Chapter Six: The Mystery Man
Tatsumaki scanned the fallen ship, searching for Saitama. It had been four minutes and seventeen seconds since the ship hit the ground, and he still wasn't here. She had lost him while she pulled the ship apart.
Where was he? What was taking him so long? What if she missed him? Did he come out another way? Was he going to disappear again, and she wouldn't see him again?
Tatsumaki tapped her foot midair, occasionally fussing with her hair. Not because she was nervous or apprehensive about seeing Saitama again or anything. He was taking too long and she was getting impatient. Didn't the baldy know her time was precious? It's not like she could wait around all day for him.
Suddenly, a chunk of purple metal flew out from the side of the ship. Tatsumaki gasped as the bald man appeared from the hole, the sun reflecting off his bald head gloriously. He glowed like an angel, or saint, emerging from the darkness within. His muscles bulged against his suit, showing just how defined this god was. His eyes were shrouded in the shadow of his eyebrows, giving him a mysterious and otherworldly look. With every step he took, he exuded power, like a lion or a dragon claiming the land they walked on.
He was approached by the new S Class cyborg. Tatsumaki glared at him, anger and something that felt strangely like jealousy but obviously wasn't because she was way stronger than this toy soldier brewing in her stomach.
Tatsumaki landed in front of the two of them. "Saitama! Where have you been?"
Her voice sounded oddly high pitched and she blushed. "How dare you take so long to get out of the spaceship! Don't you know it's rude to keep people waiting! We have things to do, and it's not like I'd drop everything just because you're so strong! The whole Hero Association is probably freaking out right now and we need to introduce you to-"
"Hey, brat," someone said. Tatsumaki blinked. Did this robot just interrupt her?
"Get out of the way or face the consequences."
Tatsumaki flicked her hand up, sending the iron-lad into the sky. "Don't interrupt your superiors, you metal jackass!"
"Oi, Tatsumaki, go easy on the newcomer," someone else said. Tatsumaki glared over at Bang. "Rookie crushing is beneath you, isn't it? This behavior is unbefitting of the S Class Rank Two, Tornado."
Tatsumaki waved him away. "Shut up old man. Aren't you supposed to be wise?"
"Preventing heroes from killing one another isn't a matter of experience, rather common sense," Bang replied.
"No you senile fool! That's Blast!" Tatsumaki said, pointing at Saitama.
Bang's face paled in shock, and Tatsumaki turned back to face Saitama. But he wasn't there.
Tatsumaki whipped around. Where was he? No, not by the pile of rubble, nor by the spaceship, not by the other heroes, not in the open field of debris. Where was he?
"Saitama!" Tatsumaki called, voice, sounding strange. Where did he go?
She glared down at Bang, not knowing a tear was falling down her face. "This is your fault, you old fool!"
She floated into the air, desperately searching for Saitama. Where was he?
"Care explaining this to me, Tatsumaki?"
Tatsumaki flew down and got up in Amai Mask's face. "Where is he!?"
Amai stepped back in shock. She whipped around to face the other heroes. "Where did he go? You had to have seen him! Where did he go!?"
When no one replied, Tatsumaki stamped her foot on the ground. "You useless fools! Can't you do anything right in your miserable pathetic lives?"
Tatsumaki launched into the sky, flying rapidly over the rubble, scanning the ground below her, but he was nowhere to be found.
"NOO!" Tatsumaki screamed. She was so close! He was right there! She could have reached out and touched him, goddamnit why did she let him get away again? She was so stupid, so fucking stupid!
Just then her phone rang. Flipping it open angrily, she screamed into it.
"WHAT!?"
"Tatsumaki, have you seen Saitama?" It was Sitch.
"What do you think I'm doing!? Going on a fucking lazy river cruise?! I'm looking for him but he's not here! He just left."
Sitch sighed. "Dammit. Fortunately, I found something while the ship was outside. Apparently, he joined the Hero Association on his own about a month ago. He didn't record his address or any contact information, but several people have noticed he is often seen with the new S Class, Genos. While taking the Hero Registry Entrance Exam, he broke every single fitness record, even the ones of the S Class we keep hidden from the public."
"Ok, what's your point? We still don't know how to find him."
"Well, I might just have a plan for that."
Saitama was reading a manga on his futon when Genos' phone rang. Saitama looked up to see Genos answer it and talk to the person on the other end.
Saitama shrugged to himself. It wasn't his problem, and he didn't want to force himself into Genos' social life. Kids will be kids.
"Sensei!" Genos shouted.
"Oi, Genos, I'm right here there's no need to shout," Saitama exclaimed.
"Sorry Sensei!" Genos shouted again. Saitama sighed. "What's up?"
"The Hero Association wants to reward everyone that participated in the City A battle yesterday by hosting a three day party at a resort they own. They asked me to invite you. If you wish to come, we are to meet an executive at the City Z branch at five o'clock."
"A three day party? All expenses paid for?"
"Hai Sensei!"
"I'll grab my bathing suit, Genos see if you can find my suitcase. We're gonna party like no one's ever partied before!"
A few hours later, Saitama and Genos strolled up the City Z branch. Genos wore his standard outfit, some jeans and like a white sleeveless T-Shirt. Clearly he didn't get the memo. Saitama sported a pair of shorts, his favorite red T-Shirt and sandals. A pair of sunglasses rested atop his bald head. Fashionable as always.
When they got there, a limo was parked outside. A chubby man in a suit stood by the entrance of the building, sweating even though he was just standing there. He enthusiastically greated Genos and opened the door for him and closed the door behind him. Saitama got in on the other side.
The fat man peppered Genos with questions the whole ride there. Genos responded stiffly to the man's prying, clearly annoyed by his presence. The fat man didn't get the hint and just kept talking. Saitama fell asleep about ten minutes into the trip, and was knocked awake when they arrived.
Saitama was impressed with the fanciness of the place. It kinda reminded him of the old man's dojo, in an old fashioned calming way. Everything had a very earthy and open vibe, like the whole place was saying chill bro. Saitama noticed a few hot springs in the back. Very nice. He was definitely going to enjoy those later. It looked like there was a buffet on the other side of the resort, giving off some very good fragrances. Was that Fugu he smelled?
"Sensei! Where shall I put our bags?" Genos asked, grabbing all their stuff.
"I dunno, isn't there a receptionist around here or something that could tell us where our rooms are?" Saitama asked, scratching his head.
"I'll seek out someone to help us," Genos affirmed.
"Cool, while you do that I'm gonna go seek out that food bar," Saitama said, rubbing his hands together greedily.
Saitama rushed over to the food bar, completely oblivious to the warpath he just sent his disciple on. Unbeknownst to him, a certain green haired midget was waiting for him at the room she had reserved for him, the top level suite. And through no fault of his own, his disciple was about to set off the alrighty apprehensive esper due to his unnecessary overprotectiveness.
Saitama happily indulged himself on Kujira, Wagyu beef, and Yubari melon, ignoring the distant booms and crashes. He would never buy this with his own money, only eating these delicacies on company sponsored trips or when meeting with someone important, which was rare. To the few onlookers, it seemed as if the casual baldy temporarily borrowed the appetite of Pig God.
He was on his fourth dish when Genos smashed through the ceiling and landed right in front of him, crashing through the table. Luckily, Saitama managed to snatch his plate out of Genos' trajectory.
Saitama glared at his disciple. "Oi! What do you think you're doing? You almost ruined my lunch!"
"My apologies, Sensei. A stalker was waiting for you outside your room and I attempted to remove her," Genos explained.
"This is like a resort. You sure she wasn't just a worker or lounging around?"
Genos remained silent for a moment. "I am not, Sensei."
Saitama sighed. "Alright, I'll talk to her. You did enough damage. Literally."
Saitama rose from his seat, holding his plate and eating as he went to confront the person who was allegedly waiting for him. Genos remained on the floor, forgetting to mention the circuits in his arms and legs were broken.
When Genos told him someone was beating the ever living shit out of him(note: he didn't actually say this, Saitama just inferred this based on previous experience and how the conversation started), he didn't expect it to be some kid. Like seriously. She had to be like 10 or eleven, and even though she was flying, Genos should have been able to take her.
"Yo!" He called up. "You the person who was beating up Genos?"
The girl blinked, green glow fading and she lowered the ground in front of him. He stared down at her blankly, calmly taking another bite out of the beef he had. Damn it was cooked well. She stared back up at him, staring deep into his eyes like she was trying to read his mind or something.
Finally, she spoke. "Do you remember me, Saitama?"
The question caught Saitama off guard. He didn't recognize her, and it's not like he had one of those easily confusable faces. He didn't normally spend time with children, so it wasn't like she should know him.
"Uhh…" Saitama deadpanned, not really sure how to respond.
The girl smiled sadly. "I didn't really expect you to. We haven't seen each other in over eighteen years. But even though you don't know who I am, I remember you vividly. I've been trying to find you for the past three years."
Oh. Maybe Genos was right. He might actually have a stalker.
"I wanted to thank you," the girl continued. "For everything you've for me, on behalf of everyone who didn't know you saved them. They might not know who you are, but I do. And I refuse to be the only one who acknowledges what you've done for the world."
Um. Ok. Saitama blinked rapidly, no clue on what to do now. He would've appreciated some thanks, but now that someone was actually doing it, it just felt awkward.
"Thanks, uh, I guess," Saitama stuttered.
"Oi, baldy," someone said, coming up behind him. It was some teenager with a pompadour haircut holding a baseball bat. "I don't know what you did to calm her down, but I want you to teach me."
"Shut up you delinquent child!" the girl screamed, face suddenly red.
"Hey! Who you calling child shorty!"
"Shorty!?" The girl started floating, wind kicking up around them.
"Hey!" Saitama yelled. Instantly the wind died and the girl dropped to the ground. "This is too much trouble for a couple insults. Chill out. Both of you."
The girl's face turned red and she stared at the ground. "Sorry Saitama," she said ashamedly.
"It's ok Tats. Just don't let your temper the better of you, alright?"
Tatsumaki beamed, a positively childish look on her face, immediately dispelling the previous emotion. "Hai!"
"Cool. I gotta see if Genos is alright, and if they've got anymore of this Magyu," Saitama said, turning back to the food buffet.
Tatsumaki was ecstatic. He did remember her! She turned back towards her room, skipping down the hallway, to the bewilderment of everyone who saw her.
Metal Bat was left in a state of shock and awe. The fuck just happened?
Amai Mask took his seat, brushing his hair back. As usual, Amai Mask was one of the first ones to arrive. There was no such thing as punctuality. Only those who were early and those that were late.
Slowly, the others trickled in. Naturally, Zombieman and Drive Knight had been here before him. Then came the Hero Association Executives and Board Members, and the most powerful people within the organization. The rest of the S Class came last, led by the respectable Bang and finished off by Metal Bat. Besides Blast, the entirety of the S Class was here, including Bofoi, who had opted to show up in person for some reason.
A chair was placed in the center of the circular meeting room. Unlike the rest of the pristine resort, this room was tucked away underground and had no natural lighting. It was downright plain, with concrete walls and an amphitheater design, most of the chairs looking down at the screen in the middle of the room. Sitch and Tatsumaki sat in chairs to the right of the screen.
"Oi! Mind explaining what we're all doing here? This is supposed to be our vacation, or did you forget?" Metal Bat yelled. Typical. He had no sense of authority.
"Of course," Sitch said, coming to the center of the room. "I know we told you we were hosting a party to celebrate your success over the City A Calamity. Unfortunately that was a ruse to bring you all here."
Shouts of exclamation rose up, mostly from the S Class' but were silenced when a green hue coated the room and it began to shake. Instantly all voices died. Sitch nodded to the shorter esper. "Thank you.
"As most of you know, the S Class Rank One Hero, known as Blast has been absent from the association since its creation. We have told you that it was because he did not enjoy the limelight and refused to answer our pleas for help. In actuality, we did not know where Blast was."
Shouts erupted again, this time from the executives. The room shook again, harder this time, and the cries died.
"While we didn't know the exact location of Blast, nor how to contact him, we did have his identity and records of his existence before his disappearance, as well as records of his strength. It was not until the alien invasion crisis that we were able to find a way to bring Blast to a place where we could talk with him and formally admit him into the S Class. That is why we invited him, as well as all of you, here."
"Wait, Blast's here?" Child Emperor exclaimed. "And you don't know he was before? Why weren't we informed of this? And what proof do you have that he deserves to be the S Class Rank One Hero, and not King, or Tatsumaki?"
"I'm actually glad you asked, Child Emperor," Sitch smiled. "When Tatsumaki joined the Hero Association a few years back, she informed us of the man who came to be Blast, and assured us he was stronger than herself and demanded he be reserved the Rank One spot. As for proof of his strength, we have thousands of photos and records of his strength."
The screen behind Sitch turned on, showing a picture of a dead monster. At least, Amai Mask assumed that's what it was, since there wasn't much to see besides a splatterfest of blood and the occasional organ.
"When we heard of this mysterious being, we dug into the history of monster deaths. Over the past twenty four years, an estimated 17,400 monsters have been killed in a manner similar to this. Monsters that varied from Disaster Level Wolf to Dragon, regardless of their strength, they were all killed in a single blow. In the years since the Hero Association's founding, he alone has tripled the amount of monster deaths of the entire organization. And those were only the ones we were aware of. It may be possible that there are monsters he killed that we are unaware of. We've had to dedicate an entire section of the Hero Association to tracking and determining where and if unreported monster deaths were due to him."
The room was quiet. Everyone was in a state of shock. They all just stared at the screen, unable to comprehend what Sitch was telling him.
"Bwu-How is this possible? How could a man so absurdly strong go unnoticed for so long?" Atomic Samurai sputtered.
"I'm…not actually sure. He was fired from his normal day-job on August 12th, three years ago. The most informed of you will recognize this date as the day Agoni decided to found the Hero Association, and that it was inspired by a random passerby saving the life of his grandson. What we have kept secret was the identity of this man. Based on all evidence and the account given to us by Agoni's grandson himself, the man who saved him perfectly matches the identity of the man we believe to be Blast. So it's safe to say that Blast is the reason you're all here today."
There was another bout of silence as heroes and executives alike tried in vain to digest the information. Sitch coughed awkwardly, and started flipping through more pictures. They all depicted relatively similar things. A lot of blood, the occasional organ or identifiable trait, like an arm or leg. Most were small monsters, probably only tigers or wolves, but some were enormous, Demons or Dragons by their sheer size alone. Each had a massive hole torn through their bodies, the obvious cause of death.
"So, are there any further questions?"
"Actually, I would like to add something," Bofoi spoke up. All eyes turned to him, Sitch's in surprise. He pulled out a tablet and pressed a few buttons, and suddenly the picture on the screen was replaced by the beginning of the video.
"On the day Genos and the other person whose identity I will leave to Sitch joined the Hero Association, I filmed this video of what I believe to be a sparring match between the two of them. Am I correct in this assumption, Genos?"
Genos nodded, yellow eyes narrowing on Bofoi in distrust. Bofoi played the video, falling silent as the two combatants started to move.
The video was taken from high above, making it difficult to determine who was who. The flames immediately gave away which one Genos was, but the other combatant remained difficult to see. At first, it seemed as if Genos' opponent was barely dodging his attacks, but as the video continued, it became clear that the other man wasn't trying to strike back at the cyborg. He expertly evaded all the cyborg's attacks with minimal effort. After an impressive display of firepower from the cyborg, Bofoi paused the video. "Genos, you know what is coming next. Any of you who are faint of heart, do not watch. Everyone else, cover your ears."
Amai Mask followed Bofoi's instructions as the scientist himself put in earplugs. He then unpaused the video. For a few moments, the two stood still. Suddenly, the other man disappeared and reappeared in front of Genos, before teleporting behind him somehow. Just then, a sound like a hurricane reverberated through the room. Despite Bofoi's warning, it was still nearly deafening. Cracks appeared on the screen as dust covered everywhere else. When it finally settled, Amai Mask's jaw dropped.
Where there had previously been a mountain, there was now nothing. A perfectly circular hole had been carved straight out of the mountainside.
There were no words to describe it. Somewhere behind him, someone puked. Amai Mask couldn't blame him. Even he felt a little sick looking at the screen.
"Since you were the only one to face Blast's power for yourself head on, could you describe what it was like?" Bofoi asked.
All eyes turned to Genos again. The cyborg cleared his throat.
"I asked my master to spar with me because I wanted to gauge his power, and I hoped to find some insight on how he gained such power. He had given me what he believes to the source of his power, but frankly I believe it is absurd. So after we joined the Hero Association together and he accepted me as his official disciple, we went to this place to engage in a battle. I asked him to go all out and not hold back, foolishly hoping my upgraded sensors would be able to keep up with him and notice oddities. When the fight first commenced, I was frustrated because no matter what I did, I could not land a single blow on him, nor was he taking me seriously. I used some of my best attacks on him, and they didn't even faze him. When I reminded him I asked him to go all out, he appeared before me so fast my sensors could not detect his movement. I tried to strike at him, but before I knew it, he was behind me. When I turned around, there is only one word for what I saw."
Genos closed his eyes and breathed in heavily. After a moment, he opened them again and spoke.
"Death.
"In a span of just a millisecond, I experienced a lifetime's worth of terror. All I could see was his red gloved fist approaching my face. I knew there was nothing I could do. As a cyborg, my emotions are dulled to a point where they are almost nonexistent. But in that moment, it wouldn't matter if you were human, monster, or robot. Your life flashes before your eyes, and you know there is nothing standing between you and utter oblivion. There is nowhere you could run, no walls that you could hide behind where his wrath would not find you. After this moment, I decided to stop chasing the dragon of my Master's power and focus instead on my own growth."
For a third time in the span of a few minutes, silence descended on the room like a dark angel. Most everyone was pale and sweating heavily. A few were hyperventilating. One executive even got up and ran to the trash can and was the second person to hurl their guts up.
"Ahem. Thank you Genos for that insight," Bofoi said, uncharastically pale. "Additionally, I have one more photo to show, if you don't mind."
Sitch nodded fervently, hiding behind the podium he had. Behind him, another picture replaced the video of Genos and Blast. This time, it was taken from high above the earth. At first, Amai Mask didn't understand what they were looking at.
"48 minutes after the vessel decimated City A, I detected massive power outputs from the top of the ship. I wasn't able to record the battle between Blast and the opposing figure, but this was the result."
Finally, Amai Mask saw it. The sky had been cleaved in twain, the clouds forced out the way of some ungodly power. Beneath the broken sky, the purple ship was barely visible, little more than a speck compared to the power unleashed by Blast.
After a minute, Sitch regained his ability to speak. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he returned to the podium.
"Th-thank you, Metal Knight, uh, and Genos, for sharing your input," he said. "Are there any more objections or inputs related to Blast's power?"
After a moment of dead silence, Sitch continued. "Alright then. No that you are all up to date, it is time to decide what to do next."
Sitch nodded to an employee standing at the door. "Bring him in."