A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you again for all the support. Did you see YandereDev's newest video? Finally, the mysterious obstacle has been revealed! If you're wondering, yes, I do have plans to incorporate Raibaru into the story. Not gonna spoil anything, but she's gonna be somewhat important. And definitely one Hell of an obstacle to our girl Ayano lol
Anyway, that aside, happy reading!
Long ago, there existed a brilliant young scientist. Through the musings of his astonishing genius, he was able to make a number of significant contributions to the human race.
Eventually, however, his accomplishments led him to be disillusioned with the world.
Though he was constantly showered with praise for intricacies and the revolution of his mind, none of his ideas or theories ever received even the slightest bit of support from the scientific community.
Rather than advancing human civilisation, his goal was the artificial evolution of humans as a species. That was the only dream he had ever had. But not a single person came forward to help achieve his vision.
"Damn these stupid apes!" Dr. Genus screamed, pounding his fists onto the table. "Acting like I'm weird! 'Dangerous ideas'? Don't give me that crap! Do they honestly believe that humans came this far by avoiding all that seems dangerous?"
He devoted himself to research. But it was only after he turned seventy his research yielded the results he'd been looking for.
First, the scientist regained the prime age rate of his youth. Next, he began cloning himself on mass. He named his laboratory the 'House of Evolution'. And, with his clones, he conducted countless experiments on animals, creating new life, and new species.
His experiments then shifted to human subjects-
"Augh, this is taking too long!" Saitama grumbled. "What's this got to do with me? You're just trying to sound cool again."
The gorilla sighed sadly.
"Enough jibber-jabber," Saitama said. "Just get to the point, okay?"
"My master is a very busy man," Genos added, threateningly. "Summarise it all in twenty words or less."
The gorilla sweat-beaded again. "S-Sure! Sorry about that… um, so, in other words, the boss man has become passionately curious about you and your body. Same with the girl."
Saitama kept a straight face. "Too bad. I'm not interested in dudes."
"Master, that is not what he meant," Genos replied. "Your body surpasses normal human limitations, so he plans on using it for his research on evolution. As for Ayano… I am not really sure why he would be interested in her. She seems mostly normal."
Ayano shrugged innocently, arm stinging painfully.
Genos scowled. "Unless he is stopped, I am sure he will try this again. We cannot lend him a free hand. Our move should be to attack him!"
Saitama's face darkened. "Sure. Let's go."
"Right." Genos agreed.
Saitama turned to Ayano. "You sure you wanna come, Ayano? You look a little… scratched up."
Ayano's features hardened. "I'll be fine, Master."
Saitama frowned. She was still technically a kid, after all. He couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for her, no matter how grown up she acted. But it was her life, after all. If she really wanted to throw herself into danger, he wouldn't stop her.
"Wait, we are going now?" Genos asked.
"Yeah, there's a sale on tomorrow," Saitama replied, holding up a catalogue. "We can't do it then."
"Master!" Genos shouted, chasing after him. Ayano followed suit. She didn't exactly feel excited (nor had she ever), but she pretended to. Her chest still hurt from the wound. She ignored the pain, which was rather easy for her, and continued forward.
Meanwhile, in the House of Evolution laboratory, Dr. Genus was pacing around, his clones watching in fright.
"Impossible," the doctor cursed. "How could such archaic humans be responsible for the destruction of the elite force?"
"According to the gorilla's report, the three responsible are on their way here now," said a clone. A picture of Saitama, Ayano and Genos appeared on screen.
Genus gritted his teeth. That bald man and the high-school girl, of course.
A clone frowned. "If they manage to make it to the lab, all of our research, everything we've worked for, could be destroyed. We're in serious trouble."
Genus shivered. "We are forced to use our trump card."
The clones gasped.
"Began preparations for the release of Carnage Kabuto," Genus said.
The clones cried out in protest. "No way!" "That's crazy!"
"Quiet down!" Genos commanded. "He'll be our very last resort."
A clone held up a hand. "But sir-"
"We'll start by activating all our traps," Genos continued. "From the first floor, to the eight. If we're lucky, they will take care of the intruders. I'm aware of what will happen to us if we fail." His scowl deepened. "Especially to me."
Back to the trio, who were running the whole way to the House of Evolution. Unfortunately, Ayano was not as fast as Saitama and Genos, so Genos was giving her a piggy-back ride. He'd only agreed to do so since he did not want Ayano getting any closer to his sensei than possible.
Ayano clung onto him as tightly as she could. She didn't realise cyborgs were so fast.
"I did not think we would be running the whole way," Genos said, Saitama just behind him.
"How else did you think we would get there?" Saitama asked.
"It was my assumption that you had the ability to fly," Genos replied.
"You know humans can't do that, right?" Saitama asked. He gazed at Ayano. "You don't feel too left out, do you, Ayano? I mean..."
"I'll train," Ayano informed him, "and then I'll be able to run just as fast as you and Genos, Master."
Saitama had no doubt she was telling nothing but the truth.
"It is amazing that you are never late," Genos said, as he bounded up some rocks at incredible speeds. Ayano was glad she never got motion sickness. "You are a true hero."
"Really?" Saitama asked, as the trio approached a tall, imposing building, around 8 floors tall. "I hardly ever arrive on time."
Genos landed in front of the House of Evolution. Ayano slid off his back. She was a little shaken up. She'd never enjoyed amusement park rides, but she could tell that experience would top any of them.
"We're here," Genos said, as he gazed at the building. "This is the place we were told about."
As Saitama was counting the amount of floors, Genos blew the whole thing up with his cannons.
"Uh…" Saitama paled, smoke clearing. "That seemed a little rash, don'tcha think?"
"You see, in the interest of efficiency, I thought it would be best to destroy them in one fell swoop." Genos explained.
"Well, it was efficient, but…" Saitama shrugged. "We could've at least seen what our enemies had in store for us. You didn't really think that one through."
Ayano was looking in another direction. She had her eye on a metal trapdoor on the ground. "There."
The gentlemen approached it.
"Looks like a basement," Saitama said. He peeled the door off like it was the lid of a can. Ayano gazed into it, noticing a stairway leading into darkness. Saitama walked down the stairs, boots clinking. Ayano and Genos followed suit. The stairs led to a long, silver hallway, illuminated with lights in the walls.
"This basement is huge," Saitama said. The floor squelched beneath his feet. "I'm getting kind of fired up."
Genos suddenly paused. "I sense living beings deeper inside."
Ayano turned on her Yan Vision. She, too, could see some living beings coming towards them. One thing with no highlight, and another in red. A human and… something else.
"Two things are approaching," she agreed, emotionlessly.
The ground began to pound. The something else was coming, and fast. Ayano saw it. It was… a monster, no, something much worse. He was humanoid but his body had many characteristics resembling a beetle, including a thick exoskeleton, a pair of wings encased by elytra, and a large horn on his head, similar to that of a rhinoceros beetle. His body also had many large spikes on his arms and legs. He was carrying Dr. Genus in his huge left hand, like he was a child's toy.
"Which one is it?" the being roared.
"The bald one and the girl," Genus spluttered.
"Guess we don't need the other one!" the being cackled. He raised his fist, slamming Genos into the wall. The being picked up Ayano in his mighty grip. Her breath escaped her throat in a forced rush. Her ribs felt like they were being crushed, but she didn't make a vocal sound.
"Whoa, hey," Saitama said, raising his hands. "I think you're hurting her."
"My name is Carnage Kabuto," the monster boomed. "And I'll be keeping this little lady for other needs!" He cackled, crushing Ayano's ribs further. "Anyway, we've got a combat experimentation room this way." He pointed back in the other direction. "Let's throw down in there."
Saitama scowled. "You just turned Genos into a piece of bad modern art, and I'm not letting you abduct a minor. Let's do this!"
A few minutes later, Saitama and Carnage were in the combat experimentation room. It was a ginormous, box-shaped room that was completely white. Ayano was lying on the ground, almost strangled in ropes. They were so tight she could barely breathe. She felt something prick her arm, and blood dribbled out.
A furious Genos appeared, noticing her tied up. She gave him a tearful, sympathetic stare. He scowled. She might've been his rival, but she was still an innocent person. He crept over and untied her.
"Pretty big, huh?" Carnage asked, eyeing Saitama. "It's the largest room in this facility. It's where we fight to test our combat abilities, which means there's plenty of room here to kick your ass. Well then, let's start the kill-"
He was interrupted by a knife landing in his eye. He roared and yanked it out, but was immediately blown back by a wave of fire. He glared at Saitama's disciples.
"Untied the girl, did you, robot boy?" he roared.
Genos sped towards Carnage, blasting him with fire. Ayano crept around the perimeter of the room. She cursed her body. Her cut was hurting again, and her arm was badly broken. Wait. She felt something. She felt… rage. She was mad at herself for being so weak, so undermined. But more importantly, she was fuming at Carnage Kabuto. How dare he. How dare he think he could be stronger than her.
She watched Genos fight Carnage. Her fellow disciple was using some kind of machine gun weapon. Carnage grinned sadistically at him. The bullets weren't affecting him at all. Ayano clenched her fist, rage consuming her. She approached Carnage from behind. Her hands were glowing red again, and Yan Vision involuntarily turned on and off. Now she could see everything.
Ayano picked up the bloody knife Carnage had yanked out of his eye, and climbed up onto him. Everything was red now. She stabbed the knife into his back again and again, unable to control herself. She was panting heavily, blood doused all over her. She realised she was smiling, laughing, laughing like a psychopath. Yes. He was suffering. She was putting him through great pain. It was what he deserved. He would be chastised, he would be punished.
He would be killed for being stronger than her.
"Get off me!" Carnage roared. "Crazy bitch! What the Hell are you?!"
He slapped her off, like she was a fly. She flew towards the wall. Her brain went to normal, and her body went slack. Her brain murmured a quiet 'oh'. Was this the end?
Saitama caught her.
"Whoa there, Ayano," he told her. "I think you were getting a little carried away. You're pretty beat up."
"I'm fine, Sensei," Ayano replied, trying to stand up without the assistance of Saitama's shoulder. Genos blasted another wave of fire at Carnage. The monster blew back at it him with a mighty puff of air.
"With his breath?!" Genos cried. "Impossible!"
The fire reached its original sender. Saitama protected Ayano from the fire again. Genos, or rather his hair, was not so lucky.
Genos' short, spiky blonde hair had been turned into an afro that did not suit him in any way, shape, or form. Ayano was no fashion guru, but even she could tell it was just embarrassing.
"Look at your hair!" Saitama exclaimed. He turned to see Carnage laughing like a maniac, his tongue lolling out his mouth.
"Well, I've got to admit that was pretty impressive," Saitama said, a small grin surfacing on his face, "you've kind of gotten my hopes up."
No one seemed to notice Genus appearing by the entrance, a crazed smirk on his face. He gazed at Ayano.
Incredible, he thought. She's not as strong as that man, but she has powers far beyond the capabilities of an average human! Is it because of her condition, or something else? Make sure you get her, Kabuto. I need her for my studies.
"What's the hold up?" Carnage asked, as Saitama was supporting both his disciples. "Scared?"
Saitama glared at him and slowly approached him.
"Oh, I see it, I see it," Carnage cackled. "You're supposed to be strong!"
"Don't disappoint me now," Saitama said. "You're supposed to be the ultimate weapon in this place, right? Clearly you're not the same as those guys from before. Look at you, just oozing with confidence."
Carnage cackled. He disappeared with a flash, re-appearing behind Saitama… only to suddenly fly back in fright. He jumped onto the wall, staying in the corner.
"Huh?" Saitama asked. "What are you doing?"
Ayano frowned. She turned on Yan Vision, for a brief moment. Saitama was in gold, while Carnage was in red. What did that mean? Did... Carnage see it too?
"Bastard!" Carnage screamed. "What's with you and that crazy bitch?! How in the Hell did you get that strong?!"
Saitama was silent, for a few moments. Everyone stared at him with anticipation. Then the man's face hardened.
"So you wanna know as well?" he asked. He bowed his head. "Okay, fine. Genos, Ayano - well, you've already heard it, Ayano, but, listen up anyway."
"You… already know?" Genos asked Ayano, grabbing her arm a little too hard. "The secret to his amazing power?"
Ayano grimaced. "It's not what you think."
Genus limped in, holding his bloody arm. "I want to know as well."
"Huh?" Saitama asked. "Who are you?"
"I am Genus," Genus replied, meekly.
"Fine, whatever," Saitama cleared his throat. "Listen up."
"It's too risky, in front of them," Genos muttered. "He can't-"
"Don't worry," Ayano told him. "It's not what you think."
"First off," Saitama said, "is to make sure you really stick to this intense training regiment." He turned to Genos. "Listen, Genos, Ayano. You have to keep doing it, no matter how difficult it gets. It took me a full three years to get this strong." His face was full of intensity. "One hundred pushups. One hundred sit-ups. And one hundred squats. Then a ten kilometre run! Do it every single day!"
Everyone stared at him, in silence.
"And of course, make sure you eat three meals daily," Saitama said. "Just a banana in the morning is fine. But never, ever, use the air-conditioner in the summer, or the heat during winter, so you can strengthen the mind. In the beginning, you'll wish you were dead. You might start thinking, what's the harm of taking a day off? But for me, to be a strong hero, even if I was spitting blood I never stopped. I toughed it out and endured the pain. I did squats when my legs felt like they couldn't move. Even when my arms started making weird clicking noises, I kept doing push-ups. A year and a half later, I started to notice a difference. I was bald! And I had become stronger!
"In other words, you gotta train like Hell 'till the point where your hair falls out. That's the only way to become truly strong." He clenched his fist. "You guys fooling around with this new human race and evolution junk. They're never gonna make it this far. Human beings are strong, we can change ourselves!"
Once again, Genos had underestimated Ayano's wisdom. She was right. It wasn't what he thought at all.
"Master," he said. "You are so… full of crap!"
"Huh?" Saitama asked.
"That is nothing more than standard strength training!" Genos yelled. "And it is really not even that intense! It is just a normal level! I have to get stronger, understand me?! I cannot believe you would do this! I did ask to study under you to hear jokes!"
"He's right, Sensei," Ayano agreed, daring to speak. "I know there is something more to your strength. There's no way you could've achieved it from just strength training!" She suddenly got on her knees, and bowed. She slammed her head against the floor. "Master, please! Tell me the true secret of your power!"
"Whoa, girl, chill out!" Saitama cried, waving his hands. "Believe it or not, that's literally all I did!"
Ayano looked up, blood dripping down her forehead. Genos appeared to be just as confused.
"Oh yeah?" Carnage Kabuto asked. His bones were cracking, and his outer shell was changing.
"No!" Genus warned. "Don't do it!"
"If you don't want to tell us your secret, so be it," Carnage said, his voice getting deeper. He began to grow taller. His musculature increased.
"Oh my God," Genus said. Alarms blared in the background. "Looks like he's going on another rampage!"
"I bet you aren't stronger than me," Carnage continued, his transformation continuing. "Not even close!"
A large horn, reminiscent of a rhinoceros beetle grew out of his head. The doors closed.
"But… since you seriously pissed me off," Carnage said, straightening his back. "I'm gonna annihilate you!"
He slammed his purple feet into the ground, green veins running through his massive figure. The horn on his head had to be bigger than Ayano herself. His eyes turned a deathly red.
"Carnage mode!" he boomed.
The alarms increased in veracity. The whole room turned red.
"When I get like this, I lose control for a whole week!" Carnage told Saitama, towering over him. "My lust for death cannot be quelled! After I kill you, I'll head into town. Once I'm there, I'll go on a bloody killing rampage until next Saturday! If you really are a strong hero, then try and stop me!"
Carnage roared, punching Saitama in the face. The hero went flying into the wall, but didn't look bothered. Carnage then flicked him away, like he was a bouncy ball. Saitama zoomed around the room, re-thinking his entire life. He wasn't fighting back at all.
Ayano was confused. What was he doing? Why was he letting Carnage hit him around like a bouncy ball?
"Today is bargain day at the supermarket!" Saitama suddenly screamed, ramming his fist through Carnage's body. The monster exploded into green guck. Genus watched in awe, his mouth agape. Ayano's eyes lit up at the sight of strength. She felt something, again. That determination she'd felt before. Her face broke into a grin, clenching her fists. She watched as Saitama collapsed, his hands over his head.
"I screwed up!" he screamed.
"What is he talking about…?" a befuddled Genus asked.
"I believe he is upset because he is missing this," Genos said, showing the doctor the catalogue for bargain day at the supermarket. Ayano stood up, walking beside Genos as they approached Saitama.
"Master, the store closes at 10 o'clock PM," Genos informed his master. "That is about four hours from now. If we hurry, we can still make it."
Saitama stood up. "Wait, so you're saying there's still a chance?"
"Yes," Genos said.
"Let's go, Genos, Ayano!" Saitama yelled, racing towards the wall.
"Yes Master!" both disciples replied, chasing after him. Saitama proceeded to punch a massive hole in the wall, showering the room in sunset. Genus stood there in awe, holding the bargain day catalogue in his hand.
I think I'm done messing with evolution, he thought. It appears… I'm the one that needs to change.
He smiled, and sniffled. But that girl…
He held out a small vial of Ayano's blood.
She's something else entirely. That condition she has… I'll figure it out.
Unagi Denkashiza was having an ordinary day. People were avoiding him, as usual. He could understand why: he used to be a delinquent. But he wasn't anymore! He had changed! Sure, he wasn't exactly friendly, but still!
Well. Everything was almost ordinary. There was this weird girl stalking him.
The girl, Ayano Aishi, he believed, had showed up a few weeks ago in front of the gym and had been working out like a madwoman. She was crazy dedicated, maybe even more than he was. He had to admire her spirit! She was tough.
… and a little creepy.
Did she have a crush on him? He blushed at the thought. He'd never had a real girlfriend before! Despite her creepiness, Ayano was a strong girl. He had to admire that about her.
Still… there was a weird look in her eyes… if he stared at them, he saw a flash of red. If only for a moment.