"May we begin?" a voice said in a dark room,
"Yes… Let us…" another voice said.
The room brightened as it shows the Holograms of 4 heroes. Class S Rank 8, Zombie Man; Class A Rank 27, Smile Man; Class B Rank 1, Hellish Blizzard; and Class S Rank 12, Watchdog Man.
"Let us begin with Zombieman. He was dispatched to City F to investigate what appeared to be a mass shooting in an alley. When he got there, he discovered the carcasses of multiple unidentifiable monsters. They were likely killed by more than one individual as Zombieman found 16 shotgun shells and at least 60 9mm casings. He noted that these Monster killings were especially violent."
Sitch sat down.
"The only hero near City F that uses guns in combat is Death Gatling, but he said he has not battled any monsters in the past week… Although that still wouldn't explain the 16 shotgun shells used"
The Bearded Worker turned his attention to the Smile Man Hologram.
"Next is Class A, Rank 27, Smile Man. He has reported not one, but 2 incidents. When he and his brothers responded to a Threat Level Demon in city W, they were surprised to find the monster already dead, in the same, over-the-top violent manor as the monsters killed in City F. Smile Man's brother, Angry Man found rifle bullet casings. A month later in City S, when Smile Man was battling a Threat Level Tiger Monster, he claimed to have heard a very loud firecracker go off, and the monster fell over and died with 'his face plastered over the sidewalk'. After some investigation by a team of researchers, they had reached the conclusion that there was a Third Party in the battle, and the monster was killed by a sniper…"
Murmurs began to spring up, this Individual seems to be as effective as a Class A hero but is not registered in the Hero Association. The attention was then turned to Class B, Rank 1, Hellish Blizzard.
"Hellish Blizzard and her accomplices, Class B Rank 2, Eyelashes, and Class B Rank 3, Mountain Ape responded to a distress call from W City, when a Demon level Monster 'ambushed' them. Rather, the Monster's Carcass was collapsing as a result of a gunshot wound through its eye."
Finally, all attention turned to the final hologram, Watchdog Man.
"Watchdog Man has done something unusual yesterday, he reported an Incident in Q City, near the Watchdog Plaza. It was said he heard at last 7 loud bangs coming from an alley. So, he chased after the sound, and discovered the body of yet another Monster, with multiple gunshot wounds as a result of a shotgun. Watchdog Man pursued an individual through the alleys and streets of Q-City, however, he claims that 'he was fast, even for me…'"
The murmurs suddenly grew silent at the thought of someone outrunning Watchdog Man, which has only been done by Garou back during the Monster Association War.
"We did get some kind of description from Watchdog Man. A male, approximately 5'9, average build, Black Hair and an Orange Face Mask… and uh… 'he smelled like Orange Soda.'"
The silence seemed to have broken just a bit by snickers reacting to the last statement. Silence quickly fell on the room again as everyone turned to Sitch for further news. Sitch sat quietly, for a whole moment, before slowly sitting up.
"There has already been an executive decision, there has been no incidents where humans were killed or injured by this Individual, we need them to register to the Hero Association as soon as possible. If, by any chance, that one person did this, it may be certain that we will be getting yet another S Class Hero."
Gasps fill the room, and then it falls back to its original silence. The Bearded Worker, although looking also stunned, coughed, turned to Sitch and asked.
"What is this executive decision?"
"To reopen Hero Registry starting next week!"
The usually calm cool and collected Bespectacled Worker stands up in shock.
"But- but the last Hero Registry Exam was only so long ago! Why make another one so soon?"
"Like I said, we need this person to Register, the Association depends on it…"
Time Skip: 6 Days.
A line of people stretching for about 100 yards wait eagerly to get inside and take the Hero Registry Exam. The Signs were up. "Nation Hero Registry Reloaded" was the big talk of the area. Why would the Hero Association bring it back so soon after the last one? It doesn't matter, Martial Artists, Body Builders, and gimmicks all came to sign up.
We then pan to our main protagonist, Midori. He is approximately 5'9, average build, Black Hair, with a beard and welding goggles. When he finally got inside, he signed his name on a registry form and got a pamphlet. He read it as he enters the locker room to change. It tells what a person must do to complete in order to pass the physical exam. Its all the usual stuff, Side to Side jumps, 1.5-kilometer run, weightlifting, squat jumps, whack a mole, shot put, and punching machine. But in the bottom right-hand corner of the pamphlet, in a red circle it says: "NEW! Shooting Range Examination." Midori, in a bit of shock, let out what was supposed to be a chuckle, but it made a weird sound. Midori paused and looked around the Locker Room to see if anyone heard that but was relieved to know that no one did.
Midori changed into some sweats and walked outside and waited in line, he noticed a very burly dude, with a blonde moustache with an extremely serious face eyeing him up. The usually very reclused Midori averted his eyes.
"Alright, NEXT."
Midori looks in front of him, only to realize that he was next. Midori sheepishly went up to the blue tape, ready.
"30 seconds side to side jumps… GO!"
Small Sparks flew off of Midori's body and he began jumping like crazy. What he doesn't know is that he is jumping much faster than the guys around him. When the whistle blew, Midori, not even out of breath felt a bunch of eyes staring at him. Not knowing what to do he awkwardly walked to the next area.
The next few challenges were easy to Midori. He ran the 1.5-kilometer run and got about 3rd place; he lifted at least 300 pounds, even though is build is less muscular than everyone else; He didn't jump particularly high in the Squat jumps; he breezed through whack a mole, shot put and punching machine easily.
Finally, he reached the shooting range. He stood in line looking at the guys around him, in front of him. He can easily identify those without Trigger Discipline, those who can't shoot a bear from 5 feet away, those who oppose the use of guns, etc.
"Next up… uh, is there a Midori here?" a worker said.
Midori got up, put on his welding goggles and earmuff to lessen the sound of the gunfire. When he entered the shooting range, he looked at the guns in front of him, an XM4, MP5, M14, SPAS 12, and M1911. Midori took a deep breath and proceeded to grab the XM4. Suddenly, his eyes began to glow. He blasts a paper target with pinpoint precision. 15 bullseyes onto the head, and another to the body. He reloads almost instantly, and picks up the MP5, another 30 rounds ripping the paper target in half, reload, picks up the M14. Again, the paper target gets shot to oblivion. He stops and waits for a Hero Association worker to put up a new paper target. He picks up the 1911 and blasts all 9 bullets into the chest of the target, reloads, and pick up SPAS 12 and blast 7 rounds into the target, causing it to fall to the floor. Midori sighs, and reloads, he puts down the shotgun, all the weapon barrels still smoking.
"How much did I get?" Midori asked nonchalantly.
The stunned worker looked at his stopwatch.
"1 minute and 32 seconds… if I stopped it when the target was being changed, it will be about 45 seconds, but I forgot to…"
"It's alright, I'll be waiting for my results…"
When Midori exited the firing range, he couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him intensely.
He got back to his locker-room and was about to head out when he heard.
"Hey punk…" someone said.
Midori ignored it, thinking a meat head was going to fight someone, until his locker was slammed particularly hard. He looked back to see who it was, and he sees the very burly dude, with a blonde moustache and an extremely serious face.
"You think your hot shit, don't you?"
"And… uh… who the hell are you?" Midori asked.
"I am Wellington, and there's no way a scrawny douchbag like you will get in my way to joining the association. Last year a short stop like you caused me to quit the Exam, I'm not allowing it to happen a second time." The man said.
Midori looked Wellington up and down, and chuckled.
"Ironic that you are calling me a douch, when youre here, so insecure about your ability to become a hero-" before Midori can finish his statement Wellington threw a massive haymaker.
Midori ducked the assault and parried back with his own punch. Wellington's face seemed to cave in as the punch knocked him silly. Suddenly a whole band of guys pull them apart so things would get fatal. Wellington picked himself up, his nose was bent and broken, and is bleeding from his mouth. Midori realized he already won the fight, so he turns around and heads toward the door.
"Wellington is it… you might as well give up on becoming a hero, on top of having no experience in combat, you are in over your head, youll never survive as a hero, either youll die by the monsters… or by the heroes…" Midori said before heading through the door.
Time Skip 2 hours
Midori is standing before 3 members of the Hero Association Executive Branch. They all assess Midori, his Physical Test scores, and his written test scores. Midori was a bit nervous, almost like when he was sent to the Principal's office for beating the crap out of the school bullies.
"Midori, we have a few questions for you…" the executive in the middle said.
He pulls out a tablet and pulls up a photo. It was one of an alley way, it was dark, but the red and green blood of monsters caked the wall, the bodies of a few were on the floor, riddled with holes as if it was an execution. He then showed 4 other photos of monster's threat levels ranging between tiger and lower dragon all dead in the same manor.
"Are you responsible for all these monster killings…"
"Yup!" Midori answered immediately without missing a beat.
The three executives gasp loudly, one so loud he choked on his own spit and started to cough.
"Those 5 killings were from the same week. I have many more kills from the past 3 months, hundreds more…"
"How can we know the legitimacy of your actions?" one female executive asked.
A spark of blue electricity shoots out from Midori's body and bounce off the executive's desk causing two of them to recoil backwards in surprise.
"Oh- uh, I apologize. Using guns isn't the only thing I do. I also have other powers, that come out through my forms that are unlocked after immense stress. I am currently in my Base form, but even in my normal state I have the vast pain tolerance, a healing factor, punching speed and strength. That spark was from all my stress turning into power, the excess jumps off my body as electricity."
"Interesting- uh, what are your other forms?" the third executive asked.
"Well, Base form, Beta Form, and Alpha form… I believe thats all, although even I don't believe I have unlocked my true potential…" Midori said looking down, but quickly raised his head. "Oh, and for your question: each set of 16 shotgun shells came from my fully automated shotgun, a Street Sweeper civilian shotgun, I also frequently use M4s and Uzis…"
The executives were shocked, and on impulse, the middle executive placed a stamp on a paper: "Certified Class S."
Time Skip 1 Hour
Midori found himself in a classroom, there was no one else in there so he decided to channel his inner power to see if he can unlock yet another form.
SLAM! The slamming of a door caused a meditating Midori to fall backwards and lay on his back.
"Sorry I'm late, Lightning Max got hit by a car. Again. So now I have to do the Noob Seminar." A voice said.
It was Smile Man, Class A Rank 27. He looks up at what seems to be an empty classroom.
"Uh… Where the Hell did everyone go?"
Midori grabbed the desk he was sitting at and pulled himself up. He sat in has chair, all attention towards Smile Man.
"One guy? That's it, jeez…" Smile Man said in a sigh as he looks at a piece of paper.
Smile Man reads the paper; however, it wasn't the usual script for the Seminar, rather it was the full character sheet of Midori. Class S, Rank 18; Responsible for Hundreds of Monster Killings between City C – Y. An Enigma, responsible for anonymously stealing the kills of various Heroes, including Hellish Blizzard, Watchdog Man, and… Smile Man and his brothers…
Smile Man was in complete shock at what he just read, and he looks at the seemingly inconspicuous Midori, and he got pissed.
"You and me, outside, right now…" Smile Man demanded.
It was a nice day outside, clouds were sparce, the sky was blue was water, there was a breeze that calmed the hot sun. Midori looked around, oblivious.
"What a nice day, is this part of the Hero Seminar-" Midori turns around to see a huge sphere with a smiley face on it coming towards him.
He gets hit by it and gets knocked backwards, but lands soundly on his feet.
"What the hell is your problem dude?" Midori said, more hurt emotionally than physically.
"My problem? My problem is that an unregistered weirdo stole the kills of multiple heroes that may need it to advance! Do you have no shame?"
"Do you? Because obviously the Heroes need a little help, why not eviscerate Monsters before and during an attack?" Midori responded trying to reason with him.
"That's it you son of a bitch, let's see how much of a hero you are without your guns!" Smile Man said, waving his comically large kendama with a massive smiling ball attached to the string.
The ball hits Midori with a ton of force, causing him to get winded, and fall face first a few feet away. Smile Man was visibly furious with Midori and began to use his kendama as a whip.
"World Shattering Spin!"
The kendama began to spin incredibly fast toward the already prone Midori. Suddenly a massive surge of lightning began to erupt from behind his spinning ball. The ball, still spinning was launched towards Smile Man, who dodged and recalled it. He looks towards the sight of the electricity to find Midori, eyes white as a sheet looking at him, at his soul.
Beta Form: Activated.
Smile Man was obviously spooked but still charged at Midori. Midori knew what Smile Man was going to do, so he let him. Smile Man threw the ball of his kendama which knocks Midori to the sky, Midori fell and hit the ground in a superhero landing, which caused the ground to crack, the kinetic energy reaching Smile Man, causing him to flip multiple times. Smile Man looked up to see Midori coming at him much faster than usual, so he threw his kendama again. Midori used his leg to kick the ball, which crumbled and broke. Smile Man was extremely surprised at Midori's strength, being able to break the ball so easily.
Inside the building, Smile Man's brothers, Crying Man and Angry Man were loitering around HQ, waiting for the Seminar to be over so they can go and eat.
"Jeez, if Smile doesn't get back soon, I just might leave without him." Crying Man said.
"Ditto, I can eat Pig God right now, I'm so hungry." Angry Man responded.
Suddenly as they were reminiscing, the entire ground shook and blasts can be heard outside. Crying and Angry Man look outside to see Smile Man and Midori fighting viciously.
"OH SHIT, Smile is fighting someone!" Angry man yelled.
"Let's go back him up!" Responded Crying Man.
Smile Man was now trying to dodge Midori's fierce stream of punches, then, from the corner of his eye he can see Crying Man on his dragon fly, floating towards Midori with his leg extended for a flying kick. Midori assessed Crying Man, and using his Deadshot Beta Ability, found the Black glowing flares (that only he can see). Those were Crying Man's weak spots and pressure points. Midori blocked the airborne kick and struck at Crying Man's ribs (his weak spot). The Sheer force of the punch knocked Crying Man off of his Dragon fly and into the floor. He tried to get up, but Midori punched him in his second weak spot, just above his crotch area. Crying Man is down for the count.
Suddenly a spinning Giant Top came out of nowhere, barely grazing Midori's scalp. Angry Man recalls his top and attempted to throw it again. Midori jumps, and using his foot, smashed the top to the ground, but instead of the Top Shattering, it was plunged down to the ground and got stuck, at the very same moment, Midori used the grounded top as a launch pad and jump toward Angry Man. Realizing the predicament he is in, Angry Man could do nothing but let out a sheepish "Uh oh," before getting socked square in the face, knocking him out.
Smile Man just saw both of his brothers get knocked out, and was furious, to the point where he swung his kendama like a mallet at Midori.
"I GOT YOU NOW JACKASS!" Smile Man roared.
However, Midori dodged the kendama, and points his entire hand at the forehead of Smile Man.
"Gotcha" Midori said.
He then closes his hand into a wicked One-Inch Punch, sending Smile Man flying for at least 50 feet.
Midori won the fight. He looks around him, the rubble from the Yellow ball; the cracks caused by the Kinetic Energy used in his Flopper Beta Ability, the 3 red and yellow bodies knocked out around him, he didn't want to enter the Hero Association, but unfortunately, he was forced to.
"What the- what the hell happened here?"
Midori almost shits himself as the voice sounded like a Hero Association Worker, he slowly turns to see who it was, to see the Bespectacled Worker, sweating and panting, and looking completely shocked. Thinking fast so he wouldn't damage his and the 3 brother's reputation quickly said:
"Well- after the seminar, Smile Man wanted to test out his abilities, so we began sparring, and his brothers joined in to even the odds, but I think I over corrected and knocked them out…"
"Uh well- I guess you are a Class S hero, so you're extraordinarily strong… I'll call a doctor immediately! Oh- and uh… you're free to go…" The worker said.
"Sweet, thanks!" Midori said before putting his hands in his pockets and walking away.
Meanwhile: J City
The Blue haired Amai Mask is sitting in a bathrobe in his changing room, looking at himself in the mirror. Suddenly his concentration is broken by a knock at the door. Amai Mask turned to the door and turned back to face his reflection.
"You may come in…" Amai Mask said.
A man in a suit came in holding a tablet, he is another worker of the Hero Association.
"Mr. Amai Mask… I think I have something that may pique your interest." The Worker said
"I am relaxing, this needs to be good, or I will be most displeased…" Amai Mask said, rather annoyed.
"It is, another Class S hero was introduced, his name is Midori… He was responsible for the deaths of at least 50 monsters in the last few months..."
Amai Mask perked his head up, and looked at the tablet, to look at the Monster death Crime Scene, they were grizzly, almost like how Amai Mask kills his foes, efficiently and particularly bloody. He the swiped to Midori's mugshot. Amai Mask stared at it for a few seconds.
"Has the Hero Association lost its touch? Are they letting anyone into S Class now?"
"Mr. Amai Mask… Midori is extremely powerful, he was able to take out the Surly Brothers with relative ease, he has so much untapped potential according to him!" the worker said.
"An A Class, a B Class, and a C Class? That's not saying much, although I am on the ropes for this one, now begone, I must think to myself."
The Worker bowed, and quickly left leaving Amai Mask alone. He got up and looked at himself closely in the mirror.
"Untapped Potential as an S Class? I might need to talk to this Midori… Personally…"
End of Episode 1