Prefecture was the place where Nana decided to hide her son, Shimura Kotarou.
"Right, so he faced the terrorists alone and prevailed." Sorahiko said, "But something bigger happened, I can tell. What was it?"
"Kotarou," Nana explained again, "Yagi, he met him.." She put her hands on her head in a distressed manner, while Sorahiko widened his eyes, "I heard stories from him, bad ones. Kotarou, he didn't seem to take the company of the foster family very well. He got lost, wandering around aimlessly with no destination..And he hates me, which, I kind of expected but...I didn't expect to hear it indirectly from him."
"...are you sure about this?" Sorahiko asked again, and Nana nodded, "But that's not the only problem. Yagi, he's stressed too about this. I can't let him be stressed about my own problems. I can't! Why am I such an idiot to let all of this happens?! Yagi is only but a kid, he can't enter this world, not yet.."
"Nana.." Sorahiko said, "Are you positive that you want to let Kotarou's exile keep on a little longer?"
"That's the thing, Sorahiko, I can't get near him just yet. All For One is still out there, I can't let my poor boy die just like..just like..." She can't bring herself to finish the sentence, choking on her own words.
Sorahiko puts his hand above Nana's shoulder, "Nana, calm yourself. If you keep hurting yourself emotionally, you won't be able to think rationally."
"How am I supposed to think rationally?! Everything just went to shit instantly in a single day! My son is out there, and he's suffering! I want to reach out to him, I really do! But how?! If I do, there's no telling what All For One would do to him!" Nana yelled, as tears profusely drooled off her eyes.
"You should choose a successor, Nana. This isn't healthy, waiting for the right person for you to choose isn't just it. There is no right person. This quirk is meant to be passed over so it can grow stronger. You shouldn't wait any longer." Sorahiko suggested.
"I need to think it over.." Nana replied, "Yagi is the right contender, but I can't just give him the quirk right off the bat. There's so much responsibility carried with the quirk. He's still a teenager, I-"
"Yagi is so much stronger than you think, Nana." Sorahiko countered, "You're underestimating him. Are you really forgetting that he was one of the people that managed to resist Miriko's quirk with his mental strength alone?"
"I know he is strong, and combined with this quirk, I know he's more than capable to handle everything that's being thrown at him, but I need to wait for the right time, I just...feel like he's not ready. I have no doubt that All For One can handle those Subterraneans easily as he did." Nana replied again.
"You're overthinking it, Nana, of course Yagi is ready!" Sorahiko disagreed.
Nana didn't respond for a second, before saying, "I..I'll do it..after the sports festival."
"You mean when the internships begins?" Sorahiko asked, as Nana nodded, "I can teach him everything he needs to know about One for All when it starts."
"Yep. But even if he is ready, we still don't know if he will accept the quirk and the responsibility that comes with it, but judging by his resolve as a hero, I have no doubt that he will, but just to be sure," Sorahiko said, "You have to search for more contenders besides him."
"I already have one person in mind.." Nana looked at him in the eye, "And that's Miriko."
"M- Miriko?!" Sorahiko screamed, "Y- you mean the kid that-"
"I know what you're going to say, but I'm giving him a second chance." Nana interrupted. Sorahiko shook his head, "Second chance, I get, but One for All? Your decision baffles me sometimes, Nana, are you fucking kidding me?!"
"It won't be instantaneous. I'll be his mentor from now on, to teach him what it means to be a hero." Nana explained. Sorahiko put his hand in his temple, "You know time is running out, right?"
"I know, I can search for more contenders, but from now, Yagi and Miriko are the only options." Nana explained.
"What are you going to do with Kotarou?" Sorahiko asked again.
"I'll report this to the HPSC so they can handle him with another pro-hero." Nana replied, as Sorahiko sighed, "Dammit, this wouldn't have happened if you weren't such a selfless little...ugh.."
"I'm sorry to drop this all on you, Sorahiko.." Nana apologized, as she earned a pat in the back by her best friend, "Don't apologize. I'm your friend, friends have each others back."
Nana smiled earnestly, as she hugged him, "Honestly, I don't know what would've become of me if you weren't here.."
"Me too, Nana," Sorahiko gave her a pat, "Me too.."
Meanwhile...
Yagi walked through the streets, seeing as many passerby walked by him.
While he walked, he pondered about how Nana reacted earlier to his story. It was almost as if the pro-hero was having an emotional trouble. But if she didn't know about it, it would've been unlikely for her to act like that out of the blue.
As he exited the area of tatooin shop district, suddenly, he felt a breeze of the wind behind him, interrupting his train of thoughts.
He looked back, only to see that there was nothing. He sighed, before continuing to walk, thinking that it was probably nothing.
But he was wrong. A small blade was seconds away from hitting the back part of his neck. Yagi quickly turned around and swatted the object away.
He asked, "Jeez, I really need to get home and shower, so whoever threw that thing at me, you have the chance to apologize."
The figure as it turns out, came out from alley, ice blonde hair came into light as the street lamps shone over it.
Yagi then eyed the pro-hero, and immediately knew who it was. Sort of. The pro-hero then decided to speak, "It seems that I have coincidentally ran into you on my way to your apartment, Yagi Toshinori."
Yagi rubbed his chin, before saying, "Oh, hi there, mister... wait, I think I read about you last night. Was your name...Flushing Star?"
The hero's eye twitched, "Guess again, kid."
"Huh? I could've sworn that was the correct name." Yagi protested, "Alright, alright, I think I got it now."
"Good, i-" Flashy Flash was interrupted when Yagi guessed again, "Are you forelocks in the face?"
Flashy Flash's face turned into sudden frustration, "No."
"Aw come on, I think I remember calling you that and you having no problem with it." Yagi countered. Flashy Flash sighed, "That doesn't mean your guess was correct-"
"Okay, I think I got it." Yagi said again. Flashy Flash spoke in exasperation, "Stop, I'll just tell-"
"Funky Frog." Yagi said with a goofy smile, while pointing at the pro-hero proudly.
"I'm actually going to kill you." Flashy Flash growled, "My name is Flashy Flash, the ninja hero."
"Like Hide-And-Seek Hispanic then?" Yagi asked. Flashy Flash raised his brow, "Who is that?"
"Just some guy I met back at Saitama Prefecture. I also happen to accidentally crush his..well, his very very censored part, which was super awkwar- Actually, why am I telling you this?" Yagi asked himself.
Flashy Flash looked like he was reconsidering his decision to make Yagi as his pupil, but he continued to talk to him regardless.
"Do you mind if I walk with you?" Flashy Flash asked.
"I'm not interested in dudes." Yagi deadpanned. Flashy Flash sighed in exasperation, "That's not what I mea- you know what, I'll just take that as a yes."
"It was just a joke." Yagi laughed slightly, before fixing his gaze on the front as he walked, Flashy Flash following along.
"By the way," Yagi started a conversation, "You were so cool when you fought off those Subterraneans. You were really...brave."
Flashy Flash was taken aback by the sudden praise. He doesn't deserve it. He could've done better. If a kid like him could, he could. He was just...distracted. Yeah, that's it, he was distracted with something else.
"I could've done better." Flashy Flash sadly said as he walked. Yagi frowned, "No, what you did was your best. It's okay to be vulnerable, all heroes are, which is why some of them have sidekicks to make up for their weaknesses."
"Still," Flashy Flash spoke again, "I could've done better."
"You did all you could do. Don't beat yourself about it, Flashy Flash-san." Yagi replied.
"Maybe." Flashy Flash said. He then turned his head to Yagi, "How did you managed to beat those creatures, anyway?"
"I just punched them." Yagi simply said.
"...'punched them'." Flashy Flash said, incredulously. "Yes. Punched them." Yagi sighed, "It sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Every enemy I faced ends up getting themselves beat after a single punch."
"So you've been a vigilante longer than I thought." Flashy Flash concluded. Yagi realised his blunder, before saying in a panicked way, "Wait, uh, n-"
"Which is illegal," Flashy Flash lightly scolded, beads of sweats began to drool off Yagi's forehead. Why did I say that?
"But I'm willing to let that pass, because I commend you for your bravery. You have potential, which is why I'm here." Flashy Flash said, and as soon as he finished that, they already reached Yagi's apartment.
Yagi sighed in relief, as the pro-hero said that he was willing to let his out-of-the-law works pass.
"You want to make me a recommendation student or something? Because I don't know if you've heard, but I already-"
"No. I'm here to tutor you. You have strength, but you lack skills, and techniques." Flashy Flash explained. Yagi stared at him, and squinted his eyes, before returning to normal, "I don't know if I need anymore training.. I've been doing that for a year and a half now."
"Strength alone doesn't win you points. Skills makes up for it, and with strength, it would create a greater combination so you can strike your enemies flawlessly with precision and coordinated moves." Flashy Flash explained again.
"Yeah, but I don't think it's necessary with the strength I possess now. I can..well, basically end every fight...with one punch." Yagi threw his fist forward to make his point, as small gust of wind shifted due to the exerted kinetic force.
"With one punch, you say? Every enemy you fight, they fall after a single blow?" Flashy Flash asked, as Yagi nodded, "Though it wasn't always like this, but the progress to my 'one punch' fights was gradual back when I first started as a vigilante."
"I'm willing to put that into a test," Flashy Flash said as he gripped his blade, "Try to land a hit on me, and if you succeed, my proposition to tutor you will be cancelled. However, if I win, you will need to train with me, as I see you yourself as a boy with potential to be a great hero. Many mysterious beings are appearing and they are endangering innocent lives. I need to make sure that you're ready for it."
Yagi was contemplating to accept that deal, but he accepted anyways, Let's just see what he got, see if I have any weakness to make up to. Besides, a symbol has to be prepared at all times. Let experience be my teacher.
"Sure, I'll do it. When do we start?" Yagi asked with a small smile.
THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY'S CHAPTER! I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! Stay tuned for the next!
TO BE CONTINUED!