When the arguing men got floated in, Mitsumi blinked from where she was resting against Saitama's chest. When she saw Fubuki holding back her laughter, she could only wonder what had actually happened. At the sight of Tanktop Master with five of his army appearing, she frowned. "I don't think there is enough space in my home to accommodate everyone."
"Hmm?" Saitama looked at her and then at the other heroes. "Bane? Old man? What are you yammering about? I'm trying to watch some shows here."
"Ah...oh...how did I...?" Bane blinked. Then he saw the blue bubble disperse and he turned to glance at Inichi.
"My apologies. The two of you were having such a delightful conversation! I could not bear to intrude upon it," Inichi chuckled. "So I helped you both inside. Please find a place to relax."
"The couch should be large enough for now," Zenchu said and moved to sit normally to make space. "So you all know, I was out there watching everything. None of you saw me. Saitama saw me, though."
"You were out there?!" one of the Tanktop Army gaped.
"Yep. And I'll tell you this. If Sweet Mask tries anything, I may have to kill him," Zenchu said seriously.
"Wouldn't surprise me none," Kamikaze shrugged and sat down. "I don't think I'd even complain if you did. It'd be called self-defense, anyways."
"Hey, Fumio! Um, can I get a sample of your blood for analysis?" Child Emperor asked. Fumio came over to give over the blood sample now. "I want to see how you became a monster. Maybe I can separate out something."
"Yeah. That would help," Fumio nodded.
"If it works, let me know," Rendor nodded from where he was sitting by the door. Kamiko and Tacki looked a bit sad, though, and gave sighs.
"What's wrong? I'll help you both, too," Child Emperor said.
"I was transformed by a curse on an urn," Tacki said.
"And I was changed by a charm after leaving a jungle region. I know I left it behind, but I saw it in my travel bag! Then it disappeared after I found myself like this," Kamiko shrugged. Child Emperor took out two sketch pads with charcoal pencils to give to them.
"Draw out what changed you, please!" he insisted. "And how did you change, Rendor? Do you know?"
"I started to explain that I was an explorer. I liked seeing ruins of both new and old eras. I came across some strange shrine with beasts being depicted on it. As I was studying it, I saw some weird glow. Then I blacked out. When I woke up, well...you have me now. I was the third one that Lady Mitsumi freed. I seem to be an odd mix of things, too. I was like this for a good year before I was found. I was acting like a true feral beast, too.
"I heard Lady Mitsumi talking to Zenchu. When I roared and bore down on her, it was Zenchu that actually smacked me away. Then Tacki kicked dirt in my eyes to buy Lady Mitsumi time to bring out her small flower. When I saw it...I knew what happened. My memories returned...and I wasn't just shedding tears from the dirt in my eyes then. She talked to me. Wept with me. I know that, even if I don't revert back to my old self, I will never want to stray from her side. Like the others, she is my baby sister, too," Rendor sighed sadly and shook his head.
"Can you draw out the shrine you saw?" Child Emperor asked.
"My hands are not good for holding small objects for long lengths of time. But Inichi can draw for me," Rendor nodded. "It will be easy for him to see what changed me."
"This is so weird," Kamikaze admitted. "All the monsters I encountered willingly did it. You all were just...tricked and trapped into it?"
"Not me," Zenchu grinned. "I made some kind of a crappy potion. That was about eighty years ago. So, I don't know if it's possible for me to be cured."
"Did you want to be cured?" Child Emperor asked.
"I'm thinking about it. I may just keep myself this way to protect Lady Mitsumi and the family. Inichi also drank something crappy, too," Zenchu snorted. "It might be different for us if it was willingly done."
"That I did," Inichi sighed. "I was trying to enhance my own intellect. I had succeeded far too well."
"You should stay as you are. What you can do now will easily help turn the tide in any situation. I wanted to discuss this with you, too, at some point," Bane smirked and accepted a fried sushi roll dish. Lemon water was now set up for him on a makeshift table. Others were now getting served up their requested dishes. Mitsumi had begun to lightly doze off on Saitama's chest now. He simply kept an arm around her and watched the television. When there was a knock on the door, she only sighed and got squeezed gently.
"Let me answer it," Kamikaze grinned and speared a piece of eel. When he opened the door, he just stared at Sneck. "Oh. What do you want?"
"Ah...well...I was hoping to speak with Mitsumi," Sneck said.
"About what?" Kamikaze asked and chewed slowly.
"How can you eat with that stick in your mouth?" Sneck frowned.
"It's a talent. So, what do you want?" he asked again.
"Sweet Mask put out an order to research her," Sneck said. "I wanted her to know. I don't know if she does know."
"Hmm..." Inichi mused. "He is persistent. Is he not?"
"Did you know?" Zenchu asked. "And Sneck is...fine. I guess."
"Oh? Either he is or he isn't," Kamikaze said.
"He watched me change once. And he vouched for us earlier. He is fine," Mitsumi sighed and yawned. Saitama now gently moved his hand over her back and yawned soon after to show he was also reaching his limit.
"Thank you for informing us," Zenchu said to Sneck. "If you want some dinner, just let us know."
"Oh. Sure, I can get something," Sneck nodded and found a seat. At the sight of Saitama starting to nod off, Mitsumi could only smile.
"Bed?" Saitama asked her.
"I think so," she nodded.
"Okay. We're gonna sleep. You all can stay and...do stuff. I guess," Saitama shrugged. Then they looked over when Kianna was able to walk in. "Oh, hey. King is doing good?"
"He is fine," she nodded.
"Did you hear that Saitama got attacked by another hero?" Zenchu smirked.
"What?!" Kianna bristled.
"Hush now. Zenchu, even though I'm not old anymore, I still know where that walking cane is," Mitsumi warned.
"Nah. I still need to pinch him," Saitama mused.
"I'm sorry. I'll shut up now," Zenchu said seriously. That got everyone laughing now. Child Emperor was quick to finalize some notes and set things to auto work for him.
"I need to head home. I have school tomorrow. I'll be back right after, though," he said. "When I get back, this should be done with my results. Thanks for everything!"
"Just let me know when you are ready to come over," Inichi nodded. "Did you need a lift home?"
"Yeah," Child Emperor nodded and thought out his home location. Right after he left, Saitama looked at the rest of the heroes in the home.
"Okay. Ten more minutes. Then everyone has to leave," he said.
"That's fine. I'll probably bring over some dishes that I know of," Kamikaze said. "Oh, Saitama?"
"What?" he asked.
"Want to learn how to use a sword?" Kamikaze grinned.
"No! He wants to learn martial arts!" Bane glowered.
"Actually...I don't want to learn anything else right now," Saitama shrugged. At Mitsumi's soft giggle he looked at her. "What?"
"I actually know how to dance with decorative fans," she blushed.
"Oh? Is it nice?" he asked.
"I was told it was...amazing," she nodded. "But I don't have any fans or the right outfits. I left them all behind."
"We can make them," Tacki beamed.
"You could, huh?" Mitsumi smiled.
"We'll plan for it," Kamiko nodded.
"Tanktop Master! What would you like us to do?" one of the Tanktop Army member asked.
"Hmm. Let's go patrol for now around the restaurant. If there are unwanted ones around, we'll ask questions," Tanktop Master said. "Thanks for dinner! That tempura chicken was amazing."
"You're welcome!" Orotsu nodded and proceeded to check on the setting white rice for sushi. Sneck was soon out after finishing off his dish. Kianna was finally getting filled in on what happened by Fubuki. Bane and Kamikaze were soon waving to show they were heading out.
"We'll be there for breakfast," Bane nodded. "And I'll see if I can find a suitable spot to build a home near my dojo. It may be safer, as I'll also help keep watch on things."
"That can work," Zenchu nodded. After the two men left, it was only Fubuki that was left.
"Did you need a lift home?" Inichi asked.
"I was...sort of hoping to talk to you more," she admitted.
"Oh! We can chat anywhere," he said.
"True, but it's nice to be in person, so to speak," she chuckled.
"Ah! You flatter me! If you insist," Inichi said.
"Just date him," Kianna laughed outright.
"What?!" Fubuki blinked.
"Dating doesn't have to be intimate," Kianna said. "King and I just shared a meal at his place. Then I watched him piss off a multitude of players. It was extremely satisfying. He even had a character that almost resembled me. So, he let me beat up a lot of people virtually. I even got to talk in his headset to show they really 'were' getting owned by a girl! If they asked why I sounded like I did, I said there was a voice changer on to hide my true vocal identity."
"Huh. That's one way to hit it off," Zenchu chuckled. Tsuruga glanced over from where he was sitting near the bedroom to give a bit of a grin, too.
"Kianna, since you're here, I really need to take a bath and dress for bed. Saitama, you need to stay out here," Mitsumi said.
"Aww..." Saitama pouted. Kamiko giggled with Tacki now and quickly got to work to set up a bath. He did move over to Mitsumi's side to pull her close and kiss her, though. "How long, you think?"
"I usually take about twenty minutes. If you fall asleep on the couch, I can wake you," she smiled. He sighed and could only nod. He released her after that and wondered on what to do while he waited.
"I could clean your clothing again," Richoo said from where he was in the kitchen. Saitama rose a brow and could only agree to that.
"Master, what are the plans?" Genos asked.
"We need to sleep when she's done bathing. As much as I want to see about expanding this place, I think a real house might be more ideal," Saitama frowned. "If the old man finds a good spot, then we'll check it out. Oh. What happened to that guy that was helping cook?"
"I sent Suiryu home. After the message Inichi gave us, I did not want him to get harmed. He will show up tomorrow to help with prep work," Orotsu said.
"I still need to see if I can kick his ass in five minutes," Zenchu smirked.
"You can do that," Saitama nodded. When his phone rang again, he gave it an annoying look before answering it. "Hello? Yes, I'm him. Oh? How about later in the day. Ah, no. It won't be just me. I don't care if it's a private matter. Then give me the verdict now and get it over with. Okay, fine. Immediately? Huh. What number will I be? Oh. That high up? Oh. Okay. So, I still have to show up to sign papers and stuff?
"Look. If I can bring Mitsumi with me with two of her family members then I'll be there. Her original family is going to be looking for her! Or have you forgotten that?! You saw the emails! The safest place she would be is with me! That's right. Okay. After her restaurant opens for the day we'll show up. Likely Zenchu and Inichi. Right. Bye."
"Verdict?" Fubuki frowned. Then her jaw dropped. "Oh! Did they tell you what to expect?"
"Yeah. I'm going to be class S. Rank 4," Saitama sighed.
"That moves Kamikaze down to rank 5!" Genos gaped.
"I'm sure that Sweet Mask will have a cow about it," Zenchu grinned lightly. Saitama just shrugged with a bit of boredom.
"You should be rank 1!" Genos grumbled a bit now.
"It's fine. I'm not worried about it," Saitama said calmly.
"You're being skipped over A class completely!" Fubuki marveled.
"I guess so. I can only hope that I'm not called on too much," he said and sat down to think over everything. "I mainly became a hero just for fun. Now it's like...a job."
"You would likely only be called on for vast emergencies, though," Inichi thought aloud.
"I need to tell you something," Kianna said to Saitama now when she was able to walk out of the bedroom. "It's important. And it's about Lady Mitsumi."
"Okay," Saitama nodded. "I'm listening."
"If Lady Mitsumi gets too stressed on things...she starts to think of abandoning everything and just leaving things behind. And I mean...everything. And this can include you," Kianna said softly. "If you notice something that starts to surface like that...please stop her. We finally have a foothold now. A way to finally be cured for those of us that can be. A place we can call home and be accepted if not all, then by most."
"Why would she do that?" Saitama asked with a hard frown.
"She dislikes confrontation. Especially when we are threatened directly. She would rather quietly leave the area so the instigators will find the area abandoned. No trace of us at all. I don't want that to happen here. It will mean I'll have to leave King," she shivered. "I don't want to do that. I'll fight back now if I have to."
"Wouldn't she care about how you felt?!" Fubuki frowned. "And there's no need for anyone to fight with us here."
"This was before we were accepted, so don't get me wrong," Kianna said now. "But...if push comes to shove..."
"She has allies now. And that includes S class heroes," Genos nodded. "This also includes Master Saitama. He is, as of now, an incredibly high ranking S class at rank 4. Also, we must think on this. If she leaves, he will track her down to bring her back. I know this."
"Good," Kianna nodded.
"I know I would go with her wherever she went. That's not even a question. But...how can I tell her to simply stay?" Saitama asked.
"Make her feel like she belongs. That she's safe and protected, too," Zenchu said and stretched back out on the couch with a sigh of relief.
"Saitama?" Mitsumi asked and he looked at her now. Her hair was braided in a single strand of jet black ink over her shoulder and it ended just below her knees. She was also in a fluffy beige robe with her dark blue nightgown underneath it. "If you need to bathe, you can. I can wait out here until you are done."
"I need my suit cleaned, and I think I'm okay on a bath. What?" he frowned at her small sigh. "Fine. I'll take a quick one."
"Okay," she nodded. Then he moved up to her to whisper very softly.
"I will do everything I can to make you think you're safe with me," Saitama said now. She looked at him with surprise.
"Why would you think that?" she had to ask.
"Lady Mitsumi...I...told him how you would have us leave..." Kianna shivered. Now Mitsumi looked at her with a grimace.
"That was then, though..." she said.
"I know. But...it's just in case. You know?" Kianna sighed. Mitsumi moved to her hug her and nod.
"It's okay. We have some very powerful allies now, right?" Mitsumi smiled. "We have those that can vouch for us."
"Also, Master Saitama is being moved into class S ranking. He will be at rank 4," Genos said with pride.
"Really?!" Mitsumi gasped with surprise.
"Yeah. I guess I'm okay with it," he shrugged.
"Oh! Does this mean we get to change up your costume?!" Kamiko beamed when she darted out of the bedroom to ask.
"Oh. I did say that, huh? Well...I want to keep this look. Maybe better material?" Saitama thought.
"The cape does suit you," Mitsumi nodded. "Maybe we can add a slight collar to go up your back. We can look at some designs."
"We can use real silk instead of cotton, too," Tacki said with excitement. "I make all of Lady Mitsumi's clothing, so I can definitely do yours, too."
"I got his measurements already," Kamiko said.
"Yay! Let's look at some designs!" Tacki bubbled up and pulled up a clean parchment to start getting to work.
"Do I really need a bath?" Saitama muttered and kissed Mitsumi now.
"Well...I took one..." she blushed softly.
"I'll take it in the morning," he said and lifted her in his arms to carry her into the bedroom. Zenchu found himself laughing softly when the door was kicked closed. In the bedroom, though, Saitama was simply removing his suit to reveal his underclothes. Then he moved to her side to pull her close.
"Saitama..." she whispered and let him kiss her passionately. When he took off his undershirt now to lean over her slightly, she blinked. Then she paused at a sudden memory that took over. She gasped with absolute shock and fear. "NO! No, please! Don't!"
"Mitsumi?!" he asked with sudden surprise. She burst into tears of fright, and it was Inichi that had to slam the door open with his intense ESP to get to her.
"He is not that one! Wait...he...I..." Inichi stiffened with a flood of an intense emotion of unbridled rage.
"What happened to her?!" Saitama asked him.
"She...I can't...it will also drive you to a brink of destruction! Let me...get rid of this first...I..." Inichi cringed to struggle for control. Now Zenchu charged in to look at Inichi for an explanation. "Zenchu, yes. Hold her. Give me five minutes to disperse this rage she gave me."
"Inichi?!" Fubuki had to ask. "Why are you so angry?"
"I need to return!" Inichi hissed and quickly fled out the door and from the apartment. :I'm so sorry, Miss Fubuki! The memory she gave me...I must release this destructive energy before I accidentally hurt anyone!:
:Go over the ocean!: She urged him. He was quick to heed her advice.
"What did he see from you?" Zenchu asked Mitsumi's trembling form.
"I...I..." she was still panicking.
"Mitsumi, can I hold you? Please," Saitama asked gently. She burst into tears again and was able to pull herself over to him to get hugged. "I need to know what happened. What caused this. We were fine last night. What happened now? Please. You can tell me."
"Inichi...can do it...I just..." she couldn't stop shaking. He only nodded and continued to hold her protectively to him.
"Master?" Genos frowned. Even the others had no idea what to think. Ten minutes later, Inichi came back in much calmer and in far more control. He went straight into the bedroom, and the rest could only peer in the bedroom doorway.
"When I say this, I know the rest of you will need to vent your rage, too," Inichi said with a heavy heart. "Her tormentor...he did do things to her. She woke up during one of his advances against her will. She couldn't say anything or do anything from the drugs in her system. He raped her multiple times..."
"What...?!" Fubuki gasped with horror.
"Mr. Saitama, when you leaned over her as you are now...it triggered the memory. I am sure it won't happen again, but...it caught her by surprise. And when she sent it to me as a way to call out for silent help..." Inichi cringed.
"Shut up!" Zenchu seethed. "You're right. I need to break something."
"Her body reverted though, correct?" Genos asked slowly.
"Yes. Thankfully. But...so did her purity," Inichi hissed.
"He had her as a...every time!" Kamiko growled out. Saitama's face was completely expressionless on hearing this. Now he looked at Mitsumi's sobbing form against his chest and lifted her in his arms.
"Where are you going?" Zenchu asked.
"Outside with her," Saitama said in a rather quiet tone.
"Do you need to dress?" Genos asked.
"No. Just stay here. Unless you also need to break something. Because I'm going to level a building," Saitama said with a narrowed gaze. "I killed him. But he still has her with these memories. I'm going to show her again how I can protect her. I can't stop thoughts. But I can show her how nothing is going to touch her. Unless it's me."
"Of course, Master," Genos nodded. He noticed the others had left to vent their own forms of rage. Saitama had run through the area quickly and aimed his search to where he knew several buildings were abandoned from the destruction of the Monster Association long ago. He stopped to look around and now calmly walked up to a small group of the buildings that were clearly ready to fall apart from their faulty structure.
"I'm sorry...Saitama..." Mitsumi sniffed.
"No. It's not your fault," he said in a surprisingly tender way.
"I..." she paused and shivered.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I love you," she said in a shaky voice. He looked at her calmly and gently caressed her cheek before pulling her close while carrying her to let her rest her head against his neck.
"Yeah. I love you, too," he nodded and saw a building standing derelict and ready to fall apart. "Can you stand up?"
"I'm...calmer now. I should be able to," she said with a deep breath.
"Lean into my back so I can stand in front of you directly. Okay?" he said in a rather soft tone to her and set her down to stand. "Brace your legs directly against mine. Let me take the force and be the wall to guard you."
"Okay," she nodded and did just that. She put her arms around his waist, but he had her carefully move them around his neck. He studied the building in front of him before lunging and punching out hard to put all of the anger he just gathered behind it. She cringed and hid her face between his shoulders from the dust that now swirled around them. He was quick to turn, gather her up and leap out of the way with her when the building groaned and collapsed in on itself.
"Yeah. He's not hitting me," Zenchu muttered to himself from where he watched the ten story building fall. Then he saw the next four buildings around it also collapse. The area was completely evacuated, so there were no lives lost at all. The buildings were ready to be torn down, too, so it could always be explained that the structure finally gave away.
"Master?" Genos now asked when he saw Saitama carrying Mitsumi back to the apartment. Saitama had a rather thoughtful look on his face.
"I know I only met her less than four days ago. But..." Saitama looked down at her and continued to carry her in. "Find me a ring I can use to propose to her with. I need one of those. I don't need to marry her right now. I just want people to know that they can't touch her. That's only for me."
"Oh! Ah...of course!" Genos nodded.
"Okay. Now we are going to sleep. If anything else happens, wake us up," Saitama said with a heavy yawn. "We'll go over my costume details tomorrow night, I suppose."
"Of course, Master," Genos nodded and gave a slight bow. Fubuki just watched them go back into the bedroom and close the door again. She looked at Inichi with intense worry.
"They will be fine," Inichi sighed. "This night...it has harmed us all. I am sure we will discuss it more later in the day. We do have a guest room if you would like to sleep here."
"I think I'd better," Fubuki nodded. "Thank you."
"And thank you for guiding me on where to vent my emotional barrage of anger," Inichi said. "The ocean was a perfect solution."
"You're welcome," she smiled. Then she rose up and pressed a kiss to where his right cheek would be. That got him speechless at it. "I'll see you in the morning, right?"
"Most definitely," Inichi agreed. Kianna gave a soft chuckle and proceeded to watch over the apartment now while Zenchu kept an eye on things from the outside. He needed to ensure that no one rushed back out from the havoc that his family just did to vent anger that could have easily made others think they reverted back to being full monsters. We just can't have that. It won't do.